Todai - Lighthouse, beacon
"What Happened here? An absolute marvel of human Accomplishment, kept a secret all this time - a secret hidden from the rest of the world."
Mark Meltzer
04/02/1999
Beneath The Atlantic Ocean
The blinding light greeted Ena when she opened her eyes. With a few blinks, she finally regained her conscious. She turned her head around to look around her surroundings. What she saw was gruesome: TV screens with cables hanging above her and surgical tools- some were clean and pristine while others were rusted and alarmingly bloody- and most of all: A writhing, disgusting slug resided within a jar. Panicked, she tried to move her limbs until she realised that she had been strapped to the surgical table. Her heart was beating fast and immediately tried to contain her panic attack. It was not long until the sound of mechanical hiss came next to her, two people coming in donned in their surgeon uniforms. The lights blinded her once more and she could not see their faces. Until she heard them muttering in English:
"It seems one of our patients is awake."
"Yes... Didn't I tell you to sedate her before, Doctor Yakovich?"
"Yes. Should've dosed more. However, since we need her awake for mental conditioning sooner than later. Doctor Grimes specifically told us to use small dose of anaesthesia then use other medications to alleviate the pain. Still, I don't believe every word he says so we should keep her unconscious for surgery Doctor Krells."
"Well then, let us not waste anymore time, shall we?" He then proceeded to pick up a small needle while readying the drug.
Ena panicked and spoke of what much of English she had learned from school and Touma's lessons: "W-wait! Where am I? Why are you doing this?!"
Doctor Yakovich raised his eyebrow at her: "Well now, someone knows English. And to answer your question girl: You are in Fontaine Futuristics Science Facility, and you will fulfil our honoured purpose for the Family."
She tried to understand all of this situation within her small mind and asked once more: "Where are my friends and what purpose?"
"Curious little midget, aren't you?" Doctor Krells murmured when he finally filled a large dosage into the needle.
Doctor Yakovich answered again, distracting her while the other prepared to inject the girl: "Firstly; if you're referring to the group who came with you that night, they are fine and will be next for preparation. And second; you will gather our special substantial source of ADAM for The People's Daughter to become our great messiah who will guide us to future."
Ena could only understand the half of his gibberish speech until something pricked into her shoulder, realising that she had been drugged again. Feeling drowsy, she tried to fight consciousness until she was falling into the abyss. But not before she had heard one of the doctors saying:
"And soon we will all be reborn..."
She slipped into a dreamless sleep. Unaware of what the future holds her and deep within her heart and Digi soul she cried out in the dark...
Dorumon. Help me...
Come around Evening: The S.S. Haruto had finally reached their destination. They had caught sight of the lighthouse as it shined through the mist.
"Look!" Kazu yelled. "There's a ship over there!"
Indeed, it was. But something was wrong. The ship was swaying dangerously low below the sea, it had not been anchored down from looks of it. But rather sinking was the right term.
One of the crewmates brought out the binoculars and he called out to the captains: "Sir! It's the S.S. Nellie Bly!"
This was it. Megumi and Miki immediately turned on the radio communication systems to call them.
"S.S. November-Eight-Lance-Left-Indigo-Eleven Band-Lore-Yellow: This is S.S. Hundred-Acre-Race-Universe-Ten-Orange. We have followed your coordinates and reached destination. Your vessel is appearing to be sinking. Please respond."
But there was no response.
"Keep trying." Yoshino whispered.
"S.S. November-Eight-Lance-Left-Indigo-Eleven, Band-Lore-Yellow: This is S.S. Hundred-Acre-Race-Universe-Ten-Orange. We have followed your coordinates and reached destination. Your vessel is appearing to be sinking. Please respond."
Again, no reply came in.
Satsuma grabbed a hold of the mic from the girls and took turn to speak:
"Captain Casey Ferrence: This is Rentarou Satsuma of DATS Japan. We have spoken a few days ago and was requested an aid from Mark Meltzer. Do you copy?"
BZZT!
It definitely caught the other vessel's attention alright. But the response was not what they had hoped for.
The sound of heavy breathing and a small crash was heard and someone or something had landed on something wet.
"Hah... Hah... So, you finally made it... Ya crazy bastards..." A gruff yet tired voice came out from the other side of the mic.
The fear was creeping on everyone's backs as the harsh panting went on.
Satsuma asked: "Captain Ferrence, is that you? What happened?"
The response was only a chuckle followed by a wet cough: "Aye, 'tis I. As for what happened: Something came from the sea."
The fear was creeping into their hearts more now than ever. Miki asked: "What came out and where's Mark Meltzer."
"Those... Those Sea Devils! Their faces were wrong and monstrous! They slew the whole crew like minced meat and vanished when it's over! And Meltzer- HACK! HACK!" He coughed at what suspiciously came out was blood from his lungs which meant he had not much time left. "Mark made it out, prob'ly made it out to the ligthouzeee..." His words were slurring, getting close to dying. "But if thozee... *wheeze* Sea Devils left ourss ssship... They're comin' for him..."
His breathing was slowing down, and Megumi took back the mic from Satsuma: "Captain Ferrence? Hold on! We're getting close to your ship and-!"
"NO MISSUSsss!" He interrupted and coughed harder until he calmed down. "There be minefield here. Mark used the Box... That damn metal box with a compass ta miss 'em... And it's too late for meee... Do me a favour... If ya coming here; Don't. Get outta here. That man's deader than gutted fishzzz..."
Then the breathing had stopped. There was a loud clash, and the signal was cut out.
"Captain Ferrence? Captain Ferrence can you hear me?!" Megumi cried out.
Touma placed his hand on her shoulder: "He's gone Megumi. He was already dying the moment they sailed into that damned place."
Masaru brought his fist together and said: "Well then, let's get to it. Somebody else could still be alive in there."
Everyone fell onto the floor in exasperation minus Agumon.
Ruki was the first to get up: "Are you outta your mind you doofus?! What if they're all dead and those monsters come back for us this time? Did you ever think of that?!"
The tick came out of Masaru's head (hearing the word made him remember of Gotsumon's insult) as he turned around at her: "Oh yeah? I don't see that you have any better ideas pineapple head!"
Two more ticks were coming from Ruki when Touma decided to cut her off: "Ruki-san's right Masaru. There's no telling if those 'Sea Devils' would come back for us. And not to mention that Captain Ferrence's warnings about the minefield- if I might add, which would be impossible- could sink us all in."
Masaru's three ticks had appeared as he turned his attention to Touma: "Oh, so now you're on her side? What happened to helping people and Digimon alike in the good old days?"
"I didn't say we should give up but-"
"We came here not just to help those people and kids Touma! My sister's out there! And so is the Boss' daughter! What if they're in the lighthouse? We can't just stand around here and do nothing!"
"Funny that someone forgot that how you botched the mission by attacking the 'Traveller' against the captain's wishes?" A voice called out.
Masaru's face fell into brief shock then quickly to anger as he looked around: "Who said that?! You want a knucklehead sandwich? Huh? Do ya?!"
"I did." It was Jianliang. He looked stoic but his eyes were filed with anger: "If you hadn't slip up the mission months ago; My sister and all those girls wouldn't have been snatched away from us."
"Jian..." Juri darted her eyes to him from surprise to worry. Even Ruki and Terriermon were shocked, and the former backed away from a new argument between them.
"What the hell did you just say you punk?!" Masaru growled.
"I said-"
"Jian, please don't do it..." Terrriermon begged, he had seen Jian's silent grief for nearly nine months and now he is becoming more aggressive. And Terriermon certainly did not want to fight on the ship, not just because he would get wet in the end but getting everyone hurt as well.
Jian ignored him nevertheless: "That if you haven't fucked up the whole mission; Your sister, MY sister, Captain Satsuma's daughter and the other two girls wouldn't have been kidnapped." He growled equally back at him. Everyone gasped at Jian. Never in their lives have they heard Jian cuss. Sweet, gentle, wise, and brave Jian who never once swore until the beach episode had been this bad.
"THAT'S IT!" Masaru roared as he lunged at him only to be grabbed from the scruff of his neck by Satsuma himself.
"ENOUGH!" He shouted. Everyone went silent.
"I've just had enough of your constant arguments from you Daimon Masaru! And you Lee Jianliang, I expected better from you! You will all pull yourselves together until we come to a decision about this whole mess!"
Everyone stood up and waited for his plans while both young men looked away in shame. Satsuma released the older teen roughly and walked outside to clear his thoughts.
Satsuma was at his wits end during the argument. But the tension had finally set down, for now.
He looked up at the lighthouse from afar. The building was different to say the least; It looked old yet almost modern at the same time. The artistic plates had broken off the building's bricks and there was a lot of rubble at the bottom of each side of the staircases. The style was in Art Deco, he remembered when he was a child that his grandfather and father has a fascination of Western art hence all that knowledge of the old times passed on to Satsuma. The art however had been almost 60 years over since then, but it looked... He couldn't describe it.
"Breath taking?" A voice called out.
It snapped out of the captain's thoughts and looked on his shoulder to see Kudamon who too looked back.
"You certainly can read a person's thoughts, couldn't you old friend?" he chuckled.
Kudamon chuckled too. "But back to the matter of this issue: We need to come up with a plan. You heard what Captain Ferrence said; When- Let's say we somehow manoeuvre the mine field: there will be a second defence. Whatever they were, they were not Digimon. From what he had told us: They were monstrous, and I think those were people who ended up like Mr. Lutwidge from his experience."
Piyomon looked up to Kudamon in shock, he asked: "How can you be so sure? The Journal said that there was a war and it wiped out the entirety of the population."
"Perhaps not all of them. Though if they still live, then the deformities might have come from that odd substance Lutwidge mentioned." Dorumon explained.
"Not to mention hostilities and lunacy that similarity strikes with him..." Kudamon added.
"Hmm..." Was Satsuma's only reply. He had entered a deep thought until-
"Satsuma-san?" Dorumon asked.
He immediately snapped out of it and the plan had finally formed in his mind.
"You figured out a plan didn't you Satsuma?" Realisation hit Kudamon as his partner nodded.
"Yes, it will be risky, but it might be the only way."
Later
He had rounded his group and began his debriefing:
"All right everyone, Listen Up: I have come to a decision: It will be a large risk for all of us, however if you all wish to be out of it, I will respect your decision. Kudamon, Dorumon, Piyomon and I will go to S.S. Nellie Bly for any survivors and with luck, find any clues left from Mark Meltzer. When that is done- if possible- the survivors will be sent to our ship, and we will enter the lighthouse should Mark had to survive. If the Lighthouse is a gateway to Rapture then make no mistake, the remaining denizens could/will be hostile and dangerous so normal survivors are highly unlikely to encounter. And if luck and our prayers be answered, we will find our girls and the rest of the children."
Everyone went silent until Masaru slammed his hand on the table, startling everyone.
"Of course, we're coming with ya! Ain't no way we're letting you go alone even with many Digimon who come along! The more the merrier right Agumon?" He grinned.
"Sure thing boss!" He grinned wildly.
"But you must remember! If Rapture is a small city: There would be no digivolving unless their forms are smaller than the city itself, least we destroy the entire building, and you could all drown." Touma warned.
Masaru's grin wavered, realizing that Touma was right and blushed with embarrassment. He grumbled what sounded like an agreement but added "But that doesn't mean we can't beat 'em down."
Everyone chuckled at his proclamation. That was fine with them.
"I too shall come too." Jian came forth.
"And me too silly!" Terriermon clung onto Jian's shoulder with a peace sign which made the boy smile.
"Hey now! Since I was made leader of the Tamers then on behalf of our team: we will join as well." Takato added.
"You made yourself leader? Don't be ridiculous Chumley! It was us who appointed you and you were hesitant in the beginning." Hirokazu snorted which earned a not so gentle elbow jab in the middle from Juri which earned an 'Oi!'.
"I'm afraid I have to decline here." Touma said.
Masaru snapped his head at Touma so fast he nearly winced. "What?! Why the hell not?"
"Someone needs to use communication hub on the ship least we're under attack. And the rest of the crew have no Digimon other than fire weapons." Touma explained.
Masaru understood and rubbed the back of his neck where it hurt. Sleeping on a bunk bed was not comfy.
"I think we will stay too Captain Satsuma; someone will need backup here." Miki said and Megumi nodded in agreement along with Pawnchessmons. Satsuma understood this and nodded back in acknowledgement.
"So am I." Came from Yoshino.
"You too?" Masaru groaned.
"Yeah. Four of us should be enough to hold the fort- or uh Ship."
"Very well." Satsuma agreed.
"Make it Five." Ryo said.
"Ryo-san?" Takato asked, bewildered.
"As much as I like adventuring with my partner, I would rather not make messier things down there when Monodramon Digivolve into Cyberdramon."
Tch. Ruki scoffed quietly.
Ryo raised his eyebrow while Ruki glared at him with utter hatred.
It was not a secret that they broke up months ago before the disaster. Takato and Juri had to console Ruki after a bad breakup. Ruki told them everything and only to Takato and Juri. They had sworn secrecy until the redhead girl was ready to open up to everyone. Unfortunately, Terriermon had to go poking things where he should not be doing until Ruki exploded. It did not end well. Even Hirokazu, who used to idolize Ryo gave him the cold shoulder and ignored him. The only ones who were talking to him were Takato, Juri and Jian. Kenta had stayed out of it. The rest had found out but did not care.
Nevertheless, Satsuma coughed to bring their attention once more.
"The decision has been made then. We will use a small boat to drive up to the other ship within a half an hour. Pack your things: Rations, First Aid kits, flashlights even extra clothes if you have to. The city is fathoms bellow which means it will be freezing and the city no doubt it's heating system was damaged from the war. Do not be late."
Everyone took that as being dismissed and left for their own rooms one last time for preparation.
But not before Ruki glared at Ryo while one last time, he tried to ignore her ire which made Takato and Juri sigh.
Ruki packed as much needed items as she could within her rucksack. Swearing and muttering as she stuffed away. Renamon stared at her silently not saying a word and for once did not wish to intrude her problems.
But seeing her like this had never made her feel so useless.
"If you're here to lecture me than do it Renamon. I know that you're watching me." Ruki's voice filled with bitter sadness which made Renamon nearly jump out of her shadow, thankfully she managed to compose herself before stepping out of her hiding place.
"I'm not here to lecture you Ruki. The only ones who can are your mother and grandmother."
Ruki snorted, then coughed as she tried to her grin. "Yeah, yeah. You're a smartass enough as it is Renamon. But my gut already told me that you're gonna do it."
Renamon sighed. "I understand you're anger but remember; you should not lash out your frustration at everyone when we leave. Especially towards Juri and Takato in the future."
Ruki's heart clenched when Renamon mentioned her two closest friends. Granted she managed to reel her temper in, only a small fraction at Masaru for his stupidity- no. That was not fair to him. He wanted to save his sister so badly as much as Jian. She shuddered when she thought of Jian. She had never seen him so angry in her life. Always the pacifist but ready to lend a hand when lives were at stake. Then she knew that Suichong's life is on the boy's shoulders hence his foul mood held within him. He had tried but now it was slowly cracking and getting worse by the minute.
She sighed and looked at the mirror, tidying her hair up into a tight bun rather than regular hair style she loved, then looked back Renamon. "You're right Renamon. Sorry. It's just that... Everyone's in foul mood because of what happened on that damned beach. And my... Breakup. Not to mention that the radio call made me anxious and..."
"Afraid?"
If Ruki were a 13-year-old pre-teen again she would have snapped at her for calling her a coward. But this was reality, not the Digital world or her fantasy. There would be real violence and she had just watched a bloodbath at the Daimon family home along with DATS HQ after the attack. She nods her head in agreement.
"I don't know what we'll find on that ship or inside the lighthouse but if I know for one thing: That this is not a Digimon battle, and we might fight for survival should our search and rescue mission fail. Let alone if we can survive"
"We will not fail Ruki. We have come this far from our first Digimon battles to the survival in the Digital World and defeating the D-Reapers. Whatever this city will bring upon us, we will succeed."
Ruki's eyes gleamed with hope at her partner's sudden encouragement and smiled for the first time in months.
"Since when did you start making pep talks Renamon?"
"Since we listened to Takato's heroic yet half-witted speeches when you were young."
Ruki giggled: "Well, goggle head had always been more optimistic than any of us combined. Especially with Juri."
With that, she had packed every essential for the perilous journey and was ready to leave until she caught something in the corner of her eye.
There was a thin sliver of grey on the dresser next to her bed and there was an odd sound of static coming from that said sliver.
"Renamon?"
"I see it Ruki."
"What- What is that?"
The sliver suddenly burst wide open which made the redhead and her partner jump back. Renamon quickly wrapped her arms around Ruki, shielding her from the blinding light. When the light died out, they opened their eyes and were too shocked to move.
The sliver had been blown wide into a size of an oval mirror. But what was inside the grey matter surprised them more. Two sets of jewellery and a cowboy hat which screamed the similarity of Mimi's when she was a child but unclear of the colour. Before they could react, the round and grey matter dissipated into a sliver once more then vanished and leaving the objects behind.
They could not form their words, only to gape at the place where it had happened. Slowly Ruki released herself from Renamon's grip, taking a few steps standing before them. Her hands were trembling but composed herself as she reached for the jewellery. she looked upon them and realised that they were chokers. It was a fashion sense she had picked that her mother approved of. Inspecting closer, in the centre of the chokers; one was a bird soaring and the other was a bird cage. Something niggled in the back of her mind that they looked familiar. The one time when she was in the summer festival with her friends. Something both her and Juri had seen before. But her memory seemed to slip away from her and decided to bring the jewellery and the hat with her to show Juri. She pocketed them and turned her attention to the hat. It was brown coloured and it looked quite old and musty. Almost, archaic. She inspected the hat and found the initials inside near the rim: E.T.S.
She could not make it out of the hat, but she knew that it could be a family heirloom when they leave initials on their objects. Carefully, she placed the hat inside the rucksack making sure that it wouldn't crumple.
"Ruki. Are you sure it is safe to bring them along with you? It could be an elaborate trap."
"I don't know why Renamon. But something tells me that they're important. There must be a reason why they appeared. Come on, we need to leave."
They left the room but not before Renamon used her senses to look for anymore unpleasant surprises, nothing else had come out so Renamon followed behind her.
"Man! I'm bored!"
"We already heard you before Hirokazu. For the twelfth time." Takato groaned.
Only two passengers had yet to be arrived and Hirokazu waited for only 20 minutes. A new record.
"I swear if they don't show up, I'm gonna start singing that ol' song again-"
"NO!"
"No, no, no and no Hirokazu! If you do that: Either Ruki will break your teeth 'till you can't sing no more or we'll gag you and leave you and the locker room!" Masaru threatened.
Hirokazu recoiled but then pouted. "Sheesh. What wrong with whistling a merry little tune? Or do you guys have a problem with my singing?"
Everyone nodded. Even Hagurumon agreed.
Hirokazu was bamboozled. "Wha-?! You too buddy?! Why? You said I was spectacular at singing!"
"Yes. But when you're only humming to the tune rather than saying that is." Hagurumon's only response.
Hirokazu turned to stone while he gapes at him.
Juri giggled: "Well, look at that. Hirokazu is completely speechless."
Everyone laughed and Hirokazu slumped in defeat.
"Wow, if I had arrived a little earlier; I would've recorded the whole thing." Ruki's voice announced their arrival with Renamon following behind her.
"Please. Just stop." Hirokazu moaned.
Ruki smirked. "At least you learned your manners cappy boy. But fine, we're ready."
"Where were you Ruki?" Kenta asked.
"Had to do some finishing touches for my clothes and double-checked my bag of supplies."
"Then we have no time waste. We're moving straight away!" Satsuma ordered.
Ruki and Renamon entered the boat with the rest of her teammates as Satsuma revved up the engine. But not before calling out to his subordinates: "I want you all to be vigilant at all times! If you're all under attack: Call us via communication devices and then retreat." Everyone started to open their mouths in protest, but the captain beat them to it: "None of that! I cannot allow anymore lives to be lost at the hands of monsters of the sea! Not after what had happened a year ago. So, you will all do as your told! Do you understand me?"
They all went silent. "Sir, Yes sir!" Everyone at the ship yelled and saluted. Satsuma too saluted back and began their journey to the S.S. Nellie Bly.
An unknown submersible was deep below the S.S. Haruto. The occupants were unseen due to poor lighting inside the vessel.
"Ya think they made a move now?"
"Of course, you nitwit! That small dingy boat is off to that other ship where poor Wesley went in."
"Then that means...?"
"We either follow 'em or attack that ship above us."
One of them held a rather large box with a radio wire atop of it.
Then with a crackle, a woman's voice was heard. Though the words were undescribed due to a weak signal.
"What's she sayin'?"
"Quiet! I'm almost tuned to it!"
BONK!
BZZT!
"There we go! Just a little jumpstart would do."
...
"Did you just whack the-?"
"Yes. My husband would do that to our Television when it goes funny and worked. What's wrong with that?"
"What are you? A ten-year-old? Seriously, who whacks into someone's stuff like that?"
"Quit it you guys! The transmissions comin'!"
Then a woman's voice had finally reached out to them: "Have you all arrived at the intruder's vessel?"
"Yes Ma'am!"
"Good. What is the status?"
They all hashed out to the matriarch of the Family.
"I see. Then you will give me the location of the first vessel so that I will send the missile with the... Trespassers within."
"So, the other vessel-?"
"You have my permission to execute them. But do it quickly. After all, the family must be vigilant and show NO mercy upon the interlopers should they discover Rapture. You don't want to lose your rights to be a part of salvation, do you?"
"No Ma'am! We will slaughter them like pigs in yours and the child's name!"
"Good. Now hurry along my dear children. Time is off the essence."
And with that they send the coordinates to the woman and the transmission ended as they proceed to surface near the second vessel.
The crew on the ship will never know what hit them.
When the boat had arrived the S.S. Nellie Bly; they all climbed one by one as Satsuma was the last to aboard the ship, but not before throwing a grappling hook, attaching to the ship. The sky was getting darker, and they all have turned on their own flashlights.
The ship was completely off balance catching them off guard. When they took all the surroundings, they had to hold in to prevent throwing up. It was a disaster: Seawater was taking in slowly and it had somehow managed to bring dead fish up aboard. The rotting corpses from the recently diseased crew was everywhere.
"Oh god! I don't know what's worse: The Fish or the Dead. It reeks!" Kenta gagged while pinching his nose. Everyone had done the same as they all split up for any clues.
"Everyone! If you have found any viable information, whistle!" Satsuma said. They all agreed.
Takato and Jian had entered the main hangar when they found a bedroom. There was sign that had read:
"Jian! Here it is!" Terriermon shouted. That earned an annoyed grunt for being to close to his partner's obnoxious voice.
"Oops. Sorry Jian." He smiled sheepishly. Jian shook his head but gave him a brief smile.
They entered Mark's room and it was not pleasing sight. There were a lot of bullet holes riddled across the wall. Blood had also splattered across his desk and walls which concerned the adolescents and Digimon. Books and files were scattered above the water filled room, so collecting them was a no go. But the CD recordings were somehow intact on the desk shelf. Then two things had caught their attention:
One- There was a photo and a drawing plastered on the desk
And Two- A Metal Box with it's light blaring like crazy.
Jian inspected the box as he gave the flashlight to Terriermon while Takato took a closer inspection of the CDs and the Photo with his own.
The CDs had been marked of date, name, and title. One was The Ship Hackness' distress signal (that they heard a few weeks ago), the second was one of the crew mate's strange 'sighting' and the last one belonged to the ship captains. They were interesting so he decided giving them to the captain to listen. After he placed them into his rucksack, he gently peeled off the photo on the wall. The photo was half ripped. It was a woman with a bright smile on her face, Takato assumed that this was his wife, Amanda. From what Phil had told them (as nosy as he was) they were getting a divorce because Amanda gave up to easily while Mark's stubborn streak and endlessly searching for their daughter caused a rift between them and liquidated their money on his search. Takato honestly could not blame Mark. He and Captain Satsuma are so much alike, finding their daughters to the ends of the earth. Still, he prayed that the man is alive when they find him.
He looked at the missing half bottom trying to figure out who it was. Maybe... It had to be Cindy! But why rip it in half? Did he want keep Cindy's picture only? Or did someone steal it when he was under attack? He would rather not imagine who were assailants are, he may have grown older and maturing but as far as he knew; The Matsuda family's imagination will forever be cursed. So, no more of that, thank you very much.
He then picked up the drawing which was odd. A childish drawing which made him remember his younger days. It consisted of a little girl pointing at the lighthouse from where they are right now. Mark would never draw something like this, and it was coded. The answer was already written: Look For The Big Bright Light!
Then his head ticked until it chimed. This was Cindy's message! She must be the one who sent letters and messages to call for help. He looked to see Jian and Terriermon inspecting the box when-
BZZT! BANG!
The box gave out with a loud bang and smoke had risen in the air.
"EEK!" Terriermon squeaked. He squeaked. Like an actual bunny. Takato could not hold it in and giggled. Then the giggle burst out into a laughter with Jian joining in. Guilmon could only bend his head sideway in confusion when he caught an unpleasant scent and decided to look for it, leaving the room.
Terriermon pouted as his cheeks had become a lovely shade of red.
It took a minute until the boys finally calmed down trying to catch their breaths. Takato glanced at his friend and smiled. Jian noticed it.
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just... It's nice to hear you laugh again. I mean being positive helps things. Like looking on the bright side is that we're getting closer than ever."
Jian paused. Now that Takato had mentioned it, he had been moody as he was for the past few months. He felt guilty for lashing out on Masaru and all of his teammates. His friends.
He coughed up to get attention from anyone present: "Guys. I'm sorry for yelling at all of you. I've never been so angry in my whole life and-"
Terriermon decided to butt in: "Jian, it's okay. Everyone had been tense since the incident and it affected both Masaru and the Captain as well."
"But that doesn't give me an excuse to hurt everyone's feelings Takato. Last week I nearly made Katou-san cry. And frightened Hirokazu the other day." Jian retorted.
"Jian, c'mon man-"
"No Takato. I owe everyone an apology, especially Masaru. Those people who sworn to protect his little sister were MURDERED in front of his family. And those freaks hurt Ena too. They have the right to be angry at me rather the other way round."
Takato could only sigh and Terriermon hugged around Jian's head as comfort.
"Jian, everyone and you were all hurting. I mean yeah, venting out your frustration and pain is good but on people isn't."
"Gee thanks Terriermon, that makes me feel-"
"What I mean to say is just talk it over and maybe do some of your martial arts training together. It helped you with your Sensei for years." Terriermon finished.
Jian finally understood and gently placed a fist onto his friend's head: "Since when did you became the wise guy?"
Terriermon giggled and added: "From you silly and a good old-"
But both boys beat him to it: "-phrase of Momentai."
"Hey!"
The boys chuckled until Takato noticed one occupant was missing.
"Takatomon?" Guilmon called out.
"Guilmon? What is it buddy?" He asked.
"What's that writing on the wall?"
"The what now?" He asked.
"There's a writing on the wall in red colour. But I can't read Takato." He answered again.
The boys -plus one bunny- looked at each other before joining Guilmon's discovery in the halls. The message was unnerving and the words that had written:
Rapture Awaits.
"Huh. I suppose that was a welcome committee from the locals." Terriermon said.
"I think you're right buddy." Jian agreed.
Takato looked closely at the message, yet something was not right. The letters had dripped down to the piling water, probably a hurried message with no time to keep it steady.
Guilmon sniffed closer and whined.
"Buddy? What is it?"
"Takato. I don't think its paint. It smells bad. Very, very bad."
Their faces were as white as a sheet when they realised that the substance that was used for the message was-
Blood.
Dried blood.
Dried blood from the one of the deceased crew members of this ship.
Takato had somehow managed to hold the bile within his throat as well as Jian. Terriermon and Guilmon could only stare at the message on the wall with sheer terror.
CLANG!
Everyone jumped and looked around the source of the noise. Guilmon growled and Terriermon's ears perked up for the source.
Everyone ran back inside Mark's cabinet room against the wall.
They whispered one another as the sound of water sloshing was getting closer.
"Do you think it's from one of the survivors?"
"Or perpetrators?"
"Why are we whispering Takatomon?"
"So, we could get the drop on them Guilmon."
"How?"
Jian glanced around Mark's room when he found a broken lead pipe and a baseball bat (for some reason). He nudged to his friend and nodded at each other knowing a plan was forming.
"Terriermon and Guilmon, when that stranger comes right around the corner you guys jump on them while we take a weapon and beat them up."
"Wait, what-" Terriermon asked with a confused look.
Jian cuts him off "We won't really hurt them pal, just to threaten them if those monsters are back."
The two Digimon felt uneasy but agreed.
The sound of footsteps was getting louder and closer.
The boys picked up their makeshift weapons while the Digimon went each side of the door, preparing for their ambush. The teens turned off their flashlights as to not catch the intruder's attention.
Finally, the stranger was close to the broken door, and they had to have a flashlight. They had begun to enter the doorway when-
"CHARGE!"
Terriermon and Guilmon pounced upon the intruder while the person yelled and landed into the water with a huge- SPLASH!
The person was gasping for air while the boys were raising their weapons to hit them until-
"Stop that at once!" A voice cried out.
It was Satsuma at the end of the hall along with Kudamon and Dorumon.
"We need him alive so let him up!" Kudamon ordered.
"But sir! He could have a weapon with them!"
"Not anymore." Terriermon spoke as he grabbed the now waterlogged pistol from the intruder.
"Boys, I think it's time to turn on your flashlights, someone's here to join us. Or rather; reunite."
Huh?
True enough they turned the lights on again and pointed at the stranger none other than-
"DAD!?"
"MR. LEE!?"
"POPS!?"
Lo and behold: Lee Janyu/Jiang-Yu was sitting in a cold wet water, clothes all soggy and hair a complete mess with his glasses askew.
"Hello boys." he grunted when he stands up while fixing his glasses.
Jenrya did not waste a second as he tackled his father into a hug.
Janyu's shoulders tensed until they relaxed as he embraced his son back.
They released themselves until Jenrya asked: "What are you doing here dad? I thought you were heading back home after... what had happened."
Janyu sighed: "Yes son. I was ready to head home as soon as I heard when my little Sakura No Hara* was taken."
"But what happened dad? And how did you end up here?"
"Well... About half a year since you all left searching for this city 'Utropolis': I have heard that from Orren Oscar Lutwidge had wrote and yes, the university that I graduated were crazy about that article and surprisingly they have Philosophy Major since before Techs there was a Psychology only (and more major's have added these days). They argued about a certain man I had heard who created the idea of that said city where Lutwidge went: Andrew Ryan."
Kudamon perked up at the name: "The former Belarusian-American businessman? We had made a research about him, and his philosophy was ridiculous if you ask me."
Janyu nodded and continued on: "But not to some philosophers, from what I know; he was inspired from Ayn Rand who was a both writer and philosopher. Surprisingly as I was about to leave the University, an elderly Major Dean came up to me and he knew about 'Rapture' and Ryan. Apparently, he and Ryan were once good friends since childhood until the Bolshevik's destroyed their lives and fled to The United States. Ryan's new business was booming, and the other was a student at Harvard's. Until the USA congress 'betrayed' him by taking away his own personal retreat park to nationalize it. And his response? He burned the whole place to the ground."
The were couple of small gasps from Terriermon saying 'Holy Cow' to Dorumon's 'What a senseless waste'.
"Then it got worse when Hiroshima was bombed-" Everyone winced because of the worst time in their homeland many years ago. "Ryan's vision and philosophy took to a whole new level, he soon vanished with dozens of civilians including the best Doctors, Artists and any talented people with him. Except Dr. Samuel Valtore: The Dean himself. He refused his invitation as he knew that any Utopia would soon lead to an opposite known as Dystopia. When the CIA interrogated him; he did not have any coordinates of the city's location. However, a few weeks ago when he discovered Lutwidge's expedition he called him by the time that poor madman had escaped. Lutwidge had given the coordinates to Dr. Valtore because he knew Samuel's connection to Ryan. And now the Dean gave them to me as he knew that I wanted more than anything to save your little sister Jenrya." His eyes moist on the verge of tears but continued on: "I left for the Eastern America until I reached for the airport and flying all the way to Spain where the ship was by the time. When I made to the docks: one of those fancy dressed people are part that secret organization called themselves: I.O.O.P. was informed by Lutwidge himself instructing me to find S.S. Nellie Bly. By the time I arrived, I met Mark Meltzer himself. We shared the same goal and journeyed across the cold waters of North-western Europe until we had arrived in Iceland. Then it happened so fast." His breath hitched when he remembered on that ill-fated night.
Jenrya held his father's hand for the first since was he was a little boy when he took him to school. Janyu was surprised at his son's sudden affection and now squeezing his hand back.
Jenrya could only ask: "Dad, how did the crew get themselves killed when they had somehow manoeuvred around the minefield? How did you and Mr. Meltzer survive?"
Janyu blinks in surprise: "How do you know that Mark survived?"
Jenrya could only shrug in response: "When me and my friends looked around the cabin room some clues; something in my gut told me that Mark wouldn't die so easily. A man so smart, resourceful and brave like you would figure out somehow."
His father was touched at the sentiment but clearing his throat to tell the last piece of his story: "One night, after the S.O.S. transmission from the fishing boat had been sent, we managed to enter the Lighthouse territory. Lutwidge's contraption worked. When we arrived however, we heard an odd sound of banging. We thought that there would be another mutiny from the captain's new crew since it was not the first. But then we heard them calling for us and the captain that they saw strange shapes coming aboard somehow, and before we knew it. We- We-"
Men screaming and sounds of gunshots firing at the intruders. Creatures cackling, laughing like maniacs while firing their own weapons and the sound of slicing could be heard outside the ship.
Men gurgling, choked in their own blood as they die from left to right. Both Mark and Janyu carefully hid in their shared room.
They had cocked their own pistols out. One had managed to enter, a tall and long elongated creature screeching as it threw hooks at them. The men ducked away, but Janyu fell closest to the monster. It tried to pierce its hook at his face, but Janyu kicked it away from him. Then a loud bang sounded, and the creature fell dead beneath him. Mark had saved his life, his pistol's smoke rising in the air. Then an explosion had rocked the ship and before they knew it, the ship was slowly taking on sea water. Mark collected his essential needs while Janyu did the same. They ran for the small lifeboat hanging on the side of the ship. But then the creatures stopped them. Janyu pushing Mark into the lifeboat. Mark screaming for him as Janyu cut the ropes and it landed into the sea. Janyu knew martial arts better than shooting as they drew near. He could not see their faces in the dark, but dread filled his heart at what would they look like up close. He screamed at Mark to head for the Lighthouse and he did. Janyu fought to the bitter end when suddenly the interlopers retreated to the sea. Janyu slumped to the ground and slipped unconscious.
"After the massacre: Morning came, and it didn't wake me up until sea water came up to my face and I searched for any survivors. They were all dead. When I went back in the room again, I saw the message written in blood and saw the perpetrator where Mark killed it. And by God it was hideous, his face and body were so horrible that you could not imagine it. When I reached for the captain's room, he was dead too but I had also noticed that the captain had sent the S.O.S. I was worried that the coast guards would find me and think that I killed them so decided to find substitute boat, an inflatable boat if needs be to reach for the lighthouse to catch up with Mark." His story ended and his tears finally shed from the horrors he had just faced.
Everyone was horrified. But no more than Jenrya and hugged his father once more.
After the painful and traumatizing story, Takato coughed up: "Excuse me Mr. Lee-"
"Please, it's Janyu or just Jiang. You're old enough to call me that." He smiled and the boy smiled back.
"Okay... Janyu- Man that sounds weird. When you said you saw the creature's body, where did it go? We didn't see it when we went inside your room."
Satsuma answered: "The rising water must have washed the body away into the sea I believe. The ship is slowly sinking so we don't have much time."
Everyone agreed. Dorumon said: "We can return to our ship to help you Janyu if you like."
"There's no need. I didn't come all this way just to give up, even what had transpired here."
"Well..."
GUUUUUUUUUYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSS!
A Few Minutes Earlier
The Sun has finally set down and the whole group switched on their flashlights.
Juri and Ruki were searching near the front of the ship when they saw a dozen grappling hooks clinging on the rails.
Out of curiosity, Juri looked bellow the railing with a cautious Frimon within her shoulder bag. Both Renamon and Frimon started to hiss, and furs stood up.
"Renamon? Frimon? What's gotten into you two?" Juri panicked.
Suddenly, dozens of grotesque hands were on the railing. Climbing over boards and one of the intruders swung at what looked like a makeshift mace at the girls. Juri screamed as she dodged out of the way but in doing so, she dropped her flashlight into the sea.
Alarmed, Ruki pulled Juri and Frimon next to her while Renamon stood between the girls and the interlopers. Ruki's flashlight had ended up being jammed and cursed under her breath.
"Well, well, well... Lookie here fellas. Two little fishies and their pets. What're pretty little girlies like you should be doing here all alone in the dark?" one of them sneered.
"None of your business you bozo! Whoever you are, you're messing with the wrong girls." Ruki countered.
"Ooooooh! I'm so scared! What are you going to do? Slap us silly or sick on us with your fur ball friends?" the second mocked.
Renamon bristled at the comment directed at her and Frimon: "Do not underestimate us you cutthroats. We know how to fight."
Another voice came up and this time it was a woman: "Oh my! Talking animals? Have the surfacers started experimenting animals for servitude I wonder?"
Ruki was losing her patience immediately yelling at the woman: "Don't call Renamon a slave you old hag!"
"OLD HAG?!" The woman screeched. "You dare call me that you unruly little delinquent? I think it's time to teach you a lesson of showing your elders some respect. Starting with putting your pet down for good."
Something silver flashed from the woman's hand and all the girls' (plus one boy) eyes widened. Renamon grabbed the group and dodged a speeding bullet in a nick of time.
"GET THEM YOU BUFFOONS!"
The chase had begun.
Elsewhere
"Jesus. So much blood." Hirokazu rasped, trying to hold in his lunch from puking.
Kenta rolled his eyes: "C'mon man, we've played video games that had gore and violence and not to mention that the 'The Traveller' did pretty horrific actions back home too."
"Yeah, but not up close, and the smell too."
Hagurumon decided not to speak about this place and the situation would not help his partner calm down. Marineangemon on the other hand...
"Teehee! Weak, gets spooked easily."
"Marineangemon!"
"Hey! What did 'cha call me now?"
This time Hagurumon decided to intervene: "Everyone please, we need to concentrate the investigation-"
"MAKE WAY! GUYS RUN!"
The shout made them all jump when all of a sudden Renamon (who was carrying both girls and Frimon) dash passed them not before calling out:
"Boys run! We're under attack!" and disappeared into the dark corridor.
The boys watched them in bafflement until they heard the screams of outrage and howling. They turned around and saw terrifying shapes of people in the dark coming right at them.
The boys did what they always do. Screaming like little girls before running away to join their group.
ZOINKS!
The Present
"What's going on there?!" Satsuma yelled.
The remaining group came all together, however the sudden halt had caused the boys behind to get bunched up into a pile. Satsuma sighed.
"The monsters from the sea! They're here! And they're trying to kill us!" Juri's terrified voice caused a panicked reaction from everyone.
Kudamon could not believe his ears and inquired: "How many?"
"A dozen of 'em!" Kenta yelped.
"And they have brought dangerous weapons with them if we do not make haste from abandoning the ship!" Renamon added.
The sounds were getting louder as Satsuma commanded: "Everyone! To the boat!"
The group ran for the boat and boarded in right on time and departed from the vessel.
"To where?!" Jenrya cried.
"Back to our ship now!"
"But what about-?"
BANG!
The sound of explosions was no where near the already sinking ship thankfully. But soon replaced with dread when they realised that it was near their own. The S.S. Haruto was still standing but soon, more and more explosions were heard more.
"What's happening now?! Where are those bombs coming from?!" Janyu yelled.
Takato soon noticed blinking lights speeding past below them. They were in deep but could be seen speeding up to their ship. He knew what they are alright.
"Torpedoes!"
"The what now?!"
"They're not mines! Torpedoes! Those guys that chased us must've sent torpedoes to our ship!"
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Marcus growled.
"What do we do Captain?!" Juri asked.
He immediately reached for his com and called to the ship: "Touma! Megumi! Miki! Do you copy me?"
The coms crackled to life but then the sound of sirens blared between the coms and from the distance of the ship: "Loud and clear Captain!" The voice belonged to Yoshino.
"Status report!"
"The ship is taking fire against torpedoes, Sir! We're trying evasive manoeuvres, but this ship is not fast enough to dodge! And our Digimon partners along with the crew are trying to blow up the torpedoes from afar but they just keep on coming! What do we do sir? Are you coming back? Are we retreating?"
Rentarou was in a dilemma. Facing an impossible choice. Take the risk by heading towards the Lighthouse? Or return to the ship and retreat?
"Sir?"
"Yo! Boss man! I don't wanna haste ya, but time is of the essence here!" Hirokazu reminded him.
Finally. He made his choice. For his crew and his teammates.
"We're heading into the Lighthouse. And you are to retreat back to Iceland."
"Wait! What!?" everyone exclaimed.
"Are you outta your mind?!"
"Are you sure sir?"
"Yes. Now retreat. And should we survive from this. Call the International coast guard. Should we not return within at least... A week, then return back to Japan."
"But Sir-!"
"THAT'S AN ORDER YOSHINO!" Kudamon winced at the closeness while the others jumped at his raised voice.
"...Understood Sir. Ans Sir? Godspeed with you and the rest of our teammates."
With that, the ship immediately turned around and began sailing back to Iceland. The Torpedoes ceased their onslaught and they all sighed in relief.
The remaining crew on the boat sped up to the Lighthouse.
Meanwhile
"Gosh Dammit! You've let them get away!"
"Hey hey! Not my fault Foxy ran off with those little skanks."
"Yeah! And this place is a bust now. We're sinkin'. We gotta go back to the sphere and let Doc Lamb know that they're comin'."
*Sigh* "Fine then. Return back home it is then."
The Lighthouse
The boat came to a halt at the steps of the Lighthouse. Some of the lamps were broken of and cracks were more evident on the pavement. Both Humans and Digimon could not help but stare up the Lighthouse in awe and wonder. They got off the boat with Janyu tying the rope around the lamp filled staircase. Night had come around and suddenly, the lights from the steps and the top of the Lighthouse itself shined through the dark. The group came to a door with beautiful art covering the gigantic door. Janyu and Rentarou placed their hands on each door, they nod at each other and pushed inside.
The room was dark, they could barely see a thing. Once they were all inside, they were reaching for their flashlights until a groaning sound came from a door and realised that they were shutting themselves in, they closed with a loud bang, and someone screamed.
They turned their flashlights at the culprit, and it was Hirokazu. The teens snickered until Satsuma raised his light that their humour turned to shock. Right at the side of Hirokazu's temple was a pistol. The holder was still behind Hirokazu and began to speak.
"I don't know who the hell you are, but if you try anything funny; I'll shoot."
"Like, dude! Please don't hurt me!"
"Please mister! We just barely escaped from the wrecked ship and ours being chased by torpedoes."
The stranger's voice wavered but did not put the gun down. "You sound so young. How old are you?"
The group hesitates but Takato answers nonetheless: "Some of us are between 15 to 18 sir. Except for the two adults."
"Jesus. You're all kids." The answer was enough proof for him to release Hirokazu, who ran back to the group.
"Who are you?" Satsuma asked. Everyone was on edge, ready to fight and it was 8 tamers (plus one man and two more Digimon) against one person.
Just then, the lights immediately flare up and temporarily blinding everyone. When they came to, the man shouted in alarm, and they could not believe their eyes.
In front of them is Mark Meltzer himself. He seemed none worse for wear but thankfully no injuries.
"Mark?" Janyu steps forward.
"Janyu? Jesus Christ is that you?"
"It is! And you're alive and well!" He offers his hand which Mark gladly took it and shook each other as if they were old friends.
"I could say the same for you. How did you make it?"
"Long story short, after you left: I fought to the end until they ended up retreating but not before sinking the ship. Fortunately, the ship somehow kept afloat until my friends arrived."
"And that friends of yours happened to be a group of teenagers with their 'Digimon' along with the infamous DATS Captain?"
Kenta butted in: "Hey wait! How did you know about Digimon and DATS?"
"A U.F.O. loving conspiracy friend of mine filed me in about that." Mark grinned and walked up to Jenrya as he offered his hand to the boy. "And Janyu told me about his daughter, and you must be Jiang? or Jenrya young man?"
Jenrya grins and accepts his offer. "Jenrya is fine sir. But you can call me Jen for short if it's too difficult for you."
"Jenrya it is then." He then walked up to Satsuma and they both did the same. "You're also the father searching for his daughter. Am I correct?"
"Yes... We were hoping to find more clues but due to the unfortunate events, we're all trapped here in the Lighthouse."
"Well... Not all is lost. I could not explore the building because the stairs were barred by the gates so I was stuck here until I could find a generator or such to power up. Luckily, I found it. It took a long to time wait for the power to come up and now they're on we can-"
"HEEBUS JEEBUS!" Kenta screamed.
They turned to Hirokazu and then looked up to see an enormous bust of Andrew Ryan. Looking almost angrily at them. Some almost jumped while other stared at the non-existent eye contact until Juri reads the banner and reads it out loud: "No Gods or Kings. Only Man."
Then she noticed the plaque and reads it as well: "In what country is there a place for people like me?"
"Wow. This guy is way to egotistical." Ruki sarcastically comments.
"Ego or not, he made a city which was at the bottom of the sea. So, we need to find some sort of transportation and our best lead is down the stairs." Mark explains as he points to the now gate free stairways.
They all agree as they head down.
"Whoa! Guys check it out! It's awesome!" Terriermon cries out to the crowd.
It had looked like a submarine, but it was a dome shaped.
Satsuma soon recognised the transportation before him. "That's a Bathysphere. That's where I saw the photos that were taken at the harbour that night."
Mark agrees with him "Sure is."
Hirokazu inspected the submachine and looked up to the captain: "Looks like everything's all set to go. Well, all except the lever."
Masaru raised his eyebrow. "Since when do you know about submarines Spiky?"
Hirokazu pouted at Masaru. Spiky was his new nickname because of his hair sticking out whenever he wore an open hat. "Since I've been studying mechanics for my college major. My plan is to either join the army as a mechanic or start my business at a gaming technology centre." Hagurumon agreed with him with a nod.
Everyone blinked. "Since when did you apply for the mechanic major and for that matter, becoming a mechanic?" Ruki asked.
Hagurumon answers to that: "Since he had been fixing my jammed cogs and broken wires from our family television. Even his parents are impressed and when he told them of applying for college, they couldn't be prouder of him."
Kudamon decided to return to the main issue: "So the Bathysphere's fine but what do you mean the lever's gone?"
Hirokazu pointed inside the sphere noticing a tall column was standing but no lever. "See that there? I think someone broke it off. Or more likely removed it. They had unscrewed the hinges were the lever and column were connected. If they hid the lever: It should be around somewhere so whoever left it here, must have hid it here too."
That was a plausible explanation indeed. So, they split up once more in search for the lever.
And it did not take long when Juri found it lying in the dark corner.
Thanking the girl, Hirokazu got into fixing but with one small problem.
"Okay guys, good news: I found the centre piece that hold the remaining lever. Bad news: It's broken."
Everyone groaned.
"Great!" Ruki whined. "We came all this way for nothing right under the godforsaken lighthouse belonged to an egotistical schmuck and sooner or later we're gonna be found by those creeps from the ocean!"
"Hey hey hey!" Hirokazu stopped her which surprised everyone even more. "Just because it's broken, doesn't mean it's the end of the world. All the lever need is some blowtorch or some heat. And what better for our Digimon to use fire."
Everyone looked at Guilmon who in turn looks around confused. "Why is everyone staring at me Takatomon? Do I have to do it?" He whines.
Takato and Juri gently give the red dinosaur pats on the head while explaining: "Don't worry buddy, you can do this. Just use a miniature version of pyro sphere like a blowtorch so the lever can be fixed."
Guilmon nodded as Takato pulled out both his Digivice and card. Hirokazu nodded as he pulled out his fire gloves and place the level next to the column.
DIGIMODIFY: MERAMON'S HEAT WAVE ACTIVATE!
A sudden burst if heat came out of Guilmon's maw and fired at the lever. Within 10 seconds the lever had finally melded with the column right where it belonged.
Smoke emitted from Guilmon now sore yet cooled off mouth along with a pat from Takato and some fresh water from Juri.
"I must say to the both of you: I've seen a few of the action on the news but nothing impressed more than seeing this close up." Mark complimented.
Takato rubbed the back of his head while Guilmon blushed.
Hirokazu made a double check for no faulty until he was content: "Hey guys, our ride's ready."
Everyone called their Digimon into their Digivice (As taught by DATS squad and while hooking on their front of their shirts to see the view) and then they all entered the Bathysphere while Hirokazu made an announcement: "Ladies and Gentlemen while diving: Please remain seated and keep your arms and legs in at all times-"
Everyone snickered.
Ruki on the other hand was not impressed and neither was Rentarou.
"Really Hirokazu?" Ruki's deadpan voice caused the boy to waver.
He huffed: "C'mon. If we're gonna be in a dangerous, dead city filled with untold danger, we just gotta lighten things up."
So, he pulled the lever, the door shuts in and dived down into the abyss.
The numbers outside indicated the depth which said: 10 FATHOMS... 18 FATHOMS...
Suddenly, a screen had just popped out below making everyone jump.
"Talk about a jump scare." Takato muttered.
Pictures started to show with a Lighthouse Logo as if it were saying Please Stand By. The next picture showed at what it looked like an advertisement like the 50's would do. A lady holding a cigarette with a man using fire on his fingertip? That made no sense! As the man lit up the woman's cigarette there was a slogan: "Fire at your Fingertips!" Incinerate! PLASMIDS BY RYAN INDUSTRIES
Plasmids? Was that the substance that the people down below had used? And you could control fire? Back then, they remembered that one of the 'Travelers' had used fireballs which made perfect sense. Not to mention that they had used other- Plasmids?- upon the group.
Then the jingle started, and another picture showed up. This time it was the man himself: Andrew Ryan. OF course, his name was shown: From the Desk of Ryan. Sitting on his chair, smoking a pipe as he began his monologue:
"I am Andrew Ryan. And I'm here to ask you a question: Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow?"
Picture showing a man sweating after a hard work on the farm.
"'No,' says the man in Washington: It belongs to the poor!"
Next was a man chased by an Eagle from the building of Washington D.C. Which made everyone uneasy.
"'No,' says the man in The Vatican: It belongs to God!"
The man standing terrified by a giant hand above the church and clouds.
"'No,' says the man in Moscow: It belongs to everyone!"
Lastly the man chased by the very symbol once belonged to the former U.S.S.R.: A hammer and sickle above the Kremlin.
Judging from the last picture; the video was decades old because the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, a few short years back.
Back to Ryan's picture he droned on:
"I rejected those answers. Instead, I chose something different. I chose the impossible. I chose..."
The screen immediately shut off and went back down just in time for Ryan to finish his sentence.
"Rapture."
The view was... Incredible. They all gasped (including the Digimon within their Digivices) in awe once the city was in view. It was like New York but underwater. He did it. The visionary mad man had gone and done it. However, while some were in pristine shape other were heavily damaged from the civil war. Dozens of fish swimming by along with group of Sea Turtles, a lone Shark swimming down below and a GIANT SQUID had just swum past them as went behind the buildings, lastly was a Whale swimming below them moaning and they saw someone using a blowtorch within the glass tunnel nearby, but it was unclear to see. Nonetheless it was breath taking (No pun intended). Andrew Ryan was not finished of his speech.
"A city where the artist would not fear the censor. Where the scientist would not be bound by petty morality. Where the great would not be constrained by the small.
And with the sweat of your brow, Rapture could be your city, as well."
With his speech done everyone was still gawked in amazement until they reached the docking platform in The Adonis Luxury Resort. More advertisements were plastered on the inner walls but had no time read them as they ascended to the entrance.
When the Bathysphere resurfaced, the door opened wide and was welcomed with a dark grimy lobby with an unpleasant smell. One by one they left the Sphere as Mark took out one of his voice recorders.
The teenagers were confused.
"Why do you have the recorder, Mark?" Janyu asked.
"I'm recording my thoughts and as a reminder like a diary. There was one during my investigation, Oakes himself had one called it an Audio Diary. Might as well leave one or two if any survivor were to look for this."
This perked up Terriermon's interest: "Oakes? We heard him before his transmission went down. I don't think he made it."
Mark already knowing the situation, agreed. He walked past the group and began his first recording.
"Barely made it down alive, but here it is - and it's real. Rapture. This is where that thing took my... my poor baby girl. From what I saw in the sub, most of the city's in ruins. But there were lights here and there. And shapes, moving... I'm rambling. Scared, I guess. But maybe - if I find this "Doctor Lamb" I keep hearing over the PA... I'll find Cindy too."
With that he placed his first one on the opened suitcase lying next to the gate.
Everyone walked up the stairs and entered of that happened to be Demeter's Banquet. It was an absolute dump. The stairs which connected to the upper rooms were broken and a corpse lying before them. This made everyone a double take, they were told that the civil war once torn the city apart, yet they did not expect a corpse right before them and they have an inkling that there is more of where that come from so, they must get used to it. The left side was sealed off by doors while on the right, the sign said the Atlantic Express which could be a train station. They decided to go there and entered the glass tunnel leading to the maintenance rooms of the station.
They hoped to find answers and their girls. But unaware of being watched and what would soon happen.
"So, what now doctor? Where should I look for the girls next?" A young woman's voice was heard.
"I do believe- ack! Nina! Liebchen! Please I must talk to Fräulein Bailey und I have no time to play."
Bailey chuckled as the foreign doctor had finally regained her composure.
"Entschuldigung, Fraulein Bailey. Zhe little ones are getting restless vithout you."
"It's fine Brigid, I told them that I my mission won't take too long before I come back."
"Gut. Because there are not any other little ones at zhe moment. Und if I'm correct: one of the children are at zhe Adonis Luxury resort und bring him back."
There was lump in her throat, and she gulped hard. Was this really happening. "Now? Is it possible?"
The German doctor laughed: "Vhen you spend time zhe other scientist like me, you vould be amazed by the things we had conjured up. Und do not forget to use zhe DNA signature for zhe Vita-Chamber for yourself."
"Yes, yes. I already got the memo of that. I shall find one when I have the chance. Thank you, Brigid."
"Zhe pleasure is mine Fraulein. I vill see you und your new ally shortly. Good Luck."
The transmission soon ended, and Bailey held her breath and then a release as she walked through the glass tunnel, not noticing the newcomers passing through the other tunnel near her.
There was a steady sound of a heartbeat and heavy breathing. Then a static sound came to life as he slowly regained consciousness. He heard a voice but unclear of it.
"Hello... Hello can you hear me? Your signal is faint..." then it was cut off.
He groaned as he stood up, looking upon his reflection on the puddle and finally regained his strength. Yet something was missing. No, not something but someone. He readied his drill in case of anyone tried to get the jump on him. Then he looked to bear his surroundings; he was at an unknown location and the place was a wreck: Sea water pouring from the walls to the ceiling. Corals sprouting everywhere and a writing on the wall: Fallen, fallen is Babylon. What utter rubbish.
Without a moment to lose, he starts his quest to find his own Little Sister. While he began his journey, he heard singing, echoing the entire lobby.
"Mr. Bubbles, Mr. Bubbles, are you there? Are you there? Come and give me lollies, come, and bring me toffees. Teddy bears… teddy bears."
End Chapter 2
Author's Note: Writer's Block is frustrating. But I made it. Some dialogues have changed from canon and most of the unused Audio Diaries will be added to this fic. Name's will change from time to time like Henry's, Suzie's and Mr. Wong's. Studying the 40's and 50's Era of slang term, art and fashion is going to take much longer than that. The OCs (Minus scientists) Belong to me while the rest belongs to:
BANDAI AND 2K Games
*Cherry Blossom