AN: So...here's the continuation of Session 2. It took a bit longer to write than anticipated, but anyway, enjoy. The Writer
Disclaimer: The following story contains characters that don't belong to me. I don't own Digimon. I don't want to. I only own the original characters and plot .Don't sue. Thank you.
Chronicles of a Forsaken One
Session 2 -Futility-
Part 2
The announcer began to speak. Everyone in the crowd stood up and sang the national anthem. The game began. Sora was clearly the more talented one, winning the first game of the set. The second game began and the two went at it again. Rebecca was making Sora work for her victory. It almost seemed as if she wasn't interested in winning. Sora took the second game of the first set. The third game began, this one, seeming to go as fast as the last one, except that at 40-love, Rebecca returned a hard lob from Sora to get 40-15. Then it was 40-30. No effort at all. Deuce. They were tied at 40-40, with Sora and Rebecca fighting for the advantage. After several exchanges, Sora won the third game. This left her exceptionally exhausted, yet Rebecca was fine. Sora snuck a peek at her as she drank from her sports bottle. Rebecca was patiently waiting for the next game; she reflected no signs of exhaustion at all. Then again, Sora wasn't the same tennis player she used to be. The fourth game started with Sora once again, taking an early lead, with Rebecca catching up, yet at 40-30, Rebecca slipped, missing the return, and giving Sora the set.
The second set started, this time with Rebecca serving. Sora in her ready stance, awaited the serve. She took a good look at Rebecca this time, her amber eyes accentuated her brown hair. She seemed oddly out of place in blue. No. She had to concentrate on the serve. Sora had seen Rebecca serve before at her last game, it was the one area of her game that was exceptionally well, that and her unusually high endurance. She stared into her eyes as they gave Sora a quick flash, she threw the ball into the air, and served, a fast ball. Too fast. The meter registered an whopping 150 mph, completely overpowering Sora. Rebecca stood in her stance, ready to serve. She served a slower ball, as if to mock Sora. They played for the next point ferociously. As if to prove something. Sora scored, making the score 15-15. They played an impressive game, but eventually Rebecca won the first game of the second set. The second game started almost as fast as the first one, with the crowd expecting Rebecca's fast balls, and no faults called upon her, Sora lost the second game. She was exhausted by now. Taking a swig of her sports drink, she stole another peek at Rebecca, no signs of exhaustion at all. The third game, Sora was on the ball this time, she caught Rebecca's serve and sent it back. The third game was impressive, but Sora lost. The crowd was restless. She could feel that. Something was wrong. Fourth game and this time Rebecca served another slow ball, Sora returned the served with a hard-core splice, taking Rebecca by surprise. Another hard game for both players, they tied again at 40-40. Rebecca served and after a bout, gained the advantage. Sora again, tied the game at Deuce. The crowd went wild on that play. Sora smiled. They were cheering for her after all. She turned to take a look at Matt. He was looking right at her, encouraging her to win. Rebecca served, and the bout began again. In a vicious lob, Rebecca slammed Sora in the head with the ball. She stumbled and tripped. The court paramedics rushed to her assistance. Rebecca won the second set, and ran over to Sora's court
"Oh my god, are you OK?" she asked
Sora, in a daze, answered, "I'm fine, I'm fine. Totally fine"
"I am so sorry, you have to believe me, that was an accident"
"No, yeah, I know" she said, while she was being checked
"Ma'am," the paramedic said, "do you feel you can continue?"
Sora nodded. There was no way she was giving up the match over a possible injury.
The paramedics moved back and Rebecca helped Sora up. They went over to the referee. Spoke for a while. He got off his high chair. Walked over to Sora.
"Miss, do you feel OK? Do you feel you can continue playing?"
"Yes" she said "I'm fine, let's just get the next set started"
He nodded. They exchanged courts. This time with Sora to serve.
The final set had started. Sora had the advantage. She would serve. But her confidence was shattered. She was scared. She stared into Rebecca's eyes. No fear. No worry. A complete opposite. Not a bead of sweat. She had ice in her veins. She had seen that look before. On Tai.
She served. The battle for the first game had begun. Sora was working hard now. She had to win. Had to establish dominance. Rebecca's expression was also that of aggression. Sora returned the ball with a ferocious cut. An impossible return. She stood in awe at her speed. Her grace. Her flow. All of this occurred in just a matter of seconds. She lost the first point. 15-love. She caught the ball the ball boy tossed at her. Stared at Rebecca. Then she realized what had happened. She'd been holding back. Since the beginning she'd been holding back.
'Keep calm. Keep it together, Sora. She's only human. You can win'
No matter what she told herself, it wasn't working. She was calm and collected on the outside. Inside she was a nervous wreck. She could feel the sweat around her neck. It was cold.
'Just serve and play. That's all you can do'
Sora served and the bout began again. Both girls were exhausted. The game had taken its toll on their young bodies. Rebecca returned the slice from Sora but Sora's counter-return stumped her. 15-15. They continued to play the rest of the first game. Sora won and took the first game. She still felt scared. It would take everything she had to win this game. The second game began, with Rebecca easily defeating Sora. The third game began. The score was now tied. 1-1.
'Rebecca isn't afraid of me. She's in total control. I have to take control. Have to use my fear. Tai wouldn't be scared. He's never scared. Ever. I'm not Tai.'
It was no use. Sora served again, a hard slice, registering at 140mph. She had to win. The third game ended with a hard victory for Sora. She was drinking even more Gatorade now. She reeked of the stuff. Rebecca was also drinking Gatorade now. She seemed exhausted but in control. She was calm. The fourth game began, with Rebecca winning. The fifth game, with Sora taking the victory again. The sixth game began, a rough match for Rebecca, as she fell and dislocated her foot. The paramedics rushed to her. She pushed them off and sat on the court. Asked for her tennis racket. Placed the neck of her racket in her mouth. A make-shift teeth guard. She grabbed her leg and put her foot back into place. The tears rolled down her eyes as she did so. Sora just stared at her.
'She's tough. I would never be able to do that'
The referee walked over to her. Sora, on the other side of the court, couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Miss, the paramedics are telling me you dislocated your foot"
"It's fine now, I placed it back in"
"Miss, I'm sorry you're going to have to pick up the game later"
"No!" she yelled, "I want to finish the match now"
"You can't play on that foot. I'll swell up"
"It's one more game. Please give me that"
She stared at him. His expression changed. She smiled. He got up and went towards his chair. Got his microphone.
"Normally after an accident like this, it's mandatory that the match be postponed and picked up at another time, but it is a championship. There is but one more game left and Ms. Chambers insists that the match continues"
He put down the microphone and got back on his chair.
Rebecca got up and walked slowly towards the edge of the court. Sora gazed at her yet again. It was the last game, with Rebecca injured, Sora could win. No. She didn't want to win like that.
"Ready?" she yelled to her opponent
She nodded.
Sora served a whopping 130mph ball. Rebecca, surprisingly, ran towards the ball and returned it with a fast slice. Gaining the first point.
Sora got another ball from the boy. The score was tied. 6-6. This was the tiebreaker. Rebecca wasn't backing down. She had to get in gear. Sora served and after several bouts, won the point. The tension was piling up. Usually she could play without even seeing the crowd. She would concentrate only on the match. Not this game. Sora could feel their eyes, drawn to her plight. Drawn to Rebecca's plight. Two great players, battling it out.
'15-15. I can win this, just don't tie, she'll crush me if I do'
She served again. Another bout, another point for Rebecca. Everyone in the stadium was anxiously waiting to see who would come out the victor. Sora returned a hard lob, throwing it out of bounds. The point was for Rebecca. 40-15. She couldn't quit just yet. She had to come back. She served Rebecca's match point. The bout began. Sora had to be quick. Had to score the point. Rebecca slipped again. Sora saw her chance. Took it. Scored a hard slice, making the score 40-30. She served again. Rebecca was playing harder than before. Injured foot and all. It didn't matter. Not to Sora. She finally had dominance. The score was tied. 40-40. The real game was about to begin now.
Sora caught the ball the ball boy had tossed her. Dribbled it on the ground. Once. Twice. She stared at Rebecca's face. A wry smile on her face. It didn't matter anymore. Not to Sora. She wasn't afraid anymore. Her body ached. She was sweating all over. There were blisters on her hands from squeezing the racket too hard. They would heal, but not her pride. Sora served. They fought ferociously over the advantage, several times serving nearly impossible returns only to see their opponents return the ball. Sora sent a hard slice her way. Rebecca returned it sloppy, sending it straight to the net. Sora had won the advantage. It was match point. This time, in Sora's favor. Sora served and saw Rebecca returned the ball. The bout was on. Rebecca served hard lob, sending Sora running to the back of the court. Sora returned with a hard lob herself. Rebecca sent the ball back with a light tap. A calculated tap. It landed right in front of Sora, too out her reach. The score was tied again. A deuce. Sora served again. This time, Rebecca was more aggressive than ever, returning everything with a hard slice. She was able to bluff Sora, and scored the advantage. Sora, breathing hard, grabbed another ball. Served the ball and the bout began. The crowd was completely silent, with the only noised that could be heard was the smack of the ball, and the strain of the players. Rebecca returned Sora's ball with a sharp slice to the right. Too sharp. Sora wasn't expecting that. Throughout the entire match, she had never done that. The match was Rebecca's.
Sora had lost...
It all happened in a matter of seconds but she had lost. The crowd supported their new champion as her friends just stared at her. She walked up to Rebecca. Shook her hand.
"Good game" said Sora, trying to smile. Inside she was furious.
"Good game? It was a great game" said Rebecca " I've never played like that before in my life, ever. You're the toughest opponent I've ever faced. I mean that, Sora. I hope we get another chance to play someday"
With that, Rebecca walked away. Sora stared as she walked. She was limping. Sora smiled. Walked away herself.
'It had been a good game. A great game'
"Well..." said Izzy as they stood in the halls of the arena.
"What we need to do is find Sora" said Yolei, as the others nodded.
"Kari, it was great seeing you again, I have to go now" said Marshall "I have someplace else to be"
"Hold on, let us pay you the wager" said Matt
Marshall nodded. Matt collected the money. It was about 35, 00 yen. Marshall counted it in his head as he saw Matt collect it from the others.
'It's a little less than 300 dollars, American. Good take'
Marshall began to walk away, but turned around, said,
"You may not believe me, but...I was cheering for Sora the entire time"
Matt stared at him, skeptically
"Believe it. Maybe I'll see you again, perhaps when the world's a better place"
This time, he walked away. Disappeared with the crowds. He had a habit of doing that.
Matt and the others made their way towards Sora's locker room.
Sora came out after a while. She was wearing a blue shirt, with the words "Nuke the Whales" written in Japanese, faded out jeans, and Chucks.
"Hey, guys"
The others greeted her in similar fashion.
"Hey babe" said Matt
She walked up to him and hugged him. Hard.
She cried a little. Her sounds were muffled. The others just stood there. This had been a big match. She was the favorite. She was supposed to win. None of that mattered anymore. Sora let go of Matt. Composed herself. Said,
"Come on guys, let's go. Tai's waiting for us"
As she spoke these words, their expressions changed. Everyone was afraid. Kari took the first step. The others followed suit. The time had come.
The apartment was silent. He sat at the table, eating yet another bowl of cereal. Silence. That's all he heard. There was no one else there. His parents had gone to work for the night. There was no one else there. No one real anyway. He heard a knock at the door. Knew immediately who it was. He shifted his attention to the guitar. In its cold case, it stood there by his room door. He'd give it back today. It had served its purpose. He heard Kari call out his name.
Sighed. Put on his Aviators. Got up. Went towards the door. Unlocked it. Opened it. He saw them all there. Their expressions, difficult to read. Not sad nor happy. Just odd.
"Come in" he said, his voice gravelly and hoarse.
They did as they were told.
T.K and Kari sat on a couch, Izzy leaned by it. Davis, Yolei, and Ken sat on the other one. Matt and Sora stood.
"Everyone conformable?" he asked.
They nodded.
"Good" said Tai, "Let's begin"
He got up. Moved surprisingly fast. Went towards the guitar. Picked it up. Walked over to T.K
"Here you are, T.K."
"Tai...um..."
"You should have it back, man. I'll get my own someday. Thanks for letting me borrow it"
"No problem" said T.K, "did you learn how to play?"
"Yeah"
"Play something for us" said Yolei as the others looked to Tai for an answer.
"Nah, maybe some other time"
They would not insist. Tai knew that.
"So...how was the game?" he asked to no one in particular.
"Oh, dude, you should have seen it, man, it was great, it was probably the greatest tennis match I've ever seen" said Davis
"I'm sorry I missed it" said Tai
"It was great" said Yolei, "except for the fact that Sora lost"
"I was gonna tell him that" said Davis
Yolei made a face at him. Davis responded in kind.
"You lost?"
"Yeah, I did" said Sora, her expression, a confused one. Tai noticed this.
"I'm sorry, Sor" he said
"I'm not. It was the best match I've ever played" she said, smiling, "the one thing I can't figure out is, how I lost"
"What do you mean?" he asked
"I can't explain it, it was like she knew what I was going to do before I did it"
"Really?"
Sora smiled.
"It doesn't really matter" she said, "there will be other matches"
"About that..." said Izzy, as the focus of attention went onto him.
"Your friend cleaned us out" said Ken, finishing Izzy's train of thought.
"What?" asked Tai, despite the fact he knew what they were talking about.
"Yeah, your friend, a John Marshall"
Taichi smiled.
"Let me guess, you made a wager against John?"
Ken, Izzy and Davis nodded simultaneously.
Taichi laughed out loud this time. The expressions on their face told another tale. It wasn't funny. He composed himself, said,
"So" grinning, "how much did each of you wager, cause, I'm gonna assume you all pitched in"
They all nodded this time. Simultaneously.
'They still do that'
He smiled.
"So?"
"It was around 2500 yen, each" said Izzy
"What?!" said Sora, "that's around-"
"-It's 17, 500 yen, give or take" said Izzy
"Not exactly" said Matt, a worried expression on his face
"We gave him 2-to-1 odds, remember?"
They all shared confused expressions this time, all except Tai.
"2-to-1, huh?" said Tai
"Yeah" said Matt just as fast
"Hey, wait a minute" said T.K, finally clicking, "I didn't give you 5, 000 yen"
"Neither did I" said Kari.
Tai caught on quickly. Eyed Matt. His expression was uneasy.
"Matt" he said, "can I talk to you privately?"
The room came to a standstill. Their eyes now rested on Tai and Matt.
Matt nodded. They went outside. Towards the balcony .The room was still silent.
Matt leaned against the sliding glass door. He shivered, and crossed his arms. He was cold. Tai looked around. Looked down towards the street. The wind was blowing. A moderate force. He didn't feel a thing. Just stared at Matt. Matt stared back.
"So" he said
Matt said nothing. Kept his stare.
"You paid Marshall 20 grand out of your own pocket?"
"Yeah, I did, what about it?"
Tai sighed.
"John's my friend. I'll refund you the money"
"No, Tai" said Matt, "Don't"
"This is my fault, Matt, I knew how competitive John was, I didn't say anything"
"Tai, this wasn't your fault. It was mine. I'm the idiot who raised the stakes" said Matt, half-smiling.
"They probably figured it out already" said Tai
"Yeah"
"What are you gonna tell them?"
"The truth, that I lost 20 grand, that's all"
"You could always lie" said Tai, jokingly
Matt leaned off the door and playfully punched Tai. Tai smiled. Matt slid opened the door.
"Hey,
man?"
"What?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure" said Matt, started walking but stopped. Turned around.
"Tai?"
"Yeah?"
"Would you lie to us?" he asked, his tone different. Soft but firm.
Tai walked up to him. Put his hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, I would" he said, nonchalantly.
He saw Matt's expression changed. He said,
"Only if I had no choice though"
They went through the room. Out into the living room once again.
The group was silent. Matt quickly rejoined Sora's side.
Sora whispered,
"What was that all about?"
"I'll tell you later" he answered, also whispering.
Sora flashed him a quick smile.
Tai saw them. He'd tell them now.
"Sora, Matt, why don't you guys pull up a chair or two and sit down?" he said. As best as he could.
"Tai, we're fine, thank you" said Sora. Matt nodded.
"I really think you should sit down" said Tai. His voice, different. His tone, firm.
Sora looked at Matt. Her eyes gave her away. She was concerned. He was too. Taichi read their expressions. He smiled. Inside.
Matt and Sora got chairs from the kitchen. Placed them next to Izzy, who stood. She held his hand, while he gently, but firmly, squeezed hers back. Tai saw this too. Izzy still stood but Tai wouldn't say anything to him.
Izzy knew how to take bad news.
He was used to giving them, so why not take them?
"I...need to get some things off my chest" said Tai as he got their full attention.
"There are some things that I feel I need to address with you. A few months back, I received an invitation to participate in the latest trials, which start in a few days"
He waited, observing their unique expressions.
Shocked. Appalled. Dismayed. Just some of the words he could use to describe them.
They knew of the dangers of the trials. No one who had ever participated in the medical trials for JCS had survived. Not a living soul.
"I've accepted"
There was a commission.
"Tai, how could you do this to us?!" asked Sora, who looked like she could burst into tears at any moments
"Tai, do you understand the consequences of what you're about to do?!" said Matt in a frenzy, "You're signing your own death warrant"
"Tai, you do this and you will die" said Ken
"There's got to be another way" said Yolei
Kari and Izzy were silent.
"Tai, listen bud" said Davis, "I don't know much but I know you. You're not the type to give up like this. These people will poke and prod you and you won't survive. You can't do this"
"I have to do this" said Tai,
"I've survived longer than anyone else. I've lived for 7 months. I should be dead. They're interested in that. They believe there is a gene or an antibody in my system that's delaying my death. They want to find it. I want to help them. It's my decision. I'm sorry"
There was silence in the room, mixed with a hint of sorrow. What he had told them was the unthinkable. In their hearts and minds, he was invincible. He'd never given up. Why was he doing this now? They didn't know.
Kari knew.
Izzy knew.
He continued,
"I know this is a shock to you all, you weren't expecting this...but I have to do this"
"Stop saying that" said Sora, "you're so convinced you're going to die. You've given up"
Taichi was silent. He sighed,
"The last six months, I've been fighting. I've also been thinking about a way to help you"
"You want to help us?" said Izzy, a tad confused.
"What happens to me after the trials doesn't concern me as much as what will happen to you" answered Tai
"For the last 2 months, I've been writing a series of letters" he said, "12 in total"
"Twelve?" said Davis, counting something with his fingers
"Eleven of those letters go to you, the last letter goes to my parents"
"Where are they?" asked Yolei to no one, though Tai heard her.
"Good question" said Tai "the letters are in a safe place. You will receive them after I've left for the trials. I've made sure of that. They are the reason you ran into John today"
"He's got the letters?" said Yolei, "can you trust him?"
"John's a good guy, he's misunderstood, and to tell you the truth, he's got a gambling problem, but he'll do this for me"
"There's more" he added.
"More?" said Matt
"I just...want to say that you guys made my life worth living. I laid awake at night, thinking of our adventures and, those were the happiest moments of my life. My biggest regret was...not cherishing our time together. I took it for granted, for that I want to apologize"
As he said, he felt...nothing. No sadness. No remorse. No regret. He neither felt content, nor did he feel empty. Neither peace nor turmoil. It was the balance of nothingness.
"It's getting late, so..." said Tai, "let's wrap this up. There are a few things I want to say to you, right here. I wish the whole group was here, but that's unrealistic, so here it goes"
He turned his focus on T.K and his sister.
"T.K" he said,
"In the coming months, I probably won't be around as much, I need your spirits to be high. It will be tough but I know that I can count on you"
"Kari" he said, now addressing her, "I need you to take care of the others. I know that it's an odd request, but I know you can do it. You've never disappointed me, and you never will"
"I will, Tai" she said, almost smiling.
T.K nodded.
"Davis," Tai said, hesitating for a moment, "you and I are more alike than you think. The only sound advice that I can give you is that you've made me proud and that I'm sorry I won't get to spend any more time with you. You may not understand my reasons for doing this, but I think, that with time, you'll be fine"
Davis was silent. Still angry, though he managed to nod and smile.
"Ken, you were a major pain in the ass in your day, but the changes you've made are impressive. You've become a respectable and invaluable asset of the team, keep it up"
Ken smiled, said,
"I will, Tai, you just take care of yourself while you're in the trials"
"I'll do that"
"When will you leave?" asked Yolei, who was right beside Ken.
"Soon" answered Tai, continued,
"Yolei? I see a lot of potential in you. I ask of you to take care of Ken, take care of my sister, and of T.K. The younger digi-destined are looking to you for solace, when they fall, I know you will help them. I know it"
Yolei simply stared at him. She was speechless. She had never heard him say anything like that.
Taichi smiled. He looked to Izzy. He was still troubled about his decision.
"Izzy" said Tai, his tone once again changing,
"You know that without you, we'd have never gotten out of the digital world alive. You saved our skins so many times. I'm in your debt, Izzy. Thanks, man. I don't know what else to say to you that I haven't already addressed in the letters"
"You're welcome, Tai" said Izzy.
Taichi studied Izzy's expression. He could detect no hints of anger nor sadness. Izzy believed in Tai. He believed what Tai planned to do was the right thing. He supported it. He didn't care.
"Matt" he said,
"What?" he said.
"I know that you don't agree with what I'm about to do-"
"Listen Tai, I was angry. I mean, you sprung this on us pretty quick, you know? If you feel you have to do this then, I'm with you all the way"
"Me too, Tai, sorry for earlier" said Sora
"That's Ok, it's completely understandable, thank you for your support"
"Sora" he said, as he said this, he stopped. Looked around. He cleared his throat,
"Guys, can I have a couple of minutes alone with Sora?"
Most of them nodded. Matt smiled. An uneasy smile on his face.
Taichi walked up to Sora. Grabbed her hand. His hand was cold, devoid of life. This was the norm now. He led her to the balcony. He closed all the doors. Shut the drapes. Whatever he had to say to Sora, was for Sora alone.
She stood there. Staring at him. How he had changed. He never really smiled anymore. He had no reason to.
"Tai?"
"Sora?"
"You go first" she said
"No, you first" he replied.
"I'm going to miss you" she said, as the tears began to escape her eyes. He reached for her and embraced her in a hug. Her tears fell on his shirt.
"It's going to be Ok"
"No, it's not"
Sora wouldn't cry in front of the others. She was strong, or at least she had to pretend she was. They were all pretending. All they did was pretend. Just like Tai.
They remained in their embrace, gently rocking back and forth to a ballad no one was playing. No words were spoken. His embrace was enough. He wouldn't say anything.
"Things will be different" she said
"You'll get by" he said
"And if I can't?" she said, her voice breaking up again.
"Matt will help you, he won't let you down"
She sighed, and pulled away from him. She brushed off the tears.
"Taichi?" she said
"Yeah?"
"Will you miss me?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course I'll miss you. I'll miss all of you" he replied, continued,
"Sora, you're the greatest friend I've ever had. There are things I've told you I've never told anyone. Things I can only tell you in private. I need you to be strong, and if you can't, then know that I...that I...
'I hate you'
"You what, Tai?" she asked.
"I'll always be there" he said
'Liar'
She hugged him again, and went inside, as it was cold outside. The breeze was blowing. He couldn't feel it though. He stood there alone. The others were inside. He looked down. Staring at nothing in particular.
Hewas a liar.
He wouldn't miss her.
Quite the contrary.
AN:So there it is. I promise Ch. 3 will be out much, much sooner than this. I've been having some problems with my rig, but that's all finished now. I wrote this chapter on Buzzword. It's an online web based word processor. Just making a plug. Hope you enjoyed it. Please review if you did...