Chapter Text
Victory
31st December, 2002
For just a few short minutes, Taichi let himself bask in the victory. It was second hand really, but he'd still been there. Still done his part. Evil was vanquished once more, and the second generation of Chosen Children celebrating in the canyon below was just too good a scene to pass up. After spontaneously hugging Catherine and some random American blond kid (seriously, who had time for introductions now?) he pelted down to join the others, half aware of the countless other children all doing much the same things. The Digital World wasn't in the best shape, sure, but at least it hadn't been totally destroyed again. That was always a bonus. It would recover, with time.
Amid the slightly euphoric rush which always seemed to accompany a triumph over evil, someone noticed Iori over by the hole into the other world. That kid was something else, for sure. Taichi hadn't even realised Oikawa was still in the place, and yet Iori had gone to make sure he was okay. Although, it was a bit of a shock to see the smallest of the Chosen Children helping the man who was responsible for half of this mess in the first place. He looked different though. Healthier, somehow, even if it seemed he was no longer able to stand.
Taichi stood back with the others as Hikari and the rest of the second generation ran over, followed by Gennai. This was their business, after all. And if Iori believed that this Oikawa guy deserved a chance, who was he to disagree? Something wasn't quite right though. They were stood talking, but none of them were moving. And then, just after a little green digimon appeared, Oikawa seemed to shimmer and glow, and dispersed into a cloud of glittering light that flowed out into the Digital world. It shimmered and became a flock of butterflies, flying out across the sky. All around them, colour and life bloomed.
The explanation was sad, but Taichi privately felt that it was probably the best outcome. Oikawa got to be part of the Digital world, after all - and how could he have gone on living after that, knowing what he had done, and how close he had come to destroying worlds? Ken had struggled enough with the aftermath of being the Digimon Kaiser and he had family, and friends who looked out for him. By the sounds of it, all Oikawa had was grief and loneliness.
No, the day was good. The loose ends were tied off, and as they walked out of the canyon into green fields, they could all see that the Digital world had never looked better. Taichi knelt down and hugged Agumon again, just because he could. Everyone seemed to be hugging someone, after all, or smiling, or talking excitedly to new friends. He even bothered to learn the blond kid's name, although admittedly that was only because he turned out to be Mimi's friend Michael.
And then…Koushiro happened.
"Errr, Gennai, I'll admit that I'm somewhat reluctant to bring the subject up, but how are we all getting home?"