Sora shivered. She was laying on her side facing away from TK, Kari and their digimon. Biyomon had tried to cuddle and Sora had to wait until her digimon fell asleep to slip away from her. Sora stayed close but managed to roll herself away from Biyomon and the others. The fire was dying and Sora thought about standing to get another log. She huffed not wanting to get up. Why should I? Why does it always have to be me looking out for the others? Sora felt bitter. She scowled, TK or Kari can deal with the fire. I shouldn't have to. Sora shivered. She wouldn't move. She was angry and this felt considerably better than what she was used to feeling in the night. Sora ran her hand over her chest and moved her shirt so she could pinch her skin. She squeezed until there was pain. It was sharp and made her clench her teeth. It was quick and over to soon and Sora quickly scratched for more skin to pinch. She would rather do something more damaging to herself but she also didn't want to draw attention to herself. She'd seen another girl in her school who cut her wrists. This girl was standing at her locker talking to her friend. She put her hand on her locker and her sleeves were rolled up. Sora could see the scratches up her forearm and was at first appalled at the idea someone would do something like that to themselves. It kind of spooked Sora and she remembered avoiding that girl in the halls. The uncomfortable thing was that ever since seeing those scratches, on the nights Sora felt most lonely, she almost craved the strength to do just that. She almost wished she could just snap and be the mess on the outside she felt on the inside. But she couldn't, she felt too much pressure to show up and look put together. She had to keep an even keel and keep everyone at ease. Remain calm and take care of everything and everyone. Sora pinched one more time and made sure it hurt. She then let out a sigh and dropped her arm from her chest. She sat up and decided to get wood for the fire. She stood and rotated her shoulder back. She hated how everyone had left them. She was scared for Tai and felt hurt by Matt. How could he leave me? She thought sadly.
"Sora?" Sora turned seeing Kari sit up. The girl scooted away from TK and then stood. Sora felt irritated and was glad the darkness hid her glare.
"Go back to sleep Kari." Sora said. Sora was going to walk away but she noticed Kari was walking towards her.
"Sora?" Kari spoke again and reached out.
"Are you okay?" Kari asked and Sora looked down at Kari's out stretched hand. Sora said nothing and Kari got closer.
"Please Sora?" Kari said and Sora reached forward and clasped Kari's hand in her own. Sora inhaled quickly Kari's hand was so cold. She suddenly didn't feel so bitter towards the younger teen.
"I'm so sorry." Kari whispered and Sora shook her head,
"No, I..." Sora stopped what did she have to apologize for? Kari's hand slipped from Sora's and Kari stepped back.
"It's not you. Whatever it is. Please know it's not you." Kari said in a small voice. Sora was taken aback. Kari then shuddered and spoke quickly.
"I have to pee." She turned and left Sora. Sora was stunned a moment. She sighed unable to follow Kari. Sora suddenly felt cold and she frowned.
"I'm gonna go get fire wood." Sora said to no one though she felt she needed to speak aloud. Sora walked into the woods away from everyone. She saw a few pieces of sticks and logs on the ground and knelt down to pick them up. Sora's thoughts drifted back to what she had been thinking about before Kari woke up. Matt. She sighed feeling the ache in her heart. She stood and she winced remembering Tai. Where is he? She thought. She then dropped the logs she had collected on the ground. She grabbed her head in frustration. She pulled at her hair and then let out a low growl.
"Fuck!" She cursed. She started pacing,
"I'm just being stupid. Look at me?! I'm alone. Always alone. No one even thought twice about me before they decided anything. Tai running into battle and then getting sucked into whatever that was. Matt just left! He didn't even look at me!" Sora rubbed her face. It was hot and she thought she might cry but she was too angry.
"I hate this. I hate this stupid place. I have a partner that..." She stopped and softened. Biyomon, she felt strongly about Biyomon. She wanted her friend to be taken care of and there was a flicker there whenever her digimon was around. It was warm and safe. But Sora was scared to get too close. She knew what happens. They just leave you. She sighed and sat down on the ground. The grass was cold and she pulled her legs to her chest feeling sorry for herself. My dad. She stopped her train of thought, at least she tried, her thoughts kept coming like word vomit. Mom hates me, just when I start to feel like I need to talk to her she is never around.
"Never! She's so ashamed of me!" Sora spoke out loud and tears poured down her cheeks. She shook her head.
"I was just starting to feel like I needed a friend and Tai just fucked off. Stopped coming to school stopped playing soccer. We used to play together all the time." Sora sniffled and rubbed her nose. She squeezed her eyes as more tears fell.
"And now Matt left me." She continued to sob. Her shoulder shook violently as she buried her head into her knees. The wind picked up and she squeezed herself trying to make herself as small as possible. She suddenly sat up and looked straight.
"It's me isn't it." She said to no one. Her mouth hung open as realization flooded through her. Everything strung together with only one common factor. Her. She was the reason people were pulling away. She was the reason the group was now broken and she put a shaky hand to her mouth. She had been irritated watching TK and Kari hold hands. She knew TK was hurting and Kari was comforting him but it was a reminder, they were together and she was alone. She shook her head and wiped her cheeks.
"Tai would have never disappeared if I hadn't been captured." Sora said to herself. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook out more tears. She then growled.
"Get it together." She said to herself. She hated feeling sorry for herself. It felt weak. She somehow pulled herself into a standing position. She wiped her face dry and shook her head a few times. She then inhaled and put a smile on her face. It felt so fake and she quickly let it droop.
"Fuck it." She said. She walked over to where she had dropped the sticks for the fire. She picked them up and decided to just wear a face of exhaustion. She felt it. She was exhausted, no sleeping was really doing a number on her. She walked briskly back to the camp. She saw Biyomon standing next to the almost dead fire. Sora walked over to it and crouched down.
"Sora? Where did you go?" Biyomon asked and Sora put a finger to her lips.
"Hush Biyo, the others are sleeping." Sora whispered back. Sora added some sticks to the fire and started moving them around trying to start a flame.
"Was Kari with you?" Biyomon asked and Sora was about to ignore her when she looked over to where TK and Patamon were sleeping. Kari wasn't with them. Sora sat up taller and looked around. She couldn't see where the younger teen had gone.
"Sora? Are you okay?" Biyomon asked and Sora felt that warm flicker again. Her partner had now placed a wing on her thigh and Sora felt drawn to the affection. She focused on the fire and was distracted as the flames started to build.
"Go to sleep Biyo." Sora said in a low voice. She felt Biyomons wing leave her leg and Sora felt the cold return. There was something almost comforting about the cold. It was familiar and she knew how it would feel. She revelled in the cold and moved the fire logs around making the flames hot and high. She wasn't sure if Biyomon had gone to lay down and she concentrated really hard on the flames so she wouldn't check. She heard footsteps approaching and looked up slightly. She saw Kari walking with shaky steps towards the fire. Sora looked up all the way and Kari looked like she had been crying. Sora was about to speak when Kari met her eyes. The youngest teen looked a little surprised but did little to defuse any suspicion. She instead looked down to the ground and then walked away from the fire, away from Sora and away from TK and the digimon. She then lowered herself to the ground and laid down. Her back was to Sora and Sora had so many questions. She shook her questions away and looked back at the fire. It was burning brilliantly and Sora felt a little annoyed the task was over. It had helped her thoughts to focus on building the fire. Sora sighed and stood. She stepped back.
"Sora?" Sora stopped and looked behind her. She had almost stepped on Biyomon.
"Sorry Biyo." Sora said and Sora crouched down. She then sat on the ground and stretched her legs out.
"Let's get some sleep." Biyomon said affectionately. Sora looked at her partner I wish she wasn't so good to me. Sora thought. Biyomon leaned against Sora and closed her eyes. Sora winced and wanted to move away. The warm flicker returned and she could feel it radiating from Biyomon. Sora felt afraid of it. She brought her finger to her chest. She squeezed her skin and felt pain. She knew she needed to suffer more but felt herself grow drowsy. The heat from the fire, the warmth from Biyomon, it was all soothing. Sora wanted to fight it but slowly lowered herself and laid down on the ground. She felt Biyomon nuzzle her side. Sora couldn't fight anymore. She was exhausted. She hoped the dreams would stay at bay as she slowly slipped off to sleep.
When Kari and TK awoke, they noticed Sora and Byiomon were absent. TK rolled his shoulders, "she'll be back." He said and he started poking at the fire trying to keep it burning. Kari stood and allowed the wind to blow against her face. She knew in her heart, Sora had left. Sora was gone and she might not come back. Patamon flapped his wings creating controlled wind for TK to stoke the fire with.
"TK we should get some food!" Patamon said cheerfully. Kari could hear a low sound escape TK's throat and she figured he was over the moon to have his friend back. Kari didnt want to ruin the peace TK seemed to be feeling. She thought of Tai. Okay brother. Kari clenched her fists. She would be the leader here. Kari turned to face TK and Patamon.
"TK I need to talk to you." Kari stated. TK stopped fiddling with the fire and Patamon landed on his head.
"What's up?" TK asked. Kari inhaled and spoke.
"Sora's gone. I'm sure of it. I don't think she's coming back." TK's face dropped a little. Kari stepped towards him. She grabbed his hand.
"Sora needs some time, I think?" Kari said quietly. She then straightened up.
"This isn't the end okay? we're going to be okay. I'm gonna get us somewhere, some where that gives us direction." Kari had no idea how she would deliver but she looked at TK's eyes and vowed she would.
"I thought you wanted t stay here." TK spoke softly. Kari nodded. "Tai will find us. And we're gonna find the others because even though we're seperated, we're still a team. right Patamon?" Kari looked up at the small digimon bringing him into the conversation. Patamon smiled
"Yep!" he said and Kari let go of TK's hand.
"Alright, I think our best course of action is to follow the same path Matt and Joe took." Kari made her way to the trees Matt had disappeared between. She turned to look at TK and Patamon. TK had his head hung low. Kari reached a hand out towards TK.
"TK?" she asked and TK looked up at her. She wore a determined face. TK nodded and then came and took her hand.
"You lead the way." TK said. He squeezed her hand for a moment and then let it go. Kari faced forward.
"this way." she announced and she lead TK and Patamon deeper into the woods.
TK followed Kari. He liked seeing her take initiative. His heart hurt though and that was a feeling that was hard to get rid of. Sora had always been like a big sister to him. He shook his head and decided to look objectivley at the group. They were teeenangers. Tk inhaled Matts 17, so is Sora and, they're not going always be there. They can't! TK thought to himself. TK was still hurt but it humanized the group a little to remind him that they were young. Tk pulled Patamon from his head and carried him in his arms. Patamon sighed and nuzzeled into TK. TK smiled and scratched Patamons head. He felt so much love for Patamon. He rolled his shoulders back. He needed to grow up and start taking charge. He could take care of himself. He would take care of Patamon. He looked at kari who was walking ahead, I wish i could take care of her. TK thought longingly. He shook his head If Kari needs space, fine. I need to focus on Patamon. TK made a silent promise to care for Patamon like a parent cares for their child. I'm not letting you go again little guy. TK gave patamon an affectionate scratch. Kri then stopped.
"TK?" TK walked to stand next to her,
"Yeah?" He responded.
"I'm not sure but i think i see a Ferris wheel." TK looked to where Kari was looking. His eyes went round and he too saw a Ferris wheel in the distance. Kari then turned to look at him.
"We can get up high! this is great! we can see over the landscape and see if there are any signs of the others!" Kari started walking fast,
"Come on!" she called and TK ran to catch up.
"Okay do you think there will be food? my stomach is aching." Kari nodded,
"I hope so. I keep seeing stars." Kari admitted. TK nodded knowing the feeling. Hunger was hard. He was getting used to it but it was still hard. He saw spots when he stood felt light headed, the inconsistency of food was scary. TK felt Patamon cuddle closer and the contact helped to ease the hunger pains. The two teens walked through the forest. they stopped and gawked at the scene in front of them.
There was a large body of water and next to that was an amusement park! TK couldnt help himself, he felt excited! just the look of all the rides jolted inside of him and made him smile.
"Do you think they run?" TK asked and then he noticed Kari wasnt looking at the fair grounds. She was looking at the water. TK bumped her shoulder with his own,
"What's up?" He asked and Kari shook her head,
"hang on." She walked to the water and TK could see a swan shaped boat in the water. It was tied to a post. Kari wasnt looking at that though. TK watched her walk to another post next to the swan boat. She pulled up a rope from out of the water.
"there was another boat here. and now it's gone." she stated. TK walked over to her.
"So what?" he asked. He wasnt sure why that mattered. Kari stood dropping the rope back into the water.
"I think someone untied it, and I'm wondering if that someone was one of us." TK nodded. It was possible but there were digimon that lived there too. TK didnt fully believe Kari's theory.
"Smart girl!" A voice squawked. TK quickly looked up and saw a large ball with wings flying above them.
"Hi, who are you?" TK asked and the flying ball responded.
"The names Demidevimon! you're pretty sharp girly. There was a blonde haired kid a few days ago who took it." TK nearly dropped Patamon.
"Matt!" TK let go of his partner who started flying and ran to the swan boat that was remaining.
"Come on Kar! you were right! Now we know where he has gone!" Demidevimon hovered closer to TK.
"He didn't look like he wanted to be followed. Though there was another kid who followed him in a separate boat." TK looked next to the vacant post Kari was standing at and noticed a third post that was empty.
"Thanks Demidevimon but we'll handle it from here. Come on Kar, Patamon!" TK bent down to untie the rope and Demidevimon cleared his throat.
"Kid i really wouldnt do that!" He said and Kari stepped towards him.
"Why not?" She asked and the flying digimon pulled a face,
"because... Because! he's coming back! i heard him!" TK stopped untying the boat and stood tall,
"you heard him?" TK asked in disbelief. Demidevimon nodded,
"Er, yeah! you see kid, when blondie got here he was all upset over leaving some guy behind named TK. He then said to the gabumon that was with him, "We'll go for 3 days check it out and then come right back here!"" TK was amazed. Kari spoke,
"Interesting, you wouldnt be dishonest would you Demidevimon?" TK noted a new tone in Kari's voice. One he wasn't sure she used. Demidevimon continued to flap his wings
"Scouts honour!" TK was a bit torn. He wanted to go after his brother. He did leave me though, he probably doesnt want me to come after him. TK looked to Kari,
"Maybe we stay here for a day. Just get some perspective, see if the Ferris wheel works." TK said. Demidevimon quickly spoke.
"It does! i'll show you." The digimon turned and Kari grabbed TK's arm and squeezed.
"I think we should get in the boat." Kari said and her voice was rushed. TK looked at her,
"But, he said he heard Matt! Kar, I just think one day isnt going to hurt." TK softened his gaze as he looked into Kari's eyes. Kari loosened her grip.
"One day." she said.
"come on Patamon, let's check out the view." TK was feeling a little more optimistic. He wasnt sure why but there was something light about the amusement park that made TK want to trust that one of digidestined would find them and soon they would all be reunited. The group of three made their way to the Ferris wheel. It was turning and TK beamed at it.
"all aboard!" Demidevimon shouted. TK chuckled and the ride stopped. Tk went and sat down on the ride. He held Patamon in his lap and smiled at Kari.
"Coming?" Kari bit her lip she looked worridly at Demidevimon. She then blew out a breath.
"I don't like high places." she stepped towards TK and Patamon.
"I promise you won't fall. Come on Kar." Kari hesitently sat down next to TK. TK felt small butterflies in his stomach as Kari's shoulder rubbed against his own.
"You kids hang on tight and i'll get this thing going!" Demidevimon announced. TK smiled,
"thanks so much Demidevimon!" The bat digimon smiled,
"No problem. Say, are you guys hungry?" TK's eyes bulged.
"YES!" him and Patamon exclaimed. Demidevimon nodded,
"well once your done here i cook up a mean mushroom dish. Super delicious, you guys interested?" TK nodded excitedly,
"Demidevimon that would be amazing!"
"Great!" TK felt Kari squeeze his arm as Demi devimon started the ride. He was sure it was due to the upcoming heights. TK leaned back and smiled feeling content for the first time in a few days.
Kari felt hazy. Something was off. She stopped running and felt the wind pick up. Was she cold? she wasn't sure. There was a voice. an urgent voice. Kari gripped the mushroom she had found. The voice got louder. Kari closed her eyes, Sora was talking to her. She knew she was.
"Don't eat the mushroom." Sora repeated and Kari dropped the mushroom that was in her hand. She felt light headed and looked at the mushroom now on the ground, something is wrong... she thought and she looked up at the amusement park. She felt strange like she shouldn't be here. She then thought of her brother and gasped, "Tai!" She said quietly and she put a hand over her mouth. She had forgotten her brother. She had forgotten Agumon and the others. Suddeny time caught up to her. They had said a day. Somehow, many days had passed without any of them noticing. She recalled Patamon yelling at TK and then flying off. She remembered the unease she felt... Kari gasped,
"Demidevimon!" She narrowed her eyes at the mushroom now angry that she had been tricked. She felt weak. She then shook off her guilt and turned now determined to save TK.
She tried to organize her thoughts, how had she gotten here? She took a deep breath. They had come here and Demidevimon had told them Matt.
"Matt!" Kari gasped and memories started connecting. They had said they would stay for one day, but Demidevimon fed them mushroom and it made them forget!
She saw TK laughing with Demidevimon on the Ferris wheel. She looked around only just realizing Patamon was not with them. Patamon I have to find him! Kari thought.
"Come join us Kari!" TK said happily and Kari felt uneasy. The mushroom, what did it do. Kari quickly thought, It made us forget, and it made us play! we wanted to play! that's why we stayed and never noticed! She could see Demidevimon watching her. She needed him to believe she was still under the control of the mushrooms.
"Oh sure!" She said and she forced her voice to sound light. The Ferris wheel came around and TK and Demidevimon sat in the bucket motioning for Kari to join them. She needed to get TK alone. She quickly snapped her fingers,
"hey I've got an idea!" TK and Demidevimon looked at her, she giggled trying to sell the part of her being controlled by the mushrooms.
"Let's play hide and seek!" She announced and Demidevimon looked apprehensive. TK quickly stood and said
"yeah!" But Kari could see Demidevimon was suspicious. She quickly turned her back,
"I'll be it." She then started to count
"1, 2, 3," She counted and she heard TK's footsteps quicken. She discreetly looked behind her and saw Demidevimon try to follow TK.
"No go that way!" TK said with a laugh and Kari quickly covered her eyes but not before noting which direction TK went.
"14, 15, 16," She heard Demidevimon leave and she quickly looked up. She continued counting out loud and looked to see which direction the digimon went. He went towards the washrooms and Kari took a deep breath steadying her breath as she continued to count to 30.
"27, 28, 29, 30!" She announced and then she moved her feet quickly towards where TK had gone. She ran towards the carousal. She wanted to call to him but remembered he was still under the control of the mushroom, he wanted to play. She had to be quick and smart. She saw a whisp of blond hair and quickly ran towards it. She saw TK with his back to her crouched behind one of the horses on the Carousal. She quickly pounced towards him and clasped her hand over TK's mouth. TK's eyes went wide and Kari quickly hushed him,
"shh, TK listen to me. You have to snap out of it. Demidevimon is bad, he's trying to control us. Remember Patamon?" TK shook his head and Kari didn't feel she could remove her hand from his mouth yet. She tried again,
"what about Matt?! Your brother!" She asked and TK stared at her blankly. Kari could feel anxiety grow inside of her,
"hey guys?!" Demidevimon called and Kari lowered herself and brought TK down with her,
"please TK remember Matt and Patamon and how we have to find the others!" TK stared at her and Kari could hear Demidevimon approaching
"TK? TK?!" The digimon called and Kari growled in frustration. He was going to catch them and she was scared what the digimon would do to them. She pleaded with TK who just looked confused. He wasn't really fighting her though and Kari took that as a good sign,
"where are you guys?!" Demidevimon called and Kari knew he was right by the Carousal. She lowered her hand from TK's mouth and gently took his face in both of her hands,
"look at me TK. You always said you'd bring me back. You'd always be there to save me. Well now it's my turn." She could hear the flapping of Demidevimons wings and in a moment of desperation Kari crashed her lips against TK's. He was still and Kari fought through the haze the mushrooms provided and tried to force herself to bring TK back. She slowly felt him kiss her back and she deepened the kiss knowing she was winning. She slowly pulled back and broke the kiss. She held his face and looked at him. His eyes were wide but he slowly moved his hands to cup Kari's face,
"Kari?" TK asked and Kari nodded,
"yeah, do you remember? Do you remember Matt and-" TK then cut her off
"Patamon." He said and Kari nodded. He pressed his forehead against hers,
"you brought me back." He whispered and Kari smiled and nodded,
"it was my turn to save you." She said and TK smiled and quickly kissed her again.
"TK?!" Demidevimon shouted and Kari and TK broke apart. They remained crouched and TK looked at Kari sternly, He said nothing but Kari understood, they were going to confront Demidevimon. TK stood and Kari slowly followed. She could see Demidevimon flapping his wings with his back to the pair. TK stepped in front of Kari. TK addressed Demidevimon,
"Demidevimon." TK said in an authoritative voice. The digimon turned and gasped,
"there you are! You didn't come find me!" He said and Kari kept her eyes stern.
"You tricked us. You made us forget our friends." TK accused and Demidevimon blanched,
"Er, how about we have something to eat?" He said quickly. Kari watched TK shake his head,
"where's Patamon?" He asked and him and Kari moved out from behind the Carousal to stand in front of the ride. Demidevimon shook his head,
"I told you he's weighing you down! You don't need that. Come on TK let's play!" TK shook his head,
"No." he said darkly. Kari stepped forward and stood next to TK. Demidevimon then locked eyes with Kari,
"it's her! She's toxic! She's manipulated you to go against me!" Kari felt her lips curl,
"I think the toxic one here is you. I think you would be wise to leave." TK warned and Demidevimon growled,
"no, it's her fault." He inhaled and then blew out an attack "Demi Dart!" He yelled and Kari saw a large syringe coming straight for her. She was quickly tackled out of the way and she laid on the ground with TK on top of her. TK growled,
"Back off Demidevimon!" TK yelled and TK quickly brought Kari to her feet. Kari felt TK stand closer to her making sure his body was protecting her own. Demidevimon laughed and looked at TK,
"Well it was all fun and games while it lasted, guess now I'm just going to have to kill one of you and take the other back to master. The question is, who do I kill?" He chuckled and Kari now felt afraid.
"You know I didn't really like you Kari. I think I'll kill you!" He flew at the pair and Kari and TK were quick to run out of the way,
"RUN!" TK yelled and he grabbed Kari's hand and pulled her along. They could hear Demidevimon close behind,
"Demi Dart!" The digimon cried and Kari quickly pulled TK to the left. The two dropped behind a ride and avoided the attack. TK was quick to take the lead again, "this way!" He told her and he pulled her along towards another ride. Kari saw the ride come into view and figured out where TK was going. Kari felt Tk pull her ahead of him and she was pushed into a cart on a ride. She flipped herself around in hopes of seeing TK jump in after her. He gave her a nod,
"Don't move." He said sternly and then he turned and ran away. Kari moved to the entrance to yell at him. She saw Demidevimon fly into view and she quickly pushed herself into the cart.
"Come on out you little brat!" Demidevimon said as he flew past the cart Kari was hiding in. She flattened herself against the back wall and closed her eyes hoping the digimon didn't find her or TK.
"Come out TK! Come out Kari!" Demidevimon said in a sing song voice. Kari felt her heart beat race. She closed her eyes quietly wishing her brother would show up soon.
Tai and Agumon landed back in the digital world. Tai looked around, not recognizing the area he and Agumon landed in.
"Alright Agumon, let's find the others." Tai told his partner. He was ready to find his sister, he needed to talk to her, show her that he could be there for her. The two walked along a dirt path and after a while Tai noticed Agumon had his nose in the air.
"What do you see Agumon?" Tai asked and Agumon pointed ahead of them,
"Do you know what that is?" Agumon asked. Tai followed Agumons hand and took a second glance at what he was seeing,
"Uh, that looks like a Ferris wheel." He said surprised to see one in the digital world.
"You think the others are there?" Agumon asked and Tai suddenly got an idea, "They might be, but we can definitely get a good look out from the top of the Ferris wheel!" Tai said feeling like they were on the right track. Tai gestured for Agumon,
"come on bud." Tai said and the two made their way to the Ferris wheel. As the pair walked to the Ferris wheel Tai stopped to take in his view,
"Its a whole amusement park." He said and he felt a smile tug at the corners of his lips.
"Stupid Demidevimon." Tai turned around, he heard someone speak. He looked through the bushes and took a step towards them,
"Ugh," the voice said again and Tai pulled back some branches,
"Patamon!" He said seeing the little digimon sulking in the bushes.
"Patamon?" Tai asked again. The little digimon looked up and then flew into Tai's arms,
"Tai!" The little digimon said and Tai caught him. He felt the little digimon shake and he quickly pulled the digimon away from his chest to look at him.
"You okay little dude?" Tai asked and he could see Patamon had tears in his eyes,
"Demidevimon and TK, they hate me." Patamon cried and Tai looked to Agumon confused,
"uh, what?" He asked and Patamon sniffled,
"They hate me! They told me to go away and never come back!" Patamon started crying again and Tai was bewildered at Patamon's state.
"Patamon hang on, is TK here?" Tai asked and Patamon nodded,
"Yeah but he only wants to hang out with Demidevimon." Tai looked over at Agumon,
"Who's Demidevimon?" Tai asked and Agumon shrugged. Patamon then answered,
"he's a digimon who lives here at the amusement park, and he's TK's new best friend." Patamon let a few more tears fall and Tai then tried to get back on track.
"What about the others? Is Kari here?!" Tai asked and Patamon nodded. Tai then almost dropped the digimon wanting to run and find his sister. He resisted and looked at Patamon,
"Okay so everyones here." He tried to conclude. Patamon shook his head, "No not everyone." Tai then looked at Patamon, "Wait what?" Tai asked. Patamon explained, "when you left, everyone wanted to find you. But then Izzy wanted to explore some data fields Gennai talked about, Mimi went with him. Then Matt took off to find you on his own. Sora slipped away and no ones seen her since. Joe went to find Matt and no one has come back. TK, Kari and I have been here on our own for almost a week now." Tai was shocked, he couldn't understand how everyone abandoned each other so quickly.
"Are Kari and TK, are they okay?" Tai asked and Patamon shrugged,
"Yeah they're fine, all they care about is Demidevimon." Patamon pouted and Tai looked to Agumon. His digimon looked worried and Tai sighed,
"Patamon, I'm sure there was just a misunderstanding. TK loves you dude." Tai put the digimon down,
"Come on let's find them." Agumon leaned over and picked something out from the earth.
"Hey, can we eat this?" Agumon held up a mushroom and Tai shrugged,
"uhh yeah sure." He said. Agumon put it towards his mouth and Tai heard a rustle in the bushes,
"Don't!" Tai looked back into the bushes and saw Sora.
"Sora!" He said and Sora took a step back,
"No, I'm not here." She said quickly and Tai looked at her confused,
"Hey you okay?" He asked now concerned. Sora looked frightened. She backed up again and pointed to Agumon,
"I'm sorry Tai, I let you down." Tai shook his head and took a step towards his friend, "Shh, Sora, it's okay. You couldn't let me down." He said and Sora shook her head frantically.
"No, I did, I messed up. Please don't come any closer." Tai stopped.
"He fed those mushrooms to Kari and TK. Made them forget. Agumon don't eat it!" Tai looked and saw Agumon slowly drop the mushroom on the ground. Tai looked back at Sora,
"I tried to warn them but I think I got them in trouble. He works for someone, Demidevimon. He's evil and he's going to hurt them!" Tai stepped back. Sora shook her head and Tai saw tears falling down her face.
"Don't come after me, you have to save them Tai. He's going to hurt them." Tai nodded and slowly backed away. He wanted to pull Sora towards him and make her stop crying, but he listened to her words, Kari was in danger he needed to get to her. Tai gave Sora a final look and then turned and called to the digimon,
"Agumon, Patamon, Let's go." He said and he made his way towards the rides.
He got to the Ferris wheel and quickly stopped putting an arm out halting the two digimon,
"Come on out Kari!" Tai could see a bat type digimon flying ahead of them. He then saw a foot move inside a small cart on another ride.
"Kari." He whispered knowing that was her inside the cart. He suddenly saw movement to his left. He saw TK and he was about to jump out of his spot. Tai quickly stood a little taller and started waving. TK looked over and his eyes went wide. Tai put a finger to his lips and then motioned for TK to stay where he was. TK looked reluctant to listen but slowly nodded and Tai turned to Agumon and Patamon,
"over here." He whispered to them and he moved them towards a small building. He jogged over and out of the way of the flying digimon and then spoke to Patamon.
"Is that Demidevimon?" Tai asked and Patamon nodded,
"Yeah." Patamon said and Tai could see Demidevimon circling the cart Kari was inside.
"We need to distract him. I think I have a plan." Tai crouched down,
"Agumon, Patamon, you think you can lead him this way?" Tai pointed towards the water and Agumon nodded,
"You bet." Tai looked to Patamon who nodded.
"Okay you go that way." Tai said and he quickly moved away from the digimon. He walked around the building he realized was a bathroom and got to the other side. He could see Demidevimon land on top of the cart and Tai waited.
"Demidevimon!" He heard Patamon and saw Demidevimon look towards the digimon.
"What do you want Patamon." Demidevimon said. "I want a fair match!" Patamon called and Demidevimon started flying towards Patamon. Tai quickly made his move. He ran over to the ride and ran to the cart he was sure Kari was inside. He moved it knowing it spun and it turned so he was now looking in the entrance. He peered inside and let out a breath of relief seeing his sister. Tai saw her eyes light up and he could tell she was going to jump on him. Tai quickly put his hand out and a finger to his lips. Kari refrained from embracing him and Tai slowly motioned for her to come out. He looked to his left seeing Demidevimon still talking with Patamon.
"Get out of here Patamon. TK doesn't want you here. He said so himself." Tai grabbed his sisters hand as she stood and helped her out of the cart. Tai could see TK and he saw the younger teen move. He quickly pulled his sister close so they could hide behind the cart and out of view from Demidevimon.
"Enough Demidevimon!" TK yelled and Tai could not see what he was doing. He then saw Agumon and got an idea. He turned to his sister and whispered in her ear,
"stay here." He said and then he quickly jogged over to Agumon who was standing by the washrooms. He could hear TK still talking to Demidevimon and he looked at Agumon,
"He's pretty small Agumon." Tai said referring to Demidevimon. Agumon nodded. Tai then flashed his digivice at his partner,
"Want to show him what a real digimon looks like?" Tai smirked and Agumon smiled. Tai felt his digivice warm and a light flashed and Greymon was standing where Agumon stood. Tai nodded up at his partner,
"Alright go get em buddy." Tai stepped back and Greymon stomped over towards Demidevimon.
"Hey!" Greymon growled and Tai followed behind his partner, Tai smiled seeing Demidevimon blanch as he turned and looked at Greymon. Tai folded his arms across his chest,
"Problem?" He asked the flying digimon. The digimon then wound back,
"Demi Dart!" He cried and before he could fully throw the dart, Greymon batted the attack out of the way. Demidevimon staggered back,
"Er, my master will get you for this!" He warned and Tai rolled his eyes,
"beat it puff ball or Greymon will use you as a beach ball." Tai said and he snapped his fingers. Greymon roared and Demidevimon yelled and started quickly flapping his wings,
"You'll see we'll get one of you!" Demidevimon yelled and Tai shook his head,
"Leave!" He yelled and Demidevimon quickly flew out of sight. Tai looked up at Greymon and smiled as the digimon reverted back to Agumon. Tai saw TK turn to look at him and Tai then quickly turned around seeing Kari stepping into view,
"You're okay." She said and Tai nodded. Kari then ran into his arms and wrapped herself around him. Tai held his sister close.
"I'm okay." He tightened his hold on his sister and felt her cry into his shoulder.
"You left, I was so scared you were hurt." She mumbled into his shirt. Tai hushed her and rubbed her back,
"I'm sorry. I know I messed up and I am so sorry." He felt awful, all of the things he saw he put his sister through and now he was doing it to her all over again. He pushed on Kari's shoulders and she stepped back.
"I need to talk to you about so many things." He started and she looked down at her feet. Tai looked to her neck and quickly pulled on the collar of her shirt inspecting the back of his sisters neck. Kari tried to step out his reach but Tai was quicker,
"I know." He said sternly and he looked down her back and saw dark lines all over her skin. He let go of her shirt and Kari looked up at him. Tai could see her face was full of shame and sadness. Tai shook his head,
"No more secrets." he stated and Kari looked at him oddly. He pulled her in for another hug which she allowed. Tai held her close,
"I'm not letting you out of my sight. I promise." He whispered and Kari nodded against his shoulder.
"Kari? Tai?" Tai stepped back from his sister hearing TK. He saw TK standing with Patamon in his arms,
"You two made up?" Tai asked and TK smiled down at his partner,
"yep," TK said and then Tai saw TK look up concerned,
"Kar? You okay?" Tai looked at his sister who nodded,
"You two are my heroes. Thank you." She said and Tai ruffled her hair,
"Come on you two, we need to talk."
The group walked over towards the water. Tai sat down at the waters edge and Agumon sat next to him. Tai looked up seeing TK and Kari and Patamon join him.
"Tai what happened?" Kari asked taking a seat. Tai looked at Kari and then at TK. The two were sitting close together. He knew someone was helping Kari while she was fighting the darkness. Tai then remembered a conversation he had with Matt about TK. Matt had said his brother was skipping school staying up late helping someone. He looked at the two teens in front of him,
"I know about the darkness. I know somethings been after Kari. That the digital world has been at work for a while now." Tai paused and could see Kari and TK were stiff. Tai continued,
"Kar, I saw the marks on your back and I know you've been suffering and first I am so sorry." Tai saw Kari sit up a little straighter,
"I let you down, my job is to protect you and I left you to fend for yourself." Kari opened her mouth to speak and Tai put his hand up silencing her,
"I know I've let you down but I think someone has been helping you." Tai looked to TK who looked a little taken back.
"TK I know you've been helping Kari, you've been skipping school and keeping her secret and I can not thank you enough for taking care of her. You really stepped up and I owe you so much for that." TK shook his head,
"Tai I wasn't going to let anything happen to her." He was serious and Tai could tell. When he first met TK, he didn't like how close he seemed to be with his sister. He looked at TK now appreciating how close the younger teen had become with his sister.
"Look I need to know what happened here. Where is everyone? Why did Sora run away?" Tai saw Kari share a look with TK. He exhaled and Kari looked at him,
"I think Sora's okay, I mean physically. She was the one who warned me about the mushrooms." She said quietly.
"Wait you saw her?" TK asked and Kari nodded. Tai then spoke,
"I saw her too. She was the one who told me you two were in trouble. But she asked me not to follow her." TK looked concerned. Tai watched Kari reach over and squeeze TK's hand. Tai raised his eyebrow at his sisters gesture but he ignored it.
"So what about the others? Where did they go?" Tai asked. Kari released TK's hand and TK spoke,
"It was weird, we were all so torn up over you disappearing. I think everyone thought the worst had happened... I think that kind of pushed the others away. Everyone needed time to process what could have happened to you. Izzy consumed himself with his computer and Mimi didn't want to leave him on his own. Matt kind of snapped and didn't want to break down in front of everyone and I guess Sora did too. Joe was the only one who really kept it together. He promised us he'd find Matt and bring him back. But he never came back." TK looked down and Kari nodded,
"Well and then Demidevimon tricked TK and I. He had us eat these mushrooms and suddenly all we wanted to do was play. We forgot everything." Tai saw TK stroke Patamon's fur affectionally,
"I even forgot about Patamon." He said in a shameful voice. Once again Tai saw Kari reach over and grab TK's hand.
"Sora got me to stop eating them, the mushrooms, and then I uh, I was able to get TK back." Kari said and Tai saw her eyes flick to TK for a second. TK looked back and Tai thought he saw the two of them blush. He again ignored them needing to focus on the matter at hand.
"How long ago did Joe leave?" Tai asked and TK looked up, "I don't know, the mushroom's made us lose track of time." TK told him and Tai looked to Patamon who looked up at TK,
"Over a week." He informed his partner and Tai saw TK and Kari blanch,
"A week?" They both said and Patamon nodded, Tai leaned forward,
"We need to find Joe. I feel like Matt disappearing makes sense, Joe though, he wouldn't just vanish. He could be in trouble." Tai saw Kari put a hand to her chest,
"I have a bad feeling about Izzy too." She said softly. Tai stood,
"alright which way did Joe go?" he asked. He looked to the others, TK helped Kari to her feet and then pointed to the water,
"he went across the water." TK said.
"we think." Kari added,
"I noticed two missing boats and Demidevimon did say Matt and another boy got in them and went across the water. Problem is, Demidevimon was a liar so i'm not sure whats true." Kari finished.
"What about Izzy?" Tai asked and Kari pointed in the direction Tai had originally come from,
"he and Mimi went that way." She said. Tai then ran a hand through his hair.
"We're not splitting up." he said and he saw Kari and TK nod. He then repeated his words quieter,
"We're not splitting up." He couldn't figure out what to do. He wasn't going to leave Kari that was out of the question. They did need to find the others though.
"Tai? I want to find my brother." TK said and Tai blew out a breath, in truth, he wanted to find Matt as well.
"Alright, lets make our way after Joe and Matt." Tai announced. He looked along the water and saw a swan boat
"I guess we're rowing." He walked over to the small rowboat. As he got to the boat he crouched down to pull the boat closer to the shore. "Climb aboard." He said and he steadied the boat while Agumon and Patamon hopped in. TK got in and then held his hand out for Kari as she climbed in. Tai stood up and TK leaned out of the boat to steady it so Tai could climb into the boat. Tai sat himself at the back of the boat and handed an oar to TK,
"let's row." Tai said and him and TK rowed their small group across the water.