Chapter xx: Christmas Reunion
#2 of D.M.O.N.
First off, I do not own any chars from Digimon series or any names that participates the stories. I apologized first hand if there are spelling and grammar errors because my English is second. Any openings will be the same as the previous. Anything else, please enjoy the special chapter.
Chapter xx: Christmas Reunion.
It is already months passed. Al and the team have done an excellent job in defending the humans and Digimons from the unknown virus called the Glitches. With the help from Gennai and the Digimons, the senior Destinies have procured some results about the Glitches. Each Glitch has different abilities that may alter the host, but the power was too great that the host become berserk and corrupt. Because of it, the real Digimon cannot be reborn again and the human will misuse the Glitch power.
So far, Al's team has obtains the power of strength, defense, speed, regenerate, and alter evolution. But Al possesses two more that others didn't. The power to manipulate data from Black and that imprison him in his Agumon PC. Because he is stuck in the game and become the Destinies, he can't tell anyone about who he really is unless they know him. The cycle keeps on rolling until Gennai found a cure to reverse the effect.
Recently, Al grew mentally tired from his side job as the Destinies and his partner saw it. She was concerned about his well being and asked the senior Destinies. "Do you see anything different from him, guys?" Amelia asked.
That question draws all the Destinies attention. "Is there something wrong, Amelia?" Jake asked her.
"He seems pretty down recently. I've never seen him like this."
"Maybe he is just too tired." Agumon answered. "Guess we shouldn't add him for the next mission." Tai added.
"He is the only one that available when we're on school." Zane answered.
"Correction, when you two are in school." Jake responded. "Me and Mrs. Kari are in the same school and she is my teacher."
"And as your teacher, you shouldn't cut off school, Mister." Kari replies which make everyone laugh.
"Aw come on. Besides, I've never cut off school before." Jake replies thinking that she is a new teacher in his school.
"But your record said otherwise, so no buts." Kari taunted him.
"Come on, back to the topic guys." Amelia said it with an angry tone, "What's wrong with him anyway?"
"I may be a doctor, but I can't cure anything if I don't know what he has." Joe replies. "You should ask him directly." Amelia nodded and went off to see Al. Renamon called her to wait because she also wanted to know what happened to him.
At the Game, Al is having a little chat with random strangers in order to get some recent updates while he is inside the game. Sometimes the player asked why he didn't hear any news, and Al make up an excuse that can convince them. Al saw two familiar females from afar and bade fare well to his new friendly stranger. "Hey girls, what are you two doing here?" He asked with a smile.
"First, we are older than you. Second, we would like to know what is wrong with you." Renamon answered with her arms crossed.
"What are you talking about?" Al asked without knowing his own condition.
"Don't lie to me, Al." Amelia answered. "I know that you feel down recently, so fess up."
"I'm just tired, that is all." Al answered bluntly trying to feel his own body.
"That's not true. I know there is more than that. You seem depress without a reason." Amelia concerned.
Al was confuse about it and try to remember why he seems depress lately as she claim. His memories went back to his previous missions and got depress. "Now that you mention it, it is nothing that you concern of." He answered.
"Yes it was. After all, I am your partner and your friend." Amelia answered in concern look and so does Renamon.
Al is having a small debate about telling her the truth or not, but seeing the two favorite vixen and especially the emerald eye vixen give him a concern look makes his doubt vanish. "All right, I'll give." Al surrender. "It happened after we deleted the Glitch. The villagers threw a party for congratulating us. After the party was over, the villagers went back to their respective home for peaceful rest. That's when I saw several young ones approaching their parents. I guess that was the reason why I am depressing recently. I still have a parent that worried sick about me and I am sure missed my mom even though I dislike her sometimes." Al told them the story. He took a seat near the fountain and sigh deeply. Renamon forgot about his condition and her tears starts to burst.
"How come I never heard of it?" Amelia asked.
"You could say it happens before you join in as my partner." Al answered. "I told you that I was a human kid before and that is why I have the Digivice. But I neglect telling you that I am still have a family."
"I am sorry to hear that." Amelia answered.
"It's okay." Al replies.
A moment later, the bell announcement starts ringing. "Attention to all Digimons. Due to an upcoming event, the server will be close for maintenance check at 17.00. Please log out before designated time, thank you."
"Ah... the Christmas Event, I think we should get out of here." Al called. Renamon and Amelia nodded and go to warp gate to warp back to Gennai's mansion. After they arrive at the mansion, Renamon and Amelia walked inside to the mansion and Al stopped at the front of the TV.
"Aren't you coming?" Renamon asked.
"Nah, I'm going to Swanmon as usual." Al answered.
"Her place again? You always go to her place during maintenance day." Amelia protest.
"To me, she is the closest thing that I have as a mother." Al smiled. Al took her right paw hand and kissed it with respect and bade fare well.
After Al is gone, Renamon report her finding about his problem. "Guess that means he is homesick." Joe concluded and everyone went silent.
"Now that I think about it, he is been here for months and not a single contact to his mother." Gatomon stated. "Did you check on his mother?"
"We did." Yolei replies. "But her condition is getting worse. She may try to conceal it, but her spirit is breaking up."
"If this keeps up, she will get sick eventually." Juri added.
"The main question right now is should we tell her?" Sunmon asked. "We kept her secret about Al all this time."
"We could give it a try." Suzie answered. "Ever since Soul always out from his Digivice, Aunt Sarah grow accustomed with Digimon even ours."
"Very well." Kari replies. "I will try to convince her that he is awake, if she can tolerate him."
Yolei, Joe, Kari, Takato, and Tai are arriving at the hospital where Al's body rested comatose. The lobby has been decorated for Christmas already with Christmas tree stood tall at one of the corner, a small Christmas tree figurine at the front desk; red and green ribbons were hung at the corridors and many more to cheer any patients that came to the hospital. Yolei guided them to where Al has been hospitalized. They saw that Al's body is resting peacefully on the hospital bed and wired with life supports. Unfortunately, they didn't see Sarah in the room. Joe asked the pass by nurse if they see the mother of the comatose boy.
The nurse told him that Sarah is doing a part time job at the moment and she will visit at any minute. Joe thanked the nurse and regroup with the rest to think up of proper words for telling her until a voice speaks from inside the D - Server. "Can I see my body?" Al the white eyes Agumon asked which surprise them.
Kari replied by taking the D - Server and gave a view to Al's human body. "Is that my body? Man do I look pale." Al commented about his condition.
"Well, what did you expect? According to the record, you have been comatose for seven months and we still didn't find the one who responsible for it." Joe explained.
Al sighed in disappointment because he found no clue about the source of the Glitches whereabouts and also other things. "Cheer up. Once we found the source, I'm sure you will be your old self again." Gomamon cheered him from Joe's D - Server.
"Thanks Gomamon, but that is the least part of my worries. I'm worried more about meeting my mom. It is been seven months I haven't seen her. Will she recognize me?" Al is getting worried before they departed from Gennai's mansion.
"We will think of something." Tai said with confident. "I am sure that she will understand once we convince her."
"Convince me what exactly, Tai?" Sarah asked as she entered Al's room which surprise them especially Al. "I thought I heard Al's voice, but I was wrong."
"That your son is perfectly fine and well." Tai answered in stutter and gave a silly smile at her.
"Unfortunately, the doctor told me that Alphonse's condition shows no progress and I am starting to lose hope." Sarah responded feeling disappointment to find that Al is still in coma.
"You shouldn't lose hope so quickly, Sarah." Takato replied feeling uneasy. "To tell you the truth, we came here to tell you that your son is with us right now."
"What do you mean? My son is still in his bed and not moving an inch." Sarah answered in confusion.
Kari pointed the D - Server to an empty space and called out the Digimon inside that D - Server and there materialized a small light orange dinosaur with white armband at each claw and a gauntlet at the left claw but the eyes were shut, unable to see the reaction from Sarah. "Is that your Agumon, Tai? What is he doing inside Kari's Digivice?" Sarah asked.
"I am right here, Mrs. Sarah." Agumon replied from inside Tai's D - Server.
"Then who is it?" Sarah asked in confusion.
"Sarah, it is hard for me to say this but, this is Al." Kari answered.
"You must be joking right? You found it in the wild and name it after Al." Sarah denied it.
"It... it is me, mom." Al finally spoke with his normal voice and one eye slowly open to see her reaction.
"That voice... It can't be true." Sarah denied him.
"It is." Yolei answered.
"No, that is not true." Sarah denied again. "My son is still sleeping at the bed. That can't be him."
"But it is, mom." Al tried to convince that it is really him. "It is me and I am wide awake. What you see over there is my real body and my spirit got stuck in my avatar."
"No, you are not him." Sarah answered in rage of denial.
"It is true. You've got to believe me. I remember that you left the door open whenever you went home from the night shift bar." Al convinced her again.
"How did you know that? You dare to impersonate my son?" Sarah asked in rage.
"I'm not impersonating myself, I am what I am. You've got to believe me please." Al convinced her with tears slowly coming out from his eyes.
Sarah gave him a strong, loud slap in his left cheek. Al became shocked to receive the slap. "How dare you... You are not my son. My son is lying on the bed comatose and you dare claim yourself as my son. You are not my son. You are just a wild, brain washed monster." Sarah yelled at him in rage.
The Destinies showed a surprise look for unexpected reaction from Sarah. But they also expect her denial about Al's new body and life. However, Al was in pure shock to receive not just a denial but a painful, heart break slap from his own mother. Al couldn't take it anymore. He was hoping to see his mother and what he got was denials from her mouth and her action. He looked at her in full rage and ready for the kill because of Digimon's instinct but he suppressed it and exchanged it with cry of disappointment. "Mom, you are an IDIOT!" Al yelled at her in rage. "I HATE YOU AND I HATE YOU ALL!" Al ran towards the door and breaks it open. He ran down the stairs and out of hospital, regardless if he was seen by other people and panic.
Takato, Tai, Yolei and Joe went out to chase Al. Kari wanted to follow them but she heard Sarah said something. "That angered voice, it really is him." Sarah said it in stutter completely disbelief what she hears. Kari stopped at the door to look back to see Sarah was on her knee and both hand covered her face in cries. "What have I've done?" She whispered within sobs.
At the outside of the hospital, the four of them looked around to see where Al ran to. "Damn he is fast." Tai grunted the unexpected incident.
"Where has he gone off to?" Yolei asked still looking around for a small yellow dinosaur among high populated human city.
"I can't sense him from here. He must be long gone." Guilmon answered.
"If my old memories are correct," Joe responded while try to think thoroughly within panic. They suddenly heard screams from a distance. "Follow the scream."
The Destinies ran toward the scream. Many people were running toward the opposite direction. The people were running away from something. Something must have scared them to dead. The Destinies saw a claw mark at the each poles or trees they passed by. Sometimes, they found a claw mark at the parked car or water hydrant. They believe that Al tried to direct his anger to anything he sees except humans.
Their chased ended up at the park where Al met up with Renamon months ago and where Al formally recruited. By that time, they heard sirens from afar and slowly grow louder. They quickly enter the park and began to search for Al high and low. For a human tamer, they can only see what they can see but for the Digimon, they can sense other Digimon presences around them.
It took them at least 30 minutes to find Al hiding in the bushes, crying uncontrollable. They regroup again at Al's hiding place. Feeling uneasy at the situation, Takato wanted to say something, but he was interrupted by Al's request. "Take me back." Al said within sobs. "Take me back to the Digital world." Takato wanted to say something again but he was interrupted again by Joe. Joe told him it is best to do his demand for now. Takato understood and took out his D - Server and scanned Al in.
Inside Takato's D - Server, Guilmon saw everything through the monitor and expecting Al to come in. Al materialized in crouching position still crying from before. Guilmon can sense great sorrow and wanted to cheer him up but Al told him "Please do not bother me, Guilmon." Guilmon stopped his movement, showing his sad eyes, and ears flopped down.
The police officer caught up with the Destinies and shout at them. "What are you doing here?" The Destinies looked at the officer and try to find an excuse, but the officer continues. "It is not safe here. There are witnesses telling there's a monster running through this park." Tai gave a surprise expression at the officer telling him that he did not know or heard of it. "You four need to be evacuated, immediately." The Destinies complied and the officer guided them out of the park.
Inside the hospital, the nurses and doctors are gathering around Al's room trying to see what happen and who cause the disturbance. Kari told them there is nothing to see and she will pay the broken door. After everything is settle down, Kari start focusing on Sarah. After Sarah stop crying, she asked her. "What was really happened to my son?"
Kari took a deep breath and began her story. "It all started when we were having a mission at the Desert area in the Digital world." Kari told her everything she knows about Al's conditions, Digital world, and Al's life as a Digimon. "He maybe a Digimon right now, but he is still Al and he missed his mother so much. And now you are hurting him in and out." She added.
Everything went silent for 20 minutes. "Now I know the situation. But still I cannot believe that my son was trapped inside that game for seven months. And all this time, I thought he was sleeping peacefully in his bed." Sarah spoke still trying to understand the situation. "What should I do? I am sure that he won't see me again after what I did to him."
"You need to speak to him again and apologize. I am sure he will understand. After all, we all support you and your son." Gatomon spoke.
"Where can I find him? I am sure that he went disappear after that." Sarah sobbed again.
"We know where he is, but to get there we need permission first."
The four Destinies arrived at Gennai's mansion and materialized their Digimons including Al. Joe and Gomamon entered the mansion and report the situation to Gennai. Takato, Tai, Yolei, Agumon and Hawkmon followed after them. Guilmon and Al were remained at the portal gate. Guilmon invited Al to come in but Al remained silent. Al turned around and suddenly vanished into the Digital World. Guilmon gasp in surprise by his action and alerted the others.
"He is gone without telling us." Daisuke growled.
"What should we do now?" Kotemon asked. "He could be anywhere in the Digital World."
The Renamons look at each other and nodded. "We might know where he went." Amelia replied. "But we don't know if we should follow him or not." Renamon continued.
"Please, give him some times." A female voice answered their question. The Destinies looked at the portal to find the person who answered them and it was Sarah being accompanied by Kari and Gatomon. "If I know my son's habit, he needs some time alone to ease up his pain and sorrow alone."
"For how long, if I have to ask?" Rika asked.
"An hour or two, if it's a simple matter," Sarah answered. "But if it was big matter, it will take a half day. As for this matter, when our hearts is ready to see him. In the mean time, do any of you have Christmas decoration? This place needs some Christmas cheer a bit."
"It's almost Christmas time again? My, how times flies when we were busy." Gennai replied. "I do have the decorations somewhere in the storage house. Boys, a little help would be nice." Almost all the Destinies followed Gennai to the storage house and sorted the inventories until they found the decorations. The Destinies starts decorating the mansion while waiting for Al to cool down. After finish decorating the mansion, they went back to their works. Sarah waited for Al while making some drinks for their refreshment and does other household chores.
Meanwhile at the Digital World, Al arrived at the Beginning Village, a place where it has a huge rainbow leaf tree and bushes that contains hundreds of digital eggs. Al walks slowly to the hollow tree where Swanmon lives and takes care of the hatchling until they are strong enough. Unfortunately, Swanmon saw him coming when she is watering the bushes. Swanmon waved a warm welcome but Al didn't respond.
Swanmon put the watering can down and walked towards Al. "Al sweetie, it is very unusual that you come here at this time. Is anything happen?" Swanmon asked in motherly concern.
"Not much, Swanmon." Al answered in monotone line. "How are the babies?"
"They are fine and slight misbehave. What's wrong with you?" Swanmon asked to Al. She gasped when she saw Al's eyes were blank as if he is lifeless and don't have the spirit to live.
"Everything is... okay." Al answered in monotone line again. Al continues to walk into the hollow to rest up.
'No, you are not okay. You are not who you usually were. What happened to you?' Swanmon asked his condition in her heart. Swanmon wants to confront him but her feeling tell her to leave him alone but her maternal instinct tell her to go. She walks slowly to the hollow tree and saw Al is curling up near the fire place. Swanmon walks closer to Al and she saw tears coming out from his eyes. Swanmon could tell that he is mentally hurt and it is best that he need a shoulder to cry on.
Swanmon sat closely to Al and hug him warmly. "I know that you are not okay. If you need a place to cry on, I'm always open for you. Now tell me what happened."
Al's body started to tremble and began to cry out loud. "She denies me, Swanmon." Al answered within sobs. "My mother denies my existence because I'm a monster."
Al got drown deeper into his sorrow. Swanmon was surprise to hear his problem and try her best to sooth him down. It takes her some time for Al cried himself to sleep. Swanmon keeps hugging him for a while and let her tears flow down from her eyes. 'No matter how strong and mature he is, he is still a child.' She said in her mind. 'As an act of mother, I will protect you.'
Al stayed in the village for more than a week and his sorrow hasn't faded away. He helped Swanmon taking care of the baby Digimons. He laughed happily when he played around with the children but Swanmon knew it was a false happiness because his eyes never change since he came to the village.
At noon, Tai, Amelia and Sarah braced themselves up to meet with Al. Amelia guided them to the Beginning Village where Al usually stayed when the game is undergo a maintenance check. Sarah was amazed how beauty the scenery is in the Digital World since it was her first. Everyone walked slowly toward the huge rainbow leaf tree. Sarah was told that this place is a place where new Digimons were born.
When they reach the huge tree, they saw that Al is playing with the children and Swanmon the care taker is watering the bushes. Al saw Tai and Amelia are here. He wanted to greet them but stopped when he saw his mother was among them. Al gave them a welcome wave at them and continued playing with the children.
Sarah braced herself and walked towards Al followed by Amelia. When both of them are close enough to him, Sarah called him. He didn't respond and so does Amelia's call. Amelia tapped his shoulder and he gave a respond by looking at them. "Are you calling to me?" Al asked.
"Al, why didn't you respond when we called you?" Amelia asked.
"I am sorry, who is Al?" Al asked. "You are mistaken me with someone."
Both Sarah and Amelia gasped in surprise with Al's response. "Alphonse, what is wrong with you, don't you recognize me, your own mother?" Sarah asked.
"What's a mother, and who is Alphonse?" Al asked. "You are mistaken me with somebody else." Al went back playing with the children.
Amelia couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed Al's shoulder and shoved him to the ground hard to get his attention. "Don't you dare try to deny yourself. I know who you are and I'm not mistaken, Al. Why do you deny her?" Amelia asked in anger.
Al stood up slowly and looked back at them in anger. "What makes you two think I'm Al or whatever that human called me? She might be mistaken me as any random Agumon in these world." Al taunted them the way Sarah denies him.
Sarah was shock to hear him using the same method to her. "You are different from any Agumon in this world because no Agumon has white eyes like you created." Amelia responded.
"It was a false genetic code in my body. Who knows I may be blind because of my eyes as white as a snow." Al answered sarcasms his appearances.
"That is enough, Al." Sarah stated. "I know I was wrong for yelling at you back at the hospital. I am sorry for denying you and hitting you."
Al stopped his act and look at her in anger. "Why now?" Al asked. "Why do you accept me now? I'm maybe a monster to you. I'm maybe nobody to you."
"That is why I am truly sorry. I was so blinded by my selfishness that I couldn't see the real you in that form." Sarah answered.
Al sighed in disappointment. "Since when did you noticed it was me?"
"When you yelled me how hate you are. You are the only one who always hate of everything, including me." Sarah answered.
"That is why I hate myself, old habits die hard." Al rubbed his head and looked away from her. "How've you been, mom?"
"Miss you a lot, son." Sarah answered. She ran towards Al and hugged him tight. "Why didn't you tell me that you are okay?" she asked between sobs.
"And risking it to happen like last time, I don't have the courage and will to bear it." Al answered. Al hugged her back. "And thanks for bring her here, Amelia."
"You should thank Kari. She is the one who brought her to Gennai's mansion." Amelia answered with a soft smile.
"Come on; let's go home to the mansion, sport." Tai invited. "We have a party to attend to."
"Party?" Al asked in confusion and let her go.
"You will see when we all go home." Sarah answered. She let him go as well.
Al nodded to her and started walking back to the portal, but he suddenly stopped. "I've got some business to attend to." Al rushed toward Swanmon and hugged her tightly. "Thank you for taking care of me when I'm here, Swanmon."
"It was my pleasure, sweetie." Swanmon hugged him back. "Now go back to your real mother, okay." Swanmon let go and wiped a tear from her eyes. Al nodded and ran backed to the Destinies and entered the portal straight back to Gennai's mansion.
At Gennai's mansion, Al was greeted by the rest of the Destinies including his friends. Al is surprise to see the mansion was decorated with Christmas events.
"Feeling better already, Al?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Al answered. "Although it surprised me to see the decorations are everywhere."
"Thank your mother to remind me." Gennai replied. "So let's enjoy the party. Everyone is eager for Christmas celebration."
Al nodded and wanted to join the rest but Sarah held him for a small privacy. When everyone is out of earshot, Sarah asked something that he never heard of. "Al, it is too late for gift request. But what would you like for your Christmas present?"
Al is surprise to hear that, but he only gave one big smile to her. "I already have my gift, and that is to see and be with my real mother again. Merry Christmas, mom."
"And Merry Christmas to you too, Alphonse."
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That's it for this chapter. Consider a small contribution for Christmas event (if it is available) and my late mother who died young. I accept any critics and comments, Thank you very much.