| Chapter 10: “Kari, Iris no!” Davis called out over the mountains. He looked down at the limp form of Demiveemon in his arms. He couldn’t leave Demiveemon here but he couldn’t just let those Airdramon take Kari and Iris, “Ken!” He called out catching the young boys attention, “Ken Stingmon’s the only one who can save them now you need to go!” “Davis it’s a little hard right now!” He motioned over to Stingmon who was still battling off the last Airdramon, “Don’t worry we’ll find them.” Davis sighed watching in anticipation as Stingmon battled the Airdramon. Stingmon dodged one of its attacks at the same time delivering one of his own. He drove his Sting ray into its soft underbelly sending a purplish goo flying everywhere. The Airdramon screeched in pain and dropped off the side of the cliff in defeat. Stingmon flew down next to Ken instantly de-digivolving back into Wormmon. “Are you okay Wormmon?” Kan asked picking him up and inspecting him for bruises. “I’m fine Ken but what about the others?” “I don’t know Wormmon, unless you can digivolve again?” “C’mon Wormmon your our last hope!” Davis yelled running over to them, “You gotta do it, for Kari.” “Alright I’ll try…” Wormmon said jumping out of Ken’s grip, “Wormmon digivolve too…” Ken’s digivice started to glow from his pocket. He pulled it as the light channeled its way to Wormmon surrounding him with its healing light. The light started to fade gradually revealing the ridged for of Wormmon. “Wormmon, Wormmon digivolve to Wormmon. I’m sorry Ken I just can’t do it.” He apologized looking up at Ken and shifting nervously. “That’s alright Wormmon you did your best, “Ken picked him up again and cradled him in his arms, “I guess well just have to wait.” “Ken…” Davis whined jumping from one foot to the other, “I can’t just stand around while Karis being carted off somewhere by some ugly Airdramon, I need to do something.” “Davis you need to calm down we still need to find Gatomon and Cody and Yolie we cant just leave them in that forest.” TK piped up walking over to them, holding a very hurt looking Patamon in his arms. “What would you know TG? Don’t you care about Kari anymore?” Davis taunted him. “Davis that’s not the point, look at your digimon do you think he’s in any condition to go on some wild goose chase, we don’t even know where those Airdramon took them.” TK yelled motioning to Demiveemon. Davis looked down at his digimon taking in his form. He wasn’t in any condition to do anything, he looked almost dead. TK was right, he couldn’t go looking for Kari now when Demiveemon was in this condition. Davis sighed and sat down on the hard rocks over looking the mountain range. He couldn’t take any joy in the scenery, he had too much to think about. “Alright TB you win this time, well stay here.” He pouted settling Demiveemon in his lap. “Davis it’s not that I don’t care about Kari, I care about her a lot, it’s just that we need to think logically.” TK tried to comfort him sitting down next to Davis. “I said you win TA what else do you want?” TK sighed getting up once again. Davis was such a hothead, he took everything the wrong way. It wasn’t that TK hated him or anything, it’s just this rivalry thing he had going was too much. He didn’t want to fight with him, but to even get close to Kari was like violating someone’s private property. Sometimes he just couldn’t handle it. And it was times like these where Davis even made him feel guilty for making the decisions he did. But he has to know that going in and fighting for no reason isn’t going to get them anywhere, especially with their digimon so hurt. He did want Kari back, so bad, but he knew now that she was strong. It was sort of like when she was sucked into the dark world. He was so worried about her that time he thought he had lost her forever. But no matter how much she denied it she was like her brother in every way possible. He knew she could take care of herself now, she had Iris with her as well so she should be okay, he hoped. “Are we going to set up camp here?” Ken asked walking over to TK. “I guess so…” he trailed off looking over what was left of the group, “Wait Ken didn’t we have another person?” He asked remembering back to when they were at camp. “Yes, we forgot about Clive.” Ken said his eyes widening. ** Clive slowly opened his eyes to the dim morning light. He was glad he had convinced the other to stay here while he slept. He knew the rest of the group just sat up all night around that pitiful little fire, thinking about how they were going to repent for killing that Mojyamon. Fools. He lifted his head up to look around. They were probably still staring into the coals like ugly statues. Still thinking of ways to ask god for forgiveness. Some people could be so dumb. He glanced around himself at the empty forest that surrounded him. Not a sign of any of them. He sat up to get a better view of his surroundings; still nothing. Nothing but the remains of last nights fire. “Clive?” he spun around to face the person who had spoken his name. Wraithmon was floating as usual only three centimeters from his face. He back away some to get a better look at her. She was carrying a crudely woven flax basket filled with exotic fruits of all kinds. Some that even he’d never seen or heard of. “Where is everyone?” He asked looking around once again. “They all left last night.” She said setting down the basket and removing the fruits. “Where to?” He asked standing up and checking the forest again. “I don’t know I woke up and they all just took off.” She said pulling a large silver platter from no where. “And you didn’t ask them where they were going? What if another one of them monsters come and try to eat us? What are you going to do then?” Clive screamed at Wraithmon, grabbing his messy hair and tugging it like a maniac. “Don’t worry Clive,” Wraithmon comforted him in her calm voice, “We’ve still got Armadillomon.” Clives eyes darted to the sleeping lump he presumed was Armadillomon. What the hell could that lazy thing do, it didn’t even notice the others were gone. “What? What good is that gonna do us?” Clive said shifting his piecing gaze back to Wraithmon. She was still looking at him with that ditzy smile plastered on her face. it was as if she was incapable of panicking, or feeling anything for that matter. Her eyes looked blank, just two big purple holes in her see-through head. And that stupid smile was driving him crazy, he couldn’t stand it anymore. “Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find the others.” She said floating past his head over to Armadillomon. Yeah sure that was what she said, but considering his luck they had about a one in a million chance of finding the others. And with his terrible survival skills that percentage dropped another million. What was he supposed to do? He’d go crazy if he stayed with these two for more than one minuet, let alone the rest of his life. He had to face the music whining about it like some little girl wasn’t going to solve his problems. He had to face the fact that he, Clive Minomoto, was stuck in this terrible death hole for the rest of his meaningless life. Clive sighed heavily sitting down next to the coals of last nights fire. He glanced over to Wraithmon and Armadillomon. They were seated around the flax bag shoving all sorts of fruits and berries in their mouths. He pulled his eyes away from them shaking his head. He stared deep into the black forest hoping to find any signs of the rest of the group. Sure they could annoying sometimes, well all the time actually. And they could be so obnoxious, Davis especially. But though he hated to admit this, he needed them. he’d never been to the digital world before and he wasn’t exactly the fittest person in the world. He could put two and two together; he needed these people to get back to the real world. Or at least to give him some answers, he had so many questions that Wraithmon couldn’t answer and he guessed the others knew at least some of the answers. Clive let his eyes wander over the black forest. It was so empty, it was like looking into a void of nothingness. Nothing could live in that forest. Nothing except that glowing white lady… Clive shook his head hard, did he really see what he thought he saw? He stood up and walked over to the edge of the clearing where they had camped. He peered into the thick forest hoping to catch another glimps of the heavenly figure. There was nothing there except trees, blackness and trees. He shook his head again hoping to clear his thoughts. He was probably still half asleep, just seeing things. But he still couldn’t take his eyes off the black forest. It was like it was drawing it to him, the angel was drawing him to it. He stepped heedlessly into the thick forest. He wanted to know what it was he saw, even if it did mean braving the dark forest. He walked further into the forest carefully avoiding tree stumps and other obstacles. It was so hard to see in the blackness, it was like walking with his eyes closed. He continued walking until he got to a certain point in the forest. It was like he had reached a dimensional boarder. In a suddenness that blinded him the blackness dropped away to reveal a clearing filled with a pure white light. Not unlike the one that the digivices emitted when digimon digivolved. Clive shaded his eyes, blinking them furiously to adjust to the light. He peered closer into the light, trying to find what it was causing it. It was the woman again, in the long flowing white robes that seemed to sway as if being blown by a light breeze, but no wind made it this far into the forest. They moved by themselves along with her long golden hair that blew about her face like golden rays of sunlight passing through the trees. Clive stared at her for long moments, taking in her face and form. What was an angel of such grace and beauty doing in the midst of this dank, dark forest? He took another step closer keeping his eyes locked on the golden jewels that adorned her porcelain face. He took another step closer reaching his hand out to caress her soft white skin. She reached out her own hand her eyes never leaving his. There was a moment of pure bliss as Clives fingers brushed up against hers. The world around him spun until everything lost focus and only white and black blurs remained. He was standing in some sort of limbo, his body frozen in place, his eyes focused only on hers. The blinding whiteness around him only adding to the unfolding scene, enhancing her white skin and the huge wings the adorned her back. He was quickly pulled from his limbo however as she jerked her hand away; her whole body shuddering in fear. She stared into his eyes, her own changing color into a light pink. She backed away from him; fear written on her face. She passed effortlessly through a tree that would have normally blocked her way and disappeared, along with the holy light into the empty forest. Clive continued to stare at the spot she had once occupied, surprise and confusion marring his face. His hand still reached out in front of him waiting for his angle to reappear. But she never came. He was broken from his pondering by a familiar voice. “Clive?” Wraithmon asked in her soft voice. Clive shuddered as Wraithmons hand passed through his skin. Every time she touched him that part of his body would turn cold like ice and goose-bumps would prick his skin. “Clive what are you staring at?” She asked floating around so she sat in front of his face. Clive shook his head and looked up into her big purple eyes. His mind flicked back to the angel and the look of terror that had marred her beautiful porcelain skin. The way here eyes changed from a soothing golden to a cold grey in merely one moment. Was he destined to turn everything he touched to evil? “Clive are you okay?” “Get away from me.” Clive yelled at Wraithmon turning his back on her and staring at the ground. “But Clive we need to find the others…” She started noticing his hardened features. She knew he was about to cry but he didn’t want to let her see him break down. What was it that had gotten him so emotional? Was it something she had said? Maybe it was because she didn’t offer him any food. Or maybe he just missed his friends; that must be it. “Clive don’t worry well find the others, if you want I could digivolve, I’m strong enough now…” She tried but no response came from him. It was like he had turned into a statue. What if he was dead, but then he wouldn’t be standing. Maybe he was just asleep, yeah he must be asleep no-one could just ignore her, she was way too cute. “Clive are you awake?” She asked brushing her stubby hand across his neck. He shuddered and spun around to face him. “Look, Which part of get away from me didn’t you understand?” He asked giving her his stare, the one that always made her listen, “Now scram!” “But Clive… don’t you want to find your friends?” She asked. She was truly confused now. If he wasn’t asleep, and he didn’t miss his friends than what was bothering him? Why was he being so mean? She knew it had something to do with her, but she couldn’t think what she could have done to make him so upset. All she wanted to do was prove to him that she was worthy, that she could be just as good as Angewomon or Angemon, that she was his digimon and she’d protect him no matter what happened. “Clive what have I done wrong?” She asked voicing her fears. “Nothing, you didn’t do anything wrong okay!” He yelled back at her, “It’s me! it’s always been me, everything I touch turns evil or breaks or whatever!” “What do you mean Clive, you touched me and I’m not evil…” “That’s because your dead I can’t exactly put my curse on someone who’s dead can I?” Clive glared at her, his steely blue eyes piercing right into her vulnerable soul. “Your curse?” She asked, “I don’t know what you’re talking about Clive.” “Of course you don’t know what I’m talking about because I haven’t told you…” He said softer lowering his eyes to the ground, “Ever since I can remember everything I touched or came in contact with broke, or something bad happened to it…” He trailed off into an uncomfortable silence. Wraithmon was stumped, she didn’t know what to say. She’d never had to deal with this before, why was her human so difficult? Maybe he was broken or something. Maybe she should take him back to Gennai and ask for a refund. But he did say that being a digidestineds digimon wouldn’t be easy. But it looked pretty easy for all the other digimon, they never had to deal with broken humans before. “And every person I ever came in contact with would die, or something bad would happen to them…” He started again, “Everywhere I went things would go wrong.” “Clive don’t be sad…” She tried. How was she ever going to match up to Angewomon if she couldn’t even cheer up her human? She bet Angewomon would always have some inspiring words of wisdom for her human whenever she was down in the dumps. But all she could come up with was ‘don’t be sad’. What kind of a sad excuse for a digimon was she? “You wouldn’t understand…” He trailed off standing up straight again, “You just some stupid figment of my imagination, maybe I am going crazy.” What did he mean figment of his imagination? Maybe it was really her dreaming. If only she could wake up back in her cave to find the digivices there, nice and worm on her skin. Then they’d go flying off and she could get a new human, one that wasn’t broken. “Well are you coming?” He asked walking into the thick forest. If only… ** Her head hurt. Iris slowly opened her eyes, squinting at the bright light that flooded her vision almost blinding her. She groaned and sat up rubbing her aching head. She rubbed her eyes again shaking her head as she did. She opened her eyes again blinking a few times to adjust to the light. She glanced around her unfamiliar surroundings, taking in every crack and spot of light. She was seated in a small dingy cell, with only enough room to move her legs. The walls were cracked and broken, obviously in much need of repair. A small cot sat on the side wall, only big enough to fit maybe a small digimon. Surrounding her on either side were rusted bars, locking her in the cramped cell. She glanced around once more, her head still throbbed with pain making her sight slightly blurry. She looked through the bars on one side of her to see Kari standing in a cell of her own, her head up against the bars of the small window high on the brick wall in her cell. She seemed to be whispering something, maybe praying, and with the only small ray of light allowed in the cell shining down on her it made her look like even more of an angel than usual. She turned her attention to Iris, a small smile touching the corners of her lips. “You’re awake.” She said as she hoped down from the window and stood at the bars separating their cells, “I was starting to think you’d never wake up, it’s awfully boring being stuffed in here.” “Where are we?” Iris questioned surveying her surroundings once again. “I don’t know… I just remember waking up in here.” Kari replied glancing around herself as well. “All I remember is flying through the air on that Airdramon, I can’t even remember when I fell asleep.” Iris said standing up and dusting her clothes off. “I haven’t even seen any guards yet.” Kari said cautiously looking down the corridor next to the cells. “This place looks totally unfamiliar to me.” Iris said. She’d never seen this place before in all her travels through the digiworld. Of all the dungeons she had explored, all the old castles she had excavated she’d never seen this place before. She hopped up on the small bunk, careful not to put too much of her weight on it as not to break the brittle wood. Even the scenery was alien to her. Dead trees and burnt grass was all that surrounded this dungeon. “I see you’re taking in the scenery.” An unfamiliar voice smirked. Iris spun around to face the intruder. Standing outside the dungeon stood a small Gatomon, smaller even than Kari’s Gatomon, and black. It’s red eyes glowed with an unimaginable hatred, for what Iris didn’t know. She’d never seen anything like this before. It’s claws looked sharper, as did it’s teeth. But it’s tail ring was what bothered her. It looked exactly like the dark rings the digimon emperor had used to enslave digimon. “Who are you?” Kari asked grabbing hold of the bars, trying to squeeze her head through. “Why I thought you of all people should know Kari.” It said turning to face her, a malicious grin plastered on her face. “How do you know my name?” Kari asked examining the small Gatomon. “Why I know all your names. I know you Iris,” It gloated shifting its blood red eyes over to Iris, “And I know all about Davis and TK and little Gatomon.” “You leave them alone!” Iris shouted. She didn’t even know why, the way the Gatomon had said their names gave her a bad feeling, like she knew more than just their names. She knew all about them, what they felt, what they were thinking, their weaknesses. Iris also got the feeling it knew more about her than it let on, how was she supposed to defeat a foe that knew all her strengths and weaknesses? Iris shook her head, glancing down at the short black cat. She was probably just overacting, she did have a very bad headache and that usually caused bad judgement. There was no way this runt knew all of her weaknesses, and even if she did Polarmon could easily digivolve and defeat it, she had many times before. “Too bad neither of you have your little digimon buddies to protect you.” It said staring straight at Iris. Iris stepped back leaning her back against the wall. Had it just read her thoughts? But it was right she didn’t have polarmon to protect her now, it was just her and Kari against this surprisingly intelligent Gatomon. Maybe it was just Coincidence. Iris shook her head again; this time more vigorously causing her headache to flare up again, but she ignored it. She couldn’t take that chance, she was up against a very worthy foe she had no time to take such chances. If she had learned one thing while being stuck in the digiworld it was to never underestimate your enemy. “What happened to Gatomon?” Kari yelled her hands so tight on the bars her knuckles had gone white. “Nothing…” the Gatomon said mysteriously. “What are you going to do with us?” Iris asked her back still pressed against the wall. “Finally a question worthy of answering, what am I going to do with you? Well how about you meet some of my friends.” It gave a quick whistle as several digimon came in each carrying a huge metal object, some bigger than the digimon themselves. Iris gaped at the huge clumps of metal. They looked like they had been stolen from a dentist, a really big dentist. One was a huge drill with all sorts of sharp metal bits pointing out of it, like spider legs. Another looked like a double sided axe, but the axe part was on both ends, like a staff. There were whips of all sorts and unnamable torture tools, how was she supposed to get out of this one? “What are you going to do with those?” Kari asked backing away from the bars as Iris had done. “What do you think I’m gonna do, I’m gonna torture you.” It said its eyes gleaming with a sick malice. Kari felt like she was going to throw up, this was even worse than the time they were up against Apoclymon, but she knew not to give up hope. What would TK think if he could read her thoughts right now, she had to remember that his hopes were everybodyelses. She had to be strong, sure things looked hopeless but she couldn’t let that stop her. Things had looked hopeless before and they had always managed to pull through. But then again she had had Tai with her then, or TK, how was she supposed to do this alone? Iris glanced over at Kari, she looked sick and pale. Kari you can’t give up hope now, everybody needs you. She thought to herself. What were they to do if Kari was to just give up? Iris hadn’t know these children for long, but what she did know was that they depended heavily upon each other. And right now it was her job to keep them from falling apart. If they lost Kari they would be altogether lost, she was the voice of reason while everybody was arguing. The rest of the group seemed to look up to her, she couldn’t let them down. “Kari.” She whispered over to her friend. Kari’s head slowly turned to face her, her eyes filled with fear, her face as white as a ghost, “Kari don’t worry, I’ll get us out of this.” “I don’t think so.” Black Gatomon interrupted her. She nodded her head towards two Ninjamon that stood just behind her. They both nodded and jumped in the air, disappearing from their view. Iris turned her attention back to Kari, trying to relieve her worry with a small smile. A sharp pain suddenly shot down her spine from the base of her neck. She fell to the ground as her limbs went weak and her vision got blurry. The last thing she saw before blacking out completely was the other Ninjamon inflicting the same pain on Kari. She gasped in shock and with her last ounce of strength reached her hand through the bars and gently brushed it against Karis’. ** “Melodye, are you okay?” Cody asked for the umpteenth time. He knew something was wrong with her but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Ever since that morning she’d been unnaturally quiet, even for her. When he had first woken up she had been sitting, staring intently into the forest. Her legs huggled tightly up against her body and goose bumps covering her face and arms. He had known something was wrong with her, any one, even Davis could tell that much but she refused to tell him what it was. She stubbornly insisted that it was merely a headach, but he knew better than that. “I told you I’m fine.” She replied slightly irritated. “Melodye I’m only trying to help.” Cody whispered staring at the ground. Melodye stopped and watched his back as he continued ahead of her. It was true she wasn’t alright, that ghost she had seen had scared the pants off her and she wasn’t about to forget it. But if she told him he’d just think she was crazy, she did want to tell him, she had to get this off her back but who would believe a story like that? “I know you’re just trying to help Cody but I’m fine really. it’s just a headach.” She said jogging to catch up with him. “Well do you want to stop and rest?” He asked innocently. “No I don’t want to hold you up, you must be very worried about Armadillomon and what about Gatomon?” Melodye said tapping her fingers together. If he didn’t believe her story she’d have to tell him the truth and as much as she did want to tell him she didn’t think he was ready for it. He would just think she had gone crazy and get her in trouble for holding them up. She couldn’t let them down just because of her wild imagination. “Don’t worry about us, Armadillomon is strong, he’ll be okay and Kari’s got TK and Davis to look after her she’ll be okay but you don’t look so good.” He turned towards Gatomon who lead their party, “Gatomon can we stop…” “Wait no it doesn’t matter.” Melodye cut him off, “It’s alright. I’m alright really.” Gatomon stopped and turned to face them. Her blue eyes focused only on finding Kari. “What do you want to stop for?” She asked irritated. “Nothing it doesn’t matter, lets keep going.” Melodye said walking up next to Gatomon. “No Melodye.” Cody said grabbing her shoulder, “Gatomon Melodye’s sick and she needs to rest.” Gatomon looked up at Melodye who was making distressed faces at Cody. “She doesn’t look sick to me.” She stated. “That’s because I’m not.” Melodye said turning to face the direction the were currently heading, "Now lets get a move on.” Gatomon looked over to Cody, he was staring at Melodye’s back almost as if he could make her stay just by staring at her. But it obviously had no effect as she was still charging ahead of them, Flamon following shortly behind. Now that she thought about it Flamon had been unusually quiet. Through this whole thing she not once stood up for Melodye, or Cody. It was as if she was just totally consumed in her own little world. But that didn’t matter right now all that mattered was finding Kari before those idiots Davis and Veemon got her into too much trouble. And knowing them it wouldn’t be long before they were being tracked down by a thousand bounty hunters of all sorts. She really had to find Kari. “Well come on Cody she not going to stop now.” Gatomon said walking after the hotheaded teenager. Cody sighed in defeat and followed after them. He couldn’t understand why Melodye wouldn’t stop, if she had something bothering her wouldn’t she wasn’t to talk about it? Or if she was sick wouldn’t she wasn’t to stop and rest? It wasn’t like she owed Kari or Gatomon anything so why was she so determined to find them. It was obvious she wasn’t telling him something and he wasn’t ready to go to really great lengths to find it out. But seeing someone so disorientated made him feel bad. Especially after how she had been when he had woken up, it was as if she’d seen a ghost. She was as pale as death and shaking like a leaf but she acted as if nothing was the matter. “Holy cow…” Cody halted his brooding to respond to Melodye’s voice, “Take a look at this.” She exclaimed from farther in the forest. Cody jogged over to where she stood and marveled at the surrounding landscape. The forest just dropped away at a border to meet the plains that lay ahead. They might have once been lush green but what met them was a dead land. No grass grew here; and the bits that did were tough and brown. The land had been scorched black from under the baking sun and the tall eucalyptus trees that stood now few and far between had been stripped of their leaves and stood as bare skeletons in the lonely plains. “This place looks dead.” Gatomon observed. “I think we were heading in the wrong direction.” Cody pointed out scanning the horizon for any signs of life. “But how do we know they haven’t been here?” Melodye asked herself scanning the dead lands. “Wouldn’t they have left some sort of trail?” Cody said shaking his head. “I don’t know but what's that?” Gatomon asked shading her eyes from the blinding sun to look over the horizon. “What's what?” Melodye asked following Gatomon’s eyes to look out over the plains. “That building.” Gatomon said pointing out into the plains. “I don’t see any building.” Cody said shading his eyes to get a better look. “Come on I wanna check it out.” Gatomon jumped out of the forest and started running across the plains. “Hey wait for us.” Melodye yelled running after her. This is it Gatomon you’ve found them. Gatomon thought to herself as she galloped over the dead grass and dirt. They have to be here; hopefully Davis hasn’t gotten them into too much trouble. She ran closer the building now in sight even for those slow humans. Only a few more feet now. Gatomon ran closer finally stopping at the side wall to catch her breath. She leaned against the wall and watched as the humans slowly made their way across the plains. They were so slow. She laid her head on the side wall breathing heavily from her recent run. She shook her head slightly trying to avoid the oncoming headache. She could feel the tension building strangely fast in her temples. This was very strange, it hurt so much and it came so quickly. She pressed her paws on the side of her head to relieve the pain, but it only grew. She let out a small cry and fell to her knees. What was this excruciating pain? Where did it come from? That’s when it struck her. Her whole body shook violently with shivers, her body flushed with a cold sweat. It was that feeling, the same feeling she got from Myotismon. The feeling of evil. It swept over her like wildfire. Every part of her shook and ached with white-hot pain. Why was she so defenseless against this evil, what was it that cold make it so powerful? Her head started to spin faster and faster until she started to feel giddy and sick. She opened her eyes but everything was blurry as if someone had just got everything and spun it around really fast to make it blur. She fell to the ground a shivering helpless heap. The last this she saw before completely losing it was Melodye’s emerald green eyes staring down at her in shock. Then it was gone. |