CHAPTER I:
Riza Akamiya and V-Pets
Akamiya Apartment Complex, Odaiba
It was late evening, and the Odaiba city life had died down a little as people were heading home. The sun had already set a few minutes back and a couple of stars were seen in the clear dark sky.
In one part of the city, near the Daikanransha Ferris wheel were a number of apartment complexes. There were some small, and some big. And up on one of the balconies on the 5th floor, a ten years old girl could be seen sulking.
Her Midnight Black hair was being blown by the wind. The spark of confidence in her Amber-colored eyes died due to her depression. She was wearing a purple hooded tee, yellow shorts and her feet were bare as she stood on the balcony.
Riza Akamiya sighed and lifted the necklace she was wearing, enough for her to see the pendant. The pendant of it was a crystal-like Crescent. But more importantly, it was the last present her mother had given her. She already lost count to how many times she wished to the stars to allow her to go back to that day three years ago.
She could still remember it. Three years ago, on her exact birthday, Riza lost her mother. She died in a car accident late that evening. She could still remember the doctor's words, when he said that her mother was clutching on Riza's birthday present. Her father's face when receiving that fateful phone call still haunts Riza every night.
Unconsciously, tears began to fall from her eyes. And it fell continuously until somebody said:
"You know, you should stop wearing that necklace if it only brings you bad memories." A voice from the balcony beside theirs said.
She took glance on the neighbouring balcony to see a boy around her age with his brown hair properly comb. His blue eyes were staring above the sky. He was wearing proper casual clothes.
"And," he began. "If you want to cry, I'm here. And I won't tell anyone, I promise."
She looks at him for a moment before laughing madly.
"Huh?" He asked, looking over to her balcony.
"Did you eat something wrong, Shinji?" Riza asked, still laughing. "I'm fine, really." She added. And slowly, her smile faded and she began to cry and cry. It took her about 4 minutes to be able to get over it and stand firmly.
When she stood up, the boy, Shinji called for her. "Hey!" he called. Riza looked at him, wondering what it was. "Here," he said as he threw a blue handkerchief.
She wiped her tears and said with a smile. "Thanks, I'll return it after I wash it."
"No need."
"Eh?"
"It originally belonged to you remember." He said, hands on his pocket. "Back when Tenshi died, you lend it to me."
"Eh?" Riza thought for a moment then smiled. "I remember. Thanks!" she waved before entering their house, but not without saying. "Shinji, I forgot to say, Earlier this morning with Miki, it was a joke, all we said. Sorry! So, fix yourself up and return to the unmanaged, messy Shinji. You don't really have to go that far just because you like Miki." She said peering from the sliding door. And then she walked further inside.
She was giggling as she makes her way into the living room. For the first time this month, she finally cried her heart out. It was all thanks to Shinji. Maybe she should make him a bento as thanks.
Saionji Apartment, Odaiba
Shinji Saionji fell on his knees while holding onto the rails of the balcony. Face whole red. What he did just now was practically the most embarrassing thing ever. But still, he was still lucky; she must be the densest person in the entire Odaiba, no, the entire Japan as to not notice how much he likes her.
He fought with himself to stand firm without blushing as he enter their living room. But, unlucky for him, his 7 years old brothers saw everything that happened.
"Hey! Hey! Mama," Mark, the older among the two, called. "Bro just acted cool but his hands were trembling."
"Yeah, yeah," Mal, the younger of the two, added. "And you know, after that, his whole face was red!" They both laughed.
"Yes, yes, dear." Their mother said, coming out of the kitchen while carrying an infant. "Now, go change, dinner is almost ready."
"Yes." The twins said in chorus.
Safe, Shinji thought. It was a good thing, the duo were often into mischief that Mom thought it was a joke.
"But still, how dense can Riza be." He said to himself. "Why does she keep pairing me up with Miki?"
Riza found herself in a place she never seen in her entire life. And yet, it was oddly familiar. It was a dark place. Everything was being devoured by the darkness. And then, she heard a scream.
She looked around and saw a person. She was face-to-face with him. He was wearing a brown cloak, and the hood was covering his face. And then, he mouthed something to Riza.
"What?" Riza asked him, unable to decipher his message.
The boy repeated his silent words. And then he pointed below.
The moment Riza looked below her, her eyes widened in horror. She saw the city engulfed in fire. Many buildings crumbled. But what really scared her was when she saw many dead bodies lying everywhere. She saw her father, friends, and everyone she knew. Their bodies filled with blood, lied in top of the other. In top of the bodies stood a person, he was identical to Riza's looks. But obviously, he was not her. His Ash white hairs were stained with people's blood. His white cloak no longer seems white with all the blood in it. His white gloves were the colour of blood as he held a young girl's body by her neck.
It took Riza a few second to notice, that the girl he was strangling was none other than herself. But, something wasn't right, the 'Riza' he was strangling still hasn't died. She was even holding her hand up, trying to hold something from the sky.
The boy raised his hand, and a silhouette of a sword can be seen inside the light. It took a moment before a real sword emerged from the light. And he held it in his left hand and at the same time, he held 'Riza' by her neck with his right.
With the sword, the boy pierced 'Riza' directly in her chest. She screamed in pain before her hands flung on her side and before the light in her eyes disappeared.
And he dropped 'Riza' in the pile of bodies. He smirked before teleporting somewhere else.
Riza looked at the bodies before returning into the cloaked boy who was watching everything that happened beside her. He turned to her and pointed above.
A huge ball of flame was falling faster than any human could suspect. And then it fell into the ground. And for a moment, there was nothing but a blinding flash of light.
But she knew…
Her Father…
Her friends…
Miki…
Shinji… And her… they were all gone…
Riza's eyes opened wide, before she jolted out of the bed, breathing heavily, panicked and sweating, her mind reeling.
"W-What the heck was that dream?"
She glances around, only to find herself in her room. The sun is rising behind her window. The time in her alarm clock says: '6:32. She was earlier than the usual.
She sighed. That dream felt so real. But then, when she sees the Amaryllis on her table so full of life, it feels like that dream is nothing.
She stood up, hurriedly took a bath, quickly wore her uniform and clipped a pink hairpin on her bangs so it won't fall on her face, before fixing up her breakfast and three sets bento. She sat in the couch, waiting for Shinji.
2 minutes later, she heard three consecutive knocks on the door. She sighed, screaming a 'Finally'. She signed a note to her Dad saying:
Dear Papa, Breakfast is inside the oven. I made an extra bento in case you get hungry in your work. It's also inside the oven. I'm off! Riza 3
She took two of the three sets of Bento and packed her bag before hurrying towards the door. Only to be greeted by Shinji in his unmanaged uniform and messy brown hair.
"Yo~" She greeted. "Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine." He murmured lazily. "Usually I have to wake you up. What gives?"
"Nothing." She answered. "Anyhow, let's get a move on." She said cheerfully, acting as though as what happened yesterday never happened, walking towards the elevator.
Shinji yawned and followed her. When they were inside the elevator, Riza fixed his uniform for him. They practically looked like Big Sister and Little brother to the people that sees them, even though Shinji is older than herself by a few months.
The walk to school was the same as always. Riza pondered her recent nightmare. Shinji followed her all the way.
What was weird is, even though Shinji beat her to the front entrance, she didn't even seem to care.
"What's up, Rizz?" He asked, noticing she stopped.
"Aah!" She snapped from her daydreaming. "I-it's nothing…" she muttered. Still looking scared, her yellow eyes says it all.
Something is definitely up, Shinji said to himself as he watches her walk pass him. But Riza will never talk to me about things like that. She's too stubborn! At times like this, I may need her help.
He sighed. Today will definitely be a troublesome day for me, he said to himself as they entered the school gate.
Suddenly, a voice from behind them yelled. "Ri-Chan~ Shin-Chan~" it called. Both of them turn around, only to see a girl with short black hair and straight bangs running towards them. "Hey~" she yelled before stopping in front of them.
She panted as she holds her knees. She took a deep breath before squealing again. "I've got great, great news!" she said.
"What's up, Straight Bangs?" Riza said, giving her a high-5. She smiled at her as though as nothing happened.
"Great News!" she jumped. "Best News ever!"
"Ok, calm down, Miki." Shinji said, holding her shoulders to stop her from bouncing. "Deep breath, take a deep breath." He said.
Miki took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm good." She said.
"So?" Riza asked, growing impatient. "What's this 'Great News' you're talking about?"
"Oh, that," she began. "Well, Bro told m-" she was interrupted by the bell ringing.
"Uh-oh, Bad News!" Riza screamed as she ran towards the school building and towards their classrooms, being followed by Miki and Shinji.
That is how things always work. Whatever happens, Miki and Shinji follows her. They trust her no matter what. They're always there for her. That's why she has to protect them no matter what.
They were lucky their teacher was late as well, that's why they didn't get in trouble. It was a pretty normal day. All their classes were as boring as ever. Miki Makino didn't even need all this. She just wants Class to end and Lunch to come.
After the bell rang, which signifies Lunch Break, Miki was about to die. She was so hungry. She wants to eat Ri-Chan's cooking and tell them the news. She even wants to tell it to them during class, but Ri-Chan and Shin-Chan are so focus on their studies.
"Hey~" she called cheerfully, running towards their desk. "So, what's for lunch?"
Her two friends laughed. She pouted. "Hey?" she said. "I work hard not to faint until Lunch. I want Ri-Chan's Bento!" she insisted.
"Hehe," Riza giggled. "I made your favourite, Tamago Dashimaki and Onigiri." She said, holding out a Bento.
She smiled. This was the reason she love Ri-Chan, she knows exactly what Miki and Shin-Chan loves.
They went up the rooftop and the two sat. She sat beside the two and ate. She looked over Shinji's bento, which was made by Riza. She already asked about it to Riza and was answered: "This was thanks for hearing me out, yesterday."
"Hey?" Shinji called. Eating Riza's specially made Bento. "What's that News you were talking about earlier, Meeks?"
"Oh, that," she said. Eating the Onigiri Riza gave her. "Big Brother told me yesterday that the new version of V-Pet is out today." She said, taking another Onigiri. "Yum~" she muttered.
It took about a few seconds before they both yelled at her. "WHAT!"
"How? How did you know?" Shinji asked.
Miki ate half of the Tamago Dashimaki before answering. "Duh! Big Bro works at the company who makes the V-Pet. He gave me a sample V-Pet last week."
Her two friends were speechless. V-Pet is the most famous toy created in Bandai. You have to take care of a Digimon of your choice. You could hardly buy one on stores since it's easily sold out.
"Why didn't you told us?" was all Riza could say.
"Um…" Miki thought for a moment. "The both of you were so busy these past few days." She added. "But I understand. I mean, Shin's Mama was delivering little Mika." She told them, referring to Shinji's new little sister. "And I know all to well not to bother Ri-Chan when her Papa has a week off."
"Even still…" Shinji said, as his kind self surfaced. "We should have been there for you. We really are sorry."
"He is, I'm not." Riza said acting stubborn, but written all over her face was 'Sorry'. That was how she is, a very easy to read person.
"Well," Miki giggled. "If you don't want to say it, then buy me Strawberry Pocky later as an apology gift, nee~"
"What!"
"Good Luck, Riza." Shinji patted her shoulders. "You know how Miki is; prepare to empty your wallet."
"Humph!"
"Well, as thanks for being kind enough to empty your wallet for me." She said. "I'll give you a surprise gift." She added a wink.
"I wonder what it is." Riza said with a tone of sarcasm, and giggled after. "Just kidding~"
"Haha…" she pretended to laugh.
"Geez!" Shinji complained. "That's why people think you're weird Riza, you get angry, then smile, then laugh, then act as if never happened."
"Practice, Shin." Riza said, packing up the finished Bento. "Practice and maybe you can do it too."
"No thanks." Shinji shook his head as he help Riza clean. "I'm happy as I am."
Miki stood up and stretched. She helped both of her friends in cleaning up the mess they did before going down. She was really excited. She was so sure her best of the best childhood friends will like her gift.
After school, the three of them went to a nearby convenience store to buy 6 Pocky. On their way to Riza and Shinji's apartment building, a man, around his thirties, holding a wooden cane and wearing a black sunglasses.
He stopped them when they were near the Apartment. He held out his cane, pointing at Riza. "Your judgement is near." He said. "Do not allow them to sense your fear."
"I…see," Riza murmured.
"Maybe, he mistook us for some other people." Shinji whispered. "You tell him Miki."
"No way!" Miki declined. "You do it dumbo, you're the guy, right?"
"But…"
"I believe you mistook us for some other people, sir." Riza smiled at him calmly.
"Y-yeah!" Miki added. "And we have to go now, so…"
"W-we have to go." Shinji said pulling the two of them.
They slowly walk away, creep out by the weird man, and leaving him shouting these words: "The judgement will be on Friday. Do not let them awaken what has been sleeping for hundreds of years."
When they were in the elevator, Shinji noticed how quiet Riza was and remembered what happened the morning. When they were in the 5th floor and the elevator door slide open. Riza stepped out first and went directly inside her apartment. Then, Miki stepped out, but Shinji stopped her when they were outside.
Checking to see if there was anyone listening, he took a glance around. Seeing no one was around, he whispered to Miki. "I need your help."
"At what?" said Miki in a low voice.
"Riza's acting weird."
"My violet eyes can see." She replied. "So, what do you want me to do?"
"She sort of zoned out earlier this morning. And she was awake before I could knock on her door. She even claimed that she is late." He said. "Y'know, she isn't usually like that."
"I see." She said. "Then, you want me to ask her about it?"
"Yep." He said, opening the door to his apartment. "Please, I'll buy you as much Pocky as you want."
"Hehe." She giggled, as she prepares to open the door to Riza's. "just buy me 5 box of Strawberry Pocky~" she opened the door and enter.
Meanwhile, Shinji sighed, his savings for a new V-Pet will be gone before he knows it.
Inside the Apartment, Riza was sitting in the couch nibbling a chocolate Pocky while watching TV. She was in deep thought. She still hasn't change, but she was wearing a white slippers.
"Hey, Ri-Chan~" Miki's voice called from the door.
"Yo, Miki." She said, turning around.
"Haaah!" she yelled after seeing Riza eating a Pocky.
Riza chuckled and took a plastic bag from the table. "Here," she said. "It's 4 boxes of Pocky."
"Waah~" she pouted. "But I want 5…"
"Bear with it." She said. "You know, we still need to give one for Shinji."
"Humph!" Miki crossed her arms. "Just share with Shinji. And then, when the Pocky is down to one, the both of you will have to eat it together, and eventually kiss." She squealed. "Kyaah~"
Riza's face was red with embarrassment. She told her friend. "No way! We are just friends and besides, Shin likes you, remember?"
"Aho!" she murmured beneath her breath. "I wish it was like that"
"Huh?" Riza looked at her. "Did you say something?"
"Nothing!" Miki denied. "I just…" she began, pretending to be sad. "You said that Shinji's your friend. I'm jealous."
"What are you saying?" Riza said. "Of course you're my friend."
"Hmm." Miki smirked, Riza fell for her trap. "Then, you trust me, right?"
"O-of course." Riza muttered.
"You were acting weird this morning, what was it about?" she said, looking into her eyes.
"U-um, how did you know?" she asked.
"Just answer it. You trust me right?"
"Yes. Well, you see," she sigh, and explained her nightmare to her friend.
"It's just a dream. No meaning to it." Miki said.
"But I'm still scared. What if you-know-what happens?" Riza frowned.
But before Miki could say anything, Riza laughed, or forced a laugh. She smiled at her friend and said. "Guess, it is just a dream."
"Where is Shinji? That guy is so late." Miki tried changed the subject.
Riza smiled. "Dunno." She said. But beneath her breath, she counted to three. And when she reached 0, there came three consecutive knocks from the door.
"Come on in, Shin."
"Hey" he said as he entered. He was wearing a blue T-shirt and a Navy Green Cargo Pants.
After a while, Miki finished one box of the Pocky, she started devouring another one. While Riza and Shinji were already full. Riza stared at Miki and remembered something.
"Hey, Meeks?" Riza called.
"Yeah?"
"Um…" she said, though she was interrupted by Shinji by asking first.
"What was it ya want to show us, anyway?" Shinji finished.
"Oh," she stood up and from her bag she took two plastic containers that are in the shape of an egg. "Here," she gave it to them. Giving the Egg-shape container with the colour blue V-Pet to Shinji and the one with the Purple to Riza, she could see how happy here friends were because of her gifts.
"This is the best ever!" Shinji exclaimed looking at his V-pet. "I don't need to worry about huddling in the stores.'
"Oh, I love you, Meeks." Riza hugged her.
"Aw, shucks!" she giggled.
The both of them opened the containers and press the button that says 'on'. And an egg appeared on the screen. On Riza's screen is an egg with a colour orange horizontal stripes. While, Shinji's screen has an egg with orange polka dots design around it.
"Hey, Meeks?" Riza asked. "Can we see yours?"
"Hehe, sure." She said, taking out a colour yellow V-Pet from her pocket. "My digi-egg broke a few days ago and right now it's in its in-training form, it's a Bukamon."
"Cool." The both of them sang as they look into her V-Pet.
Typed on the screen, it says. "My name is Bukamon."
"What are you going to digivolve it to?" Shinji asked.
"A Gomamon?" added Riza.
"Huh-Uh," she shook her head. "A Betamon."
"Cool."
It was about a few minutes before they changed the topic. Miki stood up and looked at the calendar. She checked what day it is on 'Friday' remembering the freaky weird man's words.
"Hey." She called at the two. "Check this out." She said, her index finger still on the date on Friday.
"What's wrong, Miki?" Riza asked as she and Shinji walk towards Miki.
"This," she said, tapping the calendar. "Do you know what this is?"
"It's a calendar." Shinji answered.
"No, I meant the date on Friday. This upcoming Friday."
"It says: '13'" Riza answered.
"Yes?" she said. "And what is happening on the 13th of June?"
"Um," Shinji thought for a while. "Riza's 10th birthday?"
"Yep, I meant, no." she said. "Remember what that man said?"
"You mean about the judgement stuff?" Shinji asked.
"Uh-huh" she nodded her head. "And remember what he said when we were leaving?"
"Dunno." Shinji shook his head.
"'The judgement will be on Friday.'" Riza muttered.
"That's it!"
"So?" Shinji asked her plainly.
"I don't know." she shook her head. "But, I'm scared."
Both her friends looked at her with a worried look on her face. Miki isn't usually scared of anything, unless it was truly dangerous. The way she said it, her friends became deeply disturbed.
"Aw, c'mon, Meeks," Shinji said. "It must be a coincidence. I mean, you're freaking the birthday girl with your words."
"Huh?" She said. She turned around to see Riza's eyes wide open.
The both of them knew what she must be thinking. It was the accident that happened to her mother three years ago, on her birthday. She was always blaming herself for it. Saying that her birthday was the most unlucky day of all; something bad will happen on that day.
Riza stood there for a few minutes before Shinji and Miki could actually snap her out of it. She stared at the both of them and smiled as if it was nothing. And quickly run towards her room.
Both her friends had a worried look on her face. Miki quickly walk to Riza's room and knocked countless time on the door. But there was no answer.
Miki sighed and knocked again. After then, she said. "I'm sorry, Riza, See you tomorrow."
And then, Shinji. "If you're in the mood, Mom said you should eat dinner with us tonight, bye."
"Please Leave!"
And they did so...
It was after a few seconds after they left, the room was quiet. And then, from Riza's room, echoed a scream, that could be heard through out the whole place.