Normally, Noriko would have clobbered Cody for staring. However, as she was also staring at the girl in the center of the dojo, she decided that her husband could be forgiven.

Yohko Tachikawa just smiled back, brushing a bright yellow lock of hair out of her eyes. "What? I got tired of dyeing it brown."

From the corner, a small ball of fur hopped up and down. "You better believe it," Tsunemon called. "She spent two hours in the shower last night."

"Oh, shush," Yohko sighed. "Weren't you the one who told me to be myself?"

"Well, yes," Cody admitted. "Forgive me. I had gotten used to your other hair colour."

"Well...that was in the past. May we start, Hida-sensei?"

"Well," Cody huffed, "as long as I have -your- permission..."

-
Digicross: The Devil Meteor of Oore

Some ideas taken from:
Digimon Season 1 and 2
GURPS Japan
Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD
Sakura Taisen TV and Sakura Taisen V Episode 0
Magic Knights Rayearth

--

Outside the dojo, Kyoko Kamiya focused entirely on the task at hand; cleaning off the sweat on the Ponyta that Yohko had just finished riding.

The fire-horse pokemon, named 'Rally' by Yohko, had a strong bond with Yohko already; Tsunemon joked that he should try DNA digivolving with Rally, rather than another digimon.

Yohko Tachikawa, Kyoko thought to herself. Attractive, cheerful, upbeat, every bit the image of her mother, save for the blonde hair. Add in a bit of Matt's willpower/stubbornness and personality...Yeah, Kyoko decided. I'm jealous. WHo wouldn't want to be her.

A few feet away, a small white creature rested. Looking like a small puppy, with a few hints of...cat-ness?...in it. Salamon looked up. "Kyoko? Everything OK?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Just woolgathering."

"Hmph. Stop comparing yourself to her." At Salamon's words, Kyoko stiffened slightly. "I already told you, you're smarter and cuter. Once the novelty wears off, you'll be the best-looking digidestined again."

Kyoko had to smile at her partner's slightly mocking tone. Since the affair with the Dark Spore, she had been wracked with guilt and self-doubt, despite assurances that everything that had happened was not her fault, and that the spore had been, quite definitely, taken care of. She wasn't so sure. She was sure that she could feel a few dark things in the back of her soul. The worst of it, in her mind, was Salamon's regression; after coming back, she had not been able to digivolve back to Gatomon. Plus she missed her sisters (well, she amended, one actual sister and an honorary one, but she loved Hitomi as much as she did Ryoko). Who were both doing just fine without her.

"Yeesh. What's next, apologizing to everyone?"

"That-" Kyoko forced herself to stop. She stopped brushing Rally, and slumped down to the ground, arms folding around her knees.

Salamon padded over. "I'm sorry, Kyoko. It's just...you have to snap out of this depression. The last thing we need is another Ken."

Kyoko managed a small laugh. "Thanks Salamon. And I do appreciate it. It's just nice to get away from everything. Mom and dad..."

"Yeah, they were getting a little intense for a while. And I like it here. It's quiet." the small digimon grinned as a series of shouts and grunts came from the small low building several dozen yards away. "Tsunemon told me Yohko took first in the regionals last week."

"Yeah, I heard," Kyoko agreed, smiling a bit more. "What is it Akira called her?"

"Samurai cowgirl," Salamon sighed.

--Some distance away

"Target sighted. Confirm three known digidestined, one possible. Subject in sight is Kyoko, partner Gato...correction, Salamon."

"Forget them, they're tainted. I need a pure digimon," a voice over the radio the spy carried spoke. "The other girl, Yohko. Her partner will do nicely."

"She is currently with a high level-"

"I don't care," the voice ordered. "Bring the digimon and, if possible, the girl. The rest are expendable."

"Understood." There was a click as the radio switched off. The spy twisted around. "Five minutes, then attack. Pattern C."

The group of...things shifted, almost eager to fight.

--

Cody stopped, eyes diverted by some unknown sense. He still blocked Yohko's attack, then motioned for her to stop.

Yohko, for all her training and experience, had not developed very far that mysterious acuity, that 'seventh sense' that the more mystically minded spoke of which warned one of imminent danger. She was able to pick up on the change in her teacher's stance

Cody thought for a few fractions of a second, then made his decision. "Come with me. Do not stray from my side unless I tell you to."

"It's not Mary or Read," Yohko replied. It was more a statement than a question.

"Something worse," Cody agreed. Silently, he wished that Patamon and TK were not in the Digital World right now. He had a feeling he could use the help.

"Don't forget me," Tsunemon said. "I can fight."

"Follow Yohko's instructions."

"Aww..."

--

"Kyoko," Salamon snapped. Instantly, Kyoko stood up, looking around nervously. She could tell from her partner's voice that something was wrong. A second later, Cody and Yohko came out of the dojo, weapons drawn.

"Kyoko, get inside!"

"Yohko," Kyoko gasped. Salamon leaped into her arms, and the two started heading for the dojo.

"Not so fast!" A tall, gaunt man strode into view. Accompanying him were two pokemon, a Golduck and a Zangoose. "We just want one thing. Turn over the digimon Tsunemon. Or else."

Yohko glared at the stranger. "Pretty gutsy, just walking up and demanding a digimon. May I at least know your name?"

The man grinned. "Raymond, the beast-tamer. And I look forward to taming your beast, Yohko Tachikawa."

"Not interested," Yohko growled back. "Kyoko, get to cover," she hissed.

"But...those pokemon with him...You can't see it?" Yohko and Cody, who had overheard the conversation, glanced at the pokemon.

"See what," Cody asked.

"That...black aura around them..."

Raymond heard this, and seemed startled. "You can see the shadow aura...Change of plans. Tsunemon and you two," he indicated Kyoko and Salamon, "come with me, and there's no trouble."

"Too late for that," Cody said angrily. "Armadillomon." Cody's partner charged forward, Diamond Shell attack aimed right at the stranger. The Zangoose jumped in Armadillomon's path and swatted the digimon away. Armadillomon struck the side of the stable and slid down. "Armadillomon!"

"Our shadow pokemon are much stronger than any digimon you can bring against us, old man." Raymon sneered. "Just hand it over, kid. I-" he yelped as a blast of fire was flung at him.

"Rally," Yohko grinned. "Thanks." The Ponyta whinnied, then got ready to attack again.

"Golduck," Raymond snapped. Obediently, the water pokemon trotted forward, aiming at the Ponyta. "Hydro Pump." A huge gout of water shot out; incredibly, Rally managed to do a standing jump, the stream of water passing under him and blowing a hole in the side of the stable. "Again, at the geezer!"

Yohko gasped as Golduck's second shot flew at Cody. There was a sound of a sword being drawn, then an oddly muted chopping motion. When she opened her eyes a moment later, Cody still stood there, katana out, Golduck's attack split in two, splashing out over the field behind him. She noticed that her sensei's digivice was glowing slightly. "H...how...?" She then noticed Armadillomon, up but standing oddly still.

"The bond between digimon and human takes on many forms, Yohko," Cody almost whispered. "In time, you may learn to do the same." In a louder voice, he addressed Raymond. "You've worn out your welcome. Leave." He stopped, realizing why Raymond was grinning. Turning, he saw Yohko, seated and back against a section of fence, one of Zangoose's claws at her throat. "You-"

"Now, now, geezer. Like I said, hand over the Tsunemon." Raymond's eyes flickered from Cody to the digimon in question. Yohko was ignored.

"No pokemon would ever harm a human," Cody growled. "Unless their trainer was a true monster."

"Shadow pokemon," Raymond repeated. "Their hearts are closed. I-" Several things then happened at once.

Kyoko was on the edge of panic. Not only was Zangoose about to crush her throat, she could almost experience the pokemon's feelings. The dark aura around it was so familair in a way, terrifyingly like her own experiences with the dark spore she had recently come in contact with. "No," she whimpered. Beside her, Salamon, quickly knocked unconscious while Cody was occupied. "please...please STOP IT," she screamed. As she did, there was a brief flare of light from her, dizzying the Zangoose. Salamon, just now recovering, suddenly felt drained and passed out again.

Simultaneously, Yohko drew her shinai, tucked until now in her belt, and charged. It swung out, stopping just under Raymond's chin. Following up, Cody sheathed his own blade, drew the sheathed weapon from his belt, and struck Raymond on his head, then followed with a swift, and rahter brutal, kick to the man's knee. "What," Cody gasped as a spike of pain drove through his foot. he stepped back, horrified at what he saw. The part of Raymond he had struck had crumbled, leaving a bright ebony material underneath. "C...control spire!"

"You peeked." Raymond's eyes glowed. The earth rumbled. Four massive Steelix exploded out of the ground, throwing all the defenders down. There was a cry; a Scizor had appeared behind Tsunemon and grabbed him, claw clamped onto the small digimon's horn. "When next you see him, he won't recognize you," he taunted. The Steelix he was on screeched, the noise forcing everyone to wince in agony. There was a loud blast, then blackness.

--

"Yohko...Yohko!" Kyoko shook her friend, while Noriko tended to her husband. Slowly, Yohko came to, managing to sit up. "Wh...what happened?"

Kyoko nodded to several red and white spheres. "That man used several Voltorbs to cover his escape." Yohko's eyes went wide. "He got away with Tsunemon," she confirmed.

Yohko closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then opened her eyes again. "Right," she said, forcing herself up. Rally trotted over. "I'm going after them."

"Mrs. Hida already notified the authorities," Kyoko said, already knowing it was useless to argue.

"Tsunemon is my partner and my responsibility. I'm not going to let some deranged psycho take him away from me."

"Y...Yohko," Cody groaned, standing up. "He's not human. When I struck him, a piece of his shell came off; underneath was what looked like a control spire. He may have other powers, and controlled pokemon to attack you with."

"I'm not going to lose Tsunemon. I'm sorry sensei." Yohko started to turn away.

"Wait," Cody said. He shook his head ruefully. "I see your father's had a strong influence on you."

"Well...at least I didn't get his looks."

"Uhh...Yohko? Hida-sensei?" Kyoko, still dazed Zangoose in her arms, looked at the two. "What happened?"

Cody started to step forward, then staggered. "Rrr...sprained, I think." He glanced at his wife. "Noriko, get Rally's gear, and...the other thing."

"Cody!"

"Noriko...there's no choice. I can't stop you, can I?"

"Us," Kyoko said. "I saw...something around the pokemon that man was using. It's still around this Zangoose, but it's weaker. And...it felt like the dark spore. A bit."

Salamon nodded. "I can't see it, but I can feel it. I think Kyoko broke whatever hold that guy had on Zangoose."

Cody nodded. "Go then." Noriko reappeared, carrying a saddle and something long and slightly curved wrapped in a dark cloth. Cody took the object and hobbled over to Yohko; Kyoko helped Noriko get the saddle on Rally. "You have progressed rapidly in your studies. You are still a bit rash, but I think you are ready for the responsibility." Carefully, he unwrapped the cloth. "I had this bokken carved from an ironwood tree in one of the nearby mountains. It is strong yet flexible. And, if handled carelessly, very lethal." Cody fixed Yohko with an intense stare. "Do not disappoint me, Yohko."

Despite her anxiety, Yohko shuddered as her sensei's eyes bored into her. "I will not. I swear." Cody continued staring at Yohko for a full five seconds, then nodded. He handed her the cloth wrapping, in reality a simple, yet well-stitched sheath, which Yohko tied to her waist. "Both bokken and sheath have been treated to be fire resistant. Still, be careful when riding on Rally."

"Thank you," Yohko whispered. She heard some clattering. Kyoko had gotten her bike out, and had loaded Salamon into the small basket in front. Contrary to Kyoko's personality, the bike was a fairly rugged mountain bike, more suited for the rough terrain around Cody's home than speed. "Think you can keep up?"

"Just wait'll I digivolve," Salamon said. "Then you'll see something."

Yohko smiled, relaxing a bit. "Come on. We have to find Tsunemon."

--

"Hold STILL!" Raymond jumped back, furious. He was losing the half-hour or so of lead time he had estimated, all spent fighting a...pink ninja? "Why won't you go DOWN?"

"You've got the charm of a car wreck," the attacker replied between breaths. "I won't let you steal another digimon."

"You don't have a choice," a voice came from behind the ninja.

"Miriam," Raymond growled. "Took you long enough."

"Oh, such rudeness," the woman said, leaping over Raymond and landing between him and his attacker. "And after I came all the way from Oore." She giggled, sensing Raymond's startled expression. "Please. You think this little one will last? Come, little mystery girl. Show me what you have to offer."

"This." A second pink and grey attacker appeared out of nowhere, throwing a punch at Miriam. A kick followed, then a swipe with a curved metal claw. Each was dodged.

"Ooh," Miriam squealed, delighted. "Two of you. This -is- going to be a treat." She jumped again, this time with her hands flung wide. A hail of black crystal darts appeared, shooting at the newcomer. They were dodged, quite easily given the attacker's apparent grace.

"Will you stop fooling around?" Raymond tried to duck back as the first attacker pressed in. "Just get us out of here!"

"But I'm having so much fun," Miriam pouted. "Oh, dear, Raymond," she continued. "What has the professor said about picking at that?" As she spoke, she caught her attacker with a vicious roundhouse kick. "Mmm...feels like a digimon. You'd look good in our collection, sweetie." She closed, too eager, but was forced back by a powerful swipe by the digimon, metal blade carving a large gash, leaving a long black trail on her defending arm. "Ah! How rude, now I look indecent! Well," she grinned. "I love a challenge."

"Sledge Dash!" Salamon ploughed into Miriam's damaged arm, then bounced off. "Puppy Howling!" A sonic blast threw Miriam back slightly, also catching Raymond in its effect.

Yohko rode up on Rally, bokken already drawn. "Where's Tsunemon!"

Miriam squealed in delight. "A ninja and a samurai! Raymond, isn't this cool?"

"Get. Us. OUT OF HERE!" Still pouting, Miriam took out a small device.

Kyoko rode up on her bike, saw what Miriam was holding. "Stop her," she screamed.

The first attacker reacted first, taking something out of a pocket and hurling it at Miriam. It was dodged, and Miriam, Raymond, Steelix, Scizor, and Tsunemon were all swallowed up. "Tsunemon!" Yohko leaped off of Rally and ran towards the vanishing field of energy.

"Come to Oore," Miriam taunted. "I'll have lots of good treats for you, samurai-chan." The field vanished just as Yohko reached it. Crushed, Yohko fell to her knees, fist pounding into the ground.

"Escape pad," the digimon snarled. "One of Donald's no doubt."

"Yeah," the other person said, pulling her mask off and revealing a pretty face surrounded by a tangled mess of brown hair. "I'm Becca, that's my partner Tururiemon. I think we're after the same thing."

--1 day later.

Mimi Tachikawa looked at her daughter, already knowing she was going to lose this argument. "There's nothing I can do to change your mind, is there?"

"I'm sorry, mom. I have to find Tsunemon. Becca said that she knows people over in Oore, and that we'd have a place to stay."

Matt frowned. "I don't like it. Oore's been pretty closed up for the last few decades now. I don't think we can even get a digiport over there. And she said that this Team Cipher was behind it all?"

"Yeah. Mom, dad...I don't want to fight."

Her father stepped forward. "Fine. Just...be careful, alright? You need anything, just let us know, alright? We'll come charging in."

A short distance away, Becca watched the scene, hint of melancholy apparent. "Becca?" Kyoko walked over, backpack slung over one shoulder, Salamon in her arms. "So...how did you do all that stuff?"

"Well," Becca replied, "I raise my foot until it makes contact with a face. It usually works." She sighed slightly. "It looks more impressive than it really is; that woman Miriam would have taken me apart in a second."

"That's what I'm here for!" Lopmon waved to get Kyoko and Salamon's attention. "When I'm not kicking butt as Tururiemon, I'm showing Becca how to do the same!" Becca affectionately scratched Lopmon between the ears. "Keep telling you I'm not a dog...hey, I didn't say stop!"

"You seem to have a friend," Becca observed, seeing the same Zangoose that had been recently one of Raymond's Shadow Pokemon. The Zangoose seemed to be in a bit of a daze still.

"I...I think I broke whatever Raymond did to him. I don't know how, but I thihnk it's getting better the longer it stays with me. Mom and dad let me keep it, in case there was trouble. Plus...I want to see if I can free the other pokemon Raymond has under his control. I felt it, felt what he did to them. It was disgusting."

"It is. Well, there's three of us-"

"SIX!" Lopmon and Salamon chorused. Zangoose seemed startled by the attention.

"Alright six," Becca amended. "And only three of them. Sounds about right."

Kyoko looked back to where her own parents, now resigned to seeing their eldest children leave home to save the world, waved a bit sadly. She waved back. "Well, let's get going then."

Next Episode: Showtime!