Y/N: I still love Iori. It doesn't seem to matter what is happening with him, I just love to write as him—but I particularly enjoy when he interacts with the fairies, and he gets to do that this time around, so that's great.
U/N: Jenna wasn't quite as fun as usual, mostly because now isn't really the time for humour or random spy missions, but Jenna's basic storyline that she's been on since 06 is now essentially over, but there was one last thing for her to do, so it was kind of fun exploring that part of her now.
Title: Digimon Adventure 08: Vaccine
By: YukiraKing and UrazamayKing
Disclaimer: We don't own Digimon or its characters.
Part 4: Reunion
Chapter 50: Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
Iori Hida:
"She's here."
"NO!" Spring cried out, falling to her knees and shaking like a leaf. She was crying already, and we hadn't even seen her mother yet. I tried to comfort her, but the tension in the air made it nearly impossible. She was so upset that she probably couldn't feel my hand on her shoulder, offering her my presence, since I knew she was lost in memories. Summer's pale green hands gently nudged mine aside, and she took over the duty of caring for her elder sister. I got to my feet and moved to Miyako's side, only a few feet away. She'd been drifting in my direction since she'd gotten here. Ken wasn't with her, and she needed some support. She was freaking out almost as badly as Spring was.
I couldn't help but wish she'd decided to stay behind. She was too stressed out to be able to handle what was happening. She was lost in the dream life that had been ripped away from us. We'd been at peace for the first time that I could even remember. But that peace was an illusion, a fabrication made up only of ignorance. While we were living the life we'd hoped for, Taichi and our partners were continuing the fight that we were always meant to be a part of.
And now I had brought a daughter into this world of hatred and terror. Did that mean I was a bad father already, even before Kana could say her first words?
Probably. But I didn't exactly have a role model to base myself off of. I had Jou, and my Grandpa. That was it. I didn't have a father for the majority of my life. I'd lost him to a bullet when I was only three years old. Was I now leaving Kana to face the same fate, if I continued the fight? Chances were actually pretty strongly in favour of that outcome. We had no partners, no Crests, nothing. How could we fight against Gaia, when we had nothing to fight with?
"Do you have an armory?" I demanded to Summer, wincing at my disrespect even as it came out of my mouth.
"It won't come to that," Summer insisted gently, using her voice to calm Spring, who had cried out with pain and worry at my declaration. "It can't come to that. I won't let it."
"You aren't the one in control," Winter reminded her. Summer looked like she'd swallowed a lemon, and Winter rolled her eyes. "Not me. Mother's in control. She's always been in control. But she's not going to take this throne from me. I will not let her poison our people again. I can't allow it."
"You might not have a choice," Taichi said. His ominous voice carried throughout the room and gave me chills. He was right of course. If Gaia had birthed these three powerful fairies, reason stood that her power was immense and varied, since the girls were like night and day to one another. Winter was the cool to Summer's warmth, while Autumn was the melancholic opposite of Spring's vivacious life. They were opposites, and that was what made them so powerful when they could work as one unit. They could do anything, and beat anyone.
But they were not a complete set.
And so Gaia had them off balance without having to lift a single finger in a fight. It was horrible, and it was true, no matter how hurt Summer's look was. She really ought to know that my mind was rarely a happy place. It had been at its happiest during the last year, with one dark raincloud that refused to let me gain a sunny disposition: Armaillomon was away.
He might be a little further than I thought now, though, if what Taichi said was true. He was "gone" whatever that meant. I knew that Gaia had him in some capacity, and I didn't know if he still lived, but I was going to fight for him. I wouldn't give up, not for anything.
"For Kana," Summer corrected. I rolled my eyes and tried not to glare at her. I'd gotten used to the idea of my mind being my own again. I was glad to have her with me, because I had missed her more than I thought was possible. But I had finally gotten used to needing to voice my thoughts, since she wasn't around to help me deal with them without actually speaking about my problems.
"I'd do anything for Kana," I agreed. "But I'd do anything for Armadillomon, and Natsuni, and Mom, and you too."
"I know," Summer said, reaching out to hold my hand. "And I appreciate it. Just promise me that your daughter—who is beautiful—is above me, above everyone."
"Thanks," I said, mentally agreeing with her statement. My entire world had shifted the moment the doctors had placed Kana in my arms. I'd been afraid to hold her. She was so small, so fragile. I was afraid of breaking her by accident. But she looked up to me through those foggy, newborn eyes and everything changed for me. Everything was about her before it was about me. She was my number one priority. She didn't know it yet. She didn't know a lot yet. She was still too little, but she would, one day, I hoped, understand just how much I loved her.
That was why I needed to be here to help stop Gaia from whatever scheme she wanted to put into play here. I couldn't follow Gaia's reasoning for anything. She wasn't very coherent in her processes. Why would she partially work to take over Earth, but leave it unconquered to slip into the In-Between to take over Norn's solitary world? There wasn't much there. It wasn't very difficult for her to win, because Norn was the only occupant, and Gaia was far stronger and older. She understood her abilities better than Norn did. Norn was still relatively new at her job, after all. Why couldn't she wait longer before going for that particular world? It didn't make sense. But on the other hand, saving Sidhendor for the last did make sense, because she knew how solid her daughters could be as a defense.
"The last?" Summer whispered in horror.
"I don't know about the Land of Dreams," I realized. "I'm sorry. I forgot, I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's alright," Summer decided, still looking shaken. "She may take it soon enough. I just wish Yume could..."
"He can't exist outside, can he?" I asked, knowing the answer before Summer even thought about shaking her head for a negative response. If he could, he would've been here with her. He was a man of dreams, and nothing more. I winced, knowing that Summer was glaring at me for discrediting him. But he was created by the power of dreams, and without the dreams, he wouldn't be able to exist. Summer looked mollified, and I tried to remind myself to be more careful about offending Summer with my own personal thoughts. She flushed, and I found it in me to smile, before looking back to the others.
Mimi was holding onto Koushiro's arm, while Sora and Jou conversed with him in frantic tones. They were obviously trying to come up with logical defense tactics, but they needn't have worried about it. Winter was unlikely to take any of their advice into consideration. She was a stubborn, solitary sort. It came from living in Dark Ocean for so long. Or perhaps it was her natural way, and the Dark Ocean only expanded upon what was already there. I didn't know. I'd never met her before. I'd never met any of them before their captivities. I'd freed Summer from Fanglongmon, and that was the beginning of a new chapter of my life. A chapter that included my non-biological aunt—and sudden all-consuming prophetic dreams that kept popping up when I least expected, and wanted, them.
"Dreams?" Summer asked looking shocked and worried. I might've explained them to her, if Winter hadn't started talking.
"I need the Digidestined to go protect the people," she declared. "Taichi, I need you with me. You've faced her most recently, you know most about her plans."
"I don't actually know all that much," he said, but she disregarded him.
"Jenna and Michael stay behind," she said, leaving no room for arguments, though Jenna looked horrified to be singled out like that. Michael was less angry, and that was probably due to his unborn child, and how he wanted to continue to live so that he could be there while it grew. I could empathize with that. I wanted to be with Kana as well.
"Iori too," Summer added.
"Why?" Winter asked, irritated that Summer was trying to give commands when she was the queen now. Summer shook her head, and I didn't care one way or the other. I knew that this was where the fighting would take place, and while I was a little rusty, I knew I was one of the best options out of all the Digidestined to participate in such a fight.
Summer paled, and I realized she hadn't been thinking along that line at all. She looked to Jenna and hesitated, as though she wanted to send her somewhere else, and I wondered what was so special about Jenna at that moment, before realizing that was stupid. Michael and Jenna were their nephew and niece and that alone made them special. The fact that Jenna wasn't a Digidestined, and therefore didn't need to be a part of this was probably all that spurred Summer's determination to keep her safe, just like Kana was all it took for her to try to save me—even though that backfired in a big way.
"I don't want to leave Taichi," Hikari said boldly, clinging to her brother's hand. Taichi shook his head and turned to her. She was still dressed in a large white gown that really made her fit in around here. She looked like a princess. Her hair was a little messed up, from the fight with Astamon, and her makeup was a lost cause with all the crying she'd done upon reuniting with Taichi, but she still looked beautiful. The dress also made it impractical to have her stay with us. She couldn't move as freely as she wanted to, and I knew that Taichi was thinking the same thing—and also that Gaia would be coming here, just as I realized, and he wanted Hikari safe. That was his number one priority. It always had been.
"Hikari, these people need you," Taichi said, taking what was probably the only route to get Hikari to agree with him: guilt tripping. "You're the kind of person they'd listen to. You look like a princess, Hikari. They'll trust that. Princesses get what they want."
"That's so not true," Hikari said, biting her lip, and I knew she was going to agree to go. Daisuke moved to her side, and took her free hand. She begrudgingly let go of Taichi's and he looked thankfully at their pseudo-brother, and Mimi sighed, leading everyone towards the door.
"I'll bring you outside, but just know that these people are crazy," Mimi declared loudly. "One girl tried to have my head cut off once because I didn't want to marry her."
"I thought that was the spell?" Sora muttered from her place at the back of the well-dressed group. She didn't want to go either, but she was urging everyone forward all the same. There was no way they could fight in their formal attire. We'd come from a wedding. Kurayami, Sora and Mimi were wearing constricting bridesmaid dresses, and the guys were in suits. She knew, unlike Mimi, how much of a threat was coming right then, and wasn't about to dilly dally while Gaia was on her way towards us.
"Jenna," Summer said. "Stay with Spring, please? Yes, I think that would be best. Spring needs someone to distract her, and you've provided the perfect distraction."
"Okay..." Jenna said slowly, coming over to Spring, who immediately clung to Jenna, and Jenna started patting her curls while her aunt sobbed about her grandmother. I was very glad that I wasn't related by blood to any of them. Their family tree was terrifying. Of course, choosing one of the lot was very different, but then, Summer had chosen me first.
"What's the plan?" Taichi wanted to know. While he spoke, I untied my tie, and took off my suit jacket, rolling up the sleeves of my button down underneath, and undoing the top three buttons. I needed it loose. I also removed my belt, holding it in my hands, contemplating if it was heavy enough to consider a weapon, or if I'd have to resort to hand-to-hand when the time came. Summer's hands found their way to my shoulders and she shook her head stubbornly.
It was really too bad that she couldn't change the world just by thinking about it, but she couldn't. Her mother was coming whether she wanted her to or not. Nothing she said or did could change that.
"I was hoping you could tell me," Winter admitted. "Who does she work with? If we know that, then maybe we'll be able to work out a plan."
"She's got Maugrim," Taichi said, as though it were obvious, and really, it was. He'd been working with her for longer than any of us had been alive—excepting, perhaps the fairies. Summer shook her head sharply again, and I realized just how long in the making Gaia's plans must've been if she'd had Maugrim as an ally for that long.
"Astamon," Michael offered. "He tried to kill us all at a wedding. He almost killed me."
"He would have," Jenna said. "Tatum saved you."
"She's also got Bitoru doing her bidding," Taichi added, glancing apologetically towards Spring when he said it, and she cried louder. "In addition to them, she has the Crests, the Digimentals, our partners and the keys."
"But not Aesop?" Winter asked carefully.
"No," Taichi said firmly. "He's with us."
"Good," Winter said. "That's one small piece of fortune in this mess. How could she become so powerful? What's that? She's coming now." Winter closed her eyes and put one hand to her temple. She winced with what she saw, and the grounds of the castle started shaking. "You failed to mention her army."
"Which one?" Taichi asked wryly.
"She has more than one?" Jenna asked, horrified.
"Digimon," Winter said. "She has the digimon. You didn't say you lost everything."
"We haven't," Taichi argued. "She only has a percentage of the population."
"And she's brought them here," Winter announced. "We need the guards. They won't stand a chance against Mother, but they can hold off the digimon. We will keep the Armadillomon away, we don't need to risk them falling under her spell."
"Can we revisit the idea of an armory?" I requested, only to be ignored again. Winter, instead of listening, walked towards an ornate cabinet that was built right into the wall of the throne room. It was nearest her throne, and when she opened it, I saw rows on rows of toy soldiers. Winter began murmuring to herself and a cool wind filled the room, circling around us. I could see snowflakes start appearing, and then the wind grew stronger as it carried the toy soldiers out of their cabinet prison and into the air.
The tiny wooden men grew in size until they were larger than I was, and much more solid. And then, right before my eyes, her magic sank into their wooden exteriors and they were losing their boxy form. Their clothes became cloth, deep blue jackets, with red pants. A white stripe ran down their pant legs and led further down, into their black boots that were now made of leather. A whimsical feather was stuck in the red hat band of their tall, black hats, and their skin was rosy and malleable, rather than wood. They still had rosy red circles on their cheeks, just as they had when they were wooden, but it suited their general design. I was unsure if these were real men now, or if they were still puppets, just animated to do Winter's bidding.
I didn't think now was the time to ask.
"Go, and defend your kingdom," Winter commanded. The soldiers formed perfect rows. Eight across, and I didn't know how many deep. They were holding an array of weaponry. Some had spears thrown over their shoulders, some had old muskets. There were a few that had police batons or maces as well. It was sporadic and varied, but it looked like a formidable force.
The army started marching upon her orders, and left the room, staying in perfect formation.
"Don't kill the digimon," Taichi said frantically. "They're being manipulated. They don't know what they're doing!"
"I must defend my people," Winter said apologetically.
"And I have to defend mine," Taichi growled. He made to go after the soldiers, but Winter moved quickly and stopped him.
"You've failed once already," she said cruelly. "Your methods do not work."
"We don't kill," Summer said loudly. "We made a vow. We don't kill. Not anymore. Not after Father."
"She's right," Spring said gently through her tears. "We made a solemn vow."
"This is different. This isn't about the pro—" Winter started, stopping suddenly when both Summer and Spring turned to look at a different Washington. "It's different."
"We're not him," Spring said firmly. "We are not her either. We do things differently. We care and we love, and we keep the balance. That is all that is important. Without an influx of life, there is no need for an influx of death."
"Fine," Winter said, accepting Spring's advice much more readily than she had Summer's objections. She commanded for the soldiers to injure only and to avoid lethal methods, before she turned to Spring and Jenna. She hesitated, but seemed to make up her mind. "Spring, Jenna, you must go to the guards and rouse them. They must protect their kingdom readily."
"Of course," Spring said, taking hold of Jenna's hand.
"But you need us," Jenna protested. "We have to fight."
"You'll not be fighting, dear," Spring assured her, gently guiding her along towards the hallways. The chandelier in the middle of the room made a racket as it jingled. The ground was very unsteady, and now the sounds of battle added to the rumble of the enemy's marching.
"Will that be enough?" Taichi wondered.
"If not, I have the storms," Winter said, sounding unsure.
"They're unstable," Summer countered. "You can't control them. They're too much of a risk."
"I might need to take that risk," Winter said firmly. "Taichi, tell me more of our mother's actions in the Digital World."
"Iori, come," Summer ordered. I listened instinctually. She'd yet to truly steer me wrong. She wasn't staying in the room though, and I was skeptical about leaving, but followed all the same. She led me through the halls, stopping only long enough at corners to be sure that no one was coming. She guided me until we were back at the mosaic portrait of her, in the summer wing of the castle. She stopped outside of what I was sure was a bedroom, and I waited in the hall, no matter her protests. I didn't need to see her bedroom. That wasn't right.
As it turned out, however, it wasn't hers at all. Merlin walked out of the bedroom with Summer, both looking frantic. He had apparently moved back to his original chambers, feeling much more comfortable there now that Summer had returned home. Summer didn't look pleased to be here, truly, but he didn't seem to notice that part. Her heart was elsewhere, in the Land of Dreams. She sent me a scandalized look, but I refused to think any differently. She wanted to be with Yume, but the chance of never seeing her sisters again was a strong enough pull to make her chose Sidhendor when the worlds were being sealed off by Norn and Taichi.
"We must hurry," Summer said frantically, refusing to look my way, because I was right. "She may have already made it to the throne room."
"Lead on, then dear girl," Merlin insisted. "We must save the kingdom. All my work against Morganna will be in vain if we do not. The people have suffered enough for this peace I think."
"There's a long way to go before peace is achieved," I warned him. He looked at me like I couldn't possibly know what I was talking about because I was nothing more than a child—compared to him at least—and I glared coldly at him. My entire life had been given to the fight for peace. I'd almost died once, and I would have, had Gennai not given himself for me. I knew the risks, and I knew the danger. Gaia was the most dangerous of all. And it was her that was here now, to steal the kingdom that he'd tried so hard to protect.
He'd tried in the worst way possible, almost unraveling the very kingdom he wanted to save, but he'd tried anyway.
When we got back to the throne room, Spring and Jenna were back. Spring was trying to stand in front Jenna, but she was having trouble staying on her feet. Gaia was standing at the main opening. She was confident and powerful. I was having trouble standing myself. Her power was overwhelming, and her confidence was intimidating. Jenna was trying to hold Spring up, but Spring was trying to protect her. It was a mess. Summer and I moved to the pair of them, and I took Spring from Jenna, only to see that Summer forced Jenna to stand behind her, and had placed herself in such a spot that she was protecting all of us. Michael moved quickly, under Winter's orders to stand with his sister. He was just as awed by Gaia's power as I was.
Gaia stood with Maugrim on her right, and Bitoru on her left and had three orbs—one the brightest white, one the deepest black, and the third an amalgamation of so many colours I couldn't decide what colour it really was. She had a malicious smile in place, and started walking forward.
"Stop," Winter ordered.
Gaia didn't. She obviously didn't acknowledge Winter's place as ruler of this land. She couldn't, since she intended on ruling it herself. Her three orbs circled around her, always searching for ways to protect her. Maugrim's eyes scanned the room, and spent a little time lingering on Summer's protective stance, before he smiled to himself, upon catching sight of Taichi. He too moved forward. Taichi's face blanched and I watched him visually pull himself together. He was afraid of Maugrim. I hadn't seen Taichi this afraid in a long time. I made Michael take Spring, and moved behind Winter, until I was near Taichi, glad that I'd prepared myself for battle and wishing that Michael had followed my cue, because he would be the second line of defense for his sister and Spring, and Bitoru was headed their way.
"Spring," Bitoru called loudly. He was happy, and didn't seem to realize that his presence was unwanted. Spring howled with pained tears, and he paused, hesitating. "Spring, aren't you happy to see me?"
"Why would she be, you creep?" Michael asked with a sneer. He looked to Summer and thought hard. She could hear what I could not and shook her head. But Michael's mouth was a firm line, and she relented, moving to grab Jenna's arm.
"What are you doing?" Jenna demanded.
"STOP!" Winter yelled loudly.
"I'm taking you to safety," Summer announced. "I have to protect you."
"Why, because Michael said so?" Jenna complained.
"You don't yet know how important this is," Summer said sadly. "But we must away."
"What does that even mean?" Jenna asked, as Summer dragged her towards the door. Merlin moved slowly after them, and stopped himself in the middle of the doorway, leaving no room for anyone to follow the women.
"Bitoru," Gaia commanded. "Stop that racket."
Bitoru hesitated again, unsure exactly how to go about doing that, since it was Spring's wailing that was irritating her, and his mere presence was making it louder. Maugrim was getting closer to Taichi, and I was waiting in the wings until he was close enough for me to do anything. But I had to act sooner than anticipated, because a creeping vine caught my eye.
"Winter, look out!" I yelled, jumping off of the platform her throne was residing on. Winter reacted just as quickly, sending a blast of cold air at the vegetation, coating it in frost, leaving it immobile. Gaia glared at me, and I knew that I was now on her enemy list. She'd wanted to take the throne as quickly as possible and I'd foiled her attempt. I wasn't sorry. I took my belt and raced towards Taichi, who was now ducking down to avoid Maugrim's fist. I wound up a big swing, and swung the belt down on Maugrim's wrist. It wrapped around and got a firm grip, and then I moved behind him, catching his other arm, allowing for Taichi to get a good punch in before Maugrim was able to break my grasp.
I didn't expect the kick to the knee that Maugrim provided me with. I was rather blindsided and fell to the ground quickly. Taichi got a knee to the gut soon afterwards, followed by a solid punch to the side of his head. Taichi didn't even cry out, and I got the feeling he'd been in this situation before.
"Spring, listen to me," I heard Bitoru pleading. "I'm doing this for you. Let me help you. We can be together now. I'm doing everything I have to for your sake. Can't you understand that? Let me help you."
"She doesn't want your help, you jerk," Michael called. Bitoru called out and a quick glance alerted me that Michael had punched the guy in the nose. "You're working for the person she fears the most. Do you think she's going to want anything to do with you anymore? You're crazy."
"I'm just following my instinct," Bitoru said pleadingly. "I need to do this. I need to, or else I can't help you."
"Leave me alone!" Spring screamed. Michael helped her to her feet and moved her towards Merlin, who was quick to allow them to pass. I was glad Michael had gotten out of this. Winter passed by, blocking my view, and I missed seeing them disappear. It was just as well, since Maugrim grabbed me by the back of my neck and threw me into Taichi, leaving us to topple in a pile on the floor. Winter wasn't faring much better. She'd been tossed against the platform her throne resided on by the black orb, and new vines were holding her ornate, throne high above her head. The vines dropped it, and Winter didn't quite manage to roll out of the way in time. Gaia then sent small balls of white hot fire from her hands and they danced around Winter, getting closer every second. Sweat started rolling down Winter's face, and she hesitated. There was real fear in her eyes, but it was gone after a second. I could hardly believe it had ever been there at all. She sucked in a quick breath, and blew icy air at each ball of flame, extinguishing them one by one.
Bitoru was now trying to get passed Merlin, who refused to so much as sway an inch. Maugrim grunted disappointedly at the sight of Bitoru, who wasn't fighting at all, let alone well enough to please this war machine. I jumped onto Maugrim's back, launching myself there with one well timed leap, and I wrapped my hand around his chin, pulling sharply to the side. I didn't want to kill him, per se, but I didn't really want to leave him alive either. I was at a bit of an impasse. Taichi took that moment to send Maugrim toppling to the floor, which I thought was rather rude, seeing as I was now under Maugrim. Taichi swore, and I figured that was the closest I was going to get to an apology, and squirmed, trying to break free of Maugrim's heavy frame. Maugrim flung his head back, bashing into mine, making my head crash against the floor. I felt the moment my skin broke open and groaned. This wasn't how I'd imagined this fight going. My nose wasn't bleeding for once though. That was a small comfort, having broken two times during my two months in the Dark Ocean. I wasn't particularly planning on breaking it again. Twice was enough.
"Enough!" Gaia screamed. She sent dozens of vines down from the ceiling, which I realized with horror, had been her backup plan. From where I lay on the ground, I could see that the entire domed ceiling was crawling with her vines, having crept up the walls when no one was able to pay attention. Winter was held, suspended in the air by these vines, and Gaia started a ring of fire surrounding her daughter. Winter started glowing a white-blue and Gaia laughed.
"You can control it then?" she said with derision. "You have learned to wield the power of the storm. Or are you really so desperate that you would destroy your entire kingdom to keep me from the throne?"
"I will do everything I can to prevent you from ruining Sidhendor," Winter said firmly.
"So you will ruin it for me," Gaia said with a laugh. "How sweet of you, you're practically giving me the kingdom. No one will want a queen that is so willing to destroy them just to spite her mother. Now give me the crown. You don't want your kingdom to fear you."
"I can't give you the crown," Winter cried out. "You'll ruin everything."
"So will you," Gaia said cruelly. "Do you want that on your conscience? Do you want the people to fear and loath you once again? No. You do not. You want them to love and worship you. But they can't do that. They will never be able to. You are unlovable. You are cold and cruel, just like me. And you can never be anything else."
"That's not true!" I growled as loudly as I could, since Maugrim was still on top of me. I shoved him off, but he slammed me against the floor again, preventing me from speaking anymore by knocking all of the air from my lungs and making it impossible for me to get any more, all while disposing of Taichi with one swift kick to the abdomen. Taichi fell to the floor with a grunt.
"It is true," Gaia said, casting a cold look my way that chilled me to the bones. The three orbs circled her. "You are the most like me of all my children. You could be great, at my side. But you spoiled my plans once too many. I can save the people from you."
"I won't let you," Winter said, but her eyes were shining, and I knew that Gaia was gaining headway in her manipulations.
"It's not a matter of letting me," Gaia said, as the vines dropped Winter to the floor in the centre of the flames. The fire burned hotter, and the flames reached higher. Winter was on her knees, trying to fight her mother in her mind, so that she could continue to fight outside of it. But it was too late. The vines caught Winter's wrists and pulled her further to the ground so she was bowing, worshiping at her mother's feet as Gaia walked undeterred through the flames that caressed her skin like silk, rather than burn her. She stopped when her feet were directly under Winter's bowed head, which the vines moved further to the floor, so that Winter was close enough to kiss her mother's bare feet. She spat on them instead, and the vines tightened so much that she screamed out in pain. And Gaia reached down to grab the crown that graced Winter's head an tore it from her. A burst of light surrounded Winter as the crown was removed and Winter screamed as the additional power was torn from her very veins. The power swirled through the air as Gaia placed the crown on her own head.
"All hail the true queen," Gaia said pleased, as the power surged around her and was absorbed by her very skin. The three orbs glinted brighter, like they too had been improved by the power of the crown. She smiled a cold, chilling smile, and stepped away from her still screaming, daughter as she writhed about on the floor.
"All hail the queen," Maugrim agreed, getting to his feet, and kicking me for good measure. I almost didn't even care because I had taken the opportunity to breathe again. He went to stand before Gaia and bowed down deeply. Bitoru followed suit when he found himself on the receiving end of a pair of glares.
"It feels good to be queen," Gaia said happily. "Now, fetch me Morganna."
"Who, me?" I asked when I realized where she was looking. "Not a chance."
"Maugrim," Gaia ordered simply, and Maugrim grabbed me and dragged me to my feet. Taichi tried to stand, but Maugrim kicked him down again. He shoved me in front of him and forced me through a door and down a hallway until we found a set of stairs. Fearing that he would literally shove me down them, I started descending without prompting, and he pushed me towards a closed cell, where a mere wisp of a woman sat waiting. She had a twisted smile on her face, and her long silver locks seemed to glow, as though she knew what had just occurred upstairs.
"Open it," Maugrim told me.
"You do it," I countered petulantly. If he thought I was going to willingly open Morganna's cage, then he thought wrong. I had done my best to put her in there. I hadn't accomplished very much, admittedly, since I was a golden statue for quite a lot of the fight, but I did what I could.
"He cannot," Morganna said in a mystical and horrible voice, like she'd been denied water for years. I knew that Summer and her sisters were better to their prisoners than that, however, because they had that vow to upkeep, which implied that they could not kill anyone. "Winter saw them coming, and acted accordingly."
"She did not ward the cage against humans, however," Maugrim provided. "So you will do it." I shook my head, still determined to keep her locked up. But then his orange gauntlets flashed into being, and one of the blades slowly extended. I could feel the tip of it against the back of my neck and I froze. I couldn't die here. Not for this. I had Kana to think about. I couldn't leave her to grow up without a father like I had. It had been miserable, and while I loved Mom and Grandpa, I needed my dad. I wasn't going to deny Kana that chance. I couldn't. She was my number one priority. "Now."
I reached forward with a shaking hand, hating myself for what I was doing, but was unable to stop myself. I needed to do this for Kana. I needed to be there for her, and if doing this was the only way to make that happen then this was what I had to do. I could hate myself forever, and it wouldn't matter, so long as I was there for her. She was my everything. She was my world.
The door was unlocked, only magic held it closed. It moved easily under my touch. The hinges creaked as the door moved, and Morganna's smile got bigger with every passing second. The door was fully opened, and she got to her feet, stepping through the opening with such grace and poise that I could almost imagine her as royalty.
She was free.
Jenna Washington:
"Could you just let go of me?" I snarled as fiercely as I could. Summer didn't even bother looking back to me, and instead just gripped my wrist tighter and continued her journey down the narrow halls. I had no idea where these led, but they were dark and kind of seemed more like a secret escape route than any of the other passages in the palace. I wasn't proud of how poorly I was doing at pulling myself away from Summer, but I was convinced that since she was a magical fairy lady she probably had some kind of hidden strength or something.
After another couple moments of rushing down the cave like passage, seeing only with a faint light coming from Summer's nearly translucent wings, I decided I would try again. I pulled sharply, and kept at it, pulling with all my might against her restraint until she finally pulled back, startling me into quitting.
"Summer!" I groaned, stumbling along after her. It was pretty impressive how well she worked in such formal attire. I was dressed up for a wedding right then, and my dress was restricting my movement far more than I would have liked. The heels wouldn't be nearly as big an issue if they weren't finding every crack in the cement floor we were using to run away from the others. "Summer please—Michael is back there. Your sisters are back there too!"
"I'm well aware of who we are leaving behind," Summer told me, and I was pleased to hear that she didn't sound too happy about leaving them either. Her voice didn't come out as bitter as Winter's did. I didn't know the fairies well, but Summer would always have been my pick for favourite—until now of course. I figured I'd have to settle for Spring. "We mustn't think about them. I was asked to protect you."
"And I'm asking you to stop," I demanded. Summer did as I asked, which startled me and she looked back, but did not release my wrist. "Good, now let's return to the ot—"
"That isn't an option," Summer told me honestly. I wanted to complain, to try to reason with her, but it didn't look like it would help any. Summer was staring at me like she could read my mind. I knew she couldn't, not really. She could only look through my memories, and was probably looking through the ones of the moment, which was kind of like reading my mind, but not really. She was complicated. I just wanted to go back. She didn't seem to understand that Michael was more important to me than running away. What if something awful happened to him? "I apologize," Summer said, finally turning away again.
"Wait!" I shouted, pulling again, and making her stop. "Summer, wait." She looked over her shoulder and I knew I had only a couple seconds to convince her. "You knew my mother, right?" She nodded her head. "She wouldn't run away from this. She would defend her home, and her kingdom, and her people, and her son. She would fight against Gaia to the death. You know she would."
I had got her. Summer was lost in thought, thinking about what to do next, and I seized my chance. She had loosened her grip on my arm and I finally freed myself, pulling sharply with my arm. I turned on the spot and began running back the way we had come. I didn't care that Summer was calling for me to stop, and I barely listened, but something caught my attention and I nearly stopped.
"You have the peace Jenna!" and somehow that was supposed to make any sense to me. It didn't. But it still interested me, because I didn't know what it meant. I didn't care what I supposedly had or what Summer thought was best for me. I was alive and I was able to do whatever I wanted to because what I wanted wasn't going to hurt anyone aside from maybe me. I wanted to save my brother because he could very well have been in danger.
"Jenna Washington, you need to stop right this minute!" Summer was screaming after me as she came, but I noticed her footfalls had disappeared. Maybe she wasn't coming anymore—maybe she finally gave in and let me go because she understood that what I was doing was the right thing.
I was wrong of course. There were two hands that were suddenly hooking underneath my arms and I looked back to see Summer, flying now to catch up. She was a cheater. "Put me down!" I demanded the moment my feet left the ground.
Summer was already turning away, "I can't do that."
"You can," a voice that came from neither Summer or I said darkly. "And you will."
Summer hesitated in midflight and turned to face the speaker. I was shocked to find the woman standing there, because I didn't recognize her at all. Of course I wouldn't. I'd never seen Gaia before. Her hair was silvery and beautiful, but her skin was pale, sickly almost. She was wearing what looked to be rags and her eyes were filled with the fury of a thousand angry demons. "Morganna?" Summer said, startled. So this wasn't Gaia at all? It was someone different. Someone known as Morganna.
Summer dropped me to the ground and my ankle nearly twisted because of my horrendous landing, but I caught myself on the wall, pushing myself back to my feet. Summer landed in front of me and held out her hands, summoning a beautiful ball of fire that lit the hall much better than her wings had been. The fire was sparkling like magic and I could barely take my eyes off of it.
"I wouldn't do that," Morgnna said, not fearing the flames at all. She lazily tossed her hair over her shoulder, and I watched as it fell. It reached nearly to her knees. It was so long—and pretty too. I didn't see why Summer wouldn't want to hurt her though. It was clear just by the ragged sight of the woman that she was not kind. Summer seemed to know that too.
"And why not?" Summer asked, as Morganna took a single step forward. Her feet were covered in cloth shoes, nearly slippers and she reminded me of someone who had just come from an insane asylum. Summer's fire lashed upward, sending a flare from the top, "Don't move."
Morganna's hands flew up in defeat. "You won't hurt me when you hear what I have to say." I stared at her, feeling my throat run dry. I had a feeling I knew exactly what she was about to say. "If I don't return in two minutes, Gaia will kill your sister," her eyes turned to me. "And your brother too." Okay so it wasn't exactly what I had thought, but it was close enough.
I reacted instantly, stepping forward and gently pushing Summer aside, "Then let's go."
"Jenna," Summer said in a wavered voice. I snapped my eyes over to her because I knew she wanted to go back too, but was just trying to do as her queen commanded of her. She finally subsided, nodding her head and set off to lead the way. Morganna wasn't going to have that though and she reached out and grabbed Summer's wrist before doing the same to me. Morganna's skin was much drier and colder than Summer's had been, and her grip was less kind. She held tight, trying to cause pain, and I hated every second of it.
At least Summer had a reason to be pulling me—I was unwilling to go with her. Morganna was just being cruel because I had offered to come along. I wanted to save Michael too. I really didn't want her touching me though. She was horrible and bitter and was on the side of the people who were trying to kill my brother.
I saw the light coming up, but Morganna wasn't moving fast enough. Surely more than two minutes had passed. What if Michael was dead when we got there and it had all been for nothing? Would we be able to run if that was the case? Had Summer been right?
Summer caught my eye and tried to give me courage. I didn't need any courage though. I wasn't afraid. I was worried about Michael's life, but I was not scared of Morganna or Gaia or whoever else was out there waiting for us. I wasn't going to back down, but running was maybe a good idea because I couldn't even pull my hand away from Summer and she wasn't determined to kill me, so I didn't think I would be any use in a fight against Gaia.
Chi would though. He was stronger than any basic human, because he wasn't a human. He was a digimon. He was a pretty gifted one at that. Sure, he had been shot but I knew he'd be okay because he was Chi. When was he not okay? I wished he was here right now. We could have used his help since Taichi had lost all the digimon to Gaia. Not just their digimon either. Apparently she had somehow tricked an army into doing her bidding. That scared me. What else was she capable of?
I didn't have time to think about Gaia anymore, or theorize about her in any case, because it was time to actually meet her. Morganna shoved Summer forward and then me, twisting our arms behind us. I whined, trying not to cry out and show weakness, but I felt something twist in my shoulder and it didn't quite feel right. Morganna continued leading us along and as we moved past the throne something had caught my eye. A glint of light reflecting off of something metal. I turned to see the crown, shimmering in the beautiful light of the world, but it was no longer on Winter's head.
Winter was on the ground with Merlin, Iori and Taichi, all of them were held by vines that were restricting their movement entirely. I looked back to Gaia and saw a pile of similar vines hanging over the top of her new throne and knew that she was behind them all. She began stroking the vines with her dainty hand as she looked toward me. She caught my eye and instant burning hatred coursed through me.
This woman was the worst thing that had ever happened to me, and I'd never even met her before.
Her dark skin and eyes were beautiful, and her hair shimmered like Morganna's, but her beauty meant nothing because I could see the devil behind her smile.
Suddenly a panic crashed into me like a ton of bricks and my heart was suddenly slamming against its confines in my chest. My eyes were scanning the room. Where was Michael? I found a man with dark and wild hair standing by a large doorway, his hands politely folded in front of himself. He looked out of character and I'd never met him either. He was all that was left though. Where was Spring? Where was Michael?
"Where is my sister?" Summer asked before I had a chance to start screaming my head off with wild empty threats that would surely be aimed at Gaia. Summer was also looking around the room.
Gaia leaned forward in her throne and swished her hands through the air to summon the vines to create a stool for her feet. She kicked them up and scoffed as she leaned back again. It was then that I noticed the three balls of light that surrounded her. They were all beautiful in different ways. The glowing white orb felt like purity and innocence all rolled into one beautiful little container. The black orb seemed to seep with darkness and I was instantly reminded a puppy somehow, like the orb had a big personality, but was loyal to Gaia now and would do as she said. The third and final orb was filled with the most genuine sorrow, and I felt tears burning behind my eyes at the sight of it. Whatever was in the multicoloured orb of sadness wanted out.
"There is no need to be upset," Gaia said. Her voice sounded much softer than I had expected it too and I was taken aback with the innocent batting of her eyes. She was kind. I knew it was untrue, but it was an instant response in my brain, like I wanted to love her and help her and do as she asked me to. It was twisted and I loathed the feeling. "She is still alive."
"And Michael?" I questioned, still feeling unsure and worried.
"Right here," I turned my head at the sound and tried to pull from Morganna's grip. Michael and Spring were being led by Maugrim, just as Morganna had the two of us. She held my arm tighter and lashed out with anger, kicking sharply toward my knee. I hadn't seen it coming and cried out in shock, falling to the floor.
"Get up," Morganna ordered, pulling me back to my feet. "Move!" she was pushing us again to where Merlin was tied to the floor—where he was forced to bow before his new queen. I felt momentary freedom as Morganna released my arm, but a moment later both of my wrists had been attacked by Gaia's vines and they pulled me to the floor sharply. I gaped in surprise and tried to brace myself, but the pain still shot through my arms.
A moment later I heard Michael call out over Spring's incoherent sobs, and then Summer was beside me. We were all bowing now, because apparently we were forced to respect Gaia. I didn't know the woman well, but I didn't see me liking her very much.
It was no secret at this point that we had lost. I had no real emotional attachment to the world or the palace or the throne though. Probably because I hadn't had a chance to look around, but I felt this hole in my stomach that seemed to be growing and absorbing all of my happiness until I felt completely empty.
This was my mother's home. This was the land she had been born in and where she spent most of her life. This was the castle she was raised in, probably. I didn't really know that, but I felt it had to be true. And now it was run—once again—by the most horrible woman who had ever lived. If that wasn't enough to make me want to curl up into a ball, then I could add the terrible obvious truth of my own imminent death to the list of things that made me upset. I needed to see Chi at least one more time.
That meant we had to get out of here. We obviously couldn't fight back, so we were going to have to escape, and the best way to do that was to cause a distraction.
I couldn't believe myself though. I was trying to think of a way to save us all but I could only focus on the hot tears that were falling from my eyes into a puddle on the floor. I was a baby! I couldn't be crying right now! There would be plenty of time for that back home when we escaped!
The others were our only hope now. I tried to remember who all was out there in the world, trying to save the people of the city around the palace. I knew Hikari was there in her wedding dress and that Jou and Mimi had gone out. Sora and Koushiro too. Both pairs would have been useful if we had their partners here so they could fuse to fight, but that obviously wasn't the case and so we were stuck with only humans as our allies. Miyako, Daisuke, Kiyoko and Kurayami were out there too. Kurayami would be able to help if she had her darkness—
I forced my head up, fighting against the restrains of the vines that were trying to keep me safely bound to the floor and out of Gaia's hair. I saw, next to Maugrim who had apparently already made his way over to his lover, the ball of darkness. That had to be Kuaryami's power. If Kurayami could get her darkness back...
Suddenly the vines tightened and forced me back to staring at the white marble floor and to my own puddle of tears.
"Morganna," Gaia said brightly. I could hear Morganna perking up behind me and the reminder of her made my shoulder ache again. "Would you come here, Dear?" Morganna did not hesitate and began making her way around Summer and I and then off toward Gaia who was still quite far away. The throne was at the other end of the room, at the end of the deep blue carpet.
When Morganna was out of earshot I heard frantic whispers coming from my right. I tilted my head as best I could and saw Bitoru on his knees hovering over Spring's mass of hair. She was still shaking with tears. I could relate to that at least, still feeling the tears dripping from my own eyes. "Spring, you don't understand," Bitoru said as calmly as he could, "I would never hurt you or your friends. I promise you—"
"Bitoru, you little bastard," Winter snarled quietly from her place in the center of us all. She seemed to be held the tightest of us all, probably because she was the oldest—aside from Merlin really—and was probably the strongest. "If you say another word, I swear I'll rip you to pieces."
Bitoru looked startled, "I-I—" he stuttered.
"If you want forgiveness," Iori said sharply, "Start by untying us."
Bitoru looked like he couldn't possibly do anything of the sort, but when he turned to Gaia he seemed to think she was distracted enough. He extended his hand and summoned a slim knife that be began to use to hack away at the vines keeping Spring captive.
"BITORU!" Maugrim bellowed loudly. The knife in Bitoru's hand disappeared immediately and he turned to his father who sounded like he was still at the other end of the room, thankfully. "What are you doing?" Bitoru threw his hands in the air to show he was innocent and his father seemed pleased. Bitoru sent us all an apologetic look but I didn't believe it. He was a jerk because he was teaming up with Gaia. I didn't know any of these people because it really wasn't my job to fix their mess, but now that they were tampering with my mother's history, I was going to make it my job. I just hired myself to get rid of Gaia, Morganna, Maugrim and their little puppet, Bitoru.
Gaia then spoke, startling me, because for a moment I thought she might be able to read my mind, but her words didn't make sense if she could. "I would like for you all to watch this," she said sweetly. Then, all at once, we were sitting up with more vines creeping in from all angles to hold us tighter. We were now all facing Gaia and her team of evil dickheads.
Gaia was standing in front of her throne, facing Morganna to the side, with Maugim standing right behind her. His face was obscured by the orb of light energy that surely had to belong to Hikari if the darkness was Kurayami's, but I knew he would have an expression that was similar to the joy spread on Gaia and Morganna's faces. "I could not to this alone," Gaia admitted, reaching behind her to grab the multicoloured orb. She held it firmly in both hands and turned to Morganna as Taichi began to scream out incoherent words, thrashing about in his confines.
I caught only one phrase in all of his yelling. "Don't touch them!"
A panic was sent through my body like lightning as I realized what Gaia was holding. It was the digimon. I shuddered and watched helplessly as Gaia held the orb out to Morganna. "This is your specialty, my friend. All I ask is for your assistance once more."
Morganna had a sly smile creeping across her face for only a moment. It fell quickly and her hands dropped to her side. "What do I get in return?"
"Jenna," Summer hissed quietly, drawing my attention away from Morganna and the others. I turned to Summer to see her very serious expression. "Tell Winter to freeze the vines when I give the cue." I nodded and immediately passed the message on to Merlin who promised to do the same with Winter. That was all I could do.
When I turned back to Morganna and Gaia it seemed they had reached some kind of agreement, and then, without hesitating, Morganna thrust her hand into the center of the colourful orb and her hand completely vanished. I felt a sharp pain in my chest as I thought of Betamon, Terriermon and Lopmon. More silent tears made their way down my face.
What were they doing to them?
Morganna's hand was fiddling around inside the orb and then the orb began to glow brightly, and Morganna removed her hand sharply and quickly. The orb's light was so bright that I had to look away and close my eyes, but it did not last long. I looked back quickly and saw that in the place of the orb was an upside down pyramid instead, made of crystal or glass. All the colour was gone, but as the light from the windows hit the surface, it reflected like a prism, sending rays of colourful light all around the room.
Gaia's full attention was on her new toy and her joy was overwhelming. Summer seemed to realize this was our best chance because she barked out, "Winter," and suddenly I was screaming. Fire and ice were battling against the vines, working together to turn them to ash and dust, breaking apart and freeing us. "Go!" Summer insisted, grabbing my arm and turning for the nearest window.
I turned back, "Michael!" I shrieked, but I could see Spring take his hand as she ran the furthest distance toward us. Winter was dragging both Taichi and Iori toward us as Merlin chased along after her, moving much slower than she.
"Seize them!" Gaia ordered, and as one, Maugrim, Gaia and Bitoru all set off toward us, moving faster than we had been.
Suddenly Summer's arm was around my waist and she had kicked off, flying out the window without hesitation. I turned myself in her grip and watched as Winter flew out after us, still with Taichi and Iori, and then as Merlin reached the window I saw him turn back, and throw his hands in the air, casting a barrier that was easily shattered.
He managed to buy just enough time for Spring and Michael to make it out the window, but he himself had been caught by Morganna who looked all too pleased to finally get her revenge on the man. "M-Merlin!" I shouted.
"I know," Summer said, and without looking I knew she was crying.
Next on Digimon Adventure 08: So Gaia's basically just a crazy bitch I guess. Jou and TK are in just as much trouble these days. Find out what happens next on Deegimon (that was said in Davis' dub voice) Digital monsters!
