The Digital Record, A Not So Short Story: The Meridian Years

By: Atsora Asayoma

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of their characters, but I feel like I can communicate better with them than with even real people.

Chapter One: Reunion

The wind lapped against her leg as Hikari stood near the front of the hill preparing herself. Her short hair flowed with the wind; her eyes were nervous yet determined. She would not waiver. For today was a day she thought would never arrive.

Her brother approached next to her rubbing her hair.

"Hey, come on, sis," he said. "The others are waiting for us."

"The others are here, already?" she asked.

"Yeah. We all got the message. Looks like we're the last ones to show up."

"Does that mean…" she asked, swallowing. "That Yamatosan and...Takeru-kun are there to?"

"Of course," he said patting her back. "Now come on, stop spacing out and get moving. Gennais' got some big news!"

Hikari followed her brother at last arriving to a large tree; the Digidestined sitting in the shade.

"Taichi!" Sora yelled waving as they approached.

"Look who finally decided to show up!" Yamato teased.

"Hey, good to see you everybody!" Taichi grinned, Hikari following in his shadow.

A holograph of Gennai appeared around the tree, all of the Digidestined expectantly watching him.

"I'll just be a few minutes kids," he said mumbling to himself. "We got some technical issues on this side."

"Of course," Koushiro said. "Do you need any assistance Gennai?"

"Naw, I got it. Why don't you catch up with the others? The lag is terrible out here."

"Yeah, come socialize with us," Mimi winked.

"But I really don't have anything interesting to talk about? Though, I could ask if you've seen the news or-"

"-Why don't you all take a look at the newest fashion magazine?" Mimi said. "I bet I would look pretty cute in that outfit, right?"

Sora smiled wryly. "Mimi, you could just ask if your outfit is cute. It's the exact same one."

"I'll be," Joe said tilting his glasses. "I must be studying too much lately. I can't tell a dress from a dresser."

"If that's your attempt at a pun it's pretty bad," Mimi twitched.

"Anyways, what's been up with all of you?" Yamato asked leaning against the tree.

"That's what I want to know," Mimi said grabbing Sora's arm.

"Mimi?" Koushirou said curiously.

"Sorry, girl talk," she said whisking Sora behind the tree.

"Tsch, girls," Taichi sighed. "Hope they're not talking bad about me."

"I don't think they're talking about you at all," Hikari smiled.

His brow twitched severely. "Gee, thanks, Hikari."

She glanced around having had enough teasing her brother, but the only other Digidestined supposed to be there was nowhere in sight.

"Taichi?" she said pulling on his sleeve.

"Hmm?

He bent down to her as she whispered int his ear.

"Why don't you just ask him yourself?"

She went behind his leg shaking her head.

Taichi sighed out heavily. "Fine," he said walking towards Yamato, Hikari doing her best to match up with his footsteps so she was still behind him.

"Hey," he growled, Hikari accidentally stepping on his foot.

"Sorry," she interjected between a footstep.

The two of them were a lot closer now, but even still Hikari did not see him.

"Hmm?" Yamato said curiously behind Taichi's pant leg at obviously Hikari.

"Hey, Yamato, what's up?" he said.

"Not much. Looks like your sister is being shyer than ever."

"I know right?" he grinned annoyed. "Anyways, where is your kid brother? I haven't seen him."

Yamato shook his head pointing behind the tree.

"Yeah? Thanks," he said, Hikari glancing up at his eyes from overhead.

"He says Takeru's behind the tree."

"Can you ask him why he is he behind the tree?"

Taichi groaned glancing at Yamato who seemed to be having no idea what he was so frazzled over and back at Hikari.

"I don't know," he growled. "Why don't you go see for yourself," he said just as Sora called over to him and Yamato, both of them heading over.

Hikari, no longer in Taichi's shadow took a slight breath. Her knees started shaking slightly. She scolded herself telling herself to calm down quietly.

Sure, she had not seen Takeru in awhile, but, for her to act like this was just silly.

She encouraged herself remembering the last conversation they had. Maybe he had even started the scrapbook he had always talked about? Excitedly she walked behind the tree, Takeru's back staring down as if thinking about something.

It had not been too long, but he certainly had grown a bit taller-maybe even passed Hikari's height. His warm blue eyes seemed focused, but reserved. He didn't seem sad or angry, but not happy either. He seemed lost in thought, focused, Hikari ever the more curious about what he was thinking.

She placed both hands behind her back and walked forward, bending down to him. Her mouth went dry, but she was sure she could greet him.

"H-hey there," she smiled, Takeru glancing up a bit surprised.

A big grin spread across his face as he smiled back to her more than pleasant. "Hey, Hikarichan!" he beamed. "It's been awhile hasn't it? How are you?"

Hikari felt her throat tighten slightly not wanting to answer the question, but she couldn't just leave him hanging like that.

"I've been good," she said. "How about you? Have you been working on your scrapbook?"

"Yeah," he said digging into his pocket and pulling out a piece of paper.

"It's just an outline," he said opening it up for her to see, "But it's coming together."

"Wonderful!" she said staring down, Takeru glancing away slightly.

Hikari glanced to the side, the eyes of both Mimi and Sora watching them adoring them for whatever reason.

"It's too bad we don't have a chance to play," he said. "If it wasn't for Gennai we could play around like we used to. Do you have any idea why we're here?"

"No idea, but it must be important," Hikari agreed.

She felt her heart where her crest used to hang from her neck. "I have a feeling it might something have to do with our crests," she noticed. "The message he told us said something about bringing them with us."

"Gennai's always been funny," Takeru said. "He should know they were destroyed, but they were really in our hearts all this time, so how could we forget them?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "But, it's kind of odd not using our crests. It feels like just yesterday since I saw Tailmon."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Takeru agreed smiling cheerfully. "When I go to my stash of snacks after its time to go to bed I don't notice a huge chunk of them are missing. But, I miss him so much," he said gripping his fist. "I can't wait to see Patamon again."

Hikari nodded her head smiling. "Me to."

Just then the sound of Sora and Mimi's voices filled the air.

"Takeru-kun! Hikarichan! Sora brought sandwiches!" Mimi shouted.

"Come on over and have some before your brothers eat them!"

"What? Really?" Takeru said immediately starting to move.

"Come on Takeru-kun," Hikari said running beside him. "I know my brother. He's gotten so used to scarfing food down just so Agumon couldn't eat his portion."

"Got it," Takeru said hurrying. "Hey, sit with me?" he asked, Hikari turning towards him with a smile.

"Of course. Who knows how much time we'll have together before we have to leave?"

They went back to the others everyone sitting down having made themselves comfortable.

Everyone had a cup of tea and a sandwich, everyone enjoying them.

They eagerly grabbed a sandwich from Sora and sat down as Gennai greeted them all a second time.

"Greetings," he said with his toothy grin. "You're probably wondering why I gathered you all here."

"Is the Digital World in trouble?" Taichi asked.

"Nope," he said shutting him down.

"Is there a new virus variant?" Koushiro said concerned.

"Nuh uh."

"Then is the earth in danger?" Sora asked, Gennai suddenly losing it.

"Confound it! No! Now let me say my piece before I blow a black gear or something!" he said all riled up.

"Sorry," Yamato said on behalf of them.

"You can go ahead and start whenever your ready," Hikari encouraged.

"Yeah, we can't wait to hear about it," Takeru added.

Gennai coughed into his fist having calmed himself.

"Now where was I? Oh yes," he said explaining himself, "I told you before how your powers would be needed to protect the Digital World. All of you have performed admirably. Your hearts have not only used the crests, but they have strengthened them to a point where you were able to defeat all of Homeostasis's enemies."

"Yeah, we know about that already," Koushirou said. "But what does that have to do with-"

"-I was just getting to that," Gennai said annoyed.

"Ya see kids, with all of the bad guys gone the Digital World is safe for now. How long? Well, we don't know, but in order to safeguard the Digital World and the Earth and any other worlds from having access to each to each other we've got to return the power of the crests to the Digimon Sovereign to restore their power, and so with their abilities they will seal the four quadrants of the Digital World making sure nothing can come into this world or out of it. You might think of it as fixing a link the plumbing, heh," he chuckled.

Hikari did not find it funny.

"Of course, that means you won't be able to see your Digimon. Maybe never again," he said, Hikari staring down sadly.

"Hey," Takeru said immediately placing a hand on her shoulder. "Cheer up. I know we'll see them again one day."

She sighed a bit down. His words helped, but reality she felt even more depressing. "What makes you so sure?" she asked.

"Because Hikari, I have hope!" he grinned.

"Huh?"

"And you have light!" he added more chipper than ever.

"That's it?"

"Well," he said scratching his cheek. "It means you and I make a really good team! Just like last time! And I'm sure one day the Digital World will need us again. In fact, I know it!"

A warm smile crossed her face as her face felt flushed. Yes, there it was again. Takeru, even though she had not seen him in quite some time still emitted hope and cheerfulness. Even after all they went through together he was still the same boy she had idolized in her heart.

"AHEM!" Gennai said clearing his throat glaring at the two of them.

Everyone looked at them no one able to keep a straight face or even be angry they interrupted.

They glanced at each other with a smile, and remained quiet as he continued.

"Before you went off like that, I was going to say should the Digital World ever require your services again I'll be sending you a message. Or their will be a world calamity or something," he said as if unsure.

"Well, just make sure to alert us before something happens," Joe said. "Especially if their will be a tsunami or mega earthquake or something."

"Sorry, no promises," he smirked. "But, we're getting short on time. Everyone concentrate on your crest in your heart and keep your eyes closed," he said. "Especially you young one," he said looking directly at Hikari.

The comment seemed strange, but she glanced at Takeru nodding his head and followed suite.

Her heart beated gently as she concentrated, a warm feeling washing over her as if bathing in light.

Somewhere within herself, possibly in her mind or her heart a voice spoke to her. "Hikari," the voice said.

"Yes?" she said in her mind responding.

"It is time I take control once more. Only I can use all of your crests to seal the Digital World."

"I understand," she said. "But please, if there is at all a chance one day can we see our Digimon again?"

"That," she responded, "Depends on many factors. But the Digital World Seal will not hold forever. The power of the crests will wane over time as you are all the sources of them. Especially as you grow older and experience trials in your lives the seal could eventually become undone. There might even be a new enemy. We'll just have to wait and see."

"Mhm," Hikari agreed cheerfully. "We'll be ready."

"In that case," Homeostasis said, "I will now take over.""

Hikari felt a powerful force fit over her like a glove and gave way to the amazing being.