This is a new story, as you can see. I've always liked Digimon, and this idea has been in my head for a while, and soon it came to life.
I don't own Digimon.
Prologue
"Are you sure?"
A weighted question. One with a lot of doubt behind it, and with good reason. If he answered in the affirmative, this would probably be written down as the most insane, stupid, idiotic, and asinine decision that he has ever made. After all, just the idea in it of itself was crazy, but to execute it?
Either an amazing success, or absolute suicide.
But, as the old adage went, desperate times often called for desperate measures. And though he wouldn't exactly consider himself desperate (he did have a certain amount of pride, after all) he was getting very close to it. The question was driving him to the brink of insanity.
Who was he, exactly?
It was the same question that haunted nine others, eight of his friends and his twin brother. They had faint remembrances, and occasionally a rather short, yet detailed, dream, but nothing that was substantial. All of them had simply tried to ignore it, but these occurrences were becoming more frequent as they grew older. Yet, he seemed to be the only one who wanted to look into it further. His brother had as well, until Lord Seraphimon had told them it was not to be of their concern until they grew older. His brother, naturally the 'good' twin, had appeared dejected, but followed Seraphimon's unspoken order.
He, on the other hand?
Well, let it never be said that Strabimon gave up on a problem, no matter how difficult it was to solve, or if he was even allowed to solve it at all.
He still looked into it, going into the great libraries, finding any book he could get his paws on, trying to solve the mystery of his very existence.
Who was he? And why did Lord Seraphimon seem so uneasy when he and his brother had confronted him with that particular question, more importantly? What did he, the great judge of the Digital World, have to fear from two rookie digimon?
It had affected him so much that it was starting to show. Luckily for him, it was his sensei, of all people, to first notice this.
Karatenmon was one of the greatest warriors the Digital World had seen in a very long time, considering he had lived a very long time, with no reincarnations or past lives to speak of, like most digimon had. When Strabimon told him what exactly was bothering him, he simply smiled.
"So, you wish to find out who you are. But, for whatever reason, Seraphimon refuses to tell you."
"Yes, sensei. I don't understand why he seemed so…put out by the question."
Karatenmon's smile faded as he listened to how long and far Strabimon had searched for answers. The boy, as well as the other nine, had a right to know who they were, and what they did for this world. But Seraphimon…
Damn him, the self-righteous bastard.
"Strabimon."
Said digimon stood attentive.
"I've been alive for quite some time,"
Strabimon mentally scoffed. Understatement of the millennia.
"And I've seen rather extraordinary things, and met extraordinary people. One of these people, whom I hold in very high regard, actually bested me in battle."
At this, Strabimon looked as if someone had told him that Flamon was actually intelligent.
"…Sensei?"
Karatenmon laughed. "He was a rather silent warrior, and was still learning about himself, when he and I crossed paths. But he was clever, and refused to accept defeat. I believe he might have the answers you seek."
"Where exactly is he now?"
"That, I can not answer."
At this point, Strabimon wanted to punch something in pure frustration.
"But, you may find some clues to the answers you seek, by going to the place which seemed to influence him the most: the human world."
"Aren't digimon unable to go into the human world, sensei?"
"Most."
Huh?
Observing his student's puzzled look, the tengu-like digimon elaborated.
"Most digimon are unable to, because they simply do not have the capability or resources to. The fear that digimon would automatically decompose due to being a digital being in an organic world is only a theory. A theory proved wrong, I might add. In truth, when a digimon passes into the human world, they become just as organic as the world around. The reverse also applies to humans who make a venture into our world. A select few digimon have the capability of going into the human world, though, unlike humans who choose to go into our world, it is at a price."
"What?"
"They must remain in the human world for at least one year, in order for their bodies to get used to the experience. After that, they may go back and forth between worlds as they wish."
"A year? But if it's so easy-"
Karatenmon interrupted.
"Just because something is simple, it does not make it easy. Spending a day in the human world is rather a daunting challenge. An entire year is enough to make a digimon go mad, if he even survives that long."
Strabimon's expression remained neutral. However, his hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly, a nervous habit of his.
"So, Strabimon, I ask you this: are you willing to do this?"
Spend an entire year in the human world. Alone. Having no one to help him. All in search of answers that may or may not even be there. In short, it seemed rather illogical, as well as suicidal, from what sensei told him.
But it was better than nothing. He needed to know. Even if it killed him.
"Yes."
Karatenmon smiled.
"I had a feeling you would say that."
After that, it was something of a blur. Sensei had told him of a friend of his, Shamanmon, who would be willing to help him pass through into the human world. Unfortunately, Shamanmon had, unexpectedly, died and been reborn into an Elfmon. A rather odd occurrence too, since Shamanmon seemed to be perfectly healthy.
Fotrunately, Shamanmon also happened to have a student, Joltmon, who knew how to perform the spell as well. However, despite her naturally carefree attitude, through the entire preparation, she seemed uneasy. Strabimon's best guess was that she knew full well that this was his first time in the digital world. As such, he decided it was best if he didn't tell her that he was going into the human world against the wishes of the highest power of the Digital World.
Outwardly, he retained his usual stoic and reserved persona in order to not draw attention to what he was plotting to accomplish. Inwardly, he was almost shaking with a nearly addictive mix of excitement and fear.
Soon enough, the preparations were done. The spell was complete, and only needed to be performed. He could come by the magic shop around noon.
Never in his life had he felt such a volatile mix of emotions than on that day.
On one hand, it meant leaving everything he knew and everyone he loved behind. He couldn't even properly say goodbye to any of his friends. Not even his own brother. He only hoped that the letter he left in his room would be a sufficient enough explanation for all of them.
On the other hand, it was a new adventure, an unknown world. A new frontier, so to speak. He could find clues that could lead him to finding the elusive answer to his question. And the human world, though foreign, could actually be an interesting and, dare he say it, fun experience.
As he was placing his light knife in his pocket (he still may need weaponry to defend himself, after all) Karatenmon entered his room.
"I see you're almost ready."
"Yes, sensei."
"I assume you've got at least one weapon on your person."
"Of course, sensei."
"And you are aware that you must not reveal yourself as a digimon to anyone in the human world."
"I am aware, sensei."
Karatenmon nodded his approval.
"Good. Now before you go, there's one more thing I must tell you."
Strabimon looked up at his mentor.
"I know I told you that you will spend the year in solitude in the human world."
"You did, sensei."
"However, that does not have to be the case."
"Sensei?"
Karatenmon let at least 5 seconds pass before he continued.
"I told you that humanity does not know of our existence and that it is best that you do not reveal yourself as a digimon. Yet, I have a feeling that you will unwitiingly break this rule."
"But I would never-"
"Relax, Strabimon. I said 'unwittingly', did I not?"
At this point, Karatenmon had kneeled down to Strabimon's level and placed both of his hands on his student's shoulders.
"You are young, Strabimon. You haven't seen the full extent of your own world or any of the human world. You have a lot to learn in this lifetime and it would be best if you had someone alongside you to help you with it."
"Joltmon will be coming with me."
"True, and I have no doubt that you two will watch over each other. But Joltmon knows nothing of the human word and neither do you. Something tells me that, somehow, you will stumble along someone in the human world that will help you gain the qualities you as an individual, naturally lack. If you do, help them in whatever way you can. They may very well surprise you."
And with that, Strabimon left to go to Joltmon's shop, supplies packed, stride steady, and heart pounding.
Which now brought him to the very moment, the very question, at hand.
Was he truly and honestly sure about this?
"Yes."
And so it begins…