Chapter 75: Sunrise

Thomas Kasuto

Saias’s Villa

14 Hours

 

“This sunrise is kind of nice and all, I guess, but I’m getting bored already,” Statuedramon said. The two of us sat on the villa’s front porch. “Why did Apollomon have to leave me — I mean, us — behind?! And they left without saying goodbye, too!”

“We can’t all go,” I said, turning my attention from the golden sunrise to him. “If too many of us left, there wouldn’t be anyone to deal with the Bio Hybrids or Lilithmon. Besides, I had no intention of leaving Zelda behind.”

“Speaking of…How is she doing?” Statch asked. “You didn’t even want to leave her to come downstairs for dinner — your portion was really good, by the way — but now, you’re down here with me, watching the sunrise like we always do.”

“…She’s…getting better,” I said. “It’s mostly the grief over not knowing what happened that’s worn her out. She’s still kind of feeling sick, though, so I’m not too broken up about not getting to go with Apollomon and the others. I don’t want to leave her while she’s like this, and without me, there’s really no point in you going.”

“…Again with the Digivolving thing?” Statch asked. “Look, Thomas, I’ve said it before; I really don’t think I can do it.”

“And I told you, you need to stop doubting yourself,” I replied. “I really believe that you’ve tried your hardest, but I know you can do it; not just because the two of us are together, as Human and Digimon, but because you have the power in yourself to do it.”

“…I hope you’re right,” Statuedramon admitted. “Because I really would like to Digivolve…I wonder what I would Digivolve into?”

“You could always ask Luna for help,” I suggested.

“I could…but I’d really like to do this on my own,” he said. “This is something that should be done on one’s own.”

“You’ll get it; one of these days, you’ll figure it out,” I said. “And when you do, you’ll Digivolve into the most badass Digimon ever!”

“I thought I already was,” Statch said.

Zelda

 

I slowly and gradually made my way downstairs, gently placing my bare feet down with each step I took so as to not aggravate my pounding headache. After a long period of time that I was sure wasn’t nearly as long as it felt, I found my way to the living room, where I collapsed with exhaustion onto a couch, sitting straight up with my head resting in my hands.

“Zelda, are you okay?!” Luna asked. I lifted my head, seeing her and Chrysania standing worriedly over me.

“Zelda’s tummy doesn’t still hurt, does it?!” Chrysania asked tearfully.

“No…I feel better,” I said, smiling at the young witch, who promptly plopped down on the couch next to me and pulled me into a choking hug.

“Chrissy was…so worried about you!” she sobbed.

“Well, I’m all better now,” I said, patting her reassuringly on the back.

“Okay!” Chrysania immediately quit sobbing, and smiled broadly at me.

Well…that certainly was…fast…

“You don’t still feel sick?” Luna asked.

“Well…my head hurts a little, but—”

“That’s normal, dear,” Luna interrupted. “Think of it as the leftovers of emotional anguish you felt from the actual effect of the potion.”

“…What did I do?” I asked beseechingly. “Thomas said I didn’t do anything, but I’m not so sure…”

“Well…that’s because…you didn’t do anything,” Luna said. “None of what happened was your fault; it was all because of the Diadem and the Bio Hybrids.”

“But…what did happen? What happened yesterday?” I implored.

Luna closed her eyes in thought, and after a moment, she sighed. “The Stone and the Diadem were taken from us,” Luna said. I bit my tongue to keep myself from gasping. “The Diadem was on your head, but it didn’t actually turn you evil; what happened was that it brought forth all of the anger from your childhood…growing up in Adonis…”

“So…I was…angry? Not truly evil?”

“Thomas and Apollomon both suspect you didn’t turn evil because there wasn’t any darkness in your heart; only anger; suppressed rage. That was all the Diadem of Spiritual Balance had to go by, and that was all it could do to someone as pure of heart as you. Anyway, the Bio Hybrids…they took advantage of that…and with it, they got our two Horcruxes.”

“What?! But then—”

“Lucemon has already been released,” Luna continued. “He was defeated by Dianamon before anything could happen, and now, she, Pheragas, and Apollomon have gone out in search of Seraphimon so as to defeat Lilithmon and her allies once and for all.”

“…We…we need to get the other Horcruxes back,” I said.

“Yes…But without Apollomon and the others, we have little chance of actually—”

“Not them,” I interrupted. “The Sword…the Flute…and the Mirror…We need to get them back before the Bio Hybrids find them.”

“Zelda…you are correct, but…we don’t have the slightest idea of where they could be,” Luna sat down next to me.

“It doesn’t matter…We need to find them,” I said firmly. “I need to make up for what I—”

“You didn’t do anything, sweetie,” Luna said, grabbing my hand as I began to stand up. “That wasn’t your fault!”

“Regardless…I will find those three Horcruxes,” I said. “It doesn’t matter how badly I feel right now; this is something that needs to be done!”

Luna sighed again. “I obviously can’t shake you away from this decision,” she said. “Tell me, though; how are you really feeling?”

“Well…my head still hurts, but I’m able to ignore it,” I said. “…And if I’m being completely honest…my tummy still hurts a lot…but I don’t care. I’m still going.”

“…I wanted to keep this away from you until you were feeling better,” Luna said. I watched, curious, as she removed a folded piece of paper from the waist of her skirt and handed it to me. “I found this note on my bed last night. Read it.”

I began reading but soon stopped, stunned. “…This is…”

“Whoever took the Sword, Flute, and Mirror sent me that,” Luna said. “I don’t know why they would send it to me, and not Apollomon, but without our leader, I will need to go and deal with this.”

“But…it mentions me,” I said. “Luna…they’re requesting that I go with you!”

“To the Black Rose Mountains,” Luna said. “Zelda, I really don’t think it’s a good idea that you come with me…But at the same time, my gut’s telling me that you must.”

“Luna…please…let me go with you,” I said, grabbing her by the shoulders and looking into her eyes. “No matter how much everyone says what happened wasn’t my fault, I still feel as though it was. I need to make up for what I did.”

“…Fine. You can come. But we need to tell Thomas first,” Luna said.

“Can Chrissy come, too?” Chrysania asked excitedly.

“No, Chrissy; just stay here with Thomas, Statch, and BlackGaomon.” Luna leaned over and placed a kiss on her foster daughter’s forehead. “Mommy will be back soon, sweetheart; I promise.”

“…Okay…” We smiled one last time at the adorable young witch before leaving the room, heading for the villa’s front porch. There we found Thomas and Statuedramon watching the sunrise. The pair turned to greet us, standing up when they saw I had accompanied Luna.

“Are you okay?” Thomas asked, gently placing a hand over my shoulder.

“Yes…I feel a lot better…” I smiled at him. “Thank you for staying with me the entire time,” I added in a low whisper. “And for rubbing my tummy for me all night long. That helped a lot.”

“…I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he whispered back.

“The two of us are going,” Luna said.

“Going? Where to?” Statuedramon asked.

“We need to go to the Black Rose Mountains,” I said. “It concerns the remaining Horcruxes.”

“Are you feeling up to going?” Thomas asked, looking concerned.

“I’ll be with her the entire time,” Luna said. “I won’t let anything happen to her. I promise.”

“Are you okay with me going?” I asked.

“…No. I’m not,” Thomas said. “You still look unwell, like you could collapse at any moment…But I’m not the kind of guy who would force his girlfriend to do what he says. Zelda…you really look determined to go and…do whatever it is you’re going to do. If you feel so strongly about it, then you should go. And besides, I trust Luna and your Digimon Spirits to look after you.”

“Don’t you want to go with them?” Statuedramon asked. “I kind of want to go!”

“What, and leave BlackGaomon all by himself with Chrysania?” Thomas asked.

“She’s a really sweet girl, but she can be a bit of a handful at times,” Luna admitted. “Without me around, it takes at least three people to watch her to make sure she doesn’t break anything…or start any fires…But those are always by accident!”

“…Fine, I’ll stay here,” Statch sighed.

“…I’ll see you when you get back,” Thomas said, kissing me.

“Don’t worry; I’ll make sure nothing happens to her,” Luna said.

Chapter 74: Light and Darkness

Dianamon

Mandrake Town

 

Lucemon…has been freed…My gaze rested upon the Ultimate Digimon; his face was expressionless, and he hadn’t moved an inch. Apollomon…I’ve failed you…But I’ll make it up to you by slaying this evil Digimon!

“You must be Dianamon,” Sephyrus said. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance, milady. Am I to assume you are the member they sent in an attempt to defeat Lucemon?”

“Defeat Lucemon?” Lucemon asked. “Such a thing is impossible; during Lucemon’s previous life, he has killed Mega Digimon far stronger than you.” His monotone voice sent chills down my spine, yet I stood my ground.

“You are a fool to think you can defeat a Digimon as strong as Lucemon,” BioBeelzemon said, reverting back to his Human form.

“Your scent…it is most familiar to Lucemon,” Lucemon said.

“…That’s not something a girl wants to hear,” I said.

“Your smell…it is quite similar to that of Crusadermon…” Lucemon hovered over to me. He was taller than me, and stood not even two inches away. He was bent over slightly, looking directly into my eyes.

“You really don’t have much experience talking to women, do you?”

Lucemon ignored my question. “Crusadermon was the Digimon who killed Lucemon five-hundred years ago…Might you be a descendent of hers?” he asked. “Even now…Lucemon feels no emotions toward the Digimon carrying that name or her blood, even though it was her who sealed Lucemon in the Dark Area.”

“Crusadermon…was my mother’s name,” I said. “I was very young at the time, only a Moonmon…I don’t remember her very well; I don’t even know if she’s still alive…All I can remember is her leaving me in Apollomon’s care because she was always so busy…Was it because she was dealing with you?”

“Your mother had a difficult time finding Lucemon’s exact location,” he said. “The few times she did manage to locate Lucemon — 48 times to be precise — he would always escape from her…But on the forty-eighth time, she finally killed Lucemon…Whether or not she is still alive is not for Lucemon to decide; Lucemon had been unable to strike back. She moved too quickly for him to do so. If she has, in fact, deceased, it was not by Lucemon’s hand.”

“Why are you just standing there, chattin’ with her?!” Michalis asked. 

“She sought answers. Lucemon was merely doing his duty as a seeker of knowledge to quench her thirst. Teaching illuminates the minds of both master and student,” Lucemon said. “Not that the knowledge Lucemon was kind enough to bestow upon her will do her any good…for this is her last day alive…”

“I’m not going to lose to you. My mother wouldn’t give up, and neither will I!”

“Believe what you like; you are not prepared for attacks as destructive as Lucemon’s,” Lucemon said.

“Crescent—” Lucemon ran up to me with mind-boggling speed; I didn’t even see him move.

“Paradise Lost Punch!” Lucemon launched me into the air with a wild, unavoidable dance of punches and kicks. The Ultimate Digimon flew up after me and grabbed my limbs, driving me back down into the ground. A small fissure opened in the ground where Lucemon dropped me. I lay on my back in a daze, staring up at the spinning sky. “You seem incapable of movement…and after a single attack,” Lucemon’s face appeared just above mine. “Your mother would be ashamed.” Next to me lay my hook; slowly, I reached for it and picked it up, swinging it at Lucemon’s head; the Demon Lord Digimon, however, caught it in his hand without looking. “A sneak attack…There is no further proof of your incompetence. There is no hope one like you could ever best Lucemon in combat.” Lucemon flew into the air and created a glowing white sphere in his left hand, and a glowing black one in his right. “Ultimate Sacrifice!” The two spheres in Lucemon’s hands rushed down and trapped me within a larger orb.

“I’ve heard stories about this attack,” I heard Sephyrus say over my bloodcurdling, agonized screams. “The attack will, half of the time, inflict severe damage on its target.”

“And the other half?” Michalis asked.

“The other fifty percent…this attack completely annihilates its target,” Lucemon said.

“What’s really interesting is that it isn’t up to Lucemon,” Sephyrus said. “The attack just decides all on its own…as if it’s a living, thinking, being.” The orb shattered, and I fell to the ground in a bloody heap.

“…It seems as though the attack has chosen to spare her,” Lucemon said. I forced myself to stand up.

Damn it; my right arm…It’s broken… Fortunately, my left arm felt relatively fine, so with no other option, I picked up my hook and wielded it with my left arm. I sure hope this works…

“You still have the urge to fight Lucemon?” Lucemon asked. “You’re either very gallant…or incredibly stupid. Either way, what makes you so confident?”

“I…must…win,” I said, breathing heavily. “I cannot…allow you…to live…Apollomon…ordered me to—”

“To what? To kill Lucemon?” Lucemon asked. “Have you any idea how illogical that sounds? We have never met. Lucemon has never done anything to you. So why hold a grudge against Lucemon?”

“This isn’t about me,” I said. “I do this…so other people can live peaceful lives. With someone like you around…that could never happen.”

“So you risk your life on the behalf of strangers? You fight Lucemon, knowing full well you could die, to protect someone you’ve never met?” Lucemon asked. “As Lucemon said before…people like you are illogical…and must be exterminated…Paradise Lost Punch!”

“Crescent Harken!” Lucemon began punching wildly and madly as I swung my hook in retaliation. To my own amazement, I was able to successfully block each of Lucemon’s swings, and with each attack came another deep cut on the Demon Lord’s hands. Seeing that he was failing, Lucemon halted his attack long enough for me to fire an Arrow of Artemis into the middle of his chest and clear through his back.

“Lucemon!” Michalis stared at the Ultimate Digimon as blood came seeping out the two wounds I had created.

“Grand Cross!” As Lucemon fell to the ground, he fired ten spheres of light at me with enough force to nearly destroy my armor. The both of us fell to the ground, covered in our own blood and defeated. Lucemon, however, had died, turning back into data as he returned to the Dark Area.

“Not again,” Michalis groaned. “How could we let this happen again?! Shouldn’t we be helping these Digimon fight those guys?!”

“Their prideful and arrogant dispositions won’t allow for help. Remember?” Sephyrus asked. “In any case, we ought to return to Mandala…Lilithmon is expecting us.”

“No…get back…here…” I attempted to crawl after them, but I was in too much pain to do so for long. I’ll just…rest here for a moment… The shadow of someone standing next to me, blocking the light from the sun, was the last thing I could remember before blacking out.

Statuedramon

Saias’s Villa

3 Hours

 

“Hey, Thomas, how’s she doing?” I asked, having just entered Thomas’s and Zelda’s bedroom.

“She’s asleep right now,” Thomas whispered. “She’s been quite distressed the past couple of hours. She knows she did something, she just…doesn’t remember…and no matter how many times I’ve told her it wasn’t her fault, I don’t think she quite believes me yet…”

“But it wasn’t her fault,” I protested, making sure to speak quietly. “You told her that it was the Diadem, right?”

“Yeah. I just haven’t told her about the Stone and Diadem being taken yet.”

“That’s probably for the best,” I agreed. “So, how’s she been holding up with that pain from drinking that potion?”

“Not too good; that’s part of why she’s been so distraught. It wasn’t until about ten minutes ago that she finally fell asleep,” he said. “The pain was almost enough to make her pass out. I felt...It made me feel so helpless, not being able to help her when she whimpered and cried out in pain; rubbing her stomach was the only thing I could do to help alleviate the pain…”

“Well, Luna said she should be feeling better tomorrow or the next day,” I said.

“…I’m just…sick of it…you know?”

“…I understand, Tom,” I replied. “I love her too, you know — not in the same way you do, but — oh, you know what I mean.”

“…The only pain…she should have to endure…should be the pain she feels from eating too much at once. At least that puts a smile on her face,” Thomas said. “She’s already been through a lifetime of hell. Hasn’t she suffered enough already?!”

Is he…crying? I haven’t ever seen him…no, wait; one other time. When Victoria was… “…Dianamon just got back,” I said. “Apollomon said it might be a good idea for you to come down—”

“I’m not leaving her,” Thomas said quietly but firmly. “I’m going to stay with her until she feels better. She did the same for me…when I was blinded by that Gesomon…so I won’t leave her…”

“…Okay. I’ll come back up to tell you anything important.” I turned to leave, and I heard Thomas call out to thank me as I made my way downstairs into the living room.

“How is she?” Luna asked as I entered the room, a look of worry on her face.

“She’s sleeping now,” I said. “The pain nearly made her pass out a few times, though…”

“Luna, can’t you make some kind of potion to make her pain go away?” BlackGaomon asked.

“I would, but it’s dangerous to mix potions like that,” Luna said.

“I don’t see vut de problem is,” Pheragas said.

“Of course you don’t! Mixing potions is dangerous business!” Luna yelled. She sighed, and continued in a more quiet voice. “As long as that first potion I made for her is still in her stomach, I don’t want to put another one in her. If the two were to mix up while inside her belly…even I don’t know what would happen…”

“She’ll get better soon, won’t she, mommy?” Chrysania asked, on the verge of tears.

“Yes, of course she will, sweetie,” Luna smiled. She stroked her foster’s daughter’s hair. “She’ll feel better in a day or two as I said…”

“Well…I’m glad she’s…still alive,” Dianamon said, hobbling into the room. Apollomon helped her walk, and her arm was around his shoulders.

“What the hell happened to you?!” I asked. Bits and pieces of her armor looked as though they had been blasted off by another Digimon’s attack, and what looked like could be her skin was completely covered with blood, both dry and wet.

“Lucemon…he…he was freed from the Dark Area by the Bio Hybrids…” Apollomon set her down gently on a couch. “I defeated him…after a difficult fight…I tried following after those two after Lucemon died…but I passed out…next thing I know, someone’s carrying me back here…”

“Someone? Who was it?” Luna asked. Dianamon shook her head.

“I couldn’t ever see him…or her…But before he left…he gave me this…” Dianamon held up a folded piece of paper, which Apollomon took.

“What’s it say?” I asked. Apollomon stared blankly at the note before turning it to show us. There were no words; the only thing on it was a weird-looking design. “What is that?”

“This…is Seraphimon’s sigil,” Apollomon said.

“Seraphimon? You mean that angel Digimon you told us about a while ago?” I asked.

“Seraphimon…was the one who brought me here?” Dianamon asked.

“…It seems to be that way,” Apollomon murmured. “…We need to find him.”

“If he wanted to be found, wouldn’t he be here right now?” Luna asked.

“I don’t care if he wants to be found or not; we need his help, damn it! He’s the only one strong enough to kill Lilithmon once and for all!” Apollomon exclaimed. “I’m going after him first thing tomorrow morning. Luna…I want you to heal Dianamon’s wounds; she and Pheragas are coming with me.”

“Yes, sir,” Luna said, getting off her couch to leave the room.

“What about me?” BlackGaomon asked.

“You’ll stay here with Statuedramon and the others,” Apollomon said.

“I’m not going?!” I exclaimed.

“Is it…really a good idea to look for him?” Dianamon asked. “Do you…know where he is?”

“…I have a few ideas,” Apollomon said. “If he isn’t at any of those locations…” Apollomon sighed. “I don’t know…all I know is that he needs to be found.”

“I’ll help you in any way I can,” Dianamon said.

Chapter 73: Stolen Horcruxes

Zelda

Saias’s Villa

 

“This is where Apollomon keeps the Stone,” I said. I led the two Bio Hybrids deep underground to the villa’s basement. It had been quite some time since I had been down here…not since the first time I met Victoria when she was still alive. Just thinking about her — how she died at the hand of one of the Bio Hybrids standing next to me — filled my entire being with an incomprehensible rage. It was all I could do to keep myself from choking the life out of him, but I knew that Sephyrus could very easily kill me in return, should he choose to...

“Just the stone?” Sephyrus asked. “Where is the Diadem?”

“…I don’t know. I assume it’s still in Thomas’s hands,” I said. I picked up the Stone and threw it at Sephyrus, who promptly caught it a split second before it hit him in the face.

“You’ve done well thus far, milady.” Sephyrus took the Stone. “Now…about the Diadem…”

“I already told you; if it’s anywhere, Thomas or Apollomon would still be holding on to it! Now, let me go! And don’t even think of following me!”

“…Very well. Zelda, I am a man of my word; Michalis and I shall leave you be,” Sephyrus said.

“See you later. Thanks for the help!” Michalis said, turning to wave at me. However, in doing so, he left his face vulnerable to my oncoming fist, which made contact with his nose and caused blood to come dwindling out his nostrils. The Bio Hybrids ran up the stairs, but before they could reach the top, the basement door opened.

“You two?! What are you doing here?!” Apollomon asked. In his hand was the Diadem of Spiritual Balance.

“We’ve come for the Diadem, Apollomon!” Sephyrus yelled back. “And you aren’t going to stop us! Bio Hybrid DNA Charge! Bio Hybrid Digivolve to, BioPremenitmon!”

“Bio Hybrid DNA Charge! Bio Hybrid DNA Digivolve to, BioBeelzemon Blast Mode!”

“Lilithmon will never get her hands on the Diadem! Sol—”

“Corona Blaster!” BioBeelzemon waved his canon in front of Apollomon’s face and fired, sending the Mega Digimon flying through the open basement door. However, he quickly got back up and prepared to attack again.

“Claw of Phantasms!” BioPremenitmon’s claws raked across Apollomon’s face, leaving behind three deep gashes. Apollomon dropped the Diadem, which the lizard-like Bio Hybrid was quick to retrieve.

“Arrow of Artemis!” A barrage of ice arrows rained down on the two fleeing Bio Hybrids. “Damn it; get back here!” Dianamon yelled.

“Dianamon…go after them,” Apollomon said, staggering. “Make sure…they do not release Lucemon…”

“Yes, sir!” I heard Dianamon’s loud footsteps as she ran after the Bio Hybrids. Apollomon looked down at the stairs, looked down at me.

“…Zelda…”

“You…you’re going to bitch at me for leading those two down here, aren’t you?” I asked, not looking up at the Digimon.

“No…What happened wasn’t your fault,” Apollomon said. I heard the wooden stairs creak as he began descending them, slowly and carefully.

“But…but it was,” I said. “Those two…they took advantage of me; they…used my anger to control me! And they were right…I…I don’t belong here—”

“Zelda, please don’t ever say anything like that again,” Apollomon said. “Of course you belong here. We are your family. We are your friends, and your companions. Everyone here — me included — cares so much about you…”

“I don’t…deserve—”

“You’re only saying that because of the effects of the Diadem,” Apollomon interrupted. “All of this — anything that may have happened where you were involved — you are not to blame for it. It was the magic of the Diadem that made you do this. It is Lucemon, and Lilithmon, and the Bio Hybrids, and that Zudomon who are at fault. Not you…”

“Apollomon…can I…ever turn back? To the way I was before the Diadem fell on me?” I asked. “I don’t want to feel this anger ever again…I want to go back to enjoying life, and enjoying it with everyone here…But I don’t feel like I can…”

“Of course you can, sweetie,” I heard Luna’s voice say. “This was the work of magic, and magic can always be undone. Just give me some time…and I’ll have you back to your kind old self again. I promise.”

“Luna…thank you…”

Dianamon

 

“Drop the Diadem!” I shouted. I was breathing heavily after having run for over three hours to the outskirts of Mandrake Town. Sephyrus stood in the center of town, reciting something in an odd language. Between us stood BioBeelzemon, who aimed his canon at my rising and falling chest. “Relinquish the Horcruxes at once!”

“’Fraid we can’t do that, sweetheart,” BioBeelzemon said mockingly, a sadistic grin on his face. “You just watch, frozen in horror, as Lucemon frees himself from the Dark Area!”

“It is done!” Sephyrus shouted. “Join us, Lucemon!”

A pitch-black hole formed in front of Sephyrus, and out of it flew an angelic, demonic Digimon, the likes of which I have never seen before. “Lucemon…how does it feel to be free?”

“Such a question is illogical,” Lucemon replied in a monotone. “Lucemon feels no emotions. Emotions are things best left discarded.”

Thomas Kasuto

Saias’s Villa

 

“Will that potion really work on her?” Statuedramon asked worriedly.

“Unless I did something wrong — an unlikely turn of events — everything will go fine,” Luna said. She and Zelda sat cross-legged on the villa’s living room floor, and in the witch’s hands was a vial containing a putrid-smelling, black liquid. She held the vial up against Zelda’s lips and forced her to swallow its contents despite her protests. “Please try to stop struggling; I know it tastes awful, honey, but this’ll make you happy again…” Soon, the potion was gone. Luna took the vial away from Zelda’s lips, and Zelda immediately began coughing.

“Is she okay?!” Chrysania asked.

“Don’t worry; she’ll be fine. She’s not choking; the potion just tastes quite awful.”

I placed a hand on Zelda’s back and massaged gently until she stopped coughing.

“As a side effect of this potion, she may forget exactly what it was she did while under the Diadem’s effects,” Luna said. Zelda rested her forehead in her hand for a moment. “Feeling better, sweetie?”

“…Ugh…no…”

“What did you put in that potion, anyway?” Statuedramon asked.

“Well, unfortunately, the only way I could get it to work was to add…” Luna glanced over at Zelda and quickly covered the younger woman’s ears. “I had to put in slime from a Numemon’s slime trail; that’s what makes it taste and smell so bad.”

“Dat is disgusting!” Pheragas grimaced. Luna shrugged and brushed some of Zelda’s hair out of her face.

“You’ll feel better soon, sweetie…” Immediately, Zelda doubled over in pain, clutching her stomach. She vomited up some of the potion.

“You were saying?” Statch asked.

“Oh, shut up; you heard what was in that potion,” Luna said. “That cramping feeling is just another side-effect of the…extra stuff, I’m afraid…”

“Are there any other side-effects we should be aware of?” Apollomon asked.

“She’ll be weak for about a day, so she’ll need to stay in bed until she feels better…Just handle her delicately and with care, and, physically speaking, she’ll be fine,” Luna said. “Other than that and the slight memory loss, there are no other side effects.”

“Thank you, Luna,” I said.

“No need for thanks; I was happy to help her,” Luna smiled, stretching her arms above her head. “Now would be the best time to take her up to your room.” I nodded, slowly picking up my girlfriend to carry her upstairs. As I walked, I noticed tears rolling down her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Does your stomach hurt really badly?” Zelda nodded slowly.

“That’s not why, though…Thomas…what did I do?” Zelda asked quietly. There weren’t many stairs leading to the second floor of the villa, and I made it to our bedroom in no time.

“Nothing happened,” I said. “Nothing that happened…none of it was your fault.” I gently set her down on the bed, removed her boots, and placed the sheets over her.

“What did…what happened?” she asked.

“…The Diadem landed on your head,” I said. “You didn’t turn evil…but it brought up all of your suppressed anger from when you were younger. The Bio Hybrids…they took advantage of that…but none of it was your fault. Nobody is mad at you…And we all just want you to get better…” I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. “I love you.” After a moment, I turned to leave, but she grabbed my hand.

“Tommy…will you…stay with me?” Zelda asked. “I don’t…want to be left alone right now…Please…”

“Of course I’ll stay with you,” I said, climbing into bed with her. “I’ll stay however long you need me to.”

“…It hurts…It hurts…so much,” she sobbed. I quickly placed my hand over her stomach and gently began massaging her. “It…it feels like…I’m being stabbed…and also…like I’m starving to death…and stuffed and bloated at the same time…Thank you…Tommy…for…rubbing…my tummy…for me…”

“…I’m sorry I can’t do anything more to help you feel better,” I whispered.

“No…you are…helping…” she leaned over the side of the bed and vomited once more. “I’m…so sorry…I don’t…remember…what I did…Do…you…hate…me? For…for what I did?”

“I could never hate you, Zelda.” I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “You just rest now. Try and get some sleep, and…maybe…you’ll feel better in the morning…”

Chapter 72: Supressed Rage

Thomas Kasuto

The Living Room of Saias’s Villa

 

“She wore it?!” Apollomon yelled, startling everyone else in the room. Dianamon and Pheragas glanced nervously at the Mega Digimon. “I specifically told you what would happen if either of you wore it! Did you not think to tell her what would happen?!”

“I did tell her,” I said. “And she didn’t make the conscious decision to put it on…It just sort of…fell onto her head…”

“You expect me to believe that?!”

“Well, a Zudomon held it in his hand, and then Vajramon threw him onto the ground, and it just…fell out of his hand and landed on her head.”

“Well, I believe him,” Statuedramon said. “Thomas isn’t imaginative enough to think of an excuse like that.”

“…Gee…Thanks, Statch.”

“Oh, you’re welcome, buddy. Oh, wait! I meant to say that…uh…Oh, that he isn’t the kind of person to make excuses like that! Yeah, that’s what I meant! Uh-huh…Yeah. Totally what I meant to say.”

“Alright, alright; whatever. It doesn’t matter how it happened,” Apollomon said. “How long did she wear it?”

“Most likely less than ten seconds,” I said.

“I see…Dianamon, go up and see her,” Apollomon said. “See if you can tell if she has been affected by this Horcrux.”

“Understood, sir,” Dianamon said shortly before leaving the room.

“So, Zelda really did wear the whore-something, didn’t she,” Chrysania said.

“I’m afraid so, sweetie,” Luna said, placing her arm around Chrysania’s shoulders. “I’ll be able to turn her back to her regular sweet self, but it’ll take some time…”

“She must’ve looked really pretty in it, though,” Chrysania said. “Like a princess or something!”

“Well, personally, I don’t think she needs any help,” I said, looking down at the Horcrux that sat in my lap. Like a princess or something, eh…Princess Zelda…That’s got a nice sound to it. I wonder why…?

“You did well to bring it back,” Apollomon said. “Was Zudomon the only one you fought?”

I nodded. “I didn’t see any sign of Michalis or Sephyrus, and he didn’t seem to be affiliated with them in any way, nor did he seem to be a Bio Hybrid himself,” I said.

“So, with the Stone and Diadem, that makes two Horcruxes that we have in our possession, with no more left to find,” Apollomon said. “The Bio Hybrids and Lilithmon are in possession of the Medallion, Necklace, Silk, Jewel, and Mask…But it seems they don’t have the Sword, Flute, or Mirror…Could Zudomon have been involved with their theft? Or maybe he could’ve been with whoever else has been taking them…”

“Sir, I’ve been thinking,” I said. “Statuedramon told you what Deckerdramon told us about a week ago in Lotisea, about the Horcruxes, didn’t he?”

“…Yes, he did.”

“I’ve been thinking that, since the Horcruxes are important to Lilithmon regardless if they have a soul in them or not, it might be best to destroy them.”

“How do you break a rock?!” BlackGaomon asked. “I could understand the Diadem being broken…”

“That would not solve our problems,” Apollomon said. “Even if we were able to shatter them all into millions of pieces, all it would take is one small piece from each of them for Lilithmon to be able to use them for what she has in mind…If, in fact, that is what she’s planning on…”

“Okay, so, breaking them might not help much, but what if we do go ahead and break them, and dump the pieces into the ocean so she could never find them?” Statuedramon suggested. Apollomon shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter where we hide them, or how many pieces we shatter them into. Lilithmon will find them, and when she does, she will succeed. I know her; she will not stop until she is successful.”

“Breaking them might actually make things worse,” Luna interjected. “Breaking them could produce more opportunities for Lilithmon to get hold of something she can use to secure her allies’ souls to.”

“GET OUT!!!” A door upstairs slammed shut, and Dianamon came running down the stairs; tears were welling in her eyes.

“She…she’s mean when she’s evil!” Dianamon said.

“Wow; she must’ve been pretty bad if they made a hardened warrior like Dianamon cry,” Statuedramon said.

“Oh, she cries all the time,” Apollomon said.

“What?! That’s not…that’s not true, damn it!” Dianamon protested.

“Sure you do! I’ve only known you your entire life!” Apollomon joked.

“Vut did she say?” Pheragas asked. Glancing at Chrysania, Dianamon bent down and whispered into Pheragas’s ear, making his jaw drop. “…I…I vas not avare she knew dat many vulgar vords…”

“Ooh, ooh, what’d she say?!” Chrysania asked excitedly.

“…I vill tell you vhen you grow bigger,” Pheragas said. “Still, I…I cannot believe she knows dat vord…”

“Yeah, or that one,” Dianamon added.

“Well, you have to remember that she grew up in a desert city as one of the Marked,” I said. “From what she told me, I can only assume that the words you didn’t know she knew — whatever they may have been — were shouted at her and her sister, Hannah, on a daily basis for doing little more than existing when the other people of that city thought they didn’t have the right to do so.”

“Chrissy keeps forgetting Zelda had such a bad life because Zelda’s always smiling and nice to other people…”

“Hmm…Dianamon, how did she seem to you?” Apollomon asked.

“She was…mean…and vulgar…and….and mean…”

“No, I mean…Were you afraid she might attack you? That she might try to hurt you?”

“No…she seemed more annoyed than murderous,” Dianamon said. “When I looked into her eyes, I didn’t see any bloodlust…only anger.”

“I see…In that case, it seems that the Diadem didn’t have its full effect on her,” Apollomon said.

Sephyrus

 

“It is almost time, Michalis,” I said. The two of us sat in a tree, outside the window of an empty room of the villa. Empty, that is, save for Zelda, who lay on her stomach with her face buried in a pillow. It was late afternoon, and the sun was beginning to set, casting a wonderful shadow for us to conceal ourselves in the branches of the tree. “Soon…we shall deliver the Diadem and the Stone to the lady…Michalis? Are you okay?”

“Huh? Oh…yeah, I’m fine,” Michalis answered. “I’m still a little shocked, is all…”

“That was only the effect of the Diadem,” I said. “It brought forth the inner evil buried deep in her heart. Now, with it, we shall deliver those two Horcruxes to Lilithmon, in addition to our newest ally.”

“Still, I can’t believe anyone in this group was dumb enough to wear the Horcrux,” Michalis said.

“…Nobody here is an idiot; not even Statuedramon. If it was on her head, I can only assume it to be an accident. Perhaps she fell, or someone forced her to wear it. Anyway, I digress; with her help, we’ll be able to find the three remaining Horcruxes that were taken away from us…and then, all of Lilithmon’s allies will be freed! All we need to do is convince Zelda’s evil side to work with us, and we shall have an easier time dealing with whoever stole the Sword, Mirror, and Flute!”

Thomas Kasuto

 

“What do you mean?” Statuedramon asked, staring wide-eyed up at Apollomon.

“It seems as though Zelda actually has no evil within her,” Apollomon said. “If she was truly evil — if the Diadem really had caused any evil to be called forth — then she would have, without any shadow of a doubt, attacked Dianamon. She didn’t, so I have come to the conclusion that what we see now is merely her suppressed rage and resentment from being horribly mistreated by the people of Adonis and other settlements.”

“Is that all that’s wrong with her?” I asked, relieved.

“I believe this to be incredibly likely.”

“…I didn’t think she had any evil in her,” BlackGaomon said.

“Now, with that being said; Luna, will you still be able to cure her?” Apollomon asked.

“Of course; whatever happened to her was the work of magic, and magic can always be undone,” Luna said.

“Couldn’t we just put the Diadem back on her?” Statuedramon asked. “And for that matter, couldn’t we just put it on the Bio Hybrids and Lilithmon so we wouldn’t have to deal with all of this anymore?”

“I’m afraid not; it only works once per person, and only on Humans, so it wouldn’t work with the Bio Hybrids,” Apollomon said.

“But she carries the Mark, doesn’t she?” Dianamon asked. “That’s pretty close to being a Bio Hybrid, so why did it affect her?”

“…I am unsure,” Apollomon said. “Perhaps it is because she was born this way…while the Bio Hybrids had Digimon data injected into their blood…”

“Well, whatever the case, it’ll take some time, but I will bring her back,” Luna said. “She…she must feel awful, with all of that suppressed anger eating away at her…”

Zelda

 

My face had been pressed up against my pillow for the longest time; it was all I could do to keep myself from screaming and tearing it to shreds. I just couldn’t understand why I was feeling this way. I knew, deep down in my heart, that I had never been this way before…so why now? I clenched my fist. It seemed as though everything and everyone around me was out to kill me. I hadn’t felt this terrible since I was growing up…the memories of my childhood filled my heart with even more rage. It was almost comforting, in a strange way. I clenched my fist even tighter.

“Zelda…we need to talk.”

I lifted my head and, to my surprise, saw that Sephyrus and Michalis stood behind me. “What do you two want?!” I asked, sitting up on the bed. “And how the fuck did you two assholes get in here in the first place?!”

“Through the window,” Sephyrus said calmly. “And we’ve come to—”

“I don’t care why you two are here! Just get out!” I pointed at the window, and Michalis looked as though he were about to comply, but Sephyrus stood still and gave me an amused grin. “What, you think this is fucking funny or something, breaking into a lady’s room like this?! Get the fuck OUT!”

“We saw your argument with Dianamon earlier,” Sephyrus said, ignoring me.

“Yeah? What about it?!”

“Well, it seems to me that you aren’t happy being with this group anymore.”

I sighed. “…No…it…it’s not that…I just—”

“Zelda…I believe it’s time you come with us.”

“…Me? Go with…you?!” I found the idea absolutely repulsive. “Why?!”

“Well…we have our reasons for needing you to come with us,” Sephyrus said. “Certain key events have taken place…Zelda, you no longer have the right to call this place home.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, now more nervous than angry.

“You…are no longer aligned with them,” Sephyrus said. “You are evil now, and not good.”

“No…no, that can’t be right,” I said. “I don’t…I can’t be…”

“You…don’t have any feelings of…malice, do you?”

“Only toward you two assholes for barging into my room!”

Sephyrus stared long and hard at me. A few seconds passed before he let out a long sigh. “I see…so, this is what became of you…”

“What are you talking about now?!”

“When most Humans don the Diadem of Spiritual Balance, it makes them change their alignments permanently. But with you…that doesn’t seem to be the case…”

“…What do you mean? I never…put on that stupid, tacky Diadem,” I said.

“I sense that you did,” Sephyrus said. “Rather, I saw that you did. It was on your head very briefly before Thomas removed it.”

“Thomas…removed it?” I asked. “Why…? Why didn’t he tell me? Why didn’t he tell me that it was on my head?!”

Sephyrus grinned.

“So, what’s going on with her if she isn’t evil, then?” Michalis asked.

“What we see here is merely any pent-up aggravation and rage built up over the years finally brought to the surface. In this state, she should be very prone to violent outbursts, and — quite fortuitously, I might add — very easily annoyed,” Sephyrus said. “She is not truly evil…Regardless, this may be able to work to our advantage. Zelda…you will come with us.”

“Forget it; I am not doing anything you tell me to do!”

“Even if we promise to leave you alone after you have done what we want you to do?”

“…”

“Michalis…begin the back-up plan,” Sephyrus said. “Do not back down until she relents and aids us.”

“…Yes, sir,” Michalis said quietly. He slowly and nervously began approaching me.

“Why do you hesitate? You’ve never done so before,” Sephyrus said. I rolled my eyes. “Hurry up; we need the Stone and Diadem!”

“…Fine.” Michalis raised his finger and poked my arm. I slapped his hand away, but he continued poking my arm.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” I asked.

“Just following orders,” Michalis said.

“Are your orders to annoy me to death?! Because you’re doing a pretty damn good job of that!”

“No, not to death,” Sephyrus said. “We are simply using nonviolent aggression to liberate your true, wrathful disposition…”

“I don’t think it’s working, old man,” Michalis said after I had slapped his hand away a few more times.

“Have a go at her with the feather,” Sephyrus suggested. Michalis nodded and removed a Bird Digimon’s feather from his pocket and brushed it across my belly button, sending a chilling, tingling sensation through it and up my spine, the sensation of which nearly caused me to laugh. However, before Michalis could raise his arm to do it again, I rammed my fist into his groin. I heard a loud snap, as if something broke; whether it was a bone in my hand or one of his, I hadn’t a clue, but when Michalis hit the floor, his face twisted in utmost agony as he fell, dropping the feather, I had a feeling it was the latter.

“Oh, dear…this really isn’t working out as well as I had hoped,” Sephyrus said, resting his chin in his hand.

“I…second…that…” Michalis said weakly.

“Will you two get out of my room now?!” I asked. “Don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re dressed like a priest! I know what you’ve done!”

“We will leave…as soon as you decide to help us,” Sephyrus said.

I sighed angrily. “You two…are really not going to let this go, are you?”

“We really can’t.”

“Well…if it means you two will shut up and leave me alone…I’ll do whatever you want,” I said. “So…what is it you want me to do?! Spill it!”

“Well, first, we’ll need the Diadem and the Stone…”

Chapter 71: The Diadem of Spiritual Balance

Thomas Kasuto

Nymphaea Province

2 Days

 

Nymphaea Province is a cold and barren province that is not too different from Cyprus Desert to the south. The blizzards there are similar to the desert’s sandstorms, only that the blizzard is constant, rather than frequent. Nymphaea, however, does not have any human population to speak of to my knowledge, and even Digimon, even ice Digimon like Frigimon, are a rare sight.

“How are you holding up?!” I asked, being forced to yell over the loud roar of the never-ending blizzard of the province.

“I’m fine!” Zelda replied. Her petite frame was bundled up in a thick, padded blue coat, and she wore a red scarf around her neck. Not used to the cold, she huddled close to me to help keep herself warm. I, of course, was feeling quite fine, having been here before with Victoria, and wore nothing in addition to my normal attire. “Are you sure you aren’t cold?!” she yelled.

“No, I feel good!” I shouted back. On numerous occasions during our trip up here, I had attempted to offer her my own coat, but she immediately refused whenever I did so.

“‘No! You’ll freeze to death! I’m surprised you haven’t frozen yet!’” I remember her saying at least fifteen times. I smiled.

Life would definitely not be the same without her, I thought, smiling down at the shivering woman as she came to an abrupt stop. “What’s wrong?”

“…I can feel this ice moving,” Zelda said. “It’s shaking…as if something’s underneath the surface…Something big…”

“This entire province is made of ice over ten miles thick,” I said. “If whatever’s down there comes up, there’s no danger of the ice breaking and us falling into the ocean. It’s probably just a Drimogemon.”

“…No…it feels too big to be a Drimogemon, and not quite as steady or smooth,” Zelda said. “Whatever it is, it’s getting closer; we should—” She was interrupted when the ice in front of us split open. I grabbed hold of her arm instantly and stepped back as an enormous, bestial Digimon climbed out of the hole formed, facing us.

“I thought I heard Human footsteps up above,” the Digimon said. “And just when I was getting ready to go home after working for so long…”

“You…you’re a Zudomon, aren’t you?” I asked. “I apologize if we’ve disturbed you—”

“Nah; you did no such thing,” Zudomon said. “I was just on my way back home after finding the Horcrux.” My heart skipped a beat.

“The…Horcrux?!” Zudomon’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“So…you do know what those are.” The behemothic Digimon snorted “I was wondering why Humans would come this far north…My master told me there might be Humans who know about the Horcruxes…”

“Who are you?! Who’s your master, and why are you out looking for the Horcruxes?!” I asked. Zudomon grinned.

“You know what my master told me to do? What I should do if I encounter other people who know about the Horcruxes?” Zudomon asked. “He told me…to destroy them!”

“Ah, crap…”

“Vulcan’s Hammer!” Zudomon slammed his hammer down on the ice, sending numerous jagged icicles in our direction.

“Zelda, look out!” I pushed her to the ground just before any of the icicles could hit us. The Ultimate Digimon then jabbed his left claw at us, but missed, sending snow flying everywhere. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “Thank you…”

“We should get out of here,” I said frantically. “I’m not strong enough to protect you from a Digimon this big!”

“Leaving so soon?” Zudomon asked. “You’re not going to leave without this…are you?” Zudomon held out his left claw; sitting at its center was the Diadem, which gleamed and sparkled madly as if light were shining on it. Its right half was pitch black, while its left half was purest white, giving the impression that it would make it impossible to find in the snow were the black half buried or obscured from view.

“I wouldn’t ask you to fight a Digimon this dangerous,” Zelda said. “Only a Digimon could defeat another Digimon as powerful as Zudomon. Come forth, Vajramon!”

“At your service, milady,” Vajramon said, drawing his swords.

“Be careful, Vajramon!” Zelda called out, but Vajramon had already begun attacking the other Ultimate Digimon. “Vajramon! Don’t let him put that crown on you! If you do, you’ll turn—”

“Terra Blade!”

“Vulcan’s Hammer!” Vajramon’s swords made contact with Zudomon’s hammer; sparks flew through the air as steel collided with steel.

“Deva Blade!” An energy beam shot forth from Vajramon’s blades and knocked Zudomon’s hammer out of his hand before repeatedly striking the Sea Animal Digimon with his swords.

“You bastard! Enough of this!” Zudomon reached out and grabbed hold of Vajramon’s neck. “I’m late enough as it is without having to fight you!”

Vajramon ignored him and dropped his swords into the snow. The Spirit grabbed Zudomon’s arm and hurled him over his own back to the ground. Snow went flying everywhere, and Zelda and I became partially buried in the miniature avalanche that flew through the air before crashing back down to the ground when Zudomon landed.

“That ought to do it,” Vajramon said, looking down at Zudomon before the Sea Animal Digimon turned into dispersed data. “I apologize for not being more careful, milady.”

“No…that…that’s okay,” Zelda said, digging herself out of the snow as I did the same. “Thank you…We…we’re done here…”

“If that is all, then by your leave, I shall excuse myself,” Vajramon said before vanishing.

“Zelda, are you okay?” I asked once finally digging myself out of the snow. My heart skipped a few beats when I looked at her. Sitting atop her head was the Diadem. Oh, my god…how did that happen?! Zudomon must’ve dropped it when Vajramon…Oh, my god! Quickly, I reached for the Diadem and removed it from Zelda’s head. “Zelda! Are you okay?!”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked. Her voice sounded emotionless, almost monotoned. “What are you looking at me like that for? I’m fine!”

It…it’s already begun! My heart sank as I looked down at the Diadem in my hand; its black half almost seemed to be glowing.

It took us another three days to return back to Saias’s villa, and in that time, Zelda and I didn’t speak to each other. With each passing day, I could see her usual gentle, loving, and caring face gradually turn expressionless. By the time we arrived at the villa, she looked quite annoyed, even angry. She threw the front door of the villa open and strode inside, shoving a passing-by Chrysania to the floor. Ignoring the girl’s cry of surprise, Zelda stormed upstairs to our room and slammed the door shut behind her.

“Are you okay, Chrysania?” I asked, helping her stand up.

“Chrissy falls all the time, Tommy; she’s used to it!” the young witch replied with a huge smile on her face and an expectant look in her eyes. “So, what did you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“When girlfriends get mad, it’s usually because their boyfriends did something stupid,” Chrysania said. “So, what did you do?” By now, she was jumping up and down with anticipation.

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Yeah; that’s what they all say…”

“No, I mean…the reason she’s mad — well, I guess I wouldn’t really call it mad — well…the reason she’s like this...it’s not because of something I did…”

“Oh…does that mean she has another boyfriend that did something stupid?”

“What?! No! She doesn’t have—”

“Ooh, what a pretty crown!” Chrysania interrupted. “Is that the whore-something you two went to Nymphaea to get? I’m not supposed to wear it, right? If someone wears it, it’ll turn them evil, right?”

“Yes, Chrysania. That is exactly what will happen.”

“Thomas? Is there something you would like to tell me?” I looked behind me and saw Apollomon looking down at me.

Chapter 70: Conflicting Forces

Thomas Kasuto

Saias’s Villa

1 Day

 

“I never want to see that damned jungle again as long as I live!” Statuedramon said rather loudly. “I must’ve tripped over those tree’s roots a hundred times! And it’s not even noon yet! And don’t even get me started on that Cherrymon!”

“Look on the bright side, Statch; with Horusmon dead and the Mask retrieved, there should be no more reason for us to go there anymore,” I said. At least for now…

At last we reached the villa, both of us hot, tired, and hungry. Upon opening the front door, the two of us walked in and entered the living room, where we saw Apollomon sitting alone on a couch.

“What took you two so long?” he asked.

“I apologize, sir; it seems the rumor about the Cursed Woods was true,” I said. “It is the doing of a Cherrymon.”

“…And you made it out alive?!” Apollomon asked. “Well, whatever…Welcome back, guys…”

“You okay, boss?” Statch asked.

“Sorry…I’m just tired,” Apollomon said.

“That wound Lector gave you is still acting up, huh?” I sat down on a couch across from the Mega Digimon and looked at him with concern. It had been almost a month since he had been stabbed by Lector, and although Digimon heal from injuries faster than humans, his was a wound that I feared may affect him for the remainder of his life, however short or long that may be.

“Hasn’t Luna been treating it?” Statch asked.

“She has…and she’s the reason why it hasn’t bled at all since the day he stabbed me,” Apollomon said. “Still hurts, though…He probably messed up an organ or two pretty badly…So, how did things go in Lotisea?”

“Horusmon was freed, but he got killed by Deckerdramon,” Statch said. “Also, the two Bio Hybrids made off with the Mask.” Apollomon rested his forehead in the palm of his hand, sighing.

“That…leaves us with only one Horcrux left to find,” he said after a moment.

“The Diadem, right?” I asked. Apollomon nodded. “If you’d like, I can go right now—”

“No, not yet!” Apollomon interrupted. “There are a few things you must know first, besides the fact that this Horcrux is somewhere in Nymphaea, and it would be foolish to rush in to try and find it.”

“…Yes, sir,” I said. “So, what do you need to tell me?”

“Within each person, there lies two conflicting forces; yin and yang; light and dark; good and evil,” Apollomon began. “In some people…the light is much brighter than in others, and with other people, the darkness is far deeper than other people. The Diadem of Spiritual Balance…it seeks to counterbalance those two forces by reversing them.”

“Reverse…light and darkness? What do you mean?” Statuedramon asked.

“If someone with a pure heart like Zelda were to wear the Diadem, the Horcrux would bring about her inner darkness, no matter how deep within her it may be, and if someone evil were to wear it, then their inner light would shine forth, dispelling all darkness within. That is the power of the Digimon whose soul is trapped within that object…that is the power of Lucemon.”

“So…all we have to do is not wear the Diadem, and we’ll be fine?” I asked.

“You must not allow the Bio Hybrids to get their hands on that one,” Apollomon warned. “If they do…”

“Sounds like end of the world time,” Statch said.

“No. It would be far worse than that.” Apollomon clasped his hands over his knees, forcing himself to stand up. “I…considered going up to Nymphaea in your stead; trust me, if it were up to me, that is what would happen. However, Dianamon…refused. Quite vehemently, I might add. You know how she gets…”

“Yes, sir,” I smiled. “I don’t mind going to Nymphaea; I like it cold.”

“If you say so,” Apollomon said. “I doubt the Bio Hybrids would be willing to rush in to that raging blizzard, so you can take your time getting yourselves ready for this job.”

“Yes, sir,” I repeated. I left the living room and made my way to my bedroom, where I found Zelda alone and reading a book in our bed. When she saw me enter the room, she dropped the book and ran over to me, giving me a big hug.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” she said. “I miss you so much when you’re out like that…”

“I’ve missed you, too…” I placed my arms around her petite body. “Are you feeling better? From…from what happened in Shendu?”

“Yeah…Thank you, Thomas. Talking with you the morning after we got back really made me feel better.”

“I’m glad I was able to help.”

“So, were you and Statuedramon successful?” Zelda asked.

“I’m afraid not; the Bio Hybrids got to the Mask and released Horusmon before getting away with the Horcrux,” I said. “That leaves us with only one Horcrux left to find.”

“The Diadem in Nymphaea?”

I nodded. “I’m going to get ready to leave soon, and when I go…Zelda, I don’t want you to go with me.”

“…Why not?” she asked, a sad, guilty expression crossing her face.

“Nymphaea is a harsh and unforgiving land, Zelda, far worse than the desert of Cyprus Province. Also, with this being the last Horcrux, the Bio Hybrids will fight harder than ever to get it before we do.”

“Thomas, it’s because of that reason that I want to go with you,” Zelda said. “No…it’s because of that reason that I am going with you. Ever since I first met you, Thomas, you’ve always protected me…While you were in Lotisea, I decided that I would do the same for you. I may not be able to convince you to not protect me, but at least allow me to protect you while you’re protecting me…Please? With the Digimon Talismans, I can take care of not only myself, but you as well…”

Damn it…I just can’t say no to her when she makes that face at me…It’s just so damn cute…And she does have good reasoning, too…Maybe I should let her come with me…

“I...I understand if you want me to stay behind,” she continued. “I wouldn’t want to get in your way…”

“You could never be in the way,” I said. “Of course you can come.” I must be the worst boyfriend in the world, letting her come with me into such a dangerous place… My heart sank slightly, but when Zelda smiled at me, it rose back up.

“Thank you, Thomas,” she said. “I promise; I’ll do everything I can to help you!” I nodded.

“We’d better start packing; it’s going to be a long trip,” I said. “Remember to dress warmly when we go.” Zelda blushed slightly.

“I guess I…do always kind of dress like this, don’t I…” Zelda looked down at herself. “I’ve never been that far up north, so I’ve never had to dress warmly before, and I’ve just always felt the most comfortable wearing clothes that Humans in the desert wear…”

“And you look good in them, too,” I added. Zelda smiled and kissed me.

“What about you? I’ve never seen you dress for cold weather, either,” Zelda said.

“I’ve been to Nymphaea many times before,” I said. “It was while I was training with Victoria, before I met Statuedramon — I doubt he’s coming with us, by the way; Reptile Digimon like him can’t stand the cold. We didn’t stay for very long, but it was just long enough for my body to be able to tolerate temperatures that low, so I’m fine as I am now.”