Created By: Jason Wong
Sora, Izzy, Genni and the digimon sat watching Matt and Tai beating out two lumps of metal in a makeshift forge. The air was filled with the sounds of metal against metal.
"I've informed the others of our situation." said Izzy closing his computer.
"That's nice." said Sora before continuing to hum.
"What are you humming?" asked Izzy intrigued.
"I can't even remember. It's just a catchy tune I heard once." she replied.
"Oh." said Izzy. They'd been there for nearly eight hours and they were all getting sleepy. However, Matt and Tai, possessed by some unknown force seemed never to run out of energy and continued to hammer away non stop.
"Well, goodnight Sora." said Izzy. "I'm going to turn in. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sora? Sora wake up." called a voice as Sora felt herself being gently shaken. She slowly allowed herself to rise into consciousness to find herself staring into a pair of hazel brown eyes.
"Tai." murmured Sora warmly.
"Don't worry Sora, we've finished." said Tai softly. "We've changed, but I know you'll still love me, and I want you to know that I will always love you."
Sora basked warmly in this new confession of love. Well, at least until a nearby tree exploded to her left, showering her with icy splinters. Tai was quick to shield her with his body before whipping around, seething.
"What the hell're you doing Matt!" exploded Tai. "Are you crazy?"
"Look who's talking." snorted Matt. "You already torched that tree." He indicated a torched stump with a large blast radius.
"At least I didn't do it right next to anyone." said Tai in a huff.
"What's going on?" asked Izzy as he ran up. "We heard explosions."
Biyomon and Tentomon flew up behind him and goggled at the spectacle before them. One tree was a burnt hulk while the other was shattered, frozen as a million little pieces. What amazed them the most was not that these trees were unnaturally destroyed, but the fact that Tai and Matt held blades in their hands.
Matt had a sword with a slight curve to it. It was adorned with many small gemstones, the metal gleamed a dark blue. Almost as dark as the void of space. At the very bottom of the hilt lay an icy blue sapphire. Tai's blade on the other hand was perfectly strait with almost no adornments. It remained simple, yet gleamed like fire, set at the base was another sapphire like Matt's, but this one glowed a blazing red.
"Incredible, I see you've made the vessels for your powers." said Genni appearing behind the group.
"Genni, just who is the evil the prophecy speaks of?" asked Tai.
"Yeah Genni. Fill us in." snapped Matt.
"I would assume that this evil is the remnant of the network the dark masters had." said Genni. "If I'm correct, then this digimon also caused Matt's sickness."
"Who?" prompted Tai again.
"This evil digimon is known as Shadowmon. That's all I know. He's a very closed digimon." replied Genni.
"Then let's take him down. He can't be stronger than Piedmon." said Matt savagely waving his sword.
"Please be patient." said Genni. "Never underestimate your opponent. And never fight on an empty stomach. You may begin the search tomorrow. But today you will prepare. Is anyone hungry?"
Everyone quickly retreated to Genni's house for a magnificent breakfast. Magnificent because Tai ended up eating like a pig. Everyone was quite amazed at how much he could pack away. It was quite a wonder why he was so thin.
Shortly after breakfast Genni pulled Tai aside from the rest of the group who were talking about the good old days. With the door securely closed allowing a private conversation, Genni turned to Tai.
"So you allowed Matt to wake up with the use of your blood? Not surprising." said Genni. "It also isn't a surprise you got to be leader."
"So? Why?" asked Tai.
"It's all in the ancestry. You are related to the original digidestined leader. Because of this, your blood has special healing powers. That's why you hardly ever get sick, and why you were able to help Matt." replied Genni.
"Oh.... Well, ok." responded Tai, not really totally understanding.
"In time, you will develop your powers so that you may not have to channel your energies throughout that magnificent blade." said Genni before unsealing the door and leaving.
Tai stood perplexed for a few moments before leaving. What did Genni mean by developing his powers? Could he somehow be more powerful than anyone suspects? How would this affect his relationship with Sora? He didn't want to hurt her. But then he realized that Genni would have told him of any dangerous powers he might possess. Eventually he returned to the main room and joined in with the ongoing conversation. No one asked what had happened.
Lunch was a boring affair, but supper was interesting. Izzy wanted to see the practical sides to their powers and planned something a little different. He went around filming electronic video for transmission. Matt had frozen the upper layer of water on a section of the lake and was busy ice fishing a ways out. Tai in turn was roasting the fish with his fireballs.
It was later that evening before there was any serious planning for the next day. Matt wanted to be bolder than anyone else.
"I say we attack at the crack of dawn." shouted Matt.
"Are you crazy?" retorted Izzy. "We don't even know where Shadowmon is. Let alone how strong he is."
"He is right you know." added Tentomon.
"We can't just barge in and blast everything that moves. Innocent digimon could be injured. We need a planned attack."
"We want to help to." called the digimon. "You might need us."
"Don't worry guys. You're coming too. Every little bit will help." said Tai.
"A systematic search would work the best." said Izzy.
"But an evil digimon would be looking for us, wouldn't he?" asked Biyomon.
"Biyomon is right." said Gomamon. "Evil digimon find us usually."
"Ok, Ok." conceded Tai. "How about we walk around the are Matt was attacked. That way he'll know where we are. If he doesn't show, then we'll try something else."
"That's fine with me." said Matt.
Everyone else nodded consent. This was bold, yet fairly safe which met everyone's concerns. Izzy began typing away to inform the others about the newest developments.
"Everyone get some rest." said Tai. "Tomorrow's a big day. We'll leave right after breakfast and take lunch with us."
Everyone fell asleep relatively quickly, but Matt tossed and turned. He stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.
"I've got a bad feeling about tomorrow." he said to himself. "Something terrible will happen before tomorrow ends."
"Ok troops, lets move out." said Tai loudly as they reached the top of the stairs.
There was a mass of groans. Tai was the only morning person of the group. Everyone had thought that 'after breakfast' meant like ten thirty, not eight in the morning. Everyone was still groggy and Izzy lagged slightly behind the group. The digimon surprisingly enough didn't seem the least bit tired and were up to the early morning challenges.
At around noon Tai halted the group for lunch. Everyone collapsed in relief and began devouring their food. They ate slowly so they could get some rest. It was when they were packing up when Matt noticed something missing.
"Has anyone seen my sword?" he asked as he searched frantically.
"It's over by that tree Matt." said Sora pointing at a dark looking sinister oak tree.
Matt walked over to the tree wondering how his blade had managed to make its way over to the tree. He felt a special bond with it. He had made it by himself, and it was special even though it was ceremonious in nature, not surveying any purpose other than a conduit for his power. He quickly picked it up but then noticed the tree wasn't a tree at all. Dark tendrils were snaking out. Quickly giving a shout, he raised his sword and let loose a barrage of ice. Whatever it was, it howled in pain before withdrawing into a shadowy human like figure.
"You!" hissed Matt immediately recognizing Shadowmon.
"Yes, and now you die." hissed Shadowmon. A massive, shadowy blade appeared in his hand as he swung at Matt. The blade passed millimeters above his head as he dodged. The blade came back for another pass but stopped. It curved upwards in favor of deflecting an incoming fireball.
"Matt! You allright?" shouted Tai as he ran up.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Now lets kick his ass." replied Matt.
The two boys let loose a barrage of fire and ice as the others ran over, ready to attack the shadowy figure.
"Hmmm..." said Shadowmon. "I despise these odds. Time to change the tables. Say goodbye to your friends."
"What!?" exclaimed Tai. But they could already see. Shadowmon had opened a gateway to the real world.
"And to keep you from following." said Shadowmon. With surprising speed and agility, he grabbed the two swords, expertly snapping Matt's in half.
Tai was beside himself in rage. In his fury he charged the digimon. I a total shock, even to himself, he launched a sphere of glowing energy which looked suspiciously like a miniature Terra Force. Completely taken aback by the sudden and vicious attack, Shadowmon fled through the gate dropping Tai's sword as he fled.
"Great, what now?" asked Sora as the gateway closed behind Shadowmon.
"I believe the sword is the key." said Izzy. "Shadowmon believed it could open a portal."
"Umm, ok." said Tai bending over to retrieve his sword. "Here goes nothing."
In a single deft stroke, Tai had sliced upwards. But everyone could see a sparkling rift in the air he'd cut. They peered through the hole, it was a sunny afternoon, but the sounds were unnatural. Sweet nature, accented by human terror. Everyone piled through the rift as Tai began issuing orders.
"Izzy, phone the others. Bring them together or just inform them. bring them up to speed. It'll take us all to defeat this guy. Sora, Matt. Take Biyomon, keep track of this guy from the air." said Tai. "I'll follow on foot. Everyone else, go find your friends and bring them to the fight."
Izzy ran off to find a pay phone. Sora and Matt took off on Birdramon and Tai shot off on foot while the digimon left in different directions. They had to stop Shadowmon before to much damage occurred, and no one wanted the whole prophecy to come true.
Tai caught up to Sora and Matt in the inner city park. Birdramon had already digivolved to Garudamon. Tai quickly joined the fight in progress, but even his additional efforts were insufficient. They were slowly, but steadily loosing the fight. Tai could only hope that additional troops would arrive swiftly.
It seemed like an eternity, but when the reinforcements arrived, Tai melted with relief. In a matter of moments, the whole group was together, fighting side by side as they had done in the past. But no side, not good nor evil was giving way. The force was even. It would be a draw.
"Man, this guy really is stronger than Piedmon." panted Tai.
"Tai, you have to remember that this time we don't have any Mega digimon." said Matt. "And I can't be a big help without my sword."
Tai realized that Matt was right. making a deft split second decision, Tai handed his sword off to Matt. "Take it. Fight."
"But..." protested Matt.
"But nothing Matt, I know what I can do. I can hold my own without this sword. And your strength might just change the tide of battle." shouted Tai.
Tai proceeded to attack with his spheres of energy. Matt realized Tai's urgency and let loose his own attack. He could feel it was far weaker than before, but now with his additional strength, Shadowmon was finally being driven back.
With renewed energies they pressed onwards driving Shadowmon back. Step by step, finally he was cornered. But instead of giving up, or begging for mercy, he lifted his head and laughed.
"You may have won. I can see I'm defeated, but if I'm going down, I'm taking one of you with me." laughed Shadowmon sinisterly. "Darkness Wave."
The attack was hurled in no particular direction at all, but headed for Matt in the end. For Matt, the world seemed to slow as he took in every detail of what was going on around him. He could see Tai rushing forward trying in vain to reach him, he could see the looks of horror on the others faces as they couldn't help. At least he would die with the knowledge that TK would be safe, alive. But, out of the corner of his eye, there was a green blur. It shoved him sideways. Matt turned and watched in horror as TK absorbed the attack meant for himself. Matt's world shattered as he watched TK enveloped by the thick blackness. As the attack dissipated, he watched, horrified as TK's body dropped to the ground. Dead!
"NOOOOOOOO!!!" shouted Matt. Filled with pure rage and anger he let lose his most powerful assault. He felt as though he had the strength of a hundred men. He fired a beam of the purest brightest ice anyone had ever seen. It engulfed Shadowmon before exploding into ten thousand pieces taking the evil digimon with it.
It was over, but at a terrible cost. Matt dropped to his knees in front of his fallen brother. He cradled him gently in his arms sobbing uncontrolled into the lifeless body. Everyone could sense his terrible loss and quietly gathered around them, heads bowed as they grieved for their fallen friend. No one looked up, not even when the cars began pulling up, releasing parents, paramedics, police, and the media. The parents seeing what happened quickly organized the police and shielded the kids from the media so they could continue grieving in relative peace. Only Tk's mother, Nancy came through to grieve alongside Matt and the rest of the group. It seemed like hours, as if time itself had felt the loss and slowed itself so that they could be together for as long as possible. Eventually though, Matt allowed himself to part with his brother and everyone was wisked off to a private location.
The funeral was a sad affair. There was not a person present who left with a dry face. And although the loss was great to everyone present, only two people remained present at the grave site long after the service ended. Matt and Tai sat on the soft green grass. Matt was still crying into Tai's shoulder (No Yaoi intended, they're just best friends) and Tai stayed, comforting Matt. Tai had seen the change, yet he couldn't help. Matt had closed himself to the world, leaving only small crack to peer through.
How will Matt handle this incredible loss? How will it affect his life and friendships? Find out as the story continues in "Recovery". Coming soon.