2) Was this a Good Idea
The attack he feared didn't come. Guilmon instead sniffed at him, then nuzzled.
"Of course you recognize me!", Takato said with great relief. "I created you".
Guilmon said nothing, just cocked his head. Takato hugged his neck: "Let's get out of here. Let's go home".
Takato had another problem: he couldn't leave the same way he came. No way would Guilmon fit in that drainage ditch. They left the construction site, and fortunately, didn't meet any watchmen or security.
Along the way, Takato recovered a large cardboard box from the trash. It fit Guilmon well, and the hand hold made for a convenient peep hole.
"Hi, I'm home", he called out as he entered the front door of the bakery. He could do that since this was after closing hours.
"You're back later than usual", his father observed.
"Dinner will be ready soon", his mother informed him.
"What's that?", his father asked.
"It's... ummmm... ahhhhh...".
"Takato, really, haven't you brought home enough useless junk?", his mother reprimanded, as she rescued him from having to explain this.
"Don't worry, I'll get rid of it when I'm though with it".
"See that you do. There's hardly enough room to walk in your room as it is".
This was true: Takato did have a considerable collection of brick-a-brack rescued from dumpsters and trash bins. It came with the territory: raising a ten year old boy.
("C'mon, Guilmon, move your ass")
"This is really heavy", Takato said as he struggled to get the digimon to climb the stairs leading to the residential area.
His parents looked on, wondering what this was all about.
"Climbmon!", Guilmon announced as he finally figured out how to use the stairs.
In the privacy of his bedroom, Takato took off the box. Guilmon looked around, got the scent of the place. The first thing he did was sweep everything off Takato's desk.
"Don't...", Takato ordered, softly enough not to be heard.
"Don't-mon..."
"Guilmon, you need to be quiet. If you want to stay with me, you can't call attention to yourself, or they may take you away and we'll never see each other. People aren't used to seeing a big digimon like you. I've waited so long to meet you. Don't you want to be with me? That's why I want you to listen and be good. Understand Guilmon?"
"Guil...", he pointed to himself, "...mon?"
"That's right: you're Guilmon and I'm Takato".
"Ta... ka... to-MON".
"No, Guilmon, Takato... Ta... ka... to. I'm not a digimon".
"Takatomon", Guilmon insisted.
Takato was beginning to wonder if he hadn't made a big mistake. He'd been so concerned over his character's brawn, he'd neglected his brain. He was beginning to suspect his new digimon was a nit-wit.
"No, it's Takato. I'm not a digimon...", he got an idea. He rummaged briefly through his junk collection, pulling out a pair of old, yellow swim goggles with blue lenses.
"Takatomon?"
"I told you that's wrong. It's Takato. Period", he answered as he ducked under a shelf.
"See?', he asked as he donned the goggles. "I'm your Digimon Tamer, and you are my partner".
Hypnos
"We've isolated another Wild One", one of the operators called out.
"Analyzing the target data now", the other added.
"Get a Tracer on it", Yamaki ordered.
"Tracer away... Awaiting a visual... Visual on screen"
This digimon was big and green, wearing a rough leather vest. He was carrying a large club with metal studs.
"Is that one going to materialize?", he asked.
The Matsuda Bakery
Takato's father opened the bedroom door, quietly enough not to disturb either Takato or Guilmon, who was partially concealed by that box. The room dark enough for him not to notice. He did catch a whiff of something animal.
"What is it?', his wife asked as he returned to their bedroom.
"Ummmm... ahhhh...", he answered.
"What is it?", she asked again.
"I... ahhhh... You know Takato's an only child. I mean... uhhhh... take an example... This is... ummmm..."
"The answer's no", his wife replied.
"I haven't asked you anything yet".
"The answer's still no".
"Why not? What's the harm?"
"We run a bakery, and I don't want to deal with health inspectors, and there are regulations. That's why we can't have any pets. You'll have to have a talk with him about that. Make sure he takes whatever it is back to where he found it".
Shinjuku Chou Park
A couple were hanging out along one of the foot paths leading into the park. A column of white shot up from somewhere inside the park itself. A thick white mist appeared.
"What's that?", one asked.
"Looks like kids starting a bonfire, I guess", her boyfriend speculated.
They barely registered the young girl wearing blue jeans, a brightly coloured T-shirt of teal, white and yellow with a dark blue broken heart emblazoned on the front who came running past. She pulled on sunglasses as she entered the "fog bank".
Her anthrovixen partner joined her as the digimon was just completing his materialization. The girl brought up the profile on her digivice:
Goblimon
Rookie, Virus
Ogre type anthro digimon
Attack: Gobli-strike
Has no courage, shy in disposition
"Data!", he called out as he advanced on the anthrovixen. She dodged easily, delivering a kick to the chest. He rubbed his chest, then took a fierce swing with his club. She ducked, and nailed him a good one with an upper cut that left him rubbing his jaw. She retreated, as Goblimon ran after: "Data!"
The couple were lip-locked: "What're you doin', culu?", came a small, soft voice.
"Huh?", the man asked, "what are you?"
"It's one of those talking dolls", his girlfriend began to explain. The white ball of fluff certainly did look like one. "So cute! What's it doing out here?"
"Hey, what were you two doing just now, culu?", it asked. "Calumon wants to know more, culu?"
"YOU!", the man challenged. "You were watching us the whole time?!", he accused.
"Wait a minute", the woman realized. "That damn thing isn't a toy! It's another one of those things that attacked before!"
They backed away slowly before turning to run away.
"Goin' so soon, culu?"
"Culu?"
Calumon sensed something, though he didn't know what. The red triangle that decorated his forehead began to glow...
"Data!", Goblimon took another swing at the yellow anthrovixen, and got another kick in the jaw for his trouble.
"Data!", he charged again, this time the anthrovixen leaped at the last moment, as Goblimon crashed into the chain link fence surrounding the playground. He turned to charge again, as she leaped high above him.
"Ruki", she called out, "Option Card"
"Fine", her partner replied. Ruki didn't believe her partner needed the extra help. This opponent wasn't that tough, certainly wasn't very bright.
"Boost Chip: 10% Power Up", as she scanned the card through the card reader.
Goblimon Evolve! …
… FUUGAMON!
"He... evolved?", Ruki asked herself. "He shouldn't be able to do that".
The Matsuda Bakery
Takato was awakened in the night.
"What's wrong, Guilmon?", he asked. The digimon was looking out the window, growling at something. Takato went to investigate,
"There's nothing out there?"
Everything looked perfectly normal out on the darkened street. There was no sign of activity, nor would there be, seeing how they were well off the beaten track. The neighbors would be in bed, and there wouldn't be any traffic of consequence.
The Playground
"Data!", Fuugamon took an even fiercer swing with a bigger club, missed, and struck the ground.
"Renamon, if you lose there will be nothing left for you", Ruki warned.
"I understand", the anthrovixen replied. "Just watch"
"DATAAAA!", Fuugamon attacked again. Renamon dodged as Fuugamon's strike meant for her demolished a wood frame jungle gym.
Renamon retaliated with a flurry of punches delivered almost too fast for the eye to follow. This knocked Fuugamon down, She leaped high above the fallen digimon before he could recover.
"Koyousetsu!", she struck with her primary attack.
Fuugamon just stood there, pierced by dozens of these glass-like shards.
"Even though you managed to evolve to Champion, your power is still inferior to ours", Ruki gloated as Fuugamon burst into disorganized data that looked like a swarm of blue particles. Renamon absorbed all of these. "You can not defeat us"
"Become stronger, Renamon", Ruki told her partner.
The Matsuda Bakery
It was the next morning, and Takato knew that he would need a new arrangement for Guilmon. His problems had multiplied greatly. Not only did he have a large, very naïve digimon (at least he hoped it was just naivety) on his hands, he still had to go to school. If only he'd've delayed his appearance for just a few more weeks, then there would be far fewer troubles, and far more time to get Guilmon acclimated to this world.
This morning he had a plan: Guilmon would climb down from his bedroom window while his parents were setting up for the day.
"Takato", his mother called out as he made his way to the back to pick up as much of the day old stock as he could carry, stuffing rolls into pockets, and his book bag.
"Yeah?", he called back.
"Didn't you pick up a stray cat before?"
"I didn't pick it up", he replied, "some nice lady at the park gave it to me".
"Regardless, Takato, we handle food here, that's why we can't let you keep any pets".
"I don't know what you're talking about", he denied.
"I don't know what you picked up yesterday, but we need you to take it back where you found it. We don't need to be violated by the health inspectors".
"What're you talkin' about? Anyway, I'm off", as he headed out the residential entrance.
Fortunately, his mother decided not to press the issue, and didn't follow. He looked around: "Now, Guilmon", he called out softly.
Guilmon didn't climb down, but leaped from the second story window, landing without injuring himself. He still wore that box to conceal himself.
It was a blind alley near the construction site. Takato stacked more cardboard boxes, rearranged trash bags, and soon improvised a suitable hiding place. From the street, it would look just like any other trash-strewn alley leading nowhere. Nothing to attract unwanted attention, nothing that could look interesting enough to lure anyone down here.
"Listen carefully, Guilmon", Takato was explaining. "I can't play right now. I have to go to school..."
"What school?", Guilmon asked.
"It's something I have to do now so we can play later. I need you..."
"School sound not good to Guilmon"
"You sure got that right. There's nothing either of us can do about it. I need you to stay here, and to keep quiet. I'll be back as soon as I'm able, and then we'll play. I promise. While you're waiting..."
Takato unloaded all the day old stock he'd brought with him.
"...if you get hungry. I'll be back ASAP, so be good while I'm gone. Understand?"
"Guilmon unnerstan"
Takato's School
"Graymon evolve! MetalGraymon!", Kenta made his play.
"Heh", Kazu dismissed. "I have a Jogress Evolution: Weregarurumon! High Speed Plug-in B... Too bad... Emergency Program Halt!", Kazu countered, costing Kenta the game.
"Shit!"
"You practically gave me that win!", Kazu gloated.
"Hey!"
"Looks like Takato finally decided to show up", Kazu announced.
"You're late", he remonstrated.
"Sorry 'bout that, but I had a lot to do this morning"
"What's with the goggles?", Kazu asked.
"Ehhhhh that... Cool huh? It's because I've become a Digimon Tamer".
"Ooookay, whatever you say... We should get going. We have an hour before P.E."
"Since it's still early, they're gonna make us run again", Kenta was complaining.
"I'll be done in here in a little bit", Takato called after his friends.
He took out his card collection: "I knew it wouldn't be here... that Blue Card"
"Takato!", Kazu called from outside the shelter. "Hell're you doin'? We're gonna be late!"
"Coming!", he called back as he jumped down from the shelter.
He paused to look back, still wondering about that Blue Card.
"Takato, what're you waiting for?"
"Nothing", he said as he caught up with his friends.
There were two nice things about P.E. that made Takato favour the class more than his friends. The girls took P.E. at the same time. The boys wore white shirts and shorts. The girls wore the same white shirts, but stripped down to their panties. It was the closest he could come to seeing Juri naked without doing something illegal.
"Next!", the instructor called out.
Takato ran and gave a mighty leap. Juri was on tape measure duty today.
"Three meters, forty six centimeters", Juri announced his broad jump.
"Yes!", Takato exulted. "Beat my old record by five centimeters".
"Yeah, but you're still three centimeters short of my record", Kazu reminded.
"That's because you're...", Takato thought he saw something. "Huh?"
"OK, next person can go", the instructor interrupted.
"It can't be...", Takato said to himself.
Guilmon got bored, and decided to come looking for Takato. He followed his scent trail to the school. He figured if he wore his box, it would be OK.
"Takato?", he called out as he made his way past a classroom.
"Yamazaki", he heard from one of the rooms.
"This magazine", his teacher brandished the forbidden literature like a weapon, "this is the reason why you forgot your homework, isn't it?", he accused. He was going to bop the errant student over the head when he heard something.
He investigated only to see two yellow eyes looking back from the hand-holds of a large box. He opened the door and looked down the hall. Seeing nothing, he figured he'd just imagined it. That was, until he saw the gouges Guilmon's claws made in the wood. He quickly backed into the room.
"What was it?", one of his students asked.
"Don't worry about it", he replied. "Class isn't over yet, and there's work to be done. No sense in worrying about useless things... Now, where were we?"
"Cleaning up the school: good work", someone said as he passed Guilmon.
"Mon?", he asked.
That was when he realized no one was carrying the box.
"You there!", he challenged. "Hey!", he called out. "Which class should you be in?"
"Class?", Guilmon asked.
"And your name is?"
"Guilmon! How about yours?"
"Seiji Kurosawa, but you can call me 'Headmaster Kurosawa' or 'Mister Kurosawa' What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to play with Takato"
"Play? This is class time, not play time! I don't know who you are, so take off that stupid box!"
"Can't"
"Why not?", Kurosawa asked as he tried to pull off the box, but Guilmon held on.
"Takato said not to".
"I don't know who this 'Takato' is, but here you listen to the Headmaster! Do you understand?!"
"OK", Guilmon agreed and let go. ":Let's play, Headmaster", Guilmon invited.
He was speechless at the unexpected apparition now before him.
"Doan you wanna play with me?", Guilmon asked.
"Sssssome... someone!", Kurosawa called out as he hit the nearest fire alarm.
"Takato?", Guilmon called out as he also caught a familiar scent through an open window.
"Everyone remain calm", the P.E. instructor said.
"Is it a fire?", someone asked.
"No way!", another replied.
"All of you stay here. I'll see what the problem is", the instructor promised. "I'm sure it's nothing".
"Something wrong?", Juri asked.
"Cover for me", he said as he ran towards the main building.
"That's why I said I saw it!", the Headmaster was telling a group of faculty who'd come to see who set off the alarm. "It even spoke to me!", he insisted.
"Whatever he's smokin', I wish he'd share", one of the students was saying.
"Yeah, but if this gets out, it'll make the whole school look bad", another replied.
"Who the hell cares? So long as we get a longer than expected break out of it. If we're lucky, maybe we get to go home early..."
Takato ran past other knots of students, overhearing the conversations:
"I heard it was a big monster..."
"No way a demon like that would come here..."
"Did he really have to ring the alarm just because he thought he saw a monster..."
"If he really did..."
Takato saw the box Guilmon had been using. "Guilmon", he called out as he turned and ran back the way he'd come. He didn't notice another student's noticing. No doubt about it: Guilmon hadn't done as he'd promised and stayed in hiding at the alley.
"Guilmon!", he called out as he exited the building. "Guilmon!"
He pulled up: "Why does shit like this always happen to me?", he asked himself.
It was about to get worse: "What happened to all the bread?', he heard someone ask from the outbuilding that served as the cafeteria kitchen.
"Who would have taken it?', another asked.
"What are we gonna do now? We're serving in less than an hour!"
"Uhhhhh...", Takato said to himself. "It was Guilmon. My Guilmon has...", he walked away.
"Guilmon, why'd you come to school?", he asked no one but himself. He didn't see that he wasn't alone.
"Guilmon, you say?", this being asked by another student he wasn't familiar with. "That's a digimon... I take it?"
"How... how would you know about that?"
A small figure stepped into view: "Is he responsible for this clusterfuck?"
"That... that... that... that's... Terriermon! And he speaks!"
"You and your partner digimon don't have a good understanding of one another", Terriermon told him. "That makes you unqualified to be a Tamer"
"Terriermon!"
"Moumentai"
He knew Terriermon was right, as he began to run so's this new kid – even if he didn't know him – wouldn't see him crying. Takato ran down a street, not caring where he was going, as he remembered scenes from Guilmon's very recent past.
Suddenly, he pulled up outside of a three level parking garage. He sensed something... He got off the elevator on the third, and uppermost, level. There he saw Guilmon, looking off into the distance.
"Guilmon", he called out.
"Takato!", Guilmon called as he turned, began running. Takato ran to Guilmon, who tackled him to the floor, to give him a big, wet, sloppy digimon kiss. If he had any anger for Guilmon, it was forgotten.
"What's wrong?", Guilmon asked. "Your eyes are leaking", he observed.
"Quiet, Guilmon... Can you stay up here and hide until I come to get you? Until school is out for the day? I'll come and get you once school lets out".
"Then we play?"
"Yeah, Guilmon, then we play".
Shinjuku Chou Park
"What Guilmon doin' here?"
"We need to find a place where you can stay without being seen. I don't know of anywhere else we could find such a place", Takato explained.
"This looks promising", Takato observed that this nature trail didn't look like it was particularly well worn. He followed that trail to a soccer field. He didn't like being so exposed, but thought he was alone as he walked along the chain link fence. There was another green belt he wanted to check out on the other side.
Suddenly, Guilmon turned and growled. Something very yellow and very fast collided with Guilmon, nearly sending him through the fence.