Chapter 6: The Departure
Finished in their objectives, the Digimon Tamers returned to the base, where Riley and Yamaki were in a mixture of shock and relief when they saw Takato amongst the Tamers, shocked to see the changes in the brunette's appearance, but relieved he was alive.
Briefing on the mission, Guilmon had excused himself for some privacy, confusing Yamaki and Riley to Guilmon's change in behaviour, but focused their attention on the remaining Tamers.
"Thank goodness you're safe, Takato." Riley let out, expressing a clear relief in her voice, which changed as she had to ask. "But what happened to you and Guilmon?"
"A lot has happened, but I'd rather not talk about it." Takato said bluntly, this troubling Riley and Tally a little, but the duo respected Takato's privacy.
"We found some amazing facts." Kazu spoke up, trying to change the subject as he informed. "Takato's gonna track down these crystals in these labyrinths and temples so we can defeat the main evil and finally return home."
"I see. That is interesting news" Yamaki let out, thinking as he flicked his lighter, picking up on old habits.
"But that's not all. Takato said there's a traitor among us. He disbanded from us because he thought we all would betray him again." Henry added, troubling Yamaki.
"A traitor? But who?" Tally questioned, finding it hard to believe the Digimon Tamers would turn against their old beliefs.
"We want to know that as badly as you do." Rika said in reply.
"Alice and I will go with Takato on his journey. While we are crystal hunting and monster killing." The red haired Tamer went on, taking a more authoritative role, clenching her right fist as she declared. "We need to find our traitor and make him pay."
In agreement with Rika, Yamaki began to ponder, expressing his thoughts amongst the Tamers and employees of Hypnos. "Hmm... perhaps these labyrinths should have security cameras or a system set up as to record and monitor the pathways. If we could find these images, we could identify the one who betrayed us."
"Don't worry, Takato. We'll find the one who betrayed you. It may take a while but we find them." Alice assured as she set a comforting hand upon the brunette's back.
"Right... and when you're doing that, I'll search for the other crystals." Takato said in reply, sliding himself away from Alice's contact. "Keep me contacted."
"Hold it right there, Gogglehead." Rika cut in, seeing Takato about to leave.
"You're not going through this alone. Alice and I are coming with you." Rika declared, staring down Takato with a familiar seriousness, only to then flash a light smirk and say. "Besides, I would rather kick ass than sit on my butt all time."
"And you need BlackGatomon to find those lairs." Alice added knowing BlackGatomon's knowledge of the labyrinthian tunnels would prove invaluable.
Knowing he couldn't get rid of them, even if he wanted to, Takato sighed.
"Fine, but don't be dead weight or else I am leaving you behind." The brunette said coldly, passing Rika, who continued to stare at him, at what he had become.
"Takato, your new arm... is it made of Black Digizoit, the strongest Digi metal around right?" Henry asked with a fair curiousness, this causing Takato to turn, looking at the genius amongst the Digimon Tamers and ask bluntly. "What of it?"
"I just wanted to help you find a way to get your more biological arm back." Henry said in reply, before asking. "Was it taken by a monster or something?"
Takato just remained silent, with Henry taking his silence as a yes.
Feeling empathy for the brunette, Suzie slowly approached Takato, saying with a clear solemness. "Oh, poor Takato. Losing your arm. It's sad." Suzie said.
"Look, I don't need your sympathy." Takato let out, glaring down Suzie, who felt a growing nervousness, backing away from Takato, who then said. "I'm off!"
"Takato! Please wait!"
Pausing to the familiar concerns of Jeri's voice, watching as she approached him, Jeri looked upon Takato with clear care upon her face and deep within her eyes.
"Even if you have a hard time trusting us again, we will help you no matter what. We'll find this traitor for you, I promise. In the meantime, please find those remaining crystals so this nightmare can finally end." Jeri let out, to the point she almost teared up as she set her arms around Takato, holding herself close to him.
Though she didn't know him as well as the others, speaking up herself, Jasmine added. "I'm with Jeri. We all want to go back home as much as you do."
Takato remained silent, allowing Jeri to hug herself out, before giving a defeated sigh.
"Alright. I'll do what we can. Rika, Alice, we leave in the morning." Takato finally let out, his words causing the girls to give small nods in reply and respect.
"Yes, sir!" Rika and Alice let out, backing away a little and allowing Takato to leave the room and seek his privacy.
With Takato's departure, the mood in the room remaining dim, Kazu tried to shine a positive light on the situation, telling Yamaki and those present. "You know, you should've seen Takato back then. He was badass. He fired shots and killing monsters with ease."
"Yes, but I do miss the kind hearted and good natured Takato we used to know." Suzie said in reply, still a little scared to the new Takato.
"There must be someway to regain his trust again." Ryo remarked.
"Alice and I will do what we can to help find the old Takato again. We'll help unlock his dark heart." Rika offered, crossing her arms over her chest and adding. "As much as he gets me interested, I prefer he wouldn't treat us so coldly. I'll do what I can to bring Takato back to the light."
"Then we wish you best of luck, Rika" Jeri said with an encouraging smile as she gave a thumbs up, the action Rika and Alice returned with brief smiles of their own.
Meanwhile, in another room
"Pow! Pow! Slash! Slice! Take that you monsters!" Terriermon called, roleplaying the fight scene Takato and Guilmon showed off earlier.
"Please stop it." Lopmon said with a mixture of embarrassment and seriousness as she turned her attention to Guilmon, seeing the Digital Hazard Digmon leaning against the wall, arms crossed and eyes closed.
"As much I am relieved Guilmon is alive, he scares me. He become so... distant and mean." Lopmon commented.
"And here I thought I was bad, but Guilmon takes the cake." Impmon added, still unsure what to make of the new Guilmon and his methods in battle.
"Let's try and remember we have a traitor among u.s" BlackGatomon cut in, glaring amongst the Digimon and saying. "Guilmon said one of you blasted him and Takato off that bridge, which lead to all this chaos."
"A traitor?!" Cyberdramon let out with clear shock. "No wonder Guilmon's acting so dark towards us."
"I just wish Guilmon was all nice and kind again. I miss the old Guilmon." Calumon said sadly, his ears shrinking to further express his downcast mood, which MarineAngemon nodded to and shared.
Having a mixture of emotions as Renamon starred at Guilmon, there was a side to the vixen that recalled Guilmon as the happy go lucky child, admiring that innocence and kindness, but seeing him like this, more mature, more serious, and more handsome and muscular, it was kind of a turn on for her.
"Rika said she and Alice will be going with Takato and Guilmon to find these crystals, which means I am going, too." Renamon declared, this leaving the other Digimon to look at her, sharing a matching concern, with Guardromon asking. "And what would you do, Renamon?"
"I have to help him learn to trust us again. I would like to see his innocent golden eyes again rather than that coldness. I have to protect him and stay by his side, and I refuse to leave his side again." Renamon said in reply.
"Yeah right. You only want this because you can have Guilmon all for yourself." BlackGatomon said bitterly, the tone and glare from the black furred feline left Renamon's fur standing on end from her anger.
"Come again?" The vixen let out, her glare matching BlackGatomon's as the pair stared the other down.
"I've had my eye on that hunk for a while, and I plan for him to make me his own, so don't think for a second you can just steal him from me, foxytits." BlackGatomon said back, sticking her tongue out, which pushed Renamon's limit.
"Listen carefully, kitty. I've known Guilmon a longer than you, so back off! He's mine, got it?!" Renamon let out with further fury, failing to pick up that her fur was shining with a brief orange aura.
"Oh, so you're claiming him already! You had your chance and now it's my turn, so get in line, foxy!" BlackGatomon said back, glaring at Renamon, showing she wasn't afraid or intimidated by Renamon's strength, admitting a brief purple aura as she stood up against her perceived competition.
"We'll see about that, you black furball! You're not stealing Guilmon from me, not if I have anything to say about it!" Renamon let out with further emotion, which seemed to fuel the orange energy around her, while freaking out Terriermon and the others.
"Wow. I sense a powerful rivalry between the two. Those two are freezing my bolts up." Guardomon remarked silently, as to not suffer Renamon or BlackGatomon's wrath, noticing alongside the other Digimon that as Renamon and BlackGatomon remained hostile, the auras took forms, with the orange light around Renamon shaping itself similar to giant nine tailed fox, while BlackGatomon's energies manifested as a giant black lioness.
"Would you two stop it!?" Lopmon yelled, cutting in between the female Digimon, hating the conflict growing between her friends. "We're allies now, so don't fall out all because of a single mon."
Despite her attempts to try and calm Renamon and BlackGatomon down, Lopmon found she was ignored, the vixen and feline remaining with daggers in their eyes, looking ready to strike at any second.
Knowing about rivalry himself, and knowing it was best to keep his mouth shut, Impmon decided to turn his attention to Guilmon, to have a chat with the red dino Digimon.
"Hey, Guilmon." Impmon began to say, deciding not to use his teasing nickname and to try and remain on Guilmon's good side.
"What? No Pineapple head this time?" Guilmon asked bluntly, keeping his pose as he rested against the wall, but opened his eyes as to look at Impmon, seeing Impmon set his hands behind his head and take a more relaxed stance by his side.
"I know you don't trust us no more but... you do what you do and we'll do what we do. We'll find that traitor, and you make sure our world is safe."Impmon replied, turning to look at Guilmon as he flashed a grin and told him. "Afterwards, you and I have a score to settle."
Glaring back to Impmon, Guilmon said back. "That's a suspicious way of saying you wanted to settle things. For all I can tell, it might have been you who shot me that day. You DID kill Leomon that one time."
"True, and I know I have a shady past, but I am not that Digimon anymore." Impmon replied, knowing it was actually thanks to Guilmon and the others he was able to find it in his heart to trust humans again, to be given a second chance. "As much as we don't like it, we are friends, and I wouldn't betray you again. Just stay alive and don't you dare die until we can see which of us is the greatest Digimon around."
"Of course not. I'm not dying for anyone. And if anyone gets in our ways, demons, monsters, or even gods, they'll meet the same fate." Guilmon said back, pressing himself from off of the wall and taking his leave, this of course was noticed Renamon and BlackGatomon, who broke their hostile stances and followed the Digital Hazard Digimon.
"Boy, I can tell Guilmon will have a lot on his hands if Renamon and BlackGatomon keep fighting over him." Terriermon remarked, concerned for Guilmon, for his wellbeing and concerned as one friend to another, feeling Lopmon shared as she slowly approached Terriermon and added. "Just as long as Guilmon remembers who's friend and who's foe."
-The next morning-
Set outside the Hypnos facility was a multi seated truck, set alongside a flame patterned motorcycle, the vehicles provided were for Takato and Guilmon to use as transport.
As Takato, Rika, Alice, Guilmon, Renamon and BlackGatomon began to head out, Rika and Alice spent a little time as to say their goodbyes to Jeri and Henry.
"I know you're doing this for a greater good, but if you guys need anything, just stay in contact and remember to be safe." Jeri said as she shared a group hug amongst Rika and Alice.
"We will. And if you find anything, let us know." Alice said in reply, sharing the warmth Jeri expressed.
"Takato, we'll find the one who blasted you off that bridge and bring them to justice. I promise." Henry let out as he put a comforting hand on Takato's shoulder, this caused Takato to silently nod and say in reply. "Fine. If find anything, let me know."
"Hey, Guilmon. You stay safe and do what you can to find these crystals and deal with that phony human and fallen sovereign." Terriermon added encouragingly toward the red dino Digimon.
"No problem." Guilmon said back, where Terriermon believed he suddenly saw a glimpse of Guilmon's smile despite his eyes being closed.
"Guilmon will ride the bike, the rest of you will ride in the truck with me." Takato instructed amongst the girls.
"Aww. But I wanna ride with Guilmon." BlackGatomon pouted, this left Renamon to scoff and say back. "Yeah you would. Knowing a kinky cat who wants her virginity taken away is distracting to him anyway."
"Says the big breasted horny vixen who wants to have her chest pressed on his back!" BlackGatomon retailed in anger, this leaving Renamon to face BlackGatomon, with the duo snarling amongst each other face.
"Your chest is just as big as mine, you black furball!" Renamon then snapped, the pair metaphorically butting heads, which came to a halt as Alice all but pushed herself in between the duo.
"Would you two stop!?" Alice scolded the two, letting out her frustration. "You two have been at each other's throats since day one. We're a team now, so you have to cooperate from now on."
"Alice makes a fair point. Renamon, stop acting so jealous and focus on stopping this threat." Rika said as both female Digimon nod in reply, respecting the words of their Tamers, before sharing a brief glare at the other.
"Women... sometimes, I just don't understand them." Guilmon let out with a clear sigh, turning to Takato as he told his partner. "I envy you, Takato. Rika and Alice are calm and rational, unlike Renamon and BlackGatomon."
"Why envy me? We're partners after all." Takato said in reply, understanding Guilmon's situation.
"Anyway, we best make a move, so let's go." Rika spoke up, this causing Alice to nod in agreement.
From the cliff side, Kuja and BlackGabumon watched on in silently as Takato, Rika, Alice and BlackGatomon boarded in the truck, while Guilmon hopped upon the bike, about to speed off.
"Wha... HEY!" BlackGatomon suddenly called out in jealousy as Renamon leapt upon the back of the motorcycle and set her arms around Guilmon's chest, where the vixen then said with a victoriousness. "Baggies on the bike first!"
Feeling Renamon slide herself closer to him, feeling her body pressing against his back and hearing Renamon give a small purr, Guilmon looked over his shoulder, to the foxy Digimon, telling her with suspicion. "This is not like you, Renamon. You've never shown an interest in me before, so why are you so competitive over me all of a sudden?"
"Maybe, but I'm not letting you out of my sight again." Renamon said in reply, wrapping her arms tighter around Guilmon's being, while thinking deeply. 'And I'll do whatever I can to make you happy again.'
Sensing the jealousy BlackGatomon was expressing, Rika offered. "BlackGatomon, let Renamon have first go. You both can share rides."
"Fine, but I have my turn next part of the journey!" BlackGatomon said back bitterly, but found Renamon taunting her, the foxy Digimon even using her tail as to slap her ass, teasing BlackGatomon.
"I hope those two will become friends during our journey. We can't have rows among ourselves." Alice remarked, this causing Rika to nod and say in reply. "Yeah. We'll find the crystals and put an end to this so-called god's hijinks."
Focused on their objective, Takato paid little attention to Rika and Alice's talk, instead speaking with BlackGatomon.
"BlackGatomon, where's the next crystal placed?" Takato asked the black furred feline, the question lading Gatomon to say in reply. "The ice labyrinth. It's in the frozen continent, and luckily for us, it shouldn't be too far a trip."
"Then let's roll." Takato said in reply as he pulled the vehicle into overdrive, leaving Guilmon to step on the gas pedal as the duo drove off, ready for whatever would come their way.
The next part of their adventure had begun.