This chapter is more about Harper and Ileana than anyone else but don't
fret, the others will have bigger parts in the next chapter.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Early in the morning...
"Get up."
"But I'm tired..." Harper yawned.
"That's no excuse so get up." Ileana commanded
Harper looked at the sun. His eyes widened. "The sun hasn't even come up yet."
"Well you and I are going to have a little chat."
He sat up and looked her in the eye. "He's depressed over you." He said.
She sighed, "I know but things should be the way the should be. I don't need a soul mate right now and I don't want one. End of story."
She sat down on the sand next to him.
"He may not be your soul mate, you know."
"And if he isn't then he's very lucky, but are you trying to imply something?"
"No I'm not and I'd rather die than be your soul mate."
She nodded. "Good. Then we both understand it completely."
"Whatever you say." Harper said and put his hand over hers. "But he may be in more danger than you'd expect."
She withdrew her hand at his touch. "I'm sure he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself."
"He's very fragile even if he doesn't look it."
"I know." She whispered and they watched the sun rise.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Harper seems very mysterious don't you think?" Sora asked Mimi.
"Yeah. You know he's very cute." Mimi giggled
"I thought you liked Matt." Yolei said.
"Well I do but blonde haired, green eyed boys are hard to come across." Mimi said
"Whatever."
"Hey you guys!" Kari shouted, "It's time to get up. We have to start moving soon."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mimi kept staring at Matt who was staring at Harper who was staring at Ileana. Well Matt was sort of glaring. Ileana was just following the course that she knew by heart now. She'd only told them that she was looking for a shortcut because she wanted time to herself.
/It's been a while since I last saw Harper. He hasn't changed a bit but I wish he hadn't showed up/
You shouldn't keep your guard down like that.
Mentally, she cursed at herself.
~And you shouldn't pry into people's thoughts~ She retorted angrily.
You should hear what Matt's thinking right now.
~I respect people more than you and I don't go meddle with their thoughts.~
He's debating over you and that pink haired girl over there.
Harper sped up until his pace was up to Ileana's. He put his arm around her waist.
~What the hell are you doing?~ She said to him alarmed.
Just wait.
Harper concentrated his energy and poured the thoughts into her mind.
Suddenly, she became aware of the person's thoughts.
[Why did you leave? Did you miss me? How can I talk to you? Do I like Mimi more? Would you mind if I were with Mimi? Who exactly is that kid? Do you like him? Why is he here? Why are you here? Why, Why, Why...]
They were Matt's thoughts.
Why was Harper sharing this with her?
[Do you hate me?]
Uh oh. Matt was getting sensitive. She spoke to him.
~Why do you think I hate you?~
Matt looked shocked. He looked at her. Unfortunately, she was up front with Harper, whose arm was still around her. He couldn't see her face.
[You've become so distant. It's like we never met.]
~I still care for you but things can never be as they were once before.~
[Ileana?]
~Yes?~
[Can we still be friends?]
~You don't even have to ask that.~
Matt smiled. Ileana could feel it. He could think peacefully now.
Abruptly, she stopped walking. She fell to the ground while everyone rushed to her side.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She stood in the center of a dark black dimension. The dragon of death suddenly appeared. He took the form of Matt.
/Child, you have come a step closer but you may not be able to save the ones you hold dear in your heart./
~Why must you do this to everyone?~
It then changed from Matt to Tai. /It is the cycle of life and death. You know it must be done./
~But why now? Why when I'm with them? I don't even know why they're here~
/They are here because of you/
~Great so now everything is my fault.~
/No but while you can't change the course of the past, the future may well be in your hands./
~Riddles now?~ She threw up her hands in frustration ~Give me time to send them back~
/I can't control that. It is all up to you however I do have control over one thing. You may choose up to four of the digidestined to send back to earth./
~Send the youngest ones back. Davis, Yolei, Ken, and Cody.~
/Very well/
The dragon's eyes flashed and for her, everything went black.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Ileana? Wake up." Matt shook her gently.
Suddenly, a gentle light surrounded them and then disappeared, taking Cody, Davis, Ken, and Yolei with them.
"What happened to them?" TK asked.
"It's like someone's taken them away." Kari said
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She became aware of voices. "Ile...wha...someone...taken...away..." Her vision blurred in and out then everything went dark again.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harper lifted her up into his arms so that he cradled her. It felt like he was carrying air. They started walking again.
"What happened?" Matt asked.
"I have no idea." Harper said softly.
"I wish our digimon were here. They'd probably know what happened." Mimi said
"Yeah, I really miss having Biyomon around." Sora said
Harper suddenly thought of something. "There's a reason why this has happened and if I'm correct, it has something to do with how strong your emotions are."
"What do you mean by that?" Matt asked suspiciously.
"It's all a game to see the outcome of the future."
Matt shook his head. This guy was definitely weird. At times he seemed to hate everyone but then he could also act as a hero set to right wrongs. He was irony itself and an oxymoron too.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ileana wake up
~Wha...I'm...I'm asleep?~
Yes you're asleep. Now wake up!
There was a long pause.
~I can't~
Great. How much do you weigh?
~I don't know whether to be offended or not.~
Just answer me.
~...No~
Fine. Be a bitch.
In her head, she smiled. He was just trying to provoke her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The desert turned bright orange at the fading of day. It was breathtaking when you thought actually stopped to watch it.
Matt had never watched the sunset before he met Ileana. She saw beauty even in the worst things.
"Well rest up here for the night." Harper said.
He set Ileana down on the ground. Then he pointed at the ground and muttered something too quiet for the rest to hear. A fire started while the others stared.
Harper suddenly noticed the gazes. "What?" he snapped.
They decided it would be safer to mind their own business.
He went to Ileana's side and took her in his arms.
I know you can hear me
~And just when I was having some peace too~
Very funny
~Why do you always pester me?~
That's none of your business
~Well if you're bothering me, it is my business~
I'm not going to tell you and you can't make me
He was acting like a five year old. Then again what could she expect from him? Well...actually, a lot. He could be very kind (but that usually happened when he wanted something) and then turn cold the next second. He was very strange.
~Fine. Be an asshole~
Harper laughed out loud.
The digidestined looked at him.
"What?" he snapped.
"Well you were laughing for no reason..." Joe trailed off.
"I was talking to her."
"Oh." Matt said as if that explained everything. Well to him it did.
~Harper, I'm going to sleep and please don't disturb me~
I'll do what I want, when I want
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next morning, Ileana was still unconscious.
"Shouldn't she be awake by now?" TK asked
"I haven't memorized her sleeping schedule so I don't know." Harper replied sarcastically
"I was just wondering." TK muttered
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ileana became aware of her surroundings gradually. She could feel warmth around her. Was it Matt? No, the person was too slim. It couldn't have been TK because he would have had a bounce in his walk. The person's strides were long, smooth, and precise. She inhaled the scent. It was a soft scent. Sort of like feathers. She wondered what happened earlier when suddenly the truth struck her.
~Harper~
What? He sounded annoyed.
Ileana felt something else
~We're near~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Early in the morning...
"Get up."
"But I'm tired..." Harper yawned.
"That's no excuse so get up." Ileana commanded
Harper looked at the sun. His eyes widened. "The sun hasn't even come up yet."
"Well you and I are going to have a little chat."
He sat up and looked her in the eye. "He's depressed over you." He said.
She sighed, "I know but things should be the way the should be. I don't need a soul mate right now and I don't want one. End of story."
She sat down on the sand next to him.
"He may not be your soul mate, you know."
"And if he isn't then he's very lucky, but are you trying to imply something?"
"No I'm not and I'd rather die than be your soul mate."
She nodded. "Good. Then we both understand it completely."
"Whatever you say." Harper said and put his hand over hers. "But he may be in more danger than you'd expect."
She withdrew her hand at his touch. "I'm sure he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself."
"He's very fragile even if he doesn't look it."
"I know." She whispered and they watched the sun rise.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Harper seems very mysterious don't you think?" Sora asked Mimi.
"Yeah. You know he's very cute." Mimi giggled
"I thought you liked Matt." Yolei said.
"Well I do but blonde haired, green eyed boys are hard to come across." Mimi said
"Whatever."
"Hey you guys!" Kari shouted, "It's time to get up. We have to start moving soon."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mimi kept staring at Matt who was staring at Harper who was staring at Ileana. Well Matt was sort of glaring. Ileana was just following the course that she knew by heart now. She'd only told them that she was looking for a shortcut because she wanted time to herself.
/It's been a while since I last saw Harper. He hasn't changed a bit but I wish he hadn't showed up/
You shouldn't keep your guard down like that.
Mentally, she cursed at herself.
~And you shouldn't pry into people's thoughts~ She retorted angrily.
You should hear what Matt's thinking right now.
~I respect people more than you and I don't go meddle with their thoughts.~
He's debating over you and that pink haired girl over there.
Harper sped up until his pace was up to Ileana's. He put his arm around her waist.
~What the hell are you doing?~ She said to him alarmed.
Just wait.
Harper concentrated his energy and poured the thoughts into her mind.
Suddenly, she became aware of the person's thoughts.
[Why did you leave? Did you miss me? How can I talk to you? Do I like Mimi more? Would you mind if I were with Mimi? Who exactly is that kid? Do you like him? Why is he here? Why are you here? Why, Why, Why...]
They were Matt's thoughts.
Why was Harper sharing this with her?
[Do you hate me?]
Uh oh. Matt was getting sensitive. She spoke to him.
~Why do you think I hate you?~
Matt looked shocked. He looked at her. Unfortunately, she was up front with Harper, whose arm was still around her. He couldn't see her face.
[You've become so distant. It's like we never met.]
~I still care for you but things can never be as they were once before.~
[Ileana?]
~Yes?~
[Can we still be friends?]
~You don't even have to ask that.~
Matt smiled. Ileana could feel it. He could think peacefully now.
Abruptly, she stopped walking. She fell to the ground while everyone rushed to her side.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She stood in the center of a dark black dimension. The dragon of death suddenly appeared. He took the form of Matt.
/Child, you have come a step closer but you may not be able to save the ones you hold dear in your heart./
~Why must you do this to everyone?~
It then changed from Matt to Tai. /It is the cycle of life and death. You know it must be done./
~But why now? Why when I'm with them? I don't even know why they're here~
/They are here because of you/
~Great so now everything is my fault.~
/No but while you can't change the course of the past, the future may well be in your hands./
~Riddles now?~ She threw up her hands in frustration ~Give me time to send them back~
/I can't control that. It is all up to you however I do have control over one thing. You may choose up to four of the digidestined to send back to earth./
~Send the youngest ones back. Davis, Yolei, Ken, and Cody.~
/Very well/
The dragon's eyes flashed and for her, everything went black.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Ileana? Wake up." Matt shook her gently.
Suddenly, a gentle light surrounded them and then disappeared, taking Cody, Davis, Ken, and Yolei with them.
"What happened to them?" TK asked.
"It's like someone's taken them away." Kari said
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She became aware of voices. "Ile...wha...someone...taken...away..." Her vision blurred in and out then everything went dark again.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harper lifted her up into his arms so that he cradled her. It felt like he was carrying air. They started walking again.
"What happened?" Matt asked.
"I have no idea." Harper said softly.
"I wish our digimon were here. They'd probably know what happened." Mimi said
"Yeah, I really miss having Biyomon around." Sora said
Harper suddenly thought of something. "There's a reason why this has happened and if I'm correct, it has something to do with how strong your emotions are."
"What do you mean by that?" Matt asked suspiciously.
"It's all a game to see the outcome of the future."
Matt shook his head. This guy was definitely weird. At times he seemed to hate everyone but then he could also act as a hero set to right wrongs. He was irony itself and an oxymoron too.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ileana wake up
~Wha...I'm...I'm asleep?~
Yes you're asleep. Now wake up!
There was a long pause.
~I can't~
Great. How much do you weigh?
~I don't know whether to be offended or not.~
Just answer me.
~...No~
Fine. Be a bitch.
In her head, she smiled. He was just trying to provoke her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The desert turned bright orange at the fading of day. It was breathtaking when you thought actually stopped to watch it.
Matt had never watched the sunset before he met Ileana. She saw beauty even in the worst things.
"Well rest up here for the night." Harper said.
He set Ileana down on the ground. Then he pointed at the ground and muttered something too quiet for the rest to hear. A fire started while the others stared.
Harper suddenly noticed the gazes. "What?" he snapped.
They decided it would be safer to mind their own business.
He went to Ileana's side and took her in his arms.
I know you can hear me
~And just when I was having some peace too~
Very funny
~Why do you always pester me?~
That's none of your business
~Well if you're bothering me, it is my business~
I'm not going to tell you and you can't make me
He was acting like a five year old. Then again what could she expect from him? Well...actually, a lot. He could be very kind (but that usually happened when he wanted something) and then turn cold the next second. He was very strange.
~Fine. Be an asshole~
Harper laughed out loud.
The digidestined looked at him.
"What?" he snapped.
"Well you were laughing for no reason..." Joe trailed off.
"I was talking to her."
"Oh." Matt said as if that explained everything. Well to him it did.
~Harper, I'm going to sleep and please don't disturb me~
I'll do what I want, when I want
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next morning, Ileana was still unconscious.
"Shouldn't she be awake by now?" TK asked
"I haven't memorized her sleeping schedule so I don't know." Harper replied sarcastically
"I was just wondering." TK muttered
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ileana became aware of her surroundings gradually. She could feel warmth around her. Was it Matt? No, the person was too slim. It couldn't have been TK because he would have had a bounce in his walk. The person's strides were long, smooth, and precise. She inhaled the scent. It was a soft scent. Sort of like feathers. She wondered what happened earlier when suddenly the truth struck her.
~Harper~
What? He sounded annoyed.
Ileana felt something else
~We're near~