This...will be the final chapter of 2015. There will definitely be more to come next year! The final 2015 chapter includes hints at a final digidestined, as well as a time in the digital world before the high lords ruled the lands. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY Though there's no holiday story...I am glad I completed this chapter on Christmas eve! Just a couple hours away from Christmas Day :3 enjoy!

---

Ninth digidestined


It was nearly midnight since the finals began, Max's pops, Growlmon decided to go check on the regeneration pods, surprisingly enough, Blade and RD had already finished recovering so he took the liberty and released their pods, waiting for both to slowly wake up from their sleep


RD yawned "Darn I wanted some food, in any case how is everything going?"


Growlmon raised an eyeridge before nodding "The place is empty right now. I came to bring you to the hotel. Callismon is actually waiting there for you, said he promised you a big meal after he lost to you."


Blade groaned, pulling out of his pod and drying off his loincloth, thankfully there wasn't much to show given that a dragon's sexual organs remain hidden from sight "You could have left us to wait till tomorrow." Growlmon rolled his eyes"You two and Max do remind me of Triceramon and myself at that age..."


RD laughed at this "I need the meal let's go" RD blinked as he looked around blinking, the arena looking completely barren. "This place is really empty"


Growlmon nodded a few times "Sure, let's get to the hotel. It's empty because nobody is here in the middle of the night...Except for Smithy and Drill working over today's matchup's and preparing for tomorrow. You all did a number on the ring, they're working on a barrier to keep stray attacks from harming anybody, all things considered, you all displayed mega level tactics."


RD blushed as he remembered all the redirecting and then the explosions, in fact several of them. "There were so many explosions that i'm not surprised that the ring was messed up so badly"


Growlmon nodded, taking them to the hotel "YOu should have seen Blade's outcome...It got so bad they had to replace the entire ring. It's very rare when a tournament brings out real powerhouses. Most digimon of that calibur tend to remain secluded."


Blade followed them along, arms crossed to the side "Having power is no reason to flaunt it. Had it not been for the darkness, and my own personal goals I wouldn't have surfaced in this tournament to begin with myself."


"We need to contact the royal knights, between them and the remaining demon lords I have no idea how we might win the upcoming fight." RD frowned as he wondered just how many Royal Knights have defected


Growlmon nodded a few times "According to Dorumon, after he was hatched out of his digivice he mentioned that there were five when he was still in command." Blade raised an eyeridge as the door opened to the hotel room, he stepped in along with RD, it was when he realized the spread that Callismon had set for RD.


RD stared at it. "That's...." RD started digging in without another word.


Growlmon laughed, watching this before sitting down, transforming down to Guilmon size at this point "You kind of remind me of me as a youngster...What I wanted to talk to all of you about is...this group is still incomplete. There's a ninth digidestined."


RD looked up with a mouth stuffed full of food then swallowed. "Like the eight child? From the original digidestined I mean."


Growlmon laughed, nodding "Well the ninth child isn't much of a child anymore...but I feel like I should explain..."


"You all know that...well it's a human tradition to bestow a name on a newborn human upon birth. Well. Ol Guilmon had taken into that tradition from his wife." Growlmon began with a start, letting out a small sigh. "Myself as well as Triceramon, were given names in our unique births...I went by the name of Nova. And as I'm told...Triceramon was removed from my father's body as pure darkness, but intended as a friend and lifelong companion for me to grow into a strong digimon. Due to his very special birth...he was given the name Shade. Our story kind of begins when we were both just Guilmon."

---

20 years ago

laying down at the base of the grassy hill that their log cabin like house sat upon, Shade was enjoying the peaceful weather that the western region of the digital world was known for. He watched a few butterfly's flittering around infront of him, one of which even landed neatly on the middle of his snout, leaving him cross eyed rather comically. Then suddenly...


"Surprise attack!" Cried out Nova, the smaller Guilmon having leapt off the hill a good distance away toward Shade, his eyes widening as his friend siddled over to the side, leaving him tumbling the rest of the way down and crashing into a tree. The impact shook several apples off their branches, piling over Nova and leaving him buried.


Shade let out a low groan, running downhill to the side of the apple pile. "You aren't supposed to yell Surprise Attack...when you're making a SURPRISE ATTACK!" He dug his claws through the assortment of fruit and yanked Nova with a roll of his eyes. "Come on...Let's go into town! If we're lucky maybe we can make top eight in today's weekly tournament!"


"Look who's talking about luck..." Nova grumbled, rubbing his head a bit as he followed Shade down to the path to Starlight city. "You always make it to the second wave of matches...I always lose round one..."


Shaking his head, Shade lead his friend down into the massive digital city, few digimon staring them over leaving him grumbling. "We're reptilian digimon...we should have been born in the west. Everyone here's so...floofy!"


Perking his ears, Nova grinned and nudged Shade with an elbow. "Floofy?! You never say floofy!"


Shade grabbed a hold of Nova's paw and growled. "It's just irritating me. Comeon...registration closes in an hour."


The duo pushed past several digimon, tournament days were the buisiest days for the area, and two scampering Guilmon's didn't help matters any. But with a little luck and determination, they made it to the reception counter, both registering under their birth names. The Gabumon at the post staring Nova over and grinning. "You enter this competition every week...Yet you have no sense of combat instinct. Aren't you supposed to be the son of our local royal knight?"


Scowling, Nova took the bracelet handed to him, wrapping it over his paw to designate he was a competitor. "FORMER KNIGHT thank you very much. Besides...I really wish you'd stop comparing me to him!"


The Gabumon only laughed as Nova and Shade padded into their waiting room. These tournaments really only last a few hours at best. A bunch of ameteurs with the occasional veteran. Nova watched as Shade began stretching his limbs out, looking as nimble as always. "How do you do it Shade...how is it that you always seem to make things look so...NATURAL!"


Shade stopped his warm ups and sighed. "I really don't know. I don't think about what I'm doing I just...let my self go wild. You seem preoccupied lately. The last several tournaments you've spaced out just before your round starts up."


Looking at Shade for but a moment, he was about to reply when they called his name through an intercom. Nova gave his friend a tap on the shoulder, smiling. "I'll talk to you when I win my battle."


It only took two or three minutes, Nova returned nursing a head injury and plopping down on the couch. "I failed miserably..."


Shade let out a small sigh, moving over to Nova and treating his injuries. "Well...you lasted sixty seconds longer than usual. Now what's going on with you?"


"Erm... OWW!" Nova yelped as Shade treated his wounds, the medication stinging before a large bandage was set over the head injury. "I...want to go to the human world."


That got an odd look out of Shade, who sat down beside Nova and sighed. "What suddenly has you wanting to leave our peaceful world...You know humans are always fighting amongst themselves...it's always about money and status with them."


Nova nodded. "Yeah but we fight too. Though it's more for sport rather than any malevolent intent. We don't wish to intrude on anothers territory or region. But I honestly think some humans can be good. My mom is human afterall." Laying back on the couch, Nova started to relax, letting the medication soothe him. "Most digimon aren't allowed in the human world unless they're partnered with a tamer though. And I don't know how to select a tamer."


"You're insane...All that I've heard about humans are they're violent...But like you said we can be pretty violent ourselves. BUT I still think it's a bad idea. Have you talked to dad about it yet?" Shade inquired, the look of worry expressed greatly on his face.


"Believe it or not I did. He expressed concern just like you're doing right now." Nova sighed, hearing the announcer call Shade's name, he grabbed at his friend's paw and grumbled. "But he thinks the out of world experience might be good for me."


Staring him down, Shade sighed, pulling his hand loose and walking out. While he managed to win his coming round, he barely made it out alive in the second. Dinner that night was quiet, as usual, mother tended to remain in bed. The digital world was still a place she was learning to get used to, and every day it changed her, making her into a Guilmon just like the rest of us. Shade was the first to break the silence, pressing his paws to the table. "Father...Nova informs me that you and he have been talking about him leaving the digital world. Why haven't you told me about this sooner?"


Guilmon cringed, noting the angry expression on Shade's face. He calmly set a paw over Shade's own and sighed. "Every man or mon has to take his own path. Nova has always expressed intrest in humans. And...maybe seeing how they live and colonize together will give him a better understanding of his own mother. I think it's good, long as he remembers where his family is."


"But you've seen him!" Shade cried out, growling as he wiggled his paw free from the old knights grip. "Nova isn't the strongest...and he screws up a lot. What human would want to be his tamer if he can't properly battle or protect them."


Guilmon's eyes narrowed at that, noting Nova's expression changing to one of sadness at being called out on his flaws. "Humans have an odd effect on us. What Nova lacks can be mended through interaction with his trainer. Regardless...I have a contact in Baihumon's village of Smithy's already preparing a digivice for Nova to travel. While usually it's fate that brings a digivice to a human, and by fate their digimon...this time we're allowing him to make the choice of his tamer. Who he chooses will be bonded to him for the rest of his life."


Nova sighed, looking at Shade and trying to hold back a few tears. "I'll make you proud of me I promise. And when I come back, we'll definitely be equals."


Shade scowled, jumping out of his chair. "Damnit that's not the issue!" He growled, steam blowing from his nostrils. "I...I know you'll make me proud but...I don't want you to go. I'll be stuck in this house alone, nobody to challenge me!"


That got a reaction out of Nova, who suddenly burst into tears and leapt into Shade's arms, causing them both to tumble into the ground. "You doo care! You always act like I'm a bother but you really like me!"


Growling, Shade started trying to pry Nova off of him but they were stuck like glue. "Damnit Nova! I'll revert you back to a digiegg if you ever let me go!!"


sighing, Nova rubbed his snout with a paw and nuzzled into his brother. "I promise that I'll come back okay? Give me one year...and I'll be back to visit! I'll challenge you way more than I ever could if I stayed here."


Shade stared up at Nova, noting the happy look on his brother's face, he tried his best not to make any reaction but a small smirk escaped his muzzle. "You'd better. If you're not in tip top shape in a year I'll delete you."


Looking past the threat, Nova gave Shade a gentle lick across the cheek. "I'll make it so that you can't even convert me back into a digiegg!"


"Now now boys...you two go get cleaned up then get to bed." Guilmon called out, smirking as they both scrambled off the floor.


Both digimon began fighting to get into the bathroom first, only to both tumble in, making a comedic crashing sound followed by glass breaking. "I'm okay!" They both called out, before the sound of running water could be heard.


"Those two boys..." Guilmon shook his head, rubbing his forehead a bit before he began grabbing the dinner plates and taking care of washing them.


After they had finished getting cleaned in the bath, the two dragon types pounced onto their respective beds. Nova curled up, getting under the blankets with a giggle. "I am excited to be going to the human world...but I'll miss you."


"Yeah well, you just remember your promise. Otherwise I'll have to come down there and drag you back against your will." Shade pointed out, grinning wide.


"Hey Shade?" He rolled over, looking his brother in the eyes, cuddling up under his sheets. "I'm sorry if we sort of sprang this on you."


Shade sighed, pulling out of bed and actually began tucking Nova into his bedding. "I guess in some way I already knew. I should have known when I spotted you reading some of mother's books. Just promise me you won't forget us."


seven days later, the trio of Guilmon stood infront of the house. A backpack over Nova's already haunched back. His father carefully handing him what looked to be a D3 modeled digivice. "That's for your tamer. Make sure you choose wisely, the deed cannot be undone."


Shade walked over, handing Nova what looked like a mirror and grinned. "I...made this for you with Father's help...It'll be easy to get TO the human world, but coming back will be a problem. This mirror will give you everything you need to make it back to this world. Just remember to keep training under the light."


Carefully, Nova took the mirror and digivice, carefully placing them in his bag. "I won't forget everything you guys did for me." He bumped paws with Shade, before grasping his forearm. "And I won't forget my promise. You'll see."


With a flick of his wrist, Guilmon opened a portal for the human world just as he'd promised Nova, and watched with a mix of pride and sadness as his son stepped through it.

---

RD's eyes narrowed as they talked about this "Ok but erm......who did you pick? Is that the ninth person who's supposed to be here?"


Fang's eyes went wide, going through the motion in his head before cringing "Wait...M-mom is the ninth digidestined?!"


RD blinked as he turned his head "Mom? You mean Max's mom?" RD knew that Fang considered himself and Max brothers but he was still unfamiliar with how Fang perceived Max's parents. Not having understood their complicated relationship, or having been around when Fang explained their unusual circumstances.


Growlmon nodded a few times, chuckling "Even despite having been taken away from us you still consider her your mother huh? Well yeah. I was smitten with her when I first met her. We went out for the first year, while I was trying to figure out what and who I wanted to be. I had no ring to propose to her with at the time, having been what I am that wouldn't be possible. So in a symbol of our love I chose her as my tamer."


RD smiled "Love crosses over several barriers" RD nodded as he thought "I remember quite clearly several love stories involving humans and dragons" RD blinked as he blushed


Nova nodded, smiling "You don't need fancy jewelry or a ring to pronounce your love. To us, the digivice was the sign of our engagement. I'm sure you could imagine Shade...or even father's surprise when I told them of my decision."


RD was still stuffing his face but swallowed "Considering that most fanfic writers have the digidestines falling in love with their digimon I wouldn't say this is too far-fetched, but how did they react?"


Nova nodded in agreement, chuckling "It sounds like a cheesy fanfic story but it's how things happened...For the most part...when we first met I didn't know how to react. I was like a puppy, carefully examining this young lady. It took me at least two months to gather the courage to talk to her...as for how they reacted. Shade was more than a little dissapointed but he took every opportunity to tease me on it."


RD rolled his eyes "Good lord I can only imagine that he never let you live it down"


Nova nodded, snickering "Oh believe me...we got in our fair share of fights. Though Shade was a part of Guilmon he and I were still considered brothers. Where I had to work my butt off he already had father's years of experience under his belt."


Fang clapped his paws together "So then the mirror we used in the cave!" he started

Nova nodded "Was the very same mirror that Shade had created so that I could travel to and from both worlds. When you and Max were born I left it hidden in the union cave just in case you boys ever needed it."


RD looked puzzled, then scratched his head. "Jesse, Kiya and myself hitched a ride with Scav who used his own powers to bring us here. So then this mirror is the only legitimate way for anybody in the other world to get into this one without forcing a portal open."


Nova took a deep breath as he relaxed. "Believe it or not it was a work of genius on Shade's part. He worked with our dad to create that mirror. While it may have been our father that created the link. Shade was the one who came up with the design. He may seem cruel at times, but you can't fault him for that."


Chaos nodded with a grumble. "He's a being born from darkness...or rather your father's darkness. I can understand his feelings in that respect."


RD swallowed another piece of food and winced. "Hold on now...Even if the two of you came from another's body, you're still you. I thought Max told you that several times already."


Chaos nodded "We know that. But believe me it takes awhile to get used to that idea. For the longest time I wanted to be back with Max. Light and darkness together. And I bet that Triceramon...erm...Shade felt much the same way when he found out."

Fang rubbed his chin "that aside...erm...if mom IS a digidestined why isn't she here?"


"That would be awkward wouldn't it?" RD asked before freezing when he realized what he was implying "Not that you can't bring your parents to digiworld especially if they were familiar with it" Poor RD just get digging himself deeper with every sentence while at the same time trying to take back his words to make them sound less insulting then finally stopped and stuffed a piece of food in his mouth, which he promptly began choking on.


Callismon winced, trying to give RD the heimlich, Nova shook his head a few times. "It might be awkward to say the least, regardless she won't be coming. Our digivice isn't like your standard build...and I can access digivolution through our connection as cheesy as it sounds. But I thought that it should be known that...she does have the power to come here if it comes to extremes."


Callismon managed to get the piece of food dislodged from RD's throat, which went flying and splattered against one of the walls, ick. he immediately used his light energy to clean up the mess.


Nova snickers a bit. Watching RD clean up his own mess "You and Blade are going to have a close match tomorrow, you'll be the first ones up. Just remember whoever wins...one of you or Max needs to meet the knights."


RD smirked, nodding in agreement as he finished off what was left. "I just hope we can make it to the royal knights....ONE OF US needs to make it to them, and if one of us does it shouldn't be hard for the rest of us to follow"


Blade nodded, uncrossing his arms and holding out a finger "All we need is one of us. we have a three out of four chance." He held a claw toward RD "I'm going back to my hotel room. Tomorrow I expect your very best."


RD snickered, holding out a paw "Don't expect anything easy at all got me?"


Blade grinned wide "I expect no less. And you shouldn't from me either."


Fang cringed, watching Blade walk out "Hey before you go...what's that mark on your shoulder..."


Blade looked to his shoulder, grinning as he gave it a poke "It's the crest of light...it's the mark of proof that the original guardian of the west has selected you to be his potential successor."


["I don't have the power of light at my disposal. Not like you guys, but my spirit is pure enough. This crest is proof of my innocence." With that he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.


"what a stick in the mud..." Coronamon mumbled, rolling his eyes "Why's he always gotta be so darn serious all the time!"


"Maybe because he's setting up to accept the crest of light?" RD asked as he shrugged "But honestly I don't think any of the other digidestines were all that serious....."


Nova shook his head, sighing "Likely the former. The mark of light on his shoulder is very unique...while it's a symbol of his worthiness. It's also a symbol of his purity. If it dissapears, then he's losing himself. But occasionally, every now and then the mark will test him, from what Smithy's told me, if he takes on too much, or over stresses himself the mark will force him to his knees, acting like a weight to keep him from overexerting himself."


"So it's like a restraining bolt or something? Because if it can become that heavy that's some serious power there" RD said thinking about it. Wondering what could be so powerful to put such a restraint on Blade's body.


Nova nodded a few times "Victorygreymon's power is nothing to shrug about. Last time Blade encountered him, it nearly forced him into deletion. That Mark was the best his body could cope with."


Wow so just his presence is powerful yikes" RD blinked not even being able to imagine something so powerful. And he was well informed on the Greymon species yet this was completely foreign to him.


Nova nodded in agreement "Well...he was the original guardian, back during the earliest days of the digital world. Back then there were two powerhouses next to the four high lords... VictoryGreymon and ZeedGarurumon. They were ancient and powerful digimon, commanding great respect and warriors under their command. while Victorygreymon's shrine had been demolished almost a decade ago...Zeed's still stands underneath the tournament grounds."


This new bit of digital world history caught him by surprise. Two digimon that could even make the lords of the land step back. He had to wonder what the world would be like now if they were here to see the darkness spread.


Nova nodded "Maybe after your next round I'll take you down to his chambers. Unlike the East, we don't frequently take digimon down for the mark of approval. You might be worthy of his mark. Whereas Victorygreymon hands the mark of light, Zeed bestows the crest of friendship."


RD shook his head "I have to decline. Fang might be more worthy due to his lineage."


Nova laughed, shrugging his shoulders "Well...then I'll take him down there then. For now...I think it's time we all get some rest. You have a big match tomorrow, and I'd rather you both be at your best."


"Alright then and thank you callismon for the food" RD smiled, thanking Callismon for the food and pouncing on one of the beds.


Callismon snickered a bit "I promised it to you before putting you in your pod. For now rest well, I'll keep guard outside of the room."


Just as Callismon was stepping toward the door, he looked at Nova and muttered. "You neglected to mention what happened to the digital world during their reign."


Nova shook his head, turning to face Callismon and growled low. "It's not my tale to tell. ZeedGarurumon can explain if he chooses one of them as his vessel."


"Do you think Blade has what it takes?" Callismon asked, grumbling as he started turning the knob.


"You want my honest answer? I think he's come a long way since he first encountered Victorygreymon in his shrine. His body can more readily accept Victorygreymon's blessing and power. As for Fang when it comes to Zeed...that depends on a variety of factors. But we'll have to see."


(To be continued)