Sora brought up the rear as the group walked through a desert landscape. She watched everyone, sensing tension amongst the group. She paused, no not tension, fear? She wondered and she frowned and brought her hands to her chest. She pinched the exposed skin below her neck.
"How much further?" Mimi whined and Joe quickly answered,
"until Etemon can't find us." Mimi groaned, Matt looked back at her,
"Well we can't stop here, theres no where to hide. We're too exposed." Sora knew he was right and he looked forward. Sora sighed and pinched harder onto her chest. She stopped as she pinched herself and Biyomon looked up at her. The digimon didn't say anything and Sora watched as the rest of the group stopped.
"TK? Why'd we stop?" Tokomon asked and TK said nothing but looked down at the rest of the digimon.
"Stop?" Tai stopped walking and turned around.
"Wait? Why did you all stop?" He asked and Sora could see slight irritation in his eyes. The whole group stood in the sand. Sora was relieved it wasn't as hot as the desert they had been in on File island, but it was still baron. Matt's word crept into Sora's mind, Exposed. They were exposed and Sora swallowed.
"You guys look all scared I don't get it?" Tai said but Sora could tell he wasn't looking for an answer. The group was quiet and Tai continued to speak.
"Look we have the crest. This is good. This means we're on our way to defeating the darkness and going home." "But how do we know the crest will help? What if it doesn't" Matt countered and Tai growled,
"Of course it will. We just had this conversation." He then turned to Agumon.
"Listen buddy this is your chance so you can't let me down. You're the only one who can digivolve to the next level so you had better digivolve and defeat Etemon or I'll just go ahead and get myself a new digimon!" Sora winced seeing Agumon cower at Tai's anger. She knew they had this conversation a couple hours ago and felt strange that were looping back to it.
"But Tai how can you be so sure the crest will help!" Matt said in an angry voice. Sora bit her lip and then saw Izzy put a finger to his chin, he was about to speak when Tai butted in
"Well I think I have a theory. With this being a higher digivolution, more energy is needed which means, we gotta find a food source and then find Etemon. He'll be the danger we need for Agumon to digivolve." Sora hung her head as Tai turned and started marching,
"Let's move guys." He called and Agumon dutifully followed Tai. Joe and TK followed quietly and Sora saw Izzy stand tall,
"I'll have to include Tai's theory in my notes." He said to Tentomon who was flying next to him. The two followed Joe and TK and Mimi groaned as she kicked at the sand before continuing to walk as well.
"I swear I'm hiring someone to carry me when I get back." She mumbled and Palmon laughed,
"oh Mimi." The digimon said affectionately. Kari looked back at Sora a moment and then followed Mimi. Sora started moving her feet and kept her eyes on the sand below. She felt someone touch her elbow and she looked up seeing Matt.
"Tai's getting too controlling." Matt complained and Sora pulled a face. She could see Kari flinch and figured she could hear what Matt was saying.
"He needs to be brought down a peg." Sora shook her head and whispered back,
"Matt please just, let him be. Maybe he's right. We don't know anymore then he does so for now let's just let him be." Sora could hear Matt growl. He removed his hand from her elbow and then trudged ahead passing Kari as he and Gabumon walked. Sora watched the youngest girls back and thought about apologizing for Matt. She instead stayed silent and just hoped they'd have a clearer path if they just kept moving.
They made their way over mounds of sand and were trudging up a large hill when Tai called out,
"Water and look! There's food!" Tai then hauled Agumon down the hill. Sora reached the top and saw where Tai was going. At the bottom of the hill was a small pond of water and a couple of trees and bushes. Amongst the green there was fruit and what looked like bread.
"Strange? Is that bread?" Joe commented and Gomamon started after Tai and Agumon,
"Quick Joe let's get some!" The rest of the group followed quickly and Sora pushed Biyomon to follow the group. She reached the bottom and sat down next to Kari and the two watched as Gomamon picked up a piece of bread,
"No. Not for you." Tai swiped at the bread in Gomamons hand then took it from the digimon. Tai then turned and addressed all the digimon,
"Don't eat any of it. This all has to be for Agumon." Tai said and all the digimon dropped the food they were going to eat and stepped back a little sad. Sora watched Kari stand ,she walked over and put a hand on Tai's back,
"Wait Tai, we should feed-" Tai rounded on his sister,
"What do you know Kari? You don't even have a digimon so go sit down. I'm handling this." Tai spoke with venom and TK walked over,
"Hey-" Matt cut off his brothers anger and spoke to Tai,
"Tai the digimon need to eat, All of them do." Tai waved a hand and didn't look at Matt,
"Just back off Matt, I said I'm handling it." Matt huffed and came over to Sora. Everyone was now sitting around Sora while Tai stuffed Agumon full of food. All the digimon stood at their partners feet hoping for some food. Sora looked to Kari who had her hands clenched while she sat. She looked a little fearful.
"He's lost it." Matt concluded as he sat down next to Sora. Sora was thankful Matt had given up on fighting Tai any further.
"Is it just me or is Tai becoming more of a dictator then usual?" Joe commented and Izzy agreed.
"In the time I've known Tai he's always been a bit headstrong but he's been nice enough. Now he's just mean." Matt huffed in agreement and Sora took a deep breath.
"I can see that he's a little more..." She stopped watching Tai force another piece of fruit into poor Agumon's gob.
"Demanding. But look guys I've known Tai a long time. We used to play soccer together when we were younger. He always wanted to win like the rest of us but he always put the team first. Even times when he seemed to hog the ball or be too aggressive, he was doing it for the betterment of the team. He's not selfish." Sora looked at the group and then back to Tai who yelled at Agumon,
"Eat Agumon!" Sora cringed, He's not selfish. She reminded herself and then she looked at Kari who had a long face.
"Everyone gave you there food so you can digivolve so eat!" Tai yelled at Agumon and Mimi frowned,
"Not gave more like taken from us." She countered and Tai turned and glared at everyone. He then glared at the digimon.
"Did you give it to him?" He asked the digimon and all the digimon reluctantly nodded,
"yes we gave it to you." They chorused together. Tai then whipped around and looked at Agumon,
"See? So eat!" He shoved another piece of fruit in Agumons mouth and sora looked down at her shoes. She remembered playing soccer with Tai. He passed to her when she was sure he was going to take the shot himself.
"There's no I in team Sora." Tai had said to her. Sora breathed out and saw Tokomon cuddle up on TK's lap,
"I'm hungry TK." TK frowned and Sora watched him look at Tai.
"We all are hungry." Joe commented and Sora sighed unable to think of words to comfort and calm the tension amongst the group. She ignored her own stomach pains and just hoped Tai would come to his senses soon. Or at least, something would happen to show everyone Tai wasn't being selfish. She really hoped he wasn't but the more she watched Agumon suffer by being stuffed with food, the more she started to feel like she might be wrong. Joe suddenly gasped,
"Whoa what's happening." He pulled out his tag from under his shirt and held it up. The group looked at it and could see it glowing a blue colour.
"The tag, it's glowing." Matt commented and Izzy stood, "I think that means there's a crest near by." Sora stood and saw Tai quickly turn and look at the group.
"A crest? We need to move!" He said in a hyper voice and it worried Sora. Tai then ran to the top of the hill they had come down and then shouted,
"Look over there!" The group followed and Sora watched Kari help Agumon to stand. She noted TK grab some food and give a piece of fruit to Tokomon who was on his shoulder.
"What is that?" Mimi asked as she looked to where Tai was looking.
"It looks like some sort of ruins." Tai said and Joe walked a head of Tai,
"That must be where my crest is." He took the lead and made his way towards the ruins. Joe hadn't gotten to far when he suddenly tripped and landed face first in the sand.
"Joe!" Gomamon yelled and was at his partners side.
"I tripped over a cord." Joe informed his digimon. Gomamon dug out a black cord from the sand and held it up.
"This is a cable. What's a cable cord doing out here in the desert?" Joe dusted himself off and Tai walked passed him.
"Who cares let's move." Tai ordered and Joe and Gomamon walked next to Tai. Sora sighed and followed at the rear. She saw Kari stop and look at the black cable.
"What is it Kari?" Sora asked and Kari looked at Sora,
"I don't know, I just have a bad feeling." Sora shrugged,
"come on the suns getting to all of us." Kari nodded and resumed helping Agumon. He eventually shook her off as they walked,
"Thanks Kari, I'll be okay." He then jogged to the front to walk with Tai. Sora walked in step with Kari and thought about reassuring her. Sora opened her mouth and then closed it. She wasn't sure what to say. She decided to say nothing instead. The sun started to disappear as the group approached the ruins. They were tall stone buildings and Sora was amazed at their structure.
"It's like the ruins you would see in Rome." Izzy commented and Joe held his tag.
"I think we need to go this way." Joe pointed and the group walked through a massive tunnel. They came out the other side and found them standing in a stadium.
"Wow, look at this." Mimi said awestruck.
"Could you imagine playing a show to this many people." Matt commented and Sora looked at all the rows of seating,
"Or a soccer match." She said. TK then let out a noise,
"Uh? How did that get here?" Sora followed the youngest blonds gaze. At one end of the stadium there was a massive television screen.
"It's like a jumbo tron." Tai commented and Tentomon buzzed over to Izzy,
"what's a jumbo iron Izzy?" The digimon asked.
"It's a tv screen that they use during sporting events. They show replays or clips of what people in the crowd are doing." Tai answered.
"Maybe that's what the cable was for?" TK guessed and Sora nodded,
"Yeah but theres nobody here. Why would this all exist if there's no one here?" Sora asked. Her eye's then bugged out as she saw soccer nets on the field under the television.
"Wait? What? Are you guys seeing the soccer nets?" She asked wondering If she was hallucination, What is it called? A mirage? She thought to herself.
"Who cares, come on guys let's split up and look for the crest!" Tai said gaining everyones attention. He started to walk away when Kari gasped,
"Agumon." The youngest teen said and Sora saw Agumon had fallen over.
"Hey what's going on?" Tai asked hotly. Agumon shook his head.
"I'm too tired I need to rest for a moment." The digimon said. Tai clenched his hands into fists,
"Get up agumon!" He yelled and Joe stepped forward. "Let him rest Tai." Tai rounded on Joe and glared at him.
"I mean, it's my crest that's reacting so Gomamon and I can go look while you guys rest." Joe started to walk away which Sora thought was smart, Don't give Tai a chance to argue good move Joe She thought.
"Wait! I'll come with you!" Tai ran after Gomamon and Joe and TK started to follow.
"Let them go squirt we can relax here." Kari crouched down next to Agumon.
"Just relax Agumon I'll sit with you." She said and Biyomon called to Sora,
"Sora look!" Sora turned and saw a soccer ball in the middle of the field. Biyomon flew towards it and was examining it.
"It's a soccer ball." Sora said and she walked over to her digimon.
"What's soccer Matt?" Gabumon asked and Sora started juggling the ball.
"It's a game. You use your feet to score this ball into a net. You can use your chest or your head as well. She passed the ball from her thigh to her head and head butted it towards TK. Palmon intercepted and caught it.
"Nice catch Palmon." Mimi complimented. Sora giggled,
"I forgot to say, you can't use your hands." Palmon dropped it,
"sorry." She said and Matt smirked, "
You can if your goalie. Why dont you be in goal Palmon?" Sora smiled at Matts comment and he winked at her. Sora looked at the ground hiding a blush.
"That's a good idea let's play a game." TK said and Sora looked up. She nodded feeling that's exactly what the group needed. They had been on the run and tensions were running high. This would be a great way to relax.
"How about digimon versus people?" Izzy suggested and Sora was surprised when Mimi even pushed Palmon away,
"Digimon on that side." She said with a smile and Sora called to Kari, "Come play Kar!" Sora got the ball and kicked it over to Kari. Suddenly Tai was standing in front of Kari and he stopped the ball with his foot. He then kicked it away from everyone and into the stands.
"What the hell are you guys doing?!" He shouted and the group gathered together with Sora,
"What Tai. We were just having fun." Sora said and Tai raised a clenched fist at the group.
"I can't believe you're playing soccer at a time like this! Will you use your heads?! The sooner Joe finds his crest the sooner we can all get out of here and go home!" Sora could see Tai was fuming. Matt stepped forward to yell back when Gomamon called to the group,
"Hey I think we found it!" Everyone looked towards Gomamon and Joe.
"Hey what's that?" Tokomon spoke and Sora turned to look up at the television screen. There were two hands clapping and she stepped backwards feeling like something bad was about to happen.
"Ha-Ha-Ha! Well look here." Etemon appeared on the screen and Mimi screamed,
"No! He found us!" Tai then called to the group,
"quick everyone to Joe!" He then grabbed Kari by the arm and Sora could see Kari was protesting,
"Agumon!" She called and Tai ignored her and forced her to move. Sora jogged after the group and everyone came together inside the net where Joe and Gomamon were standing.
"Well where is it?" Tai demanded and then the net fell forward and trapped the group inside.
"No!" Tai yelled and Sora turned seeing everyone except Agumon was inside the net.
"Looks like I caught a big fish of digidestined. Ha-Ha-Ha." Etemon gloated.
"I'm sorry I won't be there to personally entertain you but don't worry the act subsutiting for me is a rare treat." Etamon said and Tentomon moved towards the net,
"You can't just trap us in here!" The digimon flew straight into the net and was shocked. Sora gasped and Tentomon flew backwards into Tai who slammed into Joe Gomamon, Izzy and Palmon. Kari was next to Palmon and would have been taken down too if TK hadn't quickly pulled Kari towards him as Tai and Tentomon fell to the ground.
"Oh I should probably mention there is electricity running through that net so if you try to escape you'll be shocked." Etemon laughed again and Tai growled and clenched his fist. Sora crouched down next to Tentomon,
"you okay?" She asked and the digimon nodded,
"that hurt." Tai then sat up and called to his digimon
"Agumon we're trapped!" Sora helped the others to sit up and Etemon's voice boomed over the stadium,
"Yes you're trapped in my trap I set for you!" Sora gasped and saw Tai growl.
"Now as I was saying this substitute act is something I'm sure none of you want to miss. Any guesses on who our guest star is?" Etemon asked and Mimi huffed,
"How are we supposed to know?!" She demanded and Etemon laughed,
"Ha-Ha here comes the main event!" The group could hear a growl and Sora stood and peered through the net. She then stepped back as she saw a large Greymon stomping its way into the stadium.
"ROAR!" The Greymon let out a mighty cry and Tai stood,
"it's another Greymon!" He said shocked and Sora suddenly felt worried for Agumon who was still by himself. Tai narrowed his eyes and shouted at Agumon,
"It's time to digivolve!" A light flashed from Tai's pocket and then another light enveloped Agumon and soon Greymon stood where Agumon had been. The evil Greymon had a collar around its neck with spikes. This Greymon quickly attacked and Greymon was quick to defend and fight back.
"Go Greymon!" Gabumon cheered and Sora heard TK call out as well,
"watch his collar!" The evil Greymon head butted the other Greymon and Tai yelled to his partner,
"Don't Quit!" The collared Greymon then picked up Greymon and threw him at the net the group was trapped under. As Greyson slammed into the net he was shocked and the whole group was shocked as well. Sora hit the ground hard and winced feeling pain. Greymon fell off of the net and was on his knees.
"Get up!" Tai said through clenched teeth. Sora looked over at the group seeing everyone trying to get their bearings after being shocked.
"He looks like he's moving so slow." Mimi commented and Tai dismissed her, "
He's fine!" He said and Matt sat up,
"Maybe because you gave him too much food Tai. Look at him, He's barely moving!" Greymon was attacked again and Tai yelled at Matt,
"he's fine!" Greymon then tried to breathe out fire,
"Nove Blast!" Nothing came out and Mimi pulled a face,
"I don't think he is." "Looks like this is gonna be over sooner than I thought." Etemon said from the screen.
"Hey look." Joe got the groups attention and everyone crouched down around him.
"When we got shocked I moved this when I fell." He moved a slab of rock and TK was quick to help him. The two flipped it over and everyone could see something was etched into the stone.
"What is that?" Palmon asked and Joe took his tag off,
"I think it's my crest watch!" Joe put the tag on top of the carving and suddenly a light filled the area. Sora put a hand up blocking the light from her eyes. it went away and Joe held his tag up showing the crest inside.
"see!" Joe said excitedly and Tai stood,
"Well that's great but how do we-" He was cut off when the ground underneath of them gave way and everyone fell through the hole. Sora hit the ground and quickly held her arms to absorb Biyomons fall. Izzy landed onto of her and Biyomon and Sora felt the wind get knocked out of her.
"Get out of here." Tai finished and Sora heard him and the others groan. She kicked her legs out finding it hard to breathe. "Izzy get up you're crushing her!" Matt said and suddenly Sora could breathe. Izzy stepped aside and Matt helped Sora to her feet.
"You okay?" He asked and Sora felt funny with Matt touching her.
"Fine." She breathed out and then Matt let her go. Tentomon flew up,
"hey there's a way out." He said and Tai addressed the group,
"Hurry. Greymon needs to digivolve and he can't without me!" Tai then jumped up and pulled himself up and into the passageway. Joe frowned
, "Tai Gomamon and I can help too!" He then scrambled to pull himself up and follow Tai. Gomamon was quick to follow.
"What about the rest of us!" Mimi shouted and Sora agreed with her.
"Here Mimi I'll pull you up. Poison Ivy." Palmon called and got herself up and then lowered her vines down and Mimi grabbed on she then retracted her vines and Mimi went up with them.
"Thanks Palmon." Mimi cooed. Sora nodded,
"now the rest of us." Matt helped Izzy climb up and then held his hand out to TK.
"You're next squirt." Sora saw TK roll him eyes but allowed his brother to help him up. Once TK was up he turned ready to help Kari. Matt helped Kari by having her step into his hands TK then grabbed her hand and pulled her into the passageway. Kari disappeared but TK poked his head back down,
"your turn Sor." TK called and Sora nodded. Matt helped Sora up while Biyomon carried Gabumon up. Once she was up, Sora and TK each put a hand out as Matt jumped up and grabbed onto them. They both pulled Matt up and once everyone was up. Sora took a moment to catch her breath.
"Move it guys!" Tai's voice filled the passageway and Sora sighed as she stood and followed the group through the passage. Sora saw Tai pull himself up and his body disappeared out of the passage. Sora saw Kari hurry her feet,
"Tai?" She asked and Tai called to her,
"Here quick!" Kari raised her hand and Sora watched as she was pulled up and out of the passage. Sora got to where Kari had stood and saw that there was a way out. She hoisted herself up and out and was joined by the rest of the group. She saw the two Greymons still fighting and could see they were now standing on the side of the soccer pitch. They had a low stone wall dividing them from the attacking Greyson and Sora felt a little too exposed.
"Greymon Digivolve!" Tai ordered and Sora watched their Greymon slam into the other one. She wasn't sure he could and she started to doubt Tai. Tai growled as the evil Greymon Stood up and threw their Greymon into the stands.
"Get up!" Tai yelled at his partner and then he climbed onto the stone wall. Greymon didn't move and the evil Greymon stood ready to attack.
"Tai no!" Kari yelled and Sora quickly reacted. She grabbed onto Tai's waist trying to stop him from climbing over the wall. "Tai wait! What are you doing?" Tai turned and looked at Sora,
"Back off Sora, You're always putting yourself in other peoples business. Let me go I'm gonna make Greymon digivolve." Sora winced at Tai's words and then gripped harder at Tai's shirt.
"But Tai!" Tai growled,
"I said back off Sora!" Tai yelled and then he hopped down from the wall and started running towards the two Greyson.
"Tai!" Sora yelled and TK was wide eyed,
"What is he doing?!" He asked and Izzy answered,
"another part to a digimon digivolving is when the partner is in danger." Sora paled and turned to look at Tai.
"He's not that stupid. right?" Matt asked and Sora couldn't answer. She watched Tai and heard Kari,
"Tai please!" Kari said and the youngest teen moved towards the wall. TK held her in place,
"Someone please!" Kari begged and Sora wasn't sure what to do. He's gonna get himself killed! Sora thought. The collared Greymon Inhaled ready to blast Greymon with an attack.
"WAIT!" Tai yelled and Sora was frozen in place watching as Tai threw a stone at the other Greymon and taunted him,
"Come at me!"
"What's this? it looks like we've got a new player on the field" Etamon laughed and Sora felt her heart rate pick up, No Tai dont! She could feel the others were terrified and Tai continued to Taunt the evil Greymon.
"Come on you big lug! Come get me!" Tai threw another stone and it hit the collared Greymon in the nose.
"He's a fucking idiot. Go Gabumon!" Matt yelled and Gabumon jumped up and digivolved into Garurumon. Sora found her voice,
"Go Biyo!" Biyomon digivolved into Birdramon and both digimon went out to stop the Greymon from attacking Tai. Bridramon hit Greymon and Tai clenched his hands,
"Come on Greymon Digivolve!" Sora and Matt yelled to Tai,
"Get out of there Tai!" But Tai didnt move. Sora watched as Tai's pocket started to glow. Suddenly she heard TK, "Kari!" Sora turned around and TK was holding Kari in his arms. She was no longer standing and Sora worried she had passed out. Sora then turned to look at Tai and saw darkness surrounding him and moving to Greymon.
"Wait what?" Sora heard Kari moan and suddenly their Greyson turned into a giant skeleton dinosaur. Sora took a step back,
"Is that Greymon's evolved form?" Sora asked and Tentomon answered,
"It shouldn't be! That's Skullgreymon. He only desires destruction and seeks out others to fight and destroy!" Sora put a hand to her chest and pinched hard feeling like her breathing was starting to get out of control.
"Well whatever it is it's hurting Kari!" TK said and Sora looked at Kari. She was holding her head and her eyes were squeezed shut. She looked in pain and TK held her in his arms trying to help her.
"Look!" Mimi yelled and Sora turned back to see Skullgreymon shove Greymon towards the Television screen. The Greyson slammed into the screen and Etamon disappeared from it. Skullgreymon then launched a Rocket at Greymon and the screen and blew the two up. Tai cheered,
"Yes! Good job!" Sora was scared and Matt yelled to Tai,
"Get out of there!" He repeated and this time Sora could see Tai take a step back.
"Greymon! It's me TaI!" Skullgreymon advanced to Tai and Sora screamed,
"Birdramon!" The bird quickly attacked Skullgreymon but was knocked to the side. Garurumon attacked next and he too was knocked away by Skullgreymon.
"I'll help them!" Tentomon said and light covered him and Kabuterimon flew to Skullgreymon,
"Electro shocker!" He attacked and Skullgreymon batted a hand and slapped Kabuterimon out of the air. The digimon hit the ground and then Skullgreymon looked down at Tai.
"You won't hurt me!" Tai yelled and Skullgreymon batted Tai out of the way as well.
"Tai!" Sora and Mimi yelled and Skullgreymon started stomping through the stadium and out into the desert. Tai stood,
"No wait!" Tai said and Sora could tell he was hurt.
"Tai!" She called and she started to run after him. Matt followed and they watched as a light covered Skullgreymon and then he disappeared. Tai ran to his partner and Sora and Matt stood in the sand watching as Tai scooped up Koromon.
"Koromon?" Tai asked and Sora could hear Koromon whimper. She saw Joe and TK helping Kari and Izzy and Mimi joined her and Matt.
"I'm so sorry Tai I let you down." Koromon said and Sora saw Tai flinch,
"No, I mean... it's not your fault," Tai said and Matt approached them.
"Yeah I'll tell you whose fault it is. It's Tai's." Sora flinched as Tai's shoulder shook.
"Isn't that right Sora?" Matt asked and Sora agreed, "yes." She then pulled a face, she didn't mean to say that out loud.
"I mean no, I mean... Nevermind." Sora pinched her chest again.
"I attacked you Tai and our friends." Koromon cried. Sora could see blood dripping from Tai's elbow.
"I know bud but it's not your fault." Tai said quietly and Matt growled,
"Tai you almost got yourself killed!" Sora agreed but felt like Matt was pouring salt into Tai's wound.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?!" Matt asked and Tai looked over at him. He then looked at the rest of the group. Sora looked as well and could see Kari was now standing on her own with TK and Joe next to her.
"Do you know what you did?!" TK asked and Kari quickly stepped forward,
"No TK Please-" She was cut off when they group heard something rumble at their feet. Sora followed the noise and looked to Tai.
"Tai step back." Sora instructed and Tai listening. Something was coming out from the sand and Tai quickly jumped back.
"It's that thing again!" Izzy shouted and he stepped towards it. Sora thought it looked like the thing they found after defeating Devimon. A light came from it and suddenly the same old man they had seen last time could be seen in the light,
"Hello, Hello digidestined." The group gasped and everyone crowded around the light.
"It's good to see you all I was worried you hadn't made it to server." Tai stepped forward.
"We're here and we found a couple of the crests but they didnt work!" Tai said accusingly. Gennai nodded,
"It is good you found some and very important you find all of them before the enemy does."
"But aren't we the only one's who can have them?" Mimi asked and Sora wondered the same thing.
"Yes and no. It is only you who can harness the crests power but others, the enemy, can take them if they beat you to the crest." Sora put her fingers to her bottom lip and lightly pulled on it anxiously.
"But how do we harness the power?! I tried and Koromon turned into a monster! Look at him!" Tai showed Koromon to Gennai and Sora thought the little digimon looked worse for ware.
"You need to find all of the crests and then use them together to create harmony." Gennai said and Sora wasn't sure what that meant exactly.
"As for Koromon if you cared for him properly he wouldn't be in this mess." Sora saw Tai flinch and looked down.
"You need patience Tai and you all need to find your crests." The light started to glitch.
"I am loosing the connection, find the crests before the enemy. And don't forget what I said about the darkness and the light!" The light vanished and Sora sighed,
"He cut out last time too." She mumbled remembering they still didn't know the warning about the darkness and the light. Tai didn't move and Sora wondered if he was okay.
"Well Gennai said the enemy is after the crests. I think that means Etamon is on the move and maybe he's trying to find them too." TK said and Matt nodded,
"I think we should move." He said but the group didn't move. Sora felt it, they were all waiting for Tai. Tai said nothing and Sora sighed deciding they couldnt wait.
"Lets go." She said and slowly everyone followed. Sora shared a look with Kari who moved to her brother. Sora put a hand on Kari's arm,
"You okay?" Sora asked stopping the girl. Kari quickly nodded and Sora lightly pushed her towards TK
. "You two go. I'll stay with Tai." Kari reluctantly allowed TK to pull Kari towards him. The two then walked after the rest of the group. Sora crouched down to Tai.
"Tai?"
"My mum said that." Sora was confused,
"She said what?" She asked and Tai looked at Koromon who was shaking in his arms.
"If you cared for her she wouldn't be in this mess." Tai repeated the words and Sora raised her eyebrow.
"But Gennai didn't say 'her,' he was talking about Koromon."
"I know. It's just the same though." Tai said and Sora wasn't sure she understood what Tai was talking about.
"Tai?" Sora asked and Tai sighed and shook his head,
"Nevermind." HONK HONK. Sora gasped and looked up seeing a massive ship heading their way.
"Watch out everyone!" Tai yelled and Sora saw everyone run to the side. She then felt someone grab her hand.
"You too Sor!" Tai said and he pulled her to the side. Biyomon quickly followed and Sora felt relieved.
"What in the world is a ship doing in the desert?" Matt asked as Sora and Tai joined the rest of the group. The ship stopped and Sora wondered if Etamon was on board. She stepped back.
"Well ahoy!" A Numemon poked its head up and waved down at the group. Sora recoiled,
"Oh no." She said and Joe spoke, "what are Numemon doing out in the daylight?" He asked and Sora thought that was a good question.
"Maybe it's a trap." Izzy guessed and Tai yelled up at the Numemon,
"Numemon! Can we come aboard?" Matt grabbed Tai's arm,
"are you nuts? What if Izzy's right?!" Mimi then stepped forward.
"I don't think it is. Hang on Tai this needs a woman touch." She stepped towards the boat and called up to the green digimon.
"Numemon! Can we please come onto your ship?" She asked in a sing song voice and Sora felt uncomfortable. The Numemon nodded and suddenly a walkway was lowered and stairs appeared in front of them.
"See." Mimi turned and smiled at the group. Sora looked over at everyone and TK stepped over to Mimi,
"At this point, we might as well see whats up here." TK said and he followed mimi up the stairs and onto the boat.
"Alright teeks." Matt said and he followed his brother. Sora watched as everyone started to board the ship. Kari stopped and looked at her brother a moment and Sora once again pushed the girl onward.
"Go on Kar." Sora instructed and Kari listened. Sora followed behind Tai,
"Want to talk?" Sora asked and the stepped onto the ship. Tai looked at Sora a moment and then shook his head.
"I think I need to be alone." Tai said and he turned with Koromon in his arms and headed towards the bow of the ship.
"Is he okay?" Kari asked and Sora turned to the youngest member of their group.
"He'll be alright. I think his ego took a big hit today." Kari didnt smile at Sora's comment. Sora put a hand on Kari's shoulder,
"What happened with you?" Sora asked and Kari was a bit surprised by Sora's question,
"Oh! nothing. I mean, the sun was just a little too much." She said and Sora looked at her suspiciously.
"Sora! Kari! Come here!" Mimi's voice interrupted the girls and Sora sighed,
"Just a second Mimi!" Sora called back and Mimi poked her head out of a room,
"Theres a shower! Towels! it's amazing come here!" Kari looked at Sora,
"we showered what two days ago now? I could go for another one." Kari said and Sora breathed in then out,
"Okay. Let's shower." The girls then went into the showers with Mimi.
Tai took his shirt, socks and shoes off. He placed Koromon on the table and adjusted the umbrella so his partner was in the shade, a memory flashed into his mind
"How could you Tai!" His mother was yelling at him and his cheek burned.
He closed his eyes and when he opened them, Koromon was in front of him asleep.
"I'm so sorry little guy." Tai mumbled to his partner. He took off the tag and crest from around his neck. He looked at it and felt like the symbol of courage was mocking him.
"Tai? Coming in?" Joe asked and Tai looked over at Joe who was also taking off his shirt, socks and shoes. Tai nodded,
"yeah." and Tai placed his crest on the table next to Koromon.
"Oh good idea I'll do the same so I don't lose it." Joe said and he put his crest on the other side of Koromon. Tai stared at Joe's,
"any idea what it means?" Joe shrugged,
"I think it means Reliability." Tai looked at Joe and thought that fit. He wasn't sure why he thought that but he was glad that was Joe's crest. The two teens then climbed into the water. Tai felt refreshed and started to slouch into the water and closed his eyes. Gomamon jumped in and Tai smirked at the digimon. Tai then frowned feeling like he didn't deserve any comfort right then, I can't believe what I did to Koromon. He winced as his elbow was submerged into the water and he pulled it up and Joe saw it.
"You've got a nice road rash there." Joe said and Tai frowned remembering how Skullgreymon had tossed him to the ground.
"It's no biggie." Tai said feeling he deserved the pain. Joe shrugged,
"I could wrap it for you." Tai quickly shook his head,
"No. I mean, no thanks." Gomamon floated past them eating an apple.
"Where did you get food?" Joe asked and Gomamon smiled,
"Inside, TK, Matt and Izzy found a whole table full of food." Gomamon chomped into his apple.
"I brought one for you." Gomamon said and pointed to the edge of the pool. Tai could see an apple sitting there and Joe swam over to the side and grabbed the apple. He then put it down,
"hey Tai, theres floaties! Want one?" Joe asked and Tai nodded. Joe pulled himself out of the pool and grabbed two floaties. He then tossed one in the water towards Tai. Tai grabbed his and first dunked his whole body under the water and then came up. He then climbed onto his float and played down on his belly on it. Joe joined his laying on his stomach on his own floatie. The two boys and Gomamon floated in the pool relaxing.
"Where are the girls?" Tai asked Gomamon after a few minutes of silence,
"I think Palmon said they found a shower." Tai closed his eyes, he figured they were safe enough. They had been here almost a half hour and nothing had attacked them. He watched a couple of Numemon in sailor suits move along the deck.
"Joe? What do you think about the crests?" Tai asked and Joe finished his apple and tossed the core onto the deck.
"I'm not sure. I think Genni was right though about patients. I think forcing something to happen isn't going to help. We just have to be patient with our partners and things, I hope, will fall into place." Tai smirked,
"Awfully wise of you." He commented and Joe chuckled,
"I was due wasn't I?" Tai nodded and then looked straight ahead.
"I'm sorry. By the way." Tai didn't want to look at Joe. Joe sighed,
"I think I understand. I think I know where you came from." Tai looked over at him,
"What do you mean?" Joe put his hand t this cheek and leaned into his arm,
"You just want to get home." Tai nodded,
"I did too. I mean that's all I could think about. So I get it. You think you have the answers so you jump at it." Tai nodded again. Joe sighed,
"But listen to what Gennai said. More patients will probably create less Skullgreymons." Tai chuckled despite himself. Joe smiled and Tai nodded,
"Patience. I can work on that." Tai said out loud. He wondered if Joe would push him to apologize to the rest of the group. When Joe didn't say anything Tai scooped up some water and dropped it on his injured elbow. He made a mental note to apologize to each person in a little bit. He closed his eyes thinking about getting back in the water. The sun was getting warmer and Tai felt that was odd,
"Shouldn't it be getting dark?" Tai wondered out loud. Joe sat up,
"Yeah you're right. It's getting hotter isn't it." Joe said and Tai nodded,
"feels like it." Tai was about to get back into the water when all of a sudden Numemon jumped out and captured Tai and Joe each in a net.
"Hey!" Tai yelled and the Numemon said nothing.
"Let us out!" Joe yelled and Gomamon was about to attack.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A big bird Digimon walked towards the pool and Tai went wide eyed,
"Who the hell is that?!" He asked and Gomamon answered,
"That's Kokatorimon!" Tai watched the bird move towards Koromon.
"Koromon no!" Tai yelled and he started to push against the net that trapped him.
"Tai!" Koromon said and a light covered him and Agumon stood from the table.
"Back off bird brain! Pepper Breath!" Agumon attacked and the bird took a hit. Gomamon quickly moved to Agumon and was about to attack to when Kokatorimon attacked,
"Petra Fire!" Both Agumon and Gomamon were hit and turned into stone.
"NO!" Both Joe and Tai yelled. Kokatorimon moved to the table and picked up the crests.
"Thank you digidestined this is just what my master seeks!" Tai yelled,
"Give those back!" Kokatorimon smirked and then yelled to the Numemon.
"I think these two need to dry out." The Numemon hauled the teens out of the pool and then tied them to a large net that was resting at the front of the ship. Tai's hands feet and middle were tied to the net and he tried to wriggle free.
"Agumon!" Tai yelled again and he was starting to panic.
"Tai I know this feel like we're on the losing side but the others are still on board. They all still have their digimon! They might be able to help!" Tai heard Joes words but didn't feel much comfort from them.
"Alright you mange maggots!" Kokatorimon returned and this time him and the Numemon had TK, Matt and Izzy with them.
"Matt!" Tai yelled as the others were tied down to the net.
"Where's Gabumon?!" Tai asked and Matt winced, "He turned into stone!" Tai gasped and then felt light headed. The sun was beating down so strongly on him he started to feel a little dizzy.
"What about the girls?" Tai slurred his speech and he thought he heard the other speak. He was starting to lose touch on reality and his vision blurred as he heard Kokatorimon laugh and continue looking for the others.
Mimi could hear something outside. She wasn't sure why but she felt like they were in trouble.
"Keep the showers running." Mimi instructed as she tossed towels to Sora and Kari. Mimi scooped up her digivice and handed Sora her own. Biyomon then opened a small window.
"Theres no time to change I think someones coming and its not a friend!" Mimi scrambled over to the window and climbed out. She hated how she was only in a towel and prayed it stayed on as she shimmied out the window and waited for the others. Sora and Kari also held on tightly to their towels.
"This way." Palmon said and they heard the bathroom door get blasted open,
"Where are the others?!" An angry voice called and the girls and the digimon wasted no time and started running along the deck.
"Where's Tai?" Kari asked as they ran and Sora answered,
"the pool, Head that way." The girls made their way to the bow of the ship when their path was blocked by a big chicken type digimon.
"It's Kokatorimon!" Palmon said and Mimi stepped back. She looked at the birds wings and then gasped.
"He has Tai and Joe's crests!" "Its about time we stop all of this running!" Kokatorimon cawed. Mimi whimpered a little but Palmon quickly attacked,
"Poison Ivy." The bird dodged the attack and then Biyomon had a go,
"Spiral Twister!" Again, Kokatorimon avoided the attack and then he yelled at the digimon,
"Petra Fire!" Green light shot out of his mouth and Mimi scrambled backwards and saw the others do the same. The attack missed but Mimi wasn't idle. She turned on her heel,
"Run!" She yelled and she could feel Sora and Kari running with her. They ran the opposite way and soon found themselves at the back of the boat.
"We've run out of boat!" Sora cried and Mimi shuddered a moment. She then turned seeing Kokatorimon was behind them. Sora stepped forward,
"Get him Biyo." Sora said and she held her digivice out. Biyomon digivolved to Birdramon and attacked. Mimi got some courage and stepped in front of Kari.
"Your turn Palmon." Palmon digivolved to Togemon and she too attacked Kokatorimon.
"Needle spray!" Togemon announced and Kokatorimon tossed the crests to the side as he tried to block himself from the attack. Mimi saw the crests hit the deck and Kari was quick to run towards them and scoop them up. Kari then stepped back to the girls and Sora and Mimi stood in front of her. Mimi liked being a protector. With no digimon Kari was vulnerable, it was nice not to be seen as the damsel in distress for a change.
"Meteor Wing!" Birdramon attacked and Kokatorimon was launched into a steam pipe.
"Hurry let's get the boys!" Sora instructed and the three girls started to run. They were stopped by a group of Numemon. "Togemon!" Mimi shouted but a Numemon screamed
"No wait! We're leaving! Your friends are tied up at the front!" The Numemon then started jumping over board and landing on the sand below. The girls all shared confused looks. Togemon and Birdramon de-digivolved to Biyomon and Palmon.
"Lets go!" Palmon said and Mimi followed her partner to the front of the boat. She gasped as she came to the front and saw the others. They were all tied to a net and looked red from the sun.
"Quick we need to untie them." Sora said and Mimi put her digivice down on the ground and started untying Izzy. Izzy looked at Mimi a little funny,
"are you naked?" He asked and Mimi groaned,
"no. I have a towel on." She helped Izzy off the net and Izzy shook his head starting to come to his senses.
"Oh! Mimi! Sorry!" Izzy was all red in the face and Mimi rolled her eyes. "boys." She said as she started untying Tai. As they worked to get the boys untied the boys slowly came too and started fussing about the girls and their lack of attire.
"Sora! Where are your clothes?!" Matt asked and Sora rolled her eyes.
"Thought I might save you lot before changing." She untied the last rope around Tai's wrist who looked a little embarrassed. Mimi watched as Tai scrambled free from the net and then stopped his sister who was in the middle of untying TK.
"Let's go find your clothes." Tai said and he grabbed his sister by the hand and pulled her away. Mimi giggled as she saw how red TK's cheeks were.
"Oh you boys are no fun." Mimi said and she followed Tai and Kari as Joe took over untying TK. Sora walked behind her and Mimi whispered to Sora,
"Kind of fun to see the boys a little out of sorts." Sora laughed,
"Yes sometimes I feel like they think they have the upper hand because theres only three of us." Mimi winked,
"I think we know who's in charge." She then pointed at Sora and herself. Sora and Mimi erupted into laughter. Mimi looked ahead seeing Tai pulling Kari along. Mimi raised an eyebrow, she could see something dark on the upper part of Kari's back. She squinted trying to get a better look at it and then the siblings turned a corner. Mimi continued to wonder about the dark marks on Kari's back and they followed Tai and Kari into the bathroom. Mimi stopped in the doorway and watched Tai quickly scooped up Kari's clothes.
"Here change quickly." Mimi smirked watching how frazzled Tai looked.
"This is yours." Kari gave his crest to him and handed Joes over as well. Tai stopped and looked at Mimi and Sora then quickly to the ground.
"Thank you. I'll let you change." He then quickly walked out of the bathroom and Mimi and Sora and Kari shared a laugh.
"Boys are so silly. It's a towel." She said as Palmon and Biyomon entered the room and shut the door. Mimi flicked her towel off and started to pull on her clothes. Kari slid back and stepped into the shower.
"You having another shower?" Mimi asked and Kari turned the running water off,
"no, just changing." She said shyly and Mimi put her hands on her hips as she finished dressing.
"Kari theres no need to be shy! You have a beautiful body!" Mimi said and she walked over to the shower. She put a hand on the curtain and Kari cried out,
"No!" Mimi stopped,
"What? you did this before why can't we see you?" Kari's voice was low
. "I just don't want you to see me. Okay?" She said and Mimi huffed. Sora walked over now changed and put a hand on Mimi's shoulder
"Let her be Mimi." Sora said but Mimi wasn't like that.
"Is it the marks on your back?" Mimi asked and Sora went wide eyed,
"The what?" She asked and Mimi folded her arms.
"I saw them when we were walking back here. What are they Kari?" Mimi asked and Kari mumbled
, "Nothing." Mimi rolled her eyes
. "Were you in some sort of accident?" She asked and Kari emerged from the shower fully dressed.
"Can we please not talk about it." Kari asked and Mimi turned to Sora for back up. Sora had her hadn't against her chest and looked a little pale,
"Sora?" Mimi asked and Sora shook her head.
"Let's just drop it." Mimi looked from Sora to Kari. Both were acting very strangely. Mimi huffed,
"Fine. Lets go before the bird come back." She stomped out of the bathroom with Palmon on her heel. The girls joined the others inside the main dining hall and Tai was rubbing Agumons nose affectionately.
"I'm so glad you're okay bud." Tai said and Mimi smiled at them.
"What happened to you guys?" Mimi asked and Izzy answered.
"Our digimon were turned to stone by Kokatorimon. Then he and the Numemon tied us up on that net. It was weird the sun all of a sudden felt super hot and we couldn't move." Mimi nodded noting that all the boys looked sun burned.
"Thank you for saving us." Joe said and Mimi gave him a peace sign,
"Anytime." She winked and Biyomon spoke up.
"I don't mean to interrupt but Kokatorimon is still out there we should move!" The group nodded and Mimi followed Palmon and the others off the ship. They stood in the sand a moment and then once everyone was off, started running through the sand.
"Dont stop guys!" Tai called and Mimi had no plans on stopping. HONK HONK. Mimi turned and gasped,
"Guys!" Everyone looked and could see the ship was now barreling towards them.
"Faster!" Tai instructed and Mimi pumped her legs harder. The ships whistle honked again. HONK HONK. Mimi closed her eyes at the loud horn but kept moving,
"Stop blowing that horn!" Mimi said angrily. "Look a cactus!" Matt yelled and Tai spoke,
"It's huge get behind it!" The group ran behind the biggest cactus Mimi had ever laid her eyes on and that included Togemon. The ship crashed into the cactus and stopped it from hitting the group. There was an electric current that ran from the ground to the ship and suddenly the ship started to smoke.
"It's gonna blow!" Joe said and everyone covered their heads as the ship exploded. Mimi was relieved the Cactus protected them from the blast.
"Its gone!" Tokomon said and Mimi walked over to the littlest digimon. She looked to the other side of the cactus and was shocked to see the ship had disappeared.
"Was that all one big fever dream?" Matt asked and Mimi scrunched her nose starting to feel uneasy. She felt her chest warm and then heard Tai exclaim
"look up there!" The group looked up and saw the Cactus bloom and a crest came floating out from the blossom. Mimi felt her tag move and was gobsmacked to watch as her necklace emerged from around her neck and the crest floated to the tag. The crest inserted itself into the tag and Mimi was afraid to move. "Mimi you got a crest!" Sora said and Palmon put a hand on Mimi's arm.
"It's the crest of sincerity Meems." Palmon said and Mimi slowly felt like she could breathe. She touched her fingers to the crest which no longer felt warm, "sincerity?" Mimi repeated wondering if that was subtable for her. Joe put his hands on his hips,
"I think that fits quite nicely." Mimi smirked.
"Sincerity." she said a little stronger and she smiled down at Palmon and then to the others.
"Let's move." Tai said and Mimi nodded and followed as the group turned and made their way through the desert.
