Standard Disclaimer: In another universe, there are no copyrights. Alas, there are in this one. I don't own Digimon!
Author's Notes: A nice long chapter was just what I needed. Now prepare for a fast and quick trip through multiple worlds!
Begin!
xxxx
Issue #4: Davis? Sliders Just Called. They Want Their Shtick Back.
xxxx
/The Space Between Worlds/
"Veemon?"
"Yes Davish?"
"Why is this happening to us?"
Veemon frowned as he put on his thinking cap. "Well…lemme see…we were playing in our Odaiba."
"At Tori Park, right."
"A portal appeared out of nowhere and we got zapped."
"And then we disappeared!"
"Yep!"
"We ended up in a world where our friends were cowboys…then to a world where they were Power Rangers-"
"Fighting Godzilla!"
"YES. I KNOW. And you also helped destroy him."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT!!"
"And then there was that place with BlackWargreymon…"
"Yeah…he kinda seemed sad, didn't he?"
"More like NUTS!"
"Yeah, that too…but you know what I'm going for, right?"
"Yeah…"
"…I'm bored."
Davis sighed as he and Veemon both continued to fall through the whiteness…or were they? Were they falling? For all Davis could tell, they were going straight upward. Or sideways. Or…diagonally. Maybe in circles?
How was he supposed to know?
Davis frowned as he stared off into the distance…or, was it? Gah, this place is so confusing…nothing but white in every direction…
"So Davish, wanna play a game?"
The Child of Miracles sighed as he brushed some dust from Universe (1)(A) off of his golden armor. "Sure."
"I spy with my little eyes…something white."
Davis stared at Veemon with an 'Are You Kidding Me?' look. "…seriously?"
"Yup!"
"…white."
"Got it! I spy…something gold."
"My armor."
"Perfect! Now I spy…something black."
Davis frowned as he dismissed his Mega Armor form, reverting instead to his regular Holy Armor of Miracles.
"Uh, never mind…I spy something…" Veemon frowned. What was that color again…? "Ooh! Tan!"
Davis blinked. "Uh…my skin?"
Veemon grinned. "Wow. You're really good!"
Davis would have facefaulted had he been able to. "There's nothing to really LOOK at around here!"
"Good point."
Suddenly they fell inward at a single point amidst the whiteness…
And they were in the air.
"HANG ON!" screamed Davis as he grabbed Veemon, impulsively pointing his feet downward as the wind whipped past them.
Thirty feet.
BAM!
Davis and Veemon crashed into the ground, their fall cushioned by the relatively loose, wet soil.
"Ow."
The two shook their heads as they got to their feet, glancing around the rather humid area. A large stream trickled nearby, filling the air with ambient noise. The sky was a vibrant orange…implying dusk. A number of trees lined the rocky riverbank, leaves glistening from a recent rain.
Veemon walked over and picked up a purple Chinese bellflower, one of many growing amongst patches of tall grass along the riverbank. "Pretty…"
Davis gazed up at the sky. Man…NOW where are we?
"…do you two see what I see?"
Davis and Veemon turned towards the trees, blinking as they saw who was looking at them.
Older versions…of Davis, Ken, and Yolei.
This NEW Davis seemed far older, at least in his 20s; his hair was fuzzy and unkempt, matching the five-o'clock shadow on his rough-hewn face. He wore a short-sleeved blue jacket over a simple white T-shirt, complete with gray, tattered shorts. His legs and arms were muscular…but all of the scars noted a life lived on the edge of battle's blade. He wore wooden sandals with steel plates on the bottom, and in his hand was a katana with an ODD hilt…golden edges stuck out from the white hilt, with a large, square slot in the middle of it. "Oh man…I think we found our next meal ticket!" This man's eyes glimmered with excitement…wait, why was his mouth watering?
"What do you mean by that Daisuke?" asked the older Yolei, easily the youngest of them all; she wore a simple pink kimono with a red sash, but it was rather dirty. Her long lavender hair looked like it hadn't been combed in a few days, and she looked oddly cute without her glasses on (for the record, Davis immediately went 'eeew!' for feeling an iota of attraction and KILLED those thoughts with a rusty knife). Her red sandals looked like they needed replacement.
"Just look at the armor Miyako," remarked the older Ken, whose dark hair was longer than before; there was also a ponytail. He wore a simple, yet elegant samurai outfit; a kendogi, consisting of a dark violet kimono and a black hakama. Two sheathed katanas were strapped over the left side of his hips…and an odd belt of steel, with a small slot over the buckle, was wrapped around his waist. Oddly enough, he also wore thin, slim eyeglasses; behind those glasses were steely eyes that shone with someone who held great pride as a swordsman. "His armor. The style is akin to that of a samurai in the service of the shogunate…though the design is rather odd."
"And it's made of fricken' gold!" yelled 'Daisuke', his grin widening.
"That's something else to consider," continued Ken. "Only a nobleman or a high-ranking warrior could afford armor like that…and don't forget his little friend."
Veemon blinked. "Who? Me?"
"Only those in service of the shogunate are permitted access to Digimon. Kyoto is the world's technological bastion; only someone with high standing in the Imperial Capital would be able to own a Digimon," finished Ken as he reached for one of the two katanas hanging off the side of his body.
"And that means money. Lots of it." Daisuke grinned as he pulled out his sword, a grin that hungered for battle emerging on his face.
Miyako, on the other hand, did not seem so eager. "Come on you two! We're already in enough trouble as it is! Attacking this guy will only make things tougher!"
GRRRRRRRR.
Davis froze, wondering what kind of ferocious beast had made that horrible noise…such a deep, penetrating growl-
"I think they're hungry Davish."
Davis blinked as he turned to Veemon. "Eh?"
"Their stomachs just growled," helpfully pointed out the diminutive Rookie.
The Child of Miracles gaped; that horrendous growl had been…their stomachs?? Yikes. And I thought Veemon was bad when he got hungry.
It was at that moment, simultaneously, that Daisuke, Ken, and Miyako glanced down at their stomachs. The lavender-haired girl's tone suddenly became ominous…at least, to Davis. "On second thought…we need the money."
Daisuke and Ken gazed icily at Davis.
For some reason, Davis felt an odd foreboding feeling in his mind…why was he feeling so wary of these two? He had the Armor of Miracles on…two humans on their own, without any special powers, wouldn't be able to hurt him!
But alas, he was used to the way things worked in his world…and he hadn't quite fully grasped the fact that he was traveling to alternate worlds…alternate realities…places where things didn't always quite work the way he was used to.
That was why Davis Inoue felt momentary confusion when he saw Daisuke pull out a small digivice and implant it into his sword…while Ken grabbed a digivice out of the confines of his kimono and pushed it into his belt. "Huh?"
Daisuke grinned as a razor-sharp aura of white shimmered on his blade. "Okay you (record-scratching). Let's see how tough you are!"
Davis frowned. "What'd you just say?"
Daisuke chuckled, wondering if this guy was easy to intimidate. "I called you a (record-scratching). Got a problem with that?"
Davis looked at Veemon confusedly. The little Rookie replied, "That's a neat trick he's pulling."
"Yeah, I know!" The Child of Miracles was honestly perplexed. How could anyone pull off the sound of an old-fashioned vinyl record being scratched…with only their voice? "It's actually kind of neat."
Daisuke glanced at Ken as though the armored boy had just grown another head. "Man, I insult him and he marvels at it? For being a shogunate toady, he sure is dense."
"Just ignore it," remarked Ken as the belt around his waist took on a faint glow, surrounding his body with a faint white sheen that was barely visible.
And then he was gone.
Davis paled. What the-!
A sudden impact on his back forced him forward by a few feet, so swift and unexpected it was. Davis whirled his head around, eyes wide at the sight of Ken behind him, sword drawn. How'd he get behind me??
Ken was equally surprised, though he did not show it. "Hmm. Very durable armor."
"NOT AFTER I'M THROUGH WITH IT!"
Ken quietly zipped out of the way as Davis whirled around, eyes settling on the charging Daisuke. Although the unkempt and boorish man was nowhere near as fast as the older Ken, that glowing katana was still unnerving.
Rolling out of the way was a wise move.
Because when Daisuke bought his sword, he tore the earth asunder.
Veemon's jaw dropped. "YIKES!"
Davis couldn't believe his eyes; that sword had gone through the ground as though nothing had been there. "A blade…that can cut through anything?"
Daisuke grinned wildly. "Oh, you gonna be serious now?"
Davis quietly calmed himself down, his eyes glancing at both Ken and Daisuke. Focus… "Veemon…get ready to digivolve."
"Right-o Davish! I'm on-"
CHOOM.
It was with great disappointment that Daisuke, Ken, and Miyako watched the duo disappear. "WHA??" screeched the girl.
"Well, there goes our next meal," stoically remarked Ken as he sheathed his sword.
"Ah, (record-scratching)," cursed Daisuke, an annoyed expression on his face.
xxxx
/Lobby, Arbitermon's Station, The Nexus/
"So your Digital World was run by a supercomputer named Yggdrasil?" asked Omnimon.
"That would be correct," remarked Omnimon X. "It's a very long story…"
Cody noted the almost solemn and sober glances that were quickly exchanged between a few of the Royal Knights…particularly between Alphamon, Omnimon X, Gallantmon X, and Magnamon X. Something big must have happened during their conflict with Yggdrasil… "So after you deleted Yggdrasil, what happened?"
"The Digital World was reborn," answered Alphamon. "I was Dorumon again, and the Royal Knights had been reborn. The X Program was no longer in existence, and I eventually returned to this form. The Royal Knights were truly organized as defenders of peace and justice."
"For a little while," grumbled Gaiomon.
The Royal Knights suddenly became silent.
"What happened?" quietly asked Mimi, her voice laced with sincere concern. They look so…ashamed…
"We failed." Gallantmon X sighed as he tapped his lance against the ground. "Antimon…we couldn't stop him."
"Had Revemon not been there to rescue us…we would've been utterly erased," admitted Valkryimon. "I mean…it's bad enough that our entire universe was completely and utterly annihilated…but that thing…that MONSTROSITY!" Valkryimon's tone suddenly became feverish. He was not accustomed to losing a battle…but enduring a futile battle? It was unheard of. The memory of that very futile battle against Antimon…was eating away at the Mega. "We used every attack we had! EVERYTHING! While Antimon charges his attack, everything we do does…does…nothing!!"
Craniummon's hand clasped onto Valkryimon's shoulder. "…"
The avian biped grimaced as he calmed himself down. "Sorry…it's just…so many died…and we…couldn't do anything…"
A pang of sadness welled up within Mimi. Her heart…oh, how it hurt. The suffering the Royal Knights were going through was unbearable. "How awful!"
The tingling that suddenly permeated the air caused everyone to stare at Valmarmon, his unholy eyes of red glinting with…something. Something evil. It was on a level almost beyond reckoning. "What?"
Granasmon – nonchalantly cleaning a beer mug – asked, "Tone it down Valmarmon. I know you're irritated by what happened to our universe, but you don't have to be so antagonistic about it."
The Demon God Digimon snorted. "What do you know? I worked HARD to try and submerge our entire reality within a void of darkness. Then Antimon came along and DESTROYED THE WHOLE PLACE in a matter of seconds. Am I angry? Oh NOOOOO…of COURSE not! Moron." He gulped down the last of his Bloody Mary with haste, befitting his foul mood.
"He sounds like a dedicated villain," commented AlforceVeedramon X.
"Oh he is, believe me. He's not usually this irritated though…but considering the circumstances, I'm not surprised," agreed Granasmon with a warm smile. His gaze turned to the Digidestined. "Everyone enjoying their drinks?"
A round of nods was all Granasmon got before the door to the Lobby opened.
In came a boy with neck-length blonde hair that was so light it almost approached white; it was a large offset with the black trench coat that covered his whole body, revealing only the bottom of his blue pants and his jet black tennis shoes. His very appearance seemed to silence everyone; slim sunglasses hiding eyes of hazel, and shaved bangs accentuating his stoic demeanor.
The Digimon by his side would have made a paleontologist faint with glee.
A small biped stood by the boy's side, coming to a paltry two feet. Save for the splash of gold, blue, and green around the head, the Velociraptor look-alike was covered in slim, reddish feathers. The four long fingers on his tiny hands gleamed with silvery claws, and the tremendous talons on his feet were as sharp as the wit of a great comedian.
He glanced at the Digidestined. Then at Granasmon. Then at Valmarmon. Then at the Royal Knights. Then back at Valmarmon.
Finally, turning towards Granasmon, the Digimon – in a surprisingly deep and cultured voice – commented, "Hmm. New arrivals. I take it the Royal Knights had to intervene again?"
Granasmon nodded. "Correct Velocimon."
The tiny Rookie sighed. "Villains. So repetitive and predictable."
Valmarmon's eyes narrowed, radiating with bloodlust. Kari momentarily cringed at the dark feeling now crawling over her skin.
The Royal Knights all raised their weapons.
Valmarmon reluctantly relented.
The Digidestined blinked as Velocimon quietly hopped onto a barstool. "The usual Granasmon, if you will."
"Coming up," cheerfully replied the Divine God as he mixed some sake with shredded beef. "Here you go."
"Thank you." Velocimon quietly dipped his head into the cup, lapping up the meaty concoction.
It was at this point that Lilymon finally spoke. "Well…that was awfully gutsy of you, talking about that creep like that." Valmarmon snorted from afar; his pride had already taken too many beatings since the whole debacle with Antimon began. The fact that Lilymon still breathed was an utter affront; if only it hadn't been for Granasmon and those accursed Royal Knights…
Velocimon calmly replied, "I would not be speaking if Granasmon and the Royal Knights weren't here. Then there'd be no one to stop him from killing me."
The Ultimate sweatdropped; Matt nervously chuckled as he admitted, "He's…got a point there." He turned around, nearly yelping at the sight of the boy in the trench coat sitting across from him. "Um…hello?"
The boy in sunglasses just stared quietly at them…as if gauging them…out of recognition? Cody frowned; this boy recognized them. But how? Does he know…alternate versions of us? Like that other Shaun did? The Child of Humility was quick to note the teen's furrowed eyebrows at the sight of Sentinelmon. Hmm…
Finally, the boy in black pointed at Sentinelmon. "Out of everyone here, I don't recognize you." His accent was American, but he managed to speak in rather fluent Japanese.
Sentinelmon blinked. "Me?"
"Hold on! How do you know us?" demanded Tai.
The boy answered quietly. "Did you ever fight someone named Devimon?"
Tai raised an eyebrow; how was that relevant to the conversation? "Uh…yeah?"
"And was he defeated by Angemon's Hand of Fate?"
The older of the Digidestined were visibly surprised. Tai slowly replied, "Uh…yeah…"
"Etemon? Defeated by MetalGreymon?"
"Yeah."
"Myotismon? Impaled by Angewomon's charged Celestial Arrow?"
"Correct," answered Angewomon, clearly impressed with this boy's knowledge. Was he a telepath?
"Followed up with a transformation into VenomMyotismon, upon which your and Matt Ishida's partners warp-digivolved into Wargreymon and MetalGarurumon?"
The Digidestined blanched.
"This guy's good." Omnimon's answer was all the boy needed to keep asking.
"Then came the Dark Masters MetalSeadramon, Puppetmon, Machinedramon, and Piedmon, each respectively defeated by Wargreymon, MetalGarurumon, Wargreymon, and MagnaAngemon's Gate of Destiny?"
The Digidestined nodded in unison. What was this guy getting at?
"And finally…with a battle against Apocalymon, with the energy of your Crests preventing him from using his Total Annihilation attack?"
They nodded.
The edges of the boy's lips actually curved upward, just a tad. He was intrigued by something…but what? "Hmm…seems that you're from a universe where Season 1 occurred. How interesting."
"Wait a minute. Season 1? Of what?" asked Yolei.
"Of the Digimon anime," bluntly answered the boy.
By the way the jaws of the Digidestined suddenly dropped, you would've thought that they really were from an anime (ZING!).
"The name's Eric Young. Nice to meet you."
Tai could only rub his temples out of weariness. "A world where our adventures were a TV show…can this get any weirder?"
xxxx
Now Tai…you should know better than to jinx things.
xxxx
/Universe-(J)(C)/
Davis and Veemon scrunched their noses; the musty smell in the saloon they now found themselves in was almost overpowering; smoke drifted through the air as jukebox belted out old country songs in the back. "Now where are we?" whispered the Child of Miracles.
"Maybe we're back in that place with Ken the Sheriff?"
"Nah…too many people." Davis looked around, eventually spying a group of men playing of poker. The only thing that kept Davis staring at them was the fact that the dealer had a familiar head of blue hair. Joe? No…it's his dad! There was an odd scar on his cheek, and the look in his eye…it was intimidating.
The saloon doors swung open.
In walked Joe.
It was not the Joe that Davis was accustomed to. This was not a normal, cautious Joe. He walked with a forceful, if tired stride…but his eyes and musculature bore a toughness that seemed so out of place on him. Not only that…but he wasn't even wearing glasses. It wasn't even until Joe laid his eyes upon Joshua Kido that he noticed an anger that was completely unnatural on a Kido.
Joe stomped over to his dad, who looked at him out of curiosity. "…"
Then Joe roared…revealing that he wasn't Joe at all. Not completely.
"MY NAME IS SUE! HOW DO YOU DO?" He reared a fist."NOW YOU'RE GONNA DIE!!"
CHOOM.
xxxx
/Universe-(-1)(3)
Davis and Veemon were now inside a tiny metal alcove. Now where were they?
"So Rock Man, we finally meet again!"
Davis and Veemon's eyes peered outside of a tiny slit in the wall.
They saw two people.
Hovering in a UFO with a skull design was none other than the infamous Dr. Wily of Rock Man fame.
The other guy was undoubtedly Rock Man – I mean, the blue helmet ALONE was a tip-off – but there was something…'off'…about him…but what was it?
"Dr. Wily!"
That voice.
Davis's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. No way…TAI??
The devious mad scientist smirked as he pressed a button on his control console. "Well Rock Man, you've proven to be a thorn in my side once again…" A door in the metallic wall behind him opened up, revealing a dark hangar. "But now I've managed to craft the ultimate opponent for you! Come forth Forte!"
Out came a robot clad in black and dark violet armor, complete with yellow fins on his helmet. But the face…
NOW Davis's eyes bugged out of his head. MATT??
"So YOU'RE Rock Man," sneered Forte, his voice perfectly mimicking Matt's. "You certainly don't look like much." He raised his hand. "COME ON GOSPEL!" A metallic blue beast morphed by his side.
Veemon blinked out of surprise. "Ooh! It's Gabumon!"
Rock Man was quick to counter. "Come on Rush!"
"And Agumon!" finished the exuberant Rookie as the metallic Digimon teleported to Rock Man's sword. "Ooh…this is neat!"
And weird! Thought Davis as he watched the two robotic androids prepare to do battle. Nothing was making sense to him. His friends…as Power Rangers. Now Tai and Matt were two robotic characters from a multimillion-dollar video game franchise. Did any of it make sense whatsoever? No. None. Nada. It was actually…irritating. Why was this happening? It all began with those weird bolts of lightning… Davis frowned, suddenly worrying about the others. What had been the cause of those bolts of lightning? Had it been a new enemy? If so…
Davis Inoue's expression tightened as he began ignoring the confusion his mind felt. Something big was going on. He needed to get back home and find out what was happening. Now…how do I figure out how to control these 'leaps'?
He wouldn't get a chance to think about it any further.
CHOOM.
The last thing Davis and Veemon heard before vanishing into the white were energy blasts, signaling the beginning of a long and deadly rivalry.
xxxx
/File Island, Universe-(7)(B)/
Veemon inhaled the sweetness of the night air, marveling at the sight of honey suckle flowers growing around the grassy plain. "Doesn't the air smell good Davish?"
"Yeah…" muttered Davis as he stared at the thatched roofs of traditional Japanese homes – minka, particularly of the gassho-zukuri style – that dotted the landscape. He quietly powered down, dismissing the Armor of Miracles in a flash of gold; staying in this state, wasting energy, would do him no good in the long run. Only one question was on his mind at the moment: where were they now?
"Ooh! Infinity Mountain!"
Davis whirled around, seeing the high mountain in the distance. Although he felt initial elation at the sight of the mountain's impressive peak, he quickly grew somber. There were no human homes on File Island in the Digital World he knew…at least, not yet. Dang…I'm not home yet…
Veemon quietly walked up to the nearest house, peeking through the glass windows. "Hey Davish…I see Kari! And…Davish?"
Davis quickly walked up towards the window, quietly nudging Veemon aside. "Let me see!" He peered into the window; it was awfully dark…well, there were a few candles. I don't get it…where's Kari and…me? I don't see them…wait, there's a bed over there-
He backpedaled like a bullet.
Veemon gazed at Davis's face inquisitively. "So Davish, did you see them? Did you…hey. Your face is red…REAL red."
Davis gulped as he tried to fully comprehend what he had just seen. He was well aware of the whole process behind how babies were created, down to the whole 'Birds and the Bees' talk from his parents when he had been 11. To put it bluntly…he had just seen older versions of Kari and himself engaged in that very process rather…vigorously. "Erm…yeah, I saw them."
"Well, do you wanna go say hi?"
"NO! They were doing, um…" How should I phrase this? "Grown-up things."
"Oooh…" Veemon nodded out of understanding…well, not quite. "What are 'grown-up things'? Do they involve weight lifting?"
Davis sweatdropped. "…not quite."
"Driving cars?"
"No."
"Hmm…shooting really, really, REALLY big fireworks?"
"…no." Davis looked at Veemon with an arched eyebrow. "And why would they be firing fireworks inside a HOUSE?"
"Because they're grown-ups?"
"…"
CHOOM.
xxxx
/Wedding Chapel, Universe-(X)(Y)/
Davis and Veemon quietly peered outside of the men's restroom. A massive congregation was gathered for a wedding between an older Davis and someone else. "Hey Davish! A wedding!" whispered Veemon.
"Yeah…" But I can't see past that veil…who am I marrying?
The priest, meanwhile, proudly declared, "Daisuke Motomiya, you may now kiss the bride."
Daisuke lifted the veil, kissing…
Veemon blinked as everyone started cheering. "Hey! You married Yolei!" He turned towards his partner. "Hey…Davish? You okay?"
Davis had pinned himself to the wall, his face frozen in a picture of true and utter horror. "Oh…NO…" In some universe, he had somehow been driven to marry Yolei Inoue. NONONONONO! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!! GROOOOOOOSS!! He quickly ran to the sink, pouring gratuitous amounts of soap on his face. Must. Remove. Image. From. EYES!! Given how much he fought and bantered with his adoptive sister – which only made this new situation even MORE repulsive – the idea of him falling in love with her was tantamount to a horror beyond all human reason.
Of course, Veemon was completely oblivious. "Davish, does this mean you like Yolei?"
Before Davis could voice his revulsion…
CHOOM.
xxxx
/Living Room, Motomiya Apartment, Universe-(0)(-7)/
It was the old house of the Motomiya family.
Just like before the Odaiba War, where it had been destroyed, along with most of Odaiba.
However, judging how alike this universe's Davis and Jun looked in terms of age – at least 17 – the Odaiba War either hadn't happened, or…well, any number of things could have happened. Alternate universes were home to alternate choices. Alternate decisions. Alternate lives. Places were different things had happened, creating entirely different timelines…and it often led to strange things, like the Digidestined being Power Rangers. It sometimes led to horrible things, like when Davis saw himself marry Yolei.
Oh, but he had yet to see horrible.
He could only watch along with Veemon, peering outside of his old bedroom at the two siblings.
"Daisuke…" whispered Jun.
"Yeah sis?" replied Daisuke.
"Shouldn't we tell our parents? I mean, they'd understand…wouldn't they?" The pleading in her eyes was obvious to all who saw.
Daisuke shook his head. "No. Not yet. It's just…" He sighed out of irritation. Not at her; he was irritated about the whole situation as well. "Just wait a little longer. We'll be legal adults soon…then they won't be able to say anything."
Jun nodded, acquiescing…but it still didn't remove the almost hungry look in her eyes. "But it's…been a while."
"I know." Daisuke smiled warmly at her. "Mom and dad will be hiking at Mt. Fuji for the next few days…so we'll be the only ones here."
Jun's eyes brightened; her smile mirrored Daisuke's just as they embraced and kissed each other.
Veemon watched the ensuing events out of slight confusion and curiosity. He briefly recalled that, on that alternate world, he HAD barely caught a glimpse of the other Davis and Kari doing this exact same thing. Huh. What's so grown-up about that? He turned around, seeing Davis on the ground, curled up into a fetal ball and mumbling incoherently. "Hey. Davish? Is 'naked wrestling' the grown-up thing you were talking about? Because that's what the other you and your sister are doing."
CHOOM.
The carpet was quite lucky; that universal leap saved it from being a victim of Davis's vomit.
xxxx
/Universe-(T)(P)/
Unfortunately, the blue carpet Davis and Veemon landed on wasn't that lucky.
"HUUUUUUURGH!"
Veemon leapt backwards. "Davish! You sick?"
Two other voices quickly interceded.
"Hey Matt. Check it out; that guy's throwing up."
"Heheheh. Yeah, vomiting's cool. Hehehehe!"
"Uhh…don't be a moron Matt. I said he's 'throwing up'. Duh."
"Oh yeah…heheheh, throwing up's cool. Hehe!"
"Huhuhuhuhuh. Yeah. Cool."
Davis – his mind already hard at work destroying those mental images of what Daisuke and Jun had been doing – wearily stood up, eyes focusing in on the two teens sitting on the pink couch.
Sitting on the couch's right side was Tai…well, almost. His brown hair had been liberally doused with hair gel, his eyes were far more narrow, he actually wore BRACES, and his face was slightly scrunched together, and his attire – red shorts and a gray T-shirt with AC/DC on it in yellow lettering – was out of place.
As for Matt – sitting on the other side of Tai – he looked weird as well. His blonde hair could be described as, in a word, 'poofy'. With the exception of his rather large lower jaw and the pointy nose, he looked quite normal…but the gray shorts and blue Metallica T-shirt were also out of place.
Davis and Veemon looked at 'Tai' and 'Matt'.
Matt looked at the two newcomers. "Hey, when'd you two come in?" His nasally voice was also off-putting.
Veemon took the liberty of answering. "Just now!" Add in a big smile with that answer while you're at it.
Matt turned back to Tai. "Hey, they didn't ring the freakin' doorbell."
Tai groaned in a deeper voice than normal. "Stop being stupid Matt. He obviously teleported in here."
"Heh, how?"
"Uh…he's a magician. Duh."
Matt nodded out of realization. "Hehe um…huh? Ooh yeah. Hehehe."
Davis arched an eyebrow. "Uh…what are you two talking about?"
"We're talking about magic, dillweed!" retorted Matt.
"Magic's cool," admitted Tai.
"Like those guys who pull a rabbit out of their hat?"
SLAP!
"No you buttmunch," growled Tai. "I'm talking about the magic guys from the Dungeon & Dragons game the nerds play."
Matt's eyes lit up. "You mean those guys who shoot fire out of their butts?"
Tai paused. "Uh…I dunno."
"Fire! Fire! FIRE!" gleefully cheered Matt.
Tai glanced at Davis, wondering why the guy was looking at them as if they were insane. "Uhhh. What?"
Davis honestly had nothing to say. Seeing Tai and Matt like this was beyond 'Angry Joe'. I am NOT seeing this. What the heck are they talking about??
Tai turned to Veemon, suddenly noticing the horn on Veemon's nose. "Hey Matt. Check it out. That guy's horny. Uhuhuhuhuhuh…get it?"
Matt snickered. "Yeah, heheheheheh."
Veemon smiled as he tapped his horn. "Thanks! I take great pride in my horniness!"
Davis slapped his forehead. "Veemon…"
"Some people are dumb," consoled Tai as he looked at the smiling Veemon. "Come to think of it…he looks kinda familiar."
"He's one of those Pokemon!" yelled Matt.
Tai groaned. "Don't be stupid! He's obviously a blue dinosaur."
"You mean like, from that Jurassic Park movie?"
"Uhhh…I dunno," muttered Tai as he got up. "I'm gonna go get some nachos."
Matt grinned as he stared at the little Rookie. "He's probably a killing machine like in the movie!" He stood on the couch, cheering at Veemon. "Maul that guy with the goggles! Give em' the teeth, the teeth, the chair, the CHAIR!!"
Tai's yell emanated from the kitchen. "SETTLE DOWN MATT!"
Veemon looked quizzically at Davis. "Is he okay?"
"I…have no idea…" Davis had had enough of seeing alternate versions of himself and his friends. It was too flabbergasting to see Tai and Matt act like total and complete idiots. If Yolei calls ME stupid, she'd probably run out of words to describe these guys.
Tai sat back down, putting a bowl of nachos on the table. This immediately caused Veemon's 'Food Senses' to go to DEFCON 5. "FOOD!"
The bowl of nachos immediately fell to the floor as Veemon began devouring the cheesy snack. Tai's eyes widened with horror. "Whoa!"
Davis sighed out of actual relief. A normal reaction for once. He was tired of people that he knew acting out of character. If nothing else could be said about this crazy trip – he REALLY REALLY hoped it was just a weird dream – he was glad Veemon was along. In a way, he was like a lifeline; he was Davis's lifeline to sanity. Maybe. Almost? He couldn't quite tell anymore. This whole ordeal was too taxing on his mind. The scene with Yolei had been bad enough…the one with Jun was nearly mind-shattering and-oh no HE WAS REMEMBERING IT AGAIN! NOOOOOOOOOOOO! "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
"Stop screaming you bunghole!" grumbled Tai.
CHOOM.
Thinking about Veemon might've made what happened next even worse.
Davis's self-described 'lifeline to sanity' disappeared on his own.
Matt stared at the spot where Veemon had just been. "Dude, he just disappeared. Maybe he was a magic dinosaur!"
"Uhh…oh yeah, uhuhuhuhuhuh!" chuckled Tai.
Davis's reaction was far more appropriate. "VEEMON!!"
CHOOM.
Davis was gone too.
Tai looked at the spot where Davis had just been. "That was cool."
Matt nonchalantly grabbed the remote and said, "Let's watch the boob tube."
"Uhuhuhuhuhuhuh…you said 'boob'."
"Um…oh yeah! Heheheheheheh!"
And so the duo chuckled in their own distinct way.
xxxx
/Park, Odaiba, Universe-(S)(A)/
Veemon materialized at a very familiar park. "Hey, this place looks familiar…" It looked like the old Odaiba…but if the previous worlds were any indication, things couldn't be taken at first glance. "What now Davish?"
No answer.
"Davish?" Veemon looked around, frowning as he realized that his partner wasn't here. "Uh…where'd he go? Davish? DAVISH??" The little Rookie grimaced; this wasn't good. Oh man…I wonder if I got lost? Or did Davish get lost? Hmm…what should I do now? And who's this guy right in front of me? "Uh…" The Digimon in front of him looked like a dog with blonde fur and gold claws, rounded out by a white stomach, fuchsia ears, and a curly tail of the same color. "Hi!"
The Digimon's fuchsia eyes narrowed. "Arisa! I think we need to call Witchmon!"
A female voice emanated from the other side of the park. "WHY?"
"BECAUSE A DIGIMON JUST MATERIALIZED OUT OF THIN AIR!"
"…hold on!"
Labramon kept his eyes fixated on Veemon, who was now very fascinated on the nacho chips he still held in his hand.
Suddenly, a smile came to Veemon's face.
He held the nacho chips out to Labramon. "Truce?"
Labramon looked at Veemon with great bewilderment. "Are you trying to bribe me into letting you go?"
"What's a bribe?"
xxxx
/Odaiba, Universe-(D)(H)/
Davis couldn't believe it.
Veemon was gone.
As if things couldn't get any worse…now Veemon's gone! The Child of Miracles officially wanted to go home. "Things can't get any worse!"
Davis Inoue calmly walked out of the alleyway he had appeared in…and immediately regretted his previous statement.
He was standing in Odaiba.
But yet…it wasn't.
The district was too dim…too lifeless…too…muted. Dark clouds billowed in the air like smoky wisps in the wind, barely letting an odd sky of twilight through. The buildings were in pristine condition, but it seemed as though the very light, the very LIFE of the entire district, had been sapped away. Davis grimaced as he walked into the empty streets, feeling the howl of the wind whip by; something wrong had happened here.
Something dark.
Something…evil.
"Holy Armor Energize." A flash of gold, and Davis was now ready to battle. He only hoped that chill he felt in the back of his spine was only because of his nervousness; he didn't want to think that there was a real reason for him to feel afraid. "HELLO?" His voice echoed amongst the close buildings, only solidifying the emptiness of everything. "IS ANYBODY HERE??"
No answer.
Nothing but his own voice.
The wind suddenly died, and there was no more sound.
Davis suddenly felt very afraid. This city looked as though it had been untouched by the Odaiba War or KingEtemon's attack…only to be hit by something much worse. Destruction was something that could be rebuilt from. But this…it was as if the very essence of this place had been corrupted, twisted, and transformed into something that could no longer support human life. It was an aberration…and Davis couldn't stand it.
Man…what happened to this place? Davis couldn't help but shiver; his thoughts about what had happened to this Odaiba were not very pleasant. Someone with great power had come through here and done…something. What it was, Davis couldn't tell. He didn't want to know though; he couldn't even muster up revulsion or disgust at his memories of the Yolei marriage or the Jun 'incident'. Not even a somewhat happy, yet completely embarrassing memory of the sight of the other Davis doing 'grown-up' things with Kari (He's 13. Like you haven't fantasized before in your dreams?) could be brought to mind now. This place was so oppressive and overwhelming that it took precedence over everything else. Happiness, memories, emotion, life, light…no. All that existed here was a great darkness that snuffed out everything.
Everything except fear.
The fear…was only multiplied.
Davis whirled around. He had the odd feeling that he was being followed…but by what? As morbid as it sounded, this place was dead. An urban wasteland. I'm just imagining things…
He really missed Veemon now.
No…he wouldn't even want Veemon to endure THIS place. The little Rookie, perpetually joyful though he was, wouldn't have been able to stomach this place. Not this place.
Davis frowned; he was near the edge of the district now…and oh goodness, it was even worse. "What the…"
The ocean wasn't moving.
Like a flat sheet of glass, it lay still for miles upon miles. No current swept through its depths, and no fish could be seen swimming within the murky deep. Even the sun, just barely above the horizon, gave off light…but no warmth. Cold darkness had so permeated the atmosphere of the city that nothing could penetrate it. Not even the sun.
Who did this?
Davis growled; this may not have been his Odaiba, but he still felt a very strong connection with this place. There had been people who once lived here…but something had forced them away. Something terrible. Why can't evil just leave good people alone…? Why?
"Why indeed."
Davis spun around, fists ready to punch.
No one was there.
The Child of Miracles frowned, now beginning to feel hints of paranoia…where had that voice come from?
"Because I'm everywhere."
Davis took off on a slow jog, strangely anxious about getting away from the dead ocean. He eventually found himself near the old Ferris wheel, its joints and body rusted over from years of disuse. "Who's talking to me…?" And why did that voice sound so familiar…?
"Behind you."
Davis growled as he spun around, delivering a kick at the empty air.
No one was there.
THIS IS CRAZY! mentally screamed Davis. Was this dead world getting to him? Was its darkness trying to sap away at his very life, trying to reduce him into nothingness? Why was this darkness so frightening?
And why did this darkness feel…so, so, SO…familiar?
Davis quietly turned around again to continue his trip through the lifeless city.
His eyes saw a large white orb embedded in the breastplate of dark armor.
But that wasn't it.
The clincher…
No.
…was an upside-down Crest of Miracles on that orb of white. Blacker than obsidian, blacker than any abyss.
NO.Davis fearfully began backing away from the imposing figure that had long haunted his dreams.
NO.
Angular black armor. Black devil's wings, with veins of white energy flowing through them. A hard helmet with a familiar V-shaped symbol on it. Two katanas strapped to the sides of his hips, continuously pulsating with red blood and dark power…the dark power that had so completely obliterated this world that all life was vanquished.
NO.
But the worst part…was the eyes. Those RED eyes.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Eyes that had mocked him. Eyes that had torn him apart. Eyes that had seen him stumble, filled with malice and malevolent glee every time he had tried to get back on his feet. Eyes on a face that mirrored Davis's, adding to the horror.
Eyes of hatred.
Eyes of evil.
The eyes of one…
IT CAN'T BE!! NOT HIM!!…with a heart of darkness.
The dreaded monstrosity stared at Davis Inoue, an amused smirk plastered on his face. "Well well…how interesting."
The human heart's corruption incarnate.
Darkheart.
xxxx
To be continued…
Next time…
Issue #5: When Fanon Becomes Canon
xxxx
Author's Notes: Heeeeeeeeeeeeere's Darkheart!
Quick notes on the universes Davis and Veemon 'slid' to (hence the title).
Universe (T)(S): The (record-scratching) world. Based on Samurai Champloo, the anime. The 'record-scratching' bits are a reference to how the English dub bleeps curse words with, instead of a high-pitched beep like normal, a vinyl record being scratched (this keeps it in line with the hip-hop soundtrack of the anime). Apparently, the characters from this universe just don't notice it. :P
Universe (J)(C): The "Joe named Sue" world. Based off the Johnny Cash song "A Boy named Sue". Find a music video on Youtube and you'll see why.
Universe (-1)(3): Tai is Rock Man (Mega Man if you didn't get it at the beginning)! Also, Bass and Treble are called Forte and Gospel in Japan.
Universe (7)(B): The "Davis and Kari doing grown-up things" world. No further explanation.
Universe (X)(Y): The "Davis marries Yolei" world. His worst nightmare. No offense to Daiyako fans; I just don't find the relationship feasible. It'd need a lot of work.
Universe (0)(-7): The "Daisuke and Jun" world. And for the record, I do not support incest (I think it is very icky). So why include it? Solely for Davis's reaction. ;P
Universe (T)(P): The "Beavis and Butt-head" world. Matt's Beavis, Tai's Butt-head. CORNHOLIO NEEDS TP FOR HIS BUNGHOLE! (shot)
Universe (S)(A): The universe that's home to SamuraiSirius's characters.
Universe (D)(H): The world where Darkheart won. Plain and simple.
Also, Eric Young and Velocimon are property of Nolaquen265!
Next chapter is titled because THIS is where many of the fan characters get introduced.
But most importantly…the return of Darkheart.
Be afraid.
Be very afraid.
See you soon, and please review!