"We're ready." Tyler looked around the group and knew he spoke for everyone.

"Okay, follow me to the computer room."

"I'll just grab my hat." Rori pulled the dirty grey beanie onto her head as they filed out of the room and then placed her palm on Talmon's back. "Together, don't forget."

"Where, exactly, will we emerge when we return to the Real World?" Tyler asked as they walked along the hallways that had been home the past few days.

"You'll appear in the park where I first met you all. After that…" Gimi pulled open a door to a room and stepped inside, turning back to face them. He winked. "Surprise me." He spun back and continued into the room, which was filled with several computers. Each displayed live footage from a different area. Presumably these were where he had met each of the Chosen under his care. The distinction between Chosen and Digidestined was one that perplexed Tyler and Gimi never fully explained. It seemed that all Digidestined were Chosen but the reverse was not true.

"Nice," Len muttered as they all followed inside.

"It's so shiny," Lummon chimed, jumping from desk to desk and staring into each screen.

"Lummon, wake up." Corinne snapped her fingers at her partner, who had become entranced by a particularly bright screen.

"Sorry." Lummon leapt onto Corinne's shoulders, slinking around them.

"It's fine." Corinne smiled as they all stopped in front of a screen with a snow covered park.

"Any last questions?" Gimi turned back to them.

Tyler thought of one and opened his mouth but Gimi laughed.

"No? Okay. Time to go!" He placed one hand on the screen and faced his other palm at them, unleashing a vortex of energy from his hand. The swirling multi-coloured portal dragged them, being deceptively bigger on the inside. After just a few seconds, they were gone.

~.~.~

Corinne could hear laughing children and smell warm, fresh doughnuts. The scent was carried by a gentle breeze which fluttered her orange jumper, newly stitched and repaired, about. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw the familiar park shrouded in snow with people running all over.

"I don't think anyone noticed," Tyler whispered, keeping his voice low.

Len stepped forwards, looking around. "How much time has passed here, do you think?"

"Maybe a day." Tyler stepped forwards next to Len and faced the group. "Digimon, everyone," he hissed. He grabbed his Digivice and Idomon was sucked in before he could protest.

"Maybe we should just do that somewhere more secluded, Ty?" Corinne suggested, picking up Lummon. "Until then, they can pass for stuffed animals."

Everyone walked into the trees, Rori carrying both Orchidemon and Talmon, until there was no one about.

"It's cold," Alex said, shivering.

"Suck it up," Felismon purred, swishing her tail as she leapt from his arms and bounded onto a low hanging branch of a nearby tree.

"Easy for you to say."

Corinne stroked Lummon in her lap as she sat on the bench. "So we returned the day after we left from RODAF or left from here?"

"RODAF. It's been two days from here," Tyler said, walking back and forth as he tried to think.

"We shouldn't be outside in this cold, yo," Zalyea complained.

"Woman is right," Gaimon said.

Tyler stopped and turned back to everyone. "We'll split now. I'll open the chat tonight briefly if there are any outstanding issues to be addressed. After that, conversation regarding Digimon will cease."

"We understand… I guess." Alex pouted.

Tyler patted him on the shoulder. "It's only for a short time." Checking his watch, he looked towards the gates. "I better take my leave. Mum will be lonely." He left quickly, leaving everyone in silence.

"They've really repaired Sabhailte quickly," Corinne remarked, noticing that while there were building works dotted around the city, it seemed as if nothing had ever happened. She looked around at all the others, waiting for someone to make the next move.

"My mum will be really worried by now, and I don't think dad will be happy." Len turned to Iontramon and used Encompass.

"I'll go with you, Len." Gaimon swirled inside of Zalyea's Digivice as the latter tapped the function. Both waved goodbye, leaving nothing but a pair of tracks in the snow.

"Alex, it's." Corinne checked her watch, realising she had no idea of the time. "Twelve. Six hours from now, be back here at that bench where the kid is kicking the snowman."

"Alright, I'll see you." Alex looked down, kicking at the snow but then he looked up, beaming. "How about a goodbye kiss from you two beautiful ladies?" He learned in, his lips pursed.

"Nice try." Corinne pushed him back gently. "Maybe next time."

"I'll take that and run." Alex ran off, Felismon disappearing into the tree tops as she trailed after him.

"Bye!" Rori called, waving.

"Where will you stay?" Corinne turned to look at the redhead and then to Talmon.

The small rabbit Digimon avoided her gaze entirely.

"I'm not sure, we'll find somewhere." Rori tapped Encompass and Orchidemon disappeared.

Touching Rori's wrist, Corinne stepped closer. "You can stay with me for a little while if you want."

"I don't want to cause trouble," Rori said sheepishly.

"The offer from before was serious. Really, it's no problem. My parents are usually away so they won't even have to know." Corinne grinned, excited that she would have someone living with her for a change. "It'll be like an extra-long sleepover!"

"What's a sleep over?"

Corinne sighed. "I have so much to teach you."

Tapping Encompass, she watched Lummon disappear into her Digivice. "What about Talmon?" She looked down at him.

"I'll carry him." Rori reached for him and then paused. "If that's okay with you Talmon?"

Talmon shrugged apathetically.

Rori nodded, smiling and lifted him up. "He can pass for a teddy."

"Okay, follow me." Corinne wrapped her arm around Rori and they began to walk out of the park and onto the bustling streets outside.

It was different when the others weren't there. Corinne and Rori were the quiet ones. As Corinne caught the redhead's eyes, they both smiled and stopped at the traffic lights. Corinne pressed the button, waiting for the 'green man'.

"What's that smell?" Rori sniffed the air, looking around.

Corinne sniffed. "Pretzels, why?" Moving as it started beeping and the 'green man' appeared, she saw Rori stay behind. "Let's go, come on."

"We have to get some of those." Rori's eyes were ravenous.

"Some other time." She was desperate to get across before the lights changed back. People all around them crossed quickly and the drivers looked impatient.

"Please," Rori begged.

Corinne sighed. "I have some at home. If we get there in the next five minutes, you can have one." Talmon was thrust into Corinne's arms and then the redhead disappeared into the crowds.

The nimble girl moved through the crowds as if she were made of liquid and suddenly she was running down the street away from Corinne on the other side.

Waving, she yelled, "Hey, wait up." She was still recovering and couldn't run too easily just yet, especially not in this cold. However, Rori didn't seem to hear her. "You don't know where I live!"

Rori looked back and grinned. "I stole your key." She shook the set of keys in her hand and then ran up the wall of a pet shop, back flipping onto the lamp post behind her and perching on it like a cat eyeing its' prey.

"When? Wait. What?" Corinne stammered as she tapped her pockets, noting they were all empty. Rushing towards Rori, she yelled, "That isn't okay!"

Rori laughed, leaping from one lamp to the next elegantly and attracting a lot of attention in doing so.

"Rori, you can't just climb up things!" Corinne saw people withdrawing their phones and feared for the exposure it would get them. RODAF might find them!

"Why not?" Rori asked, swivelling around mid-air and landing backwards on the next lamp post.

"Because I'm not sure it's legal, for one!" Corinne hissed as she saw people oohing and watching Rori's acrobatics intently.

Rori shrugged. "I don't see anyone complaining."

Corinne stopped at the lamppost beneath Rori and panted, leaning on it. "Just come down and we'll walk."

"I'm not sure we'll get there in five minutes if we walk. There's a lot of people."

"Yes there is a lot of people." Corinne sighed. "Just forget what I said. Let's get there alive and safe."

Rori shrugged, sliding down the pole and jumping to the ground.

A little boy ran up to her, holding out a piece of paper. "Please, please!" He waved it about, holding out a pen. "Can I have your autograph?"
Rori nodded eagerly. "Of course!" She was so naïve.

Corinne sighed, watching people gather round and try to get more information or photos of Rori.

Folding her arms, she tapped her foot on the ground impatiently. "Rori."

Landing on her feet after flipping for the crowd, Rori looked over. "Yeah?"

"Let's go before you get more disciples."

"What's a disciple?"

Corinne grabbed her hand, tired of twenty questions, and started running away from the crowd.

"Bye! I'll see you all again soon!" Rori waved, laughing. Turning to Corinne, she exclaimed, "Everyone is so nice!"

"Yeah, sure, until they reveal us to RODAF."

~.~.~

Corinne stopped outside of a tall building, made almost entirely out of glass and shiny black metal.

"This is all your house?" Rori covered her eyes, blocking the glare of the sun.
"No, just part of it." Corinne laughed, handing Talmon back to Rori, she walked through the doors ahead confidently and tapped the toe of each shoe on the floor as she entered, knocking the snow off her converse.

Rori followed and mimicked the action nervously. What a strange custom.

"We'll take the lift." Corinne flicked her hair about, shaking off the rest of the snow.

An old man in a red and white suit looked up from the newspaper on the red oak desk. "Miss Dalia?"

Corinne waved. "Are my mother and father still out, Collin?" Walking straight across the cream tiles of the lobby, she headed to the glass lift.

"Yes, madam," he replied in his distinctive French accent. He had come from there after it had been decided it would be used for weapons testing and as a military base before she was born. The stories he had were wonderful, but she couldn't help but feel guilty about living in the country that had repressed him and forcibly relocated his family.

Shaking her daydream away, she pressed the button on the wall next to the lift and the doors swung open. "Collin, can you inform me if they arrive?"

"Naturally, Miss Dalia."

"Who's he?" Rori asked as they stepped inside.

"Some guy," Corinne replied. There was no need to go into his life story. The doors closed quietly.

"Okay," Rori chimed happily as the lift began to move upwards smoothly.

Corinne withdrew her phone, opening their chat on her phone but stopped and looked at Rori. "Do you have a phone?" She shook it at Rori, convinced she probably wouldn't know what it was either.

"No, I lost my pager before I left RODAF."

"We'll get you one and add everyone as contacts." Corinne smiled. That was something practical. Something to take her mind off the sad truth of their separation.

"Why?" Rori leant back against the lift.

"You'll need it?" Corinne raised her eyebrow, confused. Everyone needed a phone. How could you live without one?

"Are you okay, Talmon?"

Talmon lifted his head. "Fine."

Rori nodded. "We'll eat some pretzels soon!" She grinned at Corinne. "Right?"

Corinne chuckled. "Right."

The elevator bell dinged and the doors slid open. Corinne stepped out onto the red carpeted hallway and started to walk down it.

"Are all of these doors yours?" Rori pulled a handle but frowned when it was locked.

"Nope, just this end one." Corinne slipped the key into the lock.

"The walls are pretty here." Rori stroked the wallpaper which depicted a woodland scene.

It was a strange compliment, but not the worst Corinne had ever received. "Thanks, I guess." Pulling the key back out, she grabbed the handle. "They really didn't let you out much, did they?"

"Nope. Only for missions."

Corinne shook her head in disbelief and then pushed the door open, walking inside.

The blonde walked through the expansive living room, kicking off her shoes as she went. The soft cream carpet beneath her feet was warm. Pulling off her jumper, she tossed it onto one of the red sofas in front of the televisions and continued into the kitchen. The warm air that encapsulated her was comforting, it was home.

"Wow, what's this?" Rori asked, pointing at a vase.

Corinne walked back in, spotting the ugly vase of a female warrior fighting a beast that Rori was on about. "That vase is ugly."

Rori jumped, turning around. "I like it."

Corinne shrugged. "To each their own." Leaning against the white doorframe, she asked, "Would you like something to eat?"

"Yeah."

Corinne walked back into the kitchen, dropping her keys down onto the granite work surface with a clatter and reaching into the dark brown cupboard near the door.

"You have a very nice house." Rori walked in, looking around.

"Thanks." Corinne withdrew the box of microwavable pretzels and set them down, flicking the box open. "How many would you like?"

Rori turned back from the fridge, having been investigating something on the fridge. "Them all." She pulled a sheet of paper off the fridge and held it up. "Who did this?"

Corinne remembered the badly painted picture of three people well. "I did. They put it on the fridge when I was five and have been proud ever since. For some reason." Corinne placed the pretzels into the microwave and twisted the dial to choose a setting. Closing the door, she set the time and checked to see Rori's face.

Rori genuinely looked like she liked it. "It's nice."

Corinne rolled her eyes. It was baffling that Rori liked it, but a complement nonetheless. "Thank you."

Rori sat down on one of the black stools in front of the granite breakfast bar, clasping her hands together. "So tell me about your family."

Corinne had been dreading this question. It's why none of The Resistance ever came here. "They're nice."

"You're lying," Rori chimed, waving a spoon Corinne had left out the other day.

"I'm not," Corinne protested, snatching the spoon. "This is dirty anyway." She placed it into the sink, feeling herself panic a little. How had Rori known?

"You are," Rori replied in a sing-song voice.

"I'm not!" Corinne snapped back around, feeling herself building up to anger but the microwave pinged, giving her a chance to escape.

Walking over, she grabbed a green tea towel and withdrew the pretzels one by one, dropping them onto a plate. Corinne walked back over and placed them onto the breakfast bar, sitting on a stool opposite Rori.

Rori picked one up and bit into it but spat it straight back out. "It's too hot!" she yelped.

"You have to let them cool," Corinne explained. Picking off a chunk of pretzel, she blew on it and then placed it into her mouth. After she finished chewing, she said, "See."

Rori tried to emulate her but failed, spitting it back out again. "You should have told me," she said, pouting and fanning her tongue.

Corinne sighed and picked up the half-eaten chunks, putting them in the shiny black bin by the door. She walked back over and sat down. "You're so messy."

Rori smiled cheekily. "I haven't forgotten about your family. I want to know."

"You don't." Corinne picked another chunk, blowing and eating it.

"I do!" Rori exclaimed, grinning.

"Rori," Corinne groaned tiredly.

"We'll talk later." Rori winked and grabbed a pretzel, blowing on it as she skipped out of the kitchen.

"Where are you going?"

"To look around some more."

Corinne sighed as she heard doors opening and closing. "I regret this already."

~.~.~

Aleena looked up slowly for the source of the voice. It was one she knew all too well and was hoping she would never hear again.

"I feel pretty real." A pale skinned hand gently lifted Aleena's own and placed it onto an ample chest. "Don't I?"

Aleena started sobbing, allowing her arm to fall. "You can't be real…"

"Why not? You fought me, remember?"

Aleena felt her mind flicker back to vague flashes of their exchange. That was real. Her sister had survived after she threw up all that blood and nasty black stuff and now… this must be her. "Why are you here? What are they doing to me?"

"Oh, Aleena." The red haired girl rubbed her cheek. "It's because no one loves you."

"So what?" Aleena pushed herself up, yelling and swinging her fist.

Alice avoided the blows, stepping from side to side until she reached the other side of the room. "Nearly."

Aleena stumbled and fell back to the ground with a thud. "Damn it."

"We want to watch you die in here alone." Her green eyes rested on Aleena, mocking her. "You're just entertainment; you're good for nothing else." Smirking, she said, "No sister of mine would be as pathetic as you."

"I don't want to be a sister to someone who never made the effort!" Aleena pushed herself up slowly, blood trickling down her leg and staining the hospital gown. Growling in fury, she tried to ignore the pain that made her feel like she would black out at any given moment. The adrenaline pumping through her blood was numbing some of the pain but it still hurt so much.

"Failures like you don't get to judge me!" Aleena ran across the room, struggling with each step to stay upright, and brought her fist into the smug grin.

Alice easily sidestepped, smirking.

Staggering, Aleena planted her hands on the wall, holding herself up. "Damn you!"

Aleena charged again and swung her fist but this time Alice knocked her to the ground.

Kneeling down, Alice cocked her head to the side and said, "Last time I checked there were only three failures in this family; you, mum and dad."

"You've never even met them!" Aleena grabbed for Alice but missed. Aleena had no memories of them and it made sense Alice wouldn't either since she didn't have any memories of Alice.

Alice laughed, looking at Aleena with disgust. "I lived with them until they were killed like the scum they were."
"You—"

"That's right. I remember mum and dad because I'm not some broken piece of trash they threw away."

"Did they—?"

"They didn't even bat an eyelid when they got rid of you like the trash you were, and still are."

Aleena tried to come to terms with the news but it seemed almost impossible. She had barely thought about her parents until this moment but now the information was just too much, too soon. Shaking, she looked up. "Why?"

"I was worth something and you weren't. Why would they waste time and effort on disgusting trash?"

"I'm not trash…" She felt tears trickling down her face involuntarily as her gut wrenched. Looking at the wall, she clenched her eyes shut.

"Just like those friends of yours—"

Aleena thrust her fist through Alice's face, shattering her. That was strange. So she wasn't real? "Don't you." Grasping the wound on her abdomen, she slid back down the wall. "Only I insult those idiots." As her vision faded, she smiled. "I guess I finally know."

~.~.~

"I'm home!" Nothing but the echo of Tyler's own voice replied. Walking through the house, he looked around. "Mum?" Stepping into the kitchen, he checked the notice board but it was blank. "Mum, are you sleeping?" He walked towards her bedroom. "You didn't have to stay up and wait, you know. I am a big boy, mum." He opened the bedroom door but the bed was made and there was no sign of anyone.

Tyler started to become more worried, looking back, he called louder "Mum?" It wasn't like her to hide and play jokes. He looked down at his Digivice and Idomon looked back. Tapping the button, he released Idomon.

"I'll search everywhere. You try contact her." Idomon's body dispersed into purple smoke, spreading throughout the flat.

Tyler grabbed the house phone, set on the kitchen counter, and dialled his mother's mobile phone number. The immediate dial tone notified him the phone was either off or broken. Placing it down gingerly, he called out, "Any luck?" The sinking feeling in his gut intensified. Something was wrong.

Idomon reformed in front of him and shook his head. "No, but I found this dug into the bathroom cabinet." He produced the knife covered in intricate markings, including a prominent red rose on the hilt. "You should call the others. Or maybe the police."

Tyler walked back to his room. "We promised we would deal with our own issues. And as for the police, well, I have a feeling this is out of their depth." He grabbed his black trench coat off the hanger on the back of the door and the mobile phone from his bed and walked back out of the room. "Can you sense any Digital energy?"

"Tyler, it doesn't work like that."

Tyler pulled his coat on. "That's okay. I shall have to work out her whereabouts herself. Gimi mentioned he saw her here just before we returned, so the trail must still be fresh. Let's not waste time." Grabbing his keys from the bowl by the door, he swung the door open. He felt dizzy, shaken but he couldn't waver. He had to save his mum.

"I'll be right next to you every step." Idomon swirled into purple smoke, disappearing from view.

"I just hope you're okay," Tyler whispered, feeling a pang of guilt for not being here. He wasn't able to protect her, the person who loved him unconditionally and now she was probably wrapped up in this whole RODAF mess.

What's happened to Tyler's mum? How much longer can Aleena hold out? When will I release the next chapter?

I haven't given up on this story. I am way less active and I'm worried about how long it may take to finish but I still (and until I say otherwise) have every intention of at least releasing everything I have planned out.

I don't own Digimon.