The Ring of Despair
by Kyra (and the WONDERFUL creators of Digimon, of course!)

The entire group of Digidestines were resting in a clearing. Izzy was typing away on his computer, Joe, Mimi, Kari, TK, and the Digimon were eating, and Sora was trying to break up a fight between Tai and Matt. Key word there: trying.

Look Matt! Just because you think it's a good idea to do whatever it is that you want to do, it dosn't mean that we should! Tai shouted, glaring at Matt.

Well, excuse me, Mr. Perfect, I just want to make sure that Mioytismon isn't planning to attack! Matt snarled back, Yeah, sure, with your plan we all just wait for him to come and kill us!

What's wrong with resting?

What's wrong with being safe?

Sora stepped in, C'mon guys, be reasonable. Let's rest for awhile, and then lets check out the place. Okay?

Both boys, arms crossed and backs turned to eachother, nodded stiffly.

Sora said, Now, why don't you get something to eat. I'm starved, to say so myself. Sora walked off, and both Tai and Matt followed her.

So, what are we going to do? Joe asked.

Izzy said, We heard you guys, um, discussing it.

We are going to scope this place out after lunch. Tai said, frowning, Matt thinks that Mioytismon is going to come back. The sarcasm on Tai's voice was impossible to miss.

He might! Matt said defensivly, clenching his fists.

Guys, guys. Joe said, Look, let's not get all mad at eachother. Sure, after lunch we'll look around.

But my feet hurt! Mimi complained.

Izzy rolled his eyes, Be quiet Mimi, please?

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After lunch, everyone split up. Tai, Sora, Kari, Joe and their Digimon partners went one way, and Matt, TK, Mimi, Izzy and their Digimon partners went the other way. Obviously, Tai and Matt couldn't stand being near eachother, so they had set out as quick as they could away from eachother.

Slow down, Matt! TK said, running alongside his older brother. Matt had run away from the campsite like it was on fire, and, to say so at least, the others didn't really care for that.

Why are you running, Matt? Gabumon asked, shuffling to Matt's side.

I just...want to get...away...from that concided...jerk...as fast...as I could. Matt gasped.

You know, you guys get into way too many fights. Tentomon added.

Put a sock in it Tentomon. Matt said simply.

What's a sock?

Matt sighed, Just please, be quiet.

Tentomon stopped talking. Matt sat for awhile with his head in his hands, thinking. TK, Mimi, Palmon, Tentomon, and Patamon rested, falling asleep, despite the fact that they were supposed to be searching around the place.

Um, shouldn't we be examing our surroundings? Izzy asked, raising an eyebrow.

Go ahead, Izzy. Matt muttered, We'll follow you later.

After considering, Izzy walked around in the trees, trying to figure out if there was any point in doing so. Their Digimon friends had already pointed out the good foods, and it wasn't as if there were people around.

Izzy frowned. He had just seen a very odd looking stone. On the stone was a small indention of a hand print. Curious, Izzy knelt down and examined it. It looked like it was a fairly old rock, yet the hand was so precise and exact that it was hard to believe that it was old.

Izzy pulled out his labtop and clicked it on. Thankfully, he had recharged his batteries in the real world. He logged on-line, which was yet another advantedge that having a cross to the real world had.
Izzy went to research stones, but once he had gotten to the web site, he suddenly didn't want to do research. Picking up the stone, he once again examined the indention of the hand print. Slowly, Izzy pressed his right hand in the print, wondering if it meant anything.

The trees whirling...

A sudden flash of light...

...and then darkness.

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Tai was furious. Walking away from the others, he examined' his surroundings. Actually, all he did was kick a few rocks around, but he was so angry that he didn't care.

Tai, are you okay? Sora said, coming up behind him.

No, I'm not, Tai answered, Matt is a total jerk. I swear, he only disagrees with me to disagree with me!

Well, you two do have a lot of fights. Sora replied.

Agumon said.

It's just that, his excuse is that he's stressed from having to watch TK. Well, I have to watch Kari, don't I? Tai said, clenching his fists.

Sora sighed, Look Tai. I'm not going to take sides. But you and Matt are both equally guilty for fighting, and it's bringing the group down. We can't get anything done if we're mad at eachother.

Yeah, I know, Tai admitted, But sometimes he makes me so mad!

Well, why don't you say that you're sorry? Sora said, C'mon, it's been almost an hour, we should head back.

Their group headed back toward the camp site, where they found no one. After another hour, they started to get worried and went out looking for then. Soon, the group found the other group asleep.

Oh, yeah, great searching. Tai said sarcastically when he saw them.

WAKE UP! Gomamon shouted. The sleeping kids jerked awake as Gomamon laughed hystarically.

Ugh...what was that for? Mimi asked.

Why did you do that, Gomamon? Patamon said.
A simple shake on the sholder would have sufficed, Tentomon added. Gomamon was laughing to hard to answer them.

Why were you guys sleeping? Tai asked, Weren't you going to look around?

Look, I ran off and accidentally fell asleep, your Majesty, excuse me! Matt replied, glaring at Tai. It seemed like another full blown fight was on the way when Sora, yet again stepped in.

Stop it! she yelled. The boys stared at her in amazment as she continued, Now, say you're sorry. Both of you.

both boys almost inaudibly mumbled, making it obvious that they didn't mean it.

Sora sighed. Then, she glanced around and realized that one person was missing, Hey, where's Izzy?

Yeah, wasn't he with you guys? Gatomon said.

I think he went that way, Matt said, pointing towards a group of trees, He was looking around.

Like you were supposed to. Tai muttered.

Well, let's find him, and get back to camp, I'm tired. Mimi said.

Me too. Kari agreed.

Instantly, the group walked into the trees. After walking a bit, and calling Izzy's name, they sumbled across something. It was Izzy's labtop!

Izzy's labtop was sitting open by a small tree, and by where a small stream was running. The carrying case for the labtop was underneath it, holding the digital camera and the small cell phone. It looked like Izzy had searched around for awhile, and then decided to sit down and work on his computer again. All of Izzy's stuff was there.

But Izzy wasn't.

Part Two coming...as soon as I get off my butt and finish it! I think that this fic is going to be kewl, I have so many kewl ideas for it! Yipee!