Sorry it took me so long. It's finally the end of the school year and I had a lot of things I needed to finish up. But guess what? I came up with several new chaper outlines while I was finishing my driver's certification test! yay!
(By the way, I saved hundreds of dollars on car insurance without switching to Geiko!)
I know there are errors in here. Tell me if they are serious, not just the "Oh! You misspelled A and said An or And" I know about those, I mean bigger, like... plot changer bigger. You'll recognize them. Enjoy!
Everything was black
Everything was black. Her flesh was searing hot, her ears pounded with her head like war drums. The voices were echoed, but clear in Kari's ears as though she were there.
"You saw her?" asked a male voice.
"Yes. I believe it's her." There was a faint visual of a man smirking.
"So, Karakin has returned to us. Let's welcome her properly." He said. Everything faded and more voices were heard. Kari opened her eyes.
It was dark out; the stars were bright in the midnight sky.
Kari saw a group of people gathered around her, watching her worriedly.
"Wha-what's going on? What happened?" she asked weakly.
"You were hit." Said the girl with purple hair.
"With a black arrow. Something happened and it was absorbed into your body." Said a body with short cropped black hair.
Kari looked around at the strange people, feeling a sense of familiarity for them.
'Who are these people?' she asked herself.
"Kari! Are you alright? How are you feeling?" asked a familiar tall boy suddenly. Kari jumped and looked at him.
"I'm fine." She said, calming down.
"I hope so. That's really weird. There's no mark, no scar, it's like your body healed immediately after the hit." Said another boy with black hair and glasses.
"Come on Kari, let's take you home." Said a blond boy.
She was hesitant.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Kari asked wearily.
They all looked taken aback.
"Kari, it's us, your friends! Don't you remember us? Do you remember me?' asked a small talking cat.
Kari looked at the cat with tired eyes and shook her head.
"Hmm, this must be an after effect of whatever hit Kari. We need to get her home and let her rest". Said the boy with the glasses.
"But what about her wound? She was hit by an arrow, Jyou!" said the tall boy.
"There is no flesh wound, so the hospital would dismiss her immediately. If she isn't fully recovered by morning, we'll take her to the doctor."
"Okay. Thanks a lot Jyou." Said the tall boy.
"Here, let me help you up." He offered.
Kari look at the hand for a moment, then stood shakily to her feet.
"Kari, you're still weak, let us help you." He insisted.
"I don't think she's listening Tai." Said the girl with purple hair.
"Yolie, could you open the portal?" asked the other boy.
The girl 'Yolie' walked up to a computer screen nearby and held a device to it.
"Digiport open.' She said and a light shone from the screen.
"Come on, Kari. Let's go home." Said Tai gently.
Kari walked to the screen and the group was pulled in by some digital force.
They landed in a computer room. The sky outside was dark and the stars were out. They seemed different from the ones in the place she had been.
"Let's hurry up. Mom's really worried." Informed Tai. The others nodded and hurried out the door to their destinations as well. Kari followed Tai and the Cat, wondering what was going on.
'Who are these two? Why am I following them?' she thought. Her sight was blurry, her step was weak.
A faint image appeared before her. A Black lion, Jaganu. She knew him. The dark woman and her new accomplices. Megara began to spark in Kari's mind and her eyes grew dark with distaste. Then, Shadow appeared, clear and demanding.
"Karakin." His voice echoed.
"Kari?" Tai shook Kari's arm. "Are you okay? You just stopped." Kari looked at him and nodded. They proceeded to an apartment before them. The towering building seemed ominous to Kari, making her hesitate.
"Don't worry, Kari. I told mom you were working on a science project with a friend and that I would pick you up." Reassured the boy. The cat smiled at Kari from his shoulder. Kari was confused.
'Why would I worry? I don't even know this woman.'
"Where is this?" she asked.
"Home. You're safe here." Said Tai as they reached an elevator.
The door was about to close, but was pried open by a two girls, out of breath and bent over on their knees.
"I win!" shouted the blond.
"No, I did! I beat you by two inches!" shouted the brunette.
Kari watched them in confusion.
"What are you doing?" asked Tai.
"Racing to the elevator, of course. Lieko and I were held up at the comic convention and ended up leaving late. I forgot my cell phone, so we couldn't call Ginger and tell her where we were at." Gayle breathed. The girls looked at Kari and waved.
"Hi Kari! You look tired." Said the girl, Lieko.
Kari nodded in acknowledgement.
"Hey, you know there's a hole in your shirt?" Gayle pointed out to her.
Kari looked down, noticing the small hole over her heart. Tai saw as well an stiffened slightly.
"You should get another one. Such a shame. That's a cool shirt." Said Gayle.
"I'll have it if you don't want it!" offered Lieko.
"Or me!" Gayle chimed.
"Girls, it's been a rough day. Could you calm down please?" asked Tai.
They looked at him and apologized. Gayle gasped with delight when she saw the cat on Tai's shoulders.
"What a sweet kitty!" she scratched its ears. The digimon seemed irritated, but tolerated it.
The group stopped on the 13th floor and the girls stepped off.
"See ya! Get some sleep, 'Kay Kari?" stated Gayle and the doors closed.
"I hate when that girl does that. It roughs up my fur." Said the cat, licking her paws.
"Who are they?" asked Kari.
"Neighbors. You go to school with them." Answered Tai.
The elevator stopped once more and the three stepped one to the terrace.
"Our apartment is just down this hall. Mom's waiting for us." Said Tai with a smile.
Kari looked at him, then looked back ahead of her. She felt a coldness wash through her body, leaving her shivering.
Tai stopped at a door and opened it to a warm room.
"Oh! Tai, Kari! You're back! How did the project go? Did you finish?" asked a woman from the kitchen.
Kari blinked at her and Tai nudged her arm. Kari nodded without a word.
"You look exhausted. You should go to bed before it gets to much later." said the woman. Kari looked at the clock and saw it read 10:00. It was late.
Tai walked Kari to the hall to her room.
"Kari, we're all hoping that you'll be back to your old self when you wake up." Said Tai as the white cat jumped off his shoulders onto the bed.
He sighed.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked her.
Kari looked him in the face and shook her head.
Tai looked to the ground sadly. "Well, get some sleep. Maybe you just need rest, then you'll remember us." He smiled and turned to leave.
"I know your name, and I know what you are. I don't have any memory linking to you." Said Kari. Her voice was stronger, darker. Tai looked at her with surprise. Her voice was so different. It seemed like something else had taken over. He didn't pursue the question, though, and left.
The cold had left Kari, and was replaced by a burning feeling deep in her heart. It felt as though she were being reconstructed to some other design. She felt it in her soul, the dark feeling deep within her.
And she liked it.
--
Sonya tossed and writhed in her sleep. Her breathing was uneven and her heart beat rapidly. Her arms thrashed about in attempts to remove the invisible enemy from her, but seemingly to no avail.
--
The darkness washed over her like a tidal wave. The chill of it seared her bones and froze her skin and hair. Then, it sudden grew hot. Her breathing quickened as the heat penetrated her lungs and eyes.
"Young girl, I don't understand why you still run from Me." came the crow's voice.
A large black bird swooped down on her. Its wings beat the heat away from her body and it landed in front of her. The bird was larger than she with cold grey eyes.
"Shadow! Why do you still haunt me?" She cried.
"Why do you insist on turning away? I only wish to help you, darling." He said sweetly.
"I do not believe you. I've seen you and your wicked ways." Said Sonya lowly.
"But my dear, whatever have I done to deserve your coldness?" Shadow asked.
"You threatened the creatures in the other world; your minions have spilt blood innocents! You attacked my Brother! How could you sit idly by and watch this? Are you truly that dark of heart?" Sonya argued.
"My dear, there is nothing I have done that cannot be justified. Nothing I have done that wasn't carried out for the sake of the people." Shadow reasoned with a smile.
"Why do I find it hard to believe you still?" Sonya asked coldly.
Shadow sighed.
"I've brought you to your brother, have I not?"
"He is safe now, as are his friend. Now leave me and the others!" she growled. Sonya was astonished at her open rebellion to this man. Her shyness had never reached beyond simple argument.
"Oh, but I'm afraid that that they are still in danger, my dear, and It's up to you to save them." Shadow held out his hand.
"I will lead you to the answer." He smiled.
Sonya looked at his hand, then his eyes. They were unwavering, unmoving, unfeeling.
"No." she breathed.
Shadow withdrew his hand.
"very well then." He summoned his staff and pointed it at Sonya.
Sonya gasped as a bright green light shot from the end of the staff into her eyes. She cried out and rubbed at her eyes. They were so cold and so hot, as though they were freezing and melting.
"You shall do as I say whether you like it or not, my dear. But remember, I now hold your sight, your feelings, your self-control, in my hand." Shadow grinned.
Sonya was breathing heavily from the pain. Her eyes opened and were glowing a brilliant green. She felt a shockwave course through her head and body. Her body went rigid and her arms clasped to her sides. Like an obedient daughter, she bowed.
"Yes, Sir."
Shadow grinned maliciously.
--
Sonya's eyes shot open with panic. She sat strait up in bed, looking all around her for the dark man, but there was no trace of him. She sighed in relief and laid down for sleep. She couldn't sleep, however. The effects of the dream haunted her greatly. Her eyes still burned from the experience and she could still feel where her arms hit when she bowed.
'It was almost real…' Sonya thought.
Sonya stood from the bed and looked out the window. The moon was half full, and the exhaust fumes and lights from the city made it appear to be a greenish color. She began to feel uneasy at the color of the moon.
'The Moon… She seemed sickened….' She thought. She walked over to the bed and knelt in a prayer.
"Blessed be the mother goddess, by all her many names. May she bless my family and friends. May she bless the animals of the world, and all people everywhere."
Sonya heard something from the living room and silenced immediately.
Someone was speaking, though the voice was unfamiliar.
"Karakin, you are truly far too weak…" the voice drifted off.
Karakin…. She had heard the name in the previous battle with Megara.
She left the room silently and crept through the hallway. She peered into the living room, but saw no one.
"Doomed for the darkness…. No one could help it." She heard someone mutter. She looked over at the couch and realized it was T.K talking in his sleep.
She circled the couch and sat on the coffee table beside the sleeping boy. He seemed to be distressed and she considered waking him.
He was silent afterward, but Sonya remained and watched him, waiting for the inevitable awakening.
--
The dream was the same, as it always was. T.K and the black lion fought until there was no strength in either one. The light in their eyes faded with their sight as the rush of blood left them both. The lion quivered on its paws, then fell over with a mighty crash.
Victory seemed to be with T.K, but a wave of heat flooded the field.
Turning around, T.K saw a figure perched in a dead tree, staring down at him with bleeding red eyes.
Voices changed.
"Karakin! Do you intend to cheat yourself by weakening me?" T.K shouted to the figure.
"Do you intend to die any time soon?" the figure asked in a deep, dark voice.
"Come and fight me yourself! Or are you finally too weak to do so?"
The figure visibly clenched her teeth and growled in anger. She clutched a golden pendant around her neck.
"You have a big mouth for someone half dead!" she growled dangerously.
"You use such big threats for someone so weak." T.K responded. He didn't really understand why he was talking back to the woman. He was terrified of the figure, but he also felt a sense of respect and affection for her.
The woman jumped from the tree and landed gracefully on her feet on the blood soaked soil.
"Perhaps you have forgotten your place. Allow me to remind you!" the woman screamed and ran at T.K with full force. T.K acted instinctively, dancing away from the assault. The pendant glowed a fiery red, burning the flesh on the woman's neck.
"Karakin, You are truly far too weak. We must stop this." T.K insisted. Then, for the first time in his many dreams, he realized what he had said.
Karakin. The woman Megara spoke of. He took a good look at the seething woman. She resembled Kari so much! T.K was taken aback, though his exterior remained the same. Karakin bared her teeth and growled at him, emitting the sound of a threatening lion.
She arched her back, readying for a strike. T.K's body followed suit. He didn't understand what was going on. She struck him multiple times like a snake, catching T.K off guard.
She scratched at his arm; the torn skin began to seer and was slowly eating away. She bit his shoulder and a hot sensation ran through his body, boiling his insides.
However, T.K was somehow able to resist the effects and his body cooled dramatically. His skin turned a pale color and frost formed on the hairs of his body. Karakin hissed and jumped away, wiping the ice from her lips.
Instead of melting or falling off, the ice started running over her body and covering her completely.
Karakin tried to tear the ice away, taking bits of flesh with it, but to no avail.
"Tojima, You sickly bastard." She muttered.
"What's the mater Karakin? Getting cold?" T.K asked sarcastically.
The ice was covering her arms and torso now.
"I'll come back. You know I will. I refuse to lose to you!" Karakin shouted as the ice consumed her body.
"I believe you just did." T.K responded.
Karakin stiffly stepped backward; the ice began to cover her legs and feet. With great effort, Karakin held the pendant tightly in her palm. The Jewels all around the outside were cracked except for a few and the center.
"You were doomed for the darkness, Karakin. No one could help it." T.K said lowly, sadly.
Karakin looked up at T.K with a dark yet apathetic look.
"Sad, isn't it?" were her final words before being completely consumed in ice.
Karakin was silenced.
"Yes it is." T.K muttered quietly. He walked to the frozen girl and examined her face. The pendant clutched in her hand shone a vibrant red. Suddenly, the frozen body broke into thousands of pieces and a shadow shot from the ice, screaming angrily.
--
T.K woke with a start from the nightmare. He dripped in cold sweat, breathing hard from the now common night encounter. In his side vision, he saw Sonya sitting on the coffee table, watching him sadly.
"Did I wake you?" he asked.
She didn't answer.
"You have the same dream?" she asked, putting a hand to his forehead. She withdrew quickly.
"You're so cold! You should stay home tomorrow." Sonya stated.
"No, I'll be fine." T.K shook his head.
"What happened?" asked Sonya, tilting her head curiously.
T.K looked out the window to the filling moon.
"I don't really know. It was so blurry; I can't even remember why it scared me so much." He said quietly.
"You spoke in your sleep. Your voice changed, and you spoke harshly to a woman, Karakin." Sonya explained.
"Karakin… the person Megara mentioned…." T.K blinked.
Sonya nodded. T.K looked away.
"Do you know her?" Sonya questioned softly.
T.K shook his head. He began to shiver from the cold.
Sonya lifted the fallen blanket from the ground and draped it over T.K's shoulders.
She stroked his hair like a child and sang in a soft language he'd never heard. Slowly, T.K began to fall asleep to the soft sounds of her voice.
--
It was dark, cold, and snowing. The only light was from the full moon. The sky was clear and the stars glittered brightly in the night sky. Snow covered the ground thickly and weighed the trees' branches. A long spear stuck from the snow, casting its shadow along the innocent crests of white.
A shadow appeared beneath the moonlight. It floated, bodiless on the snow, then a figure rose in the same long strides the shadow took. It was a nightwalker. It's pure white fur and strong figure was unique, and it looked fuller and healthier than the other Nightwalkers T.K had seen. His eyes shone a silver color, matching the moon almost exactly. A feather and beads were braided into the long fur on its neck and tail.
Sorano's spear was erected in the ground, seemingly waiting for the creature. The Nightwalker lifted the spear from the ground and stood against the moonlight.
Suddenly, his form began to change. The fur receded into the body and his legs and head molded into another shape. The figure that T.K was seeing was suddenly his own. The silver eyes bore down into his blue ones. The dominance, the power, the strength of the creature.
It was his own.
The replica turned and, as if everything had gone into slow motion, walked away with his hair blowing gently in the chilling breeze. Not the snow, not the wind, nor the icy air chilled T.K more than the figure.
The figure that he had spoken to, came to be familiar with, and was now condemned to.
Tojima.
--
T.K awoke without the usual nauseating effect or insufferable panting and sweating. He stretched and yawned, like any kid would after waking up. Sonya was in the kitchen, organizing the books in her bag. She looked up.
"Good morning! Sleep well?" she asked, as though nothing had happened the night before.
"Yeah, toward the end." Said T.K with a smile.
"I notice that you are not suffering as much this morning." Sonya commented as she proceeded to fill her backpack.
T.K chuckled, then his face faded into that of a saddened and worried expression.
Sonya felt his worry and her face fell as well.
"Do you think Kari's okay today?" T.K asked, not looking at Sonya.
Sonya gave a small smile.
"I'm not sure if she will be the same, Takeru… but I'm sure she'll feel much better."
T.K still didn't look her in the eyes, but nodded.
"How are you feeling this morning? Any different?" asked Sonya.
"I'm not as sick this morning, and I'm not as tired either." T.K responded. Sonya put a hand to his forehead and felt his temperature.
"You feel normal now. Much better from last night." T.K didn't answer.
"You'd better hurry before we're late." Sonya chimed and finished packing her bag with a smile.
T.K nodded and hurried to find clean clothes.
--
Kari sat silently on the railing of the terrace, staring out over the city.
'How small they all seem….' She thought. "Kari! How are you feeling today?" asked Tai.
Kari looked at him.
"Just fine, Tai. Why?" she responded.
Tai went to her side quickly. "You remember my name?" He asked excitedly.
"Of course. You're Tai, my brother." Said Kari, raising an eyebrow.
"What else? Do you know who your friends are? Name them off." Tai insisted.
Kari was confused by his behavior.
"T.K, Sonya, Yolie, Davis, Ken and Cody. That and the original digidestined."
Tai sighed and embraced Kari happily.
"You're okay! I'm so glad!" he exclaimed.
Kari was thoroughly confused now.
"Why?" she asked.
"Last night…You…. I thought were going to die." Tai said quietly into her shoulder.
Kari thought a moment, then remembered the previous nights events.
She remembered the anger she felt when the arrow hit. The darkness that had pierced her heart and entered her blood ran through her veins.
Karakin appeared before her and saved her once more from the growing abyss.
"Let it in. I won't let you die." She whispered into her ear.
Kari had let go of her fight against the darkness then and fully submitted to what she was bound to. Her darkness.
'In a sense though….' She started in thought.
"Better get ready for school. You don't want to be late." Said Tai with a happy smile and went inside.
'It's not that bad.' Kari looked out to the city with a strange feeling of confidence and malicious joy.
A wave of heat washed over her body, despite the frigid temperature.
Anger enveloped her and she clenched her fists.
'It is they who are to be eliminated in the end.' She thought bitterly at the city and the people that walked within it.
--
Davis, T.K, Sonya, and Cody stood in silence, awaiting Kari's arrival.
"Do you think she's okay?" asked Cody.
T.K and Sonya were silent.
"I hope so.…" Davis drifted off.
T.K heard footsteps from the hedges.
Kari rounded to corner wearily, slowly making her way to the group.
"Kari!" they shouted and ran to her.
She looked up at them, startled.
"Nice to see you too." She said.
"Kari, Are you feeling alright? Are you in pain?" asked Davis and Cody.
Kari sighed.
"I'm just fine. Really."
"You gave us quite a scare last night." Sonya sighed, putting her hands to her heart.
"Yeah, We didn't think you were gonna pull through for a while there." Said Davis.
"Well, I did. So we can stop now." Kari hinted with agitation. "Let's go before we're late.
She shivered and started walking to the school.
As they entered the hallway, they jumped immediately to the wall, expecting Lieko and Gayle to come sliding through at an illegal rate. As predicted, The Blond and Brunette girls darted through, laughing and hollering loudly.
All of the sudden, there was a loud crash and the girls fell over on her backs, looking up at the looming Mr. Reynolds.
"Come." He said and entered his room.
Leiko sighed while Gayle couldn't get over her laughing fit.
"That girl… Do you think she's like this all the time? Or is she pretending?" asked Sonya with a smile.
"Oh, I don't think one person can hold that much energy." Said Cody humorously.
The bell rang and the group spilt up for class.
There was an uncomfortable silence between them. Eyes shifted to and from Kari's direction to others around them.
How normal they acted.
'How strange…' T.K. thought, looking around at the oblivious bystanders.
'Kari's near-death experience was almost like a dream. It's like it never happened….'
"It's nothing to worry about…." Said Kari quietly.
T.K looked at her with shock. Sonya glanced over as well, then returned her gaze before her.
"Cody! Hey!" Gayle yelled from behind the group. They turned and saw Gayle and Lieko running over.
"Mr. Reynolds let us off easy." Gayle laughed. Lieko just looked at T.K quietly with a blush.
"How is your project coming, Cody?" asked the blond, taking his shoulders and steering him toward the art room.
Lieko looked after Gayle.
"Gayle, what are you doing?" She asked in exasperation.
"Talking!" Gayle called over her shoulder and went directed her attention back to Cody.
Lieko sighed and looked back at the trio with a blush.
"Uh…I Should p-probably follow her." She smiled and ran after the two.
"Well, that was certainly strange." Sonya commented with a smile.
T.K and Kari were silent.
"Shall we?" Sonya moved to the Art room and the two followed.
"T.K." Kari started.
T.K looked at her.
"You were going to ask me something yesterday. What was it?"
T.K began to blush and his heart beat rapidly.
He had begun to ask her on a date, but tripped over his thoughts and ran.
"Uh, well… It wasn't anything, really." He said, trying to get out of the ditch he'd made.
"Well, what was it?" Kari looked up at him, her hair and face shone in the morning light and her glinted in a way he hadn't seen in her before. He couldn't answer her or even speak.
"Well?" Kari persuaded.
Sonya turned and saw the two lagging. She felt a deep discomfort, like butterflies in her stomach. She knew it wasn't her feelings and she smiled and left the two to themselves.
T.K saw this in his peripheral vision and sighed inwardly.
"Well, Kari… I, uh…. I wanted to know if you wanted to… you know, maybe…I dunno, Go out sometime?" He asked nervously.
Kari's eyebrow raised and a smirk began to form.
"T.K, are you asking me out?" she asked.
T.K was too embarrassed to speak, but he nodded his head.
Kari's smirked became a grin.
"Sure." she asked sweetly. T.K couldn't believe she agreed to go out with him.
T.K couldn't respond, only grinned happily at Kari's agreement to date him.
They continued walking to their class, not caring whether or not they were late. The smell of paint fumes drifted through the air of the art room as they entered. Gayle ran by with a cup of water and brushes; she tripped and fell flat on her face, water spilling everywhere.
T.K and Kari sat in their seats, oblivious to the incident.
"You two sure look happy." Cody commented. They didn't answer, only smiled back as a response. Sonya smiled as well, knowing T.K had succeeded.
"Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, now that we've finished our ceramic projects, we're going strait into painting. I would like to take you all outside so you can pick a spot and start painting. It must be something around the school, but DON'T leave my sight. Understand?" Mrs. Takamori informed. The students agreed and they picked up their easels and paint supplies for their winter portraits.
T.K, Kari, Cody and Sonya chose a spot on the field overlooking the lake and mountains.
"This is such a beautiful place. I never imagined that there were other beauties than my home." Said Sonya gently with a smile.
"There's a lot of things we don't know. I never imagined that there were other worlds until I saw the digital world." Said T.K.
"How are we going to find Shadow?" asked Cody, thinking as he painted. "The digital world was such a beautiful place itself. I want to find Shadow and make him pay for what he's done to it."
Kari was silent. She looked up at her scene and her eyes grew wide.
Karakin stood on the shore of the lake, a Black lion standing at her legs. They stared at Kari with golden eyes. Then, as suddenly as they were there, they were gone.
"Kari? What's wrong?" asked T.K.
"Nothing." Kari continued painting as though nothing had happened.
T.K went back to his painting.
'She lies.' A voice whispered in the wind. He looked around, startled.
'Her true form lurks in the shadows. Beware, child.' Said Sheba's voice.
Then it was gone. T.K didn't say anything, but he acknowledged the warning.
'What the Hell? This is the girl of my dreams and now the wind is telling me there's something wrong with her?' he thought. 'I must be out of my mind.'
'No. It's just too late.' Said Tojima's voice in his head.
T.K, for some reason unknown to himself, kept painting and acting like nothing was going on.
'What do you mean?' he asked in his mind.
'You felt a connection, so did she. You longed for her, but you waited just a little to long. Now, she is tainted by the darkness. Your hope is no longer enough.'
T.K's painting slowed.
'What do you mean?'
'Arrived too late. Act already done. Do you know what that means?'
T.K shook his head.
'You are too late to save your maiden. The arrow has already tainted her heart. Or, what was left of it.' T.K turned his head and looked at Kari.
She seemed so delicate, so gentle, so kind. That's the she had always been. He finally had his chance to be with her, but now he was curious. He didn't want to believe the voices, but Sheba had claimed the same thing.
And everything Sheba had told him so far was true.
The bell rang not long after and the teens dispersed to break. T.K and Kari walked to G's class hand-in-hand with Sonya following their side.
They entered and saw two tables at the front of the classroom with. Two game table sat on them, each reading Diplomacy.
Kari Grinned suddenly with joy and T.K just rolled his eyes.
"Dude! We're playing Diplomacy?!" Kari asked G excitedly. G looked up from his desk and nodded.
"yeah. You're gonna play again, Kari?" he asked, walking over. She nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Diplomacy? International relations and skill in their dealings?" Sonya asked, confused.
"Well, sort of. Diplomacy is a strategic board game. You pick a country and your goal is to dominate all of Europe." T.K explained. "Kari ends up with Germany every year."
Kari looked at them.
"It's not my fault me and Hitler are alike."
"And that's very scary." Said T.K, as though he was speaking to a young child.
"Diplomacy?!" another shout came from the door. Gayle and Leiko ran through to the board in sheer excitement. "I love this Game!" Gayle said happily.
Ashley walked in after the two with her gang and scoffed at the girls.
"I bet'cha you're gonna get wiped off the board in the first move." She said.
"You wanna bet your country on that?" asked Gayle with a grin. "American power! Yeah! The Yanks are gonna kick s yer ass!"
She began laughed manically.
"Dude, shut up. Stupid bitch." Ashley muttered as went to her seat.
Gayle looked slightly hurt by the comment and Leiko rubbed her arm. Gayle sighed and they left the room.
T.K, Kari and Sonya watched them leave.
"Well, I didn't see that one coming. How'd she get down so fast?" asked T.K.
"Down? From where?" Sonya asked, a little confused. T.K looked at her for a second, then answered.
"Down, meaning upset, depressed." He defined. She nodded her head.
"Oh…."
"Hey, Kari, you ready to lose?" came the inevitable remark from one of Ashley's friends.
Kari felt a burning feeling in her chest and couldn't help but turn and acknowledge the comment.
She placed a hand on her hip, waiting for another remark.
"What are you staring at? Go the fuck away, stupid bitch." Ashley said with a frown, earning a snicker from her companions.
"Go the fuck away, Stupid Bitch." Kari imitated mockingly. "Hey, How about you get your scrawny ass up out of that chair get the fuck out. I 'm putting up with your bullshit today." She spat.
Ashley was taken aback, as well as others in the room.
"Uh, Excuse me?" She said, getting up.
"I didn't stutter. I said, Get the fuck out of the room." Kari repeated slowly.
Ashley was breathing hard from anger now. Her friends looked at Kari, somewhat intimidated.
Ashley tried to slap Kari but Kari blocked the move and punched her in the chest. Ashley stumbled back, trying to find air.
"Okay, Kari to the office. Now." Said Mr. Gatanaki.
Kari waved Gatanaki's hands away and left the room. T.K was completely shocked and Sonya had a hand to her heart.
"Hey, I feel much better now." Said Kari with a warm smile and left skipping.
"T.K, is she alright?" asked Sonya.
"I don't think so, Sonya…." T.K trailed off.
'Maybe Sheba was right….'
--
Izzy, Jyou, Matt, Sora and Mimi sat in Izzy's home, trying to find out more about Shadow.
Mimi looked up from Izzy's computer at Jyou, noticing his silence.
"Jyou? Why so quiet?"
"I can't believe that Kari had lived through that arrow. It pierced her heart good and deep. Can't understand how she was able to heal so quickly and not need any medical assistance." Said Jyou, disturbed.
"And T.K. I'm amazed that he even survived the fall over the cliff." Said Sora.
"It's strange. Both T.K and Kari have undergone so many physical and psychological damage, yet neither of them seem affected by it." Izzy pondered.
"Does it have anything to do with the prophecy Gennai told us about?" asked Sora.
"It might. But I really hope it's not. God knows what we would do if they turned evil." Izzy answered.
"But Izzy, every prophecy thrown at us has come true. How can we say that this is different?" Mimi questioned sadly.
"We'll just have to hope for the best." The group lowered their heads.
There was a knock o the door and it swung open.
"Hey, we came as soon as you called." Said Tai as he and Matt entered the room.
"Hey guys. Glad you could make it." Said Jyou.
"So Izzy, what do you have for us?" asked Matt.
"Nothing at the moment. We're still trying to find clues as to where Shadow might be." Izzy answered.
A beeping sound began on Izzy's computer. Everyone turned to see what it was.
A window opened up on the screen and Gennai's face appeared.
"Hello, digidestined." He greeted.
"Gennai! Long time no see!" said Tai.
"It's good to see you, too. I have something for you." Said Gennai. A second later, another window opened and a photo of a letter appeared.
"This is the information that Chloe gave us on Shadow." The writing was worn and unfamiliar.
"What does it say?" Asked Sora.
"Detailed information on Shadow's location, based on Chloe's most recent knowledge." Said Gennai.
"Alright! Now we can get him!" Tai exclaimed, pumping a fist into the air.
"However, because the language can only be read by Chloe's people, we can't quite decipher the writing yet. It may take a while…." Gennai added.
"Well, at least we have it. When do you think you'll have it ready?" inquired Mimi.
"I'm not sure. I'll contact you when we have something."
"Gennai. What else can you tell us about what's going on?" asked Jyou.
"Well, the Blood Harvesters are on the move. Their leader is hiding somewhere, probably plotting against us as we speak." Gennai said darkly.
"Their leader? You mean Shadow?" asked matt.
"No, someone else. The Blood Harvesters follow directions from Shadow, but they seem to have complete devotion to this other leader. I have a theory, but I'm desperately hoping that I'm wrong." Gennai informed.
"What is it?" Tai inquired.
Gennai sighed and brought up another window, showing a photo of the prophecy. The digidestined had seen this already, and were curious why Gennai was showing them again.
"Most of this has already happened, we just never knew. The Prophecy's unfolding, but in various sections. Kari is already falling into Hate."
"What?" They stated, shocked.
"I don't think that-" started Sora but Tai interrupted.
"Wait. Kari has been acting weird for weeks now. She's getting more distant…You really think she's changing?" he asked sadly.
Gennai nodded.
"I have a theory on Kari. When I first met her during her first visit here, I knew she was different. She looked like a figure of a woman I had heard legend tell of. I brushed it of as coincidence, but I suspected otherwise when she led the Numamon out of their imprisonment."
"Hey! I remember that!" said Sora. "That's when we were fighting the dark masters! Something had taken over Kari's body and led the Numamon away from the factory."
"Yes. After some study, I found that it was not the light that had controlled her, but a dark entity." said Gennai. "Evidently, the Prophecy had gone into affect many years ago and was slowly progressing. The darkness that possessed Kari is still with her and is contorting her mind even now."
The digidestined looked at each other in alarm.
"Is there a way we can stop it?" asked Mimi.
"I'm not sure how much the entity has developed in the years. It may be too late. Even if we tried earlier, the form the entity is in is much too powerful."
"What is it?"
"Have you ever heard of Karakin Ifritya Yamakami?" Gennai asked.
They thought for a moment and shook their heads.
"Her name itself means Mountain Deity. She's a demon of fire and earth, and I believe that she is in possession of Kari."
"Wait…. You think Kari is possessed by a Demon?" asked Tai.
Gennai nodded.
"No way. Gennai, it's something else. My Sister is NOT possessed by a demon." Tai insisted, clutching his fists.
"Like I said, I hope that I'm wrong. But Shadow seems to be after her and T.K. That's why he ordered the attacks on them; because the darkness enhanced the progress of the evil already in them."
"But T.K being thrown into the canyon was a mistake. He was aiming for Davis." Said Matt.
"Shadow is a clever mind. I he seemed to have read T.K's personality and chose the closest person so T.K would go after them and save them. He had planned the attack." Gennai said.
The digidestined were silent. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.
None of this was real…but then again, What about the prophecy? Nothing that Gennai had told them has ever been a lie.
"If Kari is Possessed, what about T.K?" asked Matt with concern.
"I know. Darkness follows him as well. Her name is Sheba, the White Wolf of deception. She lies to him, bends him to her will. She has already made him believe that she was his mother figure before now. That in itself is significant proof that T.K's mind is altered. If He believes that Sheba is as good as a mother, then he will do anything for her, even fight by her side if given the option. I assume that she is plotting against us, though. Her kind is deep with deception." Gennai explained.
"Are you serious?" Matt flared, terrified of the news.
"He will turn on us, no doubt about it. That is why I need you to help get him to the Orenda. Only they can chance the darkness out of him and restore his soul." Said Gennai.
"And what do we do about Kari?" asked Sora.
"At this rate, I think we should try the Orenda for her as well. But I'm not sure how well it would work. The Arrow hit her strait in the heart, sending the darkness quickly through her blood. For all we know, it's too late to help her." Gennai shook his head.
"We have to try! If there's a slight chance that we can return Kari to normal, then I'm gonna take it!" Tai shouted.
There was a short silence, then Gennai nodded his head.
"We'll try. We just need to get them to the village."
"That shouldn't be hard. T.K and Kari are very cooperative. All we need to do is explain the situation and I'm sure they'll agree." Said Izzy.
"It's not that simple. Their minds are contorted. They might not be so cooperative. No, I don't want to tell them anything yet. I want to test my theory. If I'm wrong, then we'll have T.K and Kari restored in no time." Said Gennai.
"And if you're right?" Mimi asked unsurely.
There was a silence, answering the uneasy question.
"When can you bring the Digidestined here?" asked Gennai finally.
"They're going today after school." Answered Jyou.
"Meet me at Shudder Falls in Teramori's forest with them." Gennai finished and the window closed out to black.
--
Kari sat back in her seat in boredom.
'Is he done talking YET?' she thought to herself in exasperation.
Mr. Takamaru was once again discussing with the class the importance of keeping hay fever under control and keeping your immune systems in check. Kari understood his concern for their health, but she didn't understand why he had to do it during band rehearsal.
"So please, make sure you take any supplements if your body's immune system starts to weaken so you don't get sick. I don't want any of you getting under the weather on concert week." Mr. Takamaru said, almost pleadingly.
"Dude, when can we play?" moaned Trent in the Trumpet section.
"Trent, be quiet. Now then, let's pull out In Honor of the Fallen." Mr. Takamaru instructed and opened his band music.
"Finally." Kari muttered.
"Hey Kari. What's the matter? You seem kinda pissed off." Asked one of the freshman percussionists.
"Nothing." She said and set up the music.
"Everyone have their parts?" Kari asked.
The percussionists nodded and Kari set herself at a snare drum.
Kari was bored after playing the piece four times over in the same spot. She looked out the window and she froze.
Jaganu stood with his arms crossed, staring at her. He was matted with drying blood.
"Ms. Kamiya! Could you please pay attention?!" Mr. Takamaru shouted to Kari.
Kari looked at him with an annoyed face and placed her hands on her hips.
"What?" she asked huffily.
"Why did you stop at measure 102? You have a part there, correct?" Mr. Takamaru questioned.
"Yeah." Kari answered, trying to regain herself.
"What?" Mr. Takamaru called to her, indicating he couldn't hear.
"I said yes!" Kari shouted at him.
"Don't talk to me like that." Said Mr. Takamaru lowly.
"You're talking to a mirror, Takamaru." Kari rolled her eyes. She knew that Karakin's own emotions were interfering with hers, but she didn't care. In fact, she didn't want to bother with anything at all.
She let Karakin take over.
"Kari, stop wasting our time." Mr. Takamaru said, trying to keep his composure.
"No, you're wasting our time by insisting I'm wasting our time. Thus, your wasting our time by saying I'm wasting our time is, in itself, wasting our time." She said.
Mr. Takamaru blinked at me and pointing out the door.
"Please leave, I will see you in a moment." He ordered.
"Heh, fuck that. You ain't gonna see me." She laughed and left the room. The class watched her leave, flabbergasted. They looked at each other, hoping someone knew what was going on. Sonya and T.K were the only ones who had any idea what might have caused Kari to act the way she did.
"Do you think it was the arrow?" asked Sonya after class was over.
"I think so. We need to think of something to change her back…." T.K muttered.
"What are you guys whispering about?" asked Trent from behind them.
T.K and Sonya flinched and turned quickly.
"Nothing at all!" they said in unison.
"Awe, come on! You can tell me!" Trent insisted.
"It's a little complicated." T.K chuckled and Sonya nodded her head in agreement.
"So?" Trent challenged.
"So, you wouldn't be able to comprehend it." T.K said simply
"Are you calling me dumb?"
"No, I'm calling you stupid."
"Look who's talking Blondie!"
"You know, when you insult me, you're also calling my sister the same thing and I take that seriously. I'd have to kill you at that point." Said T.K, crossing his arms.
Trent laughed nervously and backed away.
"Dude, are you serious? I'm joking!" T.K laughed.
Trent glared at him playfully. "Yeah, whatever. Hey, where do you think Kari is? I know she ditched when she left the room."
"I don't know. I hope she's not too far off." T.K muttered again, sitting at the piano.
--
Kari sat at the Frosty's, playing with the straw in her milkshake.
"I can't believe I did that." She thought,
"it's good. You're finally standing up for yourself." Said Karakin, sitting in front of me.
"No, you did." I said.
"But to get your body to act in such a way is something I haven't been able to pull off with you yet. That was all you. You're finally starting to come around." Karakin grinned.
Kari looked Karakin in the eye.
It was like looking into a Tiger's eyes. The red color was excruciatingly terrible and beautiful to look at. It seemed as though so many things were going on behind those eyes. Kari saw battle, bloodshed, and pain. But whether or not the pain was hers, She couldn't tell.
Kari looked at the clock on the colored wall and saw that the bell for school had rung and classes were out.
T.K would be looking for her soon.
"Maybe I should go back to the computer room with the others." Kari said.
"Yes, you should return to the Digital World. Many are waiting for you there." Karakin agreed.
She was then gone. Kari stood and left the Frosty's without a word.
The halls were almost empty, the teachers worked at their desks behind closed doors, the janitors vacuumed and cleaned away the dirt from the hallways, windows, and classrooms.
Kari stepped into the Computer lab to find the other digidestined, minus Sonya and T.K, standing at the computer with their digimon, waiting for everyone to show up.
"Kari! Are you alright?" Ken asked.
"We heard what happened in Band. That was pretty cool that someone finally snapped on him." Davis went on.
'Beware. There is treachery in your wake.' Karakin warned.
Kari didn't answer.
"T.K is out looking for you with Sonya. They should be back in a minute. In the mean time, let's watch some T.V!" Poramon said cheerily and Yolie turned to the news station on the Computer.
'Welcome to Channel Four News, I'm Suzie Maine here to give you the latest and up-to-date news every hour, on the hour.' Said the news lady.
'Everything is fine and wintry in Obiada. There is absolutely nothing that can ruin the peace in the neighborhoods and school districts; or is there? Recent reports of Wild Animals running loose in the city have struck the city in a state of insecurity. Sightings of these animals, such as Tigers, Lions, Cheetahs, and even Snow Leopards, leave the police department and wildlife restorations crew baffled.'
"Tigers, Lions, Leopards? That doesn't make any sense." Ken said, clutching the back of the chair. Silently, T.K and Sonya slipped in the room without the others' notice.
A brunette man was shown in front of a podium, speaking to a crowd of people.
'It is disturbing to think of such animals to be so close within our boundaries, but there is absolutely nothing to fear. Animal Restorations ensures that the animals will be captured and released back in their habitats.' The Man's voice faded out and Suzie reappeared.
'But one question still rises from the people: "Where did they come from?" These animals habitats are found in places such as India, Africa, and Central Asia. Local zoo instructor, Rii Tyn says "We have no escaped animals from our zoos in the city or in any other facility from surrounding areas". If that's the case, then where did these cats come from? Do they pose a threat to us at the moment? More information to come on Channel Four, Ten O'clock news, tonight.'
"How frightening." Sonya said, putting a hand over her heart.
everyone, except for Kari and T.K, looked around at her with a start.
"T.K, Sonya! When did you get here?" asked Cody.
"Not long ago. When do we go?" T.K asked.
"Right now." Yolie said enthusiastically and turned off the program.
'In other news! Prison releases are over the top this month-' the window exited out and the gate appeared.
"Wait!" came Tai's voice. They looked over to see Matt, Sora and Tai in the doorway.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" asked Davis with a smile.
"We want to come with you." Said Tai.
"Great. We just need to find out where we want to go, we have to find someone who can tell us more about shadow." Said Cody.
"Teramori can help, can't he?" suggested Gatomon.
"Yeah, that's right! I forgot all about him!" Davis exclaimed.
"Alright! Let's get going!" Yolie opened the gate and everyone was sucked through.
The group landed on the outskirts of the White Plains once more. Blood soaked the ground, turning the once radiant white plain into that of a biblical horror.
"Oh my God." Sora said, putting her hands to her mouth.
"Another Bloodfall?" Cody guessed.
"Could it have been from the battle between The Satie and the Centaurs?" suggested Veemon.
Ken put an arm around Yolie's shoulder.
"The forest is this way." Said Gatomon, wanting to be out of the bloody fields.
They tried to hurry through the sticky grains, but to little avail.
"Allow me." Said Hawkmon and he digivolved himself into Aquilomon.
"Good idea, I'll help too." Said Wormon as he digivolved into Stingmon.
Soon, the digidestined were being carried over the bloody plains to Teramori's forest.
"Gatomon, what made you think of Teramori all of the sudden?" asked Kari.
"I don't know. I guess it just came to my head." Gatomon shrugged.
After a short flight, the forest came into view. Aquilomon and Stingmon landed by the small river where they had met Teramori.
"Well, now what?" asked Matt.
"How do we find him?" Sora looked around in wonder.
"Well, how do you track a giant?" T.K questioned.
Everyone looked at him. T.K pointed at a set of footprints, lightly dug into the ground and barely noticeable.
The group followed the tracks a ways into the forest. The temperature dropped slowly and their breath was more apparent.
"Why is it so cold here?" Kari shivered slightly.
"What are you talking about? It's perfect!" T.K grinned and kept walking.
There was a sound from the brush and everyone stopped. The digimon stood in front of the digidestined, ready to fight.
"It is alright, you need not strain yourselves." Came a deep, soft voice.
"Teramori." Said Sonya with a smile as the giant walked from the trees.
"Gennai instructed me to meet you here. Alas, he was caught up with the villages and could not attend." Teramori explained.
"What do mean?" asked Ken.
"The Jyotsuna and the Yatacyn are in disagreement. They are debating whether or not to include you in the battle." Said Teramori.
"And Gennai stayed to help?" asked Tai.
"Yes. Shii is currently watching him and will report soon with news."
"Shii?" Matt raised an eyebrow.
"Shii is a friend. She's a wood faerie from the Orenda forests. She has come here because of the Blood Fall that choked her land to death." Teramori explained. "please sit with me as we await for our information." He gestured kindly to the stones on the river bed.
The sound of the water was comforting to the digidestined.
Suddenly, the sound of feet softly padded in their direction.
Sorano appeared through the dark looming trees.
"Greeting, digidestined." She said with a gentle smile.
"Sorano!" the digidestined were pleased to see her. Tai, Matt and Sora were nervous, though.
"Do not be frightened." She laughed. "I am your ally."
"You're a Nightwalker." Tai said, stating the obvious.
"You're a human." Sorano said humorously.
"Guys, you trust this thing?" asked Sora nervously, standing behind Tai and Matt.
"This thing is an ally." Said T.K defensively and a little angrily. The others looked at him in somewhat of a shock. Sorano smiled warmly at him.
"You do not need to worry about me, young man. They do not mean any harm." Sorano assured.
"T.K, what's gotten into you?" asked Tai.
"You're the one that Gennai spoke of, are you not?" Teramori asked. They only blinked.
"The boy affected by the Nightwalkers. I know of you. I've seen a boy like you before…."
"What are you talking about? Affected by the Nightwalkers, right." Matt chuckled, trying to convince himself otherwise.
"Gennai never told you? Asked Patamon.
"T.K or Sonya never told you?' asked Kari, cleaning the dirt from under her nails, not really caring what was going on around her.
Matt looked at the two.
"Why didn't you say anything? This could have easily killed you, couldn't it?" He asked.
"Well, yeah." T.K blinked.
Matt's retort was interrupted, however, by a small green light zipping through the trees toward them.
"What's that?" asked Cody.
"It's a faerie." Armadillomon answered.
"A wood faerie, to be more exact." Said Sorano as the little light landed on her staff. The light faded away to reveal a small person, no bigger than the palm of a hand.
Her hair and skin were shades of green and her clothes seemed to have been made from bark strands and small leaves.
"Hello Sorano, Hello Teramori! Shii has news to report!" the little faerie piped in a small voice.
"What is happening, Shii?" asked Teramori.
"The Jyotsuna and Yatacyn's debate has grown terribly ill mannered. Lord Jahari and Lord Kai are now in vocal war with each other. Lord Kai insists that the children be banned from the country, though Lord Jahari insists they remain and fight. Lord Kai threatens his allegiance with the Blood Harvesters and an attack on Lord Jahari, while Lord Jahari threatens his attack on Lord Kai." The little creature reported. Yolie and Sonya couldn't stop smiling and examining the creature, whispering to each other how cute the thing was.
"A Battle between them will kill so many… thousands maybe." Said Sorano.
'Not enough.' Kari thought.
"Who are Jarhari and Kai?" asked Ken.
"They are the lords of the Jyotsuna and Yatacyn tribes. They're very powerful and both have very large armies. A fight could destroy much of the area they are in." said Hawkmon.
"How terrible." Said Yolie.
"Shii is there anything else?" asked Teramori.
"Shii has one other thing to report." Shii piped. "Jaganu has rallied an army in the Black Plains. The Blood Harvesters have finally Contacted their leader, Karakin."
"Karakin? But the Lords trapped her spirit in the Fire Relic. How could she have returned?" asked Sorano, leaning against the staff.
There was a sudden, unknown chill throughout the group.
"What is a Fire Relic?" asked Tai, ignoring the phenomena.
"The Fire Relic was the one item that Karakin help dear. Her golden pendant. It had the power she needed to convoy and lead the Blood Harvesters. They say she's powerless without it." Sorano answered him.
Kari felt herself flare in a horrible rage, but she turned away so no one could see her face.
'Powerless?! How dare that filthy cur call me powerless!' Karakin screamed in Kari's mind.
"Could it be? The pendant that Kari had?" Davis suggested.
They all looked at her.
"Megara! Give that back!" she shouted. T.K started to drag on the ground, leaving imprints in the soil. Davis and Ken helped retain her.
"Kari! Calm down!" said Ken
"Yeah! It's just a necklace!" said Davis, finding trouble in keeping her from leaving.
The flashback threw some of the kids into shock.
"Kari, where did you get the pendant?" asked Gatomon.
"I found it." Kari answered.
"Did you know about its power?" Sorano asked her, not using the usual kindness in her words.
Kari returned her expression.
"No." she lied.
"It does no good to lie, Karakin." Said Teramori.
Suddenly, Kari's entire mind was thrown aside and Karakin took her place. She turned and looked at Teramori, not answering his question.
"That's ridiculous!" Tai shouted, standing abruptly. Kari was then suddenly thrown back into her mind set. "There is nothing wrong with Kari." He said finally.
'What a loyal brother you have, Kari.' Karakin smiled darkly.
"Shii, where's Karakin now?" asked Teramori.
"Hidden, plotting, somewhere where no one can see her and no one knows where she is. Where that is, Shii is afraid Shii does not know, herself." The little faerie's wings dropped sadly.
"Ah, come on now, don't be sad. You said a lot and we appreciate it." Said Davis. The creature's wings perked and she looked up at him.
"Shii did good?" she asked him.
"Shii did great!" Davis grinned. Sorano and Teramori smiled at the spectacle.
Shii giggled and flew off as a little ball of light.
"What now?" asked Cody.
"We need to find Gennai." Said Sora. "He can tell us what we need to do. Maybe the Lords will even tell us about Shadow. We just need to tell them that we're on both their sides and we want Shadow to be stopped, too."
The chill swept through once more.
Sonya looked up to the sky and saw a small black dot circle their heads high in the sky. She felt Shadows presence coming from the creature. She knew that he was watching, listening, planning against their ideas.
Her eyes shone an eerie green, then returned to normal. She looked back at the digidestined with her usual smile, pretending to have not seen the creature above.
High in the sky, Shadow circled the area on a small wind dragon. He listened to the discussions below.
"So, they are aware of Karakin and the tribes dispute…." He muttered. He noticed Sonya look up at him.
"You won't say a thing, will you my pet?" He grinned. Her eyes shone an eerie and green and she returned her gaze to the digidestined.
"Yes, continue feeding me the knowledge I need. Sonya, my pet, you are doing quite well." He laughed.
Back beneath the canopy, the argument continued.
"I'm not sure if you should stay. If Jahari or Kai see you, there could be a blood bath. Gennai will be with them the rest of the days until their settlement I presume." Said Sorano.
"And, I can sense a dark presence looming as well. I must advise your departure." Said Teramori, standing from his seat on the forest floor.
"Yeah, but…." The digidestined started, but Teramori raised his hand to silence them.
"Go now. You must revitalize yourselves. I imagine a battle will occur and you need the strength you can give us."
"No! We need to find Gennai-" Sora started but was pushed back by Sorano. She held her staff and pushed the group back. To their surprise, a portal opened and sent them flying into the Computer lab at the High school.
"What the-?" Davis started, but stopped when he saw the gate was closed.
"What just happened?" asked Matt.
"They sent us back. And the gate's been locked!" said Yolie in frustration.
"I'm sure we can re-enter, but perhaps later. Sorano and Teramori were right, we need to save our strength and devise a plan of action." Said Hawkmon.
The digimon did indeed look tired out.
"How's that? We didn't even do anything!" said Davis with confusion.
"It must be the barrier that Shadow put up over the digital world. It must be draining their energies even faster." Matt suggested.
"I want food." Patamon whined in T.K's arms.
"Yeah, me too. Let's go home Sonya. We can make dinner and get some rest." Said T.K.
Sonya nodded and the two began to leave.
"Wait! Shouldn't we try coming up with a battle plan?" asked Davis.
T.K looked at him and suddenly, Davis noticed the worry lines and dark shadows under T.K's eyes.
'He must get very little sleep.' He thought subconsciously.
"We can come up with something to marrow. Tonight we can all devise something and maybe put it together." T.K suggested and left the room with Patamon and Sonya.
Gatomon yawned and Kari picked her up.
"Let's go she said and left as well. Tai ran to catch up with her.
"Kari, are you alright? Man, I can't believe those guys. Thinking that there's something wrong with you." he trailed off. Kari didn't answer.
"You know, We needed to Talk to Gennai because he said something very interesting earlier." Tai said, trying to get his sister to speak.
"Which was?" Kari persuaded.
"He said something about Karakin, too. He said that you two might have a lot in common." Tai kicked himself mentally for coming up with such a lie.
Kari didn't answer.
There was an eerie silence, one that Tai didn't enjoy at all. They entered their apartment and Kari walked into her room without a word.
--
T.K and Sonya walked through the Terrace to their apartment. Sonya held Patamon in her arms gently, smiling down at the sleeping digimon. T.K took the keys from his pocket to open the door, only to find it wasn't latched. He felt his heart begin to race, wondering if someone had broken in. He told Sonya to stay behind him as he slowly opened the door. There was no sign of anything, except for a pair of shoes by the door. At that point, T.K's heart nearly failed him. He feared looking around the corner, and as he did so, he knew his fear was realized.
Sitting on a Barstool at the island counter was his mother, smiling at him.
"Hello, son."
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm beat. I'm done, so I'm going to bed. Would you all be a bunch of sweethearts and send me review for this chapter? Please? Thanks! ZZZZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzZzzzZZzzzzzZZZZZ