Digimon 6

CH. 6: The long way up

"You must've got in some fight," the doctor said. After their return him mom freaked out and sent in a request. His nose was broken, his face had to be stitched up, he needed some kind of bandage for his stomach and chest, and his legs needed some warm pads. The lake Flamedramon had thrown him in was below freezing level. In the other room TK was getting stitched up and had a black eye. "What exactly happened?"

"Like I said I got in a fight defending TK from this goon about 6ft tall." In the other room TK was telling the exact same story, except it was Davis he was defending from a midget. Both mother and Doctor gave each other worried looks, while the boys felt happy they didn't lie. "So, how long do I wear this?"

"Until you learn that fighting isn't the solution to getting a buddy out of trouble. Will you need a wheelchair Davis?" During his fight with the Digimon Emperor a stone fell and shards entered his shoes. TK held his stomach and one of his eyes had a dark ring over it. As they emerged into the waiting they saw Tai also with a black eye.

"You still think fighting helps?" Tai asked Matt. Matt looked at his brother and Davis laughed. Sora and Mimi also laughed, followed by Cody and the others. "Look at them."

"Well I have to admit, they look better in white." TK glared at Matt and Davis leaned against the wall. "C'mon we've still got school to attend." Odaiba Elementary School finally recognized the dance and Davis felt happy. Yet a few broken bones would probably stop him from break dancing. Homeroom again was full of energy at the news of reviving the dance.

"It's been a few weeks since the break in and with the new computers donated by Ken; our principal has had a change of heart. The soccer tournament will be held at East Odaiba High where you'll play against the 'Outsiders'! We have the ballots and it's your turn to choose who is crowned Princess or Prince, here are the choices:

Davis

TK

Tommy

Max

"Now remember to circle in the dot completely and if you erase remember to leave no messy mark. Here are your choices for Princess:

Kari

Ilene

Candy

Sally

"The dance will be held at Odaiba Hall and will start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m. Results will be posted outside the office during lunch. Now today's assignment is to read your essay on your summer, I believe its Davis's turn."

"Thank you," Davis said. He limped to the front of the class and grinned at TK:

"During my vacation my family

and I visited the great France.

We climbed or just gazed at the

majestic form of the Eiffel Tower.

My goal was to see the France

Soccer team, I did. They kick butt

and someday I wish to do the same."

"Nice usage of words Mr. Montomiya. Next up we have TK'S essay on what he did during summer. TK, if you would."

"Certainly, I'd be glad to share my report with this good class," TK said:

"My summer vacation was built

on two parents on different vacations.

I visited my brother Matt and dad and

we went to San Francisco. We sort of got

lost and it turned to a camping trip.

My mom and I had Matt come along

to Six Flags where we got sick on

the Superman."

"Very creative Mr. Takaishi, Kari I'm surprised you had no essay to turn in. Is anything wrong?" Everyone turned to Kari and saw her stare silently back. TK glanced at Kari and saw she never noticed him Davis felt like he got punched.

"I can't find my cat," Kari began, "she went out for one of her cat walks and never came back. My cat is my…friend and always keeps my spirit up. Lately it has failed."

"I'm sure you'll find your cat Kari, I'll excuse you for now, but by Tuesday I want to see it on my desk. As for TK and Davis they both get A's. Remember your group project on the war should be turned in before the quarter ends."

"Wait up Kari!" TK and Davis squeezed through the door and walked alongside her. Kari tried to speed up her pace.

"I'm sorry for my behavior lately. Gatamon ran off and didn't leave a note. I wish I knew where she was." Davis and TK both had the same idea, but somehow both kept it their secret. During lunch they headed to the computer lab and went in. It seemed quite for a while, and then the Digimon Emperor's evil laughter was heard. Where was he?

"I seemed to find someone left behind; if I know the owner do I return it?" He held Gatamon by her tail and held her like a trophy. "If you wish to get this animal back, you must complete my challenge. No Digimon, just you and your skills."

"Alright let's see what you got," Davis said. The path they took was long and windy and led to a hill going up. "Looks easy."

"I'd take that back if I were you," TK cautioned. Suddenly Monochromon popped out and charged at them. TK and Davis rolled out of the way and let them pass. Getting to their feet they encountered Merramon. Flames started chasing them and they had to jump logs, chasms, even do some climbing. Davis began to climb and saw TK pinned by two Merramon. Running to the lake Davis got a handful of water and dove between the Merramon and tossed water in their face. Soon their legs began to tire and finally after what seemed forever they reached the top.

"See, it was nothing!" Four Seadramon dropped from the trees and opened their huge carnivorous mouths. TK pushed Davis to the ground and a second after TK dropped, watery ice charged through the air. "We got to the top, now what?"

"We can't beat 4 Seadramon alone, but if we do get help Gatamon may die. I can see an opening, but if we're going to succeed we'll need to work together. Remember, we're doing this for Kari," TK reminded him. Agreeing, Davis and TK stood straight up and as the blast was heading right at them, they ran forward. The Seadramon followed them spraying their icy breath all over the ground. They made it and the Emperor looked unhappy.

"You made it, did you? Well I guess you deserve a reward too huh? You completed my challenge…here's your feline!" Gatamon was thrown over the cliff and Davis and TK felt glued to their spots. A golden horse flew up and Gatamon was on his back. "No! I told you no interference by Digimon!"

"That wasn't part of your deal," Davis said. Jumping onto Seadramon's back the Emperor ran. "Shows him to mess with the Digi destined!" Gatamon jumped into TK'S arms and licked his face. Heading back successfully, they hid Gatamon in their packs and headed to class. They met Kari in class and awaited the ballot. "Hey Kari we found your cat in the forest again."

"You did?" Their teacher came in and held a box of ballots all counted for. Davis, TK, and Kari all looked forward intently at it.

"The numbers were close, but our new Prince and Princess are…TK and Kari!" The class applauded the two and Davis felt horrible. He sat there with his head hung low; none of the class seemed to notice as they clapped for the two friends. "Remember the Princess and Prince get in half of charge, other couples is $5.00, and single is $10.00. A night to remembered, I think," their teacher said.

"Hey TK congratulations, you too Kari. You two have a nice time ok," Davis said politely. TK and Kari exchanged confused looks and then thought about inviting him. "No I don't think I'll make it, enjoy yourselves, besides you don't need me messing up your perfect night." The bell rang and the rest of the day played to Davis. At 4:00 p.m. he met Tommy at the soccer field where Coach Smith was going over last minute touches.

"Remember to have fun and keep your eye on the ball. I'm sorry you two didn't make Prince, but your 8th grade year should prove interesting. Same posititions and Davis make sure your head is screwed on tightly," the Coach said. The game began at 6:00 p.m. and in the audience sat Tai, Matt, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, TK, Kari, Yolei, and Cody. The whole gang!

"How did Kari end up with a loser like TK?" Davis turned towards Tommy and nearly punched him. "What's wrong?"

"TK is no loser, he's my friend and so is Kari. Now let's play soccer before you insult another one of my friends," Davis said hotly. The other team arrived and the ball was put in the middle, Davis scratched the dirt with his shoe and grinded his teeth. The ball was set and Davis kicked it past the other soccer player. He had good balance and the ball was trapped in a steady rhythm. Kicking it to Tommy he saw he missed it and it went to another player. The other player passed it to someone near and Davis figured the ball would pass to the person on the left. The ball was kicked and Davis bumped it in the other direction with his head. Max got it and kicked it in front of him till he reached the goal. Faking a kick he sent it over to Davis who nailed it. "Plenty more to go."

"Don't get cocky Davis," Coach Smith warned. The game went for nearly 2 hours and by then the score was 3 to 3. Everyone was glued to their seats and all eyes lay on Davis. He was closing within the goal box and he had two people in front and back. Kicking the ball around them he neared the goalie and sweat dripped down on his head. To Davis's mind everything went in slow motion, the crowd got up, his Coach yelling 'kick', the other team nearing him, and Tommy and the others were right behind, the goalie stood with his hands in front ready for a straight shot. "Kick it now!"

"You ain't got the guts," the goalie sneered. Davis bent back his foot and kicked it to the left, while the goalie went right. The score went 4 to 3 and in his mind everything fast forwarded to after the game. His mom and dad surprised him by showing up and even his sister, who clung to Matt like water to a rag. The trophy was a golden brightness to Davis, yet it was the thought of the golden crowns on Kari and TK that dampened it.

"You guys…I think I'll take you up on that offer. I've got my trophy, let's go get yours." Tai and Matt patted him on the back and Sora smiled. So all the Digi destined went to the prime of the night-Odaiba Hall's first dance. The older kids hung out by the punch bowl and chatted with their old teachers.

"I'm only 9 and I'm at a party for pre-teens," Cody thought aloud. The place was booming with music and the kids boogied to the latest hits. Yolei tended to shy away from the group and went to hang around with Mimi and Sora. "Davis, why aren't you dancing?"

"I…don't have the right moves," Davis replied awkwardly. The lights played on Kari and TK as they slow danced to an oldie. Kari and TK were right for each other, which meant his crush on her was merely sparked by the competition of TK. When did I have a chance? When did Kari ever show interest in me? My mom was right; I guess I misinterpreted Kari's kindness. "Maybe it's time I change."

"Probably it's for the best," Tai said. Davis accepted the drink and stared again at the two. Matt also noticed TK and grinned at Tai, who in turn smiled crookedly. "Are you still going after her Davis?"

"Not really, you see what I thought was to be, turned out to be false hopes. Kari and TM have such a background knowing each other for 4 years and still having…that bond. At least with TO she will not have an overachiever. I should focus more on my leadership then on romance, at least that'll wait for me," he said.

"Spoken like a true Digi destined," Izzy said. Joe finished his punch and nodded his head in agreement. Davis left the group and went to sit down. Just then Sally came by; she had long black hair and had nice green eyes. She wore a red top and loose pants and had a smile that reflected the rising sun. Did she want something?

"Need a dance partner?" Davis was caught off guard, but he accepted her hand and joined the dancers. "I heard how you stood up for your friends and that is an honorable trait. Not to mention I wished you would have clobbered Tommy, he's such an insensitive jerk. You know there are a lot of girls that show interest in you, it's juts you have your sights on only one girl…Kari," she met his scared look and smiled, "don't worry it's not known by everyone, just one little tip-keep your options wide. Why don't you talk to me?"

"Oh, I guess it's just you're the first girl I talked to beside my mom, my sister, Kari, Yolei, Sora, and Mimi. Sally…this is a slow…"

"Yes it is." She wrapped her arms around his neck and held her close to him. The scent of her black hair was like apply fresh, and their movement was so…rhythmically balanced. Davis's hands found themselves on her waist and he stared into her green eyes again and they glowed like the fresh grass after a shower. She leaned forward and kissed Davis on the lips and he responded to it pushing his onto hers. The sensation he felt was dizziness, and the fact that it was his first kiss. As they released for air she gave him a quizzical look. "Hey Davis, are you ok?"

"Yeah…just have to return from the-." Sally pulled him in for another kiss and she too was lost in her own world. All the stress from losing Princess and failing her math test eased from her body and she sank into Davis's kiss. Over in the center of the light Kari and TK were lost in the moment. Kari noticed his look.

"TK what are you thinking?" TK gazed into her red concerned eyes and felt he was about to melt into a puddle. How could he say those words that have been haunting his dreams and not freak her out? They were old enough to date and they had reasonable grades, even their brothers were best friends, but it sill couldn't be easy. "TK are you ok?"

"Oh, I'm fine. I just have this thought on my mind that is drilling its way out. Kari we've known each other for quite some time right?" Kari nodded and kept up with the beat of the music. "Well…ever since my parents divorce I always felt like nothing could bring them back. Their love wasn't strong as I hoped and me and Matt chose our parent. Now dancing here with you I feel…"

"Is that Davis kissing a girl?" TK looked over and saw Sally and Davis locking lips while swaying to the music. Did this mean their rivalry had ended? Kari was distracted by the sight and TK wondered if she had feelings for him.

"Kari, when two people have known each other for some time, they tend to see that person in a different light. I didn't under stand it 4 years ago, but now it's burning clear. Kari I lo-."

"Hey that's my girl!" A kid ran at Davis and Tai and Matt pinned him to the ground. The principal marched up to the young man and led him out. Davis was about to leave, when another song came on and Sally swung him onto the dance floor.

"Yes TK…you were saying..?" TK gulped down the warm saliva and again focused on Kari…it was coming and somehow it seemed to be going too slow…

"Kari…thanks for being there," he managed to say. Kari smiled and the two finished the dance. The principal walked onto the stage and began his speech:

"Thank you all for attending Odaiba Hall's first dance! We have all overcome our fears, and even managed to look beyond our small point of knowledge. Old and new our school grows and the more growth we have, the better chance we'll understand one another. TK and Kari-lead us home!" A fast paced song came on and the kids swung like crazy. TK and Kari danced crazily and Davis and Sally kept up the swing. Izzy asked Sora for a dance and the two flamingo off. Tai went with Mimi, and Joe and Matt drank some punch. The night ended and a whole new day awaited our growing heroes…

Completed