The next evening. Tai and Agumon took a brief moment to stop off at an ice cream vendor before strolling down the boardwalk along the river. It was a hot summers eve, and Tai was enjoying the simple company of his friend, a cherry flavored shaved ice for himself and chuckling as he looked down at Agumon gorging himself on two melon flavored ones. Taking a good long breath, he turned at sat down, letting his feet drape over the side of the walk as he looked out to the setting sun. He took out from his pocket the stone digivice and the new active one. Scrolling through the menu, he could see Agumon was in perfect health, and was able to view the stats on his digivolved forms that the device had catalogued. Stashing it away, he returned his attention to the stone one in his hand, gently tossing it in the air.
“Tai?” Agumon asked, licking his claws.
“Huh? What’s up buddy?”
“Thanks for the shaved ice, it really hit the spot.” He smiled happily.
“Heh.” Tai stammered, wiping his cheek. “Well I owed ya one, didn’t I?”
“Hmm?” Agumon tipped his head, shuffling himself closer to Tai. “What do you mean, Tai?” Tai took his time before answering, trying his best to hide the tears.
“Remember when you disappeared? The last thing you asked for was a shaved ice.” He reminded him.
“Oh yeah! Wow, it was super hot that day too.” He laughed for a moment. “I remember thinking of how proud I was that you had gotten so big and grown up.”
“Then you, asked me. What I was going to do tomorrow.” He stammered. “And before I could tell you. You were gone and, the digivice, it-“
“Tai.” Agumon cut in, climbing into his lap he closed the stone digivice in his hands. “You, came here a lot after that. Didn’t you?”
“Yeah.” Tai confessed, wrapping his arms around Agumon.
“It’s ok, Tai. Don’t be sad.” He soothed, scratching Tai’s back. “Sides, I’m not asking you what you’re doing tomorrow.” He said, pulling away for a moment.
“Huh?” Tai met his friend eye to eye.
“Cause now. It’s what are we doing tomorrow?” He smiled.
“Agumon.” Tai met his smile with his own, and pressed his head against his. “I’m glad you’re back.”
“So long as I’m with you Tai, I’m home.” Agumon let Tai get the last of his tears out before snaring his attention. “So, what are we doing tomorrow?”
“Huh?” Tai perked up. “That’s a good question. Tomorrow’s a Friday right?”
“Mmhmm.” Agumon nodded.
“Well.” Tai thought for a moment. “I might have gotten a pass for today but. I probably have to go in to work tomorrow.”
“We gotta go in.” Agumon corrected.
“Right.” Tai smiled, rubbing Agumon’s head. “Hey, we should get you a suit!” Tai exclaimed.
“A suit!? Oh like you wear?”
“Yeah! Ken knows this tailor here in Odaiba, he set me up. I’m sure he could get something made for you.”
“I gotta look professional since we’re digimon emissaries now right?”
“Exactly. There’s a bunch of stuff we’ll have to go over too, like codes of conduct at work. Oh and I’ll have to get you to have a more formal meeting with Mr. Yamada. He’s actually super nice, but very professional, so try to make a good impression.” Tai carried on explaining.
“Will do. Bet that suit will help for sure. So what do we do exactly?” Agumon asked.
“Where do I start?” Tai laughed. “First, our main job is to establish good relations with the digital world. We keep the lines of communication open between our government and the digital world so that when bad things happen, we can better manage them.”
“Like digimon breaches!” Agumon exclaimed.
“Exactly! We also have to document as much as we can, every detail we can recall and present it during weekly meetings. You know, key things like who we talked with and when, what we talked about. What digi-destined might be getting chosen in Japan so we can reach out and support the families. Oh! And a big one is helping with programming stuff; they want to know how to stay on top of breaches happening in our world and accurately predict where they’ll be. Of course if we need to respond, we will but unless it’s an evil digimon, fighting’s the last resort from now on.” Tai advised him.
“I think this is the perfect job for us!” Agumon complimented.
“Right, and we work with Meiko and Meicoomon. But no flirting at work, ok?” Tai waved off with his finger.
“So I probably shouldn’t mention when I see you guys kissing at work, right?”
“Ack!” Tai exclaimed. “Yeah, don’t mention that, please! Hahahaha!” The two laughed together as the sun slowly sank behind the horizon.
That Saturday, Kari gently knocked on the door to her parent’s house holding Gatomon in her arms. Her mother greeted them with a big smile and lunged in for a good long hug.
“Oh Kari! It’s wonderful to see you! Welcome home, honey.”
“Haha, hey mom!” Kari happily greeted while Gatomon was smushed between the two.
“Gatomon! How have you been? I was so worried when Tai told us about that ring of light, is there much more news on that?” She urgently asked.
“Yep, no more ring! I’m stickin around for good.” She happily answered.
“That’s wonderful. Come in, come in. I was just about to make some of my famous beef jerky shakes.” She said, ushering them inside.
“Where’s dad?” Kari asked, slipping out of her shoes as Gatomon rushed for the couch and turned on the air conditioner.
“In the shower, he should be out in a little bit. Any word from Tai?”
“Yeah, he said he’d swing by before we head over to T.K’s.” Kari answered sitting down at the table. “He’ll probably be bringing Meiko with him too.”
“Oh, is that his new girlfriend?” Her mother smiled devilishly.
“Actually yeah, it is. But mom, you remember Meiko, right?”
“Oh, is it the same one from high school years ago?” She asked.
“Yep, her and Meicoomon are back together and she’s all better now.”
“Gatomon, you want anything to eat? I can make you a tuna sandwich if you’re hungry.” She offered.
“Sure! I’d love one, thank you Mrs. Kamiya!” Gatomon happily replied.
“So this party at T.K’s. Will there be drinking?” She asked.
“Don’t worry mom, you know me. I’m not as into that stuff like Tai.” Kari giggled covering her mouth.
“I just don’t want that boy taking advantage of my beautiful baby girl.” She stated.
“Mom it’s ok. T.K and I are really close and he treats me amazingly well. He’s even super supportive of my desire to be a kindergarten teacher.”
“Well so long as he treats you right. I know he’s come over more than a few times but I want a proper meeting with him if you know what I mean.” She advised, waving a butter knife. She sliced Gatomon’s sandwich in half and brought it over to her.
“Sure, just don’t bring the knife.” Kari nervously chuckled as a ring came from the doorbell. “Oh, I got it!” Kari leapt up for the door. Swinging it open, she was greeted by Tai, Meiko, Agumon and Meicoomon. “Hey you guys! Come on in!”
“Hey sis! How’s it going?” Tai greeted.
“Hey Kari!” Agumon happily waved.
“Hiya Kari!” Meicoomon joined in.
“Great to see you. Meiko, great to see you!”
“Hi Kari, you too! Are you feeling alright after that battle?” Meiko asked, clasping Kari’s hands.
“Oh yeah, I slept like a log yesterday but I’m just fine now.” Kari chuckled.
“Tai! Welcome home!” His mother rushed in for a good long hug. “Oh!?” She abruptly looked down in shock. “Agumon? Is that really you!?”
“Yep! I came back a little while ago. It’s great to see you again!” He happily answered. Mrs. Kamiya leaned down and scooped him up for a extra hard hug and nearly started to cry in the process.
“It’s wonderful to see you too! You were always so good for Tai, I can’t tell you how happy I am you’re back.”
“Thanks Mrs. Kamiya!”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was back, Tai?” She was quick to chastise. “I would have made a special surprise for the both of you!” Tai nervously back peddled stepping into the apartment.
“We were super busy mom, sorry! I didn’t mean to keep it secret, of course I was gonna tell you.”
“Yeah right.” She gave a flat stare. “Gonna tell me, like my antique planter you broke?”
“Look on the bright side all the other ones you have like it, appreciated in value after.” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.
“You’re hopeless.” Kari giggled, patting his back.
“Meiko, Meicoomon why don’t you guys come in and take a load off.” Mrs. Kamiya bowed. “It’s nice to see you again, why don’t we all catch up over some beef jerky shakes?”
“How bout tea, mom?” Kari waved off.
“I’ll try one of your shakes, Mrs. Kamiya!” Agumon happily offered.
“Me t-mph!” Meicoomon tried to speak up but Gatomon threw a paw over her mouth and hushed her.
“Trust me, ya drink one of those you’ll be on the toilet really quick and they only have one bathroom here. I’ll split my sandwich with ya instead.” Gatomon offered. Meicoomon giggled and agreed with Gatomon’s suggestion.
“Ok, sounds like a plan.” She agreed. “But how will Agumon handle it?” Gatomon planted her paws on her hips and raised her brow with a grin.
“Ya think there’s anything he can’t eat?”
“Oh right, good point.” Meicoomon conceded. Tai and Kari’s mother set a tray of tea and sandwiches down on the table while their father finally made his appearance stepping out from the bedroom.
“I thought I heard you guys, great to see you again.” He happily greeted.
“Hey dad!” Tai waved.
“Hiya dad!” Kari followed after.
“Agumon? That you? Haha!” He happily clapped his hands and rushed over to his side. “I knew you weren’t gone for good, you can’t keep a good digimon down, am I right?”
“Yep! Got that right! Tai worked really hard to get me back, and here I am!” He joyfully answered.
“Tai worked hard on something? Sheesh, miracles can happen.” He joked, prodding his son’s hair.
“Yeah yeah.” He brushed off the joke as Meiko cuddled in closer.
“He works hard when he has to.” She spoke up. “But when he has to, he really puts his whole heart into it.”
“Meiko, lovely to see you as well. I see you two are awfully comfy there.” He said, taking a seat beside his wife, she put her hand in his as he huffed a sigh of relief.
“We’ve had a thing going now for a bit and it’s going really well.” Tai explained.
“Even Agumon and Meicoomon are dating.” She added in.
“Oh that’s too adorable!” Mrs. Kamiya squealed with delight. “Meicoomon, is Agumon really your sweetheart now?”
“Yep!” She giggled, wiggling her ears. “I love him, he’s gonna be my mate some day.”
“Oh my!” Mrs. Kamiya blushed while her husband extended his fist with a wink to Agumon. He offered up a quick little chuckle and tapped fists with him with a big smile.
“So mom, dad. I was wondering about something.” Tai spoke up.
“Uh oh, you don’t need money do you?” He sighed.
“No no, nothing like that.” Tai gave a quick laugh before continuing. “It’s just, after everything we went through this time. I’ve been thinking a lot about family.”
“Oh?” Both Kari and her mother turned to Tai.
“It was something Joe said at the barbeque. How we should try to make an effort to get together more often. After losing Agumon, I couldn’t help but feel like I had to handle everything on my own. Be my own man, that kind of thing. But.”
“But what?” Mrs. Kamiya asked.
“I was hoping we could visit more regularly, you know. Just to get together. I know our schedules won’t always mesh but, it would mean a lot to me if we could.” Tai said, cracking a half smile.
“Ha.” His father gave a soft laugh of his own and wiped at his eyes. “There’s no better mark of a good man than how much he cares for his family Tai. Don’t ever feel like you need to stand on your own all the time.”
“And Kari, I hope you feel the same way.” Mrs. Kamiya jumped in. “I’m so proud of you two, both of you have made us the happiest parents in the world. We love you so much, and just want what’s best for you. That goes for both of you two, you know?” She said, gesturing to Agumon and Gatomon.
“Aww, thanks Mrs. Kamiya.” Gatomon smiled, wiping her eyes.
“Mm-mmm.” She shook her head. “Gatomon, you and Agumon are just as much a part of this family as anyone. You can call me mom if you like, after all you and Kari take such good care of each other and Tai, you and Agumon are wonderful together. I’m just excited our family might grow even more soon.” She smiled, turning to Meiko.
“Oh! Well, thank you too Mrs. Kamiya.” Meiko blushed.
“You guys take it one step at a time.” Mr. Kamiya said, resting his hands on his lap. “There’s no rush, and I hope you know that you and Meicoomon are always welcome here too. Never feel like a stranger ok? If you ever need a warm bed or a shoulder to cry on, you just come on over.” He insisted.
“Awww, your parents are really really sweet Tai!” Meicoomon complimented. “No wonder you and Kari have such loving hearts.”
“We raised em right!” Mrs. Kamiya winked.
“Thanks mom.” Tai smiled, as his mother came over to hug him and Agumon.
“Thanks daddy!” Kari joined in, as her father came over and took in a good long hug from her and Gatomon.
T.K was setting up the table in the kitchen with soda’s, snacks and a few plates when his doorbell went off. Leaping from T.K’s head Patamon rushed for the door.
“I got it.”
“I’m right behind ya.” T.K smiled. Patamon released the sliding lock while T.K opened the door. He was expecting Kari, but it was Matt that was first to arrive with Gabumon on his back. “Hey bro! You’re the first one here.”
“I figured I’d come help ya set up.” Matt smiled right back.
“Gabumon!” Patamon lunged for him and gave him a big hug.
“So they tell me.” He joyfully greeted, dismounting from Matt and stepping inside. “I smell snacks!”
“I’ve got a stash of em, come on come on!” Patamon eagerly lead the way. Matt joined T.K in getting the apartment setup for the party. Pulling a few platters of snacks from the fridge and setting them on the counter they started chatting.
“So you’re really joining the space program?” T.K asked.
“Yeah. JAXA responded the other day, I’m going in for a physical in two weeks to get evaluated for training.” Matt responded.
“How did Sora take the news?”
“She’s excited. I won’t be going on any missions for a while so, plenty of time for us to just be us, you know?”
“I get it.” T.K chuckled. “I’m surprised she didn’t come with you today.”
“Her shift finishes in an hour, I offered to pick her up but she said she wanted to stop and pick up a few things before coming over.” Matt responded.
“How much you wanna bet Tai will be last to show?” T.K chuckled.
“Well that’s a sure thing.” Matt laughed. “Probably when the drinks start getting served.”
“I just hope I have room for everyone. My place isn’t as big as Izzy’s.” T.K thought aloud, looking over the apartment.
“It’ll be fine. Sides, I’m staying overnight to help ya clean up tomorrow.” Matt stated, opening up the cupboards and bringing down the liquor. “You cracking open any wine tonight?”
“Mimi said she’d bring something.” T.K replied, as a knock came at the door. “I got it.”
“Cool, Gabumon? You thirsty? Want a soda or anything?” Matt offered picking up a red cup.
“Sure! You pick, you got good taste.” Gabumon replied from the couch where he and Patamon were snacking on a small bag of barbeque chips. Opening the door T.K was caught by surprise.
“Well look at that.” He chuckled. It was Tai, Kari and Meiko along with their digimon. “You’re on time for once.”
“We made sure of that.” Kari giggled, leaping into his arms and kissing him. “Mmm, thanks for having us over.”
“Gladly, anytime.” T.K breathed, as Tai roped him in for a quick hug and ruffled his head.
“Great to see ya flirtmon. Ya digivolve into husbandmon yet?” Tai snickered as T.K helplessly laughed.
“Good thing I didn’t put any money on that bet. Since when do you show up on time?” Matt quipped from inside.
“Like I’d miss this? Sides I wanna thrash ya again tonight in poker.” Tai chuckled, hauling T.K inside.
“I see snacks!” Agumon charged in with Meicoomon on his tail as Patamon flew off the couch to meet Gatomon.
“It’s my girl!” Patamon flew into her paws and planted a good long kiss.
“And my handsome boy.” Gatomon giggled, clasping his cheeks. “Mmm I taste barbeque chips.”
“Better hurry before Agumon eats em all!” Patamon giggled, turning around the two could see that Gabumon and Agumon were suddenly in a game of keep-away for his bag.
“Stop Agumon, there’s more than one bag!” He protested.
“Agumon, you silly. Look, here.” Meicoomon produce a small basket from the side of the couch filled with snack sized bags of chips. “I wanna try this one.” She took out the salt and vinegar ones while Agumon snatched up a barbeque bag.
“Let’s share them and play mix and match, maybe we’ll come up with a new flavor.” Agumon suggested.
“How are you doing, Meiko?” Matt smiled and greeted, pouring a cup of cola for Gabumon.
“Oh, I’m doing great. Tai and I had a busy morning. We visited his mom and dad, and we also checked out that apartment Mimi mentioned.” She explained.
“It was pretty nice!” Tai gave a thumbs up. “Izzy put in a good word with the landlord for us. Rent’s a little high but I think between us we can manage it.”
“Getting serious huh?” Matt gave a coy little smile.
“Yeah, so when are you and Sora moving in together?” Tai fired one right back.
“Next month, we hope. We’re checking out a place across the street from here next weekend.” Matt answered, bringing the cup over to Gabumon who had finally secured his bag of chips again.
“Thanks Matt.” He smiled up to his partner.
“No sweat.” Matt gave one right back and scratched his head.
“That’d be great though.” Tai came into the kitchen to pour himself and Meiko a drink while she sat on the arm of the couch next to Kari. “If we land the place in Izzy’s building we’d only be about ten minutes from here walking.”
“Yeah, it’s good we’re all sticking together.” Matt took a good long breath and tried to hide his smile.
“Yep, no getting rid of us that easy.”
“You can be a complete pain in the ass but, yeah, I’d never want to get rid of you.” Matt was quick to reply. They both took a moment, watching their digimon and siblings break into conversation in the living room.
“We’re practically brothers.” They both said in unison, before cracking up with laughter.
“Hey think of it this way. If those two get hitched, we really will be.” Tai gestured off to T.K and Kari.
“Can I ask ya a serious question?” Matt proposed.
“Sure.” Tai listened, turning around and leaning on the counter beside Matt.
“You still carry it?”
“Huh?” Tai thought for a moment, before cracking a half smile. Digging the stone digivice out of his pocket and he showed it to Matt. “Yeah.”
“Why do you do it?” Matt asked, taking his out as well.
“A keepsake from when we were the digi-destined kids.” Tai smiled, rubbing the surface where the screen used to be.
“We’re still digi-destined.” Matt said quietly.
“But not kids.” Tai shook his head, tossing the device in the air and catching it. “This was for when we needed to grow.” He said showcasing the stone one. Taking out the new one he finished by saying. “This is for guiding the next generation. We may be the best line of defense but, we gotta be the last one. The next generation of digi-destined will need us to show em how things are done, and sometimes that’ll mean us going in to fight. Life’s gonna get in the way like it always does. But being a digi-destined means we’re always there for each other.”
“So we light the way now, and only fight when we have to.” Matt smiled.
“That’s right. Honestly, it’s exciting. I’ll have a heads up on all new digi-destined going forward. If there’s any that are struggling, and depending on what they’re struggling with. I’ll try to get one of us there to help them.” Tai explained. “Of course I’ll probably volunteer myself most of the time, gotta put our best foot forward, right?” He devilishly grinned.
“Or in your mouth.”
“Says the guy with two left feet.” Tai teased.
“Least I don’t sing like a coyote in a blender.” Matt quipped right back. Tapping his cup on Tai’s as the two took a drink. “I’ll keep mine for the same reason then. One eye on the past, the other on the future.”
“Right.”
As the party picked up and everyone arriving, T.K had the sound system going and everyone had broken off into little groups of conversation. T.K, Kari and Joe were talking about a recent incident at the hospital while Meiko, Mimi, Sora and Yolei were talking fashion and doing a dress for Yolei and Kari. Davis, Ken, Willis and Tai were actually having a nice chat while pounding back a few drinks, while Matt joined up with Izzy and Cody. Talking about Matt’s acceptance at JAXA and what Cody was thinking of doing in the digital world. The digimon couples were all paired off, Agumon and Meicoomon sharing some snacks in the kitchen while Gabumon and Biyomon were cuddled up on the couch, right next to the girls. Patamon and Gatomon were with T.K and Kari however, talking with Joe and Gomamon while Hawkmon, Veemon, Wormmon, Armadillomon and the twins were trying to figure out how to play poker. Tentomon and Palmon were chatting away just inside T.K’s room and discussing the possibility of going on a date together.
“So you’re really in the space program huh?” Izzy smiled, patting Matt’s arm.
“Yeah, it’s exciting. Least if something goes wrong I can always port over to the digi-world right?” He chuckled.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Remember the digital world’s architecture is based on our world’s internet connection, you have to be in range of that and there’s no WiFi on the moon.”
“Speaking of architecture.” Cody cut in. “I was thinking of ways we might help the digital world heal after all the damage from the primal invasion and King Drasil.”
“There wasn’t much in the way of structural damage.” Izzy pondered, rubbing his chin. “But I think it’s a great idea to step in and help them improve. Got any design ideas?”
“I can come up with something; I’d love to help in a more constructive way there.”
“I get what you mean.” Matt agreed. “Seeing the devastation after that attack from King Drasil was mind blowing. Whole forest and the temple wiped out.”
“Right, maybe we can help by replanting in that area.” Cody suggested.
“Hey Tai!?” Davis questioned. “What do you think Veemon and I would look like if we did that bond form thing?”
“Can’t say, but do you really need a thicker skull?” He joked.
“I picture you as something a blue humanoid dragon with silver wings.” Ken suggested.
“So you’d be a big worm then?” Davis thought aloud.
“Try more like Stingmon but more awesome looking, if that’s possible.” Tai suggested.
“I’d be a big powder puff with ears.” Willis chuckled. Tai let good laugh escape, taking a quick swig from his drink.
“I’d pay to see that!” Tai laughed.
“I can’t wait!” Davis pumped himself up. “I’m going for it, me and Veemon are gonna do that one day, Veemon Bond of Tenacity! That sounds so bad-ass!”
“What I like to hear!” Tai pat Davis’s shoulder. “Remember, we’re here if you need us, but we’re gonna put the workload more on you guys now. I heard Hawkmon and Armadillomon reached ultimate. Now you guys gotta strive for a mega team of your own.”
“We’ll do it. After all, while he’s amazing we can’t rely on Imperialdramon forever.” Ken agreed.
“Mega Veemon, huh. Wonder what he’d be like? Maybe Ex-y-veemon?” Davis thought.
“Why does your digimon give me flashbacks to math class all of a sudden?” Tai squinted.
Joe was chuckling retelling his story to T.K and Kari while Gomamon was perched on his shoulder.
“So anyway, he’s sitting there, in the bed, arguing with me that his blood sugar results were faked. That for whatever reason, we were trying to sell him on medicine he doesn’t need.”
“You said he worked in a bank, don’t they have benefits to cover that?” Kari asked, covering her mouth and giggling.
“Exactly. So Gomamon here gives me the idea-“
“I’m tellin this part!” He laughed. “So I tell Joe, hey what better way to convince him to take your advice seriously than to show him the consequences. So we go and talk with Hikari in supplies and we bring out some of the stuff to do a mould for his foot.”
“Oh right!” T.K pointed out. “You can lose your foot with diabetes right?”
“Right on, so we come back in and ask if we can make a mould of his foot so we can have an accurate prosthetic made.” Gomamon helplessly giggled.
“I told him that it’s very likely he could lose it if he doesn’t manage his condition properly and that prosthetics can take time to make, so why not go ahead and start planning it now.” Joe chuckled.
“He smartened up, like that!” Gomamon touted with a snap of his claws.
“Hahahaha! That’s a way to do it!” Gatomon laughed aloud along with Kari and T.K.
“Matsuki loves your designs by the way, Sora!” Mimi chuckled with delight, holding a wine glass in her hand. “We’re almost completely moved into Izzy’s building now, so she wants to meet with you next week if you’re free.”
“Sure! I’ll check out my schedule and see what I can do.” Sora smiled, clasping the wine glass with both hands.
“Sora, you gotta make one for me. I wanna get a nice dress for when Ken takes me out for dinner next. I got a hunch he’s gonna pop the question.” She giggled, wriggling in her chair with Hawkmon in her lap.
“Oh, what question would that be?” He asked.
“Shh! Secret!” Yolei hushed, leaning into his ear and whispering. Hawkmon’s eyes bloomed wide as she explained.
“My! That would be quite the question!”
“When do you think Tai and Matt will pop it on you two?” Mimi devilishly grinned.
“Oh stop!” Sora almost spat up her drink while Meiko turned as red as a tomato.
“I don’t think we’re quite there yet.” She nervously waved off. “Not that I would say no, mind you.”
“Ooo!!” Mimi giggled with delight, hugging Meiko tight. “You guys are my sisters from another mister! Hahaha, I love it!”
“Hey Sora, I told you about Hawkmon right? What his ultimate form was?” Yolei eagerly questioned.
“Yeah! Another Garudamon, I saw the text after the fight! That’s so cool!” Sora smiled.
“It makes sense.” Hawkmon began to explain. “After all, the Biyomon line and ours share a close knit lineage. It only makes sense we could have similar digivolved forms.”
“I love what happens when Meicoomon digivolves.” Mimi smiled at Meiko. “You’re hair does that cool floating thing and you give off that pretty pink glow.”
“It’s a strange yet wonderful sensation. I always knew Mei was so strong. But when she becomes Rasielmon, I really feel it. Like this deep well of strength and we both can just draw on it. Yet we have these anchors that keep us from floating away, being lost to it all. I think it’s pretty obvious what one of her big ones are.” She giggled, looking over at Agumon and Meicoomon sharing a rice ball.
“They are too adorable!” Mimi squealed with glee.
“She was grateful to him. After all, it was Agumon that tried to comfort me when everything was going so wrong years ago. Not to mention how he tried to save me, when Tai ended up saving us both.”
“I remember that day, it was a horrible time.”
“I felt awful about what happened to her.” Sora moaned.
“Wish I could say I remember but, I was in the hospital.” Yolei spoke up.
“It’s alright. The past is just that, and our future is so bright and beautiful.” Meiko smiled, seeing Meicoomon sneak a kiss in on Agumon. “I can’t wait to see everything we all accomplish together. I love this family.” Meiko bowed her head.
“Aww I love you to, Mei-mei!” Mimi cooed, squeezing her right.
“That’s right, we’re family now and we’ll always be there for each other.” Sora agreed, getting in on the group hug along with Yolei.
“Alright, Davis, Tai, Matt, come on!” T.K announced, setting up the kitchen table.
“Oh no.” Sora giggled, sneaking in a quick sip of wine. “Here they go again.”
“Our boys being boys.” Mimi laughed.
“Hey, whatcha doing Tai?” Agumon asked.
“Oh you’ll see!” He chuckled, setting down an empty cup. “Uh oh, first a refill.”
“I gotcha babe.” Meiko leaned in, kissing his cheek and grabbing his cup. “Want some water too?”
“Sure, thanks a bunch!” He smiled.
“Gonna need it.” T.K chuckled, bringing out a trey of chicken wings.
“These the sauces you got?” Matt asked, grabbing the four bottles off the counter. “Oh jeez, that’s the Carolina reaper one!”
“Not scared are ya!?” Tai gloated.
“Spicy food, psh!” Davis brushed off. “You have no idea how good my tolerance for spice is!” He gloated, sitting down at the table.
“We got a doctor on site?” Gatomon called out.
“Yes, we do.” Joe sighed in dismay. “Try not to overdo it you guys.”
“This has bad idea written all over it.” Izzy said, sitting with Willis on the couch now that the girls had vacated it. Mimi on the other hand refilled her wine glass and brought another one for Izzy and sat down in his lap and handing him the glass.
“Let the boys have their fun.” She cooed, clinking the glass. “I prefer to stay here with my handsome man.” She giggled.
“Cheers to that!” He agreed, taking a sip. Veemon, Gabumon, Agumon and Patamon took to their partners sides and watched as they each took a wing onto a small paper plate.
“Alright, here’s the first one. It’s a little step up from the first sauce we tried last time.” T.K explained, passing the bottle around after pouring a little on his wing. “Remember, you take a sip of water, you’re out.”
“Right!” They all agreed. They each took their turn pouring a little on their wings and then counting down.
“Three, two, one!” T.K counted as the four of them bit into it. Tai and Matt had no problem clearing their wing, however T.K while not overwhelmed by the heat didn’t like the taste. “Ok, I don’t like that one, way too bitter.”
“Yeah, kinda nasty tasting.” Davis agreed.
“Was alright.” Tai shrugged.
“Like I’ve said a dozen times before, no taste.” Matt quipped.
“Maybe it’s just creative differences.” Tai snickered as Matt threw a punch just stopping inches from Tai’s face. Meiko set down the pair of drinks for her boyfriend and moved Matt’s hand away.
“Play nice babe.” She chuckled, kissing his cheek.
“Hey Tai! I wanna try a bit of the next wing too!” Agumon pleaded.
“Sure, I’ll take a bite, then you get the rest, deal?” Tai offered.
“Yeah yeah yeah!” He happily agreed.
“Gabumon you in for that?”
“Uh, no thanks. I don’t like spicy food.” He refused.
“I’ll try it!” Veemon happily joined in.
“Patamon?” T.K glanced up to the little digimon perched on his head. Shaking his head with a smile he answered.
“I remember last time, the first sauce was too hot for me! You guys are the hot sauce pros.” He chuckled, ruffling T.K’s head.
“Round 2!” T.K called out, everyone grabbed a wing and this time T.K passed around the same sauce they used for the final round last time.
“Hey, I liked this one!” Tai exclaimed, dabbing his wing and passing the bottle to Matt.
“Wasn’t bad.” He agreed.
“Three, two, one!” Kari counted down this time. Biting into it, Tai passed the rest to Agumon and Davis the same for Veemon. Matt cleared his wing, along with T.K and chuckled, wiping his chin with a napkin.
“It’s hotter than I remember.” Matt laughed.
“Still two rounds to go, don’t chicken out now.” Tai joked.
“Mmm, that tasted good!” Agumon smiled, licking his chops. “Wait, wasn’t it supposed to be hot?”
“I guess you got a knack for hot peppers, what with that pepper breath.” Tai grinned.
“Veemon?” Davis glanced back, seeing Veemon’s face go a little flush.
“I think, I just, learned Agumon’s attack, buah!!!” He cried out.
“Here ya go.” Kari rushed in, offering him a cup of water to which he immediately chugged down.
“Uah! I don’t know how you humans stand that stuff.” He conceded.
“I’m with you.” Gabumon agreed, patting Veemon’s back.
“Round 3!” T.K declared. Taking to the same routine this time Sora offered the countdown.
“Three, two, one!” Biting into it, they each seemed ok, and Tai offered up his leftovers to Agumon once more.
“That one’s really good!” Matt exclaimed.
“Yeah, it’s hotter for sure but has a really good flavor to it!” Tai agreed.
“I gotta get me a bottle of it, I bet it would taste amazing with the right noodles.” Davis smiled, wiping his mouth. “Whoo! Wow it’s hot though.”
“Agumon?” Tai glanced down to him but he was joyfully munching away.
“All done!” He offered up the bone to Tai.
“Man you got an iron stomach.” Tai complimented.
“Moment of truth time.” T.K smiled, breaking the seal on the final bottle.
“Oooo!” Everyone collectively spoke as he poured it on his last wing and passed it to Tai.
“Don’t go stingy now.” Matt snickered.
“I bet I beat you.” Tai answered, pouring a little on his wing. After everyone was set, Meiko offered to do the countdown with Meicoomon in her arms.
“Three, two, one!” They said together. The boys ate up, and Tai once again passed the remains to Agumon.
“Oh boy.” Davis’s eyes went wide.
“Oh man!” Tai coughed.
“That’s, intense!” Matt squinted.
“Instantly hot, instant regret.” T.K stammered.
“Who’s reaching for that water?” Sora lightly taunted. “One of you boys has to crack here.”
“Well it’s not him.” Tai glanced back to Agumon who slurped away the last of the wing.
“It was kind of hot, yeah.” He agreed.
“Agumon, you’re the bravest mon I know.” Tai groaned.
“Oh man, I can’t.” Davis coughed, taking a big gulp of water.
“One down!” Mimi proclaimed from the couch. Yolei grabbed him another glass of water and handed it to Davis.
“Here, before ya melt.”
“T.K?” Kari asked, patting his back.
“Ugh, oh man.” He moaned shaking his head. “Yeah, I can’t. Holy cow!” He gave in, drinking the water up.
“That’s two.” Cody quipped.
“And here we go, the stubborn boys doing what they do best.” Sora giggled, covering her mouth. Matt and Tai were in a stare off, refusing to drink the water even though both of them were in excruciating pain.
“I ain’t backing down.” Tai managed to say.
“You think I will?” Matt countered.
“Does this really prove anything?” Cody leaned over to Willis.
“Yeah, avoid anything with Carolina reaper in it. I learned that on our way to New York, years ago.” Willis snickered along with Cody. Matt and Tai were both struggling to maintain their composure, each of them reaching for the glass but refusing to pick it up.
“What do you say, we call it a draw?” Matt offered.
“That ready to give up?” Tai said, wiping his brow.
“Let’s just say I think we should leave spitting fire to our digimon.” Matt suggested.
“Heh, alright. On three.” Tai agreed, picking up the cup.
“One, two, three!” They counted down together before each taking a drink.
“Buah, let’s not do that sauce again.” Tai said falling back in his chair.
“Well that was kind of entertaining.” Kari half-heartedly said, squeezing T.K from behind.
“Let’s just admit it. The real winner for this challenge was Agumon.” T.K said after another quick swig of water.
“Are you even thirsty Agumon?” Tai glanced over to him. Scratching his chin, he thought for a moment before responding.
“I don’t know, I wouldn’t say no to a shaved ice though! Hahahah!”
“Ok yeah, he’s the iron stomach of the group.” Matt agreed.
“Are we really surprised?” Gabumon proposed to him.
“Nah, that’s not a shock.” Davis conceded.
“Haha, well that was awesome!” Tai smiled, getting up from the table and grabbing his drink. “Thanks a lot T.K! Those sauces were great!”
“Yeah, no problem! I’m just happy to have you all over.” He smiled with Kari giving him a quick hug from behind. Tai gave a soft laugh, and put a hand on T.K’s head.
“When Meiko and I get a place, you can come over as often as you like.” Tai said with a quick ruffle of T.K’s hair. “You and Kari.” He winked.
“Thanks!” T.K chuckled, shaking off Tai’s hand.
“Come on handsome.” Kari hoisted up her boyfriend. “Let’s get those lips hydrated so I can kiss em, I’m not getting Carolina reaper breath from you tonight.”
“Ya sure?” T.K teased, trying to pull her in. “Come on, who doesn’t like a spicy make-out session.” He carried on with Kari laughing and playfully resisting him.
“You two are such a handful.” Tai shoved them off, taking a quick swig from his drink. Agumon bounded over to his side and tugged on his leg.
“Hey Tai, how’re you doing?” He smiled. Tai gave his little grin and scooped up his friend with one arm.
“I’m doing awesome! How’s my best buddy!?” He asked, nuzzling his cheek.
“I’m great! But hey, I was wondering if I can try some of that stuff you’re drinking.”
“Oh, the alcohol? I don’t know, Agumon, it’s more of a grown up thing.” Tai said, trying to discourage his friend.
“I’m grown up too you know? I got a serious girlfriend and everything.” He tried to argue.
“Well you got a point there, but I don’t know how a digimon would react to that stuff.” Tai countered.
“Sides, I know a lot more about being grown up than you might think.”
“Oh yeah?” Tai smirked.
“Mmhmm.” Agumon crossed his arms and closed his eyes with a smile. “Don’t forget, I was joined with your consciousness. I’m really starting to get how important things are, like having a job, money, all that stuff. Not to mention.” He cut himself off, leaning into Tai’s ear. “I know what those videos under your bed are for now.” He lightly taunted.
“AHHHH!! Ok ok you made your point!” Tai submitted. “One drink, ok? Let’s see how you handle that. Don’t wanna start ya off to heavy ok?”
T.K started hooking up the microphone to his sound system and Mimi began scrolling through songs right away.
“Oh there has to be something good!” Mimi complained.
“You’re gonna sing?” Palmon asked, poking her leg.
“Of course! Especially if I can find a great duet for me and Matt again.” Mimi giggled with delight.
“We’re not doing Teenage wolves again.” He spoke up from the kitchen with Sora in his lap.
“Aww, come on.” She begged, playfully tugging his nose. “I like that song.”
“Unless you want me to sing it.” Tai suggested.
“No.” Everyone quickly rejected as the room erupted with laughter.
“I don’t sing that bad!” Tai tried to argue as Meiko gave him a quick hug.
“You have a lot of other talents.”
“You could always try an instrument.” Gabumon suggested. “I’m sure Matt could teach you.”
“Eee!” He suddenly screeched. “Gabumon, I’m not a guitar teacher.”
“Oh come on, I’m sure I could learn.” Tai insisted.
“I’ll let ya borrow one of my old ones, and give you a chord book, ya impress me with that and we’ll talk lessons.” Matt offered.
“Alright, deal!”
“Can I practice too?” Agumon asked.
“Sure, you got some natural guitar picks in those claws, but how are you gonna play the frets?” Tai asked.
“Uh, I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.”
“Just don’t use an amplifier.” Izzy cut in. “I want you as a neighbor, not a nuisance.”
“Too funny.” Tai groaned.
“Hey check it out!” Mimi exclaimed. “I remember this song!” She exclaimed, pulling up one called Brave Heart. “Matt come on, come on! You gotta sing it with me!”
“Sure, alright.” He agreed. Sora snuck in from behind as he grabbed the mic and gave him a good squeeze while Meiko and Tai got in nice and close. T.K and Kari did the same while Mimi leaned on Izzy who held her by her waist. Agumon and Meicoomon picked up on the cues from their partners and the digimon paired off as well, even Palmon and Tentomon got together for a dance while the single guys gathered up to cheer along as the music started. Matt and Mimi nodded to each other, and the opening guitar riff began.
Tai: “It’s amazing how much things can change. From struggling to stay together, to being a real team again. From being a janitor at a casino, to being the emissary to the digital world, I’ve gone through a lot in a short period of time; we all have. But I never got there alone, and I never wasted a chance given to me. Things were hard at times; we even lost friends along the way. And sometimes, I wasn’t even sure we’d pull off everything that we needed to do. But we stuck together, worked it through and now, our destiny is ours again. The future isn’t set in stone, I don’t know what challenges are around the corner, or what threat is coming next.” Tai leaned his head on Meiko’s as they danced along to the music. “But I can promise you this, I will see you again!”
The end.
