Chapter 38: The Dark Spores

The Digidestined were inside a van, and they remained silent. Hikari and Takeru began to stir, both leaning on their brothers.

Taichi: "Hikari! Are you ok?"

Hikari: "Onii-Chan…"

Hikari had a small smile on her face as she began to sit up properly. Takeru did the same.

Takeru: "W-What happened? Where are we?"

Yamato: "After you passed out again… the military confronted our Digimon, but we were 'saved' by someone. Currently, she is driving us to her office to talk."

Takeru: "Who?"

A voice came from the front of the van.

Himekawa: "Good to see you awake, Takeru."

Takeru: "H-Huh? W-Who are you?"

Himekawa: "They know already, Takeru. No need to try and lie."

Takeru: "What happened? Why are you here?"

Himekawa: "I'm covering up for you and your friends, Takeru."

Koushiro: "There's something I want to know. How do you know Takeru and his mom?"

Himekawa: "As you know, there were a lot of reporters trying to get a story about the incident four years ago. As part of data management for the country, I naturally had access to most of these reports."

Koushiro typed the information into his tablet.

Himekawa: "There was only one reporter that wasn't trying to write a story on that incident."

Yamato: "Mom…"

Himekawa: "Right, well she was the only reporter we found that wasn't trying to write on it. It was odd that a somewhat well-known reporter wasn't trying to get a story. So, I decided to do a little digging, and I confronted her and Takeru."

Takeru looked out of the window. He already knew what had happened.

Himekawa: "Although reluctant, I managed to meet her and Takeru. With some… effort and a mutual agreement, I kept the information about the Digidestined a secret. No extra conditions, the mere presence of such information is valuable enough, even if the world may never know about it."

Joe: "So, who knows of the Digimon?"

Himekawa: "Only my department. It consists of five Digi- Ahem five special people. At the moment, I'm not allowed to reveal their identities. I will likely be the only contact from the department for now. The rest will be working behind the scenes."

Koushiro: "I see. How long has your group been working for?"

Himekawa: "The… five of us have known one another since about ten years ago. However, the special department we are in was formed only four years ago, after the incident."

Takeru: "We can trust Ms Himekawa, although… I don't know about the rest in her group."

Himekawa: "They can be trusted too, don't worry, anyways, we are here."

The van stopped and the Digidestined looked out of the window, seeing a really large building. They walked to the entrance.

Daisuke: "This building's huge!"

Koushiro: "This is your office..?"

Himekawa: "Yes."

Himekawa turned to the door and pressed a button.

Himekawa: "Himekawa here, I have the children."

Voice: "Alright, your office is prepared already, Maki."

Himekawa: "Thank you, and don't call me that when we're working."

Voice: "Haha, of course of course."

Himekawa sighed as the door in front of them opened.

Taichi: "Who was that?"

Himekawa: "One of the others in my department and also my…"

Himekawa looked away with a slight blush, causing Sora to giggle.

Sora: "He seems like a sweet boyfriend."

Himekawa: "Ahem, let's go to my office and talk, Digidestined."

The Digidestined followed Himekawa into the building and into the lift to a high floor. They were surprised as they saw the office.

Koushiro: "T-This puts mine to shame…"

Himekawa: "Well, this is a government funded project. It is also highly confidential. So far, aside from the children with Digimon, only the president and our group of five know about Digimon.

Koushiro: "You can just call us Digidestined."

Himekawa: "Is that what all of you call yourselves?"

Koushiro: "Well, that is what we were called in the Digital World."
(I know in Japanese they are called Chosen Children instead but by the time I remembered that I already referred to them as Digidestined too much. Besides, I'm already ending up with a mix of sub and dub anyways. :P)

Himekawa: "Alright, Digidestined it is. So, Digidestined would you like to tell me about yourselves? Whatever is in this room stays confidential."

The Digidestined looked nervous and glanced over to Takeru who had gone over to the couch with Hikari. They blanked as they saw Takeru and Hikari had fallen asleep on each other.

Himekawa: "Ah… they must be tired. Takeru did tell me he had some very special powers that made him very tired sometimes."

Himekawa went over to her desk and got a document out from it. She passed it to Joe.

Himekawa: "This is the document I signed with Takeru and his mom. I assume you would understand it the best, considering you are the oldest."

Joe rubbed the back of his neck.

Joe: "Well… I am the oldest but these kinds of documents aren't really… up my alley."

Taichi extended his hand out.

Taichi: "Let me read it."

The Digidestined looked at him confused.

Sora: "You understand this?"

Taichi: "Well… you guys know how the Kaiser…"

Ken looked guilty but spoke up.

Ken: "That's right… when you were… captured… I disabled all communication on your phone, but I still gave you access to everything else."

Taichi: "Yeah… let's just say I had a lot of time for some soul searching… and well… I kinda… researched a little on it…"

Sora: "Oh?"

Yamato: "And what did you find exactly?"

Taichi: "Well… I think… I think when I'm older I want to be an ambassador for the Digital World."

Himekawa: "Absolutely not. The Digital World is going to remain a secret."

Koushiro: "I afraid… that isn't an option, Ms Himekawa. Gennai has already been making plans for the Digital World and Human World to have proper contact in the future."

Himekawa looked blankly for a moment and went over to her desk to type on her desktop. Joe passed the document to Taichi, who looked through it intently.

Taichi: "There's… I don't think there's any form of foul play here. I can't be sure because I don't have any proper experience on this, but I think… we can trust them, but I don't think we should sign anything unless we have our parents' consent."

Himekawa: "That much is obvious. None of you are at the legal age. Any documents that require signing will be handled by your parents. Although, it is unlikely that we will need you to sign documents. The President personally requested that he meet up in person before he is willing to hire potential candidates for our group, that is if they aren't a Digidestined."

Taichi: "We… have some conditions of our own."

Himekawa: "Go on."

Taichi began to talk and raised his fingers as he spoke.

Taichi: "Firstly, our identities will remain a secret unless we state otherwise."

Himekawa: "That goes without saying, we have already been doing our best to ensure all of you have 'normal lives'. Although we haven't needed to do much considering all the data from the incident, including data recordings, does not exist."

Taichi: "Secondly, we will not allow you to take advantage of our Digimon. For example, we will not participate in any military efforts with our Digimon."

Himekawa: "Understood."

Taichi: "Thirdly, I request that, should there ever be an incident like a Digimon attack, you will let us handle it. I do not wish the military to get involved like today."

Himekawa looked deep in thought.

Himekawa: "I can guarantee the first two conditions. The last one… I would like to negotiate on that."

Taichi: "Alright."

Taichi took a seat on a chair nearby, facing Himekawa.

Himekawa: "I can do my best to ensure the military does not get involved, however, the president has tasked my group with making anti-Digimon weapons. Of course, he doesn't know they are called Digimon."

Koushiro looked at Himekawa oddly, but no one noticed as everyone was concentrated on the conversation taking place.

Taichi: "You're making anti-Digimon weapons?"

Himekawa: "Yes, although I hope there will not come a day where we have to use it."

Taichi crossed his arms and looked out the window, deep in thought.

He turned to the rest of the Digidestined, giving them a nod. He turned back to Himekawa.

Taichi: "I would like to discuss this with everyone else first."

Himekawa: "Take all the time you need."

Taichi walked over to them. Sora grinned mischievously.

Sora: "Wow, Taichi. I didn't know you could speak so seriously and fluently."

Taichi elbowed her softly.

Taichi: "What can I say? A year in captivity can really change a person."

Taichi's eyes quickly widened, and he turned to Ken in a panicked state.

Taichi: "Sorry I didn't mean anything by it!"

Sora sighed.

Sora: "Good to see that there's still some of you left in there."

The Digidestined shared a quick laugh, but quickly quietened themselves so as to not wake up Takeru and Hikari. They lowered their voices to a whisper for their private discussion.

Taichi: "Anyways, down to business."

Koushiro pulled his tablet out, showing some notes he had.

Koushiro: "Well, this is what we know so far."


Specialised group of 5 people.

They know most of our activities.

Making anti-Digimon weapons.

One thing that I will bring up later when we are alone.


Taichi: "I'm worried about the anti-Digimon weapons…"

Miyako: "Should we ask about them?"

Daisuke: "I don't see why not."

Iori looked towards Himekawa.

Iori: "Ms Himekawa, would it be possible to know more about the anti-Digimon weapons?"

Himekawa: "We haven't tested them yet, so we do not know how strong they are, but we estimate that we should be able to take out Digimon that have evolved once."

Koushiro: "Evolved once? That's a bit…"

Taichi: "You need weapons to defeat Digimon like that?"

Yamato: "That's a little overkill…"

Sora: "The poor babies…"

Himekawa: "Babies? I know you love your Digimon but when they evolve, I would hardly call them babies."

Koushiro: "Oh… that's what you mean by evolve once…"

Himekawa: "What did you think I meant?"

Ken: "Digimon have… a lot of stages. When you said you had weapons for Digimon that only evolved once…"

Koushiro: "It sounded like overkill because a Digimon that evolved once from their birth can only really blow bubbles to attack."

Himekawa: "Oh."

Taichi: "Ahem, anyways, your weapons are able to take out our Digimon if they evolve once…"

HImekawa: "That's the goal, although we haven't been able to test it yet."

The Digidestined huddled up again.

Yamato: "I think it might be fine for them to make the weapons."

Miyako: "Really?"

Koushiro: "That level of power would not be too disastrous if they were to use it, although, lets try to convince them to make them non-lethal."

Taichi: "Works for me, as long as they rarely use them."

Taichi walked back to Himekawa.

Taichi: "You are certain of the weapons' strength?"

HImekawa: "Yes."

Taichi: "We allow it, under two conditions. First, the weapons must be non-lethal. Second, these weapons can only be used as a last resort. If possible, we Digidestined will handle Digimon threats."

Himekawa: "I believe those conditions are fair."

Taichi: "Then I believe this is settled."

HImekawa: "Perfect. You will need to discuss this with your parents, and perhaps when all of you are older, we can hire you properly, including pay. As of now, we aren't allowed to do that due to your ages. For now, you may take your leave. You may leave Takeru and his girlfriend here. I can call Ms Takaishi."

Taichi and Yamato quickly glanced to each other and nodded slightly. They went over to pick up their siblings.

Yamato: "No need to worry about that. We will take them home."

Himekawa: "You are going to attract attention if you walk home while carrying them. Speaking of that, if any police or military give you any trouble, just give me a call. I'll handle them."

Taichi: "Thanks, but for now you don't have to worry about that. I didn't say we were going to walk home."

Taichi turned to Ken, and Ken quickly opened a Digital gate. The Digidestined quickly went through it, leaving behind a surprised Himekawa. The gate closed.

"We couldn't find out about their activities when they were inside buildings but… there's no doubt about it. They can go into the Digital World at will…"

Himekawa opened a drawer and held a small item close to her heart.

"If they really have such easy access to the Digital world… Maybe I'll get the chance to see you again…"


The Digidestined were in the Digital world and were talking.

Taichi: "Well, it's not like we could just leave Hikari and Takeru there."

Yamato: "Agreed, even if Takeru and mom trust her."

Joe: "Well, at least we know we have others on our side."

Koushiro: "Still though, there is something suspicious about her…"

Iori: "Is it because her group doesn't want to reveal themselves?"

Daisuke: "I wonder why…"

Miyako: "I think she said she couldn't reveal their identities."

Ken: "Maybe the president doesn't allow it?"

Koushiro was thinking hard.

Sora: "What's on your mind, Koushiro?"

Koushiro: "If even the president doesn't know about Digimon and is just referring to them as monsters… how does Ms Himekawa and her group know and refer to them as that?"

Yamato: "It's possible that Takeru told her about it."

Koushiro: "But then, the president should still know about it."

Taichi: "Maybe she just didn't say anything about the meeting?"

Koushiro: "It's possible but… back in her van… I heard a small slip up in her speech. She started saying Digi… and then changed it to saying special people."

Sora: "Digi… but if she was going to say Digidestined… why would she not just call us Digidestined as well?"

Koushiro: "Maybe she is trying to keep secrets… I'm not sure."

Taichi: "Well… let's talk about this tomorrow. We've had a long day."

Koushiro: "Alright…"

Yamato: "Get some sleep, Koushiro."

Sora: "You really have to stop working so late into the night."

Koushiro: "It's just…"

Taichi: "The new year is coming up, how about you at least rest until then?"

Koushiro looked to the ground.

Koushiro: "Fine…"

Ken: "So we are all going home, correct?"

Yamato: "Yeah, I'll drop Takeru off at his home and then go to mine."

Ken: "Alright, I'll keep the gate open for you then."

Ken opened the gates one at a time and each Digidestined left to their own homes, retiring for the night.


Iori entered his room and sat down, his grandfather following behind him.

Grandpa Hida: "Iori, what is troubling you?"

Iori: "Grandpa… there's… my friend… they want to handle something…"

Grandpa Hida: "It's about those monsters outside right?"

Iori: "They're not monsters…"

Iori jumped a little, covering his mouth.

Grandpa Hida: "Iori, what do you know?"

Iori looked down to the ground.

Grandpa Hida: "Iori!"

Iori looked nervous but began to tell his grandfather everything.

At the end of it, Iori's grandfather sighed.

Grandpa Hida: "So there is some other threat, and you believe it is a Human and not a… Digimon, that's what you called them?"

Iori: "Yes… and im afraid that there won't be another choice…"

Grandpa Hida: "Iori, remember this. No matter what, don't give up on this human. I made that mistake once with your father's friend. I didn't believe in them, and I will forever regret that."

Iori: "Understood Grandpa. What was… what was his name?"

Grandpa Hida: "Yukio Oikawa. I regret that I never believed in them. I only wish that I could tell them that I am sorry. Maybe they would have gone down better paths."

Iori: "I see, thank you Grandpa."


30 December 2024

The Digidestined woke up in their separate homes, seeing a message from Koushiro.

Knowledge: "Everyone that's awake, look at the news."

Takeru turned on the television and was surprised.

Takeru: "Mom?"

Ms Takaishi was on screen holding a microphone, looking slightly conflicted.

Ms Takaishi: "We are currently at the scene of the incident. The man, identified as Yukio Oikawa, is confirmed to be in possession of multiple children. We have identified the children and they are the children that have been recently going missing. He is currently searching for a group he calls… 'The Digidestined'. We are… unsure of the identities of this group, or if they even exist. We will continue to give information as we receive it."

Courage: "Let's go over immediately."

Friendship: "Evolve and fly over, try not to be seen."

Takeru kept his phone and grabbed his hat, waking up Patamon at the same time.

Patamon: "Takeru?"

Takeru: "I'll explain as we fly."

Patamon quickly evolved and the duo flew over to their destination. The Digidestined slowly began to meet up at a nearby park.

Koushiro: "Alright, he specifically requested for us."

Taichi: "Then we just need to confront him."

Yamato: "Ms Himekawa already told us we can just call her if we get stopped."

Takeru: "I'll get the call ready then."

The Digidestined all nodded and began to run as a big group. As they began to near the area, they saw that the Police began to make way for them. Takeru received a text.

Himekawa: "I've informed them on the situation, without much details of course. It should be a clear path for you. Good luck Digidestined."

They ran through the opening, reaching Oikawa, the crowd around having many murmurs. Ms Takaishi was quickly informed of the situation. She turned towards the crowd, just barely able to see the small figures of the Digidestined.

"Do your best, Takeru, Yamato."

Ms Takaishi quickly prepared herself to continue reporting on the situation.


The Digidestined reached Oikawa, seeing Archnemon and Mummymon by his side.

Oikawa: "Welcome, Digidestined."

Daisuke: "What are you going to do with them!?"

Oikawa: "While all of you were having some fun with the Dark Ocean, let's just say I've been doing some preparation."

Hikari shivered and latched onto Taichi's arm.

Taichi: "What is it, Hikari?"

Hikari: "Something isn't right. They feel… dark… like the…"

Taichi's eyes widened and turned to Oikawa. Taichi had rage in his eyes and spoke in a soft voice, as if he was trying to calm himself down.

Taichi: "What did you do to them?"

Oikawa: "Oh, just a little present. To make them just like the genius, Ken Ichijouji."

The children began to grin.

Children: "Yes, we can finally be geniuses just like Ken Ichijouji."

Ken brought his hand to his neck.

Ken: "You didn't…"

Oikawa: "I did, and I'm going to need them back now that the dark spores have matured."

Ken: "We won't let you touch those children!"

Oikawa: "I'm afraid I have no choice." (Heh dub moment)

Miyako: "Don't you dare!"

Iori: "Mr Oikawa… don't do this! My grandpa is begging you!"

Oikawa: "Sorry, but Oikawa isn't listening to you. Now then, it's time for a great sacrifice to be made."

Oikawa raised his hand and his fingers moved as if he was about to snap them.

The Digidestined watched in horror, and they began to rush forward in an attempt to stop Oikawa. Oikawa grinned maliciously.

Oikawa: "Too late."

Snap

Ken fell to the ground, grasping his neck in pain. The Digidestined stopped their movement towards Oikawa and they all turned to face Ken, all worried. All, except Takeru and Hikari. Takeru and Hikari stared ahead at Oikawa.

The children around Oikawa collapsed, their bodies still. Takeru and Hikari both had blank stares. Their mouths parted and a faint whisper came from them.

"Unforgivable…"

Oikawa face had curiosity on it.

Oikawa: "What was that?"

Tears began to fall from Takeru and Hikari's eyes. A dark aura began to form around both of them.

Takeru/Hikari: "UNFORGIVABLE!"

A strong gust of wind came from the duo, shocking all around.

Taichi/Yamato: "Hikari/Takeru…"

Oikawa: "Hmm?"

Patamon and Tailmon began to clutch their heads and cried out.

A dark aura enveloped them and began to grow bigger. Oikawa looked on in interest, while Archnemon and Mummymon shielded themselves and Oikawa from the wind.

A pair of red eyes and a pair of yellow eyes came from the dark aura and it began to dissipate, revealing Devimon and SkullKnightmon.

Takeru and Hikari looked at Oikawa with no emotion.

Takeru/Hikari: "Kill him."

SkullKnightmon rushed forward, clashing into Archnemon and Mummymon. Devimon hesitated for a moment, looking at Takeru and Hikari before charging forward as well. SKullKnightmon pushed both Archnemon and Mummymon away, leaving Oikawa open to attacks. Devimon went to slash down at Oikawa.

Oikawa merely smiled and dashed backwards.

The Digidestined all looked in shock.

Oikawa quickly snapped his fingers and the trio disappeared, leaving behind the shocked Digidestined, and a quiet still atmosphere.

Takeru and Hikari collapsed to the ground, resulting in Taichi and Yamato rushing to them worriedly. Devimon and SkullKnightmon rushed back to their partners.

The Digidestined looked around them, seeing Ken in pain and the multiple bodies around them. It was a new feeling. One they didn't like.

They had failed.


That's the end for this chapter.