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After closing them for what felt like mere second, Takato opened them again
ôWhereà?ö Takato wondered as his eyes readjusted. ôThe Royal Base?ö
He suddenly remembered why heÆd fallen unconscious as pain flared in his neck. It felt like someone was grinding their teeth into his throat.
He lifted a hand to his neck, but felt nothing but smooth skin. He then tugged on his shirt and looked down at it, finding nothing but clean blue fabric.
Waspmon had been fighting that Digimon, Mihiramon. Had he won?
Of course heÆd won, Takato realized. Renamon and Terriermon had already lost; if Waspmon lost too, there was nothing keeping that Digimon from running rampant.
How had he been injured, though?
And why was he in the Royal Base if he collapsed in front of the Government Building? ShouldnÆt he be in a hospital?
Takato frowned down at his shirt.
Speaking ofà
If heÆd been bleeding, shouldnÆt his shirt be stained? He remembered it being wet with blood.
Had someone changed his clothes?
No, that didnÆt matter. Why had he been injured?
Because Waspmon had been injured.
But then, where was Waspmon?
ôWaspmon!ö He cried suddenly, as his voice echoed through the honeycomb mazes of the Royal Base.
ôTakato.ö A robotic voice replied. It sounded strangely altered, itÆs tone and pitch shifting, butà
It was definitely WaspmonÆs voice.
Takato whirled around and, indeed, his partner was there.
Butàhis neckà
It was torn open. Takato could see the torn circuitry and flesh.
That wasàa lethal wound. The knowledge rendered Takato speechless.
But not Waspmon. TakatoÆs partner continued to speak, even without a throat.
ôI tried my best, Takato.ö Waspmon said, and his altered voice soundedà
Apologetic?
That, if anything, scared Takato more than the state of WaspmonÆs throat.
ôWaspmonàno, no, Waspmon, donÆt apologize.ö Takato said, shaking his head in denial. ôPlease donÆt apologize. Everything will be okay, I promise.ö
Takato suddenly realized something.
If heÆd been wounded because Waspmon had been wounded, and WaspmonÆs wound was fatal, thenà
ôWaspmon, I promise, w-we can get through this. Remember the Base? Youàwe were going to keep building it, remember? S-so we canÆtànot hereàö
Waspmon was silent.
Tears began to form in TakatoÆs eyes, then. The pain in his own throat increased and that damp feeling returned to his chest.
He didnÆt look down.
He knew what was there, but he had no wish to see.
ôWaspmonàö He said, as the tears finally came. If this was it, thenà
There were things that needed to be said.
ôWaspmon, when you were bornàwhen I created youàI was so happy. You were amazing, thenànow. You were always amazing.ö
The first tear hit the ground, but Takato continued heedlessly. He had to finish, but he didnÆt know how much time he had.
ôYou areàmy best friend andàif this is really it, then its okay!ö He said, his voice breaking. ôEven if IÆm to die hereàIÆm glad I met youàWaspmon!ö
His partnerÆs eyes glowed as he stared at him.
ôTakatoàlet me fight some more.ö Waspmon said, his voice still broken.
ôBut-ö Takato said, shocked by that sudden statement. ôWe alreadyàwe areà!ö
ôIàhavenÆt lost yet. Iàwill never loseàTakatoà!ö Waspmon told him, even as the broken circuits on his neck began sparking.
But his voice became stronger with every word.
ôI can still fight, Takato! I want to fight more! Let me fight! IÆll win and then you and I wonÆt have to part here! You and IàletÆs stay like this forever, Takato!ö
Waspmon and Takato locked eyes for a moment as he finished his speech.
ôYouÆre my Tamer, right?ö
TakatoÆs eyes widened and he gasped as if struck.
ôI amàa Tamer.ö He repeated, his hand clinching into a fist. ôBut even so, Iàö
He recalled his hesitation before that man on the bridgeàbefore Waspmon himself, within this very base!
ôBut, because I wasàbecause I was coward! Because IÆm a horrible TameràthatÆs why you got hurt, Waspmonà! If I was betteràif I was better with cards or smarter, I could haveà!ö
Takato looked at his partner, resolve burning in his eyes.
ôIÆm sorry, Waspmon; because of my hesitation and fear, youà!ö He broke off then. ôFight! One more time, Waspmon, please fight! Pleaseàwin! So that you and I can stay together forever, Waspmon!ö
ôTakato!ö Waspmon shouted, the first time Takato had ever heard him do so.
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