I think I'm just going to stop apologizing for long waiting times, because I'm basically doing it for every chapter. But I guess, this one was longer than any other wait, so I am sorry. You could have considered the wait the real mid-series hiatus, and I just gave you guys the first two episodes prematurely. Was that a good idea on my part? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But no worries, I'll keep making episodes, just not quite as frequently as before (but hopefully not as infrequently as you just experienced, hah). Thank you all for your support and such!
Exogrimmon opened eyes. There was snow all around him. He looked around. It was extremely cold.
"Well look who finally decided to wake up"
Exogrimmon turned his head and looked at Jewelbeemon to his left. Exogrimmon stood to his feet and looked JewelBeemon in the eye.
Exogrimmon: I demand to know where we are
"Master…" the voice came from behind
Exogrimmon turned around. Ogremon was standing behind him.
Ogremon: look around
Exogrimmon glanced behind where Ogremon was standing. He could view about twenty Digimon from his army. Now he remembered. He remembered Matt had humiliated him in front of everyone. He tricked him into coming here. And now, he knew exactly where he was. Exogrmmon yelled and punched the ground in anger. He quickly turned around and faced his army
Exogrimmon: Idiots! You're all idiots! How could you have stood back and allowed that human to trick us?
JewelBeemon: He tricked you, sir!
Exogrimmon faced JewelBeemon. Before he could say anything, he could feel the ground shaking. Ogremon slowly looked up. He whispered
Ogremon: Here they come…
Apollomon flew towards them. Dianamon, Marsmon, and Minervamon followed. Seraphimon flew to the front of the pack. They all landed on the mountain at the same time. Exogrimmon stood still with a stern look on his face. But he was the one to break the silence.
Exogrimmon: Well. This is pretty sad for an Olympus Twelve.
Marsmon: I would shut up if I were you!
Exogrimmon: Why? Because you high and mighty Digimon will have no choice but to destroy me? Give me a break. If there's one thing I can tell from your lack of number it's that you can be defeated. All of you.
Marsmon growled
Marsmon: Is that a challenge?
Seraphimon: Enough, Marsmon.
Seraphimon put his hand down. He stared at Exogrimmon.
Seraphimon: After all the trouble you have put the peace of the digital world through…I only have one question. Why?
Exogrimmon shrugged.
Exogrimmon: Why not?
Seraphimon waited for him to explain
Exogrimmon: The humans have always been nothing but trouble to our world. They've been disturbing the peace since the very beginning. The darkest day in the digital world is only a mere example of the terror that they've struck upon us. They believe that they can rule our world, and they won't stop until that is accomplished. So all I wanted was to give them a taste of their own medicine.
Seraphimon: Your actions have jeopardized the entire safety of the digital world. The humans will only attack harder now that they know we're a threat to them
Exogrimmon: But with powerful Digimon like me, the humans won't stand a chance. But of course, since you traitors are on their side, maybe the fate of our world might not be quite so bright
Seraphimon: Your quest for power ends here! It has gone on long enough!
Exogrimmon: You can't do anything to me! You call yourselves protectors of the digital world but you can't even protect yourselves!
Marsmon cut in
Marsmon: It's because of you that the digital world is in this state of weakness! We'll destroy you now!
Exogrimmon laughed
Exogrimmon: If you had the spine for that kind of brutality you would have done it to Shadowmon when you had the chance
Everyone stayed quiet for a moment.
Seraphimon: I don't know what you're talking about
Exogrimmon smiled
Exogrimmon: Those children don't even know. Do they?
No one said anything
Exogrimmon: They don't even know who…or what Shadowmon really is.
Exogrimmon gained confidence
Exogrimmon: I wonder how the digi destined would react if they were to accidently find out that you guys are the ones responsible for creating a destroyer.
Dianamon: We did no such thing
Exogrimmon: Don't play the innocent with me. Shadowmon, the one who you guys have been so quick to blame for the whole destroyer scenario, is no ordinary digimon. He's one of you.
The six of them looked shocked. None of them could deduce how Exogrimmon found this out.
Exogrimmon: He was the rebel, the outcast! A fallen member of the Olympus Twelve.
Serpahimon became angry
Seraphimon: His infatuation with power was no different than yours, we had no choice but to banish him.
Exogrimmon: But he was still always one of you, wasn't he? And you left us regular Digimon to have to deal with him.
Apollomon: We stripped him of his powers!
Exogrimmon: And you hid it in a crest. Hence, the crest of darkness was born. But unfortunately for everyone on planet earth, you subjected them to all of Shadowmon's power by sending that crest on earth. Some hiding spot. And the destroyer would be the one who inherited that power. Too bad for everyone else, it was a lose-lose. Shadowmon found the destroyer and regained his powers back. Am I correct?
They all remained speechless. The other Digimon were watching their master with awe. His brilliance never ceased to amaze them. But unbeknownst to anyone, there was one Digimon in the back who had the very thing they were talking about. Demidevimon tried to hide behind a nearby, snow covered rock. But he was listening. He revealed the plastic bagged, glowing, crest of darkness that was under his wing.
Exogrimmon: You see, I don't go reaching for power before I know everything about everyone who's tried it before. And now, the Digi-Destined have no clue that you six are the reason why they're fighting in the first place. Some protectors you turned out to be…
Seraphimon: There is no need for them to know. They were able to defeat you without knowing anything about that.
Exogrimmon: But their battle isn't over. It's just beginning.
Apollomon: What do you mean?
Exogrimmon: That goggle headed brat may have been able to send the few of us who were around him away, but he didn't account for all of the other Digimon.
Marsmon: What other Digimon?
Exogrimmon: The other Digimon that were transported with us of course. They're stationed all around their globe. One mile only stretches so far.
Dianamon: There were more of you?
Exogrimmon: You think that I would have risked losing everything in a fistfight with those punks? No. All around their entire planet, my warriors are ready to take their planet as we speak.
Apollomon: Olympus Twelve prepare for attack now!
They all aimed at Exogrimmon. He chuckled.
Exogrimmon: This is pathetic. You can't do anything to me. Because you know that if you get rid of me, you get rid of any chance of having my legion leave earth. They only do as I say.
They all stood there ready to attack
Exogrimmon: Let me put it this way. Either you send us all back unharmed, or my army will ensure that those Digi Destined won't live long enough to clean up the mess that you laid out for them.
A little girl woke up from bed. She slowly turned her head and looked out of the window. She took her teddy bear and slowly walked down the stairs, and opened the back door. From afar, she could see her swimming pool. She moved a little bit closer, and noticed that it was bubbling. She slowly advanced to the pool and looked in. Dark Blue eyes opened from under. It jumped out. She screamed
-x—
"Eight hundred thousand yen worth of equipment…"
Director Hashima was standing up reading through a pile of papers. It was revealed that Commander Sampson was sitting down on the other side of the table. The director filed through to the next set of papers. The room was dead silent as he skimmed through it. Hashima spoke again.
Director Hashima: The building and security systems were roughly twice that. And of course we can't forget that nice floor boarding that's now gone too.
He dropped the papers on the table.
Director Hashima: But of course none of these payments could ever add up to the ultimate price you've cost this city. It's security. Thanks to your friend's theatrics, now there isn't an informed person on earth who doesn't know about Digimon. You've outdone yourself, Sampson. I didn't think that you could have been any more irresponsible
Commander Sampson sat in silence before he spoke
Commander Sampson: I'm aware of what happened, Director. Our actions as a police force were unrepresentative of the confidentiality that this police force has always upheld. Now our entire police station is in pieces, and I know that for a moment, this town was in panic…
Director Hashima: but…
Commander Sampson: But we have neutralized the threat. Now, we won't have to worry about Digimon terrorizing our town. I know we risked a lot in that final fight, but now it's over!
Director Hashima: I can't believe it…how can someone as foolish as you have made it into the police force to begin with.
Commander Sampson: With all due respect, director, this foolish person oversaw an operation that saved the entire planet! The Digimon are gone! And now that Marcus is back there again, he'll keep an eye on the whole thing!
Director Hashima: open your eyes you idiot, they're still here!
Commander Sampson had a look of disbelief
Commander Sampson: What?
Hashima shook his head
Director Hashima: You don't even know. The moment those children came back to earth was the moment geologists noticed a number of peculiar fluxes in the atmosphere around us. All of them, identical to the one that brought your friend Exogrimmon here. Not one or two, multiple. All over the city. It could have been all over the world for all we know.
Hashima looked Sampson in the eye
Director Hashima: Do you see what these "digi destined" have done? Not only did they fail in their mission, but they brought the planet's biggest problem to our front porch. Exogrimmon may have disappeared before your eyes, but this battle is far from over. And it's all thanks to you and your faith in those teenage punks.
Commander Sampson: My unit and I will get to work on this right away
Director Hashima: That's where you're wrong. You don't have a unit. Not anymore.
Commander Sampson: What are you talking about?
Director Hashima: As director of this police force, I am officially relieving you of your duties, Sampson. You and your "team" have caused enough trouble as it is. We'll leave this to our trained professionals.
Commander Sampson: We ARE the trained professionals! No one else knows how to properly deal with Digimon except for us! You'll get every one of your officers killed!
Director Hashima: A chance we're willing to take. You already blew yours.
Commander Sampson: If the threat really is far from over, and you do this, Director, you'll be single handedly sentencing everyone on this planet to death!
Director Hashima: That's where you're wrong, Sampson.
He pressed a button on his desk. Almost instantly, two security guards walked in and waited to escort Sampson out
Director Hashima: You beat me to it. Turn in your badge and all other property of the police department.
The security guards would have been happy to force him to do it. Sampson stood up by himself and unclipped his badge. He took his communicator out of his pocket as well. He dropped them on the table. Hashima forced out a demanding cough. Sampson slowly reached into his pocket and set down his old digivice. He then placed his fingers on his sunglasses and removed them. He placed them on the table and looked the director in the eye. Sampson whispered
Commander Sampson: You're making a big mistake
Director Hashima: Security will lead you out, Mr. Sampson.
He put a special emphasis on the Mr.
Sampson adjusted his coat and walked out by himself. The security guards followed him
Director Hashima: In the mean time, us real policemen will get to work on replacing the facility that you destroyed!
Sampson slammed the door shut. Hashima took out a small rag and wiped his forehead. He slowly looked down at Sampson's glasses and digivice. He exhaled deeply.
-x-
The doorbell rang. Selena Turner answered the door. Keenan stood there.
Keenan: Um, hi. I'm
Before he could finish, Selena began to slammed the door. Confused Keenan slowly knocked on the door again. After he stood there for a little bit, Selena opened the door.
Selena: What do you want?
Keenan: I'm sorry, have we met?
Selena: We didn't have to. You're one of those crazy kids who Matthew's always hanging out with and getting in trouble.
Keenan: Trouble?
Selena: Ever since he started talking to you guys he's constantly been going missing. And then three days ago, we see him on international television about to get pounded by…that monster? We're still having random news reporters stop by our house. It takes forever to send them away because of what happened. What was that monster thing anyway?
Keenan: I don't know…
Selena: That's what Matt's saying to me too. You all are a bunch of liars! Look, it took me forever to convince my parents get my parents out of the house to go to their own jobs. So why don't you just leave my brother and our family alone?
Keenan: He's in a junior police training class with us. That's why he keeps having to leave.
Selena: I don't believe you!
Matt overheard and looked down the stairs. He could see his sister arguing with the commander. He quickly ran down and opened the door all the way.
Matt: Selena! What are you doing?
Selena: staying in between him and you! While mom and dad are gone I don't this loser to wind you up on the news again.
Matt: He 's my friend! Well, sort of.
Keenan gave him a dirty look
Matt: Look, it's okay just calm down, Selena.
Selena: No, I have no intention of calming down! You said that you were going away for a while, and you disappear for days.
Keenan: I already told you it was for a junior police program that our school is sponsoring
Selena: Then how the heck do you explain your news headline, Matthew?
Keenan: Wrong place at the wrong time!
Selena: Did I ask you?
Matt: He's right. I was at training when I got caught up in a movie shoot. They needed an extra
Keenan: Yeah, the news reporters thought it was real and freaked out.
Selena was less than convinced
Selena: Really? A movie shoot? So how do you explain all of the damaged property in the city's oldest police station?
Matt: It was part of the set, but they messed up and actually destroyed it.
She turned and looked at Keenan and then back at Matt.
Selena: Matt, tell me what's going on.
Matt: Nothing's going on!
"Going on about what?"
Keenan turned to see who was speaking behind him. He couldn't recognize this guy, but he looked somewhat like Matt except taller, older, and with a much lower haircut. A taxi cab drove off.
Selena: Scott? What are you doing here?
Scott: Well I was in grad school back in America when I watched the news could have sworn I saw…
Matt nervously waved
Scott: Matty in the middle of a bunch of monsters ...
Selena: Well according to them it was a "movie set"
Keenan: It was a really big misunderstanding. They needed an extra and your….
Scott looked back and forth.
Scott: Oh, brother
Keenan: Brother was there. I saw it
Selena: yeah right…
Keenan: Anyway, Matt and I need to head out
Selena: I'm not letting you two head out anywhere.
Keenan: Then at least just let us talk out here
Matt: Yeah, so scram
Selena hesitated.
Selena: You have five minutes with him.
Matt: Thank you mom…
Matt said it mockingly as he walked outside
Scott hesitantly went inside and Selena closed the door.
Matt: Come on, let's book.
Keenan: What?
Matt ducked and ran along the side of the house. He quickly ran to the backyard and made it across the street. Keenan followed behind. They stopped by a tree.
Keenan: Are you out of your mind?
Matt looked back at him
Keenan: Don't answer that…What are you thinking? Your sister will call your parents!
Matt: No she wont. By the time she realizes I'm gone she would be too afraid to tell my mom and dad that she lost me.
Keenan: Well that's not very nice
Matt: Dude! You were the one who said you needed to talk to me and we wouldn't have gotten it done if she was eyeing us the whole time.
Keenan: Yeah, we do need to talk. Do you know where the crest is?
Matt noticed that Keenan sounded a little anxious.
Matt: Crest, what crest?
Keenan: The Crest of Darkness! The one that Luke used!
Matt: You have that thing?
Keenan: I had it, Castilla gave it to me. It's a long story! Just tell me whether or not you have it!
Matt: I didn't take anything.
Keenan facepalmed himself in frustration
Matt: Dude, are you okay?
Keenan: Obviously not. The crest has gone missing. You were the last person I asked. If none of you have it then someone must have taken it. For all I know Luke could have taken it!
Matt: Woah, hold up there. Well what's the big deal? Me and Dracomon already got rid of Exogrimmon and his goons, so there's nothing to worry about.
Keenan: It isn't just about that! When Luke used that thing, he brought the digital world to a complete halt. He almost destroyed it for crying out loud! If he, or anyone else reactivates that crest here…for all I know it could create the biggest disaster this planet has ever seen. We need to find it.
Matt: Where the heck to you expect to look?
Keenan: Luke's place would be a start.
Keenan's phone vibrated. He pulled it out of his pocket and read a text message. It was from Kristy. It read, "My house NOW! Bring everyone. Digimon too."
Matt: Keenan?
Keenan: Go get Dracomon. We need to go to Kristy's.
Matt: I can't go back in there. If I do Selena won't let me out
Keenan: You're the crazy one. Get a ladder or something.
Matt smiled
Matt: Now you're speaking my language
Keenan: Just hurry up
-x-
School was over, but Castilla had just gotten out of orchestra. She was heading for the door, when someone tapped her shoulder from behind. She quickly turned around. It was a female teacher who she didn't recognize. She was holding a paper in her hand
Castilla: hi…
"Hey, I'm Mrs. Tanaka."
Castilla: Nice to meet you
Mrs. Tanaka: I'm sorry but I simply couldn't help but notice the uncanny similarity. You wouldn't happen to be Lucas's sister would you?
Castilla: Yeah, he's my twin
Mrs. Tanaka: I knew it! Do you know why he hasn't been in school a lot recently?
Castilla: I guess he's just taking some time off…
Mrs. Tanaka nodded
Mrs. Tanaka: Oh, ok. Well, actually, the reason why I stopped you was to see if you could give something to him.
Castilla: what?
Mrs. Tanaka: An offer. His essay that he wrote last semester was astounding. It was about his younger sister and how her death changed him as a person
Castilla: Oh, okay…
Mrs. Tanaka: And I know that this is a really short notice, but…we were having students deliver speeches tonight in the auditorium, and our 8:00 speaker cancelled on us yesterday. So instead, I was wondering if Luke would be able to read his essay and talk about it for the hour.
Castilla: Wow, that's a big favor to ask him…
Mrs. Tanaka: I really hope he accepts. The entire English board agreed that his paper was among the most moving. We already started putting the word out that he would be our replacement. So please…
She handed the paper over to Castilla. It was Luke's essay.
Mrs. Tanaka: respect his privacy by not reading it, but give him the offer. We'd love to see him tonight.
Castilla nodded and smiled
Castilla: I'll tell him…
-x-
Castilla walked into Luke's room. All she could see was his back. He was looking outside the window with his hand in his pocket. The sun was beginning to set, so she could really only see his outline.
Castilla: Luke…
He ignored her. She walked behind him.
Castilla: Hello?
Luke: Castilla, get out of my room now
Castilla: I will in a second. There was a teacher who wanted me to give you something.
Luke: Tell her that I don't care
He walked away and sorted through his drawers
Castilla: Luke, you didn't even hear what she wanted
Luke: That's because I just told you I don't care, so get out.
Castilla: What's going on with you?
Luke: What do you care?
Castilla: I care that my brother hasn't done anything over the past couple of days but stay bitter at the world.
Luke: Which world are we referring to?
He shook his head before she could respond
Luke: It doesn't matter, I hate them both.
Castilla: Would you stop it!
Luke: Castilla, just go away!
Castilla took Luke's paper out of her backpack and threw it on his bed. Luke looked down at it.
Castilla: Mrs. Tanaka who's apparently one of your teachers wanted me to tell you that you did a good job on an essay and she wants you to present it in front of an audience tonight at 8 in the school auditorium.
Luke slowly shot Castilla a dirty look and began walking out the door.
Castilla: Luke, would you just…
Luke turned around and shouted
Luke: Just what, Castilla? Talk to you now so that you can go off and plot against me later? Or maybe you want me to just open up to you so that you and everyone else can talk about how big of a monster I am.
He stayed silent for a moment
Luke: I don't even care anymore…
Castilla: No one is doing that to you, Luke. No one ever did that!
Luke: You know, it would be tragic if the police, the real police, around here found out that you and everyone else have been harboring illegal monsters for the past month and a half and decided that you guys were a threat to national security after all. I don't need to be an adult to report you guys.
Castilla stared at him in disbelief
Luke: I'm serious. Leave me alone.
Castilla got a text. She read it. It was from Keenan.
Castilla: At least think about the offer! They all want you to come!
Luke: I already told you there's no way I'm going, so leave now!
Castilla shut her phone
Castilla: Whatever.
She left. Luke slammed the door after her. He looked back outside and took a look at the paper. He slowly picked it up and began reading it. He looked at the door again.
-x-
Castilla and Floramon were the last to arrive. She opened Kristy's door and walked into the entire group with their Digimon already sitting down. Yoshi was also with them. Kristy waved at Castilla and Floramon.
Floramon: Sorry we're late
Castilla: Yeah, I hope we didn't already miss the meeting you called, Kristy
Kristy: Well there's just one problem, I didn't call this meeting.
"I did"
Castilla could hear him from behind. She turned around as Sampson walked past Castilla and made his way into the room. She, nor anyone else, was used to seeing him without his token sunglasses.
Matt: Woah! Way to ditch the whole detective look
Brianna: All he did was take off his sunglasses…what , are you surprised that he had eyes under there?
Matt: No! well, sorta. You know what, just be quiet!
Biyomon: What did you do with them, Commander?
Sampson: I don't have them anymore. And I'm no longer a commander.
Brianna: You got demoted?
Yoshi looked up
Sampson: More like fired, actually.
Yoshi: What?
She stood up
Yoshi: So what does that mean for us?
Sampson: I don't know yet. The director never specified, but I've already informed Megumi and Miki of the situation, and I'm assuming that by firing me, he fired everyone who worked under me.
Yoshi: So we're done. Our entire division is finished…
Matt: Well…I think that qualifies as the biggest news I've heard all day.
Sampson: It gets worse.
Yoshi: What else can you say that's possibly worse than that?
Sampson: The reason why I was fired in the first place would be a start. The director discovered something.
Falcomon: What was it?
Sampson: Apparently, Matt didn't get the job done. Not to the extent that we had hoped.
Matt: Are you joking? I thought I got rid of Exogrimmon and his parade. We saw them go!
Sampson: Exogrimmon, yes. His immediate army, yes. But one mile only reaches so far, and considering that there were multiple arrivals around all of Tokyo on the day Exogrimmon showed up here, it's not too implausible that there are more of Exogrimmon's followers on Earth as we speak.
Yoshi: When we were looking for Marcus, we did overhear those detectives saying something about there being multiple rips in the atmosphere
Kristy: So how many more Digimon are there?
Sampson: I don't know, dozens? Hundreds? There could be a million for all I know!
Keenan stood up in frustration. He paced around the room while holding his head.
Kristy: Keenan?
She stood up and ran over to him
Kristy: Keenan what's wrong?
Keenan: It's nothing
Everyone was staring at him. Keenan took notice and sighed
Keenan: Castilla…
Castilla: Yeah?
Keenan: The crest that you asked me to hold on to…I kept it in my room, and now it's…um…it's gone.
At first no one knew how to respond. Matt eventually broke the silence
Matt: Well that makes our job a hundred times easier now doesn't it?
Dracomon: Wait, I don't get it. So what if that piece of junk's gone?
Keenan walked up and looked Dracomon in the eye
Keenan: In case you don't remember, that piece of junk falling into the wrong hands is the reason why all of us were almost killed the other day. And now that there are hundreds of other virus Digimon out there on this planet….we don't know what they'll be capable of if they find it!
Dracomon: Not all virus Digimon are rotten you know!
Keenan: I know that, that's not the point! The point is that the crest is gone and we don't know if they already have it! Or worse, if Exogrimmon had it when Matt sent him away!
Brianna: Well whose fault is that in the first place nature boy?
Keenan was ready to shout at her. Yoshi stood in the middle and separated them
Yoshi: Would you guys calm down! There are bigger problems going on here!
Sampson: She's right. Now let's think about this logically. If the crest of darkness was in your room one second and gone the next, then someone had to have known that it was with you.
Castilla: I gave it to him in private. No one else knew where I was going.
Keenan: …what about Luke?
Castilla: What about him?
Keenan: Who else would have known about that crest?
Out of the blue, an image shot through Brianna's head. It was that guy who she had met at the crime scene. Leon? Was that his name?
Keenan: Not to mention that you took it from his room. Did he see you leave with it?
Castilla: I highly doubt it
Sampson: But it's not completely impossible. He was trying to complete a mission in the Digital World, right? And it had something to do with the crest. So maybe it could be possible that he's still trying to complete that mission here.
Matt: Woah, hold up. He told me down in those caves that he was done with whatever it was he was doing.
Keenan: He's lied to us before. It's something that's worth considering
Jodixmon: And how exactly do you expect to find out if he has it?
Dracomon: We could sneak into his room!
Castilla: Or we could just ask him like a normal person.
Kristy: What makes you think that he'll want to talk to us though?
Keenan: It's worth a shot.
Brianna stood up
Brianna: Well you guys have fun. I'm gonna go look for someone else.
Keenan: Who?
Brianna: No one!
Matt: But you just said…
Brianna: It's some other guy who I think might know something, okay?
Jodixmon: Will you need my assistance looking for this person, Brianna?
Brianna: If you make sure not to be seen
Matt: I can go with you.
Brianna: That's not going to happen
Matt: Well hello? Jodixmon can't be seen without having someone call the cops. Plus, I'm the news star. Whoever you're looking for would be willing to talk to me
Brianna remembered the last thing that Leon had said to her. Somehow, he knew about Matt. So maybe, if she was going to get his attention at this point, having Matt with her wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Brianna: Fine. Whatever
Keenan: Alright, Kristy, Castilla and I are gonna head over to Luke's house and see if he knows anything.
Yoshi didn't say anything as she left the house.
Matt: What's her deal?
-x—
A dark alley was shown. In the shadows, someone's brown glove was seen clicking a silver pistol on and off. A black car pulled up
"Finally" the voice said in a heavy western accent.
A black boot stepped out of the back seat of the car. The guy with the brown glove stopped clicking the gun. The person got out of the car and stood straight. The man had a dirty, white lab coat and wore a gigantic metal mask over his face. It was obvious. This was gray mask.
"Well you sure ride in style…"
Grey Mask: I'm a rich man here. I've gotta do something with it.
"What took ya?" The voice from the shadow said with a hint of annoyance
Grey Mask: Call it jet lag.
"It ain't funny. You got his location?"
Grey Mask: He'll be right where I placed him. He'll address his entire middle school tonight in a speech. He'll be completely defenseless for you to go in for the kill.
"Now that's what I like to hear. You sure he'll be there?"
Grey Mask: Of course. We have him wired, remember? Just be in shooting distance from his middle school at 8.
Grey Mask turned and headed back for the car.
"Hey!"
Grey Mask turned around.
"How do you know that boy's Digimon won't try and stop me?"
Grey Mask laughed
Grey Mask: Are you kidding? His Digimon left him. Plus you'll be so far away, no one in the audience will even notice until the gunshot crashes through the building.
"I reckon…"
Grey Mask: You get ready. As you already know, I've got some work to get to.
Right before he stepped into his car he looked back and said one last thing
Grey Mask: Don't you worry, Deputymon. Luke Iwate's finished. He was finished the moment he tried to double cross us.
Deputymon slowly walked out of the shadows. His torso resembled a gigantic silver gun, and he wore a western hat and blue jeans. He carried a pistol in both hands.
Deputymon: I'll see to it that it happens
Grey Mask nodded and got in the car. It sped off
-x-
The time was about 7:45. Keenan, Kristy and Castilla finally arrived at Castilla's apartment. She opened the door to their room and walked in.
Castilla: Luke? Mom?
She heard no answer. They continued to walk through.
Keenan: I guess they're not in
Castilla: That's weird. I don't know where else they would have…
Just then Castilla saw a note on the kitchen counter. She quickly read through it.
"Castilla I took your brother to your school for a…"
She stopped reading out loud. She looked surprised
Castilla: I can't believe he actually went…
Keenan: What happened?
Castilla: Luke's going to give a speech at our school.
Kristy: I didn't know Luke was the public speaking type…
Castilla: He's not, it was just this one teacher who…agh I'll explain to you on the way there. Let's go!
Keenan: Go where?
Castilla: Well we can't miss his speech, can we? And then we can ask him about the crest afterwards. Let's go quick!
They closed the door behind them
-x—
Yoshi blasted music in her car. She was speeding down a relatively empty side road. A lot was on her mind.
Yoshi: I just don't get it…
She was talking to herself
Yoshi: Who gave Hashima the right to show up and fire us. I mean, I know he's the director, but still, it's not like we were the ones doing anything wrong.
She closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. Suddenly, her car jumped. Then it slowed down on its own.
Yoshi: What the heck?
She pulled over to the shoulder. She got out of the car, and examined the back wheel. It was completely busted.
Yoshi: This day just keeps getting better.
She knelt down and tried to get a better look at what broke her tire. She had to have been staring at it for about a minute.
"You can stare at it all you want, but it's not gonna repair itself."
Yoshi quickly turned around. A dark skinned man with his hands in his black leather coat walked up. For a moment, Yoshi thought that she recognized him from somewhere. He knelt down and looked at the tire with her.
"But I guess tires aren't the only thing that that applies to…"
Yoshi: I'm sorry, do I know you?
The guy let out a quick laugh
"Well, that's pretty sad. You knock me and my entire group of men unconscious and you can't even recognize my face."
It slowly came back to her.
"Detective Moore. We've met before, Yoshi Fujieda. Except that time, you were the one who sabotaged my mission."
Yoshi: Wait, you took out my tires?
Detective Moore: I had to get your attention.
He stood up
Detective Moore: And before you ask, I know your name because I never forget a face. I had you researched. And it turns out that you work for none other than the police, correct?
Yoshi decided not to respond to him
Detective Moore: Come on, there's nothing to hide. I mean only someone with police training would have known how to get past security and have the capacity to undermine an entire investigation.
He leaned on her car
Detective Moore: So what exactly was it that you were looking for, then, Yoshi?
Yoshi decided that there was no point playing dumb. This guy had obviously researched everything about her.
Yoshi: We were looking for a friend
Detective Moore: Would this friend happen to be the boy who seemed to appear "out of thin air"? The one who was mysteriously abducted to Portugal but came back in one piece anyway?
Yoshi kept her mouth shut
Detective Moore: Where is he now?
Yoshi: Is there something I can do to help you, detective? Or did you just blow up my tire, which is a direct violation of police policy by the way, just to have a one on one conversation with me because you were too afraid to do it with dignity?
Detective Moore smiled and shook his head
Detective Moore: Well, to answer your question, there is something you can do to help me. During your…ambush, I couldn't help but notice a bunch of creatures with you guys that didn't look like they were from around here. Now, I don't believe in aliens, but I don't deny that something over our heads is going on here. All of these random monster sightings, these "near death experiences", it makes a man of my stature wonder if his team is specialized enough to handle such a threat. But you on the other hand seem to have been very…quick…on your feet the other day.
Yoshi thought that she knew where he was going with this.
Yoshi: what are you doing here, Detective?
Detective Moore: I came to give you a job.
Yoshi: I have a job
Detetive Moore: That's not what Director Hashima says.
Yoshi couldn't believe this guy. He knew the director? How many connections did he have?
Detective Moore: So you'll join me and my team. Together, we'll crack this alien case once and for all
Yoshi: I'm not interested
She walked away from him and looked in her trunk for something to remove the tire. Detective Moore didn't even turn his head when he spat out the last statement.
Detective Moore: This isn't an invitation…
She looked up at the detective
Detective Moore: It's a command. Since you are employed by the district police, you are obligated to comply with any and all authorities. And if you choose not to comply, you'll spend the next four to eight years in a district penitentiary.
Yoshi's eyes widened
He smiled
Detective Moore: Welcome to the force, agent Fujieda. This is where the real work gets done.
-x-
There was a crowd of about 150 parents and students. The auditorium was almost completely filled, and it was getting so hot that all of the windows were opened. One person was reading off his essay to the crowd. He was almost done. Backstage, Luke took a quick look at the audience before turning back to Mrs. Tanaka.
Luke: I can't do this.
Mrs. Tanaka: Of course you can, Lucas. You're paper is so moving, that it will take a life of it's own, I promise. And just in case, there will be a teleprompter right where you're standing. And if that's not enough, you can use the earpiece there and we'll read off the next lines to you. There is no way you can mess this up.
Luke tried to figure out why he decided to come to this in the first place. He heard the crowd clap. That meant that the person before him had finished.
Mrs. Tanaka: Alright, I'm going to go up and introduce you and you'll go up.
Before he could respond, she opened the curtains and went to the front stage.
Mrs. Tanaka: Thanks, Ken. Our next speaker actually just agreed to take the place of another speaker who was set to speak for right now. The entire department agreed that his essay from last year deserved to be delivered here…
Keenan, Castilla and Kristy had just walked in. They took the seats in the very back.
Mrs. Tanaka: So without any further introduction, I give you Lucas Iwate!
They crowd cheered. Luke slowly stepped up to the podium.
Luke: Um, hi.
He began to read the teleprompter.
Luke: When I was a child, I had always felt under….
Just then, a loud ringing noise echoed through the microphone. The crowd covered their ears. For a moment, the teleprompter shut off.
Luke: Um, sorry, I…
The teleprompter turned back on. It read three words and three words alone. USE THE EARPIECE.
Luke slowly took the earpiece that was laying there and put it on.
Luke: Sorry about this…
"Sorry isn't good enough"
Luke heard the voice. At first he looked around, but then he noticed that it was coming from the earpiece.
"or maybe you meant to say…I'm sorry what's going to get me the digi destined that you promised?"
As much as he didn't want to, Luke knew who was speaking. How could he have followed him to this planet?
"In case you haven't noticed this is an old friend. Grey Mask. It looks like my jungle gym I set up for you underground didn't quite work out. You're lucky your friend was there to help you. But this time, you're all on your own."
Luke didn't know what to say. He knew he looked like an idiot just standing there, saying nothing. The crowd started to go into whispers.
Kristy: Is everything okay with him?
Castilla didn't respond. She had no clue what was happening.
Grey Mask was sitting in a dark room with a gigantic computer. He was speaking through a microphone.
Grey Mask: That's right Luke. I'm here on earth with you. You see, Luke, you can't steal from me and just walk away. We had a deal, and you walked out. You humiliated me and my research in front of the entire planet. Luckily for me, I'm here now, and I have even more resources than I do there. But that doesn't justify the fact that you took from me. So now it's time for me to take from you.
Luke coughed. Mrs. Tanaka backstage tried to speak to Luke through the earpiece, but the signal was busy
Grey Mask: I'll start by taking your dignity. It's time for the truth will come out.
Text showed up on the teleprompter once again. Except it wasn't the text from his essay.
Grey Mask: Oh, and did I mention that if you step off that platform or breathe a word outside of that teleprompter to anyone, you'll be history before you even know it. Two buildings over is a good friend of mine, Deputymon. He has perfect precision. He can see you clearer than anyone else here.
He wasn't lying. Two building tops over, Deputymon was aiming his target at Luke's body. He also had an earpiece, and was awaiting further orders from Grey Mask.
Grey Mask: Now you're going to see what happens to people who don't give me what I want. Read the prompter.
Luke looked across the audience. They were all very confused. He could feel the tension in the room. Luke slowly spoke into the microphone.
Luke: Sorry. Stagefright.
A few of the audience members laughed
Luke: Um…
He read the teleprompter.
Luke: All my life I've been living a lie. I'm nothing. And I've always been nothing.
Castilla: That's not it.
Kristy: Yeah I know. He seems so sad
Castilla: No I mean this isn't his essay. I read the first part of it even though Mrs. Tanaka told me not to.
Kristy stared at her
Castilla: He didn't say any of this
Keenan could see it now. Luke seemed very anxious.
Keenan: Keep your phone on.
He got up and left the room. He looked behind and took out his digivice
Keenan: Falcomon Realize
Falcomon appeared in front of him
Keenan: Did you get all of that?
Falcomon: Something is fishy about…
Falcomon paused
Keenan: Falcomon?
Falcomon: Keenan, I think I can sense a Digimon
Keenan: What? Here?
Falcomon: I don't know. Somewhere near here.
Keenan nodded.
Keenan: Let's go
-x-
Luke continued to speak
Luke: I'm not proud of who I am. Nor will I ever be. I'm a liar, a cheat and a fool. Anything that I have now is something that I lied to get…
The audience members were looking at each other in confusion. What kind of a student would write an essay like this?
Luke: There are only few things that I have ever done that are worth so much as mentioning. I've lied. I've destroyed. And I've….
He could read the word in giant letters blinking across the teleprompter. It read, MURDERED.
Luke: And I've….
Grey Mask: Don't stop there. We were just getting to the good part! Tell them the truth about what you did to your sister. What you did to Leslie!
Luke nervously looked up
Grey Mask: Remember, you're standing on a target!
Luke: I've…
Kristy's phone rang. She checked a text that she got from Keenan. It read, "Digimon probably involved. Get them out!"
Kristy quickly took out her digivice.
Kristy: Biyomon…
Biyomon: You got it…
Kristy: Biyomon, realize
Grey Mask: say it
Luke: I…have…
Grey Mask: SAY IT!
"IT'S A MONSTER!"
Kristy screamed the words from the back. Everyone turned their heads at her and saw her point at Biyomon who was flying close to the ceiling.
Biyomon: Spiral Twister!
He shot the attack across the room. It hit the wall. Everyone got up, screaming. They all ran frantically for the door. Biyomon flew out the door after them, and Kristy and Castilla ran after him. Even everyone backstage had ran for the nearest door. Everyone but one person. In all of the chaos, Luke stood still.
Grey Mask looked at the screen, confused.
Deputymon: What's this all about?
Deputymon's voice was heard over Grey Mask's radio.
Grey Mask: I don't know. Just finish him now. He's worthless.
Deputymon: Now that's what I like to hear
Deputymon laid flat and took aim
Luke looked up and saw the last people leave the room. He slowly took off the earpiece and dropped it on the ground. He faced the window, closed his eyes, and dropped is arms.
Deputymon closed one eye and took aim of Luke's head. Luke wasn't moving.
Deputymon: He aint even trying. This is too easy.
The target was on Luke's forehead
Deputymon: Get ready to say goodbye, kid.
He shot the bullet. Seconds before it hit the window, Crowmon flew in the way and his helmet deflected it. Before Deputymon could elicit a response, Crowmon had already charged for him.
Crowmon: Savage Emperor!
He crashed into Deputymon. Deputymon got up on his feet. He pointed both guns at Crowmon
Deputymon: Russian Roulette!
A parade of bullets sped towards Crowmon. Crowmon managed to dodge most of them, but he was hit in the wing by two of them. He temporarily lost balance and hit the ceiling hard.
Castilla and Kristy ran out of the room with the rest of the audience. They could see Crowmon and Deputymon at the faraway building.
Kristy: We should help them.
Castilla: Yeah, let's get a little closer.
They both ran towards the building. Castilla took out her digivice. She ran behind another nearby building where no one could see her for the moment.
Castilla: Floramon, realize
Floramon showed up
Castilla: Crowmon's on the roof. Can you go help him?
Floramon nodded.
Digivolution sequence begins.
Castilla: DNA...Charge!
She thrusted his Digivice to the left and a beam of yellow light came out
Floramon Digivolve to…KIWIMON!
Kiwimon jumped off of the bulding all the way to the ceiling. She landed next to Crowmon who was laying on the ground.
Kiwimon: You're an ultimate!
Crowmon: Yeah but he has a gun
Deputymon: And you're about to see my biggest one. Justice Bullet!
A giant shot emerged from his stomach. Kiwimon jumped over it. Crowmon rolled over.
Kiwimon: Nose Mattock!
She charged over to Deputymon: He barely blocked her, using his two guns as shields.
Kiwimon: Nose Mattock!
She kept charging over at him. While he was distracted, Crowmon flew behind him.
Crowmon: Black Feather!
Deputymon had just turned around, but it was too late. The feather hit him head on.
Kiwimon: Jumping Kick!
She delivered the final blow. Deputymon yelled as he fell off of the building. Right before he hit the ground, he pulled something out of his pocket. It looked like a tracker. He stuck shoved it inside of his chest gun and hit the ground. Kiwimon and Crowmon looked over to see if they could spot him. All they saw was a digi-egg in his place.
Crowmon: Nice work
Kiwimon: Yeah…hopefully we didn't cause too much of a scene
They turned back around and left the ceiling. The Digi-egg sat there for a couple seconds. Then suddenly, it faded away. Somehow, it had disappeared.
Keenan ran inside the auditorium. All he could see was Luke standing with his head down.
Keenan: Luke!
He ran to the front. Luke opened his eyes and looked at Keenan. He finally made it to the front.
Keenan: Did you know that a Digimon was trying to shoot you out there?
Luke: yeah.
Keenan was a little relieved
Keenan: So how did you know that we had taken him out already?
Luke: I…I didn't.
Keenan looked up in shock. Why didn't Luke run out with all the others? Why did he just stand there in plain view? Then, in a few seconds, it became clear to him. Luke had just tried to kill himself.
Keenan: But Luke, you...
Keenan didn't know what to even say. He could see what looked like tears begin to form in Luke's eyes.
Keenan: Luke…why did you do this?
Luke: How about if we start by asking why wouldn't I do this? Huh? There's nothing left for me to live for anymore, Keenan.
Keenan: That's not true Luke
Luke shook his head
Luke: No. It is. I've been running away from myself for a long time, Keenan. When we were both children, you remembered how I bullied you day in and day out, and those words that I read on the prompter just now…maybe they were written by a madman. But they were true. Every last word of it. And you see this?
He pulled out his dark digivice
Luke: This is what I am. And throughout the entire time that we spent in the Digital World, you guys proved to me plain and clear that I am nothing more than this.
Keenan: I was wrong…
Luke: No. I took a look in the mirror, Keenan, and you were right. I am a lost cause.
Keenan was lost for words
Luke: There's nothing left in me to save. So don't even try. I'm nothing.
Keenan put his hands on Luke's shoulder
Keenan: Luke. You don't need to feel that way. We're your friends.
After what seemed like an uncomfortable silence, Luke mouthed off three final words.
Luke: No you're not
Luke turned around and walked away.
-x-
R+R! I miss your reviews! Hopefully the wait for the next one won't be as long! ^_^