I've never found any reason.

To finally take a piece of mind.

I'll never give under pressure.

Give my permission, oh I know that you will.



Sponge-- All This And Nothing



"Mimi please! Don't walk away from me!" pleaded Matt, as he walked behind her. "Please, it wasn't what you think!"

"Like you care about what I think, Mr. I'm Too Cool For Friends. And feelings." she snapped bitterly.

"Really, at least I'm not some daddy's girl that gets whatever she wants, at a snap of her fingers." he threw at her. He realized that'd just made the situation worse for him, but he couldn't help it.

"Jerk!"

"Brat!"

"Happy Days reject!"

"Air head!"

"Egotistical maniac!"

"Complainer!"

"Uncaring!"

"Spoiled princess, who doesn't know the meaning of caring, because she never does it! God Mimi! You're so wrapped up in yourself that you don't even realize anyone else's feelings!" Matt screamed.

He looked at Mimi, instantly regretting what he said. The hurt look in her eyes showed him that he had sadly won the verbal yelling match. Much to his dismay.

"Mimi, I didn't mea...."

"Get away from me!" she said as she began to cry slightly. "Don't you even try to speak to me! The faster we find out who this blinking dot is, the faster I can get away from you!" she said taking her Digivice in her hand.

Matt shut up. He knew that nothing he said could make the situation any better. 'Why'd you go and have to say that Matt?' he said, mentally kicking himself.

They wandered around for a few hours, nonstop. Mimi finally stopped, and sat down on a rock, frustrated with her Digivice.

"Why don't you just work?" she told it sternly.

Matt couldn't help smiling at her. Even in a bad situation, she still kept her sense of humor. He sighed lightly, and sat down on the ground, looking up at the darkening sky.

"I don't know about you, but it's getting late, and I'm tired. I'm resting here for the night." he told her, not expecting a response.

"That's great. You want me to phone channel six and have them broadcast that bulletin?" she replied, not looking up from her device.

"Don't be that way Mimi." he said.

"What? You said I was a heartless bitch. I'm just living up to the name."

"You said it. Not me." Matt said agitated again.

"Oh, so now your saying I'm a heartless bitch?" she said standing up.

"If the shoe fits." he snapped holding his arms. "Wait no!"

"Isn't that nice to know." she said sarcastically.

'Ah!' Matt's mind screamed. 'Why do I keep doing that!? I'm not making the situation any better.' he looked at her sadly, but she turned her head and scoffed.

Sighing, Matt looked around for something to start a fire with. It was getting really cold out. And they weren't exactly equipped for this type of weather. They were still in the clothes from the previous world they had been in.

After a long, and boring search, Matt collected enough roots and shrubs to start a nice little fire. Once the blaze went up, he instantly felt better.

He let the heat touch his bare hands, rubbing them together, heating his freezing body.

It had gotten darker in the last few minutes, accompanied by a cool breeze, that chilled him to the bone. He shivered lightly, as another cool updraft hit his face.

Matt remembered this all to well. In fact, Matt almost remembered this area. He could have sworn he'd been here before, but he just didn't know where here was.

He scanned the area, looked for the others. He was getting really sick of the separation thing that kept happening to them.

"Mimi." he said noticing she wasn't anywhere in sight. "Mimi where are you?" he said getting up worried. He began walking around calling out her name, but with no luck. 'Where could you have gone?' he asked himself.

Then he saw her. She was curled up in a ball, sleeping very far away from the fire.

When he touched her, she was as cold as an iceberg. 'You're gonna freeze way over here.' he told her in his mind. He gently picked her up, and carried her over to where the fire was burning brightly.

He lay her down, and took off his black jacket, draping it over her bare shoulders.

Lying down beside her, he watched as she slept. Her long chestnut hair coursed over her shoulders, spilling off her body, and touching the floor. Matt gently touched one of the strands. It was like silk to his rough hands. He gently gathered her hair, and placed it in a loose twist, and tucked it in his jacket.

He gazed back at her, in awe over how much more beautiful she looked when she slept. He touched her cheek, remembering all the great times they had together.

"I love you Mimi. I really do. I wish things could be different." he told her sleeping form. "If I could, I would erase that whole horrible experience from all our minds. I didn't know I was hurting you thought! I really didn't! You just have to believe that I'd never hurt you intentionally. I would rather die first." he said as he touched her lips softly, just remembering all the awing kisses they had shared.

He finally shut his eyes, listening to her breathing, and making a pattern with it. She began to move slightly. Matt's eyes opened.

"Thank's for the flowers Matt. I really love them." she said smiling.

Matt repeated the single phrase at least a billion times. 'She's dreaming about me.' he said happily. 'She doesn't totally hate me! This is great! I still have a shot at getting her back!' with this exciting piece of knowledge, he drifted off into sleep, happy, for the first time, in a long time.

Matt woke up with the sun the next morning. He blinked and shut his eyes again, wanting to go back to sleep.

Then he remembered why he got up so early. Smiling, he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and dashed into the woods that surrounded him.



Mimi woke up with a sudden jolt. There was a large crashing sound that echoed through the forest probably waking every living soul.

She stood up, letting the large black coat slip off her. After staring at it for a while, she picked it up, and hugged it to her chest.

A branch snapped behind her, and she spun around ready to scream. All she saw was Matt, standing with another boy about the same age. Mimi's eyes widened.

"Matt." she said airily. "Matt!" she screamed running to him with open arms.

Matt smiled to himself. 'She's forgiven me!' he thought happily, as he stepped forward to hug her.

But, the boy at his side ran to her. His arms were open wide, as he picked her up, and spun her around.

"Mimi!" he exclaimed happily. "God! It's so good to see you again!" he said as he hugged her tighter.

"Matt! I though I'd never see you again!" she proclaimed joyfully.

"You know this guy?" asked Matt skeptically.

Mimi was way too happy to remember that she wasn't speaking to him."This is my best friend in the whole world! Matt, meet Matt."Mimi said giddily.

"Hey." the other Matt said friendly. "Name's Matt, but please, call me Azreal." he said extending a gloved hand, with cut off fingers.

Matt looked at the boy for a while. He had jet-black hair that was styled into long deadlocks, which were pulled into a ponytail, at the back of his head. He was

wearing a pair of black jeans, with many pockets, and a grey shirt, with a utility vest covering it. His arms were covered with a black powder and he had a gun strapped to his side.

"Nice to meet you." Matt lied. "What's up with the gun and accessories?"

Azreal looked at his appearance. "We're fighting a war." he said simply. "About three or four years ago, this evil monster named Myotismon came to Japan, and started to take it over. We got all sorts of military aides, but it hasn't helped. Myotismon's army is way too strong for us."

'You're fighting our fight.' thought Matt, looking shocked.

"We got a lucky break though. These eight creatures came to help us one day. They called themselves Digimon. They were friendly and helpful." Azreal continued.

Mimi looked at him." Matt, was one of the helpful Digimon named Palmon. She looks like an overgrown flower."

"Yeah. There's also Patamon, Agumon, Gomamon, I like him the best." he added quickly. "He has a twisted sense of humor. Oh, Tentomon, Byiomon, Gabumon, and Gatomon."

"Gatomon!" Mimi and Matt exclaimed.

"Yeah. At first she was helping Myotismon, but then she found what she called, a partner. She changed into this angel, Angewomon, and is helping us fight. All the others can't get much bigger than they already are. Once, Agumon changed into a really large dinosaur, but he changed right back to Agumon after. God, I can't remember what they called him." said Matt thinking really hard.

"Greymon." Mimi and Matt said in unison.

"That's it! Greymon. But, how'd you know about all this?" Azreal asked quizzically.

"They're our friends. We used to fight with them, but got separated. Then the whole nightmare started again." said Matt sorrowfully. "Gabumon belonged to me."

"Palmon belonged to me, Agumon to Tai..."

"Wait. Tai, as in Kamiya?" said Azreal smiling. "Is he here with you guys?"

"He's here somewhere." said Mimi shrugging.

"How do you..." Matt started, but was interrupted by Sora shouting.

"Matt! Mimi! You're here!" the girl yelled happily, as the rest of the group joined them.

"Mimi!" Tai shouted as he ran over to her. When he saw the boy that was sitting next to them, a smile broke out over his face. "Azreal, you dog. What are you doing here?" he said grabbing his hand, and pulling him to his feet.

"I don't know." he said. "I just appeared here." he said smiling.

"You two know each other?" said Izzy.

"Do I know this loser? No way!" said Tai.

"Hey, you're the loser man!" Azreal said defensively.

"Tai and Azreal know each other, because they play soccer together." explained Mimi. "These guys were the biggest jokers around school."

"Are!" they both said.

"You have the Jeckle and the Hyde." Azreal said. "Tai's the evil part."

"In your dreams." Tai said pushing his shoulder, while rolling his eyes.

"Well, I really don't know why I'm here, and I have no clue who any of you are." said Azreal calmly.

"Oh!" said Joe catching on. "Well, my name's Joe, my Digimon was Gomamon, and I have the crest of reliability."

"I'm Koushiro, but call me Izzy. Tentomon belonged to me, and my crest is the crest of knowledge." he said, following the same formation as Joe.

"Sora." she said extending her hand. "I have the crest of love, and I'm Byiomon's partner."

"I'm Tk." he said happily. "Patamon was my Digimon, and I have the crest of hope." he said showing him.

Matt was a little less friendly. "Matt. Gabumon. Friendship." he said rudely. "What crest's do you two have?" said Azreal to Tai and Mimi.



"Courage and Sincerity." said Tai. "You know Agumon right Matt?"

"Yeah. The way that dino acted, reminded ne of you." he said.

"What. Courageous and valiant?" Tai said proudly.

"No. Stupid and foolish." he said smiling.

"I'll get you for that one Azreal!" said Tai getting up.

"Isn't his name Matt?" asked Tk confused.

"My name is Matt. Azreal's just a nick name given to me by these two over here." he said pointing to Mimi and Tai.

"Who do you get Azreal from Matt?" said Izzy stumped.

Azreal turned bright red. "Well, um... you see...." he said stuttering.

"A long time ago, we used to see each other." explained Mimi. "And we used to hang out with Tai a lot."

"So that's how you knew each other." said Joe remembering their first day in the Digiworld.

"Anyway, we were sitting in Geography class on day, and I was wearing this azure colored top, because I used to wear blue every day." Mimi said continuing her story.

"I remember that top well." Azreal and Tai said at the same time.

Mimi glanced at them, but continued talking. "Matt and I were talking nonstop about the dance the next week. The teacher caught us talking, and asked Matt to go over to the map, and show the whole class where Israel was located."

"And like the big moron he is, he went up, and started looking around the Middle East. I still remember this." said Tai laughing. "He turns to the teacher, and goes, sorry, I can only find this place called Azreal. The teacher thought he was trying to be a smart ass, so he gave him detention."

"The sad thing was, I was half focusing on the class, half focusing on Mimi." said Azreal blushing.

"Try not focusing on the class at all, totally focusing on Mimi." said Tai playfully punching his shoulder.

"And after that day, they started calling me Azreal, just to get on my nerves. But, after a while, it stuck with me, and now that's what everyone calls me." he said.

"So, do you want us to call you Matt, or Azreal?" asked Sora.

"Well, you already have a Matt, so call me Azreal." he said.

"Hey! Could you be the eighth child?" asked Tk.

"I doubt that." he said. "Kamiya's baby sister is the chosen child."

"Kari? She's the eighth child!?" said Tai in awe.

"Yeah." he said, while explaining the whole situation to them.



"Wow." said Sora. "So... so Myotismon has taken over a large fraction of the world, and our Digimon are dying?" she said chocking back a tear. Izzy took her hand, and held it, hugging her with his other one.

"Palmon." Mimi said. She was in way too much shock to cry. Tai placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

Matt stared at Tai, wishing he was still the one who could comfort her. Hold her close in a time of need.

But now, it was too late. She hated him. She hated him more than anything, and there was nothing he could say to her, to change her mind. She wouldn't speak to him, let alone listen to him.

Azreal pushed over near Mimi, giving her a reassuring hug. "They're doing fine. They put up quite a fight!"

"They do don't they?" said Joe. "Do you know how Gomamon's doing?"

Azreal grinned. "Gomamon's all right. He's always cracking jokes though." he said laughing slightly at the odd seal like Digimon.

"That's Gomamon for you." said Joe sadly.

"Come on guys! Don't be like that!" said Mimi trying to lift their spirits. "We only have to find two more Life Stones, and we can go back home! We can see them again!"

"That's true." said Tk. "I can't wait to see Patamon again."

Izzy had been really quiet the whole time. He was staring at the sky, and showed no signs of turning away from it.

"What is it Iz?" asked Sora staring at the same spot he was.

"That constellation. I've seen it before. I just can't remember where though."

"Hey. Now that you mention it, this place does look familiar." she said looking at him.

Izzy pondered the situation for a while. He looked everywhere around him. There was a run down factory to their left, and a mountain chain to their right.

Memories of when he was younger and with Tentomon flooded back to him. He was sitting in on the ground, as Tentomon began hopping back and forth, in complete anguish, because he was burning up. He remembered having to shut off his work.

He suddenly remembered, as it all seemed to just crash down on him. "We're in the Digiworld! We're back in the Digiworld!" he said frantically.

"That's why it seems so familiar." said Mimi shivering. "I knew I was here before!" a gust of wind swayed through their area, making them all shiver.

"Here Mimi." said Azreal handing her his vest. It didn't help much, but she was still thankful.

"I never remembered the Digiworld being this cold or dreary before though." said Tai. "Wasn't it usually brighter? I mean, at least the last time we were here, there were flowers, and lakes. Now all that's here is a bunch of overgrown shrubs, and some stumps." he added depressingly.

"Well, you have to remember that we've been gone for hundreds of years." said Izzy. "Imagine a world, full of evil, with no one to protect it, for years on end. It's not going to get better, only worse!"

"I wish Gennai were here." added Tk. "At least he could help us."

"Gennai's probably dead." said Matt bitterly. "He was old when we started this mission, and if what Izzy says is true, he's more or less dead."

"No!" said Mimi staring at him. "Gennai's not dead. Gennai will come, and he'll get us out of here."

"Stop being so naive Mimi!" said Matt getting up, and looking at her. "We have to face the facts! We've been jumping from world to world, for almost four years now! All our lives have been shot to hell because of him! He hasn't helped us in three years! What's gonna make this situation any different?" he said, almost yelling.

"Because! He has to help us!" she yelled at him. "He just has to!"

"If it hadn't been for him, we'd all be living normal lives! Perfectly normal lives, and we wouldn't have to go about worrying about the fate of the whole world! We could be with our families! We could be with our friends!" Matt said. "And we wouldn't have to jump from world to world, praying to God we didn't die!"

"And if we hadn't taken the position of the guardians of the Digiworld, think of all the poor Digimon that would have been destroyed!" she cried.

"What about us? We could have died hundreds of times, but still the evil exists! We sacrificed our lives too many times! I'm getting sick of the fighting!" Matt said.

"That's enough guys." said Sora getting up and stopping the small fight, which was starting. "We shouldn't be fighting! We're all friends!"

Mimi and Matt didn't respond. They just glared at each other, before Azreal spoke up.

"Who's Gennai?"

"Gennai." said Matt ticked off, "Is this old man, who brought us here, and ruined our lives."

"He didn't ruin our lives' Matt!" said Mimi standing up for the old man. "He's saved us countless times!"

"Just admit that he never did us any good!" screamed Matt. "If he was so helpful, Mimi, then why isn't he here right now, helping us!?"

"But I am Matt." said Gennai's voice, as clear as crystal. "I've been here for a while.

Just then, his holographic projector thingy appeared, and a light shot up, revealing a very different Gennai.

Now, his face looked like a sheet of paper, that someone had crumpled and thrown out. They could no longer distinguish where his eyes and mouth started, or even if they existed at all. He no longer had a small ponytail of whit hair, but had a long, flowing white beard, that reached the ground.

"Gennai!" they all gasped at the sight of him.

"Hello Digidestined. Matt." he said looking at Azreal. "I bet you're all wondering why I brought matt here."

"Quite frankly, yes." said Izzy, looking at the elderly man.

"It's simple. Matt here, has quite a few honorable traits to him. He's loyal, friendly, caring and understanding. He was chosen by the Digimon, to come here."

"Why though?" asked Joe. "Why do we need Azr.. Matt?"

"It's like this." said Gennai. "Almost all of you, are going through something very traumatic. You need to tell someone about it, or it'll eat at your soul, until it eventually kills you." he said seriously. "Since you won't talk to each other, I need a mediator from the real world, to help you. Those who need to talk to him, will know who they are."

"Why me?" asked Azreal. "I know you said the Digimon chose me, but why? There must be at least a million other people more qualified for the job!"

"No. You, and only you can help them. You already know two of the Digidestined, inside out. Like I said, with your other traits, you will make quick friends with the others."

Azreal looked at him baffled. "So. All I have to do, is help solve a few problems, and then I can go home?"

"Yes. And as your reward, you will be awarded a Life Stone to help in your battle, until the Digidestined collect all of theirs."

"I get a Life Stone?" he said in awe.

"Yes. You have the stone of purity. With that, you can make any, or all the children's Digimon, digivolve." explained Gennai. "Good luck, and fix the problems, or you will never be allowed to get out of here."

With that, he disappeared, leaving the Digidestined to think about what he said.

"Well." said Azreal. "The doctor's in!" everyone giggled lightly. "Now. I have not the faintest clue, if any of you are in need of talking to, so you're going to have to come to me."

"None of us need your help." Matt snapped, as walked off. "I'm going to get some more fire wood.

Tai got up. "I'm going to go help him." he said through his clenched teeth. His fists were squeezed tightly together, and everyone could tell he was venting out anger.

"Tai." said Mimi grabbing his hand. "Don't. Please don't."

"I'll try." he said pulling his hand from her grasp, and walking into the woods, after Matt.

"What's up with those two?" Azreal asked.

"Should I tell him, or you?" said Sora to Tk.



"Matt!" said Tai firmly.

"What?" he said turning around, looking at him.

"You don't have to be so rude to him. He's only trying to help!" said Tai.

"Okay. I don't want his help!" he snapped. "Let him go off playing psychiatrist for you guys, but I'm not buying into that crap." he said bending down, and gathering a stick.

"That's not fair Matt. It's not his fault he's here. Gennai said we have to talk to him."

"I am not telling him my problems. If you wanna go off and spill your guts to him, be my guest." he said bitterly, gathering another stick.

"Oh." said Tai. "I know why you don't want to tell him anything." he laughed a little. "It's so bloody obvious! I can't believe I missed it!"

"Missed what Tai? You don't have the faintest clue." he said positive.

"You're scared." Tai said simply.

"Scared? Of him? You must be crazy!" said Matt dropping his sticks and laughing.

"Not of him. Of what we'll tell him. Especially Mimi." At the mention of her name, Matt stopped laughing. "So. I'm right."

"No. You couldn't be more off." Matt responded.

"No. I'm sure of this. You're scared, that Mimi's gonna tell him about you. About what you did, and how much you hurt her."

Tai was really hitting to close to home with this, and Matt didn't like it. "As usual, you're wrong. She can go and tell him about everything for all I care."

"You're also scared she's gonna say she like me better." Tai said crossing his arms. "You know, that she cares about me and she's going to tell him, and you're going to lose her." he smirked. "Like you even had a chance with her. I knew something like this would happen. I just knew you'd end up crushing her soul."

"Stop it!" he yelled. "It wasn't my fault!"

"You can use that excuse when you're talking to someone, who'll actually believe that load of crap. Admit it Matt. You're a user, and that's all you'll ever be."

"That's a low blow. Even for you Tai." Matt said, trying to restrain himself from lashing out, and strangling him to death.

"It's not a blow. It's a slap of reality. You know what Matt? Mimi is an amazing person. Only a monster could hurt her like you did." Tai said, starting to walk back to the campsite.

Matt couldn't hold back anymore. He lunged at Tai, and tackled him to the ground. He turned him over on his stomach, and grabbed his collar.

"I would never hurt Mimi like that!" he said punching his stomach. Tai gasped for air as, Matt winded him. "I love her!" he said punching his face.

Tai fought back. He rolled over, and got Matt on his back. He then punched him, twice as hard as he did him. "I love her! And I know she loves me!" he punched him in the jaw.

Matt kicked Tai off him, and got up. "Childish fantasies aren't good for people of your age Tai." he said kicking in the stomach.

"You wanna talk fantasies? Try about you and her having a future together." he said grabbing his shoulders, and pulling him down, so he connected with his knee. "She told me she didn't love you!" he screamed.

Matt stumbled backward. Not only because of the pain shooting through his sides, but the last statement Tai had told him.

"She told me she didn't love you, before she knew about you and Casey. She said she could never forgive someone, if they cheated on her." he said, wiping a bit of blood from him lip.

"You're lying." Matt said enraged.

"Since when have I ever lied to you." said Tai simply. A smile appeared on his face. "I could have kissed her that night. Actually, several nights after that, but I didn't, because I thought you cared about her." said Tai sadly. "If only I knew, I wouldn't have skipped out."

"You are lying." said Matt, not wanting to believe him. "You told me that there was nothing going on between you two. You lied to me there." he said, almost proudly.

"I said I never did anything with her. Which I didn't." he snapped. "There was definitely something going on there, but we didn't react on it. Even though we should have." he said regretfully. "I'm going now." with that, he walked off.

Matt was left to think about everything Tai had told him. 'Does Mimi love him? Would she never forgive him?' but most of all, 'Was Tai telling the truth?' in all the years he had known him, Tai had never lied to him. It was true. He always told the facts, right to their faces, never sugar coating it, or just saying something to make them feel better.

"God." he muttered. "If only there was someone to tell this to." he said flatly.

"There is." said a voice, coming from behind him. "You can talk to me." said Azreal, as he walked over to Matt, and sat down beside him. "Now. Tell me what's bugging you."



You call me strong,

You call me weak.

But still your secrets I will keep.

You took for granted all the times I never let you down.

You stumbled in, and bumped your head.

If not for me, then you'd be dead.

3 Doors Down-- Kryptonite



"And then Casey tells me what I had done to her." said Matt, wiping a tear away from his cheek. "I never meant to hurt her." he added softly.

Over the last hour, Matt had told Azreal everything he could remember, about their last adventure. Afterward, he felt much better having got it all off his chest, but felt even worse, because he had just spilled everything to the new guy.

"Wow." was all Azreal could manage. He was shocked beyond understanding, and he was having a hard time looking him in the eye. "Man... I don't know what to say." he finally said after five minutes of complete silence.

"You think I'm a monster don't you?" Matt asked. "I know Mimi and Tai think so. And Tk hasn't even spoken to me."

"Matt, I don't think you're a monster." he said reassuringly. "Something was taking over your mind! How are you supposed to fight that!?"

"I know. But it was still me who was doing those things!" he exploded. "I still had some control over my actions, but I didn't do anything! I just let her take advantage of me. And in the process, I lost two people I loved."

"You're in love with Mimi." said Azreal, not surprised at all. "I knew you cared about her."

"I do." he said laughing bitterly. "And I knew this was going to happen. I just ignored it, because I didn't want to believe it."

"What do you mean Matt?" asked Azreal bewildered.

"Before the whole nightmare started, well, actually the place the nightmare started." started Matt. "There was this ghost thing, named Aaron. He's been following me around, from world to world, helping me out. You know, giving me information and stuff."

"I guess." Azreal replied. "What does he have to do with this?"

"He told me, that my relationship with Mimi was doomed, and that I'd end up hurting her. I didn't want to believe it, because I loved her way too much, but it came true. Just like he said." said Matt tearing again. "Just like he said." he repeated, squeezing his eyes shut. He remembered the rest of his so-called prophecy. 'Then she will die.'

Azreal looked at Matt. "I get the feeling you're not telling me something."

"Maybe cause I'm not." Matt winced, as he picked p a small stone, and threw it against a tree.

"Then what is the whole truth Matt?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"You know I do." he said calmly.

"Mimi's gonna die because of me." he muttered numbly, picking up another stone, and throwing it.

"What! Mimi's gonna die!" Azreal almost yelled.

"I think so. Ever since we started time hopping, Aaron's been seeing me, and he keeps telling me about it. I can't possibly forget it." Matt replied. "But you have to believe me. I would never hurt her on purpose! I would do anything for her!"

"I believe you Matt. I really do." Azreal said, shocked. "I mean, Mimi dying?"

"It's hard to believe don't you think?" Matt said aggravated. His tone had taken a turn for the worst. "Out of all the people in the world, it had to be her."

"Have you told her about this?" he asked.

"She won't listen to me, even if I wanted to tell her." Matt said.

"Don't you think she has a right to know this?" Azreal said getting up.

"Where are you gong?" Matt asked as the boy began to walk off.

"I said I would be a minute, an hour ago." he said smiling. "Thank you for letting me listen to you."

"Thanks for listening." Matt said smiling a little. "Hey Azreal, about the way I acted earlier..."

"It's been forgotten." he said cutting him off. "What's in the past, is in the past." he said as he left Matt alone.

'Should I tell her?' he asked himself, when he was sure nobody was around. 'If I do, then maybe I can save her. But will she believe me?'

"This is so confusing!" he yelled, as he kicked something hard.

"Ow!" cried Sora, as it hit her leg. (^_^)

Matt spun around. "Oh man. I'm really sorry!" he said rushing over to her.

"It's okay. I'm glad I wasn't that rock." she said smiling lightly.

"What are you doing here Sora?" Matt asked her.

"Looking for you." she explained. "When you didn't come back, when Azreal arrived, some of us got worried."

"Was Mimi one of them?" he asked hopefully.

"I'm sorry Matt." she said sadly.

"It's okay." he said reassuringly. "You weren't the one who made her turn against me."

"Matt." said Sora. "Don't think like that. I know Mimi doesn't hate you. It must be the farthest thing from her mind!" she lied to him.

"Besides." scoffed Matt. "She's probably off with Tai now."

"Why do you say that?" asked Sora, already knowing the answer.

"She told him she didn't love me."

"Matt, people say thinks when they're mad at one another. I'm sure she didn't mean it." Sora said, trying to keep a positive attitude.

"She told him this before she was mad at me. She told him this, way before she even knew Casey existed!" he blurted out.

"What?" she said bewildered. "I thought this whole thing started when you guys broke up."

"I wish." said Matt. "It seems, that Tai knew this information, but he just, omitted to inform me." he snapped bitterly.

"Tai wouldn't do that." said Sora positively. "He would never do that to any of us."

"I could have saved my relationship Sora. I could be with her right now, if he had only told me." he said angrily.

"Matt!" Sora snapped. "You know Tai! He's our friend!"

"I know why he did it though." said Matt, completely ignoring her. "He's in love with Mimi isn't he?"

Sora bit her lip. She knew about Tai's feeling for her, but she couldn't tell him! She promised Tai she wouldn't. "Matt, I don't know how Tai feels. I used to, but I don't any more." she said, trying her best to be sincere.

"It's okay Sora. You don't have to lie to me." he said blowing down her bluff. "I mean, how can I blame the guy? I'd do anything I could to get Mimi too."

"Matt. Listen. I'm saying this, because I'm your friend. Tell her how you really feel. Make her listen to you. Things aren't going to get any better between you."

"Thanks Sora." said Matt. "I think I might take you up on that offer."

"Come on. Let's get back to camp now. They're all probably worried sick about us."

Matt and Sora walked back to the camping area, to be greeted with laughter.

"The food smells funny." said Azreal, sniffing the concoction he and Tai just created.

"Funny as in ha ha, funny or as in call 911 funny?" asked Tai, as he dropped a smoldering piece of what should have been fish.

"Do you really expect us to eat that?" asked Izzy, looking at the charred remains of his dinner.

"I suddenly lost my appetite." said Tk, turning away from the meal.

"Hey! We're not that bad of cooks!" said Azreal looking hurt.

"Yeah." chimed Tai. "We just, prefer our meals... uh... well done."

"Well, it looks like you finished them off." said Joe. "Now I remember why we never let Tai cook."

"I'll eat it." said Mimi speaking up. Everyone stared at her in disbelief.

"Um, Mimi. You're talking about that food?" asked Tai pointing to the heaps of black fish. "The ones WE cooked?"

"Why not?" she asked him, as she took a bite of the fish. It was like watching her go through a battle not to spit it out.

"Are you still alive?" asked Tk staring at her in disbelief.

"I'm fine." she squeaked. "Water." she gasped. At once, Tai handed her a canteen of water, and she took a large gulp. After a while, she spoke again. "It wasn't as bad as I had expected."

Everyone laughed. "I think you deserve the crest of courage." Izzy laughed, as he patted her back.

"Seriously. Wanna trade?" asked Tai taking of his orange crest. "I think I can pull off sincerity." he said touching her tag. "How's this? My, that dress looks absolutely fabulous on you!" he said smiling.

"I don't think it's that simple." she said staring into his eyes.

"Really?" he said closing in on her. "Then what am I doing wrong?"

"How about everything." she said, as if he was the only one with her.

They seemed to have stepped off, into their own world. Away from the others. Away from everything, except each other. The duo broke out into a fit of giggles, which made the others laugh as well.

Matt took it upon himself to break the mood. "Hey guys. Sorry I was so long." he said dropping a pile of wood from his hands. He looked over at the meal Tai and Azreal had prepared. "Does anybody want real food?"

"Yes!" said Izzy, Joe, and Tk in unison.

"Okay then." he said smiling. His eyes drifted over to Tai and Mimi, who were still deep in conversation.

Tai then reached over, and wiped away something from Mimi's cheek. Matt's blood began to boil, as his hand made contact with her skin. He was so tempted to grab one of the sticks he collected, then ram it into Tai's chest. 'At least then you wouldn't get Mimi.' he thought evilly.

Azreal looked at the trio. 'Matt looks about ready to finish Tai off.' he said glancing at the blond haired boy. 'And Mimi and Tai seem to be oblivious to the world right now. Man. I gotta do something.' he though, glancing around for something to distract them.

Matt grasped at a piece of fire wood so tight, the branch began to crack in his palm.

"Hey Tai." Azreal said desperately. "Can you help me out over here?"

Tai looked over at his friend annoyed. "I'm kinda talking here."

"I know, but I need you help." he explained as best he could without making it painfully obvious.

"Oh." said Tai. "Coming." he said leaving Mimi. She watched as the guys walked away, before returning to the group.

"So." said Tk. "What we you two talking about?"

"Nothing." she blushed, as she placed a few strands of her hair behind her ear.



"You like Mimi don't you?" Azreal asked Tai.

"What's it make to you man?" asked Tai.

"Just answer my question Kamiya." he said frustrated.

"Yes then." said Tai simply. "In fact, I'm in love with her."

"This is just great." he muttered. 'How am I supposed to help these guys, when they're all after the same girl?' he thought solemnly.

"What's up Matt?" asked Tai worried, as he looked at his friend's face.

Azreal looked up at him. He knew Tai was worried, because he called him his real name. 'Who do I go for? The guy that I just met, or the guy I've been friends with since we could crawl?'

He had a real problem. He felt really bad for Matt, because of what had happened to him. He knew that it wasn't his fault. Just, nobody would believe him.

And with Tai. Tai was a special problem. 'He's my best friend. My partner in crime.' he thought, trying to convince himself. 'Nobody said this was going to be easy.'

"Why are you asking Azreal?" Tai asked crossing his arms. "Why the sudden interest in my love life?"

"Because. You have some competition." he said truthfully.

"What?" he asked bewildered. "Who..." he answered his own question. "Matt."

"Yeah." he said inhaling deeply. "Tai, you know you're my best right?" he said wincing.

"Matt, what's going on?" Tai asked worried. The look in his friends eyes, was unforgettable.

"Just forget it. Okay?" he said, trying to get off the topic.

"No. I can't." said Tai staring at him angrily. "What do you know?"

Azreal sighed. He was never really good at lying. "Matt told me about what happened on your last, voyage." he said. "I know the whole story. Nobody else does."

"What is the whole story then?" asked Tai challengingly. "I want to know Matt!" he swallowed loudly, his voice was filled with panic. "Cause I want to know what you do! I want to know what I'm up against!"

"Tai, Matt didn't hurt Mimi on purpose. In fact, hurting her would be the last thing on his mind." he looked at the painful expression his Tai's eyes, and stopped talking.

"Go on." said Tai, fighting back the urge to cry.

"I can't." Azreal said numbly. "I'm hurting you."

"I can take it." Tai forced. "Just tell me already."

"He was being controlled by that girl. He had no power over his actions. He loves her man." he finished lazily. "He loves her, and he wants her back."

"He can't have her." said Tai defensively. "He had his shot with her, and he blew it. I don't buy his lame excuses." he said as he swallowed back more tears. "And besides. I love her. I have for the longest time." he said looking at Azreal with pleading eyes. "I know she cares about me too!"

"Tai, as much as I want to make this work out for both of you guys, I can't. Mimi loves only one of you. Matt or you. It's simple."

"It's not that simple." he snapped.

"It is!" Azreal. "Tell her! I'm telling you the same thing I told Matt. Tell her how you feel, and if she feels the same way, it'll all work out."

Tai looked up at him, and smiled. "Thanks man. Now I know why the Digimon chose you." he said, as he dashed back to the campsite. His mind focused on telling Mimi his feelings.



"Mimi. Can I please talk to you?" Matt asked her, as he handed her a new fish, that was cooked.

"I have nothing to say to you." she said bitterly.

"Well I have something to tell you." he snapped back, which startled her.

He could sense another fight heating up, so he stopped. "Please. It'll only be a few minutes." he begged.

Mimi looked into his large Prussian blue eyes, and felt a knot in her stomach tighten. 'Don't get suckered back to him Mimi.' she told herself fiercely. "Fine." was all she could muster up, without breaking down into tears.

The couple got up, and began walking away from the group, very slowly. "Oh guys!" Izzy shouted from a distance.

"What?" they both said in unison.

"It's going to rain. Look at the sky." he said pointing. Dark grey clouds were forming directly above them, disturbing the breathtaking night sky.

"Whatever." Matt mumbled as they set off for a quiet area.



Tai reached the camp, just in time to miss them. "Where's Mimi?" he asked the group. When he didn't see Matt either, he got really worried, and anxiety was pulsating through his body.

"She's off with Matt." said Joe taking a bite of his dinner.

'Great!' Tai thought. "Which direction did they go?"

"Over there." said Tk pointing.

"Thanks." Tai said quickly, as he set off to find them.



"Man. I didn't think all this time could mess up so many things." Azreal said, as he picked up a stone, and skimmed it across the water. "We used to be so happy. Life used to be so easy." he remembered. "Why can't things just be like they use to? No wars. No fighting. Just the simple lives we used to live." he said picking up a smooth stone.

He arched his hand back to shoot it, but noticed something shining on it. He didn't bother throwing this particular rock. He just stared at it, examining it from every angle.

There was something engraved in it. A circle, with a line right through it. There were small zigzags around it, making it look like a sun, but not really.

"What the hell is this?" he wondered aloud.

"It's the stone of Reconciliation." said Gennai appearing out of nowhere. "It is the stone to go along with this." he said handing him his crest.

The same odd symbol was carved in the middle, and it shone a creamy beige color.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" he gulped.

"Use it to save your world." he said opening a portal. "You have done your job. You are permitted to leave now."

"But what about Matt, Mimi and Tai?" he asked, as a large portal appeared, revealing his world.

"Things are working out as we speak. In the end, everyone will end up with the one they are destined to be with. That is, if destiny is kind to them." he added sadly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Azreal asked curiously.

"It's not of your concern. Just go. Defend your planet. They will meet up with you again." Gennai said, as he disappeared.

Azreal didn't even bother looking as the man vanished. He just took a giant leap into the opening, and stepped back in his world, with a newfound hope and courage.

"Say your prayers Myotismon." he chuckled, as he grabbed the gun at his side, and rushed head first to their secret base.

With the crest and stone of Reconciliation in his hands, he knew that the future of the world was in good hands.



"Mimi." Matt said inhaling deeply, trying to find the right words. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for what happened. You have to believe, that I'd never do anything like that to you!" Matt said frantically.

"I believe you." she said. "I really do Matt. But," she paused "Its not going to work out ever again. You hurt me. Hell, you crushed me!" she said crying. Just then, a large water droplet splashed her cheek. It had begun raining like Izzy said. "I can forgive you. I just can ever forget what you did to me. I'm sorry." she whispered.

"No. Don't be." he said faking a laugh. "Can we please, just be friends again?"

She smiled at him, and hugged him tightly. "Sure." she said.

Tai came running over to them from the forest. He watched as they hugged each other, and pulled apart laughing. "I'm too late." he cursed sadly. "No!" he said punching the nearest tree. "No." he slumped to the floor.

Matt left her alone. It wasn't exactly what he was aiming for, but it wasn't a total lose either. They were friends again. And from there, he would slowly build their relationship up again.



"Time to go now Digidestined." Gennai said, watching them all from his house. "Just five more minutes."



Tai looked over at her again. She was just staring out into the ocean again. Totally at peace. He found his legs walking over to her.

"Mimi." he croaked. She spun around, smiling ear to ear.

Her heart seemed to have skipped a beat when she saw him. "Hi Tai. What are you doing here?" she asked. Her voice went a little too high pitched, making him smile.

"I came to see you." he said flatly.

"Why?" he said nervously, as she stared into his chocolate brown eyes. The eyes that made her feel welcomed. And loved.

Tai tilted his head down, and gazed into her eyes. He brushed away a loose strand of her hair, like he did a million times before.

"How can you always do this to me?" he said dazed.

"Do what?" she said softly, staring at his lips.

"Bewitch me like you do." he said still dazed.

Mimi barely gave him time to think before she pulled him into a kiss. "This isn't exactly what I had in mind, but I think it'll do." she said kissing him again.

Tai wasn't sure if this was a dream, or he was actually kissing her. He really didn't care though. He had his arms around her, and his lips pressed firmly to hers.

He didn't want to move from that spot, ever. "I love you Mimi." he whispered to her softly, praying to God she felt the same way.

Mimi stood shocked, staring right at him. 'He told me he loved me.' she repeated several times, letting it sink into her brain. She looked right at him, melting his heart.

"Tai...." she whispered. "I love you too." she said, as she reached up, and kissed him again.

"Before any of them knew it, Gennai had opened the portal, to the next world, freezing in their spot as usual.

Tai ad Mimi didn't mind at all. Because they both knew that this would be the start they had both been waiting for.

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