Chapter 9
The Man behind the Hands
Tijgmon smiled when he saw Renamon, and almost jumped down from the left hand when he noticed the tamers and other digimon below. Before Tijgmon could get too excited, the medallion around his neck glowed. He perked up his ears, and nodded his head as the left hand carried him over to the altar's podium. Tijgmon jumped up onto the podium, clearing his throat before he called out, "Digimon of Peradium, the lord has decreed that these human's and digimon are no threat to the city."
The digimon in the crowd applauded, and soon began to disperse. Tijgmon ran down from the altar's podium, heading into the courtyard as he called out, "You guys are such a sight for soar eyes."
The tamers and other digimon ran up to meet Tijgmon while the right hand let Renamon back down. Calumon was leaping happily on Tijgmon's head while the tamers asked the white furred tiger cub digimon a barrage of question. After a few seconds Tijgmon held up his paw, and said, "Enough, I shall explain everything. Right now, you have all gone without dinner. If you wouldn't mind taking the direct root, we can get you set up with some rooms at the hospital."
Takato, a little confused, "Why the hospital?"
Tijgmon smiled, "Simple, it's the one place in town you can stay for free. Besides, there are at least fifty beds in that hospital that have never been used. Now, would you all mind getting up onto the hands." The tamers turned, noticing that the pair of hands had flattened themselves out on the ground, palms up. The tamers were a little anxious, but followed Tijgmon as he stepped up onto the hands. The pair of hands slowly floated into the air, and began to carry the tamers and digimon across Peradium.
The hospital was a large structure. It was square in design with a courtyard in the center with the building make a square shape around it. It was in the same style of the temple, but without the dome. From the air, the tamers and digimon could see the courtyard had a fountain, trees, a flower garden, and a few benches. The hands landed outside the hospitals front doors, letting the tamers and digimon off before they turned right side up.
The medallion around Tijgmon's neck began to glow, and he looked up at the hands for a few seconds before he said, "I understand." With that, the hands flew off, back towards the alter. Tijgmon turned to the tamers, and motioned towards the hospital front doors.
The hospital itself was built much larger then a human hospital, designed to accommodate the size of many digimon once they reached there champion and ultimate levels. When the tamers walked in they saw a large waiting room with chairs and a few tables. In the back corners of the room were hallways that lead to the either the right or left side of the hospital. Finally, sitting in a desk in the center of the back wall, was a large lion like digimon.
Takato, on instinct, pulled out his D-power. The ID screen came up, and the goggle-headed tamer read, "Leamon, a more feminine version of Leomon. Special attack is Arrows of the Beast Queen. She preferred weapon is a bow and arrow, but if worse comes to worse she can use the blades built into her bow to fight off any enemy."
The Leamon looked up at the tamers before standing up. She was built much like Leomon except she was much thinner, and had a more womanly build to her body. She had the same black pants Leomon wore, but on top of her chest she wore a dark green tank-top. She didn't have Leomon's mane, long brown hair that was pulled into a pony tail in back replacing it. Across her chest was a belt that held up a quiver of arrows on her back. Sitting next to the desk was her bow, which was pitch black except for the silvery blades that followed the curve of the wood.
Leamon walked forward, smiling as she said, "Well, hello Tijgmon. I am surprised to see you back so soon."
Tijgmon smiled weakly, "I am sorry Leamon, but I was called off by you know who."
Leamon chuckled a bit, "Being the High Priest isn't all its cracked up to be, is it?"
Tijgmon shook his head, "No, but I am the only one really suited for the job. After all, I am his partner."
Leamon finally noticed the strange looks on the tamers faces, and turned to face them as she said, "I am sorry, but who are you." The tamers quickly introduced themselves, and after they finished Leamon smiled and said, "Well, it is nice to meet all of you. Now, why don't we get you something to eat? Then, over dinner, Tijgmon can explain what is going on?" Before the tamers could respond, Guilmon's stomach growled loudly. The tamers and other digimon laughed, and then followed Leamon to the hospital's cafeteria. After everyone had been given sandwiches, some fruit, and water to drink they began to talk.
Renamon look up from her food, not having much of an appetite, and asked, "Tijgmon, where is Jason?"
Tijgmon looked up at Renamon as he said, "I guess I should tell you all what has happened, but first things first. Renamon, Jason wants to explain everything himself. Here, take my medallion and follow Leamon to the hospital's courtyard. That is where you will meet Jason."
Renamon raised an eyebrow, but nodded her head as she took the strange medallion from Tijgmon. Renamon placed it around her neck before standing up, and following Leamon out to the courtyard. Leamon let Renamon into the peaceful courtyard, and then shut the door behind her. Renamon began to walk slowly toward the center of the courtyard, looking for any sign of Jason. She stopped in front of the fountain, and looked into the cool water, taking in her own reflection.
Renamon then felt the medallion around her neck grow warm, and then she heard someone say, "Renamon, I have missed you so much."
Renamon began to look around, she knew that voice. It was Jason. As Renamon search the courtyard, she called out, "Jason, where are you."
Renamon felt the medallion against her chest grow warm again, Jason's voice filling the air, "Calm down, I will show myself in due time. First, I just wanted to talk to you, tell you what happened."
Renamon began to calm down, searching the courtyard slowly. After finding she couldn't find Jason she sighed and nodded her head. Renamon took a seat on a nearby bench, listing as Jason said, "After the battle with the D-Hades, Tijgmon and I were brought here to the digital world. At the same time, a large part of the Juggernaut core came with us. During the transportation, I fused with the juggernaut core. Next thing I remember was walking up in the grassy plains of the digital world. Tijgmon and I were alone, and my D-power had disappeared. At first, I didn't think anything happened. Tijgmon, however, could see the results of my fusion with the Juggernaut core."
Renamon heard a rustle of tree leaves, and looked up to see the pair of hands floating down into the courtyard. They landed, the back of their nonexistent wrists resting on the ground as they faced Renamon. The vixen digimon stared at the hands for a few minutes, but her eyes soon began to widen as she connected a few dots in her head. With a trembling voice, filled with surprise and confusion, Renamon whispered, "J… Jason?"
The hands bowed a bit, the medallion on Renamon's neck glowing as Jason's voice filled the air, "My fusion to the Juggernaut core has turned me into this. A pair of hands that can mold the digital plain at will. I don't know how or why, but it happened. That is how this city came to be. I found I couldn't travel very far away from a strange torch with a blue flame. The torch is now the flame in the center of the altar."
Renamon was still in shock, her mind trying to wrap around what she was being told, "So, you are the reason this city has appeared."
Jason bowed a bit, simulating a nod, "Yes. With Tijgmon unable to digivolve, he was an easy target for several digimon. I had to defend him, and to do that I would do almost anything. Well, news spread an few more digimon came wanting me to protect them. I agreed, and as more digimon came to depend on me the more power I got. I gain the ability to get farther away from the blue torch, and to build homes. I constructed most of the buildings in this city myself. The only one that was constructed without a hint of my help was the altar. After it was finished, difference miracles began to appear in it. The miracles were those spheres of energy you saw around the alter."
Jason paused, his right hand floating over to the fountain. He touched the water, making it shift and rise up to make a model of the alter, "There are ten miracles I can perform, and they can either help or hurt depending on how I use them. There is water, fire, lighting, meteor, shield, healing, digivolution, dedigivolution, life, and alchemy. Each holds different properties, and can be used in a wide variety of ways."
Renamon looked at the hands that were calling themselves Jason. She began to remember the tall, thin human with black hair that reached all the way down to his waist. His kind smile, his quick mind, his soft touch. She couldn't believe these hands, the things all the digimon in the village called lord, was Jason. It just couldn't be true.
Jason looked at Renamon through his nonexistent eyes before he asked, "Renamon, are you all right? You know I have missed you so much over the past month. I always feared my E-mail didn't get through, and that you would never come. Yet, you have, you're here, and I couldn't be happier."
Jason moved her right hand closer to Renamon, to touch her shoulder and feel the fox digiom's soft fur again. Renamon back away though, shaking her head as tears pulled at her eyes, "No, I can't believe it. You aren't Jason, you can't be. I have to find him, the real Jason. I won't let your lies pull me away from that."
Jason reached forward, trying to defend himself, but before he could say a word Renamon ripped the medallion away from her neck. She threw it down, the metal making an eerie splash in the fountain before Renamon turned and ran back inside the hospital. Jason floated in midair, at a complete loss for words. Then, with his hands drooping in sorrow, Jason began to float up. He got above the hospital, and began to float towards the one place in the city he could get some peace. It was his secret garden, and that night it would give him a place to sooth his heart, to keep it from breaking.
Renamon came running into the hospital's cafeteria, sprinting by without saying a word to anyone before she went towards the front doors. Rika stood up, chasing after Renamon as the others sat in shock. Tijgmon had just finished tell them the same thing Jason had told Renamon. When the room fell silent again, Takato looked over at Leamon and asked, "Is this true?"
Leamon nodded her head, "Yes. I am the only other person in the village that knows this story, and the origins of our lord. Tijgmon and I are his private council, and highly regarded in the city. Still, I can tell, that Jason would give up his power if he could be normal again?"
Kazu scratched his head, "Why? I mean, it has to be so cool to be that powerful."
Tijgmon hung his head, "Just think about it Kazu. Jason may have power, but have you seen his body. He is nothing more then a pair of hands, and large ones at that. It is hard to get close to anyone like that. He also can't return to the real world like that, meaning he is stuck here until we can figure out a way to change him back."
Kazu leaned back, "I still don't see how great it is being human."
Tijgmon glared at Kazu, "Well, then think how Jason feels. He is just a pair of floating hands, and for the first time in a month he can be with Renamon again. How can he get close to her, to feel her heart beat against his chest, when he could squish Renamon with a single twitch of his fingers."
Kazu eyes bulged, "Oh."
Tijgmon shook his head, breathing a heavy sigh, "That is the real reason Jason wants to be human again. He was afraid that Renamon wouldn't accept him, or even recognize him. Now, after we just saw Renamon run through here with tears in her eyes, I can guess that Jason was right."
Outside the hospital Renamon was standing on the steps, debating where she would, or even could, go. She heard the doors to the hospital open, and turned to see Rika walking up behind her. The firry red head looked at Renamon, a bit of worry in her eyes, "Renamon?"
Renamon looked away, trying to hide her tears, "Those hands, those things, they just can't be Jason."
Rika looked away from Renamon, "Why is that so hard to believe?'
Renamon turned her head back forward, looking out across the city before them. The hospital was up on a hill, and overlooked the entire city. It was a beautiful sight, especially at night. Torches lined all the streets, and glowed in the night as cheerful cries came from the more festive parts of town.
As Renamon became entranced by the scene she could hear Rika say, "I don't know Jason as well as you do, but doesn't this just look like the kind of place he would create if he could. It is a paradise and a sanctuary. Digimon here no longer live by the law of nature. Rookies are given the chance to grow up to ultimate and megas, and for the first time there is such as thing as families."
Renamon looked over at Rika, a little surprised, "Families?
Rika nodded her head, "Leamon was talking about it. Here, a pair of digimon can become man and wife. Then, since digimon can't really give birth, they are allowed to adopt any rookies, In-training, or baby digimon that can't work for themselves. Usually, those digimon would have to stay here at the hospital, but as soon as one arrives it is usually adopted within the first few days. It goes to a family. Leamon even told us of a LadyDevimon and Angemon that have become husband and wife."
Renamon eyes bulged a bit, a fallen angle digimon and a celestial digimon, husband and wife. It was something she would have never thought possible, but in Peradium it had happened. Renamon looked back out across the city, maybe it was possible for Jason to the be the lord of the city. Still, she had to make sure. She had to go talk to him again, and ask him a few questions.
Renamon began to walk forward, but she heard a voice behind her say, "You might need this dear."
Rika and Renamon turned to see Leamon standing in the door. She smiled, gently tossing something to Renamon. It was the medallion she had throw in the fountain, the metal still wet from the cold water. Renamon looked up at Leamon, bowing a bit as she said, "Thank you."
Leamon nodded her head, slipping back into the hospital, "No trouble dear. Now, Jason is probably in his garden. It is on the other side of the city, hidden in the mountains. It has a waterfall, so if you have trouble finding it just listen for the running water." With that, Leamon disappeared into the hospital.
A few minutes later, Renamon was making her way through the city streets. With the hour growing late, many digimon were returning to their homes for a good nights sleep. Renamon saw many digimon, and many of them greeted her warmly before continuing their way down the street. Even the virus digimon were being nice, passing off quick "hello's" as she walked by. Renamon waved back to a few digimon, but found she was too worried about Jason to be quite as cheerful as they were.
Renamon eventually made it across the city, stepping out from a line of buildings onto the soft, cool grass and wildflowers that separated the city from the nearby mountains. She began to look around, searching for the garden Leamon had spoke of. Renamon then heard a gentle roar, carried by a gust of wind. She turned, and began to walk towards a line of trees that were against the side of the mountain.
Renamon stepped slowly through the trees, noticing there was no path between the trunks. She then broke free of the tree line, and let out a gasp. Before her stood a radiant pool with water so clear the bottom stood out as if it was empty. Around the edge of the pond were some rocks, polished smooth and shining from the mist. In the back of the pool was a waterfall that poured down gently across rocks and boulders, filling the area with the gentle sound of tumbling water. Around the pond was tall, thick grass that was filled with wildflowers of ever color. Red, blues, yellows, whites, purples, and pinks stood out against the green grass like the stars stood out against the night sky. A single tree grew by the pond, a tall weeping willow whose long, draping branches hung down into the water.
Renamon then saw motion from behind the tree. She moved to the right a little, and saw the pair of hands lying on top of each other as they used one finger to gently stir the water in the pool. Renamon gulped a bit, wondering if the hands were really Jason. Still, Rika's words rang in her head. If they were Jason, what difference make if he was a pair of hand or human. Renamon smiled, remembering an old saying that seemed to hold true. You can't judge a book by its cover. Even if Jason had become a pair of floating hands, he was still Jason. He was the same human she had fallen in love with, the same human that had fallen in love with her.
Renamon gently slipped the medallion Leamon had given her over her head, letting it drop gently to her chest. She then too a big breath, and said, "Jason."
The hands froze, moving up a bit as they looked at Renamon. Jason's voice filled the air, a bit of sorrow in his voice, "Oh, hello Miss Renamon."
Renamon chuckled to herself a bit, walking around to where Jason laid on the ground, moping. She stared at him a few seconds, before looking out across the scene, "So, do you remember where we first met?"
The hands nodded a bit, slowly getting of each other before floating an up a few feet in the air, "Yes. It was on top of the Hypnos building. You had come to tell me you knew how I felt, how it felt to be alone for almost all your life. "
Renamon smiled, gently reaching down to the pool of water. She cupped her hands faking she was going to take a drink before she turned and splashed Jason's left hand. Jason shook a bit, turning to face Renamon as he asked, "Hey, what was that for?"
Jason floated down near Renamon, and she could tell that if he had eyes, he would be glaring at her. Surprisingly, Renamon bent forward a bit and gently kissed Jason on the knuckle. She then leaned back, smiling as she said, "I just need to make sure you really were who you said you are. Also, I needed to hear a little common sense from Rika."
Jason chuckled, rubbing his left hand with his right, "Well, I'll have to make sure and thank Rika for helping you see that it was really me. Still, why did you splash me?"
Renamon shrugged, a mischievous smile on her face, "What, you to high and mighty for a little fun?"
Jason laughed, "Oh, and do you think I am going to let you get away with that?" Then, before Renamon could react, Jason extended his right pointer finger and pushed her back. With a small yelp Renamon fell back, crashing into the pond. She was underwater for a few seconds before she broke the surface, blowing water out of her mouth as Jason's laughter filled the air. Renamon glared up at Jason, a bit of irritation in her voice, "You do realize I have to walk back to the hospital."
Jason's laughter began to subside as he extended his pinky finger. Renamon grabbed hold of it, and Jason gently lifted her out of the water. He then snapped the fingers in his left hand and in his right hands appeared a ball of fire. Jason squeezed is hand together, focusing the light so it shown over Renamon. The light was warm, and before Renamon knew it her fur was dry.
Jason snapped his fingers again, and the ball of fire disappeared as he said, "Is that better?"
Renamon smiled, "Much better Jason, thank you."
Jason bowed a bit, his right hand sweeping out in a dramatic manner, "Now, if you will allow me, its time to mix some ice into the fire." Renamon raised an eyebrow as Jason quickly turned toward the pond, and touched the surface with his fingers. In an instant the water in the pond began to freeze, and even the waterfall turned into a beautiful sculpture of ice.
Renamon looked at the pond in awe, but Jason wasn't done yet. He broke off a large chunk of ice from the waterfall, and tossed it up into the air. He then summoned a bolt of lighting, and shocked the ice. The ice broke apart, leaving behind a sculpture. Jason caught the sculpture in his hands, before setting it down in the center of the pond. As he pulled away from the statue, strings of lights began to connect Jason's hands to the ice sculpture.
Renamon was a little confused until the she actually saw the sculpture turn. It was a perfect replica of Jason, back when he had been human. Jason was animating the statue like it was a puppet on strings. Jason made the statue gently bow, his own voice filling the air as he said, "Would you care to join me for some late night ice skating?"
Renamon smiled, looking up at the real Jason, "Maybe, but I am not one for theatrics. Loose the statue and I'll think about it."
Jason laughed, the statue bursting into dust before Jason lowered himself down to the pond. While balancing on his index and center finger, Jason's two hands stood on the ice. The ring finger folded back, and the thumb and pinky on each hand extend, bending in at an unnatural angle to resemble arms, "Is this more to your liking?"
Renamon smiled, nodded her head as she stepped out onto the ice. She slid gently, her natural grace proving a useful tool on the frozen water. Renamon skated over to Jason, looking up at the pair of hands before she began to skate around the pond. Jason followed, each hand skating on one side of the digital vixen. Renamon shivered a bit, the cold ice send a chill up her spine. Jason noticed this, snapping his fingers as a shield miracle appeared in his left hand. The hand gently flew down and wrapped the shield miracle around Renamon's feet.
Renamon smiled, the warmth returning to her toes. She could still feel the ice, but the cold chill was being held back by the purple mist that now swirled around her feet. Renamon and Jason skated silently for nearly an hour. The entire time, Renamon was smiling. After she got past the initial shock of seeing Jason like he was, she could feel it was he was the same person on the inside. Also, the one time she had slipped he had managed to catch her. In that moment, Renamon paused and felt the warmth against her body. It was like the time she had embraced Jason, when he had been on the brink of death. There was no doubt about it. This was the man she loved.
The pair might have kept going on all night, but after roughly and hour and half of the peaceful bliss Renamon had to stifle a yawn. Jason chuckled a bit, moving her over to the side of the pond, "I think its time we got you back to the hospital. Come on." With that, Jason laid his let hand down on the ground. Renamon smiled, walking onto the exposed palm before Jason floated back into the air.
Jason took Renamon back to the hospital, bidding her good night before she slipped inside the darkened facility. Jason couldn't hold it in anymore, and let out a great whoop. His hands flew high into the sky, grabbing up a few miracles as he soared high above the city. He mixed fire, alchemy, and lighting together before he began to take a piece and throw them into the sky.
As Jason celebrated, his miracles began to fill the air with music. Soon, the sky above became a great stage for fireworks that danced to the music. Jason knew there would be some digimon to complain in the morning, but he just couldn't help himself. The song continued, its lyrics ringing out into the night.
Between the perfect world and the bottom line
Keeping love alive in these troubled times
Well it's a miracle in itself
And we know too well what that's all about
Still we made it through, only heaven knows how
We must've had a little help
It must have been
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
Watching over you and me
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
Baby what else could it be
Well it must've been hard, it must've been tough
Keeping up with crazy fools like us
Because it is so easy to fall apart
And we still break each other's hearts sometimes
Spend some nights on the jagged side
Somehow we end up in each other's arms
It must have been
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
Watching over you and me
Wild Angles, Wild Angels
Baby what else could it be
There are some nights
As I sit and dream
I swear I hear the sound of beating wings
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
Watching over you and me
Wild Angles, Wild Wild Angles
Baby what else could it be.
As Jason finished his light show, Tijgmon was looking out a window of the hospital. The music alone could have woken up half the city, but Tijgmon couldn't help but smile. He could tell Jason was happy, and it wasn't that hard to figure out who had made the lord of Peradium celebrate with such a fireworks show.