The Saga: Surfacing
By: Linkmaste
Chapter Nine: Rolling Meadows
Ian Ramen
Marianna's House
Niagara Falls, Canada
We all woke up to the lovely sound of Marianna's mother yelling in Spanish. She must have found out we all crashed in some rooms because I was being yelled at, as well as Takato and threaten with a frying pan. It took me a minute to find my tongue for the Spanish but when I did, I must have really pissed off the mom because she started to smack me with the frying pan continuing in Spanish. That was when Marianna herself barged into the room and started to talk in soothing Spanish to calm her mother down.
"Mama!" Marianna cried. "These are my friends remember? The van? The Digimon?"
The mother put down her frying pan and looked at me. I froze, terrified she was going to grab another weapon.
"So, now you speak the Spanish too? You change into a-a-'Digimon', battle things, take mi cara Marianna away from me? And what do I find? Her involved with all this shit now. Curse you!"
And, from there it went terrible, to horrible, to not so bad, to Marianna comforting her mother sobbing on the floor, to her explaining what happened so far. I felt very uncomfortable and took Takato downstairs to see if there was any food. The two can have their mother daughter moment for all I care-I just wanted out.
"She reminds me of my mother." Takato stated looking back at the dark haired mother. "I'm glad she cares so much about Marianna." I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, una gran familia feliz'" I mocked in a Spanish accent. Takato gave me a look.
"You can speak any language, but any sense of sympathy is just lost on you. That's kinda sad."
The rest of the morning was still a little sour. Cam and Agumon would not shut up about last night, PJ and Ally were nervously checking their phones and the laptop for any sign of last night making news. Takato was not really acknowledging me, even though he struggled to say "pass the orange juice" and it came out as 'orange pass juice me' to Luke. After a minute of laughing at him, the Tamer got his orange juice.
Today was the day we would go meet Hana at the facility finally. Yu told us by now she would have gained access into the facility and we could swoop in, pick up Jeri, and Digi Port us out. However, Takato learned that I struggled with changing into Beelzemon and gave me a earful.
"How did you expect me not to find that out? When we are all cornered and a dozen men on us?" Takato seethed. I shrugged calmly.
"It will still be day time when we break in. I would not even change to begin with. We agreed that this would be easier than me sneaking in as a Digimon."
"But, you still have not explained why you can't change." The goggle Tamer pointed out. "You don't need Ai or Mako to help you Digivolve, and last time I checked, you were not hurting anywhere..."
I scoffed at that. Boy, was he wrong. Maybe physically I'm not hurt but I'm still hurting over Lindy...and fighting with my Tamers did not help the situation. He narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"Nothin." I changed my scoff into a cough. "Just throats itchy."
"Ian, are you hurt? Did something attack you last night and damage you? Or..." Takato paused looking intently at me. "Did Lindy dying really change you that much?"
"Okay, ya know what?" I yelled standing up. "I might not pack as much punch as I should but bringing in my toots is one sure way to piss me off."
Takato had an expression similar to finding the last piece of pizza. A slack-jawed expression bloomed on his face. "It is Lindy. You became so miserable after Lindy's death, and having that fight with Ai and Mako You blame yourself over her death don't you?"
I growled dangerously clenching my fists. If I had not made that promise to Guilmon, Takato would have a broken face.
"IS'NT IT!?" Takato yelled making me flinch. "You are so selfish! How can you keep blaming yourself even through you need to protect Jeri! She needs you right now and you are just throwing this pathetic pity party for yourself."
I left the room and exit Marianna's house not letting anyone see my face. The rest blurred as I picked up my pace to a run and felt myself zip down a few streets until I came to a forest. I had not realized my legs carried me so far but I was glad to be away from all that. A moment sooner and...actually I don't want to think about that.
"Stupid..." I growled kicking a random branch away. Following a trail, I scanned around. The forest was different than back home. It was cooler, with pine trees and maples lining around. I could see several markers on the trees closest to path in various colours. Animals like squirrels scurried away from me as soon as I came close to them. The forest smelled different even, more like wet dirt than back home.
The forest was actually a little calming I had to admit. It was quieter than the city, and I could feel sunlight warm me up a little bit from the chilly weather. I looked to my left and past a few trees was an old hideout with various branches, and planks of wood. Paint was sprayed along in various letters but I couldn't read it. Content I was far enough away from Takato and the others, I sat down on a piece of thick plywood. Throwing my black hoodie up to cover my face I bunched my legs up and rested my head. At least I stopped crying I thought bitterly feeling the tears dry on my face.
Me selfish? How the hell could he even think that!? That kid had some nerve to think I would be throwing a pity party for myself. I slowly reached into my dark pants and pulled out a green bandana. It was a little dirty from the rumble I found it in but it was still Lindy's. Clutching it in my hands I whispered,
"Toots, I know you're gone but, I need ya. It's not just losing you that made me lose my powers. It's Ai and Mako. They don't believe in me anymore. I can just feel it." I sighed and remembered when I first felt the power of having Tamers. It was just when I found them at their grandmothers house in Hongo...
The twins grinned as they brought some of their toys to the coffee table. In a pile lay a toy robot, a doll, some cards, a board game and various other play things.
"We can play a game Impmon! Mako and I share everything now." Ai smiled proudly presenting the mess of toys. I smiled timidly.
"That's great Ai-"
"Oh, Impmon might be hungry!" Mako cried racing to the kitchen careful not to trip on his blue overalls. He reached for a bowl of fruit and with a little help from Ai, they planted in on the table in front of me. Apples, kiwi, mangos and bananas were piled high and I felt a little hungry looking at it. I slowly picked a banana and peeled it.
"Uh, thanks Mako but-"
"Impmon," They interrupted hugging my small Digimon body. "We are so sorry for what happened. Could you ever forgive us?" In the excitement, I had not realized how tense they were at seeing me again. Tears threaten to escape their brown eyes and I felt a prang of guilt. They were so concerned for me...
"Forgive you?" I whispered touched. I even felt tears hit my eyes. Here I was, a murderer and a no good deserving traitor to those Tamers, and I was being asked to FORGIVE not one child but two. "Of course I can forgive ya," I sniffed turning my head away. "Just..."
Ai and Mako hugged me again making me content with their company. This felt...right. Like I was supposed to be here, I like was supposed to watch over them, play games, protect them, anything to make sure they are okay. I couldn't describe the sensation I was feeling but it almost felt like a power itself.
The twins turned the T.V, suggesting to watch a show but it hit the news where a man was talking sombrely on the T.V. I stopped eating and just stared at the screen.. The D-Reaper was on the news and it was showing the Tamers getting creamed by some kind of...creature. I frowned. I could be with Ai and Mako, but I needed to settle a debt to those Tamers. Without them, I would never be here with them and if we don't stop that thing-Ai and Mako would be gone. I could never bear to think of that idea. Jeri's face appeared in my mind. That girl...I owe her my life. Without her, I would be dead, deleted, and gone. I stood up and spoke in a grim voice.
"I gotta go."
I heard cries of protest but I shook my head, despite Ai grabbing my arm. "I gotta go guys, I don't want to but I owe those guys my life. Please, I will come back."
"Do you promise?" Mako asked staring his brown eyes into my soul. "Do you promise you will come back?"
I turned to the twins with a new flame in my eyes. "I will always come back. You can count on that."
"Then here."
Mako gave me some kind of toy gun. It was one of his space guns he got awhile ago. It was made of flimsy plastic and I was sure I could melt it with one of my attacks. However, I knew it meant a lot to him to give me this. I held the gun and gave a smile.
"Use this on those bad guys."
"Thanks, Mako."
Ai suddenly came in close and pecked my cheek.
"We love you Impmon."
I held my cheek and blushed. No, no mushy stuff! I was not prepared for that! Walking backwards, I stammered.
"I'm-I'm not going to be gone long munchkins. Be good!" With that, I ran down the road, with a toy gun in hand, ready to take on the D-Reaper. However, I was telling myself I was nuts. How the hell was a Rookie like me going to even put a dent into the D-Reaper! Takato...pineapple head...Rika...Renamon...Henry...heck even that stupid bunny was all powered up as Megas and losing.
Then I'll just have to go Mega too...
It was like reaching a power deep down inside me, some where between the lines of anger and a sense of losing myself. Only then did I change into Beelzemon my Mega form. I felt disgusted at first remembering the last time I looked like this but I knew I had changed a little. I had a different reason to battle.
"Ai...Mako...I'll always fight for you as long as you believe in me!" I cried holding the toy gun in my hands. There it flashed and to my shock it changed into a real weapon. It was a silver long gun with a barrel fit for some kind of laser canon. This thing could topple buildings I realized impressed. That was not all that happened, a new surge of power fulfilled me and I grunted feeling something happening to my back. In a split second of pain, I felt ebony wings sprout and free themselves. They were beautiful.
"As long as those kids believe in me," I growled loading my Crona Gun. "I will always be this powerful!" With a powerful flap of my wings, I flew off into battle, preparing to fight for my life.
Ian Ramen
The Forest
Canada
That was so long ago I realized fiddling with Lindy's bandana. It was those kids that gave me the power to go Mega. All I needed was them to believe in me. Now...now it was gone and I felt it slowly dwindling. I should have really talked to the twins before I left I criticized myself harshly. Me and my stupid temper...
A gust of wind blew in and I gasped as Lindy's bandana flew out of my hands. I tried to grab it again but it danced in the wind and flew further into the air. Springing into action, I desperately followed it, but it was flying a little out of my reach every time. I was running out of the forest and it sped fast in front of me and into Takato who caught it.
Frozen, I could only stare at the bandana with intense desire. Of course, he would eventually show up to yell at me more. I held out a hand.
"This...is Lindy's isn't it?" Takato asked looking at the bandana. Without saying anything else, he slowly walked up to me and gave it back. With a relief, I grasped it and carefully folded it before tucking it into my pocket.
"I found it on the battlefield after D-Reaper." I replied throat cracking a little. I looked down intensely and examined my beat up sneakers. Takato coughed and made an uncomfortable gesture, sort of a cross between stepping closer and pulling back. I glanced back up at him. "What do you want?"
"I...came to apologize. I was out of line." Takato frowned staring at me. "I know what happened to Lindy was horrible. She was my friend too. I had no right telling you to stop feeling sorry for yourself when I'm the same way about Jeri. I was just shocked when I heard you couldn't change into Beelzemon. Lindy's death was no one's fault except for D-Reaper."
"Look, Goggle-Takato." I sighed. Might as well show all the cards in my hand. "I loved Lindy and yea, I do blame myself for what happened. I was closest to her and I could have stopped her-but I can't Digivolve because of Ai and Mako." I watch Takato change expressions into confusion. I relay the story to him about the first time I changed after we all returned from the Digital World for the very first time. That first time, I had tapped into Ai and Mako's powers as Tamers.
"The power of a Tamer ain't just from that device-that D-Arc. It's from yourself as a Tamer. Remember how ya changed into Gallantmon even though your D-Arc was shattered? That was your power. It's not just us Digimon that have it. Ai and Mako help me change into Beelzemon and them believing in me is the key to that power. It's also probably how Lindy could change as well even though she never had Ai and Mako as her true Tamers until the final showdown. They and I still believed in her. Could you imagine what would happen if they stopped believing in me?"
Takato gasped as if everything clicked. "You would stop changing into Beelzemon."
I nodded my head. "My Tamers might be the youngest and even immature but we make one of the strongest teams when we get our act together. So, after we save Jeri like I promised, we need to save my Tamers. I think Lindy's death affected them in a much more dangerous way than I thought."
"It seems like it. So, we're still partners for this mission?" Takato asked in a more serious tone than I had heard from him. He held out his hand. I ran a hand through my blonde hair grinning.
"Someone's gotta kick these ADA bastards where it hurts. Count me in Takato."
Takato and I walked back to Marianna's talking about various things other than Lindy and Jeri. I even told him about playing some guitar in my spare time and he was a little surprised I found time to do that. I responded that Ai and Mako can get on my nerves and I need something to get my mind off everything. Takato told me about Henry and how even though he can be too logical, Takato was guilty about punching him. I sure wasn't sorry that he did. That guy can be a jerk.
We walked in to Agumon and Cam still arguing and Ally running up to us.
"Thank God you guys are here. The news captured a lot of stuff from last night! Look!" she shoved the laptop she was holding into our faces and I made a uncomfortable noise. It was some kind of words on the screen in English.
"Um, Ally. Can't read."
"What? You can speak a million languages but you can't read? How's-like-that possible?" Ally cried. I blushed and glared.
"Shut up and tell me what is on the screen,"
"They got Cam, Agumon, Bakemon, Marianna and my face." Luke came into the room with a grim expression planted on his face. His black hair was covering some of his eyes but I could tell they were full of distain. "We are going to get busted for that stunt we pulled last night. That's what those two idiots." He jerked his head to Cam and Agumon. "Have been arguing since you two left. We need to leave here."
"Leave? Where will we go?" Katrina asked playing with her hair. "I need to tell my sister-"
"No." Luke cut her off, glaring at her. "No one can go home. Do you not understand? The police, the Anti-Digimon Association, they are all waiting at our homes for us to walk in. They are probably on their way here too. Ian, Takato, I know we have no right to ask you of this but we will need to come with you."
Several questions and gasps were said. I shook my head.
"Kid, ya don't know that. Besides, have ya ever been to the Digital World!?"
I looked at the teenager for some kind of response but Bakemon gave me a shocking one.
"Well of course they have! How else could they have met us?!"
A while ago...
"Hey Marianna, check this out." Katrina called out.
The group save from PJ and Ally were walking home from school. PJ and Ally were serving detention at school because Ally was caught on her phone again and PJ told a teacher some colourful things to do with a math textbook. Katrina was just passing the short cut path that some kids took to get home when she saw a strange light. It was glowing yellow with what looked like numbers and pixels floating around it. Transfixed, she started to walk near it.
"Katrina, what the hell are you doing?" Cam asked walking with her. "I don't think we should go near that...looks sketchier than my drug dealer."
"I agree." Luke frowned holding Marianna. "Looks bizarre, let's go."
"No, hold on I hear someone calling my name." Marianna shoved Luke off easily and walked with Katrina towards the strange glow. It was whispering her name gently, like a whimsical melody singing in the air. However, the air changed into a sucking vacuum. It was having no trouble sucking in Katrina and Marianna but Luke grabbed the Latino's arm.
"Marianna!"
"Luke!" Marianna screamed being sucked in. Cam swore holding on to Luke and a branch. Luck was against the brunette as the branch snapped and the group were eaten up by the glow. Everyone was screaming as all they could see were colours. It went from white to blue to green to purple and in seconds-to pitch black.
Marianna slowly groaned as she opened her eyes and sat up looking around. Did she pass out? What happened? Where was everyone? Katrina was beside her unconscious. The brown eyed girl was in a forest now...but that was impossible! She was on the streets! Where was Luke and Cam?
The area was silent until a sudden noise emerged from the bushes-like a rustle! Marianna squeaked in surprise. It was probably a squirrel. However, a pair of amber eyes glowered back at her...and it was a cat! A large cat-oh a tiger! A tiger with blue and white stripes was slowly walking towards her in calm stride. Marianna gasped.
"Stay away from me." She whimpered pathetically, crawling over her friend and bumped into a tree and felt something stick to her head. A yellow bow like creature was stuck on her face and Marianna let out a terrified shriek that pierced everyone's ears-even the tiger's.
Present
Ian Ramen
Marianna's House
"From then, Marianna met Tiguramon, Katrina met Bowmon, all the while I was showing these two guys how the great and powerful Bakemon-"
"Was getting his butt kicked by Agumon who you were picking on." Luke interrupted glaring at his Digimon. Bakemon changed his expression to a tearful one.
"Oh Luke, I never meant to hurt him! I was so confused, so lost without you." I was honestly confused at the white Digimon. Was he sorry or just overly sarcastic?
"You are such a drama queen." Luke muttered shaking his head but faced me again. "From there, we met our partners and after some exploring, we came to this odd girl with pink hair and black horns."
I gulped hearing that. That couldn't be Deciliousmon could it? I asked if she was really powerful and slightly psychotic. Luke nodded confused.
"How did you know?"
"We defeated her at D Reaper." I replied. "So, how did you escape?"
"She created a portal," Marianna came into the conversation. "We followed her and once we got our bearings we realized we were in Japan and I saw Hopemon being attacked by her. Then we battled D-Reaper and went with Azulongmon to go home."
"When we got back, we had to explain to our parents what had happened. I could tell you my pops didn't like Agumon at first." Cam continued the story. "But I made him come around. Agumon was my partner-plain and simple as that. My pops was just glad in the end I as ok and I could still play football."
"My mama was the same way." Marianna agreed. "As long as I was safe, she was fine with Tiguramon and even enjoyed her company. I think we grew up a little after our adventure."
"But now we have a new problem," Luke looked at me intensely. "We have to escape out of here and save our Digimon. Even if that means hiding out in the Digital World. We did it once, we can do it again."
I laughed harsher than I meant to. I explained to Takato what these guys wanted to do and that set him off in a rant in Japanese about the dangers of the Digital World and the things he encountered. I was impressed at how composed he was but sadly, no one understood a word. I quickly translated his speech in a few short lines. Luke walked up to Takato with a fierce determination in his eye and held up his silver D-Arc.
"We are Tamers Takato. It is our duty not only to protect our country, but our partners as well. I don't care how dangerous it is in there. If we stay here, we will be caught and God knows what will happen to us. You have to understand that."
Takato looked at me unsure. I shrugged and explained Luke's response. Takato frowned and sighed.
"Alright...you come to Digital World."
Several hours later, I found myself at Rolling Meadows facility. The building stood in it's grande view, much alike the 'pretty posters' but that was as far as it got right. In real life, it was more like a fortress than a-whatever they called it-resort. A iron wrought fence lined the property that had various signs telling visitors that cameras were everywhere. Grass was dying and brown and small mounds of 'mud snow' were seen around the area. The front had a drop off lane that was so wide it could fit three or four cars. The building was mostly made of steel and glass but it reflected outwards so you could not see inside it. In clear block letters it read "Rolling Meadow's Retreat and Recovery". The building looked very unpleasant and I could sense unnatural energy flow outside it.
I rubbed my arms instinctively and resisted myself emitting a low growl from my throat. It felt wrong whatever was inside that building and every nerve in my body wanted me away from it. However, Jeri was inside and I had to go in. I looked at Takato who was undisturbed from the sight of the building.
"Ya not feeling that Goggle head?" He looked at me oddly.
"Feeling what? The cold breeze?" I shook my head and told him about the energy to which he shrugged. "Being a hybrid, you can still sense things that us humans can't. Are those guys ready yet?"
"Almost." I replied looking across the property. In the distance was a van and inside were the Canadian Tamers getting ready to dispatch their plan. I tugged at my sweater nervous. This was a tight plan. I was hoping that Hana was ready inside to let us into that restricted section.
The van slid open quietly and I saw the Tamers scoot out quickly. They had several signs saying 'Free the Digimon' and were marching, all the while shouting various chants they must have come up. As soon as they hit the gate, several guards came outside to deal with the commotion. Perfect. Our time to go in.
Takato and I ran and I helped him over the gate. Instead of hitting the front entrance, we went to the back where Employees were supposed to enter. There I saw a card reader and a security camera. I hoped no one was watching that I thought and pressed the card reader into the scanner. Takato did the same.
After a few tense seconds, the scanner beeped twice and with a green light, let us inside through a large door. Takato let out a breath of air. I chuckled.
"Getting nervous already kid?"
"Shut up."
We walked inside and saw it was a corridor filled with broken beds, chairs, and equipment that must be for trash. Along the corridor it was filled with notices, and Memos that employees must have to walk by several points during their day there. I walked forward and called out a name.
"Hana?"
No response. I was not surprised. I was not expecting Hana just to magically show up right when we entered. Takato took the lead and we went down the hallway. At the end was a ward where several rooms were listed. At the front was a desk with the names of all the children inside each room. Some of them had two children. I could not read their names or their ages but hearing them cry, I could not expect them any older than twelve. I cursed wishing I could break them all free.
Takato nudged me and a nurse walked down the hallway preoccupied by whatever was on her clip board. She muttered a 'hey' before continuing walking and I looked at Takato.
"Let's keep going. Maybe we can find some kind of map or area to let us know where the Restricted Section is."
"Would these key cards work?" Takato asked brandishing the cards we stole from Erika Rose's house. I shrugged.
"I don't know."
We wandered the facility a little bit longer until we came to a map. All the time, I could hear cries from children, sobs, and even some calling out a Digimon name. It was haunting hearing this. Takato was struggling with himself and I had to talk him out of unlocking a few cells.
The map we found was one that showed areas. One looked like some kind of activity room that had games and toys. Another showed the ward where I heard children crying. Finally, a elevator had a big red letters two hallway's down from here. It looked exactly where a 'Restricted Access' would be. We made our way carefully towards the door and all the while muttering a 'hey' to a nurse or janitor. It was haunting seeing them completely involved with their work-not paying the slightest clue to us. Were they under some sort of drug as well?
The Restricted Access was an elevator not a door. It had red lines outlining the elevator as well as a scanner by the elevator buttons. I took a breath. If this worked, we would be fine. I scanned it and we waited. A few moments passed and the light was still blinking yellow.
Finally, it blinked green. I wanted to shout in joy but I held it inside my chest. Takato stiffened and hesitated when the doors opened. I turned to him holding a hand.
"We're this close to getting Jeri."
Takato took my hand and I dragged him inside. The elevators closed and we went down into the deep dark underbelly of the Restricted Access. I was still unsure of Hana and disturbed of how we never saw her in the facility but maybe she had to leave or maybe she just missed us.
"Keep your eyes peeled." I commanded to Takato who nodded, keeping an alert ear out for anything we should be weary of. The elevator dinged and we got off side stepping to the left into a dark alcove. It was the start of a small hallway with a few rooms to the left. They seemed some kind of locker rooms or change rooms. I nudged Takato and pointed to them. Maybe we can find some kind of disguise to help us blend in.
After ten minutes we picked up a few lab coats and clip boards and continued our ways inside. A few men passed us and we showed our 'security' badges. They nodded in approval and walked onwards. I felt my heart stop and start again.
"Idoits." I muttered and Takato snorted.
"Only you would insult them while we infiltrate a place like this."
Past the men was a open concept of a lobby. There was no natural light and everything was artificially created. It had to be as big as a stadium with several floor going downwards in circles. In the centre was a see through elevator that no one was riding up or down. Some scientists were walking upon the different levels of the area and everywhere it had branched out hallways to God knows where. It was confusing and I was floored at how big this area was. How freakin' long was it going to take to search this whole place?!
"We don't have time to search this whole place." Growled Takato impatiently. "We have maybe a hour tops when those guards come back and run our cards and figure out were some stupid ass teens."
"Stupid ass..." I muttered repeating Takato. An idea popped into my head as I went to the nearest scientist.
"Hey, we need to conduct a psychiatric test to Ms. Katou. I got her translator here, any idea where she is? It's a level six priority." I added that last part because I heard it from a James Bond movie. Takato stiffened at the scientist man and gave a small smile.
"Oh yes, sorry. You two seem awfully young but that's how it is these days. She is probably in the Alpha Sector. Follow that hallway to your right and she will be near the end I believe.
"Right, thanks." I grunted and took Takato down the hallway. The words above it must have read "Alpha" and I looked down it. There were a few rooms such as offices, coffee break rooms, a few cells, and even a lab. I felt sick looking into the lab and seeing something on the silver tables that looked inhuman. I told Takato not to look but he did and almost wanted to hurl. I didn't want to understand what I saw nor did I want to look at it again. This place was utterly disgusting.
We came to the end and it seemed to stop there. It had become quieter and we had not seen a person walk down the hallway. Uneasy, I wanted to draw a flame or a weapon but cursed as I had none. A knife would even do. I looked back to Takato who had the same feeling. The door at the end was a simple steel door. I twisted the knob carefully, hopeful that Jeri was there. I peaked inside and I threw open the door feeling shocked and dismayed.
There laid Hana, tied up and unconscious. She was beaten severely and had blood coming out of her nose and mouth. Her ebony hair was ripped at places and burn marks could be seen along her neck and body. She was only dressed in a white gown and she had no shoes on. I cursed.
"This is a fucking set up." I warned and Takato raced to Hana. I looked around expecting a army of soldiers coming out of anywhere and everywhere. Tense, I scanned the area.
"Hana, wake up." Takato said untying the knots on Hana. She groaned but did not stir. Takato spoke louder and after a slap, Hana managed to open her eyes slowly. I was relieved she was not dead.
"Takato...you made it." Hana groaned coughing. I could hear her gurgle and spit some blood out. "You guys...it's a trap. Jeri, she's not herself. The drugs...it changes the kids-that's what they were doing here..."
"Hold on drugs?" I called out but suddenly the lights dimmed down and turned off completely leaving us in empty waves of darkness. Some emergency green lights flickered on outlining the floor and ceiling. It looked like green specks of light leading to the end of the hallway where the main foyer area was. Unlike before, someone was standing at the end of the hallway. It was taller, lean, but had some kind of body armour on. I felt the hair on my neck stand on end immediately. Whatever, that was, I did not like it at all.
"Takato...someone is here." I whispered. "Get down." I shuffled the two out of the cell that Hana was in and into another office next door. It was too dark to see us change rooms and I prayed whatever was looking down did not see us. I was not lucky however, when the thing walked down the hallway. The footsteps were hard...and slow like the chimes of impending doom. I told Takato to take Hana and hide underneath a desk. I flattened myself along a wall that was just on the other side of the hallway. Hopefully, whoever that was, would just glimpse at the office and see it had not been disturbed.
It was until I saw Jeri go into the cell that I got an actual good look at her. She was wearing a helmet but I could see her face through the visor. Her eyes were dead looking, as if she is under some sort of spell. She was taller, wearing some kind of body armour suit. It was all black with some sort of mesh outlining her figure. However at certain points it was padded with some black armour. Along her arms and hands were built in power fists that acted as some sort of glove she could use. Her feet were fit with armour and gave a thud whenever she walked. I glanced at Takato and brought a finger to my lips. If we spoke now, we were done for.
A tense moment passed slowly. Jeri was still looking into the cell and my legs were cramping from standing so straight. However, I did not dare move myself. Jeri removed herself from the cell and turned to her left-positing herself to the office we were hiding. I held my breath. My heart raced as miles a minute and was going faster than a rabbit's heart. I swear if I get out of this...I'm carrying some kind of weapon on me at all times. This was just plain stupid.
I heard a few beeps and something opened up. It must have been her visor because I heard her take a deep breath. As soon as she did I heard nothing for seconds, almost maybe a minute. Maybe she lost us-
I felt a force smash into the wall behind me and grab an arm. Gasping, Jeri pulled me back, crumbling the wall I was pressed against. Crying out in pain, I felt her throw me like a rag doll down the hallway. The pressure upon my back caused me to bounce and I had the wind knocked out of me. I struggled to grab a breath of air and I coughed violently. I put out a hand as she strutted towards me.
"So much pain..." she whispered staring her eyes into me. Her voice sounded it lost all emotion and feeling. What she said was something that was more matter of fact such as 'the sky was blue'. I found my voice.
"Jeri...look, whatever they did to ya, it's not right! You gotta fight it Jer!" I called out backing up slowly. "I know you are in there...It's me! Impmon!"
Jeri looked at me interested but then kept a flat expression glued to her face.
"Impmon murdered my partner."
I was running out of ideas. Backing up as fast as I could, I dodged a swipe form Jeri's arm. I was looking everywhere for something, a weapon, or a shield but it was just a bare hallway with those green lights. I could run away but Takato and Hana were still back there and I was responsible for Takato. This would be the perfect time to be a freakin' Digimon I thought desperate.
Just as I thought it was over and Jeri was looming over me with that blank expression-Takato suddenly came from the side brandishing some kind of device. It didn't let me take a good look at it because it emit a bright white light that made Jeri shriek unnaturally. Shielding her eyes, she stumbled back and I felt Takato grab my arm and drag me away. Breathing heavily, I gained some composure to run with him down the hallway. I stopped.
"What about Hana?"
"She will be fine. Jeri is after us Ian-let's go!" Takato cried. "I don't want to hurt her!"
"We will figure it out-trust me." I replied and we took a sharp right.. Judging by another unnatural shriek that made my skin crawl, she realized we were not there anymore. It would be only a few minutes until she figures we left the Alpha hallway. In the main foyer I scanned around. Another hallway was to our left and I ran that way.
In another room was a lab. It was dark save for the green lights outlining the room. Cabinets had their own source of power that displayed various vials, and bottles. Some were filled with a liquid, some were not. A few of them had needles filled with strange liquids I could not identify. This must have been some sick-o lab that tested on Digimon and children. My expression changed into a haunted one as I heard a few shrieks and smashing thuds. A few lab benches were covered to give us a hiding spot. I told Takato to hide.
"What? No! What are you up to?"
"I'll tell ya when I think of it." I replied and flashed my eyes at him. "NOW HIDE!"
With a struggle, Takato hid under a desk curling into a ball. I took a deep breath in order to ease my shaking legs. If I was a Digimon this would be so much simpler! However, I had no luxury of using my fire but I did have something else. I looked at these bottles, they were probably toxic or could cause some kind of burn on Jeri. Maybe not enough to hurt her or kill her-but maybe make her take off that suit. I looked around and found some vials filled with liquid that had a symbol on it. Let's try this one.
Jeri made her entrance and looked like she wanted to hurt us-I never seen her so angry before and the twitch in her eye made me uneasy. I lifted up a hand.
"Jer, let's talk about this. You were kidna-"
The ex-Tamer gave me no time to explain as she lunged forward across the room at me. Like a tiger, she pounced higher and her armoured hands were extending out to grab me again. I threw the vial and it hit her right on the visor of her helmet. Immediately, the liquid made contact and it started to eat at her visor. Screeching again, she fell to my left and clawed at the visor-getting it off. The liquid was oozing through the visor quickly, I had a little time. I looked at Takato and nodded my head. He stood up and right up in Jeri's face he showed that device again. I had a better look at it-it was Jeri's actual D-Arc, the golden yellow one. It shone brightly again and in a flash, blinded Jeri again. I had enough time to look away but Jeri's shrill cry told me she was not enjoying this.
We had find a way to get the rest of that suit off I thought. Maybe if we did, it would make her less of a threat. I rolled around her while she clenched her eyes shut and looked at the back of the suit. It was complicated with various parts sticking out and tubes connecting into different part of the body. I noticed a red tube connecting the small of her back into the nape of her neck.
"This looks important." I said and I reached a hand out to grasp it. However, Jeri recovered and swing around to meet me face to face. I paled at the hollow expression on her face and ducked.
"Takato, we got to reach that red tube on her back. It might shut the suit down and we can restrain her!" I yelled flying over a work bench. Bottles and beakers crashed and shattered as I whip my body around and knocked everything down around me. I suddenly saw Jeri wind up her left arm and I felt a tingle of energy swirl. Was that...oh no.
"FIST OF THE BEAST KING!" She roared and with a single punch, tore away everything that was between her and me. How did she do that? I looked at Takato who was sneaking up behind her. I needed to really distract her!
"Hey! Jeri! Snap out of it! I know you are really down there despite all the drugs they pumped into you! Do ya have any idea how much effort it took me and Takato to find you!?"
It bought enough time for Takato to use the D-Arc one more time and blind Jeri. She covered her eyes and let out a screech while Takato tugged on the red chord that connected her. Takato gasped.
"It's really strong! Help!"
I raced over and with a grunt pulled the device as hard as I could out of Jeri. With a cry, I used my foot and successfully with Takato severed the cable. With a loud rip, it tore off Jeri and disassembled the suit with a loud winding sound. Jeri gave a loud moan and fell to the floor, unconscious. Takato breathed heavily and went upon her, flipping her over to see if she was breathing. Luckily, she was. I collapsed on the floor, hurt but still alive.
"Jesus, Takato. What the hell did they do to her?" I cried horrified.
"That was Project Werniki." I looked over and Hana was slouched at the doorway, holding a pistol and a grimace on her face. She was still hurt from before. She had some dark pants and a shirt on now. "A screwed up project where Digimon code, or power was directly pumped into her veins. Specifically, Leomon code."
"That's so messed up." Takato growled holding Jeri close to him. "Was she the only one?"
Hana shook her head. "All the other subjects-children didn't make it like she did. They all lost sanity and...well..." She trailed off knowing we understood what happened. I shook in fury.
"How many Digimon and children died because of this fucked up project!" I screamed looking at Hana. The agent narrowed her dark eyes.
"We are lucky Ian. Because they foolishly believed Jeri would take care of you two, they cleared shop here without destroying most of their evidence or taking any more lives."
She stumbled over with a needle and before Takato could protest, Hana inserted the needle into Jeri's neck. I stiffened looking at Hana. She wouldn't hurt Jeri but I felt uncomfortable something possibly going into her.
"That's a bit of a beta blocker. It will slow down that heart of hers so it will stop over working. Those idiots had no clue what they were doing and gave her doses of adrenaline. It was no wonder she could grab you through a wall Ian."
"What else had they done to her." Takato asked. Hana sighed.
"From what the high ups told me, it was first drugs after drugs and some kind of psycho hypnosis. Then, they started to suit her up and feed her the drug so she became dependant on it. Finally, the suit would feed her the drug as she would need it in battle. It was barbaric."
Takato looked like he wanted to kill someone. I looked at him.
"Hey, it's done. She's safe. We did it. We got Jeri."
The four of us emerged out of the Restricted Foyer slowly. Jeri was completely out of it so I had to carry her. Takato had to help Hana into the elevator but not before she locked down the area. With a few short words of explanation she hacked into the system of locked everything down unless she used her own password to reopen it. On the first floor we met up with the Canadian Tamers and their Digimon.
"What happened?" Marianna asked looking at Jeri concerned. "Is that her?"
"Yeah, she's going to be ok." I replied. "It was a trap down there. Erika Rose must not be here at all. Where are the guards?"
"Uh, we took care of them." Katrina replied looking back at the entrance. "But not before they called ADA and police again. They probably know it's us. We should escape."
"Escape?" Hana asked looking at me. I told her about the Digi Port and she nodded her head.
"That is a good idea. Take these guys with you. Sector 7 will have a safe spot for them. But you need to do something for me first."
"What is it Hana?" Takato asked. Hana took a deep breath and explained what she wanted us to do. I shook my head immediately. That was stupid, no way was I going to do that. Takato agreed.
"You do not understand! If they find me here, they will arrest me until Erika Rose arrives and destroys any evidence of that Project Werniki. If they find me unconscious, they will move on and I can recover almost everything and get these kids out with their Digimon. I locked the cells and only I can reopen them. Please!"
Takato breathed heavily shaking his head. There was no way he could do it so I grabbed Hana's gun out of her grasp. She glanced at me with a small smile and with a flicker of her eyes she said 'thank you' to me. With a thrust of my arm, I swooped down and knocked out Hana cold on the back of her head. She slumped down on the ground.
Everyone gasped and I could feel Cam and Luke pin me down.
"Just what the fuck are you doing?" Luke yelled. I struggled while Takato was trying to explain but due to the language barrier, no one could understand him. I explained Hana needed to be knocked out in order to save the kids. The grip from the two teenager boys relaxed after that I sneered.
"I'm not a bad guy ok?"
"You did cause a lot of this crap though." Cam accused pointing a finger at me. "Just because of you, our group is now wanted by the fuckin police-"
"Hey," I snarled crouching. "I didn't ask you to set fire to those fuckin' cars-"
"Guys." Ally called out. We ignored her.
"And because you're some fucking hybrid freak we should follow everything you say?" Cam cried tightening his fists. I could feel him winding for a fight.
"Because I know what's best!" I spat venomously.
"Guys!"
"WHAT!" Cam and I shouted together, narrowing our eyes at the short teenager. She grabbed both of our ears and turned our heads to face the main foyer. Outside the doors we could see dozens of cop cars and the same black vans that were there like last night.
Oh, right. The whole being fugitives thing. I looked to Takato and told him to boot up the Digital Port.
"Are we sure about this?" Katrina asked hesitantly. Marianna scoffed.
"Yeah, Kat, let's just stay here and get arrested and God knows what. Of course we are sure about this!"
Doors were crashing, and I could hear the sound of a helicopter rumble above the building. In a few minutes this place was going to get swarmed. I could feel myself winding up, a knot of nerves forming in the pit of my stomach. Takato was taking his sweet ass time programming that thing! I loaded the gun and pointed it at the entrance. First guy was getting hot lead in his head.
"Hurry up." Luke growled taking out his silver D-Arc. Bakemon was growling as well as the other Digimon.
A few seconds later, a blue streak of light formed and Takato made a 'slashing' motion opening up the portal. It was a smaller rip than before but I didn't care. Ordering the others inside first I stood ahead pointing my gun at the first solider. I let out a shot and he fell down. I shot two or three more bullets before my hands were too shaky. Curse this human form! I pocket the gun and turned to the portal. All was left was Jeri, Takato and myself.
"Get them!" Someone yelled and from above, a squad came swooping down on ropes. In seconds, they were on us and I pushed Takato and Jeri inside the portal. Cursing, I swung a fist at the first guy knocking him back. Knowing there was way too many guys, I scrambled to the portal and ended up making a dive for the blue glowing portal. It was closing just as I was reaching in but I did not notice another man making a dive at me.
"Not so fast!" He screamed and I gasped as he actually made it into the portal of the Digital World. It was surreal as Takato gasped looking at who I bought with me. The guy was grabbing the Digi Port like nothing else mattered and managed to hit a few buttons. A few of us were trying to pry the ADA solider off Takato but it was too late. The device activated again and in a flash Jeri, Takato and the ADA solider were gone in a blue light.
It was silent for a few seconds as well stared at what was once Takato and Jeri. Shaking my head slowly I jolted up and look around. Those two were gone! I could not believe it. My one responsibility was to make sure Takato was okay. Now, I had no idea where the hell he was and Jeri was with him!
"Oh no." PJ cried looking at me. "What just happened?"
I gave him a dangerous look with my eyes and I realized I was back to my Digimon self. Clutching my red gloved hands, I hung my head low and felt something I had not felt for awhile-defeat.
"We're stuck in the Digital World."
Authors Note: And we have come full circle! This is when most of Surfacing will continue. I will add a few additional things to the story that if previous readers want, can continue reading. I hope you enjoyed this long chapter. It was a tough one.
