I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Hello to all my readers. Somehow the world as we knew it turned itself upside down in what felt like the blink of an eye, and as we traverse through our new reality, I wanted to focus on the positives that have come from our battle with COVID-19. Everyday, people all over the world continue to inspire me, and while we all wait out this battle at home, I hope I can give back by entertaining you with my writing. If there is one good thing I can take from this, it's that our continuing battle with this virus has given me the time to get back to doing what I love to do, and that, of course, is writing. To all my readers and fellow writers, stay safe and healthy. We'll get through this together!

Trinity

Chapter 48: Living Nightmare

T.K.

"Where are we, Izzy?" Yolei asked, attempting to catch her breath as they maneuvered carefully through the trees blocking their path. "How far away is the Garden of Eden?"

Izzy was panting as he struggled to keep up with the group, his laptop clutched tightly under one arm, and gasping for breath, the computer expert said, "We're almost there. It should be just past these trees."

T.K. wanted to respond, but he was almost out of breath himself. With Kari's hand clutched in his own and both Terriermon and Patamon clinging to his body, he didn't feel like he was making much progress, but despite the extra baggage, he managed to groan, "How can you tell?"

"In case you've forgotten, I did study the map before coming here today," Izzy said dryly, pausing to get his bearings. "I have the location programed into my Digivice. There should be a fairly large clearing up ahead. That's where the entrance is."

The rest of the group nearly collided with the computer expert, and as they all stopped to catch their breath, Terriermon cried, "I just know Willis is in big trouble. We don't have time to stop!"

"We also don't have time to spend running around in circles," Ken reasoned, reaching out to give the little rookie a sympathetic pat on the head. "Izzy knows what he's doing. If he says the garden is up ahead then we need to approach it with caution."

"I guess it's safe to say that Eden really has it out for Willis?" Davis snorted, adjusting the goggles on his head. "Even I'm not dumb enough to think this is all just a coincidence."

T.K. bristled at the words, and before he could stop himself, he snapped, "Don't be ridiculous. Eden has no reason for wanting to hurt Willis. She's a Digidestined. She would never harm a fellow human. If anything, I think it's more likely they ran into some trouble. Possibly even the Erinyes. Remember, they're expecting us."

"True," Cody replied, his dark eyebrows narrowing into a frown. "That does make sense, but even so...I don't know."

T.K. could tell that almost everyone in the group was attempting to avoid his gaze, and growing angry, he said quietly, "None of you believed her, did you. You all think she was lying to us about the car accident yesterday. About everything."

"Even you can't deny she wasn't being very friendly to Willis today," Gatomon countered. "And then to just up and disappear on us with Willis conveniently in tow? Why would she do that when she hasn't shown the slightest bit of interest in him until now."

"Especially when the only person she seems to care about is you," Terriermon added, leaping out of his arms to scramble onto Ken's shoulder.

T.K.'s mouth dropped open, and blinking in surprise, he said, "That's not true."

"So many of our questions still haven't been answered," Kari murmured, gazing sadly at him. "I know you want to believe in Eden, but so much of what she says doesn't add up."

T.K. felt another unreasonable spark of anger at the female Digidestined's words, but before he could protest, Hawkmon said calmly, "We could stand here speculating Eden's behaviour all day, but I doubt it would bring us any closer to the truth."

"Exactly," Veemon agreed, glancing at his partner. "Not only would it be a complete waste of time, but we have more important things to worry about."

"Willis comes first," Wormmon said firmly, turning to make his way further into the trees. "Lead the way, Izzy."

"Right. All of you follow me. The entrance should be just up ahead."

I can't believe this. They really think Eden doesn't have our best interests at heart. There's no way she would hurt Willis...

While he fully believed the American female was telling the truth about herself, there was still a small part of him that felt like something wasn't right. It was the same strange feeling that had almost overwhelmed him on the night when he had finally told Willis about his dream. Though he was doing his best to ignore the sensation, he couldn't deny the fact that his instincts were screaming at him in a way that had his pulse racing and his nerves on edge.

What if...hypothetically, of course, Willis really was in danger?

Don't be stupid. He's fine. Just...Just don't think about it. He's perfectly okay...

"Here we are," Izzy announced, pushing past the last of the branches standing in their way and stepping into a large clearing. "The entrance to the garden should be somewhere around here."

T.K. raised his eyebrows, and glancing around the clearing, he said, "I don't see anything that looks like a gate."

"I do," Patamon said quietly, leaping off his head and fluttering towards the only two trees that stood within the clearing itself. "Look at the way their bending towards each other."

"I see it," Tentomon gasped, flying towards Patamon in excitement. "The bows have intertwined to form an archway!"

At first, T.K. had no idea what the two rookies were talking about, but after studying the foliage for a moment, he finally understood. The two trees weren't very tall or very big, but they were twisted together at the top, their slender limbs tangling within each other to form what looked like a green archway. It definitely had the feel of a gate to another world beyond, and tilting his head to the side, he said, "What do you think, Izzy?"

"Wait, even if that is the entrance, how do we know that's where Eden and Willis went?" Armadillomon asked, turning to look at his partner.

Before Cody could respond, Kari stepped forward and said firmly, "They're in there. I can feel it."

Huh?

T.K. wasn't sure how the female Digidestined could feel so certain about their whereabouts, but he couldn't deny he felt the same. It was like the gate was calling to him, urging him to enter and find his friends.

Besides, where else would they go if not the Garden of Eden?

Izzy must have been having similar thoughts because instead of arguing, the computer expert said mildly, "I'm inclined to agree. There isn't anything else in this area that would be of interest."

"Other than the Wall of Fire," Hawkmon countered, hovering anxiously next to Yolei's shoulder.

T.K. winced at the name, but instead of agreeing, he said, "I doubt they would have gone there. Besides, it's still pretty far away."

"T.K.'s right," Kari spoke up, coming quickly to his defense. "We know they came this way, thanks to the signal from Willis on our Digivices, and looking at my D-3 right now, Willis still shows up as being somewhere in this area. Why don't we check out those trees?"

None of the other Digidestined or digimon attempted to argue with the female Digidestined, and gathering around the makeshift archway, Tentomon said, "So if this really is the entrance, how do we get inside?"

"Good question," Terriermon said, frowning at the leafy structure. "I know we're supposed to use the power of our innocence, but how exactly?"

T.K. wasn't feeling quite himself, and reaching up to stroke Patamon's soft fur, he said, "I guess...maybe we just concentrate on that part of ourselves and let the Digital World do the rest?"

Instead of replying, Terriermon suddenly leaped off Ken's shoulder, and coming over to jump back into his arms, the little rookie snuggled against his chest and said bluntly, "Sounds like a plan to me. I promised Willis I would protect you, and that's what I'm going to do."

So that was the real reason you stayed behind. Willis wanted you to watch over me and keep me safe...

T.K. suddenly felt warm inside, and allowing the little rookie to climb back onto his shoulder, he rested his head against Terriermon's large ear and said softly, "I should have known. He really doesn't give up, does he."

"Never."

Though Patamon didn't say anything, T.K. could tell the little rookie was beaming at them, and motioning for everyone to gather around, Izzy said, "I actually think that's a good idea. If we all focus on that child-like innocence that first allowed us to come to the Digital World, it should trigger the entrance to appear."

"Let's give it a try," Yolei said, holding out her hands to Ken and Davis, who were both standing on either side of her.

T.K. quickly took Ken's other hand, and holding out his remaining free hand to Kari, he smiled as her fingers closed around his own. Kari, in turn, took Izzy's hand, and the computer expert took Cody's hand. Davis grabbed Cody's remaining hand, and standing around the small archway in a circle, they all closed their eyes and proceeded to concentrate on their inner childhood and the innocence that still remained somewhere deep within their hearts.

At first, nothing happened, but then the centre of the archway began to glow with a warm, bright light, and slowly opening his eyes, T.K. said, "Do you think we're supposed to walk through it?"

Ken gave his hand a squeeze, and smiling at him, the former Emperor said, "Why don't we find out?"

One by one they all passed through the archway, and as T.K. took his turn with Patamon and Terriermon, he felt the warmth of the glow from the gate seeping into his body. Emerging on the other side, he found himself standing in a beautiful field of flowers, the pink and white blossoms swaying gently in the breeze. The sun was glinting off a large stone fountain standing in the centre of the floral clearing, and studying the angelic statue, he knew there was no way they could be anywhere other than within the Garden of Eden.

"It's beautiful," Kari said softly, bending down to run her hand over the petals at her feet. "More so than I could have imagined."

"And best of all, it looks like our idea worked," Gatomon agreed, her whiskers twitching in the breeze. "This has to be the garden of Eden."

"It doesn't look like there's anybody here, though..." Tentomon said hesitantly, glancing at his partner for confirmation.

Izzy frowned at his Digivice, and shaking his head, the computer expert said, "No, Willis is definitely here somewhere. His signal is right in this area."

"Looking for someone?" a musical voice asked, her soft laughter carrying on the breeze.

T.K. jumped at the unexpected words, and stepping out from behind the large fountain, Megareamon smiled at them, her lavender eyes glimmering in the light from the sun. While it wasn't exactly a surprise to see the female mega, the fact that she appeared so calm and composed immediately set his nerves on edge. There was something about her expression that made his heart start racing, and stepping forward, he said quietly, "What have you done with Willis and Eden?"

"Ah yes, the Child of Faith," Megaeramon sighed, hopping up to sit on the edge of the fountain. "I had hoped revealing the truth about the child known as Eden Arakawa would have broken his iron will, but unfortunately he is proving himself to be a rather stubborn fool. He has thrown quite a wrench into my carefully thought out plans, and as a result, I'm going to have to...change things up a bit."

T.K. felt a shiver crawl down his spine, and holding a protesting Terriermon tightly in his arms to prevent the little rookie from attacking Megareamon, he said as calmly as he could, "What do you mean the truth about Eden?"

"Tell us where Willis is!" Kari cried, also stepping forward. "You know where he is, I can tell you do. Give him back to us!"

"You have also thrown a few loose bolts into my plan," Megareamon scolded, shaking her finger at the female Digidestined. "The Child of Faith is fine for the moment. I can assure you he is in good hands. You will most certainly be reunited, but first we have more important matters to deal with. You see, there are many ways to send a human spiraling down into the depths of darkness, or at least make it appear that's the case. It has occurred to me that I can certainly use that to my advantage, and I fully intend to make use of it. I wonder how long he can hold out before the illusion of darkness becomes his reality. Despite his strength, even the Child of Faith cannot stand against my immense power indefinitely."

"Don't you dare threaten my partner!" Terriermon snapped, shaking his small fist at the female mega. "If you've hurt him or Lopmon, I'm going to make you regret it!"

T.K. hugged the little rabbit digimon close to his chest, and letting out a deep sigh, he murmured, "Violence isn't the answer, Terriermon. I'm just as worried as you are, but we can't let her get to us. That's what she wants."

"I'm surprised to hear that, coming from you," Ken said, moving over to stand by his side. "You seem much more clear-headed now, which is a good sign."

"Huh?"

"But for how long?" Patamon moaned, snuggling deeper into his golden hair. "She's up to something, and I bet you it involves T.K.!"

T.K. frowned, but before he could ask what in the Digiworld they were talking about, Megareamon said sharply, "Silence. If you do not comply, I will see to it personally that you are forced to keep your words to yourself. Now tell me, what do you think of my little slice of paradise?"

Yolei let out a snort, and raising her eyebrows, the female Digidestined said, "Are you seriously trying to claim this garden as your own? How did you even get in here in the first place? You're about as guilty as it gets. There's no way the Garden of Eden would consider you an innocent digimon."

"Actually, even more importantly than that, I find it interesting you have yet to mention Eden's whereabouts," Izzy interrupted, his tone surprisingly mild. "All this talk of Willis, but none of Eden. If I didn't know any better, I would say that's intentional."

Good question. Why has Megareamon avoided the subject of Eden?

As much as he was worried about Willis, he was also concerned about Eden, and the more he thought about the lavender-haired female, the more he was having a hard time focusing on his male friend. Somehow Willis was starting to fade into the background, and he couldn't understand why. It wasn't as if he was allowing that to happen intentionally, but despite how much he tried to fight the sensation, Eden's presence was growing stronger inside his mind. She was everywhere, and there was a musical voice inside his head telling him that the American female was more important.

Eden was the one who mattered. Eden was the one he should be worried about.

What's...happening to me?

"T.K.? Hey, are you okay?" Patamon asked, lowering an ear to gently stroke his cheek.

Startled, T.K. looked up at his partner, and blinking in confusion, he said, "I...don't know."

"Oh no," Patamon gasped, gazing back at him with large eyes. "It's happening again! T.K., you have to fight it!"

"What's happening again? What are you talking about?"

Patamon's outburst was enough to catch everybody's attention, and reaching out to touch his cheek, Kari said sadly, "Your eyes. The purple mist is back."

Purple...mist?

T.K. shook his head, and placing his hand over Kari's, he said, "I don't understand what you're saying. My eyes feel just fine."

"Dude, even if you don't understand, you need to listen to me," Davis interrupted, coming over to shake him gently by the shoulders. "I don't know what's going on inside your head right now, but whatever it is you need to fight it."

"In my...head?"

"You have to remember what's most important," Davis insisted, refusing to let go of him. "Can you tell me what that is?"

What's most important? It's...it's Eden, isn't it? No...no, it's something else...

Before he could respond, Megareamon rose into the air, and hovering in front of the fountain, she held out her arms and said, "You insist on inquiring as to the whereabouts of the Child of Paradise, but there is no need. She has been here with us this whole time. It is the Child of Faith whom you should be worried about."

"If you don't tell us where is he, we'll have no choice but to fight you," Cody said quietly, his voice cold. "What have you done to him? Tell us, now!"

Megareamon waved her hands at the trees beyond the field of flowers, and speaking in a delighted tone, she said, "Since you've asked so nicely, I will honour your wishes. Come, my sisters! Bring me the Child of Faith and his digimon partner!"

T.K. raised his eyebrows, and squinting at the trees in the distance, he spotted two ethereal forms emerging from the foliage. As they approached, he realized the digimon were Alectomon and Tisiphomon, and each of them was holding another figure in their arms. One was clearly a small digimon and the other a human, and reaching the edge of the flower field, they made their way towards Megareamon. The closer they got to the fountain, the more details he could make out, and recognizing Lopmon and Willis, he felt the blood freeze in his veins.

Something was off.

At first T.K. couldn't tell what it was, but as soon as Tisiphomon set the American Digidestined down at the base of the fountain, the blond's partner resting gently by his hip, it became very clear what had captured his attention. Willis was laying on his side, his eyes closed, and there were glowing lavender ropes of light binding his wrists, mouth, and ankles. Lopmon was in the same state, and like Willis, the rookie's eyes were shut tight. That alone was upsetting enough, but the state of their limbs wasn't the main issue. What really mattered was the way Willis looked. Staring at the American Digidestined in horror, T.K. felt his whole body begin to tremble.

No...it can't be...

The whole situation felt surreal, but he couldn't deny the truth. The horrible nightmare that had plagued his sleep on a previous occasion was slowly coming to life right before his very eyes, and while Willis wasn't naked, T.K. could see the fancy script scrawled across the American Digidestined's face and hands. There was no doubt in his mind that the glowing words of the prophecy were etched all over the other boy's entire body, and unable to stop a terrible gasp from escaping his lips, he whispered, "Willis..."

"No way," Davis spoke up, shaking his head in disbelief. "Isn't that like...what Willis and Kari saw in those visions from Megareamon's dark orbs?"

"It is," Kari murmured, her face turning deathly pale. "The prophecy...It's all over his body."

This can't be happening. This can't be real...

T.K. felt oddly faint, and without meaning to, he whispered, "It's just like my dream."

"What dream?" Ken asked sharply, having overheard his words.

T.K. couldn't even bring himself to respond, and crying out in despair, Terriermon leaped from his arms and quickly raced over to his partner's side. Surprisingly, none of the Erinyes attempted to stop the little rookie, and burying his face against the American Digidestined's shoulder, Terriermon cried, "Willis, Lopmon! Please wake up!"

"What did you do to them?" Cody demanded, glaring at the female megas.

It was Tisiphomon who answered, and laughing, she replied in a mocking tone, "Why don't you come and find out?"

Before anybody could stop him, T.K. hurried over to the American Digidestined's limp body, and pulling Willis into his arms, he said frantically, "Willis, come on. Please, say something!"

There was no response, and with trembling hands, he pulled back the other boy's collar to gain access to the skin underneath. As he had feared, the American Digidestined's whole chest was covered in burning script, and losing his head completely, he cried, "Izzy! What is this? What's happening!"

The computer expert was by his side in an instant, and studying the fancy scrawl, Izzy murmured, "An illusion of some sort?"

T.K. barely heard the words. Never before in his life had he ever felt so helpless, and letting his head fall onto the American Digidestined's shoulder, he had to take several deep breaths to calm himself. Though he had no proof, somehow he just knew what had happened to Willis was his fault.

He's suffering because of me. Where is Eden? What's going on here?

"How sweet," Alectomon crooned, clapping her hands together in delight. "Look at you trying to protect the Child of Faith."

The three Erinyes were standing off to one side of the fountain, their bright eyes glimmering with anticipation, and making a fist, Veemon said, "We're not going to let you get away with this!"

"Should we digivolve?" Armadillomon asked, glancing uncertainly at Hawkmon.

By this time everybody had gathered around Willis and Lopmon, but before Izzy could answer, Willis began to stir. T.K. held his breath as the American Digidestined's eyes slowly opened, and holding the other boy close, he whispered, "Willis?"

Willis blinked, clearly uncertain of where he was, and as their eyes met, the American Digidestined bolted up, his icy blue gaze desperately trying to convey some kind of urgent message. Try as he might, T.K. couldn't figure out what the other boy was trying to say, and his attempts to remove the glowing ropes around the American Digidestined's mouth were futile. Eventually, he gave up, and collapsing against him, Willis winced as if he was in pain.

"Anybody able to make sense of that?" Yolei asked, sounding frantic as she gestured towards the American boy.

"Not me," Gatomon replied, frowning. "We need to get rid of those ropes."

"I'm sorry, Willis!" Terriermon cried, cradling Lopmon's limp body in his small arms. "We don't understand!"

T.K. could feel Willis clinging tightly to his shirt, the elegant script carved into the American Digidestined's skin glowing in the sunlight, and resting his head against the blond teen's pale hair, he whispered in a trembling voice, "This is my fault, isn't it. They did this to you because of me."

Willis frantically shook his head, and struggling against the glowing ropes binding his hands, the American boy turned to glare at the Erinyes, his pale blue eyes flashing in the sunlight.

Megareamon actually had the nerve to laugh, and fluttering her wings, she said sweetly, "You should have been in awe of my transformation, but even then you refused to let the darkness take you. I tried so very hard to break you, but the strength of your heart has provided me with a formidable challenge. That ends here. You have no choice now. Sooner or later the darkness crawling through your skin will take you, and then you will no longer stand in my way. This is your punishment for ruining my plans. I'm looking forward to witnessing your demise. Let us see how well your precious Child of Hope fares then!"

"We'll never let you hurt Willis!" Kari shouted, leaping to her feet. "We'll stop you no matter what it takes."

It really is my fault. She's punishing Willis for trying to help me...

T.K. jumped as the American boy suddenly shifted in his arms, and gazing sadly into his eyes, Willis reached up to gently touch his cheek. At first he wasn't sure why the blond teen was looking at him like that, but then all of a sudden he understood.

Is this about that purple mist the others mentioned? Can he see it in my eyes? And if he can, why is it making him look so...upset?

"I think perhaps now would be a good time to digivolve," Izzy said calmly, climbing slowly to his feet.

"You would dare to hurt your very own comrade?" Tisiphomon gasped, dramatically placing a hand against her heart. "How savage! I love it..."

"Comrade?" Wormmon asked, glancing at his partner in confusion. "What does she mean by that?"

"Good question," Ken replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "What exactly are you three playing at?"

Alectomon raised her eyebrows, and brushing back a stray strand of emerald hair, she said, "We don't play around. Oh, look. I think we have a visitor."

T.K. felt Willis grow tense in his arms, and squinting at the trees beyond the flower garden, he spotted a small figure racing towards them. It was a digimon, and upon closer inspection he realized it was a very familiar champion digimon.

Wait a minute, that's Mikemon!

"Mikemon, you're safe!" Hawkmon called out, fluttering closer as the feline digimon approached them. "Where's Eden? Is she close by? Is she hurt?"

"What do you mean?" the small champion drawled, moving to stand next to Megareamon. "Eden's right here."

What? Eden's...here?

"What are you talking about?" Terriermon shot back, frowning in confusion. "Only Willis is here."

T.K. felt Willis press against him, and even though the American Digidestined was in obvious pain, the blond was still trying to tell him something important.

If only I could figure out what he's saying...

"Tell us what you mean," Izzy said firmly, stepping forward to confront Mikemon. "What do you mean by 'here' exactly?"

"I meant exactly what I said," Mikemon replied, dismissing the computer expert's words with a flick of her paw. "Eden's right here. Care to enlighten them, my lady?"

"Huh? My lady? What's that about?" Davis asked, scratching his dark head in confusion. "And what are you doing standing over there with them?"

"Somehow I have a feeling we're not going to like what we're about to see," Ken said quietly, taking a step back.

T.K. wasn't quite sure why, but for some reason he suddenly felt like they were in serious trouble, and stepping forward, Megareamon smiled and said, "Indeed, let us put an end to this little charade. Emulous Illusion!"

T.K. had to cover his eyes from the harsh violet glow, and as a collective gasp echoed across the clearing, he quickly looked up, his jaw dropping open in utter shock.

Megareamon was no longer in sight. Instead, he found himself staring into the lavender eyes of the mysterious Digidestined known as Eden Arakawa.