My Kenyako site is also back up. You can find it at "http://www.crosswinds.net/~filldnothingness/addiction" Hey, send some stuff in!
Author's Notes: Hey, a new chapter in time for Valentine's Day! I'd just like to reiterate my endless thanks to everyone who's reviewed this story, even if it doesn't have their favorite couplings, or what have you. ;) You guys are fantastic!
And Aardwulf, I just looked at your page. You did a piece of fan art... for this story? Oh, you rock! You should have told me. I would've praised you sooner. ;)
Chapter 12: Rise to the Occasion
"Do you see it?" Tentomon asked.
"It's hard to miss it," Izzy answered, black eyes staring outside the second floor window. "I can't see how we could've overlooked something this large. It must've just appeared."
"What is that thing?" Tai questioned from behind the computer genius. His brown orbs focused out at the rip that seemed to be just floating in mid air, one hand on his face still nursing his hurt jaw.
"A tear," said Izzy. "And from what I can tell, it looks like the Digital World on the other side."
"No way," Tai murmured. "Unreal! How is that even possible?"
"Remember what happened after VenomMyotismon?" Izzy recalled. "How the Digital World became so distorted that the space between our two worlds distorted as well?"
"Are you telling me that Trikmon managed to manipulate the DigiWorld somehow?" Tai narrowed his eyes on the floating rip, and the black building in front of it.
"No, he's not."
"Hn?" Tai's head snapped from the window to Tentomon, who was staring down at Izzy.
"Are you, Izzy?" the gijinka digimon asked.
The redhead was silent, a head shake his only, ominous answer.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Tai demanded.
"Trikmon isn't manipulating the Digital World," Tentomon explained, his tone cold. "He's manipulating this world."
"I suppose that would explain a few things," said Sora, nudging herself into the sofa cushions. Tai had called an emergency meeting, and everyone had crowded into the living room. Even Ken had dragged himself out of his room, though not without Wormmon's objections. The only ones missing were Yolei and Iori. Yolei for obvious reasons, and Iori because the small boy refused to leave his friend. "What, with the adults disappearing and the constant darkness, we probably should've seen this sooner."
"Maybe," relented Joe, shrugging. "But don't forget the fog Myotismon caused. Who could've guessed that Trikmon was doing something more than that?"
Silence permeated the room as the group were lost in what ifs and could haves.
"I could've."
The soft statement filled the quiet room like a shout. All eyes focused on the young man with the indigo hair. His straight locks covered his handsome face, as he tilted his head down, covering the shame and anger that were evident there.
"I could've guessed," Ken repeated.
"How?" Tai narrowed his eyes.
"I... " Ken sighed, shoulders sagging from sudden weariness. "I knew what he was. Part Dark Rings, and part... " he halted, unwilling to say it.
"So, what does that have anything to do with it?" Joe asked.
"The Dark Rings, you see, weren't just some fancy wiring," Ken explained, head still down. "I created them so they'd be upgradable. They were made from data of the Digital World itself. A few clicks of my computer, and I could alter them completely without going through the hassle of getting my hands dirty."
"Made from data... " Veemon scrunched his nose in thought. "Like a digimon?"
"Kind of," Ken relented. "Primitively, I guess so. But, I had to make them more than that. I needed to know just what sort of programs would work. I spent months perfecting the first Ring. Days without sleep at a time. And I tested it constantly."
"On who?" Gatomon bit, aqua eyes worriedly glancing upon Wormmon.
Ken looked at the gijinka Champion, and flinched, answering her question sans speech. If she had the capability still, Gatomon would've hissed.
"But not just him," Ken shook his head. "I wanted... I wanted to see if they worked on humans."
"Humans," Matt repeated, eyes getting colder. "What? Did you use your own parents as guinea pigs?"
"No," Ken snapped, finally showing some backbone.
"Then who?" Matt demanded. "You didn't have anyone else to test on, but... " his voice trailed as his blue orbs widened. "You didn't."
"I needed to see if it worked," Ken replied, simply.
Jun shuddered, gripping Davis' shoulder. "You tested it on yourself?" she accused, barely above a whisper.
"As Matt said," Ken retorted, "there was no one else to test on. I used the results of all the tests, and stored the data into the final Dark Ring model."
"Which is why the Dark Rings were reformatted instead of permanently deleted," Izzy nodded. "They had data from Wormmon, and digimon are automatically reformatted. And Trikmon has your memories, Ken, from the experiments that you did on yourself. Curious," he murmured.
"But why would you do that?" Sora asked, clearly upset by the notion. "Why would you want to test the Dark Rings on yourself, when you were only trying to take over the Digital World?"
"I just... " Ken looked lost for a moment, his eyes not focusing on anything. "I just wanted to see if I could do it."
The room once again fell silent, shocked or angry expressions all directed at the former Kaiser that sat with them. Wormmon bristled at the looks, snuggling against his partner in a display of loyalty.
"It's okay, Ken-chan," he whispered. "It was a long time ago."
Davis stared hard at the boy, all sorts of vicious taunts and remarks floating through his head. But he bit his lip to keep from speaking them, his vision centered on Ken's face. He knew that look. He had that look himself often enough; shame, knowing that you had messed up, and not being able to go back and fix it. Guilt for your mistakes. How many times had Davis himself made an error in judgment? The boy winced at the thought. Maybe he was more like Ken than he wanted to admit.
"So," Davis broke the horrid silence, "what are we gonna do?"
"What else can we do?" Tai asked, rhetorically. "We're going to get Mimi back."
"And just how are we going to do that?" Matt challenged. "Only two of the digimon have attacks, and the we're no match for a bunch of Ghastlymon and Trikmon."
Tai glared at his best friend, an eye twitching in sudden irritation. Then, he simply let the anger go and shrugged. "Fine. We'll just have to leave Mimi with Trikmon, for God knows how long, letting him do God knows what to her."
Palmon whimpered next to Agumon. "Don't say that!" she cried, tears spilling.
"Tai!" Sora frowned disapprovingly, as Agumon comforted the gijinka flower child.
Tai didn't apologize, he simply stared at Matt with an icy expression. "Well?"
Matt scowled at his brunette friend, glancing at the weeping Palmon for barely a moment before turning back.
"When can we get started?" he asked.
With a heaving sigh, Joe made his way down the basement steps for the fourth time. Once they had decided that they were going to get Mimi back, they realized it was necessary to arm themselves. And since only two digimon had attacks, and fire seemed to be the only thing that hurt Ghastlymon, the rest of the wood Mr. Tachikawa had stored was to be used. No gazebo for Mrs. Tachikawa anytime soon, then. Oh, well.
Joe stopped a few steps from floor when Jun made her appearance at the bottom of them with an armful of lumber. He stared down at her, shocked, as she looked up at him, placidly.
"Excuse me," she prompted, edging to the side to let him get through.
He didn't move. "What do you think you're doing?"
She cocked a brow. "What does it look like? I'm bringing up some wood for the torches we're bringing."
"'We're?' What does that mean?" he questioned.
"I think you know," Jun sighed, mildly irritated.
"Who says you're going?" Joe demanded, crossing his arms. He had a horrible feeling about her going. He'd be more comfortable with her still in the house. She was better off that way. Besides, she had nothing to do with this.
"Me," she rolled her eyes. "Duh. Now, let me through."
"You don't have a digimon," he argued, frowning. Couldn't this girl take on any responsibility? She could get seriously injured. Even worse!
"And you have one that has no attack so far," Jun pointed out.
"That's different. This isn't your fight," said Joe.
The statement had the same affect as a backhanded slap; her dark brown eyes widened, and her jaw fell open in utter shock. She looked upon him incredulously for a moment, before her jaw snapped shut in a glower, eyes sparking. "Not my fight? Not my fight? This Trikmon guy stole my parents from me! He attacked the two of us with those disgusting Ghastlymon. And he wants to kill my itoto-chan! You better damn believe it's my fight! Now," she took a deep breath, "move outta my way."
Joe blinked a few moments, letting her words sink in. She wasn't a Digidestined; that had always made her just 'accidentally' in the house with them. He had never really considered her in the same position the rest of them were in. Yes, Trikmon was after the twelve Digidestined in particular, but that didn't mean that they were his only victims. There were others out there like Jun, he reminded himself. Others without parents and siblings, who were hiding and frightened.
Except Jun wasn't one to hide in fear. Her little brother was in danger, and she would defend him against all odds, regardless of how well she could or could not defend herself. It didn't matter. To her, all that mattered was Davis needed her. It was her job as the older sister to protect him. Her responsibility. Like Joe's need to find a way to get Jim back.
Joe's coal black eyes shut tight for a second, as he winced at his own stupidity. When he opened them, she was still glaring up. "I... I'm sorry," he said, shifting his weight, uncomfortably. "I just, uh... "
"I know, I know," Jun shook her head, sighing. "Mr. Responsibility to the end. That's you, Kido. But I have my own responsibilities, ya know? And one of them is upstairs wearing goggles. He's all I have right now, you know," she confessed softly, looking past Joe. "All I have. I won't let anyone hurt him."
That struck a cord. Joe flinched again, and shuffled to the side of the steps. "O-of course. I'm really... very sorry."
Jun nodded, walking up the couple of steps till she was level with him. She kept her gaze in front of her for a few moments, before turning to him with a sigh. "I know you're just trying to help, Kido. But let me worry about myself, okay? Now," a small smile appeared on her face, "how `bout you saw some of that lumber down there and carry them up for me, okay?"
"Uh, okay," he nodded, just grateful she wasn't angry at him. She grinned, and began to ascend a few steps, when a thought struck Joe like a kick to his skull. "Hey, wait!" He turned to her. "I've been hauling up the wood the whole afternoon by myself. Why couldn't you help before?"
She looked back at him, beaming shamelessly. "Didn't want to. Now, move!" And with that, she skipped up the rest of the stairway and out of the basement.
He stared after her, an expression of disbelief and annoyance plastered on his face. "I... " Joe sighed, shrugging defeatedly. "I give up trying to understand her."
"I don't think I should go," Iori said, clasping Yolei's limp hand. "I shouldn't leave her."
"I understand, Iori," Sora nodded, sympathetically. "But you're the only one who knows Kendo. Ken knows Judo, but he's wounded. It would be a big help if we had someone with some real self defense skills at their disposal. You're the only one."
"But I can't leave her alone," he insisted, his back still at the Child of Love. "I promised I wouldn't go away until she woke up. I don't... "
"Iori," Armadimon patted his friend's shoulder, "she'll understand. Yolei knows you best. She'd know you were doing the right thing."
"But is it the right thing?" Iori questioned, his grip on his best friend's hand tightening. "Is leaving her what I should do? I promised. Best friends are dependable. I have to keep my promise."
Armadimon bit his lip, brows drawn together with worry. "Best friends don't get themselves sick by staying up for over two days. Yolei'd be going nuts by now if she knew how you were acting."
"She'd understand!" Iori defended. "She'd do the same for me."
Sighing, Armadimon looked up at Sora, who frowned back. With gentle
hands, she gripped Iori's shoulders. "I know you want to do the right thing
for Yolei," Sora began, her tone soft. "But the rest of the team needs
you. Do you really think Yolei would want you to not help the team and
stay with her? She'd want you to be with us, to help us. She'd know that
you were being the best friend you could be.
"Trikmon, he's... " Sora paused, shivering at the memory of one horrid,
surreal night. "He's evil. I can't describe him any other way. He's hurt
so many of us. And many more that we don't know about. He needs to be stopped.
And we need your help to do so. Don't you think helping us defeat him would
be showing Yolei what a good friend you are? What good will it do her if
you keep up this sleepless vigil and fall ill yourself?"
Iori didn't have a response to the last question. He promised Yolei he'd stay by her side. He had promised! Then again, he was part of the team. He was a Digidestined. He had obligations to them, as well. And to all of Odaiba. To the other children that couldn't defend themselves against Trikmon. Armadimon was correct; Yolei would want him to do the right thing.
"But who will take care of Yolei?" Iori asked. "We can't leave her here alone."
"Wormmon will stay."
The occupants of the room turned to face the doorway. Leaning against the edge of it was Ken, Wormmon at his side. The purple haired gijinka boy stood frowning, obviously displeased with his partner's statement.
"But, Ken-chan... " he began.
"You're staying," Ken stated. He turned to Iori. "Is that all right with you?"
"I... " Iori nodded slightly, too stunned to say much. "I suppose."
"Good," Ken said.
"But, Ken-chan... " Wormmon repeated, more insistently. "I want to be with you."
Ken knelt down, eye to eye with his friend. "I want you to stay here. I'd feel better knowing you were safe. And," he leaned forward, his lips to Wormmon's ear, so his next words were for his friend only, "you're the only one I trust to take care of her." He pulled away, and said in a louder voice, "Okay?"
Wormmon's true blue eyes blinked a few times. Ken believed in him. He trusted only him with Yolei. This was important, then. "If that's what you want, Ken-chan," he said. "I'll stay."
A small smile appeared on Ken's face. "Arigato."
Sora allowed herself her own smile at the scene, turning to Iori. "Are you sure you're all right?" she questioned.
"I guess so," he answered. "I want to do the right thing. And going is the right thing. Yolei will know that if- when she wakes up."
"That's my Iori!" Armadimon clapped the boy's back. "Now, off to bed with you."
Iori blinked. "Hn?"
"We still have an hour or so," Armadimon explained, pushing his friend along. "And you could use a few hours rest before we set out. We need you rested."
Iori shook his head. "But- "
"We'll watch her," Sora promised.
"Won't keep our eyes off her," Ken swore, though Iori wasn't so sure that was a good thing.
"Uh, okay," Iori managed to stutter before being shoved out of the room.
Izzy stared hard at the screen of his laptop. It gaze back with its harsh, unforgiving light. To others, the brightness would hurt their eyes after a while, but for Izzy it was a welcomed glow. He had gotten used to it through the years, though his parents had warned him he'd need glasses if he kept it up.
"What are you doing, Izzy?" Tentomon asked from his position on the bed.
"I'm seeing if I can get to the Digital World now that that tear is out there," the red haired boy answered.
"And can you?"
Izzy frowned. "No."
"Oh."
"I wish... " Izzy's black orbs closed, and his rubbed his lids with sweat covered fingertips. "I wish Yolei was awake. She'd be a great help here."
"You can ask Ken to-"
"No!" Izzy snapped. "I don't need him."
"Oh," Tentomon repeated, blinking. Slowly, the shock wore off his face, and he nodded. "I see."
The room was once again silent, save for the random clacking of the keyboard.
"You like her," Tentomon stated.
"Hn?" Izzy grunted, typing away. "What are you talking about?"
"Yolei," Tentomon clarified. "You like her, that's why you've been avoiding Ken."
The redhead bristled slightly at the accusation. "If you hadn't noticed, everyone's been avoiding him for the most part."
"But you more so than the rest," Tentomon pointed out. "You're jealous."
"I am not!" Izzy snarled, actually stopping his work to turn in his chair, and glare at his partner. "I am no such thing."
"Then why won't you get Ken to help you?" Tentomon asked. "You know he could."
"I. Don't. Need. Him," Izzy said, seething just underneath the surface.
Tentomon raised a brow, and shrugged, leaning his back against the wall so he could rest his legs on the bed. "You like Yolei," he held up one hand. "Yolei likes Ken," he held up the other. "And Ken likes Yolei."
"You don't know that!" Izzy declared. "He doesn't care about anyone but himself."
Tentomon gave him an incredulous look. "Uh, huh. But the fact remains that Yolei does care for Ken, and you care for her. Which is why you've locked yourself in your room for the past few days, while Yolei's been unconscious. Because you don't want to see her hurt."
"That's not why I haven't see her!" Izzy shot back, defensively.
"It isn't?" Tentomon raised a brow. "Then why not?"
"Because he's always- " The redhead stopped himself, shaking his head. He turned back to his computer, hitting the keys harder than before. "I'm not having this conversation."
"I see," Tentomon tilted his head. He sighed, deciding that pushing the argument further would do neither of them good. Better to let his friend figure it out on his own. But still... "I'm here for you, Izzy."
The computer genius stiffened in his seat, his fingers halting. Gradually, his shoulders slumped, his head falling forward. "I know, Tentomon," he said, softly. "I know."
In the next few hours, everyone prepared themselves in their own ways. The Motomiya siblings had two very drawn out squabbles, resulting in some pulled hair, a few flung expletives, Veemon's now redundant statement of their weirdness, and a couple of apologies. The rest of the house thought it strange, but the brother and sister seemed far more relaxed after the two fights.
Tai and Matt had 'gone over' strategy, though it was more along the lines of Tai having ideas, and Matt shooting down most of them. Typical discussions for the two friends. The worst part, though, was whenever Tai dared to mention they could handle the Ghastlymon, Matt mentioned how easily Mimi had 'handled' them.
As for the digimon, they spent the time getting the torches ready, and generally talking amongst themselves, aside from the occasional, annoying quip from Gomamon.
When Armadimon and a slightly more rested Iori walked down the stairs, everyone knew it was time. No more turning back now.
"Are we ready?" Tai asked, his tone daring anyone to challenge him.
"As ready as we'll ever be," Matt murmured, taking a torch from Gabumon.
"That's not saying much," Joe muttered, fortunately low enough for no one to catch it.
"Then, here we go." Tai opened the door, walking out with a confident stride.
"One of these days," Joe stated, slowly following everyone outside, "I'm going to make Tai tell me how he can act so damned sure of himself all the time."
"Good luck, Ken-chan!" Wormmon called from the top of the stairs.
Ken nodded back. "I'm trusting you."
Wormmon gave a small, proud salute. "I won't let you down."
"Bye, Wormmie-kun!" Gatomon waved from Kari's side. "See ya later!"
Wormmon waved back, not knowing quite what to say, or why his face suddenly felt so warm.
"Hi ho! Hi ho! It's off to the big black building we go!" Gomamon sang. Or tried to. "With torches lit, and half our wits! Hi ho! Hi ho!"
"Oh, shut up," Biyomon snapped. "Baka."
"Hmph. No musical taste," Gomamon huffed. "Gabumon liked it," he said, smugly. "Didn't you, Gabu- itai! Gabumon, you're so- "
"Mean? Yes," Gabumon nodded, flexing his hand. "I know."
And still bickering, the group left the safety of the firewall, making its way into the darkness of Odaiba. Wormmon followed their trail from the second floor window as long as he could, until Ken and the rest were indistinguishable from the black surroundings.
Sighing, the little boy made his way back to Yolei's room. She was still just lying there, her breathing even and soft. She looked like she was merely sleeping, the affect ruined only by the bruises that littered her face and arms.
Wormmon settled on the chair next to the bed, resting his arms and head on the mattress, so he could study her face better. She didn't really look like anything special to him. So, why was she so important that Ken entrusted only him with her safety? There had to be something to her. Something that Wormmon couldn't see. Or maybe this was one of those things that he'd understand when he was older, like Ken always said.
Her hand closest to Wormmon flexed a bit, catching the boy's attention. A few fingers twiddled, then stilled, then moved again. And the boy watched on, fascinated and tense. Finally, with a high moan, Yolei cracked her eyes open, just barely.
"H-Hawkmon?" she croaked softly, her mouth parched.
"He's not here right now," Wormmon stuttered, not knowing what to do.
Her glazed eyes settled on him, and her brow creased in confusion. "Wormmon?" Her gaze swept the room, slowly. "Wh... where's Ken?
"Ken-chan and the others left," the boy explained. "They're going to get Mimi back."
"Without m-me?" Despite her weariness, she sounded annoyed at that. She attempted to get up, but slid right back into a resting position, far too dizzy and weak to move at the moment.
"Just rest," Wormmon insisted, his small hands grasping her arm. "Ken-chan wanted me to look after you. You have to stay safe."
Yolei tried to look at the boy again, but her heavy eyelids were fluttering closed against her will. " ...Ken?" she sighed, allowing sleep to come once again and take her.
"Yes," Wormmon nodded, resting his chin on the bed. "He trusts me with you. No one else," he said, pride in his voice.
Before she finally left the realm of consciousness, Yolei smiled slightly. " ...That's good... "
Wormmon nodded his agreement, closing his eyes so he could listen to her breath. Calming, the breathing pattern of a sleeping person. The inhales and the exhales. There was something about listening to someone sleeping that made you want to rest yourself.
But Wormmon was slightly too tense to actually fall asleep. However, he did let himself relax a bit, but his mind was quite actively worrying. He wanted to be with his partner. He needed to be with him, he knew he did. Something wrong was going to happen, and Ken would need his protection. But he had promised that he'd keep vigil on Yolei. And if that's what Ken wanted, that's what he would do.
It didn't mean Wormmon liked it, though.
"Be safe, Ken-chan."
Next Chapter: Stand Up, and Be Counted
