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*A.S.D.A(All Standard Disclaimers Apply).

Perfect Flaws

by Nefertanya Dragongurl Ahhotep

Part 9

Chapter 33- Glub, Glub, Glub
This is Palmon's pov

Oh stars, I was going to be deleted.

No! I'm human now! I'm going to die!

That little revelation did nothing for my poor stomach, which was already completely nauseated from tumbling head over heels from the cliff MarquisDemon had thrown me. Bastard! Why me?

All trains of thought derailed as I hit the surface of the river. I never knew water could feel so solid. It felt like my body had collided with steel. And it was *cold*. So cold. The pain I felt when I hit was almost immediately numbed by it. Unfortunately, so was everything else.

My mind screamed at my limbs to move, but no go. And now a new problem presented itself. The long dress I was wearing was beginning to soak up the water, pulling me towards the bottom with it's bulk, and forcing me to use all my energy just to keep my face above water.

Oh Mimi, I can't die now! I remember how broken-hearted you were when I tried to hide when you left that first time. I almost lost my chance to say good-bye, I can't do that to you again! I can't do that to *me* again! We need each other, like sisters do.

But I can't swim anymore....

I may be half-conscious, but I can definitely sense that something's there. Suddenly, it brushes against my fingers. Something....furry.....

Ikkakumon?

Survival instinct takes over and forces my hand to clamp onto it, and suddenly I feel and hear the water rushing past me as we break the surface. Once there, I drink deeply, tasting the air with every fiber of my being.

"Palmon? Are you all right?"

That's....not Ikkakumon's voice. It's deeper, gruffer, more noble. I force open my eyes and blink till my vision clears....

"Garurumon?!"

A giant amber eye stares back at me questioningly. "Climb up a bit higher? I can't do much more than tread water if you stay where you are."

It dawns on me then that I'm precariously perched on his front leg. Using that leg might knock me back in, so he can only use his other 3 legs to pull through the current. Okay, so we move up. I reach out and grab for the scruff of his neck. I miss the first time, but the second grab makes purchase with his ear. I yank on it for leverage, feeling guilty when I catch his wince of pain. After a few moments of struggle, I've got myself in a comfortable position right above his shoulders, hanging on(carefully!) to the base of his ears.

"Hold tight!" he calls. Like I'd do anything else. Assured I won't fall off, he kicks out towards the shore. Amazing. Who would've ever guessed that fur rumored to be stronger than steel and completely impenetrable could feel so soft? Warm too. So warm, in fact, that for a few moments I can actually forget that I'm in mortal danger and just relax against it, feeling the powerful muscles grind beneath my body. I sigh softly and circle my arms around his neck, nuzzling that soft white fur with my cheek.

Then I get a lungful of water.

"Sorry girl! Er, strong undertow here! Hang tight, we're almost there!" He growls as I sputter and cough. Stupid girl! Daydreaming about a male who's risking his life to save you! Good thing I'm back here, he can't see me blushing!

Finally, we reach the shore, where Matt is standing with Joe and Gomamon. All three have completely stunned expressions on their faces. I wonder why?

"Palmon, are you okay?" Joe asks me as I fall to my knees shivering and exhausted.

"I-I'm f-fine, J-J-Joe. Ju-just r-really c-co-old." *I want my Garurumon to warm me!* my brain shouts, but he's already devolved back to Gabumon, and I know he's far too shy to take it off.

Joe takes off his coat and throws it over my shoulders. Gratefully I pull the edges closer around me tighter as he briskly rubs me arms. I wonder if he's looking at me to be sure I'm all right, or wondering, like me, how human I really am.

"Is she okay, Joe?" Matt cautiously leans over and pulls some of the hair out of my eyes.

"She doesn't appear to be hurt, and she's cold, but doesn't appear to be hypothermic-yet. We need a change of clothes for her, but lots of luck finding those now."

"Tell me about it." the blonde agreed.

"It could be worse, Palmon. You're lucky Matt sent Garurumon to fetch you."

"I didn't send him." Matt spoke quietly. I looked at Joe, who was looking at Matt. Did...did Garurumon really save me out of his own free will? Maybe he *does* like me!

Stop it, you fool! You don't need a mirror to know he'd never want you. Especially like this. I sigh sadly and lean into Joe's warm body, allowing for a brief moment for my broken heart to overwhelm me.

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Chapter 34- Hearts Do Funny Things
this :: means Gomavision, this ** is Gabu's pov

**Brrr! That water was cold! I walk away from Matt and Joe so I can shake myself off without giving them a shower. Then I devolve back to Gabumon.

"Have a nice swim?"

My heart stops momentarily. I glare daggers at Gomamon as he waddles around to face me, that little smirk of his annoying me no end.

"What do *you* want?"

"No need to snap at me, Gabumon." he replies in a mock hurt tone. "I just came over to check on my buddy."

"Hmph. Well, I'm fine, okay?"**

::Ha. He's so determined to be cool and detached about this, but I know him better. I could barely keep from crying myself when I watched him checking out our now human flower girl. Hate, disgust, horror, love. They were all etched in his eyes, in every gesture he made, and in his voice when he uncharacteristically blew up at Mimi.

That scared me. It dawned on me then that maybe the possibility existed that he was only physically attracted to Palmon, cuz wouldn't he not care what form she was in as long as her heart was the same?

But thankfully all my doubts were cleared away when that soul-snatcher knocked her into the river. I'd barely taken a breath to digivolve when we saw him plunge into the water. I knew then he still cared for her-Gabumon doesn't get his fur wet for just *anyone*!

"Hey, just checking-it looked like you had a little trouble out there."::

**Aw, crap, they saw that??

"Er, yeah. There was quite an undertow there. Caught me off guard." I half-lied.

I was so mad at her. It was so easy to before, when she was just some spell bound human princess. But when they woke her up, the voice I'd know anywhere had returned. The horror and confusion in her eyes. She hadn't known what had happened, didn't know what she looked like.

But I was determined to hold a grudge. Even though I inwardly cheered as she fought against MarquisDemon's power, I didn't jump in, like I may have done. I was determined to remain distanced, like I was blaming her for leaving me or something...

...Till she hit the water.

I don't even remember digivolving. But there I was-er, rather, Garurumon was-leaping into that icy cold bath with no concern as to what I'd end up smelling like. In a few strides, I was close enough for her to grab onto and, unmindful that her fingers were digging into my flesh, pulled her to the surface.

But then I had a problem. If I used both forelegs to swim, I could knock her off and put her at the current's mercy. But if I didn't, we'd just end up swimming in circles. So I asked her to move up to my neck. That way, her head would be safely above water and I could swim. She complied, but not before nearly ripping off my ear. Ouch. She's rather strong for a human. I wonder how much of her is still digimon underneath that pale human skin.

This is the point where it got weird...

I was pulling along just fine till she...well, she just sighed. That's right, she let out this soft little contented coo and snuggled closer as if we were just on a lazy stroll through the meadows. For a moment, I imagined she was doing this because she loved me, was happy to be with me. There I was, helpless against this small creature's embrace, her light body stretched out against mine like it belonged there.

What I didn't realize was that I was forgetting to paddle. It took a noseful to get my head out of the clouds. I did double-time to the shore then, dumped her off at Joe's feet. Now I wanted to forget the whole ordeal. But I can still feel her phantom embrace around my neck. And of course, there's the matter of this little sea lion that seems happy to keep it repeating in my head. I wonder, could he suspect?

"It was the undertow." I sat fiercely, and storm off. **

::Poor Gabumon. If you'd only turn around, you'd see how much she wants you. I saw you both in the water-that was sheer bliss that caught you off guard. "Silly fool. Turn around!"

Wishful thinking on my part- both of you have a pride matched only by that of your human partners. You're both waiting for the other to make the first move, aren't you?

I just hope one of you makes it before it's too late.

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Chapter 35- Change Of Scenery? This Is A Bit Much!

"Lightning Banner!"

"Luna Beam Crash!"

Above the unfolding drama below, Serenamon was facing off against MarquisDemon. The remaining digidestined were doing their best to help, while trying to avoid Ladymon's dimensional rifts.

"Aw, nuts!" cried TK as he and Angemon suddenly found themselves a half mile away from the battle site. "This is ridiculous!"

"I'm getting rather tired of it myself, TK." The angel digimon agreed irritably. "That fan of hers seems to be our only ticket to stopping her."

"Then let's figure out a way to do it so I can get my hands on *her*!"

The two boys looked up at the arriving Angewomon, who gently cradled Kari in her arms.

"Ooo, I hope we're getting frequent flier miles for this!" she joked weakly.

"Kari! Are you okay?!"

"She'd be better if she stayed off that ankle!" Angewomon chastised. Kari blushed and giggled guiltily.

"Well, ready then, TK?"

The young blonde nodded, eyes set with determination, and the angels flew back towards the fray.

"Aim for her fan!"

"Hand of Fate!"

"Celestial Arrow!"

It almost worked. Unfortunately, their target was somehow tipped off to the grand energy bent on her downfall.

"Deadly Nightshade!"

She warped out of existence, only to reappear behind the youngest of the digidestined. "You children should really learn to watch your backs!" she laughed as Angemon and Angewomon were hit by their own attacks. Severely weakened, they began to devolve.

"Angewomon! Gatomon!" Kari shrieked as she hobbled over to where the latter lay as fast as she could. "That witch! When I get my hands on her...Ooh!!" she clenched her fists in wild fury.

"First we've got to get close enough to do that."

Both Light and Hope jumped a mile. Izzy was madly typing behind them, a grim expression on his face.

"How the heck did you get here?" a bewildered TK asked.

"Same as you. Ladymon. Deadly Nightshade. You know the rest. GAH!! This isn't logical!!" At the end of his rope, he smacked his laptop, then cursed as the injured electrical device froze up.

"Izzy calm down!" Kari grabbed the spiky-haired boy worriedly. "What's going on? You never hit your computer."

"I'm sorry Kari. But this just isn't making any sense to me. I've searched and re-searched every file on my digi-analyzer, but I can't find any trace of Ladymoin or MarquisDemon anywhere!"

"What? How is that possible?"

"I don't know TK. Gennai put down every digimon out there. It's like they don't even exist."

"Maybe he missed some? The Digital World's a big place."

"Eh, It's possible, but Gennai's usually very thorough about these things."

"Kari! Kaari!"

Tai came flying up and fell down at his beloved sister's feet. "Are you okay? See, I knew I should've waited until you healed!"

"Aw, knock it off Tai." Matt chided as he and Joe struggled up, Palmon struggling to keep her balance between them.

Tai snarled at the tall blonde. "Shut up, Matt. Kari's still hurt and needs our protection-"

"And what am I, kitty litter?" Gatomon protested from Kari's lap.

"-And you're making light of a deadly situation here!" he finished, ignoring the little white cat's input.

"I'm not making light of things. I know *exactly* what kind of mess we're in." Matt said coolly. "And don't make me get Sora."

"I..You...Wha...." The wild haired boy sputtered as everyone but Palmon laughed knowingly.

"All kidding aside, I really think we should end this battle and find a cure for Palmon." A thought struck him, and he turned to the waterlogged girl. "You *do* want to find a cure, don't you?"

Palmon was visibly offended. "Of *course* I do! Who's going to protect Mimi if I'm stuck like this?"

"Good! Now, what can we use against them, Iz?"

"Almost nothing. Neither one of them shows up on my analyzer, so I can't determine their level."

"And Ladymon can turn our attacks against us with that fan of hers." Kari added.

"PALMON! PAL-MON!!"

"Mimi!"

The pink-clad girl pulled her fiend into a smothering bear hug, unmindful of the fact her front was getting wet. "Oh Palmon! I thought I'd lost you when I saw you fall!"

"Oh Mimi...<sniff>. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. You <hic> shouldn't have come after me."

"Of course We should have!" Tai cried indignantly, finally finding his voice. "We're a team! We need each other to be our best. Besides, do you think Mimi would ever leave you willingly?"

"Touching sentiment, young friend."

"MarquisDemon!"

"My dear heart. I see now why you think you need these humans. They *are* a persuasive bunch, aren't they?"

"We aren't persuading anybody! We're telling the truth!"

"Palla. These 'friends' of yours use honey coated words now, but remember how they treated you? How they insulted you?"

Mimi had now had quite enough. "You're taking everything out of context! Yes, Palmon and I had a fight. Yes, there were some nasty things said. But I'll never stop loving her! None of us will! And *you* should talk about poor treatment! *You're* the one who arranged her kidnapping, hypnotized her, changed her body against her will, AND blew her off a cliff! And you think she'll just fall in love with you after that?"

"I have had just about enough of you, young lady." MarquisDemon hissed through clenched teeth. "I've only let you live this long because you were so dear to my Palla's heart. But I see now you only serve to corrupt her further! Lightning Banner!"

Mimi screamed with pain as the electric blast knocked her off her feet and flying into a dead tree. Her wail stopped as she slid down and slumped forward, the picture of death.

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Chapter 36- Something About Those Crests....
in startling Palmon vision! ^ indicates a subconscious thought

^Devimon^

I was powerless to stop him. I hadn't the strength or discipline then.

^Myotismon^

Mimi was in trouble. I had to save her!"

^Apocylomon^

He stole everything! Darkness and jealously masked an almost pitiable figure.

^MarquisDemon^

"I am sick of being weak! Do you hear me?!" I will not bow before your dark heart, I will prevail! I have love and hope and friendship and all those good things within me! You-*you* will die alone!"

^Sincerity is awakening^

I felt a power surging through me, and I was no longer cold. It seemed to sing in my blood. Each heartbeat seemed to have a name.

Agumon

TK

Sora

^Sincerity is growing^

It grew strong, this power. I closed my eyes and reveled in it.

Biyomon

Joe

Gomamon.

I knew I could not fail them. I would not be denied victory!
^Sincerity is accepting^

Matt

Mimi

^I am Sincerity^

I understand. These heartbeats bear the names of my friends who love me, who would willingly risk their lives for me. The ones I could never stop loving.

Gabumon.

"SINCERITY'S TEARS!"

From my voice this command ushered out, and my eyes flew open though I willed them not to do so. They opened directly upon my enemy's face, and all that power suddenly released. I watched with satisfaction-he'd have no choice but to accept his fate.

"Merlin!! NO!"

Go On!

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