::Ch. 3—Forgiveness:: Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. I do own Trikmon©, and the concept of this story. If you want to see fanart for this fic, go to "http://www.crosswinds.net/~filldnothingness." The site isn't complete, yet, but the Digimon fanfiction and fanart sections are up. And I do appreciate mature feedback!

The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Chapter 3: Forgiveness

He was an idiot. He was an absolute, without a doubt, one hundred and ten percent idiot. At least, that's what Joe was convinced he was.

He couldn't believe he had stuck his foot in his mouth so badly. Gomamon had been right in the doorway, and had heard the entire rant. Jesus. What on earth had he been thinking when he said that? What would Jim say if he could see him now?

Joe groaned. His brother would probably call him an idiot, of course. Then, he'd tell him to find Gomamon and apologize until his throat was raw. That is, if he could find Gomamon. Which, he wasn't having much luck at doing. He wasn't in his room, and everyone Joe had talked to said that hadn't seen the snow white boy.

What if he had left the house? Out there, past the protection of the firewall, alone and vulnerable. Joe hoped to God not. It would be all his fault if something happened to Gomamon. All his fault. He was supposed to be the reliable one, the mature one! He was supposed to handle everything in a rational manner. And instead, he acted like a raving moron.

He was so caught up in his thoughts, Joe wasn't watching where he was going, and bumped into something as he turned the corner. No, not something. Someone.

"Ow!" Jun yelped, her forehead hitting him squarely in the chin.

The two took a few steps away from each other, holding their respective injuries.

"Sorry `bout that," Joe apologized, sheepishly. "I should be paying better attention."

"Not a problem," Jun smiled. "I think we're all allowed to be a bit out of it today."

Joe tried to return the smile, but failed. "Hey, have you seen Gomamon?"

She raised a brow. "The white one with the purple marks on his face, right? No, not recently." She tilted her head, questioningly. "Why?"

"I really have to talk to him," he answered, simply.

Jun nodded. "If I see him, I'll say you're looking for him."

"Don't do that!" Joe demanded, a little too harshly. He mentally kicked himself when he saw her blink, shocked. It wasn't her fault that Gomamon would probably run if he thought his big mouthed Digidestined was nearby. "Just tell me where he is, okay?" Joe requested, gently.

"All right," she said, being good enough not to question him further. She moved to walk past him, but when they were side by side, Jun placed her hand on his shoulder. "I don't know what you did," she kindly said, "but I'm sure, whatever it was, he'll forgive you."

Jun smiled, reassuringly, and walked away. Joe watched her until she turned the corner. He sighed, and continued on his way, hoping that she was right.


Even with the street lamps shining, Ken could barely see ten feet in front of him. As he made his way, he hoped he wasn't lost. He knew where the news station was, but it was impossible to tell if he was going in the right direction. He could've made a wrong turn without noticing.

His feet padded the sidewalk with unnatural loudness. Each step boomed like thunder in his ears. Ken wondered if it was his nerves getting to him.

"Ken-chan?" Wormmon asked, softly. "How much longer?"

"Not much," Ken muttered, adjusting his arms, which were losing feeling thanks to holding Wormmon's legs for so long.

The small boy placed his chin on Ken's shoulder, and sighed. "This is bad, isn't it?"

The question took Ken aback. It wasn't like his digimon to be so astute about a situation. Usually, Wormmon just trusted Ken to take care of everything. He had always thought that Ken could handle anything. Apparently, this time he didn't. Ken didn't think that boded well.

"Yeah," Ken grunted. "This would definitely be what one would consider bad."

He kept going, his eyes searching for the familiar news building, with its large glass windows, and huge logo in the front. Ken nearly missed the logo... that is, he almost hit the logo straight on, considering he had walked onto the grounds without realizing it.

"Damn fog," Ken swore.

Being more careful, and still carrying Wormmon on his back, Ken walked into the empty building. The lights were on, and computers were buzzing. He could smell coffee still being made. Everything was the way it was when everyone had been taken. Which meant his job was going to be mildly easier.

Ken followed the signs to the news stage. The set was still lit, the cameras continuing to roll on the empty desk where the reporters had been. Ken walked over to one of the cameras, sitting Wormmon on the seat behind it.

"You have to operate this," he told the little boy. "Just put one hand here, on the handle. Fine. Now, put the other one on the other over there. Can you move it?" he asked. Wormmon shook the camera. He barely budged it, but it was good enough. It wasn't like Ken would be moving around that much. "That's fine. Stay here."

"Where are you going, Ken-chan?" Wormmon asked.

His question went unanswered, as Ken made his way to the production booth. Dials and knobs blinked and clicked as monitors hummed, creating a strange, rhythmic song. Ken looked around the place, taking everything in. The computers didn't look that complicated at all. With a little effort, he could probably hook the local station to every available channel. Of course, that would stop Odaiba from receiving any news that might come from outside, if they could get anything from outside. But he could reverse it. If he felt like it, anyway.

Ken sat down, and cracked his knuckles. He had work to do.


Jun was usually a light hearted young lady. She tried to not take anything too seriously. The world was depressing at times as it was, why did she need to dwell on it?

But this situation was impossible not to take seriously. One minute, she was on the phone with a friend, her father yelling at her that she had to get off. The next minute, the lights were off and the phone was dead. And when lights came back, the phone still wasn't working, and worse, her parents had disappeared.

She had completely panicked. Jun had ran around the house, screaming for someone to answer her. When Davis had appeared, she had never been more grateful to see her little brother. She'd been so terrified that she wouldn't find him. He'd obviously been happy to see her, too, for he had wrapped his arms around her in a rare display of affection.

But now that she was in the Tachikawa house, supposedly safe, Davis had been staying away from her. Jun didn't know why her brother would be avoiding her, but she intended to find out. This was, after all, not the time to fall apart. The rest of their family was gone. They needed each other.

Now, if she could only find the room he was in. She had been looking for it when she'd bumped into Joe. Jun smiled at the thought of the blue haired boy. He seemed sweet enough, if a little bit dorky. Then again, she supposed being the oldest Digidestined, he'd have to act more mature than a guy his age normally would. He had responsibilities others his age didn't. He had seemed so upset before. Jun hoped he'd be okay.

But Joe wasn't her concern right now. Right now, she had to find her brother, and have a good sibling talk with him.

Jun found him in a room on the second floor, at the end of a long hallway. Making a mental note to ask Mimi to hand out maps of the house, she peeked into the open doorway.

Davis sat on the bed, throwing a tennis ball at the wall, scuffing the paint in different areas each time. His eyes were cloudy and troubled, and his movements mechanical. It was plain to see that he was drifting. Veemon, with two toned blue skin and blue hair, sat backwards on a chair, watching his friend with a frown.

"Daisuke?" Jun pushed the door all the way open. "What are you doing?"

Davis jolted, and looked at his sister. The tennis ball he'd bounced off the wall missed his hand, and landed unnoticed on the ground.

"I'm not doing anything," he muttered, avoiding her eyes. "And it's Davis. Everyone calls me that."

"Well, I'm not everyone," she contradicted, smiling. "I'm your sister, Daisuke."

"Eh," he shrugged, his eyes to the floor.

Jun looked questioningly over at Veemon, who shook his head and shrugged. Apparently, he didn't know what was going on, either. She narrowed her eyes determinedly for a moment.

Then, brightly smiling, Jun walked over to the fallen tennis ball, and scooped it up. Tossing it back and forth between her hands, she lightly asked, "So, what's eatin' you?"

Davis' eyes glanced up at her for a moment, before going back to the floor. "Nothin'. Nothing at all."

"God," she moaned, melodramatically rolling her eyes. "You are such a bad liar! You know that?
"C'mon," she heckled, good-naturedly. "Something's obviously wrong. So, what is it?"

"Nothing's wrong, okay?!" Davis shouted, irritated. He glared up at her. "Get outta my room if you're gonna grill me."

"Uh," Veemon nervously stood up. "Maybe I should go, too... "

"No," snapped Davis. "You can stay, Veemon. I don't mind you."

Jun huffed. "Well, I don't particularly care if you mind me. I'm your older sister, and I'm not leaving until you tell me what's bothering you!"

"Damn, you're annoying!" Davis yelled, angrily.

"Oh, yeah," she snorted, placing the tennis ball onto the room dresser. "Like you're such a peach? Get off it, Daisuke. What the hell is going on with you today?"

"Nothing!" Davis yelled, jumping off the bed so they were face to face. "Nothing is going on. Everything is just spiffy! Okay?!"

Veemon slumped in the chair and closed his eyes, hoping for it all to be over soon.

Jun gave her brother a withering glare, and looked like she was about to go into a verbal assault that no one could survive. But then, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and sighed. "I don't want to fight with you, Daisuke. That's the last thing I want right now. Mom and Dad are missing," she opened her brown eyes, and gave him an affectionate hair tussle, to which he halfheartedly swatted her hand away. "Family wise, we just have each other for now. We need to stay together.
"I'm just worried about you, that's all. You've been avoiding me like the plague ever since Izzy put up the firewall." She tilted her head, and gently asked, "Please, what's wrong?"

Davis' mouth opened, as if he was going to speak, but nothing came out. He looked at his sister and sighed, heavily. "It's stupid. Forget it."

"What should I forget?" Jun questioned. "C'mon. Ya gotta tell me sooner or later."

"I said it's stupid!" he insisted, flopping back onto the bed.

"Hmph!" She sat next to him. "I'll be the judge of that."

Davis looked pleadingly over at Veemon, but the blue boy just shook his head. Davis was on his own on this one. "You're not going to leave me alone until I tell you, are you?" he asked.

"Probably not," Jun admitted. "So... ?"

Davis let out a sigh that could almost be mistaken for a growl. He hung his head and started muttering, "It's just the situation, ya know? I mean, you're here, with the rest of us."

Jun blinked. "You don't want me here?"

"No. Uh, yes. It's just—dammit!" Davis pounded his fists into the mattress. "All the times before when we were fighting, you weren't involved. I didn't have to worry. You and Mom and Dad were safe. And now, you're in Ground Zero. And I put you here. I should've just left you home."

"You really think that?" Jun queried, looking surprisingly amused.

"Why shouldn't I?" Davis shot back. "Trikmon's after us. If you aren't near us, you're not in danger. But now it's too late. You're here and you're stuck. You're in danger, and it's my fault."

Jun stared blankly at her brother for a moment, then turned her attention to the humanized digimon in the room. "Veemon?" she began. "Have I ever mentioned what a sweet, protective blockhead my brother is?"

Veemon raised a brow. "This is one of those... rhetorical questions, isn't it?"

"Hn," she grinned. Playfully, she elbowed her brother in the side. "You're such a dork, ya know that?"

"What?" Davis frowned. "You're not mad?"

"Mad? For what?" Jun laughed. "For you wanting me to be safe? That's silly! Why on earth would I be mad about that?
"Oh, but Daisuke," she patted his shoulder, "you shouldn't go beating yourself up over this. You had no control over the situation. It couldn't be helped. Anyway, in the long run, I'll probably be safer in this house with you. Besides, I kinda like it here."

"Yeah, I bet you do," Davis remarked, a slight grin tugging at his mouth. "After all, now you have Matt trapped."

"Matt?" Jun blushed. Then she shook her head, and playfully shoved her brother. "Oh, please! My crush on him ended a long time ago. Ya know, crushes do come to an end. Well," she shot him a wicked glance, "most crushes do."

"W-what? Davis went red from his chin to his forehead. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Uh, huh," Jun giggled. "Funny how Kari and T.K.'s rooms are right next to each other, isn't it?"

"What?" The boy nearly fell off the bed, which sent his sister into a fit of laughter.

"Oh, Daisuke," Jun, still laughing, gave her brother a bear hug. "I love you."

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered sourly, but a smile was evident.

Veemon stared oddly at the two, and silently wondered if all human siblings acted this strangely.


Mimi had never felt so weird in her life. She had had sleep overs before, but this was entirely different. She was practically tripping on everyone. And she couldn't even find Palmon. She was looking for her missing friend when she walked into the living room, and found Matt, hunched over the television.

"What are you doing, Matt?" she asked, curious.

"I'm trying to get a clear channel," he answered without turning to her.

Mimi raised a brow. "Any luck?"

"Only the local stations are coming," he straightened his back, placed his hands on his hips and looked at her, annoyed. "And they're all dead now that there's no one running them."

"Maybe if we keep trying we'll get lucky," she offered, trying to be optimistic.

"I've been trying for the past half hour," Matt scowled. "Nothing. Just... nothing!" Angry, he slammed his fist on top of the television.

"Matt, you break it, you buy it!" Mimi scolded his behavior.

"Gomen, Mimi-chan," he sighed, his shoulders sagging. "It's not one of my better days."

"Well," she crinkled her nose, "who is having a good day, Yama-chan?"

He grinned slightly at the nickname, and was about to answer when the television started buzzing. A high pitched wail, like the alarm used during a test of the broadcast system. The two still had their hands protectively over their ears when the screen flickered.

And showed a face they hadn't seen in years.

"Is that... ?" Mimi's voice trailed.

But Matt knew the question. He nodded. "It's the Digimon Kaiser."

Said Kaiser, or rather, Ken, was sitting behind a news desk. With his hands neatly folded in front of him, he gazed into the camera with cool confidence. It was like he thought he belonged where he was, and there was nothing unusual about a fourteen year old taking the place of a thirty some-odd year old news anchor.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Ken greeted, without a hint of nervousness. "As I'm sure you're all aware, during the city wide blackout, many people went missing. All of them adults. Do not attempt to locate them. You will have no success.
"But, don't panic. This situation will be rectified." His face became stern, and his tone authoritative. "Listen well. There are babies and young children in their homes, unable to fend for themselves. I ask all able bodied people to do what is necessary, and find and take these children to the Odaiba Rec. Center. Those who are old enough should make the place into a makeshift nursery until such time that help arrives.
"No one is to go wild. I repeat," Ken narrowed his ice blue eyes, "no one is to go wild. We are on our own right now, and if any of us wishes to see our loved ones again, we need to work together. Do you understand? Chaos will only lead to more chaos.
"I suggest you all heed my commands. Your lives depend on it," he stated, flatly, as if the very thought of people rebelling against him was ludicrous. "This message will be repeated for the next two days, in hopes that all will see it. That is all."

The television screen went black, jumped a few times, then, just as Ken said, started to show the message again from the beginning.

"I just don't think I can believe what I just saw," Mimi said, blinking in shock.

Matt stared at the TV, with a brow raised to the point that it was nearly hitting his hairline. "Ditto."


Bare feet. It was something that Palmon had insisted on, even when Mimi offered her best name brand shoes. Being a plant digimon, Palmon was connected to the earth. She could actually hear the other plants talk to her, and she would communicate with them.

She needed to feel the dirt beneath her feet. She required that tactile connection. Mind you, there was no dirt paths inside the house, but still. Wearing shoes, even sandals was too confining for her.

Palmon spotted him in the kitchen, but not eating the fridge clean like she had suspected. He was at the window, staring into the dark backyard. His back was to her, so she simply gazed at his lithe figure. A sweatshirt and loose jeans covered him, suiting him as far as she was concerned. He never had been high maintenance. He ran his fingers through his unruly brown hair, and she resisted walking over to do the same herself.

She didn't think she had made any noise, but apparently she had, for he turned to her, and flashed a smile that made her heart skip. He was never able to smile like that when he was a digimon. Yes, being a human had its perks. His bright green eyes twinkled as he waved her over.

"Care to join me, Palmie?" he asked, innocently enough.

Palmon smiled, unable to suppress a happy giggle that bubbled up. "Okay, Agu."


Yolei sat on the couch, next to Hawkmon. They were both leaned over, watching the TV intently. They had both watched Ken's message repeatedly, but they just couldn't turn away. Especially Yolei. She looked into his eyes, and she remembered. Remembered when she had feelings for him, however fleeting they had been. And only fleeting because of the crushing truth that the boy she had found so amazing was oh, so very cruel.

The statement from Ken had been playing for over an hour. Yolei wondered how many others had seen it, and if they were indeed following his orders. Somehow, she didn't doubt it. He always had a way with manipulating people into doing what he wanted.

"I wish we could change the channel," Hawkmon remarked.

"We can," Yolei smirked. "But he's on every channel."

"I know," frowned Hawkmon. "Little narcissist."

She chuckled, and turned her eyes back to the television. Same old Ken, she figured. Still a loner, still so damned sure of himself. Though, Yolei reflected, the old Ken would never care what happened to children he didn't even know.

The doorbell startled both her and Hawkmon.

"Should we get it?" he asked, warily.

Yolei bit her lip, thoughtfully. "Well, if we don't, we might be turning someone away who needs help. Besides, what self-respecting bad guy politely rings the doorbell before destroying his enemies?" She got up and walked to the door, Hawkmon right behind her. "Don't get too close," she suggested. "Goodness knows how someone will react to seeing you."

"What's wrong with my appearance?" Hawkmon frowned.

"Oh, nothing to me," Yolei assured him. "It's just that there isn't many people with white faces and brown bodies running around."

He blinked, surprised. "Really? How odd."

"Uh, huh." She turned back to the door, and opened it partially, so that only she had a good view of who was outside.

Brown eyes met ice blue ones, and Yolei felt her heart stop for a moment.

"Ken... ?" she whispered, her brain malfunctioning on her. He was standing in front of her. He was real. He was very, very real. And she couldn't manage to say anything but, "Ken... ?"

He looked at her with almost a smile on his face. Almost. "I knew you'd be here. I could feel you." When she tilted her head in confusion, he looked slightly crestfallen. "You... couldn't sense me, too, Miyako?"

Miyako. His use of her first name never failed to shock Yolei. Only her grandmother had ever used it. She had never found out just how Ken knew it. "I... "

"Yolei, who's at the door?" Hawkmon asked.

"Yeah," piped up the familiar, loud voice of Davis. He grabbed the edge of the door, and swung it open before Yolei could stop him. "Who's at the— What the hell are you doing here?"

Ken looked down upon the spiky haired boy. "Hello to you, too, Davis."

"Hello and good-bye!" Davis snarled, trying to slam the door shut.

"Davis, don't!" Yolei pleaded, grabbing a hold of the door. "Just hear him out, okay?"

"Why?" Davis demanded. "So he can try to slither his way to safety? After all he's done? I say we let Trikmon have him."

"You're so kind," Ken scowled at him. "When did you decide for everyone?"

"When did anyone say you were welcome?" Davis challenged.

The blue haired boy balled his fists, but made no other movement. But it was sufficient enough to cause the brunette boy to stiffen, waiting for an attack.

"Wait!" commanded an authoritative voice from inside. Looking sternly at everyone, Tai walked over. "What's going on here?"

Yolei quickly decided it was best if she explained the situation. "Ken's here. He—"

"Trikmon arrived at my house," Ken interrupted. "He tried to kill me. I'm assuming from him," he pointed to Hawkmon, "that he's paid all of you a visit, as well."

"Hn?" Tai looked at him, questioningly.

Ken stepped aside. Behind him, sitting on the stoop was a small boy, with green skin, and purple hair.

"Wormmon?" Yolei murmured, staring.

The boy turned to her and waved, shyly.

"As you can see," Ken continued, "I've been just as affected as you. I figured we're all in this one together."

"Well," Davis began, heatedly, "you figured wr—"

"That's enough, Davis," Tai stated.

Davis did a double take. "B-but... "

"He's right," Tai explained, his voice steady. "We're all in the same boat here. We'll have to stick together if we want any chance at winning. And it does appear that he's actually trying to help. I say he stays."

"Yes," Yolei nodded eagerly, then blushed at her foolishness.

"I say he stays... for now," Tai amended, his eyes narrowing on the former Digimon Kaiser. "One wrong move, just one, and I'll let Davis feed you to Trikmon, piece by piece, without a second thought. You're going to have to earn your trust and forgiveness here. It's not guaranteed."

Ken gave a curt nod. "I never thought it would be. I wasn't asking forgiveness."

Tai glared momentarily at him, before turning away. "Yolei, show him to a room. Apparently, you're the only one who can stomach looking at him for any length of time."

With that, Tai walked out of the room. Davis offered Ken one final withering glance before following suit. Hawkmon looked at his Digidestined, and his former enemy oddly. Then, with an uncomfortable salute to her, he nearly ran out of the room. There was an awkward silence that hung in the room while Yolei gathered up her courage to face her new house mate.

"So, uh," she turned to him, but only managed to stare at his shoes, "ready for the grand tour?"

Ken reached out and held her chin, tilting it up so he could see her. "With you, Miyako? I'm ready for anything."

Her face burned, and she quickly turned on her heal so he wouldn't see her flush. "Uh, well, then follow me."

She waited for him to scoop up Wormmon, then lead him up the stairs to where she knew there were empty rooms. It was a shame none of them were near hers. Tai had told Ken that he'd have to earn everyone's forgiveness. Yolei had no doubt that Tai was right. But, she realized with a slight blush, Ken already had hers. In fact, she had forgiven him long ago.


Joe had found Gomamon at the top floor, right below the attic. In one of the rooms, there was a balcony, and that's where the digimon sat. Outside, the cold wind rustling his short, red hair.

"Gomamon?" Joe opened the balcony door.

"Go away," the redhead snapped.

Joe sighed. He stepped out onto the balcony, closing the door behind him. Silently, he walked over and sat next to his angry friend. Gomamon made no move to look at him, and Joe didn't blame him. They sat in tension filled silence while the minutes dragged by.

Joe tried to look out into the city, but he couldn't see anything past the front yard. The darkness was so thick, he wondered how it wasn't tangible. Was Jim stuck somewhere in that darkness? And if so, was he all right? Was he crying out, desperate for help, while his little brother sat safely in a nice, warm house?

And, dammit, why was Joe wallowing in self pity when he had a miserable friend sitting next to him?

"I screwed up," the eldest Digidestined said, breaking the silence. "I totally screwed up, and I'm sorry."

Gomamon didn't acknowledge him.

"Okay," Joe nodded, resolving to set everything down. "I said something that was out of line. Totally out of it. I said it because I was frustrated, and angry, and acting like a... like a... "

"Baka?" Gomamon offered, finally giving him a sidelong glance.

Joe smirked. "Yeah. Like a baka. And I shouldn't have been. It's just, this is a situation that I'm not familiar with at all.
"Ya see, when I was growing up, Jim always took care of me. He was always looking out for me because I was so scrawny, and I wasn't very good at fighting."

"Really? I never woulda guessed," Gomamon remarked, smartly.

"Anyway," Joe ignored the jab, "when we got to the Digiworld, all of the sudden I was the biggest. I was the one responsible for everyone. But it was easier because I had you. I knew that if things got too messy, you'd be there to protect me.
"But now, you can't do that. You're human, just like me. And I'm the biggest again. I feel like I'm completely responsible for what happens to everyone here," Joe confessed. "Including you."

"But I can take care of myself, Joe," Gomamon protested, confused.

"Maybe. Probably," Joe admitted. "But, I just can't think that way. I look at you, and all I see is my friend, stuck in the body of a powerless teenager. And, now it's my turn to protect you. Jim was so good at being the great defender. I don't think I will be.
"Do you understand?" he asked. "It's not that I think you're worthless at all. You're not."

"You just think you will be?" Gomamon questioned, surprised.

"Yeah. Funny, isn't it?" Joe laughed, humorlessly. "I was given the crest of reliability, and I don't think I'm reliable at all."

"Well, of course you are, Joe," said Gomamon. "They just don't give that crest to any old guy walking down the street, ya know?"

The bespectacled boy looked over. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Gomamon nodded, confidently.

Joe smiled, then thinned his lips. "So... you're not still angry with me, are you?"

"Oh," Gomamon sighed, melodramatically, "I suppose not. But if you ever say something so stupid again," he feigned anger, "I'll show you first hand just how well I can throw a punch with these human hands."

"Deal," Joe chuckled.

Sora smiled from her position in the room. She had heard voices as she passed, and had walked in, curious. When she saw who was there, she'd kept silent, allowing the two to work things out like she knew they would. They were too close to be broken apart by one foolish incident.

But now that things were the way they should be, she needed their attention. A new dynamic had just been added to the house, and everyone needed to be aware of it, and the possible explosion that could occur from it.

She cleared her throat loudly, and walked to the balcony. The two boys turned their heads to her, questioningly.

"You two are needed downstairs," Sora told them. "You'll never guess who just showed up for dinner."

Next Chapter: The Ghastly Ones