(¯ˆ·.¸Hopeful Farewell¸.·ˆ¯)
Takeru wondered what just happened to Taichi, as just a moment ago they're still in the middle of battle and the next thing they knew Taichi's screen went blank. "What happened just now?"
Wisemon titled his head to the side, "Your friend broke his computer it seemed."
"What?! In the middle of battle?!" Takeru exclaimed incredulously as they watched Wargreymon helplessly bombarded by the virus digimon's attack. "Holy Angemon! Drive it away!"
Back in Network Space
"Yes! Takeru!" The holy digimon answered his partner's call.
Holy Angemon attacked Diaboromon and the white digimon fled. Takeru was right, there's no point to continue battling the virus now. Especially because large body of immobile Wargreymon and Atlurka Kabuterimon was going to be a huge distraction to them. They had to escape before any further damage could be done to their helpless friend or…
"Heaven's Gate!" He summoned his gate and numerous beams of light rained upon the virus digimon.
The attack was weak as he was dividing a single attack's power to multiple, but it had desired effect of covering larger area. As expected the virus digimon backed away and made a hasty escape with manic laughter. That was easier than he thought, it seemed the virus was not in hurry to eliminate them.
"It ran away?" MetalGarurumon who was protecting Wargreymon muttered, he was damaged from Diaboromon's attack but nothing as serious as Wargreymon's.
Holy Angemon shook his head in negative. "I will call that tactical retreat… it's still too weak to fight us head on so it's going to eat data somewhere else to increase its strength."
"Then we shouldn't have let it go." Angewomon said in irritated tone.
"Two of our friends are immobilized and it's impossible to protect them." He gestured to their gigantic body. "It's unfavorable but I'd rather risk this than their safety."
Angewomon smiled at that, "You're right…"
Yamato swallowed, "True, but still… what take Taichi so long?"
BEEP!
"We're back!" The brunette boy appeared on the screen, paling once he laid his eyes on his partner. "Wargreymon!"
'Ta… Tai… chi…" Wargreymon muttered weakly.
Yamato shot Taichi an angry look, "He stopped moving and that virus attacked him mercilessly! If not for Metalgarurumon and Holy Angemon he would have been worse!"
Taichi looked very guilty as he reached out to the screen as if he could hold his digimon but stopped by Kyoushiro who was still wary of Kamiya's fragile old computer. For a while no one spoke until Holy Angemon flew closer to the Ultimate Digimon pair, "Move aside MetalGarurumon, I will heal him."
"You can do that?" Taichi brightened up, "Thank you very much! Holy Angemon."
The holy digimon's wing shone in silver light as Wargreymon's wound gradually disappeared. "This will take a while…" If they wanted him to be ready for battle right away.
Metafalica, control room
Takeru was worried, which was understandable as they were in the middle of battle to protect the world. Grizzlymon had asked why they were not sending their troops to help, but the suggestion was swiftly rejected by Wisemon. The perfect level digimon reasoned that the link to network they had was shaky at best and sending reinforcement would put a strain on it.
Beside they already had advantage of number over there but still in trouble, adding more was not going to help.
Takeru understood that all they could do was pushing on and he didn't know what to do to turn the tide of battle.
Suddenly he felt a tiny warmth on his hand, and he was surprised to see a digignome holding his hand. "¶q¶q¶q¶ Þ•Þ•Þ•Þ TAKERU! o¤o¤o¤o¤o ±‡±‡±‡±‡±‡ ·..·¨·..·¨·..·!" The tiny mysterious creature said as it gestured wildly to Taichi and Yamato on their screen.
All eyes were on him, expecting a response. Takeru was silent as he looked back and forth between the digignome and his screen or precisely the two brother figures in his life.
"I understand." He said with a gentle smile, "This battle is not meant for me to be in the frontline."
"My lord?" Dinohyumon queried, "What do you mean?"
Takeru just laughed softly, "It's just how it is for me." Then he looked to the side, and he knew Angemon listened to everything. "Right? Holy Angemon?"
Real World
Koushiro reread the email the virus sent them, it sent freaking missiles with timer to eliminate them all. This was getting worse and worse, what should they do now? That Diaboromon even multiplied like no tomorrow, even advantage of number was not on their side anymore.
Wargreymon thankfully had recovered but they had another problem in exchange.
Network
"No need to thank me, however…"
"Holy Angemon's healing power is limited." Takeru informed them, "And angel digimon like him and Angewomon consumed energy faster than other digimon, so we're not a good fighter for long battle."
Angewomon nodded in agreement, "Depends on our experience too of course but from how much you consume energy to heal Wargreymon alone…"
He nodded, "I won't last long in this form."
Takeru noticed the way Taichi flinched when he heard it, "Taichi-san… you don't have to feel guilty." He assured the older boy, "Holy Angemon and I are not the hope of the group, but the one who keep hope to stay alive in us… no matter how difficult the situation is you can leave your back to us."
All of them focused their attention to Takeru, wondering since when he became so wise and comforting. Perhaps Takeru always was, but only now they noticed him.
"That's why." Takeru continued, "Never give up, and keep pushing forward because we will always keep hope alive…"
Hikari beamed, "Takeru is right onii-chan!"
Angewomon smiled at that, glancing at her counterpart. "Hope and Light…"
"That's why…" Holy Angemon drawled, "I am going to give Metalgarurumon and Wargreymon my remaining power." Then he glanced at his counterpart, "You too Angewomon."
The female angel digimon whirled around in shock, "But, if we do that we're out of this battle!"
"True, but this is the way… " He glanced at the two gigantic digimon.
Taichi and Yamato were thoroughly confused by his sudden decision to back out of the battle. "But HolyAngemon…"
"We're doing the right thing." Takeru chimed in, "For now it seems confusing to you but well… we need you guys to get stronger to beat Diaboromon! And for that… HolyAngemon and I want to increase your chance of winning with lending you our strength, just like before."
They were reminded of when Angemon and Angewomon pierced them with their arrow, what was Takeru trying to do and how did he know it was going to work.
"It will work." Takeru assured him and for some reason they couldn't find a shred of doubt and trusted him. "I know it will… this is my hope, our strength."
"That we will entrust to you." HolyAngemon said as he bathed in golden light.
Angewomon looked at him and then to Hikari who nodded, "Very well…" She agreed, after all he was the one who always assured her to believe in miracle.
Takeru looked at his dumfounded brother and Taichi, "Help us to." He outstretched his hand as if asking them to take it, "Reach out for your digimon, please… be there for them."
Taichi and Yamato were sure as that they hell had no idea what Takeru was trying to do but before they knew it they had reached out to the screen, and it felt like they could go in there. Much to their shock their hands passed through the screen and they fell on their respective digimon's back.
As soon as they came in contract with their partner, an even more blinding light erupted. The light was blinding as both Angel shone and the light was centered on the bracelet of digicode they wore. The chosen children gasped as ring of digicode left the respective angel and enlarged in size before they enveloped he two ultimate digimon.
"Wargeymon!"
"Metalgarurumon."
In their place a knight like looking digimon descended, almost all of its body was encased in pure white armor and if not for the two arms that resemble the head of Metalgarurumon and Wargreymon they couldn't recognized the new figure as one of theirs. White cloak fell gently around the new digimon, enhancing his gallant figure.
Metafalica
Takeru eyed the new digimon with a smile, unlike his friends in real world who was shocked by the new appearance he instantly recognize the holy knight digimon. "One of Royal Knights, Omegamon…" Wisemon who stood by his side breathed out in disbelief, "How do you know this is going to happen Takeru?"
He shook his head, "I don't… but I know one way or another Taichi-san and Onii-chan will be able to tap to this power, I am just giving them a little push I suppose."
Wisemon decided to leave it down although inside both he and Takeru realized this was another can of worm opened. Why the same digimon that was once the pseudo-leader of Royal Knight was born and a partner of chosen children? But for now…
Network
Taichi and Yamato quickly left the space and went in search of Diaboromon. Behind them Patamon, Tailmon and Tentomon watched their retreating back. It was a one-sided battle, as Diaboromon stood no chance against the holy knight digimon. Koushiro who had been flooded by emails was helped by Takeru with using his computer to halt it so it won't affect Omegamon's movement. In spite of gaining on Diaboromon, they were pressing on time and Diaboromon was on last spurt to delay his demise to take everyone to go down with him.
Koushiro thankfully managed to come up with a brilliant idea at the very last second, sending all emails he received and slowed down the virus digimon. Omegamon stabbed the timer with his broadsword right when the timer was on 0.3 seconds left.
It was a very close call but no one cared as they were alive and won the battle. Taichi and Koushiro had mild panic attack when they saw the missile sunk on the river not far away from Yagami's apartment. It seemed Diaboromon tracked them and fired the missiles towards them.
While they were no strangers to brushing closely with danger, it was one of the worst close calls they ever had.
They were about to celebrate but Takeru's voice reminded them that Takeru was still in digital world and faraway. This was also the first contact they had with him for since their return.
"But Onii-chan…" They saw Takeru's frowning face on their screen while in another window they say Yamato and Hikari. The communication was still going.
"Takeru…" Yamato pleaded, "Please… go home, come back to us! Our parents are waiting for you to return!"
Takeru's eyes lightened up at that, "Okaa-san and Tou-san?"
Yamato nodded frantically, "We have our family back! Our parents remarried! You're Ishida Takeru again!"
Takeru's breath hitched when he heard it, that he could have his family back again but…
Network Space
Patamon quickly digivolve back to his adult form, as he had enough energy recovered already and needed speed to go back. He was about to bid his friend a good bye before he felt sharp claw digging on his leg. Glancing down he found Tailmon glaring at him with the scariest eyes he had ever seen. "Tailmon…"
She snarled, "Do you think I have forgotten certain someone has been forgetting me for months?! Leave me hanging without so much a hello or telling me that he is still alive!"
Angemon swallowed, "I am sorry but Takeru and I… we're really far away from File Island so we can't contact you… it's irresponsible of me, and I am really sorry." He said in apologetic tone and much to his shock she started to tear up. "Tailmon?!"
Tentomon was nearby but sensing the mood was heating up he swiftly made his retreat and jumped to the portal to go back to File Island. Angemon was left alone to deal with the crying female digimon.
"Irresponsible?! You're sorry?!" She said between her sobs, "Six months! I don't know your whereabouts and not even a word from you! I… I… feel so alone, that you don't care about me at all!"
Angemon felt panic slowly clouded his mind as he bend down so he could pull her to his arms. "Of course I care about you… You are my closest friend."
"And yet! You are going to leave me again!" She snapped, her claws digging on his chest. "How is that caring?!"
Usually this worked whenever she was upset, he was so used to simple way their relationship worked. If she was upset, he had just to give her a hug, encouraging and soothing words and everything was going to be okay. Apparently now it was not working. Not to mention…
"Please don't cry…" He pleaded. "You know that I… I can't…"
She cried again, "Yeah, I know! You can't deal with tears! Especially crying me!" That was one of the first things he knew about him. Angemon was used to comfort Takeru and Tailmon, but once she cried he would get a panic attack and it was funny. Sometimes even a hiccup was enough to make him jump and run to stop her from crying.
She sniffed, "I guess… if you're still panic when I cry that means you care…"
He looked relieved that she believed him, until…
"But I am not going to forgive you yet." And just like that she burst his bubble.
Maybe she had not repent from her days as cruel henchwoman of Vamdemon, as she really enjoyed to see Angemon squirm for her. It was not that funny when he was in Patamon form with slightly childish mindset, but when he was in his higher form his mindset was fully an adult like her. He was more composed and virtuous compared to her, which was why whenever she managed to make him lose his cool was hilarious.
Angemon stammered, "Tailmon please… I am sorry I make you upset but I…"
"Which is why I will forgive you when you make it up for me in our next meeting in digital world." Tailmon decided smugly, "And don't you dare to make me wait for another six months."
He blinked under his helmet, "Oh… I think I can do that… but…"
"I know." She averted her eyes from him, "Just like Hikari said, you and Takeru have something you have to do on your own." It pained her that he had something else he had to prioritize, but as long as he cared of her she would endure it. "I can't and I won't stop you…" She muttered as she pushed away from his embrace, reluctantly putting some distance between them. "If Hikari can let Takeru go, I should be able too…"
He supposed to feel happy to know she understood and willing to accept his absence. In the other hand he felt guilty that she had to be alone. Of course they had their friends, but it was not the same for them. He missed her very much and Takeru's presence helped, but Tailmon didn't have Hikari with her.
"It's a promise." He muttered softly, "I will return for you as soon as I could." He promised sincerely.
She nodded, giving him a hug before jumped down from his arms. "And you better keep it."
"I will…"
And with that he flew away to different portal than hers that connected to File Island, she was tempted to follow but without wings she couldn't and she promised to wait for him. She just hoped their next encounter wouldn't be too long.
Real World
Taichi and Koushiro couldn't help but happy when they saw the way Takeru's face glowed in happiness. It was a dream come true for Takeru to have his family back. This way for sure Takeru would want to go home and back with his family. What he said next was not what they expected to hear.
Takeru closed his eyes and gave them a heart wrenching smile, "I am happy for them, it's a dream come true to have our family back… but…" Yamato's heart sunk when he heard Takeru's words. "I can't go home now."
"But Takeru! The digital gate is open! You can go home!" He could go through the computer, surely that meant Takeru could return too!
Takeru shook his head, "No, just now it's just temporarily open for you to network space… it's not exactly digital world." Takeru explained, "It's a firewall… that separate digital world and real world and now it's closed."
Yamato was disheartened when he heard that but even more when he heard Takeru continued on, "Beside… even if the digital gate is open now, I will not go home now."
Taichi didn't want to interfere but he thought Takeru was overboard, "Oi! Takeru! I get it you want to be stronger with staying in digital world but you make your family sad!"
"Taichi!" Yamato hissed, "Stay out of this!"
Taichi glared at Yamato, "No, I need to knock some sense on your brother! Believe me! Before I am also like that! I want to be stronger, I want Agumon to get stronger and I ignore everyone around me! All I get in the end is pain and I am hurting all of you with my selfishness!"
All of them were silence as they recalled Taichi when he was obsessed with helping Agumon to evolve to perfect level.
Yamato understand what Taichi was getting at but Takeru was not a boy who will blindly crave for power. It was just not Takeru because his brother disliked violence.
Takeru closed his eyes, "I am not staying in digital world only to get stronger, it's not my only reason."
"Then why?" Yamato snapped before he realized he had yelled at his baby brother, "Takeru, I… didn't mean to…"
He shook his head, "It's fine if you're mad at me, I can't blame you… I will get mad at myself if I am in your shoes Onii-chan… however… I have to say because…"
"It's something Takeru-kun have to do?" Hikari who had been so quiet suddenly spoke out. "Is that right?"
Takeru blinked owlishly at Hikari, wondering how she could tell what he was thinking. "Yes… I am staying because there's something I have to do no matter what…"
Bzzz! Bzzz!
Suddenly the image of Takeru shook like bad signal on old TV, "Uwaa… what's going on."
Takeru just sighed, "Well… it seems because Angemon make an emergency connection to Network space the signal is pretty bad and now the connection is about to collapse."
Milord!
Connection!
Get Lord Angemon to come…
Soon!
They heard different voices in the background, and they had no idea whose.
"Takeru!"
"Takeru-kun!"
They almost couldn't see his face as his screen was mostly myriad of random colors, "I… I am sorry, I wish… I c… could." Now even his voice was unclear and botched, "One day…. I… will go home… one… day …. Promise…"
"Takeru! Wait! Please!" Yamato begged.
And then the connection was completely cut off but not before they heard one clear sentence, one that told them they wouldn't see Takeru for a very long time.
"Good bye… may hope always live in your heart everyone…"
They didn't see Takeru and Angemon for a long time, it as if they had disappeared without trace…
Even three years later they who present in that battle could still hear their farewell.
At last I manage to finish it! We are going for time skip yippeee!
At any rate the reason I skip the detail of Diaboromon VS Omegamon is simply because it's not that different than in canon. I am writing digimon movie in my story simply because I need Takeru to have indirect contact with his friends and brother. I want them to see Takeru mean business and how his journey is not simple that he go as far as leaving his family (one whole family he wished for)
I hope in spite of my slow rate of update, you still follow this story ^^
Little preview:
"What do you mean a human tyrant is wrecking havoc as we speak?"
Dinohyumon and Grizzlymon looked at each other and then back to the image of their lord on the screen, "Exactly what we said milord."
Takaishi or rather Ishida Takeru run his gloved hand through his blond locks, "I mean human and not digimon, and now of all times when I am farawar from the mainland of Midgard."
"Well..." They shrugged, "If you're here, you and Lord Angemon would have kicked his ass six ways to Tuesday." Grizzlymon said as if that was an appropriate explanation.
Hope you love this update and review! If I am on review-high I am sure I will update soon LOL