Digimon Adventure 2.5: EOA
End Of All
The Ocean's Reflection and The Mirror's Reflection
Kari had made a decision. She came up with an idea and enacted a plan. It was the only one she could think of that would spare her friends putting their lives on the line for her and would keep both worlds safe. Her plan consisted of buying herself time until she could think of way to stop the strange figure she saw in reoccurring dreams. If he could venture out across worlds to reach her and pull her to him, this meant he was powerful beyond belief. She hadn't wanted to involve her, but she needed her: Gatomon.
Kari took them to a world where she and Gatomon might have the strength to fight back if the figure from her dreams found her. Although Gatomon would risk her life for her, Kari would never let it happen. If a fight ensued and Gatomon's life hung in the balance, Kari would trade herself for Gatomon's safety. Until a situation such as that was presented, Kari and Gatomon would traverse the World of Dreams. Using her power in conjunction with her D-3, Kari brought herself and Gatomon to this world. She intended for this world to provide her a safe haven; she also intended it to provide her with a solution to her problem.
"Kari," Gatomon said, as the two of them began approaching an ocean. "You're scared of the Darkness. You don't have to be."
"It keeps coming Gatomon," Kari said. "I'm past being scared. I think watching Ken in his fight against Daemon inspired me. I realize this is something I can't do alone. I need you."
"You want to defeat the Darkness for good," Gatomon said.
"I do," Kari said, "but I don't know if that's possible. And as long as there is Darkness, I'll be in danger and so will the people I love."
"We would fight for you Kari," Gatomon said. "We'd never let anything happen to you: no matter how many times the Darkness came."
"How long until I lose someone?" Kari asked. "How many times until the Darkness wins a battle? If we lost someone like we lost Wizardmon, I don't think I could take it Gatomon."
Gatomon didn't know what to say. She understood. She felt the pain of losing Wizardmon every day, and it had been years since she had lost him.
Kari and Gatomon reached the water's edge of the ocean. The World of Dreams had an odd color scheme and the place didn't always make sense, but Kari couldn't help take in the amazing sight in front of her.
The sky was painted beautifully, and the ocean itself reminded her of crystal.
Kari took her shoes off and socks and waded into the water.
Gatomon went with her. She was happy to see a smile on Kari's face again. She hadn't seen Kari smile since long before Kari had come to her about leaving the Real World and the Digital World.
Kari looked down upon the water. While at first, she could see through the clear water, taking in little fishes, seashells, and the soft, colorful sand between her toes, the water changed to give her a clear picture of herself. Kari saw her reflection. She saw herself as she was. She had short hair with her bangs pulled to the sides: on her left her bangs were fastened by a Red hairclip. She wore a sleeveless Pink and White turtleneck shirt, long Pink gloves that contained small openings on the tops of them, a pair of Yellow shorts with a Brown belt, a pair of White socks, and a pair of Pink and White boots. A digital camera hung from a Yellow cord around her neck.
This changed.
Her reflection showed her with longer hair, shoulder-length, but she still retained her Red hairclip that fastened her bangs on her left side. She had on a White tank top with a Pink off-the-shoulder top over it, White fingerless gloves that contained small openings on the tops of them, a pair of White capris with a Brown belt, a pair of White socks, and a pair of Pink and White boots. A tag with her Crest of Light hung from a White cord around her neck.
"Kari…" Gatomon called to her softly.
The water had receded from Kari.
Kari recognized her reflection, this appearance, from her dreams. When she looked to herself, she saw that her own appearance had changed to reflect that of the ocean, her dreams.
"Let's go Gatomon," Kari said softly. "I think this means I'm running out of time."
Kari walked on: away from the ocean. Gatomon followed, sticking close to her side.
~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~
"Kari!" Yolei shouted her name.
Yolei was on the beach with Ken and T.K. Her voice didn't reach Kari, but it did reach Akira, who happened to be stopping by the beach from her motorcycle ride before going home.
Yolei was in the same class as Akira. They were friends or rather friendly with each other. Most people were afraid of Akira because of her older brother, who was the leader of a gang, but not Yolei. Akira hadn't seen Yolei since their break had begun. She had heard of Kari, but Kari was in the other class. Kari was considered one of the sweetest people at school, and Yolei was considered one of the smartest. Davis, who was one of the top soccer players at school, was a friend of Kari, Yolei, and T.K. T.K. was something of a writer, having become a journalist for the Newspaper Club and having started the Creative Writing Club. Rumor had it that Kari and T.K. were together because they were so close.
Akira wasn't one for gossip, but she enjoyed people watching, observing, and taking everything in. People were afraid of her, so they rarely paid her much attention when she came around. They would ignore her out of fear, hoping she'd go away and leave them be. In this way, she had seen and heard a lot. Yolei had a close-knit group of friends. Sometimes, Akira envied that. She went to say hi. Akira wondered if maybe the reason she was always alone was because she never tried.
Akira had medium-length dark brown hair with half fringes on her right side, a single center fringe, and three of short bangs hung before her face. She wore a Turquoise camo tank top, a pair of Black motorcycle pants with a chain hanging off their right side and with Turquoise kneepads, and a pair of Black leather motorcycle boots. She had warm, dark Brown eyes hidden by a generally neutral, hard expression.
As Akira approached the small gathered group, she couldn't help notice they each had stuff animals with them. Yolei and T.K. were with a boy that she thought looked familiar. It came to her: Ken. He was the former genius and star soccer player from a rival school, but she hadn't heard much about him or seen him on the news in a long time. He carried an insect-like stuffed animal in his arms. T.K. had a winged guinea pig stuffed animal on top of his hat on his head. Yolei's bird stuffed animal stood beside her.
"She's not here," Ken told Yolei.
"I know," Yolei said, "but I figured I would try to reach out to her. If she hears our voice, maybe she'll realize she's not alone and we're coming."
"Kari knows that," T.K. said. "She should know that. Last time, she was taken, but this time she might've left on her own."
"What makes you believe that?" Ken asked.
"Tai wrote to me," T.K. said, holding his D-Terminal in his hand. "According to Agumon and the other Digimon, Gatomon went missing too. She left her domain in the hands of Unimon and Pidmon. She didn't say why she was leaving, but she said she would try to return as soon as she could."
"That's good news," Yolei said, "right? That means she wasn't taken to the Dark Ocean. That means she's somewhere in the Digital World."
"It could mean that Gatomon felt Kari's disappearance," Ken said. "She might've gone in search for her, trying to reach the Dark Ocean."
"They're trying to find Gatomon now," T.K. said. "If they can track her down, they think she'll lead to Kari."
"Are we still going to try and reach the Dark Ocean from here?" Yolei asked.
"Yes," T.K. said, but he looked to Ken. "Only if you're up to trying to take us there."
"I just don't understand any of this," Yolei said, sounding exasperated. "Why wouldn't Kari talk to us? Why would she just leave?"
"Kari's done this before," T.K. said. "When we were younger, I want to say it was to prove to herself she was as strong as the rest of us: that she could take care of us." He shook his head. "She wanted to take care of everyone: us and the Digimon."
"This time she rather lose herself than risk losing any of us," Yolei said. "Well, that's not going to happen. We won't let it!"
"Kari has the Crest of Light," Ken said. "While that makes her sensitive and susceptible to Darkness, her Light will keep the Darkness at bay."
"I agree," T.K. said slowly, remembering back to when he and Kari were kids: how Kari's Light strengthened and empowered those around her. "We just have to reach her to make sure she doesn't succumb to the Darkness and let it overtake her."
"Let's not forget that Kari's got Gatomon," Patamon said. "I've never met a tougher kitty."
This brought a smile to T.K. and Ken's face and made Yolei laugh.
"Ken," Wormmon said. "Whatever you do, be careful."
"You don't have to worry Wormmon," Yolei said. "The Darkness won't get a hold of him again. I'll be looking out for him."
"I'll be looking out for you," Hawkmon said. "We work best together after all."
"Very true Hawkmon," Yolei said.
"These aren't just stuffed animals," Akira said, drawing everyone's attention. "These are Digimon."
"Akira!" Yolei half-shouted her name. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought I would say hi," Akira said.
"How long have you been standing there?" Yolei said. "How much did you hear?"
"It's probaly safe to say she heard it all," Ken said.
"These are Digimon," T.K. said, who wanted to get going. "Our friend Kari is missing. These Digimon are our friends, and they are going to help us find her and bring her back. We would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone anything you've heard."
"I wouldn't," Akira said. "I won't. I wouldn't even have anyone to tell."
"We can trust her," Yolei said.
Yolei and Akira barely knew each other, but Akira felt good hearing that Yolei trusted her enough to keep their secrets.
"I'm sorry," Akira said.
"Sorry about what," Yolei asked. She could see that Akira had become saddened, and she was a little surprised because she had never seen this expression on Akira's face.
"That your friend is missing," Akira said. "I know how close you all are. I wish I could help. If there's anything I can do, let me know."
"Thank you," T.K. said. "Ken, are you ready to get started?"
Ken nodded and held out his D-3. He walked closer to the water's edge.
Akira turned and began to leave the group.
"Hey," Yolei said, jogging up to her. She stood in front of Akira: to keep an eye on Ken with T.K. and to speak to her. "I'll let you know if we find her. I hate we have to have you keep secrets, but her parents don't know she's missing yet. We want to try and find her before anyone needs to panic."
"I completely understand," Akira said. "Thanks for trusting me with this. I won't tell anyone. You have my word."
Suddenly, a Turquoise light came through the sky and came before Akira into her hands. The light became a Turquoise D-3.
Yolei was surprised to say the least, but she didn't have time to question it because a Dark Clock Tower began to rise from the ocean.
Ken dropped his D-3 and Wormmon and began to clutch his head, screaming out in agony.
Yolei grabbed onto Akira's wrist.
"You might be one of us," Yolei said: afraid for Ken. "Come with me." She dragged Akira toward Ken and T.K., who was bent beside him trying to get through to him.
"One of you?" Akira asked slowly.
"A Digidestined," Yolei told her, stopping to look her in her eyes and answer her before she continued taking them toward Ken. She let Akira go and bent down beside Ken.
"It's similar to a Dark Tower," T.K. said, standing and taking in the sight of the Dark Clock Tower. "Something tells me it's worst."
"Should we destroy it?" Patamon asked.
"I think so," T.K. said. "Can you Digivolve?"
Patamon tried, but he couldn't become Angemon.
"No," Patamon said. "It must be preventing me from Digivolving."
"We know what to do about that," T.K. said, taking out his D-Terminal. "DigiArmor Engergize!"
"Patamon ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO…Pegasusmon, Flying Hope!"
Pegasusmon flew toward the clock tower, but he stopped as he drew near it.
"T.K.," Pegausmon called to him. "I see Gatomon."
"Talk to me Ken," Yolei said.
"The Darkness is invading," Ken said. "It's trying to permeate our world: change it."
Yolei rested a hand on Ken's back and firmly held his shoulder: to enable him to feel her presence and ensure he knew he wasn't alone.
"The Darkness in me can't open a gate to the Dark Ocean because the Dark Ocean is trying to enter the Real World," Ken said.
Yolei, Hawkmon, Wormmon, and Akira watched as Darkness poured out of Ken's body onto the ground in front of him. It became a DigiEgg: the DigiEgg of Darkness.
Pegasusmon and T.K. saw Gatomon atop the Dark Clock Tower. It wasn't Gatomon. It was BlackGatomon. The question was: were they one and the same?
Ken's pain dissipated. He saw the DigiEgg of Darkness before it took refuge in his D-Terminal.
Yolei helped Ken onto his feet. She gave him back his D-3.
"I have my own DigiEgg," Ken said.
"I saw," Yolei said. "I don't know what's going on, but if Akira's a new Digidestined and you've got a new DigiEgg the Real World and the Digital must be in big trouble."
"The Darkness in me sealed off the gate to the Dark Ocean," Ken said, but he shook his head. "However, the Dark Ocean is still getting through. All I managed to do was slow down its progress."
Akira didn't know what to say. She just listened and took it all in. It didn't occur to her to leave or run away. She had this device in her hand, and she heard Yolei talk about big trouble. If she could help, she wanted to do so.
Ken looked to Akira and saw the D-3 in her hand.
"She has a D-3," Ken said, "but she doesn't have a Digimon…"
T.K. ran up to them before Yolei and Ken could discuss the subject further.
"Are you all right Ken?" T.K. asked.
"I'm fine," Ken said. "We can't get to the Dark Ocean from here."
"We'll try to get there from the Digital World later," T.K. said. "Right now, the Digimon won't be able to Digivolve, and Pegasusmon and I aren't sure if Gatomon has been taken and corrupted." He turned to face the Dark Clock Tower.
The small group gathered focused on it.
"BlackGatomon is waiting there," T.K. said. "Kari's nowhere in sight. That doesn't mean she's not our Gatomon. But we don't see a Dark Ring on her."
Akira heard a commotion behind her. She turned to see that people had begun to arrive. Onlookers took pictures of the Dark Clock Tower, and a few news outlets were reporting and filming the scene. Police were trying to bar the perimeter. As many people who were looking upon the Dark Clock Tower, just as many were looking upon the small gathered group.
"People are arriving," Akira said. "It's not going to be safe for them here, is it…"
"Not at all," Yolei said, turning toward Akira's direction to see what she was seeing. She turned back to face the clock tower, and she could see BlackGatomon, sitting and watching as if waiting for something. "One problem at a time. If we don't know, the best thing to do is ask. Hawkmon!"
"At your service," Hawkmon said.
"DigiArmor Energize!"
"Hawkmon ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO…Halsemon, The Wings of Love!"
Yolei climbed atop Halsemon.
"Tally Ho!" Yolei shouted.
Akira couldn't help but smile. Yolei was confident and unafraid. Her smile faded. If something bad happened, if trouble did come upon them, what would she be able to do? She looked upon the device: her D-3.
Yolei and Halsemon flew out beside Pegasusmon.
"Gatomon or BlackGatomon," Yolei shouted. "Whoever you are, tell us where Kari is?"
"I don't know any Kari little girl," BlackGatomon said. "I'll deal with you and your kind momentarily."
"This isn't our Gatomon," Yolei said.
"How can you know?" Pegasusmon asked.
"There's no way our Gatomon wouldn't react to a mention of Kari missing: controlled or not," Yolei said. "Also, if she were being controlled she wouldn't be able to be so articulate with her threat. She must be some kind of control spire Digimon. Let's get rid of her and this tower!"
"Should we try to use the DigiEgg?" Ken asked Wormmon. "It could be dangerous. It was made from Darkness."
"We've proven that not all Darkness is bad or evil," Wormmon said. "It's a part of life. It brings balance. Good things can be born of Darkness. That DigiEgg was born of you. And you Ken, you're good."
"We'll give it a try," Ken said.
All of a sudden the clock struck 12, even though it was 8:30 at night. Yolei, T.K., Ken, and Akira saw as the clock tower emitted some kind of wave. The people, onlookers, who had been watching from a distance, began collapsing. Akira heard and then saw them dropping. Yolei's D-3 emitted a Red light, protecting her. T.K.'s D-3 emitted a Green light, protecting him. Akira's own D-3 emitted a Turquoise light, protecting her. However, Ken, he cried out in agony, before his D-3 and D-Terminal fell from his hands, and he himself collapsed on the ground.
"Ken," Wormmon called to him.
Akira immediately went to Ken's side. He was still breathing, but he was unconscious. T.K. turned to them.
"I got him," Akira said because she saw a growing BlackGatomon leap from the top of the Dark Clock Tower toward Pegasusmon.
T.K. refocused his attention in time to see the whole scene play out. While Akira rested Ken across her thighs, she watched the scene as well.
"Thunder Kick!" BlackGatomon shouted. "Thunder Paw!"
BlackGatomon kicked Pegasusmon with an energy that brought the sound of Thunder and sent him flying back toward the beach right before she punched Yolei and Halsemon with that same energy and sent them flying back toward the beach.
Pegasusmon, Yolei, and Halsemon hit the beach hard. Yolei was thrown free. She wasn't moving.
BlackGatomon landed on her feet on the water before she ran toward the beach at an intense speed, growing larger still.
"Pegasusmon!" T.K. shouted, running toward him as he hit the ground. "Yolei, Halsemon!"
"BlackGatomon's still coming," Pegasusmon said. He struggled to rise; he struggled to speak. "You, check on the others. I'll continue to fight."
T.K. nodded, even though he hated to leave him and see him fight alone. If only he could become Angemon…
"Wormmon," Akira said. She didn't look at him. Her eyes were on Yolei: a sick feeling in her stomach. She was trying not to cry. "Look after Ken."
"I will," Wormmon said.
Akira climbed onto her feet and ran for Yolei.
"The Darkness…" Ken said: these words escaped his lips although he was barely conscious. "The Darkness in people's hearts…"
"Halsemon," T.K. said. "Are you all right?"
"I'll admit I have been better," Halsemon said, turning his head toward Yolei. "Is Yolei…"
"Don't worry about her," T.K. said. "I'll take care of her. Please, help Pegasusmon."
Halsemon worked himself onto his feet and into the air as Pegasusmon went on the offensive.
"Star Shower!" Pegasusmon shouted, unleashing a cluster of stars from his wings.
BlackGatomon leapt from the beach through his attack and at Pegasusmon.
Pegasusmon managed to maneuver from BlackGatomon's path.
"Equus Beam!" Pegasusmon shouted, flying beneath her to fire a beam of energy from his forehead to send her flying back into the ocean.
A moment later, BlackGatomon was back on the ocean's surface, running toward Pegasusmon and Halsemon, who had joined his side, and BlackGatomon was larger and stronger. BlackGatomon leapt, punching Pegasusmon out of the sky.
"Tempest Wing!" Halsemon shouted: spinning and creating a tornado that sent himself and BlackGatomon out and back toward the clock tower.
BlackGatomon punched Halsemon out of the tornado and back toward the beach before Halsemon could make them reach the clock tower to destroy it.
Pegasusmon and Halsemon were moving, albeit slowly. BlackGatomon was back on the water, heading for them all again.
"Yolei," Akira called to her softly. "We have to get you to the hospital."
Yolei was barely conscious, but she was breathing and alive. For how long? That's what worried Akira.
"I can't leave," Yolei spoke in a quick breath. She worked to get up.
"Yolei," T.K. said, joining them.
"I'm ok," Yolei said in another quick breath. She had sat up, but she hadn't moved any further. "Focus on the Dark Clock Tower and BlackGatomon. They're what's important." She gave T.K. the thumbs up. "Besides, Akira will take good care of me."
T.K. glanced at Akira before he nodded toward Yolei and ran back to look over the battle. Akira saw that Pegasusmon and Halsemon had both been sent back to the beach with attacks from BlackGatomon. She wondered how much longer this fight could go on.
"We're going to win," Yolei said. Blood trickled down the side of her face. "Just wait. You'll see."
"Let me get you some help," Akira pleaded.
Yolei reached into her pocket and pulled out her D-Terminal.
"When the time comes," Yolei said, "say DigiArmor Energize. You and your Digimon will save the day. I just know it."
The moment Akira took the D-Terminal from Yolei was the moment Yolei fell back. She was still conscious but just barely and barely breathing.
Akira was about to cry. She looked to Ken and Wormmon. She looked to T.K., Pegasusmon, and Halsemon. She looked back to Yolei.
This scene with Yolei was all too familiar. Her mother had been shot. A stray bullet went through her chest. Akira had been by her side. She watched her die. She couldn't do anything but cry. The loss of her mother's life caused her life, her brother, and father's lives to fall apart. She had promised herself she would never be useless or cry again. But here she was…She was afraid to move Yolei. She was afraid Yolei was dying. She was afraid that BlackGatomon was about to kill them all. So many lives would be torn asunder. It would happened again… And yet, Yolei was confident that everything would be okay. Yolei not only believed in her, but Yolei was confident that she would save the day. How? Why?
"Yolei," Akira said, trying not to tear up and choke up but failing. "I would do anything to save the day. You always treated me like a friend, even though I wasn't your friend. The truth is I wanted to be your friend, but now… No. I want to be your friend. I want to fight. I want to save everyone. I want you to know that you were right to believe in me."
"I know I'm right," Yolei spoke in another quick breath. "I'm usually right."
Akira couldn't help smile through her forming tears. A single tear fell.
The DigiEgg from the terminal began to emit light: a light that stopped BlackGatomon's assault, which allowed Halsemon and Pegasusmon to blast her back and across the sands of the beach. She hopped back onto her feet, but she had to shield her eyes from the light.
"If you want to fight partner," an unfamiliar voice said, "let's begin."
Akira's D-3 emitted a Turqoise light once again. This time Dracomon appeared from within the light.
Akira remembered what Yolei had said.
"DigiArmor Energize!" Akira shouted. From now on, she wouldn't let the past keep her from living, she would live a sincere life, so that she could reach out and truly be there for the people she didn't want to lose.
"This will be a grand entrance," Dracomon said. "That's what I'm thinking."
To T.K., Yolei, Ken, and Akira's surprise Dracomon Armor Digivolved.
"Dracomon ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO…Kabukimon, The Samurai of Sincerity!"
"Cherry Blossom Blizzard!" Kabukimon shouted. From her hands, she fired off beams of stinging light that came together to form one large beam of swirling petals of energy. BlackGatomon was swept away. She was left in the middle of the ocean with multiple cuts across her body, attempting to swim back to shore and not drown.
Several stray petals of energy graced the air while Kabukimon walked toward Akira. As they fell, they touched Halsemon, Pegasusmon, Ken, and finally Yolei, returning to them their health and energy.
"Ken," Wormmon said. "Are you okay? Are you back with us?"
"I am," Ken said. "I feel a lot better. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and my heart."
Ken got onto his feet and pulled Wormmon into his arms, heading for Yolei and Akira.
"Kabukimon," Halsemon said. "It appears we do have a new addition to the team."
"She showed up just in time," T.K. said.
"She's given us a second chance," Pegasusmon said. "We'll use it to rid this world of that Dark Clock Tower and BlackGatomon."
"We'll go for the tower," Halsemon told Pegasusmon. "We'll leave BlackGatomon to you." Halsemon spoke to Kabukimon.
Kabukimon turned and nodded in agreement before continuing toward Akira.
"I told you you'd save the day," Yolei said, sitting up. She had energy. She was lively. The blood that had trickled down her face earlier was gone.
Akira smiled. She rose, and she took Yolei's hands and pulled her onto her feet.
"It's because you believed I could do it that I was able to," Akira said.
"I know I can be a little all over the place," Yolei said, "but Akira I didn't treat you like a friend I saw you as my friend. I thought you didn't like me; I thought I annoyed you. But, I hated seeing you alone, and I hated that everybody was afraid of you without knowing you. So, I never gave up. I'm glad to find out you see me as a friend too."
Akira smiled at Yolei and nodded her agreement.
"Akira," Kabukimon said, coming to stand before her. "The Sincerity of your spirit and heart brought me into existence. It brought you back to life. It brought me to life. I'm your partner Dracomon, and I'm also Kabukimon: your ability to fight off Darkness and fight period."
"Thank you Dracomon," Akira said. "Thank you Kabukimon. It's a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we can become not just good partners but good friends."
"I'm certain we can and will," Kabukimon said.
"Onward!" Yolei shouted. She made Akira chuckle. "We're going for the Dark Clock Tower, and we'll leave BlackGatomon to you and Ken. Welcome to the team." She ran off and got on top of Halsemon while T.K. waited on top of Pegasusmon.
"Ken," Yolei shouted, waving at him. "Show Akira the ropes."
The four of them went for the Dark Clock Tower together.
Ken couldn't help smile to himself as Akira and Kabukimon joined him and Wormmon.
"I've actually never used Armor Digivolution before," Ken said to Akira.
"She believes in you," Akira said. "She knows you'll figure it out."
BlackGatomon came back onto beach: frustrated and drenched.
"The Digidestined won't win this day," BlackGatomon said. "I'm going to make sure of it."
"Yolei's usually right," Ken said, ignoring BlackGatomon even though she had his attention. "The Darkness was a part of me. I tried to ignore it and stir clear of it, but it'll always be a part of me. That's not a bad thing. I finally accept it. I recognize that this Darkness is a part of my strength and a path to help others."
"You've come a long way Ken," Wormmon said.
"Wormmon…DigiArmor Energize!" Ken shouted.
Yolei read over a message she received from Davis: I think we can expect new Digidestined. She'd get back to Davis later.
Yolei turned back to Ken and Akira on the beach with BlackGatomon, and she faced forward to take on the Dark Clock Tower with T.K., knowing they'd be all right.
To Be Continued…
