Net Savers

Chapter 3

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"They're gathering…"

The voice echoed in the Dark Area as Phascomon stomped around the spot he occupied; a wide radius due to his growing power which kept other viral types away. Siegfried was minding his own, sipping at a warm cup of tea when he heard Phascomon speak. Turning to the large monitor that housed the digimon, the adult went to check on the digimon. "What do you mean?" he typed into the text box. A tree fell as Phascomon stomped about some more. "The destined ones. The ones that could ruin us." Siegfried's eyes narrowed as he rested a hand on the console. "What do you mean...destined?" Phascomon sneered, finally sitting down to relax. "The destined ones are others who have digimon that break the reality of the scripted code. Ones that know I will be coming. They will tell their tamers then find the way into the digital world to stop me." The digimon breathed. Gritted teeth showed the other's ire as he gripped a fist onto the panel. "Then...you have a plan to stop them, yes?" Phascomon grinned and nodded. "I do. There is more to this world than the creator cared to imagine. They made this world to have little incident aside from a lost creature when their life expires from causes or battle. They were ignorant to evolution, to expanding. We will show the error of that ignorance as we take this world. And all it requires...is the Black Gears…"

"Black Gears?"

Phascomon gave a wider smirk, raising a claw and soon, something began to rise from the depths of the digital world. A code overlook by the creator himself. A code that brought along a perfect controlling mechanism that Phascomon knew upon his creation as an obtainable digimon. The idea of a truly evil digimon that wasn't a boss to an area was an error overlooked, especially one that knew of this infringing concept that could tear the fabric of the world apart. Such a power was now in Siegfried's hands to manipulate as he wished. Said male smirked as he looked to the slowly winding gear that hovered over the claw that pulled it free from the coding. "Good...this is very good. I have some business to attend to so please...enjoy these gears and create an army to stop the destined." Phascomon nodded to his tamer's whims as he brought more of the gears out from the digital earth. "Your wish is my command, Siegfried." With that promise made, Phascomon sent the gears out into the world, to claim the will of any digimon it struck. Their plan was beginning and the destined lacked time. They would have to gather soon before the worse would befall their world once the digital one falls.

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"So guys...what do you think?"

That was the question asked once Strabimon had left their digimon, story told. The digimon were quiet themselves as their tamers spoke through the group message Malik brought up. "Ya know...I don't really know myself. It seems so...so…" Malik didn't have much of a way to finish the statement and Yugi couldn't blame him. Their digimon were alive. Living, breathing creatures of a digital realm. Different from thousands of others within the server and knowing of a great calamity to corrupt the entire system. And all of this was happening right under Kaiba Corp.'s ever watching eye. It was crazy but as the digimon spoke to their every text like they have, it was believable. Once Strabimon departed to allow them to think over their involvement to the situation, Agumon and Gabumon worked with Gigimon for training to digivolve but told each of them to consult their friends later. They were likely other destined but didn't know it yet, awaiting the right time to be told of their purpose to an entire digital realm. Jou didn't get off work til late so he and Kaiser should have time to hop on. Ryou and Diamond they haven't heard from yet but are likely to be in game soon to join them. Gabumon glanced up as Gigimon went to tackle another Tokomon that had wandered into the area. "Yugi...is all ok?" The sudden voice directed at him made the teen jump but he calmed himself as he looked to the screen.

"I'm alright, still taking everything in but I'll be fine." Gabumon gave a nod before his gaze flickered back just in time to see the in-training digimon begin to digivolve. "Finally! I thought you would never digivolve!" Malik cheered as the newly digivolved Guilmon pouted. "You're mean, tamer!" Malik laughs from his side of the screen and nodded. "Ya know, I'm just joking~ If we're gonna talk outside the coding, ya better get used to it!" The digimon laughed warmly before offering to explore on their own to give the three a much needed break. "A break sound like a good idea. I'll see if Ryou or Diamond are planning to hop on so we can meet with them." Malik spoke and Yugi nodded to the offer. He was curious if they knew about what was going on like they did. If they were destined and join them on this journey that fell into their lap, Yugi was left to feel a bit anxious. He could tell from Strabimon's explanation and Gabumon's expression that this was a very serious situation to need the help of all the destined. But his anxiety stemmed from the idea that not all his friends would share this matter. For them to be like all the regular players unaware to this danger to befall the digital realm. The boy couldn't imagine the thought of what horrors would fall onto their digimon and they could do nothing about it. Their fate of a peaceful game realm rested in the destined hands and if something went wrong, the weight of such would be on Yugi's shoulders even if it was essentially a group effort. His kind heart was the type to take on more burdens than necessary and even if the thought of going into the digital world was exciting in theory, one mistake could mean the end not only of Gabumon but himself as well.

There was also school to consider. They were still in their junior year and the excuse of being in a digital world to save it wouldn't net as the best excuse. The digimon began to travel along with Guilmon tagging with them, battling opponents left and right to gather the experience they need to better themselves. Anything could happen and they were wise to take caution to their surroundings. A ping from Topaz's screen made the boy look up. Seeing it was a message from Diamond that the two were on their way into the server, Topaz made a reply back what area they were in so they could meet up. "We're not far from Drill Tunnel...let's head over there!" Topaz sent through the group chat. "Drill Tunnel?! Where all the Drimogemon are!? Man I hate that place!" Agumon whined. "Oh stop. You got away just fine last time we got too close!" Yugi chuckled at the banter and all was well despite the harrowing news of their soon to be future. The danger ahead was still a looming and stifling presence for the three but for now, things were playing as calmly as it should even as they missed the lone black gear flying overhead.

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"So let Toben get this straight. Some evil dude is about to take over the digital world server as we speak. Toben is gonna be part of some super-secret group of destined tamers to eventually go into the server to fight the digimon at the source."

"Yes, Toben."

"…ya sure this ain't some crazy ass joke for Toben?"

Floramon slapped a petaled hand to his forehead in exasperation. He loved his tamer, he really and truly did, but sometimes the boy was a complete dunce for his age. To be called a riddling prodigy was a clear miracle when it doesn't involve explaining something easy. Toben however grinned to his digimon's plight. The teen did so love to tease but acting daft but the very same, he was intrigued. As one in a select group of close friends and beta testers for the creator of the massive server, he was one to be Kaiba would spare no expense to make the code practically unhackable. So when he heard Floramon sass him for one of the wild battles they encountered, he knew something strange was up. This wasn't a normal coded reaction in the game, not with the stare he received from the digimon. Now the question would be how this entire "rescue the digital world" would operate.

Would they be pulled into the dimension, body and all, or will their bodies be left behind and left in a comatose state while their subconscious wandered. It was indeed a fascinating take and personally, Toben was hoping it was the first option. Less chances of him being missed within the household though the very same was shared with one other. Sending Floramon on his way to battle some more, Toben leaned back in his chair. He couldn't wait for the moment when all these destined players come together. The excitement was real in playing around the internet physically and not behind a screen all the time.

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Later in the day as promised, Ryou and Diamond had popped into the server, Ryou apologizing for the wait. "Got distracted with a new campaign map I wanted to try out on Tuesday." Ryou typed sheepishly. "Which means I'm going to be your test dummy to another one of Zorc's Castle traps? Man, wasn't the constant wall of fire not enough?!" Malik whined playfully. "I made it an advanced campaign trap this time! Promise!" Malik chuckled before giving a nod, telling Ryou where their digimon were and the boy nodded, their last stopping point being at File City which wasn't far from the tunnel. As Syakomon and Viximon headed there, Agumon looked to the other two. "Think we should mention the danger to them or allow them to figure it out on their own?" Agumon questioned. Guilmon shrugged while Gabumon tapped a foot. It would be wise as the two approaching are friends to their tamers but if they responded like anything else and were just normal digimon in the middle of an intense situation, it would do them no good as the destined partner digimon. "Let's see if they know anything. If so, then we'll explain. If not, we proceed as normal for a day of exploration and training." The two dino digimon nodded, Guilmon easily distracted to the scent of a nearby Digimushroom and went to get it.

When Syakomon and Viximon came hopping into the area, the new group of five began their exploration, turning from the tunnel to head back through Native Forest. A few RedVegimon and ModokiBetamon were around but hardly a challenge for the rookies. Viximon bounced around as she watched the digimon fight before seeing something in the distance. It was shiny and blue and look quite delicious to attract her attention from the others as she went over to it. "And that's that. How you feeling, Agumon?" Topaz questioned. Agumon gave a thumbs up before glancing around, taking a quick count of the group and noticed that they were short one. In alarm, he alerted the others of the problem and Diamond gasped when she noticed Viximon was nowhere around them. Begging for them to find her, the rookies were well on their way, splitting up to explore the surrounding area. By Dragon's Eye Lake, a huff came from a digimon there, crude fishing rod in hand as it fished far into the lake for a little digisnapper or digitrout to roast. "Goddamn this is boring…" The digimon mumbled. Purple fur covered the digimon with white covering the underbelly, the pattern of the fur different yet familiar as yellow eyes looked out to the lake. A bite hadn't hit since coming to the zone and he was getting particularly bored. But alas, he was there while his tamer was currently away from the keyboard.

The digimon was originally planning to go to Beetle Land but the requirement to do so was in the lake as hinted by a fellow player during a follow-up on their adventures. With a wide yawn, the digimon stretched out over the grass, eyes closing to snooze for a bit. He was left unaware of the presence bouncing closer to him until a painful weight landed on one of his wings, causing a sharp squeal to leave the dark digimon. "What?!" he roared, the voice hardly intimidating for his size but it was enough to make the small in-training digimon roll off his wing. Flapping it a few times to make sure all was well with it, the digimon turned to glare at Viximon. "You have some real nerve disturbing me...no matter. You're a wimp anyway." he grumbled and Viximon pouted. "Excuse me! You have no right to talk at your size!" That made the other freeze up before growling as he pawed the ground. "That's it. You're asking for it. I was getting bored anyway and my tamer isn't here to tell me not to fight for my ground." Viximon huffed, tail fluffing but didn't plan to back down as she stood her ground. The sound of the "enemy approaching" warning made Diamond look to her screen, finally catching up to the wily in-training as she stood before the other. "It's a Tsukaimon...but don't they only show up at night around Tropical Jungle?" Was the question on her lips before nudging Ryou who was typing a message to the others about meeting at Dragon's Eye Lake while urging Syakomon to head there as he was the closer one to the zone. The two stared down each other before Tsukaimon let out a Purple Fog towards Viximon who retaliated with turning into a stone statue of herself, releasing her own toxic mist around the base.

"Ugh!" Tsukaimon growled, hopping back before pawing the ground and went in to charge at the statue. Viximon was still young and she couldn't keep up the statue act forever. This would provide him some good training in the end as it prepares him for what was to come later. At least, once he gets around to telling his tamer of what was to come when his help was needed. Slamming hard into the statue, Tsukaimon was the first to call Viximon a coward and unable to put up much of a fight for being in-training. Diamond growled as she heard the toxic banter, questioning to herself how this was allowed to be coded into the game before typing a response. "How about you don't pick on an in-training digimon! She surely couldn't have done anything bad to you!" Tsukaimon stopped with his neck tackle before glancing up to the screen where Diamond's monitor would likely be and huffed. "She did plenty! I'm already in a bad mood for this stupid digimon I'm supposed to be looking for in the lake! I didn't need her stepping on my ear either!" Diamond was floored by the response before looking to Ryou who shrugged. When Syakomon arrived into the zone, Viximon returned to normal, panting a little before looking to the other. "He's mean, Syakomon! I just came over here for that!" she said, motioning to the Blue Apple that had caught her attention previously. Popping the shell open, Syakomon glared at Tsukaimon which got a glare in return, both beginning to argue which once more, left the two tamers to wonder if this was common interaction between other digimon but as they argued.

As they did, the line on the pole Tsukaimon left unattended began to get dragged down slowly into the water. The arguing was getting heated and while Viximon grabbed what she originally aimed to get, she saw the line being pulled and whimpered. "Guys...guys…" When she hardly broke the fight that was nearly about to happen, she puffed up and screamed to get their attention which got them to look at her. Knowing Tsukaimon was about to get snippy, she pointed to the line, the pole being pulled into the water but with it came the emergence of the irate Seadramon that glared down at the three digimon that sat there. Viximon quivered at the sight while Tsukaimon and Syakomon looked to it with a hint of fear. Being a champion, neither could really fight it with Tsukaimon's tamer still away and Syakomon never reaching champion form yet. "W-what do we do?!" Viximon called. "We have no other choice but to fight...I have something important to tell you, Ryou…but first you'll have to guide me for this fight!" Ryou nodded before the overlay for battle appeared on their screens. Diamond tapped to the other three about the battle to happen and for them to hurry as soon as possible as the Seadramon began the fight with Ice Arrow. The large icicle to shoot from its mouth aimed straight for Viximon and she gasped only for a Black Pearl shot from Syakomon shattered the ice with ease.

Seadramon roared in anger before unleashing a Water Breath at the group, Syakomon closing his shell for protection. "Syakomon!" Viximon called. "Go! The others will be here soon!" Syakomon shot back, opening his shell once more to launch another Black Pearl at the sea serpent, this one hitting home and the digimon roared though the damage was minimal. Tsukaimon huffed, stepping from the action but felt a headbutt to his back, turning to look at Viximon who demanded him to help. The dark digimon huffed to ask why he should and she glared at him. She may still be young but she just can't believe the behavior of one that was clearly a destined digimon. If his tamer was just as nasty, perhaps they could leave him or her out of the equation to avoid working with such a shameful excuse for a-

A cry from Syakomon made Viximon turn and she cried out to him as Seadramon lowered its head towards him, jaws wide and ready to crush him through his shell. Diamond looked to Ryou who held a worried gleam in his eyes for his digimon. The boy worked so hard for training Syakomon and just like that, he was going to lose him. It didn't help that the message the digimon had for him would likely go unheard. "Syakomon...please…" Ryou whispered, gripping the connected digivice he held. At the boy's will, the screen on it began to glow and within the server, Syakomon started to glow as well. "S-Syakomon!" Was the call from Viximon once more as Seadramon backed away with a hiss, readying another Water Blast to shoot at the glowing digimon. "Ryou! Ryou, Syakomon is-!" Ryou glanced up at Diamond's words and looked back to his laptop screen to see the phenomenon as Syakomon's glowing silhouette shifted and grew, arms growing from it as the shape of the shell gave way to a whole new shape. Ryou gasped as he watched and just before the glow could begin to fade, a clawed arm struck out.

"Coral Crusher!"

Hitting the face of the sea serpent, Seadramon roared as more health was chipped from its health bar and the two smaller digimon looked to where Syakomon once stood. "Syakomon…" Viximon whispered as the new digimon slithered forward.

"Not Syakomon anymore. But Gesomon. Ryou, guide me and let's take this serpent down!" The newly revealed squid digimon Gesomon growled, stepping into the lake to combat Seadramon on equal turf. He had a message to deliver and a friend to protect and he wasn't going to let either be a missed opportunity while he was around.