Hey guys! I promised it would not take me THAT long again. Guess I kind of kept my promise, didn't I?
Thanks for the nice feedbacks! You are SO motivating!
As always; I own my OC's; Kazumi, Dylan, Alec and Phoenix.
English isn't my first language, please excuse if I make any mistakes.
Here's Chapter 10 for you:
Frustration
Where am I? What happened?
Using all my strength I open my eyes and get up from the hard floor I was lying on. I slowly turn around in an attempt to catch sight of my surroundings.
But there is nothing, nothing but darkness.
I can't see anything. I can't hear anything. I can't say anything.
Without him, all the light left me, my voice left me, and every sound left too, leaving me in complete darkness that is slowly oozing inside my body, corrupting my heart, my thoughts and my mind.
I walk through this darkness, into the unknown but I can't reach the end of this. It feels like an endless ocean of darkness. I can't get out of here.
I'm screaming, but there is no sound.
Silence, endless silence is engulfing me, causing fear to build inside of me, paralyzing me.
I am absolutely alone.
Phoenix' POV
The darkened corridor seems like it won't ever end. I take my time in crossing the last bit to the door of the training center in which I assume my brother will be in. I debated for a long time whether I should look for him or not. But when the realization that not only Kazumi lost a very important person today but also my brother, finally sunk in I thought that maybe, just maybe it won't do him any good in being alone right now. So here I am, looking for Alec to comfort him.
I can hear the rhythmical thud of someone punching a punching bag through the closed door. I lay my hand on the handprint scanner and within seconds the steel door slides open, revealing the sight of my shirtless brother trying to kill the punching bag.
He's dressed in nothing but gym shorts. His broad frame glisters in the light coming from the ceiling. His back is turned to me and he doesn't seem like he noticed someone entering the room though he should be sensing my aura by now. He however just continues to maltreat the bag.
For others, he would have made the impression of a very skilled fighter. For someone who knows him for such a long time as I do however, it is easy to see that his movements are chaotic, uncoordinated and filled with anger.
I slowly approach him. His heavy breaths get louder the closer I get to him. He continues to punch the bag, filling every punch with frustration. I literally can see how he's fuming.
"I wonder what that bag did to piss you off that much."
Alec twitches for a second before he hauls off and punches the bag so hard that the chains break, causing the bag to fly through the room where it lands on the ground with a loud thud. My brother however is unfazed by it. With his back still turned to me he just stares at the bag on the far corner of the room, his shoulders rising and falling ever so slowly with every deep breath he takes.
"Yeah sure Alec, come on; ignore me. That's what you can do best", I mumble before I inwardly roll my eyes and start to walk towards the door again.
I should have known it would be useless anyway.
Before I can reach the door however I hear him mumble something under his breath. I stop in my tracks and turn around again.
"What did you just say?"
"I should have seen that he can't take it anymore", my brother mumbles again. He turns to me and looks me dead in my eyes.
Where before a glint of anger was whenever he looked at me, is nothing but pure frustration. But there is not the emotion I was hoping I'd see...
"Well brother, he made his bed. You said so yourself", I shrug, using the coldest voice I can bring up.
Alec twitches again and I can see how the anger towards me is slowly rising again.
"What did you just say?" He says, his voice dangerously low already.
"You heard me. He is a disgrace for his father. I'm just glad Tai won't ever have to see this."
Come on Alec...
"You little..." Alec crosses the room and within seconds I'm pinned to the wall, his hand closing around my throat and making it impossible for me to get enough air into my lungs. The anger I was hoping for to see is finally flowing through my brother's whole body, causing him to tremble.
"How can you talk about Dylan that way!" He screams at me before he grabs me by my collar and throws me on the ground with full force.
I try to ignore the pain on my coccyx and get on my feet again.
"FINALLY! SOME REACTION" I call out too.
My brother frowns in confusion but stays silent, causing me to finally explain myself.
"You just lost Dylan to the enemy and instead of being up there and working on an actual plan how to get him back; you are drowning yourself in self-loathing!" I look at my brother and I am sure that in my eyes he can see the exact same type of anger he is feeling right now.
We both lost someone today.
"I – I ", Alec starts but I can tell he is in no condition to answer. Actually, he is in no condition to do anything right now.
He slumps down on the ground and buries his face in his hands. Confusion spreads through my mind, causing me to frown. The determination I felt earlier when I came down to "comfort" my brother obviously left me because I can't do anything than to stand next to Alec's crouched form.
"Alec..." I start but he interrupts me.
"I promised him I'd keep them save Phoenix... I promised", he says, granting me access to his eyes finally. After all these years he finally let the mask fall and I can see all the pain he always hid from me.
The pain he felt when the demon lords captured him, the pain that the death of his fiancée – Nadia – and his son caused him and the pain of his brother's – mine – betrayal. I can see everything clearly now. All these years of him not being himself left him hurt and alone. And finally he found someone who cared. Dylan and Kazumi were the first ones who gave him another chance and convinced everyone to trust him. And now he lost one of them again. Seeing how he is talking right now there is only one person he is blaming for everything; himself.
I slowly kneel down in front of him and place my hand on his shoulder. He however shakes it off angrily, looking at me with distrust all over his face.
"Don't you think we should stop fighting each other and start to work together finally?" I whisper quietly, looking down on the ground since I can't bear to see the rejection in his eyes.
"You killed me Phoenix."
"Yeah well, you tried to kill me. So I'd say we're even"
I slowly dare to take a glimpse at my brother's expression and much to my surprise I see how the corner of his mouth is twitching as if he's suppressing a grin.
"Yeah maybe you're right."
Before realization hits me I feel his arms around my shoulders and just a second later my face is buried in his naked, scarred chest. The sensation of my brother embracing me is so foreign but so familiar at the same time that it takes my breath away.
It takes me just a few seconds to respond to the embrace and I wrap my arms around my older brother's body.
I squeeze him tight, not willing to let him go, ever. It feels like I've been drowning for years, and finally, I came up to the surface again.
I hear him exhale deeply as if he's feeling the exact same.
We remain in this position for a few more seconds before we finally break apart and grin at each other. I can't believe it... it really looks like I've got my brother back.
His gaze however turns serious again. "We have to go up and come up with a plan Phoenix. Kazumi can't take anymore."
"Maybe it would be a good idea if we would call her team?" I suggest the one idea I was thinking about for a while already. However Alec shaking his head already makes me doubt my idea.
"They need them at the front. It was risky to send Kazumi and Dylan away already. They're the strongest two of the second generation..." Alec responds.
"And anyway, the only person who is able to knock some sense into Dylan is – "
Alec gets interrupted by the sound of the door sliding open again, revealing the leader of the digidestined. I don't really have to know this time's Tai that well to know that he is fuming.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
I don't have time to register anything that is going on because Tai crosses the room in high speed and pins Alec on the wall, pretty much the same way Alec did with me a few minutes ago.
"Didn't I tell you that I don't want the cure?! What were you thinking?" Tai shouts, tightening his grip on Alec's neck what causes my brother to choke. He tries to push Tai's hands away, in vain. The digidestined's leader seems to be too strong... wait, what?!
I don't have time to think about my realization because the whole room starts to shake dangerously. I look around and there is no doubt. Several other punching bags are swinging and the weights look like they're just about to fall down to the ground.
Alec's eyes get wide and once again he tries to get a hold of Tai.
"T- Ta", he can't get anything out but I already followed Alec's train of thought.
I run up to Tai and place both of my hands on his shoulders, breaking him away from my brother, though it takes almost all my strength to do so. Tai for his part doesn't look so happy since he doesn't waste any second to try and get back on Alec who slumped down on the ground, holding his aching throat.
I turn the boy around in my grip so he's facing me.
"Let go of me Phoenix he deserves it!" He shouts, not less angry than before.
I cup his face in my hands and look him deep into his troubled, brown eyes. "Calm down boy, this base is going to break down if you don't get a hold on your anger", I try to soothe him down in the calmest voice I have.
His eyes get wide immediately and he takes several deep breaths. As if on cue the room stops shaking. I quickly check everything for any damage; luckily there isn't anything. Alec's cough drives my attention to him and I kneel down beside him. His eyeballs turned lightly red because of the lack of oxygen and he's still holding his throat with his left hand, however his gaze is fixed on Tai who's just standing there, looking at my brother as if he's debating if he should try and choke him to death again.
I slowly pull Alec's hand away and can't suppress the yelp of surprise. There on my brother's throat are red marks visible. Something that should not happen when a normal person gets a hold on him... I can tell by Alec's gaze that he already understood. I slowly turn around to face Tai again.
Tai for his part is looking wide – eyed at Alec's red marks.
"I – I didn't – "
"It's fine. You didn't know about your own strength", Alec interrupts him, his voice hoarser than usual. He slowly gets back on his feet, approaching Tai as if he's a scared animal that could run off any minute.
"I was just so –", Tai starts again but Alec finishes his sentence for him.
"Angry. I know."
The brunette just nods, looking at Alec's throat again before his gaze fixes on his hands he is holding in front of him. As if he can't believe what he just did.
For all I know he probably really can't believe what he just did...
"Was that my power?" He asks, looking at me before he turns to Alec again, waiting for one of us to answer. I can't hide my surprise over the fact that he actually found a reasonable explanation for what he just did.
"I think so... normally you would not be able to hurt Alec or someone who is that strong with bare hands", I answer his question truthfully. There is no reason to hide it from him any longer anyway. It was just a matter of time until he'd trigger his powers.
"You'll learn to control it. Just... don't flip. At least not in this base where you could bury all of us", Alec adds, his sarcasm slowly coming back to him.
Tai just rolls his eyes before he narrows them again;" I told you I didn't want the cure, why did you give it to me?!"
Alec's eyebrows shot up in surprise before he derisive laugh escapes his lips;" I'm not the one you should point your finger at."
Tai's frown gets deeper and he takes a few steps towards Alec again, causing him to back off. After all, this is Tai standing in front of him. If there is anyone on this earth that causes Alec to piss his pants, then it's Tai.
"Who was it then?" Tai asks, his voice getting colder by the minute.
"Kazumi and Sora." I answer the question for my brother what causes both of them to turn to me in surprise. Alec because I just drove Tai's attention to me what gives him the opportunity to get a lot more space between him and Tai and Tai because he obviously wasn't expecting me to say these two names.
"That girl drives me nuts. I told her I didn't want it!" Tai throws his arms out in frustration before he paces through the room in an attempt to calm down his nerves.
I nervously look around the room to check if the base is about to tremble again but luckily Tai is keeping his emotions at bay.
Just what on earth triggered his powers anyway? I have to discuss that with Gennai...
"It was Kazumi's and Dylan's decision Tai. And they chose to give the cure to you", Alec responds.
"So what?! The cure was supposed to be for their father! Not for me! Can you imagine what will happen to the twins now?! They can't bear to lose their father!"
If you knew just how bad they can't bear it...
"You are their sperm donor in case you forgot. So they kinda saved themselves if that makes you feel better."
Tai stops pacing through the room and looks at Alec, anger still visible on his face.
"Tai you have to excuse my brother's choice of words. He's in a really bad mood", I interrupt their conversation since I am already expecting the worst outcome.
Alec really should not get on Tai's nerves if he is in such a labile state...
My input however got Tai's attention because he turns to me, confusion all over his face.
"What happened?"
"You don't know?" Alec asks, surprise clear in his voice. Tai however just shakes his head.
"I didn't get the chance to talk to anyone of my team. You two are the first ones I found after I woke up."
"UGH!" This time it's Alec who throws his arms out in frustration, causing Tai's confusion to grow.
"Is Davis okay? You got him back didn't you?"
I just nod;" The boy is okay. We got him and Veemon back home."
"Then what is it? You're not telling me something." He obviously doesn't want the answers coming from me, because he turns to Alec again who is staring at the ground, his eyes hid behind his hair.
"Dylan joined the enemies..." he mumbles quietly.
The room starts shaking again.
Mimi's POV
"Come on Palmon we're surely the last ones!"
I hurry out of the elevator and towards the command center, my partner digimon following suit.
"Don't run that fast Mimi, I have short legs!"
I slow down unwillingly and let her catch up with me before we both enter the command center together. And as I expected; everyone's sitting already on the big round table that is surrounded by the many screens.
Everyone got the chance to change their clothes though I'd die for a hot bath down in the underground thermal spring I heard about.
I quietly take my seat with Palmon in my lab and don't dare to speak up. The mood is low and I feel like heavy bricks are pressing all of us down. I'd expected at least Davis' presence – the only positive thing from today's events – to lighten us up a little bit but obviously our loss from today is pulling us down much more than I thought. Myself included. Though I didn't get the chance to really like the boy, I can't deny the fact that his absence is affecting me too. It hurts actually.
I steal a glimpse at the girl sitting next to Alec. Her gaze is cloudier than ever. She's dressed in a black hoodie and matching black pants. Her hair is a brown – reddish mess and her eyeballs are still painted red from her brother's attack. On her neck she's wearing a cervical collar that is stabilizing her neck for the time until her body heals itself.
She didn't say a word on our way back to the base. Neither does she seem like she's going to talk at all right now. I can't imagine how she must feel like... after all, a twin should never experience it's other half to be gone. No sibling should that.
"Okay guys... first of all; Davis we're glad that you're back", Gennai starts the meeting, getting a murmur of agreement from everyone. Davis for his part just smiles tiredly at us.
"Where's Veemon?" Patamon asks, worry clear in his voice.
"He's still recovering in the hospital wing", Davis answers, his voice not nearly as cheerful and strong as usual. Instead he actually looks quite worn out. His face is pale and his burgundy colored hair sticks out in every direction, worse than usual. He has dark bags under his eyes and a few scratches all over his face.
"Did you get yourself checked already?" Matt asks him, his gaze attentive as ever.
"N-No not yet. I'm fine."
"I'd like you to go to the hospital wing with Joe after we're done her, please", Tai says quietly.
Davis doesn't look at all pleased by Tai's request but he doesn't answer back which Tai obviously takes as approval because he turns his gaze towards Alec, since it's always him wo tells us most of the information. I myself follow his example, as well as everyone else.
"Whoa Alec what happened to your neck?" T.K asks his eyes wide in surprise and his gaze fixed on the guy's throat where – I gulp – deep red marks are visible, showing that he obviously got choked by someone.
Kazumi immediately turns towards him, grabs his chin and examines his throat.
"Who did you piss off?" She asks with her barely audible voice.
Alec frees himself from her gasp and clears his throat, stealing a glance at Tai while doing so. Tai for his part averted his eyes and is staring down on his hands, his hair falling down like a curtain, hiding his eyes.
"N-No one –", Alec starts but Phoenix interrupts him.
"Oh you know. Alec and I had some bro – talk", he tries to wave the topic off, as if Alec doesn't look like someone tried to kill him. I can tell that Kazumi's thinking the same because she frowns deeply at the two brothers.
"I think bro – talk looks different", Matt chimes in. The two brothers wear similar annoyed expressions before Phoenix once again replies.
"Alec and I made up okay?"
"Yeah... and we did it in our own way."
"Really? Did the Base shake because of that? Because you two made up?" Kazumi asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"So I didn't imagine that? I thought we got attacked again!" Yolei exclaims, getting sounds of agreement in response.
I thought we were being attacked too when the base suddenly started to shake. I was up in my room, waiting for the alarm to go off, but nothing happened. The shaking stopped as suddenly as it started. Twice.
"Y-yeah Phoenix pissed me off; I flipped and couldn't control my anger. Sorry about that guys", Alec says chuckling. I'm not sure but somehow I feel like they're lying.
"You're lying", Ken says it out loud as soon as I think it. Phoenix and Alec look at him, wearing – once again – the same expression of surprise.
"N-No we're –", Phoenix starts but this time it's Tai who interrupts them.
"Yes. They're lying because they're covering me", he says quietly, causing everyone to look at him in shock, especially Agumon and Sora.
I hear how Alec face palms and Phoenix sighs in frustration but I don't bother to look at them. My leader's posture, so small and unsure, claims my whole attention
"What do you mean Tai?" Sora asks, placing her hand on his arm. Much to her displeasure however Tai twitches as if he just got hit and backs off. His hair still covering his eyes. I've never seen him like this.
"You triggered your powers didn't you?" Kazumi whispers, leaning forward to get a glimpse at his expression, in vain.
"Do you mean these powers that Dylan said we would find out about soon?!" Joe asks the one thing probably everyone in here is wondering about.
"Y-yeah..." she answers unsure of what to say obviously.
"What does that mean for Tai now? And for us? Does every one of us have them? And why did the whole base shake? What happened?" Izzy asks, once again, way too many questions at once. But I can't help it, I wonder about all these things too. And I can tell everyone else is also.
"W- Well", Kazumi once again starts but Alec cuts her off.
"Don't."
"Oh my god, GUYS! You are SO frustrating with all your secretiveness!" Yolei bursts out, not masking her frustration anymore.
Enough is enough.
"Yolei is right; I feel like you're always telling us only half of the story. There's actually so much more we still don't know right?" I join in finally, getting a little bit of my own frustration out. I've been holding a lot in lately...
"Yes I agree. How are we supposed to trust you, if you don't trust us?" Gatomon says from her spot on Kari's lab.
"We're not allowed to", Kazumi says quietly, averting her gaze from Tai and looking down on the table instead.
"Whose stupid rules are these anyway?" Cody asks, crossing his arms before his chest before he leans in to get a better look at everyone's faces.
"Tai's orders", Phoenix, Alec and Kazumi response in unison.
We all sigh in unison and I subconsciously roll my eyes. Great, just great.
Without me even intending it my gaze wanders over to Tai who's still sitting in the same position. It's only when I take a closer look at him when I notice that his hands are actually trembling lightly. He's pressing them against his lower stomach in an attempt to stop them from doing so but I can tell it's of no use. Whatever these powers did to him it's obvious that he is not handling it very well.
He slowly lifts his head and our gazes meet, causing my blood to freeze. I've never seen him look so foreign to me. After all, we've been friends for years now. But there's something in his gaze that is not matching him, at all.
Rage. Prepossessing, pure rage. The kind I've rarely seen in my life and definitely never saw in Tai's eyes. I literally see him boil with rage.
But it's his voice that still assures me that it's still him who's in charge over his emotions. Because although his eyes are screaming out of anger, his voice doesn't give away a hint.
"Tell you what; my team is officially not doing anything you say unless you're not completely honest with all of us. That includes telling them about these powers. I'm fed up with you bossing us around. Your time's Tai ordered that you shut your mouth? Well then I order that there won't be any secrets from now on", he says in his calmest voice ever. There's no hint of anger, or nervousness or any emotion for that matter.
I give my best to suppress the grin that is daring to come to surface while everyone else is looking quite content with Tai's little speech. I've been waiting for him to step up for a while now, though I already started to doubt if it ever would happen.
While Kazumi looks at her younger version's father with an unreadable expression the both brothers' eyes are widened by surprise.
"Okay... I'll tell you. It doesn't matter anymore anyway", Phoenix gives in finally, closing his eyes before he continues to speak.
"While every one of you will get immortal by the end of..." he trails off and looks at Alec to tell him his lacking information.
"I'd say by the end of the month since Tai already triggered it", his brothers answers him, scratching his still reddened neck thoughtfully.
"By the end of this month... only the original digidestined will have physical powers as in, creating flames, shields –"
"Burning down giant armies of enemies?" Sora asks, causing Alec to chuckle lightly because he obviously gets what she's talking about.
"Yes. For example." Phoenix answers truthfully
"Okay... and why did Tai triggering his powers cause this building to shake?" Agumon asks the next question.
"Well...", Phoenix starts but this time it's Alec who answers this question.
"When you get these powers, every emotion you feel is much more intense. And if you let these emotions be uncontrolled it can affect your surroundings."
"Last time my mother flipped, a few of the monitors in our command center cracked", Kazumi adds, causing everyone to chuckle lightly before stealing a glance at Sora whose cheeks seem redder than usual.
"So if Tai was the cause of the earthquake...", Matt starts but Alec obviously gets what he's intending to say because he doesn't let him finish his sentence.
"It was still Phoenix who choked me."
"You had it coming", Phoenix answers, grinning at his older brother as if they didn't hate each other up to this day.
"Does that mean that you are immortal now Tai?" Kari asks her older brother with wide eyes. Tai for his part just stares at her for a short moment before he looks over to the brothers again, asking for an answer since he obviously doesn't know.
"It isn't that simple... you triggered them yes, but you still have to fully embrace them to own them", Gennai answers this time, smiling warmly at our leader. He doesn't get a smile in return though... actually, Tai doesn't even twitch.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Sora shooting him a worried glance which he ignores. He lowers his head again, focusing on his still trembling hands.
I can tell that Sora noticed it too since her gaze stays for a few moments on his clutched hands before she sighs and turns away from her boyfriend.
I can't shake off the feeling that there's something wrong between them. I definitely go down to the thermal spring with the girls afterwards. We're in some serious girl – talk need!
"I will take care of that, if you don't object?" Alec asks, looking at Tai expectant. Tai only nods, causing every one of us to frown in concern.
"Any more questions?" Phoenix changes the subject, diverting our attention from Tai.
"Yes. What are we going to do about Dylan?" Ken asks right away, causing Kazumi to tense up immediately.
I was wondering when someone would bring up that subject we all somehow managed to push aside for a while, though it was the most traumatizing event from today.
"We just have to knock some sense into him", Kazumi whispers quietly, more to herself than to us.
"We managed to get Ken back to his old self, then we should be able to do that with Dylan too!" Wormmon says confidently, smiling at his partner.
"Yeah!" Everyone agrees in unison, earning a small smile from Kazumi.
However it is Alec once again who crushes down our hopes:" I don't think that will be that simple guys..."
"What do you mean?" Sora asks, her frown appearing again.
"He gave in willingly",Alec answers, his voice a mere whisper, but enough for everyone in the room to hear it. I hear our digimon's gasp in shock while we can't do anything but stare at Alec in pure confusion.
Just what on earth does he mean by that?!
Kazumi shakes her head in disbelief, looking at her boyfriend in shock. Though she knew that for a fact she obviously was in denial for the past few hours. It's obvious though that with Alec saying it out loud, he somehow snapped her out of her daze she was in.
Her tiny chest rises and falls suddenly much faster and I can tell she's going to hyperventilate if someone doesn't get her to calm down before.
I'm obviously not the only one who observed her that good because Matt gets up from his seat and approaches her.
"Kazumi", he whispers quietly, as if he fears that she might break if he'd be a little louder.
"This is my entire fault." Her voice breaks. She desperately tries to get off her cervical collar but her movements are way too uncoordinated. Her breathing accelerates and Alec as well as Tai jump up to interfere. But Matt only holds up his hands, making both stop right in their tracks before he focuses on the girl in front of him again.
He gently grabs Kazumi by her wrists, bringing her hands back down on her lap before he looks her into her eyes. The sight is heart melting. The way he is kneeling in front of her, looking at her with this unconditional affection only he can come up with towards the people he cares about.
"Breathe", he whispers quietly, never breaking eye contact with her, neither letting go of her hands.
She keeps staring into his eyes while gaining back control over her breathing. Ever so slowly her breath normalizes, causing the blonde to smile lightly before he lets go of her.
Alec and Tai stay in their standing position for another few seconds before Tai takes his seat again, followed suit by Alec and finally even Matt.
"I'm sorry", Kazumi says quietly, wiping her eyes dry.
"It would be weird if you wouldn't be devastated if I really think about it", Izzy tries says, giving her a small smile which she returns shyly.
"You're acting perfectly normal. It's your brother we're talking about", I add, feeling the sudden urge to show this girl my immense sympathy towards her.
"If my dad would have been here it wouldn't have gone so far though", Kazumi says, her voice bitterer than ever.
"P – LEASE", Alec exclaims in frustration. He tilts his head back and looks up to the ceiling, grinding his teeth.
"So... you're not agreeing?" Davis asks the obvious.
"No. Of course I'm not. And Kazumi, if you really think about it, you would not agree with what you said too!" Alec says directed at his girlfriend.
Uh oh... this won't end well.
"W-What are you saying?" She asks, her frown getting deeper by the minute.
"If your father would have been here, this boy would have joined the enemies months ago!"
As if Alec just slapped him, Tai's head darts up, looking at Alec in shock and disbelief, similar to the expression his future daughter is looking at her boyfriend right now. As well as everyone else actually. I can't believe what he just said. Neither can Gennai or Phoenix for that matter because they both look at Alec as if he just lost his mind.
While we all look at each other in shock it is Kazumi who snaps out of her daze first.
"HOW DARE YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!"
I'm sure if she had her full voice this whole base would have trembled by now. But the fact that her throat is still swollen her voice dies down by the end of her outburst, leaving her with almost no voice at all. Her hand immediately goes up to the collar she's wearing, pulling at it as if that would make it better.
"We both know that Tai's behavior drove that boy deeper into the spore's clutches", Alec says his voice colder than ever. "I'm sorry to break it to you my love but your daddy isn't really a nice person!"
He did not say that!
"Everything he ever did was for our own good! He is the best friend and leader you could wish for Alec and you know that!" Kazumi counters, her voice almost gone and her eyes glistering suspiciously again.
They both obviously forgot that they have an audience because none of them takes any notice of us shifting uncomfortable in our seats. I look over to Tai again who looks like he's just about to dart up from his seat and leave the room. And just like that, he actually does.
He pushes back his chair and exits the room, not looking back at any of us. Sora is just about to get up as well but Matt grabs her by her elbow, shaking his head slowly. She slumps down again on her chair, her face getting paler by the minute. She takes a deep breath before she forces herself to look over to the scenario in front of us again. The others stare at the door Tai just exited through in disbelief.
I turn my head to Davis who grabs a water bottle form the table and takes a few sips out from it before he clutches it with both of his hands, obviously looking for any kind of distraction from this chaos we're in right now.
They should both stop before they say something they can't take back...
"Dylan didn't need a leader...or a friend. All he needed was his father!"
"Kazumi... Alec's right. Dylan is angry at Tai in the first place, not sad. This is what makes you give in to the spore willingly. Anger, not sadness." Gennai adds quietly.
He could have driven a sword into the poor girl's heart, because that's how she's looking at Gennai right now. As if he'd just killed her.
Her eyes jump from Alec to Phoenix and then to Gennai, before she lets her gaze wander around every one of us.
I don't know what she's seeing in our expressions, but it's obviously not enough for her.
Her eyes shine like red rubies and her lower lip trembles heavily. Her hair frames her fragile face like a thick, messy curtain. Without a word she gets up and leaves the room.
We all stare at the door, not able to believe what the fuck we all just heard and what actually happened. This news was too much for me. I can't take any more.. at least not toda –
CRASH.
"Oh my god Davis!" Ken exclaims, kneeling down next to the boy who just fell off his chair.
In a second everyone jumps off their seats and runs over to the two boys.
Ken is shaking Davis by his shoulders, getting no response.
"Davis, come on Davis wake up. What's up with you?!"
"Ken! What is that on your hand?" Yolei asks, her voice shaking with fear.
Ken lifts his left hand up from Davis' body and a gasp echoes through the whole command center. His Hand is painted red, by blood that is obviously coming from Davis' back .
"Get him to the hospital wing. Treat his back... I can guess what they did to him. We were fools thinking that he got out of there unharmed", Alec says to the white soldiers who were standing here the whole time.
"No! I will take him there." Joe says, before he kneels down next to Ken and lifts the unconscious boy up with no effort.
"But you can accompany me", he says in his firm, serious tone to the white soldiers. They just nod and exit the command center behind him.
We all leave the command center in silence. There is not really much to say anyway.
Later that night
The hot water caresses my body, relaxing my stiff shoulders I didn't know were that bad. I let out the deep sigh I was holding in ever since I entered the command center earlier today. To call it a disaster would be the understatement of the year. That was just horrible. Every moment of that meeting was.
I can tell the other girls are feeling the same because they're all leaning against the pool edge, their eyes closed.
Palmon and Biyomon follow our example. Gatomon for her part is laying on the edge, anxious to not get in touch with the water.
My gaze wanders over the thermal spring. The pool is actually made of stone, as well as everything else here. The whole room is a giant cave, illuminated by small flames, dancing in the air. When I asked Alec if we could use the springs he didn't hesitate to light this place for us; a gesture I find very nice coming from him.
The water's greenish – blue color is fascinating, especially in this dimmed light. It almost looks magical with the steam right above the water surface.
"Mimi? Are you listening to anything I'm saying?" Yolei's voice snaps me out of my daze. I turn to look at her and am met with six eyes looking at me.
"What did you say?" I ask, ignoring the heat that is building up in my cheeks.
Kari and Sora giggle lightly before leaning back again.
"I asked you what is going on with you and Matt. Sora mentioned you had a thing", she repeats her question she obviously already asked before when I wasn't paying attention.
I just wish she wouldn't have asked.
Fact is... I don't know what is going on between me and the blonde, blue – eyed god. We were seeing each other back in the real world and I actually thought we were heading into the right direction. But ever since we came to the digital world I started to doubt that what we had was real...
"Mimi?" This time it's Sora who's snapping me out again, looking worried all of the sudden. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah I am, sorry I was thinking."
"And I thought the steam was coming from the water and not from your head", Kari says, making us all laugh.
"If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine I – ", Yolei starts but I interrupt.
"No it's fine. It's just... I don't even know", I can only shrug. It's one of the things that were bothering me too for a while already. We didn't even talk to each other properly...
"Why can't you humans just be less complicated? If I have a problem with one of the other digimons I just tell them and then we make up", Biyomon asks in confusion.
"That's just how humans work By", Gatomon says lazily, not even bothering to open her eyes. I can't help but grin at their cluelessness.
Yeah... being a digimon would be a lot easier at this times being.
"I'm sure Matt still cares deeply for you. He's just worried about Tai", Kari says, seeming deep in thought all of the sudden.
"We all are", Yolei adds, looking at the younger Kamiya sibling concerned.
"What's up with him anyway Sora?" I ask my best friend whose expression just saddened by the mention of her boyfriend's name.
"Ask me something I know the answer to please", she says, looking up to the rocks on the ceiling of the cave.
"He's behaving really weird right now...", Yolei says, frowning lightly when thinking about our leader.
"The last time we spoke was when he told me that he hated me because I went to get help, remember?" Sora says dryly.
"Soraaaa, you know he didn't mean that!" Biyomon exclaims, looking at her partner in annoyance.
"Yeah but he mustn't say this at all. It doesn't matter if he means it or not", I add, not caring to hide my annoyance with his behavior. No one treats my best friend like that! Not even Taichi fucking Kamiya!
"Tai says a lot of stupid things when he's in pain", Kari says quietly, sinking deeper into the water.
"He really does. It's like his brain stops working when he's hurt", Gatomon adds.
"Still... that gives him no right to hurt Sora's feelings", Yolei says, huffing in frustration.
"I think he's just overstrained by this whole situation. One of his future kids joined the enemies while trying to get a cure for his future self, which he ended up receiving. It's just logical that he blames himself for Dylan's decision. And now he got some mysterious powers we've never heard of before and doesn't know how to control them. I mean...did you see how he was trembling back there?" Sora says causing me to forget about every insult I had in stock for Tai.
"This power thing is surely disturbing... his emotions caused this whole base to shake. We're talking about 43 floors right now!" Yolei says, looking kind of frightened by now. "What if something pisses him off more than today and then we all get buried under tons of rocks!"
"Yolei!" Sora and I call in unison, causing her shut up and look at Kari who hangs her head low, her nose almost touching the water.
"I-I'm sorry Kari I didn't mean that", she quickly apologizes before stealing a glance at Sora who – to my surprise – doesn't look that bothered by her comment.
"I can't believe something like this is even possible", Kari mumbles quietly.
"Everything's possible – ", Palmon starts.
"– In the digital world. We know", Sora, Kari, Yolei and I end her sentence. I can't hear that phrase anymore.
"What really matters right now is that Tai loves you very much Sora. He'll surely come around soon", I assure my best friend, getting a small smile from her as a response.
"What we really should worry about is Kazumi though", I change the subject to the next thing that was nagging at me. The mood changes again and I can literally see how everyone tenses up, though this whole thing in coming down here to the hot springs was to relax!
"The poor girl. I want to help her so bad... but I don't know how", Palmon says form her spot next to me.
"We neither", Kari sighs in frustration.
"The only thing we probably can do is to get her brother back somehow", Sora says without a hint of hope in her voice though.
I can't blame her though; I don't have much of hope left too. And we didn't even really fight.
Izzy's POV
I run up the last few steps which lead up to the roof of the base where I suppose Tai to be. I push open the door and the cold night wind blows straight into my face, making me shiver.
The sky is filled with thousand stars. Seeing that this is probably one of the last places of the digital world without grey clouds covering up the sky I appreciate the sight. God knows how long it will take the demon lords to spread them all over the digital world, giving them the advantage of an endless night.
What is the sense of an underground base if there is a roof on the surface anyway?!
I let my gaze wander over the roof only to stop when I spot Tai's wild hair. He's sitting on the edge, dressed in only a white t shirt and jogging pants.
Matt and I were debating for a while who of us should go and find him. However this time I got the chance to be there for my best friend, though I'm sure Matt's sulking somewhere down that base now. But I can't help it; I am worrying about him as much as everyone in this base, if not even more than them. I've known Tai for so many years now, that I just can't ignore it when he stomps off like before in the command center.
I can imagine what thoughts are torturing him now. And this is why I am approaching him, taking the spot right next to him on the edge.
Our shoulders touch and I can't ignore the feeling of satisfaction I get when I notice him not backing off. He keeps staring towards the endless, dark forest while spinning the silver ring him and Matt are both wearing on their right ring finger. I take a deep breath and stare into the same direction, willing to wait for him to make the first step in talking to me. I won't push him, I am not like that. If he wants to talk to me, he will, he always did. And as usual, I am right.
"Izzy?" His hoarse voice seems farther away than his gaze is indicating.
"Yeah?"
"Do you...", he starts but trails off. He hangs his head down, staring down at the ring.
"Do I...what?" I try to get him back to try to talk to me.
He stays silent for a few moments before he takes a shaky, deep breath, looking to the forest again. His jaw tenses up and I can tell he's grinding his teeth in frustration.
"Do you think I'm a bad person?" he whispers quietly, not daring to even look at me.
I frown in confusion before I get what he is addressing.
"I don't know what future you did but I am sure there is more to it than Alec said", I assure him.
It was a very stupid think of Alec to say, especially in front of all of us. I look down to his hands just to notice that they started trembling afresh. I'm sure he thinks no one noticed, but I could tell by everyone's gazes down in the command center that they did. But in contrary as he thinks, no one judged him for anything. We are all backing him up, and he needs to get that finally.
"You know that no matter what happens, we all have your back", I tell him, hoping that he gets the message. Because I mean every word.
"Thank you..." he says, his voice still sounding like a little boy who just got hit for the first time.
I sigh in frustration.
"What is really bothering you Tai?"
He takes his time to answer finally. But I am glad he does.
"I almost killed Alec today", he says before he lifts his head, looking me straight into my eyes for the first time today.
I am not surprised at all by his confession. I saw right through the brother's lies today.
"He had it coming", I reply, not in the least bothered by this new information.
"Izzy... did you hear what I said?" he looks at me as if I'm the dumb one here. But I just give him a tired smile.
"Tai, Alec's immortal. Whatever you would have done, he wouldn't have died."
"But I wanted to hurt him Izzy and that – ", he stops himself before he reveals too much about it. But I understood.
" – Scares you", I finish his sentence.
He doesn't respond. Instead he just hangs his head low, looking down on his hands again, as if he's recalling what he wanted to do with these hands today.
In all these years we've been friends Tai never let himself fear anything. This probably went so far that courage became a huge part of his personality, which then followed by him getting the crest of courage. I understood that, it was logical really. So I am not surprised that this foreign sensation of fear is making him nervous.
He didn't fear anything for years, at least, not that hard as he obviously fears himself now.
We can fight whatever enemy comes our way... but when it comes down to our own demons we suddenly forget how to fight.
I take a deep breath before I let the next words out, fearing that they might cause a lot of damage.
"Tai I know you have this idea of you being the brave leader of the digidestined. But let me be the one who tells you that..."
Okay... here goes nothing
"Back then when we were eleven and choose you to be our leader; we didn't do that because you were the bravest one of us. We did it because we trusted your ability to hold us together, and to make the decisions which were best for us. And you did a very good job until now. But somehow, you lost the way you were guiding us through."
He looks at me intensely and I almost fear that I went too far because he stays silent for so long.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is that I am fed up with Alec or Phoenix or the twins for that matter to tell us what to do. You are our leader, not them."
"... I am too", he sighs deep, leaning back on his elbows on the ground.
"Then let Alec help you with your powers. And get your shit together so you can take the lead again", I try not to sound too harsh so I chuckle lightly by the end of my sentence. He smiles back lightly.
"I'll give my best."
"That's enough for me."
"Thank you Izzy." And with that he gets back on his feet and starts to walk back to the entrance.
"Tai wait a second!" I call out for him and get up on my feet too. I almost forgot something really important...
"What is it?"
"You waited way too long for that girl to become yours finally. Don't screw it up."
He gives me another, very tired smile before he enters the base again.
Could have gone better... but I am still content with myself.
Sora's POV
"Sora, Agumon and I get back down and try to get some extra food before we get to bed", Biyomon calls out before I hear her open the door.
"Okay", I call back while I dry my hair with a towel.
The bath relaxed all my tense muscles and gave me the possibility to finally get a clear mind. Tai is behaving weird, that's a fact. He's volatile, hot – headed, confused and... scared. So much I can tell.
He's like a thunderstorm... So... what's a few raindrops between friends right?
As soon as the thought crosses my mind I can't suppress the grin anymore. I shake my head at my own silliness and walk over to the bedroom again, dressed in only a bra and panties.
The door suddenly bursts open with such a force that I almost expect Biyomon and Agumon to stand there, declaring angrily that there was no food left.
But much to my surprise my boyfriend enters the room, his hair messier than usual. The white shirt he's wearing fits tight on his broad shoulders and the speech on his chest is shimmering through it lightly. He looks hotter than ever.
"Tai what – " I start but the words stick in my throat because before I even realize what is happening Tai's already cupping my face in his hands, pressing his lips on mine.
"I need a distraction." He only parts form me for a second – leaving me light headed – to lock the door.
I don't even have the time to register anything before he's in front of me again, lifting me up with ease. My legs wrap around his torso as naturally as ever, my lips once again, glued to his. He kisses me deeply and I can feel his hands on my lower back, pressing me nearer to his body. I feel engulfed by his broad body. His arms feel strong around me.
His tongue caresses my lower lip and I grant him the access he's begging me for. His tongue slips in my mouth briefly before he breaks the kiss, leaning down to bite my neck. A moan escapes my lips, triggering him even more.
His hold on me gets looser before he lays me down on the bed. I feel the soft sheets on my bare skin – it feels like ice on my blazing body.
Tai's gaze is full of fire, setting me in flames. With one swift motion he takes off his shirt, revealing the sight of his perfect torso. His cinnamon colored skin shines in the dim light like a sun. He slowly bends over me, filling my nostrils with his unique scent. He hovers over me for a few moments, staring deep into my eyes, looking for any rejection. But I don't give him any, I want this as much as he does. I need to know that we're okay, and this is the only way I can get my assurance.
He places his hands on either side of my head before he lowers himself again. I lift my head – anticipating the touch of his lips on mine but he bites down on my neck before I get the chance to realize that my lips stayed untouched. I turn over, giving him more skin to explore.
His breath is hot against my skin. He sucks the one spot right behind my earlobe which he knows is driving me crazy. His right hand cups my breast, giving it a tight squeeze before his hand wanders lower, caressing my body as if is made of pure silk. He continues to tease me, stroking my inner tights, his movements, ever so lazy and at the same time so intense that I fear I'll black out soon.
He stops to cherish my neck before his lips look for mine again. I turn my head again and kiss him back with all I have. My hands dig into his hair and I scream out of pleasure when his thumb finally touches the one spot that was pulsing with need for an eternity.
He darts up suddenly, looking down on me with the same hungrily expression.
"We need to get rid of that", he whispers more to himself than to me.
He takes my hands and pulls me up into a sitting position before reaching behind me to open my bra. He grabs the strap and sends the garment flying through the room before he pushes me down on the cushions again. He stares down on my naked torso, biting down on his lip while doing so. I try to ignore the fact how incredibly hot he is looking right now, sitting on knees, only dressed in black jogging pants which are so low on his lips that the waistband of his boxers is visible.
I can't take it anymore. I reach out for him and pull him down on me again. His hot, toned chest collides with mine and I melt into the touch. He gives me a swift peck on my lips before he trails kisses down my neck again. He keeps sucking on the sensitive spots behind my earlobe before he slowly goes lower over my collarbone to my breasts which are now accessible to him. His left hand cups my right breast while his mouth closes in on my left nipple.
I moan and bend my back, fearing that if I don't do it I'll lose the touch. His left hand leaves my breast and wraps itself around my back, holding me in place while his tongue keeps fondling my nipple.
He lets go of it. I whimper because of the loss of the touch and I swear to god I can hear him chuckle. I am absolutely at his mercy and he knows that. He pulls out his arm from beneath me and cups my right breast again, pinching my nipple with his fingers. Pain turns into lust within seconds and I once again can't suppress a moan.
His mouth travels lower, ever so slowly. He is taking his time and he knows he is driving me crazy in doing so. He lets go of me and his hands trail down the sides of my body, coming to a stop at the waistband of my underwear. He positions himself between my legs, spreading them wide while doing so.
He hooks his finger on the waistband of my underwear, pulling it off my legs and throwing it into the depths of the room.
I lean up on my elbows and look down to him right in the moment when he looks up to me. Our eyes lock for a brief moment before he looks down again; wearing the expression as if my vulva is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. His left arm wraps itself around my leg while his right thumb once again comes to touch with my clit. He drives circles, sending waves of pure pleasure through my whole body.
I let out a deep moan when I feel his finger entering me. He lowers his head, replacing his thumb with his skilled tongue.
My hands find their way into his air by their own because my mind just shut down. He continues to suck my clit while adding a second finger.. I love his sweet torture, but it's not enough. And we both know that.
I start to twist under him but he strengthens his hold on my leg, causing me to stay still. I have no other choice than to give in to him.
He drives me over the edge and within seconds I am screaming his name. I pull on his hair and if I wouldn't have been in a state of pure bliss I'd worry that I am actually hurting him.
He releases me and pulls out his fingers. I try to catch my breath but he's obviously not done with me yet. He gets up from the bed and takes off his pants, followed by his boxers before he climbs up the bed again.
I was longing for this, though I'd need a moment to readjust I don't reject him, I embrace him.
He slowly sinks inside of me, filling me up the way I'd wanted him to do it before.
I sink deeper into the cushions and wrap my arms around his shoulders. He pulls out ever so slowly only to push deeper inside of me. We moan in unison and I can't deny the fact that hearing him moan must be the hottest sound I've ever heard.
He buries his face in the crook of my neck, accelerating his pace.
He pushes inside of me, fast and hard. Harder than he did ever before. I gasp with every time he pushes inside of me, hitting the one particular spot deep inside of me. It's only now that I realize that this is not an act of love, he's trying desperately to get out all of his frustration.
If sex is the only way for him to finally get a clear mind then so be it. I am more than happy to give him that.
I wrap my legs around him taking the turn in driving him crazy with my kisses on his neck. He continues to push inside of me, his moans sounding right beside my ear, mixing with my own. His body feels so hot on mine but I don't care. It feels too good to care. I dig my nails deep into his back which he returns by biting in my shoulder.
His movements get more uncoordinated and I can feel myself being driven to the edge a second time. He keeps hitting my sweet spot until I can't hold it anymore. I explode beneath him, holding onto his strong shoulders as if I'd fall down an abyss if I would let go.
He pushes inside of me one more time before his whole body quivers over me. His face is buried again on my neck and I wrap my arms around him, stroking his back with my left hand.
I take deep breaths, causing him to do the same and within minutes our breathing normalizes.
A fuzzy warm feeling spreads itself through my body, filling me up with a sort of happiness I didn't feel for a while now.
However the feeling vanishes as soon as Tai slides out of me, heading straight into the bathroom without any other word. I sit up in bed and look at the door of the bathroom. He didn't bother to close it though.
I hear how he gets into the shower and turns on the water.
I don't know what just got into him. I honestly don't. We usually stay cuddled for at least an hour after we had sex before we either go in for a second round or fall asleep. But never, did he ever just leave the bed without a word.
Old, hot anger builds up inside of me.
I won't accept his shit this time!
I angrily get up from the bed, not bothering to even get dressed again. I cross the room and burst into the bathroom, ready to explode.
But the words get stuck in my throat.
My boyfriend's standing under the jet of water, his arms crossed on the wall and his face pressed against them. His back is rising and falling suspiciously fast. He is definitely NOT okay.
I shut out all of the alarm sirens going crazy in my head and enter the shower, embracing him from behind.
I lay my head between his shoulder blades and remain silent. The water runs down our bodies and I can't help but remember the night when he confessed his love to me, also in a shower. I subconsciously tighten my embrace.
"Babe... don't shut me out. Please", I whisper more to the water than to him. But much to my surprise I feel his hand cupping mine right above his heart.
"I won't. I promise."
Alec's POV
My gaze sticks to the monitor as usual at this time of the night. I used to do that so many times that I lost count. The screen shows a map of the digital world, which is parted in our and the demon lords' territory. Much to my dismay the dark painted area – the demon lords' – exceeds ours easily.
I check the clock, 1:54am.
Usually she'd be here by now... asleep on the chair next to mine. But the chair's empty tonight.
I can't ignore the painful beating of my heart that is calling for her. I know I messed up today. I shouldn't have said everything I did... but for fuck's sake. Someone had to tell her eventually, right?
Her father is no saint. He never was. Hell, not even this time's Tai is.
My hand reaches up to my throat where I vividly feel his hands closing up my airways. I saw it in his eyes. He wanted to see me hurt, at least, in that moment. By now I am sure he's cracking up over the emotions he felt in that very moment.
A beeping of the screen snaps me out of my daze. I look up to the giant screen that is showing an incoming video call.
What the fuck?
Decline it Decline it Decline it. As an idiot, I accept the call just to get almost an heart attack as soon as the screen reveals two guys sitting in front of the camera.
While the one on the left side is sitting lazily in the chair and typing away on what looks like a D – Terminal the red head on the right side is looking at me with a stunned expression.
"Prodigious...I am genuinely a genius!" he exclaims, grabbing the blonde by his arm, causing him to look up in confusion. His confusion however changes into disbelief as soon as he spots me on his screen.
"Oh my god", he whispers, his blue eyes wide and the corner of his eye twitching in amusement.
I gulp. "Matt? Izzy?"
"Hey Alec", they greet me in unison, grinning brightly at me.
For a second I thought that somehow, Matt and Izzy pranked me. But the wedding rings on both of these guys' hands on the screen are proof enough that I indeed am talking with the future versions of the digidestined.
This is all so twisted.
"How is that even possible?" I whisper more to me than to them.
"Because, my friend, I am – "Future Izzy starts but a voice that almost sends me into cardiac rest again interrupts him.
"A genius. Yeah Izzy we all know that."
My expression must give away my shock right now because Izzy and Matt's grins get wider.
"Surprised?" Future Matt asks, bursting out into laughter.
"Look at his face. He can't believe it", Future Izzy points at the camera at me, joining in in his laughter.
"Tai, check out Alec's face. I bet you've never seen him so dumbfounded", Matt calls out for him.
No... No No No No No. There is just no WAY in hell that he's alive. That's just imp –
"WHAT THE FUCK", I exclaim, getting up from my seat because I can't believe my eyes. Did I drink too much bourbon? Is that it?
There's no doubt anymore. They aren't messing with me. The scar that goes over the brunettes left eye and over half of his face is enough for me to slump down on my seat. There in front of the camera is sitting Dylan and Kazumi's dad. And he's grinning at me his usual lopsided grin I didn't see for almost a year now.
"Hi old friend, long time no see", he greets me, the grin never leaving his face.
"How – How are you even alive?" I stammer. My brain somehow shut off because I can't come up with any reasonable thought.
"I actually wanted to ask you the same thing", he answers, confusion spreading on his face slowly.
"Y- Y you didn't get the cure. You sh – should be dead."
"Whoa Tai... Alec doesn't seem that happy to see you", Matt says, causing the heat inside of me to boil up.
"How can you say something like that! Of course I am!" I shout out angrily, causing the three of them to burst into laughter once again.
"You're in a very good mood I see."
"Yes, why shouldn't we be? Our leader just came back from the dead", Izzy chimes in, taking a sip from his cup he was holding all along.
"How?" I ask because I still can't come up with a possibility that he, indeed, is still alive.
"You tell me. You obviously got the cure somehow, right?" Future Tai asks.
"Yeah but – "
"But what?" Matt interrupts me. I roll my eyes in annoyance at him but he just grins at me as if he hasn't got a care in the world.
Ugh I hate to be the one who tells bad news...
"This time's Tai got hit by the dagger because he covered Kazumi", I answer truthfully, causing the three to gasp.
"Well.. that is Tai being Tai", Izzy shrugs.
"Wait a sec, that means that you're now immune to this shit?" Matt asks directed to Tai who just nods slowly.
"Obviously."
Wait... WHAT?!
"What did you just say?" I ask in disbelief. No... it can't be that none of us knew that!
"In giving my past self the cure you made me immune. So the venom couldn't do a thing to me. That's probably why I woke up, feeling more rested than ever", Future Tai shrugs, grinning again.
I lean back in my chair. It takes all my strength not to scream out in frustration. All this could have been prevented if any of us would have thought this through. I can't stand myself right now... I feel the strong need to hit my head against the keyboard of the computer but I refuse to do it now. Maybe I'll find something harder to hit myself with later.
"What's with that face Alec?" Future Tai snaps me out of my self – loathing.
"She thinks you're dead", I whisper quietly, not willing to give away the information that will cause him to explode. And I honestly am not eager to see him that angry.
"Okay then you can go and tell her that he's not. What's the big deal?" Future Matt shrugs, looking down on his D – Terminal again.
"But she – ", I start but Future Tai interrupts me again.
"Why are you only talking about her? Last time I checked I had a son too", he says, his eyes slowly narrowing as if he knows that I am hiding something.
Fool... this is Tai. The Tai, you can't hide anything from him!
I stay silent, which pisses him off more.
"What is with Dylan, Alec?" his voice is dangerously low and Izzy and Matt look both at Tai, expecting the worst.
"He joined them", I whisper directed at the keyboard. But he heard me just well.
There's a long silence before I hear something shattering what causes me to look up again.
Tai got up from his seat and isn't visible on the screen anymore, but judged by Matt and Izzy's shocked expressions he's losing it right now.
"Motherfucker!"
We all – Future Izzy and Matt as well as me – wince by the sound of his voice. I somehow expected that, but it still hurts my ear drum. He comes back to the screen and looks at me, beyond pissed.
"How did that happen?!"
"H – He thought that you're – "
"Dead?" he ends the phrase for me and I just nod. What causes him to face palm.
"I am surrounded by idiots!" he throws up his arms and paces through the room. I can't help but feel like a little kid that's just being scolded.
"Tai calm down for a second; Alec there has to be more than that. Dylan was expecting that already", Matt says, looking deep in thought all of the sudden. He stares right into the camera, piercing me with his gaze.
"If you really want to know what I think – "
"Enlighten me, Master Alec", Tai interrupts me again, rolling his eyes.
He takes his seat between the two of them again and crosses his arms, his eyes challenging me. I swallow the lump in my throat and gather all the courage I can bring up.
"I think if there's anyone to blame for Dylan's downfall then it's you, daddy", I answer in my old, disinterested voice I usually use whenever I feel like I have to defend myself.
My word's affect him obviously. He takes a deep breath and looks at me in disbelief. But there's no refusal in his gaze.
He knows it's his fault...
"How can you disrespect our leader like that!" Izzy exclaims, frowning at me. Matt is looking at me with a similar expression. But just when he's about to open his mouth, Tai places a hand on the blonde's arm.
"He's right. It's my fault", he says in a much calmer voice, causing the two next to him to gasp and me to let the breath out I didn't realize I was holding in all along.
"Tai I – ", I start but the door of the command center sliding open interrupts me in mid – sentence.
"Alec.. I told you not to work the night through again. You should go and rest", my brother's voice sounds. He crosses the room but as soon as he spots the screen with the three people in front of me he stops in his tracks.
I can tell that he too checks Tai's scar and realizes immediately who is sitting there. He turns to me with wide eyes.
"Does Kazumi know?"
"Not yet", I answer but Future Tai chimes in again.
"I don't want you to tell her. She should focus on getting back her brother. It would only distract her if she knew that I'm alive."
Phoenix looks at him, anger reddening his face;" Your kids thought you are dead! One of them even turned evil. And the other one is bailing her eyes out and you have the nerve to tell us to shut our mouth?!"
Future Tai however seems unfazed by my brother's outburst.
"Consider it an order Phoenix."
"Unfortunately for you, dear friend, I only obey this Time's Tai. So if you'll excuse me, I'll go and find Kazumi", Phoenix spits. He turns around and leaves the command center again. I stare a little while longer at the door where Phoenix exited but another voice snaps me out again.
"Matt... you should come down to the hospital wing. It's about Jess", I think Future Kari's voice sounds, indicating that obviously something with Future Matt's daughter is wrong. Matt frowns but gets up from his seat immediately, leaving their command center.
"Alec", Tai turns my attention to him again.
"What happened with Jess?" I ask, worry spreading through me.
"They were supporting our armies at the front today, something must have gone wrong", Izzy answers for him, turning away from the screen where their video call with me is opened. A second later I hear him typing away on another computer obviously. Tai for his part is still eyeing me intensely.
"Alec I want you to get my kid back", he says, his voice shallow and his eyes suddenly glistering suspiciously.
"I will Tai... after all, I know best what it feels like to lose a son", I answer, my voice as shallow as his.
"I count on you."
I just nod in response: „I won't disappoint you."
He stays silent for a while, chewing on his thumb thoughtfully before he looks straight at me again. At least, I think he is looking at me since he's actually looking at a camera...
"Are you and Kazumi sleeping in separate bedrooms?"
I feel my cheeks burn but I quickly nod;" Of course we are!"
"You shouldn't. Do not leave her alone, she can't handle that."
The video chat closes before I get the chance to answer and the map I was looking at before appears once again. I lean back in my chair and try to ignore the tightness in my chest. I can't believe I just video – chatted with the future. How is that even possible?
But if I really think about it... is it really that weird? Considering everything what is happening here?
I chuckle lightly and turn off the computer.
It's time to call it a night anyway. I get up from my seat and head for the door. I place my hand on the scanner which turns green and the door opens, revealing my brother's flustered face.
"ALEC!" He grabs me by my arms, panic visible in his eyes.
"Phoenix what happened?"
"Kazumi! She... She", his breaths are too hacked for me to understand anything he's trying to say.
"What is with her Phoenix?"
"She's gone."
I can't breathe...
So guys, this was chapter 10. I know it lacked action... but this is what I heard is called a "Filling chapter"
How did you like it? Did you notice the link between this sequel and "When the sun sets?" if not... you will soon ;)
I'm already working on the next chapter so it should not take me too long. But I won't promise anything.
Thanks to everyone! See ya soon.
28/01/19
