*sweatdrop* Um... Mink confuses me! Mink ~ I never said I would stop writing this fic just 'cos I didn't get reviews! *sniffs* Please don't yell! I dunno where you got that idea from, but I'm sorry!
Okay, pay attention, minna! I fully intend to finish this fic (no matter how long it takes... *grins sheepishly*)!
*jumps up and down* Wheeee! *claps hands* Um, sorry... I tend to get a tad euphoric when I get reviews... I'm over twenty reviews now! Keep 'em coming! :) And thanks SO much to whoever put this story in their favourites! *smiles*
~If you don't want to be seriously scared, I'd advise you to skip the following conversation between me and my muse...~
- Ken - *drily* I'm surprised people put you in their favourites... *suddenly gasps and points up at the sky screaming* Oh nooooo! It's the immortal yodeling purple flying Moocowduck that was exposed to radiation, ate your stuffed moocow, and wears Lederhosen! He's trying to eat the Evil Poptart! The Holy Sugar Monkeys must save it!
*coughs* Uh... have you been reading my AIM conversations again...? (to Poodleeyes ~ I TOLD you I'd put it in! *laughs maniacally*)
- Ken - *grins sheepishly* Maybe...
Er... *sweatdrop* Well, anyways... (sorry, my friend dared me to put evidence of my craziness in my story... I asked, 'Isn't the story enough evidence?' but noooo...) Eh... Yeah. Read! Review! Eat Poptarts! *sweatdrop again* Sorry... sugar high...
Turn Back Time
Chapter Six
"Ow." The blonde teenager winced as he sat up, massaging his aching limbs. 'Note to self - Do not fall through trees again,' he thought sheepishly, before opening his eyes. He immediately yelped and shut them tightly, stars dancing behind the closed lids. He cursed inwardly, blinded by the brightness of the light he was facing. "Um... did I go blind?" he asked tentatively, wildly windmilling his arms around him in an attempt to find someone else. "Am I dead...?"
A laugh sounded from nearby. "No, silly, you're not dead *or* blind. Open your eyes slowly - it takes a while to get used to the light." He hesitantly obeyed, squinting his eyes to shield them from the brilliant glow. As his eyes got more accustomed to it, he could make out dark shapes nearby.
"Hikari?" he asked incredulously. "Dai? Miya? Jyou?" Each person nodded as he said their name. "What the heck are we doing here?"
An echoing voice interrupted their replies, and he looked in awe at the angel standing before them, the source of the light. "I was about to explain that, Takeru. We were waiting until you woke up. That was quite a nasty fall."
He flinched. "Tell me about it," he retorted sarcastically. He suddenly looked around frantically. "Pata! Where are you?"
"Right here, Takeru!" called a childish voice, as the tan-and-white digimon flew out from behind Hikari, his clear azure eyes glistening. With a small cry, he hurled himself into Takeru's arms. "I was so afraid you wouldn't wake up!"
Takeru smiled gently. "Don't worry, I'm okay."
"Don't ever do that again!" scolded the small creature.
"However touching this may be," Daisuke interrupted, voice sardonic, "we were about to learn something that may be rather important."
Takeru flushed. "Oh yeah, um, sorry."
"That's all right," the angel responded, but it was interrupted yet again by a loud complaint from Jyou.
"Sorry, your angel-ness, sir, I have sensitive eyes... Would you mind toning it down a tad?" Jyou squinted at the shining being plainitively.
The angel sighed. "I suppose I could revert to a form that would be more... familiar to you. Close your eyes for a moment, please."
The group shut their eyes tightly as the light flashed, pulsating against their eyelids. When it disappeared, the angel spoke in the voice of an old man. "You may look now."
They opened their eyes and gasped simultaneously. The radiant entity no longer stood in front of them, having been replaced by a squat, bald old man with a bushy grey mustache. His sky-blue eyes had disappeared in a mass of wrinkles, and he was clothed in a black robe edged with red trim.
Gaping, Sora voiced the name that was in everyone's thoughts.
"Gennai?"
Ken's POV
"Let me go let me go let me go let me go let me goooo!" I struggled futilely against my bonds as my brother cast an annoyed glance over his shoulder at me.
"Really, Ken, can't you ever shut up?" I glared frostily at him as he shrugged and turned back to his research. When I resumed my pleading, however, his patience snapped. He slammed his chair backwards as he stood up, sending it spinning into the hard rock wall. Stalking over to me, he unfurled the whip that he kept close by his side, coiled like a snake ready to strike. Snapping it dangerously close to my head, he whispered, "Shut it, ototo-san, or I swear to God I'll..." He left the threat hanging.
I couldn't contain myself. "I'm surprised a tyrant like you even believes in God!" I snapped, the fury boiling in my veins overcoming my common sense. I instantly regretted it as I saw Osamu recoil in shock, then anger.
He clenched his fist, yanking off his sunglasses and hurling them into a wall, where they shattered. Flames of rage danced in his purplish eyes. "If I didn't need you alive, Ken, you'd be hanging - dead - from the torture racks right now." I flinched, looking away from his furious face. He snapped his fingers, and another strange creature came briskly in through the door. This one was shaped like a pear but had the colour of an overripe tomato. Its reddish head was topped with wild, green, leaflike hair, a wide, reckless grin that showed tiny fangs. From its sides fell long, spiraling arms that were tinged green and shaped like maces as they ended. I groaned inwardly as Osamu spoke sharply to it.
"Slave, I need you to take this prisoner out of my sight!" he ordered harshly. The creature's tiny, malevolent eyes landed on me as it smiled viciously. "Put him in the dungeons with any other degenerates."
"Yes, Master," it replied obediently. It hacked at the ropes binding me to the bed, severing them quickly, and dragged me down a flight of musty steps.
I struggled the whole way against its strong grasp, wincing as it held me tighter still, cutting off my air supply as it squeezed my diaphragm. "Let... me... GO!" I gasped, trying ineffectively to kick it.
"No," it intoned dully, time after time. "The Master wishes me to perform this task. It will be done." Finally, I stopped fighting and glared at it. Talk about brainwashing.
We arrived at the cell, where it threw me in. I slammed into the far wall harshly, falling to the ground. I quickly stood up and whirled around when I heard the decisive click of the door being closed. I ran to the bars and grasped them, screaming insults at the creature as it walked placidly away. Sighing, I slumped down onto a dusty pile of straw in the corner, not noticing the eyes that watched me from the dark recesses of the cell.
Taichi's POV
I tried hard not to look at the ground rushing beneath me as Kyuudai flew Koushiro and me swiftly through the air. His clawlike fingers dug into my shoulder where he had grabbed me, and I desperately wanted to shift my position, but dreaded what would happen if I did so. Best scenario would be his fingers would gouge even more deeply into my already hurting shoulder. Worst scenario... I would plunge screaming to my inevitable death. I suppressed a shudder. Not a very cheerful fate...
I glanced over at Koushiro, who didn't seem to be minding the heights at all. Instead, he looked intrigued, and kept staring at our flying friend as if trying to figure out how Kyuudai flew. A powerful gust of wind made Kyuudai falter, falling several feet in the air before regaining himself. From then on, I just gulped and closed my eyes until we landed, rather bumpily, in a large dirt clearing.
"Taichi!" 'Shiro whapped me on the head, and I looked up to see him holding back a smirk. "The flight's over. You can take off the blindfold."
I scowled. "Shut up, 'Shiro." He backed off laughingly.
"Down, boy, I was just teasing."
Before I could make a reply, Kyuudai interrupted (thankfully for Koushiro). I noticed that other creatures like him were coming out of the skillfully woven huts surrounding us. He gestured around him, at the staring creatures and the strange land, and told us, "This is capital of D'etur, Okimoto."
Koushiro was practically salivating at all of the new information. I could tell he was about to whip out his laptop and start processing this entire environment, so I was *extremely* grateful when Kyuudai led us into a chamber of the largest hut in the small village.
An immense version of Kyuudai stood up from a woven throne. "Greetings," it said. "I am Chief of D'etur. Welcome to our village."
For about the seventieth time since arriving in this world, I was lost for words.
Osamu's POV
I watched as my slave led Ken through the door. Finally, I got that whining brat out of my sight and hearing range. I can't believe that he and I are spawn of the same insipid parents. Luckily, *he* inherited most of their traits.
I sat back in my chair, musing softly. I gazed at the digivice I had sent that putrid digimon Wormmon to retrieve from my home, assuming it belonged to Ken. A wave of cold fury entered me. How could that insignificant child be Chosen in this world, and not me? No matter, though. I smiled grimly. I had found my own way in, on another path, and now I would destroy those precious children.
~*~
"Osamu, honey, are you hungry? I made your favourites for dinner," whined my mother's sickeningly sweet voice from outside my door. Without even averting my gaze from the computer, I snapped back a reply.
"No, I'm not hungry. Leave my alone!" I listened until her feet padded away on the soft carpet before continuing the furious typing I had been doing.
I was trying to create a program that would allow the user teleportation access between computers. I knew it sounded crazy, but ever since that fateful day I had seen Ken popping out of my computer in a burst of blinding light, the small device I'd found clutched in his had, I had become fascinated with the prospect. I had yelled at him for deceiving me and taking the tiny mechanism from my drawer, but inwardly, I was in awe. The instant he left, I tried to do the same as he had, manipulating the digivice in every way I thought possible. When I finally admitted defeat, an idea struck me - Why did I have to teleport the same way Ken had? Why not create a program that would do the same?
I had worked feverishly for years, but it was all in vain. I was unable to produce any sort of result, but still, I plodded on aimlessly in my project. That night was no different - or so I thought. Just as I was about to put it away for the night, a voice summoned me from the computer. I almost screamed in shock and partial fright as the computer echoed with the gravely tones of the demon Digimon.
"I have watched you day and night, Ichijouji. You have progressed well."
"Who the heck are you?" I snapped, trying to hide the fact that I was shaking from this invisible force.
"Who am I?" The voice sounded surprised. "I am your friend, your aide in your quest. You don't *really* want to teleport, do you? All you want is the power it will bring you. I can offer you power, Ichijouji."
"Really?" Despite what I had told myself over and over, what the demon was saying was true. I wanted power more than anything. I shuddered in delight, but cautioned myself. "What do I have to do?" I asked warily.
"There is another world, weaker than this one, where things are made of data. You could rule it, and have power beyond your wildest dreams! You are destined for this, Ichijouji."
"Where is this world?" I asked greedily.
"It is through your computer." I balked in surprise as the voice went on. "It is the same one your brother visited all those years ago. I can get you there. The creatures there - they are called Digimon - will easily bend to your iron will. With a computer, you can easily manipulate their very essence and control them."
I sat in silence for a while, soaking in this overwhelming information. "And who are you?" I queried after a few moments, suddenly suspicious of this creature.
"I am simply a shade, waiting to regain power." A black mist slid from the computer screen as I watched, awestruck. The entire room darkened as the being entered, the air thick with a kind of negative energy. It solidified slightly, and the image of a snarling metal dinosaur somehow filled my mind. The shape flickered slightly, and dissolved back into a mist. "I was weakened in a terrible battle, and lost my control on the world. But you, with the powers you bear, can bring it back to us!"
"Are you using me?" I asked, skeptical of this creature's intents. It was quick to pacify me.
"No, no, Ichijouji! We will be partners. You will take over the world with my powers in you!"
"How do I get there?"
The mist solidified again, forming a large metal claw that clutched a digivice. The device was dropped next to my feet as the claw faded back into the mists. I bent down and picked it up. It was different than the one I had seen Ken use. It was less geometric in shape, and the small grayish screen was surrounded by black. I held it tightly in my hand. "This is mine?"
"Yes," whispered the demon. "To use it, hold it up to any computer screen."
I obeyed, and a black light swept out, engulfing me in darkness. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in my meager little room, rather, in a lush, exotic forest. A wide grin stretched across my face as I confronted the mist jubilantly.
"It worked!" I cried in amazement.
"You doubted?" The voice was amused. "From here, I leave you on your own. You can come back and forth between worlds in whatever way you want. If you need me, just call out and I will answer."
I stared at the mist as it began to fade into the rising fog and called out frantically. "Wait! Who are you?"
The answer came back in a rather sinister chuckle. "I am known as Belial Vamdemon."
~*~
Smiling, I fingered my digivice. The reign I had started so long ago was about to reach its pinnacle. I returned to poring over the scrolls scattered on my desk, searching for a clue as to how to uncover the Talisman. Once I had it in my possession, the entire world wouldn't stand a chance!
I strode to the open door. If I could call him whenever I needed him, maybe he could help with this puzzle. "Belial Vamdemon," I yelled into the empty hallway, waiting impatiently. The black mist swirled around me almost immediately.
"What do you need, Ichijouji?" it hissed. I smiled.
Takeru's POV
I kept fighting the urge to smack myself on the forehead and scream, 'Wake up!' Instead, I stared in inconceivable confusion at the wrinkled old man that had been our mentor and guardian... angel?... for so long. Damn. I must've landed harder than I thought.
"Hello, Digidestined," he greeted us in his familiar voice. He chuckled softly. "I suppose I have some explaining to do."
"You sure as hell do!" blurted Dai, who seemed to be silently fuming at the deception Gennai had put us through. "If you have that kind of power, why don't *you* just kick the evil dude's butts, instead of us screwing around all the time?" The rest of the group, me included, nodded an assent.
Gennai sighed reluctantly. "I wished I could, children, I really did. But, I work for Fate, and Fate is a harsh master. We are ordered not to interfere too much with the affairs of mortals, because the results could be disastrous. No matter what happened, I could not let my emotions rule my actions. I helped you as much as I could."
"But the power you have..." Daisuke started again, but Gennai held up a hand to silence him.
He viewed us sadly, speaking bitterly. "My power is great, yes. It was greater than this once. In another timeline, when I went against orders because my pity for one child overwhelmed me. I turned back time and changed the past. It is because I used my powers that everything now is happening! Do you see now? I cannot stop the fighting." He bowed his head. "In this form, under this name, I have no powers, but when I am in the form I was earlier, I am called Aquarius, and I am one of the most powerful in the service of Fate. In another timeline, Ken Ichijouji *was* the Kaiser. He was taken over by darkness after his brother was killed, because he was made vulnerable by his guilt and grief."
"Wait a minute," Miyako interjected suspiciously. "You said... *was* the Kaiser, as if he isn't the Kaiser now... How can that be?"
"When I turned back time, I brought his brother Osamu back to life," Gennai replied. "Instead of Ken, Osamu became the Kaiser, but Osamu is much stronger than Ken ever was. Many consequences came of my foolish action, the primary one being that the fight continues even now, over a year after it had finished in the previous timeline."
I stared in shock as he whirled around to face me. "You, Takeru," he said pointing at me, "were also affected adversely by what I did. You and Yamato, Ken and Osamu, even Hikari and Taichi. Iori was affected positively." He turned to the youngest of our number, his eyes softening. "Because of what I did, your father is alive."
Iori's deep green eyes widened in amazement. "You - you mean, he'd be...?" he stuttered. Gennai nodded.
"Your father is dead in the other timeline," he said gently. "I will explain it all in due time, but now, we have a problem."
"Wait... what's wrong with Yama and me?" I asked nervously, exchanging a glance with my older brother.
Gennai shook his head. "I haven't the time to explain now. Ken is in extreme danger."
"Why would we care about the Kaiser?" scoffed Daisuke. Miyako hit him over the head.
"Baka! Haven't you been listening? He's *not* the Kaiser!"
"Ow..." Dai rubbed his head sheepishly. "I'm confused..."
"That is understandable, Daisuke, but right now I need to ask you all something... Have you ever heard of the Prophecy of the Nine Talismans?"
One by one, we shook our heads, and Gennai started to explain.
-----
Argh... Can't write... *bangs head on desk* Oh well...
Review!
Okay, pay attention, minna! I fully intend to finish this fic (no matter how long it takes... *grins sheepishly*)!
*jumps up and down* Wheeee! *claps hands* Um, sorry... I tend to get a tad euphoric when I get reviews... I'm over twenty reviews now! Keep 'em coming! :) And thanks SO much to whoever put this story in their favourites! *smiles*
~If you don't want to be seriously scared, I'd advise you to skip the following conversation between me and my muse...~
- Ken - *drily* I'm surprised people put you in their favourites... *suddenly gasps and points up at the sky screaming* Oh nooooo! It's the immortal yodeling purple flying Moocowduck that was exposed to radiation, ate your stuffed moocow, and wears Lederhosen! He's trying to eat the Evil Poptart! The Holy Sugar Monkeys must save it!
*coughs* Uh... have you been reading my AIM conversations again...? (to Poodleeyes ~ I TOLD you I'd put it in! *laughs maniacally*)
- Ken - *grins sheepishly* Maybe...
Er... *sweatdrop* Well, anyways... (sorry, my friend dared me to put evidence of my craziness in my story... I asked, 'Isn't the story enough evidence?' but noooo...) Eh... Yeah. Read! Review! Eat Poptarts! *sweatdrop again* Sorry... sugar high...
Turn Back Time
Chapter Six
"Ow." The blonde teenager winced as he sat up, massaging his aching limbs. 'Note to self - Do not fall through trees again,' he thought sheepishly, before opening his eyes. He immediately yelped and shut them tightly, stars dancing behind the closed lids. He cursed inwardly, blinded by the brightness of the light he was facing. "Um... did I go blind?" he asked tentatively, wildly windmilling his arms around him in an attempt to find someone else. "Am I dead...?"
A laugh sounded from nearby. "No, silly, you're not dead *or* blind. Open your eyes slowly - it takes a while to get used to the light." He hesitantly obeyed, squinting his eyes to shield them from the brilliant glow. As his eyes got more accustomed to it, he could make out dark shapes nearby.
"Hikari?" he asked incredulously. "Dai? Miya? Jyou?" Each person nodded as he said their name. "What the heck are we doing here?"
An echoing voice interrupted their replies, and he looked in awe at the angel standing before them, the source of the light. "I was about to explain that, Takeru. We were waiting until you woke up. That was quite a nasty fall."
He flinched. "Tell me about it," he retorted sarcastically. He suddenly looked around frantically. "Pata! Where are you?"
"Right here, Takeru!" called a childish voice, as the tan-and-white digimon flew out from behind Hikari, his clear azure eyes glistening. With a small cry, he hurled himself into Takeru's arms. "I was so afraid you wouldn't wake up!"
Takeru smiled gently. "Don't worry, I'm okay."
"Don't ever do that again!" scolded the small creature.
"However touching this may be," Daisuke interrupted, voice sardonic, "we were about to learn something that may be rather important."
Takeru flushed. "Oh yeah, um, sorry."
"That's all right," the angel responded, but it was interrupted yet again by a loud complaint from Jyou.
"Sorry, your angel-ness, sir, I have sensitive eyes... Would you mind toning it down a tad?" Jyou squinted at the shining being plainitively.
The angel sighed. "I suppose I could revert to a form that would be more... familiar to you. Close your eyes for a moment, please."
The group shut their eyes tightly as the light flashed, pulsating against their eyelids. When it disappeared, the angel spoke in the voice of an old man. "You may look now."
They opened their eyes and gasped simultaneously. The radiant entity no longer stood in front of them, having been replaced by a squat, bald old man with a bushy grey mustache. His sky-blue eyes had disappeared in a mass of wrinkles, and he was clothed in a black robe edged with red trim.
Gaping, Sora voiced the name that was in everyone's thoughts.
"Gennai?"
Ken's POV
"Let me go let me go let me go let me go let me goooo!" I struggled futilely against my bonds as my brother cast an annoyed glance over his shoulder at me.
"Really, Ken, can't you ever shut up?" I glared frostily at him as he shrugged and turned back to his research. When I resumed my pleading, however, his patience snapped. He slammed his chair backwards as he stood up, sending it spinning into the hard rock wall. Stalking over to me, he unfurled the whip that he kept close by his side, coiled like a snake ready to strike. Snapping it dangerously close to my head, he whispered, "Shut it, ototo-san, or I swear to God I'll..." He left the threat hanging.
I couldn't contain myself. "I'm surprised a tyrant like you even believes in God!" I snapped, the fury boiling in my veins overcoming my common sense. I instantly regretted it as I saw Osamu recoil in shock, then anger.
He clenched his fist, yanking off his sunglasses and hurling them into a wall, where they shattered. Flames of rage danced in his purplish eyes. "If I didn't need you alive, Ken, you'd be hanging - dead - from the torture racks right now." I flinched, looking away from his furious face. He snapped his fingers, and another strange creature came briskly in through the door. This one was shaped like a pear but had the colour of an overripe tomato. Its reddish head was topped with wild, green, leaflike hair, a wide, reckless grin that showed tiny fangs. From its sides fell long, spiraling arms that were tinged green and shaped like maces as they ended. I groaned inwardly as Osamu spoke sharply to it.
"Slave, I need you to take this prisoner out of my sight!" he ordered harshly. The creature's tiny, malevolent eyes landed on me as it smiled viciously. "Put him in the dungeons with any other degenerates."
"Yes, Master," it replied obediently. It hacked at the ropes binding me to the bed, severing them quickly, and dragged me down a flight of musty steps.
I struggled the whole way against its strong grasp, wincing as it held me tighter still, cutting off my air supply as it squeezed my diaphragm. "Let... me... GO!" I gasped, trying ineffectively to kick it.
"No," it intoned dully, time after time. "The Master wishes me to perform this task. It will be done." Finally, I stopped fighting and glared at it. Talk about brainwashing.
We arrived at the cell, where it threw me in. I slammed into the far wall harshly, falling to the ground. I quickly stood up and whirled around when I heard the decisive click of the door being closed. I ran to the bars and grasped them, screaming insults at the creature as it walked placidly away. Sighing, I slumped down onto a dusty pile of straw in the corner, not noticing the eyes that watched me from the dark recesses of the cell.
Taichi's POV
I tried hard not to look at the ground rushing beneath me as Kyuudai flew Koushiro and me swiftly through the air. His clawlike fingers dug into my shoulder where he had grabbed me, and I desperately wanted to shift my position, but dreaded what would happen if I did so. Best scenario would be his fingers would gouge even more deeply into my already hurting shoulder. Worst scenario... I would plunge screaming to my inevitable death. I suppressed a shudder. Not a very cheerful fate...
I glanced over at Koushiro, who didn't seem to be minding the heights at all. Instead, he looked intrigued, and kept staring at our flying friend as if trying to figure out how Kyuudai flew. A powerful gust of wind made Kyuudai falter, falling several feet in the air before regaining himself. From then on, I just gulped and closed my eyes until we landed, rather bumpily, in a large dirt clearing.
"Taichi!" 'Shiro whapped me on the head, and I looked up to see him holding back a smirk. "The flight's over. You can take off the blindfold."
I scowled. "Shut up, 'Shiro." He backed off laughingly.
"Down, boy, I was just teasing."
Before I could make a reply, Kyuudai interrupted (thankfully for Koushiro). I noticed that other creatures like him were coming out of the skillfully woven huts surrounding us. He gestured around him, at the staring creatures and the strange land, and told us, "This is capital of D'etur, Okimoto."
Koushiro was practically salivating at all of the new information. I could tell he was about to whip out his laptop and start processing this entire environment, so I was *extremely* grateful when Kyuudai led us into a chamber of the largest hut in the small village.
An immense version of Kyuudai stood up from a woven throne. "Greetings," it said. "I am Chief of D'etur. Welcome to our village."
For about the seventieth time since arriving in this world, I was lost for words.
Osamu's POV
I watched as my slave led Ken through the door. Finally, I got that whining brat out of my sight and hearing range. I can't believe that he and I are spawn of the same insipid parents. Luckily, *he* inherited most of their traits.
I sat back in my chair, musing softly. I gazed at the digivice I had sent that putrid digimon Wormmon to retrieve from my home, assuming it belonged to Ken. A wave of cold fury entered me. How could that insignificant child be Chosen in this world, and not me? No matter, though. I smiled grimly. I had found my own way in, on another path, and now I would destroy those precious children.
~*~
"Osamu, honey, are you hungry? I made your favourites for dinner," whined my mother's sickeningly sweet voice from outside my door. Without even averting my gaze from the computer, I snapped back a reply.
"No, I'm not hungry. Leave my alone!" I listened until her feet padded away on the soft carpet before continuing the furious typing I had been doing.
I was trying to create a program that would allow the user teleportation access between computers. I knew it sounded crazy, but ever since that fateful day I had seen Ken popping out of my computer in a burst of blinding light, the small device I'd found clutched in his had, I had become fascinated with the prospect. I had yelled at him for deceiving me and taking the tiny mechanism from my drawer, but inwardly, I was in awe. The instant he left, I tried to do the same as he had, manipulating the digivice in every way I thought possible. When I finally admitted defeat, an idea struck me - Why did I have to teleport the same way Ken had? Why not create a program that would do the same?
I had worked feverishly for years, but it was all in vain. I was unable to produce any sort of result, but still, I plodded on aimlessly in my project. That night was no different - or so I thought. Just as I was about to put it away for the night, a voice summoned me from the computer. I almost screamed in shock and partial fright as the computer echoed with the gravely tones of the demon Digimon.
"I have watched you day and night, Ichijouji. You have progressed well."
"Who the heck are you?" I snapped, trying to hide the fact that I was shaking from this invisible force.
"Who am I?" The voice sounded surprised. "I am your friend, your aide in your quest. You don't *really* want to teleport, do you? All you want is the power it will bring you. I can offer you power, Ichijouji."
"Really?" Despite what I had told myself over and over, what the demon was saying was true. I wanted power more than anything. I shuddered in delight, but cautioned myself. "What do I have to do?" I asked warily.
"There is another world, weaker than this one, where things are made of data. You could rule it, and have power beyond your wildest dreams! You are destined for this, Ichijouji."
"Where is this world?" I asked greedily.
"It is through your computer." I balked in surprise as the voice went on. "It is the same one your brother visited all those years ago. I can get you there. The creatures there - they are called Digimon - will easily bend to your iron will. With a computer, you can easily manipulate their very essence and control them."
I sat in silence for a while, soaking in this overwhelming information. "And who are you?" I queried after a few moments, suddenly suspicious of this creature.
"I am simply a shade, waiting to regain power." A black mist slid from the computer screen as I watched, awestruck. The entire room darkened as the being entered, the air thick with a kind of negative energy. It solidified slightly, and the image of a snarling metal dinosaur somehow filled my mind. The shape flickered slightly, and dissolved back into a mist. "I was weakened in a terrible battle, and lost my control on the world. But you, with the powers you bear, can bring it back to us!"
"Are you using me?" I asked, skeptical of this creature's intents. It was quick to pacify me.
"No, no, Ichijouji! We will be partners. You will take over the world with my powers in you!"
"How do I get there?"
The mist solidified again, forming a large metal claw that clutched a digivice. The device was dropped next to my feet as the claw faded back into the mists. I bent down and picked it up. It was different than the one I had seen Ken use. It was less geometric in shape, and the small grayish screen was surrounded by black. I held it tightly in my hand. "This is mine?"
"Yes," whispered the demon. "To use it, hold it up to any computer screen."
I obeyed, and a black light swept out, engulfing me in darkness. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in my meager little room, rather, in a lush, exotic forest. A wide grin stretched across my face as I confronted the mist jubilantly.
"It worked!" I cried in amazement.
"You doubted?" The voice was amused. "From here, I leave you on your own. You can come back and forth between worlds in whatever way you want. If you need me, just call out and I will answer."
I stared at the mist as it began to fade into the rising fog and called out frantically. "Wait! Who are you?"
The answer came back in a rather sinister chuckle. "I am known as Belial Vamdemon."
~*~
Smiling, I fingered my digivice. The reign I had started so long ago was about to reach its pinnacle. I returned to poring over the scrolls scattered on my desk, searching for a clue as to how to uncover the Talisman. Once I had it in my possession, the entire world wouldn't stand a chance!
I strode to the open door. If I could call him whenever I needed him, maybe he could help with this puzzle. "Belial Vamdemon," I yelled into the empty hallway, waiting impatiently. The black mist swirled around me almost immediately.
"What do you need, Ichijouji?" it hissed. I smiled.
Takeru's POV
I kept fighting the urge to smack myself on the forehead and scream, 'Wake up!' Instead, I stared in inconceivable confusion at the wrinkled old man that had been our mentor and guardian... angel?... for so long. Damn. I must've landed harder than I thought.
"Hello, Digidestined," he greeted us in his familiar voice. He chuckled softly. "I suppose I have some explaining to do."
"You sure as hell do!" blurted Dai, who seemed to be silently fuming at the deception Gennai had put us through. "If you have that kind of power, why don't *you* just kick the evil dude's butts, instead of us screwing around all the time?" The rest of the group, me included, nodded an assent.
Gennai sighed reluctantly. "I wished I could, children, I really did. But, I work for Fate, and Fate is a harsh master. We are ordered not to interfere too much with the affairs of mortals, because the results could be disastrous. No matter what happened, I could not let my emotions rule my actions. I helped you as much as I could."
"But the power you have..." Daisuke started again, but Gennai held up a hand to silence him.
He viewed us sadly, speaking bitterly. "My power is great, yes. It was greater than this once. In another timeline, when I went against orders because my pity for one child overwhelmed me. I turned back time and changed the past. It is because I used my powers that everything now is happening! Do you see now? I cannot stop the fighting." He bowed his head. "In this form, under this name, I have no powers, but when I am in the form I was earlier, I am called Aquarius, and I am one of the most powerful in the service of Fate. In another timeline, Ken Ichijouji *was* the Kaiser. He was taken over by darkness after his brother was killed, because he was made vulnerable by his guilt and grief."
"Wait a minute," Miyako interjected suspiciously. "You said... *was* the Kaiser, as if he isn't the Kaiser now... How can that be?"
"When I turned back time, I brought his brother Osamu back to life," Gennai replied. "Instead of Ken, Osamu became the Kaiser, but Osamu is much stronger than Ken ever was. Many consequences came of my foolish action, the primary one being that the fight continues even now, over a year after it had finished in the previous timeline."
I stared in shock as he whirled around to face me. "You, Takeru," he said pointing at me, "were also affected adversely by what I did. You and Yamato, Ken and Osamu, even Hikari and Taichi. Iori was affected positively." He turned to the youngest of our number, his eyes softening. "Because of what I did, your father is alive."
Iori's deep green eyes widened in amazement. "You - you mean, he'd be...?" he stuttered. Gennai nodded.
"Your father is dead in the other timeline," he said gently. "I will explain it all in due time, but now, we have a problem."
"Wait... what's wrong with Yama and me?" I asked nervously, exchanging a glance with my older brother.
Gennai shook his head. "I haven't the time to explain now. Ken is in extreme danger."
"Why would we care about the Kaiser?" scoffed Daisuke. Miyako hit him over the head.
"Baka! Haven't you been listening? He's *not* the Kaiser!"
"Ow..." Dai rubbed his head sheepishly. "I'm confused..."
"That is understandable, Daisuke, but right now I need to ask you all something... Have you ever heard of the Prophecy of the Nine Talismans?"
One by one, we shook our heads, and Gennai started to explain.
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Argh... Can't write... *bangs head on desk* Oh well...
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