Lucky was never more relieved to be out of the hospital than she was that day. Of course she didn't show her excitement. Even when Genni came she still remained downcast and melodically. 'I guess that dream shook me up more than I thought.'
"You okay Laura?"
"I'm fine Uncle."
"Are you sure? You look a little pale."
"Tired, Genni. That is it."
"I think there is more to it than that to be completely honest with you."
Honest. 'There's a word that I've seen to have forgotten.' "I'll be okay, don't worry. I have a job to do. I need to be okay."
"But are you?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"You don't look well, that's all."
"It's just stress and me being sleepy. I'll be fine. I promise to take it easy Genni, don't worry."
"But I do, I know you to well dear niece. When you and the other DigiDestineds are involved with something nothing is easy and I know you will push yourself to you win."
"Is that really a bad thing though?"
"When you health suffers from it, yes. Remember Lucky, your not quite a full digimon, you still will feel the affects of symptoms in this world too."
"I realize that. I know that if something was to happen to me, I wouldn't be reconfigured like normal digimon."
"Well that has yet to be determined."
"Nothing about a part digimon has be determined."
"Touché. What time is everyone coming over?."
"Seven. Are you going to stick around and listen to the information Izzy and the others have managed to find? Maybe you can see something the rest of us are missing."
"Can't. I have to return to the Digital World and wait for the remaining Digimon to arrive. Once all of us have gathered, I'll return home with your digimon."
"I hope they get here soon, I don't know if I can handle this alone anymore. It is really starting to get to me. The more we dig and search, the more questions we find. It's frustrating."
"I don't doubt that at all." replied Genni running his hand through his brown hair. "But didn't that voice say you were closer to the truth than you thought?"
"Yeah, but that one leaves me more puzzled that anything right now. All we have is a list of contradicting evidence. So how does that make me closer to the truth?"
"Maybe the evidence isn't as contradicting as you think. They could all fit."
"And that right there is the most disturbing of all of this."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because then someone or some people went to great lengths to destroy my business, my friends, and my life."
"And unfortunately, I feel the worst has yet to come."
"I know it hasn't Genni, I know it hasn't."
************************************************************************
The meeting took place in Lucky's basement, away from any windows so no one would be able to see or hear them.
"I guessing that we're not leaving this basement till we figure out what is going on here. Am I correct?"
"Well we eventually have to leave Davis, the dance is tomorrow." countered Mimi, who was sitting on top of a bar stool.
"Oh. So where do we begin?"
"The beginning I guess. It would be the safest place to start that way we don't miss anything."
"Good idea Ken and I guess that means I am up. Since it all started with me. I was at work when I first learned of the virus. I didn't realize I had a stalker then. Scott informed Tyler and I that we had a problem - the virus. The funny thing was the virus was blinking a message. I know you secret. It was then that I started to suspect that things weren't what they appeared."
"And that's what convinced you that a digimon was involved? The secret part?"
"No Cody. That came later. I felt that someone in the digital world was up to something, but I figured I would feel it. So I didn't know what to make of it."
"When did your stalker contact you?" Matt asked. He was sitting against the wall.
"When I got home that night. There were 3 messages on the machine. One from Matt, one from Genni, and one from the stalker. Genni's was warning me of a new danger that seemed to target me. I already knew that though. The stalker's was to tell me that I was to blame for my families' death and that it was my punisher."
"Okay, that's weird."
"What is Sora."
"That comment. Why would Lady Myotismon want to punish you for killing your family when she knew it was her? Not only that, but who in the Digital World would blame you for it when they knew it was Lady Myotismon?"
"Maybe it was the human contact." argued Yolei.
"I don't know if there really is a human contact though. Wait, before all of you jump down my throat, let me explain what happened at the hospital this afternoon. After checking my cellular phone bill, TK's mom and I found two numbers that I didn't recognize. With Izzy's help, we managed to trace the numbers to a pay phone on Lexington Avenue and to a cell phone. Now we all know about Matt's call and my attack being on Circle Drive and that Lexington Ave. is near Jenson's. But the cell phone didn't make much sense. Why use a cell phone where we would be find a name? And we did find a name, Jonathan Littoral. But when Miss Takaishi searched for news on him, nothing turned up, except a classified ad for a missing cell phone. Now if you're missing a cell, wouldn't you cancel the number?"
"So, this Jonathan may not exist?"
"Correct."
"But where does this girl fit in?"
"That just it, I haven't found anywhere."
"And going back to Jonathan, I couldn't find anything on the Internet on him as well." spoke up Ken.
"So where does this leave all of us, suspect wise?"
"We know that it isn't Lady Myotismon, the eye color is all wrong. This Jonathan Littoral I think is an aliases for the girl, to throw us off the truth."
"But why act like she wanted to help us?"
"To lure Lucky out. That attack wasn't meant to scare her, but kill her."
"You're joking Tai." exclaimed Kari.
"Unfortunately, no. Remember the prophecy here, unity falls. I think that was an attempt right there."
"Only an attempt?"
"Yeah, because Harmony didn't come."
"So, you're still in danger."
"More or less."
"So our suspects right now are this Lady Myotismon want to be and a girl with no name."
"Basically TK, yeah."
"Sure, I'll buy that. And the reason I'm guessing is to avenge your families' deaths."
"Right. But I can't help but think this girl is good. Yes I know she attacked me, but why warn Matt to keep an eye on me?"
"To get rid of both of you? Your dedication to on another is pretty strong." pointed out Mimi.
"Maybe. I'm just at a lose right now."
"What about the prophecy? Maybe if we look at it, things will become a bit clearer."
"Or more confusing, but it's something to go on. Let me go get it." Two minutes later, Laura returned, scroll in hand.
"Let's look at it line by line and see what's happened and what hasn't and maybe then the clues we have will become clearer."
"Well, the first line is very true, all of us is the newest generation." Sora stated.
"And Laura has gone under a lot of tests causing Jenson's to falter. Maybe that is what is meant by the human world will suffer." added Cody.
"And it was a virus that caused it."
"The heartache was our breakup Lucky. And our friendships did sway as well."
"That's right. And I guess I am the key since I am from both worlds, but what's this new revelations?"
"I don't know Laura, but this line about the one who appears evil isn't. I bet money that it is saying Lady Myotismon isn't the one stalking you." rationed Joe.
"Of course. That makes sense and it does support the color eye theory."
"Could deception be this Jonathan Littoral?"
"You mean, Cody, that it's speaking figuratively?"
"Maybe."
"I don't think. I believe it has to deal more with that new power that Harmony is brining to us." Izzy said pointing to the line.
"So basically, we made through half the prophecy?"
"Right Tai."
"But, we haven't made it to the part where I fall."
"Right, because the purest good who is the truest evil has yet to be revealed."
"But what does the purest good mean?" asked Yolei.
"I'm guessing that it can be interpreted two ways. One being whoever appears to be the purest is in fact the evil one. Or secondly, the evil one is the person Laura holds in the utmost esteem." replied Ken.
"Well who hear is the purest good?"
"I'm sincerity, which is a form a purity. But I swear it isn't me!"
"Same goes for me."
"Don't worry Mimi, Yolei. I know it isn't you two."
Both girls sighed with relief.
"Okay, let's assume that Mimi or Yolei is the purest good here, with their crest and egg being sincerity. That means Ken's second theory is more plausible." Tai explained.
"Then purest good means someone I hold in high respect?"
"Basically, yeah." answered Matt, "So who do you respect?"
"Off the top of my head? Well there all of you, Brian, Christina, and Alex. Um, my mom and dad. Oh definitely Tyler and Chelsea."
"Okay, it's safe to assume none of us or anyone on that list is your stalker."
"I guess so Joe. Maybe it doesn't mean the highest respect."
"No, that's it. It feels right. I really think we are on to something with that analogy." supplied Kari. "I can't explain why I feel that way, I just do."
"Well, I say we believe her. She's normally right about these things."
"Does anyone else think we've discovered more questions than answers tonight?" asked TK.
"Not necessarily. We now know a few things. One, Circle Drive and Lexington Ave. are key to the stalking. Both streets are vicinity of where I live and work. Two, Jonathan Littoral, whether alive or dead, is another issue. Either he is a real person who has some type of grudge on me that I am unaware of or the name is an aliases for that girl. Three, the girl herself. Regardless of being good or evil, she's involved. The phone calls and the attack prove it. Four, the attacks. Matt's was meant to warn me to cooperate and back off. Mine was to kill me. We know this to be fact. Five, the prophecy. Despite all of our efforts, it is becoming more true than I personally feel comfortable with. Finally number six, Lady Myotismon is not our enemy. The oracle and the evidence we've under covered proves that."
"We know six things, but we don't know like 50." pointed out Tai.
Sora smacked Tai on the back of the head. "That's six things we didn't know before tonight."
"Ouch. Okay, I get the point. All I was saying was that we have so much left to figure out and I am just worried that we may run out of time before we learn the truth."
Laura shuddered at Tai's words. 'Unfortunately I think we may run out of time before the fight.'
"We're all worried about that Tai. That's the whole problem with this scenario. If we knew who the enemy really was, we would be able to better plan this out. But since we don't, planning our strategy is a bit harder." Izzy replied.
"Speaking of which, what is our approach?"
"Well, that's just it. We sort of have one, but not really."
"Explain please."
"Well, Laura you will the key to all of this. Your our weapon, the battler. All of our digimon, including Cubbiemon, will be our ace up the sleeve. They will be present in case you need help. But location wise, we still haven't found a secluded enough area for a battle where digivolving won't be noticed."
"How about the soccer field." Laura said suddenly.
"It's right near the school. It's too risky. Anyone could come walking by."
'Not if there's a blizzard. I know that's where the final battle is going to take place. I just know it. But I how do I tell the others, without seeing crazy.' "I think you plan for the battle there Izzy."
"Why do you say that?"
"I had a dream, possibly a vision. The final battle took place there."
"Did you see anything else?"
"Just the Lady Myotismon stalker. She tried to make me believe she was the real one, but I didn't fall for it. I called her on the lie and she said to prepare for the surprise of my life. I woke up then." Laura deliberately left out the parts about being alone and being struck by the wisps of darkness. 'No, there is no sense it adding those little details.'
"Well that complicates things even further. It makes sense that final battle takes place there. The stalker knows that we'll bring in the digimon so she calls you out in a very public place, hoping we wouldn't use them. But I think with a little maneuvering on Ken's, Yolei's and my part, I think we can make it work. Do you recall if it was day or night out?"
"It was overcast, I really couldn't tell you."
"Well even if it's overcast, it gives us a slight advantage. It will be darker and maybe colder. That means people won't be out."
"So, then it's do-able?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"The vision you had, was it the nightmare you had in the hospital?"
"That is was Matt."
"Why didn't you tell anyone about it?"
"I wasn't sure if it was a vision. I know they run in my family, but I wanted to think about before I said anything and got people's hopes up."
"What changed your mind?"
"What Izzy said earlier. About us not having a strategy. If we know the location then, we have an advantage, a big one. We can plan for the surprise attack that we know this stalker has up her sleeve."
"Right, but we are basing our whole attack on a dream." countered Cody.
"A dream from a part digimon who's been known to have psychic visions in the past. I think it is pretty safe to go on."
"Okay then, we'll make our plans and prepare for battle on the soccer field."
Laura didn't hear. She had moved to the window on the other side of the basement. Matt joined her a short time later.
"You okay?"
"Not really. I keep thinking about that one line in the prophecy, about me falling. We both know that my diminishing hasn't happened yet. And what happened on Circle Drive, well it got me thinking. What if I don't remember my abilities? Then what? It this world going to fall because of my ignorance again?"
"That won't happen Laura."
"How can you be so sure? I'm trying not to be negative, just realistic."
"I know, mainly because I am thinking the same things. It's not that I don't have confidence in you or anything like that, far from it, but both of us were beaten so badly that it's hard to think that magically everything will come together."
"Tell me about it. I'm just scared that I am going to fail."
"You won't."
"I don't know about that. After the line about me falling, Unity is never mentioned again." 'That and the fact the dream showed me my own death.'
Matt paused. It was true. "Maybe your new power is Harmony, you know like a transformation."
'Possibly, but not likely' "Maybe, I'm not sure."
"Well, I'm sure of one thing Laura. No matter what, we'll get through this together."
Lucky nodded and laid her head on Matt's shoulder. Together they stared out the window.
A light snow began to blanket the city.
"You okay Laura?"
"I'm fine Uncle."
"Are you sure? You look a little pale."
"Tired, Genni. That is it."
"I think there is more to it than that to be completely honest with you."
Honest. 'There's a word that I've seen to have forgotten.' "I'll be okay, don't worry. I have a job to do. I need to be okay."
"But are you?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"You don't look well, that's all."
"It's just stress and me being sleepy. I'll be fine. I promise to take it easy Genni, don't worry."
"But I do, I know you to well dear niece. When you and the other DigiDestineds are involved with something nothing is easy and I know you will push yourself to you win."
"Is that really a bad thing though?"
"When you health suffers from it, yes. Remember Lucky, your not quite a full digimon, you still will feel the affects of symptoms in this world too."
"I realize that. I know that if something was to happen to me, I wouldn't be reconfigured like normal digimon."
"Well that has yet to be determined."
"Nothing about a part digimon has be determined."
"Touché. What time is everyone coming over?."
"Seven. Are you going to stick around and listen to the information Izzy and the others have managed to find? Maybe you can see something the rest of us are missing."
"Can't. I have to return to the Digital World and wait for the remaining Digimon to arrive. Once all of us have gathered, I'll return home with your digimon."
"I hope they get here soon, I don't know if I can handle this alone anymore. It is really starting to get to me. The more we dig and search, the more questions we find. It's frustrating."
"I don't doubt that at all." replied Genni running his hand through his brown hair. "But didn't that voice say you were closer to the truth than you thought?"
"Yeah, but that one leaves me more puzzled that anything right now. All we have is a list of contradicting evidence. So how does that make me closer to the truth?"
"Maybe the evidence isn't as contradicting as you think. They could all fit."
"And that right there is the most disturbing of all of this."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because then someone or some people went to great lengths to destroy my business, my friends, and my life."
"And unfortunately, I feel the worst has yet to come."
"I know it hasn't Genni, I know it hasn't."
************************************************************************
The meeting took place in Lucky's basement, away from any windows so no one would be able to see or hear them.
"I guessing that we're not leaving this basement till we figure out what is going on here. Am I correct?"
"Well we eventually have to leave Davis, the dance is tomorrow." countered Mimi, who was sitting on top of a bar stool.
"Oh. So where do we begin?"
"The beginning I guess. It would be the safest place to start that way we don't miss anything."
"Good idea Ken and I guess that means I am up. Since it all started with me. I was at work when I first learned of the virus. I didn't realize I had a stalker then. Scott informed Tyler and I that we had a problem - the virus. The funny thing was the virus was blinking a message. I know you secret. It was then that I started to suspect that things weren't what they appeared."
"And that's what convinced you that a digimon was involved? The secret part?"
"No Cody. That came later. I felt that someone in the digital world was up to something, but I figured I would feel it. So I didn't know what to make of it."
"When did your stalker contact you?" Matt asked. He was sitting against the wall.
"When I got home that night. There were 3 messages on the machine. One from Matt, one from Genni, and one from the stalker. Genni's was warning me of a new danger that seemed to target me. I already knew that though. The stalker's was to tell me that I was to blame for my families' death and that it was my punisher."
"Okay, that's weird."
"What is Sora."
"That comment. Why would Lady Myotismon want to punish you for killing your family when she knew it was her? Not only that, but who in the Digital World would blame you for it when they knew it was Lady Myotismon?"
"Maybe it was the human contact." argued Yolei.
"I don't know if there really is a human contact though. Wait, before all of you jump down my throat, let me explain what happened at the hospital this afternoon. After checking my cellular phone bill, TK's mom and I found two numbers that I didn't recognize. With Izzy's help, we managed to trace the numbers to a pay phone on Lexington Avenue and to a cell phone. Now we all know about Matt's call and my attack being on Circle Drive and that Lexington Ave. is near Jenson's. But the cell phone didn't make much sense. Why use a cell phone where we would be find a name? And we did find a name, Jonathan Littoral. But when Miss Takaishi searched for news on him, nothing turned up, except a classified ad for a missing cell phone. Now if you're missing a cell, wouldn't you cancel the number?"
"So, this Jonathan may not exist?"
"Correct."
"But where does this girl fit in?"
"That just it, I haven't found anywhere."
"And going back to Jonathan, I couldn't find anything on the Internet on him as well." spoke up Ken.
"So where does this leave all of us, suspect wise?"
"We know that it isn't Lady Myotismon, the eye color is all wrong. This Jonathan Littoral I think is an aliases for the girl, to throw us off the truth."
"But why act like she wanted to help us?"
"To lure Lucky out. That attack wasn't meant to scare her, but kill her."
"You're joking Tai." exclaimed Kari.
"Unfortunately, no. Remember the prophecy here, unity falls. I think that was an attempt right there."
"Only an attempt?"
"Yeah, because Harmony didn't come."
"So, you're still in danger."
"More or less."
"So our suspects right now are this Lady Myotismon want to be and a girl with no name."
"Basically TK, yeah."
"Sure, I'll buy that. And the reason I'm guessing is to avenge your families' deaths."
"Right. But I can't help but think this girl is good. Yes I know she attacked me, but why warn Matt to keep an eye on me?"
"To get rid of both of you? Your dedication to on another is pretty strong." pointed out Mimi.
"Maybe. I'm just at a lose right now."
"What about the prophecy? Maybe if we look at it, things will become a bit clearer."
"Or more confusing, but it's something to go on. Let me go get it." Two minutes later, Laura returned, scroll in hand.
"Let's look at it line by line and see what's happened and what hasn't and maybe then the clues we have will become clearer."
"Well, the first line is very true, all of us is the newest generation." Sora stated.
"And Laura has gone under a lot of tests causing Jenson's to falter. Maybe that is what is meant by the human world will suffer." added Cody.
"And it was a virus that caused it."
"The heartache was our breakup Lucky. And our friendships did sway as well."
"That's right. And I guess I am the key since I am from both worlds, but what's this new revelations?"
"I don't know Laura, but this line about the one who appears evil isn't. I bet money that it is saying Lady Myotismon isn't the one stalking you." rationed Joe.
"Of course. That makes sense and it does support the color eye theory."
"Could deception be this Jonathan Littoral?"
"You mean, Cody, that it's speaking figuratively?"
"Maybe."
"I don't think. I believe it has to deal more with that new power that Harmony is brining to us." Izzy said pointing to the line.
"So basically, we made through half the prophecy?"
"Right Tai."
"But, we haven't made it to the part where I fall."
"Right, because the purest good who is the truest evil has yet to be revealed."
"But what does the purest good mean?" asked Yolei.
"I'm guessing that it can be interpreted two ways. One being whoever appears to be the purest is in fact the evil one. Or secondly, the evil one is the person Laura holds in the utmost esteem." replied Ken.
"Well who hear is the purest good?"
"I'm sincerity, which is a form a purity. But I swear it isn't me!"
"Same goes for me."
"Don't worry Mimi, Yolei. I know it isn't you two."
Both girls sighed with relief.
"Okay, let's assume that Mimi or Yolei is the purest good here, with their crest and egg being sincerity. That means Ken's second theory is more plausible." Tai explained.
"Then purest good means someone I hold in high respect?"
"Basically, yeah." answered Matt, "So who do you respect?"
"Off the top of my head? Well there all of you, Brian, Christina, and Alex. Um, my mom and dad. Oh definitely Tyler and Chelsea."
"Okay, it's safe to assume none of us or anyone on that list is your stalker."
"I guess so Joe. Maybe it doesn't mean the highest respect."
"No, that's it. It feels right. I really think we are on to something with that analogy." supplied Kari. "I can't explain why I feel that way, I just do."
"Well, I say we believe her. She's normally right about these things."
"Does anyone else think we've discovered more questions than answers tonight?" asked TK.
"Not necessarily. We now know a few things. One, Circle Drive and Lexington Ave. are key to the stalking. Both streets are vicinity of where I live and work. Two, Jonathan Littoral, whether alive or dead, is another issue. Either he is a real person who has some type of grudge on me that I am unaware of or the name is an aliases for that girl. Three, the girl herself. Regardless of being good or evil, she's involved. The phone calls and the attack prove it. Four, the attacks. Matt's was meant to warn me to cooperate and back off. Mine was to kill me. We know this to be fact. Five, the prophecy. Despite all of our efforts, it is becoming more true than I personally feel comfortable with. Finally number six, Lady Myotismon is not our enemy. The oracle and the evidence we've under covered proves that."
"We know six things, but we don't know like 50." pointed out Tai.
Sora smacked Tai on the back of the head. "That's six things we didn't know before tonight."
"Ouch. Okay, I get the point. All I was saying was that we have so much left to figure out and I am just worried that we may run out of time before we learn the truth."
Laura shuddered at Tai's words. 'Unfortunately I think we may run out of time before the fight.'
"We're all worried about that Tai. That's the whole problem with this scenario. If we knew who the enemy really was, we would be able to better plan this out. But since we don't, planning our strategy is a bit harder." Izzy replied.
"Speaking of which, what is our approach?"
"Well, that's just it. We sort of have one, but not really."
"Explain please."
"Well, Laura you will the key to all of this. Your our weapon, the battler. All of our digimon, including Cubbiemon, will be our ace up the sleeve. They will be present in case you need help. But location wise, we still haven't found a secluded enough area for a battle where digivolving won't be noticed."
"How about the soccer field." Laura said suddenly.
"It's right near the school. It's too risky. Anyone could come walking by."
'Not if there's a blizzard. I know that's where the final battle is going to take place. I just know it. But I how do I tell the others, without seeing crazy.' "I think you plan for the battle there Izzy."
"Why do you say that?"
"I had a dream, possibly a vision. The final battle took place there."
"Did you see anything else?"
"Just the Lady Myotismon stalker. She tried to make me believe she was the real one, but I didn't fall for it. I called her on the lie and she said to prepare for the surprise of my life. I woke up then." Laura deliberately left out the parts about being alone and being struck by the wisps of darkness. 'No, there is no sense it adding those little details.'
"Well that complicates things even further. It makes sense that final battle takes place there. The stalker knows that we'll bring in the digimon so she calls you out in a very public place, hoping we wouldn't use them. But I think with a little maneuvering on Ken's, Yolei's and my part, I think we can make it work. Do you recall if it was day or night out?"
"It was overcast, I really couldn't tell you."
"Well even if it's overcast, it gives us a slight advantage. It will be darker and maybe colder. That means people won't be out."
"So, then it's do-able?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"The vision you had, was it the nightmare you had in the hospital?"
"That is was Matt."
"Why didn't you tell anyone about it?"
"I wasn't sure if it was a vision. I know they run in my family, but I wanted to think about before I said anything and got people's hopes up."
"What changed your mind?"
"What Izzy said earlier. About us not having a strategy. If we know the location then, we have an advantage, a big one. We can plan for the surprise attack that we know this stalker has up her sleeve."
"Right, but we are basing our whole attack on a dream." countered Cody.
"A dream from a part digimon who's been known to have psychic visions in the past. I think it is pretty safe to go on."
"Okay then, we'll make our plans and prepare for battle on the soccer field."
Laura didn't hear. She had moved to the window on the other side of the basement. Matt joined her a short time later.
"You okay?"
"Not really. I keep thinking about that one line in the prophecy, about me falling. We both know that my diminishing hasn't happened yet. And what happened on Circle Drive, well it got me thinking. What if I don't remember my abilities? Then what? It this world going to fall because of my ignorance again?"
"That won't happen Laura."
"How can you be so sure? I'm trying not to be negative, just realistic."
"I know, mainly because I am thinking the same things. It's not that I don't have confidence in you or anything like that, far from it, but both of us were beaten so badly that it's hard to think that magically everything will come together."
"Tell me about it. I'm just scared that I am going to fail."
"You won't."
"I don't know about that. After the line about me falling, Unity is never mentioned again." 'That and the fact the dream showed me my own death.'
Matt paused. It was true. "Maybe your new power is Harmony, you know like a transformation."
'Possibly, but not likely' "Maybe, I'm not sure."
"Well, I'm sure of one thing Laura. No matter what, we'll get through this together."
Lucky nodded and laid her head on Matt's shoulder. Together they stared out the window.
A light snow began to blanket the city.