Her Faithful Companion

The wind swept across the hills and valleys, each breath sending ripples through the grasslands. Every side was covered with a scatter of trees, creating an ideal countryside. Alice had to admit; even though this is the Digital World it still looks as realistic as anything she's seen in the Human World.

Though I guess for the Digimon this is their reality, she mused, as she sat under a tree on top of the hill she just climbed. She had been released a week before, and true to Lunamon's word she was allowed to roam the areas surrounding her Recovery Home. Her window gave just a small glimpse of the majesty that was around her house, and she appreciated the opportunity to wonder about her little corner of the Digital World.

I just wish I was doing better, she sighed, looking at her forearm where two DigiGnomes were tending to it, small rays of light emitting from their hands as they worked to bring her back to reality. Even though she had a working body there was still some 'repairs' that needed to be done before she would be able to go back to the Human World, and Alice could see and feel the effects. Every now and then she felt vaguely weak, and she would notice her body phase in and out, as if surrounded by digital static. Though she could crossover now, she would not be able to stay there and would eventually fade like before.

Nevertheless Lunamon and the DigiGnomes were the epitome of hospitable hosts, and Alice enjoyed their company. Since their first encounter Lunamon warmed up surprisingly quickly to the girl, and made it her top priority to make sure that Alice was comfortable, trying to balance the DigiGnomes healing process and her rest time. As the blonde turned to look at Lunamon the pink bunny was walking up the hill carrying a picnic basket that looked way too big for her.

"Are you sure you don't want me to help?" Alice asked, concerned that Lunamon would accidentally slip and hurt herself.

"Honestly it's no problem at all!" Lunamon replied, and with one final heave got the basket up to Alice's spot. "I heard this is the sort of things humans do while out in the countryside, and you shouldn't be doing any heavy lifting in your condition."

"I may be recovering but I think I can manage a picnic basket," Alice chuckled lightly, "Let's get the blanket out; it's a beautiful day today."

The food itself was a typical yet delicious hamper, taken straight out of an online cookbook the way Lunamon described it. Alice was happy just to let Lunamon do most of the talking while she sat and enjoyed her company, with the DigiGnomes just hovering nearby and chirping aimlessly. After they finished the last of their sandwiches Alice and Lunamon sat under the shade of the tree, simply looking out onto the world as time flowed on.

As she lay there, slowly retreating back into her own thoughts, she felt a small tug on her arm, as if someone was trying to get her attention. Turning towards the pink bunny, Alice noticed she was wearing the same expression she had when she thought about asking a question. In some ways it was very endearing, and Alice always tried to get Lunamon to loosen up in front of her.

"What's up, Lunamon?" Alice began, letting the Digimon formulate her words before speaking.

"Well…I've been meaning to ask, since you woke up, but I never found a good way to ask it…" Lunamon looked like she was figuring out the best way to approach her question.

"Don't worry about it; I'm always open for you after everything you've done for me." Alice said, trying to coax her into speaking her mind.

"Okay," Lunamon took a breath before starting again, "I just wanted to know: what was Dobermon like?"

A tightness clenched Alice's heart. She was not expecting this, and felt a sense of panic and loss rising from deep within her, yet Lunamon continued on oblivious to the effect her request had on the blonde girl.

"Of course every Digimon has heard about him, how he fought alongside the Tamers against the D-Reaper, and how he sacrificed himself so that they could finally have the upper hand to win the war," The pink Digimon was now facing Alice, with a glimmer of admiration in her eyes, "but few Digimon have actually got to meet him, and who better about him than his Partner! What was he like? Was he always so fearless and loyal? Did he really stand as tall as everyone said he was?"

The girl looked at Lunamon for a while. So you've grown into a legend, Alice thought to herself, seeing the look of awe Lunamon had whenever she mentioned Dobermon. For her the wound was still fresh, seeing her Partner sacrifice himself for the sake of everyone before she went into her dreamless sleep, only to wake the next moment to be brought back into the Digital World; but for the rest of the worlds that was 3 years ago, and Dobermon became a story that showed how the humans and Digimon came together to overcome a great evil. She could still feel the ache in her heart where he used to be, but seeing Lunamon look so happy to learn about Dobermon made Alice realise that maybe she wasn't the only one who cared about him. Somehow the pink bunny had the sort of presence that made her want to open up, to talk about her best friend and the short but loving time that they spent together. Maybe she didn't have to keep it all to herself. Maybe her healing can begin with a simple tale.

Alice took a minute to gather her thoughts before beginning, "To be honest, when I first met him he wasn't very big at all…"

3 years ago, 3 months before the End of the D-Reaper, Digital World

When she awoke she felt nothing. Her eyes looked but took in none of the surroundings; her ears heard but could not pick out any sounds; she felt the ground as she was lowered onto the floor but did not acknowledge it. It was as if she simply existed, without any soul.

Then her senses returned. She could not only feel the ground, but the weight of gravity pulling her towards it. She struggled to stand on her own two feet, when suddenly a thunderous clamour of voices came crashing in around her.

"I still don't agree with this, Azulongmon, how can she be trusted with something so important?"

"You have seen it for yourself, Zhuqiaomon! Already the True Enemy encroaches on Baihumon's borders, and we need to prepare for a day when the Digimon alone may not be able to stand against it."

"But to leave it in the care of this human? You three Sovereigns may be agreed upon this, but I will certainly not leave the fate of our entire race upon just this girl!"

At last her eyes began to see, but what Alice saw made her silent with fear. There standing before her were four magnificent creatures, each towering over her and glowing with a different colour. Glowing in dazzling red was a fiery coloured bird, already flying away from where she sat, its wings spread out to reveal a spectacular pattern of gold and red feathers. To her right was a fierce tiger of blue and white, with vambraces protecting his front legs and metal rings attached to his hind legs and tail. To Alice's left was a grand winged dragon, with a long white beard and several chains circling around the length of his body.

"Well I do believe the young missy is finally with us!"

Alice span around and couldn't believe what she was seeing. There stood a majestic forest, sitting on top of the shell of a yellow-skinned turtle with two heads, both of which were looking directly at her.

"Oh no need to look so frightened, little lady; we may be tall and scaly but we're really big softies on the inside."

"Ya, we're real softies."

Alice was at a loss for words. What could she say to a two headed giant of a turtle? Glancing at the other two creatures they continued their conversation, apparently not aware that she was staring between all three of them, terrified what they might want her.

"I will leave this to you and Ebonwumon," The blue-striped tiger said to the dragon, "I have to make preparations to protect those under my domain." With those parting words the creature sped off into the distance, each bound and leap from his powerful legs driving him further away from Alice.

At long last the dragon turned all four of his eyes towards Alice, and it was an imposing sight.

"Do not be afraid, young one," the creature spoke sagely to her and, whether it was by some spell the dragon was casting over her or whether the last two creatures looked the least threatening, Alice surprisingly found herself calming down. She even managed to find a voice as her heart began to slow to a gentler pace.

"W-where am I?" Alice threw the question out to either of the creatures, "how did I get here? Where's Mom and Dad?"

"I'm afraid you can't see them for a while, circumstances being awkward and all," The left head of the turtle replied.

"You came here because we summoned you," the dragon informed her, "And this is the Digital World. My name is Azulongmon, and my friend over there is Ebonwumon."

"Nice to meet you!" It was the strangest sight to see Ebonwumon bow both of its heads down at Alice, and she didn't know how to respond. Eventually she managed to stand up and gave a short curtsey as a form of acknowledgement.

"Nice to meet you too." She replied, "I-if you don't mind me asking, what are you? A-and why did you summon me?"

"We are Digimon, denizens of the Digital World." Azulongmon explained, "You were brought here because we believe that you are our best hope for our kind."

"Wait, Digimon?" the name stirred something from within Alice's hazy memory, "Isn't that a trading card game?"

"You hear that?" the left head of Ebonwumon said to his right, "We might be on a card!"

"I hope they got me good side."

"I assure you we are most definitely real," the Winged Dragon caught back Alice's attention, "And we have been living here for longer than any of your kind might have known."

"But why do you need me? I'm not anything special, just an ordinary human girl."

"It is precisely because you are an ordinary human girl that we have chosen you. Look over there," Azulongmon pointed his head, and as Alice turned she saw an orb of light coming down from the sky, floating towards her. "We believe that there may be a time when the Human and Digital Worlds come under great peril; a time where our kinds cannot face this enemy alone."

As the light approached her Alice instinctively reached out, expecting to feel the warmth of its glow. The moment she touched it, however, the orb transformed, twisting in shape until in her hands she was holding a small Doberman puppy, except with red orbs on his upper limbs, pressed into its body like eyes. Around its neck was a metal spiked collar which looked all too big for him.

"This is Dobermon." Azulongmon continued, as the young pup looked innocently up at Alice. If it weren't for his red eyes or the orbs in his legs, he could have passed as any other ordinary dog, wagging his tail merrily just staring at her. "I would like you to take care of him, and raise him to be your Partner. If we want to work together we must learn how to cooperate with each other, to bring each of our species up, rather than tear us apart. I understand this is a large task to ask, especially for someone as young as you, but would you be prepared to do this? For the sake of both our Worlds?"

The young girl looked between the two Digimon Sovereigns, then back at the dog she was holding. In his eyes was a tiny sparkle; something in Dobermon was reaching out to her, something that made her feel like she was needed and wanted by the Digimon pup. At that moment she felt the world melt away; in this brief instance in time there was just her and Dobermon.

Alice looked up to the other Digimon. "Yes, I'll do it."

3 years ago, 10 days before the End of the D-Reaper, Digital World

Even though she didn't know much about Digimon Alice knew that her partner was different to all the other creatures in this world. Since she and Dobermon had no particular place of their own the Digimon Sovereigns allowed them to explore the many "miniverses" that exist between the planes that make up the Digital World. Each new place they visited, from the clouds and clockwork of Hagurumon and Clockmon's home to the depths of the ocean where Divermon and Otamamon live, brought them a new experience, a new memory that they shared with just the two of them. One thing Alice noted on her travels, though, was that Digimon only remain in one distinct form, before gaining enough experience to progress to their next form of Digivolution.

All Digimon, that is, apart from Dobermon. No one would have guessed that the Digimon running alongside her was the same Partner that she was able to carry in her arms just two and a half months before. To a human who knows nothing about Digimon, Dobermon was just a normal puppy who just grew up, albeit at 10 times the rate. Now Alice's Partner stood taller than her, with sharp nails and large blades growing from behind each heel. He also looked leaner as they hurried towards their destination, his body seemingly able to cut through the wind.

He's changed so much, Alice thought fondly to herself, before returning to the task at hand. It all started when they came, the other humans. At first Alice was excited, finally getting to meet other people who have also interacted with Digimon. But she and Dobermon were on the other side of the Digital World, and by the time she heard of them they had already returned to the Human World. What was a more pressing issue was the arrival of the True Enemy that Azulongmon detected a few months before. It was spreading like a wildfire, engulfing and deleting every digital lifeform it encountered. Recently there was a burst of brilliant light, caused by the Tamers who came here, allowing the Digimon to digivolve to their highest form so they can work together against the oncoming threat; but Alice and Dobermon were called away from the front lines, as they were summoned urgently by the Digimon Sovereigns. As they approached the meeting point Alice could see the glow of the Sovereigns, with all of their eyes staring at the pair running towards them. The girl could see that they were tired and worn out, with Baihumon looking the worst having fought on the frontlines even before it grew beyond his domain. Yet past their weary looks Alice noticed an expression she never thought she would see on the great Sovereign's faces.

Is that…sadness? She thought to herself, as she glanced over to Dobermon, who apparently saw the same thing. When they finally stood before them Azulongmon began to speak.

"This is a grave time for us." the Winged Dragon began, "Even as we fight the Chaos in our World, the biggest threat has entered the Human World. The True Enemy has evolved into a threat we believe the Tamers will not be able to handle alone."

"Tamers? Those were the humans who came before?" Alice asked them.

"Indeed. There is a method; a form of digivolution that could grant the Tamers the power to overcome the Enemy's evolution. It is achieved by merging a Tamer with their partner to become a new Digimon."

"However," Baihumon continued, "This was only possible since the Tamers too were in a digital form. Once they left the Digital World they would no longer be able to merge with their Partners. We believe we can grant them that ability in the Human World, but we need your help."

"Absolutely, Sovereigns." Dobermon replied without hesitation.

There was a short pause before Ebonwumon turned to Alice. "I'm so sorry, lass," the left head spoke to her, while the right looked down, as if guilty of something, "If there was any other way we would be on it in two shakes of a lamb's tail."

"Why? What's going on?" Alice was starting to get nervous. Normally the Soveregins were more straightforward in their requests.

"We can grant them the ability to merge with their Digimon," Zhuqiaomon replied, "But it will be at the cost of your Partner."

With the last of those words Alice felt herself go cold. Why are they telling her this? Surely this was just a poor and cruel joke at her expense? The Sovereigns were not giving her everything, and she needed answers.

"…Why Dobermon?" Alice began, looking frantically between all four of them, "What does he have to do?"

"We will give him the power to bring Biomerging to the Human World." The Vermillion Bird answered, "Once you have met with the Tamers there he will have to sacrifice his data to release this power so that the Tamers can merge with their Partners to defeat the Enemy."

"But why Dobermon?" Alice pressed again, "Why not another Digimon? We have plenty of Digimon all over the world fighting the Enemy who are much stronger than we are. Surely they can deliver the power without even having to sacrifice themselves!"

"Because the power comes from the bond between a Human and their Partner," Azulongmon explained solemnly, "No other Digimon in this World has a connection like you and Dobermon. Only your bond will be able to hold the power to Biomerge so that it can be brought to the Tamers."

Alice could feel the panic rising. She wanted to find alternative solutions but couldn't think of any other way they could get out of this. "What about if we Biomerge instead? Then, m-maybe we can cross over and give up that ability to the others?"

"The Tamers were only able to merge because of a device that was given to them, something which not even we can create by ourselves." Baihumon responded.

"THEN SEND ME!" Alice shouted at the Sovereigns. Though they towered over her she was desperately trying to save her best friend from losing his life. No matter how gigantic they were she was going to fight as hard as she could for him. "Give me something, anything that will let me take this power over to the other side. Dobermon doesn't have to come if I can cross over."

"You will not survive the crossing," Azulongmon replied, and with that Alice turned quiet, shocked by what he said. The Winged Dragon sighed heavily before continuing, "The reason we were able to summon you is because you were already in the Digital World, existing in the space between the Planes of the World. We were healing you while you remained in a dreamless sleep."

"W-what…what do you mean?" Alice stuttered out. "Why was I being healed? Why don't I remember being sick?"

"You were being healed at someone's request. However, when I sensed this threat appear on Baihumon's borders, we brought you out prematurely so that we could discover a way to interact with humans. As a result some of your memories may still be left behind in the Void between planes."

"S-so you put me and Dobermon together, all this time, so you can sacrifice him when the time comes?" Alice could feel her pain and anger rising, "Were we just your pawns to play with and raised for slaughter?!"

"That was never the case," Zhuqiaomon retorted, "The power to merge with Digimon only became known to us when those humans came to this world. The other Sovereigns believed we could work with your kind but how was not discovered until they arrived here."

Alice couldn't take this anymore. She looked at all the Sovereigns; at this moment they were all traitors in her eyes. They had all betrayed her.

"There has to be another way…this can't be it…NO!" Alice turned and ran away, trying to escape this destiny that was unjustly thrust upon her and her Partner. The four Digimon Sovereigns all made a move, but Dobermon stepped forward.

"Let me speak with her." And with that he turned and ran after the blonde girl. It didn't take long before he found her, picking herself up from the floor after tripping just moments before. Alice turned to look at her best friend and couldn't hold it in anymore; her tears fell as she reached out and wrapped her arms around Dobermon, holding him tightly. She felt the world melt away as she returned to her little corner, where only she and Dobermon existed.

"I'm so sorry," Alice cried, "I'm so very sorry, it's all my fault. If you had never met me, you would have survived. You could have lived a full life, somewhere that didn't involve fighting, where you could have sat and relaxed to your heart's content."

"Alice, do you remember when we went to the Palmon gardens?" Alice was surprised by the question, and took a moment to wipe her eyes before replying.

"Of course I do. We spent the entire time there playing with the Tanemon."

"Or how about when we went to the Gomamon Isles?"

In spite of herself Alice still managed a small chuckle, "Definitely. That was when you tried to swim, but had to be saved by the school of Gomamon's fish. We kept going before you could finally paddle on your own."

"And what about the village with all the young Digimon? The first area we went to?"

Alice allowed herself a small smile. "I could never forget that. That was the place you said my name for the first time, your first words! You were so small then I could cradle you in my arms."

"And I still remember what that feels like, to be embraced like that." Dobermon spoke calmly to her. Alice let him back up so they could see each other eye to eye. "If I had never met you I wouldn't have these memories. Yes, our time was short, far shorter than it should have been; but every moment was full of life and laughter. Alice, you gave me something to fight for; I will always treasure these memories, these instances where it was just the two of us, until my final moment."

Dobermon tilted his head and she looked with him, onto the horizon. "Out there is an Enemy that cannot be stopped without my help," Dobermon turned back towards her, "I wish to help save these worlds, so that you may grow up in a place without fear, where you can share your love with others just like I've felt." Alice placed her forehead on his. She could feel everything, and they were truly connected in a way only a human and her Digimon could know.

"Just promise me this," Dobermon spoke peacefully, "Promise that you will not dwell on me. You must live on, and live to the fullest. There will be a period of mourning, but soon that sadness will be replaced with all the memories we share."

Fresh tears traced Alice's cheeks, but she nodded, "Okay."

After they approached the Digimon Sovereigns Alice took a step forward to address them.

"I just have one request. Grant me the chance to be with him till the end. When the time comes and we meet the Tamers I want to be by his side."

Azulongmon pondered for a moment. "We can grant you a temporary body," he replied, "but the moment Dobermon gives up his data, you will begin to fade and return to the Digital World."

Alice nodded, before turning to her Partner, looking straight into his deep red eyes. "This is it Dobermon. One last trip together…"

Present Day, Digital World

"…After that the Sovereigns gave us the power to Biomerge, and we set off to the Human World. A couple of days later we found the Tamers, and Dobermon and I said our goodbyes." Alice smiled slightly, "I always knew he was special, that he was destined for big things. I'm just happy that the Worlds are a better place, I'm sure he would have loved it here."

She felt something soft collapse onto her and wrap around her. As Alice looked down she spotted the four ears and a single large hair as Lunamon looked up to her, eyes bawling out and hugging her tightly.

"I-I'm s-sorry," Lunamon sobbed, "I d-didn't realise your story was so t-t-tragic. A-and you had to relive it j-just for me. I d-didn't mean to make you c-cry!"

Alice raised her hands to her cheek to find them wet. She didn't realise tears fell while she was telling Dobermon's story to Lunamon.

Live to the fullest, Alice remembered. She could feel herself warm up as she returned the hug.

"Don't worry," she said reassuringly to the pink bunny Digimon, "I needed to talk about it for a while now. Thank you for letting me share with you, I'm sure Dobermon would have loved to meet you." Lunamon still sobbed gently, but was at least putting up a brighter smile. "I think I'm feeling a bit tired, could we head back?"

"No problem, let me just pack up the picnic and th-" Suddenly Lunamon stood up straight, as if on high alert.

"What's wrong?" Alice said, concerned by the look of concentration Lunamon had on her face.

"I can hear something, approaching our hill." The Digimon started running off down the side. "You wait here, Alice. I'll go ahead and see what's coming towards us."

The blonde-haired girl didn't want her to go on her own, but before she even made a few steps after Lunamon she saw the pink bunny running scared right towards her.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Lunamon cried out, before standing in front of Alice and spreading her arms out as if to shield her. "Alice stay back! There's some weird Digimon hurrying towards us! It might attack with who-knows-what power!"

"…would you just give me a minute, I was only asking you where I am!"

As the owner of the voice came into view Alice stared in disbelief. When he reached her and Lunamon's position he opened his mouth to speak but also fell dumb with shock.

This was not a Digimon at all. This was a human wearing pajamas with blue hair. And Alice was sure she met him three years earlier.

A/N: This was probably the hardest chapter to write so far, just because I was trying to find the right words to show Alice and Dobermon's relationship in those two instances, and I don't think I'm great at conveying emotions. I hope I did their friendship at least some justice.

Konoka Oba was based off of Konoka Konoe from the Negima! series. During the show she was almost always seen smiling, and I wanted someone with that sunshine quality in my story. I would recommend both versions of the anime, but for a more comedy-centred outing I would suggest the 2006 version.

see you next time!