A Trip to the Library
Material World: Pittsburgh
"What is it?", Julia Morgan asked as her husband, Paul, signed for the special delivery envelope.
"I have no idea... You wouldn't happen to know anyone in Tokyo, would you?"
"No, never been there, why?"
"It's a Tokyo return address, sent here alright. Addressed to me, right address".
"Only one way to find out", she said.
He pulled off the zip strip. There were just two pages inside.
Dear Mr. Paul Morgan:
My name is Janyu Lee, and I'm sure you are wondering how I came to have your name and address. I work for a government agency called 'Hypnos', and we are monitoring a situation developing in the Digital World.
My son, Jenyra, and several of his friends, and their digimon partners, are in the Digital World right now. It was there where they met your partner: Irbimon. Being that my son has a partner, I understand the relationship between Tamer and digimon. I'm sure you must be quite worried about the disappearance of your partner, why you haven't heard from her.
An evil digimon named Zhuqiaomon has overthrown the legitimate government of the Digital World, and has proclaimed himself "The Digimon God". He is every bit as dangerous as he is insane. Since every bit of data generated here in the Material World passes through the Digital World, it is imperative that you make no mention of anything you read here to anyone by any electronic means of communication. If you do, then Zhuqiaomon will know about it, and this could place you and your family in serious danger. That means do not make any attempt to answer this letter. No e-mails, and no snail mail either. Even snail mail is dispatched at some point electronically. We don't want to establish any patterns that could tip off Zhuqiaomon. I will be content to accept your thanks in spirit.
I leave it to your discretion as to when and how you may choose to share the news with the rest of your family. You must make certain that they understand why it is so important that they make no mention that you know the fate and whereabouts of Irbimon over any electronic media. I am also including a message from Irbimon, and this is in her own words, as delivered to me from my son and his friends.
Yours,
Janyu Lee
"Honey, what is it?", Julia asked.
"Irbimon: she's OK! It seems there are these kids from Japan who somehow went to the Digital World and found her. They didn't say when she'll be back, but she is coming back".
"That's wonderful news. The kids will be happy to hear it too. We should do something..."
"He said we couldn't. At least not now. Maybe later..."
"Maybe thank him in person".
"That's a thought".
Material World: Hypnos HQ
"Are you making any progress?", Yamaki was checking up on the Wild Bunch.
"We were able to repair the damage that caused Shaggai to run amok the last time it was activated", Daisy was explaining.
"Don't forget: we had the D-Reaper fucking with our systems too".
"No, I didn't forget".
"Check it again, just to be sure. What else have you accomplished so far?"
"We're adding a white list/black list capability. If you have the digital IDs, you can selectively target hostile digimon while ignoring friendlies. We're also adding finer control over the digital warp field generators. If all else fails, we're adding a manual targeting system".
"We're also hardening the Icewall", Curly added. "We need to be ready to handle whatever counter measures Zhuqiaomon might throw at us".
"It would help if we could include some sort of AI, to help counter any countermeasures. We already have the core digimon program".
"I'd advise against that", Yamaki said. "We don't know the consequences if Shaggai should become self aware. We could have another 'D-Reaper' on our hands".
"I would also recommend a manual cutout", Babel added. "That way, if anything does go wrong, cut the power to the warp generators by pulling the plug. Shouldn't be any difficulty installing another breaker box".
"Locating a digivice?"
"That's not a problem", Yamaki explained. "I know where we can get one when we're ready".
Digital World: Suszakumon
"What news do you bring, Machinedramon?"
Zhuqiaomon was meeting with his new Head of State Security in his audience chamber.
"Have you located the Outworlders yet?"
"No, Your Holiness"
"And why not?"
"It has come to our attention that they are traveling with the Light Bearer, the one now known as Calumon. We have reliable witnesses who have seen them together on multiple occasions. He has the power of concealment. It is he who is hiding them".
"How do those Tamers infiltrate my Hall of Divine Judgment?"
"We do not know exactly, but our investigations determined that the suppression field in use at the Hall could possibly have been neutralized by modifying what's commonly known as a 'pimp ring'. As you know, these were made illegal a long time ago, but they're still available on the black market. It could also be modified in such a way that it could trick a general ID scan. We know that Impmon has the expertise to make such modifications".
"How did they acquire such a device?"
"We're not sure, but a sex club in the port town of Slimbdamon burned to the ground just two days previous to the attack on your Glorious and Holy Personage. We don't believe this to be a coincidence".
"Have you located these traitors?"
"No, Your Holiness. The proprietor of that club was deleted in what can only be an attack. We have no means to locate any of the prostitutes that worked there. From what little the residents are willing to say, it looks like it was a sexual slavery operation. There would, of course, be no incriminating evidence left lying around, waiting to be discovered. No one claims to know anything about what actually happened, but we're certain that the fire wasn't just a coincidental accident".
"That is indeed fortunate for him. What of these displays of defiance?"
"Members of the truck drivers union suddenly decoupled their trailers in all lanes of a major highway, causing a blockage that took hours to clean up. There have been reports of rolling roadblocks with trucks taking up every lane so no one can pass. They're delaying traffic, backing up the highways. They demand to be released from their contracts with the Union. Other Locals have refused to remit their dues.
"Agents of the Holy Office were attacked as they tried to apprehend the sinner Regulumon. They were forced to retreat to their van, but the neighbors tipped the van on its side. Then someone stuck a rag in the fuel filler, and lit it. The agents died in the resulting explosion and fire. Collective punishment was enacted, of course, but they still refused to give up those who committed this outrage. In other cases, block wardens have been beaten to within millimeters of deletion and run off..."
"Who are the leaders behind these acts of treason?"
"There are none. These have all been lone wolf operations, not an organized resistance".
"To what do you attribute these acts of defiance?"
This was one question Machinedramon was fearing. He knew Zguqiaomon wouldn't like what he heard.
"Your Holiness, after the failed execution, the successful escape, of Irbimon, the destruction of the Hall, they have seen that you are not as omnipotent as they once believed. There were too many witnesses who saw to cover that up".
"It's those Outworlders, those Tamers. They task me".
"I'm afraid so. The rumours are spreading fast, that the Tamers are back..."
"GET OUT!", Zhuqiaomon roared. "Leave me".
Machinedramon took this as his leave to go. He felt fortunate that he got out of there in one piece. There was a good chance that the bearer of disagreeable news would not.
It was bad enough: Outworlders, unwanted and uninvited, interfering with his rule. It was even more insulting that these Outworlders were considered to be mere children in their own world.
"I made a serious mistake", Zhuqiaomon admitted to himself in the privacy of his audience chamber. "I shall not do that any longer". He was developing a new plan: "I know their greatest weakness".
To put his new plan into effect, he started on recreating his Devas from dust packets.
The Material World: Hypnos
"We're ready to test it", Daisy advised Yamaki, "most of the mods are in place".
"Very well, then, let's hope this works".
"What do you want me to do?", Shibumi asked.
"Talk to them. Appeal to the Ancient Ones, and hope they remember you. Ask them to help the children get to that library of yours".
"We couldn't understand their language..."
"Just because we can't understand their language doesn't mean they don't understand ours", Yamaki objected. "Based on everything you've told us, I'd bet they do".
The Digital World: Somewhere between the Art Zone and Slimbdamon
"Incoming", Takato announced.
"About damn time", Kazu agreed. "This waiting is driving me nuts".
"That's exactly what he wants", Ryo reminded.
We are going to try something that, if it works, won't require our putting Shibumi's life at risk. We are going to use Shaggai to break through, to appeal directly to the Ancient Ones, ask them to help you. We'll need your co-ordinates. If all goes well, we should know if it worked or not within fifteen minutes.
Yamaki
Takato sent the coordinates.
The Material World: Hypnos
"Bring Shaggai on-line", Yamaki ordered.
"Shaggai kernel booting...", Megumi replied.
Shaggai's welcome screen appeared on the over head monitor.
"We're just trying to punch through", Yamaki reminded. "Bring the digital warp field generators up slowly. We don't want this to look like an attack. If there are any countermeasures, back off".
"Digital Warp Generators powering up", she advised. "How, exactly, is this supposed to work?"
"We modulate the digital field, and hope these Ancient Ones understand. We also hope that they don't interpret this as an attack. Hope that Zhuqiaomon doesn't figure out what we're doing in time to interfere".
"That's a lot of hoping".
"I know it is, how I know it is".
"Output at ten percent". The green beams projected from the roof of the temporary headquarters. Yamaki hoped their reappearance, after so long, wouldn't incite a mass panic.
"First layer".
"Countermeasures?"
"Nothing so far, but it looks like we're stuck. Bringing up the output... twelve percent... fifteen percent... Fourth Layer..."
"Countermeasures?"
Still nothing... Physical Layer!"
"Now, Shibumi", Yamaki said,
"This is not an attack. I repeat: this is not an attack. I am addressing the Ancient Ones of the Digital World. I hope you remember, remember the sound of my voice. I am Goru Mizuno, or the nickname I go by; Shibumi. We have friends of ours in the Digital World who need to go to our old library. You met some of them when I was there is a nonphysical form: Takato Matsuda and his friend Jenyra Lee, the son of my old colleague: Tao. They were there with Jenyra's partner: Terriermon. You showed Takato how his partner, Guilmon was created. Their location is..." he uploaded the co-ordinates.
"I hope you remember..."
"Disturbance in the Icewall!", Reika called out. "This doesn't look like any sort of..."
"There's your answer!", Shibumi called out. "They kicked its ass to let us know!"
"Shut down immediately", Yamaki ordered.
"Digital warp generators going off-line and powering down. Shaggai terminating".
The main view screen once again displayed Hypnos' welcome screen.
Digital World
"If this works", Jen was explaining, "we will all find ourselves deep underwater. For those of you who haven't done this before, it will be terrifying. But don't worry: you won't drown unless you believe you will. That water is only as real as your belief. It's all just ones 'n' zeros: form without substance. Takato and I were there, and as you can see, we didn't drown. It's just like back at the waterfall: you didn't even get wet".
Lightening flashed across the Material World Sphere, the sky darkened, and the wind began to blow.
"Looks like they started".
This "storm" was not nearly as severe as the last one they remembered – the one that ran off Beelzemon. It quickly passed.
"What are these?", Kazu asked as the group was surrounded by floating orbs that seemed to move at random, bright even against the daylight.
"Proof that digimon aren't the only life forms that inhabit this world", Shadowkitsumon explained.
The "orbs" resolved into what looked like white owls with black eyes. A long plume curled from the tops of their heads, trailing longer than their bodies. Ancient Ones. Digignomes. They flew in circles around them as they made high pitched chitters.
Their vision went all watery and there was a sense of vertigo. Next thing they knew, they were underwater. A flock of digignomes flew in a 'V' formation.
"That way", Takato called out as they followed. Ikkakumon, being in his natural environment, reached the library first. It looked the same as before, like something straight out of 1900: the red brick construction, the slate roof, the leaded, stained glass, mullioned, windows – the latter two features demonstrating the kind of craftsmanship that's rare these days. Stone steps to a porch from a non existent sidewalk.
Ikkakumon pushed open the solid oak doors and found himself in mid-air. The water, defying all the laws of hydrodynamics, didn't flood in. He flopped to the floor.
"Dammit!", they heard him.
The rest stepped through that impossible wall of water into dryness. The interior still smelled the same, with that slightly musty, old book smell. Still no librarian on duty. No sign anyone had ever been here before, yet fresh flowering plants healthy in their planters.
"Why didn't you warn me about that?", Ikkakumon complained.
"Why were you in such a hurry?", Shuichon asked him.
"Doesn't look like anyone's here", Ryo said. "Did we miss them? Are we too late?"
"The lecture hall", Jen announced, "up those stairs", as he led the way. The sliding door to the hall was behind a bookcase. The interior of the hall a stark contrast: fluorescent lighting, and more or less modern. A long green chalk board along the far wall, behind the podium.
"TA-KA-TO!", Guilmon called out as he ran up the steps. He gave his partner a flying tackle, just as he'd done before. "You made it! I've been waiting for you! You don't know how much I missed you!"
"Easy there, big fella", Takato said, as Guilmon finally allowed him to get up.
"Your eyes are leaking again", Guilmon observed.
"Yeah, it's because I'm so happy to see you. I was afraid I'd never get to keep our promise... "I brought you something", he said, as he dug into his back pack. He pulled out a box.
"Is that what I think it is?", Guilmon asked.
"I wish it could be fresher, but, yeah, Guilmon Bread, just like Dad promised to make them for you".
Guilmon dug in and ate one in one bite: "They're wonderful. Tell your Dad for me that I approve".
"You can tell him yourself..."
"Took your damn time", Cyberdramon snarled at Ryo. "Where's Devidramon?"
"He... died", Impmon said. "I'm sorry..."
"Did he die well?", Cyberdramon asked.
"He died fighting Zhuqiaomon's demons when we were attacked. We made a memorial, and had a kind of service in his memory".
Cyberdramon snarled his approval.
"I found my ultimate opponent", Cyberdramon told Ryo.
"I think we all did", Ryo agreed.
"Good to see you again, Kazu", Andromon said. "I made it back, but I haven't changed".
"I knew you could do it... You haven't been trying to be a hero to the unappreciative again?"
I learned that lesson. This time I have something to be heroic about"
"Glad to see you, Kenta", Marineangemon greeted.
As Kenta hugged the diminutive Mega: "So you learned Japanese? I missed you too".
"There wasn't much to do here, and I left so suddenly I didn't have a chance, so I decided to learn", he explained.
"I'd like to introduce you to some new friends", Takato announced. "Here's Irbimon".
"Pleased to meet all of you. I've heard so much about you".
"I know who you are", Cyberdramon snarled. "We saw the broadcast", he pointed to the LCD screen overhead. "I knew right away..."
"Don't mind him", Ryo said, "he's like that with everyone".
"...who saved your life", he finished as if Ryo hadn't interrupted him.
"And Kapurimon", Takato said, "a little digimon who's been a big help".
"Weren't you Metalkoromon, last I saw you?", Guilmon asked. "I thought you'd be getting on?"
"I made it to the next level. I can even attain Rookie status for awhile", he explained. "I was planning on going home, but that can wait. I've been gone for so long now, what's a little longer?"
"I see that all the guardians we sent are here. I thought that, once you helped reunite everyone with their partners..."
"That was the agreement", Lutramon explained, "we decided to see this through to the end. We can't abandon those whom we protect that easily".
"I'm pleased that you did. However, I must warn you: we're still in grave danger here, and it won't be an easy fight. I'm asking you to reconsider..."
"We won't leave a job half done", Lutramon replied.
"We agreed", Kyukimon and Ikkakumon added.
"They risked so much to save me", Ibirimon added. "It's the least I could do".
"Nothing less would I expect from true and faithful digimon", Andromon announced.
"So long as you know what you're getting into", Guilmon said.
"Time to congratulate Yamaki", Takato announced.
Mr. Yamaki:
Your plan worked, and we are all together in Shibumi's library. Fortunately for Mr. Mizuno, he will not have to risk his sanity, let alone his life, by trying to project his consciousness to meet us. The digignomes have taken care of that for us. Now that we are together once again, I would suggest being on high alert for anything that Zhuqiaomon might pull. So far, his lack of attacks against us are as unnerving as they are welcome. That we so easily defeated his corrupt dorugremon has definitely taught him a lesson. We worry about what that lesson may have taught him. Not even the Imperial News Network has anything to say. He hasn't just decided to back down, that's not in his nature.
Takato
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
"What do you have to report, my Head of State Security?", Zhuqioamon asked of Machinedramon.
"The Outworlders seem to have disappeared, Your Holiness. There has been no sign of them anywhere, and I have my agents looking. They are not at any of the locations they are known to have visited. They have not returned to Slimbdamon, of that we are certain. They have not returned to the Valley of Gales. They aren't in the desert, and haven't been seen there since they battled the dorugremon my predecessor sent to eliminate them..."
"He failed as the incompetent he was".
"One side benefit was uncovering a gekomon operation to cheat the Royal Treasury of their due. Collective punishment was dealt out to them, and their leader awaits execution for tax evasion..."
"I am not interested in such trifles at the moment. Just kill him when you have nothing better to do. In the mean time, let that cowardly froggie reflect on his sins. It is these Outworlders I want".
"Somehow, they have gone to ground. They aren't anywhere they'd be expected, haven't attempted to contact those we would expect them to contact to find allies. They seem to have found some area, some dimension, in our world that conceals their presence".
"Then what do you suggest?"
"We need to make them reveal themselves. I have been doing research on their exploits as reported from the Outworld. They have what the Outworlders call 'families' and 'parents'. If they were..."
"That imbecile, Piedmon, would never discover this truth about Outworlders. Your diligence pleases me".
"Thank you for placing your confidence in me, Your Holiness".
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
"This sitting here and waiting is driving me nuts", Kazu announced. "What are we gonna do? Sit around here, day after day, watching some awful Digital World TV?"
"You're reacting just how he wants", Ruki warned. "I know we haven't heard anything, his news networks aren't saying anything, but you can be sure you will get your chance. He hasn't forgotten us".
"No he doesn't forget", Lopmon reminded. "You can be sure that we're at the head of his shit list, especially after we destroyed his Hall of Divine Judgment".
They didn't have to wait much longer.
(We interrupt out regularly scheduled programming for a special message from His Holiness: our Lord and God.
I am addressing the Outworlders who call themselves the Digimon Tamers and their respective partners. As a sign of my benevolence and my divine mercy, I promise all of you safe passage from this world that does not belong to you. I will see you safely back to the Material World where you can live in peace with your partners and cease interfering with a world that is not yours, and whose affairs do not concern you. I give you one Digital World day to accept my divine mercy. If, however, you decline my most generous offer, I shall show you no mercy. My wrath will descend on each and every member of your respective families: your parents, your brothers and sisters, your guardians. One way or another, your interference with our world ends, and it ends now. Divine mercy and forgiveness, or divine vengeance? These are your choices. I encourage you to choose wisely.)
Now it became clear why Zhuqiaomon had not attacked since the desert. There was no need for that, as he was expecting them to hand themselves over without a fight.
"Jeeeennnn...", Shuichon started.
"My Mom... Father.", Juri was saying.
"Mom, Grandma", Ruki said.
"Listen up!", Impmon started, "we make like we didn't hear that. Knowing what that bastard is like, do you seriously believe a word of what he says? We set foot on the grounds of his palace, turn ourselves in to his agents, we find ourselves as the next guests of honour at his next public execution. He'll find some excuse for going back on his word. How many times have we seen him do that very thing? What reason do we have to believe he won't, and then he kills your parents and relatives anyway?"
"I agree", Lopmon said. "I was one of his Devas, and he keeps promises so long as it's expedient for him to do so. Did he keep his word to Lord Qinglongmon? He never lets go of a grudge, but has the remarkable ability to lead you into believing he doesn't. All the while, he's planning, waiting, instilling a false sense of trust, then he strikes when you least expect it. I was close enough to him to see exactly how he operates. He never forgets, and he never forgives".
"His Deva told me everything I wanted to hear", Impmon agreed. "He was filled with nothing but deceit from the very beginning. I made the mistake of trusting him and became Beelzemon. Don't believe him. He won't spare us or our families".
"We need to tell Yamaki right away", Takato said.
Material World: Hypnos
Dear Mr. Yamaki:
Zhuqiaomon announced an ultimatum that we are to turn ourselves in. If we don't do so within the next 24 hours, he has threatened to attack our families back there. I don't know if this is a threat or a bluff, but we have no intention of turning ourselves over to him, as we know he is not one to be trusted.
Keep them safe for us.
Takato
"The ESSSS is about to hit the EFFFF", Yamaki remarked upon reading Takato's latest communique.
"Now what do we do?", Janyu asked.
"We need to bring all of the Tamers' relatives here. I'm not sure we'll be able to protect them otherwise, and we have no idea as to what Zhuqiaomon has planned once his ultimatum runs out".
Yamaki was instructing his security personnel, the men clad in black suits, and wearing black fedoras. "Don't take 'No' for an answer".
They set out in those unmarked, black vans whose roofs bristled with antennae.
"Janyu, how are you progressing?"
"We have the white and black lists implemented", he replied. As for installing the core program, we're making progress..."
"You have 24 hours to complete it".
"We still haven't made the mods to Shaggai's hardware..."
"We may have to fore go that, Zhuqiaomon isn't giving us the luxury of time here. If we have to, we cut power to the entire facility. That should stop Shaggai if something goes horribly wrong".
Takato's parents were the first to arrive, as their location was well known, and the bakery within easy walking distance.
"What is the meaning of this?", Takehiro was complaining. "Sending your goons to run off our customers in the middle of the day?!"
What about Takato?", Yoshie asked.
"He's safe for now. That's why Zhuqiaomon's been making threats: he can't find Takato and the others".
"What are you doing to get them out of there, and bring them back?", she asked.
"We have a new Ark on the drawing board as we speak. Once the design is complete, we materialize it into our world. Then Johnny Beckenstein'll go get them".
"When will that be?", Takehiro asked.
"We don't know... hopefully soon".
"Why don't you get them now?!", Tadashi Katou demanded.
"If we did, we would still have the same problem: keeping them safe from Zhuqiaomon. I understand your frustration, and we share it. That doesn't change the reality of the situation: your daughter and her friends and partners are safer where they are than they would be here. So far, they are concealing themselves from Zhuqiaomon's detection. If brought here, they would be sitting ducks. Please bear with us a little while longer".
"Why should we trust you... or them for that matter?"
"Because they've kept the children safe. The digimon have already proved they can keep them safe, and have given us no reason to believe they won't continue doing so".
After Ai, Mako, and their parents arrived: "Ai, may I borrow your digivice?", Yamaki asked, getting down to her eye level.
"I dunnow...", she began. "It was Impmon's", she said as she fingered the digivice she wore around her neck from a silver chain her mother gave her to replace the ribbon she had used. None of the family figured it would be anything other than an unusual brooch.
Their parents also thought Impmon dead, and had to break the news to the twins. Neither had accepted the news well, and took a long time getting over the news that they would never see Impmon again. Their parents were equally upset, being that they considered Impmon family. The twins' parents were feeling vaguely resentful for having been put in that situation in the first place. Resentful that their young children were forced to deal with loss at such an early age. They hadn't lost so much as a pet, let alone someone as important to them as Impmon.
"Impmon's alive", Yamaki started.
"He is!", eyes widening.
"You aren't kidding?", Mako asked.
"No, Mako, I'm not kidding", he reassured. Turning his attention back to Ai: "And yes, Impmon's just fine..."
"How do you know?", Ai regarded him with skepticism.
"I had to make it look like he died in the explosion so this really bad digimon would think he'd killed Impmon. It was the only way to keep him - and you and your brother - safe from harm. I did the same when everyone thought Shiuchon Lee was killed in the park, and for the same reason: to protect her..."
"Why didn't you tell us?!", Ai demanded, as she stamped a foot for extra emphasis.
"I didn't tell you, or anyone else, because it was important to prevent this bad digimon from finding out. He listens in on phone calls, and has sent agents who came looking for the Tamers. I didn't want you to have to believe your partner was dead, but I had no choice. I know it sounds like a dirty trick, but you and your brother will just have to trust me when I say that. Now, I need to borrow your digivice so that I can help Impmon again. Would you do that for me?"
"Are you sure he's alright?"
"I'm sure: I just received an e-mail from Takato and his friends. So far, all of them are alright", Yamaki reassured.
"If you're sure it'll help Impmon...", she still eyed him with skepticism. Ai took the digivice off, handed it over...
"Just remember where you got it", Mako called out.
"Mako!", his mother reprimanded. "You go and apologize to Mr. Yamaki for what you just said".
"Do I hafta?", Mako protested.
"Not another word, young man". He understood the implied threat, but complied, though not believing he owed Yamaki any apologies. It was a dirty trick he'd pulled. Grown-ups justified everything by appealing to being grown-up.
Juri's parents were next to arrive as their bar and grill were as well known as the Matsuda bakery.
"Being pulled out of a photo shoot", Rumiko Makino was complaining. "I not only lose this commission, they're gonna expect me to pay them back for all the time and money they already spent".
"Don't worry about it", Yamaki explained. "Our discretionary funds will take care of it, and that it's a matter of national security will prove most persuasive".
Yamaki addressed the assembled parents of the Tamers, except for Ryo's father who as still en route. He explained the ultimatum the Tamers had been given, and the threat it contained.
"You've done this before. Living will be tight, but nothing you're not already used to. So far, the children are in a safe place, and this is why Zhuqiaomon broadcast his ultimatum over the network, despite how weak it may make him look. He can't find them. I gave no idea as to what he's planning when his offer expires. We can protect you here..."
"Or you make a target rich environment", Kazu's father complained. "How do you know we're all not sitting ducks here?"
"I don't", Yamaki confessed. "You'd be a sitting duck outside where he could pick you off, one-by-one. Your best chance is here at Hypnos".
0XFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Everyone gathered around Shibumi at a console: "Now to make our Ark a reality", he announced.
"How do you do that?", Mr. Katou asked, "you can bring Juri back?"
"With a Blue Card", Shibumi replied, "and the rest of the children too".
The first step was to upload the design data for the new Ark to the Digital World. On the screen, they watched as dust-like particles of data gathered and organized themselves into the design.
Shibumi slid back a cover and attached a USB cable between Ai's digivice and the mainframe. He took out the Blue Card he recreated and slid it through the digivice's card reader. The image of the Ark began to fade out.
"Mr. Beckenstein confirming: a digital field is appearing", Daisy announced. Johnny was calling in from a small airport north of the city. Materializing commencing".
"Impressive", Beckenstein congratulated, over the speaker phone.
The new Ark was red, chrome-digitizoid. The design was based on Violet Zone fighters, a flying wing powered by two turbojets mounted on external nacelles.
The ground crew was busy, fueling the new Ark. "I don't see how you're gonna take off", one was complaining. "Our runway wasn't intended to land anything bigger than two and four seaters. Bizjets don't land here".
"The runways won't be a problem", Johnny reassured.
"Once the ground crew has it fueled, I'll get the kids".
"You'll get them, but not just yet", Yamaki told him.
"What do you mean, 'not yet'? I say we get those kids the hell out of there right now! We have the means, so let's bring 'em home. Leave them there? That's insane!"
"The Tamers are safer where they are", Yamaki explained. "Here in the Material World, Zhuqiaomon could easily find them, pick them off, and their families as well. Zhuqiaomon isn't going to just let them fly off".
"You're not seriously suggesting they stay and fight Zhuqiaomon? They're just children! Yamaki!"
"That decision was made for us..."
"No it hasn't! Leaving kids... that's irresponsible..."
"They've shown us they can do what we can not. We don't have the means. You, yourself, saw that when we were fighting the D-Reaper. If it hadn't been for the Tamers, we would have lost everything.
"Sanity, common sense: that went right out the window with the appearance of the first Wild One. It's up to them, once again, and no one regrets this more than I".