A/N: Sorry for the wait, but was taking care of other things.
Last time, the story covered Kotori's arrival. Now, this chapter will take Himura's side of the story. This will show how he arrived in the Underworld and met Kotori for the first time.
Needless to say, it's going to be an interesting encounter.
Enjoy.
xxxxx
Chapter 2
Act II: Himura Tsubasa
xxxxx
Outskirts of the Underworld/March 9, 2001/7:54 PM
A boy's eyes shot open, awakening in the middle of a vague and dark environment. Dark surroundings encompassed the vicinity where the boy was laying. Finding himself laying over a barren terrain, the child lifted his head and upper body off the ground. He blinked thrice before rubbing his weary eyes.
Where am I? Last thing I remember was the crash… The crash! The boy quickly jumped to conclusions and frantically glanced around. "Yui-chan! Mother! Father!" He saw no signs of his family – or any human contact for that matter. Instead, the only sign of life he caught were strange birds coasting through the darkened skies. "Where am I? Am I dead? Then, this must be limbo or something."
While standing himself upright, he dusted his pants and slowly absorbed his surroundings. The setting was unfamiliar to him. It was nothing he has seen before.
"If I'm dead, then I probably won't feel any pain," the boy glanced to a rock sitting next to his right foot. He crouched over, grabbing the stone. He clenched it tightly in his hand and smashed it over his left shoulder. "Ugh, damn! That hurt!" The boy's face contorted, conveying a pained expression. "Then, I'm not dead?" He dropped the rock and scanned a trail leading up a steep hill.
Over the hill was a dead forest void of life. And past the dead forest was a prairie dotted hills across the landscape.
"Something tells me I should be going this way. Maybe this could be a way out of here and back home?" The perplexed boy wondered, folding his arms in front of his chest. "But, how did I end up here in the first place?"
He wasted no time and treaded onward to the hill.
As he walked, he thoroughly surveyed the foreign land and pondered many thoughts, including his concern for his parents and sister.
"Himura Tsubasa, looks like we've got a long road ahead for us," the boy mumbled, referring to himself by his own name whilst walking through the pass into the dead forest. "Man, what is it with this place? I hope there's at least a person I can talk to… if there are any, that is."
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Outskirts of the Underworld/8:23 PM
Himura reached the prairie vicinity in no time after passing the steep hill. He stopped to catch his breath and sat on the ground, feeling the grainy earth rubbing on his fingers. The ground felt just as organic like the material universe.
"Could have I been abducted and dropped off someplace in the world somewhere? I could literally be hundreds… maybe thousands of miles from home. If my parents and Yui-chan are ok, then they must be worried. How the hell am I going to get back home?" The boy slightly brooded as he scooped up dirt in his hand and threw it into the air.
Suddenly, Himura heard loud grunts ahead. He quickly pivoted his head and noticed a bulky, armored gray behemoth. The creature resembled a mix between a rhinoceros and a dinosaur, though it had mostly reptilian features. A large bony horn protruded through its snout as it used its horn to scrape through the dirt to search for food.
"What in the world is that thing?" Himura exclaimed as he took cover behind a large rock. He poked his head out, sighing with relief since the creature didn't notice him. "A rhino of some sort? I must be in Africa then, or some nature reserve. Wait, I haven't seen any rhinos like that before. Hold on." He gazed at the large creature, narrowing his eyes. "I think I've seen that thing on a TV show once… and on a card. That's…" He gasped upon realizing where he had seen the animal before. "A digimon? Here?" Now, I recognize it from the Digimon Adventure series!
Just then, the behemoth's ears twitched as it picked up on sounds emanating behind the rock.
Unfortunately for Himura, he dismissed this digimon was territorial and aggressive towards intruders.
"Mo-Monochromon?" Himura murmured quietly, still awestruck by the creature's presence. "But, a digimon here? Then, am I in the Digital World? A real Digital World like that from the TV show."
Growling, Monochromon turned its whole body around and uncurled its lips, conveying irritation toward the curious boy. It stomped its front legs and charged forward. Alarmed, Himura jumped out of harm's way and watched the behemoth pulverize the rock with its horn.
Damn! Me and my stupid loud mouth! The boy frantically switched views between the monster and another large stone. "Here goes!" He dashed toward the other rock and scaled it, climbing to the top.
He watched as the Monochromon stalked toward the stone and snorted angrily, stomping its left front foot down. Himura closely observed Monochromon as it encircled the stone. Then with a sudden charge, the beast rammed its horn through the stone and tried to push Himura off.
"WHOA!" The boy cried out, hanging on the rock with dear life. "This is stupid! Why did I have to open my mouth and get this guy riled up?" Another direct charge from the beast impacted the stone with tremendous force, causing the boy to teeter off the rock. "Damn it! I won't fall!"
"GAAAAURGH!" Monochromon bellowed angrily, pushing its horn through the large stone and pushed upward. With its horn, the monster split the stone in half and knocked Himura off.
Thud.
Himura fell on his back and rolled across the dirt.
"Augh!" Himura howled in pain as he rolled on his back and gripped his left arm. "I've got to get out of here… and fast!"
Monochromon turned its large body around and casted an angry gaze toward the boy, who was barely able to stand. Like an angry rhinoceros, the horned dinosaur snorted and charged toward Himura.
"C'mon, move!" Himura gritted his teeth as he raced ahead. No matter how far his legs took him, the digimon was closing in with its horn ready to gore the poor boy like a harpoon meeting a fish. Closing his eyes, he shunned the Monochromon from his sights and focused on trying to flee. Go as fast as you can! MOVE! MOVE YOUR ASS, HIMURA!
Monochromon moved in closer and closer…
…as its horn came within Himura's range.
Is this the end of me?
BAM!
Suddenly, a long snake-like form impacted Monochromon's side and pushed the aggressive beast aside. However, the beast's horn still managed to impale Himura's right eye. The boy reeled back, screaming in pain as he threw his hands over his face.
"NICE SAVE, SEADRAMON!" A girl's voice called out of nowhere.
With his other eye, Himura was barely able to visibly see a human girl running toward him. He fell back with both hands covering the spot where his eye used to be. His face paled with shock as blood spilled from his eye socket.
"Keep him away, Seadramon!" Kotori called to the sea serpent.
Seadramon uncoiled his whole body as he towered over the Monochromon. He hissed deeply, opening his mouth and opened a threatening display to drive the beast away. Monochromon grunted and turned away, retreating from the vicinity. Shaking his head, Seadramon pivoted his view directly toward Kotori and Himura.
"Another human?" The sea serpent muttered, eyeing Himura as he slithered toward the children.
"Damn it! It hurts! IT HURTS!" Himura cried out, holding his eye while kicking his feet up wildly. As Kotori tried to hold him still, he gawked at the amount of blood on his hands.
"Will you stop fidgeting? Hold still!"
"But… but… my eye…"
"Let me see."
"No…"
"Then, I can't help you, crybaby!"
Taken aback by the girl's bullheadedness, Himura gave in and uncovered his eye. Kotori gasped while her face contorted with disgust. The eye was completely gone and left a hollow hole with blood. The eye popped out after the horn pierced it. It was graphic enough for Kotori to turn away, shuddering with disgust.
"It's gone. Isn't it?"
The tomboy nodded with no words to describe what she saw.
"Then, I'm half blind now," Himura covered his eyes, gritting his teeth whilst subduing the pain. As he tried to stand, he collapsed on his butt and noticed Seadramon closing in.
Naturally, the sight of Seadramon made Himura freak out. The boy quickly hid behind Kotori, cowering at the sea serpent's presence. Kotori glanced behind her and sighed irritably at his alarmed nature.
"Why… why is that giant snake with you? Hurry before it kills us!"
"Kill you?" Seadramon blinked as he turned toward Kotori.
Kotori sighed. "Relax. He's not going to hurt us, crybaby."
"But, he's…"
"Kotori. I didn't think there'd be another human here, much less a child like you."
"Well, I can safely say I've never met him before," the tomboy replied as she placed both hands on Himura's shoulders. She set him to kneel on the ground. "Let's get that eye covered up."
"But, with what bandages? You can't seem to have any…"
Throwing off her black jacket, Kotori ripped off a piece of her own white shirt. She placed the white cloth over Himura's eye, fastening it and holding it down to stop the bleeding. Himura winced in pain as the girl tightened the cloth.
"You… you didn't have to do that…"
Kotori replied. "I know, but seeing a guy without an eye is pretty gross. I did us a favor." She turned away and picked up her black jacket off the ground. Placing back on her jacket, she alternated her view from Himura and onto Seadramon. "I think we've did all we could here, Seadramon."
"But, shouldn't we do something with the boy?" Seadramon inquired.
"We need to get to Anubimon's pyramid, right? We need to get there right away."
"Hold it. Anubimon? Pyramid?" A befuddled Himura asked as he faced both Kotori and Seadramon. "Who are you two? And where are we?"
"You're in the Digital World, boy," the sea serpent answered Himura's inquiries. "Well, you're in the Underworld dimension of the Digital World. This is where digimon are sent to be judged by Lord Anubimon."
"Underworld? Like Hell?"
"More like a gateway between Paradise and Purgatory. If you're here, then you're like Kotori. Your bodies are in a comatose state and teetering between life & death."
"Then, I'm in a coma after that accident. Then, I'm not on Earth."
Kotori frowned as she turned away. "I think he gets it, Seadramon. C'mon, let's get going."
"Wait! I don't even know where I'm supposed to go! Where do I go to get back home? I have a family and sister I need to return to!"
Seadramon quickly approached Kotori, consulting to her. "Shouldn't we let him join us? He doesn't have a partner and he could get lost out here."
"He can find his way around. He's a big boy," the tomboy snorted as she walked ahead while Seadramon looked back to Himura. "Let's go, Seadramon."
"But… oh, all right," Seadramon responded, following his partner but not without looking back to Himura. "Sorry, boy."
Furrowing his brows, the boy angrily called back to Kotori and Seadramon. "Hey! Wait a minute! You're not leaving me here?"
Kotori and Seadramon continued marching forward without answering the young boy.
"At least, give me your name!"
She turned and faced Himura.
"Kotori Ayami."
"And I'm her partner Seadramon."
"Kotori and Seadramon?" Himura mumbled as he nodded. "I'm Himura Tsubasa. I'll remember you two."
Both Kotori and Seadramon turned away whilst continuing their trek across the dry lands to locate Anubimon's sanctuary. Himura watched them leave and patted his bandaged eye.
A soft, genuine smile curled on the boy's face.
"I hope we do meet again, but where do I go now?" Himura wondered as he walked off into the opposite direction. "Looks like I'm not getting home anytime soon. I better find a place to rest." Kotori Ayami, eh? Whomever you… you and Seadramon saved my life. And I'll never forget this bandage you gave me. "If we meet again, I hope it's very soon."
xxxxx
Six days later
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Near a Cerberumon Village/March 15, 2001/1:39 PM
Six days of travel and rest stops have led Himura to a local village. He spent his whole journey passing through scattered digimon locales that seeing a village surprised him. He stopped and noticed a group of large, black-furred three-headed canines, resembling Cerberus, guarding the front.
"A village?" Himura murmured as he quickly slipped behind a rock. He stood silently, observing the Cerberus digimon exchanging words. "I wonder if they could help me out?" He slowly poked his head out…
…only to be greeted by a Cerberus digimon.
"WHO ARE YOU?" The Cerberus digimon growled, catching Himura by surprise.
Bewildered by the canine's abrupt advance, Himura cowered back and pinned himself against the stone.
"A human?" The Cerberus digimon closed in and sniffed the young boy. "What business do you have here, boy?"
"I…I… just happened to stop by… I was traveling…"
"Traveling? Or, did Kuzuhamon send you to give us trouble?"
"Kuzuhamon? Who is that?"
"Don't play the fool! State your business here!" The Cerberus digimon growled deeply as he lunged at Himura, causing the boy roll aside. "Leave if you know what's good for you!"
"I just want help! I can't find my way out of this place! I need to get home!"
"Brother! Cease your attack!" Another Cerberus digimon dashed toward his hostile pack brother. This particular canine a streak of red fur streaming down its back, a distinguishing feature that set him apart from the other pack. "This human doesn't seem to mean us any harm."
"You're too trusty worthy," snorted the older, grumpier Cerberus digimon. "What if he's just deceiving us?"
"Believe me, brother. I can feel a genuine vibe from him. Besides, there's been a lot of word going around about two human children in the Underworld. Word has it there's a girl with a Seadramon."
"So, the rumors are true then?" the older Cerberus digimon turned his view to Himura, growling. "And this must be that other human."
"Correct, but he's without a partner of a companion. Boy, did you travel here all on your own?"
Himura nodded and addressed to the tri-headed creatures. "Yes and I've been traveling six days now. I did happen to run into that girl and the Seadramon. They saved my life from a hostile digimon. But, I did lose my eye to that digimon."
"Ah, you must be very careful, boy," the Cerberus youth stated. "What is your name, boy?"
"Himura Tsubasa and I'm lost. I need help on how to get back home."
"That I'm afraid we can't help you there," the older Cerberus digimon added. "We've had our own issues lately with Kuzuhamon."
Himura frowned. "What's with this Kuzuhamon? Is it someone who's been giving you grief?"
"She's taken our leader from us," the young Cerberus sadly sighed, lowering his head as a small whine escaped his mouth. "And no matter how hard we try, we can't save him. Kuzuhamon's a terrible witch!"
"Where is Kuzuhamon's hideout?"
"Northwest from here," the elder spoke up. "She has a small palace where she's imprisoned Lord YoukaiInumon. It's in the heart of the Wicker Region."
"Wicker Region? Then, maybe I can help?" Himura offered to the Cerberus digimon.
"You help us? But, you're just a boy!"
"Hey, don't you want your lord back? Don't count me out just because I don't have a digimon."
The elder quickly advised against Himura's actions. "But, Anubimon selected the girl with the Seadramon as his Chosen. You were never selected to be one of his Chosen."
"A Chosen?" Himura inquired.
"She is supposed to hold a device. This device enables a wielder to grant their digimon the ability to evolve past their limitations. With this Digivice, the digimon can grow stronger. And this device is what strengthens a digimon's bond with a human's."
"And you boy lack a Digivice and a partner. Therefore, there isn't much you can do."
"Just because I don't have a partner of my own, it doesn't mean I can't do anything if I set my mind to it!"
"Well, well, look who we bumped into. I didn't think it were possible…"
Pausing for effect, Himura recognized that same girl's voice. He spun around and saw Kotori standing ten feet away with Seadramon by her side. The Cerberumon villagers gathered out of their homes as they approached Kotori and Seadramon. Himura's heart sank as the Cerberumon crowded near the tomboy and the sea serpent.
"We meet again, crybaby," Kotori snorted, folding her arms as she faced Himura's direction. She walked through the Cerberumon and advanced toward the boy, who stood his ground. She gave him a vague and cool smile. "Who would've thought we'd run into each other… again. And here of all places."
"I wasn't expecting you to turn up here. So…"
"So, what? Are you saying I'm not invited? Listen, I've been hearing about a lot of trouble about some servant of Basilikmon that captured a village leader."
"Yes, that would be Kuzuhamon!" The red-streaked Cerberumon quickly addressed to Kotori and Himura. "But, since Anubimon's Chosen Child is here, our prayers have been answered!"
"Basilikmon has sealed Lord Anubimon and now Kuzuhamon has taken our Lord YoukaiInumon away," another Cerberumon spoke up amongst the crowd's rambling.
"Then, we can save your leader together!" Himura declared.
"Excuse me? Who died to make you the leader?" Kotori snorted, giving Himura the cold stare.
"Well, we're both technically on life support on the other side, right?"
This remark managed to sting Kotori for a bit until she came to the realization of their fates. It was true. Their physical bodies were still comatose in the real world. Their spirits became digitized once they appeared in the Underworld dimension.
"Oh shut up. You didn't need to remind me…"
"Please if you three can, we'll need all the help we can get to save our lord!" A Cerberumon declared from amongst the crowd. "You see. That deceptive witch, Kuzuhamon, wanted to make our lord his mate. When he refused, she utilized magic to seal him within a crystal."
"And it's a crystal she wears around her neck," the elder proclaimed with sheer disgust for Kuzuhamon. "She wears it with pride and declared that our lord would be forever hers."
"Well, Kotori? What should we do?" inquired Seadramon, turning toward his partner. "How do we plan about this?"
Shrugging, Kotori shook her head dismissively. "We just got here and you expect me to come up with a plan right off the bat?"
"Well, we need to head to Kuzuhamon's palace, but we shouldn't barge right in right away," Himura suggested as he pivoted his view to Kotori and Seadramon.
"We can lead a raid on her palace," the Cerberumon elder insisted as he turned and faced his pack, who muttered amongst themselves.
"Yes! With these humans, we might have a chance! And one is a Chosen with a partner!" A Cerberumon exclaimed from out of the pack.
Looking back between the pack and Himura, Seadramon blinked and gulped. "Well, they're going for the direct approach. Is this wise, Kotori?"
Kotori walked up behind Himura and placed a hand on his back.
"What?" Himura spun around, facing the tomboy.
"So, who says your going? You don't even have a digimon partner."
"Who says I need one? I can manage to do things on my own and I'm not going to abandon people in need!" Himura snapped as shrugged his arm away from Kotori. Naturally, he was still visibly upset from Kotori's constant name calling. "And I'm not a crybaby! Understand!" He shouted at Kotori and raced up to the Cerberumon pack.
Taken aback by Himura's sharp tongue, Kotori stood speechless.
"Heh, he's got some spunk. I'm beginning to like him."
Kotori scoffed. "Whatever. What can he do?"
"Guys," Himura said as he knelt in front of the Cerberumon. "We'd be willing to help you get your leader back."
"Thank you," the red-striped youthful Cerberumon nodded, gratified with Himura's proposal. "We should get going then. Just follow us, humans."
"My name is Himura Tsubasa."
"I see, and the girl behind you?" The elder inquired, shifting his view to Kotori and Seadramon.
"I'm Kotori Ayami," she replied, shooting Himura a cold and irritated stare. "If you guys want your leader back, we better head on over to this palace." With that, she walked past Himura and coldly addressed to him. "Don't you try and show me up. Got it?"
Befuddled, Himura stood up and responded. "What are you saying?"
"Between you and me, I'm in charge. I'm the one with a partner digimon. I'm telling you to don't show me up. Anubimon chose me to return to his pyramid and defeat Basilikmon."
"Who's this Basilikmon?"
Kotori sighed. "C'mon, they're already leaving. Let's get going."
As the Cerberumon began filing out of the village, Kotori and Seadramon accompanied them. Allured by her tenacity, Himura quickly ran and caught up with the duo. As he reached Kotori, he ran alongside her and tried to open up a conversation with her.
"Kotori. If there's anything I can do to help you stop this Basilikmon…"
"This is strictly business, Himura. Don't try and mess this up. Once we stop Kuzuhamon, we can get her to tell us how to defeat Basilikmon."
"But, who is this Basilikmon?"
"A terrible monster who recently has taken over Lord Anubimon's ruling grounds. He's notorious for turning his victims to stone," a Cerberumon openly addressed to Himura, answering his inquiry. "Kuzuhamon is one of his loyal underlings."
"And this Anubimon is…?"
"The official king of the Underworld," Seadramon added.
Himura blinked. "I should've guessed, but if this Basilikmon managed to defeat this realm's ruler… we're in some serious mess."
"Getting scared?" Kotori remarked.
"Yeah right. I'm not," the pre-teen boy rebuked, furrowing his brows. "I'm just concerned for the inhabitants here. We need to be careful when we face Kuzuhamon, Kotori."
The tomboy stubbornly replied. "I know."
"We're nearing the Wicker Region, everyone!" The elder announced to the whole pack, including the children and Seadramon. "Today, this will be our final raid on the witch's palace!"
"IN THE NAME OF LORD YOUKAIINUMON, WE WILL PREVAIL!" The pack cried out as they howled in unison.
Himura smirked. "I like our chances now. What do you think, Kotori?"
"Yeah… oh, shut up," Kotori quipped.
Seadramon chuckled, eyeing the somewhat heated tension between the children. However, he interpreted a deeper connection he was coming to terms with.
Hehe. For as long as I've known Kotori, she hasn't been this chatty. And she can pretend to hate this boy, but deep down… I think she really likes him.
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Kuzuhamon's Palace Headquarters/Wicker Region/2:35 PM
"Milady. Those insolent Cerberumon are attempting another raid on our palace."
Seated on a black obsidian chair, a purple-armored figure resembling Sakuyamon observed a screen displaying the Cerberumon pack closing near her quarters. A calm, seductive smile adorned the woman's lips as she gave a lofty chuckle.
A Karatenmon quickly addressed to the purple-armored woman. "Lady Kuzuhamon. Allow me and my men to apprehend them."
"Look closely. Those stupid mutts didn't come alone," Kuzuhamon spoke up as she pointed to Kotori, Seadramon, and Himura racing toward the palace. "So, it's true. Anubimon selected a Chosen Child to stop Lord Basilikmon. I was warned to keep my eye out for this girl and a Seadramon."
"And there's another human with her," Soulmon noticed Himura on the screen.
Kuzuhamon chortled as she stood up from her seat. "Those pitiful Cerberumon have grown desperate. They've sought help from two children and a Seadramon to free YoukaiInumon. How noble of them." She smirked while rubbing a dark purple crystal hanging down her neck. "YoukaiInumon is fine and forever will be my possession. They can't have him back!"
"Shall we counterattack like usual, milady?" The Karatenmon inquired.
"Take as many men as you'd like. Even with Chosen accompanying them, they won't reach me."
Karatenmon nodded. "We won't let you down, milady."
With that, Karatenmon teleported from the quarters.
Sitting back comfortably on her seat, Kuzuhamon chortled and grasped the crystal.
"This should prove to be amusing. Chosen Children or not, it makes no difference. YoukaiInumon, my love, they can't save you. You're mine and forever always will be mine."
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Outside Kuzuhamon's Palace Quarters/2:56 PM
As the Cerberumon pack arrived, the elder jumped forward at the forefront. Kotori, Seadramon, and Himura stopped as they stood beside the elder. They stared ahead and watched as a large flock of Karatenmon filed out of a dark gray gothic castle. The Karatenmon barricaded the castle entrance and quickly armed themselves, readily preparing to clash with the Cerberumon.
"She knew we were coming?" Himura exclaimed.
"Of course, at this point, we've attacked her palace many times," the Cerberumon elder replied, growling as he glared at the Karatenmon general walking forward. "Get ready, everyone! Our plan is get myself and you three into the palace while everyone else is fighting."
Kotori clenched her fists as she eyed the large flock. "Ok, but that's easier said than done."
"Trust him, Kotori. He has a plan," Seadramon reassured his partner.
The tomboy gave in. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
The Karatenmon general snorted as he drew his weapons. "Foolish Cerberumon. Haven't you learned by now? Every time you attempt to rescue your leader, you always fall and retreat. You know the routine. Get ready to be punished in the name of Lady Kuzuhamon!"
"Yes, but this time the result shall be different!" The Cerberumon elder howled as he charged forward. "Forward and attack!"
Suddenly, Kotori and Seadramon stormed the Karatenmon. Drawing out her Digivice, she sallied forth with sheer determination. Seadramon readily gaped his mouth and prepared to open fire. Himura dashed ahead to accompany the two as he picked up a long branch off the ground, utilizing it as a weapon to ward off the enemy.
"WAIT! GET BACK!" The Cerberumon elder called out.
"Let's kick some ass, Seadramon!" Kotori hollered as Seadramon and Himura followed her ahead. She readily balled her right fist and prepared for the battle that lied ahead for them. "Let's raid this castle!"
xxxxx
(PREVIEW)
Kotori: You're Kuzuhamon? Free YoukaiInumon this instant!
Kuzuhamon: Oh, ho, ho. Congratulations for making it this far, but you made a grave mistake challenging me in my palace.
Himura: Heads up!
Seadramon: Kuzuhamon is a Mega-Level Digimon. Be careful!
Himura: YoukaiInumon! Hang in there! We're going to free you!
Cerberumon: Next time on the Underworld Gaiden Special!
Act III: Inumon
YoukaiInumon: Am I... am I free?
xxxxx
A/N: Second chapter is done. Sorry for the long delay, but I've had other fics to work on and real life got in the way.
I'll have Chapter 3 out sooner. Rest assured.
Next time, the fight against Kuzuhamon and her forces will occur. It shouldn't be a long fight.
Send a review and stay gold!