Hey guys, it's GaeaChronos with another story! Now, this story has actually been under serious revision since as long as I could remember, which is around the last 8 years. A bit of trivia about this story, I actually submitted its original comic strip as a project for English class. Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about this story.

This is a Digimon AU of my own creation, wherein the Real and Digital World are one, and humanity has used this to their advantage for progress.

I also will be using the Japanese names for the Digimon, as that's what I grew up with as a child. So if some names confuse you, that's why.

With that out of the way, let's get to chapter 1!

"B-bro...?"

"Rai, what are you doing?! Get out of here!!!"

"Yuu, what are you-"

"There's no time! Get Rai out of here and take him somewhere safe!!"

"Wait, Yuu!!"

"Bro!!!"

"RAI, NO, GET DOWN!!!"

"AAAAAA-

-AAAAAAAAGHHH!!!"

I woke up with a scream, nearly falling off my bed as I sat up. I was sweating all over when I placed my hand on my forehead.

"Damn. That dream again..." I muttered under my breath.

Getting off the bed, I walked my way to the bathroom. I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face. Looking at the mirror, I look like a mess. My blonde hair was all over the place, and my eyes were red and puffy. Must've cried in my sleep. Again.

Snapping out of it, I quickly began my morning routine.

A quick shower later, I got dressed, exited my room and went to the dining table where my mom was waiting.

She was just about to finish setting the table when she noticed me and greeted.

"Ah, Raito. Good morning."

"Good morning, Mom."

"You're just in time for breakfast. Come sit."

"Ah. Okay."

I walked towards one of the chairs and was about to sit when I was abruptly interrupted.

"Hey! That's my spot over there!"

I looked to my left and saw my Mom's partner Digimon, Tokomon, looking up at me, with a rather mad look on its face.

"Ah, sorry, Tokomon! I forgot! Here, let me help."

I was just about to help it sit when it refused.

"Hey! I can do this myself!"

I quickly backed off, holding my hands out in defense. Now make no mistake, I love my Mom's Tokomon, but I've seen enough of what goes on in its mouth to not take it lightly.

I took a seat across from it as as my Mom places two mugs of coffee on the table, taking a seat herself

Breakfast was rather uneventful, until a certain news report caught my attention.

"It has been five years since the notorious 'Megiddramon Incident' wherein several Tamers and their partner Digimon lost their lives protecting our united worlds. In the onslaught, however, several innocents were also killed. In order for that tragedy to not repeat again, the Digimon App was created.The Digimon App allows anyone to call forth a Digimon to help them in situations ranging from simple manual labor, such as construction, to protecting its partner and people around them. Now this is not only beneficial to just us humans, but to Digimon as well. When a Digimon's bond with its Tamer becomes stronger, it also grows as well, allowing it to Digivolve into greater forms.The Digimon App-"

Not wanting to hear anymore, I turn off the radio. Well, that was a light way of putting it, more like throwing Tokomon at it, ignoring its startled protests.

"Honestly," I muttered. "It could have been fine without the product placement, but they just had to pull that off..."

"Yeah," Tokomon cried, running back to the table. "and it could have been fine if you didn't have to throw me at it!" It complained, snarling at me.

"S-sorry," I mumbled. "I kinda just... lost my cool." My Mom sighed at my reply.

"You know," she began, "just take your time. You went through hell that day. It's only normal to act like that if they used a tragedy like that as a way to advertise their product."

"Don't get me wrong," I answered, "I think it's great that we have this app. I just think they could've picked a better day to promote it."

She nodded at my explanation. "I agree. Any time other than now could have been a better time."

I nodded in agreement. I was about to say something when the doorbell rang.

"Coming!" I called out, going for the door. I opened it to reveal a purple-haired girl with wide, amber eyes staring at me.

"Oh, Rai, good morning!" She greeted, though somewhat flustered. I wonder why? Did she run here?

"Ah, good morning, Tsukiyama." I greeted back.

Haruka Tsukiyama. She is a good friend of mine. Lives just a few blocks ahead. She also downloaded the Digimon App a while back. I can see her partner, Moonmon, peeking over from her shoulder behind her.

"Good morning to you, too, Moonmon." I greeted, being greeted with a shy smile.

"You ready to go?" she asked. Right. We're supposed to go to the Heroes' Memorial today, like we do every year.

"Sure. Just let me get my stuff." I rushed back to my room to pick up a few things. Not much, just my phone, wallet, and music player. I put on a bright orange hoodie, put my things in its pocket, and go back outside.

"Good to go?" she asked.

"Yeah," I answered, "alright, Mom, we're off!" I called out.

"Take care!" My Mom yelled back.

The walk to the station was rather quiet, as I spent the majority of the walk steeling myself for the destination. I'm not exactly looking forward to where we're headed, pretty much just like every year we do this. If I could, I would stop making visits, but it would rather disrespectful to those who were lost. This was the least I could do for them.

Shaking my head, I looked around for a distraction, suddenly finding comfort in the colorful, grid-like sky, and its blocky clouds. I always wondered what the sky used to look like before the Digital World merged with ours. Mom used to tell us stories of clear blue skies, puffy white clouds, and a grid nowhere to be seen when she was younger. Now, all we know about that sky are just from pictures from history books, and from cartoons we would watch occasionally.

Arriving at the station, we waited for our ride. I looked around and saw a few people, probably headed the same place we are. It always bothered my Mom that everyone had pretty brightly-colored hair and eyes. Apparently, this wasn't always the case. These colors were the result of a genetic mutation caused by the merging of the two worlds. Apparently, it wouldn't matter what color your parents' hair or eyes were, you'll never possess any of the colors your parents had. I'm blonde with blue eyes, while my Mom had turquoise with brown eyes, and my Dad had white hair with emerald green eyes.

Soon enough, we hear the sounds of our ride. Skidding to a stop in front of us was a Locomon. It opened its doors as usual, but something felt off.

"Everyone, get in!! HURRY!!!" It warned.

Before we could react, we felt the ground beneath us shake violently. My lessons on earthquake drills kicking in, I ducked, pulled Tsukiyama with me, and took cover under one of the benches. It didn't look very durable, but it was the best choice we've got.

After a few moments, the tremors seemed to stop. I looked up and saw several cracks and fissures throughout the station. Looking to my left and right, I saw that everyone had the same idea as me. It seemed that some were injured and in need of first aid.

"Everyone," I called out, slowly crawling out of the bench, drawing their attention. "we need to get out of here. Take any injured with you, and get in Locomon! And hurry! We don't know if there's gonna be an aftershock, but I'm sure none of you would stick around to find out!

For those who have the Digimon App, call your partners to help with evacuation, especially for those injured!"

Luckily, everyone seemed keen on the plan, and are proceeding to check their phones. But of course, there's always that one person who would love to cause a mess in the middle of a disaster.

"Hey!" A boy with black hair and white eyes shouted at me, "Who made you the leader and why should I listen to you?! Why would I call my partner to save some stranger?! They're my partner, not theirs!! If they want to live, they should just get their own!!!" Okay. Someone needs to shut him up.

I marched up to him during all his shouting, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him up, suspending him in the air all the while glaring at him. Looks like he was younger than me, but not much. Probably a couple of years.

"You do realize," I started, "that this isn't something to take lightly?! People are hurt, and they need medical attention, and fast! If you refuse to do anything in the moment you could do something, and something happens to them because of your negligence, then it's all in your hands!! This isn't only about you, it's about everyone here!!!"

I ungracefully let go of his collar, momentarily causing him to lose balance. I turned around and walked towards one of the injured. I helped them up, but before I proceeded to walk, I let out a few words to the boy.

"If you still refuse to do anything, I don't want to see you even trying to get inside Locomon. You have a Digimon, put it to good use."

And with that, I helped the injured get inside as quickly and safely as possible. After getting them on one of the seats, I rushed out to help more people inside.

I went to help a man with broken legs, but I stopped midway when I saw a Guardromon carefully pick him up into its arms and get him inside

"It's easier if he helps the ones with worse injuries." a voice behind me said. I turned around to find the boy from before, with a rather shameful look on his face. I nod in agreement and went on to help others.

"You don't have to apologize." I told him, "some people just tend to worry about themselves first above others. Just don't make a habit out of it."

I saw Tsukiyama struggling to lift some rubble that a boy's leg was caught under. I quickly rushed to their aid, but the rubble was too heavy.

"Hey, Tsukiyama," I breathed out, "why don't you send out a Digimon to help? This is too heavy." I asked her, struggling to lift up some rubble.

"Oh, right!" she exclaimed, reaching for her phone. "What kind of Digimon should I call?" she asked.

"Preferrably a Champion Level," I panted, wiping my brow, "They usually are strong enough to lift rocks this large."

I watched her fiddle with the App for a few seconds, before she nodded, and held out her phone, a purple light emanating from its screen.

"Moonmon, Digitalize!!"

Soon enough, Moonmon materialized from her phone. I was about to ask her why she called an In-Training, but I was cut off when she tapped her phone, a holographic dial being projected, then she turned the dial twice clockwise, more light emanating from it, and small sparks coming from it.

"Moonmon, Digivolve!!!" she declared, tapping the center of the dial and pointing the screen towards Moonmon.

Then, a beam of light shot out of her phone's screen, enveloping Moonmon in an orb of purple light, before it shattered, revealing a large, humanoid white rabbit with armor.

"Lekismon!!!" It declared upon landing.

"Lekismon," she said to her partner, "could you help me with this?" she asked, to which it nodded.

Lekismon moved the rubble with relative ease, easily getting it off the man.

"Alright," I said, kneeling down to the man's side, "help me with this." I asked Tsukiyama, gesturing towards the other side.

Together, we carefully lifted the injured man up, being extra careful with his injuries. Tsukiyama offered to have Lekismon help, but I declined, pointing towards its bladed arms, causing her to look down in embarassment.

When we got in Locomon, people helped the injured man out of our arms and lie down on one of the seats, with some already tending to his injuries.

I looked around inside Locomon, finding several people in similar states. My fists clench involuntarily, nails digging into my palms, memories of that dreadful day coming back to me.

Destroyed buildings...

Dead bodies everywhere...

Children crying for their parents...

Parents crying for their children...

And my brother...

"...i..."

I couldn't find him anywhere...

"...ai..."

It's my fault...

"Rai...!!"

If only I listened...!

"Rai!!!"

It's all my fault!!!

"Rai, please!!!"

MY FAULT!!!

"RAI, PLEASE SNAP OUT OF IT!!!"

I suddenly feel my face violently turned to the side, snapping me out of my trance. I turn back to see Tsukiyama staring back at me, concern evident on her face.

I feel a slight stinging on my cheek, which suggests that she slapped me.

"Are... are you back...?" she asked, uncertain.

"Y-yeah..." I reply, placing my hand on my cheek. "Thanks..."

"Don't mention it," she answers back, "though I would prefer not making a habit out of it."

"Sorry," I apologize, "that happens sometimes when I'm tense..."

"Mama...!"

We were snapped out of our conversation when we heard the cry. I looked out to find a kid down on the ground, ankle twisted. He must've tripped on one of the cracks running here.

"Oh, no...!" Tsukiyama gasped "That kid...!" she pointed towards the floor.

The cracks were widening.

The ground was crumbling.

For a brief second I saw a younger version of myself amidst the ruins of a city.

Not even thinking twice, I get off the train and rush to the kid's aid. I could hear Tsukiyama screaming at me, but I ignored it. I needed to save the kid.

Making it to the kid's side, I kneel and try to pick it up when I felt tremors.

I looked up to find the ceiling about to give and fall. Debris was falling everywhere. I shielded the kid with my body, bracing for the impact of the ceiling.

Only it never came.

I open my eyes to find us being covered by a large clawed appendage I followed it with my eyes to see where it came from. It was connected to the back of a large, dragon-like Digimon, looking at me lazily.

"Groundramon...?"

That was impossible. Only one person managed to tame a Groundramon, and that was...

"Honestly," a voice said "do you really wanna throw your life away that badly?"

Atop Groundramon's head, I saw someone sitting. My sky blue eyes met blood red. He had bone white hair, and wore a cloak that had clearly seen better days. But most importantly, I remembered the markings just below his eyes and who they belong to.

"Junya...?"

Aaaand, that's about it!!! This is my attempt at Digimon fanfiction. If it wasn't obvious, this is my own AU with my own characters. You may also expect a few fan made Digivolutions.

I know I should be working on SRW Remnant, but a lot of stuff happened, mainly procrastination being a b*tch striking at the wrong time, but I also had to attend a few seminars, and between deciding to switch programs and looking for a part time job, I just didn't have enough time to write. This one was in my phone for quite a bit, so I just did some edits and uploaded it.

I'll try to get more chapters out, but I don't know when, but I'll do my best uploading them.

GaeaChronos is out!! PEACE!!!