When we last left our intrepid heroes, Sarah had unofficially, then officially, joined the squad, after a somewhat short battle at the temple, during which a familiar name was heard. Following a short talk with the chief, another familiar individual was mentioned. What does it all mean? Let's find out, on today's new, plot heavy, episode of Digital Sheriff.
Disclaimer: I, Lord Genesis Shadow, do hereby state that I do not own the rights to Digimon. Thank you, and enjoy.
…
"It's been a long time." She said. I jumped onto the chair and turned toward her. She had her normal arm on the table, her other arm resting on her lap. Scott stood somewhat nervously to my side. "How is that interesting revolver?"
"Pulls a little to the right these days." I said. "Other than that, changed a little for a few minutes, but went back to normal after a fight." She smiled a little, but looked at Scott.
"Are you okay, holy one?" She asked. He didn't move or speak. "Oh, don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'll head home as soon as I'm done with my business here. I promise." He was still silent, but she seemed almost playful. "So, 'Mao'. I assume you've made the connection."
"About Traynor?" I asked. "Only that Ultimates keep mentioning the name, including one sitting before me. I didn't get an answer to who it is."
"It's more like, they." She said. "Traynor is a group of people using the name. They're all capable Tamers, dangerous, with powerful allies at the Ultimate level. Myotismon, Etemon, Metal Greymon, WereGarurumon, and a handful of others. Two of their Digimon, have been killed. The rest fled when they were outnumbered. Myotismon was too proud, and Etemon was too, temperamental. Lost his cool." Scott tapped his staff with his finger. "My guess, you were the one to pull the trigger, both times."
"I did…" I said.
"They chose the right places, but the worst times, to gather information as to their mission." She said. "But, you need to reach your next form, Mao." She moved her clawed arm to the table and pointed at me with it. "I think, it will happen, sometime very soon. I can feel it." I crossed my arms. "And, you, oh silent angel…" Scott made a sound, and I knew he had tensed. "You look about two or three months off of your Ultimate form, give or take a month. I'm pretty sure you'll be a lot stronger, and, a little more, handsome." He was silent. "Maybe enough that Etemon wouldn't be a threat."
"Why are you really here?" He asked.
"Oh, you can speak." She said. "And you sound quite strong. I bet that staff would knock me for a loop." He moved his arm and she laughed quietly. "Let's just say I'm a friend you'll need in the future. When you need help at a critical moment, I'll be there… For now, let's just say Traynor thinks the same of me, and I'm here to gather information. I have all I need thanks to a few bugs and a few minutes. I can put them off for a few weeks." She looked at me and gestured. "Mao, you have a very important role in the future. More than you realize. When the time is right, just say the right words at the time where she needs to hear them the most." I blinked.
"What words, to who?" I asked.
"You'll know the words, and you'll know who." She said. She stood up. "And now, I'm going back to the Digital World…" She snapped her normal hand's fingers. "Oh, I almost forgot. I was meant to give you these." She reached into her jumpsuit and pulled out a letter, and then she reached behind her and pulled out a box. She set them down and leaned close to me, making me somewhat nervous. "Good luck, little gunslinger. When we next meet, I want you to be a lot stronger." She kissed my forehead and Scott seemed wary as she walked out of the room. "Okay boys, I'm ready to leave. Thank you for being so kind as to not listen in." I looked at the letter and slowly picked it up.
"Mao…" Scott said.
"I know, I know, she's an Ultimate level virus who is very ambiguous to her loyalties." I said. "But I, get the feeling we can trust a letter." He was silent as I opened it, and I began reading.
"What language is that?" He asked.
"Looks like something from the Dark Area." I said. "I'll translate it later and get a copy to the chief… Listen to this, right here." I put my finger to the top and he leaned in. "GunImpmon, slayer of Champions and Ultimates, your services to humanity have made your loyalties clear. It is sad that you have decided to fight against your own people, and worse, against your fellow Viruses. In time, you will be found properly, and you will be killed for your insolence. Should you come to your senses before then, you will be welcomed as a lieutenant in our army." I looked at him. "Basically, it goes on like that, listing reasons why I should side with them, and not the enemy, but they never once say who the enemy is. It's just… A bunch of babbling as far as I'm concerned. Some joker playing what he thinks is a game or something." He nodded as I looked at the letter. "Here's the part that really gets me though. This isn't written by a computer. This is handwritten. Whether it's a Digimon or a human is, at this point, unknown. We'll want to get this to someone to analyze the writing to see if the writer is human or not."
"Continue reading." He said. "Is it signed?"
"Yeah." I said. "Here, the bottom paragraph." I cleared my throat. "You have taken a name, something your people should not do. It is a blasphemy to your culture, where you came from. Renounce it soon, join our cause, and you will have power over the city you lived in when we take what is rightfully ours. General Traynor."
"Human." He said.
"Not necessarily." I said. "Maybe it's an alias for a Digimon, solely for the purpose of us knowing what to call him. In that way, it wouldn't be hypocritical, right?" He nodded after a moment.
"I see your point." He said. I folded the letter and looked at the box. "We should have it analyzed." I jumped up on the table and looked at him.
"There's nothing electronic in it." I said. "If there was, you know I could disarm a bomb just by focusing on it and hacking it." He was silent, but he nodded. I looked down at the box and slowly, carefully, opened it. After I got the lid off, I put it aside, and blinked.
"Is that…" He started.
"Yeah, I think it is." I said. I pulled out a revolver and stared at it for a moment. "The original Baffle."
"Impossible." He said. "You lost it over a cliff."
"I didn't say it would be destroyed." I said. I looked at him. "It's Chrome Digizoid, after all. Why do you think it's so durable?" I drew the Baffle I had from its holster and held them side by side. "Yeah, this is the original alright. Granted, the original is scratched, scuffed, and beat all to hell… But speaking of hell, how in the hell did she get it into the box in the first place?"
"Yes, that, is a good question." He said. "It shocks whoever tries to pick it up that doesn't have your permission." I was silent for a moment, but looked up at him. "What?"
"You realize I just became twice as useful to the team." I said. He laughed after a moment. "Two barrels, twelve bullets. At normal power, I won't have to reload to fire on a twelve targets with Dark Rounds." He sighed and took the letter.
"Let's tell the others what we found, and you can start translating the letter for the chief." He said. I jumped onto the chair and then the floor as I holstered the original Baffle. "Not the new one?"
"The original is special to me." I said. "I had it for years. Yeah, Baffle Jr. is great, just as powerful in every respect, but I've had it for, maybe three years."
…
"So, she said it would be soon?" The chief asked. I nodded. "She thinks you'll Digivolve… Could it have something to do with that data that finished uploading?" I shrugged.
"In all honesty, I have no clue." I said. "All I know for sure is that I can't be the only one Traynor is trying to, convert. Whatever he or she is up to, something's up…" He nodded and put his fingertips together.
"And, the Lady Devimon." He said. "She brought you your original revolver." I nodded and drew it, holding it up slightly.
"Scratched, a few small dings, but I checked the barrel and it's safe to fire." I said. "I can fix it completely later, but this is the original. I have no doubt about that." He nodded as I holstered it again. "However she grabbed it… It might have been sheer willpower, or she suppressed it. Whatever's going on, I'll be wary for a while, but I trust it. I know Baffle, and this is it." After a moment he nodded and looked at the letter.
"Now all that remains are three questions." He said. "First, is Traynor human, or Digimon, and if so, is he a Tamer, or is he bonded to one?"
"I'd say human, but that's just going on the handwriting." I said. "It looks human."
"Second, what is he planning?" He said. "It's obvious there's an entire army going on, as he signed his letter as 'general' Traynor. Is he the head general, or one of many told to write a letter?"
"You said there were attacks all over." I said. "And they didn't feel like wild Digimon. Ask any Digimon that fought. There are definitely Tamers involved… Not everyone can be a Tamer, so maybe, he or they think that Tamers are different than normal humans, and deserve to rule."
"And third…" He said. "How did you meet that Lady Devimon?"
"Portal." I said. "I had just descended a cliff after killing a bunch of DemiDevimon and a Tsukaimon, and she found me. She had opened a portal and sent me here. I know that she was the same one I talked to, who gave me back my revolver." He nodded. "Whatever her role is, she has a Tamer now, but whether or not we can trust them is up in the air. But that's just my opinion." He was silent before putting his hands on the table.
"I've made a decision." He said. "Your team is off duty until you reach Champion. When your team is all Champion capable, you're back on as usual. We'll continue, but we're going to lobby for expanding our forces in all states, we're going to recruit, and build more bases. We have special systems that are good at stopping bio-emerging Digimon from appearing, so we'll try to build those around major cities, and try to get them everywhere… Do you have any ideas on that point?"
"Yeah, limit it." I said. He seemed confused. "If Digimon can't bio-emerge, then if we start running low on forces because we're being taken down by Traynor's forces, then we can't replenish our ranks." He nodded.
"Major places, but not general cities." He said. "It'll be a risk, but you're right, we can't just cut off the flow completely." He stood up. "Go to your team, tell them the order to stay off duty until you reach Champion. Whatever is going on, you might be a major player in this. I have to call the rest of the bigwigs. I may be the chief here, but the director needs to know about this, and he has to deal with them. Odds are, I'll be in on it." I nodded and he walked over to the door, so I followed him and we walked out. "Good luck. When you come back, be sure Arthur sends me a picture of what you look like." I walked toward the others while he went up a flight of stairs. When I got in, the others looked at me.
"So, what's up?" Arthur asked. The others were in their Champion forms, even Daisy. "Do we have any missions?"
"Yeah." I said. "Chief's orders are… To stay off duty until I become a Champion."
"What?" Scott asked. I held my hands up.
"Hey, not my idea." I said. "I want to know what's going on just as much as you. This is big, and, he said to me to stay off duty until I reach my Champion form. Talk to him if you want total confirmation, tell him you want to do something else." I lowered my hands. "But, we're off duty. Lady Devimon said I'd Digivolve sometime soon. I don't know what that's supposed to mean. I don't know how she knew, but… I think she meant natural Digivolution."
"That sounds unlikely." Scott said. I pointed at him.
"How long have you been like that?" I asked. He was silent. "Three days?"
"Daisy hasn't gone back…" Annabelle said.
"Lena changed about a month ago, never went back." Sarah said.
"Harrigan's still a Kotemon, but, he said it takes less work to stay a Dinohyumon." Riley said.
"So basically, we might all be our Champion forms for good soon." I said. "Sometimes it's a one-off, sometimes it takes staying that way and getting so used to it you just get locked in one day. Scott, do you feel any exertion?" He shook his head. "Daisy?"
"No." She said.
"Lena, for one month, any effort?" I asked. She shook her head. "Harrigan, is it tough to stay big and green?" He shook his head after a few moments. "So, it's likely. You might be naturally stuck as you are now, Scott, Daisy. Even if I'm not, it'll be good to have whatever my next form is."
"Well, let's just, go do something." Arthur said. Everyone looked at him. "Hey, we're off duty. And, you know, we missed breakfast and lunch. It's about time for dinner, and mom isn't expecting us."
"Oh, yeah, her legendary cookin'." Sarah said. "Maybe we'll see that tomorrow after you call her up." I shrugged.
"Where do we eat?" I asked.
"Burgers!" Riley said, raising her hand quickly. "Big burgers. Double bacon cheese, no veggies!" Everyone slowly started laughing.
"Hey, I've got just the place in mind." Annabelle said. "Arctic Circle. Double bacon cheeseburgers, good fries… And the fry sauce is great." My stomach growled, and they laughed a little more.
"Wherever we're going, I say we go now before I eat my belt." I said. I started walking toward the door. Riley cheered and ran ahead of me as Arthur walked behind me.
"Alright then, let's go." He said. "Now I'm hungry."
…
I settled against the side of the tree, sighing quietly as the others worked on their meals. It wasn't quite as good as Mara's cooking, but the burgers weren't bad. A double bacon cheeseburger pretty much put me at a point where if there were a fight, I'd lose, no argument, if I couldn't find the energy to raise Baffle and fire a Dark Round.
"Hey, Mao, you okay?" Sarah asked. I held my hand up, giving an 'OK' gesture. "You sure? You look like you're not about to get up anytime soon."
"That's why I'm okay." I said. The others laughed. "Give me an hour and I think I'll be able to stand… Might take another hour to manage walking, but that's another challenge." They laughed a little more as I sighed. As expected, Daisy was still a Togemon, Scott was still an Angemon, and we all knew Lena wouldn't turn back to a Salamon. "Anyone else about here so I won't be alone as a big block of uselessness?" Scott laughed quietly.
"I think I'm there, buddy." Arthur said. "One more bite, and I'll need to call a cab to get us all home." Sarah laughed and punched his shoulder.
"Ah, you're a lightweight." She said. "I could still eat another burger… Not a double bacon cheeseburger, but hey, that's a lot of beef." He laughed and walked over to the tree by me and sat down.
"Well, I know my limits." He said. "I know one more fry would probably make us stay here for the night. I can't drive with a gut full to bursting."
"I can drive." She said. I held my hands up.
"It's a miracle!" I said dramatically. Arthur put his hat on my head and pulled it down. I set my arms on my stomach and everyone laughed again.
"Yeah, let's see you drive when you turn Champion." He said. "Get a driver's license."
"So, seriously, I can drive." Sarah said. "Tell ya what, we'll stay at my house tonight. I've got more than enough room, and, I figure we could stand to know a little more about each other. What better place than one of our homes?" I held my right hand up.
"You have my vote, if only because you paid for the burgers." I said. Arthur laughed.
"You know, maybe we could all spend the week going to each others' homes." He said. "Even if it's just to visit for a while. Good way to get to know each other, figure out what questions to ask to learn."
"I can agree to that." Percy said. "I can think of nothing better than getting to know each other and how we all live. We're to be partners, but also friends. Right?" Everyone agreed. "All of us except for Miss Valentine have been to Arthur's home, more than once, and while I doubt my cooking will ever reach Mrs. Rowe's, a home cooked meal every day would be nice, eh?"
"Nothin' better if you ask me." Riley said. "Er, about a home cooked meal, I mean." The others laughed as I pulled the hat up.
"True." I said. "We'll see about your cooking when it's your turn."
"Then if the offer still stands, and providing we all can as well…" Percy said.
"A little rest and relaxation tonight, and a good night's sleep." Sarah said.
"Well, let's finish eating first." Lena said. "This fish isn't too bad." I leaned up slightly and moved back. "Mao?"
"Nope, not happening right now." I groaned. "Too much beef, being digested." Riley giggled as Harrigan finished his fries, and promptly fell back.
"Harry?" Sarah asked. He put his hands on his stomach as Riley fell down just like him.
"We're stuffed." She said. "Can't move. Need, to be picked up." Sarah laughed while Annabelle let out a sigh.
"I don't think I can finish." She said. Sarah patted her back.
"One day, you'll eat like an Aussie." She said.
"Aussie?" Daisy asked.
"You know, an Australian, like me." Sarah said, pointing at herself with her thumb. "Don't tell me you didn't know. Come on, the accent's a dead giveaway!"
"It is a very memorable accent." Percy said. "Very friendly."
"Not like a French accent, which, while friendly, is sophisticated as heck." Sarah said. Percy laughed. "'course there are guys that love my accent, keep sayin' it's sexy or hot."
"Well, it is sexy…" Arthur said quietly. She laughed and I knew he was blushing.
"Well, good thing I don't mind hearin' that, Yank." She said. "But yeah, I think it's sexy too." I held my hand up.
"Agreed." I said. Most of the others laughed, save for Lena and Scott, and Harrigan, who was busy trying to sit up in time with Riley, who was groaning.