Episode 1: A World Apart

The summer sun beat down on the streets below,waves of heat radiating off the concrete. As Trent walked across the street,he could feel his sneakers sink into the gooey tarmac. Pieces of the black gunk,clinging to their bottoms. He ran his fingers through his thick red hair,wiping the sweat from his brow. Normally the heat didn't bother him. After all it was always hot in Houston. But this year was intense,even by his standards. So much so,that even the walk up to the apartment was a slog. His feet falling heavily on every step of the stairwell. The boy cursing the fact that he lived on the third floor.

"Mooom! I'm home!" he announced,walking through the doorway. The cool air inside the apartment feeling extremely refreshing. But there was no response from within.

"Mom?" he called. Again,no answer. Trent shrugged,and walked over to the fridge. After retrieving a soda from its cold confines,he noticed a note attached to the door.

"Went to the store to pick up stuff for dinner and run a few errands. Be back around 7:00

Love,Mom"

Trent looked toward the oven. The digital clock reading three twelve,in bright green letters. "Looks like she'll be a while."

After a quick shower,and a change of clothes,Trent flopped onto the couch.

"Wonder what's on." he said,clicking the tv remote. The screen flashed to life,showing the local news.

"This heat wave has been quite stifling. Even for us Houstonians." said the weatherman,his smile bright and hair perfectly coiffed. "But don't worry folks. You can look forward to a bit of a cool spell starting this evening. A large thunderstorm is rolling in,with a nice cold front trailing behind it. Back to you Jill!"

The camera panned over to the main newsroom. Where a cheery brunette sat behind the desk. "Thank you,Hank." she said with a smile. "Our top story tonight. A local scientist at the University of Houston says. She has discovered something that will change humanities views about cyberspace."

"Boring." Trent yawned,flipping the channel,the screen flashing through several shows. A nature documentary,a monster movie,trashy reality shows,and cartoon reruns. "As usual there's never anything good on." he grumbled,flipping off the television.

Trent got up from the couch,and walked to his room at the end of the hall. With a tired sigh,he eased himself into the office chair in front of his computer. Clicking on his browser to check his emails and messages. After sorting through what was mostly spam,he decided play some Warframe.

As he played,a storm slowly began to roll in outside,going unnoticed by the boy. At least two hours past,before a sudden clap of thunder caused him to leap in surprise.

"Holy crap!" he yelped, getting up from his seat to look out the window.

Outside the weather had taken a turn. The sweltering summer day given way to a raging thunderstorm. The wind whipped and howled,the rain a torrential downpour. Lightning flashed and crackled,followed by the boom of thunder.

"Man it's really coming down." Trent remarked,peering outside. "Hope moms okay."

In that moment a bolt of lightning struck just outside his window. With a loud crackle,it crashed into a nearby power line,a shower of sparks raining down. Trent's room went dark. And the thunder that soon followed,caused him to recoil from the window. Falling backward,and hitting his head on the edge of his desk.

Trent awoke a few minutes later,his head sore and aching. The pitter patter of rain,and the boom of rolling thunder could still be heard outside. The room was almost pitch black. The still flickering computer screen being the only source of light. With the computer still on,Trent believed the power must still be on somehow. Feeling around the room,he was able to find the switch on the far wall. He flipped the switch several times,but the lights didn't so much as glimmer.

Trent looked at the white computer screen,his brow furrowed. "What the heck is going on?"

He sat back in his chair,staring at the monitor intently. It was completely blank,a strange static noise emanating from it. The electronic thrum,began to grow louder and louder. Like the beating heart of a machine. Until suddenly,it was silenced,and bold red text began to scrawl across the screen.

"Would you like to go on an adventure?"

"An adventure?" Trent said under his breath.

As if the text had heard him,it replied. "Yes an adventure."

Trent was taken aback,fear beginning to course through him. Every part of him told the boy to simply leave the strange message be. And wait in in the living room for his mother's return. But there was a niggling curiosity in the back of his mind. Wanting to know more about this mysterious message.

In the end,curiosity won out,and against his better judgement,he asked. "Who are you?"

Once more,as if the text had known his question it responded.

"Someone who can take you to a place beyond your imagining."

"What do I have to do?"

"Just step through the door."

The screen went black,a string of zeroes and ones flying across it. They seemed random at first, but slowly formed into a coherent shape,a doorway.

Trent felt drawn toward it,as if some invisible force was pulling him in. He reached out his hand to the door,and with a single touch,it swung open. In a flash of light the boy was pulled through the portal,leaving no trace that we was ever there. The monitor flickered to white once again,a final message appearing on the screen.

"Now the journey begins."

Then the screen went black,leaving the room completely dark. Save for the lightning that flashed outside.

Trent lost all feeling of self,his mind was aware, but he could not feel his body. It was a hazy dream like state. Drifting through empty space with a sense of weightlessness. He did not know how long he floated through that space. Time seeming nonexistent to him. A strange sensation suddenly began to flow through him. His mind feeling the subtle presence of his body. Tingling pinpricks flowed through his arms and legs,his head feeling cloudy. He began to move his limbs,feeling the ground beneath him. His eyes fluttered open to see a clear blue sky above. Sitting up with a start,Trent surveyed his surroundings.

All around him was a field of long green grass. Carpeting a landscape of rolling hills and pastures. Small patches of yellow wildflowers dotted the sea of green. Their subtle sweet scent wafting on the breeze. Not far from where he lay,was the edge of a large forest,dominated by tall oak like trees.

"Where..am I?" Trent said as he stood up. He walked about in stunned wonder. And without so much as a thought,wandered into the nearby forest.

The boy strolled through the forest in dream like wonder,taking in the strange surroundings. The bushes and trees were completely alien. The tree's broad leaves were in every color of the rainbow. Their trunks a hue of dark blue,the bark covered in swirling patterns. They had wire like roots,that sunk into the ground. As if plugged into some unknown power source. He was in such awe of everything around him,he wandered for what seemed like hours. Then like a bolt from the blue, he realized the gravity of the situation.

"How the hell did I even get here? How do I get back!?" he started to panic,his mind racing a mile a minute. "Okay,chill out Trent." With a deep calming breath,he steadied himself. "Ok...so the first question. How did I get here?" The mysterious text flashed through his mind.

"Would you like to go on an adventure?"

"So whatever that was brought me here." The boy rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Now the question is." He looked all around him,the afternoon sun shining through the treetops. "Where is here?" His train of thought was soon cut short by a huge crashing sound. Trent wheeled about with a start,his eyes wide with shock.

Before him was what could only be described as a dinosaur. The beast stood on four powerful trunk like legs,its back and face covered by plates of grey armor. But the feature that stood out the most, was its massive singular horn. Its eyes locked onto to Trent, nostrils flaring, as it kicked up dust with its stamping feet.

Trent backed away as slowly as possible,holding his hands up in a calming manner . "Nice dinosaur. Good dinosaur."

The giant creature bellowed,and charged,trampling the ground as it moved.

"Oh crap!" Trent turned,and ran,as fast as his legs would let him. Dodging past large trees,and bushes,hoping to slow the creature down. But they did little to stop the monster,as it knocked down everything it's path. The boy ran and ran,until his legs began to ache and burn. It seemed inevitable that the beast would catch him.

"Hey over here!" a voice called,seemingly from nowhere.

Out of the corner of his eye,Trent caught the source of the noise. A large burrow,dug beneath the roots of a tree. He stopped in his tracks, turning back only for a second to see the huge beast barreling toward him. Without a second thought,he leapt into the dark hole.

With a tumble,Trent landed on what felt like soft ground. Eyes squinting,his vision tried to adjust to his new surroundings.

"You're lucky I was around." said a voice from the dark.

"Yeah thanks for the save." The boy's eyes focused hard,trying to make out the appearance of his savoir.

"It was no trouble." The voice replied. "After all it is a knight's duty to protect people." The owner of the voice then slowly stepped into the light.

He was a small dragon like creature,his whole body covered in white armor. Two horns sat atop his head,another on his snout,and a red tattered cloak flowed from his neck. He walked on all fours,three sharp claws growing from each of his feet.

"What...are you?" Trent backed away tentatively.

"I am not a what." The little dragon said,feeling a little insulted. "I am a who. And who I am is Huckmon." He stepped closer,looking the boy over. "And you are?"

"Tr...Trent."

Huckmon studied him closely. "You don't look like any digimon I've ever seen."

"Digimon?" The boy quirked a brow. "I don't even know what that is."

"I am a digimon." The little dragon gestured outside. "And that big guy out there is also a digimon named Monochromon"

The boy turned his head toward the burrow's entrance. "That monster has a name?"

Huckmon scrutinized the boy,drawing almost uncomfortably close. "So if you are not a digimon…" The dragon's eyes narrowed. "... then what are you?"

Trent blinked a few times before replying."I'm just a human."

Huckmon's eyes widened with surprise. "A...human?"

"Y..yeah."

The dragon looked at the ground,puzzled. "But humans are supposed to be a myth! A fairy tale!"

"Yeah well I could say the same about you!" Trent retorted, his arms crossed. "Where I come from dragons don't exist and dinosaurs are extinct!"

Huckmon bowed his head in apology. "Sorry. I meant no offense."

The boy couldn't help but smirk,suddenly feeling more comfortable in the creature's presence. "Hey don't worry about it." He crossed his legs to sit more comfortably. "Huckmon,right?"

The digimon gave a quick nod. "Its nice to meet ya!" Trent held out his hand.

Huckmon regarded him for a moment,before smiling,and extending his claw.

"Likewise Trent." The boy took the digimon's claw and the two shook heartily.

"Good. Now that introductions are out of the way." said Trent. "I have a lot of questions."

Huckmon sat back on his haunches,and waved a claw to the boy. "Ask away."

The redhead pondered for a moment,trying to find the right first question. "Ok let's start with the big one. Where am I?"

"This place is called The Forest of Awakening. It is on the western half of the Proxy Continent."

Trent arched an eyebrow. "Look I may have failed geography. But there are only seven continents on earth,and I'm pretty sure none of them are called Proxy."

Huckmon gave him a serious look. "Well this isn't earth."

"Wh..What? If this isn't earth than,where the heck am I?!"

"This is the Digital world."

The boy scratched his head in confusion. "So like….I'm on another planet or something?"

"Something like that." Huckmon shrugged,and pondered for a moment. Trying to find the right words to answer the boy's query. "I wish my master were here. He could explain it better than I could."

"Your master?"

The dragon digimon nodded "Yes my master and teacher,Gankoomon he is very wise. He was training me to be a member of the Royal Knights."

"Yeah you mentioned something about being a knight. So who are these Royal knights?"

Huckmon's eyes suddenly began to glimmer with excitement. "They are the sacred guardians of the digital world!" His voice was filled with fervor as he spoke. "They're names are legendary,known far and wide by all digimon. The Royal Knights are the defenders of all that is good and right." He puffed out his chest proudly. "It's always been my dream to become one of them."

Trent gave a slight chuckle "Wow that's pretty cool. I hope your dream comes true." The boy then rubbed his chin in thought. "So now that I know where I am. The next question is…. how do I get back?"

"Well do you know how you got here?"

Trent then related the story of the mysterious message, and the gateway that he was sucked into. "Then I woke up in a green pasture,wandered into the forest and well, here we are."

The digimon nodded,his eyes closing in contemplation."I have heard stories of humans coming to the digital world long ago. But that's all they were, just stories. I guess there was some truth to them after all."

"So...I guess that means you don't have any idea how I can get home, huh?"

Huckmon shook his head regretfully. The boy placed his hands over his face,and gave a defeated sigh. "Great. Just great."

Huckmon regarded him with a saddened look,trying to think of anything he could say to cheer the boy up. He soon recalled something. "Wait! That's it! I know someone who might be able to help."

Trent looked back up and smiled excitedly. "Really!?"

The digimon gave an affirmative nod. "I've heard of a wise old digimon, named Jijimon. He lives in File City, just a day or so from here. They say he knows everything about the digital world. He might know of a way to take you back."

"Wow thats great!" Trent shouted with excitement,until a sudden realization popped into his mind. "Wait how am I supposed to get there? I don't have the slightest idea where I would go."

Huckmon put a claw to his chest. "Easy silly, I'll take you there!"

"You would do that?!"

"Of course! After all,it's a knight's duty to help those in need ."

Without thinking, Trent hugged the little dragon tightly. "Thank you so much!"

Huckmon choked as he was squeezed in the boy's arms. "Ok I appreciate the thanks." he wheezed. "But I can't breathe."

Trent then let the dragon go, setting him back down with care. "Sorry about that." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

The two emerged from the hole cautiously,listening for any signs of Monochromon. They looked about in every direction,bodies tensing in anticipation. After several minutes of silence,Trent breathed a sigh of relief.

"I guess he finally left." He then turned to his new companion. "So which way?"

Huckmon surveyed the surrounding area, getting his bearings. Once he was sure of his direction, he pointed a claw eastward. "This way!" The little dragon then began to march toward their destination,Trent following not far behind.

The pair journeyed in silence for a time,just taking in the scenery. Trent's eyes eventually falling on Huckmon. In the light of day he noticed something that he hadn't before. On the digimon's cloak,was a hood,with metal spikes jutting from its rim. But what really caught his eye were the pair of goggles sewn into it.

"Hey Huckmon I just realized something."

The digimon turned his head "What's that?"

Trent pointed to the pair of goggles he wore over his beanie. "Check it out! We match!"

Huckmon looked over his shoulder at the hood,and back to the boy, smiling.

"Yeah I guess we do!" As they moved forward they started to strike up a small conversation.

"So…" the boy began. "You said you were training with your master right?"

Keeping his eyes on the path,the little dragon gave a nod in response. "So,where is he now?"

"I'm not sure. I've haven't seen him for quite some time. He sent me out on my own. Said the only way for me to truly complete my training,was to go and experience the world. " The little dragon shook his head. "I'm not sure what he meant by that." He then chanced a glance back at the red head. "But I'm sure I'll figure it out!"

The two continued to converse easily. Trent asking all the questions he could about the digital world. And Huckmon answering to the best of his abilities. The digimon was also equally curious about the human world. The boy told his new companion all he could. About his home,family,school and anything else that came to mind. They continued at a leisurely pace. Carrying on with their chat and enjoying each others company.

For a couple of hours all was peaceful. When Huckmon stopped in his tracks,his body tensing up.

Trent looked to the dragon digimon. "What's wrong?"

"Something's coming." Huckmon growled.

Several trees were tossed aside,as Monochromon burst through the treeline. He roared powerfully and stared down his targets.

Trent backed away in surprise." Doesn't this guy have better things to do!?"

"Apparently not!"

Monochromon charged forward,lowering its head,threatening to impale the pair on his horn. "Horn strike!"

The two barely dodged in time, the dinosaur's horn toppling the tree just behind them.

"He's going to come back around!" Huckmon yelled. "You get out of here! I'll hold him off!"

"What?! Are you crazy?" Trent waved his arms in panic. "I'm not gonna leave you alone with that thing!"

"Don't worry about me I can handle myself." Huckmon turned his attention to Monochromon, who was charging at them once again. The dragon opened his mouth,and a ball of fire began to form."Searing Shot!" The red hot flame struck the dinosaur in the eye, causing him to veer off course, roaring painfully. "Go now!" he yelled to the boy,keeping his eyes trained on his opponent.

Trent wanted to argue the point, but decided against it. He did as he was bade,casting a backward glance at Huckmon. Before heading off deeper into the forest.

Huckmon watched Trent go, until he was far out of sight. His attention turning back to Monochromon. The giant beast growled low,one eye closed shut from where Huckmon's attack had struck. He bellowed at the dragon digimon,anger in his eye. "Horn Strike!" he called charging again.

The smaller digimon dodged out of the attack's path. "Searing shot!" Another ball of flame shot through air,and exploded into his opponent's backside.

Monochromon howled in pain,and turned about,much more nimbly than his bulk would suggest. "Volcano Strike!" He opened his large maw,spewing forth red hot globs of burning magma.

With great agility Huckmon leaped away from the attack. The liquid fire burning the ground where he once dinosaur digimon did not give him any moment to recover, and charged with his horn. Huckmon knew he could not dodge in time,and decided to meet the brute head on. His clawed feet glowing with a sudden sharpness as he charged.

"Saber Claw!" the dragon roared. The two attacks clashed, the larger creature winning in raw power. Huckmon was tossed aside by the champion digimon,knocking the wind out of him. Monochromon roared proudly,basking in his little victory. Only to be cut short by his horn snapping clean off.

Huckmon smirked as he regained his footing. His opponent stared him down with burning anger, one eye bloodshot with fury. "Volcano Strike!" A surge of searing lava shot forward at the rookie digimon. Who sidestepped the attack by a hair's breadth. Monochromon soon became relentless,firing one attack after the other. Huckmon bobbed and weaved,trying to weather the onslaught as long as possible.

Trent ran deeper and deeper into the forest,coming to a stop at a wide rushing river.

He stared at the ground,clenching his fists in frustration. The boy didn't want to run,he had to help Huckmon. His own words flashed through his mind then,words he had spoken so many years ago.

"I never want to lose anyone like that again!"

"I have to help him." he spoke aloud,his fist smashing into a nearby tree. "But how?" Trent's eyes turned to the river before him. Its waters rushed by powerfully,sweeping away anything unlucky enough to fall in. "That's it!" he exclaimed. He then turned and ran as fast as his legs would take him,back to the sounds of the ongoing battle.

Huckmon staggered to keep upright,the wave of attacks finally wearing him down. His adversary lumbered slowly toward him,lava dripping from his maw.

"Volcano..." The beasts attack was cut short by a large rock striking him in the face. Monochromon rounded about in anger. His single eye catching sight of the one who had thrown the stone.

Trent stood just fifteen feet away,his tongue sticking out mockingly. "Hey ugly,love the new look!" he taunted. "No horn looks good on you!"

Huckmon stood weakly,his body aching. "What are you doing? You idiot." he said under his breath.

The dinosaur digimon roared at the boy,stamping his feet in preparation for a charge.

"You want me ugly!?" Trent turned and ran down the forest path "Then come and get me!"

With a thunderous bellow the large digimon gave chase.

The boy's heart pounded in his chest,his breathing ragged as he ran. He chanced a glance back to see his pursuer,who was charging at full speed. "Why did I think this was a good idea?!" he said, his body starting to tire. But despite the burning in his lungs and legs. He continued,finally coming to the rushing river. Standing at its edge,he turned to face the direction of his pursuer.

Seconds later,Monochromon burst through the bushes,barreling toward the boy. But Trent did not run,he stood his ground waiting. The dinosaur digimon rushed toward him,anger burning in his eye. At the last moment,Trent leapt to the side. Monochromon could not stop himself in time. His momentum causing him to fall into the river's raging waters. He surfaced several times,but the current kept pulling him under. Unable to fight the powerful river,he was soon swept away by the current. Trent breathed a heavy sigh,watching the rushing water for a few moments. Before heading back the way he came.

Trent returned to find Huckmon recovering from the battle. When the dragon digimon caught sight of the boy. He smiled broadly and walked over to him.

"What happened to Monochromon?"

The be-goggled boy smiled,falling onto his back next to his companion.

"Don't worry about him I took care of it." he sighed,trying to catch his breath.

Huckmon wanted to ask more,but decided in the end it didn't matter. "Thanks for saving me."

The boy turned to him with a grin. "Hey,what are friends for?"

"Yeah." Huckmon nodded "Friends." he repeated, and offered his claw. Trent took it gladly and they shook,both smiling.

Suddenly,a flash of light appeared around the boy's arm. So bright that it was almost blinding. The light then faded, just as quickly as it had appeared,leaving behind a strange device on his wrist.

"What the heck?" He looked at it curiously. "What is this thing?"

"No idea." The dragon shook his head. "But...for some reason,I get the feeling that it's important."

Trent looked at the device intently. "Yeah, I'm not sure why...but I kinda feel the same thing."

To be continued...

Authors Note:

This is my first fic on this site,and its a project that I've been wanting to do for awhile. I hope to update it on a regular basis. Be sure to tune in next week,for Episode 2:New Faces and Strange Places!

Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated,thank you.