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[Donnie really hated how just as things started to get a little better for him, they come crashing down again. Forst the virus, then his argument with Leatherhead, and now... he was having nightmares. Nightmares of something that happened months ago now, but he had brought it up only to the two people who were with him when it happened. It had been horrific, the vision that he, Marley, and Ed had seen. He had tried to forget it.

But after the invasion, he couldn't. Real or not, the city needed to know.]

I know how a lot of you want to beat me into a bloody pulp right now, and trust me I'd be more than happy to let you. But this sin;t about that, this is about something I should have told people months ago. Ed may have, but I don;t remember. Remember the Dark Zone back in June? I was one of the Divers that went into it. A lot of bad things happened in there... but there was one thing in particular, one I tried to forget. But after the Titamon invasion. now might be a good time to say it.

I don;t know what we saw exactly, the thing was too bright to see. But what I do know is that it was a Digimon and that it was something pure evil. The other Divers and me, we... we saw it kill... pretty much anything living. Humans, other living beings, it... it killed everything. We had to look it in the eyes and... [There was an audible gulp] I-it was... the most horrifying thing I ever saw...

I don;t if it's real or not, but after Titamon attacked I started thinking about if. If it is real, then... then we need to be ready for it. If it's the thing that we're here to stop, we can't let it kill everything. I... I just wanted to warn people, because if it's real, then we'll be in a lot of trouble. That's all I have to say.

[Private to Mikey]

[Actually, he did have one more thing to say, but that was for his brother's ears only. He placed the lock, but he paused before talking. He was still scared of Mikey, after the fight he didn't know what to do. He feared hurting his brother again, he feared upsetting him. He couldn't bare to cause him anymore harm. But that... thing wasn't all he was having nightmares about. He saw something else in the Dark Zone, something he thought that he had moved past. But it looked like he was heading for a relapse, and the fear was coming back along with it

He needed to hear Mikey's voice, know that he was okay.]

Mikey, I...look, I-I know things are... are shaky between us. I'm partly to blame, if not completely, and I'm sorry. How I acted the other day was horrible and I had no right to be like that. But... [His voice started to crack] I-I need you to pick up, even if it's to yell at me. I... I need to know that your okay. That... that your alive... so please... please pick up.

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[Donatello stood and listened, looking at the ground with guilty eyes. He never wanted the virus to infect him again, but if it did he would be the first to suggest killing him in order to stop him. If it was the only way to stop him from killing anyone again, then it would have to be done.]

I... I'm already planning to make it up to him. I just... haven't decided how yet, but I will.

[That last part had him look back up with questioning eyes. Arte decided to speak for him as she took a step forward.]

And what is it that you want him to do exactly?

[As much as he hated making a kid feel like this, he couldn't let up. Not just yet. Donnie had shown he was sorry about it, but the pain of it possibly being 'real' couldn't leave Wheeljack's now-existent heart.

The anger's no longer there, at least. But the heaviness in his tone remains.]

Good. Like I said, I got no expectations, just do somethin' for him.

...

And I want him to take me to where it happened.

Wh-what?!

[He did not like that. At all. Just the thought of going back to that spot made him gulp and look at the ground nervously. Arte saw, and she instantly responded.]

Absolutely not! He's not ready to go back there yet! He's still recovering from the effects of what the virus made him do! He can't-!

I'll show you.

[Arte stopped and looked at her Chosen worriedly. The teenager kept his eyes to the ground and even Paolo was looking up at him worriedly. But Donnie only sighed softly before walking forward, pasisng Wheeljack before talking in a quiet, guilt-heavy tone.]

It's this way.

[He knows. He knows full well that it's going to be a lot on Donnie's conscious going back. But maybe that was part of what Wheeljack was testing him for. If he could face what he did, acknowledge it, then perhaps respect could be regained.

His face remains level. This was all something he'd been exposed to as well, being in a war. You killed to keep yourself alive. And he had to face the same pain Donnie was experiencing. It hurt, but you learned to deal with it. To move on from that pain.

Because if you let it engulf you...

When Donnie passes him, he shuts his eyes a moment, before turning to follow him. There was a slight pang of guilt, but he wouldn't let him face it alone.]

Ya don't have to completely take me there. Just close enough so I can find it myself.

[There was that out, if he wanted it.]

We'll see when we get there...

[He walked silently after that. He could feel his nerves screaming at him and a nervous know twisted in his stomach. He knew that he'd have to face all that he did one day, but this wasn't at all what he had hoped for. Still, he was going to do it. He couldn't cower away forever.

After a few minutes, Donnie finally came to a half beside a tree. He looked forward, having reached the spot where the whole incident took place. He still remembered it as clear as day. When he attacked Fluttershy and broke her wing without mercy. When he beat up Hiccup and Fearless ruthlessly. Where he had been absolutely helpless to do anything as the virus used his body to thrust the naginata forward at the young viking and...

The memory was too much for him. With a horrified gasp, he closed his eyes tightly and grabbed onto the trees desperately, feeling like he was going to fall over. His hands were shaking. Paolo let out a worried squeak as Arte placed a steady hand on the teen's leg.]

Easy Donnie, easy. It's okay, it's all okay.

[If Donnie heard her, eh didn't acknowledge it as he took some steady breaths to calm himself. He then looked at Wheeljack before pointing a shaky finger at the area.

Here... i-it was here. I-it's all happened... right here...

[He watches, remaining his same, stoic pose. All too familiar with what Donnie was going through, although maybe not for someone so young. But a lot was revealed here, when Donne leaned against that tree. His shaking hand, his deep breaths, his panic. All of that couldn't be faked. This really affected him.

That frown only amplifies as he looks where the finger points, seeing the area. His strides are quick and crisp as he wanders over, crouching. It wouldn't show it, probably, but you could feel the tension in the area. His eyes quickly dart around it, scoping the entire plot in...search of something. A hand snakes through the grass, feeling around.

It had to be here...

And it wasn't long after that he felt something. Something with an edge. His fingers flicked it up, showing that knife he'd made Hiccup. When he saw the kid, it'd been removed from his leg. It'd provided some defense for him, which was all he could really ask. Without another moment to spare, he pockets it in his jacket, standing as quickly as he'd crouched down, looking back at the Digimon. You and Him seemed to be huddled around Donnie as well, with the Lopmon casting a glare to Wheeljack. Was Donnie really supposed to just endure this?

Wheeljack's seemingly apathetic as he walks over to the ninja, reading the pain on his face as clear as day. His own eyes flicker with light, their 'glow' they gave a bit dimmer. And without warning, he scoops the kid up in his arms. In a light embrace.

Although for anyone not-Wheeljack, it might not be the same 'light' you would define it as.]

It's okay, kid.

[You're forgiven.]

[Donnie merely stood and watched Wheeljack enter the area. he wasn't going to take a step further, just being near the area was already bringing the memories back. Memories that he wanted to forget as quickly as possible.

His hand kept clinging to the tree as he carefully set Paolo down, his arms having become too shaky to keep a proper grip on him. The Poyomon didn't protest, just looking up at his Chosen with sad, worried eyes along with Arte. Donnie straightened up as he saw Wheeljack pick up the knife, which eh recognized as the one that Hiccup used to stab his arm to try and stop him. He still had the scar from it, just another one added to the collection that was forming on his left arm.

He didn't even pay much attention as Wheeljack approached him, too preoccupied with keeping himself together. he was therefore taken bu surprise when he was suddenly embraced, letting out a tiny gasp. But he didn't struggle either, his body still trembling. He closed his eyes and bit at his lip, knowing that he was about to cry for probably the hundredth time int he past few weeks. But he didn't want to, he had cried too many times already. He didn't want to anymore.]

I... I swear, I... I didn't want to kill him. I-I tried to fight the virus, I really did. But... but I couldn't stop it from... [A hiccup escaped him as his voice cracked] I didn't want any of this to happen.

[He could feel Donnie trembling in his arms, a hand pressing against his back firmly. To keep him in that hold. The ninja had kept his end of the bargain, and probably dealt with one of the hardest things he'd ever have to deal with in life.

But now Wheeljack was there to help him. If he couldn't punch the kid, he'd have to find some other kind of outlet.

Hugs, while on the other end of the spectrum, release that energy.]

Kid.

Ya got nothin' else left to prove. Ya faced it. Ya brought me here. When I said you could put me in the direction, wanted to see if you were ready to look at what you did.

And you got here. I know murderers, and...you aren't one of 'em.

[He holds him slightly tighter, patting the kid's back.]

[Just a pawn in this world's game, like everyone else.]

[Donnie listened, even as the tears were escaping his eyes despite his attempt to hold them back. But the pat on the back and Wheeljack's words did eventually cause his trembling to stop except for his left hand. He did face what he did and eventually he probably would appreciate that he was able to do it, but right now it only brought him guilt and shame.

Arte watched. She was relieved to see Donnie calm some, but he was still sobbing. She sighed before looking up at Wheeljack. She managed a tiny smile.]

THank you, for forgiving him and helping him. But I think he'd had enough for one day, Paolo and I should get him back home.

[It was more than enough for Donnie right now. His gaze looks over the ninja's shoulder at the Digimon.]

Yeah, been enough for one day.

You uh...need assistance?

[You's ears seemed to perk up at that, looking at Arte.]

I can carry him...all of you guys back there, if you want!

Well... I guess some assistance would be nice. If none of you mind, of course.

[As though wanting to further convince, Paolo stared up at Wheeljack with big, begging eyes as though saying 'please help mister?']

We don't! In fact, I'll--take you now!

[You immediately digivolves into Sheepmon, walking over to Donnie as Wheeljack lets go, nuzzling her face (and sheep fluff) against him.]

C'mon big guy, hop on. It's nice and comfy!]

[Wheeljack looks at the remaining Digimon, tilting his head to Sheepmon as well.]

You too.

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