The Saga: Successors
By: Linkmaste
Chapter 19: Oh, The Places You'll Go
Ai and Mako finished school and managed to get a moment's peace from their partner. Ever since Lindy left, Impmon was gloomy and agitated at the slightest thing. It was almost back before when she 'died'. They went over to a nearby café and waited for Suzie and Lopmon.
The cafe the teenager chose was a little strange. Girls were dressed like those anime maids and carried cute drinks around with permanent smiles on their faces. Ai cringed,
"This place creeps me out. Couldn't she picked a normal one?"
"I don't mind it." Mako grinned, waving at one of the younger maids. She winked back.
"Ugh. Whatever, listen we need to find a way to get Impmon not to suspect something is up. He might be depressed but he's totally against us going." Ai scribbled something down in her notepad. "We should find something to distract him."
"Maybe we can get some help from his friend. Hiro." Mako suggested, enjoying the milkshake that he ordered. Ai declined any beverage and clicked her tongue.
"Maybe.."
"Hey, guys!" Suzie shouted and ran over. She gave each of the twins quick hugs and ordered a bubble tea. "So, we are totally going to break in Hypnos-I'm super stoked."
"Won't Lopmon be against this?" Mako asked, looking concerned. She waved a hand.
"Oh, she won't notice until we're gone. I bought her some books and it's like she doesn't exist outside them. I think we're good."
"Well, that just leaves Impmon. He can watch us like a hawk sometimes." Mako grumbled. "Any ideas?"
"He's in that bar doing work right? Maybe we can make something happen there..."
It took awhile and a few milkshakes but the trio figured out a plan. It would take a lot of team work and some help from Hiro but the three of them together would make anyone regret the day they messed with them.
"LINDY!" Calumon screamed in the hallway and zoomed into the hybrid's arms. Lindy hugged the charming digimon. "I missed you so much!" he started to babble about the time he spent time with Katrina and Bowmon. As he rambled Lindy only half listened and turned her mind to auto pilot as she opened the door.
"Where...where is everyone?" Calumon turned everywhere in the hybrid's arms. She sighed and settled down the white creampuff.
"Gazimon was taken. They went to the digital world..." Lindy frowned. Gloomy, she flopped on the couch in her living room. "And I nearly died...again to a stupid freaking vampire. Remind me that all Myotismon's are arrogant annoying pieces of crud."
Calumon's ears shrunk significantly. Curling up to the hybrid, he mumbled about Bowmon and Kunemon being gone and how he was going to be lonely again.
"I'll keep you company, Calumon." Lindy hugged him and breathed deeply.
The hybrid thought of the complications of their friends' decision. Would they be alright in the Digital World? Correction, someone was going to get hurt and it wasn't going to be a Disney movie and everyone gets better. As much Lindy didn't want to think about it, she still hurt from their argument over Ethan, and her being a little controlling. She should have apologized...
Her family may not have uncles or moms but it had loving and caring people. Marianna, Katrina, Luke, Cam, PJ, Ally and their digimon were her family here. Kari and Salamon too...
"Home, sweet home." the 'Impmon' sighed.
Takato and Guilmon entered the Hypnos building hopeful for some kind of update on Ranamon. Them, Rika and Renamon dropped off the captured digimon to Yu asking not to hurt her.
"Just keep her here and see what we can find out about her."
Upon entering a chamber, they saw that Ranamon was unconscious and in a liquid filled tube. She was attached to several wires and sensors that connected everywhere on her body. Guilmon made a noise.
"Takatomon...they won't hurt her...will they?"
"I hope not." the young adult said. "She sounded like she knew us..."
"Maybe she did," Guilmon offered. "Maybe we existed in another life."
"Like-reincarnation?" Takato asked. The digimon shrugged.
"I don't know what that means but like before I met you, maybe I was someone else! Someone who baked bread! Or a knight!"
"You know," the Tamer put a finger on his lips. "That isn't a bad theory..."
"Oh! I have a theory that we should all have all you can eat buffets everywhere! Then, no one goes hungry." Guilmon wagged his tail.
"And there he goes again," Terriermon said, walking up to the duo. "I was told by cranky face to pick you guys up."
"Cranky face-" Takato guessed Henry to which the bunny digimon nodded.
"'Momentai' I told him-but he gave me that grumpy stare. Ugh, sometimes I wonder how we even work together. C'mon, that fish lady isn't going to wake up anytime soon for our interrogation."
"Terriermon," Guilmon followed behind. "Have I told you about-"
"Yes, yes." Terriermon waved an ear. "I heard about your buffet a million times. I don't think you'll pry yourself off any of them if that was true."
They met with Henry in an office above the lab chamber. He folded his arms, looking tired and impatient.
"We've run some diagnosis tests on that Ranamon. She was a little bit of a hassle when she woke up first. We had to put her under again. Yu ran some tests and we found some interesting results." He typed on his laptop and turned it to Takato. Data scrolled down the screen making the goggle head Tamer dizzy. He asked what it meant.
"Look at this," Henry pointed to some code. It was highlighted. "This is unusual, and I've only seen this once in a digimon. It must be what makes her go from her one form to that mega form AncientMermaidmon."
"Who-"
"Who else? Impmon. He 'allowed' us to have some of his DNA and code to look up along with Lindy. But, there's something else too. We can sort of determine the 'age' of a digimon. It's not like us when there's a birthdate. It's more of a record of digivolutions or when significant damage occurred to the digimon. This dates back to the ancient times of the digital world-meaning that she was around when UltimateChaosmon was at large." Henry explained.
"So she would have known all three groups!" Takato gasped. "It's a good thing we decided not to delete her."
"Yeah, but how are we going to make her talk?" Terriermon asked. "I don't think she enjoys our company."
"Not a problem,' Henry typed further. "She can stay asleep and we can rifle through her data. Digimon can store memories, and with some technology Yu gave us, we can view it. But, it's a little messy. Like a film with slashed parts-we will have to glue it together. That's why I need your help." Henry gestured to the other laptop sitting beside him. "I can't go through this all on my own. Can you help me pick apart the stuff we need?"
"Uh, sure." Takato sat down. "But, I'm not a genius like you are."
The half Chinese Tamer grinned.
"Just need eyes, I think you're alright at that."
The two went to work, going through pieces of Ranamon's memory that was scattered in the mind.
Lindy felt awkward going to class the next day. She promised Calumon she would be back and saw that the cleanup from last night's fight had already begun. Mr. Penguin was impatiently waiting outside with umbrella in hand, yelling at the construction. The rain continued to pour down from the sky as it was yet another gloomy day. The hybrid shifted herself away from him and almost bumped into Lisa. The woman apologized,
"Sorry Lindy! Crazy last night. Apparently a digimon was here. I heard it was dangerous." Lisa shuddered, holding her umbrella close to her. Lindy held up a hand,
"It's alright. I didn't really hear any of it. I was visiting my cousin." she replied. Lisa held out her umbrella.
"Want to walk with me? We have the same class and you don't have an umbrella."
"Uh, sure." while Lisa was sweet, Lindy felt weary of her. The fact her last name was Rose set off alarms in her head. Rose was not a common last name and she recollected none of her distant relatives having the name Lisa.
"So, how was your break?" the brunette asked.
"It was...busy." Lindy smiled. "I went back home to Shinjuku and stayed with them. They missed me."
"I bet! It must be hard not seeing your family."
"It's...difficult. They think I'm abandoning them." Lindy explained. "I try to tell them how important it is to come back here. To receive my education, to reconnect with my family here...and my friends. You ever just miss a old piece of your life so much and want to do anything to get it back?"
"I...I do actually." Lisa sighed. "I lost my parents in the D-Reaper incident back years ago. They were consumed by that Biotoxin. I didn't have any other relatives that wanted me so I went to a foster home for a year. I hated it. Then, I was adopted by my parents who were so kind to me. They lost their child a little after D-Reaper too and I think they wanted a second chance. It was perfect, but I still miss my mother and father. I visit their grave a lot."
"That...sounds awful. I'm so sorry about your parents." Lindy grimaced. She didn't know that the young woman who seemed to have it all together had such a broken childhood. It made her life look like a walk in the park.
"I understand what you're going through. If you'd like, maybe we can hang out more? I feel like I know you somehow. Isn't that a little weird?" Lisa laughed.
"Yeah...I'd like that." she had no idea what she was agreeing to. They couldn't hang out at night, and between her friends all disappearing into the digital world, she had to come up with a million excuses for them. However, she was now all by herself. Who else would she hang out with?
Entering the lecture hall, the two got ready for their class. And in ten minutes, everyone changed their talk when Professor Rose entered the room. Usually, she would have a messy bun, no makeup and a comfy sweater and dress pants. Today, she had done up her hair and makeup with a beautiful silk dress shirt and high waist pants with heels. In her arm was Salamon sleeping away. She put up the projector and started the class away, tucking the 'dog' like digimon to the table beside her.
"Did she get a boyfriend or something?" Lisa whispered to Lindy with a smirk.
"I think she just got her confidence back." the hybrid whispered back, giving a wink to the beautiful professor up front.
"A concert?" Ian asked, giving a sceptical look at the flyer before him. His Tamers had thrust it in his face, looking jubilant and enthralled at the concept of going.
"Yeah! It will be so cool and it's one of those bands you like." Mako grinned.
"With Lindy gone," Ai began looking a little hesitant on saying her name, "We thought you could use a distraction."
"I-," Ian didn't have an excuse. Wamaki bar was on hold because of renovations and his friend Hiro hadn't been responding to his texts. What else was he going to do while waiting for Lindy to come back?
"Perfect!" Mako grabbed his hand. "We also found someone you can go with!"
"Gah! Wait, I thought this is like an us thing?" he glared at the twins.
"Relax, it's just Jeri." Ai smiled. "You always enjoy hanging out with her and we asked really nicely. She said yes!"
Jeri!? They really could have forewarned him on that one. A strange feeling came from within him to be by her-a feeling he accustomed to as maybe the left over data he absorbed from Leomon, like a freckle of his being staying with him. With her.
"I...do I gotta?" the hybrid was running out of excuses.
"Only if you don't want to disappoint her." Mako and Ai grinned. "And we know how much you hate disappointing her."
"Ya both know me too well." grumbled Ian. "Fine. I'll go."
"Perfect! Now dress in something teenage angst like you normally do!" the twin boy pushed him towards his room. As the hybrid did, the twins made a mischievous grin and a fist bump obviously away from his sight. Phase one of the plan complete.
"Hey Terriermon!" Suzie waved cheerfully at the digimon whom was playing a videogame. He smashed the controller angrily, trying to beat the hard level.
"Hey." he replied.
"Whacha doing?"
"Game." the digimon grunted. He feverishly mashed buttons on the controller while swearing under his breath.
"Can I ask you a favour?" she asked, knowing perfectly well he was in his game.
"What?"
"Can you give me the code to get into the Hypnos lab?" she asked, thrusting a paper and pencil towards him.
"Eight, seven, nine, six and pound-now can you leave me alone? I need absolute silence." Terriermon grumbled, biting his lip at the jumps he needed to make.
"Sure, sorry to bother you. Later!" she hummed cheerfully and skipped away. When she returned to her room, she heard him swear loudly and her mother scolding the digimon on his language. "Phase two, complete." she texted to the twins, with a equally mischievous grin on her face like the others. The trio were unstoppable!
That late afternoon, the plan was set forth by the twins and Suzie. Ai and Mako made sure Jeri picked Ian up right on time and that he looked presentable for the concert they were going to.
"You look perfect." Mako dusted off the bomber jacket that Ian wore. It resembled his jacket as Beelzemon but it was a dark brown with pale blonde fur around the collar. He wore his black jeans and a band shirt underneath that was from America. Ai took some gel and messed up his hair a bit.
"You guys stop nit pickin' me, eh?" he swatted them away. "I don't need you two to be toots for me."
"Okay, okay, now be nice for Jeri and stay until the very end of the concert." Ai instructed. As Ian left he door, he raised an eyebrow and gave a concerned look.
"Why?"
The two tensed. Crap.
"B-because," Mako explained. "That's the best song. Concerts always save the best song for last."
He held his gaze at the twins for a solid minute. Then, he left mumbling 'whatever' and 'don't stay up late'. Mako shut the door and glared at Ai,
"Why did you have to add that part? He almost caught us."
"Because we need to know how much time we have." Ai tapped her D-Arc which through the cracked screen, read the time. "That concert lasts until eleven thirty-add the twenty minute subway ride and we got almost midnight. That's when we have to be upstairs and in bed by."
"Ai," Mako grinned. "By ten thirty-I guarantee you we will be upstairs and asleep."
Takato yawned, looking tired and cramped. He had spent two hours already stifling through clips of Ranamon's memory. Some were split seconds of places like the digital world. Other's were minute long ones of her talking to digimon he didn't recognize. A few of them were towards a tall and powerful digimon in black amour and amber eyes. He passed them along to Henry to determine the importance of them.
"I think that's...Alphamon." Henry pulled up another clips he found. In minutes, he attached them altogether which was a few minutes of footage. The video played.
"Alphamon," Ranamon's voice could be heard. "I heard about you going to fight UltimateChaosmon."
In her view, she looked at the grand room she entered. The ceiling was high and the floor was marble-so clear that it shone the reflection of everything. A beautiful painted ceiling of the digital world was awe inspiring, with the vast array of colours and monsters included. Pillars of gold, red and blue decorated the room in rows, leading to the throne. The view had stained glass windows, tall as buildings that let in some kind of divine light that splashed on the floor, giving a rainbow of colours and hues. They twinkled along with every painting, every vase, every ornate piece of detail in the grand hall.
At the end, was a tall knight in obscedian amour detailed in gold trim. He stood tall and proud, but did not give the same aura as the knight next to him who donned a red and gold cape. The black knight, with kind amber eyes knelt down to Ranamon.
"Miss Ranamon, it-it's so good to see you." smiled Alphamon. He had a hearty voice, so deep it enchanted your heart and made it swell. "You always have such a fine blush whenever we meet."
"Do not change the subject, sugar." Ranamon ordered, folding her arms. "I want to know if it's true."
"Uh, why yes. It is true. Sir Omnimon has decided that we would be best off to fight with the other two groups against this destruction." Alphamon answered. "I...I didn't want to upset you."
"Upset me?" Ranamon's voice went higher. "My knight, you have more than upset me. You have enraged me! Why are you getting involved in this? He's too powerful-you saw what he had done to my home! My friends? All gone!" her voice wobbled on the verge of crying. "I...I don't want to lose you too."
"Miss Ranamon," Alphamon put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I will never leave you. Once this is all said and done, I will do everything in my power to return the Digital Sea back to it's healthy state. I promise."
"You...promise?" Ranamon asked.
"Why, as Sir Gallantmon as my witness here! Isn't that right, buddy?" The knight next to him was nudged making the video turn to 'Gallantmon'. He wore the same white suit that Guilmon and Takato wore along with the cape. However, the symbol of the 'biohazard' was missing and in place was a crest that depicted a sun and a circle with flares on the side. Ruby red eyes looked at Ranamon with interest for the first time.
"I...I promise Miss. Ranamon," Sir Gallantmon spoke. "That whatever happens, we will return your sea to it's former glory."
Takato arched his back, finally content with the progress they made. Henry put a finger to his lips, recounting the footage they both watched together.
"So, they promised her home to be restored." Henry mumbled.
"I guess...they didn't keep their promise." Takato concluded, looking at the contained Ranamon was asleep in. "Imagine your whole home destroyed and then they falsely promised it will be saved. I bet she was broken by that..."
"This could be useful to talk to her about." Henry stated. "And no wonder she thought you were that Gallantmon-you two were almost alike."
"I thought...Gallantmon was one of a kind." Takato said. The other Tamer shrugged,
"There are plenty of the same digimon out there. I'm not too surprised by it. But, this also means you might be a Royal Knight. You told me about those dreams about fighting in the field...with the storm. I think...I think that's an actual memory...from the previous Gallantmon."
"How? Does Guilmon-is he-"
"I'm not sure, yet." Henry cut him off. "There are way more questions than answers but I think we're getting somewhere. Plus, that Alphamon is a Royal Knight along with the mention of an Omnimon."
"Like in the anime! He was so powerful...could...he still be around?" Takato asked.
"It seems like all the members of these groups are showing up in one way or another. So, it very well likely." he replied.
The two decided to go home and work on their homework for school. After all, they were falling behind due to the stress added in their lives about UltimateChaosmon and the attack of AncientMermaidmon. Takato texted Jeri, asking about an assignment due tomorrow but she replied back saying she was going to a concert with Ian.
"I didn't know she was the concert going type." Henry mused.
"She's a surprise in herself." Takato laughed. "I find new stuff about her everyday despite dating her for over two years."
The two closed the door and locked up the lab. Yu given them own limited swipe cards during the daytime and early evening. Placing the cards back with security, they walked out of Hypnos building and back to their homes.
"So, when did you hear about BabyMetal?" Jeri asked, walking off the subway with Ian. Normally, dressed in jeggings, loose shirts and cardigans was now in ripped jeans and a black t-shirt that depicted three beautiful gothic looking teens giving hand gestures. She also had her hair down and some more makeup around her eyes. When he finally stopped staring at her, he started to piece together just what kind of concert Ai and Mako set him up for.
"Just right now I guess..." he knew it was too good to be true. Mako was still hunting him down for that blackmail stunt he pulled a few weeks back. "I guess you know them?"
"Oh, well I think they have an interesting sound! But, I want to get in the mind of some of the teenagers I council at my co-op at school." Jeri gestured to her t-shirt. "Heavy metal seems to be what these guys talk about and when I heard about this group, I researched everything I needed to know about them! I want to be as 'in' as I can in order to reach their minds."
"Reach...their minds." Ian was wondering just how weird Jeri could be sometimes. Let alone she used to have a sock puppet she used to communicate with...or believing that unicorns are real. Despite that, he stood by her and not wanting to disappoint her with the sad fact that they will probably suck (judging by the band shirt), he tagged along instead of ditching.
They arrived at the concert and gave in their tickets (Jeri mentioned that she had to buy them a month in advance). Ian asked about Takato joining.
"Honestly," Jeri shook her head. "He's really not into this kind of thing. He tried a few times but I think his ears almost fell off at the last concert."
"What did you guys see?"
"Five Finger Death Punch."
"Of course." he muttered sarcastically. He turned out his pockets to prove to security he wasn't carrying any weapons and when they turned around he gave them the finger silently.
"They're just doing their job." she said.
"Well, it's annoying. Everyone thinks I'm some kind of asshole. Get's old really quick."
The two took their spots (two spots over from the 'mosh pit' area) and talked about how the others were doing. Jeri questioned about Ian's dreams.
"This lady keeps talking to me. Really freakin' me out but...I dunno. It's been kinda quiet which I don't mind. Longer she's away, more I can get my sleep." he put his arms over his head. The sun started to set and he looked around worriedly.
"I don't think anyone will notice you changing once the band starts to play. These things can get rowdy." Jeri laughed. "I see people being crowd surfed all the time."
The lights dimmed down on the stage and a strange electronic music started to play. A few drums beats and a heavy guitar rift entered. Then, it all stopped. Hoots and hollers from people in the crowd sounded and with a lurch, all of Ian's sensations were violated from the piercing lights, to the scream ringing in his ears, and the smell of smoke from pyrotechnics. Three girls appeared on stage wearing gothic Lolita outfits and pinned up hair. The scream stopped and replacing it was vocals you could have heard from a J-Pop music video in rhythm to heavy guitar rifts.
Needless to say, Ian was not prepared for the chaos that BabyMetal had unleashed onto his poor sensitive ears.
Lindy and Lisa walked back to the Lapp apartments looking glum.
"So...much work." the blonde groaned, looking down at her list of homework. Two papers due next week, a midterm, and she had to start a group project. Luckily, Lisa was in her group and was confidant they would receive a good grade.
"Hey, we should start tonight and make it kind of a girls night in." Lisa perk up with energy. She took Lindy's hand, "I could do your nails and we can get some snacks and get some work done! Maybe even do a late night cardio workout?"
"I never thought of late night cardio workouts as 'fun' activities." Lindy deadpanned.
"Oh! You'll like it-give me such an adrenaline rush." gushed the teen. "I feel so focused from it too. Lindy untangled herself out of Lisa's hand and backtailed into the elevator.
"I-I really can't tonight I have to call some family in Japan." Lindy tried to excuse herself but Lisa made a face.
"I thought you mentioned earlier that they would be at work and school in their time."
"Uh-"
"Look, it's fine. I'm not going to force you." Lisa took out her keys and looked deflated. "You probably hang with all your friends anyways."
The friends that just left for the digital world without really telling me? Lindy thought bitterly. She worried all day about how they were doing and so far, she received no word. How could she? There is no communication for her to use.
"W-Wait." Lindy gave in. She had a couple of hours to spare before it got dark. It was only three thirty. "I'll grab my PJs and some snacks. See you in ten?"
Lisa shrieked and hugged Lindy,
"That's my girl! Rock out!" giving an outdated hand gesture, Lindy could only roll her eyes.
"That's so 2003," she teased.
"It's going to be 'hella' hip by 2013 so don't complain." shot back Lisa.
Lindy entered her apartment to a bored Calumon watching some YouTube videos. He perked up when she entered,
"Hey! You're back!" he cheered.
"Hey..." Lindy awkwardly reached for some snacks and her charger for her phone. "I...I'll be back in a few hours. I'm doing some more homework."
Giving a wail, Calumon plopped back into the couch and looked pouty.
"Thankssorryloveyoubye!" Lindy left quick. Staying any longer would make her feel too guilty about Calumon. But, she was fine. There as the alarm on her phone and she was next door.
What could possibly go wrong?
Outside of Hypnos in the late evening, the twins and Suzie met up wearing their 'spy outfits' which were dark jeans and sweaters. Mako brought a black bandana and put it over his mouth.
"I look like a super thief." he said and gave a thumbs up.
"You look like a super dork." Ai shot back, rolling her eyes.
Mako was about to argue back but Suzie got in the way.
"No fighting. We have a short window to work with here. Is Hiro here?"
On que, the teenager walked towards them looking relaxed.
"So," he picked up his phone. "I have to just text you a few words when security makes their rounds and I'll have a date with Rika?"
"Guaranteed!" Mako smiled and punched in his number into the phone. "Just keep an eye out for us."
The trio went into the quick snack store beside the Hypnos building looking serious.
"How did you get Rika to agree to go out with him?" Suzie asked.
"I'll figure it out later."
Despite the innocent cover of the store, it was actually an alternate entrance to Hypnos. In the back was an elevator that opened up once Suzie punched in the code that Terriermon gave. The clerk gave a lazy wave and returned to his phone.
"First part down. Next is the security upstairs." The trio rode the elevator down into the tunnels. They were interconnected and lead to different parts of Hypnos. From training rooms, to the elevators that lead to the second building-the science labs and surveillance rooms. Ai tapped on the map they swiped from an earlier trip to Hypnos while Lindy was getting her 'checkup'.
"D-Ports are kept on the 35th floor under Digital Anomalies. It had two guards that do alternate rounds and get switched ever two hours. No cameras," Suzie winked. "One of the camera lines got snipped today. I can't imagine who had done it."
"Nice work, James Bond." teased Ai. Suzie had a red blush splashed on her cheeks from her comment.
The elevator opened and they saw the security walk by. Gasping, they all smushed into the one side to avoid being seen. Suzie was pressed up tightly against Mako who looked like he was going to faint. His face went beet red.
"Sorry." Suzie whispered. "I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"N-No-nope." he could only stutter before his sister shushed him. After taking a peak, the coast was clear. She made a signal and they rushed out of the elevator going to the opposite hallway security had walked to.
The loud clank of Ai's D-Arc dropping made the others jump in the air. The girl winced knowing full well that sometimes her 'broken' D-Arc could make her partner change. Mako smacked his face,
"You idiot-"
"Sh! Run." Ai took off with the others as the guards walked over to investigate the noise. Their hearts beat loudly as they hid in a nearby office alcove with half a dozen cubicles. They didn't have a choice as to leave the purple and white D-Arc on the ground. Glancing back, Ai saw security pick it up with a curious look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Suzie asked to the panicking brunette child.
"Remember when we told you the last time in the digital world-that DemiDevimon smashed out D-Arcs and kept changing Impmon and Lindy?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, we find if they drop on hard surfaces...they glitch out." Mako sighed and took out his phone. "Lindy would probably call if something happened."
Then, Mako's phone rang.
"Okay, don't panic." Lindy breathed to herself, now shrunk to her digimon form. It was only three thirty dammit! She winced feeling her body not used to the sudden transformation. The twins must have done something...
She was at Lisa's door and the snacks were everywhere on the floor. The hybrid knew she couldn't be seen like this! Lisa would freak! The door started to unlock from Lisa's side. Panicking, Lindy dove around the corner of the hallway to get away.
"H-hello?" Lisa called out.
Lindy could go back to her apartment and just text her that she wasn't feeling well. But, with all those snacks there...Lisa might have thought something happened to her!
"Hey-it's me! I'm just running back to the apartment to clean the mess up," Lindy called out. "Hehe, clumsy me!"
"You're next door to me though..." Lisa called out, unsure.
"Uh!" Lindy scrambled for an excuse. "Cam has a dustpan and broom!"
"Oh, okay! I'll leave the door open for you." she replied and went away. Lindy lurched, letting herself slide to the ground. That was too freaking close. She took out her cellphone and within a ring, she had Mako answer the phone.
"Mako-what did you and Ai do?" she hissed.
"Sorry! We dropped it!" Mako answered, but he sounded quiet on the other side. "We're working on it."
"Well, I almost changed in front of someone-can you fix it now?"
"Uh, I don't really...know." he replied. "Give us a few minutes okay?"
"I'll lecture you two later about dropping those things," the 'Impmon' listened and heard Suzie in the background. "Mako...do you have Suzie over?"
"Uh," the line crackled. "It's breaking up...I gotta go-"
"Mako wait-"
Click.
Just as Lindy reached a conclusion on what to do, she flashed back into her human self. Looking at her hands, she let her head fall back to the wall.
"Thank, God." she walked back to Lisa's place and let herself in.
"Hey!" Lisa just settled some fruit plates and nail polish. "I got everything started!"
"Oh, sweet! This was thoughtful of you," Lindy looked at Lisa's apartment. It was small but quaint. Paintings of flora and generic looking decorations covered the place. A cozy couch was on one end and small T.V on the other. Pop music trickled from Lisa's laptop. The soft pink curtains blew with the wind, and you could hear the soft drizzle of the never-ending rain that was outside.
"Would you want something to drink?" Lisa offered.
"Just some water." Lindy smiled. This was much better!
The brunette left to the kitchen when Lindy suddenly glowed and changed into her digital monster form. She paled, looking at her predicament: a digimon-in Lisa Rose's apartment and needing to find a way to leave or hide without her seeing.
Bathroom. She hightailed it there, and shut the door. She pressed herself against the door, eyes wide and fangs gritting.
She was going to kill her Tamers.
Security at Hypnos were right beside the trio, investigating the noise that the D-Arc caused. Suzie gripped the other two's arms, trembling. They covered their mouths, hoping they won't hear the children's breathing.
Finally, the one guard called it off. Saying it was time for lunch break. They went into the elevator, with D-Arc in one of the guard's pocket.
"Shoot what are we going to do about that?" Ai cried. "Lindy is going to kill us."
"We'll get it back later. They won't smack it around. We need to get the D-Port." Mako refocused his sister on the mission. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Momentai."
The other twin took a breath. Then, determined brown eyes looked up ahead, at their task of collecting the D-Port.A glass wall with water running down, greeted the twins and Suzie after journeying down the hallway. It seemed like a reception area with a large mahogany desk encompassed around the wall with large letters reading 'HYPNOS'. They passed it, going to the secure door on the right. Suzie punched in the code. Two seconds later, the panel went green and unlocked.
"Go, go." she said, ushering in the twins. Closing the door behind them, they turned to a set of labs on each side of the hall. All of them locked. Through the glass, they could see the D-Ports in a secure cabinet.
"That's it." Ai pointed.
"No...really? I didn't notice." Mako said sarcastically.
"Your sarcasm needs work. I thought you were stupid for a second." she barked back, looking smug. He was about to shove her but Suzie glared.
"You two fight again and I won't invite you both to my next birthday party."
The threat alone shut them up. Suzie's birthday's were legendary.
Suzie's code worked for the first door but the cabinet was another story. Usually, it was unlocked.
It must be locked automatically...maybe...a computer." Mako turned around and saw a laptop across. He grabbed a stool and rolled over to it, ready to type away. He applied an admin username and thought about the password. Something simple...something easy...
He looked to the corner and saw a sticky note reading Hypnos123. He grinned and typed it in. The laptop hummed and displayed the desktop which held files and door unlock commands. Suzie and Ai high-fived each other.
"Mako Haruki: future hacker." he grinned.
"Hackers don't read sticky notes." Ai muttered.
Looking through the lock commands, one read "Digital Portal Cabinet". He double clicked it and a small click announced. Suzie ripped open the door and took one of the D-Ports.
"I can't believe we did it." Suzie jumped in the air. Ai and Mako fist bumped and smirked.
"Now, we can go to the digital world."
"We will have to do it quick." Suzie explained. "Yu will figure out this is missing by morning when they open up the lab. We should meet at dawn-"
Buzz, Buzz
Mako paled, looking at his phone. The warning text by Hiro was made.
"What?" Ai gasped. "They're way too early!"
"Something must have tipped them." Suzie said, putting the D-Port in the backpack she brought. "We gotta go."
Mako shut down the laptop and they shut the doors behind them. Running as quiet as they could, they heard security from the reception desk, talking loudly.
"Shoot, not that way." Ai whispered.
They turned to a stairwell on the other side. The camera's were live though, but it was all they had left to use. The twins and Suzie ran down the stairs starting at 34th floor, looking unenthusiastic about climbing down over thirty flights of stairs.
"That was...an interesting concert."
Impmon and Jeri walked beside each other out of the concert. Jeri was a little disturbed while Impmon held back a snicker. He had a funny feeling that the odd band did some interesting things onstage that would make Jeri feel a little uncomfortable.
"Did you think..."
"I told ya, that blood they used was fake-ease up. It's just a show." Impmon jumped on the wall to walk at Jeri's height.
"Of course, of course." Jeri said this more to herself than to the purple imp. "Did you enjoy it at least?"
"Me?" Impmon put his hands behind his head as he walked. "Eh...not my thing to be really honest. I'd rather enjoy some rock or acoustic. Just because I listen to some metal doesn't mean I like going to their concerts. Did ya get the stuff you needed to," he made a face. "What did you need again?"
"Connect with the kids in my program." Jeri put a hand to her face. "I dunno-I found it disturbing. Sometimes, I really do struggle understanding others."
The two were silent for a minute as they kept walking down the street.
"I think you're okay." he said quickly, trying to avoid a blush on his face but he couldn't help it.
The two walk by Hypnos which seemed to be active. An alarm sounded from within, with some guards piling inside the main door.
"What's up?" Jeri asked, looking at the frozen digimon.
Impmon felt something trickle in his mind, a kind of faraway linger of Suzie's voice, and the soreness in his legs. He learned over the years, Ai, Mako, Lindy and himself had this connection that within a certain distance they could sense what another senses. Sights, sounds, smells-anything you name it. He clearly recognized that he felt Ai and Mako's senses and piecing it altogether, he figured something was up with the twins-whom were in Hypnos.
"I think...we should wait here a sec." he said.
"Oh, alright." Jeri answered slowly. "Is...everything alright, Impmon?"
"Depends on if I'm right about my Tamers being inside that building." he replied.
"Are you sick?" Lisa knocked. She felt concerned after fifteen minutes of staying in the bathroom, Lindy had not reappeared.
"Uh...yeah! Not feeling the greatest!" Lindy replied, looking trapped. No windows, no vents, no way to escape other than that door. She couldn't stay in here forever!
"Do you have a fever?"
"Uh, yeah!"
"What about nausea? I can take you to a clinic, I have a car." she offered.
God, why was Lisa so nice and perfect? Lindy thought bitterly. It was like she did nothing wrong. It wouldn't kill her to be a little rude.
"I...just a lot of stomach pain," the hybrid wasn't lying. It hurt a lot to change on a whim like that. She had a knot in her stomach and a lot of back pain.
"How about I come in and take a look? I'm not easily grossed out." The knob turned. Lindy's eyed widened and held it firmly-while on her tip toes of her monster feet.
"Uh-uh, no-hehe, I'm good." Lindy replied.
"You're better?"
"No!" Lindy tried to reach the toilet and flush. Using her tail, she got the button and pressed down.
"Oh, I see." Lisa let go of the door knob. Lindy relaxed.
"You can't be holding the door and on the toilet on the same time," Lisa sounded and thrust the door open. Lindy braced for impact.
"Why...do they...have...so many...stairs?" Suzie panted.
The trio finished running down the stairs and almost ran into the security in the front lobby. Hesitating, they quietly shut the door and were nervous on what to do next.
"No, no, no, no." Ai bit her nails. "We're so dead. We're so freaking dead."
"No...we're not." Suzie frowned. "I got this."
"Suzie-" Mako was handed the bag and took out a tube of lipstick. She slathered it on her forehead looking like she took a hit. Winking, she ran out screaming and crying.
"OH MY GOD A DIGIMON GOT ME! IT HURT MY PARTNER! HELP!" she shrieked with all her might. The security all stopped what they were doing and rushed to her. "I'M A TAMER AND THEY GOT HER! HELP ME!"
"Miss, tell us where-" one of the security guards asked but true to Suzie's dramatic studies, she placed the back of her hand on her forehead and fainted on the floor. Ai and Mako took the cue and walked out, skirting the wall and towards the front door. Before they walked out, they left a surprise in the stairs way for the security.
A collection of security jumped when they heard the 'pops' and 'snaps' coming from the stairwell. Smoke seeped from beneath the doorway and bright flashes of light emitted. The whole security team took out their firearms and swooped into action leaving Suzie on her own. She took that moment, to spring up and run for the doors. By the time someone had turned around to tend to her aide, she had already left.
"You look fine." Lisa sounded confused a little suspicious. "I don't really want to ask but...are you taking drugs?"
Lindy looked at herself. She was back in her human form. She ran a hand through her messy blonde hair. Bewildered was an understatement on how she felt.
"I...I-yes. Yes, I had a joint." Lindy cringed at admitting to miss perfect she was doing drugs. "I think it was a bad batch."
"Well, come back to the couch and while doing your nails, I'll lecture you on the negative effects of marijuana." the teen dragged Lindy back to the couch. Lisa held up two colours of nail polish.
"Now pink or blue?"
The twins quickly ran to a nearby alleyway and stripped their clothes throwing them into the dumpster and changing into their normal street wear. Fixing their hair, Ai let her hair down while Suzie put hers into pigtails. Mako took off his bandana and threw it last into the dumpster.
"What about the D-Arc-" Ai was met with disapproving looks.
"We just barely got out-" Suzie said.
"We don't need it. Everyone will figure out what we've done. We have to go."
By the time they came out of the alley, Hiro strolled towards them.
"Let's go, they're doing outside checks. You tripped off some kind of alarm."
"What alarm? We had the codes." Suzie looked flummoxed.
"Not that I know anything about theft or burglary," Hiro gave an innocent look. "But, did you cut the elevator cameras?"
"Elevator camera?" the twins paled.
"Oops." Suzie covered her mouth.
"Thought so. Whatever, I got you guys what you wanted. I'll text Rika tomorrow about the date. See-" Hiro stopped and looked at the bag glowing. "Uh-is your thing supposed to be doing that?"
"What?" Suzie took out the D-Port. It was vibrating and making a clicking noise like it was malfunctioning. Mako threw his hands up in the air, frustrated they picked a broken one of the batch.
"Munchkins!" Impmon called out.
The twins froze turning around to Impmon and a oddly dressed Jeri. He didn't look mad or pissed. Instead he looked, disappointed.
"H-hey...Impmon." Ai and Mako tried a bright smile and cheerful voice but he cut them off.
"No-don't even try that. I thought we all said you guys were under no circumstances going to the digital world?" his parental instinct kicked in full throttle. He wasn't by any means a 'parent' type but when the twins did something wrong, he let them fully know it.
"But we need to save the world! You can't be content just staying here and doing nothing." Mako frowned.
"No, I ain't 'content'" Impmon air quoted the word, "with stayin' here. But I also have to think about your parents. They would literally kill me if somethin' happened to ya two."
"You guys can't go." Jeri stepped in. "I know what it's like feeling this duty to always save the world but rushing in is...stupid. Listen to Impmon, please."
"Besides, that thing looks broken as hell." Impmon gave a disapproving look to the device in Suzie's hands.
"It's not broken." Suzie said. "The D-Port can receive signals and send them to open the portal. It's...receiving a signal..." she didn't even have time to finish the sentence as the device came to live on it's own and a portal cut itself to life. It looked different than the pale blue portal. This was murky grey and blood red swirling like a soup. It bubbled and steamed outwards toward the group.
"Get back!" Impmon tried to grab the twins but a giant, black hand came out and grabbed Ai, Mako, Suzie and Hiro.
"HELP!" Suzie screamed.
The black hand was dragging them all into the portal. Just before they were inside, Beelzemon used his claws to grab the hand and pull back.
"Oh, I don't think so!" he snarled. "Give...me...my...Tamers...back..."
"Hey, what about us!" Hiro cried, trying to squirm out.
Out of the portal, another hand jumped out and grabbed Beelzemon. Caught off guard, he didn't even have time to shout as they were all pulled inside. The D-Port then short fused and burned out-closing the portal. Tiny sparks of code jumped on the ground. Electricity danced around erratically, giving a static shock to the only one left-which was Jeri.
She staggered back, looking freaked out.
"Oh...oh my gosh." she took off, knowing that she needed Takato and the others to help her get those kids, Impmon, and his friend back.