CHAPTER THREE
When Zoey finally cracked open her eyes, she was not expecting to be looking into the face of a Palmon, the huge drooping flower from it's head almost touching her face.
"Hi there! I'm Palmon!" The Palmon chirped. Zoey did the logical thing. She screamed.
Immediately three familiar faces were hushing her.
"You're gunna wake up the whole castle!" J.P complained.
"Glad your awake, but tone it down!" Takuya said grinning at her.
"Are you okay? Feeling better?" Kouchi asked, as usual, the only one caring about the well being of others.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine. You just scared me Palmon. Sorry."
"It's okay!"
She sat up.
Zoey was sitting in a small twin bed, in a room with crystal walls and a shimmering rainbow chandelier on the ceiling. Palmon was at the foot of the bed, Kouchi on one side, J.P and Takuya on the other. In the corner of the room on a large sofa, Neemon was picking his nose, and Tommy was snoring on Koji's lap. The later looked severely annoyed, but was casting worried glances at Zoey when he thought no one was watching.
"Where are we?"
"We're at Angewomons castle and LightDokumon, the one who attacked you, is actually a good Digimon and he led us here and we get to see Angewomon and the other Celestial Digimon and our spirits as soon as you're feeling up to it which you should be soon 'cause the medic Digimon said your were just shocked into unconsciousness!" Takuya ranted in one breath. He grinned when he was finished. "So let's gooo!"
Zoey stared at him. "What?" She asked, not comprehending a word because he had spoken so fast. Kouchi sighed. Takuya's ramble had woken Tommy.
"What he means is, LightDokumon, a Digimon we met in the woods, was kind enough to lead us here. He got us an audience with the Celestial Digimon, and we're going to see them as soon as you feel better." Kouchi said, calm and collected.
"Oh, I'm keeping you? I'm alright, let's go meet them! I want to hear about Lilithmon." She flung the blanket off her and stood up. The boys looked at her awkwardly.
"You might want to change first..." Palmon hinted. Zoey looked down.
She was dressed in a plain silky white night gown that came down to her knees.
"Oh. Oops. Where's the bag with our clothes?" At this the boys rolled their eyes and glared at the corner of the room again towards Neemon.
"This dit here managed to lose half our belongings in the woods. Isn't that right Neemon?" J.P spat at him. "Most of our clothes, half our camping stuff, all of our food - gone!"
"It was alllllll the orange's fault!" Neemon responded happily.
"How do you even know what an orange is?" Takuya asked.
"Guys!" Zoey interrupted. "Please tell me that my stuff is still there?"
"Uh, there's a shirt, a belt...and your shoes." There was silence for a moment. Then Zoey shrieked.
"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU NEEMON! THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SKIRTS!"
"Uh oh." The rabbit Digimon said calmly, jumping up and running out of the room.
"URG!" Zoey screamed attempting to run after him. She was held back by six human arms and Palmon's long vine like fingers.
"Calm down Mistress Zoey!" Palmon said. "I'm afraid we don't have any clothes that could fit you, but the boy's could probably lend you something!"
Zoey's jaw dropped.
"Uh, I think I'm a few sizes to big for you Zoey." J.P said quickly.
"I'm to small!" Tommy excused himself.
"I don't have a change of clothes." Takuya pipped in.
"...I think Neemon lost my stuff too." Koji said.
Kouchi sighed. Being the slowest to come up with an excuse, he couldn't very well say no.
"Lemme see what I can find." He left the room.
A couple minutes later he came back with gray half cut jeans flung over his arm. He tossed them to Zoey.
She gathered up the shirt, pants, and belt and quickly left with a flush on her cheeks to change, leaving the boys alone in the room.
Takuya immediately burst into laughter.
"Her face...When you said...hahaha!" The three boys scowled at him. Tommy however, simply went up to Palmon and asked, "Which way to the kitchen again?"
"Down the hall, turn left, down that hall, turn right, third door on the right." He nodded.
"Hey, food? I'm coming!" J.P shouted, running after Tommy who was walking out the door. As they disappeared into the hall, the three remaining boys looked at each other awkwardly. Takuya sat silently for a minute, but he couldn't sit still and jumped up. Pacing around the room in wide circles and alternating patterns, he quickly annoyed the younger of the two Minamoto twins.
"Will you sit down." Koji yelled at him, more of a command than a question. Takuya walked over to a chair while Kouchi looked on amused.
"You know, 85% of the world population are exposed to stressful situations caused by yelling daily." Takuya said, blinking innocently at Koji.
Koji seemed about to pounce on Takuya when the door to the adjourning room sprang open. Zoey flounced in looking quite happy.
"Hooooow do I look?" She asked in a sing-songy voice, twirling on the spot.
Takuya's jaw literally dropped, Kouchi's eyes went wide and Koji's cheeks flushed oh-so slightly.
Zoey was wearing a pink tank top that hugged her slim torso just enough to reveal that she was growing up. Kouchi's jeans hung loose on her, her thin, tan legs protruding from the cuffs. A dark maroon red belt with a diamond stud clip wrapped around the belt loops, and her lavender gym shows brought the whole get up together nicely.
"You..Uh..wow, you look...great!" Takuya stuttered out.
"I know! Mi aspetto favoloso! " She squealed at him. Then she flushed gently and cleared her throat. "Anyway, let's go see the Celestial Digimon!"
Kouchi nodded and stood up. "Well they did say whenever you were feeling up to it, so I suppose now is okay..."
Koji however rolled his eyes.
"And now we have to go track down Tommy and J.P. Great."
After tracking down J.P and Tommy shoveling down the Digital World's Equivalence of ice cream in the kitchen, and much fuss over Zoey made by J.P, the group finally set off through the castle, Palmon leading them. The walls were rainbow crystal, magnifying the beautiful trees outside. They walked through the complex labyrinth of halls, gym shoes not making a sound on the polished floor. The castle seemed deserted.
"Where is everyone?" Takuya asked, having seen how busy the halls had been before.
"They're probably already in the meeting chamber. We informed the Celestial Digimon you were coming as soon as Mistress Zoey awoke." Palmon answered with a smile. "We all can't wait to hear you out. It's a miracle you returned, and we didn't even have to call."
The six humans looked at each other in confusion.
"But..." Kouchi began, about to inform Palmon that they had in fact gotten a call, when Palmon interrupted.
"We're here!" They looked up.
Palmon had led them to a large glass door, framed by a golden arch so scrupulously carved with tiny flowers that the arch seemed to be made of the miniscule petals. The door itself was marvelous, huge, towering, fitting inside the arch, clear cut jade and amber glass intertwining into complicated arrays of designs. The swirling colors made it impossible to see through, but they could hear faint voices coming from inside.
Palmon smiled at them. "Ready?"
"Ready as we'll ever be." Koji replied after receiving nods from his friends.
As if some invisible force responded to his words, the doors slowly swung open.
The voices abruptly stopped as they walked in. J.P squirmed under the gaze of every single Digimon in the room. Tommy squinted in the suddenly bright lights. Kouchi flinched when his eyes met a large Digimon's. Palmon squeezed Zoey's hand.
"Good luck." It whispered. Then slunk away into the crowd.
The room was large, sweeping into a high domed ceiling which had colorful paintings of the Digital World painted on it. A huge open floor spread out from the door to a sheer white wall, hanging off of which, a bit higher up was a balcony. On either side of the floor, Digimon sat in rows of white stone chairs.
The Digi Destined eyes were on the balcony. On it stood the three most breathtaking Digimon they had ever seen.
First was Angewomon, her silver helmet gleaming, white feathers sleek and neat all over her body. A long purple ribbon glittered as it hung suspended around her.
Next was Angemon, blue ribbon spiraling up his leg and opposite arm, a blue fabric hanging from his waist. His golden armor on his shoulder and wrist shimmered in the crystal room, and his black helmet covered his eyes. High and mighty around him rose great wings.
Last was a Digimon the children didn't recognize, but was known as Antylamon. He was sleek with a rabbit like appearance, lanky arms longer then it's body. Long ears sprouted from it's furry head, and curious eyes watched the Digi Destined from across the room.
It was dead silent. Not one of the humans dared to breath. Then quite suddenly, Angemon jumped from the balcony and with a twitch from his wings, glided down to the middle of the room. He motioned them forward.
"Hello friends."
That seemed to be the key, his powerful voice ringing out around the room. Slowly, then all at once, the 'stands' erupted in cheers.
Amidst the clapping and cheers, Angewomon and Antylamon followed Angemon's example, jumping off the balcony and meeting them in the center of the room.
Unsure about the praise they were receiving, Takuya gave a little wave to the Digimon, and J.P gave a shy smile. Kouchi and Koji stood rather protectively near each other, close to Zoey and Tommy, who, they could sense, were uncomfortable with the situation.
"Silence." At once the room was quiet under Angewomon's command. She gave them an encouraging smile.
"Well, Digi Destined. It's been awhile."
Kouchi managed a smile back.
"Yes it has. Thank you for having us."
"Thank you for coming." Angemon said. "About that. How did you know we needed aid?"
Zoey blushed then nervously said,
"We didn't. I mean we did but...Well, we got a message on our phones. We don't know who it was from, but she said that a Trailmon was waiting and that you guys could use some help. So here we are." She gave a nervous titter and hid behind Kouchi. Usually she was a brave girl, but quite frankly she was intimidated by the Celestial Digimon.
Angemon looked troubled. He turned to Angewomon.
"Who do you think could have the power to break through to the Human World? Not even we could..."
Angewomon shook her head.
"I do not know."
Antylamon, silent through the exchange, leaned down toward the humans. Tommy took a step back as the large rabbit leveled with him.
"Interesting. I remember you...but I don't." One of his ears cocked slightly to the right, as he examined them. Angewomon put a gloved hand on his shoulder.
"You remember from when you were corrupted, two years ago." Antylamon nodded slowly as if this explained everything.
"Well," Angemon said. "We would love to hear a more in depth version of your tale. Would someone care to speak?"
Instinctively they all turned towards Takuya. With a sigh he nodded to Angemon.
"I will. Speak, I mean."
Every Digimon in the room listened curiously as he described their story so far, the strange phone call they had all gotten, the strange symbol. When hearing the description of the symbol, Angewomon gasped.
"You know of this?" Angemon asked her.
"Yes. That is the symbol of Life. Lilestamon's signature. You do know of her?" Her question was directed towards the children.
"Yes." They hurriedly said, not particularly wanting another history lesson. Takuya continued the story, while the others mulled over the new piece of information. Lilestamon's signature? That meant the message was from her...but how?
By the time Takuya finished the Digimon in the 'stands' were beginning to get restless.
"All right. You all may go!" Antylamon said softly to them. They filed out of the room slowly, some pausing to stare at the Humans, a few even daring to go touch one of their hands, but all whispered about the DigiDestined. When they were all gone, the Celestial Digimon turned to each other in a huddle and whispered fiercely back and forth. Finally Antylamon turned to look at them.
"Angemon will take you to your Spirits. When you reunite, we will speak."
Angemon gestured them towards a back door, not as large as the first, but equally impressive, and Angewomon and Antylamon went back to the balcony.
Angemon led them through another series of hallways, but the walls were white stone instead of crystal.
"These are the Infirmary Levels. Your Spirits are through here." He paused at a door, pulled it open and gestured again for them to pass through. What they saw was a bit weird, even by their standards.
Lobomon and Agunimon were off to one side yelling at each other in voices that sounded distinctly like Koji and Takuya. Lowemon and Kazumon were standing a bit away from them, looking helpless, and Beetlemon and Kumamon were laying in two beds, slightly transparent and looking ill.
"We need to attack her again! We can't just stand by!" Agunimon argued.
"We have to stand back. Do you even see what happened to Kumamon? And Beetlemon? Do you want all of us to end up like that?" Lobomon said calmly back.
"Guys! Calmati! Please!" Kazumon tried. Lowemon just shook his head. The two sick spirits didn't say anything.
"Excuse me." Angemon said loudly. The Digital Spirits paused and looked towards the door.
"Oh, hello Angemon." Lowemon said, happy to be away from the argument. "I see you brought our Humans."
"Zoey! Mi sei mancato! Saremo riuniti ora! Sarò il tuo spirito e la nostra personalità si fondono ancora una volta!" Kazumon shrieked in a flurry of Italian, causing Zoey to rack her brains to translate.
Zoey! I missed you! We'll be reunited now! I'll be your spirit and our personalities will blend once more!
After she managed to translate, Zoey smiled at Kazumon.
"Naturalmente."
The boys were looking at them lost. Then Takuya asked,
"How can Kazumon speak Italian?"
"Kazumon is Zoey in a different form. She has all Zoey's knowledge, her personality and her memory's plus her own. As do your spirits." Angemon explained. Agunimon stopped arguing with Lobomon to walk over. He offered Takuya a high five. As soon as their hands touch a blue spark erupted from their palms. Each pulled back quickly.
"What just happened?" Koji asked.
Angemon just shrugged. "Naturally your spirits are a part of you and they want to blend back together. Take out your D-Tectors please."
They all did so.
"Who wants to go first?" Angemon asked. Takuya, Tommy and J.P looked at Zoey.
"Ladies first." They chortled. Koji rolled his eyes at them and Kouchi laughed. Zoey just nodded.
"Okay!"
"Now hold your D-Tector up...Alright, now just stay still." Angemon took Kazumon's hand and led her back to Zoey. He guided her wrist to the D-Tector. From Angemons palm, a small blue star ran up Kazumon's arm, then another up Zoey's. A purple light shot towards the ceiling, then spread out in a sphere around Zoey and the Spirit of Wind.
"Spirit!" She yelled, as she and Kazumon were lifted slightly into the air. Suddenly they were merging, and then Kazumon was gone and Zoey was lowered to the ground, the purple light fading.
"Woah." Zoey muttered, flexing her fingers. "Pauroso." She looked at her D-Tector. Both her Human and Beast Spirit were now inside it.
"Me next!" Tommy exclaimed.
"Now, Tommy, this might be dangerous. Kumamon is injured. Maybe we should wait-"
"I don't care!" Exclaimed Tommy stubbornly. He ran over to Kumamon's bedside. "Wake up Kumamon! I'm back!" Kumamon lay unresponsive. "Kumamon!" For a moment the real third grade boy showed underneath through his brave exterior. "Kumamon?" Hesitantly he reached out and touched Kumamon's hand. There was a flash of white light and Tommy pulled away quickly.
"Tommy?" Asked a snuffly voice. Kumamon sat up rubbing his eyes. Angemon watched speechless.
"Hey! You're back!" Kumamon practically jumped out of the bed to give Tommy a hug. Again, white light bloomed around them like a flower. But neither pulled away until Angemon stepped over.
"Come apart. I'll merge you in a moment." He told them gently. They pulled apart.
Angemon took both their arms and similar to how he had to Zoey and Kazumon, a tiny green star wrapped around their arms. Angemon pulled away and Kumamon and Tommy were lifted in a sphere of icy light.
"Spirit!" Tommy yelled. They merged together, then Tommy was lowered to the ground, light disappearing.
"Niiiiiice." Takuya drawled. "Now me!"
The exact same procedure went for Agunimon and him, except the star and sphere were dark flaming red.
Then was J.P and Beetlemon, their light yellow.
Next Kouchi and Lowemon, who got black.
Then, finally, was Koji and Lobomon. Their star and sphere were light baby blue.
The DigiDestined and Spirits had been reunited.
END OF CHAPTER THREE
A bit shorter then usual, but that's okay! Hehehe, the beginning was so awkward, but kinda fun to write! I need to make the next chapter pretty elaborate, so that'll make up for the shortness. Speaking of which, I'm making GREAT update time. So far they've been within days of each other. Yey!Ahem. Anywaaaay,
I NEED YOU GUYS TO REVIEW! Okay, granted, I don't need you to, but it really would mean a lot for just a few kind words, or constructive criticism. Pwease? Okay, Thanks for reading!
Love Y'all,
-QueenJen
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