Author's Note: I'm really sorry about the long wait, I've been pretty busy lately with school but I hope this update makes up for it and a big thank you goes out to Digi Yo and Yuki who reviewed!

Drowned Out

Chapter Five

"We're sorry that the visit didn't turn out like you wanted to, T.K." Kari said sadly once the group made it outside of the school building.

"Don't worry about it, Kari," the Bearer of Hope assured with a smile, "Once the weekend's over with, Matt will feel better before you know it."

"I sure hope so," she said.

With a quick farewell to Kari and the others, the blonde brothers headed for home.

T.K., Patamon, and Matt made it back at the Ishida apartment; T.K. took out his cell phone and quickly dialed his home number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Mom."

"T.K., where are you? You should've been home an hour ago!" Nancy scolded.

"I know Mom but Matt's not feeling good so I'm planning on spending the night over at Dad's to help take care of him. I think he's caught a cold."

"Oh, I understand," she said, "Do you want me to come over and help you look after your brother?"

"It's okay, Mom," The younger blonde replied, "I think I can handle it by myself."

"Alright then, dear," said Nancy, "Just be sure to call me if Matt gets worse okay?"

"Don't worry about it, Mom, I will." T.K. confirmed, ending it with a quick goodbye.

But just as T.K. was hanging up the phone, he turned to see his brother leave something behind in the kitchen as he started into the hallway and into his room, closing the door.

"Matt?"

Following Matt's trail into the kitchen, T.K. discovered a note on the kitchen table and he picked it up and started reading it. His blue eyes scanned through the words, but one particular sentence caught his attention.

'I'll be fine by tomorrow.'

The Bearer of Hope sighed as he stared out into the dark hallway, pondering his brother's statement of 'being fine'.

Pressing his back up against the door, shivers coursed through Matt as he folded his arms tightly around him in a feeble attempt to warm himself.

A round of dry coughs escaped from his throat followed by a forceful sneeze. Matt felt his eyes watering from the aftermath while the pain from the headache doubled, pounding fiercely in his skull.

Ugh…I've got to get better… Matt thought, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

Lazily, he kicked off his shoes as he sluggishly walked towards his bed and crawled in; not bothering to change out of his school uniform and wrapping the blankets tightly around him; he fell into a fitful sleep, unaware of another presence lurking inside the room before it vanished into the darkness.

Gabumon gave a lonely sigh as he tossed a pebble into a nearby creek.

I wonder how Matt's doing these days, the horned Digimon thought, picking up another pebble and threw it carelessly into the water.

I really wish that-

His thoughts were suddenly cut short when he heard a low gurgling sound.

Puzzled, Gabumon looked around, hoping to find the source of the noise but he was only Digimon there.

"That can't be my stomach," he said aloud, "I just had a snack."

As he listened, the sound seemed to grow louder. It didn't sound like a Digimon like he first thought it was but then, his brown eyes turned towards the creek in front of him.

And a mysterious form slowly rose out from the water, its eyes glinting watching Gabumon, who was staring, mouth agape.

"No! It can't be! How can it-"

Then, the being lunged.

A faint, yet familiar beeping noise stirred Matt back to consciousness.

Huh? Is that my digivice?

Slowly bringing himself to a sitting position, Matt dug into his green coat pocket and pulled out the tiny machine and in the darkness of the room, a red signal was flashing in tune with beeping.

Gabumon's in trouble!

He pulled off the covers, immediately getting up from the bed but a woozy feeling swept over him once he stood up on the floor. Shrugging it off, Matt headed out towards the door, only to be greeted face-to-face with T.K.

"Matt!" the younger blonde exclaimed, "I was just about to check on you, are you feeling better?"

He lied, nodding his head and took out his digivice pointing to the flashing screen.

"Something's happened to Gabumon?"

Matt nodded.

"I'll get the DigiPort open on Dad's computer!"

T.K. hastily ran into the office room and turned on the desktop while Matt slipped his shoes back on his feet to join him.

"Okay, I got it open," T.K. confirmed but once he looked back at his brother, he hesitated.

"Are you sure you're all right, Matt? M-maybe Patamon and I should go with you…"

He shook his head no and before T.K. could speak, Matt disappeared into the computer screen.

Upon re-entering the Digital World, Matt took a glimpse at his digivice, indicating Gabumon's location. However, the blinking red light was beginning to grow dim.

What does this mean? I… I don't have time! I've got to find him!

Matt ran as fast as he could in the direction of the fading light but the forced energy on his body only fueled his sickness more and was rapidly giving into exhaustion.

His vision began to blur, his panting turned into heavy wheezing and his chest heaved painfully as he took in one breath after the other. He stopped short as a sudden coughing fit seized him and he fell to his knees.

Once the coughing had subsided, the blonde heard a cry ring out in the distance.

"MAAATTT!"

He called out Gabumon's name but his mute answer was in vain, hearing his Digimon's shout echo before fading out into complete silence.

I've…got…to…keep…going…Matt thought to himself, slowly rising but his legs buckled as he took a step to run, only to fall flat on the ground.

Lifting his head, Matt stubbornly arose with one hand pressing down on his knee to keep steady as his swaying body was threatening to fall over again until finally, it stopped, and he took off.

Gabumon…hang on…

"Blue Blaster!"

The blue flame burst from Gabumon's mouth towards his attacker but the horned Digimon's offense proved too weak against his adversary.

"W-what do you want from me?" asked Gabumon, taking a step back as the figure came closer.

I need you, Matt! Where are you?

When the stranger made no reply, Gabumon took no chances.

He fled.

But that was exactly what the figure was waiting for.

It raised up its hand, a sphere of energy began to glow and form against the palm. Then, it shifted its aim towards Gabumon.

And fired.

Matt turned and saw a blast of light at least ten feet away from where he stood.

Gabumon!

He quickened his pace, desperate to find his Digimon partner and hoping that Gabumon was unharmed.

But his body rebelled against his wishes and Matt felt himself quickly slowing down with more potent force than before.

Come on…I'm almost there…

A feeling of relief filled him when he at last saw Gabumon in his sight but the relief had quickly melted into dread, stopping dead in his tracks when he at last reached his Digimon.

Gabumon was lying face down in the dirt, completely beaten, battered, and unmoving.

Matt bent down, gently cradling his Digimon against his chest, fighting back the tears forming in his eyes.

"Matt…"

He quickly looked down, watching Gabumon's eyes slowly open.

"You…you came…"

The blonde bit his lip. Now, more than ever did he wish that he could speak. To apologize to Gabumon for not coming sooner, apologize for not being a better partner since his journey in and out of the Digital World.

I've almost made Gabumon kill Tai…and I broke the team apart because of that and Tai and Wargreymon had to suffer Piedmon's wrath!

Gabumon weakly extended a paw which Matt carefully took in his own.

The horned Digimon then gave a weak chuckle following a smile.

"It's not your…fault…this happened…You came…and that's all…that matters…"

He gasped suddenly and Matt tensed, pulling Gabumon closer.

"G-goodbye…Matt…" he whispered, "My…friend…"

With that, Gabumon closed his eyes and his body dissolved into countless data fragments that ascended off into the digital sky above.

-To be continued…