Raze here.  I just got back from summer camp and man do they push you hard! 
It's running laps and sit-ups, and swimming and… AUGH!!!  Oh well, I managed
to type this up, even though my fingers feel numb.
 


A New Evil: Part 3: The Medallion of Reliability
By Raze


Rated PG-13 for mild use of swear words, moderate violence, and dialogue that
may be inappropriate for younger or immature audiences



   Everyone got up early in the morning to search for Tai.  Takeru and Kari
were making their way down the steep and rocky valley.  They were both dirty
and tired.  Takeru jumped onto a ledge and helped Kari down.
   "Whew."  Takeru sat down.  His hair was messy and uncombed.  "Climbing is
not my specialty."
   Kari brushed thick dirt off her shirt.  "I'm not fond of rocks either." 
Kari sighed.  "I need a break."
   "Yeah, that's why we stopped here."
   "No… a break from being a Digi-Destined.  After Genai died, I couldn't
take much more.  But now that Tai's gone, I… I need a vacation."
   There was a moment of silence.  Takeru grunted.  "We all need a break." 
But we almost didn't make it when we split up last time.  We'll have to ask
Tai if… when we find him."  Takeru corrected himself. 



   Matt and Mimi were riding on Garuru and Toge, looking for any signs of
Tai. 
   "Remember when Tai got sucked back into the real world and we all fell
apart without him?" Mimi said.
   "Ugh, please don't remind me.  My hands were pruny for weeks after washing
those dishes."  Matt said, jumping from Garuru to Toge.
   Mimi sighed.  "I was living large at the castle.  I had to give up my
giant wardrobe.  I miss being a princess."
   Matt smirked and wrapped an arm around her.  "You still are, in my
opinion."
   Mimi blushed and giggled.  She leaned onto Matt  "Oh Matt, I'm so glad we
got together.  I just wish all this fighting didn't get in the way."
   Matt gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.  "Don't worry.  Once we're done
with this war, we can get some time with each other."
   Joe was walking by, when he noticed Matt and Mimi.  "Hey!  Are you two
lovebirds making out or searching for Tai!?" he yelled.
   Mimi looked down and smirked.  "What's the matter Joe?  Jealous?"
   Joe was thrown off on what to say.  "I… uh… oh God dammit!"  Joe turned
red and kicked rock. 
   Mimi couldn't help but giggle.  She looked up as Sora, riding Birdro, flew
over head.  'See anything Sora!?"  she yelled up at her.
   "Nothing but rocks and trees!"
   "Crap." Matt said, fists clenched.  "Me and Tai may not always get along
but I'd hate to lose him."



   "Patomon, Digivolve to… Angemon!"
   "Gatomon Digivolve to… Angewomon!"  
Takeru and Kari rode on Angemon and Angewomon.  Kari was still shaken by
Tai's disappearance, though she was trying to calm down.  She loved Tai, even
if he was a pain sometimes.  But Kari was determined to find her brother no
matter what the cost.  "See anything?!" she called to Takeru as they passed
by.
   "No!"  Takeru shouted back.
   "Dammit."  Kari said softly.
   "You love him, don't you?"  Angewomon asked.
   "Who?  Takeru?"
   "Yes."
   Kari got that feeling over her again.  The feeling of guilt.  She knew it
was nothing to be ashamed of, liking a boy, but that feeling still stuck with
her.  "Uh… well…" Kari lowered her head.  "Yeah." 
   Angewomon responded with a half-smile.
   "Don't tell anybody, OK?"
   "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
   "Thanks Angewomon.  You're the best."



   Tai and Wizardmon had been traveling through the caves since daylight. 
Tai had taken several breaks, and already a good half of their food and water
were gone.
   "Remind me again.  Why were going through the caves and not into the
valley?"  Tai asked, kicking a stone down the path.
   "If you want to climb up that steep, rocky valley that's alright, but I'm
not."
   "I thought you could fly." 
   "I can, but not with you riding on me.  And besides, this path will take
us up into the forest."
   Tai moaned.  "I'm tired."
   The two sat down on a boulder.  "Personally, I don't see how you survive
running from Raydromon's goons when you want a break every 5 minuets."
   Tai grunted.  "I hope everyone's doing OK without me.  When I got tossed
back into the real world for awhile, everyone fell apart."
   "Well you're not very far from your friends, and I doubt your they'll
split up completely in one day."
   "Yeah, you're right.  Takeru and the others will protect Kari from
Raydromon and…" Tai noticed that a pebble was jumping about.
   "What?"
   Tai put a hand on the dirt-and pebble wall.  It was vibrating.   "Oh
crap."  Tai whispered.
   "What?"  Wiazrdmon asked again.
   "Oh crap!"  Tai said louder.  He grabbed Wizardmon's arm and began to drag
him up the tunnel.  "Volvagamon is coming!  Run for it!"
   Just as they took off, Volvagamon burst through the wall.
   "Only one Digi-Destined?"  Oh well.  I'll destroy you anyway!"  Volvagamon
roared.  "Hell Rush!"
   A wave of fire plowed through the tunnel.  Tai was close enough to feel
uncomfortably hot. 
   "I see light ahead!"  Tai shouted between breaths.
   Wizardmon and Tai, running like there was not tomorrow, jumped out of the
cave and ducked down.  The Hell Rush plowed into several trees, setting them
aflame. 
   "C`mon!"  Wizardmon shouted.  "Your friends are this way!"
   Tai caught his second wind, and continued running.



   Izzy was riding on Kabuterimon with Koromon, when he noticed the smoke. 
"Oh crap."  Izzy said.  "Where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's
fire, there's Volvagamon!  Everyone!  Volvagamon's coming!"
The Digi-Destined flew and sprinted to the source of the fire. 
   "Hey!  Look!"  Matt shouted.  It's Tai!"
   Sora nearly fell off Birdro.  "Where!?" 
   Matt pointed down to Tai.  "There!  And someone's running with him!"
   Angewomon gasped.  "It's Wizardmon!  And Volvagamon's after them!"




   Tai couldn't remember running this much since the Junior Soccer League
Championships.  Volvagamon was slowly catching up to them.  He closed his
eyes tightly, giving out one more burst of strength, when he saw something
flying to him.  Tai couldn't make out what it was, and he couldn't take out
his mini telescope with him running this fast. 
   Wizardmon also noticed the flying thing.  That's… Birdromon!"  he shouted
between breaths.  Suddenly, he disappeared.  Tai skidded to a stop, and saw
Wiazrdmon had tripped over a tree root and was trying to get up. 
   "Wizardmon!  Hang on!"  Tai said, taking off towards his fallen friend.



   "What the hell is he doing!"  Izzy shouted.  
   "Wizardmon tripped over a tree root!"  Koromon shouted back.  "He's going
back to help him!"
   "Smart move Tai."  Izzy muttered. 
   "I'm going down to help him!"  Koromon said, jumping down and disappearing
into the woods.  



   Tai was helping Wizardmon, when he saw someone… bouncing… toward him. 
"Koromon!"  he shouted, as he realized it was his Digimon pal.  "Just in
time!"
   "Koromon, Digivolve to… Agumon!  Agumon, Warp Digivolve to… Wargreymon!"
   "Cover me Wargreymon!"  Tai shouted, hoisting the dazed Wizardmon.  "Boy
one thing's for sure," Tai said with a groan.  "You haven't gotten any
lighter after 4 years!"
   The battle was on. 



   "Birdromon!  You have to swoop down and pick up Tai and Wizardmon!"  Sora
yelled. 
   "Consider it done."  Birdromon, already starting to pick up speed.
   "Dammit Tai, you're going to owe us big for this."  Sora groaned,
tightening her grip on Birdro's orange feathers.
  

   Wargreymon was fighting to stop each fireball as it sailed towards Tai. 
"Hurry it up Tai!"  Wargreymon said, batting away another blast.  "My armor
is already starting to chip!"
   If there was such thing as a third wind, Tai caught it, and slowly ran off
yet again.  Birdromon was diving down to him at enormous speed.
   "Get ready Tai!"  Sora shouted to him.
   Tai braced himself.  This was it!  He ran as fast as he could a
15-year-old with a 90 lb. Wizard Digimon over his back could go.   Suddenly,
he was thrown in the air!  A fireball had crashed into a tree, and the
explosion had thrown him and Wizardmon into the brush.  Birdromon pulled off,
and got ready for another dive.  "Wargreymon!  That almost got me!"
   "Sorry Tai." Wargreymon responded.  "This guy is good!"
   Tai rolled Wizardmon into some bushes.  "We'll pick you up later."  Tai
then ran to Birdromon head on, hoping Wargreymon could hold out for a little
longer.



   "Dammit!"  Sora yelled out loud.  "Try again Birdromon!"
   Birdromon curved around, and dived down again.
   "Closer… closer…" Sora whispered,
   Birdromon opened her talons, ready to catch Tai.  Sora could see Tai's
eyes now, filled with concentration, ready to jump…

   Tai was close enough to see Sora's face filled with worry.  Nothin`  to
worry about Sora, I'm gonna make it this time!
   Tai leaped, time seemed to stop.  He reached out a hand, grabbed at…
nothing!  Tai fell forward, but was jerked back.  The sudden change in
directions made his head spin.  After a few seconds, he realized the
situation.  He was hanging upside down; Birdromon had a talon tightly holding
onto his foot.  Although he was in an awkward position, the plan had worked. 
He was being carried away from danger.
   "Wargreymon!"  he yelled  "Get out of there!  We're clear!"
   "Thank goodness!"  Wargreymon said, pulling off and starting to.  "I was
getting pretty damn hot with all those fireballs!"  
    Tai swung himself up to a sitting position on Birdro's talons, then
climbed up to Sora.  He couldn't think of anything else to say other than: 
"Hey Sora."
   Sora hugged him tightly, a tear in her eye.  There was a moment of silent
reunion.  Then Sora suddenly let go, and slapped him.
   Tai put a hand to his cheek, and was met with a sharp sting.
   "Don't you ever scare me like that Taiachi!"  Sora yelled at him  "I
thought you'd died from that fall!" Her mood swung again, and they kissed,
long and passionate. 
  


   After the retreat, the Digi-Destined had regrouped.  Everyone had greeted
Tai, and Kari slapped him for his dangerous act, and Tai now had two red
marks on his cheeks.  Wizardmon was retrieved by Kabuterimon, and was asleep
   "OK gang."  Tai started.  "We're not out of the woods yet.  But, we have a
secret weapon."
   "What kind of secret weapon?"  Joe asked skeptically
   Tai reached into Wizardmon's and pulled out the Medallion of Reliability.
   "Well unless you want to whack him to death with that, I don't think it's
very useful."  Matt muttered.
   "Oh but it is."  Tai said with a smirk.  "This is the Medallion of
Reliability."
   "Woah, cool!"  Joe said, grabbing it away.  "Feels like it's… alive."  Joe
said, amazed he was the first to get his Medallion.  "So, how do we get
Gomamon to Warp-Digivolve to whatever his Mega Stage is?"
   A tree suddenly burst into flames and tipped over.  "You had to say it! 
Heads up!"  Tai yelled, bolting away just as the tree crashed into the ground.
   Volvagmon flew through the gap he created in the trees.  "All eight
Digi-Destined!  Raydromon will reward me! 
   Everyone had run for cover.  Joe was running to Wizardmon and hoisted him
up.
   "Joe!  What are you doing!?  Get out of there!"  Gomamon yelled, running
to help him.
   "I have to help out!"  Joe said.  "I need to… Augh!"  Volvagamon was
attempting to ram Joe and Wizardmon.  He was only a few feet away, when Joe's
Medallion glowed.  It turned a bright white, then Volvagamon suddenly
rebounded back.  An almost transparent 30-foot bubble shield had been formed
around Joe and Wizardmon.
   "Woah!"  This thing beats any driver's license!"
   Volvagmon rammed into the shield again, but was bounced back.
   Joe slowly picked up Wizardmon and walked backwards.  The shield followed
him.  "He can't get through!  We'll be OK in this thing!"  Tai touched the
bubble.  It stuck to his fingers.  He jerked it away, causing the bubble to
wobble.
   "Pretty techno, this thing."  Tai said, stepping in with a schloop. "Let's
friendlies in, keeps bad guys out.  Everyone stepped into the bubble, and
after a round of schloops, Volvagamon roared. 
   "Hell Rush!"  The wave of fire hit the shield dead on.  Still no sign of
damage.  "I'm getting really pissed at you Digi-Destined!"  Volvagamon
roared, causing trees to tremble.  "Solar Beam!"  A white ball appeared over
Volvagamon, growing larger and brighter.  Then, the beam was shot out.  It
blinded Joe, but he held his ground.  Then, he heard something that couldn't
be good.  The sound of glass cracking.  The shield was breaking!  After what
seemed like hours, the beam died down.  Joe saw that it was worst then it
sounded.  The bubble had large cracks, and there were a few small holes here
and there. 
   "Ha ha ha haaa!  I have you now!"  Volvagamon roared.  He whipped his tail
into the bubble, finally shattering it.
   "Oh crap!"  Joe yelled.  We're gonna die!"  Joe's Medallion glowed once
more, then…
   "Gomamon, Warp-Digivolve to… Marineangemon!"
   "What the!?"  Joe started.  "Gomamon, you got… wings."   Marineangemon
certainly wasn't intimidating.  He hadn't grown much, only about 3 feet tall,
but he had long, elegant wings, and a red ribbon was wrapped around him.  No
legs or arms, and a cute face that Mimi admired. 
   "That's Marineangemon now."
   "You mean, you…"
   "Yup!  I Warp-Digivolved to Mega!  And now I'm gonna show this hot-head
who's boss!"           
   "Hey Izzy!"  Joe yelled.  "Look up Marineangmon!" 
   Izzy opened up his computer.  "Marineangemon is the guardian of the sea. 
His Tsunami Force will drench any opponent, and that cute face can stop any
enemy in his path!"
   "Go get him Marineangmon!"
   Marineangemon flew to Volvagamon.  "OK big guy, give me your best shot!"
   "Hell Rush!"
   Marineangemon giggled.  The fire wave hit him dead on, but he remained in
the same place, completely unscathed.  "My turn!"  Marineangmon said
excitedly.  "Tsunami Force!"
   Out of nowhere, a giant tidal wave appeared, crashing into the forest,
hitting Volvagamon dead on.
   "AAUUGGHH!  Not water!"  The tidal wave died down, and Volvagamon was
looking half-dead.
   "Awww.  I'm sorry, don't like water?  Ocean Love!"  A giant red heart
formed, and floated to Volvagamon, who was attempting to get up.  The heart
absorbed him in, and then he faded away.
   Joe gawked.  "That's it?  He's gone?"
   "Yup!"  said Marineangemon, laughing in delight as he devolved to Bukamon.
   "Wow!  So not only do these Medallions make our Digimon get to Mega, but
they have some sort of secondary mode too!"  Sora said.  "I can't wait to see
what mine does."
   Tai flopped down.  "Can we take a nap?  I've done enough running today to
win a marathon."
   Everyone laughed and agreed.




   "So… you're sure you want to do this?"  Tai asked.
   "Yeah, I need a vacation."  Kari said, looking down.
   "Hmm," Tai nodded, thinking.  Kari was growing up.  She could take care of
herself, and Takeru and Wizardmon were offering to go with her, just in case.
 "Well, I don't see why not.  But remember Kari, be careful out there."  Even
with Gatomon and Patomon, you're still not very strong."
   "Don't worry Tai.  We'll be careful."
   Tai put a hand on her shoulder.  "That's my little sis."
   "Hey, I'm not little anymore."
   "Tai laughed.  "Right.  Well, I guess I'll be seeing you."  Tai said,
starting to walk down the left path in the fork of the road.
   "Bye Tai!"  Kari shouted back.
   Everyone else exchanged good-byes, and then, Kari, Takeru, their Digimon
and Wizardmon, disappeared from sight.
   "I think Kari's really going to enjoy herself."  Sora said with a smirk.
   "Hunh?"  Tai said, confused.
   Sora slapped him upside the head.  "Boys." she muttered.



End of Part 3


I'm not sure what to say except hope you liked it!  As always, e-mail
[email protected] for comments and suggestions.  See ya all!  Raze, out.