Large raindrops splattered on the ground, filling the craters littered around the village. The team had gotten back from Log Temple the night before, just in the nick of time; another meteor storm happened just as they updated Jijimon and the rest of the council. Tavaras ignored the wet black hair dangling in front of his eyes as he stood among his friends, vividly recalling the shocked expressions around that room, and the sadness in the eyes of beings so formidable.

Wails were heard from across the village that night as the news spread. Not only was the village damaged, but so many friends had been lost. Tavaras stood tense; no one yet knew the role the humans themselves had played. No one except Guardromon, standing ever-silent and vigilant with the gathered crowd. Tavaras looked down, still now the somber mood and fresh cries of many of the Digimon in the village getting to him.

"We stand here today, mourning the loss of family." Jijimon began speaking to those gathered, standing in the center of the village right by the entrance to the main hall. Babamon stood at his side, both of them soaked to the core but unflinching as they addressed their wards. The two elderly Digimon were flanked by MetalGreymon, WereGarurumon, and Cherrymon; the three perfect-levels had again saved everyone from the worst of the storm, and Tavaras just considered them all fortunate they were inside for that one.

"The Gotsumon, so full of life and with much potential ahead of them." Tavaras glanced at Senna, who averted her blood-shot eyes and bitten lips. He felt sorry for what she had to go through; her life had gone from 0 to 100 just like that. The walk back had been tense and quiet; each of them telling only what was necessary. Those ice-covered stone creatures were the Gotsumon of the village. How could he even begin to console the poor girl?

"Thundermon, their booming voices now one with the wind." Deon flinched and closed his eyes tightly, as Veemon grasped his hand tightly. Poor Deon. He was a good kid, but Veedramon himself had dealt a death blow to one of the Thundermon. And again, what could Tavaras even say? His inner turmoil threatened to bubble to the surface. If only he could be in three places at once.

"Our very own council member, Kiwimon." Jijimon sighed. "Brash and headstrong, but always thinking of the best for us." Tavaras found it hard to sympathize with that one. He'd been antagonizing them from the start, and from what he gathered the large Kiwi was responsible for that swarm of bugs attacking them on the way to the Temple.

Cherrymon looked among Tavaras and the humans mournfully as Jijimon listed off those names. All part of his Church, but Tavaras did feel bad for the old tree. If it weren't for his warning, Imogen at least would not be here. He sighed, wherever there was religion, there were extremists. To the side Palmon and Floramon stood among other children and a bone-weary Garurumon, crying for the loss of their friends.

"And last, our Champion Leomon. Brave and strong, not hesitating to fight for the innocent." Tears fell down Imogen's puffy downcast face, hidden in the rain. Tavaras himself felt a knot in his throat. He shouldn't have left him alone.

"All of our children fought for a better world for us. For this Village. For the entire Digital World." The old Digimon raised his hands to the sky. "For them, we shall honour their memories and continue on. We will live, we will laugh, and we will love." His eyes scanned over all in attendance. "When they are reborn, they will be reborn into a world that is safe from strife, safe from harm. They will be reborn in the ideal world they gave their lives to create."

Tavaras felt the weight of guilt and duty upon his shoulders. If what ROOT said was true they, he, would need to make it happen.

"For now, mourn for your friends, cry for their memories. But know in your heart they would want us to continue on and make the most of our lives."

—

Senna lay in her bed, face buried in her pillow. She could hear large rain droplets beating down on the roof, muffling her quaint sobbing.

"Senna, come on, you have to eat." She could feel the hot breath of the pink bird right next to her. Senna shook her head. How could she face the villagers? She had no right to even be at the funeral.

We, we won't let the humans... Gotsumon's final words echoed in her mind as the rain and pillow tried in vain to drown it out. Why didn't they want her around? What did she ever do to them? All she wants is to live her life in peace. Make the best of her second chance.

We will not bow down... What did they mean? She wasn't some sort of, princess, or anything. None of them were, as far as she knew. They weren't some monsters!

"Come on Senna, we didn't have a choice!" Biyomon continued to plead with her, but it fell on deaf ears. " Everybody else is there. You need people around you!" People around her? The only friends she had in the village, other than the humans, are going to hate her when they figure out she killed their friends. Senna, who longed for the companionship of others, would be alone when the others went home.

Nobody else had the guilt of killing villagers on their conscience. Well, maybe Deon did. But the others? Their hands were completely clean. She killed them. Having been in the hospital for so long, Senna had heard it happen so often, and so close to her. She herself was so accustomed to being on the precipice. But to cause it to another sentient creature?

Maybe she should just wake up from this nightmare...

"Gahhh!" Biyomon pecked the top of Senna's head in frustration.

"Ow!" Senna swatted her partner away and turned around. "What was that for?"

"Stop thinking like that!" Tears were flowing down those big, green eyes. Senna blinked, taken aback. "Gaaahhhhh!" Biyomon flapped her wings and flew around, and Senna let out a yelp as her partner flew straight into an empty bed. "CAN YOU GET YOUR HEAD ON STRAIGHT?"

"B-Biyomon, what's the matter?"

"You are! My head's hurting and I can't think straight." Biyomon moaned, rubbing her head. "Oh Senna. Stop being in here all by yourself. Stop being so stubborn."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"I'm not being stubborn." Senna's lips puffed up as she pouted. "Can't I just be alone? Can't I just..." She paused. For years, all she wanted was friends. People other than her own mother to share her joy. Her pain. But now that she was feeling this? "I just don't want to talk to anyone, okay?"

"I KNOW!" Biyomon turned angrily to face her. "I CAN FEEL WHAT YOU'RE FEELING SILLY" Senna recoiled back, and her partner flew straight into her arms. " Please . You can't stay here alone forever." Her voice fell into a whisper. Senna hugged her back tightly. "You're confused, you're hurt, and this isn't something you can or should deal with by yourself."

"But the others won't get it." Senna stared blankly at the wall. "What do they know of death?"

"Does it matter? You're not alone anymore Senna." They pulled away from each other and Senna stared at the pink bird. Biyomon was right. Senna managed a small giggle through dried tears. How did this small little creature she met so recently know exactly what to say?

"Tomorrow. I promise."

—

"We need to be even more careful from now on." Edward spoke in a hush whisper, as he, Iggy, Tavaras, and Deon sat together at a dining table. The mood was still quiet around them; the clinking of dishes and shuffles of feet, claws, or whatever could be heard like pin drops in a school at midnight.

Apart from a basic summary of what they went through, nobody had wanted to talk in detail about that night as Guardromon was leading them back to Sanctuary Village. Now though, as things got a little more settled down, Tavaras had insisted they talk itinerary. That was fine with Edward; the sooner he got out of this hell hole the better. Part of him did feel sorry for the creatures living here, but it was far too late for them.

No, things were going to get more and more dangerous. That creature he and Iggy fought back by the Temple scared him to death, and although he was feeling quite smug and proud of himself and Wormmon for being able to fight that thing off, its bosses would be something entirely different. His bones shuddered just thinking about it.

"Devimon said that t-" The messy blonde young man stopped suddenly, hearing a gasp from around the room. He gritted his teeth, about to continue but Tavaras held up his hand, and Edward bit his tongue.

"Maybe we talk about this somewhere private." Tavaras looked down and took another bite of his mystery meat. Edward followed suit. At least the food here was okay. He glanced over at his sister picking at hers.

"Hey Iggy you should ea-" He gulped as Imogen stared daggers at him, and he roughly rubbed the back of his hair. He had hoped saving her would have gotten her to open up more, but after the adrenaline of that night had worn off it seemed his angry little sister was back to her old self. Edward sighed. Fair’s fair; he had abandoned her for ten years. Still, would it kill her to show a bit of gratitude? Well, at least Tavaras had started treating him as less of a burden.

Edward's head jolted up and he recoiled as he suddenly heard a chair scraping the floor. Deon, having not said a word the entire day, rushed out of the room, his striped t-shirt almost a blur against the wooden background and the blue of Veemon in tow. The kid was normally so quiet and reserved; a reaction like that to seemingly nothing was so out of place.

"What's his deal?" Edward asked himself.

"His deal is he's not a selfish little coward and actually has a conscience." Imogen shot towards him. What was that supposed to mean? Edward's body tightened defensively. He did have a conscience - he just knew to look after number one.

"Hey come on now, that's not fair." He protested. Iggy glared at him and took a bite of some radish looking thing. Edward was starting to get annoyed. Imogen's attitude was something he really didn't have the energy or willpower to deal with. She expected too much from him; as much as she wished it, he didn't actually owe her anything. Edward opened his mouth ready to lay into her, but Tavaras interrupted him.

"Quiet down." Tavaras joined her in glaring at him. "You can argue some other time. If we can't talk shop, let me eat in peace."

Fine. Even Edward knew this was something he and his sister needed to hash out in private. Another day. For now, he contented himself with the food laying in front of him.

—

Deon sat in the hot springs, the warm water around his body contrasted with the cool droplets of rain hitting him from above. When he closed his eyes all he could see were tiny bombs flying his way. All he could hear was the wail of the Keeper of the Chronicles. All he could smell was burning stone and rubble.

The last thing he wanted to do was relive that for the rest of them. Isn't what he told them enough? Kiwimon and the Thundermon were all dead, as were the chronicles of this world - at least some of them, unrecoverable. Deon gritted his teeth. Along with all that was the guilt he felt for tearing such a family apart. Images now came to mind; his mother just broken, little Deon not knowing what to do. Is that what the children felt?

Splash Deon jolted out of his trance, shocked by a wave of warm water hitting his face and messy brown hair. Looking around frantically, his eyes set on Veemon, the blue little imp looking back mischievously. "What the hell Veemon!"

Veemon splashed him again, laughing. Deon put his arm up defensively. "Come on, knock it off!" The Digimon did not knock it off. Frustrated, the young man scooped up a bunch of water in his arms and threw it at the little imp. Recoiling himself, Veemon got an evil little grin on his face. Deon gulped.

Without hesitation, Veemon jumped straight onto Deon's head. Grunting, the human wrestled with his partner, trying to get him off, but his grip was tight. Veemon then slid down his shoulder and parked himself next to the human, grinning.

Confused, Deon started laughing. At first a small chuckle, then full blown laughter.

"Hey, Deon." Veemon began, after the laughter died down. Deon glanced at his partner, whose eyes were closed and had a content smile on his face. "You know... you don't have to go through this alone. Right?" The small Digimon opened his eyes and looked his partner straight in his brown eyes. Where was this coming from?

"Um, yeah." Deon managed a smile. "I know, you're here for me. Thanks, Veemon."

"No you dingus!" The young man almost jumped at Veemon's response. "I'm your partner! I don't count!" Deon shook his head, confused. Veemon sighed. "You don't get it, do you. Us Digimon... we can't help the loneliness you feel. Not fully. I can't explain it, but you feel it too. Don't you?"

"What do you mean?" Deon was getting a little scared. "With you around, I feel... almost complete." His eyes widened.

He needed to go to the library.

"You see it then." Veemon continued. "We complete each other. But, that's all. Deon, there's a hole in your heart. We can both feel it. I can't help you deal with that guilt."

"B-but." Deon stammered. Veemon was right, and although overwhelmed with a bunch of emotions, his logical mind knew it. He gulped, and Veemon smiled sadly at him. Who could he talk to?

Tavaras? He would just tell him it wasn't his fault, he did what he had to do, and that they needed to focus on getting back home.

Edward? He would probably deflect with jokes and awkwardly try to escape the conversation as fast as humanly possible. Imogen? She would listen, sure, but she would probably tell him something similar to Tavaras.

"Why are you avoiding it, Deon?" Veemon asked. "You know she's the only other person here who had to do what you did."

Deon's heart started beating faster. As always, Veemon said out loud what Deon knew to be the right answer. "How can I bring that up?" Veemon rolled his eyes. "Oh come on." Deon whined. "It'll be awkward and sad."

"You're not telling her you love her, dumbass!" Veemon sounded exacerbated. Deon blushed.

"N-no, but I can't say ' hey how did killing those Gotsumon make you feel.' "

"Deon."

"What? It's not that easy."

"It is if you have a brain, dingus!"

"I don't want to!" Deon started stubbornly whining.

"Yes you do! You can't lie to me mister!" Veemon countered.

"Gaaahhhh. FINE!" Deon relented. "I'll talk to Senna tomorrow." At that, he slunk down into the water, content for now to let the springs wash away what it could.