"Foxe?" Destiny stared incredulously.

"In the flesh." She replied coolly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Same thing as you, I imagine."

"Guys I hate to break up the most peaceful contact you two have ever had." Faith said as Kwagumon made another pass. "But I give him another two passes before were in real trouble."

"Little Yoda's right." Foxe said.

"She usually is." Destiny said extending her hand. "Truce?"

"Truce." Foxe agreed shaking on it. "Up is out I take it?"

"Yeah, so that leaves us with down." Destiny said. "Pebblemon, do you know what's at the bottom of this ravine?"

"No clue whatsoever."

"Stealthmon?" Foxe asked.

"I an no more knowledgeable about thissss than Pebblemon." A sillibant voice not unlike a snakes hissed. "But I may be able to aid in our esssscape."

"Do it." Foxe said briskly.

"Assss you like it." Stealthmon said detaching herself from her hiding place in Foxe's shadow in a cloud of black smoke. "MIST OF ILLUSION."

"No offense, Foxe," Faith said. "but that thing's freaking me out."

"None taken." Foxe assured her. "Her voice sends chills down my spine."

"We musssst go. Kwagumon will see four groupssss, only one will be real." Stealthmon said melting back into Foxe's shadow.

"What is that thing?" Destiny asked as they scrambled towards the bottom of the ravine.

"Later." Foxe said skidding to a stop as she ran out of ravine. "Damn. End of the line."

"Maybe not." Faith said. "I hear water and lot's of it, but it's pretty faint."

"Long way down?" Foxe asked.

"Long enough to kill us." Faith said. As Kwagumon roared, she amended, "If, of course, bug breath doesn't do the job first."

"So the only problem is distance?" Pebblemon said.

"Yeah." Faith said. "There's too much of it."

"Then we must reduce the dissssstance. STEALTHMON DIGIVOLVE TO...INQUEMON!" In a flash of light, Stealthmon was gone replace by a black oily looking puddle. "Quickly. I will extend myself as far as I can." The hiss was gone, replaced by a cold icy resolve. Anchoring herself around a tree, Inquemon extended herself down in a rope thin sliver.

"Let's go." Faith said disappearing over the edge.

"Work faster slave!" A Gemmon guard snarled snapping a whip into the small of Tai's back.

"Agh!" Tai cried collapsing to his knees.

"On your feet slave!" The guard growled, snapping the whip again to open a fresh bleeding scar in Tai's back.

"You're killing him!" Sora cried.

"Still your tongue, wench!" Another guard barked snapping his whip across her face leaving a fresh bleeding incision across her already scarred face.

"Get up slave or so help me, I'll kill you in the dust you wallow in." The guard hissed spinning his whip to gain momentum for the final strike.

With the last of his energy, Tai spat at the guard and closed his eyes to await the final descent of the whip. He heard the whistle of leather through the air, heard it strike, waited for the end.

It never came. Tai opened his eyes to see Mimi standing over him, the whips deathstroke wrapped around her raised forearm.

"No." She said in a voice devoid of inflection and emotion. Her eyes blazed with a cold hateful fire.

"What did you say slave?" The guard raged, yanking his whip back leaving a deep incision that ran halfway around her wrist.

"No." She repeated lowering her bleeding arm. She crouched down and pulled Tai to his feet ."Come here Sora." She said sweetly.

"Mi-"

"NOW." She said in her deadly calm voice.

What's happened to her? Sora thought meekly obeying. Worse yet, what's happened to me?

"Remember there has never been anything that we haven't had the strength to face together." Mimi said clasping Tai and Sora's hand together before squeezing her own hands around theirs in a gesture of unified strength. "Nothing."

"Do your worst." Sora said holding her head high and proudly displaying her freshly opened scar.

"If I die, I die with  my friends." Tai said feeling his spirit surge.

"Brave words." The overseer said. "but far too much spirit for my taste. Don't just stand there you dolt!"

"Yes sir!" The guard said raising his whip.

"Don't kill them you fool!" The overseer snapped knocking the whip from his underlings hand. "We're woefully understaffed as it is. Send them to the Blood Room. They are to be whipped from dawn to dusk. And then, if they survive, tomorrow they will be sent to the quarries." The overseer said. "Shackled together at all times, of course. I am loathe to break such a bond of camaraderie. Back to work!"  He barked as the three digidestined were lead away.

"The Blood Room." Sora shuddered as they were marched through a labyrinth of passages.

"Definitely sounds unpleasant." Tai said.

"Do you regret what I did?" Mimi asked quietly.

"No." Tai said fiercely.

"No Mimi." Sora said. "I'm starting to feel like myself again."

"We're here." The guard growled shoving Tai and Sora into the room but giving Mimi a wide berth.

The Blood Room was simple in it's ideology. The victim was hung in front of a machine that brought a whip down across the back of the victim with more strength than any mortal being could with the inexhaustible patience of a machine.

Tai, Sora and Mimi were chained in place as the first rays of dawn brought the first brutal crack of the whip.

Raven.  The voices screamed his name in the hurricane that was his mind,

You're alone Raven. A sultry feminine voice whispered. You have always been alone, and you always will be alone.

Shut up, Angelena. Raven recognized the fallen angel that had anted to be his mistress. He refused.

You live alone, and you will die alone. She finished laughing wickedly.

No one needs you, Raven. Matt's voice said.

You're better off dead. Stephan's voice snarled.

Dead. Alone. Useless. The words echoed in the insanity with deadly clarity.

So be it. Raven thought. One more death.

"Come quick!" T.K. shouted from the mouth of the cave. "I think Raven's dying!"

"No!" Kari shouted spinning dust out from under her feet as she sprinted into the cave. Damn it Raven! She shouted silently in the Once Speech. You are not leaving me. You are not leaving us.

You don't need me.

Yes we do. I need you...to understand myself.

Don't you? He sounded mildly surprised.

No Raven. Who will care for me and TK?

Tai and Matt have done great.

They can't see us as anything but cute little siblings.

Then make them. Raven replied his voice fading. You don't need me for that.

DAMN YOU RAVEN! YOU WILL NOT DIE ON ME! Kari exploded.

I won't let you. She collapsed sobbing on his chest.

Raven. A new voice intruded.

Ah Stephan. Raven said bitterly. Come to see if I truly would be better off dead?

No. I-

Go away! Kari exploded. You're the reason he's here! If you hadn't been so selfish-

Kari,  A new voice interrupted. Shh.

Stephan took advantage of the lull. Raven you can't die. I spoke in anger without thinking and for that I am so sorry.

That's nice, but not good enough. The dying angel said.

Raven, I need you. I need a teacher. More importantly I need a friend.

Raven,  The new female voice said. Giving up? That isn't like you.

Angelique?

Of course silly. Angelique said with a laugh, like crystal windchimes. Oh my beautiful fallen Raven. You've found a new world, new friends whom you've chosen to sacrifice yourself for, and endless possibilities, and you are willing to throw all that way. Why?

Because I'm useless. Raven said.

Mimi would be dead now if it wasn't for you. Joe would be crushed. Literally. Sora owes you her life a hundred fold. You have given counsel, disclosed mysteries, and kept secrets. In the days and weeks ahead you will be a friend, a teacher, a confidante, and a protector. Do you hear that sound?

I do. Steve said. It sounds like an excuse taking on water.

Glug glug. Angelique said. Next excuse?

I'm alone. I always have been and I always will be.

So what am I? Stephan asked. Chopped liver?

You're not alone. Kari said. We're all here for you. I'm here for you and I'm not going to let you die.

And I'm here for you. Angelique said. You're the reason I left Heaven.

You gave up perfection for me? 

Hell Yeah.  Angelique said. Eternal perfection, blech!

Tell me about it.  Stephan said. Great for mortals but for all eternity, ooohhhh He shuddered.

Well you two will be happy here. Something's always happening and you'll enjoy it more without me.

I'd sooner give up my immortality and starve to death. Angelique said.

Really? Raven asked the strength returning to his voice.

Yes. Angelique said simply.

Stay with us. Kari said. I'll go if someone must.

No Kari, no one's going anywhere. Raven said. Least of all me. Thanks for talking some sense into me you guys.

Anytime. Stephan said as his voice faded out. I'll be around.

Goodbye my Raven. Angelique said.

Angelique, wait.

We'll be together sooner than you think. She said with her beautiful  laugh.

Raven looked at Kari and stroked her cheek before passing into oblivion.

"I think his fever's broken." She said laying a hand on his cooling brow.

"Kari, you need sleep." Izzy said.

"I went to sleep Izzy. I dreamed I was awake and woke up in worse shape than before, so if it's all the same to you," she paused to drape a cold compress over Raven's forehead. "I'll collapse from exhaustion."

Then she passed out.

~*~

"He'll be all right." Steve said.

"Why didn't you go to him?" Nijamon asked.

"I can't face him yet. Even if he's forgiven me, I haven't forgiven myself." He replied. "How far to Defender's Arch?"

"Not far at all." Nijamon said. "See that stone arch over there?"

"That's it? What's so special about that?"

"That's the entrance to Defender's Keep, home of the twelve legendary digidefenders, and the greatest place of power in the digiworld."

"I thought you said this place was dangerous."

"It is. We've been lucky so far and all the better. Without the digivice, I can't digivolve to protect you."

"I can protect myself." Steve said coolly.

"Maybe you could before, but things might be a little more difficult now. You yourself said your powers are only a fraction of what they once were. With me being unable to digivolve, we're sitting ducks."

"Man, I'd give anything to have my powers back."

"Be careful Steve. Everything has a price. You have to be sure you're willing to pay."

The pair fell silent as Steve contemplated that.

"HANG ON!" A new voice shouted.

~*~

Matt woke up and looked in panic at the unfamiliar surroundings. Fighting back panic, he turned his thoughts back. He had woken up, tried to get his digivice and crest, and was blasted back.

Jenna's place. He relaxed, somewhat. "Jenna?"

"Be right there." She called descending the stairs. "I'm glad you're awake. I have news."

"Is everyone all right?"

"Raven's fever's broken so Kari and the others are getting some rest. Tai, Sora, Mimi and the digimon have been taken to one of Cherrymon's mines as slaves."

"Cherrymon. Figures he'd be reconstructed." Matt said bitterly. "I've got to help them." He struggled to get up.

"No you won't." Jenna said fiercely. "I'll sedate you again if I have to."

"So what do I do?" Matt lamented sinking back into the pillows.

"Wait. It'll be another few days before Raven's worth anything to anyone. Because you heal faster in the digiworld than in  the real world you'll be able to walk with minimal support by then. Besides, charging in there without a plan or a digimon is one step shy of suicide."

"All right." Matt said as his eyes fell on the cabinet that held his crest and digivice. "What's the deal with the cabinet?"

"It's warded." Jenna explained. "It also protects us from Cherrymon."

"Why? That overgrown toothpick can't do anything to us."

"Maybe not, but his operatives can." Jenna said. "He can track you through your crests energy."

"Can I use my digivice to contact Raven and the others?"

"No way. This forest is warded in a similar fashion. Your signal would just bounce back and give Cherrymon a precise lock on your location and I rather prefer that this place stay hidden. I'll bet you're hungry."

"Oh yeah." Matt said. "Famished."

"Be right back." She said with a smile. Minutes later she returned with a tray laden with food. "Take your time. I've got to go put my ear to the ground and see what I can find out."

"This isn't drugged, is it?" Matt asked suspiciously.

"You'll find out, won't you?" Jenna laughed.

~*~

"I could be boarding now, but no I'm running from giant killer insects." Faith mumbled to herself as she slid slowly down Inquemon to the water below. She had gone several hundred feet before running out of Inquemon. Undaunted and highly irate, she began free climbing to the river below. Destiny came next, followed by Pebblemon and Foxe.

"Inquemon!" Foxe cried as her new friend shot up into the air, lacking a counterweight.

"Don't worry Foxe." Inquemon called. "I'll be along, shortly. Keep going."

"But-" Foxe started.

"Hey Foxe, I'm sure she'll make it." Destiny called as she picked her way down the vertical slope. 

"You're right." Foxe admitted reaching for the next hand hold when she slipped and plunged unchecked towards the raging river.

"Oh no you don't!" Destiny snapped as she grabbed Foxe's wrist, upsetting her own precarious grip sending her tumbling to the water below.

"Why am I *ungh* always saving you're hide?" Faith said as she grabbed Destiny's hand and leaned back to attempt to compensate for the weight of two other people.

"You can't hold us, Yoda." Foxe called.

"I can try," She hissed through clenched teeth. "and the name's Faith!" Suddenly the rock ledge she was gripping crumbled dropping the three girls screaming to the river below.

"HANG ON!" Faith  screamed.

~*~

"Sounds like trouble." Nijamon said.

"You think?" Steve said sarcastically, as he swirled his cape about his shoulders and raced for the river. To his surprise, Nijamon kept pace with him easily. "How-?"

"No legs to wear out."  He said shortly.

"Look at that!" Steve said pointing.

~*~

Faith and Destiny had the sudden insight to stop screaming and hold their breath before they hit the water. Foxe followed their example to later and swallowed the raging river.

"Oh no! Foxe!" Inquemon shouted plunging into the river followed closely by Pebblemon. 

Faith blacked out when she hit the water, sinking beneath the murky depths.

Oh brother. Destiny thought shoving Foxe to the surface as she dove after Faith. Where are you, sister? She thought fighting the current. Just as she was about to give up, her groping hand wrapped around her sister's limp one. Lungs aching, Destiny pulled her sibling to the surface only to lose her grip, sending  Faith sinking downward again.

"No!" Destiny cried as Foxe pulled her up sputtering.

"On it." Inquemon said from somewhere nearby. Moment's later an oily black tentacle emerged from the depths with Faith in tow.

"Thanks!" Destiny said coughing up water.

"What!" Foxe yelled back.

"I  said thanks!" Destiny shouted as Faith began to come around. Why's the water so loud? It sounds like a ...

Foxe locked eyes with Destiny, their faces mirror expressions of horror. "Waterfall!"

"Hold on!" Inquemon said. "This is gonna be bumpy." She said as she wrapped herself around the three girls and Pebblemon forming a black buoyant bubble. 

With a sickening plunge, the group went over the falls.

~*~

Steve and Nijamon watched in awe as the black bubble appeared at the top of the falls and plunged off.

"We've go to help them!" Nijamon exclaimed.

"Wait." Steve said wrapping his cloak around his cane and tossing them to the opposite bank.

"Wait? Are you crazy? They could be sliced to ribbons or drowned or-"

"If they survive," Steve cut in. "The river will bring them right to us. Eternity teaches you nothing if not patience." He reminded his friend as he waded in. Sure enough, the river did bring the ebony orb to where Steve waited with his implacable calm. When they came close enough, he swam under the bubble and pushed it to the opposite shore where Nijamon waited for him.

"What a big haul!" He said loudly. "Let's cut it open and eat what's inside."

"Shut up Nijamon. Whoever or whatever is in here doesn't need to be scared to death." Steve chided, spreading his wings. "You can come out. We're not going to hurt you."

"Much." Nijamon interjected.

"One more smart ass remark and I'll poke out your eyes and you can be my next disguise." Steve hissed angrily.

"You all can come out." Nijamon said. "We mean you no harm."

As if on cue, the bubble seemed to melt and evaporate into a cloud of black smoke to reveal the three girls.

"We've died and gone to heaven." Faith muttered before passing out.

"Then how'd I get in?" Destiny asked as she collapsed.