"Gennai!?"
"You know him?" Catherine asked.
"Kind of," TK told her. "Remember when I told you about how two years ago when me and my friends were transported here?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Gennai here kind of helped us in a way," TK explained before turning his attention back to the old man. "But Gennai what's going on? Why are we here? And where are the others?"
"All will be explained in due time, but I must give you all something first. Follow me into my home, and make sure to close the door behind you," Gennai said as he led the group of kids and Digimon into his home. Being the last one to enter, Chloe closed the door behind her, and when she did, the lake reflooded itself.
"Woah," she said in awe. "It looks so beautiful out there!"
Penguinmon, who was standing next to her, was more amazed by the fish swimming around. "Look at all those fish. I wonder what they taste like?"
Chloe called back to when Monochromon was charging at her and her sister and Tsunomon and Tanemon jumped in to protect them. Chloe was extremely worried, not only for her and her sister's health but also for the two small creatures' well-being. She couldn't have been more surprised when the small orange fuzz-ball transformed into a penguin and saved both her and her sister.
"Penguinmon was it?" Chloe asked, drawing the penguin Digimon's attention. "I would like to thank you for saving me and my sister. If you didn't transform then me and my sister would've become a kebab back there."
"I should thank you as well," Peguinmon said, confusing Chloe. "If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been able to Digivole."
"I guess you could say that we helped each other out then," Chloe said, scratching the fuzz on top of Penguinmon's head, causing it to squeal with delight. "From now on let's agree to help each other out in any way we can. Deal?"
"Deal."
They shook hands, well more like Chloe shook Penguinmon's flipper, but her intention was still the same.
"There you are," Catherine said as she emerged from a corridor. She slightly startled the two, but they didn't show it. "What were you doing?"
"Just admiring the fish," Chloe said, confusing her sister. Longer-haired twin didn't know why her sister was admiring fish from behind sliding doors or why Peguinmon was chuckling to itself, but it didn't bother her enough to question them further.
"Alright then. I actually came here to get you, everyone's waiting," Catherine told her sister, causing the short-haired twin to blush, she didn't realize that the others went on without them.
"Oh, lead the way then," Chloe said as Catherine led them further into the house.
The twins, plus Digimon, entered a dining area where the four boys, plus the six Digimon, minus Patamon who was perched on top of TK's head, sat on the floor around a dining table. Catherine took her spot, which was being occupied by Floramon, next to TK, while both Chloe and Penguinmon took the other empty spot next to TK.
"Where have you been?" TK asked after Chloe sat down.
"Just admiring the fish," Chloe told him and he fully understood what she was telling him.
"Yeah, they're pretty amazing," TK gave her a wink causing Chloe to chuckle, which frustrated Catherine.
"Ok, what's so amazing about the fish?" Catherine asked, irritated. "Is it their color, their size, or their species?"
"It's none of that, they're just your run-of-the-mill koi fish," TK told her, frustrating her even more.
"Then what's so special about the fish!?"
"Oh, It's because-," Patamon began, but TK quickly silenced him.
"Don't tell her yet buddy. You don't want to ruin the surprise," TK told his partner. Patamon didn't understand what TK meant, but it decided to go along with it.
The other three kids sitting at the table were confused with what they were watching. They even asked the Digimon to translate what they were saying and they still didn't understand what they were saying. It appeared to the three boys that the short-haired girl and the boy in the hat were hiding something from them. Ken wanted to ask what they were hiding, but from what Wormmon translated, he would find out later.
"So, uh, where's the old guy?" Chloe asked.
"He went to get something after I sent Cat to get you," Tk told her. "Though it has been a while now."
"What do you think he went to get?" Catherine asked.
"I hope it's food because I'm feeling a little hungry," Patamon said while patting its belly.
"Food does sound good right about now," Lopmon spoke up.
"Yeah, we didn't get to eat breakfast today," Terriermon added. Willis said something to his two Digimon partners that no one at the table understood but he had an apologetic look on his face so it didn't take long for everyone to figure out what he said.
"You know, I'm feeling a little peckish myself," Chloe said, drawing annoyance from Catherine.
"You just had three chicken sandwiches not too long ago. How are you still hungry?" Catherine asked, annoyed with her sister's bottomless pit of a stomach.
"The sandwiches weren't big," Chloe retorted.
"They weren't bite-sized either," Catherine spat back.
"You eat that many chicken sandwiches for breakfast?" Terriormon said in awe, interrupting the sister's spat. "Why am I sneaking food from your scary mom when I could be chowing down on some delicious chicken, Willis?"
"I don't eat chicken sandwiches for breakfast," Chloe said, slightly confused.
"Yeah, we were talking about her after-school snack, if you can call it that," Catherine said the last part quietly, still bothered by her sister's appetite.
"Wow, you must have to go to school early if you get back home around breakfast time," Lopmon said in amazement. "Willis sometimes complains about wanting to go to something called night classes, but his mother won't let him."
"Where are you from exactly?" Catherine asked.
"Colorado," the twin Digimon answered.
"I guess that answers that question," Chloe said.
"What do you mean?" A confused Lopmon asked.
"We," Catherine pointed from herself to her sister. "Live in France."
"What's that?" Terriermon asked.
"It's a European country," TK told the dog Digimon.
"But why do you go to school at night?" A still confused Lopmon asked.
"It's because we live in a different time zone," Neither of the two Digimon or any other Digimon that was listening in understood what the hat-wearing boy was saying. Seeing this, TK tried his best to explain himself. "It's like this when you guys get up in the morning, it would be the afternoon for us," he indicated to himself and the twins. "While for them," he pointed towards Ken and Ryo. "They would be getting ready for bed because they live in a country called Japan."
The Digimon were more confused from TK's explanation than they were before, and they didn't even know what a time zone was. TK was about to clarify himself when Catherine cut him off before he could do any more damage.
"What he means is that when it's morning for you, it's the afternoon for us, and for them," she pointed at Ken and Ryo. "It's nighttime."
"OH," said all the Digimon, causing TK to hang his head in embarrassment. Chloe patted his back to lift his spirits. It worked a little bit, but he still felt a little embarrassed.
"Man, what's taking that old geezer so long?" TK heard Ryo say. "He's been gone for like what, an hour?"
"It's actually been five minutes," Ken told him, causing Ryo to groan in frustration.
"Well, it felt like an hour," Ryo retorted.
"Maybe someone should go check on him," Wormmon suggested. "Make sure he's ok."
"I'll go," Patamon volunteered. "It'll give me a chance to stretch out my wings."
"There will be no need for that, Patamon," Gennai said as entered the room carrying a tray of six teacups. "Though I do appreciate your concerns, I don't like to be called a geezer."
Gennai passed a cup to each of the children then sat down at the head of the table. After he sat down the floodgates opened with nonstop questions.
"What's going on?"
"Why are we here?"
"What did you give us?"
"Will you be serving food as well?"
Gennai felt his eyes twitch. "If I knew I was gonna be bombarded with questions the moment I sat down, I would've stayed in the kitchen." The children quieted down, feeling bad for annoying the old man.
"Sorry," TK said. "We're just confused with what's going on."
"I understand your concern, and I will answer your questions soon, but first, why don't you all have a drink," Gennai said.
The six children looked at the cups in front of them. They were filled with a cactus green-colored liquid with steam coming off of it. They felt uneasy about the beverage not knowing what the old man wanted them to drink.
"What is it?" Ken asked.
"It's tea," Gennai told them. The children slightly felt better about the beverage in front of them, but they were still apprehensive about it.
"Hey," Floramon spoke up after not saying anything this whole time. "How come there isn't any tea for us Digimon?"
"Yeah!" Monodramon exclaimed. "I'm feeling a little thirsty and hungry as well."
"Yeah!" The rest of the Digimon cheered in agreement.
Gennai raised his hand to silence the Digimon and to get everyone's attention. "I hear your complaints and don't worry food and beverages will be provided later, but I made this tea to help the Digidestined."
TK raised his cup and swirled the liquid inside of it. He took a whiff of the tea and didn't smell anything wrong with it. He brought the cup to his lips and started drinking. The rest of the Digidestined watched him with both worry and anticipation. TK started to cough after finishing his tea causing everyone to panic.
"Are you feeling ok?"
"Does anything hurt?"
TK waved them off after he finished coughing. "Yeah, I'm fine it just tasted bitter," TK heard Willis gasp. He saw Willis wide-eyed and his hands covering his mouth.
"What's wrong?" TK asked. He knew that the English-speaking blond couldn't understand him, but he hoped that one of his Digimon would translate for him. What he didn't expect was for Willis to respond.
"I can understand you!"
It was TK's turn to be shocked, but for a slightly different reason. Sure, he was surprised that Willis could understand him, but what really shocked him was that he could understand Willis as well.
"I can understand you!" TK exclaimed, shocking the remaining Digidestined.
"You can understand him?!" A surprised Catherine asked.
"How can you understand him?!" An equally surprised Ryo asked.
TK became extremely confused. He swears that he was speaking in French during his outburst, so how could Ryo understand him?
"How are you able to understand me?" TK asked Ryo.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm speaking in French right now. When could you understand French?" This confused Ryo because it doesn't sound like TK is speaking in French.
"But it sounds like Japanese," Ryo said, with Ken nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, it sounds like you're speaking Japanese."
TK ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He swears he's speaking French, but somehow Willis, Ryo, and Ken can understand him. He looked at the three boys sitting across from him.
"I want to try something," he told them. "I'm gonna talk in French to both Chloe and Catherine and what I want you to do is repeat what I'm saying to them, got it?"
The boys nodded as TK turned to the girls.
"Chloe, you're a great dancer but you sing like a saucepan," TK said and the three boys repeated what he said in their native tongue perfectly. He was both confused and a little impressed that they were able to repeat him perfectly, but he still wants to know how he could understand Willis and how the three boys can understand him when he's speaking French. He looked to Gennai, hoping he'll explain what is happening.
"I can see you're confused as to what's happening and there is a perfect explanation for it," Gennai told him and TK sighed in relief. "It's because the tea I gave you gives you the ability to understand any language."
"That explains how I can understand Willis, but how can Ryo, Ken, and Willis understand me even though I'm speaking in French?" TK asked.
"Because you're not necessarily just speaking in French," Genna received some confused stares from everyone sitting at the table. "What I mean is that you're speaking every language at the same time and whoever hears you it sounds like you're speaking in their native language."
"So what you're saying is that not only can I understand any language, but also speak any language without having to learn any of them?" TK asked in disbelief.
"In a word, yes."
"And is it permanent?"
"Yes."
It was quiet. The children, other than TK, looked at the tea in front of them, contemplating the choice they have to make. They knew that if they drank the tea they would be able to understand each other, but they would never be able to go back to normal afterward. They know that if they drink it everyone will only hear them in a certain way. Will they be willing to make that sacrifice?
"Eh, I'm down," Ryo broke the silence as he chugged down his tea. "Besides, it beats having to learn how to understand and speak someone's language."
"It would've taken us at least three months to learn one language, let alone two," Willis spoke up after finishing his tea. "This was an easy choice to make."
"I would be crazy to pass up this chance!" Chloe downed her drink in one sip. "Besides, I always wanted to understand the Egyptians."
"When will you ever go to Egypt? Let alone meet an Egyptian?" TK asked.
"You never know what can happen in the future," she responded, drawing a chuckle from the boy.
Ken looked at his drink, unsure if he should drink it or not. He knows the benefits of drinking the tea and what it'll do to him, but he doesn't know if he wants to take that risk.
"What's wrong Ken? Don't you want to drink your tea?" Wormmon asked his partner. Wormmon saw the worried look on Ken's face and wondered if he was scared about the effects of the tea.
"I don't know Wormmon," Ken said. "I'm just feeling a little apprehensive about this."
"Are you worried about the side effects? Because the others seem fine."
"I know Wormmon. It's just… I don't know?" Ken put his head down. He knows there's nothing holding him back from drinking the tea, he has no relatives outside of Japan, and even if he did his parents never told him about them. But to be heard a certain way his entire life is a scary thought.
"It's alright if you don't want to drink the tea," Ken shot his head up and saw TK smiling at him. "I know it's scary, but if Gennai said this will help us then we have no reason not to trust him."
"But to be heard a certain way for the rest of your life? Is that something that I want?"
"I understand your concerns, my mother was born and raised in Paris and my father and brother were born and raised in Japan. Sure it saddens me that my mom will only hear me speaking in French for the rest of her life, but if Gennai says that this will help us that means something serious is going on and it's a sacrifice I'm willing to take to help," TK said seriously.
"But you didn't know about the side effects when you drank your tea. Would you still drink it if you knew what it did?"
"I would've hesitated first..." TK paused. He brought his hand to his chin, thinking about what he's going to say next, then put his hand down and gave Ken a big toothy grin. "But I still would've drunk it."
Ken looked back at his drink. Who was he to worry about how he sounds to people when the blond boy sitting in front of him would still drink the tea even though his parents and brother are from different countries with different languages. Ken grabbed his cup and drank every last drop of the green beverage.
"Yeck," Ken pulled the cup away from his face. "It really is bitter."
"That's what I said,'' TK joked, causing everyone but Catherine to chuckle. After they calmed down everyone looked at Catherine who had yet to drink her tea.
"You gonna drink your tea, Cat?" Chloe asked her sister.
"I just don't see a reason for me to drink it," she told her sister. "I mean everyone can understand me and I can understand them, so there is no reason for me to drink it."
"Yeah, but think about how cool this is!" Chloe exclaimed. "You can speak and understand any language without having to learn any of them. You're really gonna pass up that opportunity?"
"We have family whose first language isn't French," Catherine said, receiving a quizzical look from her sister.
"So? Wouldn't this help us talk with them?" Chloe scratched her head. She didn't understand what her sister was talking about.
"Don't you remember how Aunt Alva says how much she loves to hear us speaking French?" Catherine asked. "Or how Cousin Fynn is trying to learn French so he can actually talk to us? And you just want me to squash their hard work and happiness?"
"I'm sure they would understand if they were in our position," Chloe said calmly.
"They wouldn't even be able to comprehend the fact of alternate dimensions let alone magic tea!" Catherine snapped, slamming her fists on the table. Everyone stared at her with their mouths agape.
TK should've known this was a stressful situation for her, it's actually a pretty stressful situation for everyone. One moment you're in your home or with your family, then suddenly you're in a strange world with strange creatures and other people who don't even speak the same language as you. He should've assumed that Catherine, and maybe Chloe would've been terrified with their situation, but since he was so caught up in being back and the Digital World and seeing Patamon again he just ignored how they were feeling.
Seeing that he had a hand in Catherine's outburst, TK knew he had to diffuse the situation. He cleared his voice to draw everyone's attention.
"It's ok Catherine," TK said calmly as he rubbed her back to soothe her. "I know you're under a lot of stress with what's been happening and I'm sorry for ignoring your feelings. You don't have to drink the tea, I don't want to force you to do something that you don't want to or aren't comfortable with."
"Thank you," Catherine said.
Gennai waited a few moments to let everyone settle down. He took everyone's cups and placed them back on the tray and moved it to the side.
"I'll save your tea if you change your mind," Gennai told Catherine. She nodded her head to show gratitude towards the old man for thinking about her, but she knew in her heart that she wasn't going to drink it.
"Now it's time to talk about why you're here," Gennai said, causing the children to perk up.
"Yeah, why are we here?" Ryo asked.
"I would like to know more about this world?" Willis was more intrigued about the world and its inhabitants than about why he's there.
"Where are the others?" TK asked with concern. Sure, he was interested as to why he was there, but he was more concerned about where his friends were.
"All will be revealed soon, but first a history lesson," the children, except for Willis, fell over after hearing Gennai speak. Willis was excited, finally, he was able to learn about where his two friends came from. Shortly after, they picked themselves up one after another, some muttering to themselves.
"Why are you like this?" TK said as he slapped his forehead.
"I thought I was done with history when Summer break started," Chloe complained.
"Got sucked into my computer just to receive a history lesson," Ryo said sarcastically.
"Don't worry, it's not your average history lesson that you get at school," Gennai explained after hearing their complaints. Willis was disappointed after hearing that, but still, any information about this world is good information.
Seeing that he has everyone's attention, Gennai cleared his throat and began his story.
"Two years ago, seven kids were summoned to the Digital World-" Gennai began but was quickly interrupted by Patamon.
"Oh, I know what you're talking about! He's talking about your first adventure in the DigiWorld, TK!"
"I know, Patamon. But, maybe you shouldn't interrupt Gennai during his story," they looked towards the old man who looked mildly annoyed about being interrupted. Patamon bowed its head as an apology and allowed Gennai to continue.
"As I was saying, seven kids were summoned to the Digital World, each with their own Digimon companion. Together they were able to defeat any evil they went up against using the power of Digivolution, allowing their Digimon partner to reach their next stage to grow stronger," Gennai looked around the table to see if any of the children had any questions. He saw Catherine have a confused expression on her face and allowed her to speak.
"I'm sorry, but what's Digivolution?" She asked, hoping for a simple answer.
"It's when a Digimon changes forms and becomes stronger. It can happen naturally or in some cases, the power of a Digivice."
Catherine looked at the Digivice in her hand and showed it to the old man. "You mean this?"
"Yes, it's an indicator of you being a Digidestined, and with it, you were able to make your partner Digivolve," Gennai told her. She felt a tug on her dress and saw Floramon with a bashful look on its face.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been able to Digivolve to protect you." Catherine looked at the flower Digimon and recalled back to the altercation with the Monochromon. She didn't think she did anything to help during the altercation and just thought that Tanemon transformed into Floramon on their own, but hearing that she had a part in that transformation made her feel better about the situation.
"Well, don't sell yourself short. You did most of the work."
Catherine rubbed the petal on top of Floramon's head. When she removed her hand the petals on its head and arms bloomed.
Gennai waited a few moments for everyone to calm down from the heartwarming moment to pass before he continued with his story.
"After a while, that group of seven grew into eight after the evil of this world managed its way into yours," Ken shot up when he realized what Gennai was talking about.
"I remember that! Two years ago me and my brother were kidnapped by these ghost-looking creatures. We were held hostage in a TV station with other kids who were being judged by a cat and a vampire," the children and Digimon gave him surprised looks, but TK was the most surprised. He knew that a lot of children that lived in Odaiba were kidnapped by Myotismon's henchmen, but he never expected any of them were actually Digidestined.
"Do you remember anything else?" Chloe asked with pure fascination.
"It was extremely foggy that day, but other than that, nothing," Ken admitted.
"I remember that," Ryo drew their attention. "It was all over the news, 'The Mysterious Fog of Odaiba,' they called it. I don't remember any reports about the fog, but one thing I do remember is something weird happened after the fog cleared."
"What happened?" Wormmon asked.
"Part of the sky ripped open revealing a strange land." Everyone, except for TK and Patamon gasped. Already knowing the story, TK and Patamon weren't surprised when Ryo talked about the Digiworld showing up in the sky, they even knew it was seen around.
"Did you say a strange land was seen from the sky?" Willis asked intensely.
"Yeah."
"I also remember that happening," Willis revealed. "I remember seeing all the different cities on the news, but I also remember seeing a cyborg gorilla climbing the Empire State building."
"What did the news have to say about that?" Ryo said with a smirk. He found it humorous that a gorilla would climb the Empire State building, just like in those old movies.
"Surprisingly, nothing," Willis said, causing the children's eyebrows to raise. "It's like the reporters were completely oblivious to the monster on their screen. I even told my parents about this and they just said I was seeing things."
After hearing their stories, the twins thought back to what they remember on that day two years ago.
"Wait, how were you the only person able to see that monster?" Ken couldn't wrap his head around the fact that no one else was able to see something as obvious as a gorilla climbing a building. "That shouldn't be possible."
"But it is," TK spoke up. "After the sky ripped open, a bug Digimon called Kuwagamon, emerged from it and almost caused a plane crash."
The children gasped.
"Don't worry, one of my friend's Digimon helped land it into the river," TK clarified, calming their nerves. "But another one of my friend's Digimon tried attacking the Kuwagamon, but they said that their attacks just fazed right through it."
"What are you saying?" Willis asked.
"What I'm saying is that the Digimon that we saw on tv or in-person weren't physically there," TK told him. Willis started to think about what he told him. What he said made sense as to why no one else was able to see the monsters, but it didn't explain why they were able to see them.
"But how were we able to see them?"
TK brought his hand to his chin to think over what Willis told him. He then looked at his Digivice as if it held the answer.
"Maybe it has to do with the Digivices," he looked towards the twins, both sharing a confused look on their faces. "Do you remember seeing any Digimon two years ago when the sky ripped open? Whether it was on tv or in-person?"
"No," Chloe said while shaking her head. "But there was an earthquake."
"Yeah, but it didn't feel like a normal earthquake," Catherine recalled. "It felt more like a giant shaking the ground every time it took a step."
"Could that have been a Digimon?" TK said to himself.
"It has to be," Ken spoke up. "I remember before I got my Digivice, I was out with my family when the ground cracked around us and the walk sign tore off from its pole."
"I guess that answers that then. The reason why you're Digidestined is because you had some form of an encounter with a Digimon or the Digiworld," the children nodded to what TK said. It made sense to a point, there were many people who saw the Digiworld in the sky, and multiple kids were kidnapped by Digimon, but only they were summoned. Maybe there's another reason they don't know yet.
Gennai cleared his throat.
"That's a good theory, Child of Hope."
"Why do you call him that?" Catherine spoke up. "That's the second time you called him that since we got here."
"It's because he had the crest of Hope," Patamon spoke up.
"What are crests?" Willis asked.
"Crests are the physical manifestation of a Digidestined best trait. It also helps the Digidestined's partner Digivolve into its next evolution form," Gennai explained.
"So, TK's crest is Hope. Then what were the others?" Chloe asked.
"Courage, Friendship, Love, Knowledge, Sincerity, Reliability, and Light," TK listed off the names of his friend's crests. "The power of the crests helped us out a lot in our adventures, but we had to give that power to protect the Digital World."
"And that leads to why you're here," Gennai said grimly.
"What do you mean?"
"There's something I've never told you or the other Digidestined. The Digital World has four Guardians, Sovereigns to be exact, and they're the protectors of the Digital World. Each Sovereign holds the power of the crests, Zhuqiaomon holds Courage and Love, Ebonwumon holds Reliability and Sincerity, Baihumon holds Friendship and Knowledge, and Azulongmon holds Hope and Light," Gennai explained.
"If they're the protectors of the Digital World, then why didn't they help us with our adventures?" TK wanted answers. If they protect the Digital World then why didn't they step in to help defeat the Four Dark Masters, Myostismon, or Devimon? Why did Angemon have to sacrifice themself when it's their job to protect the Digital World.
"Apocalymon trapped them away, causing some Evil Digimon to run wild. You see, the Digidestined are the last resort to protect the Digiworld. Whenever the Digidestined are summoned, it means that something happened to the Sovereigns," Gennai explained. Both the children and Digimon had grim expressions on their faces.
"Then why not call upon TK and the other Digidestined? They seem to be more qualified for this than us," Catherine felt like panicking and Chloe wasn't far off.
"Their connection to the Digital World is broken."
"What do you mean Gennai?" TK needed to know why his friends aren't here with him. How come they can't get into the Digital World but he can?
"Their crests were destroyed."
TK and Patamon felt the air get sucked right out of them. Their friend's not only lost the ability to enter the Digital World but also lost their crests as well. Never again would their friends be able to reach Ultimate or Mega.
"Their crests were destroyed when the Sovereigns were defeated. Only yours, the crest of Hope, was saved. Without the crests, the Digital World was thrown into utter chaos; storms, earthquakes, tsunamis in the first hour of the crests being destroyed."
Gennai picked up his laptop and showed everyone the screen. It was a map of what they assumed is the Digital world. There was a continent and a few islands
"This is the Digital World, or what it was before. You see, the crests keep the Digital World a peaceful place. But without them…" Gennai switched the screen to a different map. Everyone gasped, there were more islands because the continent was broken apart. "The Digital World would be destroyed and put your world in danger. We were lucky that the crest of Hope was saved or else we would've been plunged into a world of darkness and the real world would've been put in grave danger."
The Digimon were horrified to learn that their home is being destroyed and that it was so close to being wiped out completely. Patamon was worried about its friends because they were separated when the storm started. Did they get separated as well, are they on different parts of the broken continent? Patamon wanted to get out there and look for them, but couldn't because when the storms start back up again, it would be putting its life in danger and wouldn't be able to help anyone.
TK is also scared. Scared that since a majority of crests are destroyed, there could be no barrier to protect the real world from evil Digimon, and his friends have no way to protect their world from that danger. And if his friend's crests are destroyed, how does that affect them?
"I know it's selfish of me to ask you this but…" Genna bowed to the children and Digimon. "Please help save our world!"
They looked at the old man pleading with them. They were hesitant, knowing that if they accept his pleas, they'll be putting their lives in danger, but if they don't, then their world would be in grave danger.
Chloe and Catherine looked at their partners. Even though they just met, Penguinmon and Floramon risked their lives to protect them. Would they be able to do the same for them?
Ken thought back to when he first met Wormmon and the joy he felt when he first arrived in the Digital World.
Though Terriermon and Lopmon were born in the real world, Willis doesn't want their world to be destroyed.
"I'll do it!" TK stood up. "I wouldn't be able to call myself a Digidestined if I turned my back on this."
"I'm with you!" Patamon said.
The children and Digimon looked at the blond boy and Digimon in awe. At first, they thought they were crazy but then thought about what TK said. They're Digidestined now and this isn't something they can just turn their back on.
"Beats going to school, I'm with ya!" Ryo stood along with TK.
"I'm not about to let my world get destroyed!" Monodramon slammed his claws together.
"This'll give me a good opportunity to learn about this world!" Willis grinned as he stood up.
"As long as this gets you to go outside, we're with you!" Terriermon climbed up Willis' left shoulder.
"Yeah, we were getting worried about you," Lopmon climbed up his right shoulder.
"What do you think we should do Ken?" Wormmon asked its partner. "Whatever you choose, I'll follow you."
Ken rubbed his chin and weighed his options. "This is absolutely crazy…" he stood up and had a look of determination. "But sometimes you need to be crazy."
The boys looked at the girls who had yet to stand up with them. While the girls looked like they were contemplating whether or not to join them, the Digimon were determined to help the boys if the girls were with them or not.
"I know this is a lot to ask and it's ok if you don't…" TK was interrupted when Chloe gave him a toothy grin.
"Are you kidding!? No way, I'm gonna pass this up!" She jumped out of her seat and joined the boys.
Catherine was apprehensive, she saw the determination in Floramon and the excitement in her sister, but she couldn't feel the same way. She's scared, scared of this world, of its inhabitants, and scared for her life. She knows that if she joins them, her life will be in serious danger, but if she doesn't join them and they fail, what'll happen to their world?
She then thought about how Floramon risked its life to protect her from Monochromon. If something so small was willing to put its life on the line to stop something big and menacing, then what's stopping her from returning the favor.
"There's no way I'm gonna let my little sister risk her life, without her big sister there to help her!" Catherine joined the group and no one was happier than Chloe.
Watching the group from afar, all Gennai could do was smile.
"Thank you, Digidestined."
After the group agreed to help save the Digiworld, Gennai suggested they should spend the night in his house and leave in the morning. They agreed, seeing after the day they had, it would be for the best to rest up. They had a delicious meal and washed up before heading to bed.
(Line Break)
It is late at night and everyone is asleep, almost everyone. After failing to fall asleep, TK decided to watch the fish to tire himself out. But no matter how long he watched the fish, he stayed wide awake. All he could think about was their situation.
He didn't have the time to think about it earlier after being transported to the Digital World, reuniting with Patamon, and the altercation with Monochromon, he just put their situation in the back of his mind.
But now that he's alone, it's all that he can think about.
He's in a world that's falling apart without the help of his friends and brother. If he fails, not only will the Digital World be destroyed, the real world would be put in peril as well. He doesn't want to think about what will happen to his friends and family if that happens.
He's scared.
"TK?"
TK quickly turned around to see Patamon tiredly fly to him. TK met the tired Digimon halfway and held it in his arms.
"What are you doing up so late?" Patamon tried to wipe the sleep from its eyes, but couldn't because it felt comfortable in its partner's arms.
"Sorry, buddy. Just thinking about stuff that's all," TK walked back towards the window. TK felt Patamon stir in his arms as it stretched its wings.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
TK contemplated telling his friend, he didn't want to put any stress on the little guy, but they never kept any secrets from each other before.
TK took a deep breath.
"I'm scared, Patamon. This is the first time we're in the Digital World without the others," TK recalled when his brother left him alone in an abandoned amusement park in the Digital World, but this time is different. He knows Tai, Matt, or Sora aren't gonna come and save him this time, this time he's alone.
"But you're not alone," TK looked down at his partner who was smiling up at him. "You have me, Catherine, Chloe, Ken, Ryo, Willis, and their partners."
"Yeah, but they all have little to no knowledge of the Digital World," TK said.
"But neither did you guys when you first came to the Digital World," Patamon countered. "And if you ask me, I think this new group is more prepared."
"What do you mean?"
"This group has you and your experience in the Digital World," Patamon told its partner.
TK took in what Patamon said. It was right. Knowing that this new group will not be going into this blind as he and his friends did filled him with hope. Even though their situation is completely different, TK feels confident that they will get through this.
"Thanks, Patamon, I needed to hear that," Patamon yawned and TK felt himself getting tired. "Now why don't we head to bed."
As the two went to bed, they didn't notice Catherine standing in the bathroom doorway. She listened in on their conversation, taking in what TK was saying. She felt bad, the whole time they were in the Digital World she's been selfish, only thinking about herself and not her friend and sister, and how this has affected them.
She's the only one who didn't drink the tea, for heaven's sake.
Catherine realized that if she wanted to help out, then she needed to be less selfish. And that starts now.
With a new feeling of determination, Catherine marched to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She searched around for a few minutes before she found what she was looking for. Catherine pulled out her teacup from earlier.
She swirled around the green liquid before taking a deep breath and drinking every last drop. She cringed and stuck out her tongue.
"Bleugh, I probably should've heated this up first," Catherine placed the cup in the sink and made her way back to her bed.
(Omake)
Catherine and Chloe were talking with one another as they waited for the bathroom to clear out. It was like any other conversation they had before until Catherine brought up the topic of fish.
"Anyways, weren't you going to show me the fish?"
"Yeah, I'm quite curious myself?" Floramon spoke up. Chloe and Penguinmon looked at each other and snickered.
"Alright," Chloe had a devilish smirk on her face. Both Catherine and Floramon were worried but decided to go against their better judgment.
They walked towards a window and both Catherine and Floramon were speechless, though for different reasons. Floramon was in awe of how the house is able to keep standing underwater while not affecting the underwater life.
Catherine on the other hand…
"Wha? But how? It's just not possi…" Catherine fainted.
Chloe and the Digimon looked at each other.
"I think we should've warned her first," Chloe said. The two Digimon nodded in agreement.