Author's Note: Okay, so, my first co-written story, I guess. I can't claim the rights for the plot for this one, because my very good and close friend, Midnight-Avery, has been along for the ride since day one. That said, we'd like to introduce you to our AU, originally created for an RPG amongst friends. I won't delve much into it, because Rika does a pretty good job in her narration. We hope you enjoy, and that you'll stick around for more, because we've finally decided to share this twisted storyline with you! :) R&R
Disclaimer: We own nothing recognizable from Digimon. The only thing we own is the plotline, as well as the OC, Cameron Hunter. If anything changes, we'll let you know.
KAMIYA FAMILY CURSE
-- Digimon Battles, School Exams and Emotional Overloads --
Chapter One:
A Lot Can Happen (In Three Years)
Ever heard of Digimon? Not the card game type – the actual living, breathing, "I can step on/crush/blow up your house" types? Of course you have – with all their appearances and world-saving stunts; you'd have to have been living under a rock the past ten years to not know about them.
Greymon vs. Parrotmon – that was only the beginning. Then there was the fight in the Real World against Myotismon, and Diaboromon when he took over the Internet, the thing with the Dark Spores and MaloMyotismon, and, well, the whole thing with the Daevas and D-Reaper three years ago.
If you've come out from under your rock since the last event, well…then you must only know the stories and card games, and haven't actually seen one. Why? Because about three years ago, myself and a few others – we were called Tamers – finished off the D-Reaper and all his cronies, only to close the remaining Digital Portals and involuntarily send our Digimon home – permanently.
Three Years Previous – Shinjuku Park
"But Guilmon's meant to be with me!" Takato had protested, tears streaming down his face as he held Guilmon's In-Training form, Gigimon, tightly. "He's a part of me! I promised him we would always be together! I promised!"
"No, this can't be!" Rika cried, hugging Viximon close and burying her face in her fur to hide the tears she refused to show. "I won't let it happen!"
"You knew, didn't you? You knew this would happen when you scanned Terriermon!" Henry shouted angrily, turning to his father.
"I had no other choice. The fate of the World was at stake. I couldn't let everything and everyone we loved be destroyed, Henry!" Janyu Wong stated.
Father and son shared a look before a soft and high-pitched voice cried out from the glowing green bundle in Henry's arms. "Henry!" He looked down at Gummimon. "Momentai!"
"Terriermon, no!" Henry pleaded, just as his Partner began to float out of his grasp and through the air, towards the Data Stream that had appeared. Similar things were happening with the others, as Viximon slipped from Rika's grasp, and Gigimon from Takato's.
"Renamon, stay!" Rika exclaimed, tears finally showing as she struggled to hold on. "You can fight this, can't you?"
"Rika, I know we'll see each other again," Viximon vowed. "One day…"
"No, Renamon! Please, I love you!"
"Guilmon…," Takato sobbed, watching the little red Digimon go.
"We'll play again soon, won't we…Takato?"
"Yeah," Takato nodded, hopeful.
As the Digimon slipped away, their Tamers were left to raise their arms and cry out to their Partners – a hopeless protest to the inevitable.
"Guardromon, I love you, man!" from Kazu, "Marineangemon!" from Kenta, "Bye, Cyberdramon!" from Ryo, "Impmon, we'll miss you!" from kids Ai and Mako, "Thank you, Calumon!" from Jeri and a "Lopmon, don't go!!" from Henry's little sister Suzie.
And as the last three – and original three – floated towards the Data Stream, it was they that had the last words, not their Tamers.
"Momentai, Henry!"
"Stay strong, Rika!"
"Remember Takato; you promised! You promised…"
Little did we know that we weren't the first who had to give up our Digimon Partners and send them back to the Digital World for saving the Real World. Well, at least, the others didn't know. Me? Well, let's just say I have my sources.
It didn't make it any easier to say goodbye to Renamon, mind you. From my "sources" I've heard that it's a long while before the Portals ever opened again, and…that's if they ever did.
Who are my 'sources' you might ask? Well, normally I'm not really Miss Share-n'-Share, but, well, if you're still part of the population who hasn't been living under a rock, then you might know who Tai and Kari Kamiya are.
You may know them as First and Eighth DigiDestined, a group of kids not unlike us, who saved the Real World a few times too. Well, I don't just know them from hearing those stories, but also because their father – Yuuko Kamiya – is also my father.
Yep, the man who left my mom and me when I was about six is in fact the father of two other teens partnered with Digimon. It's a really really long story that I don't much like telling, but to make it short, Kari and I – yeah, born on the same day. Nothing the same about us – mind you. She resembles dad, I resemble mom, simple as that.
The only thing we share are a birthday – February 13th – our lovely parents (note the sarcasm), and unfortunately – our siblings. I've never wanted siblings, at all. I was always fine on my own, thanks. So having Kari, plus TWO others? Not my greatest dream, especially since Tai's an annoying older brother, and Alex is a clingy younger sister.
It's why I was glad when dad took them with him when he and mom decided on some "separation" time and why I was in a completely shitty mood two weeks after the Digimon's return to the Digital World.
Yes, I was grumpy enough due to Renamon leaving, but that was nothing compared to my mood when my mother delivered the AMAZING news that she and dad were finally settling their goddamn differences after seven freaking years! Yep, it's been that long. Pardon me if I don't sound as ecstatic as my mother, but it was not my brightest day when he showed up dragging three kids with him.
Three Years Previous – Nonaka Residence
"Yuuko!" Rumiko Nonaka yelled with happiness, flinging herself into the arms of her husband – nope, all those years and no divorce had taken place. "It's wonderful to see you here again."
"It's wonderful to be back, dear," he spoke just the words to melt her heart, and make them both tear-up with the difficulty of being apart for so many years. It had been hard, on them and the kids, but their culminating fight, different views and so many other things all those years ago had forced their separation.
Through the doorway behind him stepped Tai, just brushing 16-years-old and a tall 5 foot nine-ish, his chestnut brown hair still as wild as ever. Goggles set into place; he had just enough time to make proper footing before Seiko Nonaka smothered him with a hug.
Last in were Alex and Kari, the 5-year-old holding onto the 13-year-old's hand like a life line. You might wonder how Alex was present, if her parents had split 7 years ago – before she was born. Well, Rumiko and Yuuko had attempted to live together again just over 5 years ago, but it had not worked out (again).
But they had left something from their try at being a family – Rumiko had been pregnant again. Once Alex had been born, she had been shipped from one parent to the other over the course of her life, spending it mostly with her father.
Kari's brown eyes found Rika's lavender ones with swift speed, and the fraternal twins exchanged a glance that replaced words – any and all 'welcome backs', 'it's good to see you', or 'how have you been' were swallowed whole and shared across their silent gaze.
It was just something they'd adapted to during those holiday meetings. Although apart most of the time, they still shared a sort of bond that left knowledge, understanding and respect for one another that didn't always need to be spoken – something they figured had to do with them being born the same day, or whatever.
The reaction from the younger sister was quite different though. The young Alex had always looked up to Rika, and when she saw the redhead she squealed happily and dashed over, squeezing the Digimon Queen into a rib-crushing embrace.
Ignoring how such a small child had the strength of a freaking boa constrictor, Rika looked up to see Tai had been freed from Seiko's hug (so THAT'S where Alex got it from!) and nodded his head towards her, running a hand through his hair.
"Still failing to grasp the function of a comb, I see?" Rika quipped, smirking.
"Still a walking ice-dispenser, I see?" he bit back – a common occurrence for the two.
It was how things worked. With Kari, it was knowing looks, and the occasional bonding Rika would never admit to, with Tai, it was all quips and banter, and with Alex it was huge hugs and little girl games to entertain the young.
And with Yuuko?
"Rika," her father smiled, finally moving to address her after finishing his hugs and reunions with Rumiko and eventually Seiko. He moved his arms as if to await a hug, but she pulled away from Alex, raised an eyebrow at him and snorted.
"Whatever," and with that, she was gone down the hall, off towards her room.
Family Reunions like that are supposed to be fun and heart-warming.
Supposed to being the key term here.
Don't get me wrong – my siblings, even if I'd rather be an only child, aren't THAT bad. Tai provides someone to constantly pester and piss off, Alex is entertaining at the best of times, and Kari really is cool – even if we're polar friggen opposites.
But him? Ugh, not in a million years was I going to get along with that man.
Anyway, besides the point. Here's something you might find interesting. My family ties are not the only things that allow me to know the details of the other World-Saving-Digimon-Partnered team.
The other? Friendships.
You see, contrary to what most people at my piece of shit Private School of Miller's Grove High believe, I do have friends. No, I'm not talking about the Tamers. They're my…um, friends…I guess. But they don't know me as well as my childhood friends.
There's one my age – Cameron Hunter. Blond hair, blue eyes, a real nice guy. You might wonder why such an American-named kid lives in Shinjuku, right? His mom is from around here, and met his dad on a trip to America. Fell in love, moved back here, blah, blah, bah. His mom's also my mom's BFF, hence how we know each other.
But our other childhood friend is truly why both myself and Cameron know so much about the DigiDestined. His name's Yamato Ishida. Everybody just calls him Matt. For anyone up to date on Digimon Happenings, you'll know he's one of the original DigiDestined, just like my brother Tai, and one helluva good singer.
Matt and I have something big in common which is why we get along so well – our parents are apart, and we live with one, resenting and completely not getting along with the other. Only difference is I've got mom, and he's got his dad.
He's also got a brother. Takeru Takaishi – but everyone just calls him T.K. Now, here's where it gets interesting. Cameron and Matt both attend Miller's Grove with me, as does Matt's brother, T.K, although he kinda hangs with his basketball buddies instead of us – not like we care. When Daddy Dearest (note the disdain) and the three sibs came to live with us for hugs and kisses and to be a happy family (oh GOD, Barney reference, shoot me!), they got enrolled at Miller's Grove ('cept Alex, she gets kiddie school).
So who did Tai hang with? Us of course – he says he hates my insults, but really, he loves them! Naw, see, he and Matt have been best friends, if not hot-headed rivals as well, since they were young.
And Kari? Not with us. We're not exactly her crowd. What is? Cheerleader-types. Book-heads. And He-Who-Wears-A-Hat-Resembling-A-Deflated-Beach-Ball, T.K, her boyfriend. Yep, that's right folks, Kari Kamiya is off the market (so sorry Davis, you'll have to find someone else to fawn over endlessly).
You see, contrary to popular belief, Tai and Kari didn't really live around here. Sure, they took part in the Digimon Adventures, but they were in the city beside, residing with him. Everyone else you've heard of involved with Digimon? Whether it be the DigiDestined of (get ready for the list) Matt, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, T.K, Davis, Yolei, Ken and Cody, or the Tamers of Takato, myself, Henry, Jeri, Thing One (Kazu) and Two (Kenta), Suzie, and Mr. Too-Perfect Ryo…we're all crammed in Shinjuku. And basically everyone but me, Matt, T.K and now Tai and Kari attend the local Shinjuku High School. Y'know, the one without uniforms.
Why have we not all had some great gathering of DigiDestined/Tamers before? Well, we have, you've just never heard of it because it was after the portals closed, after everyone went home and after our Partners returned to the Digital World. Shinjuku is and always has been Tamer territory, whereas Odaiba (right next-freaking-door) has been the playground for two generations of DigiDestined.
Right, now that all that crap's over and done with, I think it's time I wrap things up, quit talking about the past, and skip three years of siblings settling in, friendships growing, my heart thawing (did I just say that?) and a serious absence of Digital anomalies.
So, shutting up now, I present to you just what kinda crap can happen when you're a Kamiya (did I mention that's like, my last name now? Sometimes?) and you get stuck with this God-awful family curse that does not let you have a normal life.
Present Day – Just outside Shinjuku Park
"You saw it, right?" Takato blabbered on as he and a redheaded 15-year-old arrived on the outskirts of the park. His right hand was waving in the general direction of the sky, while the left was at his side, clutching a red-lined D-Arc with fierce determination.
"You saw it, didn't you?" he repeated, this time a little louder to snap Rika out of her daze as she looked up at him – damn that boy had grown in the three years.
"Saw what?" she snapped. She was already having a bad day. Something about her father giving her a hard time about failing a class and possibly making her repeat it this summer – which had officially started yesterday.
"That beam of light!" he prodded, practically hopping up and down. "It's just like the ones for Digital Fields."
"Gogglehead," she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose and screwing her eyes shut, arms half-crossed. "How many times do I have to tell you that the portals are not going to—"
"Hey, guys!" a light voice floated through the air, reaching their ears and making them turn to see three figures running towards them, D3 or D-Arc in hand.
"Oh, for God's sake," Rika muttered, watching as Kari, T.K. and Henry slowed to a stop before them. "Not you too?"
"Did you see it?" Takato asked, not hiding his hope and excitement whatsoever.
"Yeah, just like a Digital Field," T.K. nodded, grinning as well. "I called Matt."
"And I called Tai," Kari put in.
"And they're probably calling anyone else that's not at camp, summer school or…where was it that Mimi went again?" Henry paused, frowning.
"Hawaii," everyone groaned, rolling their eyes at the thought of the 17-year-old laying on the beach, tanning with her (insert whatever color she has it now) hair fanned out in the sand around her – not a care in the world, and basically unreachable.
"Gee, you think she could be a little closer in case something came up," Takato chuckled.
"Gogglehead, seriously, how many times do I have to tell you that—"
"Rika, c'mon, he's just as stubborn as you are!" Kari pointed out with a smile. "As long as you keep scolding, he'll keep hoping."
"Whatever, let's just get this over with," the redhead shook her head, leading the charge as she trekked through the tree line, headed for a higher and totally secluded area of the park containing an old wooden shed, some stone sitting steps and one mega block of memories.
Once she reached it, she had to refrain from letting out another exasperated sigh as she spotted almost everyone arriving, D3, D-Arc or original Digivice in hand, on belt or probably in bag.
Matt, Davis and Tai from a soccer game, Yolei and Sora from shopping and Jeri and Suzie from another park. Those not present were, as Henry had stated, either at Camp (Izzy – for computers, Kazu and Kenta – for kicks), at Summer School (Joe, Ken and Cody) or in HAWAII (Mimi!!). And Ryo? Well, who knew where the hell that boy was nowadays?
It took only a few seconds of silence for everyone to realize that something was horribly wrong with the setting where their more-often-than-weekly meetings took place. The grass was still green, the trees were still fortress walls, the stone steps were still winding and Guilmon's shed—
Guilmon's shed was in pieces! Wood was strewn about everywhere, chunks had flown left and right, cascading onto the steps or grass or anything, leaving a large dump of wooden pieces where it had been – and a massive cloud of smoke with faded colors.
"Still wanna tell me it's not a Digital Field?" Takato grinned, casting a sideways at Rika, who merely rolled her eyes.
"Shut it, Gogglehead," she muttered.
Before anyone else could comment, a soft glow began for each of the DigiDestined and Tamers, coming from Digivice, D3 or D-Arc and pulsating wonderfully. Quickly all said devices were in the hands of their owners, and the small screen flickered to life, holograms showing readings on their very own Partner.
"What's going on, Henry?" a 9-year-old Suzie squeaked, tugging on her older brother's hand and showing him her pale pink-purple D-Arc. "Why's Lopmon on my screen? Henry? Henry!"
But he couldn't answer his sister. No one could.
They were all too busy staring at what they knew to be a Digital Field, as a figure stepped through. They immediately recognized his spiky brown hair, his azure eyes, and his confident step.
"Ryo?" Rika frowned, and he winked at her, standing proudly before the cloud. "What are you…"
She trailed off with a gasp, the same sound that echoed from the others, as a large group of creatures stepped through the fog around him. As she took each one in, her smile grew and grew. Fox, cat, wolf/reptile, three dinosaurs, two rabbits, some guinea pig with wings, two birds and humanoid lion. Oh my GOD!
There was no doubt about it. It was them. It was the Digimon.
"Takatomon?" Guilmon was the first to break the silence, causing tears of joy to well up in the eyes of all Tamers and DigiDestined present. "Why's my shed everywhere?"
Author's Note: So, there's the first chapter. Yes, I'm very aware that Odaiba and Shinjuku are not side-by-side or near or anything, but since this is AU, imagine it is. Most of the changes were explained in the narration, what with the events of Adventure and Adventure Zero Two happening in neighbour city Odaiba, and Tamers happening in Shinjuku. We'll all pretend Zero Two was a year before Tamers, okay? Thank you!
Now, things are set in motion; hope you stay tuned because there's a lot more in store. Also, hope you liked it! You can tell us in a review, right? (grins)
Next:
Chapter 2: Let's Go Together
"His name's Millenniummon, and he's real bad news."
"He's headed for the school! Hurry!"
"Oh my God, Cameron! Are you okay? Are you hurt? ...is that a D-Arc?"