Part Three: For Innocence and Holy Creatures, We're On the Hunt!
Chapter Two: Spirit of Fear, Sun of Darkness.
An unusual phenomenon is attacking my palace, apparently ripping it open piece by piece. And, with no provocation from myself. I conduct a quick scan, discovering that it's a coagulation of many digimon.
But which digimon?
==
"There's something familiar about that thing," says Sora, "but I can't put my finger on it."
"It's saying 'Queen Hikari', if that helps," Yamato adds.
Ken takes out his D3, hooking it to his Wonder Swan. "The scan indicates that our towering blob of goo is a Numemon. Or, to be more exact, a Mass Numemon."
"Mass Numemon...." Yamato processes this carefully. "As in a mass of Numemon. The last time I saw anything like this was back in the old days."
"When we fought Machinedramon," adds Sora.
"That makes sense. Numemon are attracted to energy, so they hang out in mechanized areas like the various Machine Cities," Ken notes.
"But we never saw a Mass Numemon; just some Numemon trying to collect together before they were killed. They tried to protect Hikari...." Sora trails off, realizing a connection.
"Hikari's in danger," scowls Veemon, "and that means our other friends are in danger and we should go in and save them."
"I agree," says Ken.
"No. If Hikari were in danger, then I'd have been with her," counters Gatomon.
"Except you, Hawkmon, and Veemon being away from your partners was part of Miyako's plan. Which we have to accept isn't working. While Neo's doing damage control, we'll go in and free our friends."
"But Mari needs them to stay."
"They did. They agreed to be Neo's prisoners, and they are. It's not their fault that Neo can't keep his captives," Ken smirks.
"Cute, but I doubt Neo would appreciate your logic," notes Sora.
Ken sighs. "Why not? It's just as circular and convoluted as his."
==
The building continues to shake. Surprisingly, no bricks are falling inside; it's as though someone's ripping the palace open trying to find something in here.
Of course, it's not long before a tentacle snakes around my waist. Thankfully, it's an octopus tentacle, rather than the distended penis normally associated with hentai demons.
"I will have my bride, now!" cries a voice from within the Dark Ocean. I consider the fact that an evil digimon wants me to be his mate, and I think I'd rather tangle with the Overfiend at this point.
The monster drags me slowly towards the door leading to the Dark Ocean. I look helplessly at Rosie, who is scared out of her mind.
And the attack on the palace intensifies.
==
Watching Stingmon wing back to his comrades, I note his small increase in power. Does the brat actually think that will save him from me? I shall teach him a lesson...later.
Neo summons me closer to the Mass Numemon, which he has managed to identify.
"Zed," he says, "inform our adversaries of our current armistice. No attack is to occur on the palace, because none of my captives have been harmed."
"So you want them to stop the Mass Numemon?" I smile.
"From attacking the palace, yes. Otherwise, not even you could terminate it."
==
"A Mass Numemon forms when it feels a powerful source of energy is threatened," Ken continues to Gatomon. "Light is a powerful energy source-and a natural source for that overgrown protozoa.
"And Numemon were in contact with Hikari, the Child of Light. They amassed when Hikari was in danger."
"And Hikari's in definite danger now," adds Yamato.
"Only because the Mass Numemon attacks," hisses Zed. "Or have you conveniently forgotten the truce?"
"We didn't sic the Mass Numemon on you, if that's what Neo's thinking."
"It came of its own accord, Zed, and you know it," adds Ari with a scowl.
"And it wouldn't attack," adds Stingmon, "unless it felt it had a reason to." Stingmon turns to Gatomon. "It wouldn't attack unless Hikari was in danger.
"I believe you and Zed both know Hikari's in grave danger, and thus we should end this farce of a truce."
"Miyako would have signaled us somehow," says Gatomon dubiously.
"Miyako doesn't know what Neo threatens Hikari with. Otherwise, she never would have agreed to whatever plan brought her to the palace."
"The plan was to be Neo's captives so Mari could save Taichi's life," says Ken with understanding. "Miyako and Mari both meant well, but Neo has deceived them both.
"Oh, welcome back, Stingmon. What brings you here?"
"I see you have a replacement," Stingmon quips in kind, noting Ari.
"It was Tetsuro's idea, remember?" says Ari.
"Was Ken uncivil?"
"Would he be Ken if he wasn't?" Ari laughs. "He misses you a great deal."
"That wasn't the point of his departure, though," says Ken.
"You may ignore me at your peril, worms," says Zed.
"Sorry, I wasn't aware of you," Stingmon shrugs. "The Mass Numemon takes precedent."
"On that, I partially agree. It must be stopped. Otherwise, the monster's frenzy could destroy everyone in the palace."
"Looks to me like it's only taking the palace apart to find someone," says Yamato. "Could that someone be Hikari?"
Zed does not answer.
"Is it Hikari?" continues Ken to Gatomon. "And who threatens her-is it what I think it is?"
The white feline hangs her head in defeat. "There's nothing we can do."
"Of course there is. You can convince the Mass Numemon to quit attacking," says Neo over the com link, "because Hikari is in no real danger."
"You're lying," says Ken. "You know just as well as I do that a Mass Numemon wouldn't attack unless it felt threatened."
"I have never harmed a Numemon for this precise reason, Ken. A Mass Numemon is invincible when threatened. It will rip the palace apart."
"Until it finds Hikari, and ensures her safety. Happy now, Saiba? You'd better tell your friends to cancel their plans with her, because that's the only way to stop the Mass Numemon, and you know it."
"What friends?" cries Kishi. "What plans?"
"Nothing to worry about," smiles Ken, "because they're cancelled."
==
Ichijouji has me at a loss. I contact Dagomon, informing him of the situation.
"I nearly have her," hisses the demon. "I could have claimed her already if you had an evil digimon carry her within the gate."
"Myotismon has to dispense with Akiyama, remember?" I sigh.
"You should not have sent Rosie, then. Her spirit is not cruel and dark. I have Hikari."
"And I assure you that you will have her again. Consider her release a momentary interruption.
"Have I not served you well, my lord?" I ask incredulously.
Dagomon thinks briefly. "Of course."
"Then please, trust my judgment."
==
The tentacle releases Hikari, thank the digital gods. This whole situation was horrifying. Though not as much as that giant Numemon outside.
Hikari stares a moment. "It's you!" she smiles in a radiance of recognition.
Neo and his captives arrive in the hallway, where a gaping hole in the ceiling reveals the Mass Numemon.
"Hikari," Neo smiles.
"You deceived her!" hisses Hikari.
"Slow down, Hikari; who did he deceive?" asks Miyako.
"Mari."
"Hikari...." Miyako notes the shock and anger on Hikari's face, not to mention a few overeager suction marks. "What happened?"
"Neo tried to send me to the Dark Ocean." With Hikari's terse revelation, her orchid-haired friend turns to Lord Saiba.
"That explains why Mari was clueless about what was happening."
"Come on, Miyako; the Dark Ocean is part of the Dark Area. I told you that's where she was going. She's the bride, and she's late for her wedding."
"To what? An angry bowl of sushi?"
"We're getting out of here!" growls Daisuke.
"Do that. That would permit me to annul my promise to spare Taichi's life."
"Hey, we stuck around. We were your prisoners. There's nothing in your deal with Mari that says we can't escape."
"You're right, Daisuke. And at your departure, the truce is ended, and Zed obliterates your friends outside."
Daisuke smiles crudely a moment. Strange boy. "You underestimate my friends. Let's get the hell out of here!"
"No." Hikari trembles. "He'll just harm the digimon that are imprisoned here. And he'll kill Taichi. That would break Mari's heart."
"If we stay here, Taichi will think you're in danger anyway; if he comes back, then he's dead. So what's the point in playing by Neo's rules?"
"The point is to convince everyone that we're not in any danger," says Miyako slowly.
"That's a lie!"
"No, it's not! Is Neo hurting us right now? No."
"Are we going to wait around for him to hurt us? Especially for him to hurt Hikari?"
"Of course not. If Neo makes one move after Hikari, we blitz him and get out of here. By then, hopefully Taichi's back home."
"Aren't we a bit overconfident?" Neo smiles in amusement.
"Between Dai and myself, you don't stand a chance in a real fight."
"You underrate me, Miyako."
Hikari walks to the Mass Numemon. "I'm alright now; thank you," she smiles.
"Queen Hikari." The blob forms a hand, gently tracing the girl's cheek.
Daisuke, meanwhile, contacts Ken and his other friends outside the palace through Neo's laptop.
==
"Daisuke." Ken has his arms folded. Not good.
"Ken, don't attack. We're okay."
My friend gives me his maniacal laugh. "That's a blatant lie you just attempted to feed me."
"Would I be talking to my favorite onore no bishounen if I was in trouble?" Like Miyako said, we're not in trouble now, and there won't be any if we can help it. "All I'm asking you to do is back off."
"Still think Miyako's plan will work?" Ken smiles softly.
I own up. "Not a chance in hell." Miyako scowls behind me. "But we need to give it a shot, at least for Hikari's sake."
"Very well. As soon as Taichi's out of the digital world--*"
"-we kick Neo's ass," finishes Yamato, hijacking the conversation.
"Yeah-we're ready for him!" adds Veemon. Am I glad to see him-as corny as that sounds.
"But right now, you have to let the Mass Numemon know that Hikari's not in trouble. Hikari's trying to explain, but we have to get it to leave the palace."
"It won't leave the palace because the threat to Hikari is still present," says Stingmon. When did he get back?
"We'll take care of Neo if he tries anything. You always worry too much."
"It's not Neo I'm worried about."
"He won't send Hikari to the Dark Ocean, Stingmon. We won't let him-have a little faith," says Miyako.
"Believe in us," I add.
"Where's Zed?" demands Biyomon. Who cares-good old Paildramon would be more than a match for him.
"He's...closing in on the Mass Numemon!" Ari digivolves. "We have to stop him!"
"From what? Crawling back to his boss?" spits Miyako. "Get the Mass Numemon away from the palace."
"Fine." Ken signs off. Sounded unhappy.
A few minutes later, the Mass Numemon lurches away from the palace. The three of us stand in the hallway, bewildered.
Miyako sighs. "We'd better get back to Neo's quarters; he's probably waiting for us there."
I shrug, turning to leave, when I hear a sound from outside. We whip around, and watch a weird reverse Paildramon fire on the Mass Numemon. I remember that thing, though I've never seen it in my life.
Taichi told me the digimon was called Dinobeemon, Wormmon's natural ultimate. Basically, it would happen if Stingmon was base and Veemon was crest break; or the Stingmon could reach the stage on its own through various means.
The Mass Numemon is deleted.
We run back towards Neo's room, only to run into him and a pack of guards, a Wendigomon and a few Snimon.
"Let's go the other way!" screams Miyako.
"Is the creature neutralized?" Neo asks the Dinobeemon.
"Yes," hisses the monster, watching the digital residue vanish.
"Then revert, seize Hikari, and escort her to the Dark Area. We mustn't waste any more time on this matter."
"No!" I've never seen Hikari this scared. We can't let anything happen to her.
I grab Neo in a headlock. "Back off! I mean it. If any of you make one move towards Hikari, I will wring this yaro's neck like a Shinduramon."
"You had better release me, Daisuke," says Neo.
"Hikari isn't to be harmed, period. Tell your pal in the Dark Ocean the damn wedding's off."
"Guards, forget about me. Conduct a search for Yagami Taichi. If you find him anywhere in the digital world, kill him on sight."
"Yes, Lord Saiba." The Snimon fly off, followed by a now-Antiramon. Meanwhile, the Dinobeemon lands, reverting to Stingmon. Or, to be exact, Zed. I honestly think he's one of the most hated digimon here.
"Stay back," scowls Miyako, standing in front of Hikari. Zed disappears...reappearing behind Hikari.
"Let go of me!" she demands.
"Let go of her!" adds Miyako.
"Then tell Daisuke to release Neo," Zed says.
"You let go of Hikari first." I glare at this lame excuse for a Stingmon, while tightening my grip on Neo's neck. "If Taichi and Hikari go, so does he.
"And you have to face the truth," I smile fiendishly, "this ass is your V-Tamer. You're stuck with him, because Mari's gone, and you won't have half the power you have without him. If you don't have your power, these digimon in Central will own your abdomen.
"A long line around the digital world, Zed. Let go of Hikari, or kiss yourself goodbye." I continue to choke off Neo's air supply.
"You know how to threaten people," says Zed, pushing Hikari towards Miyako. The two girls run behind me and my hostage, standing back to back.
I release Neo, shoving him to the ground. "Learned from the best." No prizes for guessing who.
Miyako looks annoyed at me. "Let's get out of here."
We leave.
==
I stretch to the rising sun, awaking to the smell of...breakfast? I was sleeping on a couch, in a flat...in Tokyo. What the hell am I doing back in Japan?
My stomach growls, telling me I should ask questions after I eat. I don't know where I am, but I notice no TVs anywhere. No radios, nothing. Rice and eggs, some fish, baked nori seed and some miso soup. It's good.
Soon my breakfast's finished; I walk to the living room where I slept and begin cleaning the sparse mess there. A beautiful, freshly showered blonde, with her golden hair clinging perfectly around her shoulders, watches me like an amused goddess. Clad only in a white bath towel.
It's all coming back to me. "Mari, why did you feel the need to kidnap me?" I smile.
"Honestly, Taichi; I would have thought you needed a break. That's all this is, a time out. At least for you."
"And why would Neo feel the need to remove me?"
"Neo? This wasn't Neo's idea, damn it," she scowls. "If Neo had his way, you'd be dead by now. As it so happens, I made a bargain with him."
"Really."
"Yeah. Basically, I get out of his way if he lets you live."
"How considerate. What about my friends, and the digimon?" I ask.
"They can do whatever they want. Have an orgy for all I care."
"They'll be too busy fighting Neo. Sure you can leave him behind?"
"I'm officially discharged from Tamer First Class."
"At least until he needs you again."
Mari smiles. "Neo doesn't need me anymore. And I know you don't like me, so I'm not wasting my energy seducing you."
"As I suspected, you do have a brain." And it's completely oblivious of the fact that, save for lingering concerns about my friends, Agumon, and the fate of the world; I'd jump her bones right now. That is, if she wanted to. I'm a gentleman.
I like her, despite the fact she's kind of stupid in some areas. I don't have a personal grudge against her, aside from her being Neo's little wench. She seems to want to leave that behind.
"You know," I muse, "we could go back to the digital world. You could help us."
"And I'm supposed to expect your friends to accept me with open arms?"
"My best friend tried to kill me. Ken tried to take over a continent. Mimi had me imprisoned. You...didn't do anything to the digital world."
"What!" Mari pounces on me, which is sort of what I wanted. "I had the entire Tonosama Dynasty under my heel."
"Big deal. How do you think Mimi had me imprisoned?"
"She wasn't me." Fall, stupid towel, fall.
I yawn. "I guess this means you're holding me captive at home, right?"
"If you feel that way."
"Thanks for the sentiment, but you and I both know I'm not letting Neo conquer the digital world."
"If you go back, Taichi, Neo will kill you. Let your friends take care of things if you have so much faith in them. Stay here."
"I do have faith in my friends. But they have faith in me, too. We can't betray each other."
"You'd ignore your sister's sacrifice for a point of honor?"
"Hikari...?" What happened to her? If Neo put so much as one finger on her....
Mari looks at me, noting my speechlessness. "She agreed to become Neo's prisoner to help me save your life."
"I didn't ask either of you to save me from Neo. Especially not my imouto-chan. Damn it, I'm supposed to protect her!" Is Mari that blind to Neo's psychosis? "Do you have any idea how much he really hates me?"
"Enough to kill you."
"Mari, Neo would do anything to not merely kill me, but to humiliate, violate, and defile me in the process. I haven't done a thing to Neo to deserve this from him, so tell me: why?"
She stares at me in shock.
"Tell me!"
"I'm not psychic."
It's not her fault, except that she takes Neo at his word. "If anything happens to Hikari, I will hold you responsible."
"You can't go."
"I refuse to leave my sister in his clutches."
"Neo hasn't harmed your sister. He wouldn't. He doesn't even have a lust interest in her."
Baka. "Did you hear a word I said? He hates me. He'd do anything to get to me."
"It's not as though you can get to the digital world from here. No computer with a digiport connection."
"I'll find a way." I leave before she thinks to block the door.
==
What is going on? I call my father for the first time in years. Lately I just haven't had the time.
Papa picks up. "Otousan?" I say in concern.
"I'm alright, Kintaro," starts my dad's voice. I'm so relieved. "...although I'm not available at the moment, I'm glad you called. Please leave your message about the global news reports regarding digimon after the tone."
My father's voice message would be a great case for patricide, except that there's a larger issue at hand. One regarding my own son's apparent inability to trust me. "I just thought it was unusual; digimon attacks and all," I murmur into the phone before hanging up.
What's the use? Of course I can't demand that my son trust me with something that obviously involves him and danger. I could have sworn he told us about a globetrotting adventure with Mimi, but I guess I was wrong.
The phone rings. "Moshi moshi...hello, Yagami-san...Taichi's home already?" Yes, the boy is home. "How's Hikari...she's not with him...can I speak to Taichi, please?"
In a moment, Taichi picks up. "Ichijouji-san?"
"Hai."
"Please pardon my rudeness, but I have to get on the computer to email Yamato. We were actually headed to the Phillipines," Taichi laughs, "but I didn't have enough cash on me to make the full trip, and I need him to wire me some."
"Is that the real reason you're home?"
"It...wasn't my choice, sir," says Taichi honestly. Something's on his mind.
"I'm just worried about my son. Is he alright?"
"Oh, Ken-he's fine. You've got to let your boy live a little. Besides, his friends will protect him from any bad influences."
"More or less, I was thinking about the digimon attacking various cities throughout the world. Hoping Ken wasn't mixed up in it. Sydney, Mexico City, Paris, Moscow, Hong Kong, New York...."
"What the hell?" Taichi hangs up. Whatever I said must have startled him.
==
"Tell us everything you know, Isauharu. We don't have time for you to lie to us." Yamaki scowls, frustration adding a hard edge to his voice.
"I've told you everything. I even gave you every scrap of news footage I have on digimon," Ishida sighs.
"Why is my son involved?" demands Major Akiyama.
"I don't have a clue."
"Damn it! I need to know!" The major's cell phone beeps. "What...? Not now; I'm in the middle of an investigation...monsters attacking Odaiba...need assistance to neutralize? What the hell can I do about a giant Andira...damned if either of us knows, taishou. Akiyama out."
"What's going on, Major?" asks Yamaki.
"You, Makino and Lee use the data you have from Ishida and hack into the network. I want this digital world found. Isauharu-kun, you're coming with me."
"Like I have a choice." Ishida shrugs and walks out of the government building with the major.
Makino--that is, Ruki-stretches, peeved. "The digital world again? I had my time pegged for a Teen-Age Wolves concert."
"Why would you want to go, Ruki?" asks Lee, who fingers his green sunglasses. "Ishida Yamato won't even be onstage."
"I go for the music-I don't care what bishounen is singing it."
"Yamato writes most of the songs," smiles Yamaki. "Enough chit-chat, though-we've got work to do."
"Right," grunts Ruki. "Pass that pepperoni and squid."
Munching their pizza, the two kids begin typing furiously.
==
"Sadly, we'll have to find Taichi later," I assert to a worried Kazenori.
"No way-the Akiyama unit doesn't abandon its own," the Lopmon counters.
"When making decisions like this, you have to ask yourself what's more important: the safety of one of your comrades, or the security of the digital world.
"As head of this team, I elect the latter."
"But Koushirou...."
"Kazenori, Taichi can take care of himself. Now," I finish, "let's concentrate on the objective at hand." That objective being the Chimera Prophecy; its decryption is the key to saving this world once again.
Three angels, a devil, all of light. Two prophets share the same crest. A hero dies for love, a saint lives for redemption. Love of others, redemption of self, true valor twain, and four bright eyes.
Morning star, moonlit waters, noonday sky, nocturnal islands. The star rules the sky, the waters rule the earth. Four angels in flight, one of faith, one of light; one of love, one of night.
Two prophets share the same crest; the lesser gives his life for the moon, the greater gives his life to the earth.
The saint seeks the light for redemption; the hero awaits a king to serve.
Fire and ice, sky and grass, water and rock. Golden soldier without, golden wings within.
Light is borne upon golden wings when thrust from the sun. The sky watches expectantly for the moment of truth. The snake strikes the rose, intent on its death; the rose lives, and crushes the snake in thorns. The sun must protect life, or it will die with life.
That's the prophecy, and it makes no sense. I can't see what this would have to do with a chimera of any kind. But why? Did Kazeyu die to protect meaningless babble from falling into the wrong hands...?
I don't believe it for a second. Cracking my knuckles, I prepare for another round with this conundrum.
Except...I've got mail. Taichi.
==
Taichi finishes his chat session with Koushirou, signing off after getting Agumon back as an attachment. Ichijouji Ari looks on, while the American group of Internationals discuss the problem.
"Phil, why are you still wearing that Green Lantern costume?" groans Lou. "The Big Apple CosPlay Party's been over."
"I just can't believe I lost my digimon," sughs Phil. "And, I was too busy evacuating other people from ground zero."
"We ought to take care of Neo right now, before he can make his next move," says Steve.
"Just give me a computer," says Taichi in English, "and I can take care of business."
"Taichi," Ari counters slowly in Japanese, "if Neo intends to kill you the moment you return to the digital world, you'd be throwing your life away recklessly. Too many depend on you to live."
"My sister's in danger."
"You don't react to danger by rushing in without a plan. No, a crisis demands a plan deliberated on with due caution, and then executed with swift efficiency.
"My grandson's in danger, but you don't see me running to my death."
"Have a little confidence," Taichi smiles. "Neo won't overtake me so easily."
"I don't know about that," grins Michael. "Mari certainly did."
Taichi blushes, but does not deign to respond.
"I just got off an IM chat with Rosa." says Maria. "She says her parents have her locked up tight, and she had to hide Gotsumon under her bed."
"I have Catherine at my flat; she and Floramon are still shaken by the last attack near the Arc." Even over the videophone, Michel Takaishi conveys a look of worry. "Although the other children's digimon were not so lucky to escape Neo's grasp."
[AN: As in, "Arc de Triomphe". Also, I refer to Takeru's grandpa, who is somehow half-French. Le sigh.]
"Why would Neo attack our world?" Taichi wonders aloud. "Unless...."
"Unless he found out about our digimon babysitting gig," finishes Phil.
==
"No...no...Rei, don't go in...don't...no...no...NO!" Takeru jerks from another variant of his nightmare, drenched in his chilled sweat. Patamon watches his partner in worry.
I note a light on Takeru's Wonder Swan. "You've got mail."
Tired and trembling, the blond human answers. "Grand-pere?"
takai_mic: oui
takai_mic: neo found out about the enfants digital
takai_TK: wonderful...magnifique... :rolleyes
takai_mic: other digidestined and chosen lost their digimon
takai_mic: either by capture ou mort de la guerre
takai_mic: quelle horreur, ca...
takai_TK: oui
Takeru logs off. Holds his face in his hands for a moment. Sayuki scampers in with a salute.
The boy smiles. "What is it?"
"The fortress is almost operational, Takeru. We just need a power source to make it fly."
"Are the sentry cameras online?"
"Yep. Check out the control room. Iori sent cameras to every hot spot in the digital world."
"I see." We all follow the Chuumon to the control room.
"We've had some problems lately," notes Iori as we enter. "Neo's palace was attacked by a Mass Numemon. Ken confirmed it in an email. Also, Taichi's gone, and we're not sure how to get him back-but that's a good thing."
"Why?"
"Because various digimon working for Neo are hunting Taichi down."
"Status on the Tonosama Dynasty?"
"Mimi managed to gain Ken-taitei's cooperation." Ken-taitei is the Tonosama Dynasty's supreme emperor, and the ruler over some Gekomon friends of Mimi's. "It wasn't easy, because Ken-sama was infatuated with Mari."
"Palmon battle!" Takeru grins, the first happy smile I've seen on his face today.
"Ken-kun says Mimi kicked ass." Knowing Kai-chan, he helped.
"There's a bigger problem, however," Iori continues seriously. "The Internationals and the Locals lost their digimon and the ones from Primary Central to Neo's forces."
"Except Floramon. Thankfully, my grandfather rescued them. He contacted me this morning."
"The freshies...Neo has them?" Not good. Not. Good. "But how? Someone had to tell the Saiba unit about their transfer." I try to remain calm, banishing all thoughts of what Neo...would do...to them....
"Yes," says Takeru. "We'll get them back, Gotsu; don't worry. Neo's palace was damaged in an attack. Bringing in new captives would be too great a security risk."
"So we have to find Neo's auxiliary installations before he repairs his main base," I continue, grateful for Takeru's eternal optimism.
"All the more reason to find a power source for the fortress," says Takato.
"I agree; Iori's been emailing Koushirou about that."
"I haven't received a response from Koushirou, though," notes Iori.
"Check the control room's inbox," says Armadillomon.
"He wouldn't have emailed that system already...would he?" Iori checks the inbox.
==
FROM: kou_izumi
RE: power source for Fortress Kaitei Dejimon
while I understand the import of making Ken's old base fly, I have received the CP in its entirety. the CP takes precedence over all other matters, because it is the vital key to the defeat of the evil here.
and Neo is a grave threat to the digital world, but he isn't the primary focus.
- Izumi Koushirou
ATCH: gensai18_readme.txt; gensai11_readme.txt; gensai8_errmsg.mov
I open the attachment, somewhat peeved over Koushirou non-concern over this maniac. This had better shed some light.
The first file is info on Neo Saiba that we already know. The second is data on him during his first attempt to take over the digital world. His murder of another V-Tamer, Leo Sigma, is briefly documented. The sick part is that Leo was Neo's own partner.
The third file is a movie. It has a small blond boy sitting on the beach, observing the view.
"Home movies?" I ask the screen. Takeru watches intently.
An Angewomon walks up to the boy, standing beside him. He invites her for a swim in the murky ocean. The digimon declines, shivering.
The boy smiles that faux-incredulous smile we know all too well. He takes off his shoes, rolls up his pant legs, and runs into the ocean, grinning like a normal kid.
"No...." Takeru's murmuring something. "No...don't listen...don't go in, Rei...."
"Who is Rei?" asks Patamon.
"The Angewomon. That boy is her partner."
"Okay," I ask, "so the kid bugs her to swim with him in the ocean, and she doesn't want to because the water's too cold."
"Iori, I wish that were the case," Takeru sighs.
The boy continues to pester and cajole Rei, coaxing her into the ocean with him. Reluctantly, she agrees, gingerly stepping into the water. Smiling, the boy swims out to deeper water; Rei following after him out of worry.
Takeru trembles in a violent rage; Gotsutei and Patamon follow suit. For thin, clawed hands reach from the water and paw Rei viciously; octopus tentacles wrap around the Angewomon, dragging her down into the water.
The boy stands waist-deep in the ocean, dispassionately watching the obscenity before him. Rei struggles in vain against her attackers, the main aggressor being a large octopus digimon.
"What is that thing?" trembles Sayuki.
"Evil," answers Gotsutei flatly.
"But...the Angewomon should have been able to fend him off." Takato stares at the screen in shock. "That monstrosity was only another Ultimate."
"That boy...was Neo," I explain at length, seething in anger. "His digimon trusted him, and Neo threw her to the digital wolves."
"The Dark Ocean's energy is oppressive, but normally a holy digimon's instinct is either to destroy the darkness or avoid it. Neo lowered Rei's awareness and lured her into the Ocean," hisses Takeru, "and at that point, she was powerless against them."
The last scene is of Rei's skeleton rising on an island, a ghastly memorial to the evil that took place. And the beginning of a partnership forged in hell, as the boy Neo kneels before the octopus digimon.
"Like the dream...it's just like the dream...." Briefly, tears fall down Takeru's cheeks.
"Takeru?" Patamon looks to his partner. Who silently walks away. Patamon and Gotsutei leave with him.
==
I just wanted to see some good come out of this. All everyone can see is Neo's death. But in my efforts to do good, I needlessly caused the death of many innocent digimon.
"Miyako, I won't pretend. I don't believe you made the right decision," Ken says calmly.
I sob. "Those poor Numemon. They only wanted to save Hikari. Why did Neo destroy them-why?"
"Short version: he has no sense of compassion. And without compassion, even love loses its meaning."
"Simply put, love can't exist without compassion," says Daisuke.
"Don't beat yourself up, especially over matters outside your sphere of control," warns Ken. "That's the worst thing you can do."
"I may have to accept death, just like everyone else does," I hiss slowly, "but I'm not obligated to like it."
"No one likes death."
"You all could have fooled me. You and Yamato were probably ready to blitz the place."
"I can't speak for Ken, but I'm willing to kill this nutcase if it means saving innocent lives," scowls Yamato.
"How do you figure that?" asks Ken, glaring at me.
"Forget it." It doesn't matter what I say; they all think Neo's death is going to solve this mess. I won't pretend that his death wouldn't make things easier, but Neo's death won't stop evil either.
No...evil will just find another person to use. I look towards Hikari, who dreams fretfully.
==
Get away...stay away...I don't want you. I want nothing to do with you.
"Get out of my mind! Stay the hell away from me!" I scream aloud, startling even myself. Not to mention my friend and J-partner Miyako, fresh from an argument with Ken. Who sits with her, both having concern for me.
Ken gives me the smirk. "That bad?" he asks.
"I have a headache."
"I can't believe that onore Neo tried to send you to the Dark Ocean," pouts Miyako. "Doesn't he know--*"
Ken puts a hand to her lips, still smiling. "He knows. Neo knows all about the Dark Ocean." The indigo-haired kid traces Miyako's lips, allowing his arms to circle gracefully around her waist. I've never seen such blatant efforts at flirting in my whole life. But Miyako's so distraught she doesn't even notice.
"Hikari," says Miyako, "I'm right here. If there's a problem, you know I'm here for you."
"Miyako. I know you're always here for me." I smile sadly, stroking her cheek. Because this is one battle even she can't fight. "But you can't save me. No one can save me from him."
"Who is he?" asks Ken.
"The underwater ruler of the Dark Ocean. He's after me, and I think you can guess what he wants...."
"What he wants?" balks Yamato. I nod hesitantly. "Tell him to put an ad online."
"It's no use," I sigh. "I'm trying to fight him, but this time he won't let go. And none of you can help me."
"Not even Taichi?" wonders Sora.
"No; not even him."
"Maybe we shouldn't try to avoid the Dark Ocean," says Miyako. "Instead, we should go in and take out the evil that's trying to hurt Hikari."
"No way. It was like wringing out our brains just to push Demon in there three years ago," says Daisuke. "I have a better idea-let's call the whole team together while we still can. I'm starting with Ryo, who's probably still worried about me.
"Don't worry, Hikari. Miracles can happen."
I hope so, Dai; I hope so.
==
akiyama_01: hope this teaches you not to wander off
gogoru_02: nice to know you were worried about me :rolleyes
Baka. I continue typing.
akiyama_01: what's your position
gogoru_02: outside saiba city
gogoru_02: hikari-ken-yamato-sora-miyako and their digimon are all with me, wormmon's back after a brief absence
akiyama_01: [sigh] any word from BT
That's Baihu Team: Taichi, Koushirou, Kazenori, Tentomon, and Agumon.
gogoru_02: kou sent some mass email with an attachment telling us not to bother him about fort kaideji
Fortress Kaitei Dejimon, the name we gave Ken's old floating base. It's nearly complete; just needs something to make it fly again.
gogoru_02: because he's working overtime on CP
Chimera Prophecy, very complicated. I understand Koushirou's frustration.
akiyama_01: FiD
File Island Delegation.
gogoru_02: Half of FiD is with me and ScyST, hikari had a rough time
gogoru_02: a psycho octopus digimon from the DO/DA wants to marry her :x
thinkpink_mimi: we got the taitei up to speed
dr_kido: thank the gods
thinkpink_mimi: we've got their full support
akiyama_01: thanks for the update :) we need all the help we can get
akiyama_01: i know how lame that sounds but it's true
akiyama_01: from takeru's email i guess we have EC's general support
tmpl_1_taitei: of course B)
tmpl_1_taitei: we also have the support of GTmpl and NC as well as the stingmon corps
akiyama_01: they want the same target, of course they'd reluctantly help us :rolleyes
gogoru_02: help is help REM
garou_yamato: besides they trained stingmon
tmpl_1_taitei: and get this-they came to him
akiyama_01: wish i could say the same
akiyama_01: kitsune's full support i've got, SuC and Zukow's support i don't
gogoru_02: why would she support someone who thinks he's a loser :/
gogoru_02: and who has no personal stake in winning this, think about it
Daisuke signs off before I can flood the Wonder Swan ethernet with vile expletives. I don't even know what he's getting at.
Then again, what personal stake do I have? I'm a soldier doing a job to the best of my ability.... That felt so cold.
No one can afford to know my feelings. As the commanding officer of this unit, I can't allow my emotions to override my judgment. Otherwise, I'd rush into a battle stupidly wondering what monster's trying to hurt Hikari.
And where the hell is Taichi-on a vacation? Usually he has something to say when we IM-tag each other, and he'd certainly protect his sister.
tai_8gami: i've got some bad news
Speak of the devil with big hair.
akiyama_01: what is it
tai_8gami: who am i kidding-lots of bad news
tai_8gami: our world got blitzed and not only did neo capture the freshies
Damn it.
tai_8gami: but he either caught or killed the internationals' digimon
tai_8gami: plus your dad and his hacker flunkie found out about the digital world, it's only a matter of time before they crack koushirou and gennai's defenses with that juggernaut thing
akiyama_01: where the hell are you
tai_8gami: in Odaiba library hiding from ken's dad, he will kill me if he finds me
tai_8gami: that and mari ratted on me to my parents so they won't let me near the computer to get back
akiyama_01: so they know we're in danger
tai_8gami: our cover's nearly blown, of course all of this is mari's fault
tai_8gami: she found out about Fresh X when FiD went to Tonosama Capital
tai_8gami: and abducted me so i can't come back to the digital world
tai_8gami: except...you're a tamer-do you have a t3
akiyama_01: no, a t1 that doesn't even work well except as a basic interface with the WS
tai_8gami: then open this file once it downloads to your laptop
:: tai_8gami sends cardgrid_12.exe ::
I open the file to find the card grid that Taichi's adept at using.
akiyama_01: what do you want me to do
tai_8gami: open the portal to our world using the grid when i email you again, i'll be at the area where my friends and i were camping six years ago
tai_8gami: hopefully i can return to the digital world through there
akiyama_01: you mean where every one of your parents came with your family three years ago
akiyama_01: negative, besides i found a nearby portal that should take you to central
akiyama_01: it's right outside your apartment
tai_8gami: D :rolleyes makes sense
tai_8gami: just have to make it there before my parents do
akiyama_01: do it
akiyama_wuukong: i'll meet taichi there
What the hell? Yamaki's crew of Linux lovers must be getting paid double salary for that to slip past the firewall. Better erect another-fast.
- gennai_502: you have no permission to talk, goodbye
:: unauthorized application attempting to open in WSIM: yugoth_001.exe ::
Block. Block. That's Yamaki's stupid Juggernaut program.
:: unauthorized macro attempting to open in WSIM: yugoth_001.bat ::
Juggie mutated into a .bat file. Great.
Wait a minute; I've got the wildest idea....
==
Ryo emails a Vs. Online matchup. My created game fighters against...this time, Juggernaut. Wow.
Aside from baseball and Blue Seed, online gaming is the most fun thing I do. Ryo's the coolest oniisan in the whole world.
Of course, if my opponent created the Juggernaut, there's no sense in attacking him head-to-head. Nope, better blitz him with all my heavy-hitters.
One full-scale assault from Wolverine, 8-Man, Rockman, Piccolo, Tenshinhan, and Kuwabara coming up.
==
Not Vs. Online; not now. I type a command to have Juggernaut ignore these stupid game files and focus on Gennai. We've gotten through the first layer, but until we open the digital world, we haven't done our job.
"Makino, challenge Akane to a fight," I order Ruki. "She's clearly being used to distract Juggernaut and give Gennai enough time to make another firewall."
"You mean you want me to have fun?"
"Yes-go all out, but remember-she's nine."
"I'll be careful," Ruki smiles. She and Akane are rivals in Vs. Online.
==
I make it outside my apartment, and after emailing Ryo, I point my digivice to the sky.
Ryo should have the portal open by now. Agumon reverts to Koromon, leaping into my free arm. I hold him, making sure I don't lose him again.
Uh-oh. Mari's running towards me from one side, with my parents right behind her. From the other side are some Self-Defense Force soldiers, led by a guy bearing an odd resemblance to Ryo.
==
Ryo sets up the cards in their proper order, opening the portal.
"Ryo, we have a problem," says Zeromaru.
"I'm well aware that I have to figure out a way to pull Taichi in. I've almost got it...."
"No, taishou; we have a bigger problem."
Ryo turns his head, Walther Shot cocked. He sees the problem.
"Myotismon."
"Indeed," smiles the vampire. "I have come to kill you. Nothing personal. You are merely an obstacle to a joyous event in the Dark Area."
"What do you mean?" Ryo asks.
"Hikari's wedding to the lord of the Dark Ocean."
"Dagomon? She's Dagomon's Chosen Bride?" demands Zeromaru. Myotismon nods. "There's no way a wonderful girl like her would ever consent to being the bride of old Octopus Atama-chan."
"She will consent...after he has claimed her."
"Then we both know that I won't allow that to happen." Ryo takes out his cards. "Zero, get ready." Ryo fires a pulse beam from the Walther Shot to activate the portal to Taichi's apartment. He and Zero then attack Myotismon.
==
"Wait!" The Yagami kid and his digimon float into the sky, heading into the digital world. "I demand an explanation.
"Come back here!" shouts his father angrily.
His mother stares into the sky a moment before holding her husband back. "You know we can't follow him. We can't even help him in any other way except to support him."
Ichijouji-san merely scowls.
Mari swipes a card through a device. "Card slash. Leaf card. Kuwagatamushi-zan." She disappears.
I call Yamaki. "Status."
"The digital world's native program has a strong .bat file, as well as a good .exe file. Self-extracting, self-replicating; you name it.
"Plus, the kids have a computer nut on their team. And you have to remember that Ryo's no slouch at this either. He got Akane's Vs. Online Team to mug Juggernaut; Ruki's fighting them off."
"What this basically means is that we're of no use to our kids. Wonderful. What wonderful chikuso." I smile ruefully, noting that my son will rue the day he elected to deceive me. Though I doubt the world tour bit was his idea.
The portal vanishes. "I need a drink," grunts Ichijouji-san.
"Once we go home," says his wife, "we can calm our nerves with some green tea."
"I. Want. Sake. Strong sake." You and me both, Kintaro.
I smile. "Yamaki, keep us posted. I'm taking the Ichijoujis, the Yagamis, and Isauharu-kun to my house."
"Roger that, Major." Yamaki hangs up, and I beckon the parents to hop into my van.
==
Defenses are back up, utilizing Taomon force fields since our Numemon friends decided remodeling was necessary. My spies report that Koushirou's heading to our enemy's position outside the city. Mari should return to Central within fifteen minutes; Taichi should engage his welcoming committee in moments.
However, since Koushirou has the Chimera Prophecy, I'd best awaken my pet project before he and his friends can take advantage of it.
Myotismon has engaged Akiyama and Zeromaru.
==
"We're surrounded," gasps Agumon.
"Neo thinks of everything," Taichi smiles wryly, noting the Antiramon and pack of Snimon.
"Your fight isn't with them, Yagami." Mari and Rosie stand together. Rosie fires her Rose Buster Rifle, exterminating the three Snimon.
The Antiramon dodges the blast. "What are you doing? I'm a soldier of the Saiba unit!"
"Not anymore. Now you're data fragments," Mari replies coolly. Binding the Antiramon, Rosie fires the Rose Buster into the ultimate; deleting him.
"What.... Mari, what the hell did you do that for?" demands Taichi.
"I didn't want you to waste energy on them. You're going to need it all."
"You could have let them go."
"I could have let Neo kill you too, but that's not what I want. Since you insist on dying, though; I'll just kill you myself. After Rosie terminates that sorry excuse for a partner digimon.
"You could have at least had Zero for this little rematch."
"Rematch. Makes sense, considering I beat you last time. If it's a battle you want, Watanabe; you got it.
"Agumon, don't waste the ladies' time." At Taichi's word, Wargreymon appears on the scene.
"Guess this will be more fun than we thought, Mari."
"Rosie, stay focused."
The titans clash.
==
Koushirou sent us a deck of data cards with Kazenori. It has several bits of information, including the lost digimental of Kindness. We also have three tags and two crest chambers out of the deal.
I'm not sure about the other items, but the Kindness digimental should make the base fly if we can get it to resonate with Ken. Iori's contacting him now.
"Takeru, Ryo's in trouble. An ultimate viral has engaged him in battle," says a Gazimon.
"Who?" I ask.
"I think Myotismon, but he should be dead."
That psycho has the longevity of a cockroach. "What's their position?"
"He was headed toward Central."
"Our taishou's in danger?" Kazenori gasps.
"Let me at him!" yells Sayuki.
"Hold on," counters Iori. "Last time we engaged him, he was a huge, powerful beast named Belialmyotismon. Let's use the scanners to see what Ryo's fighting now."
The viewer is on, and I see Zero tangling with Myotismon, back to his Interview With The Vampire mode. "Myotismon's still dangerous," I smile in relief, "but not unbeatable. Ryo can take him easy. Our main objective is to get to our friends in Central; we'll meet Ryo there.
==
"What the hell was that?" I run toward the source of the sound, beckoning the others to follow me.
"Yamato, where are we going?" asks Sora. I don't answer; I keep running. Garurumon nudges me so he can give me a lift, following Daisuke and Raidramon's lead.
We reach the epicenter. "A Tamer battle," says Ken. "We can't interfere."
"Why are they fighting?" balks Miyako.
Hikari sees the two Tamers in question. "Taichi! What are you doing?" Wargreymon and Rosemon are in a huge one-on-one war, neither digimon gaining the upper hand.
"We have to stop them, don't we?"
"No. This fight is between Taichi and Mari," Ken counters. "As long as Taichi keeps this in mind, we should be okay."
"What happens if he forgets?" Miyako asks.
"Let's just hope we don't have to cross that bridge." Ken opens an email from Iori, types in some data, and sends it back.
Neo arrives on the battlefield with Zed. "It appears you couldn't keep Taichi away, Mari," he smiles indulgently. I want to wipe that sorry grin off his face.
"Taichi, catch!" Daisuke tosses the goggles off his head. Taichi snags them, placing them on his head.
"What did you send Iori?" I ask Ken.
"He needed some of my data to make Fort Kaideji fly; I sent a DNA key."
"I see." I watch the battle between my friend and the object of his unrequited affection rage on. Hikari trembles; she's never seen Taichi in this combative a state. Of course, she only witnessed one of our fights.
==
"You want more punishment, Zeromaru?" smirks Myotismon. Zero and I pant heavily. Even as an ultimate, Myotismon's a tough opponent.
"Not bad, bat boy," Zero grunts. "Ryo, let's show him what we can really do." What is he talking about? We did everything we could. Not even his Gold mode could wear Myotsimon out.
"I think we need to fall back," I say.
"Yes, Ryo; you and Zeromaru run like the weaklings you are," the vampire quips.
Zero's angry; I can tell. "We can't let him get away with that!"
"I'm not concerned about the false opinion of an anemic loser like him. Our main objective is to reach Central. Myotismon is inconsequential."
"Am I? Or do you simply realize that you can't fight me?" smirks the bat man again.
"Don't let him bait you, Zero-we don't have the time." I look up, and thankfully, a giant stone fortress floats overhead. "We have important business to take care of."
Zero glares at Myotismon, gold eyes smoldering. "Later. We finish you." We board Fortress Kaitei Dejimon.
==
Myotismon watches the fortress leave. "I'll be waiting."
==
Mimi, Palmon, Gomamon and Jyou are onboard, with a few Gekomon. Koushirou, Tentomon, and three Impmon calling themselves the Impmon Five are here too, from a stop in Western. Each came with a digicore from Xuanwumon and Baihumon, respectively. We have another of Qinglongmon's cores, and Ryo's emailing Zhuqiaomon for her digicore. No luck on his end.
"What do we need the digicores for?" asks Mimi.
"They're connected to the Prophecy," Koushirou says, still trying to crack the Prophecy's meaning itself.
"What did Zhu-hime say to you, soldier boy?" grins Tetsuro, the leader of the Impmon Three of Five.
"She said I already have what I need, and that I need to use it." Ryo growls in frustration. "Quite frankly, I don't understand what the hell she's talking about."
"I need someone to help Gennai stop the hackers outside from breaching the digital gate." Koushirou sighs. "I can't crack the CP and keep the firewall up at the same time."
"I know. Maybe if we let Yamaki and his team in on everything, we can persuade them to keep our families out of this."
"Sending the IM."
"We're at Central," announces a Gotsumon.
"Maintain this position, and keep the cloak up. We don't want Neo to know where we came from," says Takeru, who's really taken command of this operation.
"Aye." The Gotsumon salutes; we exit the ship via several Airdramon and a Pegasusmon.
==
I note shadows cast, and appearing from the sky is my enemy's cavalry. One of the Airdramon riders is Akiyama.
"A Tamer battle is below," I tell him. "Don't interfere."
Akiyama nods. "I won't if you won't, Saiba."
The battle between Mari and Taichi escalates, each Tamer fueled by their own rage and despair. They should be slashing soon. Card slashing, that is.
==
Taichi's taking out a card. The Virus Bonder card. Sure, it'll increase Wargreymon's fighting ability, but it also increases his chances of going skull.
"You trust me, don't you, Wargreymon?" Taichi asks. He's going to do it.
"Of course, Taichi." Wargreymon wonders why his partner would even have to ask.
"Then I beg you to forgive me." Taichi readies his T1. "Card slash. V-bonder. War Double Joint."
Mari counters. "Card slash. Moon card, Sun card, joint progress. Omni Eclipse." Rather than boost Rosie, this move blocks light. I don't like this. I don't like where it's going. Not. At. All.
==
"Where'd Imperialdramon come from?" wonders Daisuke.
"Don't look at us," shrugs Veemon. Wormmon blinks cluelessly.
"Forget about where he came from!" says Ken. "He's attacking Wargreymon."
"Do you really think you can stop Zeromaru?" hisses Zed.
"That's Zero?" asks Miyako.
"In a way, yes. In a way, no. He's in a viral mode."
Ryo rushes down to stop them. "Where are you going?" demands Ken, held back by Neo.
"Ryo," smiles Neo, "is merely trying to maintain the integrity of the battle by keeping Zero out of it."
Ken breaks Neo's grip, punching him. "What do you know of integrity?"
"Good point." Neo wipes the blood from his chin. "We need to make the battle interesting."
==
"Zero! Zeromaru, I mean it! Get out of there now."
Zeromaru answers this by powering up his Giga Death.
"You can't fire that at Taichi and Wargreymon. This is their battle. Wargreymon is still in control, but he won't be if you provoke him."
"Then I'd better obliterate him before that happens," Zero hisses.
"That's a negative. Power down, Zero."
"Fine. I'll just take him out." Zero stops the Giga Death and charges after Wargreymon. The two grapple, Zero hitting Fighter Mode."
Taichi is relentless. "Take Zero out. This isn't his fight." Wargreymon twists Zeromaru away with a Brave Tornado.
I've had enough. "Zero, get off the battlefield."
"No. You leave, Ryo. I don't want you harmed."
"I'm not leaving." This is despite the Gaiaforce attack Wargreymon's setting up. Taichi slashes his Sun card, and Wargreymon lets loose. Shakkoumon is blocked by some of Neo's troops, but I don't think even he could absorb that much energy....
Amazingly, I'm alive. Not even a scratch. But...Zeromaru....
Zero opens his beady black eyes, in his fresh form. "I look cavity-inducing, don't I?" he moans. I smile in relief. He'll be okay, thank the gods.
I take him off the battlefield; Wargreymon and Rosie continue fighting as though we never cut in.
==
The battle intensifies as the two combatants nail each other with lethal blows, each nastier than the last. Both Tamers are succumbing to the darkness in their hearts. Yamato and Sora moan in subdued agony; Hikari and I tremble, sensing the dark powers more acutely. Takeru curls his fist, frustrated at his powerlessness.
Neo smiles, a deep smile of satisfaction. The others stare, transfixed at the battle that may well determine the fate of the digital world.
Taichi slashes a succession of cards, ending with the Death card. Mari counters with her own slew of slashes, starting with the Life card.
Ending with the Dark card.
"No!" Hikari screams, crumpling to the ground. The sky has darkened; this place feels just like the Dark Ocean. My head hurts.
"Surrender to it, Ken," Neo says. "It's the only way the pain will stop."
"I'd rather join my brother," I smirk. Really, I would rather die than join the darkness.
"There is no escape."
"Shut up."
My vision becomes blurred as the darkness begins to overwhelm the atmosphere. I can faintly see glares of hatred from Taichi and Mari. It feels so cold...so cold....
A brief shadow of warmth, as I glimpse a fleeting train of orchid. Miyako's hair...Miyako? Where is she going?
I bolt up, trying to find out where that impulsive twit ran off to. Meanwhile, Rosie and Wargreymon fire their most powerful attacks.
No. She wouldn't...she couldn't....
A faint shriek is heard; the battling Tamers snap back to normal a moment too late. Miyako was caught in their digimon's crossfire.
I rush to the scene, followed by the others. Taichi's shaken. Mari sobs, running away. Miyako's body lies there, still and motionless. It's like she's sleeping.
Except she has no pulse.
Hikari stands in mute shock, while Ryo hangs his head in shame. Hawkmon trembles, helpless at the sight. Myotismon descends into our midst.
Zero tugs at Ryo's leg. "No, Ryo. Don't go. Don't."
"You're better off." Ryo enters a void Myotismon opens, and the sick digimon follows him inside.
Neo escorts Hikari towards Saiba City; Hikari doesn't resist. Yamato, Jyou, Mimi and Sora chase after Mari; Daisuke, Takeru and Iori stay with Taichi. Koushirou emails someone; Zed and the rest of Neo's troops disperse.
I cradle Miyako's body in my arms, tracing her cheek and putting her hair back in place. I don't understand this reaction from my friends.
Miyako isn't dead. I refuse to believe that she is.
Chapter Two: Spirit of Fear, Sun of Darkness.
An unusual phenomenon is attacking my palace, apparently ripping it open piece by piece. And, with no provocation from myself. I conduct a quick scan, discovering that it's a coagulation of many digimon.
But which digimon?
==
"There's something familiar about that thing," says Sora, "but I can't put my finger on it."
"It's saying 'Queen Hikari', if that helps," Yamato adds.
Ken takes out his D3, hooking it to his Wonder Swan. "The scan indicates that our towering blob of goo is a Numemon. Or, to be more exact, a Mass Numemon."
"Mass Numemon...." Yamato processes this carefully. "As in a mass of Numemon. The last time I saw anything like this was back in the old days."
"When we fought Machinedramon," adds Sora.
"That makes sense. Numemon are attracted to energy, so they hang out in mechanized areas like the various Machine Cities," Ken notes.
"But we never saw a Mass Numemon; just some Numemon trying to collect together before they were killed. They tried to protect Hikari...." Sora trails off, realizing a connection.
"Hikari's in danger," scowls Veemon, "and that means our other friends are in danger and we should go in and save them."
"I agree," says Ken.
"No. If Hikari were in danger, then I'd have been with her," counters Gatomon.
"Except you, Hawkmon, and Veemon being away from your partners was part of Miyako's plan. Which we have to accept isn't working. While Neo's doing damage control, we'll go in and free our friends."
"But Mari needs them to stay."
"They did. They agreed to be Neo's prisoners, and they are. It's not their fault that Neo can't keep his captives," Ken smirks.
"Cute, but I doubt Neo would appreciate your logic," notes Sora.
Ken sighs. "Why not? It's just as circular and convoluted as his."
==
The building continues to shake. Surprisingly, no bricks are falling inside; it's as though someone's ripping the palace open trying to find something in here.
Of course, it's not long before a tentacle snakes around my waist. Thankfully, it's an octopus tentacle, rather than the distended penis normally associated with hentai demons.
"I will have my bride, now!" cries a voice from within the Dark Ocean. I consider the fact that an evil digimon wants me to be his mate, and I think I'd rather tangle with the Overfiend at this point.
The monster drags me slowly towards the door leading to the Dark Ocean. I look helplessly at Rosie, who is scared out of her mind.
And the attack on the palace intensifies.
==
Watching Stingmon wing back to his comrades, I note his small increase in power. Does the brat actually think that will save him from me? I shall teach him a lesson...later.
Neo summons me closer to the Mass Numemon, which he has managed to identify.
"Zed," he says, "inform our adversaries of our current armistice. No attack is to occur on the palace, because none of my captives have been harmed."
"So you want them to stop the Mass Numemon?" I smile.
"From attacking the palace, yes. Otherwise, not even you could terminate it."
==
"A Mass Numemon forms when it feels a powerful source of energy is threatened," Ken continues to Gatomon. "Light is a powerful energy source-and a natural source for that overgrown protozoa.
"And Numemon were in contact with Hikari, the Child of Light. They amassed when Hikari was in danger."
"And Hikari's in definite danger now," adds Yamato.
"Only because the Mass Numemon attacks," hisses Zed. "Or have you conveniently forgotten the truce?"
"We didn't sic the Mass Numemon on you, if that's what Neo's thinking."
"It came of its own accord, Zed, and you know it," adds Ari with a scowl.
"And it wouldn't attack," adds Stingmon, "unless it felt it had a reason to." Stingmon turns to Gatomon. "It wouldn't attack unless Hikari was in danger.
"I believe you and Zed both know Hikari's in grave danger, and thus we should end this farce of a truce."
"Miyako would have signaled us somehow," says Gatomon dubiously.
"Miyako doesn't know what Neo threatens Hikari with. Otherwise, she never would have agreed to whatever plan brought her to the palace."
"The plan was to be Neo's captives so Mari could save Taichi's life," says Ken with understanding. "Miyako and Mari both meant well, but Neo has deceived them both.
"Oh, welcome back, Stingmon. What brings you here?"
"I see you have a replacement," Stingmon quips in kind, noting Ari.
"It was Tetsuro's idea, remember?" says Ari.
"Was Ken uncivil?"
"Would he be Ken if he wasn't?" Ari laughs. "He misses you a great deal."
"That wasn't the point of his departure, though," says Ken.
"You may ignore me at your peril, worms," says Zed.
"Sorry, I wasn't aware of you," Stingmon shrugs. "The Mass Numemon takes precedent."
"On that, I partially agree. It must be stopped. Otherwise, the monster's frenzy could destroy everyone in the palace."
"Looks to me like it's only taking the palace apart to find someone," says Yamato. "Could that someone be Hikari?"
Zed does not answer.
"Is it Hikari?" continues Ken to Gatomon. "And who threatens her-is it what I think it is?"
The white feline hangs her head in defeat. "There's nothing we can do."
"Of course there is. You can convince the Mass Numemon to quit attacking," says Neo over the com link, "because Hikari is in no real danger."
"You're lying," says Ken. "You know just as well as I do that a Mass Numemon wouldn't attack unless it felt threatened."
"I have never harmed a Numemon for this precise reason, Ken. A Mass Numemon is invincible when threatened. It will rip the palace apart."
"Until it finds Hikari, and ensures her safety. Happy now, Saiba? You'd better tell your friends to cancel their plans with her, because that's the only way to stop the Mass Numemon, and you know it."
"What friends?" cries Kishi. "What plans?"
"Nothing to worry about," smiles Ken, "because they're cancelled."
==
Ichijouji has me at a loss. I contact Dagomon, informing him of the situation.
"I nearly have her," hisses the demon. "I could have claimed her already if you had an evil digimon carry her within the gate."
"Myotismon has to dispense with Akiyama, remember?" I sigh.
"You should not have sent Rosie, then. Her spirit is not cruel and dark. I have Hikari."
"And I assure you that you will have her again. Consider her release a momentary interruption.
"Have I not served you well, my lord?" I ask incredulously.
Dagomon thinks briefly. "Of course."
"Then please, trust my judgment."
==
The tentacle releases Hikari, thank the digital gods. This whole situation was horrifying. Though not as much as that giant Numemon outside.
Hikari stares a moment. "It's you!" she smiles in a radiance of recognition.
Neo and his captives arrive in the hallway, where a gaping hole in the ceiling reveals the Mass Numemon.
"Hikari," Neo smiles.
"You deceived her!" hisses Hikari.
"Slow down, Hikari; who did he deceive?" asks Miyako.
"Mari."
"Hikari...." Miyako notes the shock and anger on Hikari's face, not to mention a few overeager suction marks. "What happened?"
"Neo tried to send me to the Dark Ocean." With Hikari's terse revelation, her orchid-haired friend turns to Lord Saiba.
"That explains why Mari was clueless about what was happening."
"Come on, Miyako; the Dark Ocean is part of the Dark Area. I told you that's where she was going. She's the bride, and she's late for her wedding."
"To what? An angry bowl of sushi?"
"We're getting out of here!" growls Daisuke.
"Do that. That would permit me to annul my promise to spare Taichi's life."
"Hey, we stuck around. We were your prisoners. There's nothing in your deal with Mari that says we can't escape."
"You're right, Daisuke. And at your departure, the truce is ended, and Zed obliterates your friends outside."
Daisuke smiles crudely a moment. Strange boy. "You underestimate my friends. Let's get the hell out of here!"
"No." Hikari trembles. "He'll just harm the digimon that are imprisoned here. And he'll kill Taichi. That would break Mari's heart."
"If we stay here, Taichi will think you're in danger anyway; if he comes back, then he's dead. So what's the point in playing by Neo's rules?"
"The point is to convince everyone that we're not in any danger," says Miyako slowly.
"That's a lie!"
"No, it's not! Is Neo hurting us right now? No."
"Are we going to wait around for him to hurt us? Especially for him to hurt Hikari?"
"Of course not. If Neo makes one move after Hikari, we blitz him and get out of here. By then, hopefully Taichi's back home."
"Aren't we a bit overconfident?" Neo smiles in amusement.
"Between Dai and myself, you don't stand a chance in a real fight."
"You underrate me, Miyako."
Hikari walks to the Mass Numemon. "I'm alright now; thank you," she smiles.
"Queen Hikari." The blob forms a hand, gently tracing the girl's cheek.
Daisuke, meanwhile, contacts Ken and his other friends outside the palace through Neo's laptop.
==
"Daisuke." Ken has his arms folded. Not good.
"Ken, don't attack. We're okay."
My friend gives me his maniacal laugh. "That's a blatant lie you just attempted to feed me."
"Would I be talking to my favorite onore no bishounen if I was in trouble?" Like Miyako said, we're not in trouble now, and there won't be any if we can help it. "All I'm asking you to do is back off."
"Still think Miyako's plan will work?" Ken smiles softly.
I own up. "Not a chance in hell." Miyako scowls behind me. "But we need to give it a shot, at least for Hikari's sake."
"Very well. As soon as Taichi's out of the digital world--*"
"-we kick Neo's ass," finishes Yamato, hijacking the conversation.
"Yeah-we're ready for him!" adds Veemon. Am I glad to see him-as corny as that sounds.
"But right now, you have to let the Mass Numemon know that Hikari's not in trouble. Hikari's trying to explain, but we have to get it to leave the palace."
"It won't leave the palace because the threat to Hikari is still present," says Stingmon. When did he get back?
"We'll take care of Neo if he tries anything. You always worry too much."
"It's not Neo I'm worried about."
"He won't send Hikari to the Dark Ocean, Stingmon. We won't let him-have a little faith," says Miyako.
"Believe in us," I add.
"Where's Zed?" demands Biyomon. Who cares-good old Paildramon would be more than a match for him.
"He's...closing in on the Mass Numemon!" Ari digivolves. "We have to stop him!"
"From what? Crawling back to his boss?" spits Miyako. "Get the Mass Numemon away from the palace."
"Fine." Ken signs off. Sounded unhappy.
A few minutes later, the Mass Numemon lurches away from the palace. The three of us stand in the hallway, bewildered.
Miyako sighs. "We'd better get back to Neo's quarters; he's probably waiting for us there."
I shrug, turning to leave, when I hear a sound from outside. We whip around, and watch a weird reverse Paildramon fire on the Mass Numemon. I remember that thing, though I've never seen it in my life.
Taichi told me the digimon was called Dinobeemon, Wormmon's natural ultimate. Basically, it would happen if Stingmon was base and Veemon was crest break; or the Stingmon could reach the stage on its own through various means.
The Mass Numemon is deleted.
We run back towards Neo's room, only to run into him and a pack of guards, a Wendigomon and a few Snimon.
"Let's go the other way!" screams Miyako.
"Is the creature neutralized?" Neo asks the Dinobeemon.
"Yes," hisses the monster, watching the digital residue vanish.
"Then revert, seize Hikari, and escort her to the Dark Area. We mustn't waste any more time on this matter."
"No!" I've never seen Hikari this scared. We can't let anything happen to her.
I grab Neo in a headlock. "Back off! I mean it. If any of you make one move towards Hikari, I will wring this yaro's neck like a Shinduramon."
"You had better release me, Daisuke," says Neo.
"Hikari isn't to be harmed, period. Tell your pal in the Dark Ocean the damn wedding's off."
"Guards, forget about me. Conduct a search for Yagami Taichi. If you find him anywhere in the digital world, kill him on sight."
"Yes, Lord Saiba." The Snimon fly off, followed by a now-Antiramon. Meanwhile, the Dinobeemon lands, reverting to Stingmon. Or, to be exact, Zed. I honestly think he's one of the most hated digimon here.
"Stay back," scowls Miyako, standing in front of Hikari. Zed disappears...reappearing behind Hikari.
"Let go of me!" she demands.
"Let go of her!" adds Miyako.
"Then tell Daisuke to release Neo," Zed says.
"You let go of Hikari first." I glare at this lame excuse for a Stingmon, while tightening my grip on Neo's neck. "If Taichi and Hikari go, so does he.
"And you have to face the truth," I smile fiendishly, "this ass is your V-Tamer. You're stuck with him, because Mari's gone, and you won't have half the power you have without him. If you don't have your power, these digimon in Central will own your abdomen.
"A long line around the digital world, Zed. Let go of Hikari, or kiss yourself goodbye." I continue to choke off Neo's air supply.
"You know how to threaten people," says Zed, pushing Hikari towards Miyako. The two girls run behind me and my hostage, standing back to back.
I release Neo, shoving him to the ground. "Learned from the best." No prizes for guessing who.
Miyako looks annoyed at me. "Let's get out of here."
We leave.
==
I stretch to the rising sun, awaking to the smell of...breakfast? I was sleeping on a couch, in a flat...in Tokyo. What the hell am I doing back in Japan?
My stomach growls, telling me I should ask questions after I eat. I don't know where I am, but I notice no TVs anywhere. No radios, nothing. Rice and eggs, some fish, baked nori seed and some miso soup. It's good.
Soon my breakfast's finished; I walk to the living room where I slept and begin cleaning the sparse mess there. A beautiful, freshly showered blonde, with her golden hair clinging perfectly around her shoulders, watches me like an amused goddess. Clad only in a white bath towel.
It's all coming back to me. "Mari, why did you feel the need to kidnap me?" I smile.
"Honestly, Taichi; I would have thought you needed a break. That's all this is, a time out. At least for you."
"And why would Neo feel the need to remove me?"
"Neo? This wasn't Neo's idea, damn it," she scowls. "If Neo had his way, you'd be dead by now. As it so happens, I made a bargain with him."
"Really."
"Yeah. Basically, I get out of his way if he lets you live."
"How considerate. What about my friends, and the digimon?" I ask.
"They can do whatever they want. Have an orgy for all I care."
"They'll be too busy fighting Neo. Sure you can leave him behind?"
"I'm officially discharged from Tamer First Class."
"At least until he needs you again."
Mari smiles. "Neo doesn't need me anymore. And I know you don't like me, so I'm not wasting my energy seducing you."
"As I suspected, you do have a brain." And it's completely oblivious of the fact that, save for lingering concerns about my friends, Agumon, and the fate of the world; I'd jump her bones right now. That is, if she wanted to. I'm a gentleman.
I like her, despite the fact she's kind of stupid in some areas. I don't have a personal grudge against her, aside from her being Neo's little wench. She seems to want to leave that behind.
"You know," I muse, "we could go back to the digital world. You could help us."
"And I'm supposed to expect your friends to accept me with open arms?"
"My best friend tried to kill me. Ken tried to take over a continent. Mimi had me imprisoned. You...didn't do anything to the digital world."
"What!" Mari pounces on me, which is sort of what I wanted. "I had the entire Tonosama Dynasty under my heel."
"Big deal. How do you think Mimi had me imprisoned?"
"She wasn't me." Fall, stupid towel, fall.
I yawn. "I guess this means you're holding me captive at home, right?"
"If you feel that way."
"Thanks for the sentiment, but you and I both know I'm not letting Neo conquer the digital world."
"If you go back, Taichi, Neo will kill you. Let your friends take care of things if you have so much faith in them. Stay here."
"I do have faith in my friends. But they have faith in me, too. We can't betray each other."
"You'd ignore your sister's sacrifice for a point of honor?"
"Hikari...?" What happened to her? If Neo put so much as one finger on her....
Mari looks at me, noting my speechlessness. "She agreed to become Neo's prisoner to help me save your life."
"I didn't ask either of you to save me from Neo. Especially not my imouto-chan. Damn it, I'm supposed to protect her!" Is Mari that blind to Neo's psychosis? "Do you have any idea how much he really hates me?"
"Enough to kill you."
"Mari, Neo would do anything to not merely kill me, but to humiliate, violate, and defile me in the process. I haven't done a thing to Neo to deserve this from him, so tell me: why?"
She stares at me in shock.
"Tell me!"
"I'm not psychic."
It's not her fault, except that she takes Neo at his word. "If anything happens to Hikari, I will hold you responsible."
"You can't go."
"I refuse to leave my sister in his clutches."
"Neo hasn't harmed your sister. He wouldn't. He doesn't even have a lust interest in her."
Baka. "Did you hear a word I said? He hates me. He'd do anything to get to me."
"It's not as though you can get to the digital world from here. No computer with a digiport connection."
"I'll find a way." I leave before she thinks to block the door.
==
What is going on? I call my father for the first time in years. Lately I just haven't had the time.
Papa picks up. "Otousan?" I say in concern.
"I'm alright, Kintaro," starts my dad's voice. I'm so relieved. "...although I'm not available at the moment, I'm glad you called. Please leave your message about the global news reports regarding digimon after the tone."
My father's voice message would be a great case for patricide, except that there's a larger issue at hand. One regarding my own son's apparent inability to trust me. "I just thought it was unusual; digimon attacks and all," I murmur into the phone before hanging up.
What's the use? Of course I can't demand that my son trust me with something that obviously involves him and danger. I could have sworn he told us about a globetrotting adventure with Mimi, but I guess I was wrong.
The phone rings. "Moshi moshi...hello, Yagami-san...Taichi's home already?" Yes, the boy is home. "How's Hikari...she's not with him...can I speak to Taichi, please?"
In a moment, Taichi picks up. "Ichijouji-san?"
"Hai."
"Please pardon my rudeness, but I have to get on the computer to email Yamato. We were actually headed to the Phillipines," Taichi laughs, "but I didn't have enough cash on me to make the full trip, and I need him to wire me some."
"Is that the real reason you're home?"
"It...wasn't my choice, sir," says Taichi honestly. Something's on his mind.
"I'm just worried about my son. Is he alright?"
"Oh, Ken-he's fine. You've got to let your boy live a little. Besides, his friends will protect him from any bad influences."
"More or less, I was thinking about the digimon attacking various cities throughout the world. Hoping Ken wasn't mixed up in it. Sydney, Mexico City, Paris, Moscow, Hong Kong, New York...."
"What the hell?" Taichi hangs up. Whatever I said must have startled him.
==
"Tell us everything you know, Isauharu. We don't have time for you to lie to us." Yamaki scowls, frustration adding a hard edge to his voice.
"I've told you everything. I even gave you every scrap of news footage I have on digimon," Ishida sighs.
"Why is my son involved?" demands Major Akiyama.
"I don't have a clue."
"Damn it! I need to know!" The major's cell phone beeps. "What...? Not now; I'm in the middle of an investigation...monsters attacking Odaiba...need assistance to neutralize? What the hell can I do about a giant Andira...damned if either of us knows, taishou. Akiyama out."
"What's going on, Major?" asks Yamaki.
"You, Makino and Lee use the data you have from Ishida and hack into the network. I want this digital world found. Isauharu-kun, you're coming with me."
"Like I have a choice." Ishida shrugs and walks out of the government building with the major.
Makino--that is, Ruki-stretches, peeved. "The digital world again? I had my time pegged for a Teen-Age Wolves concert."
"Why would you want to go, Ruki?" asks Lee, who fingers his green sunglasses. "Ishida Yamato won't even be onstage."
"I go for the music-I don't care what bishounen is singing it."
"Yamato writes most of the songs," smiles Yamaki. "Enough chit-chat, though-we've got work to do."
"Right," grunts Ruki. "Pass that pepperoni and squid."
Munching their pizza, the two kids begin typing furiously.
==
"Sadly, we'll have to find Taichi later," I assert to a worried Kazenori.
"No way-the Akiyama unit doesn't abandon its own," the Lopmon counters.
"When making decisions like this, you have to ask yourself what's more important: the safety of one of your comrades, or the security of the digital world.
"As head of this team, I elect the latter."
"But Koushirou...."
"Kazenori, Taichi can take care of himself. Now," I finish, "let's concentrate on the objective at hand." That objective being the Chimera Prophecy; its decryption is the key to saving this world once again.
Three angels, a devil, all of light. Two prophets share the same crest. A hero dies for love, a saint lives for redemption. Love of others, redemption of self, true valor twain, and four bright eyes.
Morning star, moonlit waters, noonday sky, nocturnal islands. The star rules the sky, the waters rule the earth. Four angels in flight, one of faith, one of light; one of love, one of night.
Two prophets share the same crest; the lesser gives his life for the moon, the greater gives his life to the earth.
The saint seeks the light for redemption; the hero awaits a king to serve.
Fire and ice, sky and grass, water and rock. Golden soldier without, golden wings within.
Light is borne upon golden wings when thrust from the sun. The sky watches expectantly for the moment of truth. The snake strikes the rose, intent on its death; the rose lives, and crushes the snake in thorns. The sun must protect life, or it will die with life.
That's the prophecy, and it makes no sense. I can't see what this would have to do with a chimera of any kind. But why? Did Kazeyu die to protect meaningless babble from falling into the wrong hands...?
I don't believe it for a second. Cracking my knuckles, I prepare for another round with this conundrum.
Except...I've got mail. Taichi.
==
Taichi finishes his chat session with Koushirou, signing off after getting Agumon back as an attachment. Ichijouji Ari looks on, while the American group of Internationals discuss the problem.
"Phil, why are you still wearing that Green Lantern costume?" groans Lou. "The Big Apple CosPlay Party's been over."
"I just can't believe I lost my digimon," sughs Phil. "And, I was too busy evacuating other people from ground zero."
"We ought to take care of Neo right now, before he can make his next move," says Steve.
"Just give me a computer," says Taichi in English, "and I can take care of business."
"Taichi," Ari counters slowly in Japanese, "if Neo intends to kill you the moment you return to the digital world, you'd be throwing your life away recklessly. Too many depend on you to live."
"My sister's in danger."
"You don't react to danger by rushing in without a plan. No, a crisis demands a plan deliberated on with due caution, and then executed with swift efficiency.
"My grandson's in danger, but you don't see me running to my death."
"Have a little confidence," Taichi smiles. "Neo won't overtake me so easily."
"I don't know about that," grins Michael. "Mari certainly did."
Taichi blushes, but does not deign to respond.
"I just got off an IM chat with Rosa." says Maria. "She says her parents have her locked up tight, and she had to hide Gotsumon under her bed."
"I have Catherine at my flat; she and Floramon are still shaken by the last attack near the Arc." Even over the videophone, Michel Takaishi conveys a look of worry. "Although the other children's digimon were not so lucky to escape Neo's grasp."
[AN: As in, "Arc de Triomphe". Also, I refer to Takeru's grandpa, who is somehow half-French. Le sigh.]
"Why would Neo attack our world?" Taichi wonders aloud. "Unless...."
"Unless he found out about our digimon babysitting gig," finishes Phil.
==
"No...no...Rei, don't go in...don't...no...no...NO!" Takeru jerks from another variant of his nightmare, drenched in his chilled sweat. Patamon watches his partner in worry.
I note a light on Takeru's Wonder Swan. "You've got mail."
Tired and trembling, the blond human answers. "Grand-pere?"
takai_mic: oui
takai_mic: neo found out about the enfants digital
takai_TK: wonderful...magnifique... :rolleyes
takai_mic: other digidestined and chosen lost their digimon
takai_mic: either by capture ou mort de la guerre
takai_mic: quelle horreur, ca...
takai_TK: oui
Takeru logs off. Holds his face in his hands for a moment. Sayuki scampers in with a salute.
The boy smiles. "What is it?"
"The fortress is almost operational, Takeru. We just need a power source to make it fly."
"Are the sentry cameras online?"
"Yep. Check out the control room. Iori sent cameras to every hot spot in the digital world."
"I see." We all follow the Chuumon to the control room.
"We've had some problems lately," notes Iori as we enter. "Neo's palace was attacked by a Mass Numemon. Ken confirmed it in an email. Also, Taichi's gone, and we're not sure how to get him back-but that's a good thing."
"Why?"
"Because various digimon working for Neo are hunting Taichi down."
"Status on the Tonosama Dynasty?"
"Mimi managed to gain Ken-taitei's cooperation." Ken-taitei is the Tonosama Dynasty's supreme emperor, and the ruler over some Gekomon friends of Mimi's. "It wasn't easy, because Ken-sama was infatuated with Mari."
"Palmon battle!" Takeru grins, the first happy smile I've seen on his face today.
"Ken-kun says Mimi kicked ass." Knowing Kai-chan, he helped.
"There's a bigger problem, however," Iori continues seriously. "The Internationals and the Locals lost their digimon and the ones from Primary Central to Neo's forces."
"Except Floramon. Thankfully, my grandfather rescued them. He contacted me this morning."
"The freshies...Neo has them?" Not good. Not. Good. "But how? Someone had to tell the Saiba unit about their transfer." I try to remain calm, banishing all thoughts of what Neo...would do...to them....
"Yes," says Takeru. "We'll get them back, Gotsu; don't worry. Neo's palace was damaged in an attack. Bringing in new captives would be too great a security risk."
"So we have to find Neo's auxiliary installations before he repairs his main base," I continue, grateful for Takeru's eternal optimism.
"All the more reason to find a power source for the fortress," says Takato.
"I agree; Iori's been emailing Koushirou about that."
"I haven't received a response from Koushirou, though," notes Iori.
"Check the control room's inbox," says Armadillomon.
"He wouldn't have emailed that system already...would he?" Iori checks the inbox.
==
FROM: kou_izumi
RE: power source for Fortress Kaitei Dejimon
while I understand the import of making Ken's old base fly, I have received the CP in its entirety. the CP takes precedence over all other matters, because it is the vital key to the defeat of the evil here.
and Neo is a grave threat to the digital world, but he isn't the primary focus.
- Izumi Koushirou
ATCH: gensai18_readme.txt; gensai11_readme.txt; gensai8_errmsg.mov
I open the attachment, somewhat peeved over Koushirou non-concern over this maniac. This had better shed some light.
The first file is info on Neo Saiba that we already know. The second is data on him during his first attempt to take over the digital world. His murder of another V-Tamer, Leo Sigma, is briefly documented. The sick part is that Leo was Neo's own partner.
The third file is a movie. It has a small blond boy sitting on the beach, observing the view.
"Home movies?" I ask the screen. Takeru watches intently.
An Angewomon walks up to the boy, standing beside him. He invites her for a swim in the murky ocean. The digimon declines, shivering.
The boy smiles that faux-incredulous smile we know all too well. He takes off his shoes, rolls up his pant legs, and runs into the ocean, grinning like a normal kid.
"No...." Takeru's murmuring something. "No...don't listen...don't go in, Rei...."
"Who is Rei?" asks Patamon.
"The Angewomon. That boy is her partner."
"Okay," I ask, "so the kid bugs her to swim with him in the ocean, and she doesn't want to because the water's too cold."
"Iori, I wish that were the case," Takeru sighs.
The boy continues to pester and cajole Rei, coaxing her into the ocean with him. Reluctantly, she agrees, gingerly stepping into the water. Smiling, the boy swims out to deeper water; Rei following after him out of worry.
Takeru trembles in a violent rage; Gotsutei and Patamon follow suit. For thin, clawed hands reach from the water and paw Rei viciously; octopus tentacles wrap around the Angewomon, dragging her down into the water.
The boy stands waist-deep in the ocean, dispassionately watching the obscenity before him. Rei struggles in vain against her attackers, the main aggressor being a large octopus digimon.
"What is that thing?" trembles Sayuki.
"Evil," answers Gotsutei flatly.
"But...the Angewomon should have been able to fend him off." Takato stares at the screen in shock. "That monstrosity was only another Ultimate."
"That boy...was Neo," I explain at length, seething in anger. "His digimon trusted him, and Neo threw her to the digital wolves."
"The Dark Ocean's energy is oppressive, but normally a holy digimon's instinct is either to destroy the darkness or avoid it. Neo lowered Rei's awareness and lured her into the Ocean," hisses Takeru, "and at that point, she was powerless against them."
The last scene is of Rei's skeleton rising on an island, a ghastly memorial to the evil that took place. And the beginning of a partnership forged in hell, as the boy Neo kneels before the octopus digimon.
"Like the dream...it's just like the dream...." Briefly, tears fall down Takeru's cheeks.
"Takeru?" Patamon looks to his partner. Who silently walks away. Patamon and Gotsutei leave with him.
==
I just wanted to see some good come out of this. All everyone can see is Neo's death. But in my efforts to do good, I needlessly caused the death of many innocent digimon.
"Miyako, I won't pretend. I don't believe you made the right decision," Ken says calmly.
I sob. "Those poor Numemon. They only wanted to save Hikari. Why did Neo destroy them-why?"
"Short version: he has no sense of compassion. And without compassion, even love loses its meaning."
"Simply put, love can't exist without compassion," says Daisuke.
"Don't beat yourself up, especially over matters outside your sphere of control," warns Ken. "That's the worst thing you can do."
"I may have to accept death, just like everyone else does," I hiss slowly, "but I'm not obligated to like it."
"No one likes death."
"You all could have fooled me. You and Yamato were probably ready to blitz the place."
"I can't speak for Ken, but I'm willing to kill this nutcase if it means saving innocent lives," scowls Yamato.
"How do you figure that?" asks Ken, glaring at me.
"Forget it." It doesn't matter what I say; they all think Neo's death is going to solve this mess. I won't pretend that his death wouldn't make things easier, but Neo's death won't stop evil either.
No...evil will just find another person to use. I look towards Hikari, who dreams fretfully.
==
Get away...stay away...I don't want you. I want nothing to do with you.
"Get out of my mind! Stay the hell away from me!" I scream aloud, startling even myself. Not to mention my friend and J-partner Miyako, fresh from an argument with Ken. Who sits with her, both having concern for me.
Ken gives me the smirk. "That bad?" he asks.
"I have a headache."
"I can't believe that onore Neo tried to send you to the Dark Ocean," pouts Miyako. "Doesn't he know--*"
Ken puts a hand to her lips, still smiling. "He knows. Neo knows all about the Dark Ocean." The indigo-haired kid traces Miyako's lips, allowing his arms to circle gracefully around her waist. I've never seen such blatant efforts at flirting in my whole life. But Miyako's so distraught she doesn't even notice.
"Hikari," says Miyako, "I'm right here. If there's a problem, you know I'm here for you."
"Miyako. I know you're always here for me." I smile sadly, stroking her cheek. Because this is one battle even she can't fight. "But you can't save me. No one can save me from him."
"Who is he?" asks Ken.
"The underwater ruler of the Dark Ocean. He's after me, and I think you can guess what he wants...."
"What he wants?" balks Yamato. I nod hesitantly. "Tell him to put an ad online."
"It's no use," I sigh. "I'm trying to fight him, but this time he won't let go. And none of you can help me."
"Not even Taichi?" wonders Sora.
"No; not even him."
"Maybe we shouldn't try to avoid the Dark Ocean," says Miyako. "Instead, we should go in and take out the evil that's trying to hurt Hikari."
"No way. It was like wringing out our brains just to push Demon in there three years ago," says Daisuke. "I have a better idea-let's call the whole team together while we still can. I'm starting with Ryo, who's probably still worried about me.
"Don't worry, Hikari. Miracles can happen."
I hope so, Dai; I hope so.
==
akiyama_01: hope this teaches you not to wander off
gogoru_02: nice to know you were worried about me :rolleyes
Baka. I continue typing.
akiyama_01: what's your position
gogoru_02: outside saiba city
gogoru_02: hikari-ken-yamato-sora-miyako and their digimon are all with me, wormmon's back after a brief absence
akiyama_01: [sigh] any word from BT
That's Baihu Team: Taichi, Koushirou, Kazenori, Tentomon, and Agumon.
gogoru_02: kou sent some mass email with an attachment telling us not to bother him about fort kaideji
Fortress Kaitei Dejimon, the name we gave Ken's old floating base. It's nearly complete; just needs something to make it fly again.
gogoru_02: because he's working overtime on CP
Chimera Prophecy, very complicated. I understand Koushirou's frustration.
akiyama_01: FiD
File Island Delegation.
gogoru_02: Half of FiD is with me and ScyST, hikari had a rough time
gogoru_02: a psycho octopus digimon from the DO/DA wants to marry her :x
thinkpink_mimi: we got the taitei up to speed
dr_kido: thank the gods
thinkpink_mimi: we've got their full support
akiyama_01: thanks for the update :) we need all the help we can get
akiyama_01: i know how lame that sounds but it's true
akiyama_01: from takeru's email i guess we have EC's general support
tmpl_1_taitei: of course B)
tmpl_1_taitei: we also have the support of GTmpl and NC as well as the stingmon corps
akiyama_01: they want the same target, of course they'd reluctantly help us :rolleyes
gogoru_02: help is help REM
garou_yamato: besides they trained stingmon
tmpl_1_taitei: and get this-they came to him
akiyama_01: wish i could say the same
akiyama_01: kitsune's full support i've got, SuC and Zukow's support i don't
gogoru_02: why would she support someone who thinks he's a loser :/
gogoru_02: and who has no personal stake in winning this, think about it
Daisuke signs off before I can flood the Wonder Swan ethernet with vile expletives. I don't even know what he's getting at.
Then again, what personal stake do I have? I'm a soldier doing a job to the best of my ability.... That felt so cold.
No one can afford to know my feelings. As the commanding officer of this unit, I can't allow my emotions to override my judgment. Otherwise, I'd rush into a battle stupidly wondering what monster's trying to hurt Hikari.
And where the hell is Taichi-on a vacation? Usually he has something to say when we IM-tag each other, and he'd certainly protect his sister.
tai_8gami: i've got some bad news
Speak of the devil with big hair.
akiyama_01: what is it
tai_8gami: who am i kidding-lots of bad news
tai_8gami: our world got blitzed and not only did neo capture the freshies
Damn it.
tai_8gami: but he either caught or killed the internationals' digimon
tai_8gami: plus your dad and his hacker flunkie found out about the digital world, it's only a matter of time before they crack koushirou and gennai's defenses with that juggernaut thing
akiyama_01: where the hell are you
tai_8gami: in Odaiba library hiding from ken's dad, he will kill me if he finds me
tai_8gami: that and mari ratted on me to my parents so they won't let me near the computer to get back
akiyama_01: so they know we're in danger
tai_8gami: our cover's nearly blown, of course all of this is mari's fault
tai_8gami: she found out about Fresh X when FiD went to Tonosama Capital
tai_8gami: and abducted me so i can't come back to the digital world
tai_8gami: except...you're a tamer-do you have a t3
akiyama_01: no, a t1 that doesn't even work well except as a basic interface with the WS
tai_8gami: then open this file once it downloads to your laptop
:: tai_8gami sends cardgrid_12.exe ::
I open the file to find the card grid that Taichi's adept at using.
akiyama_01: what do you want me to do
tai_8gami: open the portal to our world using the grid when i email you again, i'll be at the area where my friends and i were camping six years ago
tai_8gami: hopefully i can return to the digital world through there
akiyama_01: you mean where every one of your parents came with your family three years ago
akiyama_01: negative, besides i found a nearby portal that should take you to central
akiyama_01: it's right outside your apartment
tai_8gami: D :rolleyes makes sense
tai_8gami: just have to make it there before my parents do
akiyama_01: do it
akiyama_wuukong: i'll meet taichi there
What the hell? Yamaki's crew of Linux lovers must be getting paid double salary for that to slip past the firewall. Better erect another-fast.
- gennai_502: you have no permission to talk, goodbye
:: unauthorized application attempting to open in WSIM: yugoth_001.exe ::
Block. Block. That's Yamaki's stupid Juggernaut program.
:: unauthorized macro attempting to open in WSIM: yugoth_001.bat ::
Juggie mutated into a .bat file. Great.
Wait a minute; I've got the wildest idea....
==
Ryo emails a Vs. Online matchup. My created game fighters against...this time, Juggernaut. Wow.
Aside from baseball and Blue Seed, online gaming is the most fun thing I do. Ryo's the coolest oniisan in the whole world.
Of course, if my opponent created the Juggernaut, there's no sense in attacking him head-to-head. Nope, better blitz him with all my heavy-hitters.
One full-scale assault from Wolverine, 8-Man, Rockman, Piccolo, Tenshinhan, and Kuwabara coming up.
==
Not Vs. Online; not now. I type a command to have Juggernaut ignore these stupid game files and focus on Gennai. We've gotten through the first layer, but until we open the digital world, we haven't done our job.
"Makino, challenge Akane to a fight," I order Ruki. "She's clearly being used to distract Juggernaut and give Gennai enough time to make another firewall."
"You mean you want me to have fun?"
"Yes-go all out, but remember-she's nine."
"I'll be careful," Ruki smiles. She and Akane are rivals in Vs. Online.
==
I make it outside my apartment, and after emailing Ryo, I point my digivice to the sky.
Ryo should have the portal open by now. Agumon reverts to Koromon, leaping into my free arm. I hold him, making sure I don't lose him again.
Uh-oh. Mari's running towards me from one side, with my parents right behind her. From the other side are some Self-Defense Force soldiers, led by a guy bearing an odd resemblance to Ryo.
==
Ryo sets up the cards in their proper order, opening the portal.
"Ryo, we have a problem," says Zeromaru.
"I'm well aware that I have to figure out a way to pull Taichi in. I've almost got it...."
"No, taishou; we have a bigger problem."
Ryo turns his head, Walther Shot cocked. He sees the problem.
"Myotismon."
"Indeed," smiles the vampire. "I have come to kill you. Nothing personal. You are merely an obstacle to a joyous event in the Dark Area."
"What do you mean?" Ryo asks.
"Hikari's wedding to the lord of the Dark Ocean."
"Dagomon? She's Dagomon's Chosen Bride?" demands Zeromaru. Myotismon nods. "There's no way a wonderful girl like her would ever consent to being the bride of old Octopus Atama-chan."
"She will consent...after he has claimed her."
"Then we both know that I won't allow that to happen." Ryo takes out his cards. "Zero, get ready." Ryo fires a pulse beam from the Walther Shot to activate the portal to Taichi's apartment. He and Zero then attack Myotismon.
==
"Wait!" The Yagami kid and his digimon float into the sky, heading into the digital world. "I demand an explanation.
"Come back here!" shouts his father angrily.
His mother stares into the sky a moment before holding her husband back. "You know we can't follow him. We can't even help him in any other way except to support him."
Ichijouji-san merely scowls.
Mari swipes a card through a device. "Card slash. Leaf card. Kuwagatamushi-zan." She disappears.
I call Yamaki. "Status."
"The digital world's native program has a strong .bat file, as well as a good .exe file. Self-extracting, self-replicating; you name it.
"Plus, the kids have a computer nut on their team. And you have to remember that Ryo's no slouch at this either. He got Akane's Vs. Online Team to mug Juggernaut; Ruki's fighting them off."
"What this basically means is that we're of no use to our kids. Wonderful. What wonderful chikuso." I smile ruefully, noting that my son will rue the day he elected to deceive me. Though I doubt the world tour bit was his idea.
The portal vanishes. "I need a drink," grunts Ichijouji-san.
"Once we go home," says his wife, "we can calm our nerves with some green tea."
"I. Want. Sake. Strong sake." You and me both, Kintaro.
I smile. "Yamaki, keep us posted. I'm taking the Ichijoujis, the Yagamis, and Isauharu-kun to my house."
"Roger that, Major." Yamaki hangs up, and I beckon the parents to hop into my van.
==
Defenses are back up, utilizing Taomon force fields since our Numemon friends decided remodeling was necessary. My spies report that Koushirou's heading to our enemy's position outside the city. Mari should return to Central within fifteen minutes; Taichi should engage his welcoming committee in moments.
However, since Koushirou has the Chimera Prophecy, I'd best awaken my pet project before he and his friends can take advantage of it.
Myotismon has engaged Akiyama and Zeromaru.
==
"We're surrounded," gasps Agumon.
"Neo thinks of everything," Taichi smiles wryly, noting the Antiramon and pack of Snimon.
"Your fight isn't with them, Yagami." Mari and Rosie stand together. Rosie fires her Rose Buster Rifle, exterminating the three Snimon.
The Antiramon dodges the blast. "What are you doing? I'm a soldier of the Saiba unit!"
"Not anymore. Now you're data fragments," Mari replies coolly. Binding the Antiramon, Rosie fires the Rose Buster into the ultimate; deleting him.
"What.... Mari, what the hell did you do that for?" demands Taichi.
"I didn't want you to waste energy on them. You're going to need it all."
"You could have let them go."
"I could have let Neo kill you too, but that's not what I want. Since you insist on dying, though; I'll just kill you myself. After Rosie terminates that sorry excuse for a partner digimon.
"You could have at least had Zero for this little rematch."
"Rematch. Makes sense, considering I beat you last time. If it's a battle you want, Watanabe; you got it.
"Agumon, don't waste the ladies' time." At Taichi's word, Wargreymon appears on the scene.
"Guess this will be more fun than we thought, Mari."
"Rosie, stay focused."
The titans clash.
==
Koushirou sent us a deck of data cards with Kazenori. It has several bits of information, including the lost digimental of Kindness. We also have three tags and two crest chambers out of the deal.
I'm not sure about the other items, but the Kindness digimental should make the base fly if we can get it to resonate with Ken. Iori's contacting him now.
"Takeru, Ryo's in trouble. An ultimate viral has engaged him in battle," says a Gazimon.
"Who?" I ask.
"I think Myotismon, but he should be dead."
That psycho has the longevity of a cockroach. "What's their position?"
"He was headed toward Central."
"Our taishou's in danger?" Kazenori gasps.
"Let me at him!" yells Sayuki.
"Hold on," counters Iori. "Last time we engaged him, he was a huge, powerful beast named Belialmyotismon. Let's use the scanners to see what Ryo's fighting now."
The viewer is on, and I see Zero tangling with Myotismon, back to his Interview With The Vampire mode. "Myotismon's still dangerous," I smile in relief, "but not unbeatable. Ryo can take him easy. Our main objective is to get to our friends in Central; we'll meet Ryo there.
==
"What the hell was that?" I run toward the source of the sound, beckoning the others to follow me.
"Yamato, where are we going?" asks Sora. I don't answer; I keep running. Garurumon nudges me so he can give me a lift, following Daisuke and Raidramon's lead.
We reach the epicenter. "A Tamer battle," says Ken. "We can't interfere."
"Why are they fighting?" balks Miyako.
Hikari sees the two Tamers in question. "Taichi! What are you doing?" Wargreymon and Rosemon are in a huge one-on-one war, neither digimon gaining the upper hand.
"We have to stop them, don't we?"
"No. This fight is between Taichi and Mari," Ken counters. "As long as Taichi keeps this in mind, we should be okay."
"What happens if he forgets?" Miyako asks.
"Let's just hope we don't have to cross that bridge." Ken opens an email from Iori, types in some data, and sends it back.
Neo arrives on the battlefield with Zed. "It appears you couldn't keep Taichi away, Mari," he smiles indulgently. I want to wipe that sorry grin off his face.
"Taichi, catch!" Daisuke tosses the goggles off his head. Taichi snags them, placing them on his head.
"What did you send Iori?" I ask Ken.
"He needed some of my data to make Fort Kaideji fly; I sent a DNA key."
"I see." I watch the battle between my friend and the object of his unrequited affection rage on. Hikari trembles; she's never seen Taichi in this combative a state. Of course, she only witnessed one of our fights.
==
"You want more punishment, Zeromaru?" smirks Myotismon. Zero and I pant heavily. Even as an ultimate, Myotismon's a tough opponent.
"Not bad, bat boy," Zero grunts. "Ryo, let's show him what we can really do." What is he talking about? We did everything we could. Not even his Gold mode could wear Myotsimon out.
"I think we need to fall back," I say.
"Yes, Ryo; you and Zeromaru run like the weaklings you are," the vampire quips.
Zero's angry; I can tell. "We can't let him get away with that!"
"I'm not concerned about the false opinion of an anemic loser like him. Our main objective is to reach Central. Myotismon is inconsequential."
"Am I? Or do you simply realize that you can't fight me?" smirks the bat man again.
"Don't let him bait you, Zero-we don't have the time." I look up, and thankfully, a giant stone fortress floats overhead. "We have important business to take care of."
Zero glares at Myotismon, gold eyes smoldering. "Later. We finish you." We board Fortress Kaitei Dejimon.
==
Myotismon watches the fortress leave. "I'll be waiting."
==
Mimi, Palmon, Gomamon and Jyou are onboard, with a few Gekomon. Koushirou, Tentomon, and three Impmon calling themselves the Impmon Five are here too, from a stop in Western. Each came with a digicore from Xuanwumon and Baihumon, respectively. We have another of Qinglongmon's cores, and Ryo's emailing Zhuqiaomon for her digicore. No luck on his end.
"What do we need the digicores for?" asks Mimi.
"They're connected to the Prophecy," Koushirou says, still trying to crack the Prophecy's meaning itself.
"What did Zhu-hime say to you, soldier boy?" grins Tetsuro, the leader of the Impmon Three of Five.
"She said I already have what I need, and that I need to use it." Ryo growls in frustration. "Quite frankly, I don't understand what the hell she's talking about."
"I need someone to help Gennai stop the hackers outside from breaching the digital gate." Koushirou sighs. "I can't crack the CP and keep the firewall up at the same time."
"I know. Maybe if we let Yamaki and his team in on everything, we can persuade them to keep our families out of this."
"Sending the IM."
"We're at Central," announces a Gotsumon.
"Maintain this position, and keep the cloak up. We don't want Neo to know where we came from," says Takeru, who's really taken command of this operation.
"Aye." The Gotsumon salutes; we exit the ship via several Airdramon and a Pegasusmon.
==
I note shadows cast, and appearing from the sky is my enemy's cavalry. One of the Airdramon riders is Akiyama.
"A Tamer battle is below," I tell him. "Don't interfere."
Akiyama nods. "I won't if you won't, Saiba."
The battle between Mari and Taichi escalates, each Tamer fueled by their own rage and despair. They should be slashing soon. Card slashing, that is.
==
Taichi's taking out a card. The Virus Bonder card. Sure, it'll increase Wargreymon's fighting ability, but it also increases his chances of going skull.
"You trust me, don't you, Wargreymon?" Taichi asks. He's going to do it.
"Of course, Taichi." Wargreymon wonders why his partner would even have to ask.
"Then I beg you to forgive me." Taichi readies his T1. "Card slash. V-bonder. War Double Joint."
Mari counters. "Card slash. Moon card, Sun card, joint progress. Omni Eclipse." Rather than boost Rosie, this move blocks light. I don't like this. I don't like where it's going. Not. At. All.
==
"Where'd Imperialdramon come from?" wonders Daisuke.
"Don't look at us," shrugs Veemon. Wormmon blinks cluelessly.
"Forget about where he came from!" says Ken. "He's attacking Wargreymon."
"Do you really think you can stop Zeromaru?" hisses Zed.
"That's Zero?" asks Miyako.
"In a way, yes. In a way, no. He's in a viral mode."
Ryo rushes down to stop them. "Where are you going?" demands Ken, held back by Neo.
"Ryo," smiles Neo, "is merely trying to maintain the integrity of the battle by keeping Zero out of it."
Ken breaks Neo's grip, punching him. "What do you know of integrity?"
"Good point." Neo wipes the blood from his chin. "We need to make the battle interesting."
==
"Zero! Zeromaru, I mean it! Get out of there now."
Zeromaru answers this by powering up his Giga Death.
"You can't fire that at Taichi and Wargreymon. This is their battle. Wargreymon is still in control, but he won't be if you provoke him."
"Then I'd better obliterate him before that happens," Zero hisses.
"That's a negative. Power down, Zero."
"Fine. I'll just take him out." Zero stops the Giga Death and charges after Wargreymon. The two grapple, Zero hitting Fighter Mode."
Taichi is relentless. "Take Zero out. This isn't his fight." Wargreymon twists Zeromaru away with a Brave Tornado.
I've had enough. "Zero, get off the battlefield."
"No. You leave, Ryo. I don't want you harmed."
"I'm not leaving." This is despite the Gaiaforce attack Wargreymon's setting up. Taichi slashes his Sun card, and Wargreymon lets loose. Shakkoumon is blocked by some of Neo's troops, but I don't think even he could absorb that much energy....
Amazingly, I'm alive. Not even a scratch. But...Zeromaru....
Zero opens his beady black eyes, in his fresh form. "I look cavity-inducing, don't I?" he moans. I smile in relief. He'll be okay, thank the gods.
I take him off the battlefield; Wargreymon and Rosie continue fighting as though we never cut in.
==
The battle intensifies as the two combatants nail each other with lethal blows, each nastier than the last. Both Tamers are succumbing to the darkness in their hearts. Yamato and Sora moan in subdued agony; Hikari and I tremble, sensing the dark powers more acutely. Takeru curls his fist, frustrated at his powerlessness.
Neo smiles, a deep smile of satisfaction. The others stare, transfixed at the battle that may well determine the fate of the digital world.
Taichi slashes a succession of cards, ending with the Death card. Mari counters with her own slew of slashes, starting with the Life card.
Ending with the Dark card.
"No!" Hikari screams, crumpling to the ground. The sky has darkened; this place feels just like the Dark Ocean. My head hurts.
"Surrender to it, Ken," Neo says. "It's the only way the pain will stop."
"I'd rather join my brother," I smirk. Really, I would rather die than join the darkness.
"There is no escape."
"Shut up."
My vision becomes blurred as the darkness begins to overwhelm the atmosphere. I can faintly see glares of hatred from Taichi and Mari. It feels so cold...so cold....
A brief shadow of warmth, as I glimpse a fleeting train of orchid. Miyako's hair...Miyako? Where is she going?
I bolt up, trying to find out where that impulsive twit ran off to. Meanwhile, Rosie and Wargreymon fire their most powerful attacks.
No. She wouldn't...she couldn't....
A faint shriek is heard; the battling Tamers snap back to normal a moment too late. Miyako was caught in their digimon's crossfire.
I rush to the scene, followed by the others. Taichi's shaken. Mari sobs, running away. Miyako's body lies there, still and motionless. It's like she's sleeping.
Except she has no pulse.
Hikari stands in mute shock, while Ryo hangs his head in shame. Hawkmon trembles, helpless at the sight. Myotismon descends into our midst.
Zero tugs at Ryo's leg. "No, Ryo. Don't go. Don't."
"You're better off." Ryo enters a void Myotismon opens, and the sick digimon follows him inside.
Neo escorts Hikari towards Saiba City; Hikari doesn't resist. Yamato, Jyou, Mimi and Sora chase after Mari; Daisuke, Takeru and Iori stay with Taichi. Koushirou emails someone; Zed and the rest of Neo's troops disperse.
I cradle Miyako's body in my arms, tracing her cheek and putting her hair back in place. I don't understand this reaction from my friends.
Miyako isn't dead. I refuse to believe that she is.
