K2: Well, I am sure nobody expected this kind of change. I mean this is…this is…

MK: This is 'wow' that is the only way I can describe it anyway. A major wow. I mean, it's a wow so big that-.

K2: Okay, I think they get it now Mew.

MK: (grins)

K2: Well, anyway. Thing is, is that the struggle TK and Matt have, well it's bigger. It's so big that it was granted an entire half or so chapter worth 7 or eight pages! And what's worse is what I did during that battle. Tai, however, get's a very very special personal first person POV just for this chapter. You'll see why when you get to it.

MK: Very dramatic and angst. As for Matt and TK's little brotherly spat? Let's just say Matt's gonna have a heck of alotta bruises when this is finally over with.

K2: Stop ruining the PLOT LINES!

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What Now?

Ch.9 pt6- Destroys

PG-13

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I wish I had my staff. The one Sora had given me. Just by looking at him, the way he stood staring at me, I knew this was going to be bad. IF worse came to worse, I didn't know what I would do. I remembered asking Tai to take into consideration what would happen if worse came to worse, but now it's different. I do have the power to stop this, though for the life of me I can't seem to figure out how….

But what if I cant'? If I fail, if TK does managed to stop me then…then who will take care of things in the end?

My hand burned, the fist that clutched the crest of Hope. I chided myself, agreeing with TK's symbol. If I kept thinking like that I would loose. And then it really would be my fault that the world ended.

Stop acting like a complete whiner and get this over with. TK needs you.

I took a step forward, determined to make my stand here, and spoke out. I wanted words exchanged, I wanted to know as much as I could, before I even touched on force. Though I was still prepared for it if need be.

"I will ask you once more TK." I stated firmly, my voice and nuances still calm and slow. "What, do you think, you are doing?"

"What I was meant to do."

"Meant to do?"

"I am fulfilling my destiny."

"By destroying everything?" The words of incredulity came out before I could stop them and I knew my façade had been chinked.

TK's eyes flashed with a form of clarity I would never understand and he crooked a grin that reminded me so much of the real TK that I had force myself to keep my ground, to not let my guard down. And when he spoke it was like having a normal conversation, like I had just made some sort of joke that he thought amusing.

"Of course I'm not destroying things Matt." His grin widened, "I'm freeing it. I'm freeing every thing from the shackles of life's misery, the chains of light that are holding back the inhibitions of true freedom!" Matt was aghast to find that TK was sounding triumphant now, something he wouldn't' have done at all, even if he'd won some obscure victory, had he been himself. "Matt, I have never felt so free before! You see, I don't worry anymore; I'm no longer the golden boy that puts on a happy face for those who try to run my life! I don't have to be perfect; I don't have to live a lie just to make those around me happy! And I certainly don't have to continue looking up to you, waiting for you start caring enough about to me to pay me some mind!"

TK's voice had suddenly gone from semi triumphant to hard as stone. His eyes had gone from vacant yet piercing to fire burning anger filled orbs. My worst fears were coming to light all in the same moment. My neglection of my brother, something I hadn't even been aware of until the moment of disaster, was coming to haunt me for one final time.

"TK." It was hard. I was the only one that could help TK and yet…yet I was also the one TK seemed to be despising the most right now.

"I'm sorry TK. I didn't' realize what I was doing at the time. Tell you what. Give up on this freeing the world thing and we'll talk, okay?"

"I don't' want to talk anymore!" TK screamed, "Talking is over with! You just want to stop me from doing what I was meant to do!"

"TK don't you understand? This isn't what you were meant to do! You're being manipulated!"

"Stop confusing the point!" TK cried as his hands flew towards his head, "No! NO! I told you to stay out of my head! This is my mission! I will be the one to take care him!"

That…didn't sound good.

I couldn't take it anymore. I had to do something so I took a step forward. TK froze; he looked at me. He took a step back.

"TK, wait."

"Matt…no." TK shook his head, "I almost killed you. Don't make me do that again, please. Just…just go away Matt!"

"Why did you want to hurt me before?"

"It…it was the only way." TK murmured, "He wanted…needed…you had to go. The stone is craving it! Friendship is the basis of human love, without it love will wither away. With no love in the world things will fall apart. Courage will slowly disappear and…no…." TK looked at me sharply, the glaze over his eyes seemed to fade away and he looked frightened, confused. "No…Matt! Matt, help me! I can't…I can't get him out of my head!"

I was horrified to see TK start clawing at his own head, he was shaking heavily and the dark aura around him seemed to vanish. And then it was back. It was the most bizarre thing I had ever seen and TK….

"TK!" I ran towards him, taking my steps in large bounds but then TK's arms were flailing about and he slammed a fist into me.

"GET AWAY FROM US!"

"STOP IT!" TK cried out painfully, his voice wavering with a sob in his throat. TK screamed then and collapsed to the ground, thrashing about as if in pain.

"TK!" I tried to approach him again but the dark aura from before flared and I was sent sprawling.

"MATT!" Gatomon cried.

"Stay back!" I ordered once more as I lifted myself with my arms. I looked over to see TK withering in pain, trying desperately to regain control of his own heart. And then he was standing, stumbling, and getting dangerously close to the edge.

"TK…." I jumped up and ran to him, desperate to keep him from falling over the edge and, when I reached him I grabbed his arm and spun him around to face me. Pain shot through my hand, a numbing sensation taking over. I ignored it as I grabbed his shoulders with both hands and seized him up.

"TK!" I grunted as pain shot through my whole body, the dark aura beginning to surround my arms.

And then TK's body went limp. I shook him, fear gripping me like a vice, twisting my heart and stopping my breath. "TK!"

A slow smirk began to play across TK's face and he looked up at me, slowly, his eyes shadowed by his hair.

"With Light's defeat

Love will follow,

When Friendship dies

Courage shall cower.

With Hope comes Despair

and Darkness comes hand in hand."

"What?"

It was the riddle. The dark prophesy. But TK didn't know it. Nor did he sound like this….

"Death is your final rest and with it love will slowly die within the world. The brave will turn yellow and the darkness of despair will slowly envelope the earth. And your soul will be fuel for the crystal, the first of the destined children to die at my hands!"

"TK…what are you-." I didn't finish my sentence. I couldn't. TK's hand was suddenly at my throat and he was looking at me with eyes I had never seen before. Eyes that didn't belong to TK. Dark eyes, vacant eyes, hallows that seemed to stretch out and reach into my soul, trying to rip it out and devour it.

"St-stop…stop it…!" I collapsed to my knees, TK's grip was strong and I couldn't pull him off me.

"P-please…T…K…."

His smirk turned into a warped half maniacal looking grin and he slowly lowered his face to mine. He squeezed a little more on my neck, lifting up a little so I wasn't' resting on my knees and had nothing to support me. And then, in that same hard voice that sent shivers down my spine I heard him say words that made my blood freeze cold in a singsong voice that only added to the insanity.

"Little brother can't hear you right now." And he laughed. His head flew upwards and he laughed a maniacal laugh that sounded harsh and unyielding. My vision blurred slightly and I gripped my fingers around TK's hand, trying desperately to pull them away. My touch managed to gain his attention again and he glanced down at me, locking those cruel dark eyes with mine. He lowered his head to mine again, then off to the side.

I felt his hot steamy breath against my ear as he spoke to me again, attempting to torture me with words that were meaningless coming from him yet the mocking lilt that he held within his dark cruelty was enough to fill me with more anger, anger that added strength to my clutching hands. Strength that was still far to weak to break from his grasp.

I was beginning to develop tunnel vision now; I had no clue how long I'd been deprived of enough air.

"Death won't grant you peace Yamatto. Death will only give you pain as I strip your soul from you in a most enjoyable display of torturess death."

Through the haze of my fading vision I saw something glint out of the corner of my eye, something sharp and metallic. I felt cold steel press against my face and slowly slide down yet it didn't pierce me.

"Your soul, so soft it is. The white light you possess will give great power to my master while the pain your brother causes will feed us all, his own soul is a delicacy to us."

A sharp pain entered my chest as the dagger ran down it I wondered what happened to everyone. Was I going to be left here to die on my own? Had I been abandoned up here?

And then I heard screaming, shouting, a voice getting louder and louder and then TK was thrown from me and I was able to breath again. I heard scuffling; someone was wrestling and then the sound of metal being dropped and skidding away. No, wait. Not away, the skidding was coming closer to me. When it stopped I saw the dagger about a foot away, fresh blood along the side of the blade but not enough to incur serious worry. I slowly managed to raise myself up. My vision coming back to me, and I saw Tai on top of TK, wrestling.

And then TK's fist was colliding with Tai's jaw and he was thrown off. He was up again almost instantly and the two were at it again.

"Matt, Are you okay?"

I shook my head, trying to clear it. Davis was next to me, concern filling his eyes as he looked at my chest, moving the ripped cloth. He hissed and prodded it with his finger. I slapped his hand away as pain converged where his fingers prodded and I glared at him. He grinned and rubbed the back of his head, abashed.

"Well, it don't look too deep!"

"It hurts." I growled and then my irritation flared as I realized just how close to death I had come. "What happened to you guys?" I demanded, rubbing my throat, "What took you guys so long?"

"Well, Misshra disappeared almost right after you stopped TK and Kari's progress." Davis replied, "And Flamedramon said that after Eneramon drained Angemon she ran off leaving Tokomon with him. So he left you and Gatomon here while he took Tokomon to us. At first everything was fine but then we saw a dark flash. I had Flamedramon go up and see what was going on, but the flash made some sort of barrier. He couldn't get to you and then we knew you were in trouble. Gabumon and Agumon digivolved then and they all started hammering at it, trying to break it. And then we saw TK get the upper hand. Tai was frantic; I had only ever seen him react that way when Ken diginapped Agumon. And the situation with Kari, though he managed to suppress that pretty well. I think the stress has been getting to him."

"Hey!" At the sound of Tai's voice I turned quickly, my neck complaining as it was stressed a bit, to see Tai still struggling with TK, "Can someone give me freaking hand here?" he cried

"Where's…Garurumon?"

"Right here Tai." I looked up to see the wolfish digimon looking at me with concern and I smiled at him reassuringly.

"I'm fine. But I need to help TK."

I tried to stand, but my chest hurt when I did. And then Davis was helping me, his hands under my arm as he helped to lift me. I thanked him and stumbled over to TK, though it wasn't TK anymore. I already knew that and it pained me.

"Get off me!" TK roared as he swung about again. Tai managed to duck this one but TK still managed to get Tai off and was now slamming a fist into Tai's face.

I pushed Tai out of the way and grabbed TK by the front of his shirt, pulling him towards me.

"Let my brother go!" I shouted

"Not until his destiny is filled!" The monster cried, "And only then it will be to bask in the darkness his soul provides!"

I slammed my fist into his face, throwing him to the ground. "Stop talking through my brother and face me!"

"Impossible!" he screeched as he lunged towards me, "Darkness cannot exist outside the dark world unless the prophecy is fulfilled!"

I readied myself for his attack but a bright flashed flared and he stopped, shielding his eyes. I looked at the ground where the light was stemming from and saw TK's crest on the ground. I hadn't even been aware that I had dropped it.

And then it occurred to me. The crest. I should have thought of it sooner!

I quickly snatched the crest off the ground and approached TK, the crest held out like a beacon. He backed away from me and I heard Tai and Davis behind me.

"Stay back you two!" I shouted, not bathing to look back

"You think that will stop me huh?" He demanded in the harsh, hissing voice.

"I dunno what it will do exactly." I replied, "But I have to try something! TK has to respond to something and if this doesn't work I don't know what will!"

I lunged at him, tackled him. I ignored the pain flaring in my chest as we wrestled for a moment and then I was on top of him. His arms flew to my throat again and I let him grab me. There was no reason to dodge it now; it would only hamper what I had to do.

"I won't let you ruin my plans!" He cried desperately, "I will kill you first! I will not fail!"

I smiled, though I couldn't hardly breath, and placed the crest around his neck. He released me and clawed at his own throat in a vain attempt to get the crest off. He screamed, shrilly, as TK's crest flashed and my own crest within my shirt flashed, and together they grew brighter and brighter.

"Let TK go, I'm banishing you from his mind!"

Dark aura flared from TK's body and I was blown away from him once more. I landed hard, my head slamming into the ground and I felt pain in my leg as it was stressed again. I had a feeling I was dangerously close to breaking it again and I tried hard to ignore the ringing sensation in my ears. A ringing that mingled insanely with the dark laughter that reached my ears.

I felt hands on my shoulders as Tai and Davis knelt next to me, panic in their eyes. I ignored them, my focus solely on TK, horror clenching me as I saw him standing, his eyes still haunting and his hands holding, not just one, but two crests with dying light. I frantically padded myself down, but there was nothing. I helpless as I looked back up and saw as he dropped them, crushing them with his foot and grinding his heel into the ground. Then he spat.

"Now what?" he asked with that twisted grin.

"Tai." I stated, "Do you remember what I said earlier?"

"Matt-."

"Tai listen to me." I looked at him, looked into his eyes. He couldn't deny me this I wouldn't let him! know it sounds bad but…Tai, If it comes down to it I won't be here."

"Hey, what are you talking about?" Davis asked slowly, "What do you mean by you won't be here?"

"He means if his next plan doesn't work TK will have killed him." Tai replied, his gaze never leaving me for even a second "You can't ask me to do this Matt! It doesn't work that way!"

"It has to."

"Ready to accept defeat already?" I heard TK ask with a laugh, " I can always just leave you three for afterwards, but you might attack us during the proceedings. Not a good thought, really…"

"Tai. You have to do it."

"Do what?" Davis pressed, obviously not satisfied with Tai's answer.

"I don't know what will happen if we die in the digital world," I continued turning my head back to TK, "but I do know that you can't let them finish what they started."

"Matt-."

"Just promise me you'll consider it until the time comes. If it comes at all."

"I…I…."

"Tai you have to!" I shouted, still not looking at either of them as I squeezed my eyes shut.

"I promise!" Tai cried in response.

I stood up quickly, I took four hasty steps, and I lunged at TK once more, catching him mid gloat and totally by surprise. I grabbed him by his shoulders and began shaking him hard as if trying to shake the dark entity out of him.

"You think you know everything, don't' you?" I cried furiously, "Well there is one thing your forgetting! We may need the crests to help us, but if have to we'll still manage to tap into our own hearts! TK! WAKE UP DAMMIT! TK!"

"GET OFF ME! HIS SOUL BELINGS TO ME NOW!"

"I THINK NOT!"

I don't know what happened. It was bizarre; it was like something inside of me snapped. My fear, my anger. My love for TK and my hatred for this thing that was hurting him. They all seemed to combine into one burst of energy; one burst of adrenaline that seemed to soar through me, breaking the wall that held everything within and a soft glow formed in my hands. A glow that seemed to grow, engulfing me, engulfing TK, and then we were gone. Everything…disappeared.

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A rare POV from Tai.

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Both Davis I and watched, startled, as Matt, quicker then either of us ever expected an injured man to move, jumped up and attacked TK startling not just us but him as well. I watched, thunderstruck, as Matt began throttling TK as if shaking him would shake the monster controlling him away, yelling at it and demanding it release his brother. I was even more horrified to see that Matt allowed the creature to wrap TK's fingers around his throat again, further increasing the horrid bruises that were had already made the blonds neck tender. And then, the most amazing and awe inspiring thing happened as Matt seemed to create, from his own chest, a light source that engulfed him and TK in a blinding radiance that forced me to shield my eyes. A light source that didn't; fade or disappear but remained in all its unnatural glory.

"Uh…Tai, did you know Matt could do that?" Davis asked as apprehensively as I felt.

"No." I replied solemnly, I don't even think Matt knows what he did. I thought before continuing. "I don't even know what it was that he did."

"So…what now then?"

I glanced at Davis, knowing full well what I had to do, then back at the light. There was no telling how long Matt and TK would struggle with each other, no telling how much time I had to consider my decision.

I looked around the rise apprehensively; I guess you could say I was paranoid. I wondered where that Artemon digimon was, if she was going to comeback and attack us or not. I looked briefly at the three still digivolved digimon, they seemed to have the same thoughts as me as they were each placed in a direction where they could watch for any oncoming trouble, then looked over at Gatomon and Kari who, in truth, were my only real concerns now.

As it was Gatomon sat next to my sister, her legs pulled up to her chest. She was staring at me, her eyes intense, and I had a feeling she had heard our conversation with Matt. I just wasn't entirely too sure she knew what it was we were talking about. I looked down at my feet, however, where the dagger now lay and I swallowed. The possibility of Matt failing seemed awfully slim now, but I had still promised to think of it, to consider the possibilities. And, as much as I hated to admit it, both he and that green haired girl were right.

I gently lifted the dagger; Matt's blood still giving off the sweet metallic smell of freshly spilled, and took a deep breath.

"Tai…what are you doing?" Davis' voice was calm, too calm for him. It was cautious. He was wary of my intentions and I knew he already knew, but it was all he could do to stay as calm as he was.

"I'm going to sit next to Kari." I murmured, "She…she needs me."

"Tai…wait." Davis' voice gained a note of panic now, "I…I don't think I can let you do that."

I smiled gently and turned to Davis. I placed my hand on his shoulder and spoke softly. "I know how you feel man. That's why…I'm sorry."

Before Davis could react I slammed the hilt of the dagger into his abdomen and watched as he fell to the ground unconscious. I turned back to Kari and Gatomon, pain hammering my chest heavily. I swallowed at a lump that refused to go down and my eyes began to burn as I slowly began to walk over. Gatomon glared at me, tears in her eyes, and I smiled as gently at her as I had done to Davis I knelt next to the small furry cat and she looked away from me, away from Kari. I gently patted her head then sat myself down by my sister. I dropped the dagger next to me and gently caressed Kari's face.

"I won't…I won't let you." Gatomon murmured tearfully, shaking with surprised anger

"I know." I replied as I gently lifted Kari's head onto my lap. "That's why I am counting on Matt not to force my hand."

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I jumped to the side as the entity attacked me once more. I no longer mattered what happened I could care less where I was. All I knew was that I had finally found my opponent and we now faced each other dead on. I had no clue as to how long I had been here already, but this thing was keeping me from finding TK. I doubted for everything I was worth that this was what was controlling him, a dark misshapen creature that acted more like a wild animal then anything else. It was more like some sort of guard, something to keep me from getting to close. Thus I knew how close I was.

I dodged again and this time managed to hit it, but my hits barley did anything to it and I found myself wishing for some sort of weapon.

I heard it make a noise and I turned just in time to see it lunging at me again. I threw my arms up protectively and something strange happened. A jolt of something seemed to rush form my hand and hit the beast, dispersing it into a dark spray that evaporated in the bright light of this new environment.

I stood gasping. I stared at my hands, stunned, but at the same time I should have expected it. I looked around, wondering how I would be able to find TK and then cupped my hands over my mouth.

"T-K-!" I called. My voice echoed faded. I hadn't' the first idea of where to begin.

You will never find him Yamatto!

The voice that echoed around me startled me, forcing me to jump as my heart leapt to my throat.

I have him locked away, hidden from you. Somewhere deep within, so deep you would have to risk loosing yourself for only a chance at finding him.

I looked around myself, looked around at the bright light I was engulfed in. I was beginning to get an idea of just where I was.

"That must mean I entered his soul." I mused, "Is this how I am supposed to save TK then?"

If I'm in TK's soul then the reason I was able to hit that creature was because I am no more then just a soul myself. That was the power of my soul?

I took a step forward.

I wonder how similar this is the world of dreams?

I took off like a flash. I ran, searching. Looking for any trace I could find that might be TK only to stop when a thought occurred to me.

"Maybe…if I try hard enough…I can locate him myself!"

You will fail.

I grinned. "That only means I'm getting closer."

TK…where are you?

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TK remained in the same fetal position he'd found himself in when he first awoke. He had no clue as to where he was, no idea of what was going on. HE was lost, confused, and his head refused to release the pain that seemed to continually fluctuate.

It hurts!

I can make your pain go away. The voice cooed gently, I can help you Takeru, take you away form all the pain, all the lies. Just submit to me, allow me to rule over you. Let go the resistance and finally put away pain that chains you. Release yourself of love, of friendship, of compassion. Turn away from it all, the pain will go away then!

"I just…want to die." TK murmured, "I just…want to find peace."

Foolish boy! Even in death you will never find peace! I will be sure of that Takeru; I will devour you until there is nothing left but an empty shell!

"Back off!"

TK's eyes flashed open. He could have sworn he'd heard…but now. Why would Matt come for him? After what he did, after everything he had done?

What? How? How did you find us?

"Get away from my little brother!"

"M-matt…?"

"TK. Give me your hand!"

TK looked up to see Matt standing over him, his hand reaching out to TK. "Matt…."

"I need you to give me your hand TK."

TK slowly began to reach up but then pain flared around him again and he cringed as the darkness swept around again.

You will not get him back!

TK felt as if arms were wrapped around him, cold clammy arms that threatened to suck his life away. TK reached out for Matt, but he seemed to be getting farther away.

"TK!" Matt cried as he himself reached out desperately.

"Let go!" TK cried, "I will never stop fighting you! I will die before I submit!"

You are mine, you will always be mine!

"Get off!"

"TK!"

"Matt!"

Something inside TK flared and the darkness around him howled before flaring as well. Hope clashed with despair as TK fought, with all his might, to get free and he looked once more towards Matt, his eyes desperate, and he saw as light flashed around Matt as well. And then Matt was rushing forward, his eyes flashing with a light that sparked TK's heart and he found himself fighting harder and harder even as the darkness continued to envelop him.

And then Matt collided with the darkness just as it usurped TK's form.

And warmth washed over TK even as the cold attacked him.

And TK wasn't alone anymore as he heard Matt's soft voice.

I am here for you. Help me help you. SNAP OUT OF IT!

And light blasted through the darkness and the screams of chaos erupted in TK's ears! TK grasped, flailing, and reached an arm. An arm that grasped onto his own and TK heard Matt cry out;

"TK! PULL!"

And TK pulled, and light flooded, and Matt embraced him fiercely. TK collapsed and embraced the peacefulness of sleep.

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The light vanished slowly, dimming softly as it faded away into nothingness behind my lidded eyes and I became aware of a warm body lying in my arms. Arms that were wrapped around the form as tightly as possible fear of loosing it again ingrained into my very soul. I barley opened my eyes a crack, just enough to see the deathly pale face of my brothers unconscious body.

"TK." tears brimmed my eyes, tears of joy, pain and frustration. So many emotions wracking me all in one moment, too many for me to think clearly as all I could do was sit there and enjoy the knowledge that TK was back yet still fearful that something may just be wrong and I found myself squeezing my eyes shut tight again, praying that he would wake up as a slight sob escaped my pained throat. "TK…."

"matt…."

It was quiet. So quiet I almost missed it. I opened my eyes and looked down at my younger brother, tears streaming down his face though I was sure he was sleeping. He looked so peaceful in that moment, so innocent.

A hand laid itself on my shoulder and I looked up to see Tai smiling down at me.

"Guess I don't need this, huh?" He dropped the dagger at my feet, the dagger TK-.

No. Not TK. That thing, that entity that was trying to use TK. He's the one that tried to use it on me. And my chest began to ache painfully, reminding me that it still hadn't yet been taken care of.

I ignored it.

"Mind doing me a favor Matt?" Tai asked as he knelt next to me. "I hate to ask, but it's really important."

I relaxed my grip on TK, not wanting to crush him, and gently whipped a few tears off his entirely too pale face. I had an idea of what Tai was going to ask and I agreed with him, no matter how much I would prefer to just sit here and rock TK, just letting him rest.

"Yeah." I murmured, "Ask away."

"Kari…he's the only one who can help her."

I closed my eyes and felt TK stir in my arms. I looked down to see that one of my tears had fallen onto his cheek and he opened an eye a crack.

"Matt?" TK murmured, "Matt…I had a horrible dream…."

I swallowed. How was I supposed to remind him it wasn't a dream?

"I…I tried to kill you Matt. And…Kari…Kari!"

TK's eyes opened wide and he sat up quickly, though that only served to harm him slightly. He moaned and appeared dizzy, his hand running to his head. I noticed then that the wound on TK's shoulder was slowly oozing something black, something…not blood.

"TK…your shoulder…."

I started to put my hand to it but TK suddenly brushed my hand away.

"No! Don't…don't touch it!"

"What?"

"It's…poison…of a sort. He bit me…I don't know when.

TK bit his lip before tearing at his shirt where the bite was. He used his sleeve to wipe at it until the black began to turn red. He sighed, a smile forming, and dropped the sleeve, ignoring the rest of it.

"Where's…Kari?"

Tai and I stood, both of us helping TK. I managed a glance down at the sleeve and noticed that it was steaming slightly; I tried not to think of what it would have done had I touched it.

"Davis, go check on the others!" Tai shouted over his shoulder and I managed a glance back myself. Oddly enough, however, Davis was slightly preoccupied with dragging himself off the ground, rubbing his head as if he'd been attacked, "Matt and I will take care of the rest over here."

"R-right!" Davis jumped up, apparently confused but when he looked over, saw TK and I with Tai, he smiled the biggest most relieved smile I had ever seen on his face and ran off towards the edge of the rise, practically shouting triumphantly.

A weight pressing down on my shoulder stole my attention back to TK and I wrapped his arm around my neck. He was still so very weak; I doubt he had a single thing to eat since before he was taken. Had he even had breakfast the day he disappeared?

Tai and I managed to get him over to Kari and we set him down next to her. Gatomon, however, was not happy to see him growled, glaring with deadly cat eyes.

"I'm sorry." TK apologized, "I can't believe I actually did this to her. I don't even know how to begin to help her, I can't remember most of what I did during that past few hours."

"TK, it wasn't hours." I admitted, "It's been days."

It was painful to see the horrified shock register in TK's eyes, the way his body went rigid and tears of disbelief welled again. HE looked at me as if I were going to say anything different, but when I nodded my head in confirmation he looked down at Kari.

"Tell me…Tell me that it's only been hours…since this happened…."

"That I can tell you." I assured him, "Kari hasn't been like that for too long, just help her, okay?"

"Right."

"Yeah man, just concentrate." Tai prodded. He seemed to be keeping a certain amount of distance between himself and TK, pretty much keeping me between them really. I doubted Tai liked my little brother too much right now and I totally understood.

He'll have to get over it at some point, though.

"Could…could I have some privacy?" TK murmured, "I would like…to talk to her…alone for…for a moment-." TK's broken sentence cut off with a cough and my heart seized.

"I don't think that would be a good idea TK." Tai replied cautiously

"I doubt you'll like what I'm about to do…." TK murmured

"What do you mean?" demanded suspiciously.

"That thing…that dark creature," TK went on, "he bit me. In order…in order to link me to him…."

"Yeah?"

"I did…I remember…something I did to Kari…."

"What did you do?"

"Tai."

Tai glared at me, his eyes narrowed. I shared a similar look with him and the two of us locked glares, neither one in the mood for the other's protectiveness.

"Gatomon, keep a close eye on him." Tai growled as he turned away. I let out a breath, one I hadn't realized I was holding, and stepped aside with Tai.

"I don't despise him Matt, if that's what you're worried about." Tai murmured to me as we walked towards the edge of the cliff, "But I can't quite…."

"I understand Tai," I interrupted swiftly, "I really do. I know how hard this must be for you, after what happened. But just remember, it wasn't entirely his fault about what happened." I smiled at him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "We gave him privacy, not distance. You can still watch from here."

Tai grinned and the two of us turned just in time to see a bright aura surrounding TK who was leaning over Kari, the neglected dagger in his hands. My eyes widened and I saw Tai go rigid. Gatomon just stood there, watching curiously.

"What does he think he's doing?" Tai cried

"Wait." I stated, "Just watch."

"What do you mean just watch?"

"Gatomon isn't worried, she's Kari's guardian. Right?'

"Eh…right…." Tai grumbled reluctantly.

As I watched TK took the blade into his other hand and ran it down quickly. Now it was my turn to seize up and Tai put a hand on my shoulder.

"I think I get it." He murmured, "Blood to blood."

"Blood to blood?"

"He made a blood bond with my sister." Tai growled as he turned away, "I am so going to kill him later."

I turned to watch TK continue and I saw as he cut Kari's hand next, and he clasped his with hers. Then he leant forward and…kissed her?

I can't watch this." Tai growled. "I doubt that one was even necessary!"

Needless to say I was shock, but it seemed to work as before I knew Kari began to move. TK jerked himself away from her at the movement, apparently not wanting her to find him like that, but when he tried to move away she grabbed his arm. I smiled, relieved, as TK froze and realized Kari wasn't worried. That would be good for TK, the last thing he needed was for the girl he cared so much about to reject him after this.

My eyes widened, however, as I saw Kari suddenly pull TK into an embrace and I turned around, patting Tai on the back.

"She's okay man." I replied with a large smile, "They're both okay. We're off the hook and we can go home."

"Yeah, yeah." Tai muttered, "I'd feel a lot better, though, if TK wasn't sitting so close to Kari right now, so if you don't mind?"

"Just don't be a jerk." I grinned. I couldn't deny Tai his case. We both understood each other in this regard. We were both older brothers, what could I do?

As Tai turned, however, to head towards Kari and TK a bright light suddenly flared and he gasped. I whipped around, fear restricting my throat, and saw nothing my mind was thinking. Instead I saw TK and Kari, still embracing, with a pillar of light ascending from where they were. It was breathtaking, I didn't know how else to describe it. I looked up into the sky, amazed, and saw with even more amazement that the darkness was dispersing.

"Hey, Tai! Matt!" I looked around and saw Davis waving at us, a smile on his face. Everyone seemed to be waking up from his or her trances, confused and disoriented, but aware now. Tai and I exchanged amazed stares before turning back to our siblings. I saw with further amazement that Kari had her hands wrapped around TK's head, I was sure her lips were pressed against his.

"Okay, that's it." Tai growled as he stalked over to them.

I laughed. I couldn't' help it; everything was just so…so wonderful! Everything was perfect, normal. I turned to look down at everyone. Tokomon was still unconscious and was currently surrounded by both Gabumon and V-mon whom I hadn't even been aware had left the rise.

And then I saw Sora. She waved at me, smiled, and in that moment the world couldn't have gotten any better for me.

"CRYSTAL ARROW!"

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"Okay, that's it!" Tai reached down and pulled TK away from Kari, shoving him away and she glared at her older brother, little miffed for shoving TK away from her. But she couldn't just push Tai away either, not after what he'd gone through. So she hugged her brother back reassuringly and smiled at TK from her brother's shoulder. He was sitting where he landed, stunned by what she had done to him, and absolutely unsure of what to do next. She knew his feelings were mixed and knew that it was going to be hard for him over next couple of days, especially after what he had done to her as well as Matt.

Everything is going to be okay now. Kari thought, wanting TK to know but not wanting to say it while she hugged her brother.

And then TK was looking at her, shocked. You really think that?

Kari's eyes widened. Had she just heard him in her mind? Had he heard her in his mind?

Tai released her suddenly and yanked her hand up, examining it.

"What happened?" He asked when he saw that it was totally healed. "TK sliced your hand, but there's nothing there!"

"He…what?" Kari was still confused, Tai only made it more confusing.

"TK!" Tai turned to the younger boy who turned startled eyes onto him. The boy swallowed, he didn't move any closer.

"I don't get it.' Tai stated, "What happened to the cut on Kari's hand?"

TK's eyes widened. "Y-you…you watched?" He asked, "I'm sorry, I am so sorry-!"

"TK, it doesn't matter!" Tai growled as he interrupted the boy. "Just explain to me about it!"

"It sealed up." TK murmured, "Both times it sealed up when I clasped hands with her."

Kari watched as TK refused to meet either of their eyes.

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It was as if everything had happened in slow motion.

"MATT!"

My mind froze.

"LOOK OUT!"

My eyes winded and I slowly turned around to see a bright light flash. Something sharp pierced my abdomen and I stumbled. I looked down to see what appeared to be an energy beam similar to Angewomon's arrows sticking out. It was strange. I saw the blood as it slowly began to ooze from the wound, saw as the beam slowly disappeared. I felt no pain.

I heard rushing in my ears and when I looked up TK, Kari and Tai were running toward me. I had thought TK's horror was over but when I looked into his eyes I saw more pain and grief in his eyes then I had ever seen before. And it hurt. It hurt so much. I reach Ed out to him. I wanted so badly to comfort him, to tell him it was all right but…he was getting farther and farther away form me. They all were. The world was fading in around me and….

Darkness fell.

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"Tai, say something to him! Kari hissed, "He thinks you hate him!"

"I should." Tai muttered, though a part of him berated himself for saying that.

"Tai!" Kari cried.

"But I don't." Tai amended. "But I can't talk to him just yet, not yet." As Tai shook his head he caught a glistening in the distance from the corner of his eye. He only registered it in the back of my mind, however, as he continued to talk to Kari. She was looking at him painfully and he knew what she was thinking. He knew what was running through her mind just then. She was afraid he would never be able to forgive TK for what he did and in part she was right. No matter how Tai looked at it TK knew what he was doing at the time, even if he was confused. And it wasn't just what he did to Kari either. It was what he had done to Matt. What Matt had gone through only to get attacked by TK and Angemon. TK was actually going to kill his own brother!

Matt was going to kill you too, remember? His mind argued viciously.

"I'm sorry Kari." Tai murmured, "It's just hard. It's one thing for it to happen to me, but TK targeted you."

"Tai, it wasn-."Kari was cut off by the sound of someone calling out an attack. Both Kari and Tai looked around quickly, startled, and then at the sound of TK's frantic scream, they saw him stumbling up and start running towards Matt.

"LOOK OUT!" Tai cried as Matt slowly turned around, his eyes wide with realization.

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Misshra watched, from infinity's foot, as the darkness receded and she let out a sigh of relief. Next to her Eneramon grinned, massaging her arm where Angemon had not so delicately kicked her. Hard.

"Looks like we managed to divert yet another catastrophe, eh Mis?"

"Yeah." The green haired girl laughed, her anxiety melting away as she managed to relax. "Now, let's see if we can finally go home. Being stuck in here for weeks really makes you home sick, doesn't' it?"

"Try a year and we'll talk."

"I try not to remember that one Nera."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go see if we can find those two guardians are finally get them back on our side before I wind up digitizing them."

"That's not funny." Misshra replied as he fingered something on the inside of her shirt. "Not at all."

"What?"

Misshra stopped walking and turned to her partner, ready to reprimand her when suddenly a sharp pain, like a jolt attacked her heart. A burning pain grew in her abdomen and her eyes began to tear as she collapsed to her knees.

"Misshra!" Eneramon cried as she knelt next to her friend. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Pain!" Misshra cried, "Deadly pain! Someone…I dunno! Someone just…they're hurt! Bad!"

"Not good. How bad?"

Missrha's eyes opened wide and they darkened slightly. "No."

"What?"

Misshra shook her head and allowed herself to meet the ground. "This…cant' be happening! Not now!"

"What?"

"Someone…one of them…they just…died.

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Tai jumped up. He lurched forward, taking his run more like a dive as desperation kicked in, the world moving in slow motion. IT was already too late, however, as Tai saw the golden protrusion sticking out from Matt's abdominal area. Matt was looking at them with startled eyes and, when his eyes finally settled onto TK they seemed to fill with a sadness that Tai had never expected to see. He reached out towards TK as the younger boy was just feet from him and TK made to grab his hand but….

Tai fell to his knees as Matt fell backwards, a shrill scream crying out Matt's name from below as he fell/ TK dropped to his belly, his arms hanging over the edge as he made to go after his older brother and Kari collapsed beside him, her arms grappling TK fearfully as tears leaked from her face.

Tai managed to drag himself to the edge, managed to bypass TK and Kari as he slid over the edge, skidding down the rocky slope and landing with jarring speed next to his fallen friend. The others were running towards them but Tai wasn't' even aware. He was looking at Matt, his body in a crumpled heap on the ground. The golden beam that had pierced him was gone but the whole was still there oozing dark red blood from the wound. Blood trailed from Matt's mouth, his eyes staring up in despair and a red halo seemed to grow around his golden hair. Tai collapsed onto of him, knowing there was no chance, and began to sob.

"GET OFF OF HIM!"

Tai found himself being flung away and he rolled to the side as Sora, desperation in her eyes, began shaking Matt.

"Wake up!" She cried, "WAKE UP!"

"Sora…stop…." Tai murmured, "It won't-."

"How could you just lay on top of him like that?" Sora cried, "Why didn't you help him!"

Tai remained silent as Joe walked forward. They all knew the verdict, but only Joe could apply Sora that piece of mind. He knelt down next to Matt and proceeded with the expected checking of life signs, not bothering to be quite accurate as he was trying to keep himself from loosing his composure for Sora's sake.

Sora looked at him, pleading with her eyes, but Joe shook his head.

"I'm sorry." Joe lowered is eyes, "H-he's…he's dead."

It hit all at once. The reality. Tai wasn't ready for the full shock of it all with the actual finalization that Joe's words provided. Tai had thought he was hurting before but with the proclamation brought a new wave of pain as he first went numb.

And then the resulting explosion of inner torment as he heard the desperate cry of despair from Sora echoing in his ears, mingling with Joe's words.

"He's dead."

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k2: So, is it safe to assume I have made it angsty enough? Not entirely on purpose of course. Well, sorta. It's twelve pages worth, my goodness!

MK: You just love to do this, dontcha?

k2: Hey! It's my mom's fault! She's the one who always watched all those stupid Lifetime TV dramas over flowing with the stuff!

MK: Oh, stop denying it! You just lie to write pain and misery because you're chronically depressed!

k2: Say what?

MK: Err…nothing! Nothing, at all, heheh! Just ignore me. (disappears in a flash of pink smoke leaving a very confused k2 behind)

k2: (blinkblink)