Tai was content having TK back. He was happy the eight of them were together. The group was in a small room. there was the wall they had come through that led to the outside and anothe doorway. the door was open and Tai cpuld see a short hallway. he assumed there were more rooms and maybe even a bathroom down the hallway. he brought his focus back to the empty room they were all occupying. Tai watched Sora and Mimi hug TK while Joe patted the youngest blonds back. Matt chatted with Izzy and Tai eyed up his sister. He was proud of her, that she was able to find TK. He lifted his chin to her.
"Kar, come here." Kari smiled and walked over to Tai. Tai rubbed her arm as she got closer.
"What about the digimon?" He asked and Kari bit her lip.
"We should talk to everyone." She said and Tai removed his hand from her arm.
"Okay circle up guys." Tai announced and the group quieted down as everyone formed a circle. Tai looked at each person. He saw TK's bruised face and he winced.
"Kar? What'd you find?" He asked and Kari nodded,
"The digimon had been moved. It was a trap. A trap for me and TK." Kari's words made Tai growl. He glared at Kari now worried she had been hurt.
"He was there-" TK then cut Kari off,
"But Kari fought him off." Tai's eyes snapped to TK.
"She used her crest. She made me stronger and scared Pythmon. He couldn't touch us." Tai was confused,
"How?" Tai asked and Kari stepped towards him.
"I'm okay Tai. TK and I are both okay. He wanted TK's digivice." TK then spoke,
"But every time he's tried to get it, it burned him. He tried to weaken me." TK then smirked and pointed at his face.
"More than once. But he could never get his hands on it." Kari nodded,
"He really needs it. He tried to bargain for it. Give TK Patamon for it. Tried to bargain with me too." Tai looked at his sister,
"With what?" He asked and Kari looked down at her shoes.
"He wanted to hurt you Tai." Tai felt his sister trail off. He nudged her with his words.
"What else?" He asked and Kari looked to TK. Tai narrowed his eyes and Kari sighed.
"He wanted me to choose. But I didn't. I couldn't. So I did what I could do to protect you both. I hurt him. He disappeared." Tai didn't understand who the other person was.
"Was it Gatomon?" He asked and Kari shook her head. Matt then stepped forward.
"Teeks where are they keeping the digimon?" He asked and TK shrugged.
"For a while I was with them and then they started disappearing. It first was Patamon. Then, Biyomon, Tentomon and it was just me and Agumon. And then just before Kari came. Agumon was taken." Tai clenched his fists.
"What about the others? Like Gatomon and Palmon and Gomamon?" Tai asked and TK shook his head.
"I never saw them." TK admitted and Tai growled.
"Well can we find out what happened with you Tai?" Sora asked and Tai could see everyone look at him. Tai nodded,
"This is Hank." Tai pointed at Hank who waved. "he kind of saved me." Tai looked over the group. Everyone had the same confused expression on their faces. Sora stepped forward,
"how? I mean what happened to you and Kari?" She was concerned and Tai recognized her tone. Tai ran a hand through his hair he wasn't sure he could be totally honest, for he didn't totally understand what had happened. He looked at Matt. He suddenly felt guilty and he couldn't hold his gaze at his friend any longer.
"Tai fell. When Gomamon attacked, he fell towards the river. I tried to save him but I fell in too." Tai looked over at his sister. She was standing with her hand clutching the collar of her shirt.
"The rapids were really strong and Tai hit his head. We were pushed along until it got shallow and thats when Hank appeared. He carried Tai to his hide out and bandaged him up." Tai was thankful for his sister, she was leaving out details he'd rather not share with the others. He felt guilty but relieved at the same time. He gave her a nod and then continued.
"He showed us a machine that Piedmon was going to use to find us all. It was in another hideout not too fat from here. it looks like a small cabin. anyways he showed us the machine but not before he explained that Gennai's data has been compromised apparently he wants all humans and any traces of us out of the digital world. Hank says Gennai and Pythmon aren't exactly working for one another but they each want the same thing."
"What do you mean Gennai's data has been compromised? He's supposed to be a digital guardian!" Izzy stepped forward shocked and confused. Tai didn't blame his friend, he was still processing his own shock about their former ally.
"He's digital data. He's still a being who can be manipulated just like the Digimon themselves can." Hank spoke and the whole group turned to face him.
"But if Gennai can be turned against us, how can we trust you?" Joe asked and Tai felt the oldest digidestined made a valid point.
"I wasn't created here. I was a digidestined just like all of you. Instead of living out my years on earth I chose to be immortalized as a digital watch dog so to speak." Tai watched everyone share a look of confusion with one another. He looked to his sister who had stepped back looking more reserved then usual.
"I could not interfere with anything happening to you unless all the walls of protection for this world had collapsed. Gennai was the last line of defence at keeping the balance. When he turned, I became able to interfere in this world. To help restore it. I am here to help you. To help you find your Digimon and to restore the balance." Tai looked to Matt who was looking down at Gabumon.
"So what are we to do? half of us don't have digivices and our Digimon have been corrupted. The other half are sitting ducks with no Digimon." Tai could feel Matts anger. He knew his friend had a point.
"There is a strength within all of you that has yet to be unleashed. Not anyone can be a digidestined you know." Tai looked to Hank. On some level he believed what Hank was saying, The eight of them were chosen it had to be a special type of person.
"Why? I mean everyone has the capacity of goodness and holding a balance within themselves. Digimon partners bring out the good in people, why can't anyone be a digidestined?" Tai should have known his sister would question Hank on this. She saw the good in everyone. He was aware she had some secret desire to build a world where all humans and digmon could coexist.
"Its not that simple Kari. Being a digidestined isn't about having a positive bond with a partner, its about handling the balance and unbelievable burden that having a partner can bring." Hank explained. Tai stepped forward but TK spoke first,
"But isn't that the goal? To have humans and Digimon live amongst one another peacefully?" Hank shook his head and Tai was now intrigued as to where he was going in his explanation
"Having a partner changes a person and depends on a human having the same bond within their partner to protect and love their partner at any cost. But that same bond also comes with the ability to let go and allow the bond to be broken if the partner is corrupted enough." Matt quickly jumped in,
"We would never do that! Look at Gabumon! He was under Pythmons control and I got through to him! We would never destroy our own partners!" Hank sighed,
"But I think you would." The group gasped and Tai frowned now feeling anger towards Hank as he thought about Agumon.
"Look at all the Digimon you destroyed over the years. Devimon, Myotismon, Piedmon. You knew these Digimon were beyond saving. They needed to be destroyed and you accomplished that."
"But those were evil Digimon! they were going to hurt humans and Digimon if we didn't stop them!" Mimi cried.
"Exactly, you saw what needed to be done. It didnt corrupt you eight though, it strengthened you." Tai was now confused, he couldn't make heads or tails of what killing evil Digimon had to do with killing their own Digimon and how that connected to not everyone being able to have one.
"I don't understand." Tai admitted and Hank faced him.
"Those Digimon, were once in primary village and were chosen to be with a partner." The group again gasped.
"It was the design of this world that each Digimon be partnered with a human. But the humans were corrupted. The digimons data was tainted and they became evil. The humans became consumed by the bond and became the very thing they swore to protect, they became evil and corrupted and were lost to their partners."
"You mean the Digimon killed their human partners?" Joe exclaimed.
"Yes. So then it was decided that only those who could handle the toll of the bond would be chosen. Only those destined to restore the balance. You eight came after this decision was made. I lost friends to their partners. They were convinced they could get through to them and they were wrong. Others were convinced they could get through to any and all Digimon and they too were killed. Its not about being able to get through to the corrupted Digimon and saving everyone. Its about making the decisions that keep a balance. Which means both good and evil must exist."
"Without darkness there can't be light." Kari mumbled and Hank nodded.
"You seem to understand that. There is no saving everyone. There is only maintaining and restoring." Tai scrunched his nose. He wasn't sure he believed that entirely.
"What about Ogremon!" Mimi shouted and Tai looked to her confused.
"We got through to him! He was corrupted he even told us he was a virus type who wasn't supposed to be good. But he was and he became our friend." Hank gave Mimi a soft smile.
"There is some capacity of good in all things Mimi. That is true. But when it refuses to come out it isn't destined to. Thats where you have to draw the line and accept the bad for what it is. Its bad and its there to stay. You can't rid the world of bad without destroying good as well. If your Digimon were corrupted beyond repair the digital world picked you because it believes you would be able to break your bond if that were to happen." Hank stopped and moment and Tai could feel his friends mulling over Hanks information.
"A digidestined is a protector of the balance of the digital world. It is also a protector of the human world. The digital world exists as it does with good things and bad just as the human world does. A digidestined's job comes when the balance is disrupted and the evil is too much." the group was silent. Tai looked amongst his friends. No one seemed to be happy with Hanks words. Tai spoke up fuming
"So what about our partners now?! what about Pythmon and Gennai?! What's our purpose if bad exists? Do we go home and let it be?!" Tai narrowed his eyes he didn't want to leave this world when it needed them. And despite Hanks words, he knew it needed them.
"As it is right now there is no balance. Evil is running the digital world. The light of good is fading and that is why you are here. There is a power within you that you can unleash to help this world. A connection you eight have that no others have. But its not with your partners, its with each other." Tai looked to Sora. She captured her right hand in her left and breathed in. He remembered when she went cold in the forest, she said she saw Matt.
"What do we do?" Tai asked. Hank breathed in,
"We need to find a way to diminish the evil and bring back the light. you can even see it in the woods, the digital world is darker. Its colour more bleak and grey."
"So we restore the light, we find our partners and we defeat Pythmon." Matt concluded and Hank nodded,
"There maybe more. It may be the darkness is spreading. It may have even corrupted one of you. The question you have to ask yourselves is if that has happened, can you destroy it in its entirety." Kari gasped and Tai saw TK look at her a moment before addressing Hank.
"You're asking us to do the impossible! You just said we have a unique bond between us and now you're saying there could be a chance that we have to destroy one of our own?! We won't do that!" He was angry and firm. More angry then Tai had seen him.
"You would be surprised by your abilities TK. When the darkness is about to win, you eight always seem to come out on top. I expect the same results this time around." Tai was wary of Hank. He seemed to be implying they would succeed in destroying each other. Tai decided the group had had enough.
"Its time for us to rest." He announced and everyone looked at him surprised.
"This is a lot to take in and none of us are thinking clearly. I think were all too tired and angry to use Hanks words constructively."
"So you believe him!" Matt interjected and Tai shook his head,
"Thats not what I'm saying Matt. I dont. I do think that our digimon are out there and they need us. Kari and TK can lead us into the underground bunker. I have a feeling some of them may still be down there. As for the others, we have to be ready to face them, not to destroy them but to bring them back to us. We have Gabumon and that will help but were still at a disadvantage. I just think we'll be able to formulate a plan if we rest up a bit." Tai looked to Hank.
"Im sure there is some wisdom in what you're trying to tell us but I still think you're wrong. We weren't chosen solely because we could defeat evil in whatever form even if that includes our friends. We were chosen to protect the good and each other. We won't turn on one another for the betterment of the balance. We'll stand united to save our friends." Tai then looked at the group,
"Joe, why don't you look over TK. I know he said he was okay but I think some of those cuts could use some attention." Joe nodded and walked over the younger boy. Tai watched his sister sit next to TK and hold a hand onto his arm. Tai looked up at Hank who nodded at him,
"Rest then, you will all be safe here." Tai nodded but still felt a twinge of suspicion. Hank walked away from the group and Tai walked over to Matt, Izzy, Mimi and Sora.
"I think we should have someone stay guard." He spoke in a quiet voice and the others nodded.
"I will," Izzy announced.
"I want to conduct some research on the imbalance Hank was speaking of. I think I can devise a program that can show me where on the digital map the most upset resides. This may also lead to an explanation for Gennai's sudden corruption."
"If Gennai has been corrupted at all." Sora whispered. Mimi grabbed Soras arm,
"what are you saying Sora?" Sora looked behind herself and then back at Tai and the others,
"Its just suspicious. Im not sure I fully trust Hank. What if he's the one whose disrupted everything?" Tai swallowed, He hadn't thought of that. His stomach tightened and he saw Mimi pale. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"Its okay Meems. We stick together. Izzy will stay up for now and then he can wake one of us up in a few hours so he can sleep. For now though, lets keep this to ourselves. One thing at a time. The most important thing is our digimon." Tai saw Matt rub a hand over Gabumons fur,
"Yeah, I'm gonna check on TK." He announced and Tai gave him a nod. Tai was about to move when he noticed Gabumon staring at him.
"What is it Gabumon?" Gabumon stared into Tai's eyes a moment and then shrugged. "I thought I saw something familiar. I think I'm imagining things." He smiled and Tai looked at the Digimon confused.
"I think I'm gonna lie down." Tai said and Sora Mimi and Izzy nodded at him. Tai sat down on the ground and had his back against the wall. He watched his friends and then slowly focused on something in his mind,
"Don't let it win" Agumon spoke and Tai's eyes went wide.
"Im fine Matt." TK rolled his eyes and Kari watched him with a smirk. She knew he was annoyed at all the attention but she was happy Joe and Matt were fussing over him. She thought back to when she first found him. He was so beaten and bruised. She squeezed his arm a little. Joe moved TK's chin so he could inspect some bruising on his cheek.
"Im surprised your walking at all right now TK. These bruises and cuts are pretty nasty. You should be sore." Kari watched TK give her a small wink,
"I told you, Kari healed me. I feel fine." Matt moved in closer,
"You were missing for a while squirt. Of course were going to worry a little." Kari smiled watching TK nod at his brother. Matt sighed,
"Between you and Mimi I sure hope this is the worst of it." Kari sat more comfortably next to TK.
"What happened to Mimi?" TK asked.
"She was attacked by Fridgimon," Matt explained,
"she seems to be doing a lot better now though." Matt gave Kari a look and then looked at TK's arm where Karis hand was still holding. He then looked at Joe,
"Maybe you want to give Mimi a last check? I'll stay here with Teeks." Joe sighed,
"Yeah sure." He said and Kari watched him stand and walk over to Mimi and Sora.
"I hope he doesn't mind how much we rely on his medical skills." Kari said feeling slightly guilty for how often they ask Joe to check on the hurt members of the group.
"This is Joes calling. Trust me, he doesn't mind." Kari looked at Matt who had an odd expression on his face. He pointed a finger at TK and then Kari,
"I think there is something going on with you two though." Kari went wide eyed a moment. She looked down at her hand which was clutching TK's arm. She slowly released her hold on his arm and then looked up at Matt. He smirked and then went serious,
"Just be careful. You both have been through a lot and I don't want this to distract you." Kari was a little confused. Matt smiled,
"I'm being selfish, but I'm sure Tai would feel the same way about you Kari. We don't want you to put yourselves in anymore danger then is necessary. Knowing you two, you wouldn't hesitate to help one another. I just want to make sure you're not going to do anything reckless as a result of well… this." He pointed again at Kari and then TK. Kari breathed out and looked over to the others. Her brother was sitting leaning against the wall seemingly in his own world. Everyone else was talking amongst themselves paying them no attention. She looked back at Matt and opened her mouth to speak, TK gripped her hand and spoke sternly,
"I'll do anything to protect Kari Matt. You should know that by now." Kari felt a little uncomfortable with TK's tone. She squeezed his hand hoping to calm him.
"I know squirt. Just be careful okay? We're in some pretty hot water right now." he then focused his gaze on Kari.
"And I know you and Tai are going through some things of your own Kar." Kari froze her mind drifted to the wound on her forehead and she felt very vulnerable and exposed. She didn't want to think about home or the things that had occurred before they were whisked away to the digital world.
"We're fine Matt. I appreciate that you care but Im not going to leave Kari's side." TK still had a tinge of anger in his tone. Kari saw Matt's face soften.
"I'm not saying that Teeks. I promise I'm not trying to break you two up. I also won't say anything to the others, I'm assuming Tai doesn't know." Kari pulled a face feeling guilty.
"I'll take that as a yes." Matt concluded and Kari looked away.
"Just be smart and don't be reckless. Thats all I'm asking. The two of you have the biggest hearts here and I just don't want you to get hurt because of that." Kari's memories drifted to when she first arrived in the digital world, they thought there was a helpless Digimon in the water and her and TK were the first to rush in to try and save it. She remembered both Matt and Tai quickly intervening to stop them. She looked at Matt now understanding his concern.
"Nothing reckless, we promise." She replied and Matt nodded,
"Look after each other." He said and he stood and gave the two a nod. He then turned and went to join the others. Kari turned to face TK. He looked at her a moment slightly confused,
"You know why he was like that?" He asked and Kari nodded,
"He's your big brother. He only wants you to be safe." She brought their intertwined hands to her lips and gave TK's hand a soft kiss.
"I meant what I said though." TK started to say. Kari looked up at him. "I won't leave you. It's you and me." Kari gave him a small smile. She looked behind her. Mimi and Joe were sitting together. Izzy had his laptop open and he was focused on that. Sora and Matt were sitting down talking with Gabumon while Tai's eyes were half closed as he remained seated against the wall. Kari looked for Hank and couldn't see him in the room. She looked down the hall and noticed a light was on in and figured he was in another room. She turned to TK and he seemed to have the same idea she did. She felt him release her hand and then both his hands were on her face. He brought her close and kissed her lips. Kari wrapped her arms around his waist as he continued to kiss her. She wanted to keep kissing him but also felt awkward kissing him so openly when anyone could see them. She pulled back slightly and TK smiled and kissed her forehead.
"I'm never going to leave you." TK whispered and Kari closed her eyes. She loved the way he spoke to her. It filled her heart with warmth and safety. She wanted to curl into his arms and have him hold her close. She thought of her brother and resisted.
"I need to check on Tai." She whispered and TK sighed.
"Yeah, he's been by himself a while. Im not sure how he feels about everything Hank said." Kari nodded,
"Im not sure I trust him anymore." She said referring to Hank. TK nodded and rested his forehead against hers.
"One more." He whispered and Kari allowed him to capture her lips with his own. The kiss was soft and gentle. She loved how smooth his lips were and how hers melted into his. He pulled back.
"Im okay." He said and Kari looked at him confused. He smiled and moved his hands to rub her arms.
"When Joe was checking on me. I felt you squeeze my arm like you were worried about me. I just wanted you to know I'm okay." Kari closed her eyes thankful he had noticed that. She nodded and then cupped his face with her hands. She wanted to tell him how she felt. How long she had been waiting for him to hold her like this. She kept quiet saving those words for another time. She kissed his cheek and then slowly eased herself out of his arms. It was hard to do but she tried not to look at TK as she did. She knew she would be compelled to curl into his embrace if she did. Kari stood and rolled her shoulders back. She looked over at her brother and no longer felt her desire for TK's hold. She wanted to be with her brother and to see how he was doing. She went over and sat next to him.
"Tai?" She asked and he opened is eyes and looked at her,
"Oh. Kar. You okay?" He asked and Kari nodded.
"I just wanted to check on you. You've been sitting by yourself for a bit." Tai looked around,
"I have?" He asked and Kari nodded feeling some concern creep through her.
"What do you think about Hank?" She asked and Tai sat up a little more alert,
"We shouldn't talk about it. Not here. I think we should rest. You should rest, you were attacked." Kari sighed,
"I'm fine, it was TK that was hurt, not me." Tai nodded and then stood.
"Yeah, and Mimi. I need to check on everyone." He moved away from Kari and Kari sighed. He was becoming more distant. He seemed to be avoiding her. It was subtle she knew but she also knew her brother. There wasn't a lot he was ever subtle about. Unless he was avoiding something. Tai was loud and impulsive. He was goofy and not afraid to get right into peoples personal space. He had been drifting slowly away. She really noticed it after Hank bandaged him up. She watched him check on Mimi and then walk over and help TK to his feet. He patted TK's shoulder and then addressed the group.
"K everyone I think its time we get some sleep." Everyone was quiet but they nodded. Kari saw TK give her a look and she knew he wanted her to sleep close to him. She moved her chin towards Mimi and Sora who were both laying down together. TK nodded and Kari walked over to the girls. she slid into a spot next to Sora and kept her face looking at Sora. She heard Gabumon lay down with Matt at her feet. She then felt someone lay down on her other side. She waited a moment as she heard her brother and Joe lay down. She heard footsteps and sat up and saw Hank standing in the doorway.
"I brought some pillows and blankets." He announced and she stretched her hand out to receive a blanket and pillow from Hank. Everyone shuffled around as they adjusted with their pillows and blankets. Kari spread her blanket out and tried to not look as the person next to her grabbed the corner of her blanket and shared it.
"Good night Digidestined. Until tomorrow." Hank announced and he flicked a switch darkening the room. Kari then felt two arms wrap themselves around her and she nestled into TK's front.
"Goodnight" TK whispered in her ear and he felt him kiss her head. She slowly closed her eyes and drifted to sleep hearing only the typing of Izzy's keyboard.