Hello and welcome to the second chapter of Dream Destined! I hope you enjoyed the revised first chapter, and will enjoy this one as well. Instead of writing a separate story about Kouki's group as I promised in the original version of this story, I'm going to be working in chapters about their adventures, the first which should be Chapter 5. All the same, I don't own Digimon, but please enjoy and don't forget to favor, follow and review!
Chapter 2
The Digigate opens
The walk home had been long and dark, but today was the first day in weeks that Kouki hadn't made the walk alone. TK, Yolei and Cody accompanied him, buzzing with excitement about the Digiworld and offering up as many answers at questions. After spending so long going through a brief story about his own adventures and listening to the others, Kouki was socially exhausted. He had probably talked more today to his classmates than he had all year last year.
But if it meant saving the Digiworld, it will be well worth the effort.
"Have a good night, Kouki," Yolei bid as he left the elevator. With a mere tired wave, he walked to his door as the elevator doors closed, shutting off the revival of excited chatter. With a yawn, Kouki pushed open the door only to be bowled over in an instant.
"Kouki!" the joyous offender squealed, "You've come back so late I didn't know what I'd do if you hadn't returned when you did."
"Yua? What are you doing here?" Kouki groaned, gently prodding the girl off him to sit back up.
"Well Katsuo called us saying you hadn't called him today so he called you to ask why you hadn't called him and when you didn't pick up he called us," Yua replied, helping her friend to his feet, "You know how Katsuo is since we got back from the Digiworld, just doesn't want to see any of us hurt when he could do something about it."
"I hope you have a good reason for getting us all summoned here," another teen added, as they walked in. Sipping from a mug of what was undoubtedly black coffee was Takeshi, looking as smug as ever.
"Oh? And why are you here?" Kouki replied coldly.
"For your information I am part of this team whether you like it or not, Kouki. So, what? Make some new friends at school or something? Go ahead, give us a good excuse, I bet Katsuo would just love to hear it," Takeshi retorted with a growl.
"Takeshi, stop teasing my brother," a new voice interjected.
"Oh, come on Katsuo we were just having some fun," Yua called as the two new additions walked into the living room. Katsuo and Asuka made their way into the living room, the perfect embodiment of a regal couple.
"Where were you at exactly?" Asuka implored taking a seat on the couch.
"I'm glad you asked," Kouki responded, launching into the story of his adventures; from discovering the fellow Digidestined at his school to Armor Digivolving.
"Interesting, so there is a way to get back to the Digiworld? Perhaps we should all go and this Emperor, surely, he can't be any stronger than what we've already faced," Takeshi mused, "And if Saemon says she can still Digivolve, no one else should have issues with it either. I'd say this problem is already taken care of."
"No, no way are we all going into the Digiworld again. We've already risked our lives saving that world once, we aren't doing it again. You aren't going to go back tomorrow Kouki. Do you understand me? It's too dangerous," Katsuo growled. He stood up, leaving no room for argument as he went out onto the patio, cutting himself off from the group in an instant.
They sat in silence for a while, waiting for Katsuo to rejoin them, once ten minutes had passed Asuka cleared her throat. "I'll-I'll talk to him about it. But you know how he feels, we all gave up so much for the Digiworld, I don't know if we can afford to do that again. Look, Yua can you join Kouki tomorrow? I'd feel much safer having one of us by his side."
"Naturally," Yua snorted, "I'd like to see what exactly this other team can do."
"I'm fine without anyone coming with me," Kouki protested, wondering how exactly he should contact the others about this. The only phone number he had was Izzy's, who had insisted on putting it into his phone. Sighing, Kouki massaged the bridge of his nose, battling away the beginnings of a headache. "Fine," he relented, "I'll ask but I need to get some sleep tonight, do you guys mind?"
"I'll see you tomorrow then," Yua replied, "I've got to get home anyway, I think all of us do."
"Alright, but I expect you both to report about your day tomorrow night. I'll get Katsuo and we'll be out of your way for the night, Kouki."
The school day dragged by slowly, teachers droning and assigning homework, which hopefully Kouki could complete before tomorrow. Yet, the monotony of the day was worth it, another trip to the Digiworld and once again seeing Saemon would revitalize the Digidestined of Dreams as they fought the Digimon Emperor.
Luckily, Izzy had given the go ahead to bring Yua to the Digiworld today too, and once the final bell rang Kouki was the first out of the door. "Kouki! It's been so long!" Yua cried upon seeing him, hugging him tightly in an instant.
"I just saw you yesterday," Kouki mumbled, face red as the attention of nearby students turned to him and the relatively rambunctious girl.
"Are you ready?" Yua inquired as he finally broke free of her hug. It had been impossible for her to sit still all day, much less sleep last night. The mere thought of seeing Bearmon and being in the Digiworld again sounded like a dream. But it was happening, and at this point Yua would sacrifice herself if it meant saving the Digiworld again.
"Yeah, let's go," Kouki replied, leading the way into the school and onward to the computer lab. The rest of the group were already in the computer lab as they made it.
"Hello," Kouki greeted, "Um this is Yua, she went to the Digiworld with me and wanted to try and help out against the Digimon Emperor."
Yua nodded solemnly, "That's right. I won't forgive anyone who treats Digmon like things. I hope I'll be able to help you out in the future too!"
"Nice to know that someone else is on our side," Davis grinned, "But let's hurry up and get to the Digiworld! We haven't got all day!"
"Is everyone okay?" Izzy questioned, his voice laced with pain at their abrupt landing. The group of Chosen Children had landed in a heap among grassy fields of the Digiworld. Their entrance could have definitely been a bit more graceful if you were to ask Kouki.
"Yeah but I feel like I just went through the rinse cycle in the dish washer," Davis groaned loudly, standing up and rubbing his tail bone. The Digidestined grumbled their agreement, surveying the land around them. With the spectacular scenery and absence of hundreds of thousands of people, Kouki could say in full confidence that he liked the Digiworld much better that the human one.
"VEEMON! VEEMON, WHERE ARE YOU?"
At least, he'd like it better if Davis wasn't screaming in his ear right now.
All the same the same, the group made their way through the grassy, rolling hills chattering about the Digiworld and Digimon. "It is nice to be back," Yua commented to the rest of the group, "It's exactly how I remember it being."
"How long were you trapped in the Digiworld exactly?" Izzy questioned, his curiosity piqued by the newest addition to their party. He had been meaning to ask Kouki about his adventures last night, but the teenager had left so suddenly he had missed his chance. Not to mention the distinct social awkwardness Kouki seemed to carry around with him—a heavy burden to carry around—gave Izzy the impression that even if they did talk it would only last a few moments until they got to know each other.
"Hm, well let's see... I suppose it could have been around two months or more. Time didn't pass in the real world, but it always seemed like we were gone forever. Without a calendar we just sorta stopped caring at one point. What do you think, Kouki?"
"Maybe three months," Kouki mumbled quickly, keeping his eyes focused on the hills around them, watching for his Digimon. Wishful thinking aside, it didn't exactly seem like either Digidestined was open to sharing their story.
"It's really nice to know we weren't the only kids saving the world," Sora added in, "So, who was your partner, Yua?"
"Oh Bearmon! He's really the best partner I could have ever asked for. I'm so excited to see him again!" Yua proclaimed.
"Veemon! Veemon, where are you?" Davis called out once more
"Davis! Davis, I'm over here!" a voice called back. The blue rookie level Digimon stuck out like a sore thumb against the green grass, running to his partner. Davis bended down to greet him, shaking hands with his friend.
"Davis, Saemon and I found Patamon and some others too!" Veemon explained.
It was hard to ignore how Kouki perked up at the mere mention of Saemon, a small smile spreading across his face at the thought of seeing his Digimon two days in a row. Over the crest of the hill the rest of the Digidestined could see their Digimon running forth, leading to the joyous reunion.
Bearmon and Yua sobbed as they held each other tightly, babbling nonsensically at they went. Saemon, having seen Kouki yesterday was content merely sitting in his arms as he gently brushed through her long fur. "The others are all busy, but if we need any help they told us that they're ready," Saemon informed, her tail unconsciously swaying back and forth as Kouki scratched behind her ears.
"You did a great job, Saemon. Are you rested enough for today, we might end up fighting again?"
"You can count on my, Kouki! Veemon and I can do it together," Saemon boosted, proud of her newfound strength and friends. It had been a long time since she'd worked with a team, much less been around so many Digimon who were as social as she was.
A cloud passed overhead, casting a brief shadow over the Digidestined. However, as the gentle breeze blew the cloud away, a large Digimon remained, Snimon swooped downwards, straight towards Sora.
"Move Sora!" TK cried, jumping forward and pushing his teammate to the ground as the Snimon barely missed them overhead.
"Spiral Twister!" Biyomon said sending whirling green wind towards the Snimon.
"Boom bubble pop!" Patamon saved up air and released the air attack.
"Super shocker!" lightning crackled as Tentamon's move electrocuted the bug Digimon.
"Karate Fist!" Bearmon shouted.
The giant bug dodged all quartet of attacks, leaving Gatomon a small opening as she landed a Lighting Paw. Yet, Snimon was unfazed, the Rookie level attack doing little harm to it. Instead Snimon used his scythe like appendages to knock the smaller cat pokemon out of the sky. "I'm sorry, but without my tail ring, I don't have enough power," Gatomon exclaimed, her voice strained from her painful landing.
"Don't worry about, Saemon and I can Armor Digivolve."
"Davis, let's do it," Kouki proposed, letting Saemon hop out of his arms as he reached for the Digivice in his pocket.
"Right!" Davis agreed.
A crack rang through the air, a moment later the ground falling out from beneath Davis and Saemon. The slid down the side of the newly carved cave until Davis could grab onto a small ledge of rock, narrowly grabbing Saemon by a paw to prevent him from falling further down.
"Davis! Saemon!" Kouki cried, leaning over the side of the hole where he could see a Drimogenmon slowly clambering its way up towards Davis and Saemon.
"Are you okay?" Veemon called down.
"Does it look like we're okay?" Saemon demanded, spinning a bit in midair, unable to grab onto the wall and stop.
"We'll have you up in a moment," Kouki called back down, wondering just how he was supposed to accomplish such a task that seemed so impossible now.
To add to the never-ending list of problems—with a vicious roar—a Mojymon emerged from the forest. "Great, just great," Kouki muttered bitterly, looking over to the others who were having enough trouble fending off the Snimon. It would have been preferably to have more help, but for now, Veemon would have to do. "Veemon, I'm going to try and reach them, can you hold onto my ankles in case I state to fall?" Kouki proposed.
"I can try," Veemon assured as Kouki began to crawl his way further over the hole. Already he could feel the Rookie Digimon tremble with excess weight. But there wasn't much else he could do at the moment, his fear increasing at the Drimogenmon's grumbles echoed in the pit.
"Ah bone boomerang!"
Before even comprehending the attack's purpose, Kouki was overtaken by a feeling of weightlessness as he began to fall into the hole, followed close behind by Veemon. Desperately, Kouki grabbed onto the small Digimon, holding him tight as they fell. "Kouki, Veemon!" Davis shouted, releasing the ledge in hopes of catching them.
The last thing Kouki registered before he passed out was landing on a large, fluffy surface, still cradling Veemon to shield him from the worst of the fall.
"Kouki!" Yua bellowed, watching—as if in slow motion—as Veemon was knocked into the gaping earthen hole.
"Oh my! They're gone," Yolei wailed falling to her knees, "The ground just opened up and swallowed them!"
"Well I wanna go home now," Cody commented, trembling slightly.
"Don't worry, we'll get you two home soon. But right now, we need to focus on getting out of here safely ourselves," Yua explained.
"But what about Davis and Kouki?" Cody questioned, seemingly panicked at the aspect of losing the two members of their group. Who knows, maybe this group could be beneficial to Kouki, Yua thought.
"They'll be fine they have Veemon and Saemon, but I don't know about us, our Digimon are only at half strength!" Sora pointed out.
"I can't take this I want to go home!" Yolei yelled, still on her knees as the large Digimon came at the group of humans and rookies.
Kouki blearily entered some state of consciousness wondering why the heck Davis was in his room. And proceeding to panic about that fact that he was not in his room but hanging off the cliff. "Why today?" Kouki murmured still partially asleep.
"You're up!" Davis exclaimed, his usual loud voice echoing between the two cliff sides.
"Yes, I am. Now, where are we?" Kouki inquired, "Besides hanging off a cliff face that is."
"You're just hanging out," a new voice said. Standing atop the cliff wall—a rather unfortunate position to look at since Davis and Kouki had to tilt their heads all the way back to see him—was, well at least Kouki assumed to be the Digimon Emperor.
"Who are you?"
"I'm your worst nightmare come to life. Frankly I'm rather disappointed that I could capture you so easily," the caped villain responded.
Kouki couldn't help but snort, what a stereotypical response for a villain to say in this sort of situation. Like something you'd find in an old book or a 1940s movie.
"Are you the Digimon emperor?" Davis questioned.
"Speaking," the Digimon Emperor replied, obviously annoyed by Davis' loud volume. Well at least he didn't have to hear it bouncing continuously between the two cliffs.
"But you're a kid just like me," Davis loudly protested. Really, the Digimon Emperor didn't have some secret lair he could have taken them to for this session of twenty questions?
"What were you expecting Davis some old dude," Kouki bit back, "Ah, never mind I take that back, he could actually be old and hiding it from us."
Now that seemed to get on his nerves, so instead of retorting the Digimon Emperor snapped his finger and two pieces of the opposing cliffside turned around, revealing Saemon and Veemon trapped in kennels.
"Veemon!" Davis yelled.
"Saemon! Are you okay?"
"Five more minutes," Saemon muttered from her cage, curled into a tight ball of fur. Slowly she untangled herself, stretching as much as she could in the small kennel.
"Hey Davis, great view, isn't it?" Veemon asked.
"I haven't had time to look. Hey armor Digivolve." Davis yelled back.
"Eh just one problem. Aren't you going to need these to pull off that little trick?" the Digimon Emperor chuckled as the quartet spied the two Digivices in his hand.
"Well there goes that plan, anymore bright ideas?"
After miraculously escaping from the two attacking Digimon in the woods, the group slowly made their way, keeping an eye out for any more mind controlled Digimon. Each Digidestined so far on edge that the slightest sound of wind rustling through the trees was enough to startle them. But the sudden beep was enough to make them all jump.
"This Digivice is starting to make noise," Cody announced, pulling out the small handheld device to show the others.
"My Digivice is going off too, I think something's nearby," TK agreed.
"A building of some sort," Sora added.
"There are no buildings," Biyomon informed, exasperated from walking aimlessly thus far.
"Nope just the temple," Tentamon commented.
"The temple?" Sora asked.
"Ya but they couldn't hook enough weddings," Tentamon said.
"Well something in there is making our Digivices go off and I don't think it's the caters. Let's look," Sora suggested.
As the group forged onward Yua paused, dwelling in the cover of the trees.
"Yua what's wrong," Bearmon inquired looking up at her partner as she watched the group journey out of eye sight.
"I just feel like we should go find Kouki, you said that you're still at full power which means the Dark Towers hasn't had any effect on you yet. And it feels like I'm wasting time here," Yua sighed. While she had been so excited to return to the Digiworld an hour before, the brief trip was enough to remind her of the dangers that always awaited the Chosen Children at every turn and twist.
"Yua, I'm sure that if we stick with the others they'll come up with a plan. You said that only Kouki was going to be working with them. If that's the case we can't be there to help them at every step," Bearmon pointed out.
"But Kouki was taken," Yua countered.
"Don't worry this is Kouki were talking about!"
By the time Yua and Bearmon got to the others there were two more Digimon. Thankfully no seemed to have noticed the two hadn't been there. "Beg your pardon but for us to Armor Digivolve you must saw Digiarmor energize," Hawkmon supplied kindly.
"Give us back our Digivices," Davis yelled.
"And let Saemon and Veemon go, they have nothing to do with this," Kouki added. The Digidestined of dreams swore that the moment he was able to, the Digimon would get a taste of his own medicine, stuck in the same gully as an enraged Davis yelled.
"Yeah right, you've both been trespassing on my garden without my permission. And as your punishment you will be forced to watch Saemon and Veemon as they become my slaves," the Digimon Emperor snapped back, grinning victoriously as the Dark Rings descended towards the Digimon Duo.
Saemon spared the Dark Ring little more than a glance, at this point she was more worried about her partner. Perhaps she and Veemon could survive falling down the cliff face but Davis and Kouki would surely be hurt if the Digimon Emperor were to grow annoyed and release them.
Veemon began to babble from his kennel, hoping to delay the Digimon Emperor, eyeing the Dark Ring as it neared him.
Saemon do you think we should try even if we don't have our Digivices? Kouki asked using their mind link.
It's too risky we must depend of Yua and the others to get us out of here. Don't worry, Kouki. We'll get out of this somehow.
"Tempest wing!" Two red beams shot out, hitting the Dark Rings as the voice echoed around the canyon. Kouki sighed in relief, glad that his Digimon was no longer in danger but rather they were saved.
"Who's that?" the Digimon Emperor howled, frantically surveying his surroundings to find out who ruined his evil plans.
"Davis, Kouki hold on!" Yolei called riding into view on Holsmon.
"Save Saemon and Veemon!" Kouki ordered, Davis furiously nodding in agreement. Abruptly, the wall behind Veemon and Saemon cracked open, both Rookies falling into the arms of Digmon instead of further into the chasm.
"Sorry ta burst in on ya like this," Digmon said.
"You coulda knocked," Veemon joked lightly.
Meanwhile, on the ledge the Digimon Emperor turned to face two very angry Digimon: Gatomon and Bearmon. The cat Digimon's fur rose, her tail lashing back and forth while Bearmon cracked his knuckles, looking rather menacing for his tiny physique.
"This litter box ain't big enough for the two of us," Gatomon hissed. Bearmon nodded in agreement as both approached the Digimon Emperor, boxed in by the cliff and the two Rookies.
However, unexpectedly a Wormmon scuttled in front of the Digimon Emperor. "Keep your paws to yourself, you big bullies," Wormmon shouted with all the viciousness it could muster. Gatomon punched the Wormmon sending him back and knocking the Digivices out of the Digimon Emperor's hands.
"You're useless!" the Digimon Emperor howled with rage.
Below, Yolei caught the two Digivices, passing them to Kouki and Davis who rode of Holsmon behind her. Just in time too as the three Digimon from the earlier attack appeared.
"Now it's time for a little payback!" Davis proclaimed.
"Digiarmor Energize!" the dynamic duo shouted, activating their Digivices.
In Veemon's place now stood Flamedramon, a sight for sore eyes and in Saemon's place was Shisoumon instantly taking to the air.
"Let's show them what armor Digimon can do," Flamedramon said.
As Snimon charged Holsmon—still burdened by the three Digidestined—Shisoumon engaged him, the two interlocking in battle. As the flying duo twisted and turned in the sky, occasionally dive bombing a few feet before ascending once more, the ice and light Digimon could slice through the Dark Ring. Instantly the two Digimon withdrew, Snimon taking in his surroundings with confusion at his abrupt awakening.
Flamedramon charged Mojymon, quickly subduing the controlled Digimon while Digmon took care of Dimergomon's Dark Ring.
"Sorry we had to fight you, but we had to get rid of the dark rings, I hope were still buds," Veemon told the newly freed Digimon as the group reconvened on the ground.
"It's okay thanks for saving us," Mojymon assured, leading his companions away from the canyon, each silently swearing to never fall victim to the Dark Rings again.
"He makes me so mad!" Davis growled, pounding his fist into the dirt., "Digimon emperor! I'll show him who's in charge around here!"
"Settle down," Hawkmon chided, turning to his new master, "So Yolei will I be able to come to your assistance from now on?"
"Absolutely!"
"It's good to know we have more Digimon on the team now," Kouki commented.
The group turned to look at him, each shocked. Kouki flinched at the sudden attention, turning his eyes downwards to avoid looking at the others. "Great job, pal," Davis commented loudly, slinging his arm around Kouki's shoulders, "I didn't say it then, but it's great that you're opening up. Kouki instantly buried his face in his hands, trying to hide his embarrassment. And as the rest of the Digidestined laughed around him, he thought that maybe spending so much time with them wouldn't be that bad.
Soon enough the group had returned to the computer lab but with a few more additions. Kouki was on the bottom of the stack with a soft ball of ice blue and white fur on his head. Despite being at the bottom of the dog pile, seeing Saemon's in training form, Shimon, in this world was enough to make his day. "What happened to you guys?" Tai questioned, entering the computer lab to the sight of the Digidestined.
"Please don't ask," everyone groaned, slowly untangling themselves.
"The new Digimon changed to their in-training forms," Tai commented, helping the Digidestined up one by one.
"Wow he's so cute," Yolei said rubbing her Digimon.
"I don't understand who this little fella can turn himself into such a great big creature like Digmon," Cody remarked.
"Nice to see you again Shimon," Kouki added.
"Are we gonna have to do this every time we come back?" Kari asked gesturing loosely to the floor to reference their earlier mess.
"And I thought Digivolving was a tough job," Patamon joked.
"Well at least we made it back to the real world safe and sound," T.K. pointed out.
"I wouldn't say sound," Yua commented, popping her back.
"And Biyomon, Tentamon and Bearmon aren't here," Sora pointed out.
"Sora! Don't worry we'll be okay since the Digimon Emperor never comes out at night!" Biyomon interjected from the computer screen, waving to the Digidestined with Bearmon and Tentamon.
"All that power and he's afraid of the dark," Tentamon said.
"Let's meet again soon, Yua!" Bearmon said. Without another word the Digigate closed for the night, leaving the group of Digidestined and their Digimon in the computer lab.
"It's getting late," Tai remarked, gesturing to the windows where the group could see the sun slowly begin to set.
"Well let's all go home and get some rest. We'll need it for tomorrow," Sora suggested.
"Ya that's when we'll go back to the Digiworld and beat the Digimon Emperor!"
