" Courage Restored "
[I'm losing it. I'm fighting just to finish this chapter. Please forgive me if this is the last chapter for a while. Thanks for being with me all. R&R please.]
The others approached slowly shocked seeing Jason and Kana so close. Lucas looked at May. The two shared a look of disgust.
"What a touching moment," a voice caught the attention of all. The group turned seeing Nick. His uniform tattered and torn. It was clear he'd been attacked by something.
Jason pulled away from Kana walking toward Nick. The fires of fury filled his eyes, his teeth clenched as the muscle in his arm tensed. None of the group could move as they watched. Nick sneered as Jason stopped in front of him.
"Go ahead. Do it. It's the only reason I'm still alive," Nick stared defiantly into Jason's enraged face. A trickle of blood ran for him mouth.
"You really do deserve this," Jason growled, his arm shaking from he amount of strength he'd put into it.
Nick closed his eyes after seeing Jason's fist pull back. He waited for his jaw to be realigned. Nothing happened. Opening his eyes slowly he saw a completely different look on Jason face. He was smiling. 'Am I too numb to feel it,' he wondered. His eyes turned down to Jason's outstretched hand. 'What is that?' Jason was holding something out to him. He looked back up at Jason.
"What is this," he inquired.
"This is yours," Jason held the item to him.
"Mine?" Nick took it reluctantly. Looking at his hands he held a pair of goggles. They looked old, and about ready to break. "Why are you giving me these?"
"Because," he turned walking back to his friends, "every team needs some courage." Jason stopped looking back at him. "Will you join us?" The others were shocked. Why was Jason telling Nick to join them? Just last week Nick had attacked them.
[For those of you who are confused time past quickly when Jason was gone.]
Nick laughed; a hint of pain could be heard in the laughter. "After all I've done," he threw rebellious look at Jason, "you would have me join your team."
"You the one holding the artifact."
"What," Nick was shocked. As was the rest of the team. Those goggles were one of the artifacts. "You...you're just giving me an artifact."
"Nick you hold the artifact of courage," Jason smiled facing his former foe. "That is your right. Your Destiny." Jason turned glancing at the dumbfounded glances of his friends. "I forgive you for all you've done Nick," he turned back to Nick with a smile. "You damaged my left eye, stole my arm." Jason once more approached him, placing his hand on Nick's shoulder, "but even though I lost that, I've gained much more. And I hope to gain your friendship as well."
"You think it's that easy," Nick pushed away from Jason. "You think you can just forgive me and I'll join your team. After all I've done."
"Nothing is easy," Jason stood tall looking at Nick hunched in pain. "But this is your chance to atone for all you did. Help us."
"I'll consider it," Nick's eyes went dark as he fell.
Jason knelt down attempting to carry the unconscious Nick to the cave. Jurimon ran up helping Jason out. The group parted watching still in shock at what had just happened.
Several hours passed and no one spoke. Kana sighed and walked over to Jason, looking curiously into his eyes.
"What," Jason smiled at the confused look on her face.
"That's exactly what I want to know. What is going on," she crossed her arms waiting for answer. The others stood around expecting the same.
"As much as none of you want to hear it," Jason rested his back on the cave wall. "We are going to help him. Because we need him on our side."
"But he," Lucas started.
"What he did in he past is that. In the past." Jason looked around at them. "I saw it in his eyes. He is the bearer of courage. Though that doesn't mean that he'll be taking the lead." Jason laughed, "it only means we have another strong ally."
"How can you forgive him," Jose stepped up now.
"I have hope," Jason smiled. "And faith that this is the right decision." The others shook their heads. Not saying anything else. "Luke, do me a favor. Take the canteen and get some water for our new friend." Lucas nodded grabbing the canteen and turned walking to the lake.
"I hope your faith is rewarded in the end," Jose was standing near Jason. He didn't look too happy with the situation.
"What crest do you think you hold Jose," Jason returned.
"Me," he was caught off guard by the question.
"I'll tell you if you want to know," Jason was now staring into Jose's eyes.
"Don't do that," Jose backed away. Jason couldn't help but laugh. May who always followed her big brother was laughing as well. "Alright why don't you stop laughing and tell me already."
"It's crest that proves you dependability," Jason pushed off the wall walking to Kana.
"My dependability," Jose questioned. "What does he mean by that? I'm very dependable."
"What's another word for dependable," Lucas had returned from his task. Jose looked at him thinking hard. "The word you're searching for is Reliable." Jose looked down at his D3 then looked to his sister. "So your friendship and I'm reliability." She nodded smiling softly.
Kana turned to Jason, he could tell she was angry, but couldn't figure out why. "Did I do something wrong?"
"I'm just remembering how this all started."
"Oh."
"Yes, and I believe there was something I forgot."
"And that would be?" Jason stepped forward. The cave was filled by a cry of pain. All eyes turned to Kana and Jason; who was sitting on his back. "What was that for," Jason asked with his hand over his ribs.
"Remember when you locked me out of the Digital World," her anger was slowly subsiding. "That's exactly what you get for doing such a horrible thing."
"I believe I already apologized for that," Jason huffed standing slowly.
"I still had to repay you for that," she waited until he was standing. "And about what you did earlier." Jason eyes widen thinking this time she might not hold back. She stepped up to him, "I enjoyed it."
"Do you mind," Nick's voice caught everyone's attention. "I'm trying to get some rest here." Jason took Kana's hand walking over to Nick.
"You've slept long enough," Jason knelt down hitting Nick on the head.
"Ow, hey I'm injured here," Nick sat up swinging at him.
Jason blocked his hand, "No injured enough if you can still hit that hard." Kana stood behind Jason watching the two.
"I need to apologize Jason, miss," Nick bowed his head addressing the two. "I did and said some terrible things."
"Don't worry Nick," Kana knelt down beside Jason. "If Jason can forgive you I guess I can too."
"Thanks Kana," Jason smiled slightly as she squeezed his hand.
"I appreciated you guys helping me," Nick stood slowly then noticed his shirt was gone and his chest was bandaged.
"You needed at least a little attention," Jason stood holding out his hand. Nick shook his hand.
"I'm not sure I should join your team though."
"Then what will you do," Jason asked.
"I don't know. Maybe find my own Digimon. Unless your powers can point one out." Nick smirked looking at Jason. Thinking Jason looked down at his D3. He turned pointing into the cave.
"I don't know about digimon but there is something deeper in the cave," Jason turned following the direction his D3 pointed. Nick thought then followed behind him. Kana looked to the Digimon then rushed after Jason and Nick.
The three walked through the caverns of the lower cave, following the directions of the D3. They stopped at a junction where the tunnel split three ways. Jason looked at his D3 but couldn't figure out where to go next.
"Something wrong fearless leader," Nick scoffed.
"Hey, you're the fearless one," Jason tapped the buttons. "I'm the last hope."
"And what does that make me," Kana smirked looked at the two.
"The gorgeous light," Jason smirked turning to her.
"Alright lovebirds lets just find out what's hiding down here," Nick turned to Jason. "Which way."
"It says we're right over it." The three searched around the area. None could find whatever it was that set off the D3. "Where the heck is this thing?"
"Or rather what is it," Kana stopped her search looking to Jason.
"I'm not sure but this is starting to piss me off," Nick picked up a stone and threw is at the wall. Nick then turned looking at the spot the rock hit. 'That wasn't normal,' he thought searching the rocks. "Hey Jason," Nick found something, "Kana over here." Reaching into a crack in the rocks he pulled out a black D3. He tossed it at Jason, reaching into the crevice once more.
"It's a D3," Jason compared it to his then showed it to Kana. "Anything else?"
"I think it's an egg," Nick reached both hands into the crack pulling out the digi-egg. "Strange egg, ever seen one this colorful before."
"It's a digimon egg. And I'm guessing that both are yours," Jason handed the black D3 to Nick. Nick took back the D3 holding the egg under his arm. "Nick I just had an idea. Try on the goggles."
"The goggles," Nick pulled them out of his back pocket. He held the strap by his mid finger. "Hold this a sec," he handed the egg to Kana, then slid the goggles onto his head. At that moment his D3 beeped. Gazing at the screen a beam of light fired out. "What the," the light curved striking the digi-egg. The D3 then changed from black to red. The egg started to crack. Kana smiled handed the egg to Nick right before it broke open.
A small blob-like creature jumped out of the eggshell digivolving before it hit the ground. "Hi Nick," a dog-sized turtle digimon stood before them, "I'm Snapmon."
"I guess we'd better get top side," Jason turned to Kana.
"By the way," Nick picked Snapmon off the ground. "I'm in." Jason smiled as the three of them turned to find the way out.
The four of them stepped slowly out from the depths of the cave an hour later.
"Geez Jay what was with the scenic route back up," Nick complained rubbing his eyes.
"I had directions down not up all right," Jason turned arguing.
"Settle boys," Kana split them apart, "Something's missing here." They looked around. "Where are the others?"
"Another attack?"
"Outside now," Jason instructed running out into the light. Kana and Nick followed closely behind. They never expected what they saw outside.
"Hey guys finally back huh," Lucas said grabbing a fish from around the bonfire. Jason, Kana and Nick all stood dumbfounded, and face-faulted. [I just couldn't resist.]
"Something wrong," Jose asked chewing a piece of fish.
"Nothing, just pass me a fish," Jason ran over, hungry as ever.
"We thought we'd make something to eat while you were gone," Lucas handed a fish to Jason. "Jose is a really good cook."
The group ate their meal, conversing about their hometowns and lives back in the real world. After a short moment of homesickness, Nick stood performing a comedy skit of his as a way of raising spirits. They all laughed even though he made quite a few mistakes.
After dinner they decided to stay at the location one more night. And so went to sleep. Jason decided to take the first watch, setting up the roster so that Nick had the last watch. He only mentioned that he had his reasons. Everyone agreed with only a little argument. "Get some rest," was the last Jason said.
[I'm losing it. I'm fighting just to finish this chapter. Please forgive me if this is the last chapter for a while. Thanks for being with me all. R&R please.]
The others approached slowly shocked seeing Jason and Kana so close. Lucas looked at May. The two shared a look of disgust.
"What a touching moment," a voice caught the attention of all. The group turned seeing Nick. His uniform tattered and torn. It was clear he'd been attacked by something.
Jason pulled away from Kana walking toward Nick. The fires of fury filled his eyes, his teeth clenched as the muscle in his arm tensed. None of the group could move as they watched. Nick sneered as Jason stopped in front of him.
"Go ahead. Do it. It's the only reason I'm still alive," Nick stared defiantly into Jason's enraged face. A trickle of blood ran for him mouth.
"You really do deserve this," Jason growled, his arm shaking from he amount of strength he'd put into it.
Nick closed his eyes after seeing Jason's fist pull back. He waited for his jaw to be realigned. Nothing happened. Opening his eyes slowly he saw a completely different look on Jason face. He was smiling. 'Am I too numb to feel it,' he wondered. His eyes turned down to Jason's outstretched hand. 'What is that?' Jason was holding something out to him. He looked back up at Jason.
"What is this," he inquired.
"This is yours," Jason held the item to him.
"Mine?" Nick took it reluctantly. Looking at his hands he held a pair of goggles. They looked old, and about ready to break. "Why are you giving me these?"
"Because," he turned walking back to his friends, "every team needs some courage." Jason stopped looking back at him. "Will you join us?" The others were shocked. Why was Jason telling Nick to join them? Just last week Nick had attacked them.
[For those of you who are confused time past quickly when Jason was gone.]
Nick laughed; a hint of pain could be heard in the laughter. "After all I've done," he threw rebellious look at Jason, "you would have me join your team."
"You the one holding the artifact."
"What," Nick was shocked. As was the rest of the team. Those goggles were one of the artifacts. "You...you're just giving me an artifact."
"Nick you hold the artifact of courage," Jason smiled facing his former foe. "That is your right. Your Destiny." Jason turned glancing at the dumbfounded glances of his friends. "I forgive you for all you've done Nick," he turned back to Nick with a smile. "You damaged my left eye, stole my arm." Jason once more approached him, placing his hand on Nick's shoulder, "but even though I lost that, I've gained much more. And I hope to gain your friendship as well."
"You think it's that easy," Nick pushed away from Jason. "You think you can just forgive me and I'll join your team. After all I've done."
"Nothing is easy," Jason stood tall looking at Nick hunched in pain. "But this is your chance to atone for all you did. Help us."
"I'll consider it," Nick's eyes went dark as he fell.
Jason knelt down attempting to carry the unconscious Nick to the cave. Jurimon ran up helping Jason out. The group parted watching still in shock at what had just happened.
Several hours passed and no one spoke. Kana sighed and walked over to Jason, looking curiously into his eyes.
"What," Jason smiled at the confused look on her face.
"That's exactly what I want to know. What is going on," she crossed her arms waiting for answer. The others stood around expecting the same.
"As much as none of you want to hear it," Jason rested his back on the cave wall. "We are going to help him. Because we need him on our side."
"But he," Lucas started.
"What he did in he past is that. In the past." Jason looked around at them. "I saw it in his eyes. He is the bearer of courage. Though that doesn't mean that he'll be taking the lead." Jason laughed, "it only means we have another strong ally."
"How can you forgive him," Jose stepped up now.
"I have hope," Jason smiled. "And faith that this is the right decision." The others shook their heads. Not saying anything else. "Luke, do me a favor. Take the canteen and get some water for our new friend." Lucas nodded grabbing the canteen and turned walking to the lake.
"I hope your faith is rewarded in the end," Jose was standing near Jason. He didn't look too happy with the situation.
"What crest do you think you hold Jose," Jason returned.
"Me," he was caught off guard by the question.
"I'll tell you if you want to know," Jason was now staring into Jose's eyes.
"Don't do that," Jose backed away. Jason couldn't help but laugh. May who always followed her big brother was laughing as well. "Alright why don't you stop laughing and tell me already."
"It's crest that proves you dependability," Jason pushed off the wall walking to Kana.
"My dependability," Jose questioned. "What does he mean by that? I'm very dependable."
"What's another word for dependable," Lucas had returned from his task. Jose looked at him thinking hard. "The word you're searching for is Reliable." Jose looked down at his D3 then looked to his sister. "So your friendship and I'm reliability." She nodded smiling softly.
Kana turned to Jason, he could tell she was angry, but couldn't figure out why. "Did I do something wrong?"
"I'm just remembering how this all started."
"Oh."
"Yes, and I believe there was something I forgot."
"And that would be?" Jason stepped forward. The cave was filled by a cry of pain. All eyes turned to Kana and Jason; who was sitting on his back. "What was that for," Jason asked with his hand over his ribs.
"Remember when you locked me out of the Digital World," her anger was slowly subsiding. "That's exactly what you get for doing such a horrible thing."
"I believe I already apologized for that," Jason huffed standing slowly.
"I still had to repay you for that," she waited until he was standing. "And about what you did earlier." Jason eyes widen thinking this time she might not hold back. She stepped up to him, "I enjoyed it."
"Do you mind," Nick's voice caught everyone's attention. "I'm trying to get some rest here." Jason took Kana's hand walking over to Nick.
"You've slept long enough," Jason knelt down hitting Nick on the head.
"Ow, hey I'm injured here," Nick sat up swinging at him.
Jason blocked his hand, "No injured enough if you can still hit that hard." Kana stood behind Jason watching the two.
"I need to apologize Jason, miss," Nick bowed his head addressing the two. "I did and said some terrible things."
"Don't worry Nick," Kana knelt down beside Jason. "If Jason can forgive you I guess I can too."
"Thanks Kana," Jason smiled slightly as she squeezed his hand.
"I appreciated you guys helping me," Nick stood slowly then noticed his shirt was gone and his chest was bandaged.
"You needed at least a little attention," Jason stood holding out his hand. Nick shook his hand.
"I'm not sure I should join your team though."
"Then what will you do," Jason asked.
"I don't know. Maybe find my own Digimon. Unless your powers can point one out." Nick smirked looking at Jason. Thinking Jason looked down at his D3. He turned pointing into the cave.
"I don't know about digimon but there is something deeper in the cave," Jason turned following the direction his D3 pointed. Nick thought then followed behind him. Kana looked to the Digimon then rushed after Jason and Nick.
The three walked through the caverns of the lower cave, following the directions of the D3. They stopped at a junction where the tunnel split three ways. Jason looked at his D3 but couldn't figure out where to go next.
"Something wrong fearless leader," Nick scoffed.
"Hey, you're the fearless one," Jason tapped the buttons. "I'm the last hope."
"And what does that make me," Kana smirked looked at the two.
"The gorgeous light," Jason smirked turning to her.
"Alright lovebirds lets just find out what's hiding down here," Nick turned to Jason. "Which way."
"It says we're right over it." The three searched around the area. None could find whatever it was that set off the D3. "Where the heck is this thing?"
"Or rather what is it," Kana stopped her search looking to Jason.
"I'm not sure but this is starting to piss me off," Nick picked up a stone and threw is at the wall. Nick then turned looking at the spot the rock hit. 'That wasn't normal,' he thought searching the rocks. "Hey Jason," Nick found something, "Kana over here." Reaching into a crack in the rocks he pulled out a black D3. He tossed it at Jason, reaching into the crevice once more.
"It's a D3," Jason compared it to his then showed it to Kana. "Anything else?"
"I think it's an egg," Nick reached both hands into the crack pulling out the digi-egg. "Strange egg, ever seen one this colorful before."
"It's a digimon egg. And I'm guessing that both are yours," Jason handed the black D3 to Nick. Nick took back the D3 holding the egg under his arm. "Nick I just had an idea. Try on the goggles."
"The goggles," Nick pulled them out of his back pocket. He held the strap by his mid finger. "Hold this a sec," he handed the egg to Kana, then slid the goggles onto his head. At that moment his D3 beeped. Gazing at the screen a beam of light fired out. "What the," the light curved striking the digi-egg. The D3 then changed from black to red. The egg started to crack. Kana smiled handed the egg to Nick right before it broke open.
A small blob-like creature jumped out of the eggshell digivolving before it hit the ground. "Hi Nick," a dog-sized turtle digimon stood before them, "I'm Snapmon."
"I guess we'd better get top side," Jason turned to Kana.
"By the way," Nick picked Snapmon off the ground. "I'm in." Jason smiled as the three of them turned to find the way out.
The four of them stepped slowly out from the depths of the cave an hour later.
"Geez Jay what was with the scenic route back up," Nick complained rubbing his eyes.
"I had directions down not up all right," Jason turned arguing.
"Settle boys," Kana split them apart, "Something's missing here." They looked around. "Where are the others?"
"Another attack?"
"Outside now," Jason instructed running out into the light. Kana and Nick followed closely behind. They never expected what they saw outside.
"Hey guys finally back huh," Lucas said grabbing a fish from around the bonfire. Jason, Kana and Nick all stood dumbfounded, and face-faulted. [I just couldn't resist.]
"Something wrong," Jose asked chewing a piece of fish.
"Nothing, just pass me a fish," Jason ran over, hungry as ever.
"We thought we'd make something to eat while you were gone," Lucas handed a fish to Jason. "Jose is a really good cook."
The group ate their meal, conversing about their hometowns and lives back in the real world. After a short moment of homesickness, Nick stood performing a comedy skit of his as a way of raising spirits. They all laughed even though he made quite a few mistakes.
After dinner they decided to stay at the location one more night. And so went to sleep. Jason decided to take the first watch, setting up the roster so that Nick had the last watch. He only mentioned that he had his reasons. Everyone agreed with only a little argument. "Get some rest," was the last Jason said.