Chapter 1: Ignition
A boy, looking to be in his late teens, walked down one of the many long hallways in the Digital World Committee's main building. His brown hair was cut short, a "buzz-cut" as some called it. The boy's blue eyes matched his uniform; he was wearing an orange jacket with a high collar that cut off about three-quarters down his torso and was left unzipped. Under said jacket was an un-tucked white shirt with orange around the neck. Lastly, the boy was wearing gloves and white pants with a belt. The uniforms were designed after Celestial Being, a group of characters from Kaname Higuchi's favorite anime: Gundam 00. The boy arrived at a large metal door with a number pad on the wall next to it. He punched in four numbers and the door slid open. He stepped in and saw Kaname Higuchi in the same uniform but with black accents. Higuchi's short black moved a little as he looked at the boy in his doorway.
"Mamoru Sousei, First Child, reporting for duty," said the boy with a salute.
"Relax, Mamoru," said Kaname, "I'd like you to meet the others, Isane Yamamoto, Setsuna Hibiki, and Kairi Kimura."
Mamoru turned to his left to see the three other children standing next to a wall. The first, Isane, was a very attractive girl. She had gorgeous blond hair, tied in a ponytail. Each strand that fell to her shoulders looked like golden silk. Her blue eyes were like deep pools of water that Mamoru found very enticing. She was around five feet and seven inches, four inches shorter than Mamoru himself. She was wearing a uniform with a white knee-length skirt and lime green accents. The other boy was Setsuna Hibiki; Setsuna was a little taller than Mamoru but looked a little thinner. Setsuna also had snow white hair but was definitely not albino, having fair skin. His hair fell to his ears and exaggerated his emerald eyes. Setsuna's uniform had tighter sleeves, making him look very thin and purple accents. The other girl Kairi was about the same height as Isane but had ear length brown hair. Her hair was the same shade of brown as her eyes, like mahogany. She wore an identical version of Mamoru's uniform but this one had dark blue accents on it.
"Comander Higuchi, is it time to start, sir?"
"Let me first explain what's going on," he paused and took a deep breath, "As you know, you all are going to the alternate world called the Digital World. It houses creatures of all sorts called Digimon. Among these Digimon there is a group of very powerful Digimon called the Royal Knights, who have conquer the Digital World under an iron fist. Your job is to find the twelve Zodiac Digimon and defeat the Royal Knights so that the Great Four can rule the Digital World peacefully."
"Who are the Great Four," asked Setsuna, in a cold and empty tone.
"They are four powerful Digimon who were the ones that sent me to find you all. They are not powerful enough to defeat the twelve Royal Knights, though."
A man stepped out from the shadows behind Higuchi's desk. He was Admiral Katagiri, Higuchi's second-in-command.
"Your other task, and possibly more important," he said softly, "Is to find a place or multiple places, that would be safe for the Earth's population to colonize under the flag of the United Nations."
Higuchi nodded and the pressed a button on his desk. The floor opened up between the kids and him and four pods rose up.
"These are your transfer ports for the Digital World. I cannot create a portal large enough for more than two people without the help of the Great Four. Now step into your pods and the transfer will begin."
The children opened the four pods and stepped into them. Suddenly, the doors to the pods locked and screwed shut. The machines started to audibly turn on and power up. Higuchi input some data via a keyboard at his desk and the pods started to glow. He hit enter on his keyboard and the pods scanned each kid. Their bodies slowly started to disintegrate and vanished into thin air. Katagiri looked on in horror as the pods flashed and were suddenly empty.
"I hope they get there safely, they've got a great mission ahead of them."
A flash of light appeared in the Digital World and a series of fractal codes spiraled chaotically in the air. Four sets of legs started to form, then torsos, arms and heads. The four Zodiac Children had finally arrived in the Digital World. The children had arrived on top of a grassy hill. There was a nearby road which led to what looked to be a village. Kairi and Isane were the only ones who had taken in the scenery. Setsuna staggered a little bit after his arrival; Mamoru just bent over and threw up.
"I don't want to do that anymore," said the boy.
"Well don't worry, it'll be a while before you return to Earth, Mamoru of Fire," Shine Greymon's voice was heard before the Digimon was seen.
The Great Four appeared before the Zodiac Children, casting massive shadows over the tiny humans. Shine Greymon pointed his right index finger at Mamoru and the boy was suddenly engulfed in brilliant white flames. They did not burn him, if anything he felt relaxed inside the inferno. Mirage Gaogamon summoned gales around Kairi. The winds quickly turned into a tornado, and Kairi's cloths fluttered violently; Kairi shrieked in fear until she realized there was no danger. War Greymon scowled at Setsuna as he slammed his foot onto the ground. Magma and molten rock erupted around him and rain back down upon the boy. He panicked and looked for an escape but soon realized the magma was not hot when she touched it. Lastly, Metal Garurumon blow a cold wind at Isane and ice shard formed. The shards danced violently around her but never once did they cut or scrape her.
"We are the Great Four," said Mirage Gaogamon, "We govern the elements of triplicity: Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water."
"Each of these corresponds to the Zodiac Digimon we govern was well. I, War Greymon, govern the Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. You shall represent me, Setsuna of Earth."
"Mamoru," said Shine Greymon, "You are the ruler of the Fire signs: Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries."
"Isane, I am Metal Garurumon and you wield the Water signs: Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio."
"Lastly," said Mirage Gaogamon, "Kairi of Air, Gemini, Aquarius, and Libra are your signs, the Air signs."
Suddenly, the elements formed spheres in their respective child's right hand. The elements turned bright white and when the light subsided a strange looking object was in the hands of the children. It was rectangular with a ring half way on the bottom. The object had a rectangular port on the top and a red scanner on the side. There was a green square screen in the middle and three slanted buttons. The each child's had a different trim and button color; Mamoru's was orange, Isane's lime green, Setsuna's was purple, and Kairi's was grey.
"These are your Digivices, the Digivice Burst," said War Greymon
The kids stared in amazement as the Digivces glowed in their hands. The lights vanished; suddenly, a lime green light appeared in front of Isane, an orange light in front of Mamoru, a grey light in front of Kairi, and a purple light in front of Setsuna. From this light formed four creatures appeared. The first was a child sized, dark grey gear; it had two red eyes, a golden outline, and two smaller cogs where hands might have been.
"Kairi," said Mirage Gaogamon, "This is Hagurumon of Libra."
Kairi's eye twitched a little and her face turned into a frown.
"This is it," she asked, "I don't get some ass-kicking war machine?"
Hagurumon didn't show any sadness or frustration. It didn't even seem to have emotions. Next, a cat-like creature stepped from the orange light. This cat had golden fur, much more like a lion than a domestic cat. The cat also had green eyes, a rather muscular body, a red tuft of hair, and a necklace with an emerald-colored, oval-shaped jewel in it.
"Hey Mamoru, I'm Liollmon of Leo."
Mamoru shrieked and jumped with childish excitement. Unlike Kairi, Mamoru was amazed with had strong and fearsome Liollmon looked. Mamoru looked to his left and saw a strange, big creature appear in front of Setsuna. This creature had bat wings and a chunky body; the upper half of its body was a deep purple and the creature had yellow eyes.
"I'm Tsukaimon of Taurus, what the hell are you looking at," it said to Mamoru and Setsuna.
Mamoru said nothing in response and turned his attention back to Liollmon. Setsuna observed and analyzed the creature; he preferred to view things from afar before interacting with them.
"Got this kid's lame," said Tsukaimon rudely.
Everyone looked over to Isane's Digimon, the final of the four. This Digimon was like a freakish tadpole that hadn't finished turning into a frog. This creature had a single large, red fin on its back. The creature was mainly green with a white under belly and blue stripes on its back.
"I'm Betamon," it said brightly, "I'm the avatar of Cancer."
Isane looked at the creature with her usual blank expression.
"That's nice, I guess."
"Now that you've all received your first Digimon," Shine Greymon paused and basked in the moment, "You need to venture out and find the other eight and master your Digisouls."
Each of the Great Four pointed at the children and their hands were covered in the same lights that their Digimon came from. The children looked unto their Digisouls with amazement like the elements that once surrounded them. Shine Greymon continued,
"Each of your Digisouls has its own properties: Mamoru your Digisoul empowers others with your courage, Setsuna you shall be able to fight on an even plane with Digimon, Kairi your shield shall protect those around you, and Isane you will be able to feel the sentiments of those around you, empathize in a sense."
"We will take our leave now," said Metal Garurumon.
All of them left except for Shine Greymon. He looked unto the Zodiac Digimon and Children as the Digisouls subsided. This was a landmark event; these four children could truly liberate the Digital World. The a smile on his face, Shine Greymon made eye contact with Mamoru for only a moment before vanishing like the others.
The kids weren't exactly sure what to do. The looked at each other awkwardly for a moment before a noise came from behind them. A small knight Digimon appeared behind the group. He wielded two swords, wore armor, and had a red tuft of hair on top.
"Humans? When I'm finished killing you all, I will tell my master, Lord Knightmon, that we must destroy the Human World next."
"Who-what are you?"
Just after Mamoru spoke the creature attacked. Mamoru stood back with fear as the Digimon charged at him.
"I'm Gladimon, and you're dead!"
Suddenly, Liollmon, Betamon, Tsukaimon, and Hagurumon were engulfed in their partners distinctive Digisouls. The need for survival had activated their Digisouls; this was evolution. Liollmon drowned in the orange energy; when the Digisoul subsided, a large humanoid lion stood in Liollmon's place. This lion had a bright yellow mane and pointy ears. He had a red necklace on that sat on his bare chest. The Digimon was wearing black pants and had a black belt wrapped around his left hand. On this Digimon's back was the sheath of his sword and below that was his tail. The beast roared loudly at Gladimon, who stopped in his tracks.
"I am Leo's beast king, Leomon!"
After Leomon, Hagurumon finished transforming. This Digimon was vastly different from Hagurumon. It stood at the height of a grown man and had a full body. Most noticeably, this Digimon had a large circular mirror on each arm. He was entirely green with a mirror where his head should be. The Digimon also had a mirror where its stomach should be. This Digimon's head was pointed at the top and it also had shoulder pads that extended about a foot and a half off of its shoulders.
"I am Mercuremon of Libra."
Kairi was impressed by Hagurumon's "replacement." Kairi looked over to Isane and saw a new Digimon there too. This Digimon was like a bizarre turtle; it had a yellow head, tail, and rear fins. It had a pink Mohawk on its head and a pink beak to match. Instead of a front set of fins, this Digimon had two sharp blades shaped like fins. On the top of its green shell, this Digimon had three spikes and from its head there were two green antennae.
"I am Archelomon of Cancer, nice to meet ya'."
Lastly was Tsukaimon's new evolution. This evolution was a bull; it had blue armor with a hint of gold around its hooves and its horns were gold too. The Digimon had a blue helmet on and a red cape came from the back of it. Its brown skin was visible on its thighs as there was a gap in its leg armor. Its tail swung back and forth as it snorted loudly.
"I am Bullmon of Taurus, and Gladimon, I'm gonna crush you."
"Guys help," shouted Gladimon.
Three more Gladimon appeared, evening out the numbers. One Gladimon charged at Leomon and duel began. Despite having two swords, Gladimon's attacks were being deflected and dodged with ease. Gladimon brought both swords high above his head and brought them down unto Leomon. The lion side-stepped Gladimon's attack and slashed at the knight.
"Shishioumaru!"
Leomon's attack was heard and seen by all; he brought his down onto Gladimon. The knight screamed in pain as he was cut in two. For the first time Mamoru had seen a Digimon get deleted; Gladimon dissolved and turned into an egg. Elsewhere, Mercuremon was blocking all of his Gladimon's attacks. Kairi was getting frustrated that Mercuremon was not attacking and decided to say something about it.
"Come on you sissy! Kill 'em already!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Upon Kairi's request, Mercuremon allowed Gladimon to attack him. The round little knight stabbed at Mercuremon but his attack was absorbed into Mercuremon arm-mirrors.
"Generous Mirror."
An exact copy of Gladimon's sword appeared from Mercuremon's mirror. The sword stabbed straight through Gladimon's armor and the knight was deleted like the first.
"Alright, that was kinda cool, but next time, do more punching and stuff."
The Gladimon fighting Archelomon saw its brothers being killed and turned more ferocious. He assumed a battle stance and then charged at the turtle Digimon.
"Sword Dancer!"
Gladimon unleashed a fury of slashes and stabs at Archelomon. The turtle retracted into its shell until Gladimon had tired itself out. With this opportunity, Archelomon rocketed itself at Gladimon and appeared out of its shell at the last minute.
"Fin Cutter!"
Archelomon's fin-blade slashed through the defenseless Gladimon, leaving it bifurcated and defeated. Isane stared at Archelomon blankly and turned to see what Setsuna was doing. Finally, one more Gladimon to go. This Gladimon tried to run away from Bullmon but only angered the violent creature.
"Matador Dash!"
Bullmon's shout echoed for miles as it prepared to attack. The beast charged the fleeing Gladimon and pierced through Gladimon's back with its horns.
"To hell with all of you! Humans are nothing but trouble, don't trust them!"
Mamoru was shocked by Gladimon's dying words as he saw the final knight get deleted. Kairi had given the dying Gladimon the middle finger for his comment.
"What do we do now," asked Setsuna.
"There's a village down the road, Maiden's Village. War Greymon told me that Virgo lives there."
"Well then let's go," said Mamoru cheerfully.
Leomon and Mamoru ran down the road excitedly. Kairi quickly followed, but Setsuna and Isane walked at an average speed behind them. They headed to the home of Virgo the virgin, Maiden's Village.