Dedicated to Lord Pata, who has put up with my Patamon bashing ways long enough...
A/N: This fic is rated T-for teen for suggestive themes. It is part of the "Digimon: Anniversary" timeline, beginning a few days after "Year Thirteen". It utilizes a modified 'one week' format, as seen in the "Greymon series". The goal is to create a short little novel of around 5000 to 10000 words, as well as illuminate the 'Life-mate' concept that is a running thread in most of the Anniversary series. As always, if something is wrong, or doesn't make sense, be sure to send it to me via PM or review.
(4/8/2011) I've gone through once more and put some finishing touches on this, clearing up grammar problems and what not. Also, theres a preview of the next side-shot in the Aniversery-Universe: Digimon Heretics. Don't know when I'll post it though.
And with that out of the way, enjoy...
Digimon Sacrilege
Sonfaro
1.) The One That Got Away.
August Third, 2015
11:30pm
Gatomon hated File Island.
The night had come in full swing; a dark sadness spreading across the sky, with tiny spots of light bringing hope to the world below. She felt the breeze through her snow white fur and shivered. She longed for the comfort of her cradle in the Kamiya house, or the nest she and Garurumon had decided upon in Server. Anniversary or not, she didn't want to remain on the tiny, jungle infested island any longer than she had to.
That wasn't to say that the island was horrible. Far from it, it was a beautiful place. But to hear the others speak of adventures they'd had along the way… It reminded her that she was different. That she hadn't been an original member of the Digidestined roster. That she had fallen into the darkness whether she liked it or not. She'd been reminded a million times over that it wasn't her fault. That Gennai did what he had to do to ensure that someone was able to save the world. She'd accepted her destiny, and joined her siblings by bond in the final battle. And they'd done it together.
And yet now, she walked this trail alone.
Her partner was asleep far below, and for that Gatomon was glad. Because at least in sleep Kari could get over the loss, if only for a few hours. But Gatomon knew in her core of cores that what little comfort the Child of Light would find would be lost as soon as she awoke to reality the next morning.
Children shouldn't die. Not like that.
Kari had known Tai's wife just as long as anyone. Kari was there when she announced they would have a son. Kari was told she'd be the Godmother. Kari was excited when the wife of her brother exclaimed that her water broke. Ultimately, Kari was there when she lost her life. She's seen her brother hold the child, and watched it die in his hands, an expression of pain etched on his face. She'd seen it all, and let that darkness consume her.
It would be a long time, Gatomon knew, before things were ever normal again.
And so she sat, curled up at the top of Infinity Mountain, away from her partners' private darkness. Away from her life-mate Garurumon as well. She frowned at the thought of him, and realized that probably shouldn't have been the expression when thinking of the 'mon who would protect her at all costs.
He cared very much for her. She knew, because he had given up his territory, possessions, and all that he knew to stay in the real world as Gabumon, to be closer to her. Now that he was a giant wolf, things were... complicated. They had been separated once again by the walls of reality and digiality; Gatomon was adamant about remaining with Kari, and Garurumon rarely ever argued with her. She sighed inwardly, cursing herself for thinking of him so negatively. The truth was she cared for him as well.
But the feelings that he wanted were not there.
She'd started the relationship, purring in his ear when no one would look. Speaking low and soft about their friends relationships. How she was envious. Jealous. How she wanted one just like that. She'd caught him, hook, line, and sinker.
She just happened to loose her best friend in the process.
Thinking of Patamon now hurt the feline Champion. She hadn't seen him in nearly a year, and when she did, it wasn't as a lovable fluff ball of bronze fur. It was the stoic, majestic, and honestly frightening figure of the Dominion monster. Dominimon, aide to the Triumvirate, partner to Hope.
The one that got away.
Gatomon shivered. That thought shouldn't be there. Her feelings towards him were those of an elder sibling. At least that's how they'd started. And now? Now she wasn't sure how she felt. When she'd seen him last, she couldn't stop glaring at him, her blue eyes sending wave after wave of anger through his opal helmet. He hadn't responded. When she thought of him however, when she remembered him, a warm feeling tingled in her cheeks, and she felt like crying and laughing and coughing up a furball all at once.
She sighed. You never really appreciate your feelings for someone until they are gone.
And he was gone. Truly. He had been Dominimon for a little over four years now. He was under the tutelage of Seraphimon the Wise. He fought side by side with Cherubimon the Just. And he was bound to the third member of the Triumvirate, the elitist Ophanimon the Pure… the mere image of the emerald Angels smirk caused Gatomon to flex her claws. He had a new life now, and a coming family if Garurumon was correct. Besides, any hope of seeing Patamon again were eclipsed when the walls of the Golden City were shut to her the final time.
Gatomon frowned again. Her thoughts traced back to Garurumon. Dark red eyes hiding a softness his current form didn't like showing. She thought of his strength, his speed, how warm his fur felt against hers. And, ultimately, her thoughts trailed to the question he'd asked not long before Anniversary. She thought on these things, until something else caught her attention.
A glint of pale blue light gleamed on the horizon.
She frowned, squinting in the darkness at the strange light that seemed to be headed directly for the island. Whatever it was it was fast. Too fast to make out with the naked eye. She panicked. Whatever it was, it was coming closer, and she was nowhere near close enough to protect her partner.
That's when she realized that the blur was headed for her.
Before she had time to react, he was upon her, glorious wings bringing him to a stop at the edge of the mountains face. His armor was damaged. His jaw-line was chiseled with age. He looked like he'd been through hell. But here he was, in all of his magnificent, callous glory. The one who got away.
Gatomon could not avert her eyes…
The being simply nodded a greeting. "Hello Gatomon."
She gasped. "You..."
End: The One That Got Away
Next up: "A Strange Urge to Sooth"
"…So you hate me?"
"I didn't say that."
Dominimon frowned. "You hate what I've become."
"…Yes. Very much."
Dominimon looked away. "That makes me very sad".
