There was sand and there was water. Kari held her knees to her chest. She knew this place and this was the last place she ever wanted to end up.
"Welcome back." Kari looked up seeing Gennai, or she assumed, the dark Gennai. She said nothing and he stood facing the water.
"It's so hard to breathe here isn't it? It's one of the things I love most. You can feel it grasping for air. Everything is so raw and painful." The Gennai inhaled and then turned and flashed a grin at Kari.
"Don't you think?" He asked and Kari held her knees tighter. She started shivering.
"Ah, this is my favourite part. You feel cold and so now every time you think about how cold you are, you get colder." Kari put her hands over her ears and closed her eyes.
The dark Gennai, laughed,
"You can't drown me out!" He started laughing harder and Kari felt everything inside her break.
"What do you want?" She whispered defeated. The dark Gennai crouched down and winked,
"Your light." Kari stared wide eyed. The Gennai stood tall.
"But it's pretty much gone. You're getting weaker. And now that I have your partner, the rest of the digimon haven't got a chance against me." Kari curled her hands and gritted her teeth.
"You wont win." She threatened. The Gennai raised an eyebrow,
"Oh won't I? I'm pretty sure I have. All of the negative energy you have stirring inside you is all I need." Kari's mouth gaped slightly. The Gennai then moved and Kari gasped.
"Gatomon!" She screamed seeing her partner at the edge of the shore line. She stood up and ran to the digimon. Gatomon turned and reached a paw out,
"Kari!" She cried and Kari leaped towards her. She fell to the ground and got a face full of sand. She looked at her hands and couldn't understand where Gatomon went. She looked up seeing nothing but dark water and grey sand. She heard the Gennai laugh and felt tears fall down her cheeks.
"She's not here." He continued to chuckle and Kari stared down at the sand completely shocked.
"You have already set my plan in motion. Look up." He pointed and Kari followed his outstretched finger to the sky. She could see a digimon moving over the buildings of her home city. She wasn't sure what she was watching until she felt something deep within her.
"Gatomon?" She questioned and she could see the mega digimon covered in a dark aura.
"Ophanimon." The dark digimon stated.
"She is an alternate mega but is made more powerful by the darkness you have provided." Kari looked at Gennai,
"Me?" She stuttered and Gennai chuckled and nodded.
"Yes, you child of light. And now that I have taken everything I need. Perhaps it is time to seal your fate. How about a little trip?" Kari felt her heart rate increase as the Gennai approached. He laughed as he stretched his hand towards her and Kari saw a flash of light consume her.
Tai stood in front of the others. He kept Agumon behind him and tried to keep his eyes focused on the dark Gennai. However he kept looking around for signs of a surprise attack.
"So I see you have your partners." Gennai pointed out. Tai narrowed his eyes,
"What do you want?" He gritted. The Gennai chuckled,
"I thought I'd return something used." Tai treaded carefully,
"What are you talking about?" Gennai laughed and Tai wished he could knock the guy out.
"I left it over by that building there." The dark gennai pointed and Tai looked to see he was pointing at the convention centre.
"I would get there sooner rather than later if I were you. In the meantime my dear Meiko, I must thank you." Tai stepped aside to look at Mei while the dark Gennai addressed her.
"You and your little digimon have made all of this possible. The tears are a result of Meicoomon and the power you both generate together." He laughed in an almost clown like manner. Tai felt sick and looked back at the dark creature.
"Just who the hell are you?!" Tai thundered. The man laughed again and then looked menacingly at Tai.
"Not now courage. For now I'm your precious Gennai. Only, updated." He laughed and slowly disappeared. Tai growled,
"Urg! Alright we need a plan! What the hell is at the convention centre?!" Sora then stepped forward,
"I can think of something." She stopped and Tai watched her eyes look at Matt then Joe. Tai urged her to continue,
"Well what?!" Sora stood tall,
"We need a plan first. I don't want you rushing in and not using your head." She glared and Tai sneered not appreciating Sora's attitude.
"Matt you and Tai should hang back." Tai gaped and he heard Matt exclaim with him,
"What?!" Sora then put a finger up to the boys,
"You heard me. You both hang back. Mei, come with us." Sora turned and Tai marched over and grabbed her shoulder spinning her back around.
"Now hold on one minute Sora! Look I can understand not wanting to get ambushed by a trap but this is ridiculous! You can't leave me in the dark and it's unfair for us to be separated on a hunch! You said it yourself, we're a team. So as a team we need to go together." Tai could see Sora's eyes flash towards Joe. Tai remained neutral though keeping secrets was really getting on his nerves.
"Just tell him Sor. He has a right to know." Joe spoke up and now Tai was really getting irritated.
"Tell me what?" He asked. The group was silent and Tai looked to see Joe and Sora wouldn't meet his eyes. He heard a sigh behind him and saw Matt step next to him.
"Tai, it's Kari. She's the one that's at the convention centre." Matt breathed out. Tai stared a moment blinking at Matts words. It was then Tai finally understood the looks Sora was giving to Joe and Matt. He could be brash and excitable. He needed to handle this like a leader and not an over protective older brother. He took a deep breath channeling his crest. He resisted his instincts and forced himself to be rational. His hand slid off Sora's shoulder.
"Okay, we need to digivolve." He announced. The group looked at him clearly apprehensive. Tai took another breath,
"Izzy, Mimi and TK are going there. There is a mega digimon and Meicrakmon. If my sister is there that means she won't be left unguarded. We can have Gomamon in reserve. I think Agumon, Biyomon and Gabumon should digivolve. Biyomon can take Mei while Gabumon and Matt can take Joe and Gomamon. We need to come at the centre from different angles. We'll be seen early but at least we'll be ready for an attack." Tai surveyed the others. They looked determined even Meiko which Tai was surprised at.
"Now that's using your brain." Matt commented and Tai sagged,
"I do have one you know." Matt smirked,
"You sure it's not just more hair?" Tai rolled his eyes and brought his digivice out of his pocket.
"Alright enough chit chat. You ready Agumon?" Agumon nodded,
"Ready." Tai then pointed his device to his partner and shouted,
"Agumon digivolve!"
Tai rode Greymon as the digimon made the charge towards the convention centre. There was a crack over head and Tai winced startled. He looked up at the sky and yelled to his partner.
"Greymon! There are distortions everywhere!" Greymon growled,
"What do we do Tai? We're close to the convention centre." Tai gritted his teeth. The building was in sight. He wanted his sister. But then looking up he could see digimon coming from above. Innocent people could get hurt. I have to do something. Tai then made his decision and shouted at Greymon
"Stop here Greymon! We need to stop the invading digimon!" Greymon turned,
"You got it Tai!" Tai then quickly grabbed his phone and called Matt.
"Hello?" Matt answered,
"Matt! Digimon are falling from the sky! I need you to fall back and help me and Greymon hold them off!"
"You sure Tai?!" Matt asked and Tai nodded.
"Absolutely." He replied and he ended the call and pocketed his cell phone. Tai then looked up seeing a Datamon flying towards them.
"Alright Greymon! Let's kick some Digi-butt!" Greymon growled agreeing. The digimon then inhaled,
"Nova Blast!" He yelled and the fire ball sailed towards the robot digimon. Datamon dodged it and Greymon moved to attack again.
"Flower Canon!" A green shot hit Datamon and the digimon slowly started retreating back up to the distortion. Tai waved and smiled.
"Lillymon! Perfect timing!" Lillymon gave Tai a peace sign. Greymon quickly helped Tai off his shoulder and once Tai was on the ground he ran and found Mimi.
"Mimi!" The girl waved as they stood in front of each other.
"You and Greymon okay?" She asked and Tai nodded.
"Where are the others?" Mimi turned and looked over at the convention centre.
"The convention centre. Izzy thinks meicrakmon is there and whatever mega digimon that fell from the sky." Tai clenched his fists,
"Kari is too." He informed his friend. Mimi gasped,
"How? Why?" She asked and Tai opened his mouth to reply. He saw Garurumon running towards them with Matt riding on his back. Tai stepped to the side and yelled,
"Matt!" Mimi turned and started waving at the blond. Tai turned his attention to the sky. He could see more digimon coming. He looked at Mimi,
"Is everyone else at the convention centre?" He asked and Mimi nodded,
"Izzy and TK are for sure." She replied. Tai looked back up to the sky.
"And so are Meiko, Sora and Joe." Tai added. He looked down and thought a moment. He then looked up at Mimi, Garurumon and Matt.
"Okay, we need to try to help push the digimon back into the tears. the three of us are going to have to do that. The others can get my sister and deal with Meicrakmon." Mimi and Matt nodded. Tai turned and addressed Lillymon and Greymon.
"Alright you guys! Let's go!"
Kari was awake as she tried to free her hands from the rope that was tying them together. There was a dark aura looming in front of her. She moved her hands from side to side but was tired and wasn't sure how much longer she could try.
"Do you think you can escape?" Kari huffed. Cherrymon was now standing in front of her. Instead of fear, Kari just felt annoyed. She rolled her eyes and continued rubbing her hands. It was awkward her arms being pulled behind her back and she started to cramp. She looked up at Cherrymon and felt anger. The anger fuelled her to keep trying.
"Do you know what is going to happen to you when this is all over?" Kari ignored him. To her disappointment he continued.
"Even if by some miracle your brother and the rest of the digidestined manage to overpower the darkness, you still come out of this losing." Kari couldn't help but bite,
"What do you mean?" She asked now keeping her hands still. Cherrymon smiled,
"You'll have lost your light. The sacrifice your partner has made and the one you'll ultimately make will keep you're heart tainted with darkness. You'll never be rid of the darkness. You'll spend the rest of your life unable to feel warmth as warmly as you did with your light. You'll never smile as genuinely as you did with your light. You will not love as truly. You will be living a shell of an existence." Kari looked away. She closed her eyes, it's not true it's not true. She tried to repeat the words in her mind. Cherrymon laughed and Kari opened her eyes slowly.
"Like I said Light. I'm in your head. You won't get rid of me that easily. But let's talk about the loss you'll experience." Kari didn't want to but kept her mouth shut. She didn't want the digimon to know his words were getting to her.
"You're weak. You're body is failing you. You feel the darkness within you and slowly it consumes you. It breaks down your body and no amount of human medicine can stop it. You'll end up in the ground." Kari shuddered. She didn't want to think about this. She wanted Cherrymon to stop. She closed her eyes and started moving her hands again. Please stop! She screamed in her mind. Cherrymon laughed and Kari prayed she was having a nightmare. There was an explosion and Kari turned her head towards her shoulder trying to block out the splash of debris.
"Angemon! How'd you get here!" Cherrymon exclaimed. Kari opened her eyes seeing the angel digimon her heart started pounding knowing the others were close.
"Kari!" Kari turned her head seeing Izzy.
"Izzy!" Kari exclaimed and he smiled,
"Kabuterimon! Get Cherrymon!" He instructed. Kabuterimon let Izzy off his back and then attacked Cherrymon. Cherrymon turned his attention to the two digimon. Kari watched wondering where the others were. She then felt someone wrap their hand over her mouth and nose. She went wide eyed and was about to scream.
"Shh, it's me!" TK whispered in her ear and Kari relaxed hearing his voice. He gently removed his hand from her mouth and Kari sat up straighter to allow him better access to untie the rope.
"Almost got it." He whispered but Kari already felt safe. She was alighted to have TK with her again. Her mind drifted to her brother and she started to feel anxious hoping he was close. She felt her hands relax and the relief washed through her as the rope left her skin. TK put his hands under her armpits and forced her to stand. She allowed him to and once standing she resisted turning and throwing her arms around him. He held her hand and quietly backed away with her.
"Not so fast boy!" Kari turned and saw the dark Gennai standing in front of TK. Kari gasped and TK stood strong in front of her.
"I don't think I want her to go, just yet." He said darkly and Kari gripped TK's arm with her free hand.
"Ophanimon." Dark gennai called and Kari's mouth dropped as Ophanimon appeared in front of her and TK. Kari shook her head,
"No Gatomon! Ophanimon! It's me Kari!" She pleaded and TK looked back at Kari,
"Kari? You know this digimon?" He asked surprised. The dark Gennai laughed. His laugh grew and Kari loosened her grip on TK.
"Know her? It's her partner! Oh Hope, your precious friend here has been so consumed with darkness she managed to corrupt her own digimon partner. I would be careful, she will corrupt you and Angemon. I know how much you love your partner. It'd be a shame if he was to be sacrificed once again." TK growled and Kari tried to let him go. She was disgusted with herself and what the Gennai had said to TK.
"How dare you!" TK cried.
"Kari has done nothing wrong! It's you who has corrupted her digimon! There is no way she would corrupt any of us, her partner or ours!" He defended and Kari wasn't sure she deserved his defence. The dark Gennai snapped his fingers,
"Ophanimon? Show this brat just what kind of darkness you're capable of." Both TK and Kari gasped and Ophanimon stepped forward and attacked.
"MOVE!" TK yelled and Kari dove to the side with TK landing on top of her. The attack blasted the wall next to them.
"KARI! TK! RUN!" Izzy yelled and Kari looked up seeing him Angemon and Kabuterimon were still battling Cherrymon. she felt TK pull her to her feet and Kari moved her feet as fast as they would go. Ophanimon attacked again and narrowly missed the two teens. TK slammed into the fire door exit and Kari scrambled through the door. The two then ran down the stairs and then ducked as Ophanimon tried to blow up the stair well.
"We have to get outside!" TK yelled over the noise of attacks. Kari felt around for TK's hand and upon finding it felt relieved to be holding it once again. TK held it tightly and the two sprinted down the stairs. Another explosion came and this time Kari was thrown from her feet. She fell down the stairs and rolled to a stop on the landing. TK came quickly to her aid and she stood. He went wide eyed as their eyes met.
"What? Are you okay?" She asked in a panic. TK shook his head. Kari saw Ophanimon and pulled on Tk's arm,
"GO!" She shouted. TK didn't protest and once again the two ran. They made it to the bottom and tore open the door leading to outside.
"SORA! JOE! HELP!" TK exclaimed and the two older digidestined came into view. Sora gasped and called up to her partner,
"Birdramon!" She yelled and the firey bird swooped down and attacked Ophanimon giving Kari and TK a chance to run to safety. Kari ran to Sora who quickly embraced her. She called over Kari's head,
"Joe!" Kari pulled back and saw Joe running towards her. She winced hearing sounds from the batlles taking place behind her. She felt a warm presences at her back and leaned into the person standing behind her.
"I'm right here." TK whispered. Kari closed her eyes as she pressed her back into his chest.
"Kari let me look." Joe said as he got closer. Kari wasn't sure what he was talking about. TK put his hands on her shoulders and Kari stood straight as Joe approached her. He pulled a tissue from his pocket and Kari groaned realizing her nose was bleeding.
"Lean forward." The eldest instructed. Kari did as she was told. She hated this. This isn't the time! She thought to herself, Izzy is up there and could be hurt! Joe interrupted her thoughts when he spoke.
"I think it's done. You need to sit though Kari." Kari shook her head but then felt TK pull her gently so she sat on the ground on his lap. She huffed but TK wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.
"just for a moment." He whispered. Kari rolled her eyes but nodded. She watched Sora and Joe turn their attention back to the digimon. Kari slowly close down her eyes as her head relaxed onto TK's chest, Tai where are you?