Digimon Adventure Chronicles II: Secrets Revealed

...chapter EIGHT ~ Misguided Intentions

Koushiro and Ken quickly caught up to Vamdemon, who had slowed his pace once he was a short distance away so as not to get lost. Hikari was already in front of the building, waiting impatiently and sending a glare their way.

“I hate those things.” He said, referring to the cars that impatiently sped down the parking lanes, fighting with one another over spots that opened as others leave.

“They are just trying to park and get inside.” Koushiro replied, glancing at him.

“They keep trying to run me over.” He said with annoyance. “Whatever happened to...” He thought for a moment, trying to remember a rule he learned during his invasion of Earth. “Pedestrians have the right of way.” He finished.

Koushiro smiled, surprised he knew about the concept. “Well, they do, but your not supposed to put yourself in their path.”

“It doesn't matter.” Vamdemon said. “They should be avoiding me. I'm injured, after all. I deserve to be treated with care.” Koushiro sighed at his difficulty.

“Sorry...but that's not how it works.” Ken said softly, curiosity perked even greater at his continuous strange behavior.

“Whatever.” Vamdemon grumbled, finally reaching the building and coming face to face with Hikari, who still held the glare she took on earlier. Koushiro and Ken looked to Vamdemon, who looked back at them with a dumb look. “What?”

“Well?” Koushiro prodded.

“Well what?” Vamdemon asked, honestly unknowing of what they wanted from him.

“Don't you have something to say to her?” Ken prodded, hoping to resolve the girl's anger.

“Apologize to her” Wormmon whispered into his ear. Vamdemon's eyes narrowed.

“Why should I?” He demanded, glancing back at the digimon he had nearly forgotten about.

“Do you want to stand here all day?” Koushiro asked with frustration. “I sure don't. Just do it!” He directed.

Vamdemon thought for a moment how to word what he was being forced to say. “I apologize for stressing your female hormones.” He said at last. “Can we go now?”

Hikari held steady her glare for a few moments more, but softened. “I guess that's the best I'm going to get from you, isn't it.”

“Indeed.” He said stubbornly.

She shook her head slightly in disbelief at his attitude. “Fine.” She said. “Let's go.”

Vamdemon started towards the entrance but was stopped when a hand grabbing his shoulder.

“Don't touch me.” He growled, trying to pull away.

Koushiro sighed and spoke, not removing his arm. “You're going the wrong way. Didn't you listen earlier? We're meeting up with the rest of the group in the back of the building.”

Vamdemon turned around and blinked at him, a terrible thought entering his mind. “...all of the...chosen ones...will be there?” He asked slowly.

“Every single one of us.” Hikari said smugly.

“Can't I wait here?” He gave Koushiro a pleading look, clearly unnerved by the prospect of being surrounded by all of his past enemies.

“No.” He said without sarcasm, an apologetic look on his face. “I'm sorry, but we just can't risk you running away. You still haven't told us exactly what's happened to you. We don't know how you got here, or what your up to, or even how you survived the last altercation to begin with. It's too dangerous to just let you go.”

Vamdemon struggled with himself not to tell him everything right then and there, knowing that even if the boy knew the truth he probably wouldn't release him. “I'm not out to kill any of you.” He said sternly, locking eyes with Koushiro. “I swear I won't run...”

“There is no proof to back that statement up.” He said, glancing downwards. “ Sorry, but for the time being you are basically a prisoner with benefits.” He pulled him forward, in front of Hikari. “Let's go.”

They traveled around the side of the building, weaving through other people. Koushiro lead, and was followed by Vamdemon, Hikari, then Ken. They were all silent until they turned a corner to their destination. Mimi was standing there.

Vamdemon glanced to his left, to a cluster of old tables and benches situated for dining. He left the group for the seating a few feet away. It was wet from the snow, but it was better than standing while human females spoke to one another.

“Hey guys.” She greeted quietly, watching each of them shuffle into the clearing.

“Hi, Mimi.” Hikari said, walking to her. “Is something wrong?”

“Well, you see, Jyou went and-”

Vamdemon tuned her out. 'This is great.' He thought dismally. 'No matter what I do, I lose. If I try running, the bearer of light will catch me again, just like before. Even if I got away I would freeze to death or die of starvation, not that I've been eating anyway.' He stopped his thoughts momentarily as he registered Ken seating himself beside him. He didn't address him when the boy turned towards him.

'All the chosen children will be here...' He continued, still ignoring Ken. 'Purity, Light, Knowledge, and Reliability know of my existence. I don't understand their motives. They claim that if I don't try to harm them, they won't harm me. Can I really trust that they will keep their word? The things I have done...could never be so easily forgiven, and yet... No. There has to be more to it; something they aren't telling me. Will they kill me when they've found out what they want to hear? What is it they want from me anyway? I wonder if they would even comprehend the forces that have been at work in the background for all these years...'

“Excuse me.” Ken said softly, tapping him on the shoulder opposite his digimon. Finally he turned his head to address him.

“What?” He asked and tried desperately to hold back his annoyance at being interrupted from his thoughts.

“Is something wrong?” Ken asked with concern. “You don't look so good.”

“I'm fine.” Vamdemon said sharply.

Ken paused a moment at the harshness in his tone. “Why are you so withdrawn?” He asked. “I know we don't know each other very well, but if you would just tell me what's wrong I would do my best to help you.”

Vamdemon closed his eyes, fighting back a pain in his head. “I was sick earlier.” He said slowly. “That must be it.”

“Oh...” Ken said, knowing he wasn't getting the full truth. “You must be hungry then.” He said. Vamdemon sighed. “We'll get you something when we get inside.”

“That isn't necessary.” Vamdemon said, trying to ignore the pangs in his stomach at the mention of food and unable to interpret what it desired.

“All right.” Ken said, “If you say so. I won't press it on you.”

“Thank you.” Vamdemon said, finally turning to the boy. He relaxed slightly knowing the child wasn't going to push him. “Can I ask you something, Ken?”

“Sure.” He said, surprised at the question.

“After what happened,” Vamdemon started, “...with the digimon...how did you prove to the chosen children you were trustworthy?”

“Well...” Ken started, remembering the sad time, “...I just sort of righted most of my wrongs. I mean, what I could. It's impossible to take back pain one has inflicted upon others, but I helped ease the hurting. I rebuilt places I destroyed and in turn defended them from the next enemy in line...”

Vamdemon thought about his words silently. 'I tried that. I did go back, tried to make them understand, fought against the monsters my actions created, but...the things I have done over hundreds of years are impossible to compare to what little damage he did, terrible though it was, in a few months. Even that was my fault wasn't it.'

Ken continued. “After that it was time that healed the wounds. I did what I could, made clear the change in my personality... The rest was up to them. They are wonderful people, even if they don't appear so at first. Of course, every one has their character flaws, but in the end it's what makes us stronger really. From the way you talk, you have some ghosts that haunt you as well.”

“Yes...” Vamdemon said softly, thinking about his words. Ken smiled at him. “There is nothing to worry about. As long as you are honest and sincere in you words and actions they will cease to bother you in time.”

“So that's the problem.” Mimi finished, leaving worried looks on both Hikari's and Koushiro's faces.

“So he told Iori and Miyako...and they called my brother...” Hikari said slowly, making sure she had gotten the correct information.

“And I'm sure he left out a detail or two.” Koushiro added.

“Hurry up, we have to save her before it's too late!” A voice said from around the corner they had come from. Three figures emerged, breathing heavily. Taichi, Gatomon, and Agumon, and behind them, Miyako and Iori.

“You!” Taichi yelled, pointing at Vamdemon and causing both the figures on the bench to jump. His attention snapped to the irate boy.

“No, Tai!” Hikari said and rushed in the middle of the path to the seats. “It's not what you think!”

“Just stay out of the way, I'll take care of him!” He brushed past her, running towards Vamdemon's sitting form. He grabbed the collar of his sweatshirt and pulled him unexpectedly up off the bench and into the air. Thoughts of his last fight flashed through Vamdemon's mind. This time, there was nothing around to defend himself with. Wormmon jumped onto the table. Taichi started shaking his figure violently.

“You monster! Why can't you stay dead!” Tai growled, trying to strangle him just as the construction worker had. Vamdemon struggled to pry his hands off with his right arm but their grip was tight and his one was weak. Wormmon shifted onto the bench beside them.

“Sticky Net!” He launched the web at Taichi, entrapping his arms and causing Vamdemon to drop to his knees, gasping for air and rubbing at his neck. His freedom was short lived. Tailmon had launched herself from her previous position towards Vamdemon.

“Lightning Paw!” She yelled, flinging her arm at his face. He let out a whimper as her claws dug into the top of the right side of his head and was dragged down over his shut eye, across his nose and mouth, and to the base of his exposed left neck. She landed a few feet away as Agumon flung himself on top of the shocked creature and started punching him in the stomach. Ken and Koushiro were trying to pry him off as Hikari and Mimi watched frozen in horror.

Tailmon was breathing heavily, anger inside her growing each time she saw his face. She looked down at the paw she had attacked with to see a coating of blood across her claws. 'That's odd...' She thought, an uneasy feeling creeping over her. 'It's never injured him so severely before...' She looked up at the two boys trying to stop Agumon and readied to attack once more.

“Call him off, please!!” Vamdemon moaned, addressing Taichi and struggling to keep Agumon's jaws away from his face with his right arm.

The words had caught Tailmon off guard, but she laughed despite it. “Myotismon pleading?” She said smugly. “Like he's ever shown mercy...”

“Dear God, he's going to kill me!” He said hoarsely, voice sore from screaming. “You lied to me!” Silent tears of pain had formed in his eyes, clouding his vision. However blurred it was, he was still able to see a small flame forming in Agumon's mouth.

“Call them off, please! You said you weren't going to do this! Please!” He was screaming, Agumon's attack nearly fully formed.

To Tailmon's surprise, Hikari flung herself at Agumon, knocking him to the side and his attack into one of the benches, which was immediately engulfed in hot flames. Wormmon jumped to the ground then crawled over Vamdemon, looking down at him with a saddened face. Hikari stood, brushing dirt and snow off her clothes.

“What the hell is wrong with you!” She yelled at Agumon and Tailmon, who was taken aback at her choice of words.

“But Kari, I-”

“No!” She yelled at the cat, interrupting her. “No excuses! Gatomon, when did I give you permission to attack him!”

“You didn't, but Tai said-”

“Tai isn't your partner, Gatomon, I am!” Hikari continued, anger inflating each time her digimon tried to defend herself. “You've never gone into battle and without seeking my permission before!”

“But Kari, that's MYOTISMON!” Gatomon spat, near screaming it herself. The anger from earlier had boiled over. “Do you remember what he's done to us? He abused me, and all of his followers! He tried to kill you! He killed Wizardmon! Doesn't any of that mean anything to you! It sickens me that you would defend him!”

“Yes, Gatomon, I do remember what he's done.” Hikari said, voice now surprisingly soft and emotional at the memories of the pain he caused in the past. “But I believe that people can change.”

“HE can't change Kari.” The cat with venom, glaring at his fallen form. “He always has been, and always will be pure evil.”

She stood to the side. Ken was kneeling beside Vamdemon, who was shaking from both the cold and the pain coursing through his body. His face was covered in blood and tears, from Tailmon's attack and his own weeping eyes. It was a strange site to see the once digimon cry.

“Neither of you have any idea what's going on, do you?” Hikari said, looking from lizard to cat.

“Tai said he was going to hurt you.” Agumon said slowly, voice lacking malice. “We just wanted to protect you.”

Kari glared at him, her gaze quickly shifting to her brother.

“Look Kari, Jyou told me that Myotismon was alive, and that he was with you. What was I supposed to think?”

“Things through.” She stated darkly, anger returning. “Look at what your rash actions have done, Tai!”

“So...we've attacked him worse in the past.” He said, trying to brush it off. “...and like Gatomon said, he's killed others himself...”

“Tai, he's HUMAN.” She stressed the word. “Does that mean anything to you?”

“Kari that's impossible.” He said. “And even if that was the case, it wouldn't excuse the pain he's caused. He still needs to be eliminated so that he can never do that again.”

“No.” She said with a great deal of emotion in her voice. “He's not the same as he was Tai. I've spent half a day with him so far, and I can already tell that whatever fueled him to fight us before is gone. Why should I listen to you anyway? When I tried to tell you about him this morning you ignored me. If you weren't such an inconsiderate jerk you would have known all about this!”

“I was willing to listen, Kari” Tailmon said, a hurt look on her face.

“Gatomon...” She said softly, attention turning once more to her digimon. “I couldn't tell you. If I did, you might have killed him this morning without knowing of his mortality. Koushiro caused enough damage himself.” Tailmon gave her a disapproving look. “Listen, Gatomon. You're just going to have to trust me on this. He's not the same as he was.”

“I will respect your wish, Kari, not to harm him...” She said, eyes lingering of the injured form of their past enemy. “But I absolutely refuse to believe he's any different than he used to be.”

Kari sighed and looked around, gaze finally falling on Miyako. She spoke to her gently. “Can I have your scarf? I promise I'll buy you another one inside.”

“Of course...” She said, shaking. Her and Iori didn't know how to react. She took it off and handed it to Kari, who then knelt at the other side of Vamdemon's body. After dipping it in the wet snow, she pressed it across his face, making him clench his teeth in pain. “I'm sorry.” She said softly, scooping up a bit more snow and letting it fall over the still bleeding claw marks. His eyes shifted to look at her, a surprised look emerging on his face. “I didn't want this. I should have told him myself; should have insisted that he listen. Even this morning. I...I didn't mean for you to hurt your arm, or hit your head... This is all my fault...I'm sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about, child of light.” He said quietly. “After everything I've done...to all of you...to countless others...this is nothing.” He closed his eyes. “I deserve it.” He gingerly touched the open wound Tailmon had given him. He chuckled sarcastically. “She's marked me just as I marked her...”

Gatomon took on a surprised look at his choice of words. Hikari smiled gently at his choice of words.

“So your...Myotismon.” Ken said quietly, unsure of how to react after all that had happened.

His impeded gaze shifted to the boy to his side. “...yes.” He said even softer, eyes still closed. Once again he had a look of pain etched upon his face. Ken looked at Wormmon. “Did you know?”

“I wasn't sure...I had a feeling...I had never met him before after all...” He said. “But he has a kind soul and a gentle aura surrounding him, and that's enough for me. I trusted him every moment and still do.”

“That's why you helped me...” Vamdemon asked, left eye opening to watch the little worm.

“Yes. I did the best I could.” Wormmon said, a happy look appearing on his face at the recognition.

“You did great.” Ken said, an unsure look on his face.

Vamdemon tried to pull himself up, but his muscles were weak from Agumon had bruised him and he fell back down. Ken reached behind him and put an arm around his waist, pulling him to the position he had wanted. Vamdemon fought with an instinct to pull away and relaxed into the embrace.

Two more figures had appeared, each from opposite corners. Yamato and Sora.

“How's it going, it's getting hard to hold back the crowds after they heard screams.” The blond boy asked, looking for the face of their old foe. “Did you get him?”

“We got him...” Agumon said, “But we didn't get him.”

Yamato gave him a strange look. “Stop talking in riddles Agumon, you never make any sense.”

“He means that they attacked him, but Kari wouldn't let them finish him off.” Taichi said with frustration. “ Look down.”

“That guy?” Yamato asked incredulously, staring at the pathetic looking man Hikari and Ken knelt beside.

“Yes, this guy.” Hikari said. “A digimon in human form. We don't know how it happened, but we need him alive to find out, don't we.” She finished optimistically. Taichi gave her a peeved look.

“So...” Yamato said, watching the figures on the ground. “We'll kill him when we learned what magic he used?”

She sighed. “No, we're not going to kill him at all. Why are all of you so interested in death and destruction? Not all of our problems need to be solved with violence. Miyako, Iori, you two especially should understand this. You kept saying it yourself when we were fighting Ken, and then Arukenimon and Mummymon.” They just nodded their heads.

“I trust you Kari.” Sora said softly. “I don't know what's been going on, but if that's what you believe then I'll stand by you.”

“Thanks.” She said and let out a relieved breath. “I'm glad one of you vets will.”

“Hey!” Mimi said with a huff. “I've been on your side from the start.”

“I know, I mean in this whole ordeal here, now.” Hikari said. “Everyone else seems against keeping him alive.”

“I see...hey!” She yelled, watching Vamdemon prod the scabbing gouges. He froze mid motion, eye shifting to her.

“What?” He asked with an annoyed tone, though he tried to minimize the effect for her.

“Don't pick at that or you'll bleed again.” She came close and knelt in front of him. He glared at the triangle that had formed around him.

“So?” He asked slowly.

She sighed in frustration. “That isn't going to heal in just a few minutes, Myotismon. A human body is much different than yours was. You have to leave it alone or it'll get infected.”

“Whatever.” He muttered, closing his eye.

“What the heck did you guys do?” Jyou asked, a panicked look appearing on his face as he approached the group. He dropped his bag next to Kari and crouched down to inspect Vamdemon's face. “TK and Daisuke are struggling back there keeping worried people away.

“It's your fault.” Hikari said angrily. “You told Iori and Miyako, they told Taichi, and he made Gatomon and Agumon attack him.”

“Well, I had to tell them, Kari.” He said. “It's not fair to keep everyone in the dark about it. I swear though, I didn't tell them he was dangerous.”

“Maybe if you mentioned the part about being human he wouldn't have.”

Jyou sighed. “Maybe, I do apologize about that, but you should know more than any of us Tai always rushes head first into things. I doubt it would have made a difference.” He reached out and pulled Vamdemon's head forward, causing him to emit a grunt of pain. He reached forward with his other hand a pressed a saturated cotton ball to the scratches.

“Aargh, what are you doing?” Vamdemon shrieked as it touched the wound. He tried to pull away and stop the ball from stinging but Ken held strong his grip. “Get that damned 'medicine' away from me!”

“Please, relax.” Jyou muttered. “It will help it heal. Perhaps your old body could do that for you, but this one can't. Now, sit still and shut up. I thought you were tougher than this.”

Vamdemon growled. “Everything hurts a lot more than it used to. If I was a digimon, this would be nothing. I've survived far, far worse beatings. I wouldn't even have felt this!”

“Uh huh.” Jyou said, ignoring him. “All done. Was that really so bad?”

Vamdemon grunted and looked at the faces of the children around him. They were all watching him, even the ones not immediately surrounding him.. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine he was in a different place. Ken's voice interfered with his illusion.

“Let me help you up.” He said, shifting so that he could accomplish the task. Mimi took his hand and pulled up as well. He struggled to stay on his feet, even with Ken's support.

“So...what now?” Taichi asked quietly.

“What now?” Kari asked incredulously. “I'll tell you what now. We're going shopping. I've been waiting for this day for weeks, and nothing is going to stop me from doing so!”

“You still want to go after everything that's happened?” Yamato asked, surprised at Hikari's determination.

“Of course I do.” She said, slightly taken aback. “What's done is done. Mistakes were made, but now it's time to move on, and have a good time!”

“I agree.” Miyako said after a long silence. “We can't let a small setback ruin our day.”

“If you could call this small...” Koushiro said sternly, eying Vamdemon. “Someone's going to have to watch him while we go about our business.”

“You do it” Jyou said with annoyance. “You're the one that suggested bringing him in the first place. I said to leave him at the house, but noooooo you had to take him with us.” Koushiro promptly ignored him.

“I'll watch him.” Ken offered. “I don't mind, really. I didn't have a lot of shopping to do anyway.”

“But weren't you and Daisuke going to go make idiots of yourselves in there by singing carols?” Miyako asked.

“Hey,” Ken smiled. “You and Hikari are doing it too.”

“Yeah, but we can sing. There's the difference.”

“I can sing.” He said, slightly hurt. “It's Daisuke that goes off key.”

“I'll watch him too.” Hikari said, “So that you don't have to do it alone.”

“Must you?” Vamdemon muttered. Hikari glared at him.

“Or we can take turns.” Ken said for Vamdemon's sake.

“That's even worse. Then I have to deal with her alone.” He said sarcastically.

“You can count me in as well.” Sora said. “And Mimi, I'm sure. We can all alternate as we get our things done. Is it settled?”

“I guess so.” Tai said, looking around.

“Good, now let's go. Takeru and Daisuke are probably wondering what happened by now.” Yamato said. “Our digimon are with them, so I'll bet they're worried sick too.”

“Hopefully Gomamon will have shed some light on the situation. I told him the full story during the ride here.”

The group finally moved, Ken still aiding a weak Vamdemon, towards the entrance of the large building.