I was given a tamed freedom
In the miraculous night reflected in the mirror
My soul began to remove its mask."
"Byakuya—True Light," D.N. Angel
(ADV subtitle translation)
Recommended Music:
Scene 3, part three through Scene 4, part one: "Byakuya—True
Light," D.N. Angel
Black Wings
Chapter Eleven: "True Light"
In a secluded glen in the midst of the eastern Digital World's frozen wasteland, a Light Tree stood strong against the cold. It had adapted by placing its roots deeper into the earth, where it was warmer, and developing pine-like needles. Its flowers were small, like fruit blossoms, and bloomed only every so often. A single one of these flowers fell to the feet of Osamu Ichijouji. He picked it up and smelled it before addressing the Tree like an old friend, "I don't know how you can manage this location. It's so barren, so ravaged. But then, it's an area that needs the most protection."
He sighed and sat against the Tree, twirling the flower between his thumb and forefinger. "Things aren't going well. I'd call in the Chosen to help if not for the situation here. I can't let myself be known, and Qinglongmon can't let them get involved when they have to sort out so much with themselves and the dimensional key. And it feels like I've failed. I'm not exactly sure where I'm supposed to go from here. I have one option, but I don't want to do it unless I've exhausted everything else."
He closed his eyes and let go in a type of meditation. It was comforting; he knew only what the Tree knew—where others of its kind were, what they saw and knew, and what they were trying to protect. The more he let go, the less human he looked, until all any passerby would see was a spiritual being surrounded by flowering wood. He felt the Trees Renamon had planted in the other world. They were seedlings, yet growing strong. Most were already in bloom.
Suddenly, an explosion ripped through the connection as a massive light burst occurred in front of one of the young Trees. A burst of darkness followed in defense, and Osamu was violently jarred out of meditation.
"No," he whispered, tearing free of the vines and tendrils. Leaves and petals still clung to him, but he paid them no mind as he crossed the spectral dimensional divide. Kouichi was in Cell 24, one hand against the wall, the other against his heart and still clutching his whip. He was breathing heavily and visibly shaken. Kouji was lying on the floor, convulsing from electrical shock. Renamon was nearby.
"Stand back," Osamu warned. "I can handle this." He started pouring healing energy into Kouji, but the boy's immune system didn't seem to want to fix anything. He began shaking even more, getting worse, when Renamon suddenly cupped a paw over his face. "What are you doing?"
"Helping," she answered simply. "Hold off for now. The extra energy isn't helping." Reluctantly, he complied. There was a floral scent in the air, mixing with the scent of a small Light Tree bonsai in the corner. Pretty soon, Kouji's breathing calmed and—Osamu noted—so did Kouichi's. Renamon pulled her paw away, revealing a handful of petals.
"Wisteria and cherry blossom," she explained. "We use them to clean the air and ease shock and seizures. I added a bit of lavender and some of your flowers to help calm him further."
"Aromatherapy," he recognized. "My mother used to do the same. Different flower mixtures—usually rose and jasmine—but for the same reason when Ken and I used to get sick." He looked around at the chaos. "What happened here?"
"Spontaneous evolution," Kouichi explained, having regained himself. In fact, he looked more like himself than like the Kaiser for some reason. "His B-Spirit activated suddenly and started clawing up the door." He pointed, where bloody scratches could be seen. The right-side scratches, however, were arched, showing how shoulder movements had to compensate for paralysis below the elbow. Osamu had to turn away.
It must have possessed him, he realized.
"I came in to try and stop him," Renamon continued, "but as soon as my Kaiser entered, Garmmon lunged for him. My Kaiser was forced to use his whip."
Reiyama then entered and injected the tranquilizer into Kouji's arm. Slowly, everyone else left, and Osamu was alone in the cell with Kouji. That was what he needed. A private conference was necessary now. Kouji's digivice glowed momentarily, and the ghostly forms of the two Spirits of Light materialized behind Osamu.
"You're getting out of control," he commented. "He can't take it anymore. You can see how it's hurting him." He took the opportunity to hold up Kouji's hand, where nails were peeling away from bloodied fingertips.
"We can't leave," the Human Spirit protested. "There's very little keeping him alive. If we abandon him, he will die." His voice lowered somewhat. "We know about the sacrifice. We're just not willing to make it."
"I know," Osamu replied, "and I understand. But how did this happen?"
"Digivice energy is very strong here," the Beast Spirit answered. "The walls are saturated with it. I lost my temper suddenly and tried to break free. I thought if I could get him out of here, his condition might improve. I won't try it again."
"And I'll be sure that he keeps his anger under control," the Human Spirit promised.
"And I'll keep doing what I can to help," Osamu added. "One question though: What about the Spirits of Darkness? Have you felt their presence at all? There's so much darkness around that I can't tell what to look for."
Osamu was used to taller beings towering over him. Qinglongmon's long, serpentine body always hovered in the sky, and Kage's freak genetics made him as tall as a grown man like Gennai. But he had to admit that it was discomforting to have the nearly seven-foot Human Spirit of Light looking down at him as if he was a very small child.
"We haven't felt anything," the Spirit confessed. "There have been flashes, but only when Kouichi was himself, as he was now."
"The Kaiser seems to be blocking them," the Beast Spirit affirmed. "That's the only way it could be possible."
"I'll have to agree," Osamu sighed. "This is just going to make things harder. I hoped that the Spirits of Darkness could help, but…" He got up and started to walk away when he noticed several small chrysanthemum-like flowers on the Light Tree bonsai, their long and thin petals reaching toward the sky. Maybe there was hope. Or maybe whatever hope there was was false.
It was early morning in the Ichijouji apartment, but it didn't matter to Ken. He was at his desk, reading through the notes he'd taken on the Dark Seed Chosen and whatever information he'd gotten from Jenrya Lee in Ryo's world the last time they'd spoken through Gennai's inter-dimensional link-up. Minomon was asleep right next to him. Ken yawned and rubbed his eyes. Not only was he tired, but reading was making his eyes and head hurt. His parents had noticed him squinting at the newspaper and made an appointment at an optometrist to get his eyes checked. But it wasn't his eyes that were giving him the most trouble right now; it was his brain.
Osamu would probably have an answer now, he thought, leaning back in his chair. He could always solve a puzzle faster than anyone else. As though summoned by his thoughts, a comfortable and familiar feeling entered the room and settled right beside Ken. He was not by any means sensitive to the other-worldly the way Hikari was—had he been, he wouldn't have mistaken the Digital World for a computer program. But he knew this feeling. He wasn't sure, but he always associated it with his brother. And it was never just he who felt it; even now, Minomon's sleeping seemed much more peaceful, and Ken's parents often seemed more relieved when this presence was around.
Thanks, niisanKen thought. Once again he returned to young Lee's report. It mentioned that Kouji, that prisoner Hikari was obsessed with, was Kouichi Kimura's twin brother, presumed dead for nearly half a year.
Too bad those three couldn't just come out and let everyone know he was still alive, he reflected. Maybe they could have orchestrated an escape. But the mission comes first. I'm somewhat surprised Hikari remembered that with the way she's been acting lately. He instinctively rubbed his cheek, where the girl had given him a pretty impressive bruise. I wonder if those brothers were close, and if so, how could the Kaiser warp that bond? A dark thought then settled in his mind, a thought he could not push away. And if Osamu had lived while I was still the Kaiser, would I have done the same? He felt sick.
"Ken, is something wrong?" Minomon asked, waking up from sensing his partner's mood shift.
"Nothing, Minomon. It was nothing."
"Are you sure?" His voice was hesitant. He'd known Ken long enough to know when something was troubling him. But still, if Ken didn't think it was important enough to mention…
"I'm sure. Just some random thoughts that suddenly got darker. I've just been working too hard. Come on, let's get some breakfast."
"I'd rather sleep," Minomon admitted.
"Well, then, how about we get something sweet before we go back to sleep?"
"Fine with me!' he decided, making Ken laugh. He latched onto Ken's shoulder, and the two made their way into the kitchen, leaving the unseen spirit of Osamu alone in the room.
"I'm always here when you need me," he promised, "brother."
Osamu felt emotionally weary when he returned to the Railroad. He walked into the empty mess hall and sat down at one of the wooden tables and benches. He thought he heard a startled voice behind him, but he shrugged it off. Right now, maybe it was better to be alone.
"Hey!" called Yutaka. Osamu turned and blinked. "I've been looking for you."
"For me?" He was officially utterly confused. Nobody ever wanted to see him—nobody but Kage, and on rare occasion, the Chosen.
"Yeah." The elder Himi brother maintained a friendly expression. Was it a façade? Was he just doing this under Kage's orders?
"What do you want?" He didn't mean for it to sound rude, but when someone other than Kage randomly wanted to talk to him…
"How about we drive into town?" Yutaka suggested. "Pick up some extra food and supplies? We now have a minifridge, so we can afford to keep some meat and fish."
"All right," Osamu agreed cautiously.
The Mt. Fuji team had managed to get hold of a green SUV and got Arc's help to register it under Ronin Nagami. Yutaka and Osamu got in and began driving the hidden paths into town, Yutaka trying to break the silence and discomfort the whole time.
"You want to listen to anything on the radio?" he offered. Osamu shrugged.
"Doesn't matter. If you want to, go ahead." Yutaka watched him from the corner of his eye, but Osamu retained his guarded mask.
So much for relaxation, Yutaka thought, keeping the car in silence.
Several minutes later, Osamu asked, "So…where are Kage and Takuya?"
"Arguing with Junpei over the blueprints for the University." He laughed. "Get a dreamer, a thinker, and a leader together, and they'll build something beautiful—if they don't kill each other first."
"Why did you ask me to come with you?" Osamu questioned. "Why not ask your brother?"
Getting right to point now, Yutaka noticed. "To tell you the truth, I wanted to pay you back."
"Pay me back?"
"For saving me." Osamu glanced at him, but the young man's eyes were on the road. "The penicillin helped, but you improved my chances. I was so bad off that I'm sure I would have died, even despite getting the medicine in time. And after all that, you still helped me recover my immune system."
Osamu, though surprised at the praise, turned his attention back to the approaching scenery and answered, "I just did what I thought was right. You don't have to thank me."
"Yes, I do," Yutaka argued. He was staring straight at the boy now. He stopped the car put it in neutral as he stared directly into Osamu's eyes and informed, "Don't ever sell yourself short. It came down to a choice between saving my life and, from the way Kage's described it, saving Kouji's sanity. Maybe I would have survived without your help, or maybe Kouji wouldn't have changed at all with your help—I don't know. The choice was yours, and yours alone to make. Never think that the choices you make are wrong. Act on your instinct; follow your heart. If you do, you'll never be wrong."
Osamu stared back at him, stunned speechless. Yutaka resumed driving while his words stirred up rather interesting thoughts in the boy.
"Thanks," he finally answered. "You gave me a lot to think about."
Yutaka was calm as he admitted, "Actually, I was hoping to save you from some thoughts. You looked like you had a lot on your mind to begin with."
"I did, actually," he confessed.
"Anything you want to talk about?" Yutaka checked. They were in the village now, and the store they needed to visit was right up ahead. There wouldn't be any time to talk in private, but since this was a Resistance zone, they wouldn't have to worry about the consequences of being overheard.
"Okay," he agreed reluctantly.
It was a long talk they shared as they wandered the aisles of the market. Yutaka refrained from speaking most of the time, so he answered with nods and the occasional "Mm-hmm." Osamu felt relieved to be finally getting all of this out to someone who could actually understand. Gennai and Qinglongmon couldn't, no matter how they tried.
"It's a pretty tough situation you're in right now," Yutaka observed when Osamu finished. "I don't have any advice for you."
"I know," he replied, "and I'm not asking for any. I want to help Ken and everyone else, but I don't think it's right for me to interfere; they're bad enough now as it is. And I can't 'follow my heart,' like you said because right now, it's torn. I think until I'm sure of what to do, I should wait."
"Well, Ronin Nagami, I didn't expect to see you here," a voice called nearby. A man with dark red hair and light blue eyes walked up to them.
Yutaka didn't even bother hiding his annoyance. "I live in this town, remember?"
"Sorry," the man apologized. "Your brother, Yuki, doesn't mention it much."
"What's going on?" Osamu questioned.
"Who's this?" the man asked. Yutaka groaned.
"Hideto Arashi, this is—"
"Iori Hida," Osamu quickly put in, using the first name he could think of. Yutaka raised an eyebrow at this, but Osamu bowed in greeting.
"I work at the elementary school," Arashi commented, "but I've never seen, much less heard of you."
"I'm home-schooled here in the village," he explained. "Ronin tutors me from time to time when my mother's busy."
"Ah, then that explains it. But who's this Ken you mentioned?"
"Aren't you starting to get a bit too nosy?" Yutaka questioned.
"It's all right," Osamu replied, and ear-to-ear fake smile plastered across his face. "Ken's one of the kids I play soccer with. He's having some trouble with the other kids, but I'm not sure if helping him out will make the situation worse."
"Now, if you're done," Yutaka interrupted, glaring at Arashi, "we really need to go before this food spoils."
Arashi looked at the groceries. "Where could you be going with all of this?"
"If you must know," Yutaka drawled, "his mother hurt herself last week and asked me to pick up her groceries since I have a car. Now will you go?"
"All right," Arashi answered, oblivious to his own obnoxiousness. "Wish your mother to get well for me!"
"I will," Osamu replied. "Thank you!"
The two carried their groceries out of the store and to the SUV, Yutaka keeping an eye out for Arashi. When he saw no sign of the nuisance, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"His eyes were clear, but you were still cautious around him," Osamu noticed. "Was he a mercenary?"
"I think so, and an irritating one at that."
"A spy then?"
"No doubt."
"We shouldn't head back to the Railroad then," he judged. "He'll try to follow us."
"I don't have to be a genius to know that," Yutaka agreed, getting in. But once Osamu did the same, he asked, "Iori Hida?"
"First thing I could think of other than Ken," he admitted sheepishly.
They drove out of town and away from the outskirts of the Resistance settlement. Yutaka's eyes were glued to the rearview mirror, despite Osamu's comments that it was pointless.
"He's an experienced spy. He's going to make sure he's not seen."
"Better safe than sorry," Yutaka argued. "I want to be sure that it's just him. Plus, if he screws up, we can at least have an idea of where he is."
Osamu stared at him. "You've been around Kage too long."
But his paranoia paid off. As they drove through the forest, Yutaka noticed a spry young tree bend as someone pushed by it. He stopped the car and readied his laser, cursing himself under his breath for not thinking to bring Gabumon and his digivice.
"You didn't know we would be attacked," Osamu protested. "Never think that the choices you make are the wrong ones, remember?"
A small smile appeared on Yutaka's face. "Yeah. What about you? Think you can handle yourself in a fight?"
"I have limits, but luckily, defense isn't one of them. Don't worry about me."
"All right then," Yutaka commented. "Wait for them to get to the car. We have a better shot at close range than if they attack from the woods." Osamu nodded.
"But what if they fire at long range?"
"They won't; they fight by the book. Kouichi wants as many prisoners to be taken alive as reasonably possible. Plus, if they blow up the truck, the trees could catch fire too and it could spread. They won't risk that."
A fatalistic grin cracked across Osamu's face. "And to think—the guy out there works with grammar school kids."
"Heh, yeah, I know." He checked in the mirror. "All right, they're coming now."
"These guys don't think ahead," Osamu informed. "I've watched them before. The prefer to act first before reporting it or checking records."
"Lucky for us then that our overlord didn't realize that,"
Yutaka whispered. "He's thought of everything else though. Okay,
the first is at your door. Let him open it and keep your hands up. If
I fire at you, can you become intangible so it'll hit the
Imperial?"
"Yeah."
"All right then. Here we go."
One of the Imperials ripped open the door on Osamu's side, yelling, "Put your hands up!" He did as told before quickly reverting to his spiritual form. "What the—"
But before the Imperial could get any more out, Yutaka had fired point-blank between his eyes.
"Fire now!" Arashi shouted as Osamu and Yutaka ran into the fray. Each bullet that headed for them either melted from the stage-two laser or harmlessly entered Osamu's false skin.
"What kind of new armor is that?" a bewildered sniper asked.
"Who cares?" his companion replied. "Keep firing!"
It was pointless, however. Though he wasn't a martial arts expert like his brother, Osamu was a strong fighter. While Yutaka found a secure position to shoot from, he was busy disarming Imperials in hand-to-gun combat. He kept his palms open for all strikes, heeding the resistance his Light Seed's roots gave to being clenched into fists. But still, despite his more gentle strikes, his opponents backed away, bleeding.
"He's got wrist knives, damn it!" an Imperial alerted just seconds before falling victim to Yutaka. Osamu snuck a peek at his wrists; sure enough, sharp wooded blades were sticking up.
That explains the open palm strikes, he realized, deciding to try something new. He placed his arms down and concentrated on separating the wood from his roots. A minute later, he had a knife in each hand.
"What are you doing?" Yutaka demanded.
"Trying to make you an opening," he answered. "When you see your chance, shoot Arashi!"
Yutaka bit back a curse before setting his laser on the third stage. Osamu probably knew what he was doing. Besides, he was invulnerable and practically immortal. He would be safer out there.
Invulnerable Osamu was for the most part. Immortal was debatable as he was already dead, but in a sense, he was immortal by being a spirit. Safer than Yutaka in this melee—definitely. Did he know what he was doing?
Not a clue.
Currently, he was fighting his way past Imperial snipers, slashing his way through with only a half-baked plan. He'd realized somewhere between stabbing one woman in the ribs and slashing a man across the chest that Arashi was hiding behind his men. If they were down, he'd be easy to take down.
Each Imperial fell to the ground, wounded but not beyond the help of medicine or the Light Seed's recovery boost. It was somewhat comforting to Osamu that he was unable to kill except in the case of sacrifice; no matter how passionate he was, he wasn't sure he could bring himself beyond defense. Being more of a pacifist suited him anyway—his violent temper had started Ken, and to a degree Kouichi, down the road to becoming Kaiser to begin with.
Finally, Arashi was the only one left. He placed his gun barrel against Osamu's head and dared, "Go on, Nagami. Shoot. Shoot if you want his blood on your hands."
Osamu laughed bitterly. "You have no idea what you've messed with."
"He won't shoot."
"So sure?"
As if on cue, a stage-three laser suddenly hit Arashi in the temple, burning right through the brain. He fell to his right side on a stone, not a single bullet out of his gun. Osamu stood up and surveyed the damage. Though the wound had cauterized, blood was pooling all around from hitting his head in the fall. If he wasn't dead now, he would be soon. And Osamu didn't particularly want to face that soul.
"Are you okay?" he checked, making his way over to Yutaka.
"Yeah," he replied. "A little bloody, but no major wounds." Osamu didn't look like he was listening. A very serious expression was on his face. "What's wrong?"
"You said I should never regret my decisions, right?"
"Yeah."
"I've made it now. I'm going to end this war. Now."
Yutaka's eyes widened at this. "How?" But Osamu's shoulders sagged, as though the weight of the world was on them.
It probably was.
"There's someone I have to kill."
"Who?"
"It's better if I don't tell you. You'll find out soon enough anyway. Kage would probably understand; he knows about sacrifice and equivalent exchange from his manga. He and Takuya were talking about it a couple weeks ago."
"Sacrifice?"
"It's a long story, but someday, I think you'll understand. At least, I hope you do." That last part was whispered, as a fleeting wish. But before Yutaka could ask any more, Osamu was gone.
Osamu walked silently and stealthily to Cell 24, taking the time to prepare himself for what he was about to do. Every spirit around him refrained from offering comfort or advice; any outside words could prevent him from taking this much-needed action.
It was the only just thing to do, logic reasoned as he materialized in the cell, wooden dagger in hand. It would save the world and Kouichi's soul, at the same time setting Kouji's free. No longer would he be confined to this half-life of existing without really living. And he would be with his family again.
He took a few steps more, feeling a bit more confident and justified in his actions. It wouldn't be easy for the Warriors to accept Kouichi after this, but maybe he could help—assuming no one resented him for what he was about to do. And he could inform Gennai that the Chosen were no longer needed, but maybe Ken and some of the Dark Seed children could come to help the Warriors accept the past and heal. And who knew? Maybe they could help start the healing process for Sakiko.
Another step brought him close to the Light Tree. He tried not to look at it as he continued on.
All life comes through death, he reflected. The best fertilizer is made of decayed things, and it brings spectacular life to plants. The petroleum, coal, and gas that fuel everything needed in life are the remains of plants and animals that died long ago. There's the belief in reincarnation and even a peaceful afterlife in Heaven for those who have died.
He placed one hand on Kouji's shoulder. The boy was still unconscious from the drug in his system. That made it a bit easier for Osamu, who wasn't sure he would have been able to do t if he saw those hollow blue eyes staring back at him, staring right through him.
We can't gain anything without some kind of sacrifice, he reminded himself, further trying to convince himself that this was right. We have to be willing to give it up—for good or evil… And with that thought, he slowly and hesitantly lifted the dagger and…
And felt a strong grip restrain his arm before throwing him halfway across the cell.
Osamu recovered himself as he landed, making it to his feet. Renamon was standing in front of him, looking more threatening than ever.
"I told you that I would protect my Kaiser at all costs," she informed. "Even if it means protecting his brother."
"You know about the sacrifice?" Osamu asked in utter surprise.
"My Kaiser's darker half explained it to me once," she explained. "Reiyama still doesn't comprehend it, but I do. Unlike him, I do what I can to keep both Kouji and my Kaiser alive. Osamu, I respect you as I would a friend. You are as close as a cousin in any tribe. But don't think that means I will let my feelings stand in the way of my duty." Osamu stared. "Now go."
"All right then," he answered, stepping right through the wall. Renamon closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.
"My Kaiser, it's over."
From behind a veil of darkness, Kouichi appeared. "Thank you Renamon. I'm not sure I would have had the heart to stop him."
Her ears twitched. "Pardon my asking, but why is that?"
He smiled sadly. Sometimes she was more naïve than he was. "He is my brother, but I also know my darker side has been getting out of control. There are times I'm part him and part me, and sometimes I wake up from a black-out, wondering what he did."
"I see," she replied cautiously. "You are afraid of losing yourself?"
"That's it exactly," he answered softly. "But at the same time, blood loyalties are strong." His face darkened with disgust. "Just another thing he's managed to warp." Renamon was about to say something in reply, but she collapsed to her knees. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she replied in pain. "It's been happening for a while now. Before, I've been able to escape it by leaving the base, but I'm not sure that will work now."
He came closer and literally felt the burst of digital energy coming from her. His long-dormant digivice was reacting to her, flashing and beeping like an alarm. He knew immediately what it was.
"Renamon, you're evolving," he whispered. "All this digivice energy is affecting you too." He brought up his D-scanner and placed it against her. "I'm going to try and speed it up to ease the pain." She nodded, and he closed his eyes, forcing the evolution process to speed up. Bands of DigiCode surrounded Renamon, and when they disappeared, a golden Kyuubimon was in her place.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, and she lowered her head in embarrassment. "I mean it. I haven't seen many Digimon with that kind of elegance."
"It's strange, really," she commented when she could speak. "My race has two identical evolution lines: one light and one dark. With your help, I should have become Youkomon."
"I guess all that time around Kouji left its mark on you," he deduced. "Come on. Let's go." And just as she always had before, Kyuubimon followed him without question.
And in the Underground Railroad, Osamu walked into the mess, where Yutaka was putting their groceries into the minifridge. He picked up the vegetables and placed them in, pretending not to notice Himi's questioning gase.
"Well," Yutaka began.
"Well?"
"Did you do whatever it was you needed to do?"
Osamu paused and looked up, an almost relieved smile on his face. "No. But I realized that saving the world and saving a soul isn't as easy as I thought it would be." Yutaka gave him a puzzled look, but decided not to pursue the matter. For now, he was content with a bit of companionship as he put away the groceries.
The flowers on the Light Tree bonsai were inspired by the lunar flowers in Wolf's Rain. Osamu's whispered promise to Ken was inspired by a scene in Witch Hunter Robin, where Amon wonders aloud why his half-brother Nagira can't see that Robin's a potential danger. Although the scenes were completely different, the emotion Crispin Freeman put into that line was what I was going for and what really inspired it. Yutaka's calling Kouichi "our overlord" came from the infamous Evil Overlord List by Peter Anspach. And the equivalent exchange is again from Full Metal Alchemist.
Chapter Twelve: "Unforgiven"
You who have sinned now have the chance of redeeming yourself. There are strangers who depend on you, so don't let them down. Two devils meet. A hero reclaims his honor; another reclaims his herodom. Perhaps heaven isn't out of your reach.