Chapter Four: Part Two of "Tai's Downfall"
By Melinda Cadarette
"So do you know if the police has any Digimon of their own?" Davis asked Ken, continuing the present conversation.
"A lot of people have Digimon nowadays but I don't know if the police is using of them for their own purposes," Ken replied. "Perhaps they should have a section devoted to Digimon crime."
"Maybe you should start it," Davis said.
"Me?" Ken pointed to himself. Yolei hugged him by his neck.
"My Ken is going to be the first Digimon detective in Japan!" Yolei declared.
"Well, I am sure that there is a Digimon detective somewhere. I am not sure that there is one in this area," Ken said.
"So what is your plan for the school break?" Kari asked Yolei.
"Finding a sane way to survive the time with my two sisters Mimoe and Chiziru. I am just glad that my brother and my older sister have moved out of the house but I still have to deal with my other sisters," Yolei said. "You should really count yourself lucky to have one sibling. So what are you going to do, Kari?"
"Babysitting most likely" Kari answered. "I want to teach young kids so I better know how to deal with them now."
"I love kids! I want to have lots of kids when I grow up" Yolei said happily. Ken looked he was about to faint. Izzy was about to say something when a buzz was heard.
"I'll get that," Izzy said. He went to the panel. "Who is it?"
"It's Matt and Sora" Matt spoke. At the sound of his voice, Agumon's heart went to his throat. He was hoping that Matt and Sora might not come but now that hope was gone. He cringed inside. Gatomon noticed this but said nothing.
"Come in!" Izzy said. He then pressed a button. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Izzy opened the door to see Matt and Sora standing there. They had a bouquet of flowers.
"Why, thank you" Izzy smiled. "I have most of our friends here. I'll get extra chairs for you." He then took the bouquet of flowers from Sora and let them in. Agumon felt a lump in his throat growing. He didn't think Tai would do anything in the midst of all this people but with his Jekyll-and-Hyde personality there was no way Agumon could predict what would happen if Tai knew that Sora and Matt were here. Still Agumon felt he needed to tell Tai about their arrival.
"Do you know where Tai went?" Agumon asked.
"He went to the bathroom. It's down the hallway at the far right" Izzy answered. Agumon went to the hallway. He called out to Tai.
"Tai!" Agumon yelled. Suddenly a door opened.
"What do you want?" Tai asked him.
"Matt-Matt and Sora are here," Agumon said, stammering at first. What Tai did next surprised him.
"Oh? I guess I better go and meet them," Tai said. (Note: Line error.)
"You mean you do not have a problem with that?" Agumon sounded astonished.
"Why not? I knew they were going to come," Tai told him.
"I guess so," Agumon said, knowing that he was right. He wanted to say more but decided not to. He then saw Tai wash his hands and then went away from the door as Tai left the bathroom.
"Well?" Tai asked. Agumon didn't know what to say. "Are they in the living room?"
"You mean Matt and Sora?" the Reptile Digimon questioned.
"Who else would I be referring to?" Tai asked, looking down the hallway.
"Yes they are," Agumon answered.
"Good" Tai said. This made Agumon uncomfortable again. He wondered if Tai was thinking about killing Matt. Tai had no weapon on him as far as Agumon could tell but that may not matter. He can only hope that the good Tai would prevail.
"Matt!" Tai yelled. Matt almost jumped out of his chair in shock. He turned his head to see Tai smiling at him. "So Matt, how are you?" Matt blinked in surprise, then smiled.
"Oh I am doing good," he seemed calmer now. "You-You just startled me." Tai nodded then went back to his position on the couch. Izzy promptly placed a glass of soda and a small platter of fudgelike treats.
"I thought you would like these. Just watch out for Davis' mouth," Izzy warned.
"I heard that" Davis said. Izzy grinned then walked away.
"Are those made from red beans?" Yolei asked excited.
"I think so" Tai replied. "You can have one if you like."
"Oh thank you so much!" Yolei exclaimed. She went out of the chair and grabbed two. "One is for me. The other one is for my Ken." She then gave one of the treats to Ken. "I haven't had one for a long time."
'They do look expensive" T.K. said, taking a few. Davis looked on sadly.
"How come he gets one when I can't?" Davis questioned.
"Because Izzy forbid it," Kari answered. She then put one of them in her mouth. Davis almost burst into tears.
"So Matt, how have you been since I last saw you?" Tai asked him.
"Oh I am doing fine," Matt answered. He then wrapped his right arm around Sora's shoulders. "In fact Sora and I are living together."
Nearly everybody's eyes went wide.
"You mean you're cohabiting?" Yolei asked. "Well, if you want it that way-"
"We're not sharing the same bed" Sora interjected. "It's just that I can't live with my parents anymore."
"Why not? Did anything happen?" Yolei asked concerned.
"Well" Sora said. She then looked at Matt. "I can't really explain it."
"Oh I get it! You're pregnant!" Davis blurted out. Matt got out of his chair.
"Davis! That is not what it is!" Matt shouted. "You got it all wrong!" He was about to say more when a knock was heard.
"I'll get it!" Izzy proclaimed. Matt collapsed on the floor.
"Matt, are you okay?" Sora asked.
"Hello?" Izzy said. He then looked down. "Oh it's Cody!"
"We got in by someone else. Sorry for being late but I had to feed Armadillomon before we could go" Cody explained. Izzy saw he had a small gift.
"So where is the food?" Armadillomon asked. Cody sighed.
"I think I'll need more groceries by the time this is over," Izzy said. He then smiled. "Come in, Cody. Just remember to check for any chopsticks after you're done."
"Davis almost ate his," T.K. said out loud.
"Ha ha ha" Davis responded.
"Well come in Cody and Armadillomon," Izzy said. "I think I got more food for you as well."
"Where do we sit?" Armadillomon asked as they were led to the living room.
"I have a few more chairs out," Izzy replied. Cody and his Digimon were led to a chair. The boy (Cody was twelve) sat on it as Armadillomon went on his partner's lap.
"So what is going on?" Cody asked.
"Nothing much," Kari answered. "Except of course Davis eating all the food."
"I have seen you guys eat too" Davis replied.
"We are just talking about Matt and Sora" Yolei said. "Apparently they are in a very deep relationship."
"Do you mean you're engaged?" Cody asked Matt and Sora.
"We're not yet engaged. Sora is having a problem at home so I told her she can stay at my place until she can resolve it" Matt explained. "We're not sleeping in the same bed, you know."
"Well I hope the problem gets resolved soon" Cody said.
"So where is the rest of the food?" Armadillomon asked.
"Just to think I fed him so he won't be like this" Cody said.
"Actually I got a big treat," Izzy said. "I was hoping to reveal this when we got everybody here. Come to the kitchen with me." Everybody was now curious. They all followed him there.
"This took me an hour. I got help from my mother, thank goodness" Izzy explained. On the kitchen counter there was a dark blue furoshiki cloth covering what appeared to be a mound of something. "Now be very careful when eating them. These are very rich." He removed the cloth.
"Chocolate-covered rice balls! Yummy!" Yolei exclaimed.
"Now only pick a few-oh never mind," Izzy said when he saw his friends taking what they want. "Hey! Leave some to me!"
"I think I am going to puke" Davis said ten minutes later. He put his hands over his stomach. "I must have ate fifty of them."
"Me too," Veemon said.
"You better not" Izzy scolded. "I only made a hundred."
"The depths of your gluttony never ceases to amaze me," T.K. said to Davis.
"Oh shut up," Davis replied back.
"Izzy, is Joe suppose to come as well?" Kari asked.
"I did try to invite him but he said that he is not a hundred percent sure he'll come. I think he might be too busy with his studies" Izzy suggested.
"I heard he is going to an American university" Davis piped up. "Har-something."
"Harvard? That is one of the most famous universities in the world!" Yolei exclaimed.
"How did you found this out?" Izzy asked.
"My younger sister June told me," Davis said. Matt groaned.
"She is still hanging with Joe's brother Jim I see," T.K. said. Sora patted Matt's back. He seemed to be spacing out.
"It's okay Matt," Sora said. "Don't worry about it guys. He's just having a flashback."
"My sister June wasn't that bad, was she?" Davis asked.
"I dreamed of June chasing me downtown. I dreamed of June chasing me in the subway. I dreamed June of chasing me in the bay. I dreamed of June chasing me in the countryside. I dreamed of June chasing up Mount Fuji. I dreamed of June chasing me in space" Matt then shuddered. "And I can't tell you about my other dreams when she did catch me-"
"Oh man!" Davis exclaimed. "I know she can be annoying but I didn't think she would traumatize you like that!"
"You know I can believe that" Ken said as Yolei hugged him.
"You should relax, Matt," Tai told him. "You got worse things to worry about."
'Yeah, like Tai trying to kill you' Agumon thought.
"You're right," Matt said. "My mind does funny things sometimes though."
"Well if Davis can't eat anymore, let's take advantage!" T.K. declared.
"I didn't say I couldn't eat anymore!" Davis retorted.
"Davis, you're a pig," T.K. couldn't help but say.
"Now, now, guys" Kari said, not wanting another spat from them.
"It's alright. I am just glad that I could get so much for free," Davis said.
"Well I didn't get free-" Izzy started to say.
"Is that all the food there is?" Veemon asked.
"Veemon! Don't sound like a glutton!" Davis told him.
"It's not a banquet!" Yolei exclaimed.
"I just ask," Veemon said sheepishly.
"What time is it? I know I have not been here for long but I told my mother I would be home by one," Cody said. Izzy looked at the clock on the wall.
"I don't think it is one yet" Izzy responded.
"It was a great party," Ken said. "Thank you Izzy." He then bowed in appreciation.
"Your welcome," Izzy said. "Maybe I should open my presents now."
"I don't think you need to hurry. It's not your birthday, you know" Kari told him.
"I am aware of that," Izzy said. "If you want to, you can leave now." Veemon yawned.
"The fun's over. Let's leave Davish" Veemon said. Davis looked at him startled.
"Don't tell me you only came for the food?" Davis asked him.
"I thought that was why we went here," Veemon said.
"Um no" Davis said.
"We should be going too," T.K. said, looking at Patamon.
"Why don't I come with you?" Kari asked. T.K. looked surprised but then nodded.
"Okay Kari," T.K. said. He then turned to Izzy. "Thank you for inviting us over. Please do this again."
"Of course," Izzy said. T.K. looked at Kari.
"We can go now" T.K. told her. Kari turned at Tai.
"Will you be going home after you leave, Tai?" Kari asked him. (Note: Line error.)
"Yeah" Tai replied.
"Okay see you at home," Kari said.
"See you later Kari!" Tai exclaimed.
"I hope for you to come again!" Izzy told them was they left with their Digimon.
"I think I should go too," Cody said as he bowed to Izzy in thankfulness.
"Thank you for the food" Armadillomon added.
"Please come again," Izzy said loudly as Cody and his Digimon joined T.K. and Kari and their Digimon in exiting. Veemon looked at Davis.
"Maybe we should go too," Davis said. "Veemon is looking like he wants to leave."
"There is no food left here" Veemon explained. "At least there is food where you live, Davish."
"I don't got a Digimon. I got a garbage compactor," Davis complained. "I will go now. I will see you guys later, preferably when Veemon thinks he is full."
"When that happens, do come again" Izzy said out loud as Davis and Veemon left. Sora turned to Matt after they heard the door shut.
"Perhaps we should go too," Sora said. Tai then stepped forward.
"I want to talk to Matt. You can go ahead" Tai told her.
"Alone?" Sora asked concerned.
"If you want, I can take you down and stay with you until Matt comes," Yolei offered.
"Okay," Sora nodded. She turned to Matt. "I will wait until you're done with Tai."
"It won't take long," Matt said. Tai smiled.
"I will see you soon Sora" Tai said.
"Do return" Izzy said. "I am glad that you came."
"Thank you" Sora nodded.
"I want to talk to Izzy for a few minutes" Ken said. "I will be looking for you at the exit." It was directed to Yolei.
"Of course Ken!" Yolei exclaimed. "Come, Hawkmon!"
"As you wish," Hawkmon said.
"I will not let anything happen to you Sora" Biyomon said.
"I am sure that I'll be okay," Sora said. "But let us go now."
"Thanks for everything Izzy!" Yolei said in a loud voice. "Let us do this again!" (Note: Line error.)
"Sure! May you arrive home safely!" Izzy responded. Sora and Yolei left with their Digimon. Tai turned to Matt.
"Let us take the stairs," Tai suggested.
"Alright" Matt said. He turned to Izzy and bowed. "You have been a great host. We wish to come here again."
"I am pleased you enjoyed your visit" Izzy said. "I hope that Sora's problem be resolved soon."
'So do I' Matt thought. He nodded at Izzy. He then turned to Tai. "Let's go now."
"I don't know what else to say that has not been said before" Tai said to Izzy. "I guess I can say the party was great."
"I wouldn't want to stop you from leaving" Izzy smiled. "Tentomon and I can clean up. I hope I can chat with Mia again."
"Who is Mia?" Matt asked.
"Mia Po, the sister of the Po Brothers from Hong Kong," Tai explained. "My sister Kari can explain further."
"I see" Matt said. "Gabumon, we're going now."
"Alright Matt," Gabumon said.
"Come Agumon," Tai commanded.
"Yes Tai" Agumon said. 'Nothing happened to Matt so far' the Digimon thought. 'Maybe his good self has won.'
"Do come again!" Izzy yelled as they put on their shoes and left. Tai led Matt to the door leading to the staircase. Agumon and Gabumon followed them. (Note: Line error.)
"So what do you want to talk about?" Matt asked Tai as they reached the staircase. Tai stopped and looked at him.
"What's wrong with Sora?" Tai questioned.
"Physically nothing. However, she-she-" Matt shook his head. "I am not sure I can talk with you about this."
"Why not?" Tai asked. Matt said nothing in reply. "Matt, I am a friend. A very best friend." He put his hand on Matt's right shoulder.
"Sora thinks someone is stalking her" Matt confided. Tai looked at him stunned.
"Do you know who is doing this?" Tai demanded in a loud voice.
"No we don't but we know he knows where she lives" Matt informed him. Tai then seized him by the shoulders.
"Did he do anything to Sora? Answer me!" Tai yelled.
"Ease up, Tai! He just sent her flowers and a very creepy poem. That's all," Matt said. Tai widened his eyes. He then released Matt and laughed.
"When you said she was being stalked, I thought someone was following her and doing nasty things to her stuff" Tai said acting very much relieved. He then put his hands on Matt's shoulder again. "I don't worry too much about it. I mean, it could get worse but flowers and a poem isn't really the worse thing that someone can do."
"I know but Sora is very scared so I offered for her to stay at my place for a while" Matt said. Agumon saw Tai's eyes darken.
"Oh really? If this 'stalker' knows where Sora lives, what makes you think she's safe with you?" Tai asked.
"I don't have a choice. Sora was so agitated. She clearly did not want to stay in her home. And I did not want her to be in a hotel. We are not a cohabited couple though. She sleeps in my guest room," Matt explained. Tai put his eyes downcast.
"I see" Tai said. Agumon saw him grip Matt's right shoulder again. Tai then went to Matt's ear. "I want her to be safe. I want to be happy. And I want her, period." Matt's eyes then widened.
'Tai is planning to push Matt down the stairs!' Agumon thought. Tai smiled evilly as he was about to push Matt off his feet and down the stairs. Agumon watched helplessly as Tai aimed his hand at Matt's back. And then-
"Tai!" a shout behind Tai distracted him in time. Tai looked back just as his hand hit Matt's back. It was Ken and Wormmon, looking horrified.
"Huh?" Tai said. He then felt Matt leave his hand. He looked to see Matt fall. "Matt!"
"AHHHHH!!!" Matt yelled as he lost his balance. His left hand managed to grip onto the handrail causing him to stop. Ken rushed down to help him. Gabumon did too. Tai looked on.
"Matt, are you okay?" Ken asked as he helped him on his feet.
"Yeah thank goodness," Matt said. He then looked up at Tai. He saw his blank face. Tai then realized that Matt was looking at him and looked concerned.
"You scared me, Matt! I thought you were going to fall!" Tai exclaimed. "We should go down now. Unless you hurt your foot or something." (Note: Line error.)
"I am fine" Matt answered. 'Did Tai mean to push me? Maybe I did just lose my balance' he thought. He then remembered Tai's words: "And I want her, period." A bead of sweat came down his head. 'Or maybe not,' he further thought. He climbed down a stair.
"What's wrong?" Tai asked, still sounding concerned. 'He knows' a voice from within him said. 'You better be careful next time, Taichi.' Tai shut his eyes. 'I thought it would work. It would be perceived as an accident.' The voice replied, 'Do not blame yourself. Ken startled you. Now he may know the truth. And Matt too.' Tai said back, 'He does not know or Matt.' The voice uttered, 'We shall see, Taichi.' It then became silent.
"Tai, are you okay?" Ken asked. Tai realized he has been quiet for a few minutes. He straightened up.
"You-I mean I- I mean we- should go" Tai stammered. Ken and Matt looked at each other. Finally they looked back at Tai.
"Yes I suppose" Ken said. "If you two are okay, we can go now." Wormmon went down to Ken and Ken put him in his hands. Gabumon jerked on Matt's left leg.
"I feel safer if we go now Matt," Gabumon said. Tai looked at him. He almost forgot about him. He was quiet all this time. Now he could see how his plan could be foiled. There could be a possibility that Gabumon could have seen him push Matt down. While Tai doubted that he could go to jail because of a Digimon's testimony, he was sure that Sora would not want him near her again. And that would have missed the purpose of killing Matt. Or was it?
"Yeah let's go" Matt said. "I'll see you later Ken. Take care Tai." He then went down the rest of the stairs with Gabumon. He seemed to be in a hurry. Tai looked at Ken.
"I thought you were going to talk to Izzy for a few minutes" Tai said. 'Maybe Ken didn't see me push Matt' he thought. Then the voice said, 'You know better.' Tai's eyes became downcast.
"I did" Ken replied. "But we talked only for a minute."
"I might as well go" Tai said. "Come Agumon."
"We're going home right?" Agumon asked.
"I have nothing else to do" Tai replied.
"I'll leave now too. See you later Tai" Ken said. He then walked down the stairs. He too seemed to be in a hurry.
"What are you going to do now?" Agumon asked.
"Go home" Tai simply said. "Forget this day." He seemed to be in a dark mood now. Agumon followed Tai down the stairs. Nobody was at the exit. 'Looks like Kari left with T.K.,' Tai thought. He and Agumon went inside the car.
"Was that your plan? You wanted to push Matt down the stairs hoping he would break his neck or something?" Agumon asked.
"It wouldn't work anyway. Gabumon was there," Tai said. "I want to have Sora. Now I have to stay low until I can think of something else."
'Let's hope that is a long time' Agumon thought. Yet as he felt the breeze through the opened car window he wondered if Tai was thinking about the next plan right now. All Agumon could do was wait. Again.
End of Chapter Two Part Two
This chapter was very long- 22 handwritten pages and 38 typed pages- so I am glad that it is now finished. I apologized to my readers who probably thought I gave up on this story. I even got an e-mail from reader wanting to know why I haven't updated it. I was flattered about this. I certainly did not abandon this story. This is one of the most successful stories I have written and I would never drop it without good reason. Chapter Four was difficult to write as I wanted to include almost every character of this story in this chapter though this story would still be about Tai, Sora and Matt. But I also wanted to get other characters involved too. And there is the dark voice inside Tai to consider. Now I have to think of what to do next. I like to thank for the suggestions I received so far. Digimon was created by Toei Animation. Please do not forget to review!