Chapter 8: Is it Real?

CHAPTER EIGHT

And so, the five new members were put through the basics of initiation, as well as donning their new power-suits. Yolei really liked the way hers looked. “A girl like me could really get used to this.

How’d you make out, Cody?”

Cody wasn’t as tall as the others, but luckily for him the spandex suits were adjustable, which also programed the armor to attune to the proper fitted-size of the wearer. “This feels kind of weird, but cool just the same.” He waved his beam-sword around like a kendo-stick, nearly hitting Joe, “Hey, watch where you swing that.” he cried.

Mimi liked the way her shade-visor sat on her face, really showing off the color of her hair. “I look like a secret agent in one of those cool spy-movies.”

“I don’t know; I feel more like a guy in combat video-game.” said Ken.


All their Digimon had just gone through the programing-unit that powered them up so now they were all much stronger than before.

“I feel like I could dig clean through to China.” said Armadillomon.

“I don’t know if I should feel delighted or freaked out.” whimpered Wormon.

The others were all kicking, punching or bouncing, astonished by how much stronger they felt now. “Wait until you have your firsht fight…” said Veemon “Then you’ll really shee…”



Shatora smiled at the group. She was especially happy because now it meant she had nine full members on the team. Only a single power-suit was left without an owner that was still hanging on the rack.

She then noticed Davis wasn’t anywhere to be seen. When she asked Gray where he was, “He said he wanted some fresh air, so he went onto the rooftop.”

“Shall I accompany you?” asked Wolcramon, but Shatora had already gone and hadn’t heard her.

“You okay, Wolcramon?” Veemon asked. She turned to face him, and despite he was just a little Veemon, Wolcramon thought he still looked rather cute. “Yes, I am fine.”

She walked away and one of her tails soflty brushed across Veemon’s little face, almost like a hint! He sighed most heavenly. The other Digimon snickered cheekily with one-another, already realizing what was happening. “What?” Veemon asked.


“Oh, nothing, just nothing.” said Hawkmon.

“Yeah, we all know you like Wolcramon.” blurted Gomamon, but the others jumped on him to silence him. “Don’t be so blabby!” said Palemon.


Veemon didn’t feel too embarrassed; he couldn’t deny himself that he was really starting to grow fond of Wolcramon. She was beautiful, kind to him and to the others, an awesome fighter, and she knew many things about the Digital World from her experiences. “I wonder if she feels the shame about me?” he wondered to himself.



Davis sat up on the mountain peak overlooking the wide open spaces. He was still very touched that some of his friends were now his friends again. At first he wouldn’t believe it thinking they only wanted to get closer to him drag him back, but Shatora and Wolcramon knew they were being sincere and were fully loyal to the Phoenix Program.

Still, he was concerned that the rest of the Digi-Destined were still against them; not that they would feel any different anyway.


“Hey…” Shatora called to him.

“Hi.” He said softly to her, but he couldn’t help but admire how pretty she looked in the midday sun. Her hair seemed to sparkle like diamonds as she walked over and sat next to him “Are you okay?”


Davis looked back over the mountain, but he seemed lost in his thoughts, “So much is happening all at once.”

“What do you mean?”

Davis took a moment to gather all his thoughts and put it all into words…


“I used to be close with all the Digi-Destined; they were more than just friends. They were like family to me, but then they began to change for the worst, especially Kari. Not that she ever really changed for the better to begin with; ignoring me, teasing me, not listening to what I had to say even when it was important or a great idea.

…And yet, I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s changed so much, and so have I. We’re not friends anymore. More like we never WERE friends.” he paused and sighed deeply “I guess it’s more of a wake-up call. I can never patch things up with her, and even if I could, she’ll never be mine.

Besides, after all that’s happened. It’s clear she’s the enemy now. She’ll try and stop us, and I was barely able to control myself when TK came at me.”


Shatora felt sorry for him.

“Shatora?”

“Hmm…?”

“Can I ask… what was it like for you to be fused into the Digital World the way you were?”


Shatora seemed to crying softly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“No… it’s okay…” she said to him “I guess, no matter how astonishing and incredible it could seem… it was boring.

Even though I didn’t age, I still missed so much in the past four years. I was very grateful to have Wolcramon with me, or I would’ve really lonely wandering around like that; being unable to contact anyone or share in the joys that I found or they had.

To be honest, when I used to watch you and your friends, I was amazed how well you stuck by their side no matter how bad they acted towards you.

…Of course you were a bit goofy yourself.”


Davis felt embarrassed, but it he couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“Really, you don’t know how grateful I am to you.” Shatora said “You didn’t just help set me free, but we’ve got almost a whole team here. My dream to shield the Digital world can finally come true faster.”

Davis was more than happy to be helping, but he couldn’t help but ask “What happens when we’re done? I mean, when we seal off the rest of the world.”


There was a long moment of silence, and finally Shatora replied “…I never really thought of that. I’ve been trapped in the Digital World for a long time. Even if I were to go back to the Real World, what would I do? Where would I go? I spent so long creating this program and working ways to protect the Digital World. I don’t know rightly what I’d do after that.”

Davis felt her deeply, a real connection for the first time since… well… ever.  “I know how you feel. You feel like you want to go back, but you don’t feel you have much to go back to. Even though I have some of my friends back on my side, I don’t really feel I can go back to my own world yet.

Like I said to Kari; I don’t get good grades, I don’t have many aspects that please people. I’d probably just keep playing soccer, open a noddle cart, and that’s it.

…But I can totally see where you’re coming from. There’s less for you than there is for me, and all this time I was only thinking of myself.”


They both turned to gaze at each other, and became lost in one another’s eyes. Very slowly, they began to move closer, and closer…


“Pardon me!” Shade said, startling them. They turned to see him, and both blushed nervously. “Um… sorry to interrupt but, you should both come downstairs, we have to brief the newcomers.”

As annoyed as Davis and Shatora were, they knew this was important. So they got up and headed downstairs… walking hand-in-hand, but Davis could hardly believe he was!

“What’s happening to me?” he wondered “I almost kissed her… am I… really… actually… getting over Kari?”

Shatora was feeling the same way, unable to believe it, “I’ve never felt like this towards anyone before. I mean, I’ve watched him for a long time, but is it really real?”





“This can’t be real!” TK complained “This just can’t be happening! How could they ditch us like that?! A’rgh!” he groaned he held his aching leg where Davis had shot him. Getting overly excited made it hurt even more.

“TK, try to take it easy.” said Sora.

“How can you even say that at a time like this?!” TK protested.

“TK stop it!” snapped Tai, “We’re all just as upset as you are, but the last thing we need is to start fighting with each other.”

Much as Matt hated to say it, “I’m actually with you, Tai, but what are we going to do now? With all the others on that team the Digital World will be sealed off in no time.”

Izzy did some calculations on his computer. With nine members on Shatora’s team, “…If each of them covered a certain area and sealed off at least two portals every thirty minutes; I’d say in less than 36 hours the Digital-World will be sealed off completely and we’ll be stuck here for good without those access codes!”

Even the Digimon didn’t think that was a good thing at all. “So, what are you going to do?” asked Agumon.

Tentomon hovered up to Izzy “As much as I hate to suggest this, but maybe you all should head back to the Real World while you can. At least you can be safe. We can survive here, it is our world.”


“Aw, Tentomon…” Izzy said gazing at his friend so passionately “Look, I understand your concern but, somehow I don’t think the others agree.”

Indeed, none of the others agreed, especially considering that Japan was still completely blocked, and without their Digimon they’d have no way to get home as none of them had the money for flights or boats.

“I’m actually more worried about the others.” said Biyomon “That Shatora sure seems crafty. Who knows what she’s really up to?”



While they all debated over what to do, Kari, again, sat alone and was beating herself up all over again. “How could this all happen?” she asked herself for the millionth time. “Davis hates me, our friends left us, and now they’re sealing up the Digital World.”

“You brought this on yourself!” her conscience told her “You said those awful things, you treated Davis like he didn’t matter, and you actually think you can make-up for all this!

Do yourself a favor and stop now before you really make things worse!”


She moaned softly as the guilt ate away at her.


TK limped over to her. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Of course I’m not okay!” she practically snapped at him. He winced and almost fell off his feet “Whoa! What was that for?”

Kari angrily stood and glared at him “What were you thinking-- going after Davis like that; especially considering he was armed and angry!”

TK’s features hardened “I was trying to defend you! Besides, you know how I get when people hurt those I care about, or when some evil creep is on the loose!”

“Davis is NOT an evil creep!”

“Why are you defending him after all that he’s said to you, and all that he’s done to us?!”


Gatomon and Patamon both tackled their partners down. “Stop this now!” shouted Gatomon.

“A’rgh! My leg!” whined TK “Well it serves you right!” snapped Patamon “I can’t believe I’m saying this about you, TK… but I did. So there!”


TK could not believe the attitude everyone was giving him, and before he could say another word, “What’s going on here?” said Tai.

“I was just checking up on Kari and she went postal on me!” said TK.

“I’m just really upset right now.” Kari said in defense, “I don’t think I can take any more of this!”

Tai sighed. He really didn’t know what to say, knowing Kari would just beat herself up even more and make things harder than they already were. “Look, the rest of us have agreed on something…

We’ve decided to keep on going, but we think you two should go back to the Real World.”

Before TK or Kari could protest, “Don’t say anything!” snapped Matt “You two are going back, no arguments!”

Sora placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him down. “Look, you guys, you have to trust us. TK, you should go back and rest your leg and Kari… I know this sounds hard, but we don’t think you should confront the gang, especially Davis. It’s only made things worse so far.”

Kari tried to find words to protest, but she didn’t know if she even could. The gang was right in many ways; so far all her methods to be sincere to Davis didn’t work, and now the team was really broken up over all this, especially from the deserters.

“I’m not leaving!” snarled TK “I can’t just leave you guys to face that team of whackos by yourselves, and besides. What if Shatora decides to brainwash you next?”


“TK, calm down!” snapped Izzy “We’re not even sure Shatora HAS done any brainwashing, but that’s not the point.”


“…The point is I’m not leaving!” TK said “And nothing you say or do will make me!”


Kari knew how stubborn her boyfriend got when he was angry over something this serious, but as much as she admired his determination, she couldn’t take much more of his attitude. “TK, I’m only saying this out of concern, but maybe you should go home.”

TK could not believe what she had just said, “Kari…!”

A sudden silence followed as the two gazed deeply at one another. It was almost too eerie to watch, and finally, TK broke the silence, “Fine, if you want to leave, I’ll go.”


Kari lips curled into a small smile.


The gang planned to escort Kari and TK to the nearest unsealed portal so they could warp to Russia. At least there, with Patamon and Gatomon, they could Digivole and fly back to Japan safely.

“Where’s the nearest portal, Izzy?” Tai asked.

Izzy typed into his computer “It’s quite a ways north of here, near the mountain ranges, but we better hurry before Davis and the others get to it.”

“Um, I hate to sound pessimistic, but what if we run into the gang?” asked Tentomon.

Another moment of silence followed. Knowing that the others were probably under Shatora’s supposed influence; they would act as defensive as Davis did.


Biyomon quivered “I don’t want to have to fight our friends.”

Gabumon understood how she felt, “But we may not have a choice. Besides, think of all the other Digimon that might get hurt as well.”

“Gabumon’s right.” said Matt “We better hurry before it’s too late.”

Tai agreed “First we get Kari and TK out of here, and then we take on the Phoenix Team.”



Meanwhile, Shatora had briefed the team on everything. “We’ll divide into groups of two, that way we can cover more areas.”

“Quick question…” asked Cody “What happens if we run into the other Digi-Destined?”


Shade answered in place of Shatora, “Should they interfere again, and if they try to put up a fight, we fight back. Remember, nothing must stop us from reaching our goal.”



Mimi felt a little uneasy now. “Strange, I thought Owikawa’s energy would protect the Digital World from many kinds of evil and unscrupulousness.”


Gray nodded “That was our assumption too, but nothing is ever really perfect, and even the best need a little help sometimes.”

“Master Gray is correct.” said Soarmon “Calculations have also indicated that the pure energies have somehow not been living up to their fulfilled requirements, as so much negativity continues to swarm this world.”


He activated the computer to show images of more and more Digimon fighting with one another, almost like how humans behaved; dog-eat-dog.


Joe could hardly believe what he saw. “Is there no way to bring ultimate peace to this world?”

“Well, our way is one way.” said Davis “So, I guess the sooner we head out, the better.”


Shatora agreed.

“I’ll have to stay behind.” said Shade, “I haven’t had a chance to input some calculations needed for the new members.”


“I’ll stay and help you.” said Shatora.

“Oh, no!” snapped Shade, “Uh… I mean… no need to. It’s a quick job and I can finish it. Besides, you did say you should split into groups of two.”

“Perhaps he is correct, Shatora.” said Wolcramon “We are also far behind schedule with our progress.”

Shatora agreed, and the teams decided to head off.

“He sure seemed jumpy when you offered to help him.” Ken said to Shatora.

Shatora realized that as well, and it felt rather suspicious.

Still, right now the eight teammates prepared to power up. “Ready everyone?” Shatora asked. Everyone nodded as they all stood together. “Okay, here we go…” said Davis.

“…POWER ON!!”

Everyone donned their armor. “Oh, that was so cool!” Yolei said with such enthusiasm “Let’s go clean up this world!”

“Hey, that’s my line.” Davis muttered softly.


They all Digi-volved and Armor Digivoled their Digimon, and they were off in groups of two.

Joe with Mimi

Yolei with Ken

Cody with Gray

Leaving Davis with Shatora…

As they flew off on their Digimon they both peeked over their shoulder’s to look at one another, and then quickly turned away, blushing. Ex-Veemon and Wolcramon did the same. Wolcramon giggled softly.

“So, which territory is ours?” Ex-Veemon asked trying to change the subject fast. “We are to seal off the area which leads to Russia in the real world.” replied Wolcramon

“I just hope the other Digi-Destined don’t try to get in the way again.” said Davis “Why can’t they just take a hint and get out of here already?”

Shatora wondered that herself. For people who didn’t seem to care much for Davis’ feelings, as well as not registering as pure and sincere enough under her power, they were certainly going to incredible lengths to try to get him to come back with them and to stop her plans of protecting the Digital World.

“I used to watch you all.” Shatora said “You all once went to great lengths to save this world, and now… well, I guess some people change over time.”


Davis nodded “Everyone changes, some just don’t change for the better.” he was hinting at Kari and TK and the way he regarded them as foes rather than friends.

He opened his D-Terminal and looked at picture of the Digi-Egg of Friendship. It chose him because he understood what it meant to be a friend, after learning a great deal, but friendship was two-way street. He couldn’t do all the work himself. He couldn’t be the only friend.

For that matter, just because he understood friendship he didn’t even HAVE to make friends with absolutely EVERYONE. Understanding friendship sometimes also meant knowing who your friends weren’t!

…Kari and TK were just unworthy of him anymore for the many horrid ways they treated him and disregarded his feelings and stuff. “Nobody is perfect I guess.”




Meanwhile, with the base empty, Shade waited a while to make sure none of the others had returned in case of forgetting anything. “Okay, Blastarmon, bring it here.” he called softly, and Blastarmon rolled along carrying a small briefcase in his arms, handing it to Shade.

Shade opened the case and removed its contents; circuitry and computer chips and a laptop. Then he opened the consoles and the computers within the base and began to work. “I’ve almost got everything that I need. I’ll show that, twit, Shatora, the real way to secure a world.”

“It is a daring plan, Master.” said Blastarmon.

“Yes, it is…” replied Shade “It took a lot to seal away that Owikawa.” he paused and snickered “What was that moron thinking? Nothing is perfect, and he’s no longer able to do a thing about this where he is now.” He looked a single golden cartridge in his briefcase marked “Owikawa Prison.”

“Soon that’ll happen to the rest of them, as well as anyone else who dares to try and keep me from my dream again.”

He grinned manically, and Blastarmon nodded in agreement.