A/N: I'm back with another chapter and I apologize for the long wait. With exams and a few computer problems, things have been a bit hectic. I'm hoping that things have settled down enough for me to remain focused. I hope this chapter our liking.
Thanks for the input on the idea I have for a plot twist. It's just what's needed to darken things up.
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Chapter 12
Takato had taken Henry straight to Hypnos upon learning that he was the fifth Legendary Tamer.
Yamaki had at first been displeased at Henry's choice to hide the fact that he was a Legendary Tamer but he realized that it could be used to their advantage.
Rika, Ryo, and Artemis hadn't been surprised at all to hear that Henry was a Legendary Tamer, having suspected it themselves many times before. Now all that was left was for them to find the last of their team.
Things got a little better at school for Takato now that his other best friend was in on his secret and his coldness began to dissipate.
However, at the same time, Takato was losing another friend as Kazu began to fall under Toki's sway. Takato tried not to let Kazu's choice bother him, but it did. He still couldn't believe tat Kazu would actually do that.
Takato hadn't seen Shiho for a while but he figured it was because things were relatively peaceful at the moment.
The breach in the unnatural peace came in the form of a series of documents with strange runes covering the majority of them.
"These runes were unearthed at the ruins of an ancient temple in the Digital World. The Sovereigns have given the task of deciphering them to you, considering the runes have a connection to all of you." Yamaki said and the five Tamers noted the writing at the top that signified their recently unearthed titles: Hazard (Takato), Seirin (Rika), Tenshi (Artemis), Rurouni (Ryo), Heisei (Henry), and Kenshiki (the sixth).
"An ancient temple has information about us?" Rika asked incredulously.
"Apparently so. It's up to you to see just what these runes say about you." Yamaki declared.
"Great, homework out of class." Takato grumbled under his breath so only Henry and Artemis could hear. They snickered quietly.
"The Sovereigns have given a key to deciphering the runes and we've printed out a copy for each of you. Good luck." Riley told the Legendary Tamers, handing out the copies of the key.
"This is going to take a while." Ryo mused as the five teenagers left the Hypnos building.
"Hopefully whatever comes out of it will be worthwhile." Artemis commented.
"Let's hope so." Henry agreed before the group dispersed.
Takato, Calumon and Guilmon went to Shinjuku Park where they sat under the shade of a tree as Takato tried to figure out the encrypted message. He found that being around nature helped him think better.
He'd barely covered the first couple of lines when he felt someone approaching him.
Turning his head, he saw Shiho approaching him. He smiled.
"Hey, long time no see." He greeted as she sat down next to him.
"It's only been three weeks, Takato." Shiho commented in amusement. "And it's not like I'm a constant in your life."
"But I'd like you to be." Takato blurted out and then he blushed in embarrassment. Shiho stared at him for a moment before smiling.
"I've made that much of an impression on you, have I?" she teased with a slight chuckle. "The Sovereigns told me that they gave the lot of you the rune documents. How is that coming along?" Takato grimaced.
"It's going okay, so far. I've only managed to translate this: 'The warrior of many forms will mark the balance.'" He said, looking puzzled.
"Well, it's obviously talking about you, Takato. The elements of chaos and balance are present in just this line. Having many forms means the lack of constancy, an important feature of chaos as it creates disorder. Do you understand?" Shiho stated calmly. Takato looked impressed by how easily she had interpreted the line.
"I guess it makes sense that way. Does that mean I'm able to take on different forms other than just the cloaked figure from the tournament?" Takato wondered.
"You should be able to. How about you meet me here tonight? We can experiment a bit with it." Shiho suggested.
"Sounds good to me. I guess I'll see you then?" Takato asked and Shiho nodded.
"Come at 7:00. no one should be here around then." Shiho said before walking away.
"Is she your girlfriend?" Calumon asked innocently and Takato blanched.
"N-no! Just a friend." He insisted, his cheeks red.
Artemis was sitting in a café with a cup of French vanilla coffee as she tried to decipher the runes. So far, she'd only got:
''Warrior of light and healing with a strong and unwavering hear.'
It didn't tell Artemis much and it irritated her.
"What's wrong?" Makoto asked, noticing the discontent on her face.
"I have this assignment I need to do for Hypnos and it's not going well." She said simply, deciding to at least be civil.
"Oh? Can I have a look?" Makoto questioned. Artemis didn't see the harm in it so she gestured for him to 'go ahead.'
Makoto sat down beside her and inspected both the key and the runes.
"I see why you're frustrated. This is more complicated than it looks." Makoto remarked, frowning in concentration. Artemis was frankly surprised that he was trying to help her but she remained silent.
After five minutes, Makoto's eyes brightened.
"I think I've got something! You see these runes here mean 'keeping the darkness at bay' while this one here signifies 'bringer of hope.'" Makoto explained. "It must mean that you will provide a sort of morale boost to your associates and prevent the negative forces from infiltrating your group. Looks like you've got an important role among the Legendary Tamers."
"You could tell all that just by a couple of phrases?" Artemis stated, impressed. Makoto flashed a grin in her direction.
"I'm just that good." He said in a slightly arrogant manner that irritated Artemis.
"You can't take a compliment without inflating your ego, can you?" she asked in a deadpan voice, looking at him with half-moon eyes. 'And I thought we might be able to get along.'
"Hmm?" Makoto responded, confused by the sudden mood change. When her words finally processed, he frowned. "Okay, one minute we're talking civilly and now you're irritated because you think I'm being egotistical? I know we had a bad start but do you have to hold a grudge?" Artemis' eyes sparked as she scooped up the papers on the table..
"This has got nothing to do with our first meeting. That experience just served to show your true character and I didn't like what I saw." She retorted, glaring at Makoto.
"So I made a faulty judgement about your friend. I said I was sorry, didn't I? you're so blinded by your loyalty to Takato that you don't see the good points of anyone else!" Makoto exclaimed in the heat of the argument. By this time, most f the inhabitants of the café were watching the arguing Tamers in interest.
"That's not true!" Artemis declared, blue eyes turning to chips of ice.
"Oh, is it? You stay with Takato at all times, like he's the life line that keeps you afloat. You act as if he's the most important person to you! I wonder just where do your parents stand in your heart in comparison to him?" Makoto said before regretting the words the moment they escaped from his mouth. He'd gone too far.
SLAP!
Makoto's face flew back from the strike and when he looked back, he saw Artemis' eyes clouded with tears.
"My parents are dead." She deadpanned emptily before running out of the café, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You've really done it this time, Mako." Gabumon said as the boy silently beat himself up.
"I know…. I guess I let my jealousy get the best of me." Makoto said, his eyes filled with remorse.
Artemis ran through the streets, nearly blinded by her own tears.
It wasn't a surprise when she collided with someone with great force, causing both of them to fall down.
"Artemis?" a concerned voice called out, placing two supporting hands on the teenager's shoulder.
Artemis looked up through bleary eyes to see Riley looking down at her with wide eyes.
In her pain-filed mind, the red-haired woman in front of her reminded her of someone who was very important to Artemis and she threw her arms around a startled Riley, a fresh bath of rears running down her face.
Riley brought Artemis to her apartment, knowing the girl was in need of comfort, reassurance and peace.
"What's wrong, Artemis?" Riley asked, once they sat down on her couch.
It took Artemis a few minutes but she finally explained what happened with Makoto.
Riley knew of the death of Artemis' parents and she knew just how much Artemis must be hurting due to the harsh words said about her relationship with her parents.
So, she let Artemis cry, the teenage girl taking solace in the woman who reminded Artemis of the mother she had never seen out of photos.
After a while, Artemis calmed down enough to think rationally and she sat up quietly.
"I'm sorry, Riley-san, to have taken up your time like t his." Artemis said meekly, looking down at her feet. Riley gave her a kind smile.
"Don't worry about it, I'm just glad you're alright now." The Hypnos official said with a relieved smile. It was then that Artemis noticed just how nicely dressed Riley was. It was like she was going on a date. Realization dawned on Artemis and she looked even more apologetic.
"I'm so sorry, Riley! I stopped you from going on your date!" Artemis apologized profusely.
"It's not really a problem, Artemis. I'm sure Mitsuo will understand." Riley assured the Legendary Tamer.
Artemis face scrunched up in a frown as she tried to think of where she'd heard that name before. The answer hit her like a ton of bricks and Artemis' jaw dropped.
"You're dating Yamaki-san?" she gaped and Riley chuckled at her reaction.
Ell, I'm unofficially dating him, anyways. He still calls our dates 'outings,' because his pride won't let him admit that he's opening up to somebody." Riley giggled and Artemis couldn't help but giggle as well.
"I can imagine Yamaki-san like that. He always seemed so closed off but it's good to see that he's letting someone in. I'm happy for you, Riley-san." Artemis said, with a genuine smile. Riley gave her a warm look in response.
"Getting out once in a while is good for the man. He's too focused on work." Riley commented with a wink. "And it looks like you've cheered up nicely."
Artemis nodded with a grateful look.
"Thanks for lending a listening ear, Riley-san. I really appreciate it." Artemis said.
"It was nothing, Artemis. I was just glad to help." Riley answered. "You sure you'll be alright?" Artemis nodded.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." She said.
Artemis was about to leave when an energy blast broke through the door and headed towards them. Lucemon quickly pushed the two humans out of the way, keeping them from harm.
"What's going on?" Artemis cried out in alarm as a BlueMeramon came in, grinning malevolently.
"My master has ordered me to destroy you, Tenshi Tamer." BlueMeramon intoned, flames flaring around him.
"I won't let you!" Lucemon cried out, stepping in front of his Tamer.
"It's your demise." BlueMeramon responded, getting ready to attack.
Wanting to help, Artemis took out a blue card.
"Digimodify! Matrix Digivolution Activate!" she cried.
"Lucemon Digivolve to…. Piddomon! Piddomon Matrix Digivolve to…. LordHolyAngemon!"
Riley grabbed Artemis' hand and began pulling her away, knowing that it wouldn't do them any good to stay where BlueMeramon could get them.
A LordHolyAngemon and BlueMeramon abandoned the apartment to fight outside, Artemis could only watch in horror as Riley's apartment erupted into flames.
"Your home!" Artemis cried out but Riley was n pure business mode.
"Pay no matter to that. Your life is at stake right now." The Hypnos official replied as they ran.
Artemis still looked a little troubled but she realized she had little choice but to listen to Riley.
A/N: I hope the chapter suited your liking. Also, if there is any particular scene that you may like seeing in the story don't hesistate to mention it. I like hearing what people would like to see, gives a wide range of views on the story and helps my mind get working for new ideas.