Insanity Angel Kari: Well howdy-doo, here's Chapter Four!
KC: You're actually getting reviews? WHAT DAH HECK! T.T;
Insanity Angel Kari: singing I get knocked down! And I get up again! Ain't never gonna keep me down! I get knocked DOWN! And I get up again!…
KC: AHHHH! NOOOO! You're going to get that stuck in my head! X_X;
Insanity Angel Kari: That was dah point…anyhow! ^_^ As I have ALREADY stated, I just like stating it, I do not own Digimon. Digimon does not own me. There is no owning between us. Hoo-hah! No flamings please, as already requested. And as usual I'll require some reviews before uploading another chapter. I do that because if you work hard at someone and no one reads or reviews or whatever, well… that takes the whole point out of it!
KC: Exactly. The whole point out of it. Like there's no point why I'm here?
Insanity Angel Kari: You are here for me to torture…MUHAHAHAH! evil laughter echoes
KC: BACK DEMON! pulls out the next chapter as a shield
Chapter Four
Was it real?
It was the next day, and Kari was lying in her bed looking up at the ceiling…well…the bottom of Tai's bunk-bed, but she could dream! Thoughts were whizzing through her mind at top speed, only to come back and race by again. She was stirring, that's what she called it. Going through the same thought or problem over and over in her mind, only to come back to it a few minutes later.
"KARI!"
Sitting up, Kari blinked. "Yeah, Tai?" His voice was coming from the far side of the room, out of sight.
"I've got a date with Sora and I need to get dressed but I think there's a rat in my closet!"
"You're 19! The rat's probably scared enough just by looking at your face…" Kari yawned and flopped back down on the bed.
"Kari! You know I hate mice! Hey…what was that again?"
"I thought you said it was a rat. There's a difference."
"A rodent!"
"You two would get along together perfectly!"
"Where's Gatomon? Maybe she can get it!"
"I'm grooming," Gatomon purred from on top of Tai's bed. Tai marched into view, stopping beside Kari's bed. The only thing he had on were the baggy red shorts he wore to bed. His hair was fizzed out in every direction, and Kari thought it resembled a mop.
'NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM…'
Kari blinked. "What did you say, Tai?"
"Huh?" It was Tai's turn to blink. "I ASKED if someone could get that- "
"No. Just a second ago."
'NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM…'
"Uh…nothing. Gatomon did you say something?" Tai asked as he looked up to his bed. "Hey, wait a sec…YOU'RE GROOMING IN MY BED AGAIN!"
Gatomon wrinkled her nose at him. "Well, I shall migrate to the dresser, Oh Mighty One Formerly Known As The Strikingly Handsome Tai…" Flicking her tail at him, Gatomon easily hopped down and hopped up onto the dresser.
Kari closed her eyes.
She could have sworn she's heard someone say 'novus ordo seclorum'…
And the voice sounded familiar.
************************
"Novus ordo seclorum? Is that what you said?"
"Yes," Kari told Ken for about the hundredth time. She was still lying on her bed except turned the other way, her legs hanging off the edge. Gatomon was sleeping contently beside her. Tai had finally gotten ready when the 'rodent' turned out to be one of his old house shoes from three years ago. "Do you know what that's about?"
"Well, it sounds like Latin," Ken replied over the phone. Kari switched hands and sighed.
"Can you translate it?" she asked.
"Yes. It means 'a new order has begun'."
"…I see."
"Why?"
"Huh? Well…" Kari desperately tried to search for a reasonable lie. She was terribly out of practice, and she couldn't afford to tell the others of her dreams yet. Gatomon would remain the only one who knew. "I heard it on TV and I was curious," she said at last.
"Ah. Okay," Ken said doubtfully. "Glad I could help. Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"
"Why does everyone keep asking me that??" Kari asked, her voice cracking. "I'm fine. Never been better. Thanks for your time, Ken."
"Alright. Ja ne."
"Ja ne."
Kari hung up the phone, then laid back on her bed again. The sound of Gatomon's soft snores slowed her racing heart.
Okay, she thought, let's go through the facts.
First of all, the dreams. Always the same, a little longer and more detailed each time she had them. Always with that strange shadowy figure saying something about being missing. Then there was Tao, the strange girl she met yesterday who seemed to know something. And then today, when she was talking to Tai and she suddenly heard someone say the words 'novus ordo seclorum', which means 'a new order has begun'.
"What does it all mean?" Kari asked the air. She closed her eyes, tired.
************************
It was happening again.
White everywhere. No color whatsoever.
Kari moved her fingers. "The dream again…I must have fallen asleep…" She was once again in her younger body, hovering in the midst of all the white and space, emptiness. She squinted, and sure enough, the outline of a shadowy figure appeared just in front of her, seeming to hover in the space as well.
"It's you again," Kari observed, at a loss for words.
"Yes…" the figure replied morbidly. Kari was a little surprised that it responded. Usually it didn't.
Maybe it wasn't shy anymore.
"Please answer me this time…who or what are you…" pleaded Kari.
"I've always answered you before. You don't seem to understand," the figure responded levelly.
"You're missing, lost, whatever. That's what you always say, and it doesn't make sense!" Kari was loosing her patience again. "I need a name, species, anything."
"I'm just like you…" the figure replied, sadness dripping from its voice. "Too much like you, and yet not enough…"
"Do you always speak in riddles?"
"Novus ordo seclorum…"
Kari jerked at the words. "Wait a minute…was that you I heard earlier?"
"Yes."
"A new order has begun. What does that mean?"
"It's a warning."
A chill crept down Kari's spine. "A warning?"
Silence.
"What kind of warning?"
More silence.
"Why don't you answer me?!"
"I'm sorry. That's all I can give. It's already happening…even if you understood it wouldn't matter because it's already in motion…"
"You don't make any sense," grouched an exasperated Kari.
"Hints, warnings. Some from our side, some from the other side. They've been given to you, more than once, in more than one way."
"What?"
"This is bigger then just understanding, Kari. This is something bigger than being angry, than being powerful, than being alive. This is it. The Plan. It's the Plan that's everything right now."
Kari was confused. "Just answer me one thing, or two. Are you good or evil?"
There was a pause, then, "Good."
"Okay…so you're good…and you're trying to help me out with something, right? All these dreams are hints, you're trying to get your message across, right? So something big is going on, and it involves me?"
"Yes."
"Okay…I've got that much…I have another question."
The figure shifted its weight, looking a little uncomfortable. "What's that?"
"There was this girl…Tao…is she a part of this?"
"…In more ways than one."
"Good or…evil?"
The figure peered at Kari.
"That remains to be seen."
"Ah. Mysterious there… can you tell me one more thing?"
"…"
"What's your name?"
************************
Kari opened her eyes then yawned.
"No!" she sat up on her bed. "I didn't get the name…" Kari scolded herself for waking up too soon.
Ring! Ring!
Kari gave the phone a murderous glare.
Ring! Ring!
Gatomon woke up at the noise, rubbed her eyes, and also gave the phone a murderous glare.
Ring! Ring!
"That'd better not be Tai," Kari mumbled, picking up the phone. "Hello?" she asked in her sweet I'm-going-to-see-who-you-are-you'd-better- not-be-anyone-I-don't-like-but-hello voice.
"Hi. Is this Kari?" Yolie's comforting voice from the other end of the phone calmed Kari.
"Yeah, this is she. Is this Yolie?"
"Yep! What have you been up to?"
"Not much," Kari half-way lied. "I went with the guys to Yikani's yesterday."
"So I heard, straight from Davis' big mouth. You lucky thing."
"Heh."
"I also heard about some kind of girl. Tay? Tar?"
"Tao. Yeah."
"Ah. Yeah, that's what I meant. But anyway, I was wondering…you want to go somewhere today? I'm feeling better and I want to par-tay!"
"Hmmm…sure, I guess so. I kicked Tai out of the house."
"He's with Sora again, I take it?"
"He calls it a date but they're really just going to hang out. I still think Sora has a thing for Matt."
"Interesting. Anyway, where do you feel like going, and do you mind if the others come?" asked Yolie.
"It doesn't really matter. I don't mind the others coming. How about we meet at the beach?"
"Yeah! 1: 00 sharp, by the old sand dunes! I'll call everyone else. Wear your swimsuit!" Yolie hung up.
"What was that all about?" asked Gatomon as Kari hung up the phone.
"Feel like going to the beach?"
"Hmmm…go to the beach or stay here and smell Tai's dirty socks all day? Is that even a choice?" Gatomon grinned.
Kari grinned back. "I guess not. I'll write Tai a note. On the way there, there's something I've got to tell you anyway."
"Is it anything that's got to do with…those dreams?"
"More than you think."
************************
-Bus-
12:39 AM
"My hhhhhoooommmmmeee keeps gettin' farther awayyyyyyy, gotta call you back to meeee so I can saaaaayyyyy how much I care!" The radio practically blasted the music all over the bus. Kari writhed in her seat, scrunching up her face.
"Please…no…more…" she grumped as the song ended, the started over again. The bus driver was doing a little jig in his seat. Obviously he liked the song.
"Want to move back some more?" Gatomon asked.
"You've got better ears than me, and that…SONG…is not bothering you?" Kari asked Gatomon.
"I have selective hearing. And besides, I've got other things to worry about, like you."
Kari nodded, smiling some at her best friend's care. They moved back a few seats, to where the song was fainter.
"I hope I have a good time, forget about this stuff for a while, at least," Kari sighed, looking out the window.
"Don't worry. Remember whatever happens, I'll always be right here." Gatomon snuggled up to Kari, smiling.
"You always have," Kari replied, leaning against the seat and hugging Gatomon, looking out the window and trying to forget.
************************
-Beach-
2:33 PM
"Woo-hoo! Catch it, Ken!" Davis flung the frisbee over to Ken, and it sailed easily toward him. Ken grinned, jumping up, catching it, then landing back in the water and throwing it right back.
"You catch it!" he laughed.
Yolie pulled her sunglasses down a notch so she could watch the guys make fools of themselves. She looked over to Kari, who was stretched out in a chair beside her. "Got any more lotion?"
"Hmm?" Kari asked, pulling her hat up a bit. "Oh, sure. Here." She reached down then tossed the bottle to Yolie. Gatomon opened an eye and looked at them, then curled up tighter in her ball. She was snoozing by Kari's umbrella, Poromon beside her. Ken, Davis, T.K., Cody, and their Digimon were all out in the water, having a game of frisbee while Yolie and Kari tanned on the beach.
"Whew!" Veemon sloshed up onto the sand then shook himself dry. He rubbed his head and plopped down beside Gatomon and Poromon.
"Did something happen?" asked Poromon.
"Frisbee hit me in the head," replied Veemon. "Of course it doesn't really hurt. My head's too hard."
Gatomon opened her eye again. "I don't see how you can play in all that wet stuff…"
"Huh? Water? You don't like water, Gatomon?" Veemon asked, mystified.
"No. I'm a cat. We prefer to stay dry." Gatomon yawned.
"Come on, give it a try," Veemon pleaded. "I'll make sure you don't drown. And I won't ask you to do it again. Please?"
Gatomon slowly uncurled and yawned again. "I don't know…"
"Pleeeeeease?"
"Well…"
"Pretty please?"
"Okay…"
"Woo-hoo!" Veemon grinned, hopping up and down. "Let's go!" He took off down the beach, Poromon bouncing behind him. Gatomon followed.
"Looks like our Digimon have abandoned us," Yolie observed.
"Looks like it," Kari agreed.
"You want to join them in the water and see if we can get our white selves to tan later?" Yolie proposed.
"Sure," agreed Kari. "You go on, I'm going to grab a drink really quick." Yolie nodded and got up, racing down to the water. Kari got up afterwards and made her way to a concession stand just a few yards away.
"Whatcha want, pretty lady?" the man in the stand asked. Kari had learned his name as Todd.
"Can I have a Sprite?"
"Sure! Just hold on one second, let me find the cups…"
Kari smiled, leaning against the stand. She was scanning the beach when something caught her eye.
Tao.
At first she was hard to recognize, but the fact she was not wearing a bathing suit did set her apart. She was still wearing the old cap on her head. Her pale green eyes were also scanning the beach. Her sandy blonde hair fell carelessly around her shoulders. She also wore the same red shirt and cut-off blue jeans as before, and sneakers. Her hat bulged some, and Kari could guess it was Cystamon under there.
Tao's gaze fell on Kari. Her expression did not change. She wasn't far away, and after a pause she began to walk closer.
Kari didn't move.
Bring it on.
Tao reached Kari a moment later, her arms hanging loosely at her sides. The wind blew a few strands of her hair in front of her face and her eyes narrowed. "Kari."
"Tao." Kari crossed her arms, feeling a bit uncomfortable but not wanting to show it. "…What do you want?"
Tao tilted her head, her face masked. "My own reasons."
"Ah. So…anyway, I'm sorry if you think I'm mad at you or something. Yesterday wasn't a good day."
Tao narrowed her gaze even more. "I see."
"Yeah."
"Dreams keep you awake?"
Kari froze. "What are you talking about?" she choked out.
"The missing piece of light;
One fallen angel
A soul afraid of dying
That never learned to live
A heart afraid of breaking
That was too afraid to give."
Kari's eyes widened, hearing Tao quote the poem that so often filled her dreams. "How…how did you…" Her mind wandered back to her dream earlier that day…
-Flashback-
'Okay…I've got that much…I have another question.'
'What's that?'
'There was this girl…Tao…is she a part of this?'
'…In more ways than one.'
'Good or…evil?'
'That remains to be seen.'
-End Flashback-
"You knew about my dreams…all along?" Kari asked haltingly.
Tao leered, a twisted form of a smile on her face. "Of course I knew."
"Who are you, exactly? What do you want?"
Tao shrugged. "I, ME, MYSELF…I don't want anything from you."
"Then…"
"I'm just…in touch with someone who wants something from you."
Kari looked more intently at Tao. "Please. Explain this to me.
Tao turned, her back facing Kari. "Just think of me as a warning. A beacon. A sign of something to come that you can't do anything about." She turned her head to look back at her. "Something that will happen."
Kari gaped as Tao turned her head and walked off, seeming to fade into the mist formed by waves washing on shore and the strange dance of light on the sand.
************************
Cody spotted Kari first. "Hey, Kari. Did you finally get your drink?"
Kari stopped at the edge of the water. A weak smile found its way on her face, but it was obvious to anyone really watching that she was shook up. "Long line. Ready for me to join you fish?"
"Sure!" T.K. said, grinning happily. He climbed up on the sand and cocked his head at her. "Well?"
Kari eyed him. "You look suspicious."
T.K. grinned again. "Me? Never!" With an easy motion he scooped Kari up into his arms.
"AHH! Hey!" Kari yelped.
T.K. ran back into the surf, then threw Kari into the water. She came sputtering back to the surface.
"Oh, it is so on!" she cried. "We play frisbee. My team against yours, buddy!"
"I'm on Kari's team!" Yolie said.
"Me, too!" Davis chimed in. "We'll beatcha!"
"Thanks Yolie, Davis!" Kari said. She smirked at T.K., Ken, and Cody. "You are going DOWN, buds!"
Thus, the game of frisbee commenced. Davis was an exceptional player, having experience in sports. Ken was right there with him. T.K. as a quick learner, and Kari used to play with Tai as a little kid. Yolie and Cody needed some schooling, but eventually they got the hang of it.
Gatomon was another story.
"AH! Something touched my foot! I felt it!" Gatomon looked around, looking a bit funny with her wet ears hanging by her face. She inched closer to the shore.
"It's just seaweed, probably. Nothing to worry about. Don't go on me now!" said Veemon, gently taking her arm and pulling her back. "It's fun once you get used to it!"
Gatomon shuddered. "I feel like tuna, and I eat that stuff."
"I've never tried it," said Veemon.
"You should! It's really good."
"Any other kind of fish you like to eat?" Veemon smiled inwardly. So far he was distracting Gatomon long enough for her to get used to water. They weren't as deep as the Digidestined, still in their game of frisbee along with the other Digimon.
"Any fish, really. Cat food's good," said Gatomon thoughtfully.
"Hey, I've tried that!" Veemon said truthfully. Gatomon blinked.
"What made you try cat food?"
"I was hungry," Veemon admitted, rubbing his stomach.
"Speaking of which…you want to go the stand and get a snack?" proposed Gatomon.
"Hmmm…sure! Do they still have those slushies?"
"Last time I checked!" Gatomon smiled and took off onto the beach, stopping to wring her tail and ears out. Veemon hopped out beside her, and then they both raced across the sand toward the stand. When they reached it, Todd smiled and tipped his sunglasses at them. He was used to them, as they came to the beach often. Being a surfer bum, the only thing he gave much thought to was surfboards, waves, and chicks.
"Whatcha want, my Blue Man?" Todd asked.
"Do you have any lime slushies?" Veemon asked. He froze, then looked to Gatomon. "Uh-oh. I don't have any money with me…"
"No problem," said Gatomon, smiling. She held up her paw and began to take her glove off, then stopped. "Do…do you mind turning around?" She looked uncomfortable.
"Sure," Veemon said, a little puzzled. He had always wondered why Gatomon never took her gloves off. But, he knew it wasn't his place to ask, so he turned. A second later Gatomon said, "You can turn around now."
Veemon turned to see Gatomon holding some money in her paw.
"I always keep some in my glove," she explained. "It's from Tai's piggy bank."
"Wait. Tai's got a piggy bank?" asked a mystified Veemon.
"Yep. Pink and everything, oink oink."
Veemon laughed and Gatomon handed Todd the money. "Strawberry Passion, please," she requested. Todd took the money and began to make their orders. Veemon leaned against the stand, watching Gatomon out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't help it…just seeing her white fur outlined by the sand, it was enough to make him believe he was dreaming. He had a huge crush, he knew. It was more than that…real love.
"I'm sorry for making you turn around," Gatomon said, breaking the silence.
Veemon shook his head. "No problem."
"It just…bad memories, that's all. I don't want to flash them at everybody. I'm not looking for pity or anything."
"Of course not," said Veemon honestly.
"Kari's the only one who's seen me without my gloves…"
"What about Patamon?" Veemon asked, then regretted it.
Woo-hoo, Veemon, he thought. Why don't you just blow everything out the window, huh? Stupid!
Gatomon sighed, rubbing her head. "No. I don't get it! Everyone thinks Patamon and I have this thing going on. We're friends, and that's all. Anything more would ruin our friendship. We're both too…I don't know. It wouldn't work that way."
"I'm sorry," apologized Veemon. "I've always just assumed…gah. I'm just stupid, let's leave it at that. Remember yesterday, I told you I do things without thinking…" Thinking about yesterday, Veemon blushed some, remembering the incident on the bus.
"No…I guess it must seem like it. Don't worry, Veemon. Patamon's a great friend, but he's just not my type…"
"Who…what is your type, then?" Veemon asked haltingly. He hated sounding so nosey, but he couldn't help it. He had to find out!
Gatomon leaned beside Veemon and he felt their shoulders brush against each other. He tingled at her soft touch. She turned her head to him.
"Someone loyal, brave, a great friend to begin with…someone with a heart, morals to go by, someone on my level and above my level in ways… Someone who knows what I feel, and someone who sometimes…doesn't think before they do something."
Veemon felt a lump rise in his throat, and he swallowed. Her face was so close… was she implying something? Could there be the small, tiny possibility…that she liked him?
Kiss her kiss her! A voice in Veemon's head chanted.
No! You'll bomb! Another voice argued.
Gatomon leaned forward, and Veemon almost felt his heart stop. But she just smiled and said, "Our orders are ready."
Veemon nodded, faking a cool grin. They took their orders from Todd and sipped on them as they walked back down the beach toward their Digidestined.
************************
"Does she look scared to you?" asked Tao, standing in the shadows of the sand dunes. Her gaze was locked on Kari, still in the water playing frisbee. Cystamon looked down at her, her eyes having the same deep, dark expression as her Digidestined's.
"Humans are good at lying, in words and in appearance," she answered simply.
"Well…" Tao closed her eyes, feeling the salty air breeze by her face, "When she begs for mercy, saying how she's failed, how she's accomplished nothing, how she can do nothing, at my feet…she won't be lying then…"
-Don't think so highly of yourself, Kuroi.-
Tao's head jerked, her eyes open. The mention of her last name startled her out of her dreams of victory. Cystamon tensed on her head. The voice echoed in her mind, like the rumble of thunder across the vast stretch of a long forgotten, dark ocean.
-Warnings are in place. The game is about to begin. It is now use against them, the Dark against the Light, the shadow of the light broadening and the pieces are set. All can be discarded, a few saved. But remember this, it is I who tell when the pieces go. Don't manipulate them, because you will fail. This is no game of mercy. I still hold you, Kuroi, a frail trinket in my hand. I can break you, like a shattered star dying in the midst of the birth of something new and more deadly.-
"Yes, Flawless," Tao whispered to the breeze that had suddenly turned cold. Her lip trembled. "I am sorry for being a fool. I will do my part as you have planed for me and I will not exceed my boundaries…"
-The Plan is in motion, and you have set the stage. Let the girl named Hikari sweat, and let ones of the Light tremble as they await my move. It is peaceful now, but very soon there will be an unexpected gale. You'll have to make another move soon.-
"Yes, Flawless."
-The Plan is everything now.-
Tao sank to her knees, burying her fingers in the cool sand. Cystamon hopped down and sat on the ground beside her and looked out toward the ocean as the voice of Flawless faded like dew in the desert.
Wow…things are unfolding quick. Just when Kari gets into a conversation with that elusive being, she wakes up. Her luck, huh? Who is this figure who seems to want to help her?
But obviously something big is going to happen. As Kari's been warned, there's going to be a fight, and she's involved. But how, and why?
Flawless seems to have his own plans, and they involve Tao. He's going to carry out his Plan, and from what's been said it's not good… can Kari and the other Digidestined stop it?
Will Kari ever tell the others of her problems?
Warning…novus ordo seclorum.
KC: You're actually getting reviews? WHAT DAH HECK! T.T;
Insanity Angel Kari: singing I get knocked down! And I get up again! Ain't never gonna keep me down! I get knocked DOWN! And I get up again!…
KC: AHHHH! NOOOO! You're going to get that stuck in my head! X_X;
Insanity Angel Kari: That was dah point…anyhow! ^_^ As I have ALREADY stated, I just like stating it, I do not own Digimon. Digimon does not own me. There is no owning between us. Hoo-hah! No flamings please, as already requested. And as usual I'll require some reviews before uploading another chapter. I do that because if you work hard at someone and no one reads or reviews or whatever, well… that takes the whole point out of it!
KC: Exactly. The whole point out of it. Like there's no point why I'm here?
Insanity Angel Kari: You are here for me to torture…MUHAHAHAH! evil laughter echoes
KC: BACK DEMON! pulls out the next chapter as a shield
Chapter Four
Was it real?
It was the next day, and Kari was lying in her bed looking up at the ceiling…well…the bottom of Tai's bunk-bed, but she could dream! Thoughts were whizzing through her mind at top speed, only to come back and race by again. She was stirring, that's what she called it. Going through the same thought or problem over and over in her mind, only to come back to it a few minutes later.
"KARI!"
Sitting up, Kari blinked. "Yeah, Tai?" His voice was coming from the far side of the room, out of sight.
"I've got a date with Sora and I need to get dressed but I think there's a rat in my closet!"
"You're 19! The rat's probably scared enough just by looking at your face…" Kari yawned and flopped back down on the bed.
"Kari! You know I hate mice! Hey…what was that again?"
"I thought you said it was a rat. There's a difference."
"A rodent!"
"You two would get along together perfectly!"
"Where's Gatomon? Maybe she can get it!"
"I'm grooming," Gatomon purred from on top of Tai's bed. Tai marched into view, stopping beside Kari's bed. The only thing he had on were the baggy red shorts he wore to bed. His hair was fizzed out in every direction, and Kari thought it resembled a mop.
'NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM…'
Kari blinked. "What did you say, Tai?"
"Huh?" It was Tai's turn to blink. "I ASKED if someone could get that- "
"No. Just a second ago."
'NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM…'
"Uh…nothing. Gatomon did you say something?" Tai asked as he looked up to his bed. "Hey, wait a sec…YOU'RE GROOMING IN MY BED AGAIN!"
Gatomon wrinkled her nose at him. "Well, I shall migrate to the dresser, Oh Mighty One Formerly Known As The Strikingly Handsome Tai…" Flicking her tail at him, Gatomon easily hopped down and hopped up onto the dresser.
Kari closed her eyes.
She could have sworn she's heard someone say 'novus ordo seclorum'…
And the voice sounded familiar.
************************
"Novus ordo seclorum? Is that what you said?"
"Yes," Kari told Ken for about the hundredth time. She was still lying on her bed except turned the other way, her legs hanging off the edge. Gatomon was sleeping contently beside her. Tai had finally gotten ready when the 'rodent' turned out to be one of his old house shoes from three years ago. "Do you know what that's about?"
"Well, it sounds like Latin," Ken replied over the phone. Kari switched hands and sighed.
"Can you translate it?" she asked.
"Yes. It means 'a new order has begun'."
"…I see."
"Why?"
"Huh? Well…" Kari desperately tried to search for a reasonable lie. She was terribly out of practice, and she couldn't afford to tell the others of her dreams yet. Gatomon would remain the only one who knew. "I heard it on TV and I was curious," she said at last.
"Ah. Okay," Ken said doubtfully. "Glad I could help. Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"
"Why does everyone keep asking me that??" Kari asked, her voice cracking. "I'm fine. Never been better. Thanks for your time, Ken."
"Alright. Ja ne."
"Ja ne."
Kari hung up the phone, then laid back on her bed again. The sound of Gatomon's soft snores slowed her racing heart.
Okay, she thought, let's go through the facts.
First of all, the dreams. Always the same, a little longer and more detailed each time she had them. Always with that strange shadowy figure saying something about being missing. Then there was Tao, the strange girl she met yesterday who seemed to know something. And then today, when she was talking to Tai and she suddenly heard someone say the words 'novus ordo seclorum', which means 'a new order has begun'.
"What does it all mean?" Kari asked the air. She closed her eyes, tired.
************************
It was happening again.
White everywhere. No color whatsoever.
Kari moved her fingers. "The dream again…I must have fallen asleep…" She was once again in her younger body, hovering in the midst of all the white and space, emptiness. She squinted, and sure enough, the outline of a shadowy figure appeared just in front of her, seeming to hover in the space as well.
"It's you again," Kari observed, at a loss for words.
"Yes…" the figure replied morbidly. Kari was a little surprised that it responded. Usually it didn't.
Maybe it wasn't shy anymore.
"Please answer me this time…who or what are you…" pleaded Kari.
"I've always answered you before. You don't seem to understand," the figure responded levelly.
"You're missing, lost, whatever. That's what you always say, and it doesn't make sense!" Kari was loosing her patience again. "I need a name, species, anything."
"I'm just like you…" the figure replied, sadness dripping from its voice. "Too much like you, and yet not enough…"
"Do you always speak in riddles?"
"Novus ordo seclorum…"
Kari jerked at the words. "Wait a minute…was that you I heard earlier?"
"Yes."
"A new order has begun. What does that mean?"
"It's a warning."
A chill crept down Kari's spine. "A warning?"
Silence.
"What kind of warning?"
More silence.
"Why don't you answer me?!"
"I'm sorry. That's all I can give. It's already happening…even if you understood it wouldn't matter because it's already in motion…"
"You don't make any sense," grouched an exasperated Kari.
"Hints, warnings. Some from our side, some from the other side. They've been given to you, more than once, in more than one way."
"What?"
"This is bigger then just understanding, Kari. This is something bigger than being angry, than being powerful, than being alive. This is it. The Plan. It's the Plan that's everything right now."
Kari was confused. "Just answer me one thing, or two. Are you good or evil?"
There was a pause, then, "Good."
"Okay…so you're good…and you're trying to help me out with something, right? All these dreams are hints, you're trying to get your message across, right? So something big is going on, and it involves me?"
"Yes."
"Okay…I've got that much…I have another question."
The figure shifted its weight, looking a little uncomfortable. "What's that?"
"There was this girl…Tao…is she a part of this?"
"…In more ways than one."
"Good or…evil?"
The figure peered at Kari.
"That remains to be seen."
"Ah. Mysterious there… can you tell me one more thing?"
"…"
"What's your name?"
************************
Kari opened her eyes then yawned.
"No!" she sat up on her bed. "I didn't get the name…" Kari scolded herself for waking up too soon.
Ring! Ring!
Kari gave the phone a murderous glare.
Ring! Ring!
Gatomon woke up at the noise, rubbed her eyes, and also gave the phone a murderous glare.
Ring! Ring!
"That'd better not be Tai," Kari mumbled, picking up the phone. "Hello?" she asked in her sweet I'm-going-to-see-who-you-are-you'd-better- not-be-anyone-I-don't-like-but-hello voice.
"Hi. Is this Kari?" Yolie's comforting voice from the other end of the phone calmed Kari.
"Yeah, this is she. Is this Yolie?"
"Yep! What have you been up to?"
"Not much," Kari half-way lied. "I went with the guys to Yikani's yesterday."
"So I heard, straight from Davis' big mouth. You lucky thing."
"Heh."
"I also heard about some kind of girl. Tay? Tar?"
"Tao. Yeah."
"Ah. Yeah, that's what I meant. But anyway, I was wondering…you want to go somewhere today? I'm feeling better and I want to par-tay!"
"Hmmm…sure, I guess so. I kicked Tai out of the house."
"He's with Sora again, I take it?"
"He calls it a date but they're really just going to hang out. I still think Sora has a thing for Matt."
"Interesting. Anyway, where do you feel like going, and do you mind if the others come?" asked Yolie.
"It doesn't really matter. I don't mind the others coming. How about we meet at the beach?"
"Yeah! 1: 00 sharp, by the old sand dunes! I'll call everyone else. Wear your swimsuit!" Yolie hung up.
"What was that all about?" asked Gatomon as Kari hung up the phone.
"Feel like going to the beach?"
"Hmmm…go to the beach or stay here and smell Tai's dirty socks all day? Is that even a choice?" Gatomon grinned.
Kari grinned back. "I guess not. I'll write Tai a note. On the way there, there's something I've got to tell you anyway."
"Is it anything that's got to do with…those dreams?"
"More than you think."
************************
-Bus-
12:39 AM
"My hhhhhoooommmmmeee keeps gettin' farther awayyyyyyy, gotta call you back to meeee so I can saaaaayyyyy how much I care!" The radio practically blasted the music all over the bus. Kari writhed in her seat, scrunching up her face.
"Please…no…more…" she grumped as the song ended, the started over again. The bus driver was doing a little jig in his seat. Obviously he liked the song.
"Want to move back some more?" Gatomon asked.
"You've got better ears than me, and that…SONG…is not bothering you?" Kari asked Gatomon.
"I have selective hearing. And besides, I've got other things to worry about, like you."
Kari nodded, smiling some at her best friend's care. They moved back a few seats, to where the song was fainter.
"I hope I have a good time, forget about this stuff for a while, at least," Kari sighed, looking out the window.
"Don't worry. Remember whatever happens, I'll always be right here." Gatomon snuggled up to Kari, smiling.
"You always have," Kari replied, leaning against the seat and hugging Gatomon, looking out the window and trying to forget.
************************
-Beach-
2:33 PM
"Woo-hoo! Catch it, Ken!" Davis flung the frisbee over to Ken, and it sailed easily toward him. Ken grinned, jumping up, catching it, then landing back in the water and throwing it right back.
"You catch it!" he laughed.
Yolie pulled her sunglasses down a notch so she could watch the guys make fools of themselves. She looked over to Kari, who was stretched out in a chair beside her. "Got any more lotion?"
"Hmm?" Kari asked, pulling her hat up a bit. "Oh, sure. Here." She reached down then tossed the bottle to Yolie. Gatomon opened an eye and looked at them, then curled up tighter in her ball. She was snoozing by Kari's umbrella, Poromon beside her. Ken, Davis, T.K., Cody, and their Digimon were all out in the water, having a game of frisbee while Yolie and Kari tanned on the beach.
"Whew!" Veemon sloshed up onto the sand then shook himself dry. He rubbed his head and plopped down beside Gatomon and Poromon.
"Did something happen?" asked Poromon.
"Frisbee hit me in the head," replied Veemon. "Of course it doesn't really hurt. My head's too hard."
Gatomon opened her eye again. "I don't see how you can play in all that wet stuff…"
"Huh? Water? You don't like water, Gatomon?" Veemon asked, mystified.
"No. I'm a cat. We prefer to stay dry." Gatomon yawned.
"Come on, give it a try," Veemon pleaded. "I'll make sure you don't drown. And I won't ask you to do it again. Please?"
Gatomon slowly uncurled and yawned again. "I don't know…"
"Pleeeeeease?"
"Well…"
"Pretty please?"
"Okay…"
"Woo-hoo!" Veemon grinned, hopping up and down. "Let's go!" He took off down the beach, Poromon bouncing behind him. Gatomon followed.
"Looks like our Digimon have abandoned us," Yolie observed.
"Looks like it," Kari agreed.
"You want to join them in the water and see if we can get our white selves to tan later?" Yolie proposed.
"Sure," agreed Kari. "You go on, I'm going to grab a drink really quick." Yolie nodded and got up, racing down to the water. Kari got up afterwards and made her way to a concession stand just a few yards away.
"Whatcha want, pretty lady?" the man in the stand asked. Kari had learned his name as Todd.
"Can I have a Sprite?"
"Sure! Just hold on one second, let me find the cups…"
Kari smiled, leaning against the stand. She was scanning the beach when something caught her eye.
Tao.
At first she was hard to recognize, but the fact she was not wearing a bathing suit did set her apart. She was still wearing the old cap on her head. Her pale green eyes were also scanning the beach. Her sandy blonde hair fell carelessly around her shoulders. She also wore the same red shirt and cut-off blue jeans as before, and sneakers. Her hat bulged some, and Kari could guess it was Cystamon under there.
Tao's gaze fell on Kari. Her expression did not change. She wasn't far away, and after a pause she began to walk closer.
Kari didn't move.
Bring it on.
Tao reached Kari a moment later, her arms hanging loosely at her sides. The wind blew a few strands of her hair in front of her face and her eyes narrowed. "Kari."
"Tao." Kari crossed her arms, feeling a bit uncomfortable but not wanting to show it. "…What do you want?"
Tao tilted her head, her face masked. "My own reasons."
"Ah. So…anyway, I'm sorry if you think I'm mad at you or something. Yesterday wasn't a good day."
Tao narrowed her gaze even more. "I see."
"Yeah."
"Dreams keep you awake?"
Kari froze. "What are you talking about?" she choked out.
"The missing piece of light;
One fallen angel
A soul afraid of dying
That never learned to live
A heart afraid of breaking
That was too afraid to give."
Kari's eyes widened, hearing Tao quote the poem that so often filled her dreams. "How…how did you…" Her mind wandered back to her dream earlier that day…
-Flashback-
'Okay…I've got that much…I have another question.'
'What's that?'
'There was this girl…Tao…is she a part of this?'
'…In more ways than one.'
'Good or…evil?'
'That remains to be seen.'
-End Flashback-
"You knew about my dreams…all along?" Kari asked haltingly.
Tao leered, a twisted form of a smile on her face. "Of course I knew."
"Who are you, exactly? What do you want?"
Tao shrugged. "I, ME, MYSELF…I don't want anything from you."
"Then…"
"I'm just…in touch with someone who wants something from you."
Kari looked more intently at Tao. "Please. Explain this to me.
Tao turned, her back facing Kari. "Just think of me as a warning. A beacon. A sign of something to come that you can't do anything about." She turned her head to look back at her. "Something that will happen."
Kari gaped as Tao turned her head and walked off, seeming to fade into the mist formed by waves washing on shore and the strange dance of light on the sand.
************************
Cody spotted Kari first. "Hey, Kari. Did you finally get your drink?"
Kari stopped at the edge of the water. A weak smile found its way on her face, but it was obvious to anyone really watching that she was shook up. "Long line. Ready for me to join you fish?"
"Sure!" T.K. said, grinning happily. He climbed up on the sand and cocked his head at her. "Well?"
Kari eyed him. "You look suspicious."
T.K. grinned again. "Me? Never!" With an easy motion he scooped Kari up into his arms.
"AHH! Hey!" Kari yelped.
T.K. ran back into the surf, then threw Kari into the water. She came sputtering back to the surface.
"Oh, it is so on!" she cried. "We play frisbee. My team against yours, buddy!"
"I'm on Kari's team!" Yolie said.
"Me, too!" Davis chimed in. "We'll beatcha!"
"Thanks Yolie, Davis!" Kari said. She smirked at T.K., Ken, and Cody. "You are going DOWN, buds!"
Thus, the game of frisbee commenced. Davis was an exceptional player, having experience in sports. Ken was right there with him. T.K. as a quick learner, and Kari used to play with Tai as a little kid. Yolie and Cody needed some schooling, but eventually they got the hang of it.
Gatomon was another story.
"AH! Something touched my foot! I felt it!" Gatomon looked around, looking a bit funny with her wet ears hanging by her face. She inched closer to the shore.
"It's just seaweed, probably. Nothing to worry about. Don't go on me now!" said Veemon, gently taking her arm and pulling her back. "It's fun once you get used to it!"
Gatomon shuddered. "I feel like tuna, and I eat that stuff."
"I've never tried it," said Veemon.
"You should! It's really good."
"Any other kind of fish you like to eat?" Veemon smiled inwardly. So far he was distracting Gatomon long enough for her to get used to water. They weren't as deep as the Digidestined, still in their game of frisbee along with the other Digimon.
"Any fish, really. Cat food's good," said Gatomon thoughtfully.
"Hey, I've tried that!" Veemon said truthfully. Gatomon blinked.
"What made you try cat food?"
"I was hungry," Veemon admitted, rubbing his stomach.
"Speaking of which…you want to go the stand and get a snack?" proposed Gatomon.
"Hmmm…sure! Do they still have those slushies?"
"Last time I checked!" Gatomon smiled and took off onto the beach, stopping to wring her tail and ears out. Veemon hopped out beside her, and then they both raced across the sand toward the stand. When they reached it, Todd smiled and tipped his sunglasses at them. He was used to them, as they came to the beach often. Being a surfer bum, the only thing he gave much thought to was surfboards, waves, and chicks.
"Whatcha want, my Blue Man?" Todd asked.
"Do you have any lime slushies?" Veemon asked. He froze, then looked to Gatomon. "Uh-oh. I don't have any money with me…"
"No problem," said Gatomon, smiling. She held up her paw and began to take her glove off, then stopped. "Do…do you mind turning around?" She looked uncomfortable.
"Sure," Veemon said, a little puzzled. He had always wondered why Gatomon never took her gloves off. But, he knew it wasn't his place to ask, so he turned. A second later Gatomon said, "You can turn around now."
Veemon turned to see Gatomon holding some money in her paw.
"I always keep some in my glove," she explained. "It's from Tai's piggy bank."
"Wait. Tai's got a piggy bank?" asked a mystified Veemon.
"Yep. Pink and everything, oink oink."
Veemon laughed and Gatomon handed Todd the money. "Strawberry Passion, please," she requested. Todd took the money and began to make their orders. Veemon leaned against the stand, watching Gatomon out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't help it…just seeing her white fur outlined by the sand, it was enough to make him believe he was dreaming. He had a huge crush, he knew. It was more than that…real love.
"I'm sorry for making you turn around," Gatomon said, breaking the silence.
Veemon shook his head. "No problem."
"It just…bad memories, that's all. I don't want to flash them at everybody. I'm not looking for pity or anything."
"Of course not," said Veemon honestly.
"Kari's the only one who's seen me without my gloves…"
"What about Patamon?" Veemon asked, then regretted it.
Woo-hoo, Veemon, he thought. Why don't you just blow everything out the window, huh? Stupid!
Gatomon sighed, rubbing her head. "No. I don't get it! Everyone thinks Patamon and I have this thing going on. We're friends, and that's all. Anything more would ruin our friendship. We're both too…I don't know. It wouldn't work that way."
"I'm sorry," apologized Veemon. "I've always just assumed…gah. I'm just stupid, let's leave it at that. Remember yesterday, I told you I do things without thinking…" Thinking about yesterday, Veemon blushed some, remembering the incident on the bus.
"No…I guess it must seem like it. Don't worry, Veemon. Patamon's a great friend, but he's just not my type…"
"Who…what is your type, then?" Veemon asked haltingly. He hated sounding so nosey, but he couldn't help it. He had to find out!
Gatomon leaned beside Veemon and he felt their shoulders brush against each other. He tingled at her soft touch. She turned her head to him.
"Someone loyal, brave, a great friend to begin with…someone with a heart, morals to go by, someone on my level and above my level in ways… Someone who knows what I feel, and someone who sometimes…doesn't think before they do something."
Veemon felt a lump rise in his throat, and he swallowed. Her face was so close… was she implying something? Could there be the small, tiny possibility…that she liked him?
Kiss her kiss her! A voice in Veemon's head chanted.
No! You'll bomb! Another voice argued.
Gatomon leaned forward, and Veemon almost felt his heart stop. But she just smiled and said, "Our orders are ready."
Veemon nodded, faking a cool grin. They took their orders from Todd and sipped on them as they walked back down the beach toward their Digidestined.
************************
"Does she look scared to you?" asked Tao, standing in the shadows of the sand dunes. Her gaze was locked on Kari, still in the water playing frisbee. Cystamon looked down at her, her eyes having the same deep, dark expression as her Digidestined's.
"Humans are good at lying, in words and in appearance," she answered simply.
"Well…" Tao closed her eyes, feeling the salty air breeze by her face, "When she begs for mercy, saying how she's failed, how she's accomplished nothing, how she can do nothing, at my feet…she won't be lying then…"
-Don't think so highly of yourself, Kuroi.-
Tao's head jerked, her eyes open. The mention of her last name startled her out of her dreams of victory. Cystamon tensed on her head. The voice echoed in her mind, like the rumble of thunder across the vast stretch of a long forgotten, dark ocean.
-Warnings are in place. The game is about to begin. It is now use against them, the Dark against the Light, the shadow of the light broadening and the pieces are set. All can be discarded, a few saved. But remember this, it is I who tell when the pieces go. Don't manipulate them, because you will fail. This is no game of mercy. I still hold you, Kuroi, a frail trinket in my hand. I can break you, like a shattered star dying in the midst of the birth of something new and more deadly.-
"Yes, Flawless," Tao whispered to the breeze that had suddenly turned cold. Her lip trembled. "I am sorry for being a fool. I will do my part as you have planed for me and I will not exceed my boundaries…"
-The Plan is in motion, and you have set the stage. Let the girl named Hikari sweat, and let ones of the Light tremble as they await my move. It is peaceful now, but very soon there will be an unexpected gale. You'll have to make another move soon.-
"Yes, Flawless."
-The Plan is everything now.-
Tao sank to her knees, burying her fingers in the cool sand. Cystamon hopped down and sat on the ground beside her and looked out toward the ocean as the voice of Flawless faded like dew in the desert.
Wow…things are unfolding quick. Just when Kari gets into a conversation with that elusive being, she wakes up. Her luck, huh? Who is this figure who seems to want to help her?
But obviously something big is going to happen. As Kari's been warned, there's going to be a fight, and she's involved. But how, and why?
Flawless seems to have his own plans, and they involve Tao. He's going to carry out his Plan, and from what's been said it's not good… can Kari and the other Digidestined stop it?
Will Kari ever tell the others of her problems?
Warning…novus ordo seclorum.