Tears of Light
Shadow- "Hey everyone... do you know what chapter this is?"
Renamon- "I do, but for the sake of show, let's assume that I don't."
Shadow- "It's the last chapter! 93,301 words! Chapter number 100!"
Renamon- "...huh?"
Shadow- "That's right! I just totaled them all up, and it came out to 100 exactly! How cool is that!"
Renamon- "...you never cease to amaze me..."
Shadow- "And, since this is the final chapter of this story, I think I'll take the time to thank everyone who reviewed! So...
Lots of love goes to: digi-writer1392 (with a truely amazing 51 reviews!), Nameless Dragon (with a not-quite-so amazing, but still impressive, 22 reviews), Dragonrider04, d.kinght, chaos, Kami The Fox, Taeniaea, whatisee, Dag 417, Christophe Deschain, kuyaga, Renaki, BEWhiteDragon-00 (thanks for being the first to review...and then never reviewing again...), ins-Dragonclaw, Serenity 984, Selena The Ultimate Weapon, Kimiko Kinomoto, and Cool-Guy0934.
...with no love whatsoever for sry, who posted a chain letter as a review..."
Renamon- "Wow... lots of fans..."
Shadow- "yeah... didn't even know there were that many until I looked... well, thanks to all 18 of you! And please keep an eye out for more from me in the future!"
Renamon- "Good. Now then... onto the chapter."
Shadow- "Oh, right... I almost forgot... Well, this is, as I said earlier, the last chapter in this story. I think you'll, uh, "like" it..." (chuckles)
Renamon- "What's that supposed to mean?"
Shadow- "Oh, nothing..."
Renamon- "...right... well, Shadow does not own digimon."
Shadow- "Don't forget to review!"
Renamon- "...so, are we done now?"
Shadow- "...I guess so..."
Renamon- "Sweet! Vacation!"
Shadow- "Huh?"
Renamon- "I'm going to Disney World!" (runs off)
Shadow- "...what the hell. "When in Rome..."" (runs off after Renamon)
unknown
As the piercing light slowly faded from view, the digidestined slowly uncovered their eyes.
The Darktrailmon had disappeared. They found themselves standing upon a sea of glass, the crystal below them slowly undulating like water, but remained solid. The sky above them was on fire, swirling reds and oranges mixed with a brilliant white light, casting odd and ever-shifting shadows over the landscape. The constantly changing glass reflected the light in odd directions, washing a bloody glow over the digidestined.
A bright light shot up suddenly from the digidestineds' digivices. The light was made of many colors, but the colors swirled and combined to create a beam of pure white light. The pillar of light flattened against the ground, spreading out across the glass, creating a path across the landscape.
The digidestined looked at each other, speechless, and slowly, as if hypnotized, moved in unison to the light bridge and began to walk along it.
As they walked, the sky became consistently calmer, and the crimson in the sky eventually subsided, leaving only pure white in its wake.
In this pure light, the digidestined continued walking, until they saw an object in the distance.
The digidestined seemed to wake up, and ran up to the object. On a glass table lay the sword that had once been part of Sacrosamon, and which they had used to bring everyone back... and in the process had destroyed six of their friends. Takato reached for it, but was repulsed by some invisible force.
The undulating glass below them quieted, and a large semi-circular table appeared, also made of crystal, and surrounded the digidestined. Seven shadowy figures faded half into view. One of them began to speak.
I guess the fools finally showed up! the voice said. The little idiots have really screwed themselves over this time, haven't they? Let's make them suffer!
Wrath, calm yourself. another said. You remember that they have done enormous good... despite what they have "accomplished" here...
Oh, be quiet Serenity! A third voice said. I, for one, would just as soon have you removed from this council.
Quiet, all of you. A clear voice rang from the center of the table, silencing the others. You know why we are here. Let us not waste time with these pathetic bickerings.
The third voice growled. Don't act all high and mighty, Miracles! You're just one of us, though you'd like to think differently!
Let's just get on with this... a quiet voice said from the side. We all know what the outcome will be... but let them argue their case, at least for show...
Shadow! The voice referred to as Miracles responded. That's not true! All of us come here with no biases!
The voice called Shadow sighed. Look, Light, Darkness, and I have our opinions already... and you know whatever Envy and Serenity decide, it won't change... and you can guess Wrath's position in an instant...
Miracles sighed. Fine, have it your way... let's just get this over with...
A spotlight fell on the digidestined. I'm assuming you know where you are? One of the voices asked of them.
"With all due respect..." Izzy started, but was cut off by Davis.
"Hell no we don't! Who the hell are you, and where are we?!"
One of the voices who had yet to speak whispered Amateurs...
Miracles sighed. I suppose there's no way you would know... we are the major crests... I am Miracles, and my fellows are Wrath, Serenity, Envy, Light, Shadow, and Darkness.
The others shifted as their names were mentioned. Miracles continued. We are the council that makes decisions on events that are considered too important to be left to other, lesser powers. As for where you are... let's just say that this is Oblivion, and leave it at that.
"Oblivion?" Ken asked. "What's-"
Miracles interrupted him. Now is not the time to speak of such things... we have more important things to discuss...
Your actions have restored the balance of power in your worlds on numerous occasions... but more recently, your actions have been cause for great concern. We have been monitoring your actions, and we have seen you kill each other on several occasions, destroy your own worlds, and wipe clean the memories of your friends. If you have any defense, speak now, before the council makes its decision.
Yolie spoke up. "What decision?"
The decision of whether to allow you to use the sword again. If you can convince enough of us, we will allow you to use it... one last time.
None of the digidestined said anything for a moment. Then Takato stepped forward.
One of the figures nodded approvingly. Excellent... I was hoping the bearer of my crest would speak...
Wrath...
Sorry...
"Hold on a second..." Takato said. "I thought that Hazard was-"
Sudden laughter echoed around him. Hazard? That's not a crest! That's a warning! A warning of the undying rage that can be unleashed by the wielder of Wrath.
"Oh..." Takato said. "Well... when we were doing all those things, we thought that we were doing what was right..."
...which is not the same thing as actually doing what is right...
Shadow!
I didn't interrupt him... he was pausing...
Takato gulped, and continued. "But... now we understand how those things work, and-"
Shadow interrupted again. You don't, actually, but you're close enough to the truth to recognize it... please continue.
Takato nodded. "-and we know enough to realize what is right and wrong... and we want our friends back to normal..."
An admirable sentiment.
"Umm... yeah..." Takato finished lamely. "That's... yeah..."
Miracles spoke up. Your arguments are noted. Council? What is your decision?
Wrath spoked first. I frankly could care less about your friends... although I can't speak for my 'comrades', I vote against. Let them suffer in the hell they've created.
Serenity spoke next. I personally think that Wrath is just a blood-hungry barbarian... but he does occasionally speak reason. Peace is finally reigning in their worlds. The wants of a few should not be set before the needs of billions.
After a pause, Envy spoke up. As my name implies, I am by nature envious of others positions... but even I find nothing enviable about your plight. I vote they are allowed to restore their friends.
Light immediately spoke up. Though I feel for the bearers of my crest, they have suffered much... and will be happier without memories. Besides, how could I vote down a world where only Light exists? I vote against.
Shadow spoke. Though there are other reasons behind my decision... such as the stability of other worlds in this vacuum of any mitigating forces to oppose Light... the main reason is that both Darkness and I refuse to allow a world in which we do not exist. Both of us vote for the restoration.
Darkness nodded in ascent.
Miracles growled. Which leaves a tie... with me as the tiebreaker...
Shadow sighed. I knew this would happen...
Shadow, hold your tongue! Miracles growled. Though I can see the advantages of an experiment of an all-Light world, there is too much at stake in the region, if this area were to become unbalanced. I decide that they shall be allowed to receive the sword, and ask of it what they will... though the idea of this "test" intrigues me...
The air around the sword warped for a moment, the settled back to normal.
Takato reached for the sword, encountered no resistance, and picked up the bladed weapon.
After a pause, then blade rang with a calm, clear voice. What does the wielder of the weapon ask?
Takato held the sword before him, and said "Bring back our friends."
The sword hummed for a moment, then stopped. This will restore the memories of your other friends... as well as return both Shadow and Darkness to the world. Is this what you wish?
Takato nodded. "Yes."
The sword paused again. Before I do so, I must warn you...
When the sword did not elaborate, Takato asked "What?"
You will not enjoy what I will tell you... are you sure you wish to hear it?
Takato nodded. "Yeah, of course!"
The sword paused again. Very well... while the powers invested in me are near-infinite... there are limitations...
"You can't bring them back?" Takato asked, worry creeping into his voice.
I can... in a sense...
When no-one interrupted, the sword continued. The essence of any being... what you refer to as a "soul"... is not ever-lasting.
Zoe gasped. "W-what?!"
There is a limited amount of energy in the multiverse... so in order to prevent entire worlds from running dry, any excess energy must be... recycled.
Takato swallowed hard. "So.. We can't bring them back?"
The sword paused again. Again, I say that I can... in a sense. I can create an exact copy of the original... identical memories, bodies... everything except one small alteration I am required to make, to distinguish a copy from an original.
"And what if we don't believe you?" Izzy asked.
Izzy's computer vibrated for a moment. There. I have put a program for detecting copies into your computer. Use your digimon analyzer... and see for yourself when the time comes...
"A copy?!" Zoe choked. "That's... terrible..."
Tai bit his lip. "Um... sword... is there any way to restore Kari and Kouji's memories... without creating copies of Justin, Koichi, Carrie and Erika?"
The sword did not hesitate. No.
Tai thought for a moment, then looked at Takato. "Takato... we have to..."
"What?!" Zoe yelled. "No! They won't be real... they'll just be... there!"
Tai sighed. "I know... but if it's the only way to get Kari back to normal..."
Takato looked at the sword for a moment. He finally said "We can't leave Kari and Kouji the way they are..."
Zoe cried out. "Takato! You can't do this!"
Takato sighed. "...we have to..."
Zoe shook her head. "No, we can't! Think about this!"
Takato lowered his head. "...Zoe... think of the alternative..."
Zoe bit her lip, then sighed, and closed her eyes. "... there's no way I can talk you out of this, is there?"
Takato shook his head.
Zoe growled. "...well, then at least tell them! Tell Kari, Kouji, and those... fakes you'll make, the truth." When nobody answered, Zoe continued. "You owe them at least that much."
Takato slowly nodded. "Okay... but I'm not going to be the one to tell them..."
Tai nodded.
Takato looked up at the sword. "Sword... bring back our friends, restore our other friends memories... and make everyone but the digidestined forgets what's happened."
The sword rang out As you wish...
The sword flashed crimson for a moment, then the red color flowed toward Takato's wrist, and disappeared. The sword stopped vibrating. ...it is done.
Takato sighed. "Sword? One last thing... transport us all home..."
As you wish...
n. digital world, one week later
Kari, Tai, and Izzy came through the digiport. Kari smiled happily. Tai and Izzy did as well, but a tinge of sadness was also there... they knew what they had to do...
Kari looked back at her brother. "Tai, c'mon!"
"Wait up!' Tai yelled. "You only got out of the hospital a few days ago!"
Kari laughed. "Tai, you know I'm feeling better! Now, what's this surprise you mentioned?"
Tai nodded forwards. "Look in front of you."
Kari turned, and saw Justin there, waiting for her. Kari laughed happily, and ran into his arms. They kissed for a moment, lost in each other.
Tai whispered to Izzy "Are you sure we should do this? They look so happy..."
Izzy sighed. "Tai... just remember that the Justin you see there looks exactly like the original... except that he isn't, he's just a copy..."
Tai sighed, but nodded.
The two boys walked up to the happy couple.
Kari looked over at Tai and Izzy. She saw the sadness on their faces, and her smile disappeared. "...Tai? What's wrong?"
Justin released Kari. Kari looked at him. "... do you what's going on?"
He shrugged. "I have no idea. They just said you were going to meet me here..."
The two looked back at Tai and Izzy. Kari repeated her earlier statement, though more urgently. "Tai? What's wrong?"
Tai started to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. He tried again, failed, and muttered "Izzy, you tell them..."
Izzy whispered back "You said you were going to tell them. So do it!"
Kari looked from each boy to the other. She said it again, now truly concerned. "Tai? What's wrong?!"
Tai took a deep breath, exhaled, then finally started speaking.
"Kari... when we brought Justin and the other three back... we tried, we really did..."
"Tai? Tried what?"
"The sword... said he couldn't bring the original Justin back to life... the only thing it could do was create a copy..."
Kari swayed for a moment, as if she'd been hit. Hard. Tears started to form in her eyes.
Justin's mouth worked for a moment, producing no sound. He finally asked "How... are you sure?"
Tai nodded. "He... the sword gave Izzy a program to tell if its an original... or just a copy..."
Izzy took out his laptop, and pointed it at Justin. After a momentary pause, a female voice intoned "Copy detected."
Kari choked back a sob. She looked up at Tai. "Why... how could you do this?!"
Tai sighed. "Kari... we wanted you to have your memories back... even of you had to face this..."
Kari's eyes grew dark, she swayed for a moment, then sat down hard. She whispered something under her breath, her eyes wide, then said nothing. Tears slowly dripped from her face.
Justin, on the other hand, bit his lip, and looked thoughtful. "Hey, Izzy..." he said. "Can I see your laptop?"
Izzy nodded, and handed his computer over to Justin.
Justin studied the screen for a moment, then pointed the laptop at Kari, and pressed a few keys.
Izzy looked at him quizzically. "What are you-"
He was interrupted by the computer's voice. "Copy detected."
Kari looked up. "W-what was that?"
Justin sighed, handed the laptop back to Izzy, and looked at the ground, his hair falling in front of his eyes.
Izzy looked at the laptop. "...what was that?"
"I scanned Kari like you scanned me... just on a hunch..." Justin whispered. "...and she's a copy too..."
Izzy's and Kari's eyes went wide. Tai leapt up, grabbing the computer away from Izzy. "What the hell?!" he scanned Kari again, but got the same result. He looked up Justin. "Where's the real Kari?!"
Justin sighed. "Where the real Justin is...gone forever... just like everyone who died that we brought back..."
Tai turned the laptop to Izzy, and scanned him. "Copy detected."
"What the hell?!" Tai yelled, dropping the laptop.
"Izzy got killed by that dragon, remember?" Justin whispered. "So did Trish... and we brought back Takato the same way..."
The other threes' eyes widened as Justin went on. "And then I was killed for the first time... and then so was Kari... and Kouji, and Koichi, and Zoe... and all the others... and for that matter, everybody in each of the three worlds... every single person..."
"W-what?" Tai said, his legs shaking. "But... that... that means... mom!!"
He grabbed his digivice, grabbed the laptop, and jumped through the portal. Kari made as if to follow him, but stopped when Justin shook his head.
"No, let him go... he'll find what he finds there... but I guess there's something we never realized..." he looked up at Kari. Their eyes locked.
"You can't bring back the dead... no matter how hard you try."