Ryan's Downfall: The Story

by Melinda-chan

Chapter Eight uploaded! Mel tells Ken about the Dark One but gets into danger. Sebastien and Celine are reunited and most of the Digi-Destineds are assembled. What happens next? Read and review!

4. The Dark Gate Opens

Ryan's Downfall: The Story by Melinda Cadarette

Note: I like to thank krimsonkiller for giving me tips for this chapter. Thus, I dedicate this chapter to him. Hope you like it!

I know the path I must take

It is the light to guide my way

Now help me John Mark please

For the plan to fight the darkness.

It was a day that I would not soon forget. I was in the bus now. The radio was on. I listened to the news intently. Kids have been disappearing all over the city since yesterday. John Mark, my Gennai friend, had revealed to me about Ryan and the pact with the phantom Digimon. I know that the Dark Ocean has him. Has it got anybody else? I thought about the kids that vanished without a trace. Did they too go to the dark dimension? I had so many questions but so few answers. I need help. I need John Mark. But first I need Cole.

The bus came to the school. I looked out the window. I did not see Cole. I then went pout of the bus. I still didn't see Cole anywhere.

I got very worried. Cole was supposed to be out by now. Yet I didn't see him. He would be waiting for me like usual but not today.

I felt a lump in my throat. This was not good. I had to go inside and find him. I went indoors without saying a word to anybody. All I thought was Cle. I remembered about yesterday when I screamed and fled form him. Did I scare him so much that he doesn't want to see me again? I hope not!

I went to the cafeteria. I saw Cole. However, he did not look or speak to me when I entered. I felt mad but I was too relieved to see him to show my true expression right then.

"Cole! I finally found you! What's wrong? Why aren't you speaking to me? Is something wrong?" I had to ask him. I noticed that he wasn't looking very good. I put my backpack on the table. "Cole, we need to talk about yesterday".

It was then that the boy looked at me. "Okay," he said.

"You can?" Cole brightened. He offered me a seat next to him. "Please explain then". I took a deep breath.

"Cole, about yesterday I am so sorry. I scared you badly. It's just that- that something came over me and I could not get rid of it and I felt that I was going insane-"

"It's alright Mel. You're okay now right?"

"Yeah but I don't think that would be the last time it will occur."

"Oh? Please tell me then", Cole requested. So I did.

I told him about the time when I was younger. My parents became divorced and my sister and me had to live with our mother. Cole already knew that. Then I told him about an event that happened a few years ago. My mother became mentally ill and had to go to a hospital for an extended period of time. My sister and me had to go to different places. I felt so alone, like an orphaned child. It was then right there that the Dark Ocean came to me, luring me to the dark dimension. I looked into the waves and felt the darkness so strongly that I wanted to give in, to drown in it and never come up. But my sister didn't allow that to happen. In the nick of time she took me out of it in some way that only she knows but she saved me. She was the light that drew me out and banished the darkness out of my mind. Or so I thought.

Then I told him about yesterday. I could tell that Cole was listening intently. I told him about the force that took over me and took me to my second trip to the Dark Ocean. I knew that Cole would know more on what I did after that but he did not interrupt me as I spoke. I told him about John Mark, my angel in the darkness that saved me from the dark forces that wanted me. I described the Dark One and the plan that it has in store for selected kids in this world. I didn't mention about Ryan in my story. He was only a pawn for the Dark One. There was no need for Cole to be suspicious about him for now.

I was finished at last. When I uttered my last word I stared right at Cole. I waited for his response to my story. He was clearly thinking. I sat there, getting a bit impatient.

"You said that you felt you were possessed by a dark force before you, uh, went crazy. Did you happen to see this force before it possess you?" Cole asked.

I was taken surprise by his question to say the least. "May I ask why you ask me that?"

"Mel I think- and I do emphasize think- I saw a black form around you as you went nuts in the hallway. And it got bigger and bigger around you until you finally snapped and ran outside!"

"You mean you actually saw something around me? That's creepy!" I exclaimed. I was freaked out to say the least. I hoped that no one else but Cole and me were in the hallway at that time. The thought of being possessed by a dark power was scary enough.

"Yes I did. As I told you I thought I was just seeing things but when I tried to follow you it seem that you disappeared. I turned to go back to school but then I felt that you were near so I turned my head and there you were. You looked a bit dazed but otherwise you were alright", Cole informed.

"The dark power- did you see it when I returned?" I asked him nervously.

"No it was not there, thank goodness", Cole answered. I felt greatly relieved. "Listen Mel. I can't say anything about the Dark One as you call him. I don't have any evidence to form an opinion except for your words. But as for that plan of his, I have to admit that something spooky is going on. You probably heard about kids suddenly disappearing all over the city for no apparent reason. Now that I heard your story I think they may have gone to the Dark Ocean like you did but unlike you they did not return".

"Are you saying they might be trapped?" I asked.

"You managed to return. Maybe they don't want to", Cole pointed out.

"Perhaps", I said in a low voice. "But one thing is for sure- I do not want to go there ever again. One time is enough for me".

"I don't blame you there. Listen Mel. I am so glad that you told me this. I was going to ask you myself about yesterday but I was afraid that you might be too uncomfortable with it. So I am glad that you spoke out first", Cole now stood up. "I think that we should go to class soon. The bell is going to ring". At that the bell did ring.

I had to smile. Things like this keep my life going despite the darkness in me. I nodded at Cole. I reached for my backpack. But just as I was reaching for it, I felt a dark presence behind me. I quickly turned my head to find the source. However I didn't see anybody.

"Mel what's wrong?"

"Uh Cole did you see anybody behind me when we were talking?"

"Sorry Mel. I wasn't paying any attention to know", Cole replied. He then gave me my backpack. "Come on Mel. We're going to be late for class".

"Ok. And thank you Cole. I'll be at the computer room at recess. We can talk at lunchtime", I said. I took my backpack from him. Cole then placed his hand on my right shoulder.

"I know that you are concerned about the kids but we cannot help them now. But I do really appreciate that you told me what happened to you. Just tell me if you sense this force coming back alright? I am your best friend. Don't forget it".

Tears came to my eyes. I felt so happy right then. We both came to the classroom together. We quickly went to our seats. As I did, I glanced at Ryan. He looked at me with those deep brown eyes of his. I took out my books from my backpack. I glanced at him again but he was not looking my way now.

"I will be watching you closely. I know you are up to something. And I know it's not good" I said silently. It would not take long before I knew exactly what he was up to.

It was recess time now. Cole and I are in the computer room. I had my e-mail account open and I was looking through my inbox. There were two great surprises. First, I had no junk mail. And second, there were two e-mails. One had the name of "J.M. Gennai" and the subject line was "Please Read ASAP". The other one had the name of "Ryan Johnson" but there was no subject line. A dark feeling came over me. I had a choice- read John Mark's e-mail and Ryan's e-mail. Which one should I read first?

"Cole, Ryan e-mailed me," I told him.

"You mean the new kid? How did he get your e-mail address?" Cole asked.

"I don't know. I like to ask him that myself", my eyes narrowed at the computer screen. "But he is a strange kid. Who knows what he is capable of?" It was then that I decided to go to Ryan's message first.

This was the message that Ryan sent me:

Hi Melinda. Or Mel as you prefer. This is Ryan your classmate. You still have the chance to join us before it's too late. The Dark One is waiting for you. Do not think you can reject this offer. You are much needed. Please do not allow fear of the unknown to stop you from joining us. I know more about you than you think I do. Do not oppose us. Resistance to the Dark One is futile. I repeat, futile. So please do join us and power like you would never believe would be yours. Do remember that. Another chance will be coming soon. Do not botch this time.

By Ryan

I could not believe it. The nerve of that kid! He thought that I would just give up and go to his side. I gave his e-mail the boot, sending it to the trash folder. At least now I have evidence that Ryan is in league with darkness. I clicked on John Mark's message.

This is the message that he sent me:

I hope to get you before noon. The Dark One is going to send a Dark Gate to your world. I believe it would be around noon in your area. I am warning you in advance. I tried to stop it but there is a barrier now to the dark dimension so I cannot get through to it. I am afraid that you are on your own for this one. Whatever happens, do not be led into it. Take care Mel. And do not forget that you're not alone. I am trying to contact other kids as well. We cannot stop the first part of the plan but maybe we can stop the rest from occurring. I will try to meet you again but in a better place. See you soon I hope.

By John Mark

This was bad news of course. Not only did Ryan want me to join him but also now John Mark had informed me that a Dark Gate was going to appear in my world. And John Mark can't even go to the dark dimension now. I suspected that the Dark One was responsible for that. There was definitely going to be trouble soon.

"Cole, take a look at this", I called out to him. He did. His eyes became very wide in a few seconds.

"Mel, what's going on?" Cole asked.

"John Mark just sent a message that said that a Dark Gate-a connection between our world and the dark dimension- is coming soon to our world", I explained. "It's not good but it appears we can't do anything about it for now". Cole nodded. "I have an idea. Go back to your computer. I'll e-mail you a poem".

"Ok", Cole went back to his computer. I went to Compose and typed in his e-mail address and I put in the subject line "Poem For Cole". Then I typed my message in the message box.

This is the message that I wrote to him:

Hi Cole. This is Mel (of course). Anyway I got a poem for you. So here it goes.

My Friend

A hand when I had none

A support for me in bad times

You are my friend

And I need you now

I need you in my darkest hour

As my hand, as my support

So please be with me now

Since you are my friend.

At that I sent my message to Cole. A few minutes later I got an e-mail from Cole.

This was the message that he sent me:

Thank you Mel for the poem. It was very good. You're an excellent writer. I promised that I would never let you go like I did yesterday. You'll never be alone when I am with you. I will never allow you to go to the dark dimension alone if I can help it ever again. That is my solemn promise to you.

Your friend,

Cole

A warm feeling came over me. I knew that I had an ally. I looked at Cole. I did a little smile. He was looking at his computer screen so he did not see me. So I decided to give him one last message.

This was the last message that I gave him:

Hi Cole. This is Mel (again). Thank you for your message. It made me very happy inside. J (Note: An emoticon).

By Mel

Cole laughed when he read the message. I felt I was in cloud nine. Maybe things would not be so bad as I feared they would be. Of course I had no idea what really would happen.

Recess was over. We were in class now. As usual, I sat in front of Cole. I was doing my schoolwork when a folded piece of paper landed on my desk. Cautiously I unfolded it and read it.

This is the message that I read:

Do you realize it is only hour before noon comes?

I glanced at the clock. It was 11:02 AM. I wrote down my reply on the paper:

I believe that John Mark said that the Dark Gate is supposed to be here at noon. The Gate must be part of the plan to lure kids to the dark dimension.

At that I folded the paper and dropped it next to Cole's desk. Then I heard his pen fall to the ground. This almost startled me but I pretended not to notice. It may have been an accident but I knew that it was probably Cole's way of taking the paper without looking suspicious. He did indeed take the paper along with his pen. A few minutes later I saw another piece of paper on my desk. I nervously opened it up and read it.

This is the message that I read this time:

Why would anyone much less a kid want to go to the dark dimension? The Dark One is going to brainwash them into doing his deeds. There is no good in that. What could motivate normal kids to work for him? What could he offer to entice them?

I thought about my response. I remembered the offer that Ryan made to me through e-mail. He told me that I could have all the power I want or something like it. I did not want to go back to the Dark Ocean or serve the Dark One so I rejected his arrogant offer. But I can recall the feeling I had when I was in the Dark Ocean. The feeling of darkness was so overwhelming. However I also sense the feeling of power as well. Ryan and the other kids must have wanted that power so they accepted the Dark One's offer but they are now corrupted.

I glimpsed at Ryan. The brown-haired, blue-eyed boy was doing his schoolwork. It seems so hard to believe that Ryan had any connection with darkness at that moment. He looked so innocent, like a normal kid.

So why does Ryan want power so much that he agreed to serve the phantom Digimon and become a pawn for his plan?

I should tell Cole about Ryan. He can't hurt him and it is going to be noon soon so he can't do anything anyway. It would also ease my conscience a little. I hate to hide anything from my best friend like this. I should tell him about Ryan for that reason alone.

I was about to do that but before I could write anything on the piece of paper a shadow came over me. I looked up and I saw it was my teacher looking right down at me, wearing a victorious smile.

I gulped. I heard Cole groan behind me. I gripped my pencil hard in my hand. We both knew it. The teacher had caught us exchanging notes in class. We were busted.

It was fifty minutes later. Cole and I were still in our classroom but this time we were in detention. No talking was allowed but we could have our lunch and do any homework. The clock read 11:55 AM. Cole and I exchanged nervous glances. John Mark said that the Dark Gate would come at noon. Maybe not exactly at 12:00 but it would be very soon no doubt.

I looked out the window from my desk. Ryan was outside, looking up. I gestured to Cole and pointed to the window. Now Cole was looking up at the sky from his desk too.

I noticed that Ryan was wearing a watch. I never saw him wearing one before. He looked at it for a second before he resumed his watch on the sky.

It then hit me why he was doing this. Ryan must know the time for the Dark Gate as well. I turned to look at Cole. His eyes were narrowed. I wondered what he was thinking about.

I saw the clock by the reflection on the window. It is now 11:56 AM. A few kids now huddled around Ryan. I knew one of the kids. It was the blond girl, Sydney, a classmate. Six kids were around him.

I held my breath. I saw it was now 11:57 AM. Three more kids joined the group. So now there are ten kids, including Ryan. My heart was beating very fast.

It was now 11:58 AM. Two minutes until noon. I could feel the tension in my bones. I prayed for time to stop. Cole was still staring right at Ryan. I began to feel a little faint.

It was now 11:59 AM. Sixty seconds to go. At that Ryan pulled something from one of his pockets. My eyes widened. It almost looks like a black garage door opener but I knew it wasn't. It looked like a small… digivice. Then he looked at me.

I swore he was staring right at me. Our eyes were locked in a silent duel. I didn't think I should fear Ryan but maybe I should. Maybe Ryan was not just a pawn but a major part of the Dark One's organization, perhaps even the second-in-command.

Did I underestimate Ryan Johnson?

Ryan held the little digivice in his hand. I saw him put one finger on a black button. The nine other kids started to get very excited. I knew that the clock was going to strike noon in a few seconds. I saw him do a little smirk. He was still looking at me. The reflection showed there was only five seconds to go on the clock. Ryan now looked up at the sky again. I felt a presence behind me. It was the teacher. He was watching this as well. He looked puzzled but that is going to change.

Ryan pushed the black button. At first nothing happened. However Ryan did not look disappointed. I glimpsed at the sky and gasped. There was a black hole in the sky. It was the Dark Gate that John Mark warned me about!

The Dark Gate got bigger and bigger until it stretched from the sky to the ground. I heard other kids yelling but no one but Ryan's group came near it.

I had to watch in awe at the Dark Gate. It looked like a black slab. The more I looked at it, the more I felt the darkness in me grow. My head felt heavy and I could no longer keep my mind straight. I fell into a trance. I was still in my desk but I was in another world.

I was in the dark dimension. The Dark Ocean lapped at my feet. I felt like screaming. I didn't want to be here again! Yet here I was. I had no idea how I got here. I was in the classroom when the Dark Gate came so how come I am here now?

I looked around. I saw no one but me here. There was the lighthouse emitting dark light- the only thing that I could see right now. It reminded me of Kari when she first saw the Dark Ocean.

I walked on the sand. The feeling of darkness was all over me. I gazed into the water. It looked like a natural body of water. I saw my reflection. Someone was behind me. I turned around and I saw it was Ryan. His dark figure was looking right at me.

"Come with us", he spoke. He seemed to be a shadow now.

"No", I quickly replied. "I am not coming. I am not going with you".

"But you must come", Ryan said. "We need you. You have a power that we can use for the plan".

"What do you mean?" I asked him. "I do not have nay powers".

"Yes you do. You were able to go to the dark dimension without being summoned. That means you must have the power to transport between worlds".

"I do? Now listen Ryan. I don't know what you're talking about, well, most of it. However, I know one thing: I am not going to serve your dark master!" I proclaimed.

"I see. You have made your decision. You're a nice person. But you seem to be not aware of the power of the Dark One. Do not be a fool Melinda. I am doing this because I do not want to use force on you".

"Are you threatening me?" I questioned him.

"I can only tell you that opposing the Dark One is a grave mistake. But I can see that you will not be convinced. Very well. You shall see your foolish error soon". Ryan's voice deepened as he spoke. It did not sound like a normal kid.

"Who are you?" I asked. "You're not Ryan!"

"I didn't say I was Ryan", my eyes widened. "Farewell Mel". The shadowy figure shimmered in the increasing darkness.

"Wait!" I stretched out my arm and then ran, but there was nothing. Darkness was descending on me. I must have run for miles.

"Mel! Wake up!" Cole sounded. I woke up out of my daze. I found myself looking up at him. He was holding me in his arms, gently shaking me.

"What happened?" I questioned. His face was wet with tears.

"They are gone, Mel. Ryan, Sydney, and all the other kids- they went into the Dark Gate. Once that happened it disappeared".

"Where's the teacher?" I asked.

"He went out. A lot of kids are upset. The police are here. Man, this is going to make news big time".

"Is ATV here?" I asked. ATV is short for Atlantic Television, the local television network. Cole looked out the window.

"Probably. I bet CBC is here as well", Cole said. CBC of course is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national TV network. Just as he said this, a CBC van appeared at our school. I got up.

"I think we better go now. It looks like this place is going to be busy".

"Yeah. Let's go to my place. It's close to school so we can just walk there".

"Sure", I sighed. "I need to talk to you anyway. There are a few things I didn't tell you". I put my stuff in my backpack.

"Oh?" Cole said. He put his stuff in his backpack and we got out of the classroom before anybody could see us.

We were in Cole's place now. I was on Cole's bed. The door was open since Cole's parents did not feel comfortable leaving Cole and me in his room with the door closed. I had to tell everything about Ryan to Cole in a low voice.

"How come you never told me this?" Cole inquired to me. I just told him about Ryan's e-mail.

"I didn't expect this to occur. I knew that the Dark Gate would open but I didn't know that he would be responsible for it", I explained.

"Yes, but he is an ally with the dark power that wants you in the dark dimension-"

"I know", I sighed. I lay down on his bed with my hands at the back of my neck. "It seems so crazy now. I had this dream when the Dark Gate appeared. I saw Ryan and he was again trying to make me join him".

"It couldn't be Ryan unless he was doing it mentally", Cole noted.

"Man it seem like this should be in Star Wars. I don't know why darkness wants me so much" I sat up. "I mean what happens if I do fall to my dark side? What then?"

"Let's hope that never happens. We can't deny our dark half. But we cannot let it control us, like some people do", Cole said. I nodded, resolved again to fight the darkness in me. Just then Cole's computer beeped.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's my computer telling me I got e-mail", he replied. I got out of my bed to look at it.

"It's from John Mark!" I was really shocked. Then I snapped out of it and read the message.

This is the message that I read:

This is John Mark. The Dark Gate should have been in your area by now. I am glad to see that you are okay. I have a plan but I need to take you and your friend to a good place. It's in the Digital World. If you decide to accept, click Enter. If you need more time, click Escape. I am not going to force you to make a decision but time is short. Do not worry though. We'll meet soon regardless of your decision right now. May it all go well with you.

By John Mark

Without hesitation, I clicked Enter. The computer screen went blank. Two balls of light came out. One came into my hands and the other came to Cole. My eyes widened as I saw the ball of light turned into a red digivice!

"What the-!" Cole exclaimed. He had a green digivice in his hands.

"Cole, listen to me. That is a digivice! Put it front of the computer screen! John Mark gave us these so he can take us to the Digital World!" I told him.

"Really? Okay then!" Cole did as I told him to. I then did the same thing.

"Here goes nothing! Digiport open!" I called out. At that we went into the computer. Our new adventure has just begun.

Next: Chapter Five: John Mark's Plan

Boy am I glad that I finally finished this! Yay! Next of course would be Chapter Five but first I want to upload three poems from Digimon: Season Three. I hope you'll like them. Digimon is the property of Toei Animations and Fox TV. You can e-mail me at Melicadar@hotmail.com or at Melicadar@yahoo.com. Please do not forget to review! See you later!