Fall From Grace

Chapter 9

Another day, another chase for Zero. Rika was beginning to wonder if he actually wanted to be found and brought home. Renamon was just pissed off. They had spent hours chasing the dark fox until he finally decided he needed to sleep. Now the two females, desperation clinging to them from the lack of 'attention' over the past months, watched him where he laid and prepared to retrieve him once more.

Renamon phased out with Rika and both made their way to him, careful not to make any noise. Even though they were phased out Renamon had to make sure she interacted with the right things, if she accidentally stepped on something that made a noise then Zero would hear them. Being phased out was useful but not foolproof. As it was Rika did step on a small branch, a resounding snap echoing across the area.

Zero shot up, ears swivelled to the noise. Renamon and Rika stopped dead, hoping he would go to sleep again. He couldn't sense anything, nor see anything around him. Perhaps it was his mind playing tricks on him. He laid down again, but kept his eyes open just in case. Renamon and Rika hesitantly continued their short walk, now watching the ground to avoid anymore noises.

Soon they were over him, his eyes now closed as he slept peacefully. Seeing him in a calm state reminded both females why they loved him, but also hardened their resolve in bringing him back to them.

Renamon pounced, phasing them both in as Rika also pinned him down. Zero woke instantly, finding himself trapped. He instinctively phased out himself, but took Rika and Renamon with him since they were contacting him. He phased back in when he noticed they could still see him.

"Zero, you must remember us. We are your friends, and so much more. Come back to us." Rika's desperate voice washed over his ears, causing them to twitch as something in his mind clicked.

He let off a confused low growl, the noise quite comical to the two with him. Renamon took her turn. "It's us Zero. Come back, we need you."

He forced them off him, standing whilst looking them both over as a recognition thought entered his mind. He didn't try to fun or fight, he just stood. His eyes searched for something in the two females, widening when it came back to him.

"R... Ren..."

Rika was slightly disappointed when she herded Renamon's name being said before hers, but at least there was progress. "It's us Zero, we are here."

"Re... Na..." He tried to complete his thoughts but they wouldn't come, half information was all he was receiving from his memories. He turned to the redhead. "Ri... R..." His tail whipped around in agitation as his paws gripped his head. "Grr... Re... Mem... Ber... Re... Mem... Ber!" Cognitive speech slowly returned to him, as painful to say as it was to listen.

Renamon tried one final push. "We are here Zero, remember us."

His claws dug into his head, adding to his frustration. "Re... Mem... Ber... I... Am... Ze... Ro... Remem... Ber... Remember... I... Am... Zero... Zero! Zero! I am ZERO!" His voice rose with each noise, nearing a bestial shout by the end. "I AM ZERO! Remember I am Zero! Remember... Phi Tech!" His eyes snapped open, rage visible. "Phi Tech! PHI TECH!" A snarl, vicious and dangerous, formed on his muzzle. His voice was equally dangerous, roaring with anger at the name he repeated. "I am Zero, I will DESTROY Phi Tech!"

Rika and Renamon watched on as Zero raged around him, lashing out at trees and rending them into pieces. They could only watch on as he vented after regaining at least some of his memories.

"How dare they! I will destroy them!"

"Zero... You already have."

Zero whipped around, seeing Rika and Renamon standing before him. "Renamon! Rika!" Zero ran to them, wrapping his arms around them both. "I didn't think I would ever truly see you again!"

Rika's relief was overwhelming. "We are here Zero, and we aren't going anywhere without you anymore."

Zero held them tightly. "Did I really destroy Phi Tech?"

Renamon nodded against him. "Yes, you activated the ship's self destruct with them still on board. Don't you remember?"

He shrugged, looking at them with his sorely missed loving gaze. "It's all a little hazy, maybe in time I will be able to recall what happened. But I am back and that's all that matters. Let's just go home."

Those four words made everything over the past few months seem entirely worth it.


After 'reuniting' with the females in the privacy of their home, Zero found himself in HYPNOS being brought up to date with the events of the past few months. Yamaki had just finished when a rip appeared in the air, Shade stepping out into the room. He saw Zero first, striding up to him.

"Welcome back father, you were sorely missed by all."

Zero grasped his son's arm. "And I hear you've taken over as Sovereign. I bet my chair was still warm."

Shade smiled warmly. "Stone cold father, though it's yours should you want it back."

Zero shook his head. "I've made too many mistakes during my time as Sovereign. I provoked the humans with what I felt were normal speeches which only turned them against me, my words being seen as hostile and violent. I am too naive to lead, the position remains yours. Besides, I've heard you've been doing a fine job in my place."

Shade smiled again. "You sell yourself short. You made the world, or rather worlds, what they are today. It was your ingenuity, your willingness to share that brought us and the humans to this golden age. I merely watch over your legacy."

Zero snorted. "Bah! The humans could have gotten to this point eventually without my help. No, the true credit goes to you for keeping order. If I was still Sovereign there would be chaos on every world. You are twice the leader I ever thought I could be, better you continue in your reign than for me to ruin it."

Shade bowed. "As you wish father.

At that moment one of the technicians for HYPNOS came running in. "Yamaki! We have a situation!"

The blonde male turned to the speaker. "What's going on?"

"There's a digital hazard signature forming in the digital world! It's big, possibly a Cataclysmon!"

Zero's eyes narrowed. "A clone must have survived. Yamaki! Prepare your gate to send me straight there."

Renamon jumped in on the conversation. "Us Zero, we are going too."

Zero snorted again. "Fine, us."

Yamaki nodded. "Come this way."


A rip tore its way in the air before three figures were deposited on the ground. Zero shook his fur straight as Rika and Renamon took position beside him. His eyes focused in front of them, seeing the Cataclysmon beginning to form.

"I never thought I would see such a sight, with me being the only Blood Renamon with the fury essence. This is truly an awe inspiring sight, but back to the task at hand." He flexed his claws. "I know you want to help, but I'm afraid you are out matched. Cataclysmon is a powerful adversary and even your biomerged mega form won't scratch it. This is my fight, please accept that."

Renamon gripped his arm, making him face her. "And how are you any more likely to succeed?"

He winked knowingly. "You'll have to trust me. Now please stand back, I don't want to get you hurt."

Already Rika's digivice was blaring warnings about Cataclysmon, the digital hazard symbol present on the screen. "Be careful Zero, we just got you back."

He smirked before he was surrounded in a red aura. "Blood Renamon, Awaken!"

Rika and Renamon went wide eyed. "You have got to be kidding!"