Chapter Five
~ Vacation In New York ~
By: Lady Ava
Four months had passed since the first appearance of the goddess-like Digimon, Guardianmon. Since that battle, the fighting had yet to decrease. The Digidestined fought with all their might to bring Chris to his senses. Although they yelled and shouted that what he was doing to the Digital World was indeed wrong and would upset the balance between their world and the digital one, the warlord teen refused to back off from his spree of terror.
Though they fought in the Digital World a lot, the nine teenagers would always find a way to celebrate their wins. After they would defeat one of Chris' Digimon, Ava would accompany the rest of the digidestined back to Tokyo in order for them to throw a victory bash. They would always eat the best Japanese restaurants that money could buy, mostly because Mimi's parents always gave the celebrations with no expenses having to be paid by the adolescents.
***************
The Digidestined walked down one of the paths in the Digital World after defeating Chris. "Man, that was a tough one." Izzy stated, stretching his arms lazily over his head.
Mimi flung her bright red locks over one of her shoulders. "Tell me about it. I thought Chris really had us there for a minute when Titaimon hit Guardianmon into the ground." She stated.
"Well, luckily for us," Matt began, "Tai and Ava managed to gain control over the powers of Guardianmon right before she was about to be destroyed. You work great as a team." The blond-haired teen stated, looking towards his goggle head of a friend.
"We really didn't do it together. Most of the power was Ava's. I guess I was getting' tired and she burst forth with this huge wave of energy, right Ava?" Tai declared, looking over next to him. But Tai's warm smile wasn't met with one from Ava. The teenage girl's eyes were fixated on the dirt path under her feet as she walked. Her expression looked as if she was deep in thought. "Hey Ava. What's wrong?" Tai questioned, placing his hand onto his partner's shoulder.
Gazing up at the youth, Ava finally smiled back. "I have an idea."
"Really? About what?" Kari asked, her arm linked with T.K.'s.
Glancing up at the rest of the team, Ava cleared her throat. "Well, as you know. Every time we defeat Chris, we always go back to Japan to celebrate. I find this to be a bit unusual. So I have proposition for you."
"And this would be..." Tai said, his voice trailing off.
"How about you guys come to America and stay over for a week?" She proclaimed excitedly.
The other digidestined looked at one another and then back at Ava. "You mean to...New York City? The largest city in the entire country of America?" Izzy questioned a pinch of excitement beginning to grow in his voice.
Ava nodded with a grin. "Totally. You guys have break comin' up next week, right? Well, you guys can fly over on Sunday and stay until the next Sunday."
"But what about a hotel? I mean, Sunday is only a week away." Matt stated, placing his hand on his chin.
"Already taken care of. Trust me, you will have the finest hotel suite in the city." The American teen shouted happily.
Tai placed his arm around Ava's shoulders. "Well guys, I guess we're going to New York!" He exclaimed.
**************
The flight seemed to drag on for hours that fine Sunday, but they finally reached Kennedy Airport in New York. As the eight teens came off out of the flight terminal, the sun hit their eyes harshly. The airport was almost deserted in the area of Japanese flights coming or going to the land of the rising sun.
"What time is it?" Sora asked, rubbing her eyes, trying to chase the jet lag away.
Looking down at his Digivice, T.K. groggily answered, "8 am. God, am I tired."
"There they are." Ava's voice shouted through the empty waiting area of the gate. As the teens gazed up, they were met with Ava running towards them, a large smile on her face and her cheery eyes glowing. But running up behide her, there was a young man in a suit. Ava ran and stopped to an immediate halt in front of Joe. "I glad to see you guys made it, with only a minor case of jet lag." She said, looking up at the rest of the Digidestined.
"So, this is New York, huh?" Tai stated, looking around.
Ava laughed, "Please Tai. There is more to New York than just an Airport."
Suddenly, the man in the suit approached the group of teens along with the three other teens dragging behide. "Ms. Ava, please don't ever run off like that again." He pleaded.
"Sorry Miles. I didn't mean to run off. I was really excited, that's all." Ava smiled as she turned back to the gentleman.
The digidestined looked at each other and then back at Ava. "Um Ava. Who's this guy?" Izzy asked, adjusting the strap of his laptop.
The young gentleman stepped past Ava and bowed. "I am Miles. Please give me you luggage tickets and I shall retrieve your bags and take them to the car." He stated in a flat tone. Holding out their tickets, the man grabbed the teens' tickets and walked towards the luggage belt.
As Miles began grabbing the bags off the belt, Ava smiled. "Sorry about Miles. He works for my dad and he insisted that he come along." The girl explained, noticing the shocked expressions of the Digidestined.
"Ava, it that guy like, a butler?" Mimi questioned, running a brush through her bed head hair.
Nodding, Ava looked out the large windows. "Yea. He's pretty cool...for a guys who spends his days waiting on another family." Her voice seemed to sound sadder than it usually did.
Tai watched her expressions. He saw her eyes become gloomier and darker looking than they usually were. Her mouth was in an arch shaped frown and her posture seemed less than dancer like. Tai wanted to say something but something was holding him back. 'What's wrong, Ava? Why are you so sad?' Tai asked her mentally.
"Earth to Tai! Come in Tai! We're leaving!" Kari shouted into her brother's ear.
Tai shook his head and looked over at the others. They were heading towards the main doors of the airport. "Hey! Wait of me!" He cried, running towards the doors as well.
**************
As the nine digidestined and Miles stepped into the bright sunlight outside the Kennedy Airport, every one of the teens filched at the rays of the morning New York sun. When their eyesight adjusted to the surrounding area, they eight Japanese Digidestined were met with the sight of the beautiful New York City skyline. "Whoa...That's magnificent." Sora exclaimed, looking at every detail of the city.
"Kinda puts the Tokyo Skyline to shame." Matt said, smiling at Ava.
Miles stepped past the staring teens towards a huge stretch limousine. Opening the trunk, the man began to place the luggage into the car. Tai glanced over at Ava and whispered in her ear, "Ava, is that car...for us?"
Smiling, Ava walked over to the luxury car and opened the door. "Come on guys. Do you want to just stand there and stare at the city or do you want to actually see the city?" She asked, climbing into the car.
The eight teens looked at each other and then sprinted towards the stretch limousine.
*************
The limousine was even more impressive inside than out. The seats stretched all around the rim of the car and the windowsills were a huge mini-bar. The lighting in the car was neon lights that changed colors every other minute. There was a small television and DVD player attached to the ceiling, a videophone, and a laptop computer in the corner.
As they drove down the highway towards the city, the adolescents talked and joked about their flight and the Digital World. Finally, they reached the Lincoln Tunnel. The limousine drove through the long tunnel until finally, they reached the city of New York. The eight Digidestined pressed up against the dark windows, looking at all the sights. As they drove though the city, they passed the Empire State Building, the Warner Bros. Store, the famous Virgin Mega Store, and the MTV and ABC news studios. They passed through Times Square and drove past the famous theaters of Broadway.
Moving towards Central Park, Tai looked over at Ava. She reached over and picked up a small headset for the phone. "Who are you calling, Ava?" The Courage bearer questioned, drawing the attention of the other crest holders.
Placing the headset on her ear, the teen grinned. "I'm calling my friends at your hotel." Adjusting the mouthpiece, Ava sat up straight and spoke clearly, "The Hotel Plaza, please."
"Dialing 'Hotel Plaza.' Please hold." The phone answered back.
After less than a minute, a young woman's voice was hear on the other end of the phone. "Hello and thank you for calling the Hotel Plaza. My name is Cassia and how my I help you?"
Moving behide Ava, the other digidestined watched as a picture of a teenage girl appeared on the other end of the line. She had blond hair and bright green eyes. She wore a uniform of the staff of the hotel. "Cassia, it's me Ava."
"Ava? Hey girl, What's up? Did you pick up your friends?" She asked excitedly, loosing her professional look.
Giggling, Ava slid to the side so that the other teens in the car were revealed. "Sure did. Here they are." Ava stated.
"Hey guys! Nice to meet ya. I'll be seeing you in a few minutes so I'll be meeting in person." The girl stated polity. "Hey Av, I'll send Jim out to meet you guys. See ya!" And with that the picture vanished from the screen.
Removing the ear set, Ava lounged backwards onto the leather seat. She was smiling and her expression was happier than Tai had seen at the airport. "Ava, is that the same Cassia who E-mailed you on the day you got your digivice?" Tai asked in a hushed tone.
Before Ava could answer the car jolted to a short stop, causing the teens to fly off their seats and onto the floor. Ava glanced out the window sighed. "Well guys, here is your home away from home for the next week. The Hotel Plaza of New York City."
Miles opened the door for the teens so that they could exit the luxury car. As they climbed out of the car one by one, each one of the Digidestined looked up. The hotel was huge and had at least twenty-five floors to it. The teens continued to look up until Joe decided to play the voice of reason. "Guys, really. Do you really want to look like tourists?" He questioned in a sarcastic tone.
As Tai climbed out of the car, he saw that Miles had already begun to unload the luggage from the trunk. "Digidestined party? Is that you, sir?" A man asked, holding up a clipboard.
Tai and the others froze in their spots. They didn't know what to say. "Um...Yes?" Tai answered timidly.
"Does your party consist of the teenagers Tai, Matt, Sora, Kari, Izzy, Joe, Mimi, and T.K.?" The man questioned again, his voice sounding very stuck up.
Ava stepped in between Tai and the man. "Really Jim. Do you have to be so annoying?" She asked, sounding very important.
"Ms. Ava. I'm so sorry." Jim stated, lowering his clipboard.
Ava smiled, "Chill out and relax, Jim. My dad isn't gonna spaz just because you spoke rudely to my guests."
"Of course not. I'll have the bellhop take your friends' bags to their suite." Jim stated as he turned and walked away.
"Um Ava?" T.K. asked, causing the teenage girl he was addressing to turn. "Would you like to fill us in on why these people keep calling you, 'Ms. Ava'?"
Blushing, the American teen looked down at her feet. "My parents own this hotel. So everyone thinks that they have to call me that. Personally, I hate it. It really annoys me that they continue to call me that even when I say don't. That's why you guys are also staying here for free." She explained.
"Really? For free?" Mimi questioned, a hit of excitement in her voice.
Ava grinned and nodded. "Dude, that's really nice of you." Izzy voiced for the rest of the group.
***********
After checking in at the front desk, the nine digidestined walked through the crowed hotel lobby. The whole place looked as if it just came out of a storybook. Velvet couches and columns lined the area around a large indoor fountain that was surrounded by flowers. The floors were either marble or had lush carpeting over the floor.
Reaching the elevator, the gold plated doors opened to let the digidestined inside. When the doors shut behide them, Ava turned to the man standing at the numbers. "Penthouse please, Lance." She asked sweetly. The man listened and pressed the bottom number on the range. As the elevator ascended to the top floor, the Digidestined gazed in aw at the size of the whole hotel. "Isn't this place great?" Ava asked the other teens.
"Totally. Who would have thought that such a great place was real." Mimi stated, her eyes still on the picture before her.
When they reached the top floor, they walked down a corridor of large doors. Finally, they reached the two double doors at the end of the hallway. Withdrawing the key from his pocket, Tai looked at the number on the key and then the one on the door. "Here we are. Room A Suite001." He said happily. Scanning the electric key into the lock, Tai pushed the doors opened.
The digidestined gasped in delight and shock. The room had a huge living room with a fireplace that was lit already. The furniture was very fancy and the hard wood floors were polished. There was a balcony that led into a garden on the roof. "This is...amazing..." Sora breathed, her eyes wide with aw.
"There are two bedrooms down that hallway there and the kitchen and bathroom are down that hallway." Ava started as they all moved inside. "The path on the balcony leads upstairs to the garden on the roof. It is like a Japanese garden in the country. I designed it myself."
As soon as Ava finished her explanation, the seven teens ran off to explore their room. Tai stood there with Ava as they watched them roam around the room. "This was really nice of you to do this for us. But," Tai started, looking over at the girl.
"But what?" she asked.
Tai looked her straight in the eye, "Why were you so sad at the airport?" He asked flatly.
Looking out at the windows, she sighed. "I felt as if I was being stuck up. Having the limo and my family's butler come and pick you up made me feel as if I was rubbing it in your face that I had all this stuff."
Tai glanced over at the girl next to him. "Please, why would you even think such a thing? You know I wouldn't care about things like that. I wouldn't care if you had us staying in a cardboard box." Looking over at her, Tai smiled. "All I want to do is have a good time here, with everyone, and away from Chris Sono." He explained in a matter-of-fact way.
Ava looked up at the teen and smiled, "You're right. I was being stupid. I can't believe that I thought you would care about such things."
Placing her head against the doorframe, Ava sighed. Tai grinned over at her. 'She's okay...but I have feeling for someone else. Sorry Ava.' He thought, remembering the flight.
Flashback
Tai and Sora sat next to each other because there were no more vacant seats. He really didn't mind, considering that he and Sora were such great friends. But during the middle of the flight, something happened that Tai had dreamed about for so long. He awoke from a light doze when he found that he couldn't sit up. Looking down into his lap, he saw Sora sleeping soundly. So, not wanting to arose her, Tai went back to sleep as well. But as he sat there, he couldn't help but run his figures through Sora's soft hair. 'Sora...you mean so much to me. You're my best friend...and everyday I hope and pray that you will become more than just my best friend.' He thought as he drifted back to sleep.
End Flashback
Tai smiled to himself because of the memory. Turning to Ava once again, he was on the verge of telling her something, when suddenly a voice stopped him. "Ava! What are you doing with that young man?" A deep male voice yelled angrily from behide the teens.
Spinning around, Ava and Tai were met by three people: One man and two women. The man was dressed in a very expensive looking suit. His dirty blond hair was neatly combed and his mud brown eyes looked enraged. The older of the two women wore a female business suit with spiked heels. Her blond hair was tightly pulled back in a bun and her dark green eyes were behide thin glasses. The younger woman had on an extra short red Chinese dress with red shoes to match. She held a small red, silk, dragon purse and hair blond hair was held up with a pair of Chinese hair sticks. "Dad, mom, Veronica." Ava said in shock, mumbling Veronica's name under her breath.
Tai looked at the three angry people in front of them and then back at Ava. 'This is Ava's family? They don't look anything alike.' He thought.
Ignoring Tai's very presence, Ava's father stepped forward. "Ava Lawrence. What do you think you are doing with this young man?" He asked harshly, looking Tai up and down.
Glancing at the teen next to him, a thought struck the leader of the Digidestined, 'Wait a second. Why did he say that Ava's last name was Lawrence? I thought her last name was Cononoshi...'
Ava's eyes narrowed at her parents. "This is one of my friends I told you about. The ones I said would be coming to visit this week from Japan." She stated harshly.
"And while you were driving around and picking these friends of yours up at the airport, you are late for your dance practice." Ava's mother shouted.
Looking at Tai, Ava lowered her head. "I have to go. I'll see you guys tomorrow." She said softly, as if she were about to cry.
Veronica looked at the scene before her. "Wait a minute. I want to know who this..." She started. Pausing, she looked Tai up and down like Ava's father did. Giggling, she continued, "guy is?"
Tai looked at Veronica and then at Ava. His partner was breathing heavily, trying to hide her sobs under her breath. Tai knew that he didn't want to make her feel more uncomfortable than she was already.
Stepping forward, Tai extended his hand to Ava's father. "I'm Tai Kayima. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." He stated as politely as possible. But Ava's father didn't meet his handshake.
Withdrawing his hand, Tai watched Ava step out of the room. She turned to him but kept her head down. "I'll see you and the others tomorrow." She sobbed.
She walked over to hug him, but was stopped by her mother grasping tightly onto her wrist. "Come along, Ava. You can see that 'boy' tomorrow. Now, you must go to your dance lesson now." Her mother's voice was very cold and harsh.
Tai could only stand there as he watched Ava's mother drag her down the hallway away from Tai's room. Her sister and father linked arms as they happily strolled down the hallway, as if nothing had happened and that they couldn't hear Ava's cries. As Tai watched, he saw Ava lift her head to look at him. Her beautiful eyes were red and her face was tear-stained. She mouthed, "Bye" to the teen and Tai answered back the same way.
'Ava's parents and sister are really cold to her. They acted as if she wasn't even crying. Hell, they acted as if she wasn't there at all, except when they were yelling at her. That just makes me sick.' Tai thought.
Closing the doors, Tai pressed his head against the wood. Closing his eyes, Tai could almost feel her sorrow. Looking over at the glass balcony doors, he walked over to them and slid them opened. Walking over to the railing, he looked down at the street below. His eyes scanned the area of the place were the cars load and unload guests. Suddenly, he saw them. Ava's family walked through the front doors. Her father came first, then Veronica, followed by Ava's mother and last came Ava. She trailed behide the rest of the family as they walked to their waiting car. "Ava..." He whispered. That's when Tai felt it his crest react to something. Closing his eyes again, Tai felt the sadness come to him. 'This is how she is feeling?' He asked himself.
"Hey there you are." Matt voice said from behide. Tai didn't turn around to meet his friend's cheery gaze. The voices of the other digidestined sunk into Tai's ears as he continued to stare down at his partner. "Tai, we're gonna check out what's for dinner. Care to join us?" Matt asked, sounded as if looking at dinner menus was the most exciting thing that he could ever do.
Tai watched as Ava was pulled into her car, and then the driver closed the door and drove off. Sighing, Tai turned to walk past his friend. "I'll not feeling too hot. I'm gonna go and lie down for a few, okay?" the teen stated in a drone tone.
Walking straight past his best friend, Tai walked towards where the bedrooms where located. He walked down to the end of the hallway to the last door. Opening it, Tai was met with a huge master bedroom. He saw his luggage at the foot of the largest bed. Walking over to his bed, Tai flopped down onto the soft sheets and just laid there. "Hey Tai, aren't you coming?" Izzy's voice stated from the other side of the room. Tai didn't answer him. "Tai? You awake?" Izzy asked.
"Izzy, leave him alone. He probably just has jetlag." Joe stated quietly. "Let's let him sleep." Hearing the door close behide him, Tai closed his eyes and fell into an uneasy slumber.
***********
The two figures appeared before Tai once more. But this time, the light around them was different. It was darker. The music sounded softer than before and the two people were a lot more distant sounding. Tai felt tired and he was on his knees. Looking up at the two people, Tai began to plead. "Please tell me who you are. I must know..."
"We have told you. We are the future. Beware the death master. His powers are growing stronger by the day. You must beware of the darkness." The figures said in unison.
Slowly, the two people began to disappear once again. "Wait! Tell me your names!" He shouted. Climbing to his feet, Tai began to run to them but a wall of flames stopped him. He peered through the fire to see the figures vanish once more from sight. The fire was becoming hotter around Tai's body. Every inch of him felt as if he began to burn. "No! Help me! Matt, Sora, Ava, T.K., Kari, Izzy, Mimi, Joe! Help me, please!"
********
Shooting up in bed, Tai let out a blood-curdling shout. He felt his breath heave in and out heavily in his chest. Ice cold sweat rolled down his already clammy skin. Tai's hands were trembling and his eyes were wide when he grabbed his head. "Help me, please." He whispered, his voice quivering from drawing in such very gasps of air.
A light turned on from the end table. Tai remained in his position but he heard the sound of movement around him. "Tai, what's wrong?" T.K.'s voice asked. A hand touched his back lightly and someone else was telling him to breathe.
Tai heard the door suddenly slam opened. "We heard a yell. What's wrong?" Kari's voice asked.
"It's your brother. He woke up screaming." Joe stated.
The sound of slippers shuffled across the floor and someone hopped onto Tai's bed. The person clamored over to his side and sat next to him. "Tai, are you okay?" Kari asked softly, placing her hand onto Tai's shoulder.
Looking up at last, Tai glanced over at his sister. Her smiling, calming face made Tai's breath decrease in speed. "Kari," He murmured.
"I'm here. What's wrong?" She asked.
Looking back at his hands, Tai had a rush of memories from earlier that day. Meeting Ava at the airport, the limo ride, meeting Ava's parents. "Her parents...the cruel remarks..." He stated quietly, grasping his sheets with his hands. "They treated her like dirt...the death mater..." Tai stated, he voice growing louder.
Remembering the flames and the two people surrounded by the white light, Tai brought his voice back up to normal level. "He's coming...The death master is coming." He finally stated in his normal tone.
The others looked at each other and then back at their friend. "Tai, who treated who like dirt and you is the death master?" Izzy questioned, sitting as well.
As the teens listened, Tai told what had happened earlier that day. He told them about Ava's parents and sister shouting at her and how her mother dragged her away by the wrist, crying. "Oh my god. That is horrible." Mimi stated.
"But who is the death master, Tai?" Matt asked, sitting on the edge of his friend's bed.
Tai looked down at the gold sheets. "I don't know...the two figures always tell me that he's getting stronger and his darkness is becoming more powerful than ever before."
"So we have another enemy besides Chris? Well that's just perfect." Joe stated flopping onto the floor.
"The question is...who is the death master?" Izzy stated.
"And who are those two mysterious figures that keep appearing and why are they only appearing to Tai?" Kari proclaimed as she continued to pat and rub her brother's back.
Looking towards the window, Tai sighed. The sun was beginning to rise over the buildings of the greatest city in America. "Another day...another enemy. When will this insanity end?" He asked to no one.
**** Well, it is slowly becoming a Taiora. But the next chapter is full-blown Taiora! I love how this is coming along. Anyways, Check back very soon, for a new chapter should be posted as I continue to turn this into a Taiora. Please R&R!****
~ Vacation In New York ~
By: Lady Ava
Four months had passed since the first appearance of the goddess-like Digimon, Guardianmon. Since that battle, the fighting had yet to decrease. The Digidestined fought with all their might to bring Chris to his senses. Although they yelled and shouted that what he was doing to the Digital World was indeed wrong and would upset the balance between their world and the digital one, the warlord teen refused to back off from his spree of terror.
Though they fought in the Digital World a lot, the nine teenagers would always find a way to celebrate their wins. After they would defeat one of Chris' Digimon, Ava would accompany the rest of the digidestined back to Tokyo in order for them to throw a victory bash. They would always eat the best Japanese restaurants that money could buy, mostly because Mimi's parents always gave the celebrations with no expenses having to be paid by the adolescents.
***************
The Digidestined walked down one of the paths in the Digital World after defeating Chris. "Man, that was a tough one." Izzy stated, stretching his arms lazily over his head.
Mimi flung her bright red locks over one of her shoulders. "Tell me about it. I thought Chris really had us there for a minute when Titaimon hit Guardianmon into the ground." She stated.
"Well, luckily for us," Matt began, "Tai and Ava managed to gain control over the powers of Guardianmon right before she was about to be destroyed. You work great as a team." The blond-haired teen stated, looking towards his goggle head of a friend.
"We really didn't do it together. Most of the power was Ava's. I guess I was getting' tired and she burst forth with this huge wave of energy, right Ava?" Tai declared, looking over next to him. But Tai's warm smile wasn't met with one from Ava. The teenage girl's eyes were fixated on the dirt path under her feet as she walked. Her expression looked as if she was deep in thought. "Hey Ava. What's wrong?" Tai questioned, placing his hand onto his partner's shoulder.
Gazing up at the youth, Ava finally smiled back. "I have an idea."
"Really? About what?" Kari asked, her arm linked with T.K.'s.
Glancing up at the rest of the team, Ava cleared her throat. "Well, as you know. Every time we defeat Chris, we always go back to Japan to celebrate. I find this to be a bit unusual. So I have proposition for you."
"And this would be..." Tai said, his voice trailing off.
"How about you guys come to America and stay over for a week?" She proclaimed excitedly.
The other digidestined looked at one another and then back at Ava. "You mean to...New York City? The largest city in the entire country of America?" Izzy questioned a pinch of excitement beginning to grow in his voice.
Ava nodded with a grin. "Totally. You guys have break comin' up next week, right? Well, you guys can fly over on Sunday and stay until the next Sunday."
"But what about a hotel? I mean, Sunday is only a week away." Matt stated, placing his hand on his chin.
"Already taken care of. Trust me, you will have the finest hotel suite in the city." The American teen shouted happily.
Tai placed his arm around Ava's shoulders. "Well guys, I guess we're going to New York!" He exclaimed.
**************
The flight seemed to drag on for hours that fine Sunday, but they finally reached Kennedy Airport in New York. As the eight teens came off out of the flight terminal, the sun hit their eyes harshly. The airport was almost deserted in the area of Japanese flights coming or going to the land of the rising sun.
"What time is it?" Sora asked, rubbing her eyes, trying to chase the jet lag away.
Looking down at his Digivice, T.K. groggily answered, "8 am. God, am I tired."
"There they are." Ava's voice shouted through the empty waiting area of the gate. As the teens gazed up, they were met with Ava running towards them, a large smile on her face and her cheery eyes glowing. But running up behide her, there was a young man in a suit. Ava ran and stopped to an immediate halt in front of Joe. "I glad to see you guys made it, with only a minor case of jet lag." She said, looking up at the rest of the Digidestined.
"So, this is New York, huh?" Tai stated, looking around.
Ava laughed, "Please Tai. There is more to New York than just an Airport."
Suddenly, the man in the suit approached the group of teens along with the three other teens dragging behide. "Ms. Ava, please don't ever run off like that again." He pleaded.
"Sorry Miles. I didn't mean to run off. I was really excited, that's all." Ava smiled as she turned back to the gentleman.
The digidestined looked at each other and then back at Ava. "Um Ava. Who's this guy?" Izzy asked, adjusting the strap of his laptop.
The young gentleman stepped past Ava and bowed. "I am Miles. Please give me you luggage tickets and I shall retrieve your bags and take them to the car." He stated in a flat tone. Holding out their tickets, the man grabbed the teens' tickets and walked towards the luggage belt.
As Miles began grabbing the bags off the belt, Ava smiled. "Sorry about Miles. He works for my dad and he insisted that he come along." The girl explained, noticing the shocked expressions of the Digidestined.
"Ava, it that guy like, a butler?" Mimi questioned, running a brush through her bed head hair.
Nodding, Ava looked out the large windows. "Yea. He's pretty cool...for a guys who spends his days waiting on another family." Her voice seemed to sound sadder than it usually did.
Tai watched her expressions. He saw her eyes become gloomier and darker looking than they usually were. Her mouth was in an arch shaped frown and her posture seemed less than dancer like. Tai wanted to say something but something was holding him back. 'What's wrong, Ava? Why are you so sad?' Tai asked her mentally.
"Earth to Tai! Come in Tai! We're leaving!" Kari shouted into her brother's ear.
Tai shook his head and looked over at the others. They were heading towards the main doors of the airport. "Hey! Wait of me!" He cried, running towards the doors as well.
**************
As the nine digidestined and Miles stepped into the bright sunlight outside the Kennedy Airport, every one of the teens filched at the rays of the morning New York sun. When their eyesight adjusted to the surrounding area, they eight Japanese Digidestined were met with the sight of the beautiful New York City skyline. "Whoa...That's magnificent." Sora exclaimed, looking at every detail of the city.
"Kinda puts the Tokyo Skyline to shame." Matt said, smiling at Ava.
Miles stepped past the staring teens towards a huge stretch limousine. Opening the trunk, the man began to place the luggage into the car. Tai glanced over at Ava and whispered in her ear, "Ava, is that car...for us?"
Smiling, Ava walked over to the luxury car and opened the door. "Come on guys. Do you want to just stand there and stare at the city or do you want to actually see the city?" She asked, climbing into the car.
The eight teens looked at each other and then sprinted towards the stretch limousine.
*************
The limousine was even more impressive inside than out. The seats stretched all around the rim of the car and the windowsills were a huge mini-bar. The lighting in the car was neon lights that changed colors every other minute. There was a small television and DVD player attached to the ceiling, a videophone, and a laptop computer in the corner.
As they drove down the highway towards the city, the adolescents talked and joked about their flight and the Digital World. Finally, they reached the Lincoln Tunnel. The limousine drove through the long tunnel until finally, they reached the city of New York. The eight Digidestined pressed up against the dark windows, looking at all the sights. As they drove though the city, they passed the Empire State Building, the Warner Bros. Store, the famous Virgin Mega Store, and the MTV and ABC news studios. They passed through Times Square and drove past the famous theaters of Broadway.
Moving towards Central Park, Tai looked over at Ava. She reached over and picked up a small headset for the phone. "Who are you calling, Ava?" The Courage bearer questioned, drawing the attention of the other crest holders.
Placing the headset on her ear, the teen grinned. "I'm calling my friends at your hotel." Adjusting the mouthpiece, Ava sat up straight and spoke clearly, "The Hotel Plaza, please."
"Dialing 'Hotel Plaza.' Please hold." The phone answered back.
After less than a minute, a young woman's voice was hear on the other end of the phone. "Hello and thank you for calling the Hotel Plaza. My name is Cassia and how my I help you?"
Moving behide Ava, the other digidestined watched as a picture of a teenage girl appeared on the other end of the line. She had blond hair and bright green eyes. She wore a uniform of the staff of the hotel. "Cassia, it's me Ava."
"Ava? Hey girl, What's up? Did you pick up your friends?" She asked excitedly, loosing her professional look.
Giggling, Ava slid to the side so that the other teens in the car were revealed. "Sure did. Here they are." Ava stated.
"Hey guys! Nice to meet ya. I'll be seeing you in a few minutes so I'll be meeting in person." The girl stated polity. "Hey Av, I'll send Jim out to meet you guys. See ya!" And with that the picture vanished from the screen.
Removing the ear set, Ava lounged backwards onto the leather seat. She was smiling and her expression was happier than Tai had seen at the airport. "Ava, is that the same Cassia who E-mailed you on the day you got your digivice?" Tai asked in a hushed tone.
Before Ava could answer the car jolted to a short stop, causing the teens to fly off their seats and onto the floor. Ava glanced out the window sighed. "Well guys, here is your home away from home for the next week. The Hotel Plaza of New York City."
Miles opened the door for the teens so that they could exit the luxury car. As they climbed out of the car one by one, each one of the Digidestined looked up. The hotel was huge and had at least twenty-five floors to it. The teens continued to look up until Joe decided to play the voice of reason. "Guys, really. Do you really want to look like tourists?" He questioned in a sarcastic tone.
As Tai climbed out of the car, he saw that Miles had already begun to unload the luggage from the trunk. "Digidestined party? Is that you, sir?" A man asked, holding up a clipboard.
Tai and the others froze in their spots. They didn't know what to say. "Um...Yes?" Tai answered timidly.
"Does your party consist of the teenagers Tai, Matt, Sora, Kari, Izzy, Joe, Mimi, and T.K.?" The man questioned again, his voice sounding very stuck up.
Ava stepped in between Tai and the man. "Really Jim. Do you have to be so annoying?" She asked, sounding very important.
"Ms. Ava. I'm so sorry." Jim stated, lowering his clipboard.
Ava smiled, "Chill out and relax, Jim. My dad isn't gonna spaz just because you spoke rudely to my guests."
"Of course not. I'll have the bellhop take your friends' bags to their suite." Jim stated as he turned and walked away.
"Um Ava?" T.K. asked, causing the teenage girl he was addressing to turn. "Would you like to fill us in on why these people keep calling you, 'Ms. Ava'?"
Blushing, the American teen looked down at her feet. "My parents own this hotel. So everyone thinks that they have to call me that. Personally, I hate it. It really annoys me that they continue to call me that even when I say don't. That's why you guys are also staying here for free." She explained.
"Really? For free?" Mimi questioned, a hit of excitement in her voice.
Ava grinned and nodded. "Dude, that's really nice of you." Izzy voiced for the rest of the group.
***********
After checking in at the front desk, the nine digidestined walked through the crowed hotel lobby. The whole place looked as if it just came out of a storybook. Velvet couches and columns lined the area around a large indoor fountain that was surrounded by flowers. The floors were either marble or had lush carpeting over the floor.
Reaching the elevator, the gold plated doors opened to let the digidestined inside. When the doors shut behide them, Ava turned to the man standing at the numbers. "Penthouse please, Lance." She asked sweetly. The man listened and pressed the bottom number on the range. As the elevator ascended to the top floor, the Digidestined gazed in aw at the size of the whole hotel. "Isn't this place great?" Ava asked the other teens.
"Totally. Who would have thought that such a great place was real." Mimi stated, her eyes still on the picture before her.
When they reached the top floor, they walked down a corridor of large doors. Finally, they reached the two double doors at the end of the hallway. Withdrawing the key from his pocket, Tai looked at the number on the key and then the one on the door. "Here we are. Room A Suite001." He said happily. Scanning the electric key into the lock, Tai pushed the doors opened.
The digidestined gasped in delight and shock. The room had a huge living room with a fireplace that was lit already. The furniture was very fancy and the hard wood floors were polished. There was a balcony that led into a garden on the roof. "This is...amazing..." Sora breathed, her eyes wide with aw.
"There are two bedrooms down that hallway there and the kitchen and bathroom are down that hallway." Ava started as they all moved inside. "The path on the balcony leads upstairs to the garden on the roof. It is like a Japanese garden in the country. I designed it myself."
As soon as Ava finished her explanation, the seven teens ran off to explore their room. Tai stood there with Ava as they watched them roam around the room. "This was really nice of you to do this for us. But," Tai started, looking over at the girl.
"But what?" she asked.
Tai looked her straight in the eye, "Why were you so sad at the airport?" He asked flatly.
Looking out at the windows, she sighed. "I felt as if I was being stuck up. Having the limo and my family's butler come and pick you up made me feel as if I was rubbing it in your face that I had all this stuff."
Tai glanced over at the girl next to him. "Please, why would you even think such a thing? You know I wouldn't care about things like that. I wouldn't care if you had us staying in a cardboard box." Looking over at her, Tai smiled. "All I want to do is have a good time here, with everyone, and away from Chris Sono." He explained in a matter-of-fact way.
Ava looked up at the teen and smiled, "You're right. I was being stupid. I can't believe that I thought you would care about such things."
Placing her head against the doorframe, Ava sighed. Tai grinned over at her. 'She's okay...but I have feeling for someone else. Sorry Ava.' He thought, remembering the flight.
Flashback
Tai and Sora sat next to each other because there were no more vacant seats. He really didn't mind, considering that he and Sora were such great friends. But during the middle of the flight, something happened that Tai had dreamed about for so long. He awoke from a light doze when he found that he couldn't sit up. Looking down into his lap, he saw Sora sleeping soundly. So, not wanting to arose her, Tai went back to sleep as well. But as he sat there, he couldn't help but run his figures through Sora's soft hair. 'Sora...you mean so much to me. You're my best friend...and everyday I hope and pray that you will become more than just my best friend.' He thought as he drifted back to sleep.
End Flashback
Tai smiled to himself because of the memory. Turning to Ava once again, he was on the verge of telling her something, when suddenly a voice stopped him. "Ava! What are you doing with that young man?" A deep male voice yelled angrily from behide the teens.
Spinning around, Ava and Tai were met by three people: One man and two women. The man was dressed in a very expensive looking suit. His dirty blond hair was neatly combed and his mud brown eyes looked enraged. The older of the two women wore a female business suit with spiked heels. Her blond hair was tightly pulled back in a bun and her dark green eyes were behide thin glasses. The younger woman had on an extra short red Chinese dress with red shoes to match. She held a small red, silk, dragon purse and hair blond hair was held up with a pair of Chinese hair sticks. "Dad, mom, Veronica." Ava said in shock, mumbling Veronica's name under her breath.
Tai looked at the three angry people in front of them and then back at Ava. 'This is Ava's family? They don't look anything alike.' He thought.
Ignoring Tai's very presence, Ava's father stepped forward. "Ava Lawrence. What do you think you are doing with this young man?" He asked harshly, looking Tai up and down.
Glancing at the teen next to him, a thought struck the leader of the Digidestined, 'Wait a second. Why did he say that Ava's last name was Lawrence? I thought her last name was Cononoshi...'
Ava's eyes narrowed at her parents. "This is one of my friends I told you about. The ones I said would be coming to visit this week from Japan." She stated harshly.
"And while you were driving around and picking these friends of yours up at the airport, you are late for your dance practice." Ava's mother shouted.
Looking at Tai, Ava lowered her head. "I have to go. I'll see you guys tomorrow." She said softly, as if she were about to cry.
Veronica looked at the scene before her. "Wait a minute. I want to know who this..." She started. Pausing, she looked Tai up and down like Ava's father did. Giggling, she continued, "guy is?"
Tai looked at Veronica and then at Ava. His partner was breathing heavily, trying to hide her sobs under her breath. Tai knew that he didn't want to make her feel more uncomfortable than she was already.
Stepping forward, Tai extended his hand to Ava's father. "I'm Tai Kayima. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." He stated as politely as possible. But Ava's father didn't meet his handshake.
Withdrawing his hand, Tai watched Ava step out of the room. She turned to him but kept her head down. "I'll see you and the others tomorrow." She sobbed.
She walked over to hug him, but was stopped by her mother grasping tightly onto her wrist. "Come along, Ava. You can see that 'boy' tomorrow. Now, you must go to your dance lesson now." Her mother's voice was very cold and harsh.
Tai could only stand there as he watched Ava's mother drag her down the hallway away from Tai's room. Her sister and father linked arms as they happily strolled down the hallway, as if nothing had happened and that they couldn't hear Ava's cries. As Tai watched, he saw Ava lift her head to look at him. Her beautiful eyes were red and her face was tear-stained. She mouthed, "Bye" to the teen and Tai answered back the same way.
'Ava's parents and sister are really cold to her. They acted as if she wasn't even crying. Hell, they acted as if she wasn't there at all, except when they were yelling at her. That just makes me sick.' Tai thought.
Closing the doors, Tai pressed his head against the wood. Closing his eyes, Tai could almost feel her sorrow. Looking over at the glass balcony doors, he walked over to them and slid them opened. Walking over to the railing, he looked down at the street below. His eyes scanned the area of the place were the cars load and unload guests. Suddenly, he saw them. Ava's family walked through the front doors. Her father came first, then Veronica, followed by Ava's mother and last came Ava. She trailed behide the rest of the family as they walked to their waiting car. "Ava..." He whispered. That's when Tai felt it his crest react to something. Closing his eyes again, Tai felt the sadness come to him. 'This is how she is feeling?' He asked himself.
"Hey there you are." Matt voice said from behide. Tai didn't turn around to meet his friend's cheery gaze. The voices of the other digidestined sunk into Tai's ears as he continued to stare down at his partner. "Tai, we're gonna check out what's for dinner. Care to join us?" Matt asked, sounded as if looking at dinner menus was the most exciting thing that he could ever do.
Tai watched as Ava was pulled into her car, and then the driver closed the door and drove off. Sighing, Tai turned to walk past his friend. "I'll not feeling too hot. I'm gonna go and lie down for a few, okay?" the teen stated in a drone tone.
Walking straight past his best friend, Tai walked towards where the bedrooms where located. He walked down to the end of the hallway to the last door. Opening it, Tai was met with a huge master bedroom. He saw his luggage at the foot of the largest bed. Walking over to his bed, Tai flopped down onto the soft sheets and just laid there. "Hey Tai, aren't you coming?" Izzy's voice stated from the other side of the room. Tai didn't answer him. "Tai? You awake?" Izzy asked.
"Izzy, leave him alone. He probably just has jetlag." Joe stated quietly. "Let's let him sleep." Hearing the door close behide him, Tai closed his eyes and fell into an uneasy slumber.
***********
The two figures appeared before Tai once more. But this time, the light around them was different. It was darker. The music sounded softer than before and the two people were a lot more distant sounding. Tai felt tired and he was on his knees. Looking up at the two people, Tai began to plead. "Please tell me who you are. I must know..."
"We have told you. We are the future. Beware the death master. His powers are growing stronger by the day. You must beware of the darkness." The figures said in unison.
Slowly, the two people began to disappear once again. "Wait! Tell me your names!" He shouted. Climbing to his feet, Tai began to run to them but a wall of flames stopped him. He peered through the fire to see the figures vanish once more from sight. The fire was becoming hotter around Tai's body. Every inch of him felt as if he began to burn. "No! Help me! Matt, Sora, Ava, T.K., Kari, Izzy, Mimi, Joe! Help me, please!"
********
Shooting up in bed, Tai let out a blood-curdling shout. He felt his breath heave in and out heavily in his chest. Ice cold sweat rolled down his already clammy skin. Tai's hands were trembling and his eyes were wide when he grabbed his head. "Help me, please." He whispered, his voice quivering from drawing in such very gasps of air.
A light turned on from the end table. Tai remained in his position but he heard the sound of movement around him. "Tai, what's wrong?" T.K.'s voice asked. A hand touched his back lightly and someone else was telling him to breathe.
Tai heard the door suddenly slam opened. "We heard a yell. What's wrong?" Kari's voice asked.
"It's your brother. He woke up screaming." Joe stated.
The sound of slippers shuffled across the floor and someone hopped onto Tai's bed. The person clamored over to his side and sat next to him. "Tai, are you okay?" Kari asked softly, placing her hand onto Tai's shoulder.
Looking up at last, Tai glanced over at his sister. Her smiling, calming face made Tai's breath decrease in speed. "Kari," He murmured.
"I'm here. What's wrong?" She asked.
Looking back at his hands, Tai had a rush of memories from earlier that day. Meeting Ava at the airport, the limo ride, meeting Ava's parents. "Her parents...the cruel remarks..." He stated quietly, grasping his sheets with his hands. "They treated her like dirt...the death mater..." Tai stated, he voice growing louder.
Remembering the flames and the two people surrounded by the white light, Tai brought his voice back up to normal level. "He's coming...The death master is coming." He finally stated in his normal tone.
The others looked at each other and then back at their friend. "Tai, who treated who like dirt and you is the death master?" Izzy questioned, sitting as well.
As the teens listened, Tai told what had happened earlier that day. He told them about Ava's parents and sister shouting at her and how her mother dragged her away by the wrist, crying. "Oh my god. That is horrible." Mimi stated.
"But who is the death master, Tai?" Matt asked, sitting on the edge of his friend's bed.
Tai looked down at the gold sheets. "I don't know...the two figures always tell me that he's getting stronger and his darkness is becoming more powerful than ever before."
"So we have another enemy besides Chris? Well that's just perfect." Joe stated flopping onto the floor.
"The question is...who is the death master?" Izzy stated.
"And who are those two mysterious figures that keep appearing and why are they only appearing to Tai?" Kari proclaimed as she continued to pat and rub her brother's back.
Looking towards the window, Tai sighed. The sun was beginning to rise over the buildings of the greatest city in America. "Another day...another enemy. When will this insanity end?" He asked to no one.
**** Well, it is slowly becoming a Taiora. But the next chapter is full-blown Taiora! I love how this is coming along. Anyways, Check back very soon, for a new chapter should be posted as I continue to turn this into a Taiora. Please R&R!****
