Losing Light
Reviews:
Most ever.
4everDestined: Dark Kari is, quite possibly, the stupidest character name I've ever come up with. I was kicking myself to come up with something that didn't sound like a second grader thought it up, but I had to go to work. It is Yami, which I have decided DK's name will be, it's too perfect. If I had even bothered to think of something remotely intelligent, which I obviously didn't, I probably would have drawn that conclusion. I don't like any of the characters to be happy-go-lucky. I prefer them to be human, really. Ah yes, "Dark Kari", now Yami, should have been unexpected. Thanks very much, I adore long reviews.
mysticgirl1713: Yay! Another long review. I don't like a TK/Davis hate fest, I see them a lot like Matt and Tai, and I always try to make them friends. And as for Dark Kari, I'm horrible at writing big entrances, so I said,"Okay, dream sequence it is." This story will be primarily about TK and Kari, but I plan to have some Tai/Matt and Dai/Yolie in here soon. The last battle was too sudden, I agree. I just couldn't figure out a way to smoothly introduce it. Hiro Shenji is based on a moronic classmate of mine that I actually do hate. I'm trying to use foreshadowing to my advantage to make an everything-adds-up plot. I do hope it's working. I've decided to use Yami (Japanese for darkness I believe) for Dark Kari's name. So in further chapters it will be a battle between Hikari and Yami, light and dark. Thank you so much for this review, it's been extremely helpful. Also, thanks for your reviews for Live and Fury.
RealNutcase: Thank you for both of your reviews. Darkness in Japanese is Yami, which will be Dark Kari's new name. Thanks a ton.
Lovelinelivelong639: Thanks.
slapmesilly: Thank you very much. underOATH is God. Where did you see them? I missed their show in Maine, which very much devestated me.
Achillea: Thanks. I like your name by the way. Are you into Greek mythology?
Angels and Airwaves. 'Nuff said.
The Adventure has been a wicked inspiration for this fic. Just that one like "I can't live, I can't breathe unless you do this with me" reminds me of the struggle that Kari's going to go through (as you will soon read), and how much she truly needs TK.
"The light that you still hold, I hold. It's a nice little chunk of power, really." Kari stared at the girl as she leaned against the wall opposite her. "Now, I believe we have some business to attend to."
Chapter 7: Guardian Luminia
Kari glared at her double, annoyed at the copy's ease and indifference. In truth, she was still quite confused about everything that had happened in the last few days, but she wasn't about to let her confusion disrupt her concentration.
"What do you want from me?" Kari's voice was quiet, even, concealing her unease. Yami swiveled her head, locking eyes with Kari.
"I want you to suffer," Her voice was cold, cruel. Merciless. Kari's body gave an involuntary shiver at the sound. "You're afraid of me," Yami said thoughtfully, tucking a stray strand of raven hair behind her ear. "As it should be." With that, she pushed herself off the wall, shooting toward Kari, who dodged.
"What the hell are you playing at?" Kari hissed, eyes wide, looking appalled. "This is a school. We can't do this here!"
"Looks like we're going to have to," Yami returned, throwing herself at Kari again, tackling her to the ground. "I've never been one for patience, Light." She pinned Kari's hands above her head with one hand, using her other hand to extract something from her skirt pocket. Kari paled when she saw the glint of the blade under the florescent lighting of the school. "And now I must bid my farewells, dear sister." She placed the blade of the knife at Kari's throat, poised to kill.
"Kari!" Kari mentally thanked TK's mother for birthing him. Yami leapt off of the fallen girl, brandishing her knife at TK. The blond stared at Yami stupidly, thoroughly shocked at the sight of Kari's double. Kari used the chance to jump to her feet, kicking Yami's ankles, sending the girl to the floor. Yami dropped her knife before crashing to the floor with a sharp shriek. Kari swept the knife from where it lay on the ground, placing it at Yami's throat.
"We'll discuss this later," She said levely. Yami nodded, wincing at the graze of metal against the skin of her neck. "Go." Kari stood back, watching Yami carefully as she got to her feet. A second later, she was gone.
"Care to explain to me what's going on?" Kari winced at TK's question, having forgotten he was there.
---
"So what you're saying is that there's a double of you running around the real world?" Tai stared at his younger sister, completely dumbstruck. Kari nodded silently, glaring at TK for telling everyone. "But how?" Kari shrugged, not meeting anyone's eyes. Yami's words rang in her head, reminding her that the double's creation was her own fault. She blinked, scowling as a single tear fell onto her hand.
"This isn't your fault Kari," TK said quietly, voice soothing, lifting her chin with his index finger. She looked at him silently.
"Yes it is." TK's brow furrowed in confusion. "Ask her," Kari snapped, standing jerkily. "I'm sure she'll be back." With that, she stalked out of the computer lab, leaving her friends with their own confused thoughts.
---
Matt jumped at the sharp knock on his door, nearly dropping the pan he was holding. Carefully, he put the pan back on it's burner, switching the temperature from high to medium. He opened the door, gasping a little at what he saw behind it. Tai stood in the doorway, looking ruffled and broken, tears drying on his cheeks. He glanced up, eyes boring into Matt's. The shorter boy looked terribly fragile, as though a single touch would break him.
"Matt," Matt jumped at the little voice, but quickly regained himself, ushering Tai into the apartment. He led the boy to the couch, prodding him to sit. He shuffled over to the stove, turned the burners off, then took a seat next to Tai on the tiny couch.
"Tai," Matt said gently, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "What happened?" Tai took a long, shuddering breath.
"That girl," Tai began quietly. "Kari's double, she was in my dream. She said that Kari's changed, that she isn't who she used to be. She said that Kari's lost her light." Tai's shoulders shook under Matt's touch. "It's all my fault, Matt. I should have protected her." Matt shook his head, gaze soft.
"There was nothing you could have done, Tai," He murmured, drawing Tai into a gentle embrace. Tai nuzzled his head into Matt's chest, mumbling something into the white t-shirt. "Everything will be okay, we'll figure something out." Matt smiled as Tai's breathing became deep and even, letting his head droop onto the back of the couch, falling into sleep himself.
---
Kari groaned, recognizing where she was in an instant. She glanced around the forest, waiting for Yami to appear as she usually did. Something was off this time, though. Instead of the forest being pitch-black, it was basked in light. Okay, She thought uneasily. Where am I?
"You are in one outcome," An airy voice murmured. The voice came from all around Kari, so strong that it sent shivers up her spine. She was momentarily blinded, as the world faded into whiteness before returning to the forest. Before her stood the most beautiful being she had ever seen. Before her stood an angel. The girl was her age, possibly a few years older, with a halo of golden hair cascading over her shoulders in shining ripples. Her skin was pale and smooth as milk, her cheeks tinted rose, eyes shining indigo against her luminescent face. She wore a simple white knee-length dress that hung on her perfectly. But what amazed Kari most, were the magnificent ivory wings that burst out from her back. Kari cocked her head in awe, unsure of how to respond. The girl laughed, a lovely and tinkling sound. "Would you rather I hide these?" She asked, gesturing to her wings. Kari nodded distractedly. The girl retracted her wings easily, smiling softly.
"Where am I?" Kari asked quietly, feeling silently intimidated by the girl.
"You are in one outcome," The angel repeated gently. Kari raised an eyebrow in confusion. "This is what will happen if you beat the darkness." No pressure, Kari thought dryly. "I know, there is a lot of pressure on you Light, but I have the utmost confidence in you." Kari looked at the girl in alarm. Stop reading my thoughts, She thought, staring into the girl's eyes. Perhaps you should stop thinking, and pay attention. Kari gasped as the girl's voice sounded in her head.
"Who are you?" She snapped defensively. The girl smiled smugly, knowing she had successfully frightened the girl.
"My name is Luminia," She murmured, bowing her head. "I'm your guardian angel, your-," She stopped abruptly, a look of alarm flying across her face. She smiled nervously. "Your guardian angel." Kari cocked an eyebrow, but ignored Luminia's sudden odd behaviour.
"What will happen if I don't beat the darkness?" She asked quietly, dreading the answer. Luminia calmed at the change of subject.
"You've already seen that," She replied. "Yami has taken you to that world everytime she's felt the need to torment you." Kari nodded, feeling unease well in her stomach. "Have no fear, Light. I know that you can destroy that world, destroy her. You have the power within you, and within others." Kari raised an eyebrow.
"What others?" Luminia shook her head. "Can't tell me?" A nod. "No, I don't suppose the answers ever come easily." Luminia laughed softly.
"No," She murmured. "I don't suppose they do." Her face changed, darkened. "This war will only get more difficult, Light. Every battle will be harder than the last." Kari nodded, having known that already.
"That's how it always is," She said quietly. "And after the victory, you wonder how you did it."
"But during the war, you focus on nothing but winning, and on keeping everyone safe." Kari nodded. "You are a true warrior, Light. That is good, you'll need to be a warrior. You'll need to forget your emotions for a while, but during the final battle, you'll need to let them all come flooding back. Your emotions are your greatest power, Light. You must forget yourself, forget everything until you face her." Luminia's eyes dimmed. "My time is up. Sleep well." With that, she was gone, leaving Kari to dream on her own, unbothered by phantoms.
Finally.
Reviews are mucho appreciated.