***Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

*** In this chapter, things get a little more angsty, but it's not too bad. 

Can't Take Nothing For Granted Part 3

"Agumon!" Kari yelled, as the Digidestined, minus one, ran up to the barely conscious digimon.  She sat down beside him and rested his head on her lap.  "Agumon, where's Tai?!  What happened?!" 

         "What?" he answered, in a groggy, confused voice.  "Tai, Ariesmon…"

         "What?!  Ariesmon came back?!"  Kari asked frantically.  "Is Tai ok?!"  Tears were beginning to well in the little girls eyes.

         "Kari, it'll be ok," Sora said, trying to console her.  She kneeled beside her and wrapped her arms around her.  "We need to give Agumon some time to rest and regain his senses.  He'll be able to answer all our questions then."  She turned to look at Matt, but he had backed away from the group into the secrecy of the shadows.  If she knew him as well as she thought she did, he was trying to conceal the worried and guilt-ridden look he must have had on his face.

         Joe came and lifted Agumon up and carried him back the lake, with the others following behind.  He administered what first aid he could to the battered digimon and made him as comfortable as possible while he slept.  "He's suffering from a severe concussion and some cuts and bruises, maybe a contusion, but he'll be alright" Joe told them.

         "Well, now we know he'll be ok, but what about Tai?" T.K. asked.  "How are we gonna find him, Matt?"  Matt just looked at him and shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to tell his little brother.  He had been silent ever since they found Agumon, and it wasn't difficult to see how bad he felt.  Sora wanted nothing more than to make him feel better and let him know everything would be all right, but there was just no reasoning with him when he was like this.

         Matt walked away from the group to be by himself and think for a little bit.  Was Sora really worth all of this trouble?  Was building the relationship that he'd dreamed of for so long a good reason to ruin a friendship?  He just didn't know.  Even though they had their differences, he cared about Tai like a brother, and that was a friendship he was in no hurry to end.  On the other hand, deep down he'd always dreamed of having someone like Sora.  He could confide in her things he'd never even considered telling anyone else.  He could confide in Tai of course, but his relationship with Sora was different, she mad him happy in ways Tai, obviously, never would.  But he still needed someone like Tai to pal around with.  After all, there were just some things you didn't want to talk to a girl about.  The last thing he wanted to do was to have to choose between his best friend, and his true love.

         "Hey everybody," he heard Gatomon call, "Agumon is waking up!"

         They all circled around him, watching him open his eyes wearily and slowly sit up.  "Agumon, where's Tai?" Kari asked anxiously.

         He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.  "What? Tai?"  He looked at the concerned faces around him as he realized where he was and what was going on.  "Tai!  Ariesmon came back, and he attacked!  He just came out of nowhere, I had no time to digivolve!  He attacked me, and Tai tried to help, and he just grabbed him and ran off into the woods!  I tried to chase after them, and digivolve, but Ariesmon just wore me out.  I fell down, and tried to get back up, and that's all I remember.  We have to go find him!"

         "Lets go," Matt said, "there's no time to waste.  It's my fault this happened and we have to go bring him back."

         "But Matt," Gabumon said, "we don't even know where he is."

         "Then we have to go look!  We're not going to get anywhere if we just sit here talking about it!"  They all seemed reluctant to rush off into the night with Matt.  "Come on, you all know if it was anybody else, Tai would already be gone, trying to find them!"

         They looked at each other as if trying to decide what was best.  They didn't need words to know that Matt was right.  "I can use my computer to map out a path, and maybe if we split up and cover more ground, we'll be able to find him."  Looking at the digimon, Izzy continued, "Do you guys have any idea where Wardevimon could be?"

         Patamon who had been pretty quiet finally spoke up, "No, but maybe if Biyomon, Tentomon, and I fly ahead and scout out the area, we might spot something."

         "That's a good idea," Joe said, "but I think Agumon needs more time to rest, so why don't you three go fly around and see if you can find anything, then come back here.  We'll wait until Agumon is ready, and then go." 

         "But-", Matt began to protest.

         "But nothing," Joe said, stopping him.  "I know you want to go, but Agumon needs more time and this way no body gets lost or separated while they're out searching for clues.  We're not going to get to Tai any faster if we wander around aimlessly, and they can make better time flying without us.  I'm figuring they'll probably want to use Tai as bate, so they won't kill him, and since they have bait, they'll wait for us to come to them, so I don't think we're in any immediate danger." 

         Izzy added, "And you know Tai, he won't be easy to keep captive.  He can take care of himself until we get there to help, at least as long as he doesn't stick his foot in his mouth or something."

         "Yeah," Joe said, "and you guys should trust us.  After all, we didn't get the Crests of Knowledge and Reliability for nothing."

         With that, they all agreed on Joe's plan and watched as Biyomon, Tentomon and Patamon flew off into the distance, hoping they wouldn't be hurt.  As hard as it was, the only thing they could do now was sit and wait for their return and pray for their friend Tai.

                  *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *

         Wardevimon watched with a wicked, yet pleased, grin on his face, as his servant Ariesmon carried in an unconscious young boy.  It didn't take him long to recognize the face of the apparent leader of the Digidestined.  The thought evoked memories of anger and hatred in him that hadn't died over the years.  "Bring him here," he ordered.  He continued watching as Ariesmon dropped the boy at his feet. 

Ariesmon wasn't nearly as intelligent or strong as himself, but he was still a good servant.  Much better than that fumbling oaf Ogremon, anyway.  From what he was told, that foolish sap had joined the Digidestined children shortly before they last left the Digital World.  Upon hearing that, he hunted him down to test out his newly gained power.  The poor excuse of a digimon had been easy enough to subdue, and no one in the world of the living had to deal with him and his traitorous ways now.

"Did he put up much of a fight," Wardevimon asked, eyeing the boy over.

"No.  With his pathetic partner knocked out, he was no problem at all.  Can I dispose of him now?"

This brought another grin to Wardevimon's face.  Ariesmon was a very worthy servant indeed.  He was cruel, ruthless, and loved nothing more than killing in cold blood.  "No, let him live.  For now anyway.  I think he'll be of more use to us alive, but w hen I'm tired of him, what happens to him next will in be your hands."

         "Thank you, my lord," Ariesmon said humbly.  His lips curved in an evil smile, already planning what unusual and painful things the boy called Tai had in store.

Wardevimon nudged Tai with his foot, but the boy showed no signs of waking anytime soon.  Just in case though, he had Ariesmon put him in the cell in his throne room. 

He had built a magnificent lair for himself.  Unless you knew the tricks and proper paths and corridors, it was impossible to find your way through his castle.  The correct way led directly to this throne room, but no enemy would ever get this far; at least not in one piece.

         Being the heart of his castle, he spent much of his time here.  It held many powerful and valuable things; things he would never let anybody else touch.  Few had ever seen the wonder that was this room, and most of those who had, never left to talk about it.  It was a complete mystery to nearly all who dwelt in the Digital World, and he intended to keep it that way.

He rose from his throne and walked to a dark, floating orb, levitating above the opened claw of a Skullgreymon that he used for a stand.  That digimon had put up quite a fight, but it was still no match for his ever-increasing powers.  He gazed into it as an image of the other seven children appeared.  They were greeting the returning digimon who they had sent out to find him.  He should've watched to see if they actually did find him, but he was sure they would come eventually.  He had their beloved leader after all.

He thought about that some more, and maybe they weren't that concerned about this Tai.  He had witnessed the amusing fight he had with the blond boy, Matt was it?  They were destroying themselves from with in, making his job much easier.  It wouldn't be long before they weakened themselves enough for him to demolish them.  But he had done this before, underestimated them.  He knew they were a strong team, and he should give them some credit, but how could they even dream of conquering him, when they couldn't even conquer their own emotions.

He watched them organize themselves and begin the trek to his domain.  It would not be an easy one, he would see to that.  Even so, it wouldn't' take long before they found his castle, and he needed to be prepared.  Judging by the look on their faces, there little "scouts" had been clever enough to find something.

         *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *

Gabumon watched Matt beat himself emotionally as they continued to lag behind the group.  He thought Matt should be happy that Patamon, Biyomon, and Tentomon had been able to find something.  After searching for a while and talking to other digimon they met along the way, they had discovered Wardevimon's stronghold.  They had said it didn't look like it would be easy to get into, and it was still quite a distance away when walking, but at least it was a start.

He noticed Sora glancing back to look at Matt occasionally, and she looked very concerned.  He knew if anyone could make Matt feel better, it would be Sora.  "Matt, maybe you should go talk to her", Gabumon suggested.

"No, I don't think that would be a good idea right now.  I've got to think about this whole thing some more first."

"What whole thing?  If you ask me, there's not too much to think about.  You care about her, she cares about you, what more is there to say?"

"It's not that easy though, there is more to say.  If I hadn't talked to her in the first place, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Well, actually, we'd still be on our way to Wardevimon's castle eventually.  After all, he's the reason you all came back in the first place.  And this conflict between the three of you would've been inevitable, whether you were here, or in the real world."

"But at least if it happened in the real world, Tai wouldn't have been abducted by a psychotic, blood-thirsty digimon."

"You just have to talk to her Matt.  Look at her up there; she looks like she's feeling as guilty as you are.  It's better you straighten this whole thing out now than later when we get Tai back.  Trust me, she needs to talk to you just as much as you need to talk her, I think you two were made for each other.  Now go, you can help each other.

"I guess you're right.  Thanks Gabumon."

The two of them rejoined the group, who, for most of the trip, had been relatively silent.  Gabumon thought about what a peaceful trip this had been so far as he watched Matt approach Sora and pull her away from the group.  It had been too peaceful, and he knew Wardevimon's flunkies had to be up to something.  He moved closer to make sure Matt actually did talk to her and listened in.

"Hey Sora", Matt said in a slightly shaky voice.

"Hey", she replied, not looking him in the eye.

"Are you ok?  You look like you're blaming yourself for this, and you shouldn't be, it really isn't your fault.  If it's anyone's, it's mine."

"Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry about me.  And it's as much my fault as it is yours.  I knew how Tai felt about me.  I should've been more considerate of his feelings, I should've waited until he found someone else"

"No, don't blame yourself, please.  It was me who went out to you and started the conversation."

"But it was me who confessed how I felt."

"Yeah, but it was me who kissed you.  And to be honest, I'm glad it happened.  I feel so selfish thinking that, but I can't help how I feel, and I can't stand hiding it anymore.  I care about you a lot and-"

"Matt stop.  We have to stop talking about this, maybe even stop talking altogether for a while."

"What?!  But-"

"Please Matt, don't.  If you don't let me say this now, I might not have the strength later, and then it might be too late.  Listen, I really think we need to think about what we're doing here.  I don't know what I was saying out on that island, I guess I just got caught up in the moment or something, but I have to think about how I really feel.  I just need some time to think, some time without you.  Don't take this the wrong way, please; I just need to think things out more.  Like you said, we were being selfish, and I think we should take Tai's feelings and how this could effect the rest of the group into consideration.  I just need some time, ok?"

Matt just looked at her, shocked.  He was left nearly breathless after hearing those words.  "Sora, no, please.  I bared my soul to someone for the first time, to you, and you tell me you need time?"  Not knowing what to feel, his first instinct was anger to hide the hurt.  He continued in an aggravated whisper, "For the first time in years, I felt like everything was right, like everything was where it was meant to be, and now you say I might be wrong, that you're feelings might be wrong!"

"Matt, I just thought-"

"No Sora, I don't want anymore explanations.  I've had enough explanations why people can't be together to last me a lifetime!  If you want time, then that's what I'll give you."  With that, Matt stormed away from her while the others wondered what had happened.  Gabumon followed after him, wondering what could've gone wrong.  He knew the two of them belonged together.

"Matt, wait!", Gabumon called.  "What happened, what's wrong?"

"You want to know what's wrong?  Just when I thought I was beginning to figure my life out, everything becomes confusing again!  You were wrong Gabumon!  Sora and I were not "made for each other"!  I don't need her or anybody else.  People were just not meant to be together, no matter how they feel.  If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that there's no such thing as a happy ending.  I don't want or need to be a Digidestined anymore.  I'm leaving, and this time, don't follow me."

"But Matt…" Gabumon's voice trailed off as he watched his partner jog off into the forest.  He was so shocked, and hurt, that he didn't know what to say, or how to react.  Should he go after Matt?  He felt it best that he didn't.  Matt obviously didn't want to listen or be with Gabumon.  Was Matt right, were there no happy endings?

         *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *

 Tai slowly opened his eyes and blinked to clear his vision.  He shook his head groggily, becoming aware of a pounding headache.  Feeling a little disoriented, he took his time sitting up, unsure of where he was.  It took his eyes a moment to adjust to the relative darkness, but when they did, he didn't like what he saw.  He was surrounded by damp, moldy stone walls on three sides, and in front of him were bars.  He was in some kind of prison cell or dungeon.  As he gazed though the iron bars, the realization of what happened and where he was slowly hit him.  He moved quietly, not wanting his captors to know he was awake. 

He saw Ariesmon standing beside a large throne and another digimon standing over some weird glowing thing.  This one was very tall with a very muscular build.  He was blacker than the darkest night sky and looked as cold and unforgiving as a hard winter wind.  He noticed the long, and what he thought awkward looking, arms, the enormous dark wings, and a feeling of dread grew in the pit of his stomach.  This was him, this was Wardevimon.  He didn't look too different from before, the same depraved grin, the same malevolent eyes, and the same evil voice.  He did look stronger though, and more intimidating than the first time they fought him.

He was able to see just enough of the glowing ball Wardevimon was staring into to see what he was looking at.  It was his friends, all of them except Matt.  He had nearly forgotten about the whole Matt/Sora thing and his first thought was, where was Matt?  He was hoping he wasn't captured too.  When trying to get a closer look, he bumped the bars and they made a pinging sound.  It wasn't too loud, but it was loud enough for his enemies on the other side to hear.  They both quickly turned their attention to the cell and saw Tai moving to the back of the cell.  Wardevimon walked to the cell and said with a wicked grin on his face, "So, our guest is awake."

         *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *

***Where will Matt go and what will happen to him?  Will the group be able to function under all this pressure while missing 2 Digidestined?  Stay tuned for the next episode of Digimon: Digital Monsters in "Can't Take Nothing For Granted". (I know that was cheesy).  Did I make Matt too moody?  Oh well, please R&R.  All the good reviews I got b4 were great.  Thanx!