"Lovers' quarrels are the renewal of love."- Terence [Publius Terentius Afer];
Andria (the lady of Andros).
Chapter 3: Love Hurts
The sunlight shined down on the building known by residents as Highton View Terrace. It
especially focused its rays on one bedroom in the apartment building. This bedroom looked just
like all the others with bunk beds, small closet, and a computer. Of course, this room was
personalized with posters of American rock bands and Japanese models. Two pictures were shown on
a bedside table. One was of the original Digidestined group along with Gennai in his
Mekanorimon, Ogremon, the virus Digimon who wasn't really a virus, Elecmon, the caretaker and
guardian of Primary Village, Andromon, and Centarumon, protector of the temple. A younger Kari
was holding a tiny Botamon in her arms. The second picture was of two kids, a boy and a girl.
The boy was wearing a blue T-shirt, khaki shorts and sneakers with a pair of goggles over his
forehead. The girl was dressed in a yellow T-shirt, blue jeans, sneakers, pink belt pack,
pink gloves, and a blue hunting cap.
Tai Kamiya yawned and sat up, hitting himself on the bunk above him.
"I need a bigger bed," Tai noted. "Or a smaller head." He got up and looked at Kari's bunk,
which was above his own. It was neatly made.
Putting on slippers, Tai walked zombie-like into the kitchen where his mother was fixing
breakfast.
"Morning, sweetie," Mrs. Kamiya greeted. "I made your favorite, Spinach Pancakes."
"That's nice," Tai muttered, forgetting for a moment how awful his mother's healthy recipes were.
"Where's Kari?"
"Oh, that's right." For a while, Mrs. Kamiya remained in thought like she was trying to remember
something. "She said that she was on her way to Yolei's house and that she'll be home late."
"That's nice."
"Oh, and Vanessa called. She wanted to know if you wanted to head to the movies tomorrow."
Tai's brain worked like a low-ram computer, trying to scrounge up information. Vanessa Paiyako,
fourteen, long brown hair, gray eyes, usually dresses in T-shirts (she puts a sweater over them
in the cold months) and blue jeans, current girlfriend.
That thought was like a splash of cold water on Tai. Was she his girlfriend? Well, maybe in a
literal sense, but in the sense that he was thinking... All of a sudden, Spinach Pancakes
sounded really appetizing. Tai dug in hoping it would take his mind off of Vanessa and what he
thought she thought the position their current relationship was in.
Mrs. Kamiya looked on with a mixed look of astonishment and enjoyment. Tai rarely eats any of
her home-cooked meals, now he was devouring pancakes like there was no tomorrow.
As Mrs. Kamiya prepared another pancake, she casually asked, "By the way, Tai, whatever happened
to your friend, Sora? The two of you used to play soccer every Saturday, but recently you've
been acting like she doesn't exist." Tai spit out the piece of pancake he was eating.
Everything was coming back to him now. Sora was mad at him because of the email. She was mad,
wasn't she? When they last talked, it was... Tai realized that the last time the two had a
serious talk was about two weeks before Diaboromon attacked, which was a week before he got that
hair clip for her birthday. That was when things started falling apart.
"Uh... Sora? She's been..." He didn't want to tell his mother the truth. He was too proud to
reveal something like that.
The phone ringing saved him. He jumped up and ran over to the phone.
"Hello, Kamiya Residence, this is Tai," he greeted.
"Tai, this is Izzy."
"Hey, Izzy, what's up?"
"I need you to bring that new computer software over."
"Computer software?"
"Yeah, you know, the DIGITAL program." Tai immediately got the hint. Any sentence with
'Digital' in it means they're talking about the Digital World. Tai had to play along with this
little charade.
"Is there something wrong with your version?" Tai asked, meaning 'are the new Digidestined in
trouble?'
"I don't think so. But Matt and Joe need a copy too." Translation: 'Maybe. Matt and Joe
already know.'
"What about..." Tai was reluctant to say Sora's name. It was awkward, especially since Izzy was
the first one he told about his problems in the midst of Diaboromon's invasion.
"She doesn't have the software." 'She doesn't know.' Apparently, Izzy knew what he was
thinking.
"I can give it to her." 'I'll tell her.'
"Sure. Just bring it over to my house." 'Meet me at my house and I'll tell you what's going
on.'
"Okay. Bye, Izzy." Tai hung up the phone. "Mom, is it okay if I go over to Izzy's house?"
"Sure, Tai. Just be sure to be back by dinner, I'm making Sea Weed Spaghetti."
"Lovely," Tai muttered. He took the cordless into his bedroom. It was time to bite the bullet,
face the music, look Death straight in the eye. In other words, talk to her despite what their
current situation. Tai activated the phone and dialed Sora's phone number.
Sora Takenouchi was usually an early riser. She didn't know why, it was just instinct she
supposed. Usually, on a Saturday, she would water her Mom's plants or clean up the house. Ever
since her first trip to the Digital World, her relationship with her mother was getting stronger
with each day. She was beginning to see why her mother enjoyed gardening.
Sora just got done sitting down to watch some television when the phone rang. Sora realized that
this was a good time to test the call-ID box she got for Christmas. On the screen above the
receiver, it said 'Tai.' Sora scowled. She was still upset at him for the hair clip thing and
the email. How could he just throw around words like that? She couldn't believe how insensitive
he was. She reached down and yanked the phone cord out of its jack.
Tai was surprised when a female voice announced, "The number you are trying to reach has been
disconnected. Please hang up and try again." Turning off the cordless, he thought about how to
inform her what was going on. The question wasn't how he would inform her, but would she believe
him?
Tai couldn't worry about that now, not when the Digital World might need his help again.
Pulling on some clothes, Tai rushed out to Izzy's apartment.
Sora re-inserted the phone jack and went to put her shoes on. She was supposed to be helping
teaching a weekend computer course at Odaiba Elementary.
Davis stared outside at the fishes. It was hard to believe that he was about fifty feet under.
What was keeping the water from crushing them? But then, as Cody pointed out once, anything is
possible in the Digital World.
"Something troubling you, young Davis?" Gennai walked into the room.
"Oh, hi, Gennai. I was just thinking about the prophecy you mentioned."
"Don't worry if you can't figure it out, I can't figure it out."
"It's not that, it was one of the verses. 'When hope and light unite with love.'"
"What about it?"
"Well, T.J. has the crest of hope and Kari has the crest of light."
"True."
"Does that mean that they are destined to be together?"
"You know it is possible that that isn't what it means. Don't forget, Sora has the crest of
love. It could simply mean that in the future, something will happen that will require the
three of them to work together."
"No, I'm pretty sure that's not what it means. Aw man, here I've been trying long and hard to
get Kari to be my girlfriend and here comes T.P. and all he does is flex his muscles and she's
all over him like a cheap suit."
Gennai coughed to cover up the laugh. "Davis, how old are you?"
"Twelve. I'm going to be thirteen soon."
"Davis, if it makes you feel any better, Tai didn't spend all that time in the Digital World
trying to get Sora to like him, he was trying to concentrate on saving two worlds."
"I don't understand."
"Stop trying so hard. You'll find that things are much easier if you don't force them. And
besides, Kari really doesn't seem to be your type. She's conservative and you're..."
"A crazy psycho?"
"Actually, I was going to say rambunctious but we're talking about you and if you want to say
you're a crazy psycho then you're a crazy psycho."
"Thanks... hey, wait a minute! Okay, smart guy, you say Kari doesn't seem to be my type, then
who does sound like my type?"
"I don't know." Davis facefaulted. "However, I can tell you this: sometimes, who you're looking
for is closer than you think."
{Aw great,} Davis moaned. It was bad enough they had to figure out the meaning of the prophecy,
but now he needed to understand Gennai's cryptic message for himself.
Before he could ask Gennai what he meant, Gennai said, "It's time. The portal should be open by
now." Davis and Gennai left the mansion and joined Veemon and the rest of the Digidestined on
the surface.
"It's about time," Yolei scolded. "We've been waiting here for twenty stupid minutes. Where
were you?" Obviously, her anger was focused on Davis.
"Davis was helping me feed the fish," Gennai explained. "And believe me, there are a LOT of
fish." Davis quickly nodded his head confirming Gennai's statement. "Now, the portal is right
over there." Gennai pointed to a small clearing. Sure enough, a giant circle of energy stood
there.
"So this is how Agumon and Tentomon got onto the Internet," Cody said. He then whistled. "It's
big."
"It's grown since I last saw it," Gennai agreed. "I suggest you guys take Raidramon, Halsemon,
Submarimon, Pegasusmon, and Nefertimon. They'll be able to get you there quickly."
"But Submarimon only works in water," Cody said.
"Well, you will be going into a stream. A data stream that is." Despite the pun, Gennai's
suggestion made sense.
Again, they all called out, "Digi-armor energize!"
"Veemon, armor-digivolve to... Raidramon, the Storm of Friendship!"
"Hawkmon, armor-digivolve to... Halsemon, the Wings of Love!"
"Armadillomon, armor-digivolve to... Submarimon, the Reliable Guardian of the Sea!"
"Patamon, armor-digivolve to... Pegasusmon, Flying Hope!"
"Gatomon, armor-digivolve to... Nefertimon, the Angel of Light!" The Digidestined mounted their
armor Digimon.
"Good luck," Gennai called. "One fact, the portal will remain open 'til around sundown. Once
that happens, you'll be trapped on the Internet until it opens again at sunrise."
"We understand, Gennai. Thanks," Kari called.
"Let's go." Davis led the charge through the portal. The others followed.
Gennai sighed. "It's up to them now."
Andria (the lady of Andros).
Chapter 3: Love Hurts
The sunlight shined down on the building known by residents as Highton View Terrace. It
especially focused its rays on one bedroom in the apartment building. This bedroom looked just
like all the others with bunk beds, small closet, and a computer. Of course, this room was
personalized with posters of American rock bands and Japanese models. Two pictures were shown on
a bedside table. One was of the original Digidestined group along with Gennai in his
Mekanorimon, Ogremon, the virus Digimon who wasn't really a virus, Elecmon, the caretaker and
guardian of Primary Village, Andromon, and Centarumon, protector of the temple. A younger Kari
was holding a tiny Botamon in her arms. The second picture was of two kids, a boy and a girl.
The boy was wearing a blue T-shirt, khaki shorts and sneakers with a pair of goggles over his
forehead. The girl was dressed in a yellow T-shirt, blue jeans, sneakers, pink belt pack,
pink gloves, and a blue hunting cap.
Tai Kamiya yawned and sat up, hitting himself on the bunk above him.
"I need a bigger bed," Tai noted. "Or a smaller head." He got up and looked at Kari's bunk,
which was above his own. It was neatly made.
Putting on slippers, Tai walked zombie-like into the kitchen where his mother was fixing
breakfast.
"Morning, sweetie," Mrs. Kamiya greeted. "I made your favorite, Spinach Pancakes."
"That's nice," Tai muttered, forgetting for a moment how awful his mother's healthy recipes were.
"Where's Kari?"
"Oh, that's right." For a while, Mrs. Kamiya remained in thought like she was trying to remember
something. "She said that she was on her way to Yolei's house and that she'll be home late."
"That's nice."
"Oh, and Vanessa called. She wanted to know if you wanted to head to the movies tomorrow."
Tai's brain worked like a low-ram computer, trying to scrounge up information. Vanessa Paiyako,
fourteen, long brown hair, gray eyes, usually dresses in T-shirts (she puts a sweater over them
in the cold months) and blue jeans, current girlfriend.
That thought was like a splash of cold water on Tai. Was she his girlfriend? Well, maybe in a
literal sense, but in the sense that he was thinking... All of a sudden, Spinach Pancakes
sounded really appetizing. Tai dug in hoping it would take his mind off of Vanessa and what he
thought she thought the position their current relationship was in.
Mrs. Kamiya looked on with a mixed look of astonishment and enjoyment. Tai rarely eats any of
her home-cooked meals, now he was devouring pancakes like there was no tomorrow.
As Mrs. Kamiya prepared another pancake, she casually asked, "By the way, Tai, whatever happened
to your friend, Sora? The two of you used to play soccer every Saturday, but recently you've
been acting like she doesn't exist." Tai spit out the piece of pancake he was eating.
Everything was coming back to him now. Sora was mad at him because of the email. She was mad,
wasn't she? When they last talked, it was... Tai realized that the last time the two had a
serious talk was about two weeks before Diaboromon attacked, which was a week before he got that
hair clip for her birthday. That was when things started falling apart.
"Uh... Sora? She's been..." He didn't want to tell his mother the truth. He was too proud to
reveal something like that.
The phone ringing saved him. He jumped up and ran over to the phone.
"Hello, Kamiya Residence, this is Tai," he greeted.
"Tai, this is Izzy."
"Hey, Izzy, what's up?"
"I need you to bring that new computer software over."
"Computer software?"
"Yeah, you know, the DIGITAL program." Tai immediately got the hint. Any sentence with
'Digital' in it means they're talking about the Digital World. Tai had to play along with this
little charade.
"Is there something wrong with your version?" Tai asked, meaning 'are the new Digidestined in
trouble?'
"I don't think so. But Matt and Joe need a copy too." Translation: 'Maybe. Matt and Joe
already know.'
"What about..." Tai was reluctant to say Sora's name. It was awkward, especially since Izzy was
the first one he told about his problems in the midst of Diaboromon's invasion.
"She doesn't have the software." 'She doesn't know.' Apparently, Izzy knew what he was
thinking.
"I can give it to her." 'I'll tell her.'
"Sure. Just bring it over to my house." 'Meet me at my house and I'll tell you what's going
on.'
"Okay. Bye, Izzy." Tai hung up the phone. "Mom, is it okay if I go over to Izzy's house?"
"Sure, Tai. Just be sure to be back by dinner, I'm making Sea Weed Spaghetti."
"Lovely," Tai muttered. He took the cordless into his bedroom. It was time to bite the bullet,
face the music, look Death straight in the eye. In other words, talk to her despite what their
current situation. Tai activated the phone and dialed Sora's phone number.
Sora Takenouchi was usually an early riser. She didn't know why, it was just instinct she
supposed. Usually, on a Saturday, she would water her Mom's plants or clean up the house. Ever
since her first trip to the Digital World, her relationship with her mother was getting stronger
with each day. She was beginning to see why her mother enjoyed gardening.
Sora just got done sitting down to watch some television when the phone rang. Sora realized that
this was a good time to test the call-ID box she got for Christmas. On the screen above the
receiver, it said 'Tai.' Sora scowled. She was still upset at him for the hair clip thing and
the email. How could he just throw around words like that? She couldn't believe how insensitive
he was. She reached down and yanked the phone cord out of its jack.
Tai was surprised when a female voice announced, "The number you are trying to reach has been
disconnected. Please hang up and try again." Turning off the cordless, he thought about how to
inform her what was going on. The question wasn't how he would inform her, but would she believe
him?
Tai couldn't worry about that now, not when the Digital World might need his help again.
Pulling on some clothes, Tai rushed out to Izzy's apartment.
Sora re-inserted the phone jack and went to put her shoes on. She was supposed to be helping
teaching a weekend computer course at Odaiba Elementary.
Davis stared outside at the fishes. It was hard to believe that he was about fifty feet under.
What was keeping the water from crushing them? But then, as Cody pointed out once, anything is
possible in the Digital World.
"Something troubling you, young Davis?" Gennai walked into the room.
"Oh, hi, Gennai. I was just thinking about the prophecy you mentioned."
"Don't worry if you can't figure it out, I can't figure it out."
"It's not that, it was one of the verses. 'When hope and light unite with love.'"
"What about it?"
"Well, T.J. has the crest of hope and Kari has the crest of light."
"True."
"Does that mean that they are destined to be together?"
"You know it is possible that that isn't what it means. Don't forget, Sora has the crest of
love. It could simply mean that in the future, something will happen that will require the
three of them to work together."
"No, I'm pretty sure that's not what it means. Aw man, here I've been trying long and hard to
get Kari to be my girlfriend and here comes T.P. and all he does is flex his muscles and she's
all over him like a cheap suit."
Gennai coughed to cover up the laugh. "Davis, how old are you?"
"Twelve. I'm going to be thirteen soon."
"Davis, if it makes you feel any better, Tai didn't spend all that time in the Digital World
trying to get Sora to like him, he was trying to concentrate on saving two worlds."
"I don't understand."
"Stop trying so hard. You'll find that things are much easier if you don't force them. And
besides, Kari really doesn't seem to be your type. She's conservative and you're..."
"A crazy psycho?"
"Actually, I was going to say rambunctious but we're talking about you and if you want to say
you're a crazy psycho then you're a crazy psycho."
"Thanks... hey, wait a minute! Okay, smart guy, you say Kari doesn't seem to be my type, then
who does sound like my type?"
"I don't know." Davis facefaulted. "However, I can tell you this: sometimes, who you're looking
for is closer than you think."
{Aw great,} Davis moaned. It was bad enough they had to figure out the meaning of the prophecy,
but now he needed to understand Gennai's cryptic message for himself.
Before he could ask Gennai what he meant, Gennai said, "It's time. The portal should be open by
now." Davis and Gennai left the mansion and joined Veemon and the rest of the Digidestined on
the surface.
"It's about time," Yolei scolded. "We've been waiting here for twenty stupid minutes. Where
were you?" Obviously, her anger was focused on Davis.
"Davis was helping me feed the fish," Gennai explained. "And believe me, there are a LOT of
fish." Davis quickly nodded his head confirming Gennai's statement. "Now, the portal is right
over there." Gennai pointed to a small clearing. Sure enough, a giant circle of energy stood
there.
"So this is how Agumon and Tentomon got onto the Internet," Cody said. He then whistled. "It's
big."
"It's grown since I last saw it," Gennai agreed. "I suggest you guys take Raidramon, Halsemon,
Submarimon, Pegasusmon, and Nefertimon. They'll be able to get you there quickly."
"But Submarimon only works in water," Cody said.
"Well, you will be going into a stream. A data stream that is." Despite the pun, Gennai's
suggestion made sense.
Again, they all called out, "Digi-armor energize!"
"Veemon, armor-digivolve to... Raidramon, the Storm of Friendship!"
"Hawkmon, armor-digivolve to... Halsemon, the Wings of Love!"
"Armadillomon, armor-digivolve to... Submarimon, the Reliable Guardian of the Sea!"
"Patamon, armor-digivolve to... Pegasusmon, Flying Hope!"
"Gatomon, armor-digivolve to... Nefertimon, the Angel of Light!" The Digidestined mounted their
armor Digimon.
"Good luck," Gennai called. "One fact, the portal will remain open 'til around sundown. Once
that happens, you'll be trapped on the Internet until it opens again at sunrise."
"We understand, Gennai. Thanks," Kari called.
"Let's go." Davis led the charge through the portal. The others followed.
Gennai sighed. "It's up to them now."