The Second Chance

Part 4 : Dark Destiny

By
Sarnokh

"I know all excuses why
you should deny yourself;
They are all rubbish!"
Rita Mae Brown

Authors Comment:
This is the fourth 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. This time I will focus on some neglected characters. I hope you have fun with it.

WARNING: The following parts contain some dark twists. Regard them as necessary as the saying goes: where the night is darkest, the dawn is most near. Be patient and have faith. All will be settled to good. :-)

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 became the evil Empress of the DigiWorld and tried to play the Digidestinied against each other. But TK believed in is love into Ken, and didn't fall into Sora's tricks. In the end, Sora fell into Coma and the DigiWorld was saved.
In Part 3 Robert and Dean Runeward moved to Japan. Rob is an old friend of Ken. When he entered the DigiWorld the first time, the Digimon revealed Rob, that he should stay there, because he was the Chosen, destined to unite the good Digimon in building an new future for the DigiWorld.

Comment to Ages: (I have no definite idea; this is just a suggestion)
Tai&Yamato: 18
Jyou: 19
Koushiro: 17
Ken,TK,Iori, Daisuke: 15/16

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

Jyou awoke from sleep in the early morning. Sweatdrops were on his forehead. 'What a terrible nightmare!' he thought. Jyou had this dream now for the fourth night - since the beginning of his winter holiday. Every time he was with Mimi and Koushiro in the DigiWorld, but the beautiful world had changed into a barren and desolate land, and he felt great fear raging within him. Jyou looked to his desk, where he saw a shimmering light. He rose from his bed and stumbled towards the desk, where he saw his old Digivice activated. How did his Digivice come there? He hadn't concerned about this device for quite a time now, and he was certain that he didn't place it there. It was a pale light, that shone from within the Digivice, so he grabbed for it, and with an instant the colour of the device changed into black! A cry of pain emerged from Jyou's mouth when a small black object manifested before his eyes. It moved quickly towards him and then he lost his senses.

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

Tai concentrated on the eggs in the pan. The sun had just risen above the horizon and his beloved Yamato was still sleeping. This was Yama's birthday, and Tai wanted to surprise his husband by cooking for breakfast - and Yama loved eggs!
Suddenly a *PLING* caught Tai's attention. 'Damn', he thought. 'The toast is ready! I had no idea that perfect timing would be that difficult!' He dropped the pan, fetched the toast and juggled it, because the slices were pretty hot. Where to put them now? He dropped them unto a cupboard and placed it into the Microwave; there it would stay warm. Then he saw the teapot. Oh, the tea would be to strong! No! He jumped forward and fished the teabags out and threw them into the trashcan. Tai pondered for a moment. I have forgotten something. Then a smell came to his nose. What was that? This smelled like something was burning. He wheeled around: The eggs! No, no, no! The three eggs in the pan had turned to dark pieces of coal.
"Oh, Tai. Trying to learn Alchemy?" Yamato had appeared at the kitchen door, his eyes still sleepy. "Or what kind of Voodoo curse are you learning there?"
Tai's face was red with shame. "Oh sweetheart! I am so very sorry." He grabbed the smoking pan, turned on the water, and a pile of smoke emerged in a hiss. "I…I… just wanted to surprise you with a breakfast! And now I have spoiled everything!" Tai looked as he would begin to weep any minute.
Yamato, still sleepy, grabbed and hugged Tai. "Hey, my big boy! It's alright! I love you. And you really have surprised me!", Yama giggled.
Tai looked at the blonde with wide eyes. "Oh, I suffer and you make fun of me!"
"No, my love.", he nestled in Tai's hair. "You were very brave facing the danger of the kitchen just for me. Tank you, but now let me make us breakfast, right?" Tai nodded sheepishly. "And you can assist me, right?"
Together they made a new breakfast, and this time the eggs were perfect - as Yama had made them. Twenty minutes later, they sat at the dinner table and both boys looked satisfied, especially as Tai had eaten seven eggs.
"Oh, wait!", Tai explained and jumped up. "I have something for you!" He ran away and returned a moment later, hands behind his back and smiling from one ear to the other. Then he went to the still sitting Yamato and kneeled before him. "Best wishes for your birthday, my love. I…erm…I mean, there is something for you." He held a small package towards Yama. "Yamato Ishida, do you want to marry me?" He blushed and his cheeks were red like cherries, his brown eyes gazed lovingly into Yama's.
Yamato unwrapped the parcel and it contained a simple golden ring. He gaped. "Taichi! But this ring must have been very expensive! How can I accept such an expensive gift?"
"Just say yes."
"Yes Taichi Yagami! Yes, with all my heart!" He grabbed Tai and they held each other for a minute. Then the kissed passionately.
"There is something written within it!", Yamato said looking at the ring. It said: 'From Taichi for my love Yamato'.
"Here, let me do it.", Tai explained and moved the golden ring on Yama's finger.
Both boys smiled and kissed again. "If there would be any law allowing us to marry legally, I would do it at once!", Yamato explained. "But that ring is all I need to know of your love. Whenever I see the golden light, I will think of you, no matter how far we are separated."
"Which hopefully will be seldom.", Tai answered, holding his lovers hand.
Suddenly a blue light emerged from the edge of the room, and Robert Runeward stepped out of it, right into the living room of their apartment.
He looked at Tai and Yama, holding their hands - both still in Pyjamas. "Uhm, sorry…", he blushed. "I didn't meant to be rude!"
"It's alright, Rob." Yamato said. "You're welcome. I know that you didn't want to. But you never know what lies beyond a Digi-Portal, before you step through it."
"You finally take a break from governing the DigiWorld?", Tai asked. "You haven't returned to Earth for nearly six months now."
"I am very busy.", the black-haired boy explained. "The village of the Digimon has grown, and there are some other new settlements of Digimon to take care of now."
"That sounds like the DigiWorld is changing for real, now.", Yama said. "I never thought the Digimon would really form a society like ours, living in towns and such, I mean."
Rob nodded. "They are good-willed, but the different kinds of Digimon still have great difficulties to work for the common good. They are used to live alone or among their own. Some of the more warlike Digimon voted for the creation of a city-wall, which others object to; some want to see roads build between the villages and towns, others see that as a disturbance of nature. It is hard to find solutions that fit to all." He scratched his head. "But I can come another time…"
"Nonsense!", Yamato interceded. "You must stay in your homeworld for some days. Even the DigiKing deserves a holiday."
Rob smirked. "Please, don't you call me that, too! It is enough to hear that from the Digimon. I can't stop them referring to me as 'Lord Robert the DigiKing' It just sounds so very stupid! I am only a boy!"
Tai rose an eyebrow. "Yes, a boy busy to lead a whole world into a new era."
Robert shook his head. "It is just this small island of 'Al Nitak'." We haven't made contact to the mainland or other islands yet."
"Al Nitak?", Tai wondered. "Is that the name of the island where your town is on, the first new town, built by Digimon?"
The raven-haired boy with the blue eyes nodded. "Besides my own town, where the DigiManor stands, there are four more towns on the isle. Together they have elected twelve Digimon representatives in our council. They all have quite different wishes. Your Digimon Agumon and Gabumon are among them. But there are other matters that forced me to visit you. Perhaps it is nothing serious, but I don't have time to attend to it, and you are more experienced in this."
Yamato and Tai led Rob to the couch, and the boys took seat. "Well then, go ahead." Tai pleaded.
"Just two months ago, we discovered an evil Digimon flying over our town - which was named Central, by the way, being in the centre of the island. It wasn't very strong, and easily fended off by Leomon. Later we found this evil Digimon spying around again. It doesn't attack us anymore, but seemingly collecting information. For what reason I can not say. No one has succeeded in finding it's lair or what the purpose of that observation might be. Perhaps you could come and take a look at this yourself. You have some experiences with evil Digimon."
Yamato grabbed Tai's hand, and both boys nodded to each other. "We will join you gladly!", Yamato answered.

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

It was a dark, rainy night and Koushiro's clothing was soaked wet. He stared ahead while he walked through the darkness under stars that where not that from earth. He walked with grim determination and a red glow emerged around him.
Finally he stopped, as he seemed to have reached his destination. Here it was. Koushiro looked up and gazed upon a huge old manor that was hidden deep in the forest. This manor was on the great main continent of the DigiWorld in the dark northern forest, south of the city of Marach not far away from a huge volcano. There he would hide from his seeking fellows, waiting for old friends to prepare the time that would dawn to the DigiWorld. He smiled to himself. Yes, he would hide and wait, watching all carefully. And his intelligence would make him supreme above the other two. Then he vanished in the darkness of the great house.

*******************************************
Tai, Yamato, Agumon and Gabumon had just returned from a many days lasting journey to the western city of Ras Alhag, where the more warlike good natured Digimon had erected their town. Ras Alhag had recently begun the creation of a city wall against the vote of a minority of more peaceful Digimon. Agumon and Gabumon had tried their best to settle the conflict, but in the end the supporters of the city wall had succeeded. For both Tai and Yama this was a new experience. Digimon had never settled or made politics before, and now their old Digimon - partners were deeply involved in local debates. They had few opportunities to search for the spying Digimon that Robert had told them of.
Agumon and Gabumon had decided to stay in Ras Alhag for a while and had send their human friends back to Robert for report.
When they reached the borders of Central, the town where Roberts Manor stood, an upset Tentomon approached them. "Tai, Yamato! There you are!", Tentomon shouted and flew towards them. "I found you at last!"
The two boys ran towards Tentomon and stopped right in front of him. "Tentomon! You sound quite upset!", Tai asked. "What is the matter?"
Tentomon grasped for breath. "It is Robert… and some of the DigiCouncil… Rob, Leomon and four other Digimon followed the evil Digimon, when it was sighted over our village some days ago. When they reached the southern beach, a large group of evil Digimon emerged from the sea and caught them. I was the only one to flee. Yesterday this letter has reached us." He handed a small parchment to Tai, who read the letter.
"Worthy neighbours. With disgust we have witnessed the expansion of your quest to unite the good Digimon and have decided to put this to and end. Robert, Leomon and the other Digimon are in our hands now. Just stay on your little island and away from the mainland, which is ours! As long as you don't meddle in our affairs here, your friend and King will be safe. Signed: M the Anarch, J the Mad and K the Destroyer. The Triad of Evil will rule.", Tai finished. He looked up to his beloved. "The triad of evil? New evil Digimon? But who and from where did they come?"
Yamato and Tai looked at each other with concern. "What shall we do?", Yama asked.
"I am not certain.", Tai said. "But we must go to Ken. Rob is his best friend, so he has a word in this, too."

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

Three hours later, Tai and Yamato met Ken and TK in Ken's room. Roberts older brother Dean was with them.
Ken was ashen pale. "I still can't believe it! Rob is kidnapped - and by a group of evil Digimon, you say?"
Yamato nodded. "We believe, that he was lured away on purpose by that watcher and he and the others were led into a trap. Whoever is behind all this doesn't want the Digimon to unite in a new civilisation."
Takeru's face was twisted in sorrow for Rob. That boy didn't have any luck, and now he was in the prison of an evil force. This was just not fair! He had deserved a better fate. Rob had left behind the earth to serve the Digimon in building a new world, and now he was likely in mortal danger.
"Hm, I think, that it is up to Dean to decide whether we should seek for his brother or try to negotiate for his release.", Ken pondered.
All four boys looked at the big red-haired bully. They all knew how much he loved his younger brother, and especially Matt knew how Dean would feel. Yamato would went right into hell, if TK would ever be in danger.
Dean's face was darkened in anger, his fists clenched in rage. "I… I don't know. I wouldn't want Robert to be hurt. But I can't just sit here and wait!" Dean was shaking visibly. Then he looked down and tears rolled from his eyes. It were tears of pain and anger alike. "Whoever has caught my brother will pay for that! I promise! They shall not get away with it! I will go into that DigiWorld and free Robert!"
Ken lay an arm around Dean's shoulder. "Then we will accompany you. Rob is our friend."
"You… you… would really do this for him?", Dean stammered. All four boys nodded approvingly. "Oh my… he didn't have any friends besides me before…. I just don't know what to say…"
"You don't have to.", Yamato said. "We understand." But of all the boys, Yama understood best. He had a younger brother himself, and Yamato had been a loner many years. Yes, Yamato Ishida was a popular boy, especially since he was a singer. But fans and friends were two entirely different things. Until he had met Taichi, who was a lonely boy like him. But now Yama and Tai had each other, while Rob had no one besides his brother. His love was unfulfilled and his heart had been broken brutally by the very boy he had declared his love. Rob deserved better.
So it was decided, that the five boys would go to the DigiWorld to look for Rob.

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

Ken, TK, Tai, Yamato and Dean stood at the beach and looked at Whamon, that had escorted them over the large ocean of the DigiWorld to the main continent Entares. Byiomon had followed the ship, on which Robert and Leomon had been held prisoners to this place, but Byiomon had to flee there, as she was finally discovered. Now the boys had to find their friend here in this large world. Only Tentomon, Koushiro's old Digimon - partner, was with them to guide the boys, as the other Council members were busy to keep the order on the Island of Al Nitak.
Ken held TK's hand and a shadow fell over his features. "I know that place.", he said with grim voice. "I was here many years ago, when I was the Digimon Kaiser. Beyond that plain lies the city of Marach. There are many good Digimon, who stood against my efforts to control them with the dark rings. We should visit them to ask for their support."
TK nodded. "A good idea. Then let's go!" He saw in his lovers violet eyes, and saw a deep shame within him. Takeru caressed Ken's cheeks. "Hey, Ken! What is the matter?"
Ken turned away. "I can't go there. They will most likely not welcome me. As they objected my control, I have attacked their town with my henchmen. I brought great suffering upon them." Ken was shaking as the memories of his evil doing once again washed over him. Would that shame and sorrow never end?
"Ken!", TK said in a soft voice, holding his friends hand. "That was many years ago. Perhaps they will not even recognise you now. We all know that you have changed."
The raven-haired boy smiled weakly. "You are my angel, TK. But I can't face them again…"
"Look, Ken.", Tai interceded. "Perhaps we might progress better if we split for a while. Tentomon can lead us to the town of Marach, and TK, Dean and you can look in the northeast. There are some villages, too. We can meet where the two rivers unite east of Marach in five days, right?"
Yamato wasn't so sure if it was a good idea, allowing TK to walk without him. TK saw the doubt in his brothers eyes. "Yama, I can take care of myself. And Dean is with us, too."
Yama breathed. "Right. I don't like the idea, but it is the best chance to find Robert's trail."

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

Robert Runeward gazed into a large mirror, where a familiar face looked at him instead of his own reflection. "What do you hope to gain from this?", the young boy asked the figure in the mirror.
The boy on the other side was a familiar face to Rob, but his features had changed much. Sheer hatred was written within it. "They have seeded chaos wherever they went!", the red-haired boy in the mirror hissed to Rob. "Can't you see that your way is wrong. Allowing the Digimon to decide for themselves, to vote and to elect. This will lead to nothing!", he spat. "And you call yourself a leader! Pfah! I will show you, what true leadership can gain!"
Rob was imprisoned in a small, dirty cell without any windows or doors. Every hour the red-haired appeared, mocking and teasing Rob, showing him his searching friends. It was a trap, he thought. And he could do nothing to help them, doomed to watch their best friends and his brother Dean walking into a prepared trap. None of the Digidestinied was prepared for what would wait for them here. Could they stand against this ordeal?

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

Taichi and Yamato sat under a large tree, sheltering from the burning heat of the summer sun. It was one of the few trees in this wide plain. Tentomon had flown away two hours ago to look for the town of Marach, but he was late now.
Tai lay in Yama's arms, and the hazel-haired boy had fallen asleep. Their long march had exhausted the boys. Yama didn't want to awake his lover. He looked at the beautiful sleeping face and nestled carefully in his hairs. Then he pressed a kiss on Tai's cheeks. "Tai… Taichi, we must look for Tentomon!"
"Hmm", Tai murmured sleepy and yawned. "Ah, can't we wait here a while?"
"No silly!" Yamato said gently. "Tentomon should have been back a hour ago. We must go to that town, looking for him."
Tai sighed. "Okay, you are right, koi." He stretched his arms and kissed Yamato on his lips. "Let's get going."
They both rose and walked east towards the city, which they reached half a hour later. The streets were all empty. No one seemed to be there.
Yamato looked around. "Well, it seems, that no one his here. But where could they all have left to?" What happened to the Digimon here? Yamato pondered. The blonde thought about the different reasons. Perhaps this city was deserted. Why was no one here? Had they been attacked by a powerful enemy? What if this was a trap, just designed to catch them as well? Then he could not help his brother Takeru, who would be alone. Alone, without any help! He held Taichi's hand. Suddenly a hot fever seemed to emerge from Tai's hand. Yama retreated his hand in shock and looked at Tai. What did he see in his eyes? Tai was gazing at Yama with an unreadable expression. Hadn't it been Tai's suggestion to separate from TK and the others? Yes, this was Tai's idea! And it was Tai, too, who had send Tentomon here to see what happened. This was all his fault! Yama saw an evil grin on Tai's face.
"You!" Yamato spat at Tai. "You are a traitor! You are behind all this. You have always led us into danger! You are guilty of this! I… I…" Tai's features seemed to change in a disgusting mask of treachery and evil. It was his plan from the beginning. There was something in Taichi's hand. It was a bloody knife, stretched towards him. No! No! Yamato cried in his mind. This can not be! How could I not see his betrayal in all these years. "Go away!" He shouted his former friend. "Go! You will never lay you dirty hands on me! Noooooo!" Yama was shaking in fear. Now all was lost. What could he do?

Taichi looked at the blond boy. There, Yama had finally confessed all his treachery. How could he have trusted Yamato Ishida. That brat had been a brooder ever since, and now he was led into his trap! He had played with his feelings, Tai thought. I am only a freak, a game for Yamato. After all, he had so many female fans, and certainly had many girlfriends before. 'How could someone as popular as Yamato Ishida love me? He had never done, he has just used me to his amusement! Didn't he laugh at my stupidity every time? Didn't he make fun of me, whenever possible?', he thought in growing rage. Yes, all this years were just an error, an evil trick to show him, what a freak Tai truly was. And now this was the final deceit to break him. Tai pointed accusingly at Yamato. "You!", Tai hissed in fear and anger. "You have planned all this to break me! You… you!" What a wicked grin grew in Yamato's face, mocking him, laughing at him as ever before. "How could you think, that I ever loved a freak like you?", he heard Yamato mock. "Go away, you pervert! Just the thought of touching you is so disgusting!" Tears welled in Tai's eyes. How could he allow this boy to fool him? He had broken his heart! Then a maniacal laughter emerged Yamato's grinning face. "Noooooo!" This was more than Tai could bear, so he turned around and ran away. He heard Yamato running behind him "Wait and see, what happens to perverted freaks like yourself!", he heard Yama shouting angry.

Tai had turned away, and for a moment Yamato was stunned. Tai had committed his treachery. He was lost here in that lonely place, deceived by Taichi Yamagi's sinister plot. But he wouldn't leave him by that easily. "Taichi! I will get you for separating me from my brother! You ass!" Driven by fear and anger he ran behind the maniacal laughing Tai, ready to let him pay. Tai was quick, but the blonde was much more agile, after two minutes he had reached up to him, jumped and caught him from behind. "You will not see another day, traitor!" Yamato cried in anger.

The two boys rolled around struggling for control over the other, both faces twisted in fear, desperation and anger. "You worthless piece of junk!", Yama shouted at Tai and smashed his fist on the other boys face. "You have played with me, you ass!" Tai cried and smacked his elbow into Yamato's stomach. They struggled for a while, until Yamato finally had defeated Tai. Yama was sitting upon the other boy, his right hand clenched to a fist, ready to strike the final blow. Both were bleeding from several wounds they had brought to each other and panted heavily. Tai gazed at the threatening fist that would strike any moment now. Then he saw a light and all evil seemed to vanish from Yamato's features. What was going on? Yamato saw the change is Tai's look. Then a great pain was in his right ring finger, forcing a painful cry out of him. The blonde gazed in horror at his hand. There was a golden ring. The ring Taichi had given to him. No matter who Tai was or what he had, done, he could never… And then something seemed to snap within both boys. Yamato looked at his hand in disbelief.
"Tai, Taichi… what have we done?", Yamato stammered. Then he jumped up in shock. He looked at his lover, who was beaten terribly. Both looked into each others eyes, not being able to talk for a long time.
Then Tai rose from the ground and wrapped his arms around Yama. They held each other for many minutes, while both boys sobbed silently.

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Ken, TK and Dean walked through the green hills, while the sun hung deep and red in the west, as they approached a small village, nestled between the hills. There were some small wooden huts built on the steep sides of two hills. When the three boys entered the village, they saw some Elecmons and Motimons walking around, but no larger kind of Digimon.
They approached one of the Elecmons, and TK asked it, if anyone had seen a larger group of evil Digimon, carrying a human and some other Digimon as prisoners.
"Yes, yes!", the Elecmon shouted happily. "Finally someone come for help. This group of which you speak came here eight days ago, and they went to the east, yes they did!"
Suddenly a Motimon appeared. "No, no that's not right. They came three days ago, and they went to the north, right into the mountains!" He pointed north.
"What?", another Motimon said. "That's not true. There was only one evil Digimon, it was alone and went south."
Other Digimon came to the boys, all of them telling a different story. Some said, that there where no evil passing by at all, while others said, these Digimon where not evil, but pursued by something evil. The Digimon cried and shouted all together, until Ken, TK and Dean sneaked away.
When they were out of sight, Dean looked worried. "Well, what the heck is happening here. Are all Digimon that worried?"
Ken frowned. "Hm, usually not. But there is another thing. These huts obviously belong to larger Digimon, but we have only met small ones. It seems, as if some are missing."
"Missing, missing!", Dean snapped at Ken. "There is only one thing missing, and that is my brother." Then his look went foggy, and he stared into the distance. TK and Ken looked into the same direction, but they saw nothing peculiar. "There!", Dean shouted. "Can't you see? It's him! There! There!" The tall boy ran fast into an alley.
"We must follow him, quickly!", Ken said and he and Takeru followed Dean. Unfortunately the older boy was much quicker then they, and after a few minutes, Ken and TK began to slow down. Suddenly they turned around a corner and Dean was out of sight.
"Wait! Where did he go?", Ken asked.
TK tried to catch his breath. "I… I don't know… At last it is his task to find his brother. After all, it is not Yamato that is missing, but this Robert." TK's eyes were cold, as he gazed upon the dark-haired boy.
"Hm? What did you say?", Ken asked absently.
"You never listen, jerk!", TK barked. He pointed towards his mouth, his features filled with disgust. "Read - my - lips!", he stated. "I don't care a thing about this Runeward bastards! That brat came from nowhere, and without doing anything he was chosen to lead the DigiWorld into a new era!", he continued sarcastically. "Don't you think, that he would be the least to deserve such a position. What about us? And what about me? I have fought for the DigiWorld since I can think! I had to stand against evil when you still dreamed your childhood dreams! And now he has occupied your mind, too! He has stolen your friendship from me!" The last words where spit in anger towards Ken, while Takeru's face was only a few inches away from Ken's.

Ken's face had turned pale. "Is that what you think? So you finally came out with what was nagging at you through all these years! You know nothing! You are the chosen child of light, while I was manipulated by the dark side, which was spared to your protected little life! And Rob has gone through the hell of loneliness and disgust, while you were surrounded by friends and protected by your self-overconfident brother Yamato! I didn't have such a brother!" Ken voice was sharp as steel and cold as ice while he talked to TK. There the truth became obvious, Ken thought. I have lived under Takeru's heel all the time. I have bowed to his pride and his self-righteousness long enough. Always I had to be the regretful little boy at his side, to support his wishes all the time, while I have forsaken myself a life of my own. There was that greedy, pride-swollen little brat who was gifted with all, he had never had in his life. He had lived in a poor family, unloved by his parents, shunned by his classmates and doomed to loneliness, so he had finally given in to the darkness. Hadn't Takeru turned away from him many years ago, and thus driven him into being the Digimon Kaiser? Yes, it was all his fault, the fault of the self-righteous, ignorant brat, who believed, the world would spin just around his sacredness! And he had been foolish enough to give Takeru just one more reason to feel like a saint, the saviour of the fallen child Ken. "You have just used me to prove yourself and all others how very kind, good and pure you are, Mr. 'Don't-let-us-hurry-with-Sex'!", Ken spat at Takeru.

Something within TK exploded as he listened to Ken's accusation. "YOU! YOU BASTARD! You ungrateful piece of slime! You filthy inbreed of dirt! You are nothing compared to me! You are just a little insect that the light will crush, once you come out from under your stone! You always was ashamed to show holding my hand in public! And don't start THAT topic, 'Mr-I-am-horny-four-times-a-day'! You just wanted me to lay down, dragging me into the dirt you are!!! How could I ever allow YOU to say my name, let alone touch me! You don't even reach up to my heels!" TK's head was red with anger as he yelled at Ken.

The Ken grabbed TK's shirt und pulled his face towards him. "So, wanna keep a clean distance to me, will you? Taking care of you little purity, yes! What will you do, when I…", Ken tried to say, when TK rimmed his fists into Ken's stomach. The dark-haired boy grasped for air.
"Now, feeling better?", TK asked laughing sardonically.
But Ken rose and jumped into Takeru. Fists flew, and they kept on kicking, smashing and hammering on each other. Suddenly two strong hands grabbed their arms and Dean moved between them.
"Stop this! STOP! You are not yourself.", Dean shouted. The two younger boys were fighting in full rage, but Dean was much stronger and pushed them apart. "Ken, this is Takeru, your Angel! The one you always loved! TK, stop this, you love Ken! That pride doesn't fit you!" With one swift move he slapped his hand on the cheeks of both boys, who broke off fighting immediately.

TK lost all his control and sank to the ground, loosing his consciousness. Ken gazed with open mouth at TK, who lay before him. "TK!" Ken cried in fear. He bowed down to the unconscious blond boy. "TK! What have I said! I… I… it just came over me… TK… I love you more than my life!!! TK!!!" Ken held Takeru's head and caressed his hair and cheeks. "Oh, TK. What is going on here?" Then he wept and hot tears were falling on TK.

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

"There, you have failed.", Robert stated to the figure in the mirror. "I told you they are stronger than you expected. Why don't you quit that. I will not ease your pain."
The red-haired in the mirror whirled around. "What do you know of my pain! You know nothing! Nothing!" Then he calmed himself again. "It may be, that they have escaped my brother and sister, but they will fall into my trap, be certain of that!"
Robert's blue eyes looked into the mirror with great compassion. "Why don't you leave that one. He had done nothing to you. And you don't fit to him - or any of the others."
The figure in the mirror smiled. "Is that so, yes? Then you don't know them well. I have offered them my powers, my understanding, and they were all to willingly to let me in. In fact, they have invited me to come, they just didn't know. But they do, now. Muhahahahah!" Then the person was gone and Rob gazed once again into the empty blackness of the mirror.

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

Taichi and Yamato had made a small camp at the riverside. Two days they had waited there, when finally they saw Ken, TK and Dean approaching. Yamato, who was laying in Tai's protective arms, jumped up and ran towards his brother.
"TK, you are back! I have…", Yamato stopped. He saw the beaten faces of Ken and TK. Both boys walked in brooding silence, not taking notice of each other. Then he looked over at Dean. "What happened?"
Tai had stepped up, too and looked at Ken and TK with compassion. 'They had obviously gone through the same like Yamato and me.' he thought. 'But they are younger then we. I wonder how we can heal their wounds - both of body and soul!'
"We reached a small village in the north.", Dean explained. "The Digimon there all lied to us, as if under some sinister influence. I had the hallucination to see Rob and ran away. In my absence Ken and TK had a fierce debate. They were just about to beat the hell out of each other, when I stepped between them. 'Twas something beyond their control, I am sure, but they are to ashamed to talk this over!" His look showed both compassion and disapprove. "They both love each other so much, but they should behave a bit more grown-up!", he added in a loud voice.
"Well.", Yamato began. "Tai and me have had a similar experience. We started to fight, and I nearly had beaten him down." Yama looked very sad and gazed at Tai ruefully.
But Tai approached and grabbed Yamato's hand. "I have forgiven you, just like you did to me. It wasn't our fault." He passionately kissed Yamato on his cheeks, and both looked with love at each other.
"Now, TK. Don't you want to talk to me?", Yamato asked his brother and held his shoulders. Suddenly TK fell into Yamato's arms and began to weep.
Ken slowly sneaked to Yamato and TK and looked with a smitten expression at the young boy. He stretched out his hand, which was visible shaking. His hand stopped an inch before TK's hair and guilt, shame and terror washed through Ken. "I… I… wish that I could make undone what I said… I really never felt or thought that way for you, Takeru… If you could just forget… I would bear anything, if only you could hold me one more time…"
Takeru loosened himself from his brother's arms. His eyes were red with weeping and tears welled down his cheeks. Ken looked like his heart world brake at the sight of his beloved weeping. "TK. If you never want to see me again, just say so - if you would feel better, when I leave you, I will do, if you just stop crying. I can't stand it, knowing that you feel bad!"
Without another word, Takeru fell into Ken's arms. They held each other for a long moment. "Just… just never leave me…" TK stammered. "I would not live on without you… It is just… I did never look down on you, even when in your darkest hour I believed in you, I just never dared to say. Do you know how many times I wanted to leave the other Digidestinied when you were the Digimon Kaiser and tell you I love you. I loved the boy you always truly was! And now I was just so ashamed. The darkness washed all my self-control away, all the light I held so very dear was gone. When that dark influence came upon me in that village, I learned how strong evil was. I never believed it before. In all the years we fought against evil, I thought, I could stand against evil, I could resist the temptation, but instead I fell to it before you did. This shame can never be erased from my mind!"
Ken shook his head. "No, Takeru! The darkness is very strong. It finds all our weakness, always attacks us where we expect it the least. Always there. But don't you think that our bond can grow stronger than before, if we allow that to happen? Just don't allow the darkness this victory over our love."
TK smiled weakly. "No. Never!" Then Ken smiled, too and he kissed his lover until they both had to grasp for air. "All pain is as nothing, if I am in your arms.", TK said smiling.

The five boys spend the rest of the day allowing their wounds to heal. Yamato made a small meal in the evening and they spoke about past experiences. They sat around a bonfire, and due to Taichi's bidding, Yamato played his harmonica. Then Dean suggested a jolly canon, they could sing together, and though it was a silly song, it definitely cheered them up.
"Row, row, row your boat - gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily - life is but a dream."
When late in the evening, TK rested in Ken's arms and all seemed asleep, he whispered lovingly to Ken: "And you are my dream, Ken!" He didn't see in the darkness, that Ken smiled happily.

*******************************************
Finally the boys had gotten a hint from some Digimon, so they turned southward to a large forest. They all hoped that Tentomon would find them soon, but he remained lost for the following days. After three days of wandering through the dark and dense forest they came to a large Manor, which radiated a strong feeling of evil.
They halted and gazed on the entrance door, which suddenly opened when a large, hooded figure stepped out of the house. The tall person walked directly towards them, and all were alert of what would happen. When the figure was quite close, it laughed a shrill laughter, that somehow seemed familiar. Then the person lifted his arms, pulled back the hood to reveal the face of - Jyou!
"Jyou?!", Tai gaped. "What are you doing here?"
"Me?", the tall boy answered, grinning with an expression of utmost madness. "First you should address me properly, being one of the Triad of Evil, that rules this continent! You stand before Jyou the Mad, Lord of Fear!" He laughed shrill and loud. Red light glowed in his eyes.
"Jyou! How did this happen to you? Since when are you in that state?", Yamato asked. "You always used to be so responsible!"
Jyou rolled his eyes fiercely. "Ah! Yamato Ishida, my good old friend! You always had the attention of a horde of girls - and boys alike as it seems. But you are good looking, smart and have the something special. Other people are not that gifted and must take the opportunity they can get. And this was MY chance! But before you waste any pity or help on me, know that it was I that twisted your and Taichi's heart to see, what I made you seeing. You senses, you heart and your mind were under my complete control. That is true power, not what these insignificant evil Digimon did, fighting against you by strength. We will rule this world, because we are subtle. We know how to strike against you. Your love and unity is your strength, but see how easy you were manipulated. And we are still at the beginning of our cause. Soon we will be strong enough to turn Truth into Falsehood, Law into Anarchy and Love into Hate! Then we shall form a new order, an order of darkness."
Tai tried to keep a cool face. "Your self-overconfidence will not help you. Whoever you are, that has possessed Jyou, we will free him!"
Jyou looked at Tai with disgust. "How pitiful! You just can't believe, that one of your best friends can turn to the dark side by his own free will. Why could you not accept this?" He played an expression of pity. "Oh! Perhaps it is, because then you would fear to fall to the darkness yourself, isn't it? Aren't you caring more of your own than on me!"
"Stop this!", Yamato interceded. "Jyou would never do such a thing, and he would never talk like that!"
"How less you know of the true nature of evil, little Yama. I know every weakness, every fear. And every fear is an open gate that will allow the darkness to enter your heart and control you. Who has never feared, that his beloved would betray him? Who of you could say honestly, that he never feared to fail?" Jyou grinned wicked. "So, you fell silent! Perhaps there is doubt? How easy!"
Suddenly Dean stepped forward. "I don't know you lad! But these boys are much more faithful, trusting and loving than you can understand! We all doubt in times, but it is that which makes us human, it makes us stronger, because only if we face such an ordeal we can grow stronger. Your mockery can not make undone, that despite your efforts to split Tai and Yamato apart, they have overcome your evil. Now their love is stronger than ever before!"
A shriek of terror emerged from Jyou, but it wasn't his mouth that shouted, but something within him. Then a black shard emerged from Jyou's breast, hovered a moment in the air and was finally gone. Jyou collapsed to the ground before them.
Concerned the five boys bowed down to Jyou, who finally opened his eyes. "I…", he grasped for air. "I… am sorry. I was not myself… This thing… Go, help the others. They are in there! Quickly! I will be alright. But they must be freed soon, or their souls may be lost!"

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

Dean had decided to stay with the weak Jyou to protect him, so Ken , TK, Yamato and Taichi went into the Manor without him. After they had crossed though a large hall, they came into a second hall, dimly lit by several candles.
In a dark corner, a small figure sat in a chair. When the boys appeared, the person rose and stepped into the light.
"Mimi!", Yamato said. "You are here, too! Can you explain yourself?"
The pink-haired girl stepped towards Yamato and caressed him. The blonde stepped back and an evil smile formed on Mimi's face. "Did you never think how much easier your life may be, if you would have other preferences? No one would laugh at you, if you would have listened to Sora's pleas - or mine. Or that of any other girl. But you decided to waste your love for a boy! How funny!"
Yamato stared at her with determination. "Love is no matter of choice. I didn't decide to be gay, either. That is what I truly am. All else would be a lie. And I am very happy with Taichi, which is all that matters!"
She laughed hysterically. "How idealistic! And how foolish. What you truly are! Who can say what he truly is? What a funny idea. What is that truth, Yamato? Why not live with an easy little lie? Don't you think that can be much more comfortable, sometimes?"
Then Ken stepped up to Yamato. "I know well that this is not the truth. A life on falsehood will never make you happy. It will just seem easier for a while, but the pain will be much more terrible, later - when you see how much time you wasted lying to yourself."
Mimi seemed to think a moment as her features grew dark. Then she smiled her wicked smile again. "But wasn't the mistake YOU made to stop lying to yourself? If you would have continued to regard the DigiWorld as a simple game, you would never feel the pain of guilt and shame you do now. You just have to step back to get rid of the guilt!"
A pain rushed over Ken's face, but TK stepped to him and grabbed his hand. "We all lie to ourselves from time to time. But we always find the strength to face the truth once again! That is the way people can grow. If you keep on lying to yourself and others, you stay weak and small, because you choose the easy way."
Strengthened by Takeru's words, Ken looked up to Mimi, who looked with burning eyes at them. "Yes! The truth will hurt me through all my life. But this truth has also given me the gift of TK's love. And no pain can be so great like his love comforts me. Such great gifts of love only grow on truth and honesty. Go! None of us wants the weak promises of Falsehood!"
A high pitched cry emerged from within Mimi, and another black splinter flew away. "Thank… you… my friends. You saved me from his total control just in time." Her features were soft once again, like Mimi had been ever before. "But take care of the Master… he feeds on hate and anger… Take care of your emotions…" Then she collapsed. Ken decided to take care of Mimi and prevent her from being controlled by the darkness once more.

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

Tai, TK and Yamato silently walked through the dark halls and floors of the Manor. It seemed to take an eternity, until at last they reached a small round chamber in some high level of the Manor. There were some old tomes and withered furniture. Several candles lit the room in a spooky light. In a corner stood a high, black mirror.
The boys looked around and finally saw a massive wooden seat, where a small man sat in the shadows, gazing out of the window into the night.
"So, you have passed my guards." Another familiar voice said calmly. "As I have expected." The red-haired boy turned around. "Mimi the Anarch was too weak to stop you."
"Koushiro!", TK snapped. "This grows more weird every time!"
"Please, we should keep the formalities, Takeru. Here and now I am Lord Koushiro the Destroyer. But you can call me Master, if you prefer, as it was all my plot that kept you busy. And it seems, that all went as planned."
Yamato stared puzzled at Koushiro. "I fail to understand…"
"Well of cause!", Koushiro fell into his word. "As I AM the genius. I have studied your strengths and weaknesses for a long time, as this boy…", he pointed to himself. "Was quite willing to open his mind and heart to me."
"So you confess, that you posses Koushiro!", Tai shouted angry.
The red-haired laughed. "Thank you! Oh, and yes. No need for games now anymore. I have stayed outside this world for far too long! When the evil Digimon spread in the world I watched patiently for my opportunity, but you have done a good job. Until that foolish Sora followed her dark side - in which I truly didn't have my hands in - and restored Devimon to life. When you finally did, what I had intended you to do - shatter Devimon with the Warding Stone, I had what I wanted: some dark shards to infect the will of useful shells - these 'friends' of you."
"But for what purpose?", TK asked, still gazing in disbelieve.
"To return to the material plane after a long banishment! Now I have a body, and thanks to you I have the strength to return in full power!", Koushiro laughed sinister. "There is nothing you can do against it, and no talkative mood will win against me."
"No!", Takeru cried. "We will stop you! We have stopped others before!"
The Koushiro - person grinned sardonically. "Yes, and I have to thank you the most, Takeru! I feed on hate, I grow stronger with anger. And you have hated the darkness much! It doesn't matter if you hate evil. Hate is hate, and every hatred makes me stronger, little fool. In all the years you and your friends fought against the evil Digimon, I have absorbed your hatred. I have lured you here, certain you would rescue your friend, and I prepared that traps. It doesn't matter that you survived, as this was part of the plan. The longer you life, the more you can feed me with your hate. I will then banish you into that netherworld prison, where Robert is, the prison I have known so well during the last hundred millennia." He pointed towards the black mirror, where an exact copy of this room was visible, but there Robert sat on a chair, woefully gazing into the void behind the windows. He was obviously unable to see them.
"Now, I command you to enter the mirror!", Koushiro shouted. The boys felt a great horror, when their feet began to walk towards the mirror against their will. None of them could stop!
"We must think of love, of compassion and light!", TK shouted.
"Too late, you fool!", the Koushiro - person mocked, and the boys walked helplessly towards the mirror.
Suddenly a quick movement was in some corner and Tentomon flew directly towards Koushiro.
"Koushiro!", Tentomon shrieked. "You can stop him! You must believe in yourself. You can find love, too! You must not stay lonely! Please, trust me!"
"Arrrrggh! I… Tentomon!" This was Koushiro's natural voice. "No! The dark personality commanded. I am your only chance! No, you can not…" A battle was fought within Koushiro. Then the evil voice came back. "You - go - into - the - mirror!!!" The evil being demanded.
When TK nearly could touch the mirror, Tentomon cried in a high pitched voice: "Koushiro! Think of Jyou! I know that you always loved him! Think of what will become of you two, if you give in now! You will be powerful but lonely. Do you want him, because you have forced him through the power of darkness?"
"Noooooo!" a cry of unknown desperation emerged from Koushiro, equally the lost voice of the Evil One and the final decision of the true Koushiro. Then a black shard flew out of his breast, right through the black mirror and into the void behind. In an instant, Robert stumbled out of the mirror. He turned around and gazed into the black mirror.
"Evil One!", Rob addressed to the mirror, his blue eyes glowing with knowing determination. "Now you shall be banished in the Void for all eternity!" And with that he grabbed a candlestick and smashed the mirror, while a shriek of endless hate and pain echoed through the halls.

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

Four weeks after the defeat of the Evil Triad, Ken, TK, Tai, Yamato, Robert and Koushiro met in Robert's Manor in the DigiWorld.
Koushiro had been found not guilty as Jyou and Mimi. The dark beings, whoever they had been, had tricked them by playing with their fears and weaknesses. Tai, Yamato, Ken and TK had witnessed the tremendous power of these evil creatures. But there was still something to settle.
"Koushiro.", Tai said with sadness in his eyes. "I want to apologise in the name of all your friends. We never really thought of your feelings, and most likely hurt you unknowing in the past years. You are such a silent boy; nice, with good manners and always helpful. Because of that we thought too less of your needs and wishes. I don't know if you can ever regard us as your friends. But we know that much which happened here, is the result of our own fault to respect your emotions. We used to think of you as the typical computer geek, nice but weird. We never looked deeper, or we would have discovered, that beyond that appearance a shy but loving person lived all these years." Tai couldn't continue.
"Yes…", Yamato added. "And we never suspected your feelings for Jyou! We have been so insensible to you. If there is anything, we can do to help you now - if you don't think it is too late…"
Koushiro made a sincere expression. "To allow this evil will enter my mind is my responsibility alone, no matter what you may say." As some began to object, Koushiro waved his hands. "No, please! I have thought of you as friends in all these years, and I don't feel of you different now. I wasn't content, that is true, but I have hidden myself behind my computers and my science. As much as I still love that, I must try to find a life now. For once, please don't tell Jyou or anybody else. I am just beginning to cope with that, and I need my time." He looked to Robert. "Rob has invited me to stay in the holiday here with him, in the DigiWorld. And if that offer still stands, I would gladly say yes."
Rob smiled approvingly. "You are always welcome, Koushiro."
Koushiro smiled weakly.
"Well.", Ken mentioned. "As we have all learned something about the darkness within each of us, perhaps we should just focus on something completely different." He grinned. "Daisuke and Iori and giving a party next week. They celebrate the second anniversary of their love, and Daisuke's parents will be in gone the whole week, together with his sister. We all are invited."

"Whatever is done out of love,
always is beyond the measure of
Good and Evil."
Friedrich Nietzsche

TO BE CONTINUED…

Comment: Well I hope this had the right amount of action and romance to thrill you! Is this the end of the Evil One? Or will there be a new ordeal? Well, I know the answer, but you must wait for "The Second Chance Part 5 - Brothers at War". And to all Daisuke - Fans: I promise that he will have a greater role in the next part! ;-)