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Book 1 Chapter 01

Page history last edited by Daneel Rush 13 years, 7 months ago

?:??

 

As usual, it was always twilight in the Zohar Laboratory. Illumination was only artificial, and it was very scarce, even more in this particular room, the “last room” of the entire complex: the room behind the A.D.A.M. room, where the seven previous specimens were created.

 

But the last specimen deserved a room of its own. After all, it was the long-awaited success.

 

After six mistakes, the seventh, Gabrielle, had been a mistake because it was a female. The eighth, Asmodeus, was a close to a success as it could possibly be. The ninth, Moloch, was as perfect as Asmodeus, with an additional bonus: it was his.

 

Or at least, that was what Gennai believed for a while.

 

While in the previous room the machinery was carefully hidden under the floor and within the walls and the ceiling—an artistic celebration of scientific minimalism—in this room it was all over the place for everyone to see. Meters and meters of wide cables and tubes made walking difficult, as they crawled like an ophidian orgy on the dark blue floor. All the tubes and cables were connected to the glass tube in the center of the room, where the boy rested; his stable breath releasing swarms of bubbles at periodic intervals. Large processing terminals leaned against the walls, with hundreds of blinking lights that shifted their unfathomable patterns in a chaotic orchestra not even Gennai fully understood.

 

In any case, the room was unimportant by itself. Gennai had to make sure the proper concentration of vital fluids and nutrients were being infused in the tube, as the next stage of the plan was crucial. He stood and leaned in front of the computer, showing his back to the little person in the tube, so he did not notice when the little person opened his eyes. He also did not see the hateful, spiteful look the child shot at his hunched frame.

 

“Everything’s properly configured, ‘Gennai’.”

 

Gennai stopped in mid-typing, silently asking the gods why that brat had to wake up. He simply did not know the child had never been asleep. The kid seemed to find some sort of wicked amusement in reminding his “caretaker” of the fact that he was just a fake copy of the original database known as “Gennai”.

 

“……is that so.” The clone muttered half-heartedly.

 

He turned to face the boy, who looked at him with eyes as cold as his heart. Despite not being even three years old, the boy already had the body of a child twice his real age. His mind was actually much older.

 

Naked and curled in a vertical fetal position, possible only thanks to the high-density vital fluid that allowed his radically accelerated growth, Tachikawa Mimi’s son stared at his sitter and beyond him, slowly conceiving his carefully devised plans.

 

“How’s the egg?” The boy finally asked. Gennai knew the boy would eventually ask him that question, and he was quick to answer.

 

“It will hatch in the course of the following 48 hours.”

 

“Good. Prepare to release it.”

 

There was an uneasy pause. Gennai even had to shift his eyes away from the child’s penetrating gaze.

 

“Is there something you want to say, ‘Gennai’?”

 

“…I…I have a question.”

 

The boy’s cold gaze shifted to an amused expression, tilting his head in response to Gennai’s words. The database felt like a confused child seeking the guidance of a father entertained by his child’s ignorance.

 

“…is it really…right to release the egg in the wilderness?”

 

“How else will it gain data and evolve?”

 

“Of course, of course, but……what if it is destroyed?”

 

“If it’s destroyed, it’s destroyed. I have no need for weak Digimon.”

 

No more words were said by the child, who made sure his tone of voice clearly expressed his exasperation at what he considered “stupid questions”. Gennai couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Digimon inside that egg, whichever it might be.

 

 

July 26th, 2018

6:01 P.M.

 

“So, if I discard this one…”

 

Suzie’s sudden words startled the other people nearby. While Rika always complained that her house seemed to have become the standard Tamer meeting place, the fact remained that none of the others’ houses were large enough. In the end, Jeri always made a good job of convincing Rika to allow them to do their homework at her place. At some point, Ryo and Suzie always joined them. Rika didn’t even bother to ask how that happened in the first place. After all, Suzie goes to a different school and Ryo doesn’t even go to school.

 

That seemed to be a problem for the Hypnos people. Suzie, that is, not Ryo. They were looking forward to the youngest of the Wong siblings to make the step into Middle School, when they would be able to properly chain her to Kagayaki Shinzou.

 

It was hard to think they would go that far to keep the Tamers under constant vigilance. But it was still free schooling, so whatever.

 

While Rika, Henry, Jeri, Hirokazu, Kenta and the always-welcomed Tanaka Rei sat around a low table to wrack their brains with algebra, Ryo simply idled around, which annoyed Rika to no end. Right outside Rika’s bedroom, Suzie seemed to be studying her deck of cards, the deck of cards she had gotten who-knows-where. She had been very quiet until that very moment, in which she had begun to talk to herself. The Tamers could not stop themselves from interrupting what they were doing to look at the younger girl.

 

She was holding a Gallantmon card with her left hand and a Sakuyamon card with her right.

 

“So, if I discard this one……” she repeated, putting the Gallantmon card on the floor in front of her with the rest of her deck.

 

“…the attack power of Sakuyamon’s card doubles.”

 

“Really!? So cool!”

 

“Or you could discard Sakuyamon’s card to double MegaGargomon’s attack power, or you could double Gallantmon’s card’s power by discarding MegaGargomon.”

 

“Waah! That’s so great!”

 

Everyone looked at Henry, who shrugged aside their inquiry. He was as puzzled as his comrades. Everyone turned back to look at Suzie.

 

“You can try comboing a Digimon card with the King Device. Azulongmon, Kimeramon and Phoenixmon are all good choices.”

 

“Ahh…” Suzie muttered in awe. She looked at Azulongmon’s card. “Azulongmon’s the big blue dragon, right?”

 

“Yes…”

 

Suzie made a funny look, as if looking at the card brought something to her mind. Suddenly…… “Oh! I came up with a Card Combo!”

 

The Tamers blinked. Their interest grew with each passing moment, while Suzie frantically looked through her deck.

 

“Aha!” She finally exclaimed. “I can combine Azulongmon with this card! Uhh…it says…Majiramon! If I slash these two cards together, Majiramon’s attack quadruples!”

 

“Excellent, Suzie!”

 

“…and I can then discard Majiramon to increase Azulongmon’s powers, too! Tee-hee, I rule!”

 

Rei chuckled in utmost mirth, soon followed by Jeri. Suzie remained oblivious to the fact that she had become the center of attention. Even the Digimon were looking at her. However, while the humans were starting to question Henry’s sister’s sanity, the Digimon were studying her with subtle frowns and utmost concern.

 

“Sorry to disappoint you, Suzie, but discarding Majiramon would end its effect, and you’d lose the quadruple power effect.”

 

“Aww, no way! There’s has to be a way…” Suzie looked through her cards sprawled on the floor. “…here it is! Auto Patch! I can use this, right?”

 

“Fabulous, Suzie! You’re a very fast learner!”

 

“Oh, I’m getting embarrassed!”

 

That was the icing on the cake. Henry knew he had to intervene.

 

“Uh, Suzie…”

 

“Shush, brother! I’m studying!” Suzie spat without even looking at Henry. “Well, what about this one: High-Speed Plug-In T, Alias and MegaGargomon. It’s the same combo y-“

 

Suzie stopped in mid-sentence. Just in time.

 

“…with which Renamon was defeated by BlackTerriermon, right? Well, not the exact same combo, but I think this one’s even faster. Am I wrong?”

 

Renamon and Terriermon narrowed their eyes to tiny slits. They had just (correctly) identified Suzie’s invisible friend.

 

“Suzie, would you mind thinking to yourself? Your brother and everyone else are studying hard, too,” Terriermon stated. Suzie did look at Terriermon this time.

 

“Ah? Um…sure…sorry…bad habit.” She giggled and bit her tongue in an amazingly cute way.

 

“You’ve been talking out loud all this time?”

 

“Tee-hee, sorry, Taka-chan.”

 

 

8:33 P.M.

 

Janyuu Wong lowered the TV’s volume to the audible minimum and pushed the ‘Play’ button of his DVD Player. For a moment, the image on the screen seemed to be out of control, as the cameraman adjusted his tool. Janyuu watched the scene unfold with a smile. It would be safe for a while: his wife was in the bedroom, and none of his children were at home.

 

He quickly recognized the scene, of course. He had been there. He was surprised when he received that letter, over half a year before. He had been very surprised, but he took part of the event nonetheless. He had actually enjoyed quite a bit, him and everyone else who attended. It was a nice event, despite its unique and somehow regrettable significance.

 

While the camera moved from table to table, urging the people to say hello or a few words, Janyuu caught glimpses of himself every once in a while. He also saw some members of the Hypnos Crew, namely Yamaki and his two assistants, and, of course, the Wild Bunch, Shibumi included. The cameraman eventually caught him and he, too, was forced to quickly make up a short speech. It didn’t turn out as bad as he expected. It seems he was not that drunk, after all.

 

Suddenly, the plethora of noise which had characterized the video came to a halt. The people in the video turned their heads together to look at a newcomer. And both Janyuus, the one in the video and the one watching the video, gasped in unison at the apparition. There was no better word to describe the person who had become the center of attention. A white apparition. A diaphanous being of beautiful radiance and delicate features.

 

An incarnation of happiness.

 

Yes, it had been a happy day. However, Janyuu could not help but wonder just how long would that happiness last.

 

“We’re home!” Suzie’s voice reached his ears from the entrance. As if struck by lightning, Janyuu quickly turned off the DVD Player and ejected the disk. Henry and Suzie only saw him stuff a DVD in a featureless white box.

 

“Welcome home!” Janyuu exclaimed with a forced smile. The little Suzie, clutching her D-Ark and her deck of cards as if her life depended on it, quickly dashed to her room, closing the door behind her. Lopmon was obviously following her.

 

“I…take it you already had dinner,” Janyuu muttered as he rushed to the kitchen, while he urged his heart to stop beating so fast. Henry frowned, obviously conscious of his father’s strange behavior. Terriermon, perched on his Tamer’s head as usual, noticed the white box Janyuu clutched in his right hand and immediately understood.

 

“Thank you for the hard work today, Janyuu-san.”

 

“Ah!? Ah…thank you…Terriermon.”

 

“We should let your father rest, Henry. He’s visibly tired.”

 

“Ah? Umm…uh-huh. You’re right. Thank you for the hard work, father.”

 

Henry bowed to his father and followed Suzie’s example, locking himself in his bedroom. Thirty long seconds had to pass before Janyuu finally exhaled and sighed in relief.

 

 

11:45 A.M. (Standard Digital World Time: GMT +00)

 

“Guilmon, Ryuudamon, flank him! I’ll cover!”

“Yeah!/Yes.”

 

The two rookie Digimon moved to opposite sides of their current enemy, a rogue Zanbamon who actually dared attack, intent on claiming their data. Guilmon’s (Guilmon S, but the S is omitted for the sake of simplicity) speed was clearly greater, and quickly approached the Mega Digimon’s right flank. Zanbamon raised his huge golden sword to attack the incoming crimson Digimon.

 

“Eden’s Light!”

 

Takato’s high-power laser beam bounced off Zanbamon’s blade harmlessly, but it did a good job of distracting the horseman (if that actually can be called a horse)

 

“Rock Breaker Beta!”

 

Guilmon’s claws slashed Zanbamon’s face but, regardless of how powerful Guilmon had become, Zanbamon was still a Mega, and it did not take much damage from Guilmon’s attack. Zanbamon raised his left arm, in which he held a katana, a laughable thing compared with his terrifying Ryuuzanmaru, but it could still deal some decent damage. Besides, they were even more powerful when combined. Takato quickly reacted to the new threat.

 

“Guilmon! High Speed Plug-In T!”

 

Guilmon clutched Zanbamon’s head with the same claws he had just used to slash him, and use the head as a support to launch himself upwards and above the Demon Digimon’s body, effectively dodging the horizontal katana slash. Just as he landed right behind Zanbamon, Ryuudamon was ready to strike.

 

“Guilmon!” The Vaccine Digimon called for his partner’s attention. Takato had been impressed by those two since the day he created Ryuudamon. The two Digimon shared a link of some sort, almost as if they knew what the other was thinking. Was it a byproduct of their unique creation? That was Takato’s best hypothesis. It was one of those things that didn’t really need an explanation.

 

Ryuudamon leapt to Guilmon’s waiting arms, and Guilmon launched his small partner up and rolling in midair.

 

“Kabuto Kaneshi!”

 

Ryuudamon’s spinning body was wrapped by a white glow, right before it stopped on midair and struck Zanbamon’s face like a cannonball. Zanbamon groaned and attempted a counter, but Ryuudamon quickly phased out of existence with a swiftness Renamon would have applauded. At the same time, Guilmon quickly retreated to attempt a ranged attack.

 

“Pyro Cluster!”

 

He shot one of his trademark fireballs, which exploded halfway and separated in four separate fire blasts, the four of them striking Zanbamon’s quadruped body and clouding him in smoke and dust from the loud explosion. In response to Takato’s hand sign, Guilmon dashed next to his Tamer, and Ryuudamon promptly phased in by Takato’s left.

 

Calmly sitting on a rock (something she had been doing a lot lately) eighty or so yards away, Alice McCoy watched the battle while slowly petting her Dobermon. It was not really HER Dobermon; she did not have a Digivice of any kind, for starters. But Dobermon still answered to her and behaved with the utmost loyalty. Dobermon would fight for her if it became necessary. But Alice did not think it would be necessary. It amused her (and pleased her) to know she already had the best Knight Protector. She was watching him fight in that precise moment.

 

Takato had chosen that Wednesday-Thursday night (It was 3:47 AM in the US, Pacific Time) to train, and Alice had followed him. In any other day, Takato would have scolded her for not taking the night to rest, and she would have had to tell him she would rather spend more and more time with him, and then he would have blushed and reluctantly accepted her company, and she would have had to further convince him by grabbing his arm, subtly rubbing her chest against his back for added effect, and then Takato would have had to fight the incoming nosebleed and rushed to open the Gate. It would have been an amusing scene, to say the least, and it always delighted Alice to see the effect of her feminine charms on her husband, but it did not happen that day. It was a special day, after all.

 

Alice’s thoughts returned to the battle. As expected, Guilmon’s and Ryuudamon’s attacks did nothing but annoy the Mega Digimon. She had already seen Guilmon taking down Champions, and even hurt some Ultimates, and Ryuudamon could fight on even grounds with any Champion, but a Mega Digimon was a hugely different matter. At the moment, Zanbamon and Takato clashed in what had become a heated swords battle, while Guilmon S and Ryuudamon struck from every possible direction, in an attempt to wear out the opponent. Takato could easily fend off Zanbamon’s attacks, but Alice knew that was only because he was in the Digital World. In the material world (Takato had forced her to forget the expression ‘The Real World’), Takato would have already fallen due to exhaustion. There was a huge difference in Takato’s power level in the material world and his power level in the Digital World.

 

Takato was near god-like in the Digimon realm.

 

She could not understand the whole concept but, it is apparent that somehow the Digital World has become an ‘extension’ of Takato’s consciousness. The Digital World obeys Takato’s will and supplies him with infinite energy. If there is an absolute ruler of the Digital World, it’s not the 4 Sovereigns; it’s Takato.

 

Takato could easily dispatch Zanbamon in a moment, but then it would not really be ‘training’, she guessed. Besides, it was obvious Takato did not want to kill this Digimon for no reason. Takato could always bio-merge with Ryuudamon and attempt to reduce Zanbamon. It should not be that difficult. However, there was a pressing matter Takato wanted to solve…

 

Alice checked the time on her new watch. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, and a classic to top things off: a Geneve 18K Solid White Gold & Diamonds Women’s Masterpiece. Secretly, Alice made a little research. She almost fainted when she found out the price of the watch. She did not know how Takato got the money to buy such a thing for her. She DID NOT want to know how Takato got the money to buy such a thing for her. But he did. He had treated her like a goddess since that wonderful day of October. Not that she minded.

 

She checked the time, and frowned. There were now two pressing matters.

 

Takato jumped backwards, dodging a mighty swipe of Ryuuzanmaru.

 

“Takato!”

 

Takato looked at Alice, who was pointing at her watch, the watch he had bought for her. He knew exactly what she meant.

 

“Guys, we have to put an end to this.”

 

Ryuudamon phased out and back in to move next to his Tamer. “I’m open to suggestions.”

 

Takato sighed. “Ryuudamon, cover us. Guilmon, let’s try bio-merging.”

 

Alice frowned. There it was; Takato’s preoccupation. He had kept it a secret from her until recently. The truth was, Takato had not been able to bio-merge with Guilmon ever since his arrival to the States. He had explained her that “Ruki’s protocols are correct, but nothing happens,” whatever that’s supposed to mean.

 

“Ruki!”

 

Bio-merge Protocols Activated.

Initializing Advanced Scan & Slash Mode.

 

“Let’s go!”

 

Nothing. Takato simply felt nothing. The familiar rush of power didn’t show up, and he didn’t feel the ticklish feeling of his data being manipulated by the bio-merge protocols. It just didn’t work. Guilmon blinked a few times, the best possible way to express his befuddlement. Takato’s frustration was interrupted by Ryuudamon’s groan of pain as he was swatted away by Zanbamon’s left hand.

 

At least it wasn’t the sword.

 

“Ah, dammit!” Takato shouted his frustration as he began a mad dash towards the enemy Mega Digimon. Zanbamon noticed the incoming offender and prepared an offensive of his own, but that went to naught when Takato disappeared.

 

He didn’t just disappear. Takato had been right in front of him an instant before, and the next instant he was gone. Just like Grademon and several other Digimon before him, Zanbamon became the latest victim of Takato’s instant movement.

 

“Tch!” Takato snorted in frustration as the unconscious Zanbamon fell on the dry ground with a loud thud. On cue, Alice stood up and walked over to Takato’s side, closely followed by Dobermon.

 

“Good job.”

 

“Not at all, Alice.”

 

“Takato…” Guilmon muttered as he, too, approached the Tamer, Ryuudamon behind him. Takato smiled compassionately and carefully scratched the back of his viral partner’s left ear.

 

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. There has to be a way…and I’ll find it.”

 

But, why just Guilmon? I can bio-merge with Ryuudamon and Nix just fine.

Calm down, Takato. You said it, there has to be a way…and WE’LL find it. Together.

…of course. I’m sorry, Ruki…and thank you.

 

“Let’s go, Takato. We have a busy day ahead of us,” Alice stated, and Takato nodded in agreement.

 

Before anything else, Takato let go a long, melancholic sigh. “Ah…” He walked a few steps, leaving Alice and the Digimon behind.

 

“Tired?”

 

“Just a little, Alice.”

 

He was about to make the next step when a pair of slender arms wrapped around him from behind and he felt a wonderful feeling on his back.

 

“Maybe you could use some of my body heat……” Alice said, barely above a whisper, effectively turning Takato into a blabbering idiot.

 

“Ah…uh…umm…”

 

The three Digimon a few feet behind looked at each…and they sighed together. Yes, even Guilmon.

 

 

July 27th, 2018

9:37 A.M.

 

The unmistakable tall figure of Tanaka Rei was the landmark Rika needed. The blatantly obvious way she waved her arm at her told Rika that her presence had been noticed. For a moment, Rika’s embarrassment begged her to turn around and run away. However, she swallowed her pride (she found herself doing that more and more often lately) and crossed the street to reach the park and meet her two…friends.

 

“Jeri! Jeri-chan!” The usually overly energetic Rei exclaimed. “Rika’s late! So she pays lunch! Let’s go!”

 

The tall girl grabbed Jeri’s left hand and walked away while humming a merry tune. Rika only let her jaw drop.

 

“…hah?”

 

 

12:47 P.M.

 

“Nee, Rika…” Rei began her assault between two sips of her soda.

 

“Hmm?” Rika replied absent-mindedly. She had been in a world of her own pretty much the whole morning, while Jeri and Rei enjoyed themselves strolling around the mall. “Girl Stuff,” Rika correctly guessed.

 

“How long will you let your hair grow?”

 

“Hmm…” Rika didn’t really have an answer to that question. She had just felt like letting her hair grow a little. It had changed to a literal ponytail, growing from the top half of her head and falling down after a smooth curve. Of course, she had not shared the primary reason behind her decision.

 

“…it’s easier to caress your hair like this when I kiss you.”

 

She still could not believe she had decided to change the hairstyle she had kept for years because of something the Gogglehead told her in a dream.

 

“I don’t know…as long as I’m comfortable, I guess…”

 

“Hmm…” Rei muttered, slowly revealing a knowledgeable smirk. “Yes…well, it suits you.”

 

“Thank you,” Rika replied matter-of-factly. Rei’s smirk grew larger.

 

“But, you know…shouldn’t you change your clothes, just to go with it?”

 

Rika finally raised her eyes to meet Rei’s. “…what’s wrong with my clothes?”

 

Rika was wearing her usual “blue heart t-shirt and jeans” attire. Of course, unlike her, her famous t-shirt had not miraculously grown, and almost three years later it was less than half an inch from becoming a tank top.

 

“Well, it’s a shame you don’t wear a skirt or a dress for a change.”

 

“I don’t happen to have your assets to show, Rei.”

 

“Neither does Jeri.”

 

“Hey!”

 

“No hard feelings, Jeri. In any case, you underestimate your good looks, Rika. And you are very good looking. So next time we go out shopping you’ll be wearing a dress!”

 

“Who are you, my mother? And what if I say no?”

 

“You get the fist!”

 

“Really.” Rika was at that point fairly amused. She didn’t need to meditate on it to be 100% certain she would be the absolute winner in a fight with Rei, despite Rei being taller and older.

 

“In any case…” Rei took a long sigh and continued. “…the important thing here is that you must—TAKATO-SAMA!”

 

Rika almost fell backwards after Rei’s exclamation. Before she could react at both Rei’s sudden reaction and the mentioning of Matsuki Takato, Rei was already running to somewhere away from the table where they had been enjoying their lunch for the last 30 minutes. Rika and Jeri followed her with their eyes until she stopped in front of a display cabinet. More precisely, a poster displayed behind.

 

“Aaaaah! SO COOOOOOOL! I have to take this home with me!” Rei’s voice was so squeaky Rika would fear she’d get diabetes…or deaf…or both.

 

Rika and Jeri only stood up and followed her after she disappeared inside the store. They increased their pace when they heard a familiar male voice.

 

“Ore? Tanaka-san?”

 

Rika and Jeri blinked together when they saw the interior. As Rika had correctly guessed, among other leisure products, the store included an impressive collection of Digimon paraphernalia, cards included. Rei was in the middle of an argument with the young man in charge, waving her arms frantically and pointing at the front of the store. The two girls turned to the other customers, effectively noticing Hirokazu’s presence.

 

“Oi! Jeri-chan! Nonaka!” Hirokazu greeted them with a silly smirk. “What’s the lovely trio of class 1-A doing here-ouch!”

 

Jeri nodded apologetically and followed Rika, who had entered the store after greeting her fellow Tamer with a twack.

 

“So, what brings you here, Visor Boy?”

 

Hirokazu refrained from stating the fact that he asked first and complied. “Unlike a certain Digimon Queen, some of us still play the Card Game, and keep track of new releases.”

 

“So you’re telling me a new booster pack was released today.”

 

“Bingo! Unlike Kenta and Henry, who said they had ‘things to do’, I have my priorities straight. And it seems someone else shares my opinion,” Hirokazu finally concluded, while pointing at the farthest corner of the store. Following Hirokazu’s finger, the two girls recognized the petit frame of Suzie Wong, who studied the catalog of cards with the focused look of a young lad studying his school text. Rika couldn’t help but feel amusement at the sight.

 

“That kid’s really getting into it,” Hirokazu muttered. Jeri giggled.

 

“Who knows? She might become the next Digimon Queen.”

 

“Oh, dear Lord, no,” Hirokazu groaned. Rika shook her head.

 

“Not at all. She’s not working on a playable deck. She probably wants to improve her combat deck.”

 

Suzie, who remained oblivious to the world around her, giggled in delight. She was obviously enjoying what she was doing.

 

“New cards, huh? That’s interesting.”

 

Yes! Yes, it is, Taka-chan!

 

Rei, who had apparently reached an agreement with the young man behind the counter, merrily walked behind the display cabinet and claimed the poster for herself.

 

“Aww…Takato-sama, so cool…”

 

Rika ignored Cloud-Nine-Rei and looked at the poster that had started this whole scene. It was the promotional for the new booster pack that had been released the day before. Rika didn’t care that Hirokazu’s “tracking of new releases” was delayed 24 hours, but instead focused on the picture. It was an impressive collage of Takato’s Digimon’s forms. Guilmon, Growlmon, WarGrowlmon and Gallantmon appeared in stunning poses in front of a background that somehow resembled outer space. In the middle, Takato looked at the far distance, his right hand on top of Guilmon’s head and his left hand confidently placed on his waist. Rika did remember that picture—or at least its unedited version—taken without his permission by an amateur photographer one afternoon in the park, a week or so after the Nightmare incident.

 

Since Takato rarely appeared on the public appearances of the Tamers (which, as we already know, mainly starred Ryo and Rika, and sometimes Henry), and he seemed to have an amazing talent for evading the media, any record of his Digimon-related activities, even if it was just him and his partner strolling in the park, was a little treasure for local journalists. Rika had to admit it was a good image, but, of course, she had the best photo of Matsuki Takato. Then again, this is a very biased opinion.

 

“Kyaah! Isn’t this like, the coolest thing, Rika?”

 

Rika only shook her head at the fangirl’s antics. “I just…don’t get you, Rei. Not at all.”

 

Rei floated behind Rika and hugged her. “I’m just stating the fact that your Takato-sama is really cool!”

 

“M-m-my-what are you trying to say!”

 

Jeri had to struggle not to laugh.

 

 

4:44 P.M.

 

“Names?”

 

“Alice McCoy and Takaishi Takeru.”

 

The immigration office lady did not recognize the blatant TV show reference, of course. That’s what Alice expected.

 

“Age.”

 

“15. Both.”

 

Alice answered each and every single question with her usual dull tone. The flight had been delayed, she confirmed she could not stand that annoying feeling in her ears during take-off, and she had a terrible sleep. She felt 20 years older. To make things worse, Narita International Airport was as bustling as ever. She just could not stand crowded places. And where was Takato, anyway? Why was he taking so long picking the luggage?

 

She was not afraid Takato would be recognized. He had suffered some noticeable changes in is appearance that guaranteed he would remain unnoticed, besides the expected changes that follow puberty. His Ascension had slightly bleached his hair, and his previous brownish hair was lighter; a transition between brunette and blonde. His eyes had lost color, too, and she could swear they changed color according to his mood. Whenever she asked him about it, he replied with a mysterious grin and said “what do you think?”

 

Besides that, Takato’s growth and the obvious changes in the muscular proportions of his body ensured his identity would remain unknown to all but his most intimate friends and family. Of course, Alice did not plan on allowing Takato to get any close to the Digimon Tamers. In fact, they were leaving Tokyo as soon as humanly possible. There was only one reason she had allowed herself to be taken to Japan, aside from the fact that, according to Takato, “the time was close,” whatever that meant.

 

“Purpose of the trip?”

 

Alice paused for a moment. She was tired, she was drowsy, and she was hot as hell. It was a particularly warm and humid summer, and she was paying the price of preferring a Goth look. Takato, on the other side, seemed completely impervious to planet Earth’s weather extremes, which allowed him to casually wear the black leather jacket she had bought him to cover the blatantly revealing Ruby Omnivice. As for hiding the Digimon, that was extremely easy. Guilmon hid in whichever Shadow Realm he uses to disappear and appear Daemon-style. Ryuudamon simply phases out of existence a-la-Renamon. As for Dobermon, who lacks such Ultimate-stealth abilities, he was forced to spend some quality time with ever-perky Nix in the Digital World until Takato picked him up.

 

“Ahh…geez, Alice-chan, what did you bring here!? The Arizona desert? Raleigh-san?” Takato complained as he painfully dragged his small (black) traveling bag and Alice’s three much larger (black) bags.

 

For a man who is supposed to be above the limits of human evolution, he sure complains a lot.

 

“Purpose of the trip?” The woman behind the glass panel insisted, this time a little louder. Alice looked at her for a moment, and then she looked at Takato again. Takato stopped his struggle for a moment to catch a few breaths, and their eyes met. Alice felt the exact same feeling she always experienced whenever he looked at her. His energy, his youth, his life. He overwhelmed her, he filled her.

 

He completed her.

 

She was starting to feel hot for a completely different reason.

 

She returned his smile with a smile of her own, and looked down, at the ring on her left hand. As if waiting for that precise moment, the ruby engraved on the delicate white gold ring sparkled with a crimson glow. Alice’s smile slightly grew, and she turned to face the immigration lady.

 

“…honeymoon.”

 

 

Daneel Rush presents…

 

 

GOSPEL

Book One

“Trials of Worthiness”

Chapter One

Honeymoon

 

 

Chapter 1 End.

 

 


 

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