I do not own Digimon. Now, I don't know if this has been done yet or not (it's hard to tell with all the Digimon stories here…), but this is a story I came up with while watching the second season. Specifically, it was the episode where the new Digidestined mention their first encounters with Digimon (was that the "Samurai of Sincerity" ep?), and Daisuke says that he was one of the kids who was kidnapped by Myotismon's henchmon during his attack. That started me thinking, and was the starting point of this fanfic. Please keep in mind while reading this that this is a "What If…" fanfic, so many of the events in this differ from those in the television series. Certain plot twists simply did not occur in the actual series, but happen here, so don't get on my case for not being exactly in keeping with that story. This is alternate universe, not what really happened. That's what makes these sort of stories so much fun to write!
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(In a world of infinite possibilities, there are many paths that emerge. For each choice made, no matter how big or how small it may seem, a new road appears, and with it a thousand more possibilities. These paths often cross, and at these points may entwine or branch apart again. There is no way of knowing for certain where each path may lead, or what might have happened if you had done something another way. All one can do is stumble through life, operating on the simple hope that there will be an answer, that things will work out.)
(Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't.)
(For the Digidestined children, the battle with Myotismon on their home world was a long and costly one, yet one that they managed to eventually win. But who is to say that things might have been different, if events had gone differently for them? Later on in life, they were to meet up with a few more selected children, whose paths they had already crossed –although without knowing or realizing it – back in the past.)
(What if they had met back then? And what if other things had occurred in the past that had changed the paths of those other children and Digimon?)
(In another place, another time, one of the roads untaken is slowly spreading out before the young Digidestined. Only time will tell if they will be able to traverse this road safely, or if they will stumble and fall along the way…)
"Let go of my sister, you jerk!"
Demidevimon glanced down at the eight-year old boy that howled this and smirked, digging his claws a little deeper into the scalp of the terrified young girl. She let a small squeal of pain that quickly turned into a whimper, and the boy's scowl grew deeper, his small hands clenching into shaking fists. Deep brown eyes darkened with rage, rage that only amused the small bat-like Digimon. Humans were so weak; he couldn't believe that he had been so worried when Myotismon had first revealed his plan of coming to the human's world in search of the lost Digidestined. Their few encounters with the Digidestined children before then had led Demidevimon to think that all humans were powerful creatures, but now he understood that those pests were the apparent exceptions to the rule; most humans were helpless in the face of powerful Digimon.
And this child, this little boy with wide brown eyes and frizzy brown hair, he was no different, as strong and brave as he was trying to look. His hands were balled into fists, yet surely he understood that he was helpless, that he could do nothing to stop Demidevimon from doing whatever he pleased. Surely…
WHAP!
And then again, maybe not.
"Sir Demidevimon, are you all right?" a Bakemon asked, hovering over the spiral-eyed bat. Shaking his head to clear it, Demidevimon did not bother to answer such a stupid question, and instead glared icily at the little boy, who was now standing protectively in front of his elder sister, who stared at him in shock. She appeared to be just as stunned as the evil Digimon was that her little brother had actually had the guts to strike him like that.
Demidevimon's vision blurred a little, and he squinted irritably at the boy, not wanting to lose sight of him in case he decided to hit him again. Something about the way the boy looked nagged at the back of his mind, something he couldn't quite place…
Suddenly he knew. His yellow eyes widened with shock as he realized what it was that bothered him: if one looked at him in just the right way, he bore a startling resemblance to the leader of those accursed Digidestined kids! His battle-ready stance and determined expression only added to the impression, and the evil Digimon felt a cold chill go down his back as a startlingly clear image of this child wearing a glowing Crest around his neck surged into his mind…
Is he…the one? The one Master Myotismon is searching for?
Despite the throbbing pain in his jaw, Demidevimon smirked. Even if his hunch proved wrong, there was no real harm in bringing this brat to his master's attention. Master Myotismon would be very interested in meeting any human that dared oppose him…and Digidestined or not, his punishment for fighting back would surely prove amusing.
"Take him to the master!" Demidevimon ordered, a leering grin on his face. The Bakemon obeyed at once, and the older girl screamed in terror as the ghost Digimon seized her little brother and started to drag him away. The boy resisted, kicking and punching at them, then squirming wildly as their cold hands clamped onto his arms and legs.
"Daisuke!" the girl called miserably, reaching out a helpless hand to her brother. She cried out as Demidevimon kicked away her hand, and he grinned evilly at her before following after the Bakemon. She watched them go, wide brown eyes filling with tears, then she covered her face and wept, shoulders quaking.
* * *
So many children had been taken hostage, that many were being crowded into different rooms. In another room, another young girl with wide tan eyes was worried, but for a different reason. Brushing a few stray locks of strawberry blond hair away from her face, this ten-year-old nervously tightened her clammy fingers around a piece of jewelry that hung hidden under her pink nightshirt. It was only a tiny little thing, a small trinket that someone might have passed off as a worthless trinket if they had no prior knowledge of what it was.
But if she were caught with it, it would mean her death.
Mimi Tachikawa sighed and shivered with fear. The Crest of Sincerity – also known by some as the Crest of Purity, although she wasn't entirely certain either title fit her – felt cold under her grasp, a presence that was both reassuring and frightening at the same time. While having it with her reminded her that there was still a chance to win against Myotismon and his henchmon, at the same time, she also knew that if she was found with it, it would surely mean her death. All it would take would be one mistake…one tiny little slip, a quick glimpse of it by the wrong eyes…and it would be all over.
A sudden scream took her off guard, and she hastily released her grip and brought her hands up in front of her, praying that she hadn't been detected. Looking around, she saw a group of Bakemon throwing some new children into the room, ignoring their wails of protest.
"Get those brats from the plane in here!" one of them hissed through jagged teeth, beady black eyes raking the new arrivals as they roughly landed in the room. Then the doors slammed shut again, and Mimi found herself pushing her way through the crowd, soon making her way to where the latest victims were sobbing and wailing, looking around in obvious fear.
One of these children caught her attention in particular; a little boy who couldn't have been more than five years old, who was studying those around him with a remarkably calm demeanor, considering how he had arrived there. His piercingly bright green eyes swept the area, and seemed to lock with hers for a moment before moving on. Mimi found herself staring at him, feeling oddly drawn to the uncannily solemn young boy. Something she had seen in those deep verdant pools reminded her of something she couldn't quite put her finger on…
A purple-haired girl suddenly pushed past her, nearly knocking Mimi to the floor, and she turned around to hastily apologize. She ducked her head in a clumsy half-bow, pushed her crooked glasses back onto her nose, and mumbled, "Gomen nasai…"
Mimi shrugged it off, and studied the younger girl's face for a moment; she looked to be only a little younger, maybe about nine years old, and her violet hair was almost as long as Mimi's was. The girl readjusted her glasses again, and Mimi noticed that her cheeks were streaked slightly, as if she had been crying. She probably had been: everything that was happening was undoubtedly frightening the poor child out of her wits, just like everyone else.
The purple-haired girl had crouched down next to the little boy with the startling green eyes, and was talking in a soothing tone to him. He regarded her quietly, without saying a word in reply; Mimi had never seen such a solemn-looking five-year-old before. Of course, considering the situation, it was possible that he was in shock…
The girl with glasses was talking softly, trying to comfort the new arrivals. Mimi had to admire this kid a little: she was just as terrified as everyone else, but she was struggling to keep her own fears hidden and trying to help those around her stay calm. Deciding to follow her example, Mimi walked over next to them and knelt down, quietly speaking to another sobbing child who had been thrown into the room.
* * *
A young boy crouched in the shadows of an alleyway, warily watching a Bakemon squadron pass by his hiding place on patrol. Navy blue hair, so dark as to be almost black, hung in sweaty strands into his eyes, partially hiding alarmingly piercing violet-blue eyes, and he hugged a small parcel to his heaving chest with trembling arms. The packet was crudely made; it was really the tattered remains of a pillowcase from his bedroom, which right now was far away from where he was, perhaps never to be seen again. Its precious contents shifted slightly, and the boy hugged the packet closer to his heaving chest, heart pounding wildly against his bruised ribcage.
To say that he was frightened would have been a woeful understatement. Mere words could never describe the feelings that raged deep in his tortured mind, behind eyes that had already seen too much, far too much for any eight-year-old boy to possibly be able to bear.
His older brother was dead. His parents might be dead as well, for all he knew: he had not seen them since they had sent him and his brother into their room with a quick kiss goodnight for each of them. Perhaps that simple peck on the cheek would be the last contact he would ever have with his mother; he had no way of knowing.
Everything had happened so quickly, yet the events were etched clearly into his memory; as he had walked over to the dresser to retrieve his pajamas, the computer perched on his brother's desk had suddenly begun to glow. Both boys had stared at it, entranced, as the screen glowed with a radiant white light, despite the fact that neither had touched it nor turned it on.
Then something had emerged; a small electronic device that even his elder brother did not recognize, and a small egg. For some reason, he had felt drawn to both, but his brother warned him not to touch either, saying that it might be dangerous. Of course, he knew that his elder brother was just as curious about it as he was, and soon they were both touching it, stroking its oddly warm surface and wondering what exactly it was. The electronic device had interested them, too, and his brother had studied it intently, his eyes narrowing with thought behind his thick glasses.
"What do you think they are, Sam?" he had finally asked, using his nickname for his elder brother, cradling the strange egg in his lap.
Before his brother could answer, however, there was a loud crash out in the hall, quickly followed by a horrible scream: his mother's scream. Sam bolted to his feet and ran to the door, about to throw it open, but then for some strange reason, he hadn't. Some instinct apparently warned him not to, and instead he had pressed his ear against the door, listening to words his younger brother could not hear. Standing, still holding the egg in both arms, he had studied his elder brother's solemn face with growing alarm, not knowing what was happening.
"Osamu?" he had asked, uncertain.
"Ken, I think we should leave. Now," he had replied, in a voice that brooked no argument. He had only been able to nod agreement, and Osamu had dashed over to the bed, yanking a pillow from the bed and roughly stripped off its covering, handing the pillowcase to his younger brother. Wordlessly, they had set the egg and the unusual device inside, and then his elder brother handed him the makeshift package with instructions to keep a tight grip on it. Again, he could only nod in reply.
A thrown open window, a hand up, and then he had found himself standing with shaking knees on the fire escape, wide eyes locked on the streets so far below. Osamu's angry voice rang in his mind, ordering him to run, then a splintering of wood behind them caused both to turn.
Hideous creatures, with white robes and pointy, jagged teeth, erupted into their bedroom, and one, the largest of them all and the one who wore a red mask and carried the most wickedly curved scythe he had ever seen, pointed at them. Barking out a gruff command, it then led the other horrible monsters toward the two boys with a speed the terrified eight-year-old could not believe.
"KEN! GO!"
A rough shove on his back, and suddenly he was falling, falling, falling endlessly. Twisting around in midair, he caught a glimpse of terror as the leader's weapon tore into his brother's throat. A trail of red gushed into midair from the older boy's neck, a sight he thankfully only got the barest glimpse of before darkness flashed across his eyes and his back struck garbage. Sinking into the reeking depths of the disposal, he had temporarily lost consciousness, and awakened to find himself alone, with only the bundle clutched with white-knuckled hands to his chest for companionship, staring up at the lifeless form that remained sprawled motionless on the balcony far above him. He had known at once who that was, and he had wept quietly for Osamu before he forced himself to face his situation. Pulling himself out of the dumpster, he had been on the run since that moment, desperately trying to avoid detection.
He could not cry. Not anymore. He had wept for his brother, for his poor parents, and for himself, until he could no longer force the tears to come. Now, there was only survival. Nothing else mattered anymore. For all he knew, he was now the last member of his family alive, and for the sake of the Ichijouji line, he would not cry anymore. He would not cry. He would not…
The packet moved again, and part of the sheet fell away to reveal a wide bluish-black eye peeking out at him. Ken glanced down at it, not as alarmed as he had first been when the egg had suddenly hatched on him, and hastily moved to cover it again.
"Stop moving so much, Leafmon," he hissed through gritted teeth. "I don't want to drop you…"
A Bakemon floated past, a little too close for the boy's comfort, and he slunk farther back into the shadows, watching the ghost Digimon with glittering violet-blue eyes, waiting with bated breath for it to leave.
* * *
"Don't let him get away!"
"Hey, you, stop!"
"Get back here!"
The angry shouts behind him only caused the young blonde boy to run even faster and his sneakers pounded against the wet city streets as he forced strength to his legs. Wide green eyes shone with fear as he cast a quick glance over his shoulder at his pursuers, and he turned his attention back to his companions, who were running as fast as their tiny bodies could handle.
"Gummimon! Kokomon! Hurry up!" he cried, urging them on. The baby Digimon complied as best they could, even though they were obviously tired.
"Wallace!" one of them, Gummimon, called. The eight-year-old boy looked back and instantly realized the problem: the light green Digimon had fallen, and was laying sprawled out in a puddle of water, struggling to regain his balance. Skidding to a stop, Wallace dashed back to his friend's side, even though he knew that doing so might mean his own capture. Already the Bakemon were nearly upon the fallen baby, ready to seize him.
"Wallace! Gummimon!" Kokomon screamed, hopping back toward them. Wallace waved him off, not wanting for all of them to be caught, but the pink Digimon ignored him, as usual. If this was the end, all of them would face it together. The Bakemon bore down upon them…
"Hey, look out!"
Something jumped in front of them and attacked the Virus Digimon, destroying the leader immediately. Before the other shocked Bakemon could react, the strange new Digimon turned round and kicked up a dust cloud, blinding them. Coughing, Wallace somehow found and scooped up Gummimon and Kokomon, and as he stumbled away, he felt a hard surface slip under his hand.
"Stay with me, you guys; I'll get you out of here, no problem!"
The boy had no choice but to obey, and he kept one hand resting on the smooth surface of the new Digimon's armor-plated back as it ran off as fast as its short legs could carry it. He followed it into an old building, and as he slid to the floor with a grateful sigh, his rescuer turned to face him with a friendly smile.
"Howdy, kid. My name's Armadillomon, nice to meet you. Now, what's a nice kid like you doing in a war zone like this?"
"I…don't know," the young boy admitted, pulling his trembling knees to his chest. "I just arrived here a little while ago…there was this light, see, from my computer, and when I went to check it out, thinking that it might be another Digiegg…"
"Ah, yeah, I noticed that you had some Digimon friends," Armadillomon commented, looking at the two In-Training Digimon with an arched eyebrow. "Was wondering how you met them…uh…Wallace?"
The boy nodded, letting the new Digimon know that he had gotten his name right. "Well, earlier this week, I was in my room when my computer screen suddenly started glowing, even though it wasn't plugged in. When I went to see what was going on, an egg with these two inside of it popped out, along with this really weird toy…hang on," and he dug through his pockets, soon producing a small electronic device which he held out for his new friend to inspect. Armadillomon cocked his head to one side as he studied it, green eyes clearly showing confusion.
"Anyway, my computer started glowing again earlier today, and I thought another Digiegg was coming, so I went to get a closer look…but instead, I got pulled in, and ended up here…I don't know how."
Wallace shuddered again, obviously frightened, and his two Digimon exchanged a worried look before cuddling up against his trembling sides. After a moment, the blond-haired child raised inquiring emerald eyes to lock with Armadillomon's own.
"Hey…why are you here?" he asked. "And why did you help me out back there?"
Now Armadillomon shuddered, and he gave the boy a slightly sorrowful look before saying, slowly, "Let's just say I want to help a friend of mine, okay?"
Wallace nodded in reply; even though he was only eight years old, he still understood how sometimes it is best not to push the subject, no matter how curious you might be about something.
* * *
Gatomon gritted her teeth to keep from crying out as the lash tore into the soft fur on her back again, refusing to show her suffering. It was one of the few ways left for her to openly resist Myotismon, now that she had been captured, and even though she knew that doing so would only bring more pain, she still refused to give in to him. As long as Hikari was still free, still out of his reach, then she didn't care how much she had to suffer. She had borne more than her fair share of suffering and pain in the past, and she would continue to do so now.
Finally he grew weary of torturing her, and flung her roughly into her cage, locking the door behind her as she slammed against cold metal bars. As he strode out of the room, Gatomon glared around at the flunkies he had left to guard her, sapphire eyes gleaming with disgust. If she weren't trapped in here, these stupid Bakemon would have been no match for her. In fact, there was only one Digimon in this entire room that might have given her a run for the money if she fought. While he was only a Rookie level Digimon, she had trained him herself ever since he had joined Myotismon's soldiers, and she was fully aware of the fact that he knew all of her moves from their sessions together. Of course, she also knew his moves, but there were other factors that would tip the scales in his favor during a fight…
…One of those factors being the fact that she pitied him.
The fact that they had trained together was not the only thing that they had in common. Like her, he had been forced into service, captured when he and his friend had attempted to flee from what remained of the shrine where they had lived. His friend had managed to escape somehow, but he had not been so lucky, and had been eventually overpowered by the Bakemon, of all things. The ghost type Digimon were dense, but in vast numbers could prove a very real threat, as he had learned.
Myotismon took an interest in him, mainly because of the terrific fight he had put up before being captured, and offered him a deal of sorts; if he willingly joined his ranks and became one of his warriors, they would not continue to pursue his friend. If he refused, of course, they would track down his friend and delete him. Without much real choice, he had agreed to the deal, and Gatomon had been assigned to training him.
Now that she had proved to be a traitor, and linked to the lost Digidestined child as well, he was quickly becoming one of Myotismon's most trusted warriors, and undoubtedly soon would become a general just as she had been. Not that she was jealous, of course; she knew that sooner or later, all those that served the darkness would be defeated by the Digidestined, including young Hawkmon…
As if he sensed that she was looking at him, the Digimon turned and locked eyes with her for a few fleeting moments, his light blue eyes as cold as ice. Turning away, he readjusted the razor-like feather that stuck out of his headband, and continued his rounds, occasionally glancing back in her direction to make certain that she would not try to escape. As if she could escape in her condition… Sinking to the floor of her prison with a sigh, the white cat Digimon looked up dully, sapphire eyes shining as she silently wondered about where the lost Digidestined was, hoping that she was safe from Myotismon's searching forces.
Please be safe…Hikari…
* * *
"Tai, do you have to leave?"
Taichi sighed and scratched the back of his head nervously as he eyed the little girl in front of him, not certain what to say. The girl's huge, expressive chestnut brown eyes shimmered with fear, fear not so much for herself as it was for her elder brother's safety, his safety and that of his friends. He looked at his three human companions for help; all of them avoided his pleading gaze, save for one, and the helpless shrug she gave him was of little help.
Fortunately, his other companions were more helpful. The four digimon gathered around the girl and attempted to soothe her, and one of them, Agumon, smiled reassuringly and mimicked a thumbs-up as best he could with his clawed hands. He had seen the effect the gesture had on the other Chosen Children when his partner used it, and he was rewarded with a slight smile from the girl.
"Don't worry, Kari-chan!" he said, using the nickname he had heard Taichi use several times, "Everything's gonna be okay!"
"Agumon's right, Kari," Taichi added, smiling. "See, I've got it all worked out. Look, Sora, Biyomon, Koushirou, and Tentomon will stay here and protect you, while Matt and I take Agumon and Gabumon and rescue the hostages. We'll get Gatomon and your crest, then we'll meet you guys back here, and then we'll find Mimi, Jyou and TK and get ready to take down that creep Myotismon! Okay?"
Hikari nodded, although she wasn't okay with it at all; she knew that her older brother would go through with his plan with or without her consent, anyway. He smiled again, that same confident grin, and ruffled her hair slightly before turning to the others and nodding. They nodded back, and Yamato signaled for Gabumon and Agumon to follow them outside as they walked out of the room. From what she had heard of their plans earlier, the two were not going to have their partners digivolve until they were as far away as possible from the building where the others were taking refuge. Hopefully, this would keep them out of danger, although that possibility was why Sora and Koushirou were remaining behind with their digimon.
If it weren't for me, they would be going to help my brother too. I hope he'll be all right…
Sighing, she sat down and wrapped her arms around her knees. Sensing her concern, Biyomon walked over and sat down beside her, resting her head slightly against the girl's side. Tentomon flitted about nervously, hovering over Koushirou as the ten-year-old boy typed furiously on his Pineapple laptop. The redhead's brow was furrowed slightly in concentration, and his black eyes were locked on the computer screen as his fingers danced over the keys.
"The others are getting closer," he announced at length, flicking a glance over at Sora. "I've picked up the signal from Takeru and Jyou's digivices, and they've apparently seen ours, 'cause they're heading this way."
"That's good," Sora sighed, her shoulders slumping in obvious relief, then she added, "And what about Mimi?"
Koushirou frowned, and he reluctantly shook his head as he admitted, "…No. No, I haven't been able to pick up the signal from her digivice at all. I hope the enemy hasn't caught her…"
Hikari shuddered at the awkward silence that followed that comment. She barely knew Mimi, having met her once or twice for only brief periods of time, but she knew from the way that the others talked about her that she was a sweet girl, if a little self-centered at times. Taichi had taught her a little bit about each of the Digidestined, and he had told her that Mimi carried the Crest of Sincerity or Purity, depending on your view of things, and from what she had picked up from what others had said, she deserved it. Just like how her brother fit with the Crest of Courage, or Sora the Crest of Love…
The idea that somebody as kind and caring as the others said Mimi was might be in the clutches of the enemy…
…just like Gatomon…
…frightened her to no end. This whole situation terrified her, in fact. It was almost as if she and the others had been pulled into one of her brother's video games; one where the fate of the entire world…no, wait, two worlds…rested on the shoulders of a few chosen heroes. And she, apparently, was supposed to be one of those heroes.
It was too much. She didn't know if she could handle it. No, she knew she couldn't handle it. But at the same time, she knew she had to; everyone was counting on her, and she couldn't let them down. After all, she figured that none of the others had been ready for the responsibility of saving the worlds, but still they fought as best they could. Even little Takeru…
* * *
Takeru clung to Ikkakumon's soft white fur as he carefully slid to the ground, waiting until he was absolutely certain that his feet were firmly planted on the street before releasing the silky strands. Suddenly the eight-year-old boy thought he had a better understanding of why the water Champion had such long fur in the first place… He raised wide blue eyes to watch as his other human companion, Jyou Kido, helped a Digimon wearing tattered blue robes and a bent wizard's hat to the ground.
"Are you going to be able to walk on your own?" the blue-haired boy asked, his onyx eyes shining with concern behind his thick glasses. The Digimon only nodded silently, and as he took a few faltering steps, Takeru's own Digimon alighted on the boy's head and settled onto his familiar perch. Ikkakumon's form shrank and twisted, and soon Gomamon had paddled up to Jyou to be lifted into his partner's arms.
"Let's hurry," their other companion, Wizardmon, urged. One gloved hand tightened around a small piece of jewelry, and he added, "We have to get this to Hikari and Gatomon as soon as possible!"
Both boys nodded numbly, still a little surprised by the idea that the lost Digidestined they had been searching for had turned out to be right in front of them all this time without them realizing it. Jyou, thankfully, had not chosen to complain about the extremely bad timing for their finally learning this fact; the situation was bad enough as it was. With Myotismon scouring the streets for any sign of the Chosen Children, and them scattered around the way that they were, it was a very bad time to be a good guy.
Jyou checked his digivice's signal again; stealing a glance at Takeru's to confirm its readout. The elder boy was nothing if not overly cautious, and he currently seemed convinced that it was possible for the enemy to mess with the electronic devices' displays, which they might possibly use to try and trick the already scattered Digidestined into revealing themselves. Takeru himself didn't fully understand the theory, but he figured that it was better to just play along with whatever the older boy requested. It was better than fighting with him over it, at any rate, and besides, with evil digimon swarming the city streets, it was better to be overly cautious than to rush into things and risk getting caught…or worse…
Suddenly the digivice bleeped strangely, and Jyou gaped down at the readout. Seeing the expression on the older boy's face, Takeru swallowed nervously and asked, "What's wrong, Jyou?"
"I…don't understand it…but according to this, there is another digivice somewhere nearby," Jyou stammered, holding up the small device so Takeru could get a good look at the display. The younger boy stared at the screen in surprise, then looked up at the older boy with clear confusion in his wide sapphire eyes.
"But why?" he asked. Jyou shook his head, and pushed his glasses back onto his nose with one finger as they slipped out of place.
"I don't know…hey, Wizardmon, do you think this could be Hikari's digivice we're looking at here?" he asked. The robed digimon studied the display for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"I'm not sure," he admitted. "I thought that Miss Hikari already had her digivice with her…"
"At any rate, we should check it out," Jyou decided, already starting to follow the signal. Takeru and the three digimon followed him, each occasionally glancing around with nervous expressions; eyes darting from shadow to shadow. Although he said nothing aloud, Jyou silently cursed the fact that they were separated from the others. This being brave and walking toward the unknown was more Taichi's style, not his own!
(The stage has been set; the players and their places have been introduced. The new path lies waiting in the shadows, ready to be taken if only the chosen can reach it. But the cost of arriving there may be too much for some to bear…and even if they do manage to make it, their new chosen path may lead them to either salvation or destruction.)
(Choices are about to be made…actions about to be taken…and the outcome will be beyond anyone's ability to guess.)