Digimon Adventure Chronicles II: Secrets Revealed

...chapter FIVE ~ Reasons and Revelations

The sky was clear and blue and cloudless. The grass was green and healthy. A gentle wind blew through the hillside and ruffled the leaves of great trees rooted firmly in the ground, towering high above white feathered winged creatures that leaned against their sturdy trunks. There were at least fifty of the creatures which were gathered in small groups and talked to one another excitedly. Some held bags and books while others ran across the vibrant hillside at play.

In the center of a patch of older trees was a roaring fire, a brilliant orange in color. Seven of the feathered creatures sat around it, throwing handfuls of sand and dirt at the flames that caused it to change color. Green, blue, purple, yellow, red, and orange light reflected off the trees, illuminating the woods even more than before.

Down a dirt trail and a good distance away from the fire was a building made of dirty gray stone. It's color contrasted sharply against the blue sky and green grass. A featherless male sat on the ground beside it, leaning against the building and reading from a book clutched in his hand. He sat in peace for a long while, immersed in the book of runes he held, until a number of the fire side creatures approached him.

With a flash a female ripped the book from his hands and held it high above it's head. The sitting creature stood and demanded it back. She shot an insult at him and with a laugh leaped into the air, feathered wings beating lightly to keep her afloat. Then, with a mischievous grin, she flew back from where she had come from. The wingless male ran after her, barely able to keep up. Just as he approached she dropped it into the fire. The others who had followed them laughed hysterically as he dove at the fire to try and retrieve the book. Despite the roaring flames he thrust his hand into the fire. Upon grasping the book in his fingers it crumbled to ash.

As the creatures threw themselves upon him he released a scream of pure agony.

Vamdemon's eyes shot open. He struggled to remember what he had been dreaming but it had already passed. His wild gaze locked with Mimi's, who had moved to his side the moment he woke. There was a lingering surprise on her face at a memory that flashed through her mind and passed as quickly as it came. Vamdemon, however, seemed to be in more shock than she had been. There was an obvious look of be wilderness upon his face as she scrutinized over him, asking many questions such as how he was feeling and if he was hungry. Her speech attracted Jyou, who stood by the door watching silently the girl scrutinize the bedded man.

When Mimi was finally silent Vamdemon opened his mouth to speak. However, nothing came out but a moan and the tight shutting of his eyes. Jyou took a step forward, ready to assist if necessary. Finally the figure on the couch garnered energy to speak, although softly.

“What...did you do to me?” He whispered, referring to a queer pain in his stomach.

“What are you feeling?” Jyou asked, worriedly.

“I...feel like...like......” He moaned and opened his eyes slightly. “I can't describe it...it's nothing like I've ever felt before.”

Joe's eyes grew wide and he rushed back into the kitchen. Mimi only stared at where he had been standing then back to Vamdemon.

“Do you feel nauseous?” She asked softly. He shook his head slightly in agreement, though he was a bit unsure of what it meant. She smiled a bit and held out her hand. “Take my hand, I'll help you to the bathroom.”

“...why.....why the bathroom...?” He asked in wonder, suppressing bile in the back of his throat.

“So you can throw up, Silly. You don't want to do it on the floor do you? Come on.” She said gently, not waiting for him to take her hand. She he took his and gently pulled him to a sitting position despite his resistance. He winced and let out a pained grunt, repeating the two as she helped pull him off of the couch. “Hold on to me to stay balanced.” She instructed, placing his good arm around her shoulder. “And we'll go there slowly.”

He was too weak to resist her movement and found himself too close to the girl for his own comfort. He attempted to pull away but failed, as he found himself being led around the couch and to a bathroom in the next room. Midway he let out yet another groan, biting back another round of bile. Worried she moved him a bit faster, and they finally reached the bathroom. She moved forward and lifted the lid to the toilet, and instructed him to kneel in front of it. She moved to his other side to support his weakened arm as she awaited the inevitable.

First he started shaking, though she wasn't sure if it was from the coldness of the tile floor or his sickness. Soon after he began to retch, gagging on nothing but air, and finally came the vomiting. He was sick for over five minutes, with little pause in between each bout. By the time he was done tears had made their way down his cheeks and he was shaking even harder, almost to the point of becoming unbalanced. He was also heavily panting from the extreme convulsions his body had gone through. His arm was stinging as well as his lungs and abdominal muscles. Finally he let out a pathetic moan of pain and exhaustion before Mimi pulled him back and flushed the toilet. He collapsed into her arm out of sheer exhaustion.

She looked over him and noted that the hair not tucked into his sweatshirt hanging loosely on his body was disheveled and wet from the sweat that covered his body. “There,” she said, locking eyes with him, “all better. I'll bet your stomach feels great right about now!”

He remained silent as he searched for some reason for the kindness in her eyes before giving up and speaking.

“It does. Much better than before...” It was a whisper, even softer than the first few words he had uttered when he first woke, but more coherent. Jyou appeared at the door with a grateful look directed at Mimi before he focused his attention on Vamdemon.

“I suppose I should apologize...” Jyou started, “I took a risk with that medicine and you paid the price.” He paused for a moment as Vamdemon turned his head to look at him, looking pathetic. Mimi's attention turned to Jyou. She gazed at him with confusion but said nothing. He continued. “Koushiro has told me that you haven't taken it upon yourself to eat during the time you've been here, so I've taken it upon myself to provide you with a meal.” He said stoically. “Do realize, however, that I am only doing this because I have to. I cannot deny a human being my care and hospitality as a doctor... If you were anything else...”

“Don't trouble yourself.” Vamdemon said, clenching his eyes shut and turning away. “I don't need your sympathy...”

Jyou laughed. “Don't be a fool, Myotismon. You are mistaking an obligation with kindness.” He said cruelly before turning and walking away. From the next two rooms he called to a now wide eyed Mimi. “I'm going out for a while; there are some things I need to do. Watch him please.”

And he was gone. Mimi slowly looked back over the figure of the man she had helped so sincerely just moments before. She was quiet for a few moments before speaking.

“Myotismon...” It came out as a whisper although she had meant it to be a strong question. The shivering man turned to her, proving that was indeed his name. For a fluttering moment she was fearful, but as quick as it had came it passed, and she stood up with a renewed passion. Vamdemon watched her with confusion and conflicted emotions.

She shifted his weight from her arm, taking his hand and slowly pulling him up. She stared him in the eyes for a few moments, searching for any trace of deception or malevolence, but found only confusion and...fear?

“Jyou said you haven't eaten?” She asked softly.

“Correct...” He said even softer, trying once more to pull away from her.

“Why not?” She led him out of the bathroom, through the living room, and up three stairs into the kitchen. Vamdemon remained silent as Mimi pulled a chair back and instructed him to. She walked to the other side of the table and pulled out a chair of her own. He reluctantly sat and attempted to make himself comfortable. He stared disdainfully at the soup and buttered toast before him.

“Aren't you hungry?” She asked.

“Not really...” He said, still staring at the bowl of liquid. “It looks....and smells...revolting.”

“So does blood.” She rebutled, albeit softly. He glanced at her with a bit of contempt but it quickly disappeared and was replaced by a look of displacement.

“I suppose so.” He acknowledged, moving slightly so that he sat up straighter. He glanced at the setting around him, finally resting his eyes on a glass next to the bowl. He picked it up with a shaky hand and took a sip, relishing the cool liquid as it calmed his fiery throat.

“So, what are you doing here?” She asked, trying to be pleasant.

He glanced at her. “Shouldn't I be asking that of you?”

“Well, yes, I suppose...” She said, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks. “...but I'm afraid I don't really know why you are here. Koushiro and Kari brought you here with Jyou, and they cleaned you up after that, but that's the extent of my knowledge.”

“I see.” He said quietly. “They didn't say...if they had any plans as to what they were going to do with me?”

She shook her head. “Nothing, sorry.”

He sighed and closed his eyes. “Please, it isn't your fault so there is no need to be.”

She hesitated momentarily with a question on the tip of her tounge. Finally she decided to speak. “May I ask you something else?”

He stared at her, surprised she was seeking permission. “I suppose...”

“How...how did you survive the last battle?”

'Ah.' He thought. 'That's why she was hesitant.' He gave her a half smile and spoke softly. “I had my ways. It was able to be done with credits given to a will to live, a separation of power, and the help of digital guardians.”

“Digital guardians?” She asked. “I've never heard of one of them.”

A smile tugged at the edge of his lips at her lack of knowledge. “Of course you have.” He said. “You served one during our first encounter.”

She thought about this for a moment before something clicked in her head. “Do you mean Gennai?”

“Yes, Gennai was one of them.”

“Wow.” She whispered. “And he helped...you?”

Vamdemon frowned, unhappy with her skepticism, though, it hadn't been unexpected. “Yes, he did, along with another, but that is as much as I am willing to tell you.”

“But,” She pressed on, “We destroyed something up in the sky...”

“That was not me.” He said. His glass was nearly empty. “That was an entity completely different than my own, and in destroying it...” He trailed off, unsure if he should keep speaking. He decided to stop.

“Either way,” She said, “Shouldn't you have been reborn in the Primary Village? Or somewhere in the Digital World?”

His demeanor declined suddenly at the question and he adopted a distant look. He quickly placed the glass back to the table so that his shaking wouldn't spill it. He looked away from her. “That isn't something I want to talk about right now.”

“Okay...” She said softly, surprised at his reaction. “I can respect that...”

He shook his head slightly, surprised himself by her concern, then parted his lips as about to speak, but closed them when he felt a presence behind him. He turned slightly to see Hikari, who had just come down the stairs behind him.

“You're awake.” She stated, as though she didn't believe her eyes.

“No thanks to you...” He grumbled. Mimi chuckled drawing both Hikari's and Vamdemon's attention to her.

“Don't be so distant Kari. He's been through a rough ten minutes.”

“I'm not being distant!” Hikari huffed. “I just wasn't expecting him up so soon. And what happened that was so 'rough' on him anyway?”

“Well...”

“I was violently ill.” He snapped, his unease disappearing and attitude returning. “Thanks to you brats. If you had left me alone in the first place none of this would have had to happen.”

“Maybe you shouldn't have tried to kill us all those years ago in the first place.” She retorted angrily, causing Vamdemon's eyes flashed with anger as well.

“You wouldn't be able to BEGIN to COMPREHEND-”

“Please, don't argue.” Mimi intervened, sensing the tension growing between Vamdemon and Hikari growing even stronger. She received a glare from both of them at her interference. She paused for a moment. “I'm sure that Myotismon had reason behind attacking us...”

Hikari looked at her incredulously. “Since when have you defended him.” Then she paused and a realization washed over her. “You-you know?”

Mimi only nodded, causing Vamdemon to look strange once again. “Why are you-”

“Why not?” Mimi asked, not waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“You're willing to completely ignore the things he's done to us!” Hikari asked, preventing Vamdemon to speak as well.

“I'm not ignoring it, Kari. I know full well the things he's done; the atrocities he's committed and pain he's inflicted upon others...”

“Then why?” Vamdemon finally broke through. Mimi turned to him, enveloped in the confused look he was sending her way. She sighed and shook her head. “I don't want any of this...”

“You're helpless...” She started. “...and...from what I overheard when you were first brought here...human. If you are, then you must have been given another chance, just like Ken!” Vamdemon winced at the boy’s name. “That's why your being so nice to me, right!” She finished enthusiastically.

“Wrong, child. You helped me, with sincerity and purity, the very traits you bear, and that is the only reason I have treated you decently. As for my humanity...” He trailed off, voice moving from anger to hesitation. He finished softly, “It is no gift...”

“Go on.” Mimi said softly. “I want to understand. Hikari remained silent.

He hesitated. “It was done so that I would be...eliminated.”

“What!” Kari said incredulously, moving forward. “Do you really expect us to believe-”

Vamdemon stood up angrily and turned to face Hikari. “I've had it with you, Brat! I care little if you believe me!”

“Oh, but you care if she does?” Hikari asked incredulously, referring to Mimi.

“STOP!” Mimi yelled. “Kari, cut it out!”

She did, staying quiet for a few moments before letting out a long breath and coming further down the stairs.

Vandemon sat down and shook his head. “My master...grew tired of me, of my disobedience and my interference, so he made me human and sent me here in the hopes that the chosen children would destroy me...” He paused, then continued even softer, “And I am sure he was right. You children will destroy me...eventually. Once I have served whatever purpose you children have in mind of me...”

“We aren't-” Hikari started.

“Don't lie!” He screamed at her angrily. “Why else would that you have chased me? Why else would the child of knowledge be so interested in my crest...” He trailed off.

“Crest?” Mimi asked. He suddenly took on a horrified look. He fumbled around the pockets of the sweatshirt. “You...you brat!” He spat, hatred dancing in his eyes. “Where is it! Where did you put it!”

“What are you talking about!” Kari yelled angrily.

“You know damned well what I'm talking about!”

Confusion lingered on her face for a moment. However it was short lived and her face quickly paled. The door opened.

Jyou surveyed the situation quickly. Vamdemon was tense on his chair, right hand clenched upon the arm rest tightly and a look of hatred etched on his face. Hikari looked like a deer caught in the headlights and Mimi appeared nervous, eyes darting between the two and to Jyou himself. His brows furrowed.

"Is there a problem?" He asked with annoyance, unhappy that Vamdemon was apparently causing trouble.

Vamdemon opened his mouth to speak but his voice failed him and He cast his eyes downward. "He wants the crest..." Hikari said softly and fearfully.

Jyou rolled his eyes. "I don't really care what he wants, Kari, and you shouldn't either. You look worried. Remember that he can't hurt us in the state he's in right now."

Kari faltered at the harsh words.

"I don't understand any of you.." Mimi whispered, eyes growing moist.

"What don't you understand, Mimi? It's cut and dry.." Jyou said, faltering at her unease.

"No!” She yelled at him. “It's not cut and dry, Jyou. How can you say that what he wants, what he desires, doesn't matter? How can you say that his emotions and needs are so simple or unimportant? How can you be so cruel?”

"Mimi he is our enemy! Why should I treat him with respect after the things he's done to us?"

"He was our enemy." She corrected darkly, a tone rarely heard in her voice. "And because that's how you gain a person's trust. Treating them like an animal, like a monster, won't produce any results. Such behavior will only breed more hatred" She paused, putting her hand to Vamdemon's shoulder. He jumped and tensed up even further at her touch. "I learned a lot in the time you were gone, because I was gentle and kind with him, and I'm willing to bet that he was evil because no one else gave him the chance not to be."

Jyou was confused. "And just what did you learn?”

"I'm not telling you,” She snapped. “He entrusted the information to me.”

“Yeah right!” He said and laughed incredulously. “I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that he would tell you anything but lies.”

“Well then I really don’t care what you believe, Jyou.” Mimi said harshly.

“This isn’t going anywhere…” Hikari muttered as Koushiro entered the building behind Jyou.

“Hey…” He spoke, glancing around the room. “What’s going on, I heard arguing.”

“He’s being unreasonable!” Mimi screeched, exasperated.

“Unreasonable!” Jyou shouted, at his limit. “You're defending our enemy! That’s like treason!”

Koushiro stayed quiet for a moment, thinking about how to handle the situation. He glanced to Vamdemon, whose eyes were shut tightly and face turned downwards. ‘He hasn't said a word.’ He thought. 'He hasn't tried to defend himself.'

“I don’t know what just transpired here, but I don’t want to hear any more of it. He may have been our enemy, but sometimes there are unknown variables in life that we can’t control. Something happened to him to make him like us, so I expect him to be treated like one of us.”

Jyou growled in anger but gave up his fight. Koushiro stepped around him and towards Vamdemon, who looked up at him with contempt.

“How are you feeling? You hit your head pretty hard before.”

”Don't sound so sorry.” He muttered. Koushiro chuckled, noticing a lack of contempt displayed towards him. He glanced at the untouched food on the table. “You haven’t eaten.”

“I’m not hungry.” Vamdemon said with frustration.

“I highly doubt that.” Koushiro stated. “ Humans need to nourish themselves more often than vampires do, Myotismon. You should eat.”

He groaned and closed his eyes again. “He was sick earlier, Koushiro.” Mimi said, “I’m not sure his stomach would be able to handle it.”

Hikari stepped towards Koushiro. “Listen, he was looking for his crest before…”

“Oh...” Koushiro said, glancing at Vamdemon then back at Hikari. “Do you think we should give it back to him?”

”I don’t know…”

“Well I’m done analyzing it. It’s…quite interesting.” He said, staring into Vamdemon’s eyes, which were now open and gazing back at him. Koushiro continued. "One point that really caught my eye was that it's already been activated." Shock filled the other creatures eyes as well as Hikari's "Not only has it been activated, but it's glow has faded...which means that one of the partners linked to it is deceased...” Koushiro paused, narrowing his eyes slightly at the creature before him. “ Tell me, Vamdemon. Do you know anything about that?"

A pained look appeared on his face. He spoke softly. "That's not something I want to talk about."

"Were you involved?"

Vamdemon didn't answer. He let out a huge breath and seemed to pull himself tighter.

"Anyway...” Koushiro started. “This thing is ancient. It hasn't been seen for generations. That must have been why I didn't recognize it."

"What is it..." Hikari asked softly, the nervousness in her voice causing her to falter.

"You're going to like this, Kari. It's a complement to yours..."

Vamdemon paled and shut his eyes, fighting off a wave of unhappy memories. Mimi's grip on his shoulder tightened and Hikari sucked in a breath of air in anticipation.

"It's the crest of darkness."