Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
Digimon Trinity
Chapter: 142/ Episode 21: Jeri's Quest
Jeri awoke early, well ahead of her younger brother. Climbing out of bed, she frowned slightly, immediately noticing the absence of her sock puppet from her desk. A quick inspection of the room, namely where her younger brother lay, quickly located it. A small smile graced her features upon seeing the young child curled up about the toy. He had been obsessed with it ever since she first showed it to him, going so far as to ignore the one she made for him to prevent him from stealing it. She didn't understand why this was, but she couldn't blame him.
Not when he looks so cute like this, she thought. All the same, she gently plucked it out of his grasp, stashed it with her things and hurried down the stairs toward the bathroom.
"Good morning, Dad!" she chirped happily as the man exhaustedly plodded down the hall and towards the downstairs where the tavern portion of their home lay.
"Morning," he grunted in response, the floor creaking beneath his feet. Hurrying into the bathroom, she closed the door and locked it up. She moved quickly, humming happily as she went about her business. The tune didn't approximate how she actually felt, and as she ran the brush through her hair, her eyes softened.
Pausing in her ministrations, she glanced outside the window. Her view of the city was limited, but still offered a decent view.
"It looks so peaceful," she said quietly to herself, and indeed Shibuya was peaceful. Clean air amidst the golden light of the rising sun. There would be a slight chill – the faint stirrings of autumn as September began to reach its end – but it would warm up soon enough.
A stark contrast to Shinjuku, which now bore the signs of battle and smoking wreckage from the latest Deva attack.
Closing her eyes, she found herself envisioning the chaos that she witnessed. The screams of people as they ran; the smoke from attacks exploding. The clamor of roaring digimon and shattering concrete.
Takato and his two friends, Rika and Henry, at a loss for how to win, yet still striving to do just that until, at last, Kazu helped them discover the means. And then, when all was over and done with, Takato…
Her hand tightened about the brush and she glanced down at the sock puppet that lay with her things.
"Rrruff!" she barked to herself, pretending that the sock puppet was speaking to her. "Don't worry! Takato will be okay! He's gotten strong and he has strong friends to help him! Rrright?"
"Yeah," she smiled to herself. "Right."
Yet a quick look at herself in the mirror made her wonder if she felt confident in that declaration. Takato passing out had been the second time in as many days. The third, counting the battle with the first Deva. Feedback it had been called, and for some reason it affected Takato more than the others. She wondered if he would even be at school today.
If he is, I hope Ayaka and Miki leave him alone, she thought, her brow knotting together. Ever since the camping trip, they had taken to avoiding him, which was better than how they treated him before he became a Tamer. After this latest attack however, who knew what they might do? Most of the class now appeared to be avoiding him as well, and if they felt upset enough…
I'll just have to step up, she thought, sniffing in annoyance. It's about all I can do to help right now. I wish…
Her eyes fell, thinking about how badly she wanted to help. If she had been a Tamer, maybe then things wouldn't have been as bad. Maybe Takato wouldn't have passed out. Maybe…
A loud knock broke her out of her thoughts and she hurriedly scrambled to put on her clothes.
"I'm almost done!" she called out.
"Jeri?" came the voice from outside the door and the girl froze. Her stepmother. Shizue.
"Ah…yeah?" she replied hesitantly. She was never sure how to respond to her. She wanted to be nice to the woman. She was plenty nice to her, but try as she might she just couldn't bring herself to like her. She wasn't her mother.
"I saw the news on downstairs," Shizue said. "Your school's been closed."
Jeri blinked and straightened up. Looking out toward the window, she saw the vast expanse of day that was now, rather unexpectedly, hers to do with as she pleased.
"O-Okay," she stammered out, her mind racing. "Thanks!"
Today, was going to be an interesting day.
###
Logging in… Connecting… Connection established.
Shibumi: Are you there?
Shibumi2: Yes. The signal is clear today. At least for now. What's your status?
Shibumi: Your apartment has been under surveillance for some time. I had to acquire an alternate means of accessing your account. How much time did we lose?
Shibumi2: The maelstrom comes closer, but the Mirai say we should still have enough if we move quickly. Can you do it?
Shibumi: I'll be cutting it pretty close, but I think so. Still… He's been gone a long time now. Are you sure this will work?
Shibumi2: Only one way to find out…
He closed up the laptop at that. Nothing more needed to be said and he would have to move quickly if he were to accomplish his goals in a timely manner. Tucking the computer under his arm, he rose up from the park bench and strode past a group of children. One of them was miming a dinosaur of some sort, roaring at the others in front of him.
"Look out!" cried a young girl. "It's an evil Greymon!"
"Get 'em!" shouted one of the other kids, and as one, the remaining children cocked their fingers into a gun-like shape and began to make firing noises with their lips. The 'dinosaur' child reeled back under the onslaught and crashed to the ground, loud, pained, gurgling noises escaping his lips.
"We got him!" the children shouted in triumph. He sighed, watching them briefly.
It's like Shibumi said would happen, he thought, turning away. He wondered if the Mirai had predicted that as well. Relations between humans and digimon were tense even before the recent outbreak of violence. Would this be the final severance between them?
Wondering won't get me anywhere, he thought. I've got a job to do.
Digital mist formed up from beneath his feet and rose up to surround his body. Space warped and with a breath, he vanished, heading off to another pasture to begin his work for the future.
###
Slowly and carefully, with great skill, Takato slipped downstairs and ducked down into the side where the day-old bread was stored. He winced from stiff muscles protesting against his desire for stealth, but he ignored them. He supposed, in the days ahead, he would have to get used to ignoring a lot of things.
Rika wouldn't like that, he thought, snatching up a bag and quickly stuffing it to the brim with the old loafs. He sighed mentally, not sure what to do about that.
With everything that's going on, how can I afford to think about myself?
His ears picked up the sound of footsteps and voices – his parents – as they went about their morning chores. His mother had a strained sound to her tone and he paused, listening carefully.
"…to my sister's house in Zushi. We can start over there. You know she'd be willing to help us until we get enough money saved to buy our own place."
"But what about Takato?" asked his father, his voice concerned. "He'd be leaving behind all his friends to start over too."
"He'll make new friends! For goodness sake, Takehiro! You saw what was on the news last night! Those horrible monsters are going to destroy the city! Do you think Takato can be with his friends if they're all dead?!"
Takato pressed his lips together tightly and resumed filling the bag, taking care not to make too much noise so as to not attract their attention. He had gotten quite the earful last night when he came home late with Rika as his escort. His mother had been grateful to her, but the worry was as plain as day. It seemed yesterday was the straw that broke the camel's back.
If not that, then the next one will be, he thought. He wondered what he would do with Guilmon in that situation. The trains wouldn't allow him on board and he still hadn't told his parents about his partner's existence.
After this, he wondered if he ever would be able to.
Hefting the bag, he ducked out the side door, grateful that, at the very least, school was closed. That was one complication that he could do without.
He carried these thoughts with him though as he made his way into the park, turning things over in his mind.
I would have to tell them about Guilmon. I mean, I'm part of the Trinity Burst, right? Rika and Henry can't make that if I'm not around. But…what if Mom doesn't accept it? What if Dad doesn't either? What if… What if they report Guilmon to the digi-police or something? Like that guy Mr. Takaishi is a part of? What if they take my digivice and throw it away?
He bit the inside of his cheek, realizing that, in all likelihood, a showdown with his parents was coming. He tried to imagine how such an event would go down, but found himself unable to do so. He wondered if that was because he didn't want to imagine it.
He swallowed as his heart took what felt like a nosedive into his stomach.
Well… I might have to get used to living with Guilmon out here after all. He gave a nervous laugh at that, but found himself surprised at how easily he was accepting that possibility. With the whole world at stake as well as his friendship with Guilmon, sleeping outdoors felt like the least important thing on his mind.
Rika wouldn't like that either, I bet, he thought, remembering how adamantly she had refused his doing so as a result of Guilmon being stuck as WarGrowlmon and unable to sleep. His eyes softened, thinking back on last night and the sound of her voice – soft and gentle – as she sang a lullaby to his partner.
I should do something for her, he thought. His heart proceeded to jet out of his stomach and into his ribcage at the thought. Er… What can I do for her that's not going to make her freak out?
Turning up the stairs that led to Guilmon's home, he swiftly climbed them and found his partner waiting for him at the gate, a wide, beaming smile on his face.
"Hi!"
"Hey, Guilmon!" Takato smiled, unlatching the door and pulling it open. "Did you sleep good?"
"I slept really well!" Guilmon beamed, nuzzling against Takato's pantleg. "I dreamt for the first time ever! Oh, you should have been there, Takato! There was a big field and lots of squirrels for me to chase and it rained bread…"
"Should have guessed that food would be in there somewhere," the boy laughed, giving his partner a quick scratch behind the ears. He tilted his head questioningly at his partner, curiosity running through him.
He dreamed, huh? I wonder if Rika's singing had anything to do with that.
A loud growl emanating from Guilmon's stomach broke the boy out of his thoughts, and hurriedly he passed over the bag of bread.
"Oooh… Peanut butter," the dinosaur cooed, stuffing his head inside and inhaling deeply the scent. "Now I wonder if I'll dream of peanut butter bread next." His head snapped up, eyes wide. "Oh! Maybe I'll dream of Guilmon Bread instead!"
Smiling softly, Takato brought a hand to his partner's face and rubbed it lovingly. Tears sprang to life in his eyes and upon seeing this, Guilmon looked at him in concern.
"W-What's wrong? Takato? Your eyes are leaking again."
"I'm…fine, boy," Takato laughed harshly, wiping at his eyes. "Just…don't change, okay?"
Guilmon cocked his head to one side and brought a claw up to the boy's face, wiping at a tear that had been missed.
"Takato… You should ask Rika to sing to you. I bet you'll feel a lot better then."
"Rika's already done a lot for me," Takato sighed. "I should be doing something for her instead."
"Maybe Renamon could help you with that?" Guilmon offered.
"I guess, but why would she want to help me?"
"You'll never know if you don't ask. She's here so why don't you?" Cupping a claw around his mouth he called, "Renamonnn!"
"Yes?"
Takato gave a loud squawk as the vulpine digimon abruptly materialized behind him. Jerking around, his shoes caught on one another and he collapsed to the hard surface of the concrete floor. Renamon watched the boy with some amusement as he pressed a hand against his back, gritting his teeth through the pain.
"H-Hi, Renamon," he said, giving a harsh chuckle at his antics.
"Takato would like to know if there's anything he could do for Rika," Guilmon said, smiling happily at seeing the golden-furred kitsune. "He wants to thank her for being such a great friend."
"So, I understand," Renamon replied, a small smile gracing her muzzle. "But perhaps you should wait until you're older and a little more…balanced first."
"At the rate things are going, I might never get that chance if I wait," Takato replied, climbing to his feet while massaging his back. Renamon cocked an ear, sensing something behind his words.
"Is something the matter?" she asked. Takato's eyes fell to the floor under the pressure of her gaze. Nonetheless, he forced on a smile.
"It's nothing, really."
"I see," Renamon frowned. "Perhaps then you could use a little advice for thanking Rika."
"You don't have to…"
"Perhaps. But you seem to be in need of advice all the same. If you consider Rika to be an important friend, don't pretend to be anything other than you are, and don't pretend that things are fine if they aren't." Approaching him, she placed a paw on the boy's shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze. "She may not act like it, but she appreciates honesty from her friends."
At that, Takato met her azure eyes, and the vulpine digimon held his in return. In spite of how intimidating the kitsune looked, he felt a strange sense of companionship in her touch. He tried to remember when she had been this way with him before and finding himself unable to think of any moments, he found himself oddly touched by this act of…friendship?
Could we call each other friends? He glanced away uncertainly, but he felt better now knowing that Renamon was taking this seriously and not teasing him.
"You know that better than anyone, I guess," he said, only to jerk as he realized what he just said. "N-Not that I think that you're…I mean…"
"There is no harm, Takato," Renamon interrupted with a soft chuckle as she retracted her paw. "You are quite correct. Hiding things from Rika hurts her. If you value your friendship with her, try not to do so."
"I…" Takato paused, thinking about her words before nodding. "Okay."
Renamon's smile grew ever so slightly.
"I think that should help you get a good start," she said before vanishing from view.
###
Kari drank her tea as she and Salamon – Gatomon's puppy-like Rookie form, having digivolved during the night – watched the news continue to report in on yesterday's battle. The death toll had risen by another victim. A result of Ophanimon's impact with the line of vehicles in the streets.
Hibiki Amano. A businessman. He was on his way home from work to have dinner with his family.
Kari closed her eyes. The first two that had been reported on had died almost instantly. Hibiki, by comparison, had lingered in a coma before dying from complications during surgery. All three of them were terrible, but his had a particular sting to it. Living longer had given his family hope for a possible recovery.
Now they have to plan for his funeral.
Her phone buzzed for what had to be the fifth time that morning. She sighed, seeing the caller ID.
"Mori again," she said.
"That's the third time, isn't it?" Salamon asked. Kari nodded. Though she was sure that he held some genuine concern for her, she couldn't help but feel certain this was another one of his attempts to get in her good graces. She could almost see him now, expressing worry about the dangerous situation and how it might impact their vulnerable young charges. Of course, he wouldn't know what level of involvement she had in any of this – or even Gatomon's – but it didn't make her feel any less disgusted by his antics. The closing of the school because of the Deva's rampage was a signal to him and like a fly with food, he would be drawn to it quickly.
So she ignored him. For now. She would check of course, just in case there was something she needed to see or deal with, but that would be for later.
"I can't just sit here," she muttered, and as if to suit action to her words, she got up and took her cup over to the kitchen sink, dumping the remnants of her tea down the drain.
Salamon climbed up onto the back of the couch, her eyes following her partner. She had been uncharacteristically quiet since waking up. Not that it was difficult to understand why. No doubt learning that she came within inches of killing Rika and Takato, and then smashing up an entire line of cars and killing people by accident, didn't sit well with her.
"I'm fine with wherever you want to go," she said, her voice soft. Kari looked at her with concern, not sure if she liked those words. Not the softness to them, but rather the show of loyalty. She threw on the faucet and let the water run.
"Salamon…"
"I mean it." There came a dull thud as the puppy digimon hopped down and sauntered her way over to the kitchen. "I know what the Dark Ocean did to you. I don't want you thinking that you need to send me away or that I won't be by your side. I've lost track of the number of times that the Darkness tried to take you from me, but after all those years without you, even dark digivolving… It's worth it just to…"
"You shouldn't say that it's worth it!"
Kari found herself gripping the tea cup tightly in her hand with such intensity that she felt the bones in her fingers creaking. With an effort, she relaxed her grip and ran the cup under the running water. It was warm, yet for some reason she still felt chilled.
"It's never worth it turning you into something like that."
"But it wasn't your fault."
"Tell that to those people who died." She gave her partner a sharp look. "And don't say that it's yours either. We both know that you wouldn't have been like that if it weren't for me."
Salamon sat herself down next to her partner and looked up at her with wide, blue eyes.
"It's still more the fault of the Darkness."
"Is it?" Kari whispered. "How much does the darkness draw things out of us? Ken… When he was the Digimon Emperor, he said he took on the image of his brother. How much of that was him projecting something awful that was inside of him? He even said that his spore would only ever activate if it has something to feed on." Her eyes softened. "Keiko would have been fine if she…"
She trailed off, letting the conversation hang there. Salamon dropped her eyes.
"We sure have this conversation a lot," she said. "But it doesn't stop us from feeling responsible."
"No… It doesn't." Kari sighed again. "Maybe what TK's doing is right after all. Ken… The whole world… Us… Maybe he has the right idea. Maybe Digidestined aren't enough anymore. Maybe we're not good enough to really beat back the Darkness. Maybe it is time to stop playing defense and be a little more…proactive."
"Sora's dad could tell you why that's a bad idea."
Kari grimaced. "I know. He had an entire college course on it. A book too. On Confronting the Shadow. I used to think like that, but… I don't know." She shook her head. "What if he's living in a fantasy land?"
She flipped the water off and watched, for a moment, as a drop swelled at the end of the faucet and then…plink…into the sink.
She shuddered.
"I wish Izzy had more answers…"
"TK didn't help with that," Salamon pointed out.
TK… Kari scowled, watching another water droplet fall into the sink. She wanted to hate him for being what he became. She wanted to be mad at herself for still wanting to rely on him like she used to. She wanted…so many things. So…
"Though all who love you may betray and abandon you, know that the Darkness never will."
…many things.
"Kari?" came the voice of Salamon, breaking across her thoughts. Jolting to attention, she pushed herself away from the sink and its leaky faucet.
"I can't think here," she said, heading for the door. "I need to get some air and…maybe see if there's at least one person who can give us some answers."
Salamon lifted an eyebrow at this as she scampered after her. "Who's that? Who are we seeing?"
Kari didn't answer as she grabbed her digivice and her purse. Her mind was already thinking back to a time long ago, when a friend had reached out to them when they needed it most.
A friend who to this very day had never left Odaiba.
###
Makuramon sat on the rooftop, a wide smile growing across his face. The orb lay in front of him, and held within was a shadowy figure, dog-like in appearance. The Voice of the Sovereign, Caturamon. Fervently, he bowed to his superior Deva, excitement running through his digital veins.
If I'm right, he's about to grant my request, he thought.
"My Lord," he greeted. "I am honored that you would communicate with me directly. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Your concerns have reached the ears of the Sovereign," Caturamon replied. "The defeat of Indramon – our latest – at the hands of the Trinity, has given him thought that, perhaps, your report should be looked into. We have dispatched a scout to…test the waters and see what may be seen."
"Makaaa… I am your humble servant," Makuramon grinned, scarcely able to contain his laughter at his superior Deva being overruled by their lord and master. Oh, it must gall him to know that my reports on the little rat are finally being heeded!
But care must be taken. He was supposed to be humble after all. A servant did not care about such trivialities as 'getting one over' Caturamon.
Ohhh… But he couldn't help but tremble with joy at having done so!
"Where is the scout arriving?" he asked. "If I am to meet them…"
"You won't," Caturamon said simply, cutting over his words. "You have your mission to continue. Observe the humans. The scout has all the information that he needs to carry out his own work. That is all that's necessary. There is no point in dividing your duties."
Makuramon's eye twitched at that, but he nodded reluctantly. I guess I can just be satisfied with the Sovereign acknowledging me over him.
"As you command," he said, bowing his head. "So shall it be."
The orb went dark, ending the communication. Makuramon glowered at it before taking it up.
"It's not ideal," he said, pocketing it. "But it's better than nothing."
With a laugh, he leapt away to continue his observations.
8
