Imogen sat on a fallen log in the forest hugging her own legs, and felt the rough bark through her new jeans. She glanced sideways, just making out the village from the tree line. She wanted nothing more than to go back and just sit in the hot springs. Let the steam wash away the weariness of the last few days, let it wash away her memories of Frigimon and Leomon.
Of Devimon.
She had barely slept since that night, the devil threatening to enter her dreams at any time, but she knew she couldn't put it off. She had to be stronger; Chrysalimon responded to her will. To her emotions. Ever since she had gotten here, she had been the damsel in distress. Able to defend, but unable to attack, at least until she saw Leomon die. She saw his blue data flow into the wind as she relived those memories.
Would she be able to summon that anger again? That feeling... something she had never felt before and hoped to never feel again. Imogen looked ahead at Edward, leaning close by against an adjacent tree with his arms crossed. He was looking at her, waiting for something. They both knew they had to talk, but what about? After he saved her, Imogen did feel she owed it to him to at least listen.
His words that night rang in her ears. I have the power to help you, Iggy. She glanced at Wormmon, the green insect clinging to the side of the tree her brother leaned on. Was Wormmon a reflection of him? She saw Hudiemon fighting side by side with Chrysalimon, both protecting each other.
"Why?" Imogen whispered. "Why did you leave me?" Edward stood up and scratched the back of his head. A sheepish grin appeared on his face, and Imogen winced. "Don't you try deflecting with jokes. Not this time. You wanted to talk to me? Then talk." Edward lost his grin and looked to the ground.
"I was scared." He said finally. "I was weak, I saw Dad's anger, and I just... I just ran." The warm noon wind whistled through the trees, both of their blond hair blowing in the silence that followed. "Look, I don't have an excuse. I - I wasn't thinking. I was 13 years old when I left, I had dealt with him for a year!" He took his hat off and gripped it tightly. "And I guess I hoped he wouldn't be so bad with you." He whispered. Imogen's eyes widened and she jumped off her log.
"Wouldn't be so bad?" She stared at him incredulously. She took her jacket off and threw it at him, and took in her brother's shocked face as he glanced at her bare arms. Small bruises dotted her pale, white skin, and that was only what he could see. Proof of what she had lived with all those long years. He averted his eyes in shame. "All of this, because I stuck around and did what you couldn't. Protect our - my, siblings."
"He wasn't like that when Mom was around." Edward looked at her and brushed the jacket she threw at him, his eyes starting to get wet. "I'm sorry Iggy. I'm sorry I left you to deal with him on your own."
Imogen stomped up to him and shoved him back against the tree, tears springing to her own eyes. "You know what the worst thing about all this was?" Her voice was hoarse. "It's that I had no idea what happened to you. You were my older brother Edward. I looked up to you and felt safe with you. But after you left, for the longest time I not only had to deal with Dad's increasing anger, but also the grief of losing you."
Her mind went back to when she was 7, asking her father where Edward was. He had yelled at her to stop talking about her brother, that he was gone. Imogen remembered she had started to cry, and she subconsciously touched her cheek while reliving that memory.
"Did you even think of us? Think of me, while you were out living your life?" Imogen said finally, stepping back after grabbing her jacket and slipping it on. She hugged her own body as she spoke and looked at the ground.
"All the time." Edward replied. "I - I thought about coming back for you time after time. But I always just relented. I kept telling myself I needed to be better, and then... I just never did."
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"So, what now?" Imogen whispered. "If we get out of this, are you going to come back and help us?" Edward stared, and looked at his partner behind him.
"Yes." She could tell he was tense. "I'll go to you, Iggy. If I can protect you, I will."
Imogen didn't quite believe him, but it was a start. "You have changed." The tension in her brother's shoulder released as she gave him a small smile. Perhaps in time they could have a relationship. Edward started laughing and put his hat back on, covering his messy hair.
"I guess so." He walked up to her and touched the end of her weathered hair. "I'm sorry, for everything." He whispered.
—-
Edward sat near the hall in the center of town, watching the world go by. The mood was darker than it had been since before Log Temple, the Digimon going about their business but with none of the enjoyment. A few of them glanced his way, the look of wonder that had been on their face when they first got here was replaced by one of derision Edward knew all too well. He felt a knot in the pit of his stomach at that look; they had lost Leomon and other friends, and it felt like some of the villagers blamed them for it.
It wasn't his fault though, he got there as fast he could! He shivered, hearing Devimon's callous laughter ring in his head and his sister's scream as he galloped on Garurumon. Edward would need to figure out what to do about her when they got back home; he had no desire to face their father. Would he just disappear again? He wrestled with those thoughts. Iggy was just starting to warm up to him, but what exactly could he do? He might be able to take her in, but not all of their four other siblings. She would never leave them alone with their father.
Edward put his head in his hands, the feeling of shame creeping up again. Has he really changed?
Suddenly he jolted out of his thoughts hearing commotion heading his way. A few of the Digimon spoke quickly and hoarsely, pointing. Edward stood up as he saw Deon and Senna come around the corner. Sweat clung to their clothes, and they moved hurriedly. Deon was carrying a sleeping and injured Veemon, and Biyomon, also looking quite bruised, sat perched on Senna's head.
Edwards walked quickly to join them. "What's wrong?" He asked quickly, looking around frantically. "What happened? Are we under attack?" Deon shook his head.
"We're fine, just attacked by a couple of wild Digimon. Is Jijimon in there?" He nodded towards the hall. Edward shrugged and followed them as they rushed towards the large building in the center of town, curious about what happened.
A single candle in the middle lit the large room as they rushed inside. Jijimon sat there at the table looking over something when he noticed them come in. Springing to his feet, the old Digimon motioned Deon to lay his partner on the ground.
"What happened?" Jijimon asked as a healing light hovered over the injured child.
"It was my fault!" Senna blurted out. Eyes turned to her as Deon placed a hand on her shoulder. "Palmon, she overheard us talking about what happened that night. About how we killed her friends, and she ran off into the woods." She looked down, and stroked Biyomon's feathers. "We followed her, and caught up just as she was attacked by some Digimon who wanted to eat her. Biyomon wasn't able to evolve, and Veedramon got hurt fighting them off!"
"That is interesting, and troubling." Jijimon mused. "I am sorry you must go through this. I will talk with Palmon." He gave them a small smile, face illuminated by the healing glow. "Please, you mustn't blame yourself for what happened. Forces are at play that are far out of your control."
"Palmon ran further into the forest." Deon said, concern on his face. Jijimon frowned.
"She knows the forest well, she must have gone to see her friends." A reassuring smile touched his lips. "Do not fret, she will be fine. Let her cool off and then I shall explain everything."
The glow dissipated and the old Digimon stood up. He walked towards Senna and looked at her through bushy brows. "Taking a life is never easy, especially for a soul as gentle as yours. Do not be so hard on yourself, my children. The responsibility of others' actions do not lie with you." He sighed sadly. "Yet, even so, forgiveness is something that does not come easily for oneself. Talk to Cherrymon when he returns, for I feel he may put your minds at ease."
Jijimon's words stayed with Edward. Was Iggy being too hard on him? He was only a child after all! Why should it have fallen on him to do anything? It's not his responsibility, that his sister chose to take it on herself isn't his fault. But even still, guilt gnawed at him.
The old man shuffled back to his desk. "Veemon will be okay. He will need a few days to recuperate. I think you all do. Take the time. You are safe here, for this is your home just as it is mine."
Senna started to tear up, and Deon touched her arm. What happened to them in the past day?
"Jijimon I'm so sorry!" The young girl said, bowing low. Jijimon stopped in his tracks.
"I forgive you, my child." His voice sounded broken. "I just hope you learn to forgive yourself."