I'm sorry about how long it is taking to update currently. My summer job is seriously cutting into my creativity. But this chapter is fairly long, which might make up for it.
And back to the Digidestined universe again. There will be some fighting later in the chapter too.
"So, we're hiding at school?" asked a skeptical Tai.
"Would you ever expect that?" Agumon questioned. "If I've learned one thing, it's that no kid, other than Izzy or Joe, would come here by their own free will."
"And it's summer time, which means very few people are here," added Izzy. "Those in summer school are kept in one area of the building so the janitors have less ground to cover when cleaning. The computer lab is completely deserted."
"But how are we going to get inside," wondered Jeri. "Won't they have the room locked?"
"I have a key," the Digidestined of Knowledged replied. When he received a number of questioning looks, he shrugged, "I spent so much time in here with Davis and the others, I finally convinced Mr. Fujiama to make me a copy of the key so I could 'work on my various projects in my spare time' and I would update all the school's software in return."
The group of Digidestined, tamers, and digimon were forced to travel across the city in groups of twos and threes in order to be less conspicuous. Mrs. Kamiya, after a little convincing, went to Izzy's home instead. The parent promised to inform the reddish-brown haired youth's family of what was going on and to try calling the out-of-town Digidestined. Without the adult, they made it to Takato's chosen destination with minimum attention drawn. The fact that they no longer were traveling with a giant humanoid-lion might have something to do with the fewer stares they received this time than they had before.
Tai glanced at Jeri as they shuffled into the computer lab. She still held the now-wide awake Elecmon in her arms, though the rookie pointed out he could walk on his own. Though the youth hadn't relayed the tamers' story of Beelzemon, Leomon, Jeri, and the infamous D-reaper to Izzy, the Digidestined of Courage remembered it well enough to understand her reluctance to let him go. He couldn't imagine losing Agumon, having no hope that he would ever see him again, regain his partner through a sheer miracle, and then learn he could have lost him again due to human enemies. No one thought that anything those Digital Anomaly people would have been able to harm their higher level digimon, but their tools ended up causing Jeri's partner to nearly be captured. Or maybe worse.
He didn't want to admit it, but what happened today at his home further proved his inadequacy to serve as a leader of any kind for the Digidestined. It was Takato's idea for both the attack plan and the location to escape to. It was Impmon who realized something was wrong, though the boy should have noticed the tone his mother spoke with over the phone was tense and nervous. It was Leomon and Beelzemon who led the attack and dealt with the agents inside the apartment. And while he and WarGreymon rescued his mother, it was the other mega who saw the threat to his team mates and saved the unconscious Elecmon. Tai just couldn't seem to duplicate his successful exploits of the past.
The Digidestined of Courage wondered how pathetic it was that his glory days were over before graduation. It seemed his life could only go down-hill from now on. Takato and Davis were still in their prime, still able to be the one who saved everyone. They could be the leaders the Digidestined and tamers needed. Tai had passed on more than his goggles and the basic role of leadership. He'd passed on his old self, losing everything that allowed him to do all of things in the past, and was left as a nearly useless relic. He didn't contribute to the team anymore. He just took up space and nothing more.
"Tai?" asked Agumon softly, looking at his partner. "Are you okay?"
Adopting a forced smile, he replied, "Other than my home being in need of a serious remodeling job, I'm great. Think that we should make our room bigger?"
"Do you think we can?" the orange reptile smiled back, apparently accepting his assertion of being fine.
"I think we'd have to shrink Dad's office, but maybe," he shrugged.
Izzy dragged his laptop over to the desks supporting the nervous computers and began connecting various cords in some kind of technological web that only the greatest geeks could comprehend. Tai guessed he was doing something similar to when he connected to the laptop to the Kamiya family computer during the original Diaboromon fiasco so many years ago. And if he could use two computer systems together to create a plan to hinder the dangerous virus, the former goggle-wearing boy could only imagine what could be done with this many at Izzy's disposal.
"While most of the Digital Anomaly Detection and Processing's computer systems are isolated from the outside, they must have at least a few openings that I could use. Every real programmer leaves a backdoor and every backdoor has to connecting somewhere. Even if their main files are isolated, encrypted, and hidden as a ghost file, someone in that building will be sending e-mails or something in their free-time. I'll find that connection to the outside would and sneak in."
"So, you're hacking into the super-secret, creepy government agency that just tried to hold the munchkins hostage and you're using one of those fold-y computers and a bunch of school ones?" asked Impmon, raising an eyebrow. "Don't these mystery government guys usually have the insanely high-tech junk and school gets the useless hand-me-downs?" The purple rookie remained near both the door and his partners. He hadn't been very far from the young pair since their rescue. From the digimon's current position, it was clear that Impmon was placing himself in a position where any new attacker would have to go through the virus before reaching his partners. As much as the digimon's personality might seem annoying to handle, the Digidestined recognized that under his gruff exterior was the same protective instinct all partners seem to possess. That trait was even clearer after the rescue mission when he nearly lost the twins. "Are you that crazy, confident, or talented, Techno-Geek?"
"Probably all three," Izzy replied, starting up the numerous pieces of technology and quickly becoming completely absorbed by his work.
"But if anyone can do it, it'll be Izzy," stated Tentomon, shaking his head as the boy barely responded to the compliment.
Guilmon sighed tiredly, "Takatomon, are we going to be here long? It's boring in here and I haven't ate in a while."
The younger boy scratched his head comfortingly, "Don't worry, boy. When we get time, we'll get you more bread than you can imagine."
"I don't know. I can imagine a whole lot."
"Well, maybe not that much," Takato acknowledged. "But it'll still be quite a bit."
"Okay, but will you make it Guilmon Bread? I like it better," he smiled innocently. He glanced at a slightly confused, but highly amused Tai and explained, "Its bread that's shaped like my head."
The red reptile's partner grinned, "That will have to wait until we get home, but I think I can do it."
"That made him happy," Jeri remarked, her mouth twitching with a faint smile.
"Guilmon does find joy in the smallest pleasures," reminded Elecmon, glancing up at her.
"Only because he's simple-minded," mumbled Impmon. "But he is Pineapple-head."
Agumon shook his head and met his partner's eyes. Their carefree exchange, even after the unpleasant events they just escaped, reminded both the orange dinosaur and the spiky-haired boy of the old days. Back when the Digidestined were trapped in a strange new world where a deadly threat could appear at any time, they took any chance they could find to smile and laugh. No one could live in perpetual fear and dread (except maybe Joe) without losing all hope and giving up. And Guilmon's innocence offered a chance to lighten the mood.
"How about we run down to a store and grab some food," Tai suggested, glancing at Takato. "Izzy's project could take some time. And as long as the digimon stay here and we're quick, we shouldn't attract any attention."
The goggle-wearing boy considered for a moment, "I think everyone would feel better with something to eat, but can we afford it? We have six kids and five digimon to feed. And I live in a bakery and still have trouble keeping up with Guilmon's appetite."
Smiling, the Digidestined agreed, "I saw him at Gennai's little picnic. But I still think we can manage to scrape up enough money to at least get a little food." Shooting a look at the Digidestined of Knowledge, Tai asked, "Izzy, want to donate to the 'Feed the Digimon Foundation'?"
Not even looking away from his various screens, he began digging into his pockets for the requested money. After a moment, Jeri produced a small amount to contribute.
"Sorry, I don't have much, but I didn't exactly bring a lot of money to Suzie's party," she apologized.
"I can always get something myself," reminded Impmon.
"By conning Guilmon out of his bread or stealing from noodle carts?" asked Takato. "I think it would be better to avoid committing crimes."
"You take all the fun out of food, Goggle-head," the virus smirked slightly. "Fine. Just make sure you bring back enough for everyone, not just your bottomless-pit partner."
"…Ugh, my head," moaned Veemon, finally rising out of his unconscious state. "What hit me? What happened? Davis, what's going on?"
The boy, holding his blue partner close to him, didn't immediately answer. He was in too great of awe at the activation of two crests within moments of each other. The tamer, Henry, had vanished as the others did during the entire Biomerging process. This resulted in a large, metallic digimon with a canine face, a strange symbol across his chest, and more weapons than anyone outside the army would ever dream about. Ken's partner, on the other hand, was insectoid, armed with a spear, and was, currently, invisible and attacking the increasingly frustrated Minervamon.
"A lot, Veemon," the Digidestined finally replied. "A lot is going on."
"Spike Buster," announced the unseen JewelBeemon, his attack coming out of nowhere to strike the viral mega.
"Stop that," ordered Minervamon. "It isn't fair or nice. Now, turn visible so I can destroy you properly like I'm supposed to."
Out of apparently empty air, his voice remarked, "That isn't your best argument."
Davis swiftly shifted his attention towards the other pair of combatants. While he wasn't very happy that he and Veemon were on the sidelines, he was going to make the best of the situation. He was going to watch, learn, and possibly pick up some new battle ideas that could impress Kari. Plus, he essentially possessed front-row seats to what was already proving to be an amazing show.
"I can't believe we've gone from the size of a city block to this," grumbled Terriermon's voice from the green robot.
"Our size as a mega was always a problem," the tamer's voice reminded. "This size is more practical."
"More vile merging with putrid humans," shrieked Dianamon. "How low can you fall and to what depths will you go? Why do you still insist on siding with these foul creatures? Your traitorous actions shall be your undoing. Arrow of Artemis!"
The icy projectile, aimed straight towards the vaccine's face, soared through the air with deadly intent. But rather than move out of the way, MegaGargomon narrowed his eyes at the arrow.
"Laser Sighted!" he announced as his blue eyes shifted to red and beams shot out to destroy Dianamon's attack.
Davis, Veemon, and MegaGargomon seemed nearly as shocked by the vaccine's new ability as the blue-eyed female whose arrow was destroyed. Terriermon summed up the situation perfectly.
"Wait, now I shoot laser beams out of my eyes? Yes! That makes up for shrinking. Bring it on, Dianamon."
"Why can't you see things our way?" she sighed, sounding truly regretful. "You could have been a great ally, if only you could get past your entrapment to that boy."
"We do understand your view," replied the dual-voiced mega. "We just don't agree with it."
Switching from her nicer mood to a level of fury that would impress Yolei, or Rika (Davis shuddered at the thought of the red-head), the data type snarled, "You will accept it, one way or another. Even if I must destroy you. It is far better to die than to remain enslaved. "Arrow of Artemis!"
MegaGargomon clapped his hands together in front of him while shouting, "Reflecting Retaliation!"
The small weapons on the back of his wrists fired as he pulled hands apart, producing a bright green wall of translucent light that absorbed the icy projectile. After a second, the same frozen arrow that vanished into the… force field, Davis decided… flew out at the same speed, straight towards the original shooter. Dianamon's sapphire eyes widened in surprise right before her own attack reached her.
Knocked back by the icy projectile, she sunk down to ground level. Davis exchanged an impressed look with his partner. Using an enemy's power against themselves… that was extremely impressive to watch. If ExVeemon or even Imperialdramon managed to pull off that kind of stunt, even Kari would fall for him. The boy wished he was taking notes.
The vaccine type mega planted his feet more firmly on the ground, preparing for the next strike from the recovering lunar digimon. While Davis wasn't an expert, the Digidestined felt the Biomerged being was in the middle of an internal conversation. Dianamon seemed to also be in deep thought, her eyes alternating quickly between furious and sympathetic as her mood shifted likewise. She did seem to come to a conclusion about her strategy, however.
Ignoring her icy arrows, she leapt to her feet and launched herself towards the robotic mega. Apparently, she intended to fight without attacks that could be reflected back. The blue-eyed data seemed to think she could defeat him with her dual-bladed weapon.
"Mega Bombardment!" the robotic dog announced as his chest compartment opened wide and released the multiple projectile that resided there, each enhanced by a glowing green aura.
Davis and Veemon shut their eyes at the bright explosion that erupted upon the missles' impact. When he looked again, MegaGargomon had moved in to pin Dianamon to the ground. For a moment, she struggled insanely against the bulkier digimon before growing instantly calm.
"Well done," her sweeter voice acknowledged. "And you chose not to finish the battle? That says something about both of you." She glanced away from the mega and her eyes darkened and her voice hardened. "But you fellow traitor has pushed his luck too far. I believe Minervamon is growing angry."
Davis swiftly shifted his attention to the other battle. JewelBeemon was still using his new ability to become invisible by shifting light around him. The ultimate peppered the mega with attacks she couldn't see coming. Her earlier cheerful smile was gone, leaving a sullen frown in its place.
"It isn't fair," she mumbled darkly. "Turn back. Turn back now." The virus type actually stomped her boot like a spoiled child. "I want you turn back so I can see you and destroy you. Do it now!"
"That isn't going to happened," remarked JewelBeemon, still hidden from view. "So stop asking."
"No. No, no, no, no," she answered, her voice becoming more high-pitched and upset. In fact, it was reminding Davis more and more of a young kid having a tantrum. "No, no, no, no, no. Madness Merry-Go-Round!"
As she screamed out the attack, she performed a horizontal spinning slash and created a large tornado. The Digidestined of the Digi-Eggs of Courage and Friendship dove towards his friend, Ken, and forced him flat as the strong winds tore through the forest. The gusts pulled at the boys and rookie clinging to the ground. JewelBeemon lost his invisibility as he was pulled into the funnel and crashed into the debris also trapped in the tornado. Hopefully, his thick, prism-like armor would protect him from most of the harm that she was trying to cause.
"Suzie is better behaved than that," Terriermon's voice shouted the howling wind. "Sorry about this, Dianamon, but your friend is being a problem."
Just as Gallantmon threw the vaccine out of Valkyrimon's twister earlier, MegaGargomon hurtled the armored data type into the hurricane. The wild winds halted their intense force, allowing the humans to sit back up. Dianamon and Minervamon were now a tangle mess of mega level digimon. Neither were moving much and certainly they weren't about to try attacking again.
"What have you done to my followers?" a new voice asked.
Digidestined, rookie, recovering ultimate, and Biomerged mega all turned towards whoever had joined them now. All of them stared at the stranger until Terriermon, once more, summed up all of their thoughts.
"Oh, come on. Another one? How is this fair? Why is it the anti-human guys always have more members than our side?"
She sat on one of the chairs in the computer lab, Elecmon resting on her lap. She'd quickly discovered that her partner, at least in his rookie form, enjoyed having his head scratched gently behind the ears. The red and blue digimon smiled lazily as his eyes shut with pleasure. It was funny to be the one holding him this easily after all the times Leomon effortlessly picked her up.
Compared to the tall champion she knew so well, Elecmon seemed so small and cute. Jeri actually found several of her friends' digimon "cute." Guilmon definitely qualified in her opinion, though some people might argue against the word applying to a large, red reptile. Terriermon and Lopmon were essentially living plush animals, their appearance almost begging to be hugged. MarineAngemon and Calumon were practically the definition of "cute." Renamon was closer to some form of mysterious beauty rather than some more dainty word. Even Impmon was kind of cute (but she would never tell him that since he wouldn't take the word "cute" as a compliment). But she never thought Leomon would be cute. Strong, handsome, brave, and wonderful made sense to her, but Jeri never would have guessed she would find him this adorable.
And while it was kind of nice to have a cute partner, Jeri shuddered slightly at the circumstances that caused him to change. She could lost him again. He could have been killed and she wouldn't have been able to prevent it. Honestly, it wasn't fair. She just couldn't protect him. Not now and not back in the digital world when Beelzemon… She knew she wasn't a warrior, but she wasn't even a guardian. She was a useless burden.
"I'm sorry, Elecmon," she muttered softly.
The mammal digimon's ear twitched, "Hm?"
"I'm sorry that this happened to you," clarified Jeri. "I wish that I was a better partner, a stronger one. Someone who could actually help you."
"Jeri, that's not…" began the stunned Elecmon before he was interrupted by an even more surprised voice.
"Wait, back up. What in the digital world are you talking about? You actually think you're not strong?"
Impmon stared at her like she was insane. The brown-haired girl remembered Takato giving her that look when her puppet made an odd remark right in his face. It was a different experience when the purple rookie directed the expression at her than when the goggle-wearing boy. But he wasn't the only one staring at her after her remark. Guilmon, Ai, Mako, and Tentomon all gave her a confused look while Elecmon tried to turn on her lap to better face her. Only Izzy, his attention solely on the computer, didn't react.
"I'm not strong," she explained. "Not really. Sometimes, I might be able to have the heart of a lion and protect my friends, but most of the time… I can't even keep my own partner safe."
"Jeri, this isn't your fault," Elecmon reassured. "Don't…"
"For someone as smart as you are, Jeri, what you just said is completely stupid," the viral rookie interrupted again. "I've faced Devas, megas, the D-reaper, and the twins' mother in a bad mood, so I know what I'm saying when I tell you that you aren't weak."
He crossed his arms and stared at her for a moment, seeming to gather his thoughts. Jeri couldn't hear anything in his tone except for seriousness. Anytime he didn't have a slight sound of teasing, mischief, impatience, or frustration in his voice, the purple digimon must truly care about the topic.
"Take my hand," he finally instructed, reaching out his red glove towards her. She hesitated, wondering why he would ask, before obeying. "Why did you do that?"
Blinking in surprise at the question, the tamer answered simply, "You asked me to."
"You've never understood how… impossible that sounds," the rookie shook his head. "No one would blame you for not trusting me or for hating me. You shouldn't have anything to do with me, Jeri."
"But you're my friend. And I forgave you a long time ago."
"Exactly. You forgive. You care about people, digimon, and even your goggle-headed boyfriend." Jeri blushed slightly at Impmon calling Takato her boyfriend, but she wasn't nearly as embarrassed as the boy would have been. Takato was easily rattled by things like that and if anyone suggested it, he would have been reduced to random, sweet babbling. The rookie, however, was on a roll. "And because you actually care about them, you can forgive the unforgivable in others. You aren't as good at forgiving yourself, but you give everyone else a second chance. You're so good at it that you don't realize how hard it is to forgive."
The girl watched the surprisingly serious virus type continue his rather impressive pep talk. The other observers, including her own partner, remained silent as he spoke, but occasionally nodded in agreement with his assertions. And so far, Jeri was having a hard time disagreeing with anything he said.
"And you didn't just forgive me," Impmon continued. "You forgave Goggle-head for turning the naïve Pineapple-head into the crazy monster. You don't seem to hold anything against Braniac's dad for causing us digimon to be tossed back into the digital world, but that's beside the point. Compared to all those powerful digimon and crazy programs, Jeri, you are the strongest person I know." He smiled mischievously, "And if anyone says otherwise, then they're stupider than Kazu with a head injury."
"Jeri," Elecmon finally stated, "I wouldn't trade you for any other tamer in the entire human world. You have a lion's heart and a kind heart. And you are far stronger than you think."
She smiled at the two rookies and pulled them close for a hug. They were right about one thing. She forgave others far more easily than she did herself, even when what they did was on purpose. And, as she held these two small creatures close and Impmon complained half-heartedly about the "mushy-stuff", she knew she shouldn't keep blaming herself like this. The tamer would forgive herself for not preventing what she couldn't foresee. It did no one any good and served only to cause her to doubt herself. She deserved to be happy and confident. She never wanted to sink back into any level of depression again.
If they said Elecmon being dedigivolved wasn't her fault, she needed to accept that. And if it was somehow, she needed to forgive herself just as she would forgive anyone else.
While Impmon was trying to wiggle out of the growing group-hug (the twins and Guilmon had decided to join in), he suddenly gave a surprise yelp that caused everyone to let go in surprise.
"Whoa, bright! What's with the light show?"
When the tamers and digimon untangled sufficiently, Jeri could see the unexpected light source Impmon mention was her crest. As the white square hanging around her neck glowed, yellow lines appeared across the surface. In moments, an image formed. It was shaped like three-fourths of a teardrop shape with an identical one of smaller size inside it. In addition to the "light show," Jeri began to notice an unusual ringing. Then, the ringing became a strange, echoing voice.
Forgiveness. The act of giving up resentment against or the desire to punish those who have done wrong. It means surrendering the opportunity for revenge and exchanging hatred for compassion.
Some things are easy to forgive, but others are nearly impossible. But offering to forgive means giving a second chance. With it, regretful enemies can become valued allies and friends who lose their way can be found. Other times, the same crimes may be repeated over and over. But as long as forgiveness is offered, the hope for redemption remains.
It is always easier to forgive the transgressions of others than to offer a second chance to yourself. The mind exaggerates and strengthens the perceived crime until nothing another might do can match yours. But just as forgiveness must be offered to those who seek it, so must you accept it when it is given to you by others and yourself. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Forgiveness.
"Did you hear that?" she whispered softly.
Everyone watching shook their head except Elecmon. The red and blue digimon stared at her crest, his ears perked with interest. He obviously knew what she was talking about, at least.
"Hear what?" asked Izzy, glancing up from his glowing computer screen. "What's going on?"
Impmon shook his head, "Techno-Geek, you can be as oblivious as a goggle-head." And he glanced over at Jeri, "And whatever that the thing does now, don't mess with it yet. Any of your card-looking things have really flashy effects and that isn't helpful when hiding."
The tamer smiled in agreement. Whatever effect her new crest produced, now wouldn't necessarily be the best time to experiment. She could wait.
Ai glanced over at her brother, "I wonder what ours will look like. Jeri's is really pretty."
"I bet it's going to be cool," Mako grinned.
Their partner ruffled their hair, "It won't be as cool as me, munchkins. Because I am the best thing that ever happened around here."
The girl couldn't stop herself from laughing lightly at the trio. They were too adorable for words at times. They twins were sweet and the Impmon tried so hard to keep a certain level of his old reputation. But it was hard to keep your dignity when two four year olds tackle you with a hug while giggling.
The biggest problem with ordinary MegaGargomon has always been his size. It's perfect for citywide destruction of evil programs. Not so great for smaller spaces or less collateral damage. Thus, his crest mode has him smaller.
Second, Jeri's crest took a lot of consideration. I had multiple ideas, but Forgiveness is what I finally decided on. As I said before, there's a link on my profile that'll lead to Impkat's deviant art page which features a picture of the crests.
Hope all of you are enjoying the story. I'll update when I can. Thanks.