Red Digivice Diaries

 Entry 16 - Reception

 By Lord Archive


 Hikari fidgeted. "This series is NOT for kids. It is rated NC-17 for graphic
 sexual content. If you're under the age of eighteen, do NOT read this. If your
 parents won't let you watch rated R movies, they would NEVER let you read this.

 "The couples are largely the same as the rest of the series, though some changes
 are in this. War Diaries Entry 13 is almost the same as this entry just edited
 to make it 'PG-13.'"

 ----------------------

 Koushiro fidgeted as Ayashi looked at him while riding the subway to the
 television station. He tried to figure out what to tell her about his
 'after-school job,' but didn't know how to approach it. Most people learned who
 a Chosen was pretty much by accident of seeing them with their digimon partner.
 However, he wanted to break it to her before she actually saw one today.

 "So when are you going to tell me about your job?" Ayashi asked.

 Koushiro pulled at the collar of his school uniform. "Um, I can't quite tell you
 here. It's not something I can talk about in public."

 "Why not? Do you work for the Yakuza? Are you part of the Izumi clan of ninja
 assassins?" Ayashi questioned.

 "Huh? No. No. It's nothing like that. Well, not really anyway. Why did you think
 that?" Koushiro nervously questioned.

 "Well, it's just those strange emails you had that other day, and I heard once
 that one of the ninja clans was Izumi," Ayashi explained.

 "I don't know anything about that if my clan does have ninja in it," Koushiro
 said.

 Ayashi shrugged.

 ----------------------

 "Geez, we're too freakin' early," Bobby complained, leaning against the wall
 outside the Fuji Television station.

 "Oh, be quiet," Lisa sniped. "We wanted to make sure we were here on time."

 "On time is four in the afternoon, Tuesday. It's now nine in the evening on
 Monday. We've got hours to go," Bobby said irritably.

 Hank growled. "No, it's one o'clock. You've just been asleep for over sixteen
 hours, and I cruelly set your watch back."

 "You did?!" Bobby went to adjust his watch. "Why the hell did you do that?"

 Lisa rolled her eyes. "What an idiot."

 "Yeah, but you like him anyway," Jessica observed.

 "Don't encourage her," Rick growled.

 "There's nothing you can do about it. Love is blind." Jessica glanced at Hank.
 "Very blind."

 "That's helpful," Lisa griped.

 "Hey, guys, what's that?" Bobby pointed as the air started to shimmer nearby.

 "Didn't the Odaiba Chosen mention something about portals opening like that?"
 Lisa questioned.

 "This isn't good. We don't have our digimon." Hank looked around for something
 that might help them.

 A flash of light erupted from the air. When the Oklahoma group blinked their
 eyes clear, they could see seven teenagers about there age standing in a circle
 each carrying a different type of sword that was held out before themselves.
 Almost as on they seemed to sheathe their swords, the blades disappearing only
 leaving what looked like a digivice where they had put away their weapons. In
 the center of the circle were eight digimon. 

 Jessica relaxed. "It's just the London group."

 "How come we don't get neat things like those swords?" Bobby questioned, while
 trying to 'unsheathe' a sword from his digivice.

 "Because we've never had to fight digimon personally, they have," Hank said
 curtly.

 "Oh, right." Bobby nodded. "Wouldn't be too much of a problem for me."

 "You'd just get yourself killed," Lisa pointed out.

 "So?" Bobby questioned as if that wasn't a problem.

 Hank stepped toward the other group. "Hello, I'm Hank of the Oklahoma team."

 "Ah, yes, the hypocrite," replied a young man with a smirk. He was sixteen and
 had groomed blond hair and a decent build but nothing compared to Hank. "I'm
 Chuck of the London group," the boy continued. "And this fellow is Plotmon."

 "Hi!" the puppy digimon chirped.

 "I'm not being a hypocrite if I fully admit that I'm just as stupid as Takeru
 and Hikari," Hank returned.

 "And believe me, he's pretty damn stupid when he wants to be," Jessica said with
 a joking tone.

 "Hey," Hank growled slightly. "As you can guess, this is Jessica."

 "Sorry about having what should've been a private argument getting all over the
 message board," Jessica apologized.

 "Don't worry about it. It was an interesting read," a slender looking fifteen
 year old with long brown hair and a bit too modest of a chest size said
 friendly. "Nice to meet you. I'm Teresa." 

 A young man with untamed brown hair and was about the same age as Teresa. He
 motioned toward her. "Yes, and love, here, would have attacked me the same way
 if I had flamed Takeru like that. I'm Henry." 

 Teresa blushed. "Don't say that."

 Henry suddenly felt extreme pain in his shin. He started hoping on foot and
 looked down and saw that Teresa's female Tapirmon, which was the English name
 for pygmy-elephant-like Bakumon, had punched him. 

 "What did I say about embarrassing her?" Tapirmon asked.

 "Sorry, Tapirmon," Henry apologized.

 "I'm not the one you should be apologizing too!" Tapirmon huffed.

 "Aw, leave him be. You know he would never hurt her," said a black and white
 furred version of Patamon. He then turned to the Oklahoma group. "Greetings,
 Tsukaimon is my name."

 Lisa giggled. "I'm Lisa, that's my over-protective brother, Rick. And he's the
 master of embarrassing others, Bobby."

 "I don't do that," Bobby said defensively, but then asked, "Do I?"

 Despite the looks of being almost six feet, black haired, and muscular
 appearance; the guy who stepped forward was only fifteen. "Hi, I'm George, and
 this is my digimon, Kokuwamon," the burly teen said almost musically.

 The metallic insect digimon waved.

 Lisa blinked. "You've got a nice voice."

 "Thanks, I hope to be a musician." George smiled.

 "Yo." Waved a scrawny teen of fourteen clad in black leather and chains. His
 hair was a purple mohawk. "I'm Frederick, and this chap is Goblimon."

 "How's things?" Goblimon asked.

 "They're nicer than they appears. I assure you." A white and blue clad wizard
 digimon bowed to them. "I'm Sorcerymon. It's a pleasure to meet you." The modest
 breasts and feminine voice clearly indicating that this Sorcerymon was in fact
 female.

 "I'm Melissa." A girl of fourteen bowed shyly. Her short dark brown hair was cut
 in bowl shape and her chest was slightly larger than Teresa despite being
 younger. "And this is Modoki Betamon."

 "Hi!" the female aquatic digimon greeted.

 "Hiya, folks. Numemon's my name," the green slug digimon greeted. "This is
 William, but he doesn't talk much."

 "Hi," William said sluggishly. He was maybe eleven years old and had
 blondish-brown hair that was in need of being washed.

 "So, why are you fellows waiting out here?" Chuck asked.

 "They won't let us in until they're done cleaning the room from the last group
 to reserve it, and for Koushiro to show up with the guest list," Hank explained.

 "Ah." Chuck nodded.

 ----------------------

 "Ayashi, what do you think about digimon?" Koushiro asked.

 Ayashi shrugged as the pair approached the Fuji Television Station. "They're a
 menace, I suppose. I mean there's been all those battles with them, and that
 police officer that died."

 Koushiro flinched and looked away. "You do know there are good digimon and evil
 ones, right?"

 Ayashi nodded. "I guess so. We'd probably be better if they stayed in their own
 world, though."

 "What if that's difficult because their dimension is in the process of being
 born from ours?" Koushiro questioned.

 Ayashi blinked. "Huh? Can you run that by me again?"

 Koushiro sighed and explained slowly, "Let's suppose that all the data that gets
 lost in the internet doesn't simply disappear but gets collected somewhere. That
 mass of information continues to grow at extreme rates due to the usage of the
 internet. Now once that information hits a certain critical mass, it somehow
 ended up making another dimension. At least that's the current theory."

 Ayashi blinked. "You're saying all these digimon are creations of the internet's
 backwash?"

 Koushiro chuckled nervously. "Basically. Though Professor Takenouchi believes
 that the Spirit Plane also has had an effect on the Digital World's creation as
 well."

 "Where did you get that line of bull?" Ayashi questioned disbelievingly.

 "Actually..." Koushiro fidgeted. "I'm the one to come up with that theory, since
 it's part of my after-school job." 

 "And just how would you get any of the information you'd need to make that
 assumption?" Ayashi asked skeptically.

 Koushiro looked away, his nervousness and fear rather clear in his voice. "Well,
 I've been to the Digital World and know how I can get there when I want to.
 Also, I've got the email addresses of all the people paired with digimon that
 are known to exist. Plus, I'm the head moderator of a message board that allows
 them to communicate with all the other Chosen and Digi-destined."

 Ayashi stared at Koushiro like he was from another planet. "You expect me to
 believe that?"

 Koushiro swallowed hard. "The reason I told you that I had to explain my 'job'
 was because there's no way you wouldn't have found out today. Since among the
 guest list for the reception includes hundreds of digimon."

 Ayashi blinked. "You're kidding me, right?"

 "Are you Koushiro?" someone chirped in English.

 Koushiro looked around and then down at the ground. He attempted to reply in
 English, "Ah, yes, Plotmon. Me Koushiro."

 "Yay!" The weird puppy cheered, jumping into the air. "It's him! He's here!"

 "You are a digimon?" Ayashi questioned in English.

 Plotmon looked at her and nodded. "Of course."

 "How did you know he was Koushiro?" Ayashi asked.

 "Simple, he has the smells of digimon and computer stores on him," Plotmon
 answered.

 Ayashi paused for a second to make sure she understood him. "Ah, okay. Thank
 you."

 Koushiro smiled sheepishly, and asked in Japanese, "Convinced now?"

 "Yeah. I just didn't think you'd be involved in this," Ayashi replied
 unsteadily.

 "I'm very much involved in the Digital World," Koushiro said. "I might not be
 'on the field' much any more, but I'm one of the key support personnel of all
 those partnered with a digimon."

 "You've fought in battles like the one that occurred here last week?" Ayashi
 questioned nervously. 

 Koushiro nodded. "Yes. That was actually one of the few battles I've fought in
 years."

 "But weren't digimon killed in that?" Ayashi asked.

 "Yeah." Koushiro turned away again. "And it was when I confirmed information
 that those digimon weren't from the Digital World but yet another dimension that
 the order to kill them all was given."

 "Did you kill?" Ayashi's eyes were wide.

 "Yes." Koushiro slouched. "Two Gazimon and two Hangyomon were killed by my
 partner, Kabuterimon. He wouldn't have been able to do it if I hadn't allowed
 him to."

 "Were there other times you killed?" Ayashi's entire body shook slightly.

 "Quite a few times, I'm afraid. I got caught up in a war, and needed to do my
 part," Koushiro said with pain in his voice.

 Ayashi had a blank expression on her face.

 "Come on. I've got to set up a portal for some of the guests to arrive."
 Koushiro guided her into the television station.

 ----------------------

 Koushiro led Ayashi along with the Oklahoma and London teams into the main
 studio of Fuji Television Station.

 "How did Takashi get this place for the reception?" Rick questioned as he looked
 around the three story tall room with a football field area for floor space.

 "Takeru's father, Mr. Ishida, works here and the room wasn't reserved for
 filming after two o'clock," Koushiro explained and then blinked. "You weren't
 speaking Japanese just now, were you?"

 Rick shook his head. "No. I thought you were speaking English."

 "Um, Koushiro, who's Ben Kenobi there?" Ayashi pointed at a young man with brown
 hair wearing robes. 

 "Just a minute. Need to adjust the Digital Barrier for the room," the man called
 out. He then stood up and grinned triumphantly as he patted some strange box
 hooked up to the audio system in the room. "Good to see it this device is
 working." He glanced over the kids and explained, "I was able to rig a universal
 translator. Not only will it allow everyone to communicate, but we'll sound like
 we're speaking roughly the same dialect. Plus the modified Digital Barrier I set
 up will allow people to be visible from anyone looking into the room, but
 digimon won't."

 "That's great. I didn't think you were coming, Gennai." Koushiro paused. "You
 are Gennai, right?"

 "That's what the label on my clone tank said." Gennai smirked.

 Ayashi blinked. "You mean you are Obi-Wan?"

 "More like Gennai-two, since old Gennai-one passed away from old age and I was
 the lucky one to get his knowledge downloaded into. Though that's enough Star
 Wars." The clone pointed at a few stacks of folded tables. "Since you guys are
 early, mind helping setting up the tables?"

 The London group and Hank immediately went to the task.

 "How do you know about Star Wars?" Lisa asked.

 "All work and no play makes Gennai a dull boy," he joked. "I spend some time on
 Earth and have caught a few films."

 "This'll go quicker if we had our digimon to help," Jessica pointed out.

 Koushiro nodded and went to a table that had been set up already. He pulled out
 his modified laptop and began typing. He then paused at looked up. "Does anyone
 have a D-3?" Izumi asked.

 Members from both teams shook their heads.

 "Ah, knew I forgot something. Koushiro hold your digivice to the computer screen
 with the Digital Portal program running," Gennai informed him.

 Ayashi watched as Koushiro pulled out a silvery hand held device and placed it
 against his computer screen. Suddenly light flashed and Koushiro was gone. She
 stared blankly. "Where did he go?!"

 "He'll be back in a second," Gennai assured her.

 Ayashi waited for a minute before the light flashed again. Koushiro stood there
 looking a differently shaped maroon device with silver trim that was in his
 hand. A large ladybug like insect hovered in the air next to him. She rushed
 over to him and asked, "What happened?"

 Koushiro looked at her and explained calmly, "I went into the Digital World and
 my digivice converted to a D-3. Also, I picked up my partner, Tentomon."

 "Hello, Ayashi." Tentomon waved. "I've heard a lot about you."

 Ayashi blinked. "I thought you said your partner was Katerimon."

 "My next evolution form is KaBUterimon," Tentomon corrected.

 "Ah...." Ayashi felt unsteady on her feet.

 "You haven't had to deal with digimon before, have you?" Plotmon asked.

 "Um, yes." Ayashi fidgeted. "How did you know?"

 "You're acting like how Chuck's mother acted when she found out about me,"
 Plotmon explained. "Most digimon are friendly, and all the ones you see today
 should be like that."

 "Why don't you sit down, miss," Chuck suggested, pointing at a table that had
 just been set up. "Plots can answer any questions you might have, since Koushiro
 will be busy."

 Ayashi nodded, went over to the table and plopped down into a chair.

 Plotmon scampered over and hopped into the chair next to her. "So, what do you
 want to know about?"


 "Koushiro, try to get the rest of your old team to go through a portal today.
 When they do, they'll have their digivices converted as well," Gennai explained.

 Koushiro nodded. "Sure. But why are we getting our digivices changed?" 

 "Let's just hope this precautionary measure isn't truly needed," Gennai said
 seriously.

 Koushiro nodded and went back to work. "Got a fix on your digimon," he called
 out to the Oklahoma team. He grinned as he pulled out his new toy. "Digi-port
 Open!"

 Light flashed and Kokuwamon, Alraumon, Piyomon, Pico Devimon, and Elecmon
 appeared.

 "Piyomon!" Bobby cried out in joy, hugging the pink bird.

 "Bobby... need to... breathe...." Piyomon wheezed in a masculine voice.

 "Same old Bobby," Alraumon commented.

 Lisa giggled and nodded. "It's nice to see you."

 "Hey Rick, where's the party?" Pico Devimon asked.

 "Doesn't start for a couple hours," Rick replied.

 "Then why are we here?" Pico Devimon asked, annoyed.

 "Simple." Rick smirked as he pulled out one of the old-styled digivices. "We got
 drafted to help set up the reception."

 Pico Devimon shimmered form and grew into a human like figure standing about as
 tall as Rick. The light faded to reveal Wizardmon. "You know you could've asked
 first," the digimon grumbled.

 "The more help we get, the sooner the job gets done," Hank pointed out. "Feel
 like getting some work in Kokuwamon?"

 "Sure thing." The mechanical insect digimon glowed and changed into a two meter
 tall brown robot called Guardromon. "This mission will easily be accomplished."

 George's Kokuwamon looked up at Guardromon, and commented, "I can be bigger."

 "Why don't you?" George grabbed hold of his digivice attached to the back of his
 shirt collar and the device changed into a giant two-handed sword measuring over
 six feet as he made the action of unsheathing it. The digivice screen was now on
 the hand guard which flared.

 "Kokuwamon evolve!" A pillar of light formed and when it subsided a giant red
 insect stood in his place. "Kuwagamon!"

 Jessica looked at her digimon with concern. "Elecmon, are you all right?"

 Elecmon shook her head weakly.

 Koushiro noticed something and exchanged worried glances with Gennai.

 ----------------------

 A strange creature that looked like a brain with tentacles and a pair of eyes
 held an odd device. "With this I should be able to find a Chosen." He adjusted
 the controls until two flashing dots appeared on it. He opted for the closer of
 the two locations.

 "It wouldn't do to alert anyone of my presence," he said aloud seeking cover as
 he approached the building where the signal was coming from.

 The digimon scurried past a desk, hoping he hadn't been seen.

 "Are we filming 'Mars Attacks' today?" asked the college intern at the desk.

 The security guard next to him shook his head. "Probably for Ishida's 'costume
 party.'"

 "Awfully realistic costume."

 The creature literally patted himself on the back for not being noticed. He only
 had to make it down this hall.

 He looked at his device blinking away strongly. He grinned as his plan was
 coming into fruition. He carefully opened the door to peak inside to make sure
 the Chosen didn't have a digimon with him. He smiled seeing nothing more than
 large numbers of humans sitting around talking.

 Flinging open the doors, the digimon rushed in with a gun poised to fire.
 "Conquest of the two worlds are mine! Hand over the Chosen and no... one...
 gets... hurt?!" The digimon's mouth hung open as the room had several dozen
 digimon in it, each disturbingly close to a child. He looked at his device and
 adjusted the control and it lit up like a Christmas tree. He laughed nervously
 and dropped his gun. "You can take a joke right?"

 "Vadermon?!" Koushiro cried out in shock.

 Tentomon fought the urge to evolve since he was too close to people and would
 end up hurting them.

 William of the London group walked up to the Vadermon. "What would you do if we
 sent you back to the Digital World?"

 "Live there peacefully until I'm reconfigured?" Vadermon attempted to answer
 firmly.

 "He's lying. Hose him." William walked off.

 "How are we supposed to take on a Perfection digimon?" Bobby asked.

 "Simple, double team him," Chuck replied grabbed his digivice at his belt and
 pulled out a broad sword, holding it above his head. "Plotmon, go!" 

 Vadermon quickly picked up his gun trying to figure a way out of this.

 The puppy digimon scurried over to the vacant area in front of Vadermon.
 "Plotmon evolve!" the child digimon called out. A pillar of light reached to the
 ceiling and when it faded over three meters tall rock stood there in human-like
 form. "Golemon!"

 "Golemon super-evolve!" The rock digimon stretched out his arms and pieces of
 full plate armor formed in the air around him. The armor slammed onto the
 digimon until he was completely covered for head to toe. Pulling out a broad
 sword, he sliced through the air. "Knightmon!"

 Vadermon barely caught something to his left. 

 "Dark Lizamon super-evolve!" The black furred creature with metallic mask jumped
 into the air, curling up into a ball. Digital wire frame formed, encasing the
 digimon in an egg. With feet and arms breaking free of the now off-white shell,
 a feminine cry of "Digitamamon!" echoed in the room.

 Before Vadermon could train his gun on a target, the female Digitamamon glared
 at him and hissed, "Nightmare Syndrome!" A blackness came from her eyes and
 pulled the Vadermon into it. When it subsided, the alien digimon shook on the
 floor.

 Knightmon walked up and swung his sword, slicing Vadermon's brain in half before
 he could recover. His body broke up into component data.

 The Knightmon shimmered and shrank into Plotmon, while Digitamamon became
 Teresa's Tapirmon.

 Despite Teresa's light form and less than five foot height, she effortless moved
 her giant claymore and sheathed it, changing the six foot bludgeoning sword into
 a digivice attached to strap on the back of her dress.

 "W-why did they kill him?" Ayashi questioned in shock.

 "Better them than me again," Tentomon commented.

 "Vadermon aren't exactly nice digimon," Koushiro said shakily.

 "Sorry you had to see that," Plotmon apologized.

 "Why did you do it?" Ayashi demanded.

 Chuck picked up his digimon and answered, "I'm afraid you'll just have to take
 our word on it when we say that if William says that a digimon needs to go, that
 we have to kill it."

 "I'm supposed to just accept that?" Ayashi returned.

 Chuck looked over at the youngest London member, and explained, "William is a
 special kid, much like his sister was. He seemed to have gained her ability to
 see the inner worth of people and digimon when she died."

 "Are you sure that he's not out for revenge?" Ayashi questioned.

 "William never fought a Vadermon before. Now if Koushiro ordered the kill, then
 revenge could be a motive," Chuck replied.

 Ayashi turned and looked at her date. "Why would you want revenge on Vadermon?"

 Koushiro sighed. "I tried to avoid killing when I first went to the Digital
 World, but it was a Vadermon that first pushed me to the point where I had to
 kill or be killed."

 "And well, we're still here," Tentomon added sheepishly.

 "Then that couldn't have been the same one," Ayashi commented.

 "Actually, I'm sure he's not. He didn't act the same, but it could've been since
 digimon are usually reincarnated after they die, with some of their memories of
 their past life as well," Koushiro explained.

 Ayashi blinked in confusion.


 "Now that bit of excitement is out of the way, Ishida has started transmitting,"
 Gennai called out loudly to quiet everyone. "The wedding is about to begin."
 With that a large view screen lit up to display a church with Takeru standing
 next to Patamon in front of an altar. A moment later the wedding march started
 playing and the wedding ceremony had begun.

 Ayashi was even more dumbfounded now. The couple couldn't be over fourteen. Not
 only that, but the wedding was apparently a double one with two digimon also
 tying the knot. She asked, "Why are they getting married?"

 Koushiro laughed nervously. "Let's just say their love went a WEE bit too far."

 Ayashi blinked several times. "She's pregnant?!"

 Koushiro nodded sheepishly.

 "And the digimon?" Ayashi asked.

 "Tailmon laid an egg half her size," Koushiro replied.

 Ayashi looked sick. "Ack!"


 "William, are you all right?" Sorcerymon asked.

 "Yeah, Sis, I'm fine." William huffed. "Just watch the wedding."

 "But...." Sorcerymon started to reply, but gave up with a heavy sigh as William
 glared at her. She walked away and sat down heavily next to Goblimon.

 "You all right, luv?" Goblimon asked.

 "I'm fine. It's William that I'm worried about," Sorcerymon replied.

 "There's not much you can do," Goblimon returned. "Just let him be."

 Sorcerymon held her hand to her chest. "How can I when part of his sister is in
 me?"

 "I know, luv. I know." Goblimon sighed. "If you weren't then we might have...."

 Sorcerymon shook her head. "Susan's feelings for Frederick and mine for you only
 had gone so far. Without both of us, nothing more can become of our feelings."

 "Yeah, it wouldn't be fair to Frederick." Goblimon looked away. "We don't have
 to go over this road again. Things went bad, and nothing can change that now.
 Just try to remember that there's as much Susan in you as there is Frederick in
 me. Part of you died with Susan, but you have to move on with your life. You
 shouldn't try to replace her, but find out who you are now without her."

 Sorcerymon leaned back in her chair. "I was Susan's digimon partner. It was the
 energy from her dying breath that allows me to remain at this level and caused
 us to merge and go to ultimate. My life was hers. I've asked myself countless
 times since her death what am I now, and I still can only answer Susan's
 digimon."

 Goblimon placed a hand on Sorcerymon's shoulder and looked at her with serious
 eyes. "Try to be impulsive again. Do something for no other reason than wanting
 to do it and be damned with the consequences. You used to love playing harmless
 practical jokes and doing things to keep our spirits up when we were down. Try
 to grasp onto that because that was you, not Susan."

 "I... I don't know if I can anymore," Sorcerymon replied uncertainly. 

 "Just try." Goblimon forced a smile. "For me?"

 Sorcerymon nodded slowly. "I'll try."

 ----------------------

 Hank knocked at a side door to the studio which was usually used as a storage
 room. "Hey, Jessica, they're about to exchange vows."

 Jessica looked up from her Elecmon, who was shivering, and replied, "I think we
 need some help."

 "What's wrong?" Hank's Kokuwamon asked.

 Elecmon scowled. "Sparkling Thunder!"

 Kokuwamon screamed as he went flying from the electrical attack.

 Hank stepped back. "I'll... go get some help."

 ----------------------

 Jyou was trying hard not to laugh at Genki interviewing Ikkakumon. The tabloid
 reporter was asking some very stupid questions.

 "Do most digimon want to take over the Earth?" Genki asked.

 Ikkakumon was tempted to blast the creep. This was the fourth time the tabloid
 reporter asked pretty much the same damn question in the past hour. Attempting
 to keep his tone joking, the walrus digimon replied, "Of course not. There are a
 couple bad apples that get a kick out of world domination, but the same can be
 said about humans. Most of us just want to live..." Ikkakumon paused and called
 out dramatically, "...in pursuit of love and peace!"

 Genki raised an eyebrow. "Have you seen 'Trigun?'"

 Ikkakumon laughed a little sheepishly. "A friend of mine introduced it to me."

 "You're rather well versed in human culture?" Genki noted, and not for the first
 time.

 "Of course. I have a few human friends," Ikkakumon answered.

 "Mind telling me who any of them are?" Genki pressed, his eyes gleaming with
 anticipation.

 Ikkakumon rolled his eyes, wondering if the guy would ask any new questions.
 "Why does it matter?"

 "Just curious," Genki replied, leaning closer.

 "You know what happened to the curious cat digimon?" Ikkakumon questioned with a
 smirk.

 "He died?" Genki guessed with slight nervousness.

 "Nope. She got knocked up by a gerbil digimon," Ikkakumon joked. His head rocked
 forward after being hit on the head, again, by Palmon's vine attack.

 "He's not a gerbil, and that wasn't funny." Palmon huffed.

 Jyou certainly thought it was. Fortunately his personal daily planner and e-mail
 pad gave him a helpful distraction when it started beeping. He pulled it out and
 read a message he found to be rather funny in an ironic sense.

 Jyou grabbed his stuff and ran for the Church. He needed transportation and
 fast. He let out a slight sigh of relief noting the ceremony had just finished. 

 It didn't escape Ikkakumon's notice that Jyou had left. He waited for his energy
 level to drop, but while it lowered, he didn't lose enough to force
 de-evolution. He planned to bring that up the next time he saw his partner or
 Koushiro. At least he didn't de-evolve just after Jyou left, since that would've
 raised questions from Genki that he didn't want to answer.

 "You seem distracted just now," Genki noted.

 "Just sensed another digimon, nothing major," Ikkakumon replied seemingly
 unconcerned.

 "Oh?" Genki looked around.

 Ikkakumon noticed Aquillamon with Jyou and Miyako riding him shortly after they
 had taken flight, but didn't point it out to Genki until they were some distance
 from the Church and it was hard to discern who was riding the digimon. "See?
 There he is." The walrus digimon motioned the direction with his horn.

 Genki nodded as that bird was way too big to be anything else, and someone was
 riding it. Finding out who one of those kids are would make for an even better
 story. All he had to do was find the digimon and his rider. Genki grinned.
 "Sorry to cut this short, but I've got something to do. Bye."

 "Short?" Ikkakumon questioned after Genki left.

 "What was with smelly man?" Solarmon asked.

 "Someone that's too curious for his own good," Ikkakumon replied.

 "I was a good boy, right?" Solarmon chirped.

 Palmon nodded. "Yes, very good."

 "So I can see Takeru, right?" Solarmon grinned happily.

 Palmon blinked in confusion. "Why..." She stopped as she noticed Ikkakumon
 attempting to sneak away. She glared at him. "What did you say to him?"

 Ikkakumon sputtered trying to reply. "I, ah, well, promised him that if he was
 good, he could see Takeru."

 Palmon scowled. "Why did you do that?"

 "Well... um... ah...." Ikkakumon fidgeted nervously.

 "I can't see Takeru?" Solarmon whined.

 Palmon sighed and sagged. She then tried to stand straight and smile, but it was
 obviously faked. "Of course you'll get to see Takeru. However, you can't play
 any games with him."

 Solarmon rotated his gear-like head ninety-degrees. "Why can't Takeru play?"

 "Because today is a very special day for him. Today he has joined with his
 mate," Palmon explained.

 Solarmon blinked. "Are we going to watch him mate? That's... ew." He shuddered.

 Palmon waved her hands. "No, No. I meant he made a special promise to his mate
 to always be with her. That was what was going on in there." She wondered how of
 all the things her adopted son could remember from his past life, that the
 concept of mating was one of them.

 Solarmon watched as people were leaving the Church. "You mean all of those
 people watched them JOIN?"

 Palmon bit her lip. "They didn't mate there, they made a promise with words to
 always be together. Those people watched them make that promise to acknowledge
 Takeru and Hikari are a permanent couple."

 "Oh, they didn't mate there," Solarmon surmised.

 Palmon nodded.

 "They just promised to be each other's mate," Solarmon continued.

 Palmon smiled. "Correct."

 Solarmon pouted. "And they'll fuck somewhere else. Ew."

 Palmon face-faulted. 

 Ikkakumon laughed. "Pretty much."

 Palmon scowled. "Did you...?"

 Ikkakumon blinked. "Teach him to swear? Dear, he was Pinnochimon. I'm sure he
 knows all about that."

 "Of course," Solarmon chirped. "Shit, damn, mother fuck-"

 Palmon covered her son's mouth. "Good boys don't say those things."

 Solarmon frowned and nodded. When his mother let go, he asked, "Can't even call
 someone like Genki, 'fucking idiot?'"

 Palmon crossed her arms. "No."

 Ikkakumon leaned down and whispered to his adopted son, "At least you can't
 while your mother is around."

 Solarmon smiled brightly and Palmon looked at her mate with a gaze that wanted
 to be a lethal attack.

 Ikkakumon looked at Palmon sheepishly before suddenly de-evolving to Gomamon. He
 blinked. "How did that happen now?"

 Palmon looked over at the Church and her plant-like lips tightened, noticing the
 limousine for the newlyweds was gone. She guessed, "I think Hikari or Takeru was
 somehow sustaining you, since they just left."

 "Maybe." Gomamon shrugged. "Well, we'd better get over there and find ourselves
 a ride to the reception."

 ----------------------

 "Why did you tell the driver to take the scenic route?" Mr. Yagami questioned
 with an annoyed tone.

 Brandon, Michael's father, grinned. "They aren't needed to be at the reception
 soon, right?"

 Mr. Yagami nodded. "Yes, but-" 

 Brandon raised up a finger. "Those two kids have been through a lot today and
 are probably tired. A nice hour-long drive will give them a chance to take a nap
 and recoup while all of us get to the reception."

 Mrs. Yagami place her hand on her husbands arm and said, "That's very wise
 thinking. I can't thank you enough for renting that limousine." She bowed.

 Brandon laughed. "I didn't rent it. I own it. I have to show up in style when I
 do a public appearance in Japan." He then thumbed a couple buses in the parking
 lot. "Those I rented."

 Mrs. Yagami blinked. "How...?"

 Michael walked up to Mrs. Yagami and bowed politely. "Here's another gift from
 my father to your family."

 Mr. and Mrs. Yagami looked at the signed 'The Scarab Mummy' trilogy DVD set,
 particularly the man on the cover. After comparing the picture and the man
 posing in front of them, their chorused intellectual reply was, "Huh?
 You're...."

 "Stinking rich." Brandon grinned and asked innocently, "If I can't spend my
 money, what use is it?"

 Mr. and Mrs. Yagami blinked in unison. "Ah, sure."

 Ishida walked over. "We'd better get over to the reception. We can use my van
 and get there quicker."

 Yamato stood near the van, noticing who was probably going to ride in it. While
 between the Yagami family, his dad, his mother, the Takenouchi girls, and two
 digimon would make it cramped enough. However, being in the same car as his
 mother and his father was not something Yamato wanted to go through if they
 started fighting. "Gabumon and I will use the bus," Yamato called out before
 leaving.

 "We can make enough room, son," Natsuko noted.

 "Don't worry about it," Yamato replied before getting out of earshot range.

 Mrs. Takenouchi sat in the back seat, and Sora, Taichi and Agumon filled it out.
 The middle seats had Mr. and Mrs. Yagami, with Piyomon sitting on the floor next
 to the sliding door. Ms. Takaishi took the passenger seat, while her ex-husband
 got in driver's seat and they all drove off.

 Taichi didn't think much about getting into the van besides being thankful that
 with Yamato going on the bus, he wouldn't have to have Agumon sitting on his
 lap.

 Mrs. Yagami turned and looked at her son's fiancee. "Now, Sora, I'd like to hear
 your version of why you had kicked Taichi out," she ordered in an accusing tone.

 Sora fidgeted under the scrutiny of her future mother-in-law's eyes. She
 answered, "It's because Taichi had been a bit too insensitive."

 "He told you that your present would be late," Mrs. Yagami pointed out.

 Sora glared at her fiance and explained, "Only after I brought up that he had
 forgotten my birthday, after that day had ended. If he had just given me a card
 and told me that the present wasn't ready yet, I would've believed him. Having
 him lamely tell me that after my birthday didn't sound very convincing."

 "Taichi, is that how you told her?" Mrs. Yagami demanded.

 Taichi pulled at his collar. "Ah... sorry?" he squeaked. 

 Mrs. Yagami scowled at her son. "How could you do that to her?"

 Taichi opened and closed his mouth several times.

 "Probably thought the present was more important than when he gave it," Mr.
 Ishida offered.

 Ms. Takaishi glared daggers. "And look where that line of reasoning got you."

 "That sounds familiar," Mrs. Takenouchi muttered.

 Ishida laughed nervously.

 Taichi swallowed. Mental note, at least acknowledge special days... and get
 Koushiro to rig email programs to remind him of those days.

 Mrs. Yagami sighed and decided to change subjects. "Hikari tells me that you two
 are planning on staying at our home some nights."

 Sora nodded. "Well, yes. It would've been difficult staying before considering
 Tailmon and her egg."

 "Or that you two wouldn't have any privacy," Mrs. Yagami commented with a
 disapproving tone.

 Sora flinched. "I'd understand if you don't want us doing anything intimate
 while we're over."

 "Would you follow that rule?" Mrs. Yagami asked.

 Sora nodded and Taichi almost looked relieved with that reply.

 Mrs. Takenouchi scowled. She wanted to kick herself for not putting that kind of
 restriction on them herself, but truthfully hadn't thought about that. She had
 been too upset at the time to think straight. It was too late for her to put in
 that rule now, if she truly cared to.

 "Dear, there's no point in doing that. They're practically married already. It's
 too late to stop Hikari from following their stupid lead. All you'll do is make
 it less likely that they'll stay over," Mr. Yagami commented.

 Mrs. Yagami closed her eyes and seemed to be between many emotions. "As long as
 you two keep it in the bedroom... I won't say anything unless you're too loud."

 Sora nodded with a slight smile while Taichi sagged into his seat.

 Agumon nodded in understanding. Piyomon could be a bit much with her desires to
 mate and he wished he had a place that they could go to that sex wasn't allowed.

 "Just remember to use protection," Mr. Yagami added. If the relationship fell
 apart, a baby would add even more problems. Best to wait and see how the two
 deal with living together first.

 Mrs. Yagami nodded. One grandchild on the way was too many for her. Being made a
 grandmother by both her children would be too much.

 Piyomon turned away and scowled. She understood why Sora should wait, but also
 believed that if Sora got pregnant, she would have a baby too. It'd be a couple
 years at least before their parents would consent to Sora trying to get
 pregnant.

 Mrs. Takenouchi didn't care much either way. While she had been upset at Taichi
 for being with her daughter, he was a good boy... most of the time. If he wasn't
 so impulsive and insensitive, he'd be perfect for her daughter. It really came
 down to the question of Sora finishing high school. If her daughter had a kid
 now, she wouldn't finish, which would be bad, but she'd have to take over the
 floral business, which was good.

 ----------------------

 Daisuke frowned seeing that some middle-aged guy had sat next to the
 golden-haired girl on the bus, and was afraid he was her father. He vaguely
 remembered seeing him when he picked up Takeru and Taichi in Paris with Imperial
 Dramon, but hadn't really been introduced. 

 V-mon tugged at Daisuke's pants to get his attention. "Now she's more like it."
 The digimon pointed at the Floramon seated next to the French girl.

 Daisuke smiled and nodded. He'd just have to be careful if the old guy was her
 father, but his chances would improve with V-mon trying to score with the girl's
 digimon.

 Yamato walked passed Daisuke and sat behind the French man and asked, "Grandpa,
 I know you like younger girls, but isn't she a bit TOO young?"

 Two mouths crashed to the ground from Daisuke and V-mon. That was Yamato and
 Takeru's grandfather?! Ishida looked older than him.

 "A little flirting never hurt anyone," Takaishi retorted in Japanese. He then
 turned to Catherine and asked in French, "It's perfectly fine to flirt, right
 Catherine?"

 "Yes," Catherine replied. "As long as that's all boys do."

 Yamato knew enough French to understand the basics of what was said.

 Daisuke had no clue what she said and sagged, realizing that he wouldn't be able
 to communicate with her.

 ----------------------

 Koushiro noticed the arrival of the Yagami family, Takenouchi girls, and
 Takeru's parents. The other guests would be arriving soon. 

 Koushiro's laptop started beeping, signaling someone was requesting a portal to
 join the party. He smiled seeing who it was. "I was wondering when Akiyama would
 be showing up and it looks like he's bringing friends." Izumi looked up and
 called out, "Taichi! Sora!"

 The pair came over, followed by their digimon, and Taichi asked, "What's up?"

 "Akiyama is requesting a portal, but he needs some help first," Koushiro
 explained. "If you would press your digivices to the portal, you'll be able to
 get to him."

 "Won't we need a D-3 to open it?" Sora asked.

 "Nope." Koushiro raised a maroon D-3 with silver trim. "You'll be getting D-3s
 by doing this."

 ----------------------

 A young boy of ten or eleven with messy brown hair and goggles looked up as Mega
 Dramon hovered in the air above him. This digimon had been trying to hunt him
 down and kill him since he stepped foot into this Digital World.

 "You won't hurt him," growled Greymon. He had met the boy some time ago and
 acted as his protector. This Mega Dramon wasn't the only thing the boy had
 needed protection from, but that digimon was by far the most dangerous and
 persistent of them. 

 "Pointless dramatic drivel," Mega Dramon stated coldly. "I will do as I want.
 Genocide Attack!" A series of missiles launched from the flying dragon's
 metallic clawed hands.

 Greymon took a missile that was aimed for the boy and collapsed to the ground,
 unconscious.

 "No! Greymon!" The boy wished he had some means to stop this evil digimon once
 and for all.

 "TAKATO!" a high pitched cry echoed through the air.

 "Guilmon?!" Takato looked at the red raptor digimon rushing toward him, and
 found himself on the receiving end of an overly-affectionate hug from the
 puppy-like dinosaur.

 Mega Dramon snarled. "That digimon has Culumon's scent as well. Tell me where he
 is!"

 "Somewhere safe from you," Takato retorted.

 Guilmon growled at the flying digimon.

 A black haired youth, Akiyama Ryo, rushed toward them. "You know if you get
 lost, you're supposed to stay in one place. It took me forever to find you."

 "Ah, now isn't the time." Takato tried to place where he had seen this guy
 before. He didn't look like anyone he knew.

 "Of course. Can you evolve him?" Ryo asked pointing at Guilmon.

 Takato shook his head. "I lost the cards I needed to do that. Otherwise I'd need
 Culumon's help and he's in my home dimension."

 "That's not much help since you're in the wrong dimension to begin with," Ryo
 commented.

 "Wrong dimension?" Mega Dramon grinned. "That was all I wanted to know. Now I
 can finish you. Genocide Attack!"

 Ryo took a step back as the missiles advanced on them. There had to be a way out
 of this. 

 Takato clenched his eyes shut. He didn't want to die, but without Culumon or his
 evolution cards there didn't seem to be a way to win, even with Guilmon.

 Guilmon wanted to protect his friends. He wasn't about to lose Takato again
 after finding him.

 Ryo's digivice flared and shot a white beam of light at Takato's D-Arc, causing
 it to shine brightly.

 Guilmon grinned feeling his energy surge. "Guilmon evolve!" Red wire frames
 formed an egg like shape around the child digimon. It grew quickly to be over
 two-stories tall. The wire frame broke away and the five meter tall raptor
 digimon with horns sticking out of his elbows, who cried out, "Growmon!"

 Growmon opened his mouth wide. "Exhaust Flame!" The white beam of his fiery
 breath destroyed the oncoming missiles. The attack continued on, but faded away
 before it could reach the Mega Dramon.

 Takato looked over at Ryo and noticed the digivice on his belt wasn't a D-Arc
 but looked EXACTLY the same as the old digivices used in 'Digimon Adventures'
 first season cartoon. How the heck did he get one of those?

 "You can't hope to win. I can attack you, but you can't hit me," Mega Dramon
 observed as he moved higher into the air before launching another attack.

 "That's what you think." Takato pulled out one of the few cards he had managed
 to save. "Card Slash!" Takato raised his D-Arc over his head swiped a card
 through it. "White Wings!"

 Six enormous white wings sprouted from Growmon's back. The gigantic raptor
 digimon shot straight up into the air as Mega Dramon's attack exploded around
 him.

 Mega Dramon was caught completely by surprised at this turn of events. How could
 a Chosen do that? He launched another volley of missiles.

 "Exhaust Flame!" Growmon cried out, sending forth white hot flames that pierced
 through the oncoming attack and blasting a hole through the Perfection digimon.

 "How can this be?" Mega Dramon questioned as he began to delete. "No adult
 digimon can be that power...." He didn't get to finish as his body completely
 faded away.

 "We did it!" Takato cheered. 

 Growmon landed and the wings faded away. "Yay! We did it!" He danced a little
 bit before shrinking back into Guilmon. "Huh?" The raptor looked at himself.
 "I'm small again."

 Takato scratched his head. "Wonder why you reverted back so soon? Usually it
 takes at least a few hours for you to go back from adult form."

 Ryo became very concerned about this kid's power. Not only had he gotten an
 adult to single handily take out a perfection digimon, but was able to give him
 wings by using a playing card. Now they were surprised that Guilmon's evolution
 only lasted the battle. The kid might be more powerful than Takeru and Hikari.
 Thinking of which, Ryo looked at his watch. "The reception should start soon."

 "What was that?" Takato asked.

 Ryo smiled. "How'd you like to meet some friends of mine? They should be able to
 help you get home." He motioned toward the wounded digimon. "And help Greymon as
 well."

 "Really?" Takato questioned.

 "Really." Ryo nodded.

 "That would be great!" Takato cheered. "Oh, by the way, I'm Matsuda Takato."

 "Akiyama Ryo, at your service." Ryo removed his backpack so he could pull out
 his laptop computer.

 Takato blinked. "Akiyama Ryo? You're joking, right?"

 "No. That is what my birth certificate says," Ryo replied. "Why? You've heard of
 me?"

 Takato shook his head. "Well, not you. Where I'm from there's a couple video
 games starring a Digimon Tamer that looks like you named Akiyama Ryo."

 Ryo shrugged. He activated his computer to get a fix on the closest portal.
 While a computer can be used to enter the Digital World, getting out you usually
 needed a television portal. He frowned noticing that while it was close, it was
 too far for them bring their big orange friend. He then mentioned, "I'll give a
 call for help so we can bring Greymon with us."

 Takato nodded and went to check on Greymon, to see if he was all right.

 Ryo watched as Takato and Guilmon tended to Greymon and got reacquainted in the
 process.

 It wasn't long before Guilmon's head shot up and scanned the area looking for
 trouble. His gazed fixed in the direction of the portal as Birdramon came flying
 towards them. The giant firebird landed and Taichi, Sora, and Agumon climbed off
 her.

 "Hi. It's been a while." Taichi commented, walking over to Ryo.

 "At least I didn't have to save your butt this time," Ryo joked.

 "And how long are you going to remind us about Millenniummon?" Taichi jokingly
 growled.

 "Don't forget I helped," Agumon commented.

 "That time anyway," Ryo commented. "How's Ken doing? Haven't heard much from him
 since Millenniummon went after me for a rematch."

 Taichi was about to reply, but changed his mind. "Best to ask him yourself."

 Ryo raised an eyebrow. "I'll be sure to do that."

 Takato stared. That boy looked like Taichi and even had an Agumon with him, but
 it couldn't possibly be him. Then again, the girl was how he imagined Sora to
 look like if she was a real person, and had Birdramon with her. Them talking
 about Millenniummon and Ken only added evidence to the impossibility before him.

 Sora looked over the Greymon. She frowned wishing the big guy was a Chosen
 digimon and could revert to child stage so he could heal quicker. Luckily his
 wounds weren't life threatening, as far as she could tell. She then glanced over
 at Takato and asked, "So you're the Chosen from another dimension, Takato?"

 "Ah, yeah." Takato nodded. She even sounded like Sora. "Actually, I'm called a
 Tamer."

 "Well, pleased to meet you Takato." Sora bowed slightly. "I'm Sora."

 Takato blinked. "No... way...." he breathed and then somehow forgot to inhale.

 "Huh?" Sora questioned.

 "This can't be THAT dimension," Takato said mostly to himself.

 "What dimension would that be?" Sora questioned.

 Takato pointed. "Is he Yagami Taichi?"

 Sora nodded. "Yes. How did you know that?"

 Takato laughed, not sure how else to react. "I'm in a cartoon!"

 "Cartoon?" Guilmon asked. "You don't look like a drawing."

 Takato shook his head. "Before I made you, there was a cartoon series on TV
 called 'Digimon Adventures.'" He pointed to Sora and Taichi. "And those two were
 in it!"

 Sora blinked. "Really?"

 "Ah, huh." Takato nodded. "They showed how you first went to the Digital World,
 fought the Dark Masters, and defeated Apocalymon. The second season they had
 Hikari and Takeru work with Daisuke, Miyako and Iori to first stop Ken from
 being the Kaiser and then go against Oikawa. That season didn't do so well and
 they ended the series."

 Sora shrugged. "I guess anything is possible with dimensional travel."

 "Just tell me one thing, why did you marry Yamato?" Takato asked.

 Sora stared at the boy as if he grew a second head. "Marry Yamato?!"

 Takato nodded. "The epilogue showed you with Yamato and two kids, and Ken and
 Miyako married with three kids."

 Sora shook her head. "I don't see how that's going to happen. I'm not really
 Yamato's type."

 "You're not?" Takato questioned and then his eyes widened. "Don't tell me he
 loves Taichi?!"

 Sora stared in shock. "How...?"

 "Damn, those Taito fans were right. Taichi and Yamato are lovers," Takato said
 in amazement.

 Taichi had been walking toward them, and crashed to the ground in a hard
 face-fault when he heard that. "What have you been telling him?" Taichi
 demanded.

 "Nothing!" Sora defended. "He's from a dimension where we're a cartoon series."
 She turned back to Takato. "And no, they aren't lovers. Taichi is engaged to
 me."

 "Really?" Takato asked. 

 Sora held up her ring.

 Takato noticed the crest symbols engraved on it. "I always thought Taichi
 deserved you more. It hurt seeing his expression when you gave Yamato those
 Christmas cookies."

 Sora flinched. "That had been a mistake, but I learned from it."

 Taichi blinked. "He knows about that? What else do you know?"

 "Everything! Well... almost everything. The epilogue has to be wrong if Sora and
 Yamato don't end up together," Takato smiled as a hopeful thought came to him.
 "Are Hikari and Daisuke a couple then?"

 Taichi shook his head not sure what to make of this. "Nope. Hikari is with
 Takeru."

 "Which reminds me, we'd better hurry back to their wedding reception," Sora
 commented. "Jyou should be able to help Greymon."

 "They got married?" Takato pouted. "Darn. Juri was right." He then blinked.
 "Hey, how old are you?"

 "Fifteen," Taichi replied.

 Takato's mouth dropped. "Hikari got married at twelve?!"

 Sora shook her head. "No, she got married at thirteen."

 "Why did she get married that young?" Takato asked bewildered.

 "Because there's a bun in the oven," Ryo joked.

 The baker's son blinked and his eyes widened realizing what he meant. "Damn. No
 wonder they screwed over the ending by making Taichi an ambassador to the
 Digital World and Yamato an astronaut married to Sora. There's no way they
 would've shown us this!"

 Sora tried to imagine Taichi as an ambassador, and turned away from her fiance
 when she couldn't help but giggle at the thought.

 Taichi looked at the kid strangely. He wasn't sure if he should believe the kid,
 but it didn't really matter. The kid did know some things he shouldn't, but
 Yamato as an astronaut sounded too far fetched-- even if his friend was a space
 case. Taichi shook his head clear of thoughts and held out his new orange and
 silver D-3 and said, "Let's see how well this new toy works."

 "Agumon warp evolve!" Golden light shot up into the air as Agumon briefly became
 Greymon and then Metal Greymon before solidifying into orange-scaled humanoid
 form with gold, silver and red armor covering most of his body. "War Greymon!"

 "Wow!" Takato was in sheer awe. "That's cooler than in the anime."

 War Greymon carefully picked up the Greymon, but it was a little awkward since
 the Greymon was actually a bit bigger in mass than War Greymon. Everyone else
 then got onto Birdramon and flew toward the portal.

 ----------------------

 Kensuke's mouth dropped when he entered the main studio with all the other
 guests to the Takaishi wedding reception. He knew there were other Chosen, but
 not this many. The room was almost a fifty-fifty split between the two races.
 The humans barely edged out over the digimon, mostly because of the adults
 present. "Have you ever seen anything like this?" he asked.

 Yukimi, his date and an old friend of Hikari's, shook her head. "Nope, but I
 haven't seen many digimon."

 "Just those at Hikari's slumber party?" Kensuke asked.

 Yukimi nodded. "Yeah."

 "I haven't seen anything like this either," Catherine commented. "I don't think
 this many Chosen have ever gathered in one place."

 Daisuke had been following closely behind her. He blinked. "You speak Japanese?"

 Mr. Takaishi was with Catherine and looked at Daisuke strangely. "She was
 speaking French, just as I am now."

 A loud speaker kicked in and Gennai's face appeared on a large view screen.
 "Welcome, welcome everyone to the Takaishi wedding reception. I'll be your host,
 Rockin' Gennai!" He put on some stylish shades that looked straight out of the
 'Matrix' movie. 

 Gennai continued, "I've got a universal translator working for everyone in this
 room, so you'll hear everyone speak in the same language and even roughly the
 same accent as you. So, get out there and mingle!

 "Also, I will be providing you all with videos and music from around the world!
 We'll start things off with 'Walking the Edge' written by our own Ishida Yamato
 and performed by his band, the Teenaged Wolves!"

 Mr. Takaishi blinked and then shrugged. "Okay, I guess she was speaking in
 Japanese to you."

 Catherine didn't pay them much mind as she waved and called out, "Joan, Paul!
 Great to see you guys made it." She dropped the gift money she had been
 instructed to give as an appropriate wedding present to the newlyweds at a large
 basket near the doors before going to her friends.

 "Hey, you missed it, Catherine. Two of the Londoners went to Perfection level
 and took out a really stupid Vadermon," Paul, a young French teen with jet black
 hair, told her.

 Catherine pouted. "Why'd they do that?"

 "Apparently they knew the Vadermon was evil." Joan shrugged. "Didn't make too
 much sense to me when they talked about William seeing the digimon's inner
 worth, or something like that." She noticed one of her stray short brown hairs
 on her blue dress and quickly brushed it off.

 "He has some special power?" Catherine asked.

 Joan rolled her eyes. "Doubt it. It'd be like saying he was some kind of mutant,
 and is not exactly human instead of just some kid lucky enough to have a
 digimon."


 "That's Gennai?" Yume asked.

 Iori nodded. "Uh, yeah. Didn't expect him to be the DJ."

 "I thought he'd be older," Yume commented.

 "Didn't you read through the disc Koushiro gave you yet? That Gennai is a clone
 of a much older Gennai, and has all the memories of the older Gennai," Sayuri
 admonished.

 "Oh. He's still not what I expected," Yume returned.

 Mimi smiled. "Actually, he's acting more like he did when he was old Gennai.
 Excuse me, but I've got to find Jyou." She turned and walked away.

 "Yeah, go search for your boyfriend," Steve commented while looking around.
 "Where's the food?"

 "Food?" Steve's Gabumon perked up. "Lead the way!"

 Little Maria sighed. "It's over there." She pointed at a row of tables with
 guests already filling up plates.

 Steve rushed over while the rest of the New York team followed him. He shrugged
 at the large amounts of deli and health foods, he still made a heaping plate.

 "Wait a second?!" Gabumon called out. "Where's the cake?!"

 "Uh, yeah. Where is the cake?" Steve questioned.

 "Maybe they're bringing it in later," Maria guessed.

 Maria's Patamon pouted. "It better."

 "Who said there would be cake?" Lou asked. "Remember this is Japan. They do have
 different customs."

 Koushiro's Tentomon looked up from the plate he was making. "Actually, there's
 no cake because Mrs. Yagami was the one to order the food. She's a bit of a
 health food nut."

 Steve and his Gabumon stared in horror and chorused, "No cake?!"

 Tentomon shrugged. "Sorry."


 Yamato was rather happy that Gennai had taken over duties as entertainer. His
 band was supposed to be playing, but as far as Yamato could tell, only Akira had
 shown up, making that point moot. He would've had to do what Gennai was doing
 until the others showed up. Which would've been a real hassle considering he
 hadn't prepared to be a disc jockey. He should've known Takeshi would be late
 getting here with the equipment.

 Yamato looked around to see who was at the reception. He noticed that Taichi and
 Sora weren't here, but his parents were. He doubted those two would sneak off
 this early. He went over to Koushiro and asked, "Hey, have you seen Taichi?"

 Koushiro nodded. "They're helping Akiyama and his new friends get to the
 reception. Seems the lost Chosen got a Greymon hurt, and they're bringing him
 here to get Jyou to look at him.

 Gabumon, of course, had followed Yamato, and he asked, "Where is Jyou, anyway?" 

 "Helping the Oklahoma group's Elecmon," Koushiro replied.

 Yamato raised an eyebrow. "Helping with what?"

 "Now that... is a secret!" Koushiro grinned, waving a finger.

 Yamato shrugged. "Whatever." 

 Koushiro sighed, guessing Yamato didn't know about 'The Slayers.' Truthfully, he
 hadn't known much about it until recently. After learning that Ayashi was a fan
 of the series, he looked for and found some episodes that were 'kindly' placed
 on the net. Not exactly the legitimate way to obtain them, but it worked.

 Koushiro glanced at the clock and noted Taichi had been gone for over fifteen
 minutes. He looked up. "Yamato, why don't you check on them?"

 "Okay," Yamato replied almost offhandedly. 

 "Just place your Digivice to the screen. Your digivice will convert to a D-3 and
 you'll get to where they are." Koushiro smirked.

 "Sure." Yamato pulled out his digivice and placed it to the laptop screen. With
 a flash of light, Yamato and Gabumon were gone. 

 A dark skinned, short black haired Digi-destined from Egypt named Hesire rubbed
 his chin and asked, "Is your team having all your digivices converted?"

 Koushiro nodded. "Yes."

 Hesire frowned. "I wish you luck then. When my team had ours converted, Anubimon
 returned and evolved. That was not a pleasant fight as he struck both the
 Digital World and Cairo."

 Koushiro sighed. "I know. This is a precautionary measure, for now anyway. We
 might get called back into service, we might not. Depends on how things happen
 from here."

 Hesire nodded gravely. "As much as fate guides our hand, the future is still
 clouded by the winds of change."

 "Unfortunately." Koushiro shrugged helplessly. He then glanced down noting an
 email popped up warning him that Taichi and everyone were returning in one large
 port. He moved away from his computer, calling out, "Back away!"

 Bright white light flashed from the monitor causing some to look away from the
 intensity. When it subsided, War Greymon set down the wounded Greymon carefully
 with Taichi and the others standing to the side of them.

 War Greymon de-evolved to Agumon, who called out, "Is there a doctor in the
 house?"

 "I'm the one who's supposed to have the bad jokes," Tentomon quipped.

 "And I thought the London group was grandstanding before," Hesire commented,
 staring at Agumon.

 Taichi and the others stared as Jyou rushed over with his suit jacket smoking
 and his hair standing on end.

 Jyou asked, "What's the problem?"

 "He got hit by a missile from Mega Dramon's Genocide Attack," Takato explained.
 "Are you all right?"

 Jyou nodded and began to examine the injury.

 "How's the Elecmon?" Koushiro asked.

 Jyou forced a smile. "The operation was a success, but it was painful all
 around."

 Mimi walked up behind him, frowning. "After you get done operating on him, I'll
 have to operate on you, Jyou. Your hair looks like Taichi's."

 "What's with the hair comments?" Taichi asked.

 "Well, the 'I don't care' look only goes so far," Sora pointed out. "It wouldn't
 have hurt you to get a haircut."

 "Yes, it would." Taichi pouted.

 Sora rolled her eyes.

 ----------------------

 "I bet your digimon evolves into an angel," Daisuke said suavely.

 "Actually, Floramon turns into a bird," Catherine replied.

 "Do you know what her perfection level is?" Daisuke questioned.

 "No." Catherine shook her head, causing her hair to shake and shimmer, looking a
 lot like a golden waterfall flowing from her head.

 Daisuke was getting weak in the knees just looking at this girl. "I'm sure
 she'll turn into Angewomon then."

 Catherine shrugged while smiling sweetly. "Maybe, but I suspect she may turn
 into Blossommon or Deramon."

 "But an angel like you deserves an angel digimon," Daisuke returned.


 V-mon stood a few feet away from Catherine's Floramon, vainly trying to get the
 courage to talk to her. How does Daisuke make it seem so easy? How did he land
 his first girl anyway? Right, Miyako dropped her panties because his partner was
 a bit depressed. Why couldn't there have been a girl for him to do that? He had
 just found out about Tailmon mating with Patamon that day, and Daisuke already
 knew about Hikari sleeping with Takeru. If someone should've gotten laid that
 night it should've been him, not his partner the wonder sex boy.

 V-mon shook his head. He needed to focus on his objective, score with Floramon.
 Nothing else mattered at the moment. Thanks to Daisuke, he was so damn horny
 he'd sleep with Jun, and the girl annoyed him, especially after learning that he
 could understand her and she started talking to him nonstop because she could.

 "Just go up there and talk to her," V-mon said to himself. He frowned seeing a
 digimon talk to her. "After he goes away."


 Miyako's eye twitched. How could Daisuke flirt so openly with girls? Did he have
 any shame? Wait, this is Daisuke. She should know he was pretty shameless.

 Miyako frowned. Catherine needed to be warned about Daisuke's... hobby. How to
 do that and not look like a jealous girlfriend? After all, they weren't exactly
 dating and she wasn't jealous, she was just concerned about the French girl.
 Especially with her joking notion that Japanese boys are Casanovas. Daisuke
 would cement that idea as fact in Catherine's mind if she didn't do something.
 Going up and kicking Daisuke's ass was out of the question, no matter how
 tempting that sounded at the moment for some, non-jealous, reason.

 Miyako noticed V-mon eyeing Floramon, and glared angrily. If V-mon tried to get
 with Floramon and succeeded, Daisuke was sure to end up sleeping with Catherine.
 Not that she cared who Daisuke slept with.

 Miyako smiled realizing what she needed to do. She left to find someone.

 ----------------------

 "Ah, hello." Hawkmon blushed slightly. "It's been a while."

 "It's only been a little over a week," Wormmon replied.

 "It seemed longer." Hawkmon fidgeted.

 "Did you want to talk about... what happened?" Wormmon asked nervously.

 Hawkmon nodded a few too many times. "I... I... have never done anything like
 that."

 "Why did you?" Wormmon questioned.

 "Because... well, because I like you," Hawkmon admitted reluctantly.

 "It's not because of Miyako making you horny or her crush on Ken-chan?" Wormmon
 pressed.

 Hawkmon shrank back a little. "Well, maybe that did play a factor."

 "And the alcohol?" Wormmon added.

 Hawkmon sighed and nodded. "Maybe, but that doesn't change how I felt."

 Wormmon turned away. "Listen Hawkmon, you're a good friend and I wouldn't mind
 starting a relationship, but if we try to have one-- it'll end up forcing Ken
 and Miyako to have one. Miyako is involved with Daisuke, and whether she likes
 it or not-- we both know she loves him. She just refuses to admit it. And
 Daisuke going right along with it doesn't help."

 Hawkmon raised up his arm. "Don't you see, Wormmon? Daisuke isn't right for
 Miyako. He's too insensitive, too self-centered-"

 "And has a digimon that's too straight for you to do anything with," Wormmon
 added. "I understand that problem. Ken-chan has feelings for Daisuke he doesn't
 want to admit he has. Mostly because he's afraid he'd lose Daisuke's friendship
 if he found out that Ken-chan likes him like that."

 Hawkmon shook his head. "Just think of how much better Ken would be for Miyako."

 Wormmon closed his eyes. "Please don't make this any harder for me. As long as
 Miyako is with Daisuke, Ken-chan doesn't want to interfere. He told me not to
 pursue a relationship with you, so I can't. At least I can't now. Maybe things
 will be different in the future, but for now let's just be friends."
  
 "I'll try." Hawkmon looked ready to cry. "Though I can't forget the party."

 Wormmon smiled weakly. "Neither will I, my friend. Neither will I."

 Miyako walked up and noticed Wormmon scooting away and that her partner seemed
 upset. "What's wrong, Hawkmon?"

 "I..." Hawkmon looked up at his partner and then shook his head and tried to
 look more composed. "It's nothing, Miyako. Did you want something?"

 Miyako nodded. "Yes. Could you do me a favor and tell Catherine's Floramon about
 Daisuke."

 "You want me to warn her about Daisuke trying to sleep with her partner?"
 Hawkmon questioned.

 "Da Bingo. Catherine really needs to know that Daisuke is a real Casanova, and
 are not like Taichi and Takeru who she has jokingly been calling that," Miyako
 explained.

 "And you want me to do it, so you don't look like a jealous girlfriend," Hawkmon
 commented with a sigh.

 "Of course. Because I'm not jealous. I'm concerned about Catherine." Miyako
 huffed.

 "Right," Hawkmon replied with a slight disbelieving tone as he flew off to find
 the Floramon in question. While there were a few at the reception, it was a safe
 bet she was the nearest one to Daisuke, considering V-mon nervously standing
 behind her.

 Hawkmon landed near her and bowed slightly. "Excuse me, miss, but I'd like to
 warn you."

 "Warn me?" Floramon questioned, pointing at herself. "Warn me about what?" She
 fluttered her eye lashes.

 Hawkmon blushed. He had just been dumped by a guy. Going after a girl now would
 not be the wisest course of action. "Ahem. Well, um, your partner, Catherine,
 has picked up a rather amorous admirer."

 Floramon looked over. "Oh? How amorous?"

 "Three girls that I know of, including my partner," Hawkmon answered.

 "Your partner is a girl?" Floramon asked.

 Hawkmon nodded.

 "She swings both ways?" Floramon asked.

 Hawkmon turned completely red and fidgeted. "Well, yes, but that's hardly the
 point. Daisuke is a real Casanova. Taichi and Takeru are faithful when dating,
 Daisuke will sleep with anyone despite the fact that he's been dating my
 partner."

 Floramon shook her hand in front of Hawkmon's face. "There are a few things you
 should know: One, Catherine likes the attention guys give her, and won't stop
 them from flirting with her. Two, she wouldn't willingly drop her panties for
 any guy, no matter how charming they appear to be. Three, she fell in love with
 a boy at school a few months ago and he dumped her because she wouldn't put out
 and he started seeing a girl who does. Mr. Takaishi is trying to help her, in
 his own unique way. However, her opinion of men in general right now is so low
 she's more likely to sleep with your partner than V-mon's, despite her being
 straight." 

 V-mon pouted. "You knew I was here?"

 "Of course," Floramon turned around to look at him. "You looked so cute wanting
 to talk to me, but I can't take pity on you. Catherine wouldn't forgive me."

 V-mon whimpered.

 "There is one thing I can do for you," Floramon said seductively.

 "W-what's t-that?" V-mon stuttered.

 "Give you some advice. Try being friends with a girl first, and let things
 develop later," Floramon suggested.

 "How can I? The only girls I know have mates. And Motomiya 'the wonder
 multi-orgasmic sex boy' Daisuke is driving me up the wall with his love
 sessions." V-mon sighed. "I'm getting so frustrated I can't take it anymore."

 "Multi-orgasmic?" Floramon licked her lips and then shook her head. "At least
 try to talk to a girl like you just did with me. Open up to her a little, and
 something might happen. Let her open up to you, and you might go far."

 V-mon sighed. "Thanks, I guess."


 Daisuke smiled cheerfully as he filled two cups with fruit punch.

 "Hey, we've got to talk," V-mon called out to his partner.

 Daisuke looked over. "What? Need help with Floramon?"

 V-mon shook his head. "No amount of help will win that battle."

 Daisuke frowned. "What did you do?"

 "Me, nothing. However, I just found out Catherine's ex-boyfriend did a number on
 her," V-mon returned.

 "Huh? What'd he do?" Daisuke asked, looking a little tense.

 "The guy she loved wanted a girl who'd have sex with him, and she wouldn't. So,
 he dumped her and went after a girl who would screw him," V-mon explained.

 "Oh." Daisuke let out a sigh of relief. "I thought he had done something worse
 than that."

 V-mon shrugged. "Fortunately, no. However, Catherine still doesn't have a high
 appreciation for us guys at the moment, and isn't about to willingly have sex
 with anyone. She's not going to stop you from flirting. She enjoys the attention
 and stringing along guys like you."

 Daisuke pouted. "So, you don't think I'll get lucky with her?"

 V-mon shook his head. "Not a chance."

 Daisuke thought for a moment and then gave a strong look of determination. "I'm
 not going to give up. Having sex with me would be a great revenge to the guy
 that dumped her." He turned and walked back to Catherine with the drinks he got.

 V-mon slouched. "That idiot." He glanced over at Floramon, who was doing her own
 share of flirting with any male digimon that got the guts to talk to her. The
 blue digimon might excel at fighting hopeless battles, but trying to win over
 Floramon was more of a lost cause.

 With a heavy sigh, V-mon plopped down at the side of the large studio. His gaze
 going over the multitude of guests. People from all over the world had gathered
 to celebrate that two people, as well as two digimon, had found love in each
 other and, in sharing that love, had created new life. He just wanted to know
 when he would find that special someone. He once thought that would be Tailmon,
 but she obviously hadn't agreed.

 ----------------------

 "Why don't you make yourself useful?" Ms. Takaishi asked.

 "What?" Ishida looked over at his ex-wife.

 Ms. Takaishi thrusted a box she was carrying at him. "Some of these kids brought
 in alcohol."

 "So?" Ishida replied. "This is a wedding reception." He set the box of
 confiscated drinks on a nearby table.

 "They're only kids! They shouldn't be drinking," Ms. Takaishi retorted.

 "Says you, but what about where they come from? It may not be exactly be legal
 in Japan, but in some countries alcohol is safer than the water," Ishida pointed
 out.

 "You don't think I know that?" Ms. Takaishi crossed her arms. "However, I'm not
 taking any chances with them. I don't want any of these kids blaming getting
 drunk at my son's wedding reception for something they aren't prepared for. Just
 guard the drinks make sure none of these kids take any."

 Ishida shrugged. "Whatever, 'dear.'"

 Ms. Takaishi huffed and stomped off.

 ----------------------

 "Yo, Ken!" Ryo called out.

 "Ah, Ryo. Hi," Ken greeted nervously.

 "It's been awhile. So, how have things been?" Ryo asked.

 "Well, fine now...." Ken turned away. "You?"

 "Never better." Ryo ruffled Ken's hair and added, "Thanks for taking that Dark
 Seed for me."

 Ken grimaced. "Please don't remind me."

 "Now Ken, you've got to put what the seed forced you to do behind you. It wasn't
 your fault. I'd say it was a good thing you became the Kaiser instead of me.
 Could you imagine what _I_ would've done?" Ryo shook his head. "The thought
 still gives me nightmares what might've happened if you hadn't pushed me out of
 the way."

 Ken paled. While he had been kind and gentle before the Dark Seed, Ryo wasn't
 nearly as innocent. Ryo-Kaiser would've been a lot worse than he had been.

 Ryo decided to change topics. "Any good girls out there?"

 Ken shrugged in response. "I'm not exactly looking at the moment."

 "Why not?" Ryo asked.

 "I did something stupid with my friend's sister," Ken replied.

 "Knocked her up?" Ryo questioned.

 "I hope not!" Ken shook his head. "I kind of slept with her before she left for
 college."

 Ryo whistled. "So, you like older girls, huh?"

 Ken shrugged weakly.

 ----------------------

 Sorcerymon twirled her drink trying to think of what to do. Her fruit punch had
 a little additive that Ms. Takaishi certainly wouldn't approve of. However,
 Sorcerymon was an adult digimon and knew perfectly well that if she wanted a
 drink to make her feel good, you go to a Labramon and get the child dog
 digimon's special 'cure-all' drink. Fortunately, a Canadian girl had one for her
 partner.

 While the drink made Sorcerymon feel a little light-headed, she was still in
 control of most of her faculties. She wasn't going to drink to excess. She
 learned that lesson the hard way with a bottle of one-hundred-something-proof
 rum. 

 Sorcerymon half-smiled and half-frowned when her gaze fell upon V-mon. The poor
 guy looked so dejected. She remembered her friend's words about doing something
 impulsive to cheer someone up, and that fellow certainly looked like he needed
 some help. She downed her drink and then tossed her cup behind herself, which
 landed in the trash can. 

 V-mon sighed again. He wondered what he should do. If there was any time he
 could score with a girl, today was it. However, he didn't know who to approach,
 or how for that matter. He blinked as a Sorcerymon came up to him and seemingly
 pulled out an English penny from his ear.

 "Penny for your thoughts?" Sorcerymon asked.

 V-mon blushed. "Um, ugh, I... ah... don't think you want to know that."

 Sorcerymon place her hand on her hip. "Oh, really? Why not?"

 "It's, um, well... kind of... private," V-mon stammered.

 Sorcerymon couldn't help but think of how cute and innocent V-mon looked. She
 snapped her fingers and a small rain cloud appeared over V-mon. "Well, you're
 being a real rain on this party. Cheer up!"

 "Hey!" V-mon pouted while getting wet.

 "Sorry." Sorcerymon waved the cloud away. "There's no reason to be upset. That
 is unless you loved one of the brides."

 V-mon turned away.

 "Ah! So, you liked Tailmon, right?" Sorcerymon smiled.

 "Well, yeah. I did. Nothing can become of my feelings now," V-mon groused.

 "You should try to move on," Sorcerymon suggested, and then flinched at her own
 words.

 "With who?" V-mon asked. "Tailmon has Patamon now. Piyomon and Palmon are out of
 the question as well, if I had cared to go after them. And my partner is with a
 girl who has a male digimon, and I don't swing that way."

 Sorcerymon nodded, realizing that this was the Odaiba V-mon. On the power scale
 of things, the digimon before her had an insane combat potential. He was capable
 of evolving two stages above her and most partnered digimon haven't seen the
 perfection stage, let alone ultimate like she has. She paused to think of how to
 reply to V-mon. "You have access to the Digital World, right?"

 V-mon nodded. "Yeah. With Daisuke's help."

 "Why not have your partner send you to the Digital World? Get some time to
 yourself and see if you can find an unpartnered digimon you might be interested
 in," Sorcerymon suggested.

 "I guess." V-mon looked over the female sorcery digimon. "Who's your partner?"

 Sorcerymon grimaced. "My partner was Susan of the London group."

 V-mon looked over the people at the people at the reception. "Who?"

 Sorcerymon closed her eyes. "The one that died."

 V-mon paled. "Ah, sorry. I, ah, um...." He wanted to kick himself. He knew a
 member of the London group had died, but intentionally never learned all the
 details of it. All he knew was that a Londoner had died in battle against the
 third resurrection of the London group's most evil foe and had done something to
 help them win the battle in the process. He was afraid that Daisuke might die in
 one of their battles, and didn't want to know what could happen.

 Sorcerymon forced a smile. "It's all right. It has been months since she died."

 "I'm still sorry." V-mon looked down. "I didn't learn about that 'cause I didn't
 want to know what happened if a Chosen died."

 Sorcerymon nodded. "I understand. I might've done the same thing in your place."

 V-mon fidgeted. "Do you want to talk about it?"

 Sorcerymon shook her head.

 "Why don't I get us some drinks and then we can talk about something besides our
 problems?" V-mon asked with a forced smile.

 Sorcerymon returned his smile. "I'd like that."

 ----------------------

 A limousine pulling up to the Fuji Television Station in Odaiba was not a rare
 occurrence. However, a young girl in a wedding dress bolting out of the
 limousine and running straight to the women's bathroom in the station's lobby
 wasn't something that had happened before. Considering everything else that has
 happened at the television station, few were phased at seeing this.

 Takeru sighed as he got out of the limousine. He pulled out a baby carriage and
 unfolded it.

 "Be careful," Tailmon warned.

 Takeru nodded as he picked up the cat digimon's egg and placed it inside the
 carriage. Tailmon immediately hopped into the carriage as well. Patamon then
 flew over, perched on top of the carriage's sun-cover and looked inside, sharing
 a smile with his new wife.

 Takeru placed a blanket in the back of the carriage before pushing the cart into
 the station and over to the bathroom Hikari had rushed into. They waited a few
 minutes before she exited, dabbing a wet cloth on to one of her sleeves.

 "You okay?" Takeru questioned.

 "I'm fine," Hikari replied. "Just messed up my wedding dress a little." She
 sighed, seeing only a faint trace of her vomit staining the dress. "At least I
 didn't get sick at the wedding."

 Takeru nodded. "Let's hope morning sickness passes soon."

 Hikari forced a smile. "If I'm like Mom, I've got another two months of this."

 Takeru shook his head. "We'd better get up to our reception."

 Hikari agreed and took the carriage to the main studio. Takeru opened the main
 doors and the room immediately quieted down and a music video that was playing
 was cut short. The screen now showed the newlyweds and applause ripped through
 the room, congratulating them.

 Koushiro handed Takeru a microphone.

 When the applause died down, Gennai's voice echoed through the room, "Perhaps
 the newlyweds would like to share their thoughts with us?"

 Takeru laughed nervously. "I don't know what to say...."

 Hikari took the microphone. "Thank you, everyone, for sharing this happy day
 with us."

 Patamon gulped as the microphone was pointed at him. "Um, yeah. Thanks for
 coming...."

 Tailmon smirked as it was her turn. "This is one of the happiest days of my
 life, and I'm overwhelmed that you're all here to share it. Just one thing I
 have to say, though: don't be eager to follow our example. Laying an egg HURTS!"

 Takato, like many of the others present, laughed at first from Tailmon's
 comment, but then noticed the size of the egg in comparison to the cat digimon
 and cringed. The dimensionally displaced Tamer wondered if Guilmon could mate,
 but the only girl for him would be Renamon. He shook his head, doubting anything
 would happen there.

 Gennai's face appeared on the screen. "Now, Hank Thomas has something he'd like
 to say to Takeru and Hikari." 

 The room went quite again as everyone waited to hear just what would come out of
 Hank's mouth.

 Hank took the microphone from Gennai and said, "I'd like to congratulate Takeru
 for doing the right thing and getting married to Hikari. And Hikari, hold on to
 him. Any kid that takes the responsibility for his actions like Takeru has is a
 rarity."

 Some of those present cheered in agreement.

 Hank nodded. "Now I know a lot of you think that I'm a hypocrite. That's not
 true. I'm an opinionated fuckin' idiot. What Takeru and Hikari did was stupid,
 and what I've done with Jessica is equally stupid. And I'm not one to back down
 from a statement I've made."

 Jessica palmed her head. He wouldn't....

 Koushiro grinned as he pressed a button to change image on the view screen.

 With a bulge suggesting nine months of pregnancy and one arm covering the
 breasts while the other hid the lower privates, the doctored naked image of
 Hank, hairy legs and all, left the two hundred plus gathered in stunned
 surprise.

 Jessica was equally stupefied. She was afraid he was going to put up her
 picture. When the room broke out into hysterical laughter, she couldn't help but
 to join them. Recently almost everything Hank seemed to do caused her to be
 upset, but it was moments like this that she loved him the most. When he let
 down his macho arrogant pride and let people see him for who he was, not the
 soldier-in-training or the son of General Thomas, but Hank.

 Hank took it all with a bemused look. He knew he deserved this. When you do
 something stupid, you have to pay for it. He waited for people to stop laughing
 their asses off before waving for Jessica to join him. Putting his arm around
 her, he continued, "As some of you might have guessed by the image... yeah...
 Jessica and I really are as stupid as Takeru and Hikari. When I made my comments
 about on the message board that led to Jessica making the 'Flame Hank' topic,
 she had just learned she was pregnant and overreacted."

 Jessica smacked Hank in the chest, but he was pleased to note it was a playful
 tap. 

 Hank smirked. "As of yesterday, Jessica became Mrs. Thomas. We're now on our
 honeymoon." He looked over at the other newlyweds. "Sorry, guys, but we got
 married first."

 "Actually, we've been legally married since Hikari's birthday last week," Takeru
 explained using the microphone.

 Hank was about to say something but shut his mouth.

 Jessica took the microphone. "I'd like to apologize to everyone here, especially
 Takeru and Hikari. What happened with the message board shouldn't have happened.
 I wasn't myself at the time."

 "Believe me, I understand," Hikari replied, taking back the microphone. "I don't
 think Takeru and I should hog all the attention. This wedding reception should
 also be for you two."

 "Um, really, this is for you...." Jessica blushed nervously.

 Gennai grinned holding another microphone. "Everyone, give a round of applause
 for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas."

 The room exploded with the sounds of hands clapping.

 The screen changed to show Gennai's face. "There's something else you guys might
 want to see." He opened a door that was behind him.

 The camera trained on Jessica's Elecmon hugging an off-white and yellow egg,
 while Hank's Kokuwamon was rubbing her shoulders.

 "We have yet another family to congratulate," Gennai said tenderly. "But let's
 leave them to their privacy for now." With that, he left the room and closed the
 door. "With Hank's 'apology' out of the way, it's now time to open the dance
 floor. Newlyweds, that includes Hank and Jessica, the first dance is yours."

 Tailmon waved over Sora's Piyomon. "Guard my egg."

 Piyomon nodded and flew over. "Of course."

 Takeru blinked and whined, "Do I have to dance?"

 "If I have to, YOU have to," Patamon called out as he was now being dragged away
 by Tailmon.

 Hikari looked mildly irritated as she led her new husband to the dance floor.

 The soft melody of the music floated through the air as the singer sang of
 eternal love that knew no end. Hank held Jessica tightly as they swayed with the
 music. Tailmon and Patamon also moved with the song, though it looked rather
 awkward for Patamon to be standing on two feet. As for Takeru, he was copying
 what Hank was doing. He had never danced before and didn't know how. 

 Hikari sighed as Takeru slowly figured out how he was supposed to dance. She
 knew what she was doing from having attended family wedding receptions. The
 thought struck her, wondering how her grandfather would react to learning about
 the marriage and not being invited. To not get the chance to dance with her at
 her own wedding. While she didn't know him as well as she'd like considering he
 lived over in Izumo, he should have been part of this.

 "Hikari, are you okay?" Takeru questioned noticing Hikari looked to be on the
 verge of tears.

 Hikari nodded. "Just thinking about some guests we should've invited, but
 couldn't."

 Takeru closed his eyes. "I know. I would've liked Grandma Ishida to come here,
 even if she is a bit senile."

 "We'll have to make it up to them," Hikari suggested.

 Takeru smiled. "Of course."

 The first song ended and the second one began. The newlyweds stayed on the dance
 floor as couples started to join them.

 Piyomon sighed as Tailmon continued to dance with Patamon. Until the cat digimon
 finished dancing, she would have to guard the egg. She wanted to get a few
 dances in with Agumon.

 Much to V-mon's chagrin, Sorcerymon decided to drag him to the dance floor.

 While Jyou's suit coat was still singed from helping Elecmon laying an egg, his
 hair was now matted down with an excessive amount of gel. He tried not to think
 about his appearance as he danced with Mimi held tightly in his arms.


 Koushiro looked over at Ayashi, who turned her head away sharply. After the
 wedding began she moved off into a corner and had refused to talk to anyone,
 including him. Izumi was afraid that she would react like this, and had no clue
 how to approach her now.

 Koushiro glanced over at Iori, who was flanked by Sayuri and Yume. At least he's
 not the only one with romantic troubles.

 "Iori, want to dance?" Sayuri asked.

 Iori shrugged and found himself pulled out of the chair he was sitting in.

 Yume huffed as she folded her arms. "Why couldn't the reception be in the
 Digital World? Then I'd be the one Iori gets to dance with."

 Koushiro sighed. "Well, some of the guests wouldn't be able to come if we held
 it there."

 Yume pouted, unable to look away as Iori and Sayuri began to dance a bit too
 closely for her tastes.

 Koushiro smirked as he got an idea.


 Mrs. Yagami shook her head at the sight of all these kids dancing together. It
 was only the second dance, and almost everyone was dancing. She remembered her
 high school dances. How awkward she had felt and how afraid she had been to
 approach the guy she liked. She didn't get the sense of awkwardness from some of
 the kids, like her son with Sora. They went straight to the dance floor as if it
 was expected of them. Others did appear at least somewhat unsure of themselves,
 but courageously went to the one they liked and asked for a dance. She wasn't
 about to comment on the digimon dancing with other digimon since she barely knew
 anything about them. However, what really got her were two girls that were
 dancing together, as well as some boy with a female digimon. Mrs. Yagami knew
 people had... different tastes, but she had never seen a gathering like this
 where people willingly showed unusual preferences. Starting an adult
 relationship took a certain amount of courage, and she was afraid these kids had
 too much courage for their own good, like her own children.


 Gennai switched to a Japanese techno song after the third slow-dance song to get
 the boys a chance to get away from the girls that roped them into a dance, or
 vice versa. Most of the kids deemed the song too hard to dance to and left the
 dance floor.


 Takeru had left the dance floor with his wife when he heard a familiar voice
 chirp, "Congratulations!" He jumped away, fists clenched.

 Angemon blinked and looked down, trying to figure out how he just evolved like
 that.

 All attention was immediately upon Takeru and Angemon. Either wondering why
 Patamon had evolved, or to admire the angle digimon flying in wondrous splendor.
 Some girls, digimon and human, moaned as they remembered that Angemon was
 already taken.

 Solarmon turned his head ninety degrees. "What's wrong?"

 Palmon and Gomamon rushed over, both nervously laughing. 

 "Don't mind our adopted son. He's a good boy," Palmon asserted.

 "Yeah. He's perfectly friendly." Gomamon forced a grin.

 "Tell me he's not...." Takeru trailed off seeing his wife nod. "That's
 Pinnochimon?"

 "Yes, but Palmon and Gomamon have been raising him. He's not the Dark Master we
 knew," Hikari explained.

 "Dark Master?" William questioned, overhearing them. He looked closely at the
 child vaccine digimon. He then glanced over at the adoptive parents and warned,
 "Don't screw up."

 "He has a chance of being good?" Takeru asked.

 "All child digimon do, just some are more prone to evil than most. He's
 borderline," William explained.

 Angemon de-evolved back to Patamon. "Dealing with Solarmon will take getting
 used to."

 "No kidding." Takeru shook his head.

 "You don't like me?" Solarmon asked innocently. "Didn't you like playing games?"

 "Not when my life was at stake," Takeru replied shortly.

 "It was?" Solarmon blinked. "Sorry."

 Takeru stared as Solarmon hovered away, with his parents following closely
 behind.

 "It'll be all right," Hikari assured him.


 Iori was a little worried at the way Yume was smiling. He thought that she
 might've been jealous of him having a dance, well two dances, with Sayuri.
 Actually, he'd prefer it if she was jealous, but she seemed to be plotting
 something.

 When Gennai announced the next four songs would be slow dances, Yume looked over
 at Iori and asked, "Will you dance with me?"

 "I would, but how can we dance?" Iori asked a little nervously.

 "Easy." Yume smiled brightly and turned her wheelchair and held out her D-3.
 "Digiport open!"

 Light flashed from the laptop Koushiro was holding and the two disappeared.
 "Have fun, you two," Izumi chirped. He placed his laptop on a nearby table and
 let the gate remain open.


 Yume laughed a bit as she untangled herself from Iori. "Thought you knew how to
 come through a portal standing," she commented.

 Iori shrugged weakly. "That's when I'm prepared to go through the gate."

 Yume brushed some dirt off her dress as she stood up. "Can I have my dance now?"

 Iori nodded and stepped toward her. He placed his arms around her waist and she
 responded by wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his shoulder.
 Hida blushed from their closeness, but didn't stop her. They moved with the
 music that came over the open television portal. 


 Kensuke stared at the laptop, seeing his sister dance too damned close to that
 boy. However, he couldn't deny how happy she looked, and she was dancing. Her
 wheelchair left forgotten and she was moving with her own two feet.

 "Are you crying?" Yukimi asked. 

 "Huh? Of course not." Kensuke turned to his date. "Come on, let's dance."

 Yukimi giggled as she brushed a tear from his cheek. "You want to know
 something? I like boys who can cry when they're happy."


 Sayuri's eye twitched slightly seeing how close Yume and Iori were dancing. It
 had taken all of her courage just to dance close enough to Iori that she
 could've rested her head on his chest if she had wanted to. Yume was more
 hugging him than dancing. How can that girl just do that?

 Mimi shook her head seeing how jealous Sayuri was getting. She felt sorry for
 Hida, knowing his troubles were only beginning. Speaking of troubles, why wasn't
 Koushiro dancing with his date? Tachikawa looked over at the boy in question and
 asked, "Where's Ayashi? I want to meet her."

 Koushiro gave her a sad look. "She's having problems dealing with all this."

 Mimi pouted. "You want me to talk to her?"

 "Could you?" Koushiro asked with a hint of hope.

 "No problem. Just tell Jyou what's going on when he gets back from the
 bathroom." Mimi smiled cheerfully. "Now who is she?"

 "That's her in the corner." Koushiro pointed.

 Mimi smirked seeing the rather attractive and well-endowed girl. "No wonder you
 never paid attention to me. You're a breast boy."

 Koushiro blushed and stammered.

 Mimi patted him on the head. "Don't worry. It'll be our secret."

 Koushiro stood impotently as Mimi went off to talk to his girlfriend.

 Ayashi noticed the conversation and frowned as the rather cute girl,
 disgustingly cute in that pink bride's maid dress, came over to her. 

 "Hello, Ayashi, I'm Mimi," she greeted.

 "I have no desire to talk to one of Koushiro's ex-girlfriends," Ayashi sniped.

 Mimi almost laughed. "Good thing he never noticed that I was interested in him
 when we were younger then."

 "Doesn't matter," Ayashi snapped.

 Mimi shook her head. "Of course it doesn't. If it did, you would've left
 already. You're just trying to understand."

 "Understand what?" Ayashi glared. "That not only are digimon more common than I
 thought, but that Koushiro is wrapped up into it? That he's a killer?"

 Mimi sighed. "I've known Koushiro since we both first became Chosen, and he has
 only killed when he has to. None of us, well... most of us don't go out
 searching for opponents to kill. I won't lie that there have been a few kids who
 didn't understand what their role as a Chosen was and killed for little reason
 other than the digimon appeared to be an enemy. However, Koushiro wasn't like
 that. He hasn't killed all that many digimon."

 "How many has Koushiro killed?" Ayashi demanded.

 Mimi paused. "Not sure. About a dozen, maybe twenty counting his last battle.
 Then again his role was mostly on the information end of things."

 "How many have you killed?" Ayashi asked.

 Mimi looked away. "Two."

 "How come you've got so many less than he does?" Ayashi questioned.

 Mimi sagged. "Because I avoided killing at all costs, including the safety of
 others and myself. Friends died because I wouldn't kill when I had to. I still
 can't bring myself to kill when it's necessary, only after there's absolutely no
 option left and everyone has been hurt." Tachikawa sighed as she sat down. 

 Ayashi frowned. "This is all too much."

 Mimi forced a smile. "You should try living it. I was ten when I got dragged
 into the Digital World. Everything was different. It was like being in one of
 those 'Myst' like games where there were things in places that made no sense.
 The most I had been away from home was summer camp, and there was always adult
 supervision. Then BAM, I'm in another dimension with no one to rely on but other
 kids that were my own age and our digimon friends. I didn't know how to cope
 with everything. We spent almost a year in the Digital World before returning
 home for a couple days and then going back for a couple more months. During all
 that time in the Digital World, only minutes passed on Earth and our bodies
 didn't age."

 "You mean Koushiro is really fifteen?" Ayashi asked.

 Mimi nodded. "You could say that. During that time our goal was survival, which
 meant in many instances having to defeat and kill digimon lords who wanted us
 dead because we had the power to stop them. Since then my old group has become
 more of mentors to the newer Chosen, showing and teaching them things, and only
 rarely getting directly involved ourselves."

 "Can you explain those two?" Ayashi pointed at Takeru and Hikari.

 "The Chosen of Light and Hope, perhaps the strongest two of all of us," Mimi
 explained. "They were also part of my original group, though Hikari didn't get
 involved until the second time we went to the Digital World. They've always been
 close to each other, and had to rely on each other. You have no idea how hard it
 was for me when I overheard Hikari talking to Takeru about how to deal with
 having killed someone. They were both eight, and shouldn't have had to know
 about that."

 Ayashi hung her head as she tried to comprehend not only killing someone, but to
 be responsible for someone's death at eight years old. She would rather think
 about the question she wanted answered. "How did they start having sex though? I
 mean, I've only really gotten interested in that in the past year, and I'm not
 ready to do anything with anyone."

 "I'm not sure I can answer that. They are both more mature than they should be,
 even including the time from the Digital World to their ages. They both have
 seen or learned of things of a sexual nature before they were ready for that."
 Mimi shrugged. "However, I do know they were more ready for the relationship
 they have than some others I could name."

 Ayashi looked away. "Are digimon different from us?"

 "If you mean, are they just data or are some strange non-sentient creatures, no.
 Digimon are living and thinking creatures. They are as prone to make mistakes as
 any human. The only difference is that they aren't of this world, they are known
 to be reborn after they die, and have the ability to evolve instead of age,"
 Mimi explained. "Digimon can love, hate, be happy or sad. They can even mate and
 have children of their own."

 Ayashi sighed as she gazed over the sea of humans and their digimon partners.

 Mimi sat back in her chair. "Do you know that Koushiro loves you?"

 Ayashi stared at Mimi in shock. "Wha?!"

 "Koushiro loves you," Mimi said seriously. "You're more important to him than
 his computers. I had to throw a crying fit to get him to look at me, Miyako had
 to screw him, but you can get his attention by merely being in the room."

 Ayashi laughed. "There are times I can't get him away from his computer."

 Mimi shook her head. "You don't understand. We NEVER got him away from his
 computer, no matter what he was working on. When he has ignored you, he was
 probably dealing with something really important, like Digital World related
 work."

 Ayashi opened and closed her mouth several times.

 In the background, the slow song that was playing had ended. The view screen
 showed a hallway lighting up and someone came over the speakers. "We are the
 best kept secret in the universe." Tommy Lee Jones began to walk down the now
 lit hallway. "Our mission is to monitor extraterrestrial activity on Earth. We
 the best, last, and only line of defense. We work in secret, we exist in
 shadow...," Jones said as he made it to the front of the hallway.

 Will Smith walked in from the side of the screen and added, "And we dress in
 black." With that the two men in black put on sunglasses and kicked toward the
 camera as the 'Men in Black' music video began to play.

 Mimi smiled brightly. "This is perfect." She grabbed Ayashi's hand. "The best
 way to deal with a problem is to submerge yourself into it." With that she
 rushed over to Koushiro and dragged him and his supposed date to the dance
 floor. "Just follow what they do when it gets to the dance portion. It's kind of
 like line dancing."

 "I'm in!" Steve chirped, seemingly appearing from nowhere followed by his
 Gabumon.

 "This'll be cool. Come on, Lisa," Bobby dragged the girl with him.

 "Wanna try?" Daisuke asked Catherine.

 "Sure." Catherine shrugged and went to the floor with him.

 Soon the dance floor was filled with humans and digimon, some having no clue
 about this dance.

 With some strange alien jumping down next to Will Smith in the video, Mimi
 called out, "This is it!"

 When Will Smith put on his shades, Takato and Daisuke, who were next to each
 other, followed suit with their goggles. Some of those who had some form of
 eye-wear also copied the video.

 ~"Just bounce with me. Just bounce with me. Just bounce with me."~

 Guilmon's head bounced along with the song, as did the now awake injured
 Greymon.

 When the song asked to 'slide with me' some guy slid into a Lopmon's ear and
 accidentally tripped and fell on top of the little digimon, causing the Renamon
 next to them, and several others, to burst out laughing at the fallen pair.

 Takato was practically in heaven dancing next to Daisuke like this, but hearing
 a Renamon laugh was like being hit by cold water. Ruki's Renamon wouldn't have
 laughed like that. Or wear a black skirt and a white shirt for that matter. For
 some reason Takato suspected Ruki would be rather upset if her Renamon developed
 a fashion sense like the one here apparently has.

 Ayashi felt intimidated being surrounded by all these alien creatures. She
 focused on the video and tried to follow along, however she couldn't quite
 ignore that Koushiro was obviously paying more attention to her than the video.
 She turned away and blushed, remembering what Mimi had said. The faces she saw
 when she looked away all had one thing in common they were smiling. She
 suspected many of them had histories like Mimi and Koushiro, and yet they were
 smiling.

 The song ended and Gennai called out, "Grab a special someone, it's time again
 to slooooow dance."

 Catherine quickly tapped the shoulder of the guy in front of her. "Can I have
 this dance?"

 Steve adjusted his glasses and swallowed hard. "Duh, ah, s-sure."

 Daisuke pouted. He then glanced over at the strange boy with goggles staring at
 him. "I don't swing that way." He then wandered off, leaving Takato blinking in
 confusion.

 Mimi smiled as Ayashi started dancing with Koushiro, and then went to grab her
 own date.

 "Are you all right?" Koushiro asked.

 "I'm fine. Just confused," Ayashi replied, holding Izumi tightly.

 Koushiro sighed. "I'm sorry. It's never been easy learning about this."

 "I can understand that," Ayashi agreed. "I don't know how to deal with any of
 it."

 "You'll have to figure that out yourself. I had no choice but to accept this as
 reality, but if you can't... I'll understand." Koushiro looked away.

 Ayashi forced a smile. "For your sake, I'll try. Just... no promises."

 "I understand." Koushiro closed his eyes, and just enjoyed the moment of holding
 this girl in his arms as they danced.

 ----------------------

 Grandpa Hida strolled into the Studio, carrying his kendo gear in a duffel bag
 as he had just come from teaching a class. His son would've just loved to have
 seen this, people of every nationality each with a digimon and getting along and
 having fun. 

 Grandpa Hida walked over to the table Yume and Iori were at, and put his bag
 down. "Hello."

 "Hi, Grandpa," Iori greeted.

 "Hi!" Yume chirped. She was particularly happy since some Chinese boy had gotten
 Sayuri to dance with him. That boy's Syakomon also was trying to dance with
 Psychemon, but a clam was obviously not a good dance partner. Now Armadimon and
 Bakumon were actually doing a decent jump of dancing.

 "How was class?" Iori asked.

 Hida sighed. "Fine, but Shiro is still not understanding what it is that our
 school teaches. I'm afraid he might use his skills to bully others."

 "Some things must be learned the hard way," Iori replied.

 Hida laughed. "Might as well call you 'sensei.'"

 Iori blushed slightly. "Grandpa, you're still the master."

 "Yes, but for how long?" Hida questioned. "A victor between us in full battle is
 no longer assured. Soon I will have no hope of winning."

 Yume blinked. "You're that good in kendo?"

 Iori slouched. "Kind of...."

 Henry of the London group walked up and asked, "You know the way of the sword?"

 Iori nodded. "Yes."

 "How about a little match?" Henry grabbed his digivice that was attached to his
 belt and it morphed into his long sword. He gripped the blade and called out,
 "Practice." The metallic sheen flashed brightly and then the sword took on the
 look of oak.

 Iori shrugged. "It would be interesting fighting against a different style." He
 looked at the two practice swords sticking out his grandfather's bag.
 "Grandfather, may I borrow your bokken?"

 Grandpa Hida smiled and nodded. "Yes."

 Iori pulled out the bokken from the bag. While he would've preferred using his
 grandfather's shinnai, a bamboo sword wouldn't likely hold up to the Londoner's
 oak wood sword. The bokken, being made of solid wood, had a better chance to
 survive the match.

 "Tsukaimon, ask Gennai to give us the dance floor to fight on," Henry ordered.

 "Sure thing," Tsukaimon replied. The dark furred version of Patamon took flight
 with his flapping ears.

 When the current song ended, Gennai appeared on the screen. "Everyone clear the
 dance floor. A battle royal is about to ensue. Henry Miller has challenged Iori
 Hida to contest of sword fighting." Once the floor was cleared, Iori and Henry
 took to opposite sides and did a quick warm up. "Fighters ready?" Gennai asked,
 and was answered with a nod. "Then let 'Mortal Kombat' begin. FIGHT!" With that,
 the techno version of the 'Mortal Kombat' movie theme began to play.

 Grandpa Hida raised an eyebrow.

 Henry moved first. He boldly charged forward, bringing his sword down on top the
 younger boy, only he wasn't there anymore. Iori had side-stepped the attack and
 swung at Henry's back, only for the Londoner to block it.

 "You're fast," Henry commented.

 "And you're strong," Iori returned.

 They pushed their wooden swords against each other and the sprung away. Each of
 them took a moment to size up his opponent.

 Henry had the advantages of strength and reach, Iori surmised. He wondered if
 his own speed and strength could compensate for that. This may very well rely
 purely on the knowledge of the art.

 Iori took to the offensive, delivering multiple over-head strikes in hopes of
 weakening his opponent. Henry was pressed backwards despite blocking all the
 blows. The strength on the kid was unreal, almost unnatural.

 Iori broke away, sensing it was doing more to tire himself out than effect his
 opponent. He struck at Henry's mid-section only to be blocked by the Londoner's
 attack.

 "Something's not right here," Plotmon chirped.

 Chuck nodded. "Our swords have enhanced our fighting abilities, but Iori is
 fighting on an even footing with Henry."

 Teresa bit her knuckle. "It's not even. Henry is going to lose."

 "Huh?" Chuck questioned. "How can you be sure?"

 "Simple. Henry spent only a year learning formal sword fighting, while Iori's
 swordmanship shows years of training," William explained.

 Not that anyone without any skill in martial combat could tell. It looked to
 them as if Henry had the advantage. Being much larger, they felt it was only a
 matter of time that the smaller boy would be overpowered. 

 Still, the battle looked like a dance. A deadly one if the swords had been real.
 The pair would attack, dodge, block or parry with fluid grace, each movement
 flowing into the next. At times they seemed to blur as they moved.

 Iori twisted away from an overhead slash and bringing his bokken tightly to his
 chest. Then he thrusted his weapon, striking the Londoner in the shoulder.

 Henry tumbled to the ground, holding his shoulder defensively. "Damn, ya got
 me."

 "Are you all right?" Iori asked, holding out his hand.

 Henry nodded. "I've had worse." He grabbed Iori's hand, accepting the help to
 stand up.

 "And the winner is Iori Hida!" Gennai called out.

 Applause erupted from the room, and Iori blushed.

 Henry went over to his friends, and plopped down next to Teresa. "So much for my
 pride," he said bitterly.

 "How's your shoulder?" Teresa asked with concern.

 "Just bruised," Henry replied, but then yelped when Teresa poked it.

 "Why did you challenge him?" Chuck asked.

 "Overheard him talking to his grandfather and learned that Iori is a master in
 kendo. Just wanted to see how I measured up." Henry sighed.

 "You need much more training, grasshopper," Chuck joked.


 "That was amazing, Iori-sama!" Yume chirped.

 "Certainly was, sempai," Sayuri added.

 Iori blushed and scratched the back of his head.

 "Yes, but I see I have been lax in training you to deal with other sword styles,
 though I don't know if Henry had a style," Grandpa Hida commented.

 "What do you mean?" Yume asked. "He won."

 "I didn't exploit openings that I should have," Iori explained. "I could've
 ended the fight much sooner, but was having trouble seeing where I should've
 attacked."

 ----------------------

 "What are you doing?!" Ms. Takaishi screeched.

 "Havin' a little drink, ain't that right, son?" Ishida replied.

 "Yeah, dad." Yamato took another gulp from a bottle of German beer.

 "You're supposed to guard it, not drink it! And how can you let our son get
 drunk!" Ms. Takaishi growled.

 "One, you're not my wife anymore. Two, at least I didn't let our thirteen year
 old son get a girl pregnant. Three, it's not like Yamato will drunkenly knock up
 a girl. That was your concern for these kids, right?" Ishida smirked.

 Ms. Takaishi flushed. "That's not the point!"

 "Then what is it? If you can't tell me what's wrong, how can I ever fucking fix
 it? You can tell millions of readers what's on your mind, but could never tell
 me!" Ishida snarled. "If you can't tell me, why don't you try writing it out?"

 Ms. Takaishi clenched her fists and turned away sharply. "Talking with you never
 got me anywhere." She stomped off.

 "Good riddance," Ishida mumbled. He wiped away a tear he would refuse to admit
 he had shed and went for another bottle of confiscated alcohol.

 Yamato didn't have much reaction to the fight. His mind was on a drunken dream
 he knew he would not be able to fulfill.

 Hikari stared blankly. Her hand moved to cover her mouth as tears started to
 pool at her eyes. Was this her future? Would she fall out of love with Takeru as
 his parents had? Would she end up divorced? She ran out of the studio, unable to
 see any of Takeru's family at the moment.

 Hikari stopped as she reached the observation floor. She stared out the window
 overlooking the island of Odaiba. Without prompting, she remembered the first
 time she was here. It seemed like lifetimes ago, but only four and half years, a
 third of her life, had passed. It was here that Vamdemon was going to kill her.
 It was here that she had killed for the first time. It was here that she first
 met Takeru.

 Well, this wasn't exactly where all that occurred. The battle against Vamdemon
 destroyed the entire television station. The observation ball was used to help
 destroy Venom Vamdemon. Still, when it was rebuilt, they had used most of the
 original blueprints. 

 Hikari sighed. She felt old. Much older than thirteen. She was a warrior with no
 compunction about killing, married and pregnant. Even among the Chosen, only one
 fifteen year old girl could claim something similar and she had only been a
 Digi-Destined for two years.

 "Oh, God... or Qinglongmon... will Takeru and I always be in love?" Hikari
 slouched getting no answer.

 "Love is fleeting. Power is absolute."

 Hikari spun around and saw Noriko holding a Punimon.

 Noriko smiled darkly. "Dagomon isn't done with you yet... especially since
 you're pregnant."

 "What?!" Hikari stood up, but could only stare as Noriko stepped backwards and
 somehow disappeared.

 Hikari looked around desperately as she tried to find Noriko, but saw no trace
 of her. She rushed off, knowing she had to tell the others.

 ----------------------

 "What do we have here? A little girl. What shall I do with you?"

 "Oh, please don't rape me!"

 "I think I will." With those words he grabbed her, and held her close.

 "I'm not feeling like I'm being raped, here. You need to be rougher."

 "But Mimi...." Jyou sagged.

 Mimi pouted. "It's just a little role-playing."

 "I know, but this might be the last time we get to see each other for a while,"
 Jyou replied.

 "It doesn't have to be now." Mimi pulled away and sat down at a nearby log at
 the clearing they were at in the Digital World. She held up her lime-green D-3.
 "We both can come here whenever we want."

 "Not whenever we want. I have classes to attend, and so do you," Jyou pointed
 out.

 "I know that. But our weekends belong to us." Mimi pointed out. "When do you
 prefer sex, before or after bed?"

 Jyou scratched the back of his head. "Well... both actually."

 "Pervert," Mimi deadpanned before breaking into a fit of giggles. "I guess we
 can do both. I can come over Saturday morning and evening, and you'd be here
 Saturday night and Sunday morning."

 "I guess." Jyou slouched.

 "Why are you so glum?" Mimi questioned.

 "I'm just going to miss you," Jyou admitted.

 "I'll miss you too." Mimi folded her arms. "Now if we're done with that, let's
 put this overly cute dress to proper use and pretend to rape me."

 "You're being weird with these role-playing acts," Jyou commented.

 "I happen to like playing role-playing games." Mimi walked over to her lover and
 poked him on the nose.

 Jyou raised an eyebrow. "But you keep complaining about them."

 "No, I complain about how Steve runs his games. I prefer it when Lou is the
 game-master, but the others don't since he's not into hack n' slash dungeon
 crawls," Mimi explained.

 Jyou shook his head. "This is what you really want?"

 Mimi nodded and spread her arms. "Rape me."

 "I don't think you understand what that means." Jyou grinned evilly and forcible
 pushed his 'victim' to the ground. "But you soon will."

 Mimi smiled. "That's more like it."

 Jyou clamped his left hand over her mouth. "You're not allowed to smile... or
 scream for that matter."

 Mimi attempted to nod, but his hand held her skull in place. She felt him lift
 the frilly skirt of her dress and grab at her panties, but learned she was also
 wearing nylons. He let go of her mouth to bring both hands to the task at hand. 

 Mimi had to support her whole body weight on her shoulders as he lifted her ass
 so that it was almost directly over her head. She bounced against the ground as
 he forcibly pulled the nylons and panties off her.

 Jyou only bothered to remove the nylons and panties completely from Mimi's left
 leg, leaving the once obstructive undergarments dangling from her right foot. He
 still held her ass in the air by one arm. She could hear the zipper of his pants
 and the ruffling of his clothes.

 Jyou look down at her face past the frilly skirt that flowered around her own
 plucked flower. "You wanted this to feel like being raped," he commented before
 ramming his cock into her.

 Mimi gasped at the sudden intrusion. She had to admit, she did ask for this. She
 was dryer than when they had first made love, but that didn't seem to matter.
 She wanted Jyou inside her more than anything else. She still loved how his hot
 meat pulled apart her flesh. How each thrust sent waves of pleasure cascading
 through her.

 Jyou grunted as he hammered Mimi into the ground, her cries of pleasure driving
 him on. He knew once he entered her there was little lubrication for this, but
 Mimi still moaned in approval. She actually seemed to like being fucked like
 this. Her cunt was growing increasingly wet as his penis penetrated into her
 over and over again. Her warm and welcoming flesh eroded his control with each
 second. He groaned apologetically as he came into her. 

 Jyou pulled out of her and stepped away. Mimi's legs crashed to the ground as
 she tried to catch her own breath. 

 "Sorry," Jyou said before collapsing next to a tree.

 Mimi sat up. "Sorry about what?"

 "Not getting you to orgasm," Jyou replied.

 Mimi grinned. "Who says we were done yet?" She got on her hands and knees and
 crawled over to him. "I wanted you to be in charge last time. Now it's my turn."

 "Your turn?" Jyou swallowed.

 Mimi nodded. "Yep. And you better not orgasm until I have... twice." She looked
 down at his lap. "But first, we need your little soldier tall and proud."

 Jyou groaned as Mimi took his spent cock into her mouth. Her tongue swirled over
 it, cleaning off some of his cum and her own lubrication. It wasn't long before
 her tongue worked it's magic.

 Mimi smiled at his hardened manhood. She moved to be kneeling over Jyou's lap.
 Spreading her own pussy lips, she positioned his cock to enter her and sat down.
 Once again pleasure shot through her, but she was more than ready for him now.
 She bounced on his lap, impaling herself on him repeatedly.

 Jyou focused on holding back as Mimi rode him hard. It wasn't long before she
 orgasmed. Her spasming vagina massaging his penis in unimaginable ways. Still,
 he held on as she continued on. His cock continued to be assaulted with the
 sensation of ecstasy kisses from her womanhood. The feeling of filling her, of
 her taking in almost all of his length, was blowing away his mind. Trying to
 hold on until she came again seemed to be an impossible task. Her wet pussy was
 doing things to him, and he couldn't do it. He fired a volley of his sperm into
 her.

 Mimi frowned as she continued on. His manhood shrank inside her as she kept on
 bouncing on his lap. Each time she went up, more of his length irrevocably left
 her. She crashed down on his lap hard, trying to recapture his cock. Her clit
 rubbed hard against his body and broke her second dam.

 Mimi tiredly poked Jyou. "We'll need to work on that. I expect to see you here
 Saturday, got that?"

 Jyou nodded.

 Mimi smiled. "Good. Now we have to get cleaned up to go back to the reception."

 ----------------------

 Takeru frowned as he watched his grandfather dance closely with Catherine. He
 knew his grandfather liked younger woman, but that was stretching the lolita
 complex way too much. He hoped to God and Qinglongmon that his grandfather
 wouldn't do something stupid and make Catherine his grandmother.

 Takeru tapped his fingers on the table he was at, wondering where Hikari was.
 She had left to go to the bathroom a while ago and still wasn't back.


 "Why so glum?" Ryo asked.

 Takato sighed. "It's just seeing that Renamon reminded me about my friends. They
 could be in trouble. The digimon that sent me here might've hurt them."

 Ryo nodded. "I see. Well, let's see if Gennai has any idea on how to send you
 back."

 Takato brightened. "Yeah! He must know of a way."

 Guilmon shrugged and followed Takato to see Gennai.

 Gennai noticed them coming over and put on a long slow dance. "So this is the
 anomaly," he commented looking at Takato and Guilmon.

 "Anomaly?" Takato asked.

 "You are different from everyone here, and your digimon's parameters are almost
 unreadable," Gennai explained.

 Takato nodded. "Well, I am from a different dimension and I did kind of make
 Guilmon."

 Gennai blinked. "You made him?"

 Takato nodded. "Yeah. I drew him in a note pad and my D-Arc scanned it in." He
 held up his digivice.

 Gennai placed his hand on the device. "Interesting, evolution is hampered a
 little but has other things to compensate for it."

 Ryo raised an eyebrow at that.

 "Do you know how to send me home?" Takato asked.

 Gennai shook his head. "Sorry, but your dimension lies outside of my influence.
 Though some of the Chosen should be able to help you. Just hold on for this song
 to end."

 Takato nodded.

 "We go home?" Guilmon asked.

 Takato placed his hand on Guilmon's head. "Yeah, we're finally going home."

 The song ended and Gennai's face appeared on the view screen again. "Everyone,
 may I have your attention? The dimensionally displaced Chosen that Ryo was
 searching for is here. He needs to find a means back to his home dimension. If
 you know of anything of dimensional travel beyond just getting to the Digital
 World, please come see me." He then started up collection of videos.

 A guy with green hair played with some device in his hands as he approached. "I
 might be able to..." The device sparked and crackled before it exploded covering
 the guy with black soot. "Never mind." He turned around and left.

 Koushiro shook his head as he approached Gennai. Ken, Taichi and a few foreign
 kids came forward as well.

 Takeru looked around for Hikari. He smiled when he saw her coming through the
 studio doors, but was dismayed that she seemed upset. He went over to her. "Are
 you all right?"

 "I'm fine." Hikari tried to get her thoughts straight on what to tell Takeru
 about Noriko. She decided not to worry him. They were safe at the moment, after
 all.

 Takeru nodded. "If you say so. Mind helping the lost Chosen getting back to his
 dimension?"

 Hikari shrugged. "I can try."

 The pair approached and heard a few suggestions on dimensional travel, but the
 result would either be random or to a known dimension, like Dagomon's Ocean.
 None that would get Takato and Guilmon to his dimension with any amount of
 certainty.

 "I know of a way," Tailmon called out to get their attention. "When Hikari got
 pulled into Dagomon's Ocean, the strong feelings that she had for Takeru,
 Patamon, and myself, and our strong feelings for her opened the portal for us to
 help her."

 Takato scratched the back of his neck. "I already know about that, and tried to
 do just that. But no matter how much I wanted to see them, it wouldn't work."

 "Maybe you didn't have enough energy to do it," Koushiro surmised. "If we share
 some of our energy, the portal might open."

 Gennai nodded. "It's worth a shot."

 Takato took off his D-Arc and held it out.

 Those gathered moved out of the way of where he was pointing. They all drew out
 their digivices and pointed them at Takato.

 Takato thought about his friends, about how much he missed them. He had been
 gone for so long, and was afraid that they might have been hurt or killed. He
 shook his head and concentrated harder on his friends. The protective and
 cautious Lee with the childish Terriermon; Ruki and Renamon were just plain too
 serious, but he knew that there was a soft side to them as well; Hirokazu always
 ready with a snappy reply and nervous Kenta; and Juri was once a shy girl, but
 now one of the bravest people he knew along with her noble Leomon.

 Light shot forth from the Chosen's digivices and collected at Takato's D-Arc. A
 light began to form in front of the Tamer, soon it was a large amorphous cloud.
 Sounds of fighting echoed from it.

 Takato's eyes widened as he heard their voices.

 "Leomon, watch out!" Juri yelled. 

 "Rapidmon, protect Culumon!" Lee called out.

 Gennai froze in shock. "Culumon?!"

 "Where the hell is Takato?" Ruki snapped.

 "Too far away to help you. DIE!" 

 Takato recognized that voice. It was the same digimon that had sent him here.
 "They're in trouble! Guilmon!" Without another word, Takato pulled down his
 goggles and lunged into the cloud.

 Guilmon's eyes took an animalistic look as he charged after his partner.

 "I hope they'll be all right," Hikari said as the portal began to close.

 "What's a Culumon?" Koushiro asked Gennai.

 "An evolution-type digimon. Highly powerful when with other digimon." Gennai
 sighed. "There hasn't been one recorded on our Digital World since the Dark
 Masters first came to power."

 "Why's that?" Ryo asked.

 "They were hunted to extinction. They would be a threat if their powers were
 combined with a Chosen," Gennai explained.

 "They were fun to play with," Solarmon chirped, and then pouted. "Though Mugen
 Dramon saw them only as target practice."

 "Don't mind him." Palmon laughed nervously. "Come on, son."

 Sora paled. 

 Taichi pointed. "Ugh, um, he's not...."

 Takeru sighed. "He was." He then looked over at Gennai. "Haven't any Culumon
 been reborn since then?"

 "For some reason, no they haven't," Gennai answered. He was kind of thankful
 that the portal closed. There was no telling what that other Digital World had
 in it. There were some extinct digimon that were better off left extinct.

 ----------------------

 The hour was getting late in the day. Many of those present were getting very
 tired, especially the foreign children who would normally be asleep during the
 reception.

 Gennai's smiling face once again appeared on the view screen. "It is now the
 time that all you single girls have been waiting for: the throwing of the
 bouquet! All you human girls get onto the dance floor. Digimon will get their
 chance as well later."

 Ms. Takaishi felt like a giant surrounded by teenaged girls. She was the only
 single woman at the reception.

 Hikari turned her back to the girls. "If you want to stay single, you better not
 catch this." With a mighty heave, Hikari sent the bouquet flying.

 "Let's get ready to RUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMBLEEEEEEEEEE!!!" Bobby cried out at the top
 of his lungs.

 Lisa cast a quick glare at him, which unfortunately left her unprepared as the
 bouquet came flying toward her. She was smashed to the ground as a wave of girls
 fought to get into position to catch the flowers.

 Sora reached out and grabbed onto the head of a rose, but the rest of the
 bouquet was knocked away. Mimi and four other girls each nabbed part of it and
 pulled. In an explosion of rose petals and baby's breath flowers, the bouquet
 met its end.

 Everyone sweat-dropped at the sight.

 "Does this mean I win?" Sora held the intact rose in her hand.

 Taichi pulled nervously at his collar.

 Lisa glared. "Happy?"

 "I didn't mean that literally," Bobby said in shock.

 "Well, that was interesting," Gennai commented. "Now it's the turn of you single
 human guys, as it's time to throw the garter."

 Takeru blinked. "The garter?"

 Hikari already was sitting down at a chair facing the mob of boys. She motioned
 for Takeru to come over. "Haven't been to many weddings, have you?" she asked.

 Takeru shook his head. 

 Hikari stretched out her leg. "It's really simple, you have to take off my
 garter with your teeth. Then you shoot it like a rubber band at them."

 Takeru scratched the back of his neck. "If you say so."

 Hikari nodded.

 Takeru nervously did as she had told him. He lifted up the skirt of wedding
 dress and heard cat calls from some of the guys. What was worse was that Gennai
 had started playing a song he had only heard when he watched two girls strip on
 the porn movie Koushiro downloaded at the bachelor party.

 "Just keep going," Hikari told him.

 Takeru could guess that Hikari was blushing. He certainly was beet red with what
 was going on. He gathered his courage as he moved up along his wife's
 outstretched leg. He let his lips tell him where the garter was, leaving
 butterfly kisses up along her leg. He noticed the nylons ended just above the
 knee. The top of his head then brushed against her crotch and Takeru didn't feel
 much fabric there. He wondered if she was even wearing panties, but decided to
 leave that a mystery for later as he had finally found what he was looking for.
 He carefully bit onto the garter and pulled it down, letting go when he got to
 her ankle. He took off her shoe before pulling off the garter the rest of the
 way with his hands.

 "All right, guys. Get ready." Takeru pulled back on the garter and shot it clean
 over the entire mass of boys.

 Girls shrieked as they got out of the way of the guys rushing to get it. Taichi
 grabbed at it along with a foreign kid, but Henry slid between them and held the
 garter triumphantly. "Teresa, I got it! Guess we're next." the Londoner grinned.

 Teresa blushed deeply while her Tapirmon looked upset.

 Jyou sighed and noticed a baby's breath flower that hadn't been stepped on. He
 picked it up and walked over to Mimi, placing it into her hair. "It'll be your
 turn someday," he told her.

 Mimi smiled and nodded at him.

 "Unlucky in battle, but lucky in love. Henry Miller has the garter. Now you
 female digimon hoping for a mate, come on down. It's your turn," Gennai called
 out.

 Tailmon walked out in front of the gathered female digimon. She took the bouquet
 with her tail and rocketed it above the digimon.

 A few of them took flight, hoping to intercept it.

 Sorcerymon raised her wand. A bolt of energy shot out of it, grabbing the
 bouquet and drawing it to her hands.

 "That's cheating," an Otamamon commented.

 Sorcerymon shrugged. "Then so would be flying. Better luck next time." She
 turned and winked at V-mon. "It's your turn."

 V-mon's mouth went dry as he tried to reply, but had no idea what to say.

 "Well, no rules against using powers, so Sorcerymon has Tailmon's bouquet. Now
 since Tailmon doesn't have a garter belt to throw, we'll use Patamon's bow-tie
 to throw to the eager male digimon looking for a mate."

 Patamon shrugged as he moved in front of the group of male digimon that was now
 gathered. Tailmon helped him remove the bow-tie and placed it in his mouth. He
 inhaled and sent it flying with, "Air Shot!"

 The bow-tie went flying. The mass of male digimon surged after the bow-tie.
 V-mon knocked away the male Piyomon and Hawkmon, desperate to get the bow-tie
 only to have it snatched in the air by Solarmon's teeth. 

 Solarmon proudly brought the bow-tie to his adoptive parents. "I got it!"

 "Thought you felt the mating was disgusting," Gomamon commented.

 "Watching others mate is disgusting, but fucking can be fun!" Solarmon chirped.

 Palmon grabbed her forehead. Motherhood was a headache and a half. "We're going
 to have a loooooong talk."


 An image of Hikari and Takeru, along with Tailmon, Patamon and the egg in the
 baby carriage, was displayed on the view screen.

 "It's time for Hikari and I to begin our honeymoon, as short as it is," Takeru
 said. "Thank you all for attending, and I hope this isn't the last time we can
 all gather like this. It was great getting to know some of you when our lives
 weren't on the line."

 "Thank you for coming," Hikari added. "I wish you all luck, happiness, and
 love."

 "Yeah. Good luck in finding the love of your life." Tailmon placed her paw on
 her husband's head. "Though do take your time."

 Patamon blushed. "Thanks and hope to see you all again."

 Takeru turned toward Koushiro and his laptop. "Digiport open!"

 A bright light flashed and the two newlywed couples disappeared, along with the
 carriage and egg.

 Koushiro quickly rerouted all traffic away from that area of the Digital World.
 It wasn't long before a line of people came to him to go back home.


 "I guess this is goodbye, huh?" V-mon slouched.

 "It doesn't have to be." Sorcerymon tapped him on the head with Tailmon's
 bouquet. "There's always the Digital World. I spend most of my time there." She
 pulled out a piece of paper with some numbers and an email address written on
 it. "Have Daisuke open a portal to there. That is where my home is."

 V-mon looked at the paper. "Ah, sure. Is there any specific time you'd like to
 meet?"

 "Well, when do you have some free time?" Sorcerymon asked.

 "Pretty much all the time. Daisuke is usually at school or with a girl. We don't
 do much adventuring anymore," V-mon replied.

 Sorcerymon shrugged. "Why don't we figure out when to have a date later? I'm not
 sure how this time zone stuff between us works."

 V-mon nodded. "Okay."

 Sorcerymon leaned down and kissed him on the lips. "If you want to drop by
 unannounced, that'll be okay. Bye!" She waved as she walked over to the London
 group preparing to leave.

 V-mon mechanically waved back as his other hand went to his lips. After the
 London group teleported away, the blue lizard came to his senses and turned
 around.

 "Seems someone got lucky." Daisuke folded his arms.

 "No, I didn't... Well, not yet anyway." V-mon blushed slightly.

 Daisuke noggied his partner. "You got farther than I did. Hope things work with
 her."

 V-mon held his head. "So do I."

 "What's her partner like?" Daisuke asked.

 V-mon sighed. "Dead."

 Daisuke grimaced. "Oh."

 "Where's Catherine?" V-mon asked.

 "She just left with Takeru's dirty old grandpa," Daisuke replied.


 "Hey, Koushiro. We're going to hold onto our digimon while we're in town. Don't
 want to get caught by any trouble without them," Hank informed him.

 Koushiro nodded. "I understand. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to move
 Elecmon or her egg any time soon. Just try to keep out of sight with them. We
 don't want any of them being the source of trouble."

 "Of course." Hank nodded. "We'll contact you when we're ready to send them
 back."

 "Right. See you." Koushiro waved, thankful that he had one less portal to open
 tonight.


 "You're an idiot. You know that, boss?" The overweight technician pulled Ishida
 to his feet. "You should know by know drinking doesn't make the problems go
 away. Your divorce should've taught you that, but nope, you didn't learn." He
 looked over at Yamato slumber away on the floor with beer bottle in hand. "You
 even taught your kid to be stupid like you." The technician sighed. "Ah, well.
 Off to bed with you, boss."

 Ms. Takaishi frowned as she watched her ex-husband get dragged away. She focused
 on dealing with her son. She lifted him up carefully, and commented, "Guess
 we'll have to use the bus to get home."

 ----------------------

 "Everything went perfectly," Mrs. Yagami commented as she watched a group of
 kids gather to use one of the buses that Michael's dad had rented.

 Mr. Yagami nodded. "Especially since we didn't plan half of this."

 "Well, you didn't plan on it, but others did," Gennai commented as he walked up
 to them.

 "What do you mean by that?" Mrs. Yagami asked.

 "A few of my friends and I are not without our own resources. Hikari and Takeru
 are special kids, and we wanted today to be special for them. Giving no means of
 transportation to the visiting kids could've caused some problems," Gennai
 explained. "Besides, since not all of the members of Yamato's band showed up,
 someone had to play at being the entertainer."

 "Things did seem a bit too convenient at times," Mr. Yagami commented.

 Gennai smirked. "When one of your friends is a certified god, you learn that
 things are rarely are truly convenient. Anyway, I leave the rest to you, as I'm
 overdue to return to the Digital World. Goodbye." With that, Gennai vanished.

 Mr. Yagami shook his head. "What ever happened to having a normal life?"

 "I seem to remember a certain young man promising me a world of surprises," Mrs.
 Yagami said with smirk. "Somehow I don't think this is what you meant."

 "You got that right." Mr. Yagami sagged. "Time to get these kids to the bus."

 ----------------------

 Hikari blinked at where the portal had placed them. "Takeru... this is...."

 Takeru looked over the grassy field with a nearby grove of trees. "Yep. Where we
 lost our virginity." He smirked at his wife. "This is also where Yume ended up
 when she first came to this world."

 "Really?" Hikari questioned.

 Takeru nodded. "Really." 

 Hikari folded her arms. "How would you remember or know that?"

 "Koushiro told me about Yume when I asked him to send us here. As for how I
 remembered this place, my journals," Takeru replied. "After the incident with
 Digitamamon and Michael, I realized I needed something to help me remember
 stuff, so I've been writing it all down."

 "Mind if I look at them?" Hikari asked. "You can see mine, if you want." 

 "Sure, but aren't we supposed to exchange diaries when we start a relationship?"
 Takeru questioned with a smirk.

 Hikari giggled. "Details."

 "To bad Angemon didn't get the same idea you two did back then," Tailmon
 commented.

 "Dear." Patamon blushed.

 Takeru laughed. "Anyway, Hikari, do you think you can remember exactly where we
 were?"

 Hikari looked around. "Over that way." She pointed.

 "Then let's go there." Takeru pulled out a blanket that he had placed in the
 carriage. He then followed Hikari.

 Tailmon waved. "Have fun, you two."

 "Bye," replied the human pair.

 "Are we going to 'have fun?'" Patamon questioned nervously.

 Tailmon looked away. "Sorry, but no. My interest in sex right now is nil."

 Patamon sighed.

 Tailmon played with his ear. "Now be a dear and check the area. I don't want any
 surprises to pop up like the last time we were here."

 Dejectedly, Patamon nodded. "Yes, dear." He took flight and flew out of the
 carriage.

 Tailmon hugged her egg tightly. "I'll make it up to you later, Patamon. I
 promise."


 Hikari glanced around. She was sure it was somewhere around here. With Takeru
 trying to make this more romantic, she wanted to do this EXACTLY where they had
 been that first time. She noticed an odd area a few meters away. The grass was a
 bit taller there. She went over to look at it and pushed the grass aside. In the
 center of the patch there looked to be a wet spot on the ground. She went to
 touch it, but came up dry. She guessed it was a trick of light considering the
 sun was going down. Yet, for some reason she was sure that spot was made by her
 when she lost her virginity.

 "Did you find it?" Takeru asked.

 Hikari stood up. "I think it's right here." She didn't like the implications
 here. If this was where she lost her virginity, why was the grass healthier here
 than anywhere else? She looked around and everything was where she remembered it
 to be.

 Takeru dropped the blanket and hugged her from behind. "Good." He kissed her
 neck. "I love you."

 "I love you, too." Hikari let her fears and apprehensions go. This wasn't the
 time to be worried. It was time to be with her husband.

 Takeru slowly unbuttoned the back of Hikari's wedding dress, all the while
 blowing sweet kisses to the back of her neck. With the buttons undone, he
 grabbed the dress at the shoulders and pulled down. The sleeves were reluctant
 to let go of Hikari's arms, but with a little work the dress spilled to the
 ground, leaving his wife clad only in an off-white bra, pink lace panties,
 nylons with a pinkish color to them and off-white dress shoes.

 Takeru couldn't help but stare at the lace panties. There was so little fabric
 to them, he could see his wife's pubic hair through it. "Um, why isn't your bra
 matching your panties?"

 "I had to match my bra with the wedding dress, to make sure it wouldn't be
 visible. The panties were the only, um, honeymoon garments that I liked at the
 shop," Hikari explained with a slight blush.

 "Oh." Takeru didn't have a problem with that.

 Hikari kicked off her shoes as she stepped out of her wedding dress and turned
 around to work on her husband's suit. She tossed away his suit coat and tie
 without ceremony. While she worked on unbuttoning his white shirt, he unclasped
 her bra. When she pulled his shirt off, her bra fell with it, leaving them both
 bare from the waste up.

 Takeru guide his wife to the ground and grabbed her nylons. He carefully pulled
 them off each leg. He then tenderly moved over her, giving her an erotic kiss as
 his hand slipped into last remaining piece of clothes and began to rub her
 treasure.

 Hikari moaned as Takeru played with her sex. She was kind of happy he wasn't
 going to repeat everything they did that first time. She almost hadn't orgasmed
 then. Now he was taking his time with her, making sure that she felt pleasure.

 Takeru groaned from his own arousal. With a whimpering protest from his lover,
 Takeru stopped fingering her and pulled off her panties. He then struggled to
 remove the remainder of his clothes.

 Hikari couldn't help but giggle at her husband as he tried to pull his feet free
 from his pants. His penis was hard and pointed, swinging like a sword. Now clad
 in only his socks, Takeru went back on top of her.

 Takeru slid his fingers into his wife's special sheathe. Spreading it wide, he
 inserted his mighty weapon into her. He grunted at the tightness of her
 wonderful flesh wrapped around his.

 Hikari groaned, as Takeru pulled out, and pushed back in. His finger joined his
 cock, and he massaged Hikari's clit in the process. She moaned in pleasure, her
 mind dimly aware of how close she was to climaxing.

 Takeru pulled his face closer to Hikari's breasts, and began to suck on them. He
 forgot himself in his passion until he heard his lover whimper in pain because
 her breasts had become sensitive thanks to her pregnancy. He immediately stopped
 sucking, and began to gently lick her erect nipples. He then moaned, straining
 to hold on the oncoming orgasm for just a little longer. Soon it was just too
 much. His cock spasmed and fired shot after shot into his lover, while his
 thrusting became erratic.

 This was heaven for Hikari, and her velvet vise tightened around Takeru's rod;
 she gasped as she too orgasmed. They collapsed, arms around each other. She
 looked into Takeru's face and smiled as the wind swept gently over the two, with
 the grass flowing with it. 

 Takeru was the first to break the silence. "Hikari, are you tired?" He was
 answered with a nod. He pulled the nearby blanket over them. Hikari smiled into
 his eyes, and they fell asleep, with their arms around each other.

 ----------------------

 "Goodbye, Mimi." Jyou held her hands tightly as they stood at the lobby of Tokyo
 Metro Airport.

 "I'll see you again this weekend. Remember our date?" Mimi smiled.

 Jyou nodded. "I'll still miss you."

 "And I'll miss you. These past couple weeks were more than I had ever expected.
 I would love you for them alone," Mimi recalled fondly.

 Jyou nodded. "I love you, too."

 Mimi leaned forward and kissed him.

 "Mimi!" Jyou blushed.

 "Oh, hush. I'm an American girl and PDA is allowed." Mimi pulled her hands free
 and poked Jyou in the nose. "See you Saturday!"

 Jyou blinked. "PDA?"

 "Public displays of affection," Mimi answered with a smirk and then gave him a
 quick hug. "Goodbye, lover."

 "Oh, Mimi. Bye. See you soon." Jyou waved as he watched Mimi grab her bags and
 rushed over to check in on her flight. After the crowds had swallowed her up, he
 turned away and left for home.

 ----------------------

 The room was quite as almost everyone had left. The lights were dimmed and
 Koushiro sat at his laptop closing another portal. "Is that everyone?"

 "Still one more," Tentomon replied pointed into the shadows.

 A girl stepped forward.

 "You're still here?" Koushiro questioned in surprise as he put his laptop in his
 backpack.

 Ayashi nodded. "Well, I did come with you, so it's only right that I leave with
 you."

 Koushiro smiled at her. "I'm glad you stayed."

 "I'm still not sure about any of this, but I can't forget what Mimi told me,"
 Ayashi said nervously.

 Koushiro raised an eyebrow. "What was that?" 

 Ayashi blushed. "I can't tell you." She then sighed. "If we do have a
 relationship, Koushiro, I want to know more about digimon."

 Koushiro chuckled a little. "I am the one to ask about that."

 "Do you think I could see the Digital World?" Ayashi asked.

 Koushiro sighed. "I don't know. I'd rather you didn't."

 "Why not?" Ayashi demanded.

 "Because if you do cross over, you would become a Chosen and would have to
 fight, kill, and hate like I have," Koushiro said sadly. "If there was a way to
 prevent that, I would've brought you there a long time ago."

 "I see." Ayashi lowered her head. "I still want to learn more about it."

 "How about coming over to my house this weekend? It'll take a while to explain
 this," Koushiro suggested.

 Ayashi nodded. "I'd like that."

 Koushiro smiled while glancing at Tentomon. "Like to learn what it's like to
 fly?"

 "Fly?" Ayashi questioned.

 ----------------------

 A night guard at the television station stared as he saw a giant blue insect fly
 away holding two smiling and laughing kids in his arms.

 ----------------------

 Author's Notes:

 Well, some of you asked for longer parts. Hope this satisfies. ^^;

 Thanks for reading this. And thanks to my pre-readers, especially Ajere for
 grammar help and Jeremy Mullin for grammar help and adding a few pages from his
 suggestions.

 Special thanks to Tim G/Whiteknight5 for writing part of the Takeru/Hikari
 honeymoon scene.

 Anyway, Diaries will be put to the side for a few months until I get through a
 couple story-arcs in Neo Digimon: Digital War.


 How come XXXXXXXX wedding tradition wasn't observed?
 Japanese weddings that follow the Western traditions tend to have selected parts
 from what they've been based off of. One Japanese tradition that I know of
 didn't quite fit, opening the celebration sake. This acts much like cutting the
 cake, but signifies more than the bar is open.

 Gift Money:
 Guests at a wedding reception are only supposed to give gifts of cash, and the
 newlyweds in turn use a portion of that money to send out thank you cards or
 even presents to the guests.

 Foreign Digimon Names:
 Why aren't I consistent in using the renamed digimon for western digimon? I am
 consistent, just not in using all the renaming of digimon, but in how I use
 them.

 It comes down to looking at how a digimon was named. Tapir and Baku mean the
 same thing, just one is European in origin and the other Japanese. However, with
 Pico Devimon, pico is used in metric measurements, an European creation, not
 Japanese so it stays 'pico.' Piyomon verses Biyomon is simply the American
 version making it more 'American.' If the US named for Piyomon was Chirpmon,
 then I would've used the US name since that's what the Japanese name means. As
 for Steve's Yuki Duramon verses Frigimon, well the Japanese name makes little
 sense for an American Digi-destined. However, it would also be too confusing for
 me to rename the digimon more correctly as Snow Bearmon. Some I can't change
 since there are no way to translate it correctly, such as Monzaemon was named
 after a person.


 Izumi Clan of ninja:
 There actually IS an Izumi clan of ninja. Whether or not Koushiro is part of
 that is purely fanfiction fodder.

 Akiyama Ryo:
 The star of three video games-- Anode Cathode Tamers, Tag Tamers and D-1 Tamers.
 In the first, he teamed up with Agumon to save Taichi and the others from
 Millenniummon. In the second one, Millenniummon returned to face Ryo, who got
 help from little Ken, Wormmon, and a V-mon that certainly wasn't Daisuke's
 V-mon. The third game also has V-mon as his partner. (If anyone has a full
 synopsis of these games, PLEASE let me know. archive@mich.com)

 Takato:
 The events of episode 23 happened a bit differently. For those who have seen
 parts of that episode, you can guess who sent Takato and Guilmon to another
 dimension. The one that wanted Culumon. So this may change how this Takato will
 react to events in episode 29, however, this Takato isn't from the exact same
 timeline as the television series, but one very similar. If you don't know what
 I'm talking about, sorry, but you'll have to either hunt for spoilers or wait
 until next year around February before Fox shows these episodes.

 Grandpa Takaishi:
 One thing to note about all the scenes with Grandpa Takaishi, Grandma Takaishi
 was never referenced in the original. All those 'jokes' about her were dub
 additions. For Diaries 'Grandma Takashi' died shortly after Ms. Takashi married
 Ishida and Grandpa Takashi moved back to Paris.

 Miyako and Daisuke:
 If you don't think Miyako is in denial of her feelings for Daisuke, I've got
 some swampland on Mars to sell you.

 Wormmon and Hawkmon:
 Sorry, but they won't get their own part for now. I couldn't come up with any
 good plots involving them. Their relationship has been, more or less, handled
 here.

 V-mon and Sorcerymon:
 I had planned to have more go on between them, but decided to hold off until a
 later RDD entry. For those who want to know exactly what happened with Susan,
 Sorcerymon will explain it to V-mon then. (Those who know about what I had
 planned with Daisuke, that happens in that part as well.)

 The New York group:
 Sorry about not using much of them. However, I will be using them in War
 Diaries. The main scene I had planned for them was removed from this entry, to
 keep focus on certain events. I was going to add a 'seventh' member to the New
 York team, but that will be held off until they have a full episode of War
 Diaries mostly to themselves.

 Why Iori Hida instead of Hida Iori?
 Well, everything is translated into a language one understands best. Seeing as
 this is being read in English, Iori's name was listed per the English order,
 personal name first.

 The Unnamed Characters:
 A few of the unnamed children, plus three referenced digimon, are from Digital
 Diaries: Adventures 2003. A series that is being written as to be part of the
 Diaries timeline made by Shaun Garin. So if you want to know what's going on in
 other parts of the Diaries dimension, I suggest you read that.


 Reply to reviews:

 MixedDeath*DIGIVOLUTION - American = Catholic... Huh?
 If you got the impression I was making all American kids Catholic, sorry that
 wasn't my intent at all. The only thing I stated about is that the vast majority
 of private schools are Catholic run and that a son of a major movie star
 probably wouldn't go to a public school, meaning Michael goes to a private
 Catholic school based on odds. Does that have to be the case? No. It's just a
 lot more likely for him to be at a Catholic run private school than not for him
 not to be at one. Keeping the New York team together, much like the majority of
 the Odaiba team, the entire New York team also attends the same private Catholic
 elementary/junior high school (grades K-8). FYI, religions for the New York
 team: Michael and Maria are Catholic, Steve is Catholic only because of his
 parents-- he's looking for his own answers, Sam is sort of Catholic only because
 of the school, Lou follows the Native American beliefs of his tribe, and Mimi is
 Shinto mostly. Oklahoma group doesn't have any devout Catholics of any type.



 (Hee Hee. I got flamed. Let's see what he has to say.)
 'Digi Advisor'- 
 (Not signed in. How typical. If you flame, at least have the courage to put your
 name on it.)

 Damn this fic stinks! I've never read a Digimon Fanfic that sucked so badly! 
 (You don't read many fanficts, do you?)

 Pairing Kari with a like TK!? What the hell were you thinking! Stupid! Baka! 
 (Let's see, why would I pair Hikari with Takeru? Long term friendship built on
 relying on each other in stressful situations. An understanding level between
 Hikari and Takeru not displayed between any other two characters in the series.
 Hmm... I don't know. Maybe because they seem to go together naturally? But what
 does a college graduate with knowledge of psychology, film theory, philosophy,
 and literature know compared to someone who probably shouldn't read fiction with
 adult content and doesn't use correct English?)

 And what was up with the ppairing of Davis and Yolei?! You made Davis seem like
 he was only into sex! 
 (This is called plot and character development. Something that is covered
 starting in grade school. What makes a story move is conflict. If no one ever
 makes a wrong decision, there is no conflict and the story stagnates. I mean,
 how can Toei just go and bash Taichi by having him stupidly treat Agumon and
 accidentally force him to evolve to Skull Greymon? If I want to read about Mr.
 Perfect, who never screws up, I'll go and read some golden aged Superman comics.
 I want my heroes to have real faults and make real mistakes for them to
 overcome.)

 You can't write for sh*t! That never happened you dumb d*ck! 
 (Please refer to the NC-17 rating. If you're over 18, please seek psychiatric
 help. Pointless name calling shows a lack of maturity for someone who should be
 an adult.)

 If you watch the show carefully, Yolei went with Ken, and Kari married Davis! 
 (Miyako had a crush on Ken initially before learning that he was the Kaiser.
 Then she dropped those feelings because he was the 'bad guy.' Once Ken joined
 the team, Miyako developed a friendship with him. However, for most of the
 latter half of Zero-Two, it is my opinion that Miyako displayed more interest in
 Daisuke and Hikari than Ken. Chances are that Miyako and Ken didn't start being
 a real couple until college.

 (Per the epilogue, Hikari didn't marry Daisuke, Takeru or any other Chosen.
 Notice that her son has Plotmon for a digimon. In the cases where two Chosen
 married, their kid's digimon was gender specific-- Sora's daughter has Pyocomon
 while her son has Tsunomon. Now look at Iori's daughter with Upamon, opposite
 sex but same digimon. By making Hikari's child a boy and with the same digimon
 as his mother, indicates Hikari didn't marry any Chosen.

 (Of course, you'd know so much more than I do about the series. Excuse me while
 I go watch the Japanese episodes that haven't been released in the States yet. I
 find the 'new' character in episode twenty-eight of Tamers to be a real problem
 with Takato appearing in this entry. Since I wrote references of Takato being
 lost in the Digital World before Tamers was shown on American television, there
 isn't much to do save state the this Takato isn't from the Tamers' timeline, but
 a different timeline very similar to Tamers.)

 TK was NEVER interested in her! 
 (Please keep your information correct. Episode thirteen is one of the strongest
 evidence for and against Takeru being with Hikari. In the Japanese version, it
 was Takeru, Tailmon AND Patamon's strong feelings for Hikari and Hikari's
 feelings for them that opened the portal to Dagomon's Ocean. Tailmon even
 referred to those feelings as love, using a generic term that doesn't imply
 either platonic or romantic love. The reason why I said that this is strong
 evidence against Takari, is because of their age. Hikari and Takeru are too
 close at the age of eleven and may end up viewing each other as siblings.

 (Of course, Takeru freaking out whenever Hikari is in trouble wouldn't be
 evidence that he likes her. However, wouldn't that mean that Daisuke freaking
 out doesn't mean anything either? Guess that means Toei is right and there isn't
 any romance in Digimon.

 (I can also reference other episodes that Takeru and Hikari would go off and do
 something together, and leave Daisuke and the others behind. Such as in episode
 thirty where Takeru and Hikari refused Daisuke's help as they went to get some
 drinks alone with each other. Communication is key to any relationship and
 Takeru and Hikari already are comfortable about talking to each other about
 anything. That's something Hikari has not been shown to do with Daisuke.)

 Ep. 2 of "World Tour" proved that; so get over it! 
 (Well, first look at the date the first chapter of this series was posted. I'll
 help you, 10-22-00. That following weekend was when Black War Greymon first
 aired in Japan. It wasn't for another ten episodes after that, or two and a half
 months, that Catherine appeared. Now look at entry eight of Red Digivice
 Diaries. Check all the hints of Hikari being pregnant. Guess what? That was
 released before Catherine debuted on Japanese television.

 (Second, what does a simple crush mean to long term feelings? You're ripping on
 this being a Takari when there's more evidence against Taira and yet I have that
 in this as well. If you're going to complain, be consistent. Using intelligent
 arguments would help as well.

 (Third, I've stated in a few places that Diaries is an Alternate
 Timeline/Alternate Universe series. Meaning, that I can do whatever I want to
 the timeline of this fict. The end of Zero-Two didn't work well for Diaries, so
 I had Oikawa killed by Black War Greymon at Mt. Fuji. Meaning no resurrection of
 Belial Vamdemon, no Oikawa sacrificing himself, and everything that follows
 Oikawa's premature death is irrevocably changed.

 (Fourth, Daikari didn't happen either. You need to get over that too.)

 In fact, the show NEVER backed up Takari. It was All Around Daikari for you
 obsessed Takari freaks out there who refuse to accept that!

 (Obsessed Takari freaks? Let me guess, you wrote a Daikari fict and someone
 flamed it because it wasn't Takari. Rather than be adult about it, you find a
 popular Takari fict and attacked it.

 (Sigh. How 'mature.'

 (I am not obsessed with Takari. I don't go flaming other people's works of
 fiction because they don't have the couple I like or has one I don't. If I don't
 like it, I don't read it. On the rare occasions I read a fanfict, I'm more
 likely to chose to read a Daikari fict over a Takari one. Why? Because I like
 Daikari and weeding through the Takari ficts for the rare gem is too much of a
 hassle. 

 (There is plenty of evidence of Takari, starting in Zero-One. If you weren't
 being the obsessed Davis fan, you would see that Takeru and Hikari have a deep
 relationship. The question isn't if there is love between them, but what type.
 Considering Takeru and Hikari have been very close friends since the age of
 eight, they may view each other as siblings not lovers.

 (No single couple has ever been explicitly 'this is the only potential pairing.'
 There is evidence that Hikari could've ended up with Takeru, Daisuke, Miyako, or
 Koushiro. If I really wanted to, I could take a scene, blow it out of proportion
 and make a go for Hikari and Noriko being a couple-- after all they have the
 same goal of becoming kindergarten teachers. Only if you're setting the fict in
 the Adventures Timeline, including the epilogue, that there are any 'mandatory'
 couples. Besides Yamato with Sora and Ken with Miyako, no other couples between
 the Chosen are allowed. That means no Daikari for you.

 (Besides, if the ending had been Daisuke with Hikari, I would've liked it more.
 However, Toei decided to break off the expected couples and pair them off with
 someone else. So those of us who want a Takari, Taira, or Daikari ending, or
 even Taito or Hiyako, will have to write them ourselves. I've already been
 working on the Takari and Taira, and I do have a Daikari in the works. That fict
 won't be ready for a long time.

 (Now, 'Digi-Advisor' if you're going to act like a troll as I suspect, I await
 your reply. If you want to discuss this on more of a mature adult level, please
 sign in before flaming. Otherwise, thanks for reading this fict that you said
 'sucked so badly.')