DISCLAIMER: Do I have to say it again? As much as I love Ken, I don't own him or any other part of Digimon!
Part Three: Capture
"I have a mission for you," Noriko said, brushing the sand off her skirt. The dim light from the computer, seemingly expended by the effort of transporting the young woman between worlds, outlined her slight frame with its reddish glow.
Noriko glanced over at the small Digimon sitting in the corner or her room. It looked up at her impassively, though, without visible eyes, Noriko could never discern what Dokunemon was thinking.
"Ichijouji Ken has discovered my identity," she said candidly. The Digimon's antenna twitched at the mention of the former Kaizer's name, and Noriko allowed herself a small smile. She knew of the Digimon's animosity toward Ken, and though she wasn't naïve enough to believe it stemmed from a concern for her, she knew she could use it to her advantage. "Secrecy is unnecessary now. It is imperative that I ascertain the location of that base. Ichijouji will be of no help; Wormmon will."
She looked directly at the small monster. "You have the power to remain in your Child form in this world. Ichijouji's Digimon does not. Use that to your advantage and bring him to me."
"What about Ichijouji?" the Digimon asked, its gravelly voice, usually indifferent and distant, holding an underlying hostility.
Turning away, Noriko shrugged off her light jacket and shook out her brown hair. A slight smile played across her lips. "I will deal with him."
^~^~^~^~^
Iori crossed his arms and scowled at the Daisuke's carpeted floor, which withered guiltily under his gaze. "I still don't he should have gone alone," he murmured.
"Dude, calm down." Daisuke put his hand on the younger boy's shoulder and grinned. "We can trust Ken."
"How do you know?" Iori asked sharply as he wrenched off the other Digidestined's hand. "People don't change that easily, Daisuke. How do you know Ken won't go back to being the Digimon Kaizer?"
Daisuke shrugged and buried his hands in his jacket pockets. "I don't know how. I just do. Maybe it's because I'm his Jogress partner. I can feel it, you know? Can't you feel T.K. when you two Jogress Digivolve?"
Hikari interjected before Iori could respond. "I don't think Ken would turn against us simply because of Wormmon."
The two other Digidestined turned toward her where she was sitting at Daisuke's computer and frowned. "Huh?" Daisuke said.
The young woman turned around, smiling a bit wistfully, and tightened her arms around the sleeping Gatomon in her lap. "After all they've been through together, they've formed a bond too strong to be broken even by the darkness. Ken wouldn't return to being the Kaizer because of his promise to Wormmon; everything he does now is for Wormmon." She absently stroked Gatomon's ear as she continued, though she seemed distracted and far away. "T.K. would understand. He's lost his partner once, too."
Iori's anger seemed to collapse after that, and he looked at the Baby Digimon at his feet. "I still think someone should have gone with him."
^~^~^~^~^
Hn. Too trusting, Ichijouji, I thought as I climbed through his open bedroom window. Just because you are no longer a threat to the Digidestined does not mean that you are safe.
I'd been surprised when Noriko told me that Ichijouji had left his Digimon at home while he went to speak with her; the two were nearly inseparable. I had never seen Wormmon without his master, even when Ken was the Digimon Kaizer. I considered it a weakness, this attachment they shared.
And weaknesses can be exploited.
Wormmon –Minomon, actually– was sleeping on Ichijouji's pillow, his single antenna curled around his head. I took a moment to study him; I had never understood how he could be so devoted to his partner. I obeyed Noriko, yes, but only because she held the key to my power. Without her, I would never be able to Digivolve, and to live without that euphoric rush would be sheer torture. Power was all I desired; yet this small Digimon had discovered some other aspect of his human partner to love. It would be a lie to say that I was not curious about him.
I realized my time was growing short –it had taken me the better part of an hour simply to get here, for even in my Child form I am not very swift. Ichijouji would be returning soon, unless Noriko had somehow persuaded him to join her crusade. I was betting on the former.
A quick "Worm Venom!" was all it took to incapacitate the Baby Digimon. A flash of fear in his beady eyes, a brief and futile struggle, and he was mine. He never uttered a word. Noriko had given me nothing to transport him in, which meant it was up to me to find something in the little time I had left. I could not carry him and avoid detection at the same time. Finally tearing the pillowcase off the pillow, I shoved him inside and climbed back out the window.
A/N: For those who are wondering, Dokunemon is a girl. If you've read my other Digimon fic, you'll know I like to twist gender roles ^_~