AN: I'm back, apparently. Really surprised, but I just wanted to work on this story over the others. So yeah, two chapters in one month. In two weeks, even. So yeah. Oh, right. Happy Thanksgiving if you're American like me!

It's a little different than I originally expected to write, but I thought it was important to have some moments from Tasuke's past and his parents. He was very young, so he doesn't remember much and there's only so much he can be told by others. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter everyone!

Responses:

To Jackie Mueller: I can't wait to bring up possible Mega Evolutions!

To Star of Imagination: There's a lot of justification in the chapter after this one. This chapter is more about what they left behind. Next time we'll run across what was happening to the Digimon HYPNOS had captured.

To Old Style: And this upload was faster! Reapmon was not in the Real World back when Gethen stepped on BlackGuilmon's face; that was all the G-Man. Tasuke isn't totally over his anger with the others. He's just realized he did something worse. Not everyone has forgiven him, either, and that'll be an event. You're probably right about his parents though. He can't completely hate them. The Phantomon thing... I like it. Smart. Hiku is a nice guy, but these are groups willing to use kids as soldiers. May's stuck in the same place as Hiku, after all. Gethen's lack of... worry is explained a little here. And it'll solidify next chapter. Krampusmon worried him for other reasons. That'll become clear.

To Dcraus: It would certainly be a fit for a crossover. Not one I have a plan to write, though.

To smartalec121: I'm glad the last part of last chapter was great. BlackWarGrowlmon is going to be fun when he finally gets into more fights. As for the Nature vs Nurture thing, the way I've viewed it is that he has the nature of Takato's anger but the nurture of Rika's anger. Not a great combo, if we're being honest? At least Henry makes it a bit better.

Episode 28: Auld Lang Syne: New World's Eve

Jeri took a sip of her tea and glanced around. "Your new home is very nice," she said quietly, eyes tracking across the mix of traditional Japanese decorations and western comforts. Her gaze eventually settled on a few personal drawings. Her eyes locked on one done in traditional Japanese style, a black and white drawing of odd creatures. A dinosaur, a Kitsune, a laughing dog... a lion, and many more arranged in a cycle at the edge of the circular frame. In the middle was a Zero Unit, the only color on the paper in a bright red. Certainly not his best work, but a very personal one. "Has everyone else already visited?"

"Almost. The dimwits came by last week. I'm still checking trying to make sure idiocy isn't a plague, " Rika replied dryly. "Thankfully, Brainiac's coming over in a couple days. If being braindead is a virus, maybe he can fix Tasuke up. At least until Tweedledum and Tweedledee come over again with their Digidiots."

Jeri chuckled anxiously and took another sip. Rika had never warmed up to Kazu and Kenta, but their perpetually bouncy personalities had meant that didn't stop them from coming over and playing with Tasuke all the time. "Ah, yeah!" Takato shouted. He rushed out of the kitchen with Guilmon loping excitedly behind him, a little kid riding on his back. Takato grinned and placed a pair of Digimon card decks on the table. Tasuke, threw his hands up and giggled, sliding off of Guilmon. The red dinsoaur began laughing along with the kid, chasing him around for a few moments before they finally settled on the tableside opposite Takato. Tasuke was bouncing up and down on his knees while Guilmon laid his head down and curled around him protectively, head up to watch everyone else.

"We do have company, Gogglehead," Rika remarked over her tea.

"I know, but he was begging me!" Takato said, gesturing at Tasuke.

"It's more about the shouting, I believe," Renamon remarked, appearing behind him and shoving his goggles onto his face.

"Hey!" Takato fixed his goggles. "You get it, right, Jeri?"

"A little," she admitted, chuckling. She took another sip and watched as Tasuke began to set up the cards correctly. "Who does he take after when paying the game?"

"He can already crush Takato, so the answer is obvious," Rika remarked. She thought fondly back on playing the game as a child sighing happily despite Takato's annoyed glare. "Maybe he'll give me a run for my money, and then we can start in on games that he can earn real money with."

"You're not turning our son into a gambling addict, Rika," Takato stated dryly.

She gasped and covered her son's ears. "It's only an addiction if you don't win," Rika protested, pouting slightly.

He shook his head. "That's not how that works!" he laughed, and soon she laughed right back, removing her hands from her confused son's head. He quickly caught the infectious laughter and began babbling half-complete words at Guilmon, who nodded along. Jeri thought he might actually understand the four year old's 'words' with how excited he was getting.

Jeri smiled softly at the family, glancing away and rubbing her tea cup slowly. "How's the school going?"

Jeri turned back to see Rika settling back into her seat. "My dissertation is finally almost done," she responded after a moment. She shook her head and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I'm running on caffeine by this point. If everything goes well I have some research set up to help with, and I'll finally be able to sleep."

"Sounds similar to caring for a child," Renamon said, casting a quick glare at her charge's child.

Tasuke just looked up at her. "Rena, take me on the roof again!" he shouted.

"..." Renamon vanished before Takato and Rika could ask what that meant.

"Aw..." Tasuke mumbled sadly.

"Aw, Tasukemon," Guilmon muttered. He suddenly grinned. "Let's go chase her!"

"Yeah! Let's chase Rena!" he shouted, clambering on Guilmon's back and laughing as charged out.

"Wait, I thought we were going to play!" Takato exclaimed. He got up. "Tasuke, Guilmon – Guys!"

"Don't be angry he likes Digimon even more than a gogglehead like you does," Rika remarked.

Takato gasped. "Hey! Now I know what he's getting for his birthday!"

Rika gasped. "Not -"

"Goggles!"

Rika sighed. "Well, we know he'll like them..." she said, protesting despite the fact she'd been thinking the same thing.

Knock, knock, knock.

Takato pushed up to his feet. "I'll get it," he said, moving over and pulling open the door. "Hello?"

"Oh man, I wasn't sure you'd answer the door! Wow, you also have Katou Jeri here, too?" he asked, glancing past Takato with wide eyes. He nodded his black haired head towards her.

"Really?" He looked down.

"Yeah, Tsunomon, three of them," the man said. He looked back up. "Is Wong here, too?"

"You're looking for Henry?" Takato asked. He looked down and flinched. "Wait, you're a Tamer, too?"

"Oh, yeah. Watanabe Yakori," he said, holding out one hand. "And this is my partner – he's usually a BlackGabumon."

"But it's easier to move me like this," Tsunomon pointed out.

"Can we come in?" Watanabe said, and Takato cautiously let him in.

Watanabe looked around and bowed slightly. "You have a very nice home."

"Er, thanks," Rika said. She and Takato traded a glance. What was this guy about?

"Ahem, you're um, probably wondering why I'm here. Sorry about that," he said after Tsunomon nudged him. "I'm actually here on behalf of HYPNOS."

Rika groaned. "Tell Yamaki he can just call next time," she growled. "No offense, but we don't need some weird fanboy here."

Tsunomon frowned at her. "Hey..." he muttered.

Watanabe cleared her throat. "Well, this goes beyond Co-Director Yamaki," he cut in. "The Diet has elected -"

"We've kept Digimon secret, just like they wanted. They've kept people safe from all the Digimon that are bio-emerging, just like they wanted. Just like everyone wanted," Jeri interjected. She fought down her anxiety and pushed up to her feet. "They don't have any right to demand more of us!"

"Legally, they do. Your Digimon have been deemed property of the nation, due to connection with a Japanese government program in AI created by the Monster Makers. That they Bio-emerged here means they are property of the government before they are yours. They're not humans, they have no international rights."

"Screw off. The Digimon aren't your weapons, Agent Wannabe," Rika snapped. She shoved past Takato and jabbed her finger in his face. "They're our friends, which you should know with your blade head here."

"My wife is right. Nobody is taking our friends from us," Takato said. He placed his hand on Rika's shoulder and a very dangerous fire seemed to spark in his crimson eyes. "You should leave. Now."

There was a growl, and Guilmon appeared with Tasuke hiding behind a corner. Renamon showed up and the two Digimon stepped forward with angry looks.

Watanabe took a step back. "I'm not trying to fight you, I'm just trying to tell you the facts," he said quietly. "If you don't agree to operate as agents of HYPNOs, they will take your partners from you." He looked over at Jeri. "You have tot ell them, it's not worth losing them. They need to agree."

Jeri shook her head and her glare became indignant. He'd dare use her partner's memory like that? "No. Leomon would want me to fight this," she said resolutely. "No matter what."

The agent sighed and turned his gaze back to the door. "Then I guess it's over."

"Sure it is, Wannabe," Rika snapped as he left the building, muttering about how you should never meet your heroes.

They watched him go for a second, then Rika charged towards her son, picking him up and holding him tight. "We need to call everybody," Takato said, still glaring at the door. He clenched his fists and turned towards the others, still angry and serious. " I think Henry is going to need to move up the timetable on that Firewall thing."

X X X

Jeri finished pouring herself a drink in her parents' bar, then took a drink to steady herself while waiting for Henry to finish examining and editing his Digicode. He'd just spent two hours figuring out he was missing a semicolon, drawing an almost endless amount of mocking from Terriermon. Now Henry was just waiting for the massive amount of information to compile and load onto the Green Card he had created for them. After a while, he scanned the card, downloading the information, and stared down at it with a heavy frown. Jeri couldn't help but echo it when he said,"I'm done. But you aren't going to like it."

"If we work together, it can't be that bad," Takato pointed out confidently. Jeri wanted to agree, but... well, she hated admitting that she had changed so much since Leomon's death, but she knew it wasn't going to turn out the way they wanted. If Henry said it would be bad, it probably would.

Kazu grinned from behind his drink and motioned his head at Takato and Rika. "Chumley's right. We can figure it out."

Henry looked at the Green Card and shook his head. "Not this time. To work, the program needs to seal the breach on both sides at the same time," he explained. He glanced around at everyone. "Three humans are going to be stuck in the Digital World forever."

The room went quiet at that. Jeri took another drink and let that sink in for everyone. She sighed and prepared to speak. "I'll -"

"Then we have the three we know are staying behind," Rika said. She sighed and gestured at Henry. "Henry needs to get the Green Card to his sister in America. Those two are responsible for shutting the door from this side."

"Then who's the third?" Kenta wondered. His tiny partner floated up and made noises to accent what he'd asked.

"Jeri," Ryo said suddenly. He snapped his fingers. "I get you, Wildcat. Smart."

Jeri scoffed. "Me? No! One of you should do stay behind!" Jeri protested. "You have a son to take care of, so..."

"They will not change their minds," Renamon interjected, already knowing her arguments were useless. She glanced around and crossed her arms. "They would not ask you to do what they were unwilling to do themselves. It isn't in their nature to hide from consequences."

"You've trusted us to lead you for a while," Takato said, thanking them for their trust. He looked towards the door, mind picturing his home where his son was coiled up, slumbering in front of a TV with Guilmon and he felt a pain fall in his gut. "You guys all have lives of your own, too. And I can't repay that trust by saying your lives aren't as important. Renamon's right, we can't ask you guys to do something we're scared to do. We can't ask you guys to risk everything without doing the same thing."

"But I'm willing -" Jeri began.

Ryo cut in, "You can't, Shrink. You've got nobody to keep you safe." He sighed when she flinched in pain, so raised his hands placatingly. "Sorry, but it's true, okay? It's not your fault, but Leomon wouldn't be there to keep you safe."

"Hey, but I will!" Impmon shouted. "I... er, I owe her that much, ya know!"

Mako nodded and exclaimed in agreement, "Yeah, Impmon and everybody else could be there for her!"

"I don't know," Ai muttered. She glanced over at her twin. "Mako, she'd be in more danger than any of us. What if she got separated from everybody else by one of those data streams they talked about? Impmon, you might not be able to be there for her at all. I don't think it's a good idea."

Impmon gritted his teeth. "Hey, come on! Anybody could get split up from a Digimon!" he protested, jumping up on the bar. "I'd be there fast as can be, ya hear?"

"That is still not fast enough when you don't know where she might be, Impmon." Renamon countered. She gestured at Rika. "Rika and I can track one another, as can Guilmon and the others with their own partners. This is the best way to avert risks."

"Aw, come on, Henry, say something," Terriermon exclaimed. "You're smarter than anybody here, so you'll be right!"

"..." Henry glanced over at Takato and Rika. "You're right about Jeri. But I don't need to be the one to take the card to Suzie. Jeri could do it, and that would mean one more option for the Digital World team."

Takato and Rika looked at one another, their glance confirming they were thinking the same thing. "No." Rika shook her head. "Brainiac, your annoying little dog is right. You're smarter than any of us, especially those bozos over there." She gestured at Kazu, Kenta, and Ryo.

"Hey! We're not stupid, Princess!" Kazu protested.

Hagurumon floated up. "Yeah, we're not stupid, Princess!"

"Hagurumon, come on..." Kazu grumbled, putting his hands on his face.

Rika ignored him and rubbed her neck. "Takato, you're better at getting Brainiac to listen. Tell him."

Takato nodded. "Henry, if – if we end up in the Digital World, you are the smartest person we know. Way smarter than us, and, well, you live in another country now!"

Jeri's eyes widened. "You want Henry to watch Tasuke?"

Henry flinched. "What?! Wh-why? What about your parents? Or Kai? Or anybody else? Jeri!"

"They would understand," Renamon said quietly.

Takato nodded. "Tasuke would be safest with you in America. The best way to keep him safe is to keep him far from a fight," he explained. "And if he's in America with you while we enter the Digital World, he is as far from this fight as possible."

Henry turned and glared down at the bar. "I'll trade with one of you. He's your son. You should be there."

"He's right, guys. The kid needs his parents," Kenta remarked. He glanced cautiously at Rika. "I mean, you – uh – that is... Promise you won't get angry?"

She narrowed her eyes and made no such promises.

"Uh..."

"Ah, fine, I'll do it. She doesn't scare me," Ryo said caustically, jabbing at himself with his thumb. "You're just doing what your dad did to you, Wildcat."

"You're going too far!" Takato snapped before Rika could respond. "Apologize to Rika. Now."

Rika put her hand on his arm and pulled him back. "He's kind of right, Takato. a\As much as I hate to say it," Rika admitted. She glared at Ryo. "But I'm doing this to keep him safe. That's a big difference."

Everyone glared at one another, tension thick in the air and no one willing to give on their opinions. Jeri was worried that they might fracture before they could even get the Digimon to the Digital World. She looked around before draining the rest of her drink. Takato and Rika were the most stubborn people in the entire universe – no Digimon or human could match up to their pigheadedness. Not even Vikaralamon. That kid was doomed to a life of being completely inflexible. So everyone else could compromise on this one thing to get what they wanted. "Well, I'm still helping. What's the plan, guys?"

That broke the tension, and Takato smiled at her gratefully. "Well, first of all, we're not telling anyone they have to go to the Digital World," he explained. "So if you're not willing to go, we won't make you. Kazu, Kenta, Ai, Mako... You can -"

"Back out, Chumley? Hell no," Kazu exclaimed. He stood up and jabbed his finger into Takato's chest. "We're makin' sure Chumley Jr is getting both his idiot parents back, got it? So let's brainstorm a plan that gives us a good chance, got it?"

"Yeah, we're makin' sure -"

"Hagurumon, come on!"

X X X

"This is great and all, but why are you telling us this?" I asked, cutting Katou off before her story could continue. She paused and turned over to me, leaning back in her chair and frowning. "Henry, you could have told us this."

He looked towards Katou. "He's not wrong. I've heard all of this before. I was there for some of this."

She shook her head and turned to May and Davis instead. "And what do the two of you think?"

Davis gave me a glare that I couldn't help but flinch at. He glared for another few seconds, then turned back to Katou. "You're the psychiatrist, but I have a couple guesses." He gestured at me. "You're trying to make sure what happened doesn't happen again."

"Partially," Katou replied after a moment's pause.

I flinched and felt my gut writhe in pain. "I... I won't let it happen again," I told Davis.

He didn't look at me this time, and it felt worse. "He might. Tasuke hates his parents, so you want him to not hate them in case another Digimon can get hold of him." I didn't even get a 'Taj' in response.

"That's part of it. The other part..." she trailed off and her face grew morose. She shared a look with Henry. "The other, with how strong you all have gotten, is much more dangerous."

We all looked towards Henry. "What's she talking about?" May wondered.

Henry stared at me then at BlackGigimon, still sleeping off his time as BlackWarGrowlmon right after our severed connection was restored. "You've all seen the shows. There's always a step further that Digimon can grow. Even stronger and more dangerous than before"

"Mega?" Huckmon asked. He looked at BlackGigimon. "Does this have something to do with Guilmon and Takato?"

"And me," Katou admitted. She looked towards me, eyes pleading. "Tasuke, I know you don't trust me. But you have to listen to me about this, or at least listen to Henry. You cannot continue to Digivolve your partner if your anger takes over. If I am right, it could destroy the Firewall, and then the Data he Loaded would keep any Digimon from stopping him in Loading the entire Digital World. And then, perhaps, even the Real World."

I chuckled in disbelief. "I always knew you were a powerhouse, BG, but -"

"No! Tasuke, you have to listen," Henry snapped, and I quieted down. He was... serious. Scared.

"What are you talking about, then?" Dorimon asked. "You know, for those of us who weren't busy making history that's not in history books?"

Henry sighed and grimaced at the floor, memories flying past his eyes. Finally: "Megidramon. The final Dark Digivolution of Guilmon, and a Digimon capable of Loading the entire Digital World."

I balked. The entire Digital World, Loaded by one Digimon? That was like a plot from one of the old video games Henry played with me. It was Galacticmon, or Gaiamon or something like that. I thought it was a Video Game plotline, but... it was actually possible? "I need a break," I said, pushing up and walking outside. BG looked up woozily as I got up, then shook his head and charged after me. He hadn't given me two feet of space unless Henry was with me, and it looked like he wasn't going to stop any time soon.

I walked out back and into the yard, staring up at the snowy sky above. "Taj, you okay?"

"I don't know, BG." I watched my words turn to ice crystals. "Davis hates me. Henry's scared of me. May keeps thinking I'll vanish. And now it feels like we're having an intervention for something my dad apparently did."

"He doesn't hate you," BlackGigimon protested. He growled at the snow and let out a tiny spark of flames that melted some. "You two just have issues. You did try to kill his girlfriend, you know?"

I nodded, then froze and looked down at him. "Wait, they're dating?"

BlackGigimon glared up at me in disbelief. "Are you blind?"

"I just – I don't know, I wasn't paying attention," I replied, grumbling. I sighed and shook my head. "But still, I know I was wrong, BG. But I made a mistake. Everything I did, he's done a ton of times. On purpose. Can't he cut me some slack?"

And then, suddenly deciding to be insightful for once, BlackGigimon asked, "Can you cut your parents some?"

I looked back up at the sky, frowning. Even if it made me a hypocrite, I knew the answer. "No. I don't think that I can, BG. Not anymore." I groaned and kicked at the snow, knowing I had to be the more level headed one. "But I can at least listen to Katou's and Henry's story about them. Maybe I can try to understand why they'd leave."

"As long as we don't listen to this 'no Digivolving' thing," BlackGigimon said, returning to his usual attitude. "I've only just gotten to Ultimate, and I'm not stopping this close to Mega."

"One track mind," I chuckled. I bent down and picked him up. "Thanks, BG. You're the best."

"And don't forget it again!"

X X X

"Uncle Henry!" Tasuke shouted, running up to the front door and crashing into Henry's legs as soon as Renamon shut the door. "And Terriermon? All the Digimon are here, now?"

"What? Henry, I told you we'd be late!" Terriermon exclaimed angrily.

"And who's fault is that?" Henry asked dryly.

Terriermon flinched and crossed his arms. "Hey, Momentai. We're not that late..." Terriermon mumbled. He shook his head and jumped off of Henry's shoulder, landing softly on Tasuke's head. "Now, let's leave grumpy back here alone so we can have some fun!"

"Suze and Rena told me your favorite game! I don't like it much, but I'll play it with you!" Tasuke exclaimed. He grabbed hold of Terriermon and ran off.

"Uh – N-no! I mean, you don't have to! No, Tasuke – NO!" Terriermon screamed, glaring at Renamon who was waving goodbye to him with an evil smirk.

"Enjoy," Renamon said. "Princess."

"How did you get Tasuke to agree to that?" Henry wondered, ignoring his partner's screams for help.

Renamon chuckled darkly. "He just wanted to be nice to Terriermon," she explained. "Rika believed that was a perfect opportunity."

"Remind me not to get on her bad side," Henry remarked. He shook his head and turned towards the back room. "Where is everyone?"

Renamon nodded and led him to the back of the house. Henry moved down towards the others and grabbed a drink from a cooler, settling at the edge of the patio and glancing around at the yard. Tasuke burst through the door on Guilmon's back a moment later, charging after Terriermon who was already stuffed into a bright pink hat.

Henry blinked once and chuckled. "Momentai, Terriermon," he said, feeling like this was a comforting amount of revenge. Besides... the Digimon needed to have some fun. A good last night before...

Henry put his hand in his pocket, clutching the Green Card tight. Here he was, getting ready to do the same thing to Terriermon his own father had done in their battle with the D-Reaper: sending Terriermon and all the other Digimon back to the Digital World. At least it was on his own terms, this time. He just hoped the little guy didn't end up annoying a pack of Digimon stronger than him. At least not without backup. No. Wait. He needed to be more realistic. He just hoped Terriermon could escape when he inevitably annoyed a dozen Ultimates all by himself.

"Henry." Takato came up and stood beside his best friend, knuckles white around his beer.

"Takato." Henry took a sip of his beer.

The two stood silently, watching Tasuke run up to Cyberdramon without an ounce of fear and clambering up his back despite the monster's protests. Ryo yelped and rushed over, trying to pry him from Cyberdramon's back. "I'm starting to think your kid's idea of fun might be a little... twisted," Henry remarked. He couldn't help but chuckle at Tasuke jumping off of Cyberdramon's back, only for Renamon to immediately grab him out of the air and place him on the ground, scolding him for his poor behavior. He responded by climbing up Renamon's shoulders and shouting she take him up to the roof.

"If he's not scared of Cyberdramon, he's more of a gogglehead than me," Takato agreed with a forced chuckle. The chuckle turned into a choked noise and he turned away, clearing his throat. "Rika's inside. Packing for him."

"Right," Henry muttered. Rika wasn't packing, Henry knew that. She was keeping anyone from seeing the always regal and serious Digimon Queen crying at the idea of leaving behind her child. That would be a morale breaker. "You could pack too, if you want."

"I packed last night," Tasuke said somberly. He twisted his beer and stared down at the label without actually seeing it. "Hey, Henry – you remember when Tasuke was born. Those damn Digimon, they were busy that day. We fought off, what, four Diaboramon?"

"Three and a pair of Infermon," Henry replied, chuckling. "Rika almost killed you for missing his birth. Then Renamon almost killed Terriermon for saying Momentai without thinking."

"I'm surprised they didn't kill us," Takato replied, laughing at the memory. He looked up. "There were so many Digimon we had to deal with back then that I was almost happy when it changed, you know? That HYPNOS had their own Tamers, so we could finally just... relax. I could spend time with my family again. I haven't missed a birthday or anniversary or anything in three years. Well, for Digimon related things." He chuckled sheepishly at his own chronic inability to be on time.

His sad smile disappeared, turning into an angry frown. "Should have known it wouldn't last," Takato continued bitterly.

"I don't know, Takato. It might," Henry offered, drawing a relieved sigh from his friend. "We all know what Terriermon will tell you, right?"

"Momentai," the two chuckled together.

Henry and Takato stood silently for a little while, watching Tasuke play with the Digimon in the yard hidden by a large privacy fence. "When's your flight?" Takato asked suddenly.

Henry checked his watch. "... I just stopped by for a little while. We should probably be leaving soon." He looked back up at the kid. "The sooner we're in the air, the sooner..."

"The sooner he's safe." Takato stared at his son before draining the rest of his drink. "I'll go get Rika."

Henry watched his friend go, then turned back to the Digimon. "You'll do a good job with Tasuke."

Henry looked over. "It'll only be for a couple weeks, Jeri."

She frowned at him and forced him to hold her gaze. "Henry... It might not be." He flinched and turned away, physically sore at the idea his friends might never come back. "And regardless, someone is going to lose somebody. What will you do if only Takato or Rika come back?"

Henry didn't answer. He didn't want to admit it, but he already expected neither of them would come back. Or at least, he was terrified of it. He wasn't ready to raise someone, and it especially wasn't fair to the kid. Tasuke deserved better than parents running off to save the world because they have to. He deserved a family. "They should let me trade with them," Henry muttered. "They leave with their son and I risk getting stuck in the Digital World."

"But what about how your family would feel?"

"I don't need a shrink, Jeri," he growled. She didn't flinch away, having grown so much more resolute over the years. Willing to push buttons that needed pushed. Henry sighed after a moment. "I... Sorry."

"It's fine. We're all... anxious," she admitted. Jeri brushed her hair out of her face. "But they're trusting you with something very important, Henry. So... 'Momentai,' right?"

Henry frowned and didn't reply, instead watching Takato and Rika – whose red eyes were the only hint that she'd even shed a single tear – bring their son over, hugging him tight. Terriermon flew over and landed on Tasuke's head, patting it softly and chanting Momentai. Guilmon rolled over nearby, chowing down on bread before realizing what was happening and curling around as well. Renamon, ever stoic, simply stood nearby and kept them under her silent gaze.

"Sure. Momentai," he said. He walked over without another word, crouching down and ruffling Terriermon's head before picking up a crying Tasuke. Takato and Rika went with him, preparing to grab all of Tasuke's bags and boxes.

Jeri felt her heart break a little. She didn't want anyone to be separated from their parents like this. It hurt enough losing her own mother. It still, somewhat, hurt. So she lied to herself, just like Henry was. "You'll see them again, soon, Tasuke," she whispered, just to make watching him cry hurt just a little less. "You will."

X X X

Even after having known him for the better part of their lives, Yamaki still intimidated a few of the Tamers. Not Rika, Jeri noted. But she hadn't let any emotions through since Henry had taken Tasuke two days earlier. Even here and now, with all of them huddled together in a parking garage and getting ready to leave their Digimon forever, Rika didn't show any emotion.

Yamaki took a slow drag of a cigarette before saying, "So, let's go over this one more time. I know some of you -" Rika glared over at Kazu and Kenta. " - have trouble remembering sometimes."

Yamaki crossed his arms. "So, HYPNOS has been working on stabilizing portals to the Digital World for about three years now. They even brought in a new director – some physicist who came up in the military. I was demoted to heading field operations and she was set up with a new, big budget for building a beachhead in the Digital World. Now that Digimon are Bio-Emerging everywhere else and China's expanding further with their concrete islands, the Diet has decided we need to have the Digital World all to ourselves as a weapon.

"About three months ago, they managed to create a stabilized portal. The Diet then decided all Digimon in the nation are property of the state. Including yours." He paused and took another drag. "We'll be heading to the location where they are studying the portal. It's a four hour drive from here. All of you will be hiding in the back of this truck I requisitioned, aside from Katou who will take over as the driver and my guard when we get close. We'll report that we have Wild Ones we're transporting and that I've requested a meeting with Saito."

"Then after that, we head further into the base," Takato said. He crossed his arms. "We'll sneak through as best we can, then Digivolve our partners when we get to the portal."

"Correct," Yamaki said. "However, if you get into trouble before reaching the portal, you'll need to hurry. And if you decide to split up, make sure that your groups each contain one of them." He pointed at Takato, Rika, Ryo, and finally Impmon. "Mega Digimon that can fit inside buildings without destroying them are useful. But if any Tamer in your group gets captured... keep going. Three of you need to make it, no more and no less. Digimon – you should do the same, too. If your Tamer is captured and you can't Bio-Merge, run."

The Digimon didn't look happy with that, but their partners had already addressed this problem. The mission came first, for all of them. "I have enough favors and blackmail to call in that I can get the Tamers set free if it comes down to it. But you Digimon... if you don't escape, that's probably it."

He took another drag then dropped his cigarette and ground it down. "So, do all of you remember the plan now?"

Kazu and Kenta looked at Rika, expecting some kind of insult, but she only gave them a silent glare. "We got it," Kazu said, thumb up.

Yamaki nodded. "Then... it's been an honor, Tamers. Good luck."

X X X

"... W-why are you telling me this?"

Lucas Gethen stopped speaking and glanced over at his captive audience. "What, you don't enjoy a good story?" he wondered. He shook his head and made a 'tsk' noise with each movement. "Mister President, you disappoint me."

The President glared anxiously from behind his desk in the oval office, focusing on the D-CARD agent standing at Gethen's side. "How did you begin to cultivate agents who would betray their nation for you? You'll both die for this!"

"He isn't a member of your nation," Gethen replied after a moment. He looked over at the other man. "Did you install the video loop?"

"Of course," he said with a nod.

Gethen looked back at the president. "Then show him."

The man nodded again, then began to contort and grow. His body became much taller and disproportional, skin turning a pale purple as he became a Digimon. "There we go, Reapmon. Better?"

"Much, Master," Reapmon said, bending his knees and kneeling.

The president gulped upon seeing the large claws that Digimon had, curling like wicked talons. This thing could kill him without putting any kind of effort into it.. "Are you going to kill me? Replace me with that... thing? It won't work!"

"You're right. It wouldn't. Replacing the President of the United States is difficult, and then I would lose out on my best asset," he remarked with a gesture at Reapmon. "No, you're not going to die today."

"Then what is all this!?" the President snapped. He flinched when one of Reapmon's claws came up to his throat.

"I just said I'm not going to kill you. Flinching when you are not in danger... it is not intelligent," Gethen mocked. He chuckled. "But why am I telling you all of this? Simple. I like telling a story, and at the end of it he will tell you a secret. And all of this will solve my problem with you. The attack on Denver damaged my reputation. You called me here to... remove me. A cute attempt from a little man. When this is over, the better of us will be in charge."

The president tried to swallow his fear. "It - It won't work."

"It will for long enough. And then I will have everything I need, and I will be out of your hair," Gethen muttered. He placed a hand on his chin."Now, where was I?"

"Ah, of course." Gethen picked up the files in his lap and opened one. "The day the Tamers disappeared. The day that the most powerful Digimon escaped the Digital World."

X X X

I can't believe it. I mean, I'd heard it a lot, but... I don't know. I guess I expected there was something that forced me and Gogglehead out. Like we were taken to the Digital World. But I already knew that we chose it. We risked it. I made the same decision my own father did. Just...

…

Whatever. Let's just see what happens on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters.