This story is a very belated x-mas gift for Drager. I was reading his story Lifestyle Changes and I started getting ideas for his story. I started e-mailing the ideas to him and he suggested that I write my own story based on his. As the plot changed in Drager's story my ideas changed too. I still wanted to contribute something to the story so I wrote the most current idea I had and sent it to Drager. Drager ended up using a lot of what I had written so you the reader will probably see many similarities between the first part of my story and one of Drager's chapters, chapter 21 I think. He gives me credit for parts of the chapter. There are also many differences, I'm sure everyone will notice the battle scene in Drager's chapter is a lot better than mine. Some of this story is also new and even Drager has not seen it before. The part that I sent Drager and the new stuff is separated by a line of *'s. The reason Drager has not seen it before is because I didn't want to fall to far behind his plot development so I only wrote the first part so he could use that. I also e-mailed a copy of this file to Drager so he can use any of the new components in the story he wishes. By the way you should read Drager's story Lifestyle Changes because this story will be really hard to understand if you don't. Besides it's still one of the best Digimon stories out there. Now on to the disclaimer;
I don't own Digimon and I don't think Drager does either. Now on with the story:
Taigermon's eye's open with a start. He looks around not recognizing the surroundings completely. Then suddenly, as Tai's brain begins to function, he remembers that he is in the home of Rika of the Digimon Tamers. As Tai's brain functions increase he realizes that he is hearing a loud ringing noise. It was this noise that woke Tai in the first place. Looking around Tai sees Kari, Gatomon, Agumon, and Rika in her Digimon form looking about. It appears that the alarm has woken the rest of them as well.
Kari looks at her bother and asks, "What's going on?"
"I was hoping you guys would tell me. I hope this isn't someone's idea of a joke. I was having a really good dream about Biyomon and I being on this island of catnip."
"I think I'm going to have to keep you away from that stuff Tai."
"Next time Tai I want to be on the island of catnip with you. I don't think Biyomon would truly appreciate an island of catnip."
"Yeah okay Gatomon."
Rika looks at the rest of her roommates in disbelief, "I can't believe that you have a dream about a Digimon as a girlfriend and all your sister is worried about is the catnip."
Rika looks to her digivice, which is the one making the high pitched alarm and says, "There's no time to worry about that now. There's a portal opening from the digital world."
Kari turns to Rika and asks, "Where is it forming?"
"About half way between here and Jeri's home, and it's a big one too nearly the size of the D-reaper's."
'Hey Sora and Biyomon are staying with Jeri.' Upon realizing this Tai jumps up and yells, "Well what are we waiting for guys? Let's get going, they're going to need our help."
When Tai realizes that the others are just standing there looking at him he puts his paws on his hips and asks, "What?"
Kari is the first to answer her brother's question, "Tai that's the first time since your change that you took charge."
"Who cares, we need to get going."
"Right!"
Minutes later Kari and all the Digimon were running towards the area where the rift was forming.
"Wow, look at all the fog. It must cover several city blocks."
Rika looks done to her digivice and confirms Kari's thoughts, "It does, and it actually completely covers the market center where my grandmother shops for groceries."
"Rika?"
"Yes Tai?"
"Do people live in this area?"
"No it's all shops."
"That's good."
"Why is that."
"That means that we don't have to worry about protecting people other than Kari, and maybe Jeri and Sora, when we fight."
"Oh yeah, good point."
Kari stops Rika's bike just outside and looks to her brother and asks, "So do you want to go in now or wait to see if any of the others are going to show up."
"I'm sorry Kari but I'm going to be in combat, you are going to have to make all the decisions starting now."
"But Tai, I don't know what the right decision is."
"Kari, no one knows what the right decision is going to be until after it is all said and done."
"But I can't Tai, I just can't."
"Yes you can Kari. I know that you can lead just as well as me, maybe even better."
"No Tai. I can't I'm afraid that something will go wrong."
"Kari, I'm always afraid that I'll make the wrong decision and someone that I care about will get hurt. I did make decisions that nearly got you and Sora hurt really badly, but even if a good leader makes a bad decision he has to overcome that mistake and achieve his goals."
Just as Tai finished his pep talk to Kari the group heard a loud explosion from inside the fog accompanied with two feminine voices screaming.
"Oh no, someone is getting hurt and it's my entire fault."
"Kari, how is this your fault?"
"It's my fault for not going in sooner, Tai."
"There's no point in second guessing yourself, but I think we need to be going right now, okay?"
"Right let's go."
"Just a second Kari."
"What is it Rika?"
"Put the sun glasses on. You will need them to see while traveling through the digital barrier."
Kari dawned her sunglasses and the group charged through the digital barrier. Upon entering the fog covered battle-field the group saw Sora and Jeri hiding behind some rubble while Garudamon was being pummeled by two Digimon the others have never seen before. The first was a large heavy looking humanoid Digimon made entirely of dark gray metal. On the shoulders of this Digimon sat two large rocket launchers. The other Digimon was a skinny humanoid made entirely of purple lighting.
The lighting Digimon turns to the armored Digimon and says, "Hey Kriegmon can you believe these humans thought that their puny slave could defeat two megas like us."
"No Blitzmon, I am not surprised by the arrogance of these humans. Controlmon is quite correct these vermin and their Digimon slaves must be terminated."
"Hey brother, I suggest we try our combined Lighting Warfare attack to destroy these disgusting creatures."
"I have a better idea, drop dead!" yells Wargreymon and he slams into the twin megas. Wargreymon then turns to his friends and yells, "run for cover!"
As Wargreymon bellowed these orders, Garudamon dedigivolves into Birdramon due to her wounds.
"Birdramon, are you okay?"
"Yes Sora, I just lost too much energy from the fight. Grab a hold of me and I'll fly you and Jeri to safety."
With that Jeri and Sora grabbed a hold of Birdramon who then flew the two girls over to their friends in a near by parking lot. Upon arriving Sora turns to Tai and asks, "Okay, what do we do now?"
"I don't now about the rest of you but I'm going to help my partner. Taigermon digivolve to Tempestmon."
"Hey wait for me," yells Gatomon, "Gatomon digivolve to Angewomon." Both the Digimon left to help their friend in battle.
"Birdramon digivolve to..."
"No Birdramon, you can't go you're too hurt. Stay here and protect us."
"As you wish Sora."
Jeri turns to Rika and asks, "Are you going to join the fight Rika?"
"I ah... well... I want to but without Renamon here I'm afraid I'll get in the way not knowing what to do. I'm sorry."
"It's okay Rika I understand. I felt pretty useless without Leomon."
Meanwhile on the field of battle Wargreymon had knocked down Kriegmon and turned to face Blitzmon just as Blitzmon unleashed his 'Counter Strike' attack on Wargreymon. Wargreymon tried to block the attack with his shield but the electrical energy hit the shield, ran from the shield to Wargreymon's Armour, and then into Wargreymon himself. Wargreymon let out a horrible cry of pain and fell to the ground.
"Wargreymon are you okay?"
"I would be more worried about myself if I was you pathetic slave," sneered Blitzmon.
"I concur with my twin, you two slaves have troubled Controlmon for the last time," bellowed Kriegmon.
"It isn't over yet, jerk-face. Wings of the Storms!" Tempestmon's attack streaked towards the armored Kriegmon but the attack fizzled out when it struck his armor.
"Is that the best you got kitty cat? Pathetic! Here try this one on for size, Carpet-bombing!"
Kriegmon's attack began with the rocket launchers locking onto Tempestmon and then rapidly firing explosive devices at the winged tiger. Tempestmon took a pounding and then fell from the sky, crashing right in front of Kari and the others. Tempestmon attempts to get up but he falls back to the ground and dedigivolves to Taigermon.
Kari runs out to her brother shouting his name. Blitzmon sees this and decides that this would be the perfect time to strike. He flies into the air above Kari and the others hoping to take all the humans and the three Digimon out in a single shot. "Counter...."
Tai and Biyomon spy the flying energy Digimon and know that each of them is too beaten and weak to stop him but there was no way the two were going to allow Kriegmon hurt the ones they love. Tai yelled, "Taigermon DNA digivolve to..."
Then Biyomon called out "Biyomon DNA digivolve to..."
And together the two Digimon proclaimed, "Warangemon."
Kari and Sora stood their stunned as their partners combined to form an angle type Digimon. Warangemon floated before the two girls clad from head to foot in a shirt of golden scale mail armor. Each scale appeared to be a golden feather. The wings of Warangemon were the same shape and size of Angewomon's only they were a flaming red color like Birdramon. Warangemon was armed with a long slender sword made of orange flame and a golden shield embossed with the crest of love superimposed onto the crest of courage. Kari called out to her brother and the angle Digimon turned to face his little sister. Sora and Kari could now see that Warangemon wore a helmet that covered the eyes like Angemon and Angewomon but instead of ending in a cross like the others this helmet ended in an eagle's beak. The mouth of Warangemon flashed the girls Tai's trademark goofy grin and said in Tai's normal voice and Garudamon's voice, "Don't worry guys, we'll be okay." And with that he took of to attack Blitzmon.
Blitzmon looked at the new opponent and said, "It doesn't matter what you think this will accomplish I will still destroy you."
"Fat chance fat-head. Crusader's thrust!" And with that Warangemon drove his sword through the electric Digimon.
Blitzmon pulled back clutching his chest and says, "Ugh, not bad for a pathetic slave but you are still going to lose."
"What do you plan to do bore us to death with talk?"
"No I'm going to attack your greatest weakness."
"Oh yeah what's that, our good looks?"
"No simpleton, it's your armor. Counter-strike!"
Blitzmon's attack hit Warangemon on the shield and spread through out the Digimon's body with even greater efficiency than it did with Wargreymon. Kari and Sora watched in horror as Warangemon broke apart into Taigermon and Birdramon, and then they watched as these two Digimon turned into their rookie forms Kidtymon and Biyomon. The terror did not end there, Biyomon turned to Yokomon and Kidtymon changed into Tai. Sora grabbed Kari and buried the younger girl's face into her chest while she clenched her own eye's shut. Sora, Rika Jeri and Kari could all have the sight of Tai's body blocked from their eye's but none of them will ever be able to forget the sickening thud Tai's body made when it hit the ground. Kari broke free from Sora's grip to go and see if her brother was still alive. Rika watched as her new friend ran to her fallen brother unaware of the danger above. Blitzmon was about to launch a second attack targeting Tai and Kari and Rika became filled with rage at such a cowardly act. This rage turned to power that filled Rika's new body. The rest just came as instinct, "Rikkemon (feel free to change the names) warp digivolve to Plairmon!"
Rika's body became engulfed in energy and the tiny fox like creature turned into a tall slender woman coated in red shining armor. The armor covered her entire body except the lower part of her face. Jeri looked up to her new partner and yelled, "Go destroy that scum-bag Rika."
In a very mature sounding voice, Plairmon answers, "certainly Jeri."
Plairmon flies up to confront Blitzmon. The energy Digimon looks upon this new meager with contempt.
"Stupid slaves. I keep telling you armor won't protect up from me, Counter-strike!"
As the attack streaks towards Plairmon she curls up into the fettle position and covers her face with her hands. The attack hits Plairmon but it just dissipates upon contact.
"Huh? What happened?"
"You're stupid Blitzmon. My armor isn't made of metal." The black visor over Plairmon's eyes glows green as Rika analyzes Blitzmon's data. "HMO, according to this you can only be hurt by energy attacks. Well let's see what I can do to accommodate you."
As Plairmon prepares for her attack a small box with a slit on the side appears on the back of her left hand and a small poach on her right hip appears at the same time. Plairmon opens the poach and pulls out a card. Plairmon looks at the card and reads, "Phoenixmon energy attack; Crimson Flame, this will do nicely."
Plairmon slides the edge of the card through the slit on the device on her left hand and yells, "Crimson Flame!" The attack destroys Blitzmon and Plairmon turns to confront Kriegmon but she only finds Wargreymon standing before a wave of dispersing energy pixels.
"I assume that you were victorious over Kriegmon, Wargreymon."
"Oh yeah his armor was no better than Machinedramon's. Mega Claw slices through practically everything."
Both mega turned in alarm when they herd Kari scream to Angewomon, "Get Tai to a hospital fast he's not breathing!"
Just then the fog covering the battle field disappears and the group finds themselves surrounded by Yamiki and his Hypnos agents.
EMTs run towards Tai While Yamiki approaches Kari and says to the young girl, "Don't worry Kari we are going to save your brother."
*************************************************************************************
Kari turns to Yamiki and yells, "You have to help my brother."
"We'll do everything we can. If the readings we're getting from your brother are correct you won't have anything to worry about."
"What do you mean?"
Before Mr. Yamiki could answer the question Tai began to stir.
"Tai!" cries Kari as she runs to embrace her brother.
"Ow... What happened Kari? the last thing I remember is DNA digivolving, then being hit really hard by that electric jerk and then everything went black." After Tai puts down his little sister he asks, "How did we beat the two dorks?"
"Well," says Kari, "Wargerymon took out Kriegmon, he chopped him up like he did to Machinedramon and Rika warp-digivolved to mega and took out Blitzmon."
"Rika can warp-digivolve?" sighed Tai.
"Don't worry about it Tai, Rika saved all of us."
"Great not only am I useless as a human I'm also so a lousy Digimon."
Kari looks at her brother and realizing how upset he was becoming, tries to head off Tai's despair. "You weren't a lousy Digimon Tai. You and Biyomon bought us enough time for Rika to warp-digivolve."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, you and Biyomon DNA-digivolved into Warangemon to protect Sora, Jeri, Rika, and I."
"Yeah?"
"And you know what else Tai?"
"What?"
"You're going to be in a lot of trouble if you got Biyomon pregnant."
"Huh?"
"I don't think mom and dad are ready to be grandparents yet, especially grandparents of a digital monster/human, cat/bird grandchild. I guess it would be a griffin."
"Kari, DNA-digvolving doesn't involve that!" declared a blushing Tai.
"You better hope so, because you'll be in a lot of trouble otherwise."
"Tai are you okay?" asked aSora who came over carrying a crying Yokomon.
"Yeah I'm okay Sora. What's wrong Yokomon?"
"My boyfriend is gone."
"I'm still here."
"But Taigermon is gone."
"I'm still here Yokomon, and I remember how you made me feel special when I first turned into a Digimon. Back then I thought that I was useless and that my life was over. You showed me that just wasn't so, that I did have something to live for." Tai stands up and takes Yokomon into his arms, "You will always be special to me Yokomon." And with that Tai hugs the little pink Digimon.
After comforting Yokomon turns to see that Sora's eyes have almost popped out of her head and her cheeks have turned a bright crimson.
"What's wrong Sora?"
"It's you."
"What about me?"
Kari looks her brother over to make sure there are no horrible injuries she missed. During her second check of her brother she notices what is causing Sora's reaction.
"Um Tai, I figured out what's wrong with you."
Tai turns and looks at his little sister. "Nothing is wrong with me." he declared.
"Yes there is," giggled Kari.
"Oh yeah, well I feel fine."
"Don't you feel a little cold?"
"Yeah I guess, but what has that got to do with anything?"
"You're naked."
"Ahhh!" yelps Tai as he positions Yokomon over a particular part of his anatomy. Tai looks around to see a wide-eyed blushing Sora , and standing next to her were Tally and Riely. Tally winked and blew Tai a kiss, while Riely gave Tai a look that made him feel like the mouse that had just been cornered by a cat. Even though Tai was standing naked in the cold night air, he began to sweat.
"Tai are you okay?"
"Umm... Kari could you get me some clothes."
"Yeah okay." As Kari turn to ask Mr. Yamiki to inquire if there were any spare clothes she spies the trio of females admiring her brother. "Quite staring at my brother you perverts!"
Sora whipped right around turning an even deeper shade of red.
"Spoil sport." muttered Tally as she turned. Riely turned very slowly with a wicked grin forming on her lips.
Satisfied that her brother was no longer the object of unwanted female attention, Kari turns to Mr. Yamiki, and asks, "Do you think you guys could get something to cover my brother up?"
"Yes of course sergeant find some blankets or something."
"Yes sir!"
"So what did you mean by reading s you were getting from my brother?"
"Well you as you can see from the energy detector here your brother is giving off energy in a completely different frequency than you or I."
"But what does that mean?"
"Well your brother's frequency is the same as..."
"Do you two mind not talking about me as if I'm not here?"
"Sorry Tai."
"My apologies Mr. Kamiya."
"What do you mean by this energy coming off of me?"
"Well everything in the universe is tuned into a universal frequency. This frequency is a fundamental guide line for everything in the universe. It makes solids solid, gases gaseous, and energy, well energy. This frequency means that I can not walk through a wall but I can walk through air of water. basically the frequency determine the physical properties of the universe."
"Wouldn't Kari and I both have different frequencies than you or Rika because we come from two different worlds?"
"I have a theory about that Tai."
Tai turns to see his friend Izzy and his partner Tentomon approach with the sergeant who left for the clothes. Tai thanks the sergeant and begins to dress. Yokomon is handed to Kari as Izzy begins to speak Yokomon notices that Sora has turned back around to spy on Tai. "Turn around Sora!"
This command brings Tai's, Kari's, Mr. Yamiki's and Izzy's attention to Sora. After a second of shock Sora whips around again.
"Naughty, naughty little girl," snickers Tally.
"Perhaps you're still a little too young to be playing this game child," sneers Riely.
"At least I'm not drooling over a guy half my age," retorts Sora.
Gatomon turns to Tai and whispers, "You know I thought we were suppose to be the catty ones."
"No kidding," Tai turns to Izzy and asks, "So what is your theory?"
"Well Tai as Mr. Yamiki pointed out earlier your frequency is different while his and Kari's is the same. I over heard your question about Mr. Yamiki's and Kari's frequencies being the same when they came from two separate universes, and that's a very good question Tai. I think that Mr. Yamiki's universe and our universe have a common ancestor like humans and chimpanzees. Basically there was one universe with all the properties like this universe and the one we came from but something happened which caused the universe to split and become two separate universes. These two universes evolved into our home universe and Tai one we stand in now."
"So there are two universes?"
"I suspect that there are many more than just the two we know about Tai."
"Yeah Tai don't forget the digital world, that's a universe unto itself."
"Actually Kari, from the information I have studied at Hypnos I have concluded that this world has its own separate digital world."
"Izzy would these universes come in bundles?"
"What do you mean Mr. Yamiki?"
"Well I was thinking maybe each real world has its own digital world, that the two are grouped together."
"I hope not."
"Why do you say that Kari?"
"Because Tai I have been to the world called the Dark Ocean and I don't want to think that there is more than one of those in existence. If there is always a group of universes bunched together than there would be a bunch of Dark Oceans out there too."
"I don't think there is more than one Dark Ocean Kari. Even if there was I'm not going to let it hurt you."
"Thanks Tai," says Kari as she hugs her brother.
"To answer your question Mr. Yamiki the universes known to us as the digital world are dependent on the existence of the real worlds, so not every real world will have a digital world but every digital world needs a real world to support it."
"I have a question, why is my frequency different from everyone else's?"
"Actually Tai your frequency is different from ours but it is the same as Rika's Gatomon's and Yokomon's. You are a Digimon."
"I'm not a Digimon, just look at me."
"Actually according to my Digimon analyzer Tai you are an in-training Digimon known as Humon."
"Humon, is that your idea of a joke ?"
"No Tai just look at the screen."
Tai reads over the screen of Izzy's computer and reads the data about himself. As Tai reads he becomes more angry and frustrated. "This has to be a lie."
"I'm sorry Tai but this is the truth."
"No, I want to be human again!"
"Tai be reasonable..."
"Reasonable, reasonable, how can you tell me to be reasonable. I have saved the world more time than I can remember, I try to be the best son and big brother I can be, I help and protect my friends, I have saved the lives of people I haven't even meet and all I get as reward is a major screw job to my life. I don't deserve this!"
"I know that Tai, but there is no reason to become so agitated over the issue. It's not like there is anything that we can do about it now."
"Shut up! Blow bubble!" and with that a stream of small pink bubbles fly out from in-between Tai's lips to burst harmlessly on the screen of Izzy's computer. Realizing what he is doing, Tai quickly covers his mouth with his hands. Tai's legs give out as he begins to cry.
Kari wraps her arm around her brother and says, "It's okay Tai, everything is going to be okay."
Mr. Yamiki surveys the damage caused by the Digimon battle and states, "Maybe you guys should head back to Hypnos, we should double check Tai and the three Digimon to make sure that they were not harmed in battle like Rennamon was earlier. I'll join you later in the lab after I have reported to the authorities what has happened here."
Izzy, Sora, Kari, Jeri, and all the Digimon loaded up into a couple of Hypnos vans to head to Rika's place. Before Tai entered the van Mr. Yamiki stopped him and took him aside.
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to tell you that you are not the only one here who knows what it is like to go unappreciated Tai. Not many people know or care that we at Hypnos put our lives on the line so they can live in safety and comfort. We don't get glory, riches. love, or the good life because of all the good we have done, all we hear are the complaints. The only thing that we get as a reward is the knowledge that we are making the world a better place for those we love."
"Why are you telling me this? Are you mad at me for feeling sorry for myself/"
"No I understand the way you feel and you are right, fate has screwed your life over pretty good, I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I know that as leader you can't talk to the others about your problems but you can talk to me."
"Thanks Mr. Yamiki."
"No problem, now go and get some rest."
"Yes sir."
Tai sat down beside Kari and across from Izzy in the van. Tai looks to his friend and says, "Izzy I'm sorry that I lost my temper and attacked your computer."
"It's okay Tai, I understand that you are under a great deal of stress and besides there was no harm done."
The group of battle weary friends watch the light from the early morning sun turn the dark glass buildings into a bright orange. Tai feels a weight against his shoulder. When he looks over he sees that his little sister has fallen asleep. Tai looks around to see that Koromon has fallen asleep in his lap, Jeri and Rika were asleep on the other side of Kari, Izzy had nodded off at his computer and Yokomon was asleep in Sora's lap.
Sora smiles to Tai and says, "You should stow Izzy's computer for him. He will be beside himself with grief if he drops it in his sleep."
Tai reaches over and takes Izzy's laptop out of his hands and places it in a secure location. Tai turns to Sora and asks, "What is his excuse, he wasn't up battling Digimon at three in the morning?"
"I can answer that for you Tai," said Tentomon, "You see Izzy stayed up all night analyzing all the data Hypnos had on Digimon and their digital world. Apparently in this world humans think they created the digital world, as opposed to it coming into existence in its own, like ours did. Izzy spent the whole night going over the reports and data Hypnos has collected. I told him to get some sleep or he would make himself sick but he wouldn't listen. You know Tai sometimes you humans need to listen to us Digimon a little more."
"You mean those humans need to listen to us Digimon, don't you Tentomon?"
"Yes I suppose I do."
"I thought you didn't want to be a Digimon Tai?"
"I don't know Sora, sometimes it's really hard living your life as a creature you have never been before. It's hard having to eat differently, sleep in a kitty bed on the floor, having to use the litter box, lying to your mom by pretending to be a cat. But then there are times when it is really great, like the time I digivolved for T.K. and freed all of those captured Digimon."
"I guess tonight was one of those great moments huh?"
"Are you kidding? I got my butt kicked. If it hadn't been for Rika and Wargerymon we would have been toast. I was lucky to have been able to stand up to those two goons or Rika to digivolve. I really sucked tonight."
"I thought you were magnificent tonight Tai," and with that Sora leans forward and pulls Tai into a long passionate kiss.
"Oh my," exclaims Tentomon as he turns away to give Tai and Sora some privacy.
The break the kiss and look into each others eyes. As Tai stares into Sora's eyes he struggles to compose his thoughts and emotions into words that he can express to Sora. Just as Tai figures it is safe to say something the van hits a speed bump at the entrance of the Hypnos underground parking lot waking the others. Tai gave an internal sigh of relief while Sora scowled at the interruption of their intimacy.
As Kari becomes aware of the silence in the van she asks, "What did we miss?"
"The sunrise, it was quite lovely," states an excited Tentomon
"Oh, that's too bad."
"Hey where is my computer?"
"I put it under your seat so you wouldn't drop it while you slept Izzy."
"Oh thanks Tai. I have been doing a lot of work and I wouldn't want to lose any."
"Stealing secrets from Hypnos?"
Izzy sat with his mouth open for a few seconds before exclaiming, "No Tai I would never do that."
Tai's eyes narrowed as he watched his friend begin to sweat. He leaned in and whispered into Izzy's ear, "Yeah well you better make sure that you don't get caught."
"Don't worry Tai," whispered Izzy, "I'm being extremely careful, besides I know what I am doing."
"You better."
"Hey you guys we better get going the others have already left and I don't want to miss out on any of the food," cries a anxious Koromon.
Tai, Izzy and Koromon find the others in a conference room filled with various kinds of snacks and drinks.
Tai went to approach the table but he was intercepted by a man in a white lab coat. "Hello Tai. my name is Dr. Wong, I'm Henery's father. If you will come with me I'll make sure that you did not receive any additional damage in the battle. To tell you the truth I find it quite exciting to study a human Digimon hybrid, and you are a cartoon character at that."
"Look I'm real, as far as I knew you were the cartoon character."
"Yes I know, Yamiki has informed me of the situation. This way please we'll begin the tests."
"Yeah but..."
"Don't worry there will be plenty to eat later now this way please."
Tai muttered something under his breath that Dr. Wong didn't hear and then followed the man in the white lab coat. Tai soon arrived in a room with a huge computer bank and terminal that filled over half the room. Connected to the computer bank was a large robotic arm which, Tai guessed, held a number of scanners. Under the arm was a flat metal table. Tai noticed with some dread that the table had clamps meant for restraining the subjects of Dr. Wong's probing.
"Don't worry Tai I'm not going to tie you to the table, thou I hear that Tally or Riely might."
Tai just chuckled nervously.
"I'll have to ask you to remove your clothing before we begin."
"Why do you want me naked again?"
"The clothes are part of Hypnos combat gear Tai. There are special fibers in the cloth that disperses digital energy thus protecting our men from some Digimon attacks. However it also keeps my machine from being able to examine you. It would be like wearing lead clothes over the broken bone while getting an x-ray. Sort of defeats the purpose doesn't?"
"Yeah I guess," said Tai as he disrobed. While Tai undressed he watched Dr. Wong got the machine ready. Tai couldn't help thinking that his mom should be hear to make sure everything was kosher. Tai had been to the doctor's before but Dr. Kido never made him feel this uncomfortable.
Dr. Wong turned around and said, "Well hurry up and get on the table we don't have all day."
Tai climbed up onto the cold metal table, "Can I have a towel to lay on or something this thing is really cold?"
"Quite!"
Tai half expected the clamp to snap shut and he was mildly surprised when they didn't. The arm came to life and began to move up and down Tai's body. The devices shown different colored lights onto Tai's body. Tai worried what kind of side effects this probe might has on his human half. Just then a red beam came out of one of the probes and hit Tai in the leg. The light burned into Tai causing extreme pain in that part of his body. Tai cried out and began to thrash about.
"I see the clamps will be necessary," said Dr. Wong, and with the push of a button the clamps shot out and held Tai firmly to the table.
"What are you doing?" cried Tai.
"Fixing you." replied Dr. Wong with out turning away from the computer.
Tai looked in horror as his thigh began to fade in and out of his vision. Tai began to be filled with a sence of panic and began to struggle against the restraints. As Tai struggled he began to feel warm and tingly all over and the pain in his leg decreased. Tai didn't know why but he began it digivolve.
"Humon digivole to Kidtymon!"
In his rookie form Tai little body could no longer be restrained by the clamps and he no longer was under the laser. Dr. Wong didn't have time to do something about this situation because the digital energy Tai gave off when digivolving began to overload the doctor's equipment. Sparks flew and alarms began to sound. Just as Dr. Wong managed to get the computer to stop crashing Mr. Yamiki burst through the door with Riely and Tally in tow.
"What is going on here Wong?" yelled Mr. Yamiki.
"I was giving our guest here a checkup and the idiot digivolved and all most destroyed my equipment!"
"Shut up Wong, I know what you are doing. Tai where are you?"
Kidtymon stepped out from behind the collapsed robotic arm and said in a mild voice, "Um... I'm over here."
"Oh you're so cute!" squealed Tally how ran over and scooped up Tai.
"Ugh thanks." said Tai as Tally clenched him to her chest and began to rock him back and forth.
"Tally take Tai to the others while Riely and I have a word with Dr. Wong here."
"Yes sir." As Tally carried Tai down the hall She asked, "Have you eaten yet Tai?"
"No."
"Well is there anything that I could get you?"
"You got any tuna."
"Lots, it's my favorite."
"Mine too."
As they entered the room Tally walked over to Izzy, Tentomon, and Koromon and said, "Well I'll leave you with your friend here and fetch you some tuna. Oh and Izzy I'll bring you a copy of the schematics of the digital monitors."
As Tally left humming to herself Tai looks up to Izzy and asks, "What is she talking about?"
"Hypnos has devices that can monitor the barrier between the digital world and the real world. Tally has agreed to give me a copy of the schematics ."
"You just asked for them and she just gave them to you?"
Izzy blushed and said, "Actually Tai, if you remember we are cartoon characters in this world and it seems the Tally is a fan of the show, and I'm her favorite character."
"So basically what you're telling me is that a woman who works in a Digimon control center in a different universe fell in love with a cartoon representation of you?"
"I think saying that Tally loves me might be too strong. She likes me because, I guess, she sees me as a cool nerd"
"That's good because I don't think your mom would like you to get involved with an older woman in another universe."
"Yeah I wouldn't want to have to explain that to her."
"Especially the grandchildren."
"So in order to change the subject, what were you and Dr. Wong doing?"
"He started zapping me with this machine and told me that it was something like an x-ray. then one of the lights turned red and started to burn my leg. Then my leg started to faze in and out of existence."
"Did he say to you he was doing?"
"He said that he was fixing me, but Izzy there was nothing wrong with me until he zapped me with that stupid machine."
"I know Tai, when Dr. Wong dragged you off to his lab I began to feel uneasy. I plugged into a terminal over there and hacked into Wong's computer. He was tying to download programs into you. I couldn't believe that you would allow such a thing so I intercepted the transmission and downloaded the programs into my computer."
"People can download programs into me like I was a computer?"
"Yes in fact Dr. Wong already did it to his son's Digimon partner."
"What a jerk!" Tai remained silent for a couple of minutes as he thought over what Izzy had told him.
I don't own Digimon and I don't think Drager does either. Now on with the story:
Taigermon's eye's open with a start. He looks around not recognizing the surroundings completely. Then suddenly, as Tai's brain begins to function, he remembers that he is in the home of Rika of the Digimon Tamers. As Tai's brain functions increase he realizes that he is hearing a loud ringing noise. It was this noise that woke Tai in the first place. Looking around Tai sees Kari, Gatomon, Agumon, and Rika in her Digimon form looking about. It appears that the alarm has woken the rest of them as well.
Kari looks at her bother and asks, "What's going on?"
"I was hoping you guys would tell me. I hope this isn't someone's idea of a joke. I was having a really good dream about Biyomon and I being on this island of catnip."
"I think I'm going to have to keep you away from that stuff Tai."
"Next time Tai I want to be on the island of catnip with you. I don't think Biyomon would truly appreciate an island of catnip."
"Yeah okay Gatomon."
Rika looks at the rest of her roommates in disbelief, "I can't believe that you have a dream about a Digimon as a girlfriend and all your sister is worried about is the catnip."
Rika looks to her digivice, which is the one making the high pitched alarm and says, "There's no time to worry about that now. There's a portal opening from the digital world."
Kari turns to Rika and asks, "Where is it forming?"
"About half way between here and Jeri's home, and it's a big one too nearly the size of the D-reaper's."
'Hey Sora and Biyomon are staying with Jeri.' Upon realizing this Tai jumps up and yells, "Well what are we waiting for guys? Let's get going, they're going to need our help."
When Tai realizes that the others are just standing there looking at him he puts his paws on his hips and asks, "What?"
Kari is the first to answer her brother's question, "Tai that's the first time since your change that you took charge."
"Who cares, we need to get going."
"Right!"
Minutes later Kari and all the Digimon were running towards the area where the rift was forming.
"Wow, look at all the fog. It must cover several city blocks."
Rika looks done to her digivice and confirms Kari's thoughts, "It does, and it actually completely covers the market center where my grandmother shops for groceries."
"Rika?"
"Yes Tai?"
"Do people live in this area?"
"No it's all shops."
"That's good."
"Why is that."
"That means that we don't have to worry about protecting people other than Kari, and maybe Jeri and Sora, when we fight."
"Oh yeah, good point."
Kari stops Rika's bike just outside and looks to her brother and asks, "So do you want to go in now or wait to see if any of the others are going to show up."
"I'm sorry Kari but I'm going to be in combat, you are going to have to make all the decisions starting now."
"But Tai, I don't know what the right decision is."
"Kari, no one knows what the right decision is going to be until after it is all said and done."
"But I can't Tai, I just can't."
"Yes you can Kari. I know that you can lead just as well as me, maybe even better."
"No Tai. I can't I'm afraid that something will go wrong."
"Kari, I'm always afraid that I'll make the wrong decision and someone that I care about will get hurt. I did make decisions that nearly got you and Sora hurt really badly, but even if a good leader makes a bad decision he has to overcome that mistake and achieve his goals."
Just as Tai finished his pep talk to Kari the group heard a loud explosion from inside the fog accompanied with two feminine voices screaming.
"Oh no, someone is getting hurt and it's my entire fault."
"Kari, how is this your fault?"
"It's my fault for not going in sooner, Tai."
"There's no point in second guessing yourself, but I think we need to be going right now, okay?"
"Right let's go."
"Just a second Kari."
"What is it Rika?"
"Put the sun glasses on. You will need them to see while traveling through the digital barrier."
Kari dawned her sunglasses and the group charged through the digital barrier. Upon entering the fog covered battle-field the group saw Sora and Jeri hiding behind some rubble while Garudamon was being pummeled by two Digimon the others have never seen before. The first was a large heavy looking humanoid Digimon made entirely of dark gray metal. On the shoulders of this Digimon sat two large rocket launchers. The other Digimon was a skinny humanoid made entirely of purple lighting.
The lighting Digimon turns to the armored Digimon and says, "Hey Kriegmon can you believe these humans thought that their puny slave could defeat two megas like us."
"No Blitzmon, I am not surprised by the arrogance of these humans. Controlmon is quite correct these vermin and their Digimon slaves must be terminated."
"Hey brother, I suggest we try our combined Lighting Warfare attack to destroy these disgusting creatures."
"I have a better idea, drop dead!" yells Wargreymon and he slams into the twin megas. Wargreymon then turns to his friends and yells, "run for cover!"
As Wargreymon bellowed these orders, Garudamon dedigivolves into Birdramon due to her wounds.
"Birdramon, are you okay?"
"Yes Sora, I just lost too much energy from the fight. Grab a hold of me and I'll fly you and Jeri to safety."
With that Jeri and Sora grabbed a hold of Birdramon who then flew the two girls over to their friends in a near by parking lot. Upon arriving Sora turns to Tai and asks, "Okay, what do we do now?"
"I don't now about the rest of you but I'm going to help my partner. Taigermon digivolve to Tempestmon."
"Hey wait for me," yells Gatomon, "Gatomon digivolve to Angewomon." Both the Digimon left to help their friend in battle.
"Birdramon digivolve to..."
"No Birdramon, you can't go you're too hurt. Stay here and protect us."
"As you wish Sora."
Jeri turns to Rika and asks, "Are you going to join the fight Rika?"
"I ah... well... I want to but without Renamon here I'm afraid I'll get in the way not knowing what to do. I'm sorry."
"It's okay Rika I understand. I felt pretty useless without Leomon."
Meanwhile on the field of battle Wargreymon had knocked down Kriegmon and turned to face Blitzmon just as Blitzmon unleashed his 'Counter Strike' attack on Wargreymon. Wargreymon tried to block the attack with his shield but the electrical energy hit the shield, ran from the shield to Wargreymon's Armour, and then into Wargreymon himself. Wargreymon let out a horrible cry of pain and fell to the ground.
"Wargreymon are you okay?"
"I would be more worried about myself if I was you pathetic slave," sneered Blitzmon.
"I concur with my twin, you two slaves have troubled Controlmon for the last time," bellowed Kriegmon.
"It isn't over yet, jerk-face. Wings of the Storms!" Tempestmon's attack streaked towards the armored Kriegmon but the attack fizzled out when it struck his armor.
"Is that the best you got kitty cat? Pathetic! Here try this one on for size, Carpet-bombing!"
Kriegmon's attack began with the rocket launchers locking onto Tempestmon and then rapidly firing explosive devices at the winged tiger. Tempestmon took a pounding and then fell from the sky, crashing right in front of Kari and the others. Tempestmon attempts to get up but he falls back to the ground and dedigivolves to Taigermon.
Kari runs out to her brother shouting his name. Blitzmon sees this and decides that this would be the perfect time to strike. He flies into the air above Kari and the others hoping to take all the humans and the three Digimon out in a single shot. "Counter...."
Tai and Biyomon spy the flying energy Digimon and know that each of them is too beaten and weak to stop him but there was no way the two were going to allow Kriegmon hurt the ones they love. Tai yelled, "Taigermon DNA digivolve to..."
Then Biyomon called out "Biyomon DNA digivolve to..."
And together the two Digimon proclaimed, "Warangemon."
Kari and Sora stood their stunned as their partners combined to form an angle type Digimon. Warangemon floated before the two girls clad from head to foot in a shirt of golden scale mail armor. Each scale appeared to be a golden feather. The wings of Warangemon were the same shape and size of Angewomon's only they were a flaming red color like Birdramon. Warangemon was armed with a long slender sword made of orange flame and a golden shield embossed with the crest of love superimposed onto the crest of courage. Kari called out to her brother and the angle Digimon turned to face his little sister. Sora and Kari could now see that Warangemon wore a helmet that covered the eyes like Angemon and Angewomon but instead of ending in a cross like the others this helmet ended in an eagle's beak. The mouth of Warangemon flashed the girls Tai's trademark goofy grin and said in Tai's normal voice and Garudamon's voice, "Don't worry guys, we'll be okay." And with that he took of to attack Blitzmon.
Blitzmon looked at the new opponent and said, "It doesn't matter what you think this will accomplish I will still destroy you."
"Fat chance fat-head. Crusader's thrust!" And with that Warangemon drove his sword through the electric Digimon.
Blitzmon pulled back clutching his chest and says, "Ugh, not bad for a pathetic slave but you are still going to lose."
"What do you plan to do bore us to death with talk?"
"No I'm going to attack your greatest weakness."
"Oh yeah what's that, our good looks?"
"No simpleton, it's your armor. Counter-strike!"
Blitzmon's attack hit Warangemon on the shield and spread through out the Digimon's body with even greater efficiency than it did with Wargreymon. Kari and Sora watched in horror as Warangemon broke apart into Taigermon and Birdramon, and then they watched as these two Digimon turned into their rookie forms Kidtymon and Biyomon. The terror did not end there, Biyomon turned to Yokomon and Kidtymon changed into Tai. Sora grabbed Kari and buried the younger girl's face into her chest while she clenched her own eye's shut. Sora, Rika Jeri and Kari could all have the sight of Tai's body blocked from their eye's but none of them will ever be able to forget the sickening thud Tai's body made when it hit the ground. Kari broke free from Sora's grip to go and see if her brother was still alive. Rika watched as her new friend ran to her fallen brother unaware of the danger above. Blitzmon was about to launch a second attack targeting Tai and Kari and Rika became filled with rage at such a cowardly act. This rage turned to power that filled Rika's new body. The rest just came as instinct, "Rikkemon (feel free to change the names) warp digivolve to Plairmon!"
Rika's body became engulfed in energy and the tiny fox like creature turned into a tall slender woman coated in red shining armor. The armor covered her entire body except the lower part of her face. Jeri looked up to her new partner and yelled, "Go destroy that scum-bag Rika."
In a very mature sounding voice, Plairmon answers, "certainly Jeri."
Plairmon flies up to confront Blitzmon. The energy Digimon looks upon this new meager with contempt.
"Stupid slaves. I keep telling you armor won't protect up from me, Counter-strike!"
As the attack streaks towards Plairmon she curls up into the fettle position and covers her face with her hands. The attack hits Plairmon but it just dissipates upon contact.
"Huh? What happened?"
"You're stupid Blitzmon. My armor isn't made of metal." The black visor over Plairmon's eyes glows green as Rika analyzes Blitzmon's data. "HMO, according to this you can only be hurt by energy attacks. Well let's see what I can do to accommodate you."
As Plairmon prepares for her attack a small box with a slit on the side appears on the back of her left hand and a small poach on her right hip appears at the same time. Plairmon opens the poach and pulls out a card. Plairmon looks at the card and reads, "Phoenixmon energy attack; Crimson Flame, this will do nicely."
Plairmon slides the edge of the card through the slit on the device on her left hand and yells, "Crimson Flame!" The attack destroys Blitzmon and Plairmon turns to confront Kriegmon but she only finds Wargreymon standing before a wave of dispersing energy pixels.
"I assume that you were victorious over Kriegmon, Wargreymon."
"Oh yeah his armor was no better than Machinedramon's. Mega Claw slices through practically everything."
Both mega turned in alarm when they herd Kari scream to Angewomon, "Get Tai to a hospital fast he's not breathing!"
Just then the fog covering the battle field disappears and the group finds themselves surrounded by Yamiki and his Hypnos agents.
EMTs run towards Tai While Yamiki approaches Kari and says to the young girl, "Don't worry Kari we are going to save your brother."
*************************************************************************************
Kari turns to Yamiki and yells, "You have to help my brother."
"We'll do everything we can. If the readings we're getting from your brother are correct you won't have anything to worry about."
"What do you mean?"
Before Mr. Yamiki could answer the question Tai began to stir.
"Tai!" cries Kari as she runs to embrace her brother.
"Ow... What happened Kari? the last thing I remember is DNA digivolving, then being hit really hard by that electric jerk and then everything went black." After Tai puts down his little sister he asks, "How did we beat the two dorks?"
"Well," says Kari, "Wargerymon took out Kriegmon, he chopped him up like he did to Machinedramon and Rika warp-digivolved to mega and took out Blitzmon."
"Rika can warp-digivolve?" sighed Tai.
"Don't worry about it Tai, Rika saved all of us."
"Great not only am I useless as a human I'm also so a lousy Digimon."
Kari looks at her brother and realizing how upset he was becoming, tries to head off Tai's despair. "You weren't a lousy Digimon Tai. You and Biyomon bought us enough time for Rika to warp-digivolve."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, you and Biyomon DNA-digivolved into Warangemon to protect Sora, Jeri, Rika, and I."
"Yeah?"
"And you know what else Tai?"
"What?"
"You're going to be in a lot of trouble if you got Biyomon pregnant."
"Huh?"
"I don't think mom and dad are ready to be grandparents yet, especially grandparents of a digital monster/human, cat/bird grandchild. I guess it would be a griffin."
"Kari, DNA-digvolving doesn't involve that!" declared a blushing Tai.
"You better hope so, because you'll be in a lot of trouble otherwise."
"Tai are you okay?" asked aSora who came over carrying a crying Yokomon.
"Yeah I'm okay Sora. What's wrong Yokomon?"
"My boyfriend is gone."
"I'm still here."
"But Taigermon is gone."
"I'm still here Yokomon, and I remember how you made me feel special when I first turned into a Digimon. Back then I thought that I was useless and that my life was over. You showed me that just wasn't so, that I did have something to live for." Tai stands up and takes Yokomon into his arms, "You will always be special to me Yokomon." And with that Tai hugs the little pink Digimon.
After comforting Yokomon turns to see that Sora's eyes have almost popped out of her head and her cheeks have turned a bright crimson.
"What's wrong Sora?"
"It's you."
"What about me?"
Kari looks her brother over to make sure there are no horrible injuries she missed. During her second check of her brother she notices what is causing Sora's reaction.
"Um Tai, I figured out what's wrong with you."
Tai turns and looks at his little sister. "Nothing is wrong with me." he declared.
"Yes there is," giggled Kari.
"Oh yeah, well I feel fine."
"Don't you feel a little cold?"
"Yeah I guess, but what has that got to do with anything?"
"You're naked."
"Ahhh!" yelps Tai as he positions Yokomon over a particular part of his anatomy. Tai looks around to see a wide-eyed blushing Sora , and standing next to her were Tally and Riely. Tally winked and blew Tai a kiss, while Riely gave Tai a look that made him feel like the mouse that had just been cornered by a cat. Even though Tai was standing naked in the cold night air, he began to sweat.
"Tai are you okay?"
"Umm... Kari could you get me some clothes."
"Yeah okay." As Kari turn to ask Mr. Yamiki to inquire if there were any spare clothes she spies the trio of females admiring her brother. "Quite staring at my brother you perverts!"
Sora whipped right around turning an even deeper shade of red.
"Spoil sport." muttered Tally as she turned. Riely turned very slowly with a wicked grin forming on her lips.
Satisfied that her brother was no longer the object of unwanted female attention, Kari turns to Mr. Yamiki, and asks, "Do you think you guys could get something to cover my brother up?"
"Yes of course sergeant find some blankets or something."
"Yes sir!"
"So what did you mean by reading s you were getting from my brother?"
"Well you as you can see from the energy detector here your brother is giving off energy in a completely different frequency than you or I."
"But what does that mean?"
"Well your brother's frequency is the same as..."
"Do you two mind not talking about me as if I'm not here?"
"Sorry Tai."
"My apologies Mr. Kamiya."
"What do you mean by this energy coming off of me?"
"Well everything in the universe is tuned into a universal frequency. This frequency is a fundamental guide line for everything in the universe. It makes solids solid, gases gaseous, and energy, well energy. This frequency means that I can not walk through a wall but I can walk through air of water. basically the frequency determine the physical properties of the universe."
"Wouldn't Kari and I both have different frequencies than you or Rika because we come from two different worlds?"
"I have a theory about that Tai."
Tai turns to see his friend Izzy and his partner Tentomon approach with the sergeant who left for the clothes. Tai thanks the sergeant and begins to dress. Yokomon is handed to Kari as Izzy begins to speak Yokomon notices that Sora has turned back around to spy on Tai. "Turn around Sora!"
This command brings Tai's, Kari's, Mr. Yamiki's and Izzy's attention to Sora. After a second of shock Sora whips around again.
"Naughty, naughty little girl," snickers Tally.
"Perhaps you're still a little too young to be playing this game child," sneers Riely.
"At least I'm not drooling over a guy half my age," retorts Sora.
Gatomon turns to Tai and whispers, "You know I thought we were suppose to be the catty ones."
"No kidding," Tai turns to Izzy and asks, "So what is your theory?"
"Well Tai as Mr. Yamiki pointed out earlier your frequency is different while his and Kari's is the same. I over heard your question about Mr. Yamiki's and Kari's frequencies being the same when they came from two separate universes, and that's a very good question Tai. I think that Mr. Yamiki's universe and our universe have a common ancestor like humans and chimpanzees. Basically there was one universe with all the properties like this universe and the one we came from but something happened which caused the universe to split and become two separate universes. These two universes evolved into our home universe and Tai one we stand in now."
"So there are two universes?"
"I suspect that there are many more than just the two we know about Tai."
"Yeah Tai don't forget the digital world, that's a universe unto itself."
"Actually Kari, from the information I have studied at Hypnos I have concluded that this world has its own separate digital world."
"Izzy would these universes come in bundles?"
"What do you mean Mr. Yamiki?"
"Well I was thinking maybe each real world has its own digital world, that the two are grouped together."
"I hope not."
"Why do you say that Kari?"
"Because Tai I have been to the world called the Dark Ocean and I don't want to think that there is more than one of those in existence. If there is always a group of universes bunched together than there would be a bunch of Dark Oceans out there too."
"I don't think there is more than one Dark Ocean Kari. Even if there was I'm not going to let it hurt you."
"Thanks Tai," says Kari as she hugs her brother.
"To answer your question Mr. Yamiki the universes known to us as the digital world are dependent on the existence of the real worlds, so not every real world will have a digital world but every digital world needs a real world to support it."
"I have a question, why is my frequency different from everyone else's?"
"Actually Tai your frequency is different from ours but it is the same as Rika's Gatomon's and Yokomon's. You are a Digimon."
"I'm not a Digimon, just look at me."
"Actually according to my Digimon analyzer Tai you are an in-training Digimon known as Humon."
"Humon, is that your idea of a joke ?"
"No Tai just look at the screen."
Tai reads over the screen of Izzy's computer and reads the data about himself. As Tai reads he becomes more angry and frustrated. "This has to be a lie."
"I'm sorry Tai but this is the truth."
"No, I want to be human again!"
"Tai be reasonable..."
"Reasonable, reasonable, how can you tell me to be reasonable. I have saved the world more time than I can remember, I try to be the best son and big brother I can be, I help and protect my friends, I have saved the lives of people I haven't even meet and all I get as reward is a major screw job to my life. I don't deserve this!"
"I know that Tai, but there is no reason to become so agitated over the issue. It's not like there is anything that we can do about it now."
"Shut up! Blow bubble!" and with that a stream of small pink bubbles fly out from in-between Tai's lips to burst harmlessly on the screen of Izzy's computer. Realizing what he is doing, Tai quickly covers his mouth with his hands. Tai's legs give out as he begins to cry.
Kari wraps her arm around her brother and says, "It's okay Tai, everything is going to be okay."
Mr. Yamiki surveys the damage caused by the Digimon battle and states, "Maybe you guys should head back to Hypnos, we should double check Tai and the three Digimon to make sure that they were not harmed in battle like Rennamon was earlier. I'll join you later in the lab after I have reported to the authorities what has happened here."
Izzy, Sora, Kari, Jeri, and all the Digimon loaded up into a couple of Hypnos vans to head to Rika's place. Before Tai entered the van Mr. Yamiki stopped him and took him aside.
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to tell you that you are not the only one here who knows what it is like to go unappreciated Tai. Not many people know or care that we at Hypnos put our lives on the line so they can live in safety and comfort. We don't get glory, riches. love, or the good life because of all the good we have done, all we hear are the complaints. The only thing that we get as a reward is the knowledge that we are making the world a better place for those we love."
"Why are you telling me this? Are you mad at me for feeling sorry for myself/"
"No I understand the way you feel and you are right, fate has screwed your life over pretty good, I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I know that as leader you can't talk to the others about your problems but you can talk to me."
"Thanks Mr. Yamiki."
"No problem, now go and get some rest."
"Yes sir."
Tai sat down beside Kari and across from Izzy in the van. Tai looks to his friend and says, "Izzy I'm sorry that I lost my temper and attacked your computer."
"It's okay Tai, I understand that you are under a great deal of stress and besides there was no harm done."
The group of battle weary friends watch the light from the early morning sun turn the dark glass buildings into a bright orange. Tai feels a weight against his shoulder. When he looks over he sees that his little sister has fallen asleep. Tai looks around to see that Koromon has fallen asleep in his lap, Jeri and Rika were asleep on the other side of Kari, Izzy had nodded off at his computer and Yokomon was asleep in Sora's lap.
Sora smiles to Tai and says, "You should stow Izzy's computer for him. He will be beside himself with grief if he drops it in his sleep."
Tai reaches over and takes Izzy's laptop out of his hands and places it in a secure location. Tai turns to Sora and asks, "What is his excuse, he wasn't up battling Digimon at three in the morning?"
"I can answer that for you Tai," said Tentomon, "You see Izzy stayed up all night analyzing all the data Hypnos had on Digimon and their digital world. Apparently in this world humans think they created the digital world, as opposed to it coming into existence in its own, like ours did. Izzy spent the whole night going over the reports and data Hypnos has collected. I told him to get some sleep or he would make himself sick but he wouldn't listen. You know Tai sometimes you humans need to listen to us Digimon a little more."
"You mean those humans need to listen to us Digimon, don't you Tentomon?"
"Yes I suppose I do."
"I thought you didn't want to be a Digimon Tai?"
"I don't know Sora, sometimes it's really hard living your life as a creature you have never been before. It's hard having to eat differently, sleep in a kitty bed on the floor, having to use the litter box, lying to your mom by pretending to be a cat. But then there are times when it is really great, like the time I digivolved for T.K. and freed all of those captured Digimon."
"I guess tonight was one of those great moments huh?"
"Are you kidding? I got my butt kicked. If it hadn't been for Rika and Wargerymon we would have been toast. I was lucky to have been able to stand up to those two goons or Rika to digivolve. I really sucked tonight."
"I thought you were magnificent tonight Tai," and with that Sora leans forward and pulls Tai into a long passionate kiss.
"Oh my," exclaims Tentomon as he turns away to give Tai and Sora some privacy.
The break the kiss and look into each others eyes. As Tai stares into Sora's eyes he struggles to compose his thoughts and emotions into words that he can express to Sora. Just as Tai figures it is safe to say something the van hits a speed bump at the entrance of the Hypnos underground parking lot waking the others. Tai gave an internal sigh of relief while Sora scowled at the interruption of their intimacy.
As Kari becomes aware of the silence in the van she asks, "What did we miss?"
"The sunrise, it was quite lovely," states an excited Tentomon
"Oh, that's too bad."
"Hey where is my computer?"
"I put it under your seat so you wouldn't drop it while you slept Izzy."
"Oh thanks Tai. I have been doing a lot of work and I wouldn't want to lose any."
"Stealing secrets from Hypnos?"
Izzy sat with his mouth open for a few seconds before exclaiming, "No Tai I would never do that."
Tai's eyes narrowed as he watched his friend begin to sweat. He leaned in and whispered into Izzy's ear, "Yeah well you better make sure that you don't get caught."
"Don't worry Tai," whispered Izzy, "I'm being extremely careful, besides I know what I am doing."
"You better."
"Hey you guys we better get going the others have already left and I don't want to miss out on any of the food," cries a anxious Koromon.
Tai, Izzy and Koromon find the others in a conference room filled with various kinds of snacks and drinks.
Tai went to approach the table but he was intercepted by a man in a white lab coat. "Hello Tai. my name is Dr. Wong, I'm Henery's father. If you will come with me I'll make sure that you did not receive any additional damage in the battle. To tell you the truth I find it quite exciting to study a human Digimon hybrid, and you are a cartoon character at that."
"Look I'm real, as far as I knew you were the cartoon character."
"Yes I know, Yamiki has informed me of the situation. This way please we'll begin the tests."
"Yeah but..."
"Don't worry there will be plenty to eat later now this way please."
Tai muttered something under his breath that Dr. Wong didn't hear and then followed the man in the white lab coat. Tai soon arrived in a room with a huge computer bank and terminal that filled over half the room. Connected to the computer bank was a large robotic arm which, Tai guessed, held a number of scanners. Under the arm was a flat metal table. Tai noticed with some dread that the table had clamps meant for restraining the subjects of Dr. Wong's probing.
"Don't worry Tai I'm not going to tie you to the table, thou I hear that Tally or Riely might."
Tai just chuckled nervously.
"I'll have to ask you to remove your clothing before we begin."
"Why do you want me naked again?"
"The clothes are part of Hypnos combat gear Tai. There are special fibers in the cloth that disperses digital energy thus protecting our men from some Digimon attacks. However it also keeps my machine from being able to examine you. It would be like wearing lead clothes over the broken bone while getting an x-ray. Sort of defeats the purpose doesn't?"
"Yeah I guess," said Tai as he disrobed. While Tai undressed he watched Dr. Wong got the machine ready. Tai couldn't help thinking that his mom should be hear to make sure everything was kosher. Tai had been to the doctor's before but Dr. Kido never made him feel this uncomfortable.
Dr. Wong turned around and said, "Well hurry up and get on the table we don't have all day."
Tai climbed up onto the cold metal table, "Can I have a towel to lay on or something this thing is really cold?"
"Quite!"
Tai half expected the clamp to snap shut and he was mildly surprised when they didn't. The arm came to life and began to move up and down Tai's body. The devices shown different colored lights onto Tai's body. Tai worried what kind of side effects this probe might has on his human half. Just then a red beam came out of one of the probes and hit Tai in the leg. The light burned into Tai causing extreme pain in that part of his body. Tai cried out and began to thrash about.
"I see the clamps will be necessary," said Dr. Wong, and with the push of a button the clamps shot out and held Tai firmly to the table.
"What are you doing?" cried Tai.
"Fixing you." replied Dr. Wong with out turning away from the computer.
Tai looked in horror as his thigh began to fade in and out of his vision. Tai began to be filled with a sence of panic and began to struggle against the restraints. As Tai struggled he began to feel warm and tingly all over and the pain in his leg decreased. Tai didn't know why but he began it digivolve.
"Humon digivole to Kidtymon!"
In his rookie form Tai little body could no longer be restrained by the clamps and he no longer was under the laser. Dr. Wong didn't have time to do something about this situation because the digital energy Tai gave off when digivolving began to overload the doctor's equipment. Sparks flew and alarms began to sound. Just as Dr. Wong managed to get the computer to stop crashing Mr. Yamiki burst through the door with Riely and Tally in tow.
"What is going on here Wong?" yelled Mr. Yamiki.
"I was giving our guest here a checkup and the idiot digivolved and all most destroyed my equipment!"
"Shut up Wong, I know what you are doing. Tai where are you?"
Kidtymon stepped out from behind the collapsed robotic arm and said in a mild voice, "Um... I'm over here."
"Oh you're so cute!" squealed Tally how ran over and scooped up Tai.
"Ugh thanks." said Tai as Tally clenched him to her chest and began to rock him back and forth.
"Tally take Tai to the others while Riely and I have a word with Dr. Wong here."
"Yes sir." As Tally carried Tai down the hall She asked, "Have you eaten yet Tai?"
"No."
"Well is there anything that I could get you?"
"You got any tuna."
"Lots, it's my favorite."
"Mine too."
As they entered the room Tally walked over to Izzy, Tentomon, and Koromon and said, "Well I'll leave you with your friend here and fetch you some tuna. Oh and Izzy I'll bring you a copy of the schematics of the digital monitors."
As Tally left humming to herself Tai looks up to Izzy and asks, "What is she talking about?"
"Hypnos has devices that can monitor the barrier between the digital world and the real world. Tally has agreed to give me a copy of the schematics ."
"You just asked for them and she just gave them to you?"
Izzy blushed and said, "Actually Tai, if you remember we are cartoon characters in this world and it seems the Tally is a fan of the show, and I'm her favorite character."
"So basically what you're telling me is that a woman who works in a Digimon control center in a different universe fell in love with a cartoon representation of you?"
"I think saying that Tally loves me might be too strong. She likes me because, I guess, she sees me as a cool nerd"
"That's good because I don't think your mom would like you to get involved with an older woman in another universe."
"Yeah I wouldn't want to have to explain that to her."
"Especially the grandchildren."
"So in order to change the subject, what were you and Dr. Wong doing?"
"He started zapping me with this machine and told me that it was something like an x-ray. then one of the lights turned red and started to burn my leg. Then my leg started to faze in and out of existence."
"Did he say to you he was doing?"
"He said that he was fixing me, but Izzy there was nothing wrong with me until he zapped me with that stupid machine."
"I know Tai, when Dr. Wong dragged you off to his lab I began to feel uneasy. I plugged into a terminal over there and hacked into Wong's computer. He was tying to download programs into you. I couldn't believe that you would allow such a thing so I intercepted the transmission and downloaded the programs into my computer."
"People can download programs into me like I was a computer?"
"Yes in fact Dr. Wong already did it to his son's Digimon partner."
"What a jerk!" Tai remained silent for a couple of minutes as he thought over what Izzy had told him.
