No, I don't own digimon.

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IMPORTANT!

Reviews:

I haven't been getting nearly as many reviews for this fic as I had with Crescendo (which averaged over ten per chapter, as opposed to less than two, so I was a little reluctant to continue it. The few people who did, review, however, were very kind and supportive, which I found very motivating enough to continue. Therefore, this fic is dedicated to the people below:

Teroglahn the Otolla: I was really worried that the characters wouldn't be close to being IC, since it's been so long since I've seen the show, and after reading as many fics as I do, things get blurry, you know? I probably wouldn't have continued past Chapter 1 if I hadn't read your review. It was so freakishly close to what I wanted and needed to hear. Thank you so much!

Oceam: Thank you for being so supportive. I'm really glad you're enjoying this story, and that you're sympathizing with Takato and his decisions, which is really what I was trying to do. I'm going to try to stick in more Jurato-ness in at some point. "Splatter" is exactly the word I'd been looking for to describe it in this fic :P. It'll get a bit more antonym-of-splatter later on, according to the plan I intend to stick to.

Wedge: I'm really glad you're liking the story so far. If you hadn't read in whichever chapters I've mentioned it in, this is basically my other story, Crescendo, which is told from Rika and Ryo's POV's instead of Takato/Jeri's. The genre's a little different though, since Rika and Ryo don't know half as much as Takato's gonna, so Crescendo almost more of a horror/romance on their end. Thanks for the review!

The-3-Amigos: I was incredibly happy to see that someone was reading both stories! I hope you're not finding it too repetitive, or anything. I've been trying to write this one during times where Rika and Ryo weren't present. I just noticed the chapters in this story are notably longer than that of its counterpart, in some cases, double. I don't think I'll be updating Crescendo until Atlas gets to the same point in time, so I hope I don't bore you! I believe you're one of the few people reading both stories. Do you think I should post a short essay in chapter 5 or 6 of Atlas talking about what's been going on in Crescendo, or would it not add much? What do you think; good idea or bad?

Fluffeh the Great: Tamers was my favourite season, as well. I wasn't a huge fan of Davis and co. I hope you're one of the North American viewers—you'd be amazed how confused I get reading stories—even great ones—where Ruki is Rika, etc. :P Anyways, again, I'm glad I've been keeping things IC, as Tamers isn't being aired on any networks I get that I know of. Where the heck's our Tamers DVD release?

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I think as far as story content goes, this one should be pleasing. Try not to be too judgemental on my writing in this one, I had my wisdom teeth taken out this morning, and I'm heavily drugged. I'm just proud that I think I'm spelling most things correctly. I'll have some commentary-esque material at the end.

-N

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"Faith is a gift—but you can ask for it."

-Cicero

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"What? Why Rika? Takato demanded, paralyzed with his choice of chasing after Rika, Ryo, and the snake-thing, or staying to protect Jeri. He was sure he'd chosen the latter, but didn't want her to hear his conversation with Yamaki as he hurried outside.

"I tested some of the samples we collected from the location where we secured Janyu and the Monster Makers. The tissue, it's—I can't quite explain this to you over the phone. Find somewhere safe to take Jeri, then we can meet in person" Yamaki stammered. Takato had rarely heard Yamaki sound as worried as he did just there. The only other time was during the D-Reaper's attack.

"…fine. Where can I take her?" Takato submitted.

"Take her home. Her own place. It's too risky to keep her at yours, as he was already so close."

He?

"Fine." Takato agreed, hanging up the phone, fully aware he wouldn't get half the answers out of Yamaki that he wanted, at least unless they spoke in person. He called Henry, who was nearby, as he was supposed to meet them already, and told him that he'd need to protect Jeri after the three of them went to her house. Henry was confused, but as soon as Takato told him it was important and he needed to trust him, Henry didn't ask anything more before agreeing.

He trusts you. After you betrayed him.

Takato pushed the thought to the back of his mind, as he had with so many similar thoughts lately, and went inside to get Jeri. He only told her that the creature was near, but left, and that they'd all be safer if they went to her house. He knew she must be frustrated with him not telling her anything, but simply couldn't risk telling her anything that might put her in further danger. If she knew that the thing might be after Rika and Ryo, she'd go after them without question. Takato had to trust Yamaki when he said that they'd be safe. He simply had no choice. Granted, it wasn't hard to trust him. For all the lying he'd made Takato do to his friends, Takato knew that protecting the Tamers was his obvious priority. That included protecting Jeri. As long as Yamaki's goals were basically the same as Takato's, he'd help him.

As the three walked to Jeri's, Takato couldn't help but bring his thoughts back to Janyu. He empathized with him more than ever. Is it selfish to protect those you love when the lives of many are at risk? He wondered if he'd ever be able to choose between the people closest to him to save the world. Jeri? Henry? Ryo? He cared about all of them too much. If the opportunity ever arose, he'd gladly choose to give his own life to protect any of them. Not because he had to…he'd hate if they would think of it as the "leader" giving himself up. If it ever happened, he'd want them to know it was more than that. His relationship with Jeri was the closest thing to love he could conceive. Maybe he even did love her, but he couldn't let himself think that. He was so ashamed with everything he'd done lately. Henry had been his closest friend during the appearance of the digimon. Takato had always been able to count on Henry when he needed to, and even when he didn't. Takato, Henry, and Rika had been the original three Tamers. Henry, Rika, and Ryo had all even volunteered to put their lives on the line to hold off the D-Reaper's Agents so Takato could get to Jeri. Henry was a very noble person, and Takato had betrayed him. He knew he didn't deserve Henry's trust. They hadn't talked nearly as much after the digimon left as they did when they were here, but Takato still obviously considered Henry a good friend. Ryo, on the other hand, hadn't been very close with Takato during the digimon incident. Takato didn't mind, though, because Ryo became his closest friend after the incident. He wondered if Ryo valued their friendship as much as he did. Hell, he wondered if Jeri and Henry cared about him the way he did. Takato suddenly wondered if he'd ever find out—if they'd all make it through this. He didn't know if he could live with himself if any of them were to fall to this thing. He prioritized his friends' survival above his own, and he wondered if he himself would get through it. It was then that Takato promised himself to, at some point, tell Ryo that their friendship was one of the few important things in his life; to tell Jeri exactly how he felt about her; and to come clean with Henry about his role in what happened to Janyu. He just hoped he'd have enough time to do it.

Little was said amongst the three before their arrival at Jeri's. The three were taking the route through the woods, which, although was almost something out of a horror flick, was the fastest way to Jeri's. Takato had assumed that Henry was following Takato almost blindly, which—while certainly flattering—he almost hated because of the plain fact that he didn't feel he deserved to be. Jeri not only said nothing, but barely lifted her eyes from the ground the entire way. It literally caused Takato physical pain to have to hide something from her. Takato said the most, however few of words were said. But it wasn't to his friends, it was to his parents, who he'd called and asked to stay and his grandmothers. The tone he'd asked them in was similar to the one he'd used with Jeri and Henry.

Why do they all trust you so much? Manipulative—

Takato's thoughts were interrupted as he heard his phone ring again. For the first time that he noticed, Jeri raised her eyes to his, but quickly returned them to the ground as the three continued walking. Takato slowed a bit, lagging behind Henry and Jeri as he answered it, knowing full well Yamaki was on the other end.

"Yeah? We're almost at Jeri's." Takato asked, sounded much ruder than he had intended.

"Rika and Ryo are safe. I thought you'd want to know. I'll pick you up when you get to Jeri's place." With that, Yamaki hung up.

Rika. It's after Rika?

"Yeah, okay, thanks. I'm really glad to hear that." He said, fully aware that nobody was on the other line. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt relieved. He called ahead to his friends.

"Hey, guys, that was Ryo," he lied "him and Rika are okay. They hadn't even left his house yet, but they heard about the snake thing on the radio. They were just worried about us."

He saw Henry and Jeri's shoulders sink almost in unison as they exhaled deeply. He even saw smiles off of them. And of course, seeing Jeri smile made him smile, even if what he'd just told her was half true. This made him feel all the more guilty, so he let out more information than he probably should have, but nothing that would endanger them.

"Yamaki's gonna pick me up when we get to your place, Jeri. Not sure about what, maybe he heard about this thing too. He might even have a way to stop it."

She smiled a little wider. "Really? That's the best news I've heard all day."

Henry smiled, too. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Takato was worried he'd painted himself into a corner, and searched for a way out. He collected himself quickly, though, and replied. "No, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure we'll be safe at Jeri's, but I'd like for you guys to stick together. Yamaki tends to yammer on, and I'd be a whole lot more comfortable with that if I know that J—that you guys aren't alone."

He could tell Jeri was trying to hide her smile and blushing about his Freudian slip, but didn't bother hiding his own. It was one of the first true things he'd said to his friends in a while. His smile faded, though, as he turned his thoughts to what Yamaki had said. The thing was after Rika. Takato didn't know what to make of it. It wanted the location of the Tamers, so it could get to Rika specifically? It didn't make sense. Takato knew Rika was a special girl, but why would anyone want to hurt her, more than any of the other Tamers?

You're the good guys.

He wondered if there were more people like Rumiko who blamed the Tamers for things they weren't responsible for. The D-Reaper sure caused a lot of damage globally. He made himself accept that while the Tamers were the ones who stopped it, that there must be some people who blamed them for its arrival in the first place. He then accepted that the Tames must have enemies. But he couldn't get past why something would be after Rika.

He didn't get past it, and it haunted him until they arrived at Jeri's house. He wasn't surprised to see Yamaki's limousine outside. He looked to Jeri, who seemed to be as unsure of what to say as he was. He instead said nothing, moved close to her, and hugged her, holding her for a few seconds, before he broke apart to give her a small kiss, and then entered Yamaki's limo, saying nothing else to neither her nor Henry

Henry.

Takato and Jeri had been almost secretive about their relationship. He was certain everyone suspected something, but Henry just then was the first to bear witness. He felt a little bad, worried that he may have just created an awkward situation for Jeri that he should be there for to help explain, but on the other hand, he was a little glad, as it would probably make telling Jeri his feelings a lot easier.

Stay focused.

He followed his advice, and turned to ask Yamaki the question that he'd left burning in Takato's mind.

"What did you mean, 'it's after Rika'?

"I've managed to enhance the tracking capabilities we're using on the creature—" Yamaki began, ignoring Takato's question.

The creature. He.

"—You called it 'he' earlier." Takato accused.

Yamaki paused with a sigh. "The tissues we collected…I've had them analyzed. A hundred different ways. That thing, it's human. It may appear to demonstrate qualities of a digimon, but it's not." Yamaki said this slowly. He was evidently having great difficulty explaining this. Takato was someone what by this, for all the grief Yamaki'd put him through the past few weeks.

"Then what is it?" Takato asked, repressing his urge to make Yamaki feel as uncomfortable as Takato had been lately.

Again, Yamaki seemed to ignore his question. "Seven years ago, the threat of the digital world had first arisen. Three scientists were asked to combat the menace biologically. We were commissioned to create a serum that would give a human the strength and abilities of a digimon, so that we could fight back. But that wasn't our own personal priority. The group consisted of myself, Dr. Alexander Valn, and Dr. Nonaka—Rika's father."

…What?

"You knew Rika's father?" Takato demanded, almost angrily. "She barely remembers anything about him, why didn't you ever—"

"Takato, please just listen." Yamaki said almost pleadingly. Takato agreed after several seconds of silence. "Our first breakthrough was a virus which was to infect the digital world so that we could control it—please believe me when I say that we had no idea they were sentient creatures." Takato did, thought he didn't say anything, and Yamaki continued. "That was to be our last resort, though. We didn't understand enough about the digital world to inflict such a thing on it. So, out next creation was what we were supposed to do. Find a way to give a human being the power he'd need to fight a digimon. It involved using a similar system that digimon themselves use—collecting data. We tested the serum on a subject, and it appeared to work. He—mutated into something we hadn't conceived. We had a cure, however, and we used it. The subject returned to normal. But he was furious. He claimed we hadn't explained the risks to him, and threatened to expose the dangerous work we were doing. Valn killed him in cold blood. When I saw the only monster I worked with was him, I left, and founded the Juggernaut project. But not before I took this." Yamaki said, brandishing a plastic yellow case. "Valn and Nonaka's lab later exploded. One body was found, but it was burned too badly to be able to be recognized. I don't think it was either Valn or Rika's father, but the man Valn killed."

"What about Rika's dad?" Takato asked. "Do you have any idea where he might be now?"

Yamaki sighed. "Takato, the samples I collected off of that creature indicate that that is Rika's father. He was as opposed to Valn's cruelty as much as I was, only he was too scared to leave. Valn probably even blackmailed him into staying, so he could turn his research against him. I believe Valn is controlling him, sending him after the Tamers to get revenge on me. It's going after Rika because she is the one thing that never left Nonaka's mind. The serum—the virus—it removes the carrier's humanity. It probably recognizes Rika, but doesn't realize she's the daughter he loved."

Takato was virtually paralyzed. The thing that was trying to kill his best friend was her dad. Her dad, who was some secret scientist, with Yamaki, who were developing something dangerous. Yamaki got out, but Nonaka didn't.

"What did you take?" Takato suddenly asked, indicating the yellow container.

Yamaki handed it to him. "This is the prototype of the cure we used to bring the first subject back to normal."

"Can we use it to kill that thing?" Takato suddenly asked, hopefully.

"No." Yamaki said flatly. "Nonaka is too far gone to be saved. He's already mutated. I do, believe, however, that it will kill someone infected with it before mutation."

"What?" Takato really didn't understand.

"What's made Nonaka what he is, it's a virus. And it's likely contagious. My best guess is it'd be transmitted through blood. If that creature attacks someone, and that someone survives, it could very likely turn into one of those creatures. I want you to take this incase that happens."

"You want me to kill someone!" Takato snarled.

"I want you to be able to defend yourself and your friends. That serum in your hands is 95 likely to kill the human in a person as well as the monster. I know those aren't odds you want to take, but I want you to have the option. Please understand."

Takato held back his tears. It seemed like yesterday he was ordered to allow Henry's father to get attacked. And he did. Now he's basically been given a loaded gun. He wasn't even considering using it on anyone, he was sure they'd find another way. But he put it in his pocket absentmindedly; a whisper in the back of his head telling him that he may not have a choice.

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AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Okay, I hope you enjoyed that. Takato's just getting things worse and worse. The next chapter or two will probably parallel the big action scene in Crescendo, which, of course, Takato plays a more important part than you initially think.

Hey, I broke 10,000 words! I made this one a few hundred words longer to make up for the 500 I spent talking to the wonderful people who reviewed.

Anyways, what I wanted to emphasize in this chapter is how Takato is worried he's being followed blindly by his friends, while, in a way, following Yamaki blindly himself. I also wanted to illustrate how he almost prioritizes his friends—he mentions he wants to protect Jeri and Ryo above all else, even when he knows Rika's the one in the most danger.

Please review, I love constructive feedback/criticism.

Peace,

-N