Chapter 28: Shibumi Speaks

Back in the Real World, within the lower sections of Hypnos, concern filled Janyu and the Monster Makers as their friend, Shibumi also known as Gorou Mizuno, had made a sudden decision.

"You're going to the Digital World after them?" Janyu questioned Shibumi, where Shibumi headed for the portal to the Digital World, nodded and said in reply. "I have to tell them the truth about their Digimon's births, as well as explain how the Blue Cards work. I will be a transparent being but the DigiGnomes will guide me."

"Then please tell them everything you know." Janyu said, his request caused Shibumi to nod in reply, before he entered the portal and began his search for the Tamers.

-Back with Takato, Henry and Terriermon-

Having emerged from the lake to the surface of their unknown location, the trio panted for air.

"That was some swim." Terriermon whined as he lay atop Henry's head, exhausted after all he had been through.

"Well we managed to reach the surface." Henry pointed out, glad to be out of the water, but had to ask. "But where are we now?"

"I don't know, but looks like we aren't in the desert anymore." Takato said in reply, taking in the scenery to see it a more lush and lively area, while ahead of the trio was an old looking mansion.

"I wonder who lives there." Terriermon commented, as he jumped off of Henry's head and began to approach the mansion, only to stop when a collection of glowing creatures came from and around the mansion, where they circled around the small beast Digimon and his friends.

Curious, Takato asked. "What are these things?"

"I don't know, but it seems as if they want us to follow them." Henry said in reply.

Guiding them towards the mansion and inside, Takato, Henry and Terriermon ventured within and saw that in the library was a giant Digivice floating in the air, which made Terriermon say, amazed. "That is one giant D-Power."

"But what is that?" Takato then questioned, noticing the presence within the room.

"That is the Ark." A male voice informed the trio, where all turned to see the form of a transparent man, who was by a desk with his books.

And while they had questions as to who he was, let alone his current state, bigger questions needed to be answered.

"The Ark? What is that?" Henry asked, getting an answer of sorts as a book was suddenly brought towards him, where he, Takato and Terriermon saw the white creatures had carried it toward them.

"These are the DigiGnomes. Only I can talk to them as they can only use actions to talk." The transparent man said, before making his introduction. "I am Shibumi. I am one of the Monster Makers."

"A Monster Maker?" Takato questioned, having heard of that same name from Henry's father, but wondered what it had to do with their current situation.

Shibumi nodded as he eyed the Ark and then said. "The Ark you see here, this is how it all started."

"All started?" Henry asked, puzzled at Shibumi's words.

And Henry, Takato and Terriermon were confused further as Shibumi then added. "Yes. You see we made the Digital World in the past. The Sovereigns now rule it, but we gave them birth. But they see us as a threat. However, the DigiGnomes have other plans."

"So this Ark acts like a portal?" Henry questioned after reading the pages through the book and getting some information he desired.

"Yes. Allow the balance between both worlds and act as a portal also. This is how your Digimon came to be." Shibumi said in reply, just as the DigiGnomes then approached Takato, where they showed them a blue Card, which Takato noticed and let out with a fair surprise in his voice. "Those Cards..."

"These Cards are an algorithm to allow the Digimon to Digivolve past what they can naturally achieve in the Real World." Shibumi said in reply.

Surprised, Henry asked. "So the DigiGnomes gave birth to our Digimon?"

"Yes, and it gave birth to the Caylastit Digimon, Calumon, who is also known as the Shining Digivolution, which allows all Digimon to Digivolve." Shibumi told the Tamers, continuing to amaze the Tamers and Terriermon.

"Amazing." Terriermon let out, amazed to hear that it was thanks to Shibumi, Henry's father and their friends that they were the ones who started in the creation of the first Digimon, that this lead to his into existence and that Calumon's power was able to go beyond the Tamers and Digivolve all in the Digital World.

"Shining Digivolution?" Takato questioned, wondering just how much power Calumon really had, remembering how tired Calumon could get after a single Matrix Digivolution.

"They have a deep history in the past and they will aid you in your battles later on. I will tell you more when the time comes." Shibumi said, before he then informed. "The DigiGnomes are a helpful bunch, in fact they are the ones who set you all up with Digimon partners and made you Tamers."

"They sure are friendly enough." Terriermon replied with a smile, which caused Henry to nod and say. "We should thank them for setting us up in the first place."

"And it was those DigiGnomes that gave birth to your Digimon brothers." Shibumi then said as his attention drew toward Takato.

"You mean Agumon and Guilmon?" The brunette asked, his question making Shibumi nod.

"Yes. They started out as drawings as you know, but when you scan those pics, the DigiGnomes used those images to create data and made that data into Digi-Eggs. Technically, they were supposed to be new born Digimon, however... one interfered." Shibumi said, where Henry already knew the answer, but asked. "The Digital Hazard inside Guilmon?"

"Yes. Normally Guilmon was suppose to be like Agumon, child-like, simple minded and always happy, but due to the Digital Hazard inside of him, he grew up and matured faster, seemed more battle focused and focusing on ridding the evil inside of him." Shibumi said in reply, giving a small smile as he added. "And surprising, even to me was that Guilmon won the heart of an opposing Digimon, due to her Vaccine nature and his status as a Virus type."

"You mean Renamon?" Henry asked, causing Shibumi to nod.

"Yes, it's amazing how those two got so close together after their first battle." Takato said, knowing Guilmon's feelings for Renamon, but had no idea Renamon was also attracted to Guilmon.

"So if Guilmon and Renamon had a kid together...?" Terriermon suddenly questioned, getting a little ahead of himself, but Shibumi just nodded and said. "She too would bear the Digital Hazard mark. It would only be a symbol of her bond with Guilmon though and not have any negative effects on her."

"Tell me. Do the DigiGnomes have anything to do with the Digital Hazard within Guilmon?" Takato questioned, wondering if there was a way to purge the darkness from his partner.

"No. They had nothing to do with that. A certain Digimon was the one who brought this dark curse upon your partner, and what's worse is that his identity remains unknown. Only Master Patamon knows of him." The transparent Shibumi said in reply, just as a solemn expression appeared on his face as he informed.. "But what you should know, this Digimon was the one who was responsible for the murder of Renamon's parents and the curse on all Digimon who bare the Digital Hazard mark."

"He killed Renamon's mother and father?" Terriermon said aghast.

'Just who is this Digimon?' Henry mentally questioned as he looked at Takato, noticing the worry on the brunette's face, where he and Terriermon knew the thoughts of Agumon and Guilmon had entered Takato's mind.

"Agumon... Guilmon... is our friendship real...? If you're both Data and not of magical appearances which can be altered or replicated or corrupted, would killing you both be the same?" Takato said sadly to himself as he looked at his D-Power and felt an uncertainty fill him.

"No. I feel differently." A voice inside Takato's head spoke up, where Takato looked around and questioned. "Guilmon? Is that you? Where are you? I can hear you but I can't see you."

"Huh? Guilmon's here? Where?" Terriermon asked at Takato's sudden call, where he and Henry looked around, also trying to see if they could spot the Hazard Digimon.

"I am talking to you inside your mind. You can hear me, but I can hear what you are hearing outside, it's something I learnt during my training with Renamon. And that man and the DigiGnomes, I am glad they have nothing to do with the Digital Hazard." Guilmon's voice said within Takato's mind, where Takato nodded and asked, still unsure of himself. "So what are your thoughts on this? Is our friendship real or just a magical feeling?"

-At the temple-

Taking a break from his training to assure his Tamer, Guilmon sat cross legged, eyes closed as he concentrated and continued to mentally converse with the brunette.

"When I was first freed from the Digital Hazard, I never thought a connection like this could be possible, but when I first met you during Megidramon's attack, I felt it. The connection. The bond we share. Even when apart, I still feel our bond connects us. Even if we are Data, we still have feelings." Guilmon replied.

Hating to bring it up, but feeling compelled, Takato asked. "Then you know of the Digimon who put the curse on you and killed Renamon's parents?"

"Master Patamon told me about this Digimon, so I must prepare for him when this evil Digimon does appear." Guilmon said, feeling a little anger build up as he stated. "I'll never forgive this Digimon for putting the curse on me or what he has done to Renamon's family. Just because the Yin and Yang Digimon foiled his plans for the first time."

"Then your feels of our friendship is real?" Takato questioned, feeling a hope renewing within his being.

"Yes. I believe it's real, just as real as the bond I share with Renamon. And what I feel with you, is gladness... I am glad to be your partner, but more so to be your friend." Guilmon replied with a caring honesty in his voice.

"Guilmon..." Takato could only say, tearing up a little, where Guilmon cut in and said. "Do not worry about me, Takato. Being with you, well... it makes me happy."

-Back with Takato-

Looking at the brunette, Terriermon then stared at Henry with a confused look.

"Why is Takato talking to himself? Guilmon isn't here." Terriermon asked, where the pair looked upon the brunette, looking as if Takato was in a trance.

"He is talking to his Digimon who is communicating with him in his mind." Shibumi informed, knowing that the close bonds of a Tamer and Digimon could achieve such communications, where he then said. "The bond they share is incredible. More powerful than I ever seen before."

"Takato, whatever happens, I always be by your side, and I know Agumon will also be there for us. He's still young but he'll understand. His trust and friendship in you is as strong as the bond I share with you. And if the Digital Hazard ever corrupts me again, I know you, Agumon, Renamon and everyone will save me, just as you have in the past." Guilmon spoke in Takato's mind, keeping his focus on speaking with the brunette, while smiling as his mind drifted to Renamon, knowing her new powers would prove invaluable if worse came to worse.

From Guilmon's words, Takato smiled.

"Thank you. Being with you, being your partner... you never knew how happy I am to hear you say those words. Guilmon, I promise that whatever happens, you, me and Agumon, we'll be partners and friends forever. You just focus on training to surpass the Digital Hazard. We'll meet again when we need you the most." The leader of the Tamers then said, which made Guilmon smirk and say in reply. "Sure. And if Beelzemon shows up, let me know. Renamon and I will come straight to you and Rika, where we will teach him a lesson he will never forget."

"That's good to know. You've got it. So see you around my friend" Takato replied with a smile, before turning back to Henry, where he began to converse with the blue haired boy.

"Henry, I spoke to Guilmon, and we agree that our bond is real. And we'll never let it break away." The brunette informed, which made Henry smile and say. "I am glad to hear that, Takato."

Facing Shibumi, Henry then asked. "So how do we get back to the others?"

"This next Digital Stream will take you to the lair of the Digimon Sovereigns. Go there and you find your friends." Shumbi replied as the Ark then shone with a great light toward the Tamers, where Takato smiled and said. "Thank you, Shibumi."

"Just hang on, Calumon. We're not far from rescuing you." Takato then added, determined to get back their tiny Digimon friend, where he, Henry and Terriermon jumped through the light and disappeared.

"Now to sleep, perchance to dream..." Shibumi said to himself, before going to sleep, conserving his energy.

-With Guilmon-

Finished with his conversation with Takato, Guilmon smiled as he opened his eyes and stood, where Patamon approached his student and smiled.

"Spoken to your Tamer have you?" Master Patamon questioned, where Guilmon nodded in reply.

"Yeah. I now know of my birth, but I accept my fate. I know the Digital Hazard was not my fault, that it was implanted within me. And I know my feelings to Takato are real, that we are friends." The red dino Digimon then said.

"Glad to hear that. Don't let that bond you have with your Tamer go unwavered. He trusts you as much as you trust him." Patamon said, smiling as he added. "Those DigiGnomes are good creatures."

"I also feel the same." Guilmon said in reply, before asking with curiousness. "Master, you know of the Digimon who put the Digital Hazard inside me? Who is he? Shibumi said you know who he is."

"I do. But I'll tell you when the time is right." Patamon replied, which Guilmon respected as he nodded and said. "Yes, Master. Shall I resume my training?"

"Actually, it just arrived." Master Patamon pointed out, looking down from the cliff to see Ryo and Cyberdramon appear below, causing Guilmon to nod, knowing one fight was needed to come before he confronted Beelzemon.

"That Digimon who made me evolve to what I am now. I have to purge his anger don't I?" Guilmon asked, which made Patamon nod.

"Yes. Cyberdramon has a deep hatred for you ever since he lost to you." Master Patamon said, before pointing out. "If we leave him like that, his hate will consume him."

"Then all I have to do is defeat that anger? I have a feeling he might be around. But I am ready." Guilmon said, which continued to make Patamon smile at Guilmon's respect and maturity, before Patamon headed over to Ryo.

"Are you lost or something?" He questioned, which made Ryo shake his head.

"Actually, I were looking for a way to calm Cyberdramon down and we wandered here." Ryo informed, where Cyberdramon ignored Patamon and looked around with a feral snarling.

"You two are being here are just the perfect opponents we need for my latest one training." Master Patamon then said with a smile, where Guilmon leapt beside Patamon, which surprised Ryo as he recognised the Digimon and said. "Hey... you're..."

"Yeah. I know you too. Even when controlled by my dark powers, I still recognise you." Guilmon said, recognizing the Digimon King.

Hearing his voice, Cyberdramon turned around and snarled as he saw the glimpse of Guilmon's devil form.

"It's you!" Cyberdramon yelled, desiring to crush the Hazard Digimon.

"You are Takato's Digimon, right?" Ryo asked, trying to be friendly, but Cyberdramon clenched his claws into a fist, showing his continued hostility, for he believed this was his chance to exact his revenge.

"YOU DIGI-KILLING MONSTER! THIS TIME I'LL KILL YOU FOR SURE!" Cyberdramon roared as he launched himself at Guilmon, despite Ryo trying to command Cyberdramon to stand down, where the Vaccine Type ignored and roared and charged at Guilmon, where Guilmon braced himself for one huge fight.

'This is it. I must find a way to stop his rage once and for all.' Guilmon thought, knowing his battle with Cyberdramon wouldn't be easy, but he also knew he couldn't go on being hated for the rest of his life.

Cyberdramon needed to be stopped.