Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Remembrance ❯ Revival ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

By Time Lady

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Disclaimer: Digimon is owned by Toei, not me.

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Author's note: The events of this story would take place at the end of the events of episode 50, but replace the original epilogue. In essence, this is an alternate future story. Only the DigiDestined have digivices and Digimon partners, not everyone in the world.

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Once Mrs. Bambata accepted the Digimon weren't demons, getting the others to understand was a lot easier. A few people were still suspicious, but one look at Holy Angemon usually squashed that. Ilya said it was because many humans had winged beings as part of their religious beliefs.

People accepted Digimon in different ways. Children, teens, younger adults, and a few of the older adults found creatures from their fantasies come to life. Others sought religious significance. The DigiDestined, their Digimon, Gennai, and his clones didn't care why they accepted Digimon, just so long as the Digimon and humans accepted they would have to live and work together.

Many people began to see the new world as a chance to start anew. Here was a pristine land, unpolluted air, lush greenery. Places to explore. Beings to discover.

A month after the last humans were brought to the camp, Gennai had a large platform erected in an empty meadow nearby. People wouldn't be satisfied with living in tents forever. And many were demanding explanations of what happened.

---

". . . And that's where our current situation stands," ended Gennai. Standing at the podium on the platform, he had explained to the gathered people and Digimon spread out over the meadow about the battle with the three dark lords, then tried to explain the theory as to why the humans had found themselves suddenly on a brand new world after the darkness had shrouded them for so long. Behind Gennai, five DigiDestined and five Digimon tried to be strong as difficult memories were dredged up. The handkerchief in Hikari's hands was crumpled into a ball and squeezed tightly as she tried not to burst into tears.

Once Gennai finished his speech, Benjamin fielded questions from those gathered.

"Why us?" asked a young man.

"We are convinced the process was entirely random," said Benjamin. "You just happened to be in one of those spots that transferred worlds."

"Is there a chance the worlds will ever return to the way they were?" asked an older woman.

"Doubtful," returned Benjamin. "The dark lords tried to disassemble the two worlds and remake them into their own images. Unless someone of great power tried to disassemble the worlds again, those sections of the worlds that were 'misplaced' can not be removed. That's not to say that people and Digimon won't be able to return once we find a way to open a portal between the two worlds again." A Digimon towards the side raised his hand. "Yes?" acknowledged Benjamin.

"When do we eat?"

"Later Ogremon." Even the DigiDestined managed a chuckle at Ogremon's one track mind.

"How come those children became DigiDestined?" asked a girl.

"Becoming DigiDestined is not the child's choice," explained Benjamin. "It is more of a matter of fate. Each of the DigiDestined has a special bond with their Digimon. Mina, may I borrow your Digivice?"

"Certainly." Mina handed Benjamin her D-3.

"A Digivice is a tool that helps a DigiDestined evolve their Digimon to digivolve, or move to a higher level, at a time sooner than they would be able to do it on their own." Benjamin went into a long, complicated lecture on Digivices, crests, symbols, discs, and a lot of things that went way beyond what the person originally asked. "Any further questions?" he asked when he finished. Looking around, he realized that many people in the audience had dozed off. "Aheh. . ."

"Okay," said Gennai, stepping between Benjamin and the microphone. "If anyone else has any further questions, you can ask any of us," he said, gesturing to his clones. "At this time, I believe it would be appropriate to remember those who gave their lives so that two worlds would survive. I have asked Holy Angemon to read the list of DigiDestined and their partner Digimon."

Holy Angemon walked from his position behind Hikari to the podium. Part of him wondered why he'd agreed to this task. Gennai had set a list on the podium of the names of the fallen. "From the United States of America, Lou Littlefeather, aged 13, and Tortomon," he read in a loud, clear voice. "Maria Juarez, age 8, and Kentauromon. Steve Jenkins, age 15, and Frigimon. . ."

Michael forced himself to listen as names of people he knew and worked with were read aloud. He lowered his head. They had only met on a few occasions, but they were still good friends. After several more names, Holy Angemon read the names of DigiDestined from Canada, then Mexico. Rosa listened. However, she didn't know any of these people personally. The one or two times they met, the others distanced themselves from her because of her age. "From Brazil, Tiago Mauro, age 11, and Clockmon. . ."

Across the meadow, humans and Digimon listened in a stunned silence. So many Digimon. . . so many human children. The youngest DigiDestined to die was a seven year old girl in Germany. The eldest an eighteen year old boy in Spain.

Mina bowed her head in silence as Holy Angemon read the names of those who fell from India and China. She had known them well. Derek passed Mina a handkerchief, which she declined.

Slowly Holy Angemon reached the last few names at the end of the list, then faultered. "Taichi Yagami, age 15, and War Greymon." He heard Hikari begin to sob behind him. Rosa, on Hikari's left, put her hand on that of the older girl. Derek, on Hikari's right, put his arm around her comfortingly. "Mimi Tachikawa, age 15, and Lillymon. Daisuke Motomiya, age 13, and XVmon. Ken Ichijouji, age 13, and Stingmon. . ." Each name on the list became progressively more difficult. He could tell that Gennai had purposely arranged the list so that the names he would have the most difficulty with were last. Name by name, he announced the names of people and Digimon who were closest to him, until the last two names came up on the list. "Angewomon, partner of Hikari Yagami. Takeru Takaishi. . . age 13. . ." With that last name on his list, Holy Angemon lost his self control. The angel Digimon spread his wings and flew off. The people stared off after him. Thinking quickly, Michael stood and took the podium.

"Please forgive Holy Angemon," said Michael. "Takeru Takaishi was Holy Angemon's human partner. It has been very difficult for him."

"Hikari, what is wrong?" asked Rosa as Hikari stood.

"I need to go after him," returned Hikari, brushing her tears away with her sleeve.

"We'll never catch up with him," returned Derek. "We just have land and sea Digimon."

"I'll take you," said a Unimon in the audience.

"Me too," offered an Airdramon.

"Count me in," said a Parrotmon.

"I guess his meeting is over," said Jackie as the DigiDestined mounted the backs of the three flying Digimon and flew off in the same direction as Holy Angemon.

Parrotmon, an Ultimate, was the fastest, particularly since he carried only Hikari. Mina, Candmon (who devolved for travel), Rosa, and Gotsumon rode astride Unimon while Airdramon carried Michael, Derek, and their Digimon. Hikari and Parrotmon soon outdistanced the others. Instinctively Hikari knew where Holy Angemon was headed. "Please Parrotmon, hurry," she urged.

"Be sure you hang on well," returned Parrotmon as he put on a burst of speed. Following Hikari's directions, Parrotmon reached their destination far ahead of anyone else.

Holy Angemon was exactly where Hikari thought he would be. A white, winged figure knelt at the makeshift tomb the group had built just over a month ago. Parrotmon set down a short distance from there. Hikari slid off his back and walked silently forward.

"Why was I the one to live?" she heard Holy Angemon say. "I failed. My duty was to protect you Takeru. My life should have been lost out there, not yours." He froze as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he found himself staring into the soft cinnamon eyes of Hikari.

Hikari realized that Holy Angemon had pushed back his visor. For the first time she looked into the startlingly sky blue eyes of the angel. They were as full of tears as her own. "You can't blame yourself for what happened."

"How can I not?" he returned sorrowfully. "All of the other DigiDestined and their partners died together. I should have either protected Takeru better or died trying. . . Angewomon should be here beside you."

"One thing I'm starting to learn," she said softly as brushing a tear off his cheek, "is that we have to stop thinking about the 'should haves.' Because otherwise I keep thinking about all those 'should haves' I should have done before we even began the battle. Like I should have told my parents and Taichi how much I love them. . . and I should have decided how I felt about Takeru and Daisuke. . ." Hikari felt her own cheeks become damp. "There's way too many 'should haves' to even think about. . . and if we keep thinking about them. . ." Remembering all of her losses at once proved too much for Hikari. Tears began to flow freely.

Parrotmon discreetly turned away as Holy Angemon stood and wrapped his arms around Hikari. The teen buried her face in his white silken tabard. Gently the angel stroked the back of her head.

"Looks like you were right Michael," he heard Derek say behind him.

Holy Angemon lifted Hikari's chin, giving her one last gaze into his blue eyes. "We'll try and get through all this together," he whispered. "We have to." Then he lowered his visor. Hikari wiped her eyes with the back of her glove.

"You should not fly away like that," admonished Rosa as she slid off Unimon's back. "You worry everyone."

"I'm sorry," returned Holy Angemon. "It became very difficult to continue."

"It is understandable," agreed Mina as she dismounted. Michael and Derek joined her. "All of us have lost friends, but you two have suffered the greatest losses," Mina added.

"What happened here?" they heard a voice ask behind them. The group turned and found several thousand of the humans and Digimon gathered behind them. Many of the humans had put aside their fears and ridden on the backs of willing Digimon.

"This was Ground Zero," explained Betamon. "The final battle occurred on this site."

Humans and Digimon alike stared at the scorched earth and the burnt tree remains. A few of the nearer humans noticed bloodstains on the ground. Though the sun shone above, it could not cheer the bleakness of the scene. The makeshift tomb only added to the desolate feel.

A young man drew near the tomb and read the names. "These were the last names from the list," he said.

"We were only able to retrieve the remains of the last ones to fall," explained Derek softly.

"Will this place ever come back to its original state?" asked a Snimon. "I remember how there used to be a river through here, and beautiful meadows full of flowers. . . ."

"Que bonita," sighed Rosa. "It sounds pretty. But now," she looked around at the barren landscape. "Es muy triste. . . very sad."

"I wish there was more we could do," admitted Derek. "I don't know if the land would support planting anything right now, with all the energy thrown at it. That would be like planting around a nuclear disaster area."

Mina felt her digivice grow warm in her fingers, warmer than it would have from her body heat. The LCD panel seemed to glow with a red pulse. Michael's digivice felt like it would burn through his pocket. When he pulled it out, a blue light streamed forth. The crowd murmured in amazement Derek held his out and added yellow while Rosa's shone purple. Tentatively Hikari glanced at Holy Angemon, who nodded. Then she pulled out her digivice. Green light shot out of the screen to join the other four beams. The five streams of light merged into a rainbow that began to sweep the landscape. Where the remains of a stump lay charred, a tree sprang forth. Dry, rocky soil suddenly became covered with grass and flowers. A cracked, dusty riverbed slowly began to fill with water.

"In all my years I never thought I'd witness such a miracle," said Mrs. Bambata in an awed voice. The lights then formed a rainbow in the sky.

"Yeah. Dem DigiDestined do good work," admitted Ogremon, who stood near her.

When the surrounding countryside was at last returned to something resembling its former state, the rainbow faded. Five exhausted children collapsed to the ground.

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To people and Digimon alike, it must have been a truly awesome sight, to see a whole area that looked as if it would take years to rejuvenate come to life before their eyes. Those five surviving DigiDestined and their Digimon partners would now find themselves thrust into positions of leadership that none of them ever expected.

The next five years of history is incredibly boring, at least in my opinion. History books tell how on a hill overlooking Primary Village, a shrine was built to honor the lost of not only the eleven Japanese DigiDestined, but all of the DigiDestined and Digimon who perished in the battle. Small villages sprung up in the surrounding area. People and Digimon worked together to build homes and plant crops. Those with medical skills were gathered together into the first few hospitals built. Educators found themselves working in newly constructed schools with both human children and young Digimon.

As time went by, fewer and fewer people missed their homes back on Earth. Here was a beautiful land, fresh air, no overcrowding, no rush to do anything. They created their own entertainment in live shows with singing and dancing. They grew their own food free from pesticides and chemicals. Some things were harder. You couldn't go down to the local convenience store, whatever that was, and buy whatever you needed. You couldn't pick up a telephone, or email. There were no electronic devices that made little tasks easier. Of course everything took adjustment, but as the years went on, they grew to enjoy the simple life they now had.

Life wasn't simple for everyone. Five young people ranging from age eight to age fifteen found themselves leading a hundred thousand humans and just as many Digimon. Of course, the children had their loyal Digimon partners by their sides. Michael and Mina seemed to slip into their leadership roles easily. Derek was somewhat less comfortable with his responsibilities. Rosa, the youngest, was simply lost. She tried, but often didn't know what to do. Of all, Hikari seemed the least comfortable. Perhaps it was because she had been the younger sister of the leader of the first Japanese DigiDestined. Her older brother Taichi had always looked out for her and protected her. However, she could no longer stay in the role of supporter. People depended on her.

Naturally, they weren't infallible as leaders. The people and Digimon understood that they were still children with growing up to do. Over the next five years they were forced to mature more than they would have had the cataclysm never taken place. And over that time, deeper emotional bonds began to form. Though one of these bonds was something no one would ever have expected.

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For five years, they had been inseparable. Holy Angemon followed as Hikari made her rounds of the school. Hikari had always wanted to be a teacher when she was little. The schools had been made her special province. She walked into a preschool room. Smiling children and Digimon gathered around her and Holy Angemon. The young woman felt a strange pang as she looked at the human children. These were the first children to be born on the new world. Visiting these classes were an attempt to fill a longing deep within her.

Privately Hikari had spoken with Mina. Both had been experiencing the same feelings. They were lonely, but not for simple companionship. They had their Digimon partners for that. What both young women were longing for was love. Rosa had latched onto Derek years before. It was somewhat evident that, as the Mexican girl matured into a lovely young lady, Derek was beginning to reciprocate her feelings. Michael seemed to have no trouble attracting women. Mina and Hikari, however, found it more difficult. Young men seemed to be in awe of these two young women. Mina would then laugh about having the symbol of love and not being able to find a date.

Hikari had an additional complication. As she watched Holy Angemon playing with some of the children, she felt her insides twist. There was so much about him that was human that she would forget he was a Digimon. When he touched her, shivers went down her spine.

The angel instinctively knew when she was having a nightmare. Often she awoke screaming after dreaming about the battle. She would open her eyes to find his staring back at her in deep concern. Holy Angemon would be kneeling beside her futon, his cloak, tabard, and visor removed for the evening. Then he would gather her against him and allow her tears to soak his bare chest. When the tears eased, the angel would kiss her on her forehead and stroke her chestnut hair. On particularly bad nights he would sleep on the floor next to her futon, his arm around her protectively. For all that Holy Angemon did for her and more, she loved him. He was a Digimon, she was a human. Their love could never be.

Holy Angemon looked at Hikari as he tried to set down the little girl he was carrying. The four year old clung to his neck, but he eventually pried himself loose.

"Hikari? Are you okay?" asked the angel.

"Hm? I guess I'm a little tired," she admitted.

"Well no wonder. You haven't had a solid night's sleep for a week," he said in a low voice. "I think you need to call it a day and go rest for a while."

Hikari wasn't up to arguing. Instead she smilingly spoke to the teacher and headmistress of the school briefly, then followed her partner outside. "Do we have to go home now?"

"No." Holy Angemon scooped her up into his arms. "We can find a nice, quiet place to relax for a few hours undisturbed."

"I'm certain you have a place in mind," Hikari sighed and rested her head against his shoulder.

Holy Angemon's strong wings lifted the pair into the air. A strong sense of contentment filled Hikari as she relaxed in the angel's arms. He flew past the Shrine of Remembrance, past the home they had shared for nearly five years, past several hills to a small lake he had discovered. The lake was surrounded by hills and trees and was only accessible from the air. "If I would have known you were bringing me here, I would have brought a swimsuit," she murmured.

The idea of Hikari in nothing but a swimsuit flashed in Holy Angemon's mind and was quickly pushed aside. He landed, set Hikari down under a spreading tree, then sat down next to her. They had spent several hours at this peaceful spot enjoying the tranquillity. "I don't think you're up to swimming today," he returned as she stifled a yawn.

"Mmm," she sighed as she rested her head against the angel's chest. He wrapped his arm around her protectively. Gently he stroked her hair. Soon she was sound asleep.

Sighing, the angel leaned against the tree, adjusting his wings for comfort. Every year, when the Day of Remembrance drew close, Hikari would have nightmares. She had already been having nightmares for the week prior to the Day of Remembrance. If this followed the same pattern as previous years, the nightmares would continue for at least a week after the day to honor the fallen DigiDestined and Digimon. Those nights he knew when the nightmare began. From the day he used his energy to revive her, he realized that their hearts were almost constantly beating in sync. Therefore he could tell when she was anxious or upset even if they were miles away. When the nightmare began, Hikari's heart would begin to race, awakening him instantly. As soon as she awoke he would begin soothing her. Then he would lie on the floor beside her futon, an arm draped over her protectively.

A few times, he tried to ascertain how Gotsumon and Meramon felt about their female companions. From what he could tell there was nothing near the bond he and Hikari shared, let alone the feelings he felt towards Hikari. This year, as he knelt by the tomb where his fallen comrades lay buried, he asked the spirits of his friends for forgiveness and understanding. The ghosts were the only ones to whom he could admit he had fallen in love with Hikari. But he knew it was a love that couldn't be. Hikari needed a human mate, not a Digimon lover.

Holy Angemon yawned, then removed his visor and set it beside him. Only Hikari had ever seen him without the visor. He preferred it that way. Feeling slightly drowsy himself, he dipped his head towards Hikari's to gently kiss her forehead. . . .

Hikari lay there thinking. Her eyes closed provided some rest, but her mind wouldn't let her sleep. Sooner or later she would have to tell Holy Angemon how she felt about him. She opened her eyes, then lifted her head to talk to him. By a quirk of fate or through perfect timing, their lips touched. It was only a fleeting touch, but enough to shock the two into a sense of awareness of each other. Holy Angemon stared at Hikari, his sky blue eyes wide with surprise.

They both felt their hearts racing. Suddenly, Hikari realized it was now or never. She reached up and pressed her lips to his. Holy Angemon's mind reeled as his body reacted to the kiss. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her close for the first real kiss they ever shared. Warning sirens and alarms sounding in the back of the angel Digimon's head went ignored for a full five minutes. When they finally separated for air, he realized what had just occured. "I. . . I'm sorry Hikari. . . that shouldn't have happened," he stammered. Hastily he reached for his visor and slipped it on.

"But. . ." Hikari felt her words cut off by his finger against her lips.

"I'm a Digimon," he reminded her gently. "That should have never happened."

"I don't care," he heard her whisper. Tears glistened on her cheeks. He brushed the tears away with a gentle finger.

"We need to return to town," he said firmly. "You promised Mina we'd have dinner with her and the others tonight."

Without waiting for a reply, he scooped her up and took off for town. Hikari rode in a confused silence. Her mind acknowledged Holy Angemon was a Digimon. Her heart no longer cared.

They spent the evening acting as if nothing had happened. Out of the other Digimon and DigiDestined, only Mina realized something seemed to be amiss. She cornered Hikari while the others were talking. "What's wrong?" asked Mina.

"Nothing," lied Hikari.

Mina crossed her arms over her chest. "You and Holy Angemon appear to be avoiding each other all night. Something happened."

"We - we kissed," said Hikari in a low voice.

"You do realize that he is a Digimon and you are human," returned Mina, hiding her surprise.

"I know."

"And?" prompted Mina.

"And I love him. Despite the fact that he's Digimon. I don't care. I can't see myself with anyone other than him," said Hikari, a tremor to her voice.

"Then follow your heart Hikari," said the DigiDestined of Love and Courage softly.

That evening, Hikari lay on her futon staring at the ceiling. Deep within, she came to a decision. She couldn't keep her feelings bottled up any longer. Quietly she stood. Clad in her white nightgown, she padded in her bare feet towards Holy Angemon's room. The door stood wide open. His cape and tabard were draped over a chair. The white boots lay discarded on the floor. His visor was tossed onto a desk. Holy Angemon, clad in only his white satin pants, leaned against the window frame, staring out towards the village.

"Something wrong?" he asked without turning around.

"We need to talk," she said softly.

"You know it's wrong Hikari," he returned.

"Since when is being in love wrong?"

Holy Angemon's whole body tensed. He willed himself not to turn around. "It's wrong when you are human and I'm a Digimon. You need a human mate."

"And what about you?"

"Digimon don't always need to mate. Since most Digimon are reconfigured after they die, there isn't a need for constant reproduction to ensure survival," he replied almost clinically.

"Don't Digimon ever fall in love?" she asked in a low voice. He didn't respond. From her position she couldn't see his fingers digging into the wood of the window frame.

"Even if they do, it doesn't mean that it's right," he whispered. He sensed her moving closer, then tensed as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Her head rested against his back, right where his wings joined his body.

"What would you do if you saw me with someone else? Would you really step aside and let another man into my life?"

"If I had to." He felt her tears against his back as he fought with his own feelings.

"You don't have to."

Holy Angemon struggled with his words. "You are the most important thing in my life. I just want what's best for you."

"The person that's best for me is you. And stop that 'human/Digimon' stuff already. I told you, I don't care."

"But. . ."

"I want the truth," Hikari said firmly. "I want to know once and for all how you feel about me."

The angel felt his resistance crumbling away. Trying to deny his true feelings was eating him up inside. "I love you Hikari," he almost whispered. "I love you more than my own existence. And if another man even tried to make a move on you, it would be a struggle for me not to blast him halfway across the world." Holy Angemon almost appeared deflated as he admitted his feelings. He felt a mixture of relief, tinged with a bit of worry. Then he felt her soft lips brush against his back. Gently he unwrapped her arms from his waist, then turned and met her cinnamon eyes. "You realize there's no turning back now."

"Who said I ever wanted to turn back?" Hikari stood on her tiptoes, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

---

Three years after their relationship began, Hikari shocked the world by giving birth to the first child that was half human and half Digimon. No one could deny the deep love Holy Angemon and Hikari shared. Even after their next children were born, a set of twins and two other children, Gennai still couldn't figure out how Hikari was able to become pregnant by her Digimon partner. Benjamin and Ilya chalked it up to Hikari's unique powers. Mina called it the miracle of love.

Speaking of Mina, she met a young man, fell in love, and had a family of her own. Derek and Rosa eventually married as well. Only Michael is still unmarried.

"Child, what are you doing up there?" called a voice. I look down and see Mrs. Bambata leaning on her crutch. Dogmon is next to her. Dogmon was once the Yukimibotamon she helped twenty-five years ago. "If your mother catches you up there, she'll be furious. It's practically dinner time."

"All right Mrs. Bambata," I call. "I'm going." As I watch Mrs. Bambata and Dogmon amble down the path, I brush a lock of my chestnut hair out of my eyes. The last bit of history isn't known to everyone. It's only known to a select few. Arching my back, I stretch my wings out to their full length.

Who am I? I am the firstborn child of the DigiDestined of Light and the Digimon of Hope. I am Annei. My name means peace.

The End

Author's notes:

Thanks to Renegade, Canopy4, donJaime, Beth, Jack, Ryuuoojo, and Gothic Zephyr for beta reading.