Chapter 3: Uncontrollable Greed
Henry, Terriermon and Kenta were now on the train, on their way to continue their Blue Card investigation.
"I wonder if the Blue Card could really be the key to another Matrix Evolution?" Terriermon mused curiously, peering down at the card in Henry's hand. Henry smiled a little, but his friend frowned, knowing it was forced.
"What's wrong?" Terriermon questioned, his face expressing his concern.
"The last time I got a Blue Card was when I wanted to save you from Gorillamon, and Takato got one when everyone else was down and Growlmon was about to lose… Terriermon, what if…what if this Blue Card is a sign that something bad is going to happen to you?" Henry asked worriedly, gazing up at the small Digimon sitting on his head.
"You mean something worse than nearly getting my windpipe crushed?" Terriermon joked, but upon receiving a dark look from Henry quickly added, "Momentai! Whatever happens, we'll face it together!"
Terriermon smiled brightly, and Henry finally responded in kind, nodding in agreement. Neither of them noticed Kenta staring at them curiously.
Is that what it's like to be a Digimon Tamer? If I ever get to be one, will I be that close to my Digimon? Kenta thought, but of course didn't voice any of it.
Impmon, meanwhile, was walking down his underground tunnel, furious that the annoying human had interfered. Honestly, why did it matter anyway? If Impmon had managed to absorb Terriermon's data, the brat could always get a new pet to abuse! Besides, the little runt's data might just be the push he needed to Digivolve! That stupid Tamer, always protecting that rabbit…!
I can be just as strong as that Terriermon is! Why would a human even bother carin' for his slave anyway? Ai and Mako never cared for me; they only cared about themselves! It's all an act! Nobody really cares about anyone else! I—I can be stronger than all of 'em! Impmon fumed inwardly, the volcano of rage and need erupting inside him again.
His eyes glowed red once more. This time he was going to succeed! He would start with that white-bunny runt! But just destroying him and absorbing his data seemed a little too nice... He wanted to make that partner of his pay as well, and it wouldn't be any fun if the object of the game were just to destroy. He wanted to play with the Tamer a little first…
That's right, Impmon. The power lies dormant within you! Embrace the powers of darkness. They will make you stronger! No one will be able to push you around! intoned a sweet, seductive voice that sounded out of nowhere and seemed to emanate from all around him.
Impmon blinked. "What's the catch? I know better than most people that everythin' in this world has a price!" he yelled, though admittedly he couldn't help but be tempted by the offer. After all, darkness always seemed to make the fire of rage much stronger…
The catch isn't what you might think. You must simply make those weaker than you suffer! Just destroying them and absorbing their data is something anyone can do without the powers of darkness. All I ask, Impmon, is that you make your enemy scream, weep, shatter, and break before your eyes by any means necessary! Even torture, if that will satisfy your hunger! Do this, and you will become the strongest Digimon in either world!
Impmon considered the offer. Deep down inside he really wasn't the bully-kind…but he was so tired of being pushed around! He couldn't take it anymore! That stupid bunny was smaller than him, for Gennai's sake, but his master still treated him well!
"I'll do it!" Impmon asserted without a second thought. The voice burst into an evil cackle, and just as the lost Digimon started to wonder what he'd done, the powers of darkness entered him. When he opened his eyes, they glowed blood-red.
"Time to go hunting," Impmon sneered, his voice eerily dark and vindictive.
Aboveground, Jeri, Rika and Renamon were in the middle of searching for Impmon.
Without warning, Rika skid to a halt as she caught a glimpse of him exiting the tunnel under the bridge.
"Impmon, wait!" Renamon called out to him, disappearing and then reappearing in front of him. Rika and Jeri ran forward, positioning themselves on either side of the fox-Digimon. "I only wish to speak with you."
Impmon turned to her, and Renamon was taken aback at the look in his eyes.
"Just go away, foxface. I'd rather not fight ya yet," Impmon said, and Rika bit her lip. Even though she knew her partner was stronger than Terriermon, a part of her still wanted to get Renamon as far away from Impmon as possible. Something wasn't right…
"I am not looking for a fight, Impmon. I just wanted to know what pushed you to attempt to murder Terriermon," Renamon planted, peering at Impmon without batting an eyelash.
Impmon narrowed his eyes, feeling the boiling anger fill him again.
"Your little buddy got off lucky since that stupid master o' his was determined to keep him as a slave. It's kinda pathetic, if you ask me. Anyhow, pass this message on to the little twerp and his Tamer for me: next time bunny-boy ain't gonna be that lucky! I'm gonna have a lot of fun with him before I absorb his data!" Impmon taunted, smirking leeringly before letting loose a wicked cackle.
Instantly, Renamon's hair stood on end. That laugh did not belong to Impmon…! Before the female could prod anymore, however, the Digimon had disappeared.
Rika felt a chill run down her spine, and she shivered slightly. She didn't know what Impmon's definition of 'fun'was, but she had a really bad feeling it couldn't mean anything good.
Her thoughts went to Henry, wondering how he would handle the threat on his Digimon's life. She knew he wouldn't react like she or Takato would. He was the calmest of the three of them, but even the calm ones could crack under pressure…
No, the redhead mentally berated. Henry was one of the first people who genuinely cared about me, who wasn't afraid to tell me off if I were coming on too strong. Heck, the first time he stopped Renamon and me from fighting Guilmon and Gogglehead, there was so much authority in his voice we had to back off! We had our differences back then and we still do, but we're such good friends now... I have to get them the message, so they can keep their guards up. As if the Devas weren't bad enough…