Okay, let me just start off just by saying – how? The first chapter didn't have a lot to it, more of a tease of what is to come, and I have this big of a turnout? Granted, some of us don't have much else to do but read and/or write fanfiction right now, so that may play a part, but I'm not complaining. I was going to wait a little longer before putting another chapter out as I don't have much more already written. The good news is that you now have another chapter to read, the bad news is that you're going to be waiting for chapter three. Until then, enjoy and leave a review so I know how I'm doing.


Hands in worn brown gloves turned over repeatedly, fingers twisting into different positions. She could see the hands, but not the person they belonged to. So she watched, hypnotized. Move, pause, change – the positions repeated themselves over and over. She reached out to the hands. They drew back into the darkness.

There was a glow above her. She looked up and saw dozens of light purple stars in a midnight sky. She laughed and danced under them.

There was a flash of crimson light and a loud crack. She dropped to the ground and cringed. The stars were drowned out by the flashing red lightning. And then the laughter came. It was the same cruel laughter she heard before. She covered her ears and cowered. Someone grabbed her arm.


Yume jerked awake.

"Yume?" Kari was sitting up in bed. "You okay?"

Yume rubbed her eyes. "Bad dream."

Kari looked at her miserably. She then looked at the bedroom door. "Do you hear that?"

Yume turned and listened. She could hear voices. "I thought your parents weren't going to be home for a while."

"Me, too," said Kari.

"Then who's here?" Yume asked.

Kari crawled over to the ladder. "It sounds like Tai." She was quick to climb down and go for the door.

"Wait! Kari!" Yume hissed and followed.

Kari opened the bedroom door. "Hi, Tai!"

"Kari, you're here?" Yume heard a boy say. "Mom and Dad left you here at home all alone?"

"I'm a big girl," Kari told him. "And I'm not alone. Yume's here, too."

Yume stepped out around Kari to see into the living and kitchen area. She had met Tai several times before. He was Ichiro's age and stood out in a crowd with his massive brown hair. He was wearing a blue and orange shirt and a pair of blue goggles on his head. Sitting on the half-wall of the kitchen was a strange pink ball with big red eyes, a large mouth, and pink ribbons for ears.

"Hi, Koromon," Kari said.

"Kari, how did you know his name?" Tai asked.

"Maybe she knows my name because your sister's a lot smarter than you," said the pink ball.

Tai pounced on the pink ball. "Cut it out, Koromon! I'm serious!"

The pink ball, Koromon, cried out in protest.

Tai turned back to Kari. "How did you know his name was Koromon?" he wanted to know.

"I don't know," said Kari. "I just knew it."

"I don't get it," said Tai.

Koromon quieted down

"It's like I've met him before," said Kari. "That's why I'm not afraid."

"But that's impossible!" said Tai. "This is the first time he's ever been out of the Digi-World."

"Well, maybe that's where we met," said Kari.

"But you've never been to Digi-World," countered Tai. "Have you?"

"I don't know," said Kari. "I think so. It's near your camp."

Tai was silent for a moment, then turned to Yume. "How come you're not scared of him?"

Yume looked from Koromon to Tai. "He's not scary."

"Wait, what are you doing here, anyway?" Tai asked. "I thought you were supposed to be at camp with your brothers? I know I saw Ichiro."

"Mom made me stay because I wasn't sleeping," said Yume. "I came over here because I couldn't find my crayon and I just stayed."

"Yume's been having a lot of bad dreams lately," said Kari. "Speaking of which, maybe you want to go back to sleep."

Yume shook her head. "I think I want to draw."

"Okay," said Kari. "Is that okay, Tai?"

"Yeah," Tai answered. "Uh, go ahead, Yume. Just don't draw on the furniture."

Kari and Koromon went to play patty cake on one sofa. Yume sat in front of the other and used the coffee table to draw. She turned to a clean page and started filling it up with purple stars.

"Kari, hang on a minute," she heard Tai say.

Yume looked up. Koromon was sitting in Kari's lap and Tai had one hand to his forehead and the other on hers, checking her temperature.

"What's wrong, Tai?" Kari asked.

"Nothing," said Tai.

"Then why do you think I have a fever?" she asked.

Tai took his hand of his forehead and looked down at her.

"I'm not sick," said Kari. "And I've been to Digi-World."

"No way," Tai whispered.

"Well, I think you have," Kari went on. "Where else could you find a Koromon?"

"The toy store," Tai quickly answered.

"Oh, please," Kari said in disbelief.

"You do know," Tai realized. "I better call everyone else's house to see if they got home, too." Tai ran over to the phone.

Yume looked at Kari. She shrugged, confused.

Tai got off the phone after a few minutes. He stood there, looking at something in his hand.

Kari got up and went over to him with Koromon. She set small Digimon on the table. "Tai, I know you're hungry." She pulled off the napkin that was covering some dishes on the table. "There's food in the fridge or you can have my leftover piece of pie."

"I get first dibs this time!" Koromon cried.

"I've got a better idea," said Tai. "I'll make us a healthy breakfast."

He started getting stuff out of the refrigerator and got to cooking. After a few minutes, he called the girls to the table. They saw he had made omelets for them.

"It's good to be home!" Tai and Koromon announced. They then dug into their meals like wild animals.

Kari and Yume ate theirs slowly.

"Delish," Kari told him.

"You bet!" Tai agreed, going right back to his food.

"Tai, you never cook," said Kari. "Did you learn at camp?"

"Yeah, my new friend, Matt, taught me when our summer camp switched to Digi-World," Tai replied.

"You're good." Kari put her spoon down and pushed her plate away. She had only taken a bite from her plate. "I'm stuffed. You can have the rest."

"Glad to!" said Koromon.

Tai pulled the plate closer to Koromon.

When the plates were cleared of food, Tai leaned back with a sigh.

"Whoa," Koromon moaned contentedly.

"Man, I am so full I won't have to eat for at least a year," Tai commented.

Koromon's expression turned strained. "Oh, boy! Aw!"

Tai sat up quickly. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"So full!" Koromon jumped off the table and bounced off for the bathroom.

Kari chased after Koromon.

"Is he going to be okay?" Yume asked.

"Yeah, he'll be fine," said Tai. "Wanna help me clean up?"

Yume and Tai did the dishes. When they were finishing, they heard the toilet flush. Yume saw Koromon come out and Kari picked him up. Yume wasn't sure what they were talking about, but Koromon looked awed.

Tai went and laid down on the sofa and turned on the TV. He then grabbed the other remote to turn on the air conditioning. The new air current made the little wind chime hanging from above the sliding glass door jingle.

Yume sat back down with her sketchbook and colored while glancing up at the TV. She wasn't really very interested with what Tai was watching.

"I'm really back," she heard Tai say. "I used to hate that wind chime. Now I love it. I really miss sitting around and watching TV with my friends. I miss Mom scolding Dad for not hanging up his shirts. Boy, it's good to be home." He yawned.

"You went on an adventure, didn't you?" Yume said.

"I certainly did," said Tai.

"What did you do?" asked Yume.

"I'll tell you later," Tai yawned again. "Right now, I just want to take a nap."

Yume nodded and went back to her drawing. A moment later, something on TV caught both their attention.

"Unbelievable weather conditions around the world have all weather experts puzzled," said the news announcer. "There is still no rainfall in Southeast Asia and all the rice patties are drying up, as a result setting a record drought."

Yume saw a fiery human-looking creature fade in on screen.

"Meramon!" Tai sat up on the sofa.

It faded from the screen a second later.

"In the Middle East, major flooding continues to wreak havoc for a concerned populace."

A giant snake creature was in the floodwaters. It also faded out like the first creature.

"And there's Seadramon!" cried Tai.

"Meanwhile in America, snow falls in a freak midsummer cold spell."

Standing on top of one of the buildings in the city was a giant bear snowman.

"What? What is Frigimon doing here?" Tai went on. Now he was on his feet. "Could somebody please tell me what's going on here? The Digimon are clearly on the TV screen, but the reporter hasn't mentioned them."

"Finally!" Kari called. She was standing behind the sofa Yume was sitting on with Koromon in her arms. "Somebody else can see them."

Tai turned to her. "Huh? Are you saying you can see the monsters, too?"

"For a long time now," Kari answered. "Mom and Dad don't believe me. They just think I watch too many scary movies."

"Kari," Tai started to say.

The TV suddenly turned off and the air conditioning fan randomly sped up and slowed down. Something beeped loudly.

Tai reached for something on his waistband and held it in his palm. "What's going on? My Digivice has activated itself."

"Huh?" Kari murmured, hearing something turn on behind her. She looked over at the computer in the dining area. It was on and the screen was pixelated. "What's wrong with the computer, Tai? There's a face!"

"Can you hear me?" a young voice said from the computer.

"Izzy?" Tai called.

"We . . . Danger!" the screen cut in and out.

"Izzy?" Tai said again, running over to the computer.

"They . . . Don't . . . It isn't . . . Tai, wherever you may be, don't come back here!"

"I just can't leave you guys there, Izzy!" Tai shouted at the screen. "I have to come back. I could be your only chance!"

"Digimonsters . . . Total chaos!" The screen pixelated worse than before.

"Wait, Izzy! I need help with the Digivice!" Tai yelled.

"You're better off where you are! Don't come back!"

"Izzy! Izzy!"

The computer turned off.

"While we're here safe at home, my friends are in trouble," said Tai, looking at his Digivice.

Kari and Yume stared at him, not sure what was happening, only knowing something was wrong.

"What now?" asked Koromon.

"I don't know, Koromon," Tai answered, disheartened. "I just don't know. Two worlds are in danger and I can't do a thing about it. I feel totally useless. I know this Digivice is powerful enough to do something, but I don't have a clue on how to make it work!" He slowly turned to Koromon. "Oh, man. Maybe I should just quit while I'm ahead."

"But, Tai, you can't," argued Koromon.

"Why can't I?" Tai snapped. "What am I going to do? Throw the Digivice at the monsters and hope they get scared and run away?"

Koromon looked down at the floor.

"Come on, Tai," Kari tried to encourage. "Just relax. Eat some watermelon."

"You can have some," said Tai, walking to their shared bedroom. "I'm not hungry."

Kari and Yume looked at each other.

"I would like some watermelon," Koromon spoke up.

"Okay, let's get some," said Kari.

She took several pre-sliced pieces of watermelon out of the refrigerator. She put some on one plate and a few pieces on another.

"Is that for Tai?" Yume asked.

Kari nodded. "Yeah."

"Can I take it to him?"

"Sure." Kari handed Yume the extra plate.

Yume walked back to the bedroom. She pushed the door open and found Tai sprawled out on the bottom bunk.

"You okay, Tai?"

Tai only groaned.

"I brought you some watermelon." Yume walked over and put it on the desk.

Tai let out a grunt which could have been a thank you.

"Tai. The hero always wins. You'll figure it out," said Yume.

"It's not that easy, Yume."

"I know," she replied plainly. "The best heroes don't have it easy."

Yume left the room and went back to the dining area where Kari and Koromon were. Koromon was holding a slice of watermelon with his ribbon appendages and gobbling it down.

"Boy, oh boy!" he said between bites. "If there's one thing I duly love, I duly love this watermelon!"

"It's sweet, huh? You can eat all you want, Koromon," Kari told him.

Koromon jerked up from his finished slice. "Wow! I need another slice! This world is great!" He grabbed another slice and wolfed that one down as well.

"I'm glad you like it here on Earth because you may be staying here for a while," said Kari.

Koromon stopped and looked up at her in surprise.

"You may not be returning to Digi-World anytime soon, if at all," Kari went on.

Koromon wilted at her words.

"But you are more than welcome to live with us forever," said Kari.

"And I would visit all the time," Yume added. "We can go on adventures together."

Kari nodded. "Yume goes on some fun adventures. One time, we went to the park together and we pretended we explored the Amazon Rainforest."

The telephone began ringing and Kari went to answer it.

"Hello," she answered.

Tai came charging out of the bedroom. He saw Kari holding the phone. "Who is it?"

Kari nodded and hummed a couple times. "Okay, Mom," she said.

"Let me hear." Tai took the phone from her hand. He listened to it for several moments. "Mom?" He then quickly hung up.

"What's happening, Tai?" Kari asked.

"Now I understand," said Tai. "Earth's in just as much danger as the Digi-World."

"How?" Koromon asked.

"Digi-World's troubles are slipping through the dimension," said Tai.

"What can we do?" asked Koromon.

"There's nothing we can do," Tai told him. "Until I figure out how to use the Digivice so we can return to Digi-World and fight the bad Digimon, but we'll be okay for now, Koromon. This will be a nice break. Here we have all kinds of food and candy and stuff and we get to sleep in a soft bed. We'll be living large!"

"Right," Koromon said, though it was clear he was unhappy with the idea.

"Sorry, Digi-bud," said Tai. "Look, there's lots of things to do out there. We could go to the beach, the movies, take Kari shopping."

"Yeah." Koromon looked like he was about to cry.

Tai exploded in frustration. "What am I talking about? My friends are in danger because I can't make this piece of techno-junk work and can't do a think about it!" He raised his fist like he was about to throw his Digivice across the room.

The ground began to shake. Stuff began to rattle and the wind chime jingled loudly.

"What's that?" cried Koromon.

"Earthquake!" Tai yelled. He ran out onto the balcony.

Yume grabbed Kari's arm, terrified of the earthquake. Kari reached around and gave her a hug.

"It's okay," Kari said. "It's just an earthquake. It'll be over soon."

There was another rumble and Tai came running back in and for the front door.

"Where are you going?" Koromon called after him, jumping off the table following his partner.

"Tai!" cried Kari.

"What about me, Kari, and Yume?" Koromon asked.

Tai hastily put his shoes on. "They stay here!" He jumped up and grabbed the door handle. "Kari, Yume, don't leave for any reason! Koromon and I have to find that dimensional rift! We gotta find a way back to Digi-World!" He ran out the door with Koromon under his arm.

"No!" Kari called after him. She looked at the door and groaned in disappointment.

Yume ran out onto the balcony. In the bay was a giant red dinosaur with large, flat spikes going down its back.

"Kari!" she yelled.

Kari came out on the balcony.

Yume pointed to the giant dinosaur. "Can you see it?"

Kari nodded. "Come on, Yume. We need to help Tai."

"But Tai said to stay here," Yume argued.

Kari went inside and found a sweater to wear. "Don't you want to go on an adventure? Come on!" she encouraged.

Yume got her shoes and followed Kari out the door.

The two little girls ran down the street, trying to figure out which way Tai and Koromon went. The dinosaur had disappeared when they left the apartment building, but there had been an explosion and they followed the dust cloud. They found Tai and Koromon near the site.

"Tai! Koromon!" Kari called. "Wait for me! I wanna go with you!"

Tai and Koromon turned around to see them running across the street.

"Kari, I told you not leave home!" Tai ran up to his sister and grabbed her by her shoulders. "You can't go with us. It's too dangerous."

"Please, Tai," Kari begged. "Oh, please, please!"

"Ogremon!" Koromon exclaimed. "Tai, Kari, Yume, it's Orgremon!"

They looked across the street to see a giant green ogre creature with spines coming out of his shoulders, white hair, and his mouth hanging open. He was standing amongst a crowd of people who were going about their business.

"But the people don't seem to notice him!" Koromon told them.

"What's he doing?" Tai asked. He saw the cross light sign was red. "He's just standing there waiting for the light to change."

Kari and Yume hid behind Tai, watching the ogre.

"Maybe if we wait, he'll disappear like the others," said Tai.

The light turned green.

Ogremon dashed across the road with a spiked club. He slammed into the sidewalk next to the kids. Bits of concrete flew everywhere.

Tai covered the two girls. "Are you okay?"

"Koromon?" Kari called.

They looked around for the small Digimon.

"Huh? Koromon, where are you?" Tai yelled.

"Koromon!" Yume called out.

"He's up there!" Kari pointed up at the buildings.

Tai turned. "What?"

Koromon and Orgemon were jumping on the balconies of an apartment building.

"He's trying to take on that monster single-handed!" Kari cried.

Koromon fired off a stream of pink bubbles at Ogremon in midair, but it did nothing. He bounced off another building, just missing a swing of Ogremon's club that destroyed a balcony.

"Koromon, digivolve!" Tai yelled.

"I can't do it unless you use the Digivice!" Koromon yelled back.

"I don't know what's wrong with it! The Digivice isn't working! You'll have to digivolve without it!"

"I just can't!"

"Yes, you can!" Yume shouted back.

"You can do it, Koromon!" Kari yelled.

Koromon refocused on Ogremon and saw him coming straight for him. This time he wasn't able to completely dodge the blow from the club.

"Koromon!" Tai shouted.

The small pink Digimon fell with a yell amongst the rubble.

"Digivolve!" Tai ordered.

Tai's Digivice began glowing in his hand.

Koromon began to glow brightly.

The sky darkened and a great big circle opened up and began sucking up the debris.

"Look!" Tai yelled. "The dimensional rift is opening up like a mega vacuum cleaner! Koromon, help!"

"Koromon digivolve to . . ."

"Agumon!" a new voice cried.

"Hurry, Agumon!" Tai yelled.

The little orange dinosaur landed on top of a traffic light. Ogremon jumped from the building at him.

"Pepper breath!" Agumon opened his mouth and released a fireball.

The fireball hit Ogremon and sent him flying through the rift.

"Take a hike!" Tai shouted.

Agumon was lifted off the traffic light up into the sky.

"Agumon, come back!" cried Tai.

"I'm needed in Digi-World," said Agumon as he faded away. "I'll never forget you, my friends. Thanks for your help."

"Wait, take me with you," Tai called after him. "You still need my help. Agu-." He started forward like he was going to try to follow him, but felt a tug on his hand stopping him.

"Tai," said Kari. "Stay with me."

"No, go wait for Mom and Dad," Tai told her without looking at her.

"I'm so sorry," said Kari.

"Why?"

"You're right. I know you have to leave."

"I really do," said Tai. "Okay?"

"Okay."

"Agumon can't digivolve without me," Tai told her. "This is my fault, too."

He lifted his hand holding his glowing Digivice up to the sky. He was pulled off his feet.

"Please be careful," said Kari, still not letting go. She held on until Tai's hand slipped from hers.

"Goodbye, Kari," said Tai, being sucked through the rift.

"Bye-bye, Tai," she said. "Don't forget about me!"

The rift closed and the sky cleared. Kari and Yume continued to stare at the spot where the rift had been.

Yume took Kari's hand. "Come on. We should go home."

"Okay," Kari said quietly.

The two girls walked back to their apartment building. When they entered the Kamiyas' apartment, they heard a little bell jingling.

"Meeko?" Kari called.

A white and brown cat poked her head out of Tai and Kari's bedroom.

"There she is," said Yume. "I was wondering where she was."

"She was probably hiding under the sofa," said Kari.

The cat meowed and came out to greet Kari and Yume. Kari got a cat treat from the kitchen and gave it to Meeko.

"Good girl," she said.

The cat purred when she was petted by the girls before running back into the bedroom. There was some jingling, thumping, and something scraped across the floor.

"Sounds like she's got a toy," said Yume.

Kari hung her head. "Yume, do you think they'll be okay?"

"Of course they are," said Yume. "This is Tai you're talking about. You saw how he and Koromon took care of that ogre. Come on, let's watch some TV."

"Yeah, you're right," said Kari.

Yume grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. She flipped through the channels until she found a kid's movie. The two girls sat and watched TV, waiting for their families to come home.


So Yume has seen Digimon outside of her dreams, met Koromon/Agumon, and has been on the sidelines of a Digimon fight. All in all a good start to an adventure, don't you think?