A/N: Shoutout to Sesshoru over on Ao3 for providing me with some information about my choice of digimon antagonists. Amusing coincidence and one that I've decided to incorporate into the story now that I'm aware of it. :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, nor do I own When the World's Not Ending, by Smartalec121 or any of their associated works.
Off the Beaten Path
Chapter: 04/ Ships in the Night
The black car came to a halt at the edge of Gyoen Park and the passenger-side door flew open almost immediately. From it emerged a thickly-set man with greying hair and glasses, Janyu Wong. Without missing a beat, he threw himself into the wreckage of greenery and ambulances, calling frantically. Behind him, on the other side of the vehicle, Yamaki stepped out and followed after the other man. He did not hurry, but the steady flicking of his lighter's hood spoke of his anxiety.
"Suzie!" Janyu shouted, taking no heed of any hazards that might be in the way. "Suzie!"
"Daddy!"
Janyu's attention spun in the direction of one of the ambulances and found the girl seated at the back, a towel draped over her, with Lopmon squeezed between her arms and a paramedic by her side. Relief flooded Janyu's face and he rushed over to her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, dropping down so he could face her more fully.
"She's got a little bump on her noggin," replied the paramedic with a warm smile. Reaching out, he tousled Suzie's hair. "It doesn't appear to be life threatening, but all the same we'd like her checked out at the hospital as soon as we're finished up here."
"Why isn't she there now?!" Janyu demanded, whirling upon the paramedic. Behind him, Yamaki flicked his lighter closed with a loud snap.
"That's enough, Janyu," the blond-haired head of Hypnos said sharply, his sunglasses glinting from the flashing lights of both the ambulances and the fire trucks. "Your daughter is safe."
Janyu met the other man's gaze, his expression hard and dark. Yamaki returned it unflinchingly and after a moment, he looked away and returned his attention to his daughter.
"Are you alright?" he repeated. Suzie nodded.
"My afternoon plans are canceled," she said with a touch of sarcasm. "Other than that, and my headache, I'm fine."
"She could use a bowl of ice cream," suggested Lopmon, her voice tight from Suzie's grip around her.
"After we get you checked out, I promise," Janyu smiled, massaging Suzie's shoulders.
"Is Kenta Kitagawa or Takato Matsuki here?" Yamaki asked, looking about.
"Over here."
Turning, Yamaki spotted the pair over at the other ambulance. Kenta looked no worse than Suzie, though he sported a bandage around his forehead where he cut himself. A lens in his glasses were cracked as well.
Yamaki's lighter flicked open.
"Are you both alright?"
"I'm fine, but Kenta…" Takato glanced at his friend, and the boy gave a shaky laugh.
"Takato's being a worrywart. I'm fine. A little bit freaked, but I'm fine. That…" He swallowed and adjusted his glasses. "That fight was a little much."
His cheeks turned red and he looked down, as if from shame. Though from what, Yamaki couldn't tell.
Yamaki turned to Takato instead. "Status report."
"The digimon got away." Now it was Takato's turn to look away. "A girl got involved. She's missing."
"MarineAngemon says there was another digimon who showed up and took her," Kenta chimed in, his eyes rising again. "A Kuzuhamon."
Yamaki scowled beneath his sunglasses.
"So, it's true," said Janyu from behind him. "That echo our sensors detected really was another digimon shielding itself somehow."
"Not to mention using another area to bio-emerge in other than Chuo Park."
"Bio-emergences outside there aren't rare, Yamaki."
Yamaki was forced to agree with him, but silently he worried. Chuo Park tended to draw the majority of bio-emergences due to the portal in the shed that had appeared there four years ago and for some reason remained stable. Many of the firewalls he built in that time had been to divert digimon to that area as it made dealing with them easier and more predictable. Such was not always the case, but it didn't look good for them when such instances occurred.
"But what about that girl?" Takato asked. "Did that Kuzuhamon take her to the digital world?"
"Our readings didn't indicate any data, human or digimon, heading to the digital world," Yamaki replied. "In all likelihood, they're still here."
"Puh," spoke up MarineAngemon, his small, fairy wings flapping excitedly. "Pihpihpuh!"
"He says that he heard the Kuzuhamon say that she needed to talk to her," translated Kenta.
"You know, I hate how you have to do that," Suzie scowled.
"Suzie…"
"Sorry, Lop. But it's annoying that he has to translate for us. It makes things take twice as long and all he says is just four words."
"Did your partner notice any digivice attached to this girl?" Yamaki asked. MarineAngemon shook his head.
"Puh."
"He couldn't see any."
"Thanks, Sherlock. That we understood."
"Suzie…"
"So, we've got two digimon to deal with instead of one," Takato said softly. His eyes were hard and to Suzie, he looked restless. "Yamaki! Guilmon and I can look for her. With Guilmon's nose, we can probably sniff her out. What do you say, boy?"
"I'm willing to give it a try."
"I'm afraid not," Yamaki said, flicking his lighter closed. "As things stand, you'd be working alone until we're certain that Suzie and Kenta are both well…"
"Hey! I can help!" Suzie interjected.
"Suzie!" this from Janyu. Yamaki ignored them both for the time being.
"…and we can't afford to have you outnumbered and isolated from help. In the meantime, we'll have Hypnos's sensors scanning for them."
"But the Kuzuhamon was able to shield itself," Takato protested.
"I understand your concerns. We will be better prepared. This Kuzuhamon's shielding wasn't perfect. If it was in league with the other digimon, our analysis indicates it might have been using him as an additional shield to cover for its anomalous readings. Alice knows what to look for now and is adjusting our systems appropriately." He looked back and forth between the three Tamers – all that remained of the team of seven that first returned from the digital world four years before. Reaching up, he took off his sunglasses, revealing eyes that were now much softer than they had been when they first met. Almost fatherly in fact.
"Go home and get some rest, all of you. That's an order."
Takato's clenched fists shook and Suzie, seeing this, instinctively clutched at her digivice.
"Hey, maybe we should try and find out who this girl is?" Kenta offered, in an effort to help his friend with his bottomless need to do something. "Maybe we should let her parents know. What did she look like, Takato?"
"We should be looking for her," Takato half-growled. Guilmon tugged at him.
"Takato. Momentai!"
"Don't…!" Takato began suddenly before catching himself. Looking down, the boy's expression faltered, seeing his partner's ears wilt reflexively. Ashamed, he looked away hastily. "Sorry, boy. I know you mean well."
"Can you provide a description of the girl?" Yamaki asked.
Taking a deep breath, Takato closed his eyes. "Red hair," he said and he lifted his hands behind his head to mimic the ponytail he saw her wearing. "Done up like this. She was wearing some kind of fancy black dress without any sleeves. I don't remember much else except that she's got a pretty good throwing arm."
"Red hair… Red hair…" This from Suzie as she pondered the description for a moment. Something about it tickled the back of her mind. A moment later, she knew why. "Oh! Now I remember! Er, I think I do. My mom gets fashion magazines in the mail. FRUiTS, Can Cam and Kera. Those sorts. There's a girl like that who was on all those covers about a year ago. Ruki or Rika or something, I can't remember. Supposed to be some daughter of a famous model."
"It's Rika, actually," Kenta blushed, adjusting his glasses. "M-My mom gets those magazines too."
Truth be told, she bought a lot of fashion magazines even though she had no intention of purchasing any of the clothes being showcased. He had seen the girl in question and found her quite beautiful. So much so, that in his daydreams he sometimes fantasized about saving her from a digimon and developing a relationship with her out of it. A bit childish, he knew and one he never thought likely to occur.
Definitely not now, he thought inwardly. Girls don't like cowards.
Shame once more welled up within him, remembering the battle. Remembering the fear that left him frozen in place when Antylamon had screamed in pain.
"Pih?" came MarineAngemon's questioning voice, having sensed his emotional distress. Kenta forced on a smile and patted his partner.
"I'm okay."
"Yeah, right," Suzie scowled. "You're probably thinking dirty thoughts about that model girl."
Kenta's face went tomato-red as he began sputtering.
"I-I am not!"
"Oh, please! I still have one older brother left!" Her eyes darted over to Takato, hovered on him briefly to take in the wince on his face before going back to Kenta. "I know what you boys get up to!"
"That's enough, Suzie," Janyu said, his face tense still. "Yamaki, if it's alright, I'd like to get Suzie down to the hospital now. I don't think that we can do anything more here."
"Don't worry, Janyu. Take care of your daughter." Yamaki turned back to Takato and Kenta. "The two of you should go home. I imagine your families are worried about you. Takato, I'll have some agents investigate to see if this civilian you saw and the model are the same person. I'll let you know if we find anything new."
Takato was silent at first, not liking his orders. He couldn't just sit still while that girl was out there.
Jeri, he thought, his knuckles starting to go white from the pressure of his hands. Only Jeri ever really knew what she went through when the D-Reaper held her prisoner. And it had her so long because we couldn't save her. Because I couldn't save her. Because I wasn't strong enough. If that girl is getting hurt because of me…
The scars in his back throbbed. His mind kept circling the memory of Jeri's prison being swallowed by a growing tumor of red as he and the others were forced to retreat. He couldn't let go of it. He had only been gone seconds and that strange girl was whisked away for who knew what reasons. It was as if the battle had been nothing more than a mere distraction to keep them from recognizing their real target.
What if they're trying to force her to make them stronger?
"I can't just let them get away with it!" Takato exploded, unable to take the storm of emotion building up inside him. Without waiting for Yamaki's answer, the teen whirled about and ran off.
"Ah! Takato!" Guilmon exclaimed, bursting after him. "Takato! Slow down! Ohhh… Why didn't you draw me with longer legs? Ta-ka-tooo!"
"Takato! Stop!" shouted Yamaki, but the boy was already tearing off down the streets, his partner fast behind. "Damn it…"
"There he goes," Suzie said, scowling at Yamaki. "Saw that coming a mile away. If he turns Guilmon into Megidramon again, you're responsible."
"Suzie!" gasped Lopmon.
Kenta sighed and got up. "I'd better go after him. I'll let you know how things turn out."
Yamaki flicked his lighter open and closed in rapid succession, but nodded. The pressure was getting to the Tamers. Takato perhaps more so than the rest as he frequently took on the greater responsibility. As he watched Kenta and MarineAngemon start off after the pair, he couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before the boy crumbled under the weight of the whole city, or most especially, the world?
Perhaps the Chief of Cabinets is right. Maybe we were wrong to put so much responsibility on these children. I had thought that they would be the key to peace with the digital world, but now…
His thoughts trailed off and he flicked his lighter closed one last time. Taking out his cellphone, he began the first of what would prove to be many calls.
###
Rika cracked her eyes open to find herself lying outside a small, wooden building in a shady spot. Above her, dangling on ropes, were a trio of bells. She recognized it as belonging to a shrine, but as to which one escaped her.
"Definitely not Hanazono,"she murmured before hoisting herself up in confusion. "How'd I get here?"
Panic surged in her as memory hit her like a sledgehammer. Hanazono!
"Takato!" she shouted, shooting to her feet.
"Your friends are safe," spoke up a deep, feminine voice. "As for how you got here, I am afraid that I am responsible."
Turning, Rika saw a tall, dark-haired woman with pale skin wearing a white miko robe and a purple fox mask. Rika recognized the digimon from her card collection.
"Kuzuhamon, Miko Mode," she recited. "Data type. Mega level. Special attacks, Womb-Realm Mandala and Reverse Izuna."
"I see you're well-informed," the shaman digimon nodded appreciably.
Rika hmphed. "Only in what you are, not who." She tilted her head to one side curiously. The digimon's voice sounded an awful lot like the Renamon in the other world. "Do all Kuzuhamon sound the same?" she asked. She felt her heart skip a beat in hope at this coincidence, but she didn't dare hold her breath over it.
"I have never met others of my kind before, so I cannot say. For what reason would you like to know?"
"Forget it. It's not important. Where am I?"
"You ask many questions when I should be the one doing so."
Rika frowned and crossed her arms. "Yeah? What could possibly be so important that you had to kidnap me for a little interrogation? I'm not a Tamer and if you're looking for tips about fashion, you're looking at the wrong person."
"Though I have no need for 'fashion,' my business does concern you." Lifting one hand, she pointed directly at the girl. "You have crossed between dimensions and returned. How?"
Rika felt a knot of uncertainty squirm inside her belly, but she covered it with a laugh.
"That's it? Don't you guys do that all the time?"
"Humans normally do not travel so. In fact, none do, yet youhave been to another reality. Similar to this one, but different." Her tone was one of enduring patience. "For some time, incursions from other realities have appeared in the digital world. Some bring chaos and others do not. Then, after abruptly ceasing for some time, you manage it."
Rika's expression went flat and empty. As far as she knew, there was no reason for her to trust this digimon, even if it were the one she would have been partnered to had her universe taken a different turn.
Things are different here. I can't act like everyone will be the same as on the other side.
"Are you with that dork from earlier?" Rika asked. "Your friend attacked one of mine."
"You care deeply about your friends."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Just answer the stupid question or you're not getting anything from me."
"You might as well say yes, Kuzuhamon," laughed a gravily voice from behind her. "She's stubborn, this one."
Whirling about in surprise, Rika found her gaze trailing up from a black-armored chest plate before falling on the dark-scaled face of the dragon warrior from before, a steel, jagged horn protruding from his snout. His expression gave nothing away, but his golden eyes danced with amusement. Rika felt herself go weak in the knees, remembering the battle between this digimon and Gallantmon.
Two Mega digimon and I'm alone, she thought, unconsciously backing up. Tripping over a rock, she sprawled to the ground, biting her tongue.
Don't laugh. Don't laugh. Don't laugh, she thought, terror all but resting rational thought away from her as she clenched her fists. Frightened tears sprang into her eyes, yet she glared daggers at the dragon warrior, hating him for fighting the Tamers. Seeing this, he nodded to her and began to approach. Rika shrank back reflexively, and when the warrior knelt by her side, she lashed out, punching his thick, muscled thigh. Her hand immediately swore at her in the language of pain, making her instantly regret hitting the Mega as she cradled her fist.
"Ow…" she hissed through clenched teeth.
Reaching out, Gaiomon took hold of her shoulders with one, giant hand and gently, much to her surprise, helped her back to her feet. She looked at him with startled eyes.
Is he…smiling?
"Gaiomon was regrettably enthusiastic about testing your friend," Kuzuhamon resumed, and to her credit she did sound apologetic. "But the test was necessary. In previous incursions, the mark of a Gallantmon was detected. A dark Gallantmon."
At that, the squirrely sensation in her stomach increased. A corrupted Gallantmon from another world could only mean that the Takato there had fallen on a particularly bad time.
"I still don't see why I have to say anything. If that other Gallantmon has nothing to do with mine, then go home."
"We have analyzed the data surrounding you," Kuzuhamon continued. "The means by which you crossed realities was suggestive of an Ophanimon, yet the data was incomplete. This means that someone else was involved. We would like to know who and whether they are a threat to us on this side of the dimensional divide."
Massaging her hand, Rika mulled it over. She felt loathe to tell them much in the way of details, but at the same time, she had a sense that they wouldn't let her go until she gave a satisfactory answer to their questions. And where the safety of her world and theirs was concerned, it wasn't a bad idea to waylay their worries.
"They're not a threat," she said finally. "I don't really know what happened. Somehow, I got yanked over to their side. They seemed to think it had something to do with an Ophanimon card, so when they used it again, they were able to send me back." As she spoke, she remembered about how the other Takato over there had asked her if her name really was Rika. It didn't take much for her to put two and two together. "They've had their own troubles too. They don't want to cause any more problems than what's already been going on."
Kuzuhamon and Gaiomon exchanged a meaningful look before nodding to each other.
"I see," the shaman replied. Rika huffed.
"Are we done now? Because I'd really like to get home and change. Thanks to your friend, I look like a commercial for preventing forest fires."
She gestured to herself indicatively to herself. It was just then that a thought occurred to her and her hand went immediately to her throat.
Shouldn't I still be hacking up my lungs? I breathed in a lot of smoke back there, didn't I?
"What do you think, Kuzuhamon?" Gaiomon asked. "Shall we let the little princess go?"
Kuzuhamon's gaze fell upon Rika. The girl scowled, not liking how unflinching she was despite her mask lacking any eyeholes through which to see.
I bet she did something to my throat, she thought. She's not as strong as her Sakuyamon counterpart, but that Miko Mode isn't just for show.
"I suppose so," the shaman said finally. "My apologies for the day's events. It was not our intention…" She glanced at Gaiomon. "…or our orders to cause any damage."
Gaiomon barked a laugh, but otherwise made no further response.
"Wonderful. Thanks." Rolling her eyes, Rika started off, taking care of her pace so as to not accidently scuff her bare feet. She didn't bother sticking around to see what else she could glean from them with her 'absence', knowing as she did that digimon like Kuzuhamon likely had sharp ears. No. Already her mind was turning to the reasons behind their mission and how it might affect the Tamers here.
They might not be done with them, she thought worriedly. I've got to warn them so they can be ready. I just wish I knew where to find them.
Behind her, Kuzuhamon stood atop the shrine, watching.
###
Gaiomon appeared next to Kuzuhamon, arms folded together.
"So…" he said softly, his gaze following the redhaired girl as she came to an intersection to get her bearings. "What is she hiding?"
"The Deva," Kuzuhamon replied. "At least, that's how it appears. When I read her mind earlier, there was a great jumble of images. Some of it was confusing, but Zhuqiaomon's former servant was in the other world as well. The human spoke of the alternate Tamers using some kind of Ophanimon card like what we saw during your fight. Perhaps it contained data they were able to utilize. An Antylamon's Mega level is one of the Celestials after all."
"Yet, there weren't any incursions when she used those powers."
"You injured her. She might not have been capable of utilizing that power. Or perhaps she is weaker than the one from the other world."
Below, she watched as the girl resume her trek, apparently recognizing where she was now.
"Is there any cause for concern?" Gaiomon asked. Kuzuhamon frowned beneath her mask.
"The human doesn't believe so. I feel that we should continue with our observations for the time being, just to be sure."
Gaiomon chuckled. "You mean you would like to continue observing her. You seem to have taken a shine to the human."
Kuzuhamon's face remained still, yet in her mind she saw the image of the girl, or rather her counterpart, partnered with a Renamon who sounded like her. As much as she hated to admit it, the idea intrigued her.
"Very well," Gaiomon continued in response to Kuzuhamon's silence. "I don't mind picking up the slack if it means facing Gallantmon again. I will take better care this time. Ahhh…" His eyes shone with excitement. "The thrill of dying to his mode change. There would be no better way to go."
"Slake your thirst. We are of the Sovereign's Gods of Destruction. Be it ourselves or our enemies, we destroy at his command and not from our own desire."
"Of course. Of course. My apologies." He glanced at her, eyes glinting with thought. Stepping aside, he bowed politely. "I leave this human to you. I go to stalk my prey."
With that, Gaiomon faded from view, leaving Kuzuhamon alone with her thoughts.
###
I'm really out of my environment, Rika thought. Having worked out that she was at Shinjuku Juniso Kumano-Jinja Shrine down at Chuo Park, she set herself off in a north-easterly direction. She did her best to ignore the stares that she got and instead busied herself typing out some quick messages to her family and to Hana, letting them know that she was alright and would be heading home. She took extra effort to be apologetic to Hana for running off on her the way she did.
After all, she was just trying to look out for me. It's not like she was trying to be a pain in my rear end. It's the least I can do.
Pocketing her phone in the mess of fluff, Rika adjusted her dress. How it was she hadn't tripped on it in her dash toward Gyoen had been nothing short of the sort of miracle best found in Christmas films.
Better count my blessings. I'm sure I got out of that mess better than the Tamers did. I wonder if they're still at Gyoen.
She decided that such was not likely to be the case, at least with the amount of time it would take for her to get there. The Tamers were likely already gone and were now having some kind of meeting to figure out what to do with their latest opponents. That at least seemed to be the case with the other world whenever something came up.
Granted, I'm just going off my one meeting with them, but that seems like something they'd do.
She wondered what that would mean for the Kuzuhamon. If she was her version of the other world's Renamon, she obviously went down a different path and so had none of the relationships with the Tamers. To them, she was a potential enemy, and one that would need to be dealt with.
How should I feel about that? she wondered, passing by another onlooker who lifted an eyebrow at her messy appearance. She's not my partner, but she could have been. The relationship she had with the Other-Me is pretty strong. It's almost like they're sisters. Could I have that with her too? Or is she too different now? Would she even want me? Do I even want her?
Her phone buzzed frantically. Taking it out, she saw multiple messages from her father, mother and Hana, all frantic. Hana, it seemed, hadn't yet gotten the word out and was looking for her.
Sorry for making you worry. I'll explain everything later, but I'm alright.
More buzzing arrived before she even finished typing. Rika sighed, but knew she couldn't blame them. For her parents, she just dropped that she had been in another digimon rampage that had bio-emerged practically on top of her. For Hana, Rika had been her responsibility, and she put her in a horribly awkward position.
I'll have to think of a way to make it up to her, Rika thought, sending out the message.
Passing by a pair of park statues – one depicting a standing samurai and the other an individual that was kneeling – Rika cocked her head to one side, reviewing what she remembered of the last time she visited this park.
That's the Statue of Eternity… A restroom's nearby. I'd better clean myself up before I have more people around me wondering what explosion I've been in recently.
Picking up her pace as best she could with her bare feet, Rika found the restroom in question down near the northern exit of the park. Quickly sequestering herself inside, she splashed water on her face, clearing it of the ash, soot and ruined makeup before working her way down her bare shoulders and arms.
Not much I can do about the dress, but at least it's already dark enough to cover the worst of it. Toweling herself off, she considered herself. "Not exactly the look of a Tamer, am I, Other-Me?" she said aloud, pretending to address that alternate version of her in the mirror. "I mean, I look like you a bit more with the hair, but I doubt I'd see you running around in a dress and makeup."
She scrunched her face up, doing her best to mimic the irritated expression her alternate-self seemed to have permanently plastered on her face.
"You look like an idiot," she said to herself. "Seriously, what were you thinking? You could have been killed!"
"I saved that gogglehead's life! My gogglehead's life!"
"Did you? He was down, but not out, and he has all that armor. What did you do? Throw a couple of rocks and inhale a ton of smoke before you keeled over. You could have died!"
Rika stood there, seething with anger and glaring at her reflection. After a moment, she leaned her forehead against the mirror.
"This is stupid. I'm arguing with myself."
But she would have said something like that. And she wouldn't have been wrong either. I was such an idiot.
A small smirk tugged at the corners of her lips though and, much to her surprise, she giggled.
"But I made that giant digimon stop. Even for just a second, I made him stop. Looks like I showed you, Other-Me. I can be an asset to the team." Lifting her head away from the mirror, she let her smile widen ever so slightly and set her eyes in a determined gaze. "I just have to figure out how to become a Tamer."
She knew what she needed. In order to warn them about the two Mega digimon and become a Tamer, she would have to make contact with one of the Tamers. And she didn't know where a single one of them lived.
It took Gogglehead and his friend about…twenty minutes or so to get to our house? She wasn't entirely certain, but it hadn't been terribly long. I'm guessing on foot, but even with a car that gives me some range to work with. Well, that's a start. I'll start looking for them as soon as I can.
She glanced down at herself and blushed lightly, remembering she was still in the dress.
Right after I get out of this ridiculous outfit, she amended.
###
"Takatooo… Slow down!"
The goggle-wearing boy finally heeded to the call of his digimon partner and turned around to find the panting dinosaur trotting up to him. Guilmon wiped a claw over his head.
"Takato, if you're going to run so fast you should slash a speed upgrade card so I can keep up with you. I'm not Locomon."
Takato's expression melted at seeing how worn out his best friend looked trying to keep up with him. Reaching out, he gave his partner's ears a scratch and the dinosaur leaned into his hand.
"I'm sorry, boy. I just… When stuff like this happens, I just can't stand around and do nothing, and when Yamaki said to do just that…" He heaved a heavy sigh. "I don't know what to do. It's times like this that I miss Henry."
His eyes dropped, thinking about his dead friend. Another person I failed.
"Why not ask Chou Sensei?" Guilmon asked. "I mean, maybe he can help. He helped Henry and he's a lot like he was."
"Yeahhh…" Takato's mouth quirked, remembering how Chou sensei had taken him under his wing for martial arts training, free of charge. "But you know how hard it is for me to understand him sometimes. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm really…"
Takato trailed off uncertainly, his eyes darting to the ground. Guilmon cocked his head to one side questioningly.
"Wonder what, Takato?"
"Wonder if I'm really cut out for this," Takato said softly.
"Of course, you are. Why not? You're a Tamer, right?"
Takato pressed his lips together, not sure how to answer that. Oh, he had a digivice, but did that really qualify him to be a Tamer?
"I don't know." Takato scratched the back of his head uncertainly. "So far I've just been making it up as I go along, and it hasn't really helped anyone."
"Hah?" Guilmon's ears rose. "But you saved lots of people, haven't you? You saved one yesterday. I mean, sure things were a bit of a mess, but you saved them. When we're together, nothing bad can happen, right?"
"I-I don't know if that's true, Guilmon. We've lost so many people that I feel like I'm drowning."
"Hah?" Guilmon's ears wilted, but before he could follow up on that, a voice called out to them.
"Takato!" Kenta's shout came clear and loud amidst the crowd, causing eyes to turn toward them. Takato pretended to ignore the stares and focused on his approaching friend.
"Hey, sorry for leaving you like that."
"H-Hey, yourself," Kenta replied, fanning himself as he tried to catch his breath. "Wow, Takato. I keep forgetting how fast you're getting these days."
"Pihpihpih?" MarinAngemon squeaked, beaming at the bespectacled boy. Kenta gave a ragged laugh.
"You don't have to cheer me up, buddy. I know I'm not in the same shape as he is."
"Ah, ah…" Guilmon looked back and forth between the two youths, stuck between wanting to continue his conversation with Takato and saying something that would help Kenta. Deciding that his conversation with his partner could wait a little longer, he clapped his claws together. "Why don't you join Takato at martial arts class if you want to get faster? Suzie does it too, sometimes."
"She still does?" Kenta asked, raising an eyebrow. He knew Suzie had taken up martial arts after Henry's death – insisted on it even.
"Well, she does because she wants to punch Takato in the funny bone."
"Which she does around this time of year," Takato said, rubbing his arm in memory. Kenta's lips twitched, but did not rise to a smile. Under normal circumstances, Suzie wanting to punch Takato would have been a little funny, but the tragedy behind her reasons took all the fun out of it.
"After today, it might be a good idea," Kenta agreed. "I didn't do a very good job helping out."
"Don't say that! You were fine!"
"Except I wasn't." Shuddering, Kenta stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I'm sorry, Takato. When Antylamon got hurt, I just…froze up. MarineAngemon was looking to me for what to do, and I couldn't tell him. It-It was like I was back in the Reaper Zone, watching…" Kenta closed his eyes and a tremor ran through him. "Sorry," he said again in a much quieter voice. "I promise to do better."
Takato was quiet at first, but then threw on a wide, comforting smile. "Hey, it's all right. We all have those moments…"
"Don't. Takato, just…don't say that. Okay?" Kenta looked at his friend forlornly. "It shouldn't have happened and Antylamon almost got killed because of it." He heaved a sigh and looked at Takato. "I'll get better. I promise."
"Pih!" MarineAngemon giggled, doing a cartwheel in midair.
"I wouldn't go that far."
"What did he say?" asked Guilmon.
"That maybe he and I will biomerge and turn him into a knight just like you and Takato."
Takato scratched the back of his head at that, all too aware of Guilmon's gaze on him. Seeing it, Kenta lifted an eyebrow.
"Um, is everything alright between you two?" he asked.
"Yes."
"No."
Takato and Guilmon exchanged looks.
"Ah, are we lying now, Takatomon?" Guilmon asked, sounding confused. Takato's shoulders sagged.
"No."
"Which no is it?" Kenta asked.
"It's nothing. I'm just having doubts, that's all."
"That doesn't sound like nothing."
"It's a pretty big something."
"Guilmon…"
"But Takato! It's got you all upset and skating on sausages!"
"It's not as simple as that though!" Takato protested.
"Sure, it is. We're always stronger when we biomerge aren't we?"
"But what good is strength if we couldn't save the others?!"
Kenta looked back and forth between Takato and Guilmon, taking in their disagreement. From Takato's flushed face, he was plainly getting frustrated with Guilmon's line of reasoning. On the face of it, the digimon was right. They were stronger together than apart. At the same time though, the loss of their friends haunted him.
"Well, maybe it is more complicated than that," Kenta said, remembering all too well how he felt about himself now. "But, Takato, I don't think that doesn't make you a Tamer. Because you are. I know things have been hard, but you're doing the best you can. We all are. I mean, it's not like our digivices came with an instruction manual or anything. Remember how long it took for you to figure out how to get Guilmon to de-digivolve?"
"It's not the same thing."
Kenta rubbed the back of his head, not sure how to answer that.
I guess Kazu really was better at cheering Takato up after all. He kind of had a way of getting him fired up, even if he made him mad.
"I still think you're a good Tamer," he said.
"Me too!" Guilmon insisted, pressing himself against Takato's leg. "You've always done your best with me. Sure, we've made mistakes every now and then, but as long as we keep trying, we'll get better. Isn't that what Henry told you when he was teaching you about modify cards?"
"Yeah," Takato replied, but he didn't sound convinced. Watching him with his big, golden eyes, Guilmon wondered what it would take to bring his partner around. Somehow, he didn't think 'momentai' would help.
They continued their way through the city, searching for any sign of their elusive quarry in spite of Yamaki's orders for them to go home and rest. Finding none didn't help Takato's spirits, but the boy kept going.
"My mom's messaging me," Kenta sighed, looking at his cellphone as it buzzed frantically for attention. "Gyoen's all over the news, so she's upset."
"You'd better get home," Takato said, giving him a sympathetic look.
"But what about you and Guilmon?"
"We'll be fine." Takato threw on another smile that looked very fake to his bespectacled friend. "I'm going to keep searching a little longer."
"I'll stay a little longer then," Kenta replied, typing out a quick message on his phone. "I mean, if you find those two Megas, you're going to be in a heap of trouble. And I promised I wouldn't freeze up anymore."
Takato nodded, but his friend's words drudged up memories about the girl again.
What was it she said? That she wouldn't run away? Why? Why were you there if you're not a Tamer? Or maybe you were but got scared?
Back when all this started, he wouldn't have been able to imagine being scared of being a Tamer. Having a digimon partner had been the epitome of awesomeness to his twelve-year old self. Now, he couldn't help but wonder at his naivete.
Maybe she knew a little bit more than me about what it meant to be a Tamer. What it really meant. It's not like I regret making Guilmon. He's my best friend, but sometimes I wish that we didn't have to fight. He says that I'm a good Tamer, but I sure don't feel like one.
He knew he was circling the drain but he felt unable to stop his thoughts from going in that direction. What made him a good Tamer in their eyes? Henry was a good Tamer.
He even beat a Divermon one on one, he thought, smiling a little at the memory. Henry sure was amazing. I didn't always agree with him back then, but he sure knew his stuff.
Now his phone buzzed. Taking it out, he glanced at it and his shoulders sagged.
"What is it?" Kenta asked. "Did Yamaki find that girl?"
"No. It's Mom. She's wondering where I am." His phone buzzed again and he opened the message. "And she wants me home."
"What are you going to do?"
Takato went silent, mulling things over. He didn't want his mother to worry about him, but at the same time he couldn't leave this alone.
He sighed.
"Looks like I'm getting in trouble," he said, typing out a reply. He didn't get very far when his phone vibrated again. This time from Yamaki. Quickly opening it, Takato read the message over and then reread it to make sure he understood everything.
"They found her," he said, unable to contain the amazement in his voice. Kenta arched an eyebrow.
"The girl? Rika?"
"Y-Yeah! She's safe!"
Kenta grinned. "Looks like you're not getting in trouble after all."
###
Rika arrived home to the sound of a loud and angry argument. Not quite yelling, nor was it the kind of arguing she was accustomed to seeing on television between couples, but there was anger nonetheless. The majority of which was coming from her mother while her father tried to remain civil.
"Terrific," she groaned, hurrying along the path to her home's front door. "Better douse this before it gets worse."
"I don't care if it's from the government, the digital world, or some kind of alien space emperor! I will not allow my daughter to be interrogated like some common criminal! Not after what she's just been through!"
"She's not being treated like a criminal, Rumiko! They just want to ask a few questions! There's no harm in that!"
"Mom! Dad!" Rika called, sensing that things were about to reach their peak. "I'm home!"
The house abruptly went quiet for a moment before footsteps started in her direction. Wasting no time, Rika headed in their direction as well. Rounding the corner, she found them and all became still. Her mother stood on her left, visibly shaken and her makeup a mess. She had been crying. She felt her heart tremble at the sight, feeling bad for having upset her so much. Her father, while no less distressed, was visibly relieved to see her.
"Mama," Rika said in a whisper, her voice trembling a little. "Papa."
"Rika!" With a tearful cry, her mother threw herself at her daughter and swept her into her arms. Rika grunted as she was crushed against her, but she did not protest. Rather instead, she reached around and hugged her back, though a little more tenderly.
"Are you okay?" her father asked, approaching carefully.
"I could use a bath," Rika replied. "Might need to doctor up my feet a little too. I had to ditch those stupid heels."
At that, her mother pulled back, her earlier anger returning. Gripping Rika's arms, she held her firmly in place.
"Rika, what were you thinking? Hana said you ran off after digimon that were fighting and disappeared! Do you know how worried you made everyone?"
"Rumiko, she's home, safe and sound. Can't this wait?"
"No! I want to know why she did what she did! Those digimon are dangerous! She could have been killed!"
"And Takato could have died too!"
In a sudden flash of anger, the boy's name fell out of her mouth before she could stop herself. At once, all attention was on her, including her grandmother's, who was just now entering the room.
"Takato?" her mother blinked. "Who's Takato?"
Rika cursed herself for being so careless.
"S-Someone I know," she said evasively. Her mother cocked her head questioningly at that. "I-I knew they were going to be at Gyoen today and when I saw the digimon heading there…"
"You should have called them!" Her mother's grip around her arm tightened suddenly, causing Rika to wince. "There was no need for you to run into danger like that!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't think…! Mama! Stop…!" With an effort, Rika yanked her arms out of her mother's grasp and backed away. Her mother blinked, taken aback at first before realizing what she had been doing.
"Sorry," she said, her eyes dropping.
"Rika, we're just worried," her father said, laying a hand on his wife's shoulder and, in a rare display of affection and sympathy, gave it a comforting squeeze. "When you messaged us, we had no idea what had happened. Your mother's workplace received a call from that government agency, Hypnosis or whatever they call it…"
"Hypnos," corrected her grandmother.
"They want to interview you about what happened," he continued, nodding his thanks to the elder matriarch. "They said you were kidnapped."
Rika fell silent at first. "A digimon rescued me from the fire at Gyoen," she replied. "She wanted to ask me some questions about that business I was in yesterday. I guess she's the digital world's equivalent to Hypnos and wanted to make sure everything was okay. That's all that happened."
A thought occurred to her. Hypnos. That was the agency from the other world. If I can meet with them, then I can meet with the Tamers!
"I-I don't mind talking to Hypnos. It could be important."
Her father nodded, seemingly satisfied with this explanation. "All's well that ends well then. And she's right. I see no reason why we should keep her from talking to the government. Especially if it involves everyone else's safety."
Her mother, apparently, was of a different mind.
"I want to talk to my agency," she said. "Get our lawyers involved first. I don't want us going in there without any protection."
"Rumiko…" her father began, but a sharp look from the younger matriarch caused him to sigh and throw up his hands in surrender. "All right. Fine. I'd rather not start another argument. She's home and safe. That's all that matters."
"Hopefully her career will be as well," her mother added before changing topics. "Now who is this Takato? That's a boy's name. I don't remember you ever mentioning someone like that before."
"Why don't we save any further questions for later," said her grandmother, sliding next to Rika with almost ghostly grace. "After all, she said she'd like a bath and I'm sure she would like to get into some fresh clothes."
"No argument here." Rika breathed a sigh of relief, once again grateful for her grandmother's wisdom and patience. Needing no further prompting, she made her way to the bathroom, her grandmother gliding alongside her.
"I'm glad you're safe," Seiko said once they left her parents behind. "And Takato…?"
Rika thought back to what Kuzuhamon said, and her final recollection from that fight – that of a glowing, angelic knight grappling with the Gaiomon in the sky.
Was that Gallantmon?
"Yeah, I think so. I'd like to check up on them later." She blushed lightly. "I don't actually have their cellphone number."
"That would be difficult," Seiko agreed, and Rika looked at her suspiciously. There seemed to be more to her meaning than what was said on the surface.
Knowing her, there usually is.
"You know," Seiko continued, "a couple years ago I think I saw your friend once working at a nice little bakery. I don't remember the name, but it's in the west of the city, somewhere near Chuo Park. I have a feeling he might still be there."
Rika came to a halt in front of the bathroom door. Her mind was swirling with unspoken emotions. She knows?! But how?
Then again, she guessed she shouldn't be surprised. Her grandmother tended to be quite perceptive about a lot of things.
"Grandma…"
"Go take your bath, dear," Seiko urged, continuing on. "I'll get you some clean clothes for when you come out."
"Right." Rika tilted her head, watching her grandmother continue off in the direction of her room. "Thanks, Grandma."
Well, that was weird, she thought as the woman disappeared down the hall. Entering the bathroom, she tried to remember if Takato's name had ever been brought up in the news reports. She didn't think so, given that the media and government had been cagey about the Tamers' privacy since their big blast on every screen on the planet. Her grandmother was like a wily fox though. Who knew what she might have uncovered on her own?
Well, she's given me a clue. Don't know why, but it sure narrows things down for me.
She smiled a little as she leaned against the door of the bathroom, gathering her thoughts.
Tomorrow, I'm going to see my gogglehead, and then we'll go from there. See what happens.
15