DIGIMON: The New Path

by Robster80

AU right after episode 21 of 02. STarts off Daikari, but WILL NOT stay that way. This series is being rewritten under a different title, but I will STILL have these original 7 chapters up (if I am allowed)

2. Episode 2: Divided We Fall

Digimon: The New Path

Episode Two: Divided We Fall

By: Robster80

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Last time: The kids spent a day fixing up an area of the Digital World several days after Ken's defeat. TK wanted to talk to Kari about his feelings, but he was shocked when he discovered that she was now dating Davis. He accepted this and congratulated them, but went home to secretly cry for his missed chance. Meanwhile, Veemon helped Gatomon and Patamon get together, but he's begun to suspect that Davis' feeling toward Kari aren't love…

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TK hardly spoke to anyone at school the next day except when the teachers called on him to read or answer questions. He sat alone during lunch and ate slowly in silence. His usually enthusiasm in gym class had been replaced with dullness, though his basketball skills were still sharp. Whenever someone asked about his bandaged hand, he just said, "It's nothing."

Kari noticed his unusual behavior, but she turned away from it to be with Davis. She was so happy that they were now together, and so was Davis. However, he was happier at seeing TK suffering.

TK and Patamon got to the computer room first with Yolei and Poromon, but went through the portal without waiting for anyone else, saying, "I'll get a head start on wrecking some control spires. Don't worry about me."

Yolei shook her head. He's taking this much harder than he's letting on. And Kari's too lovesick to even notice. If only I could help…

* * *

"Spiking Strike!"

Ken watched as Stingmon attacked another control spire and destroyed it. It was the last one of the area they were in, and they had been there for only a few minutes. "That's a good start, Stingmon, but you should take it easy until we get to the next area."

Stingmon nodded and flew back to his friend before changing back into Wormmon. "It feels good to be correcting our errors, Ken. But, don't you think we should join the others?"

Ken grew sad. "I'm not sure they'll welcome us, old friend. I know TK was sincere about us joining them, but the others looked like he thought he was crazy."

"Maybe I am."

Suddenly, TK and Patamon appeared from behind Ken and Wormmon. "It's good to see you guys again. Especially to see you alive, Wormmon."

Ken smiled a bit. "Hello, TK. What brings you here?"

"I saw your signal and decided to see if we could talk, and smash some more control towers in the process. By the way, how can Wormmon Digivolve with the spires around?"

Ken pulled out his own D-terminal and brought up a new program. "I created this at home after Wormmon reformatted into Leafmon, and downloaded it into my terminal and D-3 after he became Minomon." He then held up his D-3, which had changed colors since the last time.

TK noticed it right away. "Hey, your D-3's changed! It's now white with black outer rims."

"Yes, thank goodness. I noticed after I gave up being the Digimon Emperor. By the way, this program is shareable. How about I download it into your D-3 so Patamon can Digivolve without the Digi-Egg? It's the least I can do for your kindness."

TK looked at Patamon, then back at Ken. "Sure." He pulled out his green D-3 and handed it over to Ken, who sat down and pulled out a cable, connecting the D-3 with the terminal.

"This will take about a minute. I don't mean to pry, but why aren't the others with you? Wherever you go, they're usually behind you, especially Kari."

Patamon quickly said, "Let's not talk about them right now, okay? We're not having a good day."

Realizing he said too much, Ken apologized and went to work on the program download. "Is your invitation to join the team still open?"

TK looked away at the landscape. "Yeah… it's still open if you want to join. But… I have to convince the others, though."

Ken looked up at him, knowing that something was wrong. "What happened, TK? I know it's probably personal, but I would like to help if I can."

"Well… It's about Kari. She's dating Davis as of yesterday."

"I see. You love her, don't you?"

"Yes… but she only sees me as her friend… and she considered keeping her relationship with Davis a secret from the others… and me. Maybe it was to keep me from getting hurt, but I overheard them, and told them that they shouldn't keep such things from their friends."

"Didn't you fight for her?"

"That wouldn't do anything but make Kari hate me… and I would never do that to her. I gave them my best wishes and walked away. I guess… she wasn't the right onw for me."

"…I am sorry. It's obvious that you're hurting greatly from this." There came a buzzing sound, and Ken put away the cable. "All done! Here you go. We'll try it out at the nearest control spire area."

TK took back his D-3 and nodded. "Thanks, Ken. Let's go!"

* * *

"ROSETTA STONE!"

"BLUE THUNGER!"

"GOLD RUSH!"

"TEMPEST WING!"

Davis and the others were working hard in another area that was filled with control spires. Yolei had told them about TK's early entry to the Digital World, but Davis shook it off. "We don't need him or Patamon," he had said. "What's important is that we get rid of the control spires."

Gatomon wanted to scratch Davis' eye out for his comment, but she held herself back for Kari's sake. If he talks rude about my Pata again, however, I won't hold back.

So, the four used their Digi-Eggs to Armor-Digivolve and began to trash the spires nearest them. Yolei watched as Davis and Kari worked together to do their share of the work. Nothing against you, Davis, she thought. But you and Kari just don't make a good couple. When TK and Kari work together, they seem more as one than two. Suddenly, as the last spire fell, Yolei's D-3 let off a buzz and she looked at it. "Hey, you guys! I'm picking up two signals. One's TK's, and the other… I think its Ken!"

Cody frowned heavily. "What's Ken doing back here?"

"I don't know, but he and TK are in the same area. I think we better get over there in case TK needs our help."

They all agreed, even Davis, and prepared to set off. Cody and Armadillomon got on Halsemon with Yolei as they all headed for TK and Ken's location. As they traveled closer, they heard several shouts and the sounds of spires being destroyed.

"SPIKING STRIKE!"

"HAND OF FATE!"

Everyone watched as Stingmon and Angemon finished knocking down the last of the control spires in the area. They found Ken and TK nearby and walked over as Angemon and Stingmon became their Rookie forms again. TK turned to face them. "Hey, guys! What's up?"

Davis was the first to speak, and he wasn't very happy. "GK! Why are you hanging around Ken? You too good enough to hang with us?"

Yolei frowned. "Funny," she muttered quietly. "You didn't mind him being gone as long as you were with Kari."

Ken raised an eyebrow. "Davis, why do you keep getting TK's name wrong? Besides, I just ran into TK a while ago and asked him if he wanted to try out my new program for the D-3. It allows our Digimon to Digivolve while blocking the effects of the control spires."

Cody fumed. "TK, you didn't let him have your D-3, did you? We can't trust him!"

TK began to get angry. "Hey, the war's over, gang! Ken's willing to change and I say we give him the chance. He's a Digi-Destined like us."

Kari slowly shook her head. "No, TK. He isn't like us."

"That's right," Davis chimed in while placing his arm around Kari's waist. "You listen to Kari. She's your best friend." He said this with some venom in his voice, which angered Gatomon and Veemon. TK was also getting angrier.

Ken then said, "Look, I don't want to start a fight between you guys. I'll just leave. Come on, Wormmon." He picked up the green Digimon and turned to leave, but TK stopped him.

"Hold it, Ken. I'm going with you." He then faced the others. "You don't trust him? Fine… then don't trust me, either! The friendship is over, I'm off the team."

Patamon flew up and landed on his friend's head. "That goes for me, too."

"What?!" Yolei, Cody, Kari, and the other four Digimon cried out in unison. Gatomon was shocked the most. "Patamon, you can't mean that!"

"I agree," Cody said. "This isn't like you, TK! You're just upset that Kari chose Davis over you."

That set the spark off, and TK exploded with rage. "THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH KARI, YOU LITTLE SHIT!! THIS IS ABOUT YOU FOUR ASSHOLES BEING TOO DAMN STUBBORN TO GIVE KEN THE CHANCE HE DESERVES! IF TAI AND THE OTHERS WERE HERE, THEY'D GIVE HIM A SECOND CHANCE."

"But, they're not, TK," Kari stated. "And I doubt they would."

TK faced her, his eyes burning right through her with a rage she had never seen in him before. "How the hell would you know, Kari? You weren't there for most of our first adventure! It doesn't matter, anyway. Good-bye, and good luck! I'm outta here!" With that, he picked up Patamon and walked off with Ken and Wormmon.

Davis sneered after them. "Go ahead, jerk! We don't need you or your pathetic Digimon anyway! And when I say 'we,' I mean Kari and I!"

Gatomon watched them walk away and silently cried. "Patamon…"

Cody, Yolei, and Kari were stunned. They had never expected TK to yell at them like that, or use such language. Kari was shocked the most. This wasn't the TK she knew and cared for. Cared for? Where'd that come from?

"Let's go, gang," Davis said, trying to get back control. "And forget about those losers!"

Gatomon got into his face and bared her fangs. "Patamon is NOT a loser, goggles-for-brains! YOU ARE!"

Kari gently pulled her Digimon off. "Calm down, Gato! Let's use that anger on some more spires."

Halsemon shook his head. "Count me out. I'm afraid I'm not in the mood at the moment."

"Same 'ere," Armadillomon chimed in. "I think ya' were kinda hard on TK there, Cody. That was very low o' you."

Raidramon nodded in agreement. "He wasn't the only one." He glared at Kari and Davis as he said that. "Let's go home. We've caused enough damage for today."

Gatomon got off of Kari. "Not me. I'm staying in the Digital World." Kari tried to pick her up, but she pointed her claws at her. "Keep away from me! You made your choice, Kari, and now so have I. I'm following TK's lead. Anyone's welcome to join me, or else stay with the real losers." With that, she ran off to follow TK and the others.

"Good luck, Gatomon!" Yolei called after her before she and the rest of the team left their own way. As they left, Kari couldn't help but look in the direction that Gatomon, TK, and their crew had gone. She wondered why this had to happen; that she had lost her two best friends in a stupid argument.

Both of you please be careful. And come back to us safely.

* * *

TK and Patamon never looked back as they, Ken, and Wormmon walked away from Davis and the others. They hadn't gone too far when Ken saw a single tear run down his hard face.

"You didn't have to do that for me back there, TK. I think you should-."

"Ken, I'm not glad about what I did, but they were more wrong than I was. Let's leave it at that, and forget about them."

"Still, I am sorry you had to lose your friends."

"Maybe, but I still have Patamon, my brother, the other five original kids, and now you."

"WAIT FOR ME!!!"

The four turned around to see Gatomon running towards them. Patamon almost jumped down from TK to greet her, but he didn't. "Hey, wazzup?" he asked.

Gasping from her mad run, Gatomon slowly said, "I came… to see if… I could… join you guys…" She looked to see TK kneel beside her. "The others are wrong, I know that. Even Kari was stupid to stand against you. I want to be with you guys because, no mater what, you're still my friends." She cast her eyes up at Patamon. "And you the 'Mon I love."

Patamon didn't know what to say to think. He loved Gatomon dearly, and didn't want to turn her away. Yet, she was Kari's Digimon, and Kari was responsible for TK's heartbreak. He also didn't want to seem like he was better than TK by having a girlfriend while he didn't.

Suddenly, TK scooped Gatomon up in his arms. "I always wanted a cat," he said with a smile. "And I think Patamon will appreciate that now he doesn't have to fight with you should that time come we face Davis and the others."

Ken and Wormmon nodded in agreement. "Welcome to the team, Gatomon!" they both said.

This made Patamon feel much better. He looked down at his girlfriend and smiled. "Happy now, Gato?"

The cat Digimon purred with delight. "Hell yeah!"

* * *

Cody and Upamon left the computer room silently after they and the others returned. Davis was addressing them that Gatomon, TK, and Patamon were now considered rivals, and that they couldn't be trusted. This made Cody's stomach turn over again. He recalled his harsh words at TK, which rang in his ears, and realized Armadillomon was right: he had gone too far. His words had hurt his friend deeply, and caused a rift on the team. Now TK probably hated them all, especially Kari and him. He was right to call me a little shit. I really messed up, and usually it's Yolei who speaks her mind, not me! Why did I have to open my big mouth?! This thought haunted him all the way to his apartment, even to dinner and kendo practice. After only a minute of practice, he lowered his stick and removed his mask, giving up.

His grandfather also removed his mask. "What is wrong Cody? You seem greatly troubled."

The boy sighed. "I am, grandfather. I… I did something unforgivable today."

The grandfather sat down where he was. "Why don't you explain it to me? Perhaps that will help ease your pain."

So Cody told his grandfather loosely about the fight, and how he got TK angry beyond belief. He also mentioned about TK's current problem with Davis and Kari. When he finished, the grandfather was silent for a moment. "You are right, Cody," he said finally. "It was a mistake to say something like that when your friend is already hurting so. At least you now realize this, and are willing to apologize."

"But, what if he doesn't forgive me, grandfather? I deserve his resentment, if he doesn't, but I'll still feel so awful and will have no way to redeem myself."

"Cody, there is one lesson I have forgotten to teach you. When a bad person must redeem himself in the eyes of others, there is one thing he must do above all else: that person must find it in his own heart to forgive himself for his deeds. Only then, can be begin down the path to redemption."

Cody absorbed what his grandfather said carefully. Is that why TK chose to stand up for Ken? Has Ken forgiven himself and really is trying to make amends?

The old man then stood up. "I think you should go to your room, Cody, and dwell on this lesson. Consider this as your punishment if you wish, but I'd prefer you to think of it as a time for enlightenment."

Nodding, Cody stood up and went to his room. Thanks, grandfather. I know what I have to do now. Tomorrow, I'll find TK and Ken… and apologize for my stubbornness.

End Episode 2

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Next: Cody's attempts to apologize to TK in school are constantly ruined by an angry Davis, who thinks he's trying something to get Kari. Meanwhile, Matt gets a shocking e-mail from Mimi about herself. And when Kari tries to get TK and Gatomon to rejoin the team, will she only succeed in widening the gap between groups? The shattering continues as the new Digi-Destined find themselves fighting their greatest enemies: each other.