The wooden doors slid open with a loud bang. "Hallo, hallo, hallo! One and all, I come bearing gifts great and small!" Gimi was stood with a long metal trolley that had thirteen plates. He wheeled it in and then staggered backwards. "The air is funky in here. What happened last night?"
Alex glanced over at Rori and then back at Gimi. "N— nothing!" he stammered.
"Talmon is still absent I see." Gimi lifted a metal cloche off one of the dishes and lifted the plate up. With a flash, it vanished into thin air and then he continued pushing the trolley into the room. "Rightio, who's first?"
"I'm starving, yo!" Zalyea rubbed her stomach.
"Me too, yo!" Gaimon was already back to her hyper self.
Felismon opened one eye from the windowsill where she laid, light spilling in from it across her body. Yawning, she asked, "Feed me?"
"I could eat." Tyler coughed, spluttering as he pushed himself up, the covers sliding down his body to reveal his pale skinned torso.
Alex looked over quickly "Ty!" He was alright!
"Alex." Tyler smiled warmly. "I assume there's been consensual savouring of our collective recreation time while we recover?" Grasping his stomach, he breathed through the pain and looked over at Gimi. "Is everyone alive?"
Gimi looked over at Corinne. "See for yourself."
Alex and Tyler both looked over at the blonde. The pale blue quilt covering her rose and fell slowly in time with her breathing.
"Time is still in discord between the two worlds so resting here is best for now."
"Why is it in discord?" Tyler asked, wincing as he reached for a glass of water on the bedside table.
"Wibbly wobbly timey wimey." Gimi blew a raspberry with his tongue. "Anyway, food time!"
After placing the plates down in front of everyone, Gimi turned to leave but Tyler stopped him.
"What about Aleena?" he asked hopefully.
Gimi looked back over his shoulder. "I'm sure I'll find her soon." He left, closing the door with a gentle tap behind him.
Alex looked down at the Full English breakfast in front of him. Until now, nothing really bad had ever happened. Even what happened in Japan didn't compare to this. Someone they had got to know, and possibly even liked might be dead now because of what they did.
"Yo, let's just eat." Zalyea poked her scrambled eggs with a fork, the yolk leaking out of them both.
Alex pushed his clean plate away, sighing contentedly. "Len, how you doing?" Alex looked over at the younger boy; the emotional stalwart of the group hadn't said a word in forever.
"I…" Len was staring at his food but it had remained untouched save for a knife stabbed into a sausage standing erect in the centre of the plate. "I'm fine."
"Give 'im some time," Zalyea interjected, flicking a bean from her fork at Alex.
He ducked, gagging. Beans were gross!
Gimi appeared in a swirl of colourful blocks next to Tyler's bed, whispering. It was too hard to make anything out but Tyler didn't seem too receptive of whatever was being said.
"I don't think we are the chosen you read about, Gimi. I think it's time for us to go back to our normal lives and leave the Digital World up to someone more suited to the task." Wait. Did he really mean that? Was he just giving up?
"After I send you all home, you won't hear from me again?" What was happening?
Tyler looked at the group and spoke loudly and clearly. "We're leaving as soon as Corinne is recovered."
But they had stuff to do! Was he serious? "What about Aleena?" Alex blurted. Felismon slipped under his arm, purring, but he couldn't think about her right now. "The ripple things? The message we got in the forest!"
"None of that is of our concern." Tyler's reply was cold.
Alex looked at Len who was spinning the spoon slowly around a bowl of cereal with his fingertip. Why couldn't he say something! Do something! Fix this! "Len!"
Tyler looked over at the Asian boy. "Len?"
Len looked up through his shaggy blue and black hair, his eyes sunken.
"What do you think?" Tyler asked, smiling.
"I agree."
"With me?" Alex asked, a grin beginning to form.
Len shook his head slowly. "Let's give up." WHAT?
Zalyea gasped. "You serious?"
"Len can speak for heself, Zal," Gaimon interjected, nudging her partner.
"So, you disagree, Zalyea?" Tyler asked, his tone a little more morose.
"Damn straight!" Zalyea thumped her fist on the bed. "We didn' do all this for nuttin!"
Tyler nodded. "That's fine." His grey-blue eyes drifted slowly over to Alex, resting on him firmly. "And you? Alex?"
Alex looked down at Felismon scraping the fish from each individual bone and felt his frustration reach breaking point. "I don't want to give up this easily; I want to fight!" He felt his voice falter slightly. Was he being silly? His inner turmoil was shaking his conviction. Maybe adventures were just for little kids and it was time to grow up?
"Alexander, this isn't our battle to fight anymore. Your recalcitrant attitude is helping no one." Having his full name used like that was so embarrassing. Tyler didn't do it to anyone else; just he alone was treated like a stupid child.
Alex fiddled with his blue t-shirt, trying to gather himself. The thought of speaking out again made his tongue feel ten times too big for his mouth. His forehead felt hot and his heart raced. Anxiety was creeping in from the deepest corners of his mind and taking a hold again.
"Alex, I know it's difficult to comprehend my reasoning right now, but I assure you that you'll thank me in the future."
Alex shook the feeling away. Looking up, he mustered a smile. "Yeah, fine. Let's do what you say."
"Thank you."
Tyler looked over at Rori hesitantly. "What about you? You are a member of our group now and have as much right to an opinion as any of us."
Rori looked at them all briefly. "A group of kids shouldn't be involved in all of this. Get rid of The Resistance." Alex was in disbelief. She was part of RODAF. What could she possibly be scared of? They were an organisation that struck fear into the public everywhere. A group who no one would say the name of for fear of persecution.
"I agree." Tyler nodded slowly.
Wait? Had he really just said that? He couldn't have, could he?
"Yo, you can't be serious!" Zalyea threw her hands up in the air. "This is ridiculous!"
In a tone almost devoid of any emotion, Tyler replied, "I'm deadly serious."
"Tyler!" Alex managed to blurt his protest, anymore words failing to spew from his whirring brain. He didn't want to throw all this away over a little blip!
"As leader, and without second in command present, I hereby enact the immediate disbanding of The Resistance."
"Ty, yo! You can't do this. We a team!" Zalyea was tearing up.
"What she said, yo!" Gaimon moved to the edge of the bed, her wide eyes glaring at Tyler.
Felismon's tail wagged as she slinked to her feet. "I'll still burn stuff and you can't stop me." She bounded across the room, landing on the windowsill. Her tail swished, firing off a ball of fire that scorched the floor. "See," she muttered, yawning.
"Ty, please!" Alex begged, desperate.
"My decision is final!"
No one dared to speak for the longest time as they all tried to take it in.
"I'm glad." Len placed the tray of food on the bedside table and looked down at his Digivice. "Glad this is over." Surely he didn't mean this?
"Len, bro. You don' mean that. You just confused right now, 'cause of—" Zalyea stopped, as if Felismon had snatched the tongue right out of her mouth.
"Because of what?" Len snapped.
"Len…" Zalyea muttered, her voice softer than it ever had been before.
"Because of this?" He lifted the hair from his forehead, revealing the scarred word beneath.
Alex gulped, trying to find words to express his feelings. He would make RODAF pay.
Rori placed her own tray to the side. "This is why it has to be stopped before one of you—" The word was left lingering. A word all of them heard but wasn't said.
Alex knew in himself though. They had to do this. Someone chose them! "What about Aleena?"
"I'll save her." Rori looked out to the window. Talmon had slipped in and was stood next to Felismon. A half-eaten plate of food was next to them both and the Digimon's arms paws were folded across his chest. "I'll knock some sense into her and… and." Rori nodded firmly. With conviction, she continued, "I'll save her."
Alex still didn't even know what happened but he knew he had to help. "I want to help!"
"I don't need a flirty puppy," Rori said shortly.
He was so much more than that. How didn't she or anyone else get it! No one was listening!
Orchidemon erupted from Rori's Digivice in a flash of green.
"It's time to go, Orchidemon." Rori climbed to her feet, albeit a little unsteadily.
"You rest!" Orchidemon pushed her back into the bed. "Too early."
"Yo, how you expect to fight them alone when we couldn't all do it together!" Zalyea shook her head. "Honestly, girl, you stupid."
Rori clenched her fists. "I'll find a way. I have to."
"What will Corinne say when she wakes up?" Alex asked, now looking at the slumbering blonde.
"She'll understand the decision I made and ensure you all cease being so facetious," Tyler replied swiftly.
All these big words served no purpose other than to make Alex feel small. "Says who?"
"Alex, Zalyea, you'll just have to trust me. I want what's best." That stupid irritating tone again!
"You just want what's best for you!" Alex growled. He couldn't take this anymore.
Tyler's tone was softer this time. "Alex…"
"You want the team to be over? Fine, you got me. I agree." Alex folded his arms. He was never going to speak to that stupid black-haired idiot again.
Zalyea climbed out of her bed and went over to Len. "Len, remember what we promised?"
Len didn't look up. "Yeah."
"I'm still stickin' by it, how 'bout you?"
"I." He faltered and started to cry, covering his eyes with his arm. There wasn't a single time Alex could remember seeing him cry.
Zalyea climbed into the bed, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into her chest.
Alex felt so helpless. He would do anything to stop this feeling.
"Do you see now why I want us disbanded?" Tyler hissed.
"I…" Alex felt his resolve soften as he watched Len. "I'll miss you all."
"We don't have to stop seeing each other, Alex. But we do have to stop these frivolous endeavours." Tyler smiled. "Okay?"
Alex reminisced, moments flying through his head like a swarm of butterflies. The stupid fights they had when they first arrived and barely knew each other. Fighting in Central with their new partners. And then Japan, and the first time Felismon Digivolved. It was all over now. Memories would stay memories.
"Alex, for what it's worth, I appreciate everything you've done." Tyler coughed, gripping his chest. With a big inhale, he continued "I know that we will never forget each other." He wasn't dying, this was so soppy!
"What about Taran?" The female voice pierced the room, stopping time itself.
Corinne didn't move, but she spoke again. "Are we going back for him, team?" Wearily, she called out, "Tyler?"
"Gimi checked the account and we've been paid. There's no reason to return." Tyler didn't look at her.
"Wasn't the plan to check on him after all this?" Corinne groaned.
"The plan changed." Tyler looked down into his bed, biting his lip.
"Why?"
Tyler looked at her, his face contorted in anguish. "You should rest."
Corinne pushed herself up. "I'm over the worst of it." Looking at them all, she asked. "What's going on?"
Alex couldn't look at her after what had just happened.
Corinne, annoyed now, demanded, "Tell me."
"The Resistance is over. Rori glanced around. "They all cared a minute ago."
"What do you mean 'over'?" Corinne took a deep breath in, closing her eyes, and then exhaled slowly.
"I disbanded the team." Tyler swung his legs over the side of the bed. "In the best interests of the team—"
"Okay." Corinne reached gingerly over to the juice on the side of the bed, taking a sip. "I agree with Tyler's choice, for the record."
That was the final nail in the coffin! This was not like Corinne at all. Had the world turned upside while he was asleep? "Corinne," he stammered.
"Alex, Tyler is just looking out for you," she insisted, massaging her rib.
How dare she be so condescending! "I can look after myself!"
Corinne shook her head. "Alex, I can't take your side this time. Please, don't make this hard for me."
"Fine," Alex grumbled. He would add her to the list of grudges.
"Tyler, can you help me take a walk?" Corinne pulled the covers off herself slowly. A loose gown clung to her body, with only a small white nightgown underneath. The scars and bruised on her pale skin were a sharp contrast to the purity of the clothes she wore.
"Just wait there." Tyler rushed over, grabbing a grey t-shirt and pulling it on as he ran over. Blue pyjama bottoms, the same ones Alex and Len had on, covered Tyler's bony legs. He allowed her to lean on him as she climbed out of the bed and they left slowly.
"I am not happy." Alex crossed his arms firmly.
"Shut up," Zalyea groaned, rolling her eyes.
~.~.~
As they got outside, Corinne nudged him. "Can we go to that spot, one last time?"
Tyler nodded, leading her out through the garden, which was being repaired by various Digimon, and across the verdant plain outside until they reached a large white rock shaped like a rabbit near the forest.
Corinne nodded to the rabbit. "Can you help me climb up?" She laughed coyly.
Tyler grunted a little as he helped her up onto the 'head' of the rock. Sitting down on the grass facing her, he smiled. This was nice. Just the two of them with no pretences of monsters or adventure.
"Remember the first time we came here?" Corinne lay back on the rabbit and looked up at the sky. A gust of wind caught hold of her dressing gown, pulling the loose knot open and fluttering the thin fabric around in the wind.
Tyler laughed, remembering. "Like it was yesterday." He closed his eyes, picturing it. "You didn't speak for at least an hour."
"What changed?" Corinne's voice was a little more sombre now.
For once, he couldn't work her out. "What do you mean?"
"When did you become so defeatist?" Her head lolled to the side, her blue orbs locking onto his own.
"I thought you were on my side, he stammered."
"Come on Ty. We both know that was a show for the others." Looking back up at the sky, she muttered, "It wasn't real."
In some ways, he had known. She had never backed down like that before. It's why she was perfect for second in command.
"What made you give up?"
"You did." Tyler was so embarrassed. Had he really just said that?"
Looking at him with one eye, she asked, "What do you mean, 'I did'?"
How on earth was he supposed to phrase this? "When I woke up and saw you like that… I couldn't forgive myself." Gripping the grass in frustration, he muttered, "I still don't."
Corinne exhaled exhaustedly, hissing at the end through gritted teeth and sat up. "What gives you the right to decide if I'm okay or not? I'm breathing, aren't I?"
She was only barely breathing. How was he meant to explain that to her? "I couldn't live with myself if you had actually—" He breathed deeply, shaking like the leaves that blew from the nearby trees. "Corinne, I care too much to see you get hurt."
A little taken aback, Corinne said, "I knew what I was getting myself into." Gritting her teeth, she held back tears and then yelled, "How dare you act like it's your job to look out for me!" She breathed heavily, her chest rapidly rising and falling as she continued, "You didn't even ask me how I felt about any of this. Well, guess what? I'm not freaking happy!" A tear rolled down her cheek and she coughed weakly, wiping it away.
Tyler, reached up but hesitated. "Corinne…"
"Maybe it's best it ended this way." Stopping looking at him, she growled spitefully, "Before we got any closer."
"What do you mean?" Why was she being so complicated?
Corinne sighed. "Your mum told me all about how you're so terrified of losing anyone since your dad left that you never let anyone get close to you." Shaking her head, she added, "She even said that she thought we might be changing you—that we might be helping." Biting her lip, she clenched her fists. "She— She told me that maybe if we came over next Christmas she could finally see you be happy again." Inhaling her deeply, she hissed, grabbing her ribs. Through the pain, she growled, "How wrong was she?"
"Are you okay?" Tyler stood up, moving towards her but stopped when she held out her hand.
Corinne shook her head and relaxed, moving her hand away slowly. "You don't get to decide if people get close to you, but you do get to choose if you stick around." Looking at him, her eyes watering, she said, "We all got close to you, Ty, and you've chosen to leave us." She wiped her eyes, albeit with a little difficulty and relaxed back. "I just want you to know that you compare this to your dad. This time, it's you who left. You gave up."
The words stung, as he assumed she had intended. Gritting his teeth, her fought back the tears. "Cori, I didn't want to ever see you in pain again. Why can't you understand that?" he yelled.
"You weren't there when I was in pain in Japan, were you? I nearly died then and you weren't there." Shivering, she pulled the white dressing gown tight around herself. "You let that slide. So, I'll ask again: what's changed now?"
"This time it was my fault!" Tyler looked down at his bare feet, which were now beginning to feel cold on the hard earth beneath his feet. "I could have helped but I didn't. If I had just stopped us from going…"
"I was the one who said we would help, not you. I knew what might happen and I made the call. It was my responsibility." Softer, she asked, "Tyler, please, just tell me?"
Words to explain how he cared in a different way failed him. With such an expansive vocabulary, he fell at the final linguistic hurdle.
"Tyler, I need to know." She smiled gently. "We lost Aleena, and I understand that—I really do get it—but that doesn't mean you give up." Wincing, she breathed sharply through her nose. "She fought under her own steam, with or without us."
"It's not Aleena." Why was this so hard?
"Then what is it?" Corinne glared at him. "I'm wracking my brains here, Ty."
Taking a deep breath, he took the plunge. Clenching his eyes shut, he exclaimed, "I really care about you and I want to be able to be with you and not worry if you'll wake up or that next attack will kill you. I want to worry about which flower to buy you: roses or orchids. I want to worry about what to call our children." He opened his eyes a crack and bit his lip, noticing she hadn't said anything. Why hadn't she said anything? "You asked me what had changed and I said you but you're right, that was a lie. I've changed and I just can't do this anymore."
Shaking her head, she screamed, "You have absolutely no right to do this!"
"What?" he managed to stutter. What had he done wrong?
"You can't expect me to just eat that up and follow blindly?" Blood flecked onto the white dress from a reopening wound. "I love these adventures. I love being with everyone. I love how every day isn't the same! But, Tyler…"
He felt the ground swallow him up and longed for the words to never come. "Corinne, don't."
"I don't love you."
In the rewriting of this chapter, as I do with all chapters about a week or two prior to planning a release, I cut out over 2000 words. I feel like the emotional flip-flop of this chapter is already a lot to handle and the more things were lingered on the less impactful it became. However, in the pre-edit prior to release I usually add a little and tidy it up. Due to being extremely busy in real life with some bad stuff I haven't had as much time this week in order to do a good pre-edit so there may be little mistakes and minor plot-holes. Anyway, that's enough about my writing process. If you notice anything within the chapter, let me know.
I don't own Digimon.