It was a cold November's day, and T.K was currently into his second year of High School, and the blonde sat at the table of the library, staring down at the same trigonometry question that had made him stall in his attempts to finish off the homework before the weekend. It was his only sheet, and he had been hoping to spend it either in the Digital World, or at least relaxing with his friends in the real world. After spending what felt like an hour, when in reality it was only ten minutes; T.K Stopped tapping his pencil on the wood of the desk, as if hoping that the metronome sound would somehow help him get over what both Davis and Tai would call a "brain fart".
Letting out a small sigh, T.K sat back in his chair and looked to the clock on the wall. It was close to the end of his lunch break, and his stomach gargled in protest to the fact that he had skipped lunch in favour of getting his work done. He did have a few snacks in his bag that he was saving for Patamon after school, but unfortunately desperate times called for desperate measures. T.K needed something to eat to help keep his energy and his strength up, and his hunger back for the last two lessons of the day, and then they'd be in the clear and able to pick up something from Yolei's family's convenience store.
T.K started to pack up his homework, placing the sheets within the folds of his work book and he reached for his pencils when he noticed the flyer that had been pushed next to the pencils. Looking up, he found himself smiling, and looking right at the purple haired girl that was Yolei, a fellow Digidestined and a really good friend. It was amazing to think how much had changed since starting High School. She no longer wore the tomboyish clothes that everyone was so used to seeing her in. In T.K's mind, she looked good in the green school uniform, not that Yolei would ever let anyone say that.
"Hey T.K, we were wondering where you had gotten to." Yolei said with a beaming smile on her face. Under her arm she carried more flyers, and it was at that point T.K realised he had been given one and he picked it up, starting to read it. "Sorry Yolei, I wanted to get my homework done before the weekend." T.K commented as he scanned the leaflet. So the rumours were true.
T.K had been hearing many comments pass through the school that a winter formal was being planned, and it looked as if it had been given the go ahead judging from the leaflet that was in his hand.
"It's cool. I think Kari might want to speak to you, but that's about it. You still have ten minutes of lunch left if you want to go and catch her." Yolei stated with a smile as she looked to a pair of students walking by and held out a flyer to them both in which was accepted with a nod of thanks from the pair of them. "She was near the gym... I think. She might be with Davis but I could be wrong." Yolei added before looking over to the clock. Her earlier time frame of ten minutes was now only seven, but it didn't matter to T.K, he would catch up with Kari soon enough with lessons.
"Don't worry, Kari and I have world history together so we'll see one another then." T.K stated as he gathered his books and placed them in the postal bag he had kept by the leg of the table. T.K reached inside, taking out two partially squished chocolate bars that at that point, T.K was very tempted to avoid eating them, but his stomach growled in protest to what his mind was thinking, and that meant despite what he was thinking, T.K would not pass up the two chocolate bars just because they didn't look right. They were still in date. They were the last two chocolate bars from the multi-pack that his mother had brought during a shopping trip at the start of the week.
"Are you sure you should be eating those?" Yolei asked, seemingly able to read T.K's mind simply by looking at his facial features. "They look old."
"They came out of the fridge this morning." he replied, mimicking the same reasoning his stomach seemed to use in getting him to eat them. "I was going to give them to Patamon after school, but as I missed lunch I have no other choice."
"Well that's your own fault then, and Patamon is going to be mad at you for taking away his chocolate."
"I know," T.K let out a small sigh at the thought. He never liked upsetting his partner, and when he made promises, he had every intention of keeping them. "I'll make it up to him though. Over the weekend, or even tonight I'll stop by the convenience store and pick up some chocolate for him. Hopefully that should cheer him up."
At that comment, Yolei was quiet, but she had a small smile, and nodded her head seemingly in agreement with the idea, though she didn't voice it. "Well, I'll leave you to your... lunch, and I'll catch up with you after school in the computer room."
"All right, see you then." T.K finished with a smile on his face and he waved good bye to the purple haired girl before walking with his bag and out towards the library's exit. He didn't have long, T.K needed to step outside, find somewhere quiet and munch down on the chocolate bar before the bell rang, and he needed to avoid being seen by Patamon, just so he could get to the shops and buy some replacements before anyone noticed.
While it wasn't something T.K did often, knowing full well the lecture he'd receive from his mother about the benefits of eating a healthy and nutritious diet, but there were times in which T.K focused on his studies more than anything even more so than a nutritious diet.
As soon as T.K was away from the crowd of students that were passing by and leant against the wall of the history department, the area of school he was going to be stepping into within a matter of minutes. He looked at the two chocolate bars in his hand; both were orange chocolate. His and Patamon's favourite treats and though it pained him to do so, he loosened the wrapper and slid it up. The chocolate appeared to have melted slightly as it decorated the inside wrapping, but it didn't stop him. Taking a bite from it, T.K found it still tasted quite nice and didn't leave a horrible after-taste in his mouth like most chocolate bars that had been left in the bag for too long did. Going to take the second chocolate bar out, there was some shuffling behind, and he felt a hand on his shoulder, making T.K stop before turning to look at his shoulder, seeing a familiar if not dainty hand upon it.
"What are you doing out here? The warning bell just sounded." the voice belonged to Kari, and in a rare moment for T.K his heart skipped a beat and his cheeks turned red. He didn't know if it came down to the fact that he and Kari were alone, that the gentle voice had snapped him out of daydreaming to a certain extent or the fact that he had been caught taking a bite out of some old chocolate bars that had been squished while sitting in his bag. Perhaps it was a mixture of all three scenarios.
"Sorry Kari, I skipped lunch and I just needed a quick snack." T.K commented, letting out a small nervous chuckle at the thought. He had never really acted this way around Kari. Nothing was different, although perhaps it was the fact that she had caught him eating a chocolate bar that had been squished while sitting in his bag since early that morning. He didn't really know what to say, but despite what his stomach was telling him, he avoided eating the chocolate bar and turned to face Kari, looking into her hazel eyes, and he gave a small smile.
Kari herself said nothing at that point, looking at the blonde haired boy she grew up with, and had so many adventures in the Digital World with before taking a tissue from her bag, and wiping a stray bit of chocolate from just above his lip.
"You know that's not good for you." it wasn't a question. "Still, we've all done it. You should have seen Yolei last week." Kari added with a chuckle before holding onto his arm and walking with him back towards the main school building. "Wasn't that Patamon's chocolate bar you were eating?"
"Yeah afraid so." T.K replied, letting out a small sigh before shaking his head. "I'm going to make it up to him. I'll stop by the convenience store later on and buy him a multi-pack of the same bar. Assuming they have it that is."
"I'm sure they will, just relax. You know if you're hungry, I still have some of my lunch. You can have the crisps after lesson." Kari offered with a smile as she checked her bag for the food she was talking about, before pulling out a bag of soy sauce flavoured crisps.
T.K seemed to be relieved by it. He had saved the other chocolate bar, and this way Patamon would still get the other, though T.K would still go and buy another multi pack to make it up to the Digimon. "I really appreciate the gesture Kari." T.K stated as they stepped into the corridors that lead to their history class. The crowds of students moving the same way had at some point pushed the two digi-destined together, but if they were uncomfortable from it, then neither showed it. The crowds began to thin out as each student found his or her class, and T.K and Kari found themselves moving towards the end of the hallway.
All across the walls, flyers and posters advertising the Winter Formal that was taking place before they broke up for the Christmas Holidays. They still had three more weeks of school left, and despite not being a fan of formal occasions (weddings and dances being the least favourites of his), the prospect of the formal was interesting, and he did have friends and family that would be coming with him, at least he hoped they would. Seeming to sense her friend's quietness, and looking the same direction as he was, Kari took hold of T.K's hand, gently running her thumb along the top of the hand.
"Are you thinking of going?" she asked, before they went through another set of double doors that had a flyer taped to the side of each, and looking towards the classroom door of their world history lesson, there was another flyer that both digi-destined took a look at as soon as they were close enough.
"I might," T.K continued as he read the note. They had the lesson off due to the teacher being sick and the lack of substitute teachers available on such short notice. All students were required to finish off the chapter questions before lesson the following Monday, giving the pair some time off. They just had to sign their names and collect a out-of-lesson pass from the folder attached to the door. "though if I go, it means my mum has her excuse to take me shopping." T.K commented with a long sigh, dreading the prospect of going shopping with his mother. T.K's reluctance to go shopping seemed to amuse Kari as she covered her mouth and giggled, before taking a pen from her bag and signing her name, and T.K's name on the class sheet and pulling two passes from the folder on the door. T.K was handed one and he looked at it, smiling before looking back to Kari, following her from the hallway, and away from the students crowded around them. It was a rare occasion to have neither the normal teacher or a substitute teacher, and so most students used the free period to either goof off, study, or relax somewhere. Kari could even go home if she wanted to as her last lesson was a free period.
"Well, if you do decide to come to the formal, then I would love to have you as my date." Kari commented, continuing the discussion regarding the Winter Formal as she pushed the door to the outer courtyard open, and held for T.K to step through.
He was stunned into silence by the admission, and gave a small smile and nodded his head. It was a nice feeling to know that Kari wanted him as her date, and he definitely was going to go. Although he had never said it himself, T.K had always had a crush on Kari, and it was something that had been mentioned by the other Digi-destined, old and new that T.K had feelings for the brunette haired girl. It looked like his plans for the weekend had been settled then, T.K was going suit shopping. "I'd love to go with you Kari." T.K replied as he walked side by side with the girl, and felt her hand take hold of his own as they walked from the school building and on towards the tree by the front gates.
The two stopped for a moment, smiling and looking towards one another. Kari spoke first, after a moment of silence fell between them. "So, what shall we do with our free period?"
"I'm not fussed. Could always relax in our normal spot." T.K commented, and the idea was met with a nod from Kari as they continued to move on.
"What lesson do you have next?"
"Performing Arts, and I'm actually quite excited. I get to have my revenge on Davis after the incident from a few months ago." T.K said with a somewhat mischievous grin, and quite a rare one at that. "Remember when we had our group performance of Cinderella back in October in which we re-enacted the ball room scene, and I was cast as Cinderella?" T.K asked, and Kari nodded, knowing what was coming after being tricked by Davis into taking pictures of T.K when he was in the silver gown and wig that was his costume.
"I still can't believe I let Davis trick me like that." Kari commented. She was told by Davis that they needed some photographs to put into a project folder, only for Davis to take the pictures of T.K dressed up, and have them placed around the school. "I should have checked with you all."
"You can't blame yourself Kari. Truth be told, we will need pictures for our final project folder at the end of the year." T.K reassured the girl with a warm smile, instead of the mischievous grin that he had earlier. "Anyway, this afternoon is the first group rehearsal of Beauty in the Beast, and it's the scene in which Belle and the Beast dance. Guess who's playing Belle." T.K stated, and Kari started laughing at the thought of Davis playing Belle, and wearing the dress. It was all too perfect.
It gave Kari the perfect idea, and she looked inside her bag. It was a good job she brought her camera with her to school, especially as they had a scheduled trip to the Digital World that afternoon.
"Well, say the word and I can come and have a little fun and some payback, for the both of us." Kari suggested as she turned on her camera to make sure that there was enough battery for what she was planning, and enough space for the photographs. To her luck, there was ample space for both.
T.K's grin returned, and he nodded his approval. Though neither one of the two digi-destined were malicious and sort to humiliate others, they did believe in being fair, and when it came to people being wronged because of someone else, then they were more than willing to help repair the balance that came from it. With the plan in place, and the ideas they had set, the two decided to relax, sitting down on a bench that was placed near the tree by the front gates.
-X-
Unknown to T.K and Kari; the pair went about in peaceful bliss, unaware that they were in fact being watched from a distance. Sat on the perch of the building from across the road of the school, looking at them with a pair of black beady eyes was a white dove that seemed to coo. There was something unique about the dove, shown when it stretched its wings out, revealing Digi-Code in black on both wings. When translated, the right wing had the word "Olive" on it, and the left wing had the word "Serenity" in code. It was no random feat that a bird with Digi-Code on it's wings was watching them; with the help of powers far beyond that which have been encountered in the past, the bird was in fact a conduit to the Digital World. What the bird was seeing, the Digimon on the other side were also seeing it.
Five Digimon stood looking into a large mirror. They did not see their own reflections however. The mirror acted as both a portal, and as a means to view what the dove saw from it's vantage point. Despite the distance in the real world between the two Digi-destined and the dove; the five Digimon could see and hear the two as if they stood only a few feet away.
The chambers the five Digimon stood in were somewhat unique; a mixture of light and dark, plants and wastelands. They represented the numerous elements that each Digimon felt comfortable in. Standing at the head of the group, dead centre of the mirror was Venusmon, the Mega level Goddess Digimon in all her resplendent beauty. Her body was covered in a white dress, and her eyes were blind to the world thanks to a wrap that covered them, and yet despite what many would see as a setback, the blindfold allowed Venusmon to see into the world around her with clarity in which she could not get with her normal eyes.
To her right stood Dianemon, an ultimate level Digimon who was armoured in plates of white and purple. Her legs were shaped in the form of the moonlight sisters and in her hand she carried a dual bladed weapon that was looked like a cross between a scythe, and a spear. Her face was hidden behind a helm, only revealing two yellow eyes. Dianamon's personality was like night and day. She was one and the other. Light and darkness, good and evil, right and wrong.
To Dianamon's right stood Witchmon. A champion level witch Digimon who was dressed in a form fitting red dress from head to toe. Long red gloves covered her arm and a cape was tied around her neck that flowed around her body. Sitting on top of her strawberry blonde hair was a red brimmed hat and circling the top was what appeared to be the spirit of a black cat.
On the other side, standing to Venusmon's left was Lotosmon, a Mega level fairy Digimon who carried two sceptres, and wore a purple crown. She remained impassive, and gave little of her emotions away as she looked at the mirror, watching the two humans converse with one another. Lotusmon was dressed in purple armour the same shade as her crown, and while her skirt would normally flare out to both sides, the skirt remained lowered but she didn't care.
The final Digimon of the group was Rosemon, the ultimate level pixie Digimon stood, like Witchmon in red garments. She looked like her namesake, with a bronze tiferet across her chest. Her head was covered with a petal shaped helm and she wore thorny knee length black boots. Long blonde hair flowed down her back, above the white cape she wore. In one hand she carried a rapier, and in the other a whip of thorns. They had all watched in silence, observing the two and although they had a plan, it was always prudent to make sure they had all the facts.
"You know, for a pair of humans they do make a cute couple." Witchmon spoke up, breaking the silence as she folded her arms and looked into the mirror, listening to them talk about the weekend and their plans, whatever a weekend was. "Are you sure those two are the humans we need?"
"She holds the crest of Light, he holds the crest of hope. Alone they are strong, together they can do incredible things." Lotusmon commented, her tone neutral and her gaze never wavered from the mirror and the two humans. She broke the gaze however and looked towards Venusmon, the leader of their group. "I trust the plan stays the same?"
"We wait until the two have entered the Digital World, and then we'll get them." Venusmon spoke out with a tone of voice that betrayed her emotions. It was sweet and heavenly, kindly, like the tone of voice that a mother would use to calm her crying baby. Yet inside, she knew all too well what she had to do, and what had to be done.
"And if the other humans get in the way? We are taking two of their friends, they will not give up easily until they have their friends back." Rosemon commented, nodding her head before turning to the other four Digimon gathered. "You must realise that this plan cannot be attained through peace alone."
"I know that, Rosemon. If there was another way, another path, then I would take that path without hesitation. You know that I would." Venusmon commented, and was met with a nod from three of the four other Digimon.
Out of the group, Witchmon had been with them the least, and did not know the reasons behind the plan, instead she had just said that as long as when the plan had been completed, then she can return to her domain with the powers that Venusmon could grant her, and gain an edge over her rivalry with the Digimon Wizardmon. Her motivations for seeing the scheme through to the end was a lot less noble than those of the other Digimon. They were after something greater than power to themselves, they shared a dream that included both the Digital World, and the Human World together.
"When do we strike?" Lotusmon asked as she looked to the others.
"Soon. If what they say is true, then they shall be returning to the Digital World shortly." Venusmon stated with a small smile, before looking to Witchmon. "Are you sure you can do what you promised?"
"Change the form of another being? Of course I can! It's easy on Digimon and..."
"These aren't Digimon, these are humans. There is a big difference." Dianemon interrupted, breaking the silence that she had kept since gathering with the others to observe the two targets. She had grown annoyed with Witchmon's antics, and had been the most vocal about brining the Digimon into the plan, though she did see the value in that logic. It was still risky considering that Witchmon's loyalties and reasons behind the plan were of a lesser nature, and far from the noble cause that she and the other three Digimon were fighting for.
"Humans, Digimon, they're all the same in the Digital World. I can do it. Trust me."
That remains to be seen. Dianemon thought in response to the comment about trusting the witch Digimon. She didn't say anything else, simply turned her attention back towards the mirror and watched the two humans get up.
"That's all we can do for now." Venusmon stated with a small nod of her head, before looking to the others and they all confirmed that they felt the same way. "Olive, return to the Digital World." she instructed the dove, and waved her hand across the mirror. Like the surface of a pond when a pebble was cast, the mirror rippled and resolved into a standard image that reflected the group of Digimon, before one by one the five of them left on their own accord, until only Venusmon remained to see the world for what it was. A corrupt and unjust world. Both worlds, not just the human world. With the two Digi-destined, the plan would come to fruition, the prophecy would be complete, and life would be better off after that.