9A/N- Well, how are you guys? Sorry for the delay, but I had major school stuff keeping me away from the PC, but I'm all good now. I actually have all A's and one B so that is awesome. Well without further delay, I don't own Digimon, and enjoy the story.
Ch.3 Enter The Originals
A picture speaks a thousand words and the picture that Tai Kamiya was holding between his index finger and thumb was no exception. It was a worn picture with numerous folds and creases distorting the color, but the people in it could still be seen clearly. Towards the front was a man, blonde, who didn't look particularly pleased to be wearing chocolate cake. Tai couldn't help but smile at the look on Matt's face. He had put that frown there with one carefully aimed handful of cake and he was proud of it.
In the background were two faces Tai hadn't seen in fourteen years; Hikari and Takeru. Tai felt his stomach tighten as he remembered the last time he had seen his sister. It had been shortly after Genai's unexpected call; a call that Tai would only learn the contents of when the irreparable damage was done.
The Digital World had been unable to support so many digivices and so many digimon crossing into the real world and had been in danger of collapsing. TK and Kari, being the bearers of light and hope, the very entities that allowed the Digital World to exist, had been called upon to help seal the powers of the excess digivices and round up any digimon who refused to return to the Digital World. It was only meant to take a matter of hours, but Genai hadn't been counting on Malomyotismon still having some power in him.
The dark digimon had floated through the digital world as a data spirit in the years after his defeat and had prodded at the threads holding the Digital World together and manipulating the strain so that there could never again be such a large number of digidestined at one time. It was a slow process and one that went unnoticed, but it was a perfect plan for the dying digimon. He knew Genai would be forced to call upon TK and Kari to fix the problem as the state of the Digital World was tied to their crests. So when TK and Kari were called upon to fix what seemed like an innocent glitch he pounced like a tiger ready for his kill. The worst part was that he got it, and none of the digidestined saw it coming.
Tai closed his eyes and took a ragged breath as he remembered Izzy's knock on his and Matt's apartment door. Tai had been the only one home at the time as Matt was at band practice and was a little surprised that his digidestined companion had shown up without calling, but he let him in all the same. Izzy didn't have his laptop with him and pulled at his shirt nervously as Tai grabbed two sodas from the fridge. "So, what's up, Izzy?" he had asked setting one soda down in front of the man.
The bearer of knowledge grimaced and looked up at his former leader mouthing some unknown phrase as he searched for the courage to speak. That had alarmed Tai, who quickly amended his question to, "What's wrong, Izzy?"
Izzy took a deep breath and Tai noted he was now shaking. "I'm sorry, Tai."
"Sorry? Sorry for what?" Tai whispered feeling panic rise in his chest.
"Kari," he croaked, "and T.K."
Tai snapped at this and reached across the table to grab a handful of the man's shirt. "Kari! What about my sister? You tell me now!"
"She, she and T.K. were called by Gennai to help restore balance to the digital world by locking away the power of the excess digivices across the globe. It was only supposed to take a few hours, but then Malomyotismon showed up and he…he…their dead, Tai. Both of them are dead."
Tai felt the cotton of the boy's shirt slide through his fingers as his butt again touched the seat. "Leave," he whispered tears running down his cheek. "Please leave."
"But-"
"I need to be alone for a while and I've got to… I've got to call Matt," Tai's voice was detached and otherworldly.
Tai could barely see the younger digidestined nod through the blue of tears glazing his eyes, but he could hear the chair scrape across the floor and he could hear the soft and slow pad of his socks as he went to retrieve his shoes from near the door. Everything seemed amplified including his breathing and his heartbeat. Just as Izzy slid on his second shoe a thought reverberated loudly in Tai's mind. Hope. "What about my niece? Did they take her with them?"
Izzy froze and Tai felt his stomach plummet into an uncomfortable cold emptiness. He'd hoped too much. He had known that T.K. and Kari would bring the girl to him if they weren't going to take her with them and they hadn't so they must have taken her to the Digital World. But he had hoped, hoped that perhaps she would still be alive, but Izzy's silence had confirmed it. There was no hope; she was dead, she was dead, she was-"
"I don't know, Tai."
"What do you mean you don't know?" Tai growled clenching his fists as his earlier anger returned.
"Just what I said, I don't know and Gennai doesn't know. She doesn't have a digivice so she wouldn't show up on any of Gennai's reports, but you and I both know T.K. and Kari would never leave her with anyone but you and Matt and since they didn't they must have taken her with them. There aren't bodies, Tai, so we may never know."
"That sick bastard. That evil, sick, vampire. I swear when I get my hands on him I'll make him hurt. I'll-"
"You can't, Tai, he's dead. He had just enough power for his final attack. He destroyed himself or maybe T.K. and Kari were able to get him before he killed them. Like I said, we may never know."
"This isn't fair," Tai whispered his fingers tangling into his nest of brunette hair as he pressed his eyes into the heels of his palms. "This isn't fair at all. They were still young and in love. I used to always worry something bad would happen and take Kari away from me so I'd smother her with protection, but then T.K. came along and I saw how much he cared for her and I thought he'd be able to protect her when I couldn't. I trusted him to protect her. I never thought he'd die… that they'd die. Kari," Tai moaned as a wretched almost animal like sob wracked his body returning the man to a childlike persona.
Tai would still be sobbing hours later when Matt came in the door. He would be concerned and try to comfort the former leader unable to find out what was wrong. He would offer to call Kari for help and when this suggestion elicited another gut wrenching cry he'd demand to know what was wrong. He would stare at Tai with azure orbs, begging, into chocolate brown ones. It would be the hardest thing he had ever done, but Tai would do it, Tai would tell him through his tears, through the same tears that plagued him now as he stared at his sister; her husband; Matt; and himself, covered in cake, holding his tiny niece. Tai would tell Matt that T.K. and Kari were…were…dead.
Dead
Dead
Dead
The thought echoed through Tai's mind as he held the picture more tightly. It wasn't his picture; it wasn't Matt's either; it didn't even belong to a Digidestined. He knew that because it didn't have a death date. All T.K. and Kari's pictures had death dates. It was the only way he and Matt could accept they were gone. No, this one belonged to someone else and that scared Tai.
He had found it sitting on the floor of his favorite coffee shop as he stood up to toss the remainder of his frosted cinnamon bun. He'd actually slipped on it as its smooth surface rubbed against the tile floor and sputtered a few choice words at it. And then he'd picked it up intent on tossing it as well only to realize what he held. This realization had forced him back up and into his seat where he still was sitting, still was staring.
HHHHH
Fourteen-year-old Derrick Sato knew something was wrong the moment he stepped off the train across from his apartment complex. He hadn't gotten a call from Elsbeth and Elli all day and they were supposed to be meeting later in Odiaba to go to the Digital World. The boy was tall with his brown hair falling limply into his green eyes. Derrick sighed allowing himself to glance down at the Terriermon asleep in his arms just as group of kindergartners ran by squealing about the cute digimon doll. Derrick sighed, of course Terriermon had to be cute, but luckily he blended in. The digimon battles from years ago had made digimon a popular toy among the children. Derrick adjusted his grip on Terriermon as he walked so he could use his left hand to turn on his Mp3 player where it was hooked to his cargo pants. Derrick smiled to himself as the sound of rock reverberated through his ears.
Derrick came to a stop at the crosswalk waiting patiently for taxi drivers, buses, and random cars to whiz dangerously past while still wondering about Elsbeth and Elli. Two women were chatting happily in front of him making wide gestures with their shopping-bag-laden arms. One woman laughed loudly enough for Derrick to hear her through his headphones. He made a face and rolled his emerald eyes; girls. The woman who had laughed loudly had long purple hair while her joking companion had reddish orange locks. Derrick sighed and tapped his foot continuing to watch the two women as he waited for the light. They were still laughing, still laughing, still… "Aaah!" The purple hair girl's shriek pierced through Derrick's music causing the boy to throw open his arms dropping a very surprised Terriermon.
"Derrick, what's wrong!" shouted a bleary eyed Terriermon who had managed to soften his landing with his ears. Confused, Derrick ripped out his headphones before turning to follow the woman's gaze. He could now hear everyone talking loudly and see them pointing at a large cloud of smoke rising from Shinjuku Park. "Derrick, I think we've got a digimon," Terriermon whispered.
Derrick nodded. "Yeah." He turned quickly scooping up the small digimon catching the surprised gazes of the two women as he did so. Turning quickly to again face the smoke Derrick began pushing his way through the crowds of people who had stopped to watch. His Digivice was secured on his belt next to his Mp3 player and around his finger glinted the ring of hope.
He managed to push through the group of kindergartners who had passed him earlier careful not to knock any over in the process and just as he made to jump a flowerbed he heard a voice behind him, "Hurry up, Yolei! He's getting away."
HHHHH
Elsbeth could feel Meramon getting closer. With every step he took the air around her would grow more heated and her breath would become shorter. Her head hurt and she could taste blood in her mouth. And Patamon was no where to be seen. She groaned as she tried to push herself up. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to give Elli the bracelet. Now I've got nothing to help Patamon digivolve with if he gets here in time which is far from likely. And I can't even move to defend myself. I hope Elli got out though; they can't get the artifacts. "Oooh." It's getting hotter. I can even feel the sweat dripping down my face. I wonder what he'll do when he gets here. If it's death; he'd better make it quick.
Elsbeth gasped as Meramon stopped before her. In his hand and out cold was Patamon. Elsbeth felt her heart grow cold as she took in the sight of her friend. He was a mess. He was covered in scratches and bruises and slowly developing burns as Meramon held him in his flaming hands.
"Give me the bracelet, Digidestined," Meramon's voice finally sounded, "Give me it or I shall be forced to destroy your friend."
"I…I can't. I don't have it."
"Do not lie, Digidestined. You are Elsbeth Newark, bearer of light. I know you have the bracelet."
"No, I don't. Now put Patamon down." Elsbeth's head was throbbing now as breathing became harder and harder.
"Where is it?"
"I don't know. Now, do as I said and put Patamon down before I hurt you."
"Do not threaten me. I am the one who can destroy you and your partner."
"No you can't!" Elsbeth felt relief flood through her at the sound of a familiar voice; Derrick. She rolled over painfully to see the boy kneeling on the ledge of a flowerbed his green jacket and yellow sweatshirt standing out in the dusty air. "Ready to digivolve, Terriermon?"
"Mmmhhmm."
"Right, let's go. Ring of hope activate!" The boy slid the ring off his finger and threw it up just as it began emanating an emerald light.
"Terriermon ancient digivolve to…Apollomon!" Where the bunny like digimon had stood moments before was now a tall and slender angel. It was male with its long hair pulled back into a smooth and low ponytail. Its wings were large on its back and he sported smaller ones on each of his boots. Around his waste was a golden belt from which hung a quiver of golden arrows. A helmet upon his head came down his face and around his eyes much in the style of Ancient Roman Soldiers. His outfit was white with purple and yellow trim and upon his ring finger was the ring of hope glistening with its own light.
"Right, Apollomon, you keep Meramon busy and get Patamon while I see to Elsbeth."
"Mmmmhhhmm," The digimon grunted before launching himself at his fiery foe. "Quick Fire!"
Derrick darted forward under the cover of Apollomon's flaming attack. Elsbeth moaned painfully as the boy knelt beside her. "What the heck happened, Elsbeth?" he asked as he took in her injured state. Her pink hose were torn, her boots scratched and scuffed, her purple and pink trench coat was dusty and torn revealing her rarely seen pink and white skirt and white blouse, her wavy blue hair was tangled and matted. He ran a hand across her cheek to wipe away some of the dust feeling his heart thump frantically the entire time.
"He jumped us. We weren't expecting him."
"Well, of course you weren't expecting him. I don't understand how he got here." He pulled her up into a sitting position just as a fireball whizzed past slamming into a tree and setting it aflame. "But you said we, does that mean Elli is here too?"
"Yeah, I had her run ahead to get you. You know neither of us can use our artifacts and we can use normal digivolving in the real world." The girl grimaced as she lifted her hand to her head. "She must have gotten away because Meramon didn't get my bracelet or her necklace."
"Wait a minute; you gave up your artifact?"
"I had to. Patamon and I can't use it and I couldn't let Meramon take it back to his master. Elli was hurt, but she was in a far better state to protect it than me."
"This is over! Drop Patamon!" Apollomon cried as he strung his bow and aimed at the dark digimon.
"Or what? You'll shoot?" You'll get him too."
"You underestimate me, Meramon. I have accurate aim. Quick Arrow Strike!" The light digimon cried letting his arrow loose as he pushed forward flying after it. The arrow his Meramon directly in the chest to the left of Patamon causing the digimon to let loose a strangled cry as he let go of the rookie digimon straight into Apollomon's waiting arms.
HHHHHH
Tai Kamiya jumped as his cell phone rang breaking him out of his trance. He set the photo down on the café table as he reached into his pocket to pull out the blaring electronic device. Checking the screen he saw Sora's name.
He flipped it open. "Hello, Sora! Are you and Yolei having fun emptying West Shinjuku's shops?"
"Yes, brilliant. Look Tai we've got a problem. Something is going down at West Shinjuku Park and I think it has something to do with the Digital World." Tai's eyes grew wide at this statement. They hadn't had an encounter with the digital world since…well, since Kari and T.K. had been killed. "Yolei, he went left! Pay attention or we'll lose him. Sorry, Tai, we were at the crosswalk when there was this huge explosion at the park and when we turned around there was this kid with a Terriermon and now we're trying to catch him. Watch out! I'm chasing someone! Sorry, wait there and I'll buy you a new ice cream when I get back. Look, I know you're at that café so you can't be that far off. Just get down here, whoa!" Tai stood quickly shoving the photo into his pocket at Sora's intake of breath. "Tai, its Meramon and he's got some girl. I think I'm looking at new digidestined."
"Just stay back. You and Yolei don't have your digimon. I'll be there as soon as possible."
"Right! See you soon." He heard air and Sora muttering something to Yolei about calming down and hiding before the phone went dead.
HHHHH
Apollomon floated to the ground with the rookie digimon in his arms as Elsbeth and Derrick looked on with relieved smiles on their faces. As his feet hit the ground he fell to his knees laying the digimon on the ground before reverting to his rookie form. "Derrick, I think I'm going to be sick."
The two digidestined laughed as they moved slowly forward towards their partners. Elsbeth was leaning heavily on the boy, but her bright smile was full of light and energy. "Patamon!" she laughed as she bent forward and scooped up her partner in a tight hug; the small digimon squirmed appreciatively, glad to be in some cooler arms. "I'm so glad you're ok."
"Me too, but I really need air."
The female digidestined blushed. "Oh, right! Sorry boy." She set him down and smiled sheepishly as he shook himself.
"Oi, Terriermon, what's wrong?" Derrick called. The dog digimon was now staring intently at a few bushes.
"Derrick, I think we've got company and it isn't Elli."
"What? Who's there?" Derrick's brow rose in surprise as two women emerged from the bushes. He recognized them as the women from the crosswalk.
"Hi!" the redheaded woman said with a smile. "I'm Sora and this is Yolei and we're former digidestined."
"No flippin' way! You guys are legends!" Derrick replied wonderment dripping from his voice.
"Yeah, I guess we are," Yolei responded with a laugh slipping her left hand behind her head. "That was pretty impressive you know. How long have you two been a team?"
Elsbeth smiled. "About two months, but we're actually a trio. Our friend Elli is part of our team. She has Blissmon for a partner. Speaking of which, we need to message Elli and let her know she can stop looking for you."
"Yeah, I suppose we should." He slid a hand into his jacket pocket and removed a slender metal object. He flipped open the screen and typed in a message. "Hmmm…that's funny. It gave me an error. Says, her terminal can't be located."
Elsbeth rolled her eyes. "You're probably typing the address in wrong. Let me see." He offered her the object which she quickly took. She began typing, but soon frowned. "I got the same message. Check you're digivice. We'll have to just tell her in person."
Derrick nodded before pulling his digivice out of his other pocket and pressing a button on it. "Elsbeth, we've got a problem; she doesn't show up on this either."
"But why wouldn't she?"
"Probably because she's not here; boy, do I hope Meramon didn't get her," Yolei laughed, "Oh, wait, that was harsh wasn't it? Sorry, I'm sure she's perfectly fine."
Sora sighed and put her forehead in her hand shaking it. "Yolei, why don't you and, uh, sorry I caught Elsbeth's name, but you are?"
"Derrick."
"Right, why don't you and Derrick go look for Elli while I stay here with Elsbeth and wait for Tai."
"Tai? You've got the famous digidestined leader Tai Kamiya on his way here? That is so cool!"
"Yeah, cool. Why don't you hurry up and find your friend so you can meet him."
"Righto! Come on, Ms. Yolei!"
"Ms.?" Yolei shrieked, "Do I look old to you!?"
A/N Good old Yolei, huh? Wonder what those digidestined will do when they realize Elli really is gone. Oh, and poor Kari and T.K.; I hated having to make them (and their child, tragic!) dead, but it was necessary. They're actually my favorite couple so I apologize. So please don't flame me over it. They'll actually make several appearances in memories so I didn't write them out. On a side note, however, I've got to ask, is anyone actually reading this? I've got three reviewers who I love and thank very much, but I guess I expected a bit more. Perhaps I'm too used to the responses Harry Potter and Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys fanfics get, but if you're reading please let me know. It really helps to motivate me.