Disclaimer: In no way do I own Digimon.
The second visit to the Digital World, and already, a lot has changed.
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Binary
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"I believe you guys owe me an explanation," Miyako taps her foot impatiently when a group of people crash out of the computer screen before her eyes.
"It's not what it looks like!" Daisuke immediately says from under a pile of torsos and limbs, the first instinct is to plead innocence. Taichi is trying to untangle himself as he run through a lot of bad excuses in his mind. "It's because... that we... uhh," he looks towards the computer geek that is indiscreetly sneaking out of the interrogating zone. Taichi of course is not going to let his longtime friend off the hook that easily.
"Izzy can explain!"
Koushiro already has a hand on the doorknob when Miyako redirects her questioning gaze. "That... uhh..." Koushiro stammers, not sure how to continue. That is when the door lending to the computer room is slide open, from the outside.
And then everyone panics, Takeru hastens onto his feet, making sure to help Hikari up as well while Daisuke does the same. The two boys end up getting in each others way, tripping over again, and landing in a painful mess. The pause that followed stretches into an awkward uncomfortable silence.
"... What are you guys doing on the floor?" the newcomer finally speaks up, confused, and Taichi looks up in amazement and relief.
"Sora? Hmm... hi?"
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17:01:34 Friday. Digi-Port OPEN. Freezeland outskirt, File Island.
17:01:38 Friday. Digi-Port CLOSE. Freezeland outskirt, File Island.
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So due to Miyako's insistence, Iori's curiosity, and Sora Takenouchi unexpectedly dropping by... the DigiDestined return to the DigiWorld about ten minutes later with three new additions to the adventure team. Taichi and Takeru are especially surprised by the change in scenery when they touch down and an expanse of dreary tundra with patches of snow greets their eyes. The Port, it seems, opened to a completely different area from their last visit a couple minutes ago.
And it is cold.
"Are you feeling alright, Kari?" Taichi asks, a bit worried about the younger Yagami sibling's wellbeing due to her previous sprain.
"I'm fine," Hikari reassures her older brother as she tests her ankle, it feels okay now as long as she does only limited running, "I am more worried about Gatomon though. Where is she?"
Sora nods in understanding, having the same concern for Biyomon, even as she places a comforting hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "I'm sure she is fine," Sora says and Hikari smiles, glad for the emotional support.
On the other side of the clearing, Daisuke's teeth are chattering in the coldness even as he calls for his new partner, "V-V-V-mon! V-mon!" The wind is blowing gently, carrying his voice further, and less than a few minutes later there is an echoing reply.
"Daisuke!" V-mon's short stature appears from behind the mounds of exposed rock and sheets of ice, with the two other digimons following after his heels. "Daisuke! So good to see you again so soon!"
"See, Tsukaimon, it has only been one day," Agumon grins, showing teeth. Tsukaimon is not impressed though. "You are lucky to survive this long," the Virus digimon huffs indignantly, turning away, "On the other hand, I do not plan on getting killed through sheer stupidity and baseless optimism."
"Have you seen Gatomon?" Hikari asks Agumon the moment she gets the chance, but the dinosaur digimon only shakes his head. "What about Biyomon?" Sora is quick to inquire about her partner's whereabouts, too, but Agumon looks even more depressed at that question, not liking the idea of being the deliverer of bad news. "The Digimon Emperor has been tracking us for awhile now, I am worried that some of us are not fortunate enough to escape capture," Agumon explains, "After you guys left yesterday, Patamon-"
"Wait a second," Iori interrupts, "Yesterday? But that don't make sense! It's only been a few minutes!"
"Time flows differently between worlds," Tsukaimon rejoins the conversation with a small frown etched between his brows, "How often do I have to remind you guys?"
"Anyway, we received message from Patamon yesterday, and it seems that there is an area within this region of Freezeland that is protected from the Digimon Emperor's control," Agumon continues his tale, "We are making our way there right now, and is hoping we'll meet up with the others on the route there!"
"I see," Taichi contemplates the situation.
"Don't get your hopes up," Tsukaimon adds scathingly, "I've seen a Control Spire less than a mile back, so I doubt whatever Patamon said is true."
"Huh, aren't you a cynical one?" Hikari pokes the digimon on the cheek, causing his fur to go up like an alarmed cat before he flees onto Takeru's shoulder. "Hey, don't do that! I bite!" he says, baring his tiny teeth, but it makes him look more adorable than frightening. Hikari giggles.
"Okay, listen up, people." Taichi claps his hands together to get everyone's attention as he climbs a small hill to get a better view of the surrounding plains. "Finding our digimons a save lodging is our top priority, so here's what we are going t-" Before he can finish the sentence however, the snowy dune he has been standing on moved! The human teen falls on his sides as a result as Agumon hurries over, but before neither of them can react, both Taichi and Agumon are swatted aside by a giant freezing palm.
It is a snowman-like digimon, and he has a dark ring around his wrist!
[Frigimon] [Champion-Vaccine-NSp/NSo]
"Digimon Emperor's minions are all over the place!" Tsukaimon is already flying in the opposite direction, planning to use the others as bait for his escape.
Baby Flame! Agumon loyally stays by his fallen partner's side, trying to drive back the Champion with the heat of his fiery attacks. "Daisuke!" V-mon looks to his human friend as the latter nods with determination. "Ready, V-mon? Digi-armor energize!"
(V-mon)... armor-digivolve... Flamedramon: The Fire of Courage!
Fox Fire!
A blast of cold flame suddenly comes from the side, landing a hit on Flamedramon with the element of surprise and sending him reeling over as the wound starts to frost. Daisuke is shocked, turning to see a large and dangerous-looking striped wolf joining in the fight. Flamedramon quickly stands despite his injury, knowing to not take the new foe lightly.
[Garurumon] [Champion-Data/Vaccine-ME/NSp/NSo]
"Garurumon!" Taichi calls out in surprise and mild confusion, but Agumon is holding his partner down to prevent him from acting without thinking it through. Sora, though, is quick to notice what her friend has missed. "Tai, look! Garurumon has a dark ring around his neck, we've got to run!"
"Damnit!" Taichi curses as he gets up from the ground, knowing Sora is right. Miyako is screaming as she scampers after Iori; Takeru is helping Hikari along as they go after Tsukaimon in a different direction; Flamedramon is on the defensive, struggling to fend off two Champions at the same time, and Daisuke is desperately trying to help. Everything is in chaos, and Taichi needs to get his acts together.
"Take care of Hikari!" Taichi calls toward TK and goes after Miyako with Sora close behind, those kids don't have digimon protecting them, so no matter how much Taichi worries for his sister, he know this is the right choice at the moment.
"Don't worry!" Takeru promises, before Tsukaimon uses his Purple Fog! guardingly to cause a whirlwind of dense mist, swallowing the trio into the dark haze and cutting off pursuit.
"Daisuke, let's go!" Taichi grabs hold of the younger teen's arm as he runs pass with Sora, Agumon bringing up the rear. "We can win this, Taichi-senpai!" Daisuke tries to free himself, but Taichi's clutch is firm. "Listen, Daisuke, two Champions is too much for Flamedramon. We've got to run while he holds them off."
"But..."
Sub-zero Ice Punch!
Fox Fire!
Those attacks miss their desired target, but the combined might causes the ground to trimmer and the snowy landscape to slide. And oh NO! Taichi thinks in horror, it's an avalanche! "Daisuke!" Flamedramon leaps after his partner, stretching out his arms, but Daisuke is too far away. Miyako screams as their foothold gives out, causing them all to drop together; Sora manages to reach Iori and does her best to shield the young kid from too much harm; Agumon looks at his partner in dismay, unhappy at himself for not being able to digivolve; and Taichi shouts in frustration, clenching his fists as he falls down the cliff with the others, angry for failing to protect any of his charges.
It is a long drop, and Garurumon watches them fall from the top of the precipice.
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17:01:46 Friday. Freezeland, File Island.
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"I hope the others escaped alright," Hikari says quietly, limping beside her best friend as he helps her hop in a more measurable pace. The snow accumulated underfoot gets progressively thicker the further they travel into Freezeland and is getting increasingly difficult to walk, not to mention the cold, but thankfully there is no sign of blizzard on the horizon.
"I'm sure they did," Takeru reassures her softly, "We'll have to take care of ourselves in the meantime though."
"We're still doomed if we run into any more of Digimon Emperor's underlines in this state," Tsukaimon points out waving his small paw around, already making a habit out of riding on the young human teen's head. "Ditch the girl, TK, she'll slow us down."
"You're lucky you are cute," Hikari flicks Tsukaimon gently on the floppy ear-wing to show that she is displeased, but isn't one to raise ire over such trivial matters. "Don't do that!" Tsukaimon repeats, is really annoyed by the general lack of respect.
"Well, you can find another ride if you're feeling so irked," Takeru tells the digimon on his head, so Tsukaimon blows a loud raspberry to express just how unhappy he is with the whole situation.
"That's real mature," Takeru rolls his eyes. Just then, a hairy yeti-like shadow appears in a distance, and his hope lifts. "Hey, maybe it's help?" Takeru gestures as he look to Hikari for a second opinion, "Mojyamon is friendly if memory serves me right."
[Mojyamon] [Champion-Vaccine-NSp]
"I'm not so sure about this, TK," Tsukaimon is cautious, if a little borders on paranoid. "Better safe than sorry."
"We'll all freeze to death if we don't find a shack or something," Takeru says, already waving his hands to catch the Vaccine digimon's attention. "And Kari needs to rest."
What he doesn't expect is for an icy spear Icicle Rod! to be thrown in their direction, barely missing as it buries into their path.
"I TOLD you!" Tsukaimon screams.
The humans turn to run as the Rookie digimon takes the air, but the ground is covered with snow and ice, making their escape virtually impossible. "Ahh-!" Hikari cries out, slipping on a loose rock due to her barely-healed ankle and falls, scraping her elbows in the process.
Icicle Rod! Icicle Rod! Icicle Rod!
"Kari!" Takeru backtracks, dropping to his knee beside his friend to help her up, but the attacks are coming too quickly! Another icy cold spear lands, missing his left arm only by inches, and Takeru looks up, trying not to despair even as he realize they will not be able to evade the next round of assaults!
Icicle Ro- Lightning Paw! Cat Kick!
There's a howl of pain from the Mojyamon and Hikari's brown eyes widen in surprise and happiness. A feline-like digimon leaps from the whiteness of the snowscape that serves as a natural camouflage and delivers a physical beating with sharp claws and heavy kicks only a Champion can match!
[Gatomon] [Champion-Vaccine/Free-NSp/VB]
"Kari!" Gatomon calls out in concern, even as she whips her tail across Mojyamon's neck Cat Tail! and the power enhanced by the Holy Ring allows her to shatter the dark ring there, waking up the digital monster from the nightmare of enslavement for good. "Are you alright?"
"Gatomon!" Hikari exclaims in delight, holding her arms open as her digimon partner races to her side, finally reuniting in an embrace. "I'm so glad you are okay! We saw Garurumon earlier and..." Hikari sniffs, holding back her tears. "I was so worried."
Gatomon pats the young teen soothingly, "I know," she says gently.
"Gatomon," Takeru offers his own greeting after he helps the wounded Mojyamon up from the ground. The Champion digimon is still a bit dazed when Tsukaimon finally turn up again, deciding that the coast is safe enough for him to return. "Do you know where Patamon is? Is he okay?"
The feline digimon gives Tsukaimon a suspicious hard glare before answering. "Yes," she tells Takeru with a soft smile, "We've being traveling together for some time now and I've been meaning to take you there. Follow me. And we have to hurry, before the blizzard set in."
"Where are we going?" Hikari asks, curious, as Mojyamon carefully picks her up. The digimon is thankful for his freedom, and is glad to offer help any way he can.
Gatomon gives her partner a mysterious grin. "Ice Sanctuary!"
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17:01:53 Friday. Ice Sanctuary, Freezeland, File Island.
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About half an hour later as the wind slowly picks up speed, a white castle built purely out of ice and snow comes fully into view, causing both Hikari and Takeru to gasp in reverence at its magnificence.
"It's so beautiful," Hikari whispers, almost afraid to disturb the serenity that seems to exude from the crystallized temple. She holds Gatomon tighter as Mojyamon places her gently back onto the ground and steadies her steps.
Tsukaimon hisses in displeasure from atop Takeru's hat as the human teen carries him through the sparkling gates, "This is a holy place, I don't like it."
"Of course you don't," Gatomon shrugs, skipping up the front steps after the two, her partner follows close behind. "This ground repels those without the Vaccine attribute and other viral matters, meanin-" Before she finishes, however, a low hum interrupts her thoughts. It is the sounds of dark rings spinning through the air, and there are three of them!
"Hurry, into the Sanctuary!" Gatomon shouts. Mojyamon rushes in just as Tsukaimon begrudgingly complies, though the latter immediately falls ill and can only hang limp in Takeru's arms. The feline digimon is now standing the closest to the entrance, and the rings are aiming straight for her!
"Gatomon!" Hikari cries, closing her eyes too afraid to look... but only the sounds of shattering glass greet her ears. She tentatively peeks through her fingers expecting the worst for her dearest friend, but what she sees is the dark rings breaking into a million pieces as if they smashed into an invisible wall. "W-What...? What happened?"
Gatomon hops up the final steps before she begins to explain. "The Ice Sanctuary also repels all viral matters, including the dark rings," she says, carefully closing the heavy doors after her, "It is protected from the Emperor's control."
"That's convenient," Takeru concludes, taking it all in. But Gatomon shakes her head, "We are already running out of space though."
True to those words, the group sees another two Mojyamon in a closed-off area taking care of a dozen Pukamon and Tunomon. The Mojyamon they just freed immediately makes a beeline for his comrade as they see three more Frigimon around the next area. "It really is kind of crowded," Takeru agrees, as a couple Penguinmon waddle down the corridor pass them. And there is even a few Virus attributed Betamon huddling together in a relatively secluded corner, looking sickly but keeping to themselves, still rather stay in. "Looks bad."
The hall is a bit less jammed as they slowly make their way through, and a lot more welcoming. In the middle of the last and largest room, there's an elegantly carved ice statue of the guardian with its Holy Rod raised and six silvery wings extended, poised for flight.
Takeru cannot help but stop to admire the beauty of the Angemon ice sculpture that he almost doesn't notice the small orange-cream creature by the altar before the statue.
"TK!" Patamon squeaks in much delight, at once flying to his partner with a huge grin on his face. Takeru runs forward to meet him halfway, holding him close to the chest with his one free hand and spins merry circles. Hikari and Gatomon look at each other, both smiling and feeling happy for their friends.
"Patamon! Oh, how I miss you!"
[Patamon] [Rookie-Data/Vaccine-VB/WG]
The moment doesn't last long, however, because Tsukaimon chooses then to shake off his weakened slumber, probably due to feeling his privilege to ride around the human boy being threatened, and he proceeds to smack Patamon over the head with his wing. "Hey!" Patamon yelps shying away, annoyed and verging on hurt tears, "What do you do that for?"
Tsukaimon sticks out his tongue. "I hate you. Go away."
Now Patamon is more annoyed as he puffs up his cheeks. "I don't like you, either," he says, possessively holding on to the front of TK's shirt. "Why is a Tsukaimon with us anyway, TK? Make him leeeaave...?"
"Don't talk about me like that!"
"Now, now, you two," Takeru sweatdrops as the two furred digimons clinging resolutely to each of his arms descend into a series of childish banter, even going as far as to slap and pull at each other's faces.
"You're ugly!"
"No, you're ugly!"
"... Both look the same to me."
"You have awful colors!"
"Does not!"
"Does too!"
"Does not-!"
"Okay, stop!" Takeru raises his voice, putting an end to this immature madness.
The girls have already moved pass the trio when they haven't done screwing around, even as they laugh silently at the display. "TK, come over here when you're finished!" Hikari calls from where she is at the altar before the statue. "Okay," Takeru answers, redirecting his attention to the two mammalian digimons that is using his upper body as some sort of warzone. "Get off my head, Tsukaimon, my hat is falling off! Patamon? I can't keep balancing you on my elbow, it's really tiring."
"Look at these, TK," Hikari is waving at her friend to come closer, and Takeru finally focuses on the items consecrated on the platform: the Digimentals of Hope and Light.
"Pick it up, Kari," Gatomon encourages, even as Hikari shakes her head uncertainly. "I think these are meant for someone else," she says quietly, "I mean, Tai couldn't pick up the Digimental of Courage..."
"It won't hurt to try, right?" Patamon nudges on his partner's shoulder.
"But..."
Just then, soft light shines from both DigiDestined's pockets, basking the large room in a warm glow. Tsukaimon hisses angrily from where he stands, reflexively wanting to hide from the holy source, as Hikari and Takeru slowly take out their respectively digivices. Many dozen pairs of eyes from around the room watch in quiet veneration, all witnessing the digital gadgets morph into newer models as if to accommodate their owners.
"This is just like Daisuke's...?"
"But why...?"
"I believe this is for you, Kari," Gatomon gestures at the Digimental of Light, smiling.
"Pick it up, TK!" Patamon says in happy excitement, doubly so now that Tsukaimon has retreated to sulk in a corner.
Hikari and Takeru look to each other with determination, nodding once, before both close their fingers around the Digimentals that bear the symbols of their respective crests.
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(Gatomon) (Digimental of Light)
00111000011010001111011010111101110
Gatomon
001011011001111011001011000101
... Armor-digivolve...
01110001010011000101100101010001001011010111101110
Nefertimon: The Angel of Light
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(Patamon) (Digimental of Hope)
10000000011010000001011010111101110
Patamon
001011011001111011001011000101
... Armor-digivolve...
10000001010011100001100111010110011011010111101110
Pegasusmon: Flying Hope
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Nefertimon, a white sphinx of Egyptian lore with silver facemask and armor adored with jewelry, complete with dangerous talons and pure white angelic wings. Then there is Pegasusmon, a handsome winged stallion straight out of Roman myths with blond mane and orange fur, golden gauntlets and delicately carved breastplate.
[Nefertimon] [Armor-Vaccine/Free-NSp/VB]
[Pegasusmon] [Armor-Vaccine-WG/VB]
And just like that, the Digimon Emperor doesn't feel so worrying as half a minute ago. Because as of now, two more DigiDestined have acquired the ability to fight back!
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17:02:02 Friday. Freezeland, File Island.
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"Over there!" Tsukaimon says, pointing to a Control Spire almost hidden by the heavy snowfall as he clutches tensely onto Takeru's shoulder. It is the same as the one he has spotted awhile ago. "Do you see it?" The human boy holds firmly onto Pegasusmon's neck, squinting his eyes at the tower that resembles a pure black obelisk that cuts a jarring view across the scenery. "Yes!" Takeru calls his answer over the wind, "So... we take that appalling thing down, and the Emperor guy loses his control over this area?"
"Over simplifying it, but yes."
"TK, I'm ready when you are," Pegasusmon says in his deeper voice, tossing his head. Takeru pats his partner affectionately, keen eyes already scanning the clearing where the dark tower is erected, "Of course, big guy. I know how much you want to help our friends." There is Garurumon standing guard with two Frigimon, and, a small gesture from Kari they easily come to a silent agreement. The time to attack is... NOW!
Star Shower!
Nile Jewelry!
Garurumon is fast enough to evade the first rain of attacks from high above due to his peerless agility, but the two Frigimon are not so lucky, both taking a lot of hits and the dark rings around their wrists shatter amid the action.
"Did we get them?" Hikari asks, trying to make herself heard in the increasing wind, just as a pillar of blue fire blow pass her, only narrowly missing the mark. "Ahh!" Hikari calls out, more from shock than fear, and Nefertimon beats her wings faster to farther distancing them from the formidable opponent. "Hold on tight, Kari!"
Curse of Queen! Nefertimon veers a sharp left turn, aiming a concentrated beam that fires from her head gear at Garurumon just as Pegasusmon launches his second attack Silver Blaze! from a different direction. They coordinate perfectly, and, as Garurumon dodges one, he cannot again evade the other!
"Ahhh!" Garurumon howls in distress as the ring around his neck finally breaks apart, bright pale light covers his whole body reverting him back to his Rookie form, and the digimon partner of the Child of Friendship faints in the snow.
"Alright!" Takeru exclaims with a laugh, punching the air in contained excitement but still ends up shaking Tsukaimon off his shoulder by accident. "Oops, sorry Tsukaimon! Fantastic work, Pegasusmon!" The winged mammal grumbles unhappily as he barely hangs onto the teen's shirt and the flying stallion neighs softly, proud for a job well-done, "It was nothing."
"Now let's take down the Control Spire," Hikari says, smiling also. Nefertimon nods, "My pleasure." Curse of Queen!
The first sight of a black obelisk tower crumbling to the ground is definitely going to be one of Takeru's more pleasuring moments in his memory. And the boy breaks into an almost uncharacteristic grin, pleased that a source of darkness is no more.
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A/N: From this chapter onward, the story will diverge from Digimon Adventure 02, with different villains and plotlines.
Ice Sanctuary is a canon place of the Digital World, though it makes no appearance in the shows. It is located at the Southern part of Freezeland on File Island. There really is an ice sculpture of Angemon in the temple, and a better suited location for the Digimentals of Hope and Light when compared to a random nameless cave.
More observant readers will notice that the binary codes for digivolution are different from chapter1, they are not random numbers. They are the binary codes for each digimon's name, following the order: "-" as 00000, A as 00001, B as 00010, etc., Z as 11010.
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Attributes
Vaccine
Data
Virus
Variable- Mimics the opponent's attribute(s)
Free- No strength, no weakness
Fields
(NSp) Natural Spirits
(DR) Dragons' Roar
(VB) Virus Busters
(NSo) Nightmare Soldiers
(JT) Jungle Troopers
(WG) Wind Guardians
(ME) Metal Empire
(DS) Deep Savers
