Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Izumi no Hikari ❯ Final Battle ( Chapter 11 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: WannabeKoushiro 
It's the moment you've all been waiting for...The chapter title says it all. Epilogue written by Izumi Hikari. ;)
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.05.2003 | Pages: 8 | Words: 4.6K | Visits: 482 | Status: Completed
It's the moment you've all been waiting for...The chapter title says it all. Epilogue written by Izumi Hikari. ;)
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.05.2003 | Pages: 8 | Words: 4.6K | Visits: 482 | Status: Completed
Izumi no Hikari
Chapter 11 - Final Battle
by WannabeKoushiro
Author's note: Yay!!! This is the final chapter! Thanks for reading everyone.
This certainly was an epic, wasn't it? I know, there are other stories that are
longer, and more complex, but this was pretty complex as it was, for me, anyway.
Let's see...I think you'll get my abbreviations after a bit, so I'm not going to
explain that. Oh, I had Koushiro swear for some reason, but this is already
rated NC-17, so I don't care. I think it was kinda appropriate at the moment.
"Itoshii imotochan" should mean 'dear sister'. *crosses fingers, hopes that
right* You should know what song I quoted in the story, as the whole chorus is
right below. :) Be happy you won't be hearing any more random Japanese from
me(for a while). Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"And then,
we'll be reborn anew,
and be able to forgive,
so let's jump together
to the other side of the image" -
Version Up! - Koushiro's 01 Theme
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Nika! Wake up! Please!" I begged of her as she lied motionless in my arms.
"Mom's going to kill me if you're hurt." I moaned. Above us in the sky, Izzy and
HerculesKabuterimon continued their mortal combat.
Nika's eyes opened, and just looked scary. She looked around, slightly confused,
then focused in on me. And started hitting me. "Nika, quit it! It's me! Your
brother!" I cried as I defended myself. She could hit awfully hard for only
being nine years old. And I was afraid to hit back for fear of hurting her, not
to mention that I didn't really believe that violence was the answer.
"Ha!" Nika laughed. "That's a laugh." She said as she kept trying to struggle
away from me. Somehow, I just knew that if I let her go that all would be lost.
I looked up and saw Izzy struggling in Herc's claws, almost in the same way Nika
was struggling in my arms. And then it hit me. I let go of Nika.
"Herc, let her go." I told my partner quietly.
"It's about time, you big, ugly bug!" I heard Izzy say as she flew back away
from him.
"Care to remember what you are?" He retorted as he tried to get a swing in as
she flew past him.
"Nika, please, you can't let her control you!" I told her, hoping she'd regain
her senses.
"And why can't I, brother?" She asked with heavy sarcasm added in the word
'brother.' I winced. It was my own fault, and I knew it. I was also aware that
we were at a stand-off. "And how do you know what's going on?"
I didn't have the time to answer as one of the digimon fired off an attack. I
was hoping that maybe they wouldn't, but I should have known better.
"Fire Tornado!" Was heard before a flaming whirlwind headed for who-knows-what.
I don't know if it was aimed at me, Herc, or if she just did it for the
destruction it could cause.
"Mega Electro-Shocker!" Was the answer to her attack. Which didn't really help
matters any.
"Herc! Stop attacking! We don't want to cause any more damage than what's
already been done!" I told him, looking around and seeing a scorched landscape
and cracks in the stone of the once beautiful fountain. I glared at Nika. She
just smiled at me.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Nika asked. "The destruction, I mean."
"Nika, that's not you talking, and I know it. You're in there somewhere, Hikari
Izumi, and I intend to find you." I told her.
"Oh, it's definitely me talking." She sneered. "As for you, you don't
belong...you stole our fate!"
At that, the only thing I could think was 'what the fuck??!' "I'm not going to
ask, but I think you're wrong. Fate is fate...It doesn't matter what's happened
in the past, for it won't affect the future, Hikari. Why are you doing this?" I
asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Nika asked rhetorically. "You've been in the way. You were
right that Izzy was trying to kill you. Because I wanted her to."
Because Nika wanted her to?! This was just getting more and more confusing. "You
see, I knew a long time ago you were hiding something from me. It wasn't that
surprising when you finally admitted it." Nika continued on. "And for telling
the truth, you shall pay." A fire flashed in her eyes that could not have been
natural. "As for 'Herc,' well...He was just an obstacle to overcome." She said.
"Nika, you are seriously beginning to piss me off." At the moment, I didn't care
what kind of language I was using, she really was pissing me off. I've never
been so ticked at anyone, not even at Tai when he hit me the first time we were
in the Digital World.
"Not my intention, but what will it matter when you're dead?" She asked.
I was seriously scared. She wouldn't...would she? I really don't want to find
out the answer to that question, though. "Nika-chan, you don't mean that...What
about your nephew? Or have you forgotten that I have my own family?" I asked, on
the verge of tears. I sank to my knees in despair, desperately trying to figure
out how to stop them.
"Dear little Ikiru still has Taichi..." Nika said, trying to tower over me,
but...well, she was little girl, and I was a grown man.
"Hikari, wake up!" I told her. "You don't mean half the things you've said!
Don't make me do something that I'll regret later."
"Oh, but dear Koushiro, you won't have the time for regrets..." Nika trailed
off.
"You wanna bet..." I said, and then I did something that surprised even myself.
I slapped Nika. Hard. My little sister...the only sibling that I knew...the one
person I promised myself that I would never hurt in any way...and I broke that
promise over five years ago, I realized. "Why...?" I trailed off as I sat down,
and started crying. I broke a promise to myself, and those are always the worst.
And then I realized something...the prophecy had come to pass.
I looked up. Aside from the destruction the digimon had caused, I saw Izzy lying
on the ground, curled around the fountain, with her head near Nika and cuts and
bruises all over. Why hasn't she de-digivolved? She surely can't stay at the
mega level for much longer in that condition.
And then I focused in on Nika... itoshii imotochan... I've failed you... I don't
deserve to be your brother.
I didn't have much time for the self-pity though. Herc landed beside me, and
stared at what had just been our advesaries.
"Do you think they're back to normal?" I asked my partner.
"Possibly." He answered, as Nika stirred. I ran over to her, being cautious in
case she wasn't back to normal.
"Koushiro?" Nika asked, sounding very confused.
I smiled sadly. "It's me, Nika-chan." I answered. "Hikari?" I asked, using her
real name. She scowled as I called her that. Now I knew it was her. "You realize
that the prophecy has come to pass." I told her.
"No, it hasn't." Nika answered. "I seem to remember something about 'ghosts of
youth.' And, well, I don't get it..." I smiled. I think I knew what it was. Nika
turned around and saw Izzy. "Oh, my goodness! Izzy!!" The large dragon opened
its eyes slowly. I froze, afraid that they would have that weird merge thing
going again.
"I...I'm sorry..." Izzy rasped.
"For what?" Nika asked.
"Jealousy makes you do strange things, and I'm sorry I dragged you into it,
Nika." Then Izzy turned her gaze to me. "I must also apologize to you, Koushiro.
Sometimes, fate isn't always what is planned, either." I could tell she was
trying to smile.
I looked down. I didn't know if I could forgive her...I mean, she did try to
kill me quite a few times.
"'And then, we'll be reborn anew, and be able to forgive...'" I quoted softly,
remebering. "I forgive you, Izzy." I said, walking up to the dragon, and
stroking her face. I looked at Nika, who just looked worried. "Rest now." I
advised her. She nodded and laid her head down. And finally reverted back to her
in-training stage. The little purple motimon was still asleep. Nika picked up
her partner.
"I guess she couldn't revert until she knew she was forgiven..." Nika said,
tears in her eyes.
"Nika...I'm sorry...for everything." I told her. "I'd understand if you never
wanted to speak to me again."
Nika looked at me shocked. "Why would I never want to speak to you again? You
did what you had to..." She said, rubbing her cheek with her free hand.
"Yes... but... I've failed you, and, well...I broke my promise." I said.
"Umm...What promise?" Nika asked.
"Back when you were a baby, I promised that I would never do anything to hurt
you in any way... and I failed... I broke that promise years ago, by keeping the
truth from you." I admitted. "And I broke it again today."
"I don't care. I know you care about me, and love me...that's all I need. And if
it wasn't because you cared about me then you wouldn't have done what you did."
Nika said.
"You're wise beyond your years, Nika-chan." I told her, smiling a bit. Our
moment over, Herc landed near us.
"It's over, isn't it?" He asked. I nodded.
"It is, my friend." I answered out loud.
"Good." He said, and reverted back to his in-training form. "I hope I never have
to do that again!" The little motimon said. I smiled as I picked him up. "I
think I'm going to take a nap." I smiled as he closed his eyes and fell into a
deep sleep in my arms.
"The battle must have taken a lot out of them...and, Nika-chan...Here's your
'ghosts of youth.'" I told her, smiling. It was referring to the motimon.
"I guess they do kinda look like ghosts..." Nika then took a good look around
and groaned after surveying the damage. "It's...awful..."
I sighed. "You're aware of your new responsibility?" I asked. This was her
domain now...
"I wreck the very thing I was supposed to protect..." Nika moaned. "I don't
deserve to be the guardian..."
"Nika, we all make mistakes. It takes courage to correct them, sometimes. And it
takes a lot of wisdom to recognize that you made the mistake in the first
place." I told her. "I'll help with the rebuilding...some of the damage was
caused by Herc, you know." I smiled. I wonder if he'd mind if I kept calling him
that?
Nika giggled. "Thank you...niisan." I smiled.
"You're welcome...imotochan. Now, let's go find Kari and Tai, and go home. I
think we've had enough excitement for the day."
"I couldn't agree more..." Motimon said from my arms.
"I thought you were asleep..." I said, confused.
"I am." He answered. I just sighed. Nika giggled.
"Nika? Do you think I could bring Tai here sometime? After we fix it up, of
course." I asked.
"I don't see why not..." She answered, scratching Izzy's head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ow! Whoever's got their hand where it doesn't belong better move it before they
get hurt!" and other various threats were uttered as we landed in a dog pile in
Nika's room.
We finally got ourselves sorted out, and dusted off.
"What happened?" Tai whispered in my ear.
"I'll tell you later." I answered him.
"Mama!!" Hana cried as she saw Kari. I smiled as she latched on to her mother.
"Where's 'Grandma'?" I asked Hana. She held up a cookie and pointed towards the
kitchen. 'Figures,' I thought to myself. "Shall we?" I asked, and over-gestured
towards the door.
"Mom!" Nika cried and latched on our mother. I just smiled.
"Hi, Mom." I said, not quite as enthusastic as Nika.
"I didn't think you'd be back so soon!" She told us, as she handed Ikiru to me.
"Hardly a peep out of him." She told me.
"Doesn't surprise me a bit." I answered.
"Can I hold him for a bit?" Nika asked. I nodded and handed her nephew down to
her.
"We need to be going." Kari said. "Thanks for watching Hana." She said as they
left. Tai whispered something in my ear while she was leaving. I nodded.
"Mom?" I started. "Would you mind if Ikiru stayed all night?"
She nodded. She probably understood exactly how we felt. "That's fine."
"Arigato." I told her, giving her a quick hug. "You're best mom ever."
"Awww...Koushiro's gonna make Mom cry!" Nika teased from the couch.
"Shut up, Nika-chan."
"Are you leaving Motimon here, too?" Nika asked.
"Of course...I don't think anything's going to wake him up for a while. He and
Izzy have earned their rest, don't you think?" Nika nodded in agreement.
"Well, since we have the rest of the day to ourselves, let's go and make the
most of it." Tai grinned at me, wrapping his arm around my waist. I smiled and
leaned into him.
"Whatever you say, dear." I teasingly answered.
"Gag me..." Nika said.
"If you really want me to..." I threatened.
"Ugh...you guys are fighting like...like..." Mom trailed off, unable to think of
anything.
"A brother and sister?" Tai asked, grinning.
"Exactly." She answered him. I just shook my head and pushed Tai towards the
door.
"Thanks again, Mom." I told her as Tai and I walked out the door. "See you
tomorrow."
"Thank you sooo much for agreeing with this." Tai told me as we walked home.
"Did you think I wouldn't?" I asked. I could definitely use some time alone with
him. "You're just lucky that Mom loves her grandson that much." I teased.
"No, I'm lucky enough to have fallen in love with you." He answered the teasing,
making me blush. "I love it when you do that." That made me blush even more. Tai
laughed. "Hmm...I wonder which is more red...your face or your hair..." Even I
had to smile at that.
"You're embarrassing me, hon." I said, even though it was a bit late for that.
"Why did you think I was doing it?" Tai grinned, then bolted towards home.
"Taichi!!" I protested. I didn't care. I just kept walking at my slower pace. We
met up outside the door. "Did you think I was going to be mad at you or
something?" I asked.
"Of course not." Tai answered, stealing a quick kiss. "I'm just excited." He
grinned at me.
"In more ways than one, I'm assuming?" I questioned, having half a clue what he
was implying. Tai nodded. "No wonder you didn't want the kid around." Now it
Tai's turn to have his face turn an interesting shade of red.
"Well..." He started and trailed off.
"Shush, love." I told him, and opened the door. "Weren't we trying to do this
earlier? Shall we pick up where we left off?" I asked. Tai grinned and grabbed
my hand and led me to the bedroom.
"Now, where exactly were we?" Tai asked, grinning.
"I believe I was here, and doing this." I said as I laid down, and pulled Tai
down on top of me, drawing him into a kiss. He paused for a moment.
"Hmm... This does seem a bit familiar." He said. I laughed at that.
"Shut up and kiss me, Tai-chan." I told him.
I don't remember falling asleep last night, but I do know I sure felt better. I
don't think I've sleep like that since before Ikiru was born. I awoke to smell
breakfast. "mmmm..."
"Morning, Koko." Tai said, grinning. I groaned at the use of that nickname. It
was cute, but...
"Good morning, Tai-chan." I said, grinning back at him. "It was great not having
the kid around, huh?"
"Yeah, but...It just seems too quiet, you know?" I nodded in agreement.
"Well, that'll be solved in a few hours, I suppose. I doubt my parents want him
for more than just tonight." I smiled. "I wonder how the twins are..." I trailed
off.
"The twins?!" Tai repeated after me.
"Izzy and Motimon." I explained. "I kinda started thinking of them like that, I
guess."
"I guess I can't blame you." Tai said. "Well, are you going to get up and eat
with me? Or are you going to stay in bed all day?" He asked.
"Hmm...That sounds good to me." I said as I sank back under the covers which Tai
promptly tore off.
"Don't think so, hon." He smirked.
"Darn." I said, smiling. I sat up and gave him a quick kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too. Now, get out of bed." Tai said.
"Yes, master." I said sarcastically.
Breakfast was uneventful, as was the walk to my parent's place. The weather was
cool. It was mid November and everyone was just waiting for the first snowfall.
Nika was hoping for a big snowstorm on her birthday.
"Hey, guys." Nika greeted us.
"What's wrong, Nika?" I asked. She seemed a bit down.
"Them." She said, pointing towards her room. "I'm worried. They turned down
food!" She said.
"They'll be fine, I'm sure." I told her, even though that worried me too.
In-trainings, and especially motimon, were infamous for their appetites.
"I hope so..." Nika said, trailing off. "I'm going back to bed...I have such a
headache." With that she head back towards her room.
"Tai, I'm going to talk to her." I told him. "Go ahead and check on Ikiru,
'kay?" Tai nodded.
"Nika?" I called as I knocked on her door.
"Go away!" She called.
"Nika, let me in, please." I asked.
"What?" I took that as an okay and walked in.
"What happened yesterday?" I asked.
Nika looked confused. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"You...you seemed possessed. I don't know how, but I know Izzy was in your head
yesterday. Someone else was too, but I didn't know who it was." I told her.
Nika looked more confused, if that was possible. "You mean I have a bunch of
voices in my head?" I grinned.
"Sort of, I guess." I answered. "I know, not something you probably wanted to
hear."
"Not really." She answered. "Well, that probably explains my headache." She
said.
"Yeah, it probably does." My thought turned to our friends that were sitting on
the bed. "They won't eat?" Nika shook her head.
"And you know how much they love Mom's cooking too!" She said.
I poked at Motimon. "Quit that..." He moaned.
"Wake up." I told him.
"Koushiro!!" He was closer to being his normal self when he realized it was me.
"Aren't you hungry? I mean, that was some fight yesterday." He shook his head
no. I raised my eyebrow. I shrugged. "Well, you can come home with us. You were
so tired, I didn't want you to be disturbed." It was half the truth and half a
lie. I picked him up. I grinned. When we first met, he was about half as tall as
me...Now I tower over the poor little thing. He barely comes up to my knee.
"You'll be back to normal before you know it." Motimon just nodded. I glanced at
Nika, who just shrugged.
"Izzy's not eating either. She's kind of out of it too..." Nika said, worried.
"Well, we're going home. Call me if she doesn't eat something in about two days,
okay?" Nika nodded. "Don't try to make her eat either, and if mom does, just
tell her to lay off. Actually, I'll tell her not to worry about it before I go."
"Alright." Nika said as she laid back down in bed. I smiled at her.
"Hope your headache goes away, but with half of it lying right next to you..." I
trailed off, grinning. I shut the door quickly and heard a quiet thud behind the
door indicating that she had thrown a pillow at me about a second too late. I
smiled to myself. "Nika-chan, you should know better..." I said quietly as I
walked out to see Mom and Tai playing with the baby.
Mom looked at me questioningly. "She'll be fine." Really, I didn't know if I was
referring to Nika, Izzy, or both of them. I sighed. "I think every thing will be
back to normal..." I trailed off.
"Whatever that is for us." Tai grinned. "We've had adult digimon try to kill
you, you pregnant, what else...?" He said as he tried to remember other things.
"Who knows. I'm just glad it's over." I said as I sat down next to Tai, who
handed me the baby. "At least, for us." I said, as I looked into Ikiru's eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 Years Later ~ Epilogue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Nika's POV*
It's been five years since the epic battle between the dragon and the insect.
Who knew it was my Izzy and Tentomon that were in the legend? I certainly
didn't. It was not quite a week until they both recovered, both physically and
mentally. Well, the mental part took a bit longer. After Izzy recovered, she and
I went back to repair the damage we had done. While we were working, Azulongmon
appeared to us one day, and explained exactly what our duty was. Apparently,
we're the guardians, and that's why I had a somewhat special mega level digimon.
The digiworld just thought it was funny that both Koushiro and I have tentomons
for partners. At least, that's what I think. I never did find out what her
ultimate was though.
Oh, speaking of Koushiro, he and Tai have added to their family again recently.
Ikiru is now six, and still a cutie. Of course, Koushiro and Tai do to me what
they once did to Kari. It's okay though, I usually end up babysitting for both
Hana and Ikiru and his sis. Their recent addition to the family was a little
girl they adopted a couple of years ago. She was two then, so she's not quite
five yet. Her name is Kaori. I must say, Mom loves her grandchildren. Not that's
she's forgotten about her own children. It's just that there are so many kids in
her life now.
Me? I'm 14 now, and Izzy and I have finally finished our job of repairing the
object of our guardianship. I laugh every time I think of it...How was it that I
ended up being named the same as it? At least I'll never forget, right? I also
get laughed at by my brother because the junior high school hasn't changed their
uniforms in 10 years...Yes, I have to wear an ugly green dress everyday. I
wonder if my packrat of a brother kept his somewhere...At least I wouldn't be
wearing a dress! I swear, I think the skirt is just a bit too short. I've also
come to appreciate computers a bit more, but not in the way my brother did when
he was my age. Oh! I'm gonna be late!
"I'm here guys!" I said as I ran into our apartment.
"It's about time, Nika-chan." Tai said, teasing me.
"You know, I don't have to do this." I retorted to my 'brother-in-law', (and I
use that term loosely). Koushiro looked at me, like he was hurt. I just smiled.
"Come on, Aunt Nika, we want to see it!" Ikiru said, jumping around a bit. He
was really hyper, but what do you expect from a six year old? Kaori wasn't as
hyper as her brother, but I could tell she was excited. She is really quite shy,
even around her family. I think she feels that she's a bit different, but tries
to take it in stride. It must be hard for her though. Especially when she's the
only girl in a houseful of men...
"Alright, already." I said, smiling. "Where's Izzy?" I ask.
"Right here." She answers as she buzzes up behind me and lands on my head.
"Everyone ready, then?" I ask the rest of the group. They nod in answer. I
opened the gate, and we were brought into the digiworld.
I heard gasps of amazement and awe from everyone. I felt a tugging by my side.
I looked down to see Kaori. She smiled up at me. "Aunt Nika? It's beautiful."
She told me. I bent down to pick her up.
"It is." I agreed with her. I walked over to stand beside my brother. I handed
his daughter to him. I smiled quickly. "I think I have enough witnesses, don't
you? There's you and Tai, and the kids, not to mention all our 'mons." I forgot
to mention the kid's 'mons. Ikiru has this wierd thing that is basically a
motimon with koromon ears. We've come to call it Kotimon. Kaori? She's
definitely one of the family. She has a plain ol' motimon for her partner. She's
come to call her 'Pinky.' Which we kinda thought was wierd, but then, I think
Koushiro thought I was wierd when I named my partner.
"You don't have to do this, you know." Koushiro told me quietly. "Besides,
you're going to get all wet."
I smiled. "I'm the Guardian. My will flows through it as does the light and the
water."
"That was deep, Hikari." He said. And for once, I didn't mind being called
Hikari.
"Come on, Izzy. There's something we need to do." I told her and started walking
away from the group. I think she knew what I was thinking because she evolved to
magnadramon again. I smiled. "No fighting this time, Izzy-chan."
"After all the work we did, you think I want to that again?" She said.
I had arrived at my destination. I climbed on to the top of the fountain. I knew
everyone was watching us, but I didn't care. Izzy wrapped her serpentine body
around it again like she had when she was almost mortally wounded.
"Since almost the beginning of time in the digiworld this fountain has existed.
It serves a special purpose, and must be guarded. I was not exactly prepared to
be chosen for this, nor did I know of these special powers of mine." My purpose
wasn't exactly to make a speech, but I had to get this out. "Now, I have a duty
to serve to the digiworld, something that my predecessor couldn't do, as she
perished in the real world before she could come here." I bowed my head for a
moment. "As such, her spirit has been reincarnated in me." That was explained to
me by a few people, and it made so much sense to me, after it was explained. I
brought my head back up. I had a look of determination in my eyes, and having a
great trust in my partner, something I hadn't felt for a long while, I took a
step off of my perch. I fell perfectly onto Izzy's back. "With this, are there
any who dare challenge me, Hikari Izumi, guardian of the Izumi no Hikari, the
Fountain of Light." I finished, saying it again in English. I issued that
challenge, knowing that no one would take me up on it. And it felt great,
knowing that from now on that I had a great responsibility that no one could
ever take from me.
The End!
Chapter 11 - Final Battle
by WannabeKoushiro
Author's note: Yay!!! This is the final chapter! Thanks for reading everyone.
This certainly was an epic, wasn't it? I know, there are other stories that are
longer, and more complex, but this was pretty complex as it was, for me, anyway.
Let's see...I think you'll get my abbreviations after a bit, so I'm not going to
explain that. Oh, I had Koushiro swear for some reason, but this is already
rated NC-17, so I don't care. I think it was kinda appropriate at the moment.
"Itoshii imotochan" should mean 'dear sister'. *crosses fingers, hopes that
right* You should know what song I quoted in the story, as the whole chorus is
right below. :) Be happy you won't be hearing any more random Japanese from
me(for a while). Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"And then,
we'll be reborn anew,
and be able to forgive,
so let's jump together
to the other side of the image" -
Version Up! - Koushiro's 01 Theme
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Nika! Wake up! Please!" I begged of her as she lied motionless in my arms.
"Mom's going to kill me if you're hurt." I moaned. Above us in the sky, Izzy and
HerculesKabuterimon continued their mortal combat.
Nika's eyes opened, and just looked scary. She looked around, slightly confused,
then focused in on me. And started hitting me. "Nika, quit it! It's me! Your
brother!" I cried as I defended myself. She could hit awfully hard for only
being nine years old. And I was afraid to hit back for fear of hurting her, not
to mention that I didn't really believe that violence was the answer.
"Ha!" Nika laughed. "That's a laugh." She said as she kept trying to struggle
away from me. Somehow, I just knew that if I let her go that all would be lost.
I looked up and saw Izzy struggling in Herc's claws, almost in the same way Nika
was struggling in my arms. And then it hit me. I let go of Nika.
"Herc, let her go." I told my partner quietly.
"It's about time, you big, ugly bug!" I heard Izzy say as she flew back away
from him.
"Care to remember what you are?" He retorted as he tried to get a swing in as
she flew past him.
"Nika, please, you can't let her control you!" I told her, hoping she'd regain
her senses.
"And why can't I, brother?" She asked with heavy sarcasm added in the word
'brother.' I winced. It was my own fault, and I knew it. I was also aware that
we were at a stand-off. "And how do you know what's going on?"
I didn't have the time to answer as one of the digimon fired off an attack. I
was hoping that maybe they wouldn't, but I should have known better.
"Fire Tornado!" Was heard before a flaming whirlwind headed for who-knows-what.
I don't know if it was aimed at me, Herc, or if she just did it for the
destruction it could cause.
"Mega Electro-Shocker!" Was the answer to her attack. Which didn't really help
matters any.
"Herc! Stop attacking! We don't want to cause any more damage than what's
already been done!" I told him, looking around and seeing a scorched landscape
and cracks in the stone of the once beautiful fountain. I glared at Nika. She
just smiled at me.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Nika asked. "The destruction, I mean."
"Nika, that's not you talking, and I know it. You're in there somewhere, Hikari
Izumi, and I intend to find you." I told her.
"Oh, it's definitely me talking." She sneered. "As for you, you don't
belong...you stole our fate!"
At that, the only thing I could think was 'what the fuck??!' "I'm not going to
ask, but I think you're wrong. Fate is fate...It doesn't matter what's happened
in the past, for it won't affect the future, Hikari. Why are you doing this?" I
asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Nika asked rhetorically. "You've been in the way. You were
right that Izzy was trying to kill you. Because I wanted her to."
Because Nika wanted her to?! This was just getting more and more confusing. "You
see, I knew a long time ago you were hiding something from me. It wasn't that
surprising when you finally admitted it." Nika continued on. "And for telling
the truth, you shall pay." A fire flashed in her eyes that could not have been
natural. "As for 'Herc,' well...He was just an obstacle to overcome." She said.
"Nika, you are seriously beginning to piss me off." At the moment, I didn't care
what kind of language I was using, she really was pissing me off. I've never
been so ticked at anyone, not even at Tai when he hit me the first time we were
in the Digital World.
"Not my intention, but what will it matter when you're dead?" She asked.
I was seriously scared. She wouldn't...would she? I really don't want to find
out the answer to that question, though. "Nika-chan, you don't mean that...What
about your nephew? Or have you forgotten that I have my own family?" I asked, on
the verge of tears. I sank to my knees in despair, desperately trying to figure
out how to stop them.
"Dear little Ikiru still has Taichi..." Nika said, trying to tower over me,
but...well, she was little girl, and I was a grown man.
"Hikari, wake up!" I told her. "You don't mean half the things you've said!
Don't make me do something that I'll regret later."
"Oh, but dear Koushiro, you won't have the time for regrets..." Nika trailed
off.
"You wanna bet..." I said, and then I did something that surprised even myself.
I slapped Nika. Hard. My little sister...the only sibling that I knew...the one
person I promised myself that I would never hurt in any way...and I broke that
promise over five years ago, I realized. "Why...?" I trailed off as I sat down,
and started crying. I broke a promise to myself, and those are always the worst.
And then I realized something...the prophecy had come to pass.
I looked up. Aside from the destruction the digimon had caused, I saw Izzy lying
on the ground, curled around the fountain, with her head near Nika and cuts and
bruises all over. Why hasn't she de-digivolved? She surely can't stay at the
mega level for much longer in that condition.
And then I focused in on Nika... itoshii imotochan... I've failed you... I don't
deserve to be your brother.
I didn't have much time for the self-pity though. Herc landed beside me, and
stared at what had just been our advesaries.
"Do you think they're back to normal?" I asked my partner.
"Possibly." He answered, as Nika stirred. I ran over to her, being cautious in
case she wasn't back to normal.
"Koushiro?" Nika asked, sounding very confused.
I smiled sadly. "It's me, Nika-chan." I answered. "Hikari?" I asked, using her
real name. She scowled as I called her that. Now I knew it was her. "You realize
that the prophecy has come to pass." I told her.
"No, it hasn't." Nika answered. "I seem to remember something about 'ghosts of
youth.' And, well, I don't get it..." I smiled. I think I knew what it was. Nika
turned around and saw Izzy. "Oh, my goodness! Izzy!!" The large dragon opened
its eyes slowly. I froze, afraid that they would have that weird merge thing
going again.
"I...I'm sorry..." Izzy rasped.
"For what?" Nika asked.
"Jealousy makes you do strange things, and I'm sorry I dragged you into it,
Nika." Then Izzy turned her gaze to me. "I must also apologize to you, Koushiro.
Sometimes, fate isn't always what is planned, either." I could tell she was
trying to smile.
I looked down. I didn't know if I could forgive her...I mean, she did try to
kill me quite a few times.
"'And then, we'll be reborn anew, and be able to forgive...'" I quoted softly,
remebering. "I forgive you, Izzy." I said, walking up to the dragon, and
stroking her face. I looked at Nika, who just looked worried. "Rest now." I
advised her. She nodded and laid her head down. And finally reverted back to her
in-training stage. The little purple motimon was still asleep. Nika picked up
her partner.
"I guess she couldn't revert until she knew she was forgiven..." Nika said,
tears in her eyes.
"Nika...I'm sorry...for everything." I told her. "I'd understand if you never
wanted to speak to me again."
Nika looked at me shocked. "Why would I never want to speak to you again? You
did what you had to..." She said, rubbing her cheek with her free hand.
"Yes... but... I've failed you, and, well...I broke my promise." I said.
"Umm...What promise?" Nika asked.
"Back when you were a baby, I promised that I would never do anything to hurt
you in any way... and I failed... I broke that promise years ago, by keeping the
truth from you." I admitted. "And I broke it again today."
"I don't care. I know you care about me, and love me...that's all I need. And if
it wasn't because you cared about me then you wouldn't have done what you did."
Nika said.
"You're wise beyond your years, Nika-chan." I told her, smiling a bit. Our
moment over, Herc landed near us.
"It's over, isn't it?" He asked. I nodded.
"It is, my friend." I answered out loud.
"Good." He said, and reverted back to his in-training form. "I hope I never have
to do that again!" The little motimon said. I smiled as I picked him up. "I
think I'm going to take a nap." I smiled as he closed his eyes and fell into a
deep sleep in my arms.
"The battle must have taken a lot out of them...and, Nika-chan...Here's your
'ghosts of youth.'" I told her, smiling. It was referring to the motimon.
"I guess they do kinda look like ghosts..." Nika then took a good look around
and groaned after surveying the damage. "It's...awful..."
I sighed. "You're aware of your new responsibility?" I asked. This was her
domain now...
"I wreck the very thing I was supposed to protect..." Nika moaned. "I don't
deserve to be the guardian..."
"Nika, we all make mistakes. It takes courage to correct them, sometimes. And it
takes a lot of wisdom to recognize that you made the mistake in the first
place." I told her. "I'll help with the rebuilding...some of the damage was
caused by Herc, you know." I smiled. I wonder if he'd mind if I kept calling him
that?
Nika giggled. "Thank you...niisan." I smiled.
"You're welcome...imotochan. Now, let's go find Kari and Tai, and go home. I
think we've had enough excitement for the day."
"I couldn't agree more..." Motimon said from my arms.
"I thought you were asleep..." I said, confused.
"I am." He answered. I just sighed. Nika giggled.
"Nika? Do you think I could bring Tai here sometime? After we fix it up, of
course." I asked.
"I don't see why not..." She answered, scratching Izzy's head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ow! Whoever's got their hand where it doesn't belong better move it before they
get hurt!" and other various threats were uttered as we landed in a dog pile in
Nika's room.
We finally got ourselves sorted out, and dusted off.
"What happened?" Tai whispered in my ear.
"I'll tell you later." I answered him.
"Mama!!" Hana cried as she saw Kari. I smiled as she latched on to her mother.
"Where's 'Grandma'?" I asked Hana. She held up a cookie and pointed towards the
kitchen. 'Figures,' I thought to myself. "Shall we?" I asked, and over-gestured
towards the door.
"Mom!" Nika cried and latched on our mother. I just smiled.
"Hi, Mom." I said, not quite as enthusastic as Nika.
"I didn't think you'd be back so soon!" She told us, as she handed Ikiru to me.
"Hardly a peep out of him." She told me.
"Doesn't surprise me a bit." I answered.
"Can I hold him for a bit?" Nika asked. I nodded and handed her nephew down to
her.
"We need to be going." Kari said. "Thanks for watching Hana." She said as they
left. Tai whispered something in my ear while she was leaving. I nodded.
"Mom?" I started. "Would you mind if Ikiru stayed all night?"
She nodded. She probably understood exactly how we felt. "That's fine."
"Arigato." I told her, giving her a quick hug. "You're best mom ever."
"Awww...Koushiro's gonna make Mom cry!" Nika teased from the couch.
"Shut up, Nika-chan."
"Are you leaving Motimon here, too?" Nika asked.
"Of course...I don't think anything's going to wake him up for a while. He and
Izzy have earned their rest, don't you think?" Nika nodded in agreement.
"Well, since we have the rest of the day to ourselves, let's go and make the
most of it." Tai grinned at me, wrapping his arm around my waist. I smiled and
leaned into him.
"Whatever you say, dear." I teasingly answered.
"Gag me..." Nika said.
"If you really want me to..." I threatened.
"Ugh...you guys are fighting like...like..." Mom trailed off, unable to think of
anything.
"A brother and sister?" Tai asked, grinning.
"Exactly." She answered him. I just shook my head and pushed Tai towards the
door.
"Thanks again, Mom." I told her as Tai and I walked out the door. "See you
tomorrow."
"Thank you sooo much for agreeing with this." Tai told me as we walked home.
"Did you think I wouldn't?" I asked. I could definitely use some time alone with
him. "You're just lucky that Mom loves her grandson that much." I teased.
"No, I'm lucky enough to have fallen in love with you." He answered the teasing,
making me blush. "I love it when you do that." That made me blush even more. Tai
laughed. "Hmm...I wonder which is more red...your face or your hair..." Even I
had to smile at that.
"You're embarrassing me, hon." I said, even though it was a bit late for that.
"Why did you think I was doing it?" Tai grinned, then bolted towards home.
"Taichi!!" I protested. I didn't care. I just kept walking at my slower pace. We
met up outside the door. "Did you think I was going to be mad at you or
something?" I asked.
"Of course not." Tai answered, stealing a quick kiss. "I'm just excited." He
grinned at me.
"In more ways than one, I'm assuming?" I questioned, having half a clue what he
was implying. Tai nodded. "No wonder you didn't want the kid around." Now it
Tai's turn to have his face turn an interesting shade of red.
"Well..." He started and trailed off.
"Shush, love." I told him, and opened the door. "Weren't we trying to do this
earlier? Shall we pick up where we left off?" I asked. Tai grinned and grabbed
my hand and led me to the bedroom.
"Now, where exactly were we?" Tai asked, grinning.
"I believe I was here, and doing this." I said as I laid down, and pulled Tai
down on top of me, drawing him into a kiss. He paused for a moment.
"Hmm... This does seem a bit familiar." He said. I laughed at that.
"Shut up and kiss me, Tai-chan." I told him.
I don't remember falling asleep last night, but I do know I sure felt better. I
don't think I've sleep like that since before Ikiru was born. I awoke to smell
breakfast. "mmmm..."
"Morning, Koko." Tai said, grinning. I groaned at the use of that nickname. It
was cute, but...
"Good morning, Tai-chan." I said, grinning back at him. "It was great not having
the kid around, huh?"
"Yeah, but...It just seems too quiet, you know?" I nodded in agreement.
"Well, that'll be solved in a few hours, I suppose. I doubt my parents want him
for more than just tonight." I smiled. "I wonder how the twins are..." I trailed
off.
"The twins?!" Tai repeated after me.
"Izzy and Motimon." I explained. "I kinda started thinking of them like that, I
guess."
"I guess I can't blame you." Tai said. "Well, are you going to get up and eat
with me? Or are you going to stay in bed all day?" He asked.
"Hmm...That sounds good to me." I said as I sank back under the covers which Tai
promptly tore off.
"Don't think so, hon." He smirked.
"Darn." I said, smiling. I sat up and gave him a quick kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too. Now, get out of bed." Tai said.
"Yes, master." I said sarcastically.
Breakfast was uneventful, as was the walk to my parent's place. The weather was
cool. It was mid November and everyone was just waiting for the first snowfall.
Nika was hoping for a big snowstorm on her birthday.
"Hey, guys." Nika greeted us.
"What's wrong, Nika?" I asked. She seemed a bit down.
"Them." She said, pointing towards her room. "I'm worried. They turned down
food!" She said.
"They'll be fine, I'm sure." I told her, even though that worried me too.
In-trainings, and especially motimon, were infamous for their appetites.
"I hope so..." Nika said, trailing off. "I'm going back to bed...I have such a
headache." With that she head back towards her room.
"Tai, I'm going to talk to her." I told him. "Go ahead and check on Ikiru,
'kay?" Tai nodded.
"Nika?" I called as I knocked on her door.
"Go away!" She called.
"Nika, let me in, please." I asked.
"What?" I took that as an okay and walked in.
"What happened yesterday?" I asked.
Nika looked confused. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"You...you seemed possessed. I don't know how, but I know Izzy was in your head
yesterday. Someone else was too, but I didn't know who it was." I told her.
Nika looked more confused, if that was possible. "You mean I have a bunch of
voices in my head?" I grinned.
"Sort of, I guess." I answered. "I know, not something you probably wanted to
hear."
"Not really." She answered. "Well, that probably explains my headache." She
said.
"Yeah, it probably does." My thought turned to our friends that were sitting on
the bed. "They won't eat?" Nika shook her head.
"And you know how much they love Mom's cooking too!" She said.
I poked at Motimon. "Quit that..." He moaned.
"Wake up." I told him.
"Koushiro!!" He was closer to being his normal self when he realized it was me.
"Aren't you hungry? I mean, that was some fight yesterday." He shook his head
no. I raised my eyebrow. I shrugged. "Well, you can come home with us. You were
so tired, I didn't want you to be disturbed." It was half the truth and half a
lie. I picked him up. I grinned. When we first met, he was about half as tall as
me...Now I tower over the poor little thing. He barely comes up to my knee.
"You'll be back to normal before you know it." Motimon just nodded. I glanced at
Nika, who just shrugged.
"Izzy's not eating either. She's kind of out of it too..." Nika said, worried.
"Well, we're going home. Call me if she doesn't eat something in about two days,
okay?" Nika nodded. "Don't try to make her eat either, and if mom does, just
tell her to lay off. Actually, I'll tell her not to worry about it before I go."
"Alright." Nika said as she laid back down in bed. I smiled at her.
"Hope your headache goes away, but with half of it lying right next to you..." I
trailed off, grinning. I shut the door quickly and heard a quiet thud behind the
door indicating that she had thrown a pillow at me about a second too late. I
smiled to myself. "Nika-chan, you should know better..." I said quietly as I
walked out to see Mom and Tai playing with the baby.
Mom looked at me questioningly. "She'll be fine." Really, I didn't know if I was
referring to Nika, Izzy, or both of them. I sighed. "I think every thing will be
back to normal..." I trailed off.
"Whatever that is for us." Tai grinned. "We've had adult digimon try to kill
you, you pregnant, what else...?" He said as he tried to remember other things.
"Who knows. I'm just glad it's over." I said as I sat down next to Tai, who
handed me the baby. "At least, for us." I said, as I looked into Ikiru's eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 Years Later ~ Epilogue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Nika's POV*
It's been five years since the epic battle between the dragon and the insect.
Who knew it was my Izzy and Tentomon that were in the legend? I certainly
didn't. It was not quite a week until they both recovered, both physically and
mentally. Well, the mental part took a bit longer. After Izzy recovered, she and
I went back to repair the damage we had done. While we were working, Azulongmon
appeared to us one day, and explained exactly what our duty was. Apparently,
we're the guardians, and that's why I had a somewhat special mega level digimon.
The digiworld just thought it was funny that both Koushiro and I have tentomons
for partners. At least, that's what I think. I never did find out what her
ultimate was though.
Oh, speaking of Koushiro, he and Tai have added to their family again recently.
Ikiru is now six, and still a cutie. Of course, Koushiro and Tai do to me what
they once did to Kari. It's okay though, I usually end up babysitting for both
Hana and Ikiru and his sis. Their recent addition to the family was a little
girl they adopted a couple of years ago. She was two then, so she's not quite
five yet. Her name is Kaori. I must say, Mom loves her grandchildren. Not that's
she's forgotten about her own children. It's just that there are so many kids in
her life now.
Me? I'm 14 now, and Izzy and I have finally finished our job of repairing the
object of our guardianship. I laugh every time I think of it...How was it that I
ended up being named the same as it? At least I'll never forget, right? I also
get laughed at by my brother because the junior high school hasn't changed their
uniforms in 10 years...Yes, I have to wear an ugly green dress everyday. I
wonder if my packrat of a brother kept his somewhere...At least I wouldn't be
wearing a dress! I swear, I think the skirt is just a bit too short. I've also
come to appreciate computers a bit more, but not in the way my brother did when
he was my age. Oh! I'm gonna be late!
"I'm here guys!" I said as I ran into our apartment.
"It's about time, Nika-chan." Tai said, teasing me.
"You know, I don't have to do this." I retorted to my 'brother-in-law', (and I
use that term loosely). Koushiro looked at me, like he was hurt. I just smiled.
"Come on, Aunt Nika, we want to see it!" Ikiru said, jumping around a bit. He
was really hyper, but what do you expect from a six year old? Kaori wasn't as
hyper as her brother, but I could tell she was excited. She is really quite shy,
even around her family. I think she feels that she's a bit different, but tries
to take it in stride. It must be hard for her though. Especially when she's the
only girl in a houseful of men...
"Alright, already." I said, smiling. "Where's Izzy?" I ask.
"Right here." She answers as she buzzes up behind me and lands on my head.
"Everyone ready, then?" I ask the rest of the group. They nod in answer. I
opened the gate, and we were brought into the digiworld.
I heard gasps of amazement and awe from everyone. I felt a tugging by my side.
I looked down to see Kaori. She smiled up at me. "Aunt Nika? It's beautiful."
She told me. I bent down to pick her up.
"It is." I agreed with her. I walked over to stand beside my brother. I handed
his daughter to him. I smiled quickly. "I think I have enough witnesses, don't
you? There's you and Tai, and the kids, not to mention all our 'mons." I forgot
to mention the kid's 'mons. Ikiru has this wierd thing that is basically a
motimon with koromon ears. We've come to call it Kotimon. Kaori? She's
definitely one of the family. She has a plain ol' motimon for her partner. She's
come to call her 'Pinky.' Which we kinda thought was wierd, but then, I think
Koushiro thought I was wierd when I named my partner.
"You don't have to do this, you know." Koushiro told me quietly. "Besides,
you're going to get all wet."
I smiled. "I'm the Guardian. My will flows through it as does the light and the
water."
"That was deep, Hikari." He said. And for once, I didn't mind being called
Hikari.
"Come on, Izzy. There's something we need to do." I told her and started walking
away from the group. I think she knew what I was thinking because she evolved to
magnadramon again. I smiled. "No fighting this time, Izzy-chan."
"After all the work we did, you think I want to that again?" She said.
I had arrived at my destination. I climbed on to the top of the fountain. I knew
everyone was watching us, but I didn't care. Izzy wrapped her serpentine body
around it again like she had when she was almost mortally wounded.
"Since almost the beginning of time in the digiworld this fountain has existed.
It serves a special purpose, and must be guarded. I was not exactly prepared to
be chosen for this, nor did I know of these special powers of mine." My purpose
wasn't exactly to make a speech, but I had to get this out. "Now, I have a duty
to serve to the digiworld, something that my predecessor couldn't do, as she
perished in the real world before she could come here." I bowed my head for a
moment. "As such, her spirit has been reincarnated in me." That was explained to
me by a few people, and it made so much sense to me, after it was explained. I
brought my head back up. I had a look of determination in my eyes, and having a
great trust in my partner, something I hadn't felt for a long while, I took a
step off of my perch. I fell perfectly onto Izzy's back. "With this, are there
any who dare challenge me, Hikari Izumi, guardian of the Izumi no Hikari, the
Fountain of Light." I finished, saying it again in English. I issued that
challenge, knowing that no one would take me up on it. And it felt great,
knowing that from now on that I had a great responsibility that no one could
ever take from me.
The End!