Of Roses and Bayonets
By Kristine
Part IV:
"The Guardian of Sincerity"
A/N: Part 4! There's a title to it too. Yeay! Man, I can't believe I'm so hooked to writing this. And I can't believe I've spent some of my time watching old Digimon episodes just to find out Kuwagamon's and Unimon's attacks! ^_~… Man, I'm crazy…! My friends are actually getting mad at me for always ditching them, just so I could work on this… uh-oh… I'm probably not gonna write a Digi-fic for a while after this whole series is over. I don't know. I think I need a break. This is actually the only fanfic that I've planned before writing. Usually, I just write whatever, and make up the story line as I go along. =) Ok, this part is dedicated to Garurumon, who made the closest guess about what happened to Mimi in the past! It's SO unbelievably close! So Garurumon, this part is for you. Thanks for your reviews on the previous parts and for your awesome comments!! Check out his fics! I like that short poem about Mimi. =) So here it is. I'm sorry but I couldn't write properly in the beginning, b/c I was hurrying! I really can't wait to write the part when Tai wakes up! So please forgive me!! =) -- just to let you know, I don't really like writing fighting scenes between two digimon… There's another fight scene here, but I just made it short.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Digimon. Never will… I wish I own it though. This fic is just a work by a fan, who is always bored…
~ Omniscient POV ~
"You're still blushing," Gabumon teased.
"Quiet!" Matt shot back.
They were now riding on Unimon's back. Frowning, Matt just stared ahead and tried his best to enjoy the ride. Both Gabumon and Palmon looked at each other and laughed. Matt turned to look at them and shot them an irritated glance. "Come on! Stop that!" Matt shouted. It looked like he wouldn't be able to ask Palmon more about Mimi when she and Gabumon wouldn't stop bugging him about Mimi.
"Hey Unimon?" Palmon said.
"Yes?"
"How long will it take us to get to Infinity Mountain?" she asked.
Matt raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Infinity Mountain?" he echoed.
"That's where the Guardian of Sincerity lives," she explained. "I think she lives there with another Guardian. I think it was the Guardian of Love or something. I don't remember exactly…"
"So who exactly is this Guardian of Sincerity? Is she a digimon too?" Matt asked.
"N-not exactly, but she's the protector of the one who bears the crest of sincerity," Palmon said, avoiding his gaze. "Unimon? How much further is it?"
Crest of Sincerity, huh? But… hey, I remember… In my dream, Mimi said that I have the Crest of Friendship, Matt thought. He then held the tag he wore around his neck. Is this my crest?
"There it is! Infinity Mountain!" Unimon exclaimed.
"All right! We made it safe and sound!" Palmon cheered.
Matt's jaw dropped as he stared at the blue-colored mountain just ahead of them. It was rocky and high, higher than a skyscraper. It was the highest mountain he'd ever seen. And it looked like there would be lots of other evil digimon there too. "That's Infinity Mountain?" he said with a look of amazement.
"Yep. Her house is on the top." Unimon told him.
Matt squinted at the sight of the bright sun as they ascended into the horizon. He held onto Unimon tightly and closed his eyes. He knew that they were high above the air as he welcomed the windy breeze meeting them.
"Unimon, where are you going?" Palmon suddenly asked.
Matt opened up his eyes and found that Unimon landed just about twenty kilometers from the top. Everyone dismounted. "Hey, if we're not gonna hurry to find the Guardian, then how are we suppose to save Tai?" Matt asked.
"I'm just thirsty," Unimon replied. He found this waterfall nearby to have some drink.
"Come to think of it, I'm really thirsty too," Gabumon said as he followed Unimon.
Matt sighed and looked up to the top. "Hmm… this mountain is so… tall… how could anyone be possibly live there?"
"Just the female Guardians do," Palmon told him.
"Female? You mean there are male Guardians too?" he asked, looking at her carefully.
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
"Hey! Look! What's that?!" Gabumon suddenly called out as he pointed to some black-colored circular object flying to their direction.
Matt squinted and stared at it. "It's a black gear!" he yelled.
The black gear was flying rapidly, and was heading to their direction.
"Move it!" Matt yelled as he pulled up Palmon into the corner to hide. He looked around to find where the black gear had landed. He gasped. Unimon stood there and was frantically screeching. The black gear just found its landing spot. Right on Unimon's back. "Oh no! Unimon!" Matt yelled. Then he realized that Gabumon was with him. "Gabumon!"
Unimon turned around to the source of the voice. A light appeared through his red mask. "Good to see you, Gabumon. Palmon…"
"Uh-oh… he's gone nuts," Palmon whispered from behind Matt.
"Aerial Attack!" Unimon shouted. A ball of white flame appeared out of his mouth. Gabumon quickly ran to Matt and Palmon's direction.
"Why on earth is he attacking us?!" Matt shouted over the roaring noise being made by Unimon.
"It's the black gear! We must get rid of it!" Palmon yelled over the noise.
"Come on, intruders! Show yourselves!" Unimon shouted. They could hear the loud footsteps he was making as he slowly came up to them.
"Gabumon!" Matt looked at his fellow digimon.
"Gabumon… digivolve… into—" With Matt's digivice blinking, Gabumon was surrounded by its light. He reappeared again as a fearsome white wolf. "Garurumon!"
Palmon then came running in front of Unimon.
"Palmon, what are you doing?!" Matt screamed, looking totally stunned.
"Poison Ivy!" Palmon screamed. Her arms had turned into vines. The vines wrapped around Unimon's body, making him paralyze. Palmon turned to Garurumon. "Quick Garurumon! Aim for the gear!"
"Right! Garurumon, go!" Matt agreed.
"Howling Blaster!" Garurumon yelled, blowing out his cold attack. As he did, it hit the black gear. Unimon made another screech as he felt the black gear being removed. The gear then quickly shattered and dissolved into the air.
"Isolated? What do you mean?" Agumon asked Mimi.
Mimi looked away from him and blinked. She couldn't remember exactly why she was isolated, but she knew that the Guardian had separated her years ago from the people she really loved. She couldn't even remember who they were. It was too long ago. Mimi blinked, trying to hold back tears. Part of her wanted to remember, but part of her wanted to forget.
"It doesn't matter…" Mimi whispered. "I don't remember it clearly. It was too long ago…"
She turned to Tai who was still staring blankly at the painting. "Agumon, tell me. How did you meet Tai?"
"I don't know. He just sorta 'dropped' in," Agumon laughed.
Mimi put a hand on Tai's shoulder. "Tai, please get back to bed. You need a rest."
Tai turned around as if to face Mimi. Mimi took a step back and just watched as Tai disappeared from the dining room. She sighed. "I don't know what to do with him anymore… It's hopeless!" she shook her head.
"Hey, come on! We gotta follow him!" Agumon said to her as he quickly followed Tai.
Mimi just stood there for a while, thinking. It's weird… I feel as though I knew Tai, even that Agumon reminds me of someone, she thought. Then her attention drifted back to the painting. She slowly walked up to it and stared at the picture of the Guardian of Sincerity. Mistress… Sincerity… I'm really sorry for what I did, everything in the past… but why did you have to do this to me? Mimi stared at her hands and thought about what she'd been through all these years. She had been lonely. The only one who cared was Palmon. She sniffed and her tears streamed down her cheeks. "Why am I so alone?! Why?! Have I been forgotten?! Nobody cares about me!" she cried. Her voice had echoed to the whole castle. She didn't care if anyone had heard her. She sat down on the floor, weeping.
"Princess Mimi?" Gekomon said behind her.
"Go… away… leave me alone…" Mimi choked.
Gekomon came up to her. "Hey, don't worry. I'm sure Matt and the others will get back with the cure for Tai."
She smiled weakly. "Uh… y-yeah…" she stood up and wiped her tears away. Crying wouldn't do her good. She must be strong. "Sorry… you're right. I'm gonna go check on Tai…"
Mimi smiled again before she walked away.
"So this is it, huh?" Matt said as he looked up. They were standing in front of a gigantic yet another blue-colored palace. It had about at least a hundred windows, but it looked a little dark inside.
"Yes. The Palace of the Guardians…" Palmon replied.
Matt sighed. This whole thing still seemed like a puzzle to him. Everything about the Digital World was too freaky for his taste. Ever since he got here, he felt so out of place. And he couldn't believe he was actually doing this. I gotta help Tai. He's a friend. That's what friends do…he thought.
"All right, let's go," Matt said.
"Unimon? You stay here, okay?" Palmon looked at the horse digimon. "You're still tired."
"Sure," Unimon agreed.
Palmon and Gabumon both followed Matt as they walked up to the door. Matt wiped off the dust and coughed as he sniffed some cloud of dust.
"You okay?" Gabumon asked him.
"F-fine!" he replied. "Come on."
He opened the door, which made this loud screeched. The door slammed shut, and both Gabumon and Palmon gasped. Matt frowned and looked around. Everything was dark, and he couldn't see a thing around them.
"Um, okay, Palmon, are you sure this isn't a haunted house?" Matt asked sarcastically.
"The Guardian is usually just a few steps up ahead of us," Palmon explained. "We should just walk straight and we'll be fine."
"Hey wait! Look!" Gabumon yelled.
"Where?" Matt asked. Then his eyes wide opened as he found this fainted red light slowly moving to their direction. Tell me I'm not dreaming… "Gabumon, do me a favor and beat me up, okay?" he asked.
"Why would I do that?" Gabumon asked, sounding confused.
"Am I the only who can see that light?" he asked.
"It's coming," Palmon hissed.
The light finally reached them and stopped. Now that it was close, Matt could finally see clearly what it was. It was a rose. Just like the one from his dream. Matt was about to touch it when Gabumon stopped him.
"Wait Matt! Are you sure that's safe?" Gabumon asked him.
"Relax," Matt answered. He turned his attention back to the rose again. He knew that the rose was safe somehow. Matt touched the rose, and as he had been expecting, the red light disappeared. Everything was totally dark and silent. Matt then could smell a strange odor. He tightly held the rose in his hand, and realized that it was the rose's fragrance. Opening his mouth to say something, the room suddenly brightened. Matt frowned. Now they could clearly see the whole place. They were standing on a floor made out of mirror and as he gazed on the ground, he could perfectly see his reflection. He took this chance to adjust his blonde spikes.
"Look over there," Gabumon said.
Matt and Palmon both looked up and just ahead of them was an altar. There was also a bed of pink roses. Palmon and Gabumon both ran toward the altar. But Matt just stood there and stared at the pink roses that were lying steady on the altar. He felt this strange emotion swarming over him as he stared at the roses.
"Hey Matt, come over here!" Gabumon called.
He shrugged the thought off and walked towards the bed of roses. Then he gasped. A small doll was lying in the middle of the bed. And the doll looked exactly just like the girl from the painting. The doll's eyes were closed and as she slept there, she was holding her trusty staff in her hand. She had this dark black hair with red highlights.
"It's the girl from the painting…" he whispered.
"It's the Guardian of Sincerity…" Palmon told him.
Matt scowled. "You mean we came all the way out here to find a doll?!"
"This is her. She's a doll, all right…" she answered, trying to sound cheerful. "We have to wake her up."
Matt shook his head. He had been expecting an old lady as the Guardian but it turned out to be a teenage girl? Why did he have this feeling that this girl wasn't as reliable as he had thought?
"Great. How do we do that then? She looks like she's not even alive!" Matt exclaimed.
"Hey there's something here," Gabumon noticed as he grabbed a bottle with a piece of paper inside. "I wonder what it is…"
Palmon took the bottle from him and removed the paper from inside. "Uh, it says… well, Matt, can you read this?" she handed the sheet to him.
"It says 'Sing a song, a song that would wake me up'?" Matt looked a little confused. "Now what's that supposed to mean?"
"You have to play a music to wake her. That's what it means, right Palmon?" Gabumon asked her.
"Yeah! I think so! You're right!" Palmon answered.
Matt took out his harmonica. "So, if I play any kind of music, she'll be awaken, right?" he asked, still sounding a little too unsure.
"Well, how else are we suppose to wake her?" Gabumon pointed out.
"But it says to 'sing' not to play a song!" Matt argued.
"Just do it!" Palmon exclaimed, giving him an irritated look.
"Fine!" Matt replied.
He put his mouth on the harmonica and started playing a song. The song that he chose to play was soft but catchy. When he stopped playing, a light appeared out of nowhere. The light was red and it circled around the doll. The doll floated in the air, and her brown eyes opened. Another light appeared and covered the doll. The light was too bright that Matt couldn't even see what was happening. He covered his eyes to avoid the brightness. It seemed as if he had been waiting too long when the brightness finally disappeared. He looked up and his jaw dropped. The small doll had come to life. The girl was floating in the air, her white wings fluttering behind her. And her brown eyes looked a little shocked at the sight of him. She circled around Matt, examining him carefully.
"Uh, excuse me. What are you doing?" Matt asked as he eyed the girl with an irritated look.
She ignored him and paid close attention to his blonde hair. "Oh wow…" she said in awe. She placed a hand on his hair to feel it.
"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Matt demanded, pushing her hand away.
"Oh my gosh! What do you put on your hair?! It's so hard!" she exclaimed. Then she giggled. "Oh wow! Are you a digidestined?"
Matt scowled her. "There's no time for that! I'm here to get the cure for my friend, Tai! Tell me how I can cure him!"
The girl just stared at him for a while. She studied his azure blue eyes and blushed. "Oh wow! I didn't know that the new digidestined was gonna be so hot!"
Matt sighed and rolled his eyes. He looked at Palmon. "Hey Palmon, are you sure this is the one who can cure Tai?"
Palmon opened her mouth to say something but the winged girl beat her at it.
"I'm the Guardian of Sincerity," she spoke, drawing out her staff. She twirled the staff with her hands expertly. Matt just rolled his eyes. He knew that she was just trying to show off. "You may call me Mistress Blossoms."
"Hey, are you sure you're the Guardian of Sincerity? I mean, no offense, but you sure don't act like it," Matt said.
Mistress Blossoms gave him a look of disbelief. "Hey! Show your respect for old people… er… I mean, uh, to elders!"
Matt just chuckled. "You? An elder? You look like you're fifteen!"
"Hey!" Mistress Blossoms exclaimed. "Watch your mouth, young boy! I'm over a million years old you know! That's not how you talk to old peo--… I mean, elders!"
He shook his head. "Forget it. I don't have to listen to some fifteen-year-old girl. If you think you can trick us, you can surely forget about it! Come on, guys, we're outta here!"
"But Matt, wait!" Palmon called out to him.
Matt started to walk toward the exit door, but he ignored Palmon. "Come on, let's go! I'm finding the cure myself!"
Palmon turned to Mistress Blossoms. "Mistress Sincerity… I'm really sorry about—"
She stopped and watched as Mistress Blossoms quickly followed Matt. She drew out her staff and a red light appeared. The light advanced to Matt's direction. Matt stopped and frowned.
"What the hell is this?!" he exclaimed as he eyed the red light. Pink rose petals began to appear, wrapping Matt all over his body. Matt tried to remove the petals, but he remained trapped and paralyzed. "H-hey!" he scowled at the flying girl. "What on earth is this?! Get me out of here!"
Mistress Blossoms descended on the ground. She wasn't that tall. She was only about five feet tall. She stood there across from Matt and smiled. "Hmph. So you think you can get away that easily, huh?"
Gabumon and Palmon approached them.
"Just get me out of here!" Matt yelled. "Gabumon!"
Gabumon was about to come forward, but the Guardian blocked him with her staff. "Freeze." She said firmly. She stared back at Matt and smiled. "All right. Now what is it that brought you here to my throne?"
"Well, Mistress Blossoms, there's a digidestined that needs your help," Palmon explained. "His name is Tai, and he just wouldn't wake up… Mimi and I had tried everything, but everything we've got didn't work at all."
"Mimi?" Mistress Blossoms turned to Palmon. "How's the girl?"
"She's fine, but Tai is…" her voice trailed off.
"Just hurry up and tell us how to wake up Tai, okay!" Matt demanded angrily.
"Quiet!" Mistress Blossoms screamed. She then turned back to Palmon. "What seemed to be the problem?"
"Well, he was attacked by a Kuwagamon," Gabumon replied.
"Kuwagamon, eh?" she echoed. She paused to think. "I see… I got it!"
"What?" Gabumon asked.
Mistress Blossoms giggled and ascended above. "It's so easy! Let's see… has he been sleepwalking?" she asked.
Palmon and Gabumon both looked at each other. "No. At least not yet… I suppose…" Palmon said.
She nodded and landed on the ground again smoothly. "Yes, of course. I know how to cure him…"
"You do?!" Palmon exclaimed with a hopeful look in her green eyes. "Oh that's really great!"
Matt rolled his eyes. "Geez, just spit it out already. We've got no time to waste."
The Guardian snapped her fingers. "To wake up Tai, he must get a kiss from a maiden!"
Everyone gasped but Matt. He just rolled his eyes again. "Oh yeah?" he chuckled. "Hey, this ain't no fairy tale you know! Do you really expect us to believe you?!"
Mistress Blossoms gave him a dirty look. "You STILL won't shut up, huh?! You're a stubborn one!"
"Matt, I know it's corny, but I take her word for it," Gabumon told him.
"Well, I don't buy it!" Matt replied stubbornly.
"That's it? One simple kiss and he's awaken?" Palmon asked.
Matt laughed. "I still don't believe it. You don't seem to act like you know what you're doing, Miss Blossoms."
"Of course I know what I'm doing and what I'm talking about!" Mistress Blossoms shot back. "I'm the Guardian of Sincerity and I know!"
"Whatever…"
"Why you…" she looked pissed. "Ugh! Forget it! If you don't believe me, then it's your problem!"
"Thanks Mistress Blossoms," Palmon said to her.
"Hey, no problem! If you DIGIMON need my help, just call me, all right?" Mistress Blossoms told them, obviously avoiding Matt's gaze. "And hey, whenever you see a painting of me from anywhere, just sing or play a song, and I will appear."
"Sounds good," Gabumon commented.
Matt sighed. "Okay, now can you guys untie me?" he asked.
Mistress Blossoms looked right at him. "So, you're the one… the Crest of Friendship, right?"
"Huh?" Matt gave her a puzzled look. "How did you know?"
She smiled. "Because I'm a Guardian…"
Maybe she's the one who's been giving me all these weird dreams, Matt thought. He was about to open his mouth to say something, but Mistress Blossoms had cast another spell. He closed his eyes again in order to avoid the brightness. As he opened them again, he was no longer trapped in rose petals.
"What the…" he looked up to find the Guardian just above him. "Hey!"
She smiled. "I'll be back. There's some important business I need to discuss with you digidestined. Come back here again with Tai and Mimi, and I'll show you how to save the girl."
Matt looked a little confused. "Mimi? But she's doing just fine!"
Mistress Blossoms flew back to the altar. She floated just above the bed of pink roses and looked at him. "That's why you are here in the Digiworld, Crest of Friendship. You must save the girl. You and Tai must save her."
"But… what are you talking about?" Matt asked as he took a step forward.
"Please don't say anything to Mimi," Mistress Blossoms' expression changed. "I… I don't know… I mean, just do what I say, all right? Trust me on this."
Before Matt had the chance to say something else, rose petals began to float around her. There was a huge flash of red light for a second. Then she was gone. Matt quickly ran up to the bed of pink roses again. He smiled. The doll was asleep again. Well at least, she's not gonna cause any more trouble when she's like that, he thought. Then his smile disappeared as he realized something. A maiden must kiss Tai in order to awaken him. The only one that could do that was Mimi. He gritted his teeth, but tried not to think about it. He buried his hands into his pocket and just thought about Mimi's smile as he silently left the palace.
--End of Part 4—
A/N: Sorry that was short! But I'm saving the part when Tai wakes up on the next chapter! =) Hey, I bet you could guess who Mistress Blossoms is, right? ;-) Please review! ^_~
-Kristine