Disclaimer: yada yada yada blah blah blah, you know the drill. I own nothing. Especially the songs that I might incorporate into this fic as well, they belong to their respected artists.
A/N: ok, I haven't done this in a while, so be gentle. Um… oh… in this story the ending of season 2 NEVER happened, so keep that in mind while reading this fic. The older group is about 19, and the younger group around 16. Other than that I hope you enjoy. R/R.
Chapter 1: Drafted
It was the first day of summer vacation. No more waking at the crack of dawn just to rush to get to the bus stop with a half a piece of toast hanging from your mouth. No, there was no rushing today just clear blue skies, warm breezes, the smell of fresh cut grass lingered in the air. Children and adults alike were out enjoying the splendor Mother Nature had created. Except for one.
What better way to kick off the start of your summer vacation than to sleep through half of it? That's what was in Tai Kamiya's mind, or would be if he was awake. In his room, there were strategically placed towels hanging from his windows to create a permanent midnight. The alarm clock was unplugged and currently awaiting to collect three months worth of dust. And his school uniform had been thrown carelessly into the pit of clothes in his closet. The perfect sleeping conditions. Well, it would have been, if only Tai had remembered to turn off his cell phone.
Tai groaned as the ringing slowly brought him back from his slumber. He cracked one glaring eye to his gym bag at the foot of his bed. Didn't this idiot realize that awaking Tai from sleep before one in the afternoon was like prodding a bear with a stick during mid-hibernation?
'What could be so important,' Tai thought as he climbed to the other end of his bed and reached into his bag, 'that…damn it Iz.' He snarled at his intrusive cell and switched it off. 'It's too early for computer babble.' And he flopped back onto his pillows hoping that he could get a few more hours of sleep. Unbeknownst to Tai, it would never come.
xxxxx
Across town, a frustrated young red head glared at his phone as he listened to the mechanical voice of Tai's voice mail pick up. Izzy hung up the phone and walked back over to his computer and began to type.
"Will join you as soon as possible. Getting the gang round up make take a while. Some don't like the morning hours. Be in touch."
With that he sent the email and packed his laptop into its case and left the apartment. After he locked the door Izzy set into a run towards the other side of town. Getting Tai awake was going to take the longest, but he needed his help getting everyone together. They were needed in the digital world.
xxxxx
Finally, Tai was entering into his dreams of a never ending summer, playing soccer until you could no longer see the ball, and taking long strolls on the beach with….. But he would never see who he would be walking with, for a new disturbance had once again woken. But this time it was coming from the door.
"Why?" Tai asked the ceiling as he untangled himself from his bed sheets. "I mean it's the first day for crying out loud, can't you cut me a little slack."
He made his way down the hall as he continued to look to the ceiling for answers as the knocks continued.
"What!" he said as he flung the door open and yelled at the one who dared disturbed his sleep. "For God's sake Iz, can't it wait till later? I mean I had it all planned. Sleep until one, then breakfast, with a side of lunch, then dressed and ready for a few hours of soccer, home for dinner, shower, and then back to sleep. But, NO, let's wake Tai up and completely ruin all hopes of him keeping to his schedule. So, I ask you Izzy, what in God's name do you want?"
But Izzy, who was so short breath that it would take him another five minutes to catch it thus further aggravating Tai, didn't need to speak. He had removed his laptop during Tai's ranting and simply opened it to show Tai just what was so important.
"Dear God…"
"God…has nothing…to do…with that." Izzy panted.
"We have to tell the others. We'll meet in the park, by the big willow tree. You go on, I'll try and find Matt and Sora." Tai said as he hurried back to his room to get dressed.
Izzy rolled his eyes, put his laptop back in its case, and headed down the stairs ready to run around the city.
Tai grabbed the first pair of shorts he could find and the cleanest shirt from the pile in his closet. Yet, as he reached for his phone, pain took over the middle of his right arm.
"Ah… damn arm." He said, as he went over to his dresser and pulled out his arm brace from the top drawer. It was just after the incident in the park when Kari had gotten sick again due to his negligence that the young Tai had taken it upon himself to stay locked away in his room as a form of punishment. One night he had set a chair by the window so he could look out at the stars. But Tai had fallen asleep with his arm stretched out the window. It was when he had jerked in his sleep that the window pane came down upon his arm. It was a slight fracture, but it never healed properly. So every now and then Tai had to deal with the pain. But deep down inside, Tai always felt that he deserved this annoying twitch as a reminder of what could have happened to Kari and to be a better brother.
Sighing, Tai grabbed his phone and ran out the front door. As he ran down the street he hastily dialed Sora's cell. Only to realize what Izzy might have felt when he had hung up on him this morning.
'Great' Tai thought as he ran to the flower shop just a few blocks away. Hoping against all hopes that Sora would be working today. As he reached the shop, he peered into the window, hoping that she was working the register today. But he didn't see her. He entered the shop setting the small bell off above the door. Mrs. Takenouchi was helping a customer at the other end of the shop. She quietly excused herself, and made her way over to Tai.
"Hello Tai, what can I do for you?" she asked.
"Actually I was wondering if Sora was working today, Mrs. Takenouchi." He said.
"No, she's off today. I believe she and Mimi were going to the studio this afternoon to watch Matt play. You might find them there." She said.
"Thank you, Mrs. Takenouchi. See you later." Tai said as he headed out the door.
xxxxx
The studio was filled with music as the Teenage Wolves practiced for the concert they were going to play in the park later that week to celebrate the beginning of summer. Outside a cluster of fans was awaiting the group to come out and sign posters or anything they had on them. As usual, Jun Motimiya was among them. But Matt had made it clear to security that only a handful of people were allowed through the door. Jun, not being one of them, had to wait like the rest and glare at any other female that got to go through. One of those girls happened to be a young red head that was personally escorted into the studio by Matt himself. The other was Mimi who just happened to be spending her summer vacation in town while her father worked in the office. The two girls sat at the opposite end of the studio listening to the band as they began their last song.
"I'd rather chase your shadow all my life
than be afraid of my own
I'd rather be with you
I'd rather not know
where I'll be than
be alone and convinced that I know
and the world keeps spinning round
my world's upside down
and I wouldn't change a thing
I've got nothing else to lose
I lost it all when I found you
and I wouldn't change a thing
no, you and I wouldn't change a thing"
Matt looked over at Sora and smiled as he continued to play. Mimi playfully nudged her, and Sora laughed and blushed at the same time.
"Everything I know has let me down
so I will just let go
let you turn me inside out
cause I know I'm not sure
about anything
but you wouldn't have it any other way
and the world keeps spinning round
my world's upside down
and I wouldn't change a thing
I've got nothing else to lose
I lost it all when I found you
and I wouldn't change a thing
no, you and I wouldn't change a thing
spinning turning watching burning
all my life has found its meaning
walking crawling climbing falling
all my life has found its meaning"
Tai had fought his way through the mass of obsessed girls outside the door and threw himself into the studio to get away from them. He locked the door as he caught his breath and made his way over to the girls.
"You and I wouldn't change a thing
no, you and I wouldn't change a thing"
Sora caught movement out of the corner of her eye and saw Tai making his way over to her.
"Tai. How are you?" she asked as Mimi too looked at him.
"Eww, why are you all sweaty? Have you been running?" she asked.
"Tai, what is it? What's wrong?" Sora asked.
"And the world keeps spinning round
my world's upside down
and I wouldn't change a thing."
Matt looked over to the girls again and saw Tai, who looked like he just came from a match talk in hushed tones. It was when the girls gasped and covered their mouths with their hands that he knew something was terribly wrong. Sora looked over at him with a troubled look, and he frowned back as he kept singing.
"I've got nothing else to lose
I lost it all when I found you
and I wouldn't change a thing
no, you and I wouldn't change a thing."
"I'll go tell Matt." Mimi said as she walked over to the band.
Sora looked back over to Tai, who had a very serious look on his face.
"How bad is it Tai?" she asked quietly searching his face for the answer.
"It's bad, Sor. But 'bad' doesn't even begin to describe it." He whispered as Matt joined them.
"Have we heard from any of them?" Matt asked.
"Not that I know of. Izzy's gathering the rest of the group; we're going to meet in the park. We can ask him when we get there." Tai said gravely.
The group nodded and began to collect there things. The trip to the park was a quiet one. No one knew what to say to each other, given the circumstances, they didn't know whether they should console one another, or tell each other that there is still hope. All these unanswered questions were running through their minds as they dodged their way through the playground and down a narrow path to the willow tree. Izzy had already set up his laptop on a nearby picnic table. As the older group joined the rest, tension ran high.
"I've just received another email from Gennai. It's worse than I thought, guys." Izzy said as he glanced up from his screen.
"What is it now, Iz?" Tai asked.
"Well first, a new bad guy is back and stronger than ever. He's got better minions than last time, and their doing most of the damage."
"Who is it, Izzy?" Sora asked.
"It's Apocalymon. And he's got a herd of Demidevimon roaming most of the islands. He's having them attack all the innocent digimon. And, well, from what Gennai has explained things aren't looking too bright. He also explained that some of the demidevimon have attacked a group of datamon who regulate and maintain the digiports. So going in might be easy, but it's leaving that could render us some trouble." He explained as the group hung on every word. "Hang on, I'm getting another message from Gennai. It says we're needed immediately, no word yet from our digimon, and remember to pack…"
"Pack what?" Matt asked.
"I think we were just drafted to spend the summer in the digital world." Sora said.
"Or longer." T.K, said.
"Wait guys, there's a P.S. Tell the youngsters to stay put. Just the originals are to come. Mustn't take chances on all coming. Will call for them if reinforcements are needed." Izzy said as he looked over to the eager awaiting group just in time to see their faces fall.
"What!" yelled Davis. "You mean I have to sit around here and do nothing, while T.K. gets to go and play hero in front of Kari!"
"Davis," Tai said as the young boy immediately focused all attention on his role model. "Gennai is right. There's no point in all of us going in and getting our asses served to us on a platter. If we can't handle it, we're gonna need help. So stay put."
Davis nodded, though he didn't like the idea of Kari going with T.K., he knew that if he disobeyed Tai, the consequences were endless.
"All right team, let's go home and pack. We'll meet at the school in one hour." Tai said as he, Kari and Sora all headed in the same direction back to their apartments.
xxxxx
Sora had been bustling throughout her room to find all that she needed. She knew that good old Joe would bring as much first aid stuff as possible, so she didn't worry about packing that. Her backpack was half full of water bottles, and she was about to start shoving her clothes in her bag as well when the doorbell rang. She hurried to the door, and found Tai leaning against the frame.
"Almost ready?" he asked when she opened the door.
"Almost, just putting some last minute things in my bag. Come in." She replied as moved to let him by. "Excuse the mess." She said as she re-entered her bedroom.
"Sora, it's me for Pete's sake. A few t-shirts neatly folded on the floor doesn't count as a mess. My mother would give any thing for my room to be as clean as yours." He said as he sat on her bed.
Sora laughed as she tried to put her remaining articles into her bag and successfully close it. She then went to her dresser and opened a drawer to pull out a few hair ties and began to tie her hair back.
"Ok, I'm ready." She said as she went to grab her bag.
The two left her apartment and made there way towards the school.
"Hey, Sora, I've been meaning to ask you something." Tai said nervously as he looked over to her.
"What?" she asked.
"Um… this thing…between you and Matt, I mean… um…is it serious…or…"
"Hey Tai! Sora! Come on, we're all waiting for you!" Kari yelled from the classroom window.
Tai frowned up at her, as he looked back at Sora who was an unusual shade of pink and had a keen interest of her shoes.
"Guess we should get going." He said as he made his way to the door.
Sora followed quietly. Deep down she didn't know whether or not things with Matt were serious. At times she felt like she was on top of the world with him. And then there were times he would be so frustrated over his band that she didn't feel safe around him. Those days she would leave him in his fits of rage and hang out with Tai at the soccer field. She knew it Matt was jealous of Tai. But truth be told, she always felt more comfortable around Tai than anyone else. He was easy going, easy to talk too. And at times, a shoulder to cry on. Tai was her protector, Matt was…well…she didn't know what he was. A boyfriend? A close friend? She wasn't sure. And now with Tai questioning her relationship with him, did it mean he still had feelings for her? Or was he looking out for her? So many confusing questions, so little answers.
"It's about time." Mimi said. "Even I was on time. What kept you?" she asked Sora with one eyebrow raised and glancing over at Tai.
"I didn't know what to pack." Sora said quietly as Matt found his way over to her.
"I was about to call you." He said to her. "Everything ok?"
"It will be once I find Biyomon." Sora replied as she made her way over to Izzy.
"The portal will be ready in just a moment. I'm just sending Gennai a quick email telling him we're on our way." Izzy said as he worked the keys of the computer.
"Kari, you sure you have everything?" Tai asked his sister.
"Yes, for the last time, Tai. I'm sure I brought everything I need." She replied as she rolled her eyes.
"All right guys, it's opened. Everyone ready?" Izzy asked as he gathered his things.
The group nodded, and hoisted their backpacks on their shoulders.
"Ok, remember to stick together, and let's be prepared for what's ahead." Tai said as he made his way over to the computer and held up his digivice.
It was an unusually slow process. Tai could remember going through most of these portals and it would be quick and painless. Yet this time, it seemed to take hours to get through, and every bit of him felt as though someone were ripping hundreds upon hundreds of band aids off his skin very slowly. It was when it reached his face that it became incredibly agonizing. He clenched his teeth, his eyes began to water, and just as he was about to yelp in pain he was hurdled to the ground.
Tai coughed, as he slowly raised himself off the ground. He looked behind him to find the television screen glow bright and Sora came barreling through. Tai got up and went to her aid. She looked as though she had gone through the same painful experience he did.
"Never felt like that before." She said as she got to her knees, and rubbed the back of her neck. It was when she really got a look around her that the pain seemed obsolete. "Holy hell."
The rest of the group came in the same fashion, each with their own bumps and bruises. Izzy made the comment of now knowing what it felt like to go through dial-up. But when they first caught a glimpse of what was in front of them they were speechless.
"My God… what happened here?" Joe said.
"What happens to a stockbroker when he loses everything?" Sora asked him.
"Um… he gets really depressed…and dramatically throws himself from a bridge." Joe answered.
"So theoretically, what happens when creatures, who possess their own weapons, become severely depressed?" Izzy asked.
"They destroy everything and anything in their path." Tai answered as he stared at the desolate lands before him. "We have a lot of work to do guys. Let's head out."
A/N: all right! Chapter 1 is complete! Hope you guys enjoyed it. Please review! And I'll get the next one up asap. Thanks!