(Author's Note: Here's Part Two of Chapter 49! You can probably see the theme of the chapter and why this was all supposed to be one thing.
Anyways, read, review, and enjoy! I appreciate any and all feedback!)
Chapter 49: Penance (Part II)
Darkness and pain.
That was all he felt as he slowly grasped consciousness. His mind was black and hazy. White spots flickered in the darkness like stars in the night sky. He felt dizzy and disoriented, like he was lying on the deck of a boat swaying on the waves. He tried to move his limbs, but he felt as though he was moving in slow motion.
His eye lids opened but a crack, causing light to erupt out of the darkness and sting his eyes.
As he regained consciousness, he began to become aware of his senses. His vision was blurry, but there were other sensations that told him he was still alive.
His chest tingled with a faint, stinging ache. As he breathed in air, he could smell an astringent, sterile aroma. He sucked in oxygen, but the expansion of his chest caused pain to shoot through his abdomen. A weak moan was drawn from his mouth.
"He's waking up!" a familiar, tenor voice shouted joyously.
VictoryGreymon's eyes flickered open. His pupils shrunk and adjusted to the bright light of the room. He found himself staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. His vision was blurry but he could just make out the cracked stone above him. He felt bare, and his body ached all over. In his exhausted, disoriented state, he struggled to grasp where he was.
As he slowly started to regain his bearings, VictoryGreymon vaguely registered that something was squeezing his hand. He slowly gripped the warm thing back.
"VictoryGreymon! Can you hear us?" another familiar voice, this one deeper, asked.
"I'm g-gonna k-kill him!" a gruff voice growled shakily.
"Settle down…" a fourth voice said, releasing a long sigh of relief.
VictoryGreymon recognised all of these voices. He attempted to sit up so that he could see who they were, but pain pierced through his stomach and he cried out with pain. A pair of hands appeared in his vision and gently pressed him back down onto the bed.
Squinting from his tender chest, VictoryGreymon watched as KaiserGreymon appeared over him. The black dragon man looked down at him with a relieved smile and moist eyes. "Easy there. You're in the hospital. Try not to move," KaiserGreymon told him gently.
"Huh…?" VictoryGreymon weakly asked, suddenly registering at he was lying in a hospital bed.
He looked down and saw that all of his friends, the members of the Greymon Five, were surrounding the bed. ShineGreymon was sitting next to the bed, clutching his hand tightly. He could tell that there had been tears in his eyes despite the radiant smile that was plastered across his face.
VictoryGreymon turned his head to look down his body. WarGreymon was standing at the foot of the bed. He was scowling at him furiously, and he menacingly pounded his palm with his other fist. However, it was only to hide the liquid that was forming in his eyes. He promptly turned his back to VictoryGreymon and surreptitiously wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, snarling as he did so.
Finally, BlackWarGreymon stood beside KaiserGreymon on the right side of the bed, his hand gripping his friend's shoulder. He smiled down at VictoryGreymon, more than relieved to see him awake.
"What… What happened…?" VictoryGreymon weakly asked. He stared down at his body. Nearly the entirety of his muscular, orange chest was wrapped heavily in bandages. They started around his lower abdomen and continued all the way past his pectoral muscles to his shoulders. There were even bandages wrapped around his biceps and thighs. He was tightly bound up in the healing fabric, such were the extents of his wounds.
"You tell us!" WarGreymon shouted at him, still not turning around to face the group. "And, no, I'm not crying! I have dirt and sweat and anger and demon blood in my eyes!" he felt the need to add.
ShineGreymon chuckled with a mixture of excitement and relief. He casually thumbed at his eyes like it was no big deal and flashed his usual confident grin at VictoryGreymon. "You look like crap, dude. It's too early to be dressing up for the Ghost Festival, you know," he joked, tugging at one of his friend's bandages.
"ShineGreymon…? Guys?" VictoryGreymon asked, still trying to orient himself. "Ngh… Ow… How did I…?"
"SaviorHackmon found you and brought you here," KaiserGreymon explained to him. "How are you feeling? Do you need a doctor?"
"Urgh… I'm real sore…" he struggled to say, wincing tightly at the pain that shot through his chest. "Rrm… Am I really alive…? I thought for sure I was a goner…"
"You're really alive," BlackWarGreymon told him, smiling down at him.
"And we couldn't be happier," KaiserGreymon added.
"You stupid idiot!" WarGreymon growled, wheeling around and scowling at VictoryGreymon. He marched over to VictoryGreymon's bedside and shoved KaiserGreymon aside. "Don't you ever break off from the group again, dumbass! You got that?! Do you know how worried everyone was, looking for your big ass?! If you died, everybody would have blamed me! I'm so mad, I'm gonna kill you with my arms!" the dragon soldier ranted, leaning over and hugging VictoryGreymon tightly.
"Ow ow ow ow!" VictoryGreymon stammered, weakly flailing his arms.
KaiserGreymon pulled WarGreymon's arms and dragged him off the patient with BlackWarGreymon's help. "That's enough. He's hurt."
ShineGreymon stood up from the chair and laughed. "I think the poor guy's suffered enough without having a sweaty Greymon crushing him. But now he knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of one of his hugs," the light dragon joked. As his laugh faded, he smiled down at VictoryGreymon genuinely. "We're glad you're alright, Vic. We were pretty worried."
VictoryGreymon managed a weak smile. "Thanks, guys… It means a lot…" he sincerely replied. The corners of his snout curved down as the reality of the situation set in. He could see how worried and upset all of his friends were. He wanted to save Paildramon to the point of putting his own life in danger. He thought he had been fine with that. That was what heroes did, after all…
Now, he was beginning to realise that his reckless actions didn't affect just him, but his friends too. He was so desperate to keep his friend from dying, he didn't really consider what would happen if he got hurt in the process. He had forgot; his friends would feel his pain just as much as he did. He began to feel selfish - guilty as well.
VictoryGreymon grimaced with regret. "Guys, I'm… I'm real sorry for making you all worry… I was being reckless. I should have thought about you guys too," he said to them, his words soft and meaningful.
"Yeah, you should have," WarGreymon indignantly fired back. In a huff, he folded his arms and looked away from the wounded dinosaur man.
"Look, we're just glad that you're okay," KaiserGreymon insisted, shooting WarGreymon a look. "How did you end up in this shape, Victory?"
VictoryGreymon winced. "Um… It's a long story… Let's see…" He paused, wondering how to explain what had happened. "I ended up fighting Grandis, but then I made him see the error of his ways and then we fought Paildramon!" he straightforwardly explained.
The four other members of the Greymon Five went silent and blinked. After a pregnant pause, they all looked between one another. ShineGreymon quizzically raised an eyebrow at the prone Greymon. "Wait, what? Say that again?"
"Our Paildramon?" KaiserGreymon asked for clarification. "You mean, the over-sergeant?"
"What the hell are you talking about, Vic?" WarGreymon demanded. "Paildramon would never fight you! Did you get hit on the head?"
VictoryGreymon grimaced guiltily. "Um, yeah, I did, but that's beside the point," he replied. "Uh… Paildramon sorta… did this…" He gestured down with his snout at his bandaged body
As his words petered off, the deafening silence continued.
When the Greymon Five stared at him in disbelief, VictoryGreymon immediately raised his hands up. "Uh! She didn't mean to, though!" he insisted frantically, not wanting his friends to think badly of her. "It—It wasn't her fault. Honest! She, um… She lost her brother. She must have lost control of her form during combat. She just kept evolving into these crazy dark and powerful evolutions… Grandis and I tried to talk her down, but it was like she couldn't hear us. I did my best to bring her back, but…" He winced and trailed off. "After she attacked, I passed out. Don't blame her; I threw down my weapon."
"Slow down. You what?!" ShineGreymon incredulously demanded. "She did this to you?!"
"I can't believe this…" KaiserGreymon murmured, rubbing his brow as he struggled to take everything in.
"You idiot! You trusted that mercenary-bug-guy again?! And fought Paildramon?! And disarmed yourself?! You stupid, reckless jerk!" WarGreymon growled, unable to decide what part of all of that he should be most angry about. After a moment of kneejerk anger, WarGreymon grimaced with worry. "Is… she okay?"
At this question, VictoryGreymon's eyes widened with realisation. "I… I don't know…" he admitted. It dawned on him that he had no idea what had happened after he blacked out. He didn't know the fates of either Paildramon or GrandisKuwagamon. Things had been so out of control. They were trying to kill each other, but then he had passed out. Were they alright?
With a pained grimace, VictoryGreymon began pushing himself upwards in an attempt to sit up. "I… have'ta make sure that they're okay," he rumbled between strained grunts.
"Forget about them," ShineGreymon irately ordered. He didn't want VictoryGreymon worrying about either of them after realising that they had hurt him this badly. He knew VictoryGreymon well enough to know that he would put their wellbeing over his own. "Just worry about yourself, Vic."
"You need to rest," KaiserGreymon insisted, placing his hands gently on VictoryGreymon's shoulders.
"They healed the worst of your injuries, but you're still hurt," BlackWarGreymon agreed.
VictoryGreymon shut his eyes tightly and clenched his teeth. "You… You don't understand," he insisted desperately. He stubbornly pushed against KaiserGreymon's hands and tried to sit up. The movements sent pain shooting through his tender abdomen, but he was determined. "I need to… check on them… I… need to…"
Tears began to form in VictoryGreymon's eyes as he pushed through the pain and as his painful memories came flooding back. "My… My dad… I need to find Dad…" he explained shakily.
KaiserGreymon blinked and weakened the force behind his hands as they rested on VictoryGreymon's shoulders. "Your dad…?" he asked.
ShineGreymon frowned. "Huh…? What about your dad? I thought you said he was evacuating."
VictoryGreymon shook his head, looking up at his friends with moist eyes. "He—He didn't. When I got separated from you guys, I saw the brewery get hit. I went to check on him, but the ceiling caved in and he was trapped underneath it. I managed to get him free, but he… he was really hurt," he explained, fighting back his burgeoning tears. "He was starting to lose data. I got him to the stretchers, but… I don't know where he is. I don't know if he made it. Please…"
ShineGreymon's fists were balled up tight. He stared at VictoryGreymon with shock and horror. "No… You're kidding…" he whispered.
KaiserGreymon winced and slowly moved his hands from VictoryGreymon's body. "I'm sorry, Victory…" he gently told him. "I can ask and see—"
VictoryGreymon reached out and held KaiserGreymon's arm. "Please, Kaiser. I… I need to find out myself," he begged him, his eyes asking him desperately. "If I don't force myself to look for him now… I don't… I don't think I'll be able to bring myself to find out again. I'll—I'll be too scared of the answer…"
KaiserGreymon looked down at the distraught dragon man sadly. He felt for their friend. They all did. As much as he was worried about VictoryGreymon's health, he could see that this was something that he needed to do.
"…Alright," he relented. "But we're coming with you."
"Yeah, we're not letting you do this alone, pal," ShineGreymon told him, putting on a brave, optimistic smile for him.
"Yeah," WarGreymon agreed, bending down and putting VictoryGreymon's arm over his shoulders to help him stand. "You may be an idiot, but you're our idiot. We'll be right there with you no matter what," he told him with a slight smile.
BlackWarGreymon nodded, quietly but with resolve. He took VictoryGreymon's other arm and, coordinating with WarGreymon, helped him to his feet. "Let's go find your dad."
Tears began filling VictoryGreymon's eyes and he looked around at his friends with a grateful smile. He was already an emotional Digimon to begin with, but in that vulnerable moment, his heart was truly touched. "Thanks, guys… You're the best," he told them, his voice high and quivery with emotions.
"Don't get all sappy," ShineGreymon told him with a playful wink. "The Greymon Five are supposed to maintain a cool image, you know."
Despite his outward display of confidence, ShineGreymon was extremely worried. He refused to let it show, for VictoryGreymon's sake. He knew that his friend was already worried out of his mind without them adding to it. The last thing that he wanted was for VictoryGreymon to go through the same thing that he went through. He didn't want his best friend to know that pain.
"Come on," KaiserGreymon told them, walking to the door of the room. "Can you walk, VictoryGreymon?"
Despite wincing and putting his weight heavily on WarGreymon and BlackWarGreymon's backs, he nodded. "Y-Yeah… I can walk," he insisted, standing on his own two feet.
KaiserGreymon nodded at ShineGreymon, gesturing for him to come over. The pair walked ahead of the three once they were all out in the hospital corridor.
"We should go ahead and find some hospital staff," KaiserGreymon suggested to him quietly. "That way, in the worst case scenario, we can find out before VictoryGreymon does. Then we could figure out how to break the news to him gently."
"Don't talk like that, Kaiser…" ShineGreymon answered, wincing at the prospect.
"I'm just saying 'if'," KaiserGreymon insisted. "I don't want to even think about it, but we have to be prepared, just in case…"
As much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew that KaiserGreymon had a point. He nodded gently. "Yeah, I guess… Though I'm not sure it'd make much of a difference in the end."
"Well, let's just hope it doesn't come to that…" KaiserGreymon grimly replied, making sure that there was some distance between them and the others.
VictoryGreymon slowly limped down the busy corridor. He looked around to the best of his ability, but he had trouble raising his head. His muscles ached and were weak enough that he could barely move them. Although the healing had been effective in his wounds, he felt physically drained.
The further that he walked down the hallway, the more the feeling of dread crawled over his heart. He thought about his father. He remembered the dire state that his dad was in. He remembered the blood, the drifting data, the doctor's ominous words…
His legs began to tingle with fear. They began to feel even more like jelly than they already did. VictoryGreymon was tempted to turn around and run back to his room. Despite what he had said before about wanting to find his dad and the others, his trepidation was beginning to take hold.
The more he thought about the question, the more he became scared of the answer. What if the response he got was everything that he feared? What if he asked, only to be told that his dad hadn't made it? What if he was alone?
He wanted to run away and hide. He wanted to bury his head in the sand. He no longer wanted to know.
"A-Actually, guys…" VictoryGreymon stammered, shutting his eyes and attempting to plant his clawed feet on the hospital floor. "I… I don't think I can do this…"
"What? You can't chicken out now," WarGreymon bluntly told him. "It's not just something you can put off forever."
"Y-Yes, it is," VictoryGreymon protested, weakly trying to pull away from the two WarGreymon holding him. His stomach churned and he began to feel sick with worry. His heart raced and he began to feel like his insides were twisting. "Please, g-guys, I'm not ready. Let me go back. I want to go back."
"…WarGreymon's right, Victory," BlackWarGreymon gently answered, although keeping hold of his arm so that he didn't hurt himself. "I know it's hard, but… whatever the outcome, you have to face it sooner or later. You can't bury your head in the sand… Not knowing will eat you up inside."
VictoryGreymon looked at him desperately, tears forming in his emerald eyes. "But… knowing will make it real…" he explained in a near whimper. "If… If I can just pretend…"
WarGreymon gripped the large, orange muscle of VictoryGreymon's shoulder. He clutched it firmly, but also reassuringly. "We'll cross that bridge if it comes to it, Vic."
BlackWarGreymon nodded and levelled VictoryGreymon a gaze that showed him their quiet but intense camaraderie. "Together," he reassured him, lightly placing his hand on VictoryGreymon's bandaged back. He gently pushed against his scales. "Be brave."
Although his feelings of fear and worry remained, VictoryGreymon weakly nodded. As much as it scared him, he knew that his friends were right. It was like he said before, if he didn't find out now, when would he? He knew that the worry would probably tear him up inside. As much as he didn't want to, he told himself that he had to face it.
He thought of his heroes, the Royal Knights, and tried to draw on their courage. That had always been how he faced his fears before. He thought of what his heroes would do. VictoryGreymon thought that he was weak, but if he could try to emulate the strength of his heroes, then maybe he could be a better Digimon. Maybe one day, he would be worthy enough to stand in their shadows.
VictoryGreymon took in a pained breath and then exhaled through his nostrils. He forced himself to move one clawed foot forwards. Then, he lifted his opposite foot off the ground and placed it in front of the other. He moved his other foot and repeated the process, slowly hobbling forwards.
With the help of his friends, he walked down the corridor, towards where ShineGreymon and KaiserGreymon were speaking with an Orcamon, who was one of the hospital staff. ShineGreymon was speaking urgently, and his body language was animated and expressive. Being the team leader, KaiserGreymon was the calmer of the two. He calmly questioned the Orcamon, who turned and pointed down the corridor.
There was a pang of emotion in VictoryGreymon's heart when he saw the gesture. He then watched as both ShineGreymon and KaiserGreymon turned towards him. A glimmer of hope ignited in VictoryGreymon's chest, but he quickly stamped it out like an ember on a rug. As much as he sorely wanted to, he couldn't let himself get his hopes up. Not yet. He had seen how badly his father was hurt.
VictoryGreymon winced and tentatively walked towards his friends. As much as he tried to hide it, he was already in so much emotional pain. He wanted to believe that things would be alright. He needed to believe that his father would be alright. His compulsion to hope for the best no matter the odds was starting to clash with his need for self-preservation. There was a part of him that expected the worst. It refused to let himself get too hopeful, for fear that his hopes would be dashed. He knew he had to be realistic. However, he couldn't help but feel the embers of hope reigniting in his heart.
He approached the pair with WarGreymon and BlackWarGreymon at his side. VictoryGreymon looked at KaiserGreymon and ShineGreymon. His eyes were wide, vulnerable with worry. KaiserGreymon turned towards him with subtle, yet complex emotions on his face. It looked like he couldn't decide how to react. In this moment, VictoryGreymon knew that they had found out the fate of his father. This was his last chance.
He almost buckled, but the hope and need in his heart took over. He steeled himself and raised his head bravely to stare at KaiserGreymon.
KaiserGreymon frowned a little. "VictoryGreymon," he tentatively began.
The caution in his voice, the gentle way that he spoke his name; it felt like a presage to grim news. VictoryGreymon began to deflate. He felt his legs begin to grow weak, and his chest tightened. He looked desperately at ShineGreymon.
ShineGreymon turned and stared at VictoryGreymon.
And he smiled.
ShineGreymon placed a hand on VictoryGreymon's shoulder. "He's in there, buddy," he told him, squeezing and gesturing down the corridor to the second door on the left.
At the news that his father was still alive, all of the emotions that had been brimming in his heart exploded. The fear and hope that he had been keeping at bay were suddenly released. He could already feel tears forming in his eyes as his face morphed.
VictoryGreymon broke away from his friends and ran towards the room. He hobbled as fast and as steadily as his aching body would allow. It felt like his chest would burst with every step.
"Victory, wait!" KaiserGreymon shouted, chasing after him. He knew that the large dragon man shouldn't be moving like that on his own. He also hadn't had the chance to prepare him for the other news.
VictoryGreymon didn't wait. He dashed to the entrance and, never having been great at balance or turning, skidded inelegantly at the doorway. He crashed shoulder-first into the doorframe. Despite the sudden spike of pain through his arm, he managed to stop.
He was there, at the threshold of the room. Wincing from his aching shoulder, VictoryGreymon opened his eyes and looked into the room.
The room was like the room he had been staying in. It was plain, clean, and largely empty apart from the large bed in the center of the room. His vision homed in on the bed. The contents of the bed were all that he cared about. He needed to see for himself.
Lying on top of the bed was an older WarGreymon. The orange dragon man was half naked, with bandages wrapped heavily around his chest and one of his legs. The faint smell of dried blood tainted the sharp, stuffy air. The patient breathed lightly, his thoroughly-dressed chest rising and dipping with every breath.
VictoryGreymon's heart flooded with an outpouring of joy and relief. "Dad!" he exclaimed in a half-choked sob.
He began to rush in, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He realised that there was something different about his father. It was then that he noticed.
There was a bandaged stub below WarGreymon's shoulder where his left arm should have been.
VictoryGreymon froze and his blood momentarily ran cold. When he had last seen his father, he knew that his arm had been heavily crushed. He stopped in his tracks and stared at his father's amputated arm, momentarily uncertain what to do.
WarGreymon opened his eyes and gazed at VictoryGreymon. A gentle smile of relief formed on his face when he recognised his son. "…Victory…" he softly said. That was enough to make VictoryGreymon forget his misgivings.
VictoryGreymon burst into tears and ran over to the bed. "Dad!" he shouted, immediately wrapping his arms around his father's neck and hugging him. Although he was known for his tight – crushing, even – hugs, VictoryGreymon reined himself him and clutched him gently.
WarGreymon breathed a sigh and lifted his remaining arm to place it on VictoryGreymon's back. "Thank Yggdrasil. You're alive…" he gently said.
"D-Dad," VictoryGreymon sobbed with a mixture of unadulterated relief and sadness. He could feel his warm tears streaming down his face as he pressed his cheek against his father's. He sniffed to try to keep his snout from running too much. The dragon man revelled in his father's warmth; he had been terrified that he'd never see him again. He had been petrified at the thought that that had been the last time he would have ever spoken to him.
The younger Greymon cried openly and pulled his father closer against his chest. The relief that he felt was so overwhelming that he was unable to stop himself from weeping tears of joy.
WarGreymon finally winced and pressed a hand against VictoryGreymon's shoulder, trying to gently push him back a little. "Vic..tory… Too tight…" he wheezed.
"S-Sorry," VictoryGreymon replied, sniffling. He slowly released his dad from his hold and backed off a little. He smiled a little at his father as he stood up straight beside the bed. However, his smile faded when his eyes drifted to the bandaged stub below WarGreymon's shoulder. "…Your arm…" he murmured miserably.
WarGreymon glanced down at what was left of his arm and winced a little. "The doctors said that they were unable to save it," he wistfully explained. "The data of the bone and muscles was so damaged that it was breaking apart. They pumped me full of healing magic and had to amputate it from the shoulder down before the damage spread to the rest of my body. They just barely saved me."
"I'm… I'm just glad that you're alive," VictoryGreymon said, gazing down at him with reddened, glistening eyes. He did his best to blink the stinging tears out of his vision. "I was so scared that you were dead."
The sincere words struck a chord inside the elder Greymon. His eyes creased and he gazed up at his son regretfully. "I'm sorry for making you worry, Victory…" he gently apologised. He rested his horned head back against the pillow. "…I'm sorry for a lot of things."
"Dad…" VictoryGreymon said, sniffing and wiping his face with his bandaged arm. He put on his usual optimistic smile and stared down at his father. "You don't have to say anything. You already apologised. It's okay."
"It's not…" WarGreymon gently responded. "I… If I recover. When I recover… I want to be a better father to you."
"You're already a great dad," VictoryGreymon insisted, smiling a little wider past his tears.
WarGreymon began to move his left arm to grab hold of VictoryGreymon's hand, but then he remembered that only a stub remained. He grimaced and reached over his body with his other hand and grabbed VictoryGreymon's. "I haven't been there as much as I should. I know you have your own life now. You're a member of the Greymon Five and the Order of the Royal Knights. I… couldn't be prouder of you. But still... I want to take more time to get to know you again."
VictoryGreymon squeezed his father's hand back and raised his other hand to wipe his eyes again. "Dad, you don't have to…"
"Yes, I do…" WarGreymon insisted, staring up at the younger dragon man sadly. "Nearly dying put things into perspective. When I was lying underneath that rubble… I had regrets. I regret all the hours that I put into the brewery when I could have spent time with you. I've… been selfish. After your mum died…" He winced and looked away shamefully. "Instead of grieving on my own, I should have been a better father to you. I should have realised that you needed me more than ever without her. I let you down… and I let your mum down," he explained, his own tears starting to form in his eyes. "Can you forgive me…?"
Despite the renewed tear that fell down his face, VictoryGreymon smiled and nodded. "O-Of course, D-Dad," he shakily said, going down and hugging him again.
WarGreymon sniffed and held VictoryGreymon in a one-armed hug. "Thank you…" he whispered softly. "I want to make up for that lost time. I don't want to just be a brewer; I want to be your father again." He smiled a little bit. "Although, I'm not sure I'll be able to play catch with you…"
VictoryGreymon chuckled through his tightened throat. "Hah... I-It's fine. I'd like that too, whenever I can get leave…" he responded.
WarGreymon smiled and nodded weakly. "Of course. You have your own job. Your dream job…" he pulled away from VictoryGreymon and looked up at him encouragingly. "You live your dream, VictoryGreymon… I believe in you."
Despite his face being a mess of tears and snot, VictoryGreymon smiled and nodded, further trying to wipe his face on his arm bandages. "Th-Thanks, Dad…"
"If this battle has taught me anything… it's that I should have had more faith in you," WarGreymon said, squeezing VictoryGreymon's hand. "I meant it when I said that you're a hero."
VictoryGreymon flushed and smiled sheepishly. Having gotten his tears under control, he rubbed the back of his head. "Gee, I don't know about that…" he modestly responded.
"I still remember when you were a child and you tried to wear a cape to school," WarGreymon recalled with a slight smile. "You always were a little different."
VictoryGreymon chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Haha. I remember," he mused. "Hey. Maybe now that I'm a hero, you'll let me wear a cape after all!"
WarGreymon hesitated but smiled supportively. "…Maybe. We'll see. I mean… I guess you don't need my permission."
"Great!" VictoryGreymon exclaimed.
"Sorry, sir, we don't mean to interrupt..." a voice said from the door of the room.
Both VictoryGreymon and WarGreymon turned their heads to see KaiserGreymon standing in the doorway, with ShineGreymon, BlackWarGreymon, and the younger WarGreymon standing behind him. They had been waiting out in the hallway to allow the father and son to have their moment in peace. All four members of the Greymon Five were smiling to some degree.
"Oh, KaiserGreymon. It's fine," the elder WarGreymon responded.
"We're glad you're recovering, sir," KaiserGreymon politely told him. He then looked at VictoryGreymon who was looking very tired and still in pain. "But you should really get some rest, Victory."
VictoryGreymon smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess I should…" he conceded. Truth be told, he felt exhausted, both physically and emotionally. He turned and looked at his father uncertainly.
"They're right. You should rest… You look worse than I do," WarGreymon told him with a touch of levity to his deep, husky voice.
"We'll help you," BlackWarGreymon said, walking over to him with ShineGreymon. They both carefully took VictoryGreymon's arms and held the muscular dragon warrior up.
"Yeah, let's get you back to bed, big guy," ShineGreymon agreed with a smile.
VictoryGreymon nodded and allowed himself to be assisted. He rested his arms on their shoulders and looked over his shoulder at his father.
The older WarGreymon smiled. "I'll be fine. I'm not going anywhere…"
VictoryGreymon smiled. "Okay…" he weakly said.
With that, he was aided out of the room and into the hospital corridor. VictoryGreymon released a heavy sigh of relief and slowly plodded down the hall.
"…You okay, dude?" ShineGreymon asked, rubbing his friend's back gently.
VictoryGreymon sniffed and nodded, before turning his head and giving ShineGreymon the biggest smile that he could muster.
"I think I am now…"
Elsewhere in the hospital, a Digimon lay alone in a hospital bed.
Like all the others, the room was empty and clean. The surfaces were scrubbed clean and disinfected. A single ball of light floated stationary beside the bed. The glow form cast its light across the body of the patient.
Paildramon ignored the bright ball of light data beside her. She stared vacantly up at the ceiling. The surface above her was grey and drab. She had been awake for a few hours now, but she felt as though she had been there for days. She knew every crack in the cold stone. She had nothing to do but lie there and think… and reflect.
Her midsection was heavily dressed with bandages. Her chest ached and her body was stiff. She had received intensive healing and the doctors had told her that she was out of danger. Although they had mostly healed over now, she could still feel the numb sting from the three wounds that GrandisKuwagamon had created. Paildramon didn't mind the physical pain. It was the pain in her heart that was unbearable.
The last night was a blur of hazy darkness and numb rage. Despite the shadowy whirlwind of memories, she remembered enough. There were enough moments of clarity for her to remember what she had done. What she had become.
She felt nauseous whenever she thought about it. Unfortunately for her, it was all she could think about. She remembered the blur of fury as she decimated buildings. She remembered plunging her claws into VictoryGreymon's chest, feeling his warm blood on her fingers. She remembered firing without remorse into GrandisKuwagamon.
There had been times that night that she felt a prisoner in her own body. However, she couldn't separate herself from what she had done. As much as a part of her wanted to, she was incapable of avoiding responsibility. Ultimately it was her rage that fuelled her. It was her darkness that caused her to dark evolve. She knew that it was all her fault, and she hated herself for it.
Although her expression remained the same, her throat was tight. Her claws dug into sheets of the bed as she squeezed the fabric. The events replayed in her mind over and over again. She remembered VictoryGreymon and GrandisKuwagamon reaching out to her. They were desperate to get through to her. She remembered the hatred that she felt towards them, but she also remembered being desperate to reach them. There was a part of her underneath all that dark anger that wanted more than anything to stop, but it was like swimming against an unstoppable torrent. She had felt helpless.
She shut her eyes, fighting against the tears that threatened to emerge. Paildramon knew that she had mortally wounded VictoryGreymon and GrandisKuwagamon. Were they dead? Had she murdered them both? The guilt was eating away at her, gripping her heart like a frozen vice. If they had died, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself. Even if they hadn't, she still wasn't sure she would be able to.
Paildramon shuddered as she thought about what she had turned into. Black Imperialdramon… Fighter Mode. She had been so desperate for the power to avenge her brother. Now, she felt sick that she had been capable of such destruction. Had that dark power been inside her all that time? She had always been in control of herself. Was all that discipline just a façade for what might be her true nature? What would happen the next time something bad happened? Would she transform into that again and go on another rampage? Who else would she hurt? Was she so weak and irresponsible that she wouldn't be able to control her own power anymore?
Paildramon opened her eyes and took a calming breath. She did her best to temper her vortex of negative emotions. She remembered that those emotions were the cause of her dark evolution in the first place.
Noises coming from the corridor began to draw her attention. The rough, excitable sound of voices and the heavy thumping of footsteps soon reached her ears. The noise was familiar. The voice had a recognizable, baritone cadence to it, and the sound of metal boots hitting stone was well known to her.
"I'm telling you, I need to see her," the gruff, older voice demanded. "She's my daughter!"
It was then that Paildramon's heart froze. Her blood chilled, and her features hardened like ice. The familiar voice sent bristles through her scales. Her muscles tensed to their limits and her clawed hands balled up into tight fists.
"Father…" she thought bitterly as her face tightened.
"I understand that, sir, but she is still recovering and I'm not sure that you can fit in the room," a female voice responded.
"I don't care; this wing should be more accessible! I'm Councillor Imperialdramon of the Council of Seven!" he roughly exclaimed. "I demand to be allowed to see my own daughter!"
There was a resigned sigh. "Very well," the female voice said. Paildramon watched as Doctor Stingmon stepped into her view of the doorway. The insect physician, who had been tending to Paildramon's wounds, turned and looked inside the room at her. "Paildramon? There's somebody here to see you. He says he's your father?" Stingmon inquired uncertainly.
"I am her father," Councillor Imperialdramon protested.
Paildramon's eyes narrowed gently. She squeezed her fists a bit tighter before drawing a long, centering breath. She not only had to quell her budding anger, but also summon her courage. She both longed for and dreaded this moment. Her ambivalence caused her to feel ill at ease. However, the dragon steeled herself. She knew that this was something that she had to do.
"Let him in," she requested.
Stingmon nodded and moved aside. "Do you want me to come back later?" she asked her.
"Please," Paildramon responded.
Imperialdramon appeared in the doorway. He wasn't able to fit his broad, draconic body into the humanoid-sized room, so he merely stuck his helmed, draconic head inside.
Upon seeing him before her, Paildramon's crimson eyes narrowed into sharp slits. She could feel her anger bubbling in her stomach. She still felt sorrow clutching her heart as she thought about ExVeemon. She believed that he was dead, and that the one responsible was before her now.
"…Father," she icily greeted.
Upon seeing Paildramon, Councillor Imperialdramon's strained cheek muscles sunk and relaxed. "Paildramon… Thank Yggdrasil…" he sighed.
Paildramon was silent. Now that he was here, she wasn't sure what to say. There was so much that she needed to articulate that she didn't know where to start. She wanted to let loose. At the same time, she was afraid of letting her emotions take control of her again.
As Imperialdramon stared at his daughter, his relief turned serious and the musculature of his face stiffened. "What happened? Is it true that you lost control and went on a rampage in the city?"
Paildramon held back a wince and watched her father steadily. Her anger began to simmer within her, but she didn't let it take her over. "Yes," she confirmed. Her voice was strong, but her guilt lingered on the word.
"How in the hell did that happen?! Even when you evolved, you never had any problems controlling your Imperialdramon form! How did you of all people lose control?!" Imperialdramon demanded, the frustration clear on his face.
The dragon woman slowly closed her fists against the surface of the bed. She tried her best to keep her cool, but she felt her anger at the dragon patriarch swelling. "I must be temperamentally unsuited to such a powerful form," she dryly responded.
Imperialdramon's red eyes narrowed into a glare and he uttered a low, throaty rumble. "Are you seriously joking, Paildramon? Do you have any idea how this looks?! I'm still a Councillor of the Seven! You're my daughter and you levelled an entire city block!" he shouted.
At this, Paildramon's patience finally broke. Her claws dug into the sheets and she glared at her father, matching his rage. "You haven't changed at all, Father. Is that all you care about? Your image? Your precious legacy?!" she fired back. "You're so selfish!"
Imperialdramon's eyes widened and his own temper flared. "How dare you! What makes you think you have the right to speak to me the way that you have been lately?!"
"What gives you the right to use your children like pawns?! You never could handle the fact that I was wilful – that I didn't want to meekly follow your directions and the goals that you had set out for me. I am not a politician, and I am not content to be married off in some convenient aristocratic marriage for the sake of our family ties!" Paildramon countered. Her blue face tightened behind her helmet with obvious pain. "Just like ExVeemon didn't want to fight in some war just to bring you glory…"
"I have never treated you in such ways! All I have ever wanted was for both of you to live happy lives! As your father, I know what is best for my children – and, yes – sometimes that means making you do things that you do not want to do! That's the nature of children – to follow their parents' orders!" Imperialdramon responded, pressing his shoulders against the doorframe as he leaned in emotively. "We are a prominent noble family, Paildramon! Our lineage traces back to the First Cycle! We are descendents of Imperialdramon the Great! With such wealth and prominence comes a responsibility! It is our job to be leaders of Digimon. It is called noblesse oblige. It means that we have a responsibility beyond simply following our selfish whims! Sometimes we need to make sacrifices!"
Paildramon's teeth clenched and she could feel her blood racing. "…'Sacrifices'? You think that my wanting to be a soldier is a selfish whim? I took on this mantle so that ExVeemon wouldn't have to. I knew how much you wanted ExVeemon to be a rising star in the army. He never wanted that life! He never wanted all of those expectations that you heaped onto his shoulders! Or was he supposed to sacrifice too?!" she passionately explained. "I was right there. I was willing. Was I really not enough, Father? Why wasn't it enough for your daughter to take his place? Was it because of my gender? Did you not think that I was strong enough? Do I remind you too much of Mother?"
Imperialdramon snarled and looked to the side, not confirming nor denying her words. "And what was ExVeemon supposed to do? You were the more intelligent one. You were better suited for a career in politics," he lowly growled. "Damn it, Paildramon! Why do you have to be so stubborn?!"
"All I've ever wanted was to make you proud of me… To make you recognise me," Paildramon lowly replied, her glistening eyes glaring up at her father.
Imperialdramon's face tensed up and he shut his eyes tightly. He bowed his head, unable to look at his daughter. "…I am proud of you," he murmured.
Paildramon blinked back the stinging in her eyes. She slowly shook her head. "How can you say that… when you sent ExVeemon out to fight?"
"I didn't—"
"You didn't try very hard to stop him," Paildramon fired back. She looked up at the Councillor with tears in her eyes. "ExVeemon is dead, Father!"
Imperialdramon stared at Paildramon with both confusion and disbelief. His jaw opened, and for a moment, he questioned himself. "W-… What in the hell are you talking about, Paildramon?!" he demanded.
"He's dead," Paildramon coldly explained, the grief appearing on her face. "He was killed by the Demon Lords. It's your fault. You pressured him into fighting and the thing that I was most afraid of happening has finally happened…"
"What in the name of Yggdrasil are you talking about?! What makes you think he's dead?!" Imperialdramon shouted, unbelievably vexed by her words.
Paildramon opened her mouth to respond, but she was interrupted.
"Enough!" a familiar, youthful tenor pleaded. "Stop arguing! Please!"
The voice made Paildramon's blood run cold. Her eyes widened and it felt as though her heart skipped a beat. She propped herself up on her elbows and stared towards the door.
It was then that she saw a blue form squeezing into the blocked doorway, gently pushing past her father. For a moment, she thought she was hallucinating. The breath of her words left her mouth as she watched the familiar form of ExVeemon rush into the room.
"Sis!" ExVeemon cried, staring at her with tears in his eyes. His right shoulder was wrapped in bandages dotted with spots of dried blood, and his arm was in a sling. Around his left arm was a medical insignia – a red cross.
Paildramon gaped at him in utter shock. Her wide, ruby eyes inspected him thoroughly, making sure that he was indeed the real thing. It was her brother's face, her brother's voice, his body, his pendent. She was certain. But she still couldn't believe it. She had been certain that he was dead.
But her mind raced, and she wondered, had she been certain? She hadn't actually seen him die, nor had she been told any eye witness accounts. He had gone missing, she had been told that he was headed to Hope's Crest, and she knew the fate of everybody who had gone there. Due to the way Digimon died, Digimon who were considered MIA were as good as KIA. However… she had jumped to conclusions. In her fear and negativity, she had connected the dots and assumed the worst possible outcome. She had been so wrapped up in her doubt, sorrow, and anger, that she hadn't even considered the possibility that something might have happened to change his fate.
Paildramon was in a state of shock. She didn't even have time to respond before she felt ExVeemon's arms around her shoulders and his cheek against hers. As ExVeemon hugged her, tears entered her eyes.
"Ex… ExVeemon!" she exclaimed, suddenly wrapping her arms around his winged back and pulling him close. Paildramon hugged her younger brother tighter than she ever hugged him before. A wave of warmth and relief washed over her. She relished squeezing her sibling tightly, having thought that she would never see him again. As she held him against her, a tear rolled down her face and onto his back. "You're… You're alive… Thank the gods…"
"S-Sis?" ExVeemon questioned, a bit confused. He sniffed and hugged her tightly as best as he could with an arm in a sling. "Are-are you okay? I saw you blowing stuff up, and then that guy stabbed you and then you stopped moving! I—there was so much blood…"
"I'm… I'm alright," Paildramon replied gently. She raised her hand and wiped the tears from her eyes. "But… But what about you? I don't understand… How are you still alive…?" Reluctantly, she gently pulled them apart, pressing ExVeemon back a little bit. She looked at him carefully, still not quite believing that he was really there.
ExVeemon wiped his eyes with his hand and looked at Paildramon uncertainly. "W-What do you mean? I only got hurt a little," he responded, gesturing to his wounded shoulder.
Paildramon grimaced and shook her head. "I… I thought you were dead… I was looking everywhere for you. I asked all around. One of the soldiers said that you were trying to join a local militia, and that you snuck off to join the Tenth Group," she explained ardently.
ExVeemon suddenly looked sheepish, shuffling in place and looking away like a teen who knew he did something wrong. "…Oh… That," he muttered with a cringe.
"…What? You mean to tell me that you went off to join the Tenth Group?!" Imperialdramon balked. "It was a suicide mission! None survived!"
"I didn't go with them!" ExVeemon defensively protested. He winced and ducked his head between his shoulders. "…Sorta. Me and some of my friends tried to follow them as they were heading to Hope's Crest. We just wanted to help. We didn't want to just run away while our city was being attacked."
"So, you did go with them…?" Paildramon asked.
The teenage dragon raised his free hand and rubbed the back of his neck. "We tried to. We got about two kilometers out, but one of the officers spotted us. He told us that there was no way he would let civilians go with them. He said that if we really wanted to do something useful, we should go back to the city and help the hospital collect the wounded from the battlefield," ExVeemon sheepishly explained. "He was really mad… and convincing. So, we did that. We went back and I volunteered to help the front-line physicians carry the wounded." He looked down at his bandaged shoulder. "We got attacked by some demons, but we fought them off. That's how I got this."
Paildramon looked up at him with an emotional mix of anger and relief. "Don't you ever do that again. Do you have any idea how worried I was? I looked everywhere for you!" she sternly chastised him.
ExVeemon winced guiltily. "Sorry, Sis…" he apologetically answered. "For what it's worth, Dad didn't pressure me to go fight. I wanted to… I felt like a coward knowing other people were risking their lives while I was escaping. It didn't feel right that I should get a free pass just because I'm a Councillor's son…"
Paildramon cringed faintly. She looked towards their father. "You were telling the truth…?"
Councillor Imperialdramon frowned at her. "Of course I was. …Did you really believe that I would willingly send my only son – untrained - out to fight the army of the Demon Lords? I was worried sick about him as much as you were. How low must your opinion be of me…?" he asked. The fire in his words was gone and his course, baritone voice was subdued.
A pang inside her added to her already mounting pile of guilt. "…I'm… sorry, Father…" she murmured, grasping her grimacing face. "I… I thought the worst. I thought that you wanted ExVeemon to bring glory to our family so much, that you sent him out to die."
"I'm not that self-centered and callous, Paildramon…" Imperialdramon responded, staring bitterly at his daughter. "…Am I? I didn't realise that you felt that way. I know I can be old-fashioned and set in my ways… And, yes, I care about the proud lineage of our family. I want both of you to be successful – of course I do. …Am I really that overbearing…?"
"You can be…" Paildramon admitted. She looked sadly across the room at him. "But it isn't just your fault. I shouldn't have let my resentment build up so much. It was frustrating that you couldn't see in me what I wanted you to see. I… suppose I let my feelings fester inside of me. I should never have been so ready to believe that you would be so cavalier about ExVeemon's life. I'm sorry…"
Councillor Imperialdramon sighed. "I suppose you and I have a lot to work out, don't we…?"
Paildramon nodded weakly.
ExVeemon looked at his older sister. "Sis, why did you turn into that… thing? It wasn't like you at all… It was terrifying," he murmured. "You're nothing like that…"
The dragon flinched as the memories of Black Imperialdramon came rushing back to her. That same, dark chill crept down her spine. She felt shame that ExVeemon had seen her in such a monstrous, destructive form. It added to the almost overwhelming guilt that constricted her heart like a vice. She took in a calming breath. "…I thought you were dead. I was so sad and angry – at the Demon Lords, and at Father. The negative emotions got the better of me, and I lost control of my Imperialdramon form," she bitterly explained.
ExVeemon cringed at her words. "So… it was my fault?"
Paildramon reached and gripped his arm, squeezing it emphatically. "No. It wasn't," she decisively said. "It was my fault. I got the wrong idea, and I allowed myself to think the worst. It was my negative emotions and my weakness of character that caused me to run wild. I… I failed."
Imperialdramon grimaced and pushed himself inside the room a bit more. "…Paildramon…" he murmured. "You can't be perfect all the time. You put too many expectations on yourself." After a few moments, he cringed with bitter realization. "…And… maybe that's my fault… I… I realise now that I put too many expectations on you both. I'm… sorry."
"…I can't blame this on you anymore," Paildramon told him, staring up at her father with calm but pained eyes. "It isn't just that I want to meet your expectations. You're right – I have high expectations for myself. I want to be the best that I can be… but I didn't think that I was strong enough. I thought that it was my weakness that killed ExVeemon. It turns out I was strong in one way, but weak in another… I should never have let my resentment and my insecurities run wild like that. I'm the one to blame for what happened."
The Councillor shook his head sagely. "Imperialdramon is a naturally unstable form. It is a two sided coin. On one side, there is order, but on the other side, there is chaos. All we can do is keep ourselves centered and in control as much as possible. We have to be just, and we must have inner strength. These are qualities that I know you have, Paildramon. However, even then, the most tragic of circumstances have the chance of drawing out our chaotic nature. Once the chaos is released, it is like a rushing river. It takes over and consumes. Black Imperialdramon was not the daughter that I know and care for."
Paildramon's tight, emotive eyes drifted down her bandaged body. She raised her clawed hand and still saw traces of dried blood on the tips of her claws. "I can't hide behind Black Imperialdramon. It was my hand that pulled the trigger. We were one in the same, no matter how much I hate what I did," she judiciously explained. "I have to accept the consequences of my actions."
ExVeemon nervously gazed at Paildramon. "But… what does that mean? You didn't do anything too bad, did you? I mean… it was a war. You were just fighting, right?"
Paildramon looked up at her brother, fighting back the tears of guilt that threatened to enter her eyes. "I hurt VictoryGreymon and GrandisKuwagamon… I might have killed them. They were just trying to help me, but I… I might have killed them…" she shakily explained.
ExVeemon frowned. "You didn't though!" he insisted adamantly. "The two guys you were with? I just spoke to SaviorHackmon while I was waiting for you to wake up. He said that he just saw the both of them, and they were alive and awake."
At ExVeemon's revelation, another powerful surge of relief washed over her. It felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted off of her stomach. She had to fight the urge to let the tears in her eyes loose. "They're alive…?" he asked, staring at ExVeemon for confirmation. "Thank the gods… I thought I…" She shut her eyes and lay back on the bed, feeling emotionally exhausted.
"…So, what happens now?" Imperialdramon tentatively suggested, the question lying heavy in the air.
Paildramon opened her eyes and took a calming breath, reconciled to her fate. "I can't remain with the Order. I think I lost that right. I should turn myself in," she answered firmly.
"Overruled," a voice that belonged to neither ExVeemon nor Imperialdramon stated.
The dragon woman looked towards the door and saw a flash of azure beside her father. Imperialdramon turned his head and looked at the Digimon beside him with surprise.
"You?" he asked.
"Excuse me, Councillor," UlforceVeedramon said, moving past Imperialdramon and making his way into the room. "Sorry, I was eavesdropping."
Paildramon looked at him with surprise. The cobalt Royal Knight's chest and arm were heavily bandaged. It was then that the flickering memory of her firing a beam point blank into his chest emerged in her mind. She flinched at the memory. "Sir…" she sheepishly greeted.
UlforceVeedramon smiled with his usual, casual charm. "That's 'UlforceVeedramon', over-sergeant," he replied.
"UlforceVeedramon… What are you doing here?" she wondered, unable to hide the guilt in her voice.
"I'll have you know, I escaped from my room," UlforceVeedramon explained with a grin.
Paildramon's eyes glanced back down to all of the bandages around UlforceVeedramon's chest. "…I'm so sorry about hurting you," she contritely told him.
UlforceVeedramon walked over beside ExVeemon, who stared at the Royal Knight with awe. "It's forgotten. You weren't yourself," he told her. He flashed her a grin. "Though, remind me not to get on your bad side again."
Paildramon frowned at him quizzically. She wasn't sure how he could be so nonchalant and lenient. "I don't know how you can say that…"
The blue dragon knight smiled at her forgivingly. "Because we're friends. I think I know you well enough to know that you'd never do something like that unless there were the direst circumstances. You're always so disciplined and just… to a fault, even. It'd take something terrible for you to lose control like that," UlforceVeedramon responded, casting a playful glance towards ExVeemon.
ExVeemon rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"I hurt people. I destroyed countless buildings," she protested.
"Which you obviously regret," UlforceVeedramon countered, placing his uninjured hand on his hip. "It's clear that you want to make amends."
Paildramon frowned pensively and nodded. "I do, but… I'm supposed to be the over-sergeant of the Strike Forces."
"Exactly," UlforceVeedramon responded. "You're still a member of our Order, so come back with us." He looked at her steadily. "It's not up to you how you'll be disciplined… Alphamon will consider what to do next. He's the most fair and impartial guy that I know."
A conceding sigh escaped Paildramon's nostrils, and she nodded. She had to admit that UlforceVeedramon had a point. As a member of the military, she had to face military discipline. At least, she could expect some form of justice against her from Alphamon. That way, she could also apologise to VictoryGreymon.
"…Alright, Sir," Paildramon agreed dutifully. "When do we leave?"
"Not yet," UlforceVeedramon replied, smiling a little. "Especially not when you're still that hurt. We're leaving in a few days, so make sure you get lots of rest until then."
"…Yes, Sir," Paildramon responded, raising her hand to weakly salute him.
UlforceVeedramon nodded and turned around, hobbling back to the door. Imperialdramon shuffled out of the way so that the Royal Knight could leave.
"And thank you," she added, as UlforceVeedramon reached the door.
"Don't mention it. …Don't beat yourself up, okay?" UlforceVeedramon told her with a friendly smile. He casually flashed her the v-sign with his free hand and sauntered back into the corridor.
Paildramon nodded gently and lay back down on the bed, placing a hand on her bandaged chest.
"You should get some rest, Paildramon," Imperialdramon told her. He looked at ExVeemon. "Come on, ExVeemon. Let's leave her in peace."
ExVeemon frowned uncertainly and looked at Paildramon, obviously not wanting to leave her when she was still hurt.
Paildramon offered him a reassuring smile. "…I'll be fine now, ExVeemon," she insisted.
"…Okay, sis," he replied, although reluctantly. The teenaged dragon bent over and hugged Paildramon.
She returned the affectionate, familial hug. For that moment, she allowed the relief of her brother being alive to overwhelm her guilt. She was just glad that he was okay.
ExVeemon let go, smiled at her, and then walked back to their father.
Imperialdramon gazed into the room at Paildramon and gave her a soft nod. "…I'm glad that you're okay," he told her gently.
Paildramon looked at her father and her stare softened a little. "Thank you, Father."
The Councillor released a calming breath and allowed ExVeemon to walk ahead of him, Once he did, he began making his way down the cramped corridor, following after his son. "And now we can talk about how you are grounded for the next month," he said to ExVeemon.
"Urk…"
As her family walked off, Paildramon was left alone in the room with her thoughts. She remained calm, but she still felt a tempest of emotions inside of her. Happiness, relief, guilt, sorrow… The conflux of feelings, while starting to calm down, was still emotionally draining. She felt completely exhausted, and that was without taking her physical injuries and the massive amounts of power she expended into account.
She felt her mind beginning to drift, and her physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion were swiftly catching up with her.
Even so, her mind continued to think.
She was grateful that ExVeemon was alive. She was overjoyed that VictoryGreymon and GrandisKuwagamon were alive as well. However, the guilt of knowing that she had created so much pain caused her heart to ache.
Her anger, her wrath, had fuelled Black Imperialdramon. It had taken her over and she lost control, causing catastrophic damage on her home city and friends. She had been convinced that ExVeemon had died. Although there was no questioning that she was euphoric that he was okay, it dawned on her that this also meant one thing:
She had caused all this destruction for nothing.
Her claws tightened against her bandaged chest. The guilt inside of her hurt more than the stab wounds did. She had become a monster of chaos and destruction, and she wasn't sure she could ever forgive herself, even if others did.
However, Paildramon refused to let herself wallow in self pity. She wouldn't let the guilt consume her and eat away at her. That was how she became a dragon of darkness in the first place.
Paildramon wasn't sure how she was still alive, but so long as she was, she promised herself that she would try to make things right.
As her consciousness began to fade, she made a promise to herself. She would become a savior, not a god of destruction. She refused to let that catastrophe happen again.