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Chapter 17

The Vaccine Rebellion

               The snow stung her feet as she ran for what felt like days on end in no particular direction. Pain in her body and in her heart drove her ever closer to the edge of madness as her mind tried to find a solution to her impossible problems. Michi and Shade are dead. Rukan is now a twisted monster in the service of the dark one. What left did she have?

               Renamon finally gave into her fatigue just before reaching the end of the snow line. Collapsing in the snow she lay there with her eyes open as silent tears fell into the cold. She lay there for some time making not a noise aside from her own labored and stuttering breathing as her emotions poured into the frozen water she lay in. Broken hearted and at a loss of her will to fight Renamon was giving up.

               A plated metal boot stepped in front of her muzzle then as a soft masculine voice spoke, â€You’re not infected… and I don’t see a wound on you… So your tears must be of a wound far worse than those of the flesh.â€

               Renamon blinked a few times before curling up holding her tail to herself again not responding to the words but trying to hole up inside herself. Hopefully her heart would just stop beating and she could finally have peace, a way out of this hell.

               The man sat down next to her showing enough of himself for her to tell it was a Magnamon; Something rare even in a normal digital world and also fabled to have incredible amounts of power. This did perk her interest for a moment as she looked over the shining golden armor that covered the digimon from head to toe.

               â€I know the appeal giving up has… This world is a nightmare. It’s nothing like the world we used to have, but there is hope. The word of the wastes says demihumon are here and with them they carry a hero. A man capable of stopping this mess and ending the war,†Said the Magnamon only making Rena curl up her face again as she started to cry anew.

               â€He’s one of her monsters now… She took him from me,†repied Renamon between her sobs.

               Magnamon put his hand on her shoulder softly before speaking, â€Then get up and help us take him back…â€

               Renamon looked up and saw a whole legion behind him as a smile crossed his face. Digimon of all shapes and sizes armed and with the spark of hope in their eyes. She slowly sat herself up with a look of shock as she saw their sheer numbers.

               Magnamon stood up holding out his hand with another smile and a nod, â€There is still a bright light in the darkness hero… We all need each other if we are going to make it through these times. Join us as we take back what is rightfully ours. Be our light of hope in this storm.â€

               Renamon took the hand looking around her to see all the digimon ready to throw their lives down to save this world. What was she thinking giving up? This was no time to be selfish. Rukan and this world needed her help, these people needed her.

               Renamon shook the Magnamon’s hand and nodded, â€Then you intend to bring the fight to the Dark Queen herself? You can count me in. Too long has she turned my life into a living hell and taking Rukan was the last step. I’ll tear her chest open to prove that no heart beats inside!â€

               The army around her rose their hands in a shout of approval as a faint smile crossed her tear soaked face. There was still hope in this world, still a chance.

               The journey had only really began standing in the snow but soon it led to settlements and skirmishes against the dark forces that gripped this world. Renamon felt alive but every time she saw one of the clouds of green data float away a little bit of her died inside. What used to be another digimon, a person capable of love and caring, was now nothing but a mindless puppet for skullrenamon’s bidding.

               Kneeling over the place where one such digimon had just fallen Renamon held a paw over her heart to make sure it was still beating. What felt like an eternity had passed since the incident in Shamanmon’s village. Battle hardened and calloused from her fight Renamon still held on to a fleeting string of hope that someday, somehow, she would save Rukan from himself, that they would be happy together once again.

               Magnamon put his hand on her shoulder and spoke softly, â€It still beats I assure you. You’re doing good for this world yet you spend the night starring at the sky by yourself. You eat, sleep and even walk alone… I’m worried about you.â€

               â€I am alone… At least right now I am,†Repied the vulpine as she stood herself up brushing off the remnants of battle from her legs. She looked to the sky avoiding her companion’s gaze for now even as he frowned at the response.

               Gripping the shoulder a little tighter Magnamon shook his head slowly, â€I know you’re a Demihumon… I know you used to be Rukan’s partner but he’s not Rukan anymore. You’re going to have to come to terms wi…â€

               Renamon drove a fist into the plated gut of the digimon actually leaving a dent behind as she scowled, â€I still am his partner and he is still in there! He’s fighting as hard as we are and he needs my help! Weeks ago I joined this rebellion and what now!? What do I have to show for it!?â€

               Magnamon stumbled backwards holding his gut and coughing a few times. His eyes were full of surprise at the fact that she had actually hurt him. He regained his composure before speaking, â€I don’t know what you are looking for Renamon but it’s just not realistic. You can’t keep living on believing in the infected! You’ve helped save countless lives in the short time you’ve been with the vaccine rebellion but your heart has grown more and more cold.â€

               Renamon turned away from the golden mon and crossed her arms with a hmph before speaking sternly in reply, â€So what… You gonna dump me from your little support group? Whatever makes you feel better I guess. I’m going to the dark citadel Magnamon… I’m done trying to deal with this. This world is dead unless we can cut off the head of the infection. Rukan, Michiko, Shade… all of them gave their lives for this world and it’s about time I do something honorable… Right now I’m just running,†Renamon turned slowly and looked Magnamon in the eyes with a frown, â€I’m done running. It’s time we take back what’s ours and stop this silly campaign saving these small fry villages.â€

               With a sigh Magnamon rubbed the back of his head, â€We’ve been over this at least a dozen times Renamon… There is no way we can take on the citadel alone. There are too many infected and SkullRenamon herself is holed up in there now will this Wrath creature to do her bidding. It’s suicide!â€

               Renamon looked to the sky again and got her bearings as she found the way she wanted to go. Looking over her shoulder as she walked by Magnamon she spoke, â€I’m leaving… tonight. You can come if you want to… otherwise I go in alone.â€

               â€Is there nothing I can say to stop you this time,†Asked Magnamon with a frown.

               â€Nothing… That bitch has my Rukan and I’ve waited long enough to get him back… I don’t make promises I can’t keep,†Replied Renamon as she walked into the settlement and found her way to a ruined but quiet room in one of the buildings.

               Hugging her legs to her chest she closed her eyes and tears came just like every other night. No sobbing, just silent tears falling on the uncaring ground of a world bent on destroying everything on its surface. Her eyes closed she didn’t see the pair of digimon watching her with frowns on their faces. They knew her loss but hadn’t really made a connection with it until that moment.

               Gleaming in white armor Omegamon looked to his companion, looking much like a night himself, Dukemon with a soft sight. He leaned in and whispered softly, â€She can’t take it much longer. I heard she and magnamon got into it again only a few minutes ago.â€

               Dukemon nodded rubbing his chin, â€You know we can’t keep avoiding the black citadel forever. I think she might be right honestly. The time does seem right. I mean she will only get stronger. I say we head there and take her out before her army grows any bigger.â€

               â€You’re still young Dukemon… There is more at play here than just power. Magnamon is wise is keeping the promise but only delivering small victories. The men couldn’t stand it to take a loss. We have fought this war for years now and had no real successes. We are only holding on by a thread of false hope I’m afraid,†Replied Omegamon leaning against a far wall where Renamon wouldn’t be able to see him.

               The younger of the two looked up hefting his shield to set it down next to them. He thought for a few moments nodding, â€What’s an empty victory then… At least we can die with honor there if it comes down to that. I’m tired of taking one place then coming back a week later to find it fallen Omegamon… I want something real… Something I can hold and call my own.â€

               Omegamon nodded slowly rubbing his chin, â€Maybe you’re right Dukemon… Without the Demihumon’s help this world is as good as lost. Perhaps it is time to make a stand and try to take our own world back. The human’s compassion should not fall on deaf ears or uncaring eyes. He gave up much in coming here and asked for nothing in return… he is no Tenshi… He’s a hero… and he needs help.â€

               â€That’s what I’m saying. I’m glad you understand then. I will leave with her in the evening then… You will bring your squad as well I assume captain,†Asked Dukemon curiously as he lifted his shield inspecting it for damage.

               Omegamon nodded and lifted his wargreymon hand to clash the sword softly against Dukemon’s lance, â€you’ve my squad with you friend. I will make sure that Tashi and Dunasmon are behind us as well. Magnamon will have no choice but to follow if all the other squads go.â€

               Dukemon nodded and stood himself up as he nodded to the way out of the building to leave Renamon in her peaceful solitude. She had fallen asleep at this point, exhausted and battle worn from the morning’s conflict.

               The world of dreams torments her just as much as the waking hell of every day. Today she stands in the snow watching Rukan battle the monster he became. Running to them doesn’t seem to work as they are always just out of reach. Finally she cried out for Rukan which caused him to look her way. It was a fatal mistake. Wrath’s blade slid cleanly through Rukan as he went limp in the snow.

               An unearthly scream came out of Renamon as she woke holding herself again. She flexed her fingers a few times on her arms to make sure she wasn’t dreaming anymore before shaking the sleep away from her eyes and standing herself up. There was simply no time to mourn anymore. Either she died trying to save Rukan or she pulled it off. Either way was fine with her now.

               Walking out of the village she didn’t notice the lack of digimon working about to recover the ruins. She didn’t notice none of the squads were there helping. In fact the whole place looked like a ghost town. She didn’t care as her eyes were completely focused on the west where she knew the ruins of digicentral lie.

               It was at the gates of the little settlement that she encountered the 5 squads she worked with waiting for her. Dukemon, Omegamon, Tashi the ulforceveedramon, Magnamon and Dunasmon gave her a nod as they looked to her then the west. Renamon looked confused for a few moments seeing them waiting for her.

               It was Dukemon that broke the silence, â€We’re tired of running as well. We’ve power and your words ignited our souls again. We are tired of fighting this losing war… victory or death!â€

               The words were echoed by every one of the men and women in the 5 squads behind their commanders. Renamon looked as shocked as when they had first picked her up out of the snow. She couldn’t help but smile as tears came to her eyes and she spoke, â€Victory or Death! We head west and march on the desecrated capitol! The hearts of the infected will tremble as their hear the march of the vaccine rebellion! Nothing will stand in the way of our victory!â€

               Hope shines, dawning just after the deepest and darkest part of the night. Hope spreads it’s wings and envelops a world ready to fight for its freedom once again. It’s song singing in the heart of each and every one of them.