Part 5:
"Hey, Sora, wait up!"
"Oh, Tai," she said, nervously moving a wrapped box around in her hands.
"Something smells good," Agumon said.
"Matt's busy getting ready, but, I'll take those to him," Gabumon said.
"I bet you will," Biyomon snapped,"No way, you'll eat the whole thing yourself!"
"So, um, Sora, are you going to the concert with anybody-I'm mean, not that it matters to me... just wondering...."
"No, I want to be available in case Matt is free afterwards, heh."
"Oh, I see, Matt, huh?"
"Mmm hmm," she said, blushing slightly.
"It's okay."
"You mean, you're not mad at me, Tai?"
"No, of course not! Now, get in there and say hi to Matt for me."
"Thanks Tai."
"The least you could do is leave us the cookies," Agumon said.
"Tell you what, I'll make some special ones for you."
"I'll be waiting, thanks."
"You know what, Tai?" Agumon asked.
"What?"
"You've really grown up."
Tai shook his head fiercely, shaking the memory out of his head. "How could I have been so stupid?!" he asked himself,"I'm not dumb, not blind or deaf. I knew that Sora was turning to Matt. I could see that. All I had to do was tell her how I really felt! It wasn't too late at the concert either. She seemed guilty, I could have just told her, but...."
Agumon coughed at his side. "I meant what I said that day," he said,"You really grew up from the first time we went into the Digital World. You thought about other peoples feelings before your own."
Tai sighed as they continued to walk through the jungles on File Island. "And I could have had her for sure when Azulongmon gave his warning. All I had to do was give up the power he gave me and push it onto Matt. Then I could have been with Sora."
"But," Agumon said,"If you could go back in time and give up the power, would you really?"
Tai thought for a long moment, then chuckled as he half-smiled. "Nah! Being the strongest Digidestined, is kind of cool."
"Actually," Agumon said,"I would think that T.K., Kari, or Davis would be the strongest."
"Hey," Tai said, still smiling,"You're hurting yourself too! T.K. or Kari don't have a Mega Digimon, and Davis needed Ken's help to gain a Mega Digimon."
"Well," Agumon said, crossing his arms,"I wasn't talking about me, I was just talking about you."
Tai was about to say something else, when his D-terminal started beeping. Tai took it out of his pocket and flipped it open. Instead of an e-mail, a transparent head appeared from the screen, like a projection. "Who are you?" Tai asked.
The head nodded. "I am Nariko."
"N-Nariko?" Tai asked,"The one with Oikawa?"
She nodded, sadly. "Yes, I am contacting you from Izzy's computer system."
"Izzy doesn't let anyone touch his computers," Tai said,"You must be a very capable computer expert."
She shook her head. "No, I'm nowhere near as skilled as Izzy, but I am also a psychic..."
"Stay out of my thoughts," Tai said,"They're not pretty."
"Davis would like to know what is your progress on finding Daemon?" Nariko asked.
"We're close," Agumon said,"I think that he's on top of Infinity Mountain, we'll be there soon."
Nariko's projected head nodded. "I'll relay the message." She disappeared into the D-terminal.
Nariko removed the helmet from her head and placed it on top of the computer monitor. She sighed and turned around. The rest of the warehouse stretched far and full of injured Digimon that Joe and others were hurrying to treat. The screen to the laptop resting on the table next to her light up brightly. A second later Michael and Ken appeared with a group of Numemon and a Monzemon.
"Joe," Ken called out,"We've got some more for you."
Joe stood up from where he had just finished applying a bandage to an injured Bakemon. "Great," he said, sighing,"Lay them where you can. I'll be right there."
"We can't keep going on like this," Michael said,"Joe's the only one qualified to treat these Digimon, but, there are at least a hundred Digimon here."
"And there's bound to be more that survived," Ken said.
Nariko sat quietly as she watched the conversation. She turned from Ken and Michael to the first bed on the right. It contained Matt with Sora sitting at his side. Nariko didn't understand why some of the Digidestined were unhappy that Sora was with Matt. She was clearly in love with him, and she was a new addition to the them, why couldn't the senior members see that?
Her eyes drifted to the next bed. A Mojyamon lay, barely conscious. Kari was seated at his side, her hands together in a prayer. That's when Nariko realized that the Mojyamon had died. He would soon be turned back into Digital Information, but, Kari felt that each life deserved remembrance and mourning. Kari was the only mind that Nariko could not enter. Kari was also a psychic, and had erected powerful barriers that were not there a day before. Nariko knew that Kari was hiding something, but what?
"Do you remember the last time we were here?" Tai asked, as he and Agumon climbed up the rock side of the mountain.
"Yeah," Agumon said,"Devimon almost got us that time, didn't he?"
"Well, it was our first major battle," Tai said, reaching over the edge of the cliff,"We really didn't know how to fight at that point, but, we're the best now, huh?"
Tai pulled himself onto the cliff. He then turned around and pulled Agumon up. "I think we made it," Tai said.
Agumon looked at the small building that resembled the Parthenon. "Yeah, Daemon's definitely in there, " he said,"Let's go."
The inside of the square building was just a normal square room. There was nothing inside except for shadows and darkness. Digidestined and Digimon walked into the middle of the room, their heads scanning every inch of the darkness. "I don't think he's here," Tai said.
"Oh," a voice said,"Were you looking for me? Perhaps I should turn on the lights."
The room was suddenly lit up bright, pushing the darkness into the far reaches of the corners. Tai and Agumon were shocked to discover that only a few inches in front of them was a large, square box with a tall, cylinder reaching the ceiling, filled with a metallic liquid. In front of the machine was Daemon himself.
"I knew you were here!" Agumon said, pointing his claw at Daemon.
Daemon laughed."Of course I am! I do not hide away like a coward!"
"What are you doing on this island?!" Tai shouted,"Why are your Daemon Corps massacring all the Digimon on this island?"
Daemon laughed in his deep, raspy voice. "I must prepare the Digital World for the coming of my master, the Child of Darkness."
"Child of Darkness?" Tai asked,"But-but that's what Azulongmon warned us about...."
"Ha ha ha!" Daemon laughed, "Azulongmon studied the possible future timeliness of this world, and in many futures he saw the arrival of the Child of Darkness. He tried to prevent it by telling you about it, however, it was useless. The future cannot be altered."
"How do you know about this?" Tai asked,"Azulongmon wouldn't tell you about his visions."
"You don't understand," Daemon said,"While Azulongmon saw a vision of the future, many Digimon before him have also studied the possible futures. A prophecy hidden deep in the Dino Ruins of this very island depict a massive battle of good against evil, that would mark the end of the rein of Azulongmon and the other three Digital Gods, called the Night of Destiny. The Child of Light, versus, the Child of Darkness. Azulongmon simply confirmed that the prophecy would come true."
Tai and Agumon looked at each other, than back at Daemon. "So, you're killing all these Digimon as a sacrifice to the Child of Darkness?"
"That is correct," he said,"My master must have a kingdom to rule."
"This guy is insane," Tai told Agumon,"But, he's also dangerous. Get him."
"Wait," Daemon said, holding up his hand,"Might I suggest we do not battle here. The large vial behind me contains a virus that is very contagious in its current stage."
"What?" Tai asked.
Daemon laughed. "The Cyberdyne Virus is a very ingenious invention."
"Cyberdyne Virus?" Tai asked.
Daemon laughed again. "A virus created by Myotismon while he was inside of Oikawa. Its purpose was to make him stronger."
"What does it do?"
"It changes a Digimon into a cybernetic being, but, the side effect is you must become something of a vampire type creature. The virus needs a high amount of energy to function. Myotismon solved this problem with the energy of the Dark Spores. He injected himself with the virus and used the Dark Spores to power the virus, and became Malomyotismon. I was going to infect this island with it."
"You are truly insane," Tai said,"Finish him off, Agumon."
"Agumon warp digivovle to Wargreymon!"
Wargreymon launched forward and grabbed Daemon tightly with his claws. He pushed up with his feet, crashing through the roof of the building. Tai shielded himself, then yelled at his Digimon,"Wargreymon, what are you doing?"
In the air above the building, Wargreymon pushed himself away from Daemon. "I don't want to risk unleashing the virus," he said.
"Oh, right."
Daemon laughed. "A noble idea, but, after I defeat you, I will unleash the virus. Evil Inferno!"
Wargreymon flung his gauntlets over his face. The stream of fire bounced off harmlessly. Then Wargreymon shot forward quickly, bringing his foot up and slammed Daemon in the stomach.
The evil Mega hovered in the air for a few seconds, then resumed his attack. He quickly brought his fist around and pelted Wargreymon in the face. He then brought his other fist around and slammed Tai's Digimon on the other side. Then Daemon placed his hands together and nailed Wargreymon on the top of the head, sending him crashing into the floor of the building.
"Wargreymon, are you okay?" Tai asked.
His Digimon mumbled something as he got to his feet. He looked up through the giant hole in the ceiling and saw Daemon zooming down towards him, his claws pointed out. Wargreymon rolled forward, missing Daemon.
Daemon couldn't pull himself up in time. He slammed into the vial of green liquid, shattering it. He moaned as the virus gushed over him and the mechanical equipment. The green slime continued to slither quickly across the ground towards Tai. Wargreymon quickly grabbed Tai and flew out of the building with him.
Outside, they turned around and watched in horror as the green liquid started to seep over the stone of the building, turning it into a shinny, metal color. "Daemon was telling the truth," Tai said,"The...the Cyberdyne Virus is going to infect this entire island."
"No, it won't," Wargreymon said, dropping Tai a safe distance from the building,"I'll destroy the virus before I allow that to happen."
He soared high into the air, and placed his hands over his head. "Terra Force!" He threw the glowing orange ball at the changing building. It exploded in a brilliant blast of light and fire. Tai had to shield his eyes from the mighty blast. When it was over, any trace of the building was gone, along with the Cyberdyne Virus."
Tai breathed a sigh of relief as Wargreymon landed beside him. "Good job," he said, as his Digimon returned to his Agumon stage,"I'll have to get Izzy down here as soon as possible though, to determine if the virus really is gone."
Agumon nodded. "Tai?" he asked,"What's wrong?"
"It's just....well, Daemon was telling the truth about the Cyberdyne Virus, what if he was telling the truth about the prophecy too?"
"But," Agumon said,"That would mean that..."
Just then, his D-terminal went off. He opened it and found Nariko's projected head appear again. "I've registered an explosion on the top of Infinity Mountain, are you okay?"
"Yes," Tai said,"But, Daemon had some sort of contagious virus that was accidentally released. I think that Wargreymon destroyed it, but, I want everyone off of File Island until we can determine that the virus is gone."
"I am not registering any other Digimon on File Island, except for Agumon," Nariko sad sadly, "The only survivors either fled, or are with us now-wait!"
"What is it?"
"Someone has just entered File Island....its Kasumi! What's she doing there?"
"Darn it!" Tai said,"I'll get her, don't worry."
"So," Matt said, swinging his drink around in his hand,"When do you think the right time to ask a girl to marry you is?"
Davis spit out his drink and T.K. almost bit down on his glass, which would have ripped apart his mouth.
"What?" Matt asked, leaning back in his chair at the restaurant.
Davis put down his mug on the table. "Matt, you're only eighteen..."
"So?" he asked,"When I was injured in the File Island Massacre earlier today, I realized that in this line of work, there is no guarantee of 'Happily Ever After'. I want to at least be married to the love of my life, in case something should happen to me."
"Nothing is going to happen to you," T.K. said, placing his hand on Matt's shoulder,"Besides, you've only been dating Sora for a couple of months."
"I know," Matt said, going back to swishing his drink around,"But I've know her for about six years."
"Tai's known her longer," Davis mumbled.
"What was that?" Matt asked.
"Nothing!" Davis said, taking a sip of his drink,"Nothing at all."
"All I'm saying is," T.K. said,"That you should really think about this."
"Yeah," Matt said, taking a deep drink,"I know, but, my heart is telling me to do something else."
He got up to leave, then leaned forward,"By the way, please don't tell anyone about this. I'm not sure about anything."
"Now what do I do?" Davis asked himself,"Do I tell Tai something I think he should know, or do I keep it from him?"
Tai put his hands together,"Kasumi!" he shouted. He stopped walking and shouted again,"Kasumi!"
He started running through the forest of File Island. "Darn her!" he said,"She should know better than this. Kasumi! Are you okay?! Kasumi!"
Agumon ran up beside him. "I can't find her anywhere."
He put his hands together and shouted again."Kasumi!"
"I'm okay....Mr. Kamiya," she said, appearing from behind a tree.
"What do you think you were doing?" he asked,"I ordered that no one was suppose to enter this island!"
"I'm sorry," she said, looking at the ground,"I...I just...I just wanted to see this place. This island was destroyed where I came from, I..I just wanted to see how beautiful it was."
Tai smiled slightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell, I..I'm just worried about your safety. I never lost a Digidestined before, and I don't want to start."
"That's okay," Kasumi thought,"Daddy."
She looked to the ground. "This is the moment I've been dreading. Do I tell him who I really am? But, my mother is Sora Takenouchi, only, in this reality, she's in love with Matt."
Tai walked over and placed his hand on Kasumi's shoulder. "We really have to go."
"I know, Mr. Kamiya," she said,"I'm ready." As they started walking, she thought about her situation. "If I tell him, I'll open wounds that have barely begun to close. I saw how he reacted when he saw Matt and...mom together. If I tell him, I'll always remind him of what could have been, and I'll always be there to get between my mother and Matt."
"So," Tai said,"Nariko told me that you're from the future.."
"A future," she said,"a possible future to this time line, most likely the future for another reality, but, we won't know the future until we get there."
Tai nodded. "I...um..understand your...uh...parents died.."
She nodded. "In my world, a world overrun by Myotismon, the were killed. I then led the Digidestined, and, I tried to go back in time to prevent that future, but, instead of going straight back, I went back, and 'over' into this world."
Tai nodded. "So, um...tell me...tell me about your father."
Kasumi smiled. "They, uh, really broke the mold when they made him, or, that's what my mother always said. My father died when I was really young. I wish I could have gotten to know him."
"Don't worry," Tai said, placing his arm around her shoulder,"I'm sure that your father would be very proud of you."
Kasumi smiled. "I'm not going to tell him," she thought,"Suddenly, I've got the feeling that I don't need to."
When they exited the Digital Gate, Tai was greeted in the warehouse by a surprise."Miriya?" he asked, a smile crossing over his mouth,"What are you doing here?"
Miriya had a sad expression on her face as she walked towards him. "I called your apartment, and Kari brought me."
"What's wrong?" Tai asked, placing his hand on Miriya's shoulder.
"I...my father just got transfered," she said, sadly,"We..we're moving."
"W-what?" Tai asked.
"I'm sorry," Miriya said,"But...I'm going to be leaving Tokyo soon."
Tai felt his heart being ripped out again, the wounds opened once more."No, you can't. We...we were just...."
"Come with me then," Miriya said,"Come with us."
"W-what?" he asked.
"My parents would love you," she said,"Please?"
"I-I don't know," he said, pushing himself away from her,"I..I need to think about this."
They heard someone cough. Turning around, Tai saw Davis and T.K. standing a few inches away from them. "There's something we need to tell you," T.K. said.
"Hey, Kasumi," Sora said, sitting down across from her,"You wanted to see me?"
Kasumi nodded as she watched the woman she knew as her mother sit down on the other side of the cafeteria table."Yeah, I...uh..I need to tell you something."
"Well," Sora said,"I don't understand why we had to meet in the mall food court, but, what's up?"
Kasumi took a deep breath. "Well...you've..ah..heard where and when I from, right?"
She nodded. "An alternate reality future that may turn into this reality's future, why?"
"Well," Kasumi said,"My...parents in that-er, my world, are also, in this one."
"I kind of figured that," Sora said, smiling slightly.
"Oh," Kasumi thought,"that smile...I remember that smile on your face whenever you'd tell me things would be okay. You always told me that as long as I believed in myself, I could do anything, and I can!"
"Kasumi?" Sora asked.
Kasumi took a deep breath."Well, my parents are core members of the Digidestined."
"Really?" Sora asked, raising an eye brow,"Then, I know them."
"You....know my mother very well," she said, looking at the table.
Sora didn't say anything for a long time. Kasumi looked back up and found that Sora was staring at her, strangely. "It..." Sora mumbled,"I...am your..m-m-mother, aren't I?"
Kasumi nodded.
"W-who's the f-father?"
"I'm not going to say," Kasumi said, looking at the table,"I don't want to ruin anything with your life."
Sora nodded. "Well," she said, quickly getting up,"I...I need some time alone."
"Sure," Kasumi said, watching her mother walk away from her.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kari asked again.
"Yes," Tai said, walking into the Digidestined's warehouse,"I'm sure."
"But, you can't," Kari said,"We need you."
"No, you don't," Tai said, opening the door,"You don't need me anymore."
Tai walked inside the warehouse, followed closely by Kari. She moaned slightly as she walked up the inside step. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Kari said, rubbing her back,"Just a little sore, that's all."
Tai accepted this and walked over to where Davis was playing with a group of young Baby Digimon. A Punimon jumped up and bounced a ball off of its head. A Botamon jumped up and bounced the ball towards the door. "Watch it, Tai," Davis said.
"No problem," Tai said, dropping his suitcase. He gently head butted the ball back towards the playing Digimon.
"I guess we don't have to worry about you losing your soccer skills, huh?" Davis asked, walking up to Tai,"You're really leaving then, huh?"
He nodded. "I really can't stay here with Matt and Sora becoming man and wife. I can't deal with that right now. I will though, I will get over it, but, I can't right now. I need some time away. Take care of things while I'm gone, okay? You're in charge now."
Davis nodded as Michael, Ken, Yolei, Izzy, and Nariko walked over to him. "Has Miriya told her parents, yet?"
Tai nodded. "They're kind of in-between happy and sad right now. I'm probably not going to live with them, I'll get an apartment or something nearby."
"You've got to do what you've got to do," Davis said, bowing in front of Tai.
"My heart goes out with you," Michael said, shaking Tai's hand,"I, too, know about heartache, and having to leave from the problem."
"I don't want to pry," Tai said,"So I won't ask, but.."
Michael nodded. "I promised I'll help the Digidestined here, and I will."
"Thanks," Tai said, smiling. He said his farewells to each of the other Digidestined, then hugged his sister tight.
"Hey," she said, with tears in her eyes,"Keep in touch, okay?"
He nodded, removing his D-terminal from his pocket. "If you ever need me."
She nodded. "Good bye."
to be continued.....