Whew...gee...guys thanks for all the reviews and the votes. If you go to the reviews window now you'll clearly see which choice was the victor so...yeah. Umm...one more thing this is the start of what I call digimon 'era' well it basically means that you'll get see...er...read the digimon themselves from this chapter forward. Don't worry, though the digimon would make an impact on the story they wouldn't play a large part on it, like I said in the previous chapter that they will only be in here for 3 to 5 chapters...I guess, it might be shorter or it might be longer than that, depends on my brain and fingers. But to all of you this fic is going to be mostly about the four main characters, in this case you already know that it would be Tai, Sora, Matt and Mimi. So don't worry, I'm not going to make this fic an action/adventure...much. heheh. I just hope that even though this the case, you will still read my humble and really lame story...Thanks once again to those who participated in the voting and to all those who reviewed this story...I hope you'd enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon (I don't know how to make it flashier)
Chapter 8: We're Back
The sun's early rays leaked through the window in this bright Sunday morning. Summer is already coming, thus, the days are starting to lengthen, much to a young woman's dismay. She tried turning away from the sunlight that is stubornly shining on her face. She didn't want to wake up yet, because she only fell asleep a few hours ago due to jetlag. But, even though how many times she toss and turn to escape the sun's brilliant rays she couldn't stop it from making her room into a sort of oversized oven, slowly heating as minutes pass. Mimi groaned and reluctantly got out of bed wearing her pink pajamas and with her hair all messed up. She sat on the bed for a few minutes to get reorientated and with a yawn slowly walked towards the shower.
After waking herself up with a cool shower, she did her other morning rituals, which are many, then got out of the room to grab a bite to eat. She's not even sure what time it is, is it still breakfast? Or does she have to eat lunch already. Yesterday's long shopping spree paired up with jetlag last night took a toll on the usually hyper-active Mimi, she still feel as tired as she was last night. She yawned once again and made her towards the kitchen.Walking down the beautifully decorated hallways, she stopped to take a look at the paintings that are hanged on the cream colored wall. Most of them were pictures of flowers, 'Must be Sora's doing.' she thought. On the hallway's side tables were both chinese and japanese porcelain vases littered with different summer flowers, it really does give life and the feeling of summer in the house. 'She really loves flowers does she? Who am I kidding? Of course she is the only one who would put flowers here. And to think that she once said that she hates flowers.' Mimi smiled, thinking of the times 12 years ago when they were still the only digidestineds around. Soon enough after going down the stairs and turning the corner she arrived in kitchen.
She was quite suprised to hear frying pans still sizzling, she looked around for a clock and was suprised to see that it was only 9:00 am, not too late for breakfast. Mimi shrugged her shoulders and entered the kitchen. Looking around she noticed the beautifully designed kitchen, Sora might've force the guys to hire a designer. She could just giggle as she imagine what the guys look like at the time, kitchen designers or interior decorators are as expensive as another apartment. Walking around the dining table to sit on the chair in the counter/bar, she saw Sora busily preparing breakfast. A blast of aromas hit her nose, eggs, pancakes, bacons and hashbrowns were lined up on the table. She looked hungrily on the food when she heard her bestfriend's voice greet her.
"Oh...goodmorning Meems, I suprised you're already awake considering you might have a serious jetlag right now." Sora greeted her with her usual gentle smile. She just laid the eggs down in the platter on the table.
She smiled weakly back and said, "You think! I couldn't even sleep last night even though I was as tired as hell. Then when I finally got to sleep it's already bright outside and the room started heating up."
Sora, who was now walking back towards the stove couln't help but giggle, "I think you picked the wrong room, you see that room you slept in points towards the sunrise so of course it gets hot in there early. Okay, you know what? I gonna help you transfer your stuff to the room right across from mine, ok?"
Mimi signed dropping her forehead on hand then looking back up at her, "Fine, thanks Sor. Hey, you're in a good mood today what's up?"
"Nothing really...maybe because of the exercise yesterday my body had a nice rest last night." Sora is now putting the plate of hashbrowns on the table.
"I see, so are the guys awake already?" Mimi asked while following her best friend with her gaze.
"Yeah, they're at their 'Soccer Sunday' right now, they'll probably be back," Sora glances at her wrist watch, "any minute now."
"Soccer Sunday?"
"Oh it sort of a guy's night, it's just it not at night and does not involve drinking. You know how our guys are, they're soccer obssessed freaks."
"I taught only Tai and Davis are soccer freaks? Who else attends it?" Mimi asked almost getting dizzy on following Sora with her eyes while the auburn haired woman walked around the kitchen.
"I don't exactly know, I only been there once but I do know it that there's Tai, Matt, Izzy, Joe, believe it not, Davis, Ken, sometimes Tk when he's in town, Takuya, Kouji and Kouichi." Sora enumerated.
"Who are the others?"
"Takuya, Kouji and Kouichi are Zoe's friends, remember from yesterday?" Sora finally have everything on the table. Mimi stood up and walked near the table.
"Ooooh." Mimi nodded then turned towards the food in front of her.
Sora noticed her and said, "That's why we have late breakfast every Sunday. I know you're hungry but let's wait for them, they'll be back here in a few."
Sora popped her head inside the fridge to get the orange juice, "Oh and if you're wondering why we have American breakfast today, well there's 'tradition' that whoever wakes up first during sundays will have his or her favorite breakfast and well...Matt won today...it's kinda unfair, we already had the same breakfast yesterday." she signed.
Mimi just smiled at her friend, she really was enjoying staying with her real friends than living in the dorm back in college.
"You don't have work today Sor?"
"Geez Meems, you want to kill me? Of course I don't have work today," She smiled while getting table napkins and placing them on the table, "So we have the day all to ourselves. Do you want to call up Yolie and Zoe for an all girls day?"
"That would be fun, where's Kari though? I miss our little Ms. Perfect, I wonder how she looks now." Mimi wondered, she haven't seen Kari for years. Even though they didn't really talked to each other, they sort of have this bond. Probably because her, Sora and Kari were the only girls at first.
"Kari's with Tk in Shinjuku, they have been called there for something but I think that they'll come back here later." Sora explained.
"I see." The door bell suddenly rang and Mimi volunteered to open it, "I think thats them, I'll get it."
Sora nodded and proceeded to serving the food. Mimi reached the door to open it but the door suddenly swang open revealing two sweat-drenched men.
"Damn Tai, are you getting rusty or something? We almost lost back there." Matt said while wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Me? Rusting? Come on, I know some old dead guy might have invented soccer but I perfected it." Tai replied while stepping inside, he noticed Mimi by the doorstep and greeted her.
"Oh hi Meems, goodmorning, still suffering from jetlag?" He grinned.
"Pretty much, come on Sora's already finishing up breakfast, let's eat."
The two guys walked right up to the kitchen and greeted the resident chef. Matt didn't even bother trying to kiss Sora since she already dodged him earlier. He was still puzzled of her behavior towards him but he didn't want to start another fight.
Tai walked up to fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, drank from it then sat on his chair.
"It getting hotter by the day but hey that means we get to go to the beach right?" he said while taking his grey sweatsoaked shirt off, revealing his nicely tanned, muscular yet slim body. Mimi could only stare.
"I know what you mean, during mid-spring we could play up until noon, now it's just too hot." Matt agreed.
Matt took his white t-shirt off too. He had a slightly paler chest and a well-built frame. He too, has a six-pack, though not as well carved as Tai's are. Matt was never really the athletic type, he only played with Tai and the others to keep in shape. He wiped the sweat from his chest and noticed that Mimi was staring at both him and Tai. Matt smirked and said, "Like what you see?"
Mimi snapped back to reality and retorted, "Keep on dreaming."
"I thought you're the one who's dreaming." Matt simply enjoyed annoying her.
"Shut up, Ishida." She barked.
Sora just nodded, it's too early for arguing, even to her, " Now, now, just don't mind him Mimi," She said turning to her supposed 'boyfriend' and best friend, "And you two, drag your lazy and sweaty body to a quick shower then we'll eat."
Tai help his arm up while walking towards his room, "Ok, ok sheesh why are you mad at me too? I didn't do anything."
Matt just followed Tai out of the kitchen and walked toward his own room.
"You know at one point, I actually thought of hiring a baby sitter for those two." Sora said while massaging her temple.
"Seriously Sora, how can you stand that guy? He's like the biggest jerk in the world." Mimi said, of course talking about Matt.
"To be honest, I don't know." Sora said, holding her hands up in defeat.
"Not to be biased or anything but I really think Tai's hot. I mean excluding Matt's jerkish behavior, you're like the luckiest woman in the world to be living with hot guys." Mimi squealed then grinned at Sora.
Sora gave her a confused look, "Mimi, you have some serious mood swing problems and what are you talking about?"
"Oh come on Sora, you know as much as I do that Tai has the perfect bod."
"I dunno, to me he has been that way ever since I can remember." Sora shrugged.
"You mean you don't stare at them when they're shirtless like normal girls would?" Mimi gasped in utter disbelief.
"Huh?" Sora has another confused look on her face.
Mimi just signed then shrugged her shoulder's, "Sora you are hopeless."
Sora tilted her head at her best friend, "What's that supposed to mean!"
"It means that you're one numb girl that considers that it is no big deal to see half-naked guys walk around her." She explained.
"Oh, come on Meems I have been living with those two for four years now, I just got used to it I guess."
"Yeah I guess so but I still don't see why you picked Matt, Tai has a better bod than he does."
Sora just sweatdropped but that fact that her best friend was so interested in her other best friend...was I little disturbing for her. She can't say that she was jealous, Tai went out with a couple of other girls before and she didn't feel even a bit jealous. Maybe because Tai still spend most of his time with her. That is also why Tai often break up them. He said that if they couldn't handle his unusual friendship her they could just leave, and that he doesn't need them. So why is there a thinge of jealously here?...Maybe because Mimi didn't mind their friendship at all and may indeed have a huge chance with him.
Sora couldn't believe what she was thinking and quickly shook her head. She heard Mimi asked if there is something wrong and just nodded nothing to her. She turned around to get some water from the fridge but instead she bumped her onto something soft and...wet.
"Whoah, Sor you should look on where your going," Tai smiled, he just finished his shower and only wearing beige cargo shorts. He was still dripping wet making him look hotter than earlier, "Hey have you seen that orange buttoned up shirt that I bought a few days ago?" He asked while scratchin the back of his dripping head.
Sora realized that she practically flatten her face to his chest and she did something so un-Sora nowadays, she stuttered and...blushed. Mimi just giggled in the background, she couldn't help it, she really thought that Sora didn't have sufficient blood in her head to blush at all but right now she's like a freaking tomato.
Tai didn't know what was happening around him and gave them a confused look.
"Uh...I...t-think that...your shirt is in the closet near the...storage." She tried not to stutter, she took a deep breath and continued. "Oh and Tai after you...um...dress up can you get the news paper outside?"
"Sure thing. Are you ok though? You're all red." He asked, not really getting anything that's happening.
"Uh...it's nothing just go...shoo." Sora signed in relief as she pushed him out the kitchen.
After a few more minutes, Matt showed up in the kitchen wearing navy blue buttoned up shirt over a white Tee and faded jeans. He sat down with the girls and drank his coffee, even though he didn't need the caffiene any more. Tai returned a few moments later after wearing the orange buttoned up shirt, which is unbuttoned over a simple white Tee and cargo shorts, holding the bundle of newspapers. He placed the newspaper down and sat next to Mimi then he started wolfing down his portion. The two girls started to eat theirs as well after waiting for a long time.
Almost finished with her meal Mimi turned her attention towards the newpaper, she flipped the bundle open and almost spat out the juice that she was drinking.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!" She yelled.
Sora almost choked in suprise and Tai and Matt looked at each other and then towards Mimi. Tai snatched the newspaper from Mimi. He took a good look at it and then he paled. Matt noticed Tai's discoloration and snatched the newspaper from him, it was his turn to the pale. Sora peeked over Matt's shoulder and was equally suprised, "That's...you...guys."
On the first page of the news paper was a picture of Matt on the floor holding the bag with Mimi's lingeirie in it and Tai standing close by with a pink bra hanging loosely on his hair and written on big bold letters the words 'MATT ISHIDA AND TAI KAMIYA SHOPPING FOR LINGERIE!". Matt and Tai looked at each other with a glance saying 'We're dead'. They heard the stomping of feet on the floor they looked up and saw Sora with her arms crossed on her chest, she asked, "Mind explaining this?"
The two young men signed and carried on with explaination, they knew either way that they are going to get it...and how right they were.
"YOU MEAN THOSE WERE MINE!" Mimi shouted pointing at the lingerie. Both guys nodded.
Mimi was humiliated, not only two guys saw her personal belongings and what's worse showed them to everybody in Odaiba too. She was so mad and ashamed that she couldn't help but cry. Not only that, she now knows that Tai only kissed her for Matt to get away. She just let her tears of shame fall as Sora hugged her, now it was Sora's turn to speak...
"You could've just told us! You don't have to be all childish and try to give it back to us with all your games." She tried to sound as calm as possible.
Tai felt guilty when he saw Mimi cry, he didn't like girls crying, and add Sora's statement, the usually bullheaded Taichi apologized, "I...I'm sorry..." but before he could say a proper apology, Mimi dashed out of Sora's arms toward her room. Tai glanced at Sora and she nodded back as if telling him to follow her friend and apologize, he nodded back and went after Mimi. Sora then glanced at Matt who was still sitting down on the table.
"Aren't you supposed to apologize too?" She asked.
Matt was guilty all right, he didn't mean for it to go that far but his male ego was telling him that everything that have happened caused a lot more damage to him and Tai than it did to Mimi. 'So what if we saw her lingerie? What's the big deal with that?' he thought, 'Now people will think Tai and I are gay something, damn it.'
"So?" Sora asked him again.
"Why should I? Probably everybody now thinks of us as gays and it's all because of the damned bag. After all that happened, I think that I have nothing to apologize for. Besides those things were displayed in the shop before she bought it, right? Then why the hell is she freakin out like that? She's over reacting." Matt stubbornly barked back.
Sora was shocked, as if the old digital world Matt was back, the jerk of an Emo twelve years ago is back. The Matt that was her boyfriend never said something like this but that wasn't the case now. She stood there speechless as he crossed his arms on his chest. She couldn't believe that Matt would be like this again.
"I can't believe you would actually say that Matt! I thought you were a better person throughout the years but I see that you're still that egotistical (sp?) jerk from twelve years ago! I guess Mimi's right when she said that you give jerk a whole new meaning." Sora accused as she stormed off to join Tai and Mimi.
Matt stared down at his plate and thought, 'Am I that horrible?' He stood up and began cleaning up the table.'Why do I feel so guilty? We're the ones in serious trouble now with media not her!'. He just gave a defiant humph while putting all of the dishes in the dishwasher.
Meanwhile, Mimi ran up to her room and slammed the door shut. 'How can they do that? They could have just given it back to me. I feel so stupid.'
"Mimi?" Tai's voice can be heard behind her unlocked door. "Can I come in? I'm really sorry about what happened."
He didn't get an answer but he really wants to apologized to her the proper way so he slowly opened the door.
"Mimi?"
"Tai it's alright..."
Tai was shocked, the usual 'I'm not going to forgive you' Mimi was not there. Did she just forgave him like that?
"Meems I'm really, really sorry about the whole thing, I know what we did was absolutely childish." Tai quietly said as he approached her and kneeled infront of her.
"Hey I said it's okay, your being childish was to be expected but I thought Matt would more mature though." Mimi smiled as she ruffled his hair.
"What's that supposed to mean? Anyway...gee...thanks Meems I really thought that you're to kill me..."
Sora followed both her friends to Mimi's room after talking to Matt. She was upset of Matt acting that way. She thought that Matt would be the one who would apologize first, not Tai. When she got to the room she noticed that the door was half way open and that she could hear what Tai and Mimi are talking about. She didn't want to eavesdrop but she didn't to disturb them too, so she just leaned her back towards the wall trying not to listen while waiting for Tai to get done apologizing.
Mimi giggled at Tai's apparent fear of her, "No silly, I wouldn't kill you, at least you apologized."
"You mean Matt's a dead man walking?"
"Maybe."
"That's not fair, Meems! Why does he get away with it?"
"He doesn't get away with it, I know Sora already lashed at him. Besides I just too tired today that I couldn't be angry for long." She smiled.
Sora just smiled about how much trust Mimi gives her but she just couldn't shake the feeling of just busting inside there and stop their obvious flirting.
"Yeah probably, knowing Sora, she must really mad at him right now." Tai signed, "If that goes on I would have to play matchmaker again..." He mumbled.
"What was that Tai?" Mimi asked confused.
Tai just shook his head, "It's nothing. I sort of guilty for kissing you like that in that restaurant, it was the only thing I could think of to allow Matt to escape, I'm sorry about that."
Sora unconciously signed in relief that Tai only kissed her bestfriend as a part of the plan but she also felt sad for Mimi too since seems so interested in Tai lately. After a few minutes of silence, Sora thought that they are finished talking and that she could come in now, so poked her head inside the door to annouced that she was going in. She was about to say 'Glad that you didn't beat the crap out of Taichi' when she saw Mimi lifting Tai face towards her own and kissing him on the forehead, yes just the forehead. Time sort of stopped for a moment there for Sora because it took her some time to actually talk.
"Hey Mimi you okay now?" She said while walking towards Mimi.
Mimi looked up at Sora and said, "Yeah I'm fine, sorry for running away like that."
"Hey anybody was supposed to be sorry, it's definitely not you, okay." She smiled and pulled Mimi into a sisterly hug. She turned her attention to Tai...
"And you, geez...you guys are like what? 24 years old? Could you guys act your age?" She scolded.
"I apologized already Sor, you don't need to snap at me too I'm guilty enough as it is."
"I'm glad that you are because apparently your bestfriend isn't. Tai could you please talk some sense into him because I'm not going to talk to him for a while."
"Sora you don't need to that far, this petty misunderstanding isn't worth your relationship." Mimi stated, "Besides I don't need that bastard's apology... no offense."
Sora looked at her bestfriend, "Alright then but if he acts like that again, even you wouldn't be able to stop me from giving him a piece of my mind. He is my boyfriend, even though right now I don't see him as one."
Tai chuckled, "I guess he's going to get a hard time getting out of this one."
"Yes he will." Sora answered.
Back downstairs, Matt was taking the dishes out of the dishwasher and putting them back in the cupboard when the doorbell rang.
'Who the hell is it I wonder?'
(An: Matt's such a bad mouth isn't he?)
He went and answered the door and revealed his brother and Kari outside.
"Hey bro, sorry I know I should've just opened the door but I lost my key so...yeah. What going on? You mad or something?" Tk asked his older brother, who had his eye brows furrowed.
"Nah it's nothing, just having a stressful morning right now." He shrugged, while seeing the floor as the most interesting thing in world.
"I see."
"Hey I heard from Zoe that Mimi's back in town, where is she? I missed her so much!" Kari cheerfully piped in.
Matt just gave them another shrug and said, "She's uptairs with Tai and Sora." after that he just resumed on putting the plates back in cupboard.
Kari went straight up the stairs to meet Mimi, leaving Tk with his brother. Tk felt like something was off with his brother today so he couldn't help but ask...
"You okay bro? Something wrong?"
"I said it's nothing okay? So just shut it and go meet her for all I care." Matt said firmly as if he doesn't want Tk to push on the topic. Tk, of course, got the message.
"Alright, I going to say 'hi' to Mimi okay?" He said then made his way upstairs carrying his and Kari's luggage.
"Hey Mimi! Long time no see, how've you been!" Kari squealed.
"Hi Kari, I missed you too, my you look stunning..." Mimi jumped out off her bed and hugged the younger woman. "So how's college?"
"Gee Meems, I see how it goes you don't even pay attention me now." Tk said. while leaning by the door frame.
"Oh my God, Tk!" Mimi squealed and hugged her little 'brother' from the digiworld.
"I can't believe how much taller you are now!" Mimi smiled and turned back to Kari, "So how you guys been?"
"College is fun maybe except for the test and stuff but we're pretty cool." Tk answered.
"We didn't expect you guys till, I don't know tonight or tomorrow, you're kinda early." Tai said.
"Well...that's what we need to talk about with you guys." Kari said.
"What is it about?" Sora asked.
"I think we need my brother in this too, so let's talk about this down stairs." Tk explained.
They made their way in the living room and found Matt watching tv. Tai, Sora, Kari and Tk went sat down on the sofa while Mimi gave Matt a glare the sat down another chair. Matt felt like her glare just shot right through him, he felt like crap.
Getting down to business Tai asked, "So what's this all about? Kari don't tell me you're pregnant or else I swear he's not going to last until lunch." while pointing at Tk.
Tk and Kari sweatdropped and looked at each other. Kari turned back towards her brother. "Tai you're jumping to conclusions again."
Tai signed both from relief and boredom, "Okay so it isn't about that, what is it then?"
"We didn't exactly got called by Shinjuku U but by Hypnos. Izzy and Ken arrived there late last night."
"Why, what's going on?" Sora asked, knowing quite well that Hypnos is the one protecting the last gate to the digital world.
"Henry Wong, a digimon tamer in the Shinjuku, recieved a message from Gennai." Kari said.
"Yes he said the Gennai wants all of Digital Destiny to go to Shinjuku and take the gate there to go back to the Digital World." Tk continued.
"Why? Is something wrong going on the digiworld again?" Mimi asked getting kinda nervous.
"Not exactly, Izzy and Ken asked him already but Gennai only replied that the Sovereigns wants the see all of us." Kari sound confused herself.
Matt being the quiet one since the conversation began finally spoke, "What was that? What do they want? A reunion or something?"
"I bet it's not a reunion bro, the message sounded too formal." Tk answered.
"What now Tai? Are we going to go?" Sora asked their leader.
"Of course we're going back!" Tai exclaimed.
"Okay now that we already told you, we need to contact the others. Izzy and Henry already contacted the DD's in Shinjuku or the Tamers as they are preferred to be called." Kari said.
The group started calling other DD's, including Takuya and the others, who are really surprised and excited about the news. After doing the deed, they too started preparing to go the Shinjuku and left the moment the were finished. All of them were looking forward on the idea that they are seeing their digimon once again, considering that is has been years since they last saw them.
You see, the gate in Shinjuku, the 'Gate of Fate' as they call it cannot be opened easily, they need the permission of both the Hypnos and Gennai to just get close to the gate or enter the building in which it is hidden, except for the engineers which are namely, Izzy, Ken, Henry and Tommy. On top that, Izzy says, that the gate itself is protected by a series of special doors that only the leaders of each regiment of Digidestined can open. Having this surprise invitation to enter the world they once fought for was really making every single one of them ecstatic.
Shinjuku Park later that day...
Tai and the others, including the Frontier DD's arrived at the Hypnos' Neo DigiGate Lab late in the afternoon. This 'Gate of Fate' was the same gate that the Tamers used to fight the Sovereign Zhuqiaomon. Suprisingly, even though the first and second regiment, led by Tai and Davis respectively, had sealed any ways on going to the Digiworld this particular gate remained open, if not covered by weak barrier. Thus explaining why it still exist today. Ever since the rediscovery of it's activity, the 'Gate of Fate' has been in the protection of both the UN and digimon Sovereigns. No one could and should enter the Gate without proper authorization, making it safe for both the Real world and Digiworld to coexist. Izzy, Ken, Henry, Tommy and Yamaki's team makes sure that the gate is top condition as their personal jobs.
Mimi and Sora parked their car and slipped off, they looked up at the large building where the hill that supposedly where the Tamer's headquarters once stood. Special guards are stationed as the entrance of the building itself and more are on constant patrol around the perimeters of the building. The building itself it said to made by Digital Titanium alloy, at least that's what Izzy called it and that even if you drop a nuclear warhead on it all it would do is make a dent.
A few minutes later Tai and others arrived and parked their own cars. Once everybody was there, a minutes was used to get Mimi acquainted with the Frontier destined.
After a brief introduction they started walking towards the metal doors of the building, until one of the guards stopped them in their tracks.
"Sorry but no one is allowed to enter the premises without authorization from the lab engineers or the respective leaders of Digital Destiny." the guard said in a monotone voice.
"What! Izzy calls us all the way here and some guard doesn't even let us in!" Davis protested.
Tk and Kari stepped up towards the guard from the back of the group and presented their ID's.
"Ahh, Sir Takaishi and Lady Kamiya welcome, Sir Izumi was expecting you." The guard greeted. The other DD's have their jaws hanging.
"This people are with us, Izzy is expecting them too." Tk explained.
"But sir, I cannot let anybody pass unless they are of Digital Destiny."
"You are looking at the whole Digital Destiny and the one you just blocked was Davis Motomiya, Commander of the Second Regiment." Kari said.
The guard looked like he has seen a ghost and studied the party of people in front of him. He snapped out his trance after a few seconds and hurriedly opened the vault like door.
"My sincerest apologies, I didn't realize." The guard bowed.
Everybody walked inside, but Tai turned towards the guard.
"Hey it's okay you were just doing you're job and besides I found it quite funny when you blocked Davis like that." Tai grinned at the man.
"T-thank you sir."
"Hey Tai come on. I thought you were excited about going back the digital world!" Sora bellowed.
"Yeah, sure I'm coming!" Tai patted the guard's shoulder and started jogging his way towards the others.
"Tai? As in Tai Kamiya? As in Tai the Great!" The guard couldn't control himself that Tai himself complemented him.
The Digital Destiny continued to walk the metallic corridors of the, rather, huge building. It seems that most of the lab was underground and that building they saw outside was just the entrance. Tai felt like he was in some Sci-fi movie when walking through the hallways made of metal. It was not only him who was impressed about the structure, most of them are. In truth, this is the first time Tai and others have been here. They never imagined that the UN and Hypnos have pulled all the stops just to keep the only remaining digital gate away from the hands of those who would abuse it.
Tk and Kari led everybody around the hallways and turns of the almost maze-like design of the structure. After walking in what felt like a mile to Tai, they finally reached a humoungous door, 20 feet wide 10 tall. If they haven't fought for their lives against monsters before, the rather intimidating door would have cause the hairs from the back of their necks to stand. Even though that was the case, everybody was still dead silent.
"Here we are." Kari cheerfully announced.
"Where are we?" Zoe tentantively asked her friend.
"Beyond here lies the 'Gate of Fate'." Tk smiled and turned towards and nearby survailance camera. "Hey Ken, mind opening the door?"
"Sure thing." Ken's voice said from the speaker near the door.
"Ken's here!" Yolie said.
"Yes, haven't he said to you that he was one of the engineers here?" Kari asked.
"He never said anything about this!" Yolie exclaimed then turned towards the camera, "Ken! You have alot of explaining to do when I get my hands on you!"
Everybody could just guess what Ken look like at the time, 'He is probably sitting on his chair sweating bullets.' Tai thought.
After a few hisses and shaking of the hydraulics the massive door slided open, revealing an area which seems like some kind of control room. There are super computers lined up near the walls of the room with their monitors flashing information to the people in it. Tai already spotted Izzy sitting and typing like mad on a keyboard near another equally massive door. He also spotted Ken on the other side of the room, almost like trying to hide from his fuming girlfriend. He also noticed that there are other people there, considering that there was only four engineers. One of the females turn toward them and smiled. She walked up to Tk and Kari and greeted them.
"Tk, Kari, good to have you guys back." The brown haired girl cheerfully said then continued, "So is this everyone?"
"Yup this is everyone Jeri, so anything new after we left?" Kari asked the girl named Jeri.
"Nope, nadda. Hey Takato, Henry, everybody's here, mind taking your eyes off the computer?" Jeri yelled to her friends.
"Whoops sorry babe." A young man with brown hair answered. "Hey Izzy your friends are here." he bellowed.
Izzy briefly averted his gaze from the monitor and said, "Oh, hey guys you're finally here. Welcome back Mimi."
"Thanks Izzy." Mimi said then turned her attention to the brown haired girl in front of her, "Hi my name is Mimi Tachikawa, I believe this is the first time I've met you." Mimi held out her hand to the younger female.
"Oh, I'm sorry my name is Jeri Katou, member of the Third Regiment of Digital Destiny or Tamers which what we are commonly called." Jeri reach her own hand out and shook Mimi's.
"And I'm Takato Matsuda, Commander of the Third Regiment of Digital Destiny." Takato introduced himself.
Davis, who was standing near Mimi and Sora, immediately got interested in the introductions when he heard of this guy being the commander of the third regiment. He immediately introduced himself to the young man, "Nice to meet you bud, I'm Davis Motomiya, Commander of the Second Regiment of Digital Destiny."
Takato shook his hand, "I'm glad to meet you, I've heard a lot of things about you from Ken. Although, I would be really honored to meet Tai the Great himself, is he here?"
Next thing Tai knew was everybody was looking at his direction, everybody who knew him anyway. All he could do was sweatdrop and walk towards the younger man who wants to meet him.
"I am Tai Kamiya, nice to meet you Takato." He held his hand towards him.
Takato looked like he saw Azulongmon again. He just frozed in place, not even being able to move his hand to shake Tai's.
Jeri broke the silence though, "Takato, I'm pretty sure that you're not dreaming so snap out of it and shake his hand already before he thinks that you're a weirdo."
Takato immediately snapped out of his trance and shook Tai's hand so vigorously that Tai thought that arm was being torn off.
"Oh my god, it's really an honor to meet you sir, I mean you have been my hero for 12 years. I'm really really glad that I finally meet Tai the Great himself. You don't know how happy I am right now." Takato said excitedly as if he met a world hero, which in every sense he did but clearly he was just over reacting.
Tai chuckled nervously, "Um...nice to meet you too...I guess. But could you...um...let go of my hand, I think it has been shook enough and...um...could you all stop talking like we are in a medieval world with all the 'the Great' titles and the 'sir' and stuff. Formally talking to somebody that is supposed to be your brothers-in-arms is rather uncomfortable with me...I did not just say brothers-in-arms didn't I? Now I'm like you people too! Let's just cut the crap formal talking and talk like modern people okay?"
"Sure sir, I apologize sir, I mean..."
"That's enough Takato you're being a fanboy again." Jeri said while pulling her boyfriend on the ears and dragging him away.
"Oh-kay," Tai said then turned his attention to Izzy, "So Izzy what's our business here and would you mind introducing us to the others?"
Izzy typed something before standing up and said, "Tamers would you mind coming here and let me introduce you to the First, Second and Fourth Regiment."
The Tamers complied and walked towards the center of the large metalic room.
"These my friends are the members of the Third Regiment of Digital Destiny: Takato, Jeri, Rika, you guys would have probably heard about Ryo already, Henry a fellow digigate engineer, Suzie, Kazu and Kenta." Izzy introduced the Tamers.
"A pleasure to meet everybody, let me introduce the others..." Tai said before Izzy cutting him.
"You don't need to Tai everyone has a record on the super computers and I believe that they already know everybody." Izzy explained.
"I see, then that's great. I thought that I had to introduced almost 20 people." Tai smiled.
Mimi's attention was not with the introduction though but more on Jeri.
"Hey Jeri, would you mind teaching us?" Mimi asked
Jeri, who has Takato's ear still between her fingers, asked, "Teach you what?"
Mimi's smiled grew wider when she said, "How to control your boyfriend, my friend here...(drags Sora to her side) needs some pointers."
"What do you mean by that! I don't need guy pointers!" Sora barked.
Another girl, Rika popped in the conversation and smirked, "'How to control your boyfriend,' by Jeri Katou, now that's interesting... mind if I join?"
As the girls were having a 'Control your boyfriend 101', Ryo noticed that Rika was not by his side anymore and spots her with the other girls.
"Hey pumpkin, what are you girls talking about?" Ryo said while walking towards his girlfriend.
Rika can't help but smirk, "Controlling Boyfriends 101, hey girls I have the perfect guinea pig." she announced.
Ryo, not knowing what the girls are up to asked, "Uhm...what are you girls up to?"
"Nothing, pretty boy just going to experiment on what Jeri said." Rika said while slowly walking up to him.
Getting freaked out now Ryo said, "Uh...nevermind then I'll just go and talk to the other guys."
The girls just giggled on the background. "Okay fine...now you know what you're going to get if you start snooping around ladies' conversations."
"Yes ma'am. I'm gonna go now." Ryo said while scratching the back of his head.
While the girls were busy torturing Ryo, Tai and the other guys were talking about business and after a while Izzy said that the sooner they get back to Digital World the better, so Tai announced that they are going to be leaving now. Everybody in the room has all their attention to him within a heartbeat.
"Okay, Izzy tell us how this thing works...IN ENGLISH!"
Izzy narrowed his eyes on Tai but continued on with the explanation, "The 'Gate of Fate' is not only one gate but a series of special, voice sensitive, highly intelligent doors." He started while pointing at the large door behind him.
"There are five doors like this in total before we get to the actual 'Gate of Fate'. Each of these doors can only be opened by the respective leaders of each regiment. This door behind me, for example, can only be opened by Takuya Kanbara." Izzy explained.
"I'm the only one who can open that?" Takuya said in awe of how huge the door is.
"Yes, the Sovereigns requested that only a few people should be able to open the door and which ones would be better than the leaders?" Izzy shrugged, "So would you open the door Takuya? Just step on that platform over there." Izzy said while pointing on the red platform on the left side of the door.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"I believe that the super computer would try and prove that you're really Takuya."
"Alright." Takuya took his position on the middle of the platform when a large, sound proof glass cylinder enveloped him, then a voice was heard.
"Identify yourself." Said the female mechanical voice.
"Takuya Kanbara, Commander of the Fourth Regiment of Digital Destiny."
"Ah, Sir Kanbara it's a pleasure to meet you. You're voice matched our records, we shall proceed with the test. Initializing fingerprint scans..."
Takuya was suprised, if not intimidated by the voice who was talking to him. He just decided to follow what it says.
"...Initializing complete." A blue metal board was lowered in front of Takuya. Before he could ask what it is for the voice spoke again, "Sir Kanbara would you please place your right hand on the panel?"
Takuya did what he was told and rested his hand on the lcd-like panel. Almost immediately a blue laser could be seen scanning his hand.
"Finger and Hand prints identical. Initializing Retina scans."
The blue panel was lifted and a tube-like device was lowered. The device looks like the telescope somewhat.
"Now would you please look through the scanner."
Takuya did so.
"Retina scan identical. Initializing Data Scan."
"Data Scan? Hey Izzy," Takuya spoke through the microphone within the tube, "I don't have data...I mean we're in the Real World we're organic here right?"
Izzy answered, "All of the people that went to the Digiworld will retain some of their digital make up, specially the digidestineds. The computer is just scanning if your digital make up is the same with the ones in our records. It's just an precaution, because people could duplicate finger/hand prints and retina scans but data scans are almost impossible to copy."
Takuya just nodded and turned his attention back to the tests. He noticed that there is a small sphere like object circling him that sends of a blue rays within a few seconds. After a moment the sphere disappeared upwards and the voice once again spoke, "Data analysis complete...digital make up matches. Welcome Takuya Kanbara."
'O...kay.' thought Takuya. He was waiting for the cylinder to be lifted...but it stayed there.
"Physical Test complete. Now all I want you to do is say your Authorization Code."
Takuya thought back, he remembered the time when Azulongmon sent them a message telling them what their authorization code were. He let out a cocky smirk and answered confidently,
"Authorization Code: PYRO"
While Takuya was still having his data scan, Tai walked up to Izzy. He just needed ask why they were being called just now. He just couldn't shake the feeling that this trip would leave some kind of mark on their lives. Once he neared Izzy he pat him on the shoulder.
"Hey Izzy, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure Tai, what is it?"
"Do you know why we're being called back?"
Izzy let out a sign before answering, "Gennai said that the Digidestined presence is needed in the Digiworld right now. He said something in lines of 'establishing a government'. I bet they're having a hard time controlling millions of digimon without real authority."
"Then why call us? Our job is to fight, right? Then if there is no danger we are not needed there unless..." Tai trailed off.
"We can't form own conclusions. We, the Digital Destiny, are very influencial in our own way, special to the higher evolved digimon. Maybe they only need us to appear there, considering that our presence will make the weaker digimon feel secured. We're not too sure yet." Izzy said.
Tai only nodded in agreement. After a few moments they heard the hydraulics of the door being opened.
"Door 05 unlocked." Said the female mechanical voice.
Takuya was let out of the glass cylinder to rejoin his friends. Everybody cautiously entered the next room.
The area beyond Door 05 was alot smaller than the last one, it looked more of an oversized hallway than a room. At the end of the hallway was another large door that has the letters "DDR03 (Digital Destiny Regiment 03) then Door 04"
The engineers examined the letters and platform on it's left side to check if it is in proper condition. They gave an okay and told Takato that it's his turn.
"Identify yourself."
"Takato Matsuda, Commander of the Third Regiment of Digital Destiny."
The same procedure was used on Takato, who looked really freaked out by the small sphere that was scanning his digital make up.
"Physical Test complete. Now all I want you to do is say your Authorization Code."
"My what!" Takato asked puzzled.
"Invalid code," the voice said, "Say your Authorization Code."
'Whoops, I guess I was just nervous, alright.' Takato took a deep breath and said,
"Authorization Code: CRIMSON"
"Code accepted, unlocking Door 04."
The Digital Destiny proceeded to the next room and did the same thing to unlock the door. This time it was Davis's turn.
"Identify yourself." Said the mechanical voice for the third time.
"Daisuke Motomiya, Commander of the Second Regiment of Digital Destiny."
After the physical testing the voice said.
"Physical Test complete. Now all I want you to do is say your Authorization Code."
To the suprise of almost all DD's, Davis answered quickly,
"Authorization Code: FATE"
"Code accepted, unlocking Door 03."
After opening the third door, it was Tai's turn. He stepped on the platform.
"Identify yourself."
"Taichi Yagami Kamiya, Commander of the First Regiment of Digital Destiny."
To the suprise of everybody the computer answered differently, "Ah, honored to meet you Tai the Great."
Everybody looked at Izzy, who was equally suprised as they were. He thought that that voice was just a software installed in the super computers, then why it is talking like a living being? Then it hit him...
"We're so close to the digital gate that the security software could actually think of what to say. Don't worry, Gennai, himself gave us this software, there's nothing to be afraid of Sci-fi creatures."
"Whatever you say." Tai said.
The same physical test was done on Tai and the same request of his Authorization, with a twist though.
"Your Physical Test is completed. I would need to request for your Authorization Code, my good sir."
Tai sweatdropped. He could've sworn that the voice was hitting on him but he shook it off, although he could hear the guys snickering behind him. Tai just signed and said,
"Authorization Code: DESTINY"
"Code accepted, unlocking Door 02. It's a real pleasure to meet Sir Tai 'giggle'."
"Eh? A pleasure to meet you too...I guess." Tai sweatdropped again.
When Tai stepped off the platform, Davis walked up to him and smirked, "The thing's hitting you dude, never thought you had it in you."
"Awww...shaddap."
Davis just laughed and walked through the now unlocked door.
"Alright guys, this is the last door, beyond this is the Digital world." Henry announced.
"So who could open the last door? The goggle-heads already opened the last four." Rika asked while the simultaneous 'Hey!' behind her.
"We're not sure. This is actually the first time that we got through the fifth door let alone the second one." Henry shrugged.
"He's right we haven't gone this far before and if Izzy's theory of the security software having their own minds here, we can never be sure." Ken said.
Just then a flash of light jutted out the floor revealing four platforms of different colors: Orange, Blue, Yellow and Red. Before the DD's could even say 'What's that?' an image of Gennai popped out of nowhere.
"Ah greetings Digidestineds, as you can see this is only a hologram. This is the final security lock and if you unlock it...well...it's going to be 'WELCOME BACK TO THE DIGITAL WORLD!' but there are some things that I need to let you know." Gennai said.
Everybody sweatdropped, not knowing what to do to their guides habit of popping out of nowhere.
"Fine...old man just go on with the freaking explanation. I bet that it's not only me who wants to go enter the digital world at this very moment." The usually impatient Rika barked.
"You must be Rika...I've heard quite a lot about you. Ahem...well I know most of you are wondering what kind of Digital world you're going to, right? Considering that you didn't go into the same digital field as the others. Well ever since the Fourth Regiment's journey in the digital world we, the Sovereigns included, decided that it is safe enough to open the 'locks' to other digital fields." Gennai explained.
"Wait...what are u talking about?" Takuya asked.
"There are three diffirent planes of the digital world separated by celestial walls or boundaries. The Sovereigns decided to separate the planes because if it is joined the Dark Minions aka your enemies might have ganged up on you and suceeded in their plans." Gennai twitched his moustache, "But now that all the major 'baddies' are gone and by the digimons' request we joined the three planes back, thus the digital world your going to now is A LOT bigger than before. All the places that you've been are all there."
(I hope that made sense, )
"Alright, but that doesn't explain how we open the last gate." Kouji said.
"He's right. If only leaders can open the doors then who would open the last one?" Joe asked.
"Hohoho, why all of them of course! Anyway since now I've told you what I needed to tell I'll be off. I'll see you, when I see you." Gennai disppeared stroking his beard and laughing.
"That's guy is weird." Takato said.
"Tell me about it. We've defeat all of our enemies with him guiding us, it's really hard to comprehend if you think about it now." Sora said.
Going back to the task at hand, Izzy motioned all the former goggle heads to take to positions on the platforms. (They are not wearing there goggles right now I'll explain that in the next chapter.) Tai stood on the orange one, Davis on the blue, Takato on the yellow and Takuya on the red. He took his laptop out of his bag and connected it to the super computer, thus initializing the unlocking process.
"So Izzy, what are we supposed to do in here?" Tai bellowed from the glass cylinder that encased him.
Izzy just ignored him and kept on typing on his computer. After a few moments he spoke.
"I guess each of the Sovereigns would ask you a question or something, I can see their digital code in my laptop and told me as much."
"What kind of questions?" Davis asked.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know." Izzy replied.
At that same moment the whole room blacked-out, the only source of light was the platform from which the leaders are standing. The glass cylinders that encased Tai and the others were lifted and a deep, masculine voice was heard, "We would want this interrogations to heard by everyone."
An image of a White Tiger appeared before Takuya, "Takuya Kanbara, I am Baihumon, Sovereign of the West. I am here to ask you a simple question."
Takuya gulped, he has never met a Sovereign before. He only heard about them from Davis and Ken, that they are the so called 'Gods' of the Digital World.
"And what is it?" he finally choked out his cockiness gone for a moment
"Do not be scared of me son but this the question." There was a moment of silence, no one wanted to interupt a Sovereign. They weren't scared...they just repected the great beings.
"What did you fight for?"
That, as he said, was a simple question. A simple question that can never have a simple answer. Takuya dug deep into his past, during the time he could become a digimon. During the time he WAS a digimon and answered, "I fought for the digital world, I fought for the world who needed my help and..." he was cut off.
"That's more than enough of an answer...Thank you for fighting for a world not even your own. I...we really appreciated that." Then Baihumon's image faded.
Takuya nodded 'Your welcome' to the fading image. After Baihumon's image was completely gone another Sovereign appeared in front of Takato, this time it was Ebonwumon.
"Ay, hello there, young'un, I believe you already know me, I am Ebonwumon Sovereign of the North." The two-headed turtle said.
"Yes sirs, I've seen you before." Takato respectfully answered.
Ebonwumon's image nodded slowly and said, "Now for the question...What did you fight for?"
A confused Takato asked, "Am I suppose to answer the same question?"
"Why, yes that's our 'question of the day'." Ebonwumon laughed.
Takato sweatdropped. Then he thought about his own past and what he fought. Right now the answers simple for him.
"To protect those I love." Takato answered with confidence.
"Ahh, a typical human answer but I guess it does meant a lot to you."
"Yes, it does." Takato said.
Ebonwumon nodded again, quite impressed of the young man standing in front of him. He, too, slowly faded away.
"So are we going to have to answer the same question?" Davis asked Tai.
"I guess so..." he trailed off.
Azulongmon finally appeared in front of Davis, "Ah long time no see, Davis." he greeted. Azulongmon was the Sovereign that has really bonded with humans, thus the friendly conversation.
"Hey, Azulongmon how are ya?" Davis greeted.
"Pretty peachy, I must say." Azulongmon's aged voiced said, "but you know why I'm here."
"I guess so, what is the question?" Davis asked.
"What did you fight for? And don't give that crap of an answer you did when asked you years ago." Azulongmon said.
"Fine, fine..." Davis said while waving his hand in defeat. He thought for a moment and could only come up with one thing, "I believe it was the right thing to do at the time...and I guess that's it."
Azulongmon nodded in agreement and said, "You'd never change don't you Davis but I'm glad you're that kind of person." with he started fading.
"So, who's the last Sovereign?" Tai asked knowing that he's next.
"I believed it's going to be Zhuqiaomon Sovereign of the South. Tough luck Tai, he isn't very fond of humans." Ryo said.
"Gee...thanks a lot." Tai retorted. Then an image of a blazing phoenix immerged.
"I am Zhuquiaomon Sovereign of the South." The bird's mightly voiced boomed.
Tai isn't about to be intimidated by a Phoenixmon look-alike so he said, "I am Taichi Kamiya, I am the one you're going to be questioning."
Zhuquiaomon lowered his mighty wings and said, "You have confidence human, for talking to me like that."
Tai smirked.
"Now let me ask this question...What did you fight for?"
Before could answer the question the phoenix spoke again, "Do not give me an answer like your comrades here, for I do not give a damn about human feelings. I want an answer better than that since the other Sovereigns call you Tai the Great. I want to know why you are great like they say from your answer."
Tai maintained his smirk, though after a few moments this was replaced by a more solemn look. An expression of someone who have fought for everything he hold dear, fought for what he was expected to fight for and for what he believes in. Zhuquiaomon was certain that Tai would answer like his successors but he was shocked of what he said.
"I fought for Salvation...that's all. I fought for the one thing every living being would...survival."
Tai made his answer short since the thought the Sovereigns didn't want them to elaborate. In Zhuqiaomon's perspective though, he wanted to hear more.
"Then why go all the way to save a world from destruction?" He asked.
"Like I said, I fought for survival and since we are, at the time, in the digital world we fought to stay alive so we could get back to our world. If we didn't the Digital World would be destroyed, including us."
"Then why save a fellow digidestined when all you care about is yourself?"
"You got it all wrong then...when I said salvation I meant the survival of those who follow me and believed in me. You are a leader and a ruler I believe you know what I'm talking about."
If Zhuquiaomon have lips intead of a beak you would be able to tell that a smile was forming on his features. Never in his immortal life have he encountered a human who made a simple instinct for survival save two worlds twice. He had never seen a celebrated hero saying that the reason he fought was to survive, he thought that all humans were slaves to their emotions and because of that he considered them weak. But here in front of him was a human...no...a leader that he would not be able to scorn for they almost believed in the same thing. He just had to ask one last question...
"Then are you just one emotionless being who only follow his primal instinct? If you say yes then your reputation as leader would crumble since your followers would think that you're just a heartless young man who is only thinking about himself. So what are you? An emotionless beast of a leader or are you really the person they see as, a great leader that would risk his life for some pityful emotion?"
Tai closed his eyes for moment to ponder what the truth, "Emotionless? Now...where have I heard that before?"
The Sovereign remained silent while Tai spoke again, "Ahh, I can actually remember a time that someone told me that there's ice running through my blood. So I guess I'm the former but why did I feel guilty, sorry and responsible for the death of a friend? Why did I strive to become a better leader so that my friends wouldn't see anymore dying? If I did feel that way then I'm probably the latter."
"I do not understand what you are trying to say. Are you trying to say that an emotionless warrior can actually feel something? That a primal beast would give up survival for honor? That is just ridiculous (sp?), a Beast would be a beast and I am such a beast. We are all such beast, we only live for our selfish wish to survive. I thought you are different from the others but I guess you are all the same." Zhuquaiomon's mighty voice boomed like a drum of war.
"I guess we are...You asked me what I fought for and answered you as simply as I can. Beyond all the emotions, all the promises and all the responsilities your right, we all desired to live and that's is what I answered. Yes I fought out of selfishness, I fought to see a new day but if you ask me why I saved your world or save my friends, I cannot answer you." Tai said firmly.
"And why is that?"
"I cannot give you answers that you couldn't understand. If you really need to know...you should look and understand what human nature is. I know I do not make sense to you right now but all I have to say is this: There's a fine line between instinct and emotion." He said while lookind directly into the Sovereign's eyes.
"You say you act on instinct, Zhuqiuaomon and that emotions are what makes you weak, if that is so then why do the digimon who fought along side us become stronger when we knew we were fighting for a just cause? How did they become more powerful when they fought for something they care about? You are a digimon too, are you not? Then there must a time during the troubled era of the digital world you felt sad because your fellow digimon are suffering, felt guilty when they are hurt while you are locked up somewhere and can't do anything. Felt angry that they have to rely on us humans to help them since their true protectors are helpless. I am right am I? Now is your turn to answer my question."
The Sovereign closed his eyes, just plain dumbfounded with the creature standing in front of him. Though he didn't want to admit it...he was defeated by the words of Tai the Great.
"Now I know why they call you Tai the Great. Truth is I'm totally speechless right now, your words enlightened my views. I'm afraid I cannot answer your question right now but I will look forward to the time we will be able to talk eye to eye. Until that time, all I have to say is that I am honored to meet you Taichi the Great." The great phoenix once again stretched is wings and did a small bow of respect then started fading away.
"We will now open the 'Gate of Fate'. I believed that the others are excited to see their heroes once again." He said before totally fading away.
Tai also did a small bow of respect and turned towards his comrades, to only sweatdropped to the look they gave him.
"Uh...guys? Can you stop staring at me like that? You're giving me the creeps." Tai nervously laughed.
After another moment of silence, the room exploded with voices. Voices of fascination, gratitude and respect. Well to put things simply they basically scream and what they are talking about, Tai just wished he could understand. Then again maybe he should just wished that he could get out alive from this glomping friends, who basically jumped at him.
Sora watched as Tai tries to get out of the Digidestined pile. She's just happy that the real Tai was back, when faced with responsibility and challenges he just seems to transform from the childish guy she knew and loved to a leader that is almost unreachable. Call her selfish but she thinks that she has already seen Tai the Great enough to last her a life time, right now she's just glad that Tai, her best friend Tai, is back and that's how she would like him to stay.
"Sora...argh...a...little help...here?" Tai choked out while to get out of his friends' grip. Sora just giggled.
As the glomping and screaming continued, the final gate started opening. Beyond the heavy metal door was the most spectacular sight that Sora thought she wouldn't be able to see again. She and the others walked towards the ledge beyond the door, just below them was the digital world in all it's glory. Sora could clearly see the great blue sea that surrounds an island she unmistakenly thought was File Island. Just northwest of File Island was the Server continent, much more greener than she last remembered.
Tai finally got out of the pile and placed his hand on the shoulder of his bestfriend and said, "We're back..."
She nodded in full agreement not knowing that this visit might be the last so long to the real world of one of her friends.
I know that right now you're all like, "What the hell happened to the story!" Well like I said, I have plans for this story and I hope you would trust me to improve this humble fanfic. Again, thanks to all that reviewed and I would really love if you reviewed this chapter. Almost all writers you tell you that the fans' reviews are what keeps them going, I for one am one such writer. Ja!