Me: I don't own Digimon or Pokémon.
Chloe: We're glad you don't.
Me: And…that's all I have to say. BTW, this chappie will have quite a bit of Takloe and it might confuse you on my couples. Don't worry about it; Chloe and T.K. will explain it.
T.K.: Uh, we will?
Me: Yes you will. Oh yeah, some Takari and slight Tailoe (not a whole lot due to the Takloe) AAMR will be in her but not a whole lot. Let's see, oh and a little Koumi. I think that just about covers it all. Aaaaaaand, let's go!
Chapter 9- Chloe's Crest of Life
Mewtwo threw a dark sphere at MaloMyotismon. Lugia followed with an Aeroblast from his mouth. The evil Digimon leered wickedly as the attacks slammed against them. "Was that supposed to hurt? SCREAMING DARKNESS!"
"No, but this should!" MetalGarurumon fought against the powerful wind current and launched a missile from his chest. "GIGA MISSILE!"
"STARLIGHT EXPLOSION!" screeched Phoenixmon, sending brilliant flames at MaloMyotismon.
"TERRA FOOOOOOORCE!" The glowing energy ball flew from WarGreymon's large claws.
Not far away, Daemon and Apoclamon were doing battle with the other Megas. "EVIL INFERNO!" The giant fireball threatened to explode on impact as Daemon hurled it at Serephimon and Magnadramon.
"STRIKE OF THE SEVEN STARS!" Serephimon cried as he formed seven orbs between his hands, which dashed at the exploding fireball.
"DRAGON FIRE!" Magnadramon shot a jet of flames from her mouth, absorbing the intense fireball in them and using it to her advantage.
Apoclamon changed one of his claws into the head of MetalSeadramon. "RIVER OF POWEEEEEEER!"
HerculesKabutarimon countered the blue beam with his own major attack. "MEGA ELECTRO SHOCKER!"
Rosemon used her thorn whip to secure Apoclamon in position. "You aren't going anywhere."
"WATER TAIL BLASTER!" cried Pleciomon and towers of water emerged to properly soak the Ultimate.
Despite these temporary reprieves, it was impossible to tell who was winning.
"How long will this go on?" Kari wondered.
* * *
Elsewhere, T.K. watched his crest glow. He stared at it. Hope. There was still hope. He could still stop this horrendous battle and destroy the darkness. All he had to was believe. Again, he looked at the war raging between the Digimon and the two Pokémon. This was never supposed to exist…because the portal was never supposed to exist! If I didn't open the portal to the world of Pokémon, this fight wouldn't be going on right now. He cursed himself for being so foolish but his eyes landed on Ash, Misty, Brock, Tracey, Pikachu, and Chloe. Light played off of their determined faces.
If I didn't open up that portal, I never would've met them. I never would've seen what great friends they are or how loyal their Pokémon can be. I never would have found a world where humans and creatures work and live in peace; so unlike our own. Ash and Chloe wouldn't have gotten their crests. Our worlds wouldn't be in danger…but we wouldn't be friends either.
T.K.'s whole body began to glow with radiant white light, bright as the sun. He knew his true purpose in this fight. He had to decide. I have to use my body to seal off the portal and prevent this from ever happening. But what good would that do if I never see the trainers again? He looked at his dear friends. I would never see Ash and his smiling face, Misty and her quick temper, Brock and his girl-craziness, Tracey and his amazing sketches, Pikachu and its cheerfulness. His blue eyes zeroed in on Chloe. And I would never see Chloe…and her unique abilities…her compassionate nature…and the strange feeling she sets in my heart.
He knew what the pleasurable feeling was. Love. There was no other word for it. In such a short amount of time, he had grown to love the beautiful headstrong girl. But it's not the love of a lover…it's not the same…I feel no passion or attraction…well okay, I do feel attraction…but I don't feel desire like I do for Kari. So what is it? What is this strange feeling?
T.K. shook his head, trying to clear his brain. "I need to give myself up. It's the only way to save us all." Without another word, he slowly turned to gaze upon the people he about so much. His mother and father and brother, Patamon and the other good Digimon, Pikachu and the Pokémon, Chloe and Ash and the rest of the trainers, Mrs. Ketchum and Professor Oak, and the Digidestined. There's no turning back now.
"T.K.? Hello? Anyone in there?"
The blond boy gave a gasp and shifted his gaze to the front of him. Chloe had teleported over to his side only seconds earlier. Her dark hair flowed around her but her face was a mask of determination. T.K. could see her eyes however, were holding fear.
"What's going on?" she asked him, her voice worried.
"I have to seal it," he replied in a monotone voice.
She blinked. "Huh?"
"The portal must be sealed," he went on. "I have to give myself up in exchange for the sealing of the portal. It's the only way."
Chloe shook her head. "T.K. that's not going to work. You can't seal the portal with your body. If you do, the evil Digimon won't leave your world, they'll stay. Our world won't heal either and who knows what chaos could be going on back there. There's nothing you can do."
T.K. flinched. Reluctantly, he had to admit the girl was right—but not quite. "I can use the Crest of Hope to destroy the darkness. You can't have light without hope guiding it and light is the enemy of the darkness. Plus, you may not know this Chloe but I can represent every crest the others possess, plus yours and Ash's."
Chloe's jaw dropped but no sound came out. "But the one I represent the most is Hope," he continued. "So with the power of the crests of Courage, Friendship, Love, Sincerity, Knowledge, Reliability, Miracles, Light, Kindness, Faith, and Life; I will defeat them."
"You'll kill yourself T.K.," she retorted, her eyes glimmering. "Didn't you ever think of that?"
"That's the plan."
"No, that's not the plan. I can't let you sacrifice yourself. You've still got dreams—just like the rest of us!"
He shook his head. "This is the only way."
"This is not the only way. It can't be."
"Don't argue with me! What do you know about sacrifices and seals?"
WHAP! Chloe's hand lashed and connected with the side of his face. He blinked and held his own hand up to the area where she'd hit him.
"F.Y.I genius, I know plenty about sacrifices and seals. Don't you remember what I had to give up just to stay sane and human in my life?" she asked, tears dropping from her face. "You…you…how can you just stand here and talk about this stuff, as if it's no big deal? It may not mean a lot to you T.K. but what about Matt and your parents? What about your partner? What about Kari?" She refused to wipe the tears away. "It probably doesn't matter to you if you die or not T.K., but it matters to ME!"
T.K. moved closer to her, his heart feeling the pain she was undoubtedly feeling right now. "Chloe…everything will be all right."
"Yeah, sure," she replied sarcastically but her bottom lip trembled. "You're my friend…always have been since we first met. What makes you think I'm just gonna stand back and watch you go through with this?"
"Because you must," he whispered. "You have to."
"No."
"Chloe—"
"No."
He grasped her head, forcing her to look at him. She was nearly exactly his height. "Don't come after me. I don't want you to."
She gazed back in his eyes, the only place where she knew she was always safe. "I…" Before he could react, she flung her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder. "I'm sorry. Be careful." Her eyes closed.
"I will," T.K. whispered before tilting her face to look into those deep blue orbs. "Chloe, I…"
She leaned in and pressed her lips gently against his. At first he resisted, but the pliant mouth was too much for him. Sliding his on hers fully, he made the kiss more proper and ardent, closing his eyes as well. For some odd reason, the kiss they shared didn't have the same spark that most usual kisses had. True, it was warm and friendly, but it didn't have the usual passion or any pent-up love. It was just like…a gentle gesture.
After about a minute, they slowly pulled away, opening their eyes to stare at each other. Not a word was said but she nodded once. "Go and get them."
He nodded and let go of her before turning to face to battlefield, which was starting to look precisely like a war zone. "See ya." He allowed his hand to slip away from hers as he held up his Digivice, running towards the feuding creatures.
Chloe watched him go, the wind blowing her hair forward. Her tears trailed and sparkled, mixing with her hair.
Come back to me…
(A/N: Sorry to interrupt at a crucial time like this but I need to point out something before you readers start jumping to conclusions. From what you can see, Chloe and T.K. seem to be in love with each other like Tai feared they would be. Well, they are NOT, no matter what hints you see)
(Chloe: Oh really?)
(A/N: Uuuuhhh…well okay, they do have something going on between them but it will take the next two sequels besides this one to figure out what it is. Like I said, I'm not putting them together no matter what you see. They just add a bit of color to the fic (and besides, I kinda like writing about them to confuse the readers)
(T.K.: (groans) Yeah, yeah, whatever. Stop interrupting!)
* * *
The evil Digimon and the Digidestineds' partners eyed each other from both sides. It was a standoff.
"Give it up!" the evil Digimon shouted. "It's useless to win!"
"YOU THINK OUR POWERS CAN'T STOP YOU, THINK AGAIN!"
A colossal beam of yellow light flew at them, causing them to slam against the ground. "What!"
T.K. hovered above the area, his Digivice out in front of him. Ignoring his friends' gasps and cries of alarm, he rocketed towards MaloMyotismon, Apoclamon, and Daemon. I opened the portal and started this. Now I'm going to finish it! "TAKE THIS!"
The beam of light issuing from his Digivice and his body hit all of the Digimon at once. A huge explosion replaced them and the force of it hit the ground. Beams of light shot everywhere, covering the Digimon, Pokémon, and T.K. from all view. The evil Digimon's screams of fury and frustration rose above the peoples' cries of terror. The Digidestined looked up to see Apoclamon, MaloMyotismon, and Daemon disintegrating right before their eyes.
Chloe sank to the ground, unwilling to tear her eyes away from the rapid shafts of light. Near her, she could make out Kari's form being held back by Davis and Yolei. "GATOMON!" she screamed. "T.K.!"
A hand rested on Chloe's shoulder. She turned her dazed eyes up to see Tai kneeling beside her. "Are you okay?"
Her eyes filled with tears as she threw her arms around his waist. Tai blinked, startled. "Uh…"
"Hold me," she whispered, burying her face in his chest. As she did, she perceived the comforting warmth of his body. "Just hold me."
Tai, blushing faintly, complied by encircling her in his arms. Together, they watched the shrieking jets of light and the disappearance of the evil Digimon.
The smoke and dust soon cleared and everyone turned to look at the spot where the battle had just taken place. The electrical barriers that had held the Kanto civilians hostage had vaporized and they were just getting to their feet. "That…was intense," whispered Davis.
After several interminable minutes, shouts of joy and happiness soared throughout the crowd. Cries of glee arose behind them. It was their Digimon and the Pokémon. They had survived the explosion!
"That was really cool, wasn't it?" asked Veemon excitedly.
"How did I digivolve all the way to Mega?" Biyomon wondered aloud.
"Too bad I didn't ask Kari for a snapshot," muttered Gatomon.
The civilians ran over to the two teams. "I'm so proud of you!" cried Mrs. Ketchum and she hugged Ash tightly.
"Too…much…hugging…can't breathe…"
"Nice work there you all," Professor Oak smiled warmly at his grandson. "Gary, I didn't know you were here."
"I'm just glad to see you again Gramps."
Misty smacked Ash upside the head when his mother let go of him. "Ow! What was that for?" he demanded.
"For being such a hothead," she replied scornfully before kissing him on the cheek. "And for being a hero."
Ash blushed heavily while Brock and Tracey laughed. The rest of the Digidestined smiled at the praise, but they were sure they didn't do much. Not really anyway. It was all the Digimon and Pokémon's work.
However, Kari's face was a mask of horror. "T…K…"
Everybody fell silent when they heard his name. All eyes turned to look at the spot where they had last seen the Digidestined of Hope. The smoke gradually cleared, revealing a lone figure on the ground. Kari raced over to him. He lay still, absolutely still. "T.K., please don't be dead!" she cried. "What would we do without you? What would I do without you?" Tears started to fall from her face. "Don't be dead. Please, don't be." She threw herself onto T.K.'s chest and bawled.
Ms. Takaishi covered her face in her hands. "Not T.K.! Please not T.K.!"
Mr. Ishida put an arm around his ex-wife and she cried into his shoulder. Ash trembled and tears wobbled on his eyelids. Matt tried to hold it in, but a lump formed in his throat as he saw his brother lying there on the ground. He's my brother…I always thought he made the best choices in life…but is this one right?
His tears finally spilled over, which set off Cody. Sora and Mimi burst into tears. Yolei and Ken both hugged each other, crying quietly. Even Izzy and Davis had tears running down their faces, they just couldn't stand it seeing everyone else upset.
Kari sobbed and hugged T.K.'s body to her. It was still warm. "I never got to tell you…from the day we met…every day since then…you've always been a part of me." Her tears sparkled as they rained down her beautiful face. "I love you," she whispered in a choked voice. "I love you so much. So please…don't leave us!"
Tai arrived at the site, half-dragging Chloe with him. She shook her head, trying to deny what she was seeing. She remembered her thoughts when he first left. Come back to me… She sighed and pushed Tai away. If I could have one wish, it would be to bring you back. We need you with us.
Her heart began to glow a glistening silver color as the symbol of Life appeared. With the power of my heart…and the power of life…heal the one whose choice was right…and give this land…my radiant light.
Instantly, a jet of light released from her crest symbol and poured across the light. T.K.'s body began to glow with the same gentle silver light. Chloe's diamond-like tears swirled around him, making him grow brighter and brighter.
Ash suddenly remembered something. A prophecy he heard long ago. "A terrible storm rose across the land and wiped out every living creature, all but a few Pokémon. The Pokémon, moved by the death of their trainers and friends, shed tears of life that miraculously revived them all and brought peace once again." Ash's eyes met Mewtwo's and it was clear the Pokémon knew what was at work here. "Chloe's tears…are tears of life. That's why she has the crest…because she gives life!"
The clouds parted and sunlight shone through. It lit up T.K.'s body like a spotlight. Kari looked down at him and he began to move. A gasp went through the crowd. T.K. coughed and slowly opened his eyes, sitting up in surprise. Chloe's crest stopped glowing and she flashed him a pure smile. "Welcome back."
Kari flung her arms around him. "T.K.! You're alive!"
He looked around at his friends and family, putting two and two together. A small smile spread across his face. Patamon flew over and hugged him. Everyone began to cheer and shout for joy. Ms. Takaishi wept tears of relief at seeing her son alive. Tai and Matt slapped each other a high-five. Everywhere, the citizens of all three words were celebrating.
Ash elbowed his way over to T.K. who was just getting to his feet. He playfully slugged his arm. "You're crazy you know that? But you're a hero." He ran off again.
T.K. grinned. "Not really. It was no big deal."
"No big deal?" Chloe demanded as she headed over to him. She held up her hand threateningly. "No big deal? I'll show you 'no big deal' Takeru!"
He winced. Chloe lowered her head and hugged him fiercely. "Don't you ever do that ever again," she whispered into his ear.
"Hmmm, I dunno…"
"I mean it Takeru!"
"Okay, okay." He grinned and tilted her head so he could look at her fully. "Besides, I think you just revealed that you missed me."
She snorted in disbelief. "Say what? I—" Her words were cut off as she looked into his eyes. She leaned against him again. "Have I ever told you that I love you?"
He froze, feeling the words wash over him. She—she what? T.K. looked over at the others to see if they heard but everyone was too busy paying attention to other matters to notice. "You do?"
"Of course I do," she looked at him. "Friends always do. What, you thought it meant something different?" She laughed.
He blinked, the kiss they shared before still fresh in his mind. "But…what about…?"
"So I'm a little demonstrative," Chloe replied with a matter-a-fact glance. "Besides, you did notice that there was zero chemistry in that kiss."
He nodded, frowning. "I don't get it."
"Neither do I," she replied, also frowning. "Oh it's not that you're a bad kisser, 'cause you're not. It's just…something's missing." With a smile on her face, Chloe took his hand and pulled him over to Kari. "Besides, I think you have someone else to look forward to. Don't ya?"
T.K. looked at Kari and then at Chloe's shining, laughing eyes. A broad grin spread across his face. "Yeah."
Unfortunately, Kari and Tai had heard every word of the conversation. He and Chloe…I knew they were bound to hook up someday, thought Tai to himself. Well, I should have acted sooner. Chloe smiled at him and he averted her gaze. She's so happy…no wonder.
I should have known T.K. didn't feel the same way about me, Kari thought. I just…I didn't deserve him.
"Kari?"
She looked up at T.K., into his smiling blue eyes. "Yes?"
"Did you mean it…when you said you loved me?"
Kari straightened her height, heedless of the fact that she was blushing. "You bet I meant it T.K. Takaishi and if you—"
"I love you too."
Kari stopped talking and blinked rapidly. Did he just say…what I thought he said? But Chloe…
"But he doesn't feel that way about Chloe. He loves you Kari Kamiya. You're so lucky. Heck, if I was in your shoes, I'd been happy."
At the telepathic message, the younger girl looked over at Chloe. Her eyes were filled with questions. "But Chloe…you…I thought you…"
"Yeah right. T.K.'s my kind of guy," said the psychic. "But his heart belongs to you same as mine belongs to another. T.K. and I are just friends Kari." She grinned. "Seriously, you belong with him and he with you."
Kari looked at her for a long time before facing T.K. "T.K., what about Chloe? I thought you guys…well…can you blame me for…"
"I know what you think but it's not like that," said T.K. "The bond between you and me is so great Kari, that nothing can break it. Not Tai, Davis, or heck even Chloe can destroy what we have…that is if you know what we have."
She encircled his neck with her slender arms and smiled. "How could I forget it? What we have is special."
"It always will be," he said with a grin before leaning down to kiss her. Kari met him halfway there and planted her lips firmly against his.
"Ew, gross!" Ash yelped from far away.
Misty smacked him upside the head. "You are so immature!"
Chloe groaned. "Okay, it is getting way too mushy over here." With that she left the two lovers alone and grasped Tai by the arm. He blinked at her in surprise.
"Uh, Chloe?"
"I forgot to thank you for saving me back there," she whispered, her blue eyes shining at him. "So thanks a lot Tai."
"No problem." he said with foolish look. From over Chloe's dark head, he could see T.K. breaking the kiss from Kari just in time to wink at him. Does that mean…I still have a chance? Speaking of chances…I wonder how Davis is taking this whole thing?
As it turned out, the goggle-headed leader was taking it very well…Yolei, Ken, and Veemon were holding him back.
"Uh, I have a question."
Everybody looked at Izzy who
gestured to Mewtwo and Lugia. "What are we going to do about these two?"
"Well there's always the option of putting them in a—"Gary began.
"I object to being placed inside a Poké Ball," snapped Mewtwo coldly.
"Hear, hear!" added Lugia.
Ash grinned. "They can go wherever they want until the portal opens up again."
"Are you sure about that?" Matt asked with raised eyebrows.
"Hey, it's a free country."
As the friends laughed and cheered alongside each other, they didn't see Gennai behind them. "They truly saved the world and they did it…together."
Me: Well that about covers it.
Chloe: What were you playing at?
Me: What? Oh that kissing thing between you and T.K. before?
T.K:
(rolls eyes) NOW she remembers!
Me: Sorry about that. Kari's gonna kill me for that one.
Tai: Kari's gonna kill you. What about me?! How could you make the one person that I like besides Sora kiss T.K.!
Me: GEEZ
LAWEEZ! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU!
Chloe: Don't worry Tai. Caro and I are going to have a little talk—WITH MY FISTS!
Me: Eeep!
T.K.: I am not getting involved.
Me: Ummm, I'm going to Hong Kong tommorow so no new updates for the next week or two. Okay? See ya! (runs off)
Chloe/Tai:
GET BACK HERE!
T.K.: And that marks another eventful threat on the author's life.
Ash: Whoop-di-do.