Disclaimer= I do not own Digimon
Life after Darkness
December 4th, 2005 Thursday
It's been three years since the defeat of MaloMyotismon by the second generation of DigiDestined, along with the first generation and all of the DigiDestined around the world.
Although the world has been at peace for three years, the first and second generation of DigiDestined find it hard to meet up these days due to their busy schedule.
Tai has an upcoming championship soccer match, while Matt has to practice for an upcoming concert in two week on Christmas days.
Sora plays professional tennis and helps her mom around the flower shop, while Izzy is the president of the school's computer club.
Mimi is still in America with her family, while Joe is studying for his final exam to get to his dream college.
T.K spends most of his time at Matt's rehearsal and spending the rest of the time with Kari(who enjoys his company).
Davis spends his time playing soccer, sometimes being accompanied by Ken and his other time spying on Kari and T.K, while Ken daydreams about his deceased older brother, Sam.
Yolie spends her time with her siblings and kissing a portrait of Ken in secret, while Cody still practices Kendo with his grandfather.
Little did this group of twelve know that in the deepest, darkest depths of another world, some old enemies have returned. What they want is obvious: Revenge.
"All this waiting is making me get a rash I'll tell you that. I say we strike those Digi-brats while the getting good ah huh huh", a monkey digimon said.
"Patience my simian comrade. Like a fly to the web, they'll fall perfectly into the trap and then the spider will feast", a bat-like digimon said mischievously.
"But first, we shall make them suffer as we had suffered from being deleted. I can't wait for the show to start", a digimon with holes in its wings smirked.
"Once upon a time, there was twelve kids known as the DigiDestined. Sadly, there life was cut short by eight evil digimon known as "The Dark Overlords", a digimon in the form of a clown said.
"Just do your job correctly. I didn't go through all that trouble of reviving you seven and scouting the darkest part of the Digital World for the eighth. Fail me and you will suffer the consequences!", a shadowy figure announced through a portal.
"Sir, yes sir", all eight voices said in unison.
Meanwhile in the real world:
Tai:
It's getting really hard to round up the gang nowadays. That statement sticks to my head like glue, but unfortunately I should have been paying attention to my surrounding, because all I remember seeing was a soccer ball flying straight towards me. As soon as I secure my boundaries, I then try to look around for the culprit. "Who the hell kicked that ball?!", I mutter under my breath angrily. Soon enough, I come face to face with a hand.
The hand belonged to my friend Taisuke, who was trying his hardest not to laugh. Taisuke swore he was better looking than me but the truth is, when I would go out with him around the town, girls always used to be around me. To me, he was just an average teenager. He had green eyes, his skin was tan like he been out in the sun, just like mine. He had black hair that was flat and a soccer uniform on.
"Oh man Tai are you alright? That wasn't suppose to happen", Taisuke says with a grin on his face. I had to suppress all my urge to strangle the life out of him, so I simply just grab his hand so he could help me up.
"Thank you Taisuke! I don't know what happened. I guess I just got lost in thought", I could tell he wasn't too convince with that lie.
"You do realize that you're a bad liar Tai". Damn, so much for that idea.
"Let me take a wild guess you was thinking about Sora wasn't you?". It was at that moment that I realize he smiling like an idiot. What made him say my best friend's name. The best friend that broke my heart on Christmas eve because she had feelings for my other best friend Matt.
What's worse is that I encouraged her to confess her feelings for him, even when she asked me was I mad. I guess that's the thing we humans call reality, where we're too slow to achieve what we want, then are forced to watch somebody else enjoy your moment with the girl that you've known ever since you was three years old. The girl that you fell in love with.
Realizing that I still have to answer him, I just try to act casual. "Why did you even bring her name up anyway!?", I asked trying not to sound as pissed as I am. It's like he heard the anger in my voice, because he immediately decides to back off and change the subject.
"Forget about it. Anyway's I better be off, you know how my mom can get. I'm late by five minutes and she gets paranoid and decides to call the cops", Taisuke says laughing.
It was at that moment that I looked up at the sky and realized that it was almost dark out. As I see him get on his bike, I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over me as he says goodbye.
"Catch you at the Championships Kamiya. Oh and if you see that mega cutie Tachikawa, tell her that Taisuke is always down for a little time alone together. Merry Christmas!", Taisuke smiles before pedaling off.
Damn, I totally forgot that Christmas is only a few weeks away. The holiday where she broke my heart into tiny pieces. Don't get me wrong, she's still my best friend, but the feelings I had for her are gone.
Without even realizing, I feel myself touching an object and when I look down I realize that the object was my mobile phone. I guess this is god's way of telling me to call my best friend. I haven't talked to her in a whole year, because I keep feeling uneasy.
The last time I seen her, she was with Matt on a date. Imagine seeing your two best friends on a date, you could obviously imagine my feelings.
I only said a couple of words to them and then I walked home. Remembering that I still had the phone in my hand, I decided to dial her number and after a long pause, finally decided to press call. Somehow, I felt like this conversation was gonna end good.
Sora:
Imagine your in pain, not physically, but mentally. Can you imagine the thought of breaking your best friend heart, just so you could go out with his best friend. You still have this question in the back of your head, the question that you had for three years that just keeps scratching the back of your head, Do I still love him? Without even realizing, I arrive at the flower shop that my mother owns. I must've dozed off thinking about him. As I put the key into the door and unlock it, I decided to inhale the sweet aroma of flowers, specifically roses.
My mom left me a note this morning saying that she would be gone for the day but she forgot something at the shop, so she wanted me to get it. I had some time to kill, so I decided to take a quick nap. I feel re-energized and after finding the thing I was looking for, I started making my way home. Luckily for me, the shop is five minutes away from my house. As I finally enter the apartment complex and walk down the long corridor that leads to my house door, my thoughts turn back to my best friend.
I can't help but think about him and lately most of my free time have been thinking about him. His tanned body, his beautiful face, muscular legs, his wild untamable hair that spikes out everywhere, his smile and lopsided grin, and finally his perfect eyes. Those chocolate colored eyes that can see straight into your soul and make you feel loved. The eyes that always have a warmth glow inside them that melts my heart every time he looks at me.
I only see him in three of my eight classes. After that I sometimes see him on the field playing soccer by himself or with the team. When I try to approach him, it seems like he's disappeared of the face of the earth.
When I finally come back to my senses, I immediately unlock my door and kick off my shoes as soon as I enter. As I make myself a glass of water and gulp it down in under ten seconds, my thoughts drift off once more. I can't help but remember a time where those eyes had so much pain, so much sorrow in them... all because of me.
Three Years Earlier
As the holidays started to roll in, the DigiDestined did everything they could to get into the Christmas spirit. While the younger generation was preparing to go to Ken's house for his Christmas party, the old generation was waiting to enter the tent that led to the stage where Matt would be holding his concert with his band. It was at that concert where Sora and Tai's path would diverge, and where Sora and Matt's would intertwine.
"Wow this is so exciting, people are already lining up for matt's concert", Sora said as she nervously clutched a box in her hands.
"Don't worry Sora, we'll be sure to get good seats, especially once you give him these homemade cookies", Biyomon said as she tried to reassure her partner.
"Sora, wait up", Tai said as he walked up with Agumon.
"Oh Tai"
"Something smells good", Agumon said.
"Matt's busy getting ready, but I'll take those to him", Gabumon said as he opened the backstage door.
"I bet you will, no way you'll eat the whole thing yourself!", Biyomon countered.
"Hey I resent that, I'm on a diet", Gabumon countered back.
"So um Sora, are you going to the concert with anybody? I mean not that it matters to me...just wondering", Tai asked.
"No I want to be available in case Matt is free afterwards", Sora said.
"Oh I see, Matt huh? I...it's okay"
"Your not mad at me Tai!"
"No of course not, now get in there and say hi to Matt to me", Tai said as he lightly pushed Sora into the doorway.
"Thanks Tai"
"The least you could do is leave us the cookies", Agumon bellowed.
"Tell you what, I'll make some special ones for you", Sora said as she made her way inside.
"I'll be waiting thanks", Tai said with a pained expression.
End of Flashback
How could I have been so stupid, so misguided that I broke his heart? I just keep telling myself that over and over. Soon enough, something snaps me out of my thoughts and I try to find the sound all across the house.
As soon as I enter the living room, I can make out the distinct tone of a phone ringing. I'm able pick up the cordless phone on the last ring, right before it goes to voicemail and walk into my room.
"Hello, this is the Takenouchi resident. Sora speaking!"
"Hey Sor it's been a while hasn't it?", the voice on the other line speaks up. As soon as I heard his voice it feels like I'm dreaming. I had to pinch myself just to make sure that I wasn't hallucinating.
When I finally snap out of my daze, there's a huge grin on my face.
"T...Tai I-is that really you?"
I can't help but stutter at the thought of my best friend talking to me after so long.
"Sora, are you okay? You seem a little strange."
"I'm fine, it's just that hearing your voice after so long, feels like I'm dreaming."
"I know what you mean. I almost dropped the phone when I heard your voice", I can't help but blush at this comment.
"So Tai, how have you been these past few months? I know I see you around school, but considering what happened...I haven't been able to check up on you.", I say nervously.
"Pretty good, even though my mom want's me to do better in school", I can't help but giggled for a second, which caused Tai on the other line to start chuckling. I can't help but twirl my finger in my hair, which is now extremely longer. Over the past three years, my hair grew to the point where it reaches the lowest part of my neck.
"How have you been doing Sora?"
"I've been good...okay. I actually have a question to ask you. How come I don't see you anymore?", I wait for him to give me a response.
"Yeah there's a reason for that. It's because I mostly leave school early and stay for soccer practice", he says after taking a deep breath.
"That reminds me! Aren't the championships a few day away?", I ask.
"Yeah it's Tsukishima vs. Shibuya high. It's gonna be on Christmas day!", Tai says excitingly. Soon, it's just uncomfortable silence and I'm glad that Tai's the one to break it.
"So Sora...are you free tomorrow or something?", Tai asks nervously. The flood of emotions that just rushed to me is almost nerve racking. Is he asking me on a date? No stop it Sora, he's just asking you to hang out that's all.
Realizing that I have to answer him, I stop beating around the bush.
"I know you want to hang out tomorrow Kamiya. Yeah I'm free so of course we can hang out", I say in a bit of a mocking tone.
"You just saved me from four to five minutes of trying to ask you. Why don't we meet up at the new Odaiba mall that just opened up". Before I'm able to respond, I'm alerted to the sound of the front door swinging open.
"Honey I'm home", I recognize that voice as the sound of my mom.
"Tai I gotta go, but I'll see you tomorrow okay?", a piece of me wish this phone call could last forever.
"Sure, what time is good for us to meet up?"
"How about noon-ish?"
"That sounds like a plan. Goodnight Sora", Tai says sadly.
"Goodnight Tai", I reply before slowly hanging up the phone.
"Oh hello Sora darling. Did you get what I asked for?", Ms. Takenouchi asks.
"Yeah mom it's in the kitchen on the counter", I say rolling my eyes.
"Thanks darling. Who was you talking too on the phone anyway?"
"It was just Tai mom. Anyway's I have to go call Mimi", I say as I head into my room.
"Oh alright dear, make sure to say hi to Mimi for me. You should really bring Tai here more often", she smiles on that last part.
I blush at that last comment, but I make sure she doesn't see.
In America:
Mimi:
Life is amazing in America, though it'll be even better when I tell my best friend the great news. I was surprised to see her calling me, but a nice little conversation with her wouldn't help. After a while of catching up on old times, we then start getting into more serious topics.
"OH MY GOD ARE YOU SERIOUS! He really asked you out!?", I can't help but get excited.
"Mimi your over exaggerating! He didn't asked me out on a date. We're just going to the mall tomorrow to hang up and mend our relationship", Sora says trying to sound calm as possible.
"Sora your lying, even a complete stranger can tell that Tai still has feelings for you. It's about time that you actually started to accept them", I can't help but feel really happy for my best friend. She's finally found her true love, if only I could find mines.
"Mimi your delusional! Nothing is going on with Tai and I. We're just good friends, that's all", she huffs.
"Have it your way Sora. Just know that you can't deny your true love for much longer", I can tell she's getting mad so I just give off a little giggle.
"Speaking of true love, what's the scoop with you and Izzy?", Sora smirks. Before I even notice it, I realize that I'm blushing extremely and I can hear Sora giggling on the other line.
"N...nothing is going on with Izzy and I", I try to sound extremely honest.
"Come on now, don't give me that crap Mimi. I saw the way you was looking at him after we managed to beat Armageddemon."
"I have no idea what your talking about! All I know is that I don't have feelings for that computer nerd!", I huff.
"Alright, have it your way. If that's the case then let's come to an agreement that we don't like no one!", Sora exclaimed.
"Fine! Oh that's right, before I almost forget. I got great news Sora: I'm leaving for Odaiba tomorrow, I should be arriving the day after."
Before we know it, my best friend and I are screaming our lungs off.
"Mimi that's terrific. I can't wait to tell everybody!"
"I can't wait to see everybody again, it's been too long. Just think, all twelve of us are gonna be together again", I say happily. Although I can't help but think of someone else. To think, I'll finally be able to see him again.
"Don't worry Mimi, I'll be there at the airport to pick you up"
"Thanks Sora, your the best. Listen I have to go to pack for tomorrow, I'll talk to you later."
With that, I hang up the phone and prepare to pack my belongings.
Meanwhile in Odaiba:
Izzy:
Man I'm so full, how did I get myself into this mess. At times like these, I really wish Tentomon was here to eat these leftovers. "Izzy, would you like anything else to eat before you go to bed. A growing boy needs to eat a lot you know", a brown-haired women says.
I can't help but smile, knowing that my mother hasn't changed in the last six years, she still cares about me.
"Mom it's only 7:30, I'm in no rush to go to bed. I'll take a range check on the food though, I'm stuffed as it is. I'm just going to be on my laptop, looking up equations", I say nervously. She then gives me a silent nod and I slowly walk to the room, the food taking it's effect on me.
Once I finally enter the room, I notice that my laptop screen is flashing blue. That can only mean I got some mail from Gennai. Why after all this time he's contacting me now? That question stays in my head until I finished reading the letter he sent me.
"Oh no, this is bad. This is really bad!", I mutter under my breath. Just when I thought that the world could find happiness, something bad just had to happen. Great, everybody's gonna be pissed, looks like I'll have to call Tai. I then pick up the cordless phone and dial Tai's number.
As I expected, it goes straight to voicemail. I then mutter under my breath, before I finally make the decision to just go to his house. I then grab my laptop and shoes, before I give my mom a kiss on the cheek.
"Where are you going dear?", I hear my mom ask.
"Over to Tai's, something urgent just came up", I reply not looking her in the eye.
"Does it have to do with the Digital World?", her voice is strained. I keep forgetting that my mom knows all about the Digital World.
"Don't worry mom I'll be careful, I promise", I look her in the eye to show her that I'm serious. In response, she just gives me a hug and I run out the door.
Tai:
I can't believe that she actually want's to hang out again. Whatever you do Kamiya, do not fall for her again. I slap my cheeks, because it feels like I'm going insane. As I make my way to my apartment complex, I can't help but think back to when we was all one, big happy family. Maybe not family, but we were close to one another.
Now all twelve of us are drifting away, much to my sadness and regret. Before I'm able to reminisce longer, I here the distinct calling of my name. When I turn to see who called me, I see my mother and father stepping out of their car and walking up to me with a handful of grocery bags.
"Tai sweetheart, be a dear and help me and your father with these bags", I can't help but let out a sigh. I then begin to help my parents trudge the bags all the way up the stairs and to the front door.
As my father searches for his key, the door suddenly swings open and all I can see is my little sister with her pajamas on and a towel draped over her hair.
"Thanks sweetheart, you're the greatest", Ms. Kamiya says smiling.
"Don't mention it. By the way, while I was in the shower the phone was ringing", Kari says removing the towel from her head.
"That's strange. I wondered who called?", Mr. Kamiya asks with a curious face. All while this is happening, I was able to sneak away into the comfort of my room. Before I'm even able to fall on my bed, the door opens and I look to see my baby sister in the doorway.
"Okay out with it Tai. What's bothering you?", Kari says in a concerned voice.
"I have know idea what your talking about", I say in a normal tone. This time when she speaks, her voice seems more commanding than before.
"Taichi Kamiya, you know you can't hide nothing from me! So if you don't tell me what's going on, I'm going to get my favorite pair of scissors and you can kiss that hair you love goodbye!", she puts on the most serious face I've ever seen.
"I call your bluff little sis, you know as well as I do that you wouldn't dare cut my hair", I give off my famous smirk. I wish I kept my big mouth close, because three minutes after she left, there stood Kari in the doorway with her favorite pair of scissors.
"Now, are you ready to start talking or shall we begin the cutting process", Kari said while pretending to cut. I could tell that she's playing, but I'm not taking no chances when it comes to my hair.
"Alright if you must know...I called Sora and we decided to hang out tomorrow", I spit out. I thought I gone deaf for a second when I heard Kari's scream all across the room.
"Oh my god Tai, I'm so happy for you! So are you finally going to tell her how you feel!?", she runs up to me in joy.
"First of all Kari, I'm not getting married or something. Second of all, my feelings for her are completely dead. We're just going to hang out that's all", I growl. I don't know if it's just me, but for a second I could've sworn I saw a sparkle in Kari's eyes.
"If that's the case, then why are you so depressed about seeing her?", Kari asks with a puzzled look.
"It's...I don't know why exactly", I say scratching the back of my head.
"Looks like those feeling's of yours aren't dead after all", she smiles
"What do you mean by that Kari?", I ask while rolling my eyes.
"It'll come to you Tai, just give it some thought", Kari says mystically before beginning to walk away. Before I'm able to dwell on the topic, my mother's voice breaks the conversation.
"Tai, Kari can you guys get the door. Your father and I hands are kinda tied!", Ms. Kamiya yells. As Kari and I walk out the room, I can't help but wonder who would be knocking on our door at almost ten at night.
When Kari finally open the door, we come face to face with an out of breath Izzy, who is panting heavily.
"IZZY! What are you doing here", Kari and I say simultaneously.
"Can...(pant)...I get...some...(pant)...black tea...please?", Izzy says clutching his chest.
"Um sure, I think we have some in the fridge", Kari says bewildered. While watching Izzy gulp down three bottles of oolong tea that was in the fridge, I can't help but wonder why he just popped up at my house.
"So Izzy, care to explain to us what your doing here at almost 10:30 at night? I mean don't get me wrong, it's great seeing you and all but I take it this isn't a social call", I get straight down to business.
"Well you see, it's about the Digital World I'm afraid", Izzy says as he pulls out his laptop.
"Is the Digital World in trouble or something?", Kari asks with a worried look.
"I'm afraid so, you see Gennai sent me some mail fifteen minutes ago. Apparently the Digital World is in major chaos and darkness has already covered the southern part of the world", Izzy explains keeping his eyes on the screen.
"You can't be serious! Do we have any clue on who or what can be doing this?", I say more interested in the topic.
"Gennai is still looking into it, but he said that the Digimon Sovereign's are being pushed back. Zhuqiaomon, the Sovereign of the South has already been sealed away. The darkness is already spreading to the other quadrants", Izzy exclaims.
"Oh my god! Is Gatomon and the others okay? They aren't hurt are they!?", Kari asks visibly shocked.
"I'm not really sure, Gennai didn't really get too much into specifics about it, but there's one thing you should know", Izzy says as he stops to take a sip of black tea.
"THEN HURRY UP AND TELL US STOP KEEPING US IN SUSPENSE!", I start shouting.
"Tai calm down! Izzy is doing the best that he can", Kari says as she puts a firm hand on my shoulder.
"Your right, I'm sorry Izzy. Please continue", I apologize.
"It's whatever Tai, anyways back to what I was saying. Apparently he said some old enemies of ours have returned", he looks grimly at us.
"What do you mean returned? Who's returned?", I ask a little skeptical.
"Even Gennai doesn't have the answer to that. Apparently though, they're extremely strong."
"Do you think the Dark Masters have been resurrected?", Kari says as she pets the family cat Miko.
"I wouldn't put it past them! Though as I recall, each of the Dark Masters were defeated by our Digimon. MetalSeadramon and Machinedramon was beaten by WarGreymon. MetalGarurumon was able to kill Puppetmon, while Piedmon was hurled into that gate by MagnaAngemon", Izzy says trying to rationalize the situation.
"What about about Myotismon? We all know he has a reputation of showing his creepy face", I say.
"It is a possibility but I'll have to search more into this. What are we gonna do though? We need a plan Tai", Izzy exclaims standing up.
This is a serious problem, we need a strategy come on Tai think. Suddenly a plan starts to form in my head.
"Alright here's what we're gonna do, we're gonna set up a meeting the day after tomorrow. Call all of the DigiDestined and have them come over to your house Izzy around 1:30. I don't care what you have to use, just get them to come", I instruct him.
Ever since the battle with Armageddemon, everybody just made me the leader of both groups.
"That's a great plan Tai, but why don't we meet tomorrow instead of the day after?", Izzy questions.
"I...it's uh because I'm spending the day tomorrow...with Sora", I say trying to laugh it off. Just saying her name makes me feel all types of weird. When I hear something on my right, all I see is Kari trying to suppress a laugh.
"Oh I see, trying to mend your relationship with her aren't you?", Izzy smiles.
"You hit the nail on the head Izzy", Kari starts bursting out into laughter.
"OH SHUT UP! Anyways let's try to find a way to make this right", I go back to the topic at hand.
"Anyways it's getting pretty late, I should be getting home", Izzy says as he packs up his laptop.
"Alright goodnight Izzy", Kari says as she let's him out the door.
"We should also get to bed Kari. I have a big day tomorrow", I say somewhat nervously. Kari laughs as she gives me a nod and walks to her room and closes the door. When I look at my digital clock, it says 10:58 pm.
I decide to hit the sack for the night, hoping tomorrow will be better.
Next Time On AHOFP:
"Whoa where am I? what is this place?", Sora asks
Mrs. Takenouchi gets a call from a ghost of the past
"Sora it's so good to see you, it feels like forever since we last seen each other", Tai smirks
Tai and Sora reconnect at a special place
"Could it be that I'm starting to fall in love with her again", Tai thinks
To be continued...
Author notes:
Next chapter will have major Taiora and a little bit of Takari. Chapter 4 will show the rest of the DigiDestined
Review please :D