The chapter begins in Eve's point of view.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Digimon characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 3: The Return of Thomas
It had been three days since the incident with Kunemon/Flymon, and everything was calm since that battle. The latest case of a rogue Digimon was yesterday, but it was a gentle and scared Floramon who had accidently stepped into an active Digi-Gate that brought her to the Real World. Lalamon was the only Digimon who could approach her, due to their type, and so we gave Floramon leniency and sent her back to the Digital World with the Digital Dive at DATS.
We weren't that cruel, no. If a Digimon had accidently or been forced to enter our world, we would show leniency and offer them a way home instead of turning them back into Digi-Eggs.
Anyway, today was a Sunday, but I had an early shift at DATS with Masaru and Yoshino, so I decided to stop by the Daimon house and see if the street fighter was up and ready to leave around 9 a.m. I drove to the district where the family lived with my motorcycle and braked in front of the house.
I removed my lavender helmet with white and purple flames and couldn't help but stare at the house for a brief moment. It was a warm household and the aura felt very welcoming. Sayuri was such a sweet mother, but I had seen her being able to handle her reckless son, so she was a tough woman at the same time.
My eyes grew sad as I thought I never had a mother-figure in my life. Father never got married, so I never had a mother teaching me stuff. I used to be very embarrassed whenever Father told me about puberty and other topics that a woman should've told me instead.
I shook my head before I got off the motorcycle and headed up to the front door. I rang the doorbell and waited patiently for someone to answer. Seconds later, the door was opened by Sayuri.
"Hi, Eve", she smiled sweetly.
"Good morning, Sayuri", I greeted in return with a tiny bow of my head. "Is Masaru up?"
"Yes, he's having breakfast right now. But, please, come in and wait for him."
Sayuri stepped aside and allowed me to walk into the house before closing the door behind me. I removed my dark gray tennis shoes as the mother walked back to the kitchen where I could hear loud noises. I called out Dorumon before we stepped into the kitchen, only to stop by the threshold.
Masaru and Agumon were eating as if it was the last day on the planet. They ate the rice in such a hurry that the food almost flew around them. Chika was looking at them with bored eyes as if it was a normal sight for her.
"Ugh… Even I've got better manners by the table", Dorumon snorted.
Chika turned her head toward us and got a big smile. "Big Sister! Dorumon! Good morning!"
"Good morning, Chika", I smiled softly.
"Would you like to join us, Eve, Dorumon?" Sayuri asked from the stove where she was making more food.
"Thank you, but I've already eaten breakfast", I declined the offer politely.
"Me too", Dorumon nodded as he licked his lips. "Eve is an amazing chef."
"But I still have much to learn…", I mumbled as I looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed by the compliment.
Sayuri giggled softly before turning her head to Masaru and Agumon. "Masaru usually doesn't wake up until 11 a.m. on Sundays. I think Agumon is being a really good influence, and he's now learning to be more responsible while being part of DATS."
"More, please!" Masaru and Agumon called as they both held out their empty rice bowls.
"They can eat more…?" Dorumon mumbled in disbelief.
"Coming up", Sayuri said as she took Agumon's bowl. She filled it with more rice and gave it back to the orange dinosaur. "Here you are."
"You served him first?!" Masaru growled irritably. "Mom, I'm the man of the house! I'm supposed to get the food first!"
"If you keep talking like that, you won't get your share", Sayuri warned with a slight strict voice. "Just wait for your turn. After all, Agumon is a growing boy."
"What kind of kid grows this big…?" Masaru muttered. He grabbed the last fried egg with his chopsticks, but Agumon grabbed it too at the same time. "Hey, let go! I grabbed it first!"
"Hey, you heard what Sayuri said; I'm a growing boy, so I need the food", Agumon retorted before he snatched the fried egg out of Masaru's chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth.
Masaru sat there in disbelief before he narrowed his eyes and grabbed onto his partner's muzzle to try opening it. "Spit it out right now!"
"Umm mmm!" Agumon groaned as he struggled to keep his mouth shut and chewed the fried egg.
"What a child…", Chika sighed before she resumed eating.
I let out a soft sigh myself at the scene in front of me. "Let Masaru know I stopped by to check on him and hurry up to DATS after breakfast, Sayuri."
"I'll let him know, Eve", Sayuri nodded as she filled Masaru's rice bowl with rice while the boys were still fighting. "And know you're always welcome to our home. You too, Dorumon."
"Thank you, Sayuri", I bowed lightly.
XXXXXXXXXX
It took a while for Masaru and Agumon to get to DATS. While on their way to work, they were called due to the sights of a DemiMeramon nearby. Sadly, the rogue Digimon got away and now it had gone hiding.
"Man, we really messed up this time…", Masaru groaned as he sat down on a seat in the control, but he was facing the back of the seat and put his arms around it. He and Agumon just got an earful from Father due to the failed mission.
"Yeah, our fists just went right through DemiMeramon", Agumon added as he looked at his clawed hands. "It was like punching air."
"DemiMeramon's body is made of fire, so it's not solid", I explained briefly.
"Now you tell us that…", Masaru pouted.
I couldn't help but giggle at the sight. He was like a little boy pouting at something that didn't go his way.
"It's only a matter of time before we find DemiMeramon's energy signature", Yoshino said as she grabbed the cup of tea Kamemon held out to her.
"That won't be necessary", a new voice spoke up after the doors to the control room opened.
My eyes widened when I recognized the voice. I got up from my seat and turned to the doors to see my childhood friend standing there with a yellow Digi-Egg with orange flames and Gaomon standing next to him.
"Thomas! Gaomon!" I exclaimed in disbelief and joy. "I didn't know you were already back in Japan."
"We took an early flight", Thomas said with a monotone voice before pushing the Digi-Egg into my arms.
I almost stumbled back by the cold greeting. He wasn't like that when he left Japan. He had been looking forward to see his half-sister, Relena, again. Did something happen between him and his father and grandmother again?
"Who are you, pal?" Masaru questioned from the other side of the room as he and Agumon approached us, but both of them were knocked aside by Miki and Megumi as they ran to the blonde boy.
"Thomas!" the operators shrieked in joy, making me flinch as their cries hurt my ear for a brief second.
"We're so glad you're back!" Miki said in joy.
"This is such a lovely surprise!" Megumi added.
Their PawnChessmon partners sat by the computers and worked silently as always. They were both used to their partners' obsession for handsome men, and Thomas fell in that category.
Dorumon and Lalamon walked over to Gaomon to try starting a conversation. "How was everything in Austria?" Dorumon asked.
"Very peaceful", Gaomon replied.
"Hey, what the heck is going on here?!" Masaru growled irritably as he stomped over to us. "Who's this new guy?"
Thomas cast an eye at the brunet, but he walked past him to salute Father. "Commander, sir. Thomas H. Norstein. I've returned to take up my position at DATS."
Father nodded before settling down on the commander seat. "It's good to have you back."
"Thomas…", Masaru mumbled quietly next to me. "Is he the guy you told me about…?"
"Yes, that's him…", I nodded.
Masaru snorted loudly. "I thought you said he was a nice guy…"
"I read the reports sent to me", Thomas continued as Miki and Megumi held back their shrieks of glee. "It appears there have been several Digimon appearances here in Japan lately."
"So the frequency is not as high in Europe?"
"No. That must be because it has larger area."
Masaru decided to make a fool out of himself by walking around behind Thomas and cleared his throat to get some attention. Father noticed the brunet going around, thinking he wanted to introduce himself to the comebacker. "Go ahead and introduce yourself, Masaru."
"Say what?" Masaru said irritably. "I already asked him who he was, but he never answered! We may be around same age and he's been here way longer than me, but that doesn't give him the right to be rude and act all superior!"
"Oh dear…", Lalamon mumbled.
"Masaru, Thomas is your superior", Father revealed, shocking the brunet.
"Masaru, Thomas was part of the Japanese division until six months ago, working to control Digimon and assisting in the implementation of the transfer device", Yoshino explained. "We were having production problems, but then Thomas discovered the flaws in the operating system within an hour."
"But… He's a kid just like me…?" Masaru said in disbelief as he looked at Thomas.
"And he graduated from the Stockholm University of Science when he was only 13", Megumi added. "He's a genius!"
"Genius?!" Masaru exclaimed in shock.
"There's more; he's also part of a prominent noble family in Austria", Miki said. "In other words, he's a real Prince Charming!" She and Megumi let out fangirl squeals and held hands.
"A prince?" Masaru groaned before glaring at the blonde boy.
"As for Thomas' partner, Gaomon, his battle ability is unsurpassed among the Digimon in DATS", Kudamon spoke up. "They are the best team we have."
"Un…surpassed…?" Agumon mumbled. "What does that mean?"
"It means no one can get past and defeat them, Agumon", I explained. "Not even Dorumon and I have been able to do that."
"Commander, may I speak my honest opinion about our latest recruit?" Thomas spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "Based on my first impression, I do not believe he can benefit DATS in any way."
"What…?" I mumbled in disbelief at his prejudgment.
Thomas had been here no more than five minutes and he already deemed Masaru worthless for DATS without seeing what the street fighter was actually capable of? I had never seen this behavior of him before.
"What are you talking about?!" Masaru growled at the half-foreign.
Thomas cast a nonchalant glance at him. "I suggest he'd be dismissed at once."
"You haven't even seen me and Agumon in action against rogue Digimon!" Masaru argued. "What gives you the right to think we can't benefit DATS?!"
"Your aggressive and barbaric behavior is one of my major concerns", Thomas replied with a nonchalant voice.
"Excuse me?!" Masaru growled before he threw at fist to punch the blonde.
Thomas caught the fist with ease and without blinking once. Masaru blinked in shock that his punch got caught. The half-foreign looked unfazed before pushing down the brunet's fist.
"This is what I'm talking about", Thomas continued speaking with a monotone voice. "If you just follow your reckless impulses, you could end up causing more harm than good for DATS and even sabotaging the missions. And your fighting skills are so pathetic."
"Pathetic, huh?!" Masaru growled. "In that case, I challenge you on a boxing match to prove to you I'm not pathetic!"
"Umm… Masaru, you might want to take that one back", Yoshino spoke up nervously. "Thomas' boxing skills are on Olympic levels."
"Very well", Thomas said, surprising most of us. "If it takes a match to prove my point, so be it."
I was now getting really worried about the clash between him and Masaru. I had hoped for them to start a good friendship. Masaru said himself he looked forward to meet Thomas, but the half-foreign looked down on him because of some minor issues?
XXXXXXXXXX – Masaru's POV
I thought I could prove my point that Agumon and I deserved to be part of DATS by beating the blonde in boxing, but I sure was wrong. I was defeated in less than a minute, but I refused to give in, so Thomas and I fought each other until we knocked each other out.
I was in the infirmary and got my bruises and wounds treated by Eve as I recalled Thomas' last warning before I fainted in the ring. It was just a matter of time before Commander would realize my reckless behavior and fire me.
I thought Thomas was a nice guy after hearing so much good from Eve, but he was such a prince jerk!
I promised myself to prove that Agumon and I were worthy of being part of DATS next time we were sent out on a mission. I didn't want to lose him. While he could sometimes be annoying, he had grown very close to me like a brother.
Another scary thought hit me. What if DATS only let me join them so I could be a stand-in for Thomas before he came back? Were they going to break the deal we made and send Agumon back anyway?
"What's wrong, Masaru?" Eve spoke up as she noticed I had been silent for a while. "Are you thinking of Thomas?"
"Yeah", I exhaled through my nose as my shoulders tensed up a bit. "I thought you said he's a nice guy, but-"
"He usually is a nice boy", Eve interfered as she gently put a Band-Aid on my right cheek. "But today, he seems very cold. I think it might have something to do with his family."
"You mean the royal family?" I asked sarcastically.
"His relationship with his Austrian family is…not the best", Eve explained. "I think something happened back there and it's still affecting him so much that he's getting a bit blindsided. He can be judgmental when he spots errors, whether it's science, technology, and even human errors, but he's usually very patient to fix them. I think, because you two are the opposite of each other and he's not used of knowing someone who is…hotheaded, he sees you as a big error and wants to fix it."
"Fix me by throwing me away like garbage…", I muttered softly.
"Thomas is a perfectionist", Eve continued as she closed the first aid box. "That's one of his weaknesses. He follows everything from zero to one, and has a hard time being flexible."
"So he's the type that tries to be the best at everything and can't even relax for once and enjoy life?" I questioned.
"You could say that…", Eve said hesitantly.
"Boss!"
"Eve!"
The two of us turned around to see our Digimon partners run to us in a panic. "What's wrong, you two?" Eve asked.
"Multiple Digimon has been spotted…!" Dorumon panted deeply.
"T-They are…DemiMeramon we fought earlier we fought today, Boss…!" Agumon said.
"DemiMeramon?" I blinked confusedly. "But how? DemiMeramon got caught by Thomas and his loyal dog shortly after we failed."
"Y-Yeah, but…", Agumon began nervously as he got his breath back. "When we punched DemiMeramon, tiny flames of his body were split from him and that's how they were able to regenerate and multiply!"
"There are almost 100 DemiMeramon now!" Dorumon added.
"A hundred of them?!" I exclaimed in shock before realizing this was my and Agumon's fault.
I knew nothing about the Rookie Digimon and went head-on to punch it. My fists went through it, but I never thought about the sparks that came out from the fireball's body.
"Thomas and Yoshino are already on their way to deal with them", Dorumon added. "Commander told us to bring you to the control room."
Eve and I hurried to the control room with our partners. The lights were dimmed as the main monitor showed us the surveillance camera of the DemiMeramon horde.
"Masaru and Agumon", Commander spoke up. "I want you two to observe Thomas and Gaomon and learn from them."
"If you want to become a better team, you need to learn from the best", Kudamon added. "Let this be a valuable lesson and punishment for failing your mission earlier today."
"Y-Yes, sir", I nodded before I turned my attention on the monitor.
Thomas and Yoshino arrived to the scene, but Thomas and Gaomon did the main job. The blonde jerk digivolved his partner to Gaogamon who took down more than dozens of DemiMeramon at once with his Spiral Blow attack. The whole mission didn't even take four minutes until they were done.
"Digimon signals found in Area B-17!" Megumi told the group as two new dots appeared on the map.
"We're heading over there right now!" Yoshino reported back.
Commander nodded in approval. "It's as if he wasn't even gone for half a year."
"That's our Prince Thomas, right, Megumi?" Miki giggled.
"He looks so cute when he's focused, and he's so precise with everything!" Megumi shrieked in joy.
"Wow…", Agumon mumbled in awe.
Seeing how much everyone adored Thomas because he executed his missions perfect made me angry and disappointed at myself.
"Do you understand now?" Kudamon spoke up. "The difference in ability between you and Thomas is what sets you two apart."
To me, it sounded like a warning. Did it mean I had to push myself to become better and reach a certain level to prove I was worthy to stay at DATS and keep Agumon by my side? Had I just been a replacement for Thomas the whole time?! The feelings inside me were boiling so much I felt like I had to destroy something, but I didn't want to throw a tantrum in front of everyone.
"Excuse me!" I called before I ran out of the control room.
"Boss!" Agumon yelled behind me.
I ignored my partner as I ran through the corridors. I didn't know where I was going, but I somehow reached the garage. I ran past the parked vehicles, ignoring some of the other crew members of DATS. My eyes were almost burning by unshed tears. My frustration was very high that I just wanted to scream it out.
I suddenly slipped on the ground and landed on my stomach. I grunted at the impact, but I barely felt it. My hands clenched into fists as my shoulders shook by the emotions within me.
"Boss!"
"Masaru!"
I slowly pushed myself up on my knees and looked over my shoulder to see Agumon, Eve, and Dorumon run after me. All three of them looked worried about my wellbeing. I stayed on the ground and looked down as they reached me.
"Are you okay, Boss?" Agumon asked.
"No, I'm not…", I muttered through clenched teeth.
"What's bothering you? Is it the jealousy?" Eve asked as she got down on one knee next to me.
"That…", I admitted while nodding. "…and I'm scared."
"Scared? What are you scared of?" Dorumon wondered.
I took a deep breath to calm down. "I feel like… My purpose at DATS was just to be a replacement for Thomas until he got back."
"What…?" Eve mumbled softly.
"I know I'm not smart and I always run straight forward into a battle without thinking", I continued my rant before I lost a bit of control and punched the concrete underneath me. "But that's my way of fighting! That's how it always has been since Dad disappeared! But now… I fear that's going to be my downfall and I'll get kicked out of DATS and Agumon's gonna get sent back to-"
"Stop!" Eve said strictly before her hands cupped my cheeks and turned my head to look at her. "Stop underestimating yourself!" She was glaring at me in the same way as Mom usually did when she confronted me, except it almost looked like her hazel eyes were glowing in golden. "No one is going to kick you out of DATS and separate you from Agumon. It's true you're not on the same level as Thomas, but that doesn't make you useless. You just need practice and guidance to get better. You've got a burning passion within you that drives you forward and makes you act by instincts. It might look reckless on the outside, but the passion is still there on the inside." Her expression changed into soft gentleness. "Commander knows it too. He said if you get proper training, you and Agumon will become a powerful asset for DATS, like Thomas and Gaomon. He never thought of you as a stand-in or a replacement, so don't worry about getting kicked out."
"She's right", a familiar voice spoke up from the entrance of the garage.
Eve let go of my face so I could turn around and see who just spoke up. It was that old fisherman who gave me my Digivice. He was grilling some fish outside of the DATS building.
"Grandfather", Eve called softly as she helped me up on my feet.
"'Grandfather'?" I repeated confusedly. "You know him, Eve?"
"I do", Eve nodded as she led me to the old man. "Masaru, this is the DATS Commander-General; Yushima Hiroshi. He's also my adoptive grandfather."
"What?! He's part of DATS too?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.
"He doesn't look like a Commander-General", Agumon commented.
"I get that a lot", Yushima chuckled. "Nowadays, I spend most of the time on my hobby; fishing."
"Wait, do you have a Digimon partner, old man?" I asked.
"I do. And you've already met him", Yushima smirked playfully.
"Did we?" I blinked confusedly as Agumon and I exchanged a glance.
"It's Kamemon who serves us drinks and snacks", Dorumon explained.
"I always thought he was just a rogue Digimon who voluntarily served at DATS", I said sheepishly as I rubbed the back of my head.
"Many think so, since my identity is kind of a secret", Yushima said before he turned his attention back at the grill. "I'm trying to cook my fish for lunch, but the wind is so strong it blows the tiny fire out." He used a fan to control the wind. "But if I gain control of the wind and turn it into an ally, I can make the fire even stronger. It's just like with that burning passion of yours, son. If you accept help from the friends around you, you can become much stronger than you are right now."
The old man's words got stuck in my head as I watched the fire in the grill get bigger as he managed to control the wind. He was right. I could change and get stronger if I learned from my mistakes.
My mono-headset beeped, catching my and Eve's attention. I fished it out from the pouch of my uniform and overheard the intercom. "Thomas, there are Digimon signals in Area B-42!" Commander spoke up.
"Area B-42? That's where the gas tanks are!" Thomas exclaimed.
"We're at least ten minutes away!" Yoshino reported.
XXXXXXXXXX – Eve's POV
That news shocked me. DemiMeramon were by the gas tanks? If they exploded, then that would cause a major disaster in Yokohama. But the good thing was they weren't far away from where DATS was located.
"We can get there in three minutes", I told Masaru. "It's time we take over the mission."
Masaru nodded, getting the determined glance back in his eyes. "Got it!"
I nodded in return and picked up my mono-headset. "Eve to DATS! Masaru and I'll take care of the Digimon in Area B-42!"
"What?!" Yoshino exclaimed. "But can you do that?"
"We're three minutes away from the area, and the sooner we get there the better!" I retorted.
"But if Agumon uses his fire attacks and accidently hits one of the gas tanks, it's over!" Thomas argued.
"That won't happen!" Masaru yelled in his headset. "'Cause I've got a plan! Let's go, Eve!"
"Right!" I nodded.
The two of us and our Digimon began running toward the area, hoping we would get there in time before the DemiMeramon thought about lightening up the gas tanks.
"I don't approve of this!" Father called with his commander voice.
"This time, I'll prove to you all I'm capable of more than just fighting without thinking!" Masaru retorted.
I was barely out of breath when we made it to the gas tanks. Three DemiMeramon were leisurely flying around, but I could tell they were eyeing the tanks with mischievous eyes. However, they turned their attention at us when we arrived.
"Okay, what's the plan, Masaru?" I asked.
"Just like the old man said, I've gotta get control of the fire!" Masaru replied. "Agumon, use your Spitfire Blast on the DemiMeramon!"
"What?! But, Boss, my fire attacks don't work on them!" Agumon pointed out.
"Trust me; it's part of my plan!" Masaru said with a demanding voice.
Agumon looked like he wanted to argue, but gave in. "Okay."
"Spitfire Blast!"
Agumon fired a fire beam that hit one of the DemiMeramon. Just as suspected, his attack got absorbed by the fiery Digimon.
"Again!" Masaru demanded.
Agumon kept firing at the DemiMeramon over and over again until they fused into one and digivolved to Meramon. A Meramon was usually two meter tall, but this one was slightly taller than GeoGreymon.
"Okay, he digivolved, but what good is that?" Dorumon wondered.
"Eve, does Meramon have a solid body?" Masaru suddenly asked.
"Eh?" I got caught off guard by the sudden question. "Yes… You're not thinking about punching him, do you?!"
"Blazing Flames!"
Meramon fired multiple fireballs that hit the ground around us. I used my arms to shield my face from the fire as Masaru tried covering me with his body. We were encased in a ring of fire and the heat was unbearable.
For a second, my mind drifted away and the environment around me changed into a burning forest. Trees, bushes, and even the ground were on fire as different black silhouettes of Digimon, big and small alike, were running away while crying in fear. Many got hunted down by weird purple and green floating robots I had never seen before. Those robots fired laser beams that hit the Digimon and destroyed them. Their remaining data particles vanished in thin air instead of forming into Digi-Eggs.
I snapped out of it when I heard Agumon's panicked cry. "We're trapped!" he yelled worriedly.
"Not for long!" I called as I grabbed my purple Digivice. "Dorumon!"
"Yes!"
I allowed my DigiSoul to get activated before I slammed my right hand on top of the Digivice. "DigiSoul Charge!"
"Dorumon digivolve to…Dorugamon!"
Dorugamon landed on his back feet and roared to the sky before he lowered his body down to the ground. I quickly climbed onto my partner and reached out my hand to Masaru. "Get on, you two!"
Masaru grabbed my hand so I could pull him up on Dorugamon. My partner picked up Agumon with one of his front paws before flying up to the air and away from the fire. Meramon followed us with his eyes and took a few steps forward to reach us.
"Eve, how can you and the others activate your DigiSoul like that?" Masaru asked as he held onto my waist. "Mine always activates when emotions run through me!"
"You need to let your emotions get a bit loose, but not entirely!" I told him as Dorugamon dodged fireball after another. "Concentrate the feelings in your heart to your hand and it will activate!"
I looked over my shoulder as I felt his hands remove themselves of me. Masaru held his Digivice in one hand as he had his eyes closed to concentrate. His eyebrows twitched a bit as he tried to do his best while Dorugamon fired back a Power Metal attack when Meramon got a bit too close.
I saw how Masaru's orange DigiSoul began sparkling around his right hand, meaning he managed to activate the DigiSoul for the first time by concentration. "Masaru, you did it!"
"Alright!" Masaru grinned as he opened his eyes. "Agumon!"
"Anytime, Boss!" Agumon yelled from Dorugamon's clawed paw before jumping off
"DigiSoul Charge!" Masaru yelled as his Digivice absorbed most of the DigiSoul.
"Agumon digivolve to…GeoGreymon!"
GeoGreymon landed on the ground with a loud crash, but he was unharmed. He let out his imitation roar, but Meramon just chuckled at him, looking ready to fight.
"Overheat him, GeoGreymon!" Masaru shouted as he wrapped his arms around my waist again.
"Mega Burst!"
GeoGreymon fired a fire beam that was compact and hit Meramon on his chest. The fireman fought against the attack as he tried absorbing the fire, but the beam went right through him. Meramon cried in pain before he was destroyed and the remaining data transformed into three separate Digi-Eggs.
"Alright!" Masaru cheered.
"Great job", I smiled as I looked over my shoulder. "It's a good thing you decided not to punch Meramon."
"Yeah, I figured I'd get hurt by his flames and get third-degree burns", Masaru grinned as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I would have still tried to catch you if you did jump off", Dorugamon said as he flew down to the ground.
GeoGreymon digivolved back to Agumon just as Yoshino's car arrived to the scene. She, Lalamon, Thomas, and Gaomon got out of the car in a hurry, but they froze when they saw the threat was gone.
"You defeated the DemiMeramon?" Yoshino asked.
I jumped down of Dorugamon with Masaru before my partner digivolved back to his Rookie form. "Yes, but Masaru and Agumon were the ones who took them down", I told my colleagues.
"Seriously?" Thomas said in disbelief while he still had his poker face.
"Yeah, and you better believe it, blondie!" Masaru grinned widely.
Thomas growled softly by the nickname and turned away with a tiny pout. "I'm certain you just got lucky this time."
"Okay, let's return to DATS with the Digi-Eggs before they start hatching!" Yoshino called as she clapped her hands once.
"There are no more signals of other DemiMeramon", Father spoke up in the headset. "Return to DATS at once."
"Yes, sir!" each one of us replied at the command.
I picked up one of the three Digi-Eggs and went to Yoshino's car. She opened the trunk, revealing dozens of Digi-Eggs, so it was hard to find more space. We decided to call back our Digimon and sit in the car with the Digi-Eggs in our lap. To make sure Masaru and Thomas wouldn't get in a fight, I sat in the back of the car with Masaru while Thomas sat on the front next to Yoshino.
During the short drive back to DATS, I thought about the image I saw before. That burning forest and black silhouettes running away from the hunting robots… Did they have something to do with my past? Was it a flashback?
If so, then was it possible I had been in the Digital World before I lost my memories? And what were those robots that killed the Digimon?
I tightened my grip on the Digi-Egg in my lap. I had never seen such flashbacks before. If they were starting to appear now, could it be I was slowly regaining my memories? I guess only time could tell.