Chapter 18
"How...could he?" Nancy sobbed. She had been at the dining area table, weeping for her now-misguided younger son. "What happened to you, T.K.? Why are you acting like this?"
A sudden blinding silver light interrupted her laments over the younger blond. She turned her attention to the living room, where the light revealed Matt, Sora, and Cody, all appearing exhausted and disheveled.
Tears forgotten, her eyes widened.
"Calm down, Mom; it's just one of Cody's abilities." Matt assured her.
"'Just?' You say that like that's normal," said Nancy. But then again, Digimon exist, so nothing should be a surprise anymore. She looked behind the trio. "Where are T.K. and the Digimon?"
"T.K.'s...still out there, and Biyomon and Gabumon are fighting him," responded Sora.
"T.K..." A fresh set of tears pushed its way free. "What's gotten into him?" Matt and Sora walked over to comfort her.
"His wish has," Cody explained, joining her at the table. "And his obsession with destroying the darkness. If he only knew..." He clenched his fist.
"But we'll save him, Mom." Matt patted her shoulder and glanced pointedly from Sora to Cody and back. "Right?" But he received no response from either in return. "Come on, you two! He's my brother! We can't kill him!"
"He's tried to kill us!" Cody remarked. "He's lost it!"
"Sorry, Matt, but I agree with Cody," Sora put in. "He's hunting for us, witches, and anything evil or potentially evil right now. He's not going to stop at this point! We need to hunt for witches and get more Grief Seeds if we ever want to stand a chance against T.K."
"Guys... T.K. just needs a reminder of who his friends are. I can reach out to him." Matt stood his ground.
"I agree with Matt," Nancy said around sobs. "T.K. is my son, and I still love him. I believe we can save him. We can't lose anyone else."
"Matt, Mrs. Takaishi..." Sora stared at the two in sympathy.
"What are you two saying?" Cody rebutted them. "T.K. has tried to kill us! He's not the friend we know anymore; he's a threat! We need to stop him!"
Nancy broke into a full-fledged sob, prompting Matt to pull her into a hug. She blinked back a few tears to see her older son glare at the Child of Reliable Knowledge.
"You're not considering everyone's feelings, Cody," Matt berated.
"And why not?" Cody demanded. "You're still trying to save him after what he did? He killed Izzy, Tentomon, and Agumon. And Tai to some extent, yet you still want to spare him? And don't keep repeating that he's your brother because I know. I understand, but sometimes we have to look beyond what we want and do what's right. Besides, Matt, he's not going to give us a choice."
"Stop it! Just stop it!" Nancy shrieked. "I don't want to hear anymore! This is my son we're talking about!" She turned to Cody. "You're talking about killing him." She regarded Matt next. "And you want to save him. I also have faith that my son is inside that monster, I really do. He can't die!"
"Yeah, guys, that's enough," Sora agreed. "This isn't helping Mrs. Takaishi, especially. Why don't we all take a moment to cool off? Maybe hunt for some witches because we need Grief Seeds. Sounds like a good starting point, right?"
The two boys regarded Sora, then turned to Nancy.
"I agree." Nancy wiped away a few tears and continued speaking to prevent another torrent. "We should all just cool down and clear our minds first, then discuss this rationally." She grinned. "Trust me. I'm a mom, so I know."
"You're right," Matt agreed.
"But will you be okay by yourself?" Cody asked.
"Don't worry about me," Nancy assured the three DigiDestined. "I need time to think about this, anyway. Go search for Grief Seeds, Gabumon, and Biyomon."
"I hope they made it," said Sora. "Of course we won't find out until we go out there." She headed for the door, followed by Matt and Cody.
"Stay safe out there!" Nancy called as the trio trooped out.
As soon as the door shut, Nancy entered T.K.'s room, gazing at her younger son's possessions. Everything remained the same as it had over the years, aside from the laptop on the desk in the corner. She had just bought that for him as a birthday present. She took a moment to reflect on the twelve years she had spent with him, from when he was a child and the family had been together to now. And now...she barely recognized him. In fact, she didn't recognize him. Is Cody right? Is that creature not my T.K. anymore? Can we really save him?
Nancy stepped out into her younger son's balcony and took in the beauty of the peaceful Monday night. She took a breath of fresh air, hoping the night air would suggest whose decision to support. I still don't know. I just want those three to get back safely, hopefully with the Digimon.
…
"Fucking piece of trash!" T.K. growled as he ripped into the heart of the witch he had just killed.
The witch had resembled a macabre jester with an oversized floppy hat that had used the tips of the hat to fire streams of electricity at the Child of Hope. T.K. had easily glanced off the shocking discoveries, then made a beeline for the creature's heart, ripping it in two with his staff.
The blond unleashed a powerful blast of light that destroyed the witch from the inside, causing it to explode into black blood and rotting skin. Its Grief Seed clattered to the ground, and the labyrinth – a circus tent containing cardboard spectators and clowns that wielded whips – vanished to reveal Shibuya Station.
He had been hunting for witches and potential witches – magical people as well as familiars, since he had made easy work of Garudamon and WereGarurumon at Odaiba Park. They're taking the witches' side, so they have to suffer just like them.
But that had also given Matt, Sora, and Cody the opportunity to escape, something he was none too pleased about. His hunt for them all night hadn't resulted in empty hands, however, for T.K. had acquired a dozen Grief Seeds from witches he had encountered throughout Tokyo. He had covered Tamachi, Setagaya, Haneda, Nerima, and finally Shibuya, where he had taken on six witches and two familiars, all of which hadn't overwhelmed the Child of Hope. The long search had hauled in some rewards, but who knew how long they would last? Not that there was any point.
"I do know one thing..." T.K. said, "I had better find those three soon. Real soon. They need to be stopped."
He exited the train station, rushing up the stairs to the streets of Shibuya. People bustled up and down the sidewalks, while car horns blared.
"Typical of a Monday night," the blond muttered as he continued down the streets. He took in the sights of the busy Shibuya and smiled, but then wondered how long he would be able to enjoy the atmosphere. Everything was normal...except him. He was far from normal; he wasn't even alive. And he didn't even know how long he would remain in the limbo to which Kyubey had sent him.
T.K. passed several boutiques and stores, some of which he recognized as the ones Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon had ransacked. That made T.K. grin even wider, only for it to fade a second later upon remembering their sacrifice. The sacrifice to protect him and Matt from Myotismon, another creature of darkness.
"That's why I'm doing this," T.K. said, clenching his fists. "To destroy the darkness. And that means finding the others."
Something in the corner of his eye caused T.K. to stop, as he directed his attention to the alley between one of the boutiques and a bakery. A glowing green portal resided in the center, emitting black energy. The Child of Hope knew a labyrinth when he saw one. He chuckled and shook his head.
"Why do they even try?" The Child of Hope entered the portal.
…
"Yeah, we're fine, Dad," Matt said as he and Cody returned to Nancy's apartment. He, Cody, and Sora had a fairly reasonable haul of Grief Seeds, having fought nine witches in Setagaya alone. They had split them among one another, each of them using one after their hunt.
The Child of Friendship had taken the time to return to Nancy's to call his dad. Cody didn't want to use his magic anymore than necessary, so they had decided to walk back from Todoroki Valley. Sora had taken the bus back home out of worry for her mom. She was already in T.K.'s crosshair, and she didn't want her mom to become collateral damage. Matt had told Hiroaki everything. He could imagine his dad's stoic face on the other end of the line, but this time, fear would cross it at the mention of T.K. going batshit crazy. He didn't want to mention that Gabumon and Biyomon probably didn't make it, mostly because he didn't want to believe that was true. Just because they hadn't found either Digimon out there...
No! Stay strong, Matt! The older blond urged. They're still alive! We just couldn't find them today. Besides, I can't worry Mom and Dad!
"Matt, how's your mom?" his dad continued.
"She's fine," Matt said. "And Cody's with me." They sat in the living room area. He looked around for Nancy, who was nowhere in sight. He checked her room, where he found his mother's slumbering form comfortable under the blankets of her bed. Matt released a relieved sigh. "She's asleep, Dad. Hey, we won't be home tonight. We're staying to watch over Mom. You could come over, too. You know, in case T.K. decides to look for me there."
"I'll be fine, Matt," Hiroaki assured him.
"You don't understand, Dad. He's dangerous."
"And I'm his father. If he comes here, I can try to have a talk with him. Matt, don't worry about me. Take care of your mom and Gabumon when you find him."
"But Dad..." The line disconnected before Matt could get another word in.
"What?" Cody's eyes widened. "Is your dad coming here?"
"No."
"But it's too dangerous for him to be alone!" Cody shouted.
"Keep it down! Mom's asleep!" Matt hissed. "Dad insists he'll be fine, but I'm not convinced, which is why I need you to go over there to watch over him. I'll look after Mom." He stared out the window. "No need in two of us staying here, but be discreet about watching Dad, okay?"
Cody nodded. "Good call. The less innocent casualties, the better. He's in Odaiba, so I have no choice but to use my magic." He transformed, then conjured his staff. Waving his staff, he vanished in a blaze of silver light.
Once the youngest DigiDestined was gone, Matt lumbered to T.K.'s room, where the siren song of the bed consumed him and beckoned him into the soft yellow blankets.
Where am I this time? Matt wondered as he surveyed his surroundings to see that he was not in the ruined Odaiba. From the copse of trees and the large clearing he was in, he surmised he was in the middle of Ariake Forest. What was he doing there?
He dove into the trees, searching for a sign of friends or anyone who may be lurking in the forest, especially when it was dark and the only light provided was the moon. That alone didn't even yield much, only pinpricks and spots.
It was enough for Matt to see, however, as he continued his search for a sign of life. Just one sign, he prayed silently. Moments later, he received one, albeit in the form of a scream. That voice...Sora!
Sora! Matt scampered in pursuit of the redhead, following the reverberating echo. Where are you? Are you around here? I'm coming!
When the Child of Friendship arrived at the location of the shriek, it look all of his strength to resist vomiting what little was in his stomach.
On top of a cluster of stumps and stones, lay Sora. Her brown eyes stared blankly upward. The older blond rushed over to her and lifted her head to see her throat had been slashed, blood running down the stone on which her head rested. Her Soul Gem in the middle of her crown was shattered. He then noticed another body in the corner of his eye. He looked over there to see that it was Cody's body in the same position as Sora, his throat slashed and blood pooling next to him.
Matt shook his head in disbelief. T.K. can't have found them that quickly! Why hadn't either of them told me they would head out knowing my brother was out there and dangerous? We still don't know where Biyomon and Gabumon are!
"There you are, Matt."
Matt turned from Cody to regard T.K., who was sauntering toward him carrying two Digimon by the throats. Neither were moving.
"Gabumon! Biyomon!" Then Matt glared at his brother.
"Oh, don't worry about them," T.K. tossed them aside like meaningless garbage. "They've shown me which side they chose and paid for it. Now you'll do the same." The Child of Hope grinned maniacally, smile stretched like a puppet's. He pointed his staff at Matt.
"T.K., stop! Please!" Matt begged. "I don't want to fight you! You're my brother, and I love you!"
"I know, Matt, and I love you, too." The younger blond's face softened into a sympathetic expression, giving Matt brief relief, but then it hardened into a vengeful scowl. "But I have to do this and hope you understand, Matt."
"T.K.!" Matt had no time to say more, as he felt his brother's staff strike his leg where his Soul Gem rested. His vision faded into darkness, but not before he glimpsed T.K.'s insane smile and felt his staff slice his throat.
Matt shot upright in a cold sweat, panting and then feeling his leg to make sure he was fine. He realized he was in his human form, unharmed and alive. The only difference was that Gabumon was not sleeping at the foot of his bed like he usually had. The unknown whereabouts of his Digimon heightened his fear on top of the possibility that that wasn't his brother anymore. Are Dad and Cody okay? He gripped his chest, breathing violently. He actually felt that staff pierce his leg, leading to his entire body suddenly shutting down. Then he felt the weapon slash his throat.
"I thought...I thought I died.I felt it. My death. I actually died in that dream. And that wasn't T.K. That was...a cold-hearted homicidal maniac. My brother...was gone."
"Takeru may actually be gone, Yamato."
"Shut up!" The Child of Friendship whipped toward his window to glare at Kyubey, who perched on the windows, the only darkness against the light of the morning sun attempting to enter his room. He wondered how many more mornings he would see before he transformed. I do know this. I refuse to let Kyubey mess with my mind and feelings again. I will bring my brother back to his senses. I will not let you down, T.K.! I would rather die myself! Just one more chance, T.K., Matt vowed silently. You deserve one more chance. You're my brother, and I want to save you. Kyubey's messed with your mind so much that our friends have died. You're not the real killer, T.K. Kyubey is, and you need to know and understand that. He then sighed. But if you can't see that, T.K., I'm afraid I won't have a choice, no matter how much it will hurt.
