The Second Chance

Part 3 : The Chosen

By
Sarnokh

"Who knows others is educated.
Who knows himself is wise.
Who conquers others has power,
Who conquers himself is strong."
Tao The Ging
From: Lao Tse

Authors Comment:
This is the third chapter in my Digimon fiction "The Second Chance". Initially it was presumed to be a single, closed story; but then I grew fond of the story arc and more and more ideas grew in my mind to continue romance and adventure. I hope you have fun with it.

What happened previously: To advert a life without their true loves, six Digidestinied confess each others love. So besides Tai and Yamato, two other couples find their way to confess each others love: Takeru and Ken as well as Daisuke and Iori. Hikari and Miyako supported them to go for their love, even though it meant to lose the boys they loved. As a result the DigiWorld was saved, too
One year later Sora becomes the evil Empress of the DigiWorld and tries to play the Digidestinied against each other. But TK believes in is love into Ken, and doesn't fall into Sora's tricks. In the end, Sora falls into Coma and the DigiWorld is saved.

*************************************

It was a hot summer evening, when Ken sat at his computer terminal, waiting to get his Email. There was a Mail from Miyako and Kari, who were spending their holidays in Canada. Kari wrote, that they had just begun to learn skiing and had met a nice boy, that helped them to improve their skills in skiing. Hikari had added to scanned photo of "Chuck" (a terrible name, Ken thought) that reminded him a bit of Takeru. Hikari obviously had a favour for blond boys. Well, Ken pondered grinning as he thought of Takeru, I have too! The thought of Takeru warmed his heart! It was always so. Even when Ken had trouble, he just had to think about the boy he loved, and who gave him so much, and all anger or stress were gone.

Then there was a Mail from Iori, Daisuke and Koushiro, who had travelled to New Orleans. Iori was very interested in the Voodoo culture that had been survived in this particular city. Iori and Koushiro hoped to learn about some connection between the DigiWorld the spirits known in the Voodoo religion. Quite a curious idea, Ken said to himself. But on the other hand, it had became obvious that several spiritual believes where somehow related to the Digimon. Jyou had visited Mimi in the USA - perhaps this time he would succeed in telling her that he liked Mimi very much. But Ken doubted that Jyou would have the stomach to do so. And there was a Mail he couldn't wait to read. It was from Takeru, who had visited an aunt in Yokohama. He wrote:

"My beloved Ken!
I really had hoped to visit Aunt Tana again, as she is a cunning and lively old woman. When I was younger, she visited my mom regularly, and told her to take greater care of herself. If you enjoy your life, she used to say, it doesn't matter what you do! She has lived many years in China when she was a young girl and learned Taoist wisdom from her teacher. 'Never be influenced by praise nor rebuke!' is one of her most favourite quotes. I am certain, Iori would know more of this, but I am just sitting with her, listening to her wisdom. Well, Tana is not my Aunt, but my mothers Aunt, but Yamato and me always referred to her as our Aunt. Just ask Yama about her! :-) He used to think of her as an old hag, and just tried to hide how much he feared her wits.
Put it is terribly hot here! I miss the gaze of your deep eyes, your wonderful smile and your kiss, Ken! I will phone as soon as I am back!
Always your
Takeru"

Ken closed his eyes and dreamed of their reunification. Ken would just hold him and never let him go. In fact Ken had been unusually lonely for the last few weeks. Besides Tai and Yamato all of the other Digidestinied had left the city for a while. He stared at his terminal, as another Email appeared, from an unexpected place. The Mail address showed that it came from Great Britain. Britain? Ken rose one of his eyebrows. Rob! It was a Mail form Robert, who was living in Cardiff, Wales. Rob had come to Ken's school some time ago, a short time before he became the Digimon Emperor, and they had spend much time together. Rob was a so-called 'talented' child, much like Ken himself. With their above average IQ, they were shunned by the other children, and thus had something in common. But after one year, Roberts parents returned to Cardiff, and Ken remained alone. They had exchanged some Letters and Mails over time, but he hadn't heard of Rob for several month now. The mail said:

"Dear friend Ken,
I want to apologize for not writing you for such a long time, but recently I had some trouble with my parents, which completely occupied and depressed me. But now, as things grow better, I wanted to hear from you to renew our friendship. And there are good news, too - I hope! - as my father must travel to your town again, because of his business. He will stay there for some months, so I hope we will have the time to meet again!
I am really looking forward for our meeting - and even my older brother Dean will come with us. Say no more! I know that he was quite a nuisance, and hasn't changed a bit! But that shall not change the fact, that I am very happy to meet you again.
Sincerely yours,
Robert"

Robert Runeward came to him! Ken had never hoped to see that dark-haired boy again. Rob him had once been like brothers. He had been closer to him that to his real brother, who wasn't living anymore. Ken was pleased to expect that meeting, and he would enjoy it even more, because TK would meet his old friend, too, Ken thought exited. The he stopped himself, and his heart hammered in fear! Rob would meet TK! But what would Rob say to the fact, that Takeru and him where Lovers, now? Would Robert think of them as a pervert, a freak? Perhaps they should better keep that a secret; but what would TK say to such an idea. His mind was racing! What should he do. As an attachment, Rob had send his father plans to flight, and due to this text, Rob would come in the same day like TK, with a plane just 30 minutes later, and he had promised TK to wait for him at the airport. Not much time to explain anything!

************************************************

Three days later Ken and Yamato sat in a Taxi, driving to the airport.
"I am surprised, that you wanted accompany me to greet TK…", Ken mused and look nervous towards Yamato. Ken had made a perfect plan to convince TK that they would act like normal 'friends' in Rob's presence, and try to find out what he would think about them later. But Yama would not agree with such a behaviour. All kind of lie and pretence was not what he would do in this case. Once Sora had believed, that he liked her, just because he didn't have the courage to tell her, that he was together with Taichi for quite a time. The result was, that Sora's heart was broken, and she had tried to bring a terrible revenge upon him. Since then Yamato knew, that lies always lead to great suffering, and Tai and him had walked through the streets, holding hands without fear. They where proud of their love, and told Ken and TK to act likewise. Takeru and Ken had walked together in public often, but this seemed to be a special case. Ken didn't want to see Robert disapprove. Certainly he had a girlfriend back home in Great Britain, he would tell him of.
Yamato spied Ken, as he seemed to be lost in is thought. "Ken?" Yama shook Kens shoulder. "Hey, Ken! You really look as your would be far away. What's wrong?"
Ken sighed. "Nothing. Everything is just fine!"
"Yea!", Yamato mocked. "And Yun is my girlfriend!"
"What?", Ken gaped at him in disbelief.
Yamato was laughing out loud. "Ken? That was just a joke! You are really blown, man! Can I help you in any way?"
The dark haired boy didn't know what to do. Should he talk to Yamato Ishida openly, or would it be better to rely on himself? "Okay, Yamato, listen. Half an hour after TK's flight, an old friend of mine from Great Britain is coming to this very airport! I am expected to wait for him. But he doesn't know about Takeru and me…"
Yamato nodded sincere. "And so you wanted to make certain, that my young brother doesn't make anything rash, like kissing and holding your hand, right?"
Ken looked down in shame. "I am sorry. I love Takeru more than anything. But Rob is the only friend from my past - the time before I became to Digimon Kaiser. Somehow… somehow I hoped to find out more about me, by seeing him. But I have no idea how he would react if he knows about TK and me. I will just wait a few days and tell him later."
"Hmpf!", grunted Yamato. "I don't like the idea at all - as you have expected, the way you acted! You behaved like a spider under a magnifying glass."
"Erm, sorry?", Ken wondered. "I have never heard that expression?"
"You still continue to surprise me, Ken", Yamato answered. "Tai and me have used magnifying glasses and held them over some poor spiders, when we where much younger…" Yamato grinned evilly.
"But what for?"
"Can't you really imagine?"
Suddenly Ken understood. "Yuck! That is disgusting!!! How could you?! I thought, I - being the Digimon Emperor was evil - but no! This little brats where roasting helpless insects! Bah! I wonder, why Arukerimon didn't chose you as 'Digimon Kaiser Yamato'?" He shuddered.
"Well, Ken; do as you like. But don't hurt my brother. If he suffers, I will suffer, too. And you will not want this!" Yama said.
"But as TK and I are together, we are family, Yamato!", Ken interjected.
"Exactly! So I expect no less than from any family member, my brother-in-law!", the older boy explained grinning.

**********************************************

To Ken's surprise, Yamato supported him in convincing TK to be careful what he did. Ken wouldn't have been able to say it in such a open and honest matter. Takeru did understand what Ken wanted, and why he had to act in this way. Rob was Ken's only link to his past. But TK often tended to forget himself and began to nestle with some of Ken's hands, ears or other parts, without even realising it. TK had agreed with the plan instantly, but Yamato wasn't certain.
"TK! Just imagine Ken as the Digimon Emperor, and take your hands away from him!", Yamato advised.
"Hay, wait a sec!", Ken protested. "I don't like that particular idea!"
Yamato shrugged. "Well, it was your plan, not mine."
Ken looked sheepishly, and he let his head sink. "Whatever…"
"There!" Takeru shouted. "The first passengers of from Great Britain are leaving the plane." His blue eyes stared intensely into Ken's Then TK grabbed his beloved with both arms and pressed his lips upon the other boy's. They exchanged a deep and fierce kiss. Then Takeru stepped back, grasping for air. "Now, that will do it for a short time." He grinned from ear to ear, as he saw Ken blushing and smiling happily.
Ken restrained himself and Yamato threw a warning gaze towards TK. Then Robert and his brother Dean came into view. TK and Ken had parted just in time.
Robert Runeward was a slender boy, with short hair, black as a raven and eyes, blue as the sea. Beside him walked a boy a few years older, that seemed like the very opposite of Rob: a large, strong, red-haired, with an arrogant smile on his face. Rob waved his hands and smiled to Ken, who stepped to Robert to help him carry his luggage.
"Hello Ken!", Robert said. Yamato was stunned by this voice. Rob was obviously a very shy boy, and he had spoken in a very soft voice, that was barely audible. But this voice was melodious and yet with emphasis, as he had never heard before. It was a singers voice.
"This is Robert Runeward!", Ken presented his friend proudly. "And this is his older brother Dean.", he waved towards the red-haired. Then he pointed to Yama. "That is Yamato Ishida. And this…", pointing at TK. "is my best friend Takeru Takaishi, Yama's younger brother. But we all are calling him TK." Rob bowed and they all shook hands.
"Isn't your father anywhere near?", Yamato asked.
"Nay!", Dean grunted. "He has come three days earlier. But with Bob's old pal here waiting for us, he believed he could use his time more effective!" Deans voice was as much different from his brother's than his appearance. He seemed so spit his words more then speak them properly, and spoke with heavy dialect, so the other three boys had to listen carefully to understand him.
TK gazed at Ken, as he and Rob exchanged old memories, while they were walking through the airport. That wasn't fair, he thought. Takeru hadn't touched his lover for two weeks, now. And besides two kisses, he had to walk and be patient again! Suddenly he felt a pain on his foot.
"Ouch!", TK shouted. Yamato had stepped on his brothers foot, and threw a warning eye at him.
Dean, Ken and Rob stared at TK. "Hey, what's the matter with you?", Dean asked TK. "Something wrong? You look absent."
"Oh, no. Nothing.", Takeru stammered.
A wicked smile was building on Yamato's face. "He has been away for two weeks now, without seeing his love. Must be the hormones."
Takeru looked at his brother with a sinister expression. If eyes could kill, Yamato would certainly have dropped dead at this moment. Ken on the other hand felt like sinking into the ground.
But Dean just laughed. "Hah! I really do understand that! My girlfriend has just left me some weeks ago. It is an awful time without a chick to…"
Suddenly Rob threw a warning gaze at Dean, that seemed to say 'Stop that now!' It was a surprise to see, that the bully of a boy seemed to understand. "Erm, sorry. I should not talk like that.", Dean added and nervously scratched his neck. Yamato seemed to be the only one to notice, that despite the obvious role of 'shy, younger brother' and 'bullying older brother', Rob had some kind of control of Dean, that was hard to recognise. He was certain, that Ken and TK had overlooked this.

********************************************

Ken and Rob sat quietly at the small table near the window. Both gazed upon the chessboard. It was Rob's move, and both had played now for nearly two hours. Dean had played a videogame, using headphones not to disturb the two geniuses in their match. Chess was too boring for Dean. Usually Ken had no game console, but TK and him had borrowed one from Daisuke, and so it was still there. From time to time Ken had watched Dean, who obviously enjoyed the slaughter in this new fighting game. And Dean was much better than anyone, he had ever seen. What the red-haired lacked in patience and mind, he had in reaction. It would be interesting to see him fight against Iori, who was the quickest fighter Ken had known previously, even though Iori didn't enjoy videogames that much.
After Dean had beaten the 16th Level, he made a break. "Hey you there! Still in the same match? I can't believe it! I have beaten dozens of final enemies, while you are still in your first round!", he mocked. Neither of the other two looked at him.
Rob stretched out his arm to grab the Bishop, when Dean continued: "Ken! Don't you have any girlfriend? I would like to meet one of your cute girls, here. What do you say?"
Rob froze in his movement, and he stared at the Bishop. Ken was puzzled. What did his friend have? Was he abandoned by his girlfriend, that this topic obviously stressed him, whenever his insensitive brother spoke of girls - a topic he seemed to think of a lot!
Ken didn't know what to say, when he suddenly saw the pain in Rob's eyes. Something was definitely amiss. "Rob.", he spoke softly. "You are alright?" He looked towards Dean and wanted to give a bad retort, when he saw a sorrowful expression in Deans features.
Robert rose from his seat and walked away from the table. Ken stared behind him and grabbed his shoulders. "Rob! Please! If there is anything wrong with you, just tell me!" But Rob moved away and stared at the wall, not willing to turn around.
"Oh damn!", Dean cursed and walked towards his brother. For a moment Ken was in fear he would do something to Robert, as he saw Deans severe gaze. He stepped between Dean and Rob, facing the stronger boy. But Dean shove Ken aside with ease, walked around Rob and held him with both hands at his brothers shoulders, looking into his face. "I am sorry. You know, that I didn't want to bring that up!"
For a moment, Ken believed that Rob was shaking. But then he threw himself into Dean's arms and sobbed uncontrolled. Ken's eyes widened, as he saw the change in Dean's behaviour. The big red-haired caressed his brothers head, his features filled with unspoken love towards the young boy.
"I think, we better go, Robert.", he said ruefully.
But Rob shook his head. "No…", he stammered, still weeping. "What… what will Ken now think of me."
"Please!", Ken begged. "Whatever it is! You can tell me. If you suffer, than I will help you in any way possible."
"No, Ken!", Rob whimpered. "You will hate me, if I tell you. You will throw me out and never ever want to meet me again. I just couldn't stand that!"
What could be so terrible that Rob was unable to tell him, Ken pondered. "I am not Mister Perfect, for certain!", he answered. If he would tell him about his time as the Digimon Emperor, it would be more likely that Rob would walk away from him.
When Robert turned around, his eyes where red from weeping. "I am just a freak, Ken! A joke of nature!", he cried angry.
But Dean shook his brother. "Never say that again! Never, do you hear me! No matter what father or your classmates say!" He led Rob to the bed, where both brothers sat down. Ken kneeled before Rob and stared expectantly in his blue eyes.
"I will tell you!", Dean spat at Ken. "But if you say anything wrong, I will make you regret it! So think twice before you say anything stupid!" The younger brother wasn't in any mood to object anymore, and so Dean continued. "Okay, I know that I am quite a girls boy, and we all thought about Bob as a loner. But he truly is a little genius, he is!" Dean rubbed the short black hair of his brother, smiling at him. "So I was very glad to hear, that he had fallen in love. Bob didn't mention who the happy girl was, he had spied upon, when he finally showed me a love-letter, he wanted to send." Dean took a deep breath, as if to stem a heavy weight on his shoulders. "It was a wonderful letter, so very personal and touching. It was to one of his classmates. And that was the problem. It was a boy."
Robert began to weep again and held his eyes with his hands. Ken gaped at Rob with open mouth. He just couldn't believe what he had heard! Rob was…gay!
"I told him I didn't know that guy very much, that gave him sleepless nights.", the red-haired continued. "So Bobby sent him the letter.", he added gravely. Deans jaws where grinding in anger. "And the next day this blasted bastard of a guy came to Rob and beat the hell out of him. When I heard of this an hour later, I went to this boy and returned that favour to him. I made certain that he regretted his actions, but the whole school knew. The other boys taunted him, whenever he was alone, but after I had some 'meetings' with them, I convinced them how unhealthy this was for them. Unfortunately our teachers heard of this, and spoke to our parents. This was, when things turned really awful! Father called him sick and perverted, and mother wasn't much better. I defended Robert, but it really hurt him much. Father forced Bob to several psychiatrists, in hope there would be 'cure' for that 'illness', but they all told him the same, that Rob isn't ill in any way and he had to accept that his son was gay. Father was outraged, and our parents blamed each other for this. Mother left us a few month ago, and Dad decided that a new environment would serve Rob to forget - and perhaps overcome his affection." Bitterness was written in Dean's face. Then his expression changed into unexpected gentleness as he held his brothers hand. "I told Rob, that he was alright, and there is nothing wrong with it. But he can't accept himself." The red-haired gazed challenging at Ken.
In Ken's mind his thoughts were tumbling over. He approached Rob, suspiciously watched by Dean. "Rob.", he said gently. "I am your friend. And that's alright with me…", he was in search for the right words. "I… um…" He sighed. "Rob, please look at me!" Ken held Roberts other hand and caressed it.
His friend looked at Ken in disbelieve. "But don't you think I am a freak? That I should try to suppress this feelings?"
Ken just shook his head. Against his wish to control himself, he couldn't stop a small laugh that escaped him. Dean was about to say something harsh, when Ken interrupted him: "Look. I haven't told you the whole truth about Takeru and me… He isn't just my best friend. We are going together for over a year, now!" Both Rob and Dean didn't seem to understand, so he added: "We are in love with each other, and all our friend have accepted it!"
Rob looked as if his eyes would pop out. "But… but you…I…how…", he stammered.
Ken smiled warmly at him, and a grin formed on Deans features. "Is that the truth? I can't believe this!", he shouted enjoyed. "See! Rob, I told you! You aren't alone! Your old schoolmate is one of you, too! All will be good, now!"
A faint smile grew on Rob's features and a sigh of relieve escaped him. Ken gave his friend a handkerchief, and he snorted into it. So Ken told Rob the whole story, how he had loved TK from the beginning, and they finally found together. He even began to tell of TK's brother Yamato, and that he was in love with Tai - with whom he lived in an apartment. The words just flowed out of him, not certain what effect they would have. "So, no one will think of you as ill or perverted here!", he finally added.
In the following hours, Rob asked Ken many questions how to get accustomed to this life, where to find other boys like them and much more. In the end, Rob seemed to be calm and glad, that Dean had told Ken his story.
When it was late in the evening, Dean mentioned that they had to go.
"Please, visit me again tomorrow!", Ken suggested. "Then you can meet Takeru. We will visit Tai and Yamato later, too, and you are welcome to accompany us! They are both very good friends. You will like them!"
Rob agreed, and then he left together with Dean.

**********************************************

*RING*RING*
Takeru had pressed the doorbell at Yamato's and Tai's apartment, with Ken holding his hand and a very nervous young man with black hair and deep, blue eyes beside them.
TK had phoned his brother and related him what had happened between Ken, Rob and Dean in the previous evening, so Tai and Yama where prepared. It was Tai - as usually - who opened the door.
"Hello! Welcome, TK, Ken!", Tai looked at the new boy. "And you must be Robert, if I am right."
The new boy nodded. "Yes, but you can call me Rob." He blushed and looked down.
"Let's get inside!", TK said and led them into the living room, where Yamato laid on the couch, watching a TV series. "Hi, TK. Hello Ken!", he waved without looking away from the screen.
"Gee! Can you stop watching!", Tai asked his beloved. "We have guests." He walked towards the TV set and shut it down.
Yama mumbled something and rose. "Oh, and welcome Rob!" The he turned to Ken and TK. "I have just received an Email from Hikari and Miyako. They will come earlier than planned and will be back tomorrow evening."
Takeru fell tired into a seat. "But why? They still have one week of their skiing holiday left!"
Tai made a wry face. "Hikari tried to impress a boy from Spain she met there, and overrating her abilities, she broke her arm."
"What?", TK shouted. "I hope there is nothing serious."
"I thought she would be more responsible.", Ken added. "That would fit much more to Miyako!"
"She is fine!", Tai answered. "But they have decided to come home." He turned to Rob, who still stood before them. "Oh, sorry! Please take seat! Here, between me an Yama is still a place on the couch." Tai twinkled with an eye.
Yama threw a gaze at Tai. "I do have eyes, husband! That boy better sits there with TK and Ken, far away from your hands."
Tai played as if he would be smitten, and looked ruefully at Yama. His brown eyes gazed at him in a pleading look. "Oh, don't look at me like that!", Yama lamented. "You know that I melt, when you look at me that way!" But Tai grinned broadly and started to caress the blondes hair.
"I know!", Tai answered and kissed Yamato slightly.
Rob took seat on the empty armchair near Ken. This was all so new and unbelievable to him. These boys loved each other and showed it without hesitation. He had never thought that any guy would show such open affection, let alone for an other. He truly hoped, that this was no dream!
After some conversation Yamato turned to some different matter. "I have got a message from Gabumon.", he told Ken and TK. "He told me, that there is something going on in their 'Home', you know? Nothing serious, but we should see for it."
TK was surprised, that his brother had mentioned the DigiWorld. There was no reason to speak about this here before Robert. He didn't know their secret, but Yama wouldn't speak about such matters without need. Takeru nodded. "We can visit our friend soon. We shall look for that."
"Who is that Gabumon?", Rob pondered. "A friend of yours?"
No one was able to find an answer, until Ken interjected: "Some kind of friend - living quite a bit away. We can talk of his 'problems' another time."
The boy from Great Britain nodded. "No problem for me."
"Here, have we showed you our picnic pictures!", Tai started to begin another topic. "Yama and me where on our first year anniversary in this park to celebrate. My sister Hikari made some photos, before she left us alone. Yama was very cute in that age!" He smiled.
Yama laughed at Tai. "Thank you very much! You talk about me as if I were an old man!" He went to a drawer and took the photo album out of it. He showed Rob some of the pictures.
Suddenly Rob's face froze in shock, when he gazed at one of the pictures. It was a picture of TK that Yamato had put into his album.
"What's the matter?", Yama asked surprised. "Seen any ghost there? I know that my little brother looks quite dumb on that particular picture!"
Robert was like in a dream. "This is the symbol of Hope!", he whispered that only Yamato could hear him.
"What?", Yama said. "How do you know this?"
"Know what?", Ken asked.
"This amulet around Takeru's neck on that picture. I know the symbol. It stands for the virtue of hope.", Rob explained and looked at TK with great eyes. "But how do you know of that symbol? Where did you get it?"
Neither of them knew what to say. Then Rob grabbed something hidden under his shirt, and produced a golden amulet. "I thought, this was the only one!", he told the astonished boys. Holding in his hands was an amulet much like that of the Digidestinied's Crests. But instead of any of their symbols, it bore a sign none of them had ever seen. On the crest was a symbol that somehow looked like a mountain range. "Three years ago I had a very curious dream.", Rob told. "I was in a strange world, much unlike our earth. There were creatures, like I have never seen before. Some of them friendly, others were evil. But even the good creatures seemed not to work together, and there was neither government nor law. I would have forgotten that dream, if there wouldn't have been that amulet, that was around my neck in the next morning. And I remembered, that one of these creatures had shown me several symbols and explained their meanings. I drew the other symbols in my diary to remember them and have thought about them ever since. But my symbol wasn't explained to me. So, what does that mean?"
Yamato sighed. "Well, then there is only one way to find out. We must tell you the truth about Gabumon; who and what he is, and where he is at home." And so Yamato Ishida began to relate the story of the Digidestinied.

Rob had listened to Yamato's story with wide eyes. Tai hadn't been so sure, if the boy would accept this as the truth, but somehow he nodded interested and agreed with his words now and then. It took nearly one hour for Yama to relate even the most important facts: what the DigiWorld, the Digimon and the Digivices were, why there are two groups of especially chosen Digidestinied, and that there are other people around the world who knew the DigiWorld.

"But why hasn't anyone heard of the DigiWorld in past ages?", Rob wanted to know.
"Jyou's brother is a part of a secret research project", Tai explained. "They have told us, that the DigiWorld as well as the Digimon were created by the believe of the worlds children." Tai looked at Ken and grinned. "Erm, you are more familiar with this… could you tell him?"
Ken nodded. "Due to modern science, there are countless realities beside our world. Usually these worlds have no contact. In that way all realities, that humans have believed in, may exits out there, even though we have no way to enter them. But since the existence of the Internet and a global sharing of ideas, many children used to see the same stories and so the amount of believe rose to a point, where the DigiWorld began to materialise near our earth. The DigiWorld is a result of our hopes and fears, and the good and bad Digimon are a reflection of these emotions."
"Extraordinary!", Rob shouted. "And these Digi… - what did you call them?"
"Digimon.", TK answered.
"Yes, the Digimon. They are real creatures, aware of their existence and free to decide what to do?"
The other boys nodded.
"Tomorrow we can use the Digivices and visit our friends in the DigiWorld.", TK suggested. He smiled to Ken, who smiled back. Both hoped to see Patamon and Wormmon again.

**************************************

Rob had closed his eyes at the blinding flash that emerged out of the Portal into the DigiWorld. He had felt a strong pull, and then TK's room was gone and they stood on a small clearing. This was as in his dream! There were trees and plants he had never seen nor heard of back on earth.
TK and Ken led him on a small path through the forest.
"Behind that wood lies a small village.", Ken explained. Whenever he and Takeru were in the DigiWorld, they instantly held each others hand and walked side by side. Rob saw this change in their behaviour with astonishment. Usually they tried not to be overmuch conspicuous, but here they never seemed to part and walked like one person. Would he ever touch any other boy like that, he pondered.
Suddenly the wood parted before them, and a landscape opened up, as beautiful as Robert never had seen. In the distance, a high mountain range rose into the blue sky. At its foot a wide plain was filled with small groves, some cuddled wooden huts and a small village just a short walk afar. There was a wonderful smell of spring in the air. The only thing was: there were no animals. Rob was just about to reconsider his thoughts, as he saw something flying above him.
But then the unusual creature landed right in TK's arms. It looked like a big, orange guinea-pig with the wings of a bat that could talk.
"Hi TK!", the little creature shouted. "I am so very glad to see you again. And hello Ken, too!"
"Hi" TK held and caressed his little friend with great pleasure. Then he turned towards Rob and introduced them. "This is Robert, called Rob - and this is my Digimon, he is a Patamon."
"Hello Rob!", Patamon said and flew towards the dark-haired boy.
Rob didn't know what to do or say, so he blushed. "Erm, hi Patamon. Sorry, but I am new in your world. TK said that you are a Patamon. Does that mean there are more?"
Patamon giggled. "Oh yes. Each of us has others like himself. Only very few Digimon seem to be single ones; usually very good or very bad ones. But we are not certain of that, we simply never saw more than one of such powerful Digimon."
"Don't you have a name, that only belongs to yourself?", Rob wondered.
"No.", Patamon answered. "But some are called by short-forms, like Gabu for a Gabumon."
Rob looked at the Digimon in amazement, and his blue eyes seemed full of curiosity and questions. He turned to the boys. "But how can you know which Patamon or Wormmon is yours?"
Ken shrugged. "I have no logical explanation, but I can feel that Wormmon is my Wormmon. Somehow the other Digidestinied feel that, too. There is just no need for names.
Patamon led the three boys over a meadow towards a small village. In their adventures, the Digidestinied had seen many settlements and houses, but usually they were not housed by many Digimon, as most of them used to live by themselves. This kind of village was different, though. It had been established two years ago by some of the higher Digimon. The contact between Digimon and humans had changed the Digimon - slowly but deeply. The Digidestinied had to fight against many evil Digimon in the past, and the good Digimon were quite unable to defend their own world, because they lived scattered and disorganized. But the Digidestinied had shown them that a team working together for mutual advantage, could gain much more. So they had begun to build small settlements and villages. This village here was a prototype, as it was the first place, where very different Digimon began to live together, to protect and support each other. This model was so prosperous that already other villages had been founded recently. The DigiWorld was about to enter a new age.
"Oh, Ken.", Patamon began with a sorrowful expression. "I am sorry to say that, but Wormmon isn't here. Some Digimon in a valley beyond the mountains wanted our advise in their founding of a village, and so we send him as our ambassador."
"Oh!", Ken sighed. "That is a pity! I had hoped to see him once again, to…"
He was interrupted as a large Digimon stepping out of one of the huts and walking towards them. It was a big, furry creature, with a sword on it's back and the head of a lion.
"Leomon!", Takeru shouted, and the big creature smiled and waved his hands.
"Welcome to our humble village, TK and Ken…" Then Leomon stared at Rob with great amazement. He looked at the dark-haired boy and his amulet. The to the surprise of all, Leomon bowed deeply towards Rob. "Welcome, Milord. You are here at last!"
Rob looked with wide eyes, and his cheeks grew red as cherries. "Um, I am sorry, but you must be mistaken. I am in this world for the first time! My name is Robert…"
"Yes, I know.", Leomon explained in his deep and calm voice. "But you bear the necklace of the Chosen One. The one who is prophesised to unite our divided lands and bring order and prosperity to all Digimon. This", he pointed at Rob's necklace, "is the Crest of Justice!"
"The Crest of Justice?", both TK and Ken grasped.
"But… but I thought there were no more Crests", TK stammered.
Leomon shook his head. "This Crest is different from all others. Justice is nothing that can be given like Friendship or felt like Hope, it can only be gained if all work together. But one must coordinate the actions of the many according to a system, a greater idea that connects the many. Robert is the one, who will do this. The symbol shows a crown, you see!"
Robert felt nervous as never before. This must be a mistake! He had just entered this DigiWorld for the first time and as much as he liked this place, he just couldn't be a 'Chosen One' - whatever that meant.
"I see the doubt in your eyes, Robert.", Leomon stated. "Well, come with me, and I shall explain you everything." Leomon led them across a small street, where some wooden huts, each surrounded with a with a small garden, stood. When they turned around the street, a large building became visible. It was the only one made of stone, and obviously stood here for a long time.
Leomon pointed towards the house. "This building is known as 'The Manor'. It is said that it was created many generations ago, while others said it is as old as the DigiWorld itself. But look at the symbol under the roof!"
The three boys looked upwards, and suddenly Robert's feet grew weak.
"Hey, hold on!", Ken shouted and grabbed his friend with one arm, preventing him from falling. They all had seen, that upon the marble stones of the upper wall the same symbol was engraved, as on Rob's amulet.
"This is your new home.", Leomon explained. He had stated this like a fact, and looked quite content.
This can't be real, Rob said to himself. I just can't live here - no matter how beautiful the land and the Digimon are. "I am so very sorry to disappoint you, but I can not live here. I have a family, a brother and a life to live! I can't just come here and help you in whatever."
Ken felt sorry about his friend. He knew what it meant to be chosen by the DigiWorld, and he didn't doubt that Leomon spoke the truth, as he was renown for his wisdom. "Rob.", he said gently. "I know it is hard to believe. But if you have the amulet, you must follow your destiny. I … we all will help you in any way."
"You are mad!", Rob shouted in anger. Fear was written in his features. "I can and will not stay here. Bring me back home immediately!"
But Leomon remained calm. "It is up to you, if you follow the Call. You can reject this offer - then another one will be chosen in the future. But take your time to think of it. You wouldn't stay here all time. You could visit the earth anytime you would wish to do. But to unite the good Digimon in the time to come, we need the guidance of a human. And you have been chosen to be that person!"
"No! Noooooo!", Rob cried and ran away. He ran as fast as his feet could carry him. There was a great pain in his heart. But why was that the case? He could reject this silly offer easily; but something was wrong. He calmed himself and looked into his heart and was stricken but the fact, that he knew that Leomon had spoken the truth! But this strange and unfamiliar world! How could he hope to help them? Wouldn't any of the Digidestinied be a better choice?
He walked around in the forest, lost in thoughts of his own. In moments like this, he felt like the most lonely person in the world, in any world! There wasn't much of a life to loose back on earth, he pondered. And besides his brother, no one would really miss him - his parents the least! So why not stay a while and learn, what secrets this world had? Suddenly he heard Ken and TK crying his name.
"Here! I am here!", Rob shouted and ran towards his friends.
Their faces were marked with sorrow for his friend. "There you are!", TK shouted. "We feared you would do something…"
A weary smile formed on Rob's face. "Sorry. This is all too much in an short time! I will consider Leomon's idea. But please: let's go back to earth for now, right!"
"Okay, Rob.", Ken agreed and the three boys went back to the clearing.

**************************************************

Three months after Rob's first travel into the DigiWorld, some of the Digidestinied had gathered in Tai's and Yamato's apartment, to discuss some of the recent events. Robert was invited, too, as he should be one of the main topics.
Koushiro had a small projector connected to his Laptop, which projected a map of the DigiWorld onto the wall. Some small red spots blinked on it.
Koushiro pointed at the image with a large stick. "Here, here and there are some small settlements that have recently been founded. It seems, that the Digimon really start to settle, after they used to live singled and without permanent abode. What caused this change is not certain. Some secluded areas began to inhabit castles and fortresses to stand against evil several years ago. But there weren't any true villages until now. These villages even have begun to elect majors among the Digimon and discuss laws. It seems that the many evil Digimon that tried to conquer and destroy the DigiWorld have changed their minds towards unity. The Digimon, that stayed here on earth have told the others what humans accomplished by working together, so they began to imitate something of our life. But they don't know what to do, now."
Besides Koushiro there were Tai, Yamato, TK, Ken, Daisuke, Iori, Miyako and Hikari. And of cause Rob, who wore a simple, violet robe, that Leomon had insisted to give him. The shy boy was silent as ever, but he had gained some kind of inner strength due to the recent events.
As Koushiro summarised the founding of several villages around the DigiWorld, Tai absently played with Yamato's blond hair, gazing into nothingness. Koushiro used to explain things in the most difficult and lengthy way, going into every detail, telling any anecdote he had heard. TK rolled his eyes impatiently, and even Ken started to drum his fingers. Daisuke started with empty eyes and an expression of utmost stupidity on the projections, while Hikari had began to eat all the crackers on the table to be occupied. Only Miyako and Iori followed Koushiro's explanations concentrated.
*RING*RING*RING*RING*RING*
All jumped up, as someone rung the doorbell fiercely. Tai bumped up and his head smacked against Yama's, Ken - who silently had tried to give a newly filled glass of juice to Takeru - nearly had poured it over Takeru's pants; Daisuke opened his eyes, obviously awoken from slumber, and Hikari had got a cracker into the wrong tube, so Miyako slammed her hand on Hikari's back, while she was grasping for air.
Yamato held his hurting head (nice sentence…) and walked to the door. "Yes, stop it!", he cried. "I am coming!" He opened the door, and before he could say anything, Jyou entered and ran past Yamato into the living room.
Jyou was panting, as he had obviously ran. "She…is…gone!", he grasped. "Awoke… and…went…away!!!", he gestured wildly.
No one seemed to understand a word. "Who is gone?", Yamato asked, coming into the room.
"Sora!", Jyou explained. "I was phoned by her parents just half a hour ago. They tried to ask each of you, but as you are here, of cause they found none of you! The doctors have no idea what happened. It seems, that she awoke from her coma and went away. No one has seen her since this morning!"
Everyone looked around, not sure what to say.
"Well.", Rob began, not certain if he had the right to speak first. "I do not know that Sora, besides from your stories. She held a great evil hidden throughout these years, and acted very bad against you, especially Ken, TK and Yamato. But she was your friend, too So shouldn't we look for her? Perhaps she has gone into the DigiWorld?"
Yamato's face grew dark. "She was in coma over half a year. The doctors feared, that she would never recover. I have no will to search for hear!", he spat. "She has hated me, only because she loved me but couldn't get me. Then she captured Ken and tried to use TK as a hostage to lure me into her trap. No! I have no wish to see Sora again!"
Tai looked with sorrow at his beloved and grabbed his shoulders from behind, caressing his neck. His brown eyes radiated with love and care. "Yama, please. I know that Sora has tried anything to separate us, and brought much pain to you, your brother, Ken and even me. But she has paid for that. We don't know what happened to her; perhaps she is in danger…"
"I hope so!", TK interrupted Tai angry. "I don't agree with Yamato's judgements very often." His eyes burned in anger. "But I must agree with him. After all she did to Ken, I can and will not forgive her! She tried to kill the most beloved person I know right in front of me! No! I don't want to see her, too!" He crossed his arms before his breast. "And I truly hope, she is in danger - in grave danger! As she will likely be, when I see her again!"
Ken looked at his beloved in shock. He wished he could calm TK in the same way, Taichi did to his lover, but Ken was unable to react to such a fierce outburst, because it reminded him of person, he himself had once been: The Digimon Emperor. In these years he was led by anger and 'rightful' vengeance - at least he had believed so. The world had done wrong to him, and now he would let them pay. But the way of revenge always led to the darkness, not matter how justified it seemed.
They all were surprised to see Rob rising from his seat, walking towards TK and kneeling in from of the angry youth. "It would be the most natural path to wish her bad, to hope that she will get as much pain, as she forced upon others.", the raven-haired boy began to speak very sincere. "But wouldn't you act like her, if you would follow these feelings?" He stared into Takeru's eyes intensely.
TK's cheeks burned in shame and anger about himself. He just couldn't hold Robert's gaze and turned away. Then he felt Ken's hand holding his own.
"I am with you!", Ken whispered into TK's ears. "I always believe in you, no matter what happens."
It was then that Takeru couldn't keep it any longer, and he wept heartily into Ken's arms. All the pain, all the evil Sora had caused. She had brought pain and sorrow on Tai and Yama, on Ken and himself. She had betrayed all her friends and called forth a powerful evil just to satisfy her wish for revenge.
"Now, now…", Ken murmured nervously. He never could cope well with anyone weeping. And to see his beloved angel sobbing, made him feel as if his heart would break right in his breast in two halves.
Robert rose from his position. "I will bring this before the council. Then we can send Digimon search -parties. If she is in the DigiWorld, we will find her. Of cause you are welcome to help us.", he smiled encouragingly.
"Council?", Jyou wondered. "Have I missed something???"
"That is, because you don't come to our regular meetings.", Iori explained. "You know that Rob is the major of the first of these new Digimon villages. Some of our old Digimon partners went to him in search of help and advise. But they stayed, until some of the Digimon suggested, that Robert and our old Digimon partners could form a council, having gathered so much experience in our past adventures. So the council was elected, and it is presided by Lord Robert.", Iori added mockingly.
"Lord whom???", Jyou gazed as if his eyes would pop out any moment.
And Robert blushed, his cheeks and ears burning like fire. "Erm… I tried to convince them, not to call me that. But Leomon didn't stop it, and so the others started to relate to me in that way, too. It's really nothing. I just coordinate the meetings of various majors and representatives of other Digimon villages. They want to unite someday, and I do my best to help them… that's all!"
Seeing how nervous Rob was, Daisuke couldn't withstand the opportunity to taunt the young boy. "And now he has his own castle, too!", he grinned.
Sweat drops were building on Rob's forehead. "No! That's just some old Manor! It's nothing."
"Hey, stop taunting him, all of you!", Miyako suddenly interrupted. "He is so modest, and does such a responsible job! Which is more than most of you are currently doing!" She was smiling at Rob encouraging, and he nodded to her barely notable.
"Okay, I will come and look for Sora.", Tai answered. "She was in my group, and if she is still evil or not - I am responsible for her as for any other in my group.
"She wasn't in my group." Daisuke added. "But I will help you, Tai." He smiled sheepishly. "If you want me, that is…"
Tai nodded, and Iori grabbed Daisuke's hand. "Wherever you go, I will follow!", he mentioned to Daisuke. "She must have a second chance. We did have!"
"I want to see the DigiWorld again!", Miyako shouted. "So I will follow you, too!"
"What about us?", Ken asked Takeru.
TK seemed to be uncertain what to do. Sora had been very evil; but perhaps she had changed? They didn't know. And besides, he told himself, even if she was evil, that would just be another reason to find her: to prevent her from doing more damage. "Alright!", TK answered grimly. "We will come as well!"
All looked expectantly at Yamato, Hikari, Jyou and Koushiro.
"I will supervise you from my terminal.", Koushiro said.
"Hey, don't look at me!", Jyou defiantly shouted. "I have many tests ahead. I don't have time!"
"I am sorry…", Yamato said. "I can't do it. I don't wish her bad. But I don't want to see her again. That is my last word on this matter." Then he turned away and went into the kitchen.
Tai was about to follow Yamato, but Rob grabbed his shoulder. "Just give him a few minutes."
Taichi nodded and sat besides TK.
They talked about their strategy for a while, and who would search in which place.

Yamato stared out of the window. A dense rain was pouring down on the street, cooling the warm autumn air. Dark clouds moved over the land. He tried to forget and to calm down, but he just couldn't. He had never thought much about Sora during their adventures with the other Digidestinied. But later, when he and Tai had confessed each others love, but had kept it a secret, Sora was the only one, who had guessed the true nature of their relationship. She had loved Yamato Ishida, but he knew, he would always only love Tai. He didn't know what to do, so he had hoped it would help Sora, if they would spend some time together, to show her they could at least be friends. Not more. But Sora began to interpret this as a sign of affection, she had been able to turn him by her 'charms'. When Yamato finally confronted her with the truth, that he loved Tai alone, and would never love any girl, she just turned away and never talked to him again. He had believed that Sora would focus on the future and look for someone else. But instead she had nurtured her hatred and devised a plan to kill Tai in the DigiWorld, just to hurt Yamato.
"It's alright to feel bad for someone, Yamato.", Miyako's voice echoed towards him.
Yamato spun around. "Sorry, didn't want to scare you." Miyako grinned embarrassed. "But the lemonade was empty, and I wanted to fetch some new lemonade."
"It's over there!", Yamato waved.
Miyako took a large bottle, and refilled her glass. "Erm… sorry to ask you in such a moment…", she stammered. "But how well do you know Rob?"
Yamato frowned. "Hm, he is an old schoolmate of Ken, so you better ask him."
"I don't have the opportunity, since he spends all his time with TK.", she answered.
"Well. Rob is a very shy boy - or at least he used to be. Coordinating the reformations in the DigiWorld has given him self-esteem. And he is a cute boy!" Yama twinkled.
Miyako blushed, and Yamato's expression changed. "Oh no! Don't tell me? You are fond of him?"
Miyako's cheeks grew ever redder.
"But he is gay!", Yamato mentioned.
The girl gazed at Yamato, as he had done something utmost evil. Then she rose her hands above her head in fists of rage. "Is every boy now gay here????", she cried, turning on her heel and walking away.
Yama tried to suppress a laughter. "Well, I think Jyou and Dean are straight - and still free!", he shouted behind her.

************************************************

One week after Sora disappeared, Tai, Ken, TK, Miyako, Iori and Daisuke met in the new Digimon Village in which Roberts Manor stood, the DigiManor. There Robert presided of the DigiCouncil, an elected group of twelve Digimon from all regions of the DigiWorld, to decide how to ascertain a prosperous future for their world. Among the council-members where Gabumon, Agumon, Tentomon, Palmon and Leomon. The others were currently away, searching the land for a trail of Sora. They all met in the great meeting hall of the DigiManor, but there were no news about Sora's whereabouts.
The Digidestinied had searched the whole week in vain, and hadn't returned to their home-world since then.
Tai was beginning to miss Yamato. He thought about his lover's wonderful, blue eyes, his divine smile and his gentle hands… But he understood, why Yamato didn't want to join them in their search.
After the meeting was over, they all separated and each one walked around alone or in pairings. Ken and TK went into the garden behind the Manor; Iori and Daisuke walked into the village tavern for a dinner; Miyako, Rob and Leomon had walked into the library, to think of further plans. But Agumon, Tai's old Digimon partner, walked with him.
"You are missing Yamato, aren't you?", Agumon asked.
He couldn't hide his feeling from his old friend, Tai thought, so he just nodded. "I wonder how he fares.", Tai mused. "Hope my little boy is alright."
Taichi and Agumon left the manor, and walked through the garden in search of TK and Ken. They found the two boys, sitting under a great apple tree. Ken held TK in his arms, and both looked very happy. Tai didn't want to disturb them and was about to turn, when a booming voice spoke to them from above.
"Prepare yourself for the time ahead, Digidestinied!" a loud voice thundered. Tai and Agumon looked above, where they saw Azulungmon the great white Dragon hovering above them. He was one of the four guardians of the DigiWorld. TK and Ken jumped up and ran towards Tai.
"A new evil has risen from the darkness!", the Dragon continued. "I can not tell you of it, as this darkness even eludes from my sight. But know, that it is unlike anything, you have ever encountered. As the good Digimon have learned, so has evil! Beware!"
"It is good to see you again!", TK said to Azulungmon. "But what are we supposed to do?"
"Support Robert in his quest to unite the good Digimon. Stay alert!", the Dragon boomed.
"Do you know about Sora?", Tai pleaded. "Is she again behind all this new evil?"
"I do not know, and my time here is short. I must attend to balance.", the Dragon answered. "Tell your friends to take care of themselves. Only love, truth and courage can help you to win, not the power of weaponry and fight!" Then the white Dragon moved and vanished in the clouds.
Tai gazed into the sky for a long time, and none of his friends dared to say a word. A new evil? But what could that be? If only Yamato would be here, he thought. Then he restrained himself and looked at Ken, TK and Agumon. "Well, it seems as if we have another job to do.", he said and walked towards the DigiManor to gather the others.
What would the future bring for them, now? Only time would tell…

"The seal that they have set
against Him shall not prevail forever.
The folly of mankind shall
shatter the seal:
He shall rise!"
The Al'Azif
From: Abdul Alhazred

TO BE CONTINUED…

Comment: Okay, this part didn't have much action in it. But I promise that there will be in the future. I hope you didn't loose interest. Watch out for the next chapter, Part 4 - The Dark Destiny! Just send comments if you liked my new characters. :-)