I don't own Digimon.
A/N: I think this is another one of my favourite chapters I've written so far. I actually started tearing up a little bit while I was writing it. I am such a lame sap!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 309: A Heart For All
Sora Kamiya
Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World
Letting go of Tai so she could wrap her arms more securely around her daughter's slim waist, Sora thought she caught a glimpse of movement beneath the younger female's closed eyelids. If so, the response was faint, but it was still better than no response at all.
Could it possibly be a sign that our words are getting through to Kara?
"Is it working, do you think?" Tentomon asked, turning to his partner for answers. "Even if she can hear us, escaping that cave is still a huge challenge."
"Not for Kara, it won't be," Izzy responded, giving the little rookie a reassuring smile. "You have to remember, these things take time, and right now she has more of that than we do. While we're moving forward, she's at a bit of a standstill. That's a consequence of being trapped inside your own mind. Time will technically flow quickly for Kara, but truthfully it's far slower than what we're experiencing. As a result, it'll seem like a long time to her, but in actuality less time has passed in that cave than what has passed for us."
"So...is that an advantage?" Celestimon asked, the confused look on his small face indicating he was having trouble keeping up with the conversation.
"We'll soon find out."
"You say time's moving faster here, but I'm still finding it too slow for my liking," Spritemon complained, bouncing impatiently on her toes. "Can you dumb humans speed this up a little bit?"
If only...
The little pixie digimon was standing a few feet away with YukiOnnamon, and at some point DarkAngelicmon and Encantamon had moved around the glass cylinder to join their evil companions. The four dark digimon were gathered near the base of Dai's aquatic prison, and it was clear from their expressions that they weren't willing to wait forever.
Please, Kara. We don't have much time left...
"We're working on it," Alopemon growled, glaring at Spritemon. "Hold your digihorses."
"Well, you're not working on it fast enough!"
This is about Kara. We can't let ourselves get distracted. That's exactly what they what, Spritemon in particular. She thinks this is a game and that she controls the board, but she couldn't be more wrong. The only person who commands this playing field is my daughter, and that's why we need her back.
It was a comforting thought, and yet at the same time it also terrified her. So much was resting on Kara's shoulders, which was far more than anybody should ever ask of a child.
No, I was a child once too, and so was Matt. My daughter can do this. I don't doubt her, I'm doubting myself, and I can't afford to do that either.
"We should keep talking to her," Wormmon advised, climbing onto his partner's shoulder so he could address the group as a whole. "Look, do you notice the difference?"
"I see it!" Halomon gasped, pointing at the female Digidestined. "The black wisps around her are starting to fade!"
Kara!
Sora quickly pulled back to gaze at her daughter more closely, and upon careful scrutiny, she realised the celestial rookie was right. The tendrils of darkness swirling around Takara's body appeared less dense than previously, and though they were still clinging stubbornly to her lower half, they no longer obscured the female Digidestined's face and upper body.
"It is working!" Matty cheered, pumping a fist into the air. "Come on, guys! Let's keep it up!"
"I know you can do this," Tai murmured, kissing their daughter's forehead and tightening his arms around her shoulders. "Come back to us so I can tell you a million times over how much I love you."
Tai...
Sora felt her eyes fill with tears, and stroking her daughter's hair, she whispered in the female Digidestined's ear, "It's true. There aren't enough words out there to describe how much you mean to us."
The obvious change in Takara's appearance was enough to fuel their motivation to keep going, and eager to join in, Matty and the others, including all of their digimon, proceeded to shout out their own words of encouragement. The changes were subtle, which was why they hadn't noticed them at first, but as they continued to force their voices through the darkness, all of their Digivices began to glow with pale white light, including Dai's D-Coder that was still trapped within the cylinder.
"Do you think our light is reaching Kara?" Mickey asked, his amber eyes sparkling in the vast chamber that was growing brighter every minute.
Dai had sunk to his knees within the sphere, and keeping his intense gaze focused on the female Digidestined's face, the goggle-headed leader said quietly, "Yeah, it definitely is."
"We're almost there," Matt said firmly, resting his hand on Takara's shoulder. "Just a bit more."
"Give me a chance, Kara," Dai pleaded, bowing his head. "Please, that's all I ask. Just one chance to make this right."
Immediately, those words had a powerful effect on the goggle-headed leader's D-Coder, which caught both allies and enemies alike completely off guard. Before anyone could react, the light streaming from its shiny surface suddenly exploded in a blinding flash, and as a result, a series of fine cracks began to weave through the thick glass surrounding the Digivice. It was beautiful and breathtaking to watch, and as the intricate network of fine breaks started to resemble a web carefully spun with purpose right before their very eyes, the light bursting forth from within shot straight through the broken glass directly towards Takara.
"It's so beautiful," Glowmon whispered in awe, the light from his own belly responding to the bright glow. "So pretty!"
It really is. Oh, Kara...There is no one else in the whole world who can make others love them as quickly and fiercely as you do...
As the brilliant burst of light from Dai's D-Coder merged with the warm glow already surrounding Takara's body, the tendrils of darkness began to shrink down past her thighs. Slowly but surely, the shadowy ribbons entangling her legs were retreating out of existence, bringing them closer and closer to rescuing the female Digidestined.
My sweet, loving daughter...
"Ugh, that's it!" Spritemon suddenly shouted, stomping her foot in frustration. "I've had enough of this!"
Huh?
Sora froze, and slowly lifting her head, she glanced warily at the little pixie digimon. Though there was nothing about Spritemon's outburst that seemed out of character, for some reason the strange glint in the female mega's eyes made her feel uneasy.
Something's not right here. I can sense it.
"What are you going on about?" Ryoko snapped, clearly annoyed at the interruption.
Spritemon ignored the golden-haired Digidestined, and turning to YukiOnnamon, she said, "What do say we make things a little more interesting?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"I have to admit, I'm a little intrigued," Encantamon butted in, her reptilian eyes lighting up with interest. "Please, tell us more!"
Spritemon placed a delicate finger underneath her chin, and lips twisting into an evil smile, she said coyly, "I know one thing that might hurry the girl up a little bit, and if it doesn't...well, that just means we'll have one less Digidestined to deal with."
Huh, what is she planning?
Sora felt her heart leap into her throat, and tightening her arms around her daughter, who was still fighting the darkness, she said in a low voice, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Yeah, explain!" Biyomon shouted, immediately moving in front of Takara with the rest of their rookie digimon. "If you come any closer, don't think we won't digivolve to stop you!"
Dovemon was the only digimon who didn't move to confront their enemies, and standing faithfully by her partner's side, she said quietly, "Haven't you done enough already?"
"Clearly not," Spritemon snorted, motioning for Encantamon to come closer. "Since you're here, why don't we have a little fun with that impressive watery sphere of yours?"
"Is that really necessary?" DarkAngelicmon asked, his black eyebrows narrowing into a frown. "The girl seems well on her way to leaving the darkness behind as it is."
Wait...are they planning to do something to Dai?
Sora glanced at her husband, whose dark eyes were glittering with an intensity she had never seen before, and slowly letting go of Kara, the former leader stood up and said quietly, "What are you doing?"
"Why don't you watch and see," Spritemon taunted, turning back to Encantamon. "So, what do you say?"
"I suppose it could be kind of fun," the serpent digimon replied, her gaze shifting to YukiOnnamon. "Your orders?"
The female mega was silent for a moment, and then nodding her head, she said coldly, "I'll allow it. I'd like to return to the Ruler of Darkness as quickly as possible."
I don't understand. They're going to do something with the sphere?
"Careful, everyone," Izzy warned, climbing quickly to his feet. "They've got something up their sleeves."
"And whatever it is, I doubt we're going to like it," Gabumon agreed.
Sora couldn't deny she felt the same way, and letting go of Mickey's hand, which was still clutching Kara's fingers, Sam called out, "Care to let us in on your little scheme?"
Instead of responding, Spritemon motioned for Encantamon to get on with whatever she was supposed to do, and stepping forward, the serpent digimon held out her hand towards the sphere. There was a flash of blue light, and then suddenly Embermon was standing next to Encantamon on the ground while Dai still remained inside the serpent digimon's aquatic creation.
"What the...I'm free?" Embermon exclaimed, blinking as if he was having trouble orienting himself. "What's going on?"
"Embermon!" Dai cried, pushing against the sphere in a fruitless attempt to reach his partner. "Ugh, what's up with this thing!?"
Embermon quickly whirled around to stare at the goggle-headed leader, and rushing back towards the sphere, the little rookie shouted, "Dai!"
Something's really wrong. They wouldn't have let Embermon go without a good reason...
The thought made Sora feel sick to her stomach, and looking amused, Encantamon called out, "There's no use trying to get back in. Besides, I thought you wanted to get out."
"Why?" Embermon growled, turning from the watery orb to glare at the serpent digimon. "Why would you leave him in there but let me go free?"
"You're just about to find out," Spritemon gloated, her wings quivering in eager anticipation for what was to come. "Now, Encantamon! Let's give the girl a real reason to cry!"
No!
Before she could even think about what she was doing, Sora leaped to her feet, and turning her reptilian eyes on the them, the serpent digimon said cryptically, "My apologies, but remember what he said."
...Who?
At first, Sora was confused, and then she remembered DarkAngelicmon's words.
"The next time we fight, there will be no holding back. YukiOnnamon's presence will not allow it. No matter your feelings, you mustn't give in to your emotions. You must win at all costs..."
She sounds like she's genuinely going to regret what she's about to do...
"Tai," Agumon said slowly, taking a spot near the front next to Gabumon. "I think we're in trouble."
Whether the former leader intended to reply or not, Sora didn't know, but the opportunity was lost when Encantamon suddenly closed her eyes and began to murmur something under her breath that sounded almost like a spell. At first, it didn't look like anything was happening, and then all of a sudden the sphere began to glow a bright blue.
"What in the Digiworld?" Dai shouted, leaping back from the wall's gooey surface. "Hey, my feet!"
Frowning in confusion, Sora had no idea what the goggle-headed leader was talking about, and then on closer inspection, her eyes widened in horror.
No! They wouldn't!
"Huh? Is the sphere...filling with water?" Matty asked, looking confused.
Ken was immediately on his feet, and pulling out his Digivice, the former Emperor said sharply, "We need to digivolve now!"
"They're...they're trying to drown him!" Mickey whispered, his handsome face growing deathly pale.
So this is how they intend to hurt my daughter...
"Move, all of you! Let's go!" Matt shouted, reaching for his own Digivice and racing towards the sphere. "Tai, come on!"
At first, the former leader didn't respond, and truthfully Sora couldn't blame him. The shocked expression on Tai's face mirrored her own, and it wasn't until Ryoko stepped in to give her husband's arm a hard shake that the older man finally moved.
"Sora, you stay here with Dovemon while we go help Dai," Izzy instructed, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze. "Somebody has to look after Kara. Can you do that for us?"
Though she wanted desperately to run after the others, Sora knew the computer expert's request made sense. There was still a chance Spritemon or one of her companions might try to hurt Kara while they were all attempting to rescue Dai, and as a result they couldn't leave the female Digidestined all by herself.
That might even be the real purpose behind all of this. Who knows anymore...
"Don't worry, Sora, I'll help save Dai," Biyomon said confidently, giving her a reassuring smile.
Sora nodded, and knowing her partner was trying to cheer her up, she held out her glowing Digivice and whispered, "Please, I couldn't stand it if anything were to happen to him."
"Hurry!" Dovemon cried. "We don't have much time!"
Izzy and a newly evolved Garudamon quickly moved to join the others, and shouting to be heard over all the noise, Centarumon commanded, "You heard Ken! There's no time to waste. We must break that sphere before the water rises too high!"
Nobody needed to be told twice. Immediately, the chamber filled with flashes of light as all of their digimon quickly digiviolved to their highest forms, and aiming his fist at the glowing blue orb, Angelicmon shouted, "Stand back, Dai! Celestial Star!"
"Allow me to help," Gabrielmon called out, joining in. "Holy Sceptre!"
The blasts exploded into the sphere, but as far as Sora could tell their combined energy hadn't even made a dent in the goggle-headed leader's prison. At this point, the water had risen past Dai's ankles, and wrinkling his nose, the dark-haired boy said, "Ugh, I'm getting all wet."
"How can you be so calm at a time like this!?" Matty wailed, his words trembling in the dim light. "Angelicmon, do something!"
"I'm trying!"
"Try all you want, it won't work!" Spritemon sang out, pushing past DarkAngelicmon so she could get a better view of the show. "Am I amazing, or what? Now wasn't this a great idea?"
"Occasionally you can be useful," YukiOnnamon relented, though there was no emotion in her words. "Although, if the girl doesn't react, it'll be a bit of a waste."
"Not really. Actually, if she wakes up and he's dead, all the better. Imagine her reaction. Now that's a sight I want to see!"
This was all a trap. I had a feeling Spritemon wasn't going to let us save Kara that easily, and now look where we are...
Sora suddenly felt like she was going to throw up, and holding her daughter tightly in her arms, she glanced at DarkAngelicmon. To her surprise, the fallen angel looked worried, and while Spritemon and YukiOnnamon might not have noticed, she could tell it was taking all of his willpower to refrain from stepping in. Next to him, Encantamon was deliberately keeping her face turned away from the scene, which was also a telling tale in itself.
They want to stop this, but they won't. They can't, all because of YukiOnnamon...
"Dai!" Embermon cried desperately, hitting the sphere over and over again with his small, fiery blasts.
"Yeah, um...it's starting to get really wet in here now," Dai called out, his dark eyes beginning to flash with a hint of worry. "Like, super wet."
The water was now up to the goggle-headed leader's waist, and despite throwing every single attack in their arsenal at the sphere, none of their digimon were having any luck breaking through its liquid surface, including Omnimon.
"Let's try our Digivices!" Izzy ordered, motioning for the others to gather around him. "Direct them at the sphere!"
As their digimon continued to shoot blast after blast at the blue orb without any success, Sora allowed the light from her own Digivice to join the others before turning her attention to Kara. Having receded considerably, the darkness was now only hovering around the female Digidestined's feet, and whispering in her daughter's ear, she said, "Come on, sweetie. You're almost there."
"Hurry, Kara," Dovemon whimpered, snuggling against her partner's side. "Dai needs you!"
"Come on, do something!" Sam shouted at his own D-Coder, the rising panic in his voice echoing off the distant walls.
Though the Digivices were sending streams of brilliant light directly at the blue sphere, even combined with their digimon's attacks, not a single crack had appeared in the orb. The thing seemed impenetrable, and as the water continued to rise over Dai's chest, Sora felt her own anxiety building with it.
"This isn't working," Matt said harshly, his deep blue gaze studying Tai's pale face before focusing on Izzy. "Any ideas?"
"We have to do something!" Mickey cried, his tone bordering on the edge of hysteria. "He'll die if we don't!"
The group was huddled together near the edge of the sphere, their faces lighting up every time one of their digimon sent an attack flying at the watery orb, and shaking his head in denial, Matty gasped, "No! He can't! We can't let that happen!"
"There's nothing else we can do!" JewelBeemon called out, sending another blast at the sphere. "No matter how many times we hit it, our attacks aren't working!"
"We can't give up!" Omnimon commanded, swiping at the orb with his giant sword. "Keep trying!"
We're running out of time...
Sora could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and glancing down at her daughter's body, her breath caught in her throat. The darkness was barely visible around Kara's feet, but despite the obvious changes in the female Digidestined's appearance, she still had yet to awake.
Please, Kara. I know you'll never forgive yourself if Dai doesn't make it...
"Keep your head above water and stay near the wall," Ken instructed, his sapphire eyes narrowing in concentration as he continued to direct the light from his Digivice at the sphere. "Stay afloat as much as you can."
At this point the water was up to Dai's chin, and though the goggle-headed leader knew how to swim, there was only so much room left before the sphere would eventually fill entirely to the top. Placing his wet hands against the gooey surface of the orb, Dai said in a trembling voice, "I don't think our digimon or your Digivices are going to work this time."
"You can't give up, Dai!" Embermon shouted, his voice breaking before he could even get the words out. "You have to keep fighting!"
"Just...rescue Kara for me, okay?" the goggle-headed leader murmured, doing his best to keep his nose and mouth out of the water as it continued to fill the sphere. "And...if I don't get the chance, tell her I love her."
Dai...of course you do. I've always known you love my daughter.
"Don't you dare talk like that!" Ryoko snapped, shoving his D-Coder away and hitting his fists against the blue orb. "I meant what I said in the Ice Caverns. We're going to get you out of there, and you're going to tell her yourself!"
"If you give up, I won't forgive you!" Matty cried, the words ending in a sob. "Don't even think about making us do your dirty work for you!"
Dai managed a small smile, and then the goggle-headed leader disappeared completely underwater. Immediately, the chamber erupted into heartbreaking shouts and screams, and jerking away from Matt and Izzy, Tai threw himself at the sphere, his dark eyes burning with emotion and the Digivice in his hand glowing brightly in the darkness. As Dai began to sink towards the bottom, the former leader rested his forehead against the orb and said in a choked voice, "I've spent my whole life saving lives, and I'm not going to stop now. I won't let this happen. I'm not going to let you die!"
Oh Tai...
In response to the former leader's words, which must have acted as some sort of trigger, the Digivice exploded with brilliant orange light, and falling back with the rest of their digimon, IceTirimon shouted, "Look, it's working!"
"Oh no, that won't do at all," Spritemon complained, glaring at the former leader. "He's going to ruin all our fun. Better stop him, YukiOnnamon."
"Silence, I'm the one who gives the orders around here," the female mega snapped, raising her hand. "I'll humour you this time simply because I'm interested to see how this ends. Frigid Soul!"
No!
Sora was on her feet in an instant, and as a shriek of terror ripped from her throat, the glowing blue icicle YukiOnnamon had conjured out of thin air pierced Tai directly between the shoulder blades. The effects of the blast were instantaneous, and without making a sound, the former leader fell to the floor in an unconscious heap. Immediately, Matt was at the dark-haired man's side, and holding Tai's unresponsive body in his arms, the former musician shouted, "Izzy, we're out of time!"
"I know! We'll have to try breaking the sphere from the bottom! MegaKabuterimon, aim for the base. That goes for the rest of you, too!"
After losing consciousness, Tai's Digivice had stopped working, and despite the fact that the others were all still directing their light at the glowing orb, it simply refused to crack. At the base, Embermon was chanting his partner's name over and over again while beating his small fists against the gooey surface of the sphere, and he wasn't alone. Mickey, Matty, Ryoko, and Sam had all joined in, and as each of them tried everything they could think of to smash the orb, Izzy and Ken continued to direct all of their digimon, who were still attempting to break through the sphere's impenetrable surface. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain, and unable to watch anymore, Sora turned her tear-stained face away from the awful scene.
He...he's dying in there...
The terrible smile on Spritemon's face and the lack of emotion in YukiOnnamon's eyes made her want to scream, but their callous reactions weren't the worst of it. What truly made her heart ache with inconsolable sadness was the desperate pleas and uncontrollable sobbing of the four young boys who were losing one of their closest friends.
We can't let it end like this, not when our children are hurting so much. If we do, we'll never forgive ourselves.
Inside the sphere, Dai had fallen unconscious, and as the goggle-headed leader's body floated lifelessly beneath the water, Encantamon continued to chant her strange spell with obvious reluctance. Next to the serpent digimon, DarkAngelicmon remained silent, and closing his eyes, the fallen angel bowed his head, his troubled expression indicating he could no longer watch the scene unfolding without losing his composure.
Even Izzy, Ken, and Matt are panicking. I can see it in their eyes...
The light from Sora's own Digivice was still streaming towards the sphere, but she knew it wasn't going to be enough. Nothing was going to be enough to save Dai without her daughter.
I feel it in my heart. Without Tai, Kara's the only one who can break that sphere...
"Kara, please!" Dovemon moaned, hiding her face against her partner's stomach. "You have to wake up. You can't lose him like this!"
Something about the little bird digimon's words resonated with Sora, and tears streaming down her face, she quickly dropped to her knees again to gaze directly at her daughter. Placing her hands on the female Digidestined's shoulders, she whispered, "Kara, I know you're in there, and I know you can hear me. Dai's in trouble, and you're the only one who can save him. We love you so much, all of us, and right now, we need you. Please, come back to us. Please, let us into your heart!"
At this point, the darkness around Takara's feet had disappeared completely, and just when Sora thought she wouldn't receive a response, her daughter's slim body exploded with blinding green light. A fierce scream that sounded like a warrior's battle cry ripped from Takara's throat, and as the young girl slowly floated into the air, the emerald light emitting from her slender form streaming towards the blue sphere, the female Digidestined's eyes finally opened. The glowing green blast slammed into the orb with enough force to light up the vast chamber, and as the circular structure exploded on impact, the water gushed out in a torrent that began to spread across the floor. Embermon and the four boys who were closest to the orb quickly leaped out of the way to avoid the worst of it, but Matt and an unresponsive Tai weren't so lucky. Both men ended up getting drenched, and landing lightly on her feet, Takara's intense gaze immediately focused on Dai, whose unconscious body was lying at the base of the broken sphere. The goggle-headed leader was surrounded by his digimon partner and four male friends, but their desperate cries weren't the young girl's immediate concern.
Go, Kara. Do what you need to do.
Without saying a word, Takara raced across the floor to Dai's side, and nudging Matty out of her way, she immediately went to work. As the four boys gaped at her in disbelief, the female Digidestined began to perform CPR on their fallen leader, whose pale face glowed eerily in the soft green light pulsing throughout the large chamber. Despite the urgency of the situation, Kara remained calm and composed while alternating between breaths and chest compressions, and staring at the female Digidestined in awe, Sam said quietly, "I...didn't realise you knew CPR."
Watching the scene unfolding from a short distance away, Matt glanced at the unconscious man in his arms and said softly, "Of course she does. Who do you think taught her everything she knows?"
Despite her tears, Sora could feel herself smiling, and pulling Dovemon into her arms, she quickly ran to the former musician's side to check on her husband. Tai's dark eyes were closed, and grabbing the former leader's hand, she turned to gaze proudly at her daughter.
It was true. Throughout the course of their young lives, Tai had taught both Takara and Taysuke many of the lifesaving techniques he had undergone training for himself in order to become a firefighter. When asked out of curiosity why he had done so, the former leader had explained that he never wanted his children to end up in a situation where they felt powerless to save a human life. The more they were equipt to handle a life or death situation, the less they would have to suffer any regrets. Regardless of the outcome, knowing you did everything you could to save a life was better than lacking the knowledge to do anything at all.
That was Tai. Not only did he save lives, he also made sure others could do so in his place.
Oh, Kara. My beautiful, caring daughter...
"Come on, Dai," Mickey pleaded, rubbing furiously at his tears. "You can do it."
"Yeah, you're way tougher than this!" Matty encouraged, clinging tightly to the older twin's arm.
Ryoko's face was pure white, and allowing Sam to wrap an arm around his shoulders, the golden-haired Digidestined whispered, "Wake up, you idiot. Don't you dare leave us like this."
"We're all here for you, Dai," Embermon added, lightly touching his partner's hand. "We're waiting for you to come back to us."
It was as if time had come to a complete standstill, and then all of a sudden the goggle-headed leader's eyes flew open, catching everyone completely off guard. Jerking into a sitting position, Dai immediately started to cough up water, and placing a hand against his back for support, Takara said softly, "Easy now. Lean forward, it'll help a bit."
You did it, Kara. I knew you could do it.
For a moment, it was all Dai could do to catch his breath, and then collapsing in Takara's arms, the goggle-headed leader gasped, "I thought...I was supposed to be the one saving you."
"You did," Kara murmured, resting her head against Dai's dark hair and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "More than you know."
"I...was worried...you wouldn't come back to us," the goggle-headed leader stammered between breaths. "I couldn't...let that happen. I needed...to tell you..."
Takara gently kissed the goggle-headed leader's forehead, and holding him close, she whispered, "I'm not going anywhere, Dai. Whatever you have to say, I'll be right here to listen. There's a lot I want to tell you, too, but for now it's going to have to wait. We've got a Spirit Chip to claim and some digimon who need to be taught a lesson."
"I...should have known I had nothing to worry about," Dai coughed, laughing softly at his own silly behaviour. "There was no way...you'd let the darkness take you."
Sora watched through her tears as Takara smiled at the goggle-headed leader, and turning her attention to Embermon and the four boys surrounding her, the female Digidestined said gently, "Look after him for me, will you?"
"Of course," Mickey murmured, smiling through his tears.
Embermon was quick to climb into his partner's lap, and snuggling against Dai, the little rookie mumbled, "You really had me worried there."
"You're like...beyond being in trouble!" Matty groaned, burying his face against the goggle-headed leader's shoulder. "I swear, if you put yourself in danger one more time, I'm gonna-"
"Ignore him," Sam interrupted, giving Dai's shoulder a squeeze and sniffing back tears. "Sorry for the waterworks. It's just...that was really close."
"Too close," Ryoko murmured, his forehead resting against the goggle-headed leader's back.
Though it wasn't entirely his fault, Dai had the decency to look a bit guilty, and smiling fondly at the four boys and his digimon partner, the goggle-headed leader said warmly, "You guys."
I don't blame them. We would have done the same if that had been Tai.
Sora made a mental note to have Joe check Dai over when they returned to the human world, and as Takara slowly came towards her, she held out her arms. Immediately, the female Digidestined snuggled into her embrace, and hugging her tightly, the young girl said quietly in her ear, "I heard you, all of you. If it hadn't been for you guys, I don't know if I would have made it in time. I love you, Mom. I love you so much."
I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have my daughter pull me closer instead of pushing me away...
It was almost overwhelming, and returning the embrace, Sora whispered, "I love you, too. I love you so much it hurts sometimes."
Takara laughed softly in agreement, and cuddling against her partner's side, Dovemon said tearfully, "Oh, Kara! I was so scared! I didn't know what to do."
"I know. I'm sorry, Dovemon. I promise I'll make it up to you."
"You don't need to do that. Please just stay safe."
Takara gently stroked her digimon's soft feathers, and nodding her head, she said, "I promise I'll do my best. Thank you for believing in me."
"I'll always believe in you, just like you believe in me. That's why we make such a great team."
Sora couldn't have agreed more, and turning to glance at the four evil digimon who were watching the scene unfolding with varying degrees of emotion, she said firmly, "Do you see now what we meant? No matter how hard you try, you're never going to hurt my daughter."
"So, you managed to break free from the darkness," YukiOnnamon said calmly, her black eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "Interesting, since that cave you created for yourself was far stronger than what your mother and the Child of Friendship experienced."
"Commendable, to say the least," DarkAngelicmon murmured, his emerald eyes straying towards Daichi. "The strength of the human heart is certainly a force to be reckoned with."
Studying the fallen angel's handsome face, Sora detected a hint of relief in DarkAngelicmon's enigmatic green eyes, but the celestial champion was careful to keep his expression neutral. Encantamon also looked pleased at the outcome, if the way she was sneaking triumphant smirks at Spritemon was any indication of her feelings. Unlike the others, including YukiOnnamon, the little pixie digimon looked absolutely livid, and letting out a frustrated shriek of rage, she shouted, "How!? I made sure you were sucked in pretty deep! Your stupid leader was almost dead! You detestable little girl! How dare you make me look bad again!?"
Sora could feel herself growing damp thanks to the water Takara's clothing had absorbed in her efforts to save Dai, and gently pulling away from her and Dovemon, the female Digidestined ignored Spritemon and quickly settled next to Matt. Taking her father's hand, the young girl said softly, "He did this for me, didn't he."
"For you and for Dai," Matt replied, pulling her close and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Takara's body was still glowing brightly in the dim chamber, and as the light began to surround Tai's motionless body, the former leader slowly opened his eyes and murmured, "...Kara?"
"I'm right here, Dad," the female Digidestined softly, her voice breaking as she squeezed his hand. "It's okay, I'm here now."
Tai reached up to gently touch her cheek, and managing a smile, the former leader said wearily, "Dai?"
"He's fine, Dad. He's alive. You don't have to worry anymore."
"You have no idea how proud I am of you right now," Tai whispered, his hand falling away to grip her fingers. "I love you so much. More than I could ever put into words."
Takara's eyes immediately filled with tears, and placing her other hand against the former leader's heart, she said firmly, "I know. I love you just as much."
"You have done nothing but ruin me from the start!" Spritemon shrieked, the fury in her eyes building like a volcano about to erupt. "Jestermon had the right idea. I should have killed you from the start and danced over your lifeless body in victory! You...you've gotten in my way for the last time, girl. I'm going to end you once and for all!"
Takara finally looked at the enraged pixie, and lifting her chin, the female Digidestined said calmly, "If you don't like the outcome, you shouldn't have underestimated me. Time and time again, you've tried to hurt the people I love, and I'm not going to let you get away with it anymore. Do you hear me? I'll show you what it means to care about others, and maybe then you'll finally understand why you'll never be able to defeat me!"
Kara...
Sora gasped as the light surrounding her daughter's body suddenly shot across the chamber towards the Spirit Chip, and slamming into the pedestal, the emerald barrier surrounding the small glowing trinket shattered into tiny glass-like fragments that dissolved upon impact. Even from a distance, Sora could read the shining inscription pulsing with green light, and the words brought tears to her eyes. It was so Kara, right to the very core of her being.
"Love is the connection that shatters inner walls. Wisdom is the symbol of the one who gives her heart to all."
"Looks like the party's over," Garudamon exclaimed, readying himself for battle. "Time to saddle up!"
"That goes for you, too, Embermon!" IceTirimon called out, hovering over the broken sphere. "The glass around Dai's D-Coder looks pretty fragile now. Might as well make the most of it!"
That was true, and giving the goggle-headed leader a warm smile, Embermon said, "Ready, partner?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Dai snorted, his words ending in a cough. "I'm always ready for anything. Do it, Embermon!"
"Right! It's go time!"
As Embermon immediately digivolved to the ultimate level, Takara's Spirit Chip slowly floated across the pool of water towards its intended destination. Holding out her hand, the female Digidestined quickly motioned for Dovemon to join her, and digivolving into Ibismon, the bird digimon said firmly, "It is time, Kara. Let us purge this underwater city of evil and protect those who dwell within it once and for all!"
Rosa was right. Love really does conquer all...
Sora hadn't forgotten the younger woman's words to Yolei and Mimi, and holding out her crest, she let it slip out of her hand to join with the Spirit Chip of Wisdom. As the two merged together and inserted themselves into Kara's D-Coder, the female Digidestined shouted, "Now, Ibismon!"
"Of course! Ibismon digivolve to, Kestrelmon!"
There was a flash of brilliant emerald light, and as the glow faded away, Sora held her breath. Sporting pink feathers and stunning green armour, the humanoid digimon standing before them quickly summoned a bow and said boldly, "What are you waiting for, Spritemon? Why don't you set aside your little temper tantrum for a moment and come at me with everything you've got? I'll gladly show you what it really means to battle with speed, elegance, and grace!"
"You little...You dare to insult me!?" Spritemon snarled, leaping into the air. "I'll delete you for this!"
"Try it then and I'll show you what a true victory looks like in battle!"