ココニイルヨ [OPEN]

Their long, awkward silence suddenly broken by the appearance of an Impmon, a familiar one that they met few days ago. Yuuki smiled tiredly and waved while Hikaru... Hikaru just smiled, but it's not the confident smile that he always put on. It's more solemn one, a subdued one, filled with lot of resignation.

"Heya Bells," Yuuki greeted "and Lukey and Colin too of course. Well, uh..."

"...Various stuff, happened," Hikaru answered, looking a bit tired. "Sorry, I think I'm just unable to evolve, so... I'm currently stuck in this form. Maybe because the Digivice gone bonkers or something." Both of them know that this is not true. Yuuki's Digivice for a while managed to evolve him to Armor, but immediately after it's off, he turned into Dorimon. They purposely left this part from the explanation.

"I'm feeling a bit tired!" The Dorimon suddenly said "Can we take a break somewhere? Somewhere where we can sit and wait... I'm feeling a bit hungry too. Oh right, there's an abandoned platform here. Why don't we go there?"

"Ahh, it probably gonna be fixed if we go to Andromon's store," Hikaru answered. His tone might be like usual, but... for many reason, more than one, it felt like something was wrong. It might be easier for those who really sensitive to pick it, but it's hard when he's still being carefree like this.

Hikaru looked at Yuuki. His smile showed some sadness that he can't tell his partner. The male bit his lip momentarily before chasing Colin and the rest, but at the same time keeping a safe distance. Meanwhile, Hikaru purposely lagged behind. As if he know Yuuki's hearing range, he only spoke when he's sure that nobody but him and Luke could heard what he said.

"...Say, Lukey? Pick me up, please?"

Theme: Tomodachi `~ Tatakai no Theme

Normally, that would sounds cheerful, but at the moment, it felt melancholic. The reason suddenly revealed. Hikaru's form glitched, his legs slowly becoming transparent. His body is shaking. Trying to keep his data from glitching alone must be really hard for him, let alone standing. His breath labored, and it doesn't feel like it's natural at all. He awaited for his red furry friend to pick him up.

"...No, I'm not alright. I lied," he truthfully said. "Nothing could make a Digimon suddenly like this... I think... I think, Lukey, that I might be infected by something. Or maybe, my data is glitching more because it already happened in the past."

He looked less tired when Luke hold him, probably because he could stop the glitching easier.

"...Lukey, when I evolved in the past, it injected me with data. My data unfortunately is always incomplete since my child stage. The more I evolved, the more feral I become. But back then I never reached Perfect other than once in fight against Kumbhiramon. Still, I become feral enough and trashed about... it wasn't funny, Lukey... I found out later that evolving actually injecting my data gap with garbage data... I was scared, I was really scared... Armors meanwhile doesn't have that problem. That's probably why my armors was my favorite."

He exhaled. "...But during our search for bigger power... there was an incident that is really scary... I was killed. It was Yuuki's first descent to darkness. See, we... fought a copy of me. Apparently the copy of me is a Dex Dorugoramon. I... I was sealed, Yuuki was powerless... and what's worse, Tatsuya and Blake appeared as Omegamon Zwart X. They mercilessly killed my copy and thus I reseted."

The Dorimon looks weaker and weaker by second, but he keep telling his story. "...It managed to fix my data. I was happy, but... Yuuki harbored hatred against his weakness and people that dragged him until when I finally become Alphamon for the first time. We then... become the best partners ever...!" for some reason, on the last part, he looks really happy and his tone finally sounds truly grateful for the first time. "...But then we understood the negative effect of biomerging. We abused it, yes... we don't have choice. it was war."

He starts to wheeze again. It felt like he could gone anytime now. "....And I reseted for the second time. Yuuki... left like that. I saw him aged rapidly, I saw his arm turned into metal in front of me... I felt powerless. I vowed to protect him, better than what I've done, but..."

Once again, he start to glitching. There was a period of silence from the Dorimon... no, Dodomon.

"...Say, Lukey? I'm afraid... afraid if this continued... I'll return to Digitama... And when I returned to Digitama I'm still glitching. That means I'll... probably die." He did not said reset. He said die. This means he's completely aware of his existence going to fade. "...But now, I'm not so afraid..." he turned around to face Luke with teary face. "...Because... I know I can trust my partners to you guys..."

Tears droplets fell to the ground as the Dodomon keeps thinking about his impeding termination, hoping that even his partner and the two in front of him won't notice.

"..Thank you..." still, tears rolling down his small round body. The Dodomon doesn't feel like he can get better, but otherwise he's feeling a bit fuzzy and warm thanks to his friends who would go miles for him. Still, he closed his eyes and smiled. "...But that kindness will be wasted on me." More tears fell from his eyes. He's not so sure that he could held everything back anymore. He's not even sure that he can fade with a smile.

"Lukey, can I ask you a last favor? If... if Yuuki... if Yuuki become too lost after he lose me... Please... please take a good care of him. I'm a failure as a partner... Instead of making him happy I made him worried instead. I'm sure that he'll cry and blame himself if I fade in front of him so..."

...Hikaru understood, that time for farewell is getting closer and closer.

Despite everything, he managed to shook off his tears the moment Bellamy asked what's wrong. Yuuki immediately stopped and the look he gave Hikaru the moment he saw his Dodomon form, his red eyes that slowly getting moist from the sight told both Luke and Hikaru what sort of horror passed through his mind. Hikaru, though, make a brave front and jumped from Luke's arms.

"Hehe, it's nothing... what's the long face, partner? I'm just returning to my most basic form to conserve energy!" It's a barefaced lie, Luke already know that this is not the case. While Bellamy and Colin would probably got tricked, Yuuki meanwhile looks at him like he could fade away anytime.

"Hey now, don't look at me like that! I'm just fine, see?"

He began to jump and leap toward where the Impmon and his partner is.

"Say Bells, I think dating on an airship's observation deck at night while gazing at the stars could be a really romantic date. While you're an Impsanova, that's this Doru's best tip to capture the heart of your lover! Coronamon was it? He's a lucky guy. You might be an Impmon, but your tush is fluffy~"

He laughed and soon smiled. "...Bells, I never regret ever meeting you," he whispered, then turning to Colin.

"Yanno Cols, we met your sister in desert one day. She's a nice girl. Still, she need a bit more training... too bad we can't give her one. You know, Cols, few months ago when we first met you two, you two looked so bright and dazzling... and now you're veterans already! I can't believe it! You guys sure grow up fast! Heh... I felt like I want to ride your ship..."

...but it's not possible, so his heart told him.

The sight of the abandoned platform saved him from crying in open. Hikaru turned around to face everyone, purposely ignoring his partner whose hand bleed from his nails digging into the flesh.

"Hey, everyone! I felt better, so... I'll race you guys there!"

BGM: Say Goodbye

With the last remaining of his strength, he hopped as fast as he could to the wooden building. He unable to fight back his tears and instead drowned his sorrow with laughter. His merry laughter accompanied his every hops, but Yuuki knew more than anyone that he felt so crushed. Despite being late, the human, ignoring the pain from his metallic arm, quickly ran after his partner who slowly getting more and more out of sight.

The sunlight and the gentle breeze felt like mocking him. The beauty of the day is a sarcasm to the heartbreaking farewell between the two. He hurriedly climbed the stairs of the platform, yet he didn't find his partner, just a piece of letter.

"...Hikaru...?"

There are no answer. His eyes darted around frantically to look for any patches of purple.

"Hikaru!"

There are still no answer... The boy's heart slowly getting crushed by the dread of goodbye...

"HIKARUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

Yet only his echoes answered back. Yuuki fell to his knees, tears streaming down his cheek ans he shakily opened the letter. It's written messily, so unlike of him... yet that's exactly why his tears never stopped. Because he knew just how much the Dorimon struggled to write this.

---

Dear my one and only partner

...I dunno how much sorry I should say when you read this... but as you may have guessed, I... might not be here anymore. Hey Yuuki? Remember when you used to never interested in Digital World? You're not an adventurous type, you said... it's a pain you said... yet slowly, despite all the grumbling, you came here anyway? It made me happy, really happy.... Despite I have to reset twice, I'm happy to be your partner. You might be an awkward guy, but that's what makes you cute. Despite all your "it's a pain" kind of attitude, you still do it anyway when it comes to people you hold dear. That's why, I'm glad to be your partner. Hey, Yuuki? I'll be really happy if you can remember me, your first partner even when you got a new one.

Please, if you got a new one, shower them with affection. You're an experienced partner. That's why, it's your time to guide them this time.

...Heh, you know... even if it's not the time yet, I already kinda miss you... I missed playing with Ryu... I missed having tea time with Jeanne. I missed Papa, Hinomaru, I missed Kon-chan too... I missed Karin's gentle stroking, I missed seeing you messing around with Ryouta, I missed Koharu's antics... I missed Kei-chan's lavender scent and I missed Koutarou's chiding.

...I wonder if Owen going to get a new date later?

I wonder if Bellamy gonna get mad if he know about this? I'm sure he will, but I hope he can move on quickly. I'm just a dude who he promised a friendly date anyway.
I wish Luke to finally find a nice guy... he's such a nice guy. It'll be a waste if he stays single...
...I hope Colin could find that despite everything, Digital World is not a scary world. It's a place of dreams and adventure. I hope he'll always walk forward and grow...

...but you know what I miss?

I missed your voice.
I missed how much you rambled about historical looking sites.
I missed how you cooked for me... and how I cooked for you back
I missed being with you, hearing your retorts in all of my silly antics. I secretly do it to make you laugh...
I missed how I'll be the one that stood beside you, to support you.
...Most of all, I missed how much I can say I love you, Yuuki!

Farewell, my memories will be part of the sky.
If you look up, make sure you remember your old pal Hikaru, alright?

I'll forever be with you, even if I'm no longer qualified to be your partner.

Despite all the attempt to look for him, there are no sign for the Dodomon anywhere. In the midst of that desperate moment, Yuuki cradled the letter, tears still streaming down his cheek. He, who has spent longest time with his partner felt so crushed. Yet, that moment did not continue for long. The sudden explosion from the area right beside the human made his eyes widened.

"...Arbiters!!"

Those words spoken with such venom, more than enough to show how Yuuki hated them. Whoever this Arbiters are, they must be mortal enemy for the boy.

"Hmm, for a human slave, that Dorumon did well to hold so far..." the figure showed itself to be a humanoid Greymon with red armor... a Blitz Greymon. Following not too far is a Dynasmon. "In itself it's worthy of applause. Well then, he can't be too far. Human, hand us the Digitama and we will let you go... you, human that have no relation to that other human, pull back your partner and we will not hurt you. We made it easier, you know? Too bad that Digimon resisted it until the end. Chrono-Virus that is..."

"YOU, YOU'RE SAYING YOU'RE THE ONES THAT DID THAT!?---JUST HOW FAR WILL YOU SINK!?"

"As much as you human would, of course. Don't be so angry. We know the moment you human die it's the end for you. That's why, we're giving you fair chance. Itou Yuuki, Criminal Code ZX-0023. Give us your partner's egg and you can say goodbye to all this pesky business. We came in peace you know?"

Suddenly, the Dynasmon attacked with a blast of bomb-like energy. Yuuki quickly ducked away, but he unfortunately affected by the explosion.

"What are you saying, Red? We're not here for chitchat.  Quickly destroy the egg and arrest the human. That much is given."

The Blitz Greymon sighed and shook his head. "This is why I hate muscleheads. Sorry, but my colleague here seem to disapprove it. Honestly, just make this easier for you human. Give us the egg, and we'll just stop there. I'd love to offer a deal because you're not like the rest of the other human who killed us and broke our eggs... it's simple, we won't arrest you as long as you cooperate."

"Bullshit."

"Ah?"

"BULLSHIT! HIKARU IS MY PARTNER! I WILL NOT HAND HIM OVER TO YOU!"

"Ah, how vulgar... so you would prefer to kept him to slavery--"

"Red, enough. Human, for enslaving Digimon, I shall punish you!"

The Dynasmon quickly assumed a battle stance. Meanwhile, Yuuki gritted his teeth and began to look for Hikaru once more. His voice laced with both desperation and urgency. He need to get his partner back!

"Ah, well... I guess I'll be fair and sit right here," the Blitz Greymon muttered, but even before he could sit, his Dynasmon partner already trying to reach out to the black haired male...

"I don't get it, why are you two siding with humans? Is it power?" the red one asked, snorting. The Dynasmon forced to instead deploy a circular shield to block the attack from Luke. The Digimodify made it harder for him to defend, but at least the shield managed to block one attack... Still,t Bellamy's attack hit him squarely. His glare directed at the other Digimon. "It's true that we only get to up to perfect alone, but hey, why do you need to suck up to human and be their slave while they slowly annexing our digital world, huh? That just doesn't makes any sense."

"You arbiters are too biased to human."

"As we should," the Blitz Greymon replied. "You human could grow Digimon up to that stage, what is it if not a freak of nature? You call it give and take, but for me it's just give and take to very small amount of Digimon! We Digimons does not need human! That's why..."

The Blitz Greymon aimed a cannon at Yuuki. "...I told you, right? If you resist, then I'll use force."

It was a mistake. Blitz Greymon is user of electric type attack, just like Fulminomon. His cannon slowly rotates and ball of lightning energy. Yuuki's eyes widened in horror. But, as if thinking, the Blitz Greymon took out a card.

"Ooops, I forgot... Digimodify..."

"STOP!!"

A brave, yet weak voice resounded. From the rubble appeared a Dodomon--no, it can't even be called Dodomon. His outer appearance has degenerated to the point where his wireframe could be seen. Looking at that, Yuuki gasped.

"Ah, out to save your friends, do you?"

"...That's right... your target is me... let them go."

"How touching... You know what this means, right?"

"...Go on ahead."

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, HIKARU!?"

"If I accepted it, would you not chase them anymore?"

"That one I promise. I'm not like human anyway... Well, then, it'll be painless for a Baby I such as yourself, for sure..."

Yet, without warning, Yuuki already tossed himself to the Dodomon, leaping with such speed that he never thought possible. The ball of energy chipped the land and made a burrow along its path. All seem lost when it looked like the human and his Digimon caught in its aftermath, the explosion that looked like it would definitely eradicate both... yet...

"YUUKIIII!!"

The scream of the Dodomon was so clear. The boy whose head bloodied from the impact kneeled on the ground. The working of his left arm showed itself. Hikaru wasn't kidding. Under that skin was something that looked like it's out of sci-fi movie, yet fresh blood trickled down from his still fleshy wound.

"Don't worry... if it's this much, it's just a scratch."

"WHY!? IF ONLY YOU ABANDONED ME, YOU WOULDN'T NEED TO GET THIS WOUNDED! ARE YOU STUPID!? YOU ONLY HAVE O--"

"WHO'S THE STUPID ONE HERE!?" the boy's bellow drowned his partner's. He glared at  the Dodomon. "...WHY COULD YOU BE SO STUPID!? I'M THE ONE WHO SUPPOSED TO SAY THAT!! YOU ALWAYS TOLD ME TO BELIEVE IN YOU, BUT AM I THAT POWERLESS THAT YOU CAN'T TRUST ME!?"

"...Y-Yuu--"

"IT'S NOT JUST ME! EVERYONE WILL GET SAD IF YOU'RE GONE YOU STUPID FOOL! I TRUSTED YOU, I TRUSTED YOU, IDIOT, WITH ALL MY HEART! THAT'S WHY... IT'S YOUR TURN!" despite all his wounds, his leg that looked like it probably broken, he stood up tall. "IT'S YOUR TURN TO BELIEVE IN THIS HUMAN, HIKARU! HAVE FAITH IN ME!!"

Yuuki's Digivice immediately shone with brilliant golden light. Several sound of unlocking could be heard. Immediately, Hikaru's form enveloped by the light. Some sort of purple data string came out from his body, replaced by golden one... and soon, he returned to being Dorumon. He looks dazed for a while, but Yuuki instead grinned.

"...Welcome back, partner."

In his still good hand, he held Hikaru's kilt. The Dorumon, upon seeing it returned the grin.

"Gosh, I can't believe this... looks like my tenure is far from over afterall..." Hikaru took it gratefully and tied it to his waist. "...Time for ROUND 2!!"

"...To think... to think this sort of bullshit is possible!" for once, Blitz Greymon lose his cool. "I will not let you!!"

BGM: Brave Heart Tri Version

Digital field opened the moment Yuuki's Digivice activated once more, several words crossing on the screen before it shows Dorugamon.

"DORUMON SHINKA!"

Enveloped in cocoon of data which become bigger and soon broke, Hikaru emerged as silhouette of  his Adult form before rendered, appearing finally as beastlike dragon.

"DORUGAMON!"

Before the attack could caught him, Hikaru grabbed Yuuki and tossed him above his body.

"Ouch, gentler!"

"No time to be gentle!" He quickly take flight, but Blitz Greymon began his assault with his missiles.

For the second time, Yuuki's  Digivice shone, color changing to black and gold with the screen shows Dorugreymon.

"DORUGAMON, CHOU SHINKA!"

Crest of Faith changed the form of Dorugamon into a dragon with six wings and long neck. The moment the light faded it showed the red coat of his next evolution.

"DORUGREYMON!"

The speed from Dorugreymon managed to dodge the missiles once, but it wasn't enough. It quickly turned at the corner and chased him again.

"No good!"

"Don't worry, Yuuki... I trust you... therefore... Trust me!"

Finally, with the two faith become mutual, the Digivice shone for the last time.

"DORUGREYMON, KYUUKYOKU SHINKA!"

Several circles of light rose from the ground, and soon the form of the dragon is replaced by figure of gigantic knight. The rendering that starts from his head revealed his black armor and continues to his leg. White cape appeared on his back, fluttering majestically.

"ALPHAMON!"

The black knight quickly snapped his finger, blocking incoming projectiles with some form of shield.

"...Time for payback," Hikaru declared.

Both combatant was ready to run. Blitz Greymon materialized a barrier made of electricity. Hikaru know that two of them are separate Digimon. There are no similarity to their data. Thanks to this he know that Bellamy's attack most likely won't pass, but... Before the attack hit, Hikaru rose his palm to the sky.

"Light of Victory!"

Blast of light suddenly descends on the trio. Slowly, the light reinforced their data, making them tougher and stronger. It also reflected to their attack. The rest probably couldn't see what the Alphamon currently wear as his expression, but Yuuki know better than the rest that he's smirking. The beam got stronger and the Blitz Greymon who could do nothing but to watch his barrier broken immediately killed on spot, reduced into Digitama.

"That one left, everyone! Don't let him escape!"

Dynasmon managed to dodge Luke's attack, although he certainly got more than just 'singed'. One of his wings burnt and it looks like he's trying his best to escape.

Hikaru materialized his sword and began to chase after the arbiter.