Digimon is the property of TOEI Animation, and Akiyoshi Hongo, we are just
borrowing their characters and certain situations to tell our story. Domino
and Dice are our little darlings, Hikari and mine's that is. We gain no
money from this.
Story by Hikari and Wanderer D
***
The next morning as the Digidestined were having breakfast, Sora started talking about a weird dream she had had about the black Gatomon.
"And then, after he nearly took out Domino and Tai, Domino stopped him!" she said, making gestures with her hands. "I can't remember what she said to him, but, man, did she let him have it... and then..." She paused, and everyone looked at her expectantly.
Except Tai.
She continued, "Then he told me to go back to sleep, and that's the last thing I remember!"
TK opened his eyes wide. "Really, Sora?" he asked.
She nodded. "Isn't that the strangest thing?"
Tai smiled a knowing smile, but remained quiet. This was too good to spoil just yet.
Sora continued with the story... bit by bit remembering a little something more...
TK's eyes kept getting wider and wider until Mimi was quite certain they would pop right out of their sockets
"She put up a shield around him?" the younger boy asked. "That's so cool!"
"Uh huh," Sora said, waving her fork, "and then, she started yelling at him!"
Joe looked a little uneasy. "Sora, have you dreams ever been literal?" he asked. "I mean, have you ever had one like really come true?"
Sora blinked. "Well, no, not really..."
She crinkled her nose. "That's just in fairy tales, right?"
Tai almost laughed aloud.
Dice walked into the room and everyone fell silent as the black Gatomon walked up to Tai.
"Good morning Tai." He greeted. "Could you give me some bread?" He finished flopping down next to him and grabbing a plate.
Tai nodded and gave him one. Dice happily bit down on it, closing his eyes, then, opening one, he looked at the Digidestined. "What?"
Sora was unable to speak. TK's eyes got even wider, but Mimi didn't even notice. Joe looked on the verge of passing out. Domino walked up behind Dice and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Huh?"
She grabbed the bread off his plate and proceeded to run across the kitchen with it.
Dice shot up to his feet. "HEY! THAT'S MINE!" he shouted, running after her.
Sora blanched. "Uh... what's..."
"Going ON?" Matt cried in conclusion. Domino froze.
Dice grabbed the bread. "Mine." He stated simply as he walked to seat next to Mimi. "You mind if I sit here?"
Tai placed one hand behind his head. "Ano... guys... this is Dice..."
They all looked at their leader like we was from another planet.
He held his hands out in front of him. "No, no, this is the real Dice..."
Mimi looked down at the black Gatomon and picked up one foot as one would if a mouse were in the kitchen.
"So the one before was just a hologram or something?" she asked facetiously.
"Nope. I'm just having breakfast before I kill you all. Don't freak out." Dice commented.
Domino stepped forward. "You forget, kids," she said. "I told you before... Dice wasn't"-- she looked at him --"Isn't... the monster you saw the other night..."
Mimi scowled. "Well... then who was it?"
Domino sighed.
Tai shot Dice a warning look to cut out the snide remarks. Save them for after they trust you, he thought to himself, smacking his forehead.
"That was Dice... before he understood," Domino explained. "He just needed a... little guidance getting back on track, that's all..."
TK blinked rapidly. "Wow... so you're on our side now?"
With a rapid movement, Dice grabbed a nearby knife with one hand, then grabbed Mimi's hand with the other, placing the knife in her hand. He then guided the point of the knife to his chest, right above the heart.
"It would be that easy..." He said to Mimi's surprised face, then let her go.
"I... can't take back what I did... or whom I hurt." Dice said solemnly. "But, as I trust you with my life, I ask you to give me a chance. This is the only way I've had of living. If you ask me to, I'll leave. I'll understand."
Domino sweat dropped.
"Well... he always did have sort of a dramatic streak in him..." she muttered, and hopped up onto the table. She walked over to the very startled Mimi and took the knife from her hands. "What he's trying to say is, guys..." she said, "is that he's willing to try again... if you're willing to give him the chance. He's willing to change... if you're willing to let him."
Tai stepped forward. "He realized his mistakes... and he seems ready to atone for them..." The brunet smiled. "Whaddya say, gang?" he asked, spreading his arms. "Do we let him?"
Domino watched hopefully as TK's eyes moved from Dice to Tai and back. TK stood up on his chair.
"I think we should," TK said. "Everybody deserves a second chance."
"Yeah, a second chance to make the same mistake twice," Joe grumbled, gripping his butter knife for all he was worth.
"Now, Joe," Tai scolded. Joe scowled behind his glasses. "You have to realize that Dice could have easily killed us all last night--"
"And what's to say he won't do it tonight?" Mimi wailed. "Who's to say he won't slay us while we slumber? If we say we trust him--"
She stopped, looking pale.
Domino stepped forward.
"Very well... I take responsibility."
Dice sighed and stood up. "No."
She looked at him. "Dice?"
"You won't take responsibility for someone's life, Domino." Dice looked at Mimi and Joe. "I can't tell you what to think, if I were on your place I would feel the same way... but I can tell you this, Tai is alive... because I couldn't kill him. I was unable to." Dice confessed.
"But, that's just it, Dice," she said, "you're not. You're not in my place..." she whispered, barely audible.
Domino jumped down from the table and stared hard at him.
Tai nodded. "It's true," he said to the others.
Domino did not speak, she just stood there, staring at the floor.
"Why did I took so long? Why did I make so much noise when it was supposed to be a quiet mission?" Dice looked around the table.
TK stared wide eyed at him, and Izzy pecked at his computer, as though it might give him the answer to the riddle.
"I'll tell you why. Deep down, I didn't want to kill him. Deep down... I wanted someone to stop me." He smiled a little at Domino. "And someone did come to my rescue."
Domino blinked. "Erm..."
Tai's expression sobered. "The point is, guys..." he said, "Domino was willing to fight for us to the very death... we saw that..." He paused. "But she was also willing to fight for Dice to the death..." He looked at them. "Now... doesn't that tell you something?"
There was silence.
Then TK spoke up. "Dice?"
"Yes?"
The boy got out of his seat and crouched down in front of the Gatomon. he looked him hard in the eyes, then smiled and looked up at Tai. "He's got good eyes, you guys," the child said, beaming. "He doesn't look like the bad guy anymore."
Dice blink-blinked at that.
Tai smiled. "Guys, if you trust Domino..." he said, "then trust her trust in Dice..."
Domino was a little surprised. Tai was so... so open. So willing to accept... Why?
Had Dice not just tried to kill him not even twelve hours ago? Hadn't Dice nearly killed all of them just the other night? She eyed the Digidestined leader sharply. Why? she wondered. Why, after all the trouble he's been given... does he still trust?
Dice was equally surprised. Not twelve hours ago Tai had spit on him and now he was talking about him joining... for serious.
He remained quiet, though, awaiting for their decision.
She frowned, and looked at Dice. But, she thought, he doesn't remember... he doesn't remember anything... But... why? Why would I recall the memories of my past as a human... and he would not? He is my brother... would that not make his memories the same as my own? What was happening?
What was it about Dice that made his memories lie deeper within his soul than hers? perhaps it was merely that Domino, as the human she was, had always worn her emotions on her sleeve... while Dice had always hidden them. Perhaps, she thought, it's going to take a little coaxing. She smiled.
Tai looked at them. "Well?" he asked. "What say you?"
Silence filled the room. Then Sora stood up.
"Dice," she said, eyeing the others. She smiled. "That wasn't a dream... was it?"
"What?"
"You really did walk right past... didn't you? You had every opportunity to just kill me, quick and easy... right there... I never would have known what hit me..." She hesitated. "but... you didn't..." She smiled. "That was real."
"Well, I did told you to go to sleep..." Dice ventured.
She dropped to one knee and stroked Dice's ears with a chuckle.
"Welcome to the team, Dice," she said, and TK hopped up and down happily. The others weren't quite as enthralled, but they decided that, in the end, TK was right... Everybody deserved a second chance...
***
Gatomon looked away from the crystal ball. "Oh... Dice, what have you done?"
***
The Digidestined and their companion Digimon were starting to get worried. So far there hadn't been much trouble getting to this point, and, according to Dice, this was where they would find the gate home.
As they reached the last step, they started hearing voices, and Myotismon's was clear enough: "Open!"
They got into a large hall, and quickly spread out as a huge gate slowly opened. Nanimon stepped in front of them with his ragtag group of Digimon. "We won't let you pass!"
Dice silently and efficiently slid to the side, trying his best not to be seen by anyone.
Myotismon looked at the Digidestined and smiled. "Demidevimon, Gatomon, don't let them pass." He ordered as the last of his army of Digimon walked into the gate. Then, he followed.
Tai lunged forward as Myotismon headed through the gate. "Come on, you guys, we have to catch them before the gate closes!"
The children rushed forward in an attempt to get to the huge doorway that would take them home, only to be cut off by Demidevimon... whom they were really starting to get tired of... and another Gatomon.
Gatomon frowned. "I won't let you pass."
Dice winced, and stood behind, unwilling to assist any of the parties.
Domino stepped out in front of the group, her green eyes narrowed unpleasantly. "I beg to differ, sister..." she growled.
"Is that what you think?" Gatomon asked, and jumped suddenly, kicking Domino, then jumping high and hitting all of the Digidestined Digimon before doing a pirouette and landing gracely in front of all.
She looked around for a second, as if searching, then centered her attention on the Digidestined.
The door behind her slowly started to close.
Dice watched the exchange from where he stood, as the Digivolved Digimon attacked Gatomon, so far she seemed fine, but Domino hadn't really started fighting.
"Oof!" Domino let out a cry as she tumbled backward, head over heels, from the impact of Gatomon's kick. She had never fought another Gatomon... were they all this strong? No, she supposed not.
There was something unusual about this one... maybe it was simply the fact that she worked for Myotismon that had made her stronger than even some of the larger Digimon she had fought before. She somersaulted backward twice and then skidded to a stop on the stone floor.
The gate continued to close.
That does it, she thought. Nobody treats me that way... She watched as Gatomon continued fighting against the Digidestined Digimon, and her eyes narrowed. How could she be so strong?
She set her jaw. Enough was enough. As Gatomon continued to fight, Domino drew in a deep breath and pulled her forepaws up to chest level.
"Stinging fragments of the desert Come to gather in my hand, Unleash your fury--Storms of Sand!"
A golden sort of fog seemed to roll in, and she heard Gatomon yelp as the sand swirled all around her, blinding her and forcing her to break off her attack.
Dice winced, he took half a step forward, but took a look at Domino and stopped. His eyes, however strayed to Gatomon.
Gatomon opened her eyes a slit. She could see the sand whirling around her, thinking quickly, she jumped through the sand, grabbed Garurumon painfully by the tail, and threw him at Domino.
Domino saw what the Gatomon was trying to do.
"Oh, no you don't," she whispered, and ducked low, Garurumon's startled cry ringing in her ears.
"Wind!" she cried, snapping her ears straight up. She closed her eyes and concentrated, and a swirl of wind caught Matt's Digimon before he slammed into the stone walls. She turned to the Gatomon. "Now, no," she taunted, "don't you go off and play with somebody else, my friend... you're not done playing with me yet..." She grinned wickedly.
Gatomon didn't look amused.
"Mists of Dreams and Consciousness, Storms of Rage and Vice, Swirling Winds of Night and Dawn, Hurricane of Ice!"
As Domino shouted out another attack, the air turned cold, and a shower of icicles rained down from the air above them. Gatomon twisted gracefully, and avoided all but one of the pointed ice. She winced and scowled at the hairline cut along her left arm.
Gatomon looked angrily at the other Digimon. She moved her tail, and soon the two gargoyle-like monsters on the walls seemed to catch life.
The four Devidramon dropped all around the Digidestined Digimon.
Gatomon smiled at Domino and attacked her, managing to cut her arm just as the other Gatomon jumped to avoid her.
"An eye for an eye, right?"
Dice winced and took a step forward, still unsure about what to do, but moving enough to draw the attention of Domino for the briefest of seconds.
Domino's eyes flicked toward Dice. Gatomon wasted no time and slammed her against the wall, also stealing a second to look at Dice before looking back at her opponent.
"Don't ignore me! You might regret it!" Gatomon said, stepping again between the kids and the door, which was halfway closed by now.
Domino writhed at the pain in her back, but rolled quickly to the side as Gatomon descended, ready to slice her throat.
Dice seemed torn. "Gatomon..." he whispered, then looked at Domino as she avoided death. "Domino..."
He closed his eyes. "Please don't hurt yourselves... stop..."
She leapt to her feet and spun quickly. Gatomon gasped at how fast Domino had moved, giving the spotted Gatomon just enough time to cast a spell.
"Cyclone, Tornado, North Wind entwined, Lend me your power, Winds that Bind!!"
Domino watched, pleased, as Gatomon was suddenly halted where she stood, a look of absolute shock on her face. As Gatomon squirmed inside the cyclone of wind Domino had put up around her, she glared pure ice at the other Gatomon.
"Not so smug when immobile, are we?" Domino sneered. "Let's see... and eye for an eye, I believe you said?"
The battle raged all around Dice, as the Digidestined Digimon fought the Devidramon. If he wanted to get to them, he would have to get past those monsters...
Domino scowled. "Some like it hot, Gatomon," she said slowly, flexing her claws, "do you? Let's see..."
She shut her eyes and ducked her head.
"Midnight falls and Dawn arises..."
A swirling red glow seemed to emanate from around Domino's silhouette.
"...Candles flash in summer wind. Fire never compromises, Dancing flames hide no surprises..."
She paused, almost reconsidering. Then she decided Gatomon needed to be taught a lesson. She grinned. This would be a lesson she would not soon forget.
"Let your Spirit burn from deep within--" "Spirits Ablaze!" Domino finished, pointing her finger at Gatomon.
The Digidestined Digimon, seeing their chance, used their weapons just as Domino finished her spell. Fire, ice and electricity flew towards the paralyzed Gatomon, who closed her eyes.
She was going to die.
She heard a loud explosion, but she didn't feel anything, until she felt like she was flying.
She opened her eyes in shock, only to see Dice covering her up, as light blazed behind him. They both fell to the ground, just in front of the closing door, everything seemed to stop for a moment.
Then, the four Devidramon became digidust, as Dice had tore his way through them to reach them.
"Dice?!" Gatomon asked surprised.
The black Gatomon was badly hurt, after receiving everyone's attacks. He could barely open his eyes. "Gatomon..."
Domino reeled back.
"Dice!!" she yelped, and darted to his side, shoving aside the white Gatomon without even thinking. She nudged his head with her own. "Dice, wha- -? Why did you--? What the hell were you thinking?"
Gatomon stepped up to her, and pushed Domino away. "Get away from him!" She shouted, and noticed the closing door.
Dice noticed it too, then staggered to his feet, gave Domino an apologizing glance, and pushed Gatomon through the door, jumping in with her as it closed with finality.
The Digidestined froze. They hadn't meant to hurt Dice... why had he pushed the Gatomon out of the way?
Domino lunged forward. "Dice--wait!!" She threw herself at the door, as did Taichi. They both stumbled backward. Matt and Joe caught Tai beneath the arms, but Domino somersaulted back, slamming into Izzy's leg and nearly pitching the redhead sideways.
"Domino?" Izzy said, dropping to one knee to help her. She brushed him off and lunged at the door again.
"Dice, come back!" she shouted, raking her claws down the metal door. he slid to the floor as the Destined watched her.
Sora frowned. "Domino... what happened?" she asked. "Why did Dice--?"
"If I knew that, don't you think I would have stopped him?" she snapped, stalking back and forth in front of the door like a caged lion. She paused again, and beat the door with one paw, ignoring the searing pain. "Dice!! Dice, what happened?" she screamed, as though if she called loudly enough, he might hear. She dropped her head forward, and hit the door with her forehead with a thunk.
"Dice..." she whispered, "what's wrong now...?"
* * *
Tyrannomon loomed over her, and Dice was only aware that she was defenseless, after having received that hit for him. His mind didn't even register the grunt of pain from Wizardmon, or the fact that the other three Tyrannomon now stood in his way.
All he saw was the red monster place his foot on Gatomon's head, ready to kill her. He saw red and stood up. He felt his muscles burn with new energy and his blood boil in anger.
"Fangs of the Saber!"
***
Dice woke up with a start. He was lying on a small bed in the floor of a cell, and Wizardmon was talking to a worried Gatomon.
"W-what happened?"
Gatomon walked up to him lifted his chin a little... and slapped him. Hard.
"What did you do all that for you idiot?!" She asked, as a small tear escaped her eyes.
"Gatomon..." Dice whispered, looking at her in shock.
"That's what I would like to know." Myotismon muttered as he walked into the cell. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Dice's eyes. "You know how I treat traitors, Dice..."
Dice nodded and looked at Gatomon and Wizardmon before answering him. "I... I planned on stopping them when they were un-prepared... I won't fail again... my lord."
Gatomon and Wizardmon gasped at the title, while Myotismon only sneered. "See that you don't."
When the vampire left, Gatomon turned and looked at him. "You lied. You will leave again... won't you?"
Dice looked back at her. "No."
Gatomon's eyes narrowed. "How do I know that?"
"Because..." Dice looked at Wizardmon, who nodded and left them alone. A few seconds later a haze seemed to flicker on the entrance of the cell.
"What's that?" Gatomon asked a little surprised.
"A small field that will prevent others from hearing us..." Dice answered.
Gatomon looked at him askance. "Will you leave, then? Is that why you put that field?"
Dice shook his head. "No, Gatomon... when I met Domino after so long, I discovered something..."
"And what is that?"
"That... even for my dearest friend... I couldn't leave the one I loved..."
Gatomon opened her eyes wide.
"... I couldn't leave you..."
Story by Hikari and Wanderer D
***
The next morning as the Digidestined were having breakfast, Sora started talking about a weird dream she had had about the black Gatomon.
"And then, after he nearly took out Domino and Tai, Domino stopped him!" she said, making gestures with her hands. "I can't remember what she said to him, but, man, did she let him have it... and then..." She paused, and everyone looked at her expectantly.
Except Tai.
She continued, "Then he told me to go back to sleep, and that's the last thing I remember!"
TK opened his eyes wide. "Really, Sora?" he asked.
She nodded. "Isn't that the strangest thing?"
Tai smiled a knowing smile, but remained quiet. This was too good to spoil just yet.
Sora continued with the story... bit by bit remembering a little something more...
TK's eyes kept getting wider and wider until Mimi was quite certain they would pop right out of their sockets
"She put up a shield around him?" the younger boy asked. "That's so cool!"
"Uh huh," Sora said, waving her fork, "and then, she started yelling at him!"
Joe looked a little uneasy. "Sora, have you dreams ever been literal?" he asked. "I mean, have you ever had one like really come true?"
Sora blinked. "Well, no, not really..."
She crinkled her nose. "That's just in fairy tales, right?"
Tai almost laughed aloud.
Dice walked into the room and everyone fell silent as the black Gatomon walked up to Tai.
"Good morning Tai." He greeted. "Could you give me some bread?" He finished flopping down next to him and grabbing a plate.
Tai nodded and gave him one. Dice happily bit down on it, closing his eyes, then, opening one, he looked at the Digidestined. "What?"
Sora was unable to speak. TK's eyes got even wider, but Mimi didn't even notice. Joe looked on the verge of passing out. Domino walked up behind Dice and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Huh?"
She grabbed the bread off his plate and proceeded to run across the kitchen with it.
Dice shot up to his feet. "HEY! THAT'S MINE!" he shouted, running after her.
Sora blanched. "Uh... what's..."
"Going ON?" Matt cried in conclusion. Domino froze.
Dice grabbed the bread. "Mine." He stated simply as he walked to seat next to Mimi. "You mind if I sit here?"
Tai placed one hand behind his head. "Ano... guys... this is Dice..."
They all looked at their leader like we was from another planet.
He held his hands out in front of him. "No, no, this is the real Dice..."
Mimi looked down at the black Gatomon and picked up one foot as one would if a mouse were in the kitchen.
"So the one before was just a hologram or something?" she asked facetiously.
"Nope. I'm just having breakfast before I kill you all. Don't freak out." Dice commented.
Domino stepped forward. "You forget, kids," she said. "I told you before... Dice wasn't"-- she looked at him --"Isn't... the monster you saw the other night..."
Mimi scowled. "Well... then who was it?"
Domino sighed.
Tai shot Dice a warning look to cut out the snide remarks. Save them for after they trust you, he thought to himself, smacking his forehead.
"That was Dice... before he understood," Domino explained. "He just needed a... little guidance getting back on track, that's all..."
TK blinked rapidly. "Wow... so you're on our side now?"
With a rapid movement, Dice grabbed a nearby knife with one hand, then grabbed Mimi's hand with the other, placing the knife in her hand. He then guided the point of the knife to his chest, right above the heart.
"It would be that easy..." He said to Mimi's surprised face, then let her go.
"I... can't take back what I did... or whom I hurt." Dice said solemnly. "But, as I trust you with my life, I ask you to give me a chance. This is the only way I've had of living. If you ask me to, I'll leave. I'll understand."
Domino sweat dropped.
"Well... he always did have sort of a dramatic streak in him..." she muttered, and hopped up onto the table. She walked over to the very startled Mimi and took the knife from her hands. "What he's trying to say is, guys..." she said, "is that he's willing to try again... if you're willing to give him the chance. He's willing to change... if you're willing to let him."
Tai stepped forward. "He realized his mistakes... and he seems ready to atone for them..." The brunet smiled. "Whaddya say, gang?" he asked, spreading his arms. "Do we let him?"
Domino watched hopefully as TK's eyes moved from Dice to Tai and back. TK stood up on his chair.
"I think we should," TK said. "Everybody deserves a second chance."
"Yeah, a second chance to make the same mistake twice," Joe grumbled, gripping his butter knife for all he was worth.
"Now, Joe," Tai scolded. Joe scowled behind his glasses. "You have to realize that Dice could have easily killed us all last night--"
"And what's to say he won't do it tonight?" Mimi wailed. "Who's to say he won't slay us while we slumber? If we say we trust him--"
She stopped, looking pale.
Domino stepped forward.
"Very well... I take responsibility."
Dice sighed and stood up. "No."
She looked at him. "Dice?"
"You won't take responsibility for someone's life, Domino." Dice looked at Mimi and Joe. "I can't tell you what to think, if I were on your place I would feel the same way... but I can tell you this, Tai is alive... because I couldn't kill him. I was unable to." Dice confessed.
"But, that's just it, Dice," she said, "you're not. You're not in my place..." she whispered, barely audible.
Domino jumped down from the table and stared hard at him.
Tai nodded. "It's true," he said to the others.
Domino did not speak, she just stood there, staring at the floor.
"Why did I took so long? Why did I make so much noise when it was supposed to be a quiet mission?" Dice looked around the table.
TK stared wide eyed at him, and Izzy pecked at his computer, as though it might give him the answer to the riddle.
"I'll tell you why. Deep down, I didn't want to kill him. Deep down... I wanted someone to stop me." He smiled a little at Domino. "And someone did come to my rescue."
Domino blinked. "Erm..."
Tai's expression sobered. "The point is, guys..." he said, "Domino was willing to fight for us to the very death... we saw that..." He paused. "But she was also willing to fight for Dice to the death..." He looked at them. "Now... doesn't that tell you something?"
There was silence.
Then TK spoke up. "Dice?"
"Yes?"
The boy got out of his seat and crouched down in front of the Gatomon. he looked him hard in the eyes, then smiled and looked up at Tai. "He's got good eyes, you guys," the child said, beaming. "He doesn't look like the bad guy anymore."
Dice blink-blinked at that.
Tai smiled. "Guys, if you trust Domino..." he said, "then trust her trust in Dice..."
Domino was a little surprised. Tai was so... so open. So willing to accept... Why?
Had Dice not just tried to kill him not even twelve hours ago? Hadn't Dice nearly killed all of them just the other night? She eyed the Digidestined leader sharply. Why? she wondered. Why, after all the trouble he's been given... does he still trust?
Dice was equally surprised. Not twelve hours ago Tai had spit on him and now he was talking about him joining... for serious.
He remained quiet, though, awaiting for their decision.
She frowned, and looked at Dice. But, she thought, he doesn't remember... he doesn't remember anything... But... why? Why would I recall the memories of my past as a human... and he would not? He is my brother... would that not make his memories the same as my own? What was happening?
What was it about Dice that made his memories lie deeper within his soul than hers? perhaps it was merely that Domino, as the human she was, had always worn her emotions on her sleeve... while Dice had always hidden them. Perhaps, she thought, it's going to take a little coaxing. She smiled.
Tai looked at them. "Well?" he asked. "What say you?"
Silence filled the room. Then Sora stood up.
"Dice," she said, eyeing the others. She smiled. "That wasn't a dream... was it?"
"What?"
"You really did walk right past... didn't you? You had every opportunity to just kill me, quick and easy... right there... I never would have known what hit me..." She hesitated. "but... you didn't..." She smiled. "That was real."
"Well, I did told you to go to sleep..." Dice ventured.
She dropped to one knee and stroked Dice's ears with a chuckle.
"Welcome to the team, Dice," she said, and TK hopped up and down happily. The others weren't quite as enthralled, but they decided that, in the end, TK was right... Everybody deserved a second chance...
***
Gatomon looked away from the crystal ball. "Oh... Dice, what have you done?"
***
The Digidestined and their companion Digimon were starting to get worried. So far there hadn't been much trouble getting to this point, and, according to Dice, this was where they would find the gate home.
As they reached the last step, they started hearing voices, and Myotismon's was clear enough: "Open!"
They got into a large hall, and quickly spread out as a huge gate slowly opened. Nanimon stepped in front of them with his ragtag group of Digimon. "We won't let you pass!"
Dice silently and efficiently slid to the side, trying his best not to be seen by anyone.
Myotismon looked at the Digidestined and smiled. "Demidevimon, Gatomon, don't let them pass." He ordered as the last of his army of Digimon walked into the gate. Then, he followed.
Tai lunged forward as Myotismon headed through the gate. "Come on, you guys, we have to catch them before the gate closes!"
The children rushed forward in an attempt to get to the huge doorway that would take them home, only to be cut off by Demidevimon... whom they were really starting to get tired of... and another Gatomon.
Gatomon frowned. "I won't let you pass."
Dice winced, and stood behind, unwilling to assist any of the parties.
Domino stepped out in front of the group, her green eyes narrowed unpleasantly. "I beg to differ, sister..." she growled.
"Is that what you think?" Gatomon asked, and jumped suddenly, kicking Domino, then jumping high and hitting all of the Digidestined Digimon before doing a pirouette and landing gracely in front of all.
She looked around for a second, as if searching, then centered her attention on the Digidestined.
The door behind her slowly started to close.
Dice watched the exchange from where he stood, as the Digivolved Digimon attacked Gatomon, so far she seemed fine, but Domino hadn't really started fighting.
"Oof!" Domino let out a cry as she tumbled backward, head over heels, from the impact of Gatomon's kick. She had never fought another Gatomon... were they all this strong? No, she supposed not.
There was something unusual about this one... maybe it was simply the fact that she worked for Myotismon that had made her stronger than even some of the larger Digimon she had fought before. She somersaulted backward twice and then skidded to a stop on the stone floor.
The gate continued to close.
That does it, she thought. Nobody treats me that way... She watched as Gatomon continued fighting against the Digidestined Digimon, and her eyes narrowed. How could she be so strong?
She set her jaw. Enough was enough. As Gatomon continued to fight, Domino drew in a deep breath and pulled her forepaws up to chest level.
"Stinging fragments of the desert Come to gather in my hand, Unleash your fury--Storms of Sand!"
A golden sort of fog seemed to roll in, and she heard Gatomon yelp as the sand swirled all around her, blinding her and forcing her to break off her attack.
Dice winced, he took half a step forward, but took a look at Domino and stopped. His eyes, however strayed to Gatomon.
Gatomon opened her eyes a slit. She could see the sand whirling around her, thinking quickly, she jumped through the sand, grabbed Garurumon painfully by the tail, and threw him at Domino.
Domino saw what the Gatomon was trying to do.
"Oh, no you don't," she whispered, and ducked low, Garurumon's startled cry ringing in her ears.
"Wind!" she cried, snapping her ears straight up. She closed her eyes and concentrated, and a swirl of wind caught Matt's Digimon before he slammed into the stone walls. She turned to the Gatomon. "Now, no," she taunted, "don't you go off and play with somebody else, my friend... you're not done playing with me yet..." She grinned wickedly.
Gatomon didn't look amused.
"Mists of Dreams and Consciousness, Storms of Rage and Vice, Swirling Winds of Night and Dawn, Hurricane of Ice!"
As Domino shouted out another attack, the air turned cold, and a shower of icicles rained down from the air above them. Gatomon twisted gracefully, and avoided all but one of the pointed ice. She winced and scowled at the hairline cut along her left arm.
Gatomon looked angrily at the other Digimon. She moved her tail, and soon the two gargoyle-like monsters on the walls seemed to catch life.
The four Devidramon dropped all around the Digidestined Digimon.
Gatomon smiled at Domino and attacked her, managing to cut her arm just as the other Gatomon jumped to avoid her.
"An eye for an eye, right?"
Dice winced and took a step forward, still unsure about what to do, but moving enough to draw the attention of Domino for the briefest of seconds.
Domino's eyes flicked toward Dice. Gatomon wasted no time and slammed her against the wall, also stealing a second to look at Dice before looking back at her opponent.
"Don't ignore me! You might regret it!" Gatomon said, stepping again between the kids and the door, which was halfway closed by now.
Domino writhed at the pain in her back, but rolled quickly to the side as Gatomon descended, ready to slice her throat.
Dice seemed torn. "Gatomon..." he whispered, then looked at Domino as she avoided death. "Domino..."
He closed his eyes. "Please don't hurt yourselves... stop..."
She leapt to her feet and spun quickly. Gatomon gasped at how fast Domino had moved, giving the spotted Gatomon just enough time to cast a spell.
"Cyclone, Tornado, North Wind entwined, Lend me your power, Winds that Bind!!"
Domino watched, pleased, as Gatomon was suddenly halted where she stood, a look of absolute shock on her face. As Gatomon squirmed inside the cyclone of wind Domino had put up around her, she glared pure ice at the other Gatomon.
"Not so smug when immobile, are we?" Domino sneered. "Let's see... and eye for an eye, I believe you said?"
The battle raged all around Dice, as the Digidestined Digimon fought the Devidramon. If he wanted to get to them, he would have to get past those monsters...
Domino scowled. "Some like it hot, Gatomon," she said slowly, flexing her claws, "do you? Let's see..."
She shut her eyes and ducked her head.
"Midnight falls and Dawn arises..."
A swirling red glow seemed to emanate from around Domino's silhouette.
"...Candles flash in summer wind. Fire never compromises, Dancing flames hide no surprises..."
She paused, almost reconsidering. Then she decided Gatomon needed to be taught a lesson. She grinned. This would be a lesson she would not soon forget.
"Let your Spirit burn from deep within--" "Spirits Ablaze!" Domino finished, pointing her finger at Gatomon.
The Digidestined Digimon, seeing their chance, used their weapons just as Domino finished her spell. Fire, ice and electricity flew towards the paralyzed Gatomon, who closed her eyes.
She was going to die.
She heard a loud explosion, but she didn't feel anything, until she felt like she was flying.
She opened her eyes in shock, only to see Dice covering her up, as light blazed behind him. They both fell to the ground, just in front of the closing door, everything seemed to stop for a moment.
Then, the four Devidramon became digidust, as Dice had tore his way through them to reach them.
"Dice?!" Gatomon asked surprised.
The black Gatomon was badly hurt, after receiving everyone's attacks. He could barely open his eyes. "Gatomon..."
Domino reeled back.
"Dice!!" she yelped, and darted to his side, shoving aside the white Gatomon without even thinking. She nudged his head with her own. "Dice, wha- -? Why did you--? What the hell were you thinking?"
Gatomon stepped up to her, and pushed Domino away. "Get away from him!" She shouted, and noticed the closing door.
Dice noticed it too, then staggered to his feet, gave Domino an apologizing glance, and pushed Gatomon through the door, jumping in with her as it closed with finality.
The Digidestined froze. They hadn't meant to hurt Dice... why had he pushed the Gatomon out of the way?
Domino lunged forward. "Dice--wait!!" She threw herself at the door, as did Taichi. They both stumbled backward. Matt and Joe caught Tai beneath the arms, but Domino somersaulted back, slamming into Izzy's leg and nearly pitching the redhead sideways.
"Domino?" Izzy said, dropping to one knee to help her. She brushed him off and lunged at the door again.
"Dice, come back!" she shouted, raking her claws down the metal door. he slid to the floor as the Destined watched her.
Sora frowned. "Domino... what happened?" she asked. "Why did Dice--?"
"If I knew that, don't you think I would have stopped him?" she snapped, stalking back and forth in front of the door like a caged lion. She paused again, and beat the door with one paw, ignoring the searing pain. "Dice!! Dice, what happened?" she screamed, as though if she called loudly enough, he might hear. She dropped her head forward, and hit the door with her forehead with a thunk.
"Dice..." she whispered, "what's wrong now...?"
* * *
Tyrannomon loomed over her, and Dice was only aware that she was defenseless, after having received that hit for him. His mind didn't even register the grunt of pain from Wizardmon, or the fact that the other three Tyrannomon now stood in his way.
All he saw was the red monster place his foot on Gatomon's head, ready to kill her. He saw red and stood up. He felt his muscles burn with new energy and his blood boil in anger.
"Fangs of the Saber!"
***
Dice woke up with a start. He was lying on a small bed in the floor of a cell, and Wizardmon was talking to a worried Gatomon.
"W-what happened?"
Gatomon walked up to him lifted his chin a little... and slapped him. Hard.
"What did you do all that for you idiot?!" She asked, as a small tear escaped her eyes.
"Gatomon..." Dice whispered, looking at her in shock.
"That's what I would like to know." Myotismon muttered as he walked into the cell. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Dice's eyes. "You know how I treat traitors, Dice..."
Dice nodded and looked at Gatomon and Wizardmon before answering him. "I... I planned on stopping them when they were un-prepared... I won't fail again... my lord."
Gatomon and Wizardmon gasped at the title, while Myotismon only sneered. "See that you don't."
When the vampire left, Gatomon turned and looked at him. "You lied. You will leave again... won't you?"
Dice looked back at her. "No."
Gatomon's eyes narrowed. "How do I know that?"
"Because..." Dice looked at Wizardmon, who nodded and left them alone. A few seconds later a haze seemed to flicker on the entrance of the cell.
"What's that?" Gatomon asked a little surprised.
"A small field that will prevent others from hearing us..." Dice answered.
Gatomon looked at him askance. "Will you leave, then? Is that why you put that field?"
Dice shook his head. "No, Gatomon... when I met Domino after so long, I discovered something..."
"And what is that?"
"That... even for my dearest friend... I couldn't leave the one I loved..."
Gatomon opened her eyes wide.
"... I couldn't leave you..."