Losing Light

kitetherescue

Reviewers:

mysticgirl1713: Thank you so much, your reviews are greatly valued. I'm trying to not write just Takari, but to incorporate other characters. I didn't do that in the first version of this a few years ago, so I'm really striving. Tai is one of my favorite characters, so I try to make him human, not completely insane. In my mind he's not the crazy, over-protective brother, but the concerned, caring brother. I tried to make the Luminia intro as amazing as possible. Glad you liked it.

4everDestined: You'll see more Takari moments in this chapter. I suppose in a situation like that, you have no option but to be understanding. Now we don't know that they are king and queen, so don't go assuming things. Thanks loads.

slapmesilly: I write in the late hours of the night usually, so I post before morning. There may be a little action in this chapter, I haven't decided yet. I haven't had a chance either. I live up in Maine, and I think the closest the tour gets is Mass. When I can drive, I'm so going.

RealNutcase: Get used to the cliffhangers, I tend to write them often. Thanks.

I am just whizzing through this story. I hope everyone likes it. I feel like I haven't been doing the most quality writing lately, so I'm going to try extra hard from now on.

Taking Back Sunday. 'Nuff said.

Happy Independence Day for U.S. citizens.

"Digi-port open!" He cried, holding his D-3 out at arm's length. What they found when they arrived was something they thought they would never see.

The Queen's First Light

TK gasped at the sight. Sprawled in a very unnatural position on the ground was an elderly man. His white hair was matted with blood that trickled down the side of his face, his nose was crooked, broken TK figured, with a line of blood seeping from the left nostril. A large bruise stood out against the pale, wrinkled skin on his left cheek. The normally smiling face of the old man was now contorted into a look of serene pain.

"Gennai." TK only then noticed the form of a girl hunched over the mutilated body. Kari, he thought, feeling only slightly relieved. TK walked to Kari's shuddering form in silence. He knelt down beside the shaking girl, drawing her body to his. He sat down, bringing her to sit in his lap. She tensed for a moment, bust wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer, sobbing into his shoulder.

"Shh," TK soothed, his mouth close to Kari's ear. "It's alright." He shifted Kari in his arms, reaching out to brush Gennai's eyes closed. "Nothing ever really dies in the Digital World, remember?" Kari nodded, muffling her sniffles in TK's shirt. "Then why are you so upset?" Kari was silent a moment.

"She did it," She whispered, her voice wavering as another wave of tears overtook her. TK glanced at Tai, who's face was alive with hundreds of emotions, the dominanting two being concern and hatred. Hatred for who? TK wondered absently, looking back at Kari. Tai made a strangled sound in his throat, and TK looked back at him. Tai's eyes were tearing, something that made TK feel as though there was no hope in the world. Behind Tai, was Matt, who was also on the verge of crying. He smiled a bit when his brother slid his hand into Tai's, giving a quick squeeze that was returned. TK looked at the team, each one of them were close to or crying. Everyone looked so hopeless, as though the battle was no longer worth fighting. They looked as though they had already lost.

"Don't lose hope," TK whispered in Kari's ear. "Because I always have enough for you. You may have to share your light, but my hope is always yours." Kari looked up, her red-rimmed eyes locking with his. "Have faith." Kari nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. She moved from TK's arms, standing above Gennai's fallen form. "Use your light, Kari. Use your light." Kari closed her eyes, concentrating. She heard a small gasp in the back of her mind, but ignored it. She felt a new strength envelop her body as TK slid his hand into hers. She used his hope as he basked in her light. Kari's eyes shot open as a single ball of light shot from the glow that surrounded the two teens. The light became stronger, growing as everyone offered their strength. The light enveloped Gennai's body, becoming even brighter. When the light subsided, there stood Gennai in it's place, healthy and unharmed.

"Light, Hope," He murmured, his aged eyes shining with pride. "You are far stronger than even I had imagined." With those words, the two teens collapsed.

---

"They're waking up." Kari winced as the loud voice stirred her from sleep. Someone gasped as she opened her eyes, squinting into the sunlight. She sat up slowly, bringing her hand over her eyes to sheild them from the light. She heard TK groan from somewhere beside her. "Thank God you two are alright." It was Tai's voice, his tone full of relief and under-lying concern.

"Stop fussing over me," TK was mumbling, slapping Matt's hands away from him. Kari smiled a little at the boy's antics. She felt her face as TK glanced her way, his eyes brimming with concern. She gave him a small smile, which he eagerly returned. Their attention was turned to Izzy as he spoke.

"Alright Gennai," Izzy said, restlessness clear in his voice. "They're awake. Can you explain what happened to them now?" The elder man smiled, giving a nod, obviously amused by Izzy's overwhelming curiosity.

"Peace, Izzy," Gennai murmured, holding a hand toward the boy, bringing it down. Izzy colored with embarrassment, smiling sheepishly. "Before I dive into explanation, I must thank the both of you. Kari, your light is stronger than ever, and almost as beautiful as you've become." Kari blushed at the compliment, causing TK to smile at her. "TK, your hope is just as strong as Kari's light, perhaps even stronger. It is an amazing force that's coming from your heart. When your light and hope come together, they create a nearly unbeatable force. It has only happened once before, with the Digi-destined that previously held your crests. Your power combined, however, is far more powerful than anything that even I have seen. I have no factual explanation for this, but I do have a theory."

"What's that, Gennai?" Sora asked timidly, tugging on a strand of chestnut hair.

"My theory is that each of you trust the two of them so much that you are willing to put all of your power into them," Gennai explained quietly. "That you each hold so much faith in TK and Kari that you would give even your lives to them." Everyone was quiet a moment.

"Your theory is correct, Gennai," Davis said, knowing that his words were completely true. Murmurs of agreement sounded behind him as the others confirmed his claim. Next to Gennai, TK and Kari were beaming.

"Gennai," Tai began. "Can we get back?" The man's face fell slightly.

"No, Tai," He said regretfully. "I'm afraid you can't. Not until there is a portal open, and I don't know when that will be. I'm sorry."

"But, Gennai," Izzy cut in, looking worried. "Time in our world is synchronized with time here. We could be gone for years in both worlds."

"Again, I apologize," Gennai said. "I wish I could help you, but I am needed elsewhere. You will find a way back." With a finalizing nod, he was gone.

"Great," Matt said cynically. "Just like the first time."

"It's alright," Tai said, trying to bring some optimism back to his team. "We know this land, we'll be fine."

"Correction, Tai," Matt snipped. "We knew this land. Some of us haven't been here since for a while since we were eleven." Tai turned on Matt.

"Matt, you need to stop being so negative. We'll be fine. We are part of this world, and it's like riding a bicycle. So get back on the fucking seat." Matt glared at the boy, his eyes going hard.

"You know, Tai, just because you're acting the part of Mr. Optimism, it doesn't make you any braver," He said quietly, his voice cold. "Stop pretending to be brave, I can see right through that. I can see right through you, just like I always cou-" Matt was cut off as Tai's fist connected with his cheek. Matt only wasted a second for surprise before retaliating, his fist striking Tai's jaw. Tai launched himself at the taller boy, tackling him to the ground. Tai straddled Matt's waist, his fists flying into the blond's face.

"Someone help me," Everyone was surprised as Joe pushed through his friends, making his way to separate the fighting boys. "Davis, TK." The younger boys nodded, approaching the elder boys cautiously. When Davis neared them, Tai snarled furiously. "On second thought, let them duke it out." TK and Davis nodded, scurrying away from them. Matt landed a knee in Tai's stomach, causing the brunette to reel back. Matt took this opportunity to gain dominance, straddling Tai's hips. He made to punch the boy beneath him, but Tai caught his wrist. He launched the other fist, snarling when Tai stopped that too.

"Bastard," Matt hissed. "You're such a fucking bast-" He was cut off when Tai leaned up, pressing his lips to Matt's. Slowly, Tai let Matt's wrists go, smiling into the boy's lips as they came to rest on the ground near his head. Tai gasped when he felt Matt's lips moving against his own. His head reeling, Tai pulled away reluctantly. He and Matt stared at each other a moment, before Tai rolled out from under the taller boy. He took one look at Matt's confused face, and dashed off into the woods. "Tai!" Matt called from his position on the ground. "Fuck," He murmured, putting a finger to his lips. He colored when he noticed that the rest of the Digi-destined were staring at him. "What the fuck are you looking at?" Matt snapped viciously. "Go make yourselves useful or something. I'm going to find Tai." At his icy tone, everyone scurried off in different directions. "Christ he's a good kisser," Matt murmured, blushing at the thought.

---

"Shit, shit, shit!" Tai screamed, collapsing onto the forest floor. He curled his knees to his chest, burying his face in them. I kissed him! Tai's mind screamed as he willed the sob that tried to escape back down his throat. "I can't face him now," Tai murmured in defeat.

"Who says?" Tai's head shot up in surprise. Before him stood Matt, his cheeks flushed a bit. "You ran off before I had a chance to respond." Matt closed the distance between the two of them, practically sitting on Tai's lap.

"And what is your response?" Tai breathed, feeling thoroughly intoxicated by Matt's nearness. Matt's only reply was to press his lips to Tai's, smiling into the kiss a bit. He pulled back, grinning. "I like that response."

Alrighty then. We had some Taito and a bit of Takari in there. I feel a little accomplished.

Review and all that.