Retrace
Mana slowly walked along the fence bordering the park, Salamon walking beside her. Mana had picked up a twig and was absently running it along the metal bars, making a soft, ticking noise. She stared out at nothing in particular, lost in thought and at a loss for words.
In just a few moments, she and Salamon would say goodbye. Salamon would return to the Digital World, and Mana had no idea what to say about it. All she could feel was the pain in her heart from the realization that her friend was leaving.
“Are happy endings really happy?”
Mana looked over at Salamon, who looked up at her with a desperate expression. “What?”
“I mean,” Salamon continued, “our story as the Chosen ones definitely had a happy ending. We defeated the enemy, and came out of it all in one piece, and ended up saving both the Real and Digital Worlds!”
“I’m… not sure I understand where you’re going with this,” Mana said, confused.
“If we’ve earned our happy ending,” Salamon said, “then why do we have to say goodbye?” Tears welled in her eyes. “If happy endings are really happy, then why do I feel so sad?”
“Oh… Salamon…” Mana murmured, picking her up and hugging her and immediately starting to cry.
“It’s… the journey that really matters…” Salamon concluded, crying along with her, “isn’t it? We had a wonderful time together… didn’t we?”
“Yeah…” Mana said, crying harder. “It was fun…”
“We learned so much… you and I,” Salamon mused, sniffling and snuggling against Mana’s chest.
“We did,” Mana answered. “I… you…” She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “You taught me… to value myself,” she said shakily, “And showed me that I’m not a useless crybaby…” She laughed at this, “... but that I’m an important member of a team.” She smiled at Salamon. “That no matter how scared I get, things will turn out okay, as long as we work together.”
Salamon nodded. “Yeah.”
“Okay, guys, it’s almost time!” one of the adults called out.
Mana sighed. “Oh, fine!” She wiped her eyes again, sniffled, and looked down at Salamon. “We have one more challenge,” she said flippantly, “Can we let each other go? Can we live apart without falling apart?”
Salamon laughed, though her laughter was tinged with sadness. “Challenge accepted.”
They eventually made their way toward the open soccer field where the rest of the Digimon were gathered, preparing to return to the Digital World. Mana looked around and saw the other kids with varying degrees of sadness on their faces. The adults were gathered together and standing to the side, observing.
Mana swallowed, and nodded to Salamon. Salamon nodded back, then walked toward where the rest of the Digimon were lined up and waiting, taking her place among them.
“Everyone ready?” one of the adults asked.
Each of the Digimon nodded.
The sky suddenly grew dark, and eight pillars of light descended on each of the Digimon. Their outlines glowed an eerie blue as they slowly rose up into the air.
“Goodbye, Mana!” Salamon called out as she was lifted into the air.
“Goodbye…” Mana answered, her tears flowing again. She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and opened her eyes again. “Don’t forget me, Salamon!”
“I won’t! I’ll always remember you!” Salamon called out in answer.
Mana kept Salamon within her sight until she finally disappeared, then she looked down and let her tears flow freely.
A warm hand laid itself on Mana’s shoulder, and she looked up to see Jun smiling at her through his own tears.
“No need to worry,” he said softly, “We’ll see them again.”
Mana wiped her tears and nodded, smiling back.
For now, she and Salamon would live and learn apart from each other. Their story would continue, but in two halves. But when the time came, and the Digital Gate opened again, they would find each other again, and their next happy ending would be when the books of their lives were joined once more.
Notes:
An extended version of the last part of the Epilogue, from Mana and Salamon’s point of view. The title of this scene is from the song “Retrace” by Anberlin, which was stuck in my head the entire time I was writing it!