Episode 36:What Are Friends For?
Gallantmon walked at a brisk pace through the halls of Yggdrasil tower. As she made her way to the hall of thrones. The hour was late,or early,depending one's perspective. The night watch was well into their shift,ready to swap out with their daytime counterparts.. Despite their tiredness,they remained stalwart,saluting sharply as Gallantmon passed When she stepped into the throne room,she was surprised to find Alphamon. The black knight working away at several files. He paused in his work to give the crimson knight a greeting.
"Good morning. I'm surprised you're up at this hour."
"I could say the same about you." she replied,as she approached.
He took a glance back at one of the files. "I am often up at odd hours. I need very little sleep. A gift,and a curse I suppose. So,what brings you here.?"
"I woke up not long ago,and couldn't get back to sleep." Gallantmon replied,taking her seat. "So I thought I would come in here,and maybe get some work done. It seems your doing the same."
Alphamon chuckled. "It would seem so."
A moment of silence passed between the two. As Gallantmon considered broaching a subject that had been on her mind.
"Alphamon,may I be frank with you for a moment?" The black knight paused in his work,and turned to her curiously. Before motioning for her to go on.
Gallantmon sighed,and turned to the thirteenth throne. "I think its about time we start thinking of a backup plan."
Alphamon followed her eyes to the once unclaimed throne. The sigil that had been burned into it was now cracked. Its shining luster,seeming dimmed.
"You believe the digidestined have failed?" Alphamon asked bluntly.
"And you don't?" she retorted. "The evidence is as clear as day! We all felt it! Huckmon has passed from this world." She looked downward sadly. "With him gone,the digidestined can not hope to defeat the demon lords." Her eyes turned upward,meeting Alphamon's own. "Its up to us now,to fight against this evil."
"I still have faith that the digidestined will pull through." Alphamon stated plainly.
Gallantmon stood up,slamming her hands down onto the table. "How can you have so much blind faith in them!? I'm starting to believe that both you,and Gankoomon are in denial."
"My faith is not completely unfounded. Look to Magnamon's throne,what do you see?"
Gallantmon reluctantly turned to face the fallen knights throne. Her eyes soon widening in surprise.
"His sigil is gone!"
Alphamon gave a nod. "And it will return,when he is reborn. But Huckmon's sigil,while broken,still remains. A part of him is somehow still tied to the living world. Whether it be his bond to his partner,or something else,I do not know. But I believe that because of this,there is a chance he can still return."
He stood up,and walked over to Gallantmon. "However despite all this,there is always the risk of failure. So,when the others awake,we will discuss a backup strategy. Should the worst come to pass."
Gallantmon gave a grateful nod at that. "That's all I ask."
"Trent wake up! It's time to get ready for school!"
Trent groaned,and rolled over in his bed. Curling his pillow around his head.
"If you don't get up soon you won't get any pancakes!" the voice of his mother warned.
Trent gave an audible sigh,and sat up with a yawn. He turned to the window next to his bed,wiping the sleep from his eyes. The edges of the sun were just barely beginning to peek over the horizon. The remnants of night,still partially visible in the sky. With another yawn he stretched his limbs,and rolled out of bed. Before walking over to his closet.
He quickly found a clean t-shirt,and pants. Swapping his night shirt,and boxers for them. He grabbed his favorite jacket,one of his many beanies,and his goggles. Putting them on,as he walked out of his room. He then headed down the hall,and toward the kitchen. Finding his mother,father,and the delicious smell of pancakes waiting for him.
His mother turned from the stove at his arrival. She was a tall woman,with long flowing locks of red hair. All of it tied up in a neat ponytail. Her eyes were a lovely shade of hazel. A reddish birthmark sat just above her collarbone.
"Well look who decided to join the land of the living."
Trent's father stood beside her,stirring a bowl of pancake batter. He stood a head shorter than Trent's mother. He had short auburn hair,with a few gray hairs peppered throughout. His eyes were a deep shining blue,the same as his son's.
"Darn,I was looking forward to eating his pancakes." he commented,wiping a bit of batter from his cheek.
"So sorry to disappoint you dad." Trent commented with a smirk. "But there is no force on this earth,that could make me miss pancakes."
His father chuckled,and pulled off his apron. "Of that I have no doubt." He handed off the bowl of finished batter to his wife,and sat down on the stool next to Trent.
The two waited patiently while Trent's mother cooked up a stack of pancakes for each them. Once they were all done,she sat with the two. Her husband,grabbing the syrup,and butter nearby.
"So,did you finish your report last night?" she asked,as she drizzled syrup onto her pancakes.
Trent rolled his eyes. "Yeah,mom."
"Just checking. No need to get snippy." she replied,passing the syrup off to her son.
"You know if we didn't remind you all the time you'd forget." Trent's dad remarked,as he poured a glass of orange juice for each of them.
"Yeah,I know." Trent half grumbled. Before digging into his own stack.
Once everyone was done with their meal. Trent began his final preparations for school. While his parents did much the same for work. The family soon headed out to the car,Trent quickly calling shotgun. Much to his father's annoyance. They didn't drive for long,before arriving at Trent's school. Dozens of other students filing into the giant double doors of the entrance.
"Have a good day son. Love you." His mother said,giving him a little kiss on the forehead.
"Try not to get into trouble." his dad joked,giving him a good natured noogie.
Trent stepped out of the car,and readjusted his hat. "Love you guys too,and I make no promises." He gave a final wave goodbye,and headed toward the entrance. His parents driving off to their own commitments.
As he walked up toward the steps,he caught something out of the corner of his vision. A full bush,of lush white roses. He stood for a moment,mesmerised by them. Watching as the morning sunlight played of the beads of dew sprinkled onto the petals. A strangely familiar warmth began to fill him as he looked on. Like a subtle flame igniting in his heart. He was suddenly snapped from his stupor,when the bell for first period rang out across the schoolyard. With frantic speed,Trent ran toward the school's entrance. Taking one last longing look at the shining roses,before heading inside.
The lone form of Daemon flew across the dark sky. Only hours ago,he had sat in the meeting hall with his fellow lords. They had had several meetings like it since Daemon had taken care of the digidestined. They had discussed their plans of attacks on the surface. Barbamon of course suggested they use Phelesmon's virus to strengthen their forces. His subordinates having already done some preliminary testing. Nothing else of real note came up. Or if it did,Daemon had mostly tuned it out,taking the time to ruminate on his own plans.
Now,he was momentarily free of the other lords bureaucracy. Deciding to take the opportunity to forward his own schemes. Thus he had taken off far to the south. To a place outside the seven lords domain. A dangerous land,known as the Dead Wastes.
As he finally reached the edge of the Dead Wastes,his eyes scanned below. The ground was black,and covered in a thick purple ooze. Countless bones,of all sizes,and shapes littered the ground. Strings,and globs of the sludge clinging to them. The forms of undead,and ghostly digimon walked through the wastes. Some of them pausing to look at the form of Daemon flying overhead.
The demon picked up a bit of speed,not wanting to tary. It did not take much longer for him to spot his final destination in the distance. It was large castle,with a pair of tall towers. Sitting atop a high,rocky mountain side. Clouds of dark energy gathered above the structure. Purple,and black lightning occasionally flashing from within. Daemon slowly began to descend as he neared,coming to land at the castle's entrance. It was a giant gate of wood,and iron. With high walls of hewn stone on either side. Daemon stepped toward the gate,and held out his hand. He sent forth a burst of telekinetic force,pushing the heavy doors open. Allowing him to step inside.
Beyond the gate was a large stone courtyard. Twisted topiaries,of withered,and rotted bushes lined some of the some walkways. A fountain sat near the center of the courtyard. Many parts of it chipped,and cracked. The water that once flowed through it having long since dried up. The telltale sounds of flapping wings suddenly filled the air,as Daemon stepped further inside. He paused,looking up to see the giant swarm of bats flying overhead. All of them heading off toward one of the castles twin towers.
He continued onward heading toward the nearest doorway into the castle. The inside was rife with gothic decor. Gargoyles,sconces,and the like. All of them worn with age,or draped in a layer of cobwebs. Small swarms of bats hung from the ceiling. Their red shining eyes watching Daemon,as he made his way through the halls.
After wandering the winding hallways for a time. He came to a pair of staircases,both leading up to a set of large double doors. He headed up,opening the doors,just as he had with the gate entrance. Inside was a long throne room. The floor was a smooth black stone,striated with gray. A long,blood red carpet,lead up to the large,stone throne. Two other sets of double doors sat just behind the throne. With one on either side. Several gargoyles were set into the walls up above. A chandelier hung from the ceiling,its light faded. More bats hung there as well,and throughout various corners of the room. Their occasional chittering filling the air.
The two double doors swung open,as Daemon stepped further inside. The forms of two giant digimon stepping out from beyond them.
One was a hulking,muscular humanoid digimon. His skin was colored a light green,and marred with a number of scars,and stitches. Large iron bolts stuck up from many parts of his body,including the sides of head,and knuckles. Along with stitched black pants,he wore a pair of heavy steel toed boots. Each one decorated with a pair of iron spikes. A strange metal mask covered his face,his spiked red hair peaking out the top. Strapped to his back,was a large double headed axe. Made of a hard riveted metal.
The other stood just as tall as his companion. Most of his body was composed of golden,shining metal. Segmented,to look like the wrappings of a mummy. His face appeared like those carved into a pharaoh's sarcophagus. Purple,and gold bracers protected his forearms,and wrists. While greaves of the same color covered his shins. A long white cape,was draped about his shoulders,and flowed down his back. A half circle of red,and blue jewels,was set into his chest. Wielded in his left hand was a long golden staff. Tipped with a serpent devouring its tail,to form the symbol of infinity.
"This is not your domain!" the golden digimon exclaimed,slamming down his staff. "You are not welcome here demon! I,Pharaohmon shall see to it you do not leave here alive!"
"You trespasser!" growled the other. "We smash trespassers!" He drew his axe,and charged toward the demon. "Tomahawk Crunch!"
He swung the axe down with all his strength. Daemon leapt up into the air,avoiding the swing. The axe smashing into the floor,and creating a large crater in its wake.
Daemon came floating back down,landing on top of the blade."So,you two are the elite guard of the castle,I presume?"
With a growl,the green digimon lifted his axe from the ground. Daemon taking back to the air,before coming down to earth.
"Move aside,Boltmon!" the gold digimon cried,holding up his staff. "I will handle him!" His companion leapt out of the way without question. "Will Of The Pharaoh!"
Purple energy gathered around Pharaohmon's staff at his call. It slowly formed into ghostly energy constructs. Taking the shape of the golden digimon's head. They flew forward at his command with deathly wails. Daemon gathered magical power in his fists as they approached. Quickly dispelling them with a flurry of arcane infused blows.
"I have no time to deal with you." stated the lord. "I am looking for your master." He looked about the throne room. 'You are here aren't you? I could feel your eyes on me the moment I stepped foot in this place."
A echoing laugh suddenly filled the air. Making Boltmon,and Pharaohmon drop to one knee. The bats that hung from the ceiling all took to the air,and flew toward the throne. They gathered together,taking on a vaguely human shape. Then with a flash of energy,the bats disappeared. Replaced by a digimon,reclined upon the throne.
His skin was deathly pale,and cold to the touch. The top half if his face was covered by an eyeless mask. That split into three crown like tips. Two demonic horns,curled up from under the mask. While long flowing locks of gold,flowed down his back,and draped over his shoulders. He wore an open top shirt,with long sleeves. All of it dyed a dark,almost blood red. Bright red straps were wrapped about his forearms,and stomach. Two bat wings,covered his shoulders,and wrapped the top half of his chest. Forming a set of armored shoulder guards. A front open leather skirt was wrapped around his waist,held in place by a set of leather straps. His long legs were covered by a pair tight black pants.
"You're quite the perceptive one." the new arrival stated with a chuckle. "Though I shouldn't expect any less from you. After all,you are Daemon,master of hellfire,and one of the seven demon lords."
"And you are GranDracmon." said Daemon. "King of the vampires,and lord of all undead digimon."
GranDracmon's lips curled into a smile. "It would seem both of our reputations precede us. So tell me,my dear Daemon. Why would one of the seven demon lords,walk up to my front doorstep?"
Daemon walked forward,past Pharaohmon,and Boltmon. A stern stare from their master keeping them in check. "I have a proposition."
"Oh? What kind of proposition?"
"How would you like to not just be the ruler of a kingdom. Or even the ruler of one world." Daemon opened his arms wide. "But one of the lords,of all worlds? "
GranDracmon leaned forward in his throne,smiling widely. "You have my attention."
When the bell finally rang for school to let out,Trent was quick to leap out of his seat. Eager to be out the door,and leave school behind for the weekend. He waded through the crowd of other students,as he made his way out. Waving goodbye to several of his friends. As he finally stepped outside,he looked out among the line of cars in front of the school. Soon spotting his parent's telltale red buick. He waved to his father as he approached. Hopping into the front passenger's seat with a sigh.
"So how was your day?" his father asked.
"Same old,same old." he answered,stowing his backpack in between his legs.
"And your report?"
Trent rummaged through his bag for a moment. Before finding the paper in question. "I got a B plus." he finally replied,holding it up.
"Good job." his father said with a smile.
As they drove out the school,and onto the main road. Trent turned to his father hopefully.
"Hey...do you think we could head to the mall this weekend?" he asked. "I wanted to pick up a new game."
He pondered the question,as they came to stop at red light. "I don't see why not. I was actually planning I going myself sometime soon."
Trent gave a little pump of his fist. "Yes."
The next day,just as he had been promised,Trent,and his parents headed to the mall. After taking some time to find a suitable parking space. The family of three headed out toward the entrance. With the bright noon day sun shining down on them. As they made it inside,they split up. Trent heading off toward his favorite game store. While his parents went elsewhere. All of them deciding to meet back up at a predetermined spot.
Trent headed up one of the escalators,to the second floor. Swerving his way through the sea of people that strolled through the walkways. Their general chatter filling his ears. When he finally reached his destination,he stepped inside. Finding the store quite crowded. Wasting no time,he walked over to the new games section. He scanned the selection,finding one of the last few copies of the game he sought.
With his prize in hand,he walked up to the counter to pay. Before heading out,and looking down at the game in his hands excitedly. With quite a bit of time before he had to meet back with his parents. The boy stood near the front of the store considering where he should make another stop. As he scanned the other nearby shops,he spotted something that gave him pause.
It was girl,no older than himself. She had amber eyes,her skin dark brown. Her hair was long,and black,flowing down almost to the middle of her back. The girl sat on a bench across the way. Bobbing her head subtly to whatever music was blaring in her earbuds.
She seemed so familiar to Trent. Yet he could not recall where he had seen her before. His legs moved on their own,walking him toward her. Before he knew it,he stood only a foot away from her. He took a few cautious steps forward,and gave a wave in greeting.
"Hi."
The girl turned to him,popping out one of her earbuds. "Can I help you?" she asked,sounding a bit annoyed.
"Sorry to bother you. But you seem really familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"
She looked him over for a moment. "Don't recognize you. I think I would remember someone who wore goggles on their head."
Trent deflated a little at that. "Oh,I see." A brief moment of awkward silence passed between the two. "So...mind if I ask why you're sitting here by yourself?"
The girl sighed. "Well,if you must know. I'm waiting on my parents." She gestured her head to the store nearby. They made me come here." She growled in her throat,looking through the storefront window. "Even though I told them I wanted to just get some new wraps,and leave. But noooo."
Trent cocked his head curiously. "Wraps?"
She turned back to him. "For martial arts. I need them for my class."
"Woah,you take martial arts!? That's really cool."
She seemed a bit taken aback by the comment,but replied all the same. "You...think so?"
"Totally." The girl smiled a little at that.
The two continued to chat for a bit. Their conversation interrupted by the telltale sound of Trent's phone. He whipped it out,looking down to see he had received a message from his father. Telling him they were waiting for him.
"It's my parents. I gotta go. It was nice talking with you." he gave her quick wave,and turned about. As he was about to head off,the girl called out to him.
"Hey,what's your name?"
He glanced back at her with a smile. "Trent."
"I'm Gale." she replied.
"It was nice meeting you Gale. Maybe we'll bump into each other again sometime."
"Yeah...maybe." The two then said their goodbyes,and Trent left on his way.
As Trent reached the bottom of the escalator,he felt a sharp pain inside his skull. He groaned,holding a hand to his head. The pain began to intensify,as images flashed through his mind. He saw the faces of people,unknown yet familiar. Gale was even among them. Stranger still,were the odd creatures that stood beside them. The same image flashed several times in his mind,before finally disappearing. The aching in his head going with it.
He tried to shake away the cloudiness from his head. He stood in place for a moment,trying to decipher what the strange vision could have been. Soon deciding it was best to figure it out later. With another shake of his head he started back toward his destination. By the time he found his parents,the pain in his skull had fully subsided. Though his thoughts were still a bit foggy.
"Are you alright sweetie?" his mother asked,sensing something might be wrong.
"Yeah,you're not looking so hot." his father added.
"Yeah,I'm alright I got this crazy splitting headache on my way over here." Trent answered,deciding to leave out the part about his strange vision. "It's mostly gone now though."
His parents shared a look of concern. But the boy was quick to try,and quell those fears.
"Guys,seriously. I'm fine."
"Well...all the same I think we should head home." said his mother. "A sudden headache like that is nothing to sneeze at." Her husband nodded in agreement.
Trent was about to argue,but he knew it was fruitless. So,reluctantly he gave a nod,and began walking toward the nearest exit. His parents walking alongside him.
The next few days seemed to pass by normally. Trent,went about his daily routine. Going to school,hanging out with his friends,spending time with his parents. But,as the days wore on,Trent began to have this nagging feeling in the back of his head. As if he had forgotten something. It was always there,on the periphery of his mind. Just barely out of his reach. He also began to feel a weight on his on arm. Subtle,yet ever present.
One day,as he headed toward one of his classes. He felt the pain in his head once more. The visions of the people became clearer to him. Their names,almost on the tip of his tongue. Even the strange creatures seemed familiar to him. One standing out amongst all the others. A white dragon,wearing a tattered cape of red. What was his name? It was right there,but he still could not recall.
As he tried to remember,another wave of pain rippled through his skull. He let out a cry of pain,and his feet gave out from under him. The vision disappeared,replaced by total darkness. As he fell hard onto the ground.
When Trent awoke,he sat up with a groan,holding a hand to his head. His vision was blurry for a moment. As it cleared,he found himself in a hospital bed. Late afternoon sun filtered in from the window into the hospital room. Creating pools of reflected light on the shining floor. As he tried to gather his senses,someone entered the room. It was Trent's mother,wearing her nurse's uniform.
She quickly rushed to her son's side,taking a seat next to the bed.
"How are you feeling sweetie?" she asked,moving a stray hair out of his face.
"I'm okay,just a little groggy." He touched her hand for reassurance. "What happened?"
"The school called,and said you fell unconscious." she answered. "The paramedics rushed you straight here. The doctors didn't find anything wrong with you. But they put you under observation for a couple of days. Just in case." She smiled giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead. "I've been the one keeping an eye on you since then."
"How long was I out?"
"Only a few hours. You had me,and your father worried." She gestured her head to the door. "He's waiting outside,I'll go get him."
She gave her son one last kiss,and left the room. Returning only moments later with her husband in tow. Trent was enveloped in a tight hug,courtesy of his father. His mother soon had to leave,going off to perform her other duties. But not before giving her son another kiss. Leaving Trent,and his father to chat.
Visiting hours were over before any of them knew it. Trent's father having to return home. His mother's shift was over not long after. Leaving Trent alone,under the care of the night nurses. With the hour late,Trent tried to fall asleep. For a time he slept peacefully. But was awoken by his previous vision only hours later. The picture becoming all the clearer.
So he lay awake,pondering the meaning of it all. His mind working until the sun began to rise over the horizon. When mid-morning came,he heard the door crack open. His father stepping inside,and holding a tray of food.
"Morning Trent." he greeted,as he set the tray on the beds fold out table. He sat in a nearby chair,holding a cup of coffee in his grip. "Your mother's going to be pretty busy today so she asked me to come,and check up on you."
Trent nodded,almost absentmindedly in understanding. Then took a few quick bites of his food.
His father looked at him curiously. Noting his tired,yet thoughtful expression. "Are you alright,Trent?" He set his coffee down. "You don't look well."
Trent sighed,and turned to face him. "I've been just thinking."
His father placed a gentle hand upon his shoulder. "About what?"
Trent tried to find the words to describe it. Without sounding completely crazy. "I just keep getting this feeling that I don't belong here. That I should be doing something important. Something only I can do."
His father nodded slowly. "I used to think the same thing when I was your age. That I had something more to do with my life. More than just going to school,and going about my daily routine. I wanted to find my place. Where I fit in this big wide world of ours. It took a long time. But I eventually figured it out,and so will you." He smiled,giving Trent's shoulder a squeeze.
Trent meant argue,try to explain that it was more than that. But the kindness of his father's words ,and warmth of his touch silenced him. Without thinking he wrapped his father in a hug,holding tighter than he had intended. Something in the back of his mind,telling him to never let go. The same part of his subconscious, even making him shed a single tear. His father simply hugged him back,rubbing his back comfortingly.
Once they separated from their embrace,they continued to talk for a time. Trent's mother even coming by to visit briefly. Before having to return to work. The day came,and went,and once more visiting hours were up. Trent's father promising he would be there to pick him up tomorrow. When the doctors finally allowed him to leave observation. Even with that to look forward to,Trent lay wide awake.
His mind wandered to his visions. What could they mean? The knowledge was there,locked away at the back of his mind. He focused on the thoughts,trying to unlock the door to the subconscious memories. As he focused,a single image flowed into his mind. The white rose bush,sitting outside the school grounds.
"Thats where I'll find my answers. I have to go there."
He walked toward the window,and looked out. Finding himself only fifteen feet from the ground. He then turned back to his bed,an idea forming in his mind. Without a second thought,he pulled the sheets,and the blanket from the bed. Beginning the long,arduous task of twisting them,and tieing together to form a makeshift rope. After making sure all of his knots were secure,he moved the bed toward the window. Making sure not to make too much noise. He then tied off one end of the rope to the bed. Before using it to descend out the window,and down to the ground.
Once he was low enough,he dropped down. Landing on the ground with a soft thud. After taking quick stock of his surroundings. He headed off to the nearest street,and off toward the school.
Thankfully the school,and hospital were within a few blocks of each other. So he walked through the darkness of the night. Keeping to the sidewalks,and walkways as much as possible. The streets were mostly empty. Only the occasional car passing by. Their drivers not noticing Trent's presence,or simply just paying him no mind. Trent thanked the stars that it was warm out. For he did not know if he could stand a cool night in his hospital gown.
After walking for a little over an hour,the school came into Trent's view. With his goal now in sight,he picked up speed. He finally came to a stop before the school's entrance. Taking a moment to catch his breath. With a cursory glance,he spotted the white rose bush. He slowly walked toward it,body shaking with excitement,and anxiety.
As his hand reached out,and touched the shimmering flowers. The pain in his head returned,thousands of visions running through his mind at once. Names,faces,,events,and places coming into his mind. Then just as suddenly as it had come,the pain subsided.
The boy's eyes shot open,and he looked down to his hands. "I remember now. I remember everything."
Suddenly,there was a flash of shining light,making Trent avert his eyes. When the light faded he looked back,to the white rose bush To see that it had disappeared. In its place,was a doorway of shimmering light. Its edges,warping the very space around it. As Trent stepped toward the door,he heard the sound of squealing tires behind him. He turned,to see his parents stepping out of their car.
"Trent get away from there!" his mother shouted,only daring to move a few steps forward.
"Come back with us Trent." his father pleaded. "We'll take you back to the hospital. Once you're all checked out again,you can go back home."
Trent sighed,holding back a whimper. "I'm sorry I can't I go with you."
"What are you talking about!?" his mother cried.
He met there eyes,his own ringed with tears. "There's something I have to do. There are a people counting on me." His d-brace appeared around his wrist in a flash of light. He then took another step toward the door.
"No,Trent,wait!" his father called.
"I'm sorry I have to go." he replied through a sob. "I love you guys. Goodbye." Without another word,Trent walked through the doorway. Disappearing in a burst of shining white light.
Trent suddenly awoke,sitting up with a groan. He was back in his normal clothes,the white rose still in his grip. With a sigh he looked down at the shining white flower. He then recalled Reapermon's words before he had stepped through the door.
"So...that was all created by the well of souls?" he thought aloud. One of his hands curled into a fist. As he held back a tear. "It was all just a dream."
He pushed aside those thoughts for now,and stowed the rose in his bag. Before standing up to take stock of his surroundings. Finding himself in a seemingly endless space. Zeros,and ones floated about in random sequences. Creating chains,walls,and other shapes. Floating among the myriad of numbers were hundreds,if not thousands of shining digicores. All of them being orbited by a ring of data particles.
Trent stepped forward,his feet somehow finding purchase. He looked among the digicores,all of them appearing identical to the boy's eyes.
"How am going to find out which one his Huckmon's?"
As Trent pondered the question,his eyes were drawn to his digivice. An idea quickly sprung into his mind. He closed his eyes,focusing his mind on his own inner energy. He sent out a pulse of power as he usually did when making Huckmon digivolve. As the pulse reverberated through the air. Trent saw a tether of energy through his mind's eye. He followed the tether of light. Sending out occasional pulses of energy to keep it in his sights.
He did not know how long he wandered through the digital void. Distance,and time,seeming to have no meaning. The tether eventually began to grow stronger. Trent picked up his speed,no longer needing to send out the pulses of power. He ran,and ran until finally the tether came to an end.
A lone digicore sat at the end of the tether. A familiar warmth emanated from within it. It's surface marked with Trent's sigil. Trent reached out to touch it,and felt a sudden chill in the air. He looked about,to see bits of data pixels,and other code gather together. Slowly they formed into several ghostly shapes. With clawed hands,and a single cyclopean eye. Their forms occasionally crackling with unstable energy.
All of their eyes locked onto Trent,and they charged toward him. Letting out a cry from their unseen mouths. That sounded of an old dial up tone,mixed with warped static. Trent quickly drew his sword,and swung at the first one that came near. The blade cut clean through the ghostly creature,dispersing it into it's base components.
Another of the digital wraiths moved in,swiping at Trent with it's claws. Trent ducked under the swipe,the claws just grazing his cheek. He then retaliated with quick thrust,that pierced the apparition,dispersing it into data. The last three came swooping in together,their inhuman shrieks filling Trent's ears. The boy called to his inner fire,flames gathering around the blade of his sword. He then swung out with the blade,releasing a wave of fire. It collided with the trio of wraiths,the red hot flames burning away their forms.
Trent took in a couple of breaths,and sheathed his sword. Before turning back to the fiery digicore. Tentatively,he reached out his hand to touch it. His digivice glowed with power,that flowed from his fingertips into the core. The core pulsed for a brief moment,an aura of energy pouring forth from within. The aura shifted,and slowly took on the vague ethereal form of Huckmon.
"Huckmon...it's you." Trent half whispered,tears ringing his eyes.
The ghostly Huckmon cocked his head curiously. "Do I know you?" he asked,his voice sounding almost distant.
Trent was taken aback for a moment. "Huckmon...it's me...Trent. Your best friend. Don't you recognize me? "
Huckmon's brow knit in contemplation. "You seem familiar,but I can't quite remember."
Tears threatened to fall from Trent's eyes. "Come on buddy. You have to remember!" He held Huckmon's face in his hands. The ethereal energy sending a tingling sensation through his fingertips. "You have to…please."
As Trent pleaded,a shining white light,began to emanate from his bag. He turned,and opened up his pack. Finding that the white rose was the source of the light. Gently,he pulled the rose from his bag,as it began to glow even brighter. The ethereal form of Huckmon felt drawn toward it,and reached out to touch it. The flowers petals suddenly flew into the air,becoming several dozen points of light. They swirled above Huckmon for a few moments. Before streaking down towards him like a small shower of stars.
As they flowed into Huckmon's being,memories flooded into the dragon's mind. His digicore began to pulse rhythmically. The sigil upon it's surface,shining in sync with the beats. After a few moments,the flow of memories finally ceased. Huckmon blinked several times, his mind taking a moment to clear. He then slowly turned to his partner,who looked on expectantly.
"Trent?"
The boy held back a sob,and hugged the ghostly form of his friend. As he held him close,his aura began to coalesce around his digicore. Slowly it started to solidify,finally forming into a red,and white digi egg. Trent looked over the egg,before packing it away. Taking the utmost care not to damage it. As he shouldered his bag,patches of the digital space around him began to warp Morphing into more digital wraiths.
They shrieked,and howled,circling above Trent's head. The boy drew his sword,and readied himself for the oncoming attack. Suddenly his d-brace shone with the light. The voice of his sigil,echoing in his mind.
"There are too many young one. You must escape."
"But how?" he asked,lifting up his digivice.
The screen of the device flashed a little brighter. Before firing out a beam of continuous light. That stretched on into the void.
"Follow this light,it will guide you."
Trent gave a quick nod,and took off like a shot. The digital specters following after him. The boy ran as fast as his legs would carry him. Occasionally dodging the attacks of the pursuing wraiths,or slashing out at them with his blade. Off in the distance,Trent soon saw a set of stairs leading up to the floating silver door. With his destination in sight, the beam of light from his digivice faded. Trent picked speed,the wraiths still pursuing him.
Trent quickly ascended the stairs,soon reaching the door. He dared to glance behind him,seeing a small horde of wraiths in pursuit. He called to the fire within,gathering as much flame around his blade as he could. A swirling mass of flame,soon surrounded the blade. He swung the sword with all his might,unleashing all the flame at once. The large burning wave flew forward,incinerating anything in its path. Without another moment's hesitation,Trent rushed up to the gate. The large silvery doors opening as he neared. He ran into the white space,not daring to look back. The gate soon closing behind him,and vanishing from the digital void.
Gale,and the others waited anxiously outside the well of souls. All trying to keep from going crazy with worry. Reapermon stood not far away,like a statue,his eyes never moving from the silver door. Time passed,the group growing more anxious as the minutes ticked by.
Then,suddenly,Reapermon began to move once more. Lifting his golden claw,and pointing toward the gate.
"He returns."
The others jumped to their feet,and rushed over. Just as the metal doors of the gate began to swing open. An anxious silence fell over the group,none of them daring to breath. For the briefest of moments,they could only see a white void beyond the door. Then,a silhouette began to appear,and slowly came into focus. The silhouette soon became the familiar form of Trent. The boy breathed heavily,his sword still tight in his grip. His body felt drained,having used up so much of his energy in that last attack.
Yet despite his fatigue,he continued forward. As he reached the edge of the stone circle. Many of his friends bathed him in affection. All of them happy to see that he was safe. After the embraces,and kind words passed,they all looked to Trent expectantly. Falling silent once more. The boy smiled,and unshouldered his bag. Reaching inside to pull out Huckmon's egg,its shell shining in the ambient light.
The group erupted into loud cheers. Shouting,laughing,and crying. Trent smiled,watching them for a moment. His gaze then turned down to the egg in his grip. He sighed,and held it tight to his chest. As tears of joy,began stream down his face.
With a sigh,Alphamon stood from his throne. It had been a long day,the other generals,having long since gone to bed. As he made a move toward the exit,he felt a pulse of power in the air. Like fire,warm,and inviting. He turned,looking to the thirteenth throne. The sigl atop it began to shine with fiery light,just as it had done when it first appeared. Slowly the crack that ran through it began to seal. The light dissipating as it fully closed. Leaving the sigil shining,as if the damage had never occurred.
"It seems my hopes were not misplaced." He let out a small laugh,and turned back about. Taking one last glance at the thirteenth sigil. Before heading out of the hall of thrones.
To Be Continued...
Next Time On Digimon Saga! Episode 37:Love And Hate
Author's Notes:
We have something interesting to talk about this time around. And that's GranDracmon's look in this chapter. Anyone who knows of him,knows he doesn't quite look the way he does here. You can kind of think of this as a more human,alternate form. After all,vampires are shapeshiters. Also some quick shoutouts this time round. All of them going out to our three new followers/favoriters. ArgentWyvern,shadwomwape,and Joey147. Thank you all so much for your support!