Well... here's the next chapter. You learn quite a bit in this one. Also, the Digimon Empress makes her first appearance within the story. So please enjoy!
Please R&R!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers (c) Yukio Kaizawa
Chapter Six: The Digimon Empress
As they exited the store, Henry said, "Thank you, Kori. You've been so kind to us."
"And thanks for the clothes!" Suzie added.
She chuckled, "It's no problem." Then her cell phone rang. She picked it up. "Hello? Yamaki? What's up?" A few moments later, her expression dropped and she said, "I'll be right there."
"What's wrong?" Henry inquired.
"There's a disturbance at the park. Apparently it's some sort of transmission from the Digital World. Come on!" she replied hurriedly, "We need to get back to the bike in the parking lot! I'll quickly take Suzie back home."
Quickly, they all ran to her bike in the parking lot and strapped in, not minding the helmets. Immediately, Kori hit the gas and they drove back to the apartment, where Suzie and Lopmon got off with her and Henry's new clothes. Then Kori briefly cut the engine, taking off her necklace and holding it out in front of her.
"I call upon the Crests of Light and Hope bound within," she chanted, "Separate into your two true forms for the other chosen to wear, as for myself."
"What the-" Terriermon broke off by a bright light.
The necklace glowed and floated in the air by itself. Then it magically split into two heart-shaped necklaces. One with the full crest of light, and the other was the crest of hope. Kori grabbed both of them and fastened the Crest of Light around her neck. Then she handed the other to Henry.
"I'll explain later," she said, "For now, tie this around your neck and don't lose it. Promise me, Henry, that you'll never give up hope, no matter how bad the circumstances may be."
"I promise," he swore, unsure of what he was getting himself into. But he tied the necklace around his neck and tucked it into his shirt.
"Now, don't let anyone know that you have it, except maybe Takato and the others. If Serena knew you had it, you would be placing yourself and others into unnecessary danger. Don't ever take it out in public, and always keep it in your sight," Kori explained, turning back on the engine and driving, "I trust you, Henry."
"What in the world is going on?" Terriermon asked.
"We'll explain later," Gatomon snapped.
"Gatomon's right," Patamon agreed, "The transmission is most likely from the self-proclaimed Digimon Empress. She read T.K.'s book and got the idea of becoming the Digimon Empress off the Digimon Emperor thing. Somehow she found a portal into the Digital World where she met her partner Digimon and began to take over, using dark powers."
The park was deserted and foggy. Kori stopped the bike and they ran over to where a huge floating mirror-like thing floated.
"Show yourself, Serena!" Kori yelled.
The image of a beautiful 15-year-old girl with long flowing blonde hair in a pure black dress appeared. Her skin was fair and pale, and her eyes were a dark red. Her fingers were long and slender, with nails painted black.
"How good to see you again, Kori," she hissed sweetly. Then her eyes fell upon Henry. "And who's this handsome friend of yours?"
Kori stood in front of him protectively, narrowing her golden eyes. "Leave him outta this," she hissed acidly, "This is between you and me."
"What do you want?!" Gatomon yelled.
"Kori, of course," she scoffed, as if the answer was obvious, "Only she has the key and power to unleash the Digi-eggs of Light and Darkness. And I need the Digi-egg of Darkness to completely control the entire Digital World!"
"Well you're gonna have to go through us to get to her," Patamon defended.
"Us too!" Terriermon shouted.
"The key has been broken," Kori announced, "The Digimon Sovereigns gave me the power to separate it, as well as put it back together. You're never going to find out who's the second child I've chosen."
Serena cackled, "It does not matter. As long as I have you, the second key will come by itself, as said by the prophecy. Even if you defeat me, Kori, you must sacrifice your life to restore light to the Digital World."
Henry gasped. No! he thought, It can't be true! Not her!
Kori clenched her fists. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. It's going to be a sacrifice I am willing to make," she challenged.
The Digimon Empress scoffed once more. "Hmph. Be waned, friends, hanging around Kori may prove to be fatal."
"Leave them outta this!" Kori hissed threateningly, "You can do nothing to us while you are there!"
"No, I cannot. But I can send the Dark Digimon there after you. Goodbye," she replied easily, then her image faded, and the fog cleared, as did the sky.
A low growl rumbled in Kori's throat. Then she sighed, turning to Henry and Terriermon. "Maybe she's right. You guys should stop hanging out with me. It's too dangerous to be seen around with me," she determined.
"We're not leaving you," Henry said sternly, "We want to help."
"I don't know what I'd do if something happened to any of you because of me," she said, her golden eyes sad.
Terriermon jumped off Henry's shoulder and onto the ground. "It wouldn't be your fault."
"Kori," Gatomon said, "I think you should let them help."
"And let us help too!" Patamon added, flying next to the cat.
"I just… don't know…" Kori sighed miserably.
Henry walked over to her and pulled her against him, surprising her. "We're in this together. I promise I won't let anything or anyone hurt you," he promised, tightening his arms around her.
She pressed herself closer against his chest, breathing in his scent. "Thank you, Henry," she sighed, closing her eyes.
A few moments past before a realization hit Henry.
"It's not true, is it? What she said about you giving up your life to restore light and peace to the Digital World. It's not true, right?" he asked, praying in his heart that it wasn't true.
"It's true," she told him sadly, still being held against him, "I'm the DigiDestined with the Crest of Light. In addition, only I can release the Digi-eggs of Light and Darkness. According to the Digimon Sovereigns, they reside within my heart."
Henry looked at her as he released her from his embrace. "What happened to the Digimon Sovereigns? Can't they defeat her?" he asked, "They are the strongest Digimon in the Digital World, aren't they?"
She shook her head sadly.
"They've been captured and put to sleep. Now, only the Digi-egg of Light can awaken them," Patamon replied.
"And you both are okay with your tamer dying?" Terriermon demanded in wonder.
"Of course we're not!" Gatomon scolded, feline eyes narrowing, "Do you think we're that heartless?!"
"Um… no," the bunny Digimon defended.
"But my fate is inevitable," Kori said, "There's no other way."
"No, there's got to be another way!" Henry exclaimed.
She shook her head, then forced a smile. "Don't worry. I'll still be around for quite a while." Then her phone rang again and she picked up. "Hey, Yamaki. Yeah, don't worry, it's taken care of. You want me to go there now? Oh… mhm… yeah, right. Okay, I'll warn them. See ya."
"Yamaki want you to go to the Hypnos building?" Terriermon inquired.
"No. He wanted me to warn all of you that there may be some dark Digimon popping all over the place from outta nowhere for the next while," she replied.
Henry looked at her sternly, crossing his arms. "Now, will you please explain what is going on?"
Kori looked at Patamon and Gatomon. "Both of you, scout the area. Don't communicate with anyone you don't know, and come back and alert us if you sense any unknown Digimon approaching," she ordered.
Immediately, the two Digimon left in different directions, then Kori sat down on the grass, motioning for Henry to sit down too. Terriermon plopped down beside his tamer.
Kori sighed tiredly as she began her tale. "When I first appeared in the Digital World, I was greeted by the four Digimon Sovereigns, who were expecting me. I was told of my fate, my powers, and my destiny. Then, they introduced me to my guardians, Patamon and Gatomon. The D-arc appeared to me, and I was then chosen as a tamer. I was bestowed the necklace of light and hope; the same key which will release the Digi-eggs of Light and Darkness," she explained, sighing. "Then Azulongmon gave me the power to separate and unite the key, so that if I should be in danger, I can separate it so the eggs could not be released. After that, well… my journey began."
"Hey, you don't look so well," Terriermon noted.
"I'm tired from separating the key. But I had to stay strong while in front of Serena," she explained, her voice growing quieter, "Or else…" Her eyelids slipped closed as her body slumped onto the grass.
"Kori!" Henry exclaimed, taking her into his arms.
"What's wrong? Why did she collapse?" Terriermon demanded.
"I-I don't know…" he replied worriedly, prompting her upright against his shoulder, "Kori? Kori? Wake up. Please, just wake up."
"I'll go tell Patamon and Gatomon," Terriermon announced, hurriedly running away, "Maybe they'll know what to do."
Gently, Henry pressed his cheek against her forehead, keeping her close to him. "I love you, Kori," he whispered, "Please be alright."
Her eyes fluttered half-open. "H-Henry?" she breathed weakly.
"Kori," he sighed in relief, pressing her closer to him, "Thank goodness you're alright."
She lifted her hand up to touch his face, and he met her hand with his, sandwiching it between his hand and cheek. "I-I need you to do something for me, Henry," she murmured, "Please, promise me you won't put your life on the line for me."
He shook his head. "I can't promise you that, I'm sorry."
Gatomon, Patamon and Terriermon ran/flew over to them.
"Kori! Are you okay?!" Patamon implored immediately.
She nodded tiredly. "Serena's powers are affecting me. And I feel so tired…"
"What do you mean?" Terriermon inquired.
"Dark and light were never meant to live in harmony. They're always clashing wills," Gatomon explained, "Serena and Kori are opposites, both in mind, and heart. At least, that's what we think."
"Their powers are near equally matched, and have powerful Digimon partners," Patamon added, "Kori had me and Gatomon and Serena had Devimon. The advantage Serena had over Kori is that she has allied herself with the darkest Digimon ever; Piedmon, Puppetmon, IceDevimon, LadyDevimon, Myotismon, and who know what else?!"
"Day by day," Kori murmured, "My power weakens as Serena grows stronger. Or most of the time, neither of us weakens nor strengthen. There aren't too many days when I grow stronger than her."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Henry implored hopefully.
She shook her head. "Not really," she replied, "Just to ensure that neither I nor any of you get hurt. I'm not planning to add heartache to my list of worries and pains." She tried to slowly get up, Henry assisting.
"Something's wrong," Gatomon noted, watching Kori's movements with sharp, narrowed cat eyes.
"I know," she replied, "But don't worry. I'll be better soon. This is only minor, at least, I hope so." Then she turned to Henry. "Come on. Let's go home. We shouldn't run into any wild Digimon today. More or less, the dark ones."
They returned to the motorbike and Kori drove them back to the apartment basement. As they waited in the elevator to go back to their floor, Henry supported Kori as she began to collapse.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he inquired worriedly, looking at her with worried silver eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, sure," she reassured, trying to steady herself and regain her balance. Immediately afterwards, her knees buckled under her and Henry caught her in his arms as she collapsed, unconscious.
"Kori!" Gatomon exclaimed.
"We need to get her back to the apartment now! She was weak from the separation of the key, and then exposed to strong dark magic. We need to heal her!" Patamon explained.
Henry lifted her into his arms and as the elevator door opened, quickly carried her back to her apartment. Patamon quickly opened the door and Henry carried her inside and Gatomon dropped the shopping bag onto the floor and closed the door. Patamon and Gatomon led Henry into Kori's room and he laid her onto the soft bed, gently resting her head against the pillow.
"What do we do now?" Terriermon asked.
"You two, nothing," Gatomon said, "As for Patamon and I,"
Suddenly, Kori's D-arc began to glow a bright light, and Patamon and Gatomon began to glow too.
"We need to Digivolve!" they yelled, and they burst into a bright light.
"Gatomon! Patamon! Digivolve to… Angewomon! Angemon!"
Two glowing angelic Digimon suddenly took Gatomon and Patamon's place.
"Wow…" Terriermon breathed.
"Amazing!" Henry gasped, eyes wide at the two floating angels.
Each of them floated on both sides of Kori, their hands positioned over her chest. Their hands emitted a bright light which merged and transformed into an orb. The orb floated into Kori's chest, and her body glowed for a brief moment before it vanished. Angemon and Angewomon glowed and de-digivolved back into Patamon and Gatomon.
"K-Kori?" Henry stammered worriedly, afraid if he'd receive a reply or not.
Her golden eyes fluttered open and she panted breathlessly. "W-What happened?" she breathed.
"You collapsed in the elevator," Terriermon said.
"Then Henry carried you back here," Patamon added, "And then Gatomon and I digivolved into Angewomon and Angemon to stabilize your inner light."
"But how did you two digivolve?" Kori whispered.
Gatomon rested a paw on her hand. "We wanted to save you, or else you would have been lost to us."
"Thank you, both of you," she murmured, then she rested her gaze on Henry, "And thank you too, Henry. You carried me back here. It means a lot. So thanks." Her eyes closed and she breathed in deep before letting out a sigh.
"She's resting now," Gatomon announced quietly, taking her paw off Kori's hand and she and Patamon draped the covers over her sleeping form. Then they left the room.
Henry walked over to the tamer and gently brushed her black bangs away from her face. Then he kissed her on the forehead. "Kori, I love you," he whispered. Then he began to walk towards the door, when he suddenly heard a weak voice coming from the bed.
"H-H-Henry…" Kori murmured, her eyes barely open at she shot him a weak but sure smile, "I-I love you too…"
A smile graced his lips as he walked back over to her, and leaned down to kiss her soft, smooth lips, closing his eyes. She kissed back softly, then he walked out, closing the door behind him.
"So she loves you too," Terriermon said.
"I know," Henry stated, "And I'm grateful for it. I've got to protect her from Serena. Who knows what she would do to her? And I'd never forgive myself if I let something terrible happen to Kori."
"We're helping too," Gatomon added sternly, walking over to them with Patamon flying next to her.
He dipped his head in agreement. "I will do my best to defend her while we're at school, and either she or myself will contact you if something should go wrong," he explained.
"So, did you know that Kori liked Henry?" Terriermon inquired the Digimon.
They nodded, not too surprised at how the rabbit knew.
"She was too scared to admit it though, because she doesn't want to put you in danger," Patamon told the tamer, "She's probably going to be pretty disappointed with herself when she awakens."
"According to her, she's liked you for a while after watching you and the others while she was still being held captive by Zhuqiaomon," Gatomon said, "She was very eager to meet you and the others."
"Well… don't be afraid to come and get me if something should happen to her," Henry said, heading towards the door, "Not to mention if her condition should for some reason get worse."
"Thanks, Henry," Gatomon replied, "We'll see you later."
"Bye guys!" Terriermon exclaimed, waving with an ear.
Well... I hope you liked the chapter! Let's sumarize what happened in this chapter in four words: Drama, Romance, and MORE romance. lol.
Please Review and I'll update!