Author's Note: Okay, first FanFic! The plot takes place three years after the D-Reaper's defeat. The Tamers are now in their second year of high school.
Disclaimer: Digimon and its characters, the band Tokyo Police Club, their album "Elephant Shell", and their song "In a Cave", are not my creation.
Dedicated to authoress Shattered Midnight Dreams, and her Saku/Syao Fanfic: "Butterflies". You inspired me to make childhood memories live again. :D.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1: "Fade away"
It's that dream again.
Takato Matsuki treks across grassy hills in the Digital World. The day is bright, and the breeze is cool. But Takato doesn't have time to appreciate the weather. Takato lets out another routine call "Guilmon!"...
No reply. He continues to walk, when he hears laughing in the distance behind him. He turns around to see a Digimon playing as it chases data-spheres tumbling down the hills. That's when Takato realises; it's Guilmon. Takato calls out "Guilmon", and starts running towards Guilmon as fast as he can. Unaware of Takato, the Digimon is taken by surprise when the sobbing boy eventually wraps his arm around him in a tight hug.
"Oh Guilmon" Takato cries with tears of joy "I've missed you so much! I told you I'd keep my promise".
"What do you mean?" Guilmon replies in a puzzled tone.
"It's me Takato! Remember buddy? I was the one who created you. I was your tamer. I was... I was your friend". Takato's overwhelming joy leaves him struggling for words.
Guilmon asks "Who is Takato? Who are you?"
Takato lets go of Guilmon and takes a step back, shocked by the idea that Guilmon has forgotten him. Guilmon begins sniffing Takato's hands trying to identify a familiar scent.
After a few seconds, Takato musters up the courage to ask "Guilmon, you don't remember me?"
Guilmon replies "I don't know who you are".
Takato feels a lurch in his stomach. The floor of the dream collapses, and he spirals down into the pitch black of his subconscious, as the words repeat over and over... "Who are you?"
...
The sound of his alarm clock shook Takato out of the nightmare and back to reality. "What a weird dream..." Takato thought, shrugging it off. Takato got up from bed, and climbed downstairs for breakfast. Then Takato took a shower, got his books ready, and left for school.
...
After taking the transit, Takato met up with Henry in first period Math class.
"Hey Takato.", Henry greeted, as Takato took a seat beside him. "Hey Henry!" Takato replied.
"Last night, Dad and Yamaki were going over theories about the Ark," Henry said, "and I think they might be on the verge of something."
"That's great Henry! I sure hope it works out." Takato said, pleased by the good news.
"Me too. This may well be their third prototype." Henry noted.
"Three arks over three years. They've been working hard." Takato commented.
"Not hard enough yet." Henry remarked, with a hint of regret.
"Hey, I'm sure your Dad's putting all of his effort in to make this happen." Takato assured. "Tell him I said thanks for continuing to do what he can."
"I guess," Henry replied, "I'll give him your thanks. How about you Takato, how have you been holding up lately?"
"I've been doing okay," he answered, "I just had this bizarre dream last night."
"What was the dream about?" Henry asked.
And so Takato told Henry about the dream, where Takato was in the Digital World and found Guilmon, only to have Guilmon not remember who Takato was.
"Interesting, I had a weird dream last night as well." Henry said.
"What was it like?" Takato asked.
"I'd prefer not to talk about it" Henry replied shyly, with a friendly chuckle. A brief pause passed, and then Takato spoke.
"Henry," Takato inquired "do you think the Digimon could have forgotten about us?"
"I don't know." Henry answered, "A lot can happen in the Digital World over three years. I just hope they're doing okay."
"What do you mean?" Takato asked.
"You've seen how dangerous the Digital World can be sometimes." Henry commented.
Takato was silenced. He never thought about whether or not there even was a Guilomon to return to still.
At that moment, the teacher walked into class, and set his books and down on his desk. The students quieted down, and opened their notebooks to prepare for more notes.
...
After-school, Takato walked home alone. Henry usually went straight home to read up about programming and computer science, hoping to help to his Dad with the Ark. Rika's grandmother fell-ill a few months ago, so she spent time after-school caring for her. Jeri's step-mom also fell ill, and so she helped her father more with the upkeep of the restaurant. Kenta and Kazu were usually at soccer practice. As Henry had put it once "everyone's starting to grow up".
"It would be horrible if this is what growing up's like." Takato thought.
Takato arrived home to his parents waiting for him in the dining room. But something was different. The entrance to the kitchen was covered with streamers, and balloons were tied to the chairs of the dining table. Colourful paper letters hung from the ceiling, which read...
"Happy Birthday!" Mr. and Mrs. Matsuki greeted their son.
Takato simply stood there in awe.
"You don't remember?" Takato's mom chirped, giving his son a hug.
"No, I totally forgot about it. Thanks mom and dad!" Takato replied, returning his mom's embrace. If it weren't for his parents' thoughtfulness, Takato would certainly feel a lot older than he was.
The family sat down and ate a delicious dinner, which Takato enjoyed. Afterwards, Mr. Matsuki pulled out a small box wrapped in yellow paper from a kitchen drawer to gave it to Takato. "Here's a little something for your sixteenth birthday", Mr. Matsuki said.
"Growing up sure is fast." Takato remarked in his mind while unwrapping the present.
At once Takato recognized it as an MP3 player. "All the other parents who come by here keep saying their kids want MP3 players," Ms. Matsuki explained, "so we figured you might want one as well."
The MP3 player had a white plastic backing, and nothing but a glass screen and a black plastic frame in the front. It must have been one of those touch-sensitive players Kenta and Kazu kept saying they wanted.
"We hope you like it", Mr. Matsuki said, "we even bought some CD's for you. We didn't know what you would like, so we bought a bit of everything. We even included some albums from when your mother and I were in our hey-days!" Mr and Mrs. Matsuki chuckled, as Mr. Matsuki revealed a bundle of albums tied with ribbon which hid in one of the cupboards. Takato was amused by the thought of his Mom and Dad browsing through the music store, singing their favourite songs off-key like they always did at family karaoke parties.
"Thank you so much Mom and Dad, I'll make the best of it." Takato replied cheerfully. Takato took the CD's, embraced his parents one more time, and then went up to his room to start his homework.
...
Upstairs, Takato took a look at his brand new MP3 player, and the albums. This wasn't exactly what he dreamed of, what he wanted most was to see Guilmon again. Takato would give up millions of MP3 players for that opportunity. He rummaged through the CD's, and picked out an album. The album read "Elephant Shell", by the band "Tokyo Police Club".
"I might as well give it a shot." Takato resigned. And out of the thought of his parents' consideration, he optimistically inserted the CD into his laptop.
Minutes passed while working and Takato started to enjoy the album, drumming to the beats with his pencil in-between math problems. The album's sound was easy-going and nostalgic, while being energetic and care-free; one could even say Takato found a bit of himself in the music. However, one song started to stand out more or Takato. Beyond the riff and the catchy beat, it was the lyrics that struck something in Takato:
"All my hair grows in... Wrinkles lead my skin... But still, don't fade! I'll be back again when the tide is in someday..."
And so Takato thought to himself "I don't know when the Ark will be finished Guilmon, but please don't fade. We'll see each other again soon."
His parents were delighted to hear the music coming from Takato's room.
And Takato continued to hope.
To be continued...
Author's Note: Yes, that's the first chapter so far. My goal so far is to keep the characters true to the series for the beginning chapters, before any real character development happens... Please review, I would appreciate constructive feedback!
Next Chapter: More on Henry, Janyu, and the Ark. :O