April 29, 2019
Odaiba, Japan
There was a frantic knocking at the Kamiya apartment's door. Taichi "Tai" Kamiya, a cold and resentful middle-aged man, was awakened from his deep sleep, as were his biological-yet-adopted 8 year-old son, TJ (Tai Junior) and his Digimon, Agumon. Tai grumbled to himself as he got up and put a shirt on. Outside there was a thunderstorm blasting away, and when Tai found that the power was out, he cursed silently. "Agumon, get me a flashlight," Tai said.
"If I was a Tentomon, we wouldn't have this problem," Agumon mumbled as he fished out a flashlight.
"Daddy, what's going on?" TJ asked as he and his best friend Svetlana Izumi came into his room. Svetlana was Koushiro "Izzy" Izumi's daughter, and she and TJ got along swimmingly, much like Tai had with an old friend he had shut himself off from long ago. She was having a sleepover at TJ's house on this dark night.
"Power's out, and someone's at the door," Tai said gruffly. "I bet it's the electrician telling us that he'll have power up by midday tomorrow."
"Maybe it is Papa, come to loan us his spare generator," Svetlana suggested. Svetlana's mother was Russian, so Svetlana had inherited a slight accent.
Tai slipped some shorts on quickly and went to the door. The knocking was still going on. Over and over, three quick raps beat upon the wooden door. "Hmm..." Tai said. "Only person I know that knocks like that is..."
As soon as Tai unlocked the door, it flew open, and a wet mass landed on Tai, knocking him to the floor. "TAIIII!!!" it cried in a panicked and saddened wail.
"Wha?... What the?!" Tai asked as he tried to discern who this visitor was.
Three smaller figures walked in after this and shut the door. "Mister Kamiya?" one of them asked.
"Hey, I know that voice!" TJ said, shining the flashlight on the two smaller strangers. "It's Mari and Colin!"
"Mari and Colin Ishida?" Svetlana asked.
"Biyomon?" Agumon asked the third figure.
"Yeah," Biyomon said, shaking the rain out of her plumage.
"So... This is..." Tai started, helping the wet, slick, sniffling figure to its feet and shining the flashlight in its face.
"Tai..." Sora Takenouchi-Ishida choked. She was in her rubber rain slicker, and was soaked to the bone, but one could plainly see that she was crying like a baby. "Please, you have to help me..."
"Help you?" Tai asked, his angry scowl softening for a second. Then it shifted back into a frown and he turned away. "Why should I?" he demanded hotly. "You've got Matt to help you with EVERYTHING now."
"B-b-b-but," Sora stammered. "T-T-Tai, Matt's just the pr-pr-problem..."
"Really?" Tai grumbled, still in his sarcastic frame of mind. "Gee, what has Prince Charming done to get you so upset? Oh, gee, maybe he suddenly dropped a fraction of a percent in his perfection rating!"
Sora started to bawl even harder.
"A fraction?" Mari asked. "I'd say more like a million percentage points!"
"Whaddya mean?" TJ asked.
"Daddy's been chasing us all over town with a big sword," Colin explained.
"What?!" Svetlana asked. "Ridiculous!"
"N-no, it's true," Sora sobbed.
Tai's frown faded again. After a moment of thought, he helped Sora to her feet. "Come on, let's get you guys out of those soggy clothes. You'll all catch colds," he said.
"(Sniffle) Too late," Mari grumbled.
TJ and Svetlana loaned Colin and Mari their spare pajamas, and Tai wrapped Sora in his sheets and blankets, as he didn't have any female sleepware lying around. "You just try to get some sleep, and we'll talk in the morning," Tai said as he lay Sora on the bed, looking a lot like a mummified Egyptian queen. He turned around to head for the couch.
"No, Tai..." Sora pleaded. "I'm scared. Stay? Please?"
"..." Tai said. He looked at her with anger, despair, and pity. "I can't do that, Sora," Tai said. "You're married."
"Not anymore," Sora said, visibly yanking the ring off her finger and dropping it on the floor. Now Tai knew she wasn't kidding.
"(He must've done something REALLY bad,)" Tai thought as he lay down beside Sora in his bed. She had all the blankets on, so he kept his clothes on.
"Thank you, Taichi..." Sora said, putting one of her arms over him and affectionately kissing him on the cheek.
"You're... welcome..." Tai sighed as the two fell into a deep sleep.
"That's so sweet," Biyomon, who had come along, said as she and Agumon watched this entire spectacle.
"Sweet?" Agumon asked. "It looked more like a soap opera scene to me. What do those taste like?"

April 30
"Mmm... Morning, Tai."
Tai woke up with a start. Apparently, Sora hadn't fallen asleep as soon as he had, for all the blankets he had wrapped around her were now spread on top of the bed like they usually were, covering the two figures. She still had her arm across his chest, though.
"Sora? What... Oh... Now I remember..." Tai said as he quickly recalled what had happened the night before. "Hmm... It's 9:30. We should really get up."
"Ummm..." Sora started, turning a deep crimson.
"Whoops! I forgot," Tai said, going red himself. "Here, you can borrow some of my clothes."
Sora dressed in a pair of boxers, jeans that had been cut off at the kneecaps, and a T-Shirt with the words 'People Suck' printed on it. "These are your clothes?" Sora asked. "Your attitude has really changed since the last time we talked. How many years ago was that?"
"It was 2008," Tai said. "The year you married Matt."
(Flashback)
"Hey, Tai!" Sora Takenouchi called as she ran to catch up with her best friend.
"...What do you want, Sora? I'm gonna be late for English class," Tai said, not looking at her.
"Matt just proposed to me! I can't believe it!" Sora said happily.
"Whoop-dee-doo," Tai grumbled. "So, what're you going to do?"
"I'm gonna marry him!" Sora exclaimed, almost jumping into the air. "How can I say no?"
"...Just be careful, Sora," Tai said. "That's all the advice I can give you. You're going to make mistakes, and I hope they'll teach you to watch your step even more." Without even looking at her, he turned and walked towards the study hall.
"Tai, what's wrong? You've been so distant for the last 8 years..." Sora said.
"Nothin'," Tai grumbled. "Just a phase, I bet."
"So, you wanna be the best man?" Sora asked.
Tai sighed sadly and kept walking, not even answering Sora's repeated calls.
(End Flashback)
"So my attitude's in the toilet. What else is new?" Tai asked.
"You weren't like that a long time ago," Sora said. "You were cheerful, considerate, kind, caring... But you seemed to become a whole other person after I gave those cookies to-" Sora stopped short. She had realized what had happened. "...Oh, no..." she said quietly.
"Finally figured it out, huh?" Tai asked. "Took you long enough."
"...You had feelings for me?" Sora asked innocently.
"Had 'em since day 1," Tai said, turning to face her. "I always thought you'd return the feelings, but... Then you ran off with that blonde bozo and left me in the dust! And to top it off, my drunken fling with that hooker ended up netting me a kid to look after with my already pitiful budget!" Tai's expression had turned from sad to angry to sad again. "...I loved you, Sora, but that wasn't enough for you."
Sora gasped quietly. Then she sat still for a few moments. "Tai..." she finally said.
Tai turned to face her. "And what about Matt?" he asked.
"Didn't you see me take off my ring?!" Sora cried. "Matt was cheating on me, and then he tried to..."
Sora started to shake all over again. Tai went over and hugged her tightly. "It's OK, Sora... It's OK... Sssshhhh... Now, let's just go get some breakfast, and then you can tell me all about it."
Sora plopped herself down at the breakfast table. TJ, Svetlana, Colin and Mari had already eaten and were outside playing in the nearby soccer field. Tai poured Sora a hot cup of tea and sat down across from her. "Now then..." Tai said. "Start from the beginning. Tell me what's wrong, Sora."
"Well," Sora began as she sipped her tea. "Matt and I have been pretty happy for many years... We've made two wonderful children, and I thought it would never end..."
"Do tell," Tai grumbled.
"Sorry," Sora apologized. "Anyway, about six months ago, I noticed that he was starting to look at other, prettier women a lot more... He also started to keep odd hours... He said it was overtime, but no boss would make their workers stay until 3:00 in the morning! Also, he came home smelling like perfume and lipstick, and..." Sora started to choke up. "...Sometimes he came home drunk and yelled up a storm before I could settle him down..."
"Keep talking," Tai urged.
"B-but, the worst part was..." Sora started to sob. "A week ago, I came home from dropping the kids off at a friend's house... And... and... I-I-I found him in b-b-bed with... with..."
"Mimi?" Tai guessed.
"No," Sora said, shaking her head.
"...Catherine?" Tai guessed again.
Sora shook her head and sniffled.
"No suprise... He doesn't know Catherine. Well, if it was Kari, he's really in trouble," Tai growled.
"N-no," Sora choked. "It was... Yolei!"
"YOLEI?!" Tai shouted, suprising himself and Sora. "Yolei Ichijouji?! Oh, jeez..."
"He was also blind drunk, and he got up and started cursing at me, and... and... Ohhh!!!" Sora wailed. She was crying up a storm by now. Outside, the weather had turned gray and rainy again. The kids came in and went into the other room, where they silently watched TV and gave Tai and Sora some space.
"It's OK, Sora," Tai said, getting up and hugging her. She clung to Tai like a Garfield window ornament does to a car windshield. He gently stroked her hair. "Was that it?"
"No, it wasn't..." Sora sobbed, burying her face in Tai's shirt. "He never apologized for any of it... He thought he was justified, and for some reason, he deserved it..."
"If there's one thing Matt doesn't deserve, it's you," Tai said. "You're so patient and forgiving... Anyone who takes advantage of that shouldn't be within 10 miles of you."
"And last night, he came home drunk and bellowing for something..." Sora continued. "I tried to get him to calm down, but he grabbed that katana- you know the one- off the wall and tried to cut me up! I grabbed the kids and ran to the safest place I know... your apartment."
"Sora..." Tai said.
"I'm so sorry, Tai... He'll probably show up here now. This is all my fault... I was such a selfish brat back then, back when I could have taken your advice..." Sora sniffled.
"I suppose I could say 'I told you so,' but you're in bad enough shape without my sarcastic remarks," Tai sighed.
"Matt's history," Sora declared. "This was the last straw."
"Maybe it's for the best," Tai said, breaking the hug and sitting down again.
"(Sniff) At least he still loves the kids," Sora said. "He said he'd never do anything to hurt them."
"Well, that's a good sign," Tai said. "At least... maybe he can go on being their father."
"Things are so crazy right now," Sora sniffled. "I just need a place to rest for a while..."
"Well, you can stay here for as long as you need to," Tai said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I said it before, and I'll say it again... I'll never let anything happen to you."
"Tai..." Sora sniffed, a blush creeping over her wet face.
A few hours passed. Tai and Sora talked some more, ate a little lunch, and then Sora settled down for a nap. Tai plopped down on the sofa and turned on the TV. TJ had preset the TV to the Cartoon Network, so Tai amused himself by watching old Scooby Doo episodes.
After about an hour, there was a series of loud, banging knocks on the door.
"OPEN UP, TAI!!!" an angry voice shouted.
Tai groaned. Now he was going to have to face one of the worst things in the world... an angry Ishida boy. He got up and opened the door. Matt stood there, drenched in rainwater. He was breathing hard, and his eyes were a mixture of rage and despair. A large katana was sheathed in a hilt strapped to his back.
"Errr... Hey, Matt," Tai said, choosing his words slowly.
"Where's Sora, Kamiya?" Matt asked angrily.
"Sora Kamiya? Sorry, no one here by that name," Tai chuckled. "But seriously, what're you doing here?"
"I've come to collect what's mine," Matt said. "So stay out of my way."
"You're not exactly in a position to come barging into other people's houses," Tai said. "Sora told me everything that happened. You aren't welcome here."
"Just give me my wife and kids, and I'll leave you alone," Matt growled.
"Why did you try to dice Sora up?" Tai asked, not budging from his spot.
"I was getting sick of her," Matt said. "Every day, the same routine, the same conversations! And she never stopped talking about 'the good old days!' All day long, it's been 'Tai this' or 'Tai that!' I couldn't stand it!"
Tai's right eyebrow rose a little. Sora hadn't told him about that.
"But YOU'RE the loser, Kamiya," Matt hissed. "Sora's mine, and I've already made two kids. I've just come for my property."
"You heartless bastard," Tai said, shaking his head. "Talking about your wife and kids as 'property?' That went out with the covered wagon train, bud."
"Don't give me any lip, Tai!" Matt said, drawing the katana and pointing it at Tai's neck. "I'm not afraid to use this!"
"...Have you looked at your Crest lately?" Tai asked. "You know... the Crest of Friendship?"
"What?" Matt asked, keeping the sword drawn.
"You don't seem to be very nice to your friends nowadays," Tai said. "You realize that if your Crest doesn't glow, you're not at your full potential?"
"Huh?..." Matt asked.
"Go on," Tai said. "Take a look."
Matt withdrew the sword a few inches and fished his Crest out of his pocket. When he looked at it, he gasped. He couldn't see the calm, blue glow that it usually produced. The crest was pitch black.
"See?" Tai said. "You've strayed from your usual path."
"...Sh-shut up!" Matt said, pointing the sword at Tai again. "Give me Sora and the kids, and I'll leave."
"...No," Tai said. His eyes narrowed. Inside Tai's pocket, his Crest of Courage glittered brightly for the first time in years.
"AAAAAAARRRRRRRGHHHH!!!" Matt roared, slashing at Tai with the katana. Tai jumped backwards to avoid the swipe, and Matt charged into his house.
"Daddy? What's going on?" TJ asked as he and his three friends came out of the other room. When they saw what was happening, they gasped and hid.
"Tai? What's going on?" Agumon asked as he and Biyomon walked into the room. Suddenly, a second figure came running into the room and almost knocked them over. It was Gabumon!
"(Pant, pant) I came as fast as I could!" Gabumon said. "Oh, no!"
"Gabumon, what's wrong with Matt?" Agumon asked.
"I don't have a clue. It must just be a human thing," Gabumon said. "But we have to stop this, before someone gets hurt! Matt, stop!"
"Shut up!" Matt yelled, and kept slashing at Tai, who was ducking and dodging all the attacks quite nicely. This only made Matt angrier.
"I didn't want to do this, but..." Gabumon said. "Blue Blaster!"
"Pepper Breath!" Agumon joined.
"Spiral Twister!" Biyomon shrieked. All three attacks hit Matt head on and knocked him to the floor. The katana fell from his hands and skidded across the floor.
"(Yawn) Tai, what's all the noise?" Sora asked as she came in from her nap. When she saw what was happening, she started to tear up again, but these were angry tears.
"So THERE you are!" Matt said, getting up. "Come on. We're going home."
"Matt, what's happened to you?" Sora asked. "You used to be so... so..."
"...So 'not homicidal?'" Biyomon suggested. "Matt never really was super-nice to her."
"Even after she chose Matt over Tai, he wasn't any nicer to her," Gabumon sighed crossly.
"No use livin' in the past," Matt growled. "Now come home. We're gonna have... a talk."
"Sora..." Tai said, looking at the woman he loved.
"Mommy?" Mari asked. She and Colin looked quickly at Matt, then back at Sora.
"...No, Matt," Sora said, shaking her head and holding up her ringless hand. "It's over."
"GRRRRAAAAAHHHH!!!" Matt yelled, charging at Sora with his hands locked in a strangling position. He was stopped by a blow to the head from Tai. He sunk to the floor and collapsed.
"Pitiful man," Tai said. "He was so obsessed with one-upping me, he ruined the lives of countless others just to get at me."
"Tai..." Sora said, approaching the battle-hardened man. "...Thank you. And..."
"...And what?" Tai asked, looking a bit suprised. He really was suprised when Sora wrapped her arms around him and kissed him with a rekindled passion that both had thought had died long ago.
"Hey, guys!" Izzy said as he and Tentomon entered. "Just come to pick up Svetlana... WOAH! What happened here?!"
The apartment was a mess. Furniture lay strewn about the room with slash marks in it, the kids stood in the corner, Matt lay on the ground, the Digimon stood off to the left, and Tai and Sora were locked in a passionate kiss in the center.
"Oh! Izzy! Ummm..." Sora stammered as she and Tai separated, both going red.
"Looks like you guys had a pillow fight or something," Izzy chuckled. "Well, come on home, Svetlana."
"I'm coming, papa," Svetlana said, gathering her things, straightening her baseball cap and following Izzy out the door. "See you later, guys!" she called to TJ, Mari and Colin.
"So, what do we do now?" Agumon asked.
"...Call the police?" TJ suggested.
"I'll do that," Gabumon said, grabbing the phone and disappearing into the bedroom.
"Sora, Matt said that you talked about me a lot," Tai said.
"Well, yes..." Sora said. "Even when our marriage was good, I still thought of you often..."
"Hmm..." Tai said.
"Tai..." Sora said. "...I love you, too."
"Sora..." Tai murmured.
"It'll be OK," Sora said, hugging him tightly. "We'll straighten out this mess, and then we can start over, I guess..."
Deep in Sora's raincoat pocket, her Crest of Love started to shine brighter than it had in years.

May 1
"So, what did they charge Matt with?" Tai asked Sora as she walked back into the apartment.
"I lost count," Sora chuckled as she sat down across from him. "We'll have to settle the whole divorce thing when he gets out of prison in six months."
"Six months?" Tai asked.
"He was able to plead insanity," Sora said. "Don't ask me why."
"Well, are you able to go back to your house now?" Tai asked.
"Yes, I am," Sora said. "Finally, I can change out of these clothes!"
"Well, I guess this is goodbye again," Tai said.
"Not at all!" Sora protested, putting her hand on top of his. "It's a whole new beginning for us, Taichi. We can start fresh. It's like a second chance..."
Tai smiled warmly, which was something he hadn't done in years. "I love you, Sora," he said.
"I love you too, Tai..." Sora answered with the most sincerity she had ever spoken with.
Outside in the apartment garden, dozens of colorful flowers began to bloom. It was another wonderful day. Finally, the black clouds that had shadowed the Digidestined of Courage had parted, and the lovely sun shone through again.