Part II: The Council

Chapter 6

Author's note:

In the review section, a reader brought up some complaints and corrections about the story (I think you all should be able to find the review pretty easily). In case any of you have the same questions, here are the answers.

Thanks for the corrections (I specifically asked for the help, so thanks), but I think there are some things I need to sort out.

1) You are right, I did change some of the backstories. I like to play with continuity. I'd like to think that only true fans of the series read fan-fiction, and so, any true fan also knows all of the backstories. In other words, (most of) it was intentional.

2) I am aware of the fact that Hypnos had nothing to do with the MonsterMakers. Again, I changed the backstory to suit my version of the story (I guess this should be called AU). I chose to "retcon" Hypnos into the story to match the whole "Hynos"/"Thanatos" motif (read up on the "Death of Sarpedon" myth, if you are into mythology). According to some sources out there, the references to Hypnos and Juggernaut were actually supposed to be homages to H.P. Lovecraft. I have not read any of H.P. Lovecraft's works, so I cannot verify if that is fact or fiction, but yes, I did that on purpose.

3)Thanks for telling me about the whole "death"vs."divorce" issue. I don't really know how I possibly could have messed that up, but somehow I managed to do it.

4)I am aware of the fact that the so-called "Primary Village" was never referred to in Tamers. (Refer to bullet 1).

5) I am also aware of the subtext of Lord of The Flies and the themes it dealt with (I too, have read it). However, for better or worse, it is regarded by the majority of Popular Culture as being about kids left on their own. It is not exactly the most-in-depth view of the book and that is why I had a character comment on it in a way that would be typical of most people who do not know much about it and only know of it in a superficial way. As a matter of fact, I was going to have the characters muse about their roles from their past and how they differ from their present situation (I genuinely am fascinated with some fields of sociology and psychology that deal with the individual's sense of self and labels (in-groups, out-groups, etc). In general, the reference does work, but only superficially (which was what I intended).

6) I own a copy of the first few episodes of VHS and in the scene, it depicts Guilmon first, sensing the rat, then blowing a Pyro-sphere at the rat, then the scene turns away to Takato covering his eyes and with particles that resemble free-floating "data". I agree with you that smoke is depicted rising from the melted pipe, however the smoke is very different in appearance from the white-is specks we see floating away. This scene implies that at least Guilmon is able to absorb data from other organisms. The scene is not very explicit, but the rat's death is still implied.

Thanks for the feedback. I suppose that I will re-upload the corrected chapters. I think the death will actually work pretty well with the plot anyway.

And as of this notice, I have added an AU warning to the summary and I have fixed the chapter with death/divorce continuity issue.

Enjoy!

P.S. Sorry about the rather long hiatus (as well as for the short chapter I uploaded). I had to take a break from the story to focus on finals among other things (What can I say? This is a hobby after all!)

Part II: The Council

Chapter 6

Jeri's body bobbed and drifted farther away from Leomon. They were in what Leomon called "The Download Space" and Jeri saw no hint of her beloved monster leaving it anytime soon. He was facing with his back away from her while his large hands manipulated an interconnected cluster of light. Jeri studied the "space". Instead of being black with small stars like outer space, the environment was a piercing red tone with clusters of various colors similar to the one that Leomon was using. These clusters were various sizes and colors: they ranged from as small as Jeri's eyes and a crimson as a pomegranate to as large as a planetarium's dome and as dull blue as the hue around them.

"Leomon," the girl moaned tiredly, "when will you be done? When can we play?"

The lion looked over his shoulder at the floating girl and promptly returned back to his work.

"Actually…I have just finished."

It did not take long for Rika to come to her senses. Even the air of the digital world was noticeably different from Earth's. She rubbed her eyes and came to her feet before she smoothed her shoulder-length hair and called out for Renamon. It was dark in the Digital World and she needed to find the others.

That's weird, she thought as she kicked the rocks around her feet, We all came in together, so why didn't we end up in the same place?

"Hey RIKA!" came a familiar yell. Rika looked up from the pebbles and saw the goggle-headed boy that she knew so well. At his side was Guilmon and Henry. Terriermon and Impmon were walking on opposite sides of Henry in a pathetic attempt to avoid speaking to each other. Renamon quickly appeared from the nearby jungle.

Takato fixed his goggles over his eyes to protect them from the strong winds and breathed in the nostalgia from years past. He was ready for another adventure.

"There," said Henry as he pointed to a fortress-like structure in the distance, "That was it, right guys?"

"But Henry," screamed Terriermon over the wind, "Do you see that? It's…digimon! And they are coming in our direction!"

The group strained their eyes until they found fast moving figures headed towards them.

"Well guys," said Rika determinedly, "Let's not just wait around for them. They are most likely from the colony which means that we need to contact them anyway so we can explain the situation with Jeri. Maybe they are in charge or something. I can't see a better opportunity than now."

Renamon cocked her hears and quickly scanned the group. She was scanning the group for Beelzemon when she felt a tap on her shoulder. The dark creature grinned at her jumpiness and stalked ahead of her. The truth was that he was using his cockiness to shake off the memories that flooded his head after they returned to this Digital World.

One month ago…

The small imp digimon stumbled and cursed as he stomped his way through a thick forest near his party's cave. The sun was setting and the many creatures of the day was scrambling to find refuge from the impending night. He was filthy and covered in bruises and scrapes from absent-mindedly falling off of tree branches and running into low vegetation.

"Why can't I focus? What's wrong with me? I can't do anything without thinking about…."

At that moment, Impmon stopped in his tracks as he saw what he had been plaguing his mind for so long. The diminutive mon ducked low in the thick brush to avoid being noticed by his obsession. After a few seconds, he stopped tensing and realized that he could loosen his guard.

Before him lay Renamon curled in a soft yellow ball. Her lithe body rose and sank in as she breathed softly.

"Good," Impmon sighed, "she's asleep. I'm just going to stay here and protect her….besides, she knows that it's too dangerous to be sleeping this far away from the cave."

As Impmon watched her slumber, he began to feel strong pains in his lower body. They were the same pains that had been eating away at him for the past year.

"No! Not now….I can't be doing this….I can't be thinking this about her."

"Impmon? Is that you? I can hear you…."

"Shit! Dammit." Impmon loudly cursed himself as he walked away from the bushes towards the vulpine digimon.

"Yeah, that's me…why are you out here anyway?" Impmon walked over to where Renamon was still reclining.

"I don't know Impy…I just…feel really weird" Renamon giggled.

"Impy?" Impmon was confused at her playfulness…. but his interest was definitely piqued.

"I just…I dunnoo…" she slurred, "I just ate that…red and….and spotted fruit over there...and now I'm like….I'm like this…haha."

Impmon inspected the said fruit and threw the rind back onto the ground once he realized what it was.

"Renamon…you're not supposed to eat that it….it makes you-."

"Lazy?" chirruped Renamon as she idly played with her tail.

"Well….yeah..and…"

"Forgetful?"

"Yes, and…"

"Lustful?"

The last word stopped Impmon dead in his tracks. His mouth suddenly became dry as he realized just how intoxicated she was.

Renamon outstretched her arms as she coaxed him towards her.

"Please, Impmon….I really want this….I want you."

Impmon knew it was wrong, but he felt as if his legs were autonomous as he wandered over to her. Once he had approached her, he felt Renamon's paws stroke his head.

"Aww. You're so cute, Impmon!"

"Please," murmered Impmon as he tried to enjoy this moment as best as he could, "please don't call me that."

"But Impy, you are! I mean….you're cute in this fform….bbut in your other form, well…. I wouldn't need to be this out of it…to…be with you."

The imp dashed out of her grasp and tore through the woods. He stopped at an odd-looking tree and began ripping off pieces of its red fruit. The purple mon held the strange fruit in his hands as he absorbed what had just happened. Before he could feel the tears escape his heavy eyes, he began stuffing his face with as much of its red flesh as he could.

"I don't want to remember this…I shouldn't have to…why me? Why am I like this?"

Approximately half an hour later, the diminutive mon began drowsing to sleep. He was happy that his dreams were so vivid; it was then and only then that he was allowed to sate his lust.

End of chapter 6