"Wait, Nicki!" Tara held out her hand to silence her friends "I hear it to." Only the sound of rain could be heard and everyone exchanged 'Tara's hearing things again' glances.
"Use that physic thing again Nicki," Luke laughed, "Maybe Tara's not hearing things this time."
"Luke I know some things out there, so shut up." Tara added
Sora raised curious eyebrow as Nicki put her hands on her hips and full of disgust replied..."I resent what my abilities are used for!"
"Ya," Russ said now back on his feet, "But you sure do love the attention!" Nicki kicked him in the back of the knee and pushed him into the mud once again smiling triumphantly.
"Okay," she closed her eyes and concentrated so hard her smile disappeared and was replaced with a look of concern. "Its black monster easily 12 feet tall, with a red symbol across his chest…like a bat. He's got long black arms and wings…"
"Devimon!" Sora whispered to herself horror struck.
"He's chasing…Someone…a boy…"
"Are you serious" Robie urged. "Here, where?"
"Give me a sec!" Nicki stated not breaking her concentration. She focused harder on the figured in her head. The noise came slightly louder, but the rain still over powered it. Growing impatient, Tara began concentrating on Nicki. "It's…It's…" Nicki started.
"KEN!" Tara shouted spinning around "He's on the bridge, headed this way!" She set off in a dead sprint in the direction of the bridge."
"Whoa…Tara," Russ shouted after her "You're helpless to him…"
"Nope it's hopeless!" Nicki stated, "Theirs no use trying."
"Nicki, that's not like you." Luke looked stunned.
"Not that Lu-Lu! I mean trying to stop her!" Nicki turned and ran after Tara "What are you all waiting for? Let's go!"
Sora stood in shock, "Lu-Lu? That's what that Zowie girl…Tai! Matt!" Sora spotted the three stepping into the rain and ran to them. "It was real! It was real!"
"What was real?" Tai asked.
"That dream, I had a dream last night only I don't think it was a dream, because she called him Lu-Lu just like in the dream…and…and"
"Then that would mean my theory is correct, and they knew so they were keeping the truth from us." Izzy smiled,
"There's only one way to be sure." Tai started
"There's no time Devimon's here and he's after Ken." Sora said
"Where?" Matt rushed
"They headed for the bridge."
"I'll call Mimi, you all run to help!" Izzy said. Without another word they all split.
"Tara!?" Luke shouted, "Do you know where you're going?"
"What do you want with me?" Ken's stressed voice traveled through the wet air, the rain continued to pound down on everyone as they ran toward the bridge. Nicki and Tara ran side by side as they emerged from the buildings to the waters edge. Looking up a devimon-like digimon stood tall on the bridge waiting for something. He had Ken gripped in its long slender fingers as the boy struggled to free himself.
"Tara wait," Russ grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop, "You'll get killed barging in like that,"
"It's Ken, we can't let him be taken."
"The question is why did he target Ken?"
"Something's always wanted Ken," Tara started but Ken's cry startled her and tears sprung to her eyes, "We need a distraction and fast!"
"Uh…let me go!" Ken groaned trying to pull away from Devimon's grip. "What do you want from me?"
"Nicki can you activate your key?" Russ asked
"What do you have in mind?"
"Distraction?" Luke panted
"If you can create an earthquake like when Matt and I were fighting…"
"Than we might be able to pull Ken free, this is a digimon we're dealing with Russ we need Kari and her friends." Nicki stated bluntly, "We go charging after that thing we'll get killed!"
"Hey Digital mishap over here!" Tara's voice echoed catching the digimon's attention and Ken's. Looking over Tara stood alone on the edge of the bridge.
"Tara you dim-witt!" Russ shouted. But Tara ignored him.
"She's so your sister!" Nicki added
"Work on the earthquake," Russ pointed our running to his sister's side, "Luke follow me, we have to stall."
"This isn't going to go well," Luke added rushing after his friend.
"Tara get out of here!" Ken shouted to his cousin second before large rocks began pegging the digimon in the head. Russ and Luke threw them as hard as they could, making direct contact between the eyes. Though Devimon was twice there size the flying objects became irritating and he began swatting. His long arms reaching out closer and closer until Tara was able to grab hold and climb.
Shouts of protest came from her brother but she knew that in order for the digimon to get a hold of her he would have to free up his other hand. Pulling a pin from her back she shoved the sharp end into the wrist of the digimon. Shocked at the pain caused by the annoying creature it absently tossed Ken aside to reach for Tara.
"KEN!" Tara shouted watching him fly helplessly over the water, as Devimon lunged for her. Suddenly Tara jumped from Devimon's arm and ran towards the bridge edge diving into the water but the digimon was close behind her.
Ken disappeared from sight splashing into the river. Russ angrily dove off the bridge into the icy cold water right behind his sister leaving poor Luke alone until Robie grabbed him and drug him back to where Nicki stood.
Nicki gaped in fear, 'Tara it's not working, they key's broken get out of there I can't help.'
'I won't let them have Ken! Not again!' Came Tara's definite reply as she swum as fast as she could under water.
Devimon's long reach wrapped his fingers around her and pulled her up into the sky. Coughing and sputtering Tara gasped for air. 'Ken? Who's Got Ken?'
'Russ is right behind you' Nicki replied, "Quick Luke, Robie we need some way to get to her."
Unexpectedly a yellow laptop opened beneath a large black coat and a forceful voice shouted "TMI OPEN!" The digital portal opened at max strength and the vortex began pulling at Devimon. Feeling its pull the digimon struggled against it and Tara hung weakly in his grip.
The portal pulled him out of the air where he was able to dig his claws into the pavement. Devimon looked as if he were winning the fight against the portal until Nefitarimon and Pegisismon's noose flung from the portal and wrapped around him. Shocked by there power, Devimon dropped Tara moments before he was pulled back into the digital world.
The laptop was quickly closed and tucked away.
Panting Tai, Matt, and Sora paused beside Nicki in time to watch Robie pick Tara up into his arms before she could roll back towards the water, he made his way to the soft park grass. The rain had stopped and the clouds had already begun to break up.
"Tara? Are you okay?" Kari and Jay shouted worriedly as they approached. Jay held the yellow lab top beneath his heavy black rain coat tucked under his arm as he dropped to Tara's side.
"I'm okay…where's Ken?" She tried to sit up but Robie pushed her back down holding her head in his lap and she knew he was right to make her stay put.
"Don't you dare move," he ordered "Ken's going to be fine,"
"Where is he?"
"Right here," Russ stated as he walked up with Ken's arm around his shoulders the boys had rushed to Tara's side the moment there feet hit land.
"Are you crazy?" Ken started by Russ stopped him
"We're all crazy," Russ stated, "but you already knew that."
"I hope you don't mind but I borrowed your laptop." Jay placed it on her, and Tara wrapped her arms around it like it was her favorite teddy bear, though it was hard and cold and she was wet, "I'll keep it dry for now," He laughed pulling it from her embrace.
"Thank you." Tara took deep breaths "How'd you get it?"
"Good question, I'm not sure." Jay looked down at it, "It was like one minute Kari said someone's in trouble and the next it appears in the hallway so I knew it had something to do with you…"
"It appeared?" Tai questioned, no one had acknowledged his presence and that kind of bothered him for the moment.
"Sure did Tai, I saw it with my own two eyes!" Kari stated as if it were an oath.
"Alright now that we got that sorted out…" Before Tai could finish his thought Tara's laptop began to beep loudly.
"I don't like the sound of that." Luke stated holding his breath. Tara slowly sat up leaning against Robie for support as Jay opened the laptop.
Flipping it open Ottomon appeared on the screen, "Hello,"
"Drop dead!" Robie stated through clinched teeth
"Oh aren't we cheerful," Ottomon stated sarcastically. "I think it will brighten your attitude a bit to know that I didn't send that digimon through to your world, it seems I interrupted a previous dispute between that digi-destined and the old rulers of this pathetic world. Though I do find it amusing."
"What's that?" Tai asked
"That I can save you, all you have to do is hand over the keys."
"That was a very lame attempt at bargaining!" Tai mocked again.
"It did leave a bad taste in my mouth." His laugh sent chills down Tai's back, "But now that the identities of those with the keys are no longer a mystery I will be coming for you. One by one, but first I will find your digimon. That Tigramon was last spotted nearby I think I'll start with her."
"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Nicki shouted, her fists balled into fists and tears streaming down her face at the simple thought of her friend being chased again.
"Than you shouldn't have let her come back on her own,"
"I will kill you!" Nicki stated forcefully
"No you can't, you're not compatible with the digital world, send the key over and I will not harm the digimon."
"You're not compatible with this world either!" Russ pointed out, "You may think your threatening this world but without all of the keys you have no power to influence it, you're not a threat to us right now."
"And Tigramon's not on her own." Nicki added stepping back beside Russ allowing his confidence to build up her strength. "Close the lap top Jay."
With a simple click the digimon's presence was exterminated but Nicki still shook with anger and the silence that covered everyone expressed the fear of there new situation. There was something else out there that hadn't been handled something else out there that wanted Ken and Ottomon was still a threat regardless of there previous statements.
"Well, so much for that." Russ sighed, "I'll in favor of sacrificing Nicki?" Russ raised his hand. And though the comment was rude Nicki's tremors relaxed and a small smile broke through.
"YOU LITTLE..." Matt began but Nicki held up her hand to silence him,
"He's joking Matt, but thank you for your concern." She sighed running her fingers through her wet hair, "By the way where did you come from?"
"We followed you," he stated, "Didn't think you would all participate in something so suicidal. You should have come to us!"
"It was a family matter at the time," Russ stated looking over to Ken and than back to his sister. "What's after you Ken and why?"
"I thought we'd taken care of them before but," Ken hesitated and than explained the situation again with being the digimon emperor and how he was being used and how he had something in him that they wanted.
"It's what made me a genius," he sighed,
"No you're a genius because you're related to us." Russ stated, Tara and Nicki were the only ones that laughed at this, everyone else just listened patiently. "This thing in you must have another purpose. But what I'm wondering is who this being is that can freely transport between worlds,"
"We have to find him," Tara swallowed "Tai you have to find him."
"We're in this together Tara," He smiled
"No," she said as Robie started to help her to her feet, her legs were wobbly and weak but she was more stable than before. Throwing her laptop strap across her shoulders and began to walk away.
"No? Wait, Where you going?" Tai shouted after her
"I'm going home," she said her tone strong and definite
"Tara?" Russ started protesting than paused
"This isn't right," Nicki started, "Tara you of all people can help them, while the rest of us…"
"NO! My assistance is not available!" Tara snapped gripping Robie's arm for support, "Take care of it Tai!" Silently Robie lifted his hand to keep anymore protest from lashing out at them as the two walked away.
"Russ?" Nicki folded her arms and looked squarely at her friend, "What was that all about?"
"I'm…not sure." He lied keeping his attention on Tara, "But I won't stand by and let Ken be targeted. If you need anything I'll help."
Zowie paused and fear pulsed through her body as she saw the pink haired girl approaching with the short one, like Tara, by her side. She could feel the color drain from her face as she turned to make her get away but instead came face to face with Joe. "Hi do I know you?"
"Nope," She sputtered trying to escape but Izzy called out and Joe's hand took hold of her arm,
"I'm sorry about this," he said "Mimi?"
"Mimi blowing all my fun," Zowie mumbled, "Nicki's going to get it for this."
"You're Zowie right?" Izzy asked now standing beside her, she nodded solumly, "Why are you guys pretending everything's normal? I don't get it?"
"Oh possibly just for fun," She smiled but no one was buying it,
"Maybe fun for you!" Joe went cross, "Withholding information that's been driving me crazy!"
"And almost got Ken killed," Izzy added
"Ken?" Zowie gasped, "Tara and Russ' Ken?"
"Why did they go after Ken," Joe asked, "He wasn't even there in the digital world last night I didn't think he knew anything about him."
"We're not sure, but now that we're all on the same page we have to work together to fight this." Izzy stated but Zowie shook her head,
"No, this isn't our fight you get us involved and you'll see how useless we really are."
"What do you mean?" Mimi asked, "You're digi-destined after all…"
"We're ex-digi-destined. We were thrown out of our digital world back home because we couldn't save it. The corruption that defeated us is the evil that's trying to take over your world now. A world we can't enter again. Last night was a one time thing."
"Are you sure?"
"Tara said it herself." Zowie confirmed stripping her arm from Joe's grip, "So if you want to save the world forget we were ever involved."
They watched as the amber haired girl stormed off down the sidewalk.
Back at Odibah Elementary Davis sat in his chair starring out the window. "Man where did Kari and Jay go? They sure have been in the bathroom for a really long time!"
"I know, too long." TK agreed. Aubrey turned her eyes from the window and looked down at her ring. A symbol appeared, one that she recognized.
"They didn't go to the bathroom." She stated with a smile. The two boys turned to her with confused looks on their faces. "They went to help change the weather."
THE END