The Fountain of Youth
Chapter Nine
The End of the Beginning
Rii Shuichon
Age: 13 (Currently)
Digimon: Lopmon
Advanced Energies: Digimon Cards, Shadow, Deva.
Digivice: Tamer – Shadow Modification
Chosen Family: Rii Lee
Former Citizenship: Japan
Weaknesses: Acts younger then she is, but doesn't like being treated like she's younger. Hates the idea of her being the baby in the house.
Other: Shuichon was the first Chosen to meet a program and actually learn what it was, Shadow came to her even before she was a Tamer, and told her everything. How much she actually got or understood at the time, no one knows. It was later that day at Shadows promptings that Shuichon went to the park. She consequently blackmailed her father into taking her there, where she went to the digital world... and the rest played out.
Jyou sat in his window seal at his house, his eyes staring out the window. He pushed his glasses up again and looked back towards his bed. There lay lots of open books. The Torah, The Koran, The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Apocrypha, The Screwtape letters and a managery of other books. His eyes went back to the ocean calmly lapping up on the shore. Gomamon was currently out there searching for some sort of new species of fish had been hearing about, and Gomamon was never one to miss out on an available fish for his Army to be called forth.
There was a knock on the door. "Come in." Jyou said, not even looking at the door.
"Jyou..." Sora said quietly as she came in.
"Where's Piyomon?" Jyou asked her, not taking his eyes off of the surf.
"She's with Agumon." Sora told him. Sora looked around, "Jyou look... I know Yuu meant a lot to you, and right after losing Taichi..." It took all of Sora's strength not to break down and bawl.
"Have some Faith." Jyou said quietly.
"What?"
"Have some Faith. The digital world chooses those who are worthy. Taichi and Yuu have entered with our Father. Of that I'm sure."
"Jyou..."
"I know you're not religious Sora." Jyou cut her off, "But I am. I figured since I had the Crest of Faith, I might as well put forth some faith and find out if there really was a God." Jyou sighed, then he smirked. "That was eight years ago. I had been trying to fit in my Gospel studies inbetween my medical classes. I was reading the Koran at the time and had almost finished it. I had already read through the bible by that point, and was going to move onto the more eastern religions next. I was going to search out the Hindu scriptures first."
Sora didn't know what to say, Jyou's voice had confidence in it that she rarely heard from him. Even when he was being responsible, he was rarely this... powerful? That wasn't the right word, but they're was something about him.
"I had prayed a couple of times in the past, asking the Lord for answers. Never did receive anything, no visions, no burning bush. Nothing. It wasn't until two guys showed up at my place. One was from Germany, a very Arian type of a person. The other was from America. It was when I opened my door that I knew my search had ended. Then as history goes, I've been a member of the LDS church since four months after that moment." Jyou let a smirk go to his face.
"I've been fairly good at going to Church, reading my scriptures and saying my prayers. Then again, their really isn't anything like to death to bring a man or a mon closer to God." Jyou went on. Jyou's face beamed as he smiled, "You ever think about the Digital World, Sora? I mean, in God's creation plan. Planet earth isn't the only planet that was created. You figure there's all of space, billions upon billions of miles out there and a Supreme being would satisfy himself with just one little planet."
"Jyou..."
Gomamon's partner went on like he didn't even hear her, "But what about the digital world itself? I mean, as humans we've come down to learn and grow and to be tested by our father, but what of Digimon. Why would God make them or let them be created? What purpose do they have in his plan? Are they there merely to help humans along with quest, which would explain the whole reincarnation part of digimon, so that they can always be their to help humans along, either by example or producing hardship."
Jyou let out a little smile, "Some may be satisfied by this answer, but I am not. You notice that no religion has come out and openly said anything about Digimon, even my own religion, which I know to be true has said nothing publicly. Still I can't but help to think that they have a real purpose upon this world... but then comes the question, how could a loving and caring God create a species who are just as intelligent as humans, yet still have a natural inborn instinct to fight? It's made wonder about competition. Is there such a thing as good competition. I would answer Yes, and we've seen it in the fights that some digimon due, yet like all things, that friendly competition instinct is often corrupted and twisted."
"Here we have the question of are Digimon also tested, or are they created to be certain ways. I mean, is Ogremon naturally evil and is supposed to be that way, or does he have choices just like humans."
"Jyou..."
Jyou finally stopped and looked over to Sora, "Oh... I'm sorry... It's... I've just had a lot on my mind lately."
Sora placed a comforting hand on Jyou's. Jyou smiled as he looked at her. Then his face turned something into a frown.
"Sora..."
"Hmm?"
"You're pregnant."
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Crasan stared in disbelief, "That's insane. Nobody's been able to beat me, and with Piyomon no less."
Shuichon grinned, "That's what happens when youw big bwother is a huge nerd." she told him.
Crasan sat back on his chair. Shuichon had been staying with the three for the past three days. She wasn't sure were Lopmon was, but she was blindfolded and allowed to see her everyday for however long she wanted. Shadow, or Midna as Shuichon had been recently referring to her, was still in her dormant state inside of her body. How the three had kept her like that, she didn't know, but she suspected the food.
The first day she had just moped and pouted most of the day. It didn't really matter though, none of them paid attention to her really. Rena would throw out an occasional rude comment or two at her, and Hason had a lengthy conversation with her last about various digital theories. Mostly Bioemergence and Biomerging and that was pretty entertaining, but other then that those two had left her alone.
Crasan however was put in charge of her, thus he stayed at the house all day. On the first day he just asked her if she wanted something to eat and drink. She declined until dinner when she couldn't stand it. He also took her to see Lopmon, but other then that, he really didn't pay any attention to her.
When she realized her pouting and defiance was doing nothing, Shuichon finally gave up by the second day's dinner. It was later that night that Crasan asked her if she wanted to play Super Smash Brother: Digital Combat with him. Digital Combat was a game Nintendo came out with after they're last digimon game sold out completely. Digital Combat went even faster, to the point that Nintendo couldn't even fill all of the preorders.
Needless to say, out of all the reviews, Digital Combat got at least a nine on 90 of them. The other ten percent said the game played to much off the digimon craze. That didn't stop people from playing it like crazy. The game was just like Super Smash Brothers but was a little more advanced in some features, but the biggest thing was that all the characters were digimon.
And Crasan was really good, like he could take on three level nine Computers against him, and Shuichon kept kicking his but.
Hason watched from the distance before looking at the time, "Crasan, Shuichon needs to go to bed."
"I'm thiwteen. I can stay up late if I want." Shuichon spoke to him snottily.
Crasan shook his head, for as much of a friend as he had made with the girl in the past three days, he agreed with Hason. "No... he's right. Lucemon-sama want's to see you tommorow."
Shuichon said nothing, reality setting back in that she was kidnapped, even if Crasan had treated her well, she was a prisoner. She went to her room silently.
Hason sighed, "You should have never gotten her hopes up. She's a host for a program. Lucemon is not going to treat her well."
Crasan still sat on the couch, his face towards the T.V. "And?"
"What do you mean and?" Hason demanded, "You've done nothing for her."
Crasan turned around and stood up, "Shut up." He growled fiercely.
Hason narrowed his eyes, "Take a little criticism Crasan. You're not perfect, even if you are one of the best. You did nothing for the girl but make this situation worse for her."
"I gave her a distraction." Crasan growled, "I got her into the mess..."
Hason glared the unspoken words between them. The final comment to that statement. "Come on Blacsan, we're going out." he muttered.
Hason followed Crasan with his eyes until he left with his digimon trailing behind him. He glanced over as Lucemon stepped out of the shadows, "Do not worry. There is a reason I chose Crasan to be the leader."
"Lucemon-sama." Hason said startled, "I did not realize you'd be visiting." His eyes glanced around the place. It wasn't dirty, but it was far less then what Hason wanted for when Lucemon came and graced them with his presence.
"Do not worry. I am simply here for the girl. There is much work to be done on her before Shadow will be fully in my grasps. Make sure I am not disturbed." He told him, and walked the stairs to Shuichon's room. As he got to the top of the stairs, he turned around, "Oh, and do be so kind as to not leave Rena out on a leaf. It would not be good for any of you if she died."
Hason felt something catch in his throat as Lucemon continued up the stairs.
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"Mr. Kasan..." one of his bodyguards said, "Mrs. Tatsuno is here."
"Send her in." Youn Kasan said. He let out a small smile, she would be the key to making this all fold together.
Tsurugi's mom walked in, dressed like lawyer. She sat down and stared at Kasan, "You know, my time is very expensive right now. I dearly hope that you have something important to say to have dragged me here."
"Oh, don't worry. I do." He leaned back in his chair, "You see Mrs. Tatsuno, you and I have the same goal. We both want to destroy the digimon."
Mrs. Tatsuno sensed a trap, "What purpose do you have to destroy the digimon?"
"Oh, economic ones." Youn said lightly, "You see, the digital world offers a world of wealth, which you no doubt have seen the RDW expand upon. There are many resources their to be taken and used, and valuable ones at that."
"The RDW already has claims." Mrs. Tatsuno told him, "I highly doubt they're going to just give it over to you."
"You are right, Mrs. Tatsuno, I wouldn't dare take the resources the RDW has claimed... at least until they're not a country sufficient enough to hold the power of candlelight." Kasan told her, "But I have other reasons. You see, with the digital world at my command, I could control all transportations of goods. The worlds economy would stabilize a bit more when it doesn't cost twice as much to ship grain over to a third world country as you would sell it for." Kasan grinned, "And that's just for starters."
"You're very ambitious, Mr. Kasan, I'll give you that, but if you've come to tell me that there are a bunch of great things that the RDW holds back from us, trust me I've thought about how I can use that as a weapon against them. The thing is, I can't. The RDW holds all rights to the digital world, the most I can do is to get a few liberals mad at them, but anybody with any sense of property rights knows that they are within their complete and total rights." Mrs. Tatsuno told him.
"Tell me, what kind of firepower do you have against the chosen right now?" Youn asked her, taking a sip of his coffee afterwards.
"You know, you're very good at getting me to trust you, but I'm not going to give some Digimon Sympathizer my information." Mrs. Tatsuno told him snottily, "Good day." She spun around out of the chair and started walking towards the door.
"What if I told you... you could have your revenge." Mrs. Tatsuno stumbled as he said those words. She said nothing as she looked down to the ground. Her daughter... her daughter could finally be avenged and she could move on with her life. She turned back around slowly, "You have two minutes to show me what you've got."
"Gladly." Youn Kasan's smirk enlarged, and from the wall, a digimon floated out. It was mostly purple, and hovered above the ground having no legs. For arms it held two wing like structures and in it's head was a single Red eye. "Let me introduce you to Gizmon. The first man made digimon, and the doom of Chosen."
Mrs. Tatsuno was astonished as she looked at the digimon standing before her eyes, "A robot. Then this is how you plan to move things through the digital world."
Kasan nodded, "Manufactured from the data of the digital world itself, this digimon will carry supplies through the different digital ports that we designate it too. It also carries a powerful weapon. My colleagues are working on more of them."
"You want me to set you up as the Great Champion, the hero and savior from the digimon." Mrs. Tatsuno spoke in awe.
"And what better timing?" Youn asked, "With the recent attack by the digimon and the accursed General Taichi gone, we can stir people up against the chosen and the digimon without much support."
Mrs. Tatsuno smiled, she had so much to work with. "How would you like to be the next Taichi Yagami."
"Gladly."
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Ruki sat staring at the floor outside the hospital room. To say she was worried would be an understatement. She was frantic, she was annoyed, she was angry at both herself and Takato... but what was more, she was, for the first time in her life, scared that she messed up.
Throughout her entire life, Ruki had never thought that she had done something overly wrong. She had never chosen the best way by any means in most things, but she hadn't chosen the wrong things either. Even at the IceDevimon incident, she hadn't felt guilty for sending Renamon off. She had often looked back at the incident and was amazed at how much not having Renamon around gave her a better appreciation for her.
Their was a quiet patter of feet and Ruki looked over as Jeri-chan walked around the corner. "Jeri-Chan." Ruki said quietely, her thoughts interrupted by her friend.
"How... how is he?" Jeri stammered out quietly, "T... Takato-san... how is he?"
"He'll live, if that's what you're looking for." Ruki told her shortly.
Jeri was taken back by Ruki's attitude, sure, she had seen plenty of this with Hikazu and Kenta and Ryo and even Takato occasionally... but she had never taken that kind of tone with her before, it frightened her a bit. She watched as her friend went into deep thought. Jeri walked over and sat next to her.
"Do... Do you want to talk about it?" Jeri asked her cautiously.
Ruki stood up then glanced over at her, "Yeah... I do. But not with you." She said quietly. She walked over to the corner, leaving a stunned expression on Jeri's face. She turned back, "It's nothing personal, Jeri-Chan. It'll just bring up to many bad memories." She turned towards the elevator and walked in. She was alone as it descended.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Renamon asked coming out of the shadows, standing behind Ruki in her trademark fashion.
Ruki was silent for a moment before speaking up, "One thing I've never been able to understand was how Jeri-chan hated Gogglehead for creating Megidramon then she did hating Beelzbubmon for killing Leomon... then I had just thought that it was because she had known Guilmon longer then her own partner and she was lashing out from the loss..." Ruki spoke softly.
"And now?" Renamon asked questioningly.
Ruki was silent for a moment longer before speaking, "I don't know... I feel the same kind of hatred towards Takato-sama for doing the same type of thing..." Ruki sighed, "Usually it's Takato I talk to get these kinds of things off my chest... but now..." The words were left hanging and the Elevator doors opened as Renamon faded back into the shadows.
Ruki walked slowly her hands in her pockets. She just let her feet carry her as she lost herself in thought, feeling Renamon's ever watchful eyes on her. Ruki watched as her dad walked away, the person she had held most dear in her life, just walk out on her, not turning back around to say goodbye, just walking away. Ruki's eyes filled with tears as she drifted back to her most painful memory, the one that started her on her path.
She stopped and looked up, surprised to find herself at the Lee's house. "Shuichon." she muttered quietly, remembering the little girl that had been taken. She hadn't seen Jenrya the past three days, but she had been lost in her own thoughts and hadn't taken much notice. No doubt he was going frantic over the loss of her.
"Ruki..." A familiar voice said from behind her.
She half turned to see Takato, "You should be resting Gogglehead, you just came out of a coma..." her voice trailed off as she looked him up and down. Not only did he have his regular clothes on instead of his, but he wasn't out of breath or looked tired or anything like he had been running.
The card was already in her hand before Takato could blink, "Digi-Modify!" she cried, "Sub-Zero Ice Punch Activate!" she cried. Renamon leaped from her hiding spot, a missile aimed for Takato's legs. Takato has started to turn around when the attack grounded him.
"Renamon?" Ruki asked another card in her hand already.
"He's not a digimon... but not human either. Reminds me of Shuichon's shadow." Renamon told her.
Ruki understood, but what it implied she had no clue. A few years back, Renamon had sensed some sort of digital oddity with Shuichon. When she confronted Lopmon about it, the digimon said she hadn't noticed anything, but Renamon had told her that she had an odd smirk for the Deva. She had followed Shuichon for a month, and didn't find anything odd, other then that she was able to pinpoint where the oddity of data was coming from. Ruki had tried to find something out about it, but in the end it proved fruitless. Thinking back on it though, Ruki wondered if that oddity was the reason Shuichon got taken. "You've got twenty seconds to explain yourself and what the hell you're doing looking like Gogglehead." Ruki told the Takato look alike sternly.
The Takato snorted, "Look, Ruki. Now's not the best time to be pissing me off. I just got sealed in this body and I'm really not happy about it." Takato swung around as the ice shattered beneath him. Ruki spun her card.
