Ben10 & Digimon Tamers

Heroes and Humanity

Part 02: Humanity and Heroes

Another Myself – Chapter 98

Originally Written: Wednesday, October 18th, 2017 1119PM to Thursday, October 19th, 2017 1238AM

. . . . .

"You don't have much time, do you?"

Albedo, as Clockwork looked at the dull, familiar blue eyes of a pale skinned male. Brown hair framed his face. Some strands near the top stuck up wild and untamed. He wore a one piece suit of black, with wide white lines running down the sides. Over the piece, yet appearing connected to the one piece suit, he wore a deep blue vest. He sat on a long clawed hand of decaying black and red.

Next to the male sat another male with dull, angry purple eyes. Lines of black marred his face, and ran down to his neck and probably beyond. In some spots, they resembled lines of bar code. He wore a deep blue one piece suit with yellow lines running down the sides. A large overbearing matching blue cape outlined in yellow covered his shoulders and person like a cloak. He had wild spiky hair shaded in various shades and tints of blues and violet. Small red petals and green vines peaked out from underneath various strands of hair. A smaller than usual Wormmon curled up on his lap, sleeping soundly. The boy patted the digimon's back as though bored, and waiting for something to occur.

He blinked a few times, taking in this version of Ryo Akiyama, and Ken Ichijouji as the Digimon Emperor. They sat on the open palm of Millenniummon's clawed hand as though the two always belonged there. Was this what Eon meant? That some Ryo's actually lost to Millenniummon? Though, from the amused smile on this Ryo's face it was very much likely he didn't think he lost any sort of fight. It sent chills down his spine. The thought of a Ryo Akiyama that wanted to cause Armageddon was a frightening thought indeed.

Juggernaut spouted numbers and details at him at a rapid speed he didn't think he should be able to comprehend, but easily could. Colored lines and paths floated around him. Lines and paths he could only understand because of his current Chronosapien form. Jenrya and the others floated behind him, frozen in time. He feared Millenniummon could sense his deep concern, border lining on fear, as his limbs trembled ever so slightly.

"We gave you a bit more." This odd version of Ryo told him.

"Time, that is." The Digimon Emperor added.

Something told Albedo that asking "Why," would not be a good idea. He nodded in understanding, making sure his head dropped a little lower than normal just in case. He had indeed realized that when the two males spoke, their mouths hadn't moved, yet he heard them outside of his mind.

Millenniummon's golden red eyes looked down at him, a harsh stare that made Albedo feel as though he encountered yet another being who was manipulating and trying to enslave or kill him.

"Eon's been at this for a while. We've grown bored of him." Both males' voices spoke at once. "Always the same thing. What a boring creature." Their eyes blinked at him.

He resisted taking a few steps back. He couldn't take the risk of accidentally moving onto the wrong path.

"You, however. You're amusing." This corrupted Ryo grinned at him. Corruption and darkness flowed from between his teeth, and Albedo hoped with all his might that he never saw the Ryo he knew like this. "I want to see if you'll break."

He felt a harsh, yet painless shove of energy, pushing him in the right direction.

The Digimon Emperor laughed a dark psychotic laugh that reminded Albedo of Eon. "Make sure to land on your feet!"

The area flashed bright reddish green, causing Albedo to shut his eyes. Multicolored sparkles, and green zeroes and ones flashed by him in a sea of black and green full of blue lines. His transformation timed out, and the sensation of falling hit him full force. Suddenly, the sparkles and numbers gave way to a cloudless blue sky. He felt himself tilt forward, and his eyes widened in surprise.

'40 percent energy remaining.' Juggernaut informed him. 'Transformation recharge complete in 4 minutes 20 seconds. Time of impact 2 minutes 30 seconds.'

Wind whipped by him, feeling like sandpaper and knives against his skin. 'Jenrya!' He shouted in his mind. 'Jenrya!'

'Here!' Jenrya replied, 'Cyberdramon has Ryo, but he can't fly well falling at these speeds! Renamon's still too weak to Biomerge!'

'We're going to be pancakes!' Terriermon mentally shouted. 'Who's idea was this!?'

Albedo looked around. Somehow his vision was just fine, despite the speeds he fell at. He saw Rika holding onto Renamon extremely tightly. Cyberdramon held Ryo securely, confidently. He squinted his eyes. Far down below were two blurry ants he couldn't make out well, but they looked like they were getting larger. He couldn't tell if it was due to the ants heading towards him, or him falling towards them.

'Reaper detected. Gallantmon Crimson Mode detected.' Juggernaut informed him.

It took a few precious seconds, but eventually Jeri in her ADR-01 form reached Rika and Ryo. She eyed Cyberdramon trying to figure out how to carry him and Ryo. Fridge floated behind them, not quite able to keep up with Jeri and Gallantmon.

"It's alright!" Ryo called quite calmly, Albedo thought. "He's got it!"

She nodded, and grabbed Rika and Renamon. She held them with surprising ease, displaying strength that Jeri didn't normally have. Cyberdramon and his legendary tamer fell passed them.

"You guys sure know how to make an entrance!" Gallantmon Crimson Mode commented as he caught Albedo, Jenrya and Terriermon.

"Next time we'll show up properly!" Terriermon replied. "On the ground!" He gave Albedo a hard look.

Albedo ignored it, suddenly feeling quite tired.

Kazu, Kenta, their digimon and Swamps cheered loudly when they reached the ground. Beezlemon whistled, impressed, and saluted at them. Albedo sat on the desert sand. Jenrya knelt next to him. Jenrya ran his hands over his face. Hugh and Swamps rushed over to them. Albedo leaned his head again Jenrya's shoulder. He felt Jenrya shudder and heard him breathing deeply.

Terriermon patted his head with his tiny hands. "We're back now."

Fridge stood in front of them, blue wings fluttering. Behind him the others fell into soft conversation checking on how Rika, Ryo and their digimon were.

Rika growled suddenly and threw her hands up. She dropped them as she shuddered. Then she walked off, her arms shaking as she folded them, gripping her biceps tightly. Renamon followed her, solemn and quiet.

Fridge knelt in front of them. Albedo looked at his open arms. He accepted the hug and pressed his head against Fridge's chest. "Please." He spoke softly, almost afraid of his own voice.

"Anything." He felt a hand on his back as Swamps spoke.

"Y-yea. A-anything." Hugh murmured, moving to his knees. He fiddled and fumbled with his large hands.

"No matter what, don't give up on me." He shuddered against Fridge. They looked at him confused. "Please don't let me become that broken child."

"A-Albedo?" Hugh's voice wavered.

"Y-you're hurt." Fridge ran a hand down his back.

"I-I can do everything else." Albedo closed his eyes. "Just don't let this me die."