.:Ranamon:.

Lesson Three…

-.-

It's been a long time… is anybody still there, anymore? I suppose it doesn't matter. The story is still here, poking at my consciousness, waiting to be finished. Well, let's finish it, then.

…Eventually.

-.-

Chapter Nine

-.-

Ranamon had her map, she knew in theory which direction she was supposed to go. So why she wasn't already at the Lunamon Village after hours of walking through the rainforest, she couldn't begin to know. Her legs were tired and sore, and she was covered in mud and sweat from tramping, crawling, falling and scrambling her way through the dense foliage.

"If the other Legendary Warriors could see me now, they'd laugh," she wailed miserably, shoving the large frond of a fern out of her face. In her frustration at getting around the plant, she slipped on a root and fell face-first into the damp dirt beneath her feet. "Well I'M not laughing!" she declared, and promptly began to cry.

Miserable, wet and tired, she was thoroughly sorry for herself, and hated the rainforest more than she had ever hated anything before. Gone were her best laid plans of improving her zone and connecting each village with paths; forgotten was her noble quest of finding her Beast Spirit and learning skills she had never been taught. All she wanted was to be carried home by caring friends and fans, where she could sink into a warm bath and clean away the grime of her adventure.

She pulled herself up and wiped her face, glaring down at her useless map. How could she tell which direction she was going when they all looked the same? Maybe a compass would have helped if she knew how to use one, but it hadn't occurred to her to ask for one. Her best and only chance of getting out of the wilderness was to find someone who could lead her.

"Somebody?" she raised her voice and called. "Anybody? Please, if anybody is out there, please help me! I'm so lost." Ranamon listened, stretching her fan-like ears out and eagerly listening for any sounds of life. But if there were any digimon out there, none of them responded to her. "Please?" she begged again. Her sniffles started up again, and with a heavy heart, she forced herself to keep walking.

She would run into someone, eventually. They were out here, she knew they were. She could only hope that they weren't all just avoiding her.

-.-

The council of the Celestial Digimon lasted for hours. Mercurymon, Grumblemon, and Arbormon all waited with anxious silence in the hall outside Seraphimon's Crystal Chamber, wondering what consequences they would receive for their actions. But they didn't wait alone.

All of the Legendary Warriors stayed with them, offering them support as best they could. Agunimon spoke for them all when he said that they were a team, and they would stand with them if it was needed. Conversation was sparse however, and they mostly waited in silence without knowing what to expect.

At long last, the doors opened and Sorcerermon beckoned them inside. "The council awaits," he told them. "You may all come."

"We'd come anyway," Beetlemon said, chuckling. "But thanks."

Smiling faintly behind his scarf, Sorcerermon led the way back into the Crystal Chamber. When all the warriors were inside, he bowed graciously and walked out, closing the doors behind him.

Seraphimon was the first to speak. "I want you to know, first of all, that you are not in trouble." Though they could not see his face behind his helmet, the kind tone in his words was all the reassurance they needed. "What you have done is just what any one of us would have done."

Ophanimon nodded, though her smile was melancholy. "I reacted poorly upon seeing your reverted forms," she added. "And for that I apologize. What I first mistook for a breaking of your oath was truly a selfless act for your fellow warrior. It is to be commended, not scorned."

"Which is why," Cherubimon spoke up, "we have decided to offer you another chance to receive your spirit forms once more."

"Truly?" a smile tugged at the corner of Mercurymon's mouth. "That's not what I expected to hear. I'm curious to know what this chance is."

"Wait," Arbormon held up a hand. "More importantly, we already gave up our data to fuel the changes to Ranamon's Beast Spirit. That kind of data doesn't just come from nowhere. How would we gain it back?"

"You see the heart of the issue," Ophinmon agreed. "What you are doing is an honorable thing, and we are willing to reward such acts with our own data, just as we did before. When you were first made Legendary Warriors."

"We are unique," Seraphimon added. "We can gain our data back, over time. But your spirit forms are a gift only we can give. Should you prove yourselves in the quest we are going to give you, then we will grant you those spirit forms a second time."

"Quest?" Grumblemon asked, and he tried not to groan. "Er… what quest is that, exactly?"

"First, I have a question for the three of you," Seraphimon said. He looked at each one, letting his gaze weigh heavily on them. "Do you still want to be one of our ten Legendary Warriors, who serve and protect the Digital World?"

"I do," Mercurymon said at once, meaning the words with every fiber of his being.

"As do I," Arbormon added.

Grumblemon spoke last, his face scrunched up in a scowl. "YES," he snorted. "You don't even have to ask! We didn't give up our oaths, only our data. Didn't we say that?"

"You did," Ophanimon spoke slowly. "But you see, in doing so, you have also forfeited your status. You are Legendary Warriors no longer." Her voice held a hint of sadness, but she didn't let it show on her face. "Which is why we must have you prove yourselves once more before we can accept you back."

"So, a quest," Grumblemon said, and he did groan this time. "Alright, what is it?"

Behind the three warriors being judged, the other six Legendary Warriors chuckled a little at the warrior of earth's bluntness. He wasn't one to hide how he was feeling, and that was one thing they liked about him. He was honest, sometimes to a fault.

"If you truly wish to become Legendary Warriors once more, then hear me well," Seraphimon said, clearing his throat. "Ever since the world was restored, many things have been in disarray. Though the world itself has been pieced back together, many parts of it have been destroyed. Trailmon rails are no longer functioning, villages simply disappeared, leaving the inhabitants nowhere to live, and some places are in a different part of the world than they used to be. This is why we divided the world into ten zones and tasked the Legendary Warriors with managing the rebuilding of the world.

"However, we have begun to sense a strange energy growing throughout the world. We aren't sure where it came from, or even what it might do, but we can tell that it is spreading. Our quest for you, if you accept it, is to have each of you travel the digital world and try to discover what this strange energy is, where it came from, and what it is doing. All we need right now is information, something we don't have enough of."

"I will say this," Cherubimon interjected, his deep voice rumbling ominously. "The energy is familiar to me, and not in a good way. It reminds me of the darkness that once enveloped my mind, and I suspect it comes from Lucemon's data which was distributed when the humans restored our world."

"You think Lucemon's data is corrupting the very digital world itself?" Agunimon blurted, unable to help himself. He stepped forward, as though he felt responsible. "Then isn't this something you should send all of us to check on?"

"Not right away," Seraphimon shook his head. "We don't know that for sure. All we know is that the energy feels different, not harmful. Cherubimon says it is familiar, but I do not think it is Lucemon's data."

"I do," Cherubimon scowled. "You never had his whispers in your mind. You don't know the feeling of his presence in your thoughts like a wound."

"Cherubimon," Ophanimon whispered. He fell silent at once. Sighing, she turned toward the grave faces of the warriors. "We need more information. It may be Lucemon's data, and it may be nothing more than the confusion of the world being reconstituted. We cannot spare all of you right now, but we need you to be ready in case it comes to a battle."

"Mercurymon, Grumblemon, Arbormon," Seraphimon said, raising his voice with authority, "We task the three of you with seeking out this strange disturbance, and with discovering as much information about it as you can. Then you must return here and present your findings, whatever they may be. The three of us will take over restorations in your zones, so that you will not be distracted. Find out what you can, but stay safe. If it truly is the remnants of Lucemon's data corrupting the digital world, do not try to handle it by yourselves. Do you understand?"

"A question, if I may," Mercuyrmon cut in, before either of the other two could accept. Ophanimon nodded, so he continued. "Reconnaissance is important I agree, but how will this prove our worth as Legendary Warriors?"

"I cannot say, exactly," Ophanimon admitted. "But my heart tells me we will need the three of you, and I must listen when it guides me. There is something only the three of you can do. Besides that, we trust you. Or do you think our trust is misplaced?"

"We can do it," Grumblemon complained. "You better believe it!"

"I believe it," Seraphimon chuckled.

Mercurymon nodded, thinking. At last he stepped forward. "I believe I speak for us all when I say, I accept. We will find out about this energy you sense, and do what we can until we need to call for back up. We'll leave now."

"Then go with our blessing, and be cautious," Ophanimon smiled. "We will be waiting for your reports."

The Legendary Warriors left the chamber, giving the three elemental digimon their best wishes as they prepared to head out on their quest. When they left, they all left together, each having their duties and zones to return to. Only Lowemon remained behind, waiting outside the Crystal Chamber until Cherubimon exited to return to his own castle.

Lowemon went to him, walking beside him as he made for the exit.

"Lowemon," Cherubimon remarked, looking at him with wary eyes. "I cannot say why, but I fear what words you are going to share with me."

The warrior of darkness lifted his eyes to look at the Celestial gravely. "The energy you sense," he said, his voice quiet. "I sense it too. Like something is wrong, or out of place. The world was put together wrong, something else was put together with it. I sense that too."

"I think it's him," Cherubimon sighed, weariness showing on his face. "And if it is, I don't know how we're supposed to fix it."

"If it is him, then why those three? Why send them to do something only Susanoomon may be able to handle?"

"Because their part in this world is not yet written, and it hangs over us like loose stones upon a mountain." Cherubimon stopped walking when they stepped outside the castle, and he looked out across the horizon. He could see Mercuyrmon, Arbormon and Grumblemon speaking with each other at the base of the path to the castle, deciding where they would go. "If we do not direct where the avalanche will fall, it will sweep all of us away."

"Cryptic words for one who never speaks in riddles," Lowemon remarked. "But I think I understand. Change is coming to the Digital World again."

"And the four of them—Ranamon, Mercurymon, Arbormon and Grumblemon—are the ones with the largest roles to play."

"Perhaps." Lowemon stepped into the shadow of Seraphimon's castle, disappearing from sight. "But they needn't face it alone. We are all on the same team this time."

"Yes," the Celestial Digimon sighed in relief. "And may we ever be."

Lowemon did not answer. He had already left.

-.-

"Why are you crying, little one?"

The voice was quiet, unexpected, but a source of great relief for Ranamon. Night had fallen over an hour ago, and weary with exhaustion, the warrior of water had huddled under the nearest tree with her knees to her chest where she could cry herself to sleep. Only sleep hadn't come, and she'd been crying for an hour.

Hearing the soft voice by her ear, Ranamon lifted her head and peered through the dark for the speaker. She saw no one. "Who's there?" she asked, sniffling and rubbing tears from her eyes with one arm.

"I am here," the quiet voice replied. This time it was by her other ear, but she still saw no one when she turned her head. "You probably can't see me, I blend into the dark and the trees rather well."

"Oh," Ranamon sighed unhappily. "I wish I could see you, it's a little annoying not knowing who I'm speaking to."

"Would you rather I leave?" the voice asked.

"No!" Ranamon blurted, jolting in distress. "Please don't go!"

The disembodied voice chuckled. "Alright," he replied. And this time, it seemed he spoke from in front of her. "Tell me, warrior of water, what brings you this deep into the forest? Are you lost?"

At his words, Ranamon's sobs started up anew. "YEEEESSSS!" she wailed, and couldn't stop herself. "I'm cold, I'm muddy, I've been walking for HOURS and I haven't found a single digimon to help me!"

"That sounds a miserable experience," the voice sympathized. "Where did you come from?"

"The… the Vegimon Village," Ranamon tried her best to stop crying, but it was just such a relief to talk to a real digimon that she couldn't help it. "See, this is why I want to put roads between all the villages. And signs, big signs that you can't miss even if you're short."

For a moment the unknown digimon did not respond, as though he was thinking, or perhaps waiting for her tears to dry up. They did eventually, and when she had calmed, he spoke again. "I'm curious," he said slowly, "why did you not ask one of the Vegimon to come with you? I'm sure they would have, if you asked."

"I doubt it," Ranamon wiped her eyes, feeling miserable. "Nobody likes me, and I wasn't about to make them babysit me."

"Come now, you know that isn't true," the voice soothed. "Many digimon like you, especially when they are able to talk to you. Surely you must be aware of your own skill—your ability to win over the digimon you speak with? I've seen you do it before. With your charm and lovely appearance, and with the right words, why… I believe even a digimon that hated you would soon love you."

His words made a cold shudder of dread trickle through Ranamon's chest. Every word he spoke was true, she couldn't deny it. But instead of reassuring her, it only made her more distressed. "But see, that's what I don't want," she argued. "I don't want to manipulate anyone. I want them to like me for who I really am!"

"What's the difference?" the voice asked innocently. "Aren't you Ranamon, the beautiful and cute warrior of water? No matter how you win them over, you're still winning them over. That's nothing to be ashamed of. You should embrace your skills."

She frowned, hugging her knees to her chest with both arms. She couldn't say why, but his words felt like icicles stabbed into her heart. He's right, she thought bitterly. Like with those Vegimon. All I had to do was speak nicely to them, act all responsible, and suddenly I had them eating out of my hand. "I'm a monster," she whispered. "I'm a manipulator."

The voice chided her with a gentle clicking of his tongue. "Now, now, don't say that. I find you very inspiring, actually! Manipulating people is an art, and you do it flawlessly. Why do you reject a part of you that any digimon would consider a gift? You should embrace it," he said again. "I wish I could be like you."

"Do you?" Ranamon laughed without mirth. "I wish I was anyone but myself. Other digimon are happy. I'm just lazy, miserable, and manipulative."

"Wrong," the voice cooed. "You're beautiful, powerful, and manipulative. I wish you would teach me how you do it, I can't get my own family to do things, let alone complete strangers."

"I couldn't teach you," Ranamon shook her head. "I don't know how I do it. I just… do. A smile here, a complement there… that's all it takes."

"You see?" the voice drew closer, and Ranamon thought she could see the outline of the digimon in the dark. "You're a natural. Why do you reject yourself? Just embrace it, and accept it. So it will take some manipulation to get all the digimon in this zone to work together and rebuild. Is that really so bad?"

Ranamon hesitated, but no matter how she felt, she couldn't argue with him. Was he right? Was this just the way she was? Maybe it was better if she used her skills in manipulation instead of rejecting them. At least things would get done…

With a heavy heart, she leaned her chin on her knees and sighed. "I guess you're right," she murmured.

The digimon drew closer, emerging from the dark and becoming more visible. A squat, green amphibian digimon with a red fin across its back, Betamon was not what she had expected to see. Though in the darkness, his normally bright green color looked like a dark gray. He grinned up at her, pleased. "Of course I'm right," he said softly. "Now it is time for you to sleep, and in the morning, I will lead you where you want to go. And you can teach me how you control other digimon with your charm."

Ranamon nodded, ignoring the anxious twisting of her insides. This was fine. This was inevitable. After all, she had no place trying to pretend she was better than she was.

-.-

Leagues away, in the glittering pool inside Ranamon's own cave, Lady Marlinmon cried out in pain. Bitterness had wormed its way through Ranamon's heart, taking root in the cracks of her newly gained confidence. The ancient digimon looked down at her arms, watching as sharp claws replaced her delicate fingers. And felt the ugliness of vanity beginning to creep back up.

"Oh no," she whispered, tears slipping down her now sunken cheeks. "Ranamon please, don't give up yet. Fight the bitterness, you are more than what you fear."

But her words could not reach her. She was stuck alone in the pool, waiting and hoping that Ranamon would pull through. All she could do was put her faith in the warrior, and believe that she could find her way back to her.

"No matter how you feel, no matter what I become," Marlinmon whispered. "I will always, always, be happy to see you."

And she would wait as long as it would take.

-.-

It's been ten years. I've moved on with my life, as we all have I'm sure. But having been through hardships over the years that have sapped me dry, I have decided to return to things that once brought me joy. Writing used to do that for me. I wonder if finishing this story will make me remember how to smile; to feel emotion again?

I wonder if I can bring those kinds of feelings to you, as well?

Perhaps I will finish this story. And perhaps I won't. All I know is that for tonight, I felt like writing one more chapter. Thank you for reading, if you're still here. May you be safe and healthy, and protected.

~rika195