Digimon Tamers Zero Two

by MasterCaedus

Tasuke, or Taj, was raised by his 'Uncle' Henry Wong, ever since his parents left when he was very young. In that time, Taj has come to hate his parents and anything related to them. Especially Digimon, the fictional creatures his parents had loved when they were around. But when he gets a real Digimon, Taj must fight Digi-agents of other countries for a chance to find his parents.

29. Auld Lang Syne:New Year, Old Problems

AN: Hey everyone. Sorry this took a little longer than I expected. I wanted to post it on New Year's Day because I'm a dork and that would have satisfied my dorkiness a little bit. But life has gotten crazy again. I applied and got accepted to a Master's program that I can do online. I'm still trying to figure out moving back home, giving two week's notice, and a thousand other things so I was only able to start writing last week. I hope you're all having a very Happy New Year!

Anyways, this is the last chapter of the flashback duo chapters. It's less heavy on action, but things are really going to pick up next chapter. Once we enter the final stretch and the approach into the Digital World arc.

Now, for a couple responses:

To Jacquelinemueller53: The most powerful Digimon is definitely up for interpretation. But the Director has certain biases that color his opinion. As you'll find out.

To Star of Imagination: Thanks. Honestly, showing Taj's life with his family was something I liked. He was pretty different as a little kid.

To grabdog: Kazu and Kenta... I hope I get around to more specific mentions about what they've been up to. I'm glad the Terrermon parts made you laugh! After a decade with Terriermon, I bet they all wanted it to happen...

To Guest: I've thought through Australia quite a bit, actually. I lived there for... three years, but I was like... three when we left. Originally, Centaurumon was going to die in one chapter, but I decided I liked him and his Tamer and brought him back for the Agent Smith chapters. He actually replaced the Australian agent that would have been there. Unfortunately, Australia isn't exactly doing much different. The goal of any government isn't the most powerful weapon. It's the most powerful weapon they alone can control. Kids running wild with Digimon can't be controlled: just look at Digimon. Eventually any Digidestined and the government will have a conflict they can't overcome. The government maintains a monopsony on force, after all. Every country has varying levels of positive interaction with Digimon. Australia's government is... not the worst. They're pretty similar to America in this regard, allowing Digimon to masquerade as pets, unlike most European countries where they are relegated to bases and special field trips with armed oversight. The worst would be Beijing, though. Prison cells and brainwashing while waiting to be used as weapons on ordinary citizenry.

To Old Style: Yes, the events of the flashback are really only as important as what they communicate to the characters today. And, hey, Gethen likes to hear himself talk. That's a funny way to view the fall of the Firewall, but probably not quite what will happen. I got a good laugh reading it, though. And, yeah, Tasuke's heart to heart with his friends is the chapter after this one. Davis has been stewing, May's panicking, and Taj is... frozen. It'll come to a head.
I'm glad that apparently everyone loves Tasuke as a kid. It was... fun to write him with the Digimon especially. Growing up with them had to be weird, for both him and them. Renamon especially was a fun one. She's already got issues saying no to Rika, but to a little baby with Rika's hair asking for fun? He'd wear her down pretty fast. Ryo's the one that said it because... well, who else would? He's not wrong, is the thing. She's abandoning her kid, even if it's for a much better reason than her own dad had. As for the China-Japan connection, I'm trying not to shift the focus away from the main story too much, so I haven't been as clear as I should. Japan operates as like a... Digital Police for its region of the world. China actually does create fake islands to claim ocean and air space. They'd definitely be using Digimon to actually assault other nations. Like openly.
Tasuke and Davis especially have a lot to deal with. May's family, so she forgives him pretty fast. But Davis... He's having more difficulty with it. As for Tasuke's relationship with his parents... it's going to be hard. A long road. And Henry... I think I'd do what he did. BG was a threat to Tasuke. He is a threat. Keeping BG from being happy, well in Henry's experience discordance like that prevents Digivolving. And preventing Digivolving keeps people from chasing after Tasuke more. It's rough.
I also love Reapmon. I actually didn't originally plan for him to... matter. He was really supposed to be one and done, but I just have had too much fun with him. So he's around for a lot longer. I hope the other Ultimates can leave an impression, though probably not as big a one.

If I get to Dan, I do have a Digimon in mind. But that's... a while. If at all. It's a Digimon that has grown on me a lot, recently. Probably out of left field a little, though.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy! And, uh... Happy New Year!

Episode 29: Auld Lang Syne: New Year, Old Problems

The Japanese countryside was quiet as they drove towards the Military Server Base housing the artificial Digital Portal. Hundreds of devices had been brought in to create a high density digital signal surrounded by miles and miles of empty wilderness without even a cell tower in sight, drawing intense focus from the Digital World itself. It had been a theory put forth by Shibumi, that creating a superdense point of Data signals in the network could increase the likelihood of Bio-Emergence, and the creation of the portal itself showed his guess was a conservative one. Jeri, despite her own focus being on the psychological sciences, had found it rather interesting when Yamaki explained it during the long bouts of silence during their long drive with the others in the truck's container.

Jeri glanced over at the man in the passenger seat as she drove the large truck, thankful it was a transport truck similar in size to the one she had used when working on delivery for the Matsuki's one summer, instead of a semi. This she could drive, anything larger would be difficult. And if Yamaki was driving, it risked their cover even more. She was supposed to be the chauffeur, after all. "It's funny."

Jeri raised an eyebrow. "What is?"

Yamaki continued staring out the window, his tired eyes locked on nothing and everything. "I'm getting everything I wanted when I started HYPNOS. I get to slam shut the door on Digimon in the rea world. I get rid of the Tamers. I win." His jaw tightened. "If you'd told me back then that it would feel like losing..."

"I feel similarly," Jeri replied quietly. She gripped the wheel tight and smiled sadly. "We... never believed this is what we'd be forced to do." She paused and shook her head. "Except, perhaps, Ryo. He almost seems more at home in the Digital World."

"It seems that life enjoys the taste of torture," Yamaki grumbled.

"I've known that for... a very long time," Jeri pointed out. He leaned back in his seat and finally looked over at Jeri. "The D-Reaper used me to nearly destroy everything, when all I wanted was to protect what I had left. It – ha... my best friend and someone I loved ended up together and had a son they're abandoning."

"Of course. Apologies," he replied after a moment of thought. He flicked his thumb across the side of his index finger. "And yet, I feel you would trade very few of the days you've lived."

Jeri's smile turned warmer. "Maybe just one," she agreed. She furrowed her brow. "We're almost there. Er, Sir."

Yamaki stretched up in his seat and placed his sunglasses on his face despite the declining sun. When he spoke, the weary notes were gone and replaced with steel. "Then get our credentials ready now, Corporal Aoi. I'd rather not waste time waiting at the security gate."

"Yes, Sir," Jeri said, reaching around with one hand to collect the identification and papers Yamaki had prepared.

It didn't take them long to get in, eventually driving the 'Captured Digimon' into a transport garage. Jeri moved to the back of the truck and pulled it open, revealing an incredibly cramped group within. "Took ya long enough, Toots," Impmon grumbled, squeezed between his Tamers as he looked anywhere other than Cyberdramon's growling, drooling face that was right in front of him. "He's been doin' this for hours, and I'm getting' the feelin' he don't brush his teeth."

"I've tried, believe me. But after the eighth time I almost lost my entire arm, I stopped risking it," Ryo retorted dryly. He shoved his way out from behind his Digimon. "Look, can you guys move? I can't breathe back here!"

Renamon flipped out of the truck and landed softly. "We will begin our approach now. The maps you provided were correct, yes?"

Yamaki gave a tense nod. "Nothing's changed so far. Stay out of sight as long as you can, then -"

"We know. Split up into three teams if we need to," Rika said. She clambered out after her partner. ""We got it, Yamaki."

"No need to keep telling us the same thing, right?" Terriermon piped up. He floated over to Guilmon's head with a laughing Calumon. "Momentai, got it?"

"I'll... try. We'll try to buy you as much time and distance as we can," Yamaki explained. He crossed his arms and gestured at Jeri. "Corporal Aoi, we should hurry if we want to make the most of our meeting."

"Sir," Jeri said. She made to move, then stopped and turned to Rika and Takato, who himself was struggling to help a sleepy Guilmon out of the truck. "I... good luck, okay? Come back to Tasuke."

"That's the plan," Rika noted, smirking. The smirk softened after a moment and she sighed. "But... thanks."

"We'll make it back," Takato promised before tumbling backwards and hissing in pain as a red dinosaur landed right on his chest. "Oof! B-Boy!"

"Oops! Sorry, Takato..."

Jeri laughed. "Guilmon, Renamon... All of you..." She bit back tears and took a deep breath. "I-It's been an honor to know you all."

The Digimon glanced at one another, then charged Jeri in a big hug. Cyberdramon growled in annoyance at the scene, but the Digimon continued to hug her. "I have little doubt we will, one day, see you again, Ms. Jeri," Guardromon said. He flashed a thumbs up to her. "Sir Leomon would be proud, and so are we."

Jeri felt herself tear up but shoved the emotions back. "I... We need to get going," she said. She hugged the Digimon back and stood up. "Hurry. We'll do what we can here."

"Very well," Renamon said. She turned and nodded at her partner. "We should hurry. I will take point and reduce the number of issues we come across." With that she vanished into the air. The rest watched her go, then turned and nodded solemnly at Yamaki and Jeri, before turning and rushing after her.

Takato stayed behind for a second. "Thank you, guys. Both of you are risking a lot for us, and I – I don't know how we'll pay you back."

"We're doing this for ourselves, Matsuki," Yamaki retorted. "But I am glad to have one more chance to help the people who saved the world."

"You were there too, you know," Takato pointed out, despite the bright red blush across his cheeks. He shook his head and fidgeted with the goggles on his forehead. "We'll see you soon."

Jeri and Yamaki didn't reply, instead letting Takato rush after the others. "We should hurry as well, Corporal Aoi." Yamaki turned and walked calmly, Jeri waiting another second before turning and following in silence.

Takato breathed heavily for a moment after catching up with the others. "Told you to work out more. Guilmon can digest a bread and cookie gut, Gogglehead. You can't," Rika noted dryly.

"Fine. Once we make it out of this, I'm going to the gym every day," Takato remarked between pants. "Oh, this hurts..."

"Jeez, and I thought Guilmon and I ate too much!" Terriermon exclaimed. He flapped his ears to hover beside Takato and patted the human's belly. "You could fit a Digitamamon in there!"

Terriermon sighed at the angry glare. "I know, I know." Then, in his best Henry impression, Terrermon said, "'Terriermon...'"

"At least Renamon is taking out the guards in our way," Kazu said as he and Guardromon floated along, gesturing with his head at a trio of unconscious HYPNOS agents in a hallway they crossed. "Glad you never sent your ninja after me, Rika."

"She wouldn't waste her time on a nobody like you, Kazu," Rika remarked coolly.

"Ouch," Kenta muttered with a wince.

The group ran on quietly for a while, hoping this easy movement continued for a while longer. Takato got closer to his wife and wrapped his fingers around hers. She didn't look over at him, but he felt her grip squeeze tighter around his. They shoved out of the garage a few moments later, slamming right into a larger group of soldiers that Renamon was busy trying to fight, a few having already fallen to her skills.

The Digimon glanced over her shoulder and gasped before dashing forward towards the men and women with guns. "Digi-Modify! Hyperspeed, activate!" Rika snapped, letting go of Takato, drawing, and swiping the card in a single, continuous movement. Sparks flew as Renamon got faster, blurring to slam into the soldiers before any could fire the guns. One turned and ran, already grabbing his radio. "Intruders! The Tamers are -" He was silenced by Renamon chopping the back of his neck, hitting a pressure point that knocked him unconscious. He crumpled wordlessly to the ground.

She glared at his body for a while and turned to the Tamers. "I hope that he was unable to -" An alarm cut through her statement and she let out a sigh. "I have spoken too soon. We will be swarmed by other soldiers."

"Damn. Time to split up?" Ryo asked. Cyberdramon's grin widened at the idea.

Takato clenched his fist and stared at his wife. Then he growled and pulled out his Digivice. "Yeah. Kazu, you're with me so you don't annoy Ryo or my wife. Kenta, follow Ryo and stay quiet. Ai and Mako, stick close to Rika. Calumon, go with Rika. Terriermon, head out with Ryo. We'll get through this."

Rika came up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for not saddling me with the idiots," she whispered.

Takato chuckled back, "Well, I wouldn't want you to kill them, right?"

"Yeah, Kazu and Kenta – wait a second, you can't mean me, can you?" Terriermon asked in protest. "Don't lump me in with the lame brains, guys!"

"Takatomon, I smell Digimon coming this way!" Guilmon shouted.

Takato glanced at Guilmon. "Okay... Let's go, Boy." He gave his wife's hand one last squeeze, and the three groups sprinted away from one another. Takato clenched his fists tight. Splitting up... he hated it. Even if it was the smart move, it made him feel they were all vulnerable. Weaker. But Yamaki said it was the best choice. He'd trust him.

X X X

"Director Saito will see you now, Director Yamaki."

Yamaki and Jeri had barely gotten ready to sit down when the other Director's assistant buzzed them in. Yamaki grumbled under his breath about power plays and walked through with 'Corporal Aoi' right behind. "Ah, Mitsuo. I trust your journey was uneventful," Saito said, gesturing across the table at a chair. Jeri took her place behind Yamaki with a silent attempt at a ready stance, taking out a notepad and pen to take notes for her cover. Behind Saito, a set of televisions showing surveillance footage flickered between camera feeds.

Yamaki frowned at the use of his personal name and decided to play the game right back. "Akiko. It was quiet enough. The Digimon we were transporting is waiting for pickup in the delivery garage. A mutated Ogremon displaying odd traits. Similar to the one we picked up and analyzed in Shinjuku last month."

"The one with the red marks across its body, I remember. There was something about its code that intrigued you."

"Shibumi's notes mentioned something about this appearing not long after the original project was cut and the early versions of the Digital World were deleted. Apparently to try and get rid of the D-Reaper," Yamaki explained. "I'm surprised this is showing up after all this time."

Jeri took notes and stopped for a second, watching her friends dart across one screen. She took a short breath and tried to ignore it, returning to taking notes. "And was it your vaunted Tamers that brought it down? I'd have heard about it already if it was one of our agents, yes?"

"If you want to take it up with the Diet that Standard Operating Procedure regarding operations undertaken by the original Tamers are allowed to have no reports with their names on them, be my guest. But until then, do your job without whining," Yamaki growled. He flicked his thumb back and forth across his index finger and frowned. "You're one of the two people in charge of the most powerful Digimon related organization on the planet. Complaining like this makes me wonder why the hell they'd choose you."

Saito gave the first breach of emotion, narrowing her eyes and growling slightly. "So we come to what you actually want to talk about," she muttered.

"You need to step back from the Tamers. They've been guaranteed their freedom, and that of their Digimon."

"That was before the Chinese Government hit Ultimate for the second time. Two Tamers at Ultimate and owned by the government. As far as we can tell, only your Tamers can reach Mega. They need to be on program if our nation is going to have any semblance of a chance at survival," she spat back. She grit her teeth. "Is that what you want? A nation building islands on our doorstep to turn the full force of Digimon on us? Our choices now are victory now with your Tamers or death! And I am willing to use whatever means necessary to ensure the correct ending."

Jeri's eyes widened as she watched Takato and the others burst through a door, right into a fight between Renamon and too many soldiers for her to quickly dispatch. The alarm came on a moment later as one man ran away. She and Yamaki sprang into action. He pulled a gun and surged to his feet, aiming it directly at Saito's head while Jeri rushed the door and locked it before throwing a book shelf over in front of it. "I've bought us some time!" Jeri told Yamaki.

"Excellent work, Aoi." He gestured with the gun and Saito grit her teeth in disgust, but moved to the side anyways. "There's a intercom system on her desk. I'll supply false sightings for you to input."

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Yamaki!?" Saito snapped before freezing when his gun clicked in his hands, resetting his stance to aim at her chest again. "This was for the greater good and... The Tamers? The Digital Portal? Y-you're killing us!"

He took a deep breath. "I'm not willing to enslave the Digimon anymore, Saito."

"It's for the greater good!" she pleaded desperately.

Yamaki let out a harsh laugh. "Greater good? You sound like I used to. Forever ago. There's nothing greater or good about enslaving the Tamers' Digimon, Saito. If there's one thing I've learned while in my chair... it's that there's no such thing as the 'greater good.' There's just good and bad. Right and wrong. And I'm tired of doing 'wrong.'"

Saito growled. Eyes narrowing to disgusted slits, she spat out, "Those naive children have changed you for the worse."

"Aoi, send the guards to buildings thirteen and seven. That should clear a path for the Tamers through all the normal soldiers. They'll just have to deal with the Tamer soldiers on their own."

"S-Sir," Katou replied with a nod. She moved to the comms and began making the order, but kept wondering one thing: why did he keep calling her Aoi even with their cover blown?

X X X

Takato and Kazu sprinted alongside a building, their Digimon rushing alongside. The government Tamers and their Digimon chased after, firing attacks and guns that Guardromon's large, metal body deflected. "Ow! Kazu, are we nearly there?" Guardromon inquired after another attack slammed into the back of his head.

"Sorry, Guardromon, but at least you got a thick head to keep us safe!" Kazu shouted. The group swerved around a corner.

Guardromon grunted. "Then according to Rika would you not be the best option to cover us?"

"I – That's a thick skull, Guardromon!"

"Oh... Then isn't your thick skull -"

"Takato, I smell more Digimon coming in front of us!" Guilmon told his partner.

Takato, drenched in sweat, turned his gasping, exhausted gaze towards his partner. "I... really wish I r-ran more," he muttered. He glanced forward. "How strong are th-they, Boy?"

"Champions, Takato."

"Then I guess we'll have to -"

A blue furred beast slammed into Guardromon, and the man sitting on top of him leaped off, tackling Kazu to the ground. The two rolled, crashing into the building with the agent on top of Kazu's back and holding him against the ground. Guardromon struggled against the blue wolf on top of him, but stopped when he heard Kazu cry out in pain. "Crap!" Takato growled. He turned to Guilmon, pulling out the Digivice, just in time to see another Digimon slam right into him. A BlackWereGarurumon, crushing the red dinosaur in its jaws. Guilmon shrieked in pain as teeth clenched around his midsection, but still managed to open his eyes.

"Takatomon! B-behind you!"

Takato threw himself to the side on instinct, and narrowly avoided being tackled himself by the BlackWereGarurumon's Tamer. He tumbled through the dirt but held on tight to his Digivice. He reached out as he passed his partner and shouted from the depths of his heart, "B-BioMerge, Activate!"

There was a brilliant, crimson flash, and Takato and Guilmon vanished. "Shit!" The Tamer who tried to tackle him snapped.

A brilliant, white, red, and gold knight stood before them now, nearly fifteen feet tall. His golden eyes flared with power and the red cape on his back fluttered in the wind. His helmet, shaped like the head of the Digimon he had Digivolved from turned towards the Tamer and the knight's fists clenched. Twin voices echoed from within, combining Takato's and Guilmon's. "Agent Watanabe. You really should let my friends go," Gallantmon said. His right hand exploded in a burst of light, replaced with a massive, silvery lance.

Watanabe bared his teeth and reached into his pocket. "Get the other Digimon and Tamer out of here. I'll hold him off!" Watanabe shouted, swiping a blue card just as his men turned and ran. "Digi-Modify! Matrix Digivolution -"

"Not happening!" Gallantmon snapped, leaping into action before BlackGarurumon's new Digivolution egg could even fully form. The blue, wolf-like Digimon was battered away without an attack even shouted, rescuing Guardromon from its clutches. Gallantmon whirled on the human holding Kazu and charged again. "I'll try not to hurt any of you!"

"Full Moon Kick!"

Gallantmon turned and raised his other arm, a shield flashing into existence with a red Zero-Unit triangle at the center. ShadowWereGarurumon's foot slammed into the shield and Gallantmon was stopped in his tracks. "Digi-Modify! Goliath, activate!"

The ShadowWereGarurumon roared and grew suddenly, turning much larger and – Gallantmon realized angrily – much stronger. "Go!" Watanabe shouted again, and the agent holding Kazu turned and ran.

"Kazu!" Guardromon shouted, stumbling to his feet and groaning. That Digimon had done more to hurt him than Gallantmon had thought.

"I don't have time for this!" Gallantmon roared. He slid his shield to the side and jumped to the other direction so the enemy was backed up to the wall of the building. "Lightning Joust!" He planted his feet and stabbed his spear forward. Electric energy sparked down the surface of the weapon and flew out, crashing into ShadowWereGarurumon. The Ultimate level Digimon roared in pain and stumbled backwards, one huge foot crashing through a building's wall and shattering the floor within. People screamed and ran, grabbing what they could as they tried to escape the fight.

Gallantmon forced himself to ignore it all and turned to look towards the agents, closing in on a door despite Kazu's attempts to fight or escape. "Kazu, I'm coming!" Gallantmon shouted. His heavy footfalls split the ground as he charged after the group.

"Fox Fire!" Black and blue flames burned through his path, and Gallantmon slid to a stop. He turned towards the still massive ShadowWereGarurumon that towered over him and readied to fight again.

"I don't want to hurt you!" he shouted angrily.

"Then surrender!" ShadowWereGarurumon retorted. He pushed off the building and shook off some pain, then charged Gallantmon again.

"Tch... Spiral Saber!" Gallantmon snarled. He charged forward and began to spin, flames erupting from the cape that twirled around him.

"Shadow Claw!" ShadowWereGarurumon shouted, claws lancing out and colliding with the flaming tornado. He roared in pain and the claws on his fingers snapped as if they weren't even there at all. The lance crashed into his gut and the data holding him in Ultimate shattered. He collapsed to his knees and went static for a moment before quickly De-Digivolving multiple stages.

"Tsunomon!" Watanabe shouted, taking a half step forward before freezing as Gallantmon turned to glare at him.

"Guardromon, keep them here, I'll go get Kazu -" Gallantmon began.

"He's already gone!" Watanabe growled. He gestured to where the group had been running. "Inside. And with a Digimon who can't keep small sizes, you're more likely to bring the building down around him than save him!"

Gallantmon's eyes widened. "I could rescue h-him," Guardromon began, static breaking through his words as his broken systems tried to reboot.

Gallantmon shook his head. "Dammit... no. You're injured, and then you and Kazu would both just be captured," The spear and shield slowly vanished. "Guardromon, are the others already at the gate?"

"I d-detect three other mega forms app-pproaching the Gate building now. I believe it is them, Ch-Chumley."

Gallantmon was silent for a few moments then walked away from Tsunomon and left Watanabe a path to his partner. "Guardromon, I... I wish we could head back, but -"

"K-Kaz-zu knew-w what might hap-happen, and told me I sh-should always k-keep moving with y-y-you," Guardromon interjected. He began to float, uneven and drifting, after Gallantmon. "H-He will be o-o-okay."

X X X

"Pineapple Head!" Gallantmon turned from the loading dock leading into the building with the Digital Gate. Beelzemon flapped his wings and got closer, one of his partners on his shoulders. Justimon was charging up beside him, and Sakuyamon coming from nearby. She charged ahead and came up to him, placing one hand on his shoulder armor."I see ya lost yer bozo," Beelzemon remarked when he looked at Guardromon's damaged form and lack of partner.

"So did we," Justimon said, gesturing at MarineAngemon on his shoulder. "There were too many. We got away, but they managed to capture him when he covered our back." The tiny angel made quick noises before drifting down to Guardromon and sending colorful, healing hearts to help him recover more quickly.

"But at least we got this far," Terriermon pointed out from Ryo's other shoulder. He glanced over at Beelzemon. "There's four of you guys. More than we need, right?"

Gallantmon felt fear burn through his gut. "Takatomon..?" Guilmon asked his Tamer through their bond.

Takato swallowed and shut his eyes, closing those of the outer form of Gallantmon as well. "Boy, four of us means... Do I stay? D-does Rika? How can -"

"Th-three."

Gallantmon's eyes snapped open. "What was that?"

The figure on Beelzemon's shoulder looked down sadly. Ai, Gallantmon finally recognized her after a moment of confusion. She clenched her fist and clutched at her jeans. "Beelzemon, you can feel it, right?"

Beelzemon's wings drooped and he looked over at Sakuyamon and Gallantmon. "I... I didn't wanna say anythin'. Not till I was sure, but... Ai? Really?"

"Mako had our Digivice, and they took him. They got to him before – before we could..." she muttered sadly. "I... I'm so sorry. Takato, Rika, I..." She bit her lip and forced herself not to cry. "I'm so, so sorry."

Gallantmon and Sakuyamon looked at one another, a different kind of sadness communicated between them. "I thought... I thought you would at least get to stay," Gallantmon said quietly, shield vanishing so he could grab Sakuyamon's hand.

Sakuyamon let out a laugh close to a sob. "I was about to say that about you."

"Oh..." Calumon muttered. He floated nearby and glanced at the ground. "Why's everyone so sad?"

"I'll... tell you when you're older, Calumon," Terriermon muttered sadly. He glanced away. "It's a lot."

The two stood quietly for a few moments, then turned. "Ai, ya need to stay out here," Beelzemon said as he looked into their eyes. He looked away from his partner and raised one claw to carefully lower her to the ground.

"B-but I still want to help, Impm-"

"Ya can't!" Beelzemon snapped. She flinched and her shoulders sagged, a ripple of anxiety and sadness passing over her. "N-Not anymore, Ai. Ya can only help me by stayin' safe out here so's I can concentrate, got it?"

"But I... I want to help! They took Mako, and now..." She stopped as she saw her partner's own sagging shoulders, and bleary tear filled eyes. She swallowed a lump in her throat and forced down her fear and sadness. Impmon – Beelzemon, she reminded herself – needed her help, so she'd help."Okay... I'll help you by hiding."

Beelzemon's three eyes drooped with relief. "Thanks, Kid. Now get goin'. Me and the big guys have some business to take care of," he explained, spreading his black, feathered wings wide before raising the large blaster on his right hand. "Ya can kick back and watch the fire works!"

Ai turned to leave, then spun around and charged Beelzemon, grabbing hold of one of his legs. "I... I love you, Impmon."

"Yay, hugs!" Calumon exclaimed. He flew down and wrapped his arms around Ai, too. "I love hugs!"

Beelzemon flinched back, then let out a sharp toothed grin. "I love ya too, Ai. Keep Mako safe fer me, got it? And tell him I told him to do it too. And, thanks, Creampuff. I think we needed that."

"W-we will. I promise," Ai replied, sobs muffled by Beelzemon's leg.

"Guys, we gotta get moving," Justimon said. He crossed his arms. "It won't be much longer before they call in more soldiers and Digimon. At the very least they'll slow us down, but if they can manage to build something like another Grani – Well, I don't know if I'd like our odds."

Gallantmon turned to the building. "Let's go." He summoned his shield back to his arm, and gave Ai a quick nod. She slowly let go of Beelzemon's leg and sniffled, eventually waving goodbye and running off to hide behind a crate. Then, Gallantmon slammed his shield into the building wall and the soldiers within began firing.

Bullets bounced and ricocheted off of his shield as he led the charge, pushing through with his allies charging beside him. He tried his best to avoid the humans under foot as he set his focus on the glimmering, white sphere bubbling in the middle of the building, thousands of servers stacked under ground and hanging above to generate the portal. Justimon and Beelzemon fired warning shots that sent the smarter humans scattering, while Sakuyamon summoned up waves of energy to hold them in place. The smaller Digimon rushed alongside, doing what they could to hurry. Gallantmon slid to a stop in front of the portal and turned around, shield prepared to back his allies up as they went through the portal. He slammed his shield forward to block an rpg blast that scorched its face while Guardromon, Terriermon, Calumon, and MarineAngemon went through. Beelzemon flapped after them, knowing someone had to keep them safe. Justimon was next, giving a quick salute before he tumbled across reality.

"On three?" Gallantmon shouted with a glance at his wife.

Sakuyamon shouted over the din of gunfire and rocket blasts. She grabbed his arm. "Come on, Gogglehead. Three!" She yanked him backwards and through the portal. There was a massive flash as energy moved across the barrier, sending blasts firing out from the portal just as the humans fired in.

X X X

"And that moment, that flash of energy, brought with it the most powerful Digimon in existence into the human world."

"A flash?" the President asked without looking away from Reapmon.

"Not just a flash. A brilliant flash. The most brilliant!" Gethen protested. He sighed and shook his head. "A blinding flash that could only be matched by the power of the Digimon creating it!"

"So this is how your... Reapmon arrived here?"

Reapmon let out a loud laugh that quickly vanished when Gethen turned to glare at him. "No. Um, No," Reapmon explained with a cough to hide some dying chuckles. "Not me."

"Then who?" the President snapped. He leaned forward in his chair. "You love spinning this damn story, then how about you just tell me instead of sitting around and waiting for me to guess when I clearly don't know! If it isn't this Digimon, and it isn't one of the Digidestined's, then who?"

Gethen sighed and straightened his tie. "I was hoping it would be rather obvious, Mr. President," he muttered. He leaned forward. "If I have to spell it out, I suppose I can."

"Then do it!" the President snarled, his anger overriding his fear.

Gethen stood up and took a few steps away to stand in the center of the Oval Office. "I am proud enough to admit that I may have some level of bias in this determination. But understand, just because I am biased it does not mean that I am incorrect. Reapmon, do you agree?"

"Your bias is not so great as to alter the facts of the matter, Master," he agreed with a slight bow of his head. "I would agree with your determination of power."

"Thank you, Reapmon."

"You're stalling!" the president snapped.

"No, I'm setting the stage! One is fear, the other is storytelling. You'd think a career liar would understand the difference," Gethen snarled mockingly.

He turned around and held his hands out to his side. "The most powerful Digimon, Mr. President," Gethen began as light began to stream from the ground behind him. Massive wings, one feathered and one a leathery bat wing, appeared as shadows on the wall behind him. The president slowly inched backwards in his seat, eyes wide.

"N...No. How -"

"The most powerful of all Digimon... is me," Gethen repeated, a wide grin on his face. The wings extended, tracing against the ceiling. "Lucemon, the Lord of Pride. Intelligent, patient, powerful. The future god of this world and the Digital World. Ah, and your master. Reapmon, if you would be so kind..."

Gethen – Lucemon – turned around and let the wings vanish as he walked over to a couch to sit down in comfort. "Of course, Master," Reapmon acknowledged. He turned towards the terrified President. "Leak Information!" Reapmon's eyes glowed bright purple, and so too did the President's.

Lucemon smirked behind his human mask. "Happy New Year, Mr. President. It's going to be quite the eventful one."

X X X

Jeri leaned over the microphone. "All units, to building 8. The remaining Tamers are attacking -"

There was a loud bang on the door and she spun her head around. "Building 8, I repeat -"

There was another loud bang, and the door splintered open. Digimon charged in, tackling Yamaki to the ground while his partner rushed up and held a gun to her. "Took you long enough," Saito growled. She pushed herself out of her seat and watched as more agents piled in, pushing the remaining Tamers in front of her. "You've already taken their Digivices? Whatever it is they are planning, we can't have them holding onto those."

"Yes, Ma'am," the first agent said, still aiming his gun at Jeri.

"Corporal Aoi, you should expect quite the military tribunal in the future," Saito growled, pushing past the 'normal' soldier and glaring at the three Tamers. She held her hand out and received a Digivice with a rust colored ring around the screen. "I don't know what you were planning, but we will find your Digimon in the Digital World. It's only a matter of time. Whatever you hoped to accomplish here, it won't work."

Jeri froze as a thought occurred to her. They needed three Digivices active on their side of the portal. She glanced over at Yamaki struggling beneath a Digimon, then over at the screen where Gallantmon, Sakuyamon, Justimon, and Beelzemon were preparing to charge through a portal with Guardromon and MarineAngemon close behind. She finally realized why Yamaki had kept calling her Aoi: so no one would think she was Jeri Katou. So no one would take the Digivice hiding in the pocket on the inner side of her jacket. So they'd have three even if... the worst happened. She returned her gaze to the other Tamers doing their best not to even look at her. And it had. The worst had happened.

The sound of the world filtered out. Jeri could no longer hear Saito snapping at the Tamers or telling Yamaki his days as a free man – never mind HYPNOS Director – were over. That they had made stupid mistakes. All that Jeri could hear was her heart, thumping loudly in her ears. The heart, Leomon had said, of a lion. Brave enough to stand and lie with a gun to the face for her friends. And then, bright light began to stream from Jeri's Digivice near her chest. "What the hell!?" The agent in front of her took a step forward but she stumbled backwards, tripping and rolling under a desk. She clutched her Digivice in her pocket tightly. It had to work, it had to!

"Director Saito, the Digital Portal! It – It's closing!"

Saito rushed up and pulled Jeri from under the desk. "What are you doing? Who the hell are you!?" she screamed, watching as the hat fell from Jeri's head and her hair tumbled down. Saito froze. "Katou... What's happening here?!"

"You won't be finding any Digimon in the Digital World, Saito," Yamaki hissed. He chuckled up at her. The ground beneath them began to violently shake as the walls of reality reasserted themselves. Jeri and Saito looked over at the video of the Digital Portal. The gate began to pulse brightly, sending waves of energy out that cased the building and camera to shake. Walls crumbled, people panicked and ran. And then, suddenly, the pulsing went inward. The Gate slammed shut and let out a final burst of energy as it disappeared, vaporizing what remained of the building and causing the image to turn to static.

"W...We won," Kenta muttered in disbelief, right before a butt of a rifle slammed into his face.

X X X

"Saito took our Digivices after that. From what I understand, they're gathering dust in some facility in Kyoto. Yamaki, well no one knows where he is," Katou explained. She shut her eyes and placed both thumbs on her forehead. "Your parents, Ryo, and all the Digimon. They made it to the Digital World and the Firewall was built. And instead of a war for control of the Digimon, it became what yo have lived. A Cold War that kills far fewer than it might have."

"Your grandparents on both sides, they still live in Japan," Katou explained after another moment. She crossed her arms and sighed. "I... I suppose I could tell them you're here. I know they would want to see you again."

"Yeah..." I muttered. I glanced around at everyone else.

"Who are his grandparents?" May asked when I didn't continue.

"Takato's parents owned a bakery. Takato would bake whenever he was stressed. Or when he got in a fight with Rika," Henry explained with a laugh. "From what he told me, in college he baked a lot of bread."

"And Rika's parents?" Davis asked.

"She only had a mother. Her father..." Katou began before looking at me. "He... He left."

I let out a snort despite my best efforts. "Sorry," I told her and Henry. I shook my head. "It's just... apple doesn't fall far from the tree, right?"

"Taj..." BlackGigimon muttered from beside me.

"So, you all sacrificed everything to create the Firewall," Davis said. He glanced at me. "It's clear we have no right to undo that sacrifice. We have to keep it up."

"Yeah, I know," I told him.

May nodded. "Me too. Even if it wouldn't be dangerous today, we... we have to make sure they didn't sacrifice everything for no reason, right? It'd only be a matter of time before some government found everyone's Digimon and enslaved them, right?"

"Terriermon would probably annoy them until they killed him," Henry muttered, earning a small chuckle from Katou.

"So what was the point of this? Why tell us?" Huckmon asked. He tilted his head to one side. "It doesn't change that they're gone, and it doesn't tell us anything new, huh?"

"We're pawns," I muttered. Everyone turned to me. "I mean... come on. This has been going on for decades. My parents. Henry. They saved the entire world. And instead of thanking them, or listening to them, or doing anything right, the entire world decided to backstab them. She's telling us to cut our losses and find a way out of this. She's telling us to run so the same thing doesn't happen to us."

Katou sighed. "That's right. Lose your Digivices, bury them so there is no reason for anyone to chase you again. The only way to win a fight with the world is to simply never play one." Her face took on a wistful, sad look. "The world always takes from you in the end."

Dorimon let out a massive, loud yawn. "Well, we're never going to do that, right?" she asked.

The room was silent.

"W...Well -"

"Why don't you sleep on it," Katou interjected. She glanced at her watch. "It's already the New Year, after all."

Henry blinked in surprise but checked his phone. "Hm, she's right. Then we should call it a night," he agreed. He let out a big yawn. "Come on, let's go."

"I'll be a second," I told him, still matching gaze with Katou. The others glanced at each other,t hen slowly filtered out of the room to leave me, BlackGigimon, and Katou alone.

"You obviously still care about my parents," I announced.

Katou frowned. "I do."

"Then would you hurt me again? Would you do what they ordered you to do again?"

She considered the question for a few moments, then placed her hands in her lap. "In a heartbeat. There are things I value far more than my bond with your parents. Far more than Henry, now."

"So you don't regret it?" BlackGigimon asked quietly.

Katou smiled sadly at my partner. "Not in the slightest. It had to happen, or something precious to me would have been destroyed. And I was told to protect what was precious to me, even to the last breath."

"Then I guess we're done here," I told her. I stood up and grabbed BlackGigimon. "I guess you've really taken that whole 'May Old Acquaintance be Forgot' thing to heart, huh?"

"It's 'should,'" she said to my back. "And it's about how sad that is." She stood up behind me. "I'll never forget, even if things have changed."

I bit my cheek. I wasn't sure I could argue with that. "Happy New Year." I walked out without another word, moving towards my room upstairs. Outside of it, waiting for me, was Davis. He fixed his cold, angry glare on me and took a deep breath. "D-Davis! What's up?"

"What was it like when you forgot your friends?" he asked. "Me, May, Henry?"

I froze and glanced away. "I..."

He scoffed. "We'll have the rest of this conversation soon, Joryawa. I'll let you know when to meet me where your partner used to live." He pushed off the doorway and shoulder checked me as he passed.

"Ha-Happy New Year!" I exclaimed.

He didn't reply in kind, instead stalking over to the bedroom Henry had left open for my parents. "This isn't going to be a fun conversation, Taj," BlackGigimon whispered.

"The ones you need never are," I replied with a sigh. I glanced over at my room. "Let's get some sleep. I'm not having that conversation without a full night's rest. I'm kind of worried this'll be my last night of sleep before I die..."

"Don't even joke, Taj. I'd kill him in a second if he hurt you!" BlackGigimon countered. "No one hurts my friend."

I smiled down at him. "Thanks, BlackGigimon."

"Er... you... you can call me BG. If you want!" he explained hurriedly. "Because we, uh, we're friends. It's faster, after all."

I walked us into my room and chuckled, "Then... thanks, BG."

X X X

Well, I suppose my secret is out now. A Digimon preparing his plans in the real word, ready to become a god. Yes, I, Lucemon. You may remember me from Digimon: Frontier. To a point. Some things... are lost in translation. You humans do after all enjoy a certain flair for 'redemption stories.' Who else could have turned Beelzemon into the pet of a pair of humans?

I could not have come so far in this endeavor without the Tamers, you know. I only learned a Digimon emblazoned with the Hazard was active here because of them and their battle with the Sovereigns. I operated with impunity because of their decision to seal off the Digital World. And my plans have a chance at succeeding so quickly only because they abandoned their child. 'Heroes.' I doubt that child would agree.

So, I am excited to see my plans finally come to fruition on a future Digimon: Digital Monsters. Thank you for being such a foolish species!