Tensions are only growing in the Human World as the youngest of the Tamers pull together in search of a missing friend. In the Digital World it appears the time to act is coming, but what about the portal being blocked? How will Antylamon and Impmon find their way back to the Human World to aid their Tamers? Time to find out.
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Ch.4: Tamer Team-Up! Blue Card Summons!
Dark clouds filled the sky in ominous warning by the time Suzie and Ai reach their destination. As the two got out of the car they noticed the flashes of black lightning crashing down from above in jagged waves. The sense of danger was powerful here and again the pair looked at one another for a long, tense moment in silence. Suzie was the oldest in this team and Ai would follow her lead as needed. Again they nodded to one another and together moved towards Ai's home as the dark clouds began to surround the house in a thick, imposing fog that only the light from the pair's Digivices could cut through. Both could admit to themselves that they were a bit scared of what lay ahead but they were Tamers and even though Mako wasn't a Tamer he was still one of them and they weren't about to give up on him because they were scared.
As the two approached the front door it began to rattle and a vicious snarling sound came from the other side. Ai's brown eyes widened for a moment before they narrowed again in determination. Just before she could touch the door to open it a loud bang sounded and the door flew off it's hinges at the young Tamer. Ai let out a shout of startled fright and would have been crushed by the flying door if it hadn't been for Suzie pulling her back and flinging the two of them out of the way of the door and into the grass. Just as the two were getting back to their feet a black tendril shot out and grabbed Ai by the legs and drug her into the blackness that consumed her home. Letting out a shriek this time the young Tamer fought hard to try and escape but she was pulled in before Suzie could even get into a position to help her.
"Ai!" Suzie shot to her feet and gripped her Digivice hard and she ran into the house after her young friend. As soon as she entered Suzie could hear the whispers all around her and feel how the area was suddenly freezing cold. She didn't let that stop her even as the whispers insisted she couldn't do what she'd set out to do and that she wasn't as good of a Tamer as her brother Henry and that Lopmon was likely ashamed to be partnered to such a useless creature as herself. Suzie felt tears prickle her eyes as all her worse doubts and fears slammed into her all at once and she felt the ice creeping into her body freezing her to the spot. Then she saw a bright silvery light and heard the voice of the one she'd come in here to save.
"Suzie is not useless! She's Lopmon's Tamer and she's a good one! She came to help me when no one else would. Just because we're younger doesn't mean we aren't Tamers too! Impmon would never give up, not ever, and neither would Lopmon! And they willcome for us; I know they will. Because if I believe in nothing else in this world I believe in Impmon! He alwayscomes for me!" The silvery light grew brighter and finally Suzie could see her young companion. Ai looked just as shaken as Suzie herself felt but she also held a strong sense of hope and belief in her heart and it shined through in her eyes.
Suzie shook her head and realized what had happened. She'd been pulled into a trap and she'd fallen for it. Ai was right; Lopmon would come for her because she was Suzie's partner. Her digimon had never once given up when things had gotten hard and so Suzie couldn't either. 'Thanks Ai, you don't know it but you just saved me.' she straightened up and held her Digivice out before her. She realized something she hadn't before; she and Ai working together made them a team and they needed to start acting like it. So in this she would follow Ai's example and believe in the strength of the bond she shared with her partner. A pinkish light filtered from the vibrating Digivice in Suzie's hands and she grinned; knowing what usually came next.
And indeed in a bright flash two blue cards appeared floating before both of the young Tamers. Without needing to look at one another both grabbed the cards that usually decided a battle one way or another. When the cards were systematically swiped both thought for a moment they heard the familiar voice of Calumon cheering them on from somewhere beyond the darkness but neither was certain and had other things to worry about as they called out the words that would signal their true entry into this fight once and for all. "DIGI-MODIFY!"
...In the Digital World...
The pinpoints of light that had been in the sky above the heads of two of the partner Digimon suddenly grew and two pillars of light - one silvery edge with purple and the other vibrant pink - hit the ground just south of the gate guarded by Antylamon. She looked at Impmon and both knew by the serious expressions they both had that they were about to go into a battle together. Antylamon's ears perked up again as Impmon's body lit up and the little Rookie let out a startled sound. Like their Tamers they too thought they heard the missing Calumon calling for them to hurry and cheering them on in their coming battle but then Impmon was Digivolving and it became clear things were very serious so the sound of the little Catalyst was pushed from two minds.
Black wings sprouted from the Rookie as his body grew and changed into his Mega form. It didn't take long for the pair to realize he'd gone straight into his Blast Mode. The pair didn't hesitate after that and went straight for the pillars of light. The silvery pillar grew brighter as Beelzemon neared it and the moment he touched it he felt a strong sense of belief fill him and even more energy than he was used to. The Mega only grinned as he realized how strong his Tamer had become. The Mega's grin faded and was replaced by a dark scowl at the thought that anyone would try to harm hisTamer. Part of him wondered why he couldn't sense Mako alongside Ai but the sudden surge of danger he felt near the female half of his Tamers distracted him from the thought. He'd figure out what happened to Mako when he got there. Now though Ai was in danger and he had to save her!
Antylamon had another problem. She felt Suzie's energy when she hit the pink light pillar but she also felt how much danger her Tamer was in and that something was trying to take her away. "Beelzemon we must hurry; our Tamers face enemies without us." Which was completely unacceptable. She might not know what was wrong with Suzie but if they didn't get to their Tamer's sides soon it wouldn't matter as they'd lose them before they'd found them again. The former Deva believed with all her heart that Suzie would survive until she made it back to her; her Tamer was strong and couldn't be stopped by normal means. That belief surged through the light as she and Beelzemon were pulled from the Digital World and back into the world of the humans. Neither of them noticed the small white form that followed them through the portals and back to the Human World. Nor did they catch the flashes of black lightning that struck the Sovereign's lair nearby. The true battle for both worlds was finally beginning; the danger more than apparent.
...In the Human World...
For the first time in ten years a dense fog of another kind filled the streets of Japan. From several places long dormant Digivices activated to warn the older Tamers that something was definitely amiss. Henry was the only one currently in the city and some instinct told him that at the center of this new threat his sister was fighting all alone. He might not have his partner with him anymore, but Henry Wong was still a Tamer and Suzie needed him. All the while he gave a running commentary to those still too far away to do much more than worry and offer advice. In the fog two figures appeared and immediately the fog lifted to release the pair into the Human World. Beelzemon was instantly launching into the air and Antylamon didn't hesitate to follow him along the ground. They knew they stood out but neither cared while their Tamers were in danger. Beelzemon led them to the home of his Tamers and both were shocked to find the front door buried into the ground across the street with chucks having been knocked out of it by the force of whatever had hit it. Then they noticed the darkness surrounding the house and sensed their Tamers within. Of course when they tried to get to them they were knocked back and electrocuted by black lightning so powerful it knocked Antylamon back into her Rookie state and left her nearly unconscious on the ground.
Beelzemon, having dealt with such pain before, held out better but he stood seemed to be dissolving around the edges as his Mega form tried to slip away. He held it barely by sheer force of will and rammed into the blackness for a second time. A feminine scream came from within and froze the Mega to the spot as a shot of pure terror hit him. "AI!" scream was echoed by a terrified shriek a moment later and he caught Lopmon fighting against her injuries to get back to her feet. Beelzemon hit the darkness again and again until his wings tore off and blood coated his frame from the many injuries caused by the lightning striking him. Finally he got an idea and pulled out his gun - the one Mako had given him so long ago - and tried attacking in another way. "Corona Destroyer!" time snarling beasts came from the darkness to stop him and suddenly he and Lopmon were under attack by enemies that seemed to be stronger than they were.
The lightning came again and hit Lopmon but Beelzemon managed to dodge just barely. He had to scoop up the little Rookie so the things attacking them wouldn't get her. He didn't want an ally to be deleted; he'd never forgive himself. From inside the house whatever fight Ai and Suzie seemed to be in all alone was getting louder and Beelzemon only had a moment to decide what to do. He tossed Lopmon as hard as he could and watched her land on a roof several houses away. When he saw the things after them didn't go for her he gave a feral smile and growled at his enemies before attacking them. His gun was destroyed, his attacks only seemed to make more of them, he didn't know what was going on! He needed to get to Ai but he couldn't figure out how! The black lightning came again and this time he didn't have the strength to get away fast enough and felt himself falling as his body shrank back into his Rookie form. He'd failed Ai; he'd broken his promise. A brilliant silvery light edged in a purple that matched the Rookie on the ground lit the house causing something to rise up out of the darkness and shriek. Impmon thought he was hearing things when Ai's voice was suddenly there but he couldn't find her.
"Knock me down all you want; I won't ever give up! My partner Digimon is the most clever and stubborn of them all and he'd never stay down. Impmon will come, he will! I believe in him! So I won't let you stop me!" Green eyes widened at the conviction in a voice that was mostly unfamiliar to him but still was one he knew in his heart. That was his Tamer and she believed in him. Ai had never once given up on him, and even now that she faced an enemy that she couldn't possibly beat that belief was what kept her safe as the Digivice reacted to her conviction. The light flared brighter and broke through the darkness and pushing into the sky until it pushed aside the black clouds overhead and revealed the sun. The black lightning stopped abruptly and Impmon felt something pulling at him from deep inside but he didn't understand what it was.
The monstrosity hovering over the house seemed to grin as it stared down at those below it. The things voice hurt Impmon's ears and chilled his blood at what was said. "I concede this round to you, Light Child, but know that this isn't over yet." it was gone and the house seemed to return to normal except for the missing front door. Impmon tried to rise when he saw Ai - bruised and scratched - coming out of the house supporting an equally bruised by seemingly less injured Suzie. He wasn't even back to his feet yet when a blur of brown passed him suddenly and just like that Lopmon was in Suzie's arms holding tightly. He watched Ai's eyes widen and realization hit her as she turned and brown eyes met green. Then she was letting go of Suzie as the other girl hit the ground with her Digimon and staggering over to her own partner. Impmon was finally back on his feet - if only just - when she reached him and gave her his trademark smirk worn around the edges.
Ai had changed so much but she was still his Tamer and he'd missed her. But what should he do now that he was here and they weren't in danger anymore? Should he hug her or just play it cool? She solved the dilemma for him but dropped to her knees and pulling him up against her in a hug. "Impmon I knew you'd come! I missed you so much!" And that decided him as he allowed himself to relax and hug her back. She still smelled the same as he remembered and he was aware that time had passed and his Tamer was older but that didn't matter because she was there with him again and they were together like they should be. When finally he was able to respond to her it was thankfully in a manner more like himself and not like the emotional mess he felt. "Meh, I missed you too kid. Now quit squeezing me so hard, ol' Impmon needs to breathe." She released him immediately and he instantly missed the warmth and comfort she gave off and cursed himself for saying anything. The feeling inside him pulled again and he mentally winced and pushed the sensation away. Then he noticed something missing. "An' where's Mako?"
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Ai tensed at the words from her partner and tilted her head back to Suzie who had also heard the question. The two Tamers stared at one another in silence for a long moment - long enough for their partners to begin fidgeting in concern - before finally Suzie moved carefully back to Ai's side and the pair sat with their Digimon and began their story as it stood thus far. Impmon's eyes darkened at the knowledge that Mako was missing but inwardly was still proud of the boy for watching his sister. Ai could tell the line her partner's thoughts had taken and gave a small, sad smile at him for it. They had more things than this to worry about as Lopmon asked the one question she and Suzie really didn't want to answer. The rabbit digimon looked over to Ai for a long moment before focusing on her own and asking the obvious question. "Suzie, why aren't the others here to help you two? Surely they would if you asked them."
Suzie winced and saw Ai wince as well as she considered what to tell her partner. She'd never lie to Lopmon and wasn't about to start now. So the young woman told the truth as she saw it. "Henry would rather I not be here at all. He told me not to come and that he and Rika and Takato would figure out what happened to Mako. The older Tamers don't trust Impmon's Tamer's any longer if they ever did to begin with. It is perhaps because Ai struck Rika some time back when they told her what happened to Leomon. She was defending Impmon and it just happened. They haven't really done anything helpful towards the two since then." She saw Lopmon wince in sympathy over the predicament but she sensed that Impmon was both proud and angry at the same time. She could understand his feelings as she shared them in a way. While she didn't condone the violence that Ai reacted with; she understood the younger girl's reaction to Rika's prejudice against Impmon. If it had been Lopmon she didn't doubt she'd have been the same. That and she believed the original three Tamers didn't really identify Ai as one of them because she had been so young at the time and had only helped them at the very end. It wasn't right, but it was the way of things.
Ai shook with repressed rage and sorrow as the story was told. She knew they would need help with this but she'd always thought the other Tamers would help her if she truly needed it. They were supposed to be a team, after all, so why had she been left to fight all alone? It was only when Suzie involved herself that the older Tamers took notice and then only because her brother didn't want her fighting - or anywhere near Ai for that matter. It was frustrating and it was hurtful and it worried Ai because the Tamers needed to be able to work together if they were to defeat what was obviously a new enemy come to threaten both worlds. It wasn't something that could be helped though. The lack of trust from some of the older Tamers came from their bad experiences with Ai's partner and no matter that he'd proved himself different some of them - like Rika - couldn't look passed the past to the Digimon Impmon had become. He might be crass and rude - her partner - but he was also loyal and compassionate. She felt the Digimon in question tensing next to her and offered him a tired yet reassuring smile. She also offered the only truth she knew. "They might help us because of Suzie but for the most part we need to consider that we're on our own in this."
She had the feeling that Takato would help them if they could find him and so would Kenta and Kazu and Ryou. The problem with that was she didn't know where they were and the ones that did wouldn't tell them. Some team they were. But looking over at Suzie and Lopmon then to her own partner Ai realized that maybe they weren't the Tamers that saved the world last time but even with just the four of them they could be the team that fought this time. For the moment though she ushered her tired friends inside and made a call to her Mama to let her know someone had busted the door open. Her mother was worried but as nothing was stolen and Ai was alright she merely opted for getting the door fixed as soon as possible. Meanwhile the new team settled in Ai's room and tried to recover some strength as they would need it to face this new enemy. The enemy was stronger than them and had only left this day because it had chosen to. They had an uphill battle ahead of them and a lot to talk about. For now though; the two Tamers enjoyed being with their partners again and said Digimon rested as much as they could in order to regain their lost strength.
...Unknown Location in the Human World...
A lean figure jolted upwards in her bed with a gasp of terror. She was shaking and sweaty as she looked around her in a clear state of panic. She was thankful her family was out of town so there wasn't anyone to hear her waking like this once again. The dream had come again. Fire and pain, a white light with a small voice begging her to save him. Then there was the one that kept shouting her name from beyond the flames; the one that was always trying to reach her side. She didn't understand any of it, not at all. Some part of her wanted to dismiss the entire thing as too much stress and nothing more, but still another part of her believed it could be more. She didn't understand anything, but some part of her knew something was coming and that her life was about to change in a major way. She was afraid in a way she hadn't been in years and still she knew that she'd face whatever it was because whoever it was that needed her to save them simply couldn't be left behind; it simply wasn't an option.
She rose to her feet shakily and went to open her balcony window to let some cool air into her room. The moment she did she was knocked back a few feet and ended up bumping into her bed again as suddenly she was face to face with a small and fluffy creature with the biggest green eyes she had ever seen. The little one was shaking and afraid and his eyes begged her to not send him away and to keep him safe. Wrapping the little creature more securely into her arms she slowly headed back to bed deciding her dream had become way too weird and that going back to sleep would cure her of it. The little creature in her arms stopped shaking as soon as the covers surrounded them and she thought she heard a small 'thank you' before she drifted back off into a thankfully dreamless slumber. She never saw the fading white light outside her window where the creature had come from; nor that darkness that had begun to creep out from the fading light.
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Phew this chapter was a long time in coming. Thanks to everyone who bared with me through my Writer's Block. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long. Yes the other Tamers will be in this and there is a reason other than the obvious as to why Rika and Henry don't seem to want to help Ai. Sorry if the whole action scene seemed a bit chaotic; I did that on purpose but also I'm no good at action scenes. The enemy is definitely a strong one but what made it decide to retreat and what did it mean when it called Ai 'Light Child'? And just who is it that had a nightmare so reminiscent of someone else? Who is the little white creature she's taken under her care? Can anyone guess? In any event, all will be revealed in the next chapter.
