//------------------------------// // Regret, Recuperation, and Restoration // Story: Equestria Ninja Girls Going Digital // by WarriorofFaith18 //------------------------------// Tai was standing at a lake nearby the Primary Village frowning at his reflection. He was still regretting how he treated Josh earlier. Ever since he and his partner Keramon came, all he did was neglect them just because the last Keramon he fought almost destroyed Agumon. As they fought Ripley and Lewej’s two new mutated Digimon, Reapermon and Lillithmon, Reapermon made things worse by hurting Josh mentally. Now he has left the team and its Tai’s fault. He grimaced before throwing a rock at his reflection. “Tai?” Tai turned to see Sora and Matt followed by Leo, Shine Boy, Sunset Shimmer, Karai, Starlight Glimmer, and Shine Girl with all of them looking concerned as Sora spoke in concern. “Are you okay?” “No.” Tai answered bluntly. “No, I’m not.” He then looked at the others. “If you wanna lecture me and tell me that you all told you so, go on. I deserve it.” “We’re not here to lecture, Tai.” Leo assured. “We’re all concerned for Josh.” Tai grunted as he punched a tree. “I should’ve accepted Josh and Keramon! But no! I had to treat him like an enemy! I try and I try! But no matter what decision I make, somebody gets hurt because of me!” “Tai. It was understandable that you didn’t trust Keramon.” Matt spoke up. “Remember we all weren’t sure to accept him.” “At least you were willing to give him a chance.” Tai muttered. Sunset spoke up. “Tai, no one said being a leader was easy. It’s always a debate no matter what choice you make.” “Especially when we’ve all made poor choices in the past.” Starlight added. “We always work on making the decision work so it would be the right choice.” Karai nodded. “Yeah well, you were right, Shine Boy. He wasn’t the same Keramon.” Shine Boy shrugged. “Well, even if he was, I’d at least know we gave him a chance. I just don’t want to reject possible allies and friends.” “Because you know what that’s like, right?” Karai asked. Shine Boy, knowing it was time to tell his tale, nodded. “I probably sound more innocent compared to those of you who did wrong before, but I know what was like not getting a chance to show my innocence.” The hero took a deep breath and paced himself a little before he told them. “A while ago, before Michael became Gamer, I was part a trio of heroes working for a secret government team. Back then, you could say I was a second Michelangelo. Carefree and funny. I always had my morals to keep me positive and I thought I had the superhero bit down. Then, one day, all that changed. I followed a gang of tech heads who tried to steal something. Their leader called himself Gigavolt and he was after a jewel that would give him ultimate power. I was able to stop his gang, but when I tried to look more into it, I discovered that Gigavolt framed me on national television. Turned out he altered the footage to make me look like a criminal. Shortly after, I was on the run from the law and my teammates. No one believed me when I tried to explain and allies who could’ve helped me just sent me away without hearing me out. I couldn’t go home and not many knew my secret identity, Love Shine and Shine Girl included. I then fought some other heroes who were ordered to take me in including my teammates and friends. When I was in fought out in public, I saw myself surrounded by cops and newspeople. Tired, fed up, and broken, I turned myself in. I never said a word when interrogated and hoped they’d just give me the death sentence. The cops left me to make my phone call. By then, Gigavolt got the jewel and transformed into a giant energy creature. Those who refused to help me realized I was telling the truth and one tried to call me, but I just hung up on them before they could say they’re sorry. By then, the commander of our unit got the correct footage and was able to bail me out. He understood my condition and we agreed that I would stop Gigavolt and afterwards I’d quit the team. I was dropped off where Gigavolt was located who toyed with me. No matter how hard he hit me, I picked myself up. Though in full honesty, I wanted him to kill me and put me out of my misery. When it looked like Gigavolt was gonna finish it, my teammates showed up. Despite me not happy to see them, we were able to drain Gigavolt and change him back. I then made double sure he never transformed again by destroying the jewel. As the police took Gigavolt into custody, my team tried to show they were sorry by offering me breakfast. I just stormed off as the commander told them our agreement. I was so upset that after I returned, I vowed never to be Shine Boy again. For weeks, all I heard in the news was ‘Where is Shine Boy? Or ‘Shine Boy come back’. But I just tried to ignore them and even fought a student who wouldn’t shut up about it. Some allies and other heroes who knew my secret tried to convince me to come back and it never ended well every time. Meanwhile, Love Shine and Shine Girl did their best to keep up fighting. Love Shine was overwhelmed the most and rejected invitations to join the team in my place. Another villain then demanded Shine Boy, or he’d blow up the bridge. It was there that I decided I pitied myself enough and hurried to save the bridge. Turned out, it was a hoax to get me to come back. After he turned himself in, I was back in action. Gamer came around and I eventually went back to the team. The rest is history.” Everyone was surprised after Shine Boy finished his tragic story as he continued. “I’m sorry if this changes your opinion about me. I never told anyone this because it’s still hurtful and I don’t know how’d you all react, especially you, Leonardo, after you told me about when Fugitoid told you his past. I had promised to not let anyone feel rejected.” Shine Boy was then answered by a hug by Karai and Leo patted his shoulder. “I understand why you never told anyone. I had promised myself I wouldn’t accuse anyone like that anymore.” Leo spoke up. “While it was terrible what happened, I’m glad you endured it.” Sunset smiled. “It explains why you understand us and never judged us from our pasts. And I’m glad you do.” Starlight embraced him next. “Since then, I would give people a chance so they would not go through what I did. Not Josh. Not Keramon. Not you, Tai.” Tai smiled, happy to know his friends still cared and clapped hands with Shine Boy’s hand. “Thanks, Shine Boy.” “Anytime.” Everyone smiled before Leo spoke up. “C’mon. we better head back. Piximon wants all you older Digidestined so that we can complete enough of your training so we can beat Reapermon and Lillithmon.” Everyone nodded and as they all headed back, Shine Boy looked at the other side of the lake and whispered to himself. “I hope you find what you need and come back. We need you, Josh.” --------- In another part of the forest, Josh furiously threw wood at a fire he started. After the fire was blazing, he then pulled out the nunchucks Mikey gave him. He shed a couple tears as he was overwhelmed with grief. He then threw his weapon towards the fire when suddenly- BOOM! Josh and Keramon looked surprised to see a spiritual hand caught his nunchucks. Walking from the fire was a humanoid rat wearing a ninja robe. He looked at Josh with a strict but calm face. “A ninja’s weapon deserves better respect.” Josh was astounded as he recognized the figure as the Turtles told him. “You’re- You’re Master Splinter!” “What are you doing, Joshua?” Joshua sighed. "I'm not sure anymore. Ever since I got my digimon partner, I knew I was destined to save both worlds. Even though I fought quite a few evil digimon, I also met even more nice ones. I love Digimon. They're not that different from us humans, some are good some are bad. I always felt comfortable around them. More so than with my own kind. So when I realized that there were more kids like me, kids with digimon partners who shared the same responsibility, I figured I had found my team of friends who would always be there for me, no matter what. But then Tai, the leader, didn't trust me. He treated me and my digimon partner I love like a brother like we were enemies. And now, I couldn't even prove myself good enough for the team by beating an old enemy. I just....I feel like a failure." Keramon sighed as well. "Me too. I feel ashamed that another one of my kind did so much damage and nearly destroyed the world. That's the whole reason Tai hated me. Even if I'm not the same digimon, it still stings." Josh looked at his nunchuks in despair. "Maybe I'm not cut out to be digidestined, or a ninja for that matter." Splinter nodded in understanding. “Because of what Keramons predecessor did in the past.” Josh sighed, tearing up. "And I had my chance to prove myself, and I blew it!" "Tai may not have seen it, but the others seem to have seen your efforts." Splinter pointed. "You came in time to help my son, Leonardo. You fight alongside them against Kimeramon. You tried to gather the others after falling from the waterfall. You even led the others to the Dark Ocean to rescue Kari. That had to have meant something." Josh sighed. "I suppose. But no matter what I did, Tai still didn't trust me. And Reapermon! He really gets under my skin! He called me out on my failures! And I couldn't beat him like I did in our last encounter! I just don't know how I can help the team. If I can't beat Reapermon, what good am I to the team?" Splinter placed his hand Josh’s shoulder. “Josh, there is no I in the word team. When you fall, another comes to your aid. Like when Shine Boy came to your aid against Ripley and warned you that he was strong. A team is there for each other. It is what the others wanted to prove to you.” Josh looked up at him. "But how am I going to contribute to the team if I can't help fight?" Splinter held Josh’s Digivice. “If I recall, your crest is the crest of Imagination, is it not?” Josh nodded. “That is something you must discover on your own. Only then can you join the others. I have faith in your creativity.” Splinter handed Josh his Digivice. Josh looked at it and then looked up to see Splinter vanished. Josh shook his head. "Creativity? Maybe I need to use my head. " He then heard his stomach growl, and then Keramon's stomach growled even louder. "But maybe we should get something to eat first. We can't think on an empty stomach." Keramon nodded. "I think I saw a town nearby. Maybe we can find a restaurant." --------- Back at the Primary Village, Leo, Piximon, Tai, Sora, Matt, Izzy, Mimi, and Joe all sat on platforms that were on stilts that were very high up. Luckily, below them was a waterfall. As the others watched from the side on the ground. Izzy then asked Piximon. “So, what do we need to do?” “Throughout the years, while you had learned from your lessons, you have forgotten how to connect your hearts where your crests. Yup yup. T.K. and Kari had done so in the Dark Ocean. You must do the same! Leonardo might know a way to help with that. Yup yup!” “But we gave up our crests to return power to the Digital World.” Joe recalled. “That was years ago, but you always had the crests in your hearts. Yup yup! As long as you keep what was in your heart, your crest never fully left you! Nope nope!” Leo then spoke up. “So Piximon allowed me to teach you six ninpo.” “Nin…po?” Mimi asked. “Ninpo. It is an ancient mystic power derived from a very powerful source of unknown origins that has been passed to the Hamato Clan through generations of the clan. it is unlocked by wholly connecting and trusting in one's family. If you can accomplish this, it should be enough to rekindle your crests again. Now you must concentrate and search within.” The older Digidestined all closed their eyes and began to concentrate. Piximon then coached them as they searched within themselves. “Let go of past regrets. Use the experience to move forward, not weigh you down. Break free from your limits. Accepts problems you cannot control. Only then can you find what was lost to you.” As Piximon coached them, Each of the Digidestined showed pure concentration in their expressions. The one who struggled the hardest was Tai, who was still regretting his mistrust towards Josh and Keramon. Inside his mind, he kept flashing the times he either frowned or scolded the two. Then, it was pitched black as he knelt in regret. “Why didn’t I trust them?” he asked himself as his mind echoed. “Had I just forgotten the Crest of Courage? Is that why I feared Keramon?” Tai then heard a new voice. “Fear cannot be vanquished completely.” He then saw a humanoid rat wearing a ninja robe standing before him. “It will always try to challenge our courage.” Tai looked up to the rat as he remembered who he was from his talks with Leo. “You’re….. Master Splinter!” Splinter smiled. “Greetings, Tai.” Tai got up sighing. “I suppose you’re here to lecture about how I treated Josh and Keramon.” “Yes. And no. I understand why you didn’t trust them right away. Because of Keramon’s predecessor.” “But Josh just wanted to be part of the team and I drove him away!” “This wasn’t the first time you felt regret.” Tai nodded. “I had done too many dumb moves! And it resulted in someone paying because of me. Agumon. Sora. Kari.” Tears began to fall from Tai’s eyes. “Why haven’t I gotten over them?” “Because regret is like reopening a wound.” Splinter explained. “The important thing is that you learned from these mistakes. You went back and saved Sora from Datamon, you mastered your crest to have Agumon digivolve into MetalGreymon, and that day Kari went to the hospital did not weaken your bond with your sister. I’m not saying the pain will go away, but you should not let hold you back. That is what fear is like. You cannot change those events that had happened. All you can do is use them to be stronger, wiser, and braver. And by trusting your friends it will give you the strength to get right back up.” Splinter then placed his hand on Tai’s shoulder. “And you must trust that Josh will find what he is missing and rejoin you. Just as you must trust yourself to treat him like a friend when he does.” Tai closed his eyes and thought about what Splinter said. He was right. He must trust Josh will rejoin him just as he trusts his friends. As he got up, he saw Splinter was gone. But he understood what he had to do. “Tai? Tai!” ----------- Tai opened his eyes to find he was on the platform again. He saw the others were looking at him as Leo spoke. “You were in deep thought longer than the others. And you were glowing for a brief second.” “You discovered something, yup yup?” Piximon asked. Tai nodded as he stood on his platform and faced his team. “Guys, I understand if you think you can’t trust me now after the way I treated Josh. But there is something our crests have in common. Trust. We’ve all had issues with trusting each other in the past. Heck, we had that trouble when we first came to the Digital World. But we always came through for each other. Trusting each other gave us the courage to face the evil Digimon in the past. By being sincere when one of us was down or reliable in danger, we were able to learn what we need as we fought for our friends and loved ones. In a way, we’re like our own clan or family. And I do hope I can share that same trust I have with you all with Josh if he comes back.” Tai then leaned back, causing his platform to tip and he began to fall to everyone’s shock. “TAI!” Matt, Sora, Izzy, Joe, and Mimi jumped towards their friend hoping to reach him in time. As they jumped, they hadn’t noticed glowing from their bodies. Leo and Piximon looked amazed as the glowing intensified. From the ground, everyone was blinded by the glow. “What just happened?” Shine Boy gasped. “I could’ve sworn I saw Tai falling down!” Twilight panicked. “Did he fall in the lake!” Scootaloo hoped. “Look!” Everyone looked to where Ogremon pointed. The light had reached the ground and began to fade. As it vanished, Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Joe, and Mimi all stood holding hands. As they opened their eyes, they noticed they now had gold plates on their chests. Like T.K. and Kari, they had their crests on one end and the other, the Hamato clan symbol. “They did it.” T.K. smiled. “Yep.” Kari nodded. “How’d we get these?” Joe asked, looking at his. “I don’t know, but I like their style!” Mimi beamed. Leo jumped off his platform and, bouncing off the trees, landed back on the ground while Piximon flew down. “Well done!” the fairy Digimon grinned. Leo nodded in agreement. “You’re ready.” ------------ Meanwhile, Josh and Keramon have made their way to a village not far in hopes of finding the restaurant Keramon mentioned and getting something to eat. Josh tried to keep up a smile as he passed by various digimon going about their lives. But while he was happy to be surrounded by digimon, his mind was on what Splinter said. His Crest was Imagination. Could that be why he lost the battle with Reapermon? Because he wasn't being creative enough? Now that he thought about it, he DID focus solely on proving himself to the others. He wasn''t being very true to himself. He was pulled from his thoughts when Keramon pointed out the restaurant. Keramon looked at the sign. "looks like a noodle shop." They both looked up at the sign. It definitely looked like a noodle shop. Just then, a small Digimon with brown fur and tusk floated up to them on what appeared to be a cloud. “Welcome. Table for two?” He smiled. Josh nodded. "Yes please. I could use some noodles right now." As he lead the two in the restaurant, the Digimon spoke to them. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tapirmon and I’ll be you waiter today. Would you like to hear about our lunch special?” Keramon nodded. "Certainly." Josh nodded. "we should know the best deals on food. " Tapirmon then got a look at Josh's Digivice. “You’re a Digidestined., aren’t you?” Josh nodded. "Yes. But how did you know? Have you met digidestined before?" Tapirmon nodded. “Yes I have. They helped saved our soup spring as well as the destiny stone. My manager Digitamamon even gives a discount to every Digidestined and their Digimon partner.” Josh smiled. "That's good to know. I think I know which digidestined you're talking about." He frowned. "But we kinda had a problem and I left the team. I plan to go back, but not until I fix my problems." Tapirmon nodded. “Well maybe some soup will help you think of a solution. Might I recommend the Chinese special?” Josh held up his head. "I will just take some beef ramen." Keramon nodded. "I'll take the Chinese special." Tapirmon nodded and went to put the orders in. Josh gave a smile. "Maybe all I really need is a full belly. I'm sure I'll be feeling better once I've eaten. " Keramon smiled and patted his back. "That's the spirit!" Soon, Tapirmon returned with their orders. He was joined by a giant egg with dinosaur feet sticking out of the shell. There was a hole in the face area with only the eye’s showing. He then greeted. “Hi there. I heard we had a Digidestined in today. How are you, my good man?” Josh frowned sadly. "Sad and hungry." Keramon nodded. "Ditto." “Well maybe some soup and ramen will make you feel better. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the owner Digitamamon.” Josh smiled. "I'm Joshua Garrett. This is my partner, Keramon." Keramon smiled."Nice to meet you." “Strange to see a Digimon I never met before. Oh well. Any friend of the Digidestined is a friend of mine.” The bell at the counter rang, indicating another customer had entered the building. “I’ll go get that.” Tapirmon said as he floated off. “And I better get back to the kitchen and cook. It was nice to meet you too.” And Digitamamon hurried off. Josh sighed and looked at his noodles. He then began to eat them. "This really tastes good." He sighed sadly. "But it only fills my belly, not my heart." Keramon then choked on his noodles before recomposing himself. "That was depressing, dude." Then, he then heard a familiar voice. “Josh? Is that you?” Josh nearly choked on his noodles at the sound of that voice. "No way!!" He stood up and rushed to the counter, where he was a familiar pink face perched stop a large silver dish. "It is! Garbagemon! Searchmon!" Garbagemon was a pink sludgy Digimon with a yellow peel like head piece and in a green garbage can. Searchmon was a big metal bug with a dish on top. Garbagemon smiled at Josh. "It's good to see you again, my friend." Josh smiled back. "Thanks, Garbagemon. It's good to see you and Searchmon again too. Right now I could really use the good company." Tapirmon was nice to let Garbagemon and Searchmon sit next to Josh and Keramon. After the two ordered their meals, Josh told them everything. Garbagemon took a sip of tea. " I see. Sounds like you're in quite the jam." Searchmon beeped in agreement. Josh sighed sadly and ate his noodles. "I just don't feel like I belong in the team after that. It’s like I'm not good enough." “Is this that same kid who helped us from Rareraremon?” Garbagemon spoke up. “Do you remember when we first met? I thought defeating Raremon was impossible. But you proved me wrong and because of that, you inspired me to look further for the solution.” Searchmon beeped again in agreement. “Even Searchmon agrees with you.” Searchmon beeped a couple more times before Garbagemon poured more tea into his cup. “There you go.” Searchmon then beeped a thank you. “You’re welcome.” Josh looked at his noodles. "I did save you. I figured out all the oil in him could be hardened and heated, then frozen. I really got creative there." "And I'm sure that wasn't easy to think of." Garbagemon nodded. Josh nodded. Then he realized something. "I was creative! That's what I did! Just like when I reformed that Mummymon who wanted to be a doctor!" Keramon nodded." you came up with a plan to use his own wrappings to subdue him so you could get through to him on how he was doing it all wrong." Josh stood up. "Exactly! And that time we were swarmed by DemiMeramon and we couldn't land any hits, but I got the idea to make them bigger with fire so they'd digivolve into Meramon and become more solid!" "Or the time strange instances came up that were the result of Soulmon, and you realized he was invisible and you used dust to make him visible." Keramon added. Searchmon beeped a couple times, as if explaining something to the two. When he was finished, Garbagemon nodded. “Searchmon said sometimes pressure can make it difficult to think. It’s understandable with those villains that revived Reapermon and Lillithmon.” Josh nodded. "I was under a lot of pressure even before then. But I shouldn't worry anymore. I need to rejoin the team. Garbagemon, would you like to come with me? A scientist like yourself would be useful. Also, several other members of the team are scientists. I'm sure you'd be like to meet them." Garbagemon nodded. "I'd love to." Josh smiled. “Thanks for the help, Garbagemon. I really needed it. Let's finish eating first, though." ------------ Back at Primary Village, Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Joe, and Mimi all stood before Leo, Raph, Karai, Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Shini while the others watched nearby. Leo then spoke. “Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Joe, and Mimi. You have completed the first step of your ninja training. Now that you’ve restored your crests’ powers, it’s time to take the next step. After watching you in battle, as well as talking to the others, we had decided which weapons would best suit you all.” As the lead turtle spoke, Karai walked up to Tai presenting him with katana blades similar to Leo’s old pair. “For Tai, the Katana. The weapon of the samurai. The weapon of a leader.” “Alright!” Tai smiled as he accepted his new weapon. Next, Raph walked up to Matt and held up another pair of Sais with blue grips. “Matt, the Sai. For ones who are quick to act when helping others.” “Thanks.” Matt smiled as he accepted his weapon. Rarity was next to walk up as she presented Sora two sickles like hers. “For Sora, the Kama Sickles. An elegant weapon for those with elegant hands and a harmonized mind.” “Thank you.” Sora bowed as she accepted her new weapon. Twilight then walked up to Izzy with a Kamayari spear like hers. “Izzy, the Kamayari Sickle Spear. A weapon used to defend one’s homeland.” “Prodigious.” Izzy grinned as he looked at his new weapon. As Fluttershy waked up to Joe, she presented a blowgun resembling hers. “For Joe, the Fukduke Blowgun. A weapon that can help win fights with or without confrontation.” “And these are sleep darts Karai gave me. And I’d like you to use them too.” Fluttershy added as she gave him a pouch full of darts. “Great!” Joe smiled as he accepted both. Mimi was a little worried she might not get a weapon due to not finding the right weapon earlier before Shini walked up to her with a pair of tanto blades. “And finally, Mimi, the Tanto Blades. Sleet and represents the purity of your sincerity.” Mimi smiled to her relief as she accepted her weapon. “Thank you very much.” She thanked. Rarity then spoke up. “I also took the liberty of making ninja belts with the imprints of your crests.” Karai then held up six more Hamato headbands. “And I have more Headbands of the Hamato clan for you guys as well.” Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Shine Boy, April, and Sunset all walked up and handed each Digidestined their designated ninja belt as well as a Hamato headband. Tai wore his headband under his goggles, Sora and Mimi both wore theirs on their wrists, while Matt, Izzy, and Joe wore them around their foreheads. Then they all put on their ninja belts and sheathed their weapons and stood ready. “Alright, guys!” cheered Davis. “Now let’s go take on Ripley and Lewej!” Tai declared as they all clapped it up. “BOOYAKASHA!” They shouted. “I will stay here and keep the barrier at Primary Village up. Yup yup!” Piximon said. Suddenly, the ground began to shake. Everyone held on to dear life. “What’s happening?” Applebloom cried. “An earthquake?” gasped Sweetie Belle. “I don’t think we’re near any fault lines.” Elecmon pondered. “Whoa. Déjà vu.” Spike blinked as he was held by Twilight. “Look!” Ogremon pointed. --------- The quake happened just as Josh, Keramon, Garbagemon, and Searchmon left the restaurant. “What’s going on?” asked Keramon. “This doesn’t feel like your everyday tremor.” Garbagemon noticed. Searchmon staggered trying to keep his balance. “I bet those bad guys are behind this!” Josh figured. Searchmon beeped as he pointed at something on the horizon. Everyone looked in shock. “What in the world is that thing?” Josh gasped. ----------- There, where the bad guys were stationed at, was a giant circular saucer like ship just like the last time. This one was twice as big as last time and had a battle deck. “What is that thing?” Rocksteady gasped. “Either it’s the biggest donut I ever seen or it’s big trouble!” Bebop squealed. “They built another portal ship like last time!” Ken cried. “Typical they made a new one.” Night Shine scoffed. “They’re gonna try opening a portal! This time, in the Digital World!” Gamer hollered. On the ship, Ripley watched the heroes on the monitor with Lewej, Chaos Mage, Gladitron, Reapermon, and Lillithmon by his side. “The endgame has begun!” he declared with an evil grin. To Be Continued