Chapter Twenty: Unconditionally Promised.
Taichi woke up the next morning with a
buzzing headache. Sora was next to
him. He smiled. The last time they were alone like this they
made love. Taichi sat up remembering
their encounters. He loved her, he knew
he did. So what was Gabriel talking
about? Unconditional love must be unconditional
itself? Angels. This goes deeper than anything they have
faced before. They have already faced
themselves. It was their test to
receive their crest and make them activate. Was that not enough? Taichi got
lost in thought about this. Sora awoke
and placed her hand on his lap.
"Good morning Tai."
"Mornin' Sora. Have a good nights rest?"
"After the fall? Yeah I did. How long have
you been up?"
"Not too long. Thinking about what we have to really do."
"Hmm. I don't know. What about our
true selves don't we know about?"
Good morrow Children of
Courage and Love. I see you are
confused.
"Are you always going to interrupt us?"
Yes. I thought you would understand what you had
to do. I am sorry. Let me clarify it. Do you understand what it is to be Courageous and to Love
unconditionally? Each of you exude your
corresponding personality. However, you
do not fully perceive your gifts. It takes
Courage to Love someone with all of yourself. Your task is to love me. You are
the furthest from me, direction wise. If you wish I will guide you back to me. Both of you are Love each other, but do you love everybody else
the same? You would lay down your life
for Hikari and Yamato, Taichi but would you do the same for the rest of
them. For me? When you can answer that question truthfully then. You will have to make that choice on your
way back to me. There is no other way
to prove it. When you lay down your
life to death for them, then you will understand. Love will keep you alive. Trite I know. It is the only
way. You do not fully Love those around
you. Sora must also make these choices. Her Love is stronger than yours. IT is also the easiest to harm. You must protect yourself and her. Your Digimon will be able to go to Ultimate
level. That will provide protection,
but not in the case of saving another Chosen's life. That will be up to you. Remember You have your path and they have theirs. You must let them live themselves. Farewell Chosen. I will be there if you need me.
With that he was gone. Sora turned to him and held him close.
"So what are we going to do? Can we save each of them?"
"Yes. I will do whatever it takes. But
ca new love that guy?"
"I think through the others might come that
answer. I don't want him to die, but I
don't how I will answer when we have too."
"Me neither. Me neither." Taichi continued to
hold her.
Their partners awoke, nestled in one
another's arms. Agumon got up and
stretched. Piyomon preened her feathers
and looked at Sora and Taichi. This is
what their lives are supposed to be. All of them waking up together in the mornings. Doing their jobs and just enjoying each other's
company.
Piyomon knew they had a task and must
go. They had little time for
pleasantries amongst themselves. Taichi
looked at his Digivice. The nearest
beep was about 40 miles from him. Great. Lots of walking.
"Well dear I guess we need to head out
towards the first beep. Who knows whom
it might be. Only the new Chosen have
the ability to communicate."
"Why don't we have our Digimon Digivolve?"
"Good idea."
"No, we can't, remember?"
"Agumon, he said you would be able to
Digivolve to help protect us."
"Oh, ok then, lets do it."
Agumon Digivolve to…Agumon?
"What happened?"
"He lied."
"No, wait, did you say he said it was to help
protect us?"
"Yeah. Oh. That means we have to be in
danger. Kuso!"
"Tai, you are getting rather comfortable with
that word."
"I am sorry Sora. I know how much cursing offends you."
"'Sok Taichi. Well where is the nearest Child?"
"Off to the right. If only we knew who it was."
Just then a rustling sound was heard in some
bushes. Taichi jumped in front of
Sora. The Digimon were put on the
defensive. A Kiwimon emerged,
Angry. Without thought, or questions he
attacked. Soon a whole swarm of them
appeared. All attacking blindly. Sora and Taichi dove for some cover. They landed in a mud hole. As the Kiwimon fought one another and the
travelers, Agumon pinned one down and tried to talk to it. It instead beaked Agumon's face. Piyomon got very Angry. She squawked and tried to peck the offending
bird. The other Kiwimon had no
intention of letting the pink bird go. Sora saw this and screamed. Her
Digivice went off.
Piyomon Digivolved into Birdramon, and began
driving off the wingless birds. She
picked up the offending one and flung him as far as she could. Kiwimon are quick. Soon many of those battered returned, looking to settle the
score. Agumon got up quickly, wiping
the blood from his face and looked at Tai. Taichi understood that look. HE
got up and held out his Digivice too. Agumon Digivolved into Greymon. The fireworks began.
Soon Nova Blasts were clearing the area. Some of the other Chosen saw the
fireworks. Everybody heard them. The Kiwimon tucked tail and ran. Taichi thought, Great a long day. Here we go. They all sat down to rest. All
the running and fighting made for tired people. Taichi looked at his Digivice. The beep was getting closer, heading a little north of them.
"Wonder if anybody saw that?"
"Sora, I think everybody saw that."
"Wonder how they are doing anyway?"
"Fine, I hope. I wonder how he expects me to discover myself, since I would lay
down my life for them anyway."
"I don't know."
"I do."
"Who is there?"
"Just an old friend. Remember me?"
Ogremon stepped out of the bushes. Taichi and Agumon jumped to their feet. The last time they met they were friends,
but now? Who knew. He looked at them and laughed.
"Foolish Chosen. My fight rests with Leomon. You don't have the strength to fight me."
"You said you knew how Gabriel would test
me. Spit it out. We have decisions to make."
"Always headstrong. Look Gabrimon I don't know about, but I heard Calmon tell Piedmon
to drive a wedge between you two. That
wedge would be your test."
"Gabrimon? Calmon? You mean the Angels?"
"Angels, whatever. They are called Gabrimon and Calmon when they walk this world."
"They can take form and walk this world?"
"Yeah, how do you think we all know
them. Do watch out for Piedmon. He can be sneaky."
"We know. But how can we beat a Mega if we can only go Champion."
"Not my problem. Got some food?"
"Sure. Want to join us?"
"Sora…"
"Relax, if he tries anything I'll get him."
"The Dino's right. He can Digivolve. I am
just hungry. That's all."
They gave him four sandwiches and thanked him for his warning. As he walked off he laughed. And changed shape.