Hey! Wow, it's been quite a while hasn't it? I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in awhile! Things have been pretty busy and I have been having a little bit of writer's block lately! I have an idea where this story is headed, but how to get there, it's a little fuzzy. So thanks for bearing with me!
Thank you all so much for the reviews last chapter! I'm so grateful for them. And yay! The tenth chapter! I hope you think that things are starting to pick up in the story in this one.
Again, sorry for the delayed update, but I do hope this chapter makes up for it!
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. :(
Please Read and Review! :)
Chapter 10: Secrets Revealed
"So Your Honor," Devimon started, smirking as if he had already won. "These two people, as stated when they were already arrested years ago, are a threat to the Digital World and its inhabitants."
"Oh and you're not?" T.K. muttered under his breath while he felt Kari give him a warning glare.
"That's why they were arrested in the first place. If we would have let them roam free they could've caused chaos and destruction to be released in our world," Devimon continued.
Tai's anxiety was getting to him and with Devimon's sneering voice and his "true statements", it provoked him even more. Even if the trial had just started, he was already furious. He finally stood up and blurted out something that he wasn't meaning to.
"How? They weren't even doing anything wrong! You're all liars!"
Everyone, even the prosecution and the defense with the judge all glanced up and looked at him. Some were appalled at the fact that he had the guts to say that. Others applauded him silently for his bravery. More weren't happy at the fact that he was being disrespectful. The digidestined, however, had their minds set on one thought. He could very well blow this for all of them.
The judge turned and set a hard, cold glare to the digidestined leader. "Do you want to get yourself kicked out of this trial?"
Tai's jaw clenched and he replied through gritted teeth, "No, Your Honor."
The judge sat back in his seat, and smiled, satisfied. "Alright then. Devimon, you may continue."
"Thank you, Your Honor," Devimon said, thanking him, sneering at the digidestined, especially Tai.
Sora tentatively put her hand on Tai's, squeezing it as to comfort and reassure him. He looked over and gave her a weary smile.
Matt, who was on the other side of her, noticed the exchange. His usually gorgeous azure eyes hardened like steel as he turned his attention back to the trial. As he did so, his eyes met Mimi's who gave him a warning glance. He shook his head and shrugged it off.
Izzy tightened his grip on Mimi's hand, which he just now realized he was holding on to. He noticed the concern in Mimi's eyes for her best friend and her best friend's lovers, so he gave her a reassuring squeeze, telling her silently, without words, that everything would work out.
Mari turned her head to look at the redheaded genius a couple of people away from her. She noticed their interlocking hands. How come she gets everything?
Devimon's evil, sneering voice brought all of them out of their thoughts. "They have too much power. If they do decide to turn evil or against their peers, using their power in that way would result in massive destruction and the safety of all living inhabitants of this world would be tested."
"Objection!" Tai shouted, unable to control his anger. Matt rolled his eyes. He never could anyway. He always blew up and acted irrationally without thinking of the consequences.
"Mr. Kamiya, sit down!" The judge shouted back, eyes shooting daggers at him.
Kari shook her head, wanting to turn around but decided against it. She figured Sora would handle him and should be able to calm him down.
Tai took a deep breath in, trying to control the anger now radiating from him. Matt looked at him from his seat, observing him. A few words had only been said and he was like this already. He spoke softly.
"Get out of here Tai."
He turned around and glared at Matt. "Who are you to tell me what to do? It's not only your sibling in there, you know."
Matt, who had managed to remain calm, cool, and collected all this time, was still sitting in his seat. "You can't control yourself."
"What about you?"
"I'm not the one standing up and shouting like an idiot."
Tai shook his head. "Well, they're wrong! How can you just sit there and be like that? We're supposed to fight!"
"No we're not," Matt responded, disagreeing with him. Tai was already pissing him off more than the judge or Devimon or Dragomon was right now. "That's why we're holding a trial, Tai."
"A trial? So what? So they can just get burned and scathed?" Tai seethed with anger.
"Of course not. That's why Izzy made the holograms, you idiot. Haven't you been listening?"
"Don't you care, Matt?"
Matt was about to stand up and punch the lights out of the bushy haired leader. Why couldn't he behave just once? This might cause them to lose the whole thing. Before he could do it however, he felt a soft, warm hand grab his cold ones. He looked over to Sora who told him with her eyes not to do it. To let him be. But how could he? Tai was just pissing him off so much. He sighed and relaxed a bit. Sora let go of his hand once she sensed he wasn't going to do anything. His body still tensed, but he took deep breaths to calm himself down.
Tai scoffed at the scene and stomped out of the courtroom, even if his mind was willing him to stay. Sora stood up as well, but before she followed him, she decided to apologize to the judge.
"Sorry about him, he doesn't have any self-control."
Matt shook his head and scoffed as he watched Sora leave the courtroom to follow Tai. He's just begging for attention. He always is.
"So," Devimon continued, eyeing the digidestined a bit warily. "The only reasonable response is to arrest them so that they will not be tempted to do anything horrible whatsoever."
The judge nodded. "A valid point made, Devimon. Is that all?"
"Yes, Your Honor. I think they are overreacting a bit," Devimon commented, pointing to the digidestined. "We are just trying to do actions in the best interest of the Digital World."
"Okay then. You may sit down now. Cody, the Defendant, it is your turn. You may speak now." The judge stated, motioning for him to start.
"Well you see Your Honor, I know Kari and T.K. would not turn against us or the Digital World. They have protected and defended the Digital World many times, saving it from chaos and destruction, not causing it. They do their best to ensure the safety of the digimon and this world you live in." Cody explained.
"Objection!" Dragomon shouted.
"Overruled," The judge replied, nodding his head at Cody, getting him to explain his side more.
"If I recall, Devimon was one of the digimon that put this world and all living beings in it in danger," Cody argued even further. "That is why I would like to call Devimon up to the stand to be a witness."
"I'm a lawyer idiot, not a witness," Devimon argued back.
"Doesn't matter," The judge told him, sighing. "He does have a right to call you up, lawyer or not."
"Objection!" Dragomon shouted once more.
"Is that even allowed at this time?" Davis whispered to Ken who just shrugged.
"What is it, Dragomon?" The judge asked him.
"I disagree with the statement Cody made earlier. Even though both of them couldn't put our world in danger, I believe one of them can."
Whispers and murmurs were heard throughout the courtroom. Dragomon smirked. "Kari Kamiya did make a trip to the Dark Ocean, Your Honor, and that place is where all the evil and dark energy originate. Or at least, that place is where one can find the most of evil and dark energy."
"It wasn't her choice!" Cody protested, deciding to argue with him. "She got brought there by you!"
"Please stand back, Cody. You don't want to do anything you'll regret." The judge said, warning him.
"So in fact, since Kari was able to travel there herself, she must have some dark aura surrounding her," Dragomon finished, satisfied with himself.
"Maybe that's why she was able to enter the Dark Ocean," Matt muttered, thinking.
Izzy shook his head. "Not necessarily. T.K. and Yolei were able to go there too. There's also Ken."
"But Ken was evil from the beginning. Well not now, but back then. So he should be able to, there's no doubt about that," Matt whispered back to Izzy, keeping his eyes on the scene unfolding in front of him.
"So why aren't they prosecuting him? There's got to be another reason, besides the power that they have, that they are after them. It's certainly not for the sake of the Digital World," Izzy answered back.
"So shouldn't T.K. have a dark aura too, then?" Matt inquired.
"That's another argument against us. If he's telling the truth, that is. We're not really sure if Kari has a dark aura surrounding her or not," Izzy replied.
"But there's a good chance he's telling the truth," Matt observed. "He is the supposed king of the Dark Ocean, he should know everything about it, unless he's lying."
"Which is also a possibility," Izzy nodded, agreeing with him. "If they pull T.K. back into this, we might not have a strong enough argument. Remember, for either side to win, you just have to put a little bit of doubt in the back of their minds, regardless if it's for the prosecution or the defense. It might not help either side win, but it will certainly give them an advantage."
"And if they are able to make the jury believe that they have some dark energy, it's all over," Matt realized. "But what about the proof? They need evidence too."
"It's already there. If they put Kari and T.K. on the stands as witnesses, that's all they need. If the jury hears it coming from the both of their mouths, that they've been there, we will have lost. Therefore, making all we did right here in vain. I don't believe Cody has a better argument to counteract that," Izzy explained, his face growing grim.
Matt gulped. Sometimes, he hated it when he was right. He knew it because it was obvious. They were going to lose. They wasted their time.
The wind blew around the trees, making Sora's hair sway back and forth. Inside, it felt tense and uninviting. Outside, it felt just the opposite; relaxed and soothing. She wanted to stay here all day instead of going back in, but she knew they needed her. She wanted to support them through thick and thin. But for now, her sights were set on a bushy-haired, stubborn, soccer player, who was now just sitting on the brown, dirty soil of the ground beneath him. He looked calm when Sora knew he was anything but.
Unsure of how to approach him, she hesitantly walked up to him, careful not to make any noise. She watched her feet where they stepped, making sure not to step on a branch that would make any noise, or allow her to trip.
She just saw the back of his body and head, yet she knew his jaw was clenched with his face contorting into an angry grimace. After watching him for a few minutes, she cleared her throat, getting his attention.
He turned around to see a nervous-looking, anxiety-ridden Sora. He sighed and patted the space next to him, telling her with his movements to sit.
She complied, taking a seat on the barren soil next to him. Silence filled the air but was broken by Tai's voice which was like cutting through a piece of juicy steak with a knife.
"They don't take it seriously."
She blinked, and even though she didn't want to admit it, she was rather confused by his statement. "The trial?"
He just nodded, throwing a branch out into the distance. "Their freedom is at stake here. I don't think they care."
She was surprised at how serious he was, his face not even showing the slight amount of humor or amusement. She had never seen him like this in all the years she knew him.
"Especially Matt," Tai spat out bitterly.
Sora sat up straighter, forcing Tai to look her in the eye by taking his chin and turning his head so he was facing her.
"He cares so much! How could you say that?"
"Oh yeah? What's your proof, Sora?" Tai countered back.
"I just know! He cares a lot for T.K. and Kari," Sora defended him. "Stop accusing him of that, Tai!"
"Why are you defending him so much?" Tai questioned. "He's not your boyfriend anymore Sora!"
Her face faltered at that statement. He was right anyway. He wasn't her boyfriend anymore. Whether it was that statement or the fact that Tai was so serious nowadays that made her face falter, she wasn't so sure, she didn't know.
"Sorry," She heard Tai mutter softly.
She didn't answer as she was engrossed in her own thoughts about Matt, and well...Tai. In fact, why was she defending him that much? It wasn't like they were involved or that she owed him something. She was beginning to wonder why she was so quick to stand up to his defense. The sound of Tai's voice broke her out of her trance. He didn't sound angry, just disappointed.
"You still love him, don't you?"
"I...no," She responded, hesitating a bit. "I can't. We're over Tai. You know that."
He searched her face for love, and most importantly, for truth. Sora knew that he knew she wasn't sure about it. If anything, they both knew she was trying to reassure herself. She couldn't lie to him. He knew mostly everything about her.
"Well you can't just be in a relationship with someone for so many years, break it off, and then say you still don't love them," Tai responded to her.
She was sure that he wasn't just talking about her; he was talking about himself for years. Even if they weren't in a relationship as long as she was with Matt, their friendship lasted longer. Heck, he knew her longer than Matt had. She sighed, not wanting to get into this drama right now.
As Tai opened his mouth, Sora had a feeling on what he was going to say. She was about to stop him, to change the topic of the conversation, the direction where it was going. But he had this hopeful look in his eyes, which she didn't have the heart to refuse. She instantly regretted it though when he started talking.
"I'm still in love with you Sora."
"Wait a minute," Davis shouted, standing up. "Aren't you from the Dark Ocean?"
"That's none of your business, boy," Dragomon hissed back at him.
"Well then why aren't you the one being prosecuted?" Davis wondered idly.
"Sit down, boy!" The judge ordered. He rubbed his head to try to prevent the approaching headache. Being a judge was stressful.
"Fine! Don't listen to me! But you've got to admit, I do make sense. And I'm not a dog, F.Y.I.," Davis defended himself.
The others groaned while some sighed in frustration. Yep, it was either him or Tai that was going to cost them this battle.
"Anyway, that statement is sustained, which means that if you do provide proof, I will disregard their ability to further protect the Digital World." The judge announced, turning to Dragomon. "What would you like to do about it?"
"I'd like to ask Kari to step forward and come to the stand as a witness," Dragomon replied, sneering.
Matt and Izzy felt the color drain from their face. That was it. They've already lost unless Kari could come up with a clever way to get out of it or lie. But she was under oath so that wasn't an option.
Cody sighed and stood up. "Your Honor, I would like to ask for a recess."
The judge reluctantly agreed. "Alright. You are all dismissed. Meet back in this courtroom in one hour. No exceptions." He declared as he pounded his gavel on the hard, mahogany wood of the stand.
As the digidestined rushed out of the courtroom, thankful that they could have a break from all this tension building up in there, Matt wandered around, looking for Izzy. If Izzy was right, they didn't really stand a chance in the first place. He was about to walk up to the redhead to discuss about it some more when he saw that he was accompanied with a certain honey-haired brunette, pretty, caramel-eyed digidestined. He smirked as he saw the two walk out, distancing themselves from the others. Oh well. He'd get a chance to talk to him later.
He spotted Tai and Sora having a conversation a few feet away. He narrowed his eyes and was just about to go somewhere else when he noticed Sora standing up, shaking her head. She looked somewhat upset, he noted to himself. He wondered what Tai had said to make her like that. If he said anything to hurt her….Kari and T.K. would be the last thing Tai would have to worry about.
He watched as Sora put on a fake smile and greet everybody else who exited out of the courtroom. She then walked up to him and he shoved his hands in his pockets, ready and a little nervous for the upcoming conversation.
Not knowing what to say, he settled for the first thing that popped into his mind. "Cody asked for a recess."
"Ah, okay. Break time," Sora responded. "How did it go?"
"Like a regular trial would," Matt answered. "It was nothing."
"You look worried," She noticed, concern evident on her face.
"Like I said, it's nothing," He told her, trying to reassure himself in the process.
Sora gave a huff of frustration. This was partly the reason why they broke up. He wasn't completely open. He didn't tell her everything she needed to know. It was like he kept hiding something from her time and time again.
"Who has the upper hand?" Sora asked, wanting to know. By the hard, cold, determined, and steely look in Matt's eyes, she'd guess that they have it. That or something else went wrong.
"You better tell me right now, Ishida. I'm losing my patience," Sora warned, demanding an answer from him.
He sighed and ran his hands through his golden mane. "I'm pretty sure, well Izzy and I—think, no, we know that they have the upper hand." Sensing Sora's confusion he continued, "They argued that the both of them could turn evil as Kari might have a 'dark aura' around her or something like that."
"What? Why?" Sora questioned.
Matt turned to look at her and started to explain, noting her confused face. "Because she was able to enter the Digital World. Kari's going up to the stand as a witness. Once she confesses that she was there, that's their proof. That's all they need. Then it's over."
"Can't you turn it around on Dragomon? Isn't he the king of the Dark Ocean or something?"
"We could but he's a lawyer in this case. He isn't any of the witnesses or anyone else. It would be hard turning this whole thing around on him. Even though if he is guilty as charged."
"Well isn't he running the Digital World, too? That means he's also putting the digimon in danger," Sora observed, commenting on the situation.
"Don't know. But even if we do mention it, he would just find a way to weasel his way out of it." Matt stated. "Besides," He continued, deciding to change the topic. "What were you talking with Tai about?"
Pieces of that conversation filtered back into Sora's mind. She didn't want to think about that right now. She fought a blush that was threatening to show itself on her face when she thought about her and Matt. It's done. No need to worry about him or Tai. Not now. Get a hold of yourself, Takenouchi.
After a few minutes, Sora had finally composed herself. She cleared her throat as she responded to Matt's question.
"Nothing. I'm just trying to get him to calm down. He's pretty worked up about the whole trial thing. Actually, this is the most serious he's acted in all his life in my opinion."
Matt knew that she was hiding something from him, but decided against questioning about it even further. Upsetting her was the last thing he wanted to do. That was when he realized that they hadn't even had a decent conversation ever since their breakup. He gave her a warm smile.
"So Sora, how's life?"
"You're planning something," Mimi observed, pursing her lips as she did so. It was more of a statement rather than a question.
Izzy gazed off into the distance, the barren desert and wilted flowers proving not to be a sight for sore eyes. When did she get so smart?
"It doesn't matter," He opted to say instead of a simple 'yes', implying that he was indeed planning something.
"Tell me," She demanded softly. Her eyes locked onto his and she firmly held his gaze, bringing her soft hands to rest on his chin, enforcing the need to have him look at her.
"It's for later, Mimi. Just in case we don't win," Izzy replied, getting a little lost in her pools of caramel she had for eyes.
His striking black eyes that were filled with determination shocked Mimi a bit. She recovered and decided to push the subject a littler further. "You can tell me Izzy. What is it?"
"I promise I'll tell you later," He answered softly. "But not right now. I'm not even sure if it'll work."
As she eyed him warily, looking into his pleading eyes, she caved and gave in. "Okay, but I'm always here if you need me, alright?"
He nodded, turning his head to watch everyone else worrying and chattering. "You don't think we'll win, do you?"
Izzy shook his head no. "It's a possibility they're right, and that chance is all they need to win, especially when Kari confesses she's been to the Dark Ocean. Even if she's the keeper of the crest of light, it still shows that she could have some dark energy inside of her. Therefore, it might cause her to turn against the Digital World."
"They're lying," Mimi stated. "She's one of the sweetest girls I know."
"That's not enough to go on an argument for Mimi," Izzy explained, disagreeing with her.
"Enough for me," Mimi muttered back.
"Then maybe you should be the one up there defending them instead of Cody," Izzy joked slightly, his face showing a small smile.
Mimi hit him on the arm playfully. "You know I'm not smart enough to do that. Cody's the right one for the job."
"You don't give yourself enough credit," Izzy whispered so softly so Mimi couldn't hear him, but she did. "Plus, I think you have more determination than him, so that could be an asset to you."
"Aw, thanks Izzy," Mimi cooed, teasing him. He rolled his eyes as he felt his cheeks heat up.
Mimi smirked as she noticed a faint blush appear on his face. She took this opportunity to take his hand, teasing him a bit more as well as fulfilling her desire to hold it. By the look on his face, he was embarrassed and hopefully to her, a little flustered by her teasing and by the touch of their hands, who right now, were still interlocked. But she also noticed a little concern and worry in those eyes and in that face. She didn't know what he was planning, but she was sure going to find out and in the meantime, reassure him that whatever he was up to would work out in the end, hopefully.
"Look, Izzy," She started and felt his gaze direct to her. "Whatever it is you're up to, whatever thoughts that are going in and out of that big, huge, supercomputer, geeky brain of yours, it's going to work."
Izzy swallowed, his throat feeling dry. "And what if it doesn't?"
"When have one of your plans failed? And be honest, not modest," Mimi inquired, knowing that he hadn't failed them at all.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say 'yes, there was that one time', but instead he came up with 'no, they haven't failed'. He cursed at Mimi's sudden ability nowadays to read him. He rolled his eyes as he spoke his answer.
"They haven't failed us at all."
Mimi grinned, knowing she had him right where she wanted him. Sure, he could beat her at any debate and explanation that he wanted to, but this was what she excelled in the most. Giving pep talks, reassuring people, sometimes boosting up their self-esteem (which in some people's case was not the right thing to do), and giving them hope.
"Exactly," Mimi agreed, firmly believing in Izzy. "So stop throwing a pity party for yourself and get going on that plan of yours. There's not a lot of time left."
He nodded and for a moment he forgot about their interlocked hands and started to worry about the plan. He turned to Mimi and gave her a real, genuine smile. "Thanks Mimi."
"Anytime," She winked and hesitantly but surely, pulled her hand away from his. He felt a bit lonely; his heart aching for her hand to be in his again, but his brain told him otherwise. He could deal with that later; right now he had to focus on the matter at hand. She strolled away from him, leaving him with his thoughts.
I hope you're right Mimi, because if this plan doesn't work, we may all be doomed.
As Mimi walked away from Izzy, she felt a bit accomplished. She then spotted an all too familiar blonde marching towards her. She sighed as she prepared herself for the incoming argument. It wasn't as if she liked to fight with her, it's just that she got on her nerves every single time they exchanged greetings or lines.
"Mimi," Mari greeted curtly, wanting to get to the point of this conversation.
"Mari," Mimi greeted warmly, drawling out her name in an attempt to piss her off. She knew that Mari was in a hurry and wanted to cut to the chase, but she wanted to do the opposite to make her mad a little bit.
"Shut up, Tachikawa," Mari spat. "We both know what this is about."
Mimi blinked in confusion. Even though she knew Mari wanted to speed this conversation up, she didn't actually know what she wanted. Since Mari wasn't sensing her confusion, she spoke up.
"In all honesty, Mari, I don't know," Mimi admitted quietly.
"Don't play dumb with me! You know what I'm talking about!" Mari sneered.
"That is how I am!" Mimi defended. "Well not the dumb part but—well—spill it out, Mari! I have no idea what you're talking about! As I said before, I don't know!"
Mari rolled her eyes. "Of course you don't. You always don't."
Mimi gave an aggravated and frustrated sigh. Now Mari was really starting to get on her nerves. "Cut to the chase, Goutokuji."
"Your little, maybe more than so friend. The redheaded nerd," Mari replied, specifying what, or in this case, who she was talking about.
Mimi smirked. "Oh, so this is what it's about?"
Mari reluctantly nodded. "You don't—you shouldn't—get everything."
"I don't mean to! And I don't get everything. You try to steal everything and everyone from me ever since we first met," Mimi countered.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that you should back off," Mari finished her statement with an air of confidence.
"Why? You of all people don't deserve him. He's too good for you, Mari," Mimi told her.
Mari scoffed. "And what? You're the one that should deserve him?"
"I'm not saying that," Mimi confessed. "He's too good for me too."
"It's obvious he has a thing for you, Tachikawa. If he doesn't now, it's sure developing into one," Mari stated.
Mimi didn't say anything as she was musing over Mari's statement. Was it true?
"Plus," Mari continued, pursing her lips. "I know you have a thing for him too."
Mimi didn't respond, not wanting to, for fear that she did. How in the world did she manage to fall for him anyway? That was another thing she wasn't so sure of.
"Oh come on, Mimi. You've got to admit it sometime. The feelings for him won't go away," Mari commented.
"So what? Do you have feelings for him too, Mari? You'll just hurt him. That's what you always do," Mimi responded, her frustration and anger growing by the minute.
Mari didn't answer; instead, she just scoffed, shaking her head at Mimi's immaturity.
"You're too immature."
"I'm immature?" Mimi now blew up, yelling in her face. "Throughout this whole journey, I can say that at least I've learned some lessons and matured. I'm not a brat like you anymore! What did I ever do to you?"
"You do remember we were friends before, right? Like best friends. Then that summer camp happened," Mari started to explain. "All of us, you and me included thought we were going to be in the same cabin, hanging out with each other. Then of course the camp counselors decided to put us in different cabins, you with them," She explained, pointing to the other Original Digidestined.
"That wasn't my fault!" Mimi said, defending herself. "Besides, what does that have to do with you hating me all of a sudden?"
"Let me explain, Tachikawa!" Mari snapped back while Mimi shrunk back a little bit, surprised at the outburst.
"After one day, you suddenly became friends with all of them. The two hottest guys—athlete and musician—, the little crybaby, and even the tomboy and the two nerds. You seemed happier with them than with us so we tried to throw you out of the group," Mari continued.
Mimi was taken aback at the confession she was giving, but was still confused, and a little hurt that her own friends had tried to throw her out. She stayed silent as Mari kept talking.
"But even when we did all of that, you just rose higher. So, I guess I became jealous of you and started competing with you in everything. Sure we were sort of friends, but we were growing apart as you could imagine. You went on to become the most popular and prettiest girl in school with everything, your parents giving you everything, became the head cheerleader, and dated the most popular guys. I resented you and I still do," Mari told her.
"Then there was that incident," Mimi recalled, interrupting Mari, who nodded.
"That day increased my hatred for you, Mimi," Mari admitted.
"Your point? And throwing me out? Why? I was your friend," Mimi said, not wanting to believe that her very own friends before tried to throw her out.
"You hung out with the losers. Why keep you in our group when you could hang out with them? You would just bring us down," Mari explained. "Well, we thought you would until you started to climb up the social ladder."
"And you couldn't stand that I was more popular than you even though I was hanging out with them," Mimi added, putting the pieces together.
"You don't deserve being put on a throne Mimi. You didn't and you shouldn't. But you were. I deserved it! That incident only pushed me further!" Mari screamed.
"That day doesn't matter right now! You know now that it wasn't just one day of being with them. It was like, a few months! Time in the Digital World passes more quickly and differently than in the real world. At first, I thought they were losers too," Mimi confessed. "But they're the best friends I could ever ask for. I'd rather have them than you,"
Mari smirked. "Doesn't matter to me. I could do so much better without you anyway."
"So? That still doesn't explain why you hate me so much," Mimi concluded, still a bit confused.
"You get everything! It's always handed to you! And that incident made me hate you even more, as I said so before," Mari stated. "Sure, it's a little thing to get worked up over, but you don't deserve everyone's love and affection when you're hanging out with them!"
"And one of them you just so happen to have affections for," Mimi spat back. "And for your information, that day grew my hate for you too. You're always trying to steal everything from me! Just get a life, Mari!" Mimi yelled.
"I have one!" Mari screamed back. "And even though you deny your feelings for Izzy, I'll still get him. Makes the whole thing easier."
"Actually, you're right. I do have feelings for him, more than I should ever have for a guy," Mimi snapped back, stepping closer to her with every word she said, getting in her face and trying to look menacing. "I won't back down without a fight. If you want him, you'll have to fight for him." She challenged.
"Fine," Mari accepted. "But just so you know, it'll be you this time that will be losing. Not me."
"We'll see about that," Mimi snarled. Wow. Just being around her and conversing with her brings an ugly side out of me.
"It's on," Mari stated finally. "Prepare to lose, Tachikawa."
"His feelings aren't a game to be played with, Goutokuji. Mine are real. Yours, however, probably isn't. So before you go around hurting him, make sure you actually do like him in that way," Mimi told her.
"Whatever you say," Mari responded, smirking. She then walked away from Mimi leaving her with her own thoughts.
I know there's another reason why you hate me so much. But I'm not going to lose this, mark my word. Unlike you, I actually care about him. His feelings mean a lot to me and I'm not going to let you hurt him. This isn't just a game, its life. All I want from him is for him to return the feelings. What you want is to just beat me and I'm not going to let that happen. He means a lot, especially to me. He's special, and I lo—like him.
"You almost blew it, you dimwit!" Devimon shouted, berating his partner in crime for their argument.
"What do you mean I almost blew it? And I'm not a dimwit!" Dragomon defended himself, offended by the statement.
"If you say you're from the Dark Ocean," Devimon said quietly, trying to keep his anger in check. "Then they'll think you're evil too."
"But we are," Dragomon chuckled.
"They don't know that!" Devimon shouted back, making Dragomon shrink back a little.
"The Master is right, Dragomon. Don't screw this up," Daemon warned.
"Yeah. I mean woo-hoo, big deal, we got something on them, but they'll be suspicious if you persist further that you're from there," DemiDevimon agreed, not wanting to get incinerated.
"That Davis kid almost revealed the whole thing," Daemon added. "Thankfully the judge didn't believe him."
"He's too stupid too," Devimon smirked. "We almost have this in the bag."
"So what do I say then?" Dragomon asked.
"When he asks why you know so much about that world, you say I've done a lot of research on it, since it does sometimes clash with our world," Devimon instructed.
"Good thinking, Master," DemiDevimon praised his leader.
"But what if he doesn't believe me? Then our cover will be blown," Dragomon wondered.
"Oh he will. He's stupid enough to," Devimon replied.
"And all you need to ask that Kari girl is this," Daemon ordered. "Have you ever been to the Dark Ocean?"
"Yes," DemiDevimon agreed happily. "Because you need some form, at least that's what we told them, of dark aura or energy to enter that world!"
"I"ll bring that T.K. kid up to the stand too," Dragomon insisted. "He's been in the Dark Ocean as well."
"Very well then," Devimon complied. "It shall be. We are not going to lose this, you hear?"
All four evil digimon chuckled maniacally as they left their lair to go back to the courtroom once again.
Yolei wasn't an eavesdropper, but she was a fixer. That's why she listened in and watched the exchange between Mimi and Izzy and Mimi and Mari. She liked to fix things, especially between friends. She also liked to matchmake, and by the looks of it, she'd say that Izzy and Mimi reciprocated the other's feelings.
Okay, so maybe she was an eavesdropper….and a meddler. But she couldn't help it. It was like, in her nature to help others. More like meddling. A voice whispered inside her head. She was determined to find out about the incident and about both of their feelings. First, she had to go talk to one of her idols, the one she adored with her fashion, shopping sense and her beauty, Mimi.
Mimi's face, in Yolei's opinion showed even more determination and fierce loyalty that she had not seen from the girl earlier before or in her life. She smiled to herself, happy that her idol was going to fight for the affections of her smart and computer genius idol, Izzy.
She walked up to Mimi, wanting to know answers and was determined to get them. She hasn't been able to talk to Mimi since they've all met again about anything, and she's pretty sure she could use some girl talk, especially since Sora's been preoccupied lately with other things.
Tentatively, Yolei tiptoed to the older girl, careful not to scare her, since it did look like the said girl was deep into her own thoughts. She tapped her lightly on the shoulder, and once Mimi did turn around to face her, she started talking.
"Hey Mimi," Yolei grinned brightly, trying to show some hope to her idol.
Mimi gave her a small smile that still faltered. "Oh. Hey Yolei. What brings you here?"
Instead of making some small talk, Yolei decided to just go straight to the point, even if it would make Mimi maybe furious (she hoped that it wouldn't be the case) at her. She started to explain.
"Since Ken is preoccupied with helping Cody, I was bored so I kind of decided to snoop around. That being said, I heard and watched your conversations with both Izzy and Mari."
"So, in other words, you spied on me," Mimi accused, softly but firmly.
"Well, I guess that's the technical term for it, but I would say I was just observing," Yolei replied sheepishly.
Mimi huffed out her slight irritation. "I guess I can't blame you for that."
"Huh?" Yolei blinked in surprise. "Why not?"
"You are my protégé after all, Yolei. I can't be mad at you for that. I do it all the time. Besides, I'm sure you know that I've gone through a bunch of emotions today. I really don't want to be mad at you right now. It feels like I'm on a rollercoaster or something. It's...frustrating to say the least," Mimi responded.
"Oh. I'm sorry for spying on you," Yolei apologized.
Mimi let out a soft chuckle. "It's alright. No harm, no foul." However, when Yolei opened her mouth to answer, she added, "But no meddling."
"Aw, why not?" Yolei whined. She wanted to fix and match make. It could've been the highlight of her day, which, considering their situation, it would've.
"Because this is my fight. I'm not going to let you help me or fight for me," Mimi insisted.
"I could help though!" Yolei persisted while Mimi shook her head no.
"I want to show that it's me that really wants him. Not you or the both of us. I don't want the two of them thinking you're just helping me because you want us together or that I need help. Which I don't," Mimi explained.
"It's true. I do want you two together. My two idols!" Yolei exclaimed with sparkles and stars appearing in her eyes.
Mimi gave her a weird look but nodded. "Okay then. Please, just promise me that you won't meddle. And no more eavesdropping."
After a moment, Yolei gave in. "I promise. No crosses count."
"Good," Mimi said, giving a smirk of satisfaction.
"But could you answer this question?" Yolei inquired hopefully.
"Sure. Go for it," Mimi replied.
"Do you love him? Izzy?" Yolei asked.
"I….don't know. Personally, I think it's too early to say that or to tell. But I do know that my feelings are strong for him, more than the average crush I guess," Mimi answered, and then added, "More than I've ever felt for any of my past boyfriends and crushes. And that's saying something."
"I think you two would make a good fit," Yolei told her honestly.
"I hope so," Mimi agreed. "Even though we would drive each other crazy."
"You already do," Yolei laughed, earning a laugh out of Mimi as well.
Yolei also noticed that Mimi was quieter rather than her usual bubbly personality. She didn't seem like herself today.
Seeming to read her thoughts she heard Mimi speak. "I'm just tired today, that's all. Not to mention stressed."
Yolei nodded, as she was too. All of them were. She wanted to confront Cody to see how he was holding up. She just hoped Ken could give Cody more help and support than he had before. It was all on his shoulders and if they didn't win this, their chances of winning would lessen. She was jolted out of her thoughts by Mimi's voice, who was partly joking and serious at the same time.
"For all the eavesdropping and meddling you've done Yolei, I expect a wedding invitation from you and Ken."
She laughed. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Mimi."
After an hour, everyone found the strength to file into the courtroom. Their bodies and minds were all once filled again with tension and anxiety, wanting this trial to be over. They seated in their respective seats, the digimon following right behind them. The judge then walked in, holding his head high and mighty. Once he got seated in his chair, he pounded his gavel on the hard mahogany wood. His booming voice filled the room.
"Recess is over, the trial will now proceed."
Dragomon stood up. "To get proof of my previous statement, that a dark aura surrounds the Child of Light, Kari Kamiya, I will ask her to come to the stand and answer some questions as a witness."
"Very well then. Please continue. Miss Kamiya, come forward to the stand and answer some questions."
Feeling all eyes on her, Kari quietly stood up and walked to the stand. Humans and digimon alike watched as she reached the designated place. The judge took out a Bible and then spoke.
She put her left hand on the Bible and raised her right hand. "Kari Kamiya, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"I swear," Kari replied solemnly, hoping that whatever she would say to the judge and to the jury would help them win.
The judge nodded and sat back in his seat, motioning for Kari to sit in the stand.
"Dragomon, you shall proceed."
"Thank you, Your Honor." Dragomon responded, faking gratefulness. "As the judge said, Kari Kamiya, I do have some questions to ask you."
Kari directed her gaze towards her fellow friends, the digidestined. They all gave her looks of hope and reassurance in return, while some, she sensed, felt skeptical. She took a deep breath and looked into Dragomon's evil and menacing eyes, challenging him to throw any question at her. She was ready. She could answer anything. All she hoped for was that what she would say could help them win this case. She licked her lips and took a deep breath. When she was ready, she faced her prosecutor once again and spoke, daring him to start.
"Ask away."
I hope this was a good enough chapter! I'm pretty sure it might be my longest chapter yet. It was a pretty tough chapter to write for me, but it was fun at the same time to! I tried to incorporate a little bit of everything in here (Mimi-Izzy-Mari, Matt-Sora-Tai, the trial, and I added in a little bit of Yolei for you!). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to put in Rei or much of T.K. and Kari because I just didn't think much of their appearance belonged in this chapter. But I promise they will be making way more appearances in future chapters! You can count on that! I also tried to make sure to drop hints every now and then in this chapter about future events that are going to take place later on. I'm pretty sure you can figure out which hints I dropped! :)
If you are interested, please check out my other story: Strange Antics and Deep Feelings. It's a multi-chaptered story, Pre-Apocalyptic Quest. One chapter is up for now, but I'm working on it as well. :)
Thank you so much for reading! :)
I hope you leave a review! Any reviews are appreciated! :)