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Everything was hazy, like after opening your eyes for the first time, early in the morning. Ami couldn’t make out her surroundings at first. The light overwhelmed her, the same light she and her friends traveled through what felt like a moment ago. She was supposed to be in the Human World by now, why was she still there?
Ami tried to blink, but she couldn’t. It was weird. She was receiving visual stimuli, but she couldn’t feel her eyes. Or her limbs. Or anything at all. The realization soon struck her: her body had finally dispersed and turned into data. Ami knew it would end up happening, but panic threatened to take over her regardless. Just then, the girl began to distinguish something in front of her.
“It looks like you’ve finally woken up.”
That voice was more than familiar. Hearing it helped Ami calm down, for she knew very well who it belonged to.
Alphamon.
“I admit I was about to lose hope, but deep down I was sure you’d wake up,” Alphamon continued, “that’s why I decided to stay here. I didn’t want you to be alone.”
Ami couldn’t believe it. Alphamon was supposed to be in the Digital World, working alongside Yggdrasill. She would have voiced that, but Ami couldn’t speak either. Regardless, the idea that Alphamon deemed her that important filled her with warmth. Although Ami no longer had a physical body, she was still able to feel emotions. If only she could voice them…
Alphamon’s presence was now clear as day. Ami approached her. The girl’s body was now just an orb of light, so Alphamon took it gently in her hands. Although she had been there with her for what felt like an eternity, Alphamon was still not used to seeing her assistant in that form. Alphamon couldn’t help but feel guilty. After all, it was her who encouraged Ami to Connect Jump into the Mother Eater.
“It’s time for me to explain the situation. After your last Connection Jump, the data that made up your body just...dispersed.” A lump on her throat made Alphamon stop for a second. “Because of that, you can’t return to your body at the hospital.
“In other words, that body is now like a husk of your former self.”
Even if she could have talked, Ami wouldn’t have known what to say. If she couldn’t return to her body, that meant she was pretty much dead. Now Ami couldn’t help but think of everyone in the Human World. Would her friends be by her side? Were they still waiting or did they lose hope already? Did her mother know about the situation…?
“I can tell you’re worried, but do not fret,” Alphamon spoke, “fate just won’t give up on you...and neither will I.”
Ami’s new body glowed brighter. It was her only way of letting Alphamon know how she felt. With the Royal Knight by her side, Ami was hopeful. Knowing Alphamon, Ami was sure she had an ace up her sleeve. There had to be a way to restore her body or at least something that would allow her to stay alive in some way.
“There’s something I wanted to tell you, Ami,” Alphamon talked again, “it’s the reason why I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.
“Having you as my assistant made my time in the Human World lots of fun. Although you often worried me with the crazy things you did, I knew you’d always manage to come out just fine. I always had faith in you.”
Alphamon…
Ami’s body glowed even brighter, so bright it could have blinded Alphamon.
“I’m thankful that we were able to meet,” Alphamon concluded.
This time, Ami dimmed down. Alphamon chuckled, as she could tell that her friend was feeling bashful. Then, silence settled between the two. Alphamon knew that Ami kept wondering what would be of her now. The Royal Knight had an idea, but she didn’t know what Ami would think of it. Regardless, she gave it a shot.
“As for your current situation, there are only two options: you could wander around in here forever...or you could come to the Digital World! How does that sound?”
The Digital World… It was indeed a nice place. On top of that, Ami could be there with Alphamon as well as her own Digimon. However, there was everyone in the Human World to think about. Even if there was no way for her to truly go back, Ami wanted to see her friends and her mother again. It didn’t matter how; she couldn’t leave them behind like that.
While Ami was lost in thought, Alphamon continued talking, “Yggdrasill reverted the Eaters to their original state, so now I’d like to learn more about their true nature.
“For that, I’d love to count on you as my assistant once again. How about it? Do you feel like coming with me to the Digital World?”
Ami’s body dimmed down once again. This time, it was a way of expressing uncertainty.
“Hey, there’s no need to get so serious, it’s alright. I just wanted to see your reaction…although I would really like to have you around.”
Had she been able to, Ami would have sighed. The idea was tempting, but her ties to the Human World held her back.
“I understand why you feel the way you feel,” Alphamon said, “you also want to be with those you care about in the Human World. Being with humans has affected me quite a bit.
“However, I’m not the only one who feels that way. Try looking around.”
The girl did as Alphamon suggested. What she saw would have made her heart burst with joy: her Digimon were there. Rosemon, HiAndromon, and MegaGargomon had been there with her all along as well.
Guys…
“You see? In the same way I’ve been affected, your Digimon friends have also been affected by you.
“Since you were basically a digital life form as it was, you might be able to guess how large your impact was.”
Ami never imagined that could happen. It all started when she got into that chat in EDEN. With her mother working abroad, Ami felt lonely and wanted people to talk to. Had she known what would happen because of joining that chat, Ami would have still done it without a doubt.
Alphamon spoke once again, “Those Digimon hold little bits of your data. Friendship, love, bonds, moments of recollection. To put it bluntly, they are your memories.” Alphamon watched Ami before continuing. She knew the girl was listening intently. “That’s why I think we can collect them, reconstruct your mental data, and reinstall that into your body.”
There it was, the thing Ami had been waiting for. She knew Alphamon had a plan, it was always the case. There was no way it would be different this time. Just as Alphamon had faith in her, Ami felt the same towards the Royal Knight. She glowed brighter to encourage Alphamon to give out further details.
“I’ve never done this before and it is rather drastic, but we won’t know if it will work out if we don’t try.
“I’ve also got a little of your data to provide. Heh. Don’t get mad if that data is a little weird.”
Ami wondered to which extent that data was “weird”. It probably came from their first days together, when Ami was still getting used to her half-cyber body. Walking around as an almost digital entity was awkward, and it filled her with uncertainty. She was lucky to be able to count on Kyoko, who was always patient with her.
Alphamon then cleared her throat and sighed. “It’s time for us to say goodbye, Ami. My assistant, my companion...my friend.” It almost looked like Alphamon was about to cry for a split second, but she soon regained her composure. “Okay! Here goes the reinstallation…”
The process began right after. Alphamon told Ami to move away, so she did. Then, the Digimon raised her hands and spread them out in front of her. Alphamon aimed at Ami’s Digimon and focused. Then, rays of light came from them and towards her hands. That continued until an orb—similar to Ami’s current body—formed.
“I’ll add your data now,” Alphamon said, observing how the ball of light grew. After a moment, she nodded. “This is it. Are you ready to get your life back?”
Ami’s body flickered. She was ready, indeed, but the idea of leaving her Digimon behind was one big downside. That also included Alphamon. Unfortunately, Ami wasn’t able to say anything about it...yet.
“Alright. Here it goes!” Alphamon aimed the orb that contained Ami’s mental data at the girl’s body.
Data flowed towards Ami. Her data. Her memories. It was all coming back to her: the first encounter with Nokia and Arata, her first clash with the enemy Royal Knights, all those strange yet interesting missions Kyoko and her would get at the agency… However, those weren’t the only things coming back to Ami. She began to feel her eyes again, and then her whole face: her body was getting restored as well.
Just then, the tears Ami was unable to cry just moments ago came pouring out. She was also able to speak her first words since her data dispersed, “Why can’t you be part of my new life?”
“Ami, I…” Alphamon lowered her gaze for a moment. Then, she looked back at the girl. “I do wish I could be with you in the Human World, but that’s not possible for now. As you know, both worlds have been separated.”
“Yeah…” Ami blinked her tears away. “Sorry, I didn’t want to sound ungrateful.”
“You didn’t, I can understand your frustration.”
The two went quiet for a moment. Ami’s Digimon looked at their Tamer and smiled. Even the robotic HiAndromon had the corners of his mouth turn up.
Ami smiled back at them. “Thanks, guys. I can say I owe you my life.”
“It’s only fair we do this for you,” MegaGargomon said, “you saved ours so many times.”
Ami nodded at MegaGargomon and then looked back at Alphamon. “This is what you meant, right? About how I was able to impact my Digimon.”
“Yes, this is exactly what I meant.”
“I see…”
Ami looked down. The restoration process was quick. Her arms had been recovered almost in their entirety, same with her torso. She guessed that the moment her body was fully restored, she would wake up in the hospital. Getting used to a fully physical body would take time. She’d probably need rehabilitation, just like Yuugo. Then, Ami realized that she was finally able to voice her feelings and emotions again. It was her turn.
“Alphamon?”
“Yes?”
Ami took a deep breath. “I have quite a few things to say, too. First off, I wanted to thank you for staying here along with my Digimon. You had no obligation to do so, yet you still did.
“Don’t get me wrong; it’s no surprise. You have always taken such good care of me. You are like...a second mother to me.”
Alphamon approached Ami and put her hands on the girl’s shoulders. Then, she pulled her in for a hug. Ami reciprocated it immediately.
“I’m glad you could feel safe with me,” Alphamon said, “I would have never forgiven myself had something happened to you, and still...I pushed you to do that Connection Jump.”
Ami looked up at her. “Hey, don’t blame yourself for that! We both know I would have done it regardless.”
The two laughed. Rosemon joined in, “I’m one hundred percent sure that would have been the case, hehe.”
Ami pulled away from the hug, but she held Alphamon’s hand and briefly squeezed it. After letting go of it she turned to face her Digimon, tears forming again. “I’m going to miss all of you.”
“My calculations say that we will miss you back,” HiAndromon droned.
“I sure hope we can meet again, things won’t be as fun without you around.” MegaGargomon frowned.
“As long as you remember us, we won’t be apart.” Then, Rosemon gasped, “Ami, look…!”
The girl looked down yet again. Her body was almost complete now. Ami’s heart pounded her chest. She was most likely seconds away from going back to her physical body. She would disappear before her Digimon’s—and Alphamon’s—eyes. Before that happened, Ami had an important question to make.
“Hey, Alphamon?”
“Yes?”
“That weird data you mentioned...what is it?”
“Oh, that!” Alphamon chuckled. “It’s the memory of your first time trying my coffee. The face you made was priceless. I’m sure you never tasted anything like it before.”
Ami laughed nervously, “I sure didn’t. I guarantee I’ll never forget your…original taste in coffee.”
Alphamon huffed with pride. “Make sure you try coffee with vinegar at least once in your life.”
“Suuure,” Ami said. After that, her body suddenly began blinking.
“You’re ready to go back to the Human World,” Alphamon announced, “you will wake up in your hospital bed any moment now.”
“Oh, boy…” Ami wanted to cry again, but she did her best to hold back her tears. “This is goodbye, right?”
“It is...for now, at least.” Alphamon wiped away a tear she hoped the girl didn’t see. “Ami, I hope you’re safe out there and that life treats you well.”
“Thanks, Alphamon. I wish the same to you.” Ami then looked at her Digimon. “Of course, same to you, guy—”
Poof.
Just like that, Ami disappeared into the Human World. Silence fell over the four Digimon in the area. They didn’t know if they’d see Ami again. What they did know is that they’d never forget each other. Alphamon stared at the spot where Ami stood not even half a minute ago.
I’m sure we’ll meet again, Ami. My assistant, my companion, my friend...my surrogate daughter.