2. Forging The Path

It had been so long since they had come together for a meeting for digimon related reasons but after what Davis had told her over the phone, Kari knew this was not something that could wait. There were so many questions – what was a human who they didn't know doing in the digital world? Why had Gennai offered such a thing to an enemy? To close the gates between both worlds…just to save himself? She did not even have the courage to call Tai and tell him these things…because no matter how busy he was, he'd always find the time for Agumon.

Tai and Agumon had not remained as close as they used to be when they were kids because Tai had been trying to navigate his life as an adult, but Kari knew her brother still cared deep down. Learning Gennai had done something like this would make him furious.

Kari bit her lower lip at the silence that had taken over the room. TK was stroking Patamon's wing soothingly and Davis held Chibimon in his arms protectively, the new girl – Miya – hiding slightly behind Davis.

"We need to get to the digital world," T.K. was surprisingly the one who had spoken up first. "We need to ask why he did this."

"No kidding, like what the heck was he thinking?" Davis asked, rolling his eyes. "Locking us out just to save his own skin?"

Ken and Yolei were gathered around the computer with the D3's, foreheads creased in tight concentration. Since the two of them had come, they had been trying to work out a way to open the portal to the digital world. They had not taken part in the conversation even if they were listening but now Yolei spoke up.

"Well, whatever he was thinking, he did manage to lock us out," Yolei said adjusting her glasses with a frown. "But what I want to know is if he was able to lock us out, how did Miya manage to come to the human world? Are the gates not locked from the digital world? And if we were to find a way to the digital world, would we be able to come back home?"

Davis frowned, hearing that and turned to Miya. "She has a point. How did you get to the human world?"

Miya opened her fist which had been closed up until then. "My friends said we needed a miracle, and this item responded to our wish. Patamon said he could feel the familiarity of a portal nearby and though not all of us made it through, the others did their best to make sure someone got through at least to let you guys know what was happening. There isn't a guarantee you'll be able to return to your world at least not right away until the enemy is defeated."

Kari bit her lower lip. She had joined TK and the others in the first adventure much later but at the same time, she knew a little bit of what it was like to be stuck in the digital world. Especially because she had fallen sick in a time when it wasn't good for anyone. But at the same time, she also couldn't just stay back even with the risk of getting stuck there. Gatomon needed her. She needed her to be strong right now and she didn't know what her best friend is going through.

"Then we'll go," Kari said softly. "Our friends need us."

"We've been stuck in the digital world before in the older team," TK added. "If that's what our partners need, that's what we're going to do."

Patamon hesitated a little bit. "You're going to need to tell the older team as well."

Davis blinked a bit at that. "You mean, Tai and the others? I mean, it'd be awesome to have their help but they're all busy with jobs and university and stuff. I mean, sure, we're all in University but we all still hang out together and all."

Chibimon sighed a little bit and shook his head. "We get that, Davis. But they need to know. The Hollow wants to control Omnimon and maybe Imperialdramon too…we don't know but it looked like Agumon and Gabumon were being targeted. Would they really be ok with you not telling them when their partners are important to them? Or do they not care anymore like Gennai doesn't?" He blinked his doe eyes at Davis who sighed and glanced over at Kari, but she wasn't sure what to say.

Chibimon and Patamon had a point but when was the last time her and Tai had a proper conversation? He never seemed to have a lot of time for her, or their parents and she tried to convince herself it was just that phase of his life, but it did sting at times if she was honest.

But Agumon…if Agumon was taken by the enemy and she tried to hide this from Tai, it wouldn't be right. It may not be the easiest task to do but this was something she would have to do. She would have to make him listen if it came down to it.

"Tai cares," Kari said softly. "At least about Agumon. I know he'll want to know."

"Besides," Yolei added with a sigh. "If we're going to open these gates, we might need Izzy's help even if it means visiting his university. These gates were purposely locked to keep us out. No matter what Ken and I do with the D3s, it's not opening them."

Ken's expression was quiet and serious as he was staring between the D3 and the computer. A flicker of sadness crossed it, and Kari could tell this was hard for him. Ken was a person of few words, but he was taking this hard, and she didn't blame him. After everything he and Wormmon had been through, she knew the thought of losing him again was terrifying. Davis must have realised the same thing because he placed a hand on Ken's shoulder, giving it a squeeze as T.K. spoke up.

"Matt's been a little bit better at keeping in touch with us, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get in touch with him," T.K. admitted softly.

Davis turned to look at the group before standing up and looking at everyone. "Ok, so Kari can reach out to Tai, Ken and Yolei can try and reach Izzy and TK will get a hold of Matt. Cody, you can try and get a hold of Joe." He waited for a nod from the younger boy before continuing. "Maybe Tai and Matt can help us get a hold of Sora and Mimi somehow as well. But before that, if we do get the gates open, we could be stuck on the other side for…well, we don't know how long. Until we figure out how to get the portals open. I'm ready to take that risk…the digimon need us, after all, but are all of you?"