Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Spectrum ❯ Orange ( Chapter 2 )

Ok, in our last chapter, Sora is working in her mother's shop, when she was sent into space, where a strange voice apparently judged her worthy to be called its 'mother'. Biyomon has grown up to be a pretty lady bird, but doesn't appear to know why Sora's in the Digital World?
Btw, for those who don't want to do the math, Sora is 21, and Tai is 22. Biyomon and Agumon are approx. 19-20 *human years* (make note of this!)
A.S.D.A


The Spectrum Series
by Nefertanya dragongurl Ahhotep


Spectrum: Orange

The Letter

>Taichi Kamiya-

>Greetings! It has been a long time, hasn't it? I do

>rather hope this message finds you in good health. Up

>for an adventure?

>I certainly hope so, because the Digital World needs its

>guardians. If you are brave, and I truly believe you all are,

>click on the 'Reply' button. Good Luck!

>May the Fates be kind,

>Gennai




The Reply
(a/n- to void confusion, sentences in <""> indicate the destined's thought replies)

Tai Kamiya hated computers.

It had been bad enough that it had eaten his last floppy disk with his article on it, *now* it had-thanks to Gennai's email-sent him through cyberspace, where he was dangling above a lava pool.

"I am going to *kill* that geezer if I ever get out of here!" he swore. The hot, sulfurous air burned his lungs, and his fingers were slowly going numb from gripping the stalactite so tightly. And it wasn't a real thrill that he was slowly slipping off.

"Okay, not time to panic, Kamiya. You've been in worse scrapes than this, right? Just think back and try to remember what you did then."

Unfortunately the memory bubble that floated up wasn't the kind one would call inspiring. Ten years ago, he had failed his oldest friend.

Datamon had captured Sora, but when he confronted the fire wall-the very same one he had so naively tore through minutes ago!-he had frozen with self-doubt and fear. He'd needed Joe and Izzy to coax him through, and by that time, Datamon was long gone.

<"Okay, big help. C'mon, c'mon, think!">

Five years ago. His senior year, and the first soccer game of the season. Rumors had spread around the locker room that scouts were out in the crowd with substantial soccer scholarships. Everyone had thought for sure Tai was the obvious choice for such a prestigious award.

Then the ball was heading towards him like it was just it and him on the whole field. He braced himself for the kick that would send the Kamiya name into the world of professional soccer.....

If only that other guy hadn't tripped.

It played over and over in his mind. The boy going down onto the turf, the realization that his cleat was going to connect with the guy's face. He'd reacted quickly, twisting that leg out of range.

He could still hear the sickening *pop* of his knee, still felt the searing pain as he went down. The doctor's voice telling his coach and parents his knee would be beyond repair if he kept playing. He had locked himself in his room for weeks afterward, wallowing in self-pity.

<"Stupid jerk! You couldn't even face yourself! You call that courage?!">

Tears bled from his eyes as his fingers began to loosen dangerously. He wasn't much of a hero at all, was he? All bravado and big words till he knew too much about the situation, then he had to be coddled like a two-year old! Hell, he'd even had to have been baby-sat at his last haircut.

<"Actually, that was *kinda* brave, wasn't it?">

Tai's eyes snapped open. The more he thought about it, it was pretty true. Sure, he had to be bound, gagged, and eventually blindfolded, but hadn't he gone in willingly? Hadn't it been his idea? And as bad as he thought he looked with his new style, hadn't he gone immediately to ask Sora to the prom?

Yes, the more he thought about it, the braver he felt. Taichi Kamiya was a brave man. and when his own courage failed him, his friends' courage would supplement. Tai realized that's what he should've been thinking about all along.

"Yeah! You hear that, you dumb ol' volcano? I am Taichi Kamiya, bearer of the Crest of Courage and leader of the Digi-Destined! I'm not afraid anymore, 'cuz "*I'm* gonna get outta here!"

*SNAP*

"Huh?"

There wasn't enough time to react. Tai could only yelp as his lifeline broke apart and plunged him deep into the molten river below.

He could feel the heat in the very center of his bones. So, why wasn't he burning? Perhaps the shock of falling had numbed his senses? Well, so much the better!

*Oftentimes it requires more to do the smallest deeds that to fight the greatest foes*

Tai was so surprised by this sudden sound that his eyes shot open. Amazed that he could still see, he watched as blobs of red, orange, yellow and black swirled around. He felt like he was trapped in a giant lava lamp. Ooo, bad pun.

*You are truly a courageous soul, Tai Kamiya. We are not always-this we have in common*

<"What are you talking about?>" Wait a sec-rivers of fire, otherworldly voices....Oh God, was he-

*You are yet alive, Tai Kamiya*

<"Where am I, then?">

*You are with us, in the river*

Oh, well. *That* was helpful. He mentally sighed and decided to pursue a different approach.

<"What make you lose courage? There's enough lava here to destroy a small island.">

*What is this...lava?*

What is lava? Shouldn't that be obvious?

<"Lava. This-this fiery stuff from the center of the Earth.">

*Ah. We understand you now. Yes, it's true we fear little, but our greatest fear is to leave this chamber."

Was this voice trying to say volcanoes didn't *like* to erupt? But lava-and fire for that matter-wasn't supposed to have feelings, wasn't it? Tai remembered the phrase 'the heart of the volcano', but could it have a soul too?

*Well in the heart of this planet we exist, content to circle in her veins. But from time to time, we grow too great of a number for this body to hold. When that occurs, we must gather our courage and sacrifice ourselves*

<"Sacrifice...I get it. Volcanoes erupt because there's too much pressure-too much fire-to stay down. Sounds kinda like a zit....">

*Correct. And, upon reaching the cold surface, we take our last breaths. Sometimes we die slowly, sometimes quickly. But we always die. Most of us do not want to martyr ourselves, yet we must for the good of the whole*

<"I understand. but what has this all got to do with me?">

*You understand*

Tai felt himself rising as a thermal welled up below him. He swirled in the currants, tossed head over heels until he was sure he was going to throw up. Then he hit the 'shore'. Automatically he pulled himself out, still reeling from his wild ride.

*Tai Kamiya*

Gasping and shivering in the now way-too-cool air, he looked over the tongue of fire that was slowly turning into black rock and ash.

*We call you Master now. Give us time, and we will teach you of our ways. But beware, wind and water are your enemies and your allies, now more than ever. You will never be bothered by heat, nor flame. Wade through us, and we will be no more bother to you than the wind through your hair. You remain brave, and we will always comply*

He threw up. Not that he was trying to be rude, but after everything, it was the only thing his body could do. He tried to stand, but tumbled over with a groan.
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Destination

"Tai! Are you okay?"

"Ag-Agumon?" Tai slurred as he got on all fours. Images swam, then focused. For a split second, nothing registered. Tai shook his head a little and looked again.

"Tai? Tai, it's *me*, Agumon! Your best friend?"

"Agumon? Is that really you?" Agumon was a tiny little T-Rex with wide innocent eyes and a slight potbelly. This creature looked more like a velociraptor-longer arms and tail, thicker muscled legs, and *very* sharp looking claws.

There was a wild look in his wider set eyes, but that was probably due to the fact that Tai was sprawled on the ground. The voice didn't sound quite so squeaky, either.

"Been doing some growing while I've been gone, eh?" He remarked casually as they hugged.

"How'd you know? Hey, are you sick or something? You're as hot as an oven!"

"An oven?"

"Yeah. And your eyes!"

"My eyes? What about them?"

"Well, they look like, well, almost like they're glowing!"

Tai blinked and silently cursed the fact he didn't have a mirror. "Glowing, huh?" *Maybe it wasn't some crazy dream.*

"Like embers. Your hair's gone."

Tai stared indignantly. "Not *all* of it! I just got a trim!"

But Agumon wasn't listening. His attention was caught by a barely audible sound. Suddenly hew gasped happily and took off.

"Sora! Sora!"

Sora? Any fatigue left in Tai's body immediately left as jumped up and ran after the dinosaur.

He snatched up the red-head in a twirling hug, laughing all the while. He had never been so glad to see her.

"Sora!" he squealed. "You're so warm!" he dropped her and held her at arm's length.

"Tai, what happened? Your eyes-"

"I know, I know. Yours too!"

"Really? What's going on? I just went through the *weirdest* ordeal."

"Me too! But I tell you what-why don't we look and see if the others are here. We can talk on the way."

"Sounds like a plan." she smiled as she took his offered arm. "Ready guys?"

"Yup!" Biyomon chirped happily. Tai looked at the unfamiliar familiar. Agumon hadn't been the only one to grow up.

Speaking of the devil...

Tai did a double-take at his digital friend, who was looking at the pink bird oddly. if he didn't know better, he'd say Agumon was starting a crush.

Then again, what did he know? Hadn't he just escaped a river of fire?