Digimon Adventure Tamers
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon
Before we begin, I'd like to talk about some of the reviews I have been receiving. I notice most of them are mostly negative. They are blasting me for making changes and putting in music that you can play while reading. Isn't that the whole point of fanfiction? We can make changes to something we don't like if we want to, we can let our imaginations run wild. I don't mind a little criticism, but half of the reviews have mostly been getting on me about all the changes I've been making, big or small.
I want to make this clear: There are fanfictions where the D-1 Tournament was retconned out. There are fanfictions where Kenta's partner can be in his Rookie level, whatever it may be. There are fanfictions where Davis went to the Digital World before the events of 02. There are several 02 rewrites that have the Digimon still capable of Digivolving past Champion level. There are fanfictions with Davis and Kari as a couple, as well as Tai and Sora, and Takato and Jeri. And there are fanfictions where the authors can put in music for their readers to listen to while reading. They do have their fair share of negative reviews, but what is different about my story that has it being criticized every time I put up a chapter? Change can be good. It's okay to be different. I feel like most people usually don't understand or like what is different.
I get it, a couple of you aren't into what I'm writing. But this is my first fanfiction ever. Nobody's perfect, and you know that. I'm doing this for fun, as well as for other fans of Digimon who like this sort of story.
But I'm not saying all the reviews have been negative. There are positive reviews and I'd like to acknowledge those people.
Hollow Lord of Miracles, star eyes pendulum dragon, piccolaLilly17 and OPIv2, among others. Thank you for your support and your reviews, and I hope you'll continue enjoying this story and leaving reviews for me to read.
And to those who are following this story and have put it in their favorites, or have sent me a private message: Kronus18, destiny chosen, Saturnmieze, Sesshoru, abbydobbie, xxHinaAngelxx, and others, thank you for favoriting this story and be sure to review if you like it.
And to everybody else reading this story, be sure to follow it and add it to your favorites if it's your preferred cup of coffee, and leave a review if you like it. It would mean plenty to me.
Now then…on to the chapter!
(Play The Biggest Dreamer TV Size)
(Play Digimon Tamers: Aban)
Jealous over Davis and being next to useless in the Digital World, TK let his anger get the better of him and messed with the Digital Gate, leading to the Digimon Emperor kidnapping Kari and Gatomon. Yolei and Cody managed to retrieve their partners, Hawkmon and Armadillomon, as well as the Digimentals of Love and Knowledge. When they rescued Kari, Davis was injured by a Kuwagamon. What will happen next?
(Play Digimon Tamers: Subtitle 2)
The New Power of Hope and Light
"OW! Take it easy, doc! I need that arm!"
"Hold still and you might keep it."
Davis sighed as he let Doctor Kido inspect his injured arm. After the Digidestined returned to the Human World from the Digital World with Biyomon and Tentomon, Kari, Tai and Sora immediately took Davis to Joe's apartment, where they knew the older boy's father, a professional doctor who knew of the Digimon, would be able to help Davis's arm. When the Digidestined went through the Digital Gate, they ended up in another dogpile, and unfortunately for Davis he was at the bottom of the pile, causing all the weight of the Digidestined and Digimon to crash down on him and his injured arm, making it even worse.
Kari, who ended up near the top of the pile, immediately pulled herself out of the pile and with Sora's help, was able to get everybody off without making Davis's injury worse. Currently, Davis was sitting down in a chair with his shirt off as Joe's father took the injured arm in hand, inspecting it closely.
"Is it bad, Dr. Kido?" Kari asked worriedly. She was concerned about the bleeding. It had stopped when Sora used her school ribbon as a bandage and applied pressure to it, but the trip back made the bleeding start again. This made them worry that Kuwagamon's pincers may have had some poison on them that they did not know about. If Kuwagamon's pincers were poisonous, then Davis was worse off than they originally thought.
"Well, that depends…" Dr. Kido muttered as he reached towards his first aid kit and pulled out some disinfectant, bandages and gauze. "I don't know much about Digimon, so I can't really say if there was poison in that cut or not…Davis, are you feeling light-headed? Do you feel dizzy, unable to stand properly?"
"I can stand just fine doc," insisted Davis. "The only problem is my arm."
"Okay, so it's just your arm. But still, we shouldn't rule out poison of some sort. What does this…Kuwagamon look like again?"
"He's basically a giant red stag beetle," Joe answered, coming in from the kitchen with drinks for the guests. "Stag beetle bites aren't poisonous, are they?"
"No, they aren't…" Dr. Kido said, rubbing antiseptic on Davis's arm to clean off the arm and stop the stinging. "But they can hurt for a while. And if that's the case with this Kuwagamon, then chances are Davis's arm is simply just hurting and needs to be fixed up." The doctor then placed gauze on the arm before securing it with bandages.
"There we go. That should take care of it. Remember to change the bandages every two days, and take it easy."
"I'm not sure if that's possible," Davis replied as he put back on his shirt and vest. "I have to lead my friends in the Digital World, and I even have soccer practice!"
"There's not much use arguing with Davis, Dr. Kido," said Tai, looking up from his lemonade. "He can be quite stubborn when it comes to these sorts of things."
"Kind of like you Tai," Joe said, causing the brown-haired boy to scowl.
"Well, if you're that dedicated to what you do Davis, then I don't think there's much I can do to stop you," Dr. Kido said with a sigh. "But I'd watch that arm carefully if I were you."
"I will doc," Davis said, picking up DemiVeemon and his backpack, walking out of the apartment. The burgundy haired boy waved goodbye to the other Digidestined before he left back for home.
"You kids better get home as well," Dr. Kido said to Tai, Sora and Kari as he replaced his first aid kit. "It's getting late out there."
"We will," said Tai. "Thanks for your help Dr. Kido."
"Well, I did my best," said the middle-aged man. "We just have to hope Davis doesn't ruin the work I did."
"I'll make sure he doesn't," Kari reassured everyone. After saying their goodbyes to Joe, the three Digidestined left the apartment building for home, their Digimon partners with them. Agumon and Biyomon rode on Tai and Sora's backs, and Gatomon rested in Kari's arms. As Kari walked, she couldn't help but replay the events that led up to Davis's arm injury. She had been captured and held prisoner by the Digimon Emperor, and Davis had been hurt rescuing her. Part of the blame could go to TK for changing the coordinates, but seeing TK apologize very sincerely, she couldn't stay mad at him. Kari felt like she was responsible for what happened to Davis. If she had moved faster, or stayed close with the other Digidestined, then Drimogemon wouldn't have captured her and Gatomon, and Davis wouldn't have been hurt rescuing her. This made the child of Light feel awful, realizing she was the reason her best friend was hurt.
Tai and Sora walked past Kari, who had slowed down due to her heavy thinking. Realizing the young girl was not following them, the two Digidestined looked back to see Kari having a sad look on her face, and Gatomon looking up at her with a worried look.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Toki no Sugiyuku Mama ni…)
"Kari? Are you all right, sis?" Tai asked, letting Agumon off his back and going over to Kari, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"No…" the brown-haired girl said sadly. "Davis ended up like that because of me, didn't he? He got hurt because I was captured…and he was trying to rescue me…had I not been captured…" Tai sighed in sadness, knowing that Kari always did this sort of thing. If something happened that involved her, she usually put the blame on herself, even though she didn't deserve it. It had happened four years ago when Myotismon took all of Odaiba hostage just so he could find Kari and kill her. Feeling guilty, Kari surrendered herself to Myotismon in order for it to stop.
"Kari, don't blame yourself," reassured Tai softly. "What happened to Davis was not your fault. Any one of us could have gotten hurt rescuing you. What happened was unfortunate, but you shouldn't blame yourself."
"I know…" Kari said sadly. "I just wish I didn't have to be protected all the time…I'm twelve years old now, not eight."
"Kari, we don't protect you because we have to," Sora said sweetly, looking over to her sister figure. "We protect you because we want to, and we do the same for all of us Digidestined. And I know you want to do the same."
"I do. Just yesterday I told everybody that I'm as much of a Digidestined as everybody else, and not some damsel in distress that has to be rescued constantly…but that's what I was today," Kari said sadly."
"That was just today," said Biyomon. "I'm sure you'll be able to help out tomorrow."
"I hope so," Kari said. "I want to become stronger to protect Davis and everybody else! It's time I did my part!"
"We'll do it together Kari," Gatomon said, looking up at her friend and partner. Kari nodded, feeling better from the talk. She hoped that she could grow stronger and become somebody for the others to rely on. She didn't want to see anyone else get hurt for her, especially Davis.
"When we get home, I'm going to call Davis and see how he's doing," she said as the kids and Digimon continued down the street. "I know Dr. Kido did a good job on Davis's arm, and I highly doubt anything will happen on the way home, but I just want to be sure."
"Really?" Tai asked with a smirk, causing Kari to blush slightly. The last two years most people who knew of the close friendship between Kari and Davis, especially Tai and Sora, teased them about being in love with each other. Kari always refuted those claims, saying that Davis was her best friend and nothing more. Yet at the same time, whenever Kari thought about Davis, or was near him, she always felt a soothing sense of calm over her being, and always cherished her time with him. Because that's what friends do…although most people saw them as more than friends. Kari shook those thoughts out of her head. She couldn't be in love with Davis…could she? And if she was, was it possible that Davis had those same feelings as well?
Behind Kari, Sora smiled softly, sensing the strange feeling inside Kari. Because of what her Crest stood for, Sora could feel different types of love inside other people. Love for other people and their homes, love for something they truly enjoyed doing…love that made Sora blush heavily and want to shower when she felt it…and love between a boy and a girl. Kari and Davis either denied it a lot, or didn't just know it yet…but Sora knew Kari was in love with Davis, and Davis was in love with Kari. The only question was, when would they admit it?
"Hey Sora, are you okay?" Biyomon asked, getting the red-haired girl's attention. "You look like you were thinking of something."
"Oh, I was," Sora said simply with a smile.
"What was it?" Tai asked curiously, looking over to his best friend, who simply kept smiling.
"Oh, it's just a little secret," Sora chuckled, looking at Tai's pouty face when he wouldn't get the good information. This also made Sora wonder when Tai would pluck up the courage and admit his feelings, and if she should do it when he wouldn't. Sora simply shook her head as she walked down the street.
'Sometimes, love can be crazy,' she thought with another smile.
"Davis, are you sure you're okay?" Jun asked fretfully, watching Davis change into his pajamas. The minute the burgundy-haired boy came home with DemiVeemon, he pulled Jun into his bedroom and showed him his injured arm, telling her what happened. Jun almost screamed very loudly upon seeing the bandages, prompting Davis to muffle her voice with a pillow so their parents wouldn't come bursting in to see what the matter was.
"I'm fine now," Davis said, being mindful of the bandages as he pulled on his shirt. "When we got back, we went to Joe's apartment and his father managed to take care of it. I just need to…take it easy…for the next few days."
"I highly doubt that," Jun scoffed as Davis sat down on his bed. Getting a good look at her brother's face, Jun noticed that Davis looked like he was thinking about something, and the sad look meant it was something not good.
"Davis, what's wrong? You look really down for an arm injury…"
"It's not my arm that's the problem," Davis said, thinking about today's events, especially the confrontation and battle with the Digimon Emperor and the Emperor's partner Digimon. Davis wasn't sure how he knew it, but he knew it was him. But the question was…if it was him, then what happened to his Digivice? Davis was told the Emperor had a black D-3, and he saw it today. Did his Digivice somehow change like Davis's?
"Jun, I…I think I may know who the Digimon Emperor is."
"What?" Jun asked with widened eyes. "Who?" Davis hesitated before answering. He didn't want to say it until he was absolutely sure, but he trusted Jun to keep it a secret.
"I…I think it may be Ken." Jun gasped in surprise.
"Ken? As in Ken Ichijouji, who helped you and Ryo in the Digital World three years ago?" the spiky-haired girl asked for confirmation, a nod from Davis being the answer. "Oh my god. Are you sure?"
(Play Digimon: Kanashimi 2)
"I am sure," Davis said sadly. "When we confronted him today in the Digital World, his voice sounded very familiar, and his hair may have been different, but the color was familiar as well. And what was more, his Digimon partner was a Stingmon, and Ken's partner Wormmon could Digivolve into a Stingmon."
"And Stingmon even spoke to me when I fought him," DemiVeemon said with a sad expression on his face. "He said, 'nice to see you haven't lost your touch.'"
"Holy cow," Jun breathed, running a hand through her hair. "Do…any of the others know yet?"
"No," Davis answered simply. "It was one thing to tell them about Ryo and Millenniummon, but how do I tell them that my best friend, one that I made in the Digital World, has become a tyrannical dictator, the very same one we're fighting now?"
"Yeah…I think I can see where you're coming from," Jun said slowly. "But Davis, this sounds serious. You may have to tell them eventually."
"I…I'll think about it," said Davis. "I need to really look into it before I can be sure."
"All right then," Jun sighed, getting up from out of her seat and exiting the bedroom. "By the way…is Kari all right?"
"She's fine," said Davis. "She may be a little bruised from where she was chained up on the canyon wall."
"So…did she kiss you for saving her?" Davis's face darkened to a reddish hue as Jun smirked at her teasing question.
"Hey, be serious Jun! Technically, it was Cody and Yolei that saved her, and no, she didn't kiss anyone! Honestly, why do you think I have a crush on Kari? She's my best friend!"
"Maybe," Jun ran a finger down the doorframe. "But I've seen the way you look at each other. You love her, don't you?"
"Well, yeah! I love all my friends!" Davis said in defense, though Jun clearly wasn't buying it.
"Sure, Davis."
"Jun, seriously! I…I don't know if I love her or not like that! Besides, I have a lot more to worry about than romance right now, like the Digital World." Davis's blush grew, as he did not want any part of this conversation with Jun.
"You may be a Digidestined, but you're still a preteen boy," Jun said in a matter-of-fact tone. "And everyone falls in love with someone at that age."
"Oh, get out!" Davis whined. Jun let out a loud laugh before closing the door behind her. Davis moved on his bed and lay down, minding his arm as DemiVeemon sat by his head. Recently, many people had gotten on Davis's case about being in love with Kari, and the burgundy-haired boy denied having any romantic attraction for his long-time best friend. Kari was someone who he always enjoyed being around. She was someone he could confide in, as she was the first one he told of his status in the Digital World yesterday. Davis couldn't help but admit that he felt something strange whenever he was with Kari or thought of her, but it couldn't be love…could it?
"Davis, what are you thinking about?" DemiVeemon asked, noticing the faraway look on the boy's face. The little dragon had known Davis long enough to know when he was thinking about something.
"Yeah, just some personal things," Davis answered, running his hair through with his non-injured hand. "Jun was right. I may be a Digidestined, but I'm still just a kid with normal problems."
"Like…like the possibility of Ken being our enemy?" DemiVeemon asked, missing the point.
"No…that's a Digital World problem," Davis sighed sadly as Ken came back to his mind. "I just can't help but wonder what happened to Ken. I haven't spoken to him in three years."
"Whatever it is, we can help him right?" DemiVeemon asked hopefully. "He's being controlled, so we can save him. Right?" DemiVeemon's eyes glistened with hope and optimism, making Davis smile lightly as he patted his partner's head.
"Yeah…that's right." Turning off the lights and pulling DemiVeemon as close as his injured arm could permit without hurting again, Davis was soon sleeping, thinking about tomorrow.
In another part of Odaiba, TK, having finished his homework, stepped outside on the balcony, gazing out at the night sky of Odaiba. The blond haired boy's mind hadn't been on his schoolwork much as it had been on the last two days of action in the Digital World, specifically anything involving himself and Davis. TK could only groan in frustration about everything that was happening. He was frustrated that he let something as trivial as his feelings for Kari get in the way of the Digital World. He was frustrated about not being able to do much since Patamon couldn't Digivolve. He was frustrated that everything that happened today was because of him and his jealousy. Despite Yolei and Cody getting their partners and Digimentals, it had been a bad day between Kari's kidnapping and Davis's injury…and he was to blame.
"TK…is something wrong?" Patamon asked softly, flying out to the balcony and landing on the railing next to TK. Ever since they came home, the little winged Digimon noticed that his partner had been distracted a lot and had a guilty look on his face. It didn't take a genius to figure out that TK was feeling extremely guilty over what he did today, and it confused Patamon to no end. What had possessed TK to do what he did today? And why did he argue with Davis yesterday? It wasn't like him at all. Patamon knew part of it was because TK felt frustrated at their lack of involvement since the whole thing began, but the winged Digimon felt it was something else, and he wanted to know what it was.
"Yeah…something is wrong," TK sighed sadly before looking over to his Digimon, who he felt had a right to know. "It's…it's kind of a human thing. I'm not sure if Digimon would understand it."
"If you explain it to me, maybe I can understand," said Patamon. TK let out a breath, wondering how to word it. Before he could answer, the doorbell to the apartment rang. Wondering who it was, TK went over to the entrance and opened the door. The child of Hope's eyes widened with surprise when he was greeted with the sight of his older brother Matt, a cool expression on his face with his guitar case slung over his shoulder.
"Matt…what are you doing here?"
"…Tai called me," Matt said simply. TK's surprise turned into sadness again, realizing what Matt was talking about. Stepping to the side to let his brother in, TK closed the door behind him and went into the living room, sitting down with Matt at the table. Both brothers looked at each other in the eye, Matt's ice cold eyes boring into TK's warm ones.
"So…Tai told you everything?"
"Yes, he did," Matt said, disappointment laced in his voice as he spoke. "I don't understand TK. Why did you do it?" TK sighed again, looking down at the table, and then up to Matt and Patamon, the latter landing on the table next to Matt. Deciding to get it off his chest, TK began talking.
(Play Digimon Tamers: Akogare)
"You know that I consider Kari my best friend…after what we went through four years ago, yes?" Matt and Patamon nodded before TK continued. "Well…after we returned home, I went back to Setagaya, which is away from Odaiba, so I couldn't see Kari much. When I came back to Odaiba, I was excited since I would be able to see Kari again and spend more time with her. But ever since I came back, she's been spending more time with Davis and talking about him a lot. At first I didn't know why, since he seemed like a stranger that reminded me of Tai, but when I learned that he had been Kari's best friend longer than I was…it just shocked me a lot."
"Are you saying it's wrong for Kari to have any more friends than you?" Patamon asked curiously.
"No! That's not what I mean," TK said, looking surprised at his partner's question. "I was just hoping to be with Kari a little bit, catch up with her…but I haven't been able to. I always got this bad feeling inside of me whenever Davis was around me or someone, especially Kari, talked about him. I didn't know what it was, but I realized today that I was jealous of Davis."
"Why didn't you just talk with Davis and Kari about it?" Matt questioned.
"I wanted to, but that jealous feeling always came up whenever I saw them together, and it ate away at me…" TK trailed off, looking down at the table with a frown. Matt sighed, looking at his brother with a frown of his own. He seemed to know what TK's problem was: He was twelve years old, which meant we was going through teenage years and would be going through typical teenage drama, but the blond-haired musician wondered if there was something else bothering his little brother.
"TK, is there something else that's wrong? I have a feeling it's not just whatever's going on between you, Kari and Davis." TK sighed again.
"Yeah, that's not all…I'm also upset that I can't do much in the Digital World," the young boy said. "It just makes me mad that a Digidestined has been corrupted by the forces of darkness and is taking over the Digital World, and there's nothing I can do to help stop it! Patamon can't Digivolve at all!"
"I'm sorry TK," Patamon moaned, thinking he was to blame for TK being nearly useless in the Digital World.
"No, it's not your fault," TK said, sighing in frustration. "I just wish I could do more besides stand on the sidelines…"
"I don't like it any more than you do TK," Matt said with a sad sigh. "I wish I could help, but a fat lot of good I would do even if I had Gabumon." TK nodded in agreement. "But this may be how it is…we may not help, but we can still give out advice and help where it's needed."
"That I know," said TK. "That's why I'm going back tomorrow." The child of Hope was determined to do his best, even if Patamon was unable to do much against more powerful Digimon. Matt looked over at the clock on the wall, realizing how late it was.
"Well, I need to get home," the blond musician said, getting up out of his chair and walking over to the door. "And TK…I really think you should talk with Kari and Davis about their friendship bothering you."
"I will," TK said, deciding to do it tomorrow. The young boy waved goodbye to his brother and went off to bed with Patamon.
The next day at school, things went the same as before, except Yolei and Cody had brought Hawkmon and Armadillomon along to school. The two new Digimon had reverted to their In-Training levels upon traveling to the human world, Hawkmon turning into Poromon, a small ball-shaped Digimon with pink feathers and wings, and Armadillomon becoming Upamon, a ball-shaped tan Digimon with flappy ears. Davis, Kari and TK brought their Digimon to school as well while Tai, Izzy and Sora left their partners home.
As DemiVeemon, Gatomon, Patamon, Poromon and Hawkmon were smaller than the other Rookie Digimon, they were able to hide out in the computer lab while their partners were in class. While DemiVeemon, Patamon and Gatomon were the most patient as eight hours went by, Poromon and Upamon, who were technically newborn Digimon, were not so patient.
"Where are they?!" Upamon huffed as he hopped back and forth on the floor. "They are coming back, right?!"
"I hope so," said Poromon, fluttering around the ceiling with his tiny wings.
"They are coming back," DemiVeemon said, motioning to the clock on the wall. "See? It's a quarter to two o' clock. That's when school ends."
"They just need some time to take care of their school things and then they'll be right over," Gatomon assured the two Digimon. Just then, the five Digimon heard footsteps approaching the computer lab and they immediately hid. The door slid open and three pairs of legs walked in; three pairs of legs that were recognizable.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Bokutachi, Digimon!)
"DAVIS!" DemiVeemon cried excitedly, leaping out of his hiding place and into Davis's arms.
"Hey, easy on the arm, buddy! It's still a little sore!" Davis said as he returned the hug.
"Is everybody doing all right?" Kari asked the Digimon.
"We're fine, but where's Yolei?" Poromon asked curiously, noticing only three humans had walked in.
"Yeah, and Cody too?" asked Upamon.
"I don't know about Cody, but Yolei said she was getting something from her locker, and then she was coming here," answered TK.
"What was she getting?" Davis's question was answered moments later when Yolei came running into the computer room with a plastic bag in her hands.
"Sorry about the delay, but I brought this!" Yolei placed the bag on the floor and opened it up, revealing numerous treats and drinks inside.
"Wow!" TK gasped at the bag. "Where did you get all of this?"
"I got it at the convenience store my parents run," said Yolei. "I figured our Digimon could do with a little snack before we go into the Digital World."
"That's a good idea," said TK. "Digimon can be bottomless pits."
"Especially the In-Training ones," Davis noted before asking Yolei, "so your family actually runs a convenience store?"
"Yeah, it's on the first floor of the apartment building I live in," said Yolei. "I have to pay for anything I take there, and I work the counter on weekends. It's not easy work, I tell you."
"What is this stuff?" Upamon asked as he looked at the bag with Poromon. In the bag were small packets with tubes sticking out of them, and rectangular blocks wrapped up in paper and shiny stuff.
"This is food!" DemiVeemon said as he grabbed a candy bar and ripped off the wrapper with his teeth before biting into it. "See? It's good!"
"Well, if it's good, then let me at it!" Upamon said excitedly, grabbing a juice packet out of the bag and sucked down the liquid. What he tasted was sweet tasting goodness.
"It's so yummy! It's really, really great!" Patamon and DemiVeemon gave off noises of agreement as they ate, Gatomon giving off a deadpan expression while not eating anything. Poromon hesitated as he looked at the sloppy way the other Digimon were eating, but decided to risk it anyway since he was hungry. Pulling out a juice packet with his beak, Poromon sucked up a bit of juice, feeling the sugary goodness.
"OH, IT'S GOOD! IT'S SO GOOD! IT'S DELICIOUS!" the little bird Digimon whooped as he flew circles around the computer lab, his wings fluttering like a hummingbird's, before he crashed into Upamon, the two Digimon excitedly eating more food from the bag, even eating the cardboard.
"Suddenly, I'm worried about our future…" Gatomon said flatly, finally deciding to eat a candy bar.
"So, where's Cody at anyway?" asked Davis. "Did you see him on your way here?"
"Yeah, he was still eating his lunch in his classroom," said Yolei. "He said he wouldn't leave until he finished. Cody never leaves a meal unfinished…even if it makes him sick." The lavender haired girl grimaced as she remembered Cody being over for dinner at her place one night. He ate everything that was offered to him, he accidentally puked on Yolei because he ate too much. The scene was not pretty.
In his classroom, Cody looked down at the last piece of food on his tray, a single cherry tomato. He was no longer hungry and he knew everyone was waiting for him in the computer lab, especially Upamon…but he wouldn't leave until the tomato was eaten.
"You know, you don't have to eat the tomato, Cody," said the teacher, who was the only other person in the classroom besides the young boy.
"I know…but my late father always said that one must never waste good food…even if they're not hungry anymore," Cody said with a contemplative look.
"Ah…I see…" the teacher said with a nod. Cody continued rolling the tomato with his fork, until it split in half by accident. Frowning slightly, he picked up one of the halves with his fork and stared at it intently, not sure what to think.
"So, what can we do while we wait for Cody?" asked Kari.
"Well, we can do what most people do when they're bored," Yolei replied, typing a little on the computer. "We can watch the news!"
"That's lame," Davis said with a sigh. "The news only covers bad things like natural disasters and crimes, and they usually exaggerate on a lot of stories just so they can get attention and boost their ratings!"
"Hey, it's not all that bad!" Yolei insisted as she scrolled down the news website and brought up a video. "Sometimes, the news can be exciting! Just look at this video!" TK, Kari and Davis looked over to see the video was about the recent national computer programming contest.
"A computer contest?" Kari asked.
"Yeah, I watch those sorts of things all the time for tips on computers…plus I hope to give that contest a try one of these days," Yolei replied, clicking the play button. The video loaded and showed an image of a brown-haired woman standing in front of a building with a microphone in hand.
(Play Digimon Tamers: Yukikau Hitobito)
"Well, the national computer programming contest was held the other day, and the results are in," said the reporter, "and the winner this year was the young boy genius Ken Ichijouji." Davis's eyes widened greatly as he heard the name and the camera changed to a boy that the bearer of Miracles recognized instantly: light skin, midnight blue hair, and purplish-blue eyes were the features of this boy wearing a pale-grey school uniform.
"Ken, how do you feel about winning this contest?" the reporter asked the boy.
"Well, I must admit, I was very surprised when I heard that a kid like me won this contest," said Ken, a small smile on his lips.
"We also interviewed Professor Shotsuki of Jyonan University, who was one of the judges for this contest," said the reporter, now standing with an elderly man with gray hair and a matching beard. "Professor, what did you think of young Ken's program?"
"Well, I was very impressed and surprised about a program like that being made by an elementary school student," said the professor. "I'm sure he has a bright future ahead of him."
While the four Digidestined watched the broadcast, Cody entered the computer lab and picked up Upamon, who was happy to see his partner again.
The broadcast then shifted to a video of Ken standing a chamber, surrounded by more than a dozen tables with chessboards on them, before switching to one of Ken standing in front of a chalkboard, doing a massive math problem.
"Ken is definitely not a stranger when it comes to intellectual aspirations. The other day, he played – and won – twenty games of chess against adults simultaneously. Not only is he good with computers and schoolwork, but he's also good with sports, carrying a black belt in judo, and being the captain of his school's soccer team." The broadcast then showed Ken in a judo room throwing a man twice his size over his shoulder like it was child's play, and scoring a major goal on a soccer field. As Davis watched the video, he was surprised at all of Ken's achievements. He knew Ken was a smart boy from their days together in the Digital World, but he didn't think he would be this smart or athletic. Then again, it had been three years since they had last seen each other, and it was possible the older Ken got, the smarter and more athletic he became.
"I'm here now with Ken's parents," the reporter said as she stood next to an average-looking man with dark hair, and a short plump woman with brown hair. "Tell me, is there some sort of way that you raise your son to be like this? Does he have some sort of strict regimen?"
"Oh, it's nothing like that," Mrs. Ichijouji said with a chuckle. "We just raised him like any parents would their own child."
"I know," Mr. Ichijouji said, laughing sheepishly. "It's like the ugly duckling laying a golden egg, am I right?"
"It's really hard to believe that people like Ken Ichiouji exist," Cody finally said, getting everyone except Davis to look at him in surprise.
"Cody, when did you get here?!" asked Kari.
"A minute ago, actually," said the young boy.
"Well, he does exist," Yolei said, a dreamy look in her eyes. "I bet he could program my computer any day!"
"Ew, Yolei!" Cody said with a look of disgust. "That just…sounds wrong!"
"What? I don't mean it like that!" said Yolei, realizing what she just said. "I bet I could learn a lot of things from him!" TK looked away from the computer and noticed Davis looking off in the distance with a faraway look on his face, set in a frown.
"Hey…Davis?" TK shook Davis's shoulder lightly to get his attention. "Are you okay? You didn't seem surprised when Cody talked."
"Huh? Oh…yeah, I'm fine," Davis said with a shake of his head. "I was just thinking about…old days…"
"What, your days in the Digital World?" Cody asked curiously. "Davis, I'm curious, what exactly were your days like in the Digital World?" Davis looked hesitant as he turned his gaze from Yolei to Cody. He didn't want them to find out yet about Millenniummon. It was their second day, after all.
"When you're ready…I'll tell you." Deciding to accept that as an answer, Cody and Yolei both nodded. TK looked over at Davis and thought about Matt's advice from last night about talking with Davis and Kari. The child of Hope decided to do it after they returned from the Digital World today. He would talk with Kari first, and then Davis.
"Well, now that we're all here, let's get back to the Digital World!" Davis said, holding his D-3 up before the computer. "Digital Gate, open!" The screen flashed, and the children and Digimon entered the Digital World once again.
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Yogiru Fuan)
In Tamachi, Ken Ichijouji walked down the streets to his apartment, his classes done for the day. The spring day was warm, but Ken felt comfortable in his gray school uniform with his school bag in hand. As he walked, he felt something brushing up against his leg. Stopping near a bar, the boy looked down to see a small brown puppy was by his feet, panting as he looked up at him with warm eyes.
"Beat it," Ken snapped with ice-cold eyes. "You're soiling my shoes and my uniform." Drawing his foot back, Ken sent the puppy flying through the air with a kick. Landing on the pavement a good six feet away from Ken, the small animal yelped in terror as he took off. A satisfied chuckle escaped Ken's lips as he continued his journey home.
Entering his apartment, Ken walked down the hallway to his bedroom. As he passed the doorway to the living area, he stopped when he noticed his mother lay down a tray holding some milk and a slice of cake on the table.
"Oh, hello, Ken!" the woman said as she noticed her son. "I have to go to work soon, so I left your snack on the table."
"…that's fine," Ken muttered, continuing to his room.
"So, how as school today?" Ken stopped again and it took everything he had to not sigh exasperatedly. She always asked him this question every day, and it sometimes irritated him.
"Good as always," he said, keeping the disdain in his voice to a minimum.
Hearing the clicking of a door, the woman looked up to see her son had entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him. She sighed, thinking about all of the time Ken had been spending in his room as of late. But she supposed it was natural; he was a genius, and the school probably gave him extra homework to do.
But little did she or her husband know that Ken was not doing homework…
In the Digital World, a black obelisk gleamed brightly, signaling the area it was in was controlled by the Digimon Emperor. Said boy was standing on a tree branch, looking out in the forest as he admired it for a moment before hearing a rustling noise. Looking down, the Emperor was greeted with the sight of a scampering Floramon, a tan and purple Digimon with a red flower head and purple arms shaped like flowers. Pulling out his whip, the Emperor snapped it, and the Floramon ran faster, hearing the snap of the whip in the air. The flower Digimon ran into a bush to hide, but she was already caught.
"There's no use hiding from me!" the Emperor said, jumping off of the tree branch. "Come out now!" Floramon ran out of the bush and away from the Emperor with a terrified shriek. As the Emperor watched with a smirk, Wormmon appeared behind him.
"Shall…shall I chase him?" he asked, albeit hesitantly.
"No!" said the Emperor. "Let me. It's been a while since I've had a good chase." The Emperor whistled loudly, and the sound of loud stomping indicated the arrival of a Tyrannomon, a red Digimon resembling the Tyrannosaurus Rex, with a Dark Ring on his neck.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Ijou Jatei Hassei!)
"Tyrannomon, give me a lift and go after that Floramon." Tyrannomon nodded and picked up the Emperor, placing him on his shoulder before stomping after the Floramon.
The flowery Digimon panted as she continued running, but the Tyrannomon was persistent, and continued after her. It soon became all for naught as Tyrannomon's shadow now obscured Floramon's own shadow. Once he had the Floramon in range, the Emperor lashed out with his whip and struck Floramon in her leg.
"AGH!" Floramon screamed as she felt the whip slice her leg open, and she crumpled to the ground. But she was determined to not be captured, and continued limping.
"Good," the Emperor said, striking Floramon in the back. "It's no fun if you get caught right away." Floramon collapsed, breathing heavily as tears rolled down her face from the pain she was in.
"Take her now, Stingmon." The green insect man dropped down from the sky in front of Floramon. As he reached his hand out to grab the Floramon…
"SUPER THUNDER STRIKE!" a voice rang out. Stingmon turned his head to the side and was blasted by a blast of electricity. Another electric blast struck Tyrannomon, who staggered back and nearly caused the Emperor to fall to the ground.
"What was that?!" The Digimon Emperor's question was answered when a red and blue Digimon with long ears and nine tails leaped out of his hiding place and landed on the ground, standing over the injured Floramon in a protective stance.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Saa, Hashiridasou!)
"You!" the Emperor growled, recognizing his attacker instantly. The Digimon was an Elecmon. The Emperor knew this as he had captured several Elecmon, but this one was a different Elecmon. Unlike most Elecmon, this one had three scars running down his chest, and a sword hung by his side. The Digimon Emperor confronted him shortly after he began his takeover of the Digital World, and every time, Elecmon evaded capture and managed to help many Digimon escape from being captured.
"It's bad enough you enslave Digimon, Emperor, but to do something like this?" growled Elecmon. "Where's your sense of honor, you coward?"
"Coward, am I?!" the Emperor asked angrily.
"If you must attack Digimon like this, and use your slaves to fight them for you, then that is what you are: A coward, not an Emperor." The purple-haired boy growled angrily. Elecmon had been a thorn in his side for the last few months, but this was something else.
"You know, I was thinking about making you one of my slaves, since you seem to be quite a fighter, unlike most Elecmon," the Emperor said as he nodded to Stingmon, the insectoid Digimon slowly extending the spike on his right arm, "but I think the Digital World would be better off without you!"
"SPIKING FINISH!" Elecmon's ears had picked up the sound of Stingmon's spike extending, so he was prepared and leapt into the air to avoid being stabbed. The mammal Digimon planted his feet on the trunk of a nearby tree and launched himself at Stingmon, knocking him back with a powerful headbutt. The Emperor pulled out his whip and attempted to strike Elecmon while he was dealing with Stingmon, but Elecmon drew his sword out and swung it, slicing the Emperor's whip in two.
"Impossible!" Taking advantage of the Emperor's distraction, Elecmon quickly gathered the wounded Floramon in his arms and bounded out of the forest. The Emperor growled at Elecmon's retreating form before turning to Stingmon.
"Don't just stand there! Go after him!" Stingmon reluctantly nodded and took flight. He didn't want to do this, but Ken was his partner, and he would do whatever Ken wanted…even if it meant helping him take over the Digital World.
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Saa, Digital World e Ikou!)
In another part of the forest, far from the Emperor, the Digidestined emerged from the Digital Gate, landing on their feet. Upon landing, Yolei and Cody looked over to where their partners landed, and were surprised at what they saw.
"Hey, you guys changed back!" Yolei spoke true, as Hawkmon and Armadillomon stood in place of Poromon and Upamon, and DemiVeemon was back to being Veemon.
"Strange," noted Patamon, looking over himself and Gatomon. "They De-Digivolve when they're in the Human World, but we're still the same."
"It may be because we've been to the Human World before, and they haven't," Gatomon theorized. "It may take a while for them to get used to it."
Before the Digidestined could continue thinking, the sound of beeping filled the air.
"Whose Digivice is that?" Davis asked, looking at his Digivice, which lay dormant in his hands. Yolei and Cody both shook their heads, as their Digivices were not making the noise, but Kari and TK both had looks of shock on their faces.
"It's…it's coming from both of our Digivices," TK said. The other Digidestined huddled together with Kari and TK, noticing that both the bearers of Hope and Light's Digivices were beeping, each showing a yellow dot on the screen.
"The last time that happened, Yolei and I got our Digimentals!" Cody gasped, realizing what it meant. "And our D-3s were the only ones that detected the signals!"
"Then if that's true…" Yolei started, getting what Cody was saying.
"There are Digimentals meant for me and Kari!" TK gasped, excitement running through his body. Finally, he could help out in the Digital World! "They're forty miles from here! Come on!"
"TK, wait for me!" Patamon called, flying after his partner as fast as he could.
"Wait for all of us!" Davis said annoyingly.
"I don't get it," Kari said in a confused tone. "Our Digivices are the old model. How can TK and I have Digimentals if they're for holders of the D-3?"
"We'll have to find out when we get there," Davis answered. "Now let's get going before we lose sight of TK."
"Right!" everybody said, following after Davis, who was following TK's footsteps.
(Play Digimon Tamers: Sousa)
Elecmon jumped and weaved over trees and plants as best he could with the wounded Floramon on his shoulders while dodging the needles fired from Stingmon's Moon Shooter. The red mammal Digimon kept his eyes forward as he followed a stream of water that he knew led to a waterfall. It was a risk with Floramon, but he knew it would get Stingmon off his back. As he made a sharp turn and leapt out of the forest to lose Stingmon, his grip on Floramon loosened slightly, but he managed to straighten out the plant Digimon before continuing his run.
Right before he could make it to the very edge, a number of needles landed in the ground before him. Growling slightly, Elecmon turned to see Stingmon land in front of him, standing at his full height.
"I do not want to fight you Elecmon, and I do not want to hurt you. If you surrender to me, perhaps I can persuade my partner to spare you." Elecmon's eyes widened slightly, not just upon hearing what Stingmon just said, but also from the sincere honesty in his voice.
"I believe you," he said, placing Floramon down gently so he could look at Stingmon full in the eye. "I must ask you, why do you do this if you know it is wrong?"
"Because it is my duty as a partner Digimon. I must stand by the Digimon Emperor, my partner, no matter what." Stingmon meant what he said. Looking down at Elecmon, the insect man could see the small Rookie was thinking about something with a far off look on his face, before he shook his head and looked up at Stingmon.
"I can see where you're coming from…but I'm afraid I cannot surrender…not until I see her again."
"Her? Her who?" asked a confused Stingmon. Elecmon said nothing as he grabbed Floramon and leapt over the needles, falling into the water below. Shocked at what he saw, Stingmon took flight and looked down at the bottom of the waterfall. He saw no sign of Elecmon or Floramon anywhere, and he knew Ken would not be happy when he received the news. As he flew back, Stingmon looked down in the forest and stopped suddenly when he saw ten familiar figures in the far distance. Speeding up his flight, Stingmon landed after a minute of flying before Ken, who stood on Tyrannomon's shoulder.
"Well? Where are the Digimon?" Ken asked impatiently.
"I…I lost them over the falls," Stingmon answered honestly, wincing under Ken's piercing glare, "but…I did see Davis and the other Digidestined nearby!" Ken's glare faded as he pulled out his black D-3 and stared at the screen. Sure enough, there were five dots on the screen, indicating the Digidestined had arrived.
"Such a pain…" Ken muttered angrily, pressing a button on his D-3 to call in some extra Digimon. "It's time to take care of them. Stingmon…you know what to do."
"Yes…I do," Stingmon said sadly. He really hated this, but he had to do it.
As the five Digidestined continued through the woods, they couldn't help but notice how much darker and thicker it became as they trudged. Kari shuddered slightly; whatever friendly feeling the woods had before was now replaced with foreboding. Fortunately, she had Davis and her friends with her, so it wasn't all scary.
"We're almost there," TK said with eagerness. "We're ten miles away from here."
"What's with you?" Armadillomon asked the blond-haired boy, who looked happy about something.
"Oh, it's…it's nothing," TK said, getting looks from everybody, though he didn't notice them as he was up front. Ever since they detected the two signals, TK looked like Christmas had come early. Though Davis, Yolei, Cody and their partners had no idea why TK was like this, Patamon did, and judging from the looks on Kari and Gatomon's faces, it was possible they knew as well.
"All right guys, let's stick together," Davis said, motioning for everyone to come closer. "We don't know what will attack us out here…"
"Well, well. If it isn't the wannabes." The group of ten yelled in surprise at the sound of the familiar voice. Turning around, they were greeted with the sight of the Digimon Emperor, standing off to the side as he glared at them through his sunglasses.
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Anokoku no Hohoemi)
"YOU!" TK snarled, the good feeling that was inside him now gone upon seeing the Digimon Emperor. Charging forward and ignoring everybody's warnings, TK swung his fist for the Emperor's face…and went right through him, falling to the ground.
"Yes…me," the Emperor said simply.
"AGH! He's a ghost!" Yolei screamed, realizing now that she could see the trees through the Emperor. "Please don't possess me, oh evil spirit!"
"Yolei, he's not a ghost," Davis said with a sigh. "It's a hologram."
"Oh," Yolei said, embarrassed at her outburst. "I…I knew that!" Cody and Hawkmon couldn't help but roll their eyes at the same time.
"I have to admit, you Digidestined have proven to be quite formidable adversaries," said the Emperor, "but like I told you yesterday, I am far more powerful than you make me out to be."
"Why? Just because you use the powers of darkness?" TK asked angrily. "You're a Digidestined like us! You shouldn't be plunging the Digital World into darkness!"
"And why shouldn't I?" asked the Emperor. "It's simple, really. Light and darkness are like the sides of a coin; neither can exist without the other. If there is no darkness, the light will obliterate everything with its pure, unadulterated brightness. And if there is no light, the darkness will envelop everything in shadow. And you are all fools in believing only one of those things can exist while the other cannot."
"What are you saying?" asked Cody.
"I know the history of the Digital World and the Digidestined," said the Emperor. "Long ago, five children came here to fight Apocalymon and his servants the Dark Masters. There are little to no records of the original Digidestined, but had they not sealed away Apocalymon, the darkness would have enveloped all."
"And then came eight more Digidestined, two of them are among us," the Emperor nodded to TK, who looked angry at the Emperor, and Kari, who was scared and confused. "They too fought Apocalymon and they managed to destroy him. The Digital World was at peace…but it was not to last. There had to be darkness to counter the light, and it came…in the form of Millenniummon." TK, Kari and Davis did their best to suppress a shudder; just thinking about Millenniummon brought up dark memories. Yolei and Cody looked at their shuddering friends with worry. Whoever this Millenniummon was that the Emperor just spoke up was definitely not a friendly Digimon.
"Millenniummon began plunging everything into darkness after he captured the eight Digidestined, and a new Digidestined had to be called in to defeat Millenniummon, but the mad Digimon remained alive, and the new Digidestined was called back with two others and they defeated Millenniumon." Davis looked nervous, that was when he and Ken became Digidestined. And if the Digimon Emperor was who he thought he was, then chances are his secret was about to be exposed…
"What exactly does this have to do with you?" asked Hawkmon.
"I'm getting to that!" the Emperor snapped angrily. "After the second fall of Millenniummon, I became a Digidestined and received my black Digivice." Davis looked surprised at what the Emperor said. He knew it was him, so it was possible he may be lying about when he became a Digidestined.
"And when I received my black D-3, I had a vision of everything fallen into chaos if the Digital World was not balanced properly. Since there was too much light here in the Digital World, I have decided to…dim the lights." The hologram suddenly fizzled out with an electronic crackle and a loud growl made everyone turn around to see a Tyrannomon stomp towards them, the Emperor on its shoulder.
"…and unfortunately, you Digidestined are in my way! I shall bring back the proper order this world needs!"
"No!" TK yelled angrily. The Emperor's words had struck a very sensitive nerve in the blond-haired boy, and he was livid. "I won't let you use darkness, Digidestined or not! It's unforgiveable!"
"You talk strong for somebody who's weak," the Emperor said, his sunglasses gleaming dangerously in the sunlight. "You will be the first to go! Tyrannomon, kill him!"
"NO!" Kari screamed as Tyrannomon opened his mouth and yelled out, "FIRE BREATH!", releasing a stream of flames at TK, who suddenly felt fear as he saw the hot flames come for him…
(Play Digimon: Break Up!)
"DIGI-ARMOR, ENERGIZE!"
"VEEMON, ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TOOO…BLAZING COURAGE, FLAMEDRAMON!" Leaping forward, Flamedramon stood with his back to TK as he let the Tyrannomon's flames engulf him. The armored dragon man simply chuckled as he absorbed the flames into his body.
"Nice try, 'your highness!'" Flamedramon said in a mocking tone. "But flame attacks are like a tickle!" The Emperor simply smirked at Flamedramon's boast, "I know about your flame absorption abilites, since I saw your fight with the Monochromon. That's why I came prepared!"
"SPIKING FINISH!" A flash of green came down from the sky and slashed at Flamedramon's chest. The dragon man grunted as he felt his armor scratch up from the attack. Glaring up at his attacker, Stingmon, Flamedramon leapt up and tackled Stingmon to the ground. Both fighting Digimon rolled away from the Digidestined and the Emperor, tumbling down a cliff.
"Flamedramon!" Davis yelled for his partner.
"Now that he's taken care of…" the Emperor said, snapping his whip into the air and summoning four more Tyrannomon from the forest.
"Damn it! We're surrounded!" Davis cursed, looking around the battlefield. "Yolei, Cody, Armor Digivolve now!"
"You got it! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!"
"HAWKMON ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TOOO…FLAPPING LOVE, HALSEMON!"
"ARMADILLOMON ARMOR-DIGIVOLVE TOOO…STEEL KNOWLEDGE, DIGMON!"
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Kurihirogaru Battle)
"Take them down!" Davis yelled. Halsemon immediately took flight and knocked down one Tyrannomon with his Eagle Eye, but the red dinosaur stood back up almost immediately and released his Fire Breath. Halsemon dodged the fireball and released his Tempest Wing. The mini hurricane caught two Tyrannomon, but because of their bulky build, they weren't blown back at all.
"ROCK CRACKING!" Slamming his drills into the ground, Digmon split the earth open and three Tyrannomon fell into the gaping crack, but they crawled out almost immediately.
"LIGHTNING PAW!" Gatomon leapt up and delivered an uppercut to one Tyrannomon, but as she fell back to the ground, another Tyrannomon swung around and smacked Gatomon with his tail. Gatomon flew into a tree, and was blasted back further by another Tyrannomon's Fire Breath.
"Gatomon!" Kari yelled in concern, scooping up her hurt partner.
"Damn it…" Gatomon groaned in Kari's arms. "There's too many of them…even for me…" Kari could only watch the battle with worry. With Gatomon hurt, Patamon unable to Digivolve, and Flamedramon engaged in combat with Stingmon, it was practically two on five. The child of Light absolutely hated being useless.
"AIR SHOT!" Patamon attempted to fight a Tyrannomon that was trying to crush TK, but the blast of air had no effect. Growling at the minor annoyance, the Tyrannomon swung his arm out and smacked Patamon into TK, knocking the child of Hope off his feet.
"Patamon, are you okay?"
"No…I'm just a burden like this…" Patamon whined. TK could only clench his teeth in frustration as he ran over to the other Digidestined, who also looked frustrated at the battle.
"Now what do we do?" asked Yolei. Davis looked to see Halsemon fall out of the sky, hit by a Tyrannomon's Fire Breath, and Digmon attempt his Gold Rush, but the drills missed their target. He then heard sounds of a fight from behind him, no doubt Flamedramon's fight with Stingmon. Davis then looked over to TK and Kari, their partners in their arms. It then came to him.
"TK, Kari, keep following the signals. If the signals are Digimentals that belong to you, then they could certainly help us."
"Are you sure?" Kari asked skeptically.
"Yes, I'm sure," said Davis. "Halsemon and Digmon can hold off the Tyrannomon long enough for you to get the Digimentals."
"What about Flamedramon?" asked Cody. Davis hesitated, looking down the hill.
"I…I need to be with him," the burgundy-haired boy said with a torn look. While Yolei and Cody looked uncomfortable with Davis's decision to leave the more important fight, TK couldn't help but see a look in Davis's eyes; a familiar look that he knew all too well…
"I think we should listen to Davis," the child of Hope said, surprising everyone. "Kari and I will follow the signals and Davis will check up on Flamedramon while the others handle the Tyrannomon."
"Well…I can't say that idea is a good one, but if it can work…" Cody said with a nod, Yolei and Kari agreeing with him.
"Then go!" Davis said, leaping down the cliff to find Flamedramon.
"Kari, let's go!" TK said to the brown-haired girl. Kari nodded and the two Digidestined ran off, following the signals. However, their departure did not go unnoticed.
"I don't think so! Tyrannomon, after them!" barked the Emperor. Three Tyrannomon turned around and began lumbering after Kari and TK.
"We need to put some distance between them!" noted Cody. "Halsemon, Digmon!"
"I'm on it!" Halsemon said, turning his gaze to the three Tyrannomon. "UDJAT GAZE!" Yellow rings of energy flew out from his eyes, paralyzing the Tyrannomon temporarily upon contact. Digmon quickly used his Rock Cracking to create a fissure that would prevent the Tyrannomon from following the bearers of Hope and Light.
"Sorry, but you're not getting them!" Yolei said defiantly at the Emperor, who growled at the opposition. They may not be as strong as Davis, but these two new Digidestined could definitely prove a problem to him in the future.
"Flamedramon!" Davis yelled, hearing the sounds of fighting and yelling as he ran. A loud crash filled his ears, and all was suddenly quiet…deathly quiet…and Davis didn't like it. Running again, Davis stopped when he saw Flamedramon pinned down underneath a tree.
"Davis…watch out…" Flamedramon groaned from underneath the tree. The fast beating of insect wings alerted Davis to the presence of Stingmon, who flew out from behind a tree and grabbed Davis, pinning him up against a tree with one big hand.
"Hello…Davis," said the green insect man. Davis gasped upon hearing his name, looking up at Stingmon's eyes. Even though they were compound eyes and couldn't move or show much emotion, it was clear they carried a familiar warmth…a familiar sadness. Seeing it up close and personal himself, Davis was done denying it.
"It is you, isn't it, Stingmon?" The insect man nodded, confirming their suspicions. Davis could only feel shock and heartbreak at the revelation finally being confirmed.
"Stingmon, what's going on here? What's happened to Ken? Why's he acting like this?"
(Play Omoi: The Biggest Dreamer)
"I don't know," Stingmon said sadly, letting Davis go and backing away. "It all started two years ago. Ken showed up one day, his Digivice had changed into a design similar to yours. When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was going to bring order to the Digital World as its Emperor. It was mostly small stuff at first, like going around and persuading Digimon to bring darkness and destruction upon the Digital World, but none of them listened."
"So when did he start with all the Control Spires and enslavement?"
"He started it a few months ago," Stingmon answered. "I have absolutely no idea how he was able to do all of this. When I asked him, he said he was a genius. I know Ken was always a smart boy…but this is something else."
"And did it ever occur to you that what he's doing is completely wrong?!" Flamedramon asked angrily, struggling under the tree.
"Don't think for a minute that that though hasn't occurred to me," Stingmon said sharply. "I know that what's happening here is wrong, and something's not right with Ken, but it doesn't change the fact that deep down, Ken is still a Digidestined, and I am his partner, which means I must do what he wants from me…and if that means fighting you…then I'll do it as well."
(Play Digimon Adventure: Shuugeki! Soshite…)
Flamedramon's eyes softened in understanding before hardening with battle. "So be it, then." Igniting the flames on his body, Flamedramon burned the tree off of him and rammed into Stingmon, knocking him into the forest with his Fire Rocket. As Davis watched the two Digimon continue their battle, he understood now why Stingmon was helping Ken…but he still didn't know how this happened to Ken. He couldn't possibly be doing this of his own free will. Izzy was right, some dark force had to have been controlling him. But the question was…who?
"Hurry, into that cave!" TK said to Kari. The two Digidestined had continued after the signals on their Digivices, the sounds of battle growing more faint. Eventually, they came into a cave, where their signals were leading them to. As Kari ran, she was completely confused at the way TK had been acting the last few days. Yesterday, he didn't want anything to do with Davis, and looked upset about something. Today though, he looked guilty sometimes and sad about something, but when their Digivices picked up the Digimental signals, TK looked excited and happy. It confused her to no end.
"TK, are you okay?" asked the brown-haired girl. "You've been acting weird the last few days." TK stopped as they walked into the cave, his shoulders slumping. "Yesterday, you wouldn't go along with Davis's plans, and today you're actually agreeing with him."
"You noticed it as well, huh?"
"It wasn't that hard to notice," noted Gatomon. "What's your story?" TK sighed, looking down at his Digivice and said, "I really didn't want to do this now, but I guess I'll get it out of the way with you: I'm sorry…I shouldn't have let my jealousy get the better of me."
"Jealousy?" asked a puzzled Kari. TK nodded and looked at Kari with a guilty look on his face.
(Play Digimon: Tomodachi ~Tatakai no Theme~)
"Yes…I guess…I guess I was jealous of you being friends with Davis. I've always considered you my best friend, and when I came back to Odaiba, I was hoping to spend more time with you and catch up, but you've been spending more time with Davis…and I guess what I did yesterday was an immature act on my part. I really am sorry." Kari could only stand in complete surprise. She had no idea that TK was jealous of her and Davis being best friends. In fact, TK never really struck her as the jealous type.
"TK…is that true?"
"Yes…I'm afraid it is true," TK said with a sad nod. "And I guess I was also just upset about not being able to do much to help out in the Digital World. This anti-Digivolution thing the Digimon Emperor set up has been keeping me from helping out more, since our brothers and the older kids have stuff to do outside of school. With this Digimental, I can help out more and not be a burden."
"I…I understand," Kari said with a small nod. "I know how it feels, thinking that you're a burden. I know Gatomon is Champion level, and can hold her own very well, but from what we saw earlier, even she has her limits. Hopefully, whatever my Digimental is, it can help me be more of assistance." TK nodded in understanding before Kari continued.
"And TK…I'm sorry about not paying much attention to you. It's just Davis is my very best friend and I truly care about him. I care about you and the others…but Davis, well…he's different." TK had a feeling what Kari meant by that, but he simply nodded and said, "I understand, and I was hoping we could hang out sometime later?"
"Sure, but after we get the Digimentals," Kari reminded her friend, running off into the cave. Remembering why they were here, TK followed after Kari and the two Digidestined suddenly came to a small chamber. In the chamber was a small stone podium with two small objects: one was golden with wings and hair sticking out from the top, and a silver cylinder with cat paws on the bottom. And on the Digimentals were Crests that the two Digidestined recognized immediately.
"TK…those are our Crests!" Kari gasped.
"You're…you're right!" said TK. "So...does that mean these Digimentals are ours?"
"Maybe," said Patamon. "The Crest of Hope and the Crest of Light were always said to be special Crests."
"If that's the case, then let's try and pick them up." Kari walked up to the podium with TK. Once they were two feet away from the Digimentals, the Digivices in their pocket glowed brightly. Pulling out their Digivices, they were shocked to see them change before their eyes. In a flash of light, Kari's Digivice became a white D-3 with a pink grip, and TK's Digivice turned into a white D-3 with a green grip.
(Play Digimon Adventure: Shouri Zen no Theme)
"Our Digivices…" gasped TK.
"…have become D-3s!" gasped Kari.
"Hurry and pick up the Digimentals!" said Gatomon, realizing what this meant. Kari and TK both nodded and picked up the Digimental with their respective Crest on it. Seconds later, the Digimentals glowed brightly. Kari and TK both looked at each other and nodded, knowing what to say.
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Break Up!)
"DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!"
"PATAMON ARMOR-DIGIVOLVE TOOO…SOARING HOPE, PEGASUSMON!"
"GATOMON ARMOR-DIGIVOLVE TOOO…LIGHT OF SMILES, NEFERTIMON!"
TK and Kari stared in awe at their partner's Armor levels. As his name suggested, Pegasusmon was an orange furred Pegasus with golden wings, pieces of the Digimental of Hope attached to his body as armor. Nefertimon was a sphinx Digimon with an Egyptian headpiece, white wings and armor on her front legs.
"Pegasusmon…" TK breathed in happiness, running a hand through his partner's mane. "Now we won't be a burden anymore."
"Good," said the winged horse. "I hate being left out."
"You look so beautiful, Nefertimon!" Kari said, wrapping her arms around her partner in a hug.
"Thank you Kari, but there will be time to admire later. Yolei and Cody need our help!"
"Right!" TK said, his face set in determination as he mounted Pegasusmon. "Let's fly!"
"Don't worry guys, we're coming!" Kari said from her place on Nefertimon's back. The armored Digimon charged out of the cave, spreading their wings and taking flight.
Meanwhile, the fight with the Tyrannomon had taken an ugly turn. The numbers eventually caught up with Halsemon and Digmon, and they had been forced to revert to Hawkmon and Armadillomon. Yolei and Cody could only hold their partners in their arms as the Tyrannomon cornered them on a cliff.
"If I were you, I'd surrender now," said the Emperor from his place on the lead Tyrannomon. "You have nowhere left to go."
"Fat chance!" yelled a defiant Yolei.
"Yolei, I don't think now's a good time to be your stubborn self," Cody said worriedly, looking down at the sheer drop of the cliff.
"FIRE ROCKET!" A loud yell caught everybody's attention and a flaming projectile flew into the air with a green shape. The two shapes landed on the ground, revealed to be Stingmon, whose armor was singed as he backed up to the Tyrannomon, and Flamedramon, breathing heavily as he stood between the Tyrannomon and Yolei and Cody.
"You want them…you'll have to get past me, boys!" the armored dragon said defiantly, Davis running over to join Yolei and Cody. The Emperor couldn't help but smirk at Flamedramon's defiance. It was just like him to stand in front of others and protect them.
"I must commend you for your attempts to continue fighting, but you don't seriously think you can continue fighting me like this, can you?" As the Emperor spoke, he remained oblivious to two winged figures in the distance. Flamedramon did however, and he simply smirked and said, "Actually, I'm just stalling."
"What?" Hearing the sound of flapping wings, the Emperor turned and gasped in shock, seeing Kari and TK fly in with two unknown Digimon, but it was clear who they were from their looks.
"Sorry we're late!" Kari said as Nefertimon and Pegasusmon flew down into the herd of Tyrannomon.
"EQUIS BEAM!"
"BEAM OF ISIS!"
Pegasusmon's brow lit up green and a beam of energy flew at the Tyrannomon while Nefertimon's headpiece released two beams of pink light that struck the Tyrannomon. The red dinosaur Digimon released their Fire Breath, but the experienced Digimon ducked and wove through the fire as they continued attacking.
"ROSETTA STONE!" Nefertimon's back lit up and a beam of light shot from it, releasing a giant stone tablet that knocked a Tyrannomon flat on his back.
"STAR SHOWER!" The bottom of Pegasusmon's wings turned black, and with a mighty flap, the wings released many stars that pelted the Tyrannomon and Stingmon, causing the Digimon Emperor to fall off.
"Amazing!" gasped Cody. "Patamon and Gatomon gained the ability to Armor Digivolve!"
"I wonder what that means for their Digivices," Davis said, looking down at his D-3.
"Damn!" the Emperor cursed, running over to Stingmon.
"Get me out of here now! This battle is lost, unfortunately." He thought he could deal with only three Digidestined, but now he had to deal with five Armor level Digimon. Stingmon nodded and scooped up his partner, taking flight as the battle continued.
"Hey, the Digimon Emperor's getting away!" said Armadillomon.
"Let him go," Flamedramon said before reverting to Veemon. "This fight is what matters now."
Despite being more powerful now, Pegasusmon and Nefertimon still had difficulty freeing the Tyrannomon.
"This is ridiculous!" said TK. "Every time we come close to freeing a Tyrannomon, another one gets in the way!"
"We have to find some way to free them all together at the same time, but how?" asked Kari. As the fight progressed, Cody opened up his D-Terminal to look up Pegasusmon and Nefertimon. What he found was some potentially useful information.
"Kari, TK! Pegasusmon and Nefertimon have a joint attack called Golden Noose! It creates a long golden rope to bind an enemy!"
"So if we use that…" Pegasusmon started, realizing what Cody was talking about.
"…we can end this fight!" finished Nefertimon.
"Do it!" TK and Kari both said. The two armor Digimon nodded and flew high in the air so the Tyrannomon's fire wouldn't touch them. As they flew by each other, their front leg armor glowed golden, and they realized this was what Cody was talking about.
"GOLDEN NOOSE!" The light formed from their leg armor turned into a long golden rope that flew down and wrapped around all five Tyrannomon, effectively binding them and trapping them.
"Finish it!" yelled Davis.
"MANE WIND!"
"NILE JEWELRY!"
Pegasusmon's mane hardened and he released countless hairs as Nefertimon fired red jewels from her legs. The numerous projectiles collided with all five Dark Rings, effectively destroying them.
"All right!" Kari and TK cheered, watching the Tyrannomon's struggles cease and their eyes turn bright blue again. Nefertimon and Pegasusmon landed on the ground before the three Digimon, letting their partners dismount before turning back into their previous forms.
"So you can actually perform Armor Digivolution now?" asked Hawkmon with interest.
"Yeah, and this happened when we got our Digimentals," said Kari, showing everyone her D-3. TK also showed his as well.
"What the…how did that happen?!" asked Davis.
"When we touched the Digimentals, our Digivices changed," said TK. "How and why they did it, I have no idea."
Davis looked confused as well. Not only did his Digivice change, but Kari and TK's did as well, and even Ken's. Would this mean the older kids' Digivices would change, or would they remain the same? Too many questions went through his head, but Davis still couldn't stop thinking about what Stingmon had said to him today.
"Yoo-hoo, Davis!" Blinking rapidly, the goggled boy looked over to Yolei, who was snapping her fingers repeatedly to get his attention. "What's up? You zoned out again."
"Oh, sorry, Yolei. I was just thinking…" Davis trailed off as the Digidestined returned home.
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Ie ni Kaerou ~Target Instruments~)
Back home in the Human World, the five Digidestined sat in the computer lab as the Digimon ate the remaining snacks in Yolei's bag, reenergizing after a long, hard day.
"This Digimon Emperor is really getting on my nerves!" Yolei said with a glare, looking over at the more experienced members with Cody. "Did you ever have to deal with someone like him?"
"Loads of times," said TK, "but those were all evil Digimon. The Digimon Emperor is completely different. He's human, just like us!"
"And that means he lives here in the human world," said Cody. "But the problem is, we don't know who he is or where he lives."
"Well, judging from his language, he's Japanese," Davis said, "but where in Japan does he live?"
"Moreover, how do we deal with a human enemy?" asked Cody. "How did you deal with evil Digimon?"
"We had to kill them," Gatomon said simply. "They were simply too dangerous to remain alive. The existence of Apocalymon and his servants, the Dark Masters alone was able to warp and threaten the Digital World itself."
"They were that powerful?" Hawkmon asked, surprised upon hearing the white cat's words.
"You have no idea," Davis said gravelly, remembering the destruction Millenniummon caused. Sighing heavily, the burgundy-haired boy stood up from his chair and picked up DemiVeemon before heading out of the computer lab.
"There's nothing much we can do right now except sleep it off and think about our next move. Because for all we know…the Digimon Emperor is doing the same thing as well." The Digidestined simply nodded at Davis's words and left the school with their partners in their arms. As they walked, TK thought about when he would talk with Davis, and what he should say.
Far behind, Cody couldn't help but think about what the more experienced Digidestined said about having to kill Digimon, and their uncertainty of dealing with a human enemy. Though Cody was more mature than most of the kids in his class, he was still just a child. He never had the stomach for such violence; it had been like that for him since his father died. He could only wonder how they would handle this new threat before them, and if he could bring himself to do what needed to be done.
Upon leaving the school, Davis immediately headed to Tamachi to try and see Ken. To his disappointment, Ken's mother said Ken didn't want to be disturbed. Davis left, feeling dejected over what he had seen and learned today. Heading home, the burgundy haired boy talked with Jun, who seemed to have a heartbroken look on her face.
"Are…are you…holding up okay?" she asked once Davis had finished.
"I…I'm not sure," Davis said sadly. "My best friend has turned into a tyrannical dictator because some outside force may be controlling him, and I have to fight him. I…I can't help but feel like this is my fault in a way. I haven't spoken with Ken or seen him since our adventures in the Digital World. We tried to keep in contact, but…we just sort of fell out after Sam died. Had I been there for him…maybe…maybe I could have prevented this…now I have to stop this."
"Don't," Jun said, gripping her brother's shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up over this. There's no telling if you could have prevented this or not. What matters now is this: It's up to you now to rescue Ken from whatever's controlling him." Davis nodded, a small look of determination in his eyes.
"And don't forget, you're not alone in this," Jun said, leaving the bedroom. "Don't try doing everything in the Digital World by yourself." Davis simply sighed as he lay down in bed with DemiVeemon, the baby dragon looking like he was deep in thought.
"What's wrong, DemiVee?" Davis asked his partner.
(Play Digimon Adventure 02: Samayoi no Mori)
"I've been thinking about today, especially what Ken said," said DemiVeemon. "Is it just me, or did what he say sound…familiar?"
"You mean that what he was doing was ensuring the Digital World had order and chaos, as well as darkness and light?" asked Davis, suddenly remembering where he heard those words. "Those…those are the words that Millenniummon said when we fought him!"
"Exactly," DemiVeemon said gravelly. "Normally, I'd just say that would be a coincidence, but I don't think it is. I fear Ken is being controlled by Millenniummon."
"But…but that's impossible! We killed him, right?" Davis asked fearfully. He couldn't bear the thought of seeing that monstrous Digimon alive again.
"We did, but…what if we didn't fully kill him?" asked DemiVeemon. "What if he's controlling Ken?"
"If he is…then we have a major problem," Davis said, shivering slightly as he went to sleep with DemiVeemon. He could only think about what would happen tomorrow, and if Millenniummon was truly dead or not.
In the Ichijouji apartment, Ken Ichijouji grumbled as he typed on his computer keyboard. Today was not a good day for him at all. He thought he could finish off the two new Digidestined, as well as the child of Hope, while Davis and Flamedramon fought Stingmon, but not only did the child of Hope gain the ability to Armor Digivolve his partner, but the child of Light had managed to as well, and he had also lost his Tyrannomon brigade.
At the rate things were going, it wouldn't be long before they started tearing down his Control Spires. If they did that, then he would lose control over vast areas, and the original Digidestined would help out more as their Digimon would be able to Digivolve to their highest levels. Davis would be able to Digivolve Veemon to Mega as well if given the chance. And the last thing he needed was nine Digimon at the Mega level interfering with his plans.
"I'll have to accelerate my plans," he muttered darkly, shutting off his computer. It wouldn't be long before the Digital World was under his control, and his revenge would be exacted.
(Play Days: Aijou to Nichijou TV Size)
END CHAPTER 6