Tamed Instincts
Part One: Summer Exotic! A City in the Digital World.
Chapter Three: Virulent and Defiled, Part One
** Mmmm...I smell breakfast. I must be home, and this whole situation-the strip Monopoly game, Neo naked, the digital world, the Kaizer outfit, and the huge city-it's all a dream.... **
Then Ken opens his eyes, waking to breakfast in bed.
"Good morning," Neo smiles cheerfully.
"Nope...still a nightmare." Ken falls back on his pillow.
"Wake up, and eat." Neo folds his arms. "I didn't prepare this for it to go to waste."
"Oh...gomen nasai, Neo-senpai. I'm being discourteous," smiles Ken sheepishly.
The pair eat some rice together.
"This is good," says Ken.
"Thank you," says Neo. "I have more."
Veemon bursts in, with Wormmon close behind.
"Daisuke! Get up, Dai!" Veemon hops onto Daisuke, who is still sleeping.
"Ken, we have to go someplace with Gatomon," continues Wormmon quietly.
"It may be important," says Neo, "but couldn't we finish breakfast first?"
"Breakfast? Where?" Daisuke bolts up.
Neo chuckles. "Right here, Daisuke-kun."
"Food later, Dai." Veemon pouts, worried.
"What did Gatomon say?" asks Ken.
"Not much; she just said to follow her someplace."
"Neo...can I take this with me?" smiles Ken. "I'm sorry to cut breakfast so short."
"It's all right. Be my guest, Ken."
"Arigatou." Ken takes up the food and leaves with Daisuke and the two digimon.
Neo drops his smile, somewhat annoyed at the interruption.
==
"You must be pretty worried to pass up on food, Veemon," notes Daisuke.
"Agreed. I know Wormmon can pack away more than his share," adds Ken with a grin.
"Just a little further, everyone," continues Gatomon. "This way."
"Shouldn't we find Takeru and Patamon?" asks Miyako.
"I went to check on him before Gatomon ambushed me," says Yamato. "He left a note saying he needed to take care of something."
"We'll have to go without him for now," says Gatomon.
The eleven digidestined and their digimon reach a grove of sakura trees.
"You want us to pick cherries?" asks Taichi.
"Shh." Gatomon signals Taichi to be quiet. "You guys can come out now!" she calls to the trees.
Ryo, Zeromaru, and Takato come out, slowly and warily.
Ken spreads out the breakfast. "Are you hungry?"
"We are!" Veemon and the other digimon partners dive in.
"Looks good." Ryo eyes the food appreciatively. "Who made it?"
"Our gracious host, Neo Saiba," grins Ken.
Zeromaru snatches one of Veemon's dumplings.
"Better test the food, kid...make sure Neo didn't poison or drug it." Zero gulps the dumpling whole. "Hmmm...more testing...."
Wormmon wraps Zero with a Sticky Net. "We'll take our chances with the poison, Zeromaru."
"You know this Veemon?" asks Gatomon.
"All too well-let him near food, and we'd all starve."
Ryo eyes Wormmon. "It is you. Guess your story pans out so far, Gatomon."
"Thanks for believing me," says Gatomon coolly.
"Wait a minute...why is there such concern over trusting us?" asks Miyako.
"Good question," muses Ken.
"How can I say this?" Ryo gropes for words.
"The only thing good about Neo is his cooking," spits Takato.
"What do you mean?" asks Miyako.
Ryo sighs. "Neo's trying to take over the digital world."
At this, all of the digidestined's eyes widen, except for Daisuke, who busied himself with a mental inventory of any "leftover" Dark Seed digidestined that resembled Neo.
"No offense to you, Ken," grins Taichi wryly, "but...."
"Allow me," finishes Ken. "It's been done. Not exactly a trend I expected anyone to follow," he adds wryly.
"You tried to take over, too?" asks Ryo, startled.
"I'm afraid so." Ken loses his sardonic smile.
"So that explains how Neo was able to get footholds in all four continents," says Zeromaru. "The digidestined were all too busy fighting Ken.
"You guys must have had a tough job-Ken can be stubborn," Zero adds.
"You know Ken, too?" Daisuke's eyes widen.
"Yeah, kid."
"But how do you know me?" asks Ken. "I've never met you or this man in my life."
"Wormmon, why doesn't Ken remember Ryo and me?" asks Zero.
"He still doesn't remember much after that fight a few years back," Wormmon sighs sadly.
"Don't you remember me, Ken? I'm your old partner. Your trainer," says Ryo.
"Let's start with your name," says Ken coldly.
"I see...Ryo Akiyama, Tamer First Class. We met a few months after the first Diaboromon incident, seven years ago."
"Diaboromon...I think there was a battle inside the Internet."
"Yeah; Taichi and Yamato did pretty good, though I wasn't sure at first. Taichi has a tendency to screw up things."
"What the hell do you mean?" snaps Taichi.
"Precisely what I said. If you had successfully completed your mission-if you had eliminated Neo-we wouldn't have half the problems we have now."
"What do you mean?" asks Hikari.
"I do recall meeting Wormmon at that time...the day after Osamu and I saw the digivice." Ken looks sharply into Ryo's eyes. "What was I wearing that day?"
"I think you had on a blue tee shirt with a horizontal stripe in the middle, and shorts," says Ryo. "I also know you were a lot friendlier back then."
"Please forgive me. A lot has happened in seven years. What was our mission?"
"To terminate Milleniumon. Unfortunately, that mission also failed, due to my weaknesses."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ryo-it was my weakness. I should have listened to Ken," says Zero.
"I understood that you had something against jogress evolution. But I should have been the stronger taishou."
"You were able to seal Milleniumon after Ken saved you from the Seeds," adds Wormmon.
"Too bad he caught one himself. It must have been so traumatic it triggered Ken's mind to suppress some of his memories." Ryo sighs sadly.
"Knowing Milleniumon, each of those Seeds was a potential copy of him," seethes Zeromaru, "waiting for someone with the skill, creativity, and patience to reconstruct him. He had to know that you, Ken, and Neo were the only ones with that knowledge and ability."
"Wait a minute. I wasn't just being used by Belialmyotismon*?" asks Ken.
"Hmm...Myotismon tends to work alone, yes-but I don't doubt that Neo approved, or he would have stopped Myotismon and moved on with whatever sick plan he had in mind."
"Then...why didn't Milleniumon...simply use Neo?" Ken trembles.
"Professional courtesy," Ryo quips.
"It's not funny. I became a monster, and I created a monster that leveled several digimon villages."
"Now I remember!" says Takato. "You're the Kaizer. That's why you have that weird T1 that blocks digivolution.
"I'm so glad you're back."
"What?" At this, the digidestined and their digimon stare wide-eyed at Takato.
"Don't get me wrong; I've heard from other Snimon about how you enslaved digimon and stuff, but I bet you got a small wakeup call trying that stuff on Kenichi."
"Who?" Ken struggles with his mind. ** My memories are tangled in an endless web; it was aptly spun by Arukenimon, Belialmyotismon, Milleniumon--whom I scarcely remember...
** ...and now I find out that my brother's old friend could have in on everything-and taking over sectors of the digital world while I was playing stupid, childish games....
** I don't believe this...I don't want to. * "I don't want to. I don't want to believe...I don't!"
"Ken, we wouldn't lie to you," says Ryo calmly.
"But I barely know you. I do know Neo, and he has the eccentric personality that wouldn't bother to lie about something like that."
=== Flashback ===
"Got me again. But in all seriousness, I have a surprise for you all."
"What could beat you in your birthday suit?" asks Iori.
"How about...my own city?"
"You have your own city?" balks Miyako.
"A small place I acquired several years ago," smiles Neo. "Currently, I have plans in motion for the city's expansion."
=== Present ===
** He couldn't have seriously meant that. *
"Guys, I think we just wasted our time," scowls Taichi.
"I couldn't agree more, Taichi," says Ken, stalking off.
Wormmon starts to follow, but Gatomon stops the caterpillar, going in Wormmon's place.
"Taichi...you don't remember, do you?" sighs Zero.
"What am I supposed to remember, Zeromaru-that I failed to kill someone?"
"You didn't exactly fail, Taichi; Neo did die...or so we thought. I had died, too."
"You were dead once, Zero?" asks Ryo.
"Yeah, and I was reconfigured back at Primary Central. Remained with old Kaz after I hatched, until you came along."
"So Taichi was your Victory Tamer," says Ryo. "That explains a bit."
"When did all of this happen?"
"Seven years ago, some time after the Dark Network warped you away from the digital world," says Zero. "I know that because you were blabbering on then about Etemon, Datamon, your friends, Hikari, and Agumon; your real partner."
"I think I'd remember the death of Neo if I had killed him off. He's my age. The only kid I remember fighting back then was Yamato." Taichi points to his best friend, who waves with a smirk.
"His death would have been published in all the papers, too," notes Jyou.
"I met Neo back then-before summer camp. I had beaten him at a Tama Battle monster card game contest."
"The championships; I remember," grins Sora. "The weird thing is that you entered just because you were bored."
Daisuke sighs silently. "Guys," he says slowly, "Ryo might be telling the truth."
"Get real, Daisuke. Ken and I can't both have amnesia over traumatic events!" Taichi snaps.
"Suppressed memories, not forgotten. You both probably bottled up harsh memories deep inside you. A partner digimon's death probably would do that to you, or something worse."
"No, Dai. From what Zero said, that had to happen after I left Hikari alone after that crap with Etemon all those years ago. And I would have been separated from Agumon."
"Now that you mention it, Taichi," says Agumon, "you did appear a few seconds after me."
"The digital world's time cycle was unstable at the time," muses Koushirou. "Perhaps the Harmonious Ones-or maybe even Qinglongmon and the other Guardians-may have seen the need for you and Zero to help in this area of the digital world seven years ago.
"It might have been a months-long adventure that only took a few seconds, due to the temporal flux."
"What kind of crap is that?" asks Taichi.
"That makes more sense than some strange guy lying to us. The stories he and this Veemon--*" Daisuke faces a tug on his pant leg.
"Zeromaru; Zero for short," smiles Zero.
"Well, these stories are too crazy to be made up. And they know too much about Ken."
"I agree with Daisuke," says Hikari. "These digimon are scared of someone or something. Besides, if there wasn't any danger, we wouldn't have changed clothes."
"You'll notice they're war clothes," says Ryo noncommittally.
"And you think it's Neo?"
"It has been Neo for years, Taichi," says Zeromaru.
"I wouldn't worry now, though," says Takato. "With all of these Chosen and their partner digimon, Neo doesn't have any chance of winning now."
"Don't jump to conclusions-they haven't agreed to help us." Ryo eyes Taichi. "Taichi, let's take a walk alone.
"Just the two of us, Zero. You lead the troops back to camp."
"But, Ryo...." Zero seems unwilling.
"Order," says Ryo calmly and gently.
"Understood, taishou," sighs Zero, moving with Takato back into the forest.
Veemon whispers something to Wormmon, and they follow after Zero and his group.
"Veemon, wait for me!" Daisuke hisses.
Miyako shrugs. "I guess we can't do much else except head back to the city."
"I don't know...Ryo's pretty serious." Hikari looks toward the young, solemn man walking beside her brother.
"Come on, Hikari," says Miyako.
Hikari runs to catch up with the rest of the digidestined.
==
"Hi again; it's me," Takeru whispers to the Angemon he and Patamon found earlier in the day.
"We brought food and water," adds Patamon. "You'll get your strength back."
The digimon can only grunt his gratitude as he devours the food.
"You could lose a hand in there," laughs Takeru, snatching his hand away. "Don't worry; I'll find a way to free you from that fiend.
"How could Neo allow this to happen? He's not much of a Chosen. Guess we'll have to ask him about this."
"Just to protect him, maybe I should digivolve and stay here while you let Neo know about this," suggests Patamon.
"That's a bad idea," says Wormmon.
"Huh? When did you get here?" asks Takeru.
"Well, I was walking around, and I noticed this door open. You really should stop feeding that Angemon."
"But look at him! He's been tortured."
"I know. Neo told me about him when I first saw him. It's for his own good."
"How do you figure that?" asks Patamon, eyeing Wormmon narrowly. He also notes that the Angemon trembles violently at the caterpillar.
"The Angemon is infected with viral data, and that makes him dangerous. He could turn into an evil digimon and hurt someone. Neo admits this treatment is harsh, and may seem cruel; however, a good Tamer has to hurt digimon sometimes for their benefit."
"Oh...where's Ken?" asks Takeru.
"He's upstairs with Neo. They did want to speak to you two about something," says Wormmon.
"I'll head up, and have a chat with Neo about this. Could you at least watch him for me? I still think he needs to be fed."
"I'll take good care of him."
Takeru and Patamon leave, shutting the door. Wormmon crawls to the Angemon with an apple in his mouth.
"Are you still hungry, little toy?" smiles Wormmon in a sinister voice.
He digivolves to Stingmon. "I guess...that it's time for your daily feeding. You know what to do." Stingmon has his waist in front of the Angemon's frightened face.
Just as Stingmon unsheathes himself*, a Salamon bites his exoskeletal flesh.
"So, my new toy has finally come out of hiding," laughs Stingmon.
"Set him free, you monster," she squeaks, spitting out the excrement.
"Believe it or not, I will honor your request. My pet has become lonely.
"I will set him free, and you two can play games together...."
Stingmon sets the angel digimon free, and sends the Angemon after the Salomon.
The Angemon is in a near-rabid, feral state.
==
Takeru receives an instant message from Daisuke on his Wonder Swan.
gogoru_02: hey, takeru-these digimon out here say that neo's the enemy
takai_TK: well, i only know about a digimon being tortured back at the palace
takai_TK: but wormmon told me he spoke to neo about that
takai_TK: although the digimon was pretty scared of wormmon :lol
gogoru_02: that's crazy, wormmon's here with me and veemon
gogoru_02: we've been spying on some central digimon who mean business
gogoru_02: their leader is another veemon named zero, and he's with a tamer named ryo
gogoru_02: ryo's with taichi now talking about stuff, i think ryo's telling the truth but ken thinks ryo's lying, so does taichi
takai_TK: hold on, did you say wormmon was with you
gogoru_02: yeah, he's been with us for several hours
Takeru signs off the chat with Daisuke, and races downstairs, with Patamon close behind.
==
"What else can we do together, Ken?" grins Neo.
"I don't know," smiles Ken. "We've played everything from chess to Donkey Madness. I beat you at Monopoly again-and you'd better keep your pants on this time."
"Okay; your call. How do you like your dessert?"
"Exceptional; you're a culinary wizard as well."
"I have sake or red wine; either one's a perfect match with our meal. Made for each other." Neo gazes into Ken's eyes, lucid green meeting clear violet.
Ken stands up. "Let's go on the balcony for some air."
"As you wish." Neo follows Ken out.
Gatomon's ears twitch, sensing trouble. She dashes out of Neo's room.
Outside, the youths look out at the city below.
"Isn't this beautiful?" asks Neo.
"What's this all about?" Ken demands gently.
"My having a city surprises you?"
"In the digital world, yes; it's a bit surprising.
"What did you mean by 'plans for expansion,' Neo; you know, before bringing us here?"
"Precisely what I said," says Neo calmly.
"Neo, if you're thinking of...." Ken feels Neo's hand on his lips.
"Ken, you're simply too kind. I know that's a virtue you possess, and I love you for it. However, you toyed with the darkness, caressed it with the innocence of an eager child. And it wanted you completely.
The darkness still wants you, Ken. It has tasted you, and it craves more of you. I'm sure you've heard its call, beckoning you back. After all, you're a new lover," smiles Neo knowingly. "Hasn't it been in your dreams?"
Ken chooses to ignore Neo's question. "What does any of this drivel about darkness have to do with you, your damn city, and the digital world."
"You're not obtuse, though you pretend to be. I know you met Ryo and his gang of digimon. That is the only reason you stayed so long, and what he said has brought you back to hear it from me.
"You do realize that I didn't lie to you. This is my city; I did acquire it."
"Through conquest," seethes Ken.
"You are so sensual when you're angry," smiles Neo. "But isn't it obvious why I brought you here?"
"To waste my summer, apparently."
"No, Ken; to have you join me. We can become one with the darkness. Let it claim you."
"The darkness is evil, Neo. I suggest you let it go."
"You can't deny that a thirst for blood still lurks inside you. Let's discuss this."
"We have nothing further to discuss."
==
Takeru and Patamon reach the room with the Angemon, and they find the door locked.
Miyako and Hikari arrive.
"Takeru, we've been looking for you all day," says Hikari.
"Taichi wants us to meet outside the city," adds Miyako.
"Okay, we just have to take care of something." Takeru seems agitated.
"He says it's pretty important," Hikari notes.
"Let's go, now!" Miyako grabs Takeru's hand and drags him out of the palace.
"Wait up!" cries Patamon, flying to catch up.
==
"Ken, you must reconsider. Any battle against me would be futile," warns Neo.
"What makes you say that?" asks Ken.
Before Neo can answer, Gatomon rushes in, pouncing onto Ken's chest.
"Follow me. Now."
"What's going on?" asks Ken.
"Please, just listen!" Gatomon has visible fear written on her normally cool face.
Faint roars and cries are heard, echoing from downstairs.
"What the hell is that?" asks Ken.
Neo laughs. "Oh, that's just Zed."
"Zed?" ask the digidestined and digimon in unison.
"Yes; he's just having some fun with his toys."
"That doesn't sound like fun to me," says Gatomon.
"I agree Gatomon, and I don't want to be misled again.
"Come on, Gatomon; let's take a look at Zed."
"He won't appreciate you disturbing him," sighs Neo in resignation.
"I'll apologize." Ken and Gatomon leave, racing downstairs.
==
"So, you think Ryo's telling the truth?" asks Gatomon.
"To be honest, I don't know whom to believe. I don't even know if I'm Ken or not."
"No, you're you, even with that costume back on."
Ken halts for a moment, noting that the hated blue uniform has returned.
The cries, now pronounced screams, intensify.
Gatomon's ears twitch. "It's coming from there," she says, pointing to the right.
"I know." ** I'll worry about my clothing later; right now someone needs my help. Kaizer or no Kaizer, I've got to do something. *
The human and digimon reach the door, finding it locked.
"Hmm...I could pick the lock," muses Gatomon.
"This is no time for subtleties." Ken kicks the door down in a swift, graceful motion.
Gatomon bounds over to an unconscious Salamon. She pets the digimon gently.
"What happened?" asks Ken quietly.
"...let's just say this rookie's been through a lot." Gatomon lowers her lids sadly.
"Then let's get her out of here." Ken picks up the Salamon, wrapping her in his cloak.
Before Ken can leave, however, a bleeding, naked Angemon* with a broken mask lurches forward.
Gatomon freezes in fear, and Ken can barely speak a word.
The Angemon continues toward them. Ken shakes himself, and snatching the frightened Gatomon roughly by the back of her neck, he runs away, the Salamon still in his arms.
** I thought for a moment...thought that I saw.... *
"Thanks; I can run now, Ken," says Gatomon, still visibly shaken by the horror she saw.
"Sorry about that. Where's Wormmon?" Ken asks suddenly.
"He was with the others at the sakura grove. I had him stay behind. You obviously had to work things out alone."
"Thank you."
They hear another wild roar from the tortured Angemon, who has begun to chase them.
==
"Yes, my toy, bring back our little playmate," laughs the Stingmon.
"Zed, can you really blame Ken for his gallantry?" smiles Neo. "He hates seeing weak creatures in pain, and you're very rough with your toys."
"I understand that you're taken with this Ken. However, Neo," says Zed spitefully, "don't be too alarmed if he returns to you somewhat bruised and bloody."
"Don't mar him-take it out on the Gatomon and have him watch."
"I'm so relieved."
"I'm smitten with my earth angel, I admit, but I'm still quite wicked."
"What can I do?" asks Mari.
"Just dispatch your partner after Zed. With that many digimon, I know she'll want in on the action.
"Do you hear me, Zed? Leave some for Rosie," orders Neo.
"Oh, must I?" sighs Zed in a bored tone.
"You heard Saiba-sama," smirks Mari.
"Very well." Zed flies off, and Mari follows on a Lilymon's back.
==
At their frenetic pace, Ken and Gatomon reach Miyako, Takeru, and Hikari.
"Run!" Ken continues to race.
"From what?" demands Miyako.
Hikari and Takeru turn around. "From him!" cries Hikari.
Takeru doesn't budge. "It's him...the Angemon I was talking about. We have to help him."
"We won't be able to do much if we're dead!" shouts Miyako.
Ryo and Taichi come from one direction; Daisuke, Veemon, Wormmon, Zero, and other digimon from another, and the rest of the digidestined and partners from a third direction.
"Don't try to stop me! He's an Angemon; maybe I can calm him.
"Ready, Patamon?" Takeru asks with grim resolve.
"Ready, Takeru." Patamon digivolves to Angemon.
==
Lurking in the forest behind the clearing are Zed, Mari, and Rosie, the Lilymon.
"This will be quite a blast, won't it?" grins Mari.
"Yes," hisses Zed, "my toy will entertain them too."
=== Comments to anubis_soundwave@yahoo.com ===
[* Author's Note: No way am I using Malomyotismon. But, I'm using dub names for most of the digimon with alternate names in the OJV. Thus, the combo here. * * slight lemon here-good work, Salamon! * * put 2 + 2 together, folks. I've insinuiated this for the whole chapter. *]
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Part One: Summer Exotic! A City in the Digital World.
Chapter Three: Virulent and Defiled, Part One
** Mmmm...I smell breakfast. I must be home, and this whole situation-the strip Monopoly game, Neo naked, the digital world, the Kaizer outfit, and the huge city-it's all a dream.... **
Then Ken opens his eyes, waking to breakfast in bed.
"Good morning," Neo smiles cheerfully.
"Nope...still a nightmare." Ken falls back on his pillow.
"Wake up, and eat." Neo folds his arms. "I didn't prepare this for it to go to waste."
"Oh...gomen nasai, Neo-senpai. I'm being discourteous," smiles Ken sheepishly.
The pair eat some rice together.
"This is good," says Ken.
"Thank you," says Neo. "I have more."
Veemon bursts in, with Wormmon close behind.
"Daisuke! Get up, Dai!" Veemon hops onto Daisuke, who is still sleeping.
"Ken, we have to go someplace with Gatomon," continues Wormmon quietly.
"It may be important," says Neo, "but couldn't we finish breakfast first?"
"Breakfast? Where?" Daisuke bolts up.
Neo chuckles. "Right here, Daisuke-kun."
"Food later, Dai." Veemon pouts, worried.
"What did Gatomon say?" asks Ken.
"Not much; she just said to follow her someplace."
"Neo...can I take this with me?" smiles Ken. "I'm sorry to cut breakfast so short."
"It's all right. Be my guest, Ken."
"Arigatou." Ken takes up the food and leaves with Daisuke and the two digimon.
Neo drops his smile, somewhat annoyed at the interruption.
==
"You must be pretty worried to pass up on food, Veemon," notes Daisuke.
"Agreed. I know Wormmon can pack away more than his share," adds Ken with a grin.
"Just a little further, everyone," continues Gatomon. "This way."
"Shouldn't we find Takeru and Patamon?" asks Miyako.
"I went to check on him before Gatomon ambushed me," says Yamato. "He left a note saying he needed to take care of something."
"We'll have to go without him for now," says Gatomon.
The eleven digidestined and their digimon reach a grove of sakura trees.
"You want us to pick cherries?" asks Taichi.
"Shh." Gatomon signals Taichi to be quiet. "You guys can come out now!" she calls to the trees.
Ryo, Zeromaru, and Takato come out, slowly and warily.
Ken spreads out the breakfast. "Are you hungry?"
"We are!" Veemon and the other digimon partners dive in.
"Looks good." Ryo eyes the food appreciatively. "Who made it?"
"Our gracious host, Neo Saiba," grins Ken.
Zeromaru snatches one of Veemon's dumplings.
"Better test the food, kid...make sure Neo didn't poison or drug it." Zero gulps the dumpling whole. "Hmmm...more testing...."
Wormmon wraps Zero with a Sticky Net. "We'll take our chances with the poison, Zeromaru."
"You know this Veemon?" asks Gatomon.
"All too well-let him near food, and we'd all starve."
Ryo eyes Wormmon. "It is you. Guess your story pans out so far, Gatomon."
"Thanks for believing me," says Gatomon coolly.
"Wait a minute...why is there such concern over trusting us?" asks Miyako.
"Good question," muses Ken.
"How can I say this?" Ryo gropes for words.
"The only thing good about Neo is his cooking," spits Takato.
"What do you mean?" asks Miyako.
Ryo sighs. "Neo's trying to take over the digital world."
At this, all of the digidestined's eyes widen, except for Daisuke, who busied himself with a mental inventory of any "leftover" Dark Seed digidestined that resembled Neo.
"No offense to you, Ken," grins Taichi wryly, "but...."
"Allow me," finishes Ken. "It's been done. Not exactly a trend I expected anyone to follow," he adds wryly.
"You tried to take over, too?" asks Ryo, startled.
"I'm afraid so." Ken loses his sardonic smile.
"So that explains how Neo was able to get footholds in all four continents," says Zeromaru. "The digidestined were all too busy fighting Ken.
"You guys must have had a tough job-Ken can be stubborn," Zero adds.
"You know Ken, too?" Daisuke's eyes widen.
"Yeah, kid."
"But how do you know me?" asks Ken. "I've never met you or this man in my life."
"Wormmon, why doesn't Ken remember Ryo and me?" asks Zero.
"He still doesn't remember much after that fight a few years back," Wormmon sighs sadly.
"Don't you remember me, Ken? I'm your old partner. Your trainer," says Ryo.
"Let's start with your name," says Ken coldly.
"I see...Ryo Akiyama, Tamer First Class. We met a few months after the first Diaboromon incident, seven years ago."
"Diaboromon...I think there was a battle inside the Internet."
"Yeah; Taichi and Yamato did pretty good, though I wasn't sure at first. Taichi has a tendency to screw up things."
"What the hell do you mean?" snaps Taichi.
"Precisely what I said. If you had successfully completed your mission-if you had eliminated Neo-we wouldn't have half the problems we have now."
"What do you mean?" asks Hikari.
"I do recall meeting Wormmon at that time...the day after Osamu and I saw the digivice." Ken looks sharply into Ryo's eyes. "What was I wearing that day?"
"I think you had on a blue tee shirt with a horizontal stripe in the middle, and shorts," says Ryo. "I also know you were a lot friendlier back then."
"Please forgive me. A lot has happened in seven years. What was our mission?"
"To terminate Milleniumon. Unfortunately, that mission also failed, due to my weaknesses."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ryo-it was my weakness. I should have listened to Ken," says Zero.
"I understood that you had something against jogress evolution. But I should have been the stronger taishou."
"You were able to seal Milleniumon after Ken saved you from the Seeds," adds Wormmon.
"Too bad he caught one himself. It must have been so traumatic it triggered Ken's mind to suppress some of his memories." Ryo sighs sadly.
"Knowing Milleniumon, each of those Seeds was a potential copy of him," seethes Zeromaru, "waiting for someone with the skill, creativity, and patience to reconstruct him. He had to know that you, Ken, and Neo were the only ones with that knowledge and ability."
"Wait a minute. I wasn't just being used by Belialmyotismon*?" asks Ken.
"Hmm...Myotismon tends to work alone, yes-but I don't doubt that Neo approved, or he would have stopped Myotismon and moved on with whatever sick plan he had in mind."
"Then...why didn't Milleniumon...simply use Neo?" Ken trembles.
"Professional courtesy," Ryo quips.
"It's not funny. I became a monster, and I created a monster that leveled several digimon villages."
"Now I remember!" says Takato. "You're the Kaizer. That's why you have that weird T1 that blocks digivolution.
"I'm so glad you're back."
"What?" At this, the digidestined and their digimon stare wide-eyed at Takato.
"Don't get me wrong; I've heard from other Snimon about how you enslaved digimon and stuff, but I bet you got a small wakeup call trying that stuff on Kenichi."
"Who?" Ken struggles with his mind. ** My memories are tangled in an endless web; it was aptly spun by Arukenimon, Belialmyotismon, Milleniumon--whom I scarcely remember...
** ...and now I find out that my brother's old friend could have in on everything-and taking over sectors of the digital world while I was playing stupid, childish games....
** I don't believe this...I don't want to. * "I don't want to. I don't want to believe...I don't!"
"Ken, we wouldn't lie to you," says Ryo calmly.
"But I barely know you. I do know Neo, and he has the eccentric personality that wouldn't bother to lie about something like that."
=== Flashback ===
"Got me again. But in all seriousness, I have a surprise for you all."
"What could beat you in your birthday suit?" asks Iori.
"How about...my own city?"
"You have your own city?" balks Miyako.
"A small place I acquired several years ago," smiles Neo. "Currently, I have plans in motion for the city's expansion."
=== Present ===
** He couldn't have seriously meant that. *
"Guys, I think we just wasted our time," scowls Taichi.
"I couldn't agree more, Taichi," says Ken, stalking off.
Wormmon starts to follow, but Gatomon stops the caterpillar, going in Wormmon's place.
"Taichi...you don't remember, do you?" sighs Zero.
"What am I supposed to remember, Zeromaru-that I failed to kill someone?"
"You didn't exactly fail, Taichi; Neo did die...or so we thought. I had died, too."
"You were dead once, Zero?" asks Ryo.
"Yeah, and I was reconfigured back at Primary Central. Remained with old Kaz after I hatched, until you came along."
"So Taichi was your Victory Tamer," says Ryo. "That explains a bit."
"When did all of this happen?"
"Seven years ago, some time after the Dark Network warped you away from the digital world," says Zero. "I know that because you were blabbering on then about Etemon, Datamon, your friends, Hikari, and Agumon; your real partner."
"I think I'd remember the death of Neo if I had killed him off. He's my age. The only kid I remember fighting back then was Yamato." Taichi points to his best friend, who waves with a smirk.
"His death would have been published in all the papers, too," notes Jyou.
"I met Neo back then-before summer camp. I had beaten him at a Tama Battle monster card game contest."
"The championships; I remember," grins Sora. "The weird thing is that you entered just because you were bored."
Daisuke sighs silently. "Guys," he says slowly, "Ryo might be telling the truth."
"Get real, Daisuke. Ken and I can't both have amnesia over traumatic events!" Taichi snaps.
"Suppressed memories, not forgotten. You both probably bottled up harsh memories deep inside you. A partner digimon's death probably would do that to you, or something worse."
"No, Dai. From what Zero said, that had to happen after I left Hikari alone after that crap with Etemon all those years ago. And I would have been separated from Agumon."
"Now that you mention it, Taichi," says Agumon, "you did appear a few seconds after me."
"The digital world's time cycle was unstable at the time," muses Koushirou. "Perhaps the Harmonious Ones-or maybe even Qinglongmon and the other Guardians-may have seen the need for you and Zero to help in this area of the digital world seven years ago.
"It might have been a months-long adventure that only took a few seconds, due to the temporal flux."
"What kind of crap is that?" asks Taichi.
"That makes more sense than some strange guy lying to us. The stories he and this Veemon--*" Daisuke faces a tug on his pant leg.
"Zeromaru; Zero for short," smiles Zero.
"Well, these stories are too crazy to be made up. And they know too much about Ken."
"I agree with Daisuke," says Hikari. "These digimon are scared of someone or something. Besides, if there wasn't any danger, we wouldn't have changed clothes."
"You'll notice they're war clothes," says Ryo noncommittally.
"And you think it's Neo?"
"It has been Neo for years, Taichi," says Zeromaru.
"I wouldn't worry now, though," says Takato. "With all of these Chosen and their partner digimon, Neo doesn't have any chance of winning now."
"Don't jump to conclusions-they haven't agreed to help us." Ryo eyes Taichi. "Taichi, let's take a walk alone.
"Just the two of us, Zero. You lead the troops back to camp."
"But, Ryo...." Zero seems unwilling.
"Order," says Ryo calmly and gently.
"Understood, taishou," sighs Zero, moving with Takato back into the forest.
Veemon whispers something to Wormmon, and they follow after Zero and his group.
"Veemon, wait for me!" Daisuke hisses.
Miyako shrugs. "I guess we can't do much else except head back to the city."
"I don't know...Ryo's pretty serious." Hikari looks toward the young, solemn man walking beside her brother.
"Come on, Hikari," says Miyako.
Hikari runs to catch up with the rest of the digidestined.
==
"Hi again; it's me," Takeru whispers to the Angemon he and Patamon found earlier in the day.
"We brought food and water," adds Patamon. "You'll get your strength back."
The digimon can only grunt his gratitude as he devours the food.
"You could lose a hand in there," laughs Takeru, snatching his hand away. "Don't worry; I'll find a way to free you from that fiend.
"How could Neo allow this to happen? He's not much of a Chosen. Guess we'll have to ask him about this."
"Just to protect him, maybe I should digivolve and stay here while you let Neo know about this," suggests Patamon.
"That's a bad idea," says Wormmon.
"Huh? When did you get here?" asks Takeru.
"Well, I was walking around, and I noticed this door open. You really should stop feeding that Angemon."
"But look at him! He's been tortured."
"I know. Neo told me about him when I first saw him. It's for his own good."
"How do you figure that?" asks Patamon, eyeing Wormmon narrowly. He also notes that the Angemon trembles violently at the caterpillar.
"The Angemon is infected with viral data, and that makes him dangerous. He could turn into an evil digimon and hurt someone. Neo admits this treatment is harsh, and may seem cruel; however, a good Tamer has to hurt digimon sometimes for their benefit."
"Oh...where's Ken?" asks Takeru.
"He's upstairs with Neo. They did want to speak to you two about something," says Wormmon.
"I'll head up, and have a chat with Neo about this. Could you at least watch him for me? I still think he needs to be fed."
"I'll take good care of him."
Takeru and Patamon leave, shutting the door. Wormmon crawls to the Angemon with an apple in his mouth.
"Are you still hungry, little toy?" smiles Wormmon in a sinister voice.
He digivolves to Stingmon. "I guess...that it's time for your daily feeding. You know what to do." Stingmon has his waist in front of the Angemon's frightened face.
Just as Stingmon unsheathes himself*, a Salamon bites his exoskeletal flesh.
"So, my new toy has finally come out of hiding," laughs Stingmon.
"Set him free, you monster," she squeaks, spitting out the excrement.
"Believe it or not, I will honor your request. My pet has become lonely.
"I will set him free, and you two can play games together...."
Stingmon sets the angel digimon free, and sends the Angemon after the Salomon.
The Angemon is in a near-rabid, feral state.
==
Takeru receives an instant message from Daisuke on his Wonder Swan.
gogoru_02: hey, takeru-these digimon out here say that neo's the enemy
takai_TK: well, i only know about a digimon being tortured back at the palace
takai_TK: but wormmon told me he spoke to neo about that
takai_TK: although the digimon was pretty scared of wormmon :lol
gogoru_02: that's crazy, wormmon's here with me and veemon
gogoru_02: we've been spying on some central digimon who mean business
gogoru_02: their leader is another veemon named zero, and he's with a tamer named ryo
gogoru_02: ryo's with taichi now talking about stuff, i think ryo's telling the truth but ken thinks ryo's lying, so does taichi
takai_TK: hold on, did you say wormmon was with you
gogoru_02: yeah, he's been with us for several hours
Takeru signs off the chat with Daisuke, and races downstairs, with Patamon close behind.
==
"What else can we do together, Ken?" grins Neo.
"I don't know," smiles Ken. "We've played everything from chess to Donkey Madness. I beat you at Monopoly again-and you'd better keep your pants on this time."
"Okay; your call. How do you like your dessert?"
"Exceptional; you're a culinary wizard as well."
"I have sake or red wine; either one's a perfect match with our meal. Made for each other." Neo gazes into Ken's eyes, lucid green meeting clear violet.
Ken stands up. "Let's go on the balcony for some air."
"As you wish." Neo follows Ken out.
Gatomon's ears twitch, sensing trouble. She dashes out of Neo's room.
Outside, the youths look out at the city below.
"Isn't this beautiful?" asks Neo.
"What's this all about?" Ken demands gently.
"My having a city surprises you?"
"In the digital world, yes; it's a bit surprising.
"What did you mean by 'plans for expansion,' Neo; you know, before bringing us here?"
"Precisely what I said," says Neo calmly.
"Neo, if you're thinking of...." Ken feels Neo's hand on his lips.
"Ken, you're simply too kind. I know that's a virtue you possess, and I love you for it. However, you toyed with the darkness, caressed it with the innocence of an eager child. And it wanted you completely.
The darkness still wants you, Ken. It has tasted you, and it craves more of you. I'm sure you've heard its call, beckoning you back. After all, you're a new lover," smiles Neo knowingly. "Hasn't it been in your dreams?"
Ken chooses to ignore Neo's question. "What does any of this drivel about darkness have to do with you, your damn city, and the digital world."
"You're not obtuse, though you pretend to be. I know you met Ryo and his gang of digimon. That is the only reason you stayed so long, and what he said has brought you back to hear it from me.
"You do realize that I didn't lie to you. This is my city; I did acquire it."
"Through conquest," seethes Ken.
"You are so sensual when you're angry," smiles Neo. "But isn't it obvious why I brought you here?"
"To waste my summer, apparently."
"No, Ken; to have you join me. We can become one with the darkness. Let it claim you."
"The darkness is evil, Neo. I suggest you let it go."
"You can't deny that a thirst for blood still lurks inside you. Let's discuss this."
"We have nothing further to discuss."
==
Takeru and Patamon reach the room with the Angemon, and they find the door locked.
Miyako and Hikari arrive.
"Takeru, we've been looking for you all day," says Hikari.
"Taichi wants us to meet outside the city," adds Miyako.
"Okay, we just have to take care of something." Takeru seems agitated.
"He says it's pretty important," Hikari notes.
"Let's go, now!" Miyako grabs Takeru's hand and drags him out of the palace.
"Wait up!" cries Patamon, flying to catch up.
==
"Ken, you must reconsider. Any battle against me would be futile," warns Neo.
"What makes you say that?" asks Ken.
Before Neo can answer, Gatomon rushes in, pouncing onto Ken's chest.
"Follow me. Now."
"What's going on?" asks Ken.
"Please, just listen!" Gatomon has visible fear written on her normally cool face.
Faint roars and cries are heard, echoing from downstairs.
"What the hell is that?" asks Ken.
Neo laughs. "Oh, that's just Zed."
"Zed?" ask the digidestined and digimon in unison.
"Yes; he's just having some fun with his toys."
"That doesn't sound like fun to me," says Gatomon.
"I agree Gatomon, and I don't want to be misled again.
"Come on, Gatomon; let's take a look at Zed."
"He won't appreciate you disturbing him," sighs Neo in resignation.
"I'll apologize." Ken and Gatomon leave, racing downstairs.
==
"So, you think Ryo's telling the truth?" asks Gatomon.
"To be honest, I don't know whom to believe. I don't even know if I'm Ken or not."
"No, you're you, even with that costume back on."
Ken halts for a moment, noting that the hated blue uniform has returned.
The cries, now pronounced screams, intensify.
Gatomon's ears twitch. "It's coming from there," she says, pointing to the right.
"I know." ** I'll worry about my clothing later; right now someone needs my help. Kaizer or no Kaizer, I've got to do something. *
The human and digimon reach the door, finding it locked.
"Hmm...I could pick the lock," muses Gatomon.
"This is no time for subtleties." Ken kicks the door down in a swift, graceful motion.
Gatomon bounds over to an unconscious Salamon. She pets the digimon gently.
"What happened?" asks Ken quietly.
"...let's just say this rookie's been through a lot." Gatomon lowers her lids sadly.
"Then let's get her out of here." Ken picks up the Salamon, wrapping her in his cloak.
Before Ken can leave, however, a bleeding, naked Angemon* with a broken mask lurches forward.
Gatomon freezes in fear, and Ken can barely speak a word.
The Angemon continues toward them. Ken shakes himself, and snatching the frightened Gatomon roughly by the back of her neck, he runs away, the Salamon still in his arms.
** I thought for a moment...thought that I saw.... *
"Thanks; I can run now, Ken," says Gatomon, still visibly shaken by the horror she saw.
"Sorry about that. Where's Wormmon?" Ken asks suddenly.
"He was with the others at the sakura grove. I had him stay behind. You obviously had to work things out alone."
"Thank you."
They hear another wild roar from the tortured Angemon, who has begun to chase them.
==
"Yes, my toy, bring back our little playmate," laughs the Stingmon.
"Zed, can you really blame Ken for his gallantry?" smiles Neo. "He hates seeing weak creatures in pain, and you're very rough with your toys."
"I understand that you're taken with this Ken. However, Neo," says Zed spitefully, "don't be too alarmed if he returns to you somewhat bruised and bloody."
"Don't mar him-take it out on the Gatomon and have him watch."
"I'm so relieved."
"I'm smitten with my earth angel, I admit, but I'm still quite wicked."
"What can I do?" asks Mari.
"Just dispatch your partner after Zed. With that many digimon, I know she'll want in on the action.
"Do you hear me, Zed? Leave some for Rosie," orders Neo.
"Oh, must I?" sighs Zed in a bored tone.
"You heard Saiba-sama," smirks Mari.
"Very well." Zed flies off, and Mari follows on a Lilymon's back.
==
At their frenetic pace, Ken and Gatomon reach Miyako, Takeru, and Hikari.
"Run!" Ken continues to race.
"From what?" demands Miyako.
Hikari and Takeru turn around. "From him!" cries Hikari.
Takeru doesn't budge. "It's him...the Angemon I was talking about. We have to help him."
"We won't be able to do much if we're dead!" shouts Miyako.
Ryo and Taichi come from one direction; Daisuke, Veemon, Wormmon, Zero, and other digimon from another, and the rest of the digidestined and partners from a third direction.
"Don't try to stop me! He's an Angemon; maybe I can calm him.
"Ready, Patamon?" Takeru asks with grim resolve.
"Ready, Takeru." Patamon digivolves to Angemon.
==
Lurking in the forest behind the clearing are Zed, Mari, and Rosie, the Lilymon.
"This will be quite a blast, won't it?" grins Mari.
"Yes," hisses Zed, "my toy will entertain them too."
=== Comments to anubis_soundwave@yahoo.com ===
[* Author's Note: No way am I using Malomyotismon. But, I'm using dub names for most of the digimon with alternate names in the OJV. Thus, the combo here. * * slight lemon here-good work, Salamon! * * put 2 + 2 together, folks. I've insinuiated this for the whole chapter. *]
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