Chapter Text
A week after the events of In The Face Of God, Courage.
“These are currently the top ten for each major city participating in the tournament.” Koji Wada waved his hand over to a screen.
In order from 10-1 in Odaiba: Yolei Inoue and Davis Motomiya, Tk Takaishi, Mimi Tachikawa and Joe Kido, Izzy Izumi and Sora Takenouchi, Mari Goutokuji, Sigma, Matt Ishida, Hideto Fujimoto, Tai Kamiya, Neo Saiba.
“Number two. Here I come, top spot!” Tai held his device. Like before, his eyes were tired, his body aching, and he swore on HolyAngemon's name that Arcadiamon was always there in his periphery. He could just never catch the bastard in clear view.
Nevertheless, he still had energy.
He ran outside and found Izzy and Sora already running down the street to find other Tamers. He smiled before running down the stairs himself.
“Can’t go the same way as them. This way it is!” Tai ran down the left of Izora’s path.
“Hey, Kamiya, can we-oof”! A random girl who stepped into his way got knocked over by him.
“Woah, crap. Sorry about that.” Tai helped her up. She sneezed cutely.
“I-it’s okay. Are you Taichi Kamiya?” The girl asked while looking around carefully.
“Yeah. Did you need something?” He looked at everything she was looking at and saw nothing.
“This might sound strange, but I really need your help with something...weird.” The girl continued to eye the area suspiciously.
“Why do you need help from me though?” Tai raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know who else to turn to. You're one of the champions, so I was hoping you would maybe know how to help" Meiko shrugged. "I'm honestly kinda desperate." She mumbled.
"Alright, I'll bite. What did you need?" Tai put his hands behind his head.
“Are you absolutely sure that you want to help me?” The girl stared deep into his eyes.
“Yes. Come on. I got people to fight.” Tai rolled one of his shoulders tiredly.
“Alright...are you absolutely sure-”
“You have ten seconds.” Tai put up all his fingers and started to countdown.
“Alright. My name is Meiko Mochizuki, and I...I own a Digimon.” Meiko frowned, afraid that she sounded crazy.
“Okay. I mean, a lot of kids our age do.” Tai thought this was going to be a long day.
“No, I mean...I OWN a Digimon.” She reiterated very unclearly.
“Maybe if you write it down I’ll get it?” Tai joked.
“Alright. Mei, you can come out.” Meiko motioned something to come out of a nearby alleyway.
Tai stared at it for a few seconds.
“That...is very neat.” Tai pointed at the creature in front of her.
It was a small brown cat with long scarves and an M on her head.
“You’re not...scared?” The creature looked nervous.
“No. I’m more surprised by the fact that you’re in the real world. I guess I’ve never tried to smuggle…” Tai looked at Meiko, realizing that she didn’t know about the Digital World.
“You were saying something about smuggling?” Meiko blinked at him.
“Ehhhh-ignore that. Your Digimon is cute, what’s its name?” Tai pointed at the cat.
“Meicoomon! Or Mei for short!” The cat hopped up.
“Meicoomon? And your name is Meiko? Did you name your Digimon?” Tai pointed at the two.
“Y-yeah." Meiko let out a horribly akward laugh. "I didn’t know what a Digimon was, so I thought I found a stray cat. I named her and only figured out she was different when she...spoke to me.” Meiko petted Mei.
“Yeah, most cats can’t do that. Miko certainly can’t.” Tai continued to study the small cat. For a second-a very brief moment-he thought he saw it’s weird plus shaped eyes flash with red energy.
“Anyways...can you help us?” Meiko tapped the tips of her index fingers together.
“Sure. What did you need?” Tai got nervous as Meiko leaned very close to him.
“Mei doesn’t know about this, so be very quiet.” She whispered.
“Alright.” He whispered back.
“She’s been having sudden outbursts of anger. It’s weird.” Meiko sounded worried.
“Interesting. We should talk more about this. Somewhere a little more comfortable.” Tai saw several people stare at the two very close children. Meicoomon was hiding in the alleyway again.
“Alright. I’ll just have Meicoomon wait here for now.” Meiko waddled over to the small Digimon.
Tai heard only tid bits of their conversation.
“But Meiko! I hate it when you leave!”
“It’s okay. I’ll be back soon. I’ll take you wherever afterwards, okay?”
“Alright. Come back soon.”
“I...I will. I’ll always come back for you, Meicoomon.”
Meiko walked out from the alleyway holding back tears.
“You okay?” Tai and Meiko started to walk down the street. He waved bye to the inconspicuous cat in the alleyway.
“Mei...Mei has always been very special. My father says that she is different from most animals, and not just because she’s a Digimon.” Meiko walked nervously next to Tai.
“Do you have any clue of what's wrong-" Tai saw Meiko wince, "I mean-abnormal with her?” Tai shook his head at his mistake.
“A few years ago, when I was eight, my father and some other scientists did some experiments on Meicoomon to learn about her.” Meiko looked fearful.
“Continue.” Tai rolled his hand.
“When I found Meicoomon, she was surrounded by...blood. And broken furniture. And...bodies. My father stood in front of her with a terrified look as Meicoomon floated. She doesn’t have any memory of it.” Meiko looked at her hands.
“I see. Something is definitely different about her.” Tai rubbed his chin.
“My dad theorizes that Meicoomon just doesn’t like being alone, but she’s never been more than just sad when I return from school.” Meiko continued to look at her hands. Tai pulled her away from the pole she was about to walk into.
“Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to leave her on her own then?” Tai sat down on a bench in the park. Meiko sat down next to him.
“We shouldn’t be gone for too long. It should be fine.” Meiko said with little confidence. “As for the problem now, she just randomly starts to claw at things viciously. She’s even attacked me before.” Meiko showed Tai a small scar.
“Strange. Do you know if she is a Virus Digimon?” Tai readied himself for a smack.
“Virus?” Meiko asked.
Tai finally realized how ignorant Meiko was about Digimon.
“Oh, Meiko. We only came to this city recently, I don’t want to be alone!” Meicoomon left the alleyway wearing a green cloak.
She looked around for any humans before dashing up a building and getting on the roof.
“I’ll look for her!” Meicoomon accidentally ran in the opposite direction of the park.
“Joe, my hat!” Mimi pointed at the rapidly disappearing cowboy hat. Joe missed it by a hair.
“I don’t think I can get it this time!” Joe chased after it.
“I got it!” Mei jumped down and hooked the hat with her claw. She handed it to the stunned Joe casually.
“W-W-Wuh?” Joe masterfully stated.
“Ooh, what a cute kitty!” Mimi ran forwards and took her hat.
“Hi.” Mei awkwardly tried to slink away.
“Let me pet you as thanks.” Mimi patted Mei’s head. A little spark flew in her eyes.
“Stop!” Mei ran back up the building.
“Looks like you aren’t too popular with animals.” Joe watched Mei disappear onto the roof of the building.
“You scared her off, obviously.” Mimi pouted.
“I don’t know what she is. I guess Data.” Tai had just finished explaining several concepts to Meiko, so she answered his question from before.
“Hmm. Maybe I should look at Meicoomon a little closer. Maybe she just has a thorn in her foot...for the last three years.” Tai mumbled the last part.
They stood up and walked back to the alleyway with a tiny bit of urgency.
“Why weren’t you surprised by Meicoomon?” Meiko struggled to keep up with Tai’s naturally brisk pace.
“That's...not an easy question to answer. Maybe I just got hit by too much shock and couldn’t react appropriately?” Tai let out a small laugh.
“I’m not sure how people would react to Meicoomon, so I was afraid to show you. Especially because the existence of a Digimon in the real world would make Meicoomon really popular, and she really dislikes attention.” Meiko rubbed the back of her hand worriedly.
“Then let’s hope that she knows how to stay put.” Tai picked up the pace.
“Then I hit them with the Crimson Flare and they were out!” Sora and Izzy just finished another fight.
“I say we celebrate. How about an ice cream?” Izzy pointed at the nearby vendor.
“Alright! I’ll pay this time.” Sora took out $10 and they both walked over.
“One strawberry please.” Izzy ordered.
“Can I get a vanilla with fudge, chocolate chips, caramel, cookies, gummy bears, skittles, and sprinkles?” Sora asked innocently.
“Do you know this kid?” The ice cream man pointed at a sign that had Tai on it. It said ‘do not serve this man’.
“Uhh...never seen him before.” Sora laughed nervously.
Izzy watched the two go back and forth before feeling something tug on his shirt.
“Can you get me an ice cream too? Pretty please?” Meicoomon looked at him with her large eyes.
Izzy was stunned for a second.
“That is an incredible costume!” He bent down to eye level with Mei. He rubbed some of her fur in his hands, making her very uncomfortable.
“Who are you talking to-holy crap!” Sora jumped back, accidentally dropping her cookies and cream ice cream.
“This child is wearing an exquisite costume.” Izzy stood up and grabbed his strawberry ice cream.
“Izzy, that’s not a kid. That’s very clearly a cat.” Sora scratched her head.
“The fur looks so real! And I have no clue of how you made those eyes look so realistic.” Izzy continued to look at the cat closely.
“Izzy, it looks real because it is a cat.” Sora continued to note.
“And these floating scarves are quite abnormal as well.” Izzy tugged on one of them. Meicoomon curled her claws for a second.
“They're not weird, she’s a cat-wait what?” Sora also moved to eye level with Mei and tugged on the other scarf.
“Stop!” Meicoomon scratched at them. They both backed off and she quickly ran onto another rooftop.
“Told you.” Sora remarked, very confused.
“I guess so...how...did it talk?” Izzy responded, just as confused.
The ice cream man behind them put a banned sign for Sora.
“She’s not here!” Meiko searched the alleyway in a panic.
“Uh oh. Someone might have taken her!” Tai also looked around, bumping into Meiko more than a few times.
“We need to find her! She must be really scared right now!” Meiko ran out of the alleyway and looked for Mei.
“Don’t worry. The second she can, she’ll probably run right back to this spot.” Tai walked out of the alleyway with less worry.
“We only recently moved here. Neither of us know the city very well.” Meiko admitted. Tai finally felt panic hit him.
“I always wanted a cat.” Yolei and Davis stood behind the counter.
“I’d trade Jun for one if I could.” Davis messed around with a coin.
“Why are you helping me again?” Yolei looked at her partner and common target for insults.
“I don’t know. I was bored.” Davis shrugged.
“You know, I would probably trade one of my sisters for a cat too.” Yolei rubbed her chin. The doors moved to the side as someone entered, but neither of them saw anybody.
“Let me check real quick. Don’t want a duck walking in and wrecking the place.” Davis hopped over the counter.
He looked into one aisle, seeing a tail pass by into the next one.
“You know, if I had a cat, I would want it to be a brown Maine Coon.” Yolei watched Davis slink around the aisles.
“I would want an orange Tabby cat, like Garfield.” Davis hopped into an aisle and saw nothing.
“What would you name it?” Yolei watched Davis sneak into the next aisle.
“Garfield, what else?” Davis grinned. He walked further into the aisle, inspecting the items on the shelves.
“If I had one, I would name it Yol, based on my name.” Yolei pointed at herself.
“Hey, uh, Yolei? Does the store sell plushies?” Davis looked afraid.
“N-no? Why?” Yolei saw Davis ready himself to grab something.
“Don’t touch me!” Meicoomon hopped off the shelf into Davis’ face. She kicked off of it onto the top shelf.
“Ow! Get back here cat that can speak-wait what?” Davis took a second to register his comment before leaping at Mei. She quickly jumped to the stand behind her, causing Davis to fall into the stand, pushing it over.
“Davis! Be more careful, please.” Yolei reprimanded.
“Sacrifices have to be made, or this cat will tear up the store!” Davis picked himself up and jumped at Mei again. She hopped back, making Davis slam into the next stand.
“Davis! You knocked down another one!” Yolei hopped over the counter and helped him up.
“Third time’s the charm! You go around her and I’ll jump her!” Davis cracked his knuckles menacingly.
“Right!” Yolei flanked Mei quickly.
“Here I come!” Davis jumped at her. Instead of jumping to the next stand, Meicoomon jumped at Yolei’s face, kicking off of it and plowing through a window. Davis slammed into the third stall, pushing it and Yolei over. She fell back into the last one.
“I think you got all of them…” Yolei said in a daze.
Davis looked around and nodded his head, taking it all in.
“We can probably clean up in, hmmm, five minutes.” Davis held up five fingers.
“I bet I can clean more than you!” Yolei stood up, already trying to push one of the stands back up.
“You’re on!” Davis did the same.
Both of them quickly forgot about the talking cat that invaded their store.
“Mei! Mei!” Meiko shouted, but not very loudly.
“Excuse me.” Tai put his hand on her shoulder. “MEI!!!!!” He screamed. Everybody turned to look at the two. Meiko burned up while Tai looked around, waiting for Meicoomon to show up.
“I don’t think she’s around here anymore.” Meiko hid her face.
“Probably not.” Tai said with a strained voice.
“Hey, it’s Kamiya!” Mimi and Joe ran over to him.
“Hey Momo! Hey John!” Tai waved at them.
“It’s Mimi!” She yelled.
“And my name is Joe, but I guess John’s okay.” Joe mumbled.
“You guys want to battle, or are you just passing by?” Tai took out his device.
“Just passing. But, hey, something weird happened.” Joe looked at the top of a building.
“We saw this super cute cat, but Joe scared it off by making it think he would eat it. Seriously, he stood there with his mouth wide open!” Mimi demonstrated.
“I, uh, I think it could talk…” Joe scratched his head. Tai and Meiko exchanged looks.
“Where did you see it?” Tai grabbed Joe’s shoulders.
“Uhhhh...Further down to the right. I think she was walking towards the Inoue Convenience Store if you want a marker.” Joe tensed up.
“Thank you. Play well out there, Joseph and Magnipotent!” Tai and Meiko ran off.
“It’s MIMI!” She shrieked.
“And I’m Joe.” He said quietly.
“Why can’t we have a dog?” Tk had his arms crossed and a pout on his face.
“Your mom doesn’t have the time to take care of a dog and she doesn’t trust you to take care of one yet.” Matt explained patiently.
“She’s your mom too, you know.” Tk’s mood improved at the mention of his mom as Matt’s worsened.
“Yeah...She suuuure is.” Matt sighed. He took out his harmonica and played on it to ease the stress.
“That’s a nice sound.” They both turned to find a cat on a pipe connected to a building.
Matt dropped his harmonica out of shock while Tk walked up to Mei.
“Do you have a home?” Tk asked.
“Yeah, but I can’t find it.” Mei frowned.
“Then I’ll help you find-”
“Stay away from it, Tk. Aside from being able to talk (apparently), she might have other weird traits.” Matt stood defensively in front of his brother.
“Like what?” Tk looked at the fairly innocent cat.
“Rabies. Scabies. Cat Scratch Disease.” Matt listed on his fingers.
“I’m not weird!” Mei clenched her fist. Red sparks flew in her eyes.
“Then why can you talk? Maybe you're just some punk in a costume! Get over here.” Matt grabbed her tuft. Meicoomon quickly shook him off.
“Leave me alone, meanie!” She scurried up the pipe.
“That was mean, Matt!” Tk whined. Matt let out another sigh.
“Sorry. I should have been more careful.” Matt took Tk’s hand again.
“Inoue is this way!” Tai and Meiko took a sharp turn around a corner, quickly bumping into Izzy and Sora.
“My apologies-Tai?” Izzy saw the familiar boy.
“Izzy! Yo.” Tai stood up and helped the short boy up.
“Hey, Tai. Who’s the girl?” Sora gave Tai a suggestive grin.
“Oh come off it, Sora." Tai tittered. "We’re just looking for her cat.” Tai brushed himself off as Meiko blushed furiously.
“I think your friend may be sick. Her face is red hot. Anyways, we saw...something that resembled a cat earlier.” Sora looked back.
“It was a child in a costume if I had to guess.” Izzy hypothesized.
“For the last time Izzy! Children can’t scurry up buildings! They also don’t have thick brown fur and huge green eyes! No way somebody could make a costume like that!” Sora groaned.
“Rebuttal: It did want ice cream.” Izzy closed his eyes and held a finger up. Sora and Izzy spun around as Tai and Meiko rushed past them.
“Thanks for the tip off!” Tai and Meiko continued to run.
“Turtleneck, turtleneck, turtle, turtle, turtle, turtle, turtleneck! Swe-swe-sweater!” Hideto sang.
“Are you wearing a turtle’s neck?” Meicoomon jumped to his side.
“No, you see. The term turtleneck comes from the 1860s, where polo players began dressing in them while playing, and thus the turtleneck got its original name: the ‘polo neck.’ But then-wait.” Hideto looked down to find Meicoomon waiting for an answer.
“Hi.” Meicoomon waved at him casually.
“You...can talk? You look like a cat, but these floating scarves...you're obviously not normal.” Hideto inspected Meicoomon without touching her.
“I’m lost.” Meicoomon’s eyes welled up with tears.
“It’s okay. Where do you live?” Hideto crouched down to eye level.
“At Meiko’s house.” Meicoomon pointed in a completely random direction.
“Meiko? Maybe it's a restaurant or something.” Hideto moved over to a nearby phone booth and flipped through the pages.
“I can’t wait! Meiko needs me!” Meicoomon sprung onto a nearby pipe and climbed back up to a ceiling.
“Couldn’t find anywhere called Meiko’s house, but I did find the numbers of a couple animal shelters you can...wait in. Where did?” Hideto looked around for the cat.
He shrugged.
“Turtleneck! Turtleneck!” Hideto continued to sing like nothing happened.
“Ice cream man! Did you see a cat around here?” Tai ran up to the familiar man.
“Sorry, kid, but you're banned. I don’t need to service you in any way.” The man continued to help the kids around Tai. Tai harrumphed and walked back to Meiko.
“Go order some ice cream and ask him yourself. That fascist won’t talk to me.” Tai pointed at the man with disdain.
“Alright?” Meiko walked over.
“What’ll it be?” The ice cream man readied his scooper.
“Pistachio please.” Meiko held up a finger. “Have you seen a cat around here?”
“Yeah. Two kids were messing with one a couple of minutes ago. Ran up that pipe and down that way.” The ice cream man pointed with his free hand while getting Meiko’s order.
“Dandan.” Meiko slipped him some money and ran back to Tai.
“Pistachio?” Tai shivered.
“She went that way. Let’s go.” Meiko pointed forwards with her cone.
“Right!” Tai hotfooted it.
“Alright girls! Let us begin!” Ariana and the other eleven girls were around her.
“Yeah! Let’s do this!” The others replied.
They quickly set up a little booth.
“Lemonade! Get it served to you by a girl of your choice! All proceedings go to a Breast Cancer Charity! And no, that doesn’t mean we’re trying to give people cancer.” Fiona rang a bell.
“We’re gonna beat the shit out of this charity event!” Ariana said with zeal.
“Wording.” II coughed.
“We are going to do really well!” Ariana reiterated.
A large crowd started to gather around, but few noticed the cat darting through swiftly.
“Twelve girls, one cup of lemonade! $2.5! What do you want?” Carly looked up to find a cat staring right back at her.
“Do you know where Meiko is?” The cat asked innocently.
“Oh my god.” Several of the girls exchanged glances.
“Cuuuuute!” They screamed.
“I’ll be the judge of-holy crap! That thing is cute!” Mari pointed at Meicoomon.
“I don’t like attention.” Meicoomon started to get swarmed by the girls and the crowd.
“What’s your name, strange talking cat?” Marge tilted her head at it.
“Uh, um, I don’t know!” Meicoomon jumped off of Mari’s face over the crowd and bolted away.
The crowd fell silent.
“Come get some f-ing lemonade!” Ariana shouted. The crowd regained its normal energy.
“Where is that cat?!” Tai and Meiko ran into Inoue’s store.
“Yeah, I met this kid named Cody. Super duper weird, but I kinda like him.” Davis and Yolei were still cleaning up.
“I met this kid named Ken. He was really smart, but he was also kind of a jerk.” Yolei rubbed her chin.
“Have you two seen a cat?” Tai asked in a hurry.
“We only serve customers.” Yolei reminded. Tai grabbed a $.50 chapstick and threw two quarters at her. She caught them.
“The cat destroyed the place then ran that way. It was definitely the cat’s fault.” Davis pocketed some candy bars.
“Davis! My dad said you would get banned if you were caught stealing again!” Yolei yelled.
“I’m not stealing! I’m just using my 100% family and friends discount!” Davis explained.
Tai and Meiko ran out the doors as the two continued to argue.
“Turtleneck! Turtleneck! Wait, is that?” Hideto saw two people running at him.
“Hideto! Is that you, pal?” Tai came to an abrupt stop. Meiko did the same, nearly tripping into a pole.
“Yeah. You guys look like you're in quite the hurry. Did you need something?” Hideto grabbed Meiko before she hit the pole.
“Have you seen a cat?” Tai panted.
“One that can talk, yes.” Hideto saw Tai’s eyes light up.
“Where did it go?” Meiko quickly asked.
“Down that way. It said it was trying to find ‘Meiko house’. Not quite sure what it meant.” Hideto saw brown hair brush past him.
“Thanks, Hideto!” Tai waved bye to him without looking back.
“How does he have so much energy?” Meiko ran after Tai.
“This day keeps getting weirder.” Hideto shrugged and walked off.
Neo walked silently. Any Tamer in his way walked to the other side of the street, terrified of the rank 1 holder.
“Is no one brave enough to challenge me?” Neo growled. Everybody held their heads down or ran away.
“You also have scarves!” Something pulled on Neo’s double scarf.
“You’re a dead man-what the heck?” Neo stared at Meicoomon, scaring her with his always intense eyes.
“I didn’t know other people were born with scarves.” Meicoomon showed hers with trembling hands.
“Scarves? A cat that can talk? Big green eyes that would make your skull look terrifying out of context? The heck are you?” Neo continued to inspect Meicoomon.
“Please don’t look at me! I’m scared!” Meicoomon cowered. Neo immediately loosened his look.
“Sorry, sorry. Are you lost?” Neo asked as kindly as possible.
Meicoomon nodded her head.
“Then stay still. I’m sure your owners are looking for you.” Neo patted her on the shoulder.
“Meiko needs me now!” Meicoomon ran down the street, still going in the wrong direction.
“Well, I tried.” Neo shrugged and continued to strut down the street.
“Maybe those girls saw him?” Meiko pointed at the booth suspiciously surrounded by a crowd of guys.
“I’m on it!” Tai walked through, the crowd parting due to his aura of confidence.
“Hello, sir. What would you...Tai?” Mari looked at him with wide eyes.
“M-Mari! Wait.” Tai found all twelve girls looking at him.
“I would have never thought that you would come to one of these events, especially with...whatever is going on between you and Rei.” Mari held back a giggle.
“N-no! That's not why I came here!” Tai had an embarrassed frown.
“Couldn’t get enough of me?” Ariana walked over. The other girls laughed.
“Have you seen a cat around here?” Meiko walked over and blocked Tai with her body.
“Yeah. Super cute cat. Left some scratches on my face.” Mari pointed at the large scratch marks.
“Which way did it go?” Tai poked his head over Meiko’s shoulder.
“We’ll only tell you if you pay.” Carly wagged her finger.
“Break a five?” Tai slipped them a fiver.
“No. She went that way.” Lily pointed down the street as she took the cash.
“You saw it here folks! Odaiba Digimon champion Tai Kamiya also supports Breast Cancer!” Ariana shouted.
“Wording.” Anna said tiredly as Tai and Meiko ran off, Tai hiding his face.
They continued to run until Tai saw a familiar smirk.
“Neo!” Tai stopped in front of him.
“Tai.” Neo instinctively took out his device.
“Have you seen a cat anywhere?” Meiko asked before the two could bite each other’s heads off.
“Yes. Ran that way. Said it had to find a fellow named Meiko. Go and get em.” Neo walked down the street and pushed Tai towards Mei.
“Thanks, Neo. You’re not half bad.” Tai grinned. He and Meiko dashed forwards.
“Mei! Meicoomon!” Meiko shouted, a little louder than before.
“MEI!!!” Tai let out several coughs. “I think I can do that one more time before being hospitalized.” Tai rubbed his throat.
“Meicoomon!” Meiko and Tai ran over to a bridge.
“Mei-There she is!” Tai pointed at the very distinct cat.
“Meicoomon!” Meiko ran over to her.
“Meiko!” Mei jumped into her hands.
“That was much harder than it should have been.” Tai yawned.
“Is that you, Tai?” Tai looked forward to find a boy with hair covering his eyes.
“Sigma!” Tai smiled.
“That cat that you two just picked up, I’ve been watching it for a little while. Tell me, would it happen to be a Digimon?” Sigma asked casually.
“N-no. Of course not. It’s just a cat.” Tai’s smile became nervous.
“See the thing is-it had floating scarves, huge eyes, a very elaborate look, and the name you were calling earlier ended with -mon. I am very confident in saying that it is a Digimon.” Sigma surmised.
“Y-yeah, alright.” Tai sighed.
“I don’t know why anybody would think otherwise. Anyways, why do you two have a Digimon?” Sigma pointed at Mei and Meiko, who were still hugging.
“Apparently, she’s had the Digimon for a long time. Recently though, it's been getting violent for no reason and in random intervals.” Tai and Sigma looked over the bridge and into the water.
“Ah, I see. It’s homesick.” Sigma answered with complete confidence.
“You mean, she needs to go back to the Digital World?” Tai looked over his shoulder to find the two Meis not paying attention.
“Yes. I have, admittedly, smuggled a few Digimon between our worlds to see how they would be affected-willing subjects, mind you. I have found that Digimon get weaker as they stay in our world. Eventually, they get ill.” Sigma sounded experienced.
“Sigma, these experiments of yours don’t seem particularly legal or even moral for that matter. Anyways, I guess I just need to take Meicoomon home.” Tai grinned. He had just been given the answer for free. All he had to do was run around for...an hour or so...
“You know, in all fairness, Izzy has also done a few experiments. Anyways, that sounds like a good plan. Tell me how it goes.” Sigma nodded at Tai before walking off.
“Meiko! I have a plan to help your cat. It might be a little strange though.” Tai walked over to her with a calculating look.
“Yes?” Meiko and Mei looked at him.
“Let’s go to my house. It’ll be easier to explain things there.” Tai sprinted towards his place. After all, they had passed Neo’s house by this point.
“Alright, Meiko. A friend of mine theorizes that Meicoomon has been outside of the Digital World for too long, so now she is starting to fall ill. If we return her for a little bit, she should go back to normal. Don’t worry, you can freely enter and leave the world we’re going to.” Tai looked through his emails. He had forced Sora to send him the message soon after the defeat of GraceNovamon.
“Did you hear that, Meicoomon? We can go to your home.” Meiko hugged her.
“Oh, Meiko. This is my home.” Meicoomon hugged her tightly.
“I know. Let’s always be happy, together.” Meiko and Mei continued to hug each other as Tai pulled up the email.
“Reply!” His Digimon dock became a D-1. “Let’s go! Hold on tight!” He grabbed Meiko’s hand and pointed his device at the screen.
“Wait, what are we-woah!” Meiko was blinded for a second.
“Welcome to the Digital World.” Tai brushed some dirt off himself.
“The Digital World?” Meiko and Mei looked around them.
“Yup. Here comes the star of the show!” Tai pointed at the rapidly approaching blue blur.
“Tai! I didn’t expect to see you so soon!” Zero dropped right in front of him. They fist bumped while Meiko backed away.
“What is that?” Mei gripped Meiko tightly.
“This is Zero the UlforceVeedramon. He is my partner Digimon.” Zero bowed as Tai introduced him. Meiko was pretty scared of the Digimon nearly three times as tall as Tai.
“M-Meiko. I’m not feeling very well.” Mei jumped out of her hands and stumbled for a few seconds.
“You might feel a little weird. This is the first time you have been here in years. Assuming you've been here before, anyways.” Tai rested his hands on Mei’s shoulder.
Red energy flickered in her eyes.
“Mei. Meicoomon, keep talking to me.” Tai shook her lightly.
“I see...viruses. My head hurts. I-I’m scared!” Mei pushed Tai off.
“Meicoomon, calm down.” Meiko walked towards her. Zero released his sabers defensively.
“My head! I’m scared, Meiko! I’m scared!” Meicoomon’s claws started to extend and her scarves ended in large helixes.
“It’s okay, Mei. I’m here.” Meiko moved her hands towards Meicoomon.
Meicoomon’s plus eyes became Xs and she looked at Meiko while baring her fangs.
“Get down!” Tai grabbed Meiko and dropped towards the floor.
“Shut Claw!” Meicoomon slashed Tai in the back as he fell.
“Tai, are you okay?” Meiko felt him go limp.
“Y-yeah.” Tai rolled off Meiko to look at Meicoomon.
She floated in the air with a menacing aura. She growled at them before flying off.
“Zero, catch her. Don’t let her get away.” Tai pointed at the rapidly disappearing danger.
“Right!” Zero kicked off the floor and flew after Meicoomon.
Meicoomon turned her head and looked at Zero with vicious eyes. He gasped and fell to the floor slowly while shaking.
“Zero! What’s wrong?” Meiko helped Tai over to him.
“I don’t know. When I looked into her eyes...I saw death. I just couldn’t get any closer.” Zero held his aching head.
“Can anybody else stop her?” Meiko looked at Tai. His face tensed up.
“I...I don’t know!” Tai was forced to face the question that he hated most.
Ever since Dianamon’s last words, Tai had thought nonstop about the future of the Digital World.
He knew she was right. His friends were weak, at least compared to him and Zero. And that was true for all Digimon in the Digital World as well.
Tai had realized quickly that he and Zero weren't just the leaders of the group, they were the protectors. They had saved several of them on multiple occasions.
The group depended on them heavily. And the 100% combination couldn't always be there.
Well, they were always there when they were needed, which was all the time. But they shouldn't have to always be there.
Tai was just a kid, and a tired one at that. Zero always does the most work and had been forced to push himself far beyond anyone else several times.
It wasn't fair to either of them. But they would have to keep fighting.
Because his friends were weak. The whole Digital World was weak.
And it was up to the V-Tamer, his Mythical Digimon, and the immeasurable strength of their combination to constantly protect it.
And that wasn't fair.
“If Zero can’t do it, then no one else can. No one else is even half as strong.” Tai’s eyes shook.
“Don’t be like that, Tai. It will be okay. We’ll find Meicoomon and bring her back.” Zero patted him on the shoulder.
“We can’t. None of us can. Zero, you’re by far the strongest Digimon in the group. If you can’t accomplish something, none of the others can. Let’s just go home.” Tai walked towards Holy Angel Castle.
“Wait! Tai.” Zero and Meiko watched him stumble away.
“Are you two not going to help Meicoomon then?” Meiko turned to Zero.
“We will. It might just take longer than expected. I promise for both me and Tai, we’ll save her.” Zero flew after Tai. Meiko ran after them.
“Tai, what the heck? Why are we just giving up?” Zero whispered.
“I need to get home to treat my wounds.” Tai didn’t look at him.
“But Jijimon can heal those, and it's not like you ever cared before. I can look for Meicoomon while he treats you.” Zero recommended.
“No. We need to go home.” Tai sped up.
“So, when are we going to go after Meicoomon?” Meiko ran to Zero’s side.
“S-soon. I’m sure. We’ll help her, I promise.” Zero watched Tai continue to walk off.
“Alright. We’ll be looking for a brown cat, large green eyes, two scarves, possibly dangerous.” MagnaAngemon had Gekovitch write everything down.
“Yes. Thank you. We should head home now.” Tai winced.
“Alright. It was good meeting you, Meiko.” MagnaAngemon nodded at Meiko before opening a portal.
Tai and Meiko walked through with sullen faces.
“I’ll make sure that Meicoomon is returned safely to you, Meiko. Maybe not today, but soon.” Tai and Meiko stood at his door.
“Alright, Tai. Thank you. Just, don’t hurt her, please.” Meiko bowed before leaving.
“Meicoomon. What will happen to the Digiworld?” Tai closed the door and moved to his phone.
“Sigma the Digimon Tamer here.” The other side responded.
“Hey, Sigma. I’m back from the Digital World.” Tai leaned onto the table, his back still hurting.
“How did things go?” Sigma inquired.
“Well, Meicoomon went crazy and attacked me. She also flew off afterwards. I don’t know where she is now.” Tai was still wincing.
“What? Are you okay?” Sigma sounded uncharacteristically worried.
“I’ll be fine, but I’ll probably be resting for a little bit tomorrow. If you guys could, go to the Digital World and look for Meicoomon tomorrow. I’m not sure why, but I have a feeling that she's more dangerous than she looks.”
“Alright. Get some sleep and stay healthy, Tai.” Sigma hung up.
“I can sure as heck try.” Tai lowered the phone slowly.
He checked his back, finding three long and deep scratches. It was bad, but he’s experienced worse.
After a few hours of languishing in bed, both because his wound hurt and because he couldn't go outside to challenge anybody, he finally felt his body surrender to its aching.
He fell further into his bed and fell asleep quickly, his entire body desperately wanting to recharge.
His eyes opened to a familiar scene.
Several Digimon were fighting. One side had very elaborate designs, most of which had shining lines. The other side was full of familiar Digimon, like Daemon and Arcadiamon.
“What is this dream?” Tai touched his mouth. He looked down to find that he was actually there this time, capable of movement and speech. He looked up and saw a white flash.
The same Digimon that had talked to him before appeared once again.
“Taichi Kamiya.” The Digimon bellowed.
“Y-yeah?” Tai backed away. Zero wasn’t in this dream.
“Your friends are weak. They cannot fend for themselves. The entirety of this Digital World is weak, but it can be fixed.” The Digimon got closer to Tai.
“How would you fix it?” Tai stopped backing away, figuring that the large beast in front of him could kill him whenever and wherever.
“Do not interfere. Let events play out. If your friends can stop whatever happens, then you have no reason to worry. Otherwise, the weak will have been removed from the strong. Let natural selection take its course.” The Digimon ordered.
“I can’t allow that! If my friends are fighting, I’m going to help them!” Tai put his fists up.
“And risk them becoming even more dependent on you? Unwise.” The Digimon’s voice started to become relaxing.
“T-they aren’t dependent on me. They can handle things on their own if they need to.” Tai lowered his fists.
“They are weak Taichi. Because you always protect them, they can't grow. If they are strong, they will have to prove it to you and I. Follow my advice, and this world will be saved from itself. Ignore my orders, and this world will spiral into destruction. Once again, this world’s fate rests on your shoulders, V-Tamer Tai Kamiya.” The Digimon flew to the battlefield.
Everybody stopped and focused on it.
“ATTACK 1!” It shot a wave of crystals that tore apart the crowd with ease.
“Let natural selection take its course. Make my friends prove their strength to me. I’m sure they can fight whatever threat comes next! And when they win, any doubts I have will disappear! I'll feel right again! I won't have to shoulder the Digital World on my own! He’s right! I won’t interfere next time." Tai looked at his shaking hands.
He clenched them closed.
"And if they can't handle it..." He looked towards the field of broken bodies. "...I'll make them stronger."
Tai’s cape flowed slowly in the wind.
To be continued.