Looking In a Broken Mirror part 7

"The Perfect World?"

Takeru was with Matt for all of five minutes, and he already wanted to punch his face in. Sure this Matt was much nicer, and brotherlier then his real brother, but he knew it was a fassad. He knew it deep down and he could see through this Yamatto, or Matt as he preferred to be called it seems. Takeru made that slight mistake when he saw Matt, and he was instantly thrown off by it. Takeru wasn't too good at this undercover stuff, and if he didn't already look exactly like TK, he would've been found out a long time ago.

"Ya ready to go squirt?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, Ya-I mean Matt, come on Patamon!" he called for the little winged digimon. Patamon flew into his arms and then Takeru turned to Matt to see a shocked look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"It's just that…uh…how'd Patamon get here?"

Takeru and Patamon looked at each other confused. "I thought the other digimon were here too," Patamon said.

Matt bit his lip, "Uh, yeah they are, I just…you know what never mind. Let's go,"

Though Takeru did not realize it, but his timing was rather fortunate. Takeru followed Matt to the subway station, all the while Takeru trying to give his best TK impression as possible. Deep inside his heart though Takeru wanted to gut himself for being sunken down to such a level. He felt such a rage in his heart that it was shocking he didn't let his facial features show it. He supposed it was just lots of time putting up a fassad of his own for the others, and all who knew him. Matt and Takeru found there seats on the subway train then head off to Odaiba. Takeru looked at Matt expectantly.

"So, where we off too?"

"I'd thought we could just hang out, you and me,"

Takeru couldn't help but let a frown come to his face. "But, isn't there a serious problem that we need to look into?"

"Don't worry about, it's being handled," Matt left it at that. Takeru and Patamon stared at him dumbly, completely shocked. "What?"

"Uh… I mean like…shouldn't we be like going to Izzy's or something?" Takeru asked trying to gain some foothold in the conversation.

"Don't worry about it TK, I know what I said the other day wasn't what you wanted to hear, but it's best you just stay out of this,"

"What?" Takeru asked genuinely confused.

"You remember how I said I didn't want to involve you in this if there was a conflict. We'll be sure to call on you when we need you TK, but we all really don't want you to meet this problem head on. We don't want to lose you,"

"Lose me-Matt what are you saying, that your not gonna tell me anything?" Takeru asked dropping his good mood act to show some of his true personality. Takeru was glaring at Matt, and Matt probably knew it, which is why he was looking away. Lucky too or he would of seen the malice in Takeru's eyes that TK lacked. Matt didn't respond. "Matt," Takeru said pulling on his arm.

"No, TK, we can't afford to,"

Takeru and Patamon were stunned greatly by this. They had assumed the visit was to inform TK of new happenings since he lived out of Odaiba. When in reality this was a way of giving him the kiss off. Takeru inwardly smirked at the fact that TK's life wasn't as perfect as he thought, but this also greatly annoyed him because he may not be able to gain any information. At this point Takeru had only a couple of options. Takeru could force Matt to tell him what he knows, force the Digidestined to help him, set forth mass destruction to mellow him out, or simply slowly worm his way into their graces to gain it from them willingly. He hated subtlety at this point, but he had no choice. He couldn't simply manhandle the Digidestined this early. He still might have a week or so, so he wouldn't have to rush it. However, he can't mess around either.

"I…understand Matt,"

TK yawned out with his eyes heavy and bags beginning to form underneath them. He had not slept since he came to this world, and he was exhausted. Currently he was sitting on Takeru's throne, or more accurately slouching. The others left him to his thoughts for a moment, but TK had a feeling they wouldn't be far. He and Patamon we're stranded. Kouishiro had already taken his digivice successfully taking away any chances of putting up a fight. TK was also sealed in the throne room he realized as he already tried to leave. He had no choice but to just sit there. Patamon gave weak encouragements saying that he would be rescued soon. However, the more Patamon repeated it, the more TK began to doubt it. He realized that when they forced his counterpart to his world, they were also covering their tracks. TK knew his friends were smart, but they probably wouldn't figure out the truth. Until it was too late…

"Hey brat!" called a voice. TK's eyes shifted up slightly to see it was this world's Izzy approaching him. "Boy, you look like crap. I guess keeping you up past your bed time wasn't good for ya," TK only offered a weak glare in response. This Izzy was nothing like his, and this he knew with no hesitation. "Hmph, you need to work on your glares, doesn't strike fear into my heart," he said walking up to the throne.

"This is crazy!" Patamon exclaimed getting in Kouishiro's face. "You forced TK to stay awake making all those rules, and announcements. You made him sit through meeting after meeting with different people, and you barley gave him anything to eat or drink!"

"Your point,"

"TK didn't do anything to you!"

Kouishiro put on an annoyed look. "Tentomon,"

"Super Shocker!" Tentomon exclaimed. The electric blast slammed into Patamon's side. Patamon collided with the ground and sent rolling. TK made a move to help his digimon but Kouishiro gave him a look that made him halt. They also made sure to keep Patamon weak so as not to be a threat.

"You have no idea how wrong you are. TK or Takeru, it doesn't matter, their both evil," Kouishiro turned to approach TK. "Now, I'm supposed to be Takeru assistant with running things. But with you here and not him I guess I'm your babysitter for today, or at least a little while. All the others went off to settle some peace talks with Digimon. Yamatto would've done this, but he's a little too unpredictable right now. What with you being like Takeru before he turned traitor,"

TK gave Kouishiro his strongest look. "You…know this…isn't right?"

"Sure does feel like it,"

"Tentomon…" Patamon groaned getting back on all fours again. "You…know this isn't right too,"

"Kouishiro says things will work out for everyone, so I don't think I have a reason to doubt him," Tentomon responded.

"Yeah right," TK responded.

"Watch yourself brat. This isn't a position where you can just mouth off," Kouishiro warned.

"Well he is Takeru's counterpart after all," came a voice. Everyone turned to see Sora enter the room.

"Sora, I thought you went to talk to the digimon of File Island," Kouishiro said.

"Yeah, I did, and they were still pretty hostile. They weren't exactly buying it,"

"Yeah, these peace talks are starting to get really long and drawn out. All we want is to jumpstart things so we can get them back to normal," Biyomon sighed.

"I was afraid of that. All we want is a ceasefire, and we had the brat talk with a few world leaders to start circulating talk of peace. I guess everyone finds it pretty hard to believe the monster so close to global domination would just decide to make up with flowers," Kouishiro said.

"That's our problem exactly. The only way we would have some real peace is if…well," Sora started. Then she simply ran her thumb across her throat as a symbol. Kouishiro nods in understanding and then glanced in TK's direction.

"Maybe…"

"Hold on Kouishiro, lets not resort to that so soon," Tentomon said knowing what his partner was thinking.

"Why not?"

"Because, we haven't exhausted all the other options yet,"

"At this rate we just might,"

"I'm with Tentomon, we shouldn't be so quick to take a life," Biyomon said.

"But this is…"

"Try and stay focused Kouishiro, that's not really Takeru," Sora said as she looked to the floor grabbing her arm. "Even if that's exactly what he was like before…that darkness took him,"

TK observed everyone's facial features at this. TK noted that everyone, even Kouishiro had a very down casted view about this. TK began to connect dots in his head of what could've possibly happened here. He didn't know how he was going to get out of this situation, but he knew for a fact he could only count on himself. He wasn't as weak and pathetic as the Digidestined of this world thought of him. TK suddenly had an idea.

"Ya know…" he began gaining everyone's attention. "I bet these peace talks would go better if I talked to them,"

"Why you?" Sora asked.

"Well, you say no one believes I can change. Well, I'm not tainted like your TK, so maybe they would believe he changed by having them meet me,"

"I don't think that would help. We have to show that Takeru is still strong and powerful, otherwise all hell might break lose," Kouishiro said with a finger to his chin.

"But, on the other hand they might think if 'Takeru' tried something if he was weak, then they could overwhelm him. I'd be more scarred of a powerful Takeru, then a weak Takeru," Tentomon added.

"It's fifty-fifty, they would either try and destroy us all…" Sora began.

"Or, they would be content with the fact that Takeru would no longer be a threat," Biyomon said.

"I don't know…" Kouishiro said. He was mostly unsure because it was TK who offered the idea. Sure it was more dangerous for his part, but that meant TK might need to leave the castle. Kouishiro did not feel comfortable putting TK in an environment he couldn't control. That meant he might also have to give him back his digivice. He wasn't for creating a wild card in this operation.

"We have to do this, if you want this to be over and done with," TK said trying to egg on the decision.

"…We'll run this by the others to see what they think," Kouishiro said walking over to TK. He brushed TK's arm away to press a button on the arm. "That'll give everyone the single to come here,"

"For now let's get something to eat," Biyomon said.

"Yeah!" Tentomon exclaimed whole-heartedly. Biyomon and Tentomon flew out the room. Kouishiro walked after with a finger on his chin still thinking. Sora turned to TK to see that sullen and defeated look on his face.

"What's with you?" Sora asked walking over. Patamon quickly placed himself in between Sora and TK. "I wont hurt him, so calm down," she said. Patamon almost let his guard down completely, but he remembered that this wasn't the same Sora he knew. "I…"

The words seemed to have gotten lost in her throat.

"Your no better if you agree with this. TK didn't do anything to you guys, and it's not his fault this world is like this," Patamon said maybe for the hundredth time.

"…It's hard to say…we could never take this out on Takeru…we're terrified of him,"

"So, is doing this supposed to make you even with him?" TK asked.

"For Koushiro this is as close as even as he's ever going to get. Trust me when I say this, you don't wanna cross Takeru," Sora said shivering in fear and then wrapping her arms around herself.

"Well…" TK was trying to play on Sora's guilt. He knew she was usually the quickest one to feel guilty about a situation, or a decision the others made. "Why do this?"

"Takeru really hurt us…"

"So, that gives you the excuse to spread more pain?" Patamon asked.

"I…" Sora turned her back to them. "I'm gonna bring you something to eat, you might wanna rest while you still can," And with that Sora walked away hurriedly. Patamon turned to TK then jumped into his lap.

"Don't worry TK, someone will come and save us…" Patamon said again jumping onto TK's lap.

"…The Takeru here…he's supposed to be really strong…and Kouishiro called me a mirrored version of him. Maybe…I get to find my potential just like this world's Takeru did," TK muttered.

"But…that power corrupted him," Patamon protested. "What's to say it wont happen to…" Patamon cut himself off.

"We just…have to try and pull through…we can't let ourselves become what they fear," TK said hugging Patamon tightly. "We can't lose ourselves,"

"TK, are you alright, you've barley said a word since we got out here," Matt said looking down at his brother. Takeru was trying to avoid as much eye contact as possible, or at least until he calmed down. He had no idea of what to do, and he was stuck. On one hand he could simply bash the Digidestined around until he got what he wanted. The only problem he felt he might face is…

"Hey Matt, how's Kari?" Takeru asked randomly.

"Kari? You just saw her yesterday, why you asked?"

"No reason…" Takeru said still avoiding eye contact. Matt was stumped by his brother dark behavior, and worst it seemed Patamon was completely at eased. He expected him to talk to Patamon, but he was silent the whole time. Matt looked to Takeru again not realizing how futile his efforts are.

"Listen TK," Matt said stopping and taking a knee at his brother's side. He then placed his hand on his 'brother's shoulder. "I know you feel like your being pushed aside, and I want you to know that's not the case. I saw how horrified you looked when Patamon got hurt against Diaborimon, but you shouldn't beat yourself up. Patamon can't digivolve to mega like Agumon and Gabumon," Takeru's widened a bit surprised at this news, and so was Patamon. "TK, you understand don't you?"

"I understand," Takeru said just trying to get Matt to shut up more then anything. "I wonder if the others are around,"

"I don't know, maybe,"

"Maybe you should go get Gabumon and bring him along with us,"

"Me?" Matt questioned. "It sounds like you wanna be alone,"

"How can you tell?" Takeru grumbled agitated. Matt thought this would be a chance for him to talk to Patamon alone, and thought that's why Patamon was so silent. Matt's place wasn't far from where they were, so he saw no harm in leaving him by himself, especially with Patamon there.

"Okay, I'll be back," Matt said finally turning and hurriedly leaving.

Takeru glanced around the area. He looked at the city Odaiba, how different it looked in this world. He barley remembers how it used to be back on his world. He looked around to notice the city bustling with a life he was not used to seeing. He cast a gaze from one street to another recognizing the familiar streets. While staring Takeru noticed an even more familiar sight, he noticed the destroyed sector that he had started with when he first conquered his world. He stared forward agape for a moment until the image disappeared. Takeru blinked for a moment before he relaxed a bit. He decided to lean against a building right next to him and crosses his arms.

"This is bad…" Takeru muttered.

"Maybe, we should just go with the direct approach," Patamon suggested.

"I don't know, getting in a fight with these guys maybe more trouble then it's worth. We have no idea how to travel in between the worlds, or even a speck of understanding. Plus, they have Kari with them, and that could create…complications,"

"…oh…I know what you mean…a full out battle nearly destroyed everything back on our world,"

"Right, and they can be persistent, and what's worst is our world is actually starting to blend with theirs. Pretty soon a full collision could create total mayhem,"

"The worlds would be twisted inside out, and chaos would be spread farther then even our reach. And then…"

"The worlds will perish…" Takeru finished. Takeru had a vast understanding of the balance that was needed to maintain the worlds, and the consequences for failing to keep that balance. One of the things that a ruler must be aware of is keeping the balance. There are those who are not ready for power, and those who deserve power. He prefers to think this power was his birthright, and it was all destined to be this way. He also believed no one would stand in his way of what he wanted.

"TK!" called a voice. Takeru jumped to attention turning his head shocked at the familiarity of the voice. Takeru and Patamon's eyes grew three times their size to see the origin of the voice. Takeru turned his head slightly and let his bangs cover part of his eyes. He knew one glance and Kari would know he wasn't TK.

"…Kari…" Takeru said a little shaken.

"Hey TK that's a new look, and…Patamon! How did you get here?" Kari asked approaching them with Gatomon at her side.

"Uh…" Takeru had a hard time trying to find his voice. After what he did to Kari in his world, how could he possibly play off this encounter didn't bother him?

"TK?" Kari questioned observing his hesitation.

"What's with you guys, you look like you've seen a ghost?" Gatomon said looking at them with a raised eyebrow.

"We're just…a little surprised is all," Patamon said.

"We could say the same thing Patamon, when did you get here?"

"What's with everyone being so surprised about me being here?"

"Well…uh…" now it was Gatomon who wasn't sure on how to answer.

"Anyway, what are you doing here?" Takeru asked her wanting to change the subject since it was after all TK's problem, not his.

"Oh, I decided to go for a walk with Gatomon, and you?"

"I…" Takeru thought for a moment. "I just decided to come for a visit in Odaiba,"

"By yourself?"

"Why not?" Takeru said shrugging.

"I would think Matt wouldn't be for that,"

"He'll be fine, so where are you off too now?"

"Home, seeing as the heat is starting to get to me,"

"…Could I come, maybe I could say hi to Tai, and then I'll meet up with Matt later, surprise him," Takeru said pushing the thought of Matt freaking out to the back of his mind.

"Sure, why not," Kari said smiling at him. Takeru held his arm out signaling Kari to lead the way. "Oh, such a gentleman," she said.

"Of course," Takeru said smirking. He caught eyes with Gatomon for a nanosecond, but he saw enough to know that Gatomon thought something was off. Takeru knew she was a sharp digimon and would be difficult to fool. His goal is to learn as much as he can as quickly as he can while remaining under the radar. Matt knew he had his digivice, so it shouldn't be for Matt to track him. Seeing as according to Kari she didn't live far.

"Takeru," Patamon whispered. "You sure?"

"Positive, plus you know how much Izzy likes to inform Tai of stuff first, we might just get lucky," Takeru said glancing at his digivice. He had a lock on every Digidestined. "Besides, this is starting to get easy,"

TK was currently taking a nap on the throne whilst Patamon on his lap. He had already eaten the meal the Sora had given to him, which in honesty was the best meal he's had so far since he's been in this world. Suddenly, the door to the throne room unlocked and in walked Yamato. He glanced around checking to see if the coast was clear then walked in with Gabumon at his side. They quickly walked up to TK. Yamatto nudged TK awake gently. TK slowly opened his eyes to look at him.

"Brother?" TK said a little dazed.

"Well, yeah, and no," Yamatto responded.

TK shook his head waking up completely. He realized that this was indeed not his brother, well the brother he knows anyway. "Your, Yamatto, what do you want?"

"I wanted to ask you a question,"

"A question?"

"Yeah, ya see this world got really messed up, and Takeru was the reason. I feel like I failed him, and I wanted to ask. Do you hate the me on your world?"

"No,"

"Well Takeru told me something, he said that our family never knew what love was, so why would I think that we could express it. He told me that everything I am is a sham, and I don't know if he's right about that,"

"I don't know what he means by that…I think maybe…maybe Takeru doesn't know how much you care,"

"I doubt that, he must know, but just not care,"

"Have you given up on him?"

"Well it was my Digimon that tossed him on your world,"

"Then you might've proved him right," Patamon muttered. TK was surprised that he was awake, but gave no notion to hinder what he said.

"…I have to go…Koushiro should be here soon. Word of advice, you should keep your wits about you at all times, lots of people want you dead. Takeru I mean,"

"Thanks for the warning," Yamatto nods then leaves the room as quickly as he came. TK could tell that Yamatto was pretty torn up on the inside, but then again so we're the other Digidestined. All of them had their own problems to deal with, and for some reason they all seem to stem back to Takeru. TK really isn't sure what to take from all this. Is it possible that he's just learning of things he could never do…

Or is it of things he truly feels?

Is this reflected world really that different?

A/N: I'm thinking of just calling the other universe Noir universe tell me what you think.