Romance of the Three Digidestined
Chapter IX: Chi Be and Goodbye

Tai and his army were granted safety in Yang. There Sun Jian spoke with Tai about his ideals. Sun Jian was surprised when he heard Tai was planning to take Jing. He agreed to Tai's decision, but he would not aid him for he would be too busy dealing with Cao Cao's forces in the north. Tai understood perfectly and thus continued training with his army. One day Xu Shu went to Tai and recommended Tai search for a strategist greater then even him, Izzy and Joe combined. Tai knew very well who he was speaking of and thus went to see Zhuge Laing.

A week passed as Tai with one of his best soldiers found a small cottage in the middle of a forest Tai knocked on it and the door opened.

"Taya, stay here I'll be back soon," he ordered his bodyguard.

"Yes Master, stay I will your order by," Taya relied as her black hair hovered in the wind.

Tai entered the cottage and found a collection of unusual items. One of them had a ball of light flouting in midair as moved around in a circle. Another had a strange block constantly changing shape. Then finally a door to a room opened and from it came a young man no older than him in a light green robe like coat tied with a brown sash, long black hair, wise brown eyes, a katana at his left side, brown boots, a fan made of seven light gray feathers in his right hand and a cunning expression.

"Master Zhuge Laing,"

"Tell me how do you know I am this Zhuge Laing you ask for?"

"I know because it was Zhuge Laing who brought me here. In the advance world he acted as may as my history teacher and gave me a book, which opened the door to this world. I have come here to ask of your aid Master Zhuge Laing. I need a man of your cunning at my side in these times of war. Tai said standing on his knees,"

The young cunning man nodded, "Indeed, I know why you are here, but I have no desire to get involved in the conflict that elopes this world, so please leave," he went back into the room and closed. Tai left, but came back a three days later and asked again, but was once again turned down, he left but returned for the third time a week later and upon his knees asked again...

"Master Zhuge Laing I ask you once more please aid me in my path through this chaotic storm. If not for me then for the people, I cannot bear to know the kind of treatment they'll receive under Cao Cao's rule. Please I beg of you," Tai said.

The young man smiled wisely and spoke, "This is your third visit to me, you continued to come even after I turned you down twice already. You have honored me more then I deserve. I can now see just how determined you are. However I cannot join you for I am not Zhuge Laing. It was he you desired to join correct?"

"What..." Tai said shockingly and confusingly, "If you're not Zhuge Laing than who are you?"

"My name is Moon Eli, son Moon Lan. Zhuge Laing was my teacher in strategy and he passed away a year ago. I have been waiting for you since then at his request,"

"You mean he's..." Yes Zhuge Laing is dead. Kamiya Tai, Master Zhuge Laing left every thing that he was to do to me. I will aid you as he once aided Liu Bei and the other heralds of the crests of virtues," Moon Eli said.

"Zhuge Laing bore one of the eight crests of virtue?" Tai asked.

"Yes he did and he left it to me. The crest of wisdom,"

"I see...Master Moon Eli will you aid me in my journey through the chaos?"

"Yes...as your strategist I will serve you, my lord,"

Tai got up from the ground and nodded with a smile. He and Moon Eli left the cottage and met up with Taya outside and then returned to Yang. There Tai introduce Moon Eli to the others who welcomed him and accepted him as the bear of the crest of Wisdom. A few days and word was received that Cao Cao was marching to Yang. The battle would be a naval fight. Tai chose to aid Sun Jian in the coming and Sun Jian more then welcomed his aid. They sit now in a war council discussing as to what their next move should be.

"So far we have many fine ideas how to battle Cao Cao on Chi Bi...but it still doesn't take care of the fact that we're gravely out number!" Sun Ce said.

"We need a strategy that will reduce Cao Cao's numbers," Sun Jian asked.

"Tai your new warlord has yet to speak what does he have to say?" Sun Quan asked.

"That's my question," Tai replied, "Moon Eli what are thoughts on this?"

Moon Eli was silent he looking down at the table smiling wisely he then raised his head and spoke, "For this battle we should call forth a southern wind,"

"Huh..." Matt said.

"Could you elaborate for us a little," Zhou Yu asked.

"Of course," Moon Eli replied with a wise smile.

Eli explained his planned to the others and it was voted upon and passed. They began preparations immediately. A shrine was built and the one who would perform the most important task was chosen. With some time left before Cao Cao's fleet arrived many chose to spend it training for the battle ahead and others to rest and enjoy the calm. Mimi, Sora and Da Qiao stand now in the gardens where they spoke of personal matters.

"Hey Sora...you and Tai known each other for a long time haven't you?" Da Qiao asked.

"Yes, we went to school together up until we arrived here," Sora said.

"And because of the chaos the two of you fell in love vowed to fight together until he end," Mimi said.

"Ha ha, yeah we did," Sora said, "Ever since we arrived here I've been attracted to him. He's changed so much, he's less goofy then he used to be, and during our adventures in he digital world he wasn't that much of a leader; now he's a hero fighting unite a divided land, but there are still many other forces at work," she blinked slowly, "Hey Da Qiao you and Sun Ce are pretty close, huh?" she asked suddenly.

"Ah...yeah...are we used to be," Da Qiao replied.

"What do you mean?" Mimi asked.

"When I saw for the first time in months, I just didn't feel as I used to when I see him. I can tell he hasn't seen it but I have. What's worst is that he expects me to stay here in Yang," Da Qiao said.

"You're not going to stay with Sun family?" Mimi asked.

"NO! If did that I wouldn't be able to see my new best friends as much as I like. Besides, what is there for me here? Maybe there was once something, but there isn't anymore. What I desire is to stay with all of you my friends,"

"Da Qiao..." Sora said.

"Also what's worst is I don't know how I'm going to tell him? Don't get me wrong I still care about him, just not that strongly,"

The three of them were silent when a young man came running down the hall, "Madam Sora, Ladies Da Qiao and Mimi,"

"What's wrong?" Sora asked.

"Cao Cao's fleet has been seen in a distance; Lord Kamiya Tai and Lord Sun Jian are calling all officers to the banks of Chi Bi to prepare for battle,"

"We understand we'll be along shortly, continue to inform the others," Sora said.

"Yes Madam," the young man replied and he ran off.

"Looks like it's time," Da Qiao said.

"Yeah," Mimi said.

Two hours later as dusk became night the allied Rogue and Sun Jian armies stood at the backs of Chi Bi there every officer would be debrief on the strategy.

"This battle can only be won by decreasing the number of ships in Cao Cao's army," Sun Jian explained, "To do this we will use the strategy thought up by Moon Eli,"

"We will use a fire attack to destroy the enemy; Moon Eli will summon the wind that will spread the flames throughout the enemy fleet," Tai said.

"I will summon the winds," Moon Eli declared, "Please protect the altar until the wind blows."

"We have also received word from our spy that Cao Cao's army has chained their ships together, however the chain can be broke at anytime. To prevent this Master Izumi Izday (Izzy) will sneak behind enemy lines and cast a spell that will prevent this. Once the enemy's fleet is in flames we will attack at full force," Sun Jian explained.

"This battle is vital for both the Rogues army and the Sun family's army," Tai said, "Neither army can afford to lose. All of us here are the only wall standing in Cao Cao's way of ruling the land if we lose then the land will be brought under his rule and an era of sorrow will begin. We must prevent that at all cost, for both us rogues and the Sun family; this is the beginning or the end!"

The soldiers roared with high spirits nothing could scare them now. Everyone took their position on the rivers of Chi Bi, but just before the battle Tai spoke with Dark Son...

"Did you receive word from them?" he asked.

"Yes my lord, they will attack from the west," Dark Son said.

"Good...will need their help if were to win," Tai said.

"Cao Cao's ships have come into view!" cried one person.

From the north Cao Cao's fleet sailed towards them and from the east Tai and Sun Jian's united forces sailed. The two fleets reached each the ships connected and the battle began. The sound of clashing steel echoed throughout the air and the soldiers fought hard and long. Davis once again showed his courage and when he ran into a big boned man, with a shield, two sided sword, a black bard, and blue armor. He stood before Davis and gazed at him with hate and honor.

"Motomiya Davis! I Cao Ren I request a dual!"

Kari was with Davis when he was challenge and urged him not to accept, but Davis chose to do otherwise, "You're on!" he said boldly

"Very well, en guard!" Cao Ren replied.

Davis fought Cao Ren and Kari stood at the side lines with the rest of his unit. She held her hands together close to her chest clinching a small locket around her neck. Davis and Cao Ren continued to battle without interference from anyone. There blades clashed repeatedly Davis was as fast as Cao Ren was strong. Their dual went on and on blades sing melody of war. Finally Cao Ren's blade radiated a bright light and he attack at a fierce speed! Davis stood his ground he jumped into the air as Cao Ren reached him flipped over him slashed Cao Ren's and then finally Davis swung his sword and laid a fierce blow to Cao Ren's back with a fierce blow!

Cao Ren held him self up and gazed at Davis, "I see so it was not a fluke that Xiuhou Yuan was defeated. Motomiya Davis I will challenge you again, be ready," Cao Ren threatened and he left the battle field with his men. Davis went to a knee on the boat, as his allies chased off the remaining soldiers of Cao Ren's unit. Kari went to his side.

"Hey see I told you I'd win," Davis said. His reply was a quick slap across the face! Davis touched the spot where he was hit, "Kari..."

"Why do you always insist on worrying me like this?" Kari asked crying on his chest.

"Kari..." Davis he lifted her up.

"Why is I that you always can me worry so much?" Kari asked crying on his chest.

Davis told his men to go join the battle and he'll catch up. They obeyed and left. He lifted her up from his chest. He looked at her wet eyes and spoke clearly, "Why do you care about me so much?"

"I...I don't know, I just can't stand the thought of losing you. I really don't know why I started feeling this way," she replied.

Davis blinked slowly, "Let's continue this after the battle alright,"

"Ok," Kari replied. They rejoined and together laid waste to their enemies

Meanwhile Izzy's group reached the enemy's camp that was on the narrow piece of land between the high mountains and river. Izzy hovered above the ground with his men and Cody following closely behind.

"If this plan is going to work we'll first to deal with Gao Jia," Izzy said.

They entered battle with the enemy. Cody proved himself worthy as he fought hard and long against his enemy without fear. Then finally a man in a dark blue robe holding a creepy staff stepped forward.

"You there who are?"

"Gao Jia I presume?" Izzy asked.

"And if I am," he replied.

"This...SI TU WAN!" Izzy said firing a ball of flaming light at the man. Gao Jia took his staff and blocked it while being pushed back somewhat! He hovered in the air aimed his staffed at Izzy releasing a wave of energy! Izzy dodged and he and Gao Jia went into a dual of sorcery. The two fired one spell after another, dodging casting again and again, until finally Izzy dodged an assault and held his staff in the air and his arm out in front of him. A wave of energy charged into his hand as he spoke a spell of great power that frighten Gao Jia, "Tin you gi ji ni ho ou can ti yong you, ho I gin tu GI THUN DERU! "

He aimed his staff at Gao Jia and fired a wave of energy and sent him flying off the battle! Gao Jia's man ran away in fear.

"Let's go!" Izzy order

They proceeded to the boats and found the chain. Izzy cast his spell and they retreated from the battle.

Tai fought hard with Sora at his side the battle raged on with his swords practically covered in his enemy's blood. They fought back to as they protected one another from their enemy's swords and then finally though a gentle breeze began to blow and word spread far across the battlefield. "The WIND! The wind is up"

"Tai..." Sora said turning to her love.

"The winds, we will win, NOW WE WILL WIN!" Tai shouted, "All men prepare for the counter attack don't fall behind,"

Over at the altar though Moon Eli stood holding is feather fan in hand and smiling as Joe entered the altar.

"I can't believe it you really summoned the wind. That's in creditable," Joe said.

"Indeed it would be if it was really magic," Moon Eli said.

"What do you mean?" Joe asked.

"I used no magic here...I knew the south east winds would blow on this day," Moon Eli said.

"Eli..." Joe said.

"Come my friend; let us join the battle the rest is up to Fir Li to complete his task now," Moon Eli said.

He and Joe joined the battle and as it raged on with the sound of clashing steel echoed loudly through the battle. Meanwhile Fir Li and his unit had reached their destination.

"Now begin the fire attack once the fires catch victory will be our," Fir Li said, "Light barrels of hay and toss them onto Cao Cao's ships!"

The rogue soldiers did as they were told and slowly Cao Cao's ships lit a blaze! An uproar of battle cries echoed throughout the allied forces of Tai and Sun Jian and their armies attacked! The tables on Cao Cao as many of his man with burned to cinders!

Then suddenly a small army charged from the west and at the head was a girl no older then Kari, with long black hair with small curls blue leather armor.

"Lord Kamiya Tai there's a small fleet heading our way," panicked a rogue Soldier.

"Relax they're ours," Tai said.

"Forward, we shell attack Cao Cao in support of Kamiya Tai," yelled the girl

"The look of their banners, they're the Seara Family, I take it this you're doing a Tai," Sun Ce asked.

"You're correct it is," Tai replied, "All units charge!"

The ailed forces charged upon Cao Cao's army. The battle lasted only a while longer and then Cao Cao retreated from the battlefield. The cries of victory echoed from one side of the battle field to the other and everyone regrouped at the castle where Seara Yun and Seara Elena had joyful reunion.

"SISTER!" the young girl said hugging Seara Yun, "It's so good to see you are well!"

"Seara Elena...what are you doing here?" Seara Yun asked.

"Lord Kamiya Tai had Dark Son send us a massage asking for aid in the battle at Chi Bi. Mother sent me with some of our families troops,"

"Seara Elena, I thank you," Tai said calmly, "Because of you victory was assured a hundred percent. I welcome you to rogues,"

"It will be an honor to serve under you my lord," Seara Elena said.

"Well what are just standing around we just won a major victory I say we celebrate!" Fir Li said loudly.

.Everyone agreed and the next day was one a great joy! There was a festive held in the city of Chai Sang and everyone in enjoyed it. Tai and his friends spent pretty all of there time at the festival where Tai received an increase in is army when many orphans between his age and his sister's joined Rogues. Guan Yu and Zhang Liao chose to spend their time training the new recruits until Tai ordered them to relax and enjoy the celebration. During the night however that events of both sorrow and joy took place. TK went the through the castle asking everyone he saw if they knew where Kari was everyone said they didn't know until he heard that Kari was walking atop the wall TK went there, but he found Kari was not alone under the dusk sky, but with the most unlike person he she would be with.

"You've changed so much Davis..." Kari said.

"What do you mean," Davis replied.

"Before we came to this world you were a big jerk and hot tempered. You may have looked like a little like my brother, but you sometimes acted like Matt. Lately though you've become less full of yourself and a lot smarter. I can see why my brother made you a unit commander," Kari explained kindly, she took the locket she was wearing from around her neck and held in both her hands out to him.

"Kari..." Davis said.

"This is the locket you gave me before we left Luo Yang," Kari said. The locket then began to glow bright silver light.

Davis touched it and the light covered him completely and then her. The light vanished and put the locket back around her neck and held his hands, "That was a spell I put on both of us, part of me is you and part is in me. My joys will be your joys,"

"And my sorrows will be your sorrows...are you sure about this?" Davis asked, "What about TK?"

"He'll understand, it's too late anyway I've already made up my mind. You're the one I chose," she said. The two gazed at one another.

"Kari!" it was Yolei calling her from the ground.

"What is it?" Kari asked.

"Sun Xing Xang's calling us in about our gowns for the party," Yolei said.

"I'll be right down," Kari yelled. She turned to Davis and smiled, "I have to go now, but I'll see you tonight,"

"Yeah see yah," Davis said.

Kari moved to the edge of the walkway and jump down to the ground where Yolei was and then she and Yolei left for the castle. Davis looked overt at some boxes, "You can come out now TK,"

"How'd you know?" TK asked as he came out of hiding.

"I could hear you a mile away," Davis said as TK stood next to him, "Kari and me...this alright with you?"

"Yeah...I'll get over it, it'll take a while but I'll get over it. You better take care of her man,"

"She's my bosses sister how can I not. If anything happens to her Tai will have my head,"

"And I'll crush it,"

"Ah...in that case I think I'll put her in the very back row of the formation,"

The looked at each other and then laughed as good friends would. TK and Davis, two young boys who cared for the same girl; Now that girl has made her choice and despite this the young boys remain friends, friends whose bond will never be broken. Dusk past and night came and the party at the castle was wondrous. There was dancing laughing everywhere. Sora and the other girls were dressed in finest of gowns. Unfortunately the party was about to turn sorrowful for one young couple or should I say two young couples... "Mimi and Yolei we're enjoying the party accepting dance request from many of the young men, until they saw Da Qiao and Sun Ce leave suddenly. They followed the couple and found them in a garden together alone Da Qiao held a look of sorrow upon her face as she struggled to speak to her words...

"What's wrong? What is it that you have to tell me?" Sun Ce asked.

"Sun Ce...I...I want to talk about the future, our futures..." she said sadly.

"OH! I almost forgot to tell you our wedding it'll be on the main boat on Chi Bi. Everyone we'll be there, including you father of course. It'll be great you'll love it! You're favorite flowers we'll be there and you'll the gift I got you and at the end after we've made our vows doves we'll be released into the air and..."Sun Ce said excitingly until Da Qiao with tears, "What's wrong why you are crying?"

"It sounds all so wonderful," she cried sadly, "I only wish...that...I'd be able to be there..."

"What do you mean, of you'll be there it'll be your wedding as while as..." Da Qiao put her finger to lips and silenced him.

"Sun Ce...I don't want you to get mad at what I'm about to tell you. Promise me you won't get mad. Promise,"

Sun Ce nodded, "What's is it,"

"I'm...well...as you know Rogues is leaving in a couple of days and...well...when they leave...I've chosen to go with them. Now I know this is a shock to you, but it's something I have decided to do," she removed her finger from his lips and back away from him slowly.

"Da Qiao..."

"I'm returning to the party, if you respect my decision you'll come back to it yourself spend what little time you have left with me as you can and if you don't well...I'll understand," she then turned around and ran back into the party. She ran through the hallway and Mimi and Yolei followed her. They found her sitting on a balcony holding her knees crying...

"Da Qiao...are you alright?" Mimi asked.

"That...was...the hardest...thing I've ever had to do," Da Qiao cried as tears dripped from her eyes.

"You can still back there and..." Yolei began but...

"No...this is what I want to be with my friends," Da Qiao said.

"But is being with us worth losing a love," Mimi asked.

"To tell you the truth I didn't chose to stay with for just that one reason. There's another I'm beginning to care for," Da Qiao said.

"Who..."

"I really don't want to say, but for right I just want to be alone," Da Qaio said.

"We understand," Mimi said. Then she and Yolei left to find Xiao Qiao knowing that she too was having a hard time with her decision.

Da Qiao sat there on the balcony and tear fled her eyes continuously.

Two days pass and Tai gives the order to Rogues to gather and prepare to leave. When everyone was gathered Tai thanked Sun Jian and said he would be gone once his scouts returned with their reports on Liu Biao's army. Sora and Mimi said their goodbyes to SunXingXang and Xiao Qiao to Zhou Yu. Da Qiao saw Sun Ce, and the tow could say only one thing goodbye. Da Qiao turned her back to him and upon the scouts returned Tai and his army left. Mimi rode next to Da Qiao on her horse and spoke.

"Aren't you going to look back?" Mimi asked.

"No...if I do, I may turn around and go back to him. What is done cannot be undone. I will not look back, not know at least," Da Qiao replied.

They continued to move forward without delay. None of those who chose to leave behind they families and loved ones they had there looked back they left the past behind, but with the pain remain deeply engraved into their hearts.