Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon franchise and its characters
Author's note: And so we inevitably comes to what I would like to call 'exposition arc' of an else world story. A story arc in the beginning which explains the new background and characters. I would like to take the time to answer couple of questions that come up in reviews
Characterising of cannon characters: Most people seems to notice Daisuke and Veemon are still more or less in character relating to their cannon self rather than turning into angst filled teenagers. That's because I want to make the cannon characters have more believable transformation in 'how they would turn out if they did live through a Digimon apocalypse'. Veemon shouldn't change much at all, considering he is more or less living in Digital World plus all the humans running around. Daisuke on the other hand, is probably the most cheerful, optimistic character in Digimon franchise. When MaloMyotismon uses his illusion attack, he's not affected at all stating he has everything he needs in his real life. I interpret this in two possibility: One, he really is as happy as lets out. Two, he's really good at bottle up his negative feelings and not show it to anyone (since I would imagine he would fantasize Hikari giving him more attention than Takeru at very least). In either case, I think he should still remain mostly optimistic in my story. Of course, there are cannon characters I feel might be more prone to depression or anger than Daisuke, but they would still show some trait of their cannon counterpart.
Daisuke's Goggles: One guest reviewer wonders about the change I make to how Daisuke gets his goggles. In fact, currently in my story he's wearing his square goggles in episode one of 02 (the one he breaks). Since in my continuity 02 story never happens, he didn't get Taichi's round goggles yet. My original plan was having a story arc where my main cast goes back to Adventure's Myotismon arc and have older Daisuke rescues younger Daisuke and passes his goggles to his younger self (I think it's an interesting paradox about how old it makes that pair of goggles since it's been passing down from Daisuke to himself in a never ending cycle). But that story arc is scrapped for something else, so he gets it from an older generation Digidestined than Taichi's generation which I won't go into detail (I vividly remembers Adventure state Taichi's group is not the first). But yes, later down the road Taichi will pass his goggles to Daisuke when he proves himself worthy heir as the child of courage (I guess in this case, teenager of courage since he's 16).
The entire ground floor of the Shinjuku Twin Tower is build as a reception/operation area for DDD. Soft long sofas line up on the foot of the windows while counters and desk with computer populate the majority of the level. Both young and older, man and woman are busy working behind a computer despite it's only around 6 o'clock while DDD field operatives dressed in their deep blue jumpsuit talk with receptionist for all kinds of information they need.
The headquarter of Dynamic Data Defenders is as loud and noisy as a stock market exchange but Daisuke doesn't mind. A smile appears on his face as he place his left hand on his square shaped goggles. Though he can't remember the name, or even the face of the man who gives him the pair of goggles, he can still vividly remember his warm smile and encouraging words.
"Will I be as strong as mister?"
"Of course." The man kneels down in front of young Daisuke as he takes off his own goggles and place it on the boy's head. Gently rubbing the boy's hair, he opens his mouth. "One day, you will be stronger than me."
A sharp pain on his forehead brings Daisuke right back to reality. He looks up as he holds his head with both hands, and sees a extremely pissed off Miyako holding her coffee mug in front of her like it's Thor's hammer, "OUCH! What's that for?"
"It's impolite to drift away while someone's talking with you, you dope!" Miyako shouts with one hand on her waist, she then turns sharply back and pointed her mug toward a boy with glasses who's yawning in his seat. "Kenta! I still want the report on Team Shinobu's last mission in one hour! Get on it!"
The teenage boy almost chocked on his yawn before turning his attention back to the computer screen. "Sorry, miss Inoue! I'm on it!"
Being called a dope tend to make most people feel offended most of the time, but for Daisuke when such remark come from Miyako's mouth it just feels right. After all, the two know each other for a long time and she has been jokingly calling him an idiot since the beginning. It's almost like nothing has changed.
Almost as if the whole world hasn't gone to hell 6 years ago.
Besides, after what happened 3 years ago, Daisuke feels he deserved to be called much worse…
Try not to dwell too much on negative emotions, Daisuke shakes his head as he smiles toward Miyako. "Cut Kenta some slack will you? It's six in the morning. You sure makes a great boss lady though."
"Digital Fissures doesn't wait till noon to appear. And besides, if a beauty like me doesn't need to sleep in neither does he." Miyako lets out a grunt as she turns her head back to computer screen, trying to sort out all the different report send in by different team.
Sleeping beauty huh? More like a workaholic evil stepmother. Daisuke thinks to himself but doesn't dare to say it to Miyako's face. After all, Miyako's mug of justice descending on his poor skull is one of few things he fears. "So I guess you like being the operational supervisor here in DDD? I'm surprised when you decided to quit field operation, always thought you'd make Master Class way before I do."
"Not everyone's a road man like you. It's not too bad in the office, always something interesting going on because DDD just happens to bring another major goof ball like you aboard." Daisuke groans at Miyako's tease while a somewhat sly smile starts to creep up her face.
"Besides, another three more months in Operation Support Office and they'll finally transfer me to Research Division. And then I'll get to spend all the quality time with Ken I want." Miyako lets out a giggle before she realises she's lead off track by Daisuke.
"Now, onto your last mission. I'll treat you the dessert first. You brought in Slaver Johns, the most wanted slaver from Gamers gang and rescued a captured Defender. Yamaki is pleased even if he doesn't show it on his face."
"great, now give me the veggie." Daisuke ask with a sigh, knowing the head of DDD Tokyo branch is never easily pleased.
"You brought in about what… a dozen more extra mouths to feed? When we already have major imbalance between production and consumption..." Miyako tilts her head up to see Daisuke blinking at her with a dumbfounded expression on his face and let out a sigh.
"Ok… Let me put it into the kind of words you understand: Not enough food, too many mouths to feed." Daisuke lets out an 'oh' at Miyako's explanation as she rubs her temple in frustration at how nonchalantly her long time friend is taking this situation.
"Ho boy, is Lee going to have a major headache trying to sort this out this mess." She shakes her head knowing the half Chinese half Japanese boy will need to pull another all nighter trying to arrange both shelter and food for the refugees Daisuke brings in. Maybe he'll end up looking like a panda if Daisuke keeps on busting more slave traders, Miyako thinks to herself with a smirk. Miyako tilt her head up again to see Daisuke giving her the saddest puppy dog eye the sixteen years old goofball can make.
"Oh, don't look at me with that sad eye practically saying 'what am I supposed to do, just let them die'? I'm glad you brought that slaver creep in for justice, and I'm also grateful for all those girls you helped. Nice to see someone still doing the right thing in our world you know. It's just… we have a pretty harsh reality." Her expression softens as she meet Daisuke's sad face as she stands up and gently place one hand on Daisuke's shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll figure something out, me and Lee and Ken. After all, that's what DDD stand for."
"To mend and defend." Daisuke nodded as a younger boy with a kendo stick on his back walks through the revolving door and comes up to the counter.
"Daisuke san." The boy give Daisuke a bow, who jump back and fling around his hand aimlessly like a schizophrenic chimpanzee. Iori Hide has always been the courteous boy for as long as Daisuke remembers, but such high level of politeness is definitely out of his expectation. "Thank you very much for helping Ibuki.
"Ah! Iori, don't be so formal! We are old friends remember? And Ibuki is your good friend, so that also make her my friend, and friend helps friend. Actually, how about I challenge you to a word contest? Try to say a sentence with more 'friend' than I just did…" Daisuke nervously looks around the reception area trying not to make eye contact with Iori. His over the top reaction manages to draw some snikers and giggles from both Defenders and receptionist (Miyako included).
"Iori, I haven't seen you in such a long time… two months maybe?" Miyako says with a warm smile on her face as she digs through a pile of papers on her counter. She extends out her arm with an application form towards Iori. "Here for the Master Class applications I presume?"
"Yes Miyako san, I decided to try for Master Class promotion test this year." Iori nods as he takes the paper Miyako hands down to him with both hands.
"Looking at you, getting ready for your Master Class test, time sure flies. It wasn't that long time ago since all of us was Rookies in Ryo's team, Ken, Miyako, you and me. And now Ken is head researcher in Research Division, Miyako got promoted to Operational Supervisor, me of all people a Master Class, and you are getting ready to take the exam this year. I know you'll ace the test, you know what they say after I passed: Any idiot could pass." Daisuke says with his usual goofy grin on his face. "We sure made a great team back then didn't we? Although I do miss the five of us just hang out."
"Tell you what, next time both Ken and Ryo gets a vacation we'll hang out together just like old times. I'll even give you a soda for bring back that slaver creep." Miyako says before she input some command on her computer, a beeping sound escape Daisuke's D3K. "Before I forget, you got a new mission. Take two of our newest Rookies on a long range recon mission for training."
"Me? Can't someone else do the Rookie training mission? You know I only fly solo right?" Daisuke points to himself with a surprised and annoyed look on his face.
"No, all other Master Class are either busy Bits hunting, or expanding our sanctuaries so we can secure some more farmland remember? Besides, you are the one who always lecturing every Patroller and Rookie Class to wait for backup before charging into a problem, isn't this a good time to start building your own team now? You can't run a solo operation forever and those Rookies are showing good potentials you know." Miyako rebukes Daisuke right back with a 'I got you now' look.
"Right…" Daisuke groans in defeat as his own comment comes back and shoots himself in the foot, "So… who's assigned as my partner? Don't Master Class usually gets a Patroller Class as his lieutenant for Rookie training mission"
"Let me see there… Dai…" Miyako stops as she read the name, a devious smile appears on her face as she look up towards Daisuke. "I think I'll let you find out yourself tomorrow, It's more fun this way."
"Oh no, please don't tell me it's him." Daisuke groans some more as he guesses his partner from the incomplete name Miyako let out. There are a few Patroller Class who start their last name with 'Dai'. Still, he could only think one name that would make Miyako has such an amused, not to mention evil smile. It's not going to be much of a team building mission more than a group of walking time bomb.
"Don't be such a cry baby you dope, you are both so much alike."
"No we are not! If you don't have anything more insightful to add then I'm leaving." Daisuke said as he storms out the office, making most other Operatives looking at him with a bewildered look.
"The Human Digimon?" Iori asked as he rises his head from his papers to look at Miyako.
"You got it." Miyako gives him a thumb up behind desk as Iori shakes his head with a sigh.
===DDD Log – Dynamic Data Defenders===
Dynamic Data Defenders – DDD is an international organization rise after Nemesis Crisis. Using Spiral Conversion program developed by the late Osamu Ichijouji, DDD seeks to protect human lives and rebuild human civilization on the Digimon scourged earth.
DDD compose of three main division: Research, Operation Support, Field Operation.
Dogma: We give all our heart and soul, to mend and defend humanity.
=== Log End===