Withdrawing his phone, Tyler ran an image search of the knife as he ran out into the street, looking for anything strange that aroused suspicion. A white van ahead had a satellite television logo on but the driving was slightly erratic and a little too fast. Could it be that it was them? Were they really that close? Sprinting down the road, he quickly realised they had the advantage. A child to his right on a bike. Deciding it was worth it, he stood in front of the bike, forcing the child to stop and then lifted them off, taking the bike.

"Hey, that's mine!"

"Sorry, I'll bring it back." Tyler cycled off as fast as he could, his gaze only focussed on the van that had stopped up ahead at the lights. Behind, he heard people shout but he had to do this. His mum's life could be at stake.

Pulling the handlebars as he came off the edge of the curb, he managed to jump over a man poking his head out of a sewage hole. The car wasn't getting too far ahead in the traffic, but he wasn't making much ground either. "Idomon?" Tyler whispered, his legs on fire.

A wisp of smoke swirled past him. "I'm here."

"Destroy the brake line."

"But that could—"

"I'm aware. Please do this." He took a deep breath in, his lungs sore from the exercise and the cold air. He really had to start being more active.

The van slowed down at the next set of lights and then kept going through them.

Tyler breathed a sigh of relief as his chest heaved and his whole body ached. Idomon had made it. The van crashed into a car in front, gently enough, but still enough to stop it and cause a jam that prevented escape.

Racing across the street, he moved through the cars and angry drivers and skidded to a halt at the van. Tossing the bike to the ground, he looked around. No one had got out yet, due to angry motorists arguing with the drivers of the van. Coming to the back of the van, he ordered, "Idomon."

"It's a public place."

"I don't care," Tyler hissed.

"Fine." A purple arm materialised for a second, slashing the locks.

As the locks clattered to the ground, Tyler whispered, "Well done."

The raven haired male tore open the back doors and saw three female figures in the back of the van but none of them were his mother. Clambering inside, he tore the duct tape off each of their mouths. People from behind rushed over, shocked at the scene.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Tyler looked back at the gathering crowd but before he could respond the doors slammed shut and his vision became black. Distorted giggling moved around him, seeming to come from a different direction each time it started.

"Their Digimon have the ability to blend in with the darkness. Don't drop your guard," one of the women called.

Tyler found out himself when he was thrown back against the now closed doors. They held firm, as if they had been locked again. Outside, he heard people banging and shouting, but above all, there was the incessant ringing in his ears.

"How do you know about Digimon?" Tyler snapped his fingers, the light of the First Vector shrouding him briefly but not helping to reveal any of the assailants.

"We're all a part of the Ladies Assassination Secret Squad."

"How did they capture LASS?" Tyler was thrown back against the van, still shocked that such a strong organisation had been taken by someone Tyler had caught up to by himself.

Someone screamed and then there was a thump as they fell to the ground.

"Help us," a ginger woman with freckles begged.

"I will." He looked around and then decided Idomon would be somewhere. "Idomon, blow the roof off."

"Who are you talking to?" the ginger woman asked.

"Ghastly Face!" The scream that was emitted during the laser reverberated off the metal of the van, piercing Tyler's ears as the energy cut a hole in the roof.

Sunlight spilled into the van but Tyler was still dizzy from the sound and unable to see straight. Staggering over to the wall, he pressed his hand up against the cool metal to stabilise his body. His head was swimming and his vision spinning but he had to stay focussed.

"Keramon. Two." Idomon materialised in front of the women, slashing their ropes off. "Easy prey."

A Keramon slashed at him, emerging from the shadows but the blue claws went straight through Idomon. "Ghost Strike." Idomon punched the first into the wall, denting the inside of the van.

Immediately, the ginger woman leapt onto the Keramon and pinned it to the ground, locking its blue arms down with her knees and pinning the head down with one hand while the other held the mass of tentacles firm to the ground.

In the time in which she had subdued it, Tyler had just about gathered himself back together. "They're trying to eliminate any resistance to RODAF." Tyler withdrew his Digivice, holding it up to scan the Keramon and check for signs of that 'In' from before. It would be a sign Raposo was involved.

Keramon, Rookie level, Unidentified, Dark Area, Nightmare Soldiers.

The Crazy Smoke of this Digimon may just make you go crazy!

There was no luck. They were seemingly normal but that didn't excuse their actions. However, what if the others' families were at stake. He would have to notify them as soon as he was out of this mess.

Idomon smashed the other Keramon into the side of the van and floated backwards, turning back into smoke. "Should we escape?"

Tyler felt his blood boil. His mum was still missing, and it was their fault; he was sure of it. "Finish them."

"Ghost Strike." Idomon plunged his claw into each Keramon, turning it into data, which quickly reformed into a Digi-egg.

"Just free us, already," the black-haired woman said, pushing at the doors. "Use your Digimon to open the door, they seem to have electronically locked these."

"Use me? I'm not a tool!" Idomon exclaimed angrily. "I'll open you if you don't start acting grateful."

"Idomon," Tyler chastised. His head was still swirling with thoughts, but LASS was right. They had to get out of here.

"Whatever." the black-haired woman rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Please open the door."

"That's better." Idomon turned to the door and slashed at the point where they met. "Ghost Strike!" The doors swung open, revealing the panicked people outside as Idomon disappeared once more.

Gunfire erupted and Tyler immediately took cover, not daring to leave the van.

LASS slipped out of the van with an almost reckless lack of fear and speed that surprised Tyler considering the ordeal they had just undergone. It was still surprising that they had been caught by some mundane villains.

"Idomon!" Guns were far scarier than any Digimon. All Tyler heard was a whoosh of air and then several thuds against the van before the gunfire stopped.

Rushing out, Tyler saw a man lay on the floor, semi-conscious. "What about the other one, Idomon?"

"We got him." The red-haired woman with long legs dragged a man by the scruff of his fake uniform while the other two walked behind her. "We'll take it from here, kid." She tossed the man onto the floor.

"No, you won't." Tyler felt indignant. How dare they take this chance to save his mum from him? After he had saved them no less.

"I appreciate you rescuing us, but this doesn't concern you. You're just a child." The black-haired woman from before checked the man's pockets and withdrew a pager. "Found our lead, ladies."

"I'm the leader of The Resistance." Tyler realised the statement was false but it was the only ground he had to stand on at the moment.

"They were involved in the mafia fiasco and they defeated a Myotismon straggler in the Japan incident. A ragtag group of teenagers," the shorter and stouter black-haired woman with a mole on her upper lip said, resting back against the van with a sigh. She had already come around after being knocked out. Impressive.

Tyler was a little taken aback at being recognised and a smile spread across his face.

"Your repertoire is impressive for one so young," the red-haired lady, presumably their leader, commented.

One of the men tried to move, groaning.

The leader withdrew a hair pin, throwing the sharp metal object at him. It dug into his nose, causing him to jump. "Don't move." Walking over, she stamped on his chest. "You took us captive for what reason?"

People around were still watching intently, and cameras and phones were all focussed on what was happening. This woman was so stubborn. "They are gathering those who oppose RODAF," Tyler explained.

The woman looked at him and then narrowed her eyes. "How do you know that?"

"I'm clever." Tyler shrugged. It was true that his First Vector had allowed him to run thousands of possibilities in his head before selecting the most likely. All the available information suggested there was no other plausible explanation. This was deliberate undercover genocide of those who would not obey the government's hidden underbelly.

"Interesting." She paused. "Do you know why they are doing it?" She pushed her foot down more firmly on the man, the sharp heel of her red boot digging into his chest.

"No." Tyler's brain whirred. "Oh, wait, I think I know!" His brain shifted into overdrive and the words poured out. It was as if his brain was a car and the engine had been swapped out for a souped-up version. "RODAF recently tried to apprehend a Digimon and have been moving more publically recently. They even fought a group as small as mine. I believe that they have hired external people to do their dirty work." Tyler paused. "Anyone relating to us is at risk of being found and… eliminated."

"That's an impressive accusation." She leaned down next to the man and withdrew a knife sticking out of his pocket. "Nice knife." She placed the blade—the same one Tyler had found in his house—next to the man's neck. "Care to weigh in?"

"Where is that from?" Tyler asked.

"It's their signature weapon." The woman pressed it into his neck. "And he's about to become my signature dish. Chop Suey."

"Mai-Lynn, people are watching," the shorter black-haired woman warned, chewing her fingernail.

"It was a mostly empty threat, Juniper," Mai-Lynn replied, slipping the knife up the sleeve of her black leather jacket. She leaned back, her large breasts pushing against the red crop top and threatening to burst free. Her toned abdominals caught the light of the midday sun. It was amazing she wasn't colder really.

Tyler's phone beeped and he withdrew it to check it. He felt very nervous about all the people surrounding them. This couldn't be good for laying low. "They are a part of Parricidium." Tyler looked up and saw her mouth open.

Mai-Lynn nodded. "This is why you shouldn't get involved. It's no place for children."

"They've got my mother." He clenched his fists. "And I'll get her back and make sure they can't get my friends too."

"Indeed, you're clever. But you're at the stage where you are so stupid, you're fearless. Girls, let's get out of here, we've had enough attention. Lizzy, grab the other one and let's go."

"Wait, I need to know where my mother is!" Tyler exclaimed.

Mai-Lynn hoisted the man over her shoulder and walked over to the edge of the bridge they had stopped on. "We'll torture them for information and keep you informed." Throwing him over the edge, she turned back and walked over to Tyler, handing him a piece of paper. "Goodbye, be a good little boy and don't tell anyone about us being caught."

"I don't think you'll be able to keep that secret!" Tyler exclaimed back as Mai-Lynn followed Lizzy and Juniper to the edge. Abruptly, the three leapt off the edge, eliciting gasps from the crowd.

Now was his chance to slip away, as people ran over to the edge to investigate. Sirens began to wail and Tyler ran off. "Let's go, Idomon." He unfurled the paper as he ran and saw the name and number. Worth holding onto for now.

~.~.~

"I'm—" Pudgy arms wrapped around Len's arms, pinning them to his sides, before he had even closed the door.

"You had me worried sick!" his mother exclaimed, her now-greying hair was slightly frizzy and poked out of the tight bun she had in to tickle him under the chin. Looking up at him, she frowned and then she began to rant loudly in Japanese.

He looked over at his father, who was sat stoically watching television. It was the news and looked like a depressing story on the ongoing economic downturn. In his left hand he had a clenched mug, presumably coffee. That meant he was going to be working from home tonight.

"Lendie!" his two younger siblings chimed, running over. Their little feet thudded on the wooden panels beneath their feet.

"Sorall," Len said, smiling as he saw the five-year-old boy with short black hair and a face so cheeky and chubby that it even made him want to pinch it. "Aiko!" He embraced them both at the same time, hugging them tightly. His younger sister, Aiko, had long black hair and a face permanently plastered with a yearning to adventure.

Len moved back, looking at them. "You're a lot bigger, both of you!" To them it had only been a day, but he knew the compliment would make their days.

"I'm seven now, you know." Aiko beamed from ear to ear, shaking her ponytail from side to side, threatening to throw the bobble off that his mother had to force into there several times a day.

"I know, I was here for your birthday." Len laughed, picking Sorall up and throwing him into the air. He caught him just before he hit the ground, grinning. "Let's play hide and seek, okay?"

"Okay, you're it!" they both cheered, charging off into the flat.

In the distance, he could hear them giggling and talking. Len looked back at his mum and her face softened. "Mum…"

She stepped backwards, pulling the weathered tea towel out of the waist string of her mustard apron. She toyed with it as she looked at him. "I'm so glad you're okay." She was teary-eyed, but smiling.

"I was only gone for a little while." Len hugged his mum, rubbing her back.

"I still missed you!" She sobbed, her tears wetting his favourite t-shirt.

"What are you cooking? It smells so good!" It was mostly to get her to calm down, but he was hungry nonetheless.

His mum's eyes lit up and she stepped back. "I'm glad you noticed. Ramen." The twinkle spread from her eyes to her smile like wildfire. "It'll be done soon." She walked back into the kitchen, her short stout body disappearing around the corner. The kitchen was adjoined to the living room/dining room but separated by a half-wall partition.

"I'll go wash up." Len took off his trainers, placing them onto the metal shoe rack by the door and walked into the flat.

He stopped in the television area, which was recessed from the hallway and dining area by a single wooden step. Looking down at his dad, he debated striking up a conversation, but shaking his head, he decided better of it, and walked into his bedroom. The flat was set out similarly to Tyler's, albeit with an extra bedroom, so both of them knew each other's house well. Not that it would matter anymore.

Flicking the silver light switch as he walked through his white bedroom door, he muttered, "I wonder how everyone's doing." Len began to remove his wet clothes, tossing them into the tall blue canvas washing basket that was adjacent to the door. Pulling on a pair of black jeans, he glanced over at his calendar and noticed the next weekend was circled in red. "Crap, I forgot." His favourite anime convention was that weekend. "I don't even have anything to wear," he grumbled. He sighed exasperatedly, grabbing a graphic tee with a witty quote from pop culture his mum thought he would like.

Len heard giggling and quickly realised one of his siblings was hidden in the room. Long past requiring privacy to get changed when he was in the house, he instead thought about where they might be. "I wonder where Sorall and Aiko are," he said aloud with false confusion as he tugged on a pair of white socks and mussed up his hair in the floor-length mirror, making sure to keep the scar covered.

Giggling again, from inside the wardrobe. That giggle was definitely Sorall.

"Are you under my bed?" He knelt down and lifted the soft edge of the patterned quilt. "Darn it, you're not." He stamped his foot, pretending to be angry. Crossing his arms, he threw them in the air. "I guess I give up." He walked loudly across the room and then stopped as he went past the wardrobe, stamping a few extra times.

Creeping back over to the tall pine wardrobe, he grabbed the metal door handles gently. "What about here?" He swung them open, reaching in and tickling Sorall as he saw the cheeky little boy covering his eyes. "I got ya!" Len laughed and then lifted him out, setting him on the grey carpet. "Go sit at the table and I'll find Aiko." He patted Sorall on the head and took a brief look around the rest of the room before heading into the bathroom next door.

The room seemed mostly inconspicuous, except for the open window. "I wonder if Aiko is around! He called, lifting the white plastic toilet seat and glancing behind the translucent shower curtain adorned with bubbles before making his way over to the window. "Is she out here?" He poked his head out the fire escape but immediately his heart dropped.

Aiko was being grabbed by blue spindly Digimon and carried off into a car. "Aiko!" Len screamed, clambering out of the window and pressing the button on his Digivice to release Iontramon. Aiming the Digital Tunnel near the car, he materialised Iontramon. "Save Aiko!" He ran down the black metal stairs towards the ground below, too afraid to jump. Above, he could hear his mum screaming frantically in Japanese as she had overheard the racket.

Len hopped onto the hard gravel and sprinted across it towards his sister as Iontramon tussled with the Keramon.

Iontramon freed Aiko easily, standing between her and the Keramon, his tails swishing as his eyes darted back and forth between his opponents.

"Aiko, come on!" Len grabbed her hand, dragging her back to the fire escape.

"I wanna stay and fight!" she whined, struggling to get free from him.

"You should have thought about that before you climbed out of the window," Len chided her, carrying her back and pushing her up the ladders. Turning back to Iontramon, he yelled, "Iontramon, run! I'll catch up!"

"What about me?" Aiko pouted, looking down.

"Go to mum," Len insisted tiredly.

Iontramon rushed down the streets, the Keramon chasing after him. "I'll be quick, Len."

Len gulped as the three men from the car walked towards him. Each one was a mountain compared to him and even with their silly bald shiny heads, they looked menacing. "I'm Japanese, you know."

"We know." One of them grinned, cracking his knuckles. "We even know your name, kid."

Len moved into a mock Karate pose but none of them seemed perturbed. "I know Karate!" His First Vector was useless, so he was just going to have to evade them. "I'm waiting," he taunted, hoping they wouldn't respond.

One of the men sighed, walking forwards and swinging his fist quickly.

Len dodged, punching back. His fist thudded against the firm muscled chest of his opponent. Looking up, he could clearly see the punch didn't even faze the much larger man. "Is that the best you got?" Len said, his voice cracking with fear as he turned and sprinted away, aware of his limitations. His feet hurt as the gravel underfoot dug into his socks.

His mum shouted words of worry from the window, but he just hoped she wouldn't come down and put herself in danger.

"Len!" Iontramon leapt back into the alley. "Cool Beam!" the water hit the two men stood waiting in the head, knocking them to the floor where they were knocked out. Landing on his feet, Iontramon leapt forwards again. "Tails!" His tails spun, giving him a boost, which he used to bound off the third man's shoulder and stand in front of Len. "Cool Beam!" The water pushed the man back until he fell against the car, hitting his head and collapsing.

"You were quick," Len said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Iontramon chuckled nervously. "Don't make me embarrassed. They were so stupid." He looked up and then back at Len. "Did your mum know about me?"
Len picked him up, climbing up the ladders. "I don't think so, why?" Len remembered why himself and looked up at his frantic mother.

"Now she does," Iontramon stated, laughing.

"Funny for you," Len grumbled. "Definitely not for me."

Climbing back up through the window, he heard his mother ranting straight in his face. Something about how worried she had been but at the speed she was going, his Japanese got a little hit-and-miss. "The food's getting cold." Len smiled sheepishly, unsure of what else he could say.

"Don't tell me about the food!" his mum said, smacking him on the arm with a wooden spoon. Looking down at Iontramon, she curtly asked, "Does that thing need to eat?"

"He can have my leftovers," Len suggested, looking down at a blushing Iontramon as he came face to face with his mum. So even older women made him like this?

"Nonsense," she laughed. "I won't have a friend of yours go hungry, there's plenty." She walked back out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. "Be quick. The food is going cold."

"I will," Len replied, looking down at Iontramon with a sigh of relief.

"And take off your socks. They're dirty.

"Got it." He lifted one foot, pulling at the sock.

"But don't take too long."

Sighed tiredly, he called back, "Okay, mum!"

Len looked back down at Iontramon as he took off his other sock. The Digimon looked back, seemingly concerned. "I'm sorry for anything that happens."

"I get to eat with a beautiful lady?" Iontramon asked, blushing.

"Don't call my mum beautiful." Len shook his head. "Just… come on." Tossing his socks into his bedroom wash basket as he walked past, he headed back into the main room to see everyone sat around the circular wooden kitchen table. His father was sat with a beer, half-drunk, and was still watching the television from the table. No one had started eating yet and they all looked expectantly, Aiko a little more excitedly, as Len entered. Len picked up a stool they used to put shoes on from by the door and carried it over to the table. He nodded at them all and then sat down on one of the wooden chairs, beckoning Iontramon to sit on the stool next to him. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

His mum nodded and they all bowed their heads. "Itadakimasu."

"So, what is your name?" Len's mother asked, lifting the noodles to her mouth and sucking them up.

Iontramon looked at Len, a little embarrassed. "Iontramon," he whispered hoarsely.

"Eep-ong-tray-moon…" Sorall muttered.

"That is a strange name indeed." She looked at Sorall as he tried to repeat it. "Eat your food." Turning to her husband, she caught his attention and looked at him and the TV.

Dad turned the television off and turned towards his meal, picking up the smooth black chopsticks by his bowl and using them to stir up the contents of the bowl before he began to eat.

Everyone, including Iontramon, was using chopsticks for the meal. Len found it a little weird his partner could use chopsticks with his paws, but the otter Digimon was trying at least.

"I'm Miya, my husband is Ryuu, and you've met my wonderful children already." She spoke slowly. English was her second language and so it often took her some time to choose her words. "Why are you here?"

The question was surprising for both Len and Iontramon. "Mum, you can't ask that!" Len sucked up the thick homemade noodles quickly. "It's rude."

"I'm not sure, yet. But, I love being with Len."

"And you still can't use chopsticks properly?" She tapped the ends of her chopsticks together at him. "Like this."

Iontramon fumbled with the sticks, stabbing at the bowl.

"He doesn't have hands, mum!" Len said exasperatedly, using Iontramon's chopsticks to feed him a mouthful of the noodles before returning to his own meal.

Mum turned her nose up. "He can still learn."

"I met someone who I think you'd hate the other day, dad." Len looked at his father—the short haired tight lipped government official—but the man didn't look at him.

Miya shot him a glare, probably meant to be covert but it had to be blatant for dad to realise.

"I see." He looked up over his black horn-rimmed glasses. "Why?"

Len thought about the question and knew he had to choose his words tactfully. "He was really rich and he didn't love his family at all." Len grinned, proud of his compliment.

"You love us, though, don't you, Ryuu?" Miya grabbed his hand, rubbing it.

"Yeah, dad," Sorall chimed, swinging about in his chair.

Ryuu ruffled Sorall's hair and rubbed Miya's hand before looking back at Len with those dark brown eyes that could level a building. "I see."

Aiko looked at Len, frowning sympathetically.

"What did you do today, then Ai?" Len asked, not letting it get to him.

"I went to the supermarket all on my own. Mum even promised she wasn't going to follow me like last time, and I didn't see her at all!" Aiko said with a boastful smile plastered across her face.

Len looked at his mother, who was smiling, and then back at Aiko. "Is that true? You're growing up so fast!"

"Ask me, ask me!" Sorall said impatiently, kicking his legs and waving his chopsticks.

"I know, I know, I didn't forget." Len smiled. "What did you do today, Sora?"

"I cooked marsh-dee-mallow cakes with mummy!" He said, pride exuding from his grin. "And I did most all the cooking!"

"Did you now?" Len asked with mock shock. "Well isn't that such a big boy thing to do!"

"Eat your food," his mother chided.

His father got up, leaving the empty ceramic bowl on the table, and headed into his bedroom.

Len looked at his mother, seeing her genuinely apologetic and hurt look as she returned the gaze.

"Well, I am five!" Sora exclaimed, tapping his chopsticks on the bowl.

"Yes, you are!" Len beamed. "High five!" He held out his hand, high fiving his little brother. "You and Aiko go and race and see who can wash up their dishes faster."

The two kids leapt down from the wooden chairs, taking their dirty dishes with them and rushing around the kitchen.

"He's just under a lot of stress at work," Miya whispered as she toyed with the last of the noodles in her bowl.

"Mum." He didn't want to hear the excuses. It was just one after another. Getting any kind of approval took a hundred soul crushing attempts.

"Lendie, please don't be mad," she begged. Snapping her head around, she yelled at Sorall and Aiko—who were throwing water at each other—in Japanese. "You'll break something!"

"Iontramon, can you go play with Sora and Ai?"

Iontramon nodded, happy to be relieved of the troublesome meal and padded over to the two children and sprayed them with little bits of water, luring them out of the kitchen. "Come get me."

Len watched as they left and waited for their bedroom door to close before he looked back at his mum. "Mum, I know it's hard having me as a son, but it isn't fair that he acts this way all of the time," Len hissed.

"He loves you very much, and he's proud of you," she insisted, moving so she was sat next to him. She grabbed his hand, rubbing it comfortingly. "Just be patient, he'll be happy again soon."

"He should love me all of the time, not just some of the time," Len whispered.

"He does!"

"He needs to start showing it, mum." Len felt a lump in his throat. He slipped his hand out of hers, looking down at his bowl dejectedly. "I can't keep going alone."

"You need to slow down and stop making both us worry and then maybe he would," she hissed.

Len looked up at her, slightly offended that his mother was taking his dad's side. He could see she regretted what she had said, but she had still said it. "It isn't any of his business, but I am. I'm going to be normal again, okay?"

"Lendie, I just want you to be happy." His mum reached for him, but Len brushed it off.

"I am. I love that you care so much but I needed to do the things that I've done." He paused, his emotions running around and mingling with the memories in his head. "For me."

"Lendie, when we got that call that you were in hospital—"

"Mum, I'm going to bed." He stood up, pushing the chair out abruptly and walked out of the room.

"Just promise me that you'll be careful!" his mum called, standing up and reaching out but allowing her arm to fall back to her.

Len looked back at her, feeling a mix of guilt and anger. "I promise." Closing his door, he exhaled deeply, slumping down against it and burying his head into hands, the sting of his forehead taking him back to that moment.

~.~.~

Len tried to sleep but he just kept tossing and turning. He really wanted to contact the others and let them know what had happened to Ai but they had all promised that after today there would be no talking. Checking the time again, he saw it was half eleven; that left just half an hour in which he could contact everyone. Clicking onto the group chat, he typed. "Guys, something happened," he muttered. Shaking his head, he deleted the message. 'Are you all okay?' Shaking his head again he flopped down onto his bed. "Why is it so hard?" Taking a breath in, he typed quickly. "Here goes." Hitting send, he turned to see the door swing open.

Iontramon padded in, looking tired.

"What kept you?" Len placed his phone on the black wireless charging port set atop the pine bedside table.

"Sorall fell asleep with me in his arms and he has a really tight grip." Iontramon leapt onto the bed and lay by Len's feet, nestling his furry body in close.

"Yeah, he does." Len laughed, smiling as he looked at his partner.

"You text them, didn't you?" Iontramon looked up, his little eyes glimmering in the moonlight that spilled in through the blinds.

Len stared up at the white ceiling. "Yeah." Glancing back down, he explained, "I had to, I would hate to see Zalyea or any of the others get hurt or lose someone they care about."

"We can see Zalyea and Gaimon tomorrow."

"I suppose so." Len rolled over, staring out of his bedroom window. "It's hard knowing that The Resistance is over."

"Len, don't let it creep back up on you." The words reminded him Rori's. How had she seemingly seen straight through the front he managed to keep up at all times?

Len rolled back and looked at his partner. "I'll go see Doctor Jefferson tomorrow, don't worry."

"Night, Len." Iontramon snuggled in, nuzzling Len's ankle.

"Night." Len closed his lids softly, allowing the nightmares to come.

~.~.~

Zalyea walked into her flat, throwing her leather jacket onto the floor next to the steel umbrella stand. "Bath time." She sighed, tossing the keys onto the small table by the door and flicking on the hallway light switch by the door. "Oh, I almost forgot." Tapping the side button on her Digivice, she released Gaimon. "How you doin', girl?"

"You had me in that dirty pocket the whole way, babe. What you think? Let's wash." Gaimon bounced into the bathroom hastily and the taps started running.

Zalyea's one bedroom apartment looked like it always did. Clothes and other stuff were strewn across the cream laminate flooring and the modest television in the seating area was on her favourite channel. She didn't remember the last time she turned it off. It was quite comforting really—like she wasn't alone. Lifting one foot up, she pulled off her pink plimsol and tossed it to the side and then kicked the other off as she walked forwards into the seating area. Walking straight past her white leather sofa, she pulled the red curtains closed and flicked the nearby switch to illuminate the apartment. Looking around at all the furniture, still where she had left it, and the clothes, which were unfolded as always; she realised it looked so empty—it always did.

Sighing, she walked into the bathroom and saw Gaimon submerged in a small amount of water. Zalyea threw her clothes off quickly into the white rattan wash basket by the door but a knock at the door stopped her as she touched her toe to the warm water. "Who is it?" she called. No answer, only another knock.

Groaning, she tugged on her fluffy white dressing gown that had been hung on the back of the door and walked back out. Looking around, she noticed the bedroom door was open now. Zalyea reached underneath the small table near the door and pulled out the knife taped beneath it. Walking towards the bedroom, she reached into a drawer in the seating area and pulled out an air horn she had used to prank Len the other day.

Slowly and quietly, she walked towards the bedroom. "I'm coming!" she called, pretending to be going to the front door. Peeking around the corner, she saw her window open and a man in her room, skulking around and looking in her drawers. "Out now, freak! Or I'm gonna smack your head sideways!" she screamed, running in and blaring the air horn.

The man, clad in black, staggered backwards towards the window.

Zalyea delivered a swift punch to his groin and then threw him out of the window and onto the trash bags below.

"Gaimon, get the door!"

"But—"

"Just get it, yo!" She looked down at the man and saw he was running off down the alley. "Freak! Pervert!" Running back out, she saw Gaimon stood on top of a man in a pizza uniform without a pizza box.

"This guy lost our pizza."

Zalyea pulled Gaimon off and brandished the knife at the man as he clambered to his feet. "I didn't order any." Shoving the man away from the door and down a gap in the stairwell outside, she rushed back in, slamming the door. Outside, she heard thudding as the man fell, bashing steps on his way down. "Dirty perverts," Zalyea grumbled, locking the door and putting the chain on.

"You okay?" Gaimon asked, looking up expectantly at her partner.

Zalyea sighed, and ran her fingers through her cornrows, flicking them out of her face. Puffing out air she walked back towards the bathroom. "Come on, I need a soak."

"Me too now there's no pizza," Gaimon whined, padding after her.

Laying in the bath, Zalyea breathed in the smelling salts. The steam swirled around them as they relaxed in the white bathtub.

"Yo, I wonder where your mum is now." Gaimon lifted a cucumber from her eye. "She chatting wi' you soon?"

Zalyea kicked a leg up into the air, tracing her smooth legs with a fingertip. Water trickled down them, accentuating every facet of the limb before dripping into the water melodically. "Probably being useless, as always."

"Why did you have to shave? That's nasty." Gaimon let the cucumber fall back down.

Zalyea lounged back. "Girl gotta stay gorgeous." Laughing, she reached for the remote by the bath and pressed play, filling the room with music from the powerful speaker perched on the toilet.

Who is it attacking their families and can they be stopped before it's too late? How are Alex and Corinne doing? Did Zalyea moisturise?

A little thank you to the Guest reviewer who has reviewed a few chapters. Thanks a lot, I always really appreciate support and usually message people privately to discuss things and thank them. As a little answer to your question on Chapter 34: Campfire, yes, this is true. Pumon is definitely a bit more unique in terms of rookies and the reason for that is semi-within the story and to come still. Regardless, I have thought about it. Also Lalamon was a bit blobby, in my defence :P

As promised, another chapter with less than a year gap. Hopefully should have the next one out sometime this month or maybe february. Ideally I'd love a faster update schedule but I'll take what I can get right now.

I don't own Digimon.