Finding Lost Origins

Prelude: Decide the First Step

Viximon shut her eyes tightly as the whole group of in-training digimon were hurtled through the portal and buffeted against by the data streams. It was an exhilarating ride of kaleidoscopic colours, distorted visions and skewed planes. There was nothing above them, below them or around them but streams of data, illuminant and transient. Viximon bumped against Gigimon and then into Gumimon as they made their tumult through the portal.

FWUMP! Plop! Plop! Plop! The digimon were thrown suddenly onto soft green grass and blue skies where lush meadows spread to the horizon where sky met earth. Or digiworld for that matter. Viximon got to her stubby feet as quickly as possible. Flat on the ground and lying atop of Gigimon and Gumimon were not her favorite positions. Flicking her tail from side to side, the yellow bob of fur sniffed the air.

"Zis is the digiworld?" Gigimon questioned.

"Yes. We're back again. And it looks like we're here to stay." Viximon answered.

"Yay! DigiWorld! Digital Monsters! DigiWorld!" Gigimon broke into a chorus from the digimon cartoon, and not wholly in tune either.

Viximon had the sudden urge to ask the irritating dinosaur to shut up but decided against it. Besides the kitsune was way past tired and longing for a good rest. Especially after that long list of adventures. She knew she would miss Rika and she didn't want to dwell on it. If she did...

"Well, it seems kinda quiet around here..." one of them commented.

"That's what I'm wondering. You could here a pin drop right-"

But before Viximon could finish there was a loud explosion from the bushes as digimon of all shapes and sizes swarmed up to the small-sized heroes, throwing confetti and blaring loud music and cheers. Viximon flattened her ears to her head unconsciously as the digimon welcomed the heroes back into the digiworld.

"To celebrate the arrival of our saviors! Let's have a party!!!" They shouted.

And it was so. They partied for days and it was a time were no digimon attacked each other and both virus, data and vaccine type could get on well enough for the feasting and dancing to be a success.

"I say, this is lotsa fun!" Gigimon yelled above the noise as the heroes sat at the tables in a village. Colorful streamers hung from the walls and ceilings and the tables were loaded with sweets and other delicacies. Native fruits with weird shapes and flowers with exotic smells, the digimon sure knew how to be excellent hosts.

It was a few days after the party when the digimon heroes finally reverted back into their rookie forms. Renamon was wholly glad at that. Besides the fact she was once again the tallest digimon rookie around, she was also able to run, jump and disappear as she pleased. Notably satisfied that she felt as strong as before, the kitsune lay awake one night on the floor of the huts while the rest of them slept soundly. Guilemon was, as usual, snoring and having the dream of his life. Probably stuffing down the largest loaf of bread that he had ever seen. As long as he didn't eat the cushions it was fine.

Renamon got up. She couldn't sleep. It kept bugging her. Now that all was over, what should she do? She had gone into the real world so that she could evolve and become strong. Strong as she already was, she had realized during her days with Rika that being strong wasn't the most important thing, contrary to what some digimon believed. Should she go back to the arena and fight? What about her friends? What would they do? She knew that she was not content to sit in the digimon village, eat, play and be happy. She reckoned even Guilemon would get bored of it sooner or later.

'High heavens, what am I to do with my life?'

She thought as she got up and exited the hut. Leaping nimbly up onto the rooftop, the fox stood tall and still, letting the cool breeze of the night ruffle against her silver fur. The pale moonlight reflected on her golden fur. Her azure blue eyes glowed like crystals in the semi-darkness. She gazed up at the round moon that hung overhead. The words that someone had said to her echoed at the back of her mind.

'And when you have found the real meaning of life, return to your roots.'

"The meaning of life. I have found it have I not?"

She breathed out softly, almost talking to the wind that caressed against her cheek. Realizing that she had clenched her paws, she relaxed and lowered her folded arms to her sides.

"What is the meaning of life?" The wind seemed to whisper back.

"The meaning of life," She paused as if an unseen audience was below her and she was doing so for dramatic effect, "is to live to the fullest of your dreams, to cherish the ones you love, and love in return, for who you are, what you are and not what you seem. To be weak at times and strong at times. To help at times and accept help from others. To learn from others and to teach others. Is that the meaning of life?"

The stars only gave a twinkling reply. And further past the moon was the green luminous sphere of the earth, surrounded by flowing streams of data. Earth was sealed off from them now, only accessible through the arena games where digimon were remotely linked to humans and fought for them in computer games. She was permanently sealed off from contacting Rika unless she joined the arena. But, Rika had promised never to enroll in the digimon online arena less she get a different partner from Renamon. It was infuriating.

So the golden fox stood there for minutes on end, contemplating her next move. Though it seemed obvious enough, she was almost reluctant to do so.

"I will return to my roots."