Hi, Everyone! I'm Angelheart, and welcome to my newest story. It's also my first new story since I started High School.

This story takes place in the Data Squad universe, a few years after the humans and digimon separate.

So, without further ado, let's get this show on the road!

Miki and Megumi walked down the hallway DATS headquarters, hand in hand. It was their first time back in HQ in years.

"I almost can't believe it's the same place." Whispered Megumi.

Miki nodded. Once, it had been a state-of-the-art facility with one-way glass and shiny metal. It had been the second home of warriors in a secret war.

Now, half destroyed and left to rot, the two friends could barely recognize it. The glass was broken and dust covered everything. The caved-in roof let in just enough moonlight to see the sorry state of their former home.

"I almost can't believe it's the same place." Said the blond.

The black-haired one smiled ruefully. "Yeah. Almost."

"…Yeah."

Miki was right. Everywhere they looked, they saw signs of their old life. The chessboard they used to play with. A piece of the digital gate. Someone's old uniform. The remains of a computer Marcus had crashed.

Megumi squeezed. Miki squeezed back. It was a place that almost felt like a memory. A memory where the pieces longer fit together.

No Kamemon serving tea. No Kudomon giving orders. No Lalamon to comment on Yoshi's poor ability to do chores. No Agumon demanding food.

No silent companions to offer a hand or a friendly ear. No brash teenage boy to argue with.

The two women began to cry.

It hurt. They knew it would. But they needed to come here. It was the only way to convince themselves it was really real.

Everyone else was content to bury the past. Never talk about it. Never bring it up. Never point out that something felt slightly wrong.

Never, ever say the name 'Marcus Damon'.

Finally, the rivers of tears subsided.

"Megumi?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's go back. Everyone's probably waiting for us."

"Okay."

On the other side of town, three men and a woman were in the basement, talking and drinking coffee.

The first was broad-shouldered, and was clearly moving into middle age. The second was young and blond, just entering his prime. The third was the oldest by far, with gray hair and wrinkles.

The last was a woman of about 30 with glasses. She was dressed in a lab coat, and smiled sincerely as she examined her papers.

She put the papers down and nodded to the young man. "Very impressive, Dr. Norstein."

"I've told you before. You're among friends here, so call me Thomas."

"If you say so… Thomas."

Thomas nodded at the woman. "And if you don't mind, I'd like to call you by your first name, as well. What was it, again?"

"I'm Enyo. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The middle aged man joined the conversation. "I've brought Professor Enyo over from Greece. She's an expert on mythology all over the world."

"Oh, stop, commander Sampson." Said Enyo, who was turning pink.

"Anyway," said Sampson. "We should get on with the meeting."

Thomas looked around the room. "Where's Spencer?"

"That's 'Dr. Damon' to you, Thomas." The commander scolded.

The old spoke for the first time. "I heard Spencer won't be joining us. He had a family issue he just couldn't put on hold."

Sampson glared at the old man while Thomas tried to hide his laugh with a cough.

Enyo looked concerned. "Do you know the details?"

"Something about his daughter."

"Must be nice to have family." Said the woman.

This was followed by awkward silence. The tall man cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"So, back to the matter at hand. Miss Enyo, if you would?"

"Oh…Uh…I…Of course." She got a meter stick and pointed to the chart behind her. "Um… Where was I?"

"There were ten monarchs…" prompted the old man.

"Oh, right. Thank you, Mr. Yushima."

"My pleasure."

Enyo started again. "I was looking at an old text that described a mythological world. As I studied it more, it began to remind me an awful lot of the Digital World you talk about. Monsters that are constantly changing… Humans who are partnered with said creatures… Sound familiar?"

The men nodded. The woman continued.

"Well, this text described ten feared and powerful leaders. They were ruthless, merciless, and oppressive. I believe the proper term is 'tyrant'."

Thomas stared at her.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked.

"No, it's just… You're like a totally different person when you lecture."

"Oh… really?"

Yushima nodded.

"Well, anyway, on the lecture… Where was I, again?"

"So, these tyrants…" said Sampson.

"Yes, that was it… As I was saying before, these ten rulers were all tyrants. Some reigned through force, others controlled through manipulation. The Scholar of the Beast was very famous. There's lots of info on him. The Boy who ruled the Air was another well-known one. And ruling them all with an iron fist was the Dragon King.

Eventually, the ten tyrants faded from power, but not until the Dragon King came up a plan. He figured out a way to rule for eternity. He and the others cast a spell to make sure their powers and abilities were passed down to worthy successors."

"I see." Interrupted Sampson. "You think the tyrants might be returning."

"Right. It is said that when these powers will manifest in a symbol on the back of one's hand."

"So, if a strange symbol suddenly appears on someone's hand, it's a good sign that they have the powers of the tyrants, correct?" asked Thomas.

Enyo nodded.

"Just how strange are these symbols?" asked the Commander.

"Well, there are ten different symbols, one for each of the dictators. The symbol of the Dragon King is said to be a sun. Another looks sorta like a star."

There were footsteps from outside. Fast footsteps, accompanied by panting.

A man with brown hair burst into the room.

"Whoa, Spencer!" said Sampson, "Where's the fire?"

Thomas turned to Enyo. "So much for Dr. Damon…"

Enyo snickered.

Yushima went over to the man. "What's going on?"

"Kristy…" he gasped, still out of breath.

"What about Kristy?"

"Kristy has been…"

"Yes?" asked Thomas, who was getting impatient.

"Kristy has been missing for over 24 hours!"

Alright! First chapter, done!

Remember to review, guys. Don't go easy on me. If I'm going to fast, or you see something that doesn't make sense, please tell me. Of course, praise doesn't hurt, either.