Ben10 & Digimon Tamers

Heroes and Humanity

Part 02: Humanity and Heroes

The Invasion – Chapter 32

Originally Written: September 23, 2015 130AM to 319AM

. . . . .

Albedo walked alongside Takato down the halls leading to Sector Six's official area. Swamps and Guilmon walked behind them staying out of the conversation. A wise move on their part in Albedo's mind. Albedo was certain Guilmon at least, heard an abbreviated version of Takato's worries, if the relationship Jenrya had with Terriermon was anything to go by.

He couldn't say what Swamps thought about it, or as far as he knew most other planets didn't keep anything near as innocent as Takato claimed humans did. Even Geochelone Aerios (Terraspin), though as peaceful as they tried to keep civilization, were aware that just about every other alien species out there were anything but sweet and cuddly. Lewodans claimed to be all about peace, but put them next to an Appolexian and they became as specist as a member of the KKK is racist. Was ridiculous if you asked Albedo. Still, somehow nowhere as ridiculous as sheltered Takato said his parents kept him.

"A little more warning than 'Life's not a game,' would have been nice. Details you know?" Takato hung his shoulders.

"I'm sure your parents were more than capable of preparing you for bipedal frog aliens enslaving your planet." Albedo remarked dryly.

Takato gave him a look. Albedo didn't care to see what kind of it was, but he did see the brunet turn his head. "You know what I mean."

"What is that phrase? Hope for the best, prepare for the worst?" He looked up at the ceiling.

"But wouldn't you have to know what to prepare for first?"

"Bipedal frog aliens."

Takato cussed.

"Bad Takato!" Guilmon called.

"Sorry, boy." Takato looked back at Guilmon long enough that he was required to take a few steps forward to keep up with Albedo.

"You should have heard him in the apartment." Albedo sent Takato a wry smile.

"Shh!" Takato turned back around, "You'll start a ten minute lecture!" He waved his hands.

Albedo rolled his eyes and shook his head. They were only words, as long as they were spelled correctly, pronounced correctly and utilized in a manner that did not make the speaker or writer sound like they were in need of a brain transplant, he couldn't care less what was said.

"Bad, bad Takato!" Guilmon called.

Takato smiled sheepishly. "I'll not do it again, Guilmon."

"Good, but I know you're lying." The digimon replied cheerfully.

Albedo rubbed at his eyes, finding this whole thing annoying and ridiculous.

"Whoopish." Swamps called.

Albedo could see him doing the whole cracking-a-whip thing in his mind.

"Hey, um, Albedo?"

The white haired male looked at the appointed leader of the Tamers.

"Those Plumbers are really annoyed and angry at you." Takato pressed his pointer fingers together. "It's probably not my place to ask-"

"-Then why are you wasting your time asking?"

"-But I'm gonna ask anyway. I figure if I survived a gauntlet through the Digital World, curiosity won't kill me just yet."

"You drone worse than my female students on the newest pleasant looking male of the month."

"You mean week." Takato grinned.

Albedo waved a hand. If Takato didn't say something important soon, he was sure to fall asleep walking. He wasn't looking forward to doing so either.

"Just what did you do to them? It doesn't make sense that the Plumbers are so worked up about you impersonating them to help some children and adults." Takato scratched his head, "It's kind of weird."

"It's good to trust your instincts. Just remember to control that imagination of yours."

Takato flushed, pouting.

"They're just, what is the word-," Albedo waved a hand.

"Butthurt?" Swamps called, "Salty?"

Albedo scrunched his face up in thought. He stopped walking. He turned around and looked at Swamps. "Butthurt? What kind of word is butthurt?!" He clenched his fists.

"Heard some kids using it back in America. Means to be pissed that something isn't going your way." Swamps tapped his chin, "I think."

Albedo looked at him for a long moment. Then he turned around and continued walking, stomping his feet. "Ignorant humans and their ridiculous language." He muttered, fully aware of Swamps, Takato and Guilmon hurrying to follow him. "That sounds just as dumb as that stupid number sign alternative. Hash-something. No. I'm not even going to attempt to remember it. The upcoming generations are somehow eager to learn but absolute idiots all in one!"

He heard Takato chuckle.

"Note to self." Swamps spoke, "Don't use the word 'butthurt' in front of Albedo."

He stopped walking quickly working to calm his nerves as he rounded the corner just outside the shielded gate of Sector Six's entrance. He looked at Rose, Haiphen and Yckat standing next to Hugh and Fridge. Rose appeared to be fuming, if that scowl was anything to go by. Hugh and Fridge weren't handcuffed, but it was clear that they were in some kind of police custody.

Takato reached him first. He stood next to Albedo and whispered in his ear. "What did you do?"

"It's just as you were informed, Matsuki. I impersonated a Plumber."

Rose huffed and stalked over to him as she spoke in a harsh voice, "Which is against, not just Earth Law, but Galactic Law and you apprehended Plumber weaponry, also, illegal."

"If you remember, you quite clearly handed me this particular weapon." Albedo unhooked the blaster on his back and held it loosely in his hands, "As useful as it could have been, I've not yet received the opportunity to fire a single shot."

Takato sighed loudly and face palmed.

Albedo only smirked in response to Rose's deepened scowl. "Surely you're not thinking about punishing a civilian for going above and beyond to help their fellow neighbors.

"You're not a civilian!" Rose grabbed his black shirt in a tight fist.

"Not an average civilian, but still a civilian to be correct. Just when does someone stop being a civilian anyway?" He calmly looked at Rose, red eyes studying her. As good as her overall intentions were, neither she, nor any Plumber was getting in his way of saving Jenrya.

Rose growled, "Take him." She pushed him away from her.

He watched Haiphen act accordingly, taking out Plumber standard handcuffs.

"Are you really that angry at me that you did not do your homework and realize that Alex Strong isn't even a registered name in the Plumber database?" Albedo continued.

Rose took the blaster from him.

"You have some nerve, Albedo." She glared at him.

"You should be thanking me. Your commander will now know after the Incurseans are overthrown that his Plumber Corps is in need of remedial training."

Yckat hissed. "Lemme tell you something, Albedo. Yckat doesn't like you much right now."

"Okay, you suck at making and keeping allies." Takato groaned.

"These aren't the allies I need. As nice as it was working with beings who had higher than average levels of sense." He shrugged his shoulders as Haiphen cuffed him.

"Look, um, Rose?" Takato held his hands up, "Albedo told me that he can bypass the Incursean's communication blockade, and possibly get us access to Hypnos. I don't know what other skeletons are in his closet, but I know you do," Takato shifted his eyes as Albedo and Rose looked at him. "I also know you and your squad and any other plumbers know the validity of the statement. If he can do it, he can't do it handcuffed and treated like an Incursean slave."

"You're backing up this guy?" Haiphen looked at Takato.

Albedo only kept his focus on Hugh and Fridge. Hugh was squinting, since the incident resulted in his glasses breaking again. Fridge frowned at him, keeping his head lowered.

"Henry Wong is in Hypnos. Trapped with everyone else in there." Takato lowered his head. "If he can help free Henry, then trusting Albedo is a risk I will take." Takato lifted his head, "I've only spoken to him for a short while and already I want to throw him out the window. If he betrays us, he won't like what I do, let alone any of you."

Albedo watched Rose look at Takato for a long time.

"Bring him, and the Methanosian. You'll all be followed by Plumbers no matter what." She turned around. "Cuff offs. You run, I shoot, and I don't miss." She looked around at Albedo, Swamps, Hugh and Fridge.

Albedo shook out his hands. Swamps rubbed at his wrists.

"You get one chance. Screw it up and we'll take you down so fast you'll be wondering if you aren't actually Incursean minds placed in those bodies." Rose snapped as she walked ahead.

"Can I say how glad I am that I'm not on your business end?" Takato spoke as the group filed forward.

"I sure hope we keep it this way Mr. Matsuki." Rose spoke, voice levels less serious than before.

Albedo rolled his eyes. A part of him wondered if Swamps liked how serious things in Japan always were. At least the Plumbers wouldn't be in his way as much. A better outcome than he expected. 'I'll make sure retrieving Jenrya goes even more smoothly.'