Unheard Voice
Chapter 4: Friendship and Strength
by Silver
*Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, its creatures, or characters.*
Author's Note: Once again, I apologize for not getting this chapter out sooner. I've been a little busy with the move back to college.
Anyway, this chapter won't be as much about action as the last few chapters. I suppose it could pass as a friendship fic, but it's a very strange friendship fic. I try to explore some of TK's character flaws in this chapter, but it's hard. TK's not very flawed in 02, which makes it difficult to find room for improvement. Still, no human is completely perfect, so I did my best to try to evolve TK's character. Here's hoping you like it.
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Davis sighed as he finished sending e-mails to the other Digidestined. They still hadn't arrived, and he was getting impatient. Things weren't looking good at Primary Village. Angemon had been possessed by that weird headband thingy, Avatar, which had sent TK into a numb state of shock. Primary Village itself was in a mild amount of chaos after the attack by the anti-Digidestined Digimon. The baby Digimon were all scared and confused as to why their fellow Digimon would attack them. The fact that four control spires bordered Primary Village didn't help much either.
Davis still couldn't believe that Avatar had somehow used the control spires to make Angemon dark digivolve into MagnaAngemon, and a corrupt version of MagnaAngemon at that! Davis remembered the first time he'd seen a Digimon dark digivolve. It had been Greymon dark digivolving into SkullGreymon, thanks to the Digimon Emperor. Later, the Emperor had perfected the dark spirals, and used them to make Agumon dark digivolve into Metal Greymon. Had Avatar done something similar with MagnaAngemon? Davis didn't want to think about what might have happened if Angemon went purely viral like SkullGreymon.
The digiterminal's ping brought Davis back to the present. Several e-mails have come in:
Davis,
I'm trying to get to the Digital World, but right now my Dad is on the computer playing solitaire with my Mother. I can't get to the computer. Please hold on.
- Kari
Sorry, Davis, but my brother is surfing the net right now. I can't come to the Digital World just yet.
- Yolei
Davis, I'm sorry, but my mother has a strict "no surfing the net" policy after 7:00 p.m. I'm trying to sneak past her, but it's tough. It's like she has eyes in the back of her head. I will keep trying, please be patient.
- Cody
Great, just great! Davis turned off his digiterminal. Why am I the only one who's good at sneaking around my family? Davis felt a slight bit of terror at the thought of what Jun would do to him when she got hold of him. She hadn't liked it when Davis had stolen the laptop away from her.
He quickly keyed in an e-mail to Izzy, asking him to have Tentomon search for MagnaAngemon. They'd need to move fast if they were going to get him back, and they couldn't fight if they didn't know where to go. This is going to take a miracle.
Davis looked up at the stars. Things were about as bad as they could get. He needed help. The others couldn't get to Primary Village right away, and TK needed their support. Davis knew that Kari was one of the few people that TK would listen to. We need another team member. He smiled as a thought occurred to him. He keyed a new message into his terminal.
Ken,
We're in big trouble. We're at Primary Village and Angemon has been taken over by that weird headband. The others can't come right now, so TK and I need help. Please come right away.
-Davis
Davis looked at his partner, "Veemon, let's get rid of these control spires. They're ruining the view."
Veemon nodded, "Right!"
"Digiarmor-" Davis' shout was cut off as the ground began to rumble. Davis and Veemon looked on in surprise as all four control spires began to sink into the ground. They dropped out of sight in under a few seconds. Davis and Veemon ran to one of the newly opened hole in the ground and peered down into the darkness. There was no sign of the control spire.
Davis' jaw hung near his knees, "Where'd they go?"
Veemon shrugged, "You're asking me?"
Davis let out a long breath, "This just isn't our night. C'mon, we need to get back to TK." He and Veemon ran back to where they had left TK and Elecmon. When they got there, however, they only saw Elecmon and the baby Digimon.
"Davis!" Elecmon ran up. "TK's gone!"
"GONE?" Davis' jaw was even lower than before, "I'm barely gone ten minutes and he's gone? What is going on around here???"
Elecmon sounded helpless, "H-he was in shock, and I offered to get him some water. I was only away for about two minutes, but he was gone when I got back. I can't believe how fast he is, given that bad leg of his. I'm sorry."
Davis held his hands up, "It's okay, Elecmon. It's not your fault."
Veemon sniffed the air, "Davis, I think I can follow TK's scent."
Davis nodded, "Okay, change in plans. We'll worry about those stupid control spires later. Right now, Veemon and I will find TK. Elecmon, the other Digidestined will be here sooner or later, so why don't you wait for them here? We'll be back in no time."
Elecmon nodded, "Good luck."
"Digiarmor energize!" The digiegg of friendship appeared in the air.
"Veemon armor digivolve to… Raidramon: The Storm of Friendship!" Davis mounted his transformed partner and they set off on TK's scent.
* * * * * * * *
Avatar laughed as he soared over the landscape in MagnaAngemon's body. This was such an exhilarating feeling! The caress of the wind under his wings, the view of the scenery as it flashed by, and the feeling of power surging within his newly possessed body. This was the joy of physical form, the sheer exhilaration of being alive! Those foolish Digimon and humans didn't realize what a grand gift they had been given. The simple pleasure of being alive with a body to call one's own was a pleasure that had been denied to Avatar all his life. Now I am in control of one of the most powerful Digimon in the Digital World. And soon I will possess a body even more perfect than this one.
Avatar had been more patient than most other creatures would have been in his position. He had been forced to wait four long years before he had been given a chance to truly live. He'd had to cower in the shadows, in possession of that weak human body, Lazio, while watching Digimon and Digidestined humans fritter away their lives with petty rivalries, conflicts, and greed. None of them could appreciate how blessed they were to simply be alive. But Avatar knew what a great gift life was, because it was something that he had to earn, it would not be given to him on a silver platter.
Lazio… That name brought back memories. Lazio had been Avatar's "host" practically since the day of his creation. Avatar had been created by his master a few months after the defeat of the Dark Masters, and Lazio had been conveniently nearby for possession. While possessing the human, Avatar had had access to all of Lazio's memories. The old man had once been a member of the sacred order that had created the digivices, tags, and crests, just as the Digidestined's ally Gennai had been.
When Piedmon had attacked the Order's base and stolen the tags and crests, he had also captured Lazio in the hopes of learning where Gennai might have hidden the digieggs of the Digidestined. Lazio had survived an interminable period of torture under Piedmon's sadistic care, and when he refused to betray his friend Gennai, Piedmon locked Lazio in a cell deep within Spiral Mountain. That was where Avatar and his master had found Lazio four months after the Dark Masters had been destroyed.
Avatar had to admit that he had felt a certain kinship with Lazio due to their mutual hatred of Piedmon and the Dark Masters. Piedmon had taken Lazio's life away from him, and Piedmon had taken away the life that Avatar would have had. Still, that kinship hadn't been enough to keep Avatar from killing the old man. After all, he knew too much.
Avatar heard a loud gurgle. He looked around, but there wasn't a thing in sight. A second gurgling sound made him realize that it was his stomach growling. I am… hungry. What a curious sensation.
Avatar flew down towards a nearby forest. He knew that his master would be cross at him for not returning to headquarters right away, but the temptation to indulge was too strong for Avatar to resist. He was sure that his master would forgive him for a little tardiness, once he saw how useful MagnaAngemon would be to their plans. I'll just enjoy a light snack, then move on with all haste.
He landed among a mass of apple trees and began to pick the fruit. He took a bite, and savored the wet, juicy taste of the apple's delicate skin. He swallowed, and let out a small sigh as he felt the morsel tickle its way down his throat. It was a curious and exhilarating sensation. He ate at a slow, rapturous pace as he feasted on one apple after another. Eventually, he was so full that his stomach actually hurt, but he reveled in the sensation. Even small amounts of pain were a unique and tantalizing experience for him. He went to a nearby stream and drank from its cool clean water. This was truly paradise for him.
Avatar took a moment to congratulate himself for his brilliant plan. It had been a plan born of desperation and resentment. After losing GrandKuwagamon, Avatar had been all-too eager to come up with a new plan in order to keep favor with his master. It was then that Avatar had remembered Angemon, and the threat of his digivolving into an Ultimate during the previous battle. Avatar had never seen MagnaAngemon, but his strength was legendary. Avatar had concluded that MagnaAngemon, with all his incredible power, would best suit his needs.
The problem was getting a Patamon to digivolve all the way into MagnaAngemon. Usually, if a Patamon dark digivolved, he would become Devimon. Angemon and Devimon were just two different sides of the same coin, an inherent risk in digivolving. Even if Devimon was powerful, Angemon was stronger.
Avatar had determined that if he could force Patamon to digivolve into Angemon on his own, then Avatar could force a dark digivolution into Ultimate on his own with little danger of corrupting the body. That was how he'd planned to use Primary Village as bait to lure Patamon into his clutches. Now, everything was going according to plan, and his triumph was immanent.
He suddenly felt very tired. The idea of sleep, a peaceful rest from his own thoughts and activities, was as enticing as the food. The master will not mind. I shall not sleep long. Just a short nap. He leaned against a tree and closed his eyes. Soon, the sweet, caressing darkness of slumber overtook him.
* * * * * * * *
TK felt cold and hungry and sore as he limped across the meadow near Primary Village. A cold wind came over him, and he pulled Davis' jacket tighter around his shoulders. The flame design helped TK conjure up warmer thoughts. He was making good time, given his wound. Patamon, I'll be with you soon. Hang on. Please hang on. He had to get his partner back. Patamon was his best friend, he meant the world to TK. They'd been through so much together. Losing Patamon was like losing a part of TK himself. I'll get him back.
He stumbled and fell to his knees with a loud cry. The world blurred around him as he began to crawl forward. There was only one clear thing to him: Patamon. He had to get Patamon back! He couldn't stand the thought of his partner being controlled by a dark power. Devimon, Piedmon, Avatar, they were all the same. They were all evil creatures, and TK hated each and every one of them! Devimon had stolen Angemon away from TK once, and Piedmon had chased TK and Kari in a twisted game of hide and seek throughout Spiral Mountain. Avatar was no different. There was no way TK was going to leave his partner and best friend under the control of one of those… those… things!
"TK!" TK turned around and saw Davis and Raidramon running up to him. Davis smiled, "TK, there you are! We've been looking for you. Can I have my jacket back?" He slid off Raidramon and ran up. "C'mon, we've got to go back to Primary Village. The others will be coming, um, sooner or later." He laughed nervously.
Davis' voice sounded partly muted in TK's ears. He shook his head, "No, I have to find Patamon." He turned to leave.
Davis kept talking, "Hey, don't worry, we'll get Patamon back. You just gotta relax and wait." He placed a hand on TK's shoulder.
"NO!" TK threw Davis hand off and shoved him away.
"HEY!" Davis started to look angry, but that didn't deter TK. He turned around and continued onward. Davis growled, "TK, will you listen?" TK just kept walking. Davis shouted, "That's it! No body ignores me!" He jumped forward and tackled TK from behind. TK fell flat on his chest as Davis pinned him to the ground. "Now, you listen to me! You can't go help Patamon with a hurt leg. You need to wait for the others."
TK's body trembled. He'd had it. All his anger at Avatar found a new target in Davis. "GET OFF!" He pushed off the ground and brought his head up, slamming it into Davis' forehead. Davis cried out and fell off TK's back.
Davis began to stand up, but TK tackled him before he could recover. TK drove him to the ground and punched him across the jaw. Davis blinked in surprise at TK's change in mood, then lunged forward and shoved TK him off.
Raidramon stepped forward, "Davis, TK, stop it! You're friends, you shouldn't fight!"
Davis risked a shout, "Stay out of this, Raidramon!" He slung his right fist at TK. TK ducked under it and punched Davis in the rib cage. Davis grunted and drove his knee into TK's belly. TK shouted and hit Davis in lip, causing it to split.
TK moved in to finish Davis off. In desperation, Davis put everything into one final punch. He hit TK right in the nose, resulting in a small squirt of blood. TK cried out and fell to the ground. He half-expected Davis to get up and continue the attack, but Davis was lying on the ground as well, pressing a hand to his bleeding lip. TK pinched his nose, trying to stop the bleeding. For a moment they sat there in silence, eyeing each other warily.
Then, Davis smiled, "Y-you've got a mean left hook."
TK blinked in surprise, then smiled just slightly, "So do you." His expression sobered, and TK felt more in-tune with the world. His anger subsided. "I-I'm sorry, Davis."
Davis waved a hand, "What are you apologizing for? I hit you first."
TK shook his head, "But I was the one who started this. I'm sorry. It's just that I'm so worried about Patamon, I can't stand the fact that he's under the control of some dark freak like Avatar."
Davis' voice grew serious, "TK, we'll get Patamon back, just believe that we can do it. You're not in this alone." TK couldn't help but smile at the fact that Davis was the one making this speech. Not too long ago, Davis had been the loner of the group, but he was learning teamwork fast. Davis looked at the blood on his hand. "Heh, we haven't come close to fighting like this since MetalGreymon."
TK lowered his head, "I'm sorry about that too."
Davis frowned, "What for?"
TK replied, "I was being such a jerk during that. Remember? I wanted to use you as a decoy, saying that we could do without you. I didn't mean that, Davis, I really didn't."
Davis said, "I know you didn't mean it. You were worried about Patamon and Agumon, we all were. Remember how I couldn't bring myself to fight MetalGreymon? If it wasn't for Patamon and everyone else, I wouldn't have been able to fight. That's why we're stronger as a team. It's okay to be afraid or sad, because we'll stand by you no matter what."
TK shook his head, "But when you're afraid or angry, you don't lash out at people, I do."
"What do you mean?"
TK began to list examples, "When Kari was trapped in that dark dimension, I was so scared and worried about her. I didn't know if she was hurt, or lost, or even alive. I was so torn up inside that I just rushed off on my own without you or Yolei or Cody."
Davis hadn't liked that little adventure. He'd hated the fact that he hadn't been able to help Kari, and he had been a little jealous of TK's being the hero. Still, now wasn't the time to mention that. TK's depression over Patamon was making him question himself, and that wasn't going to help the situation at all. Davis forced himself to think up a defense for TK. "But you saved Kari when the rest of us couldn't even find her."
TK said, "But it was because I was so scared for Kari that I fought so hard and acted so bull-headed. The smart thing would have been to take everyone with me to the beach."
Davis said, "Come on, TK. You're still wasting time on what you 'could have done.' Maybe it would have been smarter to take us with you, but you 'could have' lost time doing that and arrived too late to help Kari. You did the best you could at the moment, and you ended up saving Kari, you should be proud of that."
TK looked Davis in the eyes, "And what about Ken? When I saw that he was using Devimon's power, I was so mad, and I beat him up pretty good."
Davis replied, "He had it coming at the time. You saved Kari and Yolei from Kimeramon by taking care of Ken."
TK shook his head, then winced as he remembered his bloody nose, "But I never used to like fighting. I once told Elecmon that I didn't want to fight, ever. I-it's just so mad at the time. When I'm mad, I lose control. I keep all my anger bottled up, deep inside of me, and when I get pushed too far, I lose control and lash out at whatever's near me."
Davis was silent for a moment as he tried to think of something to say. Then, he thought of something, "Well, why not use me as a release?"
TK blinked, "What?"
"Well, when you feel like you're going to explode, you come see me and vent a while. You and I can argue, curse, blame each other, even fight if you want to."
TK couldn't believe his ears, "Why in the world are you saying this?"
Davis said, "I know what it's like to keep things bottled up and hidden. I've been doing it for a long time. Believe me, it doesn't help. I'm willing to help you vent, because most people wouldn't notice if the two of us started arguing again. And since I know you're just venting, I won't take it personally… probably."
TK sighed, "Thanks, Davis. That's very kind of you, but, truth is, I've used you to vent once or twice before."
"… What?"
TK smiled at Davis' stunned surprise, "Remember the basketball game just before you got Veemon to digivolve into a Champion? You were boasting about how good you were, and it ticked me off a little. I let my anger get ahead of me a little and I decided to take you down a peg. That's why I knocked you to the ground and did my best to outplay you. Sorry."
Davis rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, well, I was acting pretty full of myself. I guess I had it coming. But that doesn't change anything, you can still vent if you want to. I won't mind, really. We'll just argue real quick, and then walk away to calm down. No one will suspect anything, it'll be our secret."
TK considered, "…Well, okay. But only if you're sure."
"I am."
"Thanks again, Davis. If there's a way I can repay you-"
Davis smiled, "Actually, there is. Don't tell anyone you and I are actually getting along. It'll be harder for me to win Kari over if she thinks we're actually friends."
TK laughed, "How do you figure that?"
Davis shrugged, "I dunno, I just do. Thinking's not my favorite hobby. I trust my instincts."
TK said, "Davis, I think you're a little too afraid of me when it comes to me and Kari."
"What?" Davis was suddenly defensive. "I-I'm not afraid!"
TK smiled, "Yes you are. You've been worried that I've been moving in on Kari since the first day I came to school and sat next to her."
Davis frowned, "Well… I admit I was a little worried when some complete stranger sat down next to her and started to act like her best friend."
"I am one of her best friends."
Davis replied, "Yeah, but I didn't know that. I knew Kari for about a year before you came back, and I thought we were pretty good friends." TK gave him a skeptic look. Davis sighed, "Okay, okay, I thought she was my girlfriend. But then you came out of nowhere and suddenly I got the shaft. She stopped spending time with me and started hanging around you. That… hurt."
TK nodded, "I didn't mean to shove you aside, Davis. It's just… well…" TK took a deep breath. "My mom and I have moved around a lot, because of my mom's job. That means that I don't get to make many friends, and I lose touch with the few people I do know. Kari's one of the few constant friends in my life, which makes her all the more important to me. She's my oldest friend, and I care about her. Maybe someday we will be 'more than friends' but right now she's just a dear friend to me. She's not my girlfriend yet."
Davis asked, "Just how did you meet Kari anyway? You guys never told me."
TK explained, "I first met Kari when Myotismon attacked Odaiba. I was really happy to have another kid my age on the Digidestined. It's hard being the youngest sometimes. We didn't talk much at first, Kari mainly stuck to Tai. But, after she got sick and we defeated the Dark Master Machinedramon, we became good friends. It didn't last all that long, because we defeated Piedmon and Apocalymon and went home. My mom and I moved away shortly after that. But I got to see Kari every year, when the Digidestined gathered for our anniversary. She and I became good friends, and I was always happy to see her. You can't imagine how happy I was when I found out we were moving back to Odaiba, and that I'd get to see Kari and Tai and Matt again."
TK's voice grew sad. "Actually, Davis, I'm kind of afraid of you too."
Davis blinked, "Huh?"
TK said, "I see how eager you are to be Kari's boyfriend, and I worry a little. Kari doesn't think you're a total jerk, just a little off the wall. If you two did become closer, I'm worried that I'd lose my oldest friend. I don't want that to happen. I know that sounds selfish."
Davis shook his head, "Naw, that's not selfish. That's kind of how I felt when she started spending all her time with you. I felt like I was losing my friend. But, I decided on my walkabout that I'd stop trying to force my way into being her boyfriend, and focus on being her friend instead. I still really like her, and I really want to go on a date with her someday, but right now I'm okay with being just friends."
TK nodded, "Kari means a lot to both of us, doesn't she?"
Davis agreed. "Yeah." He held out his hand, "Look, I'll make you a deal. Even if Kari and I do start going out, I promise that she won't stop being your friend. Okay?"
TK took his hand, "And I promise that if Kari and I start dating, we won't give you the shaft either. Friends no matter what?"
Davis smiled, "Friends, no matter what!" They both laughed. Davis slid off the Digivolution Crystal from around his neck and handed it to TK. "One other thing. When we get Patamon back, I think you should try for a crystal digivolution. That's what my gut says, anyway."
TK looked at the crystal hesitantly. He wasn't sure he was in the right state to use it. Gennai had told Davis that using the crystal while your heart was in turmoil could lead to a disaster. Am I ready for it, especially now? TK took the crystal, the only way he'd know was if he gave it his best try. TK handed Davis back his jacket.
"Thanks," Davis put it back on. "I felt weird without it. Raidramon, let's get going back to Primary Village."
Raidramon, who had been watching the fight and the ensuing talking in complete silence, shook his head. "You humans are so confusing. What minute, you're fighting, the next, you're acting like best friends."
* * * * * * * *
By the time TK and Davis returned to Primary Village, Ken, Kari, Yolei, and Cody had all managed to find their way to the Digital World. Everyone ran up to greet them as they slid off Raidramon. Kari's eyes widened when she saw the dried blood on TK and Davis' faces. "What happened to you two?"
TK smiled wearily, "Nothing, really. We just had a little accident." Raidramon grumbled something under his breath.
Elecmon came up, "I brought everyone up to speed on what is happening. We haven't heard any word on where MagnaAngemon is."
Yolei smiled at TK, "Don't worry, we'll get him back."
Cody nodded, "That's right."
Even Ken said, "It should be easy for all six of us to destroy that headband, Avatar."
Kari took TK's hand, "Please don't worry."
Davis smiled, "Yeah, we'll kick butt!"
TK smiled, feeling tears in his eyes, "Thanks, everyone."
Just then, Davis' digiterminal chimed. He took it out and read it, then smiled, "It's from Izzy, he says that Tentomon's found MagnaAngemon. He's in a forest on the continent of Folder."
TK asked, "Where's Folder?"
Elecmon said, "It's a small continent near File Island. It's in the opposite direction of Server, that's why you never saw it."
Ken said, "If our Digimon digivolve into their Champion forms, we should make good time."
Elecmon nodded, "It should be about three hours."
TK noticed that Elecmon wasn't edgy around Ken, the former Digimon Emperor. "Um, Elecmon, have you met Ken?"
Elecmon's expression hardened. "I'd heard of the Digimon Emperor before, but never met him. However, Ken came to Primary Village once before to find Wormmon. I watched him, and when I saw him reunite with his Digimon, I knew that Ken was no longer the ruthless Digimon Emperor I had heard of. I don't think he will cause trouble."
Ken bowed slightly, "Thank you."
Davis frowned, "Uh, guys? Tentomon says that MagnaAngemon isn't moving. He-he's asleep. What the heck?"
Yolei was equally confused, "Avatar took over MagnaAngemon so he could take a nap?"
Cody shook his head, "I don't think that's the reason, Yolei."
TK said, "Whatever the reason, we should get going. This could be our only chance to get MagnaAngemon back!"
Davis nodded, "Right, let's get moving." Raidramon reverted back to Veemon, and Davis pulled out his D3.
"Veemon digivolve to… XVmon!"
"Hawkmon digivolve to… Aquillamon!"
"Wormmon digivolve to… Stingmon!"
Kari called out, "Digiarmor energize!"
"Gatomon armor digivolve to… Nefertimon: The Angel of Light!" Cody and Armadillomon mounted Aquillamon with Yolei, and TK rode behind Kari on Nefertimon. Elecmon and the baby Digimon waved them goodbye and good luck as the Digidestined set out to get back their important ally, and dear friend.
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The final chapter of "Unheard Voices" will be a real blast. It's an all-out fight between the Digidestined and MagnaAngemon. Just how are they going to get him back you ask? You'll just have to be patient.