A/N: More transition coming, but this chapter will contain a little background on a certain Kuiper Senshi (for those who follow my YYGDM series should know).
Don't worry. After this, we're heading back to the fighting.
Enjoy.
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Mutalior's Vengeance
Act III: Staging and Planning Next Steps
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Digital World/Gigabyte Forest/Cavern/6:15 PM
Several minutes have since passed when Tai, Kari, Gatomon, and VictoryGreymon escaped from Mutalior and his three warriors. Tai knew he was a wanted Chosen and decided to sit this one out to give VictoryGreymon time to recover. He had no choice.
"Tai, is VictoryGreymon going to be ok?" Kari asked worryingly while caressing VictoryGreymon's wounded spot.
"He just needs time to recuperate and we can go out to find some healing herbs. Didn't Gatomon say she knows a type of healing herb that can treat wounds?"
"That's what she said, but I hope she can get back soon. I'm worried she might get caught."
Tai genuinely smiled to his sister. "Nah, have more faith in Gatomon, Kari. She'll be back."
Kari sighed deeply, staring up toward the cavern ceiling. "So, he claims to be Burizalor's father?"
"That's what we heard. That creep is gonna pay for what he did to VictoryGreymon," the Bearer of Courage balled up his fists and growled deeply. "He only took advantage of VictoryGreymon while he was distracted! We'll show him next time."
Nodding, Kari replied. "Sure you will. Just like how you beat Burizalor."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Kari."
Just then, Gatomon returned without the herbs she was looking for. However, she returned with the other Digi-Destined. Delighted to see their friends again, Tai and Kari ran out of the cave to see Sora, Izzy, TK, Mimi, and their partner Digimon.
"Thank goodness you two are ok!" Sora said, running up and hugging the Kamiyas.
Tai reassured her, patting Sora's back. "We're ok. I'm just glad you guys came through safe and sound." He noticed Mimi and Palmon with them. "Oh, Mimi? Did they call for you?"
"Izzy did," Mimi replied as she walked up to Tai and hugged him. "You're looking well, Tai! We missed you!"
Tai chuckled, returning a hug to Mimi. "I've been getting that a lot today."
TK ran up to Kari and took her hands. "Are we ever glad you two are ok, Kari!"
Nodding, the Bearer of Light genuinely smiled. "We're ok, but VictoryGreymon's hurt."
When the Digi-Destined noticed VictoryGreymon, they cringed seeing the wound on his back. Tentomon flew over checking the grisly wound Mutalior made on him.
"Ah! That's one nasty wound!" Tentomon shuddered.
"Yeah, I was out looking for a specific herb that heals wounds, but then I ran into you guys," Gatomon stated. "But, a lot of the land's been ravaged. I might have to get to the nearest forest near here."
"We can use this cave as our headquarters until Gatomon brings those herbs," Izzy suggested, to which the others agreed with. "Until then, we need to contact Matt and Joe as soon as possible."
TK overheard the mention of his brother and tried to speak, but Gatomon called to everyone's attention.
"I'm going to help looking for these herbs," Gatomon asked, looking around at the available members. "Who wants to volunteer?"
Mimi and Palmon raised their hands.
"We'll go. Besides, if anyone knows plants, it's me," Palmon chuckled a little.
"Ok, then the rest of you guys stick around here," Tai advised. "Kari, think you can let Gatomon go with Mimi and Palmon?"
The little girl shrugged. "Sure. Just make sure you guys get back as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, Kari," Gatomon reassured her partner. "We've got this covered." With that, the feline led Mimi and Palmon through the ravaged land as they stumbled into a tunnel leading them to the nearest forest.
Meanwhile, as the trio went out to collect the healing herbs, Tai and the others stayed behind in the cave. Izzy opened his laptop to establish contact with Gennai first before attempting to call Joe and Matt. Tai, Sora, Biyomon, TK, Patamon, and Kari looked over VictoryGreymon.
"Guys, sorry this reunion had to turn into one big disaster," the big-haired preteen tried to apologize for the events beyond his control. "Man, I really put you all in danger."
Sora replied, sitting down next to Tai. "None of us would've seen this coming, Tai. Besides, the fact we're together again is really all that matters."
Biyomon nodded. "That's right!"
"I hope they can find those herbs for VictoryGreymon," TK said, checking over VictoryGreymon's back. "Hey, VictoryGreymon, can you hear me?"
"Let him rest, TK," Kari said as she took him by the hand and sat him down.
Shaking his head, Tai sighed deeply. "I thought everything would be well after we stopped Burizalor. Between that and being gone, I missed being home. My mom and dad must really be worried if I'll ever come home."
"I can tell you everything's that's happened these last eight months," Sora offered.
"That'd be good, Sora. It'll definitely pass the time while we wait."
"Actually, there's something I want to talk about in private," the orange-haired girl said, taking Tai by his hand and leading him into the cave. Not that far off ahead of them was a mouth leading to source of light. "Looks like that takes us outside somewhere."
"Sora, what's the meaning of this?"
"You'll know, Tai..." Sora said, leading him along.
"Gee, I wonder what they're going to talk about?" Setting Patamon on his lap, TK whispered to Kari.
The Kamiya girl just shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure either. Maybe Sora needs to get some things off her chest?" She looked down the caverns, watching Tai and Sora leave.
"C'mon, Gennai, answer..." Izzy anxiously waited for a response. Tentomon looked over his partner's shoulder, observing an internet connection being established with Gennai. "Hopefully X can also help us out."
"With VictoryGreymon hurt and unable to merge with Tai, we're gonna need all the help we can get," the insect flat out said.
Rubbing his head, Izzy groaned. "Yeah, you said it, Tentomon. Things can't get any worse."
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Tai and Sora arrived in what appeared to be a a lush forest and a beautiful natural water fountain situated near the cavern.
"It's so beautiful," Sora beamed at the sight of the gorgeous view.
"What did you want to tell me, Sora?"
"Well..."
"Don't mind me to ask how your mom's doing."
"Oh, sure..." Sora said, walking around the waterfall and getting a close glimpse of it. "We've been getting closer. Biyomon really helped get us getting to trust each other. We're better off than going to the Digiworld."
Tai smiled while staring at the waterfall. "Glad to hear that. I knew you two would patch things up."
"Biyomon's become a perfect addition to the household. Though, I still have issues to work out with my dad."
"Didn't you tell me he works at that university."
"Yeah, Kyoto University," Sora sighed. "We haven't seen him in a while. He rarely stops by with all the work he has, but he could at least make more effort."
"She's a welcome addition to the family. Though, I still have some problems with my dad. You see, I haven't seen him often because of his work in Kyoto." She grumbled and balled up her fists, which Tai noticed and made him slightly frown.
"I don't know what to say," he said. He then noticed some tears in Sora's eyes and discerned something eating up in her. "But, I don't think talking about your dad is what you wanted to chat about. Is there something you really want to tell me?"
"But you have to understand that he's working to support you and your mother," Tai reminded Sora but then realized a few tears dripping down from Sora's eyes. "Sora…? What's wrong? There's something you're not telling me. Why don't you just go ahead and say it?"
There was calm silence from the girl until Tai approached her. He gently patted her back as he got her to turn and face him.
"I'm surprised you're not teasing me."
"Well, spending time with a wise gold dragon can change ya. Besides, something's bothering you. What is it?" He asked, waiting for an appropriate response but not being forceful with Sora. "You can trust me. It's ok."
Sora was hesitant, but she no longer restrained herself from speaking up.
"Okay, Tai."
"Say it or don't say anything at all."
"Tai, you see…"
She finally spoke out and revealed her most troubling issue since Tai's disappearance in the Digital World.
"You know our friend Karin Osaka?" Sora reminded Tai as if they had known this girl. "From our P.E. class and soccer team? Our friend?"
Tai sensed a dark vibe from the tone she was conveying her words. "...yeah?"
"Just a month ago, she died in a car accident when she was leaving from Okinawa visiting family. Her parents' car had turned away when a pile of rocks came rolling off a side mountain. As they turned, they slammed hard against one of those metal guardrails on the road. One of the rocks came tumbling across and it smashed towards the end of the car right where Karin was sitting at. Her parents only received concussions, but Karin died from the rock crushing the end of the car. She died… from right there."
As she finally let it out, Sora pressed herself against Tai and poured her eyes out with tears. Tai couldn't believe this news and held Sora tightly while patting her back gently.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing… Karin? Our sweet little Karin?" Tai felt numb with the terrible news that hit him. "She's gone...? Now, I feel bad knowing I won't see her again."
"She and her family were leaving for a vacation to Germany."
Tai tried hard not to cry, but he did shed a tear. "I'm sorry. I wish I could've been there to attend her funeral. The stupid training..." He turned away and punched the wall behind him. "What a waste! I could've asked Huanglongmon to bring me home... but I had to control that stupid Ascendant power!"
"There was nothing you could have done, Tai. You didn't know and it was a shock to all of us," Sora tried to calm him down. "It's not too late to pay your respects."
"I… I… You're right, Sora. I didn't know why I overreacted there for a second," he withdrew from the wall and calmly breathed.
The gogglehead pictured a shorter girl than Sora. Her hair was shoulder-length, brown and wavy. The color of her eyes were heavenly blue with delicate white skin and the cutest, most innocent smile a girl her age could put on. She brought smiles and warmth to people's hearts, at least those closest to her. Those who bullied her were often dealt with by Tai. She was also known for having good soccer skills, but she wasn't a good tennis player. It was her that taught Sora what there was to know about the soccer game.
However, despite these great attributes, she had grown up living on the streets with her family and no friends to play with. Before her father became a great success in a toy company, Karin grew up on the streets and developed a liking for soccer. Without soccer, she wouldn't have established friendships with kids like Tai and Sora. She found her 'home' on the soccer field. That is where she met Tai and Sora.
It was then that Sora pulled out this same picture and showed it to Tai. The gogglehead remembered this picture and always smiled when he saw the warm smiles on their faces. Sora truly had a place in her heart for Karin Osaka. Karin was also a very welcome addition to the Kamiya household. Even Kari loved her. He noticed Sora covering her face and pouring out tears. Tai placed an arm around Sora and hugged her to soothe her pain.
"She'll always have a place in our hearts, Sora. Don't you forget that," Tai reassured her, patting Sora on the back gently. " I will give her a prayer before I head back.""
"I'll be playing soccer for a final season to honor Karin. My mom is allowing me because of that reason. After that, I'm going to help run the flower shop with her."
"I'll be cheering you on from Huanglongmon's place if I can see you."
"You better, stupid Tai," she smiled, flicking him on the nose.
Tai chuckled playfully while rubbing his nose. "Just win it for Karin."
"I'll give it my best. Besides, I'm playing in your old position."
"Good luck with that, Sora."
"Don't forget what what the three of us would tell each other. In the game of soccer, it isn't about a win or loss. It's about giving it your all and having fun."
The Bearer of Courage genuinely smiled. "That's right."
Before they realized it, their hands were firmly grasped around one another. Tai and Sora immediately pulled away and blushed slightly across their faces. Rather than yell at one another, they shared a laugh.
Suddenly, Izzy came through the cavern mouth and garnered their attention.
"There you are guy! Listen, I've got great news!" Izzy announced to his two friends. "Joe and Gomamon just arrived in Digiworld. They've already joined up with Gatomon, Mimi, and Palmon to find those herbs. But..."
"Ok, that's great and all," Tai said. "But, there's always a catch. What's the bad news?"
"Gennai has just informed me that the enemy are planning something catastrophic. You'll get a better understanding when I show you."
The gogglehead nodded. "Let's get going, Sora."
"Right!" Sora agreed with a nod.
With that, the Bearers of Courage and Love followed Izzy back into the caverns and toward the other mouth where the others waited for them. They stood around Izzy's laptop, which displayed an image of Diaboromon levitating in the center of a white endless space. Around him was matrix coding floating around this room. Mutalior was also seen on the monitor conversing with the viral Digimon.
As Tai stared deeply into the monitor, he growled when he got a glimpse of the two villains. VictoryGreymon barely opened his eyes when he sensed his partner's distress.
"What is it, Tai? Is it him…?" VictoryGreymon inquired, trying his best to ignore the pain from his wound.
"It's Mutalior. He and Diaboromon are in some place. Where are they at, Izzy?"
Izzy deduced when analyzing the location. "It appears they've breached the gateway between the Internet and the Digital World. Think of it like a subspace dimension"
Tai blinked. "Another dimension? What are these creeps planning?"
"I don't know, but I'm going to turn up the voice frequency so we'll know what they're discussing," Izzy stated as he activated the voice com through his laptop. "All right, here we go, guys."
"I wonder what those jerks are planning," TK wondered as his eyes met the monitor.
"When VictoryGreymon gets better, we'll stop them!" Kari said.
"Have you been able to contact, Matt?" Sora asked Izzy.
Izzy dismissively nodded. "Not a word. He seems he won't even answer his Digivice."
"He'll be here! I just know he will!" TK exclaimed.
"I believe you, TK," Tai nodded. "He'll get here when we least expect it."
Just then, the voice frequency played from the computer. Mutalior and Diaboromon's voices were broadcasted to them all.
"So are you ready to carry out the viral spread, Diaboromon? We want to make sure to infect the human world's top military bases and launch out their nuclear missiles. I'll make sure every human dies in exchange for my son's demise."
"Yes, Lord Mutalior. It shall be done. We shall avenge Burizalor."
"And then eliminate those wretched Digi-Destined brats!"
Upon hearing this, the Digi-Destined were shocked and horrified beyond belief. Their world was in grave danger with Diaboromon plotting to spread a viral infection through the Internet and breach the military technological defenses by attempting to launch a nuclear strike across the planet.
"What?! They're planning to take control of military controls and launch missiles to the other countries?!" Tai angrily shouted.
"If we don't stop this soon, Tokyo is going to get turned into the world's biggest parking lot!" Sora exclaimed.
Kari tugged on her brother's shirt."Tai! We have to find those monsters before it's too late!"
"Yeah, but VictoryGreymon is still out of it," Tai looked over to his still injured Digimon partner.
"Don't worry about it, Tai. Joe, Mimi, Gatomon, and others should already have found those herbs," Izzy reassured the Bearer of Courage.
"That's just it! There's no telling when Mutalior will spring up to sneak attack us," Tai pointed out. "These guys aren't going to be playing by the rules."
"Tai, think about what you're saying! You don't mean to throw yourself out there and let them slaughter you?" Sora exclaimed. "We wait until the others get here with medicine."
Just then, Tai and the others heard a familiar voice calling to them. It was X, the masked watcher from the Other World.
'Hey, guys! Hope I'm not interrupting anything there.'
"X?!" The group shouted in unison.
Tai answered back. "X, then you know what's been going on!"
'Of course, I do, Tai. I always monitor your Digital World. So, looks like Burizalor's father has hit the scene. Without VictoryGreymon at peak condition, it's not looking too good. But, listen, I'm sending you guys reinforcements.'
Upon hearing this, TK beamed happily. "You mean...!"
"You're sending Keke, Sam, and the kids," Tai was delighted to hear this piece of news. "Great! Now we at least have a fighting chance." He looked over his shoulder and closely watched VictoryGreymon. "At least until VictoryGreymon recovers and is up to speed."
'Anyway, your friends are nearing the location of those special herbs. Good thing, too, since I'm sending my team with Digi-Vitamins. Don't worry about Matt. Keke will find him and the kids will locate BanchoLeomon.' X continued. 'As for Mutalior's plot, we have to act quickly. Time is against us. To intercept this nuclear disaster, Diaboromon and the virus within him must be destroyed.'
"Wow, all of us together again just like old times," TK smiled at the notion of fighting alongside the Digital Humans and BanchoLeomon.
"It's crunch time then," Tai said, clenching his fists as he looked to the floor. Mutalior, you've made this personal! I'll kick your ass like I did to Burizalor!
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Data World/6:45 PM
If one can describe the dimension between the real and Digital Worlds, it was an almost endless white universe with matrix coding surrounding the space. In this dimension, numerous doorways connected to varied sectors of the the Internet system. Two ominous figures were seen orchestrating a scheme to spread a virus of titanic proportions through the system and infect every secret military database. In turn, the virus will manipulate he missile defense systems and launch missiles from out of the United States and into every section of the globe.
Diaboromon levitated over at center of the dimension with arms stretched out. Streams of black liquid seeped from out of his body and consumed every line connected to these doorways. The viral demon opened his eyes as he faced the Internet streamline.
"The process is underway, Lord Mutalior. In no time, these pathetic humans will be destroyed by their own weapons of mass destruction. Kind of ironic it will be mankind's own doing?"
Mutalior nodded, smiling genuinely evilly. "Indeed and we're the ones who've helped to orchestrate the demise of the human race. This is what the Bearer of Courage has coming. For taking my son's life, I will take away his precious planet. I could have just gone to Earth and blown it up myself, but I find this much more amusing. Let's savor every last moment of this."
"As you wish, Lord Mutalior."
Diaboromon continued the viral transfer process by flooding the streamline with his virus.
Mutalior craved nothing more than to kill the slayers of his son. Anxiety was one word to describe the mindset of the tyrannical monster at this moment.
I know you're out there, Taichi Kamiya. Present yourself to me and let us finish where we left off. Perhaps this course of action will draw you out to face me, Ascendant.
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Digital World/Gigabyte Forest/Cavern/7:05 PM
"Damn it! That bastard has pushed this too far!" Tai cursed as he tried to simmer down. "Messing with nuclear warheads and sending them across our world is the last straw!"
"Actually, Tai, there is a method to prevent this possible nuclear apocalypse from taking place," Izzy informed everyone, including Tai.
The Bearer of Love turned to the computer whiz. "Ok, explain, because we're going to need to know."
"Since Diaboromon is the one carrying and transferring the virus, he's the one we need to target before we engage Mutalior. With Diaboromon out of commission, the virus will be completely neutralized."
"Let's hope you're right, Izzy," Tentomon added, floating over to check on new email messages from Gennai.
Sora concluded. "So, then once we destroy Diaboromon, the virus should vanish and the missiles won't detonate."
"For our sake and our home's sake, I hope you're right," Tai growled, gritting his teeth. "Mutalior's doing this just to provoke me and force me out of hiding!"
TK and Patamon approached VictoryGreymon looking over him.
"He's still recuperating, but he might be running out of time," Patamon said.
"I hope Gatomon and the others can get here soon," Kari said, sitting down next to VictoryGreymon.
Biyomon replied. "Since Joe's studying to become a doctor, he'd know what to do with medical herbs."
Tai walked back and forth impatiently with his hands covering his face. The pressure was already getting to him. Everything was already occurring too quickly for him to handle. Not only were they being hunted by Mutalior's squadron, but Diaboromon was initiating the virus release into the Earth's missile defense network.
Between this and learning Karin's unfortunate passing, the Bearer of Courage had a lot on his mind and pitted stress. His return couldn't had more terrible timing.
"Tai… We'll get VictoryGreymon up to speed and you two can take down Mutalior together," Sora tried her best to calm her friend. "C'mon, I haven't seen you like this since Burizalor pushed you over the edge before he killed me. We will pull through out of this and prevent our home from becoming a nuclear wasteland."
"It… It's not… too late, Tai," VictoryGreymon coughed. "It's… never… too late…"
"VictoryGreymon?" Tai turned as he looked directly into VictoryGreymon's eyes. "You're right. It's not too late." He reaffirmed his resolve to face this new adversity. "When there's a will, there's always a way."
"That's right... Tai..." VictoryGreymon muttered.
"Now that's the spirit, Tai," Sora sat up and pat the boy on his back. "We're in this together."
"We survived Burizalor's goons and we'll do it again with Mutalior!" TK said as he and Patamon nodded together.
Kari shared everyone else's enthusiasm. "You said it!"
"Don't forget about BanchoLeomon and the others coming," Patamon said.
The Bearer of Hope added. "And hopefully my brother."
"I feel much better knowing I have you guys with me," Tai said, lifting his own confidence to a new level. "Thanks. Mutalior can try keeping us in despair, but we're ready to come at him and his crew readily now." He faced the cavern mouth. "Only a matter of time when things swing back in our favor."
"For our sake, let's hope so," Izzy nodded while answering an email from Gennai. "According to Gennai, Mutalior's men are still combing the outskirts from this sector."
Sora walked beside Tai. "I hope Gatomon and the others haven't been found."
"They won't. I know they won't let us down," the Bearer of Courage said, closing his right fist tightly. But, we've yet to hear from you, Matt. Where are you? I know you'd be jumping at the chance to face Burizalor's father. We need to stand together if we're going to save both worlds again.
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"Whew, finally found them!" Gatomon declared as she gathered a handful of red-and-green herbs. She had help from Palmon and Joe, who helped pick out the specific herbs, which were called lime herbs.
"We're glad we had you to help us, Joe," Mimi watched them finish gathering the herbs.
Gomamon smirked, watching Joe being worked collecting herbs. "Coming out of a three hour test and now this, today just isn't your day, huh, pal?"
Joe snorted, hearing his partner's joking remark. "Haha. Looks like this should be enough." He finished pulling out another herb.
Palmon added. "We're glad Izzy managed to get you two just when Joe finished that test thingy of his."
"Are we all ready to go?" The feline asked everyone as they nodded. "Ok, follow me then!"
As they passed along by, a Vegiemon walked along gathering herbs for himself to use for medicine. He picked up a herb that made his snout twitch. His nostrils flared when spicy particles entered his nose making him sneeze. He sneezed so hard he flew back and hit a large boulder that went falling down the hill.
Much to their dismay, the group saw the boulder tumbling toward them in a hurry. Joe and Mimi cried out in horror as the boulder tumbled towards their direction. Palmon and Gomamon instinctively sprang into action first, launching their attacks at the coming boulder.
"Palmon!"
"Gomamon!"
Palmon followed in suit as she threw out her fingers into long, strong vines. "Poison Ivy!"
"Go! Marching Fishes!" Gomamon summoned an army of multicolored fish.
The fishes and the vines hit the boulder and managed to slow it down. Gatomon jumped across and effortlessly cut it in half with a claw strike.
Unfortunately, their attacks were immediately traced and this revealed their location. The combined attacks generated enough power to incinerate the boulder into dust. Unfortunately, this power also generated enough energy for Mutalior's men to discern from their scouters.
"All right!" Gomamon and Palmon celebrated.
However, Gatomon was none too pleased with her action. "Damn. We just gave ourselves away! C'mon, we have to hurry back, guys!" With that, she and the group raced toward the cavern.
"I just remembered...! Don't guys working for Burizalor and Mutalior have those scouter thingies?!" Palmon exclaimed. She realized her own stupid mistake. "That part completely went over my head!"
"Yikes! I don't want to get caught!" Mimi whined as she ran alongside Palmon.
"Let's keep moving!" Joe shouted.
Just when the cavern was close to their reach, three figures dropped in from above and cut them off from the pass. Salzer, Borga, and Rezor hovered in their way as their scouters traced them.
Gatomon angrily hissed. "Just what we didn't need!"
Salzer chuckled arrogantly. "Going somewhere, boys and girls? End of the line."
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Next Act: A Race Against Time and Impending Doom
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A/N: We've come past the midway point in this story. The next three chapters will kick the action up into high gear. They have a virus to stop and Mutalior's men to overcome. But, don't fret. Tai and his team have help coming their way.
Yeah, it should be no surprise (at least, not for the new readers) who this Kuiper Senshi I was referring to. Now, you know. This is where Karin's story begins. She dies in the DFKai universe, her spirit ends up in Sailor Cosmos' realm, Karin's Star Seed merges with a new body, she ends up in YYGDM Pluto's time dimension, Karin is trained to become Sailor Sedna, and from there her story as Sailor Sedna progresses in the YYGDM series. That's her chronological story in a nutshell.
Anyway, business picks up next chapter! Be there, or you'll miss out.
