Episode 21: Naught; Nightfall; Names

"You know, in retrospective, you really didn't learn too much."

Linkmon had just finished briefing Kurohi and Erika on his meeting with GiraffaKuwarus.

"You should have told me that you were doing this! I get that you've been concerned about what exactly the DIGIrus are, but this was kind of reckless to do without telling anyone. You're lucky nothing happened."

"I agree with Kurohi. Linkmon, you're a valuable asset for both being able to deal with DIGIrus, and as an example of the eventual intellectual evolutionary potential of Digimon. If the higher ups knew that you were put in such a dangerous situation, unsupervised, they'd have my head." Erika cocked her head away. "Which is why I'm not going to tell them."

"You know, there were quite a few things that you just said that have me more than a little concerned, such as your sudden disregard for the chain of command. Are you sure that's wise? I don't want anything bad happening to you because of us."

"Don't worry, don't worry. I've never had a good grasp on that anyways. Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you guys out in situations like this?"

Linkmon raised a scaly brow.

Kurohi continued on. "I'm thankful you're looking out for us, but there were also some new descriptives you gave Linkmon that have me curious."

Erika waved Kurohi off. "The big shots kinda see Linkmon as investor bait, to show just how smart Digimon can get over time. I didn't think it was important enough to bring up." As Kurohi did not look entirely convinced, she kept going. "It might possibly pay."

Linkmon, who had been watching the humans' exchange, spoke up. "Did something happen while I was gone?"

The two stiffened. Kurohi answered. "What makes you say that?"

"You two are sitting really close together."

Kurohi and Erika were both on the couch in their sleep attire. They were so close that their thighs were pressed against each other.

"Nothing happened."

"Absolutely nothing."

"Same old, same old."

"It's been a pretty boring day."

Linkmon's eyes darted between their obviously forced smiles. "Just when you think you understand humans…"

Erika put a hand on Kurohi's shoulder. "I'm gonna make some coffee."

As soon as she could no longer see the screen, a small text bubble appeared next to Linkmon. So what actually happened?

Kurohi gave him a quick thumbs-up.

Congrats.

"So, what do you want to do with all this information? You're the one fighting, so it's your call if you want to stop."

"I'm not against fighting, but I don't feel right deleting Evolved DIGIrus. I think I've always been a little against it, deep down. I believe we should prioritize the deletion of Child DIGIrus, and non-lethally remove Evolved DIGIrus from the scene, as they technically aren't a threat to Digimon."

Kurohi pondered. "I understand where you're coming from, and I'm with you if that's what you want to do, but that doesn't mean that everyone on the team will think the same way. And we also have to take into account…" He stared over the arm of the couch at Erika in the kitchenette.

"Hey, if that's what you two decide to do, then go for it. Like Link was saying, the big ones don't eat, they just kinda help the little ones find food. I think they deserve a bit more than a pat on the wrist, like you're saying, but just like with Digimon, deletion for them is the human equivalent of death. Thinking about it like that, I'd say that I'd have to say I agree with you guys." She turned away from the pot and rested her hands on the counter. "But that doesn't mean there won't be some pushback. I'm your supervisor, and I'm technically the one in charge of this initiative, even if you are the team's leader, so I can give you the OK to pursue this however you want as long as it doesn't directly conflict with the company's interests. However, not everyone is going to look at your actions and see that. Some will see you letting the evolved ones go as continuing to put Digimon, and in turn the livelihood of the company, at risk. You might have to watch your backs."

Both Linkmon and Kurohi silently pondered her warning.

"Y'know, sometimes I forget how smart you are."

She gave herself a tap on the head. "The beer hasn't killed all of my brain cells, yet."

"What the hell were you thinking!?"

GiraffaKuwarus had just finished explaining to Catastrus and Toloarus where he'd been for the past few hours.

"Firstly, you should have told me that you were doing this! Or at least tell Toley so she could tell me so I could drag your stupid ass back here."

"Well as you can see, I'm perfectly fine." He even gave her a little spin. "Not a scratch on me."

"Secondly." Catastrus was obviously not finished berating him. "You're lucky nothing happened to you; that freak-lizard could've brought along his entire posy and gone all public-execution on you."

"I had lunch at a café. A café filled with Digimon that had no idea what I was. If he tried to delete me there, he'd have been the one undergoing a public execution."

Catastrus pouted. "You just have an answer to everything, don't you?"

"Well, I am older than you."

Toloarus, who had been sitting there quietly, raised her hand. "So, what did you two talk about?"

GiraffaKuwarus put a hand to his chin, trying to seem like he hadn't actually been thinking about everything on his way back and was just now considering the implications. He mused that he might be a bit of a showoff. "He was mostly curious about us, I guess. Where we come from, how we work, that sort of thing."

Catastrus was staring absent-mindedly at the nearest wall. "Why the heck would he be curious about that?"

"I've thought about it, and I really can't say anything for certain. All I can say with any certainty is that hit sounds like he's going to shift his focus to just deleting children for the time being."

Toloarus raised her hand again. "Um, is it OK that I'm not entirely upset by that? The children kind of scare me, like they'd eat me if they got the chance."

Catastrus straightened up a bit. "I'm with Toley. Those things creep me out. Even when we were on corral duty the other day, I felt like they were eyeing us up. If they ain't got no spark, they ain't got no worth to me. I'd actually feel better knowing there were less of them running around."

Mantlerus stood above a massive hemispherical vessel floating in the middle of the void. Within it, space itself seemed to be warping.

From the emptiness behind him appeared two figures.

"Sir." MeKyurus gave a small bow. "It appears that the information was correct. Our scouts have managed to locate it within their systems."

"I see. That bird appears to be quite useful. For a Digimon, anyways."

"So, what's the plan then, Boss?" MinoGatorus was looking very excited. "Even if their Digimon can't touch us, I doubt it'd be that easy to just waltz in."

The vampire gave a small chuckle. "No, you are quite right. This will take some planning. Also…" He threw back his cape. "I'd very much like to be theatrical about this. This will be our ascent to the world stage, after all. The humans should be more accepting of everything if we put on a good show."

"What are your orders, sir?"

"We must gather our forces. We will not be thieves in the night, but we shall make this a clash of armies. Not that the Digimon can stand against us."

"I dunno, boss." MinoGatorus put on a bemused smile. "Those five're getting up there. The wrecked the fly's group the other day with no problems by the sound of it. They're definitely gonna stand in our way."

"Do you mean to imply that you cannot defeat them?"

"Pffuh, one-on-one, mon-to-rus, it'd be cake. I think the lizard and the spider would be the only ones who'd put up any challenge. But you put me up against all five of them at once, and even I'll admit I'll be data in the ether."

"Hmm. Then I shall render this verdict." Mantlerus crossed his arms behind his back and enunciated as if to a crowd. "The 'Digimon for the purposes of food' policy is to be redacted for the instances of these five individuals only. They are to be eliminated before our operation is set in motion. Any of our brethren may attempt this, and they may use any method they see fit to do so." He turned to the two of them before gesturing to the basin of undulating space behind him. "It is for the sake of our future, after all."

"Look at all of them." MinoGatorus leaned forward and stared down into the vessel with a queasy look. "Upsets my stomach every time I see these things. Hard to believe that's how we all started, eh?" He gave MeKyurus a small bump on the shoulder.

Mantlerus gave the bowl one last fatherly smile, before turning away from the hundreds of formless, hungry children that inhabited it. "Soon. Yes, very soon we will have no further use for the Digimon."

The other two following suit, the three of them disappeared into the void.

"And it will finally be the rightful era of the Verus."