Out of the Ashes… : Chapter 2
** Disclaimers: I don't own digimon. Never will. This fic was produced for entertainment purposes only, and will not be sold. Leave me alone, you vultures!
** Author's notes: This chapter is a little long. In fact, the subsequent chapters will also be a little longer than usual. I'm just beginning to find that at this stage in the story, natural breaks are few and far between. So bear with me. (besides, it's not really that long)
Something I need to clarify. Got a lot of questions about this from the last chapter. No, Tai and his group has not met up with Matt's group yet. Matt still thinks Tai is dead, and is beginning to fear the worst for Izzy and the others. He still doesn't know who Willis is. Tai's group has no idea whether the others are even alive, let alone where they are.
Psychic powers this chap, as promised! All you TK lovers out there (yes, Kale, raine, that would be you), you're going to love this. By all rights, I'm really stretching it just a little too much by giving them powers, but hey, this is a fanfic. I can do whatever I want. Slight takari too, but really just hints. Insignificant. Don't worry, the takari's coming in subsequent chapters. Now, onto the story!!
*********
Four years ago, a small group of five determined teenagers went on a crusade around the world.
They were nomads, hunted fugitives without a home, without a base. Wandering from city to city, they picked up street gangs, and united them under a common cause. They offered freedom, and a chance to fight back, to all who followed them, and many accepted. Over the years, the group swelled and expanded with new members. It was a small, rag-tag squad at best, without a home base, and consequently ill-equipped. They called themselves the "Fremen", short for "Free men".
But they were determined, and well-organized, and they followed the five chosen loyally and without question, despite their age. It was these "children" that had done what no one else seemed able to do, unite the gangs under one common banner. Others had come before in their place, and had failed miserably. But somehow, these five leaders radiated such an aura of competence, inspired such fanatic loyalty in the hearts of their followers, that no one questioned their authority.
Throughout the years, as they wandered, two of the "chosen", the ones known as knowledge and fate, got together, and had a insane idea. A vision, and a way to defeat Diaboromon once and for all. It was four years of hard work before their idea was fleshed out, and their joint dream became reality.
Their creation was a terrible, terrible darkness, an instrument of genocide. Both of them had serious reservations about creating such a monster in the first place. It was because of such things that the war had started, and now, here they were, creating another.
A fire is indiscriminate, and destroys everything in sight, perhaps even those that created it. Yet, knowing full well the possible consequences, the two started one anyway. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and the war had gone past "desperate" five years ago, almost into the realm of "hopeless".
But not quite.
And now, four years later, the "children's" dreams were realized. Their group now numbered around one hundred able-bodied members. Armed with automatics and weapons looted and pillaged from military installations and gun shops, they had teeth. Every Fremen was adept at surviving off the land, and they fought effectively and fiercely with the weapons they had. Perhaps it was because of their lack of a home base that made them so successful. Constantly wandering, they were almost impossible to catch.
A small nomad army, yes, but a deadly one.
** August 15th, 2010 **
Seventeen year-old Taichi "Tai" Kamiya and his faithful digimon, Agumon, walked slowly down the streets of Tokyo, leading a small group of fellow warriors behind him. Home, sweet home… the brown-haired boy thought bitterly.
He had thought that by now, after living for more than five years in war, he would've gotten used to these devastated city scenes. But the simple fact that this was Tokyo, his hometown, had driven it deeper than it had ever gone before.
Behind him, Sora, Izzy, Mimi, and their digimon were all silent as well, as they walked through the ruined remains of their past lives. Only Willis looked relatively calm. All of them had the muzzles of their guns up and at the ready, safeties flipped off, their eyes constantly scanning for danger.
Tai approved.
Right now, the bulk of the Fremen were stationed on the Northern outskirts of Tokyo, while Tai and the digidestined had actually gone into the city to look around. No need to take along more people, Tai had reasoned, since that would only make them more noticeable. Plus, he had…personal reasons…for wanting to be alone with his friends in the city of his birth.
** flashback **
"Take care of this group for me. Lay low, and don't attract any attention. We should be back in about forty-eight hours." Tai said, leaving final instructions for his men. As he talked, he stashed three clips of ammo in his coat, and checked his weapon, a snub-nosed automatic.
His civilian second-in-command nodded, and smiled. "I'll take care of the boys while you have fun visiting your hometown. Don't worry about us, we can take care of ourselves." Then the older man's eyes turned concerned. "Are you sure you don't want to bring in a platoon for backup though?"
Technically, it wasn't strategically wise for all the leaders to go alone on a mission such as this, even if it was only recon. Some might consider it downright foolish.
But Tai shook his head, adamant. "We'll be fine. Izzy's pulling up the patrol shifts and schedules on his laptop as we speak, so if we're careful, we won't meet any patrols." Heaving a pack of supplies and weapons on his back, and checking his automatic one final time, he padded across the grass to where the other digidestined were waiting.
"We'll be back before you know it. And we might be bringing some…guests."
** end flashback **
The past years had not been kind to the small group. They were children no longer, but battle-weary soldiers, wandering throughout the globe. Hunted and chased, they had been forced to grow up in a hurry. Now, they were indistinguishable from a guerilla unit. It seemed they were always on the move, and whenever they had finally seemed settled into a place, all of their time was devoted to Izzy and Willis completing their weapon. They had all grown leaner, their bodies possessed not an ounce of extra fat. Their eyes reflected the constant fear of attack, the never-ending vigilance for danger. They held their weapons with practiced ease.
Five years of being hunted mercilessly did that to you.
Tai looked over his shoulder at Izzy. "How much further?"
The auburn-haired boy checked his laptop. "Almost there, another couple minutes, approximately."
The brown-haired boy nodded, and walked on through the darkening streets. Utter silence stretched in all directions. The only thing that could be heard was their soft footsteps on the concrete, and the buzzing of Tentomon's wings.
Tai had had severe reservations about the plan, the weapon that Izzy and Willis had proposed to him more than four years ago. It was because of things like this that the war had stared in the first place. But eventually he had relented. The problem was that that weapon had to be unleashed in Tokyo, in Diaboromon's headquarters. It had been blind luck that the resistance group whose location they had traced almost four years ago happened to be based in Tokyo.
That was what they were trying to do right now, contact the mysterious Tokyo resistance. Tai had reasoned, and the others had agreed with him, that they needed to cooperate on this one.
"Apart, we are nothing, mere embers of resistance, easily snuffed out, but together, we are strong as a raging fire," he had said. "The resistance group in Tokyo probably has supplies, a base, and up-to-date intelligence. If we're really lucky, they might even have some proper weapons, and a small unit of soldiers. Our army alone isn't enough to do the job. If this plan is to succeed, their help is essential."
Easier said than done, the thought flashed through his mind. Any resistance group worth its salt would definitely have found a better base by now. Sitting right in the middle of Tokyo, with no supply lines, they would either have been found, or have starved to death within six months. It was like looking for Willis all over again, except this time, they didn't have digivices to guide them. The traced location was four years old, and the trail was probably ice-cold, but it was their only lead, and they weren't about to waste it.
Of course, that was assuming they were still alive.
"Tai?"
Tai jerked out of his reminiscing. He turned around to look at Biyomon. "What is it?"
Biyomon and Sora were looking around, frowning. "This part of town looks familiar," Sora said. "Wasn't this where Matt and Kari…"
Now Tai was gazing around as well, and frowned. Normally he didn't like delving into his memories. Most of them were too painful. But this did look awfully familiar…"She's right Tai." Agumon piped up. "I remember this was definitely Aquas City, where we left Kari with Matt during the war with Myotismon."
Mimi broke in. "Do you think…"
Izzy shook his head. "No. It's probably not the digidestined. Just a coincidence. This area was one of the best places to hide in the city. It probably still is." Then he stopped. "We're here."
Sora gazed around, and her frown deepened. "This was almost exactly where Kari and Matt took shelter. I don't think this is a mere coincidence."
A small surge of excitement rose in Tai's heart, but he pushed it back down again. It was too early to tell. "I grant you, it's a pretty remarkable coincidence, but it may be just that, coincidence. Don't get your hopes up yet."
The rest of the group nodded. Looking around, Tai pointed at the building where Kari and Matt had taken shelter. "Come on. Let's start with that one. We'll circle the building once before we go in." He started towards the building. "Spread out. Izzy, Sora, Willis, circle left. Mimi and I will circle right. We'll meet at the back. Keep your eyes peeled…"
Several minutes later, they had circled the entire building once, and had found nothing out of the ordinary. It looked just like any other building in Tokyo. Run-down, broken windows, etc. Meeting at the back, he looked questioningly at Sora.
The girl shook her head. "I didn't see anything Tai. If this really used to be a rebel base, then either they're hiding it really well, or they're not here anymore."
Or they're dead. The unspoken thought hung heavy in the air.
Tai scratched his head. If they were to learn more, they would have to go inside. "Izzy…" he looked at the auburn-haired boy. "Take Mimi and Willis, and keep a lookout around the building. Whistle if you see anything dangerous. Sora and I are going inside."
Izzy nodded. Throughout the past years, he had become a trusted second-in-command to Tai. They had done this many times before, posting sentries around possible resistance hideouts, while Tai had gone inside to check it out. He gestured simply with his hands. "Mimi, go round back, and cover the rear of the building. Willis and I have the street."
It was an old Fremen maneuver. Spreading out, all three of them took up positions where they could cover the building most efficiently, maximizing their range of fire.
Meanwhile, Sora and Tai had taken off their backpacks. Tai looked at Izzy with a questioning look, and was rewarded with a thumbs-up sign. The sentries were in position. The brown-haired boy looked at the girl beside him. "Come on." He nodded towards the building. Together, the humans and their digimon walked in the door. They held their automatics at the ready. It never hurt to be too careful.
The first thing Tai noticed was the darkness. Even the streets outside were relatively dark, the interior was almost pitch-black. For a moment, he couldn't see anything, and they both stopped, waiting for their eyes to adjust.
Then, Tai felt a breeze behind his back. A thin wire slipped around his neck, and began to tighten…
**********
Utter silence reigned in the empty street, as the rebel cell watched with baited breath the battle between the leaders. Rob, the cocky challenger, raised his fists, and tensed. He was a seasoned street fighter, and he knew it. A confident smirk appeared on his face.
TK was not large for his age, and stood a good three inches shorter than Rob, and at least fifty pounds lighter. Without his staff, he looked very young, and very helpless.
This battle would be over in no time, Rob thought to himself.
In contrast, TK didn't move. His body relaxed, and his feet spread out, shoulder-width apart. His arms hung loosely at his sides, and he closed his bright blue eyes. His face cleared of all expression. Patamon nodded approvingly. The boy was falling back on his training, and clearing his mind like he had been taught to do before a fight. The lessons in Tenkei, or "Heaven's Will" in ancient digi-code, had continued in the last couple years, and his pupil had improved tremendously. And the results of teaching a heavenly combat style to a digidestined had proved…interesting.
Rob stared in surprise as a small wind seemed to pick up. It didn't seem to be blowing in any one direction. In fact, it seemed to be centered around the young boy. Leaves and dust swirled in a circle around TK's feet, carving small dust tracks in the ground.
What the hell…Rob was a little unnerved, but he had gone too far to back down now. He had challenged their leader, and he had to carry out the threat. Just the wind… he tried to convince himself. It's just the wind. He's not doing it at all. Snarling, he lunged forward, his hands extended into claws, reaching out for the young boy before him.
TK's blue eyes snapped open.
Suddenly, the small currents of air around him exploded into a gale-forced aura of wind. Stumbling in surprise, Rob plunged through the wind, reaching out blindly for his opponent, seeking his face.
He found nothing but air. It was as if TK had vanished.
"What the- "
A hard strike smashed into the back of his neck. Stumbling, the young man staggered forward a few steps. Turning around, he rubbed at his sore neck, glaring murderously at TK. The young boy stood a few meters away with his hands in his pockets, making no indication he had moved. It was as if he had been standing there all along. His blue eyes gazed impassively back. "Give up?"
Patamon watched the battle with intense interest. His pupil's innovative use of his skills never ceased to amaze him. Kari turned to look at the orange digimon. "What do you think?"
The digimon shook his head. "He could've struck harder than that."
Kari rolled her eyes. "Well, duh. If he wanted to, he could've broken his neck. I was talking about his aura."
Patamon looked back at the battle. "That wasn't a battle aura. He just used it to confuse Rob. I never thought of using it that way…"
As digidestined, they all knew they possessed powers that were almost supernatural, in a way. Matt's crest of friendship had healed Tai and WarGreymon once during the battle with Piedmon. Kari had literally "guided the others with her light" when they were lost in Machinedramon's city, and had helped the others digivolve. And TK's aura had helped heal Kari when she had been hit with shrapnel.
Four years ago, Patamon had taught TK the fundamentals in "Tenkei", the martial arts and fighting style used by Angemon and MagnaAngemon. Somehow, in learning the martial arts of an angel, TK had managed to unlock a power within himself. The full extent and abilities of that power were unknown, even to TK himself. As the blond boy had said, it was something you used, and not something you explained.
Tenkei, being a mental discipline as much as a physical one, had allowed TK to focus and control his dormant crest of hope, usually for combat purposes. The others had all tried, some with more success than others. Kari was fairly good at it too, but she had never been as good at it as TK. He had simply learned to control and focus it much better than the others, until he could now call on it at will.
That was what Shinta had been trying to warn Rob about. TK's rather…unique…skill. Unfortunately, Rob had chosen not to listen.
"Kid." Rob snarled. "I don't know what kind of fancy magic trick you're pulling on me here, but you are going to die!" Lunging forward again, he struck out with a blow aimed at his opponent's head.
TK raised a forearm and blocked the strike deftly. Furious, Rob struck out again, his fists blurred streaks as he tried to pummel the infuriatingly calm boy before him, but to no avail. Every strike was either deftly slapped away, or whistled through empty air. The boy's feet weren't moving, he wasn't backing off, yet somehow, none of the blows came close to hitting home.
For a few moments, no one from the cell spoke as they watched the struggle for power play out. The two leaders, the young man and the boy, sparred viciously. Though so far, TK hadn't struck back yet. In fact, his aura had all but disappeared.
Almost blind with rage and frustration, Rob finally managed to grab one of TK's forearms. Squeezing tightly, he smiled. "I've got you n…"
TK circled his arm, twisting and wrenching Rob's hand off. Before Rob could blink, the young boy smoothly grabbed the man's wrist with his left hand, locked his right elbow under his opponent's arm, turned and heaved effortlessly.
Startled, Rob was flipped into the air, surprised by the sudden deck. He landed on his back hard, and the breath was jarred out of his lungs. TK stood over him, one hand twisting Rob's arm behind his back, pressing it to the ground in a standard stopping maneuver. His aura flared back into life. Raising his fist, TK threw a punch right at Rob's nose, stopping it an instant before it connected.
The suddenly not-so-cocky young man lay flat on his back, staring cross-eyed at the rock steady fist a millimeter off the tip of his nose.
For a moment, no one spoke. A slight wind rustled through the streets as Rob's gang stared, disbelieving, at the seemingly helpless kid who had just effortlessly defeated their leader. Zion's rebels, on the other hand, were stifling chuckles at their companion's expressions. Shinta was especially amused by the expression on Rob's face.
"Maybe this isn't the best time to say 'I told you so', but I told you so…"
TK relaxed his fist. His aura died down again, and the boy stood up, releasing Rob's arm. Again, he seemed burdened, as if he carried an incredible weight on his young shoulders. Turning his back on Rob, he walked back to the group. "Come on. It's not safe. We'd best get going to the safehouse."
Rob lay on the ground, stunned. How the hell did a shrimpy kid beat me?! Humiliated, his mind filled with rage as he grasped at excuses. He cheated, that's how. He must've. No way he can be that strong…Staggering to his feet, the young man's vision began to flicker red with fury. He cheated…it wasn't fair…he cheated…
Pulling a switchblade out of his pocket, he flicked the blade open. Five inches of cold blue steel came out of the sheath. Stumbling, he charged the boy's back, his knife extended.
Kari's crimson eyes widened. "TK! Look out behind you!"
The blond-haired boy whirled around to see Rob charging him with a five-inch knife. It was too late to dodge. Desperately, he raised his left arm to try to block. Rob's knife sliced through the flesh on the boy's forearm easily, carving a deep gash from TK's elbow to his wrist.
The young boy staggered back, one hand clamped against the wound, his teeth gritted in pain. Crimson blood seeped around his fingers. "You said no weapons!" a couple Zion rebels began shouting with indignation.
The streets had their own, savage code of honour. Although these were unwritten laws, all street gangs, in their savagery and trickery, did follow certain rules of engagement. All followed these laws as if they were set in stone.
And Rob using a knife in a no-weapons challenge was a flagrant violation of those laws.
Rob, however, was beyond reason. "Well, I lied!" Charging, he swiped madly at the injured boy. "You were cheating! I know it! There's no way some shrimpy fourteen-year-old kid can beat me!" He laughed crazily. "Well, if you can cheat, then so can I!"
Kari's own aura began to flicker to life. She was about to dash out to help when she felt Patamon tugging on her shirt, holding her back. "What are you doing?" she cried. "TK needs our help!"
Patamon shook his head. "You can't help him. This is a battle between leaders. If someone interferes, the problem will remain, and this will happen again. That is the way of the street."
"But TK…"
"…will be fine. Trust him." Patamon turned back to watch the battle. Kari bit her lip, and forced herself to calm down. Her own aura flashed sporadically, glowing a faded pink with anxiety. TK might get hurt, badly! If something happens to him…
TK dodged yet another slash. "Rob! Listen to me!" he tried to reason. "You've already lost the battle! Even if you kill me, do you really think they'll follow you?"
Rob slashed viciously with his knife, the keen blade whistling through the air. "I don't care! No one humiliates me like that and gets away with it!" He swung his fist.
The young boy raised his wounded forearm to block it, and a gasp of pain escaped him as the punch hit home. Blood from the wound sprayed over both combatants. "Rob! Stop this!" he cried desperately. "This is pointless!"
The man answered with another vicious slash aimed at his opponent's midsection. TK leapt backwards, and the knife whistled an inch from his stomach. The boy's shirt was slashed to shreds.
"Fine!" TK backed off a little to give himself some space. Rob charged after him, intent on skewering the boy. "Just remember, you asked for this…" He closed his eyes.
His battle aura flared up again like wildfire. Instead of a simple wind, this time it was more like a small explosion. Golden flames halloed his slim body, and several members of Rob's gang gasped in surprise, shielding their eyes from the sudden blast of wind and debris. Zion's rebels simply looked on with grim satisfaction. When TK opened his eyes again, they glowed a pure, piercing white. The crest of hope burned brightly on his chest, visible even through his shirt.
Rob rushed ahead, unable to stop himself. Waving wildly with his knife, he tried to stab the suddenly flaming figure before him. TK's frame blurred, then suddenly he was gone. Rob stumbled through the empty space where the boy had been.
Oh no…not again!
His worst suspicions were confirmed when he felt an arm lock around his knife wrist. Suddenly, the boy was beside him. Locking Rob's arm with his own elbow, he struck viciously at the hand holding the knife with the heel of his palm. The blade gleamed with the reflected light of TK's aura as it spun upwards, high into the sky.
An instant later, TK dropped to the ground, and aimed a savage kick at Rob's knees. The man gasped as his feet were swept out from under him. Falling clumsily, he howled as his right leg twisted awkwardly under his body as he rolled.
The knife fell to the ground, burying itself blade-first in the dirt.
Rolling to a stop, Rob looked up, clutching at his wrenched knee, into the glowing eyes of TK. The boy stood over his opponent, his aura flaring golden against the darkening sky. He was helpless, and he knew it.
"Go ahead! Pick up that knife, and kill me! Nothing to stop you now! Isn't this what you always wanted?" Rob closed his eyes against the pain, then opened them again.
"I won't blame you kid…" It was the way of the street. In a battle for leadership, only one may walk away alive.
TK's face was expressionless. His eyes betrayed nothing, but inside, he was in turmoil, his heart and his mind clashing.
Kill him! His mind screamed. He's too dangerous. He cheated, broke the code of the street. He tried to kill you. He's undermining your authority within the cell. If you don't do something decisive, this will repeat itself again and again. You have to set an example to the rest of your troops. If you let him live, more will challenge you…
His heart rebelled against his mind.
Look at him! He's helpless, lying on the ground! He's just scared, uncertain, and not used to being lead. He's a human being! With time, he'll learn.
If I kill him, would I really be any better than Diaboromon?
Slowly, TK raised a fist, and arcs of golden light seemed to spiral around it. His body arced and he assumed a stylized posture, his feet spreading out for better stability, weight on the back foot, and other arm raised in defense. His fist locked into position, in-line with his forearm, and it resembled a deadly, striking snake. His aura flared even brighter as the boy gathered his strength for the strike.
A God at war.
With a jolt, Patamon recognized it as the most powerful offensive stance he had taught his pupil, the type normally used to deliver the final, killing blow. Turning, he tugged at Kari's sleeve. "Don't look," he whispered. "It's not going to be pretty if TK actually hits him…"
Rob closed his eyes, and waited for the inevitable.
Crack. A sickening crunching sound resounded throughout the street as TK brought his fist down with incredible force. Then, a deadly silence filled the darkening neighbourhood.
No one breathed.
Rob opened his eyes. Am I… dead?! He couldn't grasp the concept at first. He could still feel the ground on which he lay, the sharp pebbles digging into his back, the fading afternoon heat. He could still hear the wind blowing through the street. He looked around. I'm not dead?! But… Rob looked to his side.
And gasped. TK's fist was embedded into the ground a centimeter beside his ear. Cracks spread along the concrete, and a small crater had blasted itself into the pavement. His body was seized with a cold shiver. Had TK actually hit him, his head would've been smashed into a bloody pulp. The fist would've gone straight through his face and into the pavement below. Looking up, he saw the young boy over him, his aura still glowing.
A God at war, yes, but a merciful God.
"Who the…what are you…?" he managed to gasp out.
The boy didn't answer. His aura flared once, then it died down again. All of a sudden, the streets were dark again without the golden light to illuminate it. Once again, TK looked just like any other teenager, small, slim and seemingly helpless.
Except for his eyes.
The turmoil was over. His heart had won. Wearily, the boy stood up, and offered his hand to the loser. His eyes reflected not the slightest hint of rancor or hate. "Can you stand?"
Rob was dumbfounded. Then he snarled. "I don't need your help." Painfully, he tried to lever himself to his feet, then stumbled, clutching at his right knee, and stifling a scream. He was about to fall when he felt someone support him with his arms. Looking around wildly, he saw TK was holding him up. "I said…I don't need your…" His voice was cut off as he bit his lip with pain.
The young boy looked to the rebel cell. "Shinta. Give me a hand over here." Wordlessly, the rebel came, and helped support the injured man. Between them, they managed to maneuver Rob to a standing position. Once he was standing, Rob pushed TK away violently. Leaning heavily on Shinta, and standing on his good leg, he glared murderously at the boy. "Why are you doing this? I just tried to kill you!"
TK didn't answer. Walking over to his backpack, he pulled out a clean, white bandage, and approached Rob's right knee. The young man spat on the ground contemptuously. Drawing back his free hand, he was about to strike the boy when he felt Shinta slide a hand across his throat.
"TK might be a little too kind for his own good, but I'm not." The Zion rebel whispered into his ear menacingly. "If you hit him, I swear to God I'll snap your neck like a twig, and ask for TK's pardon afterwards. Believe me, I've done it before…" Rob's eyes widened in shock, and he nodded vigorously.
The boy wrapped and tied the bandage around the knee securely, holding it in place. Standing up, he looked Rob in the eye. "That's the best I can do. You'll just have to hold out until we get to a safehouse. Then we can bandage your knee better." Turning, the boy motioned to his cell. "Come on. Let's get a move on. We still have a considerable distance to go before we make it to the safehouse."
No one questioned his authority.
Wordlessly, the rebel cell trudged off into the night. Kari looked at TK's forearm worriedly. The injured arm was literally dripping with blood. The boy's face was pale and tight with the pain. As they walked, she pulled out another bandage from her own first-aid kit, padded over to his side, and wrapped it firmly around his forearm.
He gave her a gentle, albeit pained smile for the gentle gesture, and she grinned back. "Here's your staff." She handed the boy his bo. "Like you said, it's the best I can do, but I can dress it a little better when we get to the safehouse."
Suddenly, TK's free hand clasped around the bandage, stopping her from tying the knot. "No. Kari, why don't you lead the cell for a sec. They need you more than I do. I'll be back here with Rob and Shinta. My arm can wait until we're safe."
Kari frowned. The bandage hadn't been tied yet, and TK was simply holding it against the wound to stop the bleeding. But one look at his eyes told her he would brook no argument. The group always first. His own discomfort and injuries were secondary.
She nodded. "Fine." The girl started off for the front of the group. Before she went, she turned and flashed him another worried glance. "Just promise me you'll be more careful next time, alright?" TK nodded, then faded away to the back of the small rebel cell.
Shinta and Rob hobbled along at the rear of the group. TK walked beside them, making sure that they didn't get left behind. Rob looked at the boy. An expression that TK didn't recall seeing appeared on his face. Respect, perhaps? "Why are you doing this?"
Stooping, TK picked up Rob's knife, where it lay on the ground. Sheathing the blade, he pocketed it. "If you behave, I'll give it back."
Rob fell silent, fully aware that his question had been dodged. Together the group trudged through the darkening streets towards the safehouse. Then Shinta turned to look at Rob. "Now you know why we follow him…"
**********
It was Sora's helmet that saved her. The lead pipe that smashed into her head stunned her, but it didn't smash her skull in like it was supposed to. Even so, spidery cracks spread throughout the helmet. It would never block another blow.
Even though her head was spinning, the girl immediately crouched, and struck out into the darkness savagely. Her eyes were still adjusting, but then, unlike some other fighters, she didn't rely solely on her sense of sight. Hearing and touch served just as well.
She was rewarded by a sharp grunt of pain. Moving in to finish, her arms raised in defense, she lashed out with her foot. The man folded without a sound, and slumped to the ground.
Biyomon flew through the air, slashing with her razor-sharp beaks and wings. She couldn't use her attack, "Spiral Twister", for fear of alerting Diaboromon to their presence, but even without the use of her powers, she could still be deadly. The men swiped blindly at the whirling bird. "Where the hell did this hawk come from?" someone shouted.
More men emerged from the darkness, some brandishing weapons. Sora dropped her automatic. In the darkness, it was impossible to see anything, and she couldn't use it for fear of hitting Tai, Agumon, or Biyomon. Especially Biyomon, flapping as she was throughout the room. Desperately, Sora put two fingers in her mouth, and let loose a sharp whistle. A pre-arranged signal for danger. Izzy and the others would know something was up.
Then, she snapped her arms back into defense as the men charged…
Tai's vision was beginning to flicker. The thin noose dug into his neck, piercing his skin. His gun clattered to the ground. He could feel a trickle of blood drip down his neck. Beside him, he could hear Agumon engaged in a fierce battle with more men. No help from him then…
The man behind him hauled savagely on the wire. Wheezing, Tai raised his arm, and drove his elbow backward into the man's stomach.
He heard the man grunt, but the wire didn't loosen. Tai's vision was almost totally black by now, and he was on the edge of unconsciousness. Desperately, with the last of his strength, Tai slammed his heel as hard as he could into the man's shin.
This time, there was a sharp howl of pain, and the wire loosened just a little. Grabbing it with his hands, Tai tore the wire loose, wincing at the sharp pain from his neck. Before the man could recover, he turned around and dealt two quick strikes to his assailant. One, two, the punches landed home with staccato precision. Blood gushed from the man's nose as he stumbled backwards, and fell.
Izzy, Willis and Mimi burst through the door, their weapons raised and ready to do some damage. Squaring off with the men, they began taking combat positions. Thankfully, no shots had been fired, yet. Both sides were afraid of hitting their comrades. In the dark, none of the combatants could really see each other. The fight in the dark building was rapidly turning into a fierce brawl…
"STAND DOWN!!"
The sharp command from one of the men pierced the air. Both sides immediately stopped, and suddenly, the building was quiet again. Several of the men who had been knocked down stood up, holding their injuries, and backed off from the kids.
In the sudden calm, Sora got her first real look at their attackers. A group of eleven men, stood silently before them.
The digidestined, for their part, never let their guard down. Izzy, Mimi and Willis formed a protective line around Tai, who was on his hands and knees coughing up blood. Sora and Agumon rushed to his side. "Are you all right?"
Tai wheezed, but he still managed to give her a wan smile. "I've been better, but I'll live." Agumon heaved a sigh of relief. Then he glanced at the silent row of men before them.
They were different from gangs the digimon had seen before. Their clothes, while not exactly the best, was a far cry from the ripped up rags that street gangs usually wore. Their guns weren't the usual rusted out pieces of junk that street gangs usually used, but were well-cleaned, well-tended to, and seemed to be in perfect working order. Their eyes burned with a purpose and order that Agumon didn't remember seeing in a long time.
They were also apparently a well-disciplined group, with a clear command structure. This was no ordinary street gang. "What's with them?" he whispered.
Izzy stepped up. "Who are you, and why did you attack us?"
A few moments of silence passed. Then, a young man stepped forward. Izzy gazed at him curiously. He had a mop of unruly dark hair, but the most remarkable thing about him was his eyes. They burned a golden, honey colour. Strangely though, the leader ignored Izzy, and focused those surreal eyes on Tai. He pointed at Tai's neck.
"You're bleeding."
Sora handed Tai a bandage, which he gingerly pressed against the wound on his neck. "Of course he's bleeding. What'd you expect? You just tried to strangle him!"
The man shook his head. "You're human."
This time, Izzy looked distinctly confused. "Of course we're human. What're you talking about?"
The dark haired leader raised his arms in a gesture of surrender. "We apologize. We thought you were Bakemon disguised as humans. Several other rebel cells have been taken in by the deception."
Mimi was incredulous. "You thought we were Bakemon? Do we look like Bakemon to you?!"
"No, Mimi, he's right." Sora interrupted behind her. "Bakemon can change forms until they're indistinguishable from humans. They can even talk like them. It happened to Joe and I when we got separated by Devimon."
She turned her crimson eyes on the leader, drilling him with an intense stare. "And when you saw us bleed, you knew we couldn't be digimon. Digimon don't bleed. They spill data." The two groups stared tensely at each other, the safeties on their guns off, and rounds locked into the firing chambers. Although hostilities had ceased for the moment, things were far from peaceful.
The man nodded. "That's right." Then his eyes hardened. "Are you with Diaboromon, or against him?"
Willis tensed at the mention of the hated name. His finger twitched on the trigger. Izzy piped up before the blond boy could do something rash. "We are the commanders of the Fremen, a group of freedom fighters who are, and always has been, sworn against Diaboromon." The intellectual boy gazed curiously at the small group before him. "And you?"
The man's gaze softened again. "Good. Then you are among friends." The leader of the men gestured once with his hands. Immediately, the entire gang dropped their weapons and relaxed. Tai was impressed. This was a really well disciplined group. No questioning of orders, just a simple gesture, and instant obedience. This man had the mark of a true leader.
In some ways, this group reminded Tai of the Fremen, well-disciplined, and well-organized.
The man gestured to two men by his side. "Get some bandages and some food for these people." The two men sprang to it. One to get bandages, and the other to get food.
Turning back, the leader sighed. "We're really sorry for the misunderstanding, but in war, one can't be too careful. I'm sure you understand." He gestured around at the building. "This is a safehouse of the rebellion. When you guys walked in, I thought we'd been discovered." He walked forward slowly, hand extended. "My name is David, and I'm the leader of this rebel cell. Part of the Zion rebellion…"
Agumon snapped at the offered hand, and Tai put a restraining hand on his digimon. "Easy there. He was just trying to shake hands."
The digimon sniffed. "Well, excuse me if I don't trust someone who just tried to strangle you less than a minute ago." He glared balefully at David. "If I'm to trust him, he has to prove it."
"You…you have digimon?"
Tai turned a quizzical gaze back towards the man. David's normally placid face had a thunderstruck expression on it. The entire rebel cell instantly went deathly silent. Izzy, Sora, Mimi and Willis looked uneasily at the suddenly intense gazes being directed at them. "You didn't notice?" Tai responded.
David shook his head dazedly. "I thought they were merely pets, or dogs, or something. The building was too dark." Agumon sniffed disdainfully. Dogs indeed. Do I look like a dog to you? David ran a hand through his hair shakily.
"But…but if you have digimon, that means you're digidestined…" He gave a short, embarrassed laugh. "No wonder we got beaten up by a bunch of kids…" David glanced up. "Then you must be the one they call Tai, the one with the crazy brown hair."
Tai looked up, his gaze suddenly becoming more focused, intense. "How'd you know my name?"
The dark-haired man sat down, as if his legs had suddenly become too weak to support him. "After five whole years, the digidestined will finally be complete. We've finally found them…" he whispered to himself.
Then, louder, "Matt told me. Yamato Ishida, our commander- "
Suddenly, he felt two strong hands on his collar. The other rebel cell members looked on in amazement as Tai hauled David bodily to his feet, and jerked his face up close to his own. A slight…ripple could be discerned around the boy's body. David suddenly found himself staring into the most intense, burning hazel eyes he had ever seen. They looked like they were on fire. Tai's voice was as hard as steel.
"Take me to Matt. NOW!!"
**********
** Author's notes: Um…if it isn't obvious from my writing, Tai and the others have absolutely no idea of their powers, since they didn't have Patamon there to guide them. So really, while they do know they're somewhat special, it's never occurred to them that they could control and focus their powers. As far as they're concerned, they're normal human beings. Just a little point I felt needed clarifying.
Another thing, I am not making this up as I go along. Even before I started writing "Yesterday When the War Began: Chap. 1", I'd already had a basic, skeleton framework in mind, planned all the way to the end of the story, with Diaboromon's defeat.
So, how'd you like it? Review, people!