This is the spiritual successor to The Light Shines. It's not really a sequel, because it can stand on it's own, but please enjoy anyway.

Kari walked alone down the dark street. Every step came down heavily after the other. She was sad, that was a given. Anyone could tell that by the way her head hung down over her shoulders and the streaks of tears coming down her eyes. Soon, some raindrops began falling on her head. A fall wind pushed her to a stop.

"Kari…" said a voice.

Kari looked around. She didn't see anyone. She was frightened.

"Hello?" she asked.

"It's not over yet," responded the voice.

Kari bolted as fast as she could. She had to get away.

"All hope is gone," the voice continued.

Faster, faster she ran. She couldn't take it. It was too much.

"The darkness has overcome the light," the voice said.

"Shut up! Go away!" Kari screamed.

The voice began to fade, laughing while Kari cried.

Kari continued running until she reached her house. Tai sat on the couch talking on the phone. Kari walked in scared.

"Hey Tai."

"Huh? Oh yeah, welcome back Kar…Kari!"

Tai saw his crying sister. He ran over to comfort her.

"Kari, what's the matter?"

Kari plunged her arms around her brother.

"Oh Tai, I don't know what's happening. I think I'm losing my mind."

"Kari…" Tai said sadly as he patted her back. "You're still hurt about TK."

Kari sighed. She was, she was very hurt about TK.

"He's a jerk, Kari, for making you feel this way."

Kari shook her head.

"No one can blame TK, Tai. I made myself feel this way."

"Kari, don't blame yourself…"

"Fine," said Kari, "then we can't blame anyone."

Kari remembered what had unfolded only a few months ago.

Kari sat at a table outside of a restaurant. She was waiting, and not just for anyone, she was waiting for TK.

"Kari!" called TK from behind.

Kari smiled. She loved to see TK. It had only been a few months since their return to the Digital World and now the world could finally be at peace. Or so she thought.

"Hi TK!" she called. They embraced and kissed.

"TK," said Kari, "what did you want to tell me?"

TK pouted. "C'mon Kari, let's just enjoy the day first."

Kari raised an eyebrow. "Uh-oh, now I have to know."

TK began breathing heavily. Kari could tell he had something very important to say.

"Kari," began TK, "I have been offered a chance to study in another country for a semester."

"Oh!" said Kari, "Really? Where?"

"There offering to send me to China and send a Chinese boy here."

"That's wonderful!"

"…but Kari, what about us?"

Kari gulped. She and TK had only recently become a couple, now they were about to separate.

"Kari," said TK, "I want you to make the decision. Do you want me to go to China or do you want me to stay here with you?"

Kari breathed a while.

"That's a big decision for one girl."

"Kari," said TK, "you were able to save me from myself last summer, so I want you to make the decision."

Kari looked down at her drink. She loved TK, and now that they were together, she didn't want anything to break them apart.

"TK," said Kari, "you should go."

"Are you sure, Kari?"

Kari looked up to him. She tried to smile, but TK could tell she was struggling.

"TK, you have been chosen for something that few people get to do, and you have to take any opportunity you can. I love you TK, and I want the best for you."

TK stared at Kari, then he grabbed her hand and kissed her.

"I love you too Kari, thank you so much."

"Besides," Kari laughed, "with new technology these days, we'll still be able to talk every day."

TK smiled. "Yeah."

Kari looked back at her brother. Everything did not turn out okay. She was not happy and she was not able to talk to TK.

"Tai, I need to be alone right now."

"You sure?"

"Yeah"

Kari walked over to her room. She didn't dare tell Tai about the voices.

As Kari sat alone in her room, she closed her eyes.

Why was this happening to her? What made it happen? Kari remembered when TK left. It was a big deal, having your boyfriend leave for many months, but that's not what changed things. In fact, they were able to keep in contact for a few weeks, but soon, TK's emails just stopped coming. Kari didn't understand. Was TK with someone else? Was he too busy?

"Kari!" called Tai.

"Yes?"

"There's someone here for you!"

Kari got up and walked out.

"Hi Kari," said a boy about her age.

Kari gave a half smile.

"Hi Liu," she said.

Liu was the Chinese boy that exchanged places with TK. Kari had promised TK that she would make sure he got settled all right.

"Was there something you needed?"

"No," said Liu, "but I accidentally took your notebook."

"Oh, thank you Liu."

Liu handed Kari back her notebook.

"I knew you needed to study this weekend."

"Yeah, thanks for bringing it, it would have been really bad."

"No problem," smiled Liu, "well bye, I have to study myself."

"Thank you again."

"Bye bye."

"Bye."

Liu closed the door quietly as he left. Kari sighed.

"TK's emails actually stopped when Liu came," Kari thought.

She shook the idea out of her head. Liu was just some guy, how could he influence TK?

Kari went back to her room. Did Liu have something to do with this? Kari sighed again.

"Excuses, excuses," she thought. Then, she pulled out her notebook and began to study.

Ken and Yolei walked together in the park. They had recently become a couple and they still had that young passion among young lovers.

"So Yolei," asked Ken, "how was your week?"

"Terrible," she said, "I didn't get anything done."

Ken sighed. "You have to focus on school Yolei."

"Easy for you to say," she laughed.

Ken laughed as well. Then he brought his head closer to hers.

"And how is Hawkmon?"

Yolei smiled. "He is doing wonderfully."

"That's great to hear," smiled Ken, "I've been worried sick about Wormmon."

Yolei looked up to Ken, "Don't worry, he is probably fine."

Ken nodded. "Yeah, but I can't help but fear that…"

"Fear what?" asked Yolei.

"Fear that…you know…" Ken looked down at his feet. "How the other Digimon are treating the servant of the Digimon Emperor."

Yolei looked at Ken in disbelief. "Are you still thinking about that? What are you afraid of? Wormmon is their savior, he saved them time and again, and you are a great hero!"

Ken nodded. "You're right, I'm just being paranoid."

Yolei smiled. "You think too much." Suddenly, something caught her eye and she looked up.

"Hey look, it's Liu."

Ken's eyebrows furrowed, "You mean Kari's friend."

"Yeah," said Yolei, "what's with the face?"

"I don't know, but there is something I don't like about that guy."

"Ken! You're just being paranoid again!"

Yolei ran over to Liu.

"Hey Liu! How are you?"

Liu looked up at Yolei and smiled.

"Hello!" he called out.

Ken began to walk up to Liu uneasily. They nodded to each other.

"Where are you going?" asked Yolei.

"Home, well at least to my host parent's home."

Yolei giggled and the joke even brought a smirk to Ken's face.

"Are you in a hurry?" asked Yolei.

"Actually yes," said Liu, "my host parents don't want me out too late."

"Oh," said Yolei, "good bye then."

Liu smiled and nodded and then walked away.

Ken watched as Liu speeded away. What was it about him? Liu had not done anything to him. Why should Ken dislike him? He didn't know, but he sure was going to find out.

To be continued?