Me: You know where my disclaimer is, and I also don't own "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers and "Yuuhi No Yakusoku"/ Promise of the Setting Sun" from the Runaway Digimon Express. This chapter's kinda short so I won't say too much except that I have a weird sense of humor.
Chloe: If it's so short then why are you writing this?
Me: Quiet. Ooooh and this chapter has a lot of Taloe. (T.K./Chloe).
Tai/Kari: WHAAAAAAAAAT?!
Me: (gulp) Yes it does. I know some of you don't like it but I have to settle the questions revolving around this couple once and for all—even though it'll take this whole story to do it.
Chloe: (groans) You can't be serious.
Me: I've never been more serious in my life. Oh yeah, the prophecy's going to be revealed as well as the new traits/crests. I own them so no stealing!
Rika: Who would want to steal from you?
Me: (sigh)
Chapter 5-"It's Just the Beginning..."
"I'm bored!"—Priscilla Kwong
"I'm happy. Yea!"—Reem Nehme
"I'm confused,"—Ghian Garcia
"People these days,"—Tim Carsey
"So this is what it feels like to have friends,"—Ken Ichijouji, United We Stand
"Yin and Yang...big and small...you and me,"—Jade Chan, Jackie Chan Adventures
Digital World
Forest Sanctuary
One week later...
I can't believe it. A whole week has gone by and yet there hasn't been a sign of Missingno. Has it all been a false alarm? Chloe wondered to herself. She decided to ask T.K. his opinion. "T.K., do you think this was nothing but a joke?"
"I doubt it. Why else did we end up looking like this...not that I'm complaining." T.K.'s azure eyes met her dark lapis lazuli ones. "This wasn't for nothing Chloe. I bet he's just stalling us."
"I guess," Chloe said inside her mind. She smiled. "Thanks for answering."
"You're welcome."
Kari eyed the both of them. "Are you guys done exchanging telepathy talk?" She didn't hide the note of uneasiness in her voice.
The two nodded.
Sometimes in our lives we all have painWe all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Takato fiddled with the comlink in his hand, thinking of what to write. At least this time he wasn't stuck making up e-mails for everybody. They had the decency to write their own.
"What are you doing Takatomon?" asked Guilmon curiously.
"Writing my e-mail," he answered wearily. He tapped the stylus against the comlink and noticed that although the others had saved their e-mails, they hadn't sent them yet. Curious, he clicked on one of them using the stylus and saw:
Dear Mom and Dad,
Everything is going well in the Digital World but we're still not sure when the Missingno Virus is going to attack since he hasn't made an appearance. Izzy is still trying to locate him. Suzie says she misses you and Terriermon says (what else) Momentai. I'll e-mail you if we make any progress.
Henry
Takato frowned at the part "he hasn't made an appearance." Obviously, Missingno was up to something but what? Shrugging, he clicked on the next e-mail.
Dear Dad and Shizue,
We're all fine here in the Digital World. How's Masahiku doing? I hope he kept my sock puppet and that he isn't lonely. (Of course Calumon is still there to play with him) We're getting to know the Digidestined a lot better and they are pretty nice. I miss you and hope to see you soon. We'll be all right so don't worry about us too much.
Well that's about it. I love you both.
Jeri
Now that's something only Jeri would write, Takato thought with a smile. He clicked the next one even though it was starting to get boring.
Dear Mom and Grandma,
Nothing much has happened this whole week. No one's attacked us so you don't need to worry about me. Renamon and I are doing okay.
Rika
Well it's a lot nicer than most things she would say, he thought to himself. He considered what he should do next. Finally, bored out of his mind, he drew several stars on the comlink before he realized he was still in Rika's e-mail. I'd better erase them. I don't even wanna think how much it'll provoke her. Bad enough I read her e-mail. He was about to erase them and move on to his own e-mail when he heard someone say, "What are you doing Takato?"
He jumped—and in his haste accidentally pressed the Send button. Oh...no...I am so dead. He glanced behind and (gulp) saw the person who had spoken. I'm dead and buried. "Um hi Rika."
Lean on me...when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
She gave him a very puzzled frown. "Can I have the comlink please? I need to send my e-mail to my mom and grandma."
He turned slightly pale. Rika narrowed her eyes. "What did you do this time? Don't tell me you sent an email for me again—with something on it."
Takato grinned nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Y'know it's funny you should mention that 'cause—"
"WHAT DID YOU DO THIS TIME?"
He gulped again and handed the comlink to her. I should've made out my will. He saw Rika's eyes widen at the email. Tearing herself away from it, she stared at him, unblinking. "Did you already send this?" she asked in a strangely high voice. "What were you doing looking at my e-mail?"
Takato closed his eyes, bracing himself for the beating of a lifetime. The punch didn't come. What is she waiting for? He opened his eyes.
Rika was standing there, her hand clenched into a fist but Guilmon was standing in front of Takato. "Get out of the way Dino-boy. I should've murdered him last time!"
"No. I can't let you hurt Takato," the Digimon answered. "He didn't mean it Rika...honest."
"How do you know?"
"Uuuuh...I don't."
Takato backed away from Rika with a nervous look on his face. Davis, Ken, and Yolei, who were walking by, took one look at the crazy scene in front of them. They sighed.
"Okay...what's going on here?" Ken asked.
"Ask Gogglehead," Rika answered her curtly.
Takato quickly explained about the comlink and about his mistake. "I was going to erase the stars and turn it off," he finished sheepishly.
"Rika, you get provoked over the weirdest things," Davis remarked. He readjusted his goggles.
The Tamer sighed. "Okay, I'll let you off now but don't think I've forgotten it. You don't read other people's e-mails Gogglehead."
"It was an accident." Did she actually let me off the hook?
Kazu and Henry, and their Digimon, came to see what was up. The visor boy couldn't help saying, "I can't believe she let you off. Do you like each other or something?"
Rika looked insulted. "Me and him? You've gotta be kidding."
"Rika and Takato sittin' in a tree," Kazu sang. Guilmon started laughing.
"Shut up," said Takato, annoyed. Davis grinned.
Terriermon picked up where Kazu had left off. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love—"
"Shut UP!"
"—then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage."
Henry wasn't paying attention to his partner. He was focusing on Rika instead with a worried look.
"That's not all, that's not all. Then comes—"
"OKAY! THAT'S IT!" Rika took off after Terriermon as he scurried through the trees. "COME BACK HERE LOPHEAD! I'M GONNA ROLL YOU DOWNTOWN!"
Ken and Yolei stared after Rika, obviously impressed. "Does she always act like that?"
Henry, Kazu, and Takato nodded. "Funny," said Davis with a chuckle. "She's as crazy as Yolei."
SMACK! "Not funny!"
Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show
(A/N: Okay, for those of you who are reading this right now, turn back if you don't wanna hear this. Oh yeah and Rika, please escort Tai and Kari out of the room. I know they don't wanna hear this)
Chloe lay back against the grass so she could see the stars more clearly. The night sky spread like a great canopy over the Digital World. A soft wind blew and all was peaceful.
Too peaceful, she thought. What is that virus playing at? Is he just waiting until we let our guard down? Actually, that seems likely.
"Chloe?"
It's T.K., she thought, sitting up. Only T.K. would be awake this late...well actually I'm not sure about the Tamers but I recognize his voice. "What is it T.K.?"
"You couldn't sleep?"
Chloe shook her head. T.K. sat down next to her. "I kept thinking about Missingno and I hate to say it but I'm...afraid and worried," she confessed regretfully. "We know he's dangerous but we don't really know how much that virus is capable of and well...I...I can't help thinking how helpless we are. Your Digimon could be deleted...or we could die."
T.K. gripped her hand. "You don't have to be afraid. I mean, I don't blame you if you are since I am too but you don't have to be. You're strong, skilled, and brave. And you've got Tai to look out for you and..." he paused. "Me."
Chloe stared at him. He was so much stronger and wiser than he looked. Yet she knew he was hiding the answers to the questions she had kept within her since they had met nearly twenty-five years ago. Chloe had refrained from asking him the truth for the longest time since she had married Tai and had Crystal and Mateo. Now that she was a child once more, she had to know. Yet she had the uneasy feeling that the truth could change her whole life. "T.K., do you have feelings for me too?"
The younger boy's head shot up instantly and their eyes met. Her eyes were a more vivid blue than his but his were lighter. "What gave you that idea?"
"Well," Chloe began, searching around in her mind for her reasons. "You always worry about me and you never hesitate to keep me safe. You're with me during the toughest of times and you show you care and understand me more than anyone else. You accepted me first out of all of your friends, including Tai. You were there when I needed someone and I appreciate that. And well I can't help thinking that for a while you might've...you know." She looked away from him.
T.K. remained silent. God, you hate me right? There was nothing that could prevent him from speaking reality. Now that he thought about it, he wondered why he felt this way around Chloe. It didn't make any sense. He knew that his love for Chloe was entirely different from the way he felt about Kari. With Kari, it was a passion that surpassed every kind of feeling he'd ever been known to have. The love was strong between them and the bond was nearly unbreakable. Their gentle words, their closeness...those little things meant the entire world to him. He would go down to the ends of the earth for Kari; he knew he would. She was his companion, his Light, his everything.
Yet T.K. knew he loved Chloe very much as well. The love was not as obvious as his for Kari but it was just as strong, maybe even stronger. Since he had met her, he knew there was something between them, something that drew him to her even though he hadn't known her as long as Kari. The passion and intimacy he shared with Kari didn't need to be displayed with Chloe. There was respect and security, as well as a deep friendship between them. Like Kari, he would willingly give his life for Chloe and not regret his decision for a minute.
T.K. pondered his confused feelings. A shared love was not what he wanted, but love was something that he was incapable of controlling. I made a mistake when I chose Kari. I wasn't ready. I hadn't fully figured out my feelings. But what can I say? To deny his feelings for Kari would destroy her and him. Yet to deny his feelings for Chloe, Kari or no Kari, would be like denying himself. I'm so confused. It's too bad they can't be one person.
Chloe, still looking away, asked, "Tell me. Do you...love me?"
He finally whispered, "In what way?"
"Just any way. Tell me."
"You know I do," he said in a voice above a whisper.
She felt his hand slip away from hers. "Now tell me...as a friend or something more?" Both found the courage to meet each other's gaze.
"I..." He shook his head. "It's...I..." Oh God I love her so much. But Kari...why does fate have to hurt me this way?
Chloe smiled, her eyes glowing slightly. "I see. You only love Kari."
"No I don't."
Chloe's eyes expanded. "What? But you do. You don't love me."
"Of course I love you!" T.K. yelled. The leaves on the trees shook. He would never let anyone deny his feelings for Chloe, not even her. "I love you more than life!"
The older girl was so startled she nearly fell over. Looking at T.K. in shock she whispered, "Takeru..."
"I never told you," he admitted bitterly, giving up his store of knowledge. "I've loved you ever since I first met you...since the day you and Ash found me...since the day you almost left. When you almost left us, I felt like something had gone out within me. When you got controlled in the Dark Ocean...it felt like a part of me had been ripped out and gotten corrupted. And when you regained your memories, it felt like a wonderful dream was being born again. " He looked away from her and glared angrily at the ground. "I love you so much."
Chloe continued to stare at him, blinking rapidly. He loved me? He loves...me? But why...why didn't he say anything? And what about Kari?
"But T.K...what about Kari?" she finally asked. "If you loved me then why did you say you loved Kari?" She was getting angry now. "Why did you marry her and have children? Why did you...if you didn't love her?"
He stared at her in shock. "Chloe...what makes you think I don't love Kari?" He blinked once. "I love her very much. You know that."
"Then why did you tell me just now that you love me?" Chloe asked him. "Or maybe...that's not true."
"Of course it's true. I love you too."
"You told me you love Kari!" Chloe cried out. "You love her! Not me!" She shook her head and closed her eyes. "You can't love me! You're not supposed to love me! I've...I've got Tai! He's supposed to be my one and only, not you T.K.!"
Yet in her heart of hearts, Chloe knew she was trying to deny her inner feelings. Maybe in the past, things could have been different. She had been thrilled for T.K. and Kari when they had confessed their love. She had been more than happy when Tai and she reached a level of understanding that could only be described as love. When he had asked her to marry him, she had said yes immediately because she believed what she was doing was right. Everything was resolved.
Now Chloe knew that nothing had been resolved. Instead, all she had bought was time to hide away all of her hidden emotions and confused thoughts. She'd buried them away in the course of her lifetime so as not to remember them. Yet she knew all along that Tai could never break the hold that T.K. had on her. Nothing could. Tai may have held her heart, but T.K. held her soul.
Flashback
Dragomon narrowed his ghoulish red eyes down at Chloe. He had T.K. clutched in one tentacle arm and Tai in another. Across from them, Kari was struggling to free herself from the Scubamon.
"Well Child of Life, it appears you have a dilemma. However, since you were a useful puppet, I will spare you the agony of living in this world without a loved one. You must choose."
Chloe blinked. Kari shook her head. "Don't."
"Go ahead and choose child," Dragomon hissed. "Which will you have? Your ex-boyfriend...or your best friend?" He glared at the dark-haired beauty. "You cannot have them both you know."
She glared right back at him. "Oh yeah? You're asking me to choose? WELL I WON'T CHOOSE!"
"What?!"
"If I can't have them both; I won't have either!"
End flashback
At the time she had said that in order to save the boys from being killed. Yet she knew Dragomon was right.
"You cannot have them both you know."
"You're different from any girl I've ever met," T.K. declared quietly. Surprisingly, he hadn't seemed bothered by her outburst. "I can count on you all the time whenever Kari isn't around and you're beautiful and caring. But...well is it my fault that I love you?!" He was on his feet now. "Besides, you were just kidding around that time when you said you loved me before." He gave a soft laugh. "It's not like you were serious."
Chloe shook her head, eyes still closed. T.K. stared at her. "You weren't...kidding?"
"No I wasn't." She stood up as well, looking at him in the eyes. "I loved you too T.K." She managed a shaky smile. "So much, it hurt."
T.K. couldn't speak. His mouth seemed to have gone dry and his breath came out in a low hiss. "Since...when?"
"Since that time...I told you." She closed her eyes before opening them again. "But I knew you loved Kari. I knew that someone more pure and perfect than me had captured your heart. So I didn't wait." Chloe sighed. "If our situation had been different, it would've been very complicated."
"Like it isn't complicated now."
"That's not funny T.K."
"Nothing is anymore," he replied softly. He reached out to touch her hand. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Chloe cleared her throat and smiled sadly. "Because I wanted you to be happy T.K. It didn't hurt me that you loved Kari. It still doesn't hurt me. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." She took his other hand. "You know I would do anything for you."
T.K. felt a strange surge of elation fill his heart at that moment. She had never been so sincere with him before. Such tender words from such a caring heart...it was times like these that he knew how much he loved her.
This was why he knew he had made a mistake in the past when he hadn't take Chloe's "joke" seriously. He had run off without understanding how she really felt inside. He wondered whether she would ever forgive him for that.
There was only one way to rectify his mistake. T.K. grasped onto both of her hands and drew her closer to him until she was about two centimeters away. "Chloe," he whispered softly. Her name...I never noticed how beautiful it was...or how similar it is to Kari's. "Do you still love me? Even now?"
She didn't want to meet his eyes. He let go of her hands to clasp her heart-shaped face. The silky black tendrils of her hair brushed against his fingers. "Tell me."
Chloe's voice came out in a low whisper. "You know I do."
T.K. smiled gently and closed his eyes. "Then...then I guess it won't be a crime if I do this..." He leaned closer and kissed her gently. Chloe's eyes promptly closed and she wrapped her arms around him, not letting go for a minute. His own arms encircled her waist, pulling her closer.
(Me: Don't hate me for this everybody. What I'm doing is absolutely necessary so don't hate me. Yes it hurts but like I said, it's necessary)
(Tai/Kari: NECESSARY FOR WHOM?!)
(Rika: Hurry up Caro! This...door...won't...hold...forever...)
The kiss was nearly almost like déjà vu for the both of them. It was warm, gentle, and unsure. Hidden deep within it were the obvious feelings of love and security. The thing that was missing in the past was gone, replaced with acceptance and tenderness. No other hidden passion or ardency.
T.K. was the first one to react. He pulled away, looking into Chloe's lapis eyes. She was practically breathless. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Did I hurt you?"
Chloe shook her head. "No. It was just...different." She frowned. "Different from last time." Then again, the last time we kissed was over twenty years ago.
"Was it...me?"
"No." Her eyes were glassy with chaotic emotions but she blinked to hide them. "It's...not you. It's..." She shook her head. "This...we shouldn't have done that."
"I know," T.K. responded regretfully. "I just...wanted to set things right." He sighed. "I think Missingno did something that he didn't really expect."
"What was that?"
T.K. gazed into her eyes. "He brought us back to the past...where we could rectify our mistakes...and see what we were really looking for."
Chloe tilted her head to one side, frowning. "Your marriage to Kari was not a mistake T.K."
"I'm not saying it was a mistake," TK replied. "I'm only saying...I should have waited to see how you really felt. But you love Tai."
She nodded. "You and Kari were destined to be together. You and I weren't. Nothing and no one could change that. You're the most wonderful person I've ever known, but I don't exactly know what I feel for you T.K. When I think of Tai, my feelings are those of a lover and a soul mate. But when I think of you, my feelings go beyond even that. It's not passionate or physical; it's just...there." She sighed. "I guess that means I love you but I'm not in love with you. There's zero chemistry between us but...I just don't understand what these feelings mean."
"Same here," T.K. said. "The feelings I have for you are not attraction. They're the love of an equal, a soul. You mean more to me than life itself." Chloe nodded, her eyes losing their troubled look. "But...I don't get it. Is it possible to love two people at the same time?"
Chloe shook her head, eyes troubled once more. No matter what, this is not going to change the way I feel about Tai. I still love him no matter what. But T.K...he's so special to me. Without him, I wouldn't really be alive. I'd be an empty shell...lost from this world. I don't understand.
"Can I ask you a question Chloe? How are you able to speak to me telepathically with such ease? You never use it with anyone else—that often anyway."
"You seem to have the natural ability of accepting messages," she replied. "If you were psychic then you wouldn't have any trouble using telepathy. I can use it with anyone else but it's easier around you."
"Why?"
"I honestly don't know. Maybe there's something you have that the others don't."
They sat there for a while, thinking about all that had happened between them. Then Chloe reached over and touched his hand. He took hers and squeezed it gently.
"T.K.?"
"Yes Chloe?"
"I still love you...you know that right?"
"Of course I do. And you know that I love you too."
The two kids sat there for a long time, wondering and worrying about the Missingno Virus...and what exactly bonded them together.
Lean on me...when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Gennai observed the two teams laughing and playing with regret in his eyes. If they only knew what's in store for them. It seems a shame that they came here to fight and risk it all for the sake of their worlds...but enough of that. I've got to deliver this prophecy. Now who was our psychic again? Heh, of course.
Chloe wandered by and released Umbreon. As she sat down, he leaned against her. "You're lucky Umbreon," she whispered soothingly while petting him. "You don't have to worry about a virus and what's coming. That's my job as your trainer."
"Excuse me..."
"Wha—?" Startled, Chloe jumped to her feet. Umbreon fell to one side. "Who said that?"
"It's me...Gennai. Can you use your telepathy on me?"
She concentrated and soon found herself speaking through Gennai's thoughts. "Well this is new. You're talking to a Pokémon trainer Gennai. If you're looking for Izzy, he's over there."
"I don't need Izzy. You're the only one I can transmit this to. I tried giving it to Izzy via the computer, but for some strange reason it wasn't possible. So since I know you're a telepath, I'm transmitting it through your head. Keep it stored in your memory."
Chloe frowned. "Can't you tell me what this 'thing' you're transmitting is? I'd rather you didn't skid around it on two wheels."
"Oh sorry. It's a prophecy about you kids. It shouldn't take too long to figure it all out and...oh...I'd keep an eye on Rika if I were you."
"Rika? Why?"
"She needs someone to talk to and since you and T.K. met her first, why don't you try?"
But she's...oh what the heck. Okay. Thanks Gennai." Finished, Chloe sat back down to think the prophecy over. It was easy to decipher until she reached the part: The Children from now will decide its fate. With traits and crests one and the same.
Traits and crests one and the same? So our crests and...the Tamers' traits are the same thing? They have traits? How are we supposed to know?
As if to answer her, a small voice spoke as though from the prophecy itself. The leader is the child of Determination...the smart one is the child of Logic...the saccharine girl has the trait of Empathy...the comedian holds Optimism...his close friend shines most with Enthusiasm...while the little one possesses qualities of Joy...and the legendary boy symbolizes Strength.
Well that's good, Chloe thought and then frowned. She knew she should figure out what Rika had but her head was saying there were two more traits, not just one. Rika has two? What are they? That's when it hit her. A child of Spirit will decide the course of the final struggle...Rika is the child of Spirit...and what?
The voice returned. The fiery-tempered warrior is unique as she is the only one who possesses two traits instead of one. She is the child of Spirit and Unity.
Unity...Rika? No way? How could she be? She's the loneliest of the Tamers!
She does not hold the trait of Unity within her. However, she will be the one who will soon awaken it within her other companions.
Okay. That's cool. Chloe stood up and returned Umbreon to his Poké Ball. "Now to find Rika."
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
Call me...if you need a friend (call me)
Call me...if you need a friend (call me)
(song trails off)
Rika lay back against the grass and stared up through the clouds. She easily escaped from the others and was just hoping for some quiet. Renamon had disappeared somewhere but she'd be back soon.
"Rika?"
So much for peace and quiet, she thought before sitting up and turning around. "Hmm?"
Chloe stood there looking extremely serious. "You looked a little lonely and well, I was wondering if you wanted to talk."
Rika shrugged. Chloe took that as a "yes" and sat down next to her. "Nice place you got here," she said after a few minutes of silence.
Rika shrugged again. What does Tai's girl want with me?
"Are you always this quiet?" Chloe asked her.
Shrug.
"Um...can you hear me?"
Another shrug.
Chloe stood up. "Fine. I see how it is. All I was trying to do was make some conversation but you're like a human icicle," she snapped coldly. "I just want to be your friend. Is that too much to ask?"
This time, Rika looked up at her. Finally she spoke: "No."
Surprised, Chloe stared at her. "So you can speak."
"Of course I can speak. I'm not mute."
Chloe eyed the girl closely. Geez, what a smart mouth (A/N: She was not going to say what you think she might have said). "You know, you don't look too great."
"Why do you care?"
"Well excuse me!" Chloe exclaimed. "If I'm getting on your nerves, I'll leave. I just want to know if you're okay."
"I'm fine," Rika replied firmly. "It's just...never mind!"
Chloe blinked. "What?"
"Nothing."
"C'mon Rika, something's wrong isn't it?" Chloe guessed. "Why don't you just tell me about it?"
Rika shook her head.
"I was your age once you know," Chloe added. Rika stared at her in a funny way. "Oh you know what I mean!"
At this, Rika laughed and rolled her eyes. "You know...you're really weird...but I guess you're okay."
"Who's weird and okay?" asked a voice. It was T.K.
Rika turned back to Chloe and said, "Okay, I'll tell you what's bothering me. If I'm acting nasty, I'm sorry. It's my fault you guys are here and you're the way you are. Maybe it would have been better if I had ignored that premonition and I didn't meet you. Everything would be okay and we wouldn't be up against a virus. And..." she paused.
T.K. settled down next to Chloe and then nodded. "Go on."
"I've noticed how comfortable and carefree everyone is around each other. Everybody's so cheerful and happy. Even Jeri's happy. As for me, I still have...this empty space...this hole in my heart. It's like it's been broken into two pieces and although time's passed, it still hasn't fully mended."
Rika frowned at the sky. "It's because of my father. My mother was really young when she had me. She could've had an abortion but instead she wanted to see how raising a kid would be. My so-called father walked out on us 'cause I don't think he really wanted marriage or a kid. I really thought he loved me but if he did, then he'd keep his promise and see me again. But I guess it was just a lie." (A/N: I don't know if this is all fact) As Rika thought about this, she remembered the song she sang; it seemed so long ago now. Then again, Parasimon had forced memories of her father on her so maybe it wasn't too long ago.
Zutto zutto issho ni iru to ano yuuhi ni yakusoku shita kara
Ima sugu aitai sono kimochi wo onegai tsutaete ne
Hitoribotchi no kokoro ni totsuzen tobikonde kita
Sukoshi itakatta toko yasashiku tsutsunde kureta
Konnani hotto suru koto wa hajimete dakara
Sono nukumori wo sotto poketto ni tsume konde aruite ikitai...
Zutto zutto issho ni iru to ano yuuhi ni yakusoku shita kara
Sabishii toki mo hirogaru orenji wo nagamete
Kitto kitto daijoubu da yo ano yuuhi ga sasayaite kureru
Ima sugu aitai sono kimochi wo onegai tsutaete ne
Anata ga ichiban suki na saikou no egao de
Mukaerareru you ni watashi mo mainichi ganbatte ikitai...
Zutto zutto issho ni iru to ano yuuhi ni yakusoku shita kara
Kujikesou demo kirei na orenji wo dakishime
Kitto kitto daijoubu da yo ano yuuhi ga oshiete kureta no
Shinjite ireba sono kimochi wa kanarazu todoku tte
Zutto zutto issho ni iru to ano yuuhi ni yakusoku shita kara
Tooku ni itemo onaji orenji wo kanjite
Kitto kitto daijoubu da yo ano yuuji wa tsunagatteru kara
Mou nakanai yo futari no ai kokoro wo terashiteru
Futari no ai kokoro wo terashiteru...
"It's only been a month since Parasimon's invasion. Mom didn't tell you guys that when I was used as a puppet...I was forced to have memories of my father appear." She sighed. "That's why I'm this way: cold, tomboyish, and aggressive. With a life like mine, whom could I trust? No one. All those feelings of love, gratitude, happiness; they never meant a thing to me. I may have changed since I don't like to fight like I used to and I care about others but that emptiness inside still lingers."
Chloe and T.K. said nothing for a while. Then the older girl placed her hand on Rika's shoulder. "You're not the only one with a hard life. I know you already know about Jeri's but mine was pretty harsh too. Did you know that I was an experiment?"
Rika shook her head, her eyes widening. T.K. sighed. I hope she's not going to repeat her entire life story.
"I was injected with psychic DNA and I'm guilty of exploding the lab and destroying fifteen lives with my rage. That's why I have to control my anger and pain. My energy diminishes every time I use my powers. When I was older, I was an expert at controlling them and I never lost energy, but now that's different. And you're lucky your parents are still alive. My parents died when I was nine, after I escaped from the lab."
"My life wasn't a total walk in the park either," T.K. pointed out. "I was only eight when I watched Angemon sacrifice himself to save me and even younger when my parents divorced. I was so young and no one really accepted me at first. And look at Ken, Kari, and Cody. Ken's brother died and he was consumed by darkness to become the Digimon Emperor. Kari went through a great deal of pain in the Dark Ocean and Cody lost his father. Oikawa and Jacob lost people they cared about too. Oikawa lost his best friend, and Jacob lost his mother and Oikawa. So you see," T.K. grinned. "Everyone has problems."
Rika nodded. "I know."
"We all have bad things happen and problems we wish we didn't have. But if you open your heart to others, they'll accept you for who you are," T.K. concluded. "Just like Chloe and I accept you Rika."
The redhead blinked. "You...accept me?"
"Sure," said T.K. cheerfully. "Just because you aren't close to your father doesn't mean you don't have to get close to real people like us."
Rika nodded to show she understood. Now that she though about it, T.K. was just as nice as he'd seemed in the TV show. And as for Chloe...she was surprisingly turning out to be all right instead of a snobby female obsessed with her looks and who screamed at the sight of a dead bug.
"Can I ask you a strange question?" she asked Chloe hesitantly.
Chloe smiled. "Sure."
"What are you doing with the Digidestined? I thought you said you were a Pokémon trainer."
The older girl's face lightened. "Oh that. Well, after we defeated some evil Digimon that appeared in the Real World, the portal between the Pokémon and Real Worlds was closing. I chose to stay in the Real World instead of going home."
"Why?"
A pleasured look came across Chloe's face. "Because of Tai and T.K. I could never live without them. Besides, it turned out okay in the end. The portal opened up again twenty-five years later and I got to see my old friends and brush up on my training skills. I never really left them." She and T.K. exchanged a smile.
Rika tilted her head to one side. "That's cool. It's nice to have people who care about you."
T.K. glanced at her. "Don't you have people who care about you Rika? Other than Chloe, Renamon, and I?"
Rika shrugged. "I dunno...my mom?"
"Besides family—and Jeri."
"I dunno."
"How about Ryo?" T.K. suggested brightly. Rika gave him a dirty look. "Um, okay maybe not Ryo. So...what about Takato? He seems to like you fine."
Rika gave a short laugh. "Gogglehead? Don't be ridiculous. He's got eyes for Jeri and no one else."
T.K. sighed. "Just a suggestion."
"Anyway," Chloe's face turned serious. "The real reason I wanted to talk to you is about your traits. It seems each of you Digimon Tamers, except for Ai and Mako I think, possess certain traits. You could fill the others in on what they have later. Takato is Determination, Henry is Logic, Ryo is Strength, Jeri is Empathy, Kenta is Enthusiasm, Suzie is Joy, and you are..." she stopped and frowned.
"What?" Rika persisted.
Chloe closed her eyes and then nodded. "Most kids only have one trait but you seem to have two. That's what makes you special Rika."
Rika snorted. "Special? Me, special? You must be joking."
"No, I'm not," Chloe answered. "You are the child of Spirit and Unity."
"Unity? What kind of a quality is that?" asked T.K. "Doesn't everybody here have that?"
Chloe nodded. "Yet it seems it shines most in Rika. She's the one that supposed to let it out to everyone else."
The Tamer shook her head. "I doubt I have the power of Unity."
"Don't doubt your abilities Rika," Chloe whispered. "That spirit of Unity is probably hiding but fighting to get out, I just know it. You're unique."
"Unique? Ha, that's a good one," Rika muttered sarcastically. "How can I be Unity? I can understand about teamwork but Unity? As in a sense of togetherness and agreement? You got the wrong one for that."
Chloe frowned. "That's what I thought when I first heard the one holding the power of Unity was you. I thought it would be someone like Takato or Jeri. But it's not; it's you."
Rika rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure."
T.K. and Chloe stood up. "Think about it," said Chloe brightly. She pulled Rika to her feet. The Tamer stared at her. "C'mon, let's get some fresh air and then rejoin the others."
Rika looked skeptical. T.K. grinned. "Don't be so stubborn Digi-Queen. Like I said, give us a chance. We'll be your friends—if that's what you want."
"No one can make it in this world alone you know," added Chloe.
At that, Rika surprised them both by smiling. "Oh okay." She also added, "You know? You guys aren't bad...for adults now children."
T.K. and Chloe smiled back at her before saying, "And you know what Rika? For someone who's stubborn and superior, you're not bad either."
Missingno drifted along, sending static in all directions. The trees fell to the ground, the earth rumbled, and all those creatures that were afraid ducked into hideaways; they were hoping not to be seen, otherwise their very lives would be deleted. What pitiful creatures. All cowards. But no matter. They'll get what's coming to them.
The virus reached Primary Village and concentrated with all his might. Summoning powers from deep within his being, he combined his data with that of loose data hanging around lost to the Digital World. A feeling of dread settled upon the world.
As the data writhed and took shape, Missingno's laughter rang out over the distances and shook the trees. And now children...the time of destruction has arrived!
Alexis: The allies have assembled but Missingno seems to have something sinister planned. The battles begin next! (to herself) Well that was short.
Me: Whoa, talk about freaky eh?
Chloe: You said it.
Rika: (pants) The door's holding...for now.
Me: Sorry Rika. I'm grateful.
Rika: (glares) You better be.
(Henry walks in)
Me: Where were you during the last few chapters?
Henry: I had to occupy Terriermon somehow.
Takato: So what did you do?
Henry: (grimaces) I ended up giving him to Suzie.
Terriermon: (voice off-stage) YOU'RE MEAN HENRY!
Amanda: (winces) Ouch