Chapter 11
TK and Kari were sitting on the couch in Kovin's apartment. They were watching Azuma while Kelryn took her shift at the new base. It had been a fairly quiet evening and Azuma slept right through it. TK flipped through some channels and dropped the remote beside him after finding nothing good to watch. Kari was lying on the couch beside with asleep, while resting her head on his leg. She was curled up and looked almost like the infant she was there to protect. TK smiled and brushed her hair with his hand, silently appreciating the beautiful girl and the peaceful situation they had at this moment in time.
He stood to stretch and find a way to wet his throat when he heard Kari talking in her sleep. It was just some incoherent mumbling and he just dismissed it as such. He found the fridge and half a bottle of cola inside, and a glass to accompany the pair. He poured the drink and heard Kari talking louder, he was still unable to make out what she was saying, but it sounded like she was panicking. TK forgot the drink and went back to her side to find her in a cold sweat and shaking. Her skin was white, as were her knuckles being clenched in mortal fear.
Kari! Kari, wake up, TK said. She didn't respond in the least, so TK began shaking her. She shuddered hard and stopped. She opened her eyes to meet TK's. Are you alright?
They're all gone, she said. We can't get them back, they're gone.
Kari, who's gone?
They were right there. She was right there, Kari said. And then she was gone. They were all gone.
You're not making any sense, TK said. Who was gone? Where did they go?
You don't understand. They weren't even supposed to be here. They were a mistake, Kari said. She blinked twice and slipped back to the couch but caught herself. What time is it?
It's eleven-thirty, TK said. Now what does that mean? Who's gone?
What are you talking about? She asked.
I could ask you the same thing, he said. She looked off into the distance, thinking.
Something bad is going to happen, but it has to be done.
* * *
In the early afternoon of the next day, all seven of the Alpha Guardians stood on the lawn before Tokyo's city hall. There was a massive crowd of reporters gathered and some of the high-ranking officials of the city. The city's mayor, who was in the background a watcher, called them all there. This was going to be a monumental gathering, and would change the face of the war.
Until this point, the rouge digidestined under the command of the rouge watchers were allowed to run loose however they pleased and lost their natural instinct to keep the digimon hidden. The seventy Guardians still had to maintain their secretive face, as well as fight with little or no support. Until now.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Mayor said. I have called this meeting to allow seven very important people deliver a message. Every waited with baited breathes to hear the message. No one was informed what it was, not even the other city executives. He raised his hand and waved them foreword. Kovin, Kelryn, Relaina, TK, Kari, Ken and Yolei parted the crowd and walked single file straight to the front. Already some reporters were murmuring at their age and dress. They climbed the steps of the building and Kovin stood behind a podium. Kelryn and Relaina flanked him, with TK and Kari on the far left, and Ken and Yolei the far right. Kovin looked around at all the faces of the people around him. He felt very aware of his age, being only twenty-two. All those younger than him were Guardians, and all those older didn't know it and would doubt and possibly attack them. May I present, Kovin Firewall. Kovin cleared his throat and spoke.
There is currently a war being raged. Between those who wish to gain the advantage by destroying others, or gain power by force. There have only been seventy people worldwide who have stood up against the many thousands who peruse this perverse goal; seven of which you see before you today. Kovin stopped to breathe. Small creatures, with the ability to become large fighting monsters have been given to a select few of the world's population. We call them digimon'. Most people have them fight each other to the death so the victor can gain power. The Guardians have been trying to stop that for years, while still keeping the digimon a secret. I have to tell you about them now to prevent the loss of human life. They want a facility we have secured in Tokyo, and they will rip this city apart to get it. We need the ability to walk around with our digimon freely, so I tell you this now. Also, so that we can evacuate Tokyo when the time comes. One reporter raised his hand, and when Kovin pointed at him he said what they all were thinking.
Is this a joke? He asked. Several others agreed with him. And Kovin Firewall', is that even a real name?
This is no joke, and what my name was when I was born and what I have taken as my name makes no difference. The digimon are real.
And where are they? Hearing their cue, Ozlimon, Patamon, and Hawkmon descended from the roof. While Wormmon and Gatomon came up on side followed by Wyrvenmon and Demireumon on the other. Each digimon took position with his or her partner.
They are right here, Kovin said.
Those little things are what we're supposed to be afraid of? He began laughing, as did others who weren't staring at the assortment of strange creatures. Kovin nodded at Ozlimon.
Ozlimon warp-digivolve to ... Aeromon
Many people gasped and some started running as a panic was starting. Aeromon took flight and landed past the mob stopping them. Listen to me! Kovin yelled. It took a few tries to get them to listen, after they were all sure Aeromon wasn't going to move.
You have control over that thing? One person asked.
Aeromon has control over himself, and he listens to me as my partner and friend. Now there are sixty-nine other digimon to stand beside Aeromon there, and they all are fighting for peaceful coexistence. There are nearly three-thousand others with almost the same strengths and abilities trying to kill us for it.
How do we know you can even fight, kid? Kovin grabbed the tip of a sword handle from his back and drew the blade. It buried itself in the ground between the legs of the speaker.
I was able to get that blade past your security and I know how to use it. All sixty-nine of my Guardians are armed and know how to use them. We are here to protect you.
If you guys are armed like that, how do we know you aren't the enemy?
