Courage's Stand
By: Theodore 'Blitz' Leung
Disclaimer: All Digimon and their characters (except for those introduced in this fic/series) do NOT belong to me. I do not have permission to use their characters, but it's a FanFic, so, who cares? =) This story line belongs to me and me alone. Please ask for permission if you wish to use it. Thanks. Now let's get onto reading!
There's a big difference between Courage and Recklessness. I've come to know that for a while…and sometimes I hate myself for the reckless actions I've done that endangered me and my friends.
I sure hope the holders of Courage don't do what I did.
~Diary of Taichi 'Tai' Kamiya, Second generation Digi-Destined
* * * * * *
Tiberius closed his Digivice, reading the new developments for their searches. Mostly the one part where Evertymon assisted K.H. in defeating Gorgalamon. Even if it was only one attack, it was a lone attack the revealed the seeming invisible Digimon from his state. K.H., however, wasn't able to follow Evertymon in the aftermath.
"It's a shame too…" Tiberius told his Digimon. Lepumon blinked, confused at what his partner was trying to get at. "If we followed Evertymon…well…no one knows whether he's friend or foe."
"He's been friendly so far," Lepumon told his partner. Tiberius nodded, but continued with his train of thought.
"Maybe it's just a false sense of security. Maybe it is a trap. Maybe we're all going to go down because of this trust…" Tiberius continued to say.
"Maybe you think too much," Lepumon spoke sharply. Tiberius quickly glanced at his partner. Both smiled, then burst into laughter for a little bit.
* * * * * *
Marc sighed, beginning to lose faith in ever finding his companion. Xemon was also beginning to share his doubt, but even so, the Digimon tried to remain cheerful for the sake of his partner.
"Don't give up yet!" Xemon protested. "You're holding the Crest of Hope, you can't give up yet!" Marc sighed softly, glancing over to his Digimon.
"I don't want to give up…" he spoke. "But if Tao doesn't want to be found, then we don't really have much choice but to give up until he wants to show himself." Again, Marc sighed, leaning back against his chair.
"I've failed the team…" he whispered. Xemon shook his head, unsure how to cheer up his partner after all this talking about 'not giving up'.
"Marc…" Xemon started, turning away. "You've told me to never give up, or some variation thereof of that phrase. Now, I tell you that, because you can't give up yet…we will find him, and when we do, we will get him to return!"
Marc looked up at his Digimon, and even if he was just looking at his back, he knew the determination surging through that Digimon.
The Digi-Destined's frown slowly changed into a small smile, knowing his partner was absolutely right, and he couldn't be dispirited yet.
"Xemon, I owe you one…" Marc told his partner. Xemon turned around, his mouth forming into a smile.
"No, we're even," he answered, cheerful for real, not forcefully cheerful.
* * * * * *
Shastina was in a strangely cheerful mood that morning. Tigramon watched her partner humming lightly as she walked around, organising her slightly trashed room. The Digimon sat on the bed, curious about Shastina's mood swing from a slightly depressed state to something much more cheerful.
"Something the matter Shas?" Tigramon asked in a concerned tone. Shastina faced her Digimon, smiling lightly.
"Nothing's wrong," she answered softly. "Why do you think that?" Tigramon glared at her companion, suspicious of something, but decided not to pursue yet.
"You just seem very happy, that's all," Tigramon inputted. Again, Shastina stopped and stared at her Digimon.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Shastina spoke, sarcasm and anger clear in her tone. Tigramon was taken aback by her words.
"I-I-I just was stating a comment…" Tigramon stammered, still try to regain herself from that sudden outburst. Shastina's anger slowly turned to sadness, taking her Digimon from the bed and holding her tightly.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered, hugging Tigramon lightly. "I didn't mean to do that…" She sighed.
"I guess…just knowing he is alive but not coming back frightens me…" she continued with unbroken hope. In her tone, at least, it was unbroken. In her heart however, it was beginning to crack.
"Shas…maybe you should lie down…" Tigramon suggested. "You don't look to well." Shastina was about to protest, but then noticed the look of concern in her Digimon's eyes. She smiled lightly, sitting down on the bed and petting the Digimon.
"I guess I should…" she whispered, sighing and leaning back.
* * * * * *
K.H. watched his Digimon chew hungrily on some food he brought up for lunch. It never ceased to amaze him how 'piggish' the Digimon could eat like, yet he sort of enjoyed watching the scene.
"You enjoying yourself?" K.H. asked. Kinoumon looked up from his eating, smiled brightly, nodded, and then continued to eat. K.H. smiled back, though unnoticed by his Digimon.
Kinoumon quickly finished the rest of his food, and looked up K.H. with a look of 'expecting more' features. K.H. smiled lightly, knowing his friend was just joking. This was enforced when the Digimon started giggling.
"So, what do we plan to do today?" his Digimon asked, hopping onto the table. K.H. didn't really plan anything, and now that his Digimon mentioned it, he wasn't sure.
"I dunno…maybe keep searching for Tao and Harriermon?" K.H. suggested, taking his Digivice from the table.
"I can work with that," Kinoumon responded, heading towards his partner. "In fact, I was hoping you'd suggest that." K.H. smiled once more, ready to open a portal with his Digivice.
"You really do believe we can find them?" K.H. inquired. Kinoumon nodded heartily. "I'm really beginning to wonder if he got more faith then me…" K.H. thought, smiling once more for a final time. He clicked a few buttons on his Digivice, revealing a portal of travel for them.
"Well, let's go," he told his Digimon. Kinoumon leaped into K.H.'s waiting arms. Before they knew it, the portal sucked them in.
* * * * * *
Axeramon entered the dwelling of his comrade and leader, his weapon held in hand. Serangmon sat down at a nearby desk, tinkering with something the other Digimon can and most likely will use in the future.
"It'll most likely be done by the time they all get their Crests," Serangmon told his general, not turning to face him. Sparks flew out for a short period before settling again.
"I still do not understand the purpose of that device…" Axeramon inquired. "It stops Digital Evolution, but I do not see how it will help them."
"Two hearts as one…" Serangmon spoke, continuing to work on the device.
"Two hears as one…?" Axeramon repeated, confused. He recalled something about the third generation Digi-Destined. "You intend for a DNA Digivolve?"
"No, something else," Serangmon spoke, continuing to work. "Please leave," he spoke softly. Axeramon nodded, bowing down and leaving. However, Serangmon left a confusing thought in his mind.
"I can't think about that now…" he told himself harshly. Axeramon raised his weapon, admiring the sharpness of it. "I got a job to do…and I have to be prepared for it…"
* * * * * *
Tiberius wasn't sure where to begin his search. He just had a strange notion to come to the Digital World to do some searching. Both he and his Digimon know who they were searching for, but only one held enough spirit to believe they would find them.
"So, how shall we begin this?" Lepumon asked anxiously, obviously impatient and wanting to start this quest. Tiberius wasn't sure how they would begin, but a random start would be better then no start at all.
"Uhh…" Tiberius hummed, pointing in one direction. "That way." Lepumon grinned, knowing full well Tiberius had no idea where to go, but he agreed that getting started is better then no start. Lepumon happily hopped in the direction, Tiberius trailing close behind.
"Come on Tao…if you're out there…let us find you…" Tiberius thought.
* * * * * *
The first sighed, wrapping his weapon in cloth and wiping some sweat off his eyebrow.
"They come searching again," the second told his partner.
"You need not tell me that," the first replied, sitting back down beside his partner. "They will continue to search until what they look for is found."
"And do you know when they will find what they are looking for?" the second asked, curious with what kind of answer that could pop up.
"They will find what they want to find when what they want to find wants them to find it," he answered quickly. The second didn't get most of the words, but understood the meaning clearly: the searchers prey will reveal themselves in time.
"I'll take that as a 'not so soon' response," the second answered, taking a flint and beginning to sharpen his blade once more.
"Probably," spoke the first, smiling lightly. "All in due time…"
* * * * * *
K.H. wasn't sure if he will even find Tao. He and Kinoumon already covered five sectors in the last one-and-a-half hours, but still no trace of the friend that was lost.
"It's sort of disheartening to know that the Digital World is an incredibly large place," K.H. spoke aloud. Kinoumon glanced up at his partner, agreeing with the words. "It's also disheartening to know that our friend doesn't want to be found…" he muttered next. Kinoumon again heard, but made no attempt to state his thoughts.
"Ever get the feeling he just doesn't want to be found until he wants to?" K.H. asked, not directed to anyone, but expecting an answer.
"Sometimes…" Kinoumon answered, stopping. K.H. also stopped, watching his Digimon companion. "Maybe he just doesn't want to be found, and with someone like Haeromon with him, he could easily leave areas we are searching." K.H. didn't want to hear those words, but he found merit in what his companion told him.
"But we can't give up, not without a fight," Kinoumon stated strongly. "If he doesn't want to be found, then let's make it hard for him to stay hidden. He can't keep running forever."
K.H. nodded unintentionally, agreeing with his Digimon. Knowing that they are searching reinforced their will and faith of their friend's return.
"Shall we continue?" Kinoumon asked his partner. K.H. nodded again, faith reinforced one more by his friend's words.
"A job we shall complete," K.H. told his Digimon. "Let's get going!"
* * * * * *
Axeramon sighed, walking slowly towards his destination. His mind raced with thoughts, mostly about his bleak future, as well as his comrades future if the Digi-Destined continued to prevail.
"Do you ever regret what we decided?" Axeramon remembered, the voice of Drowsmon echoing through his head.
"The Infinity has come, they must be prepared for it," the Digimon also remembered, the figure who brought forth that news.
"We will prepare them…" Axeramon remembered Serangmon saying.
"The cost will be great," came the reply. Axeramon remembered the Angel Digimon looking back at his two comrades: Drowsmon, and himself. Both knew what was the cost with those words, and both accepted.
"The fate of the Digital World and Real World is more important then any of our lives…" Axeramon spoke softly.
"I promise to reformat you all if they succeed," the figure told them at that time.
"I…I will be reborn…" Axeramon thought, halting. "Maybe…maybe then…the Digital World will forgive our sins."
* * * * * *
Tiberius' Digivice began to blare loudly, much louder then ever before recorded by him.
"What's going…on?" he asked, Lepumon trying to get a better look. On his Digivice was the signal of one other.
"Tao?" Tiberius thought, glancing down at his Digimon. Lepumon nodded, beginning to race towards the signal's direction, Tiberius following close behind.
* * * * * *
"TORMENT AERO!"
Wind energy blasted from the ground, sending grass and dirt flying everywhere and cutting in between Legionarimon and K.H.
"Damn…" K.H. muttered, gritting his teeth and looking back at Axeramon. He held his Digivice in hand, and ready to take Legionarimon up a level to handle this foe.
"Ready whenever you are…" Legionarimon muttered. Axeramon stood still, weapon held out in front of him.
"Alright…then let's take it up a notch," K.H. spoke, raising his Digivice, the Crest of Courage visible.
"Legionarimon…Digivolve to…Epralmon!"
The serpentine like Digimon hissed, flailing his inferno like arms around.
"Round two…" Epralmon spoke.
"It won't be like last time…" Axeramon answered the challenge and raising his double sided axe like weapon. Epralmon got a feeling Axeramon was telling the truth, and the last time they met, he was holding something back.
"He has the ability…but he doesn't use it to destroy us…" Epralmon thought. He didn't have anymore time to think as Axeramon charged forward, raising weapon and about to slice his foe in two. Quickly, Epralmon caught the blade between his two flaming hands, the weapon inches away from his face.
"That won't stop me," Axeramon growled, swinging the other end of the weapon at Epralmon while he held the once chopping side of it.
"BURNING PINCER!"
Epralmon's tail lashed out, also grabbing that side of the blade with a flaming pincer from his tail, holing the weapon with vice like strength. Both Digimon grunted, trying to get the better of each other.
"Come on Epralmon…you can do it…" K.H. muttered, watching and praying his partner will pull through like last time.
Axeramon's grunt slowly transformed into a grin, quickly twisting his weapon in a 90 degree arc, knocking Epralmon from the sudden turn and onto the ground.
"Argh!" Epralmon cried out, his flaming arms flickering temporary. Axeramon took the time and raised his weapon, about to slice his opponent in twine.
"ROCKET FLARE!"
Golden energy rammed into Axeramon's chest, pushing him back and away from Epralmon so he could recover. The crimson armoured Digimon cursed softly, looking up and seeing Bukkomon and Tiberius quickly joining the scene.
"Geeze, I was wondering when one of you guys would show up," K.H. complained, Tiberius getting up beside him.
"Sorry, got a little side tracked," Tiberius answered, a bit disheartened if wasn't Tao they found.
"Ah well, let's clean up the trash," K.H. replied, waiting for another Ultimate to show up.
"If two Ultimate appear, I will have no chance at success…" Axeramon thought. "But I need a certain Ultimate to show…"
"You're mine!" he screamed. Raising his weapon.
"TORMENT AERO!"
The axe swung upwards, wind energy blasting across the ground and in between the two other Digimon, knocking both off their feet. Oddly, it arced towards a side and directly towards the other two Digi-Destined.
"Get down!" Tiberius yelled, knocking himself and K.H. out of the way. Both fell flat to the ground, but Tiberius quickly got back to his feet, ready to Digivolve his companion once more.
"Die!" Axeramon yelled out, dashing forward past the two stunned Digimon and raising his weapon to strike down Tiberius.
"Tibbs!" the two Digimon and the Digi-Destined shouted. Tiberius looked up but made no move to evade. He stared at Axeramon, the weapon stopping a hair's length away from his face.
"…" came from both Digimon and Digi-Destined, the two staring each other in the eyes.
"I don't fear you," Tiberius finally spoke. "I have nothing to fear…you have too much caring in your eyes."
"Wha?" Axeramon gasped, watching the boy. He slowly retracted his weapon, knowing this boy was more courageous then he previously. Axeramon had a weird grin on his face.
"You passed," he spoke softly. Tiberius raised an eye brow, confused, but was answered when K.H. got to his feet.
His Digivice began to gather energy, the Crest of Courage slowly leaving his Digivice. K.H. watched in awe as that Crest slowly entered his companions Digivice, revealing the other half of an incomplete item.
"I…passed?" Tiberius thought, taking a closer look at the Crest of Courage. He closed his eyes, unsure to unleash the power of the Crest or not. Axeramon spared him now, and with that, he is opened to a Crest.
"Why?" Tiberius asked the Digimon, opening his eyes.
"There is no 'why', only a fight," he answered coldly. Tiberius nodded, stepping back and preparing his Digimon for the next level.
"Bukkomon…Digivolve to…"
The Digimon fell onto all four legs, crying out. Bright energy surrounded his body as he grew larger. The energy shield around him shattered, revealing an orange-red like lightning colour over the yellow. The four-legged beast cried out again, a flaming tail sprouting from his read as well as a mohawk of fire. Metallic red anklets formed around each leg.
"Zenshoumon!"
The beast stamped his feet. The Digimon was clearly at least a head taller then his partner, and was definitely imposing. Even Axeramon had to take a step back upon seeing the new form.
"Impressive," he thought, exchanging glances between the two Digimon he would soon be facing off with. He raised his weapon, each side of his axe like weapon dedicated to one of them.
"Bring it," Axeramon muttered, running forward. He slashed towards Zenshoumon first, though the Digimon swiftly evaded the attack. Just as quickly, Axeramon direct another slash with the other side of the weapon towards Epralmon, though caught by the pincer of flames from the Digimon's tail. Axeramon tried to remove the weapon from Digimon, but the vice like grip proved to be too powerful.
"SCORCH SHOWER!"
Axeramon quickly glanced behind him, then up. Zenshoumon was high in the sky, flaming arrow like darts raining down against him. Axeramon was frozen in place, trying to dislodge the weapon that he didn't notice the other Digimon before. With the distraction came an opening for the other to attack.
Axeramon cried in pain, falling over as Epralmon released the weapon, levelling Axeramon with one of his Absolute Crossfire attacks. The armoured Digimon fell, rolled onto his back quickly, then rolled away some more to avoid getting crushed by Zenshoumon as the Digimon came back down, legs directed at Axeramon. Just as quickly still, he leaped to his feet.
"I must leave, my job is complete," Axeramon thought, firing another Torment Aero towards them. Both Digimon evaded, but during that time, Axeramon made his escape, much to the dismay of Digimon and Digi-Destined alike.
The two Digimon reverted back to their Rookie forms, tired, though not exhausted.
"Good job," Tiberius told his Digimon, lifting the rabbit Digimon to his arms. K.H. did like wise with his insect like Digimon.
"You both did a good job," K.H. spoke, glancing towards the direction Axeramon left.
"He'll be back," Kinoumon told K.H. when he finally realised where his partner was staring. K.H. nodded, though something unsaid stayed clear in his mind, but even that clear image was 'distorted' from view.
Fin
Completed: 03/09/01
