Disclaimer:  I do not own digimon, I do not own claims to the name "Taggart", I do not own the song Freedom Fighter…I don't own anything but my car (well, Alex is my own character, but that's it)!  I don't even own the computer I'm on right now!

Chapter 3: A Lover's Sacrifice (w/ Freedom Fighter)

            "AHHHH…...!" Alex and Taggart's howls of pain were cut off at their apex as the blast absorbed their bodies.

            "NOOOOOO!" both digimon screamed in unison, but it was too late.  The boys were dead.

            "God damn it!" Rena cried as she rested on her knees.  All of a sudden, she notices a lump of silver and a folded up picture on the ground where her husband and her best friend gave their lives to protect her.  As she looks at the picture, she remembers that day, five months ago.  2 days before Alex proposed.

*Flashback*

            Rena lets out a yelp as Alex drops a necklace into her lap.

            "Don't do that, you crazy fool!  Do you want me to have a heart attack?!" Rena growled playfully at him as she examined the necklace.  It is a metal chain with a Japanese symbol on it.  "Nothingness," the yellow fox mutters curiously.  "Does this have to do with what's in your head?" she asked jokingly.

            "No," Alex replied.  "It's what I was, what I am, and what I will become without you at my side." he said as he took the necklace from her and placed it around his neck.  Just then, Taggart walked up with Gata riding on his shoulders.

            "Hey guys." Gata said.

            "Hey Gata, Taggart." Alex and Rena both responded.  All of a sudden, Rena leans over and gives Alex a very passionate lick on the cheek.

            "What you said was very sweet," she whispered into his ear, "but I'll be damned if I ever plan on being separated from you."

            "Hey!  Let's take a group picture!" Gata piped up as she saw Alex turn red with slight embarrassment.

            "Good idea!" Alex said as me mouthed thank you to Gata.  She nods in response.  The group gathered close for a picture.  Just as the picture is snapped, Gata sneezes and slips off Taggart's shoulders.  Her instincts taking over, she started grabbing to catch herself, she latches onto Alex's necklace, and dangles by a paw.  The picture catches her there.

*End Flashback*

            Rena now looks at that same picture as she kneels on the battlefield.  The lump of silver, she now notices, is Alex's necklace.  Unconsciously, the vixen deftly undoes the clasp and slips the necklace upon her own neck.  She stands up and helps Gata rise as well.

            "We can not let their sacrifice be in vain." Rena said with an eerily calm voice.  "And we must not forget them."

The mouths of envious,

Always find another door.

And at the gates of paradise,

They beat us down some more.

            "You're right Rena.  Gata said, in the same eerily calm voice, as she dusted herself off.  As they look at each other, they notice that the other is crying, but don't know that they themselves, are as well.

But our mission's set in stone,

'Cause the writing's on the wall.

I'll scream it from the mountain tops,

Pride comes before a fall.

            "We'll never forgive you for this, Cyberdramon!!" both digimon yelled.

So many thoughts to share,

All this energy to give.

Unlike those who hide the truth,

I tell it like it is.

            "You are weak.  Pathetic." Cyberdramon chuckled.

If the truth will set you free,

I feel sorry for your soul.

Can't you hear the ringing 'cause

For you're the bell tolls.

            "And your human…..masters.  They were weak as well." He laughed.

            "SHUT UP!" Rena screamed.  All of a sudden, a bright light cloaks her body.

I'm just a freedom fighter,

No remorse.

Raging on in Holy War,

Soon there'll come a day.

When you're face to face with me,

Face to face with me.

            As the light subsides, Sakuramon is standing in Renamon's place.

            "How?!" Gata asked in amazement.

            "Alex's spirit is enough energy to allow me to transform.  Now this bastard will PAY!" Sakuramon yelled as she drew her staff.

Can't you hear us coming,

People marching all around.

            Gata decides to try the same thing with Taggart's spirit.  A few seconds later, she becomes Angewoman.

Can't you see we're coming

Close your eyes it's over now.

            Angel draws her bow and takes aim.  "Sakura, you're right.  You can't live after what you did!  This bow, and her staff, will be the last thing you ever see Cyberdramon!" she screamed.

Can't you hear us coming,

The fight as only just begun.

Can't you see we're coming.

            "NOW DIE!" both girls screamed as Angel fired her bow while Sakura threw her staff.

I'm just a freedom fighter,

No remorse.

Raging on in Holy War.

            Both attacks connect directly on Cyberdramon's chest, at the same time.

Soon there'll come a day,

When you're face to face with me.

Face to face with me.

            "How……how did this happen?" Cyberdramon choked out as the girls absorbed his data.  When they are done, they revert back to Rena and Gata, and collapse on the ground.  Rena looks around.

            "What happened?" she asked quietly.

            "I'm not sure," Gata replied.  "I just remember, (her voice begins to break) the boys blocked that blast, (she finally let's out a sob) then we're here."  She sees something reflecting light over by a tree.  She crawls over and picks it up.  "It's…Taggart's watch." She mumbles through her tears.  She collapses on the ground sobbing, holding the watch to her chest.

            Rena gently touches the necklace.  She begins to silently cry for her lost love.  Both girls let out a scream of pain, from deep within their hearts, at the results of this lover's sacrifice.