You know where my disclaimer is and I also don't own "Brother My Brother" by Blessed Union of Souls from Pokémon the First Movie. I've finally decided not to write in script format anymore; although it's a pity cause then I can't write any funny scripts with my muses except my reviews. Ah well, ya can't have everything. There's gonna be a slight Ryo/Rika moment in this chapter (Rika is so gonna kill me) and on a happier note, there'll be a very slight Rika/Takato moment. Just so you readers out there know the couples, they are:
Tai/Chloe
T.K./Kari
T.K./Chloe
Takato/Rika
Takato/Jeri
Henry/Jeri
Jacob/Jacqueline
(minor) Ash/Misty
(minor) Davis/Catherine
(minor) Ryo/Rika
(minor) Kazu/Alice
(minor) Matt/Sora
(minor) Izzy/Mimi
Chapter 8-There's Always Hope
"I don't want the powers of darkness to hurt my friends,"—T.K. Takaishi, The Last Temptation of the Digidestined
"Destiny hasn't been very good, has she?"—Jeri Katou
"Destiny has been a bad girl,"—Jeri's puppet, Janyu's Ark
Digital World
Forest Sanctuary
One week later...
The evening sunset was always something spectacular in the Digital, Pokémon, or Real Worlds but lately it reflected little interest in the eyes of the Digidestined. The trainers had returned to their world so who knew what they were thinking. Most likely, they were still overcome with grief over the death of one of their fellow teammates. Only the Tamers were actually trying to make the most of things.
Of course, no one expected Tai to recover quickly, if at all. The original leader of the Digidestined spent most of his time alone or with Agumon. Agumon always told the others that usually his partner never said much, which didn't surprise anyone.
There was also a slight change in T.K. and Rika as well. Naturally, the Digidestined of Hope was still feeling guilty but he had also been spending time alone. As for Rika, she was moodier than usual. Something seemed to be nagging her; something they didn't know about.
Brother My Brother
Tell me what are we fighting for
We've got to end this war
We should love one another
Oh can't we just pretend
This war never began?
We can try, brother my brother
We face each other from different sides
The anger burns, can't remember why
It's kind of crazy to cause such pain
Our foolish pride makes us hate this way
We watch our world fall apart
Tell me, what good is winning
When we lose our heart?
Brother My Brother
Tell me what are we fighting for
Isn't life worth so much more?
We should love one another
Oh can't we just pretend
This war never began?
Tell me why, brother my brother
We can try, brother my brother
Let's take a moment and look deep inside
And say we're willing to give love a try!
We're not as different as we seem to be
It's so much more to me then what you see
Don't have to be this way!
Think about the consequences
Turn around and walk away!
Brother My Brother
Tell me what are we fighting for
Isn't life worth so much more?
We should love one another
Oh can't we just pretend
This war never began?
Tell me why, brother my brother
We can try, brother my brother
Tell me why!
Brother My Brother
Love one another
(song fades off)
Kari was on her way to check up on her brother—again. In everybody's opinion Tai was acting anything but his normal self and Kari was starting to get sick of it. She found him sitting on a rock and staring up through the trees. "Tai?"
He ignored her.
"Tai."
Nothing.
"Taichi Kamiya can you hear me?!" Kari nearly shouted.
Tai nodded and looked over at her. "Hey sis. What's up?"
"I'm worried about you brother. You're not acting like the Tai I know. He wouldn't be moping around and keeping his mouth shut."
"Very funny," Tai snapped.
Kari sighed in frustration. "Tai, I wish you could put the past behind yo—"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Please tell me why you're so—cold," she pleaded.
Tai jumped off the rock and leaned against a tree. "There are a number of reasons. I lost my kids, my way of life, and the person I love." He slammed his fist against the trunk. "What more explanation is needed?"
"None," Kari replied quietly. She turned around and walked away, nearly knocking into Sora.
"How's he doing?" Sora asked anxiously.
Kari shook her head. "He's not being Tai."
Sora got the message and headed toward her best friend. Noticing the look of downcast upon his face, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Tai...I know how you feel."
"You do?"
"Of course. Chloe is my sister by adoption and it's hard to accept that she's gone. I just...we don't want to keep on hurting and it's even more painful to see you sad. Please let go of her Tai. Don't stop loving her or remembering her but keep what you have and let go of the rest. She wouldn't want you to suffer, and neither would Crystal and Mateo."
Tai sighed and pushed himself up from the tree. "It's hard Sora," he whispered. "You know it is." He groaned and buried his face into his hands. "And about Crystal and Mateo...I wouldn't know if they wanted me to suffer or not 'cause they're gone too."
Sora stroked his shoulder gently. "Please Tai, listen. I hate to see you like this; so cold and aloof. What happened to the Tai I used to love and cherish as my best friend?" she wondered.
He looked up into her reddish-brown eyes and smiled ruefully. "Okay, I'll lighten up. You're right. Chloe'd hate me for nearly breaking my promise."
"She wouldn't. She loved you."
"Yeah, loved. I love the past tense," he grumbled before asking, "How's T.K. doing?"
Sora shook her head. "He's...changed Tai. He still feels guilty," she replied sadly.
Tai sighed. "Darn! How many times do we need to jam it through his thick head? None of this was his fault!"
"He doesn't have a thick head but he'll just have to believe us soon enough," Sora replied quietly. She took one of his hands and squeezed it gently. "I only hope nothing worse will happen."
Tai nodded. "Me too." He slowly pulled his hand away from hers, frowning. That's when it hit him. "Wait a second Sora. Jacob's got spiritual sight doesn't he?" She nodded slowly. "Maybe he can see Chloe!"
Sora shrugged. "I suppose it's worth a shot." She and Tai walked away from the peaceful spot, looking for the Digidestined of Patience. They found him sitting with Jacqueline and their Digimon underneath a tree, conversing with no one in particular. If they hadn't known better, they would have assumed he was crazy, but they knew he was talking to a spirit.
Jacob glanced in their direction and raised a hand in greeting, but didn't stop talking to the invisible spirit. Jacqueline smiled at them. "Hey you two."
"Hey." Tai immediately walked over to Jacob. "Uh Jacob, can I ask you something?"
The boy immediately stopped talking to the spirit and focused on Tai. "What is it?"
"I know you have the power to see and talk to spirits. So...is it possible for you to see Chloe?"
At this, Jacob's serious face took on that of complete sadness. "Oh Tai...I'm really sorry. I really want to be able to see her, truly I would. But the truth is...I can't."
"You can't?" Sora blinked incredulously. "What do you mean 'you can't'?"
"I mean, I can't," Jacob told her. "Look, I know I'm able to see spirits but Chloe...I can't see her or talk to her or anything. I only talk to spirits that remain here on Earth or the Digital World because they choose to. Chloe's...already moved on." He stared sadly at the ground.
Tai narrowed his eyes. "Some help you're turning out to be."
"Tai!" Sora and Jacqueline scolded.
"She's beyond me now," said Jacob regretfully, ignoring Tai's comment. "Don't you think I've tried to contact her? She...she wants it this way. Just...to fulfill that prophecy." His brown eyes were sorrowful. "I'm sorry Tai. I really am."
Tai was dimly aware of himself saying, "That's okay Jacob," before he left him and Jacqueline alone again. So this was it. Not even Jacob was able to see Chloe's ghost again. She was really, truly, gone.
"I'm sorry Tai." Sora was still with him.
Tai shrugged. "It's okay Sora. I...I didn't really expect him to be able to do it y'know. What with that prophecy...well, I wasn't expecting to see her again."
Sora nodded, and then frowned. "I'm worried about the Tamers and that prophecy we just got. Do they have what it takes to defeat Missingno? What if it isn't enough?"
"It has to be," Tai told her. "It just has to."
Rika held the necklace up to the light; her eyes frowned as she tilted it this way and that. She brought it back down and ran a hand across the shimmering gold surface. It's kinda pretty—I guess.
"Rika?"
Quickly, Rika shoved the chain into her pocket. "What are you doing Rika?" It was Jeri.
"Hmm, nothing," Rika said, hoping her voice didn't sound too suspicious. It must've worked because her friend just nodded absently.
"Rika?"
"What?"
"Are you doing okay?" Jeri asked worriedly. "I mean, you're not breaking down are you?"
Rika blinked dumbly. "What are you talking about?"
"I mean...after what happened last week with...you know—"
Rika's eyes lit with a fire. "Oh come on! Don't you think it's hard enough we lost somebody and now you're reminding me about it?!"
Jeri's sweet eyes filled with tears. "I didn't mean to make you upset. I just noticed that something's bothering you and well..." Her voice trailed off.
"Well I'd rather people didn't mention it all the time. You don't see me going on about Leomon's death do you?!"
Jeri froze and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Rika. I'm just...worried about you." She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.
Rika softened, realizing what she had just done. "Oh Jeri, I'm sorry. Really I am. I didn't mean to do that."
"I know," Jeri murmured sympathetically. "I lost a friend too."
"And the effects nearly killed you," Rika put in. "You understand." Jeri nodded. "The reason I'm acting like this is because I promised Chloe I wouldn't cry...not for her or anything," Rika explained. "She said things were going to get worse and I don't know any other ways to express my feelings." Rika pounded her fist into a nearby tree. "She left all of us. I just want to know why. Why did she leave Tai? Sora? Ash? T.K.? Me?"
"Oooh," Jeri said. "I don't know. I just don't know."
"You're a lot of help," muttered Rika sarcastically. Jeri winced but brushed the rude comment aside. "Y'know Jeri, this isn't getting us anywhe—" She was interrupted by Kazu.
"Hey! Are you okay Jeri? Why are you crying?" He glanced at Rika. "Did you take that attitude of yours out on Jeri?"
Rika glared at him, eyes flashing with fire again. "It was an accident okay? I didn't mean to."
Kazu's face looked doubtful. "With you, it's never an accident."
"Hey you guys." Takato, Henry, Kenta, and Ryo intervened. "What happened?" asked Ryo curiously.
Rika was at her wits end. "You know," she snapped crossly. "If you'd just listen to me, maybe you'd understand why I'm temperamental!"
"Really? Maybe if you weren't such a tomboy and if you were nice and caring like Jeri is, we'd like you more!" Kazu shot back. Kenta nodded in agreement, though a little skeptical.
"Oh so it's all about Jeri now isn't it?" Rika retorted acidly. "Well I'm glad to know you guys prefer Jeri over me. It's not my fault I'm not a sweet, little, puppet girl!"
Jeri shook her head. She knew Rika was losing control of her emotions. The others, however, didn't know.
"Rika!" yelled Takato sharply. "Don't talk about Jeri that way!"
"What way do you want me to talk about her then?!"
That left Takato speechless. Geez, what is with her?
"Y'know, maybe if you treated us like equals instead of like dirt, then we'd understand your problems," Kazu said to the fiery girl. "But you never give us a chance! It's like you think we're worthless."
The look in Rika's eyes indicated he'd gone too far. "You—" Trembling out of anger and hurt, she spun on her heel and stomped away. "Hey!" called Takato loudly. "Rika wait! He didn't mean—"
"Stuff it Goggleboy!" she retorted heatedly as she continued onward.
Jeri looked at Kazu in horror. "You didn't mean that...did you? It's not true!"
He shrugged. "I didn't really think she'd take it personally. I mean, my mouth gets me in trouble all the time."
Henry rolled his eyes. "Some joke," he remarked sarcastically. "Watch, once she comes back, she'll make mincemeat out of your liver." He glanced at the Tamer next to him. "What do you think Ryo—Huh?" Ryo was gone and Suzie stood there in his place.
"Who are you looking for Oniichan?" His sister smiled toothily.
"Um, where'd Ryo go?"
Joe, who emerged from the woods, said, "That kid? He went after that friend of yours, Rina or something."
"It's Wika," Suzie corrected importantly. There was soft laughter.
Takato stared after Rika's departed figure. "What's her deal?"
"She's sad because of Chloe's death," Jeri explained to them. "And she promised Chloe not to show any signs of remorse over it so Rika has no other way to act."
"Ooooooh."
Rika couldn't get Kazu's words out of her head. "Y'know, maybe if you treated us like equals instead of like dirt, then we'd understand your problems. But you never give us a chance! It's like you think we're worthless."
How could he say that to me? I am not heartless...am I? Rika fumed as she stared at the running water of a river. Most rivers offered calmness and were able to soothe anger bur Rika's thoughts were still as broken as a china dish. It's not my fault I'm acting like this, it's the way I am. That and the fact I promised I wouldn't... Rika felt a burning sensation at the corners of her eyes and she shook her head hard. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
"Rika?" Someone was calling her name.
T.K? Jeri? Takato? Hey, where did he come to mind? She looked out of the corners of her eyes and saw—Ryo.
"Oh it's just you," she grumbled, disappointed. "What do you want? Come to gloat?"
He shook his head. "Kazu really got you upset didn't he?" he asked her calmly.
Rika snorted in an irritated way. She shifted around and stared at him. He wasn't laughing at her; in fact he looked quite serious. She took a deep breath. "It's just like Kazu to make a dumb remark but that was...too much." And maybe he's right. I have been acting harsh. I'm almost like that person I used to be.
"I can understand that," Ryo said honestly. He headed towards her. "I'm sure he didn't mean it though. We all know you're caring and nice when you want to be. And you know what?" he added. "It doesn't matter to me how you act. It's the way you are."
Rika smirked and gave him a playful punch on the arm. "Still trying to impress me aren't you Mr. Hot Shot."
He caught her hand and held her at arm's length. "What do you think?"
"You still are—with little success," she answered.
Ryo just laughed and after a while, she joined in. That surprised him so he stopped. "What's the reason why you're so uptight?" he asked.
"Chloe," she replied. "I just wanna know why she left me—I mean all of us." Rika sighed and stared at the water's surface. "I'm so confused."
Ryo glanced sideways at her. "You miss her don't you?"
"No," Rika said quickly, but she knew her voice sounded fake. She looked up at him. "I never really try to hurt anyone. I'm really sorry I said those things. I'm just so confused."
"I know," Ryo answered. "I know you're not like that." He took hold of her hand.
Rika smiled. "Thanks." Already, she felt better.
"Gosh, I hope Rika didn't take that comment too badly," Takato remarked worriedly. "Did you see that look on her face? She looked really hurt."
Kazu and Kenta choked. "Hurt?" Kenta said incredulously. "Rika's like an ice statue. The Digimon Queen isn't affected by stuff like that."
"Oh shut up," Henry muttered absently. He wasn't exactly paying attention.
Takato once again looked at the spot where Rika last stood. "I hope she's all right," he mumbled in a small voice.
"Relax Chumly. She's fine. Besides, it's not like you to worry about Rika all the time."
Takato blushed for about two seconds. Oh this is stupid. "It's not like that."
"Then what's it like?"
"What? Ah—nothing."
Terriermon, who was playing with Guilmon, began snapping his tiny fingers. "Yo. Earth to Henry. I've found Rika and Ryo."
"Huh, really?"
The Digimon nodded and gestured toward the pair walking up to them. "Rika!" Takato said. "Listen, about that comment Kazu made; he didn't really mean it. Right Kazu?"
"Hmmm? Well—Ow! —yeah really. I'm sorry," Kazu mumbled. Takato had stomped on his foot to snap him back into focus.
Instead of her usual scornful remark, Rika surprised them all by saying, "I accept your apology—I guess." Darn, Chloe and TK are starting to rub off on me. "It was more my fault than yours."
"Are you okay Rika?" asked Takato anxiously. His auburn eyes were wide with concern.
She nodded. "I'm fine Gogglehead."
Kazu shook his head and suddenly grinned at Ryo. "So what were you and Rika doing?" he asked mischievously.
"None of your business," Ryo replied, slightly embarrassed. "We just talked."
"And did you do anything more?"
Rika cast him a revolted look. "That's disgusting."
Takato frowned slightly, but luckily no one noticed it.
Luckily, Izzy stuck his head in the clearing and prevented any further embarrassment. "T.K. told me to fill you all in about a prophecy."
"Great," Ryo said, much relieved. "Let's hear it."
Izzy placed the laptop on the ground and opened it. The Tamers gathered around him as he pressed a few keys on the keyboard. "Whatcha doin'?" Calumon asked as he flew in.
"Shhh. Quiet Calumon," Jeri whispered, catching him in the air. They both focused on the screen when a message appeared.
"T.K. informed us already of this and I typed it up," Izzy explained. "I already sent a copy and a translation to the Pokémon trainers; I sure hope they get it."
The prophecy read:
An evil will soon fall across the land
Through the ashes fallen enemies will arise
The Chosen Children from then will return to the world;
The world of their childhood battles and adventures
The Children from now will decide its fate
With traits and crests one and the same
Life and Hope will seem gone forever
When their sacrifices are made known to the world,
A Child of Spirit will decide the course of the final struggle
Then miracles shall appear where doubt was once set
And the power of Unity will conquer all.
"It's pretty easy to decipher. The first two sentences clearly mean Missingno and the Dark Masters. The next four lines mention us and..." here Izzy looked at the Tamers meaningfully. "...you."
"The next lines are a little harder. I've still yet to decode about the sacrifices of life and hope and also the Child of Spirit." At this, Rika gasped and everyone glanced at her. "What is it?"
"The Child of Spirit...is me," she stuttered. "I'm the child mentioned in the prophecy and everyone else has different traits. Jeri is Empathy, Takato is Determination, Ryo is considered Strength, Henry's Logic, Suzie's Joy, and Kenta and Kazu are Enthusiasm and Optimism."
Izzy stared at her, eyes wide. "How-how did you know all that?"
Rika closed her eyes and when she opened them, they saw that they were glittering. "Chloe told me...before..." She turned and fled before her emotions got the best of her again.
Puppetmon rose into the air and surveyed the Digimon. He threw his Boomerang at the three Original Tamers' Digimon, forcing Taomon to revert to Renamon. "Renamon!" Rika cried, wincing as she felt the attack sear across her stomach.
He leered at Rika. "Any last words tomboy?"
T.K. ran in front of her. "Keep away from her you creep!" he yelled, aiming his green D-3 at the evil Digimon.
"You're too weak," rumbled Machinedramon. "GIGA CANNON!"
Rika watched in horror as the attack struck their Digimon. TK and Pegasusmon broke into a run. "PUPPET PUMMEEEEL!"
"NO!" Rika yelled as she bolted upright in her sleeping bag. "Huh?" She looked around and saw Renamon leaning against a tree next to her. The other Tamers were snoozing nearby. She stood up shaking. I had another weird dream. Why does this keep happening? She started heading towards her favorite cliff. I think I'll go over there...get some fresh air.
When she got there, she was surprised to see T.K. gazing at the stars. "T.K., what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing Rika," he replied softly before facing her. "You couldn't sleep or something?"
"I...I had another dream. A premonition I think. I saw..." she gulped. "I saw Puppetmon."
She heard his sharp intake of breath. Hesitant to continue she said, "I watched you and I heard Machinedramon shooting an attack. The last thing I remember was Puppetmon going to hurt you...then I screamed and woke up and..." her voice trailed off.
T.K. stood in silence for a few seconds before pulling her to him. The full weight of everything she had seen seemed to press against her. She never remembered being hugged like this, as though by a father or a brother. When he pulled away, he whispered, "Maybe it really won't happen...at least I hope."
Rika shook her head. "I don't know. All of my premonitions have come true lately so why shouldn't this one?"
T.K. didn't know, but he had to keep hope alive.
"I need to show you something," she continued in a soft voice.
"What?"
Rika slowly reached into her pocket and tugged something out. Opening her clenched fist, she revealed Chloe's friendship necklace, shimmering in the moonlight. T.K.'s blue eyes widened in shock and he immediately asked how she got it. "I 'found' it on the beach; it was half-buried in the sand," Rika explained. "I haven't shown it to anyone except you now. Do you want it?"
He examined it and then shook his head. "Keep it for now Rika. For some reason, I think you need it."
Rika gazed at the golden half-circle. "Okay." She put the necklace back into her pocket.
T.K. glanced up at the stars again. Rika observed him curiously. "Why are you looking at the stars?"
"When I look up," he replied calmly. "I feel a comforting presence. I see Chloe and my own mom and so many others. I'm never lonely as long as I feel their presence."
"But you aren't lonely T.K.," Rika protested. "You have your friends and family here."
He nodded. "I meant I know they're not truly gone. The stars can bring comfort...and hope."
"That's cool," she whispered. She shifted her eyes to the night sky and spotted a lonely star glinting against the velvet sky, separate from the others. "What star is that?" She pointed.
T.K. focused on it and finally muttered, "Spirit...because it reminds me of you." He sighed and thought, I wonder what she's thinking.
Imagine his shock when he heard, "Spirit huh? A star named after me, who'd have thought. Well then that really bright one...I'll call it Hope."
"Hope?" He pointed. "Is that what you want to call that one?"
Rika blinked and started. "Yes. How did you know?"
He shook his head, confused. "I don't really know." Maybe I can use telepathy.
City
"The city looks pretty bad," Mimi commented as the two Digimon teams walked through the burned and disoriented city. There were no Digimon in sight.
Matt rolled his eyes. "You think?"
There was the sudden sound of hoof-beating and the distant thudding of footsteps against the ground. Ogremon and Centarumon came into view. "Hey Digidestined!" shouted Ogremon. "'Bout time you showed up!" He whistled at the Tamers and their Digimon. "Whoa, talk about adding more members to your team."
"We'll explain later," Yolei said briskly.
Davis gestured to the ruined buildings. "Missingno?" he asked anxiously.
"Is that what you call that blue thing?" asked Centarumon wearily. "Because if it is then that would be a yes."
"Darn!" Tai growled angrily. "That virus ought to be wiped out!"
"You said it," Takato agreed. He turned to Ogremon. "Is this only Missingno's work or did he have some help?"
Ogremon grumbled, "Talk about help! Can you believe the Dark Masters are alive again? It's mayhem!"
Tai nodded grimly and was about to speak when—"PUPPET PUMMEL!"
Immediately, Centarumon yelled, "Everyone get down!"
The kids and their Digimon hit the floor as a shower of bullets whizzed over them. "SOLAR RAY!" cried Centarumon. His attack stopped the flow of bullets. Shakily, the Digidestined and the Tamers stood up.
"Is everyone okay?" called Kari. "No one's hurt right?"
"Everybody's fine Kari," Gatomon said hurriedly.
Centarumon shot them a swift penetrating look. "You children better leave this place. We'll hold him off."
"You can't do that for very long!" Agumon exclaimed. "He's a Mega and can easily take you down."
Ogremon and Centarumon leaped to the front. "Just get going!"
Rika pulled out a blue Modify card and her D-Power.
DIGI-MODIFY!
"Digi-Modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION
Renamon Matrix digivolve toooo...TAOMON!
"TALISMAN SPELL!" Taomon formed an enormous shield around the kids and their Digimon.
"PUPPET PUMMEEEEEL!" Instead of the bullets, a large beam came forth.
"SOLAR RAY!"
"PUMMEL WHACK!"
The attacks combined but weren't enough to stop the enormous blast. Centarumon and Ogremon howled in pain minutes before they were both deleted. Mimi and Jeri screamed.
Kazu blinked. "Well," he said. "They held him off pretty well eh?"
"Yeah," Kenta nodded. "Good job."
"This isn't a laughing matter guys!" Henry snapped. "Those Digimon just got deleted and if it weren't for them, we'd be dead as well."
"Come on!" said Terriermon. "Up, up, and away!"
Taomon commanded the shield to lift into the air and glide away. Behind it, the children saw Puppetmon leaping across the crumbling buildings, trying to keep up. Takato pulled out his D-Power and scanned him. "Puppetmon...Virus Digimon. Mega Level. His attacks are Puppet Pummel and Wires Choking. He may be small but he's pretty powerful."
Joe gave a sigh of relief. "Nothing can reach us in here."
No sooner than he said that, a large yellow beam of light slammed against the shield. "You were saying?" Gomamon cracked sarcastically.
A roar of "GIGA CANNON!" echoed their surroundings and two beams of light hurtled towards them. "AAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!"
The shield amazingly held although it was shaken up. The Digidestined, the Tamers, and the Digimon were tossed this way and that. Rika, being near the edge, slid against the shield wall and with a terrific jolt, tumbled out!
No one noticed; as they were too busy steadying themselves. Only when her scream reached their ears did they realize where she was. Everyone peered out of the shield. "RIKA!"
"Hang on Rika!" called Ryo. "I—we'll save you!" The Tamers cast him a quizzical look.
T.K.'s face was frozen in a mask of horror. He played back everything that had happened before in his mind: Chloe's death and her last words to him repeated over and over. This is only the beginning...protect Rika...no matter what...protect her...protect Rika... "Noooooo!" T.K. shouted. "I won't lose another friend to the likes of you!" With that, he deliberately dived through the shield and out into open air!
There was a cry of alarm and protest. "T.K. are you crazy?!" Kari hollered down to him.
He made a shrugging motion. "Maybe I am!" Tugging out his D-terminal and D-3, he yelled, "Digi-Armor Energize!"
Patamon Armor digivolve toooo...PEGASUSMON, FLYING HOPE!
Pegasusmon descended out of the Talisman Spell Shield and T.K. landed onto him. They then zoomed down. T.K. reached out and grabbing one of Rika's flailing hands, yanked her onto Pegasusmon's back. Rika opened her eyes and blinked. "Am I dead? How come heaven looks just like the Digital World...or is this—"
"Are you okay Rika?" T.K. interrupted her.
Her eyes expanded. "What are you doing down here?"
"Saving you." He grinned before his expression turned serious. "But our troubles aren't over yet."
Calumon peeked out from Jeri's arms and suddenly squealed, "Hey, heads up!" Two more beams of light were rushing toward them.
"Dodge 'em Pegasusmon!"
As the Digimon weaved in and out of the bullets, Puppetmon leaped onto the stone ground. He cast out his Wire Choking attack, controlling Pegasusmon to land with an almighty thud. Taomon landed the shield and disabled it. "TALISMAN OF LIGHT!" she commanded.
Puppetmon jumped out of the way and slammed his metal hammer against the ground. "PUPPET PUMMEL!" Taomon collapsed in pain. He cackled before turning to T.K., Rika, and Pegasusmon. "Long time no see T.K.!" He grinned. "My you've grown."
T.K. glowered at him. "Why can't you just leave us alone?" he demanded angrily.
The evil puppet rolled his eyes. "Killing you guys off is just too much fun. In fact..." he jerked his wooden head in Kari's direction. "...why don't I start with your girlfriend?"
With a growl of anger, T.K. leaped forward and tackled Puppetmon; actually pinning him to the ground! "You lay a figure on Kari and I'll personally dismantle you, one limb at a time!"
Puppetmon cast him a scowl before throwing him on the ground. He pointed his hammer at him. "I'll admit you got guts—for someone who used to be a wimpy wittle crybaby!" In answer, Rika jumped up and kicked him across the face.
"Don't-you-EVER-call-T.K.-that!" she yelled, enraged.
Puppetmon was about to reply when Terriermon cut him off. "We've gotten out of the frying pan and into the fire guys!" he cracked as Machinedramon chased the Tamers and the Digidestined.
"DRAGON FIRE!" he hissed in his mechanical voice.
DIGI-MODIFY!
"Digi-Modify!" yelled Takato and Henry, swiping their cards. "Matrix Digivolution activate!
MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION
Guilmon Matrix digivolve toooo...WARGROWLMON!
Terriermon Matrix digivolve toooo...RAPIDMON!
"RAPID FIRE!" cried Rapidmon, shooting two rounds of bullets out of the guns that served for hands.
WarGrowlmon powered up his cannons. "ATOMIC BLASTEEEEEEER!"
"Machinedramon, Virus Type Digimon, Mega Level. Another of the Dark Masters, he can pummel anyone into oblivion with his Dragon Fire and Giga Cannon." Henry looked up at the Ultimates nervously. "This isn't gonna work."
"We have to biomerge," Takato told him. "It's the only thing that can really stand up to Mega Digimon."
"But we don't have enough power," Ryo pointed out. "It's like Missingno is trying to keep our power at bay so we can't."
Puppetmon rose into the air and surveyed the Digimon. He threw his Boomerang at the three Original Tamers' Digimon, forcing Taomon to revert to Renamon. "Renamon!" Rika cried, wincing as she felt the attack sear across her stomach.
He leered at Rika. "Any last words tomboy?"
Just like my premonition, she thought fearfully. Exactly as in the dream, T.K. held his Digivice out in front of him. "Keep away from her you creep!"
Machinedramon growled, "You're too weak. GIGA CANNON!"
The attacks struck the Digimon as foretold. T.K. and Pegasusmon ran to Machinedramon at the same time as Puppetmon chorused, "PUPPET PUMMEEEEEL!"
T...K...I have to biomerge...please let me biomerge...
The bullets slammed against Pegasusmon and T.K. The Digimon de-digivolved and T.K. cried out in pain. "NO!" yelled Rika. Her body began to glow with blue light. "YOU LEAVE HIM ALOOOOOOOONE!"
BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION
"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"
Renamon biomerge toooo...SAKUYAMON!
Where Rika and Renamon last stood, a taller, cooler, and more powerful Digimon stood in their place. She wore a yellow fox-shaped mask and yellow armor adorned her chest, arms, and legs. The yin-yang logos were printed across her shoulders and she carried a tall golden staff with circles on it. Her long white hair flowed down her back, separating into two plaits.
"Leave him alone!" the dual voices of Rika and Renamon commanded imperiously.
Puppetmon smirked. "As if."
"AMETHYST MANDALA!" Sakuyamon cried and an array of magenta petals aimed themselves at Puppetmon. As the attack hit him, WarGrowlmon took advantage of this to latch his teeth onto Puppetmon's hammer. While the puppet chased after him, Sakuyamon floated over to T.K. and Patamon. "Are you all right T.K.? Patamon?" Rika's voice echoed from within.
T.K. blinked and stared at her weakly. "Rika? You're...a Digimon?"
"We biomerged," Renamon explained seriously. "Rika and I fused together and combined our powers to create one Digimon."
"That's amazing..." he replied. "You Tamers...are amazing."
Sakuyamon nodded and then suddenly jerked around when a sharp cry met her ears. Puppetmon—having somehow retrieved his hammer—slammed it against WarGrowlmon's back. As the Digimon roared in agony, Takato dropped to his knees, grimacing in torment.
"Takato!" Rika cried, for once not hiding her worry. "Leave them alone now!"
Puppetmon smirked and slammed his hammer against her. "Rika!" T.K. blinked in horror.
"STOP IT!" shouted Kari angrily. She was unaware that her Digivice began to emit a ray of pink light.
Gatomon digivolve toooo...ANGEWOMON!
Gatomon digivolved into an incredibly beautiful angel with long blonde hair and a silver helmet with white wings covering her blue eyes. She wore a white body suit and six shining wings rose from her back
The Angel Digimon changed her gloved arm into a bow. "CELESTIAL ARROW!" she yelled, releasing the white arrow of light.
Machinedramon, unfortunately, noticed and used his powerful body as a shield. "Wrong target," he growled.
The Digidestined gritted their teeth in frustration. How was it that two Dark Masters were so hard to handle? Then again, if MetalSeadramon was hard then Puppetmon and Machinedramon were nearly invincible.
"We are so dead meat," Yolei muttered, half to herself and half to the others.
Two more Digimon, Megadramon and Gigadramon, flew in and allied themselves with their master. Megadramon flew in. "MEGA BYTE WING!" he yelled. Surprisingly, a jet of green light collided with it and resulted in an explosion. Bewildered, the Digidestined turned to see Rapidmon shooting a triangle-shaped beam. "TRI-BEAM!"
WarGrowlmon slashed with his two razors. "RADIATION BLADE!"
Jacob and Jacqueline watched the fight alongside their Digimon. They were told to stay behind and protect Suzie but that didn't hide the fact that they weren't much help in the battlefield. "If only we can help," Jacob muttered angrily. "But no. We can only sit here and watch our friends get made into digital hamburger." It was highly unusual for him to lose patience so naturally Jacqueline and Datirimon were surprised.
"You're not useless Jacob," Datirimon chirped brightly. "Without you, where would I be?"
He smiled slightly. "That's nice...but if only we could do something. You haven't digivolved at all before so why should you now? I just wish we could help."
"How about dying?" suggested Gigadramon evilly. His tail wrapped around Suzie, hoisting her into the air. She screamed.
"Let her go!" yelled Jacob. "Suzie's just a little kid!"
Gigadramon smirked. "I don't care."
Megadramon flew toward the kids and used his tail to latch onto Jacqueline. He lifted her into the air.
"JACKIE!" cried Otamamon. He leaped up and tried to tackle Megadramon, but failed.
Datirimon bounded into the air. "ACID BUBBLES!" A stream of green bubbles shot out of his mouth and popped against the larger Digimon. They had no effect. "Uh oh!"
"Let them go!" Jacob demanded angrily.
"No."
"LET THEM GO!" he yelled. He raised his eyes to his girlfriend's. "Don't be afraid Jackie!"
"I'm not afraid," she replied in a determined voice. Her emerald green eyes were dark with anticipation. "As long as we work together, I won't be afraid!"
At that point, their D-3s erupted in bright light.
Otamamon digivolve toooo...Geckomon!
Geckomon digivolve toooo...ShogunGeckomon!
Otamamon grew into an enormous red frog with dull red eyes. Two large trumpets protruded out of either side of his neck and a long cord dangled from his head.
Datirimon digivolve toooo...TAPIRMON!
Tapirmon digivolve toooo...APEMON!
Apemon digivolve toooo...MAMMOTHMON!
Datirimon changed into a large brown mammoth with a metal helmet covering most of his face. Two large, metal, tusks stuck out of his mouth and his eyes peeped out from holes in the mask. A strange sign was planted onto his forehead.
Jacob, Jacqueline, and the other Digidestined gawked at the Digimon in awe. "D-Datiri...mon?" Jacob quavered in astonishment. "You...digivolved..." After so many years. But…how?
Mammothmon nodded. "Exactly. And it's thanks to you that I was finally able to do so."
"But it couldn't have been me. I didn't do anything," he protested. "I'm not even your real partner. Oikawa was."
"That's true but you have the Digivice. When Oikawa passed his right to have a partner to you, you became my real partner. You have the ability to make me stronger Jacob and it's the determination you had and the love you felt for me, Jacqueline, and the rest of the team that caused it to happen. I thank you for that."
Jacqueline's face shone. "Finally...I really feel like a Digidestined."
Takato's D-Power lit up and he scanned the Digimon. "Hmmm, Mammothmon, Ultimate Level and Ancient Animal Vaccine Type Digimon. His main attacks are Freezing Breath and Tusk Crusher."
Henry scanned the other one. "We've seen this one before; ShogunGeckomon, Ultimate Level, Virus Type. Special Attacks: Musical Fist and Frog Kick."
"I hope you like singing," said ShogunGeckomon to Megadramon and Gigadramon. "'Cause this is gonna rock! MUSICAL FIST!"
A powerful energy wave burst out of his two trumpets and scored a direct hit on the Digimon. Jacqueline and Suzie fell out of their tails. Mammothmon caught Suzie and Jacob caught Jacqueline. They smiled at each other.
"You guys digivolved! Awesome!" Davis cheered. He turned to see his and Ken's DNA Digimon heading to them.
"DRAGON FIRE!" roared Machinedramon.
"Not so fast. DESPERADO BLASTER!" countered Paildramon as he shot a stream of white bullets.
"Paildramon, get out of the way! You're not strong enough!" yelled Ken in alarm.
Meanwhile, Sakuyamon had gotten back onto her feet and was already glowing with white light. "SPIRIT STRIKE!" Rika commanded.
Three different-colored foxes unleashed from the light and aimed straight for Puppetmon. He threw his boomerang at it, which in the end was deleted. "Nice shot!" T.K. cheered.
Puppetmon glowered at Sakuyamon. "You'll pay for that. PUPPET—"
"Leave her alone," Ryo hissed. Takato and Henry also stepped forward as their Digimon changed back into Rookies.
BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION
"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"
Guilmon biomerge toooo...GALLANTMON!
Guilmon and Takato fused into a tall white knight. A red cape was draped across his shoulders and he carried a round shield with the symbol of Courage on it. A metallic mask covered his face and his hand formed itself into a javelin-like sword.
Terriermon biomerge toooo...MEGAGARGOMON!
As Terriermon and Henry fused together, they formed a colossal, green, metal, machine. His face bore a resemblance to a bunny's and gun cartridges lined his sides, arms, and legs. Two yellow cannons with smiling faces sat on his shoulders.
Cyberdramon biomerge toooo...JUSTIMON!
Ryo and Cyberdramon turned into a tall blue-and-gray creature with a metal vise on his face. He wore a red scarf and one of his arms was pure metal. He looked both agile and powerful at the same time.
T.K. blinked in amazement. "Biomerge Digivolution?"
"Flashy," Puppetmon remarked. "But not good enough." He formed an enormous beam within the metal hammer. "PUPPET PUMMEL!"
"LIGHTNING JOUST!" cried Gallantmon. A beam of electrical energy shot from the sword he carried.
"THUNDER CLAMP!" shouted Justimon. He slammed his metallic arm against the ground and created an earthquake, which propelled itself towards Puppetmon.
Gun cartridges appeared on MegaGargomon and he fired missiles. "MEGA BARRAGE!"
Gigadramon saw the attacks. "GIGA BYTE WING!" He shot both of his cannon-sized guns at the Digimon. For some strange reason, the attack had the impact of a Mega's because all of the Biomerge forms (except Sakuyamon) were damaged greatly. Machinedramon and Puppetmon charged up, preparing to finish them off.
T.K.'s emotions were running wild. "NOOOOOOOO! IT"S ME YOU WANT!!" he screamed before his D-3 shrieked and surrounded him in a fog of white and yellow light. The symbol of Hope appeared on his chest.
"T.K.!!" Rika and Kari yelled.
The light hovered over to Patamon and descended upon him, growing brighter and brighter. "I'm...I'm...digivolving!"
Patamon Warp-digivolve toooo...SEREPHIMON!
T.K. sank weakly to his knees at the sight. He was still glowing.
"Serephimon...Mega Level, Vaccine Type Digimon. A golden angel with ten wings, he fights for freedom and justice with his Seven Heavens, Hallowed Knuckle, and Strike of the Seven Stars." Kenta looked up from his D-Power. "Wow, he's huge!"
He was huge; a blue, white, and gold angel with ten gleaming wings. He was covered in armor, including his face and the symbol of Hope was imprinted on his chest.
"SEVEN HEAVENS!" Serephimon cried. His wings charged up, unleashing seven golden energy spheres at Gigadramon and Puppetmon. Gigadramon howled as he was deleted right on the spot.
Machinedramon began laughing. "When will you learn? GIGA CANNON!"
Serephimon turned on him and shot an array of spheres from his hands. "STRIKE OF THE SEVEN STARS!" Machinedramon got the full brunt of the attack but he wasn't fazed.
"Create an explosion," T.K. commanded through his thoughts. "Create one that will engulf you!" The light that was surrounding him hadn't faded.
Together, all of the Digimon, good and evil, launched their strongest attacks.
"PUPPET PUMMEL!"
"MEGA BYTE WING!"
"GIGA CANNON!"
"FREEZING WIND!"
"MUSICAL FIST!"
"DESPERADO BLASTER!"
"HEAVEN'S CHARGE!" (WHEW!)
"PUMMEL PECK!"
"MOLTEN BLADE!"
"GARGO MISSILES!
"TALISMAN SPHERE!"
"SHIELD OF THE JUST!"
"SEVEN HEAVENS!"
The combined attacks resulted in an enormous explosion that rocketed and seemed to spread. Light shot in all directions and parts of the ground were either smashed or kicked up. The earth cracked and trembled beneath their feet.
"Guys, we have to get out of here!" Tai yelled.
Their Digimon and the Tamers' Biomerge forms quickly de-digivolved seconds after the words barely left his mouth. "Oh terrific," Joe grumbled. "What I wouldn't give for a miracle right now."
"Hey there! Looks like you just got your wish," a voice above them answered.
Looking up, everybody saw...
"Didja miss us?" Ash grinned from atop of his Charizard.
Tai gave the trainer an annoyed look. "I'll say we did! Where were you guys?"
The expression on the trainer's face turned serious. "You won't believe who we ran into in the Pokémon World; Missingno."
"What?"
"You know, big blue staticky blob, changed us into kids, wants to kill us all, yadda yadda yadda..."
"They get the picture," Misty snapped. She and Brock were riding on Onix.
"Anyway—"
"Less lip, more zip!" yelped Kazu as he and Guardromon streaked past them.
Shifting his gaze to the rapidly increasing explosion, Ash said, "I'll tell you when we find some safe ground. Hop on!" He took hold of Tai and Kari and hoisted them aboard Charizard, next to Pikachu. Agumon and Gatomon got on Onix.
Renamon still had enough energy to digivolve, as did Tentomon and Biyomon. Rika and Jeri rode on Kyubimon while everyone else chose the other Digimon or Onix. They immediately raced off across the concrete ground until Kari gave a small exclamation. "Wait! Where's T.K.?"
The others shrugged. "Kari, we have to keep going," Tai informed her.
"We can't! He's still back there!" she shouted in alarm.
At that, Kyubimon put on the brakes and skidded to a halt. "Are you serious?" Rika exclaimed. When Kari nodded, she motioned for Jeri to get on Onix with the other Tamers.
"What're you gonna do?" Calumon asked as Jeri sat down near him.
Kyubimon swung around and ran off in the explosion's direction. "I'm going to get T.K.," Rika called over her shoulder.
"What?!" Kari shrieked.
"Rika don't do it! It's suicide!" Ryo called. Obviously she either didn't hear him or she ignored him.
"RIKA!" Takato, Henry, and Jeri yelled desperately. "COME BACK!"
As Kyubimon raced across the ground toward the impending spread of chaos, all Rika could think of was, Honestly Takaishi, you'll be the death of me.
T.K. slowly got to his feet. The force of the explosion had knocked him off his feet and carried him pretty far although he'd been unconscious the whole time. He had only just come to. Ugh, boy do I have a killer headache.
"This is only the beginning..."
He gasped and looked around. All he saw was Patamon, still unconscious, next to him but that voice...
"Reveal the prophecy to the others...your part will come soon..."
He shook his head and gazed at the increasing explosion of light with a dazed look on his face. That was how Rika found him. "Takeru!" Kyubimon called hastily. "Patamon!"
T.K. didn't acknowledge their presence—until Rika grabbed his arm. "T.K. get on!" She yanked him up onto Kyubimon before grabbing Patamon. Once confirming that everyone was there, Kyubimon took off. Already, the force of the giant explosion was causing the ground to shake and split even more.
"Uuuuh?" T.K. blinked rapidly when he realized where he was. He glanced at the girl in front of him. "Oh hi Rika."
She whipped her head around to face him. "What were you thinking T.K.? You were standing there with a dummy's expression on your face while an explosion is threatening to wipe us out! You're lucky I'm not strangling you right now! Are you stupid?"
"Me, stupid? Rika I thought you knew me by now. I'm no idiot."
"Then why didn't you come with us?" she demanded bluntly.
T.K. rolled his eyes. "The explosion knocked me unconscious."
"Oh."
For a while, all was silent. Then Rika noticed that something was pressing against her back, near her shoulder. Looking out of the corners of her eyes, she saw that T.K.'s head was resting against her shoulder. This made her extremely nervous. "Um...T.K. what are you doing?"
No answer.
She drew in a shaky breath. "Look T.K., I'm not—ah—interested so would you—um—please get off my shoulder?"
"He's asleep Rika," Kyubimon informed her.
"Oh."
"What's going on? Where is everybody?" T.K. wondered to himself. He seemed to be hanging in thin air. Below him, the Digital World stretched on for miles. Above him was...nothing.
"This is only the beginning..."
T.K. looked in front of him and saw the last person he expected to see.
"C-Chloe? Is that...really you?" he uttered incredulously.
The dark-haired girl eyed him with a swift penetrating stare before saying, "Your part in the prophecy starts now. Don't underestimate your friends T.K...even if you will never see them again."
"W-what?"
"I...I still love you..."
She faded away and suddenly the Digital World was around him and he was on solid ground. He gasped as he saw himself at that moment standing before the increasing explosion. His hands, face, his whole body was glowing with yellow light; the color of the Crest of Hope. He held his hands out and the light extended out in front of him. It engulfed him and the explosion entirely; absorbing every bit of it. When it finally disappeared, he saw his body slump forward in death before fading into bits and particles of nothingness.
T.K. was sure he screamed right about now. He wasn't sure whether it was in sadness, or in torment, or both. All he knew was that what he just saw was going to happen; supposed to happen.
The image dissolved and a new one took its place. It displayed Kari holding his green Digivice and running out along the ground. She tripped and fell. He saw Tai holding her; he heard her muffled sobs and her words, "He can't be! He just can't be!"
At that moment he knew. He knew what he had to do and what his part in the prophecy was. I don't want to...but I have to. Oh Kari, Rika, Patamon, Matt, Tai, Ash, everyone...I'm sorry. Forgive me... The image of himself standing before the explosion filled his head again and he was frozen, unable to move. The world was spinning in a swirl of black...
A hand grabbed onto his and he glanced upward. Chloe floated above him, her beautiful lapis eyes cajoling with him...what did she want?
"This is only the beginning...T.K. T.K.!"
"T.K.! T.K.!"
T.K. opened his eyes. He realized that he was shaking and that he wasn't actually standing up with Chloe. Rika was shaking him and calling his name. "Are you okay?"
"W-what happened?" he mumbled, still disoriented.
Rika flashed him a puzzled expression. "T.K., you were screaming loud enough to move mountains! Remind me to rent earplugs the next time you fall asleep on me."
T.K. blinked. He didn't realize he had fallen asleep nor had he noticed that he'd screamed out loud. Pressing his hands to his face, he noticed that there were tears mixed in with the sweat. It was a dream but it's still a premonition. I have to do this! He took a deep breath.
"Rika, stop Kyubimon."
"Huh?"
"Stop Kyubimon," he repeated firmly. "I have to do something."
Something about the way T.K. said it caused Rika to listen. Kyubimon skidded to a halt. Due to the jolt, Patamon woke up. "I'm feeling di-izzy..." he croaked.
Rika however, was facing T.K. "Okay what's up? We're not completely out of range of that explosion you know."
"We never will be," he replied in a low voice. "That blast was created by more than ten Digimon attacks. It's just increasing as it rumbles towards us. Don't you see? Nothing's going to stop it. We can make a complete cycle and it'll still get us. That thing's going to keep going until it obliterates everything in sight. I bet Missingno was planning on this."
He saw her violet eyes widen in shock and—was that fear? "Then what can we do? We can't stop it with another explosion or something."
T.K. bit his lip nervously and finally whispered, "There's a way." Rika saw his clear blue eyes sparkle with a determined glint. "I'm going to stop it."
"You? Stop the explosion?" she said incredulously. "But how—?" She stopped talking and her eyes shifted from the explosion to him. "Oh no. No. You're not thinking of staying back here...are you?"
He nodded and Rika's mouth fell. "What?! You can't! I won't let you!"
"Rika do you remember about the prophecy? Life and Hope will seem gone forever...when their sacrifices are made known to the world...a child of Spirit will decide the course of the final struggle... When they meant 'Life and Hope', they didn't mean lifeforms or the feelings of life and hope; they meant the bearers of the crests of Life and Hope. That's why Chloe sacrificed herself and that's why—" he paused and swallowed. "—I have to. With my crest power, I can absorb the explosion and stop it from moving any further."
He watched for her reaction. Rika looked horrified. "T.K. no!"
"What would I do without you T.K.? You're my best friend," Patamon whimpered tearfully. "And my Digi-partner."
"You're my best friend too Patamon," T.K. said in a choked voice. "It's just—I'm so sorry." As he held Patamon close to him he looked at Rika, and saw her eyes filled with hurt, pain, and sadness. "I'm sorry," he repeated weakly.
She closed her eyes and he saw her shoulders shaking. "We need you. I need you. I'm the one who brought you guys into our lives in the first place. If you die, I'll be taking more blame than I already have. I have to escape with you."
"That's not possible Rika," he whispered. "The prophecy—"
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT SOME STUPID PROPHECY!" Rika burst out. When she saw the look on his face, an awful feeling seeped into her stomach, turning it to ice.
"You don't mean that," he said. "It's the only way Rika. We have no other choice. The least I can do is make sure you and the others are alive and well enough to stop Missingno and defeat him. I promised to protect you—no matter the cost or sacrifice."
Patamon broke down and began wailing at the top of his lungs. Rika's own eyes glimmered with tears. "I don't want to let you go."
"You have to. You're the Child of Spirit," T.K. insisted. He looked deep into her eyes. "Please Rika, I'll never forgive myself if anything happened to you."
Rika blinked and glanced away. "I can't let it be like this. Not like this."
"She's right Takeru," said Kyubimon softly. "Your friends will never forgive us."
"Take Patamon and leave without me," T.K. said impatiently. "The explosion's coming. Just go without me, I beg of you."
"But what about Kari? And Matt? How do you think they're going to feel after...after...?"
T.K. looked even more pained but he shook his head firmly. "I know...but I can't back down. Not even for Kari. It's my destiny."
She closed her eyes and knew nothing else she said was going to pierce through his stubborn nature. She nodded and the tears threatened to fall. "Go ahead and cry," he said.
"I can't...I promised..."
"You can. Let your feelings out." He took hold of his D-3 and pressed it into her hand. "Here, take it." Before she could protest, he hugged her gently and leaped off of Kyubimon.
The explosion shrieked and roared, and they could already feel the force and wind coming. "Stick together...never allow light to fade...don't let darkness consume your hearts...and most importantly...never lose hope..." T.K. gave her his last piece of advice. He nodded at her Digimon to run and Kyubimon obliged; racing as fast as possible. "Use the Hyper Speed Card now!" Inside, he thought, Chloe, I wish you were here right now. I wish there was another way; some way to prevent this from happening. Forgive me Rika...and you Kari. I love you both and...don't forget me... A lone tear escaped his eye and fell on the rocky ground, causing his crest to glow.
Scrubbing furiously at her eyes, Rika prepared to swipe the card.
DIGI-MODIFY!
"Digi-Modify! Hyper Speed activate!"
The card did the trick and Kyubimon shot forward at incredible bursts of speed. Rika chanced a look back but a voice, T.K.'s voice, filled her head. "Be strong and dedicated Rika, don't lose hope, and...don't look back." A roar indicated that the explosion had made contact with him.
As the explosion howled and the force swept the ground, Kyubimon leaped across a gap and Rika, true to her word, never looked back. Rather instead, she held Patamon close and for the first time in a long time, allowed herself to cry.
"Ash, is there any way you can get back there and find them?" Takato asked.
The trainer snorted. "At the rate that explosion's going? Heck no! That'd be suicide Takato, and I don't know about you but I appreciate the one life I've got!"
Kari sank to the ground, trembling. "I never meant for Rika to go out there alone. She should've stayed here."
"Don't blame yourself Kari," Henry assured her. "It was Rika's choice."
"The plot thickens as we wait for our fellow teammate to return from her kamikaze mission," Terriermon chanted.
"Terriermon..." Henry warned.
"No really, I'm serious. Wasn't it kamikaze?"
Henry, Takato, and Ryo narrowed their eyes at him. "Shutting up now."
"I'm worried you guys," Jeri whispered softly. "She's been gone too long." A loud booming sound echoed around them. "What was that?"
The others glanced around them but all was still silent. "I guess I was imagining things but...I was sure I heard something," Jeri said.
Takato smiled at her reassuringly but at the same time he couldn't help thinking, Rika, where are you?
No sooner had those thoughts run through his brain, he heard Izzy calling, "Look, it's Kyubimon!"
Immediately, the others ran to where he was. Sure enough, the fox-like Digimon was racing into view. She stopped in front of them. Rika didn't look at anyone. "Hey, are you okay?" Kazu asked her.
"We were worwied about you Wika," Suzie added naively.
Rika leaped to the ground, Patamon in her arms. Her tears had long since dried and left no traces but her heart felt as if the hole in it had grown to the size of a pinecone. She continued to stare at the ground, clutching Patamon who was still sniffling.
Kari eyed her. "Rika? What—?" She suddenly noticed something. "Wait, where's T.K.?"
A wave of silence passed over the crowd. Rika looked at Renamon (she'd de-digivolved) and then down at Patamon. Renamon nodded solemnly and Patamon sniffed twice before saying, "Go...ahead...Rika..."
Sighing with utter helplessness and sadness, she held T.K.'s Digivice out to Kari. There were gasps and a few sharp intakes of breaths. Kari took the D-3 in her trembling hands. "It's all...that remains..." choked Rika, winking back tears. "Kari...I'm sorry I couldn't...I wasn't strong enough..."
"No," Kari said urgently. "No, he can't. He can't." Even then, tears were filling her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. "Please...don't tell me...don't tell me he's..."
"He's gone Kari," Patamon wailed. "He's gone."
"NO!"
Before anyone could stop her, Kari took off, her feet pounding against the ground. The other kids, including the Digimon and Pokémon, followed her. Blinded by tears, she failed to notice a stray rock on the ground and tripped over it. Falling to her knees, she began to sob uncontrollably. Her tears fell against the rough concrete and onto T.K.'s Digivice.
"Kari!" The others had finally caught up with her. Gatomon raced to her partner's side and took one of her hands. "Kari?"
The girl raised her tear-stained face to the distance. "T.K.!" she cried. "COME BACK! DON"T LEAVE ME! I—" her voice broke then but she managed to force the words out in a choked whisper. "I love you..."
Gatomon moved over to comfort Patamon, who flew out of Rika's arms. Tai reached his sister and knelt down beside her. "Sis..." She covered her face in her hands and he could barely make out the words "G'away" from behind them. He took her in his arms and began to rock her back and forth.
"He can't be! He just can't be!" she wept sorrowfully. Behind them, the trainers, Digidestined, and the Tamers were giving them a little space; the Digidestined and the trainers fighting back their own tears—with little success. Cody was the first to surrender to them.
"He's gone..." Kari continued. "I'll never see him again. I-I never even..." She gulped back some tears. "I never even got the chance to s-say goodbye." She buried her face into Tai's chest once more. "I never got the chance."
Matt gazed at the ruined area and concluded what had happened. "My little brother stopped the explosion—with his life. But why?" He closed his eyes and Sora hugged him. "Why T.K.?"
Cody rubbed his eyes, wiping away tears. "Couldn't we have done something—to save him?"
Davis choked. "Never thought I'd say this, but I miss T.G. already." Catherine hugged him; her blonde curls brushing against her tear-streaked face.
Patamon and Gatomon didn't say anything. They were too worried about Kari.
"Kari...it'll be okay," Tai murmured against her hair. "I know how you feel."
"Why does this happen to us? Why must we lose people we care for?" Kari sobbed. She withdrew her damp face from Tai's chest. "You should know Tai. You...already...lost someone..."
Tai shook his head, trying to rid himself of the not-so-long-ago memories. "Believe me sis, I wish we could change the past but—"
"We can't," Rika finished for him. All eyes turned on her. "We can't change the past. If we could then Chloe and the other Digimon would still be alive and T.K. wouldn't have..." She stopped talking in mid-sentence and shook her head. "Kari I—"
"It's not your fault Rika," the brunette interrupted hoarsely. "Really it isn't. Things like this just have to happen and there's nothing we can do about it. It's called 'destiny.'" The others could tell she was trying to convince herself as much as Rika and everyone else. She slowly got to her feet. "They saved our lives...they gave us life..."
No one argued. Instead, they stood in silence, grief etched on every face. Finally, Kari leaned against her brother who said, "Let's leave this place before Missingno launches another attack on us." Everybody followed him.
Kari hugged T.K.'s Digivice to herself for a minute and then held it out to Rika. The Tamer stared at it. "Take it."
"What?"
"Take it," insisted Kari. "I have a feeling you need it and I can't...bear the memories."
Rika tilted her head to one side in a puzzled way before taking the gadget from Kari's hand. She stuffed it into her pocket where the necklace still was.
"Are you going to be okay Rika?" asked Ryo. He eyed her with a pensive look. "You don't look so good."
She sighed. "I'll be fine Ryo—honest."
"Okay then," he said, apparently not convinced.
Calumon jumped out of Jeri's arms and settled himself in Rika's while Ryo hesitantly laid his hand on her shoulder. Rika was too preoccupied and listless to protest. She looked up to see Takato gazing at her almost like the day of her birthday, after Parisimon's invasion. He didn't look away this time though. She gave him a reassuring nod and mouthed, "I'm fine."
He smiled sadly and mouthed back, "That's good. I was worried about you."
"Don't be."
"I'll try."
I'm all alone now. It's time for me to figure out my place in this battle.
Alexis: And to think losing Chloe wasn't bad enough. Is the prophecy helping our heroes or destroying them? The answers will soon be revealed so stay tuned!