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The next several days passed uneventfully. Once settled in, Ken and Yolei looked up information about alt-Kari over the Internet. "Says here she's a champion chess player," Ken said. "And a prize-winning photographer... Wow, her accomplishments are almost as long as mine were."
"Modest, aren't we?" Yolei asked.
"Sorry, just trying to establish some perspective," Ken said.
The phone rang. Yolei answered it. "It's your other self. He wants to know if we want to come to a chess tournament he's entered in."
"Can we?" Ken asked. "Wouldn't it look weird if there were two Kens and two Yoleis walking around?"
"Just a sec," Yolei said. She turned back to the phone. "Yeah, sure, we'd love to come," she said. "Okay, see you then, bye!" She turned to Ken. "Don't worry, I have this all figured out."
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this," Ken wondered aloud.
* * *
"There you are!" alt-Davis waved. "It took you long enough to get ready. We'd thought you'd miss the whole thing. What's with the get-ups?"
"And what did you do to your hair?" alt-Yolei tried to stifle a giggle.
"Yolei's idea," Ken said. He shook his head. Yolei had gone out and bought two pairs of sunglasses, a hat, and two packages of hair dye. With his hair, dyed black, stuck under the hat, and the sunglasses, he looked like a cross between a government agent and, well... Mimi. Yolei's hair had turned out worse, though. She hadn't followed the directions well, and now her hair was a bright shade of green. "We had to keep from being confused with you," Ken explained.
"Yeah, I'd never do that to my hair," alt-Yolei said.
"I was in a hurry, and Ken knows nothing about hair dye," Yolei complained.
"Hey, don't insult my alternate self," alt-Ken walked up.
"How'd you do, Ken?" alt-Davis asked.
"I won," alt-Ken said. "I just finished semi-finals," he added, for Ken and Yolei.
Alt-Wormmon popped out of alt-Ken's backpack. "Congratulations, Ken!" he said.
Alt-DemiVeemon popped out of alt-Davis's bag. "Can we get lunch now?"
Alt-Poromon popped out of alt-Yolei's bag. "Yolei, it stinks in here!" he complained. "Can we go home yet?"
Ken smiled. "Did everyone bring their Digimon?" he asked. Alt-Davis, alt-Ken, and alt-Yolei nodded. "Good, I was beginning to think I was the only one." He adjusted his backpack so that Wormmon could see out. He saw Yolei do the same with her backpack and Hawkmon.
"I'm supposed to report ot the auditorium for the finals," alt-Ken said. He handed his bag with alt-Wormmon inside, to Ken.
"We already had T.K. and Cody stake out seats," alt-Yolei said.
"You had that much confidence in me?" alt-Ken asked. "I'm flattered."
"Who are you playing against?" Ken asked.
"I don't know yet. We can check on the way to the auditorium," alt-Ken said.
The group started walking towards the auditorium. On the way, they passed the tournament's control center, where volunteers were posting the results of the semi-finals. "Hey, there you are, Ken!" alt-Davis pointed at a volunteer writing alt-Ken's name under the legend "finals". The volunteer then consulted with a walkie-talkie, then wrote up a second name.
"Kari Kamiya," alt-Ken read.
"Kamiya?" alt-Yolei asked. "Is she related to Tai?"
Alt-Ken nodded. "She's his younger sister. T.K. told me Tai thought she might be the eighth child, instead of me." He looked at the board again. "She won this tournament last year... the youngest person ever to win."
"Aw, man, now I'm really torn," alt-Davis said. "Should I root for my best friend or the girl of my dreams?"
"The girl of your dreams, Davis?" alt-Ken asked. "Wait a minute... is Kari the girl who sits next to you in class, the one you won't stop talking about?"
"Yeah," alt-Davis said, in a sort of far-off voice. "She doesn't talk to me, but I know, deep down, she loves me... Ken, do me a favor and get her autograph for me, okay?"
"Fine, Davis," alt-Ken said. "I'll ask."
"Davis and Kari, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G..." alt-Yolei chanted.
"Shut up, Yolei," alt-Davis said. "Anyway, I don't want to kiss her... I just want to marry her."
Nobody was quite sure what to say to that. Eventually, alt-Ken said, "We'd better hurry, or Kari'll win by default."
The group started walking again. Ken dropped back to talk with Yolei. "Should we tell them?" Yolei asked.
"They'll find out soon enough," Ken said. "Besides, they won't believe the genius sister of a DigiDestined is the evil Digimon Empress. No one ever suspects the smart quiet ones. People assume because someone is smart and does well in school, that they are emotionally stable and healthy. Oh, we're there."
They opened the door to a school auditorium mostly filled with people. On the stage, a table, with a chess board, and two chairs were set up. A camera projected a top view of the board onto a screen mounted on the back of the stage, so that the audience could watch. Ken saw several TV cameras and reporters clustered around the stage. "They never would cover a junior chess tournament if Kari wasn't in it," alt-Ken said. "The TV stations can't get enough of her."
"Trust me," Ken told his alternate self, "the media coverage isn't all it's cracked up to be."
"Besides," alt-Yolei said, "this way, when you win, it'll be on TV."
"I don't know," alt-Ken said. "Kari isn't just good, she's great, a champion. I'm good, but I'm not sure if I'm that good."
"Don't worry," alt-Davis said, "Even if you don't win, if you do really well, you'll be a living legend! Everyone knows how much chicks dig living legends."
"Isn't that T.K. and Cody?" alt-Yolei asked.
"Tai's with him, too," alt-Davis said. "Let's go!"
"I better take my seat, too," alt-Ken said. "See you later."
"Good luck!" alt-Davis said.
"Remember, genius or not, she's just a kid like you are," Ken said.
"Thanks," alt-Ken walked down to the stage and took a seat in front of the chess table. The others walked over to alt-T.K., alt-Cody and alt-Tai. Alt-Tai pointed to Yolei and Ken. "Are these the two DigiDestined from another world you were telling me about?" alt-Tai asked.
"That's them," alt-T.K. said. "Though, Yolei, what happened..."
"Ken has no idea how to use hair dye," Yolei explained.
"Sorry, Yolei," Ken said sheepishly. He sat down, setting his and alt-Ken's backpacks so Wormmon and alt-Wormmon could see the match without being seen. It was always a good idea to be safe, especially with alt-Kari's identity as the Digimon Empress. The alternate DigiDestined weren't as cautious, though. Ken saw alt-Upamon, alt-Poromon and alt-DemiVeemon seated on their humans' laps. Alt-Patamon and Hawkmon, being slightly larger, were riding along in alt-T.K. and Yolei's backpacks, like Wormmon.
Five minutes passed and alt-Kari had not shown up. The audience was getting a bit restless, and the camera crews looked about a minute away from going on a coffee break. Alt-Davis was shifting around in his seat, making those seated near him very irritated. "Man, you wait all this time for your dream girl so show up, and she leaves you hanging," he said.
"What about Ken?" alt-Cody asked.
"What about him?" alt-Davis looked confused.
"Never mind..." alt-Cody said.
"Kari's not coming, is she?" alt-Davis said.
"Will you stop talking if I say yes?" alt-Cody asked.
"No." Alt-Davis started sulking.
Yolei shook her head. "I hope I wasn't this bad during that soccer game against Ken's school," she said to herself.
"What?" Ken asked. Yolei jumped. She hadn't realized Ken had been listening. "Oh, nothing..."
"You said something about the soccer match I played against Davis. That could be relevant here -- there are some interesting parallels," Ken said, after making sure none of the alternate DigiDestined were listening.
"Well," Yolei blushed. "This world's Davis is making a big fuss over Kari, and I was wondering out loud if I was as bad during that soccer game. I kinda had a crush on you back then."
"You did?" This time, it was Ken's turn to blush.
Yolei and Ken were saved from further embarrassment when one of the volunteers had taken a microphone up to center stage. "Ladies and Gentlemen, due to the failure of Miss Kari Kamiya to show for the match, we are forced to call a--"
The announcement was interrupted by the sound of the auditorium door opening. Alt-Kari stepped through. She had longer hair in this world, Ken noted, pulled back into a ponytail. She was also dressed much less casually then the clothes his world's Kari usually wore, in a blouse and skirt. She cooly entered the auditorium and walked calmly up to the stage.
"She's certainly cool," alt-Yolei said.
"More like frigid," alt-Cody added.
"She's like this in class, too," alt-T.K. said. "I don't know what Davis sees in her."
"Hey, are you dissing Kari?" alt-Davis demanded.
"Calm down, Davis," alt-T.K. said.
"Well," the volunteer on the stage said, "it looks like our announcement of a forfeit was premature. Are you two ready?"
Alt-Kari and alt-Ken nodded. "You can do it, Ken!" alt-Yolei yelled. "Remember, she's just a kid like you are!"
Alt-Kari glared at the DigiDestined. "She's looking right at me!" alt-Davis said. "She knows I exist! I think I'm gonna faint..."
"If you do, don't do it on me," alt-DemiVeemon said.
"We kindly request that the audience remain quiet during the match," the volunteer said. Alt-Ken looked a bit embarrassed. "Now, Miss Kamiya, as white, you may make the opening move."
"Very well." And so the match began. Alt-Ken got off to a good start and managed to take one of alt-Kari's rooks, but alt-Kari was steadily gaining. The pile of black pieces she had taken grew steadily larger. Ken winced, "He's losing pieces left and right. I've never seen anyone play chess like that."
"She's like a general leading an army," alt-T.K. said. "I'm surprised Ken has any pieces left at all."
Alt-Kari moved her queen into position. "Checkmate," she said.
Alt-Ken stared at the board. "That's not checkmate," he said.
"What do you call it, then? Next turn, your king is mine."
Alt-Ken picked up his pawn and moved it to take the queen. "I can still do that," he said.
The volunteer who was refereeing said, "That's a legal move. It wasn't checkmate."
Alt-Kari scowled, but made another move.
The match continued for a few minutes more, when alt-Kari said again, "Checkmate. And this time, you won't be able to worm out of it."
The volunteer looked over the board. "Ladies and gentlemen, this year's Junior Chess Tournament winner is, for the second year in a row, Miss Kari Kamiya." The audience applauded. Alt-Davis tried to get a standing ovation going, but failed.
"I'd better help Kari get her trophy home," alt-Tai said. "I'll talk to you later."
"Bye, Tai!" Davis said.
On-stage, Ken saw alt-Kari and and alt-Ken exchange a few words, then shake hands. The microphone pickups were turned off, meaning Ken couldn't hear what they were saying. He'd have to ask his alternate self for details later.
* * *
The group had offered to walk alt-Ken back to the subway station for his ride home. Alt-Ken was carrying his second-place trophy. "So," Ken asked his double, "What did Kari say to you after the match?"
"And did you get her autograph for me?" alt-Davis asked.
"I'm sorry, Davis, I didn't," alt-Ken said. "As for what she said, she said she hadn't expected for my pawn to take her queen. I told her that I thought every piece was important and that it was bad strategy to sacrifice any piece, even pawns, because they can mean a difference between winning and losing. She said she wouldn't make the mistake of overlooking pawns again. She also said, 'Farewell, my worthy adversary. Until we meet again in battle.' Very weird. I think Tai needs to tell her to get out more often."
"'Worthy adversary'?" Ken asked. "Was that a direct quote?"
Alt-Ken nodded. "As I remember it, yes. Why?"
"Never mind," Ken said. "I just got the feeling I've heard it before."
"Are you guys going to the Digital World tomorrow?" Yolei asked.
"Probably, why? Do you want to come?" alt-Yolei asked.
Yolei nodded. "Where should we meet you guys?"
"In the school's computer room," alt-Yolei said. "After school. You know where that is, right?"
"We can find it," Yolei said.
"I'll meet you in the Digital World," alt-Ken said. They had finally gotten to the subway station. "See you then!"
"We'd better get back to the hotel, as well," Ken said. After exchanging goodbyes with the alt-DigiDestined, Ken and Yolei walked off.
"'Farewell, my worthy adversary. Until we meet again in battle'," Ken repeated, in a tone of voice that sounded very much like the one he used as the Digimon Emperor. "I said the exact same thing to Davis at the soccer game."
"So, what are you saying?" Yolei asked. "And don't do that -- it creeps me out."
"She was humiliated by my alternate self at that chess match," Ken said.
"Come on, it wasn't that bad," Yolei said. "I thought it was checkmate, too. And she won, anyway."
"You don't understand, Yolei," Ken said. "She lost face at that tournament -- she was shown up and lost her queen. Now, if she's anything like the Digi-- like I was, she'll try to humiliate the other Ken the way he humiliated her."
"You mean like the stunt you pulled with the Bakemon?" Yolei asked. Ken nodded. "It's a good thing we're going with them tomorrow."
* * *
Ken and Yolei had no problem finding their way to the school's computer room. Well, Yolei had no problems -- Ken just followed her. The alternate DigiDestined, including Alt-Izzy, were staring at the computer screen. "Look at that -- oh, hello," alt-Izzy looked up to see Ken and Yolei leaning over the screen to see what the fuss was about.
"This is a map of the Digital World?" Ken asked.
Alt-Izzy nodded. "See that? The black dots represent areas under the control of the Digimon Empress. This one just appeared, overnight."
"Where is it?" alt-T.K. said.
"That's the Forbidden Valley of No Return," alt-Upamon answered promptly.
"Why do villains always name places like that?" alt-Ken wondered.
"It comes with the job description -- right after the maniacal laugh," alt-Yolei said.
"Even if it was called the Valley of Duckies and Bunnies, with a Control Spire, it's trouble." alt-Cody said.
Alt-Davis checked his D-Terminal. "Ken's already there -- good, I need to ask him something..."
"What?" alt-Yolei asked.
"None of your business," alt-Davis said.
"Let's destroy that Control Spire before the Empress uses it to control all the Digimon," alt-T.K. said.
"Okay -- Digi-port, open!" alt-Davis yelled.
* * *
The group appeared in a desolate area of the Digital World. "You know, a few duckies and bunnies would spruce this valley right up," alt-Davis commented. "Hey -- there's Ken! Over here!" He started waving at a figure walking around about 100 meters away, who started moving towards them.
"Davis, the Digimon Empress could be anywhere. Maybe you should be quieter," alt-T.K. said. Suddenly, he let out a cry of surprise as the ground opened up beneath him and alt-Patamon, swallowing him.
"I'll bet she heard that," alt-Davis said. In the distance, the figure broke into a run. Suddenly, the ground opened again, swallowing the rest of them.
After a few disorienting seconds, alt-Cody asked, "Where are we now?"
"We're in some kind of cave," alt-T.K. said. "I've seen these before. I think I can find my way out -- follow me."
* * *
After some time in the mysterious cave, the group finally emerged into the sunlight. Alt-Yolei held out her D-3. "Ken's over this way," she pointed.
"Let's go," alt-Davis said.
"Shh!" Ken said. "I hear voices coming from that direction. Let's sneak up on them. Hear what they're saying."
Alt-Davis nodded, then silently gestured for everyone to follow him. As they got closer, the voices became understandable.
"You won't get away with this," the first voice was unmistakably alt-Ken's.
"I already have," the second voice was that of the Digimon Empress. "If you want me to spare their lives, you must beg for it."
"Is she talking about us?" alt-Cody said. "But we're okay."
"He doesn't know that," Ken said.
Alt-T.K. held his fingers to his lips. He then took out his D-3. The other alt-DigiDestined did the same. Yolei reached for he D-3, but Ken put his hand on her wrist. "We should let this world's DigiDestined handle this one," he whispered. "Just a feeling."
She nodded and put her D-3 away.
"You heard me," the Empress's voice came again. "On your knees and beg. 'Please, Lady, spare my friends.'"
"Can we Digivolve silently?" alt-Davis whispered.
"I don't know, but we'd better try," alt-T.K. said.
"'Please, Lady, spare my friends,'" alt-Ken repeated numbly.
"Oh, that doesn't sound sincere -- 'Please, Lady, spare my worthless friends'" the Empress said, almost with a laugh.
Ken looked like he was about to charge up and rescue his double. His fists were balled up. Yolei put her hand on his shoulder. "What happened to 'we should let this world's DigiDestined handle this'?" she asked. Ken nodded and returned to creeping towards the voices.
"'Please, Lady, spare my worthless friends,'" alt-Ken said. His voice sounded like he was trying to suppress a great deal of anger.
"Wormmon -- I command you to restrain him," the Empress said, clearly delighted with these circumstances.
"Ken?" alt-Wormmon's voice was faint, but unmistakable.
Alt-Ken said something to faint for the group to hear from their position. The Empress laughed -- alt-Ken must have talked Wormmon into doing what she said. "Oh, this is just so must fun, seeing you squirm like the insect you are. I'll tell you what -- Deltamon has three mouths -- and I have your six friends. You may choose three of them. Sadly, I cannot spare them all."
"Deltamon?" alt-Davis asked. "Forget the stealth, we gotta go help Ken. Digi-Armor Energize!"
"Veemon Armor Digivolve to... Flamedramon, the fire of Courage!"
"How can I choose one over another?" alt-Ken asked.
"I'm waiting," the Empress said. "Like sands in the hourglass, so are your friends' lives."
"Digi Armor Energize!" "Hawkmon Armor Digivolve to... Halsemon, the wings of Love!"
"Ken!" the voice was coming from where alt-Ken's and the Empress's voices were, but it was clearly Yolei's. "Whatever you decide we trust you."
Yolei and alt-Yolei exchange a glance. "That wasn't me," they said in unison.
"It's one of the Empress's tricks," alt-Cody said. "Armadillomon? Digivolve and go underground. Digi-Armor Energize!"
"Armadillomon Armor Digivolve to... Digimon, the Drill of Power."
"I can't do it," alt-Ken said, defeatedly. "I can't choose one over another."
"So, will you throw all your friend's lives away? Is that what you call friendship?" the Empress asked pointedly.
"They're all my friends!" Ken yelled.
"Digi Armor Energize!" "Patamon Armor Digivolve to... Pegasusmon, flying Hope."
"Time's up," the Empress said. "Deltamon!"
"Wait! Take me instead!" alt-Ken yelled.
The alt-Digidestined, Ken and Yolei exchanged a look. As one, they started running towards the voices. Alt-Halsemon, alt-Pegasusmon took off. Alt-Flamedramon was running ahead of the kids. Alt-Digmon had already disappeared underground, but he was presumably headed in he same direction.
"You think you can satisfy Deltamon's hunger?" the Empress asked. "Very well."
The group rounded the last hill between them and alt-Ken. They were greeted with a very odd tableau. The Empress and alt-Gatomon were standing atop a rock ledge, looking down on alt-Ken and alt-Wormmon, who were standing in front of a very large three-headed Digimon -- Deltamon. Between them and Deltamon, there was a rock ledge. Hanging from the ledge -- "Is that supposed to be us?" alt-Yolei asked.
"Looks like it... but we're here," alt-Davis said.
Deltamon approached alt-Ken and alt-Wormmon. "Ken?" alt-Wormmon asked. "Now would be a good time to break out that brilliant plan you've been hiding."
"Sorry, Wormmon," alt-Ken said. "I've been making it up as I go along."
Suddenly, the ground collapsed beneath Deltamon's foot. "You know, Ken," alt-Wormmon said, "You really have a powerful imagination."
Digmon climbed out of the hole. "Surprised?" he asked. The rest of the Digimon ran and/or flew up, followed by the kids.
"We're okay!" alt-T.K. yelled, as if there was any doubt.
Alt-Ken looked at the group, then turned back to their doubles, still hanging from the ledge. "I understand now," he said. "This was all a trick!" The 'captives' metamorphosed into a whole lot of ghostly Digimon. "Bakemon... with Dark Rings," Yolei said.
"The Empress made them look like us," alt-Yolei said.
"I had them right where I wanted them!" the Empress screamed.
"It's not like it's my fault," alt-Gatomon shrugged.
"All that to set me up... I should feel flattered," alt-Ken said. "Wormmon? Ready?" The bug Digimon nodded. "Digi Armor Energize!"
"Wormmon Armor Digivolve to... Bucchiemon, the Spirit of Kindness."
"Bakemon -- stop floating there and attack them!" the Empress yelled.
The Bakemon swarmed the flying Digimon. "They're everywhere!" alt-Halsemon complained.
"Like mosquitos," alt-Pegasusmon added.
"Well, I've got the fly swatter -- Fire Rocket!" Flamedramon blasted the Bakemon, as well as Pegasusmon and Halsemon.
"Watch where you're aiming those things," Halsemon said.
"Sorry -- I'm such a hot head," Flamedramon answered.
The alt-DigiDestined watched the battle. "She leads those Bakemon like a general leading an army," alt-T.K. said.
"Where have I heard that before?" alt-Cody asked.
"Gold Rush!" alt-Digmon's attack had about the same effect as Flamedramon's, though it did miss alt-Pegasusmon and alt-Halsemon.
"I've got you now..." the Empress muttered.
"Alt-Ken ran up the other side of the cliff. "I don't think so. Bucchiemon! Aim for the Dark Ring!"
"I know, Ken. Heavy Beam!" Bucchiemon formed a large ball of greenish energy and tossed it at Deltamon's Dark Ring.
"Quick -- while she's distracted, destroy the Control Spire," alt-Davis said to the Digimon.
"A mere child like you couldn't defeat a genius like me," the Empress told alt-Ken. "News flash," alt-Ken said. "You are a kid like me."
"Tempest Wing!"
"Fire Rocket!"
"Rock Cracking!"
"Star Shower!"
The Control Spire collapsed under the assault of the Digimons' attacks. The Dark Rings on the Bakemon exploded, and they began to look around, a bit confused, and talk to each other, trying to figure out what happened.
"No... No!" the Empress yelled. "What went wrong?"
"Why are you asking me?" alt-Gatomon said.
The Digimon Empress began to chuckle softly. "I should have figured your friends wouldn't leave you here -- like you, they never sacrifice a pawn. I can't believe the same person made me look like a fool twice in two days."
"'Never sacrifice a pawn...'" alt-Ken's eyes widened. "No... you're..."
The Digimon Empress grinned. "So very stupid... It took you long enough." She reached behind and undid her mask. "Kari Kamiya, at your service. Farewell, my worthy adversary -- until we meet again in battle. Gatomon! Come!" She blew a whistle and an Airdramon swooped down to pick her and alt-Gatomon up.
The rest of the kids ran up to alt-Ken. "I don't believe it!" alt-Davis wailed. "Why is it always the cute ones?"
"Calm down, Davis," alt-Ken said. He watched the retreating form of the Airdramon carrying the Digimon Empress for a while, then turned towards Ken and Yolei. "Did you two know about this?"
"If we did, would you have believed us?" Ken asked.
Alt-Cody's D-Terminal beeped. He checked it. "It's Izzy. He's congratulating us for destroying another Control Spire."
"We'd better tell him," alt-Ken said. "And the other DigiDestined. Tai is not gonna like this..."
* * *
The entire group returned to the school, then Izzy e-mailed Matt, Joe and sora, telling them to meet him at Tai's house. The group then headed towards the Kamiyas' house, to break the news to Tai.
"Tai is not going to like this," alt-Ken repeated, for about the fifth time.
"We know," alt-Izzy said. "That's why we're telling him in person."
"I just don't get it," alt-Cody said. "Why do evil geniuses have to be so evil?"
"Why do evil geniuses have to be so cute?" alt-Davis moaned.
"Davis, if you say another word about Kari..." alt-Yolei threatened.
"It's just so weird," alt-Ken said. "I know we knew the Digimon Empress was a kid like us, but for her to be someone we know..." He turned towards Ken. "You said your universe had a Digimon Emperor -- did you feel like this when you found out his real identity?"
"Um... well..." Ken said. "Hey, there's Matt. And Sora and Joe."
Alt-Matt, alt-Sora and alt-Joe were waiting outside the Kamiyas' apartment complex's door. "I never imagined that someone like Kari could be the Digimon Empress," Sora said. "I saw her just a few days ago, and she seemed perfectly normal."
"Yeah, well, normal for her is trying to take over the Digital World," alt-Yolei said. They had reached the Kamiyas' door when alt-Tai opened it. "What... what are you doing here?" he asked.
"Tai, we need to talk," alt-Matt said.
"Can it wait until later?" alt-Tai said. "We have a bit of a family emergency here."
"Let me guess," Yolei said, "Kari's gone missing."
"How'd you know?" alt-Tai asked.
"You're gonna want to sit down for this one," alt-Sora said.
* * *
"I don't believe it," Tai said. "Kari's such a nice girl -- why would she do something like this?"
"Did she leave any clues?" alt-Joe asked.
"She left this on the computer," alt-Tai said. He pulled a piece of computer paper out of his pocket and read it. "'Farewell. Your trivial lives will plague me no longer. My destiny awaits.' What am I going to tell Mom and Dad? They called the police and everything."
"Well, at least you know where she is," alt-T.K. said. "You know she's okay, and not hurt or hungry or something."
"I suppose... you guys are going to bring her back, right?" he asked the alt-DigiDestined.
Alt-Davis nodded. "You bet!"
"Now we have two reasons to stop the Digimon Empress," alt-Ken said. He turned towards Yolei. "Are you two... where'd the other Ken go?"
Yolei looked around. Ken had disappeared. She pulled out her D-3. The device didn't have as much range at it would have in the Digital World, but she managed to catch Ken heading in the direction of the hotel before he went out of range. "He's probably tired," she said. "Why don't you call us later?"
* * *
"Ken?" Yolei banged on his door. "I know you're in there. Answer me!" Ken opened this door. He looked a bit ill. "Why'd you run out at the Kamiyas'?" Yolei demanded.
"I'm sorry," Ken said. "But... it's all happening again. I can't ignore the parallels between this world's Kari and myself."
"Why? you aren't still wigged out by that quote?" Yolei asked.
"It's more than that. The entire conversation the Digimon Empress had with my counterpart -- it was almost word for word the same one I had with Davis when eh found out who I really was. And there was the note -- again, word for word, almost the exact same one I left for my parents." Ken looked away. "I'm worried, Yolei. I think the same thing that happened to the Digimon Emperor, to me, will happen to this world's Kari."
"You don't mean..." Yolei said.
"I think..." Ken paused, then seemed to pull himself together. "I think Gatomon is going to die, just like Wormmon did."