Digimon: Taking a Vacation
Part 1
I woke up and looked at the clock. It was 11 am and I knew work today was going to be hard. I pulled myself out of the bed and looked around my room. Everything was still the same. Same old same old everyday. Nothing was interesting anymore. TV was boring, everything seemed fake. I walked over to my desk and saw a pile of letters. More requests and questions about what I can do and what exactly happened. I was sick of it all. Four months of non-stop interviews and reporters. I'd seen Davy twice, we appeared on a TV show together and then the second time I saw him was on Saturday Night Live. They got Davy, Liana and me to host the show. That was the only time I'd seen Liana. Natalie had become pretty famous in magazines and stuff like that. Valerie I tried to see whenever I could but, I only saw her once while were hosted TRL together. We all had non-stop lives ever since we had all gone home. The day after I got home when I woke up, there was 46 messages on my answering machine, my email had filled to it's 6K limit, my special Yahoo! email that had 25K was also filled. And, there was reporters pounding on the front and back doors to my house. My mom started to let them inside and they barged into my room. I was still in my bed, resting and thinking about everything. I had changed my phone and emails at least a dozen times, but they always found out the new ones. The five of us were portrayed more as celebrities, and hardly portrayed as heroes. I, didn't want to be portrayed as anything but a normal kid. That's why I took a job. Everything was being handed to me. I literally got at least 50 packages a week from people. Letters said stuff about a girl wanting to be with me and stuff like that. I had naked pictures of hundreds of girls in the garbage. People were pathetic. Four months ago, if this happened, I would have acted completely different to this lifestyle. But, I was this huge celebrity who had no life of his own. I had thought I would get a normal life back when we stopped the Digimon. But, I thought wrong. When I got back to school for the last month of school, my grades turned around. I was suddenly the best student in every class I took. I skipped classes and acted like a jerk when I did go to classes and I pulled A's in every class. That just made me more famous. I had actually taken two jobs, but the first one was terrible. I applied and I was hired right on the spot. The owner said, "You'll be making 15 an hour okay? All you have to do is sit in that chair over there." I was hired as a tourist attraction. I quit after the first two minutes. I took a job at a lakeside shop. I pumped gas for boats. I was treated like an actual person. A nobody. I loved it. I worked weekends and after school. It took up my time so, I couldn't go on the news or talk shows or radio. I had the closest thing to a real life I was going to get. I got interested in soccer recently because of friends and we always played small games after work. I was thinking of trying out for the team at school, but I knew they would make me center for the team in a second. It wasn't fair. Kids at school who thought I was a little "prick" as they had put it before, suddenly wanted to be my best friends. And kids who used to be my friends paraded around saying, "Yeah! We're best friends. He's so cool, but he learned all the cool things he does from me."
I stepped out of my room and bumped into someone.
"Get the hell out of my house. I don't have time for an interview." I said as I slid around the guy.
"Cody, I'm not a reporter." He said following me through the house.
"I don't need an agent. I have three." I said as I walked into the bathroom and slammed the door behind me.
"I'm your father." I opened the door and spit in his face.
"Get the hell out of the house now. You're the last person I wanted to see. I'd rather have seen reporters." I slammed the door again.
"Cody, I want to spend some time with you. Get to know you."
I shouted from the other room. "No, you want to be seen with a hero and celebrity. The only thing you want to spend is my money. Well, have fun with it. I don't have it. I give all my money to Natalie so she can have a lasting career. The rest I save for college. Even though I'll probably be given a scholarship to Yale."
"Wow. An entire scholarship to Yale. You must be brilliant!"
"Get out and get a life. I'm not smart. They just give me everything I need because I'm a hero. I hate it. I'm paraded around like a god, not a hero. Now, get out before I use my cell to call the cops." He heard footsteps and the front door slamming. That was the third guy this week alone saying that he was my dad. "Yeah.... good morning..." I said as I turned the shower on and climbed in.
* * *
I got out of the shower when my cell rang. I hopped out, soaking wet. I flipped it on and held it to my ear.
"Yeah, hello?"
"Cody? I don't think you should come to work today." My boss said, her voice a little stressed.
"Why?" I asked, worried.
"Well, there are a bunch of reporters here wanting to talk to you. I can only hold them here so long before they go to your house. I think you should um.. take a day off. You know, get out of the house?" That was a signal for me to get out of the house very quick. Last time she used that, the store was ransacked by a mob trying to find me. Then, they came to my house and smashed and stole everything. Not that I cared, it was all replaced with newer and better stuff as soon as I left the house.
"Okay. Thanks for the heads up. Be careful. Bye."
"You're the one that needs to be careful. Take care." The line clicked and I turned the phone off. I ran to my room and got dressed. I threw on a pair of beige khakis and a beige shirt. I grabbed my 2-Way and my other cell phone and wallet. I left my room and then ran back in. I looked for it and saw it on my desk. I grabbed it and attached it to my pants. It was my Digivice. I knew that if I left it in my room, it wouldn't be there when I got back. I looked around at the stuff in my room, knowing it wouldn't be there in an hour then, I left. I ran down the street. I went to the pond, where it all began. Where my life started to be out of my hands, out of control. I paused by the trees and looked across the pond. Months ago, this is where it all started. The man named Kenny was across the lake, looking at me. But, now, there was no one. One of the most famous people, and the one the most alone. Kids at school envied me, because I had the choice of any girl I wanted, and I chose to be with someone who was hundreds of miles away. I needed someone to talk to. I pulled my cell out and dialed a number I had memorized. The phone clicked.
"Hello?" The voice on the other end said.
"Hi? Valerie?"
"Oh, hey Cody! Oh, I miss you so much."
"I miss you too. Everything here sucks, I can't even go to work today. A mob is at the store looking to interview me."
"Oh, that sucks. Why don't you come here for a few days? We'll spend some time together, have some fun. Reminise about times from long ago."
"By long ago do you mean four months ago with the Digimon? Or the normal lives we once had?"
"Both. Come on, Cody. We never see each other. The last time we saw each other was on TRL, remember? And that was only for a day, I miss you. I think it's time we told my parents about you, about us. It's been four months."
"Alright. I'll be there soon." I had an idea just then. "How about we have the others come too! Like a big reunion! Davy, Liana, Natalie and the two of us!"
"Cody, I wanted to spend time with just you, no one else. Us time, not group time."
"I want us time too, Valerie. You know how important you are to me. I'm just thinking about the others, all of us have not been together since we split up when we defeated Manticoremon. We'll have us time, I promise. I'm going to call Davy, you call Liana okay?"
"Cody, us. I gave you the idea so we could be together." Her tone was desperate and I felt bad about missing the point of going there. She must think I'm a dumbass for missing her hints about us and just us, I thought. She wants to be with you and no one else around so you two can talk. I continued thinking and kicking myself.
"You're right. I'm sorry. I missed the whole point. I'll call you from the plane okay?"
"Wait, what? You're coming today!?" She was suddenly very excited.
"Well, yeah I thought that's what you meant."
"I did mean that! I'll be waiting. I can't wait to see you. Wait...what about your job?"
"I'll take some vacation time, my boss knows how hectic my life is, she'll understand. I'll be there tonight, okay, Valerie?"
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too." We both hung up at the same time. I tapped the phone a few times with my fingers and then stood and put it in my pocket. I walked to my neighbor's house quickly and knocked on his door. He answered it a few seconds later.
"Oh, hi Cody." He said as he answered the door. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to go into town and get to that small dinky place that the people call an airport. It's important."
"Airport? For what?"
"I have this interview in Dallas tomorrow, my mom will know when I call from the station to let her know about it." Actually I was going to call and tell her I had to take a vacation and hope she didn't flip her lid!
"Oh, Mr. Hero needs a ride into town. I can do that. Let's go."
We entered the small air field and I jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop.
"Thanks!" I yelled and I ran over to the office. But, I was stopped by a big man who looked like he could bust cement by just tapping it.
"Welcome to the Wolfeboro, New Hampshire airfield. All tours, aeiral and tours of the grounds, are conducted between one and six p.m., if you want to speak to someone you must make an appointment by phone." He droned on and on.
"Yeah, shut up. I don't care about tours. I want to charter a plane."
"All planes and helicopters must be reserved one standard month in advance."
"You have no idea who I am, do you?"
"Frankly kid, I don't give a damn. Now, get out of here."
"Wow. I've been looking for someone like you for the past four months!"
"What the hell are you talking about, kid?"
"Don't call me kid. I can't believe you don't know who I am. I'm Cody Siders, hero, martyr, and part time TV host."
He scoffed. "Yeah, you're Cody Siders. I'm the King of England and behind me is my royal court."
"I am sooooo gonna have your ass fired by tomorrow if I don't get a plane in the next five minutes. Go talk to your supervisor, Thorg, and point me out to him or her. They'll know me. If I don't get a plane or helicopter in five minutes, you're gonna need the Classifieds." I shooed him off and he walked into the office. I saw blinds open by a window and saw a finger pointing at me. A second later someones face appeared in the window and he smiled and cheered. After that I heard Thorg yell, "Oh, shit! That really is him!!!!!!!!!!!!" He came running out seconds later with someone behind him.
"Oh, hello Mr. Siders. Pleasure to see you here." He grabbed my hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you. I think you have an aircraft waiting for me?"
"Yessir!" He pointed to the man behind him. "Jim'll be your pilot. Just tell him where to go. Do you prefer helicopter or plane?"
"Plane. Helicopters are too bumpy." We got in the small plane. It wasn't like an airliner, that was for sure! It was a small little jet that could probably hold a little less than a dozen people. We took off twenty minutes later after the plane was fueled and checked out. I stared out the window for awhile. I remembered the first time I flew on Stingmon's back. I was heading out to the same person, but, this time it was for fun. Nobody was depending on me, no Digital World was in need of rescue. I started to think about Valerie. I missed her more than I realized. Knowing that I was going to her, but she was still so far away made me really sad. Back when we were with the Digimon, she came home with me and I opened up to her more than anyone I ever knew. I fell asleep slowly as the plane flew gently towards the girl I loved.
* * *
I woke up and looked around. At first, I didn't know or remember where I was. It was pink and orange outside. I realized that the sun was setting. I remembered that I was on a plane. We were landing. The small airport was getting bigger and bigger as the plane flew closer and closer. I suddenly remembered that I didn't pack anything.
"Shit!" I shouted as I dug into my pockets. I pulled out my two cells and my 2-Way. In my other pocket I had my wallet. I opened it up and browsed through it; three tens, a 20, one five, and eight ones. I had $63 dollars. I flipped through the little pockets and pulled out what I was looking for: my credit card. I wasn't old enough for one, but, I talked my mom into getting one and giving it to me. So, I knew I could get by for a few days. The pilot looked back from the cockpit.
"Anything wrong?" He asked.
"No, I just realized I didn't bring anything. But, never mind. How long till we land?"
"Four minutes. About." I looked out the window and watched.
* * *
I walked along the street. It was a nice looking town. Before when I was in Texas, I was in a crappy ghost town that was about 30 miles away from where I was right now. The town was a clean looking town. A couple walked a dog down the street and they waved to me, I waved back. The street was lined with trees and nice looking houses. I came to one and looked at it. It was a well kept house and lawn. I looked at the number; "45" and saw this was the one I wanted. I walked up the cement walkway and came to the porch. I paused at the door before knocking. I couldn't believe I was actually there. I knocked twice lightly, and then one more time a little harder. I heard footsteps and the locks clicked. The door opened and Valerie was standing there. Her shoulder length black hair was like Yolei's. Her eyes shined with a cheerfulness that couldn't be matched by anything. She wasn't wearing any shoes and her feet looked wet. Her T-Shirt was a little wet in places. She was wearing pajama bottoms and those were wet too.
"Yes?" She asked, and then she saw who I was. "Cody!" She came at me with her arms outstretched. Her arms wrappeped around my neck and my arms went around her waist. Our lips touched lightly and we both smiled.
"Took you a second." I said quietly into her ear. Someone appeared behind her with a squirt gun and shot her in the back.
"Aah! You little punk!" She said, turning around to look.
"MOM! Valerie's kissing!" Her brother, John, screamed into the house.
"So much for us time...." I said as her parents came running to the front door. They stared at me for a second. "Uh.... Hi. I'm Cody."
"Cody as in THE Cody from Valerie's little group of friends who stopped the monsters?" Her dad asked.
"Yep, this is him." Valerie said to them.
"Yep, I'm me."
"Why were you two kissing?" Her mom asked, motioning us into the house.
"Um...Valerie, you can answer that one, right?" I said sheepishly. I felt my face go red.
"They used tounge!" John said squirting my pants.
"Like hell I did!" I said, brushing drops of water off my khakis. "I mean... sorry for the language. You learn alot of words after hosting TRL."
"We did not use tounge that time!" Valerie said.
"What do you mean "That time"?" Her dad asked. This wasn't how I was expecting this to go.
"Mom, dad, Cody and I are together. We've been together since the day we defeated the last monsters. We were going to tell you, that was one of the reasons he came here." Her parents looked at us both skeptically.
"You've had sex, haven't you!?" Her mom cried out as she pointed at us.
"NO!" Valerie and I shouted at the same time.
"Okay, hold on people. Let's not fight, okay? I had hopes of having an adult conversation about this. Can we all go sit down, maybe without Quick-Draw Magraw with us?" I pointed at John as he shot Valerie in the chest and me in the face.
"Run, punk. Run!" Valerie said calmly as John turned and ran out of the room. Valerie quietly counted to three and took off after him. I was left alone with her parents.
"I think she left me on purpose......" I said to myself.
"So, you said an adult conversation?" Her dad said motioning to the living room.
"Yeah, maybe with Valerie too. She's a big part of this." John cried out from the kitchen.
"Take that, Hotshot!" Valerie laughed. I could just picture her in the other room, furiously squeezing the trigger of the squirt gun she stole from John. I knew he was soaked. A few seconds later, Valerie came into the living room and sat next to me on the couch. I think I'll skip the conversation, it had some bad things about me in it, and I'd rather skip it. But, in the end, her parents accepted our relationship.
* * *
I walked into Valerie's bedroom and looked around. There was a bed (duh!), a computer and computer desk, and a dresser with a stereo on top of it.
"Geez, after that conversation, I'm surprised your parents are letting me come up to your room."
"Me, too. But, the good thing is they accept us. Aren't you glad we told them about us? Now, we just have to tell your mom." She said as she closed the door behind her and she hugged me from behind.
"Yeah, I'm glad. It went better than I was expecting. But, I think we'll put off on telling my mom until we get married, have kids and they're in college."
"Was that a proposal?" She asked playfully as she walked over to the stereo and put on a CD.
"I'm 15!" I said in defense.
"You're 15, and you come hundreds of miles to be alone with the girl you love in her bedroom alone with her."
"You're just twisting what's happened. I'm 15!" I said again. "I can't get married! I can't even plan! And, I didn't come here to be alone with you in your room! I didn't even think I'd get in your room, I thought you parents would do something....." I stopped when I saw that she was holding back laughter. "Oh funny joke, Valerie."
"Yeah, it was." She said as she walked over and sat on her bed.
"Your house is so nice. Better than mine is."
"No, it isn't. Your house doesn't have annoying siblings running around." I sat on the chair for the desk.
"No, it just has a mom who thinks her son is a billion different things and an annoying sister."
"I can tell that I'm wanted." She crossed her arms in mock disgust.
"Huh?" I saw that she wanted me to sit next to her. "Oh. Oops sorry. I'm not good at taking hints or commands." I walked over and sat next to her.
"I know that. If you gave up when you were told, Manticoremon would have killed us. Your as bullheaded as Daisuke." She leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Was that a complement or an insult?" I asked jokingly. She was slowly putting more weight on my shoulder and she was pushing me over. "Hey! What are you doing?"
"It was a complement. And I'm trying... to... get you to lay down." She said as she slammed her shoulder against mine. I laid down and she did the same.
"This is going to look nice if your parents walk in!" I said while smiling.
"It's nothing we haven't done before. And, I locked the door, they can't get in."
"I think you've either done this before, or planned this out. Or both!"
"I only planned it out." Valerie said as my cell rang. "Don't get it, please Cody, don't." She pleaded.
"I have to, it could be my mom wondering where I am." I fished into my pocket for the cell and I turned it on. "Hello?"
"Cody!? Is it true you're in Texas?" Natalie said happily.
"How'd you find out?"
"Who is it?" Valerie asked.
"Natalie. She found out I'm here in Texas."
"Yeah! I called Valerie to talk to her, but her mom said she was with a boy named Cody, and I figured that was a big coincedence. How come you didn't tell me?" She sounded hurt. Valerie grabbed the phone from me.
"He didn't tell you 'cause it's me and him time! We'll get together tomorrow, Natalie. Bye." She clicked the phone and tossed it across the room and started to claw through my pockets. I started to wiggle out of the way, but she straddled my chest and pulled out my other cell and 2-Way and tossed them over to the first cell phone.
"Oh, this'll look even better if they come in somehow." I said as she started to tickle me. "hahaha. no haaa haaha! St-op it!"
"Oh, big hero can't handle a girl?" She as she stopped and looked down at me, smiling. "I love you. I'm so glad you're here."
"Me, too. I love you, I've missed having you around." She bent over and kissed me and rolled off me.
"You're such a tease." I said as we both laughed. I put my arm around her.
"Oh this'll look good if my parents walk in." She said, mocking me.
"We're not really doing something with Natalie tomorrow, after you wanted this us time so much, are we?"
"Nope, we'll do it sometime in the few days after."
"How long do you think I'm staying here?" I asked looking at her.
"Long enough."
"Long enough is beyond forever, I can't stay that long." She smiled at me and slapped my stomach.
"Stop those crappy lines of yours. Where'd you get them anyways?"
"Wal-Mart, three for a dollar." I joked. Everything was perfect. I could've stayed forever.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked noticing that I was zoning out and thinking about something.
"I was thinking about how much I missed this, you, and how perfect this all is. And that wasn't a crappy line."
"Oh, you're so sweet." She smiled devilishly. "Let's have sex." She put her hands on my pants, ready to get ready.
"No!" I exclaimed, shocked at what she had said. I grabbed her hands and held them.
"Good job, you passed my test." She was still smiling. "I wanted to see what you would say to that. I just had to be sure about your intentions."
"Wow, I think that was the first test I've ever passed without extra credit!" She rolled over and kissed me passionately on the lips. "Wow, that's alot better than an A+ and a pat on the back!" Her hand brushed against my cheek softly.
"You know it. Good night."
"Wait? I can't sleep in her! Can I? No?" I was confused.
"That test I gave you, was my parents' idea. That's why I was taking a while to get up here. They told me to do that to you, so they could know what you were like. They'll be proud."
"Wow." I was shocked. Her parents trusted me enough to let her do that. "Wow. I'm glad they'll be proud, but that doesn't answer my question."
"They said you could sleep in my room if you passed the test, you did. I'm glad you passed the test. I'd probably've broken up with you if you said yes." I smiled.
"You're lucky I didn't say yes, I'd do anything you wanted me to. But, that time I couldn't do that, it wouldn't have felt right."
"I would've done that anyways, even if my parents hadn't told me to do that. I didn't know if I could trust you."
"Why do I stay with you after that betrayal-ish type act?"
"'Cause I kiss you." She said as her lips brushed lightly on mine.
"Oh yeah, that explains it." I kissed back. "So, it's okay that I stay here, with you, in your room that's locked? Just us?"
"Yeah, but you have to sleep under the bed or in the closet." She said and I gasped. "Joking. I told them really quick what happened with us before, they know we've shared a bed... well, a Stingmon. They'll trust you. I trust you. Good night."
"I love you." She reached over and turned off the lamp and the room was thrown into darkness. She pulled the covers up and went into a sleeping postion I was familar with. Her head was on my shoulder, her arm stretched out over me. Her breath was warm on my neck.
"I love you too." I put my arm over hers and held her hand. I was smiling widely as I closed my eyes. I was actually happy. For the first time since we were done with the Digimon, I was happy.
* * *
Part 2
I woke up as the sunlight came across my eyes. My eyes flickered open slowly.
"Ack!" I said quietly. Valerie moaned beside me.
"Hmmm? What is it?"
"That sun is bright. Turn it off." I groaned. "Good morning. I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No, I've been laying here thinking about us. Did I wake you?"
"No, I woke up because of the sun. What time is it?" I asked sitting up.
"11:30."
"What? Why'd you let me sleep so late?"
"'Cause, I just liked laying there with you." She hugged me tightly, I hugged back.
"Well, let's go. I need to get some clothes. I didn't pack anything."
"Okay, how'd you sleep?" She asked, getting out of the bed and stretching.
"Great. Better than I have the past four months. Did you sleep good?" I got out of the bed, too.
"Same as you. I slept great." She came over to me and put her arms around my neck. "It was 'cause you were here with me."
"That's the same reason I slept good." I put my arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground and spun around. "Whee!" I said with fake zealousness. She laughed and kissed me as we spun. I set her down softly.
"I missed you so much." She said. We both felt it. We both knew it.
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"If I had been honest with you when you first asked if I loved you, we could've had a few more days together."
"Oh, don't feel that way. We're together now, and that's what matters. And we'll be together for a long time, right?"
"A LONG time. Forever and ever."
"Was that a proposal?" She asked.
"Didn't we go through this last night?"
"I wanted to know if the answer was different. Now, let's go, you said you needed clothes, and the mall isn't far away."
* * *
The mall was pretty big, larger than anything in New Hampshire that I'd been to. We walked in, hand in hand, and looked around. It was busy with people going from store to store.
"In New Hampshire, the mall had about a fifth of the people here." I said as we walked to Old Navy.
"Welcome to Texas, Mr. Leader."
"Don't call me that. You know I hate it."
"Oh-kay Mr. Congeniality." She laughed at making me exasperated.
"If I'm Mr. Leader or Congeniality, if I ever propose, that means your gonna be Mrs. Leader or Congeniality." She looked at me feigning shock. We both laughed. We got to Old Navy and I went and got some new khakis, I never wear jeans. Then, I went and got some T-Shirts. We walked up to the cashier.
"You're not going to try them on?"
"You could've seen me naked last night. You blew your chance." I laughed and shook my head. I handed the cashier my credit card. She handed it back to me with a bag of clothes. "Okay, let's go Mrs. Leader." We walked to the food court and sat down at a small table. We looked around at the fast food places we could choose from.
"What do you want, Mrs. Leader."
"Stop it, that is annoying, I'm sorry I ever started that. How about pizza?"
"Alright." I walked over to the pizza place and got some pizza. I brought it back after it was done. Valerie had gone and got lemonade. "No soda?"
"You know I don't drink alot of soda. What's wrong with lemonade?"
"Nothing." We ate and joked. After we were done eating, I realized that this was all going to end in a few days. "Valerie?"
"Yeh? What is it?" We were still sitting at the table across from each other.
"We have to stop pretending that everything is fine. We both know that I'm going home in a few days." She looked like she was about to cry.
"... You're right. But, let's not talk about it right now." I heard a beeping and I reached into my pocket and checked my first cell. Then, my second cell and then my 2-Way. "It's not me."
"Me, either." She said, checking her cell and 2-Way. The beeping continued and then there was a crash. The skylight ceiling of the mall came crashing down in a storm of glass.
"Duck!" I cried while crawling under the table and grabbing Valerie's legs and pulled her down. People were screaming loudly, some in terror, others in pain. Valerie grabbed my pants and tore something off.
"Hey!? What're ya doing?" I saw what she took: my Digivice. It was making the beeping sound and it was glowing. "What the hell?" I said almost to myself. I looked out from under the table and saw Digimon flying down through the broken skylight. Valerie was looking too, her jaw dropped slowly.
"AH! What are those things!?" A lady cried out. A little kid was next to her.
"Oh those? Don't worry, those are Digimon called Bakemon! They look scary and sometimes are. But, they are well mannered Digimon most of the time."
"Get out of here, now!" I screamed at the people. Another Digimon came down through the skylight.
"Phantomon..." Valerie said quietly. "Without our Digimon, his Shadow Scythe is gonna hurt alot." I grabbed her hands and pulled her along with me. We ran down through the mall. Bakemon were scattered about like party favors.
"Where are we going?" Valerie asked as I pulled her along.
"Radio Shack. I might be able to open a Digiport. I can use the computers there." We ran and got to Radio Shack with Bakemon right on our heels.
"Hurry!" I cried out as a Bakemon's clawed hand shot out and shattered the wooden doorway. "Close one..." I ran over to a computer and held my Digivice out, nearly touching the screen. "Digiport........open!" Nothing happened.
"We're screwed." Valerie said as she slumped against a display.
"No, we aren't. I am going to get us through this. Digiport open, please?" Still, nothing happened. The Bakemon came through the doorway slowly, laughing maniacally. "Hurry! Get to the back of the store!" I screamed as I grabbed her again and pulled her in a futile effort of evasion. The store didn't go to far back. The Bakemon closed in on us and were about to finish us off when...... Angemon crashed through the store's windows.
"Angel Rod!" He wailed as he swung the golden staff like a golf club. "Quick, get out!"
We ran out of the store and right into Natalie.
"Good, you guys are safe. I brought you some friends..." She stepped out of the way and Pengomon and Wormon were standing behind her.
"Cody!" Wormon cried out as he jumped into my arms.
"Later! Digevolve!" It felt very familar to say that.
"Wormon digevolve to............Stingmon!"
"Pengomon digevolve to......... Frigimon!"
"Tsk, tsk. Now that just isn't fair. You kids decide to have a party and forget to invite me. Maybe this will make you think next time; Shadow Scythe!" The scythe swung through the air and hit Stingmon, sending him flailing.
"Sub-Zero Ice Punch!" A block of ice shot out of Frigimon's fist and was aimed at Phantomon, but he dispersed and reappeared above us.
"Uh, uh uh." He said while shaking his head. "Play fair."
"How's this? Hand of Fate!" The orange beam struck Phantomon in the chest, leaving a gaping, digital whole.
"Whut?" Stingmon stood and flew towards him.
"Spiking Strike!" The laser sword cleaved Phantomon in two, digital pieces. He changed into digital information and disappeared. All the Bakemon where destroyed except for three.
"Sub-Zero Ice Punch!" Two of them were engulfed in a block of ice. Stingmon kicked the third against a wall and the three remaining Bakemon, digitalized and were gone. I grabbed Valerie and hugged her, holding her head against my shoulder.
"Cody, what's wrong?" She asked, holding me too.
"I don't know. I could've lost you. Never mind." I turned to Natalie. "Great timing."
"The Digimon came through my computer this morning when I turned it on. Gennai told them to tell me to come here. Why are they back?"
I gulped. I knew why they where back, causing havoc. "Well, there is another Digidestined. And he's evil. Like a Digimon Emperor type thing. I had this nightmare about him back when we were taking care of the Digimon the first time around. He could like, transport himself into my head and stuff. He said as soon as the Darkness fell, he would put his plan into motion. This is the first time I'd given it a second thought. I should've said something earlier. But, I forgot about it all."
"So, what do we do, Mr. Leader?" This time, Valerie actually meant Leader. That's what I had to become again.
"We get everyone together, and defeat his Evilness."
Part 1
I woke up and looked at the clock. It was 11 am and I knew work today was going to be hard. I pulled myself out of the bed and looked around my room. Everything was still the same. Same old same old everyday. Nothing was interesting anymore. TV was boring, everything seemed fake. I walked over to my desk and saw a pile of letters. More requests and questions about what I can do and what exactly happened. I was sick of it all. Four months of non-stop interviews and reporters. I'd seen Davy twice, we appeared on a TV show together and then the second time I saw him was on Saturday Night Live. They got Davy, Liana and me to host the show. That was the only time I'd seen Liana. Natalie had become pretty famous in magazines and stuff like that. Valerie I tried to see whenever I could but, I only saw her once while were hosted TRL together. We all had non-stop lives ever since we had all gone home. The day after I got home when I woke up, there was 46 messages on my answering machine, my email had filled to it's 6K limit, my special Yahoo! email that had 25K was also filled. And, there was reporters pounding on the front and back doors to my house. My mom started to let them inside and they barged into my room. I was still in my bed, resting and thinking about everything. I had changed my phone and emails at least a dozen times, but they always found out the new ones. The five of us were portrayed more as celebrities, and hardly portrayed as heroes. I, didn't want to be portrayed as anything but a normal kid. That's why I took a job. Everything was being handed to me. I literally got at least 50 packages a week from people. Letters said stuff about a girl wanting to be with me and stuff like that. I had naked pictures of hundreds of girls in the garbage. People were pathetic. Four months ago, if this happened, I would have acted completely different to this lifestyle. But, I was this huge celebrity who had no life of his own. I had thought I would get a normal life back when we stopped the Digimon. But, I thought wrong. When I got back to school for the last month of school, my grades turned around. I was suddenly the best student in every class I took. I skipped classes and acted like a jerk when I did go to classes and I pulled A's in every class. That just made me more famous. I had actually taken two jobs, but the first one was terrible. I applied and I was hired right on the spot. The owner said, "You'll be making 15 an hour okay? All you have to do is sit in that chair over there." I was hired as a tourist attraction. I quit after the first two minutes. I took a job at a lakeside shop. I pumped gas for boats. I was treated like an actual person. A nobody. I loved it. I worked weekends and after school. It took up my time so, I couldn't go on the news or talk shows or radio. I had the closest thing to a real life I was going to get. I got interested in soccer recently because of friends and we always played small games after work. I was thinking of trying out for the team at school, but I knew they would make me center for the team in a second. It wasn't fair. Kids at school who thought I was a little "prick" as they had put it before, suddenly wanted to be my best friends. And kids who used to be my friends paraded around saying, "Yeah! We're best friends. He's so cool, but he learned all the cool things he does from me."
I stepped out of my room and bumped into someone.
"Get the hell out of my house. I don't have time for an interview." I said as I slid around the guy.
"Cody, I'm not a reporter." He said following me through the house.
"I don't need an agent. I have three." I said as I walked into the bathroom and slammed the door behind me.
"I'm your father." I opened the door and spit in his face.
"Get the hell out of the house now. You're the last person I wanted to see. I'd rather have seen reporters." I slammed the door again.
"Cody, I want to spend some time with you. Get to know you."
I shouted from the other room. "No, you want to be seen with a hero and celebrity. The only thing you want to spend is my money. Well, have fun with it. I don't have it. I give all my money to Natalie so she can have a lasting career. The rest I save for college. Even though I'll probably be given a scholarship to Yale."
"Wow. An entire scholarship to Yale. You must be brilliant!"
"Get out and get a life. I'm not smart. They just give me everything I need because I'm a hero. I hate it. I'm paraded around like a god, not a hero. Now, get out before I use my cell to call the cops." He heard footsteps and the front door slamming. That was the third guy this week alone saying that he was my dad. "Yeah.... good morning..." I said as I turned the shower on and climbed in.
* * *
I got out of the shower when my cell rang. I hopped out, soaking wet. I flipped it on and held it to my ear.
"Yeah, hello?"
"Cody? I don't think you should come to work today." My boss said, her voice a little stressed.
"Why?" I asked, worried.
"Well, there are a bunch of reporters here wanting to talk to you. I can only hold them here so long before they go to your house. I think you should um.. take a day off. You know, get out of the house?" That was a signal for me to get out of the house very quick. Last time she used that, the store was ransacked by a mob trying to find me. Then, they came to my house and smashed and stole everything. Not that I cared, it was all replaced with newer and better stuff as soon as I left the house.
"Okay. Thanks for the heads up. Be careful. Bye."
"You're the one that needs to be careful. Take care." The line clicked and I turned the phone off. I ran to my room and got dressed. I threw on a pair of beige khakis and a beige shirt. I grabbed my 2-Way and my other cell phone and wallet. I left my room and then ran back in. I looked for it and saw it on my desk. I grabbed it and attached it to my pants. It was my Digivice. I knew that if I left it in my room, it wouldn't be there when I got back. I looked around at the stuff in my room, knowing it wouldn't be there in an hour then, I left. I ran down the street. I went to the pond, where it all began. Where my life started to be out of my hands, out of control. I paused by the trees and looked across the pond. Months ago, this is where it all started. The man named Kenny was across the lake, looking at me. But, now, there was no one. One of the most famous people, and the one the most alone. Kids at school envied me, because I had the choice of any girl I wanted, and I chose to be with someone who was hundreds of miles away. I needed someone to talk to. I pulled my cell out and dialed a number I had memorized. The phone clicked.
"Hello?" The voice on the other end said.
"Hi? Valerie?"
"Oh, hey Cody! Oh, I miss you so much."
"I miss you too. Everything here sucks, I can't even go to work today. A mob is at the store looking to interview me."
"Oh, that sucks. Why don't you come here for a few days? We'll spend some time together, have some fun. Reminise about times from long ago."
"By long ago do you mean four months ago with the Digimon? Or the normal lives we once had?"
"Both. Come on, Cody. We never see each other. The last time we saw each other was on TRL, remember? And that was only for a day, I miss you. I think it's time we told my parents about you, about us. It's been four months."
"Alright. I'll be there soon." I had an idea just then. "How about we have the others come too! Like a big reunion! Davy, Liana, Natalie and the two of us!"
"Cody, I wanted to spend time with just you, no one else. Us time, not group time."
"I want us time too, Valerie. You know how important you are to me. I'm just thinking about the others, all of us have not been together since we split up when we defeated Manticoremon. We'll have us time, I promise. I'm going to call Davy, you call Liana okay?"
"Cody, us. I gave you the idea so we could be together." Her tone was desperate and I felt bad about missing the point of going there. She must think I'm a dumbass for missing her hints about us and just us, I thought. She wants to be with you and no one else around so you two can talk. I continued thinking and kicking myself.
"You're right. I'm sorry. I missed the whole point. I'll call you from the plane okay?"
"Wait, what? You're coming today!?" She was suddenly very excited.
"Well, yeah I thought that's what you meant."
"I did mean that! I'll be waiting. I can't wait to see you. Wait...what about your job?"
"I'll take some vacation time, my boss knows how hectic my life is, she'll understand. I'll be there tonight, okay, Valerie?"
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too." We both hung up at the same time. I tapped the phone a few times with my fingers and then stood and put it in my pocket. I walked to my neighbor's house quickly and knocked on his door. He answered it a few seconds later.
"Oh, hi Cody." He said as he answered the door. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to go into town and get to that small dinky place that the people call an airport. It's important."
"Airport? For what?"
"I have this interview in Dallas tomorrow, my mom will know when I call from the station to let her know about it." Actually I was going to call and tell her I had to take a vacation and hope she didn't flip her lid!
"Oh, Mr. Hero needs a ride into town. I can do that. Let's go."
We entered the small air field and I jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop.
"Thanks!" I yelled and I ran over to the office. But, I was stopped by a big man who looked like he could bust cement by just tapping it.
"Welcome to the Wolfeboro, New Hampshire airfield. All tours, aeiral and tours of the grounds, are conducted between one and six p.m., if you want to speak to someone you must make an appointment by phone." He droned on and on.
"Yeah, shut up. I don't care about tours. I want to charter a plane."
"All planes and helicopters must be reserved one standard month in advance."
"You have no idea who I am, do you?"
"Frankly kid, I don't give a damn. Now, get out of here."
"Wow. I've been looking for someone like you for the past four months!"
"What the hell are you talking about, kid?"
"Don't call me kid. I can't believe you don't know who I am. I'm Cody Siders, hero, martyr, and part time TV host."
He scoffed. "Yeah, you're Cody Siders. I'm the King of England and behind me is my royal court."
"I am sooooo gonna have your ass fired by tomorrow if I don't get a plane in the next five minutes. Go talk to your supervisor, Thorg, and point me out to him or her. They'll know me. If I don't get a plane or helicopter in five minutes, you're gonna need the Classifieds." I shooed him off and he walked into the office. I saw blinds open by a window and saw a finger pointing at me. A second later someones face appeared in the window and he smiled and cheered. After that I heard Thorg yell, "Oh, shit! That really is him!!!!!!!!!!!!" He came running out seconds later with someone behind him.
"Oh, hello Mr. Siders. Pleasure to see you here." He grabbed my hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you. I think you have an aircraft waiting for me?"
"Yessir!" He pointed to the man behind him. "Jim'll be your pilot. Just tell him where to go. Do you prefer helicopter or plane?"
"Plane. Helicopters are too bumpy." We got in the small plane. It wasn't like an airliner, that was for sure! It was a small little jet that could probably hold a little less than a dozen people. We took off twenty minutes later after the plane was fueled and checked out. I stared out the window for awhile. I remembered the first time I flew on Stingmon's back. I was heading out to the same person, but, this time it was for fun. Nobody was depending on me, no Digital World was in need of rescue. I started to think about Valerie. I missed her more than I realized. Knowing that I was going to her, but she was still so far away made me really sad. Back when we were with the Digimon, she came home with me and I opened up to her more than anyone I ever knew. I fell asleep slowly as the plane flew gently towards the girl I loved.
* * *
I woke up and looked around. At first, I didn't know or remember where I was. It was pink and orange outside. I realized that the sun was setting. I remembered that I was on a plane. We were landing. The small airport was getting bigger and bigger as the plane flew closer and closer. I suddenly remembered that I didn't pack anything.
"Shit!" I shouted as I dug into my pockets. I pulled out my two cells and my 2-Way. In my other pocket I had my wallet. I opened it up and browsed through it; three tens, a 20, one five, and eight ones. I had $63 dollars. I flipped through the little pockets and pulled out what I was looking for: my credit card. I wasn't old enough for one, but, I talked my mom into getting one and giving it to me. So, I knew I could get by for a few days. The pilot looked back from the cockpit.
"Anything wrong?" He asked.
"No, I just realized I didn't bring anything. But, never mind. How long till we land?"
"Four minutes. About." I looked out the window and watched.
* * *
I walked along the street. It was a nice looking town. Before when I was in Texas, I was in a crappy ghost town that was about 30 miles away from where I was right now. The town was a clean looking town. A couple walked a dog down the street and they waved to me, I waved back. The street was lined with trees and nice looking houses. I came to one and looked at it. It was a well kept house and lawn. I looked at the number; "45" and saw this was the one I wanted. I walked up the cement walkway and came to the porch. I paused at the door before knocking. I couldn't believe I was actually there. I knocked twice lightly, and then one more time a little harder. I heard footsteps and the locks clicked. The door opened and Valerie was standing there. Her shoulder length black hair was like Yolei's. Her eyes shined with a cheerfulness that couldn't be matched by anything. She wasn't wearing any shoes and her feet looked wet. Her T-Shirt was a little wet in places. She was wearing pajama bottoms and those were wet too.
"Yes?" She asked, and then she saw who I was. "Cody!" She came at me with her arms outstretched. Her arms wrappeped around my neck and my arms went around her waist. Our lips touched lightly and we both smiled.
"Took you a second." I said quietly into her ear. Someone appeared behind her with a squirt gun and shot her in the back.
"Aah! You little punk!" She said, turning around to look.
"MOM! Valerie's kissing!" Her brother, John, screamed into the house.
"So much for us time...." I said as her parents came running to the front door. They stared at me for a second. "Uh.... Hi. I'm Cody."
"Cody as in THE Cody from Valerie's little group of friends who stopped the monsters?" Her dad asked.
"Yep, this is him." Valerie said to them.
"Yep, I'm me."
"Why were you two kissing?" Her mom asked, motioning us into the house.
"Um...Valerie, you can answer that one, right?" I said sheepishly. I felt my face go red.
"They used tounge!" John said squirting my pants.
"Like hell I did!" I said, brushing drops of water off my khakis. "I mean... sorry for the language. You learn alot of words after hosting TRL."
"We did not use tounge that time!" Valerie said.
"What do you mean "That time"?" Her dad asked. This wasn't how I was expecting this to go.
"Mom, dad, Cody and I are together. We've been together since the day we defeated the last monsters. We were going to tell you, that was one of the reasons he came here." Her parents looked at us both skeptically.
"You've had sex, haven't you!?" Her mom cried out as she pointed at us.
"NO!" Valerie and I shouted at the same time.
"Okay, hold on people. Let's not fight, okay? I had hopes of having an adult conversation about this. Can we all go sit down, maybe without Quick-Draw Magraw with us?" I pointed at John as he shot Valerie in the chest and me in the face.
"Run, punk. Run!" Valerie said calmly as John turned and ran out of the room. Valerie quietly counted to three and took off after him. I was left alone with her parents.
"I think she left me on purpose......" I said to myself.
"So, you said an adult conversation?" Her dad said motioning to the living room.
"Yeah, maybe with Valerie too. She's a big part of this." John cried out from the kitchen.
"Take that, Hotshot!" Valerie laughed. I could just picture her in the other room, furiously squeezing the trigger of the squirt gun she stole from John. I knew he was soaked. A few seconds later, Valerie came into the living room and sat next to me on the couch. I think I'll skip the conversation, it had some bad things about me in it, and I'd rather skip it. But, in the end, her parents accepted our relationship.
* * *
I walked into Valerie's bedroom and looked around. There was a bed (duh!), a computer and computer desk, and a dresser with a stereo on top of it.
"Geez, after that conversation, I'm surprised your parents are letting me come up to your room."
"Me, too. But, the good thing is they accept us. Aren't you glad we told them about us? Now, we just have to tell your mom." She said as she closed the door behind her and she hugged me from behind.
"Yeah, I'm glad. It went better than I was expecting. But, I think we'll put off on telling my mom until we get married, have kids and they're in college."
"Was that a proposal?" She asked playfully as she walked over to the stereo and put on a CD.
"I'm 15!" I said in defense.
"You're 15, and you come hundreds of miles to be alone with the girl you love in her bedroom alone with her."
"You're just twisting what's happened. I'm 15!" I said again. "I can't get married! I can't even plan! And, I didn't come here to be alone with you in your room! I didn't even think I'd get in your room, I thought you parents would do something....." I stopped when I saw that she was holding back laughter. "Oh funny joke, Valerie."
"Yeah, it was." She said as she walked over and sat on her bed.
"Your house is so nice. Better than mine is."
"No, it isn't. Your house doesn't have annoying siblings running around." I sat on the chair for the desk.
"No, it just has a mom who thinks her son is a billion different things and an annoying sister."
"I can tell that I'm wanted." She crossed her arms in mock disgust.
"Huh?" I saw that she wanted me to sit next to her. "Oh. Oops sorry. I'm not good at taking hints or commands." I walked over and sat next to her.
"I know that. If you gave up when you were told, Manticoremon would have killed us. Your as bullheaded as Daisuke." She leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Was that a complement or an insult?" I asked jokingly. She was slowly putting more weight on my shoulder and she was pushing me over. "Hey! What are you doing?"
"It was a complement. And I'm trying... to... get you to lay down." She said as she slammed her shoulder against mine. I laid down and she did the same.
"This is going to look nice if your parents walk in!" I said while smiling.
"It's nothing we haven't done before. And, I locked the door, they can't get in."
"I think you've either done this before, or planned this out. Or both!"
"I only planned it out." Valerie said as my cell rang. "Don't get it, please Cody, don't." She pleaded.
"I have to, it could be my mom wondering where I am." I fished into my pocket for the cell and I turned it on. "Hello?"
"Cody!? Is it true you're in Texas?" Natalie said happily.
"How'd you find out?"
"Who is it?" Valerie asked.
"Natalie. She found out I'm here in Texas."
"Yeah! I called Valerie to talk to her, but her mom said she was with a boy named Cody, and I figured that was a big coincedence. How come you didn't tell me?" She sounded hurt. Valerie grabbed the phone from me.
"He didn't tell you 'cause it's me and him time! We'll get together tomorrow, Natalie. Bye." She clicked the phone and tossed it across the room and started to claw through my pockets. I started to wiggle out of the way, but she straddled my chest and pulled out my other cell and 2-Way and tossed them over to the first cell phone.
"Oh, this'll look even better if they come in somehow." I said as she started to tickle me. "hahaha. no haaa haaha! St-op it!"
"Oh, big hero can't handle a girl?" She as she stopped and looked down at me, smiling. "I love you. I'm so glad you're here."
"Me, too. I love you, I've missed having you around." She bent over and kissed me and rolled off me.
"You're such a tease." I said as we both laughed. I put my arm around her.
"Oh this'll look good if my parents walk in." She said, mocking me.
"We're not really doing something with Natalie tomorrow, after you wanted this us time so much, are we?"
"Nope, we'll do it sometime in the few days after."
"How long do you think I'm staying here?" I asked looking at her.
"Long enough."
"Long enough is beyond forever, I can't stay that long." She smiled at me and slapped my stomach.
"Stop those crappy lines of yours. Where'd you get them anyways?"
"Wal-Mart, three for a dollar." I joked. Everything was perfect. I could've stayed forever.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked noticing that I was zoning out and thinking about something.
"I was thinking about how much I missed this, you, and how perfect this all is. And that wasn't a crappy line."
"Oh, you're so sweet." She smiled devilishly. "Let's have sex." She put her hands on my pants, ready to get ready.
"No!" I exclaimed, shocked at what she had said. I grabbed her hands and held them.
"Good job, you passed my test." She was still smiling. "I wanted to see what you would say to that. I just had to be sure about your intentions."
"Wow, I think that was the first test I've ever passed without extra credit!" She rolled over and kissed me passionately on the lips. "Wow, that's alot better than an A+ and a pat on the back!" Her hand brushed against my cheek softly.
"You know it. Good night."
"Wait? I can't sleep in her! Can I? No?" I was confused.
"That test I gave you, was my parents' idea. That's why I was taking a while to get up here. They told me to do that to you, so they could know what you were like. They'll be proud."
"Wow." I was shocked. Her parents trusted me enough to let her do that. "Wow. I'm glad they'll be proud, but that doesn't answer my question."
"They said you could sleep in my room if you passed the test, you did. I'm glad you passed the test. I'd probably've broken up with you if you said yes." I smiled.
"You're lucky I didn't say yes, I'd do anything you wanted me to. But, that time I couldn't do that, it wouldn't have felt right."
"I would've done that anyways, even if my parents hadn't told me to do that. I didn't know if I could trust you."
"Why do I stay with you after that betrayal-ish type act?"
"'Cause I kiss you." She said as her lips brushed lightly on mine.
"Oh yeah, that explains it." I kissed back. "So, it's okay that I stay here, with you, in your room that's locked? Just us?"
"Yeah, but you have to sleep under the bed or in the closet." She said and I gasped. "Joking. I told them really quick what happened with us before, they know we've shared a bed... well, a Stingmon. They'll trust you. I trust you. Good night."
"I love you." She reached over and turned off the lamp and the room was thrown into darkness. She pulled the covers up and went into a sleeping postion I was familar with. Her head was on my shoulder, her arm stretched out over me. Her breath was warm on my neck.
"I love you too." I put my arm over hers and held her hand. I was smiling widely as I closed my eyes. I was actually happy. For the first time since we were done with the Digimon, I was happy.
* * *
Part 2
I woke up as the sunlight came across my eyes. My eyes flickered open slowly.
"Ack!" I said quietly. Valerie moaned beside me.
"Hmmm? What is it?"
"That sun is bright. Turn it off." I groaned. "Good morning. I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No, I've been laying here thinking about us. Did I wake you?"
"No, I woke up because of the sun. What time is it?" I asked sitting up.
"11:30."
"What? Why'd you let me sleep so late?"
"'Cause, I just liked laying there with you." She hugged me tightly, I hugged back.
"Well, let's go. I need to get some clothes. I didn't pack anything."
"Okay, how'd you sleep?" She asked, getting out of the bed and stretching.
"Great. Better than I have the past four months. Did you sleep good?" I got out of the bed, too.
"Same as you. I slept great." She came over to me and put her arms around my neck. "It was 'cause you were here with me."
"That's the same reason I slept good." I put my arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground and spun around. "Whee!" I said with fake zealousness. She laughed and kissed me as we spun. I set her down softly.
"I missed you so much." She said. We both felt it. We both knew it.
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"If I had been honest with you when you first asked if I loved you, we could've had a few more days together."
"Oh, don't feel that way. We're together now, and that's what matters. And we'll be together for a long time, right?"
"A LONG time. Forever and ever."
"Was that a proposal?" She asked.
"Didn't we go through this last night?"
"I wanted to know if the answer was different. Now, let's go, you said you needed clothes, and the mall isn't far away."
* * *
The mall was pretty big, larger than anything in New Hampshire that I'd been to. We walked in, hand in hand, and looked around. It was busy with people going from store to store.
"In New Hampshire, the mall had about a fifth of the people here." I said as we walked to Old Navy.
"Welcome to Texas, Mr. Leader."
"Don't call me that. You know I hate it."
"Oh-kay Mr. Congeniality." She laughed at making me exasperated.
"If I'm Mr. Leader or Congeniality, if I ever propose, that means your gonna be Mrs. Leader or Congeniality." She looked at me feigning shock. We both laughed. We got to Old Navy and I went and got some new khakis, I never wear jeans. Then, I went and got some T-Shirts. We walked up to the cashier.
"You're not going to try them on?"
"You could've seen me naked last night. You blew your chance." I laughed and shook my head. I handed the cashier my credit card. She handed it back to me with a bag of clothes. "Okay, let's go Mrs. Leader." We walked to the food court and sat down at a small table. We looked around at the fast food places we could choose from.
"What do you want, Mrs. Leader."
"Stop it, that is annoying, I'm sorry I ever started that. How about pizza?"
"Alright." I walked over to the pizza place and got some pizza. I brought it back after it was done. Valerie had gone and got lemonade. "No soda?"
"You know I don't drink alot of soda. What's wrong with lemonade?"
"Nothing." We ate and joked. After we were done eating, I realized that this was all going to end in a few days. "Valerie?"
"Yeh? What is it?" We were still sitting at the table across from each other.
"We have to stop pretending that everything is fine. We both know that I'm going home in a few days." She looked like she was about to cry.
"... You're right. But, let's not talk about it right now." I heard a beeping and I reached into my pocket and checked my first cell. Then, my second cell and then my 2-Way. "It's not me."
"Me, either." She said, checking her cell and 2-Way. The beeping continued and then there was a crash. The skylight ceiling of the mall came crashing down in a storm of glass.
"Duck!" I cried while crawling under the table and grabbing Valerie's legs and pulled her down. People were screaming loudly, some in terror, others in pain. Valerie grabbed my pants and tore something off.
"Hey!? What're ya doing?" I saw what she took: my Digivice. It was making the beeping sound and it was glowing. "What the hell?" I said almost to myself. I looked out from under the table and saw Digimon flying down through the broken skylight. Valerie was looking too, her jaw dropped slowly.
"AH! What are those things!?" A lady cried out. A little kid was next to her.
"Oh those? Don't worry, those are Digimon called Bakemon! They look scary and sometimes are. But, they are well mannered Digimon most of the time."
"Get out of here, now!" I screamed at the people. Another Digimon came down through the skylight.
"Phantomon..." Valerie said quietly. "Without our Digimon, his Shadow Scythe is gonna hurt alot." I grabbed her hands and pulled her along with me. We ran down through the mall. Bakemon were scattered about like party favors.
"Where are we going?" Valerie asked as I pulled her along.
"Radio Shack. I might be able to open a Digiport. I can use the computers there." We ran and got to Radio Shack with Bakemon right on our heels.
"Hurry!" I cried out as a Bakemon's clawed hand shot out and shattered the wooden doorway. "Close one..." I ran over to a computer and held my Digivice out, nearly touching the screen. "Digiport........open!" Nothing happened.
"We're screwed." Valerie said as she slumped against a display.
"No, we aren't. I am going to get us through this. Digiport open, please?" Still, nothing happened. The Bakemon came through the doorway slowly, laughing maniacally. "Hurry! Get to the back of the store!" I screamed as I grabbed her again and pulled her in a futile effort of evasion. The store didn't go to far back. The Bakemon closed in on us and were about to finish us off when...... Angemon crashed through the store's windows.
"Angel Rod!" He wailed as he swung the golden staff like a golf club. "Quick, get out!"
We ran out of the store and right into Natalie.
"Good, you guys are safe. I brought you some friends..." She stepped out of the way and Pengomon and Wormon were standing behind her.
"Cody!" Wormon cried out as he jumped into my arms.
"Later! Digevolve!" It felt very familar to say that.
"Wormon digevolve to............Stingmon!"
"Pengomon digevolve to......... Frigimon!"
"Tsk, tsk. Now that just isn't fair. You kids decide to have a party and forget to invite me. Maybe this will make you think next time; Shadow Scythe!" The scythe swung through the air and hit Stingmon, sending him flailing.
"Sub-Zero Ice Punch!" A block of ice shot out of Frigimon's fist and was aimed at Phantomon, but he dispersed and reappeared above us.
"Uh, uh uh." He said while shaking his head. "Play fair."
"How's this? Hand of Fate!" The orange beam struck Phantomon in the chest, leaving a gaping, digital whole.
"Whut?" Stingmon stood and flew towards him.
"Spiking Strike!" The laser sword cleaved Phantomon in two, digital pieces. He changed into digital information and disappeared. All the Bakemon where destroyed except for three.
"Sub-Zero Ice Punch!" Two of them were engulfed in a block of ice. Stingmon kicked the third against a wall and the three remaining Bakemon, digitalized and were gone. I grabbed Valerie and hugged her, holding her head against my shoulder.
"Cody, what's wrong?" She asked, holding me too.
"I don't know. I could've lost you. Never mind." I turned to Natalie. "Great timing."
"The Digimon came through my computer this morning when I turned it on. Gennai told them to tell me to come here. Why are they back?"
I gulped. I knew why they where back, causing havoc. "Well, there is another Digidestined. And he's evil. Like a Digimon Emperor type thing. I had this nightmare about him back when we were taking care of the Digimon the first time around. He could like, transport himself into my head and stuff. He said as soon as the Darkness fell, he would put his plan into motion. This is the first time I'd given it a second thought. I should've said something earlier. But, I forgot about it all."
"So, what do we do, Mr. Leader?" This time, Valerie actually meant Leader. That's what I had to become again.
"We get everyone together, and defeat his Evilness."