by: Aeris

Chapter Sixteen


Day Thirteen


***Peter***

Sara and I walked slowly through the woods along a dirt road, just on the outskirts of the town. Mom'd sent us to do some shopping today, since we were running low on supplies.

"It's too bad we'll be leaving in only a few days, isn't it, Peter?" Sara asked, the skirt of her plain white cotton dress swishing as she walked. Once we got to my house, the fancy, expensive dresses Sara wore were much too fancy, so she wore plain work dresses that she usually kept in the back of her wardrobe.

I grinned. "Doesn't it? Here- let me take that." I reached over and took the basket of groceries out of her hands. I was once again in human form, I spent most of my time in it. More convenient.

She glared playfully at me and reached over to take the basket back. Ever since she recovered from those wounds, her friendship with me was once again mended. We acted as if the fight we had never happened!

I pushed her back just as playfully. "No. You're a guest, so I'll carry the basket." I smirked mischievously. "Besides, you're a only girl."

Sara stopped dead in her tracks. "Oh, I'm only a girl, am I?" She asked indignantly. "Give me that!" She jumped forward, grabbing for the basket.

I quickly sidestepped out of the way. "Catch me if ya can!" I cried, leaping forward. Sara sprinted after me. "Peter!" She called, laughing. "Come back here!"

I laughed and ran harder. She kept right on my heels and then caught hold of my cape, pulling me back. I reached up quickly and untied it, letting it fly loosely behind me. Turning my head back to watch, I saw her throw it behind her and return to the chase. She hiked up her skirts slightly so she wouldn't trip.

Wow, she ran fast! I never knew she was so fleet-footed! With no trouble at all, Sara quickly caught up to me, making another grab for the basket. I ducked out of the way and ran off the dirt road....and deeper into the forest.

Sara followed at my heels, still intent on getting the basket of groceries from me. I darted back and forth through the trees in a zigzag pattern, hoping to keep her from catching me until we were nearly home.

Suddenly I stopped, not hearing her footsteps behind me. I turned and looked behind me, but she wasn't anywhere in sight! Puzzled, I took a couple steps forward, searching.

"Gottcha!" I jumped as I felt two arms wrap around my waist, grab the basket, and leave. I turned quickly to see Sara running off through the woods, laughing impishly.


***Sara***

I dashed through the woods, keeping sure the basket wouldn't tilt and spill it's contents on the forest floor. Peter followed at my heels.

We were on a course for Peter's house. Of course, we'd left the trail, but we were still headed in that direction.

A wild sense of joy sped through me as I ran. In the woods, back in the country, it was hard for me to remember that I was a leader in a war, hard for me to even remember that I hated the Digidestined! The country air gave you a sense of freedom that you could never feel in the city. It brought back delicious memories of when I lived at the Wisardmon house, picking apples, hunting for blackberries, swimming in the river- all the most exhilarating times of my life!

And now, running through the woods, hiking up the skirts of my plain white cotton dress with an apron over it, revealing the simple leather shoes on my feet, I felt richer then when in my finest dresses, with a jeweled necklace about my neck, and silk shoes on my feet. The simplicity of it all was overwhelming.

On we ran. Me not getting any further ahead, Peter not getting any closer. I saw the house coming into view just at the bottom of a hill, and breathed a sigh of relieve, taking my eyes off the forest floor and looking up through the trees to see the clear, blue sky above.

"Ah!" In looking towards the sky, I'd missed a root sticking out of the ground. My foot caught, and I tripped. Even the confusion of tripping, I tried to keep the basket from tipping, and me from falling. Aloud ripping sound was heard as I tripped over the edge of my skirt. I finally succeeded by turning quickly and landing against a tree.


***Peter***

I watched with amusement Sara trip, and the amazing acrobatic moves she used to save herself. Laughing, I jogged over to her. "You alright?" I asked, leaning an arm against the tree she was leaning against.

Sara nodded, breathing hard. "I'm okay...and at least the basket didn't fall!" She said with a breathless laugh, holding the basket up to show me. "At least it didn't fall!"

I laughed with her. "Yeah.....at least it didn't fall..." I repeated softly, watching as continued to catch her breath. A few strands of her honey brown hair slipped out of it's tight braid, and I reached over to push them back. She reached up and caught my arm, staring at me. I felt a odd sensation rush through my veins, making my skin feel tingly as she looked up into my eyes and we locked gazes.

Minutes passed and neither of us moved. We just continued staring at each other, my hand on her hair, her hand on my arm, and our eyes locked. It was the weirdest feeling I've ever felt before in my life.

Finally, Sara pushed my arm down slowly. She blushed and turned away, scampering off down the hill in the direction of there house, her braid flying behind her.

I stood there, watching her retreating form. What had happened? Why had I acted that way? I stayed in that trance until she stopped, turned around, and called out to me. "Come on, Peter!"

I snapped out of the trance I was in and sprinted down the hill after her. What 'HAD' happened?


Day Seventeen


***Sara, Infinity Mountain***

"Welcome home, Mistress." A Bakemon said to me, bowing as he opened the door. "I hope you had a good stay?"

I nodded. "Yes, it was quite refreshing, thank you." I told him curtly. I'd allowed Peter to stay home a few more days with his family, but for me, I needed to get back.

The country air had worn off long ago, and I now wondered how I could have ever acted so foolishly. I was back and enough time had been wasted, surely the Digidestined were fully healed by now and ready for my strongest attack yet.

Still standing in the hall, I turned to another Bakemon and told him to go fetch me a Digimon. "It's time MarineDevimon showed how strong he really is." I said quietly. "And I have a feeling he won't disappoint me.."


***Sora***

"Oh, what a beautiful day!" Jessica's exclamation was full of joy. She turned and looked at us with the impish grin we were all used to now. "Who's up for swimming?"

Mimi groaned. I know how she felt. Jessica'd had us up and swimming wicked early every morning since we moved to this site. She was like a health instructor. We would've already moved from here, but the Digimon knew there wasn't any place with water anywhere near here, and anyway, Sara's attacks always kept us too weak to move. It was as if she'd planned it this way..We were alright now, but none of us were fully recovered from the attack of the attack of the Megadramon, Gigadramon, and that SkullMeramon. But, we were okay.

"Are you serious!" Mimi wailed. "Not again!"

Jessica's eyes flashed. "I was only asking. I'll just go with the boys." She pointed towards the path, and we saw the boys all walking in that direction...in their shorts. Kari was with them, once again using the suit Jessica'd loaned.

Mimi and I groaned at the same time. I guess that meant we didn't really have a choice, if the boys were going.

"Fine." Mimi sighed, unbuttoning her dress. It slipped to the ground, revealing the swim suit underneath. She then took off her hat, sat down, and pulled off her shoes and socks. Jessica and I sat down and did the same thing, a smug smile on Jessica's face. We found it easier to just keep them on, lying in the sun on the beach while waiting for them to dry, so the three of us now had quite a tan. At least that was 'something' we could thank her for!

Jessica pulled off her last sock and jumped up, smiling that impish smile. "Hurry up!" And then she was off, sprinting down the trail as fast as anything.

Mimi and I hurried to finish, and then scurried after her.


***Matt***

"Look out below!"

We all looked up to see who'd shouted, and then the next second we all dove frantically away before Jessica could hit us. She'd run down the trail, up the rock, and thrown herself off it, hitting the water as she completed the perfect swan dive. Jordan, A.J., T.K., Kari, Jacob, and Tai applauded as she came back up again, just in between Jordan and Jacob.

"Thank you, thank you!" She cried rather breathlessly, bowing the best she could in the water. "It was nothing!"

Suddenly laughter could be heard from the camp, and Mimi and Sora appeared on the rock just for a second before they dove in as well. Sora surfaced next to Tai, and Mimi near Jordan. The three girls giggled at each other.

I shook my head and dove under. Jessica was right, it WAS clear down here! I smiled and went deeper, watching as little fish swam out from under me.

Suddenly I turned as I felt a tap on my shoulder. Jessica! She smiled and dove deeper, into the murky blackness of the deep water.

I floated there a moment more, thinking, and then, with a shrug, I followed her down.

We swam deeper and deeper, the dark but clearness of the water slightly unnerving me as it got darker. Jessica looked as if she was thrilled to be so deep, though, and probably would've laughed if she could've.

Suddenly she stopped dead cold. She shot down, down, almost to the bottom! Man, that girl had good lungs! She looked up and waved me over. My lungs were burning, but I followed.

When I got to her, I saw she was in front of a rock. Her feet brushed at the sand on the bottom, and her hair floated up in front of her eyes. She pushed it away impatiently and pointed at the rock, air bubbles coming out of her mouth.

I looked at the rock, and I swear my eyes bulged. In the rock was the engraving of a dove. A Crest! Seeing I'd noticed, Jessica shot towards the surface without waiting any longer.


***A.J.***

Jordan and I were in a serious debate about who was a better wrestler, when suddenly Jessica exploded from the water right in the middle of us!

"A.J.!" She cried, breathless, and not caring that all of us were stunned stupid. "Come with me!" Without another word, she swam swiftly through the water and bolted on to solid ground. "Come on!" She shouted back to me, seeing as I hadn't moved.

Snapping out of whatever I was in, I followed her. She waited with an anxious look on her face until I reached her, and then she shot towards camp. I stumbled to my feet and ran after her, not catching up until she was back at camp, searching through her bag.

"What's all this about?" I asked, pretending to be annoyed. But how could I be annoyed when my angel, my jewel, the object of my absolute never dying affection wanted to be with ME alone?! Me! Alone!

Jessica shot me a disgusted look. "Find your Tag and don't waste my time with your dumb talk, A.J. I've found a Crest, and we need to find out who's it is from the two of us!"

I feigned hurt. "Fine, be that way!" I said, moving closer. I knelt next to her. "You know I'll get you sooner or later." I whispered in her ear.

I think I saw her left eyelid twitch angrily just before she turned and her fist connected with my stomach. "Shut up!" She shouted, standing, the chain of her Tag hanging out of her clenched fist. She turned and started to walk away. "Just get your Tag." She stated, stopping a moment to say it.

She headed down the trail again as I searched the camp for my Tag. I found it and ran after her, catching up to her halfway down the trail. "What's all this about again?" I asked her, panting.

Jessica shot me another disgusted look. She shot me a lot of those. "Like I told you before." She spat. "Matt and I've found a Crest. You and I are the only two who don't have one yet, so it's obviously for one us!"

I nodded. "Oh."


***Jessica***

A.J. following behind me, we rushed back to the others, who were all waiting expectantly. Matt had surfaced, and by the way they watched us, it was obvious they knew.

"Go!" Jordan shouted to us, as we rushed up the rock and dove in. If we dove, we'd go deeper with- out wasting as much breath. And we needed as much breath as we could get.

A.J. followed me, as I was the one who knew the way, and the others followed us at a distance. I guess they wanted to see who'd Crest it was, but also wanted to me close enough to the surface to get more air if they wanted.

Down, down, down we went, until the bottom came into view. A.J. saw the rock and moved up, now side by side with me. He looked at me and gave that annoying grin of his. I think I could vaguely see Matt behind us, closer then the rest.

Suddenly, as A.J. and I placed our feet on the sandy bottom of the river, my Tag burst into light! The Crest was mine! I held the Tag towards the rock, and the engraving of the dove began to shine with a blue-white light, the outline of the Crest appearing in the same color light. It rose out of the rock and came towards my Tag, slipping inside and erupting in another burst of the blue-white light.

I looked at the Crest, now embedded in my Tag. It was a white dove in flight, with a dark blue background. I wonder what it meant?

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned to see A.J. there. Normally I would've pushed it off and glowered at him, but not now. I had a Crest! My very own Crest! With a happy burst of air bubbles, I swam to the surface, A.J. right behind me.


***Tai***

We watched as Jessica surfaced, the newfound Crest in her outstretched arm and A.J. beside her. I grinned despite of myself, Jordan had told me that if Jessica was really worried or happy, even A.J. couldn't get her angry. Right now she was verging on the edge of absolute bliss, so I guess to her, A.J. didn't even exist.

Jessica giggled. "I got a Crest!" She said excitedly. "I really got one!"

Izzy swam over to check it out. He took the Crest from Jessica and looked at it for nearly a minute with us all crowding around him before speaking. "It appears to be the Crest of...Forgiveness." He stated finally.

All eyes turned to Jessica to see how she'd react. She started. "Forgiveness?" She asked, moving closer. Izzy handed her the Crest and she studied it. "I never thought of a dove as 'Forgiveness'."

A.J. grinned. "Forgiveness, eh? You know what that means, don't ya?" He moved closer. "So let's say we kiss and make up, shall we?"

Jessica gave him the "Girl's Death Glare" to the ultimate level. "Say that again, A.J., and I'll make sure you don't come up on your next dive." She threatened in a low voice, her left eyelid twitching angrily. She looked as if she'd carry out the threat, too, if A.J. crossed the line.

All us boys moved back, paling considerably. The girls looked frightened, and jumped to help by pulling Jessica away and asking to see her Crest.

As quickly as the angry spell had come, it was gone. Jessica was soon laughing and talking as if it'd never happened.


***Mimi***

"Your Crest's a whole lot prettier then mine." I pouted, staring at the Dove Crest in my hand. It was a snow white dove from the side view, so you could only see one of it's wings. It was flying, and the feathers on it's wings were carved in vivid detail. The background was a dark blue color, like the reflection of water on a moonlit night.

Jessica laughed and took the Tag back, looking at it lovingly before placing it around her neck. "No, it's not. Your Crest is beautiful!"

I sighed and looked longingly at the Tag hanging from Jessica's neck. "Whatever."

The four of us were sitting on the rock, drying off, while the boys stayed in the water. Kari was seated in Jessica's lap, and our Digimon were beside us.

"What do you think I'll need to do to activate this thing?" Jessica asked, looking at the Crest in awe. "Forgive? But who?"

"Well, there's always A.J." Sora pointed out, and got an accusing look from Jessica. "It was only a suggestion!" She apologized.

Jessica gritted her teeth. "I don't want to here that suggestion again." She hissed.

Kari leaned up and tapped the Tag with her hand, watching it sway back and forth. "You will probably have to forgive 'somebody' for your Crest to glow." She stated. "But I don't know. I didn't shine a light or anything, but 'my' Crest glowed. That's when Gatomon Digivolved into Angewomon!"

Gatomon's upper lip curled up in displeasure. "Yes, when we fought Myotismon, I Digivolved and we still aren't quite sure why." She laughed ruefully. "And now we're fighting Sara, Myotismon's daughter and my old friend." Tears welled up in the Digimon's eyes. "Oh, Sara...."

"You know, Jess...." I suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "That totally unattractive twitch that was in your eye is gone!"

Jessica touched her eyes with her hand in fear. "Twitch? What twitch? I had a twitch?" She asked.

Sora laughed. "Yeah, when you got mad at A.J., your left eyelid twitched." She shrugged off Jessica's worried expression. "But don't worry, it can happen to anyone, if they get mad enough."

Jessica didn't look to comforted. "If you say so..."

"Hey!" A voice said from behind me. We all jumped and saw Jordan crouching beside me, his hair dripping with water and his eyes shining with fun. The other boys were climbing up the rock, dripping wet and laughing.

"We decided to come up and join you!" Matt said, sitting next to Jessica, I noted. He glanced at her and she nodded, smiling shyly. I giggled when I saw A.J. give the 'couple' an evil glance. Can I help it? Matt and Jessica DID make a good couple...

Sora caught my giggle and looked at me with a raised eyebrow, then she smiled. She looked about to say something when I noticed Tai behind her, crouched and with a smirk on his face. I warned Sora with my look and she turned to see what was behind her. "What the-- Tai! NO!"

Tai grinned larger and shook his soaking wet hair like a dog, spraying Sora with a rain of water droplets.

"Hey!" Sora shouted. We all laughed as Tai sat down next to her and she slapped him.


***Jacob***

We all sat talking, laughing, and drying off. It shouldn't be this way, something was wrong. That scary feeling of dread washed over me like ice cold water, and I didn't like it. I fidgeted, and Kunamon hissed at me, saying something about fidgeting not being good for my posture. I didn't care. Something was wrong!

Suddenly it dawned on me. I knew! Jumping to me feet, I rushed to the edge of the rock. The others stared in confused silence, not knowing why I got up so suddenly. Jessica started to stand.

"Go away!" I shouted to the dark shape I saw in the water, it's red eyes glinting evilly from under the inky darkness. Because the water was clear as glass just a moment ago, and now was dark as it should be at night, I knew I'd been right. "Go away! Leave us alone!"

"Jacob?" Jessica walked over to me. "What are you-Oh my gosh!"

The others were on their feet in a flash, running over to see what we'd seen. Kari gasped. "You felt it, too?" She asked me. "I did, but I thought I was just cold!"

I nodded. "Yeah, Kari. I felt it."


***Katy***

I jerked up from the book I was reading, an icy feeling comin' over me body. "Momma!" I cried, jumping to me feet. "It be time!"

Momma looked up from sweeping, and Peter from his food. May came in from the backyard, lookin' quite scared-like. Nick stopped from his playin' with his toys to come over.

"What did ye say, Katy?" Momma asked again, coming over. " 'It be time' ?"

I nodded, the icy feeling still not quite leaving me body. "It be time, Momma." I repeated. "I know it be time." Unconsciously grabbing the Tag about me neck, I turned into me Guardian form. "I need to go now, Momma." I said softly. "Before it be too late."

Momma nodded. "Aye. Then go, and don't let us hinder ye anymore." She pushed me forward. "Aye! Go!"

With a soft cry, I bounded out the door and into the forest, me cape flyin' behind me, and me hopin' I wasn't to be too late.


***Peter***

We all stood standing there, watching the empty doorway, the door still swinging. "Mom?" I asked. "What was that all about?"

Mom shook her head, standing to her feet. "Aye, it be time." She said softly, her eyes wide. "Her Child be in danger, and she be going to protect him." I watched in surprise as my mom started to cry. It nearly broke my heart to watch her. "Me child finally be a true Guardian." I heard her whisper softly. "It be time."


***Jacob***

The eyes just watched us, unblinking.

"Child, you knew about this?" Kunamon asked me, shuffling over to my side. "You 'felt' this...."thing"?"

I nodded, not taking my eyes off the red ones in the water. "Yes, I knew. And so didn Kari. We're different, we can feel and know things that normal people can't."

Jessica started towards me, fear etched on her face. "Jake?" She asked.

I shook my head. "You know what I mean. Remember the bridge? I felt that coming, and ever since, the feeling's never left. I know lot's of things. I know what'll happen to Sara when--AHH!!"

The moment I'd said Sara's name, two things happened. One was the water below us exploded as the creature with red eyes shot out of the water. The second was a huge wave that he made that hit us all at the same time, sweeping us off the rock and into the water with it. A felt my head collide with a rock, and then everything went black.


***Jordan***

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I heard the others screaming along with me, but I couldn't see them. The water blinded my eyes and I could barely breath. To make matters worse, I held an unconscious Gotsomon in my arms! And I knew, that since he was rock, he wouldn't last long.

"GET TO DRY GROUND!!!" I heard Tai shout, and felt the wave subsiding. I tried swimming, but Gotsomon was too heavy. I was gonna drown!

"Hold on!" Who said that? It sounded like Joe....but I couldn't tell...the water was clogging my mind...I couldn't think straight......Who was I?.....What am I holding?.....What am I in?......

........................................................................................

"AHH!!!!!" I was shot out of the water, but by what? The water knocked the sense back into me, and I landed on fur. Ikkakumon! Joe turned to me. "You alright?"

I nodded. "I'm fine." I coughed, and looked around. The others were here, holding their Digimon tightly. Joe was pulling Jessica, Penguinmon, and Kunamon up now. But something was wrong, somebody was missing......

"Oh, my gosh!" Jessica cried, still holding Joe's hand tightly as she climbed aboard. "Where's Jacob?"

I stood, frightened, and looked around. He wasn't on board! The others stood with me, worried. "There!" Joe called. "Over there!" We all turned to where he was pointing, and sure enough, there was Jacob.....unconscious and floating towards the Digimon that'd attacked us!