Part Three: For Innocence and Holy Creatures, We're On the Hunt!

Chapter One: Full Circle, Part One


Forks of lightning race across the darkened sky, crisscrossing like a net over us. A wild thunderstorm? In a way. Except that there's no rain, at least not from the clouds.

Our old friend Elecmon, however, sobs enough for several hurricanes. Why?

Gotsutei, sitting in Takeru's arms, tells me the answer in his eyes. I know that look he's trying to fight back. It's the look I usually got before I'd cry in my rookie form-over lesser matters. Right now, though, I'm Angemon, and Angemon is strong. I have to be strong. Takeru's trembling and crying in my arms.

Every Elecmon, from all parts of the digital world, are here on File Island to mourn the death of their mentor. The one who taught them all how to protect fresh digimon.

Kazeyu.

Our friend was furious with Ryo-and with Takeru--for not telling him about Kazeyu's death when he had many of the babies transported to his Village from Primary Central. Each Elecmon is overworked as it is. And sometimes, different ones bicker and argue. Kind of like Daisuke and Jun over chores, or Miyako and her brother and sisters.

But for Kazeyu, there wasn't even a need to explain. All of the Elecmon are in sorrow. A sadness so great, so much like a thunderstorm, that it can be seen and felt by everyone in the digital world.

Overwhelmed by this, I can only rub Takeru's arms and watch, tears falling down from my cheeks.

==

"Noriko-san?" A six-year old boy tugs at Noriko's shirt. "I need you to help me with my egg."

"What's the matter with it?" Noriko asks in as calm a voice as she can muster.

The boy looks up at her bashfully. "It's...broken."

Noriko resists the urge to stare wildly at her student. "Broken? Show me, Akira."

Akira and Noriko head to a toy baby buggy Akira's older sister had donated. Inside was a cracked, trembling shell.

Curious about their teacher and classmate, the other kids follow.

==

"You're having no luck finding the fresh brats from Primary Central?" questions Zed.

Neo looks up from his laptop, where he had spent several hours trying to divine the whereabouts of the baby digimon. "We located the Village itself, but you are correct about the digimon, Zed," he says in surprise. "I have been unable to find any trace of them."

"I, however, have," says Zed with arrogant finality.

==

A digimon is about to hatch in the humans' world. Zed, you may know this; but I know as well. I know that Hirokazu is coming....

Wormmon is holding his own with the others, and has even merited their respect. Most of them anyway. Sakura did admit that she liked his chocolates, but otherwise she basically bullies him around.

Then again, we all developed a weakness for chocolate. One is because I basically deprived them of sweets except on special occasions. Two, I have a secret stash of candies, chocolates, and fruits hidden in a place only I know about.

Rather, as I note the candy rains down over me, I had a secret stash.

"Holding out on us, General?" quips this new pupil of mine. Stingmon's pile broke the Butterflymon piñata hanging over the stronghold.

What? I'm an insect-I like candy too! Stingmon, Jyuzo, and Ari give me accusing, baleful looks. Sakura merely rolls her eyes and snatches a chocolate.

"General," says Ari, "you should be ashamed."

"We always wondered how you had such high resistance," adds Jyuzo. "We should have known."

They speak the truth, of course. I blush inwardly, making a note to find less obvious hiding places for my snacks. Hirokazu-when he is born-will at least have something to laugh about, along with these rookies.

We need to laugh.

==

An hour ago, Akira told me about his broken egg. The digiegg I gave him to protect. Thankfully, one of the other students let us know that the egg was just hatching. Akira's never been on a farm.

Now, a Leafmon bounces gently on Akira's stomach, giving the kid giggles. It's pretty easy to entertain a six-year old.

Nine other students-the ones that got eggs-have reported similar stories about hatching eggs. It will be difficult to keep the digimon secret for long.

Even more so knowing that Akira's a Chosen. He has no idea what that means, and I'm in no position to explain, being a Chosen merely by circumstance. Wacky circumstance, but just by chance nonetheless.

I almost wish an official Chosen were here to talk to Akira about the digivice, the Leafmon, and other aspects of the job.

"Hey, look!" smiles Junpei, clutching a Tsunomon. "That guy's carrying a caterpillar."

The "guy" Junpei-chan points to is holding a Wormmon.

Motoku, a cute five-year old, eyes the young man carefully. As he's headed toward us. "Is that your friend?" she asks. "You know, Ichijouji-san?"

"No," counters Akira. "That's Saiba-san."

Saiba-san is probably planning to take all of the digimon back to become part of his private army. How like him. "Okay, everyone," I hiss to the students' digimon, "assume the toy positions."

Neo and his digimon waltz into our midst. "Konnichiwa, Noriko-san. May I join you and your class?"

Of course, this wasn't a question. Neo has a way of phrasing demands in the form of a question. Plus, he and his digimon partake of the rice balls.

"Help yourself." I munch a rice ball in turn, wondering how to get the kids and the baby digimon away safely.

We eat a few moments. Neo even smiles on occassion, but it's clear he's not on a social errand.

"I'd like to ask you a few questions, Noriko-san," says Neo at length.

"About what?" I ask.

"About your students' playmates. I'm very curious about them. As you can see, I have one as well." Neo indicates his Wormmon, who gives Motoku hostile glances.

Which Motoku is well aware of. "I'm going home." She and her Gummimon "toy" leave.

"Yes, kids," I grin, "you'd all better head home. All of your parents might miss you, and I know your cartoons are coming on soon." Most of the kids smile or stare at Neo stupidly, then leave.

Neo stands, picking up his Wormmon. "Walk with me, Noriko."

I'm debating whether to follow him, or to flee for home as fast as I can. Except that I find I have Akira clutching his Leafmon in one arm and my waist in another.

"Akira," I ask, "why aren't you going home?"

"I'm scared. Saiba-san's a devil."

"Saiba-san isn't the devil," I smile. Akira has this idea that Neo's the devil of Tamaishi. "See? He's just a person like you or me, so there's nothing to be scared of," I add with determination.

"You should not be so certain of that, Noriko," Neo smiles, allowing his Wormmon to drop. The digimon becomes Stingmon, which looks a lot like Ken's: scary.

"Now," hisses the Stingmon, who sounds nothing like Ken-kun's Stingmon, "about Neo's questions...."

"I'll be glad to answer any questions," I say, "but first I've got to take Akira h--*" The Stingmon snatches me up and pins me to a nearby oak, scaring Akira.

"I will be more direct, Noriko. Where are the other digimon that abandoned Primary Central?" hisses Neo. "The nineteen that left with your young friends shall be retrieved shortly by my forces, as will Akira's friend."

"Please let Noriko-san go," Akira cries.

"Can you tell me where the other digimon are, Hayashibara-san?" asks Neo. After noting a blank look from Akira, he continues. "You know nothing of digimon, so you can help Noriko-san by giving your digimon to me."

"I don't know anything about digimon, Saiba-san," says Akira, "but I'm not giving my new friend to you. You'll hurt him."

"If you don't, my friend will hurt Noriko-san. He likes to hurt people, you know."

"I won't let you hurt Noriko-san!" Akira shoves Neo and kicks the Stingmon as hard as a six-year old boy can. The digimon drops me, turning to my brave little hero.

"So...you have Hirokazu," the Stingmon hisses.

"If you mean my friend, then I guess so. I'm not handing him over."

"Then I shall take him. After I rip you and your lady friend apart." Akira stands in front of me, still holding "Hirokazu". The Stingmon advances, moving in for the kill....

Hirokazu starts glowing faintly. "Leave them alone, Zed."

"What did you say to me, freshling?" asks Zed.

"I mean it. Leave my friends alone. All of them. Otherwise, you'll pay."

Zed laughs as he lunges toward us. The next I'd only believe if I saw one of my dad's old Dragon Ball Z tapes; but it's happening. Hirokazu emits a massive laser from his leaf, and blasts Zed a good five kilometers from us.

I stand up, shake myself off, grab Akira's hand, and run like hell.

==

"Did Ken really try to capture you?" Daisuke asks Kitsune, a Kyuubimon and the chief of the Renamon tribe.

"Yes. He nearly succeeded, but the antics of certain nameless digimon prevented my enslavement," she answers with a smile.

"Sounds like the Impmon Five, at it again," says Ryo.

"You can love us later," smirks Hoshino, who-whether Ryo liked or not-was tagging along. Daiba as well.

Fine by me. As long as those goons stay away from my food.

"What do you mean by the Impmon Five?" asks Veemon. "There are only two of you."

"Tetsuro's making waves in Western, our home turf," says Daiba.

"Believe it or not, soldier boy," adds Hoshino to Ryo, "the boss is trying to garner support for your little operation. Seems that Neo's like all the other megalomaniacs, cramping everyone's style."

"Where are the other two screwballs?" I quip. "You know, Shima and Kodai?"

"Zeromaru, why don't you chew on your gut, you fat tub of lizard lard?" growls Daiba. Hoshino merely glares at me.

"That's Victory Dramon lard to you."

Ryo looks at me momentarily, and then turns back to Kitsune-yoo.

==

"I regrettably inform you that at the behest of our emperor," trembles a Gekomon, "and our queen regent, that you and your friends are to be placed in the dungeons. Forgive us, Princess Mimi."

"Your queen regent?" asks Ken. "The Tonosama Dynasty has no queen."

"You're right. The queen regent is a human like yourselves. He found her quite fetching, and she convinced him to make her queen over the Dynasty two years ago."

"So you're saying this Shogungekomon is so infatuated with the queen," says Miyako, "that she has him wrapped around her little finger?"

"Meaning that he'll do whatever she says because he likes her so much," adds Mimi.

"Exactly. We're sorry, but we have no choice."

"Who is this queen? I'd like to meet her," smiles Ken.

"I'd like to give her a piece of my mind," hisses Miyako as all of the heroes are taken away.

==

"In the Gekomon gulag," grins Jyou.

Palmon sighs. "Not again...."

"I didn't even do anything," whimpers Mimi. "I'm past that stage."

"Don't look at me-Ryo has all the restrictor bands," Ken quips.

"It's an interesting view from in here, though," jokes Gomamon. As usual, his jokes fall flat.

I hold Hawkmon close, wondering what will happen next. Ken leans back, baring his teeth in a hard, bitter smile. Jyou and Mimi draw their digimon closer to them. That's when another burning question hit me.

Apparently Ken saw said question in my eyes; his eyes look straight into mine, daring me to ask. The way this crisis took hold of Ken lately, I'm not sure how to act around him anymore. But the question is still there.

Where's Wormmon?

==

Iori watches the fortress construction's progress, and reads emails about mission status.

Ryo has the support of Kitsune Island; however, his envoy's discussion with Zhuqiaomon didn't go quite as well. The queen has a "wait and see" attitude. Daisuke believes Ryo has inadvertently offended her. Zero has been found at least, and is in Southern, while we have Gotsutei.

Taichi and Agumon report good events in Western. They have the full support of the continent.

Yamato hasn't noticed anything unusual, other than Hikari's nightmares. But I've been having my own recurring dream. It involves an Angewomon, a small boy, and the Dark Ocean. If that evil place is involved with this mess, I'm not sure what to do. That dream led me to Gotsutei. My friends aren't telling me what happened to him or Kishi.

I've got a really bad feeling about this.

Gotsutei found out today about Angemon's death. He asked Angemon what it was like, how it felt...morbid. I also learned that Gotsu had asked Wormmon the same question.

But other than what Taichi reported, we have little on Northern. Taichi told me that most of the info went to Ken. And we have no reports at all from File Island. Which is odd. It's not like Ken to neglect writing a detailed report. No reports at all after Miyako's stop at "Igamon's Steak and Sushi". Except for a small note from Jyou telling us that they met Ken at the Tono Imperial Palace.

That was over a week ago. No messages from Ken or Jyou? I could see the girls getting wrapped up in a karaoke war, but not even a note from Jyou...something's up.

Iori notes this, too; he sends an email expressing that concern.

==

"Why am I being moved? Where are you taking me?" demands Miyako. Divide and conquer.

"It is the will of the queen regent that Miyako be moved to a bedchamber," says a Gekomon.

Hawkmon steps forward.

"You...will remain here."

"Why?" says Hawkmon. "I don't want to be separated from my partner."

I resist thinking of the lurid images that statement brings to my mind. Although it would keep me occupied with thoughts other than my own gloomy musings.

Mimi seems fascinated with the view outside of our tiny cell window.

Jyou holds Hawkmon back. "It won't do us any good to fight until we find out who the queen regent is. And Miyako has a better chance of finding out than any of us."

"Besides," I smirk teasingly, "Miyako also stands a chance of eating something besides bread and water."

"At least I eat, you jerk." That belies a lot of unneeded worry over one who makes your life hell merely by interacting in it. That's right: If you like Ichijouji Ken, and make him a part of your life, chaos will invariably follow. I'm sorry, Miyako.

"And Ken, you definitely make life interesting, so quit acting as though this was your fault," Miyako scowls as the guard finally drags her away.

Of course not. But it was my idea to go to Neo's house that led us here. Though I may as well say me. Surrounded by friends, I am nevertheless alone.

"They're gone," whispers Mimi. "You can crawl up now."

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

Mimi grins. "You'll see."

Squeezing through the bars in the window is...Wormmon?

Same blue eyes. The same Dejimon Thorn crest that's on my glasses. It has to be him.

I'm so happy, I'm trembling.... Then I kick him into a wall.

Mimi gasps, while Jyou restrains me before I can do any real damage.

"What's gotten into you, Ken?" he demands.

"That," I spit, pointing at the caterpillar, "is not my partner digimon. Obviously, if it was Wormmon, I wouldn't have attacked him like that."

"You shouldn't attack anyone like that."

"It's all right," smiles the Wormmon. "Ken can't always think clearly when he's emotionally overwhelmed. And he's right; I'm not Wormmon.

"My name is Ari."

Hearing the name "Ari" cast a near-magic spell on me. True, Ari isn't my grandfather, either; but two beings can have the same name.

"Ken...I honestly thought...." Mimi stares at me with pity, the shock of my violent outburst fading.

"I know." I glare at Ari, an agent of the Stingmon Corps.

"Wormmon sends his love, and insists that you eat," smiles Ari.

"I would be eating if I had my backpack." It has a secret stash of chocolate, especially those Whoppers malt balls I bought in bulk while in New York.

"Actually...Wormmon also wanted to say that he filched your Whoppers. He said you'd know what I meant."

I laugh, interjecting various expletives regarding my partner and his chocolate fetish. No wonder Wormmon left so quickly. I don't care if it takes years for him to train-he will pay for that one.

Then again, I ought to cut him some slack. Wormmon is an insect digimon; they do love their sweets. And those malt balls are delicious....

Grinning stupidly, I kneel. "Gomen nasai, Ari. I didn't...want to be that angry with you." Not enough to kick him, no.

"I understand. Enough crap has happened already."

==

My adoring subjects escort me to Miyako's room. So far, everything's working out. Rosie's gone, to grab Daisuke and Veemon from Southern; meanwhile, I've got some girl talk to engage in.

They even got Ken...Saiba-sama will be pleased. Too bad he's back home with Zed.

Now; all I have to do is reconfigure this data pattern I found on Neo's computer. Hmm...vamdemon_01.exe looks like the proper form.

A warning pop-up? I hate those. Says that if I restore this file, it will "result in system instability".... But this file will give me a digimon strong enough to take on Hikari's Gatomon, and my laptop is already unstable, running on Windows 95 and all. That'd be normal.

Thus, I'm going to have a new digimon to tame. Run program.

I make it to Miyako's room. "Okay, boys; you can leave. Girl chat."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Gekomon leave, and I walk inside.

Miyako rudely looks up at me. "What? What do you w-Mari? You're the queen?"

Of course. No mere mortal can resist the living blonde equal of Shiranui Mai. I nod.

"If that's the case...." Miyako walks toward me, smiling a bit. She shoves me before I can think and bolts, probably to free her friends.

I don't think so.

==

We're having a hard time down here. Seems like Rosie the Rosemon can't take no for an answer.

"You will come with me, little man," she hisses.

X-V Lasers don't faze her. I can't get Ken to link up with me for a Paildramon Special. How'd this plant digimon find me anyway? My being here was supposed to be a secret. And, most importantly, what the hell does she want?

"Daisuke, if your digimon hopes to put up a fight, he'll have to try harder. My partner is waiting." Exveemon is hopelessly tangled in Rosie's vines, and I've been lured to some remote part of Kitsune Island's jungle-where no one can hear you scream.

"Put Exveemon down!" I demand.

"You and he will come with me at once willingly, or reluctantly after a dose of excruciating agony. It's your call, kid: but I'm a Mega, and not to be taken lightly."

What choice do I have? "White flag! I surrender already!" Dejectedly raising my hands, I allow Rosie to wrap me in her tendrils and fly away with us.

We soar over the Renamon Tribe's village, and I drop my goggles down there using my free hand. Hope Ryo gets the message.

==

Ow. I'm reading some notes I made in the Manual, and...goggles fall from the sky. Grabbing my binoculars, I look up. A Rosemon flying in the distance; on closer inspection, she has an Exveemon in her vines.

Crap. This is the second time Daisuke's been kidnapped in this operation.

"What's the matter, Private Public?" asks Hoshino, making an obscure TV reference. Probably to some gaijin show I don't know or care about at the moment.

"Daisuke's been abducted," I reply, showing Hoshino the goggles. I return to my binoculars; and catch a faint glimpse of the Rosemon before she fades into the clouds. Judging by her direction, she's heading due north-northeast, rather than north, like I expected.

What is Mari up to?

==

"Gotcha," grins Mari as she pins Miyako. "No escape for you, sad to say."

"Let me go!" Miyako snarls.

The spectacle doesn't go unnoticed by Jyou and Ken, who both stare stupidly at Mari's buns. On the waist, I note, are the keys to our freedom; I snatch them while Mari's trying to restrain Miyako.

I sneak out, returning later with our supplies and much-needed digivices.

Time to go. "Let's get out of here, guys!" I smile.

Mari looks up, only to receive a punch from Miyako.

"Where do you think you're going?" our queen regent demands.

"Anywhere we want," answers Miyako. "You're outnumbered and outgunned."

Ari wraps Mari in a Sticky Net before she can call the guards. Thus, we turn to leave...only to face an angry Rosemon holding Daisuke and Exveemon.

"I suggest," says the Rosemon, "that you release Mari and return to your cell at once."

Daisuke opens his eyes. "Hey, Ken...where's Stingmon?"

Ken averts his eyes, reluctantly freeing Mari. Rosemon drops Exveemon and grabs Miyako.

"Thanks, Rosie," Mari smiles. "Now maybe we can talk."

Talk about what? "What do you mean?" I ask.

"Mind your own business, Princess." There are words for girls like her, and none of them are civil or ladylike.

==

Progress reports from Mari are always amusing. She has Miyako and Daisuke.

saiba_gen: why don't you take them to the palace

watamari_ai: i want to score the bonus, i didn't have a memory lapse D

saiba_gen: cute

saiba_gen: so you plan to catch hikari

saiba_gen: how do you intend to succeed, i won't tolerate a foul-up

watamari_ai: you're in a nasty mood

saiba_gen: and you're usually an incompetent dolt

saiba_gen: when it comes to pertinent matters :|

saiba_gen: what is your plan

watamari_ai: i found this old file

watamari_ai: vamdemon_01.exe

watamari_ai: it's a digimon, a powerful one that can take gatomon out

watamari_ai: he'll take hikari to central when he matures

saiba_gen: why did you tamper with __that__ .exe file

watamari_ai: gato-chan's a holy beast, myotismon's a viral

watamari_ai: and, if you'd read my file on hikari

watamari_ai: you'd know about hikari's vulnerabilities

watamari_ai: and her connection with light and darkness :rolleyes

saiba_gen: baka

saiba_gen: you are far too presumptuous

I sign off, lest I succumb to the urge to destroy my Wonder Swan. I understand her logic-Myotismon would be ideal at capturing Hikari. I can't really fault her for not knowing the internal dynamics involved.

Myotismon, being the fool that he is, will most likely attempt to cut his own deal with Dagomon.

Sigh. I'd better chat with Dago-sama. After a few keystrokes on my desktop, I contact the Dark Ocean.

"Have you prepared my bride for me?" he asks. Dagomon is eager to get started. Aren't we all? If Mari doesn't lose Miyako and Daisuke in this business, we both can get what we desire.

After all, Ken could not stand to lose his two most beloved of friends.

"Almost," I answer. "Mari has taken unprecedented-and unwarranted-initiative. She has reconfigured Myotismon from an old data residual I took from him years ago."

"Excellent."

"You are pleased with Myotismon's return, my lord?" Myotismon's not one to take orders; he obeys Dagomon on his own whim.

"Yes. I have considered my rival Akiyama carefully. His spirit is strong."

"And his digimon is of the few that can defeat Zed, as I recall," adds Demon with a hint of malicious amusement. He obviously has learned of my partial failure to cross Zed and Zeromaru's data. Doesn't he have better things to do than eavesdrop on private conversations?

"However," continues Dagomon as though Demon were an inconsequential insect, "Akiyama has a weak sense of his own worth. Myotismon can use this information to our advantage, and Akiyama would be eliminated.

"You shall congratulate your sergeant."

"Indeed, my lord; provided she delivers on your bride and the others that I requested."

"Watanabe will succeed. I will ensure it.

"I shall deal with Myotismon personally...." Dagomon signs off.

==

"A digiegg?" I poke at it.

"Hey! Watch it, Coke-frames!" snaps Mari.

"Why, is it something important?" I grin wickedly.

"You wouldn't want to crack open a digiegg, would you, Miyako?"

She's right. There's an innocent fresh digimon in there. Probably another hostage.

"What do you want with Dai and me?" I ask.

"Neo wants you two." Mari licks her lips with a greedy smirk. Honestly, I get the message.

"We're his select concubines, right?" I thought that honor was reserved for Ken.

"Sharp."

"Sorry, babe-I'm not into shounen-ai," says Daisuke.

"What! I had you and Ken pegged for a couple," Mari pouts.

[AN: And thus, Mari joins the legions of Kensuke fans.]

Daisuke is a known master of wild takes, and he doesn't disappoint here. "We're just friends!" he finally manages to blurt out.

Mari ponders this a moment. "However...if Ken were to ask you-just for fun and experimentation, mind you-you'd do it. Because of your friendship. Right...?"

My rust-haired friend is blushing. "I...I don't have to answer that! It's none of your damn business!"

"Why would Neo want us?" I ask.

"Honestly, I don't have a clue. He just said he wanted you two. And I will deliver the goods; that is, you." Mari can be very annoying.

I scowl.

"Don't look so down, Miya-chan. After I present you and my bonus to Saiba-sama, the Gekomon will be free to worship their pink princess in peace. The rest of your friends will be free, and you can do whatever the hell you want.

"Because after this job, I net my bonus, and I'm leaving here for good."

"Then why are you going through all of this?" I shout. "Just ditch him now!"

"Ditch him? What do you mean by that?" Mari asks suspiciously.

"Leave the digital world if you have to, and throw Neo to the curb where he belongs."

"You, little girl, are far too perceptive for your own good. And you're seeing more than what there is."

"Am I?" Mari's a silly, self-absorbed person, but she's hardly a cold, evil snake like Neo. Their relationship's like oil and water.

"I love Saiba Neo," Mari says, glaring hotly at me. I can't doubt that's true.

"I understand, and you don't want to abandon him; but he caused this on himself."

"Whatever. I really don't want to be in his way. My emotions are getting in the way of the battle. As for taking you in, it's the only way I can leave with honor."

"What?"

"I'm a Tamer First Class. I can't go AWOL on my taishou. In other words, I couldn't 'ditch' him even if I hated his guts."

"Why not? What does being a Tamer First Class have to do with this?" I demand.

"I have to receive a proper discharge, or I'm not discharged at all. Neo has to grant my request for resignation. Got it?"

Yeah, digital red tape. "There's more to this, isn't there? You're not the type to run from a fight," I note.

From what I've observed of a certain Tamer First Class, they must thrive on conflict. Fighting is a potent drug. Pocket Monsters is a must-have in their video game libraries. Battles mean more to them than life, money, and even sex.

Mari sighs. "It's really none of your business. Just play along, and maybe you'll get out of this. Plus, Neo's really good."

Damn you, Mari. Despite the fact that Neo's a psycho, my hormones cannot disregard the fact that he's a bishounen's bishounen. I blush, trying to fight the image of a Miyako sandwich. With Ken as one slice, and Neo as the other...no! Bad Miyako! What would Hawkmon think?

"If he's so good," I blurt at length, "then why are you leaving?"

"Like I said, Miyako," Mari hisses, "I don't want to get in his way. Please, don't escape. You're my only hope."

With that, the queen leaves. Daisuke stares at me in utter bewilderment.

I grow annoyed. "What is it?"

"Can I make out with you?" he asks.

What the hell? "Why?" I ask.

"Because I'd...hear me out! I do like you, and I'd at least like to feel hetero before I'm turned into Neo's uke."

I answer this silly request by knocking Dai's brain offline for a moment. He's thinking too hard.

==

"We have to get out of here," scowls Ken.

"I know that," Mimi spits. "Explain how we get out."

I calmly remove my shirt, take off my previously-hidden duffel bag, and set said bag down.

"And here I thought you'd gained weight," grins Gomamon.

"Guess not," I smile, handing Ken his D3 and Wonder Swan.

"What's the use of that?" asks Ken. "I can't reach Daisuke with this, and the D3 may not work with Ari."

"Ken, we have to use what's available." I hand Mimi her digivice. "Besides, you're a Tamer, which means you can handle more than one digimon as a partner. Ari and Wormmon are both the same type, so you should have no problems aside from personality conflicts."

Ken averts his eyes. "You have a point."

Palmon becomes Togemon; Gomamon, Ikkakumon; and Ari reaches Stingmon mode.

"What's the plan, Jyou?" asks Mimi.

"You and Togemon break out and distract Rosie. Meanwhile, Ken and I will take our digimon and search for Miyako and Daisuke. Hawkmon and Veemon will go with us to reunite with their partners."

"Distract Rosie...how do we do that?" asks Togemon.

"Mimi will think of something," I smirk.

"Besides, you're old enough to reach Rosie's level with a boost," continues Ken.

"How?" Mimi asks.

"Tell you what. You get Rosie out in the open, and Jyou and I will meet you there when we find our friends."

"Okay." Mimi stares at Ken dubiously as Togemon punches the cell door off its hinges. They leave to face Rosie.

Ikkakumon launches a Harpoon Torpedo, blowing a hole out of the wall. Ari flies out with Ken, while the rest of us hang on to Ikkakumon as the water rushes in. I didn't know Shogungekomon had a moat built. We surface, meeting Ken and Ari at the shore, and we all sneak back in to find Miyako and Daisuke.

==

I look despondently inside my photo album. One picture has my undivided attention.

A man with my hair and eyes, only stronger, more assured of himself, and most likely to be mistaken for the lead actor in the new Dragon Ball Z flick coming out in 2010, the series' twentieth anniversary.

It's understandable. Akiyama Gorou has the same spiky hair, and even the same appetite as old Goku. Zero would love him.

I know I do. I have a lot of heroes, but my dad is my biggest one. He has no super powers, but he can do almost anything else. He would have been able to unlock Zero's power by now, and would have wiped the Saiba unit out of the digital world.

I want to be just like him-except for the abandoning family for months and years at a time part. He has the nerve to demand an explanation for my being gone a mere six. Dad slept through Akane's third birthday, and completely missed her fifth and seventh.

Despite this, I'm still so proud of him. I can never be like that, no matter how hard I try. Hell, I can't even handle this simple mission I've been drafted for. Hikari...she looks at me like I can answer all of her questions, and save her from everything that wants to hurt her. I sure wish I knew what the others wanted from me.

Zhuqiaomon has lost confidence in me. At least that's how it seems. And now Daisuke's gone, to who knows where.

I type an email to "dad@enma.jp.mil", an address I made up to send letters to Dad. Even though he'll never read any of the letters I send him, at least I can get these feelings off my chest, so I can focus on the mission.

It's a habit I've formed over the years, and I've indulged in it a lot lately. The emails haven't been as therapeutic as they used to be, though. Especially since I know Dad would never see them, or-even if the address weren't fake-have the time to respond. He has to save the world after all.

==

I open the door of my apartment, and a frantic teenager and kid run inside. The boy holds a Leafmon.

"Excuse me, Ishida-san," says the young lady. "I know we only met briefly about three years ago, but I really need to use your computer."

"Why?" I ask.

"This Leafmon has to get home," she answers. "Now. It's urgent."

I have to lie. I have an interview with Major Akiyama Gorou and his computer specialist, Yamaki Hiro. And they know next to nothing about digimon.

So, as far as they are concerned, neither do I. "What...what's a Leafmon?"

"Are you kidding me?" blurts the girl.

"I...see you're upset. Let's take this into my son's room." I escort the kids into Yamato's room, where I drop my act. "What is your name, miss?"

"Noriko; I'm one of Ken's schoolmates this year. Akira, the cute boy, is also from Tamaishi."

"I see." She was one of the children abducted in that odd incident three years ago, where I later found out that my sons had to go save the world with their friends. Again. Much like now, except this kid is involved.

"Hirokazu-chan's my digimon, and he can help Ichijouji-san," says Akira.

"Neo found out about the twenty digimon my kindergarten class and I was taking care of. He's got the other nineteen," says Noriko, "but Hirokazu escaped, and most likely saved both our lives."

"Okay...calm down. The gentlemen outside don't know about the digital world, or that children can enter and leave." Particularly Major Akiyama. His son is fighting to save the digital world as well as ours.

"Oh...I'm sorry, Ishida-san."

"It's all right-Neo's given up the chase for the time being, I take it."

"Yeah, for now. That doesn't bode well for the main team, though."

"This should help, if Hirokazu can somehow get the information to my son or one of his friends." I hand her a floppy disk with information. It uploaded mysteriously onto the studio's computer, and I called in Yamaki to translate what it meant. I found out about his connection to the major, and that's where the interview came in.

I sent a bit of the information to Koushirou beforehand; he told me to get the rest translated and sent to him. The trick now is to get Yamaki off my computer long enough to get Hirokazu back home.

"Akira has to go, too," says Noriko. "Like he said, Hirokazu's his partner. I think you know what that means."

Don't I ever. I still feel raw about my sons taking me "camping" three years ago. I don't camp. But...that priceless look on Yamato's face when Jun found him. I guess I can forgive him.

"Isauharu-kun, what's going on?" asks the major. He's still waiting for me.

I peek out the door. "Be out in a moment, Major."

"Okay; I'm just going to take the gentlemen outside for a friendly breath of fresh Odaiba air and a bit of sake. While we're outside, get Akira and Hirokazu where they need to be."

"Got it." Noriko nods; the boy and his digimon follow suit.

==

"I've tracked them here," hisses Zed.

I look up, noting that I'm now in Odaiba. The birthplace of my hated enemy.

Where did that twit take Hirokazu?

Ishida Yamato lives in this particular apartment complex. In fact, I see his father talking to two men.

"Shall I revert?" asks Zed disgustedly.

"We don't have the time to develop the proper subterfuge. Let's use the direct approach.

"Take us up, Zed." With that, Zed and I fly to meet the three men, chatting over sake.

==

What the hell is that? And why is it holding that kid? "This is damn good sake, Isauaharu-kun," I smile in my unbelief, "because I'm seeing things."

"Major...I'm seeing what you're seeing, and I haven't had any sake," says Yamaki.

"Then drink some," Isauharu hisses.

The kid, a wiry blond teenager, steps onto the balcony as though he owns the apartment.

"Good day, Ishida-san," he smiles. "I'd like to know where those two kids and the digimon are."

"Hold it, kid. Who do you think you are," I scowl, "that you can fly up to people's homes unannounced and make demands?"

"You...don't know who I am?" wonders the kid. "Were you born in the country?"

"In the country of Japan, yes. Do you, young man," I counter, "know who I am?"

"Inconsequential. I am Saiba Neo."

"Never heard of you, son." Really, I don't know of him. He must be famous here, but I haven't been able to pick up on trends.

"I don't have time for this." Neo's ride, an oversized Kamen Rider Zo cosplay, shrinks into a small green ball with a leaf on its head. Which is weird, because I saw those two kids run in earlier with the exact same thing. I heard them call it a Leafmon before Isauharu sent them inside his son's room.

"Neo, we're sorry," says Isauharu, "but we don't know what you're talking about. I haven't seen any digimon since the Odaiba incident seven years ago."

I'm starting to smell a rat. Neo is, too. Thankfully for Isauharu, I don't like the kid's attitude.

"Listen, Saiba-san. I don't know who you are, and I don't really care. However, if you and your friend don't leave, I'll be forced to use other means to remove you from Ishida-san's property."

"You're almost as bad as Akiyama." Neo shoves me aside, intending to waltz in anyway.

Cute. But I trip Neo and pin him to the floor. "I am Akiyama, son. Akiyama Gorou of your country's Self-Defense Force. And I believe you should show a bit more respect toward your elders."

"My tax dollars at work. I'm almost impressed," the kid smiles.

While this is going on, Isauharu walks back inside the apartment. Yamaki just looks on.

I release Neo, who then picks up his creature and tosses him over the railing. The little thing changes back into the Hornet of Death. The pair survey us with an air of calculation.

"Shall I destroy them?" asks the creature.

"No. I have elected to spare these fools for now. I can't promise the same if they defy me again.

"I'll tell your son how much you miss him, though," Neo says to me, "right before he dies." The mad pair fly into the horizon, and I am left with a burning need to find out what the hell is going on.

"Yamaki...I believe Isauharu owes us an explanation."

==

Akira and Hirokazu look out at the digital world.

"According to Noriko-san, we're somewhere in the western continent," says Akira.

Hirokazu looks at his human partner. "Don't be frightened, Akira. I will protect you with all I have."

"I know. I'm not scared. Let's just find Izumi-san and give him this .zip file card. That's our mission." Akira sees a motorcycle in the distance. "Hey-let's hitch a ride!"

"Akira, be careful! That could be a member of the Saiba unit."

"Then we'll just have to face him, sooner or later."

The biker closes in on their position.

Hirokazu squints at the figure on the bike. "That's not a biker...that's a digimon."

"They ride motorcycles? Cool!"

"We can sometimes. Just like Zed can fly."

"Let's hope this one's friendly," smiles Akira, standing in the path of the bike. The motorcycle swerves, skidding to a stop less than two meters from Akira.

Stepping off the bike is a Beelzebumon.

"Whoa...you're tall," breathes Akira.

"And powerful..." adds Hirokazu with awe. "You're a mega."

"You two," smiles the Beelzebumon, toying with a red scarf, "are the smartest human/digimon pair I've met in years."

"Thank you. My name's Akira, and this," grins the boy, "is Hirokazu."

"Hirokazu. Word on the Net says that the Stingmon Corps is worried about you."

"We can go there next, but first we have to find a human named Izumi Koushirou. I have to give him something important."

"I've seen that guy around here. Hop on." The Beelzebumon lifts Akira onto the bike and straddles behind him.

They drive off, towards Baihumon's pit.

"Harlock. I'm Captain Harlock," grins the driving digimon.

"No way!" pouts Akira. "He has a spaceship and lots of skinny women hanging around him. Try again!"

"All right, kid; my name's Tetsuro, of the Impmon Five."

"Who?" Hirokazu is new to the legend of the Impmon Five.

"Freshie, I could tell you stories...."

==

Here we go. It's time to put my hacker skills to the test, and earn those government wulongs...eh, yen. I'm such an otaku.... Anyway, I've been trying to learn more about the digital world for years. Ever since I was seventeen, and I saw those rippled rifts in the sky.

"Yamaki, why are you accessing my dad@enma.jp.mil junk mail account?" asks Major Akiyama, a bit annoyed.

"Because the sender's email is interesting." I point out saiyaman_01@kitsune.dejitaru.glb.

"What kind of designation is .glb?"

"I'd guess 'globe', but it normally doesn't exist. We have .mil, .gov, .org, .net, and of course, .com for general use. However, 'saiyaman_01' is one of your son's favorite handles. Open one."

"Okay." The major clicks the inbox link, only to find several emails from saiyaman_01.

Gorou opens an email, and reads. And rereads. "Yamaki, I'll take it from here."

Ishida looks on, reading over the major's shoulder. His face takes on a pained sense of understanding.

About an hour later, the major shuts the computer off, his eyes dazed and expression childlike. Whatever his son wrote to him, it must have hurt.

"Yamaki, we have to find a way to patch into the digital world, so that we can help those kids."

"Sir, with all due respect," I say, "we've tried already, many times. Every tech expert in the world has tried to gather information and learn about the digital world, with no luck. Someone from within the world keeps deleting our files. Once my team and I got close to catching him, but he eluded Juggernaut."

"I'm not accepting defeat as an option. We're going to try again."

Sighing in resignation, I contact my crack team of trained computer experts. I just hope Ruki has no plans for the weekend. It's going to be one of those nights.

==

Entering the tavern at the same time is a huge Stingmon, a Beelzebumon, and a small boy with a Leafmon.

The Beelzebumon we at least know. "You're back again, Tetsuro?" I quip.

"Not even you could drive me away from these ladies," he smirks, leering at Devin and Virgil.

"Try me, and see if you won't need a new mask," Virgil scowls.

"Whatever; this kid has something for you." Tetsuro notes the boy.

"My name is Hayashibara Akira. Are you Izumi Koushirou?" asks the boy shyly. I nod.

"Then this is yours." Akira hands me a card. It has a .zip file encoded for our digivices. "Noriko-san said that you swipe it like a credit card through your digivice."

I swipe the card while Akira says goodbye to the Leafmon, Hirokazu. The giant Stingmon, the infamous General Stingmon, takes him away.

"That boy was very brave," says Tentomon.

"We're all in his debt," I smile. The prophecy is now loaded onto our Wonder Swans, and I'm cracking the digicode encryption. "This is what we needed.

"Kazeyu really thought ahead. He emailed copies of the Chimera Prophecy a year ago," I explain, "but the file was embedded. It was hidden for as long as Kazeyu himself was alive. The prophecy would unlock the moment genki_kzu.exe was inactive or deleted."

That file name, of course, is Kazeyu himself-as recognized by a normal computer. I don't tell them that. Most people and digimon have no handle on their emotions; and I can't predict their reactions to the digital world operating system's dry, automated acknowledgement of this individual.

There's a lot more on my laptop than on the others' Wonder Swans; a series of files marked with my Crest.

"Where do we take Akira?" asks Taichi, concerned about the boy's safety. "He can't stay here."

"If Neo pursued him through Odaiba, then Akira isn't safe anywhere on earth."

"Then what do you suggest? This war isn't for small kids. Not anymore." Taichi is correct. Never in our history with the digital world have we dealt with a conflict of this magnitude. I don't think we were meant to know the full extent of our battles against the darkness.

But what should we do? If Akira returns to our world, Neo might hunt him down...think logically, Izumi. Don't let this situation overwhelm you. If I were in Neo's shoes, I doubt that Akira or his digimon would be important-not as crucial as securing absolute control of the digital world.

No; Neo has already returned, and it would be safe to send Akira back home. I call the boy to me.

"Yes, Izumi-san?" says Akira.

"Thank you for bringing this to me."

"No problem. Is there any other way I can help?"

"You've helped everyone a great deal," I smile. "All you have to do now is tell no one about what you've seen."

"Noriko-san and Ishida-san already know."

"Tell no one else, then." Switching on the TV set, I then direct Akira to point his digivice at the screen. This takes him home; I lock the digiport behind him.

==

My digiegg, containing Myotismon, hatched just an hour ago. I sent him after Hikari.

Now, however, I'm not thinking about that. I'm focused on a battle between myself and the pink princess. A one-sided battle that's beginning to bore Rosie and me.

"Mimi, come on!" I pout. "What does it take to get your Lilymon to the next level? I gave you your Crest energy so she could compete."

"This is as far as she's reached!" counters Mimi. "We don't normally fight unless we have to."

"That explains why she's such a weakling, even for a mere Ultimate. Mari, may I please dispose of this compost?" groans Rosie.

Lilymon responds with a Flower Cannon shot to Rosie's head. "Who's the compost now, flytrap-breath?" she scowls.

"Cheap shot," I smile indulgently. Poor amateurs. "But that means I don't have to hold Rosie back anymore."

One quick boost, and Rosie's a Mega. A Mega being attacked by an Aquillamon, an Exveemon, a Stingmon, and an Ikkakumon.

I hiss in aggravation. "I told you two not to escape!"

"Since when do we listen to what our enemies say?" scowls Miyako. The twit cannot understand how important it is for their asses to stay put.

I decide to talk to Ichijouji; he's the only one crazy enough to pit this non-Tamer against me. "Ken, come on-you're the one that made her challenge me. At least show the courtesy of ceasing further interference in our so-called battle."

Ken smirks. "You are out of my league. I'm just putting you out of our misery in the kindest way I know how."

"How sweet indeed. But Mimi and Lilymon have to beat me on their own. No other digimon."

"Fine by me." Ken calls back the excess digimon, much to Miyako's chagrin. "But expect surprises."

Unfortunately, Ken puts Lilymon on tag; that basically means he can manipulate her data as though she were his digimon.

"A boost in energy," coos Lilymon.

"Yes." Ken tosses Mimi his T1/T3. "Mimi, I'm switching tags."

"What does that mean?" Mimi asks.

"That Lilymon will digivolve, and Rosie's new name is mulch." I don't see how anyone can endure your infuriating smirk, Ichijouji Ken.

Mimi seems to have caught on; the new Rosemon soundly throttles Rosie.

==

"No...not you. Anyone but you...." Gatomon trembles in rage.

The all-too familiar digimon shrugs. "While I won't lie-I am enjoying this far too much-I'm merely running a business errand.

"Give me Hikari, and you will be spared for now," smiles Myotismon.

"You're supposed to be dead!" cries Sora, standing with Garudamon.

"And it's been three times you were killed before," adds Hikari in shock.

"Apparently, I have a fan club." Myotismon smiles again.

Not again. This won't happen again. I take out my digivice, and Gabumon already knows what's up.

Before Myotismon can make another move, Metalgarurumon has pinned him to the ground. The vampire digimon manages to push my partner off, and the battle is on. Metalgarurumon gets in a few good hits, but Myotismon's holding his own.

"Enough of this," I glare. "Take him out, Metalgarurumon."

My digimon starts to launch his special attack, but Gatomon blocks him.

"Gatomon-what the hell are you doing?" I demand.

"Yamato! You could hurt Kishi!"

"Kishi?" I then look around for the Salamon.

My search is ended. "Lightning Paw!" Now a Gatomon, Kishi slams Myotismon's face hard. She continues this assault in a frenzied rage.

But all this amounts to a few Meowth Fury Swipes on Myotismon's face. "Are you done?" the vampire asks Kishi, holding her roughly by the neck.

Kishi hisses.

"My turn." Myotismon bares his fangs, ready to suck her data...except that Angewomon delivers a right jab to his face, freeing Kishi from his grip.

"I have to destroy him-he's evil," spits Kishi.

"Let Metalgarurumon handle this," counters Angewomon, holding her back. "Any other course of action is suicide."

"I don't care."

"Maybe not," I scowl, "but we do. Don't be so selfish that you're willing to throw your life away."

"I grow weary of your chat, digidestined," says our enemy in a bored tone.

"Then hold still, so Melga-san can obliterate you and put us both out of our misery."

"I think not." A swarm of bats envelops us before we can attack. By the time they vanish, Hikari is in Myotismon's grasp.

"Let her go!" I demand.

Myotismon dangles her in front of me a moment, keeping Hikari just out of my reach. Damn him. "Sadly, I'm no longer at liberty to toy with you at the present.

"However, they are more than happy to give you a fight." Myotismon flies away with Hikari, and several Kuwagamon block Garudamon and Angewomon's path.

==

"Where are you going?" demands Zed. "Saiba City is that way."

"True, but I'm obligated to obey Mari, not Saiba," Myotismon smiles. "She did revive me, after all; and I elect to show her a small measure of gratitude."

"You didn't touch her, did you?"

"Since when has that mattered to you, Zed?" spits Hikari.

Zed laughs. "She isn't tainted. I'd like to taste her myself; however, greater delights are in store." The Stingmon's clawed hand caresses Hikari's cheek, causing her to shudder in revulsion.

"I agree; she seems to have potential for a great deal of fun." Myotismon licks Hikari's ear. "And that, obviously, is why he wants her as his bride," the vampire sighs in resignation.

Hikari's eyes widen, as though her worst nightmare was coming true. Too dumbstruck with fear, she trembles in Myotismon's arms.

"Don't be so frightened-I'm tempted to bite you," Myotismon hisses, inhaling the scent of her neck.

"And we're in midair," adds Zed. "You might fall."

"Zed, go to your taishou. I will take the girl to Mari-without incident."

Finally, Hikari finds words. "Please..." she murmurs, begging with her eyes. "Don't take me there...."

"Your cries fall on callous ears, digidestined. But you're so pretty when you beg. Continue."

Hikari merely sobs, continuing to plead, struggle, and demand to be free as Myotismon flies toward his destination. Zed shrugs and descends into the fray near Saiba City.

==

Rosemon smiles with the satisfaction of a job well done. Ken has that same smile, that infamous smile of "we kicked ass" that I love and hate about him. Mainly because I've been on the wrong end of that smile.

"What could have gone wrong?" screams Mari, looking at Rosie.

"It looks like you've been dethroned," grins Mimi.

"And we'll be taking our leave," adds Ken.

Mari trembles slightly, in rage...or on the verge of tears? "No, damn it. You can't leave! I'm too close."

"Too close to what?" asks Ken.

The blonde sighs. "Forget it. Leave if you must."

And logic tells both Ken and me that we all should bolt. But we don't. We stand there, looking at her. Mari's not a bad person, just a pitiful one.

"Are you alright?" asks Mimi.

"Do I look alright?" Mari snaps. "I just failed a simple mission, Neo's going to have my head, and I won't be able to save my koi's life. Idiot!"

"What do you mean?" I ask, though I'm wondering why I care. Guess those tears in her eyes.

"That's not your concern, twit."

"Fine; we're leaving." I turn around, beckoning the others to follow.

"No...wait."

"Give me a good reason why I should."

".... My day can't possibly be any worse." sighs Mari.

Except a Vampire Hunter D throwback descends into our midst. A gorgeous one.

"Let me guess; you batted zero finding Hikari?" moans our favorite blonde.

"Actually, no; I have succeeded. Was there any doubt?" quips this newcomer, who reveals an unconscious Hikari.

"Hikari! What happened to her?" demand Jyou and Mimi.

I rush to her at once, and on closer examination, note two small holes in her neck. Creepy.

"I...I sense something familiar from him." Ken glares at this Lestat wannabe.

"I've...seen him before. A long time ago...." Daisuke eyes this vampire carefully.

"No..." gasps Jyou. "He died. Twice."

"It...can't be," adds Mimi.

Mari looks at my friend and jogress partner. "Myotismon! You jerk! She was to be unharmed! Can nothing go right in this botched assignment?"

"Mari, don't be a twit. I didn't suck her exquisite, fear-chilled blood," smiles Myotismon dismissively. "However, she was struggling, and I had no alternative except to stun her with my venom. Hikari merely sleeps like a baby nestled in my arms."

"Myotismon?" I blurt. "You can't be the same guy...he was hideous! And thankfully dead."

"I have reverted to a lesser form, digidestined, but I assure you that thanks to Mari, it is I. Now, Mari," continues the leaner, sexier Myotismon, "I would humbly suggest returning to Saiba City with her, lest Neo grow impatient."

I should have scrambled that digiegg.

"You're not going anywhere with her," seethes Ken lethally. "Ready, Ari?"

"Please...I've already had this battle with another angry human bishounen," Myotismon sneers.

Yamato. He was with Hikari and Sora near Central.

I stroke Hikari's hair, hoping she'll come to. And she does, crying fitfully.

Hikari opens her eyes, seeing me. "Miyako?" my friend breathes between choked sobs.

"Yes, it's me," I smile softly, happy that she's okay.

"Please, Miyako...please. Don't let him take me there! Not to that horrible place!"

"Don't worry, Hikari-you're not going anywhere," says Ken with finality.

"What? You've already been to Neo's palace," Mari balks. "I admit Neo can be creepy, but there's nothing scary about the palace."

Other than Zed. But I don't think the bastard Stingmon is what frightens Hikari.

She looks at Mari sadly. "You don't have any idea what will happen to me, do you?"

Mari looks back at her. "Don't worry so much," she smiles tenderly, stroking the chestnut-haired girl's cheek. "I'd never let anything happen to Taichi's little sister.

"This whole thing is to save his ungrateful life, the fluffy-headed jerk."

"Save his life?" asks Jyou.

"Yeah; Taichi and Neo have bad blood, and Neo's out to kill him. The only way I can save Taichi's life is to have Miyako, Daisuke, and Hikari brought to the palace."

"To save my brother?" asks Hikari. She looks like she's fighting an internal war. "Why?"

"Because I love Taichi. I know that I screwed up any chance of my happiness with him, but at least I can save his life. That's the bonus I'll net from Neo. And, this will be my last act as a lousy Tamer First Class-because I'm leaving after this. For good."

"Leave? You can't leave. You're Chosen." says Ken. "You have a responsibility here.

"What will happen to Rosie when you leave?"

"Rosie can fend for herself. I know I did my best to train her well. I have performed all of my obligations as a Tamer First Class. I admit it was a lousy job I did, but I gave it my all.

"That's the point of a Tamer; to train digimon to fend for themselves. Didn't you know that?"

"No...I didn't," admits Ken.

I have a plan. "Mari," I ask, "were you serious about freeing the Tonosama Dynasty from its obligation to serve you hand and foot?"

"I'm going home to Tamaishi-what will I need them for? Of course I was serious," Mari frowns.

"I see. And you want Dai, Hikari, and me to be placed in Neo's custody; that way, you ask Neo to let Taichi live and to discharge you as his sergeant."

"You've been paying attention."

Ken hates my line of thought. I know this because he looks at me as though I grew a third head. But if nothing else, I have to be there to protect Hikari from whatever Neo has in store for her back in his palace. I'm guessing Myotismon won't relinquish her easily.

"Mari, there's no need to whine like a baby. The three of us will go along with your plan-if only to save Taichi."

"Cool." Mari smiles. I can't help but to smile back. We shake hands. Hikari and Daisuke warily follow Mari and Myotismon out. Jyou and Mimi leave with the digimon to tell the Gekomon the dubious good news.

Ken grabs me, drawing me close. Close enough for our souls to touch. My back to his chest, he nuzzles my neck, and wraps his arms around me gently.

He can be so cruel. "You're making a mistake," he whispers coldly into my ear. I'm so mad, I could deck him. Except that he's already gone, following after Jyou and the others.

I sigh. Ken's warped mind is an eternal mystery. As I'm officially a prisoner of Watanabe Mari, though, I'd best be with my fellow prisoners.

==

I grew weary of boring myself battling those wimps near the city, so I decided to see if Mari screwed up.

Intriguing. Mari wants to leave, and that would certainly please me. However, she has resorted to conspiracy with the enemy to obtain her ends. Neo will not be pleased with her confessed love for the boy Yagami.

One of the worthless Stingmon Corps larvae has come to get me. Ari, I believe. He's the same age as that weakling Wormmon of the boy Tamer, who foolishly touts himself as my match. When will Shou-chan learn that I have no equal?

==

Stingmon halts my punches, ending our sparring match. "Sakura...we must go to Central. To Saiba City."

"And why is this, Stingmon?" I tease. "Out of chocolate?"

"Enough childishness. Something's wrong. Look at the way those Numemon behave."

"They're meeting together. Those blobs of living gelatin do that often, usually a reaction to a great power. Why does this concern you?"

"They said 'Queen Hikari'." Queen Light? Who cares about that-let's fight!

"And to answer your question," continues Stingmon, "my partner has a friend named Hikari. She could be in danger."

"I don't understand."

"Hikari befriended some Numemon during her first adventures here. The Numemon have a single consciousness; that is, what one group experiences, all do."

"Does this Hikari possess powers?"

"Yes, just like all the digidestined do. Her power is the light that lives inside everyone. If something threatens that, she would know."

"So you're saying something threatens her?" I ask.

"Yes. And we should stop it, as we're the nearest in the vicinity."

"Hold it. We are the Stingmon Corps. Our current concern is to dispatch Zed."

"Zed is of minimal importance. You can engage him at Saiba City if you wish, but I'm going in to save my friends."

Such arrogance. "You are far from ready to face Zed."

"You're wrong, Sakura. You know in your heart that you're wrong. I have surpassed Zed, as I always knew I could. But I can't stay here with you and the Corps.

"My place is with the Chosen."

"Then why did you come to train with us, if you had no intention of remaining?" I hold one of my spikes to Stingmon's neck.

"To save everyone I care about, I had to be stronger as a fighter. I couldn't do that before, as you yourself pointed out.

"If you're not going to help me, that's fine. I never expected you to care about humans." And what makes him think we don't care about them?

"Your arrogance is even more grating than when you first joined us! I may not have a cross-dimensional bond with an organic alien like you do, but that doesn't make me uncaring or reckless. It would be suicide to regard humans lightly...especially with the current trend of them staging violent takeover schemes." That was low, I admit. But Stingmon's being a jerk about this, and it's unlike him.

But Stingmon merely shrugs. "Humans are creatures of dreams and ambition. Dark forces inherent to all worlds twist and pervert those elements to their ends.

"But you're right about one thing. I have to be careful, or else I'll become what I hate."

Eloquent, tall, graceful in this form. That's Stingmon. He's an individual who until now I thought I knew. Whom I thought was incapable of hate. What has awakened such a mental state in him?

I can't answer these questions, or even get him to answer. He flies away after the Numemon, who are moving at an unusually rapid pace.

Curse him. I could never beat him in a race.

==

At last, I have them. Mari did well, although it's obvious that she "struck a deal" with these heroes.

"I don't know what you want with me," asks Miyako, who suspects my intentions of stealing her maidenhood, "but leave Hikari out of it."

Hikari. The sister of my most hated enemy. I believe I'm being quite merciful in sending her to her destined mate. If one left her fate to me, I could commit acts against her that would make the Joker cringe. And force my dear Taichi to watch shortly before he dies.

And he will die. Mari is predictable.

"I know you'll be busy, so I'll make this brief. I brought Inoue and Motomiya as ordered. I also netted the bonus," adds Mari, indicating the muttering, crouching Hikari, "and am ready to ask for my tiny favor."

"Very well; but it had better be reasonable, considering you resurrected that headache Myotismon." I have to act annoyed, at least. Guano-breath will dispose of Akiyama for me, but Mari should know by now not to tamper with my files.

"Oh; it's simple. Allow me to eliminate Yagami Taichi." I knew it.

"How so?" I ask, feigning hope that she has an elaborate plan to kill him.

"... if he doesn't come back to the digital world," Mari says carefully, "then he can't interfere with your plans."

"True."

"So, all I'm asking is-since you have everything lined up and all-is that you let Taichi leave the digital world safely."

"You will escort Taichi out of the digital world, never to return?"

"Yes."

"Is there an alternative that you'd like to accept for your bonus, rather than Taichi's life?" I sigh.

Mari shakes her head.

"Consider this carefully, Mari: I have his kid sister at my mercy. Knowing Taichi, do you truly think he would leave his sister and friends behind just to go home with you?"

"I've got it all worked out as far as keeping Taichi out. All I'm asking of you is to let Taichi live."

"Because you plan to leave me as well." I vent a small amount of my displeasure at her obvious intentions to defect.

"I want to resign my position as your sergeant, yes. But that's merely because I-or rather, my emotions-are getting in the way of your objective."

"As your taishou," I note, hating this military term, "I think I ought to decide whether you impede my objectives or not. The truth is, if you were in my way, I'd exterminate you. And you are not ignorant of this, Mari; why you feign stupidity on this matter is beyond even myself.

"However, I am willing to waive my right to kill Taichi, provided that he adheres to the stipulations you yourself outlined. Which you and I both know damned well he won't, so you are thus engaged in an exercise in futility.

"Nevertheless, I like my women fit and frustrated." Miyako rolls her eyes in disgust; I smile, puckering my lips at her. I've stripped her naked several times in my mind.

Mari stares at me in shock. "You mean Taichi's free and clear?"

I nod my affirmation. Mari struts toward the door, comforts Hikari with her amusing beliefs that I intend Taichi's sister no harm, and bounces happily out.

She will return.

==

"I don't like it-staying here while our partners are in danger," growls Exveemon.

"Agreed," adds Aquillamon. We should go in there and free our friends."

Gatomon gives the digimon an understanding look. "I know how you feel, guys; but we have to stick with Miyako's plan."

"What plan?" Ken hisses. "This is a mistake."

"If that's the case, Ken," says Ari, "let's fight."

"Inadvisable." Zed looks down at the anxious crew below. "Neo has announced a truce. I think it's because he doesn't wish to be disturbed while bringing your friends...up to speed." The Stingmon chuckles, while Ken, Yamato, and Ari glare.

"Simply put; Miyako, Daisuke, and Hikari are safe at present. How long they remain in that condition depends on your cooperation. Do not besiege the palace, and your friends will not be harmed."

"Some choice," seethes Yamato. "How about we attack and rescue our friends instead?"

"No," counters Sora. "Innocent digimon are there, plus Neo can get to our friends a lot faster than we could."

"You can't hide behind the innocent forever, you worthless coward."

"Think of me as you choose; my side holds all the winning cards," scoffs Zed.

Until the Stingmon is shoved to the side like unimportant debris.

Another Stingmon observes carefully a troop of Numemon marching inexorably toward the palace.

==

"Rosie, escort her to the Dark Area," commands Neo.

Rosie looks at Neo in a dumbstruck fashion. "Isn't that place dangerous?"

"Only for fools. Try to keep up; Mari has rescinded her command, and her control of you reverts to me. Now take Hikari to the Dark Area."

"What's the Dark Area?" asks Miyako.

"It's where the most powerful agents of darkness dwell, and the location of Hikari's long-delayed nuptials."

"Nuptials? A wedding? To who?"

Neo chuckles, stroking Hikari's cheek. "Hikari knows. And her groom awaits eagerly." He turns to Rosie. "Take her."

Rosie escorts a struggling Hikari out of Neo's bedroom.

==

Don't struggle, kid.

"Please, no! You can't!" The girl, this Hikari, squirms and kicks with all her might. She's worse than Mari having one of her tantrums.

"I have to follow orders, child."

"Rosie, you can't take me there! You can't!" Hikari screams. What is she scared of?

I don't care anymore-she just bit me. "I won't let you!" She pushes me down and runs as fast as she can.

"Get back here!" A simple vine snare ought to hold her. "And quit struggling."

"No!" The girl's sobbing grates my nerves, but I manage to hold her long enough to reach the room that links to the Dark Area. I've heard stories about this place, ever since I first hatched. All of them spooky, scary, or.... I open the door, and start to push Hikari in.

The girl continues to fight, acting like an angry three-year old. "No! I won't go. You can't make me! Let go of me-I don't want this!"

"You're going in, and that's final!" I look inside, noting the peaceful scene of a eerie, black-lit beach. "What's going to happen to you, sunburn?"

"You'd need a sun-now let me go!" Hikari screams again.

Just as I'm about to push her inside, the floor shakes. I could have sworn the entire palace was under attack.

==

"What's going on?" gasps Miyako. I sure hope Exveemon didn't get any bright ideas. Or worse, Ken. Between him and Yamato, the palace would have already been blasted to oblivion. Don't get me wrong-I'm all for a fight-but it'll screw up Miyako's plan. Whatever the hell that is.

Neo, bracing for impact, contacts Yamato. "I thought I made my position clear," he scowls. "This is supposed to be a cease-fire."

"We aren't attacking!" counters Yamato hotly.

"Then who is? Something's trying to knock over my palace."

"I...." Yamato looks offscreen. "I'm not sure what it is, but I'm sure you can get a better visual than I can."

Neo pushes a few keys, and another screen pops up. Showing a giant green blob.

"Daisuke," trembles Miyako, "what the hell is that?"

"I'm damned if I know." The only thing I notice is that the blob chants two words, ad nauseum, in its blitz.

Queen Hikari.