It comes at no surprise that I took forever to update. I'm sorry to everyone.
This chapter was 90% written for like 6 months. The hardest part was figuring out the stopping point.
It is a bit shorter, but it's more of a transitional chapter leading into the real action! I did start the next chapter, but I make no promises on when I will finish it. It will definitely not get done before the new year, so I want to wish everyone a happy holidays and happy new year!
In his 18 years of life, Taichi never grew accustomed to falling. He understood that any time he entered the digital world, some falling would be involved; off a cliff, into a river, hanging off a bed in your underwear while an evil devil flung you and your friends on opposite sides of the world, but even then, he could never fully familiarize himself with the sensation. So here he was, flailing about hoping SOMEONE WOULD JUST DIGIVOLVE AND CATCH THEM.
His prayers were answered when a large orange bird appeared below him, successfully catching half of the group, while another bird, much redder, caught the rest.
"Sheesh, for once can't we just start on the ground?"
Taichi looked over, chuckling at Daisuke's loud complaints.
"You know we've never had that kind of luck! Stop dreaming goggle-head," Miyako hollered from her spot on Anquilomon.
As both Birdramon and Anquilomon lowered everyone to the ground, Taichi grabbed his telescope, hoping to inspect the digital world and assess the situation. Something seemed off, almost like the color was draining from the sky. Everything seemed dull, Taichi didn't like the unease it was giving him. He blinked a few times, hoping that would restore the color. Soon a voice interrupted his concentration.
"You still have that thing?"
Turning toward the noise, he made eye contact with his rather judgmental best friend.
Rolling his eyes, Taichi responded, "Yea so what? I bet 500 yen that you've got your harmonica on you!"
Chuckles reverberated from the group until stopping abruptly. Hikari and Ken were both staring, rather intensely, at the sky. Taichi looked up, following their gaze until he realized what they were seeing. Grey. Nothing, but grey.
Sora began to speak, "Are we…?"
"We're in the dark ocean." Ken's voice shook. Miyako was at Ken's side in an instant, holding onto him as Daisuke grabbed his shoulder.
"Demon must have been expecting us," Hikari whispered. Takeru quickly wrapped his arm around her and Tailmon huddled between her legs.
Taichi was regretting the decision to let them come. He had only heard stories from Takeru on the subject; Hikari never spoke about it. He understood why. This place made him uncomfortable. Color slowly sucked away, leaving nothing in its place. Taichi could scare monsters out from under the bed, but how could he fight against nothing?
He couldn't. That was the scary part.
Too deep in his thoughts, Taichi barely registered the hand grabbing his arm. As he met eyes with Jou, he was pulled him out of his inner turmoil. He began taking note of his surroundings. All eyes were on him, waiting for guidance, waiting for their leader to make a decision and confidently march toward it.
He wasn't feeling very confident at the moment.
"I, uhh, think we should get moving. Koushiro, see if you can track anything with your computer. Yuzuki has her digivice on her, maybe we can find her that way. We should stick together, so everyone stay close and let's go this way." He pointed further into the forest.
Uncertainty flowed with every word, Taichi looked at Yamato for help. The blonde quietly nodded and began walking. Sora linked her arm around Taichi's and pulled him along.
"Let's go," she whispered, smiling softly.
The group moved silently into the forest. He was always told the Dark Ocean was more of a beach, but they were nowhere near one. Dark, shadowy trees loomed over them and the air felt heavy. His spine tickled continuously as if to warn him they were in danger.
They were being watched, he knew it.
But why hadn't anyone attacked?
"Does anyone feel that?" Iori asked, as if reading Taichi's mind.
"Someone's following us," Taichi whispered sternly.
There was a subtle rustling coming from their left. The trees seemed to sway ever so slightly. Everyone stopped as the Digimon prepared to attack. Out of the bushes came a black catlike monster. BlackTailmon. Taichi opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the shadowy figure lurking behind her.
"Why are you here?" she spoke through gritted teeth. Yuzuki very slowly stalked toward the goggle head.
"Ok before you freak out, we came to help-"
SLAP
Taichi cradled his cheek in his hand, a look of pure shock painted across his face.
Yuzuki's glare deepened.
"I very clearly told you NOT to follow me. Demon wants you here. I had a plan, one that may have been successful, but you ruined that," she huffed. Taichi stared silently as the girl deflated slowly. With a long sigh, she continued.
"Now what am I going to do?"
Taichi lifted his hand, reaching for the girl, when he stopped suddenly. A loud swishing from the forest began to surround the group. Taichi turned back toward Agumon and nodded silently. The chosen prepared themselves for the incoming battle.
Red eyes appeared among the shadows, circling the group and herding them closer together.
Yuzuki lowered her gaze to BlackTailmon. With a second sigh, she spoke.
"Looks like I won't be able to avoid this fight forever."
Her digivice began to glow.
