Created By: Jason Wong
Taichi Kamiya ambled down his apartment building stairwell. All his usual friends couldn't play today and he had no one to go play with. He paused on the third floor landing. He could go see Sora, but she was a girl. She'd play with him, she liked boys games. But she was probably playing with Mimi. They'd make him play house, or make him be their doll. He was brought out of his reveille by large scraping sounds. Tai pushed open the stairwell door and peered through. Boxes were moving down the hallway on little carts until they went into a room. But what caught Tai's attention was the short red haired boy that was clinging to his mother's leg.
"A new person." said Tai excitedly to himself. "Mabey i can play with him today."
Opening the door fully, Tai bounced down the corridor to the mother and child.
"Hi, my name's Tai. What's yours? Do ya wanna play with me?" announced Tai.
The other child peered out from behind his mother's leg. This boy had seemingly appeared out of nowhere and had scarred him. But his mother only smiled and ruffled the new boy's hair. "Look Koushiro, here's someone to play with. I don't think he's that dangerous. Why don't you be friends with him? You go out and I'll unpack your stuff." she said.
The young boy slowly peeled away from his mother's leg. On the other hand, the moment he let go, he attached himself to Tai. Tai was shocked, the little guy sure was fast when he needed to be. At least he seemed friendly, a bit too friendly for Tai, but defiantly friendly. Unfortunately, Tai most defiantly did not want this kid hanging onto him forever. He looked pleadingly at the mother.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Tai was it?" asked the mom. "Koushiro didn't have many friends before. They all live too far away to be real friends anymore. I guess he doesn't want to lose you. I really don't think we'll move again. This seems like such a nice neighborhood."
Tai nodded while constantly trying to pry the kid off. But Koushiro had a very strong grip, and the more Tai tried to get him off, the tighter he was squeezed.
"I'm terribly sorry. He isn't usually like this. Koushiro dear, please let go. You're hurting this nice boy. This isn't the way to make a new friend." said the mom. While Koushiro didn't let go of Tai, he did loosen his grip a little. "Oh dear. Can you get outside all right? I can help you if you want."
Tai smiled, and replied he'd be fine. He hobbled to the stair well, and pushed open the door. Then he slowly began to make his way down to the lobby of the building. The building's owner happened to be downstairs as Tai emerged and greeted him enthusiastically.
"I see you've discovered the newest tenants to the building Tai. Yes, I thought the Izumi's had a son about your age." said the manager, staring dubiously at Koushiro. "Well, have fun with your friend."
Tai quickly got outside and started leaning on one of the many trees in the park. "What was your name? I forgot it." he asked thinking hard. "Izmi... Izmy... Izzy... Hmm, is it Izzy?"
The boy giggled and let go of Tai, finally convinced that he was a true friend. "It's Koushiro silly. But since you thought of it. You can call me Izzy. It's kinda catchy. I like it."
Tai was amazed, it was the first thing Izzy had said to him. After a quick little introduction, he started to show Izzy around. The park, loaded with kids, the candy store which Tai visited often, and of course, the playground. They played until it was getting dark and was time for supper. They went back inside and Tai made sure that Izzy got safely home.
"Thank you for playing with Koushiro, Tai." said Izzy's mom. "I can see you two are already great friends. What floor do you live on?"
"The sixth floor." said Tai proudly. It was the building's top floor and Tai had a great view of the area from his room. As Tai left for his home, he called back, "Bye Izzy, see you tomorrow."
"Who's Izzy, Koushiro?" wafted a voice up the stairs as Tai walked home.
"So Tai, how was your day? Find anyone to play with?" asked Tai's mom.
"Yep." replied Tai. "I have a new friend on the third floor."
"Third?" asked his mom. "Oh, it must be the Izumis. The owner said they had a child. Oh well. Eat up. The Ishidas are expecting you soon."
Tai ate the rest of his meal quickly. He was going to see his best friend Matt later for a sleepover. Kari was also excited because TK would be coming to their apartment for a sleepover.
When supper finished, Tai grabbed his backpack of stuff and he and his mother walked down to the fourth floor. When Tai saw Matt, the two friends embraced before quickly running off to play while his mom took TK back to their apartment. While playing they excitedly told each other about their day.
"I'd like to meet this Izzy you met." said Matt. "Oh and I have something special for us to do. But you can't tell anyone. We'll do it later, so no one hears us."
Tai nodded in silent agreement. Just as they were going to bed, Matt revealed his surprise.
"Blood brothers?" asked Tai suspiciously.
"Yep." replied Matt holding up a pin. "We poke our fingers and squish them together so that we share blood. Then we become blood brothers." (Don't try to do this, you could get sick.)
"Ok." said Tai reluctantly.
"Tai." said Matt. "Remember, it's our secret, so don't tell anyone."
Tai nodded yet again. When he finally did prick his finger, it hurt allot less than he'd anticipated. He stared at the little red dot that had formed on his finger before smooshing it with the one Matt had. The touch was tingly for a while, and when they pulled apart, the wounds had vanished. They lay down and quickly fell asleep.
The next day Tai and Matt awoke to eggs toast and juice. Bursting with energy the two kids flew around the room. Tai phoned his apartment and then the two raced down to the third floor. Mrs. Izumi had just opened the door for Mr. Izumi.
"Hello Tai." she said. "Do you want Koushiro.... I guess you call him Izzy now? He'll be out in a second."
The group of three turned to leave when they saw another boy staring at them from down the hallway. When he noticed they were looking at him, he quickly ducked back inside and closed the door.
"Who's that?" asked Tai curiously. "I've never seen him before."
"That's Joe Kido." said Izzy, proud he knew something Tai didn't. "He's smart, but doesn't come out much. He has allergies. They make him sneeze allot."
"Oh." said Tai.
They made their way outside. Each of them carried a small amount of yen (Japanese money) to buy something at the candy shop. But before they could get very far, an older kid stopped them. A bully.
"Hand over the money kiddies, this is a toll for being on my area." said the bully.
Izzy and Matt were just about to hand over their paltry sum of yen when Tai intervened. "No." he said.
The bully was taken aback. He hadn't expected a no. Little kids were usually terrified of him. "Give up the money or I'll pound you into the pavement." he said.
"No." said Tai again as Matt and Izzy huddled together in terror. "This is everybody's area."
The bully wasn't too happy. This was supposed to be his initiation into a group. But even he had pride. To beat up a younger defenseless child would be dishonorable. He'd hoped they'd just have given up the money. Now he would need to actually commit a act he found distasteful (Yes, there are such things as a bully with morals.).
"Hey you." shouted the owner of the apartment building as he rushed over. "Leave these kids alone. Go pick on someone your own size."
The bully's eyes widened. He quickly ran off. At least now, he'd have had an excuse for having to run off like he did without getting the money. There would be others.
"Hi guys, you're lucky. Joe Kido noticed you guys and phoned me at the front desk. He's a really nice kid. You're lucky he's so reliable. You're probably one of the few kids he's taken interest in." said the owner. "Tai, that was pretty courageous of you. But you could have gotten hurt."
Once the owner left, Tai, Izzy, and Matt made their way to the candy stand. I wasn't hard to pick out the candies. they all had personal favorites. Tai bought a couple of gumballs and some assorted jelly candies, Matt got some sour candies and a piece of chocolate, and Izzy picked out a candy stick and some gumdrops. Both Matt and Tai also got some candy for their siblings.
With candy in hand, the group settled under a tree and slowly ate up their candies. When a small brown caterpillar fell out of the tree and landed on Tai's nose, he fell over backwards but soon joined in with the Matt and Izzy for a good laugh. Quickly the caterpillar turned into a plaything, they let it climb all over them. Eventually the excitement wore off and they put it back on the tree.
Sora appeared moments later with her friend Mimi. "Look, it's Tai. Mimi, you said we needed someone else to play the game you said was good."
Tai had a sinking feeling. He turned to Matt, but discovered that both he and Izzy had fled the area. His stomach bottomed out when he noticed the gleam in Mimi's eye. In a flash, Mimi had him pinned to the tree, displaying enormous strength for her age. Mimi asked Sora to hold him down. Sora was skeptical, but obliged. The Tai became totally horrified when Mimi said "Don't struggle, you'll smudge the makeup."
Tai burst into tears, this was not how he pictured Sora's friend. She was a cruel and mean person, forcing him to look like a girl. Sora also felt horrible, more so when Tai burst out. She'd betrayed the deep friendship they shared. She didn't want to lose that friendship, she saw something inside hims, and embraced it. Quickly she released Tai and blocked Mimi before she could apply anything to Tai.
"Mimi, this is wrong." said Sora. "Tai's my friend, I'm sorry, but you're hurting him. I shouldn't have allowed you to even begin this escapade without his permission."
"But Sora." protested Mimi. "Fine, if you really feel that way."
Tai really couldn't feel hateful towards them, especially Sora, who'd been his last minute savior. He accepted their apology and brought them over to Matt and Izzy. They were both suspicious but eventually admitted they were grateful that Tai was alight.
The five of them played until lunch. They split up so they could eat, but all promised to return after so they could keep playing. When Tai got in, TK was still over. He and Kari were playing with some blocks, and giggling merrily.
"Tai, I know it's a hassle, but could you look after Kari and TK after lunch?" asked his mom during lunch. "You and your friends surely can find something to do."
Tai knew better than to refuse this request. After lunch, Tai took Kari and TK and met up with Matt and Izzy on the stairwell.
"Hey Matt, take care of Kari and TK for a second, would you. I have a little business I need to take care of." said Tai.
"Uhhh, sure thing." said Matt.
Tai entered the third floor corridor and knocked on one of the doors. A blue haired boy answered a minute after Tai knocked.
"Hi, my name's Tai. Thanks for helping us out. Do ya wanna come play with us?" asked Tai.
"Uh, sure." replied Joe, eyes beaming. "I've never had any real friends before. I'll be out in a minute. I have to take my allergy pill."
When everyone had gotten outside, Tai led the group off on an adventure through the playground. Their friendships grew and they soon became the best of friends. They also realized that they made a good team. They could do almost anything together, drawing on the strengths of one or two of them to help the whole group out.
Two months later:
"Are you sure this is necessary?" asked Genni.
"Yes." replied a voice to the young man. "They caused the breach sooner than anyone expected. They are destined to be together and save our world. But they just aren't old enough. If they breach the gateway now, they'll surely be destroyed. I'm afraid that we'll have to erase all their memories of this adventure. If we don't get them separated, they'll just breach the gateway again. And this time it may not turn out so well.
"They won't remember a thing?" asked Genni.
"Small bits, their parents will blow it off as imagination. In time they'll remember everything that happened, but only with time. Eventually, they'll arrive and fulfill the prophecy." said the voice. "Already they're forgetting. This event will be reported as a terrorist bombing, the parents will probably move the kids to a neighborhood they feel is safer."
Genni sighed, it seemed like such a terrible thing to do. Horrible even, but still necessary for their protection. He sincerely hoped that all would go well when the time arrived. Even more important was whether or not all the careful planning would pay off and that none of the evils would get wind of their plans.
Finally done. Remember these events are particular to my series only. It's based loosely on events from the show and my current knowledge of the digimon movie that this corresponds to. Hope you liked my first series. Now I will move onto my next series. It's the continuation of "The Final Battle".
P.S. Tai and Sora's friendship runs so deep that Tai doesn't entirely forget her. That's why they bond during their adventures in the digital world, and in the end get married in my series.