I dedicate this chapter to my friend SkuAg, for her birthday tomorrow. :)
Chapter 34: Ishida Takaishi
After locking the unconscious boy in Gabumon's cell, Vamdemon returned to his chamber. He brought most of his magic books to a table and leafed through them with trembling hands. Picodevimon had betrayed the vampire, which meant it was a matter of time until the little traitor brought the chosen children to his tower. He needed to find the best spells to lay traps and think of a plan to keep the bearer of love as far away from him as possible.
That coward must've heard about her crest during my battle… Vamdemon concluded. He thought that I was done for and that he'd have more chances of surviving by switching sides! Once I defeat the chosen children, I'll punish him in the cruelest way possible! I'll make him regret betraying me every day for the rest of his life!
"Vamdemon-sama!" Agumon called, entering the chamber. "I was at the edge of the island and found-"
"The chosen children are already here?!" Vamdemon asked, taking two steps back. He hadn't had time to do anything. The vampire glanced at the window by his right, through which he could see the mist he had cast around the tower. Would that girl and her partner break through there in any second? The thought made him shiver.
"What? No!" Agumon replied, getting close to the table to show the other a hat he was holding. "I found a cop cap floating on the water! Isn't it neat? It's not the same as wearing a wig, but until I get new wigs-"
"Did you interrupt my important research to talk about a hat?!" Vamdemon inquired.
"I didn't have anyone else to talk about it with." Agumon explained. "I mean, I could talk to Gabumon, but figured it'd be awkward. The poor guy never had the chance to see me wearing one of my wigs-"
"If you don't stop spitting nonsense this second, I'll snap your neck!" Vamdemon threatened.
Agumon didn't seem scared. He looked into the vampire's eyes and said:
"If you do that, there will be nobody left by your side."
Vamdemon glared at him, but didn't contest Agumon's point.
"The chosen children are about to arrive. Go make yourself useful and watch the prisoners!" Vamdemon ordered.
"I hope that Bloody Lord doesn't come too." Agumon sighed. "Why can't that dangerous guy fight the children instead of us?"
The smaller monster left without saying anything else, not knowing that he had given Vamdemon an idea.
Of course! It's such an obvious solution! The vampire thought. He's certainly coming here with that weak little kid he has for a partner. If I can separate that child from the others and terrify him into submission, the Bloody Lord will do whatever I want!
In retrospect, it seemed obvious that the relationship between Hiroaki and Natsuko was doomed from the start. He was the intrepid investigative reporter who put the search for the truth above all else. He could spend days away from home to work on his stories, sparsely eating, sleeping and showering. Hiroaki enjoyed cigars and alcohol, but never consumed them to a degree that could alter his consciousness. Coffee was his favorite drink when he needed an extra incentive. His work place and apartment were messy to a chaotic level, but that disorganization helped him to write.
Natsuko, on the other hand, was a specialist in foreign politics and economics. Her job wasn't as immersive as his, which allowed her to put order in every aspect of her life. Natsuko was methodic to an extreme, so much so that it was nearly impossible to find any mistake or imprecision in her work. Her clothes were always clean and fitted her perfectly, her make-up was always impeccable, her voice was always in the right tone, never too low or too high. Her workplace was the tidiest he had ever seen.
Hiroaki and Natsuko were young and fell in one of the most common traps for young people. They found their huge differences fascinating and thought they could complement each other. In the first years, their oddities were charming to one another. But with their marriage and the arrival of their first child, Natsuko's seriousness became "up tightness" and Hiroaki's free spirit became "irresponsibility." They made the great mistake of trying to fix each other. By the time their second child was born, their relationship became unbearable.
They agreed that they had to take different paths. The couple knew it would be too hard for one of them to take care of both kids. Thankfully, Yamato deciding to go with his father prevented Hiroaki from having to choose which son he would raise. Takeru had his mother's sharp mind, but was more flexible and easy-going. Yamato had Natsuko's seriousness, but inherited his father's unwillingness to talk about his emotions.
Hiroaki knew deep down that avoiding his emotions couldn't be good to Yamato. He knew that his older son was distancing himself from his mother and that he should miss her, but Hiroaki never insisted that he talk more to her or to visit her. Nor did the man question why Yamato didn't want to do those things. His son's behavior made things easier for the adult. That way, Hiroaki wouldn't have to spend too much time with his ex, remembering everything that went wrong with their marriage.
Takeru, however, wasn't willing to let their bond end. The little kid took the initiative to ask Natsuko to call his father and brother and to take him to visit them. Hiroaki's post-divorce conversations with Natsuko were short and polite, but it was clear to him that she was as uncomfortable with the situation as he was. However, the kids were happy when they were together. Yamato smiled to Takeru in a way that he didn't for anyone else.
Ever since the divorce, it had always been Natsuko the one to call Hiroaki. It wasn't different when they were arranging the summer camp for the two boys. Nor was it when she told him that said camp had been canceled and that Takeru was going to spend the night in his place because of the snow.
"I guess I should get home earlier today, then…" Hiroaki muttered to his cell phone, sitting on a chair by his desk in Fuji TV.
"Will you ever stop spending your nights working? Yamato is still very young." Natsuko said.
"He's quite independent." Hiroaki contested. "Yamato doesn't complain about being left alone."
"He doesn't really complain about anything we do…" Natsuko muttered.
"Did something happen?"
"When Takeru called me, he sounded happy to spend the night with his brother… he told me some funny stories about visiting another world and befriending a talking monster." She chuckled.
"Takeru always had a vivid imagination." Hiroaki said, smiling. "He could be a writer one day."
"Then, he wanted to give the phone to his brother…" Natsuko continued, sounding sad. "I think Yamato didn't want to talk to me… after that, the lines went down…"
"You could try calling him now that the lines are up."
"I don't want to force myself on Yamato…"
"You're his mother, Natsuko." Hiroaki reminded her. "It's not out of place for you to want to talk to him. He's free to call you and visit you, but Yamato is… I'm not sure I know how he thinks…"
"Understanding people was never your thing."
"I know…" Hiroaki smirked. "That's why I wish Yamato could became closer to you again."
"You used to tell me I was cold." Natsuko said.
"I used to say many stupid things, and so did you."
The woman didn't say anything for half a minute.
"Could you call Yamato and check how they're doing?" She asked.
"Sure."
Hiroaki didn't call Yamato immediately afterwards. First, he went to the building's roof to smoke. It wasn't snowing anymore, but the weather was still cold. He remembered when his two boys played together on the snow, while he and Natsuko observed them quietly. The smile she bore in those times was her most beautiful.
He wondered at times if moving to Odaiba was the right choice. If he had stayed in Kawada, Yamato would be closer to Natsuko. The boy and his mother were very similar in temperament, and Hiroaki was sure that the woman would make the boy cheerier. Besides, Hiroaki would spend more time with Takeru and get to know his younger son better. Compared to his brother, the smaller child was more extroverted and emotionally open. The younger kid seemed to believe that the family could still be happy despite being apart. But that unbreakable optimism Takeru had was hurtful to Hiroaki. He knew that it was a matter of time until that childish naivety faded.
Hiroaki once believed that thinking positively would make things work out in the end, but it hadn't worked at all.
When the man returned to his desk, he called Yamato, asking the boy why he hadn't told him about Takeru spending the night sooner. Yamato was quite taciturn about it, saying that he didn't have time to call because he was cooking, and then the lines went down.
"Your mother was asking about you." Hiroaki told him.
"Takeru had already talked to her."
"You're her son too, you know?" Hiroaki spoke in a severe tone. "She cares about you and I know that you care for her -"
"I think I heard Takeru calling, I need to go." Yamato interrupted, turning the phone off. Hiroaki sighed.
About ten minutes after that, a commotion started in Fuji TV. Some people had called, claiming to have seen monsters. To Hiroaki's shock, the place where they had been spotted was in front of his building. Maybe Takeru wasn't being over-imaginative, after all.
The other journalists seemed convinced that it was probably just a ruse and said that people claimed to see strange things like aliens and ghosts all the time. Nevertheless, Hiroaki wanted to check.
"I was the oldest one in the Village of the Beginnings, besides Carer. I should've been more responsible… braver…" Gabumon told Yamato. "I was terrified when Devimon trapped us. Takeru and Patamon didn't have to cross over, they should know that they'd be trapped as well… but they did it anyway. They swore they would help… Takeru comforted me. He said that I was still a kid and shouldn't be ashamed of being scared." The digimon blushed. "Devimon murdered Carer in cold blood and then trapped the other children and digimon. Nevertheless, Takeru faced him with unwavering determination. He and Angemon defeated that monster, but the digimon died and returned to being an egg. Even after losing his partner, Takeru still worried about the babies… he must have been in great pain but he still wanted to help. Even though I assured him that I'd take care of the Village, Takeru told me to call him whenever I needed help."
"And you need help now?" Yamato asked in low voice, still taking in all that Gabumon had told him. He already knew that story, but to hear more details about how Takeru had acted in such a desperate situation filled him with complicated feelings.
"An ultimate level digimon called Pinochimon, one of the most loyal followers of the Queen, came and took the Village." Gabumon said in a pained tone. "He was too strong… as he kicked me out, he laughed and told me not to worry about anything because soon, all digimon would die and be reborn and a new and better world would come into existence."
"Is that guy going to kill the babies?" Yamato asked, horrified.
"All I knew was that I needed help. I heard rumors that the chosen children had died, but I didn't want to believe in that!" Gabumon glanced at the floor. "I saw Carer in a dream… he told me to come to the human world, where I'd find the chosen children. Many digimon knew that Vamdemon was assembling an army for an invasion… well, the army got killed, but it was still my best shot to finding Takeru and the others."
"So, you want my brother and the other children to go back with you?" Yamato inquired.
"From what I understand, your brother's partner used to be the most powerful digimon in the world. If Patamon really had a change of heart…" Gabumon hesitated for a few seconds, but then smiled. "He sacrificed himself to save the Village, of course he changed. I can't just discard an ally like that… the other children must be strong as well…"
"What would happen if I forbade Takeru from going?" Yamato asked.
"I don't think you'd be able to do that." Gabumon replied. "Nobody would stop that boy once he decided on doing something."
"He's stubborn like that…" Yamato muttered. "Why would he care about my opinion anyway? I never could do a damn thing for him…"
"You don't have to do things to earn other people's love and respect, you know?" Gabumon told him. "You gain those things just by being yourself."
Being himself was a strange concept to Yamato. For so long he had been trying to be someone who could be counted on, a reliable brother and son, a person his parents wouldn't worry about. But the more he tried to be strong and dependable, the more he isolated himself. Instead of helping others, he had his feelings misunderstood and hurt people. What good had his sacrifices been when the result was his mother thinking he hated her?
Takeru was never prone to sacrificing himself or lying about his feelings. He reached out and stated what he wanted. For a long time, Yamato had believed that was just the boy being childish, but maybe he was wrong. Takeru's successes had proved that his way of thinking wasn't incorrect. Maybe if Yamato was more like him, he wouldn't fail so much. That wasn't the point, though. Instead of trying to emulate what he wanted to be, maybe Yamato should be more straightforward with his feelings and let people get close to him.
However, the idea of others knowing that he wasn't strong or mature, but a lonely and vulnerable kid, scared him. Why couldn't he change? Why couldn't he become what he truly wanted?
"Be yourself, you say…" Yamato mumbled. "That must be easy for other people… but who am I deep down? Who am I when I'm not trying to be someone better? Who would want to know that person?"
Someone who sometimes cried quietly in his bedroom when he missed his brother and mother too much, someone who looked at old family photos when home alone, someone who had a hard time putting his emotions in words and therefore played his harmonica, almost hoping that the musical notes could carry his sadness away, to a place where it would never catch up to him. But the sadness never truly left him. His father would feel guilty if he noticed it, his mother too and Takeru… so Yamato tried to bury those feelings down. He tried to shut his nasty thoughts and force himself to be better. Why couldn't he just accept that things had changed already? Why couldn't he be the person who wasn't bothered by that anymore?
Instead, he just kept disappointing everybody. Powerless to achieve anything that mattered. Who wouldn't be ashamed of someone like him?
"I'd like to know you better, Yamato." Gabumon told him. "I think I can relate to you."
Yamato looked at Gabumon for a couple of minutes.
"You're really kind." The boy told him.
Gabumon blushed and looked away.
"T-Those were just normal niceties, no need to make a big deal out of it." The digimon said. "I mean, that's how friends talk to each other, isn't it? Not that I've had many friends, but… well, you get it!"
"Friends…" Yamato repeated. Do I even have friends?
Sitting by Sora's side on Birdramon's left foot, Takeru examined his crest.
"That time, Otae-san told me that if I died, Onii-chan would suffer a lot…"
"Nobody is going to die tonight." Sora promised.
"It's not that…" Takeru said. "She also told me that her brother… the first owner of my crest… if Shinsuke-san had survived her, he would have taken a path worse than hers and become something twisted, and that I should be afraid of that..."
"Our predecessors made many missteps along the way… and they weren't in a good place to give advice. I mean, think about what Kanda-san did…" Sora muttered. "Just because things went bad for them, it doesn't mean that we'll commit the same mistakes, Takeru-kun. As long as we keep choosing to be kind, we'll be alright."
Takeru glanced to his right, spotting Patamon and Picodevimon talking in low voice on Birdramon's other foot.
Patamon wasn't evil, but he had done terrible things once, believing that those terrible things had been good. If his sweet partner could walk down that path, couldn't the same thing happen to Takeru?
The boy was changing, he could feel it in his heart. Ever since he went to the Digital World, Takeru had become fiercer and more determined. He had good intentions, but was unsure about where his intense emotions could take him. Takeru wished he could stop running towards the unknown destination that was the future and have some time to think. He wished he could preserve whatever was possible from his childhood , despite of what kind of person he would grow to be.
The anger he developed in the Digital World scared him deeply. It felt like fire, not only burning him from the inside, but also causing pain to those close to him. Takeru knew he wasn't an innocent child anymore. Earlier that day, wasn't he guilt-tripping his brother into talking to their mother? He thought it was for his brother's own good. When did Takeru become so conceited?
One of his main motivations in changing Patamon's mind was his desire to keep his friend. And then, he convinced his partner to live to atone for his crimes not just out of concern for him, but because Takeru wanted Patamon's help to rescue Yamato. Wasn't that manipulative of him? The boy said that they would figure things out as they went, but wasn't really sure about that. Patamon might have changed for the better in his new life, but Takeru wasn't certain if the same would happen to him.
Takeru knew that he had a selfish and self-righteous side, that he could be arrogant and even cunning. He had the best intentions when he behaved that way, but how easy would it be for him to lose himself? What if something happened and made him twisted? The uncertainty of the future loomed in his front, ever so menacing.
I can always choose to be kind… Takeru told himself, taking in Sora's words. I won't have this taken from me!
"Back on the Cloud Continent, I used to think that my friends were foolish for opposing you." Picodevimon told Patamon, on Birdramon's right foot. "I thought that, against overwhelming power, the only option was to surrender… deep down, I knew it was wrong to think like that. But I was too frightened to do otherwise."
"But you did the right thing when it came down to it…" Patamon pointed out. "I had to first be killed by my sister and forget who I was…"
"Vamdemon was spying on you while you were telling the story…" Picodevimon said. "I can't imagine how it must be to believe you're good and then, one day, suddenly remember a past life where you were horrible…"
Patamon frowned and did not say anything in response for almost a minute.
"I'll find a way to uncorrupt the data of those who died on your continent." Patamon vowed.
"The Queen has been trying to do that since she defeated you." Picodevimon informed. "Even now, when she's trapped with those lost souls in a pocket dimension, I think she's still trying to save them. I don't know what her plan is, though."
"Have you… ever talked to Ofanimon?"
Picodevimon blushed upon hearing the Queen's name.
"I never had the honor." He replied. "Uhm… can I ask something?"
"Of course you can."
"The Academy has chosen you and the children to fight the Queen's forces… isn't she your enemy now?"
Patamon looked deeply into his eyes and said:
"I don't care about what the Academy wanted. I'm going to save my sister!"
Birdramon, who had been silently listening to both conversations, reached the mist surrounding Vamdemon's tower. Picodevimon helped her to maneuver and they all landed on the small island. She devolved to Piyomon and went to Sora's side.
"I know a passage to the dungeons." Picodevimon told them. "If we're lucky, we can get in and out without him noticing us."
"Let's go, then." Sora said.
"I was just so hurt… angry… my thoughts were clouded, and I was sinking in that despair… I wanted to put an end to Patamon… not because he was a threat… I thought it'd make me feel better… but it didn't." Tanemon muttered on her partner's lap; at her right, Jyou was sitting on the sidewalk while holding Gomamon. Mimi's parents were at her left. Some people had come out of the buildings after Birdramon flew away, but they weren't paying attention to them.
"It's complicated when you think about it." Gomamon said. "I don't remember my previous life, so I can't really relate with what you went through. But it must be disturbing to suddenly remember that you used to be somebody else and had a whole baggage past with a digimon you had grown up with."
"I'm not sure how to feel about Patamon." Tanemon said. "When I was fighting, I just thought that, if I killed him, I'd be burning my bridges with everybody… and that Mimi wouldn't want to be my partner anymore." A few tears formed in her eyes. "I could hear Mimi's voice in my head… I could feel that I was hurting her… I cast aside everything that once was important to me because I couldn't bear to lose my most important person in this life."
"I was sure that it was impossible for me to understand your problems…" Mimi told her. "So many bad things were happening, one after the other… Fate possessing my Mom and telling me that we were chess pieces… Koushiro-kun being in danger because I called him over… I felt powerless… weak… I thought that everything was crumbling down around me and there was no stopping to it… to see you evolving without me to try to kill Patamon broke me even further…"
"But you two were still connected." Jyou pointed out, smiling. "Your feelings reached your partner, Mimi-kun. Even at your lowest point, you were strong enough to break through to her and bring her back."
"I wouldn't have done that without your encouragement, Jyou-san." She said, smiling too.
"You sure are close to my daughter, boy…" Keisuke commented, frowning.
"Mimi-kun is an important friend to me! I want to support her the best way I can!" Jyou told him.
"I also try to support him and all of my friends." Mimi added.
"That's great, Mimi-chan!" Satoe complimented.
Keisuke was still looking at Jyou disapprovingly.
"I don't like this…" The man mumbled.
"It's cool. Jyou is like an acquired taste, you need time to appreciate him!" Gomamon said.
The two digimon, Mimi and Satoe giggled, while Jyou got flustered.
They're just kids, what am I even thinking? Keisuke thought. Kids suddenly thrown into a dire situation that could've cost their lives…
A black car parked not far from there and a man came out of it. He walked among the people discussing whether what they had seen were aliens or special effects of a new movie.
"He kind of looks like Takeru-kun's brother…" Jyou commented, getting up. "It could be his father!"
Jyou and Mimi went to the man, with their partner in their arms.
"Are you by any chance Mr. Ishida?" Mimi questioned. "Takeru-kun asked us to tell you what happened."
"Are you friends with Takeru?" Hiroaki asked, examining both children.
"Yeah, they all met in the Digital World!" Gomamon informed him.
Hiroaki stared at the talking monster.
"You know, kids? Maybe we should tell him what happened." Satoe suggested, approaching them.
"That's right, leave the explanation to the adults." Keisuke added, pulling the startled Hiroaki by the arm to the other side of the street. Mimi, Jyou and their partners returned to their previous spot.
"Listen, Mimi-kun…" Jyou began to say. "While Koushiro-kun was… away from his body…" The boy gulped. "He came to learn things… really horrible things about…"
"Fate?" Mimi asked, upset. "Was he trying to learn from the enemy in that situation?"
"You have to know about it, you all have…" Jyou continued, in a pained voice. "But Koushiro-kun should be the one to tell you… if you really want to know now, I can try to find a phone and ask him if I can tell you…"
"We're still going to have that reunion tomorrow, right?" The girl asked. "If Koushiro-kun feels ready to talk, I'll listen to him along with everybody else."
Jyou looked at her with surprise.
"Last time, you-" He began.
"I know. I made you tell me all that." She said. "But if he told you what happened, it means that he trusts his friends more, right? I'm glad…"
"Koushiro isn't in danger right now." Tanemon commented. "We don't have to listen to more bad news immediately. I'd like to recover from what just happened to us first."
"Yeah…" Mimi agreed. "We need to take care of ourselves now; otherwise we won't be of any help to our friends when they need us."
Mimi felt warmth coming from her robe's pocket, where her digivice was. When she realized it, Palmon was sitting on her lap, smiling at her.
The narrow rocky corridor took many turns, disorientating Sora and her companions. The space didn't allow more than two people to stand side by side. Picodevimon led the way, followed by Piyomon, Sora, Takeru and Patamon. After walking blindly for a few minutes, they found some upside-down torches attached to the walls.
"Are the torches upside-down or are we walking on the ceiling?" Sora asked.
"Vamdemon has deep knowledge about magic." Picodevimon explained. "He must be manipulating space… leading us to a trap…"
The small digimon began to tremble.
"We're going to be alright." Takeru promised.
"Yes, you don't have to be afraid of that guy." Patamon added.
"Sora and I will definitely kick his-" Piyomon began to say, but stopped when they reached the end of the tunnel, which was a small hole on a wall, partially hidden by a pillar two feet in front of it. They entered a large hall with jail cells. Yamato and Gabumon were sitting on the floor in one of them.
"Onii-chan!" Takeru called, running to Yamato. The older boy stood up and tried to hug his brother amidst the bars.
"Takeru, you shouldn't have come after me! It's dangerous!" Yamato scolded, but his voice didn't sound angry.
"As if I'd let Sora-san rescue you without me!" Takeru spoke seriously.
"I'm sorry, Yamato-kun." Sora said. "I couldn't leave him behind."
Yamato glanced at the smiling girl standing close to his brother. He didn't feel like complaining anymore. Then, Yamato noticed Patamon flying next to Takeru.
"Have you two made amends?" He asked.
Patamon and Takeru exchanged looks.
"Yeah!" The child said in low voice.
"We're facing the future together!" Patamon replied. "So I can do something about my past."
"It's good to see you again, Takeru!" Gabumon greeted, happy to finally have the chance to talk.
"You're that Gabumon!" Takeru was happy to see him again. "What are you doing here?"
"I joined Vamdemon to come look for you. But I was found out and put here." Gabumon explained, then glancing at Picodevimon. "By the way, thanks for saving my life."
"Oh… o-okay…" Picodevimon spoke awkwardly, not used to be thanked.
"How are we going to free them?" Piyomon asked. "Should I try one of my attacks?"
"That lock can only be opened by magic." Picodevimon said, approaching the bars. "I think I've read about an opening spell once…"
"You know magic? That's incredible!" Sora was amazed.
"It's not a big deal at all!" Picodevimon said, flustered. "It's just a basic spell I learned when Master wasn't looking; it probably won't even work…"
"Don't bring yourself down like that!" Takeru told him.
"That's right! We have to be positive!" Patamon agreed.
"Ok!" Picodevimon conceded. He closed his eyes and muttered the spell. Right after that, the cell's door was open.
"I… actually did it…?" The bat digimon asked, startled.
Yamato and Gabumon ran from the cell. The boy could fully embrace his brother now.
"I'm sorry for worrying you and leaving you like that!" Yamato's voice almost broke.
"It wasn't your fault, don't be silly!" Takeru told him.
Sora looked at the two siblings, happy to see them together and well.
"HOLD ON THERE, CHOSEN CHILDREN!" A voice shouted.
Coming from the dark corridor in the beginning of the hall, a little yellow dinosaur wearing a police cap on his head walked in their direction.
"It's Agumon!" Gabumon said.
"I guess he ran out of wigs…" Picodevimon commented. "Is he Policecapagumon now?"
"I'm still Agumon!" The digimon stated. "Master knew that you would come after that boy and sent me to stop you!"
"You realize we vastly outnumber you, right?" Piyomon asked.
"Come on, Agumon, switch sides already!" Gabumon told him. "What do you even gain by sticking with Vamdemon?"
"I know it must be terrifying for you to leave Vamdemon…" Picodevimon muttered. "But if you look deeply into your heart, I know that-"
"Alright, I'll join you guys!" Agumon said, smiling.
"That easily?!" Picodevimon was astonished.
"It's not like I was very loyal to that guy anyway." Agumon explained. "All I wanted was to come to the human world and get my hands on all the fabulous wigs!"
"How… frivolous…" Yamato muttered.
"At least he's not our enemy…" Sora shared the boy's disappointment.
"I have the feeling that he's not very smart…" Piyomon whispered.
"We're wasting time! Let's get out of here already!" Picodevimon urged.
Sora, Yamato, Gabumon and Piyomon entered the passage on the wall first. Yamato extended his arms to help Takeru get in. However, the passage was abruptly closed. Sora was able to pull the older boy to her side before the closing passage sliced his arms off.
"Onii-chan! Sora-san!" Takeru called from the other side. Yamato, who had fallen on Sora, was about to get up and punch the wall when the floor disappeared from under their feet. The two kids, along with Gabumon and Piyomon, fell in a dark void.
"They screamed! Something happened!" Takeru shouted.
"We fell in his trap!" Picodevimon was getting desperate. "Of course this would happen! I should've known!"
"Are you involved in this?" Patamon inquired, glaring at Agumon.
"Vamdemon didn't tell me anything! As far as I knew, he was locked in his chamber, moping!" Agumon replied.
The torches illuminating the hall were blown, leaving them in complete darkness. The floor trembled and broke apart. Takeru could feel the piece of floor he was standing on being lifted in high speed, which made him lose his balance. Luckily, Picodevimon grabbed the boy by the shirt and they both remained on the rising piece of rock.
"PATAMON!" The child called.
"TAKERU!" Patamon's voice was becoming increasingly distant, until it could no longer be heard.
After a few minutes, Takeru and Picodevimon found themselves in a small empty room with no windows, illuminated by a pair of torches. In front of them, there was a pair of huge wooden doors.
"It's Vamdemon's chamber…" Picodevimon said, trembling in terror. "He's going to punish me! I shouldn't have come here! I shouldn't have betrayed him! I was stupid! Stupid!"
"Calm down!" Takeru told him, holding the digimon's face with both hands. "I won't let that guy do anything to you, okay?"
"What do you think you can do against Vamdemon?!" Picodevimon cried. "I could never escape him!"
"You don't need to escape him anymore." The boy said. "It was your decision to come here and help us. You chose to be brave and do the right thing, despite your fear. Don't you see, Picodevimon? That guy no longer has power over you!"
The digimon stared at him for a while, without saying anything. He slowly calmed himself down.
"Do you really think I'm brave?" Picodevimon asked, shyly.
"Of course I do!" Takeru assured.
"My friends were brave… they died…"
"I'm sorry about that." The boy muttered.
"But they never ran." The digimon said. "Until the end, they did what they believed in. They were honorable…"
"So are you." Takeru told him. "Someone without honor wouldn't have done what you did for us."
"Maybe I'm just an idiot…"
"Everybody is an idiot sometimes." Takeru smirked, earning a smile from the other. Then, they looked at the doors.
"Vamdemon is waiting for us inside." Picodevimon informed. "He must've prepared his chamber to terrorize us."
"Underestimating us, huh?" The boy muttered, approaching the doors. He pushed them open and they both entered the badly lit chamber.
Velvet curtains covered the walls and windows. A few candles suspended in mid-air were the only source of light. A couple of meters in front of them, there were a large table covered by a white sheet with golden drawings and three armchairs: two on their side of the table and the other at the opposite side. On the table, there was a crystal ball. Takeru could spot his brother, Sora, Piyomon and Gabumon in it, surrounded by darkness.
"An orb…?" He wondered in loud voice, getting closer to the object.
"Vamdemon uses crystal balls to spy on others." Picodevimon explained. "He must've trapped them in a subjective dimension generated by magic."
"Indeed!" A thunderous voice came from above. Vamdemon slowly descended from the ceiling, wrapped in his red cape. He landed at the other side of the table and grinned at them. "I had time to study that brother of yours and noticed his gloomy nature. Those four are imprisoned in a dimension fueled by his negativity! They won't get out unless you do as I say!"
"What do you want?" Takeru asked, not intimidated.
"You'll make the Bloody Lord evolve and order him to kill the bearer of love!" Vamdemon ordered.
"I'll never do that!" Takeru declared, clenching his fists.
Picodevimon stared at the boy in horror. Openly opposing Vamdemon was a terrible idea.
"Don't you understand the position you're in?" The vampire asked. "I can crush that dimension and kill your brother! I can let him rot there forever! You must obey me if you want to see that boy again!"
"Y-You would h-have to bring Patamon here first!" Picodevimon said. "He has to be near his partner to e-evolve!"
Vamdemon glared at the tiny monster, making him shriek.
"Do you think you can trick me into bringing the Bloody Lord to this chamber?" The vampire inquired. "I know you're making that up!"
Vamdemon punched the table. Startled, Picodevimon took a step backwards quickly and fell on his back.
"You're so pathetic!" The vampire snarled. "I scare you to your core! And yet you rebel against me? Once this is over, I'll have maggots to slowly eat you alive! And then, I'll heal you and have them eat you again! I'll repeat that until you learn your lesson! Nobody can ever oppose me! Do you understand, you coward?!"
Takeru watched as tears formed in Picodevimon's eyes and his tiny body trembled while Vamdemon laughed at the other's panic. The boy could feel rage boiling in his heart.
"You're the coward here, Vamdemon!" Takeru stated. The vampire stopped paying attention to the child level digimon to glare at Takeru.
"Do you realize who is in front of you now, kid?" He inquired in an imposing voice, circling the table to get closer to the boy.
Takeru didn't move from where he was standing. He kept looking into Vamdemon's eyes, defiantly.
"You paralyzed Garudamon and attacked Sora-san while she was defenseless." Takeru reminded him. "You took my brother as a hostage and ran away because you were scared of Sora-san over a dumb prophecy!"
"MY PROPHECY ISN'T DUMB!" Vamdemon shouted, clenching his fists. "Since I was young, I knew I was destined for greatness. When nobody believed me, when I was belittled and laughed at, I found peace in knowing everybody was beneath me! I never doubted myself! I will rule the human world!"
Takeru stared at him, astonished. For so long, the boy had been terrified of change. Changes meant that he would lose something, be it his family, his best friend or his innocence. Takeru tried to avoid them or to minimize their impact. He reached out to those who slipped away from him; he fought the new and darker aspects of his personality that had been emerging. Even when willing to adapt to new circumstances, Takeru still clung to any stability he could find in his life. The future and the transformations it would bring scared him.
However, in that moment he was looking at someone who had never changed, a stagnant monster who had stubbornly held onto his delusions and couldn't accept that things could be different from what he believed, to the point of relishing in cruelty against anyone that defied his world view. The perfect level digimon threatening him was certainly the most pathetic creature he had ever met.
"You don't even understand how pitiful you are, do you?" Takeru asked.
"What?!" Vamdemon shouted.
"Be careful, you don't know what he's capable of!" Picodevimon warned the boy.
"I can tear you in pieces!" The vampire told the child. "I can bring upon you pain that you never imagined was possible!"
"That's all you do, isn't it?" Takeru asked, coldly. "You use violence against those you consider weaker than you. Deep down, you must know that you're not worthy of respect, so you resort to scaring others into submission. And you make them repeat the lies you tell yourself every day, because you're the one that needs to be convinced the most that you're not just some sad and lonely coward that wants validation!"
Vamdemon grabbed Takeru by the neck and lifted the boy to his eyes' level.
"Say that again!" Vamdemon ordered, tightening his grip and making the child grasp for air. "You're nothing but a weak little kid! Your only option is to succumb under my power and do as I say!"
A syringe pierced Vamdemon's arm, which forced him to release Takeru. Picodevimon, flying a couple of feet away, shot more ten syringes at the vampire.
"Back in Aurora Town, I let Etemon know about your plan to blow up the stage, so he could save that chosen child girl!" Picodevimon screamed. "I knew I'd be punished, but I did it anyway! Earlier today, I saw another chosen child and hid that information from you! I stopped you from killing Gabumon! I stopped you from harming the bearer of love and made my way back to your lair to help your enemies! Don't you dare look down on me or Takeru because of our size or our power! We're stronger than you in ways that you could never comprehend!"
Vamdemon stumbled back while glaring at the bat digimon and the boy who was getting back on his feet.
"You'll pay for this! You'll regret this!" He yelled. "I'LL MAKE YOU BOTH BEG FOR MERCY!"
"We're not afraid of you!" Takeru stated. "We're going to defeat you and take my brother and our friends back!"
"YOUR BROTHER IS MY PRISONER!" Vamdemon howled. "THE TRAP HE'S IN IS BUILT ON HIS NEGATIVE EMOTIONS! HE'S NEVER GETTING OUT OF THERE UNLESS I ALLOW IT!"
"Onii-chan will overcome it!" Takeru affirmed. "He might be stubborn and complicated, but he's strong and intelligent! He'll find his way out of that place!"
It wasn't too late for Yamato to learn, just like it wasn't for Takeru. Changes didn't have to be always bad. They allowed people to rethink their worldviews, correct their mistakes and strive to be better people. The future didn't have to be frightening.
Takeru's crest shone so brightly that Vamdemon was forced to close his eyes. The pendant floated from under the boy's shirt. The child took his digivice from his pocket and held it in his hand. The rock emanating yellow light was absorbed into the small machine.
"Someone like you, Vamdemon, can't do anything against those willing to grow up!" Takeru stated.
A couple of minutes later, the torches lit themselves. Patamon and Agumon were alone in the hall. The mammal monster flew around, but all exits had been closed.
"Damn it!" Patamon cried, kicking a wall. "Takeru and the others were all captured! Because of me… everything that happened was because of my selfishness!"
Agumon stared at him, astonished.
"From what I heard about you, I thought you were a heartless demon…" He said. "But you actually care about that human, don't you?"
"Until recently, I didn't remember who I used to be." Patamon explained. "When I did learn about my past, first I tried to convince myself that I wasn't that digimon anymore. Then, the guilt ate me from the inside out… I couldn't stand that agony and just wished for it to end… but Takeru didn't give up on me. I can't give up on him now!"
"All we can do is to wait to see what happens." Agumon said.
"I can't just sit and wait when Vamdemon might be harming Takeru!" Patamon protested.
"I doubt that guy would lay a finger on your partner." Agumon told him. "He's always been terrified of you."
The other looked down. Suddenly, yellow light came from the cracks on the ceiling.
"This… is Takeru's…" Patamon murmured as that light wrapped him. He was connected to his partner and knew how to get to him. "I'm coming, Takeru!"
Sora, Yamato, Gabumon and Piyomon stopped falling. They were floating in a dark space. When the bird monster flapped her wings, she couldn't move from her spot next to Sora. The girl tried to make her evolve, but her digivice didn't react. Piyomon shot an attack upwards; her fire hovered a few meters above their heads.
A couple of meters in front of Piyomon and Sora, Gabumon floated next to Yamato. The digimon looked with concern at the boy. Yamato was staring at his arms extended in front of him, with horror. It was possible he was thinking about how he had nearly lost an arm, but far, far more likely he was worried about Takeru.
"This place…" Piyomon murmured, shivering. "It reminds me of the orb…"
"It's going to be okay!" The girl promised, extending an arm to caress the bird's head. "We're together! We've escaped from a place like this before! As long as we have each other, we'll be fine!"
Piyomon nodded reluctantly.
"Takeru…" Yamato murmured, looking at the void below with empty eyes. "I couldn't do anything to protect him… I never could… "
"Don't be so hard on yourself!" Gabumon told him, stretching an arm in the boy's direction. However, Yamato got out of his reach. The boy's body was slowly descending, sinking into the darkness.
"Yamato-kun!" Sora shouted, getting no reply from him. She tried to go after him, but kept floating in the same spot. What was happening to Yamato? Where was he going? The girl remembered Koushiro's explanation about the orb being a subjective space affected by her emotions. If the place they were in was similar to that orb, Yamato's negativity could bring him a dire result.
"Piyomon, can you push me in Yamato-kun's direction?" Sora asked.
"If I do that, you'll be out of my reach! How would I get you back?!" Piyomon questioned.
"I need to get to Yamato-kun!" Sora retorted. "He'll be in danger if I do nothing!"
"You could be in danger if I launch you in that direction!" Piyomon protested. "We don't know where we are or what will happen if you go down there!"
"That's exactly why I can't let Yamato-kun out of my sight!"
"Don't do this to me again!" The bird digimon pleaded. "Don't make me watch as you sacrifice yourself for someone else again! I can't… I…"
"Piyomon…" Sora muttered, pulling her partner into a hug. "It's not like that time. I don't want to help him because I think it's my duty, because I want to prove something or because of my self-loathing. I won't do that again! I promise I'll never put you through that again!"
"But if you go-"
"I'll come back with him!" She vowed. "There's a person lost in destructive thoughts in need of someone to help him out. Someone who demands too much of himself… who blames himself a lot, who feels responsible for everything and doesn't share his burden with anyone… who buries his fears… his insecurities…"
Takeru had told the girl that she reminded him of Yamato. Despite knowing the older boy for less than one day, Sora had already understood so much about him. First, she thought she could be projecting herself on him, but then realized it wasn't the case. The reason for her to see so much of herself in Yamato was because they did share some core personality aspects, including flaws. And it was because of what Sora learned from her experiences with her friends and family that she didn't want anyone else following that painful path. She wanted to help Yamato for his own sake.
"Alright, then… but you have to come back to me!" Piyomon said. "Promise you'll come back to me!"
"That's not a reasonable request." Gabumon commented.
"I'll come back to you, Piyomon." Sora told her partner, breaking the hug to show her a reassuring smile. "We'll all be fine and get out of here."
Piyomon grabbed the girl and launched her in Yamato's direction.
Yamato was sinking into the dark void, but didn't notice it. He couldn't see anything around him. His mind wandered through his past.
His parents argued many times, but there were occasions when they got along. They talked normally, his father told jokes, his mother and Takeru laughed at them, Yamato smiled. He believed that was the true nature of their family. His parents could disagree, but they loved each other and would make amends. Yamato tried to make things easier for them. He helped in the house chores, asked his mother to teach him how to cook so he could help her out, and watched Takeru when his parents were busy.
He didn't ask for help with his homework or anything else. He didn't bother his parents with his problems in getting along with the other children in his class. Yamato strove to be as independent as possible. He wanted to be reliable like a grown-up, not only because then his parents wouldn't worry about him, but also because if Takeru perceived him as a mature and strong person, the little boy would seek his help instead of their parents'. That way, his father and mother wouldn't be troubled. The thought of sacrificing himself for them made him feel proud of himself.
Yamato also felt satisfaction when Takeru asked him to play along. The kid was happy, but sometimes talked to him about his concerns. The older brother assured him that everything would be alright. For a time, Yamato really believed in that. When his parents argued and Takeru cried on his lap, Yamato said that the adults would make peace with each other and their family would be together forever. The older brother was doing his part; everything should work out in the end. His words soothed Takeru, who thanked him.
But things didn't work out in the end. When Yamato noticed it, he was standing between the two adults with a crying Takeru by his side. His parents were getting a divorce, his father was moving away, his family was breaking into two: Ishida and Takaishi. Yamato didn't want his father to be alone, nor did he want Takeru to be away from his mother. So, he did the mature thing, again, and he kept doing it, without complaining. Not certain if it was out of obligation or out of habit, Yamato just knew that he had to sacrifice himself for their happiness. He wouldn't let his mother think he needed her, he wouldn't worry her.
Did Takeru think he was a liar when their parents divorced? Was Takeru disappointed at him for not stopping that from happening? Was he lonely without him around?
His father worked all day, every day. Many times, Hiroaki didn't even come home. Other times, he came and spoke incoherent things with a sad expression. The man didn't joke anymore. Instead, he told his son to be sure not to fall for someone incompatible with him. Hiroaki at times went to smoke on the balcony and looked at the street while bearing a lost expression. The boy knew he should be in pain, but didn't know what to say to him. Nevertheless, he did everything to take care of his father. He cleaned, cooked and watched TV with him. However, they didn't talk much.
Yamato didn't talk a lot to Natsuko when she brought Takeru over. Hiroaki seemed sad with her presence, what if seeing Yamato interacting with her was painful to the man? Besides, Yamato didn't want to give his mother the impression that he wasn't doing great without her. What if she noticed something and became worried? She shouldn't worry about him. Nobody should. Yamato still wanted them to think of him as mature and strong.
Most of his days were lonely. He played the harmonica, saw old photos, cooked, despite being unable to imitate his mother's food. It became easier with time. Yamato hid his sadness so well that nobody noticed it. He should be proud of that, like he should be proud of his brother for surviving without him in the Digital World and for risking himself for the sake of rescuing Yamato. Takeru was the youngest child, in need of being protected. But in reality he was far stronger and braver than his older brother. The older brother's sacrifices weren't necessary. They weren't needed, they weren't wanted. What was the point of all that, then?
What was the point of him?
"Yamato-kun!"
That was Sora's voice calling him. An increasing warm sensation was spreading over his hands.
"Don't say such sad things, Yamato-kun!" She told him in a pained tone. Was he saying things aloud without noticing?
"Takeru-kun loves you a lot! Things aren't as bad as you believe!" Sora insisted.
"It doesn't matter." Yamato said, staring into the darkness surrounding him. "He shouldn't love me… nobody should… I'm such a disappointment…"
"No, you're not!" She stated. "I might not have known you for long, but I know that you're a caring person and that you put other people's needs before your own! And that you try to keep a façade of being well-adjusted, so people won't worry about you…" Sora's voice became weaker. "You built a wall around your heart and tried to keep everybody away. You didn't want anyone to see you crumbling in the inside, drowning in your self-deprecating thoughts… because you're afraid of what they'd think if they saw who you really are."
Yamato now realized that the warmth on his hands were the girl's own trembling ones, holding him tightly. In his front, the silhouette of someone very close to him was slowly taking shape.
"How do you know…?" He asked in a whisper. "I t-thought I had hidden it… does e-everybody see through me as well? Does Takeru…?" It was getting harder for him to hold back the tears.
"For a long time, I believed that my parents… especially my Mom…" Sora hesitated for a few seconds. "She's an Ikebana Master and I was supposed to be her heiress, but I didn't want to be that. I thought Mom didn't really love me… I made her into an enemy that I wanted to hate… I forced myself to be everything I thought she wasn't, but the truth was that… I couldn't deal with the idea that I was a disappointment to her. To think that she didn't love me hurt so much, I continuously lied to myself… and kept on hurting myself and the people who cared about me. I felt so guilty… so ashamed…"
"But you're strong!" Yamato protested, almost outraged. "I heard what you did for Takeru and the others! You put yourself in danger to lure that vampire away from us not long ago! You're not… you can't be…"
She couldn't be both strong and fragile, virtuous and flawed, brave and scared… people weren't like that. If you were one thing, you couldn't be its opposite. Yamato knew that. But if it was possible, if those things weren't mutually excluding… what would that make of him?
"My friends helped me to see that I wasn't the despicable person I thought I was." Sora said. "Because I understood how my way of thinking distorted reality, I considered that I could be wrong about my Mom. I talked to her about everything and she was honest with me. I finally understood how she felt and how deeply she loved me, I was so glad!"
"Are you two getting along now?" Yamato asked. "After everything… was it still possible for you two…?"
"It's never too late when there's love." Sora assured.
Yamato wondered if his mother and he could have that as well. If he talked to her honestly, if he told her how much she mattered to him and how much he missed her, would she accept him? His mother could get worried… his father could not like it… would that be okay? Would they forgive him?
His thoughts were getting clearer after Sora's words. Maybe it was time for Yamato to do something for himself.
"Maybe… I could call my mother…" He whispered.
"You should." She encouraged him.
He could no longer stop the tears from escaping his eyes.
"It's okay to cry." Sora told him. "It'll make you feel better."
A flaming aura surrounded Sora, allowing Yamato to see her completely. She was giving him a large and beautiful smile. The flames kept on spreading, bringing light to every corner. Above them, Piyomon was flying. Fire surrounded her.
"Piyomon evolves to… BIRDRAMON! Birdramon evolves to… GARUDAMON!"
The giant digimon took Gabumon in one hand and then flew down to take Sora and Yamato in the other.
"Are you okay?" Gabumon asked him.
"I guess…" Yamato muttered, glancing at Sora, who was by his side while Garudamon flew upwards. The sight of the girl with fire in her spirit ascending to the heavens would never leave his memory.
Soon, Garudamon broke into the hall where Agumon was. There was a hole on the ceiling large enough to fit an adult.
"Where's Takeru?" Yamato asked.
"He was taken away, but his partner went after him." Agumon informed.
"Did Patamon open that hole?" Sora inquired.
"No." The yellow dinosaur replied. "Angemon did it."
Still blind by the crest's light, Vamdemon walked back until he hit the wall. He didn't understand how any of that could happen. Two weak beings like them should be scared of him. But they weren't, against all odds. They showed courage and determination in face of adversity. If they were capable of that, why wasn't Vamdemon capable of opposing Holyangemon in that fateful day of his childhood? Why didn't he rebel against the angel during the centuries he spent as the other's servant? Why did he follow a different angel afterwards?
He was being smart! He was seizing the best opportunities! His way of doing things had to be the right one! If it wasn't like that, if he had spent his life lying to himself about the glorious future he would have, if he wasn't truly special and fated to greatness… then, who would he be? Simply an ordinary coward? He couldn't accept that! He had to destroy anyone that suggested that!
Suddenly, the floor was broken; Angemon flew from the hole into the room.
"Your feelings reached me, Takeru." Angemon said. "Your heart showed me the way!"
"We're finding the way together." Takeru told him. "Let's continue to push each other forward until the end."
The yellow light that had been spread in all directions was absorbed by the adult level digimon.
"Angemon super evolves to… HOLYANGEMON!"
Vamdemon felt his knees getting weak when he saw that angel pointing a sword at him again. His reflection on the blade made the vampire's terror undeniable.
"Surrender." Holyangemon ordered. "I have Takeru's power flowing through me. There's no hope for you to defeat me, Vamdemon."
"NO!" Vamdemon screamed, landing a punch on the angel's cheek. The direct contact with a digimon bearing holy powers was painful to him, but Vamdemon couldn't stop himself. He hadn't gone through everything just to be humiliated by the same monster twice.
Holyangemon made a movement with the sword that pushed the vampire back, broke the wall behind him and wiped away the residual mist on the outside. Floating in the night sky, Vamdemon launched his most powerful attacks against Holyangemon, who reflected them all at him. The vampire's sight was getting blurred. Aside from the new injuries, the poisoned syringes Picodevimon had shot earlier were still stuck on his arms and torso.
I can't just lose here! Vamdemon thought, trying to figure out a way for him to survive. Half of his room had been blown away. Holyangemon was facing him from there. A few steps behind the angel, Takeru and Picodevimon were watching.
That kid is the source of his power! I just have to kill that child!
Vamdemon flew in Takeru's direction as fast as he could, passing by Holyangemon's side. Picodevimon positioned himself in front of the boy.
I'll kill them both! Vamdemon decided, stretching his right arm in their direction. But he was suddenly stopped.
Holyangemon stabbed him in the back, impaling the vampire's chest with his sword and sending him to the floor. With his heart ripped apart, Vamdemon bled profusely. All he could see from where he was were Takeru's feet. Was that his end? He would die without even fulfilling his prophecy? Without being able to harm his enemy and have revenge?
He was dying pointlessly in an utterly pathetic way. That couldn't be the fate of someone special. Then, everything he believed in was wrong. He had wasted his entire life.
"It didn't have to end like this." Holyangemon said, taking the sword out. "How pitiful."
Vamdemon's body was turned into data particles that floated towards the dark clouds above.
Not long after that, the entire tower trembled with violence and began to fall apart. Holyangemon picked Takeru up and flew, with Picodevimon by his side. From the remains of Vamdemon's room, Garudamon emerged breaking through the floor, holding Sora, Yamato, Gabumon and Agumon in her hands.
"TAKERU!" Yamato called, standing up with his arms open and a huge smile. Holyangemon descended to Garudamon's hand, where he let go of his partner. Takeru and Yamato hugged each other.
"What about Vamdemon?" Sora asked.
"He was killed by Holyangemon." Picodevimon informed her, landing on Garudamon's hand while watching the tower collapsing into the ocean.
"The prophecy was wrong, then?" Garudamon inquired.
"He died in the human world." Holyangemon said. "It'd take a miracle for him to return."
Sora felt something cold touching her forehead and looked up. Snow started to fall.
With the increasing snow, the curious people on the street headed back to their apartments. Jyou, Mimi and their partners took shelter at the entrance of the building where Hiroaki and Yamato lived. The parents had already finished talking by the time they went in.
Hiroaki lit a cigarette as he observed the snow, which he now knew to be a manifestation of a sadistic computer program from the world his younger son had visited. Wanting to take his mind away from what his children were going through, he attempted to make small talk with the Tachikawas:
"You two seem to be a happy couple."
"Our marriage is very happy indeed!" Satoe told him.
"We're each other's soul mates." Keisuke added.
"That must be nice." Hiroaki muttered. "I once thought I could have something like that with my ex-wife… nowadays, it's hard for me to even talk to her."
"But the two of you have children, you need to talk to each other." Keisuke pointed out.
"That's right!" Satoe agreed. "The happiness of your children should be your priority."
"I'm as terrible as a father as I was as a husband, I guess…" Hiroaki sighed.
"Then, you'll have to work to at least be a better parent." Satoe told him.
They heard the sound of something heavy landing on the street and went outside. A giant creature with wings was carrying Hiroaki's sons, a girl with orange hair and four monsters. Takeru, holding a small white creature with big teeth, jumped first to the ground, being followed by Yamato and a horned monster. Sora jumped at last; her partner then became a smaller pink bird.
"Are you that Gabumon?" Jyou asked.
"Yes, nice to see you again." Gabumon greeted. "I'm going to stay with Takeru and Yamato tonight."
"Now there's another digimon? Is he Yamato's?" Hiroaki asked.
"Onii-chan isn't a chosen child, but he befriended Gabumon." Takeru explained.
"Excuse me…" Picodevimon approached Mimi. "Agumon is already staying with Sora and I need a place to spend the night… if you could be kind enough…"
"Of course you can stay with me!" Mimi told him, grinning. "We have things to talk about, after all!"
"Thank you!" Picodevimon said, beaming at her.
"We should be going home, now, it's kind of late. Do you kids want a ride home?" Satoe offered.
"Thank you very much!" Sora accepted the offer, knowing that her partner was tired.
"I came in my bike, so I should-" Jyou began to say.
"You're not going to ride under this snow!" Gomamon forbade him. "Don't you remember what happened to Koushiro?"
"Did something happen to Koushiro-kun?" Sora asked, worried.
"He's okay now." Jyou assured her. "But it'd be better if you heard from him what happened during our meeting tomorrow."
"Okay, then…" The girl muttered.
"Hey, you." Hiroaki approached Sora. "What's your name?"
"Takenouchi Sora." She introduced herself, a bit nervous because of the serious look the man gave her.
"I'm Ishida Hiroaki. Thank you for taking care of my boys." He said, slightly bowing to her.
"Y-You don't have to…" Sora stuttered, feeling blood rushing to her face. "They're my friends! It was the least I could do!"
"You… consider me a friend?" Yamato asked, surprised.
"Of course I do, Yamato-kun!" Sora replied, smiling brightly at him.
Yamato looked away and scratched his head.
"I think of you as my friend as well." He whispered. Yamato looked into her eyes again before adding: "Thank you, Sora."
"You don't have to thank people for befriending you, Grumpy face-san." Mimi teased him.
"Stop calling me that already!" Yamato demanded.
Jyou and Keisuke managed to attach the boy's bike to the roof of the car. Soon, the couple, along with the three children and four digimon parted. Hiroaki took his sons, Tokomon and Gabumon to the apartment.
"I have so many things to tell you, Papa!" Takeru said, pulling his father to the living room's table, where the child placed his partner.
Gabumon was about to take a seat, but noticed that Yamato quietly made his way to the corridor. The digimon hesitated for a few minutes, but then decided to follow him. He found the older boy sitting on the bed in one of the bedrooms, holding an object close to his face. Yamato seemed nervous about something. Gabumon was about to enter the bedroom, but stopped when the boy began to talk.
"Hi, Mom. It's me, Yamato."
Gabumon hid himself behind the wall for some reason. He didn't want to peek, but couldn't resist.
"Everything is alright… kind of…" Yamato continued. "I…"
The boy sounded unsure about what to say. Gabumon took a look and noticed that the other was shaking.
"I miss you, Mom…" Yamato murmured. "I miss you!" He repeated in a louder tone. "I'm sorry for… no, I want to apologize! I've been stupid, so stupid!"
A couple of tears were forming in the boy's eyes. Gabumon was getting worried about him. Then, suddenly, Yamato smiled.
"I would like that…" The boy said. "I… I love you too, Mom."
Away from there, Wizarmon was standing on a glowing magical circle he had drawn on a building's roof, holding his staff with both hands towards the sky.
"It began to snow again." Tailmon told him, a few steps from where he was standing. "It's going to mess with your spell like before."
"I've finished already." Wizarmon said. "My large scale search for Hikari's image in people's minds worked. I know where she is!"
"Really…?"
The cat digimon felt like crying, but was able to hold back her tears. After so many years of struggles, after everything Kanda had put her through, the dream that was her sole consolation in those harsh times was at her grasp at last.
"Let's go now, Tailmon!" Wizarmon offered her a hand. "It's time for you to meet your partner!"