A/N: I am so sorry, this chapter is way over due. School and work has been crazy, but I'm hoping to soon find more time to work on this. We're finally closing the story up a bit, I think there will be four more chapters after this one, so that means the fic will have fifteen chapters in all.
Thank you everyone, who reviewed, and again I am very sorry for how long it took me to get this out. Also I should warn you, this chapter is pretty slow, and in my opinion not too good, but please be merciful. I will try to get the next chapter out much sooner then this one, and I promise it will be one crazy roller-costar-ride.
Disclaimer: Don't own digimon, but I do love it dearly.
~*~*~
Matt sighed as he scanned over the room. He never noticed just how small his living room was until it was filled with eleven fox Digimon, one reptile Digimon, and himself. The apartment always seemed so large before; when you're alone any space can seem so big that it swallows you. He always told his father they should move into a smaller home, since they really had no need for such a big apartment, but now he was wishing that the living room was a good ten square feet larger.
"So everyone understands her orders?" Matt commented making sure one more time that the rookies knew what role they were to play.
The group of eleven nodded a yes in perfect unison. Matt was amazed at how different each of the foxes were. At first he was worried that he wouldn't be able to tell them apart, but once Renamon introduced him to her sisters he found that each of them were very different. They each had both physical and personality differences, making them as diverse as the Digidestined themselves.
Two of them had much softer eyes. The blue was not so intense and looked less like neon lights and more like the sky on a clear summer day. One of these two had a lighter yellow fur coat, and was very shy and sensitive. She would be watching over Ken, which seemed to please Matt since he saw a great similarity in the rookie and the Child of Kindness. The other had the same bright yellow fur as Matt's general, but had lime green gloves. The rookie insisted that the green went better with yellow. She was perhaps the most outgoing of the eleven and defiantly the most conscious of physical appearances. Again Matt found similarities between this fox and the child she would protect. He also had to remind himself that before they left the apartment this Renamon would have to be transported to New York to watch over Mimi.
The next Renamon had an amazing fur coat, instead of the common yellow as most Renamon seemed to be, this Renamon had an organ and red coat, the colors of a raging fire, and when she moved it looked like a spirit engulfed in an ever burning flame. She had a very serious and competitive personality. She met every challenge with optimism, and her light cheery voice was sweet to any troubled ears. This flamed Renamon would protect Tai; a fact that brought great ease to Matt's mind since he truly wished his best friend to have a strong protector.
Three Renamon stood off from the group, which was scattered about in the living room. These three sat casually at the dining room table along with Gabumon, discussing humans and the ways of the real world. All three of them could be called triplets because it was virtually impossible to tell them apart by looks. Each had the same soft yellow, almost white fur, and unique neon green eyes. They were a bit shorter then the rest of the Renamon, and their gloves, steel blue instead of dark lavender. Though they looked exactly a like their personalities were complete opposites. One was intelligent and loved to study the laws of nature and life. She had been select to protect Izzy. The second was into physical labor and her submissive attitude often lead to her being taken advantage of. Her gentle, easy going yet diligent nature made her the perfect guardian for Cody. The final was independent and very talkative. She loved to ask question and answer them, and she never failed to add her opinion about every thing, from politics to cooking. This hyper and over enthusiastic Renamon was placed to protect Yolie.
Two other Renamom were seated on the couch, one with her feet propped comfortably on the coffee table, and another with her legs crossed in feminine modesty. These two also looked much like the general breed of Renamon except the one with her legs crossed had pink fur in the place where most had white. She was quiet and always trying to keep peace where she goes. Her orders were to watch over Sora. The second with her feet resting on the table had a very light powder blue fur where white fur was usually found. She was intelligent, and very clever as well as witty. She was asked to watch over Joe.
Another Renamon stood over by her general and the two of them carried on a conversation about their mission and the children they would protect. This Renamon was completely white, except for her navy blue gloves and equally dark blue eyes. Her tail was a bit longer then the others and it shift back and forth as she spoke with her commander. Her voice was deep and her attention span varied. If she enjoyed the conversation then she would stare at the other party closely trying not to miss a single word or facial gesture. If the conversation bored her then she would just nod or offer casual replies to everything said. This competitive but fun loving rookie was personally selected to watch over Davis.
Matt scanned the room once more, looking over each rookie, studding them closely. His eyes passed from one fox to another until at last it landed upon the rookie in the hallway. This final Renamon was, in a way of speaking, the twin to Yamato's general. The rookie was silent as her white eyes stared at the floor. She was so unlike the rest of her sisters that she even held a different name. Her name matched her perfectly, and as simple as it was it still seemed to hold a deeper meaning, BlackRenamon. It fit her so well with her raven fur coat. Shiny silver fur stood in place of white, and white gloved reached up her arms. Her white eyes seemed to glow in an eerie ghost like stare, and her anti-social front proved how truly different she was.
Renamon's twin was much like her sister. Both we're solemn, loyal, and courageous. These common traits were found in most Renamon, but the two twins seemed to hold their noble nature with humility and poise. But still there were some key differences between the two. While Renamon believed in mercy for all living beings, BlackRenamon believed very strongly in justice. Punishments should always fit the crime, and in her mind her sister was far too compassionate. Renamon was excellent in open combat and a born leader, while BlackRenamon was more cunning and preferred missions that would allow her to use her sly skills. But despite these differences the two got along well, and Renamon felt that her twin would be the perfect protector for Kari.
Matt was very impressed with Renamon's selection of protectors, and he was extremely impressed with BlackRenamon. The slender fox would easily be able to avoid Gatomon's keen senses, and staying discreet was just as important as protecting the children.
"All right then we had best get started." Matt announced, bringing all conversations to an end. "First I'll send you to New York, then the rest of us will go find my friends."
The Renamon who were sitting quickly stood up, being careful not to disturb any of their Lord's belongings, then they, along with the standing Renamon, formed a line in the living room as they awaited their time of departure.
Once the Renamon were settled and the one with the green gloves had stepped forward Matt pulled out his Digi-Vice. He was amazed at how easy it had become to control the digi-port. The first time he used the gate without a computer it drained him of his energy, leaving him tired and more vulnerable to his injuries, but now the gate seemed to open with such ease. With a simple thought Matt could will the gate to open and take him, and whoever was with him, to any place he desired. When the rookies had first met him in the throne room of his new hall he was concerned that the gate would not open at all, or that the journey through would drain his energy once more. But now there seemed to be no threat of that happening, and both Matt and Gabumon took this as a sign that he was growing stronger.
"Okay Digi-Vice, do your stuff." Matt ordered so casually that he almost seemed bored with the event.
In less then a second the little device began to shake violently in Matt's hand as a high pitch screech came from the out-of-control device. The little metallic Digi-Vice shot out rays of bright, sky blue light. The blue light filled the room blinding the watchers temporarily, allowing them to only see blotches of light blue, that was quickly growing darker. Soon midnight blue rays flooded the room, and then in one final show of color and light, the intense rays left the room and began to circle the leaving Renamon. A final flash lit up the dark apartment and then all light and noise faded.
The Renamon blinked as their eyes readjusted to the dim living room. Matt didn't seem too fazed by the show, and it took less then a second for the blotches of color to leave his vision allowing him to see the room in perfect sight.
Once the teen was certain his servants' eyes had returned to normal he turned to Gabumon, ready to give the rookie an order, when he noticed the stripped digimon glaring at him in annoyance.
"What?" Matt asked with only a slight hint of defense in his voice.
"You did that on purpose." The little rookie commented in a sour tone.
Matt looked confused for a moment before asking, "I did what on purpose?"
Gabumon grinned slightly before answering. "That little light show of yours. It didn't do that when we left the throne room."
A sheepish look flushed Matt's face. "I did not…" he tried to argue, but Gabumon gave him a stern look.
Hastily Matt tried changing the subject. "So are we going to go find the others or what." With that he headed to the door missing his partner's amused smile.
Matt reached the door then turned around to address the foxes. "We will take the back roads. No one will be there, and the obstacles we may encounter shouldn't be difficult for such limber digimon." He explained with a smile.
"Are all your friends in one place? And if so how will you know where that place is?" Yamato's general asked curiously.
"Yes they are in one place, well all except Mimi, but she is already taken care of. And I know where they are; I could sense their presence the moment we arrived. They're at the elementary school; more then likely looking for me…" Matt trailed off as his head hung a bit. He still wasn't certain if he was ready to face his friends; after all he had been gone for several days.
"Well let's not disappoint them." Gabumon chirped as he headed to the door.
Matt, following his partner's advice, opened the door, then gave the awaiting Renamon a nod, confirming them to follow. And with this silent command the group left the small dim apartment behind and headed into the shadowed alleys of Odibia.
Matt walked quietly up the metal stairs lined with rubber. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his black hooded jacket. His feet seemed to barely touch the ground, and they made no noise as he slowly ascended the steps. His mind raced as he tried to determine exactly what he was going to tell his friends. The light from the high windows, lining the walkway, reflected off the tile floor casting a glare in the teen's eyes, making the white tile glow.
To Matt the walk seemed so slow. Like death had already come, and now all that remained was a slow struggle up the glowing stairs, only to be greet by judgment. He hated this walk. When he went to school here he would always have to climb these stairs to get to the detention room. He always got in trouble, if he wasn't arguing with the teachers then he was fighting his classmates. And he hated detention too, it was boring and he felt so worthless when all he could do was sit in a desk and stare eagerly at the clock. But now he would trade this walk for a thousands days of detention.
'Okay, I'm going to be calm and collective. I won't let my emotions get the better of me. And I won't chicken out.'
Matt sighed as he reached the top of his climb. The stairs were behind him and now a long hall lighten with artificial light was awaiting him.
For a moment the Child of Friendship waited at the top of the stairs. A little below he could here Gabumon's deep breaths as the little rookie swaggered up the short but long steps. The little reptile had grown so accustom to being in his ultimate form that going back to rookie was a huge adjustment. It seemed so strange to feel so powerless. WereGarurumon could have jumped these stairs with little effort, but Gabumon's short legs struggled greatly to get up the long staircase.
Not that Matt was upset about the wait. He was looking for any excuse to take more time. Any little event to delay his encounter with his companions, and right now his partner, panting heavily as he made his way up the stairs, was excuse enough.
'What am I going to say when I see them? How will I explain what happened?' these questions attacked the young Lord's mind with a furry. The overwhelming feelings of rejection, confusion, and fear beat upon his heart making his breaths become short an labored as he tried to regain control. it was no use, he couldn't see past this defining moment, and that frightened him more then anything.
"Have faith in your friends Yamato, have faith in the bond all of you hold. Believe that it will stay strong and not brake under the pressure of these trying times."
'But how can a bond, even one as strong as the one we hold, stay undamaged when two powers are literally tearing it in two.'
The blonde leaned against the wall for a moment as he tried to force back his doubt. The computer room was only a few steps away. A little further down the hall and he'd be with his friends, with the people who mean more to him then life itself. The Lord's advanced hearing allowed him to pick up the soft murmurs coming from the small classroom. He could hear Yolie and Davis arguing over ideas about what was happening in the Digi-World. He could hear the digimon talking about food, while Patamon stood off to the side along with Gatomon, both of them discussing TK's brake downs.
"TK's really been worried." He commented more to himself then to Gabumon.
Gabumon could only watch as the stress of his partner's position began to ware down on him once more. The teen's face grew sad, a wretched frown made its way to his lips and his eyes grew hazy as tears threatened to fall.
'How could I have been so selfish? Why did I stay away so long?' these questions circled Matt's head. They grew like a balloon being filled with air. Every time Matt drew in a breath his brain filled with negativity, and now his mind was so overwhelmed that he felt his conscious might pop under the unrelenting pressure.
"The longer you wait, the longer he is without you."
Matt snapped out of his reverie, his eyes slowly lowered until they meet with his partner's. Gabumon's face was solemn, but his bright cinnamon eyes held understanding beyond words.
Matt nodded, saying both thank you and you're right in one simple gesture. He then, using all the strength he could muster, pushed himself off the wall and began his walk down the hall.
Gabumon followed slowly behind. The little rookie's eyes remained on his partner except for the occasional glance back at the group of foxes hiding in the shadows.
The group of Renamon stayed far back; knowing that their Lord would not need them until after the children had parted ways. So for the moment they wandered the school halls or hide in the trees on the playground.
The computer room was getting closer, and to Matt is seemed that with each step his feet were getting heavier. It was like a great weight was lacked to his ankles holding his feet to the ground, and each time he lifted his leg it felt like his was pulling the world up by his feet.
"We've looked everywhere there is to look in the real world. He has to be in the Digi-World!"
TK's angered and afflicted voice boomed out of the computer room hitting Matt with a heavy blow to his heart.
"TK we can't just go rushing into the Digital World when we don't have a clue where he is, don't forget Deamon is building his armies if he"
"Screw Deamon!" The Child of Hope shouted once more this time cutting right into Sora's lecture, "I want my brother back." The young blonde whispered miserably.
Matt waited outside the door for a moment. Gabumon had already moved to his side and he too waited quietly. The argument on the other side of the door continued to rage on as the others tried to calm down the determined boy. Now Tai was in the argument and defending the poor brother, but also trying to keep the younger boy calm.
'Okay I have to be strong.'
With that little command Matt slowly reached for the pull on the sliding door. For a moment everything seemed to stand still. His heart sped up and the blood throbbed in his ears. The voices of the arguing children on the other side of the door forced their way in, mingling with the throbbing pain in his head, and pounding in his brain with full fury.
Gabumon scented his partner's reluctance and gave him a small nudge, bringing the teen back to reality.
"Guys let's think logically; Matt going to the Digital world is as likely as him walking through that door right now."
The group of Digidestined jumped as the thin wooden door came sliding open.
Matt slowly steeped from the bright hallway into the small computer room. His cerulean eyes clouded as he desperately tried to hold back the many emotions and thoughts that were threatening to spill over.
The group was in shock, mouths hung open and eyes widened as they stared at the tall blonde teen standing timidly in the doorway.
"M-Matt?" TK's voice stuttered in disbelief as his soft baby-blue eyes scanned over his brother.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Matt asked softly trying to sound as casual as possible.
Tai and TK immediately dashed to the doorway; both looked over the uncertain teen with relief.
"Matt!" the child of Hope shouted his voice overwhelmed with joy as he grabbed his brother and pulled him into a tight hug.
Tears began to well up in both brothers' eyes as they embraced one another. Soon the feelings became too much and TK began crying on Matt's shoulder, still desperately clinging to the teen's shirt.
Matt closed his eyes from a moment as he fought back the tears. He was so glad to be with his brother again, but he was also so disgusted with himself for not coming back sooner.
"I was so worried about you," the younger boy sniffled out, "Where have you been?"
Matt's eyes opened at this question as he reluctantly pulled away from the sobbing boy. TK looked up into his brother's shadowed eyes, his innocent face searched for some explanation from the older boy, but Matt had grown stronger and his ability to hide was now at its best.
"I'm sorry TK, I didn't mean to make you worry." Was the only answer the younger boy received.
TK pulled away from his brother and took a step back. He still looked at the older boy questionably, but Matt showed no tips of what had happened.
For a moment the two brothers simply stood there, both quiet and still. Their similar eyes locked in a war of will, TK's pure, searching gaze went deep into Matt's stone but soft stare, trying to brake down the defense the Child of Friendship built. But it was no use, Matt would not relent, his walls stood high and strong, and even his brother could not brake through them.
Tai stood off to the side, he watched the brothers closely, knowing not to interrupt the moment, no matter how uncomfortable it was. He watched his best friend closely, taking note of every detail from other teen. He noticed everything, from how nicely dressed he was, to his hands with tiny scraps and scars streaked across pale flesh. He noticed that the blonde carried himself higher then usual, but also crouched slightly, as though he was afraid. He also notice how quickly the blonde's chest rose and fell in forceful breaths.
The moment passed, and TK realized that he would not get his answers from starring. His brother was a master of fronts, and that skill still stayed strong with him.
"Where have you been?" the younger blonde asked once more, this time his voice quivered slightly as he forced back his feelings and tried desperately to be as collective as his brother.
Gabumon stood off to the side unnoticed for the moment. He watched the small starring contest between the brother's, and then listened as the question came up once more. Where have you been? The little rookie knew this would come up, it was inevitable, and he also knew how afraid of this question his partner was. 'Just tell them the truth Matt, don't be afraid.' The stripped digimon though, but judging by the look in his friend's eyes, Matt was anything but prepared to tell the truth.
Matt swallowed the lump in his throat, hopeing that he could swallow his fear with it. But the physical action had no effect on his racing mind. He wasn't sure how to answer, but he knew the longer he waited the worse it got.
"I was in the Digi-World" his words came out more confident then he thought, and for a moment he was sure that he could handle this interrogation.
"In the Digi-World?" TK asked stunned by the answer.
The group of Digidestined standing off in the background looked at one another, each flabbergasted by the response.
'He really was in the Digi-World, but what could he have possibly been doing there?' Tai thought to himself.
His eyes locked on his friend, and even though he was relived and extremely happy to see him, he still wanted an answer to all his worrying and misery. 'That's what it was without him around misery. TK was panicked, I was freaked, but I couldn't show it because, I had to keep the group together. I never noticed how dependent I am on him. Whenever something becomes too much for me I always talk to him about it, and for some reason I feel less alone. Its like without even being asked he takes part of my burden and carries it for me. But now he has his own burden, I can tell, I can see it in his eyes.'
"Why were you in the Digital World?" the leader of the Digidestined question as he stepped closer to his friend so that he could look him directly in the eyes.
Matt gulped and began breathing heavy through his nostrils. It wasn't that he felt intimidated by his friends, after all these were natural, and expected questions, it was that he could not bring himself to tell the truth. Truth may not be the easiest path, but in the end, the struggle to remain in the truth pays off. But when you're placed at a moment where you most decided between difficult and easy you generally go for the second, despite the after effects.
"Some Bakemon attacked the city a couple of days ago, Gabumon and I took care of the Bakemon, but on the last fight something strange happened." The Child of Friendship's thoughts sped up and soon his mouth was running to catch up. "I'm not sure how, but my Digi-Vice took us to the Digi-World. Nothing happened, well there were some crazy storms, but other then that nothing happened."
The storms were the only things he could think of as an excuse to his delay at coming back. He wasn't even sure what caused the massive attacks from nature, but he guessed that Deamon was some how behind it. The areas suffering from the violent winds and flooding waters were now vulnerable to an attack, and Matt believed Deamon would strike in those areas first.
"So one second you were in an ally, and the next you were in the Digi-world?" Yolie asked intrigued by Matt's vague explanation.
"Who said anything about an ally?" Matt asked, his voice displaying a bit of shock as he questioned the violet hair girl.
'How could they have possibly known about the fight in the ally?' the blonde thought desperately to himself.
"The news reports said that there were three attacks, and one of them was in an ally." the lanky girl explained a little confused by the teen's uneasiness.
"What… what else was on the news reports?" Matt asked anxiously.
Yolie shrugged casually, not certain of what the big deal was, and answered. "Only that there were three attacks. A large group of people witnessed one of them, and they talked about Gabumon. There was one with no witnesses, and the finally one had two victims. Of course you knew all that, because you were there; weren't you?"
Matt nodded his head, his eyes dropping a bit. His stomach twisted in knots and his nerves were so unsettled that he almost wished he could simply pass out and become numb. "Yes…" he whispered quietly as memories of the attacks came flooding back. "Yes I was there."
"Well then you'll be happy to know that the guy from the ally is fine, and the woman was just released from the hospital yesterday."
A small smile itched on Matt's set face, his efforts and pain were not in vain, and that couple can now go and live their lives in peace.
Now Matt had grown more relaxed, the other Digidestined had taken up their conversations once more, and it almost seemed like nothing had happened.
Tai wasn't satisfied with the way things were going. In his opinion Matt had gotten off the hook too easily. If any of the other Digidestined had vanished the group would have been frantic to find the missing party again, and once they were found, questions would have flown like arrows destroying every defense the recovered party might have set up.
But Matt wasn't one of the other Digidestined, he was known for disappearing, and he was also known for giving little explanation for his actions. Generally the leader of the Digidestined would be the first to let it go, after all he has known the blonde for a long time, and the short of behavior was not uncommon for him, but for some reason the brunette could not simply shake off all the questions circling his mind.
"Well now that Matt's back we can focus our attention on finding Deamon, and learning more about this new Lord." Izzy commented ending all other conversations.
Matt physically winced at the computer genius' last comment.
"Good idea!" Tai chirped with a sly smile. "And while all of you work on that Matt, TK, and I will go discuss strategy somewhere else." Tai stated as he put an arm around Matt's shoulder.
"We will?" TK asked in bewilderment.
Tai nodded in confidence then gave TK a stern "We will."
The younger boy immediately caught on, this wasn't the first time the Child of Courage and the Child of Hope had to team up against Friendship, and both knew exactly what to do to lore Matt into their trap.
"Yeah, and I know exactly where to go!" TK exclaimed as he too wrapped an arm around Matt.
Matt laughed nervously, knowing what was in store for him.
'Oh Great.'
~*~*~
The streets were fairly vacant, very few cars drove by, and even fewer people were seen. Occasionally someone would hurry down the sidewalk, trying to get back to their home, as quickly as possible, but for the majority of the time the streets were empty. The emptiness, and lack of life made the long walk seem that much drearier. The sky was over-cast, and the gray clouds hung low, showing that rain would soon fall. The air was heavy and cool, all shops were closed, and all people were locked securely away in their homes, finding comfort with their families. These last monster attacks drove the over populated city into a time of chaos, and now the mad rush was over, and people were left drained and weary from fear an anxiety.
'But like the chaos, the fear will soon pass. It is said that it takes a tragedy for people to appreciate the true rewards of life, but tragedy is like joy, it's not constant, it passes away. The effects and feelings gained from a lesson rarely stay with us forever, and soon life becomes what it was. We re-enter our routines and everything goes back to greed and how much we can gain. What will it really take for us to appreciate the beauty of generosity, compassion, and friendship? What will it take for me to become stronger in these traits?'
Not every person was panicked or even bothered by the attacks. Three teen-aged boys walked down the otherwise barren sidewalk, each taking full strides, each moving at a slow but steady pace, and each completely lost in their own thoughts.
One boy was tall and strongly built, with olive skin, dark brown hair, and warm cocoa colored eyes. Behind him trudged a small dinosaur creature with dull yellow scales and innocent green eyes.
Next to the brunette was a taller boy, with golden blonde hair, and dazzling blue eyes, that clouded over with mystery. Behind him was another small reptile creature, only this one was clothed in soft blue and white stripped fur, and soft crimson eyes.
The final boy was the youngest of the group. Like the taller teen next to him, this boy had blonde hair, though his was a bit softer in color and thicker in texture. His eyes were a gentle baby blue, and he bit the side of his mouth as he tried to contain his thoughts. A small organ and off-white creature rested comfortably on the boy's white hat, his bright blue eyes shut as he dozed in contentment.
Tai and TK both walked quietly on either side of Matt. For the most part they kept their stares forward, but occasionally the blonde could feel the two's concern eyes glance at him. He wasn't certain where they were going, but the closer they got the more suspicious he became. But for most of the walk he chose not to think. He let his mind go over song lyrics, hoping that the familiar words would drain out his concerns.
"Here we are." TK chirped with glee, bringing his brother back from the world of rhyme and melody.
Matt and Tai both glanced up at the sound of the younger boy's voice. Tai smiled knowing the location, despite the fact that he had never been in there, and Matt laughed slightly as he realized where the group ended up at.
"I thought you don't drink coffee." He teased his younger brother with a smile.
TK grinned and then went to the door. "Well I was thinking about starting, I just hope they're open." He stated as he looked through the glass doors into the dim coffeehouse.
"They are." Matt spoke with confidence as he walked over to the door.
"What makes you so sure?" Tai shot back with a goofy grin.
"Because this place is always open." With that announced Matt pushed open the door.
The familiar bell rang showing that someone had entered, and the group of three boys and three digimon walked in.
Tai and TK looked around the small shop taking in every detail of their friend's hang out. The shop was dimly lighten, with black shades over the windows, which were now pulled up half way. Reggae paintings and furniture decorated the walls and floor, and blue's music could be heard playing low from a small stereo in the corner.
"Are we the only ones here?" Tai asked as he looked over the shop once more.
"Looks to be that way." TK replied as he followed Matt to the counter.
Matt smiled as he breathed in the calm atmosphere of the shop. He really did love this small coffeehouse, it was always quiet and the coffee was always strong.
TK and Tai eased up to the counter until they were standing next to the quiet blonde. Both of them read over the menu several times, but neither knew what they wanted.
"I'll have a triple espresso, and they'll both have sodas." Matt ordered, giving his two companions a sly smile.
"We can order for ourselves you know." Tai stated in agitation.
"Well then tell her what you want." Retorted a grinning Matt.
TK and Tai both shifted nervously. The girl just looked at them with the same inattentive expression on her face.
The group fell into an awkward silence until Tai finally admitted defeat. "I'll have a soda." The brunette mutter.
"Same here." TK confirmed then grabbed his brother by the arm and began leading him to the low seats in the corner. "Tai grab our drinks when they're ready." The younger boy yelled over his shoulder as he pulled his very confused brother off to the seat.
A ringing sound was heard as the shop's door opened and the digimon exited. Gabumon, who drank coffee with his partner often, felt that the little rookies were already hyper enough, so the three digimon decided to wander the streets for a while.
After the bell rang the shop fell back into the soothing silence, besides the soft blues radiating from the small stereo. The brothers sat down across from one another, and for a moment it was completely quiet. Matt sat nervously fidgeting, and TK stared at his brother in his most intimidating glare.
Matt was concerned, concerned that if his brother stared any harder he would see right through him. The younger boy was watching him so attentively, that Matt was certain he would notice the exact amount of breaths he took each minute. The silence wasn't helping the teen's nerves; it was like a barrier, prolonging his moment of truth, but not vanquishing it. No matter how long he waited, he would eventually have to deiced between truth, and lies, but what made this choice so painful was the person he would be giving the truth or lie to.
"Okay," TK began, breaking the silence with his soft, gentle voice.
Matt was confused, but also relived. The silence was broken, and now the questions would come. "Okay what?"
TK waited for a moment. He breathed in deeply; preparing his own nerves and will to handle this new challenge. "Okay it's time to stop hiding and tell me the truth." The words came out so flat and demanding that Matt was left wondering if his little brother could had spoke them at all.
The Child of Friendship tried to act surprised, and even shock, but he knew that his acting skills left much to be desired. "TK…" he began but stopped short unable to think of how to respond to the younger boy's words.
"TK, I was once told that ultimately the only one you can depend on is yourself, and for a long time I believed that. I use to feel that I was completely alone in this world, that I was destined to be alone. Sometimes it's good to be alone, but when you believe that your only purpose in life is to feel rejection and loneliness then those feelings will slowly began to eat away at you. They will devour your soul and leave you broken, so that your resentment can lead you to braking anther's soul."
The young Lord paused, he went over his words, and though they weren't what he originally meant to say he decided to continue with his speech.
"That happened to me; I believed so strongly that fate had sentenced me to a life of loneliness, that my soul began to crack. Slowly small slits would make their way in until the cracks were large enough for pieces to brake and fall away. I was in pain and alone, so I felt that maybe if someone else felt my pain I wouldn't have to be alone any longer. That's when I become vulnerable to deceit, and a digimon corrupted me and convinced me to fight against Tai. At the time it seemed right, and for a moment, during all the shouting, I really did feel like someone else cold understand. But it was the wrong choice; Tai showed me that. When I left the group I still felt alone, but the lie that I was meant to be alone had vanished, and was replaced with the thought that I deserved to be alone. It wasn't until Gabumon showed me I am loved that I finally defeated the resentment within my heart."
Matt paused again. He tried not to smile as TK leaned forward a bit, hanging off his brother's word. The younger boy rarely got to see this deeply into his brother, and some of the things he had learned so far brought him to the brink of tears.
His brother had suffered, he had lived with such agony within him for so long, and no one noticed. No one saw his pain.
"The lies were defeated, but I was still left with a tattered soul. However over time you, Tai, Gabumon, and all the others help put me back together again. You helped me get through the healing process, which is, at times, more painful then the wound. When your healing from being closed off, and trying to open yourself up to the world you have to take everything. Everything is so new, and if you want to heal and experience the good then you must experience the bad as well. Before certain things didn't bother me, but once I started allowing people to see my feelings, then I allowed them to see my fears, my doubts, my anger, and they often used that to hurt me. There were times when I simply wanted to give up; when I didn't think that healing was worth the pain, but all of you stood by me, no matter what I was going through you were all there. I had my family, my friends, my partner, and for a long time I thought I had healed. I thought that I was finally complete, but I was wrong."
Matt spoke so gently, the tone in his voice and the order of his words, seemed to hold a plea within them. A plea that begged the Child of Hope for understanding and forgiveness. A plea, which asked that some of the Hope, that was this younger boy, would feed the soul that, was now being poured out to him.
TK was silent; he contemplated his brother's speech. He went over each word and explanation, each analogy and theory; he found so much in this talk. He discovered the source of much of his brother's behavior, he found out history that was never revealed to him, and he saw deeper into the older boy's heart then he ever thought possible. But despite all the marvels that he saw, he could not find an answer in this talk. He learned much, but he still could not find an answer to his question.
"I'm glad that you shared all this with me. Honestly I never knew how you felt before, I mean you would give vague explanations to your feelings, but you were never this open, kind of makes me wonder why the sudden change?"
Matt wasn't expecting this response, it was much calmer, and far more sincere then he had ever thought possible.
'It's amazing, they grow up so quickly. One moment I was kissing his brushed knee and now I'm having an open, slightly philosophical conversion with him, and feeling comfortable about doing so. Maybe he isn't the one who has grown at all, maybe he was always like this, and I needed to grow to see it.'
"You can live forever with each day offering a great lesson, but if you never pay attention then even eternity isn't long enough to take the lesson being offered. But we don't live forever, we only stay in this life for a moment, because of that, a lesson that should take an eternity to understand, has to be crammed into a few days, and it's up to us to sort out all the details in the lesson. Once we open our eyes and accept what life is trying to teach us, then we can not only have the values we learn from the lesson, but also all the benefits that being awake offers. Now I'm finally awake and learning, and I think that I am finally beginning to understand my lesson, that is why I am strong enough to now be open with you."
TK laughed at this new lecture, causing Matt to raise an eyebrow in bafflement. "I had no idea my brother was a philosopher." The younger boy choked out between bellows of laughter.
Matt blushed as he realized what he had been saying this whole time. His pale checks turned a soft pink and he too began to laugh at his own words.
"Yeah well I'm sorry if I'm a little too deep for you." The older boy mocked with an arrogant smile. "I guess I'll just start braking everything down in simple terms so you can keep up."
TK grinned evilly then began to play along with his brother's show. "Really, so you're that wise are you?" he asked with an innocent tone.
"Well…" Matt started with a mock humble look.
"Well if you are that wise then how come you didn't see this coming!"
Matt was caught off guard as TK took one of the throw pillows from his seat, swung it over, and hit him hard on the side of the head.
Matt groaned as he wobbled on his seat from the force of the pillow then fell over onto the polished wooden floor.
Two voices rang out with fits of laughter at the sight of the blonde teen sitting on the ground with an agitated look plastered on his face. TK nearly fell out of his seat laughing, and Tai nearly dropped the drinks as his face turned red and he too laughed and jeered at the fallen teen.
"Very funny." Matt muttered obviously not nearly as amused as the other two. He wasn't amused, but deep inside he was laughing too, and deep inside he loved moments like these, where you're with your friends and all the troubles in the world seem to vanish when your laughing together.
Tai set the drinks down then went and leaned over Matt.
"He's getting too quick form you Matt." The brunette mocked as locks of dark hair fell into his eyes.
"Nah, I'm just getting too old." The other teen replied as he took Tai's extended hand and pulled himself off the ground.
Once the group had settled down a bit, and after Tai was finished mocking Matt by saying he wished he had a camera, the three boys began to sip at their drinks quietly.
Round one was over. Matt managed to avoid the subjects and questions, even though he hadn't planed to avoid them by tell some of his most intimate feelings. He now waited patient, sipping at his hot espresso, dreading the new attack that was sure to come the moment his two companions had finished their sodas.
"So what we're the two of you discussing before TK laid the smack down on you?" Tai questioned giving Matt a crooked grin.
Matt chose to ignore the little piece of sarcasm, although he did flash his friend a glare, which quickly faded into a small smile.
"We were just discussion Matt's philosophical views on life." TK explained giving his brother an innocent small.
Tai laughed then huffed. "Boring, let's talk about some… recent events."
TK nodded knowing what the leader of the chosen children meant, then turned back to his brother.
"You know, you never really answered my question." The youngest of the group began. "When will you stop hiding?"
Matt's eyes lowered, he suddenly felt very tiered. Trying to keep a front up before his brother was difficult enough, but now he had to not only face his brother but his best friend as well. The stress of the situation complied upon the stress of his life in general was enough to make him want to brake down and cry. But still he couldn't do that; he had to be strong.
"Remember when I told you for a long time I thought I was complete, but then I realized I was wrong." it wasn't a question, it was a prompting. He was preparing himself, as well as furthering his explanation.
TK nodded, fearing that if he interrupted with words his voice would shatter the grace his brother was showing him. Afraid that any word misspoken might drive the already uneasy teen to remain silent, and not finish his tale of emotion.
"I realized that completion is not simply found with the ones you love, although that is a big part of it, I found that to truly feel complete you most accomplish something. You most feel that you are achieving something. The something doesn't have to be big or wonderful, just meaningful. Raising children, writing something that puts a smile on someone else's face, or just being a good waiter when someone comes in for a cup of coffee can be meaningful. If you are finding satisfaction in what you do, no matter how trivial it may seem, you are somehow touching someone else's life. Nothing is trivial, and if you are happy with who you are and what you are doing, then people will scenes that and take a piece of your happiness with them, making your life meaningful, and their life a little more joyful."
Matt smiled and for the first time in his talk he looked his companions in the eyes.
"I may have been touching a lot of lives, but I couldn't find satisfaction in the way my life was going. I knew that there was something out there that just I was meant to do, and I knew I couldn't be complete until I found out what it was. And that is how completion is found, we find out our place, never being satisfied with things until we are certain that where we are, is where we're suppose to be. Then once we've found our place, we do the one thing that only we can do. We touch the one life that only we can reach, or we teach one person a lesson that only we can teach, and then we know that our lives have meaning, even if it is only one person. If everyone in the world helped one other person in a way that only they can, then much of the fear and resentment that rules this world would no longer be."
"I searched a long time for my place, for the path I needed to take to find completion, and I think I finally found it. And even if I'm wrong, and all I do is touch one life during my journey then I can still be satisfied, knowing that one life has been reach by me."
The sounds of smooth bass lines, and jazzy horns collected in the room. It followed the speech, given by the blonde teen, bringing a bit of life to the otherwise silent shop.
Tai and TK were in a state of shock, Matt had just spoken his feelings, and now he sat quietly on the other side of the table, head hung low, and eyes locked on the wooden stand.
Matt wasn't sure what had compelled him to be so open with his thoughts, but he liked the feeling. He liked knowing that he could be open with the two people closest to him. He might not have answered their question directly, but when weighing facts to feeling, feelings always win. He stopped hiding and expressed himself, but what had brought about the strength for him to be emotionally honest still remained a secret. And this was a secret he intended to keep for as long as possible.
Tai observed Matt closely. The blonde teen still had his head hung low, and Tai knew it was out of anxiety for their response. It generally took a lot for Matt to open up, and the brunette knew that more was in play here then what was revealed. Something had happened to his friend, something that brought out a new side to the once misanthropic rebel.
"So what you are saying is that you have found something that completes you. And it has something to do with the attacks and you vanishing." Tai summed up and then waited for a reply from his best friend.
Matt slowly raised his head so that he was looking Tai in the eyes. A small smile played on his lips, but his eyes still stormed with a sea of emotions.
"Yes."
Matt's simple answer wasn't the response that Tai or TK had expected.
"Well if that's all it is then why don't you tell us what this new place of yours is?" TK questioned with genuine curiosity.
Matt turned away from his companions. He shifted in his seat so that he no longer faced the other two boys then quietly responded. "Because there are some things I'm not ready to talk about, and this is one. Maybe eventually I'll be able to tell you, but please believe me when I say that everything I do is for a good reason." Matt stood up after he spoke these words, but he still did not turn around to face the two pairs of eyes that were surely starring deeply at him.
"So you have a good reason for lying to us?" Tai asked, a bit of anger and offense filled his tone.
Matt bit his lip, trying to fight back the tears. Tai had never spoken to him in that tone before, and this small show was only the beginning.
'Eventually they'll turn from me forever…'
Matt panicked, he couldn't loose his friends, they were everything to him.
"Matt, faith is not the absents of trials, but the strength to know that no matter how dark it gets there will always be a light to lead you through."
Tai's voice became soft once more as he gently laid a hand upon Matt's shoulder.
Matt's thoughts circled around this one word, faith. The words of Gabumon came back to him ringing in his mind like a sign that all would be right in the end.
"Have faith in your friends Yamato, have faith in the bond all of you hold. Believe that it will stay strong and not brake under the pressure of these trying times."
'Do I have that much faith?'
Matt slowly turned to face his companions. TK was starring at him wide eyed and worried, while Tai slowly removed his hand from the teen's shoulder.
'Will faith be enough?' Matt thought to himself as his eyes went from brown orbs to soft blue and then back again. 'I guess I'll never know if I don't try.'
With a strong command Matt forced all his thoughts in order, braking down the confusion and stress, and preparing to take a leap of faith.
"Faith has never been my strong point…" the blonde began then he looked down for a moment trying to find the right words before facing his best friend again. "It's always been dark for me, and I guess I lost my light, but now I see that…" he trailed off once more leaving his friends in suspense.
"What do you see?" Tai prompted trying to keep his friend on the path he began.
"I see that… you are my light, you and TK and Gabumon… and sometimes it was hard for me to accept that I needed all of you, but even the lonely need a light." Matt smiled content with his decision, he would trust in faith, and tell his lights what trials he now faced. "When I went to the Digital World it was to"
A scream was heard from the streets. The loud cry cut into Matt's explanation causing all three of the Digidestined to run to the shop's windows in curiosity.
Screams rang out from all over the city; cars crashed into other cars as the drivers were too petrified to operate them. People ran for cover, trying to get in doors and escape the horrid creatures running down every person found lingering on the streets. Crimson began to paint the sidewalks and pieces of metal, plastic, and glass scattered on the roads from broken windows and crashed cars.
The black and slender monsters used their long deep red claws to slice through telephone poles and carts on the streets. Victims screamed as the lanky demons cornered them, separating them from the large group of fleeting humans and began digging their long talons into the poor person's flesh. The demons flooded the city sticking mostly to the main roads, taking out every car, truck or train that dared to move during their conquest.
Matt rushed out of the coffee house doors, followed by Tai and TK. Their eyes widened in fear and anger as cars flipped over and the Devimon danced about the streets like mad children on a question to ruin every breakable beauty in their path.
The Devimon's red eyes glowed with pleasure as they continued their attack upon the human realm. The destruction and blood thrilled them to no end, and the anticipation of destroying the Digidestined hung heavy in their minds.
"We have to warn the others!" TK cried frantically.
"Something tells me they already know." Matt replied calmly as he watched the attack continue.
None of the demons seemed to notice the three teens watching their little show, or if they did notice they didn't care. Many of the fallen angels flew right passed the teens, making no signs that they even acknowledge the Chosen.
"We've got to find our digimon, they can't fight without us." Tai stated as he looked around, his eyes quickly scanning over the scene.
"They are three blocks away." Matt informed the leader.
Gabumon already knew of the attack, and had already begun fighting as best he could. Matt could sense his partner's struggle, and he knew exactly where he was.
More cries rang out as some of the Devimon broke through doors running people out of their homes and offices.
"How do you know they are only three blocks away?" TK asked as he turned to his brother.
"Trust me."
Was the only reply Matt gave before taking off in the direction he earlier pointed out.
Tai and TK looked at one another before taking off, trying to catch up with the running blonde.
People flooded the streets, frantic screams rang out and blood continued to paint the sidewalk.
Through this all Matt's only thoughts were Renamon please keep them safe.
~*~*~
Am I keeping anyone in suspense? Well don't worry "the moment of truth", as Nova so elegantly put it, (don't worry Nova I'll pay you royalties for using that, just send me the bill) is coming soon. I won't say when I'll just say that I hope it surprises you.
Well you know the drill: got any, comments, criticism, critiques, complements, flames, question? please place them in a review or e-mail. I really need honest reviews; I'm looking to critique some stuff for future fics, so I want to have everyone's unbiased opinion of this chapter.