Digimon: The New Path
Episode Three: Hope VS Light
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Last time: TK and Patamon went ahead to the Digital World and met up with Ken and the revived Wormmon, who was able to become Stingmon while unaffected by the control spires. Ken shared a program with TK that gave Patamon the same ability, strengthening their friendship. However, this upset Davis and the others, and an argument ensued. In the end, TK, Patamon, and Gatomon broke all ties to their friends and left to join Ken…
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TK grunted as he carried his heavy
backpack towards the school. This was the only thing he hated about Gatomon's
joining his new team: he had to carry both her and Patamon with him secretly to
school. He had to get up early that day just to carry them to the
building. Those two need to go on a
diet, TK thought as he laid the bag down and opened the zipper. To his
surprise, the two Digimon were lip-locked. "Hey!"
Patamon and Gatomon opened their
eyes and looked to see TK over them. They blushed as he scolded them lightly.
"That's my book-bag you're in, NOT a hotel room."
"Sorry, TK!" they both
said as they got out.
"That's okay, but don't let me
catch you two like that in my things again. Now run along and hide! I'll pick
you two up after school." With that, he closed his bag and then headed
inside the school. I'll have to meet with Ken and figure out how we'll be
going today. It's not safe using the lab anymore after yesterday. Maybe we
could go from his place?
* * *
Cody was very quiet that morning.
After the talk with his grandfather last night, he knew he had to apologize to
both TK and Ken, especially to TK. The problem was how. TK wouldn't be on good
speaking terms with him or the others right now, he knew that. The other
important factor was Davis. He and TK had several classes together, and the
young boy knew that Davis would definitely be against an apology.
"From now on," Davis had
said at the last meeting. "We have nothing to do with TK or Patamon! No
body talks to them at all, except me, because I'll be telling them off. Veemon,
you're going to work on getting Gatomon back on our side. Since she's Kari's
Digimon, it should be you who convinces her she's made the mistake."
I'll have to take my chances,
Cody thought as he made his way to class. Losing a friend because of doing
the right thing is a small price to pay compared to losing one because of
stupidity. He went through his first two classes quickly and then went off
to the gym to catch TK before that class began.
Cody saw TK heading for the locker
room and tried to go after him, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"And just where do you thin
you're going?"
It was Davis. Cody began to sweat.
"I, uh, had to go to the men's room."
"You're a long way off, Cody.
The normal bathroom is in the other direction, as is your class."
Cody muttered something inaudible,
then stormed off to his class.
I'll let you off this time, kid,
Davis thought. But just this once! Now, to make sure TK gets the message
that he's not wanted around us anymore…
* * *
Meanwhile, Matt sat in his computer
class, waiting for the lunch bell. The teacher had let everyone do what he or
she wanted for the last ten minutes of class time as long as it was clean. Not
having anything better to do, Matt checked his e-mail.
Hm? E-mail from Mimi. I'll read
after I delete all these messages from Jun… I'll have to kill Tai for letting
her get ahold of my e-mail! After doing so, he opened the mail from Mimi.
About half way through, his eyes went wide. Finishing it quickly, he then sent
out a message to all the Digi-Destined for a meeting later that day.
This is big news! I have to tell
everyone.
* * *
TK sat down with Ken at lunch
together while he nursed his fresh bruise on his forearm. Ken noticed it right
away. "What happened to your arm?"
"A 'friendly' reminder from
Davis that he and the others aren't thinking highly of me anymore. He also told
me that if I try to win Kari back, he'd do much worse than this. It's like I
could ever get her to be friends again with me, let alone love me."
"Well, you'd be surprised at
what you can live through." Ken took a bite out of his sandwich before
speaking again. "I've also noticed that Cody's been following us to class
as well."
TK just picked at his food. What
was Davis thinking? It's only been two days, and he's acting like his
relationship with Kari is in jeopardy. A small part of him said that maybe
he would get his chance with Kari if it was true. Another part of him, a
depressed part, replied that it was just wishful thinking and that he should
forget about her. So why can't I get
on with my life fully?
Kari watched him from a far-off
table with Yolei and Davis. His breaking off from the group yesterday still
played in her mind repeatedly. Why did he do it? Was what Cody said true, or
did TK think I'd stop being around him now that Davis and I are dating? I don't care what Davis said, I'm going to
try and bring TK, Patamon, and Gatomon back to me. Back to us, I mean. Kari
blinked at the last thought, wondering why it popped into her head.
* * *
"We'll use my computer at home
to get there," Ken told TK as they walked to his home that afternoon.
"My parents will be out late visiting friends, so I'll have the house to
myself… and Minomon."
"Of course," TK replied.
He was grateful that Ken was carrying Gatomon in his book bag while Patamon was
in his own. His back was still a little sore from that morning when he had to
carry both of them.
Gatomon, however, didn't share
those feelings. "When was the last time you washed your gym shorts,
Ken?" she asked before pinching her nose.
Minomon was happy when they all
arrived at Ken's apartment. "Oh boy! We have company."
They all soon arrived at the
Digital World and prepared to go find more spires to take down when several
loud thumps were heard from nearby. TK checked his D-3. "It's the others,
and they're already hard at work. We'd better find a different area to clean
up."
Ken nodded and had Wormmon become
Stingmon while Patamon armor-Digivolved into Pegasusmon. They flew off low into
the east, following their D-3's to more control spires.
TK then remembered to check his
D-Terminal for mail, and read Matt's message. News about Mimi? Sounds
interesting… but this was sent out to all the kids. I'd better not go, or else
I'd just start another fight with Davis, Kari, and them. He typed up a
reply and sent it back to Matt. Sorry,
bro. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the sake of peace.
* * *
Kari was also checking her mail at
the time. Since she was without a Digimon partner, there was little she could
do to help with the spires. She read mat's message and thought hard. Maybe I
can get to meet TK early and talk to him before the meeting…
Just then, she got new mail and
opened it. "Sorry, guys, but I can't make it to the meeting. Have a
promise to keep tonight and can't break it. Fill me in later. Signed, TK."
Kari knew it was a cover up of some sort. He didn't want to be at the meeting
because she and the other new kids would be there, too. "Take a break, gang! I have something
to tell all of you!"
Davis was the first to come up to
her, followed by everyone else. She then told them about the meeting, and Davis
frowned. "That means that traitor TC will be there!"
Kari shook her head. "He just
sent an e-mail to everyone that said he couldn't make it. I think he doesn't
want to be there while we're there, or else a fight would start." She then
checked her D-3. "Hmm, he and Ken aren't too far from here. I think I'll
go see if Gatomon's with them."
Davis snapped his fingers.
"Good plan Kari. You, Veemon, and I will go convince her to rejoin us and
forget about those losers."
It was then Cody spoke up.
Actually, Davis, it would be better if Digmon and I went with Kari instead of
you. I know she's your girlfriend, but it would be better if someone tried to
reason with Gatomon rather than force her to come back." And it's the
perfect excuse to finally make amends with TK and Ken after all I said to them.
Davis thought about it for a
second. "Okay, Cody, but only because you're better at persuasion than I
am. Just make sure nothing bad happens to Kari, or else!"
* * *
Gatomon sat on Pegasusmon as he and
Stingmon finished taking down the last of the spires in their area. "I
wish I could become Nefertimon without the Digi-Egg of Light, or Angewomon
without the crest. Then I wouldn't feel so useless to you guys."
"Don't worry about it,"
Stingmon said as he flew up to her and Pegasusmon. "Ken and I always glad
to have a few more friends with us, for better or worse. Besides, TK and
Patamon enjoy your company very much."
Pegasusmon blushed slightly.
"That is true." He then saw three familiar figures heading for TK and
Ken. "Uh-oh! Looks like they came after us." The three of them
swooped down and landed by their partners as Kari, Cody, and Armadillomon
walked up. TK kept his face neutral, although he was still angry.
"We need to talk, TK,"
Kari said upon arrival. "You, too, Gatomon."
Ken got on Stingmon and said,
"It would be best if I'm not here while you talked. TK, I'll be back to
pick you up before we go home."
"Wait!" Cody cried out.
"There's something important I need to tell both of you." Once Ken
dismounted and stood by TK, Cody took a deep breath. "I… thought a lot
about what I said concerning the both of you. TK, it's very clear that what I
said yesterday to you was indeed a low blow and uncalled for. I let my anger
get the better of me, and took it out on you without just cause. Ken, TK's
right: You deserve a second chance, and I was too stubborn and mistrusting to
believe it. I…" he bowed low at both teens. "I deeply
apologize."
There was some silence before Ken
spoke. "Apology accepted, Cody. I'm not really looking for any more
fights, but for ways to make amends for the damage I caused as the Emperor. I
really do want to change, and earn your trust."
TK was next to speak. "It was
low of you, Cody, but at least you came to realize that it was a mistake. I owe
you an apology, too, for the names I called you."
Cody smiled. Now he felt much
better. "However, this does not mean I'll be joining you guys."
"We figured," Ken said.
"AHEM!"
Everyone looked to see Kari
impatiently tap her foot. Cody sweatdropped. "Uh, sorry about that,
Kari." He backed away with Armadillomon towards the woods. "We'll
wait over here until you're done."
Ken also decided to leave TK and
Kari alone. "Need a lift, Patamon? Gatomon?"
Both Digimon shook their heads.
"We'd better stay here just in case."
"Suit yourselves." With
that, Ken leapt on Stingmon and flew off. Now, It was just TK, Kari, and their
Digimon. There was a brief period of silence before Kari spoke first. "Do you know why I'm here?"
TK glanced at Gatomon really quick.
"You've come to get Gatomon back?"
"Her, You, and Patamon. TK,
why did you break off from the team?
"You know why, Kari."
"It's not just Ken, is it? I
think Cody was right about you being upset that I'm dating Davis. Look me in
the eye and tell me the truth."
"I'm happy that you're in love
with him, Kari… but that doesn't mean that I have to like it. Yes, Kari, I am
upset. Upset that you were planning on leaving me in the dark and play with my
emotions further!"
"Would you rather I had simply
told you the truth and hurt you?"
"Hell yes! That way we might
still have had our friendship. After what I overheard you and Davis talking
about that day, I'm not sure I can ever trust you."
Kari gasped. "You… you were
spying on me?"
"I was looking for you so we
could talk, and I happened to find you with Davis, kissing him."
"And you spied on me! You're
one to talk about trust, TK."
"You're the one who plays with
other people's emotions! I thought you felt the same way about me as I felt
about you, but you just used me for your own gain."
Now Kari was angry. "Well you
Takeru Takaishi are nothing but a big crybaby who balls when nothing goes right
for him! That how you were when we first met, and that's how you are
still!"
TK took a step back and placed a
hand over his heart, as if he had been stabbed there. On his face, there hung a
look of bitter betrayal. Is that how she really feels? …Then I wasted my
time and my feelings on her all these years.
Gatomon and Patamon gasped at
Kari's words. Their anger towards her now reached new levels.
Kari looked at TK's face, then
realized to her horror what she had just told him. Oh no! First Cody shoots
off his mouth, now I just did!
TK then looked at her and calmly
said, "Well, you won't have to worry about me crying anymore. Good-bye,
Hikari." He then turned on his heel and began to walk away.
Kari called after him. "TK,
wait! I didn't mean it! I want you to come back to the team-!"
"NEVER!" TK didn't look
back or falter his step, but his tone was loud and harsh as tears streamed down
his face. He was nothing to her but a crybaby. He meant nothing to her, not
even as her friend.
Gatomon glared at Kari before she
and Patamon ran off after their friend. "That goes for us, too!"
They kept walking, never looking
back to see Kari watch them go. She remained unmoved for what seemed to her a
long time. It was over now. She had totally lost TK and Gatomon, and she had
herself to blame. "I'm sorry…"
* * *
TK said nothing as he and his
Digimon left Ken's house and went home that evening. Once he got there, he
rummaged through his closet until he found a shoebox labeled "Kari."
Checking its contents quickly, he went to his phone and dialed Matt's cell
phone number. "Hey, Matt. You at
the meeting place yet? Good, because I need you to stop by my place on your
way. There's something that should be returned to Kari right away. …No, Matt, I
don't want to talk about it. Just do this for me, okay? Thank you." He hung up. My heart will mend, Kari, and my life will go on without you.
* * *
Kari decided not to go to the
meeting that night. After she and the others returned, she went straight home
and to her room, saying she was tired out. TK's final shout still echoed in her
ears and her mind. She slowly ate her dinner in silence, then returned to her
room.
Tai came in once he got home,
carrying a small box under his arm. Kari didn't look at him, but kept her eyes
focused on what may have been an interesting spot on her ceiling. "How'd
the meeting go?"
Tai walked over to her. "You
and TK were the only ones who didn't attend, and Davis was worried he did
something to you."
"So what was the meeting
about?"
"Mimi's moving back to Japan
soon. Her parents and their new business partner's family are moving their
business here to Odaiba. By the way, Matt asked that I give this to you. I can
say no more." Tai tossed the box at her back, then left.
Kari took the box and opened it. Inside
was a pink scarf: her old one from when she was younger. "I… I gave this
to TK… shortly after we came back from the Digital World the first
time." She remembered it well. TK
was visiting Matt and their father, and they were playing in the park that day.
It was a game of "Got You Last," and she had pushed him too hard and
he fell. He didn't cry, but his arm got a cut and was bleeding. Kari took her
pink scarf off and used to bandage the wound before placing a light kiss on it.
To her shock, and delight, he kissed her forehead to say "thank you."
"I remember… he tried to give
it back, even washed the blood off. I… told him to keep it… and he said… he
said…" Tears filled her eyes as
Kari held the soft cloth to her cheek. "…he said he'd always keep it safe…always."
Lying back, she clutched the scarf as she fell into a deep sleep. Oh TK, what have I done?!
End Episode 3
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Next:
Davis,
in a fit of jealousy and anger, attacks TK and his group to 'rescue' Gatomon,
leading to a battle between Flamedramon and Angemon. Meanwhile, Kari tells Sora
about the fights with TK, and Mimi comes home, but who's that guy with her at
the airport? And who's that man who breaks up the fight? Is it… GENNAI?!