• Our software update is now concluded. You will need to reset your password to log in. In order to do this, you will have to click "Log in" in the top right corner and then "Forgot your password?".
  • Forum moderator applications are now open! Click here for details.
  • Welcome to PokéCommunity! Register now and join one of the best fan communities on the 'net to talk Pokémon and more! We are not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.

(Digimon) Justified Lunacy

Fuyu

The answer is at the top...
3,079
Posts
15
Years
  • Age 29
  • Home
  • Seen Mar 24, 2024
Chapter 37: End of Respite

The Digital World was calm, true crisis temporarily evaded. The air rippled suddenly and a boy stepped from nowhere. Looking down at his body, he smirked softly.

"Well," he murmured. "This should be interesting, neh partner?"

"I suppose," commented a Digimon at his side. The human smiled.

"Then let's go," the boy commanded. "It's time to get started. Hehe, time for revenge. Thank you ever so kindly for this... my lord XeedMilleniummon."

Deep inside a distant time-space, an old foe smirked again. "My pleasure... old servant of mine. Let's see how you do."

...

They were all just trying to relax, making sure they had plenty of energy for the upcoming battle. Wizardmon suddenly looked to the left and saw the odd boy Toby they had met just a couple days ago standing only feet away. He had appeared silently, like a mirage. He was shaking, clearly still scared of them. He stopped walking a few feet away and fidgeted anxiously.

"Hello Toby," the Champion said quietly.

The boy jumped and locked eyes with the Digimon. He nodded timidly and instantly looked away, still shaking. "H-Hi."

"It's okay. Like Kiri said, we're not going to hurt you."

"I...I know b-but...." He shook his head. "I... I can't help it. I'm so confused." Wizardmon fell silent; he looked away from the young boy, over at Gatomon.

Gatomon frowned. "How many humans have you met?"

The little boy shrugged. "I...I dunno. There are so many here now, it's really loud."

"Cities usually are," she said gently. The boy looked at her.

"U-Um... what's a city?" He honestly didn't know.

"It's a place where humans live," Floramon responded softly, coming over from Catherine's side.

Toby frowned and looked down. "So humans... don't live in cages or cells?"

Gaomon merely shook his head. Rei spoke for him. "No, we reside in houses. Cages and cells are mostly for animals, not humans."

"Oh." The boy frowned. "I'm confused again. I was put in a cell, does that make me an animal too?"

"Of course not," Gaomon replied. "Whoever it was that experimented on you, had the wrong train of thought."

Toby shook his head. "He had the right train of thought, I was just a failure."

Gaomon turned away, his right eye starting to twitch. He felt sorry for this kid, and wondered why he couldn't understand that he wasn't a failure, wasn't meant to be in a cage.

Toby looked up at the sky, suddenly distracted by the sound of wings. "Oh wow," he whispered suddenly, watching the birds soar overhead. "That's so pretty!"

"They are, aren't they?" Mimi knelt beside him, watching kindly.

The boy was so excited he forgot his fear. "So those are birds!" he exclaimed gently. "I've never seen them before. They're so amazing!" The cerise-haired fifteen-year-old tilted her head and smiled. Toby saddened all of a sudden. "This is my first time outside and it's so beautiful. I...I wish Lucemon was here to show me. He... he was always good at telling stories."

"If you don't mind me asking," Catherine began, approaching the small group with an offering of a sandwich for Toby. "What was Lucemon's point in all of this?"

Toby took it and paused, thinking. "Um...I dunno very much, but... they said when I was really little I fell into the Digital World. I.. erm..." He struggled with the memories. "S-Sorry, it was a really long time ago, thousands of years ago I think he said. Well, when I fell," he sat down and nibbled lightly. "Lucemon found me and took me back. I didn't want to go home, he said. B-But Papa and the others caught him before he could go home and started doing weird things to us. Lucemon, he tried to leave but... he digivolved first. And they, um..." Toby trembled softly, both from recall and the effort it brought. "They... split his data I think."

"...Ah." The little group was slightly shocked that humans would do that to a Digimon.

Toby thought back again. "I...I think they took his bright data and gave it to me."

"Bright?" Jonathan's partner inquired.

"Holy," came Sana's quiet translation as he walked forward. He sat down next to Toby, who gave a small, shy smile his direction. "They warped Toby into a human with the data of a Holy-powered Lucemon. So it turned Lucemon's evolution into one of dark data."

Toby nodded. "Lucemon got out but...Toby was still needed so they kept going. After that..." He shook his head. "I don't remember. I'm sorry."

Sana took over, thinking of what he had seen. "Lucemon never forgave those scientists for what they did but couldn't just abandon his human partner. So he saved him while the world shattered. He wanted, he wanted to make all of humanity taste the pain he suffered. It was over the top but... it was something unforgivable done by humanity, by Toby's father no less." Mouths immediately dropped open.

Toby nodded. "Papa wanted to see how Digimon data affected humans and what transfers and stuff did." An odd, childishly bitter smile rested on his face. "I was happy: Papa needed me."

Sana scowled softly. "If we hadn't left when we had, we'd probably have been like Toby too."

"Jeez," Tai stated, as he, Sora, Matt and Anna came over. "Talk about a run of bad luck. But we can't focus on the past right now, as sucky as it is. We have to get ready to destroy the Demon Lords."

Toby nodded. "Yeah, they will but it won't be over then. The door's not open."

"It will be," Willis stated with a half-crazed, happy expression on his face as he playfully nudged Kiri.

Kiri grinned at him again and muttered so only a few could hear. "If Colin's still doing his job right it will be."

Suddenly, from further back, near a native tree Izzy exclaimed: "Tentomon!" Mina simply giggled. Toby looked over and blinked in confusion.

"It's nothing," Mina replied, seeing the boy's confused face. "Meramon and Tentomon were just making some crude jokes."

Toby blinked again and nodded slowly. He suddenly turned away from them, looking into the distance. He began to tremble, looking completely and utterly terrified. Both the Digi-Destined and their partners sensed a disturbance and followed Toby's gaze.

Davis hissed sharply. "Leviamon."

The Demon Lord laughed. "You do remember Chosen. I'm quite flattered."

"What do you want?" Ken barked.

Leviamon gave a fanged smile and did not speak. To their surprise, Luca piped up. "Yer lookin' fer me ain't ya?" The boy strolled up to the enemy, looking completely unafraid. He stopped feet away and smirked.

Jonathan stepped forward, but Liollmon stopped him."I wouldn't do that," the lion cub muttered. "Luca's pissed."

True to word, the golden light was already mixed with Chaos and the boy's black eyes were glowing with red. "Shall we get started?"

"Of course. But I am a bit curious..." Leviamon flicked his tail. "Where's your malice coming from?"

"Oh that. Well you see," The boy's smile twisted. "You killed Kudamon, even if indirectly. You broke Tomoe-chan. You made my little cousin cry!" Violet shined. "And you ask why I'm full of malice? Idiot!"

"Your... cousin?" Sora exclaimed.

Liollmon sighed. "Half-cousin. Tomoe was born out of wedlock to Kiri's mother. Tamaki loved her, loved her more than her husband ever did. And..."

"My mom was a very selfless person," Kiri commented solemnly. "I guess she thought that would help Ryou-san, if just a little. So... that's what happened." Surprised, the Digi-Destined nodded slowly.

Luca snickered. "Enough talk! Time to go!" He vanished and Leviamon roared in sudden pain. His large jaws had just been torn open, violet fire burning the mouth. He slashed with his tail, only to meet air as the boy moved again, his eyes glowing. "Why'd they send you to take me?" he asked contemptuously. "You're worthless!"

Leviamon snapped his jaws toward the boy, who moved again. "It's time to begin," the Digimon said simply. "And you are the key to that beginning."

"Be careful, Luca!" Jonathan called out to the younger boy.

"Be careful of what? His bad breath?" Luca cracked the ground and Leviamon stumbled. Flipping back, he hovered for an instant, before slamming Leviamon into the cracked earth. "I'd end this fast but i can't see the damned..."

"Here." Jordan yanked him aside and let fire consume his body. He slammed blazing fists into the Demon Lord's scaly spine. Leviamon cracked his tails again to no avail and they all saw a grey sphere floating in the middle of the flames. Luca pulled back and punched clear through the Core. Wizardmon winced, remembering the feeling of his own Core being cracked. The Digimon roared and exploded.

"That was a bit too easy," Luca muttered to himself, looking annoyed. "Thanks Jordan."

"You're welcome." Everyone frowned at that, noticing the distinctly more polite treatment the boy was given.

"What now?" The teams asked more-or-less in unison.

Luca shrugged. "'S up to you really. The Crossroads Path will be open soon. You need to prepare. This is going to be a two-sided fight." He frowned and stated in a flat voice, "Time stands back-to-back with space as defiance trickles against the laws that live. The deaths that are will be and the heart will shine as brightly as the soul once did."

"Oh, we'll be ready, alright." This comment came from Tai, as he, Matt, Davis, T.K., Jonathan and Blair stepped forward as the leaders and second-in-commands of the three teams.

Jordan snorted. "Showing off your authority? How annoying." He sighed to himself as Leith appeared behind him. "What?" The boy whispered in his ear and the Storien leader frowned. "All righty then." He left and Leith bowed to Kiri politely as he disappeared.

"We'll be going, too?" Jonathan asked Kiri. By "we", he meant the teams.

Kiri smiled distantly. "If that's what you want." Willis remained next to her, playing absently with Terriermon's ears. Toby waked over and plopped down, curling up to take a nap.

With the exception of Catherine, who remained behind with Luca, everyone else dispersed. Luca grinned and took her hand. "Come on, let's go. I know someplace fun."

"I swear if it's the soccer field..." He rolled his eyes at her.

"I'm not that crazy... we're going to the garden." They left.

Kiri groaned with relief. "Glad that's over."

"Too many living people?" he quipped, causing her to laugh.

"Something like that." She leaned on his shoulder companionably and he flushed slightly with a smile.



Luca watched the older girl run through the garden. His hands were in his pockets and he grinned slightly. "Having fun?"

"You're not?" she asked breathlessly as she examined each plant.

"I'm having fun watching you," he commented with a sly smirk. Catherine rolled her eyes and yanked him by the sleeve.

"Stop you sick minded ass," she quipped. "I want you to show me something you like here."

"Shoulda said somethin' earlier." He turned right and started walking toward a fenced area.

Catherine glared at Luca playfully. "I swear if there are giant animals..."

"Of course not." Reaching the fence, he glanced at the supervisor. "Mind?" He shook his head and opened it. When the metal shut behind them, Luca whistled. Immediately, they were attacked by puppies. Catherine yelped as she was dragged down by their weight on her chest. Luca laughed as he sat down and let the dogs run all over the place.

"What's going on?" she screamed before bursting into helpless giggles at the chaos around her.

"It's an animal shelter. This is the dogs' playpen. The garden's here for those who don't like pets." Catherine let out a soft screech that turned into another giggling fit as a black dog knocked her over, licking her face. Luca smirked and lunged at one of the pups, growling and playfully batting at them. Seeing this she giggled more.

"You're such a wild boy."

"Duh." Liollmon's comment came from nearby and the lion cub smirked at her. She was forced away by the dogs, who were still sniffing. Finding a tennis ball, she threw it energetically. This would be fun.



The next day, most of the Digi-Destined were walking back from an impromptu meeting when they saw a glow past the nearby hill. The other Digidestined looked down at the meadow below, surprised to see it lit up and people all over the place of all ages. Kari ran up to them with TK. The pair was beaming.

"What are you all standing around for?" TK asked. "Hurry up!"

"Everyone's waiting for you!" Kari added, looking excited.

"We only have a couple days before the final battle." Gatomon stated, running past them.

"So they all decided we should have one get together before we go on, since we won't be a full group again," Patamon finished, soaring over his partner's head.

"T.K.'s right; what are we waiting for? Come on!" Blair yelled happily.

The teams, plus the partners and even the freelance Digimon moved in unison as they all charged down the hill.

The pair laughed and moved to join them. Kari suddenly looked up. "Leith, why are you up in the tree? Your parents are down here you know?" Leith looked down at her and shrugged.

"Ah leave 'em." Melissa walked down, gently clutching Raphael's wheelchair as they moved. "Leith doesn't wanna be social right now, he's waiting for the Storien to get here." Emma grinned shyly at them from behind. She ducked away, looking around anxiously.

Leith called down, "Emma, he's not here yet." The girl turned red.

"Shut up Leith!" Melissa snickered.

"Aw, you do have a crush on Sano."

"Shut up!"

"You two stop annoying your sister," A brunette woman walked up to them, looking vaguely amused. "Emma can hide from him all she wants."

She colored red. "Mom!" Her siblings snickered and the woman turned to Jonathan and Blair.

"I'm Mrs. Ladon but do call me Tracy. My foster son and daughter must be quite the hassle, I'm sorry you have to look after them."

The pair of siblings laughed. "Think it's the other way around Ma," Melissa quipped.

Jonathan shrugged. "We've done our own share of protecting, though it wasn't as much as what they did for us."

She gave a quiet laugh. "Is that so?" Tracy looked up at her son. "Leith, you don't mind if I steal your wife for a while do you?"

"If it's you Mother I'm certain Blair will be just fine." The woman rolled her eyes, amused at her son's lack of reaction. Blair fought down the blush rising on her face.

"Mama, wrong personality," Raphael said politely, bowing his head to the woman who was like a mother to him.

"I know Raphy; I'm just teasing." She looked over at Blair. "Mind if we go for a walk?"

"Alright." Blair followed Tracy, wondering what the woman wanted with her.

As soon as they were in the dark, the woman relaxed an inch. "So now, it's just the two of us," she commented airily, smiling to herself. "You seem tense for such a young girl. A lot bothers you I can tell. " She sighed. "Does it feel strange to be surrounded by such a large family who simply accept whoever they wish into their ranks?"

Blair blinked, not expecting the woman to start off with such a friendly question. "I guess," she answered.

She earned a smile. "When Leith introduced us to the Ferro family for the first time, you should've seen how terrified we were." Her voice was full of laughter. "There were so many people in the house, all talking and working like a well-oiled machine. They were intimidating in their ways and the head-to-be was firm in her words and actions." Tracy glanced down at her. "Do you know what cured it?"

"No," came the quiet response.

Tracy moved silently in the dark and hugged Blair, an extremely foreign gesture. "It was the way my son smiled when he saw them. It was so alive." she murmured. "There were no barriers there, social or physical. You belonged there, no matter what you thought or someone said." The girl recoiled slightly, before realizing Tracy wasn't going to hurt her.

"You've forgotten what this feels like haven't you?" the woman asked. Without waiting for an answer, she pulled the girl down to rest on the grass. "Well at least you didn't bite me like Leith did when I did this."

"I'm not a Storien, that's why. I have... beliefs. Sorry, that was rude, wasn't it?"

Tracy laughed. "No it wasn't. And that wasn't a weapon thing, that was a "Stranger is touching me" thing." she laughed. "Trust me, I did it to Raphael, who isn't one and he attacked me. I think it comes from growing up where they did. They've gotten better though." She smiled down at the teen. "So what are your beliefs?"

Blair looked away; clearly she didn't want to have to reveal this memory. "I was brought up to respect everyone, no matter who they were. But everything changed when my parents were killed, not to mention my older brother Shiro."

"Ah," The woman's reply was very calm, very kind. "How has it changed?"

"I first started becoming mysterious and bitter after Shiro died, it worsened when Myotismon killed my parents." She couldn't help but wonder if the woman was stupid.

"No you misunderstand," the woman corrected kindly. "How have your beliefs changed? Have you lost hope?"

"I did for a while, which is why I despised contact. But Sean helped me to see the light again."

"He did huh?" She laughed. "That's kind of funny. When I saw Sean instead of Leith for the first time, he was a lot like you. He disliked others and didn't talk much to us other than formalities. He always walked around with despair-filled eyes." Blair gave her a look of disbelief.

Tracy laughed again. "It's hard to believe isn't it? Sean used to be anti-social, quiet, withdrawn. He got into fights, set people on fire, anything to be left alone. Not even Melissa could get him out of it. I worried so much, I thought he would have been expelled."

"Him? But I've seen him so well in class."

Mrs. Ladon smiled. "If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have either. It all changed when we moved here seven years ago. He started reaching out to people, helping them, and never stopped smiling."

"I take it you approve?" The question was hesitant.

Tracy smiled. "Would I have come talk to you if I didn't?" She stood up and helped the girl to her feet.

"I guess not." Blair accepted the offered hand and rose.

The woman released her hand and looked her straight in the eye. "Let me put it this way, as I was told three years ago: Kiri pulled my son from the darkness of his heart but you kept him out. And that's what makes you the right person. Just like Sean showed you your own light, that makes him the right one for you. Relationships must function to be proper, not simply love. And it seems for each other, that's what you have."

"I see." She sighed. "Then we will win, we will crush the Demon Lords. And I'll... I'll stay by his side." She stared back at Mrs. Ladon.

Sean's mother simply smiled again. "There was never a doubt you would, it was just afterwards that we worried about."

"Mom!" Sean ran up to them, the glow of the party bringing light from behind him. "I know you wanna be all welcoming and all but she can do it herself, I think." He grinned widely and held out a hand for Blair to take. "Come on, Luca and Ken are facing Tai and Davis in a soccer match! Don't wanna miss it, do ya?"

"Over my dead body," she stated happily. "Race ya!" She charged forward, gaining a few steps as an advantage over her boyfriend.

Sean laughed and ran past with a casual speed. "You shouldn't try that. I run track for a reason!" And he was gone, steps ahead.

"Hey, cheater!" She called to him, hurrying to keep up.

"It's not cheating," he chirped and disappeared into the crowd. "It's talent." There was a loud whoop and suddenly he shouted. "Okay, okay I'll do it Riku! Geez... Greedy little..."

Blair watched the soccer game between Luca, Ken, Tai and Davis. The points were so close, she wondered who would win. Finally, when the game finished, it was clear that Tai and Davis were the victors.

"Nice!" Tai cheered and grinned at the other three. Davis was grinning right back while his DNA partner sat down, looking just as enthused. Luca was collapsed, laughing and breathless on the ground. Kiri tapped Sean on the shoulder and pointed at something Blair couldn't see. He paled and she nudged him. The male threw up his hands and walked in the pointed direction. At this, Riku whooped again.

"Your pupil's gonna shine Tori!" His older brother flushed faintly and rolled his eyes goodnaturedly.

"Don't know what all that was about," the black-haired girl muttered before wandering over to Izzy and Mina. She soon found out, as the soft sound of a piano made its way through the clearing. The chatter almost instantly lowered to a murmur. Sean continued to play, eyes closed in concentration. Blair was amazed, as she stared over at him in awe.

"It's a therapy," Kiri commented softly to her under the music. "It helps him, so he doesn't set so many fires." She twirled to the tune. "Beautiful right?" Sean glanced at the two girls, winked at Blair, and continued, the song growing louder and softer in turn. Blair's eye widened again and she blushed.

Sean smiled to himself, then ended the song, tapering off into a soft fading note. Applause erupted. Sean bowed his head softly. "Any requests?"

Kiri grinned. "Forgiveness."

Sean laughed. "You always like me playing that."

"Of course I do. You wrote it." He sighed mockingly and began to play. The Digi-Destined listened as the song played.

The song ended after a few moments and applause erupted once more. Luca looked at the Destined. "When the battle is won," he said quietly. "We'll have another party. Would you like that?"

"Are you kidding?!" Davis yelled. "We'd love it!"

"Good," the boy said solemnly. He glanced at Kiri, who gave an impish grin and firmly dragged Willis off.

"Barbeque's started!" The sound of an unknown male echoed.

Luca grinned. "Last one there doesn't get any." He bolted off, in time with Sean. Hearing that, Izzy and Mina deliberately lagged, because they'd brought their own lunches.

Kiri grinned at them all. "We hope you continue to enjoy yourselves today." And so it continued.



Blair hesitated in front of the apartment door. It was Sean's house. After the party, Tracy had asked her to visit her son and meet the others of the family a bit more formally. Well she was here now... and god was she nervous. Sighing, she knocked on the door.

The person who opened it was someone she vaguely recognized. It was Emma, the other sibling. The brunette glanced at her and frowned. "Mom called you here right?"

"Yeah," Blair answered, nodding.

She grinned, looking slightly sly. "Come on in then girly." She held open the door for her then turned around and shouted. "Mom! Guest is here!" The rest of her sentence was lost in a midst of what to Blair sounded like gibberish. She thought it could be Spanish, judging by the accent but then it switched mid-sentence into something else. Someone else replied in almost the same manner. Blair almost felt a headache.

As she stepped inside, Emma swung the door shut and grinned. "Sorry about that."

"Uh... it's okay," the girl replied, looking baffled. What just happened?

"You live in this house and fluency in six languages gets you your bread and butter," she remarked and muttered something in Italian. "If you manage nine you're considered a respectable human being, at least to Dad."

"You do realize I understand everything you say right?" This came from a tall, well-dressed male in the hallway. He continued speaking to Emma, who gave him a particularly sarcastic remark. He sighed good-naturedly and looked at the newcomer. "So you're Blair. Glad to finally meet you." Thankfully he spoke that in Japanese.

"It's nice to meet you too," her response was a little stiff from unsureness.

He gave a friendly smile. "It's all right you know. Our family's crazy but you're plenty welcome."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Your fault we're crazy Dad, all mental illness aside." A snort of amusement came from Blair.

"No it's our fault you're crazy Emma, your siblings are another issue." He cocked his head, hearing faint piano notes.. "Your brother's practicing again, it seems."

"That's what he does when he's home; plays piano and practices cooking." She gestured to Blair. "Come on, I'll show you where he is. Mom's not done with lunch." Blair followed Emma down the hallway.

The older girl rapped on the door and shouted in Spanish through the door then switched to Japanese. "Oi your Phoenix is here ya stinking Number! Open the door!" There was a click and Dorumon peeked through a slit. He opened the door a bit wider. Emma grinned. "I love Digimon and their sudden learning of how to use thumbs. Go on." Emma stepped away and the Rookie blinked owlishly at Blair from the doorway as he moved back.

"Hi Blair," the Digimon greeted.

Wizardmon joined the gathering, appearing mysteriously. "Hello to you too," they both said.

Dorumon blinked. "Teleporting's kinda weird," he mumbled before shutting the door behind the other partners with his tail. He looked over at Sean, who was still playing, apparently oblivious to the others. He turned the page and Dorumon frowned. "Sean..."

"What?"

"Blair's here."

"Clearly."

"So stop." The human frowned and let his fingers leave the keys. "Yo Blair." He analyzed her. "Judging by your face, I'd say you got language swamped."

"... Yeah, you could say that," she answered.

He gave her a sympathetic look. "Sorry, dad does translation for a living and he made us learn how. So we do random language swamp as an exercise. Believe me, it gets very confusing around here."

"It makes my head hurt," his partner said cheerily and Sean laughed, scratching the beast's ears. Unintentionally, the girl had zoned out. Coming back to the present, she muttered something about a boy having a mix of her and Sean's personalities.

Sean laughed at her. "Well I certainly hope that doesn't happen!" he remarked teasingly. "A kid like that wouldn't just be crazy, he'd be taught by Lady Hanabi! Dear god, insane and physically able to help it, what an odd mix for the schools."

"It might be truer than you think," Wizardmon remarked dryly, before smiling at the confused expression on Dorumon's face.

The boy just shrugged. "It could be worse." Dorumon frowned again, looking puzzled before turning to Sean.

"Hey Sean, was I ever this confusing?"

The boy smiled faintly, Leith shining through his eyes. "Nope, Guilmon and Dorumon are simple but smart." Dorumon bounced happily and his human laughed. He glanced at Blair. "Do ya remember the day we first met?"

"Yeah," Blair responded. "It was the day we first entered the Digital World."

Sean sighed. "Actually it wasn't. We met about...I wanna say four years ago, after the fight with Apocalymon. Not surprised you don't remember, you were going through a fair amount."

Silence stole over the girl and her partner. "... Yeah," she replied after a few moments.

Sean gave a sheepish smile and didn't elaborate. "Honestly, when I actually recognized you again, I remembered and thought you were gonna kill me."

Wizardmon snickered. Blair raised an eyebrow. "Why would you think that?"

Sean sighed. "Well... god how can I put this right..." He took a deep breath. "I saw you in class and even at eight years old I could see it in your eyes; you were heading down the same path I was. Mom told you right?" A nod was his reply.

"Yeah... and I could tell you were getting close to doing what I did. So, despite having a vague clue who you were from the news and what had happened, I saw you and Jonathan walking home... and I kinda chewed you out." He looked slightly apologetic. "From what I remember I was pretty harsh." Her head tilted and a faraway look entered her expression as she struggled to remember what had been said.

"You were yelling at Jonathan to leave you alone, no I didn't know him back then... and I told you that you should be happy someone cares enough to stay by you even though you're being such an insensitive brat. I said that if you kept this up, you would be all alone." Sean paused. "I think you yelled at me and said I couldn't understand what you were going through and I replied that I didn't have to understand to see what a coward looked like."

"I think you tried to punch me after that." He chuckled shakily. "Except my reflexes kicked in and I kinda flipped you flat on the ground." A weird expression crossed Blair's face, a mix between amusement and embarrassment.

"Yeah whoops, though I don't remember if the fight lasted any longer than that." A smirk came over her after that comment.

Sean frowned at her in puzzlement, then placed his fingers back on the keys and started playing. Without glancing at the piano he asked. "Could it be you have a sense of humor?"

"Maybe she has developed one after all of this time," Wizardmon answered.

"What a thought," he muttered and sighed, ending the song. "I must be boring you both to tears."

"Oh come on," Blair growled, but it was a happy sound. "Why would you say something like that?"

"I dunno, maybe because you're just sittin' there twiddlin' yer thumbs?" He muttered something to himself in English for a moment. Then he smirked. "Perhaps I'm just that good looking that you can't help but stare."

Wizardmon snorted. "Is that all you're good for, I wonder?" The question was spoken in Darnassian and because Blair had been hanging around Bill, who graciously started teaching her about the ancient language, she managed to get the gist of her partner's statement.

Sean blinked, analyzing the language. "Digital," he muttered irritably. "Unfortunately I only know ancient and Code. Oh well." Dorumon frowned.

"I think he's insulting you."

"Unless he takes a leaf from Takahiro's book, I don't care." He switched languages in the next bit. "Not that it matters, they're too innocent to actually get that far."

The Rookie let out a whine, understanding him perfectly. "Sean... don't talk like that. They aren't like that anymore."

"Uh Dorumon that wasn't me." Sean sighed softly and let the pulsing headache pound a moment more before letting go.

Dorumon groaned. "Even worse."

Wizardmon smiled. "I was just having some fun, that's all."

The boy licked his lips and Dorumon frowned. "I wasn't." The blue eyes flickered coldly and a slyly cruel smile made its way to his lips. "So..." he said, looking amused. "You're the weak one who got the name Phoenix Blaze." A soft, cold chuckle came from him. "Boy, what a dud. I knew Zhuqiaomon was stupid but this is a new level of foolishness." Blair and Wizardmon were silent, not liking the Demon of Icefire at all. Even Dorumon looked at his partner with narrowed eyes. He laughed. "Well, aren't you friendly? When those two talked about you, I just knew I'd hate your guts and you mine. And I was right!"

As Blair was about to say "Sean, we need you to come back", Wizardmon jerked his head to one side and listened intently.

"There's a Parrotmon outside and it's not Anna's partner," the elf stated quietly.

"Well, I don't know about you," Blair began, referring to the possessed Sean, as she turned and followed her partner to the door. "But I'm going to fight it. If you care to join us, we'll be on the ground level."

They exited the unit and Wizardmon Warp Digivolved to Dynasmon. He picked up his partner and flew down to the ground.

Icefire smirked at her as she left. "Shall we watch Dorumon?" The Digimon nodded slowly and followed him out.

"What's going on?" Raphael's expression was curious and wary. He could see it without fault. "Why are you taking control right now?"

The boy shrugged. "I was bored. Sean is tired. Leith passed out a while ago."

"That's your fault," Raphael accused. He was one of the few people who could stand up to the Demon equally and win. "If you had allowed them to finish the program, you would still have a vessel that was healthy."

"And your point? He's not exactly human, which makes up for it." The boy left, seeing them fight. "This doesn't look very interesting." A trident suddenly spun between his fingers and Dorumon frowned again. He didn't like that weapon.

"That's Twisted Waves."

"Yep. And this is the end." He threw the weapon and the three prongs stabbed through the throat, killing the bird instantly.

"Hey!" Blair's voice floated up to him. Dynasmon simply frowned.

"Hi," the boy replied blankly. "You told me to follow you so I did. And you were fighting so I ended the fight. Is there a problem?"

Dynasmon shook his head in disappointment, whilst Blair answered: "I meant come downstairs!"

Icefire shrugged. "If you say so." He went down. "But you were gonna kill him anyway, why's it bad I did it?"

The girl snorted in frustration. "Oh, I give up. Well, I'm gonna go if Sean doesn't need me for anything else." Dynasmon de-Digivolved to the Champion level.

"You're just gonna go because of me?" The boy paused and seemed to be thinking. "Even after all these years I still don't understand humans. You all seem very prickly."

"Of course they're annoyed with you." Sean sounded exhausted as he forced his way through. "You're such a silly one Tempest and they don't understand you either."

"Now I'm really confused."

"Then you're getting the hang of it."
He glanced at Blair. "Leave if you wanna leave but Mom's waiting upstairs to give you food and treat you like a decent human being would. I can't say I won't be a bit annoyed with you if you turn it down because you don't like Tempest. He's not a good enough reason."

Wizardmon nodded his head. "Thank you for returning; we'll go back up there." Blair nodded as well.

Sean shrugged and watched them go. He spoke very quietly, but was certain they heard him, "You act as though I always can come back." He looked out on the balcony. Dorumon watched for a moment. "I'll be along in a bit Dorumon. Go on. I want to see the sun set again." The beast Rookie nodded.

It is written that you are together, Wizardmon sent that thought to Sean. Wisemon told me.

This body is written to be hers. The person she fell in love with is unlikely. And you'll need to get along with Tempest eventually. He's always with me.

Wizardmon didn't answer that and Sean was glad. If he had, he would have ended up with two furious people on his back. He watched the sky, which reminded him immensely of fire.

"Enjoying yourself?" Kiri's voice was soft as she made her way over.

"Do you always have to bother me when I'm thinking?" he asked jokingly and she smiled.

"You never think so how could I be a bother?" Sean rolled his eyes as she settled next to him. "You can appreciate the beauty of it can't you?"

"Everything looks clearer when you're an inch from death," he agreed. Kiri relaxed and slumped her head companionably on his shoulder.

"Will you ever tell her Sean, about...?" she trailed off.

"Which part? What happened a year ago or..."

"You know perfectly well what I mean." Her voice took a curtness to it.

Sean gripped the railing tightly with both hands, feeling it compress beneath his fingers. "No, I'll take that to my grave."

"Why won't you tell her what you are, what we are, and what we see?"

"A whole person isn't allowed to know the world of a remnant, you heard Fanglongmon."

"That didn't stop Mom."

"So what? Your mother, jackass husband or not, didn't exactly adhere to rules or common practices. I've got to obey remember?" He showed her his branded arm. "You saw what they did to me the last time I told them to shove their regulations up their ass. For Norn's sake Kiri, have you shown your boyfriend the right side of your body yet? Have you told him what they did to keep your mouth shut about the dreams and the glass?" Kiri flinched almost unnoticeably.

"Sean that was a low blow."

"So what?" He gave her a fierce blue glare. "You swear never to tell those Chosen. You swear it on our vow, on the Catal, and on NEO's Judgement."

Kiri watched him a moment before smiling faintly. "Tell them about what?" She asked with a false innocence. She clasped his bloody hand. "I swear it Joker and the others will follow my lead." He huffed and turned away from his friend.

"Why are you two standing together?" Emma was frowning as she walked down to them. Kiri grinned at her.

"Came to steal him." Emma glared, looking slightly put-out.

"Got guests. Try tomorrow."

"No time tomorrow," she replied with a sigh. "The Storien have been summoned. Emergency level is high."

"From what?" Sean felt the world starting to spin. Leith was up and curious.

The Catal Keeper stepped onto the untouched railing. "The dead have risen."

Leith scowled, purposefully yanking Sean away from the incoming carnage. He was getting a bad chill. The other glared at him half-heartedly. "Emma," he said curtly. "Go inside, keep the others occupied."

"Oh come on Leith, this is special. Your girlfriend's here!" Dorumon, sensing a problem, brushed past the girl.

"Blair could be a dead girlfriend if we're not careful," Kiri commented coolly. Emma gave Kiri an irritated look. She liked the girl well enough but this felt extremely like a cheating boyfriend scene.

"I'll be back later," Leith assured. "Tell Raphy and Melissa to be on alert and watch the building. And keep Blair here as long as you can." Emma scowled but nodded. She knew there wasn't anything she could do.

The weapons vanished, as if they had never been there.

...

Blair dashed down the stairs, glad to be out of the apartment. They, for some reason, had been delaying her. Maybe it was for Sean. The boy hadn't come back inside. The sun had set, thank God. Blair wiped sweat from her face and sighed at the cold. "That was... an interesting visit."

"It was," Wizardmon agreed. "I think I understand where Sean gets his quirks from."

"Agreed." Blair found herself laughing. Abruptly, Wizardmon stopped. "Something the matter?"

"Well, well," a voice purred, male and sounding amused. "Look who we have here: a little girl and a little mage. How...interesting."

"Who the hell are you?" Blair snapped, whipping around to see a taller male with black hair. His brown eyes were cheerfully friendly and his aura gave off no hostility.

The boy chuckled softly. "Me? I'm just one of you. I'm just a Chosen Child no one talks to. Ain't it sad?" He gave her a kind smile. "Just call me Zephyr."
 
716
Posts
16
Years
Chapter 38: An End's Beginning

The Digital World was calm, at the moment, anyway. The air shimmered suddenly and a girl stepped out from nowhere. Looking down at her body, she smiled softly.

"Now then," she stated. "This should be interesting, shouldn't it?"

"I suppose," commented a Digimon at her side.

The human beamed. "Then let's not keep my cousin waiting," the girl responded. "It's time to take this second chance and use it well. Thank you so kindly for this... Guardian Candeena."

Within the depths of the Digital World, the half-Watcher answered telepathically. It is my pleasure... original healer.

...

At the Lucas residence, almost everyone had gathered to hear one of Bill's legendary tales. "Well, since we're coming up to the final battle, I thought everyone who could make it should hear the rest of my past... as well as Blair's."

The Digi-Destined were shocked by this statement, Jonathan more so. "What do you mean?" Mimi inquired.

Bill sighed and glanced at Tagashi who nodded decisively, before clearing his throat. "Blair and I, seventy years ago, were siblings. Yoshino and Noriko Kimura were our names; we were part of the very first Chosen Children team, just after the Digital World was created. We had-"

"Now hold on a damn minute!" Tai spluttered. He went on to detail that he was finding it hard to believe this story. "Seventy years ago? That's just way too crazy!"

Bill answered that he could find it as hard to believe as he wanted; but, the fact remained was that he and Blair had lived that long ago, and it was only through a second chance given to them by Candeena that they were even here now. He added that while he was granted his full past life's memories, Blair's were partially sealed and that the seal on hers could only be broken by snow's caress.

Immediately after saying that, Bill stiffened slightly, sensing a familiar presence. Wisemon, go investigate please. I do believe it's her.

As you wish, partner, the Ultimate responded; he teleported out of the room, leaving the other Digi-Destined wondering where he'd gone.

"He's just gone to look for Blair, that's all," Bill replied. "Anyway, back to the story. Noriko, Rukia, Hiroshi, Zoë, Tanner and I fought against many evil and corrupted Digimon. Noriko and I were the ones who inflicted the most damage against Megidramon's army." He paused, seeing the looks on his companions' faces. "No, not that Megidramon; this was one who Warp Digivolved from a Devidramon. Enraged that Noriko and I had been the ones to practically obliterate his forces, Megidramon killed us, leaving the other four to die from old age. But, out of grief, Zoë killed herself afterwards..."

Mimi burst into tears, with Jonathan hurriedly trying to calm her down. "Zoë was related to you, wasn't she?" Sora asked quietly.

Several minutes passed before Bill nodded grimly. "She is my cousin."

"Is?" Izzy blinked in surprise. "You just said she killed herself."

Another sigh. "She did. Wisemon didn't go out looking for Blair, though I'm sure he will do that regardless."

Jonathan looked up swiftly. "Then what did you send him out-" He tried to start, but Bill cut him off.

"Alright, I guess everyone should know this. Zoë is alive and she is here in Odaiba. When I stiffened before, it's because I felt her presence. I'm still like Yoshino in some ways," he responded, muttering the last part to himself. "When I mentioned snow's caress earlier, I was referring to how gentle she is when she touches people. Zoë is the only one who can set Noriko's memories in Blair free."

This set everyone off in a mild flap. Bill and Blair, actually brother and sister, seventy years ago? Zoë, still alive? How was this even able to occur? Even Izzy and Ken were mystified, though they were trying to figure out a logical reason.

...

"You aren't related to Tempest, by any chance, are you?" Blair asked snarkily, narrowing her eye. Wizardmon stiffened, feeling it now; this boy was hiding his true aura, if he could just get a lock on it.

The boy gave a friendly smile. "Who's that? Like I said, I'm just a Chosen named Zephyr. Nice to meet ya."

"You aren't," Wizardmon disagreed. "You're hiding your true aura."

The smile didn't waver. "Am I?" He offered the Champion a hand to shake. "Well, everyone has something that they don't want to talk about. I don't like my name, is all."

Wisemon materialized near Blair and Wizardmon, with a teenage girl and Digimon beside him. "Blair, we have to go, something's come up." He nodded at Wizardmon, which seemed to confirm the Champion's suspicions. Wisemon dematerialized, taking the girl and Digimon with him. Wizardmon wasn't far behind him, as a bright light started overtaking him, after Blair placed a hand on his shoulder.

Zephyr watched them go and laughed. "Something's come up, huh? What do you think about that... Hawkmon?"

"It seems familiar," replied the Digimon as he fluttered to the boy's side.

"Sounds like fun," Zephyr commented. "Let's go."

"Understood..." They walked away.

...

Lilithmon couldn't hold back a sigh. "So the eight were whittled down to four: Daemon, Lucemon, Barbamon, and now Leviamon has died. What a waste they were."

"Huh," Beelzemon drawled. "Who knows which of us will be next, I wonder?" He asked sarcastically.

There was a low growl. "None of us. I'll slaughter them all."

"Well, well, you're awake Belphemon," Lilithmon commented amusingly. "This should be interesting."

"When is he ever not asleep?" Beelzemon muttered.

Belphemon snarled. "When I must do a job. When are you actually competent: on your death bed?"

Immediately, the two pistols were brought out. "Sleeping is all you ever do, ya whining lump of data!" Beelzemon shouted. "Double Impact!"

"Lampranthus!" He burst the bullets into nothing. "I am simply lowered to the will of my sin. Don't lose your temper so easily."

"Pah, you who sleeps disgraces the Demon Lords," Beelzemon shouted as he left. "I'm going to have some fun with the kiddies!"

Lilithmon cackled. "Impulsive fool."

"I heard that, *****! Shut that mouth of yours or I'll shut it for ya!"

Lilithmon rolled her eyes. "Menacing, aren't you, arrogant boy? Go have your fun, fool. The end is soon."

...

Wisemon appeared in front of the Morgan residence, not going inside for the simple reason that the girl's Digimon companion wanted to take care of some unfinished business. "Please come back safely," the girl pleaded.

"I will return," the Digimon assured. "But on the off-chance I do not, never fear for I will always be with you in your mind and in your heart." After the Digimon left to take care of his job, the quartet made their way inside to find a rather stunned Bill waiting for them, along with the three teams and Internationals.

"Zoë, how...?" Bill whispered.

"That's Zoë?!" The Digi-Destined exclaimed, appearing quite taken aback.

"Candeena gave me a second chance," the white-haired girl answered. Even after seventy years, Zoë looked exactly the same. "And these people are?" She asked quietly.

"They're my friends," Bill replied quickly, silencing the others' with a stern gaze.

"I see. Well then, I suppose I better unlock Noriko's memories. Blair, was it?" The black-haired girl nodded apprehensively, which caused the albino to smile ever so gently. "Don't worry, it won't hurt at all. Please step forward." Blair did so, anxiety now eating at her. Zoë placed two fingers on the other girl's forehead.

There was a soft sigh. "That's gonna hurt." It came from Luca, who looked at the older girl with something close to sympathy. "Believe me, after all this time, that'll hurt like hell. Not to mention the backlash."

Yoshino almost flashed before their eyes, with his blonde hair and blue eyes. "Zoë is the perfect healer, able to lessen any pain to basically nothing. Blair will be fine."

Luca sighed. "Forgive me for giving a **** then." He knelt down and murmured to Tomoe, who frowned and nodded.

...

At the same time that was happening, a motorbike was prowling the streets of Odaiba, with Beelzemon's leather jacket-covered form on it. "Huh, how hard can it be to find a large group of punks?" He drawled, but his tone was becoming irritated. He suddenly stopped his vehicle and whipped his head to the left. His senses were picking up a group of children. "Eh, the Storien brats? Maybe I can have some fun with them..."

Revving the bike, he turned the mode of transportation to his left and roared down that street; the street sign was labelled Nishijuku. Jordan turned, sensing a foul aura. "****. Sense that?" The others nodded. Kiri gave Luca a firm nod and he took Tomoe and vanished. The leader snarled. "An interruption... just what we don't need."

"So we meet again, Storien filth," Beelzemon stated.

There was a flash of lightning and a throwing star was imbedded in his arm. "Leave," Miranda commanded coolly.

"You're interrupting us," Maria added, her rapier in one hand.

"We have no time for your games today," Jordan finished, blades aflame.

"Oh? Looking for that Zephyr kid, right?" The Demon Lord asked. "He went that way."

All of them looked at one another. "Thanks, we believe you," Miranda began, watching her star. It burst into lightning, causing him to roar. "There's your gift for helping us."

Jordan gave a cocky smile. "G'bye!" They started to walk away, the leader sighing. "Of all the times..."

"Eheh!" Caleb had a small, calculating smile on his face. "That just means another judgement, right?"

"Probably not, but we'll see."

...

Meanwhile, the BlackWarGreymon who was Zoë's companion had arrived at the other plane where three of the last four Demon Lords were residing. Being a Virus-attribute helped tremendously; he had heard Belphemon's voice resonating across the air currents, even throughout the layers of the worlds separating them when he and Zoë were in the real world.

He intended to destroy the slothful Demon Lord for what he said, not on his watch would he allow Belphemon to slaughter the Digi-Destined. Even if killing Belphemon cost him his life, it would repay the debt of kindness that both Zoë and Gatomon had shown him during his existence. Belphemon floated out into the area. "Do you wish to challenge me?"

"No," the dark Digimon replied. "I wish to kill you. Shadow Gaia Force!"

"Lampranthus!" The two blasts negated one another. "Interesting," commented the Demon Lord. "You're powerful. This should be fun."

"If you were not evil, I could say the same to you." The two quickly engaged in a battle of claws, only to be evenly matched. The large Digimon dodged a Black Tornado and head-butted him. No one gave in and the pair continued their clash, where the two finally ended their slicing, both bleeding and broken.

The same thought entered their heads: This must end now. Black energy grew on both sides; one a large orb and the other flames.

"Lampranthus!"

"Shadow Gaia Force!"

It was at that moment, in Gatomon's mind, a gentle warmth flooded her body. It's been a while.

She started. You're the...

The one who gave you your tail ring; yes, I am that Mistymon. I am very sorry, but I will not see you again.

... You're one of our losses, aren't you?

Yes.

I'm sorry.

This is all right. I've repaid my debt. It's enough.

...

Between the three teams, Tai, Davis and Jonathan had searched what little of Odaiba they could for Sinead's team. Then, Anna remembered something. "She approached me the other day, saying that something big was happening back in Ireland, like they had their own Digimon invasion. She apologized to me and told me to pass the message on." The Russian girl's expression looked downcast.

Tai sighed in frustration. "Great, just before the big day, too."

Sora comforted her boyfriend, reassuring him that everything would turn out okay and that the Demon Lords would be crushed.

...

There was a wild gust of wind. All of them paused and Bill looked around, a suspicious feeling in his gut. "What is with this?" He muttered aloud. He was feeling slightly sick.

"Just a bit of an issue for ya," chirped a voice. The boy Zephyr dropped down from nowhere next to Blair. He swept her up easily. "Ale-oop. I'm borrowing the pretty princess here if ya don't mind." He leapt up and hovered, the wind helping him to float. Bill tried to move but was paralyzed, body trembling as the black wind whirled. Zephyr grinned. "Oopsie daisy. All of you, even the little missy here, are about helpless to that. It preys on your hearts and souls, my Fallen Wind." He waved. "Thank ya kindly for the gift, sir!" He started to jump away, looking pleased.

"Not if I can help it," Wisemon stated angrily, the first time aggression had entered his voice. He made a series of hand movements, before thrusting his hands down and out. The paralysis faded instantly. Leith, it's up to you. "I'll properly help the others."

Leith felt a jolt in his chest. He sighed from the tree branch he sat on. "You haven't changed at all... I suppose that's what happens when you die..." He clutched a torn envelope in his left hand. "Don't you think the same at times, Sean?"

... How would I know Leith? Death enjoys taunting me.

I suppose.

Meanwhile, Zephyr hummed to himself as he leapt. "Wow, that was easier than I expected!" He was laughing. "That Digimon shouldn't assume that the Fallen Wind is so easy to get rid of. I think that little power should activate right about now!" As he spoke, there was a sudden surge of raw pain from nonexistent wounds for the infected. Blood began to ooze, some from the mouth. "Naive creature." He looked down at Blair. "You know, you'd be even prettier if you scowled a bit less."

"Magna Antidote!" MagnaAngemon declared, negating the poison and successfully healing the Destined who were affected.

Continuing to scowl at Zephyr, Blair spat blood on his face.

To her horror, he licked it off, a cruel little grin on his face. "Nice, but next time, aim correctly and not towards my eyes. I fall and drop you from this height, well; I'll be a-okay, but you'll just go splat! Or get skewered by tree branches! Won't make you any less dead, will it?" He smiled. "I wonder what reaction I'll get from that. Anyway, little princess, do you know why I kidnapped you?"

"Don't call me that," the girl growled.

"Aw, then what should I call you?" He cupped her chin in one hand. "My bride? Or my toy? The options are amazing, right?" His friendly smile was offset by the cruel light in his brown eyes. "But you didn't answer my question and soon you won't again. Why do you think I chose you?"

Wizardmon teleported beside his partner, handing her the loaded crossbow. "Do your thing," he said in Darnassian. She nodded and broke free of Zephyr's grip, falling, only to be caught be Leith.

"Payback time!" She shouted and the crossbow immediately lit up, blazing brightly with fire. "This is Blazing Archer; hope you're afraid of fire." Fiery arrows shot out from the weapon, aimed directly at the male's throat.

A shadow leapt in the way, taking the arrows from midair and dropping them smoothly to the ground below. Zephyr grinned and hovered. "Thanks a lot, Hawkmon."

"Of course," the Bird Digimon flapped his wings as he led them to a true battlefield. "It would be quite rude to disturb the sky."

"Nag," Zephyr commented, looking amused as he landed. Leith dropped, walking over to set Blair gently beside his Digimon. Something about Dorumon's eyes was strange. It wasn't childishly clear. The black-haired male smiled. "It's been a while, huh Leith? You're still getting the girls. First Laura and now her... you find the odd ones."

Leith's eyes were half-closed as he sighed. "I hoped I would never see you again, Takahiro Suzume."

"Missed you too," said the other boy with a smirk.

Suddenly, Zhuqiaomon's voice resounded through Blair's heart. Hide now! You're in more danger than you think!

Wizardmon also heard Zhuqiaomon's voice. Placing a hand on his partner's shoulder, a bright light overtook him as they teleported away, back to the Morgan residence.

"Cowardly girl left you to die," boasted Takahiro with a smirk. Leith said nothing. "Hope your friends come soon."

"Friends?" The other repeated. "Storien are not friends, but comrades."

"I know," Takahiro said. "But the Chosen," he sneered the word, "should come to help you."

"Why would they do that?"

"Because I have this and you know what that means." Takahiro held up a crimson orb and Leith showed fear for the first time.

"Why-Why do you have that?" He stepped back.

"Because I took it for him," Hawkmon replied as he Warp Digivolved to his Mega, Valkyrimon.

"That's right," his human whispered gleefully. "Now then, you worthless Storien ****," he clenched it tight and the orb began to pulse. "Suffer in hell!"

At once, Leith dropped to his knees with his hands over his heart, actually howling in pure pain. Nearby, the other Storien fell, clutching their chests. Luca yanked firmly on Tomoe's arm, who was crying from the agony. Takahiro laughed and walked over, kicking Leith brutally to the ground and continuing to slam his booted foot into the boy's ribs, Leith unable to defend himself.

"Storien or not, no-one harms our partners!" The rest of the Digi-Destined arrived, with all of their Digimon at the Mega level. That statement had been shouted by Willis and Blair. Even the spirit of Zoë's companion was there to help. "Group attack!"

"Highland Fang!"

"Terra Force!"

"Strike of the Seven Stars!"

"Glorious Burst!"

"Dragon's Roar!"

"Mach Stinger V!"

The sudden arrival of the Digi-Destined took Takahiro and his partner by surprise and the corrupted Child dropped the crimson orb, where it rolled safely to Leith's chest.

"Terra Destroyer!" BlackWarGreymon's spirit sent the black energy ball hurtling towards Takahiro. The child was ripped to pieces instantly, also permanently deleting his partner.

Blair hesitantly walked over to Leith, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Leith was trembling. "I-Idiots," he rasped. "T-This isn't..."

"The end?" Takahiro sounded amused from where he stood, reformatting with his black wind, Hawkmon at his side. "God, you're good!" He sneered at them. "You think I would be brought back to die so easily again? Hah!"

"Y-You..." Leith snarled, blood-red eyes darkening.

He earned a smile. "Heh... you're not angry enough yet, Leith! Look at you, so weakened by these humans! Look at you, being beaten down by these "whole" fools."

"S-Shut u-up about that... you don't know..."

"I don't?" The fallen laughed. "I broke Laura myself, remember? Of course I know!"

"L-Leave..."

"Her alone? No chance. You don't know how much fun I had with her, especially when she finally screamed..." He laughed. "It was beautiful..."

Leith stood, let out a wordless scream of rage and moved. Behind him, the orb shone and he collapsed again. Takahiro held out his hand and his partner soared over to him, taking it in his beak and returning it. "Stay on the ground, you little scumbag, where worthless filth like you belong."

"Every single ounce of our power went into those attacks, and yet he's still standing. How is this even possible?" Dino Tigemon growled, at a loss.

"My master is stronger than you," the human replied, grinning savagely as Fallen Wind rose again, slashing brutally at them.

"You will not harm them," BlackWarGreymon's spirit shouted, rushing to protect Zoë, who was the direct target of Fallen Wind.

"That's right," Dorumon's voice was different, older. "You won't harm them." He moved forward and vanished suddenly. He reappeared, knocking the orb from Takahiro's hold into his claws. Dropping it in Blair's hands, he went to his partner's side.

Takahiro snorted. "A Digimon who is partnered to a Storien? What a fool, dying for nothing."

"Do not insult my partner in my presence," the Digimon commanded, causing the others to bolt with surprise. This wasn't like Dorumon at all. "Do not insult my personally Chosen partner." He placed the envelope his partner had been carrying on the ground and removed a crystal. "Here you are, Leith." Leith grasped it, standing up. Behind his eyes was Sean, who was enraged.

"Your spirit is familiar," Hawkmon noted. "Who are you?"

Dorumon stared at him coldly. "Who am I?" He moved to a fighting position. "I am the Alpha: I am the beginning. And this is the last time I shall fight as I was."

Leith snarled weakly. "Y-You won't... get away with this, a-any of it." The crystal between Leith's fingers shone. "Crystal Evolution, activate!" Thank you for this miracle.

Dorumon shone. "Dorumon, Crystal Evolve! Alphamon!" In place of the beast appeared a silver and gold knight in a tattered blue cape.

Dynasmon and Kentaurosmon kneeled in the presence of their age-old leader. Catherine's partner spoke humbly. "It is an honour to have you back with us, Lord Alphamon."

Alphamon waved them off. "I will not be here for long. I did not wish to battle in this form again. Stand back now, all of you."

The two Royal Knights moved the Digi-Destined back a fair bit, before standing in front of them, to protect them from any stray attacks.

Alphamon raised his hands. "Digitalize of Soul!" The sky tore open and a great monster soared down from the hole. Takahiro stepped back, watching almost excitedly.

"Is this how it ends, then?" He asked breathlessly.

Leith gave a weak nod. "It is," he said softly. "Goodbye, Takahiro. Maybe we could have been friends."

The boy snorted as he was yanked into the air with Hawkmon. "You would know that best of all."

Leith bowed his head and didn't reply. As soon as the hole vanished, the boy fell back down, blood oozing from his mouth. Alphamon de-Digivolved and went to his partner's side after taking the orb from Blair. "Thank you," whispered the Digimon softly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." The little Rookie nuzzled his partner, tears at the edges of his eyes.


BlackWarGreymon knew he was being called, but he wanted to reassure Zoë that everything would be fine. He reached out with one clawed hand, wanting to touch the girl one more time. The action resulted in a small spark of electricity, which caused Zoë to gasp mildly in surprise, before she shut her eyes in denial. BlackWarGreymon performed one final gesture and that was to salute Gatomon. She merely nodded, her eyes filled with tears.

What was left of his data dissipated, as it had begun scattering after Zephyr was removed from the area, and his final words were: "Stay strong, Digi-Destined..."

...

The long day had ended and the battle was waiting to start. The Digi-Destined saw Kiri and her party with T.K. and Kari, who had gone ahead that day. Kiri and Leith looked terrible, clearly having been unable to fully recover. Relena was holding Hopmon silently in her arms, watching the party with an amused smile from Kari's side. Her sister and brother were not far away with the Ferro family, who were looking various mixtures of amused and violent. Raphael sat near Melissa, waving goodbye to Luca and Tomoe, who was walking back over to them.

"Just call us an army," Sanako said cheerily as she walked past with various blades in her arms. There were whoops and cheers as she placed them on the ground, like kids in a candy store.

"And so begins the final battle," Wisemon stated huskily. Everyone was present; the Digi-Destined, the partners and even the freelance Digimon.

"The final battle together," these words came from Relena, who rose to her feet. Kiri moved toward an unseen slab of concrete and T.K. and Kari rushed to her side, looking agitated. "I'm sure you're ready?"

"Yeah, we're ready," Jonathan replied, half distracted by the other girl. "Kiri, what are you doing?"

Kiri shrugged silently and gestured for them to walk over. Beneath her feet, blood-red light began to glow from runes gouged into the ground. Kari and T.K. watched warily as the light shone brighter. Suddenly, Kiri cried out in pain, Catal Unit burning her chest.

"What's going on?" Willis asked, his voice raised with concern.

"Nothing you can interfere with, silly whole child," Relena replied calmly, walking through the seal.

Kari exclaimed. "Hold on Relena, you're in..." The blonde put a finger to her lips and kept walking, taking Kiri's hands. She winced in pain. "You went the wrong way." The cries quieted a moment later. Tomoe tugged anxiously at T.K.'s shoulder and pointed. The male nodded and lifted his D-3, Kari mimicking him with reluctance. Golden and pink light flew out of their respective Digivices, a symbol Tai and Matt recognized on the screens.

Luca let out an irritated growl. "Hurry up!" His body trembled with anticipation.

"What's going to happen?" Anna inquired.

"The first side of the Gate will open," came Cassie's soft tone from the tree where she stood. "And you will enter the Borderline."

"Or it would if you damned Virtue wielders would activate your Digivices!" Luca sounded annoyed and was still twitchy.

Leith weakly reached over and mussed his hair. "Be patient. You've waited seven years now; you can wait a few more minutes." The teen's tone was raspy, broken, ice-blue eyes dark with death.

Luca whined softly, still shaking. "Easy for you to say."

Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Joe and Willis pointed their 01 Digivices at the seal; Ken, Davis, Cody, Yolei, Kari and T.K. did the same with their D3s.

The respective lights began to shine. Kiri and Relena both cried out in unison. Willis almost jerked his away, but there was a shake of the head from T.K. Before their eyes a grey door began to form, ornate and wooden. The blood red light dulled and the two on the seal sighed.

"It should open now to the Borderline," Kiri murmured. "This is your last chance," she said to Jonathan. "Do you have everything you need? Is your heart settled?"

Jonathan and Blair spoke as one. "We have everything, they are."

Kiri smiled. "I'm sure." She walked toward the door and took the handle in her hand. It was warm. She turned it and the door swung inward, revealing a grey backdrop. "Come now," she said softly. "The future is waiting for us." Kiri stepped through, Relena, Luca, Tomoe, and Leith steps behind. Relena waved at her sister as she left.

The teams, partners and freelance Digimon entered after Relena; everyone was mentally tense, waiting, hoping the last three Demon Lords wouldn't ambush them.

"Relax," came a cheerfully calm voice as the door swung shut. "You've got one stop before that. And that's to meet your friendly seniors." Kiri laughed as she leapt, tackling her brother into a hug. Akira stumbled and fell backwards, landing on the ground and laughing. Hopmon bounced around eagerly, grinning with his two fanged smile.

"Hey, Akira!" Jonathan called. "We're to free your team, I take it?"

Akira grinned and stood up, looking off in the distance as he picked up his partner. "I suppose you are," he said cheerily. He pulled something from his pocket and spoke into it. "Hey guys, they're here." His voice was soft and suddenly very sad.

Two voices chimed in from above. "There you are." The first was a male with long red hair. Blair felt a chill across her spine. Fire. The second was a female with short pale-blue hair. The two each had a Digimon similar to them. "Hello there," the two spoke in eerie unison. "Nice to meet you all."

The boy grinned. "Twin telepathy, a major pain in your arse. Name's Sentri Ferro. Glad to meet ya... I think." He frowned pensively.

His sister smiled indifferently, bowing elegantly. "My name is Rina Ferro, I welcome you to your fight." She glanced at Akira. "Akira-nii, Talia-chan and Liam-kun are on their way; just a Digital reaction went through Talia-chan's Elesyn."

"Is that so?" Akira mused. "All righty."

"I'm Jonathan, that's Tai and over there's Davis. We're the three leaders of the teams," the blue-striped brownish-blonde boy responded to Sentri and Rina's introductions.

The twins looked at each other and nodded, stepping back. Down dropped a male with short black hair and a female with long brown hair. At their sides were a Falcomon and a Labramon respectively. The male gave the younger children a nod and went to Akira's left. The girl locked eyes with Jonathan and gave a kind smile before stepping next to her leader.

"You two are slow you know Talia, Liam?" Akira's voice was amused.

The girl playfully scowled and whacked him over the head. "We don't all fret for a living, Akira." She got a grin.

"Supposin' you're right." He looked over at his sister, who had separated herself from them and was watching the bleak, unchanging sky. "What are you doing over there?"

"Eh?" She turned and laughed shakily, grey eyes bright and glazed with despair and pain. "Eh-heh, not a thing! Really! I'm just looking off..."

"Are you okay, Kiri?" Jonathan looked worried.

She gave a nod. "Uh-huh, just fine! Yeah..." She trailed off and looked away again, face pale. "Almost," she whispered. "Almost..."

Akira turned away for a moment, collecting himself. His heart hurt, like his soul was cracking. "How much longer?" He asked hoarsely.

Kiri gave him a teary smile. "I don't know. I'm trying."

"Akira," Matt began, "why are you letting her go off by herself?" His voice was coldly quiet, the harshness directed at the older Ryutori out of concern for the younger.

Akira turned back, giving the younger blonde a sardonic smile. "Because she's going to die," he said softly. "Because this is what she wants and because I am a hypocrite to tell her she doesn't have to die when I would do the same in her place."

Kiri trembled slightly. Everything was pulsing. "Nii-chan... I... I'm so sorry..."

"Why?" He walked over and patted her head. "I've never been more proud of you than I am right now. You're following your heart and no matter how much it hurts, I'll accept that. Thank you," He hugged her tight. "For being born."

She flushed, a sad gesture. Then Kiri completely froze. Small orbs of light were beginning to flow from her body. "No," she whispered, "not yet, just one more moment, please..." She plunged her hands into her pockets and pulled out her D-Core and Core Awakener. "Tomoe-chan!" The girl caught them and stared at her with a broken gaze. Kiri managed a weak, broken smile. "Renamon's yours now. Take good care... of each other..." The lights vanished faster and faster and her body was fading all too quickly. Looking around at everyone, she managed to make a genuinely happy grin. "Thank you everyone!" Before she could say goodbye, she was gone, leaving Akira hugging air. His arms dropped hollowly to his sides.

"I'm guessing that was Ogudomon's work," Catherine Ambrosine whispered brokenly.

"Was it really?" Akira shook his head, grey eyes like a deep fog. "No, this was the prophecy's work. One gives for death's defied, enters in darkness, leaves in light. Ogudomon simply carried it out."

"He's a fool." Sana's calm tone entered their ears and they turned. He shrugged, Faolan at his side. "The door was still unlocked."

"We proceed, don't we?" Anna Petrova's question came out slightly stronger.

"'Course," stated Liam, whose cool gaze traveled over them all. He pulled a card from his pocket, which was silver with a black stripe. "We came to kill, not to cry." He held out a rectangular device and spun the card between two fingers. The other three took their own out— red, blue, and green respectively — and each tossed their card up into the air. Akira was last, and his own was golden. The five merged together, creating one coloured grey and black. Akira caught it and seemed to slash with it. The four turned their Digivices to the side and it scanned through Akira slashing it himself. On the tops of their Digivices, gems began to glow.

"Elesyn activate," Talia said softly. Before their eyes emerged five Mega levels; Justimon, Anubimon, Ravemon, and two newer Digimon, called Apollomon and Dianamon. The five let their screens glow and the light moved towards the door.

The five D-Cores began to react. Leith, Luca, and Tomoe silently slipped the Awakeners into their Digivices, causing there to be three Digivolutions: BanchoLeomon, Kuzuhamon, and instead of Alphamon came a new creature: Dorugoramon. Jonathan and Blair placed their own Core Awakeners into their D-Cores; Dynasmon and TigerVespamon appeared.

Five D3s activated, as well as some of the 01 Digivices. Of Davis' team, there now stood Slayerdramon (whose bond was still separated from Davis), T.K.'s Seraphimon, Kari's Magnadramon, Yolei's Valkyrimon, Ken's Gran Kuwagamon and Cody's MetalSeadramon.

The Digimon belonging to the few 01 Digivice (the Digivices that had chosen to react for the lead-up) holders were Rosemon, Regulumon, WarGreymon, Kentaurosmon, Dino Tigemon, MegaGargomon, Cherubimon and Hououmon.

Gaomon Warp Digivolved to ShineGreymon, though he didn't really need Rei showing off the technologically advanced silver D3.

Even the four remaining Devas and the freelance Digimon were prepared.

"Relena," Talia said softly. "Open the door please." The blonde immediately complied and this time, they all felt it, a sickening tainted aura; yet, it called to them, singing cajolingly. A gust reminiscent of Fallen Wind blew through, only gentler.

Kari bit her lip. "Don't yet," she said softly.

The Chosen fidgeted, waiting for the right time to go inside.

Faolan suddenly burst into howling, a chilling sound. Sana grinned calmly and stepped through without hesitation. "Come along now," he sang softly. "Come along now and watch the Dragon raze this world to ashes."

The teams strode forward, confidently now.

What greeted them was an inhumanly large black and red creature with seven legs and eight eyes, seven of the eight eyes on the under part of the legs. He had two mouths: one in the middle of his legs and the other on his head. Two of his legs were terribly scarred, while one was bleeding afresh. The creature sneered down at them with one eye. On one of his legs was a corpse, brutally torn to shreds, covered in blood and shattered. The Digimon chuckled. "Recognize it? They fought well... the little Catal Keeper did, for such a weak human."

"Stop it..." Luca whispered, trembling not with fury but with misery. "Put it down... stop disgracing the dead like that."

"Disgracing the dead?" Came a mocking voice. "Stupid brat!" The voice came from Lilithmon, who stood loyally at her master's side.

The leaders and second-in-commands had already warned their team-mates who didn't know not to touch Kiri's corpse.

"So," Beelzemon drawled, standing behind them. "The brats finally showed themselves. About time, huh?"

"Indeed," their master agreed, eyes moving to observe them all. At Sana, he paused. "You irksome fly."

"As if the Dragon would fall to such pathetic injuries as those," the boy retorted calmly, unafraid.

"I'll have to be certain next time, but first..." His gaze locked on Leith, who had been silent since they had been in the human world. "We have some unfinished business, don't we Leith Harper?" Leith didn't speak, expression forcibly still.

Tai, Davis and Jonathan looked curiously at the Storien Child, wondering what the Demon Lord leader meant by his words.

"Or maybe I am not speaking to you," the Demon Lord mused. "Maybe I am speaking to the one inside you, the one who is trembling right now... Tempest?"

Finally Leith spoke, his voice sadly soft. "Leave Tempest alone. He didn't do anything." The ice-blue eyes didn't look up, just remained staring vacantly, miserably into space. "It was all your fault anyway."

Matt raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tai. What's he talking about? His expression seemed to ask.

Leith continued miserably. "If you hadn't created Tempest, if you hadn't abandoned him, it would have been better for him. You created him for your revenge and then... you just threw him aside."

"You're pitying a virus, a program meant to destroy the Digital World?"

"Of course I am."

Beelzemon snorted. "What kind of weapon are you?"

Leith just shrugged and felt Tempest's tugging gently, fearfully at him. "I'm someone who doesn't give up. I care about him, we're... like siblings, kinda." He let go. "Why don't you talk to him yourself?" He let go and the air thickened, not with rage or killing intent, but this distinct despair. Tempest seemed to be crying, but his eyes were dry.

"Always," he whispered. "You all always do this sort of thing."

"Cowardly creature," Ogudomon snorted. "Die." He raised a claw to crush him but Tempest held up a hand and blocked it, holding it steady.

"You all always leave me alone," the program said sadly. "But Ebonwumon didn't and they didn't. Leith, Sean, and Sarah... they wanted me around and you... you just let go. Bonds... you don't understand them, you don't understand them at all."

Beelzemon and Lilithmon moved into battle positions as the Digi-Destined did the same.

"Just like before..." Tempest began dully.

"We'll show you..." Sana finished. "The power bonds can have!"

"The three of you," Wisemon began, as he Digivolved to AncientWisemon, "are going down."

Commandramon and Monodramon Warp Digivolved to AncientVolcamon and AncientTrojamon, as Yutaka and Hiroaki's partners moreover became AncientGreymon and AncientGarurumon. Joe's AncientMegatheirumon, Izzy's AncientBeetlemon and Sora's AncientIrismon also appeared.

Talia glanced at her Digivice, which beeped cheerily. Her partner de-Digivolved and Warp Digivolved into AncientSphinxmon while Cassie glanced at Veemon, who complied and formed AncientMermaimon. "Thank God Ruthie isn't here," the woman muttered.
 

Fuyu

The answer is at the top...
3,079
Posts
15
Years
  • Age 29
  • Home
  • Seen Mar 24, 2024
Chapter 39: Virtue's Path

The army fell back again before rising like a one-minded mass. Sano Ferro growled to himself, the seventeen-year-old lifting himself back up. "Honestly, what the hell is up with this?" He slashed with a blade before falling back once more, reflexively dodging to the right.

"Sano, get up!" Melissa was there, yanking him to his feet. "Don't die here! They're counting on us! Besides, Emma's watching!" The teen resisted the urge to hit his classmate, a faint flush on his face.

"You're such a-watch it!" He knocked her aside as an attack went soaring over their heads. A large dragon slashed to destroy the monster.

"You two okay?" OwRyumon asked as Elian went running up to them. His young face was pale and scared. Melissa felt sympathetic: this was likely the kid's first real battle.

"Yeah fine, thanks!" the male answered, pulling his friend back. Melissa glanced at the sky, where the sun was setting.

"Just a bit longer until night falls."

"Yep," agreed Raphael who was sitting where they stopped. He was unaffected by the war as always, despite the wounds on his arms. "They won't attack then."

"Why are you so sure huh?" Masaki asked coldly as he walked over, covered in what could only be Digital blood. Melissa winced faintly.

"C-Cause..." They looked to see Toby weakly hovering, his wings tattered and stained. "You can't kill as many if people aren't outside to watch, not the way they want. They want to see them die." The half-Digimon child looked toward the fray. "They want to bring this world to despair." With that statement, his body once again was covered in blue armor and he soared back into the battle.

"Pride does go before a fall," Raphael commented as Patamon went to his side.

"Yeah," Melissa agreed. "Let's just hope it isn't ours."



Beelzemon's Double Impact went soaring toward them, causing Dorugoramon to slash back, countering. Lilithmon moved toward Sana, eyes full of vengeance, but the boy moved, easily sidestepping, His expression never left its calm as he dodged. "Not much of a fight, are you?" he sang out gently. The pair snarled and their attacks grew stronger.

"Need some help?" Regulumon roared, his tone indicating his question.

Sana shrugged. "Whatever you'd like." He jumped into the air over Beelzemon's claw, kicking him in the face.

"Regulus Cutter!" He sliced with his sword and a blade of energy was sent from it towards Beelzemon.

The Digimon laughed and destroyed it with a simple firing from his gun. Landing on his motorcycle, he sent it flying toward them. A ring of data soared, turning the bike to scrap data. Scowling, Beelemon aimed at Cassie, who was unarmed. Tomoe took the bullets and sent them flying back.

"Don't touch my sister," Relena ordered with a smile. "Or it'll be your last moment alive."

"River of Power!" Cody's MetalSeadramon yelled.

"Feral Sword!" Yolei's Valkyrimon added. Both of their attacks were aimed at Beelzemon.

Sana moved to gently rest behind him. "Faolan," he sang out softly. "Break him for us." he second the attacks were deflected, the smaller boy leapt in the onslaught, a wild howl bursting from his lips.

"Tekkousou." Iron claws tore into Beelzemon almost ripping him apart.

"Why aren't you killing me?" the Demon Lord rasped.

"Simple," Faolan said quietly. "I follow my Alpha's orders and Sana wants this."

"That's right." Sana walked over and knelt next to the fallen Mega. "Goodbye Demon Lord." He placed a hand on Beelzemon's head. The Digimon screamed, a blood-chilling sound, as he melted. All the while, the strange Dragon boy smiled softly.

AncientWisemon had been watching the event. "One down," he responded hoarsely, before turning his attention to Lilithmon. "Two to go."

"It won't be as easy as it was for that arrogant fool," she hissed. "Phantom Pain!" A mist came from nowhere, headed toward the others. Meanwhile, Tempest was clashing silently with Ogudomon, water freezing and melting at measure. Luca watched helplessly as BanchoLeomon attacked. He wanted to fight, so badly he did, but he was in the most danger here and knew it.

"Laplace's Demon!" With ultimate wisdom, he calculated the coordinates to the spirit world and aimed to imprison Lilithmon for eternity in a separate universe.

But the tainted one was quicker. "Nazar Nail!" She was gone and reappeared behind the Ancient Warrior, hand through his chest. She licked her lips. "There you are, much better off dead."

"Ha," he coughed, bringing up a little bit of blood. "Not yet." He managed to teleport out of the way, as the energy from an EmperorGreymon's Dragonfire Crossbow technique struck Lilithmon directly in the back.

"Nor am I." The energy left a burn but she recovered. Her smirk widened. "Nazar Nail!" The attack was aimed for Blair, but surprisingly Tempest knocked her aside and was stabbed through. He let out a grunt of pain as there was the sound of cracking.

"Oh no, Tempest!" The girl exclaimed.

Tempest said nothing, stood up, and turned around. "Is that..." he began quietly. "Everything you've got?" He raised a hand misted ice-blue and rested it over the hole. It healed instantly and Tempest returned to fighting Ogudomon.

"You must not be worth it Lilithmon," Liam said coldly, slicing just past her, only to slice her torso open.  The Demon sighed and a ghostly mist eased out toward him and she struck with her claws to be blocked by Talia's chains.

Rosemon went over to AncientWisemon, almost begging him to let her heal him, but was refused every time. "Incoming pest, Rosemon!" A MetalKabuterimon shouted.

A flaming wheel soared past her and knocked the assailant back. "Try not to be so close next time!" Sentri called as he tossed another, hitting more deformed shadows.

"Electron Cannon!" MetalKabuterimon yelled, aiming at Lilithmon.

Lillithmon dodged easily, only to be face-to-face with Tomoe. "What's this? A foolish resistance."

Tomoe and Kikyo shrugged and replied in unison. "Only because you're stupid." She uppercut the Demon Lord with a blade plunged through the temple. Flipping back made room for WarGreymon to use his Dramon Claw, killing her.

"Two down," Matt muttered. "And the hardest to go."



Meanwhile, Emma watched from the sidelines, Sanako at her side. She stiffened, feeling a sick darkness in her chest.

"What's up," her friend asked, Ruthie in her arms. The baby was watching the battle around her, not quite grasping the situation but knowing something was wrong. Below her were Digi-Eggs, silently forming and waiting for their time to hatch.

"Something's happened to them," she whispered. "To Leith."

"Is he dead?" the Ferro asked worriedly.

"No," the sixteen-year-old shook her head. "But something is wrong and I'm sure Melissa can sense it too." She clenched a fist. "I hate feeling useless!"

"You're not useless at all." This comment came from Lady Ferro.

"Grandma!" Sanako exclaimed, snapping to attention. "What are you doing here?"

The woman chuckled. "I am a warrior yes but these old bones are not meant to fight these creatures any longer." She looked at Emma, who shrank reflexively. "You say child... that you are useless?"

Timidly, Emma nodded. "I can't fight, I can't heal, there's nothing useful I can do. All I can do is sit here and hope they're okay."

"That's the best thing for you to do."

"Eh?" Lady Ferro sat down beside her and looked out at the darkening sky.

"I think many of those Chosen have forgotten... the value of believing in others without everything being known. They have been with each other so often and seen their skills in action, so doubt is never something to think about. But sometimes... that sort of thing is the most necessary of all."

"How?"

"Belief... gives someone strength to keep going forward, no matter what it takes. Belief gives someone heart, someone hope. Remember your sister's Virtue?"

"Faith..."

Lady Ferro's voice grew stronger. "She is not the only one who can believe. You have that strength. And that belief will go to everyone. That belief... is a mighty power. Those who can harness it... are strong, but those who give that belief... are the strongest and most useful of all."

"So don't think that way," Sanako ordered. "Your heart's enough. I've always said that."

Emma managed a teary smile. "I-I will." She prayed and some part of herself felt something surge. It was only later she would realize what it was:

Power.

...

"You are good fighters," the Demon Lord praised.

"We don't need compliments from you!" Luca snapped darkly, causing Ogudomon to chuckle.

"I am quite certain you don't, Chaos Keeper," came the reply. "however, you may prefer this to what I have now."

"What do you mean," the wild boy asked, dread coiling up in his stomach. Ogudomon chuckled again, the deep sound sending shivers down their spines.

"What I mean... is this." Above Ogudomon's head floated a familiar black diamond. The Catal Unit was shining green, a sick, tainted color. There was a shifting nearby and Luca turned. His eyes widened in horror. The others paused for a moment and looked over. Even Sana, whose expression usually never changed, and Liam's endless cold calm, was filled with nothing but terror.

Kiri's corpse was rising up, bloody and torn. Her eyes were blank and glassy, holding nothing but a faded grey iris. On her chest, where her heart should have been, was a diamond-shaped hole, showing through to the scenery behind her. Like Luca, she had no heart. A familiar black blade, that of Steel Reaper, was forming in one hand.

"Wh-What...?" Tai gasped.

"What's going on?" Matt snarled, filled with pure disgust.

"Y-You..." Akira's voice was choking but he managed to finish, staring at the Catal Unit. "You're using her body... to do your dirty work?"

"But of course," The Demon's reply caused Akira to shudder. "It's still mostly intact and it can be accessed by this dear device. You must use your tools well correct?" Akira gritted his teeth and kept silent but Luca did not.

"**** you!" The boy's roar was inhuman, black. "Go to hell you *******! How dare you! How dare you use someone like that?!"

"Luca calm down!" Jonathan commanded, hurrying to his side. "This is what he wants! You can't-"

"I don't care!" Luca snapped, knocking Jonathan aside. "You listen to me you goddamn bastard, I don't care! **** the laws and the Codes! They're worthless! This bastard's killed one of the only family I have for power, his minions have broken every single one of my kind, he likely killed my parents, and he's using my cousin as a ****ing tool! How can you tell me to calm down now huh? How can you tell any of us to do that? You arrogant piece of trash!"

"Enough." Akira moved to his cousin's side. "Leave him be Luca. If you won't listen to him, obey me. Leave it be." The boy gave his cousin a glare.

"Why aren't you-" Akira cut him off.

"Oh believe me, I am." The twenty year old clenched a staff in his hands tight, grey eyes full of murder. "You have no idea how much I want to kill him. But that sort of thinking won't get me anywhere. Besides," he gestured toward Tempest, who had stopped attacking. "Shouldn't we be worried about them?" Luca turned and paled. He could feel it now.

"And I thought the Chaos was overwhelming," the twelve-year old muttered, covering his mouth.

"What are you talking about?" Jonathan asked as he stood back up. He could vaguely sense something but... "I don't feel anything too off."

"That's just it," Rina's voice was the calmest of all of them. "You don't. And you should."

Blair felt annoyed, then, she did feel it... nothing. Her fists clenched. "Where are Sean and Leith?"

Ogudomon smirked. "That's two."

"What do you mean; two?" Tai asked.

"They're his now, their bodies." Talia's eyes were on Ogudomon, unflinching. "They're easy to possess, those who have sinned. Those... who have murdered. It's easier to possess though, what is already his."

"How could they be his?" Blair demanded.

"He holds the Catal Unit now. With that, he can control the Keeper. And Tempest was his creation, who resides in that body. So that is his as well." Talia frowned pensively. "Though to control the bodies so fluidly... could you be..."

"Using fragments?" Ogudomon seemed to smile. "Yes. You're a bright one aren't you?"

"Unfortunately," Talia muttered, spinning her whip. Blair prepped Blazing Archer and Jonathan readied Gaia's Revenge. Everyone else tensed as the controlled bodies started walking towards them.

"Ease up children." Akira stepped toward his sister, spinning Stable Way in one hand. "You have no chance, These two are masters at close combat. Besides..." He caught it in both hands. "This is my battle, not something I'd just hand over." He charged forward and slashed over her head, only to have it blocked. He smirked. "Looks like neither of us have been playing around all this time huh?"

Luca moved toward Tempest, who held both tonfa almost crossed. "Looks like I finally get to beat sense into you," he muttered, Lion's Pride gleaming. He licked his lips and his eyes turned black with red pupils. "Let's go then!" He charged forward, kicking off the tonfa to land a fierce punch at the older male's head. It was blocked and the two kept fighting.

Kari gestured for them. "Come on, while they can hold everyone back. We need to go!" The Destined followed Kari and T.K. as they went in another direction.

Kikyo jumped past them, bolting just ahead of them. "She can hear it."

Kari paled. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, they can hear us but they can't do anything to stop it." Kikyo's indifferent stare rested on TK. "So I bet right now, they're pleading with those two to stop them, begging to die. Because they know what'll happen otherwise."

TK frowned, seeing the stone structure up ahead. "The Future will be..."

"Nonexistent," Kari finished. "Just like the last time this was tried." She paused at the stone steps, waiting for the others. As she arrived, Blair's D-Core began to flash erratically.

"Huh?" Blair looked down at her D-Core in confusion, wondering what was going on. As she spoke, a seemingly invisible barrier vanished and the D-Core's light disappeared.

"The Gate of Virtue has opened," Kari declared, looking forlorn. "We don't have any time to waste. Get inside." She bolted, causing the others to follow. Kikyo paused, watching Rei.

"You know," the girl began conversationally. "If you wish to die, stay out here. You said you lived a long time and had enough of it, but could never end it. Maybe that was the timestream's way of punishing you for changing the way the world had gone. Living in a world without your parents... it would have been painful and dark, but believe me when I say this..." She sat on the stone, staring just past Rei. "It's preferable than to be on the brink of two kinds, as you are now... little child with the cracked soul."

Suddenly, Rei stood up and quickly pushed Kikyo inside, Gaomon Warp Digivolving to Shine Greymon in a split second. "Don't argue, Kikyo, just go." Rei stated firmly. "This is my chance to give you guys some time." Lilithmon's spirit had reformed and lunged straight at Rei.

Kikyo simply watched from inside. "It's... not going to take long," she mused, watching as Lillithmon struck,slicing from shoulder to hip on Rei's body.

"GeoGrey Sword!" The Mega pulled out the dual-bladed sword, imbued with the element of fire and swung it at Lilithmon.

Lilithmon tore through it like it was cheese, slashing through to knock ShineGreymon to the ground. "It isn't... that easy," hissed the spirit, full of hatred and fury. The data-based spirit swiftly grabbed Rei, with the intent of having her as a shield only to kill later. "Now what do you intend to do?"

ShineGreymon growled. He could do nothing, his attacks were too area consuming. There was only one thing he could think of. "Kikyo..." he asked the girl, who had been watching. "Would you... kill us?" Rei frowned.

"ShineGreymon..."

"Either way Rei, this is our end. I'd rather have it be... with her gone." Rei sighed. This was what she wanted, wasn't it?

Kikyo stepped forward. "If this is what you will." A pink light glowed faintly around her as she pulled out two of the blades.

"You think you can aim to kill us both?" Lillithmon's spirit snorted.

"Of course," the seven-year-old girl said coolly. "Miracles happen more than you think." She threw, skewering both females through the heart, the knife fueled by the crest of light. Lillithmon vanished with a scream and Rei fell to the ground, to be caught by a rapidly weakening ShineGreymon. Kikyo smiled softly. "You did good kid." She left to let them die together, intent on assisting the others in the temple.

The two's data dissipated completely as Kikyo just re-entered the temple. Mimi had a blank look on her face and Jonathan was trying to convince her that it was what Rei wanted, to not have to put up with the pain anymore. The cerise-haired fifteen-year-old didn't seem convinced.

"She's happy now isn't she?" the little girl said, walking past them with a set expression on her face. "You will survive this thanks to her and she got to see you alive. Everything she did wasn't for nothing, not now. Don't run out there and die because you don't like that. Be happy for her," Kikyo went into the tunnel. "She's freer than anyone." 

"We need to keep going," TK began, following.

Jonathan put his arm around Mimi's shoulder, the girl just accepted it as they followed Kari and T.K. They came into a room with the symbols of the crests shining on the walls. Some were glowing but a few, such as Kindness, Hope, Light, Courage, and Miracles were dim. As soon as the last person entered, a door slid shut, leaving them trapped.

"I'm assuming some of you have noticed already," Zoe mentioned quietly. "For those who haven't, I am not whole."

Kikyo simply nodded at her, eyes closed. Matt turned. "What do you mean... not whole?" Blair asked slowly.

"Like Kiri and the rest of the Storien, I am a remnant," the albino answered.

Catherine stiffened. "You too?"

"Wait a minute back up," Jonathan looked between Kikyo and Zoe. "What is a remnant?"

Zoe frowned at the child. "You never told them?"

Kikyo shrugged. "We weren't allowed to."

"While Megidramon had Yoshino and Noriko killed, he had ordered two of his underlings to keep me on the ground. I was helpless, as I was forced to watch my cousins die..." Zoe partially explained.

"That will cause a soul to crack, those sorts of events. Things like despair, wrath, watching loved ones die, dying, all those strong acts,"Kikyo's voice was very scared for some reason as she spoke. "It will break it in some cases as it did with us. It is... cruel and some are not human anymore. Also..." she hesitated before continuing. "It can be forced to shatter in some cases. Those pieces of souls..."

Glancing at Jonathan, Zoe finished. "Are remnants." They all looked at each other, not sure what to say.

Kikyo shook all over, her face paling. "Not supposed to say anything," she muttered darkly. "In so much trouble now." Unconsciously, the Crest of Light began to shine on her chest.

"I'm sorry," Zoe apologized.

"Don't blame yourself for it," Kikyo replied. "It was bound to be revealed eventually. We'll just take the punishment when it comes." Her eyes told a different story than her forced composure. "Anyway," she whispered. "let's get started." The crest began to shine brighter and in unison, so did the one on the wall. The majority of the Digi-Destined appeared confused at the Crest's reaction.

"Get ready," Kari mumbled. The Crest began to shine on her as well. "The Crest power is necessary."

"NEO... we need to wake him," TK added, letting Hope shine. 

"Or at least start," Magnadramon commented. Tai nodded firmly as the Crests of Courage, Friendship, Love, Reliability, Knowledge and Kindness also shone.

TK frowned. and looked at the symbols. "Not enough," he muttered. He glanced at the younger girl. "Kikyo where's the other crest power?"

"The original bearers never returned them," she said to them, looking troubled.

"That's not good," Kari stated quietly. "Now what?"

There was a rustle and a kind voice entered Kikyo's ears. "Need some help?"

"Miss Reiko!" The spirit formed, the young woman standing in the middle of the temple.The return of Kiri's mother, even if she was in spirit form, stunned the Digi-Destined; though they were starting to get used to it.

"When I died, my soul came here to wait for you but it looks like I am the last to meet you," the woman muttered. "Pleasure. As a former temporary Keeper, I believe it is my last duty to finish this task." Kari nodded and motioned for the others to step back.

A grey light began to wash over them. The symbols began to glow brighter, each lit by their Virtue. Kikyo stiffened and let out a sudden cry of pain. She fell, clutching her head. Outside, Kiri's corpse temporarily hit the earth before rising again, slashing at her brother's throat. Luca let out a screech of agony, mixing with Sana and Faolan's winces. Their Digivices began to flash and vibrate angrily.

"What's going on with our Digivices?" Blair questioned.

"They're responding..." Kikyo gasped. "To the call of NEO's power. The Future sings to them, asking for energy to awaken them." Her hands wrapped around her torso and she could sense Tomoe's self being blocked away. Collapsing to her knees, she coughed heavily. TK moved to help her but she shook her head. "Reiko-nee please!"

"I'm trying," the dead woman responded gently. "The Catal is starting to overflow with the energy of sin. It's a miracle I can even access it."This statement alarmed the Digi-Destined.

"Ogudomon is of sin itself," the younger whispered, remembering the time they had fought him. "So... we need to..." She collapsed, sick shadows running across her body.

Reiko frowned with concern. "Looks like there's no choice then," she murmured. "My children, please, live on. I am so sorry."

"Miss Reiko don't!" Kikyo's cry came too late as the woman vanished into golden light.



Akira skidded back. "Shit," he muttered darkly, glancing back at his friends, who were watching the Gate and guarding it from the strange grey wisps that had attacked them before. "Stupid sinlings, you guys okay?"

"Course we are," Liam replied, slashing one in two as his partner did the same. "Though you're not. Want me to take over?"

"No way," retorted the younger, cracking the earth and kicking her in the face, only to be glanced aside.

"This isn't right for you Akira." Talia's voice was soft as the whip wrapped itself around her enemy's throat. She yanked and tore it out. "You shouldn't fight your own sister."

"I'm not fighting my sister," he countered as he leaned back from the attack. Above him Justimon was back-to-back with Sana, attacking the large legs of Ogudomon. "I'm fighting a look-alike. And even if I was fighting her," He knocked it to the ground. "I'd see it through to the end. I won't go back on any of it. That's what a coward does."

"Akira..." Talia nodded and a firm look crossed her face. "Then we'll help too!" Her Digivice began to glow again. The other three looked at one another and nodded. An emblem appeared on the screens. "AncientSphinxmon buy time!"

"Got it!" Akira looked at his teammates and wondered what he had done to get such great friends.

"You grew up to be someone to be proud of, someone you would want to follow."

He froze. "M-Mom..."

"Goodbye my son. I love you so much. Live, I beg this of you." For a moment, he saw her smile, kind and loving, a predecessor of his own, of both of his siblings'.

"Mom!"



Luca fell backwards, toppling over. His body was in so much pain, the Catal's sin was leaking out. Or it had been. Auntie.... Rage burned his throat, turning his face from pasty to red now, as the runes shining their endless violet. The Chaos was struggling inside of him. They were so close to the Catal Unit, it was inching to get out. Meanwhile, Tempest was looming over him, the formerly ice-blue eyes as blank as a slate.

"Having fun," he snapped at the boy, who didn't answer other than a burst of water. He broke through the ice and kept attacking, glancing at Dorugoramon and BanchoLeomon, who were trying to ignore the combat behind them. "What the hell do you three think you're doing? I had faith in you, you little idiot. Are you just gonna let that ******* control you? It's your head and guess what Leith?" He socked him in the stomach. "Kiri is your wielder, not this jerk! So..." He punched him to the ground. "Get up you damn coward!"

Coward? Sean stirred. Don't call me that.

Luca laughed and slashed his comrade's face open, seeing the gaping void with a vague satisfaction. "Then fight back. Wake the hell up!"

Easier said than done, Leith commented as he slowly awoke. We've lost too much energy keeping this body moving. You'll have to hit where our heart used to be. He's using the Core Program. And you know how to hit it I presume, Tamer?

Luca stopped and crouched. "Who the hell do you think I am?" Letting the Chaos burn just slightly around his fingertips and fist, he charged, dodging the swinging silver. "I may not be able to beat you in a straight up fight but when it comes to playing dirty..." He whipped behind his friend and punched through, careful not to crack the Core. "I'm the best there is!" Tempest woke suddenly, surrounded by ice-blue light. Ogudomon watched, unafraid.

The second the light faded and Tempest landed, looking furious, Luca hit the ground, bleeding and ripped to shreds. In those last seconds, Tempest had hit hard.


"We need to kill him, right?" Anna questioned in regards to Kikyo's statement.

"It doesn't matter now," she said. "It won't bring Miss Reiko's soul back, it won't repair theirs, any of it. It..." She fell silent and her eyes turned the color of ice. "We've wasted enough time, enough lives," she muttered, lifting her left hand toward a pillar in the center of the room. A lightless orb hovered above it. Davis stirred.

"That... it feels kinda familiar."

"Is that... the power of Miracles?" That was Anna.

Davis nodded, eyes bright. "That's it concentrated all right. I almost forgot it."

"What do we do next?" Sora asked.

"Go and fight."  Kari's tone was strained. "We need to break those curses."

"Wait, you mean fight Ogudomon?" Mimi's voice was strained.

"How else will we truly free those two?" TK retorted, placing his hand over the exit door. It opened at his touch. "Miss Reiko's sacrifice will mean nothing if we don't get the Catal away."

"We'll be fine," Kari said with a strange cheer. "Sana and Akira are there. It'll work."

"Right!" Matt said decisively. "Let's do this!"

Kikyo went to the place where Reiko had been standing. Just like before, a grey light pulsed. "Do attempt to hurry," the girl muttered weakly. "Keeping it still is a bit of a pro-" She fell silent, Data Interface activating. As she did, the door opened and Willis ran out first, followed by Catherine. The others quickly followed.

They came out to see Relena crouched over someone, her face pale.. "Luca, I swear if you cause me this much trouble again, I'll make you regret meeting me."

The blonde choked out a laugh. "Sure I don't already?"

"*******."

He turned his head toward the battle. "Where the hell's Tempest?"

"Killing things. Where else?" For a moment the boy flashed into their vision, spearing one of Ogudomon's legs. Then he was gone, having been knocked brutally aside only to stand back up.

"Highland Fang!"
 
"Terra Force!"
 
"Mach Stinger V!"
 
"Dragon's Roar!"

 
Dino Tigemon, WarGreymon, TigerVespamon and Dynasmon attacked at the same time, leaving Ogudomon's weak spots available for the other Digimon.

"Terra Force!"

"Flash Bantyo Punch!"

"Metal Impulse!"


"Catedral!" The shockwave knocked them all back. As they got up, they saw Akira, who was staring almost blankly at the Catal. Then he shook his head and smacked his sister's body down. He moved to continue the assault, attacks fiercer than before. They could all faintly see it, a golden aura.

Kari suddenly shook her head, looking upset. "Akira is crying..." Dino Tigemon, WarGreymon, Dynasmon, TigerVespamon and Kentaurosmon attacked as one, focusing on the leg closest to them.

"You." Faolan's voice was hoarse, irritated as he looked at Blair and Jonathan. "You two have weapons don't you?"The neighbours didn't respond, merely pulled out their weapons and prepped them before attacking.

Sana dropped. "Don't attack recklessly," he scolded. "That's not what your weapons are for! You could hurt an ally instead. Look closely at your enemy."

"We weren't," Blair's voice came as she half-turned her head.
 
"That's right," Jonathan answered. "We were waiting for an opening, in case you missed that."

"Then you kids missed about six," someone remarked. "Honestly, that was bad even for newbies."

Sana snorted. "You're such an ass Samael." A familiar brown-haired male rolled his eyes as he landed on the ground, looking incredibly amused with a single raised eyebrow.

"And you weren't?"

"Yeah but for Sana it's not a default setting!" This came from Triesta, who was grinning widely, causing the elder to snicker. "He was just worried for Tempest's safety, considering we have a girl with fiery arrows trained in the wrong direction and a boy who could have just been stepped on."

"You really do love me don't you Triesta?" The girl rolled her eyes. 

"I'd rather be drowned again, thank ya kindly."
 
716
Posts
16
Years
Chapter 40: Touch of Frost

"Eh?" Blair's face half turned, showing her remaining eye with a confused expression.

There was a low groan from the older male and Samael rolled his eyes coldly. "Typical. More ignorant and inept that a cage of untrained monkeys."

Sana gave a calm sigh. "You do know that's rude, Erion?"

"I'm perfectly aware," came the answer. "And do avoid calling me that, there is no need to treat them like they have working brain cells when it is clear they do not."

"Ass," Triesta stated cheerily.

"I don't know what your problem is, Samael," Jonathan stated evenly. "But if you're here to help, then help. Don't go badmouthing Blair for no reason."

Samael opened his mouth but Triesta overrode him. "Don't take it personally, Samael's rude to pretty much everyone, probably due to the oak tree up his ass. The only person he isn't..."

The male glared at her. "Shut up about that."

Triesta rolled her eyes. "Hardly, you can't deny it. Anyway..." She suddenly moved, knocking the younger two out of the way of an energy wave. "Pay attention. He's after you for a reason. Also, Sana's right. Don't prep a weapon if you don't already have an opening locked on. You're just running in blind."

The two neighbours nodded.

To their surprise, Tempest went flying past them, bouncing on the ground and landing in a defeated heap. He struggled to move, reaching vainly with cracking fingers for a handhold. "Not... yet..." he panted. "Not... now... there's still a chance... please... don't give up now... she... we have to protect her...p-please..." He kept struggling.

"Who said we were giving up?" Dynasmon answered.

TigerVespamon stepped forward. "That's right." He looked around at the other Digimon, who were all fighting valiantly. "This ends now."

Tempest gave a bleary smile. "You're so stupid..." He stood up shakily and glared defiantly up at the Demon Lord. "This is it. One... last... try." As he spoke, the formerly muted ice-blue glow blazed bright, almost like a sun.

Ogudomon snorted. "You're well aware of what you will do to yourself if you attack like that?"

The three all wore a weak grin, the personalities sharing resolve. "Of course..."

"That's why we're doing it," Leith stated coolly. "What we wish for right now..."

"Is the miracle of this moment," Sean finished. "And that's what we're going to get." They moved, leaping over all of their heads. As the Digimon attacked, his partner took him up to the sky, holding him tightly as the light glowed brighter and brighter, almost too bright to see. The boy leapt, his tonfa sharpening like blades.

"You two," Relena stated to the D-Core keepers. "Destroy the eyes on his legs! Now!"

At once, Jonathan and Blair held up their D-Cores and the light emitted from them destroyed the eyes almost straight away.

Ogudomon roared in pain but laughed. "Silly Storien, you think this will change anything? Your life will change nothing you understand? Your sacrifice is worthless!"

"Of course it is to you," Sean retorted. "You don't understand it. And even if you did, it wouldn't matter. Even if it is worthless, we'll still do it! So..." He slashed downward and tore through the last eye and the Digi Core. "Who cares?" Ogudomon's data immediately began to disperse and the Digimon laughed.

"I am not the end," he hissed. "Sin will always flow in the worlds and one way or another I will return to make sure it surpasses any miracles."

"...Yeah?" Leith's voice was weak as he half-turned to look at him. The cracks reached his face now and his ice-blue eyes were almost blank as a genuine smile touched his lips. "Then someone else will kick your ass. Wish I could see it..." He fell, collapsed to the side as Ogudomon vanished completely from Crossroads. His body didn't move, and they could all hear the sound of breaking ceramic. Dorugoramon instantly devolved all the way down to his Baby level, looking weaker than they had ever seen.

"Leith!" Blair screamed and ran over to him, hesitating before placing a hand on his shoulder.

To her horror the shoulder cracked and fell from her fingers, revealing a black, gaping hole. "He didn't feel that." Relena's voice was hollowly soft. "He can't hear us anymore. The curse has finally consumed his body. He's just a living statue now."

Luca managed to stand up and kneel at the side of his friend. "The curse got to him ages ago," he said quietly. "When we were first summoned here actually. He should have fallen that day." He turned and locked gazes with Blair. "He forced his body to move, forced himself to live, for your sake."

"Then... he's gone?" Her voice seemed empty.

"Not for long," Zhuqiaomon said. "Don't you remember I said we had plans?" The Red Phoenix appeared, along with the other Sovereigns.

"His soul remains there," Relena stated, her tone growing cold at the sight of the Sovereign. "What's left of it anyway." She sneered at them and Ebonwumon's eyes flashed with guilt. "Lift your damned curse!" She raised her voice, so that Akira and the others could hear. "There are enough people dead, we don't need one more."

Ebonwumon gave Zhuqiaomon a pointed look, his eyes saying; you put it there, you remove it.

"Very well," Zhuqiaomon answered. He stepped forward and lightly touched the boy's body with one talon.

The boy's body began to shimmer, cracks slowly healing and the hole in his shoulder returning to the look of flesh and blood. His eyes slowly lost their glassy nature, filling with life again. When the glow faded, he was fully recovered but still didn't move.

Blair's eye widened slowly in disbelief. "He has to come back," she breathed.

There was a weak groan. "Don't tell me what I have to do girly," Sean quipped raspily. "I'll move my ass when I feel like it."

"Oh joy, he's back," Matt said good-naturedly.

Sean coughed. "Sort of." He inched to move, face pale and tired. "You guys... are real morons, you know that?"

"Oh?" Tai asked, sounding almost sardonic. "Why's that?"

"Well... maybe... cause of that?" A black cloud shot toward them, only for a faint blue barrier to disperse it. Sean's pale face was flushed with exhaustion. "We remnants... can't protect you like this forever... Besides, even if the curse is gone, there's still..."

"Sean... your kind are already in jeopardy," Ebonwumon's warning was soft, kindly. "Do not bring a darker punishment on yourselves than there already is."

"The war has been won," Zhuqiaomon stated. "So now let's witness what's happening in the real world. Fanglongmon, if you would..."

The golden dragon gave a muted nod; watching his Tamer as he created a screen for them all to see.

They turned their heads to the screen, with most of them gasping as they saw parts of the Digital World displayed in the sky over Odaiba.

"The borders have been weakening for a long time now," Luca commented almost to himself, turning to see Tomoe walking to their side. The girl's grey eyes were narrowed, hostility flickering in them. "The Schism is dangerously close to happening again."

"So how do we stop it?" Jonathan and Mimi asked at the same time, before glancing at each other in surprise.

Luca glanced up at the Catal Unit and back at his cousin, who was also staring at the device, his Elesyn glowing. "Miraculous Bonds."

"What do you mean by that?" Sora questioned.

"Bonds can bring out power," Akira stated, lifting the glowing screen toward the Catal Unit. "The Power to defy something that's already been decided. They bring about a Miracle, one with a true Golden Radiance." Wizardmon stirred. Those words sounded similar to his own warning a year ago.

"That's your power Akira-nii." Luca looked almost excited. "That's your power, Bonds!"

"That's wrong Luca," Relena smiled kindly. "That's everyone's power. That's why they are bonds."

"All you need to do with them," Sana grinned passively. "Is channel them. Channel that power to the best place to repair the pain and it heals."

The Digi-Destined closed their eyes and focused, holding their Digivices at chest level. Each of the Crests' powers and the strength of the hope that the remaining Destined had shone brightly.

Akira's Digivice resonated, matching their glow with his own. His team looked at one another, and pointed their Digivice crystals at Akira's Elesyn. Their Digimon grinned at them and gave firm nods. Their bodies instantly began to dissolve into data, the data pouring into their human's Digivices.

"Maybe we'll meet again," Monodramon offered shyly.

Sentri spoke for his leader. "Of course!"

As the partners vanished, Talia opened her mouth before closing it, looking upset. Rina jumped in gently. "Focus your hope towards Akira-nii's Digivice. He can channel it to where it needs to go."

Tai, Davis and Jonathan's teams, plus the Internationals aimed their Digivices at Akira's and all of the light shot towards it.

The device shone white and just like that, the Catal Unit resonated. The black diamond began to spin to the ground, turning grey.

Kiri's body started floating to a standing position and all of the wounds she had sustained in her fight against Ogudomon were healed. Life returned to her, slowly but surely.

The others' eyes widened, unable to believe what they were seeing. Kiri's vacant eyes seemed to flicker with life.

"Mama..." Tomoe's soft awe said it all. Akira grinned to himself.

"Good girl."

"Welcome back, Kiri." Jonathan answered. Relief was evident in everyone else's eyes.

"What happens now?" Tai asked the Sovereigns. "Do we go back to the real world?"

Kiri didn't speak at first, her grey eyes dull and wide. At Tai's question though, she pointed at the old door, which swung open to the real world. She frowned at him curiously, stare solemn. "Does that help?" Her voice was younger and slightly higher. The grey gaze held a spark of fear.

"Kiri, what's wrong?" Mimi questioned, looking between her leader and the younger girl in confusion.

The gaze locked on her now and true fear flared. "Who are you?"

"Oh great," Jonathan muttered worriedly. She doesn't remember us.

Kiri looked them all over, an almost calculating look in her eyes. "There's something... wait."

"Where do you remember them from?" Akira's voice was measured.

The girl glanced at her brother and back again. "I remember now: they're all dead."

A "Huh?" of surprise came from Izzy's mouth.

"You're all dead. My siblings and I saw the pictures on the screen, when Ogudomon enslaved us all. We were shown the battlefield where you fell, your corpses left to rot on the ground. We went back later and buried the bodies next to you," Her gaze went to Luca, voice never leaving the hollowly soft lilted monotone. "You were killed with your parents, because they resisted. You were made an example of."

Sean tried to sit up. "How old are you now?"

She simply blinked. "Eight."

Willis' eyes widened. "Something went wrong in the rebirth," he realized.

"Yes and no." Norn's tone had a new melodic tone to it. "Kiri could not be reborn from a death like that. She is no longer on a plain currently reachable through mortal methods. However, a bit of her soul, which has been residing in another world, could be returned to her body, which has plainly occurred."

"Oh," was all that the Destined could say.

"Is something the matter?" the girl asked, causing Akira to sigh kindly and muss her hair.

"They're overwhelmed." She nodded and a vaguely crestfallen look crossed her face.

"I'm sorry."

Noticing that the old door was still open, Jonathan asked the other groups if they wanted to come back with them to the real world.

"We need to," Talia said softly. "Our families..."

"Right then!" Davis declared. "Let's go." He made to rush off, but Yolei quickly grabbed his shirt's collar and pulled him back.

Willis clearly wanted to be around Kiri, but wasn't sure how her now eight-year-old self would react to a sixteen-year-old.

The girl smiled shakily and slipped a hand in his for a second. Then she went to help her friends up. Pulling Sean to his feet last, she mumbled, "Whatever you did, you overdid it Sean."

He froze. "You remember me?"

"Of course," Kiri replied. "We're friends. And you saved me."

He flushed. "Just repaying a debt." She giggled quietly and returned to Willis' side.

"You're warm," she said simply and took his hand again.

The Colorado-born teen blushed in embarrassment and walked with her as Sana and Akira's teams followed Tai, Davis and Jonathan's.

Akira smiled slyly. "Don't get in too much trouble now," he teased, causing Liam and Talia to roll their eyes.

Everyone walked through the door, going through the Gate and emerging in the real world.

Sean was instantly tackled by his sister and they stumbled and fell back. Melissa was in tears.

Most of the Digi-Destined's parents came forward and hugged their children, tears streaming from their eyes.

Sentri and Rina looked uncertainly at their leader, who smiled sadly and nodded. Both shook their heads firmly and stubbornly remained. Akira shrugged and gestured silently as he left. His family and team followed, Sana leading any others who wanted to join. Sean paused, glanced at the Chosen, and joined them, allowing Jordan to steer him on.

Catherine didn't hesitate in following Luca, which left the other Digi-Destined milling about. In the end, they kept to themselves, with Blair looking pensively in Sean's direction.

"Where are you two going?" A calm, light voice resounded, causing Leith and Melissa to turn. Leith frowned pensively and tilted his head while Melissa, surprisingly, to let out a low growl. Her brother looked over.

"Melissa what-?"

"What the hell do you think you're doing here, you stupid old *****?" Melissa's screech was definitely unexpected and Leith flinched away.

The woman frowned. "That's not the best way to treat your grandmother after fourteen years Melissa. We thought your parents had raised you better."

Wondering what would happen, a small group of the Destined watched.

"You should have raised us!" the girl screamed, eyes full of a sick hate. "You left us behind in that ****** place all that time! Why? Why did you abandon us?"

"You can blame your father for that, your father and your hiding partner." The woman's tone never wavered as she looked over at Leith, recognition in her eyes.

The opposing hazel eyes flashed. "Don't you dare blame my Digimon!" Melissa ran to attack the middle-aged woman, only to punch Leith, who had gotten in the way. Leith forced to spin and held her firmly by her wrists. "Let go Leith! Let go of me! Let me get her! Let go!"

"No," her brother replied sadly. "Sarah didn't do anything wrong."

"She didn't do anything at all, her or Grandpa!" the older redhead retorted, still struggling. "If-If they had just stepped in, we never, we never would have..."

"You would have never met me," retorted the soft voice of a Digimon, a Yokomon. "That would have been so lonely Melissa." The older girl froze, tears streaming down her face.

"Dad would have killed her," Leith reminded her. "He hated Digimon and he hated Sarah and Fayte for having them. You know that. He denied them being our guardians; there wasn't any way they could have done anything."

The teams wondered who the lady was and Anna asked how a human could hate Digimon so much.

"Her name is Sarah Harper," Leith began solemnly. "She's our grandmother and one of the first users of Armor Evolution. As for our father..."

"A Digimon killed his parents," the woman replied simply.

Luca snorted. "The rumours say one killed mine, big freaking whoop."

"Would you be saying the same thing if you saw them killed in front of your eyes?" she asked him quietly.

"I dunno," he answered, slightly testy. "I haven't had that experience have I?"

"All right, Luca, lay back." Akira stepped forward, smiling kindly at them all. "We're all tired and stressed and gonna jump each other in a minute. Why don't we talk later?" Melissa looked ready to disagree but the older male knelt and whispered something in her ear. She stilled and went limp, prompting Leith to release her. Gently he tugged her forward and she followed, hazel eyes full of muted misery.

"Boy," Sarah began softly, causing Akira to look back as the others left. "You're finally free from Limbo after six years yet you still wear such a fake smile."

Akira blinked before shrugging. "I guess I expected something to be different," he replied softly. "I guess I forgot there was no one waiting for me." With that depressing comment, he walked away, whistling merrily. "See you later Chosen," he called, sounding happy again. "Don't be surprised if your friends avoid you tomorrow!"

"Okay," Matt whispered in a hoarse voice.

Mimi had gone over to Jonathan's side while Akira, Luca and Sarah had been talking and said something softly in his ear, to which he nodded. They left, with Jonathan saying he'd meet up with Tai and Davis' teams tomorrow.

Kiri paused for a moment and watched them, with what should have been young eyes ancient with trauma. "Bye-bye," she whispered as she left, looking exhausted as her fingers brushed against her throat.
 

Fuyu

The answer is at the top...
3,079
Posts
15
Years
  • Age 29
  • Home
  • Seen Mar 24, 2024
Chapter 41: Exchanging Hearts

"You're staring off into space again," a sing-song voice commented in Samael's ear. The male jumped and glared behind him at Sana, who was looking amusedly down at him. They rested in the Digital World, uncomfortable in the human world that wasn't theirs.

"Must you always bother me when I'm thinking Prince?" Samael gave a low growl, causing his leader to laugh.

"You think too much Erion," replied the red-head, looking out at the Digital night sky. "...It's over now," he said softly.

"It's only over in this world. Our goal isn't completed."

"Spoilsport," grumbled Triesta as she walked over. "Can't you just be happy? The other three can come here now, the worlds aren't able to be shredded again, and we'll get to go home. Can't you at least pretend to give a ****?" Siara limped to their side. Old habits died hard.

"Tch, you're one to talk."

"Enough, the pair of you," Faolan ordered tersely. "Look up at the stars." The four obeyed and saw one shining brighter than the others. "There's a Gate opening in that world. I have a feeling that one of our own is waiting."

"Only one?" Siara said softly. "Then that's..."

Samael paled and clenched his fists tight. "Rion."

Triesta gave a sympathetic smile. "It's gonna be fine."

"Easy for you to say," the genius whispered. "You didn't kill him."

"Rion never seemed like the type to hate anybody Erion," Sana stated with a solemn nod. "I think it'll be okay." Samael glowered.

"How can you say you know my brother better than I do?"

"Maybe because I talked to him?" The older teen gritted his teeth and didn't reply.



The Digi-Destined found themselves quietly alone for the first time in a long time. None of Kiri's team was near. Willis and Catherine were talking quietly to each other, both with bothered expressions.

"Didn't expect you two here," Matt noted and Lopmon snorted derisively.

"I don't think anyone expected you to look so girly but there's nothing we can do about that either."

Willis sighed. "Lopmon..."

"What?"

"...Never mind," the blond mumbled, flashing Matt an apologetic look.

Blair snickered quietly at the remark and Jonathan frowned pensively. "Where are they?"

"Who knows?" Terriermon said tiredly. "Akira said they were busy yesterday and nearly slammed the door in our faces. Then again, he looked like he was in the middle of something."

Catherine nodded. "I think they were talking, not quite sure about what though. We went by today and the door was locked." Before Jonathan could wonder aloud what was happening, his phone rang.



Jonathan frowned to himself. He had no clue, almost literally, what to expect right now. Leith had suddenly called both himself and Blair to speak with his grandmother. They were where they said they were, sitting inside a small hotel room. Or rather, the woman was sitting up and Leith was next to her, laying there limply. On the other bed was an adult with white-blond hair. He wore a vacant smile and his eyes slid from one teen to the other, expression almost frozen.

"So you came after all," the woman said quietly, absently stroking her grandson's hair.

"We did," Wizardmon answered.

"Is something the matter?" Jonathan asked politely.

Sarah smiled down at the motionless boy next to her. "Tempest... he wishes for me to warn you of something that may come."

"Alright," Wormmon nervously spoke.

The male, who had been previously silent, spoke now. "You all are much too tense. There's nothing to be afraid of, nothing for you as of yet."

"Well Fayte, at least they aren't as bad as Len," commented a quiet tone from a small yellow fox. The Viximon waved its tail as it joined the man.

"Thank Goddess," Sarah mumbled. "Tell us; what do you two know of Armor Evolution?

"We know that Veemon, Hawkmon and Armadillomon are ancient Digimon who possess the power to Armour Digivolve. Other than that, we don't know much at all," Wizardmon admitted.

"Many other Digimon possess the power inside them," came a soft voice. It was a Biyomon, one with a gruesomely scarred left eye socket. "Ourselves for instance." She gave them a warm smile with her beak, not seeming to notice the long made scar.

"Leith," Sarah ordered quietly. "Show them." Leith's hand moved limply to his pocket and he held something out, his crystal from before.

"It's a Virtue Gem," the boy said, almost unable to be heard. "It has a trait inside of it, like a Crest. This one's..."

"Miracles," Sarah explained quietly. "Mine."

"So that explains how Dorumon was able to Digivolve to... uh..." Wormmon hesitated, momentarily forgetting the name of Dorumon's Mega level.

"Alphamon," came Dorumon's sad tone. "I hate that form. Hate it so much."

Why hate being a Royal Knight? Wizardmon asked mentally. Has something happened in the past while you were in that form?

I hate it because it's useless, Dorumon thought coldly to himself, once again sounding unlike the child he acted like. It can't do anything, it can't protect anyone, all because of honor and pride. I hate it.

Wizardmon sighed, almost in despair. "I didn't realize that being a Royal Knight could be that bad," he replied softly.

Leith rolled over and rested his hand on his partner's head. "It depends on who you ask, and how you are," replied the Storien. "I think Dorumon did his best and that was enough." The boy's glassy stare and voice never left the whisper or empty inflection.

"That's a reasonable response," Jonathan responded.

Sarah laughed musically. "I do love your way of thinking," she mumbled. "Tempest..."

"What?"

"You seem troubled."

"...I'm scared Sarah."

"Of what?" Wormmon timidly questioned.

"I'm going to make more suffer,"Tempest was staring hollowly out. "And there's no way for me to stop it."

"Oh, that's..." The foursome didn't know what to say really, so they trailed off.

Sarah sighed and stroked his head again. "That's something you can keep an eye on. The earth can be infected with Tempest's power, who is like a virus, which can corrupt. If you keep your Digivices with you, it will likely be able to fix that."

"Ah..." Fayte started to speak but fell silent.

"What's the matter?"

"Ah, I just thought... these two have never heard of the Twin Program."

"It's hasn't been used in a while so no wonder."

"What's the Twin Program?" Wizardmon questioned.

Fayte smiled to himself and opened a drawer, and pulled out a piece of paper. On it was a picture of two Digivices, foils of each other. Then he pulled out something else, a strange bracelet with a hole shaped like the crystals they wore. "On the picture are Digimon Twin, the only Digivices we ever saw for the longest time. They could counteract Tempest's unintentional corruption of the Digital World."

"How long ago were they created?" Wormmon inquired.

Fayte simply shrugged. "Who knows? Likely not long after Yggdrasil's birth."

"They're meant to be a fail-safe," Dorumon said suddenly, golden eyes dark and intense. "They're meant to purify the corruption of the God of this World, just like the Storien are to be for the Chosen Children." Wizardmon merely nodded.

"So in the end," the Digimon mused, glancing at Sarah. "Things haven't changed at all, have they?"

"Not a bit," the woman replied, turning her gaze to Jonathan and Blair. Leith tossed the gem into the air, causing Blair to catch it. "I wonder, if they will resonate with you as well. It only reacts to those it finds worthy bearers of the trait." The crystal glowed brightly in Blair's hand.

Leith watched silently and spoke to Sean. Do you think this implies something?

I think it implies it's a miracle she's with us.

Are you saying I would have killed her?

You are impatient with those you think slow on the uptake.

That's true. However, a part of him was greatly relieved.

Wizardmon, does this mean I should have been a Crest holder? Blair asked her partner.

I'm not sure but, by the looks of it, yes. The elf answered.

Fayte watched with interest for a moment then shrugged. "All Chosen have an inclination toward that trait supposedly but it wouldn't surprise me if you were." Leith sat up abruptly and moved toward the window. Dorumon watched him as he pulled out a familiar crimson orb. "Calling your friends Leith?"

"... Maybe." For a moment, he looked at Blair, almost into her soul. "It's good," he said softly. "That it resonated with you. It means that you definitely have the strength. It means it's all right for me to go."

"Go where?" She asked, looking confused.

"Wherever the Sovereign wish me to go," came the quiet reply. "All I know is that I have to leave Sean and I don't think I want to."

"I'm sorry that they have plans for you," she whispered.

"It's not me I fear for," replied the male, watching the orb shine. "It's Sean. Even with Tempest here, he's still alone." A haunted despair-filled expression crossed his face and both teens saw tears on Leith's face for the first time. "I can't leave him alone," the boy whispered, voice filled with defeat. "He's not ready yet, I can't just leave him. I've been at his side for so long. I can't..." He lost his words and simply let his tears fall in silence. The two teens were silent, feeling Leith's pain but not knowing how to help him.

Dorumon nuzzled the weapon's arm. "Come on now Leith," the Digimon said quietly. "Don't cry. You're supposed to be strong remember? Sean isn't supposed to see you cry. And you're not really gonna leave. I'm right here and a piece of you is in my Digicore: those memories of Guilmon. And don't worry, 'cause Sean isn't alone. I'll stay as long as I can and besides; you just said it would be okay. You said Blair was here so it would be okay. Right?" the Rookie asked, glancing at the two teens innocently.

"That's right, Dorumon," Wizardmon answered.

Dorumon smiled merrily at his partner, nuzzling his face energetically. He grabbed Leith suddenly by the hand and yanked the boy onto his back. He leapt from the window, laughing excitedly.

Sarah smiled faintly. "He has such an excitable partner, my grandson," she mused. Looking up at the two remaining, she nodded firmly. "If you'd like to leave, you may. I suspect you'll want to catch up with them."

Jonathan and Blair leaped onto the window as well and jumped down, with their partners Warp Digivolving to Dynasmon and TigerVespamon as the humans fell. They were caught by the Megas in time and they continued on after Dorumon and Leith.

Dorumon sang out with laughter and after a moment, Leith was laughing as well, almost looking carefree. Dorumon glanced back and hurried. "Come on!" the Digimon called. "We have to hurry and say hello. They're almost here!"

"We're coming, don't worry!" Dynasmon called, his tone still aristocratic.

Dorumon glanced at his partner. "Whatcha think Leith?"

"I dunno," his partner replied sleepily, eyes slipping shut. "It's kinda uncertain, ain't it? The future."

"It should be."

"Don't think it matters now though," Leith mumbled. "The eight are going to finally be united again. We can worry... later..." He slipped unconscious, barely held on by his partner.

Dorumon smiled softly. You fought really hard protecting everybody. Just rest now, I'll keep an eye out.




As the three landed on the ground with their Digimon, two figures appeared from a gate, both female. One was an older teen with short strawberry blonde hair and green eyes, her hair streaked red, dressed in a T-Shirt and baggy pants. The other was a small, mousy-looking child with brown hair and an olive-green dress. Kari stilled and couldn't hold back her cry.


"You're Mica and Arlen!" Her eyes glowed with excitement as she looked. "You two are okay?"


Tai turned and frowned. "You know them?"


"They're two of ours," Sana stated cheerily as he strolled from nowhere. "Yo," he greeted. The older female's eyes lit up and she walked over. However, instead of greeting him, she punched him in the stomach. Sana half-fell, but was grinning widely, looking amused.


"*******!" she shouted. "I thought you were stuck in hell for all this time! I've been thinking you were dead and that's what you say?"


The other girl looked bothered. "C-Come on Lady Arlen," she mumbled. "He's okay, that's good, right?"


"Not even close!"


There was a low laugh. "Our Lady hasn't changed, has she?" Mica whipped around to see Faolan observing her with a small smile. "Spriet," he greeted warmly. "I missed you so much." She walked over to him and hugged him once.


"Missed you too." Samael watched these interactions with a growing nervousness.


"You're really jumpy," Matt said quietly. Samael snorted.


"Weren't you?"


Matt frowned. "...Yeah. But TK forgave me for being an idiot, why wouldn't your brother forgive you?"


There was a cold laugh. "As far as I recall, you didn't kill TK."


Matt rolled his eyes. "Yeah but I came close. You prevented that."


He earned a shrug. "I just didn't want history to repeat itself."


"I'm sure."


Samael stiffened and looked toward the other side of the meeting place. Five people were walking toward them. One they all knew at once. It was Jay, who was talking with a girl with brown-blond hair. Her expression was shyly happy and she giggled at whatever he was talking about. Jay looked amused as he related the tale. A taller female with orange hair was watching the pair, her eyes showing a warmth her expression didn't portray. Next to her was a male with spiky black hair. He rolled his eyes and snorted while the other male grinned cheerily at him. The spiky teen slapped his foil's hand away and watched with interest as Jay looked over and waved childishly.


"Hi! It's been a while," the boy greeted. "We won!"


"Your leader's not here," Sana commented, ignoring Arlen's angry growls from behind.


The spiky male smirked. "She's sleeping."


"Sleeping off what, huh Daichi?" the other muttered slyly, causing the first to punch him.


"Shut up Alex." Alex laughed and laughed, grinning with an infectious mischief, causing the other boy to crack a grin.


"Boys," the older female said flatly, eyes betraying only the faintest amusement. "They have the brains of tadpoles at the best of times." Jay and the other girl looked at one another and burst into giggles, amused by a joke only they knew. Everyone watched this exchange in puzzlement, until Kitsune suddenly twitched. "Feel that?"


Instantly, the others froze. The other girl shivered. "Something is running here at a very high speed. Ah... it took off!"


"Gigastick Lance!" All of them dodged instantly. There appeared a winged dragon with dark blue and yellow armor, the lance on its right side radiating power.


"Found you brats!" it hissed. "Time for vengeance."


"Tch," Daichi grumbled. "We picked a bad time for our Digimon to be resting. Jay you said Lucemon's close earlier right?" Jay nodded.


"He's tired though. We'll have to do without him for a while."


Alex glanced at him. "Think ya can fight?"


He earned a nod. "I'm gonna protect Yuu-chan," the twelve-year-old said firmly. "No matter what."


The girl flushed shyly. "Jay..."


Alex smirked. "I like those words. Let's go! Kitsune, keep Yuuko close ya got it?"


"Don't tell me what to do now," she muttered derisively, moving to step back near the others.


"We'll help," Jonathan began but Yuuko shook her head.


"P-Please don't," she said softly. "Too many fighters will inter-look out!" She knocked Blair out of the way of a Dark Roar, the large dark blast hitting her directly. Kitsune cursed, actually losing her temper.


"Why did you choose now to be reckless," she hissed, moving to Yuuko's side. Yuuko's irises were almost engulfed by her pupils and her whole body shook. Without warning she started screaming. Jay turned. His blood-red eyes darkened visibly. Immediately Alex and Daichi stepped away.


"Shit," Daichi breathed. "Yuuko get up. Hurry..."


"Jay's about to lose it," Alex moaned.


Darkdramon snorted. "Oh how terrifying. He can't possibly-" A fist rammed into his face, knocking him back. Jay landed gently on the ground, fists up. A violent smile appeared on his face, eyes hidden underneath his bangs.


"Weak," the boy hissed and Jonathan could feel it: both sides of Jay were aware right now, and both were seriously angry. "A Mega level and that's all you've got?"


"Hmph," the dragon snorted. "Gigastick Lance!" The boy dodged, using the attack as a platform as he balanced on one hand, kicking the dragon's throat. The onslaught got abruptly stronger, and Jay kept moving too quickly.


"Emotion Amplification," Alex muttered. "His specialty."


"We can't stop him like this," Kitsune stated, gently stroking the crying Yuuko's hair as the darkness pulled and ripped at the girl's heart.


"... You hurt Yuuko," the boy hissed, eyes full of pure hatred. Like Jordan's, Jonathan thought randomly and shivered. "I'll kill you and make you pay." He raised a fist and broke through the Digizoid armor.


"Now that's not like you Jay!" A cheery voice said. A brunette was standing, literally, on the highest tree branch. Next to her a small dragon balanced precariously.


Daichi groaned and facepalmed. "Renna you imbecile." Jay glanced up and almost instantly stopped, moving toward the ground to watch.


The brown-haired girl grinned, having heard. "Yeah, yeah Daichi, you ass I've heard it all before." She cracked her knuckles. "Alright you bastard!" The girl roared at the enemy. "I'm gonna state your track record for everybody who gives a ****! You've attacked my team unfairly, hurt Yuuko, and pissed off Jay! All when I wasn't here! Damn!" Her face wore a wise-ass smirk. "You must have a death wish."


"Well what are you gonna do about it? You're nothing special!" the Mega challenged.


"Heheh." For some reason, Jay was snickering. The older three were all wearing small smirks on their faces. Even the fallen girl was smiling faintly through her pain.


Renna looked amused. "What am I gonna do?" she repeated, looking interested. "Well, it's obvious what'll happen next:" She leapt off, her right palm suddenly bright with power. "We're gonna kick your ass! Let's go Ryudamon!"


"Of course Miss," the dragon replied promptly. "Ryudamon Warp Digivolve to... OwRyumon!" The golden armored dragon didn't even give a chance. "Eiseiryuoujin!" He threw both blades into the Digimon's chest just as Renna's fist connected, enveloping everything in a bright explosion.

When the light faded, Renna appeared, coughing. She grinned. "Well that good aim was a fluke."


"Definitely," Daichi muttered with a sly grin. Jay knelt at his friend's side, and let out a faint light. Slowly she began to calm and sat up. After a moment, she hugged the albino around the neck.


"D-Don't," she whispered. "D-Don't... again...please..." Jay nodded slowly, returning her embrace.


"We won't," he replied simply.


"Jay!" A child's voice cried. All of the Destined saw Samael freeze again, his expression full of apprehension. Out came a child, one with light brown hair and wide green eyes. He wore a blue shirt and black pants. The boy hurried to his friend's side. "You did something weird," the boy cried. "What did you do?" He abruptly paused and turned, locking eyes with Samael, who was pale.


"Rion..." The younger gulped, suddenly looking scared. For a moment, it seemed like he would flee. But then, he turned and ran, straight towards his brother.


"Sammy!" He tripped and the older male caught him, the crying boy. "You left me!" wailed the child. "You left me behind! I was scared! You promised you wouldn't do that! I thought you hated me!"


Samael remained still for a moment, before smiling softly, almost to himself. "Yeah... I know. I'm sorry Rion."


Sana watched with approval and gestured for the others to leave. They complied, except for Renna and her team, who couldn't move Yuuko just yet.


"See you tonight," the dragon commented.




The night was as lively as it had been the first time they had celebrated, only it seemed more so. The Ferro family was practically everywhere, welcoming the return of the children who had been sealed away. Jonathan reflected that if he hadn't been in this house before, he would have gotten lost. Wormmon was scuttling at his side, He stopped abruptly, looking ahead.

"Wormmon?"

"S-Something's wrong," the timid Rookie replied and hurried on. Jonathan followed and saw someone crouched on the floor. The person looked up, revealing Willis. The sixteen-year-old's expression was upset but his blue eyes turned relieved.

"Thank God," he muttered, standing up. "I didn't want to leave her by herself." The male stepped away and Jonathan glimpsed Kiri curled up in herself, hands over her head. Her whole body was shaking and her pupils were smaller than normal.

"What's the matter with her?" he asked.

Willis shook his head. "I don't know, she won't tell me. I'm gonna go get Akira." He was gone before Jonathan could think of refusing.Confused at what was going on and concerned for a team-mate, Jonathan approached Kiri and knelt beside her.

Kiri shook her head, gaze toward the wall, toward someone only she could see. "D-Don't w-wanna go... ev-everyone's d-dying. Don't make me leave...P-Please C-Captain, don't make me." Jonathan glanced at Kiri, wondering who this "Captain" was.

Her eyes suddenly locked on him and they seemed to shine with despair mixed with recognition. "Why...?" she whispered. "I was fine with dying... that was okay, but why... why didn't you take the chance when you had it? You could have saved her! You've been fighting all this time so you could save her!"

"Save who, Kiri?" The male asked.

"Your friend, Captain" Kiri's voice managed to grow stronger. "The one... who you saw with Ogudomon, that one with black hair." Jonathan froze when he realized Kiri was referring to him as Captain and that the girl she just mentioned was Blair. Without warning, Kiri's hands shot out and grabbed his collar, but not trying to hurt him. "Why?" She whispered. "Tell me why. Why did you abandon her? She needs you, there's no one else left right now! Why do you keep abandoning people?"


"I haven't abandoned Blair..." He whispered. "But as for the Blair of that world, if she is waiting for me, how do I help her?"

"Help your counterpart," Akira replied softly, walking past and rapping his knuckles on Kiri's forehead. The girl blinked, suddenly awake. She let go of Jonathan, shaking her head slowly.

"Why...?" Her eyes looked briefly lost.

"You were flashing back again," her brother said, causing her to pale.

"O-Oh." She turned and gave Jonathan a small, hurried bow. "I-I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Jonathan answered.

Kiri said nothing, merely looked away. Akira frowned and glanced at Jonathan. "I can answer your questions, if you'd like. She and I were talking yesterday."Jonathan simply nodded."What do you want to know first? I think we only have time for specifics."

"What happened to Blair? Why did Kiri call me Captain? How did Ogudomon come into power? What kind of person am I in that world?"

"During the Digimon attack on Hikarigaoka back then, Ogudomon got crafty and made a move early." Akira's voice turned to ice. "He killed the Odaiba Chosen that were scanned that day. It wasn't long after that he took control, having no one able to stop him. Apparently, our family was with the Ferros, having a reunion, and your parents and Blair's had been invited out of friendly behavior. But Blair's weren't alive for long."

"So in this other world, it wasn't Myotismon who killed Blair's parents?" Jonathan inquired.

"W-We dunno," Kiri replied shakily. "But she thinks... she thinks you did and more than anything she wants you dead."

"I would never do that," Jonathan insisted.

"We know," Kiri replied, watching him. "But Blair was hurt more and Daemon and Ogudomon are strong in emotional brainwashing. So she believed them and you clinched it when she found you clutching her mother's body. That was when you changed and when you became who you are."

"I don't understand."

"You're..." Kiri trailed off, looking suddenly contrite. "I don't want to offend you." Jonathan stared at Kiri, slightly perplexed. She returned the gaze unflinchingly after a moment, deciding he wouldn't let her hide it. "You're a quiet, dark person. You keep an eye on everyone but you never get too close, not like when it started. You... you want revenge and... you've forgotten that there are people fighting this battle. As of recently, our Captain's temper, usually so calm, has been hair-trigger. If Akira-nii wasn't around as your second, no one would follow you, not that many initially have."

"I'm not like the Jonathan in this other world," the teen insisted, looking pleadingly at Akira.

Akira gave a faint little grin and, oddly enough, mussed the younger leader's hair. "We know man. Don't worry. People here believe in you. There, there are very few who do." Jonathan still had a half confused expression on his face, but smiled anyway.

"It's probably because of his age when he began commanding," Kiri said softly. "He were eight years old when the Sovereign called him. Some were older and didn't like being commanded by a "child"."

"Well, he's eleven now," Akira said suddenly, moving his hand. "And to me, he sounds like a brat that needs straightening out. Who better to give it to him than an older counterpart right?"

"Inter-world travelling isn't rough, is it?" Jonathan inquired, looking worried.

Akira simply shrugged his shoulders. "Not on you," he replied simply, glancing at his sister. "Will you be all right? Your body's still not recovered."

Kiri nodded. "If he really wants to do this, then I can handle it."


"You sure, Kiri?" Jonathan questioned, before turning to Akira. "I take it they live in a parallel Odaiba?"

Kiri nodded. "I chose to follow the Captain in this Revolution," she said firmly. "but even Sean and I are starting not to trust him. We need to remind him of the truth, of why he started fighting in the first place. Otherwise," Her fists clenched. "I'll have to take more than just a piece. Someone will have to die."

Akira nodded darkly. "As close as it'll get."

"Alright, let's do this," the other male stated. Kiri grasped Jonathan's hand and stepped back. In an instant, the pair was gone and Jonathan found himself floating in a strange space. "Wha-? Huh, where are we?"

"Between," came his guide's reply, releasing his hand as she walked forward. As she walked, she grew younger, losing the age that Kiri's body had given her. "To those outside it takes only a few seconds to pass but here it may seem like forever." Jonathan blinked. What just happened? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Kiri glanced at him with a child's old eyes, her outfit one of thin, old clothing. "Why are you staring?" she asked curiously, moving her bangs from her face.

"Uh, no reason," he replied quickly. "When will we arrive at the parallel Odaiba?"

"Now," came the quiet reply as they stepped down onto concrete. The city around them was quiet, almost deathly so. Some of the buildings were crumbling and others had toppled completely. Kiri walked forward, not seeming to notice the destruction around her.

"****," Jonathan breathed, looking around himself at the ruined district. "How did this happen?"

"When Ogudomon took over, his Demon Lords made an example of Odaiba and other districts. Almost everyone was killed. The Chosen and their families were sucked into the Digital World at the last second by the Sovereign. The Gods used up almost all that was left of their free power in that act." Kiri 's eyes passed over as she turned left into an alley, looking completely unconcerned. Her voice never changed from the monotone, but her eyes glinted coldly. "No one's attempted to repair it: they're too afraid that Ogudomon will kill them."

The sixteen-year-old sighed heavily. "Jeez... so where's my upstart counterpart?"

"This way." Her hand rested on a brick wall. It passed through and she walked forward, waiting in front of a steel door.

"This is the Storien pathway," a female voice stated. "State your number."

"Number Zero," Kiri replied confidently. There was a pause.

"P-Please repeat." The voice commanded shakily.

Kiri smiled faintly. "I am Number Zero, Kiriko Ryutori. Come on Relena, you should know who I am." Another pause and suddenly the door spun into nothing and a blond girl leapt out, tackling Kiri hard.

"I'm dreaming," the nine-year-old whispered. "I have to be..."

"Nope," Kiri replied softly. "This is real." She gently removed her friend and looked at Jonathan. "Come on, this way."

"Hold it," Relena ordered. "Kiri, you're supposed to be dead. Just what are you doing here?"

"World travel," the eight-year-old stated.

"We're here to teach Jonathan a lesson," the male answered.

The girl blinked in confusion as a creature, a Keramon, went to her side. "C'mon we gotta close the door," it hissed. The pair nodded and pushed the older male in, shutting the door behind him. Around him, lights burst to life.

"Different world?" Relena asked as soon as they were walking down stairs. Kiri nodded, for some reason stroking her neck again. Relena saw and flinched. "I'll take him then. You... you should go check on Sean. Maybe... maybe you can wake him up." Kiri nodded emotionlessly, turning down another path. Relena squeezed Jonathan's hand tightly and yanked him down the farthest, as though trying to get away form her best friend. Jonathan followed the younger Relena.

Relena shuddered to herself. "Scary..." she mumbled. "No one expected this, not at all. And to think she remembers her head being cut off..."

Keramon shook his head. "Don't be afraid, I'll keep you safe no matter what. That's my job as your partner."

"... I know." She stopped at a door and knocked. "Are you asleep yet?"

There was a quiet for a moment. "Not even close. If you're bringing pills Relena, you know I won't take them."

"I'm not," she said, sounding slightly cross, gripping her Digivice in her left hand, concealing her fury. "Someone wants to talk to you."

"...If it's about the execution plan, I won't hear it. That route was the only way for the event to work."

"I don't know what he wants to say, just let him in and let him say it."

"... It's unlocked." Relena twisted the knob and nearly slammed it open. With a small scowl, she entered first.

Jonathan followed, elicting a very loud gasp of surprise from the upstart. "Hello Jonathan," the elder said, staring at the younger with disapproval in his eyes.

The younger paused a moment. "Either a future vision or another world," the boy muttered, instantly returning to calm. "More probable the second one. What are you here for? Are you going to help us win or are you just going to keep glaring at me like an angry parent? I can go home to deal with that."

"Or just go to the mess hall," Relena muttered icily only to shrink back at the ice-blue glare that was sent her way.

"I'm here because I heard the Blair of this world thinks you killed her parents."

The eleven-year-old snorted. "That's it?" he asked, coldly incredulous. "I thought you were here to be some use, not bring up a past I don't even know. It's not like it'll matter for much longer anyway."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, before placing his hands together and cracking them outwards. "Hold still, this won't hurt." He strode towards the other, eyes narrowing. The sixteen-year-old grabbed the pre-teen by the shirt collar and shoved him up against the wall. "Don't interfere, Relena." The elder commanded. "If you really want to win against Ogudomon, then you need to believe in yourselves." He punched the eleven-year-old in the stomach before slamming him into the ground, the boy was already unconscious. Jonathan straightened, and turned to Relena. "We will return and help you fight off the Demon Lords, that is my vow."

Relena snorted. "Knocking him unconscious won't do ****, believe me." Keramon hissed at the curse word. "Oh shut up. You know we've all kicked his head in."

"That said..." a weak voice rasped. "You're really gonna come back?" Kiri walked into the room, supporting a familiar brown-haired male who had spoken. Sean gave him a weak green stare, the child's expression exhausted.

"Kiri why'd you bring him here?" Relena scolded.

"I asked," the boy murmured hazily.

"You just woke up from a coma," she muttered irritably.

"Yes, Sean. We will come back," Jonathan answered.

The boy nodded weakly. "'Kay... but you'd better keep your promise. Otherwise, on my vow as a Storien, I'll tear you to pieces." His head lolled and he slipped unconscious. Kiri carefully moved him to rest in Relena's arms and watched Jonathan.

"Whenever you're ready." Jonathan nodded and took her hand. As they reappeared back in their world, Kiri's hand fell from his, still small and thin. The girl collapsed on the ground, face flushed with fever. Jonathan moved to help but Akira was quicker. He scooped his sibling and sighed.

"Knew that was gonna happen," he muttered irritably. "I swear we need to stop overdoing it." He didn't even glance at Jonathan as he walked off. "She's gonna be fine. Go enjoy the party. It's Toby's last day." Jonathan obeyed beforethe rest of the sentence sunk in.

"It is?" There wasn't an answer.




The portal in front of them was almost like a storm cloud, electricity flashing at the edges. Toby stood in front of it, his face solemn and old. Sana was next to him, a hand on his shoulder. The wings fluttered anxiously. The boy glanced up at Sana shyly.

"You ready to go?" the Dragon asked softly. Toby nodded.

"I...I can't stay here."

"Why not?" Mimi asked curiously. "We don't mind."

The boy shook his head. "It's not safe here. People might try to mess with me more. Sana's sending me to a good place. I'll be okay."

Sana smiled gently. "I'm not sure when you'll end up in," he admitted. "This sort of Gate's tricky. Just when you get there, look for Tsuna. Say you're looking for the Savior. If no one knows keep looking. You'll find him and you'll be okay. Got it?"

Toby nodded and paused as he walked toward it. "It..." he whispered. "It was nice being with everyone. Thank you. Bye bye."

"Goodbye Toby," Mimi said for all of them. Sana grinned and Faolan and Mica waved. Tomoe smiled shyly as he left. The boy disappeared, the Gate vanishing into wisps.

"Stay strong Tobias Reed," Kiri said softly. "Stay strong for all of us."
 
716
Posts
16
Years
Chapter 42: Faith's Beginning

The next day, the teams were approached by a sixteen-year-old with straight blonde hair. He wore a white long-sleeved school shirt, brown trousers and a blue and beige tie.

Luca bristled, disliking the new scent. "Who the hell are you?"

He bowed dramatically, before straightening up. "Shinji Hikaru at your service," he drawled in a calm and even-toned manner.

Luca snarled softly, still agitated. Kiri placed a hand on his shoulder and he instantly calmed. "Pleasure," the girl said softly, fixing her cousin a pointed look that stated behave. The blonde lowered his head.

Not bothered at all by the younger blonde's behaviour, Shinji studied each of the children's faces, analyzing them and deciding who he did and didn't like.

Sean gave a lacklustre smile. "First impressions are gonna suck, I'm sure." He tried to sound amused, but his heart wasn't in it. His eyes dulled pensively and he reflexively slumped against Dorumon.

Shinji turned his head towards Sean's. "Don't know why you'd think that," he answered, before speaking to them all. "You've all got spunk. I look forward to working with you."

"Spunk, huh?" The boy repeated warily. "If that's what you call it." His eyes flashed red a moment, not menacingly, just casually.

"Establishing contact?" Kiri asked softly, Jonathan noticing she had recovered, her own eyes flickering.

Shinji saw the flickering change in their eye colour and arched an eyebrow at Jonathan, whom he rightly guessed was a leader. Jonathan shook his head, mouthing the words: I'll tell you later.

Sean whistled. "Whoo," he muttered. "Jordan's ticked off, man."

"No ****," Luca hissed, looking annoyed as his own returned to blue. "And you say I hold a grudge."

"Hopefully Miranda beats him."

"Then he knows, hmm, Sean?" Jonathan asked casually. "Shinji's going to become one of us, isn't he?" He had no need to worry about a reaction from Shinji, since the blonde had left after the flickering eye colour changes.

Sean shrugged neutrally and nodded. "Yes, he is. Interesting, neh Kiriko?"

"Doesn't really matter," the girl mumbled softly. "We just need to keep him alive, unless he betrays."

"Unlikely," Luca snorted. "He seems too stupidly straight-laced to do that without a really good reason."

"I wonder who his partner will be." Wizardmon speculated.

"Probably someone with blades," Kiri mumbled, suddenly giggling.

Sean rolled his eyes. "So not funny."

"I'm with Sean," Wormmon mumbled.

Kiri flushed faintly in embarrassment, before another smile crossed her lips. "You missed the point of it."

Sean frowned in puzzlement, before taking a glance in her head. Then he snorted. "That's just rude."

"Well, Caleb thought of the comment," she mumbled defensively.

"No wonder the joke sucked arse," Luca muttered. "The guy's sense of humour's faulty. Then again, so is his brain."

"Luca!"

"Oh, come on! You know it's true!"

"You know better than to talk about it," Sean hissed and Luca cowed, still glaring.

"So, what did you think of him?" Jonathan asked everyone else.

"He seemed kinda interesting," Tai mused with a grin. "I liked him." Sora and Mimi nodded and Matt shrugged.

"Not quite sure we need him, but he's fine by me."

"Davis? Akira?" Jonathan continued.

Davis grinned energetically. "I found him kinda cool."

Akira thought for a moment, before a silly smile made its way to his face. "Interestin' kid," he said coolly. "Think we're gonna have some fun times ahead."

"Alright, then." Jonathan nodded, before turning to Kiri and Sean. "Can I have a word with you two privately please?"

Both nodded passively, following him. Luca watched coolly, before turning to speak with his older cousin.

"This probably isn't my place to say, but I think Davis has done an excellent job since the severing of his bond with Veemon. Are the Storien going to restore the bond soon?" Jonathan asked quietly.

Kiri frowned. "You should talk to Maria," she commented to Sean, who nodded.

He had told her the gist of what had happened. "I think she can do something about it, unless you wanna try, sis."

Kiri shrugged. "It makes no difference, but Maria should do it just to be on the safe side."

The younger teen bowed his head. "No problem."

"Where would we find her?" Wormmon inquired nervously.

"Maria loves flowers a lot," Kiri mused. "She's probably in the outside garden."

"She's alone right now," Sean added. "Caleb is in therapy right now. It's a good time."

"Okay, thanks you two. Come on, Wormmon." Jonathan set off towards the garden, with his partner following. Both waved and went back to Akira, who started chatting at them.

After a few minutes of searching, Jonathan and his partner found Maria completing a rose wreath, about to place it on her head. The girl glanced up, lowering the dead flowers from her head with a mournful gleam as she buried them in a small hole. "'ello there," she mumbled. "You wanted to see me, sir?" She placed the wreath over her head, carefully having cut the thorns.

"Kiri and Sean advised me to come to you. I'd like to know if Davis and Veemon's bond can be restored since they've done so well from when it was severed..."

The odd girl pondered the idea, before nodding slowly. "Mm-hm, they could, but I need to fix it... and, well... this seems kinda dumb to ask, but I have to follow protocol." Her kind eyes turned cold. "Can you say, by your name as a Chosen Child, that these who were corrupted and betrayed their own, have truly repented for the acts they committed against the balance and deserve their sentence repealed? If the repeal is done and your verdict is declared a lie, your partner is forfeit to you."

"I believe they have. Davis came to me last night saying how weird it was, not being with Veemon." Jonathan paused, sighing in contemplation. "The poor kid was crying, I felt sorry for him. There's one thing you should know about me, too. I'd never lie unless I had good reason to."

Maria sighed. "I suppose you wouldn't, but I'm not sure pity is always the correct way to feel either. Though I guess I'm the wrong person to think about pity, considering I hate the idea of it." She brushed off her clothes as she stood, her rapier snaking down her hand as it formed. "Take me to him."

A few minutes later, they were standing in front of Davis, with Ken and his partner on the Child of Kindness' shoulder. Maria inhaled slowly, concentrating. "Ah..." she breathed, closing her eyes. "A severed thread. To repair it..." Invisible golden vines began to wrap around Davis and Veemon.

At this point, Jordan walked forward. "Are you truly wishing for your partner's return?" The boy asked Davis, expression unchanging.

"I am," Davis replied.

Jordan shrugged. "Better not screw this up, then." He snapped his fingers and Maria nodded as the vines connected, tearing down the figurative wall between human and partner. Night Blossom retreated and Maria placed a hand on her head, getting a headache.

"Davish!" Veemon cried happily, as if the broken bond had never happened.

Davis hugged his partner, crying with relief. Jordan watched a moment, with a faint envy before turning on his heel and leaving. Maria gave a small snort. "Your heart's on your sleeve again."

"Ah, shut up!" But he was smiling faintly.

"How does it feel to be back, Veemon?" Ken's Wormmon asked quietly.

"Great!" The dragon cried, spinning around excitedly. "I feel like a million bucks!"

Jonathan smiled; he was pleased to see Davis and Veemon back together. But he had other things on his mind right now, so he went over to Kiri. "I promised Sean, and I intend to keep that promise," he whispered to her. Looking up, he did some calculations before facing her again. "How many can you handle?"

Kiri blinked softly. "I can just..." She closed her eyes and held out a hand to the north. A gate coloured ice-blue, like a vortex, appeared. "Do that." Instantly, she paled and looked ill. "I-If you're g-gonna go, p-please hurry. I can keep it open, but not for all that long."

Disappointed, he walked to the gate, half turning and saying: "You couldn't handle a group?" before entering.

"Too many people will fall off," she replied to thin air. "Your friend was there was, nearly crossing to the Ocean. I can't protect that many people from having their souls destroyed." She shook her head. "You have no right to be disappointed," a cold voice issued from her mouth. "At least there is a way through."

Maria glanced up. "NEO..."

Kiri glanced at her and looked away. "Is anyone else going through?"

A couple of minutes later, Jonathan and Wormmon arrived at the alternate Odaiba. Someone was watching him. "Well, you came back fast." He whipped around, only to see Relena with a small smirk on her face, her Keramon at her side. "'ello there," she greeted cheekily. The nine-year-old glanced at the Gate. "Wonder why it's still open."

"I made a promise and I kept it," Jonathan answered.

"It's still open because we're coming through." Another voice added. Blair and Wizardmon emerged from the Gate.

Kiri stepped out behind them as the gate closed, standing next to Luca. The boy was strangely enough, struggling to breathe. "So how do we make them see sense if you've tried what happened before?" Jonathan asked.

Relena snorted. "Aside from nearly killing him, we might be outta luck. He won't listen to you anymore, right Kiri?" The girl nodded, a look of guilt flashing across her face. Relena scowled. "Stop kicking yourself, all right? Captain has no right to blame you for what happened to Yutaka. She was a big girl, she handled herself fine. It just wasn't good enough at the time and that was the end of it. If anyone should be taking blame, it's him for what happened to Emma's parents, though she's taking it fine."

"That's probably it," Kiri commented quietly. "He's taking the blame for everything."

"Yeah and pushing it on us." The blonde girl growled quietly. "The guy needs to be shown his methods aren't working, but since some moron barred him from combat that's gonna be kinda hard. Stupid bird..."

"Yutaka? What happened to her? And who barred him from combat?" The older teen questioned.

"She died," Kiri replied simply. "She died while we were on an invasion mission and I had been her other team-mate. For some reason, she ordered the pair of us to separate, possibly because of the vendetta of hers against Lilithmon, but I dunno. I couldn't change her mind and apparently, the Captain couldn't either. He told me I should have followed regardless but..."

"But you had some common sense and let her fight," Relena interrupted. "She, unlike a lot of Chosen, had some actual ability but that wasn't apparently enough. I'm not sure what snapped but something did. As for who barred him from combat..."

"It was Azulongmon," Kiri finished. "It was a few months back, I think. Something about-" She cut herself off, shaking her head. "Never mind, he simply believed Captain was unsuited for it." She gave Relena a nod, who flashed her a grateful look.

"Can we go already?" Wormmon snipped, seemingly not nervous for once.

"Then don't waste time with questions," Relena snarled, looking incensed. Kiri placed a hand on her shoulder, mouthed something, and went forward. Relena snorted. "Like it's that easy." The others moved to follow, but Blair found herself caught as a steel weapon made its way to her throat.

"Don't move now," hissed a quiet male voice, a young one, and a bladed object rested at her back. "I can hit a lung if you jerk the wrong way, traitor." Blair froze. Sean...

"Sean, she's not the Blair you're referring to. We both came from the other Odaiba," Jonathan answered, half turning.

The boy's eyes flashed. "I. Don't. Care. Her blood is of traitor's blood. Better it's spilled, rather than kept alive."

"What did I do this time?" Blair's question was edged with tension.

"Do?" Kiri asked solemnly. "You tried to kill him for defending our Captain, as he is bid to do. You left him in a coma for almost a year. You betrayed your cause and are attempting to take your best friend's life. You destroyed your first partner to grant you a new one. You shot both of Sean's foster parents in the throat in front of Emma to prove your worth to Ogudomon. What did you do? Please take a moment before opening your mouth next time, Chosen Child."

"I know for a fact my partner has never committed any of those crimes you speak of," Wizardmon defended. "If you're having so much trouble with the younger Jonathan and Blair, let's go, so some sense can be "beaten" in to them, as such." He started to move forward, only stopping when he realized the others weren't following.

"976," Kiri began softly. "Stand down. You know it's not her." Sean obeyed this time, but the child's eyes held nothing but pure hate toward the female. Walking over to Kiri, he hissed something at her, to which she flicked him emotionlessly on the head. "You were just buying time, right? Trying to make them see sense before it's too late."

Sean tched. "Captain said to let 'em rot in hell."

Relena scowled. "Yeah, he's said that to me, too. I still bother him."

Kiri frowned. "It's different for you. You have special circumstances."

Relena glowered at the ground. "Shut up about that."

This time, Wizardmon didn't say anything as he moved forward, with Jonathan and Blair following him.

Sean snorted suddenly. "Uh, dude, wrong way." He went to what appeared to be empty space and placed his palm in mid-air. A gap opened. "Go on. You say you want to do something, that she ain't a traitor. Prove it. Go change the Captain's mind. Good luck and godspeed. You'll need it."

"More like they'll need a hospital trip," Relena muttered derisively.

"What, quarrelling again?" Sean quipped. "I thought couples were supposed to get along..."

"Not with him, jackass!"

Kiri sighed and turned away. "Inside, go down three floors and make a left. Second door."

The two Chosen Children and their partners went down the three floors and turned left. Finding the second door, they entered, finding the younger Jonathan lying on the bed as he was the first time the elder came here.

The boy's left arm was over his eyes, his right bandaged heavily. "Shit..." he muttered. "I told Sean to divert you in whatever way possible. Why the hell did they let you in? I don't have the energy for this..." His eyes slid over them a moment. "Dear God Blair..." he quipped at the sight of her. "You actually look like a woman. Imagine that. I thought you could only look like a harpy." He didn't sit up as he spoke. "Like Sean's treatment? He doesn't have much of a choice now. He tried to keep her alive. Not even I can fix the hole she dug herself into. Traitors have to be executed. That's our duty..." For a moment a cold gleam appeared in his eyes and the elder swore they changed colour. "Ain't that so?"

The elder chose not to respond to that comment, instead saying: "You need to convince Blair to stop attacking even for a moment and to have doubt in what she's been following all these years. Only you can do that."

"Only I can, huh?" The boy snorted. "Garbage. No, let me correct myself." He looked over to give the two a glare like Sean's: hatred mixed with annoyance. "Stop spouting that happy-go-lucky ********. That's what I said when I started this. Take a look around." He gestured. "Nothing," the younger hissed. "Nothing except the dead. You never had them on your shoulders, did ya? Naw, they took care of their own, your team-mates only needed you to sit there and look like you knew what you were doing. You didn't help anyone, you were just sheltered and protected." His voice rose an inch and Relena appeared in the doorway, clutching something in her hands. "You were unnecessary," the boy spat. "No matter what they told you. That sort of **** is a lie and always has been!"

"You're a spoiled brat, you know that, dipshit?!" Blair snapped at the younger boy. "Get out of that mindset! That's not gonna get you anywhere, why else do you think your team-mates have given up hope? Because they don't believe in you anymore! So do something about it or we won't come back again!"

The younger Jonathan almost seemed surprised then a different look passed into his blue gaze, which melted to a murky brown. "Get out," his voice was a rasp. "Get the hell out of here, you hypocrite. You tell me to do something or you won't come back, huh? Who cares? Who cares about you and your god-complex huh? You sheltered-" He was falling into incoherence, fury consuming him. Relena firmly moved forward and went to his side. He barely saw her, rage and something colder running through his body. The next thing he knew he was up in the air, Relena gripping him by his shirt collar. She reared back and punched him in the face. He dropped, clutching the bruise.

"There," she said harshly. "I kept my damn promise just like I always do! Stop getting on them! Okay, they're saying it wrong, I get it! But they're right! Everyone's losing faith in you. You can't save Blair with this self-destruction act. And she's a hypocrite, I get that too. But... we can't do anything without your help. We're not like their team. They knew from the start what would happen. We don't know! That's why you're here, isn't it? That's why you're our leader, right?"

The murky look faded only slightly. "Relena..."

The strength in her eyes dimmed. "Look," she said miserably. "I know the world needs to be here, but we can't be the only ones left alive! It doesn't work that way, it can't, even if the Sovereigns forced this betrothal. A world with only one person... that sentimentality is stupid!" She turned and left, marching with her head held high.

The group stood there a moment, before the younger groaned and stood up again. "God, I hate it when she hits me... can't believe they're making me marry her and her mood swings..." The ice-blue eyes turned over them, suddenly looking thoughtful. "You say your way works? You say belief is everything. Prove it to me. Prove it to me by planting one seed in Blair's heart. If you can do that, I'll consider it. If you can't, well..." His smirk was cold. "I guess you have no reason to be here, do you?"

"Oh, be quiet. Just be grateful we're even here to help you," Wizardmon growled.

The boy snorted. "Your help will be greatly appreciated when your existence is worth a ****. Anyway, I've been meaning to ask this a while now: why the hell are you guys still pulling off this damn charade?" His voice carried through the open door and Kiri peeked in with Sean at her side.

"Dunno what you're talking about," the boy drawled, looking amused.

The male snorted. "Spare me, Jordan. I know for a fact Leith," he stressed the name, "is downstairs in the recovery den. Now take off the wig."

"Sean" snorted. "Damn you and your chivalry," the male grumbled, removing it to reveal a mane of shaggy black hair. "They actually confused us for a while."

"I told you that you were too tall," Kiri mumbled.

The boy whacked her on the back of the head, his arm revealing a symbol that was certainly not Leith's. "Spare me brat. You were the one who gave me the idea."

Jonathan and Blair merely blinked at the truth behind the charade. They'd known it was Jordan, because they were able to distinguish the difference in his voice from Leith's.

Kiri twitched suddenly and turned outside. "Luca!"

The boy had collapsed and Jordan caught him. "What the hell's wrong with this kid?"

The younger Jonathan moved to his side, seeing the boy gasping like a fish for air. "Ah... of course. Recognize that, Kiriko?"

Kiri twitched and he scowled. "Yeah, I do. He insisted."

"They always do. Get the pills from the back right." She obeyed and he tore a blue pill from its case and forced it into the child's mouth. "You need to take him back before Fate repeats itself. I'm not sure how well the medicine will react."

"Well, at least we knocked some sense into one of them," Wizardmon muttered.

"It's best to go back," Blair added.

Jonathan nodded. "Since your challenge is still open, brat, we will return."

The younger rolled his eyes. "Respectful little shits," he muttered. "Go and Kiriko."

She glanced over at him. "What Captain?"

"The last time..." he said quietly. "You have your orders for afterward. Do follow them."

She gave him a sly little smile. "Of course, sir. I wouldn't have it any other way." Adjusting Luca, she took the elder's hands. "Do tell Leith, I can't wait to make our combination soar."

Her leader snorted. "Will do. All three of us as a team, what a mess."

"That's the best time." She stepped back and they were gone.

Back in the real Odaiba, Jonathan turned to Kiri. "I'm guessing Jonathan doesn't want us back there anymore?"

She shrugged. "His pride's just hurt, he'll be fine. He gave you a challenge after all, that's a good sign. It means he's willing to take a leap of faith."

A nod was her response. "I'll leave you guys to do whatever you need to, Blair and I are gonna go find Shinji." He paused, looking at Blair. "That okay, Rana?"

Blair must've nodded, but Kiri didn't see as she began to walk away. Her grey eyes dulled sharply and for a moment flashed blue. Then she sighed and left, waving with her free hand. NEO... Norn stated. He's so impatient. Kiri giggled to herself.

"The nerve of that guy, putting a blade to my neck when he knew I wasn't that Blair," the one-eyed girl grumbled.

Jonathan shrugged it off. "It's a different Odaiba, you have to remember; they are younger and don't know what they're doing. Wizardmon, were you able to discern any of their thoughts as to who the younger Blair's partner is?"

"All I know is a blade and that was what Kiri told me. She said I would understand later. It was odd; it didn't feel like me at all, like it wasn't my data." The Champion replied.

"Hmm," the boy answered, looking thoughtful. He was soon brought of his daze when someone crashed into him. "Ah, ****. Hey-" He cut himself off immediately when he realized it was Shinji. Jonathan looked further down the path which Shinji had been running on and there was a giant dog. "Uh..." The male sweat-dropped and glanced back at Shinji, silently asking for an explanation.

"Uh... you wouldn't believe me if I told you?" The blonde answered unsurely.

"Out with it, Hikaru," Blair half growled.

"Ooh, touchy." He grinned. "I annoyed my partner. There's your answer, happy?"

"You don't have a partner yet, or have you forgotten that, Shinji Hikaru?" Azulongmon declared as he descended from the Digital Gate he emerged from. Directing his attention to Jonathan and Blair, he continued: "The dog that was chasing him was merely a common domesticated animal. I don't know why it was chasing him, and I don't want to know, either."

"Different kind of partner," the human said. "The friend's ownership one. I'm supposed to keep an eye on him."

"Huh?" Wormmon was confused.

Shinji sighed. "He's my friend's dog; I'm watching him, and I accidentally stepped on his tail."

Blair snorted, it was almost laughter.

Jonathan narrowed his eyes at his neighbour, before turning to Shinji. He was going to ask something, but Azulongmon got in before he could start. "What do you know of the Digi-Destined, Shinji?"

"They get picked by you to save the worlds. They have partner Digimon. What about it?"

"You will become one quite soon, so stop playing games with common animals and start preparing for your new future."

"Sometimes playing games makes you stronger. You can't always be so serious, you know? But if you insist, I'll become as stiff and boring as you like."

"Hey, I'm sure Azulongmon didn't mean that... did you?" Jonathan glanced up at the Sovereign who stared evenly back at him in silence.

"You will be important in the future and the future doesn't need kiddie Chosen." The Blue Dragon of the East eventually answered.

"I'm sure it doesn't need grown-up, unchanging fools either," the boy replied coldly, almost looking angry. "There's a difference between taking a task seriously and being a bore."

You better leave now, Azulongmon. You've pissed him off, Jonathan said to the Sovereign.

If you believe that is the right course of action.

I'm sorry, the teen apologized. I'm sure he'll cool off in a couple of days. Jonathan watched as Azulongmon went back to the Digital World.

Shinji didn't glance at them as he left, expression slightly cold. "That didn't go down too well," Wizardmon muttered.

"I suppose it's to be expected." Relena was walking past them, an odd smile on her lips. Her younger brother clutched her hand tightly, as though afraid to let go. "Afternoon," she greeted.

"What brings you here, Relena?" Blair asked.

"Is this about the second temple?" Jonathan hazarded a guess.

"Is it?" She repeated slowly and the differences between the two worlds were made stark again. "I suppose it is. Those of the legends, it is their end if they choose it to be today. Just as it is mine." Elian trembled at these words and his sister smiled companionably. "Be strong Elly, for the life that is beginning with Cassie." He forced his tears away and nodded firmly.

"D-do we go back to the Crossroads Gate?" Wormmon trembled.

"No, it's time to go to the Digital World." She pulled out a laptop and unlocked it from sleep mode. "You should call the others now if this is the right time for you." All that Jonathan did to activate the alarm was merely touch his D-Core. Elsewhere, the Digivices of the other Digi-Destined began going off.

Relena closed her eyes before looking in the direction her sister and friends were walking in. Veemon was at the woman's side, clutching Ruthie gently. Kiri walked over and hugged Relena, but did not react more than the smile she knew the girl wanted. As the others arrived, Kari walked over to the other females and struck up a hushed, quick conversation.

"If it's not too much to ask," Ken began, "can we get this over and done with as soon as we possibly can? My family has invited everyone over for dinner tonight."

Relena gave him a sweet, beaming look. "I suppose that depends on how good you are, doesn't it?" Kiri stepped back and Relena could feel the cold blue stare digging into the back of her head.

"Calm down, NEO," she chirped merrily.

NEO snorted, a distinctly male voice issuing from the girl's mouth. "Only one friendly to Triesta would be so impudent."

Relena hummed to herself as she brought up the gate, looking innocently interested. "Only one as bored as you would be into possessing someone with Norn-chan already there." He smirked at her.

Akira growled coldly. "I swear NEO, you try anything funny..." His grey eyes flashed and reflexively Sentri and Rina stepped back.

"Relax boy, I mean no harm."

"Oh, too late for that."

"Alright," Tai stated. "Let's do this."

The Gate opened and they all warped through, leaving Elian to watch the Gate in silence. They appeared in a reviving forest, dark and cold. "So what do we have to do here?" Wizardmon inquired.

"It's time to play," sang out a childlike voice behind the Champion and he whipped around only to hit air.

"What the?"

The childish voice hummed loudly, this time a short distance away. "Come on! We're gonna play lots of games! Right, Blackie?"

"Exactly." The two appeared from the shadows, one of Colin's eyes sparkling orange. At his side was the BlackGuilmon, who bowed politely. Jonathan's Wormmon was surprised to see the pair again; it seemed so long ago when they first met and didn't know what to think of him.

Colin frowned. "They don't get it."

BlackGuilmon shrugged. "It's all right, Colin. Stay here and I'll explain, okay? Then you'll get to play." He smiled at the excited expression on the human's face and walked over. "It's been a fair bit of time since we met, Chosen," he greeted politely. "Are you doing well?"

"Yes, we're doing well," Sora responded, wondering what BlackGuilmon was aiming at.

"Excellent," replied the Rookie, looking amused. "Then I'll get straight to the point. I assume you will not participate?" The inquiry was directed at Akira, who nodded and motioned to his fellows, including the remnants, who obeyed before the motion was done. Also, the owners of the Legendary Ten stepped back. "Understood, then the rest of you," He looked at the remaining Destined. "Will be playing against us in a game of tag. The human-partner pair who finds us will battle us. Only one pair may fight us at once and if a pair loses with another nearby we are given twenty seconds to hide again. If one pair can defeat us," A small smirk rested on the black dinosaur's face. "We will show you where the temple lies. Do you accept?"

"We'll do it," Izzy accepted.

"Then good luck to you." The partner leapt back and the two were gone.

Izzy and Tentomon went searching for Colin and his partner. After roughly ten minutes, they found them and started the battle. "Blackie..." Colin shook with excitement and his partner smirked to himself.

"Of course. BlackGuilmon Warp Digivolve to... ChaosGallantmon! Waking Dead!" Lightning ripped around the fallen Royal Knight, severely burning Izzy's partner.

"Tentomon Warp Digivolve to... HerculesKabuterimon! Mega Electro Shocker!" An enhanced version of Electro Shocker tore itself from the Mega's arms, very badly shocking the fallen Royal Knight.

The Mega laughed. "Is that all? Demon's Disaster!" The Digimon's lance began to stab into the insect, cutting through the exoskeleton like cheese. HerculesKabuterimon was quickly becoming annoyed, so he poured all of his strength into a combination attack that made ChaosGallantmon revert to the Rookie level, defeated.

"You won," BlackGuilmon said cheerily.

"Blackie held back," Colin mumbled.

"Maybe next time then," his partner chirped.

HerculesKabuterimon de-Digivolved, panting heavily. Izzy checked over his partner to ensure he was alright. "Call the others," Colin said sadly. "The game's over now."

"The game's over everyone," Izzy called out.

Colin pouted. "No fun."

Tai sweat-dropped as he and the others came over. BlackGuilmon shrugged. "He likes playing games."

"So where's the temple?" Matt asked.

"Come on," the boy mumbled and walked ahead, unfazed by the dark trees.

The groups followed Colin through a small cluster of trees and were relieved when they finally saw the temple. Instantly, Jonathan's D-Core began to react, flashing and vibrating. "What's the name of this temple?" Catherine inquired.
 

Fuyu

The answer is at the top...
3,079
Posts
15
Years
  • Age 29
  • Home
  • Seen Mar 24, 2024
Chapter 43: Crimson Start

"It's the Temple of Legend," Kari stated quietly. "A power of NEO and a tribute to the Ten."

"That makes sense," Mimi answered.

Jonathan's Digivice stopped glowing and the stone vanished, allowing them to proceed. Tomoe watched in silent curiosity, examining it as she looked over at Luca. The twelve year old knelt in the grass, hand gently resting where his heart would have been.

"You should go on," he mumbled. Tai shrugged and nodded as the other Digi-Destined followed him. None of them noticed Colin walk away solemnly, going to play a new game.

Behind them the wall reformed, just as ghostly bullets shot through the air towards them. Distantly, the sound of Beelzemon's voice floated over. "You thought I would lose so easily huh? Idiots!"

Jonathan prepped Gaia's Revenge, but Wisemon put an arm out and stopped him. "This is my time," the Ultimate spoke quietly.

"A sacrifice huh?"Beelzemon smirked. "Double Impact!"

Wisemon merely stood in the way of the four bullets and, before they struck him, turned to Bill. "Being with you has been the best time of my life. I won't forget you, Yoshino..."Bill simply nodded, too choked for words. But his intent was clear: he would always remember. Beelzemon's Double Impact hit home and Wisemon began to vaporize. Everyone looked upset and Kari turned her head away as a tear slid down her face.

"Bill," Talia said softly. "Release his data, so his sacrifice does not go to waste. After all, for the time being, this is where it belongs." She twirled her whip and swung, the thorns tearing through Beelzemon, destroying him swiftly. Bill dropped his reddish-grey D-Core to the ground and stepped on it. It shattered, releasing Wisemon's data fully. Talia released the shards of her Elesyn with a sad frown, just as Cassie did the same, letting her partner burst into data. Yutaka, Sora, Matt, Joe, Izzy and Hiroaki also followed. They, too, were upset but were trying not to show it.

Suddenly, unseen symbols behind them, the symbols of the Elements, began to glow as the data was absorbed. In the middle of the room, a circle opened beneath their feet and they found themselves floating."What's going on?" Mimi stifled a scream.

A strange creature, what looked like an embryo, floated below their feet. "Ah..." NEO whispered through Kiri's mouth. "What a pathetic form I am reduced to."

Samael rolled his eyes. "Okay we get it. *******..." The symbol of a bird appeared on his hand and began to fade. The other seven each gained a symbol as well.

"Return now, Digital Memory," Sana ordered and at once it complied, the hexagonal formation bursting from their hands and spiraling downward toward the embryo.The others watched as the embryo changed shape. It became more human-like in appearance, with a pair of white wings forming on its back and hair made of flames with antennae. Its legs were beastlike and one arm was a dragon arm while the other was mechanical. It was mostly black and there was a golden hexagon in the middle of its chest. Kiri clutched her head as something flew from her and down toward it. The creature remained still and silent before rising up above their heads, the floor returning to normal.

"So, you're NEO?" Wizardmon inquired.

It glanced down at them and nodded once. "I should say pleasure to meet you but I believe we all know each other quite well."

"Indeed," Jonathan replied, nodding at Akira and Kiri to continue with their plans.

Akira stepped back for Relena, who stood in front of where the computer was hovering. At once, a familiar silver-blonde appeared, Norn to be exact, holding her staff.

"Eye for eye," NEO began.

"Tooth for tooth," Norn continued.

"And life for life," Relena finished. She spread her arms and smiled to herself and toward the group at large. "Goodbye," she sang, looking completely at ease. Kiri stepped forward, and without hesitation, sliced her best friend's body in two. Cassie did not look away, her expression forcibly set. The others were surprised at the method of Relena's death, but said nothing.

Akira winced. "You just had to use the scar didn't you?" Kiri gave him a shy smile before stabbing her blade near the mangled corpse. The blood dripped, sinking into the rocks. NEO floated down and placed his draconic hand on the body. Instantly it began to fade, turning into greyish light. He glanced up at Norn, who had rested her fingers in the puddle.

"This is all that's left?"

"She's a remnant," came the calm reply. The chimera simply nodded and within moments, the girl was gone.

"I know you've asked me to choose between you and the Chosen," Zoe began quietly, directing her comment at the other remnants, "but I'd rather stay with the Chosen. Not that I am a Chosen, of course, but that's all I knew back then." Her expression became downcast as she remembered what had happened seventy years ago.

Kiri gave her a small smile. "You should stay where you feel you belong," the girl stated, not looking the slightest bit bothered. "If that's where you feel right, don't change yourself on our account." Sean nodded energetically.

"Thanks," Zoe whispered.

Kiri just grinned at her and glanced at her brother. "Should we..."

"Go?" Akira finished, voice slightly clipped. "Yeah sure." He left the ruins, the wall vanishing for him. Talia hurried to go after him. The other three looked at each other and went as well. Kiri watched her brother, looking forlorn.

Kari looked away. "We've lost our partners and gotten them back, we've fought to protect people we love, yet all these people have given up everything. Have we really won? Was this truly worth it now? I wonder..."

"It may not have been worth it," Blair began, her voice seemingly sounding like Noriko's. "But we were victorious in the end, no matter how many we lost. And yes, it was sad to lose them, but they will return."

Kari turned to her and almost spoke but then she looked away again. "So you shrug off someone else's suffering because they are reborn to something better? I see. That's the way it works in this world." TK glanced at her with a frown and sighed. He knew exactly what she was implying and gave her a very calm clap on the shoulder. Kari gave him a small smile and suddenly froze, face paling. "A Gate just opened outside!" She bolted out, Kiri walking behind her. The other let the years fall away and paused.

"The air is full of blood," Kiri commented softly, an odd grin on her face as she left.The rest of the Digi-Destined hurried over and some were almost sick at the sight.

They were corpses there, human ones with their Digital partners slowly dissolving. They were so destroyed it was hard to tell they had once been children, There was a cough behind them and a low snort. "So you're the rest of the brats who died?" It was the younger Jonathan, who laughed wildly, now murky brown eyes resting on them. "Some experienced brats you are." His arm was no longer bandaged and an odd glow came from the palm, the fingers clawed and the skin a darker color than the rest of him. "Like my picture? It's a bit hard to stay in the lines but I do try."

"What the hell have you done?" Jonathan's voice shook with anger. He was disgusted that the younger would do something like this.

The cold eyes rested on him. "I killed my enemies. What does it look like?"

The elder's eyes rested on the very badly burnt body of Sean, before wandering again and seeing the corpse of a Chosen Child. "Why them? They weren't the enemy. The Demon Lords are, you ignorant fool!"

He earned a shrug. "They got in the way. Look, Leith's getting up." The boy was, grunting in annoyance as he healed.

"Captain your aim sucks ass," the younger boy commented with a lazy snarl, water running over his body. His leader snorted in amusement. From the other side of the clearing, Luca and Tomoe watched in silence.

"They were traitors," the older Sean said quietly. "Weren't they?"

"Of course," replied the younger blond. "You think I'd purposely waste time destroying my own team? That's a useless effort."

"How did they betray then?" Ken's Wormmon asked.

"They were going to join Ogudomon," the other replied, beginning to wrap up his arm. "Not to mention..."

"They tried to kill the young master," came an icy cold voice. "Captain did as he should and stopped them."

The captain didn't glance over. "Are they all dead Kanna?"

"Every last sir," A girl with pale blue hair appeared from nowhere, a small child in her arms. He was trembling, wide blue eyes full of an unreadable emotion.

"Natsu!" Kiri said softly, hurrying over. The toddler saw her and immediately reached out, dark-blond locks falling over his eyes, which were full of tears. She took him, immediately humming. "It's okay Natsu, you're safe." On his head was a small dandelion fluff. Kiri glanced at the other girl whose arms fell to her sides. "I owe you again Kanna-chan."

The girl flushed and hurriedly bowed. "It was nothing Kiri-san. It-It was my duty."

"Still, thank you." The girl flushed deeper and nodded, looking down at her feet.

"Alright, where's Blair?" Jonathan inquired.

"Go through the gate," came the reply, as the captain turned and left. The younger children followed, Kiri giving the Sean from this world a nod. He grinned slightly.

Luca winced as they disappeared through it. "So..." he said to Tomoe. "Let's finish this." The girl nodded, watching in silence as Norn and Neo appeared from the Temple.

NEO clenched a hand. "This power is just enough, but the two Units are necessary to remain in this world. But first... Chaos-Keeper, allow it." Luca nodded and let the violet light burn him, the painful runes etching deeper into his skin.

"Norn," the boy asked as power drifted into NEO's body. "Where is the Catal Unit? Kiri-nee said she didn't have it right now."

"I borrowed it for a time," replied the girl. "When she returns, she will have it again. Now, let us begin the restoration. Luca, Tomoe, keep your silence."

"Yes ma'am." Luca stood, the power vanishing and he pulled out his D-Core. "Good luck." The pair went away, off to find their cousin.

...

They went through the gate after them. Unfortunately, they entered in the middle of a war zone. There was a soft click of metal and an arrow hit the dirt just past Tai's ear. The younger Jonathan turned. "Was that an intentional miss?"

"Something like that." Another arrow soared and the boy grabbed it, wincing faintly at the burn on his hand. The younger Blair smiled coldly. "So you've brought ghosts to save you."

"Save?" He snorted. "Rather like they were nosy."

"Oh." She leveled her weapon at them. "Nosy people piss me off."

"That's one thing I think we agree on."

"Cut the chit-chat," Matt growled.

The arrow nearly hit Matt's throat, the girl's eyes darting from one to the next without much of acknowledgement. "Funny that you accuse of chit-chat when... you can't even kill a man!" Finally she aimed to hit, not murder, not yet, striking Matt's arms and piercing them clean through, leaving one in his elbow.

"Now, Jonathan," the sixteen-year-old blonde growled in agony. Jonathan nodded, yet feeling doubt even now.

"Blair," he began slowly, trying to find his words. "Is this what you want? You want the worlds to be destroyed? You want to kill someone whose supposed to be your friend? It won't bring them back. It can't."

The younger female looked at him for a moment and he saw underneath the visor she wore something that struck him as odd: her eye was still missing. Then she snorted. "You think I don't know that? If there was a way to bring them back, I would have tried that long ago."

"Then what's the point?"

"Well here's one," she aimed and struck, lodging her arrow in his chest, slightly cracking the Core inside him. He doubled over, feeling more pain than he ever had in his life. And we thought losing our partners hurt... "I'm free, unlike you fools."

"Tai," the other leader rasped, stumbling over to collapse by some rubble. "Maybe you should try."

"Not sure that's possible," the older leader muttered before raising his voice. "Free? You're a pawn of the Demon Lords. That isn't freedom."

"Being under a Sovereign reign isn't free," the girl retorted but she did not use her bowgun. Rather, fire erupted all around the leader and he yelped as it wrapped for a moment around his body like chains, burning .It dispersed and the male hissed, glancing toward his friends, most of whom had fallen to the same attack. "You have to remain under their thumbs, always following their orders and never being allowed to do a thing. If I knew the killer, I couldn't avenge Mom and Dad under that rule. It's not the way of the Light!" The last words were a harsh mockery. "It's bad to be allowed to free your heart of demons. Just do as we tell you, you'll be just fine! That's all lies and chains."

"That's not true," Zoe countered, the only one having not be touched by the flames. "Seventy years ago, I was picked to be with the very first Chosen Children, but I had no Sovereign over my head. No Digital Gods were ordering me around, I went with Yoshino and the others because I wanted to. There is freedom, you just have to choose it!"

"Choose huh?" Blair laughed. "There are no choices in this world. None except fight or run. Either way kills you. Anyway..." she aimed straight at the fallen Jonathan, her expression set. "You people talk too much. Just shut up and die like the rest of these maggots."

"You're too trigger-happy," mused a cheerful tone and she turned to be punched to the ground, the younger Leith giving her a small smile as he buried her face in the dirt. "That's okay though, the feistier they are, the more fun my fights are." The older Blair realized this was Leith in this world, there was no hint of Sean's existence anywhere in that figure. The younger struggled but Leith kept his foot firm on her back. "You look like a fish out of water," he commented, still smiling.

"Talk about a good save," Terriermon muttered.

"Save?" Leith repeated, glancing down. "Oh! You mean her!" He laughed. "I'm just following the Captain's orders, that's all." He restrained her, disarming the girl expertly.

"Awfully cheerful for someone I sent into a coma," she hissed. He just smiled.

"Awfully defiant for someone who let Kiri tear out her eye." The girl froze and snarled.

"Shaddup!"

"But it was your fault." She growled and started struggling again, only for her arms to freeze. "You should stop that. I have questions for you."

"Like what? I won't give you the Codes!" Leith raised an eyebrow.

"I don't care about that," he said merrily. I only have one question right now:" His gaze sharpened. "Where's my brother?"

"Brother?" Sora looked stunned.

"You have a brother?" That was Catherine.

Blair spat. "Not telling."

Leith smiled cruelly and placed a hand gently over her chest, where they swore they saw a blue light for a moment before the girl started to scream. "Yes you will. You will tell me where Sean is or I'll very cheerfully let you taste the pain you gave your partner when you killed him. Only you'll stay alive. My twin brother isn't a delicate boy, no way, but as his slightly older sibling, I have to protect him. So you'll tell me. Right now."

Jonathan managed to stand up, though one hand still protected his chest. "Is our job done now, Leith? Sorry for the disruption, but we'd like to go back."

Bringing Blair with him, the boy placed one hand over the cracked core and it healed instantly.

The younger Jonathan snorted. "You could have left whenever you liked idiots. The Gate never closed."

"You," Leith grinned at the younger Jonathan, "need to remember your manners Captain. You're free to go." The last comment was directed at the real Odaibans.

"Bye bye!" he said cheerily before dragging off his prisoner. Kiri paused.

"Captain..."

"Your choice," came the abrupt reply. Kiri nodded and stood behind, still clutching the toddler.

"It's alright Kiri," Jonathan replied quickly. "You can stay. Sean?" The dirty-blonde turned to the Storien, seeking confirmation.

The older Sean grinned and nodded, having already known. The younger Leith loosed one arm and wrapped an arm on her shoulder, causing the girl to smile happily, a friendly look. ."We're the best team so she's always welcome."

"I meant she could stay with you guys," Jonathan exhaled in a light frustration, realizing he should have made his statement clearer.

Leith blinked at him. "No sh*t," he replied. "Now come on," he said to her. "We need to go find the rubble. Bet ten bucks Relena's there!"

"You're on," Kiri replied and the two were gone, laughing freely, the younger Jonathan calmly taking Blair from the other boy.

"How can they be so bright while covered in blood?" he muttered, looking wistful. His former friend scowled at him, still frozen. The Digi-Destined went through the Gate, arriving back in their Odaiba.

Luca sighed weakly. "Have fun over there?" He was curled on a chair.

"I think we got the job done well enough," Matt groaned as he attempted to remove the arrow still in his arm. Tomoe walked over and silently yanked the metal out, and before he could make a sound, wrapped his arm in gauze. The Ishida boy nodded his appreciation, before going over and sitting down on a sofa with Anna.

Tomoe tested the arrow and suddenly spoke, her expression amused. "Luca."

"What?"

"This is ****** metal." For a moment Luca stared, surprised at the curse, before laughing, almost howling with derisive amusement.

"That's so pathetic." Suddenly, someone popped up in the window, clinging to the sill. "Hi there!"

"Sana-san I swear you're going to fall," Luca commented. He got a grin.

"Now why would I do that?" Luca didn't answer for some reason, but everyone jumped slightly when a blonde walked into the room. "Shinji?" Jonathan was stunned. He was also a bit worried that Shinji's appearance might have an adverse effect on the older Chosen Children.

The teen grinned. "Yo. I miss something fun?"

"Depends on your idea of fun," Tai answered.

"It begins tomorrow, Chosen Children," Azulongmon's voice boomed out, with the Blue Dragon hovering over the house.

Sana smiled thinly. "Fair enough." He jumped back and vanished.

Luca smirked to himself. "What a troublesome thing."
 
716
Posts
16
Years
Chapter 44 (Epilogue): Temporary Sorrow

The various Chosen slowly made their way to Ken's house. Sean waved at Blair, looking mischievous. The Ichijouji family welcomed the multitude of Chosen Children and beckoned for them to enter the dining room. Blair returned the gesture by nodding at Sean. Yolei made an unnecessary point of fawning over Ken, even though the Tamachii soccer star had long since recovered from his affliction. Tomoe giggled shyly at Sean's falsely crestfallen face and bowed politely to their hosts.

Jonathan and Mimi were seen talking to Shinji, while Matt had finally summoned enough courage to kiss Anna on the cheek. Luca gave a mocking applause as Catherine rolled her eyes and giggled at whatever he had said as Talia poked Akira awake.

Finally, Mrs. Ichijouji came out of the kitchen and placed a giant silver tray on the table; it had on it plenty of meat, including sausages, steak, chicken and lamb. There was also four full loaves of garlic bread, as well as potato wedges still cooking in the oven.

Sean refused, actually looking nauseous.

At that point, Ken's father came out with a second silver tray filled with salads and other vegetarian dishes of all kinds. "Dear," he began, "how could you forget that Sean is a vegetarian?"

The boy blushed almost shyly and lowered his head. "You couldn't have known."

Mrs. Ichijouji looked slightly embarrassed at her mistake, but covered it by motioning for everyone to get started on the meals.

The children obeyed, looking grateful.

"Hey Tai, what's this I hear about you and Sora going on an official date?" Joe asked.

Izzy snickered. "You can't talk, Joe; I heard Jun has her eye on you. Isn't that right, Davis?"

Davis gave Joe a pointed nod, who flushed. Tai and Sora smiled at each other and nodded.

Willis gave a half moan. Catherine sensed what was wrong and quietly whispered to him: "Don't worry, she'll come back."

"Yep," Akira agreed. "I can feel it; she's fine."

By Tai's side, Sora shuddered. "It feels strange without Biyomon here."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Matt agreed. "I still keep glancing to my side only to find BlackGabumon's not there anymore. I know how you feel, Sora."

"It'll feel better," Sean said softly. "Eventually they will come back."

After eating and talking merrily into the night, it was time for everyone to leave. They all thanked the Ichijoujis and had their parents or older relatives drive them back to Odaiba.

...

The next morning, the Sovereigns appeared in the real world, not that far away from Highton View Terrace. Shinji was among the Chosen Children, even though he had not gotten a partner yet. Zhuqiaomon came forward with a Monodramon, just as Azulongmon called Shinji forward.

"The time has come," Baihumon declared as the Monodramon scurried over to Shinji while a lone Digi Egg soared through the sky, headed for an unknown girl in Shinjuku.

"Who was the Digi Egg for?" Catherine inquired.

"A fellow of yours named Bronwyn," replied Baihumon. "You will meet her soon enough, I'm sure."

Azulongmon approached Shinji and informed the boy he wanted to talk to him alone. The blonde nodded and went off with the Blue Dragon of the East. "So what is it?" He asked curiously, clutching the Rookie loosely yet firmly in his arms.

"The Gates to the Digital World will shut soon and most of the partners will have to return to their home. We decided between ourselves before we came to Odaiba that you should stay in the Digital World with Monodramon until the Gates reopen, until the Chosen Children are able to return."

"Uh... all right then," he agreed, looking confused.

"It's more to help those who will come in the future," the Sovereign explained, seeing the boy's expression. "When the Gates eventually reopen, you will see some familiar faces and some not-so-familiar. Ebonwumon and the others are waiting, please follow me."

He did so and when he reached Ebonwumon, one of the tortoise's heads rested on his forehead and Shinji felt his time slow to a halt. "We've halted your ageing for a reason, one that you will find out later on," Baihumon stated.

"... Sure." He was still trying to get his head around it.

"Come now, Shinji," Zhuqiaomon gruffly spoke as a Digital Gate opened for the pair of them. The Red Phoenix went through first, with Shinji following quickly. "Find a way to explain to the rest of them, Azulongmon."

"I'll say he was summoned away for a time," replied the dragon and went off to say just that. Just as Azulongmon reached the rest of the Chosen Children, Tori was presented with his partner, a Flybeemon. The others congratulated him and wished him good luck. Azulongmon waited until the cheering died down, before speaking up. "The Digital World called upon Shinji, so unfortunately he won't be with us for the rest of the time." This resulted in some groans from Jonathan and Blair, who were starting to like the blonde.

The next thing the Chosen Children knew was that a bunch of Digi Eggs had appeared in front of them. "Henceforth returned to their Chosen Children and companions, these are the Digimon who gave their lives in the fight against evil," Baihumon explained. "The Legendary Ten are not ready to be reborn, so those Digimon to whom we gave an alternate Mega level will automatically revert to their original Mega form now."

"My lords." A masculine voice spoke as the slight bang of a staff was heard. "I have brought the girl as you commanded. By your leave." Ebonwumon nodded at the Sorcerymon and the mage teleported away. A twelve-year-old platinum-blonde girl, protectively grasping a Digi Egg, stared at the gathering with wide eyes.

"So you are Bronwyn Weaver?" Ebonwumon questioned.

The girl nodded, still tense and scared. Jonathan noticed and motioned for Tai to try and calm her down. Tai nodded and went over. "You can relax a little," he said cheerily. "You're among friends here."

"Hi Bronwyn!" Everyone chorused at the same time. She nodded again, looking slightly less nervous. That's when the first cracks started appearing in the Digi Egg.

She let go for a moment and the egg hatched in a flash of light. When it faded, there was a yellow slime with red eyes in her arms. "I'm Zurumon," it introduced.

"Bronwyn," she managed, staring at it.

"Zurumon," Ebonwumon began, "you are Bronwyn's partner. You will eventually become the Champion level Dobermon. Protect her well."

"Understood," replied the Digimon with a small smile.

Suddenly, a Gate opened nearby, revealing a smiling Kiri. Willis straightened immediately and let out a cry of happiness. She smiled sadly at him, eyes darker than before. Kiri stepped forward and glanced back, gesturing for two to follow behind her. Behind her came Kanna and that boy Natsu, who shook silently.

"What's wrong, Kiri?" Catherine inquired.

She shrugged. "They need to stay with us."

"Is the situation becoming too volatile?" This was Jonathan.

Kiri smiled solemnly and they saw that she had aged a fair amount since they last saw her. "No," she said sadly. "We won."

"So the Demon Lords were wiped out?" Matt's question was tinged with doubt.

She nodded, still wearing that dull, sad smile as she patted Natsu's blonde head. "As well as sin will ever be wiped out. It's been a fair few years since I've been here, so I forgot... how much brighter this place is."

"Who were the Demon Lords?" Bronwyn whispered.

"Belphemon of Sloth, Beelzemon of Gluttony, Lucemon of Pride, Leviamon of Envy, Lilithmon of Lust, Barbamon of Greed, Daemon of Wrath, and Ogudomon the manifestation of sin," Kiri counted off softly. "That which must exist in the subconsciousness of hearts was given physical form."

Without warning, the other Digi Eggs began hatching. There were various cries of relief and joy as the partners and humans met once more. Akira and his team looked pleased, but something passed through their eyes, something ancient and pale. But the others fell silent at Tomoe's soft cry. "Pafumon..." The little puff smiled and leapt into her arms as Tomoe cried with joy. "You came back," was her sad, simple reply, repeated in an endless murmur.

Sora, Joe, Izzy, Matt, Zoë, Hiroaki and Yutaka played with their partners while Tomoe continued to hug Pafumon in what seemed to be an endless embrace. Two Baby levels bounced over to Sentri and Rina; they were Jyarimon and Puttimon. "Hi, you two," they spoke in unison with squeaky voices.

The twins nodded solemnly at one another and picked up their partners. "Nice to meet you," they said together in low, calm tones. Akira gave them both cheery smiles as he clutched Hopmon.

Zoë cradled Kyaromon in her arms, murmuring softly to him: "Please don't leave me again."

Sean watched this in silence, a small smile on his face. His head hurt again. Melissa walked up to him and took his hand in an old gesture. "It's time Sean, Leith.'

"... I know. I wanted to watch this a little longer, but there's no delaying it."

Melissa hesitated as she started walking with him. "No matter what happens, I'll remind you of it, okay? And Dorumon remembers too."

"Sis?" Sean turned and smiled sadly at her. "It'll be okay." He took the lead with Dorumon behind him, not looking any other direction but forward.

...

Jonathan smiled briefly at Tomoe who had regained her partner, before turning to Kiri, saying he wanted to talk to her alone for a few minutes. Kiri nodded, informing Kanna that she had to watch Natsu while she was talking to Jonathan. "What's the matter?" she asked solemnly, eyes fixed on his own.

"How did it go over there? Did they go back to being friends?" The boy asked about the parallel Odaiba, referring to the younger Jonathan and Blair.

Kiri blinked at him slowly, before nodding. "I guess that's what you would call it. They aren't on opposite sides anymore."

"And did Leith manage to find Sean?"

She nodded again.

"Alright then, I suppose we better head back to the others. I have a feeling something unpleasant is going to happen soon."

Kiri shrugged softly. "The world is what it is. Unpleasantness or otherwise all depends upon interpretation." With that odd statement, she went to go watch Sean go up to the Sovereigns, standing at her brother's side.

...

After Sentri and Rina got to know their new partners and following the discussion between Jonathan and Kiri, Samael stepped forward. "Sana," he began quietly, turning to his leader almost looking guilty. "I can't go back with you."

Sana raised an eyebrow, almost looking amused. "Oh? And why not?"

"Someone needs to watch the future protectors when they arrive and I'm the only one here who's used to it. I want to go home, but..." the eldest sighed. "This is for the best."

"Oh really?" Triesta's low drawl was full of amusement. "You think we're just gonna let you run away again, huh? No way in hell. Siara, get him!" The white-haired girl walked forward, took his hand, and yanked. Instantly, there were two of Samael, only one instantly aged into the adult they had all known: Gennai.

"So," Sana began, grinning at the silently smirking Faolan. "Still need to leave?"

Samael gaped for a moment, and then rolled his eyes. "Guess not. Should've known you had a back up plan."

"Naturally," Arlen commented with a cheeky smile.

Zhuqiaomon came back through a Digital Gate at that point in time. "Has he said it yet?" Baihumon nodded. "That time is fast approaching, isn't it Azulongmon?" The Red Phoenix added.

Azulongmon nodded in agreement, watching Gennai walk toward them with purpose in his steps. Samael stayed silently at Sana's side, a smirk resting on his face.

"We know you're against this, but this is one of the promises we made," Baihumon growled lightly.

"It's all right," the boy said quietly, that odd smile still on his face. "My opinion on the subject doesn't make a difference. It must be done. Besides, it wouldn't have lasted much longer."

"Very well; Ebonwumon, if you would...?"

The two heads nodded; one rested its nose on the boy's forehead and the other on the brand. The pale blue glow began and Sean didn't make a sound, even though the process looked incredibly painful, and sounded that way with cracks and shifting flesh.

"That's gotta hurt," Blair whispered, grimacing.

Wizardmon had gone to stand beside Gatomon and they were comforting each other for what they knew was going to happen after Sean's transformation to human ended.

Sean shook himself when the light died, before sighing softly. He then held out a hand and another shimmered in front of it, clasped between his fingers. It was almost like a clone, the transparent human's blue eyes full of simple acceptance. He reached out, patted Sean's head, and turned away, that same smile on his face. He clutched something in his now free hand but didn't elaborate. Sean waved silently, looking utterly alone, even as Dorumon rubbed his hand. Then, he hit the ground, bleeding from the brand mark.

"Sean?" Blair's question was hesitant, as she was unsure of what to say.

Multiple Digital Gates appeared around the gathered Chosen Children and that's when Zhuqiaomon gruffly spoke up. "This is your last chance to be close, everyone. The Gates to the Digital World are closing and you won't be seeing each other for a while."

Azulongmon interjected, adding: "Ken's Wormmon is the only one allowed to stay."

"Lucky bastard," they heard Davis grumble good-naturedly, clearly upset. Dorumon nudged his partner, then heard the sound of steady breathing and smiled softly.

"Sleepy, huh?"

"... Mm. I'll miss you."

"It's just until next time."

"... Course." He relaxed a bit more, looking content for some reason. He was going to have to get used to that empty feeling in his heart again. The other Chosen were mostly depressed, some in tears. Luca set his jaw before giving Liollmon a nod.

"Don't lose just 'cause I'm not there." He earned a snort.

"Hell no." Tomoe's expression was resigned as she placed Pafumon on the ground. Kiri patted her head and sighed, giving Renamon a polite nod. She had little memory of a Digimon, but giving a customary farewell was the least she could do.

"Goodbye, Jonathan. I'll see you again, won't I?" Wormmon's voice trembled.

"You will, buddy. You will," the boy answered, his eyes starting to water.

Wizardmon and Gatomon were saying their farewells to Blair and Kari, as were most of the other partners. "Don't worry, Zoë, we'll be together again later on." Kyaromon tried to convince the albino girl, but she wasn't taking it in.

"It'll work out everyone," Akira said confidently. "This is just a temporary goodbye. So don't cry; it makes hard feelings pile up. When everyone sees their partners again, shouldn't it be proudly with smiles?"

Akira had a point and the Digimon knew it. They started to walk over to where the Digital Gates were and slowly began going through. "Bye!" Talia called warmly. "See you later!" Others echoed her cry.

After the last lot of Digimon went through, the Sovereigns followed, with Baihumon lagging to give a warning. "It is expected that your partners will have to fight their own battles until the Digital Gates reopen, but they won't be alone. They'll have the help of other Digimon. Expect flukes to occur in that a random Digimon might be able to get through to request help from you."

"All right then," was Jonathan's quiet reply.

Baihumon nodded and went through the last open Gate. It then shut with a lingering echo. Another Gate opened shortly after, showing a world that seemed familiar, except for the city, which Yolei recognized as Kyoto. Some of the Chosen Children seemed confused, but it was Anna who asked what was going on.

"It's another world," Kiri said softly. "One of many, but it's not in nearly as much danger as it could be. You would probably be safe if you'd like to go there."

Jonathan gave Kiri a questioning look, silently asking what she meant. Yolei, however, pushed forward and exclaimed: "Let's go have a look!"

Kiri nodded quietly. "You should go, have fun," the girl encouraged, eyes sparkling dimly. "You'll understand someday, Jonathan," she whispered in his ear. "Promise. You just need a bit more experience is all." Jonathan blinked and swore he saw the older Kiri, the one who was gone forever, grinning silently behind the child. Then she was gone and Kiri gestured for them to enter the Gate.

They followed Yolei's lead and emerged in the parallel Kyoto, standing and looking around at the place in awe. A black-haired female peered out before groaning. "Great, uninvited guests. What is with this... people keep comin' in day in and day out?" She groaned. "Better be polite." The girl stepped forward. "Oi, are you guys tourists or something? You are in the wrong area for that."

Meanwhile on the other side, Sana, Renna, and their teams were standing in front of empty space. Renna opened a gate and grinned. "Later!" She and the other five vanished without delay. Laura paused for a moment before staying by the Storien. Sana bowed politely to Kiri, who frowned.

"Your plan was a success."

Kiri smiled sadly. "I guess it was. Goodbye." The eight nodded at the few remnants who had stayed behind. "We'll keep in touch." Faolan tapped his head in agreement and she giggled, still smiling as the eight left, feeling NEO and Norn rush past her.

Jonathan addressed the black-haired female. "If you really want us to leave, we'll go. We just thought having a look around would give us a different perspective."

"Ah, exploring, huh?" The girl muttered. "Looks like the leader don't need to know about it then. All right then, take your look and get out! That or we all get in trouble."

Blair raised an eyebrow and snorted disdainfully, muttering something in Jonathan's ear. He nodded, motioned to the others and they all left.

Luca frowned as they returned. "Awful quick."

"We had an altercation with a girl; she had a Kabuterimon waiting nearby. I'm guessing she was a Tamer," Jonathan explained.

The boy nodded once and rested a fist near his chest. "Doesn't hurt," he muttered to himself before glancing up at them. "The other-worlders have gone."

Hardly surprised, Jonathan looked around and nodded, mostly to himself. "I guess it's just us then," he replied, referring to the remaining Chosen Children and remnants.

"Aarrgghh! Help me! This thing, this thing, it won't leave me alone!" Joe cried as Jun sped down the street, intent on crushing him in a hug. The cobalt-haired seventeen-year-old ran as Davis' sister came closer.

Tomoe giggled quietly as she watched and Kanna gently pushed Natsu forward. He stumbled, but caught himself. Tomoe blinked at the boy, who looked down at his ragged shoes, a pink flush on his face. "Aw," they heard Akira mutter. "He's a shy one."

Tai raised his voice slightly. "Why don't we all go home, everyone?"

The words were met with nods and the group dispersed in sets, Kiri pausing to help Melissa with a sleeping Sean. "Oh, um, Kiri…" Blair began. Kiri glanced over at her. "Could you please tell Sean I'll come over later, just to have a talk?"

The girl nodded and smiled. "He'll be looking forward to it." Melissa snickered for some reason.

"Thanks," Blair responded and hurried after Jonathan.



Meanwhile, in Primary Village, a mauve and burgundy Egg began to shake and crack. A Digimon was being reborn.

...

Just as the Chosen Children reached the gardens of the Highton View Terrace complex, Matt's cell phone rang. He looked at it, recognized the number and answered. "Dad, what's wrong? If nothing's wrong, why'd... Wait, are you serious? Jeez, well done, Dad. So, when is it? A week?! Way to spring the surprise on us, damn it. Yeah, I'll tell everyone. G'bye." The golden-blonde ended the call and turned to his friends. "Good news, everyone. Mum and Dad are getting back together, but Mum's not adhering to protocol; she wants to stay a Takaishi."
 
Back
Top