Chapter Six: Excursions of the Conquistador.
"...at fault," he says.
Does Ken expect me to beat him up now? I still don't understand what happened. Ken tells me that because of his arrogance, Kenichi died, and Gotsutei turned out the way he is now. But no details.
Ken, I'm getting frustrated with you. This whole damn situation, instead of becoming clearer, just received another twist. What the hell is going on?
"Who do you think you are, yaro?" I ask him.
Ken ignores me. I wish Hikari were here to hand me her mental sledgehammer.
Thankfully, a smooth skipping pebble is near me. I toss it at Ken's hand. He drops his precious Manual, which he was reading over and over for information on Genbu Temple, he says. It was getting on my nerves.
He wants me to blame him. For what?
Ken rubs his wrist, smiling softly. "You hit my hand," he muses.
"I was aiming for your head, brainiac," I scowl. "I want to crack open that thick skull of yours to see what's inside."
"There's not much, really," says Ken off-handedly, damn him. "I'm a simple child at heart," he adds with a grin.
"I'd hate to meet your idea of a complicated one."
"I'm trying hard not to be arrogant...it did bite me in the ass," notes Ken, master of self-mockery. It's cute, but I still know nothing about him. Or about this situation that Ken blames himself for.
"You said you wanted us to talk," I remind him. Ken tends to forget crap that most sane people would have etched in their minds. "Let's talk."
"I explained what happened, Taichi," Ken counters flatly.
"Barely," I mutter.
"It's getting late. We should eat and rest, so we can continue our search for Zero." His tone is even, but Ken folds his arms and looks at me as though his suggestion held no room for argument.
Sieg Zeon.
==
Sleep evades me. I'm such a fool. I could count every star in the digital heaven, and I still wouldn't fall asleep. That is how it is. The few brief snatches of rest I receive weary me even more.
I'm used to this "sleep pattern" of mine by now, but it's become more pronounced than before. The moment is rare when I can close my eyes, enter oblivion, and dream like normal people.
But it's my penance, I suppose. I have only myself to blame.
I can still feel Taichi's eyes staring at me, while I stare at the sky. What the hell does he want? Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I note a soft grin on his face.
"You want something, Taichi," I sigh. He apparently taught Daisuke that smile. "What is it?"
"I can't sleep," he pouts. "I'm bored."
"So?"
"Let's talk." He is so droll. Three digimon are sleeping before us. I know because Gotsutei's muttering fretfully, and Agumon sounds like a sawmill obsessed with lemon pie.
"About what?" I hiss. "Damn it, I'm tired."
"Then why are you still awake?"
"Because someone has elected to keep me awake. And actually, Agumon's snoring is actually quite soothing." It really is. But not enough to put me to sleep.
"Then let's talk ourselves to sleep."
"No. We need to rest; remember," I say, turning my back to him, "we have to find Zero and speak to Xuanwumon. Now quit keeping me awake."
That was just a blatant lie to get him to shut up, wasn't it, Ichijouji? Truth is, I can't sleep. I'm tired, I'm angry, and I was staring into the stars for answers to unasked questions.
"I'm exhausted watching you try to sleep, but I can't close my eyelids and snore, Ken."
"Why, Taichi?" I ask. Why?
"I want to know."
"Know?"
"What you did; what makes you believe that you're at fault for Kenichi's death, and Gotsu's...issues." Which Hikari and I agreed wouldn't reach Taichi's ears.
"I am to blame."
"For what? You haven't 'explained' crap. But I also want to know what kind of adventures you had. Come on, Ken-you owe me that much." Taichi was kind enough to relate the Imperialdramon Zero incident. And even Neo's initial death.
But Taichi's actions were blameless. He wanted to spare Neo's life. In the end, he just saw another human being like himself. I can't say the same for myself. I was, and sometimes still am, just a selfish person too reckless to consider the potential consequences for his actions, and their repercussions on others.
"I was, Taichi, a...self-absorbed and wicked child. It's as simple as that."
"Yeah; that, too. But your main problem is that you hold too much emotional crap in. Good, bad; fun like sex on the beach, or rotten as hell-you won't tell anyone how you feel unless someone drags it out of you.
"How are you supposed to deal with the darkness in your heart if you keep it locked in all the time?" Taichi continues quietly. I don't know, and I'd ask you to tell me if I thought you knew the answer. But no one knows.
"What exactly do you want to know about me?" I ask.
"I don't think you just went to Central and caused a lot of trouble needlessly. Usually there's some rhythm to a villain's madness. At least you don't need to tell me what made you the Kaizer. It's so damn obvious." Somehow, I don't think he was alluding to the now-extinct Dark Seed that was in my neck.
"Actually," I smile ruefully, "bringing hell to Central was a complete accident on my part. I was merely on a self-imposed reconnaissance mission to learn the lay of the land, so I could conquer it later."
"With swift, crushing, and complete efficiency, the way you took over Eastern. Will you give me some credit? Hell, I could have told you Agumon doesn't like being forced to digivolve, and would have gone Skull on you."
"How did you know that?" I'm honestly curious. I was so infuriated when that happened. Many Dark Tyrannomon could have been spared.
"Happened to me, too. I wanted to push Agumon to ultimate, but I pushed him too hard."
"At least your heart was in the right place," I note.
"True, but if you were in my place then, you never would have pushed Wormmon like that."
"You're right." Because my digimon friend would have had already reached his champion stage and scared the crap out of me.
Something about Stingmon has always frightened me. Probably scares Wormmon even more. Maybe it's his viral nature, which gives him a fighting edge, but makes him vulnerable to dark forces. Perhaps when Arukenimon put a spell on him and Digmon with that flute, it excited a more combative, violent side of Stingmon.
Gusano. Though I teasingly stick my tongue out at him, I want Wormmon to sleep peacefully. He deserves it.
==
"What adventures did you have? Who did you meet?" I ask.
"Huh? What are you talking about, Taichi?" Ken, quit forgetting.
"While on your mission. You had to meet-and try to capture-a lot of digimon on your journey. Come on; tell me."
Ken rattles off a few digimon names. Then talks about a stop in Suzaku City.
==
Daisuke and Ryo reach the Imperial Aviary, the palace of Zhuqiaomon.
"Please; we request an audience with Zhuqiaomon," says Ryo. However, the guards appear to be leery of his request. "We need to speak to her regarding the situation in Central."
"She will receive no visitors," scowls an Insekimon.
"It's urgent that I meet with her on this matter."
"Are you deaf?" hisses the other guard, a Tsukaimon. "No visitors."
"I think we should just take these guys out and head in there," blurts Daisuke.
"Negative. The whole Aviary will be on us before we can blink. Getting killed would defeat our purpose here," sighs Ryo.
"We came all this way to see 'the Queen of the Birds', and I don't think we should stop because of a couple of birdbrains."
"They're just doing their job," smiles Ryo patiently as he escorts Daisuke away.
= = =
"Tamer Akiyama came forward, along with a headstrong youth. The second boy had strange eyewear on his head," reports a young man with gold eyes, dressed in gold.
"...strange...eyewear...?" murmurs a melodious voice, as if stirring from a long slumber.
"Yes, Your Majesty; shall I let them enter?"
"No...Houou-sama. Let Akiyama prove himself for once."
"Are you certain, my lady?"
"If he...is truly worthy of his craft, he will be able to enter my gates. Otherwise, he...shall perish."
"What of the other child?" asks Houou.
"Bring him...to his quarters here. I have missed that child...."
= = =
"We just wait until nightfall. Most of Suzaku City's people are bird digimon. Only a few of them are nocturnal," explains Ryo.
"And we sneak in like a pair of thieves, right?" I stare up at the evening sky, irritated that we have to break and enter again. "Ryo, I thought you said you knew Zhuqiaomon."
"I do. But she's decided to shut us out for some reason."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. I sent her an email to let her know I was coming, and my reasons why."
"How considerate." Seems like Ryo contacts people only when he needs their help. No wonder he's so popular.
Don't get me wrong, I know he doesn't mean to come off that way. He's a cool person for the most part, but his social skills are virtually nonexistent.
I mean, we're in the heart of the coolest-looking place I've ever seen in the digital world. Bird digimon of all feathers flying everywhere. There's a girl Aquilamon that would make Hawkmon preen himself bald trying to impress her. I'd give him pointers, of course.
But what does Ryo do? First he waltzes straight to the Aviary without stopping to look around, knocks on the royal door, and wants an audience with the Queen. And what is it about? Oh, nothing-we're getting our asses handed to us, and we need your god-bird powers to save our lives. And failing that, we break into her room while she's bird-bathing.
No, that's not the way to get help from someone when you're a guest on their turf.
"Ryo?" I'm going to explain something to him. A good friend of mine calls it diplomacy.
Ryo looks up from his Manual. "Yes, Daisuke."
"Why not just look around the city; you know, see the sights? Have some fun while we're here?"
"This isn't a vacation, and we aren't tourists in a foreign land."
"You're right-we're a pair of foreign military agents in their country, and we're going to barge in and demand their leader give us aid in a battle. That makes no sense whatsoever."
"What would make sense? That we sit in a fabulous restaurant eating like kings while Neo takes over the digital world?"
"Makes great sense to me," chirps Demiveemon. "I'm so hungry...."
"Ken and Taichi are still searching for Zero, right?" asks Ryo pointedly.
"Yeah; my digimon has a healthy appetite, too. But about what I'm saying; I know I'm right. A month into school this past year, Ken was doing a school project on the four Kyoto beasts. Each section of Tamaishi had to handle a beast; Ken got Suzaku.
"Suzaku, the red sparrow, is the Japanese version of the Chinese phoenix. That bird is the most beautiful, wealthy, and powerful of the four beasts, and Suzaku loves to show off. I wish I had the pictures of Ken and me dressed as holy firebird soldiers.
"Anyway," I continue, "what Ken learned-and what I learned-was that Suzaku appreciates the custom of hospitality. The phoenix goes all-out to show her guests a good time, and a guest not partaking of her generosity is unheard of."
"We are at war." I wonder if Ryo paid attention to a word I said.
"All the more reason why we shouldn't offend prospective allies by disregarding their culture. Let's face it: if the Akiyama unit were like the United States, we wouldn't need Zhuqiaomon's help, and so we can afford to offend alien cultures. But we're just a bunch of kids and their digimon against an army or darkness, so we're really at the queen's mercy here.
"And that looks like a great restaurant to start." Actually, it was a noodle cart, but that ramen smells like Iron Chef Chin opened a restaurant. And I'm so hungry.
= = =
Everything's free at Suzaku City; I had forgotten that. This is a beautiful place. And Daisuke was right about the hospitality angle. He's been reading the Manual.
These hot springs are nice. I remember when Ken and I rested here. And Zero caused a huge tidal wave doing a cannonball into the lake. Minomon ate some of the royal chocolates and nearly got us all killed. Ken ate most of them, though. He's a nut for chocolate.
I wonder how Zhuqiaomon would take Stingmon and Ken gorging on her Black Forest Cake that she has on her birthday every digital year.
Veemon dashes in, meeting my relaxed smile. He seems agitated.
"What's the matter, Veemon?" I ask.
"It's Dai!" he screams. "A giant golden bird digimon named Hououmon snatched him away while he was looking at some samurai armor and stuff."
"Hououmon?" King Phoenix to some, Lord Houou to others. Zhuqiaomon's shogun and adviser. Why the hell would he kidnap Daisuke?
"It appears we can't wait until dark after all," I continue, stepping out of the hot springs.
= = =
Where am I? I look around.
Cool bed. I flop onto it. This has to be the most comfortable prison I've ever been in. Now that I'm lying on my stomach, I can see the plush carpet. Some paintings of...the Kaizer? I guess Ken was here. He's not smiling in one, but he has that eternal Ichijouji smirk in another. He parked his big disco glasses on his head...like my goggles.
A gorgeous girl drifts into my room. She's clad in vibrant shades of red.
"Ow!" That's my reaction to snapping the goggle strap to make sure I'm awake.
"Are you all right?" asks the lady.
"Yes, ma'am," I smile weakly. Judging by the size and opulence of the room, I know that at least I'm not out of Suzaku City.
The beauty sits on my bed, studying me closely. Stroking my cheek, she gives an understanding, if sad smile.
"Houou-sama needs glasses," she jokes. "You are not the headstrong Chosen I expected."
"You were expecting Ken, maybe?" I ask with a stupid grin plastered to my face. "Ryo told me that Ken was his tag partner."
"You are correct. Do you know of Ichijouji, then?" the lady asks.
Do I know of him? "Ken's my best friend," I answer, half-hoping that she wasn't a deluded slave out for revenge. But he spent time in this near-paradise and didn't tell me? I'm going to wring his neck.
"Then that explains Houou-sama's mistake, then. Please forgive my discourtesy." She bows, like a geisha with Kairin's red hair. I can't tell the difference between her hair and the feathers, except for some white, black, and blue plumage to set it off. Kairin would look great in something like that.
"It's okay, Your Majesty." Somehow, she has to be this digimon we're trying to gain an audience with. Zhuqiamon's just like the Princess' daughter, who gave my class a tour of the Emperor's Palace a year ago.
"You are observant," Zhuqiamon smiles.
"Domo arigatou," I smile in turn. "May I ask you some questions?"
"Yes."
"Tell me about Ken being here." I'll be damned if I don't know something about my own friend. And since I'm here, I may as well be a good guest. That way, she'll be in a good mood to listen to Ryo bore us to death with military details.
Bet he enjoyed the hot springs, though.
= = =
Every known method of entering the Aviary undetected has a check. And those two guards I met are nocturnal. Hell, they're not even birds. I don't think the Tsukaimon even sleeps. He's like a zombie Patamon, or Akane with too much sugar in her system.
"We will protect our queen from all enemies," continues the Insekimon.
And save for a small volley of red fireballs that singed the door, I would have stood there trying to negotiate all night.
"Who dares?" shouts the Tsukaimon.
"Come here and find out, if you dare," smirks an Impmon, spanking his butt. Veemon and I look at each other in stark confusion.
"Hey-you two waiting for an invitation?" hisses another Impmon. "Hoshino's going to take care of these clowns-you get in there.
"In case you're wondering, soldier boy," the twerp continues with a smirk, "Tetsuro sends his regards."
Tetsuro. Hoshino. Oh, gods...no....
It's them.
Veemon tugs my sleeve. "We'd better get going before those two guards get back. Daisuke's still in there."
It's Daisuke's fault he's there in the first place. Nevertheless, I'd better find him and get out of here before those Impmon get us executed.
= = = =
** Quite exotic, * I muse privately, looking at this oasis in the desert. This will be my winter retreat when I come to power, and Binocular Girl will attend to certain needs I've developed...when I'm older. Ruler of the digital world I'm destined to be, but she'd probably still laugh at me.
I see a large golden bird digimon. I think he's a rare holy beast. Now that's a digimon.
- - -
The Kaizer slaps away a plate of food. "I told you that I'm not hungry, nor am I in want for food."
"Are you referring, perhaps," asks a young man in gold robes, "to this long-exhausted supply of raisins? I sincerely hope you feed your 'slaves' better than you feed yourself."
"Actually, yes I do. It would be inefficient to have my slaves near death if I want them to fight. Or level your worthless hovel to the ground," Ken continues with a graceless smirk.
"Patience is one of our virtues...Kaizer, and I believe I'm being generous in permitting you to live after your pitiful attempt to enslave me. The least you could do is quit your stubbornness and accept our city's hospitality."
"I have made many enemies in my quest to rule this world. How do I know you aren't out to kill me?"
"You live," answers the gold-robed man. "That is more than enough testament."
"Perhaps I want to die," Ken glares.
"Say nothing so dreadful," hisses a beauty wearing red. "You shall eat, Kaizer."
"For the fifth time, I'm not hungry."
"Ensure that Ken eats, and rests, Houou-sama. I know he is a trial on your patience."
"I am willing to serve you, my queen," says the man in gold. "And him."
"I don't want your damn food," scowls Ken.
"Whether you want it or not is closed to protest. You eat what is set before you, and that is the end of the matter."
- - -
The food is exquisite, but these two are even worse than my parents. Constantly worrying about my appetite. Only these two probably intend to eat me when I'm plump. Except that won't happen. I want to fit this outfit when I leave.
"Zhuqiamon now permits your departure. She expresses grave sorrow and disappointment in your conduct," says Lord Houou. Of course, he's actually that Hououmon I tried to capture-the one who dragged me here in the first place.
"The queen is merciful, and you would do well to mark her conduct as the example if you intend to rule anywhere in the digital world.
"You will dine with her for breakfast. She herself has prepared a meal for you." At least the queen knows how to serve a master.
Intrigued, I actually submit to their little demands. The fact that they're a pair of mega digimon merely requires me to rethink my strategy. Return later with another mega that I successfully control, and take over this city.
= = = =
"So you went to Southern, tried to capture a Hououmon, and instead of being annihilated you were fed and sent on your way?" I ask. This is not fair. I remember thinking of different things to mix in some eggs we scrounged up when we first landed in the digital world.
"For which I am grateful to them," says Ken.
"You sure as hell better be. Back in my time, digimon attacked us for almost any reason-or even without reason. A day didn't pass when a Kuwagamon or some angry Snimon weren't trying to destroy us. Takeru and Hikari were just small kids back then.
"And getting free food? Madness. Either it's a trap set by an evil digimon flunkie, or you have a Digitamamon complaining about money. Damn your luck, Ken."
"I don't feel very lucky," he says.
"So maybe you made a few selfish, egregious mistakes. Eleven-year olds do that a lot. Yours just happened to be a lot bigger."
"And more devastating to other lives."
"Ken, some things you should actually try to forget."
"I can't forget. I won't forget anymore. Even if it means remembering the monstrous acts I committed."
"You're still alive, Ken. You haven't even begun to live yet. Just wait until you hit my age; by then, you'll be on the threshold of forging your own destiny. And later on, when you've matured and you have kids of your own, you probably will forget about the Kaizer."
"How do you forget something like that?"
Good point. Some things in the digital world we can't forget. "The truth is...you don't forget the bad things that happen in life. A lot of crap happened to me during my first journeys here that I wish I could forget. Especially Skullgreymon."
"Yes; let's forget the Skull." Ken smiles, a small miracle in itself.
"You see? It only takes a second to think about the good along with the bad. People always want to remember good things, and think about good memories.
"It's like your brain's a computer. Every file ever saved is on the memory. But you have a limited amount of disk space, and when something's about to exceed the limit, the older files you deleted are overwritten.
"By the time your loin spawn begins to walk the earth, the Kaizer will be overwritten." That Koushirou. Some of his technobabble leaked into my brain after all.
"What good is in the Kaizer?" asks Ken.
I smile broadly. "Hitler built the Autobahn."
"What is the relevance of this bit of trivia?"
"That no one is all bad; there's good in everyone."
"Interesting."
"That's what you are. Tell me more about your mission. You are a thorough person." Real thorough. Ken's methodical about everything, from cleaning his room to eating a bowl of rice. He makes everything in life look so simple.
I know what it is about Ken that keeps him from getting killed. He's charming. And a damn good storyteller.
==
I'm inside an inn, though it looks a bit like an American saloon. However, that isn't what I deem worthy of observation. The hostesses are far more intriguing. And it's not simply because they appear to be a pair of voluptuous young women. It's because these women are usually mortal enemies.
"What are you typing?" That's Devin, an Angewomon. She's the hostess, and the brains of this business.
"No, she's the mischievous one," says Virgil, the Lady Devimon protesting my typing. "I'm really a good girl, Koushirou."
"As I have observed this past week. What do you think of Virgil's pitas, Kazenori?"
"Delicious." The Lopmon continues gorging on rice balls unabated.
"And these honey buns are irresistible," sighs Tentomon in glee. Insect digimon have a natural weakness for sweets. My partner is even worse about melons. Wormmon's addiction-also the known addiction of the Ichijouji clan-is chocolate.
In fact, that's how Devin and Virgil first met Ken-before his Kaizer days. Wormmon had first tasted some leftover chocolate chip cookies lurking in one of Ken's pockets. The poor larva can't get that taste out of his mind. We all have our poisons.
About six years ago, Devin secured a contract to bake a large Black Forest Cake for the Suzuka Anniversary Festival. It was at the ama no byakko-oh, the Lair of the White King Tiger. Though in this continent where anarchy reigns, this sacred place is referred to irreverently as Baihumon's Pit. The Pit if you're in a hurry.
Ken and Wormmon found the finished cake, and they stared at it for a solid hour. Wormmon finally tore a chunk out of the cake, and that's where Virgil came in. Fortunately, she was a Black Gatomon at the time. Ken apologized for his chocolate-loving friend.
Ichijouji Ken has this mesmerizing effect on people, especially females. When I asked about their encounter with the Kaizer, Virgil started licking her lips, muttering something about whips and games. Devin sighed, then mentioned cheerfully that Ken blushes all over. More information than even I needed to know. Miyako would love this.
= = = =
"Hold still, cutie," smiles Virgil, the Lady Devimon I failed to capture.
First those Impmon begin tailing me here from the Kitsune Islands, and when I finally manage to ditch them, I run into another digital god. Baihumon. I almost had him, yet those stupid Impmon appear yet again. They attack two of the Ice Leomon guards. I worked hard to get those spirals on them, yet the cretins' puny fireballs destroy the spirals before I could establish a stable control lock.
The sad part is the little twerps are trying to help me. Except this time they helped me into a bath house with a Lady Devimon and an Angewomon named Devin. These rather...buxom creatures somehow know of Ken. And think that I wish to be addressed as him.
"Unhand me," I demand, my struggling rendered futile. Devin divests me of my clothes and glasses.
"You need a bath, 'Your Majesty'," counters Devin, folding her arms.
I glare at her. "If you and your viral friend don't give me back my uniform, you and she will be flogged."
"My, Ken-chan...." Virgil toys with my whip, smiling wickedly. "We are rather bold."
Why do I have the strange feeling she wants me to flog her? And why am I liking the idea?
Devin clutches my naked frame close, my back to her ample-and thankfully clothed breasts. "Ken's still just a baby. I don't think you can play those games with children."
"He has to learn discipline." My whip slips out of Virgil's claws, and now I'm a Lady-Womon sandwich. "Can't we play with him, just a little?"
"No! Ken's being bad enough as it is, and it's not the kind of bad that turns a girl on," Devin lectures. How can someone so nubile sound like my mama?
"A pity," sighs Virgil, tracing my admittedly puny chest. I'm almost flattered that they find me attractive at all. "So much potential wasted...."
"Enough!" I gasp. "I can bathe myself, thank you."
Watching the digimon leave, my main concern is my skin's sudden redness.
= = = =
"Takeru...we have a problem." Sayuki indicates a small mob of digimon assembled around a part of the desert in Eastern. A familiar part.
"What are they doing?" asks Takato.
"Maybe I should go underground and find out," says Digmon.
"That would be reckless," Iori counters.
Takeru eyes the group a moment, noting the Airdramon in the sky. "Actually," says the blond slowly, "Sayuki's the best digimon for that job. Sayuki, you and Patamon head to the Airdramon. He seems to be in charge.
"And be careful. When we meet Zero again, I don't want to tell him you've been hurt. Understand?"
"I will, but Zero still thinks I'm a freshie." The Chuumon hops onto Patamon's back, and they head towards the mob.
As they near the group of digimon, Sayuki and Patamon discover that the digimon are workers at a construction site.
= = =
This Airdramon has some history behind him. I'm pretty sure Ken enslaved him at one point.
"Once...." he tells me, "I was a king. The greatest of Airdramon, Takeru. I thought myself the mightiest of digimon, until I faced one with greater power.
"With the aid of his Tamer, he defeated me. I begged this digimon to grant myself and my people-if you can call us 'people'-autonomy. He and the Tamer accepted the request, and we were free.
"But it came at a horrible price. A false freedom, bought at too great a price."
"What do you mean?"
"My armies and I had to serve the Tamer's unit. And in so doing, I betrayed a child."
Ken must have really hurt this Airdramon. In that case, rebuilding his base makes no sense.
The Airdramon notes my confusion. "This? The work behind me is penance. I must atone for my sins against him."
"The Kaizer?" I ask, surprised. "But he hurt you."
"Yes; but it was my ill-fated choice to serve the Tamer and his champion that brought the Kaizer upon me.
"Ken was the child that I betrayed."
"What exactly did you do?"
"I abandoned Ken and his unit, who needed my help in the battle against a digital chimera."
"Kimeramon? Ken created Kimeramon."
"From the seeds spawned of Millenniumon, the chimera in question. Once I was free of the Kaizer's control, I remembered all. Don't you see? I was enslaved...by the monster I created. Because I betrayed him.
"Ken was an innocent and carefree spirit...."
"You couldn't have known the Tamer's intentions towards Ken's unit," I protest. "Nor could you have suspected that Millenniumon would bring forth the Kaizer. Neither did Ken, and I don't think he ever blamed you." Of course not; at that point in his life, he thought the digital world was one big interactive videogame.
"The base should be useful to you and your friends."
"Useful? Ken had its remains obliterated for a reason." He said so himself, that he didn't want the fortress to be used again, ever. "I think it should be destroyed."
However, Pegasusmon disagrees. He helps tow some of the rocks.
"Don't be ridiculous," scoffs Takato. "A mobile base is exactly what our unit needs."
"Yeah, because we won't have to hide from Neo underground anymore," pouts Sayuki.
"Iori, what do you think?"
"That they need a bigger digimon to speed things up." Iori pulls Digmon, who reverts to Armadillomon and digivolves to Ankylomon.
"I think this is crazy."
"Neo's crazy, so everything else being crazy around here makes perfect sense," scowls Iori.
I look at Iori narrowly. "What's gotten into you?"
"Fear for the digital world. Heck, fear for myself. Saiba Neo tried to kill me.
"I won't let that fear paralyze me. I may as well do something constructive."
"Do you realize what you're helping these digimon to rebuild?"
"Yes. The source of their sorrow, the root of their pain. I know. I heard this Airdramon's whole story; and the gods know I know about the damn base, Takeru.
"Now this base is the key to the digital world's freedom. And its only hope."
"Ken will want this thing demolished," I sigh halfheartedly as I take off my shirt to help.
"It's not about what Ken wants," Iori smirks. "If he wants to, he and Paildramon can nuke it after we defeat Neo."
I grin back. "I always liked you, Iori."
==
Ken receives an email on his Wonder Swan. From Iori.
tmpl_1_taitei: it's 0428, and taichi's keeping me awake |I
tmpl_1_taitei: what is it
kendo_hida: it's a surprise
kendo_hida: you won't believe your eyes
takai_TK: iori-kun pulled a skeleton out of your closet D
tai_8gami: what, you rebuilt the old base
[kendo_hida :eek]
takai_TK: how'd you know
tai_8gami: lucky guess
tai_8gami: guess ryo won't complain about a base anymore
tmpl_1_taitei: what the hell did you do that for B
kendo_hida: not my idea
kendo_hida: penitent airdramon, you should be grateful
takai_TK: couldn't stop them :\
tmpl_1_taitei: whatever |I do what you want
tmpl_1_taitei: i'm tired
tai_8gami: grouchy's never used to friends badgering him
tai_8gami: mr shy....
tmpl_1_taitei: i'll finish chatting with the human fuller brush
[tai_8gami _:_P]
tmpl_1_taitei: then, blessed sleep.... |D
kendo_hida: don't let wormmon mistake you for a hershey bar :lol
[tmpl_1_taitei :b :p]
takai_TK: :lol good night
tmpl_1_taitei: or what's left :rolleyes :)
= = =
Ken went here to Northern after his stay with Devin and Virgil. Damn, he was just all work and no play. Tried to capture Xuan-sama.
"You didn't try to catch Qinglongmon, too? You've got to catch them all, my friend," I joke.
"I didn't have a Pikachumon," quips Ken.
And then he headed toward Central. "And then...?" I ask.
"That's basically it," Ken shrugs. "Can I sleep now?"
"No, yaro." I grab Ken in a headlock before he can react. "You have to talk to someone. It's what Osamu would've wanted."
I cannot fathom the sheer strength of this "tired" kid. Ken breaks out of my time-tested Yamato-restraining headlock, glaring at me as though I pissed on a temple statue.
"How can you dare to presume what my brother would have wanted? I don't even know what he wanted." Ken's eyes glitter in the moonlight, and if he could, Ken would have used them to pierce through my flesh. One thing I'm learning: he's a dangerous type of person.
But I'm not scared. "Your older brother would have wanted to know what's been going on in that brain of yours. I don't give a damn if he was a genius-Osamu wasn't psychic. Big brothers are programmed to be morons, as a matter of fact. That way, the younger kid's smarter by default.
"I can understand your jealousy, and your guilt. I love my sister too. Do you know that I nearly killed her once? All over a game of soccer. You, above all people, should know what it's like to have your mind fixed on one idea."
"You wanted to play soccer, and took Hikari outside with you even though she was sick. Thoughtless of you, yes; but you never wanted her to be gone," moans Ken.
"Ken, your parents forgot you existed because of your genius brother, and yet this same genius had no idea that you felt invisible and unimportant." The geniuses keep missing the details. "It's not because of his preprogrammed older brother stupidity; it's because you never told him anything."
"I...didn't want to hurt him." So you hurt yourself, several other people, and a large number of digimon.
"Pretend I'm him," I tell Ken. "Give me your glasses."
Ken hands me those yellow frames, which I slip on.
"I'm Osamu now, Ken. Tell me everything. Whatever it is you ever wanted to say to him, whatever you wanted to talk to him about, you can tell me, got it?"
"What gives you the right?"
"It's my job," I smile. "I had to 'adopt' Takeru as a little brother when Yamato went nuts during our adventures. Truth is, I wanted to keep him, Ken. I always wanted a little brother."
"So you could have someone to badger and pick on?" asks Ken.
"Would have done you some good, baka. Let's have fun with this, Ken."
"I want to go to sleep before the sun catches us."
"You're in need of a big brother, and I wouldn't mind having a little one. We're all family, in a way. Yamato watches over you guys the same way he would Takeru."
"He never kept me awake at ungodly hours," grumbles Ken.
"Most likely because he knew that he could have been where you are. Yamato wants your parents, you know."
"I think it's the chocolate. Yamato loves chocolate, and can't bear to tell his father that vanilla isn't his favorite flavor.
"Tell you what, Taichi," smiles Ken. "I'll explain everything tomorrow night; but you have to let me sleep...."
He's already about to doze off.
"I can't be Osamu, Ken-chan," I smile, taking off those stupid glasses. "But I can be a big brother to you. Take me up on my offer, and it's a deal."
"Fine, you extortionist. It's a deal...and I'm not a 'chan'." Smiling, Ken finally sleeps. I smother a big yawn, kiss Ken's forehead, and go to sleep myself.
Osamu, I'll take care of him, I promise. We all will.
==
"Yamato, watch the sunrise with me." Smiling softly, Hikari wakes the blond.
Who groggily complies. "I'm not really a morning person," Yamato mumbles.
"Even over Saiba City, the sun rises. It's very pretty."
"Take a picture." Despite this comment, Yamato sits with Hikari and watches the sun's ascent over Neo's citadel.
Kishi opens her eyes. "It's...so warm.... Hikari-chan?"
"Over here," smiles Hikari.
"I've got breakfast started," says Sora.
"What's on the menu?" asks Gabumon with a yawn. Biyomon hits him with a wing.
Sora unveils her find. "Eggs."
"You know," says Yamato, "I'll actually try salt and pepper with them today."
"Great idea; the jelly beans weren't working."
"Did Mimi give you that idea?" asks Hikari.
"Was there a doubt?" Gatomon quips.
"You got it," laugh Sora and Yamato in unison.
Hikari checks her email. "It's from Takeru. He says we'll have a base in a few days."
"Looks like a mass email. They rebuilt Ken's base?" asks Yamato.
"According to Takeru, an Airdramon started the project a week before he arrived in Eastern."
"Eastern digimon are helping?" wonders Kishi.
"I...guess so."
"I wonder how this will affect Ken," muses Gatomon. "He did a lot of rotten things in there. Didn't mean to, though. It's just the way life had treated him before."
"That's true...life can seem horrible at times." Kishi looks toward Saiba City a moment, shivering slightly. "But, sometimes you can pull a new life out of the ruins of your old one.
"I've got to have hope. I've got to believe that we can."
"You will," Gatomon smiles.
= = =
I watch Kishi and Gatomon play around Hikari, who sits still. Motionless. Sora and Biyomon are in the city, rustling provisions and planting espionage devices Koushirou and Ryo whipped up. If anyone's having a ball with this adventure, it's Koushirou.
Garurumon takes out the surrounding control spires. Fortunately, my digivice has been upgraded. It's still a T1, rather than what Ryo calls a T1/T3 hybrid-the D3s. But at least we can hit champion long enough to nuke those spires.
Saiba City is magnificent. It disgusts me. I can't believe such talent and intelligence was wasted on such a sick purpose. Even with the sun up, I can still feel the darkness trying to claw at us, and claim us. It exudes an aura of evil that makes the sun look like a cheap flashlight.
I guess that's why Hikari wanted to see the sun. Can't blame her. She's been having nightmares lately, along with Takeru and Ken. In Hikari's dream, she's trying to escape a psychotic groom who wants to marry her at the beach.
Ryo should be here, and I should be with Daisuke. I can't protect Hikari the way he does. Just by being there. I don't know what it is about him that keeps Hikari safe, but I don't have that power.
It's like what happened with her in Odaiba, all over again. Except I won't fail her or you this time, Taichi. The moon owes that much.
= = =
I hold Gatomon close, and sit Kishi on my lap, as the latter breaks down and tells the whole story. Her intent was to save Gotsutei from Neo, especially after Zed killed Kazeyu. After leading Zed away from Primary Central, she was going to attack, except for one thing.
Zed had Gotsutei. So she thought that if she went with Zed, she would find and rescue Gotsutei. Kishi arrived at the palace, followed Zed to his...playroom...and hid. She basically kept Gotsutei alive between beatings, because she never had enough time to free him.
When Takeru had found Gotsutei, Kishi planned to come out and help Takeru rescue him; Zed appeared before she could make her move. The psycho tricked Takeru and Patamon into leaving, then began to torture Gotsutei again. Kishi couldn't take it anymore, and she attacked.
And that...led to now.
"But how did Gotsutei end up there in the first place?" Gatomon's near tears. I haven't seen her like this since Wizardmon died.
"A fight with Zed. Gotsutei, Kenichi, and Kai-chan fought Zed. But Zed was too powerful for any of them."
My brain reels at this. I know Gotsutei was weakened, but he fought off two champions and two armoreds in that same deranged Angemon state. I could imagine what would happen in a fight between a stable Gotsutei and Zed. Deep-fried evil Stingmon, extra crispy. And everyone talks about Kenichi as though he were a mega.
But...this happened three years ago. And three years ago, Ken's D3 had an annoying tendency to block normal digivolution, hence the armor evolutions. I can guess what happened.
I hope Ken isn't blaming himself.
= = = =
Copycat.
I note that my rival is also using control spires. And considering the number of champion digimon that relieved themselves on them, it isn't an effective strategy. Too bad for him. He'll simply have to be more creative if he intends to win this game.
A familiar digimon scampers toward me, a Patamon. Only his coat is silver. That means he or she is not working with that blond baka who has no taste in hats; a different Patamon altogether.
This will be a simple capture. The poor fool is just standing there. Studying me. One flick of the wrist, and the spiral does the twist. Of the digimon's little mind, that is. I have to work on my sense of humor.
"Interesting. You modified the restrictor bands."
So, he has heard of control rings. "Is that what you call them here?" I ask.
"All Tamers have them," the Patamon says, surprised at my apparent ignorance. "But yours look like they're infected with viral data. You with the Saiba unit?"
"What the hell is that?"
"The Tamer unit that runs things here. You have big, stupid-looking glasses like their leader." The Patamon smirks at me, as though I'm some lowly goon.
He will have to learn. "I must inform you that I work for no unit. I am the destined ruler of the digital world, the Digimon Kaizer. I've met the leader of the Saiba unit, and he's nothing but a pale imitation of myself."
The silver Patamon gives me a curious look. "I see.... How old are you?"
"Eleven, although far wiser than humans twice my age."
"Okay." The Patamon continues to eye me quizzically. This is becoming annoying. "What do I call you besides 'Kaizer'? That's an odd word."
He's adorable, in an irritating way. At least I think it's a he now. I'm almost amused with his effort at witty banter.
Time for a suitable comeback. " 'Master' will suffice. Now put this on." He seems intelligent for a digimon; perhaps he'll yield quietly. Then again, after my disappointing battle with Xuanwumon, I wouldn't mind a fight, either.
"Let me think about this." The Patamon takes a pondering pose. Rather cute. "No."
His kawaii act grows old. "Either you come the easy way, my little friend," I smile, "or the hard way. Your choice."
"Try me," says the Patamon in his best effort at a growl. Which I have to admit is a bit superior to Hat Boy's Patamon.
At any rate, he said the magic words. The whip is out. I crack it, the digimon dodges. The same old song after all, and I toss the spiral into his path. I've got him...except he breaks the spiral? This grows interesting. He's a bit stronger than I anticipated, and he was right about the spiral's relation to viral data. Patamon have a unique immunity to certain viral data types, but this shouldn't register as a virus.
I've had ultimate digimon captured with this new design. I won't let my work be trounced by a stupid rookie.
No, wait...it's not him. It's my idiot rival's control spires. They're not at full power. I take out my digivice to correct this error so I can capture my intriguing new slave.
"Galgo Laser!" shouts a new voice. Which stems from a crazed usagi-inu creature with Gatling gun turrets for arms. The guns are blazing, and I...I and this silver Patamon are getting the hell out of here while we can still move.
"Let me go!" demands the Patamon, on a death wish. I would gladly embrace death, but not at the hands of a mutant bunny.
"I can run faster than you can fly! Now shut up, and be grateful I'm saving your pitiful life."
"You don't run from bullets, onore, you duck!"
Good point. Hate to be a moving target. We take cover under some bushes, and that gives me a chance to study this new digimon. Whose name I don't know at all, although he appears similar to a digimon in the Kokomon evolution line.
"It really pains me to ask you," I admit, "but...what kind of digimon is he?"
"You're not very experienced, are you?" asks the Patamon, amused.
"I don't have time for your wisecracks. That thing is obviously stronger than you, or you would have fought it already."
"At least you have potential. Yes, the 'thing' known as Galgomon is stronger than me right now, and his name is Kenichi."
"Come out to the party!" laughs Kenichi, firing hapahazardly. Apparently, he's seen too many replays of Cowboy Bebop's "Pierrot le Fou". I managed to scare my parents with footage of that on my computer. They can be such snoops.
"Kenichi needs an attitude adjustment." Or a good dose of depressants. However, in his mental state, there's no way he can resist my spiral. All I need is a decoy. A soccer ball weight decoy. That white rump of my comedic Patamon is perfect.
Ichijouji Ken scores yet another phenomenal goal as the heckler screams-literally-into the air, distracting Kenichi long enough for me to slip the spiral on. I take out my digivice, and I've got a lock. The Galgomon Kenichi is mine.
Next is that amusing Patamon. Where...is he?
Someone taps me on the shoulder, while my new capture...laughs. Odd, these Central digimon. I look behind me, only to see a silver-haired Angemon behind me. An angry Angemon with a silver-gray rod, which he most likely wants to cram deep into my rectum.
Kenichi breaks the tense silence-and my spiral. "Go...Gotsutei. You digivolved?"
Gotsutei nods. Apparently, the Angemon and the Patamon I punted into the air are the same. No wonder he's silently writing my death sentence.
"Laughmon" chuckles again. "Looks like the Tamer gave you a kick start. Not bad for an overgrown freshie." Kenichi smiles, reverts to an unknown rookie form, and collapses.
Shortly before I do. The last thing I see is Gotsutei smirking at me, and I experience a sharp, pounding pain behind my skull.
I always thought he was a pain in the neck.
- - -
"Kenichi, who is this strange child," asks an old Elecmon, "and why did you bring him here?"
The Kaizer wakes to this inquiry, with a throbbing headache.
"There's more where that came from, Kai-chan," quips Gotsutei.
"You. Me. Round two," scowls Ken.
"I'm game."
"Not. While the freshies. Are sleeping. You children can play later," says the Elecmon.
"He started it, Kazeyu-san," pouts Gotsutei.
Kazeyu sighs. "Do something constructive with your anger and restrain him, then. This is a very stubborn Tamer, whoever he is.
"You could have hurt him."
"No...he was wise to attack," Ken hisses. "I could hurt him far worse. Especially now."
"Nonsense. Gotsutei's a very powerful digimon. Now hold still so I can dress your wounds."
"Do you have any idea how many Elecmon I have enslaved?" Ken asks.
Kazeyu eyes the boy carefully. "Can you give me a rough estimate?"
"482."
"Liar," smiles Kazeyu, snatching the Kaizer's glasses. "There aren't that many Elecmon in Eastern. You only caught forty-five."
"At least you heard of me," smirks Ken.
"Yes, I heard rumors of some idiot First Class Tamer enslaving digimon in the eastern continent-and being defeated by digidestined."
"He's not an idiot, Kazeyu-san," counters Gotsutei earnestly. "He just lacks experience. A lot of it."
"Conquering the digital world isn't the best way for a Tamer to make a name for himself."
"Please bear with him," says Kenichi, now a Terriermon. "His inept use of restrictor bands actually saved me."
"Inept?" Ken hisses. "Inept! Look, Inumon...."
"Kenichi, and I'm a Terriermon right now. Dogmon is an alternate evolution stage I hate.
"We're just teasing the fact that you have a wet nose and a lot of ambition. Very odd combination."
"What is your name? And 'Master' isn't up for consideration," smiles Kazeyu.
Ken glares at the trio. " 'Kaizer' will have to do. I no longer have another name."
"You're the Digimon Kaizer?" blurts a Snimon, waking the babies.
"Takato!" snarls Kazeyu.
"Oops...I didn't know they were asleep."
"You're all noisy, especially Gotsu-chan. I'd cry too if I couldn't get any sleep. Which I can't now," groans a Nyaromon.
"Gomen, minna. It's just that the reports I received about the Kaizer involved a kid with spiky blue hair in a ridiculous costume." Takato scrutinizes Ken closely.
"Same ruler of this world, different packaging," smirks Ken.
"What a waste of a good Tamer. You could be fighting in Central with us. And you don't even have your digimon with you."
"He wouldn't be much use."
"I'm not so sure of that," counters Kazeyu. "Wormmon is keeping your captives penned in. And doing a good job."
"That's easy. I essentially told him not to touch anything." Ken rolls his eyes.
"A Wormmon? You have a Wormmon, yet you're here while he's there. Baka. Baka." Kenichi shakes his head in disbelief.
"What's he supposed to do?" shrugs Ken. "Change into a butterfly and delight enemies to death?"
"You never saw Gojira versus Mosura, did you, child?" asks Kazeyu.
"That would be even worse. My so-called digimon would digivolve into low-budget special effects."
"At any rate, you'd be surprised."
"I think he likes surprises," grins Gotsutei.
Ken merely scowls.
"We should give the Kaizer a chance to prove his skills as a leader," muses Kazeyu, turning to Ken. "If you can defeat your rival's unit, or at least knock your rival down a peg, then we'll consent to serving you.
"You would have our gratitude, and you could save the use of your spirals for other purposes."
"Why would I agree to this?" asks Ken.
"You have another option. We could kill you. That's not an option we want to take."
"Because you don't want to kill me? Do you expect me to believe that?"
"No, and though it's true, that isn't the reason. Believe it or not, your digimon would be furious if anything happened to you."
"What's he going to do, spit a Sticky Net at you? I admit that he's devoted, but other than that you have nothing to fear from him."
Kazeyu gazes into Ken's ice indigo eyes. "You are afraid...of what he might do. All due to the fact that you have no sense of self.
"A Tamer without a sense of self. Unusual." The Elecmon's features soften with a tinge of pity.
Ken's hard gaze does not soften. "I accept your proposition only because it's a convenience. It would be wisest to eliminate my incompetent rival before continuing with my own plans.
"I'll notify Wormmon of my extended stay." Ken takes out his Wonder Swan.
"Please, Kaizer; allow me. You need your rest," says Kazeyu.
"You sound like my grandfather." Rolling his eyes, Ken nevertheless complies with Kazeyu's request.
= = = =
"Do you think there's any chance we'll find Zeromaru?" asks Agumon.
"I hope so; that onore probably thinks everything's his fault," grumbles Gotsutei. "He's only half right."
"I presume 'onore' translates to 'Ken' for you," notes Wormmon quizzically.
"Good guess."
"...he's been called worse."
Gotsutei chuckles slightly. "Ken seriously didn't think you could digivolve or fight."
"I couldn't...not until after I died." Wormmon stops a moment, those instants of time etched in his memory.
"How does it feel-to die?"
"I guess...it depends on how you die. My death was painful.
"Ken was so sad."
"Angel and hellion, wrapped into one. You love him a great deal."
"He's so much like me it's scary."
"No digimon is that much like their partner," counters Agumon. "We're more like foils for them, showing off parts of their personalities that they otherwise wouldn't be aware of."
"You mean Ken's gentle, nonviolent side who would much rather play a game of soccer than be here right now, for example."
"Yes, or Taichi behaving sensibly. And he's been like that less often, which means something's bothering him."
"It's Neo," groans Gotsutei. "There's an unresolved love triangle issue that Neo has his psychotic hand in. Taichi is merely being stubborn about it.
"Never advise humans about love issues. We have even less of a clue than they do. That's what Kazeyu told me I should do if I ever have a partner. And that was after I peeked at a drawing Ken was working on. Ken has this look that says 'I'm embarrassed, I'm angry, and I have a whip. I'm not afraid to use it on inquisitive digimon'."
"It was probably a picture of Miyako. Ken seems fixated on her lately. Then again...."
"...he's had a crush on her since elementary school," finishes Agumon.
"You weren't supposed to say that," pouts Wormmon.
Agumon stares blankly at Wormmon. "How could it hurt?"
"Ken's very secretive about his feelings, and in some cases, I respect that. Unless they're self-destructive, he can keep his thoughts to himself.
"He probably wants to find the right time and place to tell her."
= = =
"They're talking about us up there," jokes Taichi.
Ken attempts a smile, but it falls flat. "I'm a source of frustration for Wormmon right now. I'm holding him back somehow.
"Zeromaru feels the same way, except he doesn't know who his digidestined is. One of us is blocking the true power Zero has."
"You mean he's more than a giant blue food vacuum," Taichi quips.
"That's a joke, right?" Gotsutei halts, turning to face Taichi and Ken.
"Of course it's a joke. Zero's considered a digital chimera. I wish he'd quit kicking himself for it. Much like I wish some people would quit crucifying themselves."
"Taichi...please...it's not funny...." Gotsutei trembles.
"At one point," Ken says this slowly, looking towards Gotsutei, who nods. "Zed...crucified him.
"In other words, don't be such an idiot when you talk," Ken hisses angrily. "Words are almost impossible to retract when they're spoken."
"I didn't know anything about Gotsutei. I was talking about you. Really, you're overestimating your effect on things. I can guess what really happened.
"You, Kenichi, and Gotsutei fight some of Neo's troops; but your digivice blocked the digimon's ability to digivolve. A strong digimon killed Kenichi and captured Gotsutei, and by some miracle you survived. Even came back and built your own digimon."
"I had a reason behind that," says Ken softly. "I really did...."
"To kill Zed," says Wormmon.
"Is there anyone that doesn't want to kill Zed?" Agumon looks around, noting only murderous, askance glares. "I guess not...."
"Zed must be exterminated. He is a pestilence to the digital world," Ken says flatly.
"And make sure Neo and his crew die right along with him," adds Taichi.
Gotsutei glowers. "I want vengeance."
"Wormmon? Not you too."
"Zed's evil. The kind of evil that we exist to destroy.
"I don't like the kind of feelings I have about him, but I can't ignore them either. I think of the cruel things he's done, and what he's capable of...
"...and it makes me sick. Because in the end, I know that I might be no better than he is."
"That's why we call it hate, Wormmon. Revulsion. Loathing." Ken looks at his friend. "I didn't want you stained with that."
"That wasn't your choice, Ken. I'm sorry for causing you pain."
** Everyone seems to be changing. Into something different. * Agumon eyes his friends. ** They're scaring me. *
==
Zeromaru silently watches over his pursuers, lost in thought.
** Those rookies had better take a number. Agu-chan's probably one of the lucky few that doesn't want a shot at Zed. And that won't last long....
** Ken picked it up. The rookie was always sharp, if a bit nutty. Kenichi, with Ken for a Tamer. And Gotsu-chan was fighting too. Old Kaz knew what he was doing. A real Tamer First Class and those two should have beaten Zed into a pulp.
** I guess none of them were thinking straight. Kenichi would have wanted Zed dead the moment he saw him again; Gotsutei...he's an overgrown freshie like Ken. I'm surprised they're both civil now.
** ...food? Out in the open? Ken, you shouldn't have. Really. Using cheap Impmon Five traps again, all that good food gone to-what the--* *
==
"Shame on you, Zero," I grin. "Always watch out for the second trap."
"...the first trap was a decoy.... You are an exasperating kid, you know that?" Zeromaru grunts.
"That's payback for making us starve last night," says Agumon.
"How could you eat our night rations?" adds Wormmon.
"Because...I was hungry?" Zero answers.
"Aren't we all?" Hungry, tired, and pissed.
"Perhaps...we could ask the caretakers of Genbu Temple to lodge us," says Gotsutei slowly.
A great plan. "Taichi, you and Wormmon do the talking."
"But you're better at this stuff," Taichi protests.
"True. However, I tried to catch Xuanwumon while he was eliminating his waste." And he sent his Tortomon guards after me. I basically ran to the nearest port, hopped on a Seadramon, and sailed to Central. Daisuke would never blame me.
"That was over three years ago."
"Either way, you can do it," I smile. "I have faith in you.
"Besides, I have to make sure Zero doesn't eat the rest of our rations. They have to last us between here and our destinations."
"You mean we can't eat now?" asks Agumon.
"Not unless you want to forage for food in this quagmire again."
"But I'm hungry. I can't function unless I'm fed."
"Adapt."
"No. Let's eat," counters Gotsutei.
Taichi's stomach is growling. "I'm hungry, the digimon are hungry, and you're probably hungry."
"What about Zero?" I ask.
"He's always hungry!" shout the other digimon in unison. I know, I know.
"I have high energy needs...." Zeromaru looks bashfully at us.
"Fine; eat your rations. Zero can have mine." I don't give a damn how loud my stomach growls, I'm not that hungry.
Wormmon looks up at me. "Looks like your stomach voted against you."
"That always got on my nerves," grumbles Zeromaru.
"You too?" asks Gotsutei. "Eat, Ken."
"But I'm not hungry."
"We're going to have to force feed him," muses Taichi.
"I'll eat later-I promise," I grin stupidly.
"Nice try, Ken-chan," says Zero, "but the last time you pulled that stunt, you fainted from lack of food."
"You sound worse than an Elecmon, Zero; I will be fine." Digimon have to eat; Zero eats enough for a small army, and Taichi has a larger appetite. I'm really just doing triage.
"And besides," I smile, "I do have something to eat."
"Show us," says Gotsutei.
I take out a few small boxes of raisins, and some pouches of green and oolong tea.
"You must have some good sake in there too--if you think you can subsist on that." Taichi folds his arms.
"Why do you care if I eat well or not?" I just don't feel like eating...or living, to be honest.
"Ken. You will eat.
"I'll make sure he's fed," says Gotsutei, most likely fed up with me.
==
"I hope Ken's eating," says Mimi, echoing my own thoughts-and probably the team's. Ken can be a brat when he feels wounded.
Speaking of eating, we're at Igamon's Steak and Sushi on File Island. Hawkmon's eating the sushi here-he's such a fish lover. Mimi is tasting a new steak item with strawberry sauce. She's not a fan of it, but I love it. Then again, I'm a confirmed strawberry nut.
It's all Ken's fault. His parents had chocolate fondue for a romantic indoor picnic two years ago, and Ken had asked me to bring some strawberries. The joys of working at the Ai Mart.
Anyway, there was leftover chocolate and strawberries. Ken and I watched TV. I dipped a strawberry into the chocolate, giving it to said bishounen. Ken popped the whole strawberry into his mouth, leaving only the leaves.
He drew closer to me, putting his arm around my waist as I leaned on his shoulder. Just two friends, snuggling before the glow of the TV. Which Ken was and is intimate with, considering that he didn't even have to take his eyes off the program to eat a chocolate-dipped strawberry.
Sometimes Ken nibbled a berry in two or three bites, other times he ate it whole. I just kept eating strawberry after strawberry.
We were at the last strawberry. Ken picked it up and dipped it in chocolate before I could grab it. He said something about liking whipped cream on berries normally, then continued on, smiling that the strawberries tasted luscious with chocolate. I was peeved because I always eat my strawberries fresh from the box.
Ken smiled, offering the chocolate-soaked berry to me. I protested, telling him my strawberry preference. He traced the strawberry around my lips, a strange, amused look in his eyes. I could spend forever on Ken's eyes, but I won't.
At any rate, I licked the chocolate from around my lips; Ken popped in the strawberry before I could close my mouth. His smile changed into that all-too familiar "gotcha" smirk. As much as I wanted to wipe that grin off his face, there was a strawberry to be eaten.
That was the most delicious strawberry I ever tasted. I sighed happily, savoring the mix of chocolate and strawberry juice. Ken looked on, his mysterious eyes glistening in the half-darkness.
"And that," I grin, concluding my narrative to Mimi and Jyou, "is a true story where Ken eats." And runs his fingers through my hair. And he gazes at me, playfully baiting me with sparkles in his eyes....
"Of course, you kiss him out of sheer spite," smirks Gomamon.
"Who asked you?" I pout, coloring slightly. Kissing Ken would be awkward and stupid.
Mimi smiles softly. "Chocolate and strawberries match well together," she notes with a sly look.
"You did have a slight crush on Ken when you first started out," muses Jyou.
"True; but then I had a crush on any male life form cute enough to hold my interest. That's not fair to anyone-Ken or myself."
"But you want quality now, and that's good," smiles Palmon.
"And Ken-chan is good Kobe steak, ne?" Gomamon grins.
Gomamon has all the comic subtlety of a landslide. Hawkmon continues to eat his sushi and rice as though we were just discussing the weather.
"Ken's coming here after they find Zeromaru," says Jyou, looking at a list he wrote.
I roll my eyes. "If he eats, he will. Ken might be in one of his 'I blame myself' modes again...."
"What is it this time?" groans Hawkmon, finally responding.
"A digimon named Kenichi. Somehow, the Kaizer is responsible for Kenichi's death...." I've got mail.
Mass emails, one from Iori about the progress of Ken's floating fortress; one from Ken about finding Zero. The food did Zero in. Gotsutei got Ken to eat more than a box of raisins, thank the gods. That's one brave Patamon. Of course, I've only met two Patamon in my digital world experience, so what do I know?
This unit doesn't really know where it's going, only where it's been. We can't go on this way. What this unit needs is confident leaders, and the three we expect to lead us against Neo are acting like babies. Except for Ryo. That moron acts like he doesn't exist except to make small military strikes....
"What's the matter, Miyako?" asks Mimi, noting my pensive expression. And my silence.
"This whole situation is a joke," I state aloud.
"Really?" asks Jyou.
"Yes. There are thirteen humans and a small army of digimon versus two humans and two digimon; yet the latter have the upper hand. Something's wrong."
"You forgot the occupied city with Neo's slaves and captives," Hawkmon notes.
"I'll admit the leadership's frustrating," smiles Jyou. "I've faced worse odds here with more optimism. Taichi has a chip on his shoulder, Ken wants to exorcize his id, and Ryo wishes to have no connections with his unit other than on a professional level."
"Bingo. But that won't work. Daisuke's a charmer, but his leadership skills aren't needed here. We need those three," I continue, "because of their big egos, warlike mindsets, and despotic tendencies."
"Ryo has an ego?" Mimi asks blankly.
"He's the sane one of the trio."
==
"I appreciate the fact that you didn't have to force-feed me," says Ken, watching the exercises of a few temple guards.
"Thank you. I wonder what makes you think you could have done anything to stop Zed then," Gotsutei asks.
"I...I don't know. Shouldn't you hate me?"
"For trying to save us? Let me think about this...." Gotsutei muses momentarily. "No. Waste of time. Besides, you were the only one who even tried to help us."
"Hey-I was planning to finish where Neo left off...." Ken trails off as Gotsutei does something odd.
"He laughs," smiles Taichi.
"I knew his sense of humor would improve," adds Wormmon.
"You...against us? With Kenichi alive? You and your empire wouldn't have lasted five minutes. Face facts, Ken: you really didn't have much experience at taming. No cards, your digimon was playing jailer...."
"That was no fun," Wormmon pouts.
"My point is that you weren't serious about it. You wanted to conquer the digital world all right--but only in the sense of wanting to save the princess from Bowser. If you had been serious," finishes Gotsutei, "you wouldn't have tried fighting megas head-on in the first place."
"That doesn't matter now, does it?" scowls Ken.
"It does, kid; but Gotsutei forgives you. If we hold a grudge for every boneheaded move a Tamer makes," Zero continues, "we'd end up hating all humans. And that definitely won't work."
"You can spread blame amongst yourselves," murmurs a sonorous, aged voice, "or you can focus on the sins of the present.
"The main one being," the voice continues, "the continued existence of Saiba Neo. He is an assault on my senses, an affront to honor; and you must destroy him."
"Don't mind Xuan-sama," grins Zero, "he's always cranky."
"I sense that Zeromaru has found what he seeks."
"Zeromaru has failed," Zero intones calmly.
"Perhaps he is distracted by a desire to end his loneliness. And his gluttonous appetite," Xuanwumon adds dourly.
"Zeromaru's...lonely?" asks Gotsutei. "But you have your unit."
"Which could do a better job without me."
"That's crazy," pouts Taichi. "The Akiyama unit would crumble without your experience. If it's the food thing-it's a joke. I have a big appetite, too."
"It's not food I'm worried about! It's battle. Be honest; I'm a dinosaur."
"A lot of us are dinosaurs, Zero," says Agumon, "so what you said makes no sense."
"Zero's saying that he feels inadequate," sighs Ken.
"I feel like a clown, and I know I'm stronger than that. I'm the mightiest of the Victory Dramon, yet I'm outclassed. I shouldn't be-I know I have the power...."
"The power is stayed from Zeromaru...because of his loneliness," says Xuanwumon with a hint of pity. "And the answers are not to be found here.
"Rather, Zeromaru must go, and learn to reveal his loneliness. Only then can he unleash his true power."
"In other words, come back with us," says Taichi. "I admit that we're a terrible excuse for a Tamer unit, but that may be what we need.
"Neo's a Tamer. He runs a great Tamer unit. Hordes of digimon work for him. And he expects rival Tamers to try and stop him. We've lasted this long because of our diverse backgrounds. Alone, we couldn't stop him; together, we'll crush him like a puny ant.
"It helps a lot if you don't compare yourself to other digimon," adds Wormmon. "That's just depressing. Besides, that digimon didn't experience what you experienced, so maybe your key to your real ability lies on a different path."
"It was a long road for me," says Agumon.
"I'm still traveling."
"Logically, I know that," grunts Zero. "But my ego keeps getting in the way. And I'm so clueless that I don't even notice Kenichi's dead-and has been for three years."
"That wasn't your fault. Nor was it Ken's.
"The truth is," says Gotsutei, "Kenichi and I broke rank."
= = = =
"Where are you two going?" I ask.
Gotsutei and Kenichi exchange glances.
"You'd better tell me," I grin. "Kazeyu didn't want you to leave camp to chase that Stingmon." Which is a magnificent beast. Why couldn't I get that in my arsenal, instead of Wormmon?
"His name is Zed," says Kenichi. "Gotsutei is with me against my wishes."
"I'm not letting Kenichi-san fight that monster alone," the Patamon scowls. How touching.
"You're both adorable. Is Kenichi truly the strongest digimon in your unit?" I ask.
"Yes," Gotsutei hisses.
"But Zed beat him. So it stands to reason that neither of you can fight against him."
"One on one, no. But together we can kick his abdomen, easy."
"Please forgive Gotsu-chan's overconfidence. I'd much rather handle this alone," says Kenichi.
"No; all rookie hubris aside, Gotsutei actually has a point. We'd fare much better if the three of us took Zed out. I could capture him, and you'd be rid of him. The Saiba unit doesn't seem to have other digimon of Zed's caliber." But my "unit" soon will.
"You don't know Zed, Ken," Kenichi warns.
"Where did you get that name?" I snarl.
"From your sleep," shrugs Gotsutei. "You were babbling about a girl named 'Miya-chan', and you said '...go on, scream my name...you may call me "Ken"...cry, Miya-chan, cry...you know you want it....' What were you doing in your dream anyway?"
The infuriating thing about it is that Gotsutei honestly has no clue what I was dreaming about. It's not something that one would relate to a digimon. They wouldn't understand.
"Why are you blushing?" asks Kenichi, studying my color change. "You liked saying those things in your dream."
"I was having fun," I smile honestly. Yes, my lusty dream about claiming a certain orchid-haired girl fits into the fun category. "Anyway, that is irrelevant. Let's meet Zed in combat and take him.
"The three of us together will be more than enough."
"Three? I don't even agree with two, but Gotsutei's coming anyway. You need to stay here, and observe us fight, if you must be nearby...Kaizer," Kenichi adds with a groan. What's so special about the name "Ken" anyway. It's a common name in several languages.
"No. However, if you insist that I stay out of it, I won't waste my time. I'll merely inform Kazeyu of your departure."
"You wouldn't dare rat on us," glowers Gotsutei.
"I couldn't do that...I'd be too busy fighting Zed with you two dolts," I smirk. I can be such a yaro sometimes.
Gotsutei's irritated, and Kenichi sighs in defeat.
= = = =
"So Gotsutei and Kenichi weren't supposed to attack Zed until Takato brought Zero and Ryo back," says Gatomon.
I can see this now. Zeromaru would have seen Ken in that ridiculous costume and laughed his tail off shortly before bellowing at Ken to be a better Tamer. Ryo would have slapped him for violating several fashion laws. Navy blue spandex was out that year.
Actually, Ryo doesn't get out that much; my brain was having fun with the second part.
Biyomon taps my kneecap, as I'm watching the story of Gotsutei's capture unfold. "Zed sounds creepy, Sora" she says.
"He makes my skin crawl." If only Biyo-chan knew exactly what a creep he is. I finally broke down and told Yamato....
The darkness over Saiba City is oppressive. Some of the digimon work for Neo willingly, or are deluded into liking his ways. Others are slaves, or "toys" for Zed. I make it a point that Kishi and Hikari stay with one of us at all times, and that those two cannot enter the city at night. The starlight and moonlight over it tonight seems hollow and empty, like a sad joke.
Right now, I'm patching the images from the cameras I planted to Koushirou's Pineapple. They're also sent to Ryo and Ken's Wonder Swans.
"I'm so worried," Biyomon cries, leaning on my lap. "Some of the digimon there have told me horrid stories. Others beg for help. Many of them hate us...."
"No; they hate Neo's evil, Biyomon."
"The Central digimon see us as cowards, but we're not cowards. It's not fair," my partner sobs.
"It is odd that most of the digital world would, in their view, stand idly by while the digimon here are routinely tortured, killed, or worse...."
"Don't you see how overwhelming that is? If I had known before we started that we'd had this problem, I would have hidden under your bed and stayed there.
"Who could fight against monsters like Neo and Zed? And the digimon here-they're so desperate. This whole situation is frightening." I pull Biyomon into my arms, wondering why Biyomon's so scared. We've faced so much together before, and with much less experience than we have now.
Then again, a human is laying waste to the digital world, and has been ever since we first were Chosen. He's psychotic, and he corrupts other digimon with impunity.
There's more to this. I don't blame Biyomon for being scared. The truth is, I'm scared too.
"The horrible ordeal that this area endures," says Gatomon slowly, "causes desperation and distrust. It seems that the Centrals are combative, but you'd be edgy too if your life or sanity were always threatened."
"I...feel so guilty because of my fears," says Biyomon. "But I can't help it. A part of me wants to go home right now."
"We aren't going anywhere," Yamato says darkly, "until the Saiba regime is wiped out. I haven't met Zed, and I sure as hell don't want to know him now.
"Neo dragged us here on an ego trip. We take him down hard. And we're not leaving until that goal is accomplished."
"I hope that we can do it by summer's end," I say.
"It doesn't matter how long it takes; we've got to stop him. You think Neo's going to stop here? I don't want my dad to report that digimon have Odaiba under siege again. Both worlds are depending on us, and Taichi's flaking out. He and the other two Tamers are our best chance-but they don't have a clue."
"Ryo knows what's at stake," counters Kishi angrily.
"Please." Yamato, that's a virus-infected holy digimon you're blowing off. "Ryo doesn't have any confidence in his own skills. He distances himself, puts his nose in the wrong business, or constantly badgers others for help. That baka has no clue what power he possesses."
"Maybe if you explain," says Gatomon.
"Each of us has a certain energy," says Yamato, "which has an effect on elements in the digital world. Taichi can inspire others to do the right thing. Ken has an aura of charm and guilelessness mixed with cunning and a demented imagination. Ryo is basically Daisuke with bigger muscles. Unlike most of us, darkness can't seem to touch Ryo or Dai.
"But Daisuke is at least aware of his power, and his place in the digital world. Ryo sees himself as a freelance military agent, here to get the job done and leave."
"Ryo does care about us," Kishi sobs.
"Yes, he does; but he thinks he shouldn't get attached," says Gabumon. "Zeromaru feels the same way."
"They sure as hell belong together," notes Yamato wryly.
==
My loneliness? What is Xuan-sama talking about? You can't feel lonely unless you get attached to people that are going to leave anyway.
He wouldn't even tell us what was going on with the Chimera Prophecy. "Until Akiyama is united, Saiba cannot be defeated." Does he mean our slightly fractured unit?
He does say that "Zeromaru possesses great power". What a waste of a trip to Genbu-I knew that. I couldn't even sense Kenichi's spirit.
Stupid overgrown freshie, not listening to Kaz. And Kenichi should have known better than to try to sneak off alone. Gotsu-chan and Ken are two of the most impulsive creatures ever to exist. Especially Ken. Need I relate the battle at Machine City?
To make matters worse, we're being followed.
==
"That one holds great power."
"Even greater than Hirokazu?"
"Yes; and he has the advantage of battle experience. Besides, Hirokazu is not in the digital world, but he is."
"General, are you certain of him?"
"Yes...his power rivals Zed."
"But his Tamer has no talent."
"The Tamer lacks confidence, due to his hubris, mistakes, and inexperience. And you must remember the pervasive evil that seeks to consume all that opposes it. The digimon and his Tamer have survived all of this with their bond intact.
"It is time to test the true limits of that bond. The Child of the Sun speaks the truth."
"Is this digimon truly worthy? Is he ready, Shou-sama?"
"His quiet nature would deceive many. Even his Tamer does not know the full extent, and that Chosen is quite observant. But a warrior lurks beneath the surface. If we do not rouse this champion, he will turn against everything he loves.
"In his pure heart he knows this. His heart is ready. But it won't be easy for anyone."
==
Zed. He's hurt so many people, and caused so much pain. These are the type of digimon the Kaizer should take a whip to...I can't believe I just said that. I don't even know Zed except as an enemy. What if he's standing by Neo out of love and concern, too?
Don't be a slug, Worm-chan. Zed would have killed Ken a long time ago, or worse. The dark forces have already hurt Ken so...and I could do nothing. That's horrible; seeing your partner and friend hurt and being powerless to stop it from happening.
There are three strikes in baseball. Daisuke told me so once when I was watching it on TV. I fell asleep before the end of the first inning. It's not fun like soccer.
Strike one would be torturing innocent digimon. Strike two involves making me look like a fool. Strike three...happened three years ago.
Zed hurt Ken. And on strike three, you're out.
For good.
= = = =
"You are mine," smirks Ken.
"Intriguing," says Zed. "I was saying the same of you."
"I'm your master, anyway. Let's wrap this up," Ken says to Gotsutei and Kenichi. "I'm a busy ruler."
"You have too much self-confidence, Kai-chan," says Gotsutei.
Kenichi smiles. "But he has a whip to go with it."
"Quit your 'chan' of me and let's get to work." Ken takes out his whip.
Gotsutei delivers an Air Shot, while Kenichi draws Zed's offensive attacks. Meanwhile, Ken straddles the Stingmon's neck and loops on a control spiral. Leaping off, the Kaizer adjusts his digivice's frequency.
** Control lock established. * Ken lands as Zed halts, struggling to remove the spiral.
"Remove this pitiful device at once," hisses Zed.
"You don't like my gift?" pouts Ken in mock unbelief. "But it's a perfect fit. Just as you will fit perfectly into my plans to rule this world."
"I will snap your puny body into nondescript, bloody splinters."
"I think not. That spiral you're wearing is an upgrade."
"You tweaked the design, didn't you?" asks Gotsutei.
"I heard that Zed was strong, and the opponents I've faced before were even stronger. No sense in not making adjustments.
"Don't be so pitiful, Zed. Quit struggling."
"Time to finish him off," says Kenichi.
"He's finished already."
"Not until he's dead."
"Dead? You'd waste a powerful digimon like him?"
"All digimon like him should be obliterated without compunction."
"Kenichi...I've got Zed under control. I just have to call my Airdramon, and we can be on our way. He can't trouble you if he's my slave."
"You don't know Zed. He's unlike any digimon you've faced before, save one."
"What do you mean?"
Kenichi smirks. "Should I tell him?" he asks Gotsutei.
"Nope. Now let's take out Zed," says Gotsutei.
Ken turns his back on his capture, cracking the whip. "This isn't up for debate. I'm taking Zed back with me," the boy continues as he turns back to Zed, "and that's fin-what? Where the hell is he?"
"He's gone," spits Gotsutei.
"No, he's not." Kenichi looks around.
The three spot a Wormmon in the clearing near Zed's last location.
"Wormmon! I didn't command you to leave the base. Why are you here? Trying to eclipse your record of incompetence?" Ken scowls.
"I don't know what you're talking about," says the Wormmon. "You must have me confused with another."
"Your voice has changed."
"Perceptive." The caterpillar's forehead crest glows, firing a beam at Ken's chest.
Which connects. Ken's body erupts in pain.
"Wormmon..." Ken winces, "what are you doing...wait. Y-you're not...Wormmon...he'd never hurt me.
"He...wouldn't dare...." Still conscious, Ken collapses to his knees.
"You are correct, boy. But I would." The Wormmon wriggles out of his control spiral, revealing himself as Zed.
"He escaped the spiral," says Gotsutei.
"You monster." Kenichi attacks.
Ken struggles to stand. "No...you idiots-we have to retreat. You can't fight him."
"Sure we can-just use your cards," says Gotsutei.
"...cards? What cards?"
"You don't have your battle cards?" Gotsutei sighs. "Kenichi, we'll have to limit break."
"Right."
Both digimon concentrate their energies to the fullest in their efforts to digivolve. Which ultimately fail.
"Something's wrong-we can't break the spire's influence," hisses Kenichi.
"We've got to," says Gotsutei. "The Kaizer's down."
"And didn't come with his cards. Brilliant."
"Forget the damn cards. We have to withdraw for now," says Ken, still in pain.
"No."
"If we do that, he'll follow us to Primary Central," adds Gotsutei. "Unacceptable."
"Neither are your deaths," says Ken. "Kazeyu has given me authority over you twerps because he expects me to keep you alive. Now I'm ordering you to retreat. I'll stay behind and cover you."
"A pitiful cover," smirks Zed, back in his Stingmon form.
"I'm not as easy to take out as you think, my green friend."
"Is that so?" Zed attacks, but receives a judo flip for his trouble. Ken straddles Zed the moment the Stingmon stands up, only now the injured boy tries to strangle Zed with his whip.
"Now's our chance!" Kenichi launches off his strongest rookie attack, with Gotsutei following suit.
"I told you fools to retreat!" snarls Ken, loosening his grip. Zed takes this moment to hurl Ken off his shoulders, but the Kaizer quickly snags Zed's arm with the whip, landing on his feet.
"I can do it...I can break to Angemon." A sparkling white aura surrounds Gotsutei, but he doesn't digivolve.
"Stop it, Gotsu!" cries Kenichi. "You're wasting energy. The control spires are blocking us."
"But I can still break! Besides, I don't see you quitting either."
"Don't worry about it, Gotsutei," orders Ken. "I've got Zed cornered. You and Kenichi get the hell out of here."
"You have me cornered?" Zed chuckles a moment. "Crystal Strand."
Ken's whip-and then his body-becomes enmeshed in wiry silk cords.
"What the...I'm stuck!" Ken struggles to break free of the Strand. The Stingmon launches a red bolt of energy through the Strand, causing Ken to scream in agony.
"Did that hurt?" asks Zed mockingly.
"No," smiles Ken through his labored breathing. Blood trickles down from the corner of the boy's lips.
"I shall try harder, then." Zed tugs the Strand hard, making Ken spit blood. He then whirls Ken around, occasionally slamming the boy into the ground.
Ken tries to stand in one place, his head feeling dizzy. Zed merely pulls the Kaizer to his face.
"I'm still alive," grunts Ken.
"Of course. You're too much fun to play with. I have a feeling," muses Zed, "that we'll be playmates for a long time."
"You'll rot in digital hell first, maggot," Gotsutei glares in righteous indignation. The Patamon, infused with energy, charges Zed with everything in his being. Kenichi follows, with an even fiercer aura from his efforts to break to Galgomon.
Zed slams Ken into the two charging digimon, finally releasing the boy. The trio lies prone at the Stingmon's feet.
Ken still struggles, to see, to stand, to retain consciousness. Gotsutei is barely awake. Kenichi is conscious, and he too strains to stand to his feet.
Zed picks Kenichi up. "First, to dispose of a thorn in my side."
Kenichi merely laughs, completely unafraid for the first time.
"You were good while it lasted." One red spike from Zed, and it ends.
- - -
Kenichi...no.... That monster just killed him. I must avenge his death. I stir, fighting just to stand. Zed's just so powerful....
I see Zed's feet. "You try so hard," says the freak. "I think I'd rather play with you," Zed continues, picking me up by my wings. Considering they double as my ears, that really hurts.
The sound of a whip, circling Zed's wrist. "You...aren't going anywhere...." croaks Ken, standing to his feet. I've never met anyone as stubborn as that kid. Or as recklessly brave.
"Thirsty for more, boy?" hisses Zed, as I strain helplessly. He zaps Ken again.
"Stop it," I cry, not merely from my own pain.
"Tell me, little one," continues Zed mercilessly, "do you like it when it hurts?"
I get it now. At first, it was just a physical attack, but now Zed's forcing himself into Kai-chan's mind.
"Don't fight it, boy," smiles Zed. "It only gets worse the more you fight me. Then again, it only gets worse no matter what you do."
Zed has an evil laugh.
"Shut up. Shut up! Get out of my head," seethes Ken. "I won't let you control me!"
"Such a strong will for such a vulnerable child."
"I'll die before you take me, yaro," smiles Ken. "I can't survive these attacks indefinitely."
"Good point," Zed concurs, annoyed. He releases the whip and frees the hand holding me from its grasp. Ken collapses in a heap.
"Let...go of me..." I moan.
Zed walks over to Ken's huddled body, stroking his cheek. He snickers, and sticks out a long, thin tongue to tickle Ken's ear.
"We shall have to play another time," the creep hisses.
"I will destroy you...." Ken glares with all the strength he can muster.
"And I expect to see you again...Ken." Zed laughs, the last horrible sound I hear before blackness falls over me.
- - -
Kazeyu has just finished filing a report with Wormmon. The Elecmon stretches, teases a fresh digimon or two, and smiles when Kishi, the Nyaromon, bounds in.
"Kazeyu-san!" Kishi, however, is in tears.
Kazeyu's smile fades. "What is the matter, little one?"
"Gotsutei's gone, he's with Zed; Kai-chan's hurt, and Kenichi is dead!" the Nyaromon breathes in a rush.
"What? Calm down, child. Tell me what happened."
"Kenichi-san, Gotsu-chan, and Kai-chan were all fighting Zed...but it didn't turn out right. Zed took Gotsu away, Kenichi's deleted, and Kai-chan...you have to get to him!" sobs Kishi.
- - -
Why? Why did they try to attack Zed alone? It was unwise for Kenichi to go alone-and even less wise of him to take Ken and Gotsutei with him. Though knowing those two, they wouldn't take no for an answer.
I reach the battlefield with Kishi, who followed Gotsutei out of worry. And who thankfully kept her distance.
Ken's in bad shape. His eyes are open, but he sees nothing. Senses nothing. The child is in shock.
He needs a human hospital, but I can no longer travel to his world. Only a few places in the digital world have the equipment I need to tend to Ken's injuries.
Only a few digimon could hold such unprovoked malice for a Chosen. And only one could inflict these wounds.
I take out Ken's Wonder Swan, a device that I've seen Tamers with lately. With it, I contact Wormmon, merely telling the innocent rookie that his partner's ready to return home, and to send an Airdramon. Wormmon mustn't learn of what happened. In that freshie's current mental state, any of this would finally cause him to snap.
Kishi and I use what herbs and cloth we have to tend to Ken's wounds until the Airdramon arrives. King Airdramon.
"So, the boy is beaten," King Airdramon scowls. Apparently, the digimon are themselves until the control lock from Ken's T1 is active.
"Yes, horribly. I understand that may be what he deserves," I continue, "but you should not wish evil for evil. It is unwise."
"Wisdom is preempted by judgment. Let the boy die."
"No. If this child dies, we all will-one way or another. The digital world cannot lose him to darkness. Too much is at stake."
"But if he dies, we will be free." Such shortsightedness is unusual even in an Easterner. If death or darkness claims Ken, I will fail my friend. He would never forgive me. And Wormmon would not forgive himself.
"You will take the Kaizer and myself back to base, Oosaka-sama, that I may tend to his injuries. Because if he dies, then you'll shortly learn that you bear equal blame with his assailant."
For King Airdramon doesn't remember his role in Ken's current state. Zeromaru told me of Ken, but I didn't know the boy he spoke of and the Kaizer were one until I matched a picture ID in the Tamers' Database.
Ichijouji Ken, Tamer First Class. Akiyama's second. His eyes are clouded, not clear as in the archives, but it is him. And his Wormmon stays faithfully by him, even now.
This Tamer will not fall to the dark side. My friend loves this child. I won't fail my friend, and I won't let Ken die.
Oosaka studies my determined face closely. A determined Elecmon fighting for a child's life isn't a digimon you should trifle with.
In a few moments we are aloft, heading to Eastern. Kishi remains behind.
= = = =
"I've been such a brat," says Ken.
Gotsutei eyes Ken studiously. "I've forgiven you so many times that I forget what you did wrong in the first place. All I think about now is the simple fact that you saved me. You saved Kenichi. You saved the digital world twice, and you saved my taishou.
"You saved the babies in Primary Central. All of them are safe. And you saved Kishi...from me."
"Now...don't start that. Kishi understands that nothing you did was your fault."
"I know; but we both.... We both--will go on." Gotsutei smiles, despite the tears in his eyes.
"I've got to move on, too. You and Zero head to Southern, and meet with Ryo and Daisuke."
"No." Zeromaru stands placidly.
"And why, Zeromaru," asks Ken in slight irritation, "are you countermanding me this time?"
"I'd love to see Ryo and those two freshies," says Zero, "but the digimon surrounding us have other plans for our itinerary."
Appearing around Ken, Zero, Wormmon and Gotsutei is a circle of Stingmon. A larger Stingmon descends in the heroes' midst.
Zero snorts. "If it isn't old Shou...."
"I'd ask you to return Hirokazu to us, except that we have sensed a wiser pupil within our reach," answers Shou.
"Who are you?" demands Ken. "And from what rock or fissure did all these Stingmon emanate from?"
"These," answers Shou, gesturing to the surrounding Stingmon, Wormmon; and the Leafmon and Minomon lurking in patches of underbrush, "are the ones deemed worthy of the Stingmon Corps.
"And I am their leader, General Stingmon. Zeromaru and I have a history."
"Of you abducting Leafmon and training them to be your elite war machines," scowls Zero.
"Is that so?" Ken eyes the General narrowly, clutching Wormmon close. "You're not taking my partner."
"No, Ichijouji; we will not take him," says Shou.
"He's right," says Wormmon, wriggling out of Ken's arms. "I'm going."
And without another word, Wormmon and the Stingmon Corps vanish without a trace.
"...at fault," he says.
Does Ken expect me to beat him up now? I still don't understand what happened. Ken tells me that because of his arrogance, Kenichi died, and Gotsutei turned out the way he is now. But no details.
Ken, I'm getting frustrated with you. This whole damn situation, instead of becoming clearer, just received another twist. What the hell is going on?
"Who do you think you are, yaro?" I ask him.
Ken ignores me. I wish Hikari were here to hand me her mental sledgehammer.
Thankfully, a smooth skipping pebble is near me. I toss it at Ken's hand. He drops his precious Manual, which he was reading over and over for information on Genbu Temple, he says. It was getting on my nerves.
He wants me to blame him. For what?
Ken rubs his wrist, smiling softly. "You hit my hand," he muses.
"I was aiming for your head, brainiac," I scowl. "I want to crack open that thick skull of yours to see what's inside."
"There's not much, really," says Ken off-handedly, damn him. "I'm a simple child at heart," he adds with a grin.
"I'd hate to meet your idea of a complicated one."
"I'm trying hard not to be arrogant...it did bite me in the ass," notes Ken, master of self-mockery. It's cute, but I still know nothing about him. Or about this situation that Ken blames himself for.
"You said you wanted us to talk," I remind him. Ken tends to forget crap that most sane people would have etched in their minds. "Let's talk."
"I explained what happened, Taichi," Ken counters flatly.
"Barely," I mutter.
"It's getting late. We should eat and rest, so we can continue our search for Zero." His tone is even, but Ken folds his arms and looks at me as though his suggestion held no room for argument.
Sieg Zeon.
==
Sleep evades me. I'm such a fool. I could count every star in the digital heaven, and I still wouldn't fall asleep. That is how it is. The few brief snatches of rest I receive weary me even more.
I'm used to this "sleep pattern" of mine by now, but it's become more pronounced than before. The moment is rare when I can close my eyes, enter oblivion, and dream like normal people.
But it's my penance, I suppose. I have only myself to blame.
I can still feel Taichi's eyes staring at me, while I stare at the sky. What the hell does he want? Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I note a soft grin on his face.
"You want something, Taichi," I sigh. He apparently taught Daisuke that smile. "What is it?"
"I can't sleep," he pouts. "I'm bored."
"So?"
"Let's talk." He is so droll. Three digimon are sleeping before us. I know because Gotsutei's muttering fretfully, and Agumon sounds like a sawmill obsessed with lemon pie.
"About what?" I hiss. "Damn it, I'm tired."
"Then why are you still awake?"
"Because someone has elected to keep me awake. And actually, Agumon's snoring is actually quite soothing." It really is. But not enough to put me to sleep.
"Then let's talk ourselves to sleep."
"No. We need to rest; remember," I say, turning my back to him, "we have to find Zero and speak to Xuanwumon. Now quit keeping me awake."
That was just a blatant lie to get him to shut up, wasn't it, Ichijouji? Truth is, I can't sleep. I'm tired, I'm angry, and I was staring into the stars for answers to unasked questions.
"I'm exhausted watching you try to sleep, but I can't close my eyelids and snore, Ken."
"Why, Taichi?" I ask. Why?
"I want to know."
"Know?"
"What you did; what makes you believe that you're at fault for Kenichi's death, and Gotsu's...issues." Which Hikari and I agreed wouldn't reach Taichi's ears.
"I am to blame."
"For what? You haven't 'explained' crap. But I also want to know what kind of adventures you had. Come on, Ken-you owe me that much." Taichi was kind enough to relate the Imperialdramon Zero incident. And even Neo's initial death.
But Taichi's actions were blameless. He wanted to spare Neo's life. In the end, he just saw another human being like himself. I can't say the same for myself. I was, and sometimes still am, just a selfish person too reckless to consider the potential consequences for his actions, and their repercussions on others.
"I was, Taichi, a...self-absorbed and wicked child. It's as simple as that."
"Yeah; that, too. But your main problem is that you hold too much emotional crap in. Good, bad; fun like sex on the beach, or rotten as hell-you won't tell anyone how you feel unless someone drags it out of you.
"How are you supposed to deal with the darkness in your heart if you keep it locked in all the time?" Taichi continues quietly. I don't know, and I'd ask you to tell me if I thought you knew the answer. But no one knows.
"What exactly do you want to know about me?" I ask.
"I don't think you just went to Central and caused a lot of trouble needlessly. Usually there's some rhythm to a villain's madness. At least you don't need to tell me what made you the Kaizer. It's so damn obvious." Somehow, I don't think he was alluding to the now-extinct Dark Seed that was in my neck.
"Actually," I smile ruefully, "bringing hell to Central was a complete accident on my part. I was merely on a self-imposed reconnaissance mission to learn the lay of the land, so I could conquer it later."
"With swift, crushing, and complete efficiency, the way you took over Eastern. Will you give me some credit? Hell, I could have told you Agumon doesn't like being forced to digivolve, and would have gone Skull on you."
"How did you know that?" I'm honestly curious. I was so infuriated when that happened. Many Dark Tyrannomon could have been spared.
"Happened to me, too. I wanted to push Agumon to ultimate, but I pushed him too hard."
"At least your heart was in the right place," I note.
"True, but if you were in my place then, you never would have pushed Wormmon like that."
"You're right." Because my digimon friend would have had already reached his champion stage and scared the crap out of me.
Something about Stingmon has always frightened me. Probably scares Wormmon even more. Maybe it's his viral nature, which gives him a fighting edge, but makes him vulnerable to dark forces. Perhaps when Arukenimon put a spell on him and Digmon with that flute, it excited a more combative, violent side of Stingmon.
Gusano. Though I teasingly stick my tongue out at him, I want Wormmon to sleep peacefully. He deserves it.
==
"What adventures did you have? Who did you meet?" I ask.
"Huh? What are you talking about, Taichi?" Ken, quit forgetting.
"While on your mission. You had to meet-and try to capture-a lot of digimon on your journey. Come on; tell me."
Ken rattles off a few digimon names. Then talks about a stop in Suzaku City.
==
Daisuke and Ryo reach the Imperial Aviary, the palace of Zhuqiaomon.
"Please; we request an audience with Zhuqiaomon," says Ryo. However, the guards appear to be leery of his request. "We need to speak to her regarding the situation in Central."
"She will receive no visitors," scowls an Insekimon.
"It's urgent that I meet with her on this matter."
"Are you deaf?" hisses the other guard, a Tsukaimon. "No visitors."
"I think we should just take these guys out and head in there," blurts Daisuke.
"Negative. The whole Aviary will be on us before we can blink. Getting killed would defeat our purpose here," sighs Ryo.
"We came all this way to see 'the Queen of the Birds', and I don't think we should stop because of a couple of birdbrains."
"They're just doing their job," smiles Ryo patiently as he escorts Daisuke away.
= = =
"Tamer Akiyama came forward, along with a headstrong youth. The second boy had strange eyewear on his head," reports a young man with gold eyes, dressed in gold.
"...strange...eyewear...?" murmurs a melodious voice, as if stirring from a long slumber.
"Yes, Your Majesty; shall I let them enter?"
"No...Houou-sama. Let Akiyama prove himself for once."
"Are you certain, my lady?"
"If he...is truly worthy of his craft, he will be able to enter my gates. Otherwise, he...shall perish."
"What of the other child?" asks Houou.
"Bring him...to his quarters here. I have missed that child...."
= = =
"We just wait until nightfall. Most of Suzaku City's people are bird digimon. Only a few of them are nocturnal," explains Ryo.
"And we sneak in like a pair of thieves, right?" I stare up at the evening sky, irritated that we have to break and enter again. "Ryo, I thought you said you knew Zhuqiaomon."
"I do. But she's decided to shut us out for some reason."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. I sent her an email to let her know I was coming, and my reasons why."
"How considerate." Seems like Ryo contacts people only when he needs their help. No wonder he's so popular.
Don't get me wrong, I know he doesn't mean to come off that way. He's a cool person for the most part, but his social skills are virtually nonexistent.
I mean, we're in the heart of the coolest-looking place I've ever seen in the digital world. Bird digimon of all feathers flying everywhere. There's a girl Aquilamon that would make Hawkmon preen himself bald trying to impress her. I'd give him pointers, of course.
But what does Ryo do? First he waltzes straight to the Aviary without stopping to look around, knocks on the royal door, and wants an audience with the Queen. And what is it about? Oh, nothing-we're getting our asses handed to us, and we need your god-bird powers to save our lives. And failing that, we break into her room while she's bird-bathing.
No, that's not the way to get help from someone when you're a guest on their turf.
"Ryo?" I'm going to explain something to him. A good friend of mine calls it diplomacy.
Ryo looks up from his Manual. "Yes, Daisuke."
"Why not just look around the city; you know, see the sights? Have some fun while we're here?"
"This isn't a vacation, and we aren't tourists in a foreign land."
"You're right-we're a pair of foreign military agents in their country, and we're going to barge in and demand their leader give us aid in a battle. That makes no sense whatsoever."
"What would make sense? That we sit in a fabulous restaurant eating like kings while Neo takes over the digital world?"
"Makes great sense to me," chirps Demiveemon. "I'm so hungry...."
"Ken and Taichi are still searching for Zero, right?" asks Ryo pointedly.
"Yeah; my digimon has a healthy appetite, too. But about what I'm saying; I know I'm right. A month into school this past year, Ken was doing a school project on the four Kyoto beasts. Each section of Tamaishi had to handle a beast; Ken got Suzaku.
"Suzaku, the red sparrow, is the Japanese version of the Chinese phoenix. That bird is the most beautiful, wealthy, and powerful of the four beasts, and Suzaku loves to show off. I wish I had the pictures of Ken and me dressed as holy firebird soldiers.
"Anyway," I continue, "what Ken learned-and what I learned-was that Suzaku appreciates the custom of hospitality. The phoenix goes all-out to show her guests a good time, and a guest not partaking of her generosity is unheard of."
"We are at war." I wonder if Ryo paid attention to a word I said.
"All the more reason why we shouldn't offend prospective allies by disregarding their culture. Let's face it: if the Akiyama unit were like the United States, we wouldn't need Zhuqiaomon's help, and so we can afford to offend alien cultures. But we're just a bunch of kids and their digimon against an army or darkness, so we're really at the queen's mercy here.
"And that looks like a great restaurant to start." Actually, it was a noodle cart, but that ramen smells like Iron Chef Chin opened a restaurant. And I'm so hungry.
= = =
Everything's free at Suzaku City; I had forgotten that. This is a beautiful place. And Daisuke was right about the hospitality angle. He's been reading the Manual.
These hot springs are nice. I remember when Ken and I rested here. And Zero caused a huge tidal wave doing a cannonball into the lake. Minomon ate some of the royal chocolates and nearly got us all killed. Ken ate most of them, though. He's a nut for chocolate.
I wonder how Zhuqiaomon would take Stingmon and Ken gorging on her Black Forest Cake that she has on her birthday every digital year.
Veemon dashes in, meeting my relaxed smile. He seems agitated.
"What's the matter, Veemon?" I ask.
"It's Dai!" he screams. "A giant golden bird digimon named Hououmon snatched him away while he was looking at some samurai armor and stuff."
"Hououmon?" King Phoenix to some, Lord Houou to others. Zhuqiaomon's shogun and adviser. Why the hell would he kidnap Daisuke?
"It appears we can't wait until dark after all," I continue, stepping out of the hot springs.
= = =
Where am I? I look around.
Cool bed. I flop onto it. This has to be the most comfortable prison I've ever been in. Now that I'm lying on my stomach, I can see the plush carpet. Some paintings of...the Kaizer? I guess Ken was here. He's not smiling in one, but he has that eternal Ichijouji smirk in another. He parked his big disco glasses on his head...like my goggles.
A gorgeous girl drifts into my room. She's clad in vibrant shades of red.
"Ow!" That's my reaction to snapping the goggle strap to make sure I'm awake.
"Are you all right?" asks the lady.
"Yes, ma'am," I smile weakly. Judging by the size and opulence of the room, I know that at least I'm not out of Suzaku City.
The beauty sits on my bed, studying me closely. Stroking my cheek, she gives an understanding, if sad smile.
"Houou-sama needs glasses," she jokes. "You are not the headstrong Chosen I expected."
"You were expecting Ken, maybe?" I ask with a stupid grin plastered to my face. "Ryo told me that Ken was his tag partner."
"You are correct. Do you know of Ichijouji, then?" the lady asks.
Do I know of him? "Ken's my best friend," I answer, half-hoping that she wasn't a deluded slave out for revenge. But he spent time in this near-paradise and didn't tell me? I'm going to wring his neck.
"Then that explains Houou-sama's mistake, then. Please forgive my discourtesy." She bows, like a geisha with Kairin's red hair. I can't tell the difference between her hair and the feathers, except for some white, black, and blue plumage to set it off. Kairin would look great in something like that.
"It's okay, Your Majesty." Somehow, she has to be this digimon we're trying to gain an audience with. Zhuqiamon's just like the Princess' daughter, who gave my class a tour of the Emperor's Palace a year ago.
"You are observant," Zhuqiamon smiles.
"Domo arigatou," I smile in turn. "May I ask you some questions?"
"Yes."
"Tell me about Ken being here." I'll be damned if I don't know something about my own friend. And since I'm here, I may as well be a good guest. That way, she'll be in a good mood to listen to Ryo bore us to death with military details.
Bet he enjoyed the hot springs, though.
= = =
Every known method of entering the Aviary undetected has a check. And those two guards I met are nocturnal. Hell, they're not even birds. I don't think the Tsukaimon even sleeps. He's like a zombie Patamon, or Akane with too much sugar in her system.
"We will protect our queen from all enemies," continues the Insekimon.
And save for a small volley of red fireballs that singed the door, I would have stood there trying to negotiate all night.
"Who dares?" shouts the Tsukaimon.
"Come here and find out, if you dare," smirks an Impmon, spanking his butt. Veemon and I look at each other in stark confusion.
"Hey-you two waiting for an invitation?" hisses another Impmon. "Hoshino's going to take care of these clowns-you get in there.
"In case you're wondering, soldier boy," the twerp continues with a smirk, "Tetsuro sends his regards."
Tetsuro. Hoshino. Oh, gods...no....
It's them.
Veemon tugs my sleeve. "We'd better get going before those two guards get back. Daisuke's still in there."
It's Daisuke's fault he's there in the first place. Nevertheless, I'd better find him and get out of here before those Impmon get us executed.
= = = =
** Quite exotic, * I muse privately, looking at this oasis in the desert. This will be my winter retreat when I come to power, and Binocular Girl will attend to certain needs I've developed...when I'm older. Ruler of the digital world I'm destined to be, but she'd probably still laugh at me.
I see a large golden bird digimon. I think he's a rare holy beast. Now that's a digimon.
- - -
The Kaizer slaps away a plate of food. "I told you that I'm not hungry, nor am I in want for food."
"Are you referring, perhaps," asks a young man in gold robes, "to this long-exhausted supply of raisins? I sincerely hope you feed your 'slaves' better than you feed yourself."
"Actually, yes I do. It would be inefficient to have my slaves near death if I want them to fight. Or level your worthless hovel to the ground," Ken continues with a graceless smirk.
"Patience is one of our virtues...Kaizer, and I believe I'm being generous in permitting you to live after your pitiful attempt to enslave me. The least you could do is quit your stubbornness and accept our city's hospitality."
"I have made many enemies in my quest to rule this world. How do I know you aren't out to kill me?"
"You live," answers the gold-robed man. "That is more than enough testament."
"Perhaps I want to die," Ken glares.
"Say nothing so dreadful," hisses a beauty wearing red. "You shall eat, Kaizer."
"For the fifth time, I'm not hungry."
"Ensure that Ken eats, and rests, Houou-sama. I know he is a trial on your patience."
"I am willing to serve you, my queen," says the man in gold. "And him."
"I don't want your damn food," scowls Ken.
"Whether you want it or not is closed to protest. You eat what is set before you, and that is the end of the matter."
- - -
The food is exquisite, but these two are even worse than my parents. Constantly worrying about my appetite. Only these two probably intend to eat me when I'm plump. Except that won't happen. I want to fit this outfit when I leave.
"Zhuqiamon now permits your departure. She expresses grave sorrow and disappointment in your conduct," says Lord Houou. Of course, he's actually that Hououmon I tried to capture-the one who dragged me here in the first place.
"The queen is merciful, and you would do well to mark her conduct as the example if you intend to rule anywhere in the digital world.
"You will dine with her for breakfast. She herself has prepared a meal for you." At least the queen knows how to serve a master.
Intrigued, I actually submit to their little demands. The fact that they're a pair of mega digimon merely requires me to rethink my strategy. Return later with another mega that I successfully control, and take over this city.
= = = =
"So you went to Southern, tried to capture a Hououmon, and instead of being annihilated you were fed and sent on your way?" I ask. This is not fair. I remember thinking of different things to mix in some eggs we scrounged up when we first landed in the digital world.
"For which I am grateful to them," says Ken.
"You sure as hell better be. Back in my time, digimon attacked us for almost any reason-or even without reason. A day didn't pass when a Kuwagamon or some angry Snimon weren't trying to destroy us. Takeru and Hikari were just small kids back then.
"And getting free food? Madness. Either it's a trap set by an evil digimon flunkie, or you have a Digitamamon complaining about money. Damn your luck, Ken."
"I don't feel very lucky," he says.
"So maybe you made a few selfish, egregious mistakes. Eleven-year olds do that a lot. Yours just happened to be a lot bigger."
"And more devastating to other lives."
"Ken, some things you should actually try to forget."
"I can't forget. I won't forget anymore. Even if it means remembering the monstrous acts I committed."
"You're still alive, Ken. You haven't even begun to live yet. Just wait until you hit my age; by then, you'll be on the threshold of forging your own destiny. And later on, when you've matured and you have kids of your own, you probably will forget about the Kaizer."
"How do you forget something like that?"
Good point. Some things in the digital world we can't forget. "The truth is...you don't forget the bad things that happen in life. A lot of crap happened to me during my first journeys here that I wish I could forget. Especially Skullgreymon."
"Yes; let's forget the Skull." Ken smiles, a small miracle in itself.
"You see? It only takes a second to think about the good along with the bad. People always want to remember good things, and think about good memories.
"It's like your brain's a computer. Every file ever saved is on the memory. But you have a limited amount of disk space, and when something's about to exceed the limit, the older files you deleted are overwritten.
"By the time your loin spawn begins to walk the earth, the Kaizer will be overwritten." That Koushirou. Some of his technobabble leaked into my brain after all.
"What good is in the Kaizer?" asks Ken.
I smile broadly. "Hitler built the Autobahn."
"What is the relevance of this bit of trivia?"
"That no one is all bad; there's good in everyone."
"Interesting."
"That's what you are. Tell me more about your mission. You are a thorough person." Real thorough. Ken's methodical about everything, from cleaning his room to eating a bowl of rice. He makes everything in life look so simple.
I know what it is about Ken that keeps him from getting killed. He's charming. And a damn good storyteller.
==
I'm inside an inn, though it looks a bit like an American saloon. However, that isn't what I deem worthy of observation. The hostesses are far more intriguing. And it's not simply because they appear to be a pair of voluptuous young women. It's because these women are usually mortal enemies.
"What are you typing?" That's Devin, an Angewomon. She's the hostess, and the brains of this business.
"No, she's the mischievous one," says Virgil, the Lady Devimon protesting my typing. "I'm really a good girl, Koushirou."
"As I have observed this past week. What do you think of Virgil's pitas, Kazenori?"
"Delicious." The Lopmon continues gorging on rice balls unabated.
"And these honey buns are irresistible," sighs Tentomon in glee. Insect digimon have a natural weakness for sweets. My partner is even worse about melons. Wormmon's addiction-also the known addiction of the Ichijouji clan-is chocolate.
In fact, that's how Devin and Virgil first met Ken-before his Kaizer days. Wormmon had first tasted some leftover chocolate chip cookies lurking in one of Ken's pockets. The poor larva can't get that taste out of his mind. We all have our poisons.
About six years ago, Devin secured a contract to bake a large Black Forest Cake for the Suzuka Anniversary Festival. It was at the ama no byakko-oh, the Lair of the White King Tiger. Though in this continent where anarchy reigns, this sacred place is referred to irreverently as Baihumon's Pit. The Pit if you're in a hurry.
Ken and Wormmon found the finished cake, and they stared at it for a solid hour. Wormmon finally tore a chunk out of the cake, and that's where Virgil came in. Fortunately, she was a Black Gatomon at the time. Ken apologized for his chocolate-loving friend.
Ichijouji Ken has this mesmerizing effect on people, especially females. When I asked about their encounter with the Kaizer, Virgil started licking her lips, muttering something about whips and games. Devin sighed, then mentioned cheerfully that Ken blushes all over. More information than even I needed to know. Miyako would love this.
= = = =
"Hold still, cutie," smiles Virgil, the Lady Devimon I failed to capture.
First those Impmon begin tailing me here from the Kitsune Islands, and when I finally manage to ditch them, I run into another digital god. Baihumon. I almost had him, yet those stupid Impmon appear yet again. They attack two of the Ice Leomon guards. I worked hard to get those spirals on them, yet the cretins' puny fireballs destroy the spirals before I could establish a stable control lock.
The sad part is the little twerps are trying to help me. Except this time they helped me into a bath house with a Lady Devimon and an Angewomon named Devin. These rather...buxom creatures somehow know of Ken. And think that I wish to be addressed as him.
"Unhand me," I demand, my struggling rendered futile. Devin divests me of my clothes and glasses.
"You need a bath, 'Your Majesty'," counters Devin, folding her arms.
I glare at her. "If you and your viral friend don't give me back my uniform, you and she will be flogged."
"My, Ken-chan...." Virgil toys with my whip, smiling wickedly. "We are rather bold."
Why do I have the strange feeling she wants me to flog her? And why am I liking the idea?
Devin clutches my naked frame close, my back to her ample-and thankfully clothed breasts. "Ken's still just a baby. I don't think you can play those games with children."
"He has to learn discipline." My whip slips out of Virgil's claws, and now I'm a Lady-Womon sandwich. "Can't we play with him, just a little?"
"No! Ken's being bad enough as it is, and it's not the kind of bad that turns a girl on," Devin lectures. How can someone so nubile sound like my mama?
"A pity," sighs Virgil, tracing my admittedly puny chest. I'm almost flattered that they find me attractive at all. "So much potential wasted...."
"Enough!" I gasp. "I can bathe myself, thank you."
Watching the digimon leave, my main concern is my skin's sudden redness.
= = = =
"Takeru...we have a problem." Sayuki indicates a small mob of digimon assembled around a part of the desert in Eastern. A familiar part.
"What are they doing?" asks Takato.
"Maybe I should go underground and find out," says Digmon.
"That would be reckless," Iori counters.
Takeru eyes the group a moment, noting the Airdramon in the sky. "Actually," says the blond slowly, "Sayuki's the best digimon for that job. Sayuki, you and Patamon head to the Airdramon. He seems to be in charge.
"And be careful. When we meet Zero again, I don't want to tell him you've been hurt. Understand?"
"I will, but Zero still thinks I'm a freshie." The Chuumon hops onto Patamon's back, and they head towards the mob.
As they near the group of digimon, Sayuki and Patamon discover that the digimon are workers at a construction site.
= = =
This Airdramon has some history behind him. I'm pretty sure Ken enslaved him at one point.
"Once...." he tells me, "I was a king. The greatest of Airdramon, Takeru. I thought myself the mightiest of digimon, until I faced one with greater power.
"With the aid of his Tamer, he defeated me. I begged this digimon to grant myself and my people-if you can call us 'people'-autonomy. He and the Tamer accepted the request, and we were free.
"But it came at a horrible price. A false freedom, bought at too great a price."
"What do you mean?"
"My armies and I had to serve the Tamer's unit. And in so doing, I betrayed a child."
Ken must have really hurt this Airdramon. In that case, rebuilding his base makes no sense.
The Airdramon notes my confusion. "This? The work behind me is penance. I must atone for my sins against him."
"The Kaizer?" I ask, surprised. "But he hurt you."
"Yes; but it was my ill-fated choice to serve the Tamer and his champion that brought the Kaizer upon me.
"Ken was the child that I betrayed."
"What exactly did you do?"
"I abandoned Ken and his unit, who needed my help in the battle against a digital chimera."
"Kimeramon? Ken created Kimeramon."
"From the seeds spawned of Millenniumon, the chimera in question. Once I was free of the Kaizer's control, I remembered all. Don't you see? I was enslaved...by the monster I created. Because I betrayed him.
"Ken was an innocent and carefree spirit...."
"You couldn't have known the Tamer's intentions towards Ken's unit," I protest. "Nor could you have suspected that Millenniumon would bring forth the Kaizer. Neither did Ken, and I don't think he ever blamed you." Of course not; at that point in his life, he thought the digital world was one big interactive videogame.
"The base should be useful to you and your friends."
"Useful? Ken had its remains obliterated for a reason." He said so himself, that he didn't want the fortress to be used again, ever. "I think it should be destroyed."
However, Pegasusmon disagrees. He helps tow some of the rocks.
"Don't be ridiculous," scoffs Takato. "A mobile base is exactly what our unit needs."
"Yeah, because we won't have to hide from Neo underground anymore," pouts Sayuki.
"Iori, what do you think?"
"That they need a bigger digimon to speed things up." Iori pulls Digmon, who reverts to Armadillomon and digivolves to Ankylomon.
"I think this is crazy."
"Neo's crazy, so everything else being crazy around here makes perfect sense," scowls Iori.
I look at Iori narrowly. "What's gotten into you?"
"Fear for the digital world. Heck, fear for myself. Saiba Neo tried to kill me.
"I won't let that fear paralyze me. I may as well do something constructive."
"Do you realize what you're helping these digimon to rebuild?"
"Yes. The source of their sorrow, the root of their pain. I know. I heard this Airdramon's whole story; and the gods know I know about the damn base, Takeru.
"Now this base is the key to the digital world's freedom. And its only hope."
"Ken will want this thing demolished," I sigh halfheartedly as I take off my shirt to help.
"It's not about what Ken wants," Iori smirks. "If he wants to, he and Paildramon can nuke it after we defeat Neo."
I grin back. "I always liked you, Iori."
==
Ken receives an email on his Wonder Swan. From Iori.
tmpl_1_taitei: it's 0428, and taichi's keeping me awake |I
tmpl_1_taitei: what is it
kendo_hida: it's a surprise
kendo_hida: you won't believe your eyes
takai_TK: iori-kun pulled a skeleton out of your closet D
tai_8gami: what, you rebuilt the old base
[kendo_hida :eek]
takai_TK: how'd you know
tai_8gami: lucky guess
tai_8gami: guess ryo won't complain about a base anymore
tmpl_1_taitei: what the hell did you do that for B
kendo_hida: not my idea
kendo_hida: penitent airdramon, you should be grateful
takai_TK: couldn't stop them :\
tmpl_1_taitei: whatever |I do what you want
tmpl_1_taitei: i'm tired
tai_8gami: grouchy's never used to friends badgering him
tai_8gami: mr shy....
tmpl_1_taitei: i'll finish chatting with the human fuller brush
[tai_8gami _:_P]
tmpl_1_taitei: then, blessed sleep.... |D
kendo_hida: don't let wormmon mistake you for a hershey bar :lol
[tmpl_1_taitei :b :p]
takai_TK: :lol good night
tmpl_1_taitei: or what's left :rolleyes :)
= = =
Ken went here to Northern after his stay with Devin and Virgil. Damn, he was just all work and no play. Tried to capture Xuan-sama.
"You didn't try to catch Qinglongmon, too? You've got to catch them all, my friend," I joke.
"I didn't have a Pikachumon," quips Ken.
And then he headed toward Central. "And then...?" I ask.
"That's basically it," Ken shrugs. "Can I sleep now?"
"No, yaro." I grab Ken in a headlock before he can react. "You have to talk to someone. It's what Osamu would've wanted."
I cannot fathom the sheer strength of this "tired" kid. Ken breaks out of my time-tested Yamato-restraining headlock, glaring at me as though I pissed on a temple statue.
"How can you dare to presume what my brother would have wanted? I don't even know what he wanted." Ken's eyes glitter in the moonlight, and if he could, Ken would have used them to pierce through my flesh. One thing I'm learning: he's a dangerous type of person.
But I'm not scared. "Your older brother would have wanted to know what's been going on in that brain of yours. I don't give a damn if he was a genius-Osamu wasn't psychic. Big brothers are programmed to be morons, as a matter of fact. That way, the younger kid's smarter by default.
"I can understand your jealousy, and your guilt. I love my sister too. Do you know that I nearly killed her once? All over a game of soccer. You, above all people, should know what it's like to have your mind fixed on one idea."
"You wanted to play soccer, and took Hikari outside with you even though she was sick. Thoughtless of you, yes; but you never wanted her to be gone," moans Ken.
"Ken, your parents forgot you existed because of your genius brother, and yet this same genius had no idea that you felt invisible and unimportant." The geniuses keep missing the details. "It's not because of his preprogrammed older brother stupidity; it's because you never told him anything."
"I...didn't want to hurt him." So you hurt yourself, several other people, and a large number of digimon.
"Pretend I'm him," I tell Ken. "Give me your glasses."
Ken hands me those yellow frames, which I slip on.
"I'm Osamu now, Ken. Tell me everything. Whatever it is you ever wanted to say to him, whatever you wanted to talk to him about, you can tell me, got it?"
"What gives you the right?"
"It's my job," I smile. "I had to 'adopt' Takeru as a little brother when Yamato went nuts during our adventures. Truth is, I wanted to keep him, Ken. I always wanted a little brother."
"So you could have someone to badger and pick on?" asks Ken.
"Would have done you some good, baka. Let's have fun with this, Ken."
"I want to go to sleep before the sun catches us."
"You're in need of a big brother, and I wouldn't mind having a little one. We're all family, in a way. Yamato watches over you guys the same way he would Takeru."
"He never kept me awake at ungodly hours," grumbles Ken.
"Most likely because he knew that he could have been where you are. Yamato wants your parents, you know."
"I think it's the chocolate. Yamato loves chocolate, and can't bear to tell his father that vanilla isn't his favorite flavor.
"Tell you what, Taichi," smiles Ken. "I'll explain everything tomorrow night; but you have to let me sleep...."
He's already about to doze off.
"I can't be Osamu, Ken-chan," I smile, taking off those stupid glasses. "But I can be a big brother to you. Take me up on my offer, and it's a deal."
"Fine, you extortionist. It's a deal...and I'm not a 'chan'." Smiling, Ken finally sleeps. I smother a big yawn, kiss Ken's forehead, and go to sleep myself.
Osamu, I'll take care of him, I promise. We all will.
==
"Yamato, watch the sunrise with me." Smiling softly, Hikari wakes the blond.
Who groggily complies. "I'm not really a morning person," Yamato mumbles.
"Even over Saiba City, the sun rises. It's very pretty."
"Take a picture." Despite this comment, Yamato sits with Hikari and watches the sun's ascent over Neo's citadel.
Kishi opens her eyes. "It's...so warm.... Hikari-chan?"
"Over here," smiles Hikari.
"I've got breakfast started," says Sora.
"What's on the menu?" asks Gabumon with a yawn. Biyomon hits him with a wing.
Sora unveils her find. "Eggs."
"You know," says Yamato, "I'll actually try salt and pepper with them today."
"Great idea; the jelly beans weren't working."
"Did Mimi give you that idea?" asks Hikari.
"Was there a doubt?" Gatomon quips.
"You got it," laugh Sora and Yamato in unison.
Hikari checks her email. "It's from Takeru. He says we'll have a base in a few days."
"Looks like a mass email. They rebuilt Ken's base?" asks Yamato.
"According to Takeru, an Airdramon started the project a week before he arrived in Eastern."
"Eastern digimon are helping?" wonders Kishi.
"I...guess so."
"I wonder how this will affect Ken," muses Gatomon. "He did a lot of rotten things in there. Didn't mean to, though. It's just the way life had treated him before."
"That's true...life can seem horrible at times." Kishi looks toward Saiba City a moment, shivering slightly. "But, sometimes you can pull a new life out of the ruins of your old one.
"I've got to have hope. I've got to believe that we can."
"You will," Gatomon smiles.
= = =
I watch Kishi and Gatomon play around Hikari, who sits still. Motionless. Sora and Biyomon are in the city, rustling provisions and planting espionage devices Koushirou and Ryo whipped up. If anyone's having a ball with this adventure, it's Koushirou.
Garurumon takes out the surrounding control spires. Fortunately, my digivice has been upgraded. It's still a T1, rather than what Ryo calls a T1/T3 hybrid-the D3s. But at least we can hit champion long enough to nuke those spires.
Saiba City is magnificent. It disgusts me. I can't believe such talent and intelligence was wasted on such a sick purpose. Even with the sun up, I can still feel the darkness trying to claw at us, and claim us. It exudes an aura of evil that makes the sun look like a cheap flashlight.
I guess that's why Hikari wanted to see the sun. Can't blame her. She's been having nightmares lately, along with Takeru and Ken. In Hikari's dream, she's trying to escape a psychotic groom who wants to marry her at the beach.
Ryo should be here, and I should be with Daisuke. I can't protect Hikari the way he does. Just by being there. I don't know what it is about him that keeps Hikari safe, but I don't have that power.
It's like what happened with her in Odaiba, all over again. Except I won't fail her or you this time, Taichi. The moon owes that much.
= = =
I hold Gatomon close, and sit Kishi on my lap, as the latter breaks down and tells the whole story. Her intent was to save Gotsutei from Neo, especially after Zed killed Kazeyu. After leading Zed away from Primary Central, she was going to attack, except for one thing.
Zed had Gotsutei. So she thought that if she went with Zed, she would find and rescue Gotsutei. Kishi arrived at the palace, followed Zed to his...playroom...and hid. She basically kept Gotsutei alive between beatings, because she never had enough time to free him.
When Takeru had found Gotsutei, Kishi planned to come out and help Takeru rescue him; Zed appeared before she could make her move. The psycho tricked Takeru and Patamon into leaving, then began to torture Gotsutei again. Kishi couldn't take it anymore, and she attacked.
And that...led to now.
"But how did Gotsutei end up there in the first place?" Gatomon's near tears. I haven't seen her like this since Wizardmon died.
"A fight with Zed. Gotsutei, Kenichi, and Kai-chan fought Zed. But Zed was too powerful for any of them."
My brain reels at this. I know Gotsutei was weakened, but he fought off two champions and two armoreds in that same deranged Angemon state. I could imagine what would happen in a fight between a stable Gotsutei and Zed. Deep-fried evil Stingmon, extra crispy. And everyone talks about Kenichi as though he were a mega.
But...this happened three years ago. And three years ago, Ken's D3 had an annoying tendency to block normal digivolution, hence the armor evolutions. I can guess what happened.
I hope Ken isn't blaming himself.
= = = =
Copycat.
I note that my rival is also using control spires. And considering the number of champion digimon that relieved themselves on them, it isn't an effective strategy. Too bad for him. He'll simply have to be more creative if he intends to win this game.
A familiar digimon scampers toward me, a Patamon. Only his coat is silver. That means he or she is not working with that blond baka who has no taste in hats; a different Patamon altogether.
This will be a simple capture. The poor fool is just standing there. Studying me. One flick of the wrist, and the spiral does the twist. Of the digimon's little mind, that is. I have to work on my sense of humor.
"Interesting. You modified the restrictor bands."
So, he has heard of control rings. "Is that what you call them here?" I ask.
"All Tamers have them," the Patamon says, surprised at my apparent ignorance. "But yours look like they're infected with viral data. You with the Saiba unit?"
"What the hell is that?"
"The Tamer unit that runs things here. You have big, stupid-looking glasses like their leader." The Patamon smirks at me, as though I'm some lowly goon.
He will have to learn. "I must inform you that I work for no unit. I am the destined ruler of the digital world, the Digimon Kaizer. I've met the leader of the Saiba unit, and he's nothing but a pale imitation of myself."
The silver Patamon gives me a curious look. "I see.... How old are you?"
"Eleven, although far wiser than humans twice my age."
"Okay." The Patamon continues to eye me quizzically. This is becoming annoying. "What do I call you besides 'Kaizer'? That's an odd word."
He's adorable, in an irritating way. At least I think it's a he now. I'm almost amused with his effort at witty banter.
Time for a suitable comeback. " 'Master' will suffice. Now put this on." He seems intelligent for a digimon; perhaps he'll yield quietly. Then again, after my disappointing battle with Xuanwumon, I wouldn't mind a fight, either.
"Let me think about this." The Patamon takes a pondering pose. Rather cute. "No."
His kawaii act grows old. "Either you come the easy way, my little friend," I smile, "or the hard way. Your choice."
"Try me," says the Patamon in his best effort at a growl. Which I have to admit is a bit superior to Hat Boy's Patamon.
At any rate, he said the magic words. The whip is out. I crack it, the digimon dodges. The same old song after all, and I toss the spiral into his path. I've got him...except he breaks the spiral? This grows interesting. He's a bit stronger than I anticipated, and he was right about the spiral's relation to viral data. Patamon have a unique immunity to certain viral data types, but this shouldn't register as a virus.
I've had ultimate digimon captured with this new design. I won't let my work be trounced by a stupid rookie.
No, wait...it's not him. It's my idiot rival's control spires. They're not at full power. I take out my digivice to correct this error so I can capture my intriguing new slave.
"Galgo Laser!" shouts a new voice. Which stems from a crazed usagi-inu creature with Gatling gun turrets for arms. The guns are blazing, and I...I and this silver Patamon are getting the hell out of here while we can still move.
"Let me go!" demands the Patamon, on a death wish. I would gladly embrace death, but not at the hands of a mutant bunny.
"I can run faster than you can fly! Now shut up, and be grateful I'm saving your pitiful life."
"You don't run from bullets, onore, you duck!"
Good point. Hate to be a moving target. We take cover under some bushes, and that gives me a chance to study this new digimon. Whose name I don't know at all, although he appears similar to a digimon in the Kokomon evolution line.
"It really pains me to ask you," I admit, "but...what kind of digimon is he?"
"You're not very experienced, are you?" asks the Patamon, amused.
"I don't have time for your wisecracks. That thing is obviously stronger than you, or you would have fought it already."
"At least you have potential. Yes, the 'thing' known as Galgomon is stronger than me right now, and his name is Kenichi."
"Come out to the party!" laughs Kenichi, firing hapahazardly. Apparently, he's seen too many replays of Cowboy Bebop's "Pierrot le Fou". I managed to scare my parents with footage of that on my computer. They can be such snoops.
"Kenichi needs an attitude adjustment." Or a good dose of depressants. However, in his mental state, there's no way he can resist my spiral. All I need is a decoy. A soccer ball weight decoy. That white rump of my comedic Patamon is perfect.
Ichijouji Ken scores yet another phenomenal goal as the heckler screams-literally-into the air, distracting Kenichi long enough for me to slip the spiral on. I take out my digivice, and I've got a lock. The Galgomon Kenichi is mine.
Next is that amusing Patamon. Where...is he?
Someone taps me on the shoulder, while my new capture...laughs. Odd, these Central digimon. I look behind me, only to see a silver-haired Angemon behind me. An angry Angemon with a silver-gray rod, which he most likely wants to cram deep into my rectum.
Kenichi breaks the tense silence-and my spiral. "Go...Gotsutei. You digivolved?"
Gotsutei nods. Apparently, the Angemon and the Patamon I punted into the air are the same. No wonder he's silently writing my death sentence.
"Laughmon" chuckles again. "Looks like the Tamer gave you a kick start. Not bad for an overgrown freshie." Kenichi smiles, reverts to an unknown rookie form, and collapses.
Shortly before I do. The last thing I see is Gotsutei smirking at me, and I experience a sharp, pounding pain behind my skull.
I always thought he was a pain in the neck.
- - -
"Kenichi, who is this strange child," asks an old Elecmon, "and why did you bring him here?"
The Kaizer wakes to this inquiry, with a throbbing headache.
"There's more where that came from, Kai-chan," quips Gotsutei.
"You. Me. Round two," scowls Ken.
"I'm game."
"Not. While the freshies. Are sleeping. You children can play later," says the Elecmon.
"He started it, Kazeyu-san," pouts Gotsutei.
Kazeyu sighs. "Do something constructive with your anger and restrain him, then. This is a very stubborn Tamer, whoever he is.
"You could have hurt him."
"No...he was wise to attack," Ken hisses. "I could hurt him far worse. Especially now."
"Nonsense. Gotsutei's a very powerful digimon. Now hold still so I can dress your wounds."
"Do you have any idea how many Elecmon I have enslaved?" Ken asks.
Kazeyu eyes the boy carefully. "Can you give me a rough estimate?"
"482."
"Liar," smiles Kazeyu, snatching the Kaizer's glasses. "There aren't that many Elecmon in Eastern. You only caught forty-five."
"At least you heard of me," smirks Ken.
"Yes, I heard rumors of some idiot First Class Tamer enslaving digimon in the eastern continent-and being defeated by digidestined."
"He's not an idiot, Kazeyu-san," counters Gotsutei earnestly. "He just lacks experience. A lot of it."
"Conquering the digital world isn't the best way for a Tamer to make a name for himself."
"Please bear with him," says Kenichi, now a Terriermon. "His inept use of restrictor bands actually saved me."
"Inept?" Ken hisses. "Inept! Look, Inumon...."
"Kenichi, and I'm a Terriermon right now. Dogmon is an alternate evolution stage I hate.
"We're just teasing the fact that you have a wet nose and a lot of ambition. Very odd combination."
"What is your name? And 'Master' isn't up for consideration," smiles Kazeyu.
Ken glares at the trio. " 'Kaizer' will have to do. I no longer have another name."
"You're the Digimon Kaizer?" blurts a Snimon, waking the babies.
"Takato!" snarls Kazeyu.
"Oops...I didn't know they were asleep."
"You're all noisy, especially Gotsu-chan. I'd cry too if I couldn't get any sleep. Which I can't now," groans a Nyaromon.
"Gomen, minna. It's just that the reports I received about the Kaizer involved a kid with spiky blue hair in a ridiculous costume." Takato scrutinizes Ken closely.
"Same ruler of this world, different packaging," smirks Ken.
"What a waste of a good Tamer. You could be fighting in Central with us. And you don't even have your digimon with you."
"He wouldn't be much use."
"I'm not so sure of that," counters Kazeyu. "Wormmon is keeping your captives penned in. And doing a good job."
"That's easy. I essentially told him not to touch anything." Ken rolls his eyes.
"A Wormmon? You have a Wormmon, yet you're here while he's there. Baka. Baka." Kenichi shakes his head in disbelief.
"What's he supposed to do?" shrugs Ken. "Change into a butterfly and delight enemies to death?"
"You never saw Gojira versus Mosura, did you, child?" asks Kazeyu.
"That would be even worse. My so-called digimon would digivolve into low-budget special effects."
"At any rate, you'd be surprised."
"I think he likes surprises," grins Gotsutei.
Ken merely scowls.
"We should give the Kaizer a chance to prove his skills as a leader," muses Kazeyu, turning to Ken. "If you can defeat your rival's unit, or at least knock your rival down a peg, then we'll consent to serving you.
"You would have our gratitude, and you could save the use of your spirals for other purposes."
"Why would I agree to this?" asks Ken.
"You have another option. We could kill you. That's not an option we want to take."
"Because you don't want to kill me? Do you expect me to believe that?"
"No, and though it's true, that isn't the reason. Believe it or not, your digimon would be furious if anything happened to you."
"What's he going to do, spit a Sticky Net at you? I admit that he's devoted, but other than that you have nothing to fear from him."
Kazeyu gazes into Ken's ice indigo eyes. "You are afraid...of what he might do. All due to the fact that you have no sense of self.
"A Tamer without a sense of self. Unusual." The Elecmon's features soften with a tinge of pity.
Ken's hard gaze does not soften. "I accept your proposition only because it's a convenience. It would be wisest to eliminate my incompetent rival before continuing with my own plans.
"I'll notify Wormmon of my extended stay." Ken takes out his Wonder Swan.
"Please, Kaizer; allow me. You need your rest," says Kazeyu.
"You sound like my grandfather." Rolling his eyes, Ken nevertheless complies with Kazeyu's request.
= = = =
"Do you think there's any chance we'll find Zeromaru?" asks Agumon.
"I hope so; that onore probably thinks everything's his fault," grumbles Gotsutei. "He's only half right."
"I presume 'onore' translates to 'Ken' for you," notes Wormmon quizzically.
"Good guess."
"...he's been called worse."
Gotsutei chuckles slightly. "Ken seriously didn't think you could digivolve or fight."
"I couldn't...not until after I died." Wormmon stops a moment, those instants of time etched in his memory.
"How does it feel-to die?"
"I guess...it depends on how you die. My death was painful.
"Ken was so sad."
"Angel and hellion, wrapped into one. You love him a great deal."
"He's so much like me it's scary."
"No digimon is that much like their partner," counters Agumon. "We're more like foils for them, showing off parts of their personalities that they otherwise wouldn't be aware of."
"You mean Ken's gentle, nonviolent side who would much rather play a game of soccer than be here right now, for example."
"Yes, or Taichi behaving sensibly. And he's been like that less often, which means something's bothering him."
"It's Neo," groans Gotsutei. "There's an unresolved love triangle issue that Neo has his psychotic hand in. Taichi is merely being stubborn about it.
"Never advise humans about love issues. We have even less of a clue than they do. That's what Kazeyu told me I should do if I ever have a partner. And that was after I peeked at a drawing Ken was working on. Ken has this look that says 'I'm embarrassed, I'm angry, and I have a whip. I'm not afraid to use it on inquisitive digimon'."
"It was probably a picture of Miyako. Ken seems fixated on her lately. Then again...."
"...he's had a crush on her since elementary school," finishes Agumon.
"You weren't supposed to say that," pouts Wormmon.
Agumon stares blankly at Wormmon. "How could it hurt?"
"Ken's very secretive about his feelings, and in some cases, I respect that. Unless they're self-destructive, he can keep his thoughts to himself.
"He probably wants to find the right time and place to tell her."
= = =
"They're talking about us up there," jokes Taichi.
Ken attempts a smile, but it falls flat. "I'm a source of frustration for Wormmon right now. I'm holding him back somehow.
"Zeromaru feels the same way, except he doesn't know who his digidestined is. One of us is blocking the true power Zero has."
"You mean he's more than a giant blue food vacuum," Taichi quips.
"That's a joke, right?" Gotsutei halts, turning to face Taichi and Ken.
"Of course it's a joke. Zero's considered a digital chimera. I wish he'd quit kicking himself for it. Much like I wish some people would quit crucifying themselves."
"Taichi...please...it's not funny...." Gotsutei trembles.
"At one point," Ken says this slowly, looking towards Gotsutei, who nods. "Zed...crucified him.
"In other words, don't be such an idiot when you talk," Ken hisses angrily. "Words are almost impossible to retract when they're spoken."
"I didn't know anything about Gotsutei. I was talking about you. Really, you're overestimating your effect on things. I can guess what really happened.
"You, Kenichi, and Gotsutei fight some of Neo's troops; but your digivice blocked the digimon's ability to digivolve. A strong digimon killed Kenichi and captured Gotsutei, and by some miracle you survived. Even came back and built your own digimon."
"I had a reason behind that," says Ken softly. "I really did...."
"To kill Zed," says Wormmon.
"Is there anyone that doesn't want to kill Zed?" Agumon looks around, noting only murderous, askance glares. "I guess not...."
"Zed must be exterminated. He is a pestilence to the digital world," Ken says flatly.
"And make sure Neo and his crew die right along with him," adds Taichi.
Gotsutei glowers. "I want vengeance."
"Wormmon? Not you too."
"Zed's evil. The kind of evil that we exist to destroy.
"I don't like the kind of feelings I have about him, but I can't ignore them either. I think of the cruel things he's done, and what he's capable of...
"...and it makes me sick. Because in the end, I know that I might be no better than he is."
"That's why we call it hate, Wormmon. Revulsion. Loathing." Ken looks at his friend. "I didn't want you stained with that."
"That wasn't your choice, Ken. I'm sorry for causing you pain."
** Everyone seems to be changing. Into something different. * Agumon eyes his friends. ** They're scaring me. *
==
Zeromaru silently watches over his pursuers, lost in thought.
** Those rookies had better take a number. Agu-chan's probably one of the lucky few that doesn't want a shot at Zed. And that won't last long....
** Ken picked it up. The rookie was always sharp, if a bit nutty. Kenichi, with Ken for a Tamer. And Gotsu-chan was fighting too. Old Kaz knew what he was doing. A real Tamer First Class and those two should have beaten Zed into a pulp.
** I guess none of them were thinking straight. Kenichi would have wanted Zed dead the moment he saw him again; Gotsutei...he's an overgrown freshie like Ken. I'm surprised they're both civil now.
** ...food? Out in the open? Ken, you shouldn't have. Really. Using cheap Impmon Five traps again, all that good food gone to-what the--* *
==
"Shame on you, Zero," I grin. "Always watch out for the second trap."
"...the first trap was a decoy.... You are an exasperating kid, you know that?" Zeromaru grunts.
"That's payback for making us starve last night," says Agumon.
"How could you eat our night rations?" adds Wormmon.
"Because...I was hungry?" Zero answers.
"Aren't we all?" Hungry, tired, and pissed.
"Perhaps...we could ask the caretakers of Genbu Temple to lodge us," says Gotsutei slowly.
A great plan. "Taichi, you and Wormmon do the talking."
"But you're better at this stuff," Taichi protests.
"True. However, I tried to catch Xuanwumon while he was eliminating his waste." And he sent his Tortomon guards after me. I basically ran to the nearest port, hopped on a Seadramon, and sailed to Central. Daisuke would never blame me.
"That was over three years ago."
"Either way, you can do it," I smile. "I have faith in you.
"Besides, I have to make sure Zero doesn't eat the rest of our rations. They have to last us between here and our destinations."
"You mean we can't eat now?" asks Agumon.
"Not unless you want to forage for food in this quagmire again."
"But I'm hungry. I can't function unless I'm fed."
"Adapt."
"No. Let's eat," counters Gotsutei.
Taichi's stomach is growling. "I'm hungry, the digimon are hungry, and you're probably hungry."
"What about Zero?" I ask.
"He's always hungry!" shout the other digimon in unison. I know, I know.
"I have high energy needs...." Zeromaru looks bashfully at us.
"Fine; eat your rations. Zero can have mine." I don't give a damn how loud my stomach growls, I'm not that hungry.
Wormmon looks up at me. "Looks like your stomach voted against you."
"That always got on my nerves," grumbles Zeromaru.
"You too?" asks Gotsutei. "Eat, Ken."
"But I'm not hungry."
"We're going to have to force feed him," muses Taichi.
"I'll eat later-I promise," I grin stupidly.
"Nice try, Ken-chan," says Zero, "but the last time you pulled that stunt, you fainted from lack of food."
"You sound worse than an Elecmon, Zero; I will be fine." Digimon have to eat; Zero eats enough for a small army, and Taichi has a larger appetite. I'm really just doing triage.
"And besides," I smile, "I do have something to eat."
"Show us," says Gotsutei.
I take out a few small boxes of raisins, and some pouches of green and oolong tea.
"You must have some good sake in there too--if you think you can subsist on that." Taichi folds his arms.
"Why do you care if I eat well or not?" I just don't feel like eating...or living, to be honest.
"Ken. You will eat.
"I'll make sure he's fed," says Gotsutei, most likely fed up with me.
==
"I hope Ken's eating," says Mimi, echoing my own thoughts-and probably the team's. Ken can be a brat when he feels wounded.
Speaking of eating, we're at Igamon's Steak and Sushi on File Island. Hawkmon's eating the sushi here-he's such a fish lover. Mimi is tasting a new steak item with strawberry sauce. She's not a fan of it, but I love it. Then again, I'm a confirmed strawberry nut.
It's all Ken's fault. His parents had chocolate fondue for a romantic indoor picnic two years ago, and Ken had asked me to bring some strawberries. The joys of working at the Ai Mart.
Anyway, there was leftover chocolate and strawberries. Ken and I watched TV. I dipped a strawberry into the chocolate, giving it to said bishounen. Ken popped the whole strawberry into his mouth, leaving only the leaves.
He drew closer to me, putting his arm around my waist as I leaned on his shoulder. Just two friends, snuggling before the glow of the TV. Which Ken was and is intimate with, considering that he didn't even have to take his eyes off the program to eat a chocolate-dipped strawberry.
Sometimes Ken nibbled a berry in two or three bites, other times he ate it whole. I just kept eating strawberry after strawberry.
We were at the last strawberry. Ken picked it up and dipped it in chocolate before I could grab it. He said something about liking whipped cream on berries normally, then continued on, smiling that the strawberries tasted luscious with chocolate. I was peeved because I always eat my strawberries fresh from the box.
Ken smiled, offering the chocolate-soaked berry to me. I protested, telling him my strawberry preference. He traced the strawberry around my lips, a strange, amused look in his eyes. I could spend forever on Ken's eyes, but I won't.
At any rate, I licked the chocolate from around my lips; Ken popped in the strawberry before I could close my mouth. His smile changed into that all-too familiar "gotcha" smirk. As much as I wanted to wipe that grin off his face, there was a strawberry to be eaten.
That was the most delicious strawberry I ever tasted. I sighed happily, savoring the mix of chocolate and strawberry juice. Ken looked on, his mysterious eyes glistening in the half-darkness.
"And that," I grin, concluding my narrative to Mimi and Jyou, "is a true story where Ken eats." And runs his fingers through my hair. And he gazes at me, playfully baiting me with sparkles in his eyes....
"Of course, you kiss him out of sheer spite," smirks Gomamon.
"Who asked you?" I pout, coloring slightly. Kissing Ken would be awkward and stupid.
Mimi smiles softly. "Chocolate and strawberries match well together," she notes with a sly look.
"You did have a slight crush on Ken when you first started out," muses Jyou.
"True; but then I had a crush on any male life form cute enough to hold my interest. That's not fair to anyone-Ken or myself."
"But you want quality now, and that's good," smiles Palmon.
"And Ken-chan is good Kobe steak, ne?" Gomamon grins.
Gomamon has all the comic subtlety of a landslide. Hawkmon continues to eat his sushi and rice as though we were just discussing the weather.
"Ken's coming here after they find Zeromaru," says Jyou, looking at a list he wrote.
I roll my eyes. "If he eats, he will. Ken might be in one of his 'I blame myself' modes again...."
"What is it this time?" groans Hawkmon, finally responding.
"A digimon named Kenichi. Somehow, the Kaizer is responsible for Kenichi's death...." I've got mail.
Mass emails, one from Iori about the progress of Ken's floating fortress; one from Ken about finding Zero. The food did Zero in. Gotsutei got Ken to eat more than a box of raisins, thank the gods. That's one brave Patamon. Of course, I've only met two Patamon in my digital world experience, so what do I know?
This unit doesn't really know where it's going, only where it's been. We can't go on this way. What this unit needs is confident leaders, and the three we expect to lead us against Neo are acting like babies. Except for Ryo. That moron acts like he doesn't exist except to make small military strikes....
"What's the matter, Miyako?" asks Mimi, noting my pensive expression. And my silence.
"This whole situation is a joke," I state aloud.
"Really?" asks Jyou.
"Yes. There are thirteen humans and a small army of digimon versus two humans and two digimon; yet the latter have the upper hand. Something's wrong."
"You forgot the occupied city with Neo's slaves and captives," Hawkmon notes.
"I'll admit the leadership's frustrating," smiles Jyou. "I've faced worse odds here with more optimism. Taichi has a chip on his shoulder, Ken wants to exorcize his id, and Ryo wishes to have no connections with his unit other than on a professional level."
"Bingo. But that won't work. Daisuke's a charmer, but his leadership skills aren't needed here. We need those three," I continue, "because of their big egos, warlike mindsets, and despotic tendencies."
"Ryo has an ego?" Mimi asks blankly.
"He's the sane one of the trio."
==
"I appreciate the fact that you didn't have to force-feed me," says Ken, watching the exercises of a few temple guards.
"Thank you. I wonder what makes you think you could have done anything to stop Zed then," Gotsutei asks.
"I...I don't know. Shouldn't you hate me?"
"For trying to save us? Let me think about this...." Gotsutei muses momentarily. "No. Waste of time. Besides, you were the only one who even tried to help us."
"Hey-I was planning to finish where Neo left off...." Ken trails off as Gotsutei does something odd.
"He laughs," smiles Taichi.
"I knew his sense of humor would improve," adds Wormmon.
"You...against us? With Kenichi alive? You and your empire wouldn't have lasted five minutes. Face facts, Ken: you really didn't have much experience at taming. No cards, your digimon was playing jailer...."
"That was no fun," Wormmon pouts.
"My point is that you weren't serious about it. You wanted to conquer the digital world all right--but only in the sense of wanting to save the princess from Bowser. If you had been serious," finishes Gotsutei, "you wouldn't have tried fighting megas head-on in the first place."
"That doesn't matter now, does it?" scowls Ken.
"It does, kid; but Gotsutei forgives you. If we hold a grudge for every boneheaded move a Tamer makes," Zero continues, "we'd end up hating all humans. And that definitely won't work."
"You can spread blame amongst yourselves," murmurs a sonorous, aged voice, "or you can focus on the sins of the present.
"The main one being," the voice continues, "the continued existence of Saiba Neo. He is an assault on my senses, an affront to honor; and you must destroy him."
"Don't mind Xuan-sama," grins Zero, "he's always cranky."
"I sense that Zeromaru has found what he seeks."
"Zeromaru has failed," Zero intones calmly.
"Perhaps he is distracted by a desire to end his loneliness. And his gluttonous appetite," Xuanwumon adds dourly.
"Zeromaru's...lonely?" asks Gotsutei. "But you have your unit."
"Which could do a better job without me."
"That's crazy," pouts Taichi. "The Akiyama unit would crumble without your experience. If it's the food thing-it's a joke. I have a big appetite, too."
"It's not food I'm worried about! It's battle. Be honest; I'm a dinosaur."
"A lot of us are dinosaurs, Zero," says Agumon, "so what you said makes no sense."
"Zero's saying that he feels inadequate," sighs Ken.
"I feel like a clown, and I know I'm stronger than that. I'm the mightiest of the Victory Dramon, yet I'm outclassed. I shouldn't be-I know I have the power...."
"The power is stayed from Zeromaru...because of his loneliness," says Xuanwumon with a hint of pity. "And the answers are not to be found here.
"Rather, Zeromaru must go, and learn to reveal his loneliness. Only then can he unleash his true power."
"In other words, come back with us," says Taichi. "I admit that we're a terrible excuse for a Tamer unit, but that may be what we need.
"Neo's a Tamer. He runs a great Tamer unit. Hordes of digimon work for him. And he expects rival Tamers to try and stop him. We've lasted this long because of our diverse backgrounds. Alone, we couldn't stop him; together, we'll crush him like a puny ant.
"It helps a lot if you don't compare yourself to other digimon," adds Wormmon. "That's just depressing. Besides, that digimon didn't experience what you experienced, so maybe your key to your real ability lies on a different path."
"It was a long road for me," says Agumon.
"I'm still traveling."
"Logically, I know that," grunts Zero. "But my ego keeps getting in the way. And I'm so clueless that I don't even notice Kenichi's dead-and has been for three years."
"That wasn't your fault. Nor was it Ken's.
"The truth is," says Gotsutei, "Kenichi and I broke rank."
= = = =
"Where are you two going?" I ask.
Gotsutei and Kenichi exchange glances.
"You'd better tell me," I grin. "Kazeyu didn't want you to leave camp to chase that Stingmon." Which is a magnificent beast. Why couldn't I get that in my arsenal, instead of Wormmon?
"His name is Zed," says Kenichi. "Gotsutei is with me against my wishes."
"I'm not letting Kenichi-san fight that monster alone," the Patamon scowls. How touching.
"You're both adorable. Is Kenichi truly the strongest digimon in your unit?" I ask.
"Yes," Gotsutei hisses.
"But Zed beat him. So it stands to reason that neither of you can fight against him."
"One on one, no. But together we can kick his abdomen, easy."
"Please forgive Gotsu-chan's overconfidence. I'd much rather handle this alone," says Kenichi.
"No; all rookie hubris aside, Gotsutei actually has a point. We'd fare much better if the three of us took Zed out. I could capture him, and you'd be rid of him. The Saiba unit doesn't seem to have other digimon of Zed's caliber." But my "unit" soon will.
"You don't know Zed, Ken," Kenichi warns.
"Where did you get that name?" I snarl.
"From your sleep," shrugs Gotsutei. "You were babbling about a girl named 'Miya-chan', and you said '...go on, scream my name...you may call me "Ken"...cry, Miya-chan, cry...you know you want it....' What were you doing in your dream anyway?"
The infuriating thing about it is that Gotsutei honestly has no clue what I was dreaming about. It's not something that one would relate to a digimon. They wouldn't understand.
"Why are you blushing?" asks Kenichi, studying my color change. "You liked saying those things in your dream."
"I was having fun," I smile honestly. Yes, my lusty dream about claiming a certain orchid-haired girl fits into the fun category. "Anyway, that is irrelevant. Let's meet Zed in combat and take him.
"The three of us together will be more than enough."
"Three? I don't even agree with two, but Gotsutei's coming anyway. You need to stay here, and observe us fight, if you must be nearby...Kaizer," Kenichi adds with a groan. What's so special about the name "Ken" anyway. It's a common name in several languages.
"No. However, if you insist that I stay out of it, I won't waste my time. I'll merely inform Kazeyu of your departure."
"You wouldn't dare rat on us," glowers Gotsutei.
"I couldn't do that...I'd be too busy fighting Zed with you two dolts," I smirk. I can be such a yaro sometimes.
Gotsutei's irritated, and Kenichi sighs in defeat.
= = = =
"So Gotsutei and Kenichi weren't supposed to attack Zed until Takato brought Zero and Ryo back," says Gatomon.
I can see this now. Zeromaru would have seen Ken in that ridiculous costume and laughed his tail off shortly before bellowing at Ken to be a better Tamer. Ryo would have slapped him for violating several fashion laws. Navy blue spandex was out that year.
Actually, Ryo doesn't get out that much; my brain was having fun with the second part.
Biyomon taps my kneecap, as I'm watching the story of Gotsutei's capture unfold. "Zed sounds creepy, Sora" she says.
"He makes my skin crawl." If only Biyo-chan knew exactly what a creep he is. I finally broke down and told Yamato....
The darkness over Saiba City is oppressive. Some of the digimon work for Neo willingly, or are deluded into liking his ways. Others are slaves, or "toys" for Zed. I make it a point that Kishi and Hikari stay with one of us at all times, and that those two cannot enter the city at night. The starlight and moonlight over it tonight seems hollow and empty, like a sad joke.
Right now, I'm patching the images from the cameras I planted to Koushirou's Pineapple. They're also sent to Ryo and Ken's Wonder Swans.
"I'm so worried," Biyomon cries, leaning on my lap. "Some of the digimon there have told me horrid stories. Others beg for help. Many of them hate us...."
"No; they hate Neo's evil, Biyomon."
"The Central digimon see us as cowards, but we're not cowards. It's not fair," my partner sobs.
"It is odd that most of the digital world would, in their view, stand idly by while the digimon here are routinely tortured, killed, or worse...."
"Don't you see how overwhelming that is? If I had known before we started that we'd had this problem, I would have hidden under your bed and stayed there.
"Who could fight against monsters like Neo and Zed? And the digimon here-they're so desperate. This whole situation is frightening." I pull Biyomon into my arms, wondering why Biyomon's so scared. We've faced so much together before, and with much less experience than we have now.
Then again, a human is laying waste to the digital world, and has been ever since we first were Chosen. He's psychotic, and he corrupts other digimon with impunity.
There's more to this. I don't blame Biyomon for being scared. The truth is, I'm scared too.
"The horrible ordeal that this area endures," says Gatomon slowly, "causes desperation and distrust. It seems that the Centrals are combative, but you'd be edgy too if your life or sanity were always threatened."
"I...feel so guilty because of my fears," says Biyomon. "But I can't help it. A part of me wants to go home right now."
"We aren't going anywhere," Yamato says darkly, "until the Saiba regime is wiped out. I haven't met Zed, and I sure as hell don't want to know him now.
"Neo dragged us here on an ego trip. We take him down hard. And we're not leaving until that goal is accomplished."
"I hope that we can do it by summer's end," I say.
"It doesn't matter how long it takes; we've got to stop him. You think Neo's going to stop here? I don't want my dad to report that digimon have Odaiba under siege again. Both worlds are depending on us, and Taichi's flaking out. He and the other two Tamers are our best chance-but they don't have a clue."
"Ryo knows what's at stake," counters Kishi angrily.
"Please." Yamato, that's a virus-infected holy digimon you're blowing off. "Ryo doesn't have any confidence in his own skills. He distances himself, puts his nose in the wrong business, or constantly badgers others for help. That baka has no clue what power he possesses."
"Maybe if you explain," says Gatomon.
"Each of us has a certain energy," says Yamato, "which has an effect on elements in the digital world. Taichi can inspire others to do the right thing. Ken has an aura of charm and guilelessness mixed with cunning and a demented imagination. Ryo is basically Daisuke with bigger muscles. Unlike most of us, darkness can't seem to touch Ryo or Dai.
"But Daisuke is at least aware of his power, and his place in the digital world. Ryo sees himself as a freelance military agent, here to get the job done and leave."
"Ryo does care about us," Kishi sobs.
"Yes, he does; but he thinks he shouldn't get attached," says Gabumon. "Zeromaru feels the same way."
"They sure as hell belong together," notes Yamato wryly.
==
My loneliness? What is Xuan-sama talking about? You can't feel lonely unless you get attached to people that are going to leave anyway.
He wouldn't even tell us what was going on with the Chimera Prophecy. "Until Akiyama is united, Saiba cannot be defeated." Does he mean our slightly fractured unit?
He does say that "Zeromaru possesses great power". What a waste of a trip to Genbu-I knew that. I couldn't even sense Kenichi's spirit.
Stupid overgrown freshie, not listening to Kaz. And Kenichi should have known better than to try to sneak off alone. Gotsu-chan and Ken are two of the most impulsive creatures ever to exist. Especially Ken. Need I relate the battle at Machine City?
To make matters worse, we're being followed.
==
"That one holds great power."
"Even greater than Hirokazu?"
"Yes; and he has the advantage of battle experience. Besides, Hirokazu is not in the digital world, but he is."
"General, are you certain of him?"
"Yes...his power rivals Zed."
"But his Tamer has no talent."
"The Tamer lacks confidence, due to his hubris, mistakes, and inexperience. And you must remember the pervasive evil that seeks to consume all that opposes it. The digimon and his Tamer have survived all of this with their bond intact.
"It is time to test the true limits of that bond. The Child of the Sun speaks the truth."
"Is this digimon truly worthy? Is he ready, Shou-sama?"
"His quiet nature would deceive many. Even his Tamer does not know the full extent, and that Chosen is quite observant. But a warrior lurks beneath the surface. If we do not rouse this champion, he will turn against everything he loves.
"In his pure heart he knows this. His heart is ready. But it won't be easy for anyone."
==
Zed. He's hurt so many people, and caused so much pain. These are the type of digimon the Kaizer should take a whip to...I can't believe I just said that. I don't even know Zed except as an enemy. What if he's standing by Neo out of love and concern, too?
Don't be a slug, Worm-chan. Zed would have killed Ken a long time ago, or worse. The dark forces have already hurt Ken so...and I could do nothing. That's horrible; seeing your partner and friend hurt and being powerless to stop it from happening.
There are three strikes in baseball. Daisuke told me so once when I was watching it on TV. I fell asleep before the end of the first inning. It's not fun like soccer.
Strike one would be torturing innocent digimon. Strike two involves making me look like a fool. Strike three...happened three years ago.
Zed hurt Ken. And on strike three, you're out.
For good.
= = = =
"You are mine," smirks Ken.
"Intriguing," says Zed. "I was saying the same of you."
"I'm your master, anyway. Let's wrap this up," Ken says to Gotsutei and Kenichi. "I'm a busy ruler."
"You have too much self-confidence, Kai-chan," says Gotsutei.
Kenichi smiles. "But he has a whip to go with it."
"Quit your 'chan' of me and let's get to work." Ken takes out his whip.
Gotsutei delivers an Air Shot, while Kenichi draws Zed's offensive attacks. Meanwhile, Ken straddles the Stingmon's neck and loops on a control spiral. Leaping off, the Kaizer adjusts his digivice's frequency.
** Control lock established. * Ken lands as Zed halts, struggling to remove the spiral.
"Remove this pitiful device at once," hisses Zed.
"You don't like my gift?" pouts Ken in mock unbelief. "But it's a perfect fit. Just as you will fit perfectly into my plans to rule this world."
"I will snap your puny body into nondescript, bloody splinters."
"I think not. That spiral you're wearing is an upgrade."
"You tweaked the design, didn't you?" asks Gotsutei.
"I heard that Zed was strong, and the opponents I've faced before were even stronger. No sense in not making adjustments.
"Don't be so pitiful, Zed. Quit struggling."
"Time to finish him off," says Kenichi.
"He's finished already."
"Not until he's dead."
"Dead? You'd waste a powerful digimon like him?"
"All digimon like him should be obliterated without compunction."
"Kenichi...I've got Zed under control. I just have to call my Airdramon, and we can be on our way. He can't trouble you if he's my slave."
"You don't know Zed. He's unlike any digimon you've faced before, save one."
"What do you mean?"
Kenichi smirks. "Should I tell him?" he asks Gotsutei.
"Nope. Now let's take out Zed," says Gotsutei.
Ken turns his back on his capture, cracking the whip. "This isn't up for debate. I'm taking Zed back with me," the boy continues as he turns back to Zed, "and that's fin-what? Where the hell is he?"
"He's gone," spits Gotsutei.
"No, he's not." Kenichi looks around.
The three spot a Wormmon in the clearing near Zed's last location.
"Wormmon! I didn't command you to leave the base. Why are you here? Trying to eclipse your record of incompetence?" Ken scowls.
"I don't know what you're talking about," says the Wormmon. "You must have me confused with another."
"Your voice has changed."
"Perceptive." The caterpillar's forehead crest glows, firing a beam at Ken's chest.
Which connects. Ken's body erupts in pain.
"Wormmon..." Ken winces, "what are you doing...wait. Y-you're not...Wormmon...he'd never hurt me.
"He...wouldn't dare...." Still conscious, Ken collapses to his knees.
"You are correct, boy. But I would." The Wormmon wriggles out of his control spiral, revealing himself as Zed.
"He escaped the spiral," says Gotsutei.
"You monster." Kenichi attacks.
Ken struggles to stand. "No...you idiots-we have to retreat. You can't fight him."
"Sure we can-just use your cards," says Gotsutei.
"...cards? What cards?"
"You don't have your battle cards?" Gotsutei sighs. "Kenichi, we'll have to limit break."
"Right."
Both digimon concentrate their energies to the fullest in their efforts to digivolve. Which ultimately fail.
"Something's wrong-we can't break the spire's influence," hisses Kenichi.
"We've got to," says Gotsutei. "The Kaizer's down."
"And didn't come with his cards. Brilliant."
"Forget the damn cards. We have to withdraw for now," says Ken, still in pain.
"No."
"If we do that, he'll follow us to Primary Central," adds Gotsutei. "Unacceptable."
"Neither are your deaths," says Ken. "Kazeyu has given me authority over you twerps because he expects me to keep you alive. Now I'm ordering you to retreat. I'll stay behind and cover you."
"A pitiful cover," smirks Zed, back in his Stingmon form.
"I'm not as easy to take out as you think, my green friend."
"Is that so?" Zed attacks, but receives a judo flip for his trouble. Ken straddles Zed the moment the Stingmon stands up, only now the injured boy tries to strangle Zed with his whip.
"Now's our chance!" Kenichi launches off his strongest rookie attack, with Gotsutei following suit.
"I told you fools to retreat!" snarls Ken, loosening his grip. Zed takes this moment to hurl Ken off his shoulders, but the Kaizer quickly snags Zed's arm with the whip, landing on his feet.
"I can do it...I can break to Angemon." A sparkling white aura surrounds Gotsutei, but he doesn't digivolve.
"Stop it, Gotsu!" cries Kenichi. "You're wasting energy. The control spires are blocking us."
"But I can still break! Besides, I don't see you quitting either."
"Don't worry about it, Gotsutei," orders Ken. "I've got Zed cornered. You and Kenichi get the hell out of here."
"You have me cornered?" Zed chuckles a moment. "Crystal Strand."
Ken's whip-and then his body-becomes enmeshed in wiry silk cords.
"What the...I'm stuck!" Ken struggles to break free of the Strand. The Stingmon launches a red bolt of energy through the Strand, causing Ken to scream in agony.
"Did that hurt?" asks Zed mockingly.
"No," smiles Ken through his labored breathing. Blood trickles down from the corner of the boy's lips.
"I shall try harder, then." Zed tugs the Strand hard, making Ken spit blood. He then whirls Ken around, occasionally slamming the boy into the ground.
Ken tries to stand in one place, his head feeling dizzy. Zed merely pulls the Kaizer to his face.
"I'm still alive," grunts Ken.
"Of course. You're too much fun to play with. I have a feeling," muses Zed, "that we'll be playmates for a long time."
"You'll rot in digital hell first, maggot," Gotsutei glares in righteous indignation. The Patamon, infused with energy, charges Zed with everything in his being. Kenichi follows, with an even fiercer aura from his efforts to break to Galgomon.
Zed slams Ken into the two charging digimon, finally releasing the boy. The trio lies prone at the Stingmon's feet.
Ken still struggles, to see, to stand, to retain consciousness. Gotsutei is barely awake. Kenichi is conscious, and he too strains to stand to his feet.
Zed picks Kenichi up. "First, to dispose of a thorn in my side."
Kenichi merely laughs, completely unafraid for the first time.
"You were good while it lasted." One red spike from Zed, and it ends.
- - -
Kenichi...no.... That monster just killed him. I must avenge his death. I stir, fighting just to stand. Zed's just so powerful....
I see Zed's feet. "You try so hard," says the freak. "I think I'd rather play with you," Zed continues, picking me up by my wings. Considering they double as my ears, that really hurts.
The sound of a whip, circling Zed's wrist. "You...aren't going anywhere...." croaks Ken, standing to his feet. I've never met anyone as stubborn as that kid. Or as recklessly brave.
"Thirsty for more, boy?" hisses Zed, as I strain helplessly. He zaps Ken again.
"Stop it," I cry, not merely from my own pain.
"Tell me, little one," continues Zed mercilessly, "do you like it when it hurts?"
I get it now. At first, it was just a physical attack, but now Zed's forcing himself into Kai-chan's mind.
"Don't fight it, boy," smiles Zed. "It only gets worse the more you fight me. Then again, it only gets worse no matter what you do."
Zed has an evil laugh.
"Shut up. Shut up! Get out of my head," seethes Ken. "I won't let you control me!"
"Such a strong will for such a vulnerable child."
"I'll die before you take me, yaro," smiles Ken. "I can't survive these attacks indefinitely."
"Good point," Zed concurs, annoyed. He releases the whip and frees the hand holding me from its grasp. Ken collapses in a heap.
"Let...go of me..." I moan.
Zed walks over to Ken's huddled body, stroking his cheek. He snickers, and sticks out a long, thin tongue to tickle Ken's ear.
"We shall have to play another time," the creep hisses.
"I will destroy you...." Ken glares with all the strength he can muster.
"And I expect to see you again...Ken." Zed laughs, the last horrible sound I hear before blackness falls over me.
- - -
Kazeyu has just finished filing a report with Wormmon. The Elecmon stretches, teases a fresh digimon or two, and smiles when Kishi, the Nyaromon, bounds in.
"Kazeyu-san!" Kishi, however, is in tears.
Kazeyu's smile fades. "What is the matter, little one?"
"Gotsutei's gone, he's with Zed; Kai-chan's hurt, and Kenichi is dead!" the Nyaromon breathes in a rush.
"What? Calm down, child. Tell me what happened."
"Kenichi-san, Gotsu-chan, and Kai-chan were all fighting Zed...but it didn't turn out right. Zed took Gotsu away, Kenichi's deleted, and Kai-chan...you have to get to him!" sobs Kishi.
- - -
Why? Why did they try to attack Zed alone? It was unwise for Kenichi to go alone-and even less wise of him to take Ken and Gotsutei with him. Though knowing those two, they wouldn't take no for an answer.
I reach the battlefield with Kishi, who followed Gotsutei out of worry. And who thankfully kept her distance.
Ken's in bad shape. His eyes are open, but he sees nothing. Senses nothing. The child is in shock.
He needs a human hospital, but I can no longer travel to his world. Only a few places in the digital world have the equipment I need to tend to Ken's injuries.
Only a few digimon could hold such unprovoked malice for a Chosen. And only one could inflict these wounds.
I take out Ken's Wonder Swan, a device that I've seen Tamers with lately. With it, I contact Wormmon, merely telling the innocent rookie that his partner's ready to return home, and to send an Airdramon. Wormmon mustn't learn of what happened. In that freshie's current mental state, any of this would finally cause him to snap.
Kishi and I use what herbs and cloth we have to tend to Ken's wounds until the Airdramon arrives. King Airdramon.
"So, the boy is beaten," King Airdramon scowls. Apparently, the digimon are themselves until the control lock from Ken's T1 is active.
"Yes, horribly. I understand that may be what he deserves," I continue, "but you should not wish evil for evil. It is unwise."
"Wisdom is preempted by judgment. Let the boy die."
"No. If this child dies, we all will-one way or another. The digital world cannot lose him to darkness. Too much is at stake."
"But if he dies, we will be free." Such shortsightedness is unusual even in an Easterner. If death or darkness claims Ken, I will fail my friend. He would never forgive me. And Wormmon would not forgive himself.
"You will take the Kaizer and myself back to base, Oosaka-sama, that I may tend to his injuries. Because if he dies, then you'll shortly learn that you bear equal blame with his assailant."
For King Airdramon doesn't remember his role in Ken's current state. Zeromaru told me of Ken, but I didn't know the boy he spoke of and the Kaizer were one until I matched a picture ID in the Tamers' Database.
Ichijouji Ken, Tamer First Class. Akiyama's second. His eyes are clouded, not clear as in the archives, but it is him. And his Wormmon stays faithfully by him, even now.
This Tamer will not fall to the dark side. My friend loves this child. I won't fail my friend, and I won't let Ken die.
Oosaka studies my determined face closely. A determined Elecmon fighting for a child's life isn't a digimon you should trifle with.
In a few moments we are aloft, heading to Eastern. Kishi remains behind.
= = = =
"I've been such a brat," says Ken.
Gotsutei eyes Ken studiously. "I've forgiven you so many times that I forget what you did wrong in the first place. All I think about now is the simple fact that you saved me. You saved Kenichi. You saved the digital world twice, and you saved my taishou.
"You saved the babies in Primary Central. All of them are safe. And you saved Kishi...from me."
"Now...don't start that. Kishi understands that nothing you did was your fault."
"I know; but we both.... We both--will go on." Gotsutei smiles, despite the tears in his eyes.
"I've got to move on, too. You and Zero head to Southern, and meet with Ryo and Daisuke."
"No." Zeromaru stands placidly.
"And why, Zeromaru," asks Ken in slight irritation, "are you countermanding me this time?"
"I'd love to see Ryo and those two freshies," says Zero, "but the digimon surrounding us have other plans for our itinerary."
Appearing around Ken, Zero, Wormmon and Gotsutei is a circle of Stingmon. A larger Stingmon descends in the heroes' midst.
Zero snorts. "If it isn't old Shou...."
"I'd ask you to return Hirokazu to us, except that we have sensed a wiser pupil within our reach," answers Shou.
"Who are you?" demands Ken. "And from what rock or fissure did all these Stingmon emanate from?"
"These," answers Shou, gesturing to the surrounding Stingmon, Wormmon; and the Leafmon and Minomon lurking in patches of underbrush, "are the ones deemed worthy of the Stingmon Corps.
"And I am their leader, General Stingmon. Zeromaru and I have a history."
"Of you abducting Leafmon and training them to be your elite war machines," scowls Zero.
"Is that so?" Ken eyes the General narrowly, clutching Wormmon close. "You're not taking my partner."
"No, Ichijouji; we will not take him," says Shou.
"He's right," says Wormmon, wriggling out of Ken's arms. "I'm going."
And without another word, Wormmon and the Stingmon Corps vanish without a trace.
