A/N: This is an extremely long chapter, so feel free to take breaks at anytime.
Chapter 36: The Courage to Love and to Let Go
"Why hasn't either of them wake up? It's been almost a week now," Mr. Chaikary moaned. A long moment of silence commenced between both of them as he and Dawna peered through the glass window.
* * *
Sam was already inside the room, imperceptible to all those without magic. Since that dreadful day, his face was pale and somber. He knelt besides Uraina's bed, and was trying relentlessly to hold her hands. But every time, his hands passed through hers. He desperately wanted to be able to embrace her one final time. Looking at her immobile body reminded him that she was lost in between two worlds—the living and the dead. She was technically still alive, but she wasn't very lively though. Mentally he slapped himself for wanting her to join him. He was being selfish again. He recalled what the last few days were like inside the room.
*Sam's Flashback in General POV*
It was the second night since Uraina and Kamari were patients at the hospital. Both were resting peacefully, perhaps too peacefully, in their assigned beds. Their heartbeats slowed to a dangerous pace, and both were barely hanging on by a thread. Footsteps could be heard from the inside. They got louder until the door squeakily swung open. The fluorescent tube flickered on, and bright white light lit up the room, making the visitor's appearance visible.
'Tai?' Sam, who was by Uraina's bedside, muttered in disbelief as the figure entered the room.
"Don't be too long, Bro. It's very late," a female youngster requested softly.
"I know, I know. I just need to do this. It's been bugging me ever since—" Tai explained and then paused. "Just wait outside for me. I'll be done in ten minutes tops." No words of objection were spoken. Before Tai locked the door behind him, Sam caught a glimpse of Kari. Tai ambled passed Kamari's bed, and towards Uraina and Sam. The young ghost didn't spot that something was bulging from the pocket of the young male adolescent's windbreaker until the Digidestine sat in the wooden chair next to Uraina's bed. Tai's shoulders sagged and rose up as he took a deep breath. Sam eyed him attentively. It was certainly Tai. Except now, there were little bags around his eyes.
"I know it's a school night and all. It's almost half past ten. You must be wondering why I'm here this late. I mean, we barely know each other. Well, I just came to say that I've been rotting my mind away with delusional dreams of you since Mummymon and Arukenimon kidnapped you," Tai mumbled sarcastically as he gazed at the heavy sleeper. "Nightmares are more like it; all the same, I visualize you reaching out for my help moments before being plunged into a pitfall of darkness. I always reached out, but before I could grab your hand, the alarm clock would clamor and wake me up. I know it sounds weird and everything, I mean, why would you be bugging only me with these strange nightmares…" the holder of the crest of courage ranted on as he lowered his head.
Sam couldn't believe his ears. 'Why would Uraina be reaching out for his help?'
"Maybe if I told you, it'll go away. No one knows about this beside Kari, Izzy and I. Izzy explained to me that my subconscious is trying to tell me to protect you. But from what? At that time, you passed on. What would I need to defend you from?" Tai blurted out, his voice slowly getting louder, as he abruptly lifted his head up. "Was Daemon it? Or is it the dark spores? Perhaps—" Tai yawned, then sighed.
"You should get some rest, Tai. You've got school tomorrow," Sam advised, but Tai wasn't able to hear him.
"Remember the first day we met? When I took a good look at you, my heart raced. But then, your name was revealed and that's when I thought you were Matt's ex. Then again, back then, you were with Ken. My heart sank only to allow my mind to scheme a way to ask you out when you two aren't together," Tai recalled with a little inward laughter. "Gennai tells Izzy that neither one of you would remember anything about your life in the second Earth until you are assigned the mission of passing judgment. Well, at least Dawna was able to recall some stuff because of her ability. Too bad you were chosen. Err! I guess I should be thankful though. I mean, if it wasn't for the mission, none of us would have met each other," Tai avowed before yawning once more. "Still, Gennai should have chosen me to send you that fateful e-mail instead of Willis. Ha! Just because he has a golden digi-egg of Destiny doesn't mean that I'm not capable! The others and I may be old school, but we're still one heck of a Digidesine team."
Three knocks on the door followed. It was Kari's warning that only five minutes remained. "Hm. It's late; I'm probably more tired than you, considering that you're… ah, never mind. I brought something for you to listen to for the rest of my ten minutes," Tai uttered before his right hand dug into his pocket for a CD player. "Enjoy it before Kari finds out that I've got her CD player," he whispered with a chuckle before placing the earphones into her ears and pushing the play button. 'Get well soon.'
Tai's ten minutes was over. 'That song: it's the same as the song on the tape I mailed you, except without the words,' Sam reflected on when he noticed the title of the first track inscribed on the CD Tai ejected from Kari's CD player.
*End of Flashback*
"Perhaps, it's time for us to move on," Sam uttered and stopped trying to hold Uraina's hands. "Remember about the music. Find out the name of the song. I took away the lyrics, but surely, you'll uncover its name and words…."
* * *
"Don't worry. It'll be fine. Davis and the others will be visiting your daughters soon; they'll be arriving right after classes," Dawna reassured, breaking the silence as best as she could, "Mariana will enjoy his company."
"Will the Digimons be coming also?"
"I believe so. They said they won't miss the chance."
"I know that the mission is over and all, but can you use your healing powers to break them from their coma?"
"Sincerely I wish if I can," Dawna replied dolefully, clutching the grey D-3 tightly.
"What about Magnaangemon's antidote or the sovereigns' powers?"
"Patamon tried. The sovereigns' powers are limited. Gennai's flowers won't be able to eradicate the spores or wake Kamari from her slumber."
"After doing the DNA testing, and meeting with Mr. Rainori, I've finally found my Uraina. And now, she's laying there almost motionless like her sister," Mr. Chaikary grumbled.
"They've both lost a lot of strength. Uraina will be fine when Kamari wakes up and uses her digi-egg to purify her of the dark spores that are draining her energy."
"How are we going to wake her up?"
'The golden digi-eggs, or so that what I've been told by Gennai.'
"She's in as much a trance as Uraina," Mr. Chaikary mentioned in hopelessness. He sighed, and then took a deep breath before changing the subject. "So, how are you and Gennai? Gabumon told me everything he heard."
"We're avoiding each other as best as we can. I don't remember my past life. And he doesn't want to discuss anything but work, such as protecting the worlds. It's best that the past remain as the past. That was the last that I got out of him the last time we tried to discuss it," she replied as coolly as possible, but when she heard what she had said, she felt a little twinge of sadness inside.
"Oh."
"The digital is back to normal, no dark pyramids. He and Kokomon have done a great job," Dawna said contentedly as she slid the D-3 into her handbag when the others arrived. In Sora's hands held a bouquet of freshly picked flowers.
"Is it visiting hours yet?" Wishmon asked eagerly as she leapt out of Von's lap and onto the ground.
Dawna glimpsed at the hospital clock and beamed a smile. "It will be in a minute. Keep a very low profile."
"Where's your father, Von?"
"He's taking care of some paperwork. He says sorry for not being able to make it for today's visit. He promises that he'll come tomorrow to visit Uraina. You see, we'll be traveling back to Canada in a month or two, after the paperwork about Uraina is taken care of. Hopefully, we'll be able to see her out of this hospital and back to her healthy self before we leave. Look after her for us when we're gone, Mr. Chaikary."
"That's heartbreaking to hear. I was hoping that all of us could get to know more about each other and talk about Uraina," Mr. Chaikary stated sympathetically.
"We'll visit," Von reassured, smiling weakly.
"Now, let's go in," Mr. Chaikary's Gabumon stated. Dawna gestured towards one of the nurse, who nodded in reply.
"Six at a time please," the nurse requested and held open the door. Sam glanced towards the door.
Silently, Wishmon and six of them with their Digimons entered the room where Uraina and Kamari were resting in. Davis, T.K., Willis and their partners advanced towards Kamari, whereas Wishmon, Von and Mr. Chaikary sat on the bed Uraina was resting in. Izamon remained close-by his partner while Sora emptied the old flowers from the vase, and replenished it with the fresher ones that all of them had helped to pick out from the Digital World. Mr. Chaikary's Gabumon pulled down the window blinds so that the Digimons would be able to freely act around the humans inside the closed room as the others waited outside, keeping a sharp lookout for the incoming doctors and nurses so that they'll be able to caution them to pretend to be inanimate objects.
*Inside the room*
"Ah, some of your friends are here," Sam whispered into Uraina's ears, and then backed away as her father went up to her and held her hands tightly.
"Wake up soon, my child," he muttered earnestly as he rubbed his face against her hands and kissed them delicately.
"I'm sure she will," Mr. Chaikary's Gabumon commented confidently, placing a paw on his' former partner's shoulder.
'Get well quickly, Sis,' Von thought as he ran his hands through her silky dark green hair. 'Father and I will be looking forward to your future visits after your recovery.'
'Your sister's right here with you always. Wake up for her. Maybe when you do, she will also. I don't want to lose two partners at the same time.'
"Tashimoto, you got her tape with you?"
'A tape?' Sam pondered.
"Yes, Izamon," Von answered irritably. He popped the tape into a Walkman and then placed the earphones into Uraina's ears.
'Oh. It's that. I wonder if you've figured out the name of it yet, Uraina. Or the missing lyrics?'
'Listen, Sis.'
Mr. Chaikary walked to the other side of the room to visit his younger daughter. "Hey, look who's here to see ya, Maria. Your father, Willis, and T.V."
"T.K."
"Whatever. Anyway, Terriermon, Kokomon and Patamon are here also."
"Don't forget about me, Davis."
"Oh yeah. Veemon too."
"The others will come in later," T.K. said plainly.
"Yup! The nurse won't allow for more than six people to come in at a time," Terriermon explained.
"Yup, six people. She forgot about digital monsters," sniggered Kokomon.
"Davis is not wearing those silly-looking goggles today."
"Patamon!" T.K. scolded.
"What?"
"Yeah. That's right. I'm hoping you'll wake up and buy me a pair."
"Buy a few sets, Mariana. Davis loses lots of things," Veemon snickered. "But, thank heavens; I'm here to win the battles for him."
"Hey!"
"See what I'm saying; he's now losing his temper," Veemon remarked, and T.K. and Patamon chuckled.
*Outside the room*
Izzy, Joe, Mimi, Matt, Kari, Yolei, Cody, Ken and Tai were sitting down with their Digimons on their laps. Dawna remained standing with one hand buried in her handbag; she seized the D-3 and breathed deeply. Her mind wandered as her eyelids shut. She contemplated about Aurora, what she would do about him. After arriving home on the night of rushing both sisters to the hospital, she recognized the look on his face—sheer joy. But, to her surprise, in frankness, he stammered until he got the burden out of him. 'While you were away, I've met someone. She's very special. She cares nothing of the amount my bank account. She doesn't even know yet that I'm wealthy. She made the first move and proposed to me. I—I didn't answer. I— told her that I was going to think it over. I love her but, I also know that I'm in love with you ever since I've been with you; tell me if you feel the same towards me' were his exact words. Dawna hesitated. She did love him and all, but what type of love it was, she wasn't certain yet. And now, her past relationship with Gennai was occupying her thoughts whenever she wasn't worrying herself over Uraina or Mariana or Wishmon. What frustrated Dawna the most was how deep was the love she and Gennai were in, and if those passionate feelings between them still lurked within. Finally, some words had left her mouth. She recalled them: 'Aurora, I've known you for a very, very long time. Heaven only knows exactly when we started caring for each other. But one thing is for certain, you're in love, but not with me. Heck, I thought I was with you, but only as a dearest friend or perhaps sister to you. So, go for it, and don't let her down! You got that, Aurora?!' She still couldn't believe those sappy words would rolled off of her tongue or the smile he beamed back in response—so natural as though he was truly content after hearing her little rejection speech. 'Life's just full of little surprises,' she mulled over.
"Dawna. Um… may I speak to you for a moment?" Tai asked the holder of Eternity, breaking her concentration.
'Huh?' She looked up and realized that Tai was now standing right in front of her. "Sure."
"How long is it before all three of you have to leave?"
"August 12th is the day when we arrived, and we'll be leaving that same day of this year. The e—"
"So, only over five months remain."
Dawna nodded. "But that's only if both of them recover and decide to unite with me."
"If they don't?"
"The second Earth will remain frozen in time. Only our return will unfreeze it. Why do you ask?"
'I guess neither of them has a choice in the matter. Only some months left before they have to depart,' Tai said to himself when T.K., Patamon, Sora, Biyomon, Von, Izamon, Mr. Chaikary along with his Gabumon quietly exited the room and rejoined them.
"Huh? No reason in particular. How about we go in next?"
Dawna shrugged and followed Tai and Agumon in. Kari, Gatomon, Yolei and Hawkmon followed. The door closed again.
*Inside the room*
Dawna studied the room. Davis, Veemon and Wishmon were by Mariana's bedside while Willis, Terriermon and Kokomon visited Uraina. Sam was still by Uraina's side, but she wasn't able to detect his presence anymore now that all her supernatural powers were gone. Tai, Agumon, Kari and Gatomon joined Willis and his Digimons while Yolei and Hawkmon looked in on Davis, Veemon and Wishmon.
"It's time to look at her sister now, Davis," his digital companion reminded. Davis moaned, and then sniffled a little.
"Don't let this get ya down, Davis. Life's little miracles will bring both of them back," Yolei comforted sincerely. Unfortunately, that did it; Davis' head crashed face-down onto the surface of the blanket and Mariana's wrist. Yolei's words made Davis lose control. A waterfall of salty tears floated rapidly down from the adolescent boy's eyes and wetted her wrist and seeped through the blanket and the mattress. "Davis… I didn't mean—"
"Maria," Davis murmured miserably as he continued to sob.
"Davis! Quiet down," Willis ordered as he and his Digimons approached the holder of Courage, Friendship and Miracles.
"That's easy for you to say. You haven't known her all your life," Davis retorted as he lifted up his head, but tears nevertheless trickled down.
"Calm down, Davis," Dawna insisted.
"And for that you will have to keep your faith! No one wanted this to happen. It was destiny!"
"Don't you start crying too, Buddy," Terriermon told his human partner softly.
"Destiny— I thought we were in control of it."
"Sometimes, Davis, we are," Willis argued, joining Davis with some tears of his own, "sometimes, we're—"
Immediately, Dawna felt her hand being scorched. "OW!" she whimpered, removing her hand from her burning D-3. Now, all eyes were on her.
"What's wrong?!" Wishmon asked worrily.
"My D-3 is heating up!" Dawna claimed agonizingly as she tossed out the D-3 from her handbag as fast as she could.
"Ahhh!" Davis and Willis shrieked. At least, the two boys stopped sobbing. Hysterically, they jumped around and flung out their D-terminals and D-3s. "The D-terminals also!"
[A/N: Willis, um.., I haven't seen him with a D-terminal in the show or in the movie… but since he's got the egg of Destiny, I'm guessing he's got to have a D-terminal to store it, right? Oh well, if not, this is just a fan fic… enjoy hopefully.]
"They're glowing," Hawkmon said, mesmerized.
"Oh? Ow—ow— ow—" Dawna yelped as she chucked out her D-terminal out her bag and let go of it frantically. "Phew!"
Amazingly, none of the six digital devices hit the floor. Instead, they soared upwards in their radiance.
"What's going—" Kari was about to ask when the two golden digi-eggs emerged from the two D-terminals to float freely in the mid-air, slightly above the devices. The room's fluorescent bulb flickered out. Everyone held their breath in astonishment. The room was only lit by the light emitted by the small digital devices and the golden digi-eggs—Miracles and Destiny.
The golden digi-egg of Miracles and the golden digi-eggs of Destiny each beamed out a streak of glamorous sparkling yellow light towards Mariana's body. The blanket and needles removed themselves from Mariana. The others gasped. Worried expressions plagued their faces until Mariana's fingers twitched. Her head panned side to side.
"She's waking up," Gatomon claimed. With her cat's eyes and all the light, she was able to clearly see Mariana's eyelids gradually lifting open.
"Mistress!" Wishmon screamed gleefully when she noticed her young mistress edging her back upwards the wall to be in a sitting position. She leapt into her mistress' lap. Mariana's lips curved to form an innocent smile across her weary face as she wrapped her hands around Wishmon. Her eyes gleamed at the sight of the digital devices and the golden digi-eggs.
'Maria.'
"Purity," she uttered faintly, a luminous digi-egg of Purity was released from its confinement in obedience to its holder's calling. The two golden digi-eggs retreated back into their holders' D-terminals while the digi-egg of Purity hovered over Uraina and blasted colourful rays towards her soundless body. The needles that pierced into her skin became detached. Purplish glow radiated from the side of her neck. Digital spores were being cleansed from the holder of Forgiveness' body.
"Were you crying, Davis?" Mariana asked playfully, but Davis blabbered on gibberish about dust getting into his eyes.
'I can't believe Izzy is missing this,' Agumon told himself when the last spore disappeared. The egg of Purity returned into its cage. All digital devices stopped glowing and cooled down. A moment of darkness was upon all of them as a loud bang against the floor was heard. Then, the light flashed on as Uraina rolled off the bed and landed painfully onto the floor. The darkness before the light was now over; the holder of Forgiveness was aroused.
"Ow!" Uraina whined as she gingerly grabbed hold of the mattress and pulled herself back up.
"Are you alright?" Sam asked nervously, but to no avail since no one in the room was able to see nor hear him.
"Uraina!" Dawna rejoiced as she rushed to hug her while Yolei darted out of the room to inform the other Digidestines of the good news.
"Thanks. But, what happened?" Uraina queried with a confused look.
"We'll fill you two in on that later," Tai assured, taking a glance at both sisters before setting his eyes on the elder of the two.
"Where's Sam?" she asked, whispering into Dawna, before they could end their hug.
"I'm really sorry. We've lost all of our magical powers. You won't be able to sense his presence anymore, Uraina," Dawna whispered back before letting her go.
'I won't be able to see him anymore?' Uraina questioned herself as she fought back her tears. 'There's been enough expression of grief, even Davis. Those water works.' "If you can hear me Sam, I'll never forget us. Wait for me if you can," Uraina murmured very quietly as she turned to face the wall so that no one would be able to read her lips. Coincidently, Sam stood right beside her, and he heard her every word.
"I will try. Don't forget me," Sam grinned as he stared at her. His hands reached out to stroke her cheeks, but his hands retreated when he was reminded that they would only overlap. "Show no remorse, Uraina, for moving on," he ended before he disappeared into the wall.
"Mariana! Uraina! Thank heavens!" their father greeted upon entry with the others.
"Daddy!" Mariana screamed jovially and Wishmon leapt out from her lap and onto the floor while Mr. Chaikary embraced both of his daughters with tender hugs.
"Can I take the next five months off from school?" she asked her father.
"No way! You had your vacation," Von scolded amusingly.
"Hmph."
"He's a point there, Uraina," Mr. Chaikary agreed.
"Are you certain? The search for a high school? And all those paper works? And registration…" she babbled on.
"Don't worry, Uraina. We can enlist you in the same high school as Sora," Kamari recommended.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!"
"The sooner the better; you need to catch up with the other sixteen years olds' courses," Dawna agreed completely.
"You too?!" Dawna nodded with a smirk and Uraina wore a sour face. 'I should have stayed in bed. School is very nerve-racking. I should have rested up for this upcoming stressful period.'
"See, I'm not the only person who wants you to head back for an education." The others laughed out of amusement.
'Evil brothers; I guess teleporting myself to Japan didn't help me much,' Uraina mused sarcastically. 'Oh well,' she mumbled to herself with a shrug, and smiled.
'Five months,' Tai mumbled mentally as a nurse walked in with a doctor. They were all surprised. Both medical staffs were stunned to see their patients wide awake while every Digidestine was startled. They had forgotten to keep a look-out so that their Digimons won't hang about the room just anywhere.
The nurse reminded them that only a maximum of six people were permitted at a time during the visiting hours as the doctor examined both patients and ushered them back into bed. She announced that visiting hours just ended and suggested that they could come back later, or on another day as she shooed them out of the room, at least not until they took back their digital devices and 'stuffed toys'.
*Outside the room*
After several minutes of anxious waiting, the doctor and nurse joined them and assured them that both sisters were healthy enough to leave the hospital on Saturday, which was the day after tomorrow. Mr. Chaikary breathed a sigh of relief and then thanked both of them for their efforts.
"We should probably head home," Cody suggested. Agreeing, they nodded and went straight home, at least this time, with the knowledge that Uraina and Kamari have fully recovered.
* * *
It was twilight hour, and at last, he was finally having a nightmare-less night. No more bad imaginings of Uraina being pulled into darkness kept him awake. He was now free of them, at least he hoped. Nevertheless, ever since the day she was kidnapped, he saw her while he was sleeping, either in pleasant dreams or in nightmares. Oh well, what was the holder of courage to do? Most certainly not share them openly with anyone but himself, at least for now. Golly, after telling Izzy about his nightmare problem, he's been leaking out it to Matt, and not to mention, he gave him a long enlightening lecture about dreams.
* * *
Mr. Rainori visited his adopted daughter the very next morning, and the day when she was allowed to leave the hospital. He requested Mr. Chaikary if she could spend the next few weeks at his home, at least until he and Von take their flights back to Canada. Mr.Chaikary took a minute to think it over, and when that time was up, he gave Mr. Rainori his consent.
"Bye, Dad. Bye, Sis."
"Bye, Uraina. We'll visit whenever we can."
"Alright, Dad."
"Bye, Sir."
"Call me when you can, Uraina," Mariana told her as Uraina sat in the back seat with Von, behind her foster father.
"You too," Uraina replied back and waved goodbye as the car drove away from the visitors' parking lot. Her father and younger sister waved back.
"Where're Davis and the others? I thought they were coming to see both of you out of the hospital?"
"I told Davis to tell them it's this morning. They're probably thinking that it's this afternoon. Oh well, let's head back to Dawna's place. She tells me that Wishmon is trying to help her think some things over," his daughter said, and they chatted as they sauntered home. "Gabumon told me all about Azulongmon's history lesson."
"Gabumon's there also."
"Aurora still there? How come he hasn't visited me since I came in?"
"No. He moved out into an apartment nearby. He's got a long list of things to do before his wedding."
"Oh? Who's the unlucky gal?"
"Sweetie!"
"Just kidding, Daddy. Kidding."
"Well, it's not Dawna. But her name is Sharon Wellington, a pediatrician."
"Oh. Good for him."
"Anyway, Mr. Rainori and I had a long intriguing chat with the principal at Sora's school yesterday."
"And?"
"And Uraina will be attending it starting Monday. Your friends there promised to see to it that she finds her way there and around the hallways."
"Oh. Von should be proud," Mariana laughed inwardly, but her dad noticed the mischievousness the way she spoke those words. "But—what about Von? I recall him transferring there. I thought he would be showing her around."
"He will be also. It's just that she's got classes with Sora and the others. Von's up in a higher grade. But he'll show her around. I'm just more worried about her when she's in class. Heaven only knows how far she's behind."
"Don't worry about that. She's got five months, and besides we'll help her if she needs tutoring."
"Thanks, I guess."
"…??"
"It's just that I'm still trying to remind myself that all three of you will be leaving this dimension in August."
"Oh. Don't feel miserable. We'll cherish the time even more. And Gabumon, Wishmon, and all the others will be there to keep you company."
"I guess. Yikes. I almost forgot to tell you, Sweetie, your friends Willis and Mimi will be heading back to America Monday—"
"And there's a going away bash at Tai's house tomorrow," Mariana interrupted.
"You know?" She nodded.
"Absolutely. Kari invited me and Uraina last night. So, may I go?"
"Huh? Oh, sure. I've got work, though. But Dawna can drive you there."
"What about Uraina and Von?"
"Dawna will pick them up also since Mr. Rainori's busy as me."
* * *
At the same time, somewhere, perhaps in the Digital World, absolute brightness filled the surroundings. Various sizes of crystal orbs glowed pastels of the rainbow. Mountains of spiky transparent crystals reflected and refracted light. White mist hovered right above the crystal floor. A loud roar was heard, and a large sky dragon's head rose up from stacks of fluffy white clouds to face a tall female and human figure wearing a fiery red long-sleeved shirt and black business pants slightly overlapping her blue and white stripped snickers. Wrapped around her neck was a long red cotton scarf. Strapped across her body was her grey handbag with the name 'Dawna' embroidered.
"What is it, my gatekeeper?"
"Azulongmon. I'm here for your wisdom and your help."
"Oh?" he asked curiously. "Speak, and I shall tell you what your options may be."
"Before I seek your wisdom, I would like to have at least a glimpse of my past life with Gennai."
"Gatekeeper, you must let go—"
"Has Gennai?"
A long pause followed. Azulongmon yawned and his stretched closer to her. "Has he not told you?"
"Gen— yes."
"And what was his response?"
"All the same, that the past should remained as the past," she answered and expected a comment from the sky dragon. She sighed despairingly. "I'm tired of being him ignoring me. Every time I try talking to him, he ends the conversation short. It aggravates me that he says something like that and diverts the topic— he rants on about the Digital World— all work. If not, he vanishes from the screen in my room or plainly from me, just to return to his responsibilities— not even a goodbye. Argh! He's different ever since the others passed the Empress' final test, ever since Daemon reappeared—"
"Gatekeeper—"
"You don't have to call me by that."
"It's conventional. Anyway, time changes, and feelings probably do also. In the early stages of growth, the Digital World consisted of merely Digimon, that is until we [the sovereigns] brought children into our beautiful realm, to share it with them, and to ask for their protection—"
"Protection?"
"Yes. You see, the four sovereigns recognized that humanity's innocent imaginations, dreams, wishes and love of mythical creatures are crucial to the survival of the Digital World. As long as they exist, this realm will live, so will the four sovereigns, including me, so will light warriors like Gennai, and gatekeepers. When the realm was destroyed, it was reconfigurated because of those human qualities, and in the similar sense, that's why this world and all of us are considered immortal. But we need warriors to protect our world from any evil that would rise up and threaten the digital realm or its inhabitants. And the most favourable were little kids with the sweetest of imaginations—any person who hasn't lost the innocent childishness inside of them, because their greatest weapon is of the heart, the passion and human fighting spirit within it." He yawned. "We may be immortal, but we still do get tired. And I'll be returning to my slumber soon."
"Am I immortal?"
"No. You are the only gatekeeper that is mortal. The chosen Wishmon to be the gatekeeper's Digimon is immortal. When you were offered immorality, you declined, claiming that you rather die with those close to you than to watch them perish one by one. If and when you perish, another gatekeeper will be chosen and Wishmon will be by his or her side as partner. But before that, Shadowwomon is duty-bound to fill in temporarily if you are not capable."
"But if Gennai is immortal, why can't he be gatekeeper also?"
"He's a light warrior, a messenger and more. And currently, he's filling in for you and Shadowwomon as gatekeeper until both of you are retrained for the job."
"So he's got lots of things to do, huh?"
"He's got several lists already, so maybe."
"How about assigning me to help him with his jobs?"
"I'm not sure that he'll be very fond of that."
"Oh heck, you're his superior; he can't object," she hinted on.
"Is this the help you seek from me: to make you his assistant on his missions?"
"No. What I want is to see my past. Gabumon retold what he and you said to the others after I left. Since then, I feel a little sting inside of me whenever I think of him. I want to understand if I love him, and if he at least once deeply loved me. I want to know if that love did and still does exist. I seek only the truth."
"It will require great powers."
"Please, let me experience my past once more."
"Answer me two questions first, Dawna, do you think that it'll make much of a difference if I help show you the best and worst of your times with Gennai and if I do not?"
Dawna pondered, took a deep breath before responding, "I—I do not know. That is why I want to learn about my past, first hand. I beg of you to show me the best and worst times in my past life."
"Listen, he's over two millennia old, immortal. You are going to be twenty, and it won't matter since you'll return to the second Earth. Nevertheless, you are mortal. You will die."
"I don't care about age differences. I need to see the truth—good or bad—for myself. I cannot be content until I know."
"Gatekeeper, ignorance is bliss."
"And that is false happiness. Why do you deny the truth from me?"
"I am going for his best interest. Try to imagine the pain he will have to go through if he loves you and you're passed on. Do you want him to suffer like that for all eternity?"
Her heart sank; despairingly, she uttered a no. Azulongmon stared straight into her turquoise eyes, so soft and yet so full of hurt, as teardrops dribbled down. She did not divert her gaze, but instead stared back into his with equal if not greater intensity. Azulongmon looked away and floated towards a pile of small red orbs that rested on the floor. Dawna followed, wiping away her tears against her long sleeves.
"You're not going to leave until you get want you want?"
"Nope," Dawna answered stubbornly, sniffling. "I seek only the truth that I've forgotten. I will not bother him or you thereafter."
"Oh, fine," Azulongmon surrendered and her eyes lit up. Her hearted raced in anticipation. "Lift up one of those red orbs."
Dawna nodded unquestioningly, and attempted to lift one. "Ahhhh! Small, but it's heavy," she grunted as she tried harder to hoist it.
"Don't lift with your merely your hands, Child."
'Hey! I'm going to be twenty this November!'
"Take a deep breath, and forget that it's heavy. Then exhale and lift it with your mind, heart and hands," Azulongmon instructed. "Like everyone says: mind over matter."
Dawna closed her eyes. 'Breathe in; forget; lift with heart, mind and body…' she recited in her mind as she carried out her thoughts. It seemed that the weight of the orb got lighter, and finally she was able to hoist it up as high up as her abdomen. She opened her eyes again, and looked down at the red sphere.
"Whisper what period in history you want to visit, and it will take you there instantly. To visit another, press 'Yes' for next destination and utter the destination in time."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. It only has enough power to transport to you three different time periods. If you make more, you'll be lost in the history stored in the globe. No one of that period will be able to see you or help you return. They are merely images stored inside."
"How will I know what period, or the number of visits?"
"Be specific. The orb will ring three times, warning you that it is running low on energy. Inside the orb, there will be inscriptions about the battery level and your destination period—." Azulongmon yawned. Whoa, he surely was tired.
"Oh, ok, then. Take me back to the period when Gennai and I first met," Dawna whispered to the red sphere. "Don't worry about me. You can sleep if you want. I'll sneak out quietly when I return."
"Good luck, Gatekeeper; and return to this time and place by using the third—" Azulongmon managed to say before the red sphere she was holding emitted a blinding red flash and then when the flash was done, Dawna had vanished, and the orb carefully descended onto the floor. 'I hope she heard what I was trying to say or at least use the help feature—' He yawned sleepily. "I think it's time for me to take a long rest before Gennai reports to me tomorrow. I'm certain that she'll be fine," he mumbled tiredly as his eyes drooped and his body fell back onto the comfortable packs of clouds.
* * *
Everywhere around Dawna was nature—the trees, the grass, the flowers, the tiny insects, the Digimons. From afar, on she right, a Wishmon looked her way, and then ignored her. She guessed that she was invisible in this period. Without a thought, Dawna placed the orb into her handbag. Grey smoke smothered into the air. She raced to its source—a small cottage erected near a well and patches of berries. The small wooden building was welcoming. A white-cloaked figure stood nearby. Her heart took a fast beat and then slowed down to its normal pace. "Gennai?" Dawna muttered, moving closer towards the light warrior. He looked younger than his true age—any stranger would have believed that he was in his early twenties if he or she saw him. 'I guess he really can't see nor hear me. What about—' she mused before she tried poking his right upper arm. "Ah?!" she moaned when her finger just passed through his upper arm. Without delay she withdrew her finger. 'I'm never going for that again.' A loud yelling burst out. "Whoooo-hooooo!"
She gasped as her eyes scanned the morning sky and landed on the sight of a person frantically being swept across the sky on the back of a Tykylomon. "Yippeeeeee!!!" the same voice cried out excitingly.
"Turn!"
"I'm trying! Ugh!" Tykylomon told her rider. "Ack! I'm losing control!"
"No time. Turn before— Ahhh!" the rider yelped when it appeared that Tykylomon wasn't changing direction to avert collision with the light warrior. Right before Dawna's eyes, the rider and the Tykylomon had crashed landed and rammed over Gennai.
'Ouch,' Dawna thought as all three of them got back up.
"We're sorry about the horrible landing," she apologized nervously. "Are you injuried?"
Ignoring her, Gennai growled inwardly as he became aware of the moisture from the grass, and dirt stained onto his white cloak. "Are you, Dawn?" he said, slightly exasperated. She nodded timidly. Skittishly her Tykylomon demanded his name and his business.
[A/N: Dawn and Dawna is the same person, but born in different time period, etc. Dawn—from the past; Dawna—from the present; just so to differentiate between them.]
"Everyone calls me Gennai. I've come to take you to Azulongmon." He referred to Dawn.
"I don't know you."
"She goes with no stranger without me," Tykylomon stated rigorously.
At the same time, Dawna gaped as she studied the features of the rider— an exact clone of herself but with different clothing: wavy, turquoise hair tightly tied with a long crimson red ribbon; turquoise eyes; a dark deep green tank top; black cotton and polyester pants; and a pair of black leather boots. Dawna cleared her throat, trying to recompose herself. "Was I really that frivolous?" Dawna asked herself before she took out the red orb from her handbag, and looked at it intently. Time: unknown. Destination: unknown. Battery: high. Help: circle to list. Next Destination: Yes?
* * *
Meanwhile, Mr. Chaikary had escorted Mariana back to Dawna's house, and left for work. She found Wishmon there, but no Dawna. Wishmon told her that she went to see Azulongmon and won't be back for a while. 'Oh well, at least, Wishmon's with me.' She slouched lazily in her bed, and stared at the ceiling.
"Soooo how's it with Davis and you? Is he angry with you for torturing him with those tests and stuff?" questioned Wishmon, joining her.
"Nah. I doubt that he's still angry with me," answered Mariana as she rested her head on both hands. "Five more months."
"Yeah. Five special months. How would you like to spend them?"
"No more fighting in the digital realm. I want to be off that as much as I can."
"Oh?"
"What about a large gathering during the Easter holidays? We can do some kite-flying."
"That sounds exciting. But is that it?"
"Nah. I've been deprived of some real fun for a long while—"
"Yeah, constructing those pyramids and getting Digimon to help took a lot of your energy and free time." Mariana nodded in agreement. "Hmm."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"I want to take a swim. Come with me?" asked Mariana as she turned to face Wishmon who nodded.
"But, Dawna has got the D-3 and Uraina has got the D-terminal."
"We'll go to a recreational centre," she suggested and her Digimon acknowledged a yes. Mariana stuffed her swimsuit, a large towel, a bar of soap, a 300ml bottle of shampoo and conditioner, a 150ml bottle of moisturizing lotion, a hairbrush and goggles into her duffle bag. After packing the necessities, both of them headed to a recreational swimming centre.
Half an hour later, the phone clanged for a whole minute.
'I guess no one is home,' Uraina thought as she hung up. Then she picked up the handset and dialed Ken's phone number. Someone picked up. It was Ken. 'Finally!'
"Morning, Ken."
"Uraina? Where are you calling from?"
"Von's place. Why?"
"We thought you wouldn't be out of the hospital till this afternoon."
"Who's calling, Ken?" came a voice from Ken's side.
"No. Didn't Von tell you it was this morning? Was that Tai?"
"Yeah. He's here with Kari and Izzy. Davis told us to trust him on this afternoon."
'That's a mistake,' Uraina thought.
"The others will be joining with me soon. We had planned to meet here and then visit you at the hospital."
"Ken? Is that Uraina?" Tai asked and Uraina heard Ken answered a yes to Tai's question.
"I thought—"
Uraina heard Ken telling Tai that there was a little mix-up. "Anyway, I wanted to know the burial ground of Sam." He paused. "Ken?"
"Uh? Oh sorry. I just temporarily spaced out. I know where it is, I can take you there."
"Um… that's alright; just give me the name and address and I'll find my way there."
"With Von?"
"Oh no; he just went out to do some grocery shopping. And he didn't want me to go with him. Hm. He told me to take it easy. But I feel just fine, so how about the name and address please?"
"Um. There's no way I'm letting you go alone. You barely know Japan."
"Hm. I resent that. Come on, Ken. I really want to go today, right now," she persisted until Ken finally gave in and told her the address on the condition that she'll let him tag along since he wanted to pay his respect to Sam also. "Okay. I'll come by and you'll take me there," she said reluctantly and uttered a meeting place. "See you then," Uraina ended and hung up hastily to run out of the house to catch the train to Tamachi.
Ken put down the receiver. "Tell the others I'll be back soon," Ken uttered to Tai. He was about to exit when Kari and Izzy entered his room.
"Oh? Where are you off to?" inquired Izzy. "They'll be here soon."
"I'm meeting Uraina down by the flower shop that is ten blocks from here—"
"I'll come with you," Tai offered as he darted to be alongside Ken. "Kari, Izzy, when you see Davis, give him a hard whacking on the head for getting the time wrong."
"So, the assumption now I'm having is that Von was right?"
"Yes, Izzy. Too bad we listened to Davis. What were we thinking?"
"Maybe we weren't thinking, Bro."
"It doesn't matter now. We'll be back later. Are you coming, Tai?"
"Absolutely! See ya later then, Sis," Tai answered, following Ken out.
"Yea, ok," Kari replied.
* * *
"How much longer?"
"There is it, Tai," Ken pointed out after minutes of trudging. Tai's eyes lit up when he saw Uraina with a grey knapsack strapped on her back approaching them with a bouquet of freshly picked dark crimson roses. She took a sniff of the sweet fragrance of the flowers.
"Hey, Ken. Tai," she beamed amiably. No emotions of angst could be detected on her face, only a warm smile as though a new and brighter day has begun for her.
"I'll lead us there," was all Ken said, and that was the last set of words being uttered among each other until they got onto a half-full transit bus.
"How much farther is it?" she asked eagerly as the bus started rolling along the road.
"We'll be getting off after twenty stops; next, we'll have to walk into the curve to find it," explained Ken and Tai let out a fatigue sigh.
"Thanks for coming, both of you," she said gratefully when she sensed that Tai was regretting his decision to tag along.
"Don't mention it," Ken responded back.
"Yea."
Twenty stops later, all three Digidestines exited the bus. They gaited into the curve until they came across the entrance to the burial grounds. They visited the main office to make their presence known and to get permission to enter the grounds. Once the staff authorized them, Ken guided them to the tombstone of his older brother.
"Sam," Uraina whispered to herself. Carefully, Uraina snooped down and laid the flowers in front of the gravestone. She and Tai stood behind Ken as he kneeled down to pay his respects to Sam.
In soft whispers, Ken prayed to his brother. When Ken gotten back up on his feet, Tai lowered his head and mourned Sam mentally. Lastly, it was Uraina's turn, and she told them to leave her alone for a few minutes. Sensing it was futile to argue, "Okay. We'll be right over there, under that large cherry blossom tree. When you're done, join us," Tai replied and left with Ken.
She kneeled down, took off her knapsack and sifted through it for an extremely small stereo and a tape. "This is the song you sent me—a song with its lyrics removed. I told Von about it but not about you. I believe I've figured out the name of it, and some of its words. The same song came to me with all of its words while I was still confined at the hospital. I heard it. Weird, huh? Anyway, for your enjoyment, I'll play it." Gracefully, she popped the tape into the stereo machine in the tape slot, and pushed the play button as Tai and Ken looked at her thoughtfully in the distance. It started playing; she followed along the pleasant rhythm in her head; over the years, she's listened to it, and memorized it.
A few minutes later, the track ended, and it took a few seconds for her to bring herself back to reality to pop in an unlabelled CD from a CD casing into a hidden slot under the dual tape slot. "The name of the song is: 'As Long As You Love Me'. It's by the Backstreet Boys. I told my dad to get me a hold of this song, and look, he's got it for me just in time for today," Uraina revealed and then hit Play. She closed her eyes. The music filled her soul; every word she hung onto:
Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine
I'm leaving my life in your hands
People say I'm crazy and that I am blind
Risking it all in a glance
And how you got me blind is still a mystery
I can't get you out of my head
Don't care what is written in your history
As long as you're here with me
I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me
Every little thing that you have said and done
Feels like it's deep within me
Doesn't really matter if you're on the run
It seems like we're meant to be
I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me
I've tried to hide it so that no one knows
But I guess it shows
When you look into my eyes
What you did and where you are comin' from
I don't care, as long as you love me, baby.
I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me
[Fading out:]
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me
The song had faded out; Uraina ejected the CD out of the stereo, and placed it back into its casing. Next, she placed everything back into her knapsack. "I have to leave now. Before I return to the second Earth, I'll visit you again, Sam. Until then, this is farewell. If you've moved on, I'm glad. You'll always be my first love," she admitted whole-heartedly. 'Always,' Uraina mused before strapping her on her knapsack and rejoining Tai and Ken so they can all head back to the Ichijouji's residence. "I'm ready to leave now."
Swiftly, they left the burial grounds and strode out to catch the bus. The bus hasn't arrived. Ken was a little thirsty. He asked Tai and Uraina if they wanted anything to drink. Both answered a yes. So Ken decided to pop by the convenience store across the road to get something cold to drink for all three of them. Tai and Uraina watched Ken crossed the road and entered the shop.
Uraina stood four small footsteps away from Tai. 'Why is she staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?' Tai pondered restlessly as he glimpsed at her and then turned away. She continued to watch him absorbedly.
When she finally averted her gaze, she stuttered, "Tai… um—"
"Yes? What is it?" He glanced at her. Her cheeks slowly reddened. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she answered, smiling, but not directly towards him. She took a deep breath and turned to face him. She looked him in the eye. Both hearts pounded faster. 'Stop being nervous, Girl! Say thanks before the moment is over.'
'Why's my face a little hot? Am I coming down with a fe—' Tai began to think when she approached him, and placed a tender kiss on his cheek before backing away a little. "What's that for?" questioned Tai curiously as his face turned pinkish out of embarrassment.
"Thanks for the songs, Tai," she whispered as she cast her attention to the road in front of them. Ken was just heading out of the shop with a dark-coloured plastic bag.
"You know about that—"
"This doesn't have to mean anything if you want. Sorry that you had to endure those nightmares," she added, taking note of Tai's nervousness, as Ken began crossing the road over to them.
Tai's face returned to its natural colours, and his face wasn't burning. But his heart was still beating at the same fast rate. His mind was now concentrating on what to do or say. 'Tell her that you secretly like her,' his inner voice commanded. 'No way; don't! You'll make things more complicated,' ordered another inner voice. 'She's leaving in five months time. If you tell her and she likes you indeed, there'll be two hearts that will be broken.' Poor Tai, there were so many voices in his head trying to tell him what to do. "AHH!" Tai screamed aloud, placing his hands on head, when Ken finally made his way back, and the bus was just one stop away from them.
"Are you okay?" Ken asked concernedly.
"Oops. Sorry, I just wanted to get that out," Tai blurted out, laughing nervously, "I'm just fine now. The bus is here."
Ken looked at Uraina who just shrugged. "Okay. Let's go," Ken stated when the bus arrived and door swung open.
'Phew!' Tai thought as his heartbeat returned to its normal rate. One by one, they hopped into the bus and paid their fares. Both teenage boys sat by the rear doors. Uraina remained standing for a brief moment to take her knapsack off before she took the vacant seat beside Ken with the knapsack on her lap. Twenty seconds later, the bus was set in motion again.
"Um. What beverage do you want?" asked Ken, who was sitting in between Tai and Uraina. He laid the plastic bag on his lap and opened it to show them what he purchased.
"Dibs on the chocolate soy milk," Uraina pointed out enthusiastically, and Ken handed it over to her.
"Eek! That's too healthy for me. You should meet my mom. You and her would get along great. Those types of weird drinks she makes once got Izzy—"
"No need for the description, Tai," Uraina scolded as Ken grabbed a juice box and began sipping it down through the straw.
"I'll take the cold bottle of water," Tai stated as he seized the bottle and began drinking it for seven seconds.
"Hm." Uraina opened the carton of chocolate soy milk, and started to gulp it down through the provided straw. "Ahh, yummy," she claimed. She waved it back and fro, taunting Tai and Ken, but mostly Tai since Ken just shut his eyes and continued drinking his orange juice while Tai just corked the water bottle and rested it on his lap. "Ooh, Tai, are you sure you don't even want a single sip? It's creamy and refreshing."
"Hm. I'll get a tummy ache. Anyway, even if I do want to try it out, I'll get another—"
"Why not try it then, Tai. There's another in the bag if you want," interrupted Ken when he took a break from his drink.
"Oh?" Uraina questioned in disbelief before she withdrew her beverage and resumed drinking it.
Ken nodded and he took out the other carton of the soy beverage and handed it to Tai with his free hand as he finished drinking his juice. "Thanks, I guess," Tai replied, accepting the carton hesitantly. Tai raised an eyebrow as he stared at it suspiciously.
"Stop playing with your beverage, Tai," Uraina teased when she finished hers.
"Very funny. Ha-ha," Tai replied, not amused.
"Just take a little sip, and you'll change your mind about it."
"Fine. Let's see how horrible this taste," Tai finally said in defeat. He was curious to taste it; the only problem was Uraina on his case. Tai tore open the carton when Ken announced that they were getting off at the stop the bus was now arriving at.
Uraina strapped back on her knapsack while Ken grabbed the handle of the plastic bag. The rear doors opened; all three of them left the bus. Ken and Uraina tossed the containers into the recycling bin while Tai drank his soy beverage down quickly with no more verbal complaints. After Tai dumped his empty carton into the recycle bin, they crossed the road to another bus stop to catch the last bus back to Ken's home. Fortunately, this time, there was an incoming bus for them to pop in, and they did so promptly.
Silence befell upon all three Digidestines as they tried to think of a good conversation topic to kill the uneasiness among them. Time seemed to crawl until Uraina finally cleared her throat and asked casually, "Hm, so, did it taste as terrible as you predicted?"
"Hmm…. It wasn't. I guess as long as it's certified, it's safe to intake," Tai answered and Uraina laughed inwardly, but she couldn't hide the satisfied look on her face.
"At least, you tried something new and enjoyed it," Uraina commented, and Tai wondered if she was hinting on something to him.
Tai pondered for two seconds before answering her. "No comment."
"Hmm… We're here," Ken announced as he stood up, ready to exit through the rear doors of the bus.
The bus slowed to a stop, and the doors automatically unlocked. The three teenagers got off and walked into an enormous apartment building.
The door of the Ichijoujis' residence unlocked and entering were the three Digidestines, tired from their journey to mourn Sam. All the Digidestines except for Dawna were there.
"Tai!" Matt exclaimed. "Where were you, Buddy?"
"We wanted to e-mail you, but both you and Ken left your D-terminal here," Sora claimed.
"And where were you, Uraina? I was worried sick when I didn't find you at home waiting for me. I was going to take you here when I got back from running errands. I tried e-mailing you—"
"Oops. I turned it off," Uraina confessed guilty before Von ranted on, "Sorry, Bro."
"But, hey! We're all here," Tai quickly stated excitedly. "Did you whack Davis on the head yet?"
"HEY! So you were the one who told them to smack me! Hmph!"
"Yup! And I truly enjoyed it," Izzy commented lightheartedly.
"Me too," Von added teasingly. Several of them along with their Digimon burst into laugher.
"Where's Dawna, Mariana?"
"She left with our D-3."
"Yea. She says she'll be back later. But she may not make it for today's badly planned get-together before seeing the two of you got of the hospital," added Wishmon.
"It's all Davis' fault," Yolei accused, poking Davis.
"Ow!"
"It's noon, Guys," Mimi kindly pointed out.
"And we've been making lunch," Patamon stated proudly.
"Let's eat and make it a fun get-together before returning home," Mariana suggested so Yolei would stop poking Davis' arm.
"Yay!" all the hungry Digimon cheered.
'I hope Dawna is doing alright. I'll contact Gennai and see if he knows anything if neither one of us sees or hears of her during suppertime,' Mariana mused for a minute before joining her friends in the kitchen.
* * *
As most of the Digidestines enjoyed themselves at Ken's home, Dawna studied the first few days when she and Gennai first met before the digital wars. Suppertime came around, and still Dawna had not shown herself back at the house. Mariana and Wishmon waited and waited. Finally, when Mr. Chaikary arrived home one hour before midnight, on her laptop, Mariana composed several e-mails to Gennai and the others, informing them of Dawna's absence. No reply from Gennai was received. Several of Digidestines replied back telling her not to worry so much since Dawna can take care of herself while others insisted on checking the Digital World. Unfortunately, their parents and guardians entered and ordered them to sleep.
By midnight at the Digidestines' homes, Dawna had chosen her second destination in time. She was now reliving the most miserable day in her past life before the digital wars. Standing in a corner of a candle-lit room, she was already observing the events of the day intently.
"There is no right or wrong in love. If you love me, you will not shun me," Dawna heard herself shouting.
Dawna watched Gennai hesitating for a few seconds before he closed his eyes, bit back his lower lip, and then replied monotonously, "Then I do not love you then."
Tears trickled down from the eyes of both Dawna and Dawn. 'Why am I crying?' Dawna asked herself. Feelings of melancholy, agony and frustration erupted within her. 'Why do I feel so agonized?' she shouted madly in her head when the sensation of her heart cracking apart as though it was made of thin ice consumed her.
She heard her past self sniffling and then declaring, frustrated, "Fine! I never want to see you again. I'm through being a Digidestine. I'm through being the gatekeeper. I'm through being your apprentice. But most of all, I'm through with loving you."
Gennai said nothing. A few tears shed from his eyes, but only Dawna took note of them.
"One day, you'll regret this. The whole digital world will regret breaking us apart! Now I know why Digimons are so cold, they don't have hearts," Dawn cried out before vanishing.
"I already am," Gennai whispered remorsefully, and only Dawna barely heard it.
"I can't take more of this!" Dawna cried out. She pressed 'Yes' for next destination on the red orb, and then uttered the time of her next visiting: "Take me back to the moment when I was most content."
A brilliant shade of red flashed, and soon in an instant, Dawna found herself enclosed by bright white walls. As a precaution, she placed the orb back into her bag. There were: a fireplace, a king-size bed, a closet, some drawers, a desk cluttered with paperwork, etc., a chair, a window opposite to the door… but most importantly, a person wrapped in a bed sheet sitting closely to a white-cloaked figure by the fireside on the carpeted floor. By their side was a mug of a hot cocoa.
Dawna couldn't believe her eyes or ears at what she was about to witness. Wrapped in a bed sheet was Dawn, and beside her was Gennai. "It's so cold," Dawn claimed in a shaky voice as her whole body trembled, and Dawna took a quick glance at the window and realized that there was a horrible blizzard taking place outside.
'It's a good thing that I can't feel the temperatures of the past.'
Gennai wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. "Calm down. It'll be warmer," he told her reassuringly. Dawn smiled as her body slowly stopped shivering. With one hand, Gennai grabbed the mug of the hot beverage, and handed it over to Dawn, "Here. Drink it. It's hot cocoa. It should heat you more."
Dawn accepted it, and slowly took several sips of it. "Where's Wishmon?"
"She's asleep upstairs."
"Oh," Dawn said dully as she wrapped her fingers around the mug for warmth. "Thanks for coming out there to rescue me and Wishmon."
"It's my entire fault for letting you fly out the door on Tykylomon's back in this storm," Gennai avowed wholeheartedly.
"Don't worry about," Dawn assured, yawning, "it. Here, have the rest."
"No, you drink it up."
"Don't argue with me again. That's how it always starts," Dawn reminded, and Gennai gave in and finished off the rest of the hot beverage. He laid it down on the floor, and she snuggled herself closer to him, placing her head on his chest.
"Don't leave me—"
"I love you, always," she whispered to him.
"I love you," he murmured into her ears and they gazed at each other. Turquoise eyes stared into dark chestnut-coloured eyes. And for that brief magical moment in time, their lips touched.
"Sweet dreams, Dawn," Gennai uttered softly as he tugged her sleeping body into bed. After kissing her forehead, he exited the room silently with one last stare back at her resting in his bed.
"Girl, you're lucky to have had him like that," Dawna said before taking the orb out of her bag and choosing 'Yes' for next destination. "Take me back to my present," she commanded. Nothing happened. 'Uh-oh! The batteries are too drained to teleport. It didn't ring three times,' she complained mentally, but discovered that the ringer was set to very low. 'Azulongmon should have mentioned about this! Er! Was one of the three destinations supposed to be home?! ER!!! I just hope the others come for me. As tempting as it is, I don't want to be trapped here forever: hungry and miserable,' Dawna mused as she broke down and hid herself in a corner. She brought out her D-3 only to discover that it was out of range. In hopelessness, she deposited it back into her handbag and stared at the bed where Dawn was resting serenely; she envied her past self. Gradually, her eyelids closed, and she was fast asleep, exhausted from her journeys.
* * *
"Master Azulongmon," a voice recited to a sleeping sky dragon.
"Huh? Gennai?" Azulongmon exclaimed as he lifted his head, surprised to see his loyal subject kneeling before him.
Gennai lowered his head at the presence of the sovereign. "Your Greatness, I apologize for my late intrusion."
"Apology accepted. Now, what is the matter? Your voice is so full of anxiety," Azulongmon said frankly and yawned.
"I received several e-mails from the young empress—"
"Yes, the young empress. Kamari is quite the character. She's going to make a great future empress if she decides to stay. Her most admirable quality is—"
"Ah-hem."
"Oh, sorry 'bout that, Gennai. Go on."
"The messages informed me that Dawna has come to see you this morning—"
"That's accurate."
"Still then, she hasn't gone back home," Gennai answered candidly.
"Oh? She promised to leave here quietly when she was done—"
"Done what, Master? What was it that she sought from you?"
"She wanted to visit her past, so I gave her the red orb to do so," replied Azulongmon. "The safety indicator copy [orb] should be around here somewhere…" Both of them looked around the crystallized floor and saw the red orb that was left behind. The flashings were lightning quick, but faint. "The batteries are almost completely used up. There's only a small portion left to operate the small features of the orb. She's probably trapped inside the orb."
"Mission to attain a green orb to bring her back, Azulongmon?"
"Granted," Azulongmon approved.
The young light warrior stood up and toured the place to find a suitable and fully charged-up green orb. A few seconds later, the young Gennai picked up a glowing green orb. 'Take me to Dawna Chang,' he ordered mentally. As quick as a blink of the eye, Gennai disappeared with the green orb; no duplicate of that green orb stayed behind.
* * *
Gennai materialized in front of Dawna's sleeping body with the green orb in his hands. Promptly, he placed the orb into one of his pocket. Out of instinct, he scanned around and familiarized himself with his new surroundings. He fondly recalled the surroundings, 'My old place.' His left hand dug into one of his pockets. Gennai took out a small golf ball sized blue glowing crystal cube. "Shield," uttered the light warrior in a deep concentration.
Moments later, a large bubble shield enclosed Dawna's body. Noticing this, Gennai took out the green orb again, and whispered his next destination—Dawna's bedroom back in the present.
Lightning fast, both of them were teleported into Dawna's bedroom. The light warrior called off the shield using the blue luminous cube and placed it back into his pocket. The light emission from the green orb allowed him to light up the nearby area. He switched on the lamp by Dawna's bed. Next, Gennai collected the red orb and deposited both orbs into his pocket. Carefully, he took off her shoes, and lifted her into bed. Then, he covered her body from the neck down with a blanket. "Pleasant dreams, Dawna," Gennai whispered, about to turn the light off. A hand reached out and seized his wrist when the room darkened. "Huh—"
"Gennai?" a faint voice called out to him, not letting go. Dawna shifted her body up against the wall, and released his hand to turn the light on again.
"Sleep," advised Gennai as he looked at her pale face.
"Why did you come now?" asked Dawna bitterly.
"Your life was in danger. I was just there to save you. Losing a Digidestine and a gatekeeper is unacceptable and unforgivable," answered Gennai monotonously.
"I guess, loving one is also," Dawna added acrimoniously. She moved closer to him until they were face to face. Their eyes met. They remained transfixed as she searched deeply for his true reaction.
'No, not for me. You were worth it,' he mused, and managed to wear a weak smile on his face.
"I missed you. I just want you to know that you'll always be an eternal flame in my heart no matter what," Dawna said genuinely as she held his hands. "Nothing can blow it out. I shall always love you, my light warrior."
"We are two worlds apart," he replied back bleakly.
"Someday, they'll come together—"
"I will live forever. One day, you will leave me alone again—"
"Do you love me? Do you?"
"Undeniably and unconditionally," answered the light warrior and kissed her hands.
"Me too, and that's why you'll always have me in your heart. My body may die, but my spirit and love will always be with you; just think of me when I'm gone," Dawna promised heartily as she leaned her body towards him until she could hear his breathing. Closing her eyes, she started kissing his lips passionately. She stopped a few seconds afterwards to see what his reaction would be. Three seconds passed before Gennai responded: his left hand rubbed her cheek softly and he returned her affectionate kiss.
Several seconds later, Dawna's tummy rumbled, ending their blissful moment. Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "Oops, I forgot I was starving since breakfast," she said, laughing childishly as she placed one hand against her stomach.
Gennai smiled, amused. "Let's go down; I'll whip up something for you to eat."
"Sure. I won't pass up this opportunity to see you cook," Dawna agreed, smirking.
* * *
The next day arrived with beautiful blue skies and warm spring breezes. All of Digidestines, with the exception of Mr. Chaikary, and the Digimon gathered themselves at Tai's house for Mimi's and Willis' farewell party. Quickly and happily the day was spent; everyone headed back home, some to prepare for school, some to prepare for departing Japan, and the others solely to rejuvenate.
* * *
Almost as quick as lightning, the days to August 11th flashed by. The fateful day for the departure of Dawna, Uraina and Kamari would be the next day. Tai, Matt, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, T.K., Kari, Davis, Ken, Yolei, Cody, Willis, Von, Uraina, Kamari, Dawna, Gennai, Mr. Chaikary and Jim, Joe's older brother, met at the beach with the Digimon, deciding that it was best to reunite one last time at the place that they spent Easter for enjoyment before the big departure. At least, Dawna somehow managed to reserve a portion of the beach so that they could freely enjoy themselves at the beach without alarming the public.
Joe, T.K., Kari, Davis, Kamari, Cody, Gomamon and Submarimon were playing in the water while Izzy, Ken, Yolei, and Sora were enjoying their flights by their flying Digimon. Patamon, Gatomon, Veemon, Palmon and Mimi were playing in the sand. Von decided to give Jim a little joy ride on Pythonmon's back. Mr. Chaikary's Gabumon digivolved to Weregarurumon and was racing against Matt and his Weregarurumon. Tai, Willis, Uraina, Dawna, Gennai, Agumon, Kokomon, Terriermon and Wishmon were beginning to play Hide-and-seek and True or Dare at the same time. Willis suggested that whoever is caught within a given time range gets a choice of telling the truth to a question or completing a dare challenged by the seeker so that the game would be more stimulating. Moreover, it was limitless to the number of people who are caught within the specified time interval. Willis was selected to seek them out since it was his idea in the first place. As Willis counted down from thirty to zero seconds, all of them scattered themselves quickly and hid in various places. When the thirty seconds was up, Willis began skimming the area for them.
'This is not going to conceal me for long,' Uraina mused, hiding behind large rocks. She was breathing heavily; she could feel the extreme pounding of her heart. She wasn't this worked up since the day Tai and Agumon taught her how to ride a simple bicycle in the Digital World over four months ago. It was a day never to forget for Uraina. Once she got onto the bike and was balancing on it perfectly, the next problem was trying to stop in time. Wishmon had to Digivolve into Tykylomon to stop her from crashing into Tai and Agumon. 'It wasn't my fault. I needed to keep it going before so I won't fall. And besides it's not my fault that the brakes weren't working properly.' Uraina burst into sheer laughter, forgetting about keeping hidden, as she recalled herself 'chasing' Tai and Agumon until Tykylomon flew Tai and Agumon up a tree before taking her off the bike as it continued to roll.
"Gotch ya!" Willis shouted, alarming Uraina.
'Uh-oh.'
"Willis will never find us behind the beach house," Dawna uttered presumptuously to Gennai and Terriermon.
"I hope not. I shouldn't have let you drag me into this game. It sounds demanding, having to either answer a devious question truthfully or do whatever the capturer dares," whined the light warrior.
"Yeah. It sounds like black-mail," Dawna joked with a quiet chuckle. "Just like when I got you to join us kite-flying for Easter?"
"No, that was more of a practical joke. Who would have guessed that flying one measly kite would be so much trouble at the beach?"
"But, it flew, didn't it?"
"Absolutely, Terriermon. Don't mind Gennai. He's just upset that it flew away—" Dawna snickered.
"Gotch ya!" a voice from behind them exclaimed enthusiastically. All three of them turned around and saw Willis, smiling smugly.
"Drats, all three of us got caught," Terriermon complained.
"I thought you said you were sure that Willis will never find us behind this thing," Gennai said sarcastically, and Dawna just shrugged and smiled.
"At least, you weren't the first," uttered a feminine voice from behind Willis. It was Uraina.
At the end of the round, Wishmon was the only one who wasn't caught by Willis. Tai, Agumon and Kokomon were spotted up a tree when the branch was breaking off. "Okay, truth or dare, Guys?"
"Er. Both sound the same to me," she uttered grouchily.
'It better not be a humiliating dare,' Dawna thought.
'Truth? That should be better than having to surrender to doing something humiliating,' thought Gennai and Tai.
"I'll go with Tai," Agumon, Terriermon and Kokomon said.
"There's nothing you don't already know about us, Willis. You're our partner," Terriermon stated slyly. Kokomon nodded amusingly.
"Ack! Outsmarted by my own Digimons!"
Uraina and Dawna snickered. "Am I going to be the only one doing a dare?"
"I'm afraid so, Dawna. I choose the truth."
"Cowards!" Dawna exclaimed jokingly.
"Don't worry, Dawna, I'm sure Willis won't tell you to do an impossible task," Wishmon said, trying to comfort her. Dawna only sighed.
"Okay, let me do this alphabetically by first name since I've got no idea of Gennai's last name," Willis began explaining and Gennai smirked. "Agumon gets to tell me if Tai has a crush on someone here—"
"HEY!" Tai scolded and Agumon gulped before nodding a yes to Willis. 'Stupid Willis.'
"Next up is Dawna. Tonight, you get to sing for the whole gang at the talent show Aurora is hosting. That is your dare."
"You're kidding, right?!"
Willis shook his head, meaning that he wasn't joking around, and Dawna almost fainted. "As for Gennai, how old are you exactly?"
"Er. No comments. I want a different question."
"Fine. Who is the greatest Digidestine that has ever lived?"
"I can't," Gennai answered dourly as he looked directly at Uraina.
'Why is he staring at me like that? Does it have to do with me?'
"It is forbidden for us to mention his name. He sacrificed himself to right his wrong," he continued gravely as his head lowered.
"Okay then. The next contestant is Kokomon. Now, who is your favourite Digidestine?"
"That's a rhetorical question; of course, it'll be my human partner."
"That is so not fair! You're giving them easy questions to answer while I have to do a hard stuff!" Dawna grumbled.
"Okay, fine. Tai is up next. Let me ask him a difficult question—"
"You're not helping, Dawna. Tai and I are the last two for his interrogation. Not to mention Terriermon."
"Oh yeah. I've got it. Who is that person here that Agumon was claiming that you had a crush on?" Willis asked mischievously.
'Stupid Willis,' Tai kept on reciting mentally as his cheeks glowed pinkish.
"You'll make an excellent reporter or journalist, Willis; you sure are persistent," Uraina said sarcastically.
"Is it my turn yet? I wanna get this over with quickly," Terriermon uttered impatiently, jumping up and down.
"Okay, fine. We'll get back on Tai later. Okay, Terriermon, tell me who do you secretly admire."
"Me of course, Silly Willis," Terriermon replied back conceitedly with a smirk and some more jumping.
"Okay. Settle down, Bunny Ears," Wishmon ordered.
"Alright, bring out the dreadful question," Uraina requested, not sounding very excited.
"Your question is: Who is the first boy you've ever genuinely loved? That excludes brothers, fathers, and any boy that is blood-related."
"Er. The last person always gets the hardest question, doesn't she?"
"Just answer it so we can all get back to Tai."
'This must be a clone of Willis. If not, Willis is evil,' Uraina thought jokingly as she glanced from Willis to Tai and then back to Willis again. "Would it include Von then? He's my foster brother?"
Willis shrugged. All eyes were on Uraina now, anticipating her reply. "Ken?!" Uraina uttered loudly when Stingmon and Ken made a crash landing on the sand not far from them. Uraina quickly ran towards Ken and Stingmon, leaving Tai and the others in dumbfounded. The name of the holder of Kindness was repeating in Tai's head as Willis and the others darted after her. Agumon remained by his partner side, staring at him pitifully.
"Are you alright, Ken? Wormmon?" a voice called out worriedly.
"Uraina?"
"We're fine. Wormmon and I were just flying too much," reassured Ken as he picked up Wormmon and stood up.
"That's good to hear," commented Gennai. "Stay on the ground. We don't want Digidestines or Digimon getting hurt by accident."
'Where's Tai and Agumon?' Uraina wondered before taking a glance back at where she ran off from. She saw both of them standing there, probably daydreaming.
"Tai?" repeated Uraina as she approached them.
"Hey. Are Ken and Wormmon okay?"
"Huh?"
"Yes; they're fine, Agumon."
"That's good news. You sounded very worried about him."
"Of course, I would, for all those I care about. Look at me, Tai, straight into my eyes. Tell me, did you really believe that I love Ken more than anyone?"
Tai searched her eyes, but did not reply instantly. Uraina sighed and then lay on the sand. "I do care about Ken a lot; but it's not what you're assuming. Maybe I should have mentioned this before to you: my first love is his brother. I made an oath to him that I'll be there for Ken if he was in any sort of danger. Sam is gone now. He's moved on, and I believe that he would want that for me also," Uraina avowed as tears ran down her cheeks. Tai and Agumon stared at her as she wiped the tears away. "It's hard trying to tell someone you're fond of that you like them, even for the slightest bit. I know that feeling, Tai, that feeling of anxiety, the dying anticipation. It took you a lot of courage to reveal your feelings towards me while I was sleeping. Now, it's my turn, and this time, I won't be leaving it for you to solve. I cannot promise you anything but my affections. I'm starting to love you. You cannot replace Sam, and Sam cannot replace you. I will leave tomorrow. It will sadden me to let go of everyone here to return, but that is where I am meant to be. Both of you will always have a place in my heart. And I do not expect the same feelings to be return. What I want from you though, Tai, if you are willing, is your answer."
Tai brought out his right hand ready to pull her up. Uraina looked up at him as she took his hand and got back up. She hugged him tightly before both of them kissed each other. "Let's hide among Davis and the others before Willis comes back for Tai's answer," interrupted Agumon and both of them nodded with a chuckle.
* * *
A new day dawned with grey thunderclouds in Odaiba. By nine, a loud thunderstorm erupted; the rapid raindrops pierced through the skies almost like bullets piercing through paper. Fortunately, Gennai, all of the Digidestines, including Mr. Chaikary, and their Digimon were indoors, at the talent show Aurora was hosting.
The show already started. The fourth act just ended and Dawna was stepping onto the stage, in front of hundreds of spectators. Directly sitting in the first, second and third rows were all her friends. "I hope she doesn't get stage fright."
"Don't worry, Matt," Sora assured as Aurora announced Dawna's name through the stage's stationary microphone. She took a bow.
Aurora left the stage, leaving Dawna and several musicians in the spotlights. Right in front of Dawna was a microphone. She cleared her throat before speaking into it. "I would like to dedicate this song, 'No Place That Far', by Sara Evans and Vince Gill to all those who live away from their loved ones." Dawna closed her eyes as she took a deep breath before letting the lyrics of the song rolled melodically off her tongue.
I can't imagine, any
greater fear
Then waking up, without you here,
And though the sun, will still shine on,
My whole world, would all be gone,
But not for long,
If I had to run, if I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers, just to climb a thousand walls,
Always know that I will find a way, to get to where you are,
There's no place that far
It wouldn't matter why we're apart,
Lonely minds or two stubborn hearts
Nothing short of God above
Could turn me away from your love
I need you that much
If I had to run, if I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers, just to climb a thousand walls,
Always know that I will find a way, to get to where you are,
There's no place that far
If I had to run, if I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers, just to climb a thousand walls,
Always know that I will find a way, to get to where you are,
There's no place that far
Baby there's no place that far
* * *
It was two in the afternoon. The storm had moved and the skies had cleared up. Only fifteen minutes remained before the eclipse was all over. The Digidestines, the Digimon, Mr. Chaikary, Gennai, and Aurora, whom Dawna decided to tell her digital secret before her departure, were all gathered on the roof of Ken's apartment building. Kamari, Uraina and Dawna released their digi-eggs from the grey terminal. Izzy was standing by to read the list of instructions Azulongmon and Gennai prepared for them on his laptop. "All three of you must close your eyes, and concentrate on uniting, just think about the united form of all three of you," Izzy read aloud after everyone said their goodbyes. Unfortunately, though, it was going to take some more goodbyes before leaving.
"Goodbye, Gennai," Dawna said as she hugged him lastly.
"Take care," Gennai answered back with a goodbye kiss on her cheek.
"I'll miss you, Tai," whispered Uraina into his ear as they hugged.
"We'll all miss all three of you," several of them wailed.
"Love is so overrated," Kamari murmured under her breath, slightly amused and slightly annoyed by their lovey-dovey behaviours. But to her surprise, someone sneaked a peck on her lips, which resulted in the others gaping and her own body to feel numb. However, her face blushed and her heart was beating livelier.
"Thanks for not forgetting me, Maria," Davis told the young former empress.
"Good luck, Davis. Don't miss me too much," she finally responded, beaming playfully.
"Alright then. It's time for you three girls to get going. Only ten minutes remain," Mr. Chaikary reminded and everyone nodded.
Kamari, Uraina and Dawna placed their digital eggs on the floor within the circle they formed. They held hands as they shut their eyes in deep concentration. After a few seconds, the digi-egg of Forgiveness, the digi-egg of Purity and the digi-egg of Eternity ascended luminously and fused into one ultimate egg, the digi-egg of Unity. One brilliant, blinding flash of white light followed. Everyone avoided the flash and then reopened their eyes when it ended. "The portal to the second Earth is now completely open and safe to go through," Izzy informed. A split second later, before them were no longer the three individual girls but instead, an unconscious adolescent girl with long auburn hair starting to fade away.
Her friends stared, weeping quietly, as her body completely faded out. "The teleportation process is complete," Izzy mumbled, closing his laptop.
"Until we meet again," Mr. Chaikary's Gabumon muttered.
"They may not remember us once they've returned united, but we'll never forget them," Wishmon said, brightening up.
Meanwhile, from Azulongmon's place, he was observing all of them through a large violet orb. "Don't worry, My Warriors; someday, they'll be summoned to come back."
*The End*
A/N: Okay, that was it—the final chapter… it's like 28 pages in MS Word. I know, I know, I write too much. Anyway, I hope the conclusion wasn't too depressing. Please post your opinion in a review… Thanks again for reading and reviewing, especially going through this very lengthy chapter. Okay, bye now.
Disclaimer: Digimon does not belong to me. The song "As long As You Love Me" is sung by the Backstreet Boys, so of course, it doesn't belong to me. The song "No Place That Far" is sung by Sara Evans and Vince Gill, so I don't own it either.
