"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...
