YuYuGiDigiMoon Special: The West Coasters

by Kanius

The next phase of YuYuGiDigiMoon's New Era. A group of young Metas, called the West Coasters, receive powers from alien sources and unite to combat an assembly line of anti-Meta AIs known as the Souja. Additional origin stories for each West Coaster included as well as tidbits.

1. Andrea - Psyclone

A/N: And what do you know? Another new fic just when I started on Neos United? Yep, your eyes aren't deceiving you. Much like the aforementioned fic, this one will be another mini-arc entry.

Now, you're wondering what this fic is about? Good question. This story is both a series of origin stories and flash forward events. The West Coasters was conceived by me and LazerWulf, and we've had this in the planning stages since 2011. Since these characters are new, we had to come up with names, personalities, back stories, and the works. Thus, The West Coasters was created as part of the New Era project I have going for YYGDM now.

Barring cameos from pre-existing (canon or OC) YYGDM characters, this story will entail new characters. New characters that receive powers (yes, like the X-Men and Inhumans) from the Rajita. More or less, an extension of the Chimeras.

This story will be first involving its own cast of characters with almost zero connection to the main heroes, for now, and the first with heroes outside Japan. In other words, this is our first original series. Lazer and I have spit balled for a few years since then and I think we have something here.

We'll see how this experiment goes.

Now on with the first origin story out of six.

xxxxx

San Francisco, California/November 30, 2003/10:30 PM

It was the advent of the Rajita Empire's global incursion. Japan was the first country to be attacked, but it wasn't long for the invaders to hit the United States. In fact, it was the west coast that got targeted first. Various cities on the west coast, from as far north as Seattle as south as San Diego were attacked by the Rajita.

San Francisco definitely wasn't left out.

(Cue Justice League Unlimited OST – Fatal Intentions and the Truth)

Families came running out of their homes as Rajita soldiers came driving them them. Amidst the human being rounded up like cattle, a woman with a coffee skin complexion managed to slip by with her daughter.

"Mom, where are we going to go?" The 12-year-old brunette-haired girl asked, running along with her mother.

"To your father."

"But, he hasn't called back?"

"He must be busy helping defend the base...!" The woman ran along as she nearly tripped over.

"Mom!"

"I'm ok. Stay close to me, Andrea."

"I am, but are we going to get far? What if they find us?"

"They won't if we hide! They won't find us, Andrea, and I won't let anything happen to you!"

As the mother and daughter hastened the pace, Andrea tripped over a mud hole, causing her mother to scramble over to get her.

"C'mon, Andrea, get up!" She grabbed his daughter's hand.

As Andrea stood, some light beamed down over them. Andrea was sighted by a Rajita hovercraft that dove toward her.

"Andrea! Move!" The mother screamed.

Turning around, Andrea became frozen, albeit for a few seconds, with apprehension as the hovercraft opened fire and shot down several blasts.

However, those few seconds she could've used to move was all the mother needed to throw herself in front of her daughter. The mother took a blast head-on, which sent her crashing back on a puddle.

"Mom... MOM!" Andrea screamed as she finally broke out of her frozen state. She scrambled over to her mother's side. "MOM! STAY WITH ME!" She pleaded, grabbing her mother's hand. "No... no... mom, MOM! DON'T...!" She cried out, hearing deep heavy breaths from her mother.

"Are you ok...?"

"I am, but you're bleeding... and... we need to get you to a doctor! I think the hospital is close to us!"

Dismissively nodding, the mother smiled. "As long as you're ok... Andrea... tell your father..."

"No, please... don't..." Andrea cried hard, not letting go of her mother's hands. She felt them getting colder. "Tell your father I love him... and... I love you... take care of yourself... grow up and become somebody..."

Andrea's cries fell on deaf ears as the woman slowly passed on. Andrea shook her mother hard until she stopped moving. Just then, an explosion occurred from above as an Air Force jet blasted the alien aircraft. However, Andrea continued holding onto her mother for dear life.

An hour or so passed when an soldiers found Andrea and her mother. As she witnessed her mother being carted, calls were issued to Andrea's father. And it was from this point that Andrea's life took a dramatic turn.

(End theme)

xxxxx

(Cue Wolverine and the X-Men Opening Theme)

xxxxx

YuYuGiDigiMoon Special: The West Coasters

xxxxx

Chapter 1

Andrea – Psyclone

xxxxx

(Cue Super Metroid OST – Prologue)

Over a month and a half following the first Rajita incursion on Earth, the apparent dozens of Rajita ships were shot down by military powers all over the world. Recovered ships were taken to military bases for study. Even the armed forces defending the west coast of California, specifically near San Francisco, found the wreckage of Rajita ships.

Air Force pilot, Nate Escobar, brought down a Rajita ship that crashed outside of San Francisco. This ship was taken to Beale Air Force Base, near Sacramento, for containment and study. The man behind these operations was Vice-Admiral Julius Bickens, also acting as the commanding officer.

The Vice-Admiral suffered a tragic loss when his wife, Chloe Bickens, lost her life amidst the Rajita attacks on San Francisco. In fact, it was believed to be the exact ship that Nate shot down and had sent to Beale AFB, but with the many Rajita ships that attacked the city there wouldn't be any way of knowing.

Chloe gave her life to protect hers and the Vice-Admiral's daughter, Andrea Bickens, from Rajita blasts. Having gone through a grieving period after the funeral, the 12-year-old moved in to live with her father on Beale AFB. With support from her father, Andrea was mentally on a road to recovery.

(End theme)

xxxxx

Sacramento, California/Beale Air Force Base/December 6, 2003/9:30 AM

Once settling into her new room, Andrea Bickens tried to absorb her new environment. The 12-year-old was a modest 5'7 girl with wavy chestnut hair cut at a shoulder length. She wore a long-sleeved black cotton shirt, a blue jean skirt, and tennis shoes. She also wore a necklace with a cross hanging from it. Taking a glance out her window, she watched it stop raining.

"I know it'll take a while to adjust living on the base, Andrea," a voice belonging to a middle-aged man addressed his daughter kindly, shifting his tone to that a father than his usual authority voice.

Andrea turned with tears still in her eyes. She saw a man garbed in his Admiral wear.

She managed to smile even a little, wiping her tears. "Yeah, I know, dad. I just miss being home and all my friends I left behind."

"Think of this as a fresh start, Andrea. Your mother would want you to be happy and you'll probably find living here to have its rewards?"

"Yeah, maybe," she sat down on her bed. "I just need some rest."

"Of course, I'll be downstairs if you need me, Andrea."

As she curled up on the bed, Andrea watched her father leave and close the door on his way out. She turned over and cried herself to mourn for her mother's passing. It would be another month for the girl to recover completely from her grieving period.

All she could see in her sleep was the day the Rajita ships leveled sections of her old neighborhood. She could remember some of the neighbors being blasted by the alien ships. But, the horrific images of her mother taking a blast and laying dead burned into her mind. This would make Andrea wake up in cold sweat.

Recovery would be difficult, but Andrea would overcome this.

xxxxx

Beale Air Force Base/Bickens Residence/January 12, 2004/3:30 PM

Andrea returned from her first day at school. She found going to a school on base wasn't too different from her old school, except the kids were all military brats. She no longer felt out of place being the only military brat in her old school classes.

As Andrea started toward the house, she overheard her father responding to his cell and talking to one of his colleagues.

"...yes, I've just returned from picking my daughter up on her first day to school," Vice-Admiral Bickens answered, nodding a few times. "They managed to recover a downed invader ship from San Francisco? And being transported here?"

Before turning the knob, Andrea paused and listened.

"Am I hearing this correct? Stonebagel Enterprises won a contract to build a containment here? Yes, I'll be on my way to meet with Mr. Stonebagel." As he closed his cell, he faced Andrea with an apologetic look. "Andrea, I'm afraid we'll have to cook dinner another night. I've received a call. There's some business to be conducted."

Andrea nodded with a dejected look. "Yeah, ok, dad. You're a Vice-Admiral, you're very busy."

"I could take you with me if you're willing to wait for me?"

"Really? Ok then! We're dining out after you finish. Deal, dad?"

The Vice-Admiral kindly responded to his daughter's demands. "Ok, but only if we get out early."

"Yes! And I get to choose this time!"

"All right, all right, you win, Andrea. Let's get going because they're expecting me."

As they got into the car, Andrea reflected on his phone conversation. She wondered if this in fact was that same ship that attacked and killed her mother.

xxxxx

Office/Beale Air Force Base/4:15 PM

"Michael Stonebagel, I presume?" The Vice Admiral addressed a tall man with a shaven head and garbed in business wear. "I take it you're the one assigned the project to build that containment facility?"

Michael responded in kind with a handshake. "Yes, for the Beale base. You're..."

"Vice-Admiral Bickens. Come, I'll escort you where you can meet with my colleagues and superiors."

"Thank you. I have a son who's sitting in the office with some girl."

"Oh, that would be my daughter. She's waiting for me after we finish conducting our business. So, tell me have you moved on the base?"

"Me and my family just now moved to a place off-base closer to here."

"I see. Well, come let's go and discuss matters on the containment facility."

xxxxx

Left alone in a waiting area were Andrea and a teenage boy, approximately 15-years-old, with thick brown hair. She kept to herself reading a book. However, Marty looked visibly miffed over no reason. Andrea closed her book and turned to him.

"Hey, are you ok? That was your dad meeting with my dad, right?"

"Yeah, he's here to meet about building that facility. Your dad's a officer?"

"He's a Vice-Admiral. Hey, why are you so upset?" She asked, casually approaching him. She smiled to him. "You can tell me anything, I won't tell."

"I'm upset because we had to move. Since dad's been assigned work here, that means we had to move closer to the base and I'm been removed from all my friends back home."

"Well, where did you live?"

"Los Angeles. My dad's company, Stonebagel Enterprises, is headquartered in San Francisco, though my dad now is working out of a Los Angeles branch."

"No way, that's where I lived, too! Then, the alien attacks happened and I moved here on base to live with my dad."

"And your mom?"

Andrea's lowered her face, conveying a saddened look. "Sh-She died during the attack."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Marty was shocked to hear this detail.

"Thanks, it's taken me a month to recover. I'm mostly better now and just started a new school. Today was my first day," Andrea smirked as she sat next to Marty. "I never got your name?"

"Marty Stonebagel."

"I'm Andrea Bickens! Nice to meet you!" She offered a handshake.

Marty shook her hand and chuckled. "Your hands are really soft."

"Are they? Maybe because I just washed them?" Andrea visibly blushed. Wow, he's so cute up close.

He looked at her dumbfounded. "You're looking at me weird."

"Oh, sorry if I'm creeping you out! I didn't mean to...!" Andrea turned away.

"Is there anything fun to do on this base?"

"Oh, well, I can tour you around? Better than sitting here, right?"

Taking Andrea's kind offer, Marty chuckled and nodded. "Sure, why not? I'd rather do something than being bored outta my mind." He walked out with Andrea and watched soldiers jogging on the base.

"Ready? I'll be your tour guide."

"Sure, show me around, Andrea."

Andrea and Marty exchanged smiles, forging the beginning of a new friendship.

xxxxx

Containment Facility/Beale Air Force Base/September 23, 2004/10:30 PM

Over eight months later, the new containment facility housing the Rajita ship was completed. Ever since January when she heard about a Rajita ship being transported to the base's containment facility, a morbid curiosity grabbed Andrea.

She wanted to know if it was the exact ship that cost her mother's life.

(Cue Toonami OST – Spy)

On this night, Andrea, now 13-years-old, would get to bottom of this. Wearing dark clothing, she blended in well with the darkness and headed toward the specific containment facility housing the Rajita spaceship. When the guards weren't looking, Andrea managed to sneak in undetected and waited behind vehicles for soldiers to open a door. When one soldier walked out to get fresh air, Andrea stealthily slipped in and kept in the shadows. Being a military brat had its advantages, including getting off field training and studying military tactics.

It has to be in here! Andrea thought and overheard two soldiers conversing about a particular 'extraterrestrial spacecraft'.

"Ever wonder what they're planning to do with the tech in that spaceship?" An African American soldier inquired to his colleague.

The other soldier, a Caucasian, replied. "Make new weapons for us? Don't know. It's not our place to dig too deep."

Looks like those two were just leaving the spaceship. Hope for my sake it's been left alone. Andrea sat still waiting for the soldiers to walk by.

When the soldiers did walk outside the facility, Andrea slipped past undetected and beelined toward the room keeping the Rajita spaceship. She stared in awe at the Rajita spaceship. Her mind flash backed to the spaceship that blasted her neighborhood, fired a beam that killed her mother, and left her scarred since then.

She walked around the Rajita spaceship and discerned to confirm her suspicion of it being the same ship.

"I can't even tell if it's the same ship," she muttered, meticulously eyeing the ship. As she approached the ship, she felt a cold chill and stepped back. Something was holding her back from infiltrating the ship. What's holding me back? Maybe it was a bad idea to come here?

Suddenly, she heard the soldiers she saw coming back.

"Better save this another time..." Andrea muttered before breaking into a run out of the containment facility. "But, not the last time." And she would live up to that promise in due time.

(End theme)

xxxxx

Andrea's Room/November 28, 2008/7:00 PM

Years passed since her first infiltration of the facility, but it wasn't her last. She went back a few times to view the Rajita ship to confirm her suspicions. Not only did her 17th birthday pass, but this month marked the 5th anniversary of her mother's death.

Tonight, Andrea planned to get into the facility again.

However, in order to do that, she had to wait for her father to leave for a banquet.

Andrea, now 5'10 since age 15, jumped at the knock on her door. She put away the map of the containment facility and put on her headphones while reading a book.

"Come in, dad."

Admiral Bickens opened the the door and answered. "I'm just checking in. You probably remember I have the banquet tonight."

"I know. You've told me a dozen times," she replied, genuinely smiling and taking off her headphones.

"You know you were invited to join me..."

"Nah, maybe next time. I've got some studying to do."

"On a Friday night?" He was taken aback by Andrea's matter-of-factly response. "Well, you are quite the studious person. That was one of your mother's best qualities. It's no surprise you take after her in that respect."

Mentioning Chloe silenced them both momentarily.

"Sorry..."

"It's ok, dad. I don't have any plans tonight and want to finish as much as I can to free up my weekend."

"I see. Well, you have my number in case you need me, Andrea."

Nodding, Andrea held up her cell phone. "Got it, dad. You go and have fun."

Giving a smile to his daughter, Admiral Bickens closed his door on his way out.

(Cue Toonami OST – Alien)

As she heard her father's car pulling away from their driveway, she poked her head out see the car leaving for the banquet. She closed her book, put on her stealth clothes, and took some essentials for the base infiltration.

"No more holding back. I'm getting into that ship one way or another." She said, tying her hair behind her head.

xxxxx

Containment Facility/Beale Air Force Base/8:45 PM

Upon arriving outside the base, Andrea stayed low until security loosened and guards left their posts to alternate. She checked her watch to keep track of the time when the banquet is supposed to end.

She eyed a truck carrying loads and decided to not to drag things out any further. She hopped onto the back of the cargo truck. When the truck stopped, Andrea slipped out behind barrels. She quickly tucked her head as two soldiers came passing by. She waited a few moments and pivoted over to the containment facility.

"There it is," she muttered and bolted toward the containment facility. She waited for the same door she used to get in to open. When the door opened, she saw a technician walk out and she made her way inside without so much of a peep.

She entered the containment room and looked up at the Rajita ship. She looked around to see and tried looking for security cameras. From the corner of her eye, she sighted a security camera she hadn't seen before and hid behind some crates.

"Since when did they install a security camera?" She wondered, her heart raced. "Easy, Andrea. I really hope that camera didn't see me!" She slowly poked her head and saw the camera shifting away. "Now or never." She raced up the ramp into the Rajita ship. She barrel rolled inside and scanned inside the alien spacecraft.

She noticed some devices that had been installed by soldiers.

"Seems they've been hard at work," Andrea whispered, taking out her cellphone to snap pictures of the inner workings inside the ship. She walked down a narrow corridor and explored more of the alien spacecraft. "Wow, this is incredible. Can't believe how high tech this ship is! They're totally light years ahead of us!" She looked at a monitor and saw green static. "I bet you've scoured this whole place more times than I can count, dad. Lucky." She snapped some photos and put her cellphone away. Just then, she turned to her right and got her foot stuck on something. She pulled and accidentally tripped, pulling a hose loose. "What?!"

(End theme)

She landed facefirst on steel and cringed in pain. But, that wasn't the worst of it. The hose she accidentally tripped over released gas. She coughed hard as green mist covered her.

"Wh-What's that? It's covering me!" Andrea cried out between coughs. She hacked and coughed as the green gas bathed her in a glowing, green gaseous reactor coolant. "Augh! Help me! Somebody!" She cried out but the mist drowned out her screams, preventing anyone from listening for her cries for help.

(Cue Madoka Magica OST – Black Shadow)

She closed her eyes and crawled her way out. Feeling drained from exposure to the reactor coolant, she weakly passed out, unable to cry out for help.

But, then something in her mind just clicked.

Her distress allowed her to willfully invoke a new ability she never had before.

She sent a telepathic distress to the one closest to her.

Dad! Help! Please, help me!

xxxxx

Banquet/9:20 PM

Admiral Bickens was conversing with colleagues until he abruptly paused and heard his daughter's voice.

"Andrea?" He was taken aback, quickly looking around. He didn't see his daughter anywhere in the banquet.

'DAD! PLEASE, HELP ME!'

Dropping his champagne glass, the Admiral briefly spaced out hearing Andrea's voice in his mind.

"Andrea?"

The other colleagues were confused with Admiral Bickens' sudden disturbance.

'...the containment facility... alien ship...'

As he pieced the clues together, he instinctively ran out of the party and heads out to the containment facility.

"Andrea, I'm coming!"

xxxxx

Containment Facility/Beale Air Force Base/9:45 PM

Once the Admiral arrived, he went inside the facility and called for personnel. He raced ahead into the alien spacecraft.

"Andrea!" The man worryingly called for his daughter. To his horror, he saw Andrea laying unconscious with a pale complexion. "No!" He picked up his daughter. "Andrea, wake up! Andrea!" As soon as personnel came, he demanded for a medical team to come.

Andrea barely opened her eyes. She clarified her blurred vision and briefly caught glimpses of her father.

"Dad...?"

She shut her eyes and fell unconscious once again. The man's pleas fell on deaf ears.

(End theme)

xxxxx

Beale Hospital/December 1, 2008/11:50 PM

She finally awoke after three straight days. Andrea awoke laying in a hospital bed. Her father sat beside her all this time, not once leaving and neglecting his duties just to see if his daughter would ever awaken.

"Andrea, thank god!" The Admiral embraced his daughter, who was confused how he was able to find her. "I was worried. I thought you'd never awaken! You had me worried!"

She returned a loving embrace and lied back.

"The doctors said you might've not awakened. I was worried I'd lose you like your mother. I couldn't bear to take another loss..."

"Dad, how did you find me?" She inquired to her father.

The Admiral replied frankly. "Well, just call it a fatherly instinct."

"Oh?" Andrea was dumbfounded.

"That's not too farfetched to believe?"

Andrea wasn't sure to take this at face value. Her father was on the other side of Beale attending a banquet, several miles from the containment facility. She deduced there's no feasible way he'd know where she'd be in the facility, much less sneaking into the Rajita ship without consent.

On top of that, the whole idea of telepathy, which she presumably demonstrated, was farfetched for to believe as well. She remembered being exposed to the reactor coolant from the ship after tripping over a hose. She also remembered being exposed to the green gas.

Unbeknownst to Andrea, being exposed to the alien substance granted her a new 'special' ability.

xxxxx

Beale Hospital/December 7, 2008/8:30 AM

(Cue Toonami OST – Rise Up)

Not even a few days have passed and Andrea was beginning to have accounts of hearing voices. However, she didn't tell her father or the doctors about these 'voices' flooding her mind. Hearing all these 'voices' hurt and disturbed her. In order to even get sleep or have peaceful thoughts, she drowned out these 'voices' with loud music.

In time, the loud music helped and allowed her to get consistent sleep. She carried around her iPod everywhere she went to keep the 'voices' out of her head, even during medical tests.

She wondered if the exposure to the gas might've done this. Might've given her an enhanced special ability to hear other people's thoughts. She wasn't sure because she had drowned the voices with the loud music.

Andrea hopped off from her bed and turned on her music.

"This has gotta be telepathy. There's no denying it," Andrea deduced, closing her mind as the faint voices seemingly faded away. A smile adorned her face. "I can hear other people's thoughts. It wasn't that long ago I heard a bunch of voices in my head, but that music helped get rid of most of those voices. Now I can control what I can or don't want to hear. And I can project my voice in other people's minds... sounds creepy, but had I not used to to warn my dad, who knows if I'd be worse off." She reflected and believed in hindsight using telepathy helped save her life from an even worse fate.

Four days later and Andrea was finally discharged from the hospital. Her prior tests showed her vitals were clear. There were no signs of radioactivity and poisoning that could endanger her life. Though relieved with initial test results, Admiral Bickens still worried for his daughter's well being. Despite his fears, Andrea's speedy recovery was a good sign, or perhaps it was a sign Andrea's biology was internally changing.

xxxxx

Beale Air Force Base/Bickens Residence/February 14, 2009/8:30 AM

After a long jog around several blocks, Andrea took off her earphones as she hummed some songs. Since her hospital discharge, she experimented with various types of music; everything from classical, pop, rock, and metal. Then, she finally found the perfect music to alleviate her problems. She figured out that house/trance/techno music worked best at drowning out the voices.

From there, she worked her way through the world of house music before one night stumbling on an underground website that posted music by an artist named DJ Songblade. Curious, Andrea tried her music. Not only did she become an instant fan of her, but found her music worked the best at drowning out the voices.

She was able to return to normal activity thanks to DJ Songblade. Now, she was able to single out individual voices from the noise, but she still hadn't learned to shut them out completely.

"Now I don't have a ton of thoughts flooding into my head, but they're not completely gone. But, at least I found music that can help. Thanks, DJ Songblade," Andrea whispered, sitting down on a bench outside her home. Taking a sip from her bottled water, Andrea relaxed. "I feel like I have a ton of more energy. I feel stronger, too, thanks to that alien stuff getting in me." She smiled and jumped off the bench, stretching her arms over her head. "I feel like I'm a new me! I just hope I don't further mutate and grow horns, sharp teeth, or my skin turns green or something."

She sighed and closed her eyes. "I wish I could tell dad about my powers, but I don't know how he'd react. Would he disown me?" She mulled over the possibilities of what could happen if she told the truth. She feared instant rejection, or worse becoming the military's lab rat. "No, my dad would never do that to me. I just need to keep this to myself." She used mind reading to scan her father's thoughts. "Ok, dad, let's see what's for dinner tonight... ah, man! Roast beef and asparagus again!" She thought to herself. Note to self: remind dad to forget the asparagus!

(End theme)

xxxxx

Restaurant/March 26, 2009/7:55 PM

Andrea celebrated her 18th birthday, which interestingly enough is six days before Marty turns 21. Marty invited Andrea to join him for dinner to celebrate.

Marty, now with a buzz cut he's had since his baseball playing days in high school, and Andrea ordered water glasses to start off their dinner.

(Cue Madoka Magica OST - Confessio)

"A toast to us, our birthdays, and our futures," Marty said as he and Andrea raised their glasses to one another.

After drinking water, they chatted and laughed together, talking about their week. Marty revealed he'd be inheriting his shares of Stonebagel Enterprises. Andrea merely told him about another mundane week of school and awaiting graduation day.

"Ah, you got bit by the senioritis bug, huh?" Marty teased her.

"So, what if I am? I haven't slacked off from my studies that much!" Andrea blushed, quickly downing her glass of water. "I'm still one of the school's top test scorers!"

"Relax, I'm just playing, Andrea."

"Sure you are," she shook her head, stifling a soft giggle. As she looked to her right, she watched a visual screen broadcasting news coverage from the recent attacks in Japan. There was filmed footage of Gallantmon clashing with ChaosGallantmon; other footage showed Suzakato gliding around, the Kuiper Senshi engaging Neo-Rajita soldiers, and numerous shots of Duel Monsters & Digimon fighting invaders. "Huh...?" Her eyes fell on the screen showing the ongoing battles of the 'Dawn of Chaos' conflict.

"Andrea?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, Marty!" Andrea turned facing him, openly apologizing. She saw him smiling, causing her to blush. His presence made her unable to confess her feelings for him. I've known you for several years ever since I was 12. What? That's five years! You became my closest friend... so close that I've developed a crush on you. I've wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all you've done. But, there's no way of knowing if I don't know what you're thinking. She raised her eyes to Marty's level and probed his mind.

And what she read shocked her.

You seriously don't think of me as... just a sister?! Is that how you really think of me?! Andrea spaced out, garnering concern from Marty.

"Andrea, are you ok?" He asked. "Do you need more water?"

"...no," Andrea replied, feeling dejected as she asked the waiter for more water. "Say, Marty, you think I'll find myself a good career after I graduate? You've been going through college. Is it hard?"

"Depends. It's a lot of work, but if there's anyone I know who'll do fine in college, it's you. Just think of what you want to do for your future, Andrea."

"Thanks, Marty," she looked in the eye and smiled. "For all the support you've given me. Now let's enjoy our evening out." She raised her water glass to him.

"Amen to that," he said, drinking his glass to her success.

As much as she tried hard to be happy, Andrea was dejected learning what Marty really thought of her. She questioned her crush on him and start viewing him as a brother instead. Conflicted emotions took its toll on her.

I have to tell you how I really feel, but what's holding me back? Am I afraid you'll reject me if I tell the truth? Andrea, you big idiot. She chastised herself in thought.

(End theme)

xxxxx

Beale Air Force Base/Bickens Residence/July 2, 2009/4:50 PM

Shortly after his return from Japan, Marty, now sporting a more professional appearance in business wear, went to Beale to deliver the report Cain gave him. Before making his leave off-base, he went by the Bickens residence and knocked on the door. Andrea opened the door and she became elated to see him.

"Hey, Marty!"

"Hi, Andrea, how have you been since post-graduation?"

"Eh, been taking it easy. I've been looking at universities around Sacramento and even went back to San Francisco," Andrea twiddled her thumbs. "Y'know check out schools of interest to me and to see my mom again." She alluded to seeing her mother's grave.

"I see."

"So, how was Japan? Man, you're so lucky to go there!"

"Lots to see, but I was mostly there for business."

"I see," she said, looking up at Marty's eye level and read his mind. To her surprise, she couldn't read his mind for some reason. She tried again. Same result. This astounded her. I can't hear his thoughts! What's going on? He shouldn't be able to block me out from reading his mind!

"Andrea? Are you feeling ok?"

"Yeah..." She replied as she could no longer hear the other voices that'd she normally hear. I can't even hear the other voices I usually hear! This isn't adding up! She let Marty into her house as they walked into the dining room. The closer she approached Marty, the voices weren't as loud. "Did you want anything? Tea? Water?"

"Got lemonade?"

"Yeah," she went into the kitchen to pour them two cups of lemonade. When she returned with their cups, she set hers on the dining table and handed Marty his. When her hand touched his, the other voices in her mind cut off completely. The voices... they're all gone! I can't hear anything, not even Marty's thoughts!

"Andrea, are you going to drink yours?"

"Huh? Oh, thanks for reminding me!" Andrea chuckled like a dork and sat down, picking up her lemonade cup to drink.

After a few sips, Marty raised a brow and inquired to his friend. "Is everything ok, Andrea? Ever since our birthday dinner, you've been acting weird. Even weirder than usual."

"You've noticed..." Andrea blinked thrice. "It's just a phase, Marty. Nothing more."

Marty chuckled, rolling his eyes. "If you say so."

"Hey, do you want to go see a movie with me? I know you're busy during the week and starting to run your dad's company, but... I was thinking about the weekends. We could depend more time...?" She nervously asked him.

Marty set his cup down and sighed. "All right, I think I can take off during weekends. I can let you decide what you want to see today?"

"Al right, but you know better than letting me decide," Andrea patted his back so hard she nearly made him spit out his lemonade. "Whoops, sorry!"

"It's all right," Marty took out her handkerchief and cleaned the lemonade he spilled on his pants.

"I'm such an idiot."

"No, don't say that..." Marty sighed. "Should I wait for you to get dressed?"

"Nah, I'm good to go now."

"Then, let's go."

Andrea watched him getting up fast as if he were in a hurry. She wondered if she said anything that could've upset him.

xxxxx

July 26,2009/11:30 PM

After hanging out every weekend for a whole month, frustration had taken its toll on Marty. After a movie night out, Marty and Andrea reached her home.

"Thanks for the movie, Marty. I'm really happy hanging out with you the whole month..."

Marty let out a deep sigh and turned off his car. Andrea sensed distress emanating from Marty and reached over to him.

"Marty?" She was taken aback when Marty took her hand and looked her dead in the eyes. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Are you happy enough, Andrea?" He asked in a miffed tone.

"What do you mean?"

"I've had to sacrifice all my weekends just to devote time to you. The rest of the week I've had to devote all my time to work and studies, I don't even have free time to myself anymore."

Andrea furrowed her brows. "I don't like the tone you're giving me, Marty. Let me go." She demanded.

Marty let Andrea's hand go, but maintained a hardened glare.

"What's really going on, Andrea? Tell me what's been happening with you. You've been getting needy and clingy towards me. Just tell me the truth, Andrea. Is everything ok?"

"I'm fine, Marty..." She hesitated.

"What is it? Out with it, Andrea, please!"

Taken aback by his harsh but worrying tone, Andrea teared up a little and nodded.

"All right, Marty, if you want to know... if you really want to know..." She stammered, indicating anxiety in her voice. "I'll tell you everything, but please... what I'm about to tell you. Don't tell anyone else and most of all..." She grasped his hands. "Don't judge me for what I'm about to tell you."

"I'm listening."

(Cue Guilty Crown OST – Bios)

"You see..." Andrea confessed everything relating to how she used to sneak into the containment facility to see the Rajita ship, how she got exposed to the coolant; she even had to specify that her father had to cover up for the most part, except for the base doctor who examined her afterwards, and being sworn to doctor/patient confidentiality. She told Marty all about the other 'voices' and how she's better when she's near him. "When I'm around you, I feel better... I don't even hear those voices... you see, I've always had a crush on you, Marty! I read your mind and I know you only think of me like a sister! You're free to feel that way, but I think of you of more than just that!" She paused, taking a few deep breaths. "I can't stop thinking about you, Marty."

Marty was almost at a loss for words by Andrea's confession. He didn't know what to think at first. Between her getting exposed to the coolant, which mutated her subtly and granting her telekinetic/telepathic powers. His trip from Japan exposed him to the superpowered beings that ran rampant there like it were another Tuesday. But, he never would've suspected his closest friend gaining abilities.

But, Marty, too, was hiding a secret from her.

"Andrea," he said, softening his tone and placing his hands on her shoulders. He looked her in the eyes. "I only thought of you like a sister because I thought you thought of me as a brother. To learn this... I don't know what to say..."

"I'm sorry for keeping this from you, Marty," she wiped her tears. "I just didn't want you to think I should move on from having hopeless crushes."

"We'll think about our relationship later, Andrea, but believe me when I say your crush for me is not entirely hopeless."

Andrea pressed her hands on her chest, feeling her heart beating. "Marty, I..."

"Now, there's something I want to tell you. Remember that trip to Japan?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, it wasn't entirely a business trip. I went there to find my cousin, who I discovered has special abilities... and what's more..." Marty explained the events of his Japan trip, including being exposed to the coolant he was asked to transport for Cain Bearer. "And I think that's why you can't read my mind anymore. Whatever ability I've gained, it's weird to explain, but somehow I think I might something that nullifies other people's powers from effecting me. For instance, I was able to take some guy who had electrical powers blast and I didn't take any damage. Not even a scratch. Heck, I was able to see through a transformed person's identity. For instance, I confronted a girl who happened to be a Sailor Senshi. To my shock, I saw through her real civilian identity. That Sailor Senshi happened to be my cousin's girlfriend. I swore not to tell her identity on their behalf."

"That's good," Andrea smiled, nodding in approval. "I knew you wouldn't."

"But, a part of me should've..."

"What?"

"Never mind, in the end it didn't matter. I didn't give out her identity and left them alone. Besides, it's my cousin and I wanted to see him again."

"So, now you think me differently just because I can read people's minds?"

"No," he replied, putting a hand on her cheek. "Of course not, this doesn't change anything between us."

"Just so you can trust me, I'll try keeping my telepathy in check, but sometimes hearing different voices in my head gives me headaches. I have to rely on music to drown out the voices."

"Maybe I can help you shut off those voices?"

"You can try."

"Never hurts to try. We can train together."

"Thanks, Marty," she hugged him.

Nodding, Marty hugged her back. "I'll help, but, look... I can't keep doing this dating thing every weekend. Sometimes work will come up and there'll be times when I need time to myself to relax. Understand?"

"Yeah, I know and I'm sorry for putting you through all this stress for me."

"It's ok, Andrea. But, despite what I just said, I'll agree and try to come around more often. I'll even call you before I come. You always have my number."

"Yeah," Andrea smiled as Marty leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"Take care, Andrea. Get some rest and I'll let you know when I'll be in town again."

Blushing, Andrea returned a kiss. "You, too, Marty. Goodnight." She opened the car door and walked out. As she reached her door, she turned and whispered. "Love you."

Marty could discern her lip movements and smiled.

Andrea resolved and hurried back to Marty's car.

"Marty, this might sound crazy, but I had an idea..."

"Funny, I just had an inkling of one myself."

"We both have special powers. What if there are others like us? There just has to be."

"Think we should look for them?"

Andrea winked. "Why not?"

They exchanged smiles as they started having an inkling of an idea that could potentially blossom into something big in the next phase of their lives.

xxxxx

Flash forward to present

xxxxx

San Francisco, California/April 27, 2010/San Francisco University Off-Campus/10:30 AM

After being dismissed from his morning class, Lance Canebrook, a 19 year old tall 5'9 dark-haired teen, headed out to get brunch and study for his upcoming final exams. He wore a white shirt under a buttoned up black shirt, khaki pants, and blue shoes. On his way out, he paused and sighted a familiar face.

Andrea, also 19, approached him, in a friendly manner. "Hey, Lance! Just got out of class?"

"Yeah, I'm heading out to get some brunch and study for finals," Lance replied, genuinely smiling to her. "Would you like to join me?"

"Wish I could, but I got some errands to run and someone to meet."

"It's fine. Maybe next time?"

Andrea nodded with an upbeat smile. "Sure, I've love to! Enjoy your lunch and study hard. I bet those exams will be tough."

"After this whole freshmen year, I think I'll do fine. See you later then?"

"Yeah, take care," Andrea said, watching Lance leave campus. Her smile switched to a serious demeanor. "Ever since I enrolled here, I've heard that peculiar voice and I've traced the source to Lance. There's something in Lance's mind trying to reach him. I wonder if he knows about it? And if there's some inherent power he hasn't discovered yet." She decided to follow him but very discretely. "I wonder if you'd let someone like Lance join us, Marty?"

(End theme)

xxxxx

Lance walked several blocks over to get to his favorite hang-out spot whenever he needs to eat. Unbeknownst to him, Andrea was closing on his location. As he walked into the cafe, Andrea stayed low profile.

"Man, I'm begging to know what I'm hearing in Lance's thoughts. Is he even aware?"

After ordering his lunch, Lance opened a book to review his notes for his history class. Once he delved deep into studying, he heard a low and faint voice in the back of his mind.

'...Lance...'

The college student poked his head up and frantically looked around. He only saw people talking to each other.

"Must be hearing things?"

'...you're not, Lance.'

"Who's there?" He whispered, pivoting around the cafe. "I must be losing my mind."

'Have you already forgotten me, Lance? I'm sad to hear this.'

"Who are you?!" Lance shouted so loud he accidentally garnered the attention of others, who looked at him like he were out of his mind. Embarrassed, he sunk back into his seat and leaned his face into his history book. Ok, whatever that was... just my imagination. Need to focus on the exams!

xxxxx

As she waited for nearly over an hour, Andrea got up and watched Lance leave the cafe.

"I hate to be stalking you, Lance, but I've gotta know who's in your head," Andrea whispered, walking on a parallel sidewalk opposite from Lance's side. I finally heard that voice. Seems like he knows Lance. Whatever it is, there's a subtly strange power behind it. Lance, could you really be like one of us?

xxxxx

San Francisco University Off-Campus/8:30 PM

Once dismissed from his evening class, Lance prepared to walk around campus for peace of mind and to mull over the voice that communicated with him. After wards, he opted to go back to the dorms instead of going to the campus library.

As for Andrea, she stayed close but in the shadows. She waited to probe Lance's mind and try to figure out the disembodied voice that's been 'speaking' with him.

"All right, Lance, one way or another I'm going to figure out who's been chatting with you," Andrea adamantly stated.

As Lance walked away, Andrea waited to move and stay on his tail without being suspected.

However, those plans were about to be shot and thrown to the wayside.

A red flare beamed near the ground and caught Andrea off guard. She paused and turned around to see bright flashes of red light flaring up. Before Andrea had a chance to see who it was...

The source behind the red flares spoke with a cybernetic voice.

"Meta-Human located. Surrender now or be taken by force."

What?! Oh no! Andrea's thoughts were immediately cut off as a the cybernetic being fired a beam near her.

xxxxx

Lance had walked so far off from Andrea he didn't suspect what was going to happen next. Then, another 'voice', but that of Andrea's suddenly called to him.

'Lance! I'm being pursued! Lance!'

He paused and before he could say anything...

Boom!

He heard an explosion quickly erupt yards from where he was. He whirled around and sighted the explosion create a clearing for him. He was able to see Andrea running toward him with an aghast look on her face.

(Cue Metal Gear Solid OST – Encounter)

"Andrea! What's going on?! What happened back there?!" Lance asked, but Andrea grabbed his hand and dragged him along. "Andrea! What was that explosion?!"

"No time to explain! Keep running! I need to get you out of here!" Andrea cried out, running along with Lance. "And don't look behind you! The thing's after me."

"Was that you talking to me in my head?"

"Yes, I'm telepathic and no I didn't have this gift all my life."

"Never thought you did, but thanks for telling me."

Andrea and Lance continued running. The explosion caused enough of a commotion for students to walk out of their dorms and facilities to notice the property destroyed by the machine.

"What the hell was that?!" A male student, Hispanic, wondered, pointing to the ravaged property.

"What did that?" Another male student, African, shared the same concern.

A female student, Caucasian, pointed to Andrea and Lance running off. "Wasn't that Lance? Who's that girl with him? They're being chased by something!"

As Andrea and Lance continued running, Andrea looked over her shoulder briefly to get a glimpse of their pursuer. She couldn't properly discern what it was, but it was obviously not a human. She saw a silver-bodied humanoid machine with frill-like extensions covering the sides of its head. A white globe-shaped symbol gleamed brightly on its forehead. There was also a CainCorp logo visibly seen as well as a 'SOUJA-03' emblem.

The Souja's eyes were yellow and possessed a lack of soul. The machine fired another beam, this time knocking Andrea and Lance back, sending them crashing to the ground.

"Ugh!" Lance grunted as he hit the ground hard. He shook it off and turned to Andrea, who was barely getting up. "Andrea!"

The Souja ignored Lance's presence and painstakingly kept its soulless glare on Andrea. It walked over to grab her, but Andrea's powers instinctively kicked in and her eyes turned white.

"Lance, I didn't want you to see this, but I can't let any harm come to you and me!" She became bathed in a green aura, which converted into pink. To Lance's shock, she seemed to split herself up, creating at least four doppelgangers. The Andrea clones amassed and moved around, shifting the real Andrea around and confusing the machine.

The Souja scanned each Andrea, only to pick up similar bio signatures.

Somewhat flabbergasted, Lance shook his head. "Oh man..." However, he couldn't be entirely shocked. He had been desensitized from being possessed by Pharaohmon and witnessed superpowered people. Granted, he didn't count on Andrea being gifted with special abilities.

Lance, get out of here! This machine is coming after me! She ordered him telepathically.

"Are you crazy? I'm not leaving you behind!"

"Did you hear what I just said?!"

Lance nodded and stepped back. "Yeah, but..." Man, I hate to say it, but it's times like this I was still bonded with Pharaohmon, but definitely not as a bad guy! But, Andrea seems to have this covered. "Andrea, if you survive this, you gotta tell me how this happened!"

The machine fired a blast toward the Andrea clones. They quickly moved around, causing the machine to launch stray blasts and kept firing on her. However, the real Andrea moved away from her clones.

"Let's see how you like this!" Andrea shouted, focusing so much power in her mind that she unleashed telekinesis blasts in conjunction with her clone's punches and kicks.

The Souja was dealt with a double dose of telekinetic blasts coupled with hard-hitting punches and kicks that pierced off the machine's armor.

Yeah, looks like my training's paying off! Andrea focused hard, pushing herself and her clones to neutralize the machine.

As Lance prepared to run, something took hold of his body and caused him to double over.

(End theme)

"What now?!" Lance cried out, finding himself bathed in a royal purple aura. He noticed the aura thicken and covering him all over. What's going on? I can't move! And what's with the glow?!

'Lance, do you recognize my voice?'

Lance gasped once the disembodied voice reached to him again.

'You're starting to realize who I am? Yes, indeed we were once bonded. It has been a long time ago, hasn't it, Lance Canebrook?'

Pharaohmon?! No, you can't be... you're...

'Dead? And evil? There's a lot you don't know about the real me. The me that existed before being swayed by Valmarmon's darkness. I was never an entirely evil entity that wanted world conquest.'

Convince me.

'Pharaohmon' responded in kind. 'I speak to you having been purified thanks to my friend, Anubimon, the Digital Underworld lord. Ever since the heroes defeated my evil self at the Shadow Tournament, my good half was sent to the Underworld to be purified of my evil sins and I asked to be sealed on my request. Then, a villainous necromancer named Necromon took my soul and restored my original body. He corrupted me to do his evil bidding as his puppet. It wasn't long after that someone undid Necromon's control and slayed him, enabling me to become pure good.'

Is that a fact? Sounds like the powers that be in the Digital World allowed you to redeem yourself for your evil self's actions.

'Now back in my original body, I've helped Anubimon to collect and judge every digitized soul that comes our way. I've been fulfilling my duties and won over the trust of my colleagues again. As of late, you've been hearing voices and you've noticed just a little of my power coming to surface.'

Lance realized all the times he's been able to sense supernatural occurrences was due to Pharaohmon's power within him.

'Remnants of my power, though faint, remain in you. Now that you can hear my voice and your power is beginning to leak out to the surface, your soul and mine are about to resonate again. But, this can't happen unless a serious dilemma comes up that requires our souls to bond and resonate again.'

"Like right now," Lance turned and watched Andrea keeping the machine busy.

'Exactly, Lance. Now, do you wish to help her?'

"She seems to be holding her own."

'But for how long? How long will she be able to hold out against this machine?'

"How can I be sure you and me can be compatible again if we're to unite?"

'If you wish to save her...'

Nodding, Lance's resolve allowed his aura to expand and something emerged in front of him. A visage of Good Pharaohmon materialized in the form of a tiny soul. Lance and Good Pharaohmon made contact. Suddenly, Lance's cellphone came floating out of his pocket. Pharaohmon poked the cellphone, causing burst of light to pop out of the screen. A small Digivice, akin to the Tamers' D-Arks, came out with silver embellishments on the sides and small screen with the words 'Bio-Merge Evolution' glowing on it.

Lance stared in awe as the Digivice fell in his hands.

"You're kidding..."

'This Digivice is burden proof of our partnership. I asked Anubimon to have the Digi-Gnomes grant my wish. Do you wish for us to reunite?'

The young man was hesitant to speak, remembering being the Evil Pharaohmon's meat puppet. He's had severe trust issues with a Digimon that once used him to commit evil deeds.

'I ask again, are you ready for us to reunite? I do sense doubt in you, but trust me when I reassure you... I'm not the evil fiend I was the last time our souls resonated.'

"I'm don't even know if I want to... but... my friend's fighting that thing alone! I don't know how she got powers... and I don't care! I don't want to see her get hurt!" Coming to grips over his past issues, Lance resolved. "I'm not letting Andrea fight that robot alone! Judgment can come later. Just give me the power to help Andrea!" As he grabbed the Pharaohmon soul orb, an immense ray of spiritual light enveloped him.

(Cue Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker OST – Main Theme)

Having taken notice of Lance merging with the odd light, Andrea gasped. He's merging with that light! Could it be from that voice he's been talking to? She had probed Lance's mind amidst her fight with the machine. Pharaohmon, huh? Hope he can help turn the tide here!

With her guard down, the machine fired a blast toward Andrea. The psychic doppelgangers took the blast for Andrea. Andrea took cover as the blast dissolved her clones. She prepared to summon another set of psychic clones, but the machine unleashed a rope that ensnared her right arm.

"Augh, let go!" Andrea tried breaking loose, but the machine tightened the rope and started reeling her in. "I'm not going with you! Let go!"

"Prepare for relocation, Meta." The Souja spoke as it started to take off into the air with its captive.

Bam!

Suddenly, a resounding blow came out of nowhere and punched the machine's head, turning it completely sideways. Andrea watched as a blade made of energy chopped the rope in half, cutting Andrea loose.

"Whoa, what the heck?!" Andrea gasped upon seeing a fifteen-foot high behemoth bathed in royal purple light standing behind her. As the light faded away, she saw a titan that resembled an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus fitting for a pharaoh. His body was covered in gold embellishments and steel armor. His sarcophagus mask doubled as armor and a shield to use. His face, reinforced with steel armor, was concealed behind this mask. Mesmerized by her savior, she barely made out. "...L-Lance?!" She probed his mind and sighed when she sensed his mental presence. "Thank goodness, it's you, but how did this happen?"

"Lance and I have merged through Biomergence," the Pharaohmon figure spoke using Lance's voice. "Pharaohmon is control of our actions, but I'm the voice in his head. Andrea, are you ok?"

Andrea smiled and nodded. "Yes, thanks to you... and um, Pharaohmon?"

"Call us BioPharaohmon now."

As BioPharaohmon bumrushed the Souja, they grappled and threw each other around. BioPharaohmon planted his feet to the ground and slammed the machine down, landing heavy fisted blows to its face.

Andrea witnessed this in awe. "Unbelievable... Lance's merged himself with one of those Digimon I've heard all about and seen from the news. Wait, Pharaohmon... the same Pharaohmon from those years ago?"

"Yes, but I've been purified now and reunited with Lance to fight on the side of justice!" BioPharaohmon declared as he kept hammering away at the Souja unit. He clenched his fist and punched the machine's head off. Then, he picked up and started ripping open the machine's chest.

"Hang on! I owe that thing for tying me up!" Andrea openly shouted as she focused and reproduced her mental projections. "Hold him still, Lance... err, BioPharaohmon rather."

As BioPharaohmon restrained the machine, Andrea sent her clones to attack. She coordinated with her clones, unleashing telekinetic blasts in conjunction with her clones' physical attacks. The combined efforts helped break the Souja apart. Then, BioPharaohmon finished things off, tossing the remains of the deadly machine into the air. The sarcophagus' mask's mouth opened up, releasing a beam, Pharaoh's Breath, to reduce the machine to scrap.

Andrea was impressed with the timely outcome. She whispered so low neither Lance and Pharaohmon can hear her. "I really need to take these two to Marty. And we've been sorely lacking a powerhouse to add into our roster. Looks like I found the right guy... and monster for the job."

BioPharaohmon turned around and looked down to Andrea, who approached him without fear.

(End theme)

Lance, can you hear me? Andrea telepathed with Lance's mind within BioPharaohmon.

He realized his mind became linked with hers. I'm glad you're ok, Andrea, but good god I never would've believed you had super powers.

I can say the same for you.

Tell me, Andrea. Did you enroll at the school just to find me?

No, I was just chance we happened to cross paths. I never would've figured you had any powers. I have power over telepathy and telekinesis. She explained to him very thoroughly. Forgive me for reading your mind without permission.

It's ok. I'm already used to having voices in my head. Being united with a Digimon can do that to a guy. So, you were able to hear Pharaohmon's thoughts in my head?

Remember when we were study partners? During our study sessions, I heard a voice in your head that you hadn't picked up on yet. I didn't say anything until you discovered it for yourself. Since then, I've kept an eye on you. I heard that voice faintly telling you're able to wield his power.

Pharaohmon told me remnants of his power remain within me. Now, it seems we can Bio-merge.

Can he form a physical body, Lance?

You'll have to ask him yourself, Andrea.

'I'll answer that for you, young miss. I can choose to willfully alternate between a spiritual essence and forming a physical body. When anything presents a danger to Lance, I will come to his aid.'

I see. Then, thanks for helping us, Pharaohmon. Sorry, it's not everyday a person can see much less communicate telepathically with a Digimon.

'Understood, Miss Andrea. And fear not, I'm not the monster you remember me from the broadcast.'

(Cue Madoka Magica OST – Believing in Justice)

Andrea giggled a bit. Don't worry. Your actions proved to me you're trustworthy. And seeing those Digimon Tamers in Japan in action, you must be Lance's partner now. Do you have one of those things, I think the TV show called them Digivices?

'Yes, I presented Lance with one he can use to give me physical form and combine us if need be.'

That is so cool! Lance, you gotta show me what he really looks like!

Lance interjected, opting to change the subject. So, what now? The campus security and the police are going to come here and ask us a billion questions.

I know a place where we can stay out of sight. Remember when I turned down lunch with you and said I had to meet with someone?

Yeah?

Well, it's a long distance friend.

I don't get it?

Why don't I take you to this long distance guy I've been hanging with?

Sure, anything beats being bombarded by questions from police.

Can you and Pharaohmon fly in that form?

BioPharaohmon picked Andrea up and put on his right shoulder. The Biomerged Digimon locked his feet together and rocketed off the college campus. They left behind a crowd of university students watching in awe and snapping pictures of BioPharaohmon gliding away from San Francisco University. BioPharaohmon flew high above San Francisco while Andrea looked around mesmerized at the heights they were traveling.

"This is so..."

"Cool?" BioPharaohmon asked though Lance's voice.

"More like super duper awesome, but close enough!" Andrea stood fearlessly on BioPharaohmon's shoulder.

"Aren't you at all afraid you'll fall off?"

"Nah, I could actually fly using my telekinesis. Watch," she said, closing her eyes as she channeled her telekinesis, enveloping her body in pink light. She hopped off BioPharaohmon's shoulder and flew along with him. "Follow me. I'll take you where we need to go."

BioPharaohmon complied and followed Andrea to their destination.

xxxxx

Outskirts of Seattle, Washington/9:40 PM

Upon landing near a forest, Andrea turned off her aura and watched BioPharaohmon defuse to his two components, Lance & the Pharaohmon soul again. Pharaohmon allowed himself to be seen by Andrea.

"All the way up north in Seattle?!" Lance yelled in surprise.

Andrea giggled. "I did say he was a long distance friend."

(End theme)

Andrea pointed them what appeared to be an abandoned factory.

"I take it this is you and your friend's Fortress of Solitude?" Lance asked.

"Well, kinda, but it's not in the Arctic. Call it Stronghold," Andrea said, guiding Lance and Pharaohmon toward the factory. She beckoned the two to stop as she pressed a button, which rang up a voice.

"What do you get when you cross a psychic and a clone?" Came a man's voice, to which surprised Lance.

"That him?"

"Yes," she spoke out the password. "Psyclone."

A green light flared on the intercom and the front doors slid open. Andrea called Lance and Pharaohmon over to follow. They entered the facility while the doors closed behind them. They got on a platform that descended to a lower level.

As the platform stopped, the trio headed straight for a spacious room with lights, which revealed a large monitor screen, a lab, and an area for field training. They came across a chair with someone firmly seated in it.

"Whoa," Lance was awestruck by the size of the Stronghold. They entered what was the largest room in the entire facility.

Big, isn't it? Andrea telepathed with him. She cleared her throat as the man behind the chair slowly turned. "Andrea Bickens, Codename: Psyclone, reporting for duty, Stronghold!"

"I take it you were seen by one of the drones?" The man turned his seat around, revealing himself to Lance.

"Unfortunately, yes, but me and Lance here managed to take it down, Marty."

"So, this is the friend of yours, Andrea?" Lance asked.

"Yes. Lance, allow me to introduce you to my facilitator and closest friend, Marty Stonebagel, otherwise known as Stronghold."

Marty and Andrea hugged like they were a couple in Lance's view. The girl reassured Marty she was ok.

"Stronghold? I thought that's the name of your headquarters?" Wondered Lance.

"It's my radio call sign, too," Marty answered as he walked up to Lance.

Lance noticed Pharaohmon's essence suddenly fading.

"What?" Befuddled, he witnessed Pharaohmon vanishing.

'Lance... this human has a power that's negating me. I must return to the Digivice... to reserve my powers.' With that, Pharaohmon's essence slipped into Lance's Digivice and stayed away from Marty's presence.

(Cue Toonami OST – Walking Stick)

"Welcome to Stronghold. Lance Canebrook, thank you for helping Andrea," Marty offered a handshake to him. "Granted, I'm sure she could've handled that Souja unit on her own."

He and Lance shook hands, eliciting a smile from Andrea.

"Well, I was being pursued and I was too busy protecting Lance over my own," Andrea confessed. "But, you should've seen Lance. He has a special power like us. He has his own Digimon he can combine with and apparently he has some kind of remnants of spirit power thanks to this Digimon."

"Lance Canebrook, yes that name sounds familiar," Marty turned from Andrea and looked Lance in the eyes. "You're the same boy who dueled on Pharaohmon's behalf at that tournament he hosted. I definitely remember from the broadcasts."

Lance sighed, remembering the horrible deeds he committed on Evil Pharaohmon's behalf.

"Marty, I don't think he wants to be reminded of that," Andrea said.

"Now, you two have been reunited?"

"Yes, but Pharaohmon has been purified and we formed a new bond. We even combined to form a new body to help Andrea destroy that machine, whatever it was."

"It's called a Souja." Marty noticed the Digivice in Lance's hand. "And that?"

"This is the device containing Pharaohmon. He went back in to rest... and he mentioned your power was negating him. Now, I don't know what he meant, but you have a special power like me and Andrea?"

"Yes, but at the same time I don't have special powers that a Meta uses."

"Meta?" Lance was taken aback.

"It's what people with super powers are labeled," Marty answered plainly, facing the big monitor behind him. He used a remote to turn on and display a map of the United States. "At least in the United States, that's what we're being labeled. In other places like Japan, Metas are heralded as superheroes, inspirational figures, and divine beings, but in some sections of the United States Metas face discrimination and are now being hunted down."

"So, I heard about those rumblings. My parents mentioned people with special powers were starting to pop up in America."

"I can't fully confirm how Meta origins started in the US, but the first inklings of Meta activity started on the west coast of the United States. Do you recall the Rajita incursion from over seven years ago?"

"Yes, I do."

Marty continued on as five glowing beacons appeared on the west coast map. He pressed the remote, zooming in to indicate five west coastal cities.

"Five major cities were attacked by Rajita ships and some shot down. Since then, after the massive alien attack, people with specialized abilities started popping up. They came from these five cities as shown on the map. San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and even as far north as Seattle and Portland. Waves of Meta activity increased subsequently after the aliens attacked. Normal people weren't comfortable accepting the notion Metas were becoming a thing. Fortunately, there have been Metas that have managed to control their powers, kept them hidden, and blended well within society, but other not so fortunate were forced to flee and have spread out all over the country. There's now reports some appeared in the east coast and others fled into Canada."

"Man, why does this all sound familiar?" Lance was shocked to hear this being told to him.

"Yes, but do you know where these Metas got their powers to begin with? Andrea, why don't you tell him?"

"Ok, it all started for me..." Andrea nodded, further explaining to Lance her experience with her powers. "Since then, I've been able to control my telepathic and telekinetic powers. I've trained enough where I could conjure mental projections. In six months time, I was able to do that and used telekinetic blasts in conjunction with my clone's physical attacks."

"All right, then what about you, Marty?" Lance turned and asked him.

Marty answered nonchalantly. "Like I said, I have a special ability, but I have no powers to utilize in combat. My power functions like an off switch. I can nullify and negate other people's powers. Doesn't matter the nature of said power. Magic, purely energy, or ESP. None can penetrate me. Only thing that can't negate are physical blows. I can expand and retract my nullification aura as much as I want with effort. I'll get into specifics later."

"Which explains why Pharaohmon couldn't be near you. You were negating him, forcing him to retreat into my Digivice," Lance stated, looking down at his Digivice.

"I do apologize for that. I'll make sure not to expand my aura. I just wasn't sure how trusting of a person you'd be."

"Trust me that I'm not planning to snitch," Lance vowed, looking Marty dead in the eyes.

Marty smirked. "You've got good character just looking at you. Now we can both relax."

Andrea nodded, smiling in approval. "I'm glad to hear this."

(End theme)

"How I got my power was an accident when I went to make a special delivery to one Cain Bearer. Inside there was a Rajita artifact, which I got exposed to and gave me my special ability. I also learned my cousin happened to be captured as a test subject of those aliens and turned into a Meta. He's not alone. He has colleagues that got turned and are living in Tokyo as we speak. He's calls his group Chimeras. And technically, me and Andrea can be considered Chimeras, but I thought why don't we have our own team name?

Andrea added. "But, we waited until we assembled our team."

"Team?" Lance asked.

Just then, a door opened from a break room on the other side. Marty, Andrea, and Lance saw three figures walking toward them. It was one male and two females.

The male and the first female are half-Polynesian, half-Caucasian siblings; the young man, standing 5'8, had a fun loving and laid back demeanor while his sister, standing 5'9, came off as the 'straight man' and having a calmer demeanor.

The guy looks like prototypical surfer dude: long, dark wavy hair while wearing some board shorts and an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt to show off his abs.

The girl's attire is a stark contrast to her brother's; she's wearing a more Punk-Rock style with spiked hair, bleached with multi-colored tips, piercings, leather clothing, and spiked bracelets.

The other female was a dark-haired Latina, standing a modest 5'5 and with a friendly but subdued and casual style. To not draw attention to herself, she comes dressed in a shirt, jeans, and with goggles nestled on top of her head.

(Cue Samurai Champloo OST – Funkin)

"Ah, hey, guys!" Andrea addressed the three. "Oh, where's Scott?"

"Andrea, didn't expect you to turn up!" The half-Polynesian guy replied with a laid back, surfer guy tone.

"Hey, girl, we were worried sick about you," the half-Polynesian girl said. "As for Scott, he said he's on his way here."

"I see. Well, I'm ok as you can plainly see, Nick, Penny," Andrea reassured them.

The Hispanic girl approached Andrea and hugged her.

"Hey, Carmen!" Andrea hugged her back. "It's ok. I'm back now." She spoke in a softer and gentler tone than usual.

Lance noticed a computer device mounted on Carmen's left arm.

"Is she mute?"

"Yeah, she's functionally mute," Andrea answered. "Guys, why don't y'all introduce yourselves to our guest. We've met during our first years in college. Tonight, we saved each other's lives. This is Lance Canebrook. Lance, these are our teammates." She pivoted to the siblings. "These two our Wonder Twins."

The half-Polynesian girl scoffed. "Ugh, seriously wish you wouldn't call us that."

"Just teasing. They're fraternal twins. The cool and laid back guy is Nicholas Banks, or Nick as he likes to be called. His codename is Surgebinder."

"Sup, dude? Glad there's another like us. What are your powers like?" Nick curiously asked.

"Ahem," the half-Polynesian girl cleared her throat, getting her brother to quit prying the newcomer. "He'll info dump his life story in a minute."

"Yeah, anyway, the real bossy one is Nick's sister, Penelope Banks, or just Penny. Her codename is Coinshot."

"Just so we can get off a good start, just call me Penny," she addressed Lance.

"Sure," Lance replied. "And her..." He glanced over to Carmen.

"This is Carmen Santiago," Andrea smiled to her mute friend. "Her codename is Songblade."

Activating her computer vocalizer, Carmen 'spoke' in a female synthesized voice. "Hello, Lance. Nice to meet you."

"And to you, too," Lance addressed her.

Carmen nodded, showing her true modest nature by keeping to herself.

"So, we're short one member. I expect Scott will show up soon. Anyway, now that we're all present and accounted for," Marty openly addressed everyone. "Lance, the group name that I've come up with is purely based on the cities each of us come from. I'm from Los Angeles. Andrea was born and raised in San Francisco. Nick and Penny come from San Diego. Carmen was from Portland. Our homes and our current headquarters are all within the west coast of the United States. Thus, I've determined we would be called simply as... The West Coasters."

"The West Coasters?" Lance repeated, eyeing each team member.

"Yep, and since you're in the know about us, why not join us?" Andrea asked. "Although you're the only one without a power that originated a Rajita source, with Digimon partner, you can offer the muscle we sorely have been looking for."

"Wait, did you just say Digimon, Andrea?!" Nick was shocked to hear this. "Dude, seriously, you have a Digimon?!" He asked Lance very ecstatically. An exuberant smile adorned his face and his eyes almost lit up.

"Well, yeah, but he's resting now," Lance chuckled nervously, stepping away from Nick.

"Calm your ass down, bro," Penny flicked Nick in the back of the head.

"Hey, ow!"

"Better be glad I didn't shoot you with a coin."

Nick chuckled nervously. "Nah, you wouldn't do that to me, sis."

"No, I wouldn't, but c'mon you're scaring the poor guy. Lance, I do apologize for my brother being all in your face and stuff."

"S'okay, I guess. But, my Digimon's kinda tired right now and needs to stay in his Digivice. I'll show him later to y'all," Lance showed them the device.

"Whoa, you're like one of those Tamers in Japan, dude," Nick said. "I heard some can actually turn into Digimon and stuff."

"Well, it's all true, because I've met them," Lance proudly said. "The Duelists, the Spirit Detectives, and the Sailor Senshi, too."

Nick, Penny, and Carmen instantly became intrigued learning more of their new member, including learning more of his relationship with Japan's heroes.

"Ok, guys, let's give Lance his space. We can chat about his life story and how he knows all about Japan's superheroes," Marty garnered everyone's attention, causing the room to get quiet. "As the West Coasters, our job so far has been to find other Metas out there in need of help and to get to the bottom of where CainCorp are building these Souja units. As of tonight, we've been the only ones to know of the Souja's existence, but tonight will likely be the first the public first hears of them."

"Aw, man, Andrea, you were hunted by one of those scary robots that've been released?!" Nick asked.

Carmen sighed, relieved. "Thank god it didn't get you."

"Granted it's not first encounter with one, I wouldn't have been able to stop it and escape without Lance and his partner," Andrea sighed with relief, refraining from thinking of the worst possible outcomes.

"Yet we know those mental projections shouldn't even work against that Souja you and Lance fought," Penny stated. "And yet they do? How does that even work?"

Andrea shrugged. "I don't know. Who even cares now?"

Carmen sighed deeply and inputted words through her device. "We're glad you're ok, Andrea. Thank you, Lance."

"I know a lot of you don't depend on the news, but let's just see if there's anything noteworthy that should come to our attention," Marty turned on a news broadcast on the monitor. He turned it to a national news network.

"Just as long as it's not FOX," Nick remarked.

"...and that's it for the sports news. Coming up, we have the latest on the recent attack on the San Francisco University campus. More about it after this break..."

Carmen turned to Andrea. "Was that where you were attacked?"

"Yeah, it was, Carmen."

(End theme)

A few minutes later and the news returned to the update on the university attack. Eyewitnesses claimed to see a giant monster resembling a pharaoh and a machine clashing on the campus. Others claim a boy and a girl were involved in the incident. The West Coasters paid close attention until an dark bearded, black-haired man in a suit was interviewed. The name of the man is Dr. Victor Trask.

"The Souja was probably in pursuit of a Meta that just happened to appear on the campus. The Souja Campaign to protect civilians from the Meta threats goes into full effect. More Souja units will be initiated very soon..."

A reporter shot an inquiry. "Dr. Trask, will you explain to the public why this Souja pursued this Meta recklessly? Shouldn't it have been programmed to avoid collateral damage to areas of the university campus? Eyewitnesses are starting to get wary of machines protecting them?"

" Well, yes, the Souja units, even the one that pursued the Meta on that university campus, have been programmed to not only avoid and minimize collateral damage, but also civilians casualties. But, correct me if I'm wrong. There weren't any civilian casualties, correct?"

"Well, yes, that's correct, Dr. Trask, but the people still don't feel safe... CainCorp is sure to take heat for this."

Dr. Trask replied calmly, but deep down he was deeply irked. "Surely, CainCorp will take heat for this. Mr. Bearer knows he'll be held accountable. I'll also be taking the heat, too. I've thoroughly checked every unit and I can rest assure there hasn't been an defective unit. Maybe this was the first defective unit. I believe that one was SOUJA-03?"

"I can't confirm, but the CainCorp logo was seen on it."

"Well, I know I sent SOUJA-03 to San Francisco. The last thing we want from the public is their first impression of the Soujas being destroyers. The Metas are the true threats to the general public. And furthermore..."

Marty quickly turned off the news broadcast. Lance noticed the irked looks on the West Coasters' faces. Andrea was visibly upset. Carmen conveyed her disdain toward the anti-Meta campaign. Nick saw how visibly upset Penny was, who wanted nothing more than shoot a coin at the suit yammering about the Souja units.

"Righteous case, my ass!" Penny cursed out loud. "I'd give up anything just to beat that face in."

"Yeah, never trust older guys in suits," Nick concurred with his sister.

"That machine that attacked us was one of these Souja units?" Lance asked.

"Pretty much," Andrea replied.

"Pontificating to the ignorant masses is what these guys like to do best. Dr. Trask is just one of Cain's biggest toadies," Marty rewound the interview.

"From the sounds of it, this isn't the first time you crossed these Soujas," Lance deduced how experienced the West Coasters seemed to be dealing with these machines.

"Yes, and I'll explain how we... no, how I know CainCorp and their involvement in developing these Soujas," He then surmised, rewinding the same interview. But, where the hell are these Souja being manufactured? Suddenly, Marty's cell rang and he answered. "...I see. All right, I'll let you in, but remember our protocol." He shut off his phone and addressed the group. "West Coasters, Bridge has returned."

xxxxx

Next chapter: Penny – Coinshot

xxxxx

A/N: There it is. The first chapter of The West Coasters. Thoughts so far?

Each chapter will be formatted in two parts: told from each character's viewpoint: half back story and half current story. It was a creative choice by Lazer. I kinda like it. So, instead of making separate Gaiden entries for each origin story, they were merged with present day plot. Yes, that might be somewhat lengthy chapters, but think about this: they're condensed double chapters, if that makes any sense.

Surprised to see Lance and Good!Pharaohmon? Yep, they're in for the long haul with the West Coasters. Good!Pharaohmon could be the honorary team mascot. Moreover, say hello to their Biomerged form: BioPharaohmon!

Andrea's back story has been one heck of a roller coaster. The same Rajita invasion that killed her mother became the catalyst that gave rise to superhumans, aka Metas. A ship that Nate Escobar (the Air Force pilot who's appeared in my stories) is the same one Andrea infiltrated and ended up getting exposed to the exact ship's reactor coolant. As for the Marty character, yeah, his story will be told, but stay tuned and keep an eye out for my Gaiden for updates. ;)

On the other West Coasters, these are the current members. What are your first impressions on Nick/Surgebinder, Penny/Coinshot and Carmen/Songblade? Their full tales will be told soon, starting with Penny. Expect the other member, Scott/Bridge, (whom Marty was talking to) to show up next chapter.

As for the Souja units, think of the Sentinels mixed with Brainiac (or Ultron). This AI was extracted from a Rajita ship in Japan and has somehow been reprogrammed to mass produce these Souja drones by Cain Corp. To learn more: hit up YuYuGiDigiMoon OVA: Summer Diaries Special Edition/Chapter 14/Cain.

With some setting of the story being in San Francisco and the cast living on the West Coasters, I do see parallels to the recent Big Hero 6 film. San Francisco = San Fransokyo. Good!Pharaohmon = Baymax. Lance = Hiro? But, while BH6 is more lighthearted, this story will be slightly darker (but not treading toward grim dark levels) like an X-Men/Inhumans story, but, this story will have its share of lighthearted moments to maintain a mood balance. On the flip side, I do see Young Avengers parallels, too.

Dr. Victor Trask is an obvious expy of Dr. Bolivar Trask.

All you need to know is what's been presented in this chapter.

Notes on Andrea:

- Her codename is Psyclone, based on her telekinetic/telepathic (Psy) and ability to conjure mental projections (-clone). Training has allowed her to use telekinesis blasts to coincide with her clone's punches and kicks. Extra training has given her the ability to fly.

- Outside of her Meta abilities, she has military training skills (being an Air Force brat), including medics and an expert at hand-to-hand combat

- We had a ton of rejected aliases for Andrea. She was originally going to be called Chiko, Esperanza (ESPer-anza!) and Psy-Chick. Even Psylence (this honestly sounds dark and mysterious) and Psyte were considered. Figuring out her Meta alias was probably the hardest for me and Lazer. If I recall Lazer really liked Psy-Chick, but decided against it because, according to him, he prefers the concept of Psyclone using psychic projections and using her psychic clones to surround her target at high speeds, which could create cyclones, but could prove to be more of a finishing move.

- She will serve as the Second in Command/Field Commander of the West Coasters.

- Now being a 19 year old, she is still a love interest for Marty. There's absolutely no plans to pair her with anyone else, not even Lance.

- Ironically, despite being the leaders of the team, Marty and Andrea are the ones newest to their powers, but are the oldest. Marty is loaded with money and Andrea has the military training.

- She is a major fangirl of DJ Songblade, who is also Carmen, a fellow West Coaster. They have the closest bond of TWCs and become Besties. More on this will be shown in Carmen's chapter. Interesting tidbit: Andrea was originally intended to be 5'5, but Carmen was made such instead. Andrea, now at 5'10, is tallest member alongside Marty (who is 5'10 himself). She is the tallest of the girls.

- Despite being an Air Force brat and military background, she's still quite feminine and likes cute things like any normal girl would. She also likes sweets. She also likes reading romance novels and playing video games. Personality wise, she's kind, generous and caring to her those close to her (being the Team Mom of the group), but vehement towards people that threatens her loved ones.

- Personality quirks to look out for: can shift into fangirl mode, especially for DJ Songblade.

- Outside of Lance, Andrea is my own original character. Well, technically, she's half-mine. I created her and Lazer developed her back story. The other West Coasters are Lazer's.

- Thanks to Lazer developing her back story, I was happy to write Andrea's tale. We'll see if she ends up being a favorite of mine.

And that's all for tidbits. Hope you enjoyed the first entry of this new series. Since this story will feature nothing but brand new characters (sans Lance and Pharaohmon), Lazer and I would like to know if these characters perfectly mesh in the YYGDM universe. Guess we'll assess their places in the series once this story finishes. :)

Until then, leave a review and let us know what you think will happen next.

See you next time and stay gold!