Me: Anybody wondering when I was going to get through with this chapter?
Tai: Yeah. How are we going to rescue my girl?
Me: (raises eyebrows) Your girl?
Jacob: Yes his girl. You weren't planning on putting Chloe with someone else were you?
Me: Weeeelllll…there's *cough* TK *cough*…
Tai: DON'T even think about it Caro or I'll stop being nice to you and start whaling on you.
Kari: And I'll join you big brother.
Me: (gulp)
Chapter 6-Darkness Falls
"Motomiya…going in…he shoots…he SCORES!"
The soccer ball slammed against the goal net. Davis grinned confidently. Today was good day to practice, considering that no one else was there to pester him. He retrieved the soccer ball again and prepared to shoot another goal. "He's heading for the goal…dodges one of the players…nice pass there…okay, get ready…he shoots…he…huh?"
The ball, instead of sailing through the goal, was caught by a figure at the end of the post. Davis ran over to the person. "Hey, that was a good catch. Can I have my—Catherine?!"
Catherine smiled politely at Davis, placing the ball on the ground and holding it with her foot. She was wearing a white shirt and stretchy gray shorts. A matching sweater was wrapped around her waist and black boots stopped half-way to her knees. Her long blonde ringlets hung loose around her shoulders.
"Catherine…I didn't know you knew how to play soccer."
Her china blue eyes sparkled. "It's zort of a fad in my country," she replied. "I'm not a bad goalie but I play better at defense." She nodded at him. "I see you're a good forward."
He grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, well…"
A distant beeping caused both kids to jump. "Isn't zat coming from your backpack Davis?" Catherine asked.
Davis nodded and reached for it. Inside, he found his D-terminal acting up.
Davis, this is TK. Listen up. We're gonna need you're help in getting to the Dark Ocean so meet me, Kari, Ken, and Tai at the beach. No time to explain until you get there. Make sure to contact Cody.
TK
"Takeroo sent you a message," Catherine said with a frown. "Dark Ocean? What's that?"
Davis shrugged. He knew perfectly well what the Dark Ocean was but that was none of Catherine's business. "I guess I better do what T.D. wants and email Cody."
* * *
"And that's basically what happened to Oikawa," said Cody. "I'm sorry I can't give you anymore but…"
"No. No. The info you gave me is fine Cody," said Jacob hurriedly. He stared down at the carpet. "I never knew his partner watched him die right there. They were just going to be together…and then he…"
Jacqueline put an arm around Jacob. "It's tough hearing about it."
For a while they just sat there in silence; none sure what was going to happen. Then Cody heard a strange beeping coming from his D-Terminal. "Uh…what the…?"
"Hey Cody," said Upamon on the bed next to Jacqueline. "You better check it."
Cody nodded and opened up his D-Terminal. "It's from Davis…he wants me to meet him at the beach with TK, Kari, Ken, and Tai. Something about…the Dark Ocean."
"Should we come with you?" Jacob asked him.
Cody shook his head. "No. This seems to be a Digidestined thing."
"Then we'd better leave Jackie." Jacob and Jacqueline stood up. "Thanks a lot Cody."
"No problem."
* * *
"Feel the hate. Feel the anger."
"I…will…not…hate."
"No one trusts you."
"Kari…don't…come…listen…to me…"
"She cannot hear you. You are my servant now. Mine!"
The girl floated in an endless sea of darkness. An endless sea of hate. An endless sea devoid of all life. So this is hell. Hell without heat.
"If they come, you must destroy them. Do you hear me? DESTROY THEM!"
Sora…my sister…
"Destroy them."
Kari…my friend…"Destroy them."
Tai…my love…
"Destroy them."
"TK…my soul…"
* * *
Unbeknownst to Cody, Jacob and Jacqueline followed him and Upamon to the beach. "Why are we doing this again Jackie?"
Jacqueline stopped walking and turned to face her friend. "Because I don't want anything bad to happen to Kari."
"Kari will be fine," Jacob argued. "She's a Digidestined like you and Cody said. Besides, she has TK to look after her."
"You don't get it do you?" Jacqueline snapped. "Kari is my friend. If anything…" She stopped talking.
"Jackie?"
She froze and pointed up ahead. Jacob followed her finger to see a fluttering silhouette of an enormous monster in front of them. "The heck?"
The monster faded away to be replaced by a woman with short brown hair and sad brown eyes. Jacob's jaw dropped.
"It is time you were recognized for who you are…"
"Jacob, who is she?"
"She's…she's my mother."
* * *
TK soon met up with Kari and Tai. He could see Sora and Ken already there, pacing up and down the beach. "So what's the plan?"
"I'll have to open the gate to the Dark Ocean," Ken explained. "Then you, Kari, and Tai will enter it and get Chloe. Sora's going to stay here to keep a lookout and make a distraction."
"Are you okay with that Sora?" Tai asked.
She forced a shaky smile. "I'll be fine Tai. Just get in there and save my sister—and kick some butt while you're at it."
TK laughed quietly before nodding. "Are you going to be all right Ken? The last time you opened this gate wasn't a very pleasant memory."
Ken winced but forced a smile. "I'll be fine. Just get in there and find her before something awful happens."
* * *
The dark ocean lay stretched out like a vast dead gray mass. Its colorless surroundings were far from cheerful. Kari shivered fearfully. She absolutely hated this place and she could tell already that it was making a good impact on her. But it's for a good cause that you came here so stop feeling afraid. You're not alone.
"Are you feeling okay Kari?" asked TK "You know, if you're not feeling well…"
Kari took hold of his hand. "I promise I'll be okay. Don't worry."
Tai glanced at them. "Keep a sharp eye out. Chloe might be nearby and we don't want to miss her."
Gatomon, who was staring straight ahead, pointed. "You mean, like that?"
Tai and Kari followed her gaze to rest on a slender girl with long dark hair. She faced the ocean, her face holding an intent expression. "Chloe!"
They ran to her and Tai took hold of her hand. "Are you okay? We've been worried about you."
Chloe didn't acknowledge him but instead continued to stare at the ocean. Finally, she spoke. "Worry?" She gave a small laugh, a cold empty laugh and jerked her hand away. "That's a feeling that only makes people weak and sorrowful. Always thinking of 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' and 'oh my gosh I was so afraid'. Worry is something I have no time for. I've surpassed all that worry can do."
Tai stared at her. "C-Chloe? What's wrong with you?"
"Did the Scubamon harm you?" asked Kari apprehensively.
"Harm?" Chloe laughed yet again. Her voice was cold and sharp as a dagger. "No harm here. Those weak little creatures are so far below me they couldn't harm me if I was a dust pillow let alone a girl."
Patamon stared at her for a long moment before exclaiming, "Something's wrong with her. She's under control of the darkness."
TK shook his head. "Chloe…my God…what have they done to you?"
"What has 'who' done to me?" the older girl asked frigidly. "I am no one."
At this, Chloe turned towards them and they got a good look at her eyes. They were blank, empty, and stormy as though filled with a swirling portal of black. The blue bits in her eyes resembled bits of crushed ice. "Hikari Kamiya," she hissed and the other girl flinched. "You foolish child. She warned you not to come here but you didn't listen. You'll pay now that the ocean finally has its hold on you. Even your brother and your boyfriend can't save you now."
"Snap out of it!" Tai yelled. "What's happened to you?!"
Chloe smirked. "You shouldn't have come here. Now you're in danger…and there's nothing you can do about it." She pressed her hands together and a purple and black energy ball formed between them. She aimed it at them. "SHADOW BALL!"
"Hit the deck!" T.K. yelled in alarm.
Everyone toppled to the ground as the sphere hurtled past them. The wind shook the trees with the force of the attack and they could hear some of them collapse. They slowly got to their feet.
"Chloe stop this!" Tai cried out.
"Chloe? That name doesn't exist in my memory anymore," the girl replied calmly. "It's a meaningless name; one that doesn't suit me. It was the name of a girl who had everything taken from her: her home, her family, her true friends, her training, her title, her feelings, her hopes, and her powers. Oh, she had it all I can say. But all that is gone…as is she."
Tai shook his head. "She's not gone. I can feel it. Chloe, try to reach beyond your despair. I'm sorry for whatever I did. I never knew you would take it so hard. I love you."
Most girls would just break down after hearing those words. However, Chloe was not like most girls. Instead of relenting, she scowled. "Love? Hah! You don't even know the meaning of the word Taichi Kamiya." Tai winced when she said that. "You don't love Chloe. You never did and since she's gone you never"—she formed another energy ball—"will!"
TK glared at her. "The Chloe I knew would never think like that. She never gave up, even when life seemed to take its toll downhill for her. She isn't foolish, arrogant, revenge-seeking, or stupid…like you are!"
Chloe's eyes seemed to become even stormier. "You dare say that to me Takaishi! I'll show you foolish! SHADOW BALL!" The attack connected with TK's arm. He fell to the ground, groaning in pain.
"TK!" cried Kari and Patamon.
TK got to his feet painfully, his eyes wary. Why are you doing this to me Chloe?
As if she could hear him, an insane smile twitched at the corners of the girl's mouth. "You pathetic mortal."
Tai looked frozen in shock for a number of seconds before turning angrily back to Chloe. "The Chloe we knew would never have been any of those things TK said…and she would have never tried to kill anyone! And…" Tai knew he had to say the words so he did. "She would never ever hurt TK!"
Chloe smirked. "What did I tell you? That girl is dead so you might as well face the facts." She threw another orb, which shattered two trees into mere splinters!
"Stop acting crazy!"
She walked up to him and, using all of the strength she could muster, smacked him! Tai fell down from the force of the slap and he could feel his face stinging. Yet he got up.
"Back for more Kamiya?" Chloe hissed. "Just goes to show you your sister could learn some stubbornness like you." She slapped him across the other cheek, sending him down to the ground again.
Gatomon glowered at her. "Take that back or I'll-"
"What? Scratch me?"
Tai staggered to her. I don't really want to do this but I have to. He reached back his fist and punched Chloe across the cheek! She fell to the ground, stunned. "You deserve that," he whispered quietly.
Chloe leaped to her feet, her eyes screaming anger and a bruise forming on her right cheek. "Why you-"
"You could hit me a dozen times," Tai continued. "And it won't change anything. I truly mean I'm sorry and I truly love you…or Chloe wherever she is. Please believe me."
"Chloe's not in the 'believe Tai' mood these days," the girl retorted. "You walked out on her Kamiya! She's no longer here because of it."
"I never meant to. I'd take back everything if I could just see her again."
The girl snorted in an irritated way. "Tell that to someone who cares."
"Chloe…" They all turned to see T.K. shaking his head at her. "This isn't right and you know it. I thought you said I understood you more than anyone ever did. Why can't you understand?"
Tai nodded. "Don't fight us. Let us help you."
Chloe stared back at him in disbelief. "Even after all that you still care?"
"Of course," Kari answered. "Because we care about you."
"Then I guess you won't care if I destroy you all!" the girl screamed triumphantly. She focused all of her energy and dark power radiated around her body. "PSYCHIIIIIIIIC!!"
Kari shielded her face but TK pushed her to the ground. However, he wasn't so lucky and the impact of the attack sent him flying into one of the trees. "AGH!"
"TK!" Kari screamed as she, Tai, and their Digimon ran over to him. "OH TK!"
Chloe's eyes, though dark with fury, flickered slightly. T…K…?
Kari began to sob uncontrollably while Tai shook the boy's arm. "TK, are you okay? Answer me!"
"TK!" Patamon wailed.
Chloe shook her head and backed away. I…I hurt…TK…no…I hurt…TK… "No…no…I can't…" She lowered her hands and the energy ball diminished. "You…can't…it's not…possible…" She grabbed her head and screamed. "No! You won't get out. I won't let you!"
Kari and Tai glanced at her. "Chloe?"
TK…my soul…no…I hurt him…I hurt him…how could I? What am I? A tear slipped down from her cheek as a fading image of a powerful little nine-year-old appeared before her eyes.
"You can't do this to me!"
"Do you as you're told Ms. Device. Lift the truck!"
"Okay…I'll lift the truck and I'll make it land…ON YOU!"
"She's out of control! Do something!"
"Don't touch me! GET AWAY FROM ME!"
The scientists were pressing buttons all over the place and mechanical arms were rushing to chain her again. Dark energy billowed around her.
"LEAVE ME ALLLOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!"
The others gaped at Chloe when another voice spoke from within her head. "You've caused so much hurt…I'm growing stronger as we speak. I don't care if you won't let me out…I'll get out anyway and you know it."
"What have I done?!" Chloe screamed as the darkness threatened to consume her. "What have I done?!"
"You did the one thing that would leave me out for good you stupid girl. And now that your stupid other half is taken out of the picture…it's time for me to take over."
"NO!" Chloe covered her face in her hands. "I'm sorry! Kari, I'm sorry! Tai, I'm sorry!" TK…I'm…" She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry."
As the darkness swooped over her, TK's eyes slowly opened. "C-Chloe?"
A soft rippling noise caused all further activity to cease. "What was that?"
Silence.
Then before anyone could comprehend what happened next, a long tentacle projected out of the water and wrapped tightly around Kari's waist. The girl let out a shrill scream.
"KARI!"
Before anyone could react, the tentacle lifted her away from them and (splash) yanked her into the water.
TK ran to the water's surface. "Kari! KARIIIIII!"
The ocean began to rise and fall, kicking up waves. A large Digimon emerged from the depths. The large eyes leered at the Digidestined and Kari, choking from swallowing water, was tightly gripped in one of his tentacles.
Chloe raised her eyes, took one look at the monster, and shrank away. Her whole body began to tremble with fear. "Dragomon…"
"Well you provided more useful than I thought Child of Life. I never knew you would be the perfect bait for the Child of Light. But I guess I was wrong." He tightened his grip on Kari who cried out.
"Let her go or I'll turn you into squid guts!" yelled Gatomon angrily.
"Tentacle Claw!"
Gatomon was thrown backwards by a wave of water. She shook her head, dazed. TK glared at Dragomon. "Let Kari go!"
"No."
Kari squealed in pain as the tentacles began to choke her. "TK!"
TK was about to rush forward and he would have if Tai hadn't grabbed him. Dragomon stared down at the psychic trainer. "Destroy them both servant."
Chloe struggled against the darkness but it was too overpowering. She glared at TK and Tai out of cold blue eyes. "Yes…master…"
Me: Whoa. Intense.
TK: You said it.
Tai: Um…how are we supposed to save Chloe now that she's gone completely off her rocker?
Me: You'll see…and don't think Jacob and Jackie are gone cause they'll play a very important role in this fic just like Kari. In the meantime, review! (pauses) Hey, where's Chloe?
Kari: She's probably plotting your death somewhere.
Me: (gulp) Thanks for telling me.