Chapter Text
When Damian, Wormmon, Ichijouji, and Stingmon found shelter, which was a small cave. Damian watched as Stingmon turned back into his Wormmon form. Damian couldn't help it and be baffled of how his Worrmon and Ichijouji's Wormmon were identical. The only difference were the voices. Damian's Worrmon had a soft, but high pitch voice, while Ichijouji's Wormmon had a nasally, high pitch voice, but a bit boyish...if that made any sense. Now Damian wasn't sure what to refer Ichijouji's Wormmon. Does he call him the other Wormmon, the boy Wormmon, or Worm for short? Should he still refer Ichijouji's Wormmon as Stingmon even though he's not Stingmon anymore?
"This should be a good spot," Ichijouji said. "There's a river nearby. We can build a fire and get some fish."
"Um...Ichijouji, I-I'm actually a vegetarian," Damian pointed out, hesitantly.
Damian waited for Ichijouji to say something like how Damian would have to deal with eating meat or how Damian was troublesome just like everyone he knew, but instead Ichijouji's eyes widened and nodded as he patted Damian's head.
"That's fine," Ichijouji assured him. "There should be some berries and fruit around here. Our Wormmon's can find them."
"Yeah we can!" Wormmon exclaimed. "C'mon Wormmon!"
"Eh what?" Ichijouji's Wormmon questioned in Japanese.
"You're going to get some fruit and berries with my Wormmon," Damian explained.
Before Icjijouji's Wormmon said anything, Wormmon took his little bug-like hand and drag him away with a smile on her face. Ichijouji's Wormmon just yelped as he was being dragged into the bushes. Damian sighed and Ichijouji chuckled. He hoped the two would be fine by themselves, even thought there is a language barrier.
"They'll be fine," Ichijouji assured him. "Let's get the fish and firewood."
Damian nodded. "You're fine with me being a vegetarian?"
Ichijouji raised a brow. "Of course, I am! Why wouldn't I be? That's your preference of how you wanted to eat, right? There's no trouble with it."
Damian couldn't help it and stared at Ichijouji. He was looking at his body language to see if there was any deception, but there wasn't. Damian wasn't sure if Ichijouji was good at hiding his body language or if he was really being genuine about it. Deep down, Damian did hope he was being genuine about it. At the same time, he wondered if he could trust Ichijouji. Damian knew that since he's friends with the Digimon Diplomat, he can be trusted, but if he found out what kind of person Damian was...they would probably try to take Wormmon away from him. Either that or Wormmon leaving him for good.
Right away, Damian and Ichijouji headed to the river. It didn't took them long to get there. The first thing they did was to gather some wood for the fire. While Damian was gathering some wood and dry plants for the fire, he noticed Ichijouij was staring at him. Then he realized Ichijouji wasn't looking at him, but at his hoodie pocket. Damian looked down and noticed the Digimetal was sticking out.
"Is that...a Digimetal?" Ichijoujo questioned.
Damian nodded and pulled it out. "I found it at the pyramid."
"Can I see it?" Ichijouji asked.
Damian looked at Ichijouji and back at the Digimetal. He wasn't sure if he should. He might take it from him, but he knew Ichijouji had more knowledge of the Digital World than him. With a sigh, Damian took out the Digimetal and handed it to Ichijouji. The Japanese detective looked at the Digimetal, examining it. Then he stopped. He noticed there was dirt on the Digimetal. He brushed his thumb away from it and Damian saw a symbol - a familiar symbol that he knew so well. The symbol that he had on him. Ichijouji's eyes widened. It looked like he knew of the symbol too. How did he knew, Damian wasn't sure.
"Damian, do you recognized this crest?" Ichijouji asked.
"Crest?" Damian took out the tag. "You mean this?"
Ichijouji gasped as he dropped onto his knees, being on Damian's level. He peered at the tag with the symbol - crest and at the Digimetal. A smile grew across Ichijouji's face.
"I can't believe it!" Ichijouji exclaimed. "You're the bearer of this crest! We found you!"
Damian paused. "Wait...you've been looking for me?"
"Technically, Taichi-san told Koushiro-san to send Wallace to look for you," Ichijouji explained. "We locate you through the crest and saw you live in Gotham. Hopefully, Wallace isn't already there in Gotham."
"Who's Wallace?"
"Another Chosen Child in America. He lives in New York. He's a good friend of ours and he also happens to know Japanese too."
Damian tried to processed what he just heard. They were looking for him? The Digimon Diplomat was looking for him? The only thing Damian could think it all started was when Wormmon's egg was sent to him, but if they already sent another Digidestined to him...then what business does Ichijouji have in the Digital World? Was there something going on here? However, at the same time, Damian knew he wasn't worth anyone's time. Even for the Digimon Diplomat. Once they find out everything about him...they would just push him away.
"I'm so glad we found you," Ichijouji said. "Taichi-san and the others would like to meet you and your Wormmon."
Damian pursed his lips. "There's nothing glad about meeting me."
Ichijouji blinked, almost taken aback. "D-Damian - "
"Let's get some fish. It's going to be dark soon."
Damian took the Digimetal from Ichijouji, shoved it into his pocket, and turned his back to him as he headed to the river. Damian knew what he said was rude, but he knew it was true. At home, no one was glad to see him. So why should he expected the original Digidestines to be glad to see him? He might be what they expected after all. Just like how his family expected him to be one thing, but that never happened.
Behind him, he could hear Ichijouji following him. When Damian got to the river, he put the wood to the nearest bush. He took off of shoes, socks, and rolled up his jeans. He even took off his hoodie too, revealing a simple white t-shirt.
As Damian got into the water, he noticed a fish right away. He knew that he should get five or four fishes since everyone else eats meat. Damian hovered over the fish, staring down at it. When he got close, he snatched the fish. The fish wiggled in his grasp and he gently settled it onto the ground. Then Damian walked through the river, looking for another fish. He wanted to get a big fish for Wormmon to eat. In the corner of his eyes, he saw Ichijouji looking for some fish too. Ichijouji had his trench coat off, while his pants and shirt were rolled up. The detective was able to grab a fish with ease. He turned to Damian, giving him a smile, but Damian huffed and turned away.
Finally, Damian noticed a big fish. Smirking, Damian slowly walked over to it. Then he took a step and grabbed the fish, but the fish dodged his grasped, Damian felt his foot slipping on a rock. He gasped and fell into the water. Right away, Damian got up, coughing.
"Damian, are you okay?" Ichijouji gasped.
Before Damian could say anything, Ichijouji ran over to him and helped him up onto his feet. Ichijouji looked around to see if he had any injuries, but he didn't. With a sigh of relief, Ichijouji gave him a warm smile.
"Thank goodness you're okay," Ichijouji said.
"I'm not a child," Damian grumbled.
"How old are you?"
"Twelve."
"You're the same age as my daughter. To me, you're still a child."
Damian blinked. "You have a kid?!"
"Three, actually."
Three?! Damian gaped. This man has three kids?! He looked so young, though. Did he got married early? Damian did the math in his head and he figured Ichijouji would at least be at least in his early twenties when he got married. Now Damian thought about it, Ichijouji was at least a decade younger than Father.
"Let's get you dry," Ichijouji said. "You'll catch a cold."
"I'm fine," Damian stated. "Achoo!"
Ichijouji raised a brow. "You were saying, young man?"
Damian scoffed. "Tt, let me catch one more fish and we'll go back to the shelter."
"Deal."
It didn't took long for Damian to find another fish and catch it. It wasn't big as he would hoped, but it was big enough for Wormmon. As Damian and Ichijouji got out of the river, Ichijouji put his trench coat over Damian, which was obviously too big on him. He even buttoned him up with it too. The only thing Damian could do was frown. He didn't understood what Ichijouji was doing. Damian's hoodie was dry, so it would help him get warm. Ichijouji didn't need to give him his coat.
Then Ichijouji gathered Damian's hoodie, shoes, and fishes in his arms, while Damian grabbed the firewood. Then the two walked back to their shelter. Damian grumbled a bit. He was so confused about Ichijouji. Damian didn't know why, but it felt strange.
"Do you know any other languages aside from English and Japanese?" Damian asked.
"I know Spanish," Ichijouji answered.
"I know Spanish too," Damian spoke in Spanish.
Ichijouji chuckled. "Maybe we should talk in Spanish for now on."
"And have our Wormmon's be confused? That won't be good."
Ichijouji laughed and Damian couldn't help and smile a bit. Damian never thought he would make another person smile - let alone laugh. He wasn't sure if Ichijouji was being genuine or not, but deep down, he really hoped he was.
When they got back to the shelter, Damian saw the two Wormmons and a bunch of fruits and berries. Damian had to admit, but he was impressed that they got the job done with all of the language barrier they had.
"Dami!" Wormmon exclaimed.
Wormmon ran up to him and jumped into Damian's arms, causing Damian to drop the firewood. Damian's eyes softened as he patted Wormmon's head. Wormmon giggled and nuzzled against his chest.
"You did a good job, Wormmon," Damian turned to Ichijouji's Wormmon. "You did a good job too."
"Damian, I want you to get warmed up," Ichijouji said. "I'll make the fire. There should be a handkerchief in my coat. You can use it to clean the fruit."
"I can make the fire, Ichijouji," Damian stated.
Ichijouji crossed his arms. "Damian, you're still wet and I don't want you to end up getting sick. Getting sick in the Digital World isn't good, since there are no modern resources and I don't want to take that risk."
Damian opened to mouth to protest, but he stopped. Ichijouji was giving him a stern look. It was like as if he was waiting for Damian to say something back to him if he refused. Sighing, Damian nodded and did as he was told. He sat down, took out the handkerchief, cleaned the fruit, and ate it. While he ate his fruit, he shared he took out a piece and share it with Wormmon. While the two ate their fruit, Ichijouji made the fire. He even cooked the fishes by using some sticks. It didn't took long for the fishes to be cooked. Ichijouji and the two Wormmons ate the fish, while Damian ate some fruit.
"So..." Damian begun to say. "You told me you'll explain things to me."
Ichijouji nodded. "I did. Damian, can I see you digivice?"
Frowning, Damian took out his digivice, handing it to Ichijouji. At once, Ichijouji frowned and pursed his lips. He reached for Damian's hoodie, pulling out the Digimetal. Damian noticed that the detective was analyzing his digivice and his Digimetal for some reason. Then Ichijouji took out his digivice. Damian blinked. Why does Ichijouji's digivice looked different than his? Ichijouji's digivice had a white body, black grips, and white buttons.
"Strange," Ichijouji said. "Your digivice should've change into a D3. You have the Digimetal and everything..."
"What's a D3?" Damian questioned.
"A D3 is the model of the digivice," Ichijouji explained. "The D3 helps us use Digimetals to evolve our Digimons to their armor evolution."
Damian blinked. "You have a crest too?"
Ichijouji nodded. "Yes. My friends also have crests too, while others just have the Digimetals. Taichi-san, our Digimon Diplomat has the crest of courage. I have the crest of kindness."
Then Ichijouji gave Damian back his digivice and metal. Ichijouji held up his digivice and a purple symbol appeared on the screen. The symbol looked like an ornate rose. Damian never knew there were more of those crests. How many were there and were there many people out there who bear these symbols? However, Ichijouji having the crest of kindness...does that mean all this time Ichijouji was genuinely kind to him? Was his kindness real?
"Do you know what my crest means?" Damian asked.
"I don't know," Ichijouji confessed. "When my friends and I saw your crest, we don't know what it means too. How we knew was that we were told. Besides, the crests helps the Digimon to evolve from their adult form to their perfect form. It even helps them evolve into their ultimate form too. I used to not have a tag, but I eventually didn't need it to help my Worrmon evolve passed his adult stage. Now my Wormmon is able to go into his perfect and ultimate form."
"That means my Wormmon can go into her perfect and ultimate form too, right?"
Ichijouji nodded. "Yes, but she'll need to evolve in her adult form first. It takes time, but eventually your Wormmon would be able to evolve in her both normal and armor evolution. My Wormmon never evolve to his adult form until I was eleven."
Damian glanced at Wormmon and stroke her back. He wasn't surprised that it'll take her long to evolve, but he didn't mind. Damian knew that Wormmon would eventually evolve into Stingmon anyway. He wasn't sure when, but he knew one day it might happen. If she doesn't evolve, then that's alright with him.
"So about those Tsunemons," Damian mentioned. "You faced them before, right?"
Ever since that email, Damian needed answers and luckily, he has Ichijouji for that. Whatever answer Ichijouji would give him, Damian knew that he would try to prepare what's to come. Even though he was out of his element, but he needed to protect Wormmon at all cost.
Ichijouji let out a sigh. "Yes, my friends and I had. It happened twice in Japan. Taichi-san and Yamato-san defeated Diabolomon the first time. That was way before I met them. The second time, Diabolomon evolved into his other ultimate form, Armagemon."
Damian gulped. "Tsunemon has two ultimate forms?"
"Yes. You and your Wormmon got lucky that you he didn't evolved into his child, adult, or perfect form. You two would've been in great trouble."
Damian tried to processed the information. This happened at Japan, twice in a row? Not only that, but now those Tsunemons were in the Digital World?! Then Damian remembered that weird email he got from the baby form, Kuramon. If this happened in Japan, could it happen in Gotham?
"I got an email from a Kuramon," Damian pointed out.
Ichijouji gasped. "Did you open it?"
"No, I delete it."
"Thank goodness you didn't open it. If you did, a Kuramon would've come out of your computer. Then more emails would've come out, creating more Kuramons. Then all of the Kuramons would evolve."
More emails? The way Ichijouji was describing it sounded ridiculous, but at the same time it sounded scary because Damian knew that people can open strange emails. Not just from Gotham, but hearing that can happen in Japan again was scary. It would be ten times more scary if it happened in Gotham. Of course his family would've had to be stupid enough to open a strange email, but for other civilians, there was a chance.
"What else happened during those two attacks?" Damian demanded. "Do you know why he's targeting Wormmon and I for?"
"The first time Diabolomon was defeated was by Omegamon," Ichijouji explained. "by a jogress evolution - a fusion of the ultimate forms of War Greymon and Metal Garurumon. The second time Armagemon was defeated by Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode. A combination of my Stingmon and my friend, Daisuke's Digimon Ex-Veemon. Armagemon put left an essence of himself and attack Japan again. He defeated Omegamon before he was defeated by Imperialdramon." Ichijouji sighed. "I don't know why they're after you and your Wormmon, Damian. All I can think of is that since you're a new Chosen Child and a new bearer of an unknown crest, Armagemon might've thought since you and your Wormmon might be associated with us and wanted to get rid of you two first. Not all Chosen Children have a crest. Wallace has a crest, but a few like Daisuke, Miyako, and Iori are associated with existing crests."
Damian clenched his fists. That meant these things were getting stronger every defeat. Was there even a way to permanently defeat those Tsunemons before they evolve into Armagemon again? From what Damian gathered, it seemed that Armagemon attacks the real world first before the Digital World, but now he's going to attack the Digital World before he gets to the real world...if that was the case.
"Then why did the Digimon Diplomat sent you here?" Damian questioned.
"To investigate a cocoon," Ichijouji pointed to Wormmon. "Your Wormmon's cocoon, actually. Koushiro's daughter, my daughter, and their friends discovered the place and told us about the hidden digitama - digiegg, along with a crest too. Then our digivice showed your crest to let us know that your Wormmon and crest was already sent to you. Also Taichi-san wanted me to alert him and our friends if there was a disturbance...and there is, hence the Tsunemons."
"How are we supposed to defeat him before they evolve into Armagemon? We don't have your friends here."
"As much as I wanted to bring Daisuke here, but the risk of Imperialdramon being defeated is very high. I was thinking about going to the Royal Knights. They're ancient knights in their ultimate forms. At first I thought of going to the Four Holy Beasts, but since the Tsunemons are here, I believe they might be sealed away again. In order to release them again, you need to give up your crest, Damian. Also, going to the Royal Knights might help us put a permanent end to Diabolomon. They might know something about Diabolomon that we don't. I know his essences is here, but the more we figure this out, we can end him for good and he won't try to corrupt the Digital World and potentially, Japan."
Damian tried to processed everything what Ichijouji said. Ichijouji already knew of Wormmon and his crest before meeting him. Damian knew he wouldn't let those Tsunemons hurt Wormmon or else they'll have to go through him. Damian knew he wasn't a good person, but he wanted to protect Wormmon. He wasn't sure what was Armagemon's goal for getting rid of him and Wormmon for, but all he knew was that he will strike again. Damian knew that Gotham would be the last place Armagemon would try to attack, but that email...Damian couldn't help and wondered if Gotham would be a next potential target.
"Do you think Armagemon would try to attack Gotham after he deals with Japan?" Damian asked.
Ichijouji pursed his lips. "I don't think so. My friends and I are mostly the ones with the crests and we're all living in Japan. His target would be Japan."
"How long would it take us to get to the Royal Knights?"
"Maybe a week to a month? Maybe longer? I don't know. I never met them before. I just know the location through my digivice."
Damian crossed his arms. That meant he might stayed in the Digital World longer than he planned. Not that Damian mind, since he won't have to see his family and "friends" for a while, but he was a bit concern of making his pets wait for him longer. Luckily, he did put auto payments for the pet hotel for them in case if he did stayed here longer than he should. However, Damian was scared what might happen to Wormmon. Damian wasn't strong enough to help Wormmon. What could Damian do to protect Wormmon from Armagemon?
Then Ichijouji placed a hand on his shoulder. "Damian, if you want to go back, I can take you and Wormmon back to Gotham and I'm sure your family would be worried about you."
Worried? Damian thought. Damian was sure they still hadn't noticed he was gone for around three days now. He was sure that if he does go back, they would take Wormmon away from him. Damian didn't want that. He didn't want to be around them. Damian only went to the Digital World to be away from them.
"I'll stay with you," Damian stated.
Ichijouji frowned. "Are you sure?"
Damian nodded. "Yeah, they won't noticed I'm not there."
Ichijouji's frown deepened. Damian could tell Ichijouji looked a bit concern. How was he supposed to tell Ichijouji? That he found out his own family and supposed friends hate him and he ran away into the countryside and to to Digital World? Ichijouji would probably think he's a coward. Besides, Damian knew it was true anyway. They didn't noticed he was gone for around three days now and he was sure they won't noticed him being gone for a few months.
"Okay, we'll leave in the morning," Ichijouji said.
With that everyone continued to eat their dinner. When everyone was done, Damian handed Ichijouji his coat and put on his shoes. Damian yawned and so did Wormmon. Holding Wormmon in his arms, Damian curled up against the cave wall as he put his hoodie over himself and Wormmon. Across from the cave, Damian saw Ichijouji use his coat to cover himself and his Wormmon. The two Wormmon's wave each other goodnight.
"Goodnight, Damian," Ichijouji smiled.
Damian glanced to the side. "G-Goodnight."
Damian turned his back to Ichijouji as he held Wormmon. His Digimon nuzzled against him and peered at him with her big blue eyes. With a small smile, Damian held Wormmon close to him.
"Goodnight, Dami," Wormmon whispered
"Goodnight Wormmon," Damian whispered back.
As the sound of the fire flickered behind them, Damian let out a sigh as he closed his eyes, drifting off into a dreamless sleep. Only thinking about his Digimon in his arms.
~OoO~
Ken wasn't sure how long he had been awake. Probably an hour or two. He slowly got up, without disturbing his Wormmon. He peered over to Damian, who was fast asleep. Nodding to himself, Ken walked out of the cave without making a single sound. When Ken got to the river, he took out his phone and pressed a number to video call his friends. Ken had to admit, he never thought of meeting Damian. He never expected him to be the Chosen Child they were looking for. However, there were so many concerning things he noticed about Damian, he hoped that his friends would help him. Besides, he could tell Damian was hiding something. He never said his last name, he's fine with his family being told that he was gone, and he seemed to put himself down when Ken told him he was glad to meet him. Not only that, but he did noticed Damian was uncomfortable whenever Ken was being kind to him. Was there something wrong with Damian's homelife? Was he being abused?
Then eleven screens popped up. Everyone gasped as they saw Ken and smiled. Ken chuckled a bit as he noticed everyone was trying to stop what they were doing.
"Ken!" Taichi exclaimed. "Is there something wrong? Did you find the cocoon?"
Ken shook his head. "No, but I did found the Chosen Child. He's here."
Koushiro gasped. "What? He's in the Digital World with you?! I'll have to tell Wallace to cancel his trip to Gotham."
"What's his name?" Hikari asked.
"Damian and he has a Wormmon," Ken answered.
"A Wormmon like yours?!" Miyako gaped.
Daisuke frowned. "Damian as in Damian Wayne?"
"The Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne?" Mimi added. "The Ice Prince of Gotham? That Damian Wayne?"
Ken raised a brow at that. Now he thought about it, when Damian was introducing himself, he did almost said a "W" sound. However, Ken was aware of who Bruce Wayne was. A very wealthy billionaire in Gotham who has a lot of kids. Ken thought the name Damian was probably common in America. Then again, the only Damian everyone in Gotham would know would be Damian Wayne. Was Damian really Damian Wayne?
"Can one of you guys show me a picture of Damian Wayne?" Ken asked.
"Here you go!" Mimi replied.
A picture popped up to a family in a magazine photo. The youngest was a familiar boy with black hair, green eyes, dark skin, and a grump expression. Ken gaped. He knew right away who this was and it was Damian. So Damian is Damian Wayne. Ken knew it wasn't his business to question Damian of why he didn't tell him and he was sure it was because of the fame, but at the same time, he still wondered about Damian's homelife. Not only that, but Damian is the only biological son of Bruce Wayne. Would Wayne noticed his son was missing? Damian did mentioned that his family won't noticed. Why, though? Was there something going on? Is Damian safe in that home?
"That's him," Ken spoke slowly.
Ken frowned and pursed his lips. He couldn't help and thought of what Damian said. Like how he was questioning if Ken was okay with him being a vegetarian, how there's nothing glad about meeting him, and how his family wouldn't even noticed he was gone. It was concerning to Ken and he couldn't help and hear those red flags. He wondered if Damian was okay in his homelife.
"Is there an article about Damian?" Ken asked.
"I'm looking through Gotham news," Koushiro typed onto his computer. "There are articles about Damian...being the most dislike person in Gotham...They're obviously tabloids."
Ken frowned. "What does it say?"
"It just said how he's cold and heartless."
Ken crossed his arms. That was different from the Damian he had just met. He's a child and he's still learning. Besides, from what Ken already knew of Damian, he noticed Damian is very kind, but at the same time, he's very stubborn and doesn't like to be treated as a child, despite being one. Ken could tell that Damian might have a temper too. Over all, Ken knew Damian is a good person. Damian treated his Wormmon with care and was willingly to jump off of a pyramid to save her. Ken felt like there's something more to Damian than he's letting on.
"Well, they're wrong," Ken huffed.
"How can anyone say about a child like that?" Takeru questioned.
"It seems too extreme." Sora agreed.
Everyone nodded with agreement. Ken knew his friends were right. It was too extreme. So far, Ken knew Damian wasn't heartless. He will admit, he was a bit cold towards him, but that made sense because Damain just met him and to him, Ken was a stranger to him. Of course he would be cold towards him. He didn't know why Wayne wasn't deleting these tabloids or at least paying them off to stop talking about his own son like that. It was like as if he was letting that happen.
Ken froze as he remembered the few red flags from Damian. Yes, he does theorized that something was going on in his homelife, but at the same time, Ken knew he just met the child. He didn't want to go into conclusion and have a misunderstanding. Not only that, Damian was a preteen. Ken was sure that Damian wouldn't want him being noisy about his personal life. However, at the same time, he couldn't help and be concern about him.
"Koushiro-san, I know this is too much to ask," Ken said. "Can you hack into the Wayne residence and Damian's school? I don't know why, but I felt like there's something wrong with his homelife. From the time I spend time with him, he seemed to put himself down when I told him I was glad to meet him and he even said his family won't notice him gone."
"That doesn't sound good," Hikari frowned. "He might have self confidence issues. Usually, children experienced self confidence issues within themselves, but considering the fact that he said his family won't notice him gone, I think he might be neglected and thinks he might not be worth anyone's time."
Ken took note on that. He knew Hikari is a school teacher, but she also has a minor in child psychology. However, he couldn't help and be worried about Damian's homelife. The thought of a billionaire like Bruce Wayne neglecting Damian...Ken wouldn't hesitate to tell the man what he was doing wrong. Not only that, but Ken had heard that Bruce Wayne love all of his children. Was it all an act or was some of them true and he only neglected Damian?
Koushiro nodded. "I'll take a look into it. I'll make sure not to leave a trace too."
Ken sighed. "I hope I'm wrong."
"If he does have a trouble homelife," Taichi said. "Then we can help him. We can gather evidence and send them to the head of the Gotham Police. Since I'm the Digimon Diplomat, it's also my job to make sure that all Chosen Children are safe too. In both Digital and in our world. I met Gotham Police Department commissioner a couple of times when he came to Japan. He gave me his number in case if I need anything."
Ken was so glad that Taichi had all the connections everyone needed. It sure helped them a lot whenever they needed to go to the Digital World. Ken knew from his coworkers who had worked at Gotham temporarily, they told him that Gotham police was corrupted and there were only a few police officers who weren't. Ken did heard high praises from the commissioner there. However, as much as Ken wanted to hear what Taichi might plan if Damian does have a trouble homelife, but there was something Ken knew his friends would want to hear.
"Also, there's something else too." Ken added. "Armagemon is trying to come back again."
Everyone gasped as Ken explained what he was told by Damian. The email by a Kuramon and how he saw Damian and his Wormmon being chased by Tsunemons, trapping themselves in a pyramid, finding a Digimetal, and jumping off of the pyramid until Stingmon save them. Everyone gasped and listened intently as Ken told them.
"Is he really targeting Damian?" Iori questioned.
Ken sighed. "I think so, but I think it's because he has a crest like us and think he might be a threat."
Koushiro pursed his lips. "I don't understand why he's coming back. I thought we got rid of him for good."
"Do you think he might leave an essence of himself again?" Jou asked.
"Possibly," Kourshiro answered. "but...I would've noticed it...unless he left his essence somewhere else for me not to noticed."
"Then he might've put some of his essence in Gotham," Daisuke said. "Gotham is known for their technology. That means a lot of data. It's a perfect place for him to get stronger and hide. I'm sure he really hates our guts after we beat him the second time."
Ken muttered a curse under his breath. He thought that it wouldn't be possible, but the more he thought it over, the more he realized how useful Gotham was for Armagemon. All of that data and viruses...it was like a feast for him. Was it possible that Gotham would be next after Armagemon deals with Japan? Possibly. It seemed that Armagemon wanted to deal with the Digital World, Damian, and Wormmon first and then the real world.
"A good thing is that Damian did delete the email," Koushiro added. "Let's just hope it's only one time Kuramon tried to get someone to open the email. If anyone else in Gotham did open that email...Armagemon would've made a comeback."
The thought of a Digimon battle in Gotham sounded so baffling. Even for Ken. Considering the fact that Gotham has many vigilantes running around. However, Ken knew that any heroes and vigilantes couldn't interfere with anything Digimon related and their only job is to make sure bring people to safety.
"I'm going to send an email to the commissioner and tell him to warn everyone not to open emails they're not expecting," Taichi said. "I'll also send one to the Justice League too."
"What about Batman and his vigilantes?" Mimi questioned. "They might open the Kuramon email."
"They shouldn't," Taichi assured her. "They all signed the contract. I was there. They should listen. If not, then they're literally breaking the contract and by breaking it, they're literally be ruining the working relationship between themselves and the Chosen Children and we won't be associated with them anymore. We'll only be warning those of the law in their city instead of them and they'll be the last to know. The only way they can be involved was that if they have a Digimon. Of course if that ever happens."
"They'll have to be stupid not to listen," Yamato huffed.
Ken nodded. He knew there was a chance someone opening an Kuramon email, but the chances of a hero or a vigilante opening a Kuramon email was very slim. He just hoped that he, Damian, and their Digimons would figure out everything on time.
"Ken, you mentioned Damian has a Digimetal," Takeru said. "Did his digivice changed into a D3?"
Ken shook his head. "No, it's still a regular digivice."
"That's strange," Kourshiro crossed his arms. "His digivice should've changed. From what you told us, Damian seemed bonded with his Wormmon. Not only that, but his Wormmon did evolved since Damian would've gotten her as a Leafmon when Wormmon hatched. There is a bond between them, but I never saw anything like this before."
"Maybe there's not enough of a bond between them?" Hikari guessed. "That's the only way for Damian's Wormmon not armor evolve."
"As much as I am concern about that too," Ken said. "but I am going to see the Royal Knights and see if there is a way to permanently end Armagemon. The Four Holy Beasts might be captured and who knows how long those Tsunemons been around."
Taichi nodded. "That's a good idea. The only way those Tsunemons would be running around in the Digital World if something did happened the the beasts. Ken, you, Damian, and your Wormmons need to be careful."
Ken smiled. "We will. I'll keep Damian and his Wormmon safe."
"Good luck."
"Thanks."
One by one, everyone said their goodbyes as they turned off their phones. The only person remaining was Miyako. Ken smiled warmly at his wife and behind her, he could see their children asleep on the couch, watching T.V. with their Digimons and Miyako's Hawkmon. Ken had an urge of wanting to reach out for his children and tuck them into bed, but he knew he couldn't do that since he was here at the Digital World. At least he was able to see them.
"Be careful out there, dear," Miyako said.
Ken nodded. "I will. How are the kids?"
"They're good. They just miss you."
"I miss them too."
"So what's the plan after all of this?" Miyako asked.
Ken chuckled. "I was thinking maybe inviting Damian to Japan and meet everyone's kids. They all have Digimons after all and I'm sure he'll like to meet other Chosen Children."
"That'll be nice. I'll prepare the guest room just in case if he does want to."
The thought of Damian meeting other Chosen Children does sounded nice. Gotham was the only city in New Jersey that doesn't have any Digimons. Other places that are crime ridden do have Digimons, but rarely and those Chosen Children there are pretty good at hiding their Digimons. However, Damian being the only one in Gotham to have a Digimon, might be lonely for him and Ken was sure that Damian meeting others like him would help him.
However, Ken couldn't stop thinking about Damian might have a troubling homelife. Sure he was theorizing it, but those couple of red flags did made him worry. Ken even noticed Damian's body language and how any subject about himself or his family, he seemed uncomfortable and avoidant. Not only that, but the articles of Damian being a cold, heartless person...why would someone write about a child like that? Why wasn't that article taken down? If something was going on, Ken wouldn't hesitate to take Damian in. Sure, he'll have to deal with Bruce Wayne of all people, but if Bruce Wayne did care about his only biological son, wouldn't he go to the extra mile to let people know that Damian is a good person? Not only that, but now he's in the Digital World with Damian, Damian's and Wormmon's safety was his top priority.
"We'll figure everything out when this is over," Ken assured her. "Anyway, I should get some sleep."
Miyako giggled. "Me too. I have a long day at work tomorrow."
Ken smiled. "I'll talk to you soon, Miyako. I love you."
"I love you too, dear."
The two blow a kiss to each other and turned off their phones. Ken let out a sigh as he stared up at the stars. He hoped his travel to the Royal Knights would go well, but with those Tsunemons around, Ken knew he'll need to be prepare. He knew he'll have to evolve Wormmon passed his adult form eventually as well as use armor evolution too. He knew that it would take time for Damian to evolve his Wormmon too, but he knew eventually Damian would be able to evolve his Digimon.
Ken climbed down from the tree and headed back to the shelter. When he got back, he noticed the fire was going low. He use some try leaves and sticks and put it in, causing the fire to go bigger. He walked over to Damian, who was still fast asleep. Then Ken noticed Damian had a frown in his sleep and he was also shaking.
"Don't hate me...everyone," Damian spoke in English in his sleep. "Please don't hate me...Father..."
Ken's eyes widened. Does Damian's family really hate him? Logically, Ken knew that children can overreact and saw some things they shouldn't, but from his interaction with Damian alone, he seemed like the kind of kid to be brutally blunt. However, Damian's own family hating him? There were some things that did made sense, but Ken really wanted to be sure before he butts into Damian's personal life. He wanted to be a hundred percent sure with evidence that Damian's family really hated him. Ken wondered what Koushiro would find something in the cameras.
As much as Ken really did wanted to know, but right now, Damian comes first. He's a child after all and it was Ken's job to protect him from Armagemon's whole evolutionary line.
Ken took off his trench coat and set it over Damian and his Wormmon. Then he sat down and gently lifted Damian's head onto his lap and stroke his hair. Soon, Damian stopped shaking and his frown relaxed to calmness. There was a small smile across his face. Ken let out a sigh. Even though he didn't know what was going on with Damian's homelife, but whatever it was, Ken hoped he'll help him.