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To be completely honest, he was nervous. He was secure enough to except and acknowledge that.
Even so, he wasnÆt going to show it.
Scratch that, he wasnÆt going to show it in front of his fellow Knight.
God damn peer pressure.
With that in mind, Dukemon strode through the gate with a confidence he did not feel.
ôAh, Dukemon. What do I owe the pleasure?ö
Dukemon very deliberately did not wince at RenamonÆs voice. It wasnÆt harsh. It wasnÆt accusing. It was her normal, calm voice. It was only thanks to his history that he was even able to understand what she meant.
And thankfully, she meant exactly what she was asking. It was nothing but a question to a friend that hadnÆt been around recently.
Probably. Almost definitely. He thought he was pretty good at understanding Renamon.
But never completely sure.
And that always made him just a little bit uncomfortable these days.
ôRenamon.ö He nodded to her. ôIÆm sorry I havenÆt been able to visit recently. ItÆs been hectic.ö
ôI can imagine.ö She said, and once again there was nothing accusing in her voice.
Dukemon hoped that was because she didnÆt feel anything accusing. Some of his old friends wereàweary of his new job. Upset, even. Not towards him, thankfully; they remained his close friends. But towards Yggdrasil, they werenÆt so sure.
There had been rumors. About Yggdrasil.
Some of his friends werenÆt sure if they were true or not.
Thankfully, they seemed to trust his judgment, by and large. But from time to time, the issue always came up.
Renamon had never lifted the issue herself, though.
And maybe that was the problem.
Even after all these yearsà
Even after all the fights theyÆve stood by each otherà
He still didnÆt know what was going on behind those blue eyes of hers.
Renamon, what are you thinking?
He wanted to ask, he opened his mouth to ask, but he faltered at the last second, changing his mind.
ôI brought company.ö He said instead, gesturing to Sleipmon.
ôSo I see.ö Renamon tilted her head to the side in order to get a better look at his companion. ôHello, Sleipmon.ö
The red, horse-like Knight nodded at Renamon.
Dukemon realized something suddenly and it embarrassed him.
He was nervous to bring the other Knights around his old friends.
Especially Renamon.
He wasnÆt sure why. The other Knights had accepted his friends when he vouched for them; even Beelzebumon. And he was sure that his older friends wouldnÆt mind the Knights if he brought them around. They might question Yggdrasil, but the Royal Knights were not above criticism.
They were used to it.
Did he just not want to share?
Dukemon frowned. He should really try to be lessàpossessive.
But even then, Renamon was different.
ôI came to ask for your opinion on something unusual.ö He asked, not letting his thoughts show.
ôOh? Is something wrong?ö Renamon asked, showing emotion for the first time in the conversation.
Dukemon winced as he recognized it.
ôNothing dangerous.ö He assured her.
When he and the others were thrown back into the Digital World, Renamon took the role ofàwhat? Their parent, perhaps? Or maybe just their leader. TheyÆd all been to the Digital Worldà
But only with their Tamers.
Without the ability to evolve and in the aftermath of the D-Reaperà
The Digital World had been a very different place.
Without evolution, Guilmon may have still been the strongest, but heÆd always had Takato there. Without him, he wasnÆt completely sure how to survive in a world that was nothing like what heÆd remembered.
Renamon had taken it all in stride.
TheyÆd all learnt, of course; what it took to survive in this world. But Renamon had given them the time theyÆd needed to do that. Impmon had eventually regained his ability to evolve into and Ultimate and at that point they hadnÆt needed to worry about danger, especially with another Ultimate backing him up, even if MarinAngemonÆs offensive power was limited. But until he did that, Renamon had organized a group of weak Digimon into a group that could survive this world.
Dukemon would never forget that.
It was one of the reasons he accepted YggdrasilÆs offer.
ôThereÆs a human wandering the Digital World with a Plotmon.ö He said before pausing. ôHis description matches TakatoÆs.ö
RenamonÆs eyes widened and Dukemon recognized shock when he saw it.
But it faded quickly, calm overtaking surprise.
ôAnd you want to know how to find him?ö
ôWell, itÆs more like Omegamon wanted him to visit you all, used that as an excuse to blackmail him emotionally, and sent him here. And now DukemonÆs not sure what to say, so heÆs reverting to business to ward away any awkward silences.ö Sleipmon noted casually.
Dukemon threw him a shocked look, but he swerved to turn it towards Renamon at the sound of her soft laughter.
ôThat sounds like Omegamon.ö She noted with amusement. ôHe comes by her quite a bit.ö
That was news to him.
ôHe does? Why?ö
ôHe stops by to make sure weÆre all safe and comfortable, though he says heÆs just stopping by in your place because youÆre so busy. He complains you work too hard, Dukemon. He says you should visit more often, too.ö She looked at him silently for a minute. ôI agree with him on both counts.ö
Dukemon wanted to complain about not being a child, but that would make him look like a child.
ôThatàsounds like Omegamon.ö He said instead, sighing. The fact that he was well aware that his friends were just trying to make him feel guilty did not keep it from working.
ôAbout finding Takato, thoughàI imagine heÆs looking for you, too.ö She said.
ôProbablyàö He said, before mustering up his courage and plowing forward. ôHow have the others been, Renamon? Is everything okay here? Are you okay?ö
Renamon smiled.
ôOf course, Dukemon. After allàthis is the world you gave your service to give us, isnÆt it?ö She said. ôItÆs because of you that all of us are still alive. DukemonàthereÆs no reason to feel nervous.ö
Dukemon nearly jumped when Sleipmon laid a hand on his shoulder.
ôThe ladyÆs right, Dukemon. Relax. Remember, youÆre among friends here. Andàwhen youÆre among the Knights, too.ö
He looked at the ground for a moment before looking at his companion again.
ôYes. YouÆre right. IÆm sorry.ö
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