The doctor examined Koichi thoroughly. TK and Patamon watched the boy with worry. When the female doctor found the puncture marks on the black-haired child's back, TK explained that an evil Digimon was after him and that he had attacked Koichi when no one was around. It was technically the truth. The woman prescribed a pain medication, and was about to send them on their way when a familiar group of people walked through the hospital doors. TK rushed over when he saw Kari carrying Kai in her arms, trailed by a teary MJ. "What happened!" the blond man exclaimed in worry. The doctor went up to them, "what happened?" she asked, taking Kai from his mother. "He just collapsed in School!" MJ sobbed, "he kept writhing around on the ground and screaming, no matter what anyone did, he wouldn't calm down. I didn't know what to do, so I called Mama" the brown-haired girl cried, tears trailing down her face in terror.
Salamon, who was sitting on her shoulder, rubbed her cheek against her partners to try and comfort the girl. TK frowned, "that's the same thing that happened to Koichi-Kun earlier when we were visiting Koji-Kun" he replied. Kari frowned, "do you think those wounds on the boys backs had to do with it?" she wondered. TK nodded "I do, we also found out that one of the Celestials from their Digital World has taken Koji's spirit from his body for some reason" he explained. Salamon frowned in confusion, "why would they do that?" she asked. TK shook his head and shrugged, "don't know, but Koichi is certain that it's for a good reason" he replied. When another doctor came up to them, everyone asked about the two Bearers of Darkness. "The two boys are fine. They're unconscious right now, but they seem to have relaxed considerably. They should be recovered enough in about half an hour to take home. Just make sure you keep an eye on them" the man explained. Kari nodded and smiled, "thank you very much doctor, we'll look after them" she said.
After they had gotten an early lunch, they took the two boys home and placed them in their beds. MJ stayed by her brother's side along with both their Digimon partners. For convenience, both Kai and Koichi were placed in the same room while they were being looked after. A while later, Kari checked Kai and gasped, "TK!" she called. The man rushed over to his son. What he saw made him shudder. Kai's Crest was glowing purple and pulsing like a human heart. "What is happening?" he muttered. MJ gripped her brother's hand, "what do we do Papa?" she asked worriedly. Tokomon whimpered and nuzzled her partner. TK clenched his fists and let out a breath, "I think we need to call Gennai, he's the only one I can think of that would know what to do in this situation" he said. Kari nodded, but she was reluctant to leave her son's side. She started to stand, before TK stood, "no, no, I got it" he said, picking up the home phone and dialling Izzy's number.
"Hello, Izumi residence" a young girl said when she answered the phone. "Hi Lexy-Chan," TK said with a smile, "is your Tou-San home?" he asked the 7 year old. "Tou-San and Tentomon should be home for lunch any moment, if he's not back during this conversation, I'll let him know to call you when he does get back" Lexy replied politely. "Thank you very much" TK said. "It's no problem at all Takashi-San, goodbye for the moment" the red-haired girl said before hanging up. The blond man hung up as well, and looked over at his son and charge. He felt so helpless at the moment. Both boys began to scrunch their faces and whimper in their sleep. MJ frowned in worry, gripping her twin's hand, "what's wrong with them?" Tokomon asked. "The stab wounds on their backs?" The brown-haired girl suggested. Kari shook her head, "no, I have a feeling that's not it this time. It's something else" she said with a frown. "I don't know, I think it's related to that, or the Digimon who caused them at least". MJ replied.
"So? What do we do?" Salamon asked. "Just wait," Gatomon replied, closing her eyes with a sigh.
(Within Koichi's mindscape) The black-haired 12 year old found himself alone in a dark place. He didn't know what it was, but the area he seemed to be in didn't feel scary. It felt safe, despite the ominous feeling others might experience in such a place. The darkness around him felt warm and calming. Koichi relaxed. At least he did for a moment. Suddenly a shudder went through him. The boy stared around himself, "hello? L-Lowermon?" he called. He prayed that it was his Digimon Spirit, but part of him knew that if it was Lowermon, he'd recognise him right away. Koichi hugged himself as the area seemed to get colder and colder, "hello!" he called. He really wished that Koji were here. "Where are you Lowermon!" he cried. At the moment he had nothing to protect himself with, and the Spirit of AncientSphinxmon seemed to be gone. Koichi closed his eyes. No, focus. Don't let your fear take control. If Lowermon were here, he'd tell him the same.
The Kimura took a deep breath. Be calm. Suddenly he sensed something and turned. There was a light coming towards him through the dark "Hello?" he called out. "Hello?" a faint voice called back. Koichi felt his heart drawn towards this person. They seemed so familiar. Koichi squinted at the light. As it got closer, there was a definite silhouette of a person, around his own height within the glow. "Who's there?" he asked, "Koichi?" the voice asked. The Dark Twins eyes widened, that voice. It was, "Koji?!" he cried. "Koichi!" his brother cried, rushing forwards quickly. Koichi ran as fast as his legs would carry him, almost knocking his brother down as he ploughed into the long-haired boy, "Koji, oh my god!" he exclaimed, clutching his twin like a lifeline. "Koichi, I'm so sorry!" the Light twin cried, gripping onto his brother just as hard, but strangely Koichi couldn't feel the pressure. "Where did you go?! Your body is empty Koji, your spirit- what the hell is going on?!"Koichi demanded to know.
The younger twin shook his head, "there's no time! Koichi, you've got to get out of here, it's not safe!"Koji demanded. "What? What are you talking about? Please, just talk to me Otouto!" Koichi screamed, squeezing his brother's arms. Koji didn't flinch, but his eyes welled up with tears, "I can't-" suddenly an evil feeling spread through the darkness, "he's here! Get out of here, hurry! I can't hold him off for long!" Koji exclaimed, looking around in determination. But Koichi was shocked to hear the fear in his brother's voice. "Koji-!" he cried desperately, but with an almighty shove, the other boy pushed him so hard the he felt himself begin to exit his mindscape, "please, just GO!" Koji begged. "Koji! NO KOJI!" the short-haired boy screamed, as his brothers light faded away. (Exit Koichi's mindscape)
Koichi's eyes snapped open and he shot up into a sitting position, "Koji!" he cried, hand held out until his vision cleared and he realised where he was. "Koichi-Kun! You're awake!" Hikari-San exclaimed, moving over to him. "Koji! I saw my brother in my mindscape! There was some kind of evil, and Koji was there and-" he gasped, but Hikari-San placed her hand on his shoulder, "please, try to calm down Koichi-Kun, it's okay-" she began, but the boy shrugged her off, "you're not listening to me!" he exclaimed. "We are listening to you Koichi, but you're nearly hysterical right now, please, try to calm down, okay?" TK asked. The Dark twin felt tears well up in his eyes and clenched them tightly, but he tried to calm himself. When he felt like he wasn't about to burst into tears, he began to explain what he had experienced in his mind. "Koji-Kun is inside your mind? So what, he's Astral Projecting his spirit into it?" MJ asked, frowning in confusion.
"Something like that, yeah," the boy replied, "but there was this evil, and Koji was fighting it. He said that there wasn't time to talk and that wouldn't be able to hold what or whoever it was back for long," he looked up at the adults and MJ, "he seemed really panicked about it- I'm worried about him. What if he can't beat it on his own? What if that evil hurts him or worse!? What do I do? I feel so useless just sitting here, knowing that he's fighting this battle for me, but I can't do anything to help!" the short-haired boy sobbed, "and what if his body gives out! What do I do? What happens if I can't revive him the way he and the others did for me? If Koji dies-" Koichi shook his head, unable to continue. Hikari-San hugged the boy, "we won't let that happen. No matter what, we'll figure something out Koichi, I swear to you, alright?" she asked. Koichi took a deep breath and released it. Then he hugged the first DigiDestined of Light back, "thank you, all of you. For everything" he sighed. 'Koji, I promise, we'll find some way to defeat this evil together. And then we'll both go home' Koichi thought.
Then he opened his eyes and looked around sadly, 'but I don't want to leave Kai all alone again'.
To Be Continued
