Reality Redux
By ArchangelUK & Digicowboy

Do you know the way to San Jose? Lala lala la la la lala.....we don't own Digimon, neither does the Tyranomon.
Tyranomon: Garrgh??

Chapter 20 - Entrances & Exits

Spiking Strike!

The attacks, rather predictably, bounced harmlessly off the much stronger Digimon. It was like trying to kill a fish by throwing water at it. Daemon laughed. There had been a minor problem earlier, but a good hit had sent Wargreymon flying. He raised his shield, preparing to get rid of these annoyances. And then he felt a presence behind him, accompanied by an intense heat. He turned around, and had he had a mouth, it would have been hanging open in shock. He didn't, however, so we'll just have to visualise. Wargreymon was standing right behind him.

Maybe you should look before you raise your shield. Growled the Mega. There's nowhere you can run, Daemon. TERRA DESTROYER! The attack hit the harbinger in the chest with enough force to shoot Manhattan Island into orbit, and the second Harbinger fell

Back in Japan, Ben's group had run into a problem, in the form of their large red friend.

But there are so many of them, Myot-mon. They would not miss one. The Tyrannomon was having trouble with some of their names. Mytotismon sighed.

The man-things are not like the monoch-mon. They place attention onto those in their herd. Catch and eat one of the dogs, if you must.

Is Dog good?

I do not know. Catch one and tell me.

What's he saying? asked Joe

He's getting hungry, and he was hoping we'd let him eat some of the people. I told him no.

Good choice.

I told him to pick up a doggy bag instead.

.In a sense, yes. At that moment, the assorted D3's, Digivices, and the DX started to bleep urgently. After a brief inspection, they looked towards the source of the signal. Except Tyrannomon, who was stalking an understandably worried canine. The signal was coming from the park just in front of them.

Shall we check that out? asked Mimi

Works for me. Said Izzy. Tentomon, get ready. It might be another evil Digimon. As it turned out, it was Kari.

Kari! What happened to you? gasped Mimi, rushing to help the staggering girl. Joe was already hurrying forward with the medical bag. ..TK! HelpOh, TK The girl sobbed, collapsing to her knees. Ben slowly put a hand to his forehead. He felt.odd, somehow. He leaned heavily on the staff. It was obvious that Kari needed the medical attention, not him. That said, she was looking better every minute. She was still sobbing while Mimi tried to get a coherent answer out of her.

Joe, you stay here with Kari. Get her some help.

No. I'm.I'm coming with you. She said, getting up slowly. We've got to save my TK! Cody and Izzy shared a grin.
MY TK? They chorused. Kari's eyes widened, and she began to blush.

That's a good sign. Grinned Joe. If you're strong enough to get embarrassed over a slip of the tongue - he looked meaningfully at his friends - Then you're going to be fine.

Slip of the tongue? I mean, yeah! A slip of the tongue, that's all! said Kari, gratefully grabbing hold of the escape route Joe had offered her. Now, let's go! I'll explain on the way! Behind them came a startled yelp, followed by some noises you really don't want described. Trust me here.

Dog tastes good, Myot-mon!

Wolfie looked down at her wristwatch. Five minutes ought to be plenty of time. She popped her head round the corner.

Ah. Evidently not. She muttered. Ah, guys? I'm just going to grab some fresh air, okay? You too, Biyomon. Silence settled over the cave again, for as long as it took Wolfie to go outside, take in the scene, and run back into the cave going AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!'. Which is what she now did, followed closely by Biyomon.

Shouted an extremely irritated Sora.

There's like a million Scubamon out there!

There's no way we can fight that many! Angelus looked at his (ex) sword. Least of all with this. Okay, I'll just open our way out, and- The colour drained from his face, and he looked accusingly at Wolfie.

Without this sword, there's no way we can get back!

Yamashita sat in the darkened room. Matt and the three Digimon were being held immobile against the wall by his willpower, as TK, barely conscious now, was slowly erased. His feet up to his waist had taken on a pale, ghostly look as the power of the Keymaster worked it's dark magic. Suddenly, the Dark Voice surged into his mind, jerking him back to alertness.
One of the Chosen ones is coming this way, together with some of the Chosen Children! I'm not strong enough to face them like this. Take me away from here!

TAKE ME AWAY FROM HERE! The Dark Voice roared, blotting out his own thoughts. Yamashita screamed, and was gone. A few moments later, the door creaked open, and the Digidestined cautiously made their way in.

Where's Tyrannomon? Whispered Ben. We should keep an eye on him.

I think he went looking for another dog.

I think you made a mistake there, Myotismon. Soon there won't be another dog left in the entire city.

shrieked Kari, rushing forward. Ben made to move forwards, and staggered.

Feel reeeaaaaal woozy he muttered, pulling himself onto his knees. He looked blearily at his arm, which was glowing a faint blue, and at TK, who was glowing a faint blue and seemed to be regenerating. He looked at down, and saw that his entire body was glowing, and he looked at Matt and the Digimon, who were getting back to their feet. He looked at Mimi, who was staring at him with an expression of abject horror, and he blinked. Then, as TK sat up and looked around him, the glow vanished.

Ben? Are you okay? You went all blue said Mimi, looking worried. Ben smiled vaguely. He couldn't seem to focus.The staff dropped to the floor, followed rapidly by it's unconscious owner.

Angelus resisted the temptation to bang his head against the wall. Look, I've got to stay. I'm the only one with a passing chance of survival. He said.

I'm staying here! Protested Sora vehemently You might need Biyomon. She added lamely.

I'M staying. Glared Wolfie, hefting a broken piece of cage meaningfully. I've got a score to settle with those things. Angelus sighed, and put a hand on each girl's shoulder.

Those are both very good arguments, but A new piece of knowledge slotted into place in his brain. He was remembering more, now. He grinned, and reached into his pocket. If you'll just look at this, I can prove why you both have to go. He pulled out his sleek Digivice, and the girls and Biyomon looked curiously at the screen. There was a flash of light, and the three of them were gone, sucked into the DX. Angelus looked at the screen apologetically, where their digital representations seemed to be glowering at him.

He said But this was all taking far too long. I'll let you out when we're out of this place. He tucked it back into his pocket, and turned around to face the Scubamon which had been creeping up on him. He raised his sword halves threateningly. What appeared to be the lead Scubamon waved his hands in a calming gesture.

We do not come to fight, Gatekeeper!

Then why the hell are you here?

To warn you.

Warn me?

Our Lord Dragonmon has been deleted. Most of us were loyal to him, but some of us resented our position in this world. With his death, the dark rings no longer hold any power over us, and we can return to our true forms.

What are your true forms of? he asked curiously. He'd seen them in His Masters voice', but he didn't know what they were.

We are demons. The leader said, shrugging depreciatingly. But that is of no matter. Those still loyal to Dragonmon are crying out for the blood of the Chosen Ones. We are offering you this escape out of gratitude.

Gratitude? What did I do?

You did nothing. But your friend the Traveller slew our master. We will help you leave this world, and we shall make it ours. And perhaps one day we will come to one of your worlds, and make that our own as well.

You know I can't let you do that.

We understand. We look forward to the battle, Gatekeeper.

Wait a second. If you're the rebels, why are you still in the scuba-skins?

Those who are still loyal have kept their skins. It is the best way to pass unnoticed until we free you.

Okay, then. Let's go.

He's still breathing. Reported Joe, straightening up. But I don't know what happened.

I do. Said a voice that was at once familiar and new at the same time. It was Kari. Her eyes were glazed over, and her face was devoid of any emotion.

Kari? Are you okay? There was a brief pause before she answered.

I'm not Kari. Sorry. Izzy looked wary, and took a cautionary step backwards.

Who are you?

I am The Light. I needed to speak with you, and I've used this girl's body before. Matt snapped his fingers.

That's where I've heard your voice before! You were the one that told us how we got our crests after the Cherrymon thing!

Kari moved woodenly towards the Traveller, and knelt down. She touched two fingers to the side of his head, and straightened up.

As I thought.

What's wrong with him? asked Mimi.

Nothing. He has merely been caught in an Energy Bond. Probably Angelus as well.

And that means what now?

When they first came to the Digital world, do you remember how strange you felt, and how weak your Digimon were? After the Digidestined nodded their agreement, she continued. Somehow, you and your partners have tapped into their very life energy. That's why you all reverted to normal when they landed. That Energy Bond is still in place. All of you are connected to them. You're Digimon will probably be stronger because of this. It's possible you may even be able to reach higher forms.

But that isn't all, is it? asked Cody.

said Kari, shaking her head. The bond is draining them, slowly. She noted the shocked expressions on the faces around her. Don't worry. She added. I'm sure they will bear the bond with determination. The group looked somewhat more relieved. Right up to the point when they no longer have the strength to keep their hearts beating. Izzy and TK looked at each other, then moved to a spot where they could grab Mimi's arms, should it come down to that.

Are you absolutely certain? asked Joe cautiously.

Not about Angelus. Technically, as a demi-God, he has much more power to give. But then again, it's never happened before. This one, however, is only mortal, even if he is the Chosen Traveller. Mimi dropped to her knees.

We've got to get him out of here. She choked. What can we do? Kari paused for a second, nothing showing on her emotionless face.

Follow me.

Angelus looked down from the cliff top at the stretch of beach beneath him, and swore. He could see the portal as plain as day, the one he had fled through when he had first come to the Dark Ocean. It was surrounded by Scubamon on all sides, scores of them. He looked down at the small group of Scubamon standing around him. I don't suppose you have a weapon or something I could borrow, do you? After a moment's hushed discussion, an ageing battleaxe was brought forward. Where did you find this?

It belonged to one of the people who lived here before we came. Angelus decided not to ask any more questions at that point.

If there was ever a time for me to learn how to use these things, this would be it he muttered, then stepped over the cliff edge. His wings snapped open behind him, pinions locking into position. And then he opened his eyes.

Holy crap, it worked! I'm flying! Now, Sods Law would dictate that after an announcement like that, he should by rights either drop like a stone, or crash into something in a humorous way. But he was busy, and flew straight towards the portal as if he'd been doing this all his life. He held the shaft of the axe firmly, scything through the ranks of the Scubamon before hitting the portal in a blaze of light.

Kari' walked the group out of the room, into the street, and through a pair of back alleys. When they stopped, they were in a secluded square. It had a forgotten look to it, as if nobody had been here for a while. She said, pointing at a patch of air that looked like every other patch of air, as far as the Digidestined were concerned. Ben, who was yet to regain consciousness, had been carried there by Tyrannomon, who was holding him upside down by one leg, occasionally banging his head on the pavement when it's attention was caught by a passing dog. Put him down. She instructed. He has to be awake to go through. There was a flurry of motion and a thunk as the Tyrannomon let go of his leg. Let go, drop, it was all the same to Tyrannomon.

Help him back up. Kari' ordered, and Myotismon obligingly dragged his partner to his feet. Kari' placed her hand on Ben's forehead again, and he looked up.

What the hell happened? And what the frell is that? he asked, pointing at the air in front of him.

Is he hallucinating? asked Izzy.

No. He's looking straight at his first dimensional tear. She made a face. I think that hole' is just a little too general. One of you will have to go through with him. He's in no real state to look after himself, and nor is his partner. It was true, thought Cody. As far as he could tell, Myotismon was looking even greyer than normal. Kari' looked around at the Digidestined.

She said, pointing at Mimi.

Yes. I saw into his mind when I awoke him, and he'd rather not be separated from you again. She shrugged. Personally, I can't see why. You humans are so confusing sometimes.

But won't that put strain on him again?

One person isn't a problem. It's the group that is so draining. What's wrong with you? she asked, looking pointedly at Mimi's flaming cheeks. Don't you want to go?

What? Oh no, going's fine with me. She said hurriedly. are you saying thathe loves me?

Don't ask me. I'm not up the technical terms. Kari' shrugged. Ask him yourself later on. We're a bit pressed for time now. I'm not even sure where this one leads, so come back to this one when you are recovered sufficiently. Ben, quite visibly embarrassed, took back his staff and turned towards Mimi.

Well, then. He paused. Shall we get going? She grinned nervously and took his hand. Myotismon and Palmon formed up behind them, making sure they were in contact with the humans just in case. Ben took a deep breath, and Mimi squeezed his hand. Here we go. He said, and stepped forward. As they crossed that invisible border they seemed to fade away, and then they had completely vanished. Kari's eyes focused, and she looked around.

The boy in question looked at her and behind her, where Joe and Izzy were variously giving him thumbs up and mouthing Go for it!' silently. Moving slowly, he put an arm around her.

I'll explain everything, Kari he said comfortingly. Patamon and Gatomon looked at each other in bewilderment.

Kari looked up at him. Can we deal with Devimon first?

What? Oh, right, yeah. They started to leave the square.

Oh, TK?

There's one thing I should tell you. Said Kari, walking close to him.

And what's that?

You're mine now, and I'm not going to let you go." He paused for a second.

I think I can live with that.

A few minutes later, a flicker of static echoed across the square, and Yamashita stood there. Close it! hissed the dark voice. We can half their strength! Yamashita moved forwards, running his hands across the edge of something invisible. He stuck his arm through the space. But nothing happened.

I can't close it!

Yamashita froze. Someone else was here, lurking in the shadows of the square. The newcomer stepped forwards, into the light.

But I can.

Angelus burst through into the real world in a blur of limbs. He'd been going at a fair old lick when he broke through, and he was therefore completely unprepared for the tree he hurtled into in the Digital World. After he'd climbed down and done a quick feather-count, he brought out his DX. Sora, Wolfie, and Biyomon spilled out. Wolfie raised her cage-piece threateningly, and started to swear at him. Sora, on the other hand,was staring past his shoulder.

she managed. What are you doing here? Angelus turned around to look. Behind him was a woman dressed in a light blue kimono, her dark hair released from it's usual bun.

Hello Angelus. It's been a while. Said Jasmine.

To Be Continued....

Sora: Will mum...I mean Jasmine help us rejoin the others and defeat the darkness? Who is the mysterious figure with Yamashita? What does all this have to do with anything at all? Find out on the next episode of Digimon : Reality Redux!!!!!!!!

Kari's Angels - http://www.geocities.com/happy_hylian/