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.

38. Alpha vs Omega: A Digi-Chivalrous Duel!

AN: Hey guys. Back again, and with less time between chapters, even. I know it's still a lot longer than some of my updates have been, but I just started up on Grad School again and am just starting to get into the rhythm again. I hope you guys are all doing well.

Anyways, time for a response:

To Guest: Mode changes... I don't want to spoil anything too specific, but yes there will be a mode change. And there's enough hints in the story to guess it, based on Lucemon's plan. I think. At least if I wrote the hints as well as I'd hoped.

Well, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter – we're in the home stretch now. Not sure how many chapters that is exactly, but I know the events that will play out. There's the obvious ones – Digimon places a pretty big focus on Digivolution up to Mega after all – and the less obvious ones.

Episode 38: Alpha vs Omega: A Digi-Chivalrous Duel!

"I say, I haven't seen a Node since we separated from Beelzemon," Guardromon remarked as he examined the small, vibrant crystal in May's hands. He had led May and Dorumon into Primary City as MarineAngemon went elsewhere to calm down some of the younger Digimon and check on any new eggs to arrive during the clamor.

"Yeah, he helped us trying to find this Datamon with it. But as far as I know, he broke it when we all got separated. I take it that means he broke something pretty rare, then?" May asked with a sigh. "And before he could tell us how this stuff even works."

"That is quite unfortunate. Neither myself nor MarineAngemon have much experience with making these Nodes do as we want, so we will be unable to provide sufficient assistance in helping you find your friends," Guardromon apologized.

"Ah, it'll be okay. May's a computer whiz!" Dorumon exclaimed excitedly. She ducked beneath the table and yanked out her partner's backpack, grinning as she held it up with her jaws.

"Well, eventually, yeah," May agreed. She took the backpack from Dorumon and pulled out her computer, placing it beside the Node. The screen when she opened it was blurred static. "Unfortunately, it looks like being so far from the top layer is messing with electronics other than my Digivice."

"Yes, that was a slight struggle for Kazu and the others as well," Guardromon explained. He held up the larger of his two fingers. "Mainly when Data Streams were nearby. Which means scanning a Node in this manner will be very difficult."

"Wait, it's just because the Node is nearby?" May asked. She shook her head and rubbed her forehead. "Dammit, this is some weird stupid physics problem, isn't it?"

"Oh... We need Dummy, don't we?" Dorumon echoed her partner's thoughts.

"Dummy?" Guardromon inquired, metal grinding as he cocked his head to the side slightly.

"Hm? Taj. Er, Tasuke," May explained as she realized the many nicknames were just getting in the way. "He's kind of annoyingly good with Physics problems. If anyone we know can figure out how to fix this, it's him."

"Well then, you should break down this issue to the only component you are able to solve yourself," Guardromon supplied.

"What's that?" Dorumon wondered.

"You contacted your friend with Takato, Henry, and Rika, yes? Then once they arrive here, they should be able to help you seek out a path to find Tasuke. Simple as that, yes?"

"But then we aren't doing anyyyythiiiing!" Dorumon whined. May hated to be seen as whiny herself, but she couldn't help but look exasperated and nod along with her partner. "I don't want to just be sitting around when we could be exploring!"

May sighed and let her shoulders fall. "Me, too, Dorumon. This place is... amazing! But he's right. If we get lost out there, that's one more person for everyone else to find. And, you know, it will be nice to not have to fight for our lives, right?"

Dorumon and Guardromon both looked at her, stunned and horrified. "... As Kazu would say, 'Way to jinx it, Chumley!'"

"Guardromon! Guardromon!" came the shouting from outside the door. It burst open, revealing a panting Gabumon. "Guardromon, MarineAngemon told me to come get you!"

"What's happening, Little One?" Guardromon inquired, pushing himself to walk over as fast as his hulking form could move.

"Omnimon is close to the south entrance!"

Guardromon flinched. "What's wrong?" Dorumon asked. "May's brother made us watch the entire show, so isn't that a good thing?"

"It... might be," Guardromon explained. "However, he seems to have a soft spot for humans partnered with Digimon. At the very least, he is not actively trying to Load anyone, so he is very much welcome here."

"Then let's go see what he wants," May said. She grabbed the Node and her computer, stuffing them into her bag. She rushed past the Gabumon and Guardromon with Dorumon hot on her heels. They ran down the streets of Primary City, ignoring the odd combination of tall, modern buildings beside cobbled stone streets and huts. The important thing was Omnimon – maybe he could tell her how to use the Node or be an ally against Lucemon. She knew they needed all the help they could get after seeing him dismantle Beelzemon of all Digimon, and one of the strongest Digimon even she knew about was a pretty good start. She came to a stop at the south gate, gasping despite herself.

Omnimon was standing patiently, arms crossed and his back aimed at the city so he could keep watch on the road for threats. Upon hearing her arrival, however, he turned slowly to gaze down at her. His bright blue eyes widened under his white helmet, and the white and yellow spikes shook almost imperceptibly in surprise. The left arm, carrying the Brave Shield on the shoulder above a WarGreymon head, moved down to his side followed by the MetalGarurumon head of his right hand. With his arms moved, the combined crests of Courage and Friendship was revealed beneath the rib-like purple stripes on his chest. The red inside of his cape fluttered and he went down to one knee with his yellow foot claws lightly digging into the dirt. "I didn't think I'd see a human partnered with you after all this time," he said, reaching out his Garurumon arm to point directly at Dorumon, who stood beside May with wide eyes crossed on the massive cannon hidden just a few feet from her face.

Dorumon leaned past the side of the Garurumon head and swallowed anxiously. "Well, uh, Mr. Omnimon, I can't imagine not being partnered with May!" she explained with a grin.

Omnimon looked sad for a moment and shook his head to clear it off. "Of course, I wasn't thinking. You wouldn't remember," he said sullenly. He pushed up to his feet and turned to May. "But if she trusts you, then I know you are trustworthy. What is your name, Human?"

"May. Hey – do you know my uncle? Henry Wong? His notes said he met you once," May cut in, trying to make sure Omnimon was trustworthy here. "Or at least, an Omnimon."

"Barring my... cousin, I am the only Omnimon that ever has or ever will be," Omnimon explained calmly. "Yes, I remember your uncle, though after the reboot I am probably one of a very few who remember those days. He, that girl, and Gallantmon helped me in my hunt for Mephistomon lifetimes ago. And then the three of them finally defeated the Chaos. Impressive humans."

May's shoulders slumped in relief. "Good. Then, could you maybe help us with something?" she asked simply. Guardromon and MarineAngemon finally caught up, watching the conversation with wide eyes. May was just... talking to Omnimon like they were already friends!

"I am afraid I cannot. I have my own mission," Omnimon responded after a moment. He rose to full height and looked over at Guardromon and MarineAngemon. "We had heard a human was heading towards Primary City. Perhaps the rumors meant Gallantmon and his allies that I could conscript to my duty, or even my target."

"You're hunting a human?" Guardromon asked, disturbed by the idea.

"More than have been seen here in decades have fallen into the Digital World through natural portals over the past few days. I am seeking one that is particularly dangerous," Omnimon muttered. He shook his head. "But do not trouble yourselves with this knowledge. Many of us Royal Knights are seeking out the threat."

"But what about Lucemon?!" Dorumon snapped. "He's out there hunting for us and -"

"We are aware," Omnimon cut her off, holding up his WarGreymon arm. "Once his plan is dealt with, all of our number that remain will seek him out to destroy him all at once."

May fought down the instinct to flinch. Once Lucemon's plan is dealt with..? A dangerous human? It dawned on her all at once: Omnimon... Omnimon was hunting Taj. She swallowed her fear, trying her hardest to hide what she'd just realized. "I came here with some friends. If we see anything, we'll – help you." She silently cursed her slight stutter, hoping it wouldn't matter.

"Until you two have reached maturity, you would only be a hindrance," Omnimon said. His eyes softened. "I do not mean to insult you, but Lucemon at his full strength is dangerous enough that few Digimon can stand against him. At our current strength, he may be too much for even the Royal Knights to defeat."

"Why? Did something happen to the rest of your number?" Guardromon wondered, happy the conversation had moved on from Omnimon's current course of action.

Omnimon's gaze flickered over to Dorumon and May. "Circumstances beyond our control," he answered after a moment's hesitation. "I thank you for your time, Guardians of Primary City. May and Dorumon, it was... good to meet you. But I have tarried here long enough and my hunt is not yet over."

Almost as if answering his statement, the world behind Omnimon erupted with a massive, pink Data Stream that carved away trees and dirt in its path. "MAY!"

Omnimon slowly turned towards the source of the voice as the Data Stream vanished, leaving everyone watching with bated breath. The WarGreymon arm opened and a long, gleaming blade engraved with DigiCode began to assemble into existence from hidden data. The white cape fluttered out as air was rapidly displaced by the weapon. Taj, BG, and Impmon watched Omnimon with wide eyes. "Uh... I think we should run," Impmon stated, so terrified his voice became even again.

"Screw that!" Taj and BG shouted together. Taj held his Digivice over his head. "BioMerge, Activate!"

Omnimon jumped back and got into a defensive stance, waiting for what would come next.

Nothing. Nothing came next.

Taj and BG looked at each other, features growing serious. "Impmon, run."

"Wha – But ya ain't gonna survive a fight -"

"Then we'll make him bleed for it," BG snarled, getting low and growling like a cornered dog.

May and Dorumon watched with growing worry as Taj Digivolved BG to the Ultimate, leaving a massive cyborg-dragon looming over the much faster and more powerful Knight below. "May..." Dorumon muttered.

"Don't do this!" May screamed, drawing the attention of the Knight. "Please, he's my friend!"

Omnimon stared at her, the warmth in his blue eyes turning to ice. "Unfortunately, I do what must be done." He turned and launched towards BG, blade crossed over his chest and ready to cleave his opponent in two.

"May!" Dorumon snapped.

May rushed forward, watching as the Grey Sword crashed into BG's massive blades. "Please, it doesn't have to be like this!" She exclaimed uselessly.

Guardromon and MarineAngemon rushed forward as well, firing into the melee. "Calm down! This surely can be solved without violence, especially so close to Primary City!"

"Stop interfering," Omnimon growled. He kicked BG in the gut, sending him soaring over Taj. Omnimon turned and raised his Garurumon arm, extending its cannon. Blasts of absolute zero energy slammed into the ground in front of their group. Ice exploded outward and crashed into the two Digimon, and they tumbled back, injured once again. May could only helplessly watch the entire time. Omnimon glared at them for a moment, then sighed and turned back to the struggling BG. "On your feet, Hazard. You deserve that much."

"MAY!" Dorumon screamed, finally getting her attention. "We have to help."

May stared sullenly at her partner before turning back to the battle. "I... I know." She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Then she pulled out her Digivice. "I know. Digi-Modify! Matrix-Warp Digivolution, activate!"

Dorumon nodded and ran forward, leaping into the air. "Dorumon, Matrix-Warp Digivolve to DoruGreymon!" She spread her wings and shot forward. "Bloody Tower!" Her tail lashed forward as she got close to the fight, ready to impale the Royal Knight.

He turned moments before she got to him and turned his shoulder to her, letting the attack harmlessly crash into the Brave Shield on his arm. The cannon on his other hand shot out and he returned his gaze to prepare to vaporize BG.

"Metal Meteor!" DoruGreymon snapped, unleashing a huge metal sphere on Omnimon insead. The attack crashed into the back of his helm, stunning him just enough for the blast to go wide around BG.

BG grinned and raised his massive arms up. "Hammer Edge!" And he brought them down hard.

Omnimon pushed off of DoruGreymon and simply raised his sword above him. "Transcendant Sword!" Flames burst along its edge, extending outward from the DigiCode. He swiped at the glowing blades on BG's arms, the attacks crashing into one another.

Even boosted by Taj's Data Type conversion, the result was a foregone conclusion. A DNA Digivolved Ultra Digimon wouldn't lose to any Ultimate that wasn't the leader of the Demon Lord Digimon. The Hammer Edge attack shattered, and the scythe like blades beneath cracked. Metal data flew away from BG, who howled in pain and stumbled backwards. His roar echoed across the meadow, only to be cut short a moment later: instead of running DoruGreymon through for fighting him, he had grabbed her with his Garurumon arm, tossing her straight at BG and causing the dragons to land on the ground in a tangled heap.

"Retreat and let me complete my duty to the Digital World!" Omnimon told DoruGreymon. He let the cannon of his right arm assemble from data once more and aimed it at the two.

DoruGreymon pushed off of BG and tiredly flapped her wings. May knew the next words that would come out of her mouth, because they were about to come out of her own. "No way! They're our friends! Some knight, attacking innocents because of duty!"

Omnimon paused and turned around to look at May. "You both -" But he couldn't finish, as a red dragon instead slammed right into his chest. "Damn!"

"Ha, got you!"

Omnimon crashed into the ground and rolled for a moment, coming back up to his feet and digging his claws in to slide to a stop. His eyes darkened as he looked at the ground, helm hiding his face. "Innocent? No, never again, not unless truly necessary. But that thing is not innocent." Omnimon stood up and extended the Grey Sword again. "The Hazard will be responsible for thousands upon thousands of deaths. Digimon whose data will be so finely reduced it will never return to a Primary Village again. And its sins have already surpassed that. While we do not know everything that happens in the Pseudo-Digital Worlds your kind have created, we know enough. We know that thing has already Loaded hundreds of freshly hatched Digimon simply for being there." He looked up, eyes blazing with fury. "I would have to destroy it even if it was not my duty!"

"That was a long time ago!" May protested, rushing up to stand beside her partner. She and DoruGreymon stretched out as a wall. "They're both grumpy, they can both be jerks, and they're both... Dummies!"

"Hey!" Taj and BG shouted as the massive dragon struggled to his feet.

"But they're our family!" DoruGreymon exclaimed resolutely.

Omnimon stared at the pair for a moment. It almost looked like he would leave, like he would turn back. Instead, the energy in his cannon began to gather, a glowing point of bright blue energy that expanded with each second. "Then I will not torture you by forcing you to live without them."

"May, run!" Taj snapped, he and his partner finally on their feet. "Digi-Modify, Goliath activate!"

BG roared and grew even more, rocketing up to a massive size and charging up his own cannon. "We'll take him out!" BG snarled, fists crashing into the ground to steady him, each crash shaking the entire world.

"No, you can't kill him either!" May snapped. "Taj, BG, this is Omnimon! He's wrong but we aren't killing him!"

"This is the way it has to be, Little One," Omnimon muttered, voice tinged with sadness. The energy in his blaster reached its apex. "SUPREME CANNON!"

"ATOMIC BLASTER!" BG screamed.

Red and Blue energies swirled towards one another, the red much larger but the blue with a density that May knew would carve through the blue and annihilate her friends. "May..." DoruGreymon whispered, horrified as much as her partner.

"No..." May whispered. Her fist clenched on her Digivice, which began to beep in a loud, screaming whir. "No, stop!"

"We'll stop 'em!" DoruGreymon screamed, launching towards the blasts.

"Merge rate 100 reached. Updating software."

"DoruGreymon Biomerge to..."

The world vanished in a flash of bright light. May was floating in nothingness for a moment, just an open, black expanse that stretched as far as she could see. There was no sound, no... anything. And yet, she could feel something. As if a friend was beside her. No, it was more than that. Like she and someone else were... the same. There wasn't a place where she began and they ended. It felt so familiar, so... "Dorumon?"

"Digitalize Soul!" It felt like May herself was saying it, but at the same time like it had been someone else. That same presence that seemed entwined with her own soul.

The world flashed back into existence around her, and she found herself standing between the two blasts with hands outstretched in either direction. "May?" echoed through her head.

"Dorumon!?" she shouted, starting to panic. "Dorumon, where are you!?"

"I'm right here between the blasts. I know I look different, but..."

"What!? No, I'm between the blasts!"

"Where?"

"I..."

And then it hit her. Biomerging. They'd Biomerged, just like in Henry's notes. It was the only thing that could explain why it felt like... like she and Dorumon were the same person. She swung her head around in either direction, seeing the blasts nearly upon her, held back by huge circles of magical Digicode generating energy in waves. Digitalize Soul... May and Dorumon – Alphamon roared and threw her arms up, angling the circles likewise and sending both massive blasts into the sky before falling to one knee and panting heavily.

"What..." May began, feeling like she'd just sprinted miles with no break. "How did we do that?"

"Don't know..." Dorumon replied in her head, clearly feeling the same way. "Biomerging, or not dying?"

"Both?"

The two didn't have much time to think about why or how. When Omnimon's golden claws came to a rest beside them, Alphamon's two halves knew they didn't have time for a conversation and they snapped back into sync. She turned to Omnimon and forced herself up to her feet, leaving the two Royal Knights staring at one another. Where Omnimon was a gleaming white, Alphamon was a shining black with huge armor that felt light and natural on her shoulders. Golden trimming, extending into the filigree of Zero Units on either shoulder, only served to increase the aura of energy. On her forehead was the same large gem as all of Dorumon's evolutions had, leading up to a pair of black horns on her helm that let only a pair of violet eyes glare out. There were a pair of airfoils on her back with small, golden feathers sticking out, and between those airfoils a tattered but gleaming white cloak. Red gems crackled with power in her palms, sending a burst of energy through the oversized armor on her wrists. "Omnimon," she said, her voice formed from the dual echoes of Dorumon and May overlapping. "Leave them alone."

Omnimon stared at her with wide eyes. "I thought it was you," he muttered. He sighed and shook his head. "No. I cannot abandon my duty here." He extended the Grey Sword before letting out a single bark of dry laughter.

"What?" Alphamon asked, confused.

"Just... we've switched sides. You trying to protect a Digimon and human that will destroy the Digital World, and I knowing what has to be done."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alphamon said. She held her hand out to her side, a green circle appearing on the ground. "Divine Sword Grade: Alpha!" A beam of light shot out into her outstretched hand, and a gleaming sword of green energy was clasped tight in her fist. She twirled the blade and slid her feet apart into a ready stance.

"Why does this feel so natural?" May spared a moment to ask.

Dorumon laughed. "Why do you think it was so easy for me to pick up flying? Digimon just... know how to do stuff when we Digivolve."

"But I'm not a Digimon!" May protested.

Dorumon scoffed. "Yeah, the Alphamon about us seems to disagree, May. Or are we ignoring that?"

"Just shut up and fight," May growled, and Alphamon charged Omnimon.

The glowing Alpha Sword crashed into the Grey Sword, the warring flames and green energy shooting off around them and sending waves of energy outward. The ground shattered beneath them as Omnimon deflected her blow, turning and firing a Supreme Cannon attack once he had a moment's space. Alphamon jumped to the side, narrowly dodging the blast. Her feet hit the ground, digging in to steady her, and she readied her sword in both hands in front of her.

Omnimon was already on top of her, Grey Sword swinging at her head. She twisted the Alpha Sword and deflected his attack above her, and had to quickly move to grab his Garuru Arm at the wrist and shove it up, narrowly avoiding the deadly beam that would have hit her head.

He swung down at her with his sword, and the two began to trade blows moving faster than May's human eyes could have processed. Her green blade collided with the Grey Sword, sending it ricochetig upward before she turned the momentum of her attack into a slash at Omnimon's chest, but his shield or blade was always in the way to protect him as he countered himself. Sparks and flame flew from their clash, vaporizing data and shattering the ground beneath them with the force. Winds blew out from the two, buffeting their cloaks and forcing BG to keep Taj, Guardromon, and MarineAngemon from getting tossed into the air. But May's humanity was still not used to this power, and she made a mistake. She swung too wide and too fast, meaning that the Grey Sword had a clear path to slam into her side. "Transcendent Sword!"

Flames exploded outward from the point of contact, turning all the data around them into a crater of burned out destruction. Alphamon cried out in pain, falling to her knee at Omnimon's feet. Her sword sputtered out and vanished as she reached for the gash on her side leaking data. Her body began to glitch as she began to lose consciousness.

"If... If only..." May began as the world began to go dark. "I had... my... Digivice. Cards could..." Her eyes drifted shut.

"Huh? May! MAY! MAY!"

Her eyes snapped open for a second. "What is it, Doru -" She stopped and stared with wide eyes. She was back in that endless darkness, and floating in front of her was a large array of her cards. Everything she'd ever used in the game or on her Digivice, arranged from most recently used over to the ones she'd forgotten she'd ever had. She cautiously reached out to the Energy card when the pain in her side flared, causing her to spasm and her fingers to brush against the card.

The effect was instantaneous. Her eyelids, once drooping, went wide. The pain that had been screaming in her side, gone. She patted it down and looked up, seeing things from Alphamon's point of view again. "Dorumon? Let's try this again," she said, returning her attention to the cards. She swung her hand to the side, scrolling over to the card she was looking for.

"Let's show him, May," Dorumon agreed, a grin evident in her voice.

"Digi-Modify! Hyperspeed, activate!" She shouted.

Alphamon stood up with the loud clanking of armor, and Omnimon had to turn around from the glitching and damaged BlackWarGrowlmon he had just beat into the ground. "Divine Sword Grade: Alpha," Alphamon said simply, holding her hand out to the side. The blade appeared again, moving much faster than it had before, into her hand.

Omnimon studied her for a moment, then his eyes widened with realization. "That speed – you're close to activating -"

She was already on top of him, sword slashing at him a dozen times. Omnimon was forced to backpedal with every attack, barely moving the Grey Sword into its path. "Dammit, stop -"

Alphamon feinted at his head, then quickly turned and ducked beneath his guard. Her blade vanished and she wrapped her arms around his midsection, lifting him with her incredible strength and slamming him into the ground. The method of attack surprised Omnimon – it was so backwards when coming from a creature of his strength and stature. He had weapons, power, and attacks that made this simple attack that a mere Rookie or weak Champion would do... well, it had been forgotten as silly and pointless in his growth. But to a human like Alphamon, even if she was a Digimon now, it was necessary. Why trade blows with one of the most powerful of the Royal Knights? Why uselessly wait for one energy to overcome the other? Why not just do whatever it takes to win and protect her friend?

And so, because he had forgotten what it was like to be a weak, defenseless Rookie, Omnimon was on his back, Alphamon's feet on either arm and her palm glowing with the embers ready to become a deadly Digitalize Soul attack. The meadow went quiet, waiting to see what would happen. "Leave. Taj stays with me," Alphamon said, her voice making it very much clear this was not a request.

Omnimon stared into the deadly sparks flying from her palm. He glanced at the Grey Sword, etched with scars from this battle, then over at the Garuru Cannon, impotently aimed into the distance. He leaned back, letting his head hit the ground, and shut his eyes. "Very well, Alphamon. It seems you leave me with little choice but to trust you in this matter," he said quietly. "Though I suppose if I must entrust a monster to anyone, you are one of the few that could manage the responsibility. You have my word."

Alphamon, despite the worry that she was being lied to, moved off of Omnimon without thinking. He pushed himself up, his weapons disintegrating into data as he brushed himself off. "It seems we have both forgotten our last encounter," he said after checking himself over. He looked behind Alphamon, where Taj and BG were glaring at him with narrowed eyes. "Somehow, I think even you have your work cut out for you."

"Yeah, Dummy and Jerkmon are way too much work!" Dorumon's voice came out alone as Alphamon's hand went to the back of her head and scratched it anxiously.

The hand jerked away. "Dorumon, don't act like that!" May protested, physically turning the body like she was talking to someone else.

"What do you mean?" Dorumon turned the body around.

Omnimon watched the ongoing argument with disturbed confusion. "I... am glad that I didn't have to Biomerge," he said under his breath.

He lifted off from the ground and turned to fly away, only to stop and so he could meet Taj's gaze. It was hard, as if the boy had been in this situation before, threatened and under attack simply for what his partner could become. "Make sure she survives, Hazard," Omnimon called out after careful consideration. "Alphamon has had enough -"

"Sad endings? Yeah, yeah, I saw the cartoon," the human said dismissively.

Alphamon turned and, voices unified again, shouted, "What does that mean!?"

Omnimon shook his head and flew away without answering Taj. "What a brat," he grumbled when he was sure he was out of earshot.

X X X

"I'm telling you, it isn't fair!" BG whined when May and Dorumon finally managed to separate from their Alphamon Digivolution. "How come those two idiots get to Digivolve to Mega before we can do it again? I don't even remember it, but they get a whole fight!?"

"Hey, you don't think I wasn't looking forward to kicking serious butt as ChaosGallantmon again?" I shot back at him. I shook my head and looked over at May. I let out a jealous sigh. "That... was pretty awesome."

"It felt awesome!" Dorumon exclaimed, jumping into my line of sight. "I just took down Omnimon!"

"You just took down Omnimon?" May asked dryly.

Dorumon looked at her. "Uh, I mean. We were the same Digimon, so it's not like I was excluding you, right?"

"Uh... huh..." May grunted, still glaring at her partner.

Dorumon chuckled anxiously and turned back to me and BG. We looked back at May and Dorumon. Everyone was silent. Then: "Miss May, who is this?"

I blinked and looked towards the source of the voice, a Guardromon shambling over beside a MarineAngemon. "You're... Kazu and Kenta's partners, right?" I asked after a moment. I turned and waved. "I'm Tasuke."

The pair charged me, picking me up and flying around me respectively. "Of course, Miss May said she knew you!" He turned me upside down and examined my shoes. "Hm..."

I groaned at the blood rushing to my head. "Can you put me down now?" I grumbled.

"Ah, of course, Chumley Jr!" Guardromon remarked, turning me over and placing me down on my feet. He patted my ruffled hair down, sending an echoing 'clank' through my skull. "There you are!"

BG, who had been barely stifling laughter this entire time, finally earned an annoyed glare from me. "Shut it..." I growled, but that only made him snicker louder.

I decided I had to let it go, resigning and simply shaking my head before turning to May. "It's really good to see you guys," I finally said, walking up and hugging my best human friend. She laughed and hugged me tight back until I let go and crouched down to rub Dorumon's head.

"Where were you?" May asked me when BG wandered up to her and she gave him a scratch behind the ears in greeting.

"Eh, we got dropped off pretty close to where ol' Blondimon attacked us," Impmon explained. He clambered up onto BG's back and looked over at Guardromon and MarineAngemon. "What, no hello for me? You wound me, Rustbucket. You too, Pinky."

MarineAngemon let out a slightly derisive chuckle that Guardromon echoed after a moment. "I agree, he is looking much shorter than last we saw him!"

Flames flared from Impmon's fingers before vanishing. "Eh, you ain't worth the effort to Badaboom," he grumbled under his breath. He shook his head. "Anyways, we got dropped off close ta Pillsbury – er, Datamon."

"Gave us the ol' lore dump before Reapmon showed up looking for us." I looked at May. It felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders when I said, "He's dead. Or whatever it is Digimon do. He's here, I guess."

May and Dorumon had a weight fall away themselves when they heard that. "You didn't Load him?" Dorumon asked BG, looking more than a little incredulous. "He did try to steal your partner."

BG's face screwed up as he looked at me. "It just... felt right," he said simply, giving me a nod.

Dorumon didn't seem too happy with that reply, but May cut her off before she could make a fuss of it, "So, how did you get here, then?"

"Pillsbury," Impmon cut in. "These two wouldn't take no fer an answer, finally annoyed 'im into getting rid of us."

Dorumon looked directly at BG, then over at me. "Yeah, that tracks."

"That tracks?" Guardromon wondered.

"If she'd been there, we'd have been sent here before Reapmon could have found us," BG remarked dryly.

"That tracks," I replied.

"Hey!" Dorumon exclaimed.

"Can dish it out, but can't take it?" May asked. She shook her head at Dorumon. "Shame."

"Anyways, he gave us where you two were, and now we know where yer BoyToy is," he explained simply. "Just need a way fer us to get there."

"Ah, Ms. May! This is exactly what we were waiting for earlier!" Guardromon cried out. He hobbled over. "In your bag, yes?"

May nodded at me. "We might have the way to get to them," she began, "but we might need your help with it." She pulled off her backpack and reached into it, pulling out a swirling, pink sphere.

"It's one of those Node things that Datamon had," BG said. He grinned. "With this, we can head right for Lucemon!"

"Yeah, if we want to die," I told him. "We need to get to Henry and Davis, first."

"And your parents," May said. "We called him earlier and found out they're all together, which means once we figure this out we'll be at full fighting force! Alphamon, two Ultimates, Destiny Rapidmon, and your parents? He won't know what hit him!"

I sighed. "Yeah, right," I agreed. I clenched my fists. She was right – based on Henry's story and what I'd learned from Datamon, they were probably two of the strongest fighters in the Digital World right now. I let the anxiety at meeting my parents and finding Henry melt and I unclenched my fists. Focus on the now: "Okay, so what's the problem you need me for?"

"Data Streams apparently make computers turn into expensive paper weights," May explained, tossing a glare at the sphere in her hands.

"Yeah, because it's magnetic force. Wait, I thought you knew how computers work?" I asked, ecstatic that I finally had a chance to beat May at computers for once. Her face turned into an annoyed snarl, but that wasn't going to stop me. "Memory is just magnetic markers placed as zeroes and ones, May. Data Streams – and the Nodes – move that information. And here, everything is information. Me, you, the air, locations. It's a little weird thinking of everything as data on a hard drive, but come on, I thought you were better than this..." BG started to snicker at my side.

"The way to fix it, Dummy," May hissed.

I rolled my eyes. "Sorry! Jeez." I pulled out my 3D and put it beside the Node. "Digivices clearly still work, so it must be magnetically resistant. The Digivice can -"

"The Scan function! I bet I can code in an altered version to check the data on the Node!" she interrupted, stealing my big moment. She smirked at my own annoyed glare. "What, you deserved it, Dummy."

"Fine, I can dish it out and take it," I growled under my breath, dejectedly pulling my Digivice back.

"Oh, quit pouting, I knew you'd figure out what I was missing. I'm used to being outside of the hard drive. And apparently you've met, what, Digimon Brainiac?" May suggested. She came over and clapped my back. "Not bad, Taj."

She pulled out her Digivice. "Now, let's call Davis and let him know -" She looked down. "Why is it updating? This has never happened before!"

"Right!" I exclaimed. I pulled out my Digivice. "I forgot because I was busy freezing to death when it happened. The Biomerging thing forced my Digivice into an update, it just finished a little while before I got here."

"Then can you call Davis?" she asked after a moment of me just standing there.

I grimaced. Davis. That meant my parents. But it also meant Henry. "No problem," I told her, pulling out my own Digivice and accessing the phone function.

Six rings and a voice mail message later, I dropped my phone to my side and turned to May. I raised a finger. "Uh... problem."

X X X

"So, you finally going to tell me where you're taking me?" Kazu Shioda asked the two government agents shepherding him through the dark hallways of HYPNOS. He sighed when they didn't respond, for probably the tenth time, leaving him to look around as they walked. They passed some rooms with a bunch of weird machines he bet that Henry could figure out, if he was still back here. Kazu felt himself slow until the agents grumbled and forced him forward. "Ach! Hey, ease up! With all the Digimon out there, you know how many car repairs I'm doing? I need those arms to rake in this boom. Er, you know, sad as it is that it's happening, Chumley."

"Just get moving," the agent growled, directing him towards a door and pushing him into the room.

The door slammed shut as Kazu turned and tried to get out. He slammed his fist into the door. "Hey, come on! This breaks the terms of our deal with the government, you know!"

"I have a feeling they just don't care."

"Yeah, yeah, the old hag never -" Kazu stopped and slowly turned around, a grin exploding across his features as he did. His old friends – all the ones that weren't on the run, in another country, or in another dimension – were all here! Kenta, the doctor, fixing his glasses smiled warmly. Jeri was sitting in a chair, looking dejected and nervous; this must have put a real damper on her trip to America. Even Ai and Mako were there, still dressed for work. Kazu looked down at his own mechanic's jumpsuit then back up at the others. "What, they let you guys get dressed for this meeting? I tell you, Kenta, I don't get no respect around here." He walked over and looped his arm around Kenta's shoulders. "Dang, how long has it been since we were all in the same place like this?"

"Years," Kenta said, hugging his friend's shoulder back. "Apparently the End of the World makes for a good meeting, I guess?"

"You said it, Buddy," Kazu remarked, letting out a laugh. The others laughed along. Well, except for Jeri.

He looked over. "Ah, come on, Jeri, don't worry. We'll be out of here fast. Right, guys?"

The door opened a few moments later. Kazu's mood soured. "Oh, great, it's you. What-your-name-be, right?" he asked, crossing his arms and feeling proud of that one.

Kenta grimaced. "Kazu, that one was terrible!"

Kazu shook his head. "Ah, what do you know, Kenta? This is why you should have let MarineAngemon heal your funny bone."

Watanabe cleared his throat. "If I could have your attention, please?" he said, though the tone in his voice turned the question into a command. Everyone snapped shut; Kazu hadn't been this forced into silence since Rika was out and about.

Watanabe nodded. "Good. The Director wanted me to return these to you." He shook the box in his hands and walked forward, placing it on a table before stepping back. The group watched him warily for a moment, but it could only last so long before Kazu broke the tension and opened the box.

His eyes grew as wide as dinner plates and he reached in, tearing out a small, plastic device with a rusty ring around its screen. His Digivice. The others grew excited, rushing over and tearing out the remaining two Digivices. Kenta stared at the pink ring on his Digivice, tracing his fingers over the screen. "Why would they want us to have these back?" Ai asked as she and her brother gazed down at their Digivice together.

"Because," Kenta said, pressing a button and turning his screen to the others. A hologram popped out, revealing...

Revealing information on a small, pink, Mega level Digimon. MarineAngemon. "Because they're working again."

Kazu laughed excitedly and started to flip through the functions of his Digivice too. "This is awesome!" he shouted as information on Guardromon popped up. "Jeri, isn't this – I, uh..."

Jeri sighed and looked down at the Digivice they'd let her keep. The screen was as blank as ever. "It's good, Kazu. I'm happy for all of you," she explained. She gave them a genuine smile, despite the sadness that tinged it. "Our friends really are okay over there."

"Why's he Impmon? This says he's hurt!" Ai exclaimed.

Mako looked around. "An Energy card, we -"

"It wouldn't work from here."

Watanabe turned. "Director, I -"

An old man walked in, a slightly messy suit draped over his shoulders. He smirked at the former Tamers and flicked open a lighter. "It's good to see you all again," Yamaki said,. "Hope you're ready to get to work. There's apparently a group of kids in the Digital World that need help, and I need... well, let's call you experts that I can trust."

X X X

Wow, looks like Chumley isn't the only shellhead around anymore, huh! But that's not what I'm interested in – it looks like future me finally got his Digivice back. I can't imagine not havin' Guardromon around, so he's got to be raring to go and get him back. Just you wait, me, Kenta, Jeri, and the twins? We'll be the only reason they make it out alive on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!