. : WARRIORS OF THE PAST : .
A Digimon Frontier X Digimon Adventures Crossover
One: Beyond Experience
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon in any way, shape, or form.
Soldiers, battlers, Warriors they are…
Fierce and powerful, but not without mar…
Three years passed in peace after the battle against Armageddemon.
In all honesty, Tai had been rather pleased with the lack of action, despite the fact that he usually hated the boredom of doing nothing. But this time, the break was actually welcomed. Finally, after so many trials, he could truly, fully relax with his friends. There were no evil plots to foil, no evil Digimon to be defeated, no victims that needed saving. Just… nothing. Vacation at last.
And yet, no matter how much he hoped and wished and prayed, Tai knew that the peace would be coming to an end, soon. There was just something twisting his stomach in knots, warning of things yet to come.
But it was small, unimportant, and he ignored it in hopes that it would vanish if he pretended it didn't exist at all.
Perhaps that was a mistake on his part.
Two days after the third anniversary of that last huge battle against the ultra-powerful Digimon, Gennai contacted the Digidestined.
It was a short message that hardly gave out any information, but clearly portrayed the severity of the situation – whatever it was.
Danger approaches. You must come to the Digital world immediately. The lives of all humans and Digimon are at stake.
The Digidestined reacted as fast as possible.
By the time they all gathered at Gennai's newest base, a hidden building located in some cave within a mountain range, they discovered that the original group and their successors were the only ones to receive the message.
They all had questions, but withheld them until Gennai explained the whole situation to them first – which, for once, he seemed willing to do.
"Thank you all for arriving so quickly," Gennai said, uncharacteristically serious. Everyone was seated at the large rectangular table, save for the speaker. He was pacing back and forth agitatedly, leaving his chair untouched. "There's no time to spare."
"What's going on?" Davis asked, half nervous, half hoping to be able to pass it off as something inconsequential.
Gennai frowned. "The Digital and human worlds are in danger once more."
"We know," TK said, leaning back in his seat with furrowed brows. "You told us as much in the message you sent us. But there's always someone wanting world domination or something, isn't there?"
"We did have a little break, though," Patamon pointed out from his perch on top of TK's head. "There hasn't been anything big for a few years. Wasn't that nice?"
"This time is different," Gennai responded gravely. His tone snapped many people back to attention. "But before I get into that… How many of you have knowledge in regards to the existence of other universes?" he asked, seemingly straying to a random question.
"I believe we came up with a hypothetical theory concerning that topic a few years ago," Izzy answered, thinking back. "If I remember correctly, there was a dimensional disturbance in place at that time, and we were speculating as to how it would affect our world, the Digital world, and any others. We do have proof that there are more worlds than just the Digital and human, though. The Dark Ocean is an example."
"Indeed, the Dark Ocean is another dimension – a rather dark, unstable, and incomplete one, but another world nonetheless," Gennai confirmed. "The theory you all came up with is correct. In fact, there are millions of worlds scattered about the multiverse."
Ken narrowed his eyes, already semi-agitated from the message of danger and the mention of the Dark Ocean. "Let me guess, the danger you were talking about in the message you sent us, it comes from a different world?"
"That's right." Gennai paused. "You see, worlds are not anchored in place within the multiverse. They drift endlessly about. Also, universes are can be created, destroyed, fused, and split. These occurrences happen every so often due to natural circumstances, though I don't know much about it. The only phase you need to worry about right now is the part concerning the fusion of worlds."
"By fusing, do you mean…" Kari trailed off, struggling to find words.
Patamon spoke up instead. "Is fusing like squishing together two different worlds into one?" At Gennai's hesitant nod, he continued, "But how does that work? I mean, different worlds are different, right? So how does that happen without people noticing?"
"Unless you consciously know that worlds have the potential to fuse, then you wouldn't notice it at all," Gennai said. "The fusion process starts by the natural attraction of worlds that are alike. If there's a lot in common between them, then the two will slowly drift closer and closer together until they eventually touch. At this point, a generic portal, such as the Digi-Port, is needed to pass between them. However, after a certain amount of time passes and if no connections are made between the worlds, then their like parts will fuse, which begins the fusion process Slowly, different parts of the worlds would change. This usually takes generations to happen, but history, places, language – everything would shift slightly until they match each other. And then the worlds completely fuse into one. That's the finish of a successful fusion."
Gatomon twitched her ears distastefully. "I don't like the way you said 'successful'. That means that there are failures."
"Yes. If the process isn't successful… It's usually quite the catastrophe. Both worlds collapse into themselves and would be completely obliterated. But this is an extremely rare occurrence by natural means. Usually, it's the result of an outside interference."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Outside interference?"
"If someone rushes a fusion, for example. Or attacks the worlds in the middle of a fusion. Or forces two completely different worlds to fuse, although that one's not likely."
"Wait, you said something about worlds fusing if connections weren't made," Ken cut in. "What do you mean by connections?"
"You guys are a one type of connection, actually," Gennai chuckled. "A connection is just what it sounds like; a link between the worlds. Digidestined such as you, who are from the human world, bond with Digimon, who are from the Digital world. This conscious relationship keeps our worlds from fusing together and from drifting apart."
"What about the Dark Ocean, then?" TK asked.
"That world… There's no real connection between it and us, but since you guys had direct contact with it, it's likely to stick around, but have an extremely shaky touch-and-go portal relationship. It definitely won't fuse, in any case, since there's too much difference."
"Good," Kari muttered, hugging Gatomon a little tighter.
"Since we're focusing so much on fusions," Cody observed, "does that mean we're about to and that it's the danger you were talking about?"
"Partially, though it's no fault of the multiverse nor the fault of the world we're going to fuse with," Gennai corrected. "When fusions fail and collapse, they give off massive amounts of energy, usually about equal to both the worlds that were fusing. You see, a creature of some kind, from some other dimension, has somehow learned to absorb this power. And after just one absorption, which happens to be its own home's fusion, it had enough power to travel through the multiverse at an extremely fast speed without the need to use portals, an act deemed to be impossible because of the huge energy tax it required."
"But that power wasn't enough for that monster, I'll bet," Yolei hissed angrily.
"Unfortunately, you're correct. Ever since that first taste of a collapsed fusion's power, it has been rushing, attacking, and forcing the process, anything to make the worlds collapse and send off waves of power again, just so it could absorb and feed off of it."
"That's horrible," Sora murmured. "Can you imagine, all those people and animals that were killed? Entire worlds…" Biyomon nodded in agreement.
"Is that thing coming here?" the pink bird asked, though they all knew the answer.
"I'm sorry to say that yes, it is."
There was tense silence for a moment.
Izzy sighed. "I want to examine more information on the multiverse, but we need to take care of this thing first."
"In any case, I don't have the information you want," Gennai shrugged. "Azulongmon only told me what I just told you. Oh, and also… The other world we're going to fuse with is willing to help us, on the condition that you be tested first, for your worthiness."
"What?" Davis protested. "We defeated Armageddemon! A Digimon powerful enough to be considered past the Mega level!"
"Yeah, what other test of worthiness do they want?" Tai agreed.
Gennai cleared his throat uncomfortably. "From what I've heard, the world we're fusing with is the only one known to survive one of that creature's attacks, because their Digidestined fought him off. They are quite well-known for the feat, as well as the fact that they actively travel through the multiverse – don't ask me how, I do not know – to help other worlds. Only a select few do this. Azulongmon has informed me that these Digidestined would be able to defeat perhaps several Armageddemon with ease."
"No way," Matt gaped. "How many-"
"No more than six Digidestined exist in that world. Total."
"That's amazing," Tai said, eyes wide.
"I was rather shocked to hear it, myself."
"Wait, you that monster you mentioned, if they've beaten it before, why can't they do it themselves again?" Yolei asked.
"Supposedly, they only managed to save their world from it by some sort of protective energy shield made from their own powers. However, the protection only managed to ward the creature off once, and the energy cost killed off all six of them." Gennai didn't respond to the shocked gasps of the Digidestined, and continued. "By a miracle of some sort, the governing Digimon of that world – Celestial Angels, they're called – managed to revive them. But it could only be done that one time. This time around, they feel that if you can help, then they will accept."
"…What test do we have to pass?" Kari finally asked, breaking the silence.
Gennai shrugged. "Actually, I don't know anything on it, and neither do the Sovereigns. They said that the test varies, so I suppose you're not the first those Digidestined have teamed up with."
"Will it take long?" Mimi asked anxiously. "I only came to Japan for a week to celebrate the anniversary of Armageddemon's defeat, and today's the third day already. As much as I'd love to stay, I have to get back to America at the time I scheduled it." Palmon seemed unhappy that her partner would be leaving by the week's end.
"Not to mention our parents," Ken agreed. "They'll be worried if we go missing for very long, a few hours at most."
"Especially those who know about Digimon," Tai added.
Gennai shook his head. "Azulongmon assured me that time would not be an issue, and although I don't see how, he's probably right. Do you want to start now?"
The Digidestined exchanged glances.
"Well," Tai said slowly, "This is really important, and it's best if we reacted as quickly as possible, right? Besides, since we're together at the moment and time shouldn't be a problem, let's do it now."
Gennai nodded and gestured for the Digidestined to stand. He led them out of the room, down a hallway, and around a few corners until they stood facing what appeared to be a dead end. Turning to face them, Gennai said, "The first thing you need to do is pass through a portal that leads to their Digital world. It should be opening at here soon. Afterwards, you'll need to find the Island of Lost Digimon, and I haven't a clue as to what happens after you do that."
As he finished speaking, there was a sudden shimmer in the air right in front of the dead end, emitting a soft breeze. A single point of light glowed at its center, sending out small streams of data into the air, which dissolved quickly after emerging.
Tai glanced at Gennai. At his nod, the Digidestined of Courage took a deep breath and stepped forward, raising a hand in front of him.
For a moment, the glowing shine met his palm, feeling like air yet solid enough to rest against his hand, but then the luminance suddenly spread up his arm, sending a thicker streak of data through the air and a slightly stronger brush of wind as Tai's body lit up in a bright glow.
He hesitated, but then pushed against the light a little harder, ignoring the streams of data and rushing winds that were emitted. His vision was swept away in white soon after, and then he was falling through a black space littered with stars, falling, falling…
Suddenly, a strange feeling struck through his body.
And then he emerged through the other side.
"Everyone here and okay?" Tai asked, looking over the group and taking a mental head count. Twelve humans total, including himself.
Davis grinned. "Perfect, not a hair out of place," he proclaimed cheerfully. Veemon jumped up and down excitedly beside him, nodding rapidly.
"I think I was almost blinded when Tai glowed, and it felt kind of weird at the end, but otherwise, we're good," Joe said.
Gomamon laughed from his place on Joe's shoulder. "Oh, come on! That last part was the fun part, Joe! It was like everything flipped, but didn't!"
"Almost lost my balance there," Sora admitted. "It was like gravity jumped, or flipped, or something. Felt pretty weird."
"But you're okay, right?" Biyomon asked her partner, who smiled.
"Yup, I'm fine. Don't worry, Biyo."
"Where are we, anyway?" TK wondered, looking around. It seemed like they were inside a train station of some sort.
"Do you think maybe the portal dropped us off at the other human world instead?" Patamon suggested worriedly.
"I sure hope not," Yolei sighed. "That would suck! Since there are only six Digidestined, what are the chances of running into one of them so they can transport us to their Digital world?"
Armadillomon yawned. "Well, we're still in our Rookie forms, so that's unlikely."
Before anyone could answer, a new voice yelled, "Hey, look! It's a bunch of humans!"
Davis blinked and turned around to face the speaker. It was an Elecmon, who stood in front of a three other Elecmon. "Oh, hey, there."
"I guess the presence of Digimon means this is the other Digital world, not the human one," Hawkmon noted. "It's highly unlikely that four of the six Digidestined would have the same partner. We're in the right place, then."
"Let's see…" The Elecmon looked them over. "You've got Digimon with you, you popped out of nowhere with a bunch of light and fractal codes and wind, and you look pretty confused. So, you must be here for the test, right?" he deducted.
"Yeah, how'd you know?" Agumon asked curiously.
"They told us to expect you," another Elecmon answered. "The Warriors, I mean. And, since this is where they started their adventure, they thought it would be funny to see all of you newcomers starting at the same place. In other words, here, at the Flame Terminal, in the Village of Flames."
"The Warriors?" Ken echoed. "Do you mean the Digidestined?"
"We call them the Legendary Warriors because they're a lot different from the other Digidestined we've heard about," Elecmon said. "Anyway, we're not allowed to tell you much else, so let's get moving! You guys are looking for the Island, right?"
"Of Lost Digimon, yeah," Veemon confirmed.
The Elecmon looked at each other. "Hey, since when were the Digimon on there lost?" one asked. "Did I miss something or something?"
"Pretty sure they've never gotten lost," another replied.
"Nope. Never," the third said. "The Celestial Angels guide them. Of what I know, they've never lost their place."
Davis looked bemused. "But why's it called the Island of Lost Digimon, then?"
"It's not!" the four chorused. A brief pause. "It is! Long story, very long." Then, together, they glanced at each other, turned around, and ran outside, shouting, "Follow me! Follow me! Follow me!"
"Well, that was strange…" Ken murmured, and eyebrow raised.
"Come on, let's go already!" Davis ran ahead, leading his friends after the Elecmon.
Luckily, the Digimon hadn't gone very far. They were talking to some – to Sora and her partner's slight shock – Biyomon, just outside the building.
"-the Island," an Elecmon was explaining.
"I do remember the Warriors telling us about them," a Biyomon mused, tilting her head. "Yesterday, or was it the day before? Well, I do hope they pass the test. Oh, hello there!" she chirped, turning the group's attention to the Digidestined.
"Hi," Davis returned. "We're supposed to be getting to that Island of Lost Digimon place, do you guys know anything about it?"
"Of course!" the Biyomon responded. "It's a huge floating island that used to hover in between dimensions, but now the Warriors use it to travel to different worlds. I'm not sure how that happened, there was something about a legend… Anyway, every now and then, the Warriors come back home and help us build and improve our villages. They're really nice people, but really busy, too. Always out and about, helping whoever they can."
"So, where is that Island now?"
"Off in some other world, helping out, as usual," the Biyomon answered nonchalantly. The Digidestined, on the other hand, groaned in disappointment.
"Well, is there any way to get there from here?" Ken tried.
"Yup! Why would you be here otherwise?" another Biyomon giggled lightly. "There's a portal in the mountains that you can use. It's right in the middle of a huge crater, which is also where the Island appears when the Warriors come to visit."
"Do you mean those mountains, over there?" Patamon pointed to several looming peaks in the distance. At the Biyomon's nod of confirmation, he groaned, plopping down on his partner's head. "TK, I don't wanna to walk that far!"
"You don't even walk, you little slacker," TK teased his whining partner. "You either fly or sit on my head all day, like you're doing now! Besides, as Pegasusmon, you can fly that far with no problem."
The Biyomon and Elecmon exchanged looks.
"Well," one of the Elecmon began, "flying is an option, if you want to, but you could ride a Trailmon instead. Less time and less energy. Besides, we're standing right next to the Flame Terminal, which is a Trailmon stop. Convenient, eh? They planned it, I bet."
"What's a Trailmon? Or a Trailmon stop, for that matter?" Tai asked.
The Elecmon blinked at him. "You don't know what a Trailmon is? They're Digimon that are great for transportation. Tracks run all over the world, and most places have at least one stop. This particular trail can even lead into the human world!"
"Like trains," Izzy interpreted. "Except they're Digimon. And portals, it seems."
"That would explain why this place looks like a train station…" Ken looked at the Elecmon. "When's the next one coming around?"
"There are always Trailmon ready," one of the Digimon assured, leading everyone back inside the Terminal.
"Oh, why don't we have Trailmon?" Mimi cried despairingly. "All of the pains I had from walking didn't have to happen, if only we could've hopped on some Trailmon."
"We could've saved lots of energy too, but no, we had to walk everywhere!" Veemon complained as he followed along to the Trailmon.
"Yeah," Davis nodded. "We could've slept, or eaten, or done something else!"
"Just be glad you don't have to walk this time," Cody sighed, picking up Armadillomon, who chuckled.
"That's a relief," the Digimon agreed.
Forty-five minutes later, the Digidestined and their partners hopped off the Trailmon, leaving the Village of Flame residents to ride back.
"Bye!" Yolei called, waving. "Thanks for helping us!"
"Good luck!" the Digimon shouted in return as they disappeared around a bend.
"Alright!" Davis stretched, yawning. He and Veemon had fallen asleep during the ride, much to the amusement of others. "Now, where to?"
"There's only one way to go," Gabumon observed, looking down from the ridge they were standing on. There was a slope, stretching for about thirty meters or so. It didn't seem too steep, but was by no means a gentle angle.
"Too bad the Trailmon tracks stopped here," Matt said, casting his gaze across the entire crater. "This thing is huge. The Biyomon said the portal was in the middle of it, right?"
"Yeah… Oh, I think I see it!" Sora grinned. "Right there, in the center, the sand looks like it's moving a little. It's probably the wind, just like the portal at Gennai's place. And I think it's got a light just above the wind, too."
"Well then, let's get moving." Davis jumped and slid down the slope, wobbling slightly but managing to stay on his feet until the end. Veemon did the same, but knocked his partner over when the momentum shot him a little too far. Both of them yelped in surprise as they fell. Tai snorted in amusement at them.
Their friends took a safer route, choosing instead to walk or slide slowly down until they reached the ground. At that point, Davis and Veemon had long since recovered from their little tumble at the bottom of the slope and had run off towards where the portal was.
"Those two just never run out of energy, do they?" Tentomon commented with exasperation.
"Nope." His partner sighed in resignation as he followed the crowd, chasing Davis over the rocky and barren terrain.
Apparently, Davis and his partner hadn't been watching where they were going, since they were too focused on their race. They didn't notice that they had reached the center already.
Tai, being the closest, attempted to warn them, but by the time he opened his mouth, it was already too late.
Davis ran right into the point of light, which flashed and enveloped him in a bright glowing sphere. Veemon attempted to stop, but once again, momentum got the best of the poor Digimon, sending him straight into the large orb of light just before it suddenly increased in intensity and vanished.
"Oh, wonderful, the idiots got sucked in," TK muttered, jogging up to and stopping a few feet away from the light, careful not to touch it.
"It's not like we're not supposed to, though," Tai pointed out with a casual shrug. And with that, he stuck out a finger and pushed the light like it was a button, activating the spread of light along his body and into the air in a spherical shape, which expanded even more to include the other Digidestined and their partners.
"So reckless," Matt groaned, but he and everyone else didn't complain further as their vision shifted to white, and then to whatever the black space with star-like lights was – the area between dimensions, perhaps.
They didn't know what to expect on the other side, but they were certainly surprised when they emerged.
DragonAce1999: Hello, everyone! Sorry for the delay, but here's your next chapter. I hope it lives up to your expectations, because it doesn't live up to mine. Will probably redo this. In later times.
Actually, this chapter was going to be much, much longer, but I decided to split it in two. Also, if you guys have not yet seen Sightbent's Crossing Worlds stories, you are missing out. The first one is called Crossing Worlds: The Sealed Digivice. The second is much shorter (goes over the events happening before and leading up to the first), and the third installment is in progress. Re-reading that inspired me to hurry up this story.
Special thanks to my reviewers to last chapter: RosesofTruth, scratchienails, The Keeper of Worlds, PorcelainDollxx, NatNicole, RaptorMJ, and Gogglegirl.
Thanks for reading, please review!
Published: 7/17/13
Updated: 7/21/13