"Beware the Eastern Sun"

"Beware the Eastern Sun"

Prologue

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore..."

-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

Another dark night; another dark storm.

The days have been, of late. Pacing, pondering, pacing again. It is all one big circle. Yes, a circle.

"Garurumon."

"Yesss, master."

"Report."

"All is well; the vassals are in line; the land is quiet."

Too quiet. Yes, dark days indeed.

"Ears of Fate, Eyes of Shadows, show me the Lands of all my Powers."

Hmmmm. Curious, curious, curious. Things look to be amiss.

"Come Garurumon. We have guests to welcome."

"We've got to plan our next attack."

"I tell you, Tai, there's no way it can happen."

"Joe, you're not exactly known for your confidence."

"OK, OK. So what's your plan then?"

"Izzy, bring up the map."

The faithful pineapple displayed the colored map. The continents were easily visible. Stretched across the bottom was Antarctica with the Americas dominating the west and Eurasia in the east. Green blinking lights popped up across the display.

"Here's where we last saw the other evil Digimon."

A series of blue blips appeared.

"And here's where we tracked them to."

"OK. So here's how it goes." Areas of deep red were shown. "These areas are completely safe and sound from the digital barrier. Remember, we only just got over the last computer virus, so it should hold for at least another few days." Tai pointed his finger to another part of the screen. "This looks like their main area of activity. We've got to infiltrate into enemy lines somehow, and destroy the center. It should revert things to normal."

"Just one question."

"Hmm?"

"With an area that big, how do you expect to find the center?"

"I think Izzy can come up with something."

"Hey, you guys realize that I'm doing the bulk of the work here?"

"Until we can contact the digital world and Gennai, I think it'll have to be this way."

"I hate being the thinker. Why can't I be the fighter."

"..."

"Never mind I said that."

"One over, one under. Over, under." "Drat!" Sora threw down the patchwork. "It's just not working."

"Don't worry, Sora, keep trying. We've got to get these done."

"I guess you're right Biyomon."

A rustling in the bushes.

"Sora!"

"Mimi!"

"I hope your needlework is coming along fine."

"Sure, sure." Sigh.

"What's wrong?"

"I guess I've just had a lot of time to think about things."

"Now Sora..."

"No, no. It's inevitable. We have to come to terms somehow." She looked off at the sky. "I...I don't know. I've just got that feeling that we've got to start looking again." She idly watched Palmon and Biyomon banter.

"Sora, we've looking for a long time. I know you still care for the others, and I do too, but we've finally got settled down somewhere peaceful, and I don't want things to change...for the worse." The stress has worn her down so much over the past few years.

"I guess...your right." She looked off to the horizon once more.

"Now come on. We've got a long night to prepare for."

Penitence. Calm. Peace. Obedience.

"The Master requires your presence."

"Yes, Angemon. Tell him I will be with him shortly."

Angemon bowed and withdrew into the shadows.

Penitence. Calm. Peace. Obedience.

I made a promise many years ago. I will keep that promise.

T.K. looked up from his bowed position, and stared at the cold, stone wall in thought. Then he took a deep breath, snuffed out his candle, and rose to meet the Master.

The day is so sweet. The fields couldn't be greener. Gatomon is with me. Why am I not happy?

"Gennai, what time is it?"

"Oh, about 2:30, if you want to put a number to it."

Sigh.

"Now what's getting you down, child?"

"I don't know. I...just had this strange feeling. Do you think the others are OK?"

"Now Kari, there's nothing we can do about them. You were lucky I saved you when I could. This is the only place you'll be safe. Don't worry. No one can get you here."

But that's not the problem...

Oh Tai, come back...