(Okay, we're trying this a second time. The first computer I was
typing on refuses to work with my E-mail bouncing ways, so we're using this
one. In fact, I'll be using a whole compilation of computers to get all of
this done. But that's not what I need to type about right now – I need to
get this book completed for the few people out there that care. This is the
last chapter of B 2, and as such, it'll be placed in April – back where we
started. It's also the resolving chapter of my book, unlike the last one
where the climax sequence and resolution were in the same chapter. I
thought about adding more, but I think that such would take away from the
potency of the two events of the past pair of chapters. Now, I don't have
time to elaborate further so read, enjoy, and give me a review either for
the chapter or for the whole of my second novel. Chapter 13, folks; the day
has come.)
The Ivani Chronicles : Book 2 – Reminiscence : Chapter 13 – The Day the Whole World Went Away
"Come on, TK, you're not thinking sensibly."
"Of course I am! I've never been more sure about what to do."
Ivan sighed, rubbing his forefingers against his eyes. He looked back up at the blond-haired boy before him with a strained expression. "Even if you think you know how to act, that doesn't mean that it's a safe move to make," Ivan told him. "We're going back to the Digital World on a mission, and it's not going to be a little walk through the woods." TK's feet stopped short in their movement across the wooden floor of his kitchen. He looked down at Ivan sitting in one of the chairs accompanying his dining room table.
"What does that matter?" TK countered. "Kari and I held our own last year-"
"This isn't going to be like last year at all," Ivan went on without heeding TK's arguments. "We're going back there to strike at one of the primary construction plants. That means that we're going to be right in the jaws of an enemy, somewhere we've been twice before and both times we nearly lost our own lives, even with our Dragoon armor. You and Kari don't have that gift, making it even more risky for you to go anywhere near the plant." TK grunted, scuffing one of his shoes against the polished wood.
"We can still manage," TK said heatedly. "Kari and I have grown a lot since we were last in the Digital World. You've seen it just as much as anyone else has. I was even able to defeat all four of those drones on my own." Ivan shook his head slowly and covered his forehead with his palms.
"Do you think that matters?" Ivan retorted. TK resumed his pacing with a nod of his head.
"Sure it does," TK said firmly. "I could barely take down one or two of those machines without someone's help last year. Now I can handle a whole bunch of them on my own without having a proper weapon to fight them with."
"But it was only a few drones," Ivan said. "We've got far more than a few drones on our hands where we're going. We're talking about a few hundred drones and dozens of robots. Maybe you could handle a few of those drones, but when they swarm you, you'd be in deep trouble."
"Then I'll just learn to get stronger at fighting them," TK replied with a sharp rounding of his heels. "It can't be too hard." Ivan stared at him in slight amazement.
"You've got to be kidding me," Ivan said incredulously. "I've had years of sword and physical training, as well as Dragoon Armor, and I have trouble facing that many drones. It's going to take all four of us to be able to take down an army of drones. You and Kari can't help for those sorts of mass battles, and your Digimon are entirely ineffectual."
"That doesn't mean we can't try," TK insisted. "Kari and I have already gotten so much better at taking care of these things together, and we can only get better. At the very least we won't be a drag on the battles." Ivan's eyes filled with question. TK sighed as he added, "I'm aware I can't fight against all of them on my own. I wish I could do more, but I'll have to accept that I'm limited right now. But that doesn't mean that I don't want to put in my share for this mission. You and Maddie are both fighting by obligation, but I want to be there by my own choice. Not only is the safety of the Digital World of utmost importance to me, but I also now hold a personal vendetta with these drones." Ivan blinked, his gaze fixating further on the blond-haired boy.
"But your mother will be fine-"
"It's more than that," TK cut Ivan off. "You still don't seem to understand what nearly happened to Kari and myself in the lab. They weren't trying to kill us; they wanted to capture Kari. They may have wanted me, too, but I don't know. The point is that they nearly succeeded in breaking us apart and I'm not going to sit here and wait until they try again and do succeed. They need to be taught a lesson, and it's something that I want to do myself."
"It's not that easy to do, though, TK," Ivan replied. Fatigue was evident in his voice. "Enemies that are heading whatever force is after us are far beyond your capabilities to defeat." TK shook his head violently then glared at the brown-haired boy.
"I'll be damned if I don't give it a try," TK said vehemently. "The Digital World has never placed a force before me that I couldn't handle, and it's not going to start now. After all, haven't we risen to the occasion to defeat our enemies there time and time again? Why should this time be any different? Sure, our Digimon don't hurt them as much as everything else we've faced before. That doesn't mean that I'm going to back down now without trying again. It's never been easy, but that won't make us give up." Ivan's eyes locked with TK's in a long battle. Ivan's will was breaking and he knew it; TK's stubbornness was not something he wished to contend with at one in the morning on his last day in the Real World.
"TK, I can't keep arguing with you on this," Ivan said with a groan. "I've been here in your apartment for hours, now. I have to leave tomorrow for the Digital World. Honestly, the choice is really yours. I've given you my reasoning for why I don't think you should go, but I can't force you to change your mind. If you feel that you really want to go through with all of this, then I can't stop you." TK watched Ivan, sudden curiosity coming to his eyes.
"Would Kari and I be welcome to go with you?" TK asked tentatively. Ivan shrugged his shoulders and dropped his gaze to the ground.
"I guess," Ivan said. "I mean there's no way that we could just leave you out to dry. I'm obligated to protect you and Kari both. I wouldn't have you two wandering alone trying to find some way to take down the entire factory on your own." TK's face lit up in his success. Ivan's sharp voice cut through his revelry, however, stating, "But, if you're going to come with us, then you're both going to be subject to far stricter regulations than what we had in the woods last year."
"What do you mean?" TK asked. His pacing came to an end, instead deciding to lean against the kitchen counter. Ivan brought his eyes from the ground to meet TK's.
"Last year, there were way too many close calls," Ivan explained. TK reluctantly nodded his agreement. "The time that you and Kari got caught in the woods behind us, the time that Kari was captured by the spiders, the time that you and she both fell down into the wolf-lion's lair."
"I remember all of those," TK said with an aggravated tone. Ivan heeded the tone of TK's words, instead returning to the point of his statement.
"You weren't the only ones to be caught like that," Ivan assured him, "Maddie found herself in very dangerous situations, too, and it was only through our teamwork that we were able to pull off anything in the end. More importantly, we had ample time and space to be able to solve whatever challenges we had in there. This time, we won't have any leeway for mistakes. This time, we have only one shot. If we screw up and someone gets injured or suffers perhaps a worse fate, the mission is given up. We cannot back out of the plant without successfully disabling it if we ever want to be able to accomplish our objective."
"So what are your rules for us?" TK asked in a serious tone. "Kari and I will both abide by whatever you wish for us to do. You know that our wish is the same as yours – for achievement of the plant's destruction."
"I know you do," Ivan replied with a nod. "And if you want to help, then we'll figure out some way that you and Kari can contribute. The more people we have to help, the less pressure there is on any one person's shoulder. And I'm not naive enough to think that cooperation isn't a necessity in our attack. The exact rules you'll need to follow, I'm not too sure of yet. Part of it depends on what the plant design is like and part of it depends on if we have to split up or not. Just listen to and obey the orders from myself or one of the other Dragoons. We'll be the ones to keep you two protected from the greater danger of the robots since your size limits your affectivity against them." TK nodded in comprehension.
"We can do that," TK consented. Then, with a slight chuckle, he added, "I don't think we'd argue about leaving the bigger things to you anyway." Ivan nodded as a smile came to his lips for the first time in the past few hours.
"Well, if you can agree to that then I guess the choice is left solely in your field. If you want to come, you can come. If you get your senses back and realize that your life is being placed on a wire by joining us, then feel free to stay here. Think before you answer that – you also must take into consideration what is best for Kari's life. You and she are so connected that even if only one of you were to suffer the dire consequences of an enemy attack, it would break both of you."
TK's brow furrowed as he took in the comment. He knew that the statement was true, too. If something were to happen to Kari, he knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Likewise, he knew from her constant affection that her own life would be shattered if the enemy took his life. That risk was something TK had simply ignored in his preliminary deliberation. But now that Ivan had brought it back into his mind, his plans were stayed. Ivan's voice returned, breaking the uneasy silence that his lack of response had left.
"Don't think that any injury is sure to come to you if you join us," Ivan mentioned. "I am the Dragoon of Hope and Light, and as such my own virtues would be forfeit if I didn't do everything in my power to keep both you and Kari safe from any adversary. I'm torn enough by the drop in my guard that allowed for the drones to get at you yesterday. My only point to be made here is that, although you will be somewhere that I can keep you fairly well protected, I must also keep with the other three Dragoons. Without my shielding, they are just as vulnerable to the drones and robots as you are." TK nodded, taking the additional information into account as he weighed the risks against the possible accomplishments.
Ivan's vow of security was some help to TK, but he still felt his own personal responsibility to Kari's safety. He knew that it was undoubtedly because of his omnipotent love for her, along with his dedication to the promises he made to her. Thoughts of his own safety were shoved aside – his own combative talent and evasive skill would be his defense if all else failed. With no other risks worth heeding in his brain, TK looked from the grain of the wood back to Ivan's blue eyes.
"We'll go," TK stated. Ivan held the boy's gaze for a moment, checking the validity of his words. In TK's blue eyes, dimmed by the unlit room, Ivan could see the cold and gray insides of the child. It startled Ivan so see it, after how well the small smile on his face hid the implication that he was torn inside. However, Ivan could fully understand why TK felt so broken inside and why his voice sounded so broken, so decayed. He was honestly worried about the well being of his mother and, moreover the risks that were hounding his thoughts in regards to Kari. TK's care for the girl was so immense that the risk she now faced linked directly into TK's own mindset. TK would not stand for anything endangering his beloved's well being. Since something was now implicating a danger in her life, TK responded immediately. Though it was perhaps exaggerated, Ivan could see that TK gave up his own happiness and peace until he knew that Kari was able to enjoy the same emotions. When her emotions were not positive, but rather plagued by fear and despair, TK suffered as well. The empathetic link shared between the couple was something Ivan's awareness had glazed over in the past.
Ivan nodded firmly, breaking eye contact. "So be it," Ivan said softly. "To whatever great risks lie ahead, we'll take them on together." TK's minor smile grew into a smirk. Ivan noticed the flash of life within the blond-haired boy's eyes, letting him know that not all was yet lost, that TK's hope was just as strong as ever.
"Thanks," TK responded. He threw his weight from the counter back to his feet. Then, after a moment's thought, he asked, "What's the plan for tomorrow, then?"
Ivan was still for a moment, and then rose to his feet. As he did so, he told TK, "Maddie and I are heading back around midday. Before then, we're going to be moving the excess stuff from our apartment down to here as we went over and the Kamiyas will take care of our apartment deed until Ms. Takaishi is back from the hospital."
"And when will Kari and I go to the Digital World?" TK furthered, doing his best to mask his impatience. "Should we go through with you at the same time?" Ivan looked up at the ceiling in processing the possibilities.
"Well, I'm, not sure it would be too safe to have you two jump through the gate right off," Ivan said slowly. "I think it'd be better if you gave us some time to secure the gate on the other side in case Hakin and Susan had to move from the site or something. Two hours will be enough for us, and that should give you and Kari some more time to get all of your own affairs in order over here before we embark." TK nodded in acceptance, albeit reluctantly.
"If you think that's best," TK said. Then, in retrospect, he continued, "It would be nice to have a little time here to make sure everything's taken care of, too. You're right on that account."
"Then we'll leave it at that, alright?" TK nodded again, this time with far more willingness to Ivan's comment. Though he had been energized by all of the happenings some twelve hours ago, he had since lost a lot of his momentum to the generic fatigue that all humans are subject to. He yawned before replying verbally.
"Some sleep would be a good thing, yeah," The blond-haired boy said with a sheepish smile. Ivan chuckled, stretching as he walked stiffly towards TK's apartment door. TK followed the boy to bid him farewell.
"I'll start bringing the stuff down tomorrow around ten, alright?" TK gave a thumbs-up sign of agreement as he stifled a second yawn with his other hand. Ivan smirked. "I'll see you then," Ivan added. His hand sent the apartment door swinging open on its hinges.
"Sleep well," TK said, apology in his voice. "Sorry for dragging you down here and keeping you up so late." Ivan shook his head, holding up his palm to TK to stop him.
"Don't worry about it," Ivan told him. "Things like this need to be taken care of." As the brown-haired boy stepped out onto the balcony, feeling the crisp bite of the night wind, his eyes fell upon the glowing moon in the sky above him. "Kinda funny," Ivan went on softly, to no one in particular. "It's April again already. Who'd have thought we'd be here for a whole year before our services were called upon again." TK shrugged, trying to be somewhat supportive but failing miserably.
"It's weird how things work out sometimes," TK commented as he leaned against the doorframe of his apartment entrance. "But it's a call that we have to answer." Ivan nodded, turning with a wave to TK.
"We do, indeed," Ivan stated. Then, with a smirk, he added, "And you'll be able to answer it better than you think." TK's eyes grew large. He stared at Ivan in bewilderment, but the boy said nothing more. Ivan simply dropped his hand to his side and walked briskly down the corridor to the stairwell. TK was left staring at the dark space before his eyes, utterly perplexed, until his exhaustion overcame his willpower and he retreated to his bed.
Ivan walked through the threshold into his apartment complex, followed quickly by an equally tired-faced TK. The pair of boys leaned against the inside of the doorframe as the door swung leisurely back into its closed position. Kari emerged from the kitchen at the sound of the noise, moving quickly to give her boyfriend a hug. Maddie, bearing her son in her arms, came down the hallway from the apartment's main bedroom a moment later. The elder girl gawked at the sight of the two boys.
"Is that the last of it?" Maddie nodded to the brown-haired boy, doing her best to keep from laughing at the perspiration dripping from his brow. Ivan smirked at her in response. "Always so understanding and accepting of the pains we go through to move everything down to TK's apartment." Maddie gave another affirmative shake of her head.
"You're very welcome, honey," Maddie said with a condescending grin. Ryan squealed, bobbing his weight around in Maddie's arms.
"Poor Daddy," Ryan said in an attempt to be sympathetic. His arms then swung tighter around Maddie's neck. "Do you think we shoud help 'im?" Maddie dropped her eyes to the ground and rested a finger on her cheek in thought. She shrugged her shoulders a minute later.
"I suppose we could," Maddie told the child. "Why don't we go give daddy a big hug for being so helpful?" Ryan beamed. Turning to see that Ivan was still there just inside the doorframe, he lunged from Maddie's grasp at his adoptive father. Ivan's continual practice with caring for an infant, coupled with his inherit reflexes, let him safely catch Ryan before Maddie's arms lost their grip.
"Careful, big guy," Ivan said with a chuckle as he bounced Ryan gently in his arms to gain a more secure grip. Ryan laughed giddily as his arms wove around Ivan's neck to hug him. Maddie followed her son's lead and threw her arms around both of the boys. TK and Kari glanced at one another with smirks on their faces.
"How cute," TK said with incredible, high-pitched sarcasm. Kari giggled and played along with him happily.
"It's the perfect photo opportunity," Kari mentioned with a mocking, wistful tone. TK took his turn to laugh as the two elder children turned to face them with amused scowls. Ivan and Maddie exchanged glances, and nodded.
"We'll get you two later," Ivan stated. Maddie continued to nod her assent. TK gasped lightly while Kari continued to giggle at the scene. "Just wait until we get back here."
"I'm sure," TK said haughtily. Ivan simply gave the blond-haired boy a sinister grin while he slowly turned to walk down the hallway to his bedroom. TK then turned to Maddie, his expression turning more serious. "I guess it's just about time to depart, then, isn't it?" He asked.
"Yeah," Maddie confirmed. "We'll need to get through the gate in a couple minutes. We'll locate Hakin, Susan and all of the Digimon. Then we'll secure the gate nearest to the plant we're hitting as possible and wait for you to get there. We'll be heading out for the plant at sunset." TK nodded periodically as he heard the rough explanation of time coordination once again.
"Okay, then," TK said in understanding. "Kari and I will wait until it's around three in the afternoon before we go through the gate. From there on out, it's all in the hands of our capabilities in the Digital World." Maddie smiled while one of her hands rose to brush her hair back from her eyes.
"Be sure to rest while you can," Maddie suggested. "Once we're underway, we aren't going to be taking any breaks if we can help it. Straight in, straight out is how we want it to go. If you guys want one last chance to be close and able to act as a couple rather than part of a group, this is going to be your last chance for a while. Over there, we're going to be depending on constant cooperation from everyone as a whole, not as separate couplets that refuse to work without their counterpart. If we can't work like that then the whole mission will be botched." TK and Kari both gave their grudging acceptance of the rule. "Ivan and I don't like it either," Maddie added in a try for consolation. "No couple likes having to spend time without that bond of love being actively present, but this is one of those times where sacrifices must be made. We'll be together, but we'll be together as a friendly group, not romantic pairs."
"We understand," Kari replied for both herself and TK. "And we'll abide by that. It'll only be for a few days at most, which we've spent apart before. It shouldn't be too hard, and if it gets rough we'll have Houndramon intervene with some of his biting sarcasm about love." Maddie nodded with a laugh.
"That should work well enough," Maddie said happily. "And if that fails, I'm sure that we can have Filmaramon make a wall between the two of you. However you'd prefer we do it, we can. You just have to be willing to try it."
"And we are," TK assured her. "We'll also heed your advice about making the most of the time we have before we leave."
"Does that mean you'll be leaving the apartment?" Ivan asked. TK looked over, startled that Ivan had reappeared beside Maddie so suddenly. He was carrying a large backpack in one hand while leading a tottering Ryan with his other. Ivan tilted his head to the side, emphasizing his question. TK looked to Kari, who only shrugged in reply. She was just as confused as TK.
"I think so," TK said slowly in answer. "Does that matter?" Ivan nodded while shouldering his backpack and leading the small procession from the hallway into the barren living room. The past two hours left the once- decorated and filled room with little more than the bare furniture and painted walls. Ryan's toy chest, all of the books that had been scattered across the coffee table, and even the extra blankets and pillows littering the couch had been removed. Only Ivan's laptop, turned on and displaying a void desktop remained as a foreign object in the starkly drab room.
"You two will need to be able to have access to the same gate that Maddie and I take over," Ivan explained as he sat down before the computer and opened the proper preliminary documents. "And I don't know if you two are planning on being somewhere with a computer or not, so you might want to take this with you."
"You think we could take your laptop?" TK asked in amazement. Ivan shrugged and leaned back in the armchair.
"I don't see why not," Ivan replied affirmatively. "Maybe it'll be stuck out there for a day or two, but we'll be back quick enough that it won't matter too much. If something terrible happens and we lose it, it still won't matter. It's worth the risk of losing it to give you and Kari all the time you can have to relax before we begin our strike."
"Thanks a lot," TK said with a bow. "We'll be sure to put it somewhere safe when we go through it so no one will steal it." Ivan smiled at the blond-haired boy while Ryan hopped into Ivan's lap.
"When are we goin', Daddy?" Ryan interrupted, his wide eyes full of question. Ivan shrugged, looking from Ryan to TK.
"It all depends on when we can convince this guy over here to boot up the gate and let us through," Ivan told Ryan. Ryan's eyes in turn looked up at the standing boy. TK blinked, looking between the two other boys somewhat meekly.
"We're waiting for me?" TK asked, perplexed. Ivan shrugged his shoulders and nodded, pointing to his pocket. TK followed the finger and withdrew his Digivice from the indicated pocket. TK then let out a noise of understanding. "Well then, let me provide you two with a gate to the Digital World," TK said triumphantly. He gave a wide flourish with his hand, much to Kari's amusement. The screen of his Digivice aimed at the laptop monitor, TK called out, "Digi-port, open!"
At his words, Ivan's laptop screen erupted with light and a high- pitched squeal. TK shielded his eyes with his free hand, squinting to see the three figures heading through the warp. "Good luck!" TK shouted over the piercing whistle.
"See you in a few hours!" Came a yelled reply from Ivan. TK watched as the three figured huddled together, Ryan's body barely visible between Ivan and Maddie. Then, with a sudden rush of wind, the trio disappeared. Soon thereafter the light of the computer screen faded away and the noise ceased to be anything more than a ringing in the ears of TK and Kari. The computer screen reverted to its normal, inert display of various icons.
Kari let out a small sigh, staring downwards at her shoes. "This is really going quickly," she said. TK nodded while sitting down in Ivan's chair and shutting the laptop computer down.
"We don't have any time to lose," TK said in reply. "The longer we wait, the more chance there is of the enemy attacking us again and the more chance there is of bolstered defenses sitting and waiting for us at the factory." The pulled the monitor of the laptop down and lifted it from the coffee table to underneath his left arm. Noticing the discomfort in Kari's brown eyes, TK forced a smile to his lips and placed his free arm around the girl's shoulders. "Don't worry," he told her gently. "Things are going to work out. It may be quick, but we can still manage. We've had to move fast in the past, too. But for the moment, why don't we go and spend some time together without thinking about what's going to happen when we go through the computer, okay?" Kari's eyes retained their focus on the floor before her feet but she nodded her head.
"I'd like that," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "But where can we go? Your house would only make me think of all the stuff Ivan and Maddie left behind, and my house would leave us with Tai breathing down our necks." TK snickered at the last comment and pressed his forehead against Kari's.
"Don't think like that, you goofball," TK said in humorous chastisement. "I wasn't thinking of either of those places." Kari looked at the boy beside her in question, her eyes finally dragging upwards from the floor. TK smiled at her lovingly. "I've got the perfect place in mind." Without giving any further reply, TK led the brown-haired girl courteously through the empty hallways of Ivan's apartment to the apartment's entry door, then out and down the complex elevator.
"I think we can stake our claim up here," Ivan said to the girl beside him. Maddie looked around the place Ivan was speaking of. The couple was presently walking up a small hill whish was topped with a single tree. The grass around it, as all vegetation in the Digital World, was lush and inviting. The site was perhaps a quarter of a mile from where the gate they had traversed lay.
"It looks like a lovely spot," Maddie agreed. With a glance in the direction of the television terminal, she added, "Do you think that Ryan will be alright with Hakin and Houndramon for the next hour or so?" Ivan chuckled as he led Maddie up to the large, leafy tree and sat down beneath it.
"You saw how well Ryan took to the big oaf to begin with," Ivan said with a wide smile on his face. "And Houndramon's genuinely excited to have someone new around. They'll take great care of Ryan; there are few other people I'd trust him with, you know that." Maddie nodded and sat down beside her boyfriend. "More than anything," Ivan continued while his arms embraced the girl affectionately, "the two of them wanted for us to be able to have the same little allotment of time together that TK and Kari get to have. With all of the obligations of parenting, I think I have to agree with Hakin that we haven't really had a whole lot of time to spend with just each other."
"I know, I know," Maddie said softly as she curled into Ivan's caring hug. "It has been a while since we were able to just be together and talk about silly things without having some sort of obligation or other hanging over our heads." Ivan pressed his lips to Maddie's forehead. Maddie smiled to herself. The knowledge that truly nothing would deter Ivan from showing how much she meant to him always brought new warmth to her heart and into her time with him. Her arms slipped around Ivan's body, hugging him gently. Ivan and Maddie both soon found themselves lying in the afternoon shade beneath the large canopy of leaves on the tree branches above.
Ivan laid his head back against the grass beneath him. The verdant blades bent to cushion his head, creating a soft pillow. As the rest of his body relaxed, his eyes gazed over the landscape about him. About his lying position stretched a great expanse of the same brilliant green grass. It sloped down gently to each side. To his right, the grass met a sparse wall of brown columns, each topped with a large green array of leaves. The wooded area stretched on for some distance, perhaps a few miles, and slowly faded out along the edge of his range of vision. His eyes then drifted downwards, where the carpet of green blades met another obstacle, this time of a blue hue. Long and narrow, a stream weaved its path through the grass then into the trees on his right. The grass continued on after the river, stretching on into the horizon. It was dotted by the occasional tree or shrub. Ivan's eyes then looked above him, into the great azure span of the sky. Through it passed a few wispy puffs of white and light gray. His view of these was partially obscured by the canopy of leaves coming from the tree behind him. The great brown tower stood majestically above the boy, providing shade from the piercing orange globe that slowly sank on the far side of the tree. Ivan watched the leaves of the tree be tousled by the light breeze, feeling the wind toy with his light brown hair as well. A single leaf was plucked from its home upon the tree and slowly sailed down towards the boy. He watched the leaf make the slow, waving journey through the air until it came to rest gently on his left side, causing the brown- haired girl, although it couldn't be called completely brown due to the blond highlights running through it, to stir slightly.
"Mmm." she muttered, her left hand reaching up and gently brushing the leaf from her hair.
"Hey there," Ivan whispered softly to the girl as his left arm tightened a bit about her, letting his fingers continue their gentle stroking motions upon her back. "Are you comfy?"
She sighed in contented affirmation, edging herself closer to the brown- haired boy. She dropped her left hand back down to his chest. She then began tracing soft, loving shapes upon his chest as it rose and fell slowly with his breath. At the same time, she moved her right hand up then down as she let her fingers dance about his ear and through his short, soft hair. "Never felt better," she replied at last, gently pressing her lips to his shoulder before resting her head against him once again.
Ivan smiled, leaning his head to her fingers' touch. In return, he let his own right hand reach up and set his fingers to caress the girl's ear and hair that was lying presently in its natural state, free of any restraints. "That makes two of us, then," Ivan whispered as he again pulled her a bit closer with his left arm. The girl mirrored his smile as he continued, "It's been so long since we've had some time alone to just relax in." The girl nodded in response.
"I'm surprised it's been a whole year," Maddie agreed.
"But it's nice to have some time to finally spend with you, darling," the boy said, brushing the back of his fingers across her cheek. "I've really missed being with you."
"I've missed you too, Ivan," the girl said softly. She then lifted herself up a bit and pulled her body closer to his, looking down into his eyes; his beautiful azure eyes, the eyes that had captivated her for years. She could look into his angelic pools for an eternity and never bore of them. She felt him gazing back into her own eyes, of an amber hue, and knew that he had the same feelings for her. The knowledge of such, and the loving smile that graced his lips, made her heart melt as she held him in her arms. She wished she could always keep him there in her grasp. However, she knew it was naïve to think that would be true, even though she was determined to make the most of the time they had. As if in affirmation of such, she cast all her thoughts aside and pressed her lips to his, which she felt returned with equal love and passion instantaneously.
The two held together for a moment, then slowly parted, with mirroring smiles of fondness and devotion to one another. Maddie then slowly retreated back to her original spot, snuggling up against Ivan's body. His strong arms wrapped about her gave her a sense of protection and safety she had never known before. It made sense, for he was regarded as the 'Guardian' by all who knew him. It was the sense that she was the ward of such, however, that made her feel an even stronger attraction to the boy. Pulling a bit closer to Ivan, she gently closed her eyes once again to enjoy the blissful peace of his embrace.
Ivan's eyes fell upon the resting girl, the smile upon his lips growing slightly as he watched her frame rise and fall with slow breaths. Unadorned by anything but her casual clothes and merely in her natural state, she held a beauty that transfixed the boy beyond all comprehension. Caressing her cheek and ear softly with his right hand, he reveled in the quiet sighs of joy she gave out and leaned to his touch. Seeing her so happy filled him with joy as well, and their peaceful respite was something they had each been in desperate need of. The past year had been excruciating, with a scant few rests along the way. Now he could feel the fatigue of all that had passed fall from his shoulders, and as Maddie snuggled her thin, agile body closer to his firm and athletic frame, he could sense her pleasure and relaxation as well.
At length, Maddie tilted her head and asked, "You know what this reminds me of?" Ivan looked down, meeting her gaze, thinking back to what she could be referring to.
"I'm not sure, darling," he responded after a moment. "It reminds me of all the times we've spent together; are you referring to a particular instance?"
Maddie nodded slightly. "I think it must've been a full year ago now," she concluded. "That whole reunion of TK and Kari to their families and friends. There was a lot of love emanating there; a lot of closeness." Her voice trailed off and Ivan picked up as his mind went back to the time she spoke of.
"It was a crazy time, love," Ivan said. "After we got them all back home, our troubles only just began. However, those first few minutes are truly some of the most memorable we've ever seen." Ivan rested his head back against the verdant grass, pulling Maddie a bit closer as his eyes slowly slid closed in memory.
"We learned a lot from that little excursion, too," Maddie went on. "All the stress of finding a house, networking through our friends to organize the purchase of the apartment, and everything else that we never realized went into home ownership."
"All too true," Ivan said definitively. "I'm certainly happy to not have to do that sort of thing ever again. I'd far prefer the life of wandering about the Digital World or something than have to go through the constant bills that we have to pay to live in an apartment. Can you imagine how rough it will be to take care of an actual house?" Maddie nodded her head against the boy's shoulder in demonstration of her awareness.
"It will be hard," Maddie said, "But it will be necessary if we want to be able to provide a proper childhood for Ryan. We can't expect to have him grow up here when he has no real place in the fighting of this world. He shouldn't have to be subjected to it."
"But you know he's already faced worse situations than this," Ivan said gravely. His arms tightened around Maddie's body, knowing that she hated thinking about what life Ryan had before she had intervened and taken the child as her own. "Mister Tawaido was a terrible father and an even worse husband. We both saw that and we acted as we thought best. The result left us as parents before we were sixteen years old. Maybe we can't give Ryan an ideal life, but we can at least give him a life filled with love. That's what's most important in the upbringing of a child, after all. Whether or not we can provide him with all the right clothes or the best toys or even the safest housing doesn't matter so long as the life Ryan knows is a life with love." Ivan caressed Maddie's cheek with feather-light strokes of his thumb as he added, "You know that in your life now, although it's not safer than the life you lived before, it's so much more meaningful to you because there's love present there, too." Maddie's breathing grew much deeper as she nodded slowly.
"I know we did the right thing," Maddie stated after a pause. Ivan's reassuring embrace furthered Maddie's resolve in her words. "I just hope that we'll be able to raise him as well as he deserves."
"Of course we will," Ivan said with a gentle toss of his head. "We can raise Ryan very well so long as we work together. We've done so well for the past year, I don't see why it should change. Nothing around here could be as harsh as what we had to go through at the beginning of the school year." Maddie bit her lower lip softly as she remembered another painful experience from the past year.
"Yeah," Maddie agreed wholeheartedly. "That was something I wouldn't ever care to relive. All those sick people in the school who couldn't even bother giving us a chance. They just had to jump to the most insulting conclusion possible without giving any regard to our own feelings. You suffered endlessly in all the classes you had to take and I wasn't immune to them, either. Ryan was really the only person I could depend upon as a beacon to keep me from losing my mind by the end of History class. It just makes me sick to think of how little some people can care about the feelings of others." Ivan's finger pressed softly against the girl's lips as he let out a low shushing noise.
"Relax," Ivan soothed the brown-haired girl. "I know that they were terrible to you and it's not something that I'll ever be able to truly forgive them for, that's a fact. But on the brighter side of it all, it helped to make our bond stronger. The stronger that bond becomes, the more capable we'll be to raise our son."
"If you want to talk about strong bonds then just look at the stunt we pulled for your birthday," Maddie said with a smirk. Ivan chuckled as he remembered the lovely surprise he received overseas in California.
"Yeah, yeah," Ivan said a bit sheepishly. "You and Ryan really surprised all of us with that move. But you're right – that was just another time in which our bond became too powerful to be denied a way to keep us together. It took some work and the possibility of prolonged separation to engage it, but it happened all the same. You and Ryan were able to take my one ticket and fly to LAX together while I used my dragoon armor to get to Carlsbad directly. And since it took me a little longer than I had planned, my grandfather headed out before I could head him off. All the fortunate coincidences of those few days really are quite amazing."
"That's what makes our relationship so magical," Maddie replied lovingly. She pressed her lips to Ivan's neck, making him recoil slightly and grin, before adding, "Just like the magical Christmas story you had to tell Ryan and I when we made that same trip over to visit your grandparents a couple months later. We were more organized then, though, so we were able to sit together on the same plane flight while you told us about your childhood memories: everything about Alex, Rebecca, and Allison. It had a tragic ending then, yes, but your life's gone on since then and I think it's safe to say that there's been some little bonuses since then." Ivan nodded contentedly in response.
"Right now being one of them," Ivan said slyly. Maddie giggled. "But it hasn't all been happy-go-lucky since then. There was, of course, the most recent serious event in the school." Maddie's laughter faded quickly. Ivan sighed, hating how Maddie hurt from the loss of her dear friend. "We don't have to dwell on Zero's choice right now," Ivan went on quickly. "It's just an example of how things don't always turn out as bright and enjoyable as we'd like them to be. Every now and then we have to face the harsh truth of reality – life is a cruel and often a seemingly unfair period of time that people must go through. Unfortunately, Zero didn't feel strong enough to complete the period of time. Together, we now pray that he has been reunited with his parents in the afterlife and is finally able to rest after giving life the best effort that he could." Maddie's head nodded gradually.
"He was a great kid for the time that he was with us," Maddie said sadly. Ivan did his best to support Maddie as she spoke, comforting the girl with his unwavering embrace. "He was such a great guide and he was always willing to step in and help me out when classes were getting rough. He would jump out into the hallway with me, too, when the kids decided to try and harass me again. He even came to sit with us at lunch from time to time and throw his great sense of humor into the mix." After a hesitant pause, Maddie whispered, "It's a shame that Zero wasn't able to be our comrade over here. I think that he would have been a wonderful addition to the team if only he had more courage in getting through the first few days after his parents' murders." Ivan shook his head slowly, looking grimly at the girl in his arms.
"Let's not think about what could have been, darling," Ivan said quietly. "That will only make you more upset instead of helping you cope with his passing." An awkward silence followed Ivan's words while Maddie thought about Ivan's words. She knew the boy was right, though, and the bobbing of her head let him know that.
"I know he's gone now," Maddie stated. "It's a horrible loss to the world, but I know he's gone and I'll accept it. After all, there's no real point in thinking of Zero as a possible Dragoon. Which god would he become the servant of, the gigantic salamander? And what would the crests he was known for be, the crests of kindness and charity?" Ivan laughed to himself in spite of himself.
"I can see it now," Ivan elaborated, "Zeromon, the Great Slime-Lizard of Kindness and Charity." The couple laughed for a few moments, though not in any disrespect to their departed friend. Rather, the statement came as a comforting way of coping with the extenuating circumstances imposed upon both of the young adults. "We'll miss you, Zero," Ivan added after catching his breath. He spoke not to Maddie this time, but to the sky he could see through the foliage. Ivan allowed for Maddie to take a silent moment in prayer to her dead friend, and then pulled her back tightly into his arms.
"Our time's almost up," Ivan told the brown-haired girl with a glance at the sun. "TK and Kari should be through the TV in a few minutes. Once they're here, we'll have to give up this kind of closeness until we get back from the plant." Maddie nodded very slowly while she drew her body from Ivan's slowly. Ivan's sapphire eyes watch the girl, confused, as she withdrew. Maddie, however, was only positioning her body atop Ivan's before leaning down on the boy and slipping her hands around Ivan's neck. Ivan's arms came upwards and wrapped around the small of Maddie's back in turn.
"I guess we'll just have to make the most of it, then," Maddie said, stealing her boyfriend's motto. The adoring smile that came to Maddie's lips sent Ivan's heartbeat far faster than he was used to, while the pressure of having Maddie's body crushing his own made him only more tense. However, Maddie's deep copper eyes let the boy know that her love for him was absolute and needed no actions to be confirmed; the words they shared expressed that enough for her to be eternally content. But then, Ivan could tell that Maddie desired to be more than simply content in her relationship. Ivan realized then that he, too, was smiling in a mirror image of his girlfriend. Ivan closed his eyes with a small laugh while his hands slid up Maddie's back to her cheeks.
"Sounds like a plan," Ivan whispered as his eyes opened and locked with his beloved's once more. The link was then severed as both pairs of eyes closed and both mouths opened in a different kind of bond. The connection was further enforced as Maddie's body came to rest on Ivan's.
"I love you, Madelyn Altair." Maddie sighed, a wide smile coming to her face as Ivan's lips trailed along her neck. Her arms squeezed around the boy's head, pinning him to her. Ivan, on the receiving end, couldn't have endured a more enjoyable crushing sensation.
"I love you, Ivan," Maddie replied in an affectionate whisper. "I love you, too."
Thusly, in a mix of sudden desperation and undiluted affection, Ivan and Maddie spent their last moments free of Dragoon-related obligation together in perfect harmony on the emerald grass beneath a long-branched amber tree of the Digital World.
"Do you think this'll work a place to relax?" TK's question never received a proper answer. Instead, the blond-haired boy found himself laughing at the scene that played out before him: Kari dropping his hand, dancing forward through the grove of trees, and spiraling around with a giant grin on her face to look at TK.
"You always have been great with surprises, TK," Kari said at last. TK shrugged his shoulders while his laughter trailed off. Hs placed Ivan's laptop carefully against the base of one tree before wandering into the center of the small grove of trees. Kari's arms wrap around his neck almost immediately.
"A little impatient, are we?" TK asked with another smirk. Kari gave her boyfriend the most charming smile she could muster in response. Meanwhile, Kari's legs started to lead TK backwards. He soon felt his movement blocked by one of the large trees, stopping him in the process. Kari's body pressed against his while her eyes kept TK's vision entranced.
"Not at all," Kari said in a soft, sweet voice. No sooner had the words left the girl's mouth than she leaned up against her boyfriend and captured his lips with her own. TK smiled inwardly at the cute, contradictory actions his girlfriend took. Simultaneously, his body reacted by hugging Kari to his body and kissing her yearning mouth in return. He reveled in the sensation of her lips' warm and smooth texture for as long as he dared before thinking he may have suffocated the girl and possibly himself, though he knew he wouldn't be able to complain if he died kissing Kari.
TK fluttered his eyes open as he slowly pulled his head back. As his sight came back into focus, the same brown-haired girl was gazing up at him as she had been. A smile graced her lips, and his senses told TK his mouth mirrored her contentment. His hands moved up and down slightly, brushing his fingers along the girl's back. Her head leaned towards him again, though this time not intending to touch his lips as she had before. Rather, she placed her head upon his shoulder as her fingertips lazily caressed the back of his neck. Her eyes slid closed once again, while TK's drifted upwards to look over the park about him. Seeing that no one had come to their secluded area, TK leaned back against the tree behind him, closing his eyes in the peaceful bliss of the moment.
"It's nice to be back here," the girl whispered after a long silence.
"It is, Kari," TK confirmed as he kept his hands moving in their affectionate pattern. "It's a beautiful day outside, too. Pretty unusual in April, don't you think?"
"Well, that's why we're here," she replied, pressing her body a bit closer to his. "We're here to make the most of it."
Another long pause came, as if to affirm what the girl had said, as the two rested in the harmony of one another's beating hearts. Kari then broke the silence again in saying, "You know what this reminds me of?"
"No, what?" the blond boy said, opening his eyes to look at her. Her eyes opened and met his gaze.
"Last year, in May," she said softly and slowly; her hands crept along his neck to his cheeks. "We spent the entire day together, for one day, on-"
"My birthday," TK finished for her. The girl smiled and nodded in response. "That had to be one of the best birthday presents I've ever gotten, Kari," he continued, using the same soft and serious tone as she.
"I'd happily give you that present every day," she responded lovingly. Her fingers traced up around his ears and back down to his neck before pulling him forward. She met his lips with hers in a passionate kiss. Locked together, their eyes slid closed once again as they pulled closer to one another. They stayed there, each enjoying the warm lips of the other, until Kari's tongue slipped through her lips and gently rubbed at TK's. The boy willingly consented to her request, meeting her tongue with his own. They met on middle ground, gently twirling and fluttering in their romantic dance. Kari slowly leaned her weight against the boy, pushing him into the tree as her hands lovingly caressed his neck. TK could feel the bark's rough abrasions against his shoulder blades, but his mind was far from pain as he mirrored the motions of her hands along the small of her back.
Kari persisted to slowly work herself closer to the boy, while TK continued to pull her closer in his arms, until a fleeing obstruction landed upon her nose. The girl's eyes snapped open as she pulled away from the sudden sensation. TK's eyes, too, shot open as he felt her warm tongue withdraw like a cobra. He stared at her as she broke into laughter, a hand falling from his neck to brush a leaf from her nose.
"Sorry," the brown-haired girl said after she calmed down, her loving smile returning to her lips as her hand joined the other about his neck. She kissed the boy again. The second kiss was done briefly and simply, yet no less passionately. As she pulled away the second time, much more subtly than before, she returned to nuzzling her head into his chest. "That was an amazing day," she whispered softly as her eyes slid closed once more. TK nodded slightly, resting his head lightly on top of hers.
"It was," he replied softly in her ear. "One of the most magical days we've ever had." The blond-haired boy let his eyes slide shut as he firmly yet gently held the girl in his arms. Behind his eyelids, the memories of his birthday replayed themselves in exquisite detail. Each moment, each word, and each kiss he and the girl he held in his arms sent incredible sensations through his body, bringing a smile to his lips once again.
"We've never lost our little presents from then, either," Kari continued. She shook her wrist slightly to make her metal bracelet jingle. TK followed her lead with his own wrist. "It was one of the first times that we were really able to spend time together since we had gotten back, what with all the other Digidestined getting hyped up over our being together and all. It was a wonderful way to break that monotony, wasn't it?" TK nodded quickly.
"It certainly was," TK agreed verbally. Then, with a clever smirk, he added, "But I think that your birthday was even more exciting two months later." Kari giggled at TK's mention of her own special day, recalling how similar it had been to TK's, and yet so different. "After running around the beach and besting everyone at the diving platform, I was really happy to see you still waiting there for me. Even when Davis tried to intervene for some weird reason, you held your commitment to me and gladly walked with me from the beach that afternoon. Then we came back here, again, and got to spend some time together. I also gave you that special present." TK trailed off in slight embarrassment over what he had given Kari. His poetic talents had never been more than above average, at best. To think that what he had written for his girlfriend was as perfect as he'd hoped it would be felt too trying for him. It wasn't until Kari replied that TK's fears were put to rest.
"You astounded me then, TK," He heard her say. "It still astounds me now, too. You and your secret writing lab that let you make such a beautiful poem for me – I'll have to thank it next time I get a chance to see it." TK sighed happily, hugging Kari more tightly in his arms.
"But you did your own share of astounding a few weeks later," TK countered with a smirk. Kari groaned in mock-frustration.
"TK," Kari said gently, "I wasn't going to stay unconscious like that forever. I only got hit by a car; it wasn't anything big. Maybe the silly doctors thought I was in a coma, but they were wrong for once in their long presumptuous careers. I've amazed the medical field more than once in my earlier childhood. I don't see why that gift would so suddenly fade away. I know it was hard for you to think of me as being away from you on that first night, but I came back to you. I'll always come back to you. No force will ever be strong enough to keep me from being with you and loving you with all my heart." TK could feel his heart burning against his chest, but could only smile and further squeeze the girl in his arms.
"You're right." TK managed to say after a moment, "Nothing ever will be strong enough to keep us apart. You also showed me how it can even help bring other people together. Just a couple months later, you and your ingenious plan for the thanksgiving holidays." TK sighed with contentment at the memory. "My parents were almost always trying to keep distance from one another. They couldn't stand being in the other's presence for longer than absolutely necessary. But my dad always was more willing to forgive and at least try to be on friendly terms with my mother, so he naturally agreed to have dinner together for a small reunion after so many years apart. We certainly scared my mother senseless when they walked in the door, but even she realized how divided her family and children had become thanks to the divorce. I'm not sure what exactly made her agree to have us there together without more warning, but I wasn't about to complain. It's all thanks to your wonderful planning skills and never-ending care for me." Kari gave TK a quizzical look.
"Never-ending?" Kari asked incredulously. TK blinked in confusion before meeting Kari's gaze. "Didn't I sort of scrap that whole thing for a month or so backing January?" TK's mouth opened in silent understanding. After a moment more, he dropped his head in slight shame of that experience. Kari's kiss to his cheek then roused the boy from his sadness. She smiled at him while she continued, "I'm still not even sure quite how to explain my feelings then myself. All I really know is that I felt that I needed some more distance from you, some more space for myself. You were always so kind and loving and gentle that I think it almost started to seem repetitive to me. As a result, we had a rough couple of weeks just before our first semi- formal dance in high school. That whole night had some really great entertainment with Ken finally coming down to visit, but it wasn't the same without you there. But then, you showed up and gave me one more chance. I guess it took that experience to show me how much you mean to me, even if I wasn't able to show you that physically. It was something I needed to do through our thoughts alone."
"You've explained it to me before, honey," TK said. "You don't need to delve into that whole thing again – we've gotten past the roughness of that time. And though it was hard at the time, it's only made our bond we share stronger. After all, I don't think that my own capabilities would have ever been quite so effective yesterday if I didn't have your love coursing through me when my adrenaline and reserve energy failed me. I don't think that any normal person in today's society could hope to vanquish four robotic drones without someone's romantic support behind their swings and blocks. That's why I think that us beating them back then wasn't just me, but both of us working together. Even if you weren't able to contributing by attacking with a weapon of your own, you certainly gave me enough back- up to beat each one of those demonic machines." Kari nodded her head slowly, her hands pulling the blond-haired boy closer to herself.
"It still scared me," Kari whispered. TK gave Kari a comforting look as he nuzzled his cheek against hers. "Whether it was in a medical research lab or anywhere else, I hate to see something put your life in danger. It doesn't seem fair that you still have to fight against these enemies when we've been away from there for so long. I know it's naïve and childish to say, but I really wish we didn't have to go back." TK took a deep breath, looking closely at the girl he held.
"We got this one last gift," TK told her in an attempt to sound positive. "One last chance to be together without anyone else watching or telling us what to do. One last chance to be together and think about everything that's passed since we came back from the Digital World. One last chance to reminisce on how all the events of the past year have brought us closer together and taught us so much." TK paused to kiss Kari gently. "Whether we'll be back here in a day or a couple weeks doesn't really matter," He went on. Kari could hear the decaying regret in TK's words as he spoke, making her try to comfort him more. "What matters is that no matter how long we have to keep our affections from public view, they will never falter or fade. We love each other now and we'll love each other until we come out successful on the other side. No matter how long we have to-" TK was interrupted by a beeping noise on his left wrist. TK sighed, looking up angrily at the sky above him. "Don't tell me it's three o' clock already." Kari's expression fell as well, looking unhappily towards the now-ominous looking laptop computer. Grudgingly, their arms fell to their sides as they walked towards the machine.
Kari decided to take the initiative when TK refused to go anywhere near the computer. She flipped the console open and began its start-up process. She made a weak attempt at smiling at TK, who sighed and sat down beside Kari. "It'll be okay, TK," Kari assured the boy as her arms hugged around his neck affectionately. "We'll go in there, put an end to this new threat together, and then come back. Once we're back, we'll have all the time in the world to be together." TK's expression gave a fleeting sign of brightening until his gaze fell back to the computer screen. Kari followed TK's eyes to see that the laptop was presently fully functional.
"No matter what the price will be," TK said quietly as he reached into his pocket, "We'll succeed over there. By the gods of the Digital World, we will succeed." Kari nodded in firm agreement as her hand gripped TK's tightly. TK gave the girl's hand a squeeze as he brought the Digivice up to behold the laptop monitor. Then, with a deep breath, TK glanced at the expression of love on Kari's face and yelled out the eternal command of the gates.
"Digi-port, open!" Within a second, a blast of brilliant white light and acute whistling engulfed the couple where they stood. Now only silhouettes, the gray masses that represented their heads joined for one last moment before dissipating into the waiting screen. On cue, the light from the screen ceased and the squeal of the warp-gate faded away. Also, the laptop itself seemed to have been physically hit by the force of TK and Kari traveling into it. Gradually, the base of the laptop and its attached monitor leaned backwards until the screen landed against the grass. The base section of the laptop followed suit as gravity took control and shut the computer. Nearly completely hidden from view by the unkempt green grass that as abundant around the trees there, Ivan's black laptop computer lay in an unintentional but nonetheless fortunate "off" position.
Wind rushed through the presently abandoned knell of trees. Only the budding leaves adorning the rebirthing trees and the tall stalks of grass reacted, bending in peaceful sway with the forceful air. No other force disturbed the area or, indeed, took any notice of TK and Kari's departure. From the verdant and comforting seclusion in the park, the couple had departed into a location of guaranteed, though unidentified peril. Stoic trees as the only witnesses, they left without any fanfare or public recognition. Indeed, no one but those expecting them on the other side was fully aware of their intentions. Stoic trees as the only witnesses, TK and Kari departed from the Real World to its digital counterpart to join Ivan and Maddie on the attack of an enemy production facility.
With no other force making any impression upon the grove of vibrant trees and grass, the sudden distinction and stark contrast in the times awaiting TK and Kari was evident – it was the day that the whole world went away.
(Short, sweet, and to the point. It's not supposed to be momentous or long, but simply portray final conclusions to each situation before we delve into the mysterious events of Book 3. You know what else this means? That's right – Book 2 is fully complete. With more than half of the book being written in a single month, I think I've scared myself more than anything. So much has happened in that course of time, too. It's amazing how much one can get done when they truly apply themselves. But for right now, I'm going to skip the pleasantries and get to the final points that must be made: the dedication, acknowledgements, and me running to school. First, the dedication.
-To Tiffany, for all that we shared and every wonderful memory she has left with me – no experience has ever taught me more
If you don't know, don't ask. If you do know, then you should understand. If you don't fit into either category, go see Blue Man Group. I would probably add in more here, but for the sake of time, I won't. Next point of business is the acknowledgements.
-To Matt, for being the single craziest and most supportive fan I've ever had
-To Denise, for providing a very comprehensive and effective critique of all my work
-To Angela, for her consistent reviews and constant interest in my work
-To Greg, for helping me with my latest music selections and storyline productions
-To both of my parents, for letting me stay up so late and get up so early just to keep working and constant support
-To Ms. Singer, for giving me wonderful support and feedback in my English class
-To Dr. Groden, for her amazing intellectual insight on what new things to focus on in my writing
-To Hannah, for her continual input on my chapters as I produce them
-To Cyberdracomon, for the indirect inspiration he gave me to write a long series of short stories
-To Charlie, for providing me with humorous ideas to throw in my book, if for nothing more than a good laugh
That'll conclude those this time around. Less input from outside forces, I guess. It was more of my own solo production. Nonetheless, it all came together and as such, my work here is done. For all of you who have read through this book, please be courteous and give me a review for my work. Some sort of critique or comments or even just a "Good job." I like to know who's checking in on what I write, so don't be shy. Book 3 won't be coming to the light for a month or so, but it will come – I promise. Simply retain your patience and all three of my other creations will come to the light. As for now, I must run and live out all the obligations I've been procrastinating on in order to finish writing this. I hope you've enjoyed my second book and I can't wait to hear from you. This is Ishara Studios, closing down.)
~Ivan Ishara, Guardian of Hope and Light~
The Ivani Chronicles : Book 2 – Reminiscence : Chapter 13 – The Day the Whole World Went Away
"Come on, TK, you're not thinking sensibly."
"Of course I am! I've never been more sure about what to do."
Ivan sighed, rubbing his forefingers against his eyes. He looked back up at the blond-haired boy before him with a strained expression. "Even if you think you know how to act, that doesn't mean that it's a safe move to make," Ivan told him. "We're going back to the Digital World on a mission, and it's not going to be a little walk through the woods." TK's feet stopped short in their movement across the wooden floor of his kitchen. He looked down at Ivan sitting in one of the chairs accompanying his dining room table.
"What does that matter?" TK countered. "Kari and I held our own last year-"
"This isn't going to be like last year at all," Ivan went on without heeding TK's arguments. "We're going back there to strike at one of the primary construction plants. That means that we're going to be right in the jaws of an enemy, somewhere we've been twice before and both times we nearly lost our own lives, even with our Dragoon armor. You and Kari don't have that gift, making it even more risky for you to go anywhere near the plant." TK grunted, scuffing one of his shoes against the polished wood.
"We can still manage," TK said heatedly. "Kari and I have grown a lot since we were last in the Digital World. You've seen it just as much as anyone else has. I was even able to defeat all four of those drones on my own." Ivan shook his head slowly and covered his forehead with his palms.
"Do you think that matters?" Ivan retorted. TK resumed his pacing with a nod of his head.
"Sure it does," TK said firmly. "I could barely take down one or two of those machines without someone's help last year. Now I can handle a whole bunch of them on my own without having a proper weapon to fight them with."
"But it was only a few drones," Ivan said. "We've got far more than a few drones on our hands where we're going. We're talking about a few hundred drones and dozens of robots. Maybe you could handle a few of those drones, but when they swarm you, you'd be in deep trouble."
"Then I'll just learn to get stronger at fighting them," TK replied with a sharp rounding of his heels. "It can't be too hard." Ivan stared at him in slight amazement.
"You've got to be kidding me," Ivan said incredulously. "I've had years of sword and physical training, as well as Dragoon Armor, and I have trouble facing that many drones. It's going to take all four of us to be able to take down an army of drones. You and Kari can't help for those sorts of mass battles, and your Digimon are entirely ineffectual."
"That doesn't mean we can't try," TK insisted. "Kari and I have already gotten so much better at taking care of these things together, and we can only get better. At the very least we won't be a drag on the battles." Ivan's eyes filled with question. TK sighed as he added, "I'm aware I can't fight against all of them on my own. I wish I could do more, but I'll have to accept that I'm limited right now. But that doesn't mean that I don't want to put in my share for this mission. You and Maddie are both fighting by obligation, but I want to be there by my own choice. Not only is the safety of the Digital World of utmost importance to me, but I also now hold a personal vendetta with these drones." Ivan blinked, his gaze fixating further on the blond-haired boy.
"But your mother will be fine-"
"It's more than that," TK cut Ivan off. "You still don't seem to understand what nearly happened to Kari and myself in the lab. They weren't trying to kill us; they wanted to capture Kari. They may have wanted me, too, but I don't know. The point is that they nearly succeeded in breaking us apart and I'm not going to sit here and wait until they try again and do succeed. They need to be taught a lesson, and it's something that I want to do myself."
"It's not that easy to do, though, TK," Ivan replied. Fatigue was evident in his voice. "Enemies that are heading whatever force is after us are far beyond your capabilities to defeat." TK shook his head violently then glared at the brown-haired boy.
"I'll be damned if I don't give it a try," TK said vehemently. "The Digital World has never placed a force before me that I couldn't handle, and it's not going to start now. After all, haven't we risen to the occasion to defeat our enemies there time and time again? Why should this time be any different? Sure, our Digimon don't hurt them as much as everything else we've faced before. That doesn't mean that I'm going to back down now without trying again. It's never been easy, but that won't make us give up." Ivan's eyes locked with TK's in a long battle. Ivan's will was breaking and he knew it; TK's stubbornness was not something he wished to contend with at one in the morning on his last day in the Real World.
"TK, I can't keep arguing with you on this," Ivan said with a groan. "I've been here in your apartment for hours, now. I have to leave tomorrow for the Digital World. Honestly, the choice is really yours. I've given you my reasoning for why I don't think you should go, but I can't force you to change your mind. If you feel that you really want to go through with all of this, then I can't stop you." TK watched Ivan, sudden curiosity coming to his eyes.
"Would Kari and I be welcome to go with you?" TK asked tentatively. Ivan shrugged his shoulders and dropped his gaze to the ground.
"I guess," Ivan said. "I mean there's no way that we could just leave you out to dry. I'm obligated to protect you and Kari both. I wouldn't have you two wandering alone trying to find some way to take down the entire factory on your own." TK's face lit up in his success. Ivan's sharp voice cut through his revelry, however, stating, "But, if you're going to come with us, then you're both going to be subject to far stricter regulations than what we had in the woods last year."
"What do you mean?" TK asked. His pacing came to an end, instead deciding to lean against the kitchen counter. Ivan brought his eyes from the ground to meet TK's.
"Last year, there were way too many close calls," Ivan explained. TK reluctantly nodded his agreement. "The time that you and Kari got caught in the woods behind us, the time that Kari was captured by the spiders, the time that you and she both fell down into the wolf-lion's lair."
"I remember all of those," TK said with an aggravated tone. Ivan heeded the tone of TK's words, instead returning to the point of his statement.
"You weren't the only ones to be caught like that," Ivan assured him, "Maddie found herself in very dangerous situations, too, and it was only through our teamwork that we were able to pull off anything in the end. More importantly, we had ample time and space to be able to solve whatever challenges we had in there. This time, we won't have any leeway for mistakes. This time, we have only one shot. If we screw up and someone gets injured or suffers perhaps a worse fate, the mission is given up. We cannot back out of the plant without successfully disabling it if we ever want to be able to accomplish our objective."
"So what are your rules for us?" TK asked in a serious tone. "Kari and I will both abide by whatever you wish for us to do. You know that our wish is the same as yours – for achievement of the plant's destruction."
"I know you do," Ivan replied with a nod. "And if you want to help, then we'll figure out some way that you and Kari can contribute. The more people we have to help, the less pressure there is on any one person's shoulder. And I'm not naive enough to think that cooperation isn't a necessity in our attack. The exact rules you'll need to follow, I'm not too sure of yet. Part of it depends on what the plant design is like and part of it depends on if we have to split up or not. Just listen to and obey the orders from myself or one of the other Dragoons. We'll be the ones to keep you two protected from the greater danger of the robots since your size limits your affectivity against them." TK nodded in comprehension.
"We can do that," TK consented. Then, with a slight chuckle, he added, "I don't think we'd argue about leaving the bigger things to you anyway." Ivan nodded as a smile came to his lips for the first time in the past few hours.
"Well, if you can agree to that then I guess the choice is left solely in your field. If you want to come, you can come. If you get your senses back and realize that your life is being placed on a wire by joining us, then feel free to stay here. Think before you answer that – you also must take into consideration what is best for Kari's life. You and she are so connected that even if only one of you were to suffer the dire consequences of an enemy attack, it would break both of you."
TK's brow furrowed as he took in the comment. He knew that the statement was true, too. If something were to happen to Kari, he knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Likewise, he knew from her constant affection that her own life would be shattered if the enemy took his life. That risk was something TK had simply ignored in his preliminary deliberation. But now that Ivan had brought it back into his mind, his plans were stayed. Ivan's voice returned, breaking the uneasy silence that his lack of response had left.
"Don't think that any injury is sure to come to you if you join us," Ivan mentioned. "I am the Dragoon of Hope and Light, and as such my own virtues would be forfeit if I didn't do everything in my power to keep both you and Kari safe from any adversary. I'm torn enough by the drop in my guard that allowed for the drones to get at you yesterday. My only point to be made here is that, although you will be somewhere that I can keep you fairly well protected, I must also keep with the other three Dragoons. Without my shielding, they are just as vulnerable to the drones and robots as you are." TK nodded, taking the additional information into account as he weighed the risks against the possible accomplishments.
Ivan's vow of security was some help to TK, but he still felt his own personal responsibility to Kari's safety. He knew that it was undoubtedly because of his omnipotent love for her, along with his dedication to the promises he made to her. Thoughts of his own safety were shoved aside – his own combative talent and evasive skill would be his defense if all else failed. With no other risks worth heeding in his brain, TK looked from the grain of the wood back to Ivan's blue eyes.
"We'll go," TK stated. Ivan held the boy's gaze for a moment, checking the validity of his words. In TK's blue eyes, dimmed by the unlit room, Ivan could see the cold and gray insides of the child. It startled Ivan so see it, after how well the small smile on his face hid the implication that he was torn inside. However, Ivan could fully understand why TK felt so broken inside and why his voice sounded so broken, so decayed. He was honestly worried about the well being of his mother and, moreover the risks that were hounding his thoughts in regards to Kari. TK's care for the girl was so immense that the risk she now faced linked directly into TK's own mindset. TK would not stand for anything endangering his beloved's well being. Since something was now implicating a danger in her life, TK responded immediately. Though it was perhaps exaggerated, Ivan could see that TK gave up his own happiness and peace until he knew that Kari was able to enjoy the same emotions. When her emotions were not positive, but rather plagued by fear and despair, TK suffered as well. The empathetic link shared between the couple was something Ivan's awareness had glazed over in the past.
Ivan nodded firmly, breaking eye contact. "So be it," Ivan said softly. "To whatever great risks lie ahead, we'll take them on together." TK's minor smile grew into a smirk. Ivan noticed the flash of life within the blond-haired boy's eyes, letting him know that not all was yet lost, that TK's hope was just as strong as ever.
"Thanks," TK responded. He threw his weight from the counter back to his feet. Then, after a moment's thought, he asked, "What's the plan for tomorrow, then?"
Ivan was still for a moment, and then rose to his feet. As he did so, he told TK, "Maddie and I are heading back around midday. Before then, we're going to be moving the excess stuff from our apartment down to here as we went over and the Kamiyas will take care of our apartment deed until Ms. Takaishi is back from the hospital."
"And when will Kari and I go to the Digital World?" TK furthered, doing his best to mask his impatience. "Should we go through with you at the same time?" Ivan looked up at the ceiling in processing the possibilities.
"Well, I'm, not sure it would be too safe to have you two jump through the gate right off," Ivan said slowly. "I think it'd be better if you gave us some time to secure the gate on the other side in case Hakin and Susan had to move from the site or something. Two hours will be enough for us, and that should give you and Kari some more time to get all of your own affairs in order over here before we embark." TK nodded in acceptance, albeit reluctantly.
"If you think that's best," TK said. Then, in retrospect, he continued, "It would be nice to have a little time here to make sure everything's taken care of, too. You're right on that account."
"Then we'll leave it at that, alright?" TK nodded again, this time with far more willingness to Ivan's comment. Though he had been energized by all of the happenings some twelve hours ago, he had since lost a lot of his momentum to the generic fatigue that all humans are subject to. He yawned before replying verbally.
"Some sleep would be a good thing, yeah," The blond-haired boy said with a sheepish smile. Ivan chuckled, stretching as he walked stiffly towards TK's apartment door. TK followed the boy to bid him farewell.
"I'll start bringing the stuff down tomorrow around ten, alright?" TK gave a thumbs-up sign of agreement as he stifled a second yawn with his other hand. Ivan smirked. "I'll see you then," Ivan added. His hand sent the apartment door swinging open on its hinges.
"Sleep well," TK said, apology in his voice. "Sorry for dragging you down here and keeping you up so late." Ivan shook his head, holding up his palm to TK to stop him.
"Don't worry about it," Ivan told him. "Things like this need to be taken care of." As the brown-haired boy stepped out onto the balcony, feeling the crisp bite of the night wind, his eyes fell upon the glowing moon in the sky above him. "Kinda funny," Ivan went on softly, to no one in particular. "It's April again already. Who'd have thought we'd be here for a whole year before our services were called upon again." TK shrugged, trying to be somewhat supportive but failing miserably.
"It's weird how things work out sometimes," TK commented as he leaned against the doorframe of his apartment entrance. "But it's a call that we have to answer." Ivan nodded, turning with a wave to TK.
"We do, indeed," Ivan stated. Then, with a smirk, he added, "And you'll be able to answer it better than you think." TK's eyes grew large. He stared at Ivan in bewilderment, but the boy said nothing more. Ivan simply dropped his hand to his side and walked briskly down the corridor to the stairwell. TK was left staring at the dark space before his eyes, utterly perplexed, until his exhaustion overcame his willpower and he retreated to his bed.
Ivan walked through the threshold into his apartment complex, followed quickly by an equally tired-faced TK. The pair of boys leaned against the inside of the doorframe as the door swung leisurely back into its closed position. Kari emerged from the kitchen at the sound of the noise, moving quickly to give her boyfriend a hug. Maddie, bearing her son in her arms, came down the hallway from the apartment's main bedroom a moment later. The elder girl gawked at the sight of the two boys.
"Is that the last of it?" Maddie nodded to the brown-haired boy, doing her best to keep from laughing at the perspiration dripping from his brow. Ivan smirked at her in response. "Always so understanding and accepting of the pains we go through to move everything down to TK's apartment." Maddie gave another affirmative shake of her head.
"You're very welcome, honey," Maddie said with a condescending grin. Ryan squealed, bobbing his weight around in Maddie's arms.
"Poor Daddy," Ryan said in an attempt to be sympathetic. His arms then swung tighter around Maddie's neck. "Do you think we shoud help 'im?" Maddie dropped her eyes to the ground and rested a finger on her cheek in thought. She shrugged her shoulders a minute later.
"I suppose we could," Maddie told the child. "Why don't we go give daddy a big hug for being so helpful?" Ryan beamed. Turning to see that Ivan was still there just inside the doorframe, he lunged from Maddie's grasp at his adoptive father. Ivan's continual practice with caring for an infant, coupled with his inherit reflexes, let him safely catch Ryan before Maddie's arms lost their grip.
"Careful, big guy," Ivan said with a chuckle as he bounced Ryan gently in his arms to gain a more secure grip. Ryan laughed giddily as his arms wove around Ivan's neck to hug him. Maddie followed her son's lead and threw her arms around both of the boys. TK and Kari glanced at one another with smirks on their faces.
"How cute," TK said with incredible, high-pitched sarcasm. Kari giggled and played along with him happily.
"It's the perfect photo opportunity," Kari mentioned with a mocking, wistful tone. TK took his turn to laugh as the two elder children turned to face them with amused scowls. Ivan and Maddie exchanged glances, and nodded.
"We'll get you two later," Ivan stated. Maddie continued to nod her assent. TK gasped lightly while Kari continued to giggle at the scene. "Just wait until we get back here."
"I'm sure," TK said haughtily. Ivan simply gave the blond-haired boy a sinister grin while he slowly turned to walk down the hallway to his bedroom. TK then turned to Maddie, his expression turning more serious. "I guess it's just about time to depart, then, isn't it?" He asked.
"Yeah," Maddie confirmed. "We'll need to get through the gate in a couple minutes. We'll locate Hakin, Susan and all of the Digimon. Then we'll secure the gate nearest to the plant we're hitting as possible and wait for you to get there. We'll be heading out for the plant at sunset." TK nodded periodically as he heard the rough explanation of time coordination once again.
"Okay, then," TK said in understanding. "Kari and I will wait until it's around three in the afternoon before we go through the gate. From there on out, it's all in the hands of our capabilities in the Digital World." Maddie smiled while one of her hands rose to brush her hair back from her eyes.
"Be sure to rest while you can," Maddie suggested. "Once we're underway, we aren't going to be taking any breaks if we can help it. Straight in, straight out is how we want it to go. If you guys want one last chance to be close and able to act as a couple rather than part of a group, this is going to be your last chance for a while. Over there, we're going to be depending on constant cooperation from everyone as a whole, not as separate couplets that refuse to work without their counterpart. If we can't work like that then the whole mission will be botched." TK and Kari both gave their grudging acceptance of the rule. "Ivan and I don't like it either," Maddie added in a try for consolation. "No couple likes having to spend time without that bond of love being actively present, but this is one of those times where sacrifices must be made. We'll be together, but we'll be together as a friendly group, not romantic pairs."
"We understand," Kari replied for both herself and TK. "And we'll abide by that. It'll only be for a few days at most, which we've spent apart before. It shouldn't be too hard, and if it gets rough we'll have Houndramon intervene with some of his biting sarcasm about love." Maddie nodded with a laugh.
"That should work well enough," Maddie said happily. "And if that fails, I'm sure that we can have Filmaramon make a wall between the two of you. However you'd prefer we do it, we can. You just have to be willing to try it."
"And we are," TK assured her. "We'll also heed your advice about making the most of the time we have before we leave."
"Does that mean you'll be leaving the apartment?" Ivan asked. TK looked over, startled that Ivan had reappeared beside Maddie so suddenly. He was carrying a large backpack in one hand while leading a tottering Ryan with his other. Ivan tilted his head to the side, emphasizing his question. TK looked to Kari, who only shrugged in reply. She was just as confused as TK.
"I think so," TK said slowly in answer. "Does that matter?" Ivan nodded while shouldering his backpack and leading the small procession from the hallway into the barren living room. The past two hours left the once- decorated and filled room with little more than the bare furniture and painted walls. Ryan's toy chest, all of the books that had been scattered across the coffee table, and even the extra blankets and pillows littering the couch had been removed. Only Ivan's laptop, turned on and displaying a void desktop remained as a foreign object in the starkly drab room.
"You two will need to be able to have access to the same gate that Maddie and I take over," Ivan explained as he sat down before the computer and opened the proper preliminary documents. "And I don't know if you two are planning on being somewhere with a computer or not, so you might want to take this with you."
"You think we could take your laptop?" TK asked in amazement. Ivan shrugged and leaned back in the armchair.
"I don't see why not," Ivan replied affirmatively. "Maybe it'll be stuck out there for a day or two, but we'll be back quick enough that it won't matter too much. If something terrible happens and we lose it, it still won't matter. It's worth the risk of losing it to give you and Kari all the time you can have to relax before we begin our strike."
"Thanks a lot," TK said with a bow. "We'll be sure to put it somewhere safe when we go through it so no one will steal it." Ivan smiled at the blond-haired boy while Ryan hopped into Ivan's lap.
"When are we goin', Daddy?" Ryan interrupted, his wide eyes full of question. Ivan shrugged, looking from Ryan to TK.
"It all depends on when we can convince this guy over here to boot up the gate and let us through," Ivan told Ryan. Ryan's eyes in turn looked up at the standing boy. TK blinked, looking between the two other boys somewhat meekly.
"We're waiting for me?" TK asked, perplexed. Ivan shrugged his shoulders and nodded, pointing to his pocket. TK followed the finger and withdrew his Digivice from the indicated pocket. TK then let out a noise of understanding. "Well then, let me provide you two with a gate to the Digital World," TK said triumphantly. He gave a wide flourish with his hand, much to Kari's amusement. The screen of his Digivice aimed at the laptop monitor, TK called out, "Digi-port, open!"
At his words, Ivan's laptop screen erupted with light and a high- pitched squeal. TK shielded his eyes with his free hand, squinting to see the three figures heading through the warp. "Good luck!" TK shouted over the piercing whistle.
"See you in a few hours!" Came a yelled reply from Ivan. TK watched as the three figured huddled together, Ryan's body barely visible between Ivan and Maddie. Then, with a sudden rush of wind, the trio disappeared. Soon thereafter the light of the computer screen faded away and the noise ceased to be anything more than a ringing in the ears of TK and Kari. The computer screen reverted to its normal, inert display of various icons.
Kari let out a small sigh, staring downwards at her shoes. "This is really going quickly," she said. TK nodded while sitting down in Ivan's chair and shutting the laptop computer down.
"We don't have any time to lose," TK said in reply. "The longer we wait, the more chance there is of the enemy attacking us again and the more chance there is of bolstered defenses sitting and waiting for us at the factory." The pulled the monitor of the laptop down and lifted it from the coffee table to underneath his left arm. Noticing the discomfort in Kari's brown eyes, TK forced a smile to his lips and placed his free arm around the girl's shoulders. "Don't worry," he told her gently. "Things are going to work out. It may be quick, but we can still manage. We've had to move fast in the past, too. But for the moment, why don't we go and spend some time together without thinking about what's going to happen when we go through the computer, okay?" Kari's eyes retained their focus on the floor before her feet but she nodded her head.
"I'd like that," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "But where can we go? Your house would only make me think of all the stuff Ivan and Maddie left behind, and my house would leave us with Tai breathing down our necks." TK snickered at the last comment and pressed his forehead against Kari's.
"Don't think like that, you goofball," TK said in humorous chastisement. "I wasn't thinking of either of those places." Kari looked at the boy beside her in question, her eyes finally dragging upwards from the floor. TK smiled at her lovingly. "I've got the perfect place in mind." Without giving any further reply, TK led the brown-haired girl courteously through the empty hallways of Ivan's apartment to the apartment's entry door, then out and down the complex elevator.
"I think we can stake our claim up here," Ivan said to the girl beside him. Maddie looked around the place Ivan was speaking of. The couple was presently walking up a small hill whish was topped with a single tree. The grass around it, as all vegetation in the Digital World, was lush and inviting. The site was perhaps a quarter of a mile from where the gate they had traversed lay.
"It looks like a lovely spot," Maddie agreed. With a glance in the direction of the television terminal, she added, "Do you think that Ryan will be alright with Hakin and Houndramon for the next hour or so?" Ivan chuckled as he led Maddie up to the large, leafy tree and sat down beneath it.
"You saw how well Ryan took to the big oaf to begin with," Ivan said with a wide smile on his face. "And Houndramon's genuinely excited to have someone new around. They'll take great care of Ryan; there are few other people I'd trust him with, you know that." Maddie nodded and sat down beside her boyfriend. "More than anything," Ivan continued while his arms embraced the girl affectionately, "the two of them wanted for us to be able to have the same little allotment of time together that TK and Kari get to have. With all of the obligations of parenting, I think I have to agree with Hakin that we haven't really had a whole lot of time to spend with just each other."
"I know, I know," Maddie said softly as she curled into Ivan's caring hug. "It has been a while since we were able to just be together and talk about silly things without having some sort of obligation or other hanging over our heads." Ivan pressed his lips to Maddie's forehead. Maddie smiled to herself. The knowledge that truly nothing would deter Ivan from showing how much she meant to him always brought new warmth to her heart and into her time with him. Her arms slipped around Ivan's body, hugging him gently. Ivan and Maddie both soon found themselves lying in the afternoon shade beneath the large canopy of leaves on the tree branches above.
Ivan laid his head back against the grass beneath him. The verdant blades bent to cushion his head, creating a soft pillow. As the rest of his body relaxed, his eyes gazed over the landscape about him. About his lying position stretched a great expanse of the same brilliant green grass. It sloped down gently to each side. To his right, the grass met a sparse wall of brown columns, each topped with a large green array of leaves. The wooded area stretched on for some distance, perhaps a few miles, and slowly faded out along the edge of his range of vision. His eyes then drifted downwards, where the carpet of green blades met another obstacle, this time of a blue hue. Long and narrow, a stream weaved its path through the grass then into the trees on his right. The grass continued on after the river, stretching on into the horizon. It was dotted by the occasional tree or shrub. Ivan's eyes then looked above him, into the great azure span of the sky. Through it passed a few wispy puffs of white and light gray. His view of these was partially obscured by the canopy of leaves coming from the tree behind him. The great brown tower stood majestically above the boy, providing shade from the piercing orange globe that slowly sank on the far side of the tree. Ivan watched the leaves of the tree be tousled by the light breeze, feeling the wind toy with his light brown hair as well. A single leaf was plucked from its home upon the tree and slowly sailed down towards the boy. He watched the leaf make the slow, waving journey through the air until it came to rest gently on his left side, causing the brown- haired girl, although it couldn't be called completely brown due to the blond highlights running through it, to stir slightly.
"Mmm." she muttered, her left hand reaching up and gently brushing the leaf from her hair.
"Hey there," Ivan whispered softly to the girl as his left arm tightened a bit about her, letting his fingers continue their gentle stroking motions upon her back. "Are you comfy?"
She sighed in contented affirmation, edging herself closer to the brown- haired boy. She dropped her left hand back down to his chest. She then began tracing soft, loving shapes upon his chest as it rose and fell slowly with his breath. At the same time, she moved her right hand up then down as she let her fingers dance about his ear and through his short, soft hair. "Never felt better," she replied at last, gently pressing her lips to his shoulder before resting her head against him once again.
Ivan smiled, leaning his head to her fingers' touch. In return, he let his own right hand reach up and set his fingers to caress the girl's ear and hair that was lying presently in its natural state, free of any restraints. "That makes two of us, then," Ivan whispered as he again pulled her a bit closer with his left arm. The girl mirrored his smile as he continued, "It's been so long since we've had some time alone to just relax in." The girl nodded in response.
"I'm surprised it's been a whole year," Maddie agreed.
"But it's nice to have some time to finally spend with you, darling," the boy said, brushing the back of his fingers across her cheek. "I've really missed being with you."
"I've missed you too, Ivan," the girl said softly. She then lifted herself up a bit and pulled her body closer to his, looking down into his eyes; his beautiful azure eyes, the eyes that had captivated her for years. She could look into his angelic pools for an eternity and never bore of them. She felt him gazing back into her own eyes, of an amber hue, and knew that he had the same feelings for her. The knowledge of such, and the loving smile that graced his lips, made her heart melt as she held him in her arms. She wished she could always keep him there in her grasp. However, she knew it was naïve to think that would be true, even though she was determined to make the most of the time they had. As if in affirmation of such, she cast all her thoughts aside and pressed her lips to his, which she felt returned with equal love and passion instantaneously.
The two held together for a moment, then slowly parted, with mirroring smiles of fondness and devotion to one another. Maddie then slowly retreated back to her original spot, snuggling up against Ivan's body. His strong arms wrapped about her gave her a sense of protection and safety she had never known before. It made sense, for he was regarded as the 'Guardian' by all who knew him. It was the sense that she was the ward of such, however, that made her feel an even stronger attraction to the boy. Pulling a bit closer to Ivan, she gently closed her eyes once again to enjoy the blissful peace of his embrace.
Ivan's eyes fell upon the resting girl, the smile upon his lips growing slightly as he watched her frame rise and fall with slow breaths. Unadorned by anything but her casual clothes and merely in her natural state, she held a beauty that transfixed the boy beyond all comprehension. Caressing her cheek and ear softly with his right hand, he reveled in the quiet sighs of joy she gave out and leaned to his touch. Seeing her so happy filled him with joy as well, and their peaceful respite was something they had each been in desperate need of. The past year had been excruciating, with a scant few rests along the way. Now he could feel the fatigue of all that had passed fall from his shoulders, and as Maddie snuggled her thin, agile body closer to his firm and athletic frame, he could sense her pleasure and relaxation as well.
At length, Maddie tilted her head and asked, "You know what this reminds me of?" Ivan looked down, meeting her gaze, thinking back to what she could be referring to.
"I'm not sure, darling," he responded after a moment. "It reminds me of all the times we've spent together; are you referring to a particular instance?"
Maddie nodded slightly. "I think it must've been a full year ago now," she concluded. "That whole reunion of TK and Kari to their families and friends. There was a lot of love emanating there; a lot of closeness." Her voice trailed off and Ivan picked up as his mind went back to the time she spoke of.
"It was a crazy time, love," Ivan said. "After we got them all back home, our troubles only just began. However, those first few minutes are truly some of the most memorable we've ever seen." Ivan rested his head back against the verdant grass, pulling Maddie a bit closer as his eyes slowly slid closed in memory.
"We learned a lot from that little excursion, too," Maddie went on. "All the stress of finding a house, networking through our friends to organize the purchase of the apartment, and everything else that we never realized went into home ownership."
"All too true," Ivan said definitively. "I'm certainly happy to not have to do that sort of thing ever again. I'd far prefer the life of wandering about the Digital World or something than have to go through the constant bills that we have to pay to live in an apartment. Can you imagine how rough it will be to take care of an actual house?" Maddie nodded her head against the boy's shoulder in demonstration of her awareness.
"It will be hard," Maddie said, "But it will be necessary if we want to be able to provide a proper childhood for Ryan. We can't expect to have him grow up here when he has no real place in the fighting of this world. He shouldn't have to be subjected to it."
"But you know he's already faced worse situations than this," Ivan said gravely. His arms tightened around Maddie's body, knowing that she hated thinking about what life Ryan had before she had intervened and taken the child as her own. "Mister Tawaido was a terrible father and an even worse husband. We both saw that and we acted as we thought best. The result left us as parents before we were sixteen years old. Maybe we can't give Ryan an ideal life, but we can at least give him a life filled with love. That's what's most important in the upbringing of a child, after all. Whether or not we can provide him with all the right clothes or the best toys or even the safest housing doesn't matter so long as the life Ryan knows is a life with love." Ivan caressed Maddie's cheek with feather-light strokes of his thumb as he added, "You know that in your life now, although it's not safer than the life you lived before, it's so much more meaningful to you because there's love present there, too." Maddie's breathing grew much deeper as she nodded slowly.
"I know we did the right thing," Maddie stated after a pause. Ivan's reassuring embrace furthered Maddie's resolve in her words. "I just hope that we'll be able to raise him as well as he deserves."
"Of course we will," Ivan said with a gentle toss of his head. "We can raise Ryan very well so long as we work together. We've done so well for the past year, I don't see why it should change. Nothing around here could be as harsh as what we had to go through at the beginning of the school year." Maddie bit her lower lip softly as she remembered another painful experience from the past year.
"Yeah," Maddie agreed wholeheartedly. "That was something I wouldn't ever care to relive. All those sick people in the school who couldn't even bother giving us a chance. They just had to jump to the most insulting conclusion possible without giving any regard to our own feelings. You suffered endlessly in all the classes you had to take and I wasn't immune to them, either. Ryan was really the only person I could depend upon as a beacon to keep me from losing my mind by the end of History class. It just makes me sick to think of how little some people can care about the feelings of others." Ivan's finger pressed softly against the girl's lips as he let out a low shushing noise.
"Relax," Ivan soothed the brown-haired girl. "I know that they were terrible to you and it's not something that I'll ever be able to truly forgive them for, that's a fact. But on the brighter side of it all, it helped to make our bond stronger. The stronger that bond becomes, the more capable we'll be to raise our son."
"If you want to talk about strong bonds then just look at the stunt we pulled for your birthday," Maddie said with a smirk. Ivan chuckled as he remembered the lovely surprise he received overseas in California.
"Yeah, yeah," Ivan said a bit sheepishly. "You and Ryan really surprised all of us with that move. But you're right – that was just another time in which our bond became too powerful to be denied a way to keep us together. It took some work and the possibility of prolonged separation to engage it, but it happened all the same. You and Ryan were able to take my one ticket and fly to LAX together while I used my dragoon armor to get to Carlsbad directly. And since it took me a little longer than I had planned, my grandfather headed out before I could head him off. All the fortunate coincidences of those few days really are quite amazing."
"That's what makes our relationship so magical," Maddie replied lovingly. She pressed her lips to Ivan's neck, making him recoil slightly and grin, before adding, "Just like the magical Christmas story you had to tell Ryan and I when we made that same trip over to visit your grandparents a couple months later. We were more organized then, though, so we were able to sit together on the same plane flight while you told us about your childhood memories: everything about Alex, Rebecca, and Allison. It had a tragic ending then, yes, but your life's gone on since then and I think it's safe to say that there's been some little bonuses since then." Ivan nodded contentedly in response.
"Right now being one of them," Ivan said slyly. Maddie giggled. "But it hasn't all been happy-go-lucky since then. There was, of course, the most recent serious event in the school." Maddie's laughter faded quickly. Ivan sighed, hating how Maddie hurt from the loss of her dear friend. "We don't have to dwell on Zero's choice right now," Ivan went on quickly. "It's just an example of how things don't always turn out as bright and enjoyable as we'd like them to be. Every now and then we have to face the harsh truth of reality – life is a cruel and often a seemingly unfair period of time that people must go through. Unfortunately, Zero didn't feel strong enough to complete the period of time. Together, we now pray that he has been reunited with his parents in the afterlife and is finally able to rest after giving life the best effort that he could." Maddie's head nodded gradually.
"He was a great kid for the time that he was with us," Maddie said sadly. Ivan did his best to support Maddie as she spoke, comforting the girl with his unwavering embrace. "He was such a great guide and he was always willing to step in and help me out when classes were getting rough. He would jump out into the hallway with me, too, when the kids decided to try and harass me again. He even came to sit with us at lunch from time to time and throw his great sense of humor into the mix." After a hesitant pause, Maddie whispered, "It's a shame that Zero wasn't able to be our comrade over here. I think that he would have been a wonderful addition to the team if only he had more courage in getting through the first few days after his parents' murders." Ivan shook his head slowly, looking grimly at the girl in his arms.
"Let's not think about what could have been, darling," Ivan said quietly. "That will only make you more upset instead of helping you cope with his passing." An awkward silence followed Ivan's words while Maddie thought about Ivan's words. She knew the boy was right, though, and the bobbing of her head let him know that.
"I know he's gone now," Maddie stated. "It's a horrible loss to the world, but I know he's gone and I'll accept it. After all, there's no real point in thinking of Zero as a possible Dragoon. Which god would he become the servant of, the gigantic salamander? And what would the crests he was known for be, the crests of kindness and charity?" Ivan laughed to himself in spite of himself.
"I can see it now," Ivan elaborated, "Zeromon, the Great Slime-Lizard of Kindness and Charity." The couple laughed for a few moments, though not in any disrespect to their departed friend. Rather, the statement came as a comforting way of coping with the extenuating circumstances imposed upon both of the young adults. "We'll miss you, Zero," Ivan added after catching his breath. He spoke not to Maddie this time, but to the sky he could see through the foliage. Ivan allowed for Maddie to take a silent moment in prayer to her dead friend, and then pulled her back tightly into his arms.
"Our time's almost up," Ivan told the brown-haired girl with a glance at the sun. "TK and Kari should be through the TV in a few minutes. Once they're here, we'll have to give up this kind of closeness until we get back from the plant." Maddie nodded very slowly while she drew her body from Ivan's slowly. Ivan's sapphire eyes watch the girl, confused, as she withdrew. Maddie, however, was only positioning her body atop Ivan's before leaning down on the boy and slipping her hands around Ivan's neck. Ivan's arms came upwards and wrapped around the small of Maddie's back in turn.
"I guess we'll just have to make the most of it, then," Maddie said, stealing her boyfriend's motto. The adoring smile that came to Maddie's lips sent Ivan's heartbeat far faster than he was used to, while the pressure of having Maddie's body crushing his own made him only more tense. However, Maddie's deep copper eyes let the boy know that her love for him was absolute and needed no actions to be confirmed; the words they shared expressed that enough for her to be eternally content. But then, Ivan could tell that Maddie desired to be more than simply content in her relationship. Ivan realized then that he, too, was smiling in a mirror image of his girlfriend. Ivan closed his eyes with a small laugh while his hands slid up Maddie's back to her cheeks.
"Sounds like a plan," Ivan whispered as his eyes opened and locked with his beloved's once more. The link was then severed as both pairs of eyes closed and both mouths opened in a different kind of bond. The connection was further enforced as Maddie's body came to rest on Ivan's.
"I love you, Madelyn Altair." Maddie sighed, a wide smile coming to her face as Ivan's lips trailed along her neck. Her arms squeezed around the boy's head, pinning him to her. Ivan, on the receiving end, couldn't have endured a more enjoyable crushing sensation.
"I love you, Ivan," Maddie replied in an affectionate whisper. "I love you, too."
Thusly, in a mix of sudden desperation and undiluted affection, Ivan and Maddie spent their last moments free of Dragoon-related obligation together in perfect harmony on the emerald grass beneath a long-branched amber tree of the Digital World.
"Do you think this'll work a place to relax?" TK's question never received a proper answer. Instead, the blond-haired boy found himself laughing at the scene that played out before him: Kari dropping his hand, dancing forward through the grove of trees, and spiraling around with a giant grin on her face to look at TK.
"You always have been great with surprises, TK," Kari said at last. TK shrugged his shoulders while his laughter trailed off. Hs placed Ivan's laptop carefully against the base of one tree before wandering into the center of the small grove of trees. Kari's arms wrap around his neck almost immediately.
"A little impatient, are we?" TK asked with another smirk. Kari gave her boyfriend the most charming smile she could muster in response. Meanwhile, Kari's legs started to lead TK backwards. He soon felt his movement blocked by one of the large trees, stopping him in the process. Kari's body pressed against his while her eyes kept TK's vision entranced.
"Not at all," Kari said in a soft, sweet voice. No sooner had the words left the girl's mouth than she leaned up against her boyfriend and captured his lips with her own. TK smiled inwardly at the cute, contradictory actions his girlfriend took. Simultaneously, his body reacted by hugging Kari to his body and kissing her yearning mouth in return. He reveled in the sensation of her lips' warm and smooth texture for as long as he dared before thinking he may have suffocated the girl and possibly himself, though he knew he wouldn't be able to complain if he died kissing Kari.
TK fluttered his eyes open as he slowly pulled his head back. As his sight came back into focus, the same brown-haired girl was gazing up at him as she had been. A smile graced her lips, and his senses told TK his mouth mirrored her contentment. His hands moved up and down slightly, brushing his fingers along the girl's back. Her head leaned towards him again, though this time not intending to touch his lips as she had before. Rather, she placed her head upon his shoulder as her fingertips lazily caressed the back of his neck. Her eyes slid closed once again, while TK's drifted upwards to look over the park about him. Seeing that no one had come to their secluded area, TK leaned back against the tree behind him, closing his eyes in the peaceful bliss of the moment.
"It's nice to be back here," the girl whispered after a long silence.
"It is, Kari," TK confirmed as he kept his hands moving in their affectionate pattern. "It's a beautiful day outside, too. Pretty unusual in April, don't you think?"
"Well, that's why we're here," she replied, pressing her body a bit closer to his. "We're here to make the most of it."
Another long pause came, as if to affirm what the girl had said, as the two rested in the harmony of one another's beating hearts. Kari then broke the silence again in saying, "You know what this reminds me of?"
"No, what?" the blond boy said, opening his eyes to look at her. Her eyes opened and met his gaze.
"Last year, in May," she said softly and slowly; her hands crept along his neck to his cheeks. "We spent the entire day together, for one day, on-"
"My birthday," TK finished for her. The girl smiled and nodded in response. "That had to be one of the best birthday presents I've ever gotten, Kari," he continued, using the same soft and serious tone as she.
"I'd happily give you that present every day," she responded lovingly. Her fingers traced up around his ears and back down to his neck before pulling him forward. She met his lips with hers in a passionate kiss. Locked together, their eyes slid closed once again as they pulled closer to one another. They stayed there, each enjoying the warm lips of the other, until Kari's tongue slipped through her lips and gently rubbed at TK's. The boy willingly consented to her request, meeting her tongue with his own. They met on middle ground, gently twirling and fluttering in their romantic dance. Kari slowly leaned her weight against the boy, pushing him into the tree as her hands lovingly caressed his neck. TK could feel the bark's rough abrasions against his shoulder blades, but his mind was far from pain as he mirrored the motions of her hands along the small of her back.
Kari persisted to slowly work herself closer to the boy, while TK continued to pull her closer in his arms, until a fleeing obstruction landed upon her nose. The girl's eyes snapped open as she pulled away from the sudden sensation. TK's eyes, too, shot open as he felt her warm tongue withdraw like a cobra. He stared at her as she broke into laughter, a hand falling from his neck to brush a leaf from her nose.
"Sorry," the brown-haired girl said after she calmed down, her loving smile returning to her lips as her hand joined the other about his neck. She kissed the boy again. The second kiss was done briefly and simply, yet no less passionately. As she pulled away the second time, much more subtly than before, she returned to nuzzling her head into his chest. "That was an amazing day," she whispered softly as her eyes slid closed once more. TK nodded slightly, resting his head lightly on top of hers.
"It was," he replied softly in her ear. "One of the most magical days we've ever had." The blond-haired boy let his eyes slide shut as he firmly yet gently held the girl in his arms. Behind his eyelids, the memories of his birthday replayed themselves in exquisite detail. Each moment, each word, and each kiss he and the girl he held in his arms sent incredible sensations through his body, bringing a smile to his lips once again.
"We've never lost our little presents from then, either," Kari continued. She shook her wrist slightly to make her metal bracelet jingle. TK followed her lead with his own wrist. "It was one of the first times that we were really able to spend time together since we had gotten back, what with all the other Digidestined getting hyped up over our being together and all. It was a wonderful way to break that monotony, wasn't it?" TK nodded quickly.
"It certainly was," TK agreed verbally. Then, with a clever smirk, he added, "But I think that your birthday was even more exciting two months later." Kari giggled at TK's mention of her own special day, recalling how similar it had been to TK's, and yet so different. "After running around the beach and besting everyone at the diving platform, I was really happy to see you still waiting there for me. Even when Davis tried to intervene for some weird reason, you held your commitment to me and gladly walked with me from the beach that afternoon. Then we came back here, again, and got to spend some time together. I also gave you that special present." TK trailed off in slight embarrassment over what he had given Kari. His poetic talents had never been more than above average, at best. To think that what he had written for his girlfriend was as perfect as he'd hoped it would be felt too trying for him. It wasn't until Kari replied that TK's fears were put to rest.
"You astounded me then, TK," He heard her say. "It still astounds me now, too. You and your secret writing lab that let you make such a beautiful poem for me – I'll have to thank it next time I get a chance to see it." TK sighed happily, hugging Kari more tightly in his arms.
"But you did your own share of astounding a few weeks later," TK countered with a smirk. Kari groaned in mock-frustration.
"TK," Kari said gently, "I wasn't going to stay unconscious like that forever. I only got hit by a car; it wasn't anything big. Maybe the silly doctors thought I was in a coma, but they were wrong for once in their long presumptuous careers. I've amazed the medical field more than once in my earlier childhood. I don't see why that gift would so suddenly fade away. I know it was hard for you to think of me as being away from you on that first night, but I came back to you. I'll always come back to you. No force will ever be strong enough to keep me from being with you and loving you with all my heart." TK could feel his heart burning against his chest, but could only smile and further squeeze the girl in his arms.
"You're right." TK managed to say after a moment, "Nothing ever will be strong enough to keep us apart. You also showed me how it can even help bring other people together. Just a couple months later, you and your ingenious plan for the thanksgiving holidays." TK sighed with contentment at the memory. "My parents were almost always trying to keep distance from one another. They couldn't stand being in the other's presence for longer than absolutely necessary. But my dad always was more willing to forgive and at least try to be on friendly terms with my mother, so he naturally agreed to have dinner together for a small reunion after so many years apart. We certainly scared my mother senseless when they walked in the door, but even she realized how divided her family and children had become thanks to the divorce. I'm not sure what exactly made her agree to have us there together without more warning, but I wasn't about to complain. It's all thanks to your wonderful planning skills and never-ending care for me." Kari gave TK a quizzical look.
"Never-ending?" Kari asked incredulously. TK blinked in confusion before meeting Kari's gaze. "Didn't I sort of scrap that whole thing for a month or so backing January?" TK's mouth opened in silent understanding. After a moment more, he dropped his head in slight shame of that experience. Kari's kiss to his cheek then roused the boy from his sadness. She smiled at him while she continued, "I'm still not even sure quite how to explain my feelings then myself. All I really know is that I felt that I needed some more distance from you, some more space for myself. You were always so kind and loving and gentle that I think it almost started to seem repetitive to me. As a result, we had a rough couple of weeks just before our first semi- formal dance in high school. That whole night had some really great entertainment with Ken finally coming down to visit, but it wasn't the same without you there. But then, you showed up and gave me one more chance. I guess it took that experience to show me how much you mean to me, even if I wasn't able to show you that physically. It was something I needed to do through our thoughts alone."
"You've explained it to me before, honey," TK said. "You don't need to delve into that whole thing again – we've gotten past the roughness of that time. And though it was hard at the time, it's only made our bond we share stronger. After all, I don't think that my own capabilities would have ever been quite so effective yesterday if I didn't have your love coursing through me when my adrenaline and reserve energy failed me. I don't think that any normal person in today's society could hope to vanquish four robotic drones without someone's romantic support behind their swings and blocks. That's why I think that us beating them back then wasn't just me, but both of us working together. Even if you weren't able to contributing by attacking with a weapon of your own, you certainly gave me enough back- up to beat each one of those demonic machines." Kari nodded her head slowly, her hands pulling the blond-haired boy closer to herself.
"It still scared me," Kari whispered. TK gave Kari a comforting look as he nuzzled his cheek against hers. "Whether it was in a medical research lab or anywhere else, I hate to see something put your life in danger. It doesn't seem fair that you still have to fight against these enemies when we've been away from there for so long. I know it's naïve and childish to say, but I really wish we didn't have to go back." TK took a deep breath, looking closely at the girl he held.
"We got this one last gift," TK told her in an attempt to sound positive. "One last chance to be together without anyone else watching or telling us what to do. One last chance to be together and think about everything that's passed since we came back from the Digital World. One last chance to reminisce on how all the events of the past year have brought us closer together and taught us so much." TK paused to kiss Kari gently. "Whether we'll be back here in a day or a couple weeks doesn't really matter," He went on. Kari could hear the decaying regret in TK's words as he spoke, making her try to comfort him more. "What matters is that no matter how long we have to keep our affections from public view, they will never falter or fade. We love each other now and we'll love each other until we come out successful on the other side. No matter how long we have to-" TK was interrupted by a beeping noise on his left wrist. TK sighed, looking up angrily at the sky above him. "Don't tell me it's three o' clock already." Kari's expression fell as well, looking unhappily towards the now-ominous looking laptop computer. Grudgingly, their arms fell to their sides as they walked towards the machine.
Kari decided to take the initiative when TK refused to go anywhere near the computer. She flipped the console open and began its start-up process. She made a weak attempt at smiling at TK, who sighed and sat down beside Kari. "It'll be okay, TK," Kari assured the boy as her arms hugged around his neck affectionately. "We'll go in there, put an end to this new threat together, and then come back. Once we're back, we'll have all the time in the world to be together." TK's expression gave a fleeting sign of brightening until his gaze fell back to the computer screen. Kari followed TK's eyes to see that the laptop was presently fully functional.
"No matter what the price will be," TK said quietly as he reached into his pocket, "We'll succeed over there. By the gods of the Digital World, we will succeed." Kari nodded in firm agreement as her hand gripped TK's tightly. TK gave the girl's hand a squeeze as he brought the Digivice up to behold the laptop monitor. Then, with a deep breath, TK glanced at the expression of love on Kari's face and yelled out the eternal command of the gates.
"Digi-port, open!" Within a second, a blast of brilliant white light and acute whistling engulfed the couple where they stood. Now only silhouettes, the gray masses that represented their heads joined for one last moment before dissipating into the waiting screen. On cue, the light from the screen ceased and the squeal of the warp-gate faded away. Also, the laptop itself seemed to have been physically hit by the force of TK and Kari traveling into it. Gradually, the base of the laptop and its attached monitor leaned backwards until the screen landed against the grass. The base section of the laptop followed suit as gravity took control and shut the computer. Nearly completely hidden from view by the unkempt green grass that as abundant around the trees there, Ivan's black laptop computer lay in an unintentional but nonetheless fortunate "off" position.
Wind rushed through the presently abandoned knell of trees. Only the budding leaves adorning the rebirthing trees and the tall stalks of grass reacted, bending in peaceful sway with the forceful air. No other force disturbed the area or, indeed, took any notice of TK and Kari's departure. From the verdant and comforting seclusion in the park, the couple had departed into a location of guaranteed, though unidentified peril. Stoic trees as the only witnesses, they left without any fanfare or public recognition. Indeed, no one but those expecting them on the other side was fully aware of their intentions. Stoic trees as the only witnesses, TK and Kari departed from the Real World to its digital counterpart to join Ivan and Maddie on the attack of an enemy production facility.
With no other force making any impression upon the grove of vibrant trees and grass, the sudden distinction and stark contrast in the times awaiting TK and Kari was evident – it was the day that the whole world went away.
(Short, sweet, and to the point. It's not supposed to be momentous or long, but simply portray final conclusions to each situation before we delve into the mysterious events of Book 3. You know what else this means? That's right – Book 2 is fully complete. With more than half of the book being written in a single month, I think I've scared myself more than anything. So much has happened in that course of time, too. It's amazing how much one can get done when they truly apply themselves. But for right now, I'm going to skip the pleasantries and get to the final points that must be made: the dedication, acknowledgements, and me running to school. First, the dedication.
-To Tiffany, for all that we shared and every wonderful memory she has left with me – no experience has ever taught me more
If you don't know, don't ask. If you do know, then you should understand. If you don't fit into either category, go see Blue Man Group. I would probably add in more here, but for the sake of time, I won't. Next point of business is the acknowledgements.
-To Matt, for being the single craziest and most supportive fan I've ever had
-To Denise, for providing a very comprehensive and effective critique of all my work
-To Angela, for her consistent reviews and constant interest in my work
-To Greg, for helping me with my latest music selections and storyline productions
-To both of my parents, for letting me stay up so late and get up so early just to keep working and constant support
-To Ms. Singer, for giving me wonderful support and feedback in my English class
-To Dr. Groden, for her amazing intellectual insight on what new things to focus on in my writing
-To Hannah, for her continual input on my chapters as I produce them
-To Cyberdracomon, for the indirect inspiration he gave me to write a long series of short stories
-To Charlie, for providing me with humorous ideas to throw in my book, if for nothing more than a good laugh
That'll conclude those this time around. Less input from outside forces, I guess. It was more of my own solo production. Nonetheless, it all came together and as such, my work here is done. For all of you who have read through this book, please be courteous and give me a review for my work. Some sort of critique or comments or even just a "Good job." I like to know who's checking in on what I write, so don't be shy. Book 3 won't be coming to the light for a month or so, but it will come – I promise. Simply retain your patience and all three of my other creations will come to the light. As for now, I must run and live out all the obligations I've been procrastinating on in order to finish writing this. I hope you've enjoyed my second book and I can't wait to hear from you. This is Ishara Studios, closing down.)
~Ivan Ishara, Guardian of Hope and Light~
