Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon Tamers. However, every original character, including the Omnivice Traits, is mine, and they're completely fictional, not based in any character of the real life. I do not own "Eden", interpreted by Sarah Brightman.
SILENT SORROW
Chapter 14
Concerto of Despair
Part I: A Serenade in Eden
Eden: the garden where Adam and Eve first lived; Paradise –n. any delightful place –
What is it now?
"My, how rude."
What do you want now? I'm tired of your rambling. Can't you just leave me alone?
"Alone in the darkness?"
Yes.
"Are you happy here?"
…………………
"You could do much better than this."
How? By living? Don't make me laugh. Life only brings misery. There is no such thing as happiness.
"That is a lie. Happiness is possible. But no one said it is easy to obtain."
Oh, really?
"Your sarcasm is delightful, Alice. Look at Takato, for example."
Are you telling me that he's happy? For God's sake, that boy already has a foot in hell.
"Yet he never complains. Do you want to know why? Because he's satisfied. He has discovered the joys of life, as he's been blessed with a loving family and many great friends. He has lived incredible experiences, and he has become a fabulous person thanks to them. That's why, even in the most difficult hardships. He manages to go on, and he hasn't forgotten the power of a smile. He is happy, Alice. He's happy, and he'll die happy."
………………
"What are you thinking?"
………it's not fair. If you're right……if he has truly succeeded, then it's not fair for him to die.
"Yes……destiny hasn't been nice to him, as he has to carry a burden like no other human being ever has. However, don't you think that if it weren't for the destiny that awaits him, he wouldn't be the kind of man he is?"
…………maybe.
"We could all learn a valuable lesson from him………especially you. And that's precisely what I'm offering you."
………another chance?
"A second chance. A chance to learn, a final opportunity at happiness. A chance for you to rediscover the beauty of life."
………life………why would I want to do that?
"Because you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain."
…………to learn……………
"Think about it."
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E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 93:39:11
Rika couldn't keep her head still, looking at everywhere and everything. Carved within the rock, a complex network of passages and rooms which hosted all of the place's population. She would have been even more amazed by everything if carrying Takato for hours hadn't driven her to a level of exhaustion like nothing she had experienced before. Renamon followed silently, as she had always done, and it actually seemed like Rosemon was taking her time.
"Umm……excuse me……"
"Yes?" Rosemon replied without looking back.
"Well……where are we going?"
"As far as I can remember, I'm the one doing the questions, human."
"Takato needs to rest!"
"Patience is a virtue." Rosemon concluded. Rika sighed and continued walking.
Rika didn't have to wait much longer. Eventually, Rosemon and her escort stopped in front of a small curtain which covered a small entrance. Following the Mega Digimon inside, Rika and Renamon found themselves in a small bedroom embedded in the solid rock. It was simple yet neat, having a large wooden bed on a rocky platform, a nicely crafted dining table and another smaller table next to the bed. Another curtain hid the entrance to a small bathroom. The whole place was lit with candles on the tables and three large torches on the bedroom's stone walls.
Rika delicately placed Takato on the bed, to which the sleeping boy replied with a sigh of content. Rika smiled and faced Rosemon.
"What now?"
Rosemon shrugged. "We don't have anything like a prison here. We never thought we would need one. You may think of this room as your very own cell. Anyway, there will be guards at the door all the time, and, as you can see, there are no windows."
Renamon took the chance to speak. "I was precisely wondering……there are no windows, yet the room is comfortable, even with the heat from the torches."
Rosemon smiled. "These rocks aren't completely solid. Air from outside leaks from small gaps in the rock. If you look more carefully you'll notice them."
Renamon nodded. "Pretty clever."
"Thanks. Anyway, you may rest for a while, but you shall be summoned soon. Our leader still has to decide what to do with you."
"Leader?" Rika asked, puzzled. "I thought you were the leader."
Rosemon chuckled. "Gee, thanks. Everyone looks up to me, being the strongest one here and everything. Lord Cherrymon may be weaker than me, but he's the wisest Digimon I've known, and without him we would have never been able to preserve the peace and secrecy of this sanctuary. Now if you excuse me, I have reports to present."
Five seconds later, they were completely alone, save for the two impressively different guards standing by the door. One was a lovely Lilymon and the other a rather intimidating Blossomon. Rika decided to ignore them and focus on the problem at hand.
"I guess we'll be fine here." Renamon interrupted the silence.
"Unless Lord Cherrymon decides that we must die or something. They really have a thing for keeping this place a secret."
"They do have a point, though. They have managed to create a stable and peaceful society in this beautiful place. Yet its stability depends closely on the lack of any external influence."
"Yeah, whatever." Rika muttered as she sat on the bed next to sleeping Takato. Concluding that there was no point in hiding anything from Renamon anymore, Rika delicately slid her right hand to caress Takato's hair.
"So, Gogglehead………what now?"
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E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 87:16:51
Slowly, very slowly, Jeri opened her eyes. She felt refreshed after a good sleep, yet for a strange reason, she wasn't very willing to wake up. Then, she remembered the nightmare she was living, its latest episode having taken place a little more than six hours before. Ironically enough, that pretty much helped her get up as if there was a hot charcoal under her.
"Henry!"
"What?" A tired voice replied from somewhere to her left. On a bed identical to the one Jeri was sitting at the moment, Henry Wong and Terriermon rested and looked at the young girl.
"About time you woke up." The small Digimon greeted Jeri. Jeri jumped off the bed and moved to Henry's side in no time at all.
"Henry! Are you okay!? I thought Daemon………"
"It looked worse than it really was, so don't worry. I've been awake for like an hour……"
"…and we're still waiting for breakfast!"
"Terriermon! Anyway……we were waiting for you to wake up. It's good to see the explosion didn't hurt you."
"Now that you mention it, my head kind of hurts a little……"
"Miss Riley told us that you had hit the side of the van because of the explosion, that's the reason you were knocked unconscious. But it seems a good night's rest did well to you."
Jeri smiled and blushed. "Th……thanks."
Henry smiled back and Terriermon snickered, which earned him a nice whack on the head by his Tamer's left fist.
"Can you get up?"
"They said I shouldn't. I'm kind of bored, though."
"And hungry!"
"Yes, Terriermon, we're hungry, too."
Jeri chuckled. "I'll see what I can do." She said as she walked outside the room. Henry looked at her until she was no longer visible. Then he looked at Terriermon, who seemed to be pondering something.
"What is it?"
"Well, now that I notice……from a certain angle……and with the proper illumination……she does have a nice butt, don't you think?"
"T-TERRIERMON!!!!!"
"Jeez, momentai already! I have sensitive ears, remember!?"
*TWACK!*
"Ow! Henry!"
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E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 87:12:33
Yamaki lighted his seventh cigarette that morning, ignoring Riley's stern look. The woman had a good reason to be worried about her boss' sudden desire to smoke, considering that it was only a little past 6 AM. They were the only ones in the meeting room that morning, as they had allowed the Tamers to have a much needed rest, and the other workers were busy taking care of all of the place's refugees, and those who weren't helping were resting after a long night's work. Besides, there wasn't much to discuss anyway. The Tamers' strike last night had been an absolute disaster, and the couple was there only to discuss the consequences of the failed operation, even if Yamaki knew pretty much the whole thing already.
He had witnessed it, after all.
Yamaki finally faced his partner and began toying with his lighter.
"Go ahead."
Oootori Riley sighed and proceeded to make the unnecessary report.
"The operation to attack the enemy Digimon, Daemon, was a failure. Digimon Tamer Henry Wong received several minor bruises, yet it is recommended to keep him on bed for at least 24 more hours. Digimon Tamer Katou Jeri has a minor bruise on the back of her head, and she is expected to fully recover today. Digimon Tamers Shiota Hirokazu and Kitagawa Kenta don't seem to have any injuries from the battle. Digimon Tamer Suzie Wong didn't participate in the operation. Digimon Tamer Akiyama Ryo is on intensive care due to second degree burns."
"What about……?"
"Guilmon still doesn't wake up."
Yamaki sighed. Now for the uncomfortable part. "Number of casualties."
"One. Hypnos Technician Daneel Randt. End of report."
"Thank you, Riley." Yamaki said before getting rid of his cigarette. Not even half of it had burned out. The man stood up and proceeded to walk outside the room when the sight of Katou Jeri standing right in front of him, blocking the only way out, forced him to stop.
For a few seconds, an uncomfortable silence filled the large room, as the two adults didn't know what to say to the young girl. In the end, it would be up to Jeri to put an end to the uneasiness.
"……Excuse me." She said before turning around and quickly retreating. Yamaki sighed. As cold-hearted as it might sound, he didn't have time to deal with the Tamers at the moment. On the other side, there was nothing much else he could do, anyway.
"Hmm……boss……"
"Yes, Riley?"
"There's a little something we have to discuss……" Riley said very slowly, pondering every single word to check the man's reaction.
"Yes?" Yamaki growled back. Whatever it was, he could tell it wasn't good.
"It's about the Tamers' parents………"
Yamaki sighed and began to rub his temples. On the other side, checking on the Tamers didn't sound that bad now.
******************************************************************
E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 87:00:50
………TK? Takeru………please?
Not now, Pauline.
Nope, Takeru wasn't on a good mood that day. After receiving the news from Gennai, and deciding that there was nothing much they could that night; the Digi-Destined had taken the rest of the night to have a very valuable sleep……which lasted five hours. After that, Takeru had literally dragged them off the bed, which had resulted in several uncomfortable scenes. After making sure that nobody took more than six minutes in the shower, which was more than enough to some people (like Koushiro and Ken), proved to be quite a challenge to most of the adults, especially the women. And Davis. Of course, that was because the former Gogglehead fell asleep in the shower.
Then, there was a very quick breakfast, and then, they moved out.
That's pretty much when the problems began. In one word: transportation.
Patamon had finally awakened, but Takeru considered it was too early for him to try digivolving again. It was a good thing that the Armor Evolutions still seemed to work okay, and Nefertimon had an extra seat for the former Digi-Destined of Hope. Ken also managed to make his Digimon evolved to the Champion level, but he wasn't going to ask Stingmon to carry him all the way to the edge of Server. That's what Halsemon was for. With Raidramon carrying Davis and Sora and Digmon managing to carry Cody, there were still no seats for Joe, Koushiro and Matt.
It was matters of checking if the oldest Chosen were still capable of making their Digimon evolve. Kabuterimon and Garurumon would do the job. Kabuterimon was no problem. After all, as mentioned before, Koushiro had been keeping close guard of the Digital World since the fall of MaloMyotismon, and that included a fair share of fighting other Digimon.
However, no matter what he did, Matt couldn't make Gabumon digivolve.
In the end, Stingmon did have to carry a passenger, that passenger being Inoue Yolei. Ken and Matt were carried by Halsemon and Kabuterimon did the same with Izzy and Joe. Meanwhile, Takeru pondered the situation.
And he was still doing the exact same thing even after they had hopped of their Digimon and continued on foot. As far as he knew, Takeru could count with the Armor Digimon, as well as Kabuterimon. After witnessing Matt's futile efforts he had serious doubts on the others' capability to make their Digimon evolve. As for the younger Digi-Destined, he still didn't know if he could count with Imperialdramon, or even the DNA fusions, Paildramon and Sylphymon. As Shakkoumon, that was out of the question. If Patamon was going to fight, he'd do it as either Seraphimon of SlashAngemon. As far as he knew, he was the only plausible Mega Digimon.
He didn't notice Koushiro walking next to him. "Takeru." He said.
"Huh?"
"You haven't said a word since we left and, well……everyone's kind of worried."
Koushiro spoke softly to prevent being heard by the others. However, given the silence that surrounded them, it was impossible not to be heard.
"I have a reason to be worried. We lack power."
"What do you mean?"
"Koushiro, a bunch of Armor Digimon and a Champion won't stop Daemon's forces, not even the scouting group. I need at least Ultimate Digimon to feel fairly safe."
"Well, we still have to try the DNA Evolutions……"
"I was thinking about that, too."
"See? Then everything's okay."
"Everything depends on whether Davis, Yolei and Cody prove to be capable of making their Digimon go Champion."
"And what if that fails?"
Koushiro and Takeru looked behind them, at the source of the voice.
"What if that fails?" Cody repeated.
Koushiro was left without words. He looked at Takeru, who, as usual, had an answer for everything.
"Then you win. You'd all be free to go to your homes, and live your last days on Earth as happily as you want."
He got no response. Takeru gently poked Patamon, who rested on his head.
"Huh?"
"Sorry Pata, but you have to get up. We're fighting alone, it seems."
"Oh?"
Patamon groggily opened his eyes and looked at the Digi-Destined. However, he was the King of Angels, after all, and he knew how to look at things, no matter how troubled they were.
"Okay."
"I knew I could count with you."
"So……SlashAngemon?"
"Probably. You don't use that much energy as SlashAngemon."
Koushiro frowned. "SlashAngemon?"
Takeru said nothing and continued walking. The others reluctantly followed.
********************************************************************
E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 86:54:02
Gabrielle could feel it. It was everywhere. Around her, behind her, in an agonic irony of bliss and confusion.
She had seen 'it'. She had seen when Gennai had brought 'it' to the A.D.A.M. room. He had even dared to show 'it' to her before leaving to a room behind her, a room never used before. A room just for 'him'.
Her younger brother, Tachikawa Takato.
Another spasm went through her body, but she didn't throw up. She never did. After all, her stomach had never received any food. She had felt repulsion towards that mockery of a living thing, yet there had been something else. Another feeling, which overcame the repulsion, and any other feeling she might have felt at that moment.
Fear. She had felt fear, an alien feeling to her before that moment. She thought she knew what 'fear' was until that moment, but she had been wrong. Now, she knew. What it felt like, being terrified.
She had seen 'it' within that fetus. Within that seemingly fragile and weak fetus, there was 'it'.
Power. Supreme. Absolute. That little thing, not yet fully formed, had the power. The Power of a God.
That little thing was perfect, complete. Project Asmodeus in its maximum expression. The perfect Vessel Gennai, and whoever pulled the strings behind Gennai, was waiting for.
She couldn't bear to see it. She looked at it, yes, but only for a few seconds. Gennai had laughed at her cowardice, yes, and then he had walked away. Only then she managed to get a good look at it. The small thing, already surrounded by tubes and machinery, made specially to keep him alive, to make him stronger, and to stimulate his growth. She knew the boy would grow much faster than any other. In two or three years he might already have the appearance of a ten year old, she didn't know the exact rate. But she was certain of one thing.
He would carry the greatest evil within him. He would bring chaos and destruction to every Universe.
Yet she loved him, as he was her brother.
The God in the Machine……no……a God-Machine…………a Golem……the Beast.
Gabrielle was in the verge of tears, when she remembered. There was still hope.
Takato………it's all in your hands, now.
She decided it was best for her to calm down. She settled on watching the small screen of Gennai's computer, and the digits of the countdown of Matsuki Takato's last moments in the world of the living.
She knew that, when that countdown reached zero, she would have to fight.
And she'd give it everything she had, and that means a lot.
After all, I am your little sister, Takato. I'll make you proud.
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E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 86:50:53
Jeri, Henry and Terriermon ate an insipid breakfast, surrounded by an eerie silence, a silence they fought to maintain. Not even Terriermon had bothered to interrupt, as even he knew when speaking wasn't proper. However, they couldn't expect the same from Hirokazu and Kenta as they entered the room.
"Hey there." Kazu said, quiet enough to not ruin the silence that swallowed the Tamers. They sat on the bed Jeri had been resting until a while before.
"Hey." Henry muttered before taking a sip of his coffee. "How's Ryo?"
"He hasn't woken up yet." Kenta replied. Henry gave him an odd look, which Kenta interpreted immediately. "Suzie's with your parents."
More silence. They had been through lots of that lately.
"So……what now?" Hirokazu pondered. Jeri and Kenta slumped down, depressed by the outcome of their latest battles. Henry shrugged.
"There's nothing much we can do. I seriously doubt my parents will let me get out of this bed before tomorrow, and without Ryo, we've lost an important part of our power to fight Daemon. And I'm not letting you go by yourselves."
"Henry, we're not insane." Kazu replied, followed by some shy laughter. Then, more silence.
"What are the adults doing now?" Jeri asked.
"They are very scared. Most of our parents are against letting us go fight again. What happened to Mr. Randt has really scared them." Kenta explained.
"What about the Hypnos people?" Henry insisted. Kazu and Kenta shrugged.
"Now that they know that Juggernaut is pretty much useless, they're as out of ideas as us."
Henry sighed. "So, in the end, everything's up to us."
Kazu shook his head. "I can't believe things will end like this. Come on, Daemon's destroying our city! And if he is not stopped, he might as well destroy the rest of the world! Damn, if I just could bio-merge……"
"There's no point in thinking of what we could or couldn't do, Kazu……" Terriermon interrupted. "We gotta deal with things with everything we've got. Next time we fight Daemon, we'll give it our best, and that's it."
"But you just heard Kenta!" Jeri exclaimed. "Our parents won't let us do anything."
"They'll have to let us go, and they know it." Henry stated. "At this moment, we are the only ones with the slightest chance of defeating Daemon. Terriermon's right, next time we fight, we give it everything we've got. We must ask Impmon to help us again, and Suzie, too."
Jeri looked at Henry with utter disbelief. "You're going to make your sister fight!?"
Henry nodded. "Like Ryo told me once, whether I like it or not, Suzie is a Tamer, and she, too, has to deal with the responsibility that title carries. Anyway, she'd have to fight sooner or later."
A collective sigh followed. They weren't looking forward to the next fight. Somehow, they all knew it would be the last.
"Jeri, I have a favor to ask."
"Huh?" Jeri, completely taken by surprise by Henry's words, fiercely nodded while a faint blush tinted her cheeks bright crimson. "S-Sure! Anything!"
"Someone has to talk with Takato's parents. And, well……I think they know you best………"
Jeri's nodding decreased considerably. It wasn't precisely a comfortable thing Henry had asked her to do. But she agreed, anyway. "Okay. I'll do it."
Henry's face lit up as he flashed a big smile. "Thanks a lot."
"H-Hai……" Jeri muttered as her blushing grew fiercer.
Terriermon eyed Hirokazu, and both human and Digimon snickered together. Kenta looked at his best friend, then at the Digimon, and shrugged to himself. He was completely lost.
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E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 86:46:01
The first time Rika had visited the Digital World, she had had to endure many difficult things. Eating those weird mushrooms she had grown to despise, sleeping in the open, on the cold, hard soil, or even the lack of the most basic hygienic necessities.
For that reason, sleeping on an actual bed for the first time in the Digital World was a blessing to her. She had extinguished the flame of the torches, and only a pair on candles remained lit, giving the minimum illumination she needed, as well as keeping the room temperature at a very comfortable level. At some point, an unusually strong gust from the "ventilation fissures", as Rika had named them, extinguished the remaining lights, enveloping the room in a veil of darkness. While Renamon didn't seem to mind from her resting place at one of the bedroom's corners, Rika noticed that the temperature dropped to be much colder than she would have expected from a bedroom carved in a huge rock.
Hence, she had awakened in the darkness. She could hear noises outside, as the place seemed to be getting busier and noisier as the day progressed. She knew it was still night outside, but, unlike in the Human World, there was no sunrise to be expected. She looked next to her, where Takato still rested, seemingly oblivious to everything that had happened since their first meeting with Rosemon. He had a neutral expression on his face, which showed that he wasn't dreaming. Rika wondered if that was good or bad.
She wondered what kind of things someone like Takato would dream about. What would he see in his nightmares?
She cuddled closer to him, finding comfort in what little warmth he had.
He is cold. She thought.
Now certain that she wouldn't go back to sleep, she took her time memorizing his face, to make sure she'd never forget it. She remembered all kinds of things he ever told her: things that made her laugh, things that made her want to knock him out, things that surprised her and things that simply amazed her.
She wondered if she was in some of those dreams, and she wondered if he ever doubted of their friendship, or whatever they had. After all, the memory of the day they met was still fresh in her mind. To her, Takato was the enemy, and Guilmon another prey for Renamon to absorb his data. Guilmon had fought, ignoring his Tamer's pleas. And Rika had seen that day for the first time that Guilmon and his Tamer were not an ordinary duo.
And the next day, Guilmon had saved her life.
Stupid Gogglehead……She thought, the thought accompanied with a tiny smile.
Did you ever think of me,
As your best friend.
Did I ever think of you,
I'm not complaining.
Takato as the enemy, Guilmon as the prey……Rika wondered when things changed so incredibly between them. She remembered her meeting with Takato and Guilmon a few days later. She had actually taken them to her house. Of course, her family was ecstatic. But what she remembered the most about that day was the dream. Takato had told her that he knew her from before, because he had dreamt of her.
Rika never doubted the boy's sincerity. However, the idea had terrified her. Of course, she had forced him to keep it a secret. As she thought about it, Rika realized that wasn't necessary. Takato had no reasons to discuss that with anyone else but her.
Of course, things began to change with time. Rika had started to acknowledge Takato's presence in her life, and Henry's, too she guessed. They were Tamers and, whether she liked it or not, they had begun to work together. They pretty much had to, because, even if she hated to admit it, she would have never defeated the Devas by herself. Heck, she would have never made Renamon evolve to Ultimate Level by herself. Asides from that, Rika recognized Takato as a strong fighter. Way too strong to her liking, reaching an absolute peak when he bio-merged with Guilmon. Takato changed that day, and so did she.
Wrong………I didn't change………he somehow changed me……………
I never tried to feel.
I never tried to feel.
This vibration.
I never tried to reach.
I never tried to reach.
Your Eden.
Your Eden… Your Eden…
Raising her head above Takato, and facing him directly, Rika wondered if Takato's supposed powers had any influence in other people's minds. She wondered if Takato had somehow used his power to change her into a more "likable" person. She laughed to herself when she pondered the idea. That boy hadn't needed special powers to gain her acceptance.
He is already special, with or without powers………
But the question still remained within her. How? When? Why did her attitude towards Takato, and towards people in general, changed so dramatically? She had thought that being with other people was a signal of weakness, but now that she experienced itself, she couldn't imagine she had welcome loneliness once.
Although……I now have several defeats in my battle record……and now that I think of it, Takato is pretty much responsible for all of them!
Rika laughed softly and shook her head. There was no point in blaming him for that. She would have to train harder, and that's it. That hadn't changed at all with time; she was still determined to be the strongest Tamer.
And that made her think of the awkward "competition" she had with Takato. But she realized there no competition at all, because Takato had no desire to compete against her, and besides, he always won. She still remembered with regret the violent battle against BlackTerriermon.
Did I ever think of you,
As my enemy.
Did you ever think of me,
I'm complaining.
She wasn't herself that day; that was for sure. Not that she'd admit it, though. He was stronger than her, period. She knew it was because of those "divine" powers that made him so important or whatever, she didn't really care anymore. Takato was a special exception, she was still better than anyone else, including stupid Ryo Akiyama.
She was getting tired of being in that position, looming above Takato as if she was suddenly going to strangle him or something, but she just couldn't stop staring at him. She wondered if Renamon was looking at her, being on a corner behind her and everything, but she'd let the Digimon think whatever she wanted.
After all, there was the matter of their feelings. She felt something for the Gogglehead; that could be stated without a doubt. And the Gogglehead felt something for her; that too could be stated without doubt. He had kissed her, after all. And she hadn't tried to stop him, either. Any doubts she could have had were over after eavesdropping on Takato's conversation with Takeru the day before yesterday. Then, what was stopping them?
Many things.
Takato's unwillingness to talk to Rika directly.
Rika's stubbornness to follow her heart's wishes.
And the fact that Takato was agonizing, of course. How could we possibly forget that!?
I never tried to feel.
I never tried to feel.
This vibration.
I never tried to reach.
I never tried to reach.
Your Eden.
Your Eden… Your Eden…
But she wanted to feel. To feel whatever she was supposed to feel in this situation. What her grandma had felt with her grandpa and her mother with her father…..at least for a while. Whatever that Riley chick felt with that cold bastard Yamaki, and whatever Jeri felt with Henry……oh, yes, she could tell. She could be the way she was, but it didn't change the fact that she was a woman, and women seem to have a sixth sense for those things. I mean, Takato could tell!
She wanted to feel……she needed to. She had the firm idea that whatever feelings this……crush on Takato gave her would helped her reach a final decision on her hope on humanity, and their need for company. She had already experienced so many incredible things that to Takato and their adventures together, and she was grateful, yes, but there was still something. She knew there was one last lesson Takato had to give her, yet she wasn't absolutely certain of what it might be.
However, there was a way. Takato had guided her through this "crash course" on humanity all the time. It was time for her to start learning by herself. She would never find what she truly wanted if she didn't look for it herself.
And so, looking at Takato's seemingly peaceful face as he slept, she asked her heart to tell her what she truly wanted.
I never tried to feel.
I never tried to...
Your Eden…
She listened, and she followed her heart.
In the darkness of the final minutes of the night, her lips joined with his.
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E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 86:30:47
They could see them now. Daemon Corps' scouting team. From a vantage point on a nearby hill, the Digi-Destined and Takeru could see the group of enemy Digimon without fearing being caught. He felt Hikari's left arm softly grazing his body, and he could feel it was shivering. She obviously recognized the enemy Digimon.
"So……what now?" He muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. However, he soon realized that many pairs of eyes were on him.
He focused on the enemy forces. Most of them were DarkScubamon and Kurisarimon, but it surprised Takeru to see a pair of Infermon slowly marching at the end of the group. It was obvious those two were the heavy artillery. The DarkScubamon are among the smallest Ultimate Digimon, which make them fast and lethal, and the Kurisarimon are more annoying than anything else.
"Okay, here we go, Patamon."
"Yep!"
Takeru looked at the Digi-Destined one last time. "You're welcome to join us whenever you want."
Takeru stood out of their hiding place and began to walk down the hill, straight to where the group of Digimon was walking. The other humans and Digimon simply watched in awe what many of them thought was a stupid and suicidal action.
Of course, it was a matter of time before he was spotted by one of the enemies. One of the DarkScubamon in front saw him first, and didn't doubt to halt the rest of the group, who were as surprised at him, watching how a human and a rookie Digimon walked towards them as if they didn't really care. However, none of them seemed to recognize him from the battle of Shinjuku the day before.
"Halt, human! Stop right there and identify yourself!"
Takeru walked three more steps and finally stopped like 150 feet away from the group of Digimon. They were all looking at him with puzzled expression, something Takeru found very funny.
"Patamon……"
"Yep………"
Pauline……
………I'm ready whenever you are.
"So, you want to know who I am. Let's put it like this: I'm the last human you'll ever see."
Takeru's shout resonated everywhere, reaching the Digi-Destined's ears with absolute clarity.
"Bio-merge, activate!"
MATRIX EVOLUTION
Bio-Merge Activated
"Patamon, digivolve to…………SlashAngemon!!!"
The Digi-Destined gasped when the bright light seemed to swallow Takeru and Patamon, and they were replaced with a steel angel, with armor similar to Seraphimon's, with a shining metallic color, and not as bulky. His head was protected by a steel helmet, which only allowed seeing his short, spiky blue hair. His hands were inexistent, as they had been replaced by a pair of long blue swords. His eyes were completely hidden, as nothing but a narrow opening allowed him vision, and a small metallic horn protruded from his forehead. Finally, a set of large and razor-sharp metallic wings which glowed and shone with the sunlight of a new day.
"Now……who will be the first to strike?"
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E.T.D. (Estimated Time of Death): 85:56:56
With a quiet yawn, Takato Matsuki finally awakened. As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar grey ceiling. As soon as his eyes adjusted to the light, he realized that it wasn't a real ceiling. Obviously he was in a cave of some sort.
Then why did the ground feel so soft and comfy?
Soon he noticed he was on a bed. He didn't have time to wonder what a bed was doing inside a cave before noticing the rest of the furniture. There was a small table right next to the bed and a larger table in the middle of the "bedroom", probably for eating. And he could see a little blue curtain at the other side of the room.
He also noticed that he was alone.
He immediately wondered if Rika and Renamon were okay, but something in his mind told him they were okay, and he had nothing to worry about. He was more worried about himself, actually.
Ruki?
……………
Idle Mode, I should have known………Chaos?
"……what?"
You sound tired.
"Oh, really?"
Okay, I get the sarcasm. We both need to rest.
Slowly trying tentative attempts at standing up, Takato realized his legs seemed to be still functional. Tumbling and using the walls and furniture for support, he walked to the blue curtain, and discovered the bathroom it led to. Takato smiled with surprise, but accepted the surprise with gratefulness, given that, in fact, he kind of needed to take a leak.
Five minutes later (the time it took him to pee, get up, and make his way to wash his hands and face), Takato was exiting the small bathroom, when he detected some movement close to him. He let a sigh of relief when he saw it was Rika and Renamon, entering the room from another curtain he hadn't seen before.
"Hey, Rika! Where were………"
Takato was unable to finish his sentence when he noticed that Rika was, in fact, wearing a kimono. To top things, she had her hair loose.
"Aah……well………where did you……umm……"
Dear Lord, she's beautiful……………
Rika soon noticed the cause of Takato's stammering and blushing, and tried to hide behind Renamon, which was of course, impossible.
"Ah, well……they took my clothes, and this was here when I took a bath………I didn't want to wear this!"
Renamon snorted. Sure you didn't……
"Oh……okay……"
"And what do you think you're doing!? You should be resting!"
Renamon snorted again. Oh, nice way to change the topic…………
"I had to go the bathroom!"
"What could you possibly need to do there!? You haven't eaten a thing since the day before yesterday!"
"Oh, come on! I at least have the right to wash my hands and face, right!?"
"No, you don't! Now get on that bed before I force you to!"
"You can't do that!"
"I can and I will!!!"
"Ahem………I'll just go outside to do some scouting……be right back……" Renamon muttered. When she was certain that she had been completely ignored, she sighed and disappeared in the shadows.
Two minutes later, Takato had reluctantly returned to the bed, and Rika was sitting next to him.
"So……where are we?"
Rika chuckled. "We're now prisoners in Rosemon's secret hideout, sleepyhead."
"Oh……so, when's the execution?"
"Very funny. We just came from an audience with this place's leader."
"Wasn't Rosemon the leader?"
"Hey, I asked the same thing! Anyway, no, it's a grumpy old Cherrymon. He seems nice enough, though."
"So……what did he say?"
"Well, we're pretty much stuck here. He wants to talk to you."
Takato sighed. "I should have guessed."
He then looked around the bedroom. "Well, I guess it's a nice place to die."
"Takato……just don't get started with that."
Takato looked at Rika……and smiled. "Okay."
Rika blushed and looked away. "Whatever."
Takato chuckled. "Some things never change, huh………"
"Yeah, you're still the same silly Gogglehead."
Takato wisely chose not to comment on that. Besides, he had another question.
"Rika………"
"What?"
"My lips kind of tickle. Isn't there anything to drink around here?"
Rika's blush grew fiercer and she immediately got off the bed.
"I……I don't know………now that you mention it, I'm kind of thirsty, too………be right back!"
Takato frowned as he watched how Rika hurriedly exited the room. He shrugged to himself and melted with the warm bed. He wondered what to do, how to spend his last days alive. It was good to know he'd have Rika and Renamon by his side, though. He couldn't have asked for better company. Well, maybe Guilmon, too, but he knew there was no way he could have taken him to the Digital World. But that still left the question of what to do. He definitely didn't want to spend his last hours on a bed. Besides, he was very worried about Henry and the others. He knew he had to get out of that room before he died of boredom.
And there was this other thing…………
To die without regrets………
He was calmly sitting on the bed when Rika returned. However, the way his hands clutched the sheets revealed just how nervous he was. Rika didn't notice, though. She had a jar of water and two glasses with her. Takato admired her gracious movements as she walked to him and placed the objects on the table next to the bed.
"I'm going to see if I can get some food. I guess you're hungry. Wait here."
Rika was leaving again, but Takato wouldn't allow that to happen.
"Wait."
One simple word was enough to freeze the girl. "What is it?" she said without turning back to face Takato.
The boy swallowed all the saliva which had accumulated in his mouth, and took several breaths to try to calm down his heart's excessive beating. It seemed to be useless, though.
"I……well………you told not to talk about this, but………"
"Takato, please don't………"
"No, Rika, let me say this!"
The force on his words made Rika turned around, and then she did notice the hands practically squeezing the sheets.
"Takato, what's wrong?"
Takato smiled. "You said my name."
"Oh, knock it off. I though there was a problem……"
"I'm glad."
Rika blushed and averted her gaze away from his eyes. Now her heart was beating faster, too. Damn you, Goggles!
"Rika……there's something…………for a long time I thought it would be useless, especially when I found out that I'm dying and everything, but the more I think about, the more I'm certain………I have to do this. I need to do this, or I'll never rest at peace."
Rika was getting nervous with every word, but she was good at hiding it. "Takato, what is it?"
Takato's smiled grew wider, and so did Rika's blushed. Takato loved the way Rika said his name. It was another thing to the "Things I love about Rika" list. He sighed, and finally spoke, as he knew he wouldn't have another chance.
Everything will be all right………I'll leave without regrets.
"If I'm going to die, I want to do it without regrets."
Rika sighed in relief. That's it? Stupid Gogglehead……
"Takato……there's no-"
"Rika Nonaka……………I love you."
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End of chapter 14…………
Author's Notes: I told you, beginning of the end. These chapters, this one and the next one, I've been looking forward to write them a long time ago. And speaking of these two chapters, I'll take the chance to thank Black, for giving me some……interestingly comical ideas (I love your fics!), Epsilon for recommending me some songs (which I'll definitely use in Gospel), and my best friend Angela for giving me ideas of this chapter. Once again, thanks for the many reviews, good or bad, and thanks to all those who enjoy my stories, reviewers or not. Now I'll get out of here before I get sentimental.
(The Biggest Dreamer starts playing)
Rika's Voice: What is love? A biochemical phenomenon originated in the brain, which slowly extends to the rest of the body like a plague. Is it a blessing, or a disease?
What is happiness? Is it an ideal, an utopia, a dream of perfection needed by imperfect being to go on? Or is it a tangible possibility? Is happiness somewhere, can I grasp it with my hands?
What is it that I want? My need, my desire, my passion, the reason of my existence. My hope, my love, my obsession. My body, my heart, my soul………
What is love? When you stop being yourself to give yourself to someone else. Is it really worth it? Is it truly the correct way?
What is pain? Love is pain. Love is a sin? Yes…………but humans like to sin.
The next chapter of "Silent Sorrow" is: Concerto of Despair, Part II. Passion's Sonata.
Daneel Rush (daneel_ff@hotmail.com) wishes you a very happy new year 2004!
