Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of the other characters except the ones I have created.

Author's note: This is my first fan fiction and I hope you all like it. Please deal with me on some changes I have made to the story line such as Kari decided not to come with them and Gatomon isn't her digimon (which will be further explained as the series goes on). Thanks and enjoy!

And then the battle began.

It was if it came from out of no where. A sound that penetrated their eardrums and caused the hair on the back of their necks to stand up. It came closer, and closer still. The invisible enemy. They weren't ready and even if they were, it wouldn't have mattered for the events that were to come.

Vilemon. Vicious Vilemon coming out of the sky like lightning bolts ready to strike. The digi destened looked up at the sky towards these flying monkeys. Their digimon did the same. They knew. It was their hour to shine.

War-Greymon and Metal-Garurumon lead the attack with their digi-destined counter parts close at hand.

The Vilemon screamed in pain as they were deleted in a blinding light. However, there was no time to celebrate as hundreds more came swooping in. The digi destined were strong, stronger than they had ever been. They had come close to defeat many times, but now there was no choice, but to win.

Matt felt his adrenaline pumped to the max. He hadn't felt this charged about a battle for a long time. All feelings of regret or remorse were gone. Nothing mattered, but to set the digiworld free once and for all.

Matt stopped for a moment to scope the battle that lay before him. He saw Mimi and Joe riding Zeudomon with Lilymon flying overhead. By looking at their dead-set expressions, Matt realized how much his friends had changed.

To his other side were Garudramon and Mega Kabuterimon, back to back in a strategic plan that could only have been thought of by the genius Izzy and the loving Sora. They seemed tense and excited just as Matt felt.

In front of him, he saw his admired little brother TK, who Matt believed at a time needed to be guarded at all costs. TK . . . so innocent, so young, who knew how much he could become. Angemon, swooped down and picked up the boy and carried him off towards safety. Matt followed their image towards the horizon until they had become just a shadow.

But then came Tai, their leader. His image was highlighted by the glowing crest hanging around his neck. Tai, the one who was always there – begging the group to go on, to fight. This boy had the choice whether to succeed or to fail, and Tai always won.

Matt was awestruck by the force that surrounded them. The power, the ability, the willingness to never go down with out a fight. They don't care what happens to them . . .as long as it makes a difference.

But suddenly Matt saw Angemon racing out of the sky being chased by Vilemon. TK was in his arms trembling with fright. There were too many of them to fight for one digimon! Matt felt his heart race and his fears were soon answered as he saw one of the Vilemon take a shot at Angemon causing him to let TK go and fall towards the ground. Suddenly, Matt felt his muscles tightened and he found he had lost his ability to move. Frozen with anger, he was barely able to scream.

"TK!!!", cried Matt and his eyes began to well up with tears.

Then the light came.

Matt had never heard that attack before. He saw an image of a fairly large digimon fly up towards TK and catch him in her arms. This digimon seemed odd, and yet familiar at the same time. Matt found himself racing towards the bottom of the hill he was standing on to find the strange digimon and TK.

This new digimon was large, but not nearly the size of Garudramon. It was obviously cat type and definitely female by her physical features. The digimon had long black pants covering the lower part of her furry body. Up top, she wore a dark green halter -top with an emerald pendant hanging around the neck. The fur was a very light golden brown with equally colored hair flowing down to her waist. But the most remarkable feature on this digimon, was the huge wings on its back that were bigger and much more grand than any he had ever seen. Matt was dumbfounded.

He finally spotted TK being set down and hugging the leg of the giant. TK acted as if he had always known whom this digimon was. The digimon gracefully nodded and looked directly at Matt who was running towards them. TK ran at Matt and basically strangled him in an embrace, but Matt was still confused about the identity of the digimon to care. His question was soon answered.

Matt looked up to find a girl about his age standing in front of him. He had never seen her before and could not take his eyes off her image. She ran towards the digimon who bent down to pick her up. They embraced in a way that could only prove they were just as close as any of the digi destined were with their digimon. Like Gabumon and me. . .

Once the girl was set back down, the digimon flew off to join the fight with the others. No one seemed to notice that this pair was out of place. The girl now raced towards TK who had jumped down to greet her. TK didn't just say hello, he nearly tackled her with just as much enthusiasm as he did with Matt. . .possible more. Matt had to know the truth.

The girl looked at Matt with admiration while holding TK in her arms. TK noticed her gaze towards Matt and smiled broadly. He once again jumped down and this time grabbed Matt's gloved hand and pulled him towards the girl.

"Um . . . thanks", Matt mumbled and looked down blushing in his normal nature of being embarrassed about the help of strangers. She smiled.

"Don't worry Matt, I would never let anything happen to TK and neither would Lunar Tigramon." Her voice rippled through the air with a warmth and kindness Matt swore he had heard before. But I don't know who she is . . .

He looked up to notice that her appearance had changed. She was now in a long royal blue dress with a hooded cape tied about her shoulders. Her auburn hair was now down and falling over her shoulders delicately. And about her forehead was a golden tiara with a blue opal set in the middle. But resting around her neck was something that could be none other than . . .

There was no time to answer because at that exact moment, evil approached.

Piedmon.

The digimon walked in calm steady manner putting one foot exactly in front of the other. This movement not only showed the clown's power and command, but ego too. By looking at his face, no happy thought could come to mind.

Piedmon spotted them up ahead, and began to move in towards the kill. Matt's mind began to race. He looked towards the sky and hoped some digimon would spot the scene below, but unfortunately they were all struggling with their own battles. TK . . .I have to get TK out of here.

Suddenly a force of pure electricity shot at Piedmon. Matt quickly scanned to find the digimon, only to see the unfamiliar girl having the power surging in her hand. It was unbelievable. No human could do that and certainly no digi destined.

Piedmon grinned sadistically and shot energy towards her. The girl barely managed to block the shot. Soon, a duel began between them. Fire, water, electricity, force . . . all the elements seemed to be aiding this mystery maiden. But whatever power she had, it wouldn't help her for long.

Matt couldn't take his eyes off the battle; it was incredible! TK seemed to feel the same way, not so much confused as Matt, but more concerned for the safety of the girl. Piedmon seemed really frustrated about how the fight wasn't as easy as he thought. The girl seemed tense and had a spirit of determination about her. Determination? Why does that word seem right?

Suddenly, she fell to the ground by a harsh blow. Matt felt his stomach jump and the color beginning to drain out of his face. What were these feelings? He couldn't put his finger on it. TK started to shake and struggled to break away from Matt's grip. Matt attempted to restrain him, but his lost his hold on TK at the last second. As TK ran towards the girl, Piedmon made his move.

"Trunk Sword!" he cried and fired his most lethal weapon.

TK stopped running and fixed his gaze on the swords drawing near, and shut his eyes. Matt began to run towards him, only, there wasn't enough time for him to reach TK. Suddenly there was a shout of pain and dust everywhere. Matt couldn't see what had happened, but he feared the worst.

When the dust settled, Matt could see a figure bent over something . . .it was the mystery girl protecting TK! She got up slowly; it was obvious she was weak. TK was wrapped around her waist crying. By this time, the other digi destined heard the noise and came to help. But they arrived too late. The girl had obviously been hurt badly and could not support herself. She collapsed to the ground. Piedmon smiled viciously as he watched TK sobbing over his crippled friend. Tai and Sora attempted to run over, but Piedmon used his incredible power to keep them back. He wanted to savior his victory.

Matt didn't know what to do. His hands began to shake and he felt his eyes water. He ran towards the fallen girl and TK. Matt felt as if his legs were full of lead. Running towards her was the hardest thing he had ever done. As he approached the girl, Matt couldn't resist cradling her weak body. She seemed so indifferent to him, and yet, here he was letting his emotions take control. The girl tried to speak.

"Matt . . ." she stammered, "Matt . . . I'm so sorry . . ." She raised her hand to his cheek. He grasped it gently in his hand. He didn't know what to say and sadly, it was too late. Matt felt her body becoming limp, and then she was gone.

Matt was shocked. What had just happened? He was confused and in great pain at the same time. He cried and rocked her body back and forth in his arms like a doll. She was really gone.

Piedmon crept slowly behind Matt. His eyes flared and his grin twisted. Now was his chance.

And then Matt felt no more.

Matt gasped for air as he violently woke up in a cold sweat. He put his hand to his forehead and wiped the sweat away. He felt his chest heave and he tried to collect himself. The feelings, the thoughts, it was all too real.

He laid his head back down on the ground and took several deep breaths. The dream had certainly gotten to him and that's what scared him the most. Matt looked over the campsite. Yes, there they were in the digital world. The digi destined battling the forces of evil once again. They seemed so peaceful in their slumber. Letting their dreams take them away from the nightmares they had to fight.

Matt looked down next to his sleeping brother. TK had his head propped on Matt's chest and had a light snore. His digimon, Patamon, was curled under TK's arm murmuring quietly. Matt chuckled and slowly got up to get some fresh air. That's what I need. A dose of reality. As he walked around, he saw his fellow companions in their typical positions. Joe up against a tree with his glasses off and Gommamon sleeping on his back. Mimi and Palamon were right next to them curled up in little balls. Matt swore he could see Joe's hand close to Mimi's. Izzy, of course, had fallen asleep on his laptop, always spending the day typing furiously away on that keyboard of his. Tentomon had placed himself on Izzy's back as his resting-place. Izzy would have one sore back tomorrow. Next came Sora with Biomon in her lap. They really did love each other in a way only few could understand. Matt grumbled when he saw Tai and Agumon, asleep once again at guard duty. He could remember the argument they had the night before:

"Tai are you sure you want the last watch of the night," commented Matt, "it will be pretty late and you'll probably fall asleep."

"Stop fussing," retorted Tai, "Its not like you could do any better." They were just about to get into another fight when thankfully Joe stepped in.

"Knock it off you two. It's late, and the others wouldn't want to be kept up after all this hiking."

"Yeah," said Mimi, "and my feet are killing me! If you two start an argument, it will totally ruin my beauty sleep."

"And Princess Mimi needs it badly!" scoffed Gomammon. He barely avoided Mimi's foot.

"Ok, ok", stated Sora, "Lets have Matt and Gabumon take the first watch, Joe and Gommamon take the second, and Tah –ai and Agumon, can finish up."

"Just you wait Matt," said Tai, "I'll be so awake in the morning, you would swear I had caffeine running through my veins."

However, Matt was right, again. Tai was snoring loudly on his back and Agumon wrapped in his feet. As he walked by the sleeping couple, he kicked Tai's shoes for good measure. The boy said something in his sleep, but didn't wake up. Even though they were friends, Matt couldn't resist pestering Tai for fun.

Matt made his way towards a small stream trickling through the woods. The babble calmed his nerves. He splashed some water in his face to snap him out of his dreamy phase. Matt found a soft, grassy patch and promptly sat down. He leaned his back into the wind feeling it brush his hair. Matt reached into his pocket and pulled out his harmonica, the only thing that could consolidate him at times. The music of the blues swept through the air and the hum of the night joined in. Not only the night, but a digimon too. Gabumon was used to Matt's midnight music melodies and walked over to his friend. Matt always felt his digimon's presence and put a bit more emphasis into his instrument. The stars shown brightly and their light bounced off the water. As he played, Matt relaxed about his dream.

That's what it was, he thought, a dream and nothing more.

Author's Note: Ok, stay tuned for Part 2 which will be coming up real soon since I have already started it, but I wanted to make sure Part 1 was up and running. I don't mind reviews so feel free to email them to me, but nothing too harsh and sending questions is ok too. Thanks!