Chapter 3: A few questions answered

Takato woke up the next morning to a slight tapping noise. Still half asleep he was unsure of what the noise was and looked around his room. He noticed BlackGatomon was still curled up at his side, her head resting on her front paws and her tail lay against her body. She had a content look on her face that made his heart go out to her, her ears flickering every few seconds before she licked her lips in her sleep. He knew from these actions that she was dreaming and was glad that it was a good dream instead of one of the nightmares she went through because of her past. She didn't dream often but when she did it was normally such nightmares. Takato remembered a few nights in the past he had been woken up by her scratching him in her sleep as she tossed and turned.

The soft tapping brought him out of his reminiscing, this time however he could tell that the tapping had originated from his bedroom window. Looking at the clock to see it was only three in the morning he slowly got out of bed being careful not to interrupt the sleeping cat's dreams and made his was over to his window. Slowly drawing back the curtains while being as quiet as possible Takato looked out his window with sleepy half closed eyes.

The sight that met the Tamers eyes was defiantly not what he had been expecting however. Takato didn't know who would want to wake him up at this time in morning but the yellow vixen in front of him would have been near the bottom of the list second only to her tamer. Too tired to even create a shocked expression on his face he slid his window open before holding a finger to his lips and motioning her to come inside.

Renamon was surprised when Takato neglected to ask what she was doing here, he didn't even go to wake up his Digimon which would have been the typical reaction to a Digimon suddenly appearing at ones window unannounced. Instead he just asked her quietly to wait there before turning away and walking towards the bathroom connected to his room. As he walked away from her he pulled of the t-shirt he had fallen asleep in last night and Renamon found herself staring at his now bare back. Renamon noticed the toned muscles of his back and shoulder along with his perfectly tanned skin that gave her a feeling of longing that both surprised and confused her. However her attention soon turned to the three scars that ran the length of his back. The scars looked to have been caused by a large animals claws and must have been a near fatal wound judging from the sheer size of the scars.

As Takato slowly entered the bathroom, he thought about why Renamon had decided to show up at his house but quickly figured that the only reason Renamon would be here at any time (let alone 3am) was to question him about something that had been bothering ether her or her tamer or to attack him when he wasn't expecting it. As she had knocked on the window and hadn't done anything aggressive he assumed it was the first one. Knowing that he needed to wake up fully before they talked Takato splashed some cold water onto his face before wiping the sleep out of his eyes before heading back into his room.

Renamon noticed the drops of water running down his chest and onto his toned abs causing that longing feeling inside her to return with a vengeance. Wondering why she was suddenly thinking this way about a human and one she knew almost nothing about she decided to contemplate it after she asked her questions. She watched as he turned the chair in front of his desk towards her before sitting down and waited for her to start.

"I have a few questions that I'm hoping that you would answer for me" she started quietly knowing that his Digimon were still asleep. Seeing him nod she continued "First is it ok if I ask how you became the partner of three Digimon?"

Takato smiled softly before answering "Well I might as well answer in the order I was partnered, though I won't go into too much detail tonight, agreed?" Seeing the vixen nod he continued "My first partner was Guilmon, I like your Tamer met my Digimon before the D-Reaper attacked. There is a reason my D-Ark is the only one that can get data on him. The reason is that before he was my partner he simply didn't exist."

"Are you telling me that someone created him just for you?" Renamon asked in disbelief.

Pulling one of the notebooks on his desk towards him before flipping through, finding what he was looking for he pulled out a loose pieces of paper. A small smile of remembrance graced his face before he handed them to her. "No I'm telling you my D-Ark created him from the pictures and stats you're holding in your hands" he replied giving a soft chuckle.

Renamon stared down at the faded pictures and data in shock, if what he said was true then it was no wonder that no one could get data on Guilmon (her Tamer had tried numerous times). Sighing in defeat she handed the paper back to him and waited for him to continue.

"BlackGatomon was the next one I met" he started, looking at her asleep on the bed a sad smile. "She had been injured before making it to the real word, upon arriving she was attacked for being a virus Digimon by Tamers that were close to where she bio-emerged. I saw what was happening and defended her and brought her to my house to rest, I'll let her explain what happened to her in the digital world if she wants to. Anyway she decided to stay after she almost ended up attacking me and I refused to allow Guilmon or myself to stop her." Takato smiled at the look of shock on Renamon's face "She's actually the reason I'm able to have more than one partner."

"BlackWarGreymon I actually met in the Digital World" he said slowly, a tear sliding down his face as he remembered the reason he had been there at that time.

"You've been to the Digital World?" she asked softly, she didn't know the reason for the tear but she knew that it had to be bad. The boy in front of her was one of the strongest humans she had ever known so whatever had happened must have caused him a great deal of emotional pain.

"Twice," the boy answered "it was the second time I was there that I met him. I… wasn't in the best of mental states at the time but I didn't run from him or attack him like the many others he had met for being a virus Digimon. I simply asked him what he was doing in the middle of nowhere, upon hearing his answer I asked if he would like to be left alone or if he wanted some company." Takato paused for a few second and looked where the Digimon in question lay "He joined us not out of some sense of obligation but out of respect" he ended simply.

As Renamon thought about what she had learned so far and began to choose what question to ask next. After taking a deep breath through her nose she remembered something that had been troubling her these last two days. Deciding to see if he was able to explain it she asked curiously "Do you know why your scent is that of both a Digimon as well as a human?"

The question caused Takato to laugh "Actually that's easy to answer," he replied "but before I do can I enquire if one of the questions you have yet to ask is about me bio-merging?" he asked while his smile never leaving his face.

"Yes I was going to ask how you are able to bio-merge when you turned down the Sovereign's gift," she said a little surprised that he knew the question was coming "Alice said it had something to do with an event in your past."

"Well that makes it easier" he stated scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "The answer to both of those questions is that I died." The mixture of shock and confusion on Renamon's face made it clear to him that she didn't understand his answer. "I'm guessing you would like me to explain a little as to how someone dead can be sitting in front of you" he laughed. Upon seeing a small nod from the vixen he decided to give her the short version. "The first time I went to the Digital World me and Guilmon met a Greymon and upon finding out Guilmon was a virus Digimon he attacked. Guilmon didn't have time to digivolve and I didn't have time to find a card so I did the one thing I could do, I got in the way."

Renamon was amazed at what he had done but before she could say anything he continued. "I had always told Guilmon that if I died in the digital world I wanted him to load my data so I could a little useful to him even if I was dead. I never would have guessed what happened however. The process of a person being turned to data and then being combined with their partner through loading there data allowed Guilmon to Bio-merge for the first time. When Guilmon de-digivolved after deleting the Greymon my data was combined with the data Guilmon used that data as well as the fire element from the Greymon and combined it with mine to rebuild my body. So your answer is my DNA has Digimon data in it, though that Greymon left a permanent impression on my data that's shown as the scars on my back and the data itself is unstable."

"So your scent is part Digimon because you are part Digimon," she began. It was then that she thought of a new question "What do you mean your data is unstable?"

"It's rather simple really, human DNA and Digimon data where never supposed to be combined permanently. The combination of Data and DNA that occurs when a tamer and partner Bio-merge is only meant to be a temporary state and would only last for a couple of hours tops. The Data that's holding my boy together is highly strained and could separate if I'm seriously injured thankfully some of data from Digimon we delete is absorbed by my body and has kept the bond from breaking thus far."

Renamon couldn't help but feel a deep sympathy for the human. Takato was hanging to life by a thread and had to delete Digimon in order to stay alive. Thinking about the data inside Takato Renamon thought of her next question "If your half made of data does that mean you can digivolve?"

This question actually shocked Takato, he had never even thought about what the data in his DNA would allow him to do he had only ever been glad it had saved his life. "That I actually don't know," he replied slowly "I guess I'll have to wait until I get time to get my G-ark from the league before I'm able to find out."

"What is a G-ark and why is the League making it for you?" she asked slightly puzzled. As far as she knew the Omnivice was the best digivice around already, she couldn't remember a time when she had heard of anything called a G-ark.

"The G-ark is unique device that the League created that stabilizes the combination of human DNA and Digimon data. The only reason I don't have one already is that a G-ark needs to be tailored to each individual's unique DNA/data layout." Takato explained.

Renamon nodded before she remembered Alice's conversation with Rika "May I ask why the first time you bio-merged in the real world it pained you?" It confused her as to why the process would be painful to him and she explained "I would have thought being part Digimon would make it easier for you."

"Well actually that's what made it worse, you see my D-Ark sent electric shocks through every muscle and nerve in my body mapping them out before saving the data it got back along with my new DNA/data pattern before it digitised me to bio-merge me with Guilmon." Takato replied, the memory causing him to wince slightly.

"If you could bio-merge why didn't you help us out with the D-Reaper?" Renamon asked letting her anger get the better of her for the first time at remembering how difficult the battle had been. The only reason that they had survived the battle was that they stuck close to each other and covered each other's back.

"I did help you" he replied knowing the reason she asked the question "didn't any of you wonder how Jeri got out of the D-Reapers core?" Takato laughed quietly when understanding crossed the Digimon's face before it went blank again.

Renamon couldn't help but feel guilty for accusing Takato as she had when he had risked his life in order to save Jeri, alone for that matter. "So that's why Alice called you Jeri's knight in shining armor" the vixen stated now understanding the remark.

"Yeah Gallantmon flew her out of there on Grani. After that I attacked the D-reapers drones in order to keep them away from you guys until you defeated the D-reaper." Takato replied, he already knew that she had been listening in on the conversation at school. "Is there anything else you would like to know? It's just that I need to get a little more sleep before school" he asked, he was still tired and it was still too early for him to be thinking clearly.

"Two more questions actually. Why would the League already need to make G-arks other than for you?" Renamon asked.

Takato seemed to be lost in thought for a while before he responded slowly "That Renamon is not something I can tell you. Suffice to say however that the League has a lot of secrets they keep from the public in order to keep the world safe. If I where you I would tread very lightly if you want answers to what the League does." Takato replied with a forlorn look on his face.

Renamon couldn't stop an involuntary shiver from running down her spin at the implications of Takato's statement. Rika and herself dealt with the Global Digimon Tamers Tournament Association or GDTTA and had thought they were in the know about all League dealings. They knew about the League's DART branch that kept tabs on the tamers and their technology division and law enforcement branches DTRADE and DIALED. Rika's mother Rumiko Nonaka a former fashion model now appeared in advertisements for league events and was even planning and coordinating such events in Japan. To hear that there were things that the League did that they didn't know about was fairly startling. Shaking off the feeling Renamon concentrated on her last question "Why does your friend Seth give off the same Digimon/human smell you do and why is he so… frightening?"

Takato gave an understanding nod "Seth also has a data/DNA combination in his body so that's why he smells like a Digimon. As for why he's frightening… let's just say that the things Seth has done and seen make him more intimidating than almost any other individual you can find" at Renamon's confused look Takato elaborated "I guess the closest thing I could relate it to would be if a fox found itself in a confined room with a hungry wolf. Your instincts are telling you that you have attracted the attention of a superior predator and are trying to warn you that you're in danger" Takato explained.

Renamon was slightly insulted by the insinuation that Seth was more dangerous than her "Are you saying I'm weak?" Renamon asked with narrowed eyes.

Takato raised his hands in surrender "No believe me I rather admire your battle skills and think your one of the most skilled Digimon out there" Renamon blushed at Takato's honest praise of her thought it was thankfully hidden by her fur. Takato continued "All I'm saying is that despite what you and the other Tamers think, Seth has more battle experience than you and the other original Tamer's partners combined. He has killed and lost more than hopefully you and the others ever will so please don't push him too much." Takato answered before letting an uneasy silence descend upon the room before speaking again. "Is there anything else you wanted to ask?"

"…No that's all for now" she replied before turning away and walking towards the still open window. As she reached it she turned back to him before saying "and thank you for answering my questions. Is it ok if I tell my tamer what I have learned?"

Giving her a warm smile that made the longing creep back into her mind he replied "It's ok if you tell Rika. But keep what I said about Seth close to your chest. Good night Renamon."

"Good night Takato" she said before disappearing into the night.

Slowly making his way back to his bed after closing the window he climbed in, lying down on his bed he felt BlackGatomon get herself comfortable against his side in her sleep and with a small smile on his face fell asleep.

When Rika woke up that morning she had found Renamon waiting to talk to her, she was half way through getting dressed when her partner told her that she had gone to Takato's to ask him a few questions. Rika had spun around to look at her in shock, her jeans unbuttoned and only her black bra covering her breasts. "You did what?!" she had demanded forgetting for the moment that she to get ready for school.

"I went to ask him a few questions which he kindly answered for me" the vixen replied laughing inside at how her tamer had blushed at the mention of him. Decided to tease her slightly the Digimon continued "and I must admit that he has a very nice toned body," pausing to watch her tamers blush brighten "I wasn't expecting the scars on his back however."

Rika had frozen again after buttoning up her jeans upon hearing that Takato had scars, she had expected him to have a toned body after how he had defended himself at school but she hadn't expected scars that where impressive enough for Renamon to make a note of them. "Do you know how he got them?" she asked quietly, seeing the vixen nod she added "Well?"

"Unless you want to go to school like that I suggest you finish getting dressed while I explain our entire conversation" she said hiding her amusement at how her Tamer had forgotten everything to find out more about the boy.

Looking down at herself she realized that she was still not dressed and nodding for Renamon to continue she went back to getting ready. As Renamon explained the conversation she gasped at Guilmon's creation and listened intently at how he had met his other partners but when she got the part of his death Rika paled. Renamon gave her a minute remembering her own reaction before she explained his 'death' Rika listened in horror at how he had thrown himself in front of his partner giving his own life to save his.

Surprise entered her features when so heard how Guilmon loading his data had caused them to bio-merge for the first time and of how his D-Ark had used Digimon data to help rebuild his body and that the scars were a permanent reminder of his death. Shock hit her again upon hearing how his body was unstable and the reason behind why the first time he bio-merged in the real world had pained him. Her mind started thinking of worst case scenarios when she heard that the League was keeping secrets from her. But it was hearing how he was responsible for Jeri making it out of the D-Reaper's core that made the most difference. She remembered how when she had asked Jeri why she had talked to him that first day she had told her it was to thank him, deciding to ask Jeri how she had known it was him later she left for breakfast.

Both Rika and Renamon had a new found respect for the boy, not only because he had three Digimon or that he was part one himself but because he had given his life to protect his partner not knowing that he would come back and for rescuing there friend at the time she needed someone the most. Both of their thoughts were of the boy for the rest of the morning, both wondering what could have caused the tear when the memory of his own death didn't bother him and Renamon also is deciding to keep what she had learned about Seth to herself for now.

: The Bering Sea, 112 miles north of the Aleutian Chain. Time 0325:

The pitch blackness of the Bering Sea at night was disturbed by the almost constant flash of lighting and the air filled with the crashing of 32 feet high waves, thunder, and the screeching wind and rain from the monstrous Typhoon above. Strangely however the normally bitter cold air of the Bearing Sea was strangely warm only being around 42 degrees. This highly unusual weather phenomenon could not be explained by local forecasters and was most certainly not natural. This had been the reason that the league had taken notice and explained why nine specialized League owned Black Hawk helicopters flying through the rain fairly high above the churning waters.

The Black Hawks roared above the water in louse group. The helicopters all had a powerful spotlight mounted at the front of the aircraft that was controlled by the Co-pilot. Inside the aircraft two door gunners manned the mini guns on either side of the craft while the four commandoes in the back checked their weapons one last time and pretended they were somewhere else and not in a helicopter flying threw a typhoon at night.

Inside the lead chopper the back was occupied by not four commandos but instead a teenager. The teenager was male with pale skin and mid-length light brown hair. His green eyes regarded a silver dagger that he was currently boy wasslightly short coming only up to 5'6 with a narrow build. He wore a dark blue sweat-shirt, and a pair of tan cargo pants. His pair of grey hiking boots seemed to find purchase on the slipper wet floor of the Black Hawk and stooped him from being jostled around the helicopter despite the fact that he was not strapped into the seat of the chopper. Over his sweatshirt an unzipped black rain jacket bellowed in the wind as the boys arms were not in the sleeves and the only thing holding the apparel to his frame was the hood over his head and the top collar button.

"Sir, target vessel in sight the anomaly signal is still coming from the vessel!" The pilot of the chopper shouted back to the teenager who put the dagger he was sharpening in a sheath on his right hip before pulling a small wireless headset from his pocket and putting it into his right ear.

"This is Vigilant to Poseidon flight target in sight 1 minute till drop." The teenager stated in a calm voice that spoke of a person with high experience. The teenager known as Vigilant stood up and grabbed the hand rail next to the opening of the helo and gazing out at the lone cargo ship that was doing its best to wither the storm.

The League had detected a Digimon bio-emerge somewhere in the Bering Sea. Shortly after it bio-emerged strange weather phenomena began to occur in the Bering Sea and thus Vigilant had been sent to the League's local air bases in Dutch Harbor to join the investigation unit. Shortly after his arrival his team had discovered the Digimon's signal was originating at the spot occupied by the cargo vessel Winter Star. Before they could get to the vessel however the strange weather anomalies condensed to form the typhoon that now sat above the Bering Sea like a veil that prevented the ship from reaching harbor. It was then decided that getting to the ship was top priority and thus the teenager now found himself along with the assault force flying threw a typhoon in their modified Black Hawk's.

As they neared the vessel that had all of its exterior lights on in order to see the ocean waves around it the radio lite up. "Poseidon 1-3, 1-4, and 1-5 moving to deploy 1st assault force." The pilot of Poseidon 1-3 announced as three Black Hawks banked and approached the vessel in order to deploy their commando's.

"Poseidon 1-6, and 1-7standing by in case 1st assault needs back up." The pilot for 1-6 announced.

Vigilant watched as his pilot began to speak in the comm "Poseidon 1-1 here, moving to over watch position. 1-2 move to the starboard side of the vessel to provide sniper cover. 1-9 maintain over watch on the aft side of the ship." As the different aircraft complied with their order the radio came alive again.

"Poseidon 1-9 here to 1-1 target signal appears to be… growing." The Co-pilot for 1-9 announced as the spotlights of the helicopters passed over the different parts of the ship.

Vigilant leaned further outside the helo even as the rain and wind beat down on him taking in the view of the ship and the surrounding water. Even as the three helicopters carrying the first assault force began to lower altitude to drop off the commandos Vigilant's attention was soon drawn to the water around the ship that for some reason seemed be more churned up than the rest of the ocean around it almost like…

"SHIT! All helo's wave off wave off! Abort, abort bank away and get some altitude now!" Vigilant shouted into the comm. As the helo's attempted to follow the order the ocean around the ship burst up as a giant head the height and width of a football field engulfed the transport ship in its mouth before swallowing. Unfortunately two of the Black Hawks weren't able to get clear in time as both where knocked out of the air with one getting a blow to the side that sent it immediately nose first into the ocean while the other's tail was sheared off causing the helicopter to go into a spin before impacting the ocean.

"This is 1-4 to all stations Poseidon 1-3 and 1-5 are down! I repeat 1-3 and 1-5 are down! Requesting S&R!" The pilot of the only chopper of the assault force to escape shouted as he banked his helicopter away from the 300 foot long Mega Seadramon that just decided to ruin his day.

Taking quick stock of the situation Vigilant decided on a course of action "Poseidon 1-6 and 1-8 run S&R on Poseidon's 1-3 and 1-5. All other birds keep that thing in your sights and open fire. Keep evasive but do not let it dive!" Vigilant ordered before looking up at the storm and grimacing. "I need to get some god-damn CAS on this shit." Vigilant muttered to himself before going back to the comm. "This is Vigilant to Poseidon Actual target is an Ultimate level Mega Seadramon we need heavy ordinance!"

Poseidon Actual was the base back at Dutch Harbor which was keeping track of the mission and much to their credit they responded quickly and smartly. "This is Poseidon Actual to Vigilant hostile intent by Digimon confirmed, Use of heavy ordinance authorized. What to you need?"

Before Vigilant could responded the Mega Seadramon gave a deafening roar before moving its head in an attempt to strike one of the passing Black Hawks that war strafing it with mini-gun fire. Thankfully the pilot was able to evade but the same could not be said for the eardrums of everyone nearby that felt the air vibrate at the roar. (Think of Godzilla's roar and you have it)

Deciding he need help now Vigilant went back to the comm "This is Vigilant I need a Thor strike ASAP!"

After a couple of seconds Poseidon Actual responded "Request confirmed Vigilant Thor strike authorized. Be advised cloud cover over the target area has blocked visual targeting. You need to plant a beacon on the target for the system to get a lock."

Vigilant cursed before acknowledging the order before shouting to the pilot of the chopper "Get me down to its head!"

"Yes sir!" The pilot responded fearlessly as he banked the chopper toward the creatures head. As the pilot avoided a swipe of the beast he managed to hover the Black Hawk close enough to the head for Vigilant to leap out of the chopper without a moment's hesitation.

As he fell time seemed to slow down as the adrenalin reached his brain and making him hyper aware of his surroundings. Pulling out his dagger as he went by the armored part of the head, Vigilant lunged out and stabbed into the base of the creature's neck just past the end of its armor. The dagger stopped his fall and using his upper body strength to pull himself up on top of the head Vigilant now found himself standing on an enraged Mega Seadramon's head. Quickly pulling a small disk like object from one of his pants pockets Vigilant pressed a button in the center before inserting the disk into the wound his dagger just inflected.

"This is Vigilant beacon active I could really use a pick up about now!" Vigilant announced into the calm.

"This is 1-2 we got you" replied the pilot for 1-2 as the Black Hawk in question banked in order to hover just off his right and 15 feet to the right of the head. Tensing all the muscles in his legs Vigilant leaped toward the chopper, his enhance body making it 14 feet before one of the two snipers in the helicopter reached out and dragged him the rest of the way into the helo.

"This is Poseidon Actual Signal received Thor strike inbound in 30 seconds." Dutch Harbor announced over the comm.

"This is Vigilant to all remaining aircraft get clear of the target, Thor strike inbound." Vigilant announced over the comm as his and the rest of Poseidon flight moved away from the Mega Seadramon.

"Strike inbound ETA 7,6,5…" Poseidon actual counted until with a high pitched shriek a 80 cm shell moving at mock 3 punched through the storm above and threw the targets cranium before using what was left of its momentum to plow into the ocean sending up a geyser 40 feet into the air.

Vigilant couldn't help but marvel at the capabilities of the large railway launched canon that floated in orbit above. The weapon allowed the League to hit Mega level Digimon anywhere on the globe and had saved numerous lives since its inception ten months ago. "This is Vigilant target down. All personnel recovered, returning to base." Vigilant announced as he watched the Mega Seadramon slowly delete and the typhoon above suddenly stop as sunlight breached thought the clouds as the Black Hawks made their way back to Dutch Habor.

Suddenly the sound of a phone ringing came from Vigilant's pocket making him pull out a cell and answer. "Hello… Seth what's up!... Interesting a school?... Well I don't… Okay when you put like that I don't really have a choice….Right I'll be there in two days… Right, bye." Vigilant hung up before letting a smile grace his face. He was going back to school.

And Chapter! Well that one was hard to write. Before I go here is some info on the League's branches.

League Branches:
DART (the Digital Assessment and Reconnaissance Team)- this division of the league is made of representatives that serve as liaisons and representatives of the league to various dignitaries, law enforcement, and communities. It is not uncommon to find at least one to three DART members in any major city to report the status and goings on pf the tamers and Digimon to the league.

GDTTA (the Global Digimon Tamers Tournament Association)- The creators of the Digiscape internet page and the Tamer and Digimon Ranking Systems this branch of the League is responsible for all Digimon sporting activities and trading card distribution of the world as well as setting up tournaments and other sporting related activities.

DTRADE (Digital Technology Research And Development Echelon)
The branch that researches new technologies for sport, law enforcement, and Digimon care activities.

DIALED (the Digital Investigations and Affairs: Law Enforcement Division)-
These serve as basically the digital police force of the world with a building in every city and town. They investigate and deal with Digimon related crimes and misdemeanors.

Undisclosed ( #% %# %#% $%$^&$#%$^%^)-

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Undisclosed (#$$%$^&%$^&&$%&%&%$%&&)

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