Tai marched through the beautiful landscape with nothing entering his mind but his mission. He was surrounded by lush greenery and exotic landscape that could not be found on Earth. However he paid them no mind they were nothing more then distractions to him. His mind saw only the beautiful red headed angel, his darling sister and his princess friend in the clutches of their demonic captor. The thought drove him forward even though his body felt like breaking. His two Digimon companions walked obediently behind him but not a word was said between them. The only sound that could be heard was the constant trotting of feet and the gentle rustle of the wind. The two could sense the tension that Tai was emitting but didn’t know how to break it. Byomon finally attempted to break the silence.

“So Tai I noticed you and Sora fighting. Did something happen between the two of you?” Byomon asked gently.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Tai stated firmly.

“But Tai we are your friends and you can always talk to us.” Augumon stated.

“Well too bad I’m not talking to you.”

“I think I see the problem here.” Augumon whispered to Byomon.

Tai heard his comment and glared at Augumon. Tai truly hated being insulted. Part of him wanted to beat Augumon senseless to teach him respect for his master. He looked deeply into Augumon’s deep green eyes. They were full of the same innocent light that they had when he was a child. Tai almost envied him for he was untouched by the despair and evils of the world. Not only that but he stuck by Tai no matter what happened. He could not turn his back on him.

“Listen I’m sorry guys it’s just been a rough time for me and having to think about Sora is really hard. I’d just rather just move on and focus on our mission. Just forget about everything else.” Tai said softly.

“So you are afraid.” Augumon stated.

“How could you possibly imply that? Courage is literally my defining attribute. I’ve battled monsters and I’ve even faced death so often that it doesn’t scare me anymore. I don’t care if I die.” Tai stated with confidence.

“That is not courage but fear. To embrace death is to fear life. You can’t face your reality so you avoid it. I don’t know what happened to you since we last met you have lost your courage. That must be why I can’t digivolve.” Augumon explained

Tai lowered his head. He knew Augumon’s words were the truth. He feared facing Sora so he ran away from her even though it broke his heart. Since then he had done everything to try and escaping his pain instead of facing it head on as he once would. It was the same as when he caused Kari’s hospitalization as a child. He could not outrun the past it would always tear into his mind like an insect. He had to stop running and face the harder path. The only question remaining was; is he strong enough? Tai didn’t know the answer. He thought of Sora’s smiling face and it sent the familiar sensation of love and pain. Tai fell to his knees and began to shed tears. A small clawed hand and a small wing touched his shoulders. The two Digimon stood by his side.

“Tai I know how it is when the person you care about the most leaves you but you know what sometimes they come back.” Augumon said with a smile on his face.

Tai smiled too. Tai reached out and wrapped his arms around him. Even after all these years Augumon had never gave up on him even if Tai had. Tai turned to Byomon who shed a few tears of her own. Tai reached out and put his hands on her shoulders as she had done to him.

“We are going to find Sora and bring her back. I promise you on everything I have.” Tai said softly.

Byomon nodded and smiled. Tai rose back to his feet and began walking with a new fire in his heart. He would never give up on Sora no matter what. He didn’t care if it was as a friend or a lover he would rush to her rescue. The three continued to march on however none of them could escape the fact that they had no clue where to start. Apocalymon could have taken them absolutely anywhere and every second felt like days to them. Tai was drenched in sweat as he looked at the red setting sun. He chased after it as though it was the red hair of his love. He began running after it but he could not match its celestial speed. The sun disappeared behind the mountains and a soft darkness began spreading over the land. Tai fell to his knees once again and began screaming into the night.

“Please give her back to me! I just want to see her face one more time. Just give her back please.” Tai said as he broke into tears.

A soft voice sounded over the wind.

“Tai.” The voice said faintly.

Tai stopped crying and listened. He believed it was only his desperate imagination but the voice sounded again closer this time. Tai followed its source. He saw Sora limping through the bushes. What remained of her white dress clung to her nearly naked body. She was badly bruised and cut with her wounds still leaking blood everywhere. Despite all of this the mere site of her bought happiness to his heart. He ran over to her completely forgetting about his exhaustion. As soon as he arrived Sora fell into his strong arms. Tai looked down at her semi conscious body and the state of her well being hit him at last.

“Guys she is hurt really bad. Augumon start a fire now! Byomon go and grab some water from the lake over there and hurry!” Tai yelled.

“Right” the two Digimon said in unison. Augumon grabbed some twigs and used his pepper breath to start a small fire. Tai carried her over to the fire and lay her down with her head on his lap. Byomon flew over with her beak full of water. Tai opened Sora’s mouth and Byomon spit the water down Sora’s throat sending her back into consciousness. Sora began coughing and panting. Tai rubbed her hair gently.

“It’s ok try and relax you are safe now.” Tai said soothingly.

Sora let out a small pant and smiled up at Tai. Byomon rushed over and gave Sora a small hug. Sora returned the hug and Byomon flinched at the odd sensation of her contact.

“I thought that I was never going to see you again.” Byomon said crying into Sora’s bosom.

“It’s ok I’m fine. I could use some more water and food though.” Sora said with a smile on her face.

“We can take care of that.” Byomon said cheerfully.

The two Digimon walked away leaving Tai and Sora alone. Tai examined Sora’s torn body.

“My god what did they do to you?” Tai asked in fear.

“Oh god what didn’t they do to me? He toured me for what felt like weeks. I have no idea how long I was down there but all I know is I never want to go back.” Sora said with fear in her eyes.

“How did you escape?”

Sora lowered her head in shame.

“He let me go.