Thirty Ways to Answer a Few Good Questions
by famirad
Disclaimer: None.
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A mini-FAQ for Digital Shuffle since I've had some questions asked to me before.
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1). What is a Golem?
Golems are data that start out originally as newly created Digimon, but are unable to survive the strain of life: they aren't true Digimon and they follow whatever orders they're given. They're incapable of comprehending complicated orders. Golems are basically "hollow", but they have an ability to absorb energy by touch. This is what I meant when Kincaid is referring to them as "vessels". Basically they're like walking sponges that you want to stay away from.
2). I want a Rukato.
I'm trying to avoid pairings at the moment (except for Yamaka).
3). Why isn't Character A or Character B in this/these chapter(s)?
Because I didn't have time to include them. For example, Chapter 9 - I was originally going to do a longer segment for Terriermon, along with one for Ruki (there was also supposed to be a conversation with Kaminmon and Impmon), but I felt there would be too many viewpoints and it would be a bit too confusing. If one character doesn't appear in the latest chapter, I'll probably include him/her in the next one (example: Kaminmon and Impmon's segment I've moved to be in the next chapter).
4). What's up with the Juggernaut? How come Takato isn't controlling it?
In one of the earlier conversations between Juggernaut and Takato, it's more than implied that the Juggernaut will overpower Takato. In the merge, the Juggernaut comes out as being the "dominant" presence/personality. Think of the merge (flawed-unflawed) as water pouring into a mold, if that helps anything. As for the wires - because of Takato, the Juggernaut can manipulate certain objects through his Will and turn them into weapons. The Juggernaut isn't invincible; it knows that the closer to its "heart" (Takato), the more defenseless it is. If a threat comes too close, the Juggernaut will lash out and do whatever is necessary to protect itself.
But despite the Juggernaut's strengths and it's dominance, Takato has more power than he knows. The problem is realizing its there and knowing how to fight back again.
5). What about the villains, like Nagamora/Vajramon and Kincaid/?
Most of the original characters are only there to drive the storyline on or add onto the depth of other characters. For example, Tamayo was a last minute addition to give Ryo more depth, to show him from another viewpoint other than Jenrya's. I only go into Kincaid's viewpoint to provide a backstory: some people tend to focus too much on the protagonists and so the villians come off as weak and underdeveloped (I'm trying to avoid this but I'm not sure if it's working). I found that a lot of stories in this section will create an "all-powerful" villian Digimon, so I wanted to avoid that: although Kincaid and Nagamora are quite powerful, they can be killed by conventional means. Nagamora is more open to attacks than Kincaid because of his limitations (he can't turn instantly shift from human to Digimon). Also, I always found it hard to believe that one Digimon alone would be a huge threat - greater power in numbers and team work.
6). You made too many problems but didn't fix them in the story!
Almost everything will be explained in later chapters. Problems won't be explained until they're explained to the characters. I will also be going through the entire fanfic once it's finished and begin a tighter rewrite to remove plotholes from when I changed plots or ended up not wanting to follow something I brought up earlier.
7). It's boring, there's not enough action!
I'll try to add more action, although I'm a sucker for introspection and plot.
8). So wait, Takato went crazy?
Yes. Yes he did. But he still has a hidden strength, he just needs to find it.
9). Is Jenrya going to save Takato or not?
In good time.
10). Culumon is an important factor too. Without him, Digimon can't digivolve to their next level or have you been too preoccupied by the Tamers to even think about adding him in?
No, I haven't forgotten about him. He will be playing a larger part later - he's a part in Juri's Side Story, which is the next Side Story I've got planned. I'm already aware that he plays a large part in allowing Digimon to go up to their next level. However, in this AU verse, he has nothing to do with the children being able to digivolve their Digimon anymore.
11). What's going on with all the original characters? I have no clue what's their deal!
I'll be going into their prospective histories later. Also, when I finish the fanfic, I'll write a glossary of terms and characters, which will have short summaries about them. More gets explained as the fanfic progresses. Certain details may be omitted to keep readers in the dark until the last moment. Most of the original characters have appeared in some fashion in Digimon Tamers, excepting Kaminmon.
12). I also want you to try to make things a little less confusing because on my computer it shows the same sign for talking and thinking and that's dumbfounding me in a way!
I use "dialogue" for talking and italics for thinking and it shows up fine on the computers I use.
13). Wait, if Ryo's here then who else is going to be showing up?
Alice, Dobermon and Leomon (and eventually Saber Leomon). Guardromon, Lopmon and Marine Angemon won't be making appearances. There will also be more crossover with Adventure.
14). Takato seems to think of Juggernaut as Jenrya because it has taken on his image!
This has already been established. See 8). for a large factor of that. Also remember the fact that the Juggernaut has no issues with manipulation.
15). What happened to all the fanart?
The sketches and doodles I did way way back can still be found on my deviantart.
16). How come you don't show the other Digimon's viewpoints?
Mostly because it might get more confusing with added viewpoints.
17). Are you still writing this?
Yes but very slowly due to irl things. But as of 2020 I'm like 70% done.
18). What's Guilmon thinking? Where'd he vanish off to?
Guilmon's been affected by the merge because of his bond with his Tamer. Because the Juggernaut now shares this bond, Guilmon hears "whispers" that he believes is his Tamer. He's under the corruption of the Juggernaut using Takato's Will.
19). Why is Ryo all weird? How come he's different?
Because he's one of the first real departures from the characters. For the most part, the characters have been themselves, despite the fact that Digital Shuffle takes place in another "possible world". Certain people will be different because certain events happened in this world than the anime's one (once again, I've made hints at the crossover between 01/03/X-Evolution). Ryo does go to the Digital World, but he leaves prematurely. He's a totally different personality because of his experiences there, which aren't positive at all. The reason why he's different will be explained in the chapters leading into his Side Story, which will explain in full detail what happened to him in the Digital World. Or, at least, his version of it.
See Chapter "Knight of Thorns" for what I mean. However, just because Ryo's been pretty much a jerk the whole time doesn't mean I hate him; he's actually my favorite. :) Hence constantly writing his POV.
20). Where's Cyberdramon?
He's out there, but won't be making his appearance for a while. He'll be playing an important part right after Ryo tells his Side Story.
21). Why is Ryo 10? Isn't he supposed to be 14 if the others are 10?
Yes, actually. But he's had his age jumped down - however, he's closer to eleven than then when he first appears, but his birthday won't be mentioned in Digital Shuffle. Physically, he's ten, but he's older mentally than the other Tamers. The reason he's now younger is because I wanted him to be in the same class as Jenrya.
22). Wah! I don't know what's going on! It's all so confusing!
It's a pretty tl;dr fanfic, written from pretty long ago (2001). If you have the patience to get this far, you should get a medal.
23). I've got questions, what should I do?
PM me!
24). Can I make a pairing request?
I'm sorry, but I don't do pairings.
25). How come you seem to play favorites? All you write is Jenrya, Ryo and Takato.
I write the characters I like the most, usually. I have a soft spot for Ryo in particular these days, but Jenrya and Takato are my favorites as well.
26). Do you have a beta reader?
Nope. I go over it myself after I've finished the chapter and uploaded it - this is the reason why there might be several versions of a chapter over the course of a day. I'll read the uploaded chapter and note all the mistakes, then go back and fix them, then upload the corrections onto the Document Manager and replace the obsolete chapter. But then I might miss some from the first reread, so I'd go back and correct it. Sometimes the cycle continues several times. And sometimes I still have careless spelling mistakes.
27). Do a lot of people get confused by your story?
So far, only two or three. Less than I would have thought - I usually tend to ramble a lot. Most of the people that appear to read my fanfic tend to have speculations or questions, but for the most part they understand it.
28). Why do you take so long to update?
Because I'm working. And it takes time to write chapters since they tend to be long.
29). Is Digital Shuffle going to have a happy ending?
Depends on your definition of "happy ending". It won't be a tragedy - for example, there won't be a huge slaughter or anything - but some characters won't be there when everything is all over. It should be a bit bittersweet, but there will be closure. If I ever get there, I hope to make the ending epic.
30). How long have you been writing fanfics?
Since 2001, but it's mostly on and off.