Before he could finish, there was a terrible clap of thunder. It echoed unbearably through the cave and the Digidestined fell back at the sound of it. As lightning flashed through the entrance, it illuminated a tall, cloaked figure. TK caught the glimmer of cold, white eyes.

"What are you waiting for, Takeru? Aren't you going to tell them?"

TK's spine prickled. It was that voice, that bitter voice, the voice that had talked to him in the dark plain, through the fire's of the Digimon beast -"

"Who the hell are you?" said Matt heatedly, springing up from his position. Tai and Davis were beside him in a moment. Cody put a hand on Armadillomon's shell, warning him that he might need to Digivolve soon. The figure glared at them in an amusing way.

"I'm not here for you, children," he snarled. Kari clutched TK's arm and TK's resistance grew stronger at her touch. They stood up together as the others turned to face them.

"Whoever you are, get out. You can't trick me anymore. Get out."

"You think you're very strong, don't you?" hissed the figure. TK caught the faint glimmer of a pair of daggered teeth as he spoke. "This is another false security, another empty hope, Takeru..."

"No," said TK firmly. His eyes were cold and set. "It's over. Get out. Now."

The figure hissed. Veemon stripped off his bandages and stepped forward. Davis clutched his D-3. Ken scowled, still holding a wounded Wormmon. But the cold eyes shifted suddenly, left the Bearer of Hope's. And landed straight into the Angel's crimson eyes.

Something pierced Kari, straight through her heart. It was as sharp as a blade, as cold as ice. She choked and clutched her chest, her head swimming. TK went wild with fear and caught her as she stumbled. He clutched her close to them and tried desperately to look in her eyes as she scrabbled at the invisible wound in her chest, her thoughts being invaded with each passing moment...you can't help him, Hikari, he has too many problems...you couldn't possibly understand him...

"What are you doing? Leave her ALONE!" shouted TK, trying to get Kari to look at him. The figure flashed a deadly smile as Tai rushed over beside his sister and Yolie stood, her D-3 clutched in her hand. Hawkmon tensed beside her, ready to Digivolve.

"No, Takeru. She is mine now. The Dark ocean asks ransom of her, and they will get what they desire."

"NO!" shouted TK, his fear swelling, the pain flooding back to him as he tried desperately to hold onto Kari. But it was too late. Her eyes, wide, beautiful and terrified, disappeared. He fell forward, realizing she had vanished, but not wanting to accept it. He searched wildly around, seeking her everywhere, desperate to catch the gleam of her gorgeous eyes somewhere, but she was gone. He stumbled blindly through the fire and ran out of the cave as the Tai broke down in Sora's arms. Matt was calling after him, but he couldn't hear. he was blinded by tears, by the unfairness, by the guilt for Kari.

And as the rain poured down on him, as Matt ran to stop him, he fell down on his knees and screamed the injustice to the sky.

And as his cry of torture faded, he heard his Digivice beep.

"SEND ME BACK, BASTARD! SEND ME BACK NOW!" screamed Kari, her eyes streaming, as she pounded furiously on the iron wall. Her screams met nothing; no one answered her, no one acknowledged her existence. As she sobbed, she fell against the wall, headless of the pain when her head hit the metal. Still struggling for hope, she pulled out her Digivice and flipped it open. Desperately, she quickly typed and email.

Email received by: Hopewithyou

From: scarletAngeleyes

TK,

I'm ok, I'm ok, that...thing's got me locked somewhere. It's just some metal room... It's really dark, and cold. I hope you can track me. Come quick, I need you. I love you.

-Kari

She closed her eyes and rested back against the wall, restraining her tears. There, she had sent the email. They would all come soon. Very soon. TK would do anything to save her.

"Get up, Hikari."

Kari leapt up, her heart pulsing fearfully at the sinister voice. The cold eyes were staring at her.

"Let me out. Let me out now. TK's coming, he's on his way right now -"

"You stupid girl," snarled the eyes, "do you really think he'll risk his life to save you?"

"Yes." spat Kari. She knew TK was coming. She knew. This -thing - this evil Digimon -he wasn't about to break her.

"He doesn't love you, you know. He's just using you."

"No. He's not."

"How do you know?"

"I...I just do."

"Yes. That seems an acceptable reason," said the voice sarcastically. Kari's anger flared.

"Let me OUT! I swear, I'll kill you -" she leapt at him, bu too late; the eyes vanished and reappeared a few steps to her left.

"Feisty, are we? Good. You remember the Scubamon, don't you? They need a feisty Queen." Kari's knees trembled. Her anger turned into a nauseous fear.

"No...I'm not their Queen, I won't..."

"You don't have a choice, Hikari...you don't have a choice."

"SHUT UP!"

The voice laughed, and the eyes disappeared, leaving Kari in a painful suspense. She stumbled back, hit the wall and spun, thinking it might be a foe. Startled, she tripped and landed full hard on her back. As she felt the cold floor, the weight of what was happening hit her in on her. She curled up, longing for TK, for his warmth, for his smile...and she cried, long and hard, until all the eyeliner ran down her cheeks ab she fell, finally, into a fitful sleep.

"She's in danger, we HAVE TO FOLLOW HER!"

"She's right in the middle of the virus zone, even if we COULD get to her, it'd be suicide -"

"I'll go alone then. Come one Patamon." said TK quietly. Patamon complied.

"Wait! I'm going too!" called Gatomon quickly, chasing after the two.

"TK! Wait up, dude!" shouted Davis. Veemon, Wormmon, and ken soon joined; Yolie and Hawkmon followed next. Cody and the older Digidestined were appalled.

"Are you INSANE?" shouted Tai, his face still wet from tears. "YOU'LL KILL HER! One wrong move in there and the whole thing collapses -"

"Come on, Tai, have a little faith," said Cody suddenly. He strode forth and stood beside ken with Armidillomon at his heels. Sora opened her mouth to speak, but there was a deep roar; a flash of lightning crashed over the scene, and the five younger Digidestined were gone.

"Kari?"

Nothing.

"Where are you?"

Silence.

"Kari?!"

TK looked around the empty room, his heart beating wildly. He knew it was a dream, but he didn't wake up. Images of his mother, crying, began to surface. He pushed them away.

"Kari? Where are you? KARI!"

Then he saw her, standing, alone. It was cold again. but he could feel her warmth...a wramth that did not match the sudden fear in her eyes as she gazed at him.

"Kari, where are we? We need to get out, Kari, we need to leave, where are you? Tell me, please..".

Then the fear feld, and she smiled. That beautiful, angel smile of hers. Her crimson eyes brightened. Light poured from her. The darkness disappeared from the room in her brilliant glow.

"Follow the lights, TK."