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: 43/ Shadows of Intent
Masahiko felt his mind drifting. The shock of adrenaline had smoothed out and his earlier panic felt like when he threw a blanket over himself at night to protect him from unseen monsters. And speaking of monsters, the one holding him now no longer struck him as scary. The cold it emanated was, strangely enough, also kept from biting deeper into him now that it held him close to its chest, allowing its white leather jacket to fall over him like a blanket.
Yet, strangely enough, thoughts of his sister intruded through the mists in his mind like a frantic plea, urging him to fight his way out. He thought he saw her from out of the corner of his eye, her image caught in the reflection of ice, calling frantically for him as she used to whenever they were separated. But when he turned, he found only himself and the demonic entity clutching hold of him. The monster's eyes burned red and the fear came back at the sight.
"Jeri…" Her name came unbidden to his lips and he burst into tears.
"You don't need to be that way," IceBeelzemon said, his voice smooth like silk. "I'm here to give you everything you desire. For years, I've felt your pain and the wall you've built around yourself. That darkness of yours…" He pressed Masahiko against his chest. "It overflows and there's no path for it to take. No one else can handle it. No one else can understand it, but I do.
"L-Let me go…" Masahiko blubbered, not caring how he looked right now. He felt so scared. He thought of Jeri's bones and how he helped pick them out at her funeral.
I'm going to be just like her. A loud groan escaped his lips at the thought and more tears spilled down his face, hot for only a second before they froze to his cheeks.
"Don't…Don't eat me…"
IceBeelzemon brought his mouth down to Masahiko's ear. His breath came out in thick, clouds of ice particles that glittered faintly in the cold light of the frozen cavern.
"I only desire to 'eat' your darkness. You'll feel much better for it. Don't you want to feel better? You won't have a reason to feel sad anymore. You'll be able to punish those who wronged you. Who failed to be there for her when she needed them most."
Unseen to Masahiko, the third eye sitting atop IceBeelzemon's head grew wide and flashed with a chill light. The face of the Tamers – Takato's especially – bloomed into view in the boy's mind. A sudden, cold anger flared into existence at the sight and he instinctively kicked at the air in front of him.
"Yes," IceBeelzemon crooned. "I have watched for so long. That one should have been there for your sister. And now, now he's replaced her with someone else. Someone he sees as better. More suitable for his tastes and interests."
Another image, this one of a girl Masahiko had never seen before, with red hair and a T-shirt with a full heart emblazoned on the front. Her eyes glittered as she held Takato's hand in her own. Masahiko didn't fully understand what he saw or how he was seeing these images, but he understood instinctively that this girl was very pretty in ways his sister couldn't quite match.
"He tossed your sister aside when she ceased to be convenient for him," IceBeelzemon continued. "He didn't want to try to help her – to fix her. He saw her as annoying. Always sad no matter what. Quite the knight in shining armor, isn't he? But I'm here to help you. You're not inconvenient to me. Your sadness chills my heart and grows the ice. You wall it all off and act like it's nothing, but I know better."
His claws tightened about Masahiko's arms.
"Just let it out. It doesn't have to be all at once. Just a little bit, and I'll show you that I'm here for you and you alone. That you can trust me with your darkest desires. Because I'm the only one who understands you."
Masahiko clenched his eyes shut, continuing to cry. He didn't understand any of this! He just wanted to get something special for Coronamon! He…
"C-Coronamon…" he whispered, and seizing desperately upon the name like a talisman, he repeated it with even greater strength. "I want Coronamon!"
IceBeelzemon clenched his fangs together in irritation at the name. It would seem, this would take some time.
Time I don't have, he thought. The wolves are closing in around me.
All three of his eyes flashed red now and Masahiko went rigid in his grasp.
I'm just going to have to take this to the next level, IceBeelzemon thought.
###
Riley, standing across from Himiko, relayed her report of the latest events, doing her best to keep her voice even and professional. In spite of herself, she could feel her nails biting into the palms of her hands. Standing in Yamaki's former office brought back too many memories and emotions.
Keep it professional, she told herself. It was never really his to begin with. Just the taxpayers.
"We have tracers continuing to investigate the flood tunnel and we're beginning to transport frozen digimon to Hypnos. So far, however, the IceBeelzemon doesn't appear to be there anymore."
"Meaning it took off when it realized we found it and we've lost our way of locating the digimon."
Riley watched as Himiko sighed dejectedly. She looked tired, and with good reason. Calumon's data had given them a direct line to ending this cat and mouse game they had been playing with Rika's attacker and with that no longer an option, they were back at square one.
"We're working on alternative ways to locate the wild digimon," Riley said, attempting to lift her spirits. "Alice McCoy has begun working on a tracking device. She has a hypothesis that the IceBeelzemon may be using foreign garbage data to mask its digital signature. It should be ready to go in a few hours."
Himiko steepled her hands together. "What's your assessment of its effectiveness?"
Riley hesitated before answering, "She has done good work for us in the past and her last idea put us the closest we came to locating the IceBeelzemon. I'd give it a shot."
"Good enough to stake your reputation on it?"
"I… Yes, ma'am."
Riley's stomach squirmed while Himiko eyed her. It felt too much like she was being scrutinized and weighed. She didn't look away however. She knew her belief had a strong foundation to it. Yamaki wouldn't have allowed Alice to become a part of Hypnos in the first place if she didn't have a good head to go along with her talents.
Thinking about Yamaki brought an all too familiar pain back to her heart. With an effort, she ruthlessly squashed it.
Can't afford to think about him now, she thought, feeling a growing desperation rising in her mind. Please… Don't think about him right now.
Finally, Himiko nodded.
"I'm giving you field leadership for this matter," she said. "Unfortunately, my hands are getting tied up right now and I – we – need someone with the experience and the ability to make calls in a changing situation. I'm too much of a political creature."
"Ma'am?" Riley cocked her head to one side in confusion.
"I didn't stutter, Ms. Ootori," Himiko replied coolly. "And I hate repeating myself."
"But what about Sleipnir? You had me helping Shibumi with that."
"It's not your problem anymore until I say it is. Or until it evolves into the next apocalypse. Whichever comes first, though the two aren't mutually exclusive."
Riley furrowed her brow. She, of course, had an idea of the kinds of political schmoozing Yamaki had to do in order to keep their operation running, but why would Himiko Hata be having any issues? And to such an extent that she was being made a sacrificial lamb to pin blame on in the event things went poorly? She had enough allies to isolate Yamaki after all in a bid to replace him as Hypnos' leader.
Maybe she's trying to get rid of the old guard, she thought miserably. She had seen it before. Someone new comes in and removes all the institutional memory because they didn't jump when ordered. And she did say that she's a political creature.
Riley sighed inwardly. Still, she couldn't fault the short-term logic. Himiko's decision had a firm foundation in practicality. People in the field dealt with situations that often rapidly evolved beyond the expected parameters, rendering previously made plans or objectives moot. Like it or not, Riley was better equipped to make those decisions than Himiko due to her greater experience.
Something niggled the back of her mind though. Himiko's decisions weren't, strictly speaking, the worst she'd ever seen even at their clumsiest. Granted, her bedside manner needed work, but she put people where they needed to be and made them focus on the task at hand. She didn't break down or lock up under pressure either. She worked the problem or found someone who could work it better.
The niggling feeling intensified, but before she could pursue the thread any further, her cellphone rang, breaking her concentration. Taking it out, she saw Takato's number on the caller ID.
"Riley here," she answered.
"Ah, Ms. Ootori?" began the boy. "I got a call from home that's going to be hard to believe…"
###
Doumon deposited the group in front of the Matsuki Bakery and quickly dismissed her barrier. Takato quickly rushed on ahead. Such was his hurry, he rammed into the automatic doors and bounced back with a surprised cry when they didn't part for him. Blinking in bewilderment, he quickly realized his mistake.
"They closed down," he muttered. Without missing another beat, he swung down into the alleyway, quickly followed by the others. Takato hopped from one foot to the other impatiently while he yanked out his housekey. No sooner did he fit it into the lock, the door opened from the other side, revealing his father, Takehiro.
"Thought I heard you," he said. He quickly ushered them in. "They showed up in a panic asking for you and Guilmon. They said Masahiko had been kidnapped by a digimon."
"We're sure about this?" Suzie asked, kicking off her shoes.
"It's all over the news now," Takehiro replied. "Lots of witnesses."
"Did they say why Masahiko was kidnapped?" Takato asked, unable to hide the frantic edge to his voice. Takehiro shook his head.
"They're in the kitchen. Mie fixed them up some tea to calm them down."
Rika's eyes went from Takato to Suzie and then to Kenta, gauging what they were feeling and what this meant to them. The hasty explanation she got about the situation was that Masahiko had been Jeri's younger half-brother and it might have something to do with the D-Reaper, as it previously kidnapped her for power. As to how this would help the kidnapper – presumably IceBeelzemon – was anyone's guess, but from the look in Takato's eyes, she sensed that he guessed why.
Did the D-Reaper leave something in Jeri that spread to her little brother? Or is it something else?
She shook her head mentally. Until they spoke to the two children, speculation might as well be a pointless exercise.
They found them at the kitchen table with Takato's mother at a nearby counter, washing dishes and keeping an eye on the children. Both were brown-haired and resembled one another strongly. Twins? Siblings to be sure at least. Their eyes eerily snapped up as one at their approach and then went wide at the sight of the humans and digimon. Especially Doumon, who had to stoop to enter the room. They didn't linger on the shaman however and quickly zeroed in on Guilmon and the hazard sign he bore on his chest.
No doubt, they recognize him, Rika thought, watching their eyes move over to Takato, who stood next to the dinosaur.
"Are-Are you Gallantmon's Tamer?" the girl asked Takato. The boy placed a hand on Guilmon's shoulder.
"We are Gallantmon," he confirmed. "Can you tell us what happened?"
So, they did, starting about how Masahiko approached them, needing help with a digimon he found. They were actually taking him here, remembering hearing about how a local bakery was the home of Gallantmon's Tamer, and on the way, they were accosted by a wild digimon, its icy arm springing from out of a wall and stealing their friend away from them. After which, they ran here, hoping to find help from the Tamers.
"Well, that settles it," Rika said, looking at the others. "It's IceBeelzemon for sure. It tracks with his theme."
"What about his digimon?" Kenta asked.
"Oh, uh…" Ai flushed in embarrassment. "H-He didn't get a chance to tell us her name. But she wasn't there with us. She's, um, supposed to be a secret."
"They're probably still at his home," Guilmon said. "We can probably go there and find them."
Assuming they haven't already been deleted and loaded, Rika thought. She banished the thought for now. They couldn't assume anything right now and voicing such thoughts might bring their collective morale down.
Even so, a quick look told her that the idea occurred to the others as well.
Takato took a deep breath and settled himself. "Okay. We'll get right on this. Uh, do you have a way home or…?"
"We can walk, it's no big deal," said Mako, puffing out his chest. "Just promise that you'll beat up the bad guy and rescue our friend!"
"We'll do what we can," Takato smiled, wishing he felt more confident. IceBeelzemon gave him a thorough thrashing the last time they fought and now he was in even worse condition than before.
We've got to win, he told himself, the image of Jeri's face flashing through his mind. No two ways about it. We will beat IceBeelzemon.
Ai and Mako then turned to one another in that way only siblings could when sharing similar thoughts.
"We can go to Masahiko's house and get his digimon. She might be able to help you."
"I don't know…" Takato began evasively. They knew nothing about Masahiko's partner – or if they were even partners to begin with as sometimes humans and digimon just moved in with one another without a digivice connecting them.
"It wouldn't hurt to let them know their partner's missing and that we're on the case," Rika suggested, placing a hand on Takato's shoulder. "And she might be able to help track him."
"I might as well go with them in that case," Suzie added. "Having another digimon around might make things a little easier."
"Wouldn't that risk a fight instead?" Kenta asked, frowning slightly.
"Better than having these two maybe getting attacked instead."
"Why don't we all go?" Guilmon suggested, but Suzie shook her head.
"Too big of a crowd and Alice is coming here. Let's not make things more complicated than they need to be, okay?" Reaching out, Suzie gave Guilmon a pat on the head. "Momentai."
Guilmon nodded hesitantly. "Momentai," he agreed.
"Okay," Takato said. "Then let's get started."
Having done all that they could now, Ai and Mako stepped away from the table. After politely bowing and thanking Takato's parents, they turned and left, Suzie and Lopmon following behind them. The Tamers turned to one another to discuss their next move.
"Do you think Masahiko's partner can help us find him?" Guilmon asked Takato.
"I don't know boy. But Riley said that Alice is coming up with something that might help. It might be best to…"
Takato's cellphone buzzed, interrupting him. Taking it out, he found a message waiting for him from one Alice McCoy.
I'm here, it read.
"Aaand she's here," Takato said. Heading toward the alleyway door, he opened it and stepped aside. Alice quickly entered, carrying what looked like a Geiger counter in her hand. Riley followed behind, much to Takato's surprise.
"Uh… Hi!" Takato greeted, feeling a bit awkward and becoming uncomfortably aware of the presence of Yamaki's lighter in his pocket.
"Hey," Riley nodded. "We ran into Suzie and those two children on our way here. Something about Jeri's younger brother having a digimon?"
"Yeah, we're not entirely sure about that, but Suzie's going to look into it. Um, should I have kept them here? There wasn't much to their story…"
"It's fine. I assume everyone else is here?"
"Yeah."
Gesturing with her head, she and Alice took off their boots and shoes to join the throng. Upon entering the kitchen, Alice showed them her device.
"It's a bit rough, but it works," she reported. "I gave it a test on our way here and I picked up what I think to be the garbage data IceBeelzemon is using to camouflage itself from our sensors."
"Whoa, hold on. IceBeelzemon has been using what to disguise itself?" Rika asked.
"Garbage data," Alice repeated, looking at Rika with a touch of annoyance for the interruption. "It's junk. Static. Tally noticed it after our sensors detected Calumon's data. Had a Parasimon signature."
"IceBeelzemon's been eating a lot of digimon for a while, huh?" Guilmon noted. "He's going to be really hard to beat."
"Anyway, this should help us pick out his trail," Alice said. "I've been picking up faint traces of it so far. I'm also scanning for traces of interdimensional energy as well, just in case we get anymore unexpected visitors."
"Should we be worried about that?" Rika asked. Alice shrugged.
"Readings are negative, but it doesn't hurt. Our last visitor warned we might be due because of all the recent traffic."
Rika pressed her lips together tightly, thinking about her role in that, however unintentional. "Sounds like that gadget can do quite a lot," she said, hoping to lighten the mood. "Does that thing play MP3's too?"
"It also doubles as an E-Reader."
"Tally's working to peel it back on her end," Riley said, deciding to interrupt. "But it's going to take time. IceBeelzemon has been here for a long, long time by all signs, so he knows how to hide his tracks from us. But we've got him on the backfoot now."
"Which can make him dangerous," Doumon observed.
"There's not much we can do about that," Riley said. "But I doubt he'll be looking to hurt Masahiko or threaten to. There's a strong chance he's trying to form a partnership with him so he can have more power to fight you. From what we've observed so far – especially from his 'trophy room' – he's not the type to attack someone unless he thinks it's a sure win. He might retreat if we press him."
"But first we have to find him," Alice said, gesturing with her Geiger counter device.
"I'll head back to Hypnos and work on helping you from there," said Riley. "Be careful out there."
With nothing more to be said, everyone began to file out of the room. Mie, still standing in the corner of the room, listening carefully, called for Takato and Guilmon to stop for a moment. Letting everyone know they'd be along shortly, they waited until everyone was gone before giving their full focus on the Matsuki matriarch.
Mie looked at him and Takato could see the worry in her eyes. Guilmon, for his part, could smell it in waves, and it made his ears droop. Seeing this, Mie pressed her lips together tightly. Approaching the pair, she took them both into her arms.
"My boys," she said in a quiet voice. Behind them, Takehiro stepped into the room and joined them. Takato felt the heat of his family bake into him, and for a moment, the pain from his injuries became easier to bear.
How many times have we gone through this? Takato wondered. How much longer will I keep putting them through this?
He felt Yamaki's lighter press against his leg, reminding him of the cost should he fail. He gave his parents an even tighter hug.
"I'll take good care of Takato," Guilmon said, doing the same.
"We'll take good care of everyone," Takato added. "I promise."
"I know you will," Mie said, drawing back. "I just wish…" She hesitated, and then pulled her son back into a gentle hug, taking care not to put pressure on his ribs. "Just come home safe. Please."
Takato didn't answer as he returned her hug with all the strength he could muster.
Drawing back, he and Guilmon headed out. Masahiko's face hung in his mind. And alongside him, Jeri's.
We have to rescue him. We can't afford to lose anymore.
###
Takato rejoined his friends a moment later. He looked at each of them. Their expressions were grave, but they were ready. Even Rika. In spite of her anxiousness that they might very well be battling IceBeelzemon shortly, the fire he had seen recently in her eyes continued to burn brightly. Seeing his gaze settle on her, she nodded to him. Everything between them still remained, but he found he didn't question that she would have his back.
"Are you good?" she asked, and he knew she meant more just his injuries.
"I am," Takato replied solemnly. He took a breath to steady himself before continuing, "We all know the plan."
More nods of affirmation.
"Let's just remember that it can change at any point," Rika said. "IceBeelzemon won't go down easy." She turned to Kenta and MarineAngemon. "Stay close to him."
"Like glue," Kenta agreed, and for a wonder he felt strangely calm. He wondered how long it would last once things started happening.
Rika turned to Alice. "That thing got a good beat to start us off with?" she asked sarcastically.
Wordlessly, Alice swung the Geiger counter about, and the needle ticked in a particular direction.
"This way," she said.
With that, they set off toward whatever destiny held in store for them.
7