The new digimon touched Kari's cheek.
Kari nodded, her eyes never leaving his face. She had never noticed how beautiful his eyes were, now that they were no longer filled with hate.
"Thank you, Kari. I will never forget this." The tall digimon smiled down at Kari.
"I'm afraid you'll have to," came a voice well-known to them all." Gennai now stood beside Wizardmon, his wizened face more sober than usual. "If you are allowed to remember, it could jeopardize everything."
"What could possibly be so important?" asked the new digimon.
"The end of the world," said Gennai, the tone of his voice matter-of- fact.
There was a universal gasp of shock. Only Wizardmon showed no surprise.
Gennai continued. "The fate of two worlds depends on a critical sequence of events. If those events are altered in the slightest, the results could be disastrous." He peered up at the new digimon. "You, there. The one who used to be Myotismon. You're pivotal to this, you know."
The digimon was stunned. "How does my knowing my past affect the future? Why should it matter to anything?"
"Very well. Since you insist on knowing, let me explain," said Gennai. "If you remember nothing of this night, all all that transpired, the future will continue on its course. But--" Gennai sighed, and went on. "But if you remember all this, and know that what you decide to do may affect the future for the worse, you will begin to second-guess yourself. Rather than automatically doing the right thing, you may end up doing the wrong thing altogether. Because sometimes the right thing to do, at any given time, may prove to be the wrong thing well after the fact. Can you see all possibilities, and can you automatically know what is right and wrong?"
"But how could you know this?" said Kari. "What if you're wrong?"
Gennai was unperturbed. "Kari, you already know the answer to your question. Have I ever been wrong yet?"
Kari and the others fell silent. "No, sir," said Kari.
"There is something else you should know," said Gennai, and for the first time, he smiled. "If the chain of events led to a world where both humans and digimon could live in harmony, would you not wish this?" He pointed to Angewomon. "Kari, what would you do to ensure that you and Gatomon could be together always?"
Kari's jaw dropped. Angewomon was astonished.
"If all it took to accomplish this would be to forget something you have no need to remember, would you do it?" asked Gennai.
"Gennai, is this really possible?" Angewomon asked. The normally distant digimon was visibly excited at the prospect.
"Yes," said Gennai in irritation. "Why would I make this up?"
"I don't think anyone is trying to imply that you are, Gennai," said Wizardmon. "Only that it's impossible to see how you reached such a conclusion. How is it that you know so much about this?"
"I am caretaker to the digital world, and integral to the system. Why shouldn't I know?" asked Gennai. "But I am not the only one to know this. Kari knew, even though she didn't understand. The young lady is quite gifted in such matters."
"Thank you," said Kari, and blushed yet again.
Gennai merely nodded in response. "Be that as it may. What matters most is not what has happened, but what will happen. Do you have the courage to let things be, to face the unknown as the unknown, and know that things will work out for the best?
Kari and Angewomon exchanged glances. The new digimon was silent.
"We agree," said Kari.
Gennai turned to the nameless digimon. "And you. Do you agree to this?"
"I do," said the digimon. "I would have hoped..." He looked at Kari, and fell silent.
"Someday, perhaps, when this is done," said Gennai, "the truth will revealed to all. Then you may repay your debt of gratitude to her, if you wish. For now, it must be as if this night had never happened," said Gennai. "Soon you will meet another, someone who needs you more than he or you can possibly imagine. And that is all I am going to say on the matter. You will not remember what I told you."
"I know," said the new digimon, both his face and voice devoid of emotion.
"The future will be filled with more marvels than any of you could possibly imagine...yes, even you, Kari," said Gennai, chuckling. "I don't want to spoil the surprise."
He beckoned the nameless digimon to his side. "Well, then. Enough chatter. Are you ready?"
"Not quite," said the digimon. "There is one last thing."
"Yes, yes, all right," snapped Gennai. "But get on with it!"
No one was deceived by Gennai's outburst. He beamed as brightly as the sun, an enormous grin splitting his face, showing one tooth.
The digimon knelt before Kari. "I would have done more for you, after what you've done for me, but I cannot." He removed a scarlet silk ribbon from his shirt. "It isn't enough. Nothing ever could be. But I want you to have it anyway."
Kari took the ribbon, touching the glossy fabric with gentle fingertips. "Thank you," she whispered.
The digimon's form began to glow, his form becoming indistinct as the brightness grew. Tiny spangles of light filled the air surrounding him. "Goodbye, Kari."
"We will meet again," said Kari. She felt his smile, a warm, comforting expression. Then he was gone.
"I think it's time to go home."
Kari heard a familiar voice, looked down, and saw Gatomon now standing by her side. "Yes, I think you're right." Dream or no, she felt immeasurably tired.
The small pink catlike digimon turned to Wizardmon. "Wizardmon, my old friend. Will I ever see you again?" Her voice was sad.
"Look for me," answered Wizardmon. He bent down to wipe one glistening drop from Gatomon's cheek. "I believe we are destined to be together again."
Gatomon smiled. "I can only hope so."
Wizardmon straightened, and spoke to Gennai. "It is time for me to leave. My task is finished, and I am no longer needed here."
Gennai peered at him from under bushy brows. "You know what to do."
Wizardmon nodded. "Yes." He turned to Kari and Gatomon, who stood to one side, listening. "Until then." He raised one hand. "See you around."
"Goodbye, Wizardmon," said Gatomon, her luminous blue eyes never leaving Wizardmon's face as he vanished into a cloud of digital data that rapidly dispersed.
"What happened to Wizardmon?" cried Kari.
"What you two saw," answered Gennai, "was no more than a part of him, whose sole mission was to ensure Myotismon's safety. Now that the future history of both humans and digimon has been firmly established, and set on the proper course, that part of him became free to integrate with the whole." Gennai seemed satisfied by the turn of events. "And, of course he, too, will remember nothing of this." His attention strayed to Myotismon's castle. "Remarkable workmanship..." he muttered. "Wonderful masonry..."
Kari and Gatomon stared at him.
Gennai seemed oblivious to them both, silent for the longest time. "Now, does that satisfy your need for closure, Miss Kamiya?" His eyes never left the stonework.
Kari couldn't think of a thing to say. "Yes, sir."
Gennai smiled again. "Kari."
Kari glanced back. "Yes?"
"You are going to be a lovely young woman in time."
Kari flushed vividly again. "T-thank you, Gennai." She smiled, and everything faded away.
Kari woke then. She'd had such a vivid dream. Gennai...
It was gone. Nothing remained but the image of Gennai, and the sensation of rightness. Kari yawned and stretched. Odd. She could clearly recall all the nightmares of Myotismon she'd been having, but not a thing of the dream she had just woken from. Well, life was like that sometimes.
"Kari..." Gatomon sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I had the strangest dream about..." She blinked. "Hey, I can't remember."
"About Gennai?" offered Kari.
Gatomon looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"I had a dream just like that," said Kari.
"Then do you--?"
"No, I don't remember anything either," answered Kari. "I think we're not supposed to."
"But why?" Gatomon puzzled over this. "What could be so important?"
"I don't know," said Kari, sitting up. "The end of the world, maybe?"
Gatomon opened her mouth to protest.
"And it's not impossible. Look at everything we've done so far."
"Well...no," admitted Gatomon.
"And if that's what it's about," said Kari, "maybe we're better off not remembering."
Gatomon nodded slowly, but doubt remained. Kari saw it, and hugged Gatomon. "Right now, I'm not worried about anything. I believe the future will take care of itself."
Gatomon snuggled against Kari. She saw something slip from Kari's fingers. "Kari, what's that?"
"Mmm?" Kari looked down. There, spilled across the blanket, was a length of crimson silk satin ribbon.
"Where did it come from?"
"I don't know." Kari picked the ribbon up. It was soft and slick to the touch, so smooth was it. An image lurked in her subconscious. Blue eyes...
Kari shook her head. Try as she might, she could not get the image to form completely.
Gatomon thought about it. "Maybe it was a gift from somebody."
"Maybe so," said Kari absently. The image was gone. Kari smiled and hugged the ribbon.
Gatomon nudged Kari. "Are you okay?"
Kari nodded. "I'm fine, Gatomon. Everything's going to be okay." She smiled. "You'll see."
"You know I have to go back soon," said Gatomon. Her expression was wistful. "I wish we could be together all the time."
Kari glanced back at the satin ribbon. "Maybe we will."
From the hall, a voice bellowed. "Kari, breakfast is ready!"
Kari shook her head. "Boy, is your brother loud," commented Gatomon.
"That he is," answered Kari. "Come on, let's go."
Kari nodded, her eyes never leaving his face. She had never noticed how beautiful his eyes were, now that they were no longer filled with hate.
"Thank you, Kari. I will never forget this." The tall digimon smiled down at Kari.
"I'm afraid you'll have to," came a voice well-known to them all." Gennai now stood beside Wizardmon, his wizened face more sober than usual. "If you are allowed to remember, it could jeopardize everything."
"What could possibly be so important?" asked the new digimon.
"The end of the world," said Gennai, the tone of his voice matter-of- fact.
There was a universal gasp of shock. Only Wizardmon showed no surprise.
Gennai continued. "The fate of two worlds depends on a critical sequence of events. If those events are altered in the slightest, the results could be disastrous." He peered up at the new digimon. "You, there. The one who used to be Myotismon. You're pivotal to this, you know."
The digimon was stunned. "How does my knowing my past affect the future? Why should it matter to anything?"
"Very well. Since you insist on knowing, let me explain," said Gennai. "If you remember nothing of this night, all all that transpired, the future will continue on its course. But--" Gennai sighed, and went on. "But if you remember all this, and know that what you decide to do may affect the future for the worse, you will begin to second-guess yourself. Rather than automatically doing the right thing, you may end up doing the wrong thing altogether. Because sometimes the right thing to do, at any given time, may prove to be the wrong thing well after the fact. Can you see all possibilities, and can you automatically know what is right and wrong?"
"But how could you know this?" said Kari. "What if you're wrong?"
Gennai was unperturbed. "Kari, you already know the answer to your question. Have I ever been wrong yet?"
Kari and the others fell silent. "No, sir," said Kari.
"There is something else you should know," said Gennai, and for the first time, he smiled. "If the chain of events led to a world where both humans and digimon could live in harmony, would you not wish this?" He pointed to Angewomon. "Kari, what would you do to ensure that you and Gatomon could be together always?"
Kari's jaw dropped. Angewomon was astonished.
"If all it took to accomplish this would be to forget something you have no need to remember, would you do it?" asked Gennai.
"Gennai, is this really possible?" Angewomon asked. The normally distant digimon was visibly excited at the prospect.
"Yes," said Gennai in irritation. "Why would I make this up?"
"I don't think anyone is trying to imply that you are, Gennai," said Wizardmon. "Only that it's impossible to see how you reached such a conclusion. How is it that you know so much about this?"
"I am caretaker to the digital world, and integral to the system. Why shouldn't I know?" asked Gennai. "But I am not the only one to know this. Kari knew, even though she didn't understand. The young lady is quite gifted in such matters."
"Thank you," said Kari, and blushed yet again.
Gennai merely nodded in response. "Be that as it may. What matters most is not what has happened, but what will happen. Do you have the courage to let things be, to face the unknown as the unknown, and know that things will work out for the best?
Kari and Angewomon exchanged glances. The new digimon was silent.
"We agree," said Kari.
Gennai turned to the nameless digimon. "And you. Do you agree to this?"
"I do," said the digimon. "I would have hoped..." He looked at Kari, and fell silent.
"Someday, perhaps, when this is done," said Gennai, "the truth will revealed to all. Then you may repay your debt of gratitude to her, if you wish. For now, it must be as if this night had never happened," said Gennai. "Soon you will meet another, someone who needs you more than he or you can possibly imagine. And that is all I am going to say on the matter. You will not remember what I told you."
"I know," said the new digimon, both his face and voice devoid of emotion.
"The future will be filled with more marvels than any of you could possibly imagine...yes, even you, Kari," said Gennai, chuckling. "I don't want to spoil the surprise."
He beckoned the nameless digimon to his side. "Well, then. Enough chatter. Are you ready?"
"Not quite," said the digimon. "There is one last thing."
"Yes, yes, all right," snapped Gennai. "But get on with it!"
No one was deceived by Gennai's outburst. He beamed as brightly as the sun, an enormous grin splitting his face, showing one tooth.
The digimon knelt before Kari. "I would have done more for you, after what you've done for me, but I cannot." He removed a scarlet silk ribbon from his shirt. "It isn't enough. Nothing ever could be. But I want you to have it anyway."
Kari took the ribbon, touching the glossy fabric with gentle fingertips. "Thank you," she whispered.
The digimon's form began to glow, his form becoming indistinct as the brightness grew. Tiny spangles of light filled the air surrounding him. "Goodbye, Kari."
"We will meet again," said Kari. She felt his smile, a warm, comforting expression. Then he was gone.
"I think it's time to go home."
Kari heard a familiar voice, looked down, and saw Gatomon now standing by her side. "Yes, I think you're right." Dream or no, she felt immeasurably tired.
The small pink catlike digimon turned to Wizardmon. "Wizardmon, my old friend. Will I ever see you again?" Her voice was sad.
"Look for me," answered Wizardmon. He bent down to wipe one glistening drop from Gatomon's cheek. "I believe we are destined to be together again."
Gatomon smiled. "I can only hope so."
Wizardmon straightened, and spoke to Gennai. "It is time for me to leave. My task is finished, and I am no longer needed here."
Gennai peered at him from under bushy brows. "You know what to do."
Wizardmon nodded. "Yes." He turned to Kari and Gatomon, who stood to one side, listening. "Until then." He raised one hand. "See you around."
"Goodbye, Wizardmon," said Gatomon, her luminous blue eyes never leaving Wizardmon's face as he vanished into a cloud of digital data that rapidly dispersed.
"What happened to Wizardmon?" cried Kari.
"What you two saw," answered Gennai, "was no more than a part of him, whose sole mission was to ensure Myotismon's safety. Now that the future history of both humans and digimon has been firmly established, and set on the proper course, that part of him became free to integrate with the whole." Gennai seemed satisfied by the turn of events. "And, of course he, too, will remember nothing of this." His attention strayed to Myotismon's castle. "Remarkable workmanship..." he muttered. "Wonderful masonry..."
Kari and Gatomon stared at him.
Gennai seemed oblivious to them both, silent for the longest time. "Now, does that satisfy your need for closure, Miss Kamiya?" His eyes never left the stonework.
Kari couldn't think of a thing to say. "Yes, sir."
Gennai smiled again. "Kari."
Kari glanced back. "Yes?"
"You are going to be a lovely young woman in time."
Kari flushed vividly again. "T-thank you, Gennai." She smiled, and everything faded away.
Kari woke then. She'd had such a vivid dream. Gennai...
It was gone. Nothing remained but the image of Gennai, and the sensation of rightness. Kari yawned and stretched. Odd. She could clearly recall all the nightmares of Myotismon she'd been having, but not a thing of the dream she had just woken from. Well, life was like that sometimes.
"Kari..." Gatomon sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I had the strangest dream about..." She blinked. "Hey, I can't remember."
"About Gennai?" offered Kari.
Gatomon looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"I had a dream just like that," said Kari.
"Then do you--?"
"No, I don't remember anything either," answered Kari. "I think we're not supposed to."
"But why?" Gatomon puzzled over this. "What could be so important?"
"I don't know," said Kari, sitting up. "The end of the world, maybe?"
Gatomon opened her mouth to protest.
"And it's not impossible. Look at everything we've done so far."
"Well...no," admitted Gatomon.
"And if that's what it's about," said Kari, "maybe we're better off not remembering."
Gatomon nodded slowly, but doubt remained. Kari saw it, and hugged Gatomon. "Right now, I'm not worried about anything. I believe the future will take care of itself."
Gatomon snuggled against Kari. She saw something slip from Kari's fingers. "Kari, what's that?"
"Mmm?" Kari looked down. There, spilled across the blanket, was a length of crimson silk satin ribbon.
"Where did it come from?"
"I don't know." Kari picked the ribbon up. It was soft and slick to the touch, so smooth was it. An image lurked in her subconscious. Blue eyes...
Kari shook her head. Try as she might, she could not get the image to form completely.
Gatomon thought about it. "Maybe it was a gift from somebody."
"Maybe so," said Kari absently. The image was gone. Kari smiled and hugged the ribbon.
Gatomon nudged Kari. "Are you okay?"
Kari nodded. "I'm fine, Gatomon. Everything's going to be okay." She smiled. "You'll see."
"You know I have to go back soon," said Gatomon. Her expression was wistful. "I wish we could be together all the time."
Kari glanced back at the satin ribbon. "Maybe we will."
From the hall, a voice bellowed. "Kari, breakfast is ready!"
Kari shook her head. "Boy, is your brother loud," commented Gatomon.
"That he is," answered Kari. "Come on, let's go."