Howdy! This is going to be my first attempt at a full blown out epic Digimon story. What I mean by that is that it'll be a long drawn out series type story with everything from action to drama, and of course lots of romance and fluff. Fic's just aren't worth reading without it in my opinion. This is something I started developing a couple of months ago, and changed a little bit each week as the actual story progressed. I found this rather annoying, but it was expected. By the time I found out how Digimon was going to end I practically had to burn everything I had, and start over from scratch. Not that I was forced to or anything, but after reading some spoilers I decided to go in a much different direction. This story starts about a year after 02, so get yourself in the mindset that things didn't just end right after 02 like Toei did. I don't know how long this will be yet, it depends on how the story develops as I go. Possibly six chapters at the most, but all of them will be considerably long. I may make them shorter I don't know yet. Let me know what you think, and I'll debate that as I go. Here goes nothing! I hope you enjoy this!
To Hell with Destiny
Prologue:
Davis hadn't had a peaceful night's sleep in what seemed like ages to him. Every night it was the same damn thing. The same nightmare over and over again taking control of his mind, and refusing to let him rest. It wasn't like your ordinary dreams either. At times it seemed as if he was awake while he was having them, but he knew he was asleep. He could tell it was a dream, but it seemed so real some nights he could swear it was real. If he was interpreting the dream correctly however, it soon would be. The dream started the same way every night, and this night was no exception. Davis found himself standing in the middle of somewhere though he couldn't tell where. It kind of looked like the Digi World. No... On closer inspection it kind of looked like the human world as well. A combination of both maybe. That didn't really matter for the sky suddenly turned black, as an ominous black cloud blanketed the sky. All of a sudden everything around him started disappearing into darkness, and felt himself fall through the ground that was coming apart at the seems beneath his feet. Without a sound he floated around amongst the remains of nothing until he landed on the ground in a dark room with nothing but a large stone tablet in the middle. Just like he did every night.
"Not this dream again!" Davis screamed. "What the hell is happening?! Why do I keep having this nightmare every night?! Somebody please tell me!"
"Because young one," a voice ripped through the deadness in the air. The same voice Davis had been hearing every night for what seemed like an eternity now. "This is the fate that is going to befall your world, and mine if something isn't done about it quickly."
"That's the same damn answer you give me every night! What the hell does it mean?! That doesn't tell me anything!"
"I'm afraid anything else I could tell would only succeed in sealing both our worlds doom. Besides, you couldn't truly understand what's going to happen without experiencing it first hand."
"But what can I do about it?!" Davis demanded. "I don't even know what the problem is! Why do I have to be the one who has to go through this anyway?! Why did you choose to come to me?!"
"You're the leader of the digidestined aren't you?" the voice asked him. "That should be the only answer you need."
"Well that's the only one you've given for the past God knows how long!" Davis sneered. He scoffed knowing exactly what the voice was going to tell him to do next. "I know, I know! Go read the stupid stone tablet! You don't have to tell me! It's only the hundredth time after all! I don't see what the point is! I don't understand any of it, and I can't remember most of it once I wake up either!"
"If you try hard enough you will remember the words inscribed there when it's most necessary."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going! I know I can't wake up until I do!"
Davis stalked towards the large slab of stone with a purpose. At first he was frightened by this dream, and intimidated by the deep raspy voice. Now he'd become simply tired of both of them, and had grown frustrated by his inability to decipher the dreams meaning. Now he had to read this damn stone again. The words inscribed there said the same thing as they did every other time, as he read it aloud to himself.
"The battle between the forces of light and darkness have ragged on for ages. It was no different in the Digital World many years ago. After a ferocious battle the Guardian of Light defeated the forces of darkness, and managed to imprison them. However, in doing so sacrificed their own existence in the process. To ensure both the worlds they protected were safe the guardian used the last of their power to divide itself into nine separate entities in hopes they could be utilized to protect both worlds again if they were ever needed. Two of those entities made in the image of the Guardian created from the last remaining strength of their soul, two that would be guardian's of those entities, four essences that come from the deepest parts of the mind and heart, and one special entity that held everything together strong enough to overcome any obstacle that might dare to get in it's path. Together they had the power to protect the light that continues shinning to protect life as we know it just as the Guardian before them had. The light that without it the world would succumb to the darkness. The light shines strong now, however it has never been tested. Its foundation could be cracked easily if the right opportunity presents itself. If this would happen the light will begin to fade, and the darkness will once again be unleashed on the world with little left to do to stop it. The chosen must ban together, and learn to understand the true purpose of their existence to slay the darkness once and for all. The true meaning of Love and Courage must be realized in order to keep that light shinning, and only Friendship can help them possibly find their way. By no means can this alone do the job. Simple things like Reliability, Sincerity, Knowledge, and Kindness must also be depended on to keep the foundation together. These simple things that have become so hard to find in this day and age. Though they may seem to pose as the key to doom at times, Courage and Friendship are in reality the guiding force in keeping the light alive. When Hope and Light finally escape the darkness, and are brought together the light of hope will appear to vanquish the forces of darkness once and for all.
"What's the deal here?! Is this thing in English or something?!" Davis complained, the words inscribed on the tablet still a mystery to him. The boy wouldn't have much longer to complain however.
Davis shot up in his bed, a cold sweat dripping down his forehead. The same way he'd awakened every night for weeks, except this time he felt oddly different. "Don't worry about it Davis... It was just another dream. A confusing horrible dream."
"It's as real as anything Davis, and your right in the thick of it."
Davis nearly jumped out of his bed at the sight of the small figure of a man appear in his room. Oddly he didn't appear concerned over the little man's presence. One thing was for certain though... From this moment on his life was about to be changed forever.
end.
-Authors note: I'd like to apologize for the prophecy part, I know it was kind of weak. I thought I could do a better job with it, but I found writing it more difficult then I thought it would be. Still it is a very important piece of the story since half of the plot is hidden within the lines. I tried to make most of it as obvious as I could, and at the same time throw a couple curveballs in there so everything's not exactly what it seems. I'm not saying what is, and what isn't though. Besides that I think everything is coming along rather smoothly.
Chapter 1-Dark Clouds Over the Horizon
Kari stared up at the gray-white clouds blanketing the sky on the warm Mid-May day. A droplet of water splashed against her nose, not a raindrop, but from a cool refreshing mist. Normally she loved weather like this, but she wasn't in the kind of mood that would allow her to enjoy much of anything at the moment. Her close friends Yolie and Ken were walking alongside her beginning their long track home after another long tedious day of school.
"I wonder where the others are at?" Ken asked, knowing full well they were usually all gathered together by now.
"Well, I know Cody had to get home early, so he didn't have time to wait for us," Yolie answered him. "God only knows where the heck Davis might be. I don't have a clue where TK is either. Hey Kari, do you know where he's at? I thought he was supposed to be with you this afternoon anyway?"
"He had better things to do then waste his time with me!" Kari snipped disgustedly.
"Don't tell me you two are arguing again!" Yolie groaned. "That's the second time this week, and I can't remember ever seeing you guys mad at each other even once before the other day!"
Kari grunted, and turned her head away without answering her. Yolie looked at her with wide eyes. "Jeez, what did he do?"
"Hey there they are!" Ken pointed towards the large grassy lawn in front of the school at the approaching images of Davis, and TK who seemed to be discussing something amongst themselves.
"Thanks for the help Davis. I don't think I ever would've gotten away from them if it weren't for you."
Davis rested his hands against the back of his head. "Yeah I can see your problem. You have half a dozen pretty girls flaunting all over you. Every guys worst nightmare!" Davis took his hands out from behind his head, and slapped TK in the back. "What's wrong with you TK?! You should be living it up! Lord knows I would if I were that popular with the ladies. Not that I don't have my share of admirers, but I don't quite have the following you do.
TK shook his head. "No, not me. What's the point? I don't have any interest in any of those girls. There's only one I'm interested in..."
"Don't think I've given up on Kari yet," Davis grinned.
"You'd be a fool if you did Davis," he started, but stopped when he noticed their friends walking nearby. Ken and Yolie stopped and waved at them while Kari grunted, and kept on walking. TK's face dropped knowing full well of the reason why. "If you'll excuse me for a moment Davis I have something I need to take care of."
Kari heard TK calling after her, and she purposely ignored him. He eventually caught up with her, but Kari didn't bother looking at him. "A little late aren't you? I don't appreciate being stood up Takeru!"
"I'm sorry Kari! I swear I meant to meet you in the lunchroom, but I got a little sidetracked..."
"You mean you were too busy flirting with those bimbo's don't you?!"
"I wasn't flirting, and they're not bimbo's!" TK insisted. "Well... Sometimes I wonder about Kelly and Stacy... I mean I was just being friendly! It's not like I went to them, they jumped me when I wasn't looking! It's not my fault! When you lead your school basketball team to the district final, and your older brother just happens to be a local celebrity you tend to get a little popular I guess..."
Kari finally looked TK in the face, but with a look that made TK wish she hadn't. "So I guess that gives you a license to forget about your friends huh?! Or did that sea of cheap hair dye numb your mind?!"
"I didn't forget about you Kari! I told them I had to leave to meet you, but they wouldn't listen!"
"How convenient that's happened two days in a row huh?! Don't stand there and tell me you weren't trying to flirt! I saw you smiling and giggling with them, and I saw you in there holding Jackie's hand pretending you could read her palm!"
TK sweat dropped. "Okay... Maybe I was flirting a little, but I swear I didn't mean to stand you up! I tried to take off when the time came, but they just wouldn't let me! Honest! I'm sorry Kari!"
"He's telling the truth Kari!" Davis vouched for him, as he, Ken, and Yolie finally caught up with them. He couldn't help but overhear their conversation since they were yelling rather loudly, and he was kind of ease dropping anyway. "They did kind of have him surrounded. I thought I was going to need the Jaws of Life to pry him out of there."
"Oh really. Kari looked back at Davis briefly, and then allowed herself to look TK in the face, which turned out to be a big mistake. She stared right into his big blue eyes that looked so filled with sincerity and hope. She caved in like a house of cards. She just never could stay mad at him long.
"I'm really sorry Kari. Please forgive me?"
"But I really want to stay mad at you this time!"
"Please forgive me?" he begged her in a tone of voice he'd been using on her since they were eight. It worked every time.
Kari covered her mouth to keep herself from giggling. "Okay I forgive you, but this is the last time! If I catch you doing it again your toast mister!"
"Fair enough." TK gestured his hands at his chest. "I promise I won't let it happen again."
"You see I told you she'd take it well didn't I/!" Davis said, as he slapped TK on the back.
TK raised his left eyebrow. "No. You told me she'd rip off my arm, and chase me across town with it!"
Davis sweat dropped. "Oh that! I was only kidding!"
Ken eyed Davis and TK curiously. Yolie giggled, as Kari walked over by them.
"Is something wrong Ken?" Yolie asked him noticing a funny glint in his eyes.
"No, not really. It's still kind of weird to see them actually getting along. I guess it's going to take a little more getting use to."
"I think I know what you mean," Yolie agreed. "It wasn't much more then a couple months ago when they were still at each other's throats."
"And why are you guys complaining about it?!" Kari jumped in. "I'm glad they're not fighting anymore. My brother, and Matt went through the same thing. Nothing supernatural is happening or anything. They just grew up a little that's all."
"WE DID NOT!" Davis and TK shouted at the same time causing them both to laugh.
Yolie smirked at Kari. "Let's not argue with them."
"Now that that's over with," Davis started, putting one hand on TK's shoulder, and the other on Ken's. "If you guys don't mind can we go off somewhere and talk? Sorry girls, but this is kind of a guy thing."
"Oh, I'm so hurt!" Yolie mocked.
"Don't worry about me," Kari added. "Whenever Davis says anything like that it's usually something I don't want to hear anyway!"
The three boys waved good-bye to the girls before walking off in the other direction. Kari looked in their direction with her eyes focused on something in particular. Yolie looked at her, and smirked. "Why don't you stare a little harder?"
"What?!" Startled, Kari shook her head. "What are you talking about? I'm not staring at TK."
"Oh, so that's who you were checking out?! I wasn't sure, but I had a feeling that it was him. It's not like this is the first time I've caught you anyhow."
Kari blushed furiously. "You don't know what you're talking about! I don't have to listen to this! I'm going home!"
Yolie shook her head, as she watched Kari storm off. "Man has that girl got it bad."
In the meantime Davis had stopped Ken and TK in front of a large tree in a grassy area near the school.
"Can I ask you guys a serious question?" Davis inquired. "I know what you're thinking, but this isn't a joke. I mean it."
Ken and TK looked at each other. "Sure Davis. Go right ahead," Ken gave his permission. TK simply nodded his head.
"Thank you." Davis took a deep breath before continuing. "If you guys ever had a choice of doing something you're not really proud of... I mean you don't really want to do it because you know it'll end up hurting the people closest to you, but it would make things better in the long run. Maybe even save the world. Would you guys do it? Even if it was something you really despised doing, but there's no other options available."
Davis looked at Ken first. "I can't really answer that Davis. It's a hypothetical question. I really think I'd have to be faced with that type of situation to answer a question like that."
Davis grunted softly so Ken couldn't hear him. "How about you TK?"
TK took a moment to think it over. "Well... I guess I'd say I would. If it would save the world I'd almost have to."
Davis felt slightly relieved. "Okay, but how about this? Would you forgive that person for what they did? If that person did something that really hurt you in the process, but they had no other choice but to do it?"
TK answered first. "Yeah... I guess I would. If they really were sorry for it, and they were forced to do it."
Ken looked unsure. "I've made my share of mistakes, and you guys forgave me. So, I'd have to say I'd at least consider it. I guess it would depend on the circumstances anyway."
"What brought on a question like that anyway Davis?" TK asked him. "Is something wrong?"
"No nothing guys. I was just wondering. Thank you...." *I hope you guys remember that because I might just have to hold you to it...*
********
"Go on in Sora. You've been stalling for the last twenty minutes!" Tai said. He was standing next to her with his hands in his pockets. He was wearing a light blue windbreaker, appropriate for the chilly weather that day.
Sora was staring at the ground blushing heavily. She toggled with the small box in her hand. "I don't know about this Tai. I'm sure Matt's really busy with his rehearsal and all. Maybe I should just forget the whole thing."
"Don't be ridiculous Sora! We saw the other members of his band leave a few minutes ago, so you know he's in there alone. He wouldn't think you were bothering him, and I'm sure he'll love the cookies you made him. I know I do."
Sora giggled. "Thanks Tai, but you'll eat anything as long as it has sugar in it."
"Not everything!" Tai smiled, and shoved Sora forward. "Now get in there! I'm not letting you leave here until you do."
Sora looked at Tai in wonder. She was more than surprised by how supportive Tai had been since she admitted her crush on Matt to him, but lately he'd practically been pushing her right into Matt's lap. She couldn't help but smile at him. "Thanks Tai... I hope your right about this..."
Sora walked through the doorway nervously into a long dark hallway. She walked around a bit until she found Matt in a large room that was completely empty except for a few boxes scattered around that at least muffled any annoying echo that might fill the room. He was perched on a stool picking at that guitar of his as usual. Sora swore sometimes that Matt's relationship with that guitar was the most intimate relationship he had in his life. Competing with half the teenaged girls in Odabia was one thing, but knowing her stiffest adversary was a slab of steel with catgut strings was almost heart breaking.
"Hi Matt..." Sora said shyly, as she walked to the edge of the small table Matt was sitting in front of.
"Huh?" Matt peeked behind him to find Sora standing there. He smiled at her before turning his attention back to his guitar. "Oh, hey Sora. What's up?"
Sora blushed brighter. Matt didn't sound all that interested or disinterested that she was there one way or the other. "Nothing... I just wanted to see how you were doing. I... I brought you some of my cookies... I mean if you want them that is... I made them myself."
"Thank you," Matt said without bothering to turn back around. "I'm not hungry right now, so why don't you leave them on the table there. I'll take them home with me. TK loves those things you know."
"Yeah... TK..." Sora mumbled, as she set the box down on the table. "So Matt... What are you doing tonight?"
"Well, first I'm going home to rest for a while. I've been working my butt off the last few days getting ready for our show next week."
"You know if you'd like some company I'm not really doing anything important tonight... I mean so you won't have to spend the rest of the day alone again. I know your dad's been working a lot of late nights lately."
"No thanks," Matt replied. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not the lonely type. No need to worry yourself over me."
"But I really don't mind at all," Sora insisted. "In fact I..."
"That's okay Sora," he interrupted her. "I'll be fine."
"If you say so," Sora sighed in defeat. "I guess I'll go now. I'll see you later then Matt..."
"Bye Sora," he said, as he picked at his guitar.
Disappointed but half expectant of what happened, Sora power walked out of the old building. Tai was right there to greet her when she walked out, and he could immediately tell what had happened. "Uh-oh."
"It's okay Tai. Maybe another time," Sora smiled weakly. "I knew this wasn't a very good idea, but thanks for trying to help me. Right now I just want to head home for a while. I'll see you later Tai."
"Good-bye Sora." Tai watched Sora walk off until she was out of sight. Disgusted he stormed into the building, and found the room Matt was picking in. Matt was too rapped up in practicing his guitar to even notice Tai walk in. Tail leaned against the wall, and waited a good fifteen minutes before Matt finally decided to call it a night. He packed up his guitar, and went for the exit only to find Tai standing next to it smirking at him.
"Tai? What are you doing here?"
"I came here with Sora," he answered him. "I feel kind of bad for dragging her over here now. You know what that was all about don't you? I know your not that blind Matt."
"Yeah I know," Matt groaned. "I was polite about it as I could be."
"You know you could be missing out on something great here Matt. She really likes you. Why don't you at least give her a shot?"
"Maybe I am missing out on something, but it's not that simple Tai. I'm just not interested in her... It's not like I never tried to be, and at one time I even thought I was... It just wasn't what I thought it'd be... Besides I'm not sure if she's..." Matt considered what he was about to say, and thought better of it. He worried that Tai might not react to it pleasantly. "Why are you so interested in getting us together all of the sudden anyway? I always thought you kind of... Well you know."
Tai blushed. "That's not the point Matt! I just want to see her happy. Whether I do or not I can't make her feel the same way about me."
"Just like you or Sora can't make me feel the same way about her," Matt countered.
Tai knew Matt had him there. It took him a moment or two to find something to come back with. "Is that really it, or is it just that the big rock star doesn't have time for such trivial things."
Matt smiled weakly. That was the big difference between him now, and just a few years earlier. Back then he and Tai would've already been rolling around on the floor trying to punch each other's lights out. He may have gotten upset if he'd thought Tai meant that seriously, but Matt knew him a lot better than that. "You know sometimes I really get tired of this stuff. It's a very demanding life style you know with all the practices and commitment. We're only local celebrities at the moment, and all the attention gets annoying at times as it is. I don't think I even want to imagine things if I ever became world famous or something like that."
"You know I'd give anything to be in your shoes right now Matt."
Matt shot him a funny look. "Do you really now? Since when did you want to be a rock star?"
"That's not what I meant." Matt caught a short glimpse of Tai's cheeks turning a fiery shade of red, before he made his escape out the door.
"I had a feeling you weren't..."
********
The forest was almost dead silent very peaceful and serene with the bright sunlight pouring down, and highlighting the tops of the trees. That silence came to an abrupt halt as three small creatures came tearing through the forest kicking up leaves, and dirt as they went. One of them was a pudgy brownish orange colored creature, that kind of resembled a cross between a bat and a small pig, using the small wings on it's head for flight. Just below him was a white cat-type creature, and they both giggled joyfully apparently taunting the distant blue image panting and wheezing behind them.
"This isn't fair!" Veemon whined, as he tried to keep up. "You guys gang up on me every time!"
"How are we ganging up on you?!" Gatomon asked without breaking stride. "Your the one whose supposed to catch us remember?!"
"Yeah, but I'm not as fast as you Gatomon, and I can't fly! On top of that while I have to catch both you guys, both of you come after me!"
"Stop whining!" Gatomon laughed.
"Besides," Patamon added, "you can't really say that since you haven't been able to catch either of us yet!"
Smoke radiated from Veemon's head. "Just you wait! When I get my hands on you two....Whoa!"
Displaying an open and shut case on why you should always watch where your going, Veemon tripped over a large rock protruding from the ground, and was sent crashing down the hillside. He tumbled down in circles at a rather high rate of speed until a large tree prevented him for proceeding any further. He crashed into it, and fell into a convenient sitting positioning right next to Armadillomon who just happened to chose that spot to take his afternoon nap. He awoke with a sleepy groan just in time for two rather large pieces of fruit to come crashing down on his head.
"Ouch!" Armadillomon cried, as he rubbed his head. "Why'd ya wake me up for? I was having the nicest dream..." Armadillomon noticed the two pieces of fruit lying on the ground, and his attention shifted from his lost sleep to his stomach. He greedily scooped up one of them in his mouth, and started munching on it. "Yummy!"
"Hey that's my dinner!" A voice buzzed from the treetop. Veemon and Armadillomon looked to find an angry Tentomon flying down from the top of the tree. "What do you two think your doing?!"
"Your dinner?" Armadillomon asked confused. "Then why did you throw them at me?"
"I didn't throw them at you! I was saving them for later, and they fell out of my tree when Veemon crashed into it!" Tentomon turned his attention towards Veemon. "And what have I told you guys about playing around my tree house?!"
Veemon groaned. "Could you talk a little softer? My head's killing me..."
"Maybe we should make a break for it before he turns on us," Gatomon giggled, as she watched Tentomon rip into their Digimon companions. After getting no response she soon realized Patamon wasn't paying any attention to her. She looked up to the spot where he was flying, and found him staring up at something in the sky. "What are you looking at Patamon?"
"That big black cloud in the sky," he squeaked. They both looked up at the pitch-black cloud taking up a decent chunk of the sky. "I noticed it a couple of days ago. Haven't you?"
"Yeah I have... In fact I may be seeing things, but I can almost swear it's been spreading. I'm not even sure what kind of cloud it is. It doesn't appear to be a storm cloud or anything, or at least I don't think it is."
"I don't know, but I get a weird feeling whenever I look at it..." Patamon trailed off. Gatomon noticed he looked a bit out of it. "I... I don't like it."
Gatomon was about to say something to him when Tentomon came crashing in between them. He'd overheard their conversation, and decided to jump in since he had a vested interest in the cloud recently himself. "Actually I have several theories to the origin of that cloud. The most obvious one being that it's probably just an ordinary cloud. Then again it could be the work of some new evil Digimon warlord spreading his cloud of darkness in an attempt to destroy the digital world! That or maybe Unimon just has really bad gas."
"Whatever it is I hope it goes away soon," Patamon chimed somewhat distantly. "It gives me the creeps."
"Yeah well I've been thinking about that and..." Through the corner of his big green eye, he caught a glimpse of Armadillomon beginning to nibble on the last piece of fruit. "HEY! Stop snacking on my dinner!" Tentomon zipped over to the shell-backed Digimon, and lunged at the remains of his supper grabbing it just as Armadillomon clasped his mouth over it. A short round of tug-o-war followed before the fruit inevitably split in half leaving both Digimon with an equal share of the prize. "Well... I guess you can have that half... Now I don't want to hear you guys saying I never share! And stop sleeping against my tree house Armadillomon! Your shell's peeling the bark off of my tree!"
********
Izzy typed away casually at his keyboard while snacking on one of the small sandwiches his mother had prepared him for dinner. He turned his head away from the screen just long enough to take a swig of his soda, but that was more than enough time for his laptop to have a nervous breakdown.
"What the?!" Izzy dropped his sandwich as his eyes shifted back to the screen. A storm of static ravished the screen right before it went pitch black. Within a matter of seconds the screen turned itself back on, and to Izzy's surprise he found a scene of a lush green forest staring back at him. "Prodigious..."
Izzy motioned towards his keyboard, but stopped when he thought he heard voices coming from his laptop. Very familiar voices in fact. One that he recognized all to well. "Tentomon?! What's going on here?!"
********
"I am not Yolie!" Kari yelled at her friend as they walked through the park.
"You are too! The reason you're so mad at him isn't because he stood you up, but because he's been flirting with those other girls!" Yolie giggled at the look on Kari's face. It was filled with mixed emotion seemingly saying that's ridiculous, and oh crap I just got caught at the same time. "It makes perfect sense though. You guys have known each other for so long, and he is really sweet and a cutie. I guess its only natural that you'd get a little jealous when you see him hanging around with other girls."
Kari groaned, and rolled her eyes. "You don't even know what you're talking about!"
Yolie shook her head. "Is that really the best defense you can come up with? Why do you get so upset when he hangs around with other girls anyway? They flirt and flaunt with him all the time. At least since I've known him. Why are you getting so jealous over it now?"
"Because he never use to flirt back before!"
"So that's it! You use to have him all to yourself, but now he seems to be gaining interest in other girls and you don't like that one bit do you?!" Kari blushed, and turned her head away in disgust. This didn't deter Yolie one bit however. "Come on Kari you can tell me. Do you like him at all?"
"Well... Maybe I have a small crush on him, but that's all! It's not like I'm head over heels in love with him or anything..."
"Whatever you say Kari," Yolie said, clearly not believing her. "Have you ever considered telling him about it Kari?"
Kari appeared absolutely horrified by the question. "What?! That's crazy! It's just a silly little crush... It's nothing to dwell over like that!"
"If it's just a silly little crush then what's the big deal in telling him?" Yolie smiled triumphantly. She knew she'd gotten Kari good with that one. "You guys have been friends forever. I'm sure he's had one on you too somewhere along the road."
"But I...." Kari sighed in defeat. "I wouldn't even know how..."
"Just tell him nonchalantly," Yolie suggested. "Bring it up discretely in a causal conversation somewhere, and blow it off like it's nothing afterwards. Maybe while you two are at the museum tomorrow afternoon. You've got nothing to lose. If he happens to feel the same way towards you there's no telling what you guys could have..."
Kari's eyebrows drooped, as she looked at the ground. "That's easy for you to say Yolie."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing!" Kari's head snapped back showing her anger again. "I'm going home now Yolie! I'll see you at school tomorrow!"
Yolie smirked, as Kari stormed off. "That girl has got it really, really bad!"
********
Kari slammed the door to her apartment mumbling obscenities to herself. She stormed into the bathroom, and took a good long look at herself in the mirror. "I can't believe Yolie! She must be going out of her mind thinking I was jealous over TK! Ha! What do I care if he wants to flirt with all those other girls all of a sudden?!" Kari frowned at her reflection growing angrier. "Stupid bleached blonde airhead bimbos! The nerve of them going after my Takeru!... Maybe I am a little jealous... Maybe a lot! What does it matter? It doesn't mean anything. Why would he want me anyway? He could have any one of those girls he wanted... Hell, he could probably have them all at the same time if he wanted to!... I wonder why he's gotten so flirtatious all of the sudden? He never seemed interested in those types of girls before even despite all the attention he gets..."
Tai was arriving home himself as his sister was moping in front of the bathroom mirror. He slammed the door behind him mumbling something undecipherable regarding Matt. He noticed his sister through the wide open bathroom door on his way to his bedroom. "Hey Kari. Where's Mom and Dad at?"
"Beats me. I've only been home about five minutes myself."
"You don't seem particularly happy this evening. Nothing's bothering you is it?"
Kari frowned. "No I'm fine! I wasn't the one grumbling when I walked in the door!"
A sudden knock on the door may have been the only thing that prevented a full-scale war or words from breaking out. Before either one of them could say so much as "Come in," Izzy came flying through the door already trying to fire up his laptop. "Tai! Kari! It's a good thing I caught you here! I have something I want you guys to see!"
"It's good to see you too Izzy. Go ahead and let yourself in," he joked.
Izzy looked confused. "Oh, I'm sorry about that, but I was in a hurry. I have something I think you two may have a vested interest in. I'm not quite sure yet, but it possibly could be of the utmost importance. Do you have someplace around here were I can connect my laptop to the Internet?"
"Sure right over there." Tai pointed at the near wall. "What's this all about Izzy?"
"You'll find out in approximately thirty seconds."
With haste Izzy quickly set up his laptop, and logged onto the Internet. Tai and Kari peeked in over his shoulder neither one of them quite sure what to expect. The opening graphics came on the screen welcoming the user to the Internet, and a little more than a second afterward another screen popped up displaying a picture of a lush forest.
"What the heck?!"
"Is that the Digital World?!" Kari asked.
"Sure is," Izzy responded. "Hey Tentomon! Are you still there?!"
Hearing Izzy's voice faintly from nearby, Tentomon flew over to the computer that was conveniently sticking out of the ground on the forest floor. "Izzy! You're back!"
"Yeah. I've relocated to Tai and Kari's apartment."
"Hi Tentomon!" He saw Kari waving to him on Izzy's right.
Tai leaned in over Izzy's shoulder on the other side. "It's good to see you again Tentomon. Agumon doesn't happen to be there with you is he?"
"Sorry, but no," Tentomon responded. "Veemon, Patamon, Armadillomon, and Gatomon are around here somewhere goofing off as usual. I'll tell you those Digimon sure have interesting ways of amusing themselves. Somehow I don't think they feel their games are complete without some sort of mindless destruction to something, and for some reason they always seem to signal out my own personal property!"
"How much personal property can a Digimon have?" Tai asked.
Kari's eyes widened at the screen. "Hey Tentomon. Did you say Gatomon was around somewhere?"
"Say no more Kari. I'll call her over here for you..." Tentomon's attention suddenly diverted elsewhere. "Well, I'll get to that in a second. If you guys will excuse me for a moment." Tentomon disappeared form the screen, but despite that the kids could hear everything going on in the background. "Veemon! Get out of my tree house! What have I told you about playing around up there?! No don't jump on that!" The Digidestined listened and they heard the sound of something snapping, Veemon screaming, and a loud thud crashing against the ground. Tentomon reappeared on the screen with a fresh sweat drop hanging over his head. "There goes my favorite branch... THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR TRESPASSING VEEMON! Now where was I... Oh yeah! Hey Gatomon! You don't want to talk to Kari do you?"
Tentomon could file that amongst the stupidest questions he ever asked. Gatomon sprinted over to the computer, and plowed into Tentomon knocking him to the ground out of her way. "KARI!"
"Hi Gatomon!"
After they exchanged a few pleasantries Izzy decided it was time to get down to business. "So, Gatomon. Tentomon. Everything's going well in the Digital World I trust. There's nothing out of the ordinary going on is there?"
"No, not at all," Tentomon answered him. "Except for that weird black cloud that appeared in the sky last week, but I don't think its going to present any problems or anything. It's just kind of up there, and won't go away."
"Yeah. All it's done so far is give us the creeps," Gatomon added.
"A black cloud huh?" Izzy pondered the news flash. "It doesn't sound like anything we should be concerned over, but you might want to check it out anyway. Just to be on the safe side."
"Well if you say so, but I don't think...." Tentomon started, but what he said after that they may never know. Izzy's laptop screen suddenly went black leaving himself, Tai, and Kari staring at a blank screen.
"What happened?!" Tai asked.
"I have no idea!" Izzy replied, as he checked his wire connection. "My computer is still on, and I appear to still be logged on to the Internet. These are brand new batteries, so I don't know how to explain it..."
In the meantime Tentomon and Gatomon were experiencing the same misfortune.
"What happened?" Gatomon asked.
"I have no clue!" Tentomon snapped, as he shook the computer as if he thought that would turn the screen back on again. "I know it couldn't of shut off because I didn't pay the electric bill because I don't have one!"
"Maybe you should check the warranty on this thing."
"What warranty?! It came with the forest when I moved in!"
"So what do we do now?" Veemon asked. He and two other nosey Digimon had crept in behind them, and overheard the majority of the conversation.
"I guess we check it out," Tentomon whined. "What other choice do we have?! The only question is who's going to check it out..."
"Well, I think you should probably do it," Gatomon suggested.
"ME! Why me?! Veemon's supposed to be like a leader-type Digimon or something. He should do it!"
"Says who?! Besides, what do you want me to do? Jump to the top of a tree and bounce up there?!"
"You are the only one here who knows how to fly," Patamon said.
"I guess you have a point there..." Tentomon shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "Okay I'll do it! I just want to get this over with, and take my afternoon nap!"
Tentomon revved up his wings, and took flight. Patamon smiled at Gatomon mischievously. "I bet you he won't figure it out until he gets back."
"You're on."
Tentomon soared upward feeling a little more uneasy the closer he got to the cloud. There was something he really didn't like about that thing. "Why do I always have to do the dirty work?! Just because I'm the only Digimon around here who knows how to...... Wait a second! Patamon knows how to fly! I've been duped!"
"Darn!" Patamon pouted.
"I'll name my prize later," Gatomon giggled.
Tentomon was ready to fly back down to the group, and plead his case when a large Birddramon created an updraft below him. He could tell this wasn't the same Birddramon he'd been friends with for so long, but Tentomon was still curious to her presence. "Hey down there! Are you here to check out that cloud too?"
"Huh?" The Birddramon looked up, and noticed the smaller Digimon hovering above her. "Oh, yes I am. I see I'm not the only one who's noticed it. It's been worrying me a bit, so I figured I'd check it out."
"Me too... Sort of. Tell me something. Do you kind of get this strange feeling the closer you get to it?"
"Not really. I'll admit I sense something different about this cloud, but I don't feel any different. Tell you what. If it's bothering you that much why don't you wait here, and I'll take a closer look."
"You don't have to ask me twice!" Tentomon stopped, and hovered in place while Birddramon proceeded to the cloud. He was still a good distance away, but he was close enough to get his first decent look at the cloud. On closer inspection he noticed it wasn't really a cloud at all, but more like a foggy mist floating high in the air. He watched the Birddramon stop and examine the cloud before flying inside. Tentomon heard a faint scream, but didn't think much of it. He waited a couple minutes, but she never reappeared from the mist. "That's wired. I wonder what's keeping her?... I guess I better check it out for myself."
Feeling a sudden surge of bravery Tentomon flew close to the cloud, but didn't fly inside. He tried to peer inside to see if he could see anything, and discovered just how lucky he was he didn't fly inside the mist. He saw Birddramon holding still in place with her wings spread out. He thought she kind of resembled a large statue from that distance. He moved in just a little closer to get a better look. "What in the Digi World?! She is a statue!"
Tentomon couldn't begin to explain how, but there it was right in front of his face. He could see her frozen still incased in some type of marble-like shell. Tentomon guessed the mist itself must've had something to do with the Birddramon not plummeting to the ground below. Though he did not wish for this to happen to her it did manage to answer one his questions for him. "No, I don't think I'm going in there."
Tentomon motioned to fly back down to the group to give them the news, when he heard a strange buzzing sound from inside the cloud. He looked into the mist, and noticed six insect type Digimon about his size flying in his direction at high speed. "That's strange. Why aren't they turning to stone? I wonder if they're friendly... WHOA!" Tentomon's ears rattled as two long lance-like projectiles went zipping past his ears. "I'm going to take that as a no."
"Maybe I should've gone with him," Patamon said, as he and the others waited for Tentomon on the ground. Tentomon had been up there for a while, and he was starting to worry.
"Don't worry he'll be fine. You saw that Birddramon fly up there too," Gatomon assured him. "Besides you said that cloud made you feel uncomfortable. It would be better for Tentomon to investigate this situation anyway. He knows this region better than we do."
"To tell you the truth guys that cloud makes my stomach a little queasy," Veemon grunted, as he held his stomach.
"I don't like it neither," Armadillomon agreed.
"Hey there's Tentomon now!" Veemon shouted, as he pointed at his approaching image coming towards them fast. However they also noticed he wasn't alone. Right on his tail were six flying Digimon that resembled large yellow jackets, each of them with a long pointy stinger protruding from their rear end.
"Looks like he brought some friends with him."
"Somehow I don't think so Armadillomon!" Gatomon said, as she watched several of the Digimon fire their stingers at Tentomon. Each stinger they shot was replaced by a fresh weapon that grew out of their tail ends. "Brace yourselves guys! I think were in for a fight!"
Tentomon dodged another hail of stingers, but one soared right above his head throwing him off his path of flight. He began weaving around erratically unable to control where he was going, and braced himself for a crash landing. "LOOK OUT BELOW!"
Tentomon's warning was little too late. He came crashing into his small group of friends effectively taking down each one of them. Soon after they found a shower of stingers raining down on them, as they tried to scramble to their feet.
Veemon held his head, as he picked himself up. "Ewe sick! They're shooting at us with their butts!"
"Quick everyone over here!" Tentomon pointed at a small area nearby wedged in-between a large boulder, and some long hanging vines from a nearby tree. No one had to be told twice, as they all followed Tentomon in. Lucky for them, their enemies were taking this time to regroup and reform.
Gatomon peeked out from behind the large rock, and saw their foes in the sky apparently getting ready for a second offensive. "We don't have much time, so you guys better Digivolve and quick!"
Tentomon crossed his forearms across one another. "I'd love too, but somebody ate my dinner!"
Armadillomon lowered his head. "I said I was sorry! At least I can digivolve though."
"How about you two?" Gatomon asked the others.
Veemon's stomach answered for him with a loud grumble. "Nope. Sorry, I haven't eaten anything today either."
"I'll give it a shot." Patamon took a deep breath. "Patamon digivolve to!....... Oh poop... Sorry no go."
"I guess it's just me then. Armadillomon digivolve to..."
"NO STOP!" Everyone yelled simultaneously.
"What?!" Armadillomon asked confused.
"This area's too small for you to digivolve here!" Tentomon scolded. "What do you want to do?! Crush us all underneath your two tons of fun?!"
"Oops... I guess I didn't think about that..."
"Forget about that! Let's just get out there, and do the best we can with what we got!" Gatomon encouraged.
Veemon pointed towards the sky. "Well, we better hurry because here they come!"
Everyone darted out of their hiding spot, and poised themselves for battle. Armadillomon ran outward a little ways, and made sure he had plenty of open space around him. "Here we go! Armadillomon digivolve to!.... ANKYLOMON!"
Ankylomon braced himself, as his enemies fired at him. Their stingers were useless against Ankylomon's rock hard shell, bouncing off like super balls. Ankylomon picked up his huge tail, and swung it at one of the yellow jackets. To Ankylomon's surprise his enemy vaporized on contact with his tail hammer. Nothing was left but several pieces of data blowing away in the wind. "What the?..." Sensing another enemy trying to dive bomb him he flicked his tail in the other direction, and received the same result as his tail hammer demolished him as well. "They're falling to pieces on me!"
In the meantime Gatomon was experiencing the exact same thing. She used her Lightning Paw against one of her foes instantly reducing it to nothing. She stared at the floating bytes of data bewildered from her perch on a thick tree branch. Luckily she still had the presence of mind to notice another one poised to attack her through the corner of her eye. She dodged its attack, letting the stinger explode against the tree behind her, and then jumped off the branch towards her attacker.
"Lightning Paw!" Gatomon landed on her feet, of course, and by the time she looked up her opponent was already dust. "That was almost too easy..."
Even the rookies were having a surprisingly easy time.
"Super Shocker!" Tentomon's attack hit his enemy dead on knocking him to the ground. The insect shook the cobwebs out of his head, and tried to take back to the air. "Oh no you don't! Stay down!" Tentomon zapped him again, but this time his foe disintegrated on contact. "Um... That's not quite what I had in mind but... Better him than me I guess..."
"Boom Bubble!" (You have no idea how much I've to do that) Patamon's attack nailed the flying Digimon in the head putting him in a daze. The Digimon bumbled close enough to the ground for Veemon to pounce on him. Veemon rammed his forehead right into its chest sending him crashing into the trunk of a nearby tree. It disintegrated on contact, leaving Veemon and Patamon staring wide eyed at the little specs of data floating all around them.
"Wow..."
"I guess your head is even harder than I thought," Patamon joked.
"Yeah I guess.... Hey!"
The Digimon quickly gathered together after the battle. All the fight had done was leave them confused as any one of them barely broke a sweat.
"What the heck were those things?!" Veemon asked the group.
"I have no idea!" Tentomon answered. "I've never seen any Digimon like that before, and if I don't know them they usually don't exist!"
"Well they sure looked real to me!" Veemon grumbled. "And they weren't that strong were they? Patamon and I were just rookies and we... Well let's just say he went poof!"
"I wouldn't be too sure about that..." Patamon said softly.
"What do you mean by that?" Armadillomon asked.
"Well... I don't think they were real Digimon. Don't ask me why because I'm not exactly sure how to explain it... Let's just say I didn't sense any kind of life force from them. Almost like they weren't even alive..."
Everyone eyed him like they thought he was crazy. Tentomon spoke up first. "Patamon... Have you been eating those funny smelling berries again?"
"No guys I think he might be right," Gatomon defended him. "I kind of sensed something like that too though I'm not sure if I'd put it quite the way he said it. I think it might be something along the lines of what Arukenimon did with the control spires, and I'm positive it has something to do with that cloud! Did you find out anything while you were up there Tentomon?"
"Oh yeah!" Tentomon exclaimed. "I forgot all about that, but you can understand I was a little preoccupied..."
"Well we're all here now, so get on with it!" Veemon said impatiently.
"Right. First of all I noticed it really isn't a cloud at all. It's more of a type of foggy dark mist that looks like a storm cloud. Second, whatever you do don't let it touch you, or you'll turn to stone! That Birddramon flew inside, and now she's a lawn ornament!"
"But those bee things came out of there didn't they?" Patamon asked. "They weren't made of stone."
"I know I wondered about that too." Tentomon scratched his head. "Like Gatomon said maybe they have something to do with that mist up there."
"Well at least we won't have to worry about it harming us," Veemon said optimistically. "Most of us can't fly, and as long as no one who can flies inside it shouldn't harm anyone else."
"You have a point there," Tentomon admitted.
"Uh... Guys..." Armadillomon stuttered. He was standing a little ways outside of the circle looking up at the sky. "I think we've gotta big problem on our hands."
Everyone looked up at the spot Armadillomon was staring at, and noticed just what he was talking about. Six new short streams of black mist had appeared in the sky. They could already see the streams starting to spread out creating another huge layer of mist across a separate section of sky.
"I had to open my big mouth," Veemon scolded himself.
"Wait a second Tentomon!" Gatomon said franticly. "You did say it was like a mist didn't you?! You mean kind of like a fog?!"
Tentomon gulped. "Yes... Which means under the right conditions it can float down, and cover up the ground..."
Patamon nudged his chubby head around to face Tentomon. "And that means?"
"And that means... If it does we're in deep Mammothmon dung."
********
Cody walked along the street lost in his thoughts. *It just can't be true... Davis didn't really mean what he said to me did he? They are my friends aren't they? They wouldn't talk that way about me behind my back. But why would Davis lie to me if they didn't? I'm just not sure what to believe."
Joe walked out of the corner convenience store as he took a sip out of the bottled soda he'd just bought. With the bottle still stuck in his mouth, his eyes peered down at the small image of Cody sulking past him. The little guy had his head hung staring at the ground, so he didn't even notice his much larger friend was there.
"Cody? Something the matter little guy?"
"Huh? Oh no Joe. I'm just walking home..."
"But don't you live in that direction?" Joe pointed the opposite way from where Cody had been walking.
"Umm... Yeah..." Cody didn't even bother to defend himself. He was obviously very upset over something.
"Your not fooling me one bit little guy. Why don't you come talk to me?"
Cody didn't put up much of a fight allowing Joe to drag him to a nearby park bench, and sit him down. "So, what's bothering you Cody? You were sulking along like a zombie looking for his grave."
Cody turned his head away. "I really don't want to talk about it..."
"Come on Cody!" Joe smiled. "You can talk to me can't you? We're friends aren't we?"
Cody stared up at Joe hard. "I don't know Joe. Are we?"
Joe sweat dropped. "Of course we are! What was that for Cody?"
"Well..." Cody hung his head with guilt. "I've been hearing some things lately concerning how my friends supposedly really think of me."
"Excuse me?! What have you heard?"
"Well... That everyone thinks I'm an annoying brat, and no one really likes me being around. That they all think I'm always in the way when things get tough, and they get sick of having to baby sit me."
Joe was shocked. "What?! You don't honestly believe all that dribble do you?! Who in the world would tell you something like that?!"
"Davis...." Cody sniffed. "He also told me that everyone tries to avoid me but I always seem to track them down somehow, and that they all wish I'd dig myself a hole somewhere, crawl in, and never come back out!"
"Davis told you that?! I can't believe the nerve of that!.... Look I don't care who said what, but you can't believe whatever it is you heard! Trust me when I say your friends do not think that way about you, and I don't care what Davis thinks! I'll have to have a little talk with him about this... Don't worry Cody. Your just as much a part of the team as anybody!"
"Thanks Joe..." Cody said sounding unsure. "But I'm really not sure what to believe right now. I want some time alone to think for myself..."
"I understand Cody. You know if your ever having problems, and you need someone to turn to you know you can always come to me right?"
"Right Joe.... Thanks. I'll try to remember that...."
Joe watched Cody walk away slowly, and shook his head. "What the hell does Davis think he's doing?! I thought he changed. Still, that doesn't even sound like something the old Davis would do even to TK! I think there might be more to this situation that I don't know yet. One way or another Davis has some serious explaining to do!"
********
"I don't want to do this!" Davis grumbled, as he tossed and turned in his bed. "I can't do this to my friends!... I won't do this! To hell with it! Next time that old man comes back I'll just tell him to stick it! I'll apologize to Cody first thing in the morning. I really hated doing that to him... I'm sure he'll understand. At least I hope he does. Everything will be all right. I'm going to forget this whole thing ever happened!"
Despite all of his frantic ranting, somehow Davis managed to drift off to sleep. However, it would not be a peaceful sleep for the young man. He was immediately thrown back into a modified version of the hellish nightmare he'd been experiencing for so many nights before. This time he was standing in the middle of nowhere watching the Digi World being sucked up into darkness all around him. Then he saw the distant image of Veemon running towards him screaming for help. Davis ran to help his friend only to watch him being pulled into the darkness, and fade away with everything else around him. The next thing he felt was his body do a phase shift, and he found himself back in Odabia in the human world. Just like in the Digi World a dark mist swallowed everything around him into nothing, spreading like a fungus until Davis was the only thing left surrounded by nothing but darkness.
Davis awoke with a shrill scream, soaked from his own sweat. "I can't take this anymore! What the heck is going on?! What does this stupid dream mean?!"
"That's the fate your condemning both worlds too if you refuse to accept the task ahead of you Davis."
Davis shot his head around just to catch a glimpse of an old crinkled face he'd learned to hate. "What the hell are you talking about?! How is this bullshit you've been feeding me going to save both worlds?!"
"I'm sorry, but it's not the right time to answer that question just yet."
"Why not?!" Davis barked. "Are you just toying with me for your own amusement?! Just to see if you can get me to do whatever you tell me to do?!"
"Of course not, don't be ridiculous! If I were doing that then I would've had you standing on your head singing La Bamba by now! This matter is very serious Davis. I know how hard this is for you, but it has to be done."
"But I don't know if I can... I don't even see how any of this is supposed to help save the world! How am I supposed to believe what you're saying?! It doesn't make any sense!"
"I don't like this any more than you do Davis... However your mission is necessary for the very existence of both worlds. The reasons for that being once again I can not give to you at this time. You'll have to discover that on your own as events take their due course, and then you'll realize just how important your job actually is. Until then you need to be strong Davis. We all do." The old man shook his, and then disappeared before Davis could get another word in.
"You better be right about this old man! I swear if you are toying with me I'm going to cut out your intestines, and strangle you with them!.... How in the world am I supposed to go through with this?! But if what he's been saying, and what I've been seeing is true how can I afford not to?"
Davis sighed knowing full well he may never find an answer for that question. He threw the covers over his head knowing he was in for another long sleepless night.
end.
-Well I hope you've enjoyed this so far. I really don't have anything to say in closing this time except thanks for reading!