Melody: Yo! Sorry it's taking so long for me to update each time. I've
been participating in a role-play (an extremely time consuming form of
writing) and have been paying a little more attention to my original fics,
and of course random projects that the evil schoolteachers throw at me.
Davis: Okay. Now that long lecture is over, let's get down to business. How come I never get any romance?
Melody: Aw, be patient Davis, the time will come *cough* at end of fic *cough*
Patamon: Huh? I thought this was a Takari fic.
Melody: It is. Since you have the floor, Patamon, do the disclaimer.
Patamon: Melody doesn't even own the voices in her head.
Melody: Thanks to the following people:
**** Digifriends: Cool, groovy, tight, sweet, awesome, Thanks for adding more words to my vocabulary.
****
Chapter 6: Searching for the Truth
Tai and the others paced towards the house. The usual leader now dragged behind the others, still in a daze. He fought himself. Thoughts and daydreams about the girl he had just met pervaded his mind. Harder and harder he tried, but his mind was loosing the battle against his heart. Or maybe it was just hormones, Tai didn't know.
"Tai! Are you going to daydream all day, or are you coming with us?" Matt shouted at his rival.
"Huh?" Tai responded.
Matt shook his head and sighed, Tai hadn't been the same since the Dark Ocean returned. Out of concern, Kari ran back to her brother. She grabbed Tai by the arm and pulled him in the direction of the Willis's home. Her touch seemed to pierce his semiconscious state. Tai sped up into a run. Getting ahead of his sister, he shouted, "Hey Kari! Race ya."
"You're on." Kari replied in jest.
Running beyond the others, they reached the building in seconds. Kari and Tai caught their breath. After that was done, they smiled.
"Who won anyhow?" Kari asked.
"I forgot." Tai laughed, "but since I am the older child, I win anyway."
"Oh really? We'll see about that." Kari retorted, tickling her brother.
"Hey stop it!" He protested, in the midst of giggles. Tai came back for revenge, catching Kari in her weak spot, her neck. She joined her sibling in laughter, still trying to defend herself. Finally, they both being out of breath, and exhausted, stopped.
*Back in the Dark Ocean*
On his dark throne once again, the joker snarled. Before him were little droplets of water. One by one they came together, forming a giant puddle in the air. When they finished, the water revealed a vision.
Piedmon became more furious when he saw it. Jael's spell had taken hold of the boy so easily, but his sister effortlessly snapped him out of it. Something within the girl Kari had power over him. Though it wasn't her that Piedmon feared. Takeru.Takashi. He had been the reason for this digimon's imprisonment.
For months on end Piedmon's data drifted over the waves. He couldn't materialize, for the Dark Master was still too weak. Finally, enough data reached him and Piedmon became a newborn digital monster. Luckily for him, Piedmon found his creation, the dark spore. It gradually gave him enough strength to digivolve into his mega self.
Though there were some obstacles left in Piedmon's path. There was already a master of the dark ocean. Later on the joker digimon discovered the identity of this mysterious "Undersea Master." His name was Dragomon, and his level was merely ultimate. Dragomon had complete dominion over his servants, who often disguised themselves as scubamon.
After Piedmon had felt he gathered enough strength, he challenged the Undersea Master to battle. Although it was a struggle, Piedmon won. He captured Dragomon's data and imprisoned it in one of his dark spores. Though Piedmon wasn't satisfied. His army wasn't large enough to conquer much of anything.
Then Piedmon devised a plan. He would use someone else to build his army. The shadow creatures would only try to escape when Piedmon let them loose into the Real World. Digimon only terrified most people. After days of thought, he found a solution. Piedmon would capture a human, and force that person to become his servant. It didn't take him long to discover the perfect tool.
~* Back At the Farm *~
Jael went about completing her chores. The chickens always seemed to remind her of her last visit. When she visited Willis's summer house the first time, she knew little about farming. Luckily, her fellow farm hands were patient and helpful. Within a couple of weeks, Jael had mastered the skills within her job. Though, a short time after that, Diaboromon fiasco happened, and she fled from the property.
Merlin, Jael's strange pet, came and rubbed against her leg. The girl patted the feline on the head. He seemed to be the only real friend she had. Jael didn't have to hide her past, for Merlin already knew.
~* Flashback *~
It had been a few years since Jael had started working for Piedmon. Lonely times they were. Without parents, siblings, or friends to talk to, she felt abandoned and forgotten. Piedmon and the Darkness alone surrounded her life. Depression set in, and Jael no longer had the joy of life.
Little by little, anguish infected her soul. Heartache, yearning, and fear began to rule her life. Every moment was a struggle to live. Jael constantly battled with thoughts of suicide. Though after a while, death didn't seem so horrible. Gradually she numbed her feelings to oblivion, by pushing them to the back of her mind. Then Jael tasted insanity. She no longer knew what it was like to feel anything. Joy, sadness, to the sting of pain were absent in her life. Jael became nothing more than a shell.
The darkness came. It had always thirsted and craved the human soul. Always hungry, never filled, Darkness feasted on all the lost, and alone. Finally, it found another meal. Jael's spirit was weak and undefended. She sat in a fetal position among the shadows. A silhouette, which absorbed the light, came towards her.
Then something stabbed the darkness. Small gloved hands touched Jael's shoulders. Warmth covered her cold body. A voice reached her ears, "Don't listen to the lies young one, feeling pain is better than feeling nothing at all."
For the first time in days, the girl spoke in a daze, "What?"
"I said don't believe the lies. You deserve to live." The voice answered.
Jael was shocked. Someone was actually talking to her! Not only that, the voice wasn't screaming at her. It seemed so kind and loving, yet sad at the same time. For the first time in months, Jael was able to feel something. 'What is this feeling? Oh, that's right. it's excitement.' She thought. "Who are you?" Jael asked curiously.
A form materialized out of the shadows. Most of his face was covered by a purple piece of cloth that connected to a cape he wore. He had deep green eyes, soulful in expression. Slightly covering his forehead was straw colored hair. Upon his head was a pointed hat with a skull on the front. Under the little man's coat was a scarecrow suit. To top it all off were large brown boots with crescents as buckles. In his hand he held a staff with a sun at it's top.
Another thought came to Jael's mind, "Are you a digimon?" Unfortunately the girl never heard the strange little man's answer, for she fell unconscious.
~* End Flashback *~
The next day a small orange and white cat started following her around. Jael never saw the wizard-like creature again. She concluded that her life saving experience was only a dream. 'It seemed so real.' Thinking to herself, Jael petted the cat and continued with her work.
*Back on Willis's front porch. *
This time, Davis took his position as leader and rang the doorbell. Finally, after a few tries, Willis answered it. His face was clearly shocked. Willis's crisp blue eyes blinked. 'Wow, they came back again?' Though the blonde boy's face quickly turned from surprise into mischief. Willis slid over to Kari and Yolie. He turned around, and placed his arms around the girls' shoulders as he flirted, "Hey, I think I've seen these cute girls before. Hmm.what were their names? Cutie and Hottie?"
Yolie and Kari blushed. T.K. frowned. Tai was dumbfounded. His astonishment quickly turned into anger as he stomped towards Willis. The brown hared teenager grabbed Willis by the shirt collar.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Uh.I.I.." Willis stuttered, gulping of nervousness.
Kari immediately felt sorry for the blond genius. She dragged Tai away from Willis and apologized to him, "I'm so sorry Willis. You see Tai's my brother, and he gets kind of protective at times. "
"Oh.hi. " The genius greeted hesitantly.
Tai growled. Matt stared at Willis, thinking 'This is the genius Izzy always talks about?' Then something in his mind clicked. " Dude, that isn't the best thing to do to the guy who's going to help us." He chided.
"Huh? You mean you're the guy that Diaboromon was after? Man, you don't seem like much of a threat to him." Tai thought aloud.
Kari nudged him in the shoulder, "Come on, Tai, he's just smart for his age. Be nice. "
Willis wasn't about to be ignored, "Anyway, why are you guys here?" Judging from the grave expressions on the others faces, Willis didn't need a verbal answer. "I see.follow me." He gestured to the front door and directed them inside.
The blonde genius led them down a hallway. Willis then turned a doorknob and opened the door leading to his room. As they entered, awe hit the digidestened. Inside the small room were at least five computers. Connecting them were thousands of wires that formed a maze. In one corner was a solitary machine. After closer examination it was revealed that it was a printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine in one. Opposite the all- purpose device was a chemistry set; consisting of several chemicals, flasks, tubes, burners, and other scientific tools. Next to that were various books and papers, filled with technological and scientific terminology.
After pausing a moment, Willis walked casually over to a chair and sat down. The digidestined and their digimon did likewise. Then followed an awkward moment of silence. Willis sighed and asked, "So, now can you tell me what's going on?" There was a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Tai looked at Kari. She in turn glanced at T.K. The blonde boy fidgeted nervously cleared his throat. "Well.uh.how do I say this? We think a digimon is after Kari, and we need your help."
Willis raised an eyebrow. 'A digimon is after them and they want my assistance? Last time they were here they were rescuing me!' After a long pause, he inquired, "What do you need? And what digimon is after you?"
Tai responded without hesitation, "About four years ago we fought against four digimon called the Dark Masters. They were some of the most powerful digimon we had met. The last of the Dark Masters left to fight was Piedmon. He was the sickest, evil.." Tai trailed off, muttering random swear words under his breath.
Willis directed the conversation at Kari. "So why do you think he's after you?"
Though T.K. answered for the girl next to him, "We barely defeated Piedmon, I think he wants revenge."
Willis nodded. He spent the next few minutes digesting what little information he had received. Pensively, the boy studied the various patterns in the wood floor beneath him. Finally with a sigh, Willis walked over to one of many computers. Turning it on, Willis asked one last question. "How did he nearly defeat you guys?"
At last Kari opened her mouth to speak, "First Piedmon tried to get rid of us by waiting for the other, weaker Dark Masters to take us out. When that didn't work, he sent his servants, like Lady Devimon after us. Finally, after we defeated them, Piedmon came to take care of the job himself. He only had to throw huge handkerchiefs on something to turn them into a lifeless key-chain. The first additions to Piedmon's collection were WarGreymon and MetalGarurrumon. One by one he took everybody out until T.K., Patamon, and me were left." Kari stopped recounting the story, hoping that someone else would pick up where she left off.
After making sure that Kari was finished, T.K. continued it. "Piedmon chased after us until we reached a balcony. There seemed to be no exit except the way we came. In the center of the terrace was a straw basket. Not seeing other thing to do, we opened it. Suddenly a rope shot out from it, and the rope reached into the sky. Kari started climbing up first. I followed. When we were a far off the ground, Piedmon cut the rope from above us. Then he started trying to pull me down by my shoe. Kari grabbed my hand and they began a tug-a-war. Piedmon soon tired of that and cut the rope below us, making us fall towards the ground. Patamon digivolved to MagnaAngemon to save us. He opened a portal and sent Piedmon through it."
Willis began typing furiously some facts that he heard in the narrative. After finishing that, he remained pensive. 'Something's missing from that story. But what could it be?' He exited the current program he was in. Next Willis clicked on an icon. It was a 'd' with what appeared to be streaks of light emanating from the logo. When a few seconds has past, a program Izzy gave him opened up. The Digimon Analyzer greeted him as it usually did. Then Willis typed the word Piedmon in the search window.
Suddenly the screen went black, and the power went out. Computer code flashed past the monitor. Then they began to form into a face. The familiar lines, mask, eyes, and evil sneer materialized within the terminal. A sickening laugh filled the room. "Greetings Digidestined. How nice of you to invite another to join this party of darkness. Too bad.that you can't get me so easily!" Immediately following the chilling message from Piedmon, a strange noise came from the computer. Next the number ten appeared. By each second past, it counted down to nine, eight, and seven..
"Duck!" Willis screamed at everyone else nearby. Moments later the machine exploded, shattering the windows. One of the speakers crashed into the door. Flames sprang up from the sparks arising from the fallen data processor.
Sensing that the chaos was over for the time being, Willis stood up. Brushing pieces of glass and debris from his clothes, he surveyed the damage. His heart sank. The computer Willis was using was beyond repair. Even the mainframe was in pieces. "Man, that was one of my best.."
A soft hand touched his shoulder. Willis glanced next to him to see crimson- brown eyes. "I really sorry Willis, I.should have known this would happen."
The blonde took Kari's hand into his own. "It's okay, the university will probably send me another one." He answered, taking a towel to put out the fire. Within moments the blaze was gone, though a smoky haze choked the air.
Without warning the door slammed open. Coughing rang out from it as Jael's jade eyes appeared through the smoke. "What.the.heck.is going on?" She spat at the others. Jael already knew what was going on, but she felt there was no better time to further ensnare Tai in her grasp.
"Well." Willis began, a lie forming in his mind, "we were experimenting with the computer and we accidentally turned it into a time bomb." He finished; scratching the back of his head like he usually did while lying.
"Oh.well, clean it up, your mom is going to cream me when she sees this mess." Jael snapped back.
Willis nodded and sighed again, picking up the glass shards and dumping them into a bag. He kept shaking his head remembering all the things he accomplished with the machine. The rest of the digidestined were still in disbelief.
Jael observed the sad teenager. Then she glided over to Tai. Gazing straight into his chocolate eyes she requested, "Hey cutie, I was wondering if you could show up for a dinner with me tonight." She whispered suggestively as the girl felt his arm shudder with her touch.
Tai couldn't speak for a moment. At last he stuttered, "Aren't I.supposed to ask you out?"
Once again she leaned over and whispered in Tai's ear, "Oops, six then, at in the barn over there?"
"Uh.okay." Tai answered, blush appearing on his cheeks. His eyes fell into her hypnotizing beauty for the second time. He massaged his ear feeling the area that Jael breathed on. Seconds later the door slammed. Sitting down, Tai found himself dreaming about the girl that just left. For a moment Tai's daydreams slipped to the perverted side. 'Hmm, I wonder what she looks like in a.WHAT! This isn't like you Tai.snap out of it.' Suddenly he had a headache; girls could be so stressful sometimes.
Meanwhile Kari was having thoughts of her own. She glanced over at T.K. still pondering the words that he had told her.' You think I'll ever let that happen? You're one of the closet friends I have; I care too much to let these continue. I made a promise Kari, and I don't plan on breaking it.' The words echoed through her head. Then, on the airplane, they kissed! Emotions clouded her thinking. Everything seemed to be happening too fast. Did T.K. truly love her? There was only one way to ask..
"T.K.?" Kari asked quietly.
The blonde boy looked up. His blue eyes were filled with concern. "Yeah Kari?"
"I can I talk to you alone for a moment?" Her words were barely above a whisper.
T.K. nodded and followed her into the hallway. Kari leaned against a wall, trying to sort out her feelings. The teen next to her took his place next to her, watching for her next move. He worried about her, yearning to do anything to help Kari feel better.
Finally she broke the silence, "Um.T.K., can you tell me something?"
"Sure, anything."
"Do you love me?" The words seemed to flow off her tongue.
T.K. struggled to come up with a response. An unknown fear washed over him. He took a deep breath and answered, "Of course I do." The blonde smiled.
"Say it please." Kari was now staring at him, trying to read T.K's gaze.
"I love you Kari."
The brunette grinned. "Thanks Takeru." She hugged him, nestling her head on his shoulder.
"Anytime Kari, anytime."
Melody: MUHAHAHA! Guess what, I'm home from school on a snow day. There's icicles hanging from my lawn chairs! Well, I hoped you enjoyed the holidays, cause I did.
Davis: Okay. Now that long lecture is over, let's get down to business. How come I never get any romance?
Melody: Aw, be patient Davis, the time will come *cough* at end of fic *cough*
Patamon: Huh? I thought this was a Takari fic.
Melody: It is. Since you have the floor, Patamon, do the disclaimer.
Patamon: Melody doesn't even own the voices in her head.
Melody: Thanks to the following people:
**** Digifriends: Cool, groovy, tight, sweet, awesome, Thanks for adding more words to my vocabulary.
****
Chapter 6: Searching for the Truth
Tai and the others paced towards the house. The usual leader now dragged behind the others, still in a daze. He fought himself. Thoughts and daydreams about the girl he had just met pervaded his mind. Harder and harder he tried, but his mind was loosing the battle against his heart. Or maybe it was just hormones, Tai didn't know.
"Tai! Are you going to daydream all day, or are you coming with us?" Matt shouted at his rival.
"Huh?" Tai responded.
Matt shook his head and sighed, Tai hadn't been the same since the Dark Ocean returned. Out of concern, Kari ran back to her brother. She grabbed Tai by the arm and pulled him in the direction of the Willis's home. Her touch seemed to pierce his semiconscious state. Tai sped up into a run. Getting ahead of his sister, he shouted, "Hey Kari! Race ya."
"You're on." Kari replied in jest.
Running beyond the others, they reached the building in seconds. Kari and Tai caught their breath. After that was done, they smiled.
"Who won anyhow?" Kari asked.
"I forgot." Tai laughed, "but since I am the older child, I win anyway."
"Oh really? We'll see about that." Kari retorted, tickling her brother.
"Hey stop it!" He protested, in the midst of giggles. Tai came back for revenge, catching Kari in her weak spot, her neck. She joined her sibling in laughter, still trying to defend herself. Finally, they both being out of breath, and exhausted, stopped.
*Back in the Dark Ocean*
On his dark throne once again, the joker snarled. Before him were little droplets of water. One by one they came together, forming a giant puddle in the air. When they finished, the water revealed a vision.
Piedmon became more furious when he saw it. Jael's spell had taken hold of the boy so easily, but his sister effortlessly snapped him out of it. Something within the girl Kari had power over him. Though it wasn't her that Piedmon feared. Takeru.Takashi. He had been the reason for this digimon's imprisonment.
For months on end Piedmon's data drifted over the waves. He couldn't materialize, for the Dark Master was still too weak. Finally, enough data reached him and Piedmon became a newborn digital monster. Luckily for him, Piedmon found his creation, the dark spore. It gradually gave him enough strength to digivolve into his mega self.
Though there were some obstacles left in Piedmon's path. There was already a master of the dark ocean. Later on the joker digimon discovered the identity of this mysterious "Undersea Master." His name was Dragomon, and his level was merely ultimate. Dragomon had complete dominion over his servants, who often disguised themselves as scubamon.
After Piedmon had felt he gathered enough strength, he challenged the Undersea Master to battle. Although it was a struggle, Piedmon won. He captured Dragomon's data and imprisoned it in one of his dark spores. Though Piedmon wasn't satisfied. His army wasn't large enough to conquer much of anything.
Then Piedmon devised a plan. He would use someone else to build his army. The shadow creatures would only try to escape when Piedmon let them loose into the Real World. Digimon only terrified most people. After days of thought, he found a solution. Piedmon would capture a human, and force that person to become his servant. It didn't take him long to discover the perfect tool.
~* Back At the Farm *~
Jael went about completing her chores. The chickens always seemed to remind her of her last visit. When she visited Willis's summer house the first time, she knew little about farming. Luckily, her fellow farm hands were patient and helpful. Within a couple of weeks, Jael had mastered the skills within her job. Though, a short time after that, Diaboromon fiasco happened, and she fled from the property.
Merlin, Jael's strange pet, came and rubbed against her leg. The girl patted the feline on the head. He seemed to be the only real friend she had. Jael didn't have to hide her past, for Merlin already knew.
~* Flashback *~
It had been a few years since Jael had started working for Piedmon. Lonely times they were. Without parents, siblings, or friends to talk to, she felt abandoned and forgotten. Piedmon and the Darkness alone surrounded her life. Depression set in, and Jael no longer had the joy of life.
Little by little, anguish infected her soul. Heartache, yearning, and fear began to rule her life. Every moment was a struggle to live. Jael constantly battled with thoughts of suicide. Though after a while, death didn't seem so horrible. Gradually she numbed her feelings to oblivion, by pushing them to the back of her mind. Then Jael tasted insanity. She no longer knew what it was like to feel anything. Joy, sadness, to the sting of pain were absent in her life. Jael became nothing more than a shell.
The darkness came. It had always thirsted and craved the human soul. Always hungry, never filled, Darkness feasted on all the lost, and alone. Finally, it found another meal. Jael's spirit was weak and undefended. She sat in a fetal position among the shadows. A silhouette, which absorbed the light, came towards her.
Then something stabbed the darkness. Small gloved hands touched Jael's shoulders. Warmth covered her cold body. A voice reached her ears, "Don't listen to the lies young one, feeling pain is better than feeling nothing at all."
For the first time in days, the girl spoke in a daze, "What?"
"I said don't believe the lies. You deserve to live." The voice answered.
Jael was shocked. Someone was actually talking to her! Not only that, the voice wasn't screaming at her. It seemed so kind and loving, yet sad at the same time. For the first time in months, Jael was able to feel something. 'What is this feeling? Oh, that's right. it's excitement.' She thought. "Who are you?" Jael asked curiously.
A form materialized out of the shadows. Most of his face was covered by a purple piece of cloth that connected to a cape he wore. He had deep green eyes, soulful in expression. Slightly covering his forehead was straw colored hair. Upon his head was a pointed hat with a skull on the front. Under the little man's coat was a scarecrow suit. To top it all off were large brown boots with crescents as buckles. In his hand he held a staff with a sun at it's top.
Another thought came to Jael's mind, "Are you a digimon?" Unfortunately the girl never heard the strange little man's answer, for she fell unconscious.
~* End Flashback *~
The next day a small orange and white cat started following her around. Jael never saw the wizard-like creature again. She concluded that her life saving experience was only a dream. 'It seemed so real.' Thinking to herself, Jael petted the cat and continued with her work.
*Back on Willis's front porch. *
This time, Davis took his position as leader and rang the doorbell. Finally, after a few tries, Willis answered it. His face was clearly shocked. Willis's crisp blue eyes blinked. 'Wow, they came back again?' Though the blonde boy's face quickly turned from surprise into mischief. Willis slid over to Kari and Yolie. He turned around, and placed his arms around the girls' shoulders as he flirted, "Hey, I think I've seen these cute girls before. Hmm.what were their names? Cutie and Hottie?"
Yolie and Kari blushed. T.K. frowned. Tai was dumbfounded. His astonishment quickly turned into anger as he stomped towards Willis. The brown hared teenager grabbed Willis by the shirt collar.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Uh.I.I.." Willis stuttered, gulping of nervousness.
Kari immediately felt sorry for the blond genius. She dragged Tai away from Willis and apologized to him, "I'm so sorry Willis. You see Tai's my brother, and he gets kind of protective at times. "
"Oh.hi. " The genius greeted hesitantly.
Tai growled. Matt stared at Willis, thinking 'This is the genius Izzy always talks about?' Then something in his mind clicked. " Dude, that isn't the best thing to do to the guy who's going to help us." He chided.
"Huh? You mean you're the guy that Diaboromon was after? Man, you don't seem like much of a threat to him." Tai thought aloud.
Kari nudged him in the shoulder, "Come on, Tai, he's just smart for his age. Be nice. "
Willis wasn't about to be ignored, "Anyway, why are you guys here?" Judging from the grave expressions on the others faces, Willis didn't need a verbal answer. "I see.follow me." He gestured to the front door and directed them inside.
The blonde genius led them down a hallway. Willis then turned a doorknob and opened the door leading to his room. As they entered, awe hit the digidestened. Inside the small room were at least five computers. Connecting them were thousands of wires that formed a maze. In one corner was a solitary machine. After closer examination it was revealed that it was a printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine in one. Opposite the all- purpose device was a chemistry set; consisting of several chemicals, flasks, tubes, burners, and other scientific tools. Next to that were various books and papers, filled with technological and scientific terminology.
After pausing a moment, Willis walked casually over to a chair and sat down. The digidestined and their digimon did likewise. Then followed an awkward moment of silence. Willis sighed and asked, "So, now can you tell me what's going on?" There was a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Tai looked at Kari. She in turn glanced at T.K. The blonde boy fidgeted nervously cleared his throat. "Well.uh.how do I say this? We think a digimon is after Kari, and we need your help."
Willis raised an eyebrow. 'A digimon is after them and they want my assistance? Last time they were here they were rescuing me!' After a long pause, he inquired, "What do you need? And what digimon is after you?"
Tai responded without hesitation, "About four years ago we fought against four digimon called the Dark Masters. They were some of the most powerful digimon we had met. The last of the Dark Masters left to fight was Piedmon. He was the sickest, evil.." Tai trailed off, muttering random swear words under his breath.
Willis directed the conversation at Kari. "So why do you think he's after you?"
Though T.K. answered for the girl next to him, "We barely defeated Piedmon, I think he wants revenge."
Willis nodded. He spent the next few minutes digesting what little information he had received. Pensively, the boy studied the various patterns in the wood floor beneath him. Finally with a sigh, Willis walked over to one of many computers. Turning it on, Willis asked one last question. "How did he nearly defeat you guys?"
At last Kari opened her mouth to speak, "First Piedmon tried to get rid of us by waiting for the other, weaker Dark Masters to take us out. When that didn't work, he sent his servants, like Lady Devimon after us. Finally, after we defeated them, Piedmon came to take care of the job himself. He only had to throw huge handkerchiefs on something to turn them into a lifeless key-chain. The first additions to Piedmon's collection were WarGreymon and MetalGarurrumon. One by one he took everybody out until T.K., Patamon, and me were left." Kari stopped recounting the story, hoping that someone else would pick up where she left off.
After making sure that Kari was finished, T.K. continued it. "Piedmon chased after us until we reached a balcony. There seemed to be no exit except the way we came. In the center of the terrace was a straw basket. Not seeing other thing to do, we opened it. Suddenly a rope shot out from it, and the rope reached into the sky. Kari started climbing up first. I followed. When we were a far off the ground, Piedmon cut the rope from above us. Then he started trying to pull me down by my shoe. Kari grabbed my hand and they began a tug-a-war. Piedmon soon tired of that and cut the rope below us, making us fall towards the ground. Patamon digivolved to MagnaAngemon to save us. He opened a portal and sent Piedmon through it."
Willis began typing furiously some facts that he heard in the narrative. After finishing that, he remained pensive. 'Something's missing from that story. But what could it be?' He exited the current program he was in. Next Willis clicked on an icon. It was a 'd' with what appeared to be streaks of light emanating from the logo. When a few seconds has past, a program Izzy gave him opened up. The Digimon Analyzer greeted him as it usually did. Then Willis typed the word Piedmon in the search window.
Suddenly the screen went black, and the power went out. Computer code flashed past the monitor. Then they began to form into a face. The familiar lines, mask, eyes, and evil sneer materialized within the terminal. A sickening laugh filled the room. "Greetings Digidestined. How nice of you to invite another to join this party of darkness. Too bad.that you can't get me so easily!" Immediately following the chilling message from Piedmon, a strange noise came from the computer. Next the number ten appeared. By each second past, it counted down to nine, eight, and seven..
"Duck!" Willis screamed at everyone else nearby. Moments later the machine exploded, shattering the windows. One of the speakers crashed into the door. Flames sprang up from the sparks arising from the fallen data processor.
Sensing that the chaos was over for the time being, Willis stood up. Brushing pieces of glass and debris from his clothes, he surveyed the damage. His heart sank. The computer Willis was using was beyond repair. Even the mainframe was in pieces. "Man, that was one of my best.."
A soft hand touched his shoulder. Willis glanced next to him to see crimson- brown eyes. "I really sorry Willis, I.should have known this would happen."
The blonde took Kari's hand into his own. "It's okay, the university will probably send me another one." He answered, taking a towel to put out the fire. Within moments the blaze was gone, though a smoky haze choked the air.
Without warning the door slammed open. Coughing rang out from it as Jael's jade eyes appeared through the smoke. "What.the.heck.is going on?" She spat at the others. Jael already knew what was going on, but she felt there was no better time to further ensnare Tai in her grasp.
"Well." Willis began, a lie forming in his mind, "we were experimenting with the computer and we accidentally turned it into a time bomb." He finished; scratching the back of his head like he usually did while lying.
"Oh.well, clean it up, your mom is going to cream me when she sees this mess." Jael snapped back.
Willis nodded and sighed again, picking up the glass shards and dumping them into a bag. He kept shaking his head remembering all the things he accomplished with the machine. The rest of the digidestined were still in disbelief.
Jael observed the sad teenager. Then she glided over to Tai. Gazing straight into his chocolate eyes she requested, "Hey cutie, I was wondering if you could show up for a dinner with me tonight." She whispered suggestively as the girl felt his arm shudder with her touch.
Tai couldn't speak for a moment. At last he stuttered, "Aren't I.supposed to ask you out?"
Once again she leaned over and whispered in Tai's ear, "Oops, six then, at in the barn over there?"
"Uh.okay." Tai answered, blush appearing on his cheeks. His eyes fell into her hypnotizing beauty for the second time. He massaged his ear feeling the area that Jael breathed on. Seconds later the door slammed. Sitting down, Tai found himself dreaming about the girl that just left. For a moment Tai's daydreams slipped to the perverted side. 'Hmm, I wonder what she looks like in a.WHAT! This isn't like you Tai.snap out of it.' Suddenly he had a headache; girls could be so stressful sometimes.
Meanwhile Kari was having thoughts of her own. She glanced over at T.K. still pondering the words that he had told her.' You think I'll ever let that happen? You're one of the closet friends I have; I care too much to let these continue. I made a promise Kari, and I don't plan on breaking it.' The words echoed through her head. Then, on the airplane, they kissed! Emotions clouded her thinking. Everything seemed to be happening too fast. Did T.K. truly love her? There was only one way to ask..
"T.K.?" Kari asked quietly.
The blonde boy looked up. His blue eyes were filled with concern. "Yeah Kari?"
"I can I talk to you alone for a moment?" Her words were barely above a whisper.
T.K. nodded and followed her into the hallway. Kari leaned against a wall, trying to sort out her feelings. The teen next to her took his place next to her, watching for her next move. He worried about her, yearning to do anything to help Kari feel better.
Finally she broke the silence, "Um.T.K., can you tell me something?"
"Sure, anything."
"Do you love me?" The words seemed to flow off her tongue.
T.K. struggled to come up with a response. An unknown fear washed over him. He took a deep breath and answered, "Of course I do." The blonde smiled.
"Say it please." Kari was now staring at him, trying to read T.K's gaze.
"I love you Kari."
The brunette grinned. "Thanks Takeru." She hugged him, nestling her head on his shoulder.
"Anytime Kari, anytime."
Melody: MUHAHAHA! Guess what, I'm home from school on a snow day. There's icicles hanging from my lawn chairs! Well, I hoped you enjoyed the holidays, cause I did.