Chapter 2- Starting the Search
The Digidestined were all gathered at the computer in Kari's room. "Kari, just where is File Island?" Davis asked. He was still trembling from his encounter with Kari's not-so-friendly friends.
Kari sighed and sat down at the computer. "All right," she said. Calling a map of the Digital World onto the screen, she moved the mouse in a circle around a small dot in the middle of the ocean. "This dot here is File Island, where Tai and the others first landed in the Digital World. If I understood right, the Meadow of Beginnings should be somewhere inland, which is about"-she stabbed a place on the map, causing it to zoom several frames-"here, around the foot of one of these mountains."
"That's really cool Kari!" said Izzy. "Where'd you get the photos?"
"I had a friend of mine take them while she was on vacation in File Island. You can thank Lilymon, in other words. Mimi taught her to use a camera. She's pretty good, too." Kari said.
"Yeah, almost as good as you." Yolei conceded. "Almost, mind you."
Kari laughed dryly. "Really Yolei. I'm not an award-winning expert or something." Yolei raised an eyebrow at Kari and turned pointedly to examine the many trophies lining Kari's shelves with cameras on them. Kari sighed, exasperated.
"Yes, well," said Ken. "Let me get this straight. Despite the fact that File Island is a dangerous as you say, you still want us to split up?"
Kari sighed. "I don't like it either, Ken, but we have to have a small group as a backup team and information center."
Ken nodded, but anyone could tell from the frown on his face that he wasn't too happy with the arrangements.
Kari continued. "So, if everyone's ready, Digiport Open! Let's go Digidestined!"
When they stepped out from the portal, Yolei immediately noticed that something was different from when they usually came to the Digital World. She soon realized why. They had all grown up since their first time in the Digital World, and now had different… whatever it was that made their clothing change. "Hey, guys, we're all dressed differently! Well, except for Davis and Ken, who haven't matured any. Hey, I was only kidding."
But it was true. Apparently, everyone except Davis (who apparently still dreamed of being a fighter pilot on the Safari and rescuing Kari from the evil mastermind) and Ken (whose outfit was so neutral that it could suit all stages) had different clothes. Yolei (who, despite all appearances, did have a lick of fashion savvy) was clothed in a pair of jeans, a cream yellow T-shirt and running shoes. The helmet was gone, but a red and black version of the backpack remained. Cody wore simply what he wore in the real world. It would suit him through anything. TK had an outfit much like the one he had worn through their globetrotting escapades, except that the gray winter vest was gone and he had sneakers. Kari wore a soft white ¾ sleeved shirt, a pair of olive green Capri style pants and black semi-heeled boots. Kari could probably run in anything, so that was why she was wearing heels, conceded Tai. After all, she had plenty of practice chasing him when she was angry with him. The 'old' Digidestined wore what they wore in the real world, since, according to Yolei; they "hadn't any imagination anymore."
Davis couldn't tear his eyes from Kari. The new clothes made her seem even more beautiful than usual. The white sweater set her amber eyes off perfectly, and the Capri pants showed off her slender legs. The boots made her feet seem small and delicate, and all in all, she looked just like what he had always thought a modern faerie would look like. TK thought she looked like what a Dryad had always seemed to him. The other boys (minus Tai) all had different thoughts, but all eyes were focused on Kari. Kari, on the other hand, was blissfully unaware of the attention she was getting.
Yolei, watching it all, was reminded of a conversation she'd overheard between two of Kari's friends.
"I hope Kari's Cupid gets paid overtime. Look how hard he must be working! Kari really is overworking him." The first had said.
"Well, she can't stop that. Look at her, reading her book. She doesn't even know how hard her Cupid's working!" The other had added.
Looking at the scene in front of her, she understood what they had been talking about.
Kari cleared her throat. "And now, if everyone's finished admiring their clothing, let me go over the plans one last time. Ken, Tai, Izzy, and Joe will head over to the seaside and camp out there as the 'mission control', giving the 'action' team-Sora, Yolei, Matt, Cody, Davis, TK and I- the needed information, like if anything is heading their way, the time if needed, and will send someone to deliver supplies if required. Stingmon, Aquilamon and Kabuterimon will be on patrol at regular intervals, so you guys should be safe enough. The 'action' team will travel towards the center of the island with Ken's crest and find the Meadow of Beginnings and start the search from there. We know she's somewhere on the island, so we won't have to search all around too far. We have enough supplies for up to 4 days, and if we need more someone on the 'control' team will go to the real world to get more. Everyone's brought a sleeping bag, I hope. Our parents think we're at some crazy weeklong party at Sora's, and her mom knows the truth and will cover for us if any inquiring parents call. Any questions?" Everyone shook his or her heads. Kari sighed with relief. "Good. Let's get started, shall we? 'Mission control'. See that you don't get in trouble, and try not to panic if our Digivices go out of commission for a minute or two; there's a strange dark fog in the east and it's heading this way, it might block the signal for a sec there. We'll send mail once every two hours to confirm locations and status. You will be notified if anything goes wrong. Now go already!" The small group moved away, Ken and Joe on Stingmon, and Tai and Izzy perched on Kabuterimon. "'Kay, guys, the crest should be glowing when we near the Meadow, so for now let's just aimlessly wander around, but try to aim for the center of the island." Kari checked their supplies and passed around water bottles. "Please ration your water use, we only have so much. In other words, don't drink when you aren't thirsty, when you do drink don't spill, and don't lose it."
TK looked at Kari, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Aren't you thirsty, Kari? Want some of mine? I'll gladly give you some."
Kari looked at him. "I don't trust you with that look in your eye. And besides, I'm not thirsty. Let's go!" And with that she took off through the trees. After a brief pause, everyone followed her, laughing and whooping like a stampede of first graders. The Digimon were somewhat slower.
"Really." Gatomon muttered. "You'd think they were frisky little kittens from the way they act."
"Yeah." Patamon agreed. "Though with TK and Kari it's more accurately labeled 'Obviously Flirting But Never Tell Them If You Value Your Life'."
Gatomon looked at Patamon and he looked back at her. After a few minutes of what only they could understand, the two burst out laughing. Still laughing, they ran (Patamon actually flew) to catch up. The other Digimon looked at each other, shrugged as best as they could (after all, how do you shrug wings and how do you shrug with armor all over you?), and followed them.
