Digital Souls
By Wanderer D
Chapter 5
Gabumon was escorted to the computer room where his friends were waiting for him. In the weeks after returning, Gabumon had become the Maverick Hunters' official pet. Some Reploids even went to the extent of making a caricature of him and putting it on a few of the ships.
Between that, the disappearance of the last Mavericks, Zero's harmonica and the apparent romance between Zero and Peregrine, and the rumors of Zero's unit going out on an ultra secret mission, the group had had their hands full.
But now, after finally recuperating, and after some research Dr. Cain had done with the Digivice, they had found a way to send the group -minus Afroman who had been transferred after the last battle, and didn't really want to go there- back to the Digiworld.
Dr. Cain had been horrified when he and Peregrine had heard the whole story for the first time, and had agreed to send Matt and Gabumon back to the Digiworld immediately. This had caused Peregrine to grab Zero and kiss him, stopping only to tell him that she would not stay back and let him go without her.
X had also insisted on going with them, causing Dr. Cain to panic. Finally X had told him that he would stay with the Hunters for a few years to ensure the future survival of their world in the case of any Maverick survivors.
But X had also decided that Light's wish for his free choice would have to be maintained too, and that when everything was over and a cure for the Maverick virus discovered, he would follow his heart and go wherever it took him. And he had a feeling that it was also where his true friends were going.
A little calmer, Dr. Cain had apologized for his reaction and acknowledged X's wish for a fresh start, thanking him for staying here with them.
With that over, Dr. Cain had gathered two groups of scientists. One to help him with the Digivice, and the other to design a way for Zero and Peregrine to store their armors so that they would at least look more human, since Dr. Cain had decided that a more human-looking image would help Zero's parents (the idea still boggled him) to accept his new appearance.
The answer seemingly came with an innovative discovery a colleague of Dr. Cain had done a few days before. He was able to create small openings into dimensions with a strong electromagnetic inversed pulse that could be adapted to just changing their clothes for armor or vice versa. He had called it subspace or something like that.
The problem was that his machine weighed several metric tons and was still on development.
Thus, the idea was dropped. And just when everyone was about to give up, X had changed into his Axe Spin uniform to help the gardeners. He had been quickly grabbed and analyzed.
Although the system was complex, -it seemed that only Dr. Wily or Dr. Light had the know-how-, they had managed to enable them to substitute their armors with clothes and back into their armor. The only things that they wouldn't be able to change were their hands, since they were armored 'naturally'.
Now, after weeks of experimenting, they were finally ready to go. The only ones there were Dr. Cain, X, Peregrine, Gabumon and Zero.
"I'm not sure I can send you to the exact moment you left, though." Dr. Cain told Zero. "My calculations are not very exact on that matter."
"I'll take the chance." Zero said, nodding at the good doctor.
"I'll get to you guys as soon as all is over here." X assured them. "Since it won't be much time for you, expect me at any moment!" he added cheerfully.
Zero nodded and clasped X's hand, shaking it firmly. "I know we will see you almost as soon as we get there."
Peregrine hugged X. "We'll be waiting."
Gabumon and X also shared a hug. "Thank you for everything, X. You've been a true friend."
X smiled a little sadly. "You too Gabumon, although we've only known each other for a short time and that I had to pay for that sandwich."
Gabumon chuckled, blushing slightly as he stepped back.
"Ok, Zero, you'll be able to go back by concentrating and touching the computer's monitor. Peregrine hold on to him. You too, Gabumon." Dr. Cain instructed.
They followed instructions, Peregrine holding Zero's hand and Gabumon hers.
"Ready?" Zero asked as he closed his eyes and touched the screen.
With a flash, only X and Cain remained in the room.
"Later, Zero." X whispered to the monitor.
Colors swirled, and in seconds the three were standing in the middle of an old city.
"Well, I think it's time to change into our 'civilian' clothes, Peregrine." Zero said, turning towards her, still holding her hand.
Peregrine took a moment to look around, noting the new, unfamiliar surroundings of the Digiworld. She then nodded and activated the change. Soon, her black armor disappeared, leaving a young teenager girl in jeans, a white shirt, boots, tied ponytail of long lustrous brown hair and her two metallic wings and gauntlets.
Zero had also changed into a pair of jeans, a green shirt not unlike the one he used to use, a ponytail of blonde hair and his metallic gauntlets.
"Too bad about the wings. Otherwise you would've looked just like a beautiful young human girl, instead of a beautiful angel." Zero commented, earning a blush from Peregrine.
"Oh, and one thing, you should call me Matt now. It's my real name, after all." Peregrine nodded.
"Sure, Zer- Matt. How should I be called then?" Peregrine asked.
Matt looked down at Gabumon helpless. The Digimon shrugged. "Why don't you stick with Peregrine? It's your real name, after all."
Peregrine thought for a moment. "Okay, but only until I find a more suitable name for my civvies."
"How about Jessie?" Matt asked.
"You like it?" Peregrine asked back with a smile.
Matt blushed, but nodded.
"Then Jessie it is." Jessie said smiling.
Matt smiled. He turned towards a strange mountain in the distance. It seemed that it was somehow hollow and pieces of it were missing.
"Well Gabumon, you know where T.K. and the others were going?" Matt asked.
Just then they heard explosions nearby. Without sparing so much as a glance at each other Matt, Gabumon and the newly baptized Jessie started running in the general direction of the explosions.
"And I thought this world would be a lot more peaceful!" Jessie commented as they ran.
"It's not normally like this!" Gabumon answered, running on behind her. "This is happening because of the influence of the Dark Masters!"
They ran until a huge skyscraper went down after receiving one of Machinedramon's Giga attacks. The Dark Master was covered by a cloud of debris, and when it had finally settled, he had disappeared.
"Matt, I think I heard screams coming from inside the building!" Gabumon said.
"Yes, I noticed too." Matt said worriedly. They ran up to the remains of the building, noticing a huge hole in the center.
"We have to find a way to get down there." Matt said, facing his two companions.
"I could fly you down, but we'll have to make two trips..." Jessie said.
Matt shook his head. "Fly Gabumon down, I'll jump."
Gabumon looked at Matt worriedly. "Are you crazy? You could kill yourself!"
Matt smiled, jumped up, and just as he was descending dashed up again, then landed smoothly on the ground. "I'll just make an upwards dash every now and then before hitting the ground. Don't worry about me."
Gabumon looked uncomfortable for a moment, but nodded. Jessie slid her arms under his and picked him up easily. She then jumped into the hole, opening her wings and spiraling down slowly. Matt took a running leap and let himself fall down swooshing past his two companions.
As they saw Matt fall down, Jessie noticed Gabumon's discomfort. "Hey, I'm not letting you fall, so relax, Gabumon!"
Gabumon looked up at her. "It's not that. I've just got the feeling that Matt doesn't need me anymore."
Jessie blink blinked. "Why's that?"
"Well, living as Zero made him mature a lot faster and stronger, and now he's much more capable of taking care of himself than I can."
Jessie smiled at Gabumon. "That's not true! Zero, I mean Matt, hasn't been happier in all the time he's been with the Maverick Hunters than when you arrived!"
"Really?"
Jessie nodded. "Yup. Maybe he's stronger now, but few people can boast of having friends like you, and as for protection, Zero can't fight everything alone. That's what you and me are here for, champ!"
"Matt, not Zero." Gabumon corrected, smiling back.
"Matt." She acknowledged.
They finally made it down to where Matt was waiting for them, standing next to a river.
"I've checked around here, and I didn't find anything. I think they fell into the water and were dragged away by the current."
"Well, then we'll just walk along the side it until we find them." Jessie reasoned.
Matt nodded and the three started walking.
They walked for a few hours, they had heard distant machines, but they had stuck to the water since they thought it would be easier to find the others that way. Suddenly they heard a loud explosion and shouts. Running to the origin of the newest event, they found Andromon trying to stand up again next to a hole in the wall.
"Andromon!" Matt and Gabumon yelled in stereo. They ran up to him to help him stand as Jessie took a look at one of Zero's friends.
Andromon looked a lot like a very tall human or Reploid, heavily armored in a gray metal. A skull-like helm covered his head and face, leaving his lower jaw uncovered. She noticed an over developed canine sticking out of his mouth. He looked like something out of Wily's imagination, in her opinion.
"Matt?" Andromon asked holding a hand to his head. He was obviously in a bad condition. "You have to help the other Digidestined! They are inside with Machinedramon!"
Matt nodded. "Will you be okay?"
"Yes. Go help them; I'll get to you as soon as I get my bearings back."
Matt motioned to Jessie and Gabumon to follow him as he jumped into the hole.
As soon as he was out he saw Machinedramon blowing a group of numemon into digidust, Kari, T.K., Izzi, Tai and Sora were standing protectively over their Digimon as the metallic tyrannosaur took a step towards them.
Things were not looking good for the Digidestined. Their Digivolved friends had been no match for Machinedramon, who had just batted them away as if they were nothing. To make matters worse, the numemon had tried to save Kari and had attacked the Dark Master only to be wiped out without a second thought.
Now, Machinedramon was about to crush them.
Just as the gigantic Dark Master was about to take another step, something slammed to his side. The evil Digimon flew to the other side of the room and crashed against the wall.
"You leave my brother and friends alone, you bastard!" Matt shouted.
Tai and the others stared in awe at Matt as he shook a gauntleted fist at the recuperating Machinedramon.
"Another Digidestined. My work has been only made easier." Machinedramon commented as he stood to his full height, towering above everyone in the room.
"Brother!" T.K. shouted standing up.
"T.K.! Stay there! Tai, Izzi, Sora! Grab him!" Matt ordered.
Realizing that Matt wasn't kidding they grabbed T.K., who struggled to get free.
"Calm down, T.K.! Matt must have a plan!" Tai said. This calmed down T.K. a little.
"Gabumon, Jessie!" Matt called.
Jessie ran up to Matt, ignoring the surprised stares of the kids and their Digimon at her metallic wings. Gabumon stopped next to them.
"We'll have to take down Machinedramon before he tries his Giga Cannon." Both his friends nodded, as they did a semi circle around Machinedramon.
Matt took his Digivice out and pointed it at Gabumon. "Metalgarurumon!" Gabumon was surrounded in a white light as he Digivolved.
"Gabumon Digivolve..." the Digimon shouted, and then his voice was replaced by the menacing baritone of "Metalgarurumon!"
Tai and the others were very surprised. It was the first time they had seen Gabumon transform like that without extreme emotional buildup. "Wow!" was all that Sora could say.
Machinedramon was now in the middle of the three fighters, just as he tried a sweep at Jessie, Metalgarurumon tackled him from behind, sending him flying towards Matt.
The Digidestined cried in dismay as their friend was about to be crushed by the gigantic Digimon.
But Matt moved incredibly fast towards the monster and did an uppercut, sending the Dark Master into the air. Jessie jumped into the air too, and flying over her enemy she kicked him to the ground, where the impact created a large crater.
The others couldn't believe their eyes; those had been less than five seconds. Just as they were about to cheer Machinedramon let out a roar and fired his Giga Blast at Metalgarurumon, who took it fully.
Matt, Jessie and the present Digidestined ran towards their fallen comrade as Machinedramon came out of his crater.
Metalgarurumon devolved back to Gabumon. "I'm sorry Matt, I have no energy left. I used it up to survive that Giga Blast."
"It's okay, my friend. I should've imagined that the Dark Masters would be a little tougher than our other enemies. Peregrine and I will take care of this."
Gabumon smiled. "Good luck then, Zero." he managed to say before losing consciousness.
The kids looked from Gabumon back to Matt not understanding a word. Matt looked up at Jessie and nodded, standing up.
"Looks like it's time to Digivolve, Jessie." Matt smiled sadly at T.K.
Jessie nodded. "Right on, boyfriend."
The two jumped away from the Digidestined and to both sides of Machinedramon, who had to look at them instead of the Digidestined, since he had sensed them a greater threat.
"Did she say 'boyfriend'?" Sora asked a bewildered Biyomon.
Matt smiled at Jessie as he raised his arm into the air. "Matt Digivolve into... Zero!"
Gatomon developed a sweat-drop. "Just what does he think he's he doing? Humans can't Digiv..." she stopped when a white energy ran through Matt's body leaving a red armor behind its wake.
"Jessie Digivolve into... Black Peregrine!" Jessie said, following Matt's lead and raising her right arm.
Everyone stared in surprise as she was also surrounded by the white energy. She was covered by her black armor and her right hand replaced by her blaster. She breathed in relief. She liked her armor better than her 'civilian' clothes.
"Or none at all," she thought to herself glancing at Zero.
The Digidestined looked at their Digimon in surprise. Everyone was shocked. They couldn't believe what was happening.
For that matter, neither could Machinedramon. His scanners were going wild as they analyzed his enemies. They didn't have as much power individually as he or Piedmon did, but together...
Zero flashed out his sword. "I did warn you against harming my friends!"
Peregrine started gathering energy until her body glowed with contained power.
Sensing the attack, Machinedramon turned around and pointed his arm gun at her.
"I don't think so!" Zero shouted as he jumped and dashed past the Dark Master, his sword flashing.
Machinedramon could only stare as his gun slid into two parts, cut clean by Zero's sword.
Peregrine shot the monster with her charged blaster, slamming him against another wall in the room. The blast had dragged Machinedramon across the room lifting a heavy cloud of dust.
Kari's tag suddenly started glowing. Zero and Peregrine felt themselves refreshed suddenly, as did Gatomon, Agumon, Gabumon, Patamon, Biyomon and the returning Andromon.
Tai looked at his Digimon. "Agumon! Digivolve!"
"Right!" Agumon nodded. "Agumon Digivolve... War Greymon!" Peregrine witnessed yet another Digivolution as the small velociraptor-like creature transformed into an armored reptile man. A metal helm covered its head, and he had some sort of leather armor covering his chest. Metallic boots covered his feet and he had some sort of spiked gauntlets that reached from his forearm to his knees, giving him a longer reach in combat.
War Greymon opened the shield on his back and flew into the dust cloud. Everyone heard a few grinding noises and as the dust cleared they were able to see War Greymon standing in front of Machinedramon.
As they looked in surprise, Machinedramon slid in half for a moment, and then turned into digidust.
War Greymon devolved into Agumon seconds later, dropping exhausted to the ground.
Two groups stood facing each other. To the right, stood a young man with blonde hair tied in a ponytail, red metallic gauntlets, blue jeans, and a green shirt.
Standing next to him, a girl with black metallic wings and gauntlets, wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and boots. She had brown hair also tied in a ponytail.
Standing slightly in front of them was a strange creature that looked like a small yellow dinosaur covered with a wolf pelt.
The other group was composed of five kids, and five strange creatures. The first with unruly brown hair held back by a pair of goggles. He had a blue shirt, shorts and white gloves.
Standing next to him was a small red velociraptor like creature. To their right stood a girl with a pink T-shirt, a blue bicycle cap, and blue jeans, next to her stood a pink bird with a bracelet on its left leg.
The second boy had his hair cut short, and was carrying a backpack with a laptop inside. A Ladybug-like creature stood on it's two legs next to him.
In front of them stood two younger kids, a boy in a green shirt, pants a cap, a small flying creature that looked like a hamster with wings and a girl in a pink dress with a white cat-like creature that stood on its hind legs.
"Well, Matt..." The boy with the goggles started. "It's good to have you back!" Tai finished smiling. He walked up to Matt and shook his hand, noting the metallic gauntlet.
"Brother!" The little kid shouted jumping onto Matt's arms. Matt hugged his younger brother carefully.
"Hello T.K.! How've you been?" He asked holding him at arms length but still keeping him on eye level.
"Great! We managed to beat Puppetmon!" T.K. shouted happily.
Matt nodded, still smiling, he looked at his partner. "Jessie, this is T.K., my younger brother."
Jessie smiled. "Hello, T.K.!" Matt let T.K. go as he was greeted by Sora, Kari, Agumon, Gatomon and Biyomon with another hug. Patamon flied above them in circles, happy for his friends.
"We were worried about you!" Sora said, stifling a tear. Matt patted her back reassuringly.
"Hey, I'm alright!" Matt assured her.
Meanwhile T.K. was apparently assessing Jessie to see if she was good enough for his brother. Thinking this, she tried to stifle a smile.
Finally stopping before her, he crossed his arms, pretending to be serious. "Are you really Matt's girlfriend?" He asked her.
Jessie nodded smiling at him. T.K. smiled back and hugged her. "Are you gonna get married?" He asked looking at her straight in the eye.
"Wha-" She stammered.
Sora looked smugly at Matt as he turned beet red.
"T.K.!" Matt whispered harshly.
"Oh, hit a spot there, Matt?" Sora asked poking him in the chest.
"N-no..." he answered, still red.
"I think we should continue up Spiral Mountain and fight Piedmon." Andromon interrupted them.
Tai looked at the big android in feigned disgust. "You're no fun, Andromon!"
Andromon blinked at him and Tai shook his head. "Forget it, Andromon."
He turned and looked at the group. "Well, we have to go, guys."
Everyone nodded and Biyomon Digivolved at Sora's request.
Jessie watched mesmerized Sora's Digimon evolve.
The small pink bird was surrounded by light and it started growing as it was surrounded by fire, like a phoenix... only... with fangs?
As soon as Biyomon had finished her conversion into the gigantic Birdramon the kids and smaller Digimon got on her.
Birdramon tried to pick up Matt, but had to give up after a second try.
"I'm sorry Matt!" The big bird said after a moment. "You weigh as much as Andromon!"
Everyone stared at Matt.
"It's okay!" Jessie said, stepping forward. "I'll fly the two of us up."
"Are you sure you can?" Birdramon asked.
Matt slipped his arm around Jessie's waist, passing his other arm on her back and grabbing her shoulder. They stared at each other for a moment, before Jessie answered.
"Uh... yeah, no prob." She said, not taking her eyes off his.
To make her point she jumped up and started beating her wings slowly. To Birdramon's surprise she could handle Matt's weight without a problem.
Shrugging it off, the Digimon also lifted up along with Andromon, who used a jet pack on his back to shoot up alongside them.
Tentomon also Digivolved into a giant humanoid-insect with horns and wings. "Kabuterimon!"
Izzi straddled Kabuterimon's back.
"Let's go guys!" Izzi shouted.
"This is going to be a long flight." Matt muttered looking up at Spiral Mountain.
"I'm not complaining..." Jessie said to his ear.
Matt became as red as his armor.
"Hey you guys! Get a room!" Tai shouted from Birdramon's back.
"TAI! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Matt swore, unable to face him.
Tai leaned back, smiled at Sora and ignored Matt's rants.
They had been flying up for ten minutes already, and by now Sora was bored out of her mind. Tai had fallen asleep between Gabumon and Agumon, but she had many things troubling her, like Matt and his girlfriend's Digivolution.
"Hey, Matt!" She called.
Jessie shared a look with Matt and approached the giant bird.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"You never explained how you Digivolved. Is that a new power we're going to get along the way?"
Gabumon opened his eye a slit and watched and heard silently.
"Uh," Matt looked nervously at T.K., who was looking at him with interest. "No, it's... it's the gauntlets! They let me Digivolve..."
"Cool!" T.K. exclaimed. "Can I borrow them and see what I Digivolve into?"
"Uh, sorry, T.K., but I can't take these off." Matt answered.
Sora noticed that Jessie was looking at Matt with a hurt expression, and then the Reploid turned and looked in another direction, pressing her lips together.
"There's more to those metallic gauntlets than meets the eye." Sora thought to herself.
A few minutes later they had reached the top of Spiral Mountain, and everyone was dead tired. They decided to stop for a few hours before continuing to Piedmon's hideout.
"I'll make first watch," Matt told them. "You guys go ahead and rest."
He then walked away from the group, followed by Gabumon and sat on a dune overlooking the area.
As they rested, Sora noticed Jessie walking towards Matt. Making sure the others were asleep or occupied, she got up and followed her, finally hiding behind one of the rocks near them.
"Zero..." Jessie started.
"Matt." Gabumon corrected.
Matt sighed exasperated. "Does it matter?" He grabbed a rock and threw it into the distance. So far that neither Gabumon nor Sora could see where it had fallen.
"I've been Matt for eleven years. And I've lived as Zero for almost six years. Not counting the thirty I spent in cryostasis. Now, I'm back, and I don't know if I can be T.K.'s brother again."
Jessie looked at him. "Are you ashamed of what we are, Zero? Is that the problem?"
Matt sighed. "No... I don't know. It's always been easy, you know." He looked up into the sky. "Back at HQ I just received orders; 'Zero, there's a group of Mavericks on the loose! Take your unit and take care of them!' It was just so simple. I just reacted. Now, I'm starting to feel again what I felt when I was with my little brother.
Jessie looked down. "What?"
"Helplessness." Matt said. "Before I left the group I couldn't believe that T.K. could take care of himself and that he didn't need me anymore. Now I'm back and I find that he needs me in other ways, but I never thought what to tell him when he discovered I wasn't the same."
Jessie hugged Matt's shoulders. "He'll have to face it, like Gabumon did."
Gabumon nodded solemnly.
"Yes, but is he ready? What will he say when he finds out his big brother isn't even human anymore?"
"He'll say that being human, Digimon or whatever you were doesn't mean anything as long as you are yourself, Matt." Sora said, stepping from behind the boulder.
"Sora?" Matt asked in surprise, jumping to his feet and taking a couple of steps back.
Sora nodded. "When were you going to tell us, Matt? Or is it Zero?"
"Both," Matt answered. "I'm Matt, the Digidestined wearing the tag of friendship; but I also happen to be Zero, Maverick Hunter."
"Listen, Matt. Maybe you shouldn't tell T.K. just yet, but be sure to tell him when this is all over. And also tell the others and me the whole story. We are your friends, and deserve to know if you're okay."
Sora turned away and started walking back to the others. "Remember, Matt; we've been together through thick and thin. I don't know what a Maverick Hunter is, but I know you'll tell us when the time is right."
"Sora..." Matt whispered, as he looked at her retreating figure.
"It's my turn," Tai offered standing next to Matt. "It's time for you to rest for a while."
"I'm not tired." Matt answered after a moment.
"Come on, Matt!" His friend insisted. "You've been awake most of the time. I slept on the flight. Come on, rest."
Matt finally nodded and went back to camp. After gazing at the sky for a few minutes, he slowly fell asleep.
End Chapter 5