Authors Note: I can't believe I have gotten so many reviews! This is the first story that I have gotten this many reviews for. Yay! Here's the next chapter. I hope you guys like it. I apologize in advance because it's kinda short, but I'm going on vacation and it will be a little while before I get the next chapter up. I didn't think it was fair to make you guys wait so long for a short chapter so, here it is. The next chapter is longer. I promise. :P I'd also like to thank the following people who reviewed.
Takeru-rocks: Thanks for reviewing! I hope this doesn't disappoint.
Anthony1: Thank you so much. You have been so faithful in reviewing this story. I don't think I have ever had someone who I can count on to review to every chapter of a story I've written. I'm also glad that you liked my action sequences. Sadly, action is hard for me to write, but I love a challenge so, I push through it. I also really like your questions. Some I'm not able to answer without giving away the ending, but I still appreciate them. Thanks again for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter.
Angewomanandme: I love your reviews! I can't believe that you think this story is the best you have ever read. That just made my day! I'm glad you think I should be a writer. It's sorta a hobby right now. Writing fan fics has always come natural to me. It's the original stories that can give me trouble. I'm glad that you appreciate the details I added. I like to add a little spice to a story here and there and those details can make or break a story. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. PS I love your pen name. Angewoman rocks! I'm going as her to my local Anime convention.
Chapter 8: Turning the Tide
Dramatis Persona (list of characters)
Taylor Kamiya: His job is the Leader. His Digimon is Augumon. His crest is Determination.
Augumon: In-training form. Champion level- Greymon. Ultimate level-
Metal Greymon. Warp Digivolution- War Greymon. Mega Ultimate level-
Red Dragonmon.
Kristy Kamiya: Her job is the Mediator. Her Digimon is Biyomon. Her Crest is Devotion.
Biyomon: In-training form. Champion level- Birdramon. Ultimate
level- Garudamon. Mega Ultimate level- Phoenixmon.
Mark Ishida: His job is the Strategist. His Digimon is Gabumon. His crest is Unity.
Gabumon: In-training form. Champion level- Garurumon. Ultimate
level- Were Garurumon. Warp Digivolution- Metal Garurumon. Mega
Ultimate level- Ravegemon.
Lilly Ishida: Her job is looking out for the Digimon's Well Being. Her Digimon is Palmon. Her crest is Trust.
Palmon: In-training form. Champion level- Togamon. Ultimate level-
Lillymon. Mega Ultimate level- Starlight Fairymon.
Kevin Ichijouji: His job is Species Recognition. His Digimon is Wormmon. His crest is Loyalty.
Wormmon: In-training form. Champion level- Stingmon.
Kelly Ichijouji: Her job is Language. Her Digimon is Hawkmon. Her crest is Truth.
Hawkmon: In-training form. Champion level- Aquillamon. Mega Ultimate level- Eaglemon.
Sam Ichijouji: His job is Crest Keeper. His Digimon is Black Wormmon. His crest is Caring.
Black Wormmon: In-training form. Champion level- Scorpionmon.
Jake Kido: His job is Medical. His Digimon is Gomamon. His crest is Dependability.
Gomamon: In-training form. Champion level- Ikkagumon. Ultimate Level- Zsudamon.
Sakura Izumi: Her job is Technical Advisor. Her Digimon is Tentomon. Her crest is Wisdom.
Tentomon: In-training form. Champion level- Kabuterrimon. Ultimate
level- Mega Kabuterrimon.
K.T. Takashi: Her job is Trump Card. Her Digimon is unknown. Her crest is Faith.
Casey Hida: Her job is Weapons. Her Digimon is Armadillomon. Her crest is Direction.
Armadillomon: In-training form. Champion level- Ankylomon. Mega
Ultimate level- Moncorimon.
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While the Digidestined kids were meeting at one house, their parents had also held a meeting at Tai's place. No one had to tell the parents what kind of dangers their children would face. These former Digidestined knew it well.
"The truth is, they are going to have to learn how to work together as a team. Without teamwork they have nothing," Sora stated.
All heads nodded in agreement. They had been working on ways to help their children for several hours. They came to the conclusion that the most they could do was encourage the new Digidestined.
"We all have confidence that our children can defeat this evil. Like us, they end up growing up too fast," Cody voiced. "We all went through this and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say we hoped our children wouldn't have to follow in our footsteps. Honestly, they have it much harder than us. We only had to deal with the destruction of the Digital World, for the most part. They have to deal with the destruction of our world as well as the Digital World all in one fell swoop. That's too much pressure if you ask me."
"I agree Cody," Mimi chimed in. "Most of our children are more than capable of handling something of this magnitude. Heck, they've got more street smarts than we did at their age. I'm worried about Sam. Sure he's the same age as Kari and T.K. were when they first went to the Digital World, but he hasn't gained his eight year old maturity yet. He still takes naps like clockwork and sucks his thumb when he's lonely. This is too much for someone like him. Then there's K.T. Has she even sat down and thought through what led to her living on the streets with her little brother? If she hasn't she's bound to blow up, for no reason, at any time. As hard as it may be, the time will come when we have no choice but to sit back and watch our children save the world just as our parents did when we fought Myotismon."
"Everyone has brought up some valid points," Izzy began. "Now we just have to figure out what our plan of action is."
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Morning dawned bright and early. The new Digidestined were still at Sakura Izumi's house. They had been discussing plans, strategies, etc., all night. Many of the Digidestined had fallen asleep during the discussions. K.T. was currently staring out the window. She was looking at the horizon without really seeing it. Lately it was getting harder for her to forget or push aside what had happened in her life. Her chin was resting in her hands as she stared out the window.
"Are you all right? You seem kind of distant," Kelly asked K.T. Jake also joined Kelly as they took a seat beside the blonde.
"I'm not really sure anymore. Life just seems so weird. I mean just when I've got everything figured out, something comes up and throws a monkey wrench in the whole thing," K.T. replied, not taking her eyes off the window.
"Is it your parents?" Jake inquired.
K.T. sighed. "Kinda. I mean, I thought I'd gotten past all that. My mom left for who knows why and my dad was murdered. I even think I've seen the guy who did it. Even though I know there are tons of people in this world who love me, I still feel empty inside. Like I'm the only one in the world and no one understands."
I felt like that after my mom died of cancer. I still had my dad, aunts and uncles, etc., but it just didn't feel the same. To me it was like someone had ripped my heart out and I was left with an empty void. I didn't even really know what to do. I kinda felt numb. The truth is, this kind of pain doesn't completely go away. Over time it just gets easier to deal with. At times you even replace it with other feelings. It's hard right now, but someday it will be a little easier to deal with. Allow yourself to grieve, either in public or in private. Once you've acknowledged their death and abandonment, you can move on. I know I did. I still miss my mom, but it doesn't consume me anymore," Jake comforted.
"Thanks," K.T. told him.
Without thinking, Kelly embraced K.T. K.T. returned the hug realizing that Kelly wanted to help and this was her way of helping. Crystal tears began to fall down K.T.'s face. She hadn't cried in what seemed like forever. She had never wanted her little brother to see her as anything but strong. Now, she knew her friends only cared for her well being and she didn't need to be strong for them. Jake placed a hand on K.T.'s shoulder as she continued to cry in Kelly's arms. Right now she felt like she'd lost her father all over again. However, this is what she needed so that she could heal.
The other Digidestined had finally gotten tired of discussing things. Many had broken off into smaller groups. Only a couple were talking. A comforting silence seemed to fill the room. Those that had fallen asleep, sometime during the night, were now waking up. No one dared break the silence. Taylor looked around the room. He realized this was the first time they had everyone together in the same room and no one was fighting or getting on each others nerves. It was almost like a wonderful tranquillity had settled on the room. 'Maybe this is the first step in us finally becoming a team,' Taylor thought.
Taylor noticed the scene unfolding in the corner between Kelly, K.T., and Jake. He was glad that his cousin was finally taking time to grieve. He wondered what he would do if he were in K.T.'s place. Would he be able to kick his brain into survival mode and totally block out what had happened, for five years? He silently hoped so. Although prolonged grieve is never good, he figured it was better than grieving so much that he couldn't even take care of himself on the streets, little alone his sister Kristy. Taylor sympathized with K.T. He knew she'd been though a hard life and he wished he could make it all better. Kristy stirred next to him, tearing him away from his thoughts. She rubbed her ruby red eyes and looked up at her brother.
"Penny for your thoughts," Kristy asked.
Taylor smiled at her way of finding out what was on his mind. "I was just thinking about our cousin, K.T. That's all."
"Oh." Kristy's gaze traveled to three figures in the corner by the window. "I'm glad that she's finally letting it all out. Mom and dad were worried that she hadn't had any time to grieve. It's not good to keep things like that bottled up." Kristy stretched before leaning against her older brother. She closed her eyes and sighed.
Taylor knew that none of them had gotten that much sleep in the past few days. It had started to take it's toll on all of them including Kristy. Taylor placed an arm around his sister as she drifted off to sleep again. He silently hoped that they could defeat this evil sooner rather than later.
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It was noon time before everyone had gotten their much needed rest. They woke up to the smell of what Lilly was cooking. Her love for cooking was something many thought she had gotten from her mother. That wasn't entirely true. Ever since she'd been allowed to use the stove, she had loved to cook. From baking to preparing elaborate meals, cooking was something that came natural to her. She knew that her mother hadn't always wanted to cook. Her mother had started out wanting to become a model. Somewhere between the odd jobs, at different restaurants to pay the bills and get her through college, Mimi had found a love for cooking.
Cooking wasn't something Mimi could pass on to her daughter, because her daughter had wanted to cook long before she knew it was her mothers profession. In fact, Lilly taught herself everything she knew about cooking. There wasn't any cook book she hadn't read or any recipe she hadn't tried. Lilly looked around the room at her friends. All of them had sprawled out in various positions during the night. Here and there they all started to stir as the smell of food brought them out of their slumber. In some ways, it made Lilly think of herself as part of one big family. She smiled before turning her attention back to her cooking. Everyone would need their strength for the battle that would soon come.
K.T. woke to the sound of laughter. For a brief minute she thought it belonged to her father. She knew it couldn't be her father. He was long gone. She rubbed the sleep out of her sky blue eyes and looked around the room. Casey was telling jokes, with Sam's help, and a few were enjoying themselves by playing a card game in the corner. A smile crept across her face as she watched her new friends. Her real family might be gone, but she had a pretty amazing one right in front of her. She realized this was probably the first time all of them were in the same room, just enjoying themselves, without constantly worrying about danger or evil digimon.
"Hey K.T., come join us," Lilly called to her cousin, inviting her to join in their card game.
"K," K.T. replied getting up and walking over to where they were.
"Ever played card games before?" Taylor asked.
"Well, this one homeless guy did teach me how to play solitaire. I almost got it down before I lost the deck of cards. Other than that, no," K.T. replied.
"Don't worry. It's easy. We'll teach you an easy one first, than we can go from there," Mark explained.
The rest of the afternoon, K.T. learned all sorts of games and was disappointed when they had to quit. After supper, everyone gathered around for a meeting to discuss their next plan of action. They had taken a day off and sadly, that was all they could afford.
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Darkness descended upon the city of Tokyo. A dark figure, perched on a high building, surveyed the city. 'It won't be long now,' He thought. 'Soon the city will belong to me and all it's inhabitants will bow down before me. I won't stop here. No. I'll keep going until the whole world it mine!' He stared at the city below like a hawk searching for prey. Tonight, the moons light seemed to dim in his shadows. His plan was flawless. His minions would lure the Digidestined brats into a trap. There, he would destroy them. One by one until they were no more. An evil grin appeared on his face. He would enjoy watching their pain. 'To think all of this death and destruction from one persons choice. How convenient,' He mused. 'This is why humans are such fools. They think that their decisions only effect them and no one else. They never take the time to see if maybe their choices could indirectly alter someone else's life. Stupid humans. They truly are the inferior creature.' He drew a circle in the air with his finger. A black hole formed before him, revealing the shadow face of another digimon. "Darkmon, prepare the troops. We attack at dawn!"
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K.T. stared out the window of the Izumi apartment. It should have been a beautiful morning. Instead, the sky was a gray color. Almost as if a storm were coming. She involuntarily shivered. Just looking at the sky sent chills down her spine. She knew, somehow, that the sun wasn't fully shinning because it was loosing its power, but not from cloud cover or anything like that. For some reason, the lack of light from the sun made the air seem colder. She looked around at her sleeping companions. She was the only one up at 7:30 in the morning. She sighed. Today was going to be a long day.
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The Digidestined gathered near downtown Tokyo. Their eyes scanned the sight before them. One thought was on everyone's minds. How could they have slept through this? The scene before them seemed to be straight out of a war movie. Whole buildings were toppled, trees uprooted, and a handful of bodies scattered here and there. No one could have prepared them for this kind of destruction. The worst part was, whoever did this wasn't far away. That's what scared them.
"My dear Digidestined. So nice to see you out and about this fine morning. It's about time you graced us with your presence," An ominous voice echoed through the streets.
"Show yourself monster!" Taylor demanded.
"Brave words for someone who can sleep through the destruction of a city. Sleeping on the job doesn't look good for would-be heroes. Does it?" The voice retorted. Laughter soon followed, but the Digidestined didn't see anything funny about it. "One of you has already noticed something crucial about the situation. However, there isn't time to correct it. Too bad. After all, it did give you the advantage."
"What is he talking about?" Lilly questioned.
"The sun," K.T. answered. "He's draining the suns power. If it goes out, his darkness will be able to run free and we will be in serious trouble."
"Mark, what's the plan?" Taylor asked his strategist.
They all gathered together to figure out a plan of action. Unbeknownst to them, the shadows began to creep slowly towards them. A dark figure watched them with an evil grin on his face. All plans would be futile once his shadow soldiers were in place. Though the children had proven themselves formidable opponents, today they would meet their maker. The Digidestined broke their huddle and looked around.
"Is it just me or are those shadows moving?" Sam asked.
"You're right bro. I see it too," Kelly agreed.
"It's not important. Remember what we discussed," Taylor instructed. They all nodded.
"Too bad your plan will fail!" The voice boasted. "Attack!"
The shadows came up from the ground, at an alarming rate, forming dark shapeless figures. They pounced on the group of children only to discover they were all gone.
"What!" The voice roared. "Fan out and find them!"
Each of the Digidestined had split up, going off in different directions. They had hoped to lure the Shadowmon away from each other. Together, Shadowmon were invincible, but apart they were easily defeated. Sam was the one who had spotted the shadows during their huddle. Kevin informed them of who they were and what they could do. They pretended to be afraid so, the digimon wouldn't suspect a thing. What the Shadowmon and the voice had failed to notice, was that K.T. had slipped away during their huddle. Seeing as she didn't have a digimon yet, she couldn't help them out. Besides, she needed to find some answers.
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K.T. ran through the outskirts of Tokyo on her way to Odiva. The streets were mostly deserted, but she knew where to find who she was looking for. She followed a path she had taken several times in the past few months. One that led her right past a place she would never forget. Although it hurt, she needed to remember. Needed to force herself to recall every last detail from her childhood. They say you can never really forget someone who cared for you more than anything. Dark brown hair. Ruby red eyes. The sent of Cherry Blossoms after the rain. A beautiful smile. Warm, caring personality. Someone who would always be there for her.
K.T. stopped dead in her tracks. Across the way, two people sat at an open air café, enjoying a hot cup of tea. Several emotions ran through K.T. as she approached the two. It was now or never.
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The dark figure growled as he watched from his perch. How could a bunch of brats outsmart him so easily? His plan had been fool proof. The Digidestined kids were supposed to be in his grasp now. He could see his Shadowmon combing the streets in search of the children. He began to hear his Shadowmons shrieks of defeat and realized he had indeed been outsmarted. Those kids knew how to defeat these digimon. However, he was not through with them. One, by one, the Digidestined re-grouped right underneath his perch. A smirk appeared on his face. This was way too easy. With a nod of his head, his dark soldiers surrounded the Digidestined. Evil digimon that were loyal only to him. "That was a test, dear Digidestined brats. You passed with flying colors. It makes me wonder what you'll do to handle this next test."
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Authors Note: Well there's the end of that chapter. Sorry to end in a cliffhanger, but that's life. ;) Anyway, please review and I promise the next one will be longer.