Digimon Tamers 2: The Rise of Zero
Chapter 24
They all noticed changes in Zero over the next few months. They were only slight differences at first, but the became more obvious as time went on.
He became distant, often going off on his own around the city. He never actively avoided any of them, and showed no signs of change when he spoke. But each time he believed no one was looking his face displayed a mixture of emotions. They would sometimes catch him standing alone on the top of a building looking out across the city. A few times Renamon had joined him, wrapping one arm around him. He would always offer her a warm look and a reassuring smile, before returning his gaze out over the city. She could tell he still loved her as much as he did before, but his vacant look bothered her.
For the first two weeks he had slept in the same fashion as before, cuddled up to her in her bed. But then he had moved to the floor, sleeping alone but still in her room. A couple of times she had joined him during the night, only to find he had moved again when she woke up. She knew he needed time to think things through, and she respected that. But it didn't make it any easier to deal with. They hadn't reaffirmed their feelings for each other since they became mates.
Then he had stopped sleeping there altogether. Where he was sleeping was a mystery to everyone, but he still came back to see each of them. They would still fight rogues who came across to their world, and the first few times Zero fought them alone. Well, he had tried to. They had come in to find him beaten and stepped in to finish his job. He was never seriously hurt, except for pride. They would check him over, then he would be off again. After a few battles he began to wait outside the digital field for them to arrive, before joining them in the fight. He would help them defeat the rogues as a team, before once again going his own way.
Then even that stopped. He would just sit at the side and watch the others fight, instead of joining in. He had a forlorn look on his muzzle each time one or more of them digivolved. He would also miss some fights entirely, not even showing up at the end.
Renamon began to wonder where he was during these fights. Each time she saw him he would hide his true emotions behind a false smile as he greeted her, but even his mask began to crack. She detected a great pain inside him, as well as a deep longing for his previous life. They had tried to extract a copy of Renamon's digivolution code to replace Zero's missing one, but his body rejected it. There was nothing they could do to help him.
Zero's mind was a battleground. No matter what he did, nothing seemed to make a difference. He felt useless. He could no longer fight with confidence in himself. Every fight he had been in alone had almost ended him. He was no match for any digimon anymore.
He appreciated the help everyone offered him, but even they could do nothing. He was lost.
He was aware of how Renamon felt about his absence from her side, but he needed to find a way to get himself back. He still felt the same way has he always had towards her, but he couldn't find it in himself to show it anymore. Every time he tried his mind reminded him of his flaw, his impurity. He actually began to regret purging his fury from himself. At least then he was whole. Now he felt broken, damaged beyond repair. As far as he was concerned, his life was over.
The tamers and their digimon were gathered in the park, relaxing for the day when Yamaki strolled up to them.
"I thought I'd find you here. I have some news from the scientists looking into Zero's issue."
They looked at him with surprise.
"Well? What is It?"Rika asked impatiently.
"You are all aware how digimon normally increase their strength aren't you?"
"We load the data of our opponents and use it to help us digivolve." Renamon replied, still confused by this.
"Exactly. So if we get Zero to absorb another digimon's data, he may be able to regain the ability to digivolve." Yamaki clicked his lighter shut as he finished.
Everyone went wide eyed at this. Why didn't they think of this earlier? It was Renamon who reminded them.
"No. Zero will never agree to it. He has stated several times since he came back after dying that he will not delete and load digimon for his own benefit. He would rather die."
"What choice does he have Renamon? You can see what it's doing to him. Do you want this to carry on?" Rika interjected.
She knew she didn't. But she couldn't find a way to convince Zero that it needed to be done.
Yamaki left them to discuss the point amongst themselves. He had other work to do.
Later that night, Zero stood on a roof next to Rika's house, watching the occupants fall asleep. He had decided to break one of his habits and indulge himself this once.
Once he was sure they were all asleep, he dropped down to Renamon's door and phased through it. He saw her laying in her bed, unconsciously leaving space for another next to her. A space he took for himself.
She startled slightly as he climbed in next to her, but didn't stop him. She welcomed it in fact, having missed him for so long. She thought about telling him what they had learnt earlier, but decided to wait in case it ruined the moment. He felt his arm encircle her body as he pressed up against her.
Zero moved his head to the side of her neck, and in one smooth movement snaked his tongue over her mark.
She shuddered from the contact, not expecting him to be so intimate. She felt the changes instantly, just before his touch found her new additions.
Not wanting to be out done, she rolled over in his arms and ran her own tongue across his mark.
Now fully equipped for the night, Zero wasted no time in throwing her onto her back and pinning her into place. He looked into her lust filled eyes as a primal grin formed on his muzzle.
She saw the look on his face and shuddered again. She never knew he could be so dominant. She wasn't used to being controlled, but in this case she felt she might actually enjoy it. She braced herself for what she knew was coming next.
The rest of the night was a mind blur for the both of them. They both recalled intense feelings of lust and pleasure, amongst other things. And they both recalled Renamon howling for most of the night.
Renamon awoke first, both surprised and glad that Zero was still with her. She watched his sleeping form as she gently ran her paws across his chest fur, deep inside his mane. She admired the smoothness of his fur and the definition that laid beneath. Her eyes roamed his form, taking in the sight of him as she allowed herself to drink in his scent. He always smelt so intense after they mated, as if he exposed his digital core to her. She imagined it was the same for her too.
So engrossed in her thoughts she didn't realise he had woken up from her roaming paws.
"Last night not enough for you?"
She startled slightly before smiling back at him.
"Not really, but you wouldn't last long enough to satisfy my hunger."
She had that look again, the one that said 'you know I'm right.' He shot her a 'wanna bet?' look in response.
"Oh, I'm sure I could surprise you on that."
"I would love to see you try."
So he did.
It was mid day before they emerged from her room. A very smug looking Zero followed by an exhausted Renamon, looking very defeated.
"Next time you'll learn not to challenge me."
She had to admit he had more stamina than her, quite a bit more actually. She could barely walk, how he was able to look so energetic was beyond her. She couldn't even correct her fur, he had to do it for her. Something else he seemed to take amusement in as he did his own.
"Seems most of the day is gone. The others are probably wondering where we are. That is if they didn't hear you howling."
"Shut up! How can you be so full of energy after that?"
"Quite easily. I haven't been doing much lately and had a surplus. It's not my fault you challenged my stamina."
"Hmph. At least help me get to the others."
Zero smirked as he offered himself as support for her. She leant heavily on him as they made their way to the park. She didn't really need support, she just wanted the contact.
They met the others in the usual place in the park. They shot the two digimon confused looks, as if to inquire why Renamon wasn't walking on her own strength. Zero sensed this and added an amused look to his still smug grin.
"Don't worry. She is fine. She just challenged my endurance."
They didn't need any more information to guess what he meant. Rika rolled her eyes before they continued their quiet discussion.
Zero ignored them as he and Renamon sat down slightly away from the others. He may have had more stamina, but his hearing was super sensitive after last night. The last thing he needed was Terriermon mouthing off down his ears.
Renamon decided now was the best time to discuss their idea with him.
"Zero?"
"What is it Renamon?"
"You're probably not going to like this, but Yamaki came to see us yesterday with an idea on how to re-unlock your digivolution."
Zero went wide eyes, his smugness turning into hope.
"Why would I not like that?"
Renamon averted her gaze momentarily before responding.
"Because it involves you doing the one thing you vowed not to do. You have to load other digimon."
Zero's hope vanished to be replaced with frustration and anger. This was the reaction Renamon expected.
"Like I said, you're not going to like it. But I don't see any other way."
Zero's voice was cold when he answered her.
"Is this guaranteed to work?"
"No, there is a chance-"
"You expect me to break my vow and load who knows how many digimon for an idea that might not even work? What happens if it fails? I get stuck with the data of digimon that didn't need to die. I get swamped with the guilt and grief of those I have take once again. I couldn't stand it the last time Renamon, how can I do it again?"
Zero was practically shouting as he finished. She could feel the anger pulsing off him. She knew he would be angry, but she didn't expect this much of it.
"I know Zero. It's a chance that might not work, but it's all we have. I can see what this is doing to you and it hurts me. Would you really abandon this chance so readily? Please Zero. If not for yourself, try it for me."
Zero was silent for a good few minutes. His face was unreadable. Renamon glanced back to the others and could tell they had heard enough of their conversation to know what was said. She returned her gaze to him and waited for a response.
He thought on what she said. He couldn't deny it was his only chance at the moment, he couldn't bring himself to accept it. The risk of it failing was too great. He couldn't go through all that again.
But it was the only option he had to get his digivolution back. As much as he couldn't go through the grief of loading digimon, he also couldn't go through the rest of his life without being able to digivolve. He had lost his purpose when he lost his digivolution, he had to try to get it back. Even if it meant the risk he now faced. He sighed.
"I suppose you are right. No matter how I look at it, I have no other options. But I will not just load any digimon. Only those that I feel are necessary."
"That's more than I could ask for. Thankyou Zero."
He didn't respond. He set his gaze elsewhere, thinking of the pain and torment that awaited him from this decision as Renamon leant against him.