Note: Okay, I guess I lied. For those of you who care less about Season 3 (Tamers) or have yet to even look at it, here are the name meanings behind my made-up Digimon:

Kinhamon – kin (gold), hachuu (reptile)
Warudramon – ijiwaru (ill-tempered)
Shashumon – shashu (archer)
Iromon – iro (color)
Rokushoumon – rokushou (copper rust)
Dekimon – deki (smart)
Oburamon – obura (oblate)

It took a few seconds before the kids readjusted to whatever light permeated into the laboratory. Ding didn't like the blank looks in their eyes, so she responsibly helped each one step out of his or her pod. "You kids okay? Were the screens too bright?"

"Mmmm," Kouji mumbled.

"Huh?" Takuya wondered, "How'd I get back here? What day is it?"

"Get back?" Ding continued, perplexed, "Day? Why, you've been here the entire time for only an hour."

The group jolted. "An hour?" they chorused.

"Uh, yeah. Don't you remember? I told you I'd record yer play data. Gotta hand it to you, I've never seen anyone zip through something like this so quickly. Not that I've played myself, but it usually takes nearly half a day. Anyways, you beat Matrix and won. Wanna see yer scores?"

"Er, thanks anyway, but I could use some fresh air," Tomoki said, "I've had enough of video games to last me the entire trip."

"Yeah," the older kids agreed.

"Very well, then," Ding concluded as they departed, "Come by any time!"

Everyone shielded their faces from brighter lights as they stepped back into the ship's main hallway once again. No one really cared that they'd apparently been gone slightly longer from the Real World's POV: seconds exchanged for an hour. Whatever the case, they'd probably never get used to it no matter what. Upcoming questions didn't help much either. Did a pair of reptilian Digimon spirits really summon them back to help fight against a new threat named Matrixmon? Were Valese and Nimiya Ishiwatari real living people or lost ghosts? And what of all those supposed 'other' Digital Worlds'? Wanting not to draw attention, the kids solicited behind the same potted plants Kouji, Junpei, and Kouichi previously used as cover and quietly contemplated the matter. "What's anyone think?" Junpei started.

"Well, you got me," Izumi said, "Either I bumped my head and passed out back there, or I fell asleep. But I could swear I saw me and Takuya fight off a different Velgemon after falling down a pit. Not to mention we also discovered a hidden Gekomon village."

"No way!" Kouichi chimed, "I dreamt the same thing! Except, Tomoki and I grabbed onto the side quickly."

"That's right," Tomoki confirmed.

"So what's the conclusion?" Kouji wondered, "Did we go back or what?"

"Good question," Takuya said, putting his hands into his pockets. Feeling something that hadn't been there before, the leader jolted at what he withdrew from his right pocket: his D-Tector. The others immediately followed suit and received the same shock. Well, well! Everything they'd done up until now – meeting the robotic Digimon soldiers, being rescued by Kinhamon and Iromon, making the sisters' acquaintance, cooking scrumptious burgers, riding in a space ship, defeating Oburamon – had all been real. As the D-Tectors buzzed, the group huddled together so nobody else saw and received wonderful news. Each screen panned along various images: the Great Angels restored to power, overshadowed by the Legendary Warriors; the worlds destroyed by Matrixmon, up and running without any kind of oppression; Bokomon and Neemon standing at the Fire Terminal once more; and a scene on the aforementioned reptile world.

Iguanamon, BlackIguanamon, IronIguanamon, and Rokushoumon amused themselves with a Bernoulli ball. However, the quartet's newfound friendship didn't surprise the kids as much as the planetary surrounding. Various panned images expressed techno-organic plants and buildings. Why, one even showed a building actually growing from a seed! Surprise soon turned into thoughtfulness. "Huh," Junpei said, "How about that." And with that, the D-Tectors disappeared into thin air. The kids need no longer stay clumped together.

"Well, that answers that," Izumi stated.

"But wait a second," Kouji realized, "That also means…"

"Valese," Tomoki said, "Nimiya. They really are…" Gloom instantly replaced all cheeriness. Indeed, while everything was alright in the Digital Universe, nobody could change the fact that the sisters died making it possible. Now the trip felt emptier than ever. That meant only one task remaining.

"C'mon," Kouichi coached, "Let's go mourn them on the back decks." So the group trudged on towards the nearest staircase, their eyes unwittingly darting towards a candy shop. They stopped in more surprise at the sight of two familiar customers: the Ishiwatari sisters! Of course, neither girl returned the glance just yet. Stepping out, Nimiya licked a tiny chocolate ball while Valese contended with huckleberry gummy candy.

"Y'know, Valese, dark chocolate's got a real buttery taste to it."

"Of course. That's the way they make it." Even more surprised, the siblings halted as they made eye contact with the others. "Friends? Is that really you?"

"Never expected to meet you on the ship."

"Yeah, we were thinking the same things," Takuya said. All eight walked back towards the plants to keep the shop doorway open and discuss things privately. "I don't get it. We saw you die before our very eyes."

"Remember seeing a bright flash after Matrixmon crumbled?" Nimiya said, receiving nodding heads for an answer, "Well, it turned time back to the point before the two of us became digidestined. Our D-Tectors are back with Ophanimon, and our Digimon spirits have physical form to enjoy their beautiful friendship with former enemies. And, being true heroes brought us back to life, like gaining a 1-UP in a video game."

"No more scars, either!" Valese added, turning around to show the back of her back. Nimiya followed suit by holding up her right hand.

"That's good to know," Izumi said, "All is well with yer parents, I take it?"

"Yep. While you tended to Kouichi in the hospital, Nimiya and I confronted our parents like we should've done a long time ago. Ever since then, things have looked up. Counseling saved the Ishiwatari family dignity."

"Excellent," Tomoki said, "What say we all go swimming to celebrate?"

"Yeah!" the others chorused.

"Wait a minute," Kouichi remembered, "Two more questions. Firstly, how come you didn't express Fractal Code after turning back into humans on MetalTyrannomon's home?"

"Same reason why Kazemon learned Italian from Izumi," Nimiya answered, "Digimon spirits share characteristics of whomever they possess. Actually, vice versa for us. Those four certain Rookies don't give off Fractal Code when dealt heavy damage, and so neither did we."

"I guess that makes sense," Kouji decided, "Next question: Why didn't yer D-Tectors shatter after the way you hurt Matrixmon and then her digivolution Oburamon?"

"Because you, me, Takuya, and Nimiya all have special D-Tectors that can't be destroyed so easily no matter how corrupt the internal or external forces," Valese added, "At least that's the best I can come up with." Shrugging, the kids left the main hall and went outside for soaking wet enjoyment.

Two nights later, Takuya stood all alone above the bridge doing some thinking. Junpei, Tomoki, and the brothers had earlier instructed him to meet there at around 7:30 PM, but they hadn't shown up yet. With everyone's digital duties finished, the other three older boys continued their scheme in getting the gogglehead and Izumi together by importing Valese and Nimiya's help. The sisters had Izumi practice long and hard while the four boys contended with Takuya. Evaluating his feelings even now, memories filled his mind like they did hers.

True, Takuya didn't think much of Izumi's attitude at first. She came off as some bossy individual blinded by ideas that the world always revolved around her only to show a different side later on. But despite the slapping and disagreements, he still admired her rigidity; Izumi really knew where she was going. All of a sudden, the night reminded Takuya of a non-reality memory but a memory nonetheless: his dream date.

Flashback

It was the time EmperorGreymon and MagnaGarurumon made their stage debut to fight an empowered Cherubimon. Tomoki, Patamon, Bokomon and Izumi shared offers amongst Kouji and Takuya if they won. The young boy promised a big kiss (A/N: LOL! Awww.); the former angel said he'd make them food; Bokomon claimed he'd knit them matching haramaki; and the only (at least, back then) female digidestined offered a date. Flying towards Cherubimon, inside EmperorGreymon, Takuya dreamt he and Izumi did date in the park. The boy rested on her lap while she sat up against a tree to better support his neck. Slight amnesia accompanied his groaning awakening. "This is..."

"You woke up," Izumi stated.

Still sleepy Takuya shaded his eyes from the bright sunlight and groaned again. "I…?"

"You're half asleep, eh? We can finally have some fun. We're in the middle of our all-day date."

"Oh, yeah. We won."

"You did your best, right, Takuya?"

"Idiots!" Kouji yelled, wildly pursued by everyone else but Kouichi, "Stop that!" At the same time, his twin brother calmly sat on a bench not far away from the laughing future sweethearts.

"Kouji's safe, eh..."

"He doesn't seem tired," Izumi commented, "You did a lot, so why not rest a little more?"

"Yeah, you're right... They seem to be full of energy. I think I'll sleep for a little bit more." As Takuya closed his eyes again, an explosion ruined both the nap and the moment.

End Flashback

Takuya had to giggle himself at another memory more silly than falling down that hole while searching out Tomoki and Junpei: nearly informing Izumi he liked her as more than a friend while searching for that key in Ophanimon's castle. Now the pair's personal moment of truth was finally at hand. The guys are right, he thought while adjusting his hat and goggles, I'm finding Izumi and telling her my feelings if it's the last thing I ever do. But he jolted at turning around and suddenly meeting the other boys face to face. "Nyah-ah!"

"Hey, Takuya," Tomoki greeted, "No need to be so jumpy."

"Right. What took you so long?"

"Nothing much," Junpei replied, "C'mon, let's go eat."

"Eat?"

"Yeah."

"You mean eat, as in all of us together?"

"Obviously," Kouichi added.

"What of mine and Izumi's date?"

"Worry about that later," Kouji said, "C'mon, the girls are waiting." Takuya's thoughts swam while walking down off the bridge and towards a certain restaurant. The brothers and Junpei chose a simple one open late hours and offering complimentary meals. Time appeared to have passed by pretty quickly as the boys joined Nimiya, Valese, and Izumi at the door. Few other faces crowded the restaurant. Little else stirred besides the kids gathering up food and beverages. But seating arrangements typically unleashed the plan's full force.

"If you don't mind, the rest of us are just gonna feast outside," Nimiya informed, "Come along, Valese. Tomoki." The trio then chose a table for six far enough to give Takuya and Izumi privacy but right in front of the restaurant.

"Izumi, like Kouji said before, Takuya's got something ta tell you," Junpei concluded before he and the brothers joined the others. Almost paralyzed with nervousness, the pair looked around for a decent enough table to sit at and instantly decided on one next to a window. Both needed to eat first in order to gain speaking confidence. Confessions began halfway through the meal.

"So, Takuya. You wanted to tell me something?" Please say you feel the same, she thought.

"Oh yeah. Izumi, remember that one night in Ophanimon's castle, when it was just the two of us downstairs?"

"Without a doubt. Who could forget?"

"Well, I almost lied to you back then."

"Whadda you mean?"

"Alright, so I wouldn't call it a lie. I mean I did like you as more than a friend and still do. Let's face it: When we first met on that Trailmon, you became the first girl to actually put me in a trance. Whatever it is, you've got something a boy has to admire. I just wasn't ready to admit it back then. Of course, I understand if you don't feel the same way."

Izumi stared somewhat wide-eyed for ten seconds before surprising Takuya. Some of his lines sounded peculiarly familiar. "Well, Takuya, I can only say how shocked I am right now."

"Why? Don't tell me I offended you."

"Hardly. Those're the same words and things I've thought about you. Yeah, I didn't understand it myself at first, but I do feel the same way."

"You mean it?"

"Uh huh. In fact, I'm also jealous that you got up enough guts to make a premature confession while I stayed silent all this time."

"Eh, that's okay." Glancing out the window, the pair exchanged thumbs-up with the other six. Kouji, Junpei, Tomoki, Kouichi, Valese, and Nimiya had a good idea of their success whether or not they heard everything. Takuya and Izumi then immediately faced each other again, forgetting about the rest of the world. "So now that we've confessed, where's that currently leave us?"

"I think it'll work out just fine. Who knows, maybe we'll also be able to go on a date sometime during this vacation or when we get home."

"This is a date. Er, if you want it to be." Seeing Takuya's bright face, Izumi knew that it was. The pair lifted up their glasses of orange juice for a toast and drank away.

"Yeah. You're absolutely right."

The End