Disclaimer: Have not made one of these awhile but I do not own Digimon.
On a rare note, I have been getting over bronchitis for the last few weeks and had a bit of a scare. I also am reviewing Digimon: Personified, and, due to the nature of the story, even though it may contain adult material at times, I've decided that is best left up to interpretation/imagination. It breaks the pace and flow of the story, and though I don't see anything wrong per se, it's not contributing or advancing the story at all, so anything graphic in that story will be removed. I hope you understand and continue with your support reading the material. Anyways, that's my lowkey update on the series. This is just getting really dark and cryptic the way the story is turning kind of like a ghost game vibe mixed with Digimon Tri. Really enjoying it as I hope all of you are.
Oh, and I know it's not uniform, but I've just given up on the correct way to spell Ygdrassil/Ygdrassill/Yggdrasil. You know who it is. I swear even the subtitles of it I've seen have changed from Tri. It's quite annoying. Moving on.
Chapter Five: Three Ways Out, No Exit
Ygdrassill, in all her child-like whimsical horror, spun around her way as if mimicking a ballet dancer.
"It's been too long Hikarichan," Ygdrassill smiled leaning forward. "When was the last time we saw each other? In your dreams, I think?"
Hikari felt her hand tense up, her nerves starting to return. With her here like this, she didn't seem as threatening in her dreams the way she acted so familiar with her. She was a lot scarier in her nightmares.
"You don't have to lie to me," she said closing her eyes taking a breath. "I'm now old enough to know the difference between a nightmare and the Dark Ocean," she said, remembering the chilliness and dread from the depths.
"Then you also know then," Ygdrassill said curiously moving towards her and glancing at her from different angles, "How you came to the Dark Ocean for the first time."
Hikari nodded her head. "I'll never forget it or be able to get the scent of the sea salt out of my memory," she said, still remembering trudging through the forest until she reached her cabin.
"I treasure those memories Hikarichan," she grinned. "Shall we play again just like when you were younger? I know many fun games we can play. And you and I can eat all the sweets that we want!"
Hikari swallowed, remembering when she threw a fit, remembering NOT to make her angry.
"So, is this then one of your games?" she questioned.
"What do you mean Hikarichan?" she asked elusively, her eyes lighting up, Hikari knowing that that was usually a very BAD thing.
"All of the students going missing at my school, it's been you, hasn't it?"
"Yep, that's me," she grinned.
"Even Chizuruchan?"
"Especially her."
"But why? Why are you kidnapping students? They haven't hurt you. Can you bring them back?"
Ygdrassill giggled, her teeth clenching. "Oh, they hurt me all right," she growled menacingly. "They hurt my dear Hikarichan," she said, her teeth now jagged.
"Me?" Hikari wondered. "No one has hurt- "
"-Liar," she said cutting her off. "You're a terrible liar Hikarichan."
Hikari swallowed, instantly grabbing the side of her arm.
Ygdrassil's eyes glared towards it immediately bending down and poking the side of her leg, Hikari wincing.
"Oh, that's a BIG no no," she grinned with jagged teeth. "You weren't just hurt emotionally…but physically," she said standing back up. She then reached forward, grabbed Hikari's arm, and rolled up the sleeve. Hikari stayed ever still as she inspected, Ygdrassill simmering in calm fury.
"It wounds me deeply YOU would lie to me about this," she said, staring directly into Hikari's eyes. "Why would you do such a thing?"
Hikari, still shaking steeled her nerves. She had to, no matter how dangerous Ygdrassill herself threatened her.
"Because I know what you'll do to them," she said calmly, but firmly. "And even if I did get hurt you would probably take their lives," she explained.
Ygdrassill rolled her eyes, glancing up at the ceiling.
"Oh Hikarichan," she teased, "There you go again. Always beating yourself down believing you don't have much value."
She walked over to the edge of the platform and sat down dangling her legs over it.
"Were not the nice clothes and the sweets, and my pleasant company not enough for you? Goodness, I bet for your birthdays you even think about giving some other kid the biggest piece of cake. Being too considerate of others will make you a doormat one day," she said cheekily. "Although I don't think you'd mind that," she giggled.
Hikari nodded her head, becoming little by little less fearful of her.
She also sat down next to the platform, tucking in her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms just below her knees.
"It's better," she said, "For myself to get hurt, than for me to hurt others."
"Even though keeping yourself silent hurts those around you? Why do you think you went to the Dark Ocean in the first place, Hikarichan?"
"I think…it was my crest of light," she said. "It attracts the darkness."
"It's not just that," she said looking up at the ceiling at a dim light, moths dancing around the flickering brightness. "Anyone can go to the Dark Ocean," she explained. "When the Viral Data is close enough to the Negative emotions of human beings they are invited," she said. "But just so you know, when you were called I saved you."
Hikari glanced at her, resting her head on her leg. "Why?"
"You underestimate the light you carry," she said. "And the burden of its lightness."
Hikari glanced at her strangely.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's a light thing," she said smiling now. "Light, you know? Light is light. And it's not heavy. But, knowing you Hikarichan, because it's not heavy you feel guilty. You're way too sensitive," she scolded lightly. "You know that?"
Hikari nodded her head. "I guess…I'm not worthy of my crest," she sighed. "But I kind of knew that already."
"You should be glad you have it though," Ygdrassill said getting up. She walked over to Hikari and kneeled down wrapping her arms around her.
"Unworthy as you are, you still have a purpose."
Hikari stared out looking at the depths below as if she herself had been in there for so long unable to escape.
"And that is?"
Ygdrassill snickered. "You'll have to figure that out for yourself Hikarichan," she said getting back up and stretching.
"Anyway, this whole chase thing has become quite tedious. It's about time we wrapped things up."
Hikari snapped out of her funk glancing up at her, a sinister look on Ygdrassil's face.
"What do you mean by that?" she said standing up.
"Oh, you'll know soon," she said, "Just listen for it."
Hikari paused, the last breath of air hanging around her as she thought she heard a far-off voice.
"-ami!" it said, Hikari listening.
"Hikari Yagami!" the voice shouted getting closer, Hikari still not able to recognize it.
The metal platform started to rattle as the outline of a man in an overcoat approached them, Hikari opening her eyes wide.
"Stay back!" she shrieked, knowing just who had found her.
Mr. Kyoshima ran over to her, breathing heavy, an intense look on his face.
"That Miyako girl had told me you ran off this way so I came as soon as I could," he said staring at her face, pale, Hikari's whole frame shaking.
"R-run away," she said, her voice quieting, barely able to get the words out, as if choking on the intense aura emanating from behind her.
"Hikarichaaaaaaan," Ygdrassill said, her smooth honey voice slithering in her ear. "I can tell by your fear you know. So, he was the one who did it," she smiled. "He's the one that hurt you."
"What are you talking about?" he said glancing at Hikari and then at the girl, her magenta eyes putting him on edge.
"Finally," he said making a fist, clenching it, his teeth clenched angrily. "After all this time, the accounts of the strange girl with the magenta eyes has now been witnessed," he said. "The girl that ties together all these strange disappearances. The one they last see before going to the Dark Ocean."
"Awwe," the girl grinned coming out from behind Hikarichan whimsically approaching him with both arms behind her back. "You've heard of me," she said cheerfully innocent, her eyes closed and smiling, Hikari wary of her unstable gait, wavering between cheerfulness and rage.
Kyoshima took out a gun and pointed it at her. "Stay back. I know who you are, or, rather WHAT you are," he scowled. "And I'm not falling for your tricks. Tell me where all the missing children are," he said. "Are any of them still alive?"
"Hmm," she mused, her magenta eyes squinting towards him, as if amused. "That's funny mister. You think you haven't fallen for my tricks? You already have," she grinned, Kyoshima, flinching unleashing his firearm, but Ygdrassill dodging it effortlessly. She slid under his arm and grabbed it flipping him over the rail.
"Kyoshimasan!" Hikari barely uttered trying to scream, Kyoshima's faint cries dying out as he disappeared in the depths.
"Relax," Ygdrassill said snapping her fingers. Instantly overhead him a twisted scarlet and purple light appeared dyeing the area in an eerie glow.
Hikari glanced down below and saw Kyoshima wincing as he grabbed his side.
"See, he's alive," she said. "Did you think I was going to kill him?" she chided. "You're so silly Hikarichan. "I'm not the one going to do anything to him. You have my word," she said, just as a rumbling sound could be heard, a faint portal appearing aways from him.
"What…is that?" Hikari asked fearfully.
"Hmm? Oh that?" Ygdrassill said matter of factly. "It's just a portal to the Dark Ocean. Of course, nothing that goes in there ever escapes."
It took Hikari a moment to realize his condition and just what Ygdrassill's intentions were.
"You can't!" Hikari shouted, grabbing her shoulders. "What did Kyoshimasan ever do to you? He's innocent!"
"But he hurt you, Hikarichan."
"And you hurt him!" she answered back, a strange growling sound emanating from the portal. Hikari looked over the railing, her hands tense as a monstrous appendage manifested from it in slithering darkness and reached over to Kyoshima.
He groaned incredibly, his head lifting and screaming madly as it started to pull him.
"The penalty for hurting you is death," Ygdrasill replied plainly. "Though not by my hands. I don't eat human flesh…unless it's digitized first."
"Ygdrassill!" Hikari pleaded, tears starting to brim down her face. "Don't let them eat him! Please!"
Ygdrassill nodded her head and rubbed Hikari's hair. "There there," she said. "Watch. It will all be over soon. So you don't need to- "
"-I'm begging you!" Hikari wept staring directly in the eyes, her heart felted appeal breaking Ygdrassil's cheeky demeanor.
"Wow, you must really care about this man, don't you Hikarichan?"
Hikari shook her head. "He's a person. And if he dies because of me, it's like I killed him. I couldn't live with myself," she said. "It would be all my fault."
Ygdrassill breathed out, closing her eyes. "All right, Hikarichan," she said snapping her fingers, the twisted appendage letting go of Kyoshima and wriggling back into the portal, it instantly closing, "I'll spare him all for the sake of your mental health," she agreed. "I can't have him dying and causing you a break down when you believe it would be all your fault. That wouldn't be very nice of me, now, would it?"
Hikari nodded her head weakly, Ygdrassill reaching out and holding her cheeks. "Your tears were worth finding you," she smirked. "After our last encounter, you must have blocked out the painfulness of those times," she said, "so it would be like they never happened. But they did," she teased. "The girls who beat you. The boys who teased you. Those who despised and rejected you for a time. Even then, till now, they are all connected, Hikarichan."
Hikari closed her eyes resting on those words, herself exhausted from the struggle.
Just then, she thought she heard voices, thundering feet on the platform catching her attention.
"Hikarichan!" Miyako's voice called out.
"Hikarichan!" Takeru and Daisuke's voice followed after.
Then Taichi's voice screamed out as all of them appeared, Yamato following in the back.
She lifted her head up glancing their way glad to see them, but warily watching out for them. In her relief, she noticed that Ygdrassill had all but vanished the Digidestined swarming her afterwards. "Thank goodness you're ok!" Miyako exclaimed, hugging her tight. "I was so worried when Mr. Kyoshima went to get you, but he never came back either!"
"Speaking of which," Taichi said, where is he?
"Over here, you idiots!" he groaned as they all glanced over the railing. He was barely visible, but Hikari and the others could see him.
"Kyoshimasan?!" Iori exclaimed. "How did you get down there?"
"Are you hurt?" Ken shouted, Kyoshima responding back instantly.
"What do you think?" he groaned. "-To think I gave up cigarettes just to end up like this," he grumbled. "I could sure go for one about right now!"
"Don't worry!" Taichi yelled. "We're coming down now!"
"Don't mind me," he winced. "Just take your dam time!"
Hikari looked all around as they searched for a way below. They shined lights all around and although it was not deep down it was still a bit dangerous.
"Hey, look down there, I see footholds and a metal shafted ladder!" Daisuke echoed out, his voice spreading across the room's chamber.
"Yeah, but is it stable? Or is it slippery?" Miyako asked, glancing down his way at it.
"Only one way to find out!" he grinned as he climbed his way down, everyone shining their lights so he could see.
"Looks like he's getting down no problem," Yamato observed.
"Another problem solved by amazing athleticism," Daisuke said cheerfully, Hikari practically hearing him grinning.
"Just be careful!" she called out.
"I'll go next," Taichi said as he climbed down, followed by the others.
Takeru and Hikari were the last go. They exchanged glances with each other, Takeru able to stare through Hikari as if he knew what she was feeling.
"Did you find out what happened?" he asked, his frown turning into a smile.
She nodded her head. "I, did," she said turning her head away, "But it still didn't change anything. Even if I know I- "
"-Hikarichan," Takeru said interrupting her, walking forward, and placing his arm on her shoulder. "It's ok," he smiled tenderly. "You don't have to explain anything to me. I get it," he said glancing up as if a bit anxious.
"Takerukun," Hikari swallowed, herself a bit tired. "I'm…scared," she admitted, her body practically going limp as she collapsed against him. "I'm scared of myself. I'm scared without Gattomon. I'm scared for those kids. For Mr. Kyoshima."
She could feel Takeru place his arm around her and hold her. "Whenever I feel that way," he said, his voice calm and soothing, "I remember how safe Patamon made me feel when I didn't know my way. Tailmon was that way for you too, right? You felt safe knowing your best digital buddy was protecting you?"
He grabbed her by both shoulders, Hikari wondering how he could lift her so gently and effortlessly.
"I want you to lean on me like I leaned on him Hikarichan," he smiled warmly. "And I promise that if I feel hurt, I will tell you about it…this time," he said, trying to keep the smile on his face, Hikari wondering why he would say such a thing."
"Takerukun," she paused, "Did I- "
"-Hey!" Daisuke shouted out, his voice carrying over to them. "You better not be flirting with her Takaishi!" he bellowed. "That's reserved for yours truly!"
Hikari opened her eyes a bit nervously glancing away as they both nervously shared a chuckle.
"We better get down there," she said, a little bit more motivated. Somehow, whenever Takeru spoke with her like that, she felt invigorated, almost manic full of energy again but not knowing what to do with it.
After they had descended, they met up with the others, Daisuke grilling Takeru, and Takeru denying Daisuke's accusations, Hikari trying her best to ignore them both as he parried all of Daisuke's onslaughts.
"We've got more important things to worry about!" Iori snapped, Takeru nodding his head agreeing with him, Daisuke scratching the back of his head as if he felt bad.
"Yeah, I got it," he sighed.
Ken walked around, finally noticing he had a frequency when it had gone static all this time.
"Hey, Koushirou! We can finally hear you!" he shouted, Koushirou's voice clearing up as he placed his on speaker, Koushirou's voice ringing out.
"It's about time!" he snapped. "I almost called in the Fire squad to get you guys out of there! What's happened?!"
"Kyoshima's been injured," he said. "He fell off one of the metal platforms and he needs medical attention."
"Someone's injured?!" Sora shouted, Koushirou seeming as if he had a struggle and her booming voice overwhelmed him.
"We can send Jou in there! Is anyone else hurt?!"
Iori grabbed Ken's shirt and tugged at it, Ken nodding his head as he gave him the headset.
"No, everyone else is present and accounted for."
"Sora, let me see that," Jou's voice echoed as the communication device was passed over to him. "What's the extent of Mr. Kyoshima's injuries?"
Just then Miyako came over and he obliged the communication device to her. "Looks like he might have broken a couple ribs on that fall."
"Any internal bleeding?"
"Not that we can tell," Taichi said bluntly, Miyako passing on the message.
"Can you move him?"
Daisuke and Takeru glanced at each other and went to each side supporting him as they helped him up and supported him underneath his arms.
"It'll be hard on me," he wheezed, "But I never did things the easy way. Just get me out of here in one piece," he grunted, coughing out afterwards.
"Well, that's good knowing you're still talkative. Where are you right now?" Jou asked.
"Somewhere down a platform in the dark," Miyako responded. "Thankfully the flashlights are helping us."
"Hmmm," Koushirou's voice said on the other line. "I know! I can track your location with the D3s," he said as if flipping through blueprints of documents.
"Glad I procured THIS in case we needed it," he quipped complimenting himself, Hikari and the others knowing they would have to massage his ego later in gratitude.
"According to the map and your pinpointed location, you are somewhere around Tunnel A3, but just below it. You're at an alternative route that leads outside in case of emergencies for maintenance workers," he said. "Though, it is odd I have not found any records of any emergencies occurring."
"That is strange," Ken said, musing to himself, contemplating the situation.
"If you take a left at your location Iori, then that will lead to the tunnel that will get you of there. But we won't have any reception at that time so it's important to get in and get out as fast as possible without further exacerbating Kyoshima's wounds."
"I think we got him," Takeru said, Hikari watching as the two of them escorted Kyoshima left, Iori leading the way.
"Hey," he groaned, Hikari turning his way, opening his mouth, his voice sounding dry.
"Put a toothpick in my mouth. It's in my pocket," he winced.
Takeru and Daisuke exchanged glances, Hikari looking at them both as if they couldn't believe him.
"If it helps the pain," she said, "Then sure, just don't get a splinter, ok?" she smiled nervously.
"Ha," he winced, "Any other pain is better than this," he said defeated as she fished in his jacket pocket and pulled one out as he opened his mouth, and she placed it in there.
"Much obliged," he said through his clenched teeth. "Now let's get the Hell out of here."
With only their flashlights to guide them Hikari and the others made their way through the tunnel. It had been a little while they had been walking, stepping into a small stream of water that had collected over time.
"Why is their water here? This isn't a sewer," Miyako wondered aloud. "I would have worn my boots if I had known!"
"Technically, this is rainwater or in this case 'runoff'," Ken said. "It's a good thing though it's not a downpour. I can see how even an emergency tunnel like this could flood in the right conditions."
"We'll just have to do the best we can," Iori said, his face like a flint, neither turning to the left or the right as they made their way out of there.
Aside from their wet footsteps, only Kyoshima's labored breathing kept them company, the eerie silence and the echoing of their movements crawling away from them.
It had been quite sometime since they had been moving, but still the exit looked nowhere in sight.
"A breeze sure would be nice," Taichi clicked his tongue. "How long have we been walking anyway?"
"I think about thirty minutes," Hikari replied.
"Should we take a break then?" Yamato asked. "It's no good if we tire ourselves out."
"Easy for you to say Yamato," Takeru chuckled a bit nervously.
"Yeah, how come no one asked if we could switch out?" Daisuke griped.
"My bad my bad," Taichi grinned. "I just figured you wanted to prove your strength…to Hikari, right?"
At that moment, stars appeared in Daisuke's eyes.
"You're right Taichisan. Heck, I'll carry him myself!" he shouted, his voice echoing out as he tried to support the full weight of Kyoshima, who did not seem to be enjoying it.
"Are you crazy?" he groaned. "What's the matter with you?"
"Don't worry Kyoshimasan," he grinned. "I- "
"-Come on, that's enough posturing," Hikari sighed. "I know you want to impress me, but this isn't impressive at all. What if you really hurt him? And Takerukun, you and Daisukekun need to switch out with our brothers. It's honestly just going to slow us down."
Takeru and Daisuke both nodded their heads. "We're sorry," they said together, as they relented their hold and Taichi and Yamato took over.
"That's my nagging sis," Taichi grinned. "You sound a little more like your old self."
Hikari tilted her head curiously.
"I haven't acted any different, have I?"
She glanced at everyone for an answer, everyone looking away, even Takeru who nodded his head again as if he understood.
"You've just been acting distant and closed off Hikarichan," Miyako said. "Though I don't blame you. With all the creepy stuff happening I wouldn't be as energetic either," she grinned placing a hand on her shoulder.
Hikari looked down at her hand and slowly nodded her head anxiously, as if the hand carried more weight than appeared.
Her body stiffened slightly, as her eyes widened. Maybe she was just tired, but for an instant, she could have sworn that arm had turned into some vile tentacled appendage.
"Hikarichan?" Miyako asked, her voice coming in blurs.
"Are you ok?" Taichi asked, Takeru's razor sharp focused bringing Hikari's attention to him.
Why is it that he always just had that sense?
"I'm fine," she said a little bit too lightly. "But we need to keep moving. The exit couldn't be too far away, right? I mean it is an emergency tunnel, after all."
Everyone looked at each other, their faces optimistic, but a bit downcast in the flashlights.
"Hikarichan's right," Daisuke said rotating his left arm holding it with his right as if trying to get their energy going again. "We'll be out of here before we know it. Let's just keep moving!"
Every now and then everyone checked their cell phones, but strangely they didn't seem to be working. Even the D3s when they checked appeared to have frozen at 01:00 am. Hikari knew the last time anyone had mentioned the time to her it was 12:15 am. Maybe it was the adrenaline, but she found it hard to believe it had been only forty-five minutes since then.
As they continued wading through the darkness, Hikari could feel the water soak through the bottom of the soles of her shoes, her feet starting to wrinkle and prune. She turned her flashlight and turned it to herself realizing just how dirty her and the others' appearances were.
"I really wish we could talk to Koushirou," Taichi quipped. "How much longer is it going to take before we're out of here?"
Hikari hung onto his words placing her hand over her heart. She felt as if a hand had been placed on her back, as if Takeru had been supporting her, but she glanced over his way realizing he was on the others side of her.
Everyone else also seemed preoccupied. So, who-
It's impossible to escape,
a voice whispered into her ear, or no, was it from the depths of her heart? She couldn't call it instinct, but this lingering doom hung around them, Hikari wondering about the similar sensation she felt being in such an environment.
She tried to shake the thought, but the more she did, and the more they walked, the more it gripped her as if suffocating her movements.
Tell them the truth.
Hikari felt her throat burn but did her best to keep herself together. It may not help with anything, but she had to say it. She had to say what was making her fear. Otherwise
"They'll all die," she said aloud, her thoughts and the voice speaking to her at the same time.
Instantly everyone stopped and turned around staring at her.
"Hikarichan?" Taichi asked aloud a bit nervously. "You're starting to scare me sis. Who's going to die?"
She glanced at the others, staring at her, Hikari worried for them, but did not have any time to dwell on the matter. If she didn't say what was on her mind then it felt as if they would truly not get anywhere.
"Everyone…" she said, especially glancing at Takeru who instantly went over to her side. She didn't even have to tell him a word for him to know. It felt reassuring, even though in no way had the situation changed.
"…I want you all to be calm about this. But, as far as where we are, it's not even the earth anymore. We are…close to the Dark Ocean."
Everyone stared at her, a bit at a loss.
"I remember hearing about Takeru saving you from there Hikarichan," Daisuke winced, "But how can we be there? We're still in the tunnel. I'm too cheery a guy to go to that place!"
"I heard it too," Taichi said, "But Hikari you've always been sensitive to this kind of thing. And we've spent a long time walking. It sounds kind of crazy, but I think you're right."
Everyone stared down at the ground a bit anxiously.
"The Dark Ocean, huh?" Iori said shaking his fist. "I'm too resolved to let anything deter me from my path. How could I end up in such a- "
"-Iori," Miyako said placing her arm on his head, "I wasn't there long, but what I do know is you have to keep yourself calm in these situations or it just gets worse. We all must keep our wits about us and stay together."
"Wise words," Yamato agreed. "All right, so, let's say we are in the Dark Ocean or next to it or whatever. How do we get out?"
Hikari swallowed, shivering slightly from the cold or from her own fear. She did not know which. She felt Takeru's arm wrap around her from the other side as if warming her up.
Ah, yes, she knew that smile of his saving her time and time even in the most desperate of situations.
"It depends on how close we are to it," she said. "If, we are near the actual ocean itself we can fight our way back against whatever is keeping us here."
"And if we are in the ocean?" Ken asked.
Hikari swallowed heavily, controlling her breathing as best as she could so as not to panic.
"If we are there only someone can call us from outside the ocean if they realize we are here and then might be able to pull us out. But they must have a very strong connection," she said, glancing at Takeru, who nodded his head.
"Are those our own only options?" Daisuke groaned. "That seems hopeless. Can't we just push forward?"
Takeru pushed Daisuke a little bit, throwing him off.
"You don't get it," he said incredulously. "This is a very dangerous situation Daisukesan. If you just try to go wherever you want, we may never see you again. That goes for all of us. Do NOT let anyone out of your sight. The Dark Ocean feeds off your fears and like a monster, it will consume you," he warned. "If that's what Hikarichan says, then we have to act within those two options."
Everyone glanced at each other, and then at Hikari intensely.
"So, what will it be then?" Taichi asked. "Do we turn around hoping we're close enough to leave and hope we meet an enemy or just stay together walking ahead?"
Hikari sighed out, once more controlling her breathing. She couldn't panic or despair. She had to get them out having the most experience in that dreaded place. But then, she felt her stomach drop, the image of Ygdrassill crossing the periphery of her mind.
Instantly her legs gave out and she fell to the ground, staring at the water within the shine of her flashlight.
"Hikarichan!" Takeru said bending down, his hands tense as he held her. "What's wrong? Hikarichan!"
"There's…one other option," she said, remembering the vivid experiences there. "And we can't do anything about it."
"What do you mean we can't do anything about it? Tell us!" Iori insisted.
"Hikarichan!" Daisuke pleaded.
"What's the answer?" Miyako asked calmly.
She lifted her head at everyone's desperate faces and knew it would only contort them even more.
"It's a long shot," she said, "But the only other way out of the Dark Ocean, is if whoever invited them LET'S THEM OUT."
Their eyes bulged as their mouths opened agape, sweat starting to bead down their brows. It wouldn't do any good for them to panic, and it might cause more damage than help the situation, but-
Suddenly ahead of them Hikari swore she could have heard the echoes of laughter followed by a rhythmic din as if two things were constantly being clapped together.
"What's that?!" Daisuke wondered. "It's probably from someone near the exit! Let's go!"
"Wait, we'll all go together!" Miyako countered as they all, Hikari included picked up their feet running, their feet splashing water, their flashlights shining ahead.
Eventually they reached the sound, for the first time in forever noticing a dim light in the distance as they pressed towards it, noticing a person's silhouette stand in the distance in front of what appeared to be the mouth of the tunnel! It had to be the exit!
As they headed over there, Hikari instantly recognized her magenta eyes flashed as they all came to a screeching halt.
The silhouette stepped in the light, the very same Ygdrassill whom Hikari had seen before, her hands clapping as if applauding them.
"It's about time you made it Hikarichan," she said. "And look, all of your friends are with you too! Lucky!"
"Wait, Hikarichan, Taichisan, do you guys have a little sister?" Miyako wondered. "She looks just like Hikarichan, but younger!"
"Who is this person?" Ken asked. "Why is she here?"
"Kya ha ha!" Ygdrassill laughed.
"Ken, it's been forever since I've seen you!" she snickered. "Look how tall you are!"
"Ken, you know her?!" Daisuke wondered perplexed.
"No," he said starting to shake. "I've never met this girl, but, that laugh, I remember when I went to the Dark Ocean the first time, I heard it when I heard countless cries from Digimon being erased! I had been so consumed by the darkness in my heart I never noticed where it came from!"
"So, you forgot about me then? Just like you forgot about the pain of losing your brother, Osamu, right?" she mocked.
Ken tensed up, his eyes locked on, his teeth clenched glaring at her. "How dare you?! You leave him out of this! I won't allow you to sully my memory of him!"
She started to walk towards him, everyone on edge, the mouth of the exit behind her disappearing as if it had all been an illusion. She seemed to suddenly appear in front of him, her eyes locked on him as if scanning him.
"What do you REALLY remember? An accident? A funeral? Do you even remember seeing his lifeless body?"
Ken stared up at her, his mind barely able to process her taunt. "What are you saying? Why are you telling me this?"
She rubbed his head with her hand, Hikari knowing how terrified Ken must have felt, the way he had been doing all he could to stay sane listening to her.
"Because," she grinned with jagged teeth now, "It's because of Osamu…you could come here."
"No!" Ken protested, Kyoshima stirring as if he was trying to fight Taichi and Yamato off to get over to her.
"Out of the way dammit!" he shouted, while Ken lamented.
"I was invited there! I became the Digimon Kaiser there! Osamu may have had a Digivice, but the fault lies with me! None of it lies with him!" he agonized breathing heavily, both hands forcefully resting on his knees.
"Ken," Miyako said, her voice filled with concern reaching out to him, but everyone ever so wary of the stranger.
"Oh," Yggdrasil smirked, "You seem to be mistaken. I wasn't talking about Osamu in general," she said innocently. "No, I WAS talking about Osamu," she sneered, "BUT JUST HIS CORPSE!"