Digicross Tamers episode 10
'Wolf's Claw, Fox's Fire'
==Friday, after school
"You're sure it's OK?" Hitomi asked Ms. Asaji.
"Of course." the teacher replied. "I'm sure you and Jeri will have a great time. Just make sure you get to bed on time, alright?" Hitomi nodded. "And don't forget about your homework."
"Yes, teacher." Hitomi sighed, smiling as she did.
Outside, Hitomi met up with Jeri. "She said it's alright if I come over. What about your parents?"
"Oh, they thought it would be great if you came over!"
(Flashback)
Jeri's father leaned back. "I don't like it. You barely know this girl, Jeri."
"But dad, she's so nice. You'll like her, I know it!"
Ikuko Kato, her stepmother, smiled. "Well, I think it's a wonderful idea. Jeri, if you think she's nice, then that's enough. Tell her she can come over any time she wants to."
"Ikuko..."
Ikuko narrowed her eyes, staring at her husband. "Satoshi, I think it would be a very good idea, don't you?" Jeri stepped back, not expecting the ice in her stepmother's voice.
"I...alright. But you'll be responsible for her." Satoshi conceded, looking at Jeri.
"I will dad, promise! You'll like her, I know you will!" Jeri left the room.
"Was that necessary?" Satoshi asked his wife.
"Yes. I won't have you punishing her for a perfectly natural reaction for the rest of her life. She's finally starting to open up to other people, isn't that what you want?"
"I just don't want her getting hurt. Or you."
"Then do something remarkable and trust her. For me?"
Satoshi sighed. "Alright."
(end flashback)
"Do you have everything?"
Hitomi nodded. "Yep. Change of clothes, schoolwork, everything."
"Schoolwork? But it's Saturday tomorrow!"
"I know. Hazards of living with a teacher." Jeri and Hitomi giggled at that. "Ms. Asaji said she'd bring Eevee and Noctowl to Guilmon's hiding place tomorrow afternoon."
Nami Asaji watched the two girls leave. Beside her, Eevee watched Hitomi go away. "I hope she'll be alright."
"She's going to a sleepover, not a crusade." Nami replied. 'She needs a break from Digimon for a while. She's been a bit rattled ever since that Unown opened that rift. And she still has that pokegear of hers. If anything happens, she can call us."
"I guess."
==Nonaka household.
Rika leaned back. She digivolved, Rika thought to herself. And it was up to me, not her. "Renamon?"
Renamon appeared. "You called, Rika?"
"How...how did you digivolve? I thought all the data you absorbed was destroying you."
"It was. It was you that made me digivolve."
"Me?" Renamon nodded. "But...how?"
"I felt how much you cared for me, and that digivolving was the only way I could save you. It cost me a bit, but it was worth it."
"Cost...?"
"Yes. I lost a lot of the data I have absorbed since I became your partner. And yet, in a way, I feel stronger."
Rika slumped down. "All this time...I've been holding you back, haven't I?"
"No. The fault was as much mine as it was yours. In the digital world, loading data is the only way a Digimon could digivolve. I never knew it could be different until that night."
"What was it like...in the digital world?"
Renamon looked at Rika. "You never asked me about that before."
"I...never thought about it before..."
"Of course." Renamon motined for Rika to follow her, and the two stepped out into the yard. It was a clear night, the moonlight reflecting off the pond in the middle of the yard.
"You must understand that the digital world has many layers to it." Renamon started. "Each level has different types of Digimon living in it. I lived for many years in the middle layers. It was fairly peaceful there. Several cities had been built, and many Digimon, hoping to become stronger, went to those cities. I was in a place called Seiryu City..."
==Digital World, several years ago
It was a full class that day. There were Digimon of all types there, Champion level mostly. All of them were practising their moves, sparring with each other.
Weregarurumon looked over at one Digimon in particular. Yellow and white, moved like the wind, knocked that Musyamon over there on his kiester when she first showed up, calmly asking to be trained. Renamon, that was her name. "All right, everyone, gather around!" the ultimate Digimon yelled, clapping his hands together. All the Digimon there did as asked; Weregarurumon was regarded as one of the best teachers in the area, usually friendly, but having little time for fools and troublemakers. "I just got word that there is an opening in the ranks of the Devas, and that one of the examiners will be coming here to evaluate students from this school. So I want you all to practice extra hard, alright?" He watched as the whole class chattered at the news. Except for one..."Okay, back here tomorrow, same time. Renamon, a word?"
"You wished to see me?" Renamon asked Weregarurumon when the rest of the class had left.
"Yes. You're easily one of the best students I have. I'd like to pick you to be in the class the examiner will chack in a week."
"Who else will be there?" Still expecting a challenge, Weregarurumon saw in her voice.
"A Veedramon, two Allomon, and Turuiemon."
Renamon raised an eyebrow. "Turuiemon?"
"She's just behind you in fighting ability, though she's slightly better in pure strength. You object? I know you two are friends."
"Not at all. Only the strongest should move on."
==Present
"Devas?" Rika asked.
"Yes. Digimon in the digital world believe that there is a single powerful Digimon, called the Sovereign, watching over the entire digital plane. Serving him directly are the Devas, 12 powerful Digimon. To become a Deva is considered to be a high honour."
"What's this sovereign like?" Rika asked, curious.
"No one knows." Renamon caught Rika's look. "Would you recognize the Japanese Emperor if you met him on the street? Or the Prime Minister, for that matter?"
"Good point."
==Then, Digital World
"Isn't this exciting?" Turuiemon asked Renamon excitedly. "Just think, one of us might get to be the next Deva." Renamon and Turuiemon had rented a room at a nearby inn.
"It may be. You do know that only one of us might be selected, if any."
"Oh, lighten up!" Turuiemon stuck her toungue out at Renamon. "What is it that one guy was always saying...Moumantai, that was it!"
"I'm sorry?" Renamon didn't recognize the word.
"It means take it easy! Maybe one of us will get chosen, and maybe not. Why worry about it?"
"It is a great responsibility." Renamon replied.
"I just can't wait to see what will happen." Turuiemon said, lying back on a bunk. "I'm pretty sure it'll be you that gets picked."
"It is possible." Renamon admitted, smiling a bit. "But Weregarurumon has you chosen as well for the tryouts."
"Never happen." Turuiemon replied.
A week later, the tryouts began. The examiner, an incredibly ancient looking Digimon calling himself Jijimon, watched the trials. With him was one of the Devas themselves, Sandiramon, as he called himself. The snakelike Digimon watched. "Those two seem the most likely." He said to Jijimon.
"Yeah. Shame I'm married; the tall yellow one looks cute."
"I'll tell Babamon you said that."
"Just try it, bub. Alright you two, BEGIN!"
Renamon faced off against her opponent. It was the Musyamon she had beaten when she had first come to this city. "So, we meet again, rookie." Musyamon taunted. "I'll have you know I have been training ever since the first time we met. This time, I'll beat you and load your data. Why don't you-"
"Diamond Storm!" The attack quickly knocked out Musyamon. "Jerk." Renamon scoffed, leaving the ring area.
"I'm in love." Jijimon whispered.
"You're a loon." Sandiramon replied, getting a bit annoyed. First it was that Lillymon two towns back, now this...
Turuiemon dispatched her opponent as quickly, and Renamon finished off hers. The event ran the entire day, until there were only the two friends left.
==Now, Real World
"You had to fight your friend?"
Renamon nodded. "Only one of us could be chosen to become the next Deva. Turuiemon was as good a fighter as I was."
==Then, Digital World
Renamon dodged a swipe from one of Turiermon's blades, wincing as the second one caught her on her left leg. "Not too bad," Renamon said between gasps, "you've been paying attention."
Turuiemon grinned back. "It wouldn't be a fight if I didn't go all out, right? That's what we promised if it came to this, that neither of us would hold back?"
Renamon nodded. The next attack by Turuiemon managed to knock the rookie Digimon almost out of the ring. As Renamon staggered to get up, her ears managed to pick out some of the whispered conversations.
"What's taking so long?"
"She's just a rookie; probably can't even digivolve."
"I wouldn't want a weakling that can't evolve to serve the soveriegn..."
That last comment caused something to snap in Renamon.
"I've got you now!" Turuiemon yelled, jumping at Renamon, blade extended.
Snarling, Renamon whirled, dodged the attack, kicking Turuiemon back into the air as she did. She then jumped, and struck Turuiemon with a fully charged Wisteria Punch, knocking the Champion level Digimon out of the ring, through several rows of spectators, and into the ground. The entire audience just
looked on, stunned.
After a second, the referee recovered his wits, and stepped onto the ring surface. "Winner is Renamon! By ancient tradition, she will become the next Deva!" No one raised an objection.
Sandiramon moved towards Renamon, impresed by the power shown by the Rookie Digimon. "You have fought well, Renamon, and it is my honour to..." Sinduramon stopped, looking skywards. As he did, Renamon noticed the sigil on Sinduramon's chest was glowing bright. Sinduramon seemed to be communicating with something.
"But..." Sandiramon spoke suddenly. His body then stiffened, as if he had touched a live wire. "I understand." Sandiramon took a breath. "The Soveriegn has spoken to me. Though it is irregular, the Sovereign has chosen Turuiemon to be the next Deva!"
"But Renamon won!" Turuiemon protested, getting up. She was still shaking off the effects of Renamon's last attack.
"You question the word of the Digimon Sovereign?" Sandiramon almost shouted.
Turuiemon seemed ready to, but Renamon caught Turiermon's eye, shaking her head. "No. Forgive my outburst."
"Then by the will of the Sovereign, let this Digimon, Turuiemon, be accepted into the ranks of the deva. By the power of the South, I, Sandiramon, bestow upon you the power of the Devas!" A bolt of energy came out of Sinduramon's mouth, enveloping Turiermon.
"Turuiemon, digivolve to...Antylamon!"
==
"I'm really sorry about this. It should have been you." Antylamon said sadly to Renamon.
"The decision was made. I knew that only one of us would be able to make it in. I am glad it was a friend of mine."
Antylamon nodded, the walked off headed for the edge of the town.
Weregarurumon walked up besiode Renamon. "Odd day." Renamon nodded. After a second, Weregarurumon looked at Renamon. "Why did you come here?"
"I'm sorry, master?"
"Don't 'master' me," Weregarurumon replied, grinning, "you're one of my best students. Why did you come here?" Renamon didn't say anything. "So you could digivolve?"
"Yes." Renamon admitted. "I knew your school was one of the ones the Devas had their eye on."
"You haven't been able to digivolve at all have you? Is that why you have fought for so long?"
Renamon still didn't look up. "Digimon get stronger by absorbing data. When they absorb enough, they digivolve. Isn't that how it's always worked?" Her voice was calm, controlled as she spoke.
"Of all my class, you were the only one who hasn't evolved beyond Rookie. And that's made you fight all the harder. That's why you got so angry during the fight; I heard some of those whispers too." Renamon flushed, ashamed at her loss of control during the battle.
"I should go, then. I'm not strong enough yet."
"I won't stop you, if that's what you wish. Before you go, a few things. One, strength in battle is not the only thing in life. Those months you were sparring with Turuiemon were some of the best times in my life; you were both happy. Never forget that. Two, you may not have made it here, but I think your
destiny lies elsewhere. There's something else you need, a part of you that's missing. And third, I think you may find that part..." Weregarurumon trailed off, pointing at the sphere in the sky.
"The Real World?"
"Yes. I have heard some digimon speak of seeking their fortunes there. It may be that the Real World has the answer you seek."
Renamon nodded. Two days later, she left Seiryu city, not intending to ever come back.
==Real World, now
"Shortly after that, I managed to battle my way to the top level, where I found transport to the Real world, and then, to you."
Rika leaned back, still trying to take in the story. "I never knew..."
"That we were so much alike?" Renamon asked. Rika blinked, then nodded, blushing a bit. "Neither of us will settle for being second, or for not being the best at anything we truly love doing. I think that's why we became partners."
"So what now?"
Renamon looked at the moon again. "We fight together. And find Eevee and Hitomi sometime." Rika looked at Renamon oddly. "No one calls me a feather duster and gets away with it." She added, humour in her voice.
==Kato household, night time
"I hope I'm not causing any trouble."
"Oh, nonsense!" Jeri replied. "Dad's really nice when you get to know him. He just acts all tough and mean."
"Your mom is nice."
Jeri's expression fell a bit. "She's just my stepmom. My real mom..."
"I...I'm sorry!"
Instantly, Jeri's expression changed. "Hey, it's not your fault or anything! Come on, we're supposed to be having fun, right?" Jeri thought for a second. "Hey, what's it like being a tamer?"
"A tamer?" Hitomi asked. She remembered Takato thinking Jeri might be a good tamer, and her own words against it. And for it, later on. "Well, it's a lot of work. I have to take care of Eevee and Noctowl, and try not to let them get too badly hurt in a battle."
"But it'd be so neat, I just know it." Jeri answered. "Having someone to talk to, going on all sorts of adventures."
"Yeah. But it can be pretty scary."
Jeri flopped down on her bed. "I know, but I still can't help thinking about it. All those Digimon are appearing here, and one of them might be my partner. Or maybe I could create one, like Takato did."
Hitomi smiled, remembering the times she made up Digimon partners, before Eevee had arrived. "What kind of Digimon would you have for a partner?"
Jeri blushed a bit. "Oh, I don't know. Someone really nice and smart, like Patamon."
"Hmm. When I was young, I always wanted a Veemon."
"Well, you got close, I guess." Jeri replied, chuckling. After a second, Hitomi got the joke, and the two laughed.
==
In the kitchen, Ikuko smiled as she heard the laughter from upstairs. She held her son, Yamato, in her arms as she did. "You see, Satoshi? They're having a great time."
"I guess. There's just something...odd about that Motomiya girl. You saw the way she reacted when she met Yamato?"
"So? She knew someone named Yamato where she grew up. Stop being so suspicious."
==
Outside the Kato home, Gabumon looked intently at the open window, where he heard Jeri and Hitomi's voices coming from. During the last fight, he had heard Hitomi's name mentioned when that Unown creature had shown up, and several times later, after the fight.
He had determined that Hitomi might be useful in getting Calumon away from that Unown thing that he was travelling with. "Ryo never told me there'd be days like this." Gabumon muttered, looking glumly at the box of fried chicken he had swiped from that restaurant. Pity his Blue Blaster had overcooked it. A lot, he thought to himself, holding up the lump of charcoal that was formerly a chicken wing...
==
"Hey, Hitomi? Do you think I could become a digidestined?"
Hitomi blinked. "I guess it's possible. I don't know how it works here..."
"Well," Jeri went on, smiling, "how about where you're from?"
"Eh?"
"It's OK, I overheard Henry and Takato talking."
Ah nuts, Hitomi thought. "Really? Wh...what did you hear?"
"That you're from the digital world that's on TV. Isn't that right?"
==Hypnos, main offices
Yamaki sat down at his desk. The rest of the workers had left for home; there were only a few technicians on duty, keeping an eye on the slowly developing Yuugoth system, and its more powerful sibling, the Juggernaut system. Of course, the Juggernaut only existed as a theory right now, pending
approval from the government to develop Yamaki's latest weapon against the digital menace.
His lighter was on the desk. In his hand was the digivice that had appeared when Impmon and Monodramon had shown up. Along with...
"Digimon..." he growled, grip on the digivice tightening. A part of him marvelled how the digivice had changed over time, as if reflecting his mood. It was now almost all black, with a dull grey ring around the screen. The two buttons underneath were bone white. "Hmm...I never told anyone that this is
what I based the Yuugoth off of. If only I knew how it worked." He had tried various ways of opening the digivice up, from subtle (full lab, laser cutter, controlled acidic reaction), to blunt (sledgehammer). Nothing. Every test done on the digivice itself had come up negative. But the energy it released, that could be scanned.
"Sir?" One of the trechnicians walked into Yamaki's office. "Status on the digital tracking system. We've upgraded the scanning power by 22.5%. We should be able to detect any already emerged Digimon within a several mile radius."
Yamaki nodded. "And the Yuugoth system?"
"Normal sir. No word on that anomalous signature that matched it. We have also received approval to start developing the Juggernaut system."
"Excellent." Yamaki looked at the technician. "You've been pretty active here. What was your name?" Westerner, possibly American, from the look, Yamaki judged.
"Ramone, sir. Mark Ramone."
"Hmm. Remind me to promote you next week."
"A pleasure, sir."
==Kato home
"You're really related to Davis?"
"Well, yeah..." Hitomi replied. After confessing the truth about her home, Jeri had had a million questions. "And yes, he was a lot like you saw on the TV series. If mom isn't exaggerating." She sighed, looking out the window.
"You must miss them a lot." Hitomi nodded. Jeri tried to change the subject. "So, what do you do in your spare time?"
"Oh, I just draw a bit."
"Can I see? Takato said you drew a picture of Guilmon for him."
"Sure, but it's not very good." Hitomi handed Jeri an artbook out of the bag she had brought with her.
"This is incredible!" Jeri exclaimed. It was a picture of Guilmon sleeping. "It looks just like him."
"Well, the head's a bit big, and I don't think I got the tail right."
"I think you got him just right. How long have you done this for?"
"A few years. Back on my world, some people travel the world, looking for pokemon to sketch. One of them, a man named Tracy, taught me how to draw pokemon, and then Digimon. I wanted to be a monster watcher when I got older." Hitomi blushed a bit. "I'm sorry. I know it must sound silly."
"Didn't your uncle tell you your dreams are important?"
"Davis? No, he never said that."
"What about that fight against Malomyotismon?"
"Who?"
"Big guy, came out of Mr. Oikawa? Tried to turn a bunck of kids into dark digidestined so he could go to the digital world?"
"Umm...it didn't quite happen that way..."
==(half an hour later)
"She married WHO?"
Hitomi sighed. "Yes, Kari married Izzy." Was it THAT hard a concept to grasp, she wondered to herself.
==Saturday
"So, how was it?" Nami asked, as Jeri and Hitomi stepped into view. Behind her, Guilmon was playing with Eevee and Noctowl.
"It was great!" Jeri answered. "We stayed up late and talked and watched movies."
"And I did my math homework." Hitomi added. "Ms. Asaji? Jeri...knows..."
"Knows what...oh dear"
"I overheard Takato and Henry talking." Jeri explained
"Remind me to have a nice long talk with those two..."
==Monday
Janyu Wong stepped into the lab. The letter he had gotten was pretty specific; head to this address, up several dozen floors, and enter the computer lab where 'a surprise' was waiting. "Well, if this is the surprise, I'm not impressed."
"You never were easy to impress." A deep voice said behind him.
Janyu whirled around. "Babel?" he gasped, recognizing the voice. "You...you're bald."
'Babel' grinned. "Felt like a change. Cuts down on the barber bills. Plus the shampoo costs."
"I hope I'm not interrupting." Another voice said, entering the lab.
Janyu recognized the second voice too, and the person it belonged to. "Dolphin!"
"It's a Monster Makers reunion!" Robert 'Dolphin' McCoy replied. "Whoever's running this place is getting us back together. No idea for what, though. How've you been, Tao?"
"Please, Tao was left behind a long time ago." Janyu replied.
"Always the stick in the mud." Babel cracked.
"Well, someone had to keep you lot in line. How's Alice?"
Dolphin grinned. "She's fine, and wishes you would write, you evil, evil person you. She wants to hear all about her uncle Tao, who hacked the university finance records and leaked the dean's true income to the press."
"You didn't tell her." Janyu asked, wishing he had never done that. Or gotten drunk and bragged about it later.
"She thinks you're a true hacker elite. What a shame it will be to tell her the legend has joined the system and become another cog."
"If you'll forgive my interrupting this little walk down memory lane," Yamaki said, striding into the computer lab, "we have a lot of work to do. My name is Yamaki, and I have a little project for you to
take care of."
"Like what?" Babel asked.
"Like the removal of Digimon from this world."
Next Episode
A field test of the Yuugoth system brings Impmon, Calumon and Unown into the Hypnos headquarters, and a confrontation with Yamaki. Janyu reveals what he knows about Hypnos to his son, while Jeri and Takato have a run in with Gabumon. Next time, on Digicross Tamers:
'The Capture of Unown.'
'Wolf's Claw, Fox's Fire'
==Friday, after school
"You're sure it's OK?" Hitomi asked Ms. Asaji.
"Of course." the teacher replied. "I'm sure you and Jeri will have a great time. Just make sure you get to bed on time, alright?" Hitomi nodded. "And don't forget about your homework."
"Yes, teacher." Hitomi sighed, smiling as she did.
Outside, Hitomi met up with Jeri. "She said it's alright if I come over. What about your parents?"
"Oh, they thought it would be great if you came over!"
(Flashback)
Jeri's father leaned back. "I don't like it. You barely know this girl, Jeri."
"But dad, she's so nice. You'll like her, I know it!"
Ikuko Kato, her stepmother, smiled. "Well, I think it's a wonderful idea. Jeri, if you think she's nice, then that's enough. Tell her she can come over any time she wants to."
"Ikuko..."
Ikuko narrowed her eyes, staring at her husband. "Satoshi, I think it would be a very good idea, don't you?" Jeri stepped back, not expecting the ice in her stepmother's voice.
"I...alright. But you'll be responsible for her." Satoshi conceded, looking at Jeri.
"I will dad, promise! You'll like her, I know you will!" Jeri left the room.
"Was that necessary?" Satoshi asked his wife.
"Yes. I won't have you punishing her for a perfectly natural reaction for the rest of her life. She's finally starting to open up to other people, isn't that what you want?"
"I just don't want her getting hurt. Or you."
"Then do something remarkable and trust her. For me?"
Satoshi sighed. "Alright."
(end flashback)
"Do you have everything?"
Hitomi nodded. "Yep. Change of clothes, schoolwork, everything."
"Schoolwork? But it's Saturday tomorrow!"
"I know. Hazards of living with a teacher." Jeri and Hitomi giggled at that. "Ms. Asaji said she'd bring Eevee and Noctowl to Guilmon's hiding place tomorrow afternoon."
Nami Asaji watched the two girls leave. Beside her, Eevee watched Hitomi go away. "I hope she'll be alright."
"She's going to a sleepover, not a crusade." Nami replied. 'She needs a break from Digimon for a while. She's been a bit rattled ever since that Unown opened that rift. And she still has that pokegear of hers. If anything happens, she can call us."
"I guess."
==Nonaka household.
Rika leaned back. She digivolved, Rika thought to herself. And it was up to me, not her. "Renamon?"
Renamon appeared. "You called, Rika?"
"How...how did you digivolve? I thought all the data you absorbed was destroying you."
"It was. It was you that made me digivolve."
"Me?" Renamon nodded. "But...how?"
"I felt how much you cared for me, and that digivolving was the only way I could save you. It cost me a bit, but it was worth it."
"Cost...?"
"Yes. I lost a lot of the data I have absorbed since I became your partner. And yet, in a way, I feel stronger."
Rika slumped down. "All this time...I've been holding you back, haven't I?"
"No. The fault was as much mine as it was yours. In the digital world, loading data is the only way a Digimon could digivolve. I never knew it could be different until that night."
"What was it like...in the digital world?"
Renamon looked at Rika. "You never asked me about that before."
"I...never thought about it before..."
"Of course." Renamon motined for Rika to follow her, and the two stepped out into the yard. It was a clear night, the moonlight reflecting off the pond in the middle of the yard.
"You must understand that the digital world has many layers to it." Renamon started. "Each level has different types of Digimon living in it. I lived for many years in the middle layers. It was fairly peaceful there. Several cities had been built, and many Digimon, hoping to become stronger, went to those cities. I was in a place called Seiryu City..."
==Digital World, several years ago
It was a full class that day. There were Digimon of all types there, Champion level mostly. All of them were practising their moves, sparring with each other.
Weregarurumon looked over at one Digimon in particular. Yellow and white, moved like the wind, knocked that Musyamon over there on his kiester when she first showed up, calmly asking to be trained. Renamon, that was her name. "All right, everyone, gather around!" the ultimate Digimon yelled, clapping his hands together. All the Digimon there did as asked; Weregarurumon was regarded as one of the best teachers in the area, usually friendly, but having little time for fools and troublemakers. "I just got word that there is an opening in the ranks of the Devas, and that one of the examiners will be coming here to evaluate students from this school. So I want you all to practice extra hard, alright?" He watched as the whole class chattered at the news. Except for one..."Okay, back here tomorrow, same time. Renamon, a word?"
"You wished to see me?" Renamon asked Weregarurumon when the rest of the class had left.
"Yes. You're easily one of the best students I have. I'd like to pick you to be in the class the examiner will chack in a week."
"Who else will be there?" Still expecting a challenge, Weregarurumon saw in her voice.
"A Veedramon, two Allomon, and Turuiemon."
Renamon raised an eyebrow. "Turuiemon?"
"She's just behind you in fighting ability, though she's slightly better in pure strength. You object? I know you two are friends."
"Not at all. Only the strongest should move on."
==Present
"Devas?" Rika asked.
"Yes. Digimon in the digital world believe that there is a single powerful Digimon, called the Sovereign, watching over the entire digital plane. Serving him directly are the Devas, 12 powerful Digimon. To become a Deva is considered to be a high honour."
"What's this sovereign like?" Rika asked, curious.
"No one knows." Renamon caught Rika's look. "Would you recognize the Japanese Emperor if you met him on the street? Or the Prime Minister, for that matter?"
"Good point."
==Then, Digital World
"Isn't this exciting?" Turuiemon asked Renamon excitedly. "Just think, one of us might get to be the next Deva." Renamon and Turuiemon had rented a room at a nearby inn.
"It may be. You do know that only one of us might be selected, if any."
"Oh, lighten up!" Turuiemon stuck her toungue out at Renamon. "What is it that one guy was always saying...Moumantai, that was it!"
"I'm sorry?" Renamon didn't recognize the word.
"It means take it easy! Maybe one of us will get chosen, and maybe not. Why worry about it?"
"It is a great responsibility." Renamon replied.
"I just can't wait to see what will happen." Turuiemon said, lying back on a bunk. "I'm pretty sure it'll be you that gets picked."
"It is possible." Renamon admitted, smiling a bit. "But Weregarurumon has you chosen as well for the tryouts."
"Never happen." Turuiemon replied.
A week later, the tryouts began. The examiner, an incredibly ancient looking Digimon calling himself Jijimon, watched the trials. With him was one of the Devas themselves, Sandiramon, as he called himself. The snakelike Digimon watched. "Those two seem the most likely." He said to Jijimon.
"Yeah. Shame I'm married; the tall yellow one looks cute."
"I'll tell Babamon you said that."
"Just try it, bub. Alright you two, BEGIN!"
Renamon faced off against her opponent. It was the Musyamon she had beaten when she had first come to this city. "So, we meet again, rookie." Musyamon taunted. "I'll have you know I have been training ever since the first time we met. This time, I'll beat you and load your data. Why don't you-"
"Diamond Storm!" The attack quickly knocked out Musyamon. "Jerk." Renamon scoffed, leaving the ring area.
"I'm in love." Jijimon whispered.
"You're a loon." Sandiramon replied, getting a bit annoyed. First it was that Lillymon two towns back, now this...
Turuiemon dispatched her opponent as quickly, and Renamon finished off hers. The event ran the entire day, until there were only the two friends left.
==Now, Real World
"You had to fight your friend?"
Renamon nodded. "Only one of us could be chosen to become the next Deva. Turuiemon was as good a fighter as I was."
==Then, Digital World
Renamon dodged a swipe from one of Turiermon's blades, wincing as the second one caught her on her left leg. "Not too bad," Renamon said between gasps, "you've been paying attention."
Turuiemon grinned back. "It wouldn't be a fight if I didn't go all out, right? That's what we promised if it came to this, that neither of us would hold back?"
Renamon nodded. The next attack by Turuiemon managed to knock the rookie Digimon almost out of the ring. As Renamon staggered to get up, her ears managed to pick out some of the whispered conversations.
"What's taking so long?"
"She's just a rookie; probably can't even digivolve."
"I wouldn't want a weakling that can't evolve to serve the soveriegn..."
That last comment caused something to snap in Renamon.
"I've got you now!" Turuiemon yelled, jumping at Renamon, blade extended.
Snarling, Renamon whirled, dodged the attack, kicking Turuiemon back into the air as she did. She then jumped, and struck Turuiemon with a fully charged Wisteria Punch, knocking the Champion level Digimon out of the ring, through several rows of spectators, and into the ground. The entire audience just
looked on, stunned.
After a second, the referee recovered his wits, and stepped onto the ring surface. "Winner is Renamon! By ancient tradition, she will become the next Deva!" No one raised an objection.
Sandiramon moved towards Renamon, impresed by the power shown by the Rookie Digimon. "You have fought well, Renamon, and it is my honour to..." Sinduramon stopped, looking skywards. As he did, Renamon noticed the sigil on Sinduramon's chest was glowing bright. Sinduramon seemed to be communicating with something.
"But..." Sandiramon spoke suddenly. His body then stiffened, as if he had touched a live wire. "I understand." Sandiramon took a breath. "The Soveriegn has spoken to me. Though it is irregular, the Sovereign has chosen Turuiemon to be the next Deva!"
"But Renamon won!" Turuiemon protested, getting up. She was still shaking off the effects of Renamon's last attack.
"You question the word of the Digimon Sovereign?" Sandiramon almost shouted.
Turuiemon seemed ready to, but Renamon caught Turiermon's eye, shaking her head. "No. Forgive my outburst."
"Then by the will of the Sovereign, let this Digimon, Turuiemon, be accepted into the ranks of the deva. By the power of the South, I, Sandiramon, bestow upon you the power of the Devas!" A bolt of energy came out of Sinduramon's mouth, enveloping Turiermon.
"Turuiemon, digivolve to...Antylamon!"
==
"I'm really sorry about this. It should have been you." Antylamon said sadly to Renamon.
"The decision was made. I knew that only one of us would be able to make it in. I am glad it was a friend of mine."
Antylamon nodded, the walked off headed for the edge of the town.
Weregarurumon walked up besiode Renamon. "Odd day." Renamon nodded. After a second, Weregarurumon looked at Renamon. "Why did you come here?"
"I'm sorry, master?"
"Don't 'master' me," Weregarurumon replied, grinning, "you're one of my best students. Why did you come here?" Renamon didn't say anything. "So you could digivolve?"
"Yes." Renamon admitted. "I knew your school was one of the ones the Devas had their eye on."
"You haven't been able to digivolve at all have you? Is that why you have fought for so long?"
Renamon still didn't look up. "Digimon get stronger by absorbing data. When they absorb enough, they digivolve. Isn't that how it's always worked?" Her voice was calm, controlled as she spoke.
"Of all my class, you were the only one who hasn't evolved beyond Rookie. And that's made you fight all the harder. That's why you got so angry during the fight; I heard some of those whispers too." Renamon flushed, ashamed at her loss of control during the battle.
"I should go, then. I'm not strong enough yet."
"I won't stop you, if that's what you wish. Before you go, a few things. One, strength in battle is not the only thing in life. Those months you were sparring with Turuiemon were some of the best times in my life; you were both happy. Never forget that. Two, you may not have made it here, but I think your
destiny lies elsewhere. There's something else you need, a part of you that's missing. And third, I think you may find that part..." Weregarurumon trailed off, pointing at the sphere in the sky.
"The Real World?"
"Yes. I have heard some digimon speak of seeking their fortunes there. It may be that the Real World has the answer you seek."
Renamon nodded. Two days later, she left Seiryu city, not intending to ever come back.
==Real World, now
"Shortly after that, I managed to battle my way to the top level, where I found transport to the Real world, and then, to you."
Rika leaned back, still trying to take in the story. "I never knew..."
"That we were so much alike?" Renamon asked. Rika blinked, then nodded, blushing a bit. "Neither of us will settle for being second, or for not being the best at anything we truly love doing. I think that's why we became partners."
"So what now?"
Renamon looked at the moon again. "We fight together. And find Eevee and Hitomi sometime." Rika looked at Renamon oddly. "No one calls me a feather duster and gets away with it." She added, humour in her voice.
==Kato household, night time
"I hope I'm not causing any trouble."
"Oh, nonsense!" Jeri replied. "Dad's really nice when you get to know him. He just acts all tough and mean."
"Your mom is nice."
Jeri's expression fell a bit. "She's just my stepmom. My real mom..."
"I...I'm sorry!"
Instantly, Jeri's expression changed. "Hey, it's not your fault or anything! Come on, we're supposed to be having fun, right?" Jeri thought for a second. "Hey, what's it like being a tamer?"
"A tamer?" Hitomi asked. She remembered Takato thinking Jeri might be a good tamer, and her own words against it. And for it, later on. "Well, it's a lot of work. I have to take care of Eevee and Noctowl, and try not to let them get too badly hurt in a battle."
"But it'd be so neat, I just know it." Jeri answered. "Having someone to talk to, going on all sorts of adventures."
"Yeah. But it can be pretty scary."
Jeri flopped down on her bed. "I know, but I still can't help thinking about it. All those Digimon are appearing here, and one of them might be my partner. Or maybe I could create one, like Takato did."
Hitomi smiled, remembering the times she made up Digimon partners, before Eevee had arrived. "What kind of Digimon would you have for a partner?"
Jeri blushed a bit. "Oh, I don't know. Someone really nice and smart, like Patamon."
"Hmm. When I was young, I always wanted a Veemon."
"Well, you got close, I guess." Jeri replied, chuckling. After a second, Hitomi got the joke, and the two laughed.
==
In the kitchen, Ikuko smiled as she heard the laughter from upstairs. She held her son, Yamato, in her arms as she did. "You see, Satoshi? They're having a great time."
"I guess. There's just something...odd about that Motomiya girl. You saw the way she reacted when she met Yamato?"
"So? She knew someone named Yamato where she grew up. Stop being so suspicious."
==
Outside the Kato home, Gabumon looked intently at the open window, where he heard Jeri and Hitomi's voices coming from. During the last fight, he had heard Hitomi's name mentioned when that Unown creature had shown up, and several times later, after the fight.
He had determined that Hitomi might be useful in getting Calumon away from that Unown thing that he was travelling with. "Ryo never told me there'd be days like this." Gabumon muttered, looking glumly at the box of fried chicken he had swiped from that restaurant. Pity his Blue Blaster had overcooked it. A lot, he thought to himself, holding up the lump of charcoal that was formerly a chicken wing...
==
"Hey, Hitomi? Do you think I could become a digidestined?"
Hitomi blinked. "I guess it's possible. I don't know how it works here..."
"Well," Jeri went on, smiling, "how about where you're from?"
"Eh?"
"It's OK, I overheard Henry and Takato talking."
Ah nuts, Hitomi thought. "Really? Wh...what did you hear?"
"That you're from the digital world that's on TV. Isn't that right?"
==Hypnos, main offices
Yamaki sat down at his desk. The rest of the workers had left for home; there were only a few technicians on duty, keeping an eye on the slowly developing Yuugoth system, and its more powerful sibling, the Juggernaut system. Of course, the Juggernaut only existed as a theory right now, pending
approval from the government to develop Yamaki's latest weapon against the digital menace.
His lighter was on the desk. In his hand was the digivice that had appeared when Impmon and Monodramon had shown up. Along with...
"Digimon..." he growled, grip on the digivice tightening. A part of him marvelled how the digivice had changed over time, as if reflecting his mood. It was now almost all black, with a dull grey ring around the screen. The two buttons underneath were bone white. "Hmm...I never told anyone that this is
what I based the Yuugoth off of. If only I knew how it worked." He had tried various ways of opening the digivice up, from subtle (full lab, laser cutter, controlled acidic reaction), to blunt (sledgehammer). Nothing. Every test done on the digivice itself had come up negative. But the energy it released, that could be scanned.
"Sir?" One of the trechnicians walked into Yamaki's office. "Status on the digital tracking system. We've upgraded the scanning power by 22.5%. We should be able to detect any already emerged Digimon within a several mile radius."
Yamaki nodded. "And the Yuugoth system?"
"Normal sir. No word on that anomalous signature that matched it. We have also received approval to start developing the Juggernaut system."
"Excellent." Yamaki looked at the technician. "You've been pretty active here. What was your name?" Westerner, possibly American, from the look, Yamaki judged.
"Ramone, sir. Mark Ramone."
"Hmm. Remind me to promote you next week."
"A pleasure, sir."
==Kato home
"You're really related to Davis?"
"Well, yeah..." Hitomi replied. After confessing the truth about her home, Jeri had had a million questions. "And yes, he was a lot like you saw on the TV series. If mom isn't exaggerating." She sighed, looking out the window.
"You must miss them a lot." Hitomi nodded. Jeri tried to change the subject. "So, what do you do in your spare time?"
"Oh, I just draw a bit."
"Can I see? Takato said you drew a picture of Guilmon for him."
"Sure, but it's not very good." Hitomi handed Jeri an artbook out of the bag she had brought with her.
"This is incredible!" Jeri exclaimed. It was a picture of Guilmon sleeping. "It looks just like him."
"Well, the head's a bit big, and I don't think I got the tail right."
"I think you got him just right. How long have you done this for?"
"A few years. Back on my world, some people travel the world, looking for pokemon to sketch. One of them, a man named Tracy, taught me how to draw pokemon, and then Digimon. I wanted to be a monster watcher when I got older." Hitomi blushed a bit. "I'm sorry. I know it must sound silly."
"Didn't your uncle tell you your dreams are important?"
"Davis? No, he never said that."
"What about that fight against Malomyotismon?"
"Who?"
"Big guy, came out of Mr. Oikawa? Tried to turn a bunck of kids into dark digidestined so he could go to the digital world?"
"Umm...it didn't quite happen that way..."
==(half an hour later)
"She married WHO?"
Hitomi sighed. "Yes, Kari married Izzy." Was it THAT hard a concept to grasp, she wondered to herself.
==Saturday
"So, how was it?" Nami asked, as Jeri and Hitomi stepped into view. Behind her, Guilmon was playing with Eevee and Noctowl.
"It was great!" Jeri answered. "We stayed up late and talked and watched movies."
"And I did my math homework." Hitomi added. "Ms. Asaji? Jeri...knows..."
"Knows what...oh dear"
"I overheard Takato and Henry talking." Jeri explained
"Remind me to have a nice long talk with those two..."
==Monday
Janyu Wong stepped into the lab. The letter he had gotten was pretty specific; head to this address, up several dozen floors, and enter the computer lab where 'a surprise' was waiting. "Well, if this is the surprise, I'm not impressed."
"You never were easy to impress." A deep voice said behind him.
Janyu whirled around. "Babel?" he gasped, recognizing the voice. "You...you're bald."
'Babel' grinned. "Felt like a change. Cuts down on the barber bills. Plus the shampoo costs."
"I hope I'm not interrupting." Another voice said, entering the lab.
Janyu recognized the second voice too, and the person it belonged to. "Dolphin!"
"It's a Monster Makers reunion!" Robert 'Dolphin' McCoy replied. "Whoever's running this place is getting us back together. No idea for what, though. How've you been, Tao?"
"Please, Tao was left behind a long time ago." Janyu replied.
"Always the stick in the mud." Babel cracked.
"Well, someone had to keep you lot in line. How's Alice?"
Dolphin grinned. "She's fine, and wishes you would write, you evil, evil person you. She wants to hear all about her uncle Tao, who hacked the university finance records and leaked the dean's true income to the press."
"You didn't tell her." Janyu asked, wishing he had never done that. Or gotten drunk and bragged about it later.
"She thinks you're a true hacker elite. What a shame it will be to tell her the legend has joined the system and become another cog."
"If you'll forgive my interrupting this little walk down memory lane," Yamaki said, striding into the computer lab, "we have a lot of work to do. My name is Yamaki, and I have a little project for you to
take care of."
"Like what?" Babel asked.
"Like the removal of Digimon from this world."
Next Episode
A field test of the Yuugoth system brings Impmon, Calumon and Unown into the Hypnos headquarters, and a confrontation with Yamaki. Janyu reveals what he knows about Hypnos to his son, while Jeri and Takato have a run in with Gabumon. Next time, on Digicross Tamers:
'The Capture of Unown.'