Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon
Author's Note: It took me a while to rewrite this, and I had to rewrite nearly half of the whole story. I hope it makes sense, to some extent. I'm still fighting Mary Sue syndrome, so if you see something intolerable tell me and I'll see what I can do about it. The plot will develop more soon. Really. I promise.
Epsiode XVIII
Councils of War
The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this armyWe have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
George Washington, Address to troops, August 27, 1776
On one large monitor Willis and Michael stared back at them, with the faint images of other American digidestined in the background. In another large monitor they could see Yuri, Anna and Sonja staring at them from what appeared to be a Moscow schoolroom. Catherine was in the third large screen, with a small group of French digidestined right behind her. The three smaller monitors held images of Rosa in Mexico City, Derrick in Australia and, representing Asia, Noriko, the small slight Japanese girl, who was in her apartment out near Shinjuku.
Good morning, or evening, or whatever. Izzy began formally. He was flanked by Ken and Mimi. Mimi was translating his speech into flawless English while Ken was doing it over again in Spanish. I hope you've had a chance to review the information we sent you, about where we were and what was going on. I also hope you understand the magnitude of the situation that we are immersed in.
He paused as Ken threw him a look. The dark-haired digidestined clearly had to struggle to find the correct words to translate into.
Sorry about that. Anyway, it seems we have a problem. These attacks by digimon are turning the world against us. We have to keep our digimon secret and hidden. At the same time, we must find out what these evil digimon are up to. We need coverage of the whole world.
And we don't have it. Willis sounded angry. We barely have enough digidestined to cover New York, and even then, we have problems. The rest of the world is in a lot of trouble if that continues.
He is right. Yuri spoke carefully in broken English. You in Japan have most people and littlest area. If you can do it not then we know not who can.
And you do have other advantages. Michael continued, causing the rest of the digidestined to perk up.
What is that? Tai asked.
Well, you have the only digimon who can go to Ultimate. I mean, even though Willis' crew has done this before, we lack the ability to do as a team. And that's the truth. You guys have more of these powers than we can shake a stick at.
Rosa agreed in Spanish.
But we're in Japan. Tai returned, eyes narrowed in concern.
It doesn't matter. Willis was shaking his head now. We know how the digital world works. You guys started this. You'll have to finish it as well. I don't know how else to phrase this, but this seems to be the way things work around here. I mean, you are the ones with the big powers and the powerful digimon, so if anything gets solved around here it's going to be because you did it. You have the training and the practice. We'll do our best to cover the rest of the world, but in the end I'm afraid it might be up to you.
Well, that's just wonderful. Matt muttered under his breath.
So what can we do? Derrick spoke up from the monitor in the corner.
I have no idea. Izzy shrugged. The key is, we need a plan to find the digidestined kids all over the world, and see if they'll help us.
We keep track of the articles that mention digimon. A lot of times when a kid gets a digimon, somebody publishes an article about it. Willis was tapping his teeth. With each newspaper having an online version these days it's so much easier for us to search through it, looking for those articles.
That's a start. Ken mused, almost silently. But you won't find them all that way.
True, but it might give us a start. And some leads. Willis returned. I can send you a copy of that program.
Tai agreed.
The real problem is going to be what happens if there turns out to be an all out attack. We haven't dealt with that. TK was obviously thinking of something else. We aren't going to have the raw power to stop him.
But we'll get help. Noriko assured him.
Right, so that's our first priority. Izzy looked around again. Let's get going on the others...
Adam paused outside of the doorway to his apartment building. The sprawling complex, complete with a high security fence and state of the art security system, gave an impression of peace, isolation and serenity, but Adam nevertheless remained cautious. He slid his identification keycard through the doorway's security sensor once, and then looked up and around.
You know Hideo... He spoke into the darkness. If you want to come in, I have some wonderful teas from the west. I know that sulking around in the bushes is a thirsty task.
No thank you. Master Ishiguro emerged from the darkness, barely smiling. I appreciate the offer, but I fear I have other business with you tonight.
Adam took a moment, fished in his pocket and finally took something out and popped it into his mouth while staring at the direction the sun had set. Keegan's dead. He stated flatly.
I know. Ishiguro responded, not turning around. I caught it on the evening news brief. A car crash in Denver. He spat to the side. That makes whatsix of the prominent digimon experts in the United States dying in the past two weeks?
Seven if you count Andrews. Adam appeared to be considering it. I don't believe that he fell down those stairs by accident, and that kind of concussion could keep him out of the game for months.
They're setting us up. Ishiguro concluded grimly. When all this is said and done, they'll have the only digimon experts left on Earth.
Not even the CIA is infinitely slow. The remaining US experts are going to be a lot harder to get to. And they aren't having unbridled luck either.
Oh really? Ishiguro asked, cocking an eyebrow.
We saw their project leader, our old friend Dr. Wallace in Shanghai yesterday.
Hideo Ishiguro seemed to consider that for a moment. I really want to pick his brains about some of his research.
Well, you're out of luck on that. Adam reported flatly. It was Jacob who caught up with him.
how bad was it?
Sniper rifle to the head at a hundred paces. Typical of Jacob's work. Not that it matters. Nobody found Jacob, so I assume he got away, and it isn't like the CIA's going to discipline him. Having half their Asian network put out of commission in two weeks was sort of a shock to them. So they're pissed as hell at somebody.
And the kids? Hideo Ishiguro gestured upwards by rolling his eyes.
Let's just say that I trust the Ancient's judgment on that one. Adam declined to comment further, and stared out at the ocean.
By the time Adam came back the digidestined were already dispersing for the night. Adam exchanged tight smiles with Izzy and then gestured to the five students nominally under his control. I'll come pick you up tomorrow again, at the same time.
Davis groaned, but everyone else just grinned at him.
Actually if you want, I can pick you up at the High School about half an hour after school so you can talk to your friends.
Ken looked at Davis. Davis looked at Yolei. Yolei looked at Kari. Kari looked at TK. TK shrugged.
Davis put in, quickly realizing that nothing was going to get settled here. That'll be great.
All right, I'll see you there. Oh, and you... He pointed at Cody. I've met most of Izzy's other friends before when they've come in and out. But I don't remember seeing you before.
Iori Hida. Cody introduced himself very formally. Very pleased to meet you.
But Adam had frozen halfway down in his bow and handshake, an arrested expression upon his face. Any relation perhaps to Kendo master Chikara Hida?
Cody looked surprised. He's my grandfather.
And undoubtedly your instructor. You have the form. I thought you looked familiar. He straightened up, looking thoughtful. If you want to come over tomorrow, you may do that also. I would be honored to have you here with your friends.
Thank you. Cody was unsure of how to respond.
Thank you. Adam responded. Now, I'll drive you home if you want. All of you.
Joe. We have guests! Jim called out to Joe as soon as he entered the apartment, something that startled him a little. They rarely had guests, but he stopped tensing the moment he saw who it was. Professor Takenouchi was standing next to his brother, holding what appeared to be a half-full mug of tea in one hand and waving energetically with the other hand.
Hello Professor Takenouchi, what are you doing in our neck of the woods? Joe extended his hand, having become used to having the professor come by and visit. What was even more impressive was the fact that his father was standing there and smiling. At the beginning the silence between himself and Jim had been rather strained, as he disapproved of someone who spent their lives chasing as he put it. However, when he finally learned what digimon were, he also fell victim to the fascination of studying them, and Professor Takenouchi bounced a lot of ideas off the most experienced Kido. Recently of course there had been minor problems as Jim had ventured toward the computer science and particle physics path of digimon investigation, but Mr. Kido had finally learned the folly of forcing his strong-willed children to do anything.
Well, we both have to go back later. We've managed to obtain an illegal sample for study. Professor Takenouchi raised his tea mug to his lips.
What's illegal about it? Mr. Kido asked, frowning suspiciously.
Well, the Japanese government really doesn't want it investigated outside of military hands, but the military doesn't have our resources. Everyone is treating digimon paranoid, but we have allies in high places. The British Foreign Ministry sent us this sample using a diplomatic courier. It comes from one of their armed patrols in Northern Ireland, who encountered one of these digimon and shot it to pieces before it could escape. The body decomposed into this black dust. We're going to be examining it tomorrow, so we have to calibrate the sensors tonight.
I suppose it's priority work now. Mr. Kido mused thoughtfully.
Oh yes. We absolutely must find out why some digimon are attacking the world and some try to be our friends. Professor Takenouchi took another sip of tea. Joe hurriedly smoothed his face back down after a momentary slip, but he was suddenly aware that he might have been a little too obvious. Jim raised an eyebrow at him, and then nodded slowly and grinned at his younger brother.
Well, Jim knew that something was up. Not that there would have been any hiding it from him anyway, but Joe felt a brief pang of unease anyway. What else would they find out?
Hey Mom! Yolei yelled, sticking her head in the door of the store. She always did that so that whatever parent (or sibling) working the store would at least not be looking around for her.
Yolei, you're late! Her mother yelled at her, but she said it in more of a resigned tone than an angry one. Yolei had cultivated a special habit of never coming home on time, and now her parents were aware of it. Only their pride in their daughter and their confidence in her allowed her to stretch the rules. But, of course, that could only be taken so far.
Hey, the squirt's back. Yolei's older brother jumped out of the door once Yolei was close enough to open it, and Yolei found herself almost falling backwards as he collided with her.
Tell her to come in or she'll miss the last of the game! Her sister called from where she was watching the television. From the sound of it Davis's sister Jun was here as well, but Jun did not take her eyes off the television as Yolei scrambled through the door, trying to rid herself of her brother.
Yolei, good. Mr. Davids called about your tutoring. It's good that you're finally getting some extra help. I'm glad you took advantage of this opportunity. And I saved you some rice balls. Yolei's father tugged on his beard as he looked up from the papers he was going over on the table, accounting figures from the store.
Thanks Dad! Yolei flashed one of her best smiles as she sat down next to him.
Well, it was a lot of work saving it from the ravenous beasts here. Her Dad replied almost absently, but with the hint of a smile.
Hey, I'm just growing! Yolei's brother protested as he vaulted a chair.
Yolei groaned with the rest. At the same time she wondered how much more chaotic it would get if they knew what was really going on.
We're being followed. Kari remarked as they walked toward the nearest park. TK had wanted to walk Kari home, but Kari had wanted to detour through the park, and the others had relented, although not without some argument about how dangerous it was wandering around in the dark of evening.
How many? TK pretended to stop and study a newspaper machine for a moment to give Kari a chance to look around.
At least two. Kari returned quietly, leaning down as if reading the headlines.
I know. You know, if he wants to be sneaky, your brother is going to have to cut his hair some. TK stared absently at the floor for a few moments.
Should we lose them? Kari asked suddenly, the light from the artificial lampposts emphasizing her pale and innocent expression. I mean, it's only fair. I assume that you don't follow your brother when he goes on dates, and I know that I don't follow Tai when the cheerleaders take him out.
I thought you'd never ask. TK replied with a chuckle. On your signal?
Kari whispered as they approached a sizeable grove of green, bushy trees.
TK shot off with Kari barely a step behind him. They rushed through the brush in a maddening run, putting distance between their trail and where they had been going, TK choosing random paths that led through the deeper areas of greenery. At the same time years of training came to the fore, and suddenly they stopped making noise, they carefully dodged over the branches that would have cracked, avoided triggering the waving of leafs and other botanical objects, and avoided any illuminated patches. Then they stopped moving fast and Kari took the lead. She was smaller than TK, and had an easier time finding paths through the dense undergrowth. TK had to admit that she did a better job probably of moving silently in here, but he was constrained by his height and his hat, which he stuffed in his jacket as an afterthought.
Then they were at the edge of the park, and the only thing around it was the fence separating the park proper from the next territory over it. Kari and TK exchanged glances, and a moment later had avoided the fence and the exposure it would mean, and had darted down the fence line until they were standing on an open street that TK recognized.
So, now what? Kari hissed as quietly as was possible.
We race Tai and Matt and whoever else it is back to your apartment. I know a few back ways through here. Do you? TK smiled.
Yeah. Come on. Kari led the way off into the darkness.
Kari sighed and put away the book she had been reading. She was still tired, but strangely more awake and more aware. She felt better, as if the world had come back into focus. It was probably a full night of sleep that had done it for her, for the first time in ages she felt well rested. She had not even needed to feign attention in math class, she had given it. Now her math teacher had finished writing on the board, and was turning back to the class.
Now remember to take special care to examine the structure of the methods we discussed today, and especially how geometric representation can help us solve difficult polynomials. He looked around at the class. Are there any questions?
Nobody answered, the bell rang, and he dismissed the class. TK came up to her as she left and squeezed her shoulder quietly and quickly. No attacks yet today.
That's good. Kari responded. Where are the digimon?
We forced them back into hiding in Cody's place. His grandfather's getting just a little bit suspicious I think, but I don't know what to do about that. I think we should jsut try and pretend that everything's normal.
Yeah, like that's ever worked before.
Davis and Ken were waiting for them in English class. Both of them were grinning openly at them. So, how is life for Odaiba's favorite couple? Ken asked. The two boys got a good snicker in at the two facing them.
Watch it Ken. I know your secrets. TK threatened back. Kari stuck out her tongue.
So, what's the news TK? Davis asked.
Looks like there haven't been any attacks yet today, not that this means much, but it does mean that we have no problems yet with our new plan. I still think Izzy may be a bit off of his rocker, throwing his trust in people we don't know that well, but I guess he has his reasons. TK shrugged.
I feel pretty naked here. Ken admitted. Here we are with the world in deadly danger, and we're sitting around in class.
YOU try to explain to the principal that we're needed on a matter of worldwide importance. Davis rolled his eyes. He'll just laugh us out of his office.
If he doesn't give us all detention first. Kari pointed out.
TK just laughed. Davis rolled his eyes again.
So we just sit here and wait? Ken asked.
I'm open to other suggestions. TK responded.
Sora sweated and panted at the same time. Master Ishiguro, who normally taught a specialized self-defense course at the school, was on rota. Every year the PE class went through different phases, basketball, soccer, volleyball, running, even dancing. One of the four week segments was devoted to self-defense. Tai and Matt had snickered at this, thinking of four weeks of throwing punches and dodging people, something they were already expert at.
That was until Master Ishiguro had stepped up. He was big. And he was fast. Despite what people would normally have seen as a large bulk, he was probably the fastest in the gym. And he seemed to feel that everybody else should get a little faster.
So that's what they did for twenty minutes. Stretch, see if they could reach a little farther, and then fast exercises, seeing if they could get faster. Over and over again, under the cold gaze of Master Ishiguro. He said, rolling his eyes, that he would bow to popular culture and that the title of sensei was appropriate. What his actual title was he never divulged. Sora, on the girl's side, was glad for her years of athletic preparation. Next to her she could practically see Mimi beginning to wilt.
Excellent Miss Takenouchi. You're really coming along, just don't forget that you have much that could be improved. For instance, you make your movements look pretty, but they lack power. Sora almost jumped out of her skin. Master Ishiguro was about half a meter taller than her (at least that's what it seemed like), but he still managed to sneak up on her on a regular basis.
And as for you Mr. Kamiya, you might want to try fooling around less. A second later he was over by Tai, halfway across the room.
How does he do that? Sora wondered absently.
Izzy was a special student. This meant that he could skip as many classes he wanted as long as he kept his grades up, and had a good excuse. Today he was sitting in a cushioned observation chair at the Tokyo University Institute for Solid State Physics, watching the scene unfold beneath his balcony.
Three graduate students were carefully, using sterilized gloves several layers thicker than normal, placing a piece of black material on a carefully sterilized tray. All of them were dressed in what they referred to as space suits, fully enclosed airtight suits of plastic cloth and fabric that wrapped around them, keeping them safe from any biological contamination. The room they were working in was already sealed, three separate airlocks with three separate decontamination procedures blocked the entrance. The window through which Izzy was watching this was actually three separate sheets of airtight, bulletproof Plexiglas. From the looks of the people around him, they probably all wished for space suits too. Izzy shrugged. He had breathed that stuff in before by accident. It could not be that dangerous.
Professor Takenouchi asked from behind them.
Jim responded, flipping up levers and pressing a few buttons on an equipment panel behind him.
We're good. Adam yanked back on a lever and watched as the machinery cranked its way to life. Everything is within operational parameters.
Below, in the operation pit one of the grad students gave them a thumbs up. A moment later his voice crackled over the intercom.
Clear to the safety chamber. Professor Takenouchi turned away from his monitor to face Jim, who was running the operations console. He waited until the three grad students had entered the first airlock chamber and closed the door behind them before giving the order. Go to lockdown.
Lowering blast shields. Jim bushed another button. Slowly a thick sheet of lead glass lowered over the Plexiglas window they had been observing through. Sensitive equipment inside the pit were suddenly covered by heavy shields.
Activate scan procedure.
Procedure active. Jim nodded, and light began to flash down below.
Adam began to recite the data calmly and analytically. Beginning data analysis now. The substance is not emitting in the alpha ranges. The substance is not emitting in the beta ranges. The subject does not appear to emitting electromagnetic radiation...wait a moment...scratch that, we have what appear to be UV emissions...
Ultraviolet radiation? Izzy thought to himself as he turned to the huge data monitors. How did that happen?
Could be phosphorescence of some kind, the breakdown of some sort of organic substance. A postdoc somewhere behind Izzy muttered under his breath. Then again...
Continuing scan. X-ray scan negative. Beginning Mass Spec analysis on breakoff sample one. Beginning Chromatography on breakoff sample two. Data coming up. Impossible charts began to appear on the walls, incredibly impossible charts. Physicists and biologists began to yell at each other behind Izzy. Izzy just watched, fascinated. NMR data up. More yelling, more shouting. Beginning calculations of stimulated emission. Holy shit!
Adam's last exclamation was sufficient to silence everybody in the lab. On the computer monitors a new chart had appeared, but this time it was incredible. Even Izzy felt the urge to stare aimlessly at it. The entire screen was now a pulsating mass of points of light, constantly shifting patterns.
Well, that confirms that. Adam's voice was a bit shaky.
What is that? Professor Takenouchi asked.
That is a series of atoms, or particles, I don't know what, pulsating in response to light. Look at that structure, the way they're responding to each other. That's physically impossible, at least in our world, but that's incredible. What you're looking at is the ultimate in binary data storage, and it reacts differently to different wavelengths. It shows similarity to some advanced models of fiberoptic powered microprocessor networks, but the levels of complexity and feedback are extraordinary. It even emits light back out. What you're seeing is a self-programmable, self-responsive digital data network. Digimon are living data, and what's more, they are clearly intelligent living data.
Fascinating. Izzy thought as he leaned closer to the displays.
So what are we doing now? Mimi asked as they hung around after school.
Waiting for the kids to join us. Matt responded, squeezing Sora's shoulders.
They're not kids anymore. Sora protested, elbowing him slightly.
Matt looked disdainful. I have the lifetime right to refer to my little brother as a little kid you know. And I have a reputation to maintain.
Sora elbowed him again, and then smiled. I love you. She almost winced at the expression of regret that sped over Tai's face.
Mimi broke the sudden silence. We should do something.
Like what? Matt asked.
Well, we could take a look around. Mimi tried to put a happy spin on everything.
Tai shrugged.
They wandered through the school carefully, passing by backpacks left on the floor in carelessness, but finding everything empty. A few teachers waved at them, but for the most part the school was boring and empty. It was only when they approached the gym that they heard any evidence that the building was populated.
One. Two. One. Two... Master Ishiguro's voice rang over the gym in steady cadence, completely immune to emotion.
The gym was built with the floor of the gym almost five meters below the entrance, giving the students a view of the floor from behind a plain concrete barrier, where they could see over the bleachers and onto the floor itself. On the floor of the gym was a group of students wearing the white uniforms that Tai always associated with the martial arts. Individually they were going through a series of hand techniques, one at a time, over and over again. Each of them was covered with sweat, their brows furrowed in concentration. Over and over again they moved, strike, feint, block, strike, feint, block.
I guess we just wait here for a while. Tai stretched out over the railing.
Gatomon sped along after her human companions. She was one of the few digimon who could blend into normal life, hopping along the streets. Even though she was a bit peculiar, she looked enough like a normal cat to pass silently, and people tended not to comment on her appearance. It was only her and the flying digimon who could be trusted to pass through the city inconspicuously, and it made Gatomon worried sometimes. Now she was chasing the digidestined through a park. They were late, and in a hurry, and had probably forgotten about her in their rush to get somewhere else.
She never even saw the blow that laid her out.
Charley, despite his exterior, his attitude, and, as he explained to anyone who would listen, his phenomenal bad luck, was hardly stupid. He knew that the boss, that was Mr. Ishida, knew things that he was not aware of. Especially when it came to digimon. He had received a certain amount of commendation for helping the people trapped in the convention center escape during the Odaiba fog incident, but Hiroaki Ishida had received more by avoiding capture in the first place, and then helping unknown forces take back the Fuji television station before it got completely trashed. Those incidents of two years ago also marked Ishida as a man who knew something.
Charley also noticed that he was a man who lived increasingly in what the others jokingly called the War Room. It was a conference room that they had transformed to deal with the current crisis. The main table had been covered with three maps, one of Tokyo, one of Japan, and one of the world. On each map there were red flags poked into the slab of cork beneath, each one carrying a number that noted which set of data went with which flag. Charley shook his head and handed the latest set of reports to his boss.
It doesn't make any sense Charley. Mr. Ishida did not even glance at the reports. He did not have to. They all ended up the same. What's the pattern?
I don't know chief. Charley replied.
Well, something's up. All that I know is that whatever they're doing, it seems to be poisoning the world against peaceful digimon as well. And that's something that I won't tolerate. Do you understand?
Charley shook his head. The chief was sure in a state this time. You don't have to tolerate it. At this rate, public opinion is going to decide for you.
I know. Mr. Ishida rumbled ominously. I know.
Hello Hideo. The ice cold voice froze the gym in place. Even Tai could feel the sudden tension in the room. He could not see the speaker though, even though he jerked this way and that looking for the source of that unearthly voice. In the middle of the floor Master Ishiguro stopped in the middle of dismissing the class.
Hello Adam. There was absolutely no emotion in his voice. In fact, there was barely anything at all. What are you doing here?
I've taken up tutoring. Adam jerked his head over to indicate the digidestined lined at the top of the railing. I'm waiting for my charges to show up.
I see. Was all Master Ishiguro said as he went back to dismissing the class. A few moments later most everybody was scurrying through the door. Even more experienced students seemed to want nothing to do with whatever was going to happen on the floor below them. The digidestined, curiously immune to the sense of danger and self-preservation that their fellows possessed stared over the edge.
So, are you going to do something or are you just going to sit there? Master Ishiguro asked.
With a single fluid motion Adam threw aside the gym bag that he had been carrying in one hand and grabbed a single piece of something as it flew off his arm. A moment later there was a silken ring, and over a meter of polished steel, sharpened so much that Izzy could have sworn he saw it cut through the dust, appeared in his hand. It was a western style sword, straight instead of curved, and he held it easily in his right hand, his entire body poised.
In the moment that the flash of light on steel drew attention to the American, Master Ishiguro had produced his own weapon, what appeared to be a traditional katana still in its polished black sheath. He held the sheath loosely in his left hand and watched Adam carefully, as if weighing his options.
I already know that I lose the speed drawing competition. Adam drew the sword back and prepared to spring, his muscles clearly tensed.
As you say. Master Ishiguro backed up, the sword held hilt toward Adam, angled down from over his head, still sheathed.
Adam's eyes narrowed.
After you. Master Ishiguro crouched even lower.
I'm sorry guys...I know we're late but Mr. Fujiyama... Davis's voice cut through the tension as he and the others raced up. Then he caught sight of Adam standing on the lowered floor shaking his head.
Adam smiled without taking his eyes off the black belt. That's all right...
And at that point the world came apart around them.
Cody stood at home, barely listening to the TV. What he was really doing was listening for the inevitable crash next door when one of the digimon would discover something else that was breakable. It was becoming depressingly regular. At least they seemed to be entertained by the radio, and managed to stay hidden mostly from his mother.
He sighed and wandered through the house. The only other person home was his grandfather, who was standing in the kitchen, checking the mail. As soon as Cody entered he shoved something he had been looking at in his pocket, letting Cody get a glimpse of a golden sunburst on a piece of paper, and looked down at him solemnly. Suddenly Cody remembered what he had been going to ask earlier.
You know, my friends now have a private tutor they're supposed to visit after school every day. Cody started very formally.
You told me. His grandfather sensed that a question of some importance was coming out of this.
Well...he invited me to come over with them if I wanted.
Of course Cody, if you want to be with your friends, that's certainly fine with your mother and me. We know that they're people of good character, and that they'll be fine company for you.
Well, there was something strange.
Concern pressed around his grandfather's face. The elder Hida had not bee unaware of how different Cody had been acting in the past two weeks, how grateful for his home he was, and how tense he was. He had been able to look at the accounts of monster attacks all over the city, and put two and two together. Now this suggested that something else might be falling into place. In what way?
Well, he said that he knew you, and that I looked familiar. He seemed to know you because of your kendo reputation.
What was his name? Master Hida began to search his memory.
He's an American. His name is something like Adam D-something, something short. Davies maybe.
Cody's grandfather sucked in a panicked breath, his eyes showing the first signs of true concern that Cody had seen there. Adam Davids is in Japan? he asked sharply.
...late-breaking announcement. The TV suddenly interrupted the conversation. It appears that another monster attack is underway, this time in Tokyo itself. Cody and his grandfather froze. Yes, reports from Odaiba indicate that these monsters are currently terrorizing a high school for some reason. Police urge everyone to remain calm... But Cody was already running for the digimon.
Glass shattered. Despite herself, Mimi screamed. Shapes poured in, horrible ones, and ones that were clearly not human. Some of them bounced off walls, coming ever closer. There was the gleam of steel in their strange hands. Outside another blow smashed through most of the wall and a Knightmon, light glinting off of his silvery armor, slowly and inexorably levered his way inside. The rest of the shapes slowly resolved themselves into the fast moving Ninjamon, jumping back and forth from each wall, slowly moving toward the children now standing petrified on top of the floor. Tai started to shout something.
A Ninjamon jumped and landed directly between Master Ishiguro and Adam Davids. The last thing he ever saw was two statue-like objects suddenly turning into blurs of motion. Adam threw his blade forward, almost as if he had lost control, but there was skill there and art, and the sword curved in its trajectory. Hideo Ishiguro accelerated at unbelievable speeds to a point just short of the Ninjamon and then started to brake. His sword flew out of the sheath as inertia began to take hold, and the swordsmen turned that downward blow into the strongest stroke he could make it. The two blades clashed with a sound like a ringing bell right in the middle of where the Ninjamon's head had been.
The ringing sound filled the gym. Attention, focused between two different groups suddenly became locked onto the two older humans standing in the middle of the room, a faint coat of digital data slowly beginning to coat them.
I think our match has been interrupted. Adam remarked dryly.
I see. It appears that our duel will have to wait a while. Master Ishiguro calmly jammed the scabbard back into its proper place on his belt and drew the sword up parallel to his body. Adam just grunted and drew the hilt of his sword back until it was almost behind him, the point still aimed unerringly at his opponents.
Reminds me of old times. Ishiguro remarked. Which ones do you want?
I'll take the big one! Adam was off, advancing at a run so fast it seemed that his feet were merely gliding along the floor.
You get all the fun. Master Ishiguro muttered, flipping his sword 270 degrees in an arc and slicing into the Ninjamon trying to sneak up on him from behind without even bothering to turn around.
If Adam answered, the voice was lost in the roar of battle that erupted in the gym. Knightmon narrowed his eyes at the approaching human and raised his sword, depending on his natural instincts to tell him when to strike. For a moment he prepared himself, the immovable object meeting the unstoppable force, and then the huge sword slammed down.
Sora saw only the brief motion that betrayed Knightmon's intentions once the sword was underway, but Adam either saw it earlier or simply reacted faster. As the sword began to descend, he leapt, and the huge blade clanged hollowly down beneath his legs. Then he turned into a blur of motion, seeming to be skating up the monstrous sword, his own weapon springing out from where it had lain dormant, uncoiling like a striking serpent. And then he was gone and a huge chunk of metal armor ripped off of Knightmon's shoulder.
The Ultimate screamed, both in pain and in rage, and then he turned around, still roaring his fury just as Adam, who had gone airborne, turned himself over in midair. He hit the remains of the wall behind Knightmon feet first, legs tensing up, and then he sprang again, death incarnate streaking toward his adversary.
Master Ishiguro was in no such hurry, his speed was not only believable and human, it was almost pedestrian. He did not rush, and his movements had no great speed or power behind them, or so it seemed. To the Ninjamon that attacked him it must have been perplexing. They would attack him full on, weapons screaming at their opponent's body as he walked calmly along the floor, and then suddenly he would not be there anymore. There would only be empty air, a bare patch of floor as the Ninjamon skidded by, and then a sudden sharp pain in the back of the skull.
Tai could only watch in wonderment the first time, but the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. He had seen WarGreymon move, but even he did not move with such speed and grace. Or perhaps he did, but over larger distances. It seemed to Tai that Master Ishiguro was somehow just disappearing in one place and reappearing in another, almost as if it was magic. He seemed to know exactly when and where to move, and when his opponents got too close there was almost a blip on the surface of reality and he just moved.
On the other hand, Adam was breaking the laws of physics in his own way. He was moving too fast, continually shifting between defense and offense, and Knightmon, for all his prodigious strength, kept on missing him. Shards of concrete from the walls and wood from the floor speared the air around him, but missed him. It was like watching a ricocheting bullet, there was a great temptation to duck down and miss the entire show. Tai knew that he wanted to close his eyes and hope that everything was going to go away.
Another Ninjamon erupted into a shower of discarded data as a blast of steel cut straight through him, and Ishiguro was beyond them, sword moving now in a great looping arc that hooked around an unfortunate Ninjamon's sword and hurled it straight through the eye of another of the small digimon. A moment later two more Champion level digimon had disappeared, all this the work of one human being.
That was when Knightmon twisted unexpectedly and Adam slipped. He skidded, lengthwise, on his back, twirling around as he tried to right himself, but the huge Ultimate was after him, a monstrous juggernaught that sought nothing but the destruction of his foe. The huge sword came up again, prepared for a downward killing stroke.
Oh hell. Adam said very clearly in the sudden stillness in the battle.
His hand slapped down on the floor next to him. A huge jet of steam erupted from the ground below Knightmon.
The Ultimate screamed as the burning hot steam seared him in that armor shell, and then Adam was rising, his sword rising from the depths, uncoiling like a nightmare. And then Knightmon simply was not there any more, only a cloud of dust and a last lingering scream marking the place he had been only moments before.
The last Ninjamon disintegrated with a look of surprise on his face. Hideo shrugged and walked over to where Adam had sagged against what remained of a wall. What did you do? He asked, sounding more curious than amazed. Izzy knew that his own jaw was dropping towards the floor, but those two were acting as nonchalant as they pleased.
Ruptured the hot water pipe. Adam muttered, shaking his hand out. I hate working with hot water. I feel like my hand's on fire.
You knew that would happen. Hideo chided the American.
What would you have preferred? Adam growled. I could have used the circuitry in the walls and started a chain lightning reaction. That would have been pretty, and killed everyone in the building as I recall.
Surely something less Hideo spared a glance at the geyser bubbling happily in the middle of the floor.
I'd like to see you come up with something next time. Adam muttered.
So what was that all about? Hideo asked.
Well, since they didn't seem to prepared for us. Adam looked around at the fine coat of digital data lying over everything. So offhand I have to say that I think that they were after something else. Or someone else. His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the only other people in the building, standing there watching the scene and gaping.
Tai began to gasp out, the shock of having just seen two ordinary humans wipe out an entire assassination squad overcoming his normal robust nature.
Are there any more of them? Davis, who had been making up more excuses recently than Tai managed to come up with a reason to keep them all busy for a moment to regain their senses. Mouths clanged shut as people began to glance around, looking for something to do, or some handy explanation.
Ken broke out the Scanner almost immediately and took a look around. I don't see anythingoh waithere comes the cavalry.
Attention miscreants! A large and familiar voice boomed out. I am six stories tall, and I have enough firepower to level this entire structure. Come out and surrender at once to these nice friendly police officers or I will be forced to take matters into my own hands. And I'm not speaking figuratively.
Adam rolled his eyes and gestured toward the remains of the back exit. Let's get going people.
They quickly melted out the back door, giving the fluttering Biyomon, who was trying to look inconspicuous in the sky, a quick wave, heading beneath some garbage and wreckage out into the parking structure, where they quickly ducked behind Adam's nondescript van.
Izzy finally collected his thoughts as Shakkuomon, apparently satisfied, disappeared in a blur of light. There was a brief flicker as what looked like Hawkmon swept down and grabbed the falling Armadillomon and zoomed off into the distance.
What just happened? Izzy asked.
Excellent question. Adam adjusted his side mirror carefully so that he could look into Izzy's eyes. You first.
Like it? Have suggestions? Drop me a line. Write a review!
Author's Note: It took me a while to rewrite this, and I had to rewrite nearly half of the whole story. I hope it makes sense, to some extent. I'm still fighting Mary Sue syndrome, so if you see something intolerable tell me and I'll see what I can do about it. The plot will develop more soon. Really. I promise.
Councils of War
The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this armyWe have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
On one large monitor Willis and Michael stared back at them, with the faint images of other American digidestined in the background. In another large monitor they could see Yuri, Anna and Sonja staring at them from what appeared to be a Moscow schoolroom. Catherine was in the third large screen, with a small group of French digidestined right behind her. The three smaller monitors held images of Rosa in Mexico City, Derrick in Australia and, representing Asia, Noriko, the small slight Japanese girl, who was in her apartment out near Shinjuku.
Good morning, or evening, or whatever. Izzy began formally. He was flanked by Ken and Mimi. Mimi was translating his speech into flawless English while Ken was doing it over again in Spanish. I hope you've had a chance to review the information we sent you, about where we were and what was going on. I also hope you understand the magnitude of the situation that we are immersed in.
He paused as Ken threw him a look. The dark-haired digidestined clearly had to struggle to find the correct words to translate into.
Sorry about that. Anyway, it seems we have a problem. These attacks by digimon are turning the world against us. We have to keep our digimon secret and hidden. At the same time, we must find out what these evil digimon are up to. We need coverage of the whole world.
And we don't have it. Willis sounded angry. We barely have enough digidestined to cover New York, and even then, we have problems. The rest of the world is in a lot of trouble if that continues.
He is right. Yuri spoke carefully in broken English. You in Japan have most people and littlest area. If you can do it not then we know not who can.
And you do have other advantages. Michael continued, causing the rest of the digidestined to perk up.
What is that? Tai asked.
Well, you have the only digimon who can go to Ultimate. I mean, even though Willis' crew has done this before, we lack the ability to do as a team. And that's the truth. You guys have more of these powers than we can shake a stick at.
Rosa agreed in Spanish.
But we're in Japan. Tai returned, eyes narrowed in concern.
It doesn't matter. Willis was shaking his head now. We know how the digital world works. You guys started this. You'll have to finish it as well. I don't know how else to phrase this, but this seems to be the way things work around here. I mean, you are the ones with the big powers and the powerful digimon, so if anything gets solved around here it's going to be because you did it. You have the training and the practice. We'll do our best to cover the rest of the world, but in the end I'm afraid it might be up to you.
Well, that's just wonderful. Matt muttered under his breath.
So what can we do? Derrick spoke up from the monitor in the corner.
I have no idea. Izzy shrugged. The key is, we need a plan to find the digidestined kids all over the world, and see if they'll help us.
We keep track of the articles that mention digimon. A lot of times when a kid gets a digimon, somebody publishes an article about it. Willis was tapping his teeth. With each newspaper having an online version these days it's so much easier for us to search through it, looking for those articles.
That's a start. Ken mused, almost silently. But you won't find them all that way.
True, but it might give us a start. And some leads. Willis returned. I can send you a copy of that program.
Tai agreed.
The real problem is going to be what happens if there turns out to be an all out attack. We haven't dealt with that. TK was obviously thinking of something else. We aren't going to have the raw power to stop him.
But we'll get help. Noriko assured him.
Right, so that's our first priority. Izzy looked around again. Let's get going on the others...
Adam paused outside of the doorway to his apartment building. The sprawling complex, complete with a high security fence and state of the art security system, gave an impression of peace, isolation and serenity, but Adam nevertheless remained cautious. He slid his identification keycard through the doorway's security sensor once, and then looked up and around.
You know Hideo... He spoke into the darkness. If you want to come in, I have some wonderful teas from the west. I know that sulking around in the bushes is a thirsty task.
No thank you. Master Ishiguro emerged from the darkness, barely smiling. I appreciate the offer, but I fear I have other business with you tonight.
Adam took a moment, fished in his pocket and finally took something out and popped it into his mouth while staring at the direction the sun had set. Keegan's dead. He stated flatly.
I know. Ishiguro responded, not turning around. I caught it on the evening news brief. A car crash in Denver. He spat to the side. That makes whatsix of the prominent digimon experts in the United States dying in the past two weeks?
Seven if you count Andrews. Adam appeared to be considering it. I don't believe that he fell down those stairs by accident, and that kind of concussion could keep him out of the game for months.
They're setting us up. Ishiguro concluded grimly. When all this is said and done, they'll have the only digimon experts left on Earth.
Not even the CIA is infinitely slow. The remaining US experts are going to be a lot harder to get to. And they aren't having unbridled luck either.
Oh really? Ishiguro asked, cocking an eyebrow.
We saw their project leader, our old friend Dr. Wallace in Shanghai yesterday.
Hideo Ishiguro seemed to consider that for a moment. I really want to pick his brains about some of his research.
Well, you're out of luck on that. Adam reported flatly. It was Jacob who caught up with him.
how bad was it?
Sniper rifle to the head at a hundred paces. Typical of Jacob's work. Not that it matters. Nobody found Jacob, so I assume he got away, and it isn't like the CIA's going to discipline him. Having half their Asian network put out of commission in two weeks was sort of a shock to them. So they're pissed as hell at somebody.
And the kids? Hideo Ishiguro gestured upwards by rolling his eyes.
Let's just say that I trust the Ancient's judgment on that one. Adam declined to comment further, and stared out at the ocean.
By the time Adam came back the digidestined were already dispersing for the night. Adam exchanged tight smiles with Izzy and then gestured to the five students nominally under his control. I'll come pick you up tomorrow again, at the same time.
Davis groaned, but everyone else just grinned at him.
Actually if you want, I can pick you up at the High School about half an hour after school so you can talk to your friends.
Ken looked at Davis. Davis looked at Yolei. Yolei looked at Kari. Kari looked at TK. TK shrugged.
Davis put in, quickly realizing that nothing was going to get settled here. That'll be great.
All right, I'll see you there. Oh, and you... He pointed at Cody. I've met most of Izzy's other friends before when they've come in and out. But I don't remember seeing you before.
Iori Hida. Cody introduced himself very formally. Very pleased to meet you.
But Adam had frozen halfway down in his bow and handshake, an arrested expression upon his face. Any relation perhaps to Kendo master Chikara Hida?
Cody looked surprised. He's my grandfather.
And undoubtedly your instructor. You have the form. I thought you looked familiar. He straightened up, looking thoughtful. If you want to come over tomorrow, you may do that also. I would be honored to have you here with your friends.
Thank you. Cody was unsure of how to respond.
Thank you. Adam responded. Now, I'll drive you home if you want. All of you.
Joe. We have guests! Jim called out to Joe as soon as he entered the apartment, something that startled him a little. They rarely had guests, but he stopped tensing the moment he saw who it was. Professor Takenouchi was standing next to his brother, holding what appeared to be a half-full mug of tea in one hand and waving energetically with the other hand.
Hello Professor Takenouchi, what are you doing in our neck of the woods? Joe extended his hand, having become used to having the professor come by and visit. What was even more impressive was the fact that his father was standing there and smiling. At the beginning the silence between himself and Jim had been rather strained, as he disapproved of someone who spent their lives chasing as he put it. However, when he finally learned what digimon were, he also fell victim to the fascination of studying them, and Professor Takenouchi bounced a lot of ideas off the most experienced Kido. Recently of course there had been minor problems as Jim had ventured toward the computer science and particle physics path of digimon investigation, but Mr. Kido had finally learned the folly of forcing his strong-willed children to do anything.
Well, we both have to go back later. We've managed to obtain an illegal sample for study. Professor Takenouchi raised his tea mug to his lips.
What's illegal about it? Mr. Kido asked, frowning suspiciously.
Well, the Japanese government really doesn't want it investigated outside of military hands, but the military doesn't have our resources. Everyone is treating digimon paranoid, but we have allies in high places. The British Foreign Ministry sent us this sample using a diplomatic courier. It comes from one of their armed patrols in Northern Ireland, who encountered one of these digimon and shot it to pieces before it could escape. The body decomposed into this black dust. We're going to be examining it tomorrow, so we have to calibrate the sensors tonight.
I suppose it's priority work now. Mr. Kido mused thoughtfully.
Oh yes. We absolutely must find out why some digimon are attacking the world and some try to be our friends. Professor Takenouchi took another sip of tea. Joe hurriedly smoothed his face back down after a momentary slip, but he was suddenly aware that he might have been a little too obvious. Jim raised an eyebrow at him, and then nodded slowly and grinned at his younger brother.
Well, Jim knew that something was up. Not that there would have been any hiding it from him anyway, but Joe felt a brief pang of unease anyway. What else would they find out?
Hey Mom! Yolei yelled, sticking her head in the door of the store. She always did that so that whatever parent (or sibling) working the store would at least not be looking around for her.
Yolei, you're late! Her mother yelled at her, but she said it in more of a resigned tone than an angry one. Yolei had cultivated a special habit of never coming home on time, and now her parents were aware of it. Only their pride in their daughter and their confidence in her allowed her to stretch the rules. But, of course, that could only be taken so far.
Hey, the squirt's back. Yolei's older brother jumped out of the door once Yolei was close enough to open it, and Yolei found herself almost falling backwards as he collided with her.
Tell her to come in or she'll miss the last of the game! Her sister called from where she was watching the television. From the sound of it Davis's sister Jun was here as well, but Jun did not take her eyes off the television as Yolei scrambled through the door, trying to rid herself of her brother.
Yolei, good. Mr. Davids called about your tutoring. It's good that you're finally getting some extra help. I'm glad you took advantage of this opportunity. And I saved you some rice balls. Yolei's father tugged on his beard as he looked up from the papers he was going over on the table, accounting figures from the store.
Thanks Dad! Yolei flashed one of her best smiles as she sat down next to him.
Well, it was a lot of work saving it from the ravenous beasts here. Her Dad replied almost absently, but with the hint of a smile.
Hey, I'm just growing! Yolei's brother protested as he vaulted a chair.
Yolei groaned with the rest. At the same time she wondered how much more chaotic it would get if they knew what was really going on.
We're being followed. Kari remarked as they walked toward the nearest park. TK had wanted to walk Kari home, but Kari had wanted to detour through the park, and the others had relented, although not without some argument about how dangerous it was wandering around in the dark of evening.
How many? TK pretended to stop and study a newspaper machine for a moment to give Kari a chance to look around.
At least two. Kari returned quietly, leaning down as if reading the headlines.
I know. You know, if he wants to be sneaky, your brother is going to have to cut his hair some. TK stared absently at the floor for a few moments.
Should we lose them? Kari asked suddenly, the light from the artificial lampposts emphasizing her pale and innocent expression. I mean, it's only fair. I assume that you don't follow your brother when he goes on dates, and I know that I don't follow Tai when the cheerleaders take him out.
I thought you'd never ask. TK replied with a chuckle. On your signal?
Kari whispered as they approached a sizeable grove of green, bushy trees.
TK shot off with Kari barely a step behind him. They rushed through the brush in a maddening run, putting distance between their trail and where they had been going, TK choosing random paths that led through the deeper areas of greenery. At the same time years of training came to the fore, and suddenly they stopped making noise, they carefully dodged over the branches that would have cracked, avoided triggering the waving of leafs and other botanical objects, and avoided any illuminated patches. Then they stopped moving fast and Kari took the lead. She was smaller than TK, and had an easier time finding paths through the dense undergrowth. TK had to admit that she did a better job probably of moving silently in here, but he was constrained by his height and his hat, which he stuffed in his jacket as an afterthought.
Then they were at the edge of the park, and the only thing around it was the fence separating the park proper from the next territory over it. Kari and TK exchanged glances, and a moment later had avoided the fence and the exposure it would mean, and had darted down the fence line until they were standing on an open street that TK recognized.
So, now what? Kari hissed as quietly as was possible.
We race Tai and Matt and whoever else it is back to your apartment. I know a few back ways through here. Do you? TK smiled.
Yeah. Come on. Kari led the way off into the darkness.
Kari sighed and put away the book she had been reading. She was still tired, but strangely more awake and more aware. She felt better, as if the world had come back into focus. It was probably a full night of sleep that had done it for her, for the first time in ages she felt well rested. She had not even needed to feign attention in math class, she had given it. Now her math teacher had finished writing on the board, and was turning back to the class.
Now remember to take special care to examine the structure of the methods we discussed today, and especially how geometric representation can help us solve difficult polynomials. He looked around at the class. Are there any questions?
Nobody answered, the bell rang, and he dismissed the class. TK came up to her as she left and squeezed her shoulder quietly and quickly. No attacks yet today.
That's good. Kari responded. Where are the digimon?
We forced them back into hiding in Cody's place. His grandfather's getting just a little bit suspicious I think, but I don't know what to do about that. I think we should jsut try and pretend that everything's normal.
Yeah, like that's ever worked before.
Davis and Ken were waiting for them in English class. Both of them were grinning openly at them. So, how is life for Odaiba's favorite couple? Ken asked. The two boys got a good snicker in at the two facing them.
Watch it Ken. I know your secrets. TK threatened back. Kari stuck out her tongue.
So, what's the news TK? Davis asked.
Looks like there haven't been any attacks yet today, not that this means much, but it does mean that we have no problems yet with our new plan. I still think Izzy may be a bit off of his rocker, throwing his trust in people we don't know that well, but I guess he has his reasons. TK shrugged.
I feel pretty naked here. Ken admitted. Here we are with the world in deadly danger, and we're sitting around in class.
YOU try to explain to the principal that we're needed on a matter of worldwide importance. Davis rolled his eyes. He'll just laugh us out of his office.
If he doesn't give us all detention first. Kari pointed out.
TK just laughed. Davis rolled his eyes again.
So we just sit here and wait? Ken asked.
I'm open to other suggestions. TK responded.
Sora sweated and panted at the same time. Master Ishiguro, who normally taught a specialized self-defense course at the school, was on rota. Every year the PE class went through different phases, basketball, soccer, volleyball, running, even dancing. One of the four week segments was devoted to self-defense. Tai and Matt had snickered at this, thinking of four weeks of throwing punches and dodging people, something they were already expert at.
That was until Master Ishiguro had stepped up. He was big. And he was fast. Despite what people would normally have seen as a large bulk, he was probably the fastest in the gym. And he seemed to feel that everybody else should get a little faster.
So that's what they did for twenty minutes. Stretch, see if they could reach a little farther, and then fast exercises, seeing if they could get faster. Over and over again, under the cold gaze of Master Ishiguro. He said, rolling his eyes, that he would bow to popular culture and that the title of sensei was appropriate. What his actual title was he never divulged. Sora, on the girl's side, was glad for her years of athletic preparation. Next to her she could practically see Mimi beginning to wilt.
Excellent Miss Takenouchi. You're really coming along, just don't forget that you have much that could be improved. For instance, you make your movements look pretty, but they lack power. Sora almost jumped out of her skin. Master Ishiguro was about half a meter taller than her (at least that's what it seemed like), but he still managed to sneak up on her on a regular basis.
And as for you Mr. Kamiya, you might want to try fooling around less. A second later he was over by Tai, halfway across the room.
How does he do that? Sora wondered absently.
Izzy was a special student. This meant that he could skip as many classes he wanted as long as he kept his grades up, and had a good excuse. Today he was sitting in a cushioned observation chair at the Tokyo University Institute for Solid State Physics, watching the scene unfold beneath his balcony.
Three graduate students were carefully, using sterilized gloves several layers thicker than normal, placing a piece of black material on a carefully sterilized tray. All of them were dressed in what they referred to as space suits, fully enclosed airtight suits of plastic cloth and fabric that wrapped around them, keeping them safe from any biological contamination. The room they were working in was already sealed, three separate airlocks with three separate decontamination procedures blocked the entrance. The window through which Izzy was watching this was actually three separate sheets of airtight, bulletproof Plexiglas. From the looks of the people around him, they probably all wished for space suits too. Izzy shrugged. He had breathed that stuff in before by accident. It could not be that dangerous.
Professor Takenouchi asked from behind them.
Jim responded, flipping up levers and pressing a few buttons on an equipment panel behind him.
We're good. Adam yanked back on a lever and watched as the machinery cranked its way to life. Everything is within operational parameters.
Below, in the operation pit one of the grad students gave them a thumbs up. A moment later his voice crackled over the intercom.
Clear to the safety chamber. Professor Takenouchi turned away from his monitor to face Jim, who was running the operations console. He waited until the three grad students had entered the first airlock chamber and closed the door behind them before giving the order. Go to lockdown.
Lowering blast shields. Jim bushed another button. Slowly a thick sheet of lead glass lowered over the Plexiglas window they had been observing through. Sensitive equipment inside the pit were suddenly covered by heavy shields.
Activate scan procedure.
Procedure active. Jim nodded, and light began to flash down below.
Adam began to recite the data calmly and analytically. Beginning data analysis now. The substance is not emitting in the alpha ranges. The substance is not emitting in the beta ranges. The subject does not appear to emitting electromagnetic radiation...wait a moment...scratch that, we have what appear to be UV emissions...
Ultraviolet radiation? Izzy thought to himself as he turned to the huge data monitors. How did that happen?
Could be phosphorescence of some kind, the breakdown of some sort of organic substance. A postdoc somewhere behind Izzy muttered under his breath. Then again...
Continuing scan. X-ray scan negative. Beginning Mass Spec analysis on breakoff sample one. Beginning Chromatography on breakoff sample two. Data coming up. Impossible charts began to appear on the walls, incredibly impossible charts. Physicists and biologists began to yell at each other behind Izzy. Izzy just watched, fascinated. NMR data up. More yelling, more shouting. Beginning calculations of stimulated emission. Holy shit!
Adam's last exclamation was sufficient to silence everybody in the lab. On the computer monitors a new chart had appeared, but this time it was incredible. Even Izzy felt the urge to stare aimlessly at it. The entire screen was now a pulsating mass of points of light, constantly shifting patterns.
Well, that confirms that. Adam's voice was a bit shaky.
What is that? Professor Takenouchi asked.
That is a series of atoms, or particles, I don't know what, pulsating in response to light. Look at that structure, the way they're responding to each other. That's physically impossible, at least in our world, but that's incredible. What you're looking at is the ultimate in binary data storage, and it reacts differently to different wavelengths. It shows similarity to some advanced models of fiberoptic powered microprocessor networks, but the levels of complexity and feedback are extraordinary. It even emits light back out. What you're seeing is a self-programmable, self-responsive digital data network. Digimon are living data, and what's more, they are clearly intelligent living data.
Fascinating. Izzy thought as he leaned closer to the displays.
So what are we doing now? Mimi asked as they hung around after school.
Waiting for the kids to join us. Matt responded, squeezing Sora's shoulders.
They're not kids anymore. Sora protested, elbowing him slightly.
Matt looked disdainful. I have the lifetime right to refer to my little brother as a little kid you know. And I have a reputation to maintain.
Sora elbowed him again, and then smiled. I love you. She almost winced at the expression of regret that sped over Tai's face.
Mimi broke the sudden silence. We should do something.
Like what? Matt asked.
Well, we could take a look around. Mimi tried to put a happy spin on everything.
Tai shrugged.
They wandered through the school carefully, passing by backpacks left on the floor in carelessness, but finding everything empty. A few teachers waved at them, but for the most part the school was boring and empty. It was only when they approached the gym that they heard any evidence that the building was populated.
One. Two. One. Two... Master Ishiguro's voice rang over the gym in steady cadence, completely immune to emotion.
The gym was built with the floor of the gym almost five meters below the entrance, giving the students a view of the floor from behind a plain concrete barrier, where they could see over the bleachers and onto the floor itself. On the floor of the gym was a group of students wearing the white uniforms that Tai always associated with the martial arts. Individually they were going through a series of hand techniques, one at a time, over and over again. Each of them was covered with sweat, their brows furrowed in concentration. Over and over again they moved, strike, feint, block, strike, feint, block.
I guess we just wait here for a while. Tai stretched out over the railing.
Gatomon sped along after her human companions. She was one of the few digimon who could blend into normal life, hopping along the streets. Even though she was a bit peculiar, she looked enough like a normal cat to pass silently, and people tended not to comment on her appearance. It was only her and the flying digimon who could be trusted to pass through the city inconspicuously, and it made Gatomon worried sometimes. Now she was chasing the digidestined through a park. They were late, and in a hurry, and had probably forgotten about her in their rush to get somewhere else.
She never even saw the blow that laid her out.
Charley, despite his exterior, his attitude, and, as he explained to anyone who would listen, his phenomenal bad luck, was hardly stupid. He knew that the boss, that was Mr. Ishida, knew things that he was not aware of. Especially when it came to digimon. He had received a certain amount of commendation for helping the people trapped in the convention center escape during the Odaiba fog incident, but Hiroaki Ishida had received more by avoiding capture in the first place, and then helping unknown forces take back the Fuji television station before it got completely trashed. Those incidents of two years ago also marked Ishida as a man who knew something.
Charley also noticed that he was a man who lived increasingly in what the others jokingly called the War Room. It was a conference room that they had transformed to deal with the current crisis. The main table had been covered with three maps, one of Tokyo, one of Japan, and one of the world. On each map there were red flags poked into the slab of cork beneath, each one carrying a number that noted which set of data went with which flag. Charley shook his head and handed the latest set of reports to his boss.
It doesn't make any sense Charley. Mr. Ishida did not even glance at the reports. He did not have to. They all ended up the same. What's the pattern?
I don't know chief. Charley replied.
Well, something's up. All that I know is that whatever they're doing, it seems to be poisoning the world against peaceful digimon as well. And that's something that I won't tolerate. Do you understand?
Charley shook his head. The chief was sure in a state this time. You don't have to tolerate it. At this rate, public opinion is going to decide for you.
I know. Mr. Ishida rumbled ominously. I know.
Hello Hideo. The ice cold voice froze the gym in place. Even Tai could feel the sudden tension in the room. He could not see the speaker though, even though he jerked this way and that looking for the source of that unearthly voice. In the middle of the floor Master Ishiguro stopped in the middle of dismissing the class.
Hello Adam. There was absolutely no emotion in his voice. In fact, there was barely anything at all. What are you doing here?
I've taken up tutoring. Adam jerked his head over to indicate the digidestined lined at the top of the railing. I'm waiting for my charges to show up.
I see. Was all Master Ishiguro said as he went back to dismissing the class. A few moments later most everybody was scurrying through the door. Even more experienced students seemed to want nothing to do with whatever was going to happen on the floor below them. The digidestined, curiously immune to the sense of danger and self-preservation that their fellows possessed stared over the edge.
So, are you going to do something or are you just going to sit there? Master Ishiguro asked.
With a single fluid motion Adam threw aside the gym bag that he had been carrying in one hand and grabbed a single piece of something as it flew off his arm. A moment later there was a silken ring, and over a meter of polished steel, sharpened so much that Izzy could have sworn he saw it cut through the dust, appeared in his hand. It was a western style sword, straight instead of curved, and he held it easily in his right hand, his entire body poised.
In the moment that the flash of light on steel drew attention to the American, Master Ishiguro had produced his own weapon, what appeared to be a traditional katana still in its polished black sheath. He held the sheath loosely in his left hand and watched Adam carefully, as if weighing his options.
I already know that I lose the speed drawing competition. Adam drew the sword back and prepared to spring, his muscles clearly tensed.
As you say. Master Ishiguro backed up, the sword held hilt toward Adam, angled down from over his head, still sheathed.
Adam's eyes narrowed.
After you. Master Ishiguro crouched even lower.
I'm sorry guys...I know we're late but Mr. Fujiyama... Davis's voice cut through the tension as he and the others raced up. Then he caught sight of Adam standing on the lowered floor shaking his head.
Adam smiled without taking his eyes off the black belt. That's all right...
And at that point the world came apart around them.
Cody stood at home, barely listening to the TV. What he was really doing was listening for the inevitable crash next door when one of the digimon would discover something else that was breakable. It was becoming depressingly regular. At least they seemed to be entertained by the radio, and managed to stay hidden mostly from his mother.
He sighed and wandered through the house. The only other person home was his grandfather, who was standing in the kitchen, checking the mail. As soon as Cody entered he shoved something he had been looking at in his pocket, letting Cody get a glimpse of a golden sunburst on a piece of paper, and looked down at him solemnly. Suddenly Cody remembered what he had been going to ask earlier.
You know, my friends now have a private tutor they're supposed to visit after school every day. Cody started very formally.
You told me. His grandfather sensed that a question of some importance was coming out of this.
Well...he invited me to come over with them if I wanted.
Of course Cody, if you want to be with your friends, that's certainly fine with your mother and me. We know that they're people of good character, and that they'll be fine company for you.
Well, there was something strange.
Concern pressed around his grandfather's face. The elder Hida had not bee unaware of how different Cody had been acting in the past two weeks, how grateful for his home he was, and how tense he was. He had been able to look at the accounts of monster attacks all over the city, and put two and two together. Now this suggested that something else might be falling into place. In what way?
Well, he said that he knew you, and that I looked familiar. He seemed to know you because of your kendo reputation.
What was his name? Master Hida began to search his memory.
He's an American. His name is something like Adam D-something, something short. Davies maybe.
Cody's grandfather sucked in a panicked breath, his eyes showing the first signs of true concern that Cody had seen there. Adam Davids is in Japan? he asked sharply.
...late-breaking announcement. The TV suddenly interrupted the conversation. It appears that another monster attack is underway, this time in Tokyo itself. Cody and his grandfather froze. Yes, reports from Odaiba indicate that these monsters are currently terrorizing a high school for some reason. Police urge everyone to remain calm... But Cody was already running for the digimon.
Glass shattered. Despite herself, Mimi screamed. Shapes poured in, horrible ones, and ones that were clearly not human. Some of them bounced off walls, coming ever closer. There was the gleam of steel in their strange hands. Outside another blow smashed through most of the wall and a Knightmon, light glinting off of his silvery armor, slowly and inexorably levered his way inside. The rest of the shapes slowly resolved themselves into the fast moving Ninjamon, jumping back and forth from each wall, slowly moving toward the children now standing petrified on top of the floor. Tai started to shout something.
A Ninjamon jumped and landed directly between Master Ishiguro and Adam Davids. The last thing he ever saw was two statue-like objects suddenly turning into blurs of motion. Adam threw his blade forward, almost as if he had lost control, but there was skill there and art, and the sword curved in its trajectory. Hideo Ishiguro accelerated at unbelievable speeds to a point just short of the Ninjamon and then started to brake. His sword flew out of the sheath as inertia began to take hold, and the swordsmen turned that downward blow into the strongest stroke he could make it. The two blades clashed with a sound like a ringing bell right in the middle of where the Ninjamon's head had been.
The ringing sound filled the gym. Attention, focused between two different groups suddenly became locked onto the two older humans standing in the middle of the room, a faint coat of digital data slowly beginning to coat them.
I think our match has been interrupted. Adam remarked dryly.
I see. It appears that our duel will have to wait a while. Master Ishiguro calmly jammed the scabbard back into its proper place on his belt and drew the sword up parallel to his body. Adam just grunted and drew the hilt of his sword back until it was almost behind him, the point still aimed unerringly at his opponents.
Reminds me of old times. Ishiguro remarked. Which ones do you want?
I'll take the big one! Adam was off, advancing at a run so fast it seemed that his feet were merely gliding along the floor.
You get all the fun. Master Ishiguro muttered, flipping his sword 270 degrees in an arc and slicing into the Ninjamon trying to sneak up on him from behind without even bothering to turn around.
If Adam answered, the voice was lost in the roar of battle that erupted in the gym. Knightmon narrowed his eyes at the approaching human and raised his sword, depending on his natural instincts to tell him when to strike. For a moment he prepared himself, the immovable object meeting the unstoppable force, and then the huge sword slammed down.
Sora saw only the brief motion that betrayed Knightmon's intentions once the sword was underway, but Adam either saw it earlier or simply reacted faster. As the sword began to descend, he leapt, and the huge blade clanged hollowly down beneath his legs. Then he turned into a blur of motion, seeming to be skating up the monstrous sword, his own weapon springing out from where it had lain dormant, uncoiling like a striking serpent. And then he was gone and a huge chunk of metal armor ripped off of Knightmon's shoulder.
The Ultimate screamed, both in pain and in rage, and then he turned around, still roaring his fury just as Adam, who had gone airborne, turned himself over in midair. He hit the remains of the wall behind Knightmon feet first, legs tensing up, and then he sprang again, death incarnate streaking toward his adversary.
Master Ishiguro was in no such hurry, his speed was not only believable and human, it was almost pedestrian. He did not rush, and his movements had no great speed or power behind them, or so it seemed. To the Ninjamon that attacked him it must have been perplexing. They would attack him full on, weapons screaming at their opponent's body as he walked calmly along the floor, and then suddenly he would not be there anymore. There would only be empty air, a bare patch of floor as the Ninjamon skidded by, and then a sudden sharp pain in the back of the skull.
Tai could only watch in wonderment the first time, but the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. He had seen WarGreymon move, but even he did not move with such speed and grace. Or perhaps he did, but over larger distances. It seemed to Tai that Master Ishiguro was somehow just disappearing in one place and reappearing in another, almost as if it was magic. He seemed to know exactly when and where to move, and when his opponents got too close there was almost a blip on the surface of reality and he just moved.
On the other hand, Adam was breaking the laws of physics in his own way. He was moving too fast, continually shifting between defense and offense, and Knightmon, for all his prodigious strength, kept on missing him. Shards of concrete from the walls and wood from the floor speared the air around him, but missed him. It was like watching a ricocheting bullet, there was a great temptation to duck down and miss the entire show. Tai knew that he wanted to close his eyes and hope that everything was going to go away.
Another Ninjamon erupted into a shower of discarded data as a blast of steel cut straight through him, and Ishiguro was beyond them, sword moving now in a great looping arc that hooked around an unfortunate Ninjamon's sword and hurled it straight through the eye of another of the small digimon. A moment later two more Champion level digimon had disappeared, all this the work of one human being.
That was when Knightmon twisted unexpectedly and Adam slipped. He skidded, lengthwise, on his back, twirling around as he tried to right himself, but the huge Ultimate was after him, a monstrous juggernaught that sought nothing but the destruction of his foe. The huge sword came up again, prepared for a downward killing stroke.
Oh hell. Adam said very clearly in the sudden stillness in the battle.
His hand slapped down on the floor next to him. A huge jet of steam erupted from the ground below Knightmon.
The Ultimate screamed as the burning hot steam seared him in that armor shell, and then Adam was rising, his sword rising from the depths, uncoiling like a nightmare. And then Knightmon simply was not there any more, only a cloud of dust and a last lingering scream marking the place he had been only moments before.
The last Ninjamon disintegrated with a look of surprise on his face. Hideo shrugged and walked over to where Adam had sagged against what remained of a wall. What did you do? He asked, sounding more curious than amazed. Izzy knew that his own jaw was dropping towards the floor, but those two were acting as nonchalant as they pleased.
Ruptured the hot water pipe. Adam muttered, shaking his hand out. I hate working with hot water. I feel like my hand's on fire.
You knew that would happen. Hideo chided the American.
What would you have preferred? Adam growled. I could have used the circuitry in the walls and started a chain lightning reaction. That would have been pretty, and killed everyone in the building as I recall.
Surely something less Hideo spared a glance at the geyser bubbling happily in the middle of the floor.
I'd like to see you come up with something next time. Adam muttered.
So what was that all about? Hideo asked.
Well, since they didn't seem to prepared for us. Adam looked around at the fine coat of digital data lying over everything. So offhand I have to say that I think that they were after something else. Or someone else. His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the only other people in the building, standing there watching the scene and gaping.
Tai began to gasp out, the shock of having just seen two ordinary humans wipe out an entire assassination squad overcoming his normal robust nature.
Are there any more of them? Davis, who had been making up more excuses recently than Tai managed to come up with a reason to keep them all busy for a moment to regain their senses. Mouths clanged shut as people began to glance around, looking for something to do, or some handy explanation.
Ken broke out the Scanner almost immediately and took a look around. I don't see anythingoh waithere comes the cavalry.
Attention miscreants! A large and familiar voice boomed out. I am six stories tall, and I have enough firepower to level this entire structure. Come out and surrender at once to these nice friendly police officers or I will be forced to take matters into my own hands. And I'm not speaking figuratively.
Adam rolled his eyes and gestured toward the remains of the back exit. Let's get going people.
They quickly melted out the back door, giving the fluttering Biyomon, who was trying to look inconspicuous in the sky, a quick wave, heading beneath some garbage and wreckage out into the parking structure, where they quickly ducked behind Adam's nondescript van.
Izzy finally collected his thoughts as Shakkuomon, apparently satisfied, disappeared in a blur of light. There was a brief flicker as what looked like Hawkmon swept down and grabbed the falling Armadillomon and zoomed off into the distance.
What just happened? Izzy asked.
Excellent question. Adam adjusted his side mirror carefully so that he could look into Izzy's eyes. You first.
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