Created By: Jason Wong
"You can't trick me, emperor." repeated Matt. "Don't insult my intelligence."
Tai was quick to protest, trying to convince Matt. But the dark ring clamped around his foot really prevented Tai from doing anything but to enrage Matt further.
"Shut up." shouted Matt.
Tai choked up and gagged immediately as the tip of Matt's knife made an incision into Tai's throat. Some blood trickled from the wound. Tai was ever so thankful that Matt had missed all this major blood veins. His joy was short lived, for when he tried to once again convince Matt of his identity, the words came out as a breath of air. The knife had slashed his vocal chords. He could no longer speak. (Absolutely DO NOT attempt that at home people. You'd have to be a medical surgeon in a hospital filled with modern equipment to even risk neak surgery.) Tai watched as the Matt's contented face paled and turned to a look of horror as he realized just what he'd done, and to who. The knife clattered to the ground as shock overtook Matt.
It was at that moment that Tai saw through the corner of his eye, the emperor standing above them. Gloating at his total victory. It was too much for Tai. With a quick flick, he sent the knife whizzing at the emperor. As the knife hurled towards it's victim, the victim's image transformed into that of Sora. Tai tried to shout a warning, but all that came out was a puff of air. Shock overtook him as Sora fell from the wall, and Tai fell into the blissful depths of unconsciousness.
When Tai awoke, the first thing he noticed was how sore his throat was. It hurt to even swallow. As his vision came into focus, he noticed that he'd been moved into a hospital. His bed was crowded by machines. Tubes and needles entered his body as the constant drone of beeps went on and on. It wasn't long, but it seemed like an eternity to Tai, before someone came by.
"Joe." croaked Tai who's first reaction was always to call out. He was surprised he could talk.
"Don't talk Tai." said Joe. "You've just been through allot of surgery. I wouldn't take you, but you're needed at the trial for the emperor. It's being held in the digital world."
Joe unhooked the many machines, removed the needles, and unhooked the many tubes before carefully transferring Tai from his hospital be to a wheelchair. From there, he was transported to the school. Joe explained that his identity had never been revealed. That he was a John Doe, and that he could choose to go back home after the trial if it was his wish. They passed through the portal and approached the makeshift trial area. Leomon was at the podium while the emperor was surrounded by many guards. Joe wheeled Tai up to the front row.
"You are charged with crimes against the digital world, needless distruction, enslavement, and causing willful injury to others. You are also charged with the direct cause of the deaths of the following individuals: Hikari "Kari" Kamiya, Daisuke "Davis" Motomiya, and Sora Takenouchi. In addition, the cause of the imminent death of Yamato "Matt" Ishida. How do you plead?" asked Leomon.
"Not Guilty." snarled the emperor (aka Ken). "As ruler by devine right you cannot possibly convict me. It is my destiny to rule over you all. Bow down to me."
"You are wrong." said Centarumon. "Although the ancient prophecies do tell of a human who will rule over the digital world. You cannot claim that title. You failed to read the complete text. In the complete text, the one who can rule is named in part. It talks of the ones who destroyed the great evils. I believe I speak for everyone when I say this. Tai, will you accept the task of ruling the digital world?"
"Me?" exclaimed Tai who immediately began coughing. Joe gave Tai some water.
"Yes. The prophecy talks about a human who has lost all they love and care about. They alone can rule." said Centarumon.
"Tai." said Matt. "Do it for us. You've given everything for us. Do this last thing, as a favor to your friend. I can die in peace knowing someone as kind as you is here."
Tears began to form in Tai's eyes. "For everyone's sake. To keep this from happening again. I'll do it."
"My lord, as the new ruler, you may choose the punishment for this individual." said Leomon.
"I never want it said that I'm an injust ruler. Even though he committed terrible crimes. I will decree he be banished from the digital world." said Tai. "I believe that without the temptation of power, he'll become good once again." (Ken does in fact become a good guy later)
"Very well." said Leomon. The guards proceeded to send Ken through one of the digiports.
TK's POV:
The emperor was taken away and we all left for the digiport. Joe was telling Tai about all this medical stuff he needed to know so that his voice would heal properly. We reached the gate and went through. Naturally we all landed in a big head. But what I found odd was that Tai wasn't there. We had all assumed he'd live like the emperor, both at home and in the digital world. It was freaky. Tai stared right at me through the screen and mouthed the words "Only you."
There was a confused yelp from the group as everyone was suddenly shocked by their digivices.
"I've sealed the gateway." said Tai. "There's been too much suffering already. I can't risk the chance someone might find their way in. All the digidestined kids around the world have had their digivice circuitry destroyed."
There was a shocked silence as we all realized that the digital world was closed to us. We'd never see Tai or our digimon ever again, except through that tiny computer screen. I felt sad that I never got a chance to say a real goodbye to Patamon. We were heartbroken, but we all knew he was right and that it was for the best. Heads hung low, we departed from the school.
Three Years Later.... (Still TK's POV)
I sit in the rebuilt castle of the digimon emperor, I ascended the throne. You're probably all wondering what happened in the three years since we all said our goodbyes to Tai. I'll tell you the story as best I can....
Matt lasted a year before the mechanical aids that had replaced many of his organs began to break down. The doctors couldn't help because it had all been made by the emperor and was irreplaceable. He died the way he wanted to, with everything going for him. He and his band had marketed their first last and only CD. It was an instant hit, staying in the top ten months after his death. Matt wanted to leave me with as many good memories as possible, and spent most of his spare time with me, doing all those things we both loved to do. We said are goodbyes, and one night he just slipped away in his sleep.
With the sealing of the gate, the group broke apart. No one wanted to go back to the computer as it dreaded up so many sad memories. Too many people had died. So after Matt died, I became depressed. I'd sit for hours at a time, with no one except Matt's music. My parents couldn't possibly understand what I was going through. My mother was almost always working, even though she tried her best to get time in for me. I began to spiral downwards, I rejected all human contact. I emerged myself in the study of computers and electronics. I wasn't even aware of my problem until I was called down to the councilors office. It was then that I realized that like Izzy, I had built a shell around myself. I had lost hope in the world. I detached myself from the computer, I re-entered society again. But no one was able to offer me what I needed. Once again, depression took me. I spiraled downwards and absorbed myself into the world of electronics. I considered killing myself, but knew that Matt would disapprove of it.
In one of those days of misery, I received the shock of my life. I suddenly found that my digivice was going off. We'd all kept them as momentos, but they shouldn't have worked. But here it was, beckoning me. I cradled the device in my hands, and suddenly I was transported to the digital world, I don't know how, I was just suddenly there. But I realized that this is what I needed. The digital world was the one place where I still had friends, I hoped. I walked slowly towards the tall structure which towered over most of the area. The palace. I realized, that the whole trip was strange. I hadn't encountered a single digimon at all. Puzzled I pushed open the door to the palace and stepped in. The floor lay covered in dust. Room after room was empty. Where was Tai? Had some enormous disaster occurred? Had all life in the digital world ceased to exist? Would I be an outcast in the place most familiar to me? Slowly, hesitantly, I approached the doors to the inner sanctum. I was terrified of what I might find. What I found was a splendid garden. Possibly the only place in the whole building that had had any maintenance recently. Life size statues of the digidestined and their digimon had been erected at various points in the room making them almost look real.... I stopped in front of one particular statue. The one who'd died at my own hands, even though it wasn't my fault. I was unable to look the statue in the eyes. There was a slight rustle behind me followed by a cool crisp voice.
"I see you found your way back TK. I was wondering when you'd arrive." said the figure. I knew without looking who it was, and was surprised at how well his voice had healed.
"Tai...." I said calmly. "But how did you know I'd end up here?"
"You and Kari, you're the only ones who can pass across the physical plane to the digiworld without using a digiport." said Tai "You are my successor."
I stared visibly. "Successor? But you're barely seventeen as it is." I told him. "What happened here anyway?"
"There was a war. A horrible war where the emperor's supporters clashed with our forces. Primary village was the first place taken, the whole area is still decimated. The digiworld will hold these scars for years to come. All of the digimon are currently trying to rebuild Primary village.
"That's terrible." I said shocked. "But how do I fit in?"
"I'm privy to certain things even Centarumon isn't. It's true that I fit the prophecy's description, yet if it had been me, this war never would have happened." said Tai. "You watched all the things I secretly taught Matt about leadership, you've grown to meet all those teachings. You are the one who can truly accend the throne."
I resisted the idea at first. I mean I had a life in the real world. But I came to realize that that wasn't true. I had no friends, even my parents were strangers to me. No one in the real world really truly cared about me except my parents, and they were always busy. The title was virtually flung on me. A few days later, I was brooding about the subject in my chamber when a digimon informed me that Tai had been found dead in his bed. It was ruled as a suicide, but I think he knew that I'd finally made my decision and chose to move on and join all his loved ones in the afterlife.
And yet, even as I rule, I myself am beginning to feel the pangs of loss that I believe drove Tai to his decision. No wars or anything have occurred under my rule. All disputes were settled in a nonviolent fashion. Gabumon and Patamon have helped me rule the same way they helped Tai. I long to be with my soulmate, Kari Kamiya. But the time isn't right, I haven't yet resolved all the conflicts of the past or rebuilt the world since the last world. Mabey in ten or twenty years, when everything is done, and I've found a suitable successor, mabey I'll follow Tai on his journey to death. But even if I perish tomorrow, another will follow. Genni or his successor will see to that. There will always be digidesined to guard over the digital world, and there will always be digidestined ready to give their lives in the name of peace.
And once again I stand in front of Kari's statue. I realize how hard war is on a person and what a toll a person takes in ruling. I guard this world in the name of peace, so that no one has to live through the horrors of war again.
"One day." said Tai as he watched TK from the astral plane. "One day you and Kari. One day all of us will be reunited again."
"I just wish it would happen soon." said Kari. "Come to me my sweet TK. I want to spend the rest of eternity with you."
"Be patient, he'll come when he feels the time is right." said Sora, her arm around Tai's shoulder. "Until then, you've always got Davis."
"Davis? He's already found another girl. He likes me like a friend now. He's off in the american spiritual plane right now." said Kari.
"He shouldn't stray too far you know." said Tai. "It's our final mission, to guard the digital world in death. One that TK will inherit with us when he dies. And that mission'll last forever."
"Takeru, you're just the thing the digital world needs, but I need you too. Don't be too long." said Kari.
And almost as if he could hear here, TK looked up and smiled. "Hang on Kari, you've waited this long, I'll join you when the time is right. I just have to set all these affairs strait, then we can be together forever."
I know that wasn't all that great, but I got bored of the series. Anyway, leave your reviews and I'll try to get out my next fic ASAP.