Well I said for a long time that I would do this story, so it is about time I actually do it! This is a darkish story starring a sorrowful Daisuke and done in his P.O.V. Let's see if he can find his place in the world. The story takes place about five years after the defeat of MaloMyotismon (I find it interesting that most digimon fics occur 3-5 years after that event!). This is somewhat of a Digimon version of "It's a Wonderful Life".

Disclaimer: As usual, Digimon is not mine, but the plot sure is (take what you can get, I say!).

Further Note: This is NOT a full Daikari...just one-sided.

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A World Without Goggles

I had to forget my umbrella this morning. The freezing bombardment of rain feels like a shower of miniature daggers as I walk down the street. Things never seem to go my way. They never have, so there's no reason they should start now. I guess that's what I get for not living up to anyone's expectations. Still, I can be insightful when I want to, but I just get disregarded. At least I can always be sincere with myself. I may not be the best student, but I've improved. I may not be the best athlete, but I try my best. I may not be the best leader, but I still pull through. If I could be good at something, I would think that I am a good friend. However, that doesn't seem like it is enough. I always seem to fall short. Izzy, and Joe always excelled in their studies, Ken was the star player on his champion soccer team, and Tai was a courageous leader.

Those are things that I cannot change, and I can live with that, no matter how disappointing it is. However, what pains me the most is that he was always first in her heart. I was told that it was "meant to be" - that it was "destiny" or "fate" that drew them together. I cared for her, too. It may have looked like a silly crush, but that was because I was unable to express myself properly. As such, I was short-changed by forces beyond my control. How is that fair? We were the best of friends, but I was never thought of as any more than just that, yet he was. I don't get it. I should have received an equal opportunity.

~*~*~*~*~Flashback~*~*~*~*~

It was about two months ago when it happened. We held a birthday party for Kari. I had spent everything I had in my bank account on a fine gold bracelet that I had noticed at the shopping mall. The bracelet was decorated with a series of golden stars. I thought it suited Kari perfectly, for she was the bright light that shone on my world. To me, the money didn't matter. I spent it happily and wrapped the gift myself in pink paper, since I knew that pink is her favourite colour. I didn't do the best job in the world when wrapping, but I thought it was pretty decent.

When me and DemiVeemon got to the apartment, we were greeted by Kari herself. She looked absolutely stunning in her outfit. It was a pink spaghetti-strap dress that went down to her knees. I gave her a compliment about it, and she blushed, thanking me and saying it was a present from her parents. I could tell that me and DemiVeemon were the last to arrive, since everyone else was here. There were decorative streamers and balloons littered everywhere, a table full of delicious snacks, and a mountain of gifts beside the television. DemiVeemon went off with the other digimon to stuff their faces with cookies and cake, while I started mingling with the Digidestined. I didn't place my gift along with the others. I kept it in my hands the whole time out of sight.

While everyone was talking and laughing, I was off in my own world imagining the look on Kari's face when I presented her with her gift. I could see it now. The genuine smile of appreciation on her face would be well worth any price. I planned it so that after I give her the bracelet, I would reveal my true feelings for her. I even had organized what I wanted to say on a peace of paper that I kept within the box. I was very anxious about the outcome, but also I felt hopeful that she would return my feelings.

If I hadn't been daydreaming, I would have immediately noticed TK and Kari leaving the family room. When I snapped out of it, I finally noticed that Kari and TK were missing. I excused myself from the conversation and set out to find them. If I knew what I know now, I would have spared myself the anguish of following them. I kept quiet as I snuck up behind the door that I knew to be Kari's room. Carefully, I opened the door far enough for me to get a decent look. I could see the two of them standing by the window of Kari's room. Even now, I can remember everything that happened, and everything that was said from that moment on. I should, because it haunted me in my dreams for the past couple of months.

"Kari I wanted to take you aside from the others to give you your birthday present." Said TK. Kari's eyes lit up. I was utterly jealous of TK's ability to do that. Her eyes are so stunning...like the colour of leaves on a cool autumn evening. Whenever she was excited about something in this way, her eyes seemed to sparkle with the light of the stars. I would always lose myself whenever I was blessed with this rare opportunity of seeing her dazzling brown, shimmering pools of honey, glisten with joy.

"Really, TK, what is it?" Kari asked, sweetly. To me, her voice would make the best choir of heaven's angels seem like nails on a chalkboard. Maybe that's why I couldn't act normal whenever I was near her. She would lull my ears with her harmonious voice.

"I saw this at the mall the other day, and almost instantly...I thought of you." He said. He revealed a frighteningly familiar case before her and opened it slowly. When the case was fully opened, Kari gasped. I moved in closer to the crack in the door to get a better look at the gift. To my complete horror, I saw Kari reach into the box to pick up the present...a golden bracelet of stars. My grip became weak, and my version of the same gift, simply fell to the floor.

"TK...it's so beautiful." She said, words barely escaping her. "How on earth did you afford this?"

"That doesn't matter." TK replied with a smile on his face. "All that matters to me is that you like it. Seeing your face beam with happiness makes it all worth it." Kari quickly pulled him into a tight hug. When she released him, TK's expression went serious.

No, it can't be. I thought. Yet I knew full well what was going to happen next.

"Kari, I called you in here for another reason, too." He said. She looked at him quizzically, but I could trace a glimmer of hope in her eyes. It was unbearable. "Well I don't know if this is obvious to you, because it sure seemed obvious to everyone else." He chuckled at his remark. "Ever since I knew you, I have always been drawn to you in some way. At first, we were young, so I didn't know what it was. However, as we grew, my understanding of this feeling grew as well. When I finally figured it out, I was scared. I was scared that you wouldn't feel this as well, I was scared that it would damage what we have, and I was scared that I would never express it. Today I decided to risk everything to tell you what I've wanted to tell you for ages." Kari listened on intently. "I...love you, Hikari Kamiya..." Tears were gathering at the base of Kari's eyes. Before one drop fell, she pulled TK closer to her ever so quickly and passionately kissed him hard on the lips. I quickly looked away, tears now swarming in my eyes. The world came crashing down on me. I quickly wiped my tears away, and looked back when I heard Kari speak again.

"Oh, TK, I love you, too." She said, to my discontent. "I was too scared to tell you, too. I was so scared to express my feelings to you in case you didn't think of me in that way, but now I can tell you that I love you ever so much." I was gasping for air with every word I heard form them. "I had the same feeling when we were young, but it was when you rescued me from the Dark Ocean that I knew for sure. I was all alone with no way out, yet you came for me like a brave knight on his steed. It was like a fairytale come true." They embraced each other once again. Then TK brought up something.

"And here I was these past few years, thinking that you were going to fall for Davis." TK said. The next words out of Kari's mouth were going to be very important for me to hear.

"Why would you think that, silly?" She asked. "Sure Davis is nice and all, but my true feelings were always with you. Davis is my good friend, nothing more. I mean, being with him would be like being with my brother. They're almost exactly alike."

So that's it. It's finished. I thought. I was nothing more than a mere clone. I was nothing original - nothing special. I stooped over and gathered the present I bought, which I knew would be no further use to give. I went back into the family room with a heavy heart that sunk to my ankles. I quickly thought up an excuse and said to everyone that my sister called me on my cell phone about an emergency. I picked up DemiVeemon and let myself out.

Over the two months, I stopped going out with my friends so often. Everyone commented on how cute a couple TK and Kari were. They said it was "a match made in heaven", amongst other stupid clichés. After a while I got sick of all the remarks and stopped going out altogether. Thankfully it was summer holiday, so I didn't have to worry about seeing everyone at school. I would deny answering any phone calls or messages after a while. I lost my appetite on several occasions, so I ate less. Jun came in to my room every now and then to annoy me.

"Davis, what's the matter with you these days?" She would ask. "You don't go out, you hardly eat, and you don't speak with your friends. You're started to look pale and dishevelled. You don't even annoy me anymore. It doesn't take a Ken Ichijouji to figure out something's wrong with you." She didn't care. She blatantly used a reference to Ken to show how better everyone is at everything compared to me. Since when did she worry about me, anyway? Her false concern disgusted me, so I demanded her to leave me alone.

My digimon partner also tried to ask about me. I wasn't as peeved with him as I was with Jun. DemiVeemon's one of the only true friends I still have. I considered telling him what happened at the party on several occasions, but it just didn't seem right at the time. I really just wanted to be left alone...

~*~*~*~End Flashback~*~*~*~

Today, my parents finally persuaded me to go out, although it was more so forced. The day started off a little on the humid side. The sky was overcast. Sunshine barely poked through the clouds. Suddenly, the rain started bucketing down at an alarming rate. I smirked at this, cynically. I could now see why they called this pathetic fallacy, because that is what it was, and it is what I am...pathetic.

I can't believe that fateful day still lingers on in my mind. It is so infuriating! Why can't I get over this?! Why can't I let it go?! ...Why can't I be special for once? ...Why doesn't she love me...? I give up...I just give up. Like I noted before, even when I try my best, it still isn't good enough. Someone else will always be around to be better than me at everything I think I'm good at. I think it would be better if I never existed. Maybe then I wouldn't be in as much pain as I'm in now. The rain is really starting to become a nuisance. Luckily my apartment building is right across the street. As I crossed I thought of how I let Kari slip past me. If only I got to her sooner. If only I told her before...

I heard a loud noise coming closer, but I didn't pay attention. I was still consumed in thought. The noise persisted on distracting me, so I turned to my left. All I could see were two bright lights; all I could hear was the screeching of rubber on asphalt. Then came the pain...physical pain. It coursed through my body like wild electricity. Oh, how it hurt so much. I heard the breaking of bone and my vision started to dim. It occurred to me that I was losing consciousness. The world was becoming darker and darker around me. Was this my fate? Would I leave this world as bitterly as I felt? Darker still....darker...and dar-

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To be continued...

Don't worry, he's not dead!

You can see that I've made Davis rather reflective. Well they say that with age comes wisdom.

It might take a while for me to update this piece, since I have prior commitments to my epic fantasy story, Golden Dragons, and certain works of art. As well, school is rapidly approaching (yikes!). However I will try my best to update soon. As always, review and share your thoughts.