Episode 04: O Dear Partner, Where Art Thou? (Part 2) OR To the Digital World… The Day of Departure
All rights to MerryScribbler.
"I realized if I didn't just go, I'd never go. Going was the key. It didn't matter where I was headed just as long as I was headed somewhere. ~ Ben Davis"
― Jayden Hunter, Undressed To The Nines
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Previously On DFX:
The crew began searching for their new companion. Each one of them was divided into three groups and assigned a different location for their exploration. But neither group achieved their goal. They searched until it was time for them to go home. The Chosen Children had the last dinner with their families and went to have a good night's slumber. Putting that aside, it looks like someone was already getting depressed on his/her lose.
Normal POV:
It was peaceful as the sun shone brightly after another long night. The birds were chirping, flowers were in full bloom and the citizens had begun to start yet another day. But our young warriors weren't even responding to beauty. It seemed as if they were still worn out from yesterday's hard work, or maybe they were still reluctant to leave their homes once more. It doesn't look like that they will be awakening anytime soon; even if they would they might not want to get out of bed.
At the Kanbara Residence, one fellow Digimon had different thoughts. She was eagerly waiting for the goggle-head to awake from his slumber.
Charlottemon (Charle)'s POV:
I was staring at the alarm clock trying to figure out how to make it work. I flew straight to the device and flipped it to see two dials on it's back. I quickly figured out which dial was for setting hours and which was for minutes, since Na-chan had the same one back home. Now I can wake Goggle-san in no time. Just spin this on here and the other one this side, and here you go-chu. Let's count to ten together-chu!
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
I heard the clock strike on the last five digits.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
And finally ten-chu!
With the final count, the clock struck straight with both arms indicating that it was 7:15 am and the alarm went off. It began ringing in an amusing way, jumping all over the side table, looking like a wild digi-monkey. I saw Goggle-san stir as he brought his hand up to press the button on top of the device to turn off the clock. Before his hand made a contact with the ringing device, I picked it up and flew on to the top of his head. I gently placed it near his right ear and waited for the outcome. I sat on his stomach and noticed his eyes twitching as he slowly tried to pick the clock. Gripping the alarm tightly, the teenage boy threw it straight at the wall but I was fast enough to react and caught it.
Looks broken to me-chu. I thought while examing the now broken clock. I tossed it in a nearby trash bin and began thinking other ways to wake Goggle-san. I tried snatching his blanket, whispering ghostly sounds in his ears; to which he literally tried to slap me away but I stepped aside. I also thought of throwing water on him but that would be too risky since the bathroom is outside of the room. Finally, a light bulb flickered in my mind and I decided to work my magic.
I pointed my arms towards the bed, lightly swaying them up and down. A cherry-colored glow outlined Goggle-san and he began levitating in the air. His blanket slipped off onto the floor as he stirred. He was now upside down in the air. He looked really ridiculous like this, hehe.
Soon enough, Goggle-san's eyes began to open as he looked at both sides and brought his hands to rub his face. He finally looked up at my direction.
"Huh? Charle, why are you moving your arms like that?" He stretched as he flipped once more now facing the ceiling. "I feel so light... and it also feels like I'm kinda floating. Weird, right?" he spoke while stifling a yawn. "A dream, maybe...?"
I giggled, "I don't think so-chu."
"What do you mean?" He moved his arms and a shocked expression took over his face. "What the-?! Holy shit! Put me down!" Goggle-san was frantically moving his body, occasionally doing a 360-degree spin or rolling backward. I couldn't contain my laughter. "You find this amusing?! I'm hella scared here!"
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching the room and without noticing my powers deactivated.
CRASH!
"Fuck! Ow..."
This always happens if I don't stay focused. "Oops! I'm so sorry-chu."
"Takuya-nii?" We heard a voice call out from outside the bedroom.
"Oh great, it's Shinya. Go hide, quick!" Goggle-san instructed me while sitting up. I obeyed and went to hide in his closet.
Takuya's POV:
That really hurt! What was Charle thinking?! My dream was kinda real about floating on a fluffy cloud though...
I quickly got up as Shinya stepped into my room. He looked at me curiously as I picked up my uniform and made my way towards the bathroom opposite to my room. Before I could close the door, Shinya stopped it with his hand. "What? Can't you see I have to get ready?"
He was eyeing me as if I was hiding something really important. Well, I was but...
"Who were you talking to?"
"Hmm? No one."
"Then why were screaming early in the morning? You even said the forbidden word."
"I-uh... I saw a spider! Yeah, a spider. It was near my bed."
"Since when are you scared of spiders? Last time, I checked you weren't scared of bugs." Ah well, cripes.
"Indeed, that is very much true." Why am I talking like this? "But it was right in front of me like it was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes so... I got surprised?"
"Hmm." He doesn't seem convinced. Nosy brat.
"You want me to get scolded, don't ya? That's why you're asking me these stupid questions."
Shinya sighed as he let go of the door, "Whatever. I just came here to see if you were up."
With that, he left. Feeling relieved, I closed the bathroom door. I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and put on my uniform with the tie hanging on my shoulder. I went to my room once more to gather my stuff. I checked my phone to see Kouji has texted me that we were to leave at night, meaning we had to go through school and the rookies would be searching for the mysterious seventh member until then. Thinking that I would be coming home before leaving, I left the packing for later. I picked up my school bag and jogged down the stairs.
Mom was setting up the table while dad was reading a newspaper as he sat on the dining table. The little monkey was nowhere to be seen.
"Morning. Where's Shinya?"
Mom smiled as she answered, "Good morning, dear. Shinya went ahead since he had tennis trails today."
"On the second day?" I sat down on the table and waited as Mom placed my plate in front of me.
"He didn't want to be left out like last time. He was saying that the juniors were pretty skilled this year." Mom sat down and began spreading peanut butter on a piece of toast for me. I thanked her as she handed it to me.
"Itadakimasu!"
"Don't you have soccer practice coming up?" Dad asked me.
"Not yet. Maybe next week since the couch wanted to select some new players first. Besides the next tournament isn't going to be until after winter break. Also I want to focus on shop this time, I told you so."
Dad stared at me as he drank his coffee, "I remember. You seem a little tense. Something you might want to share?"
I paused mid-bite, "Ah? No, nothing important. Guess I'm just tired."
"That's understandable since you woke up before I could come to do so instead." Mom chuckled while I grimaced. The three of us ate silently after that. I thanked mom for the food once more, fist-bumped with dad and left for school after bidding goodbye.
I seem to be forgetting something... Might not be important.
Normal POV:
School went smoothly for everyone and the rookies continued the search while in disguise. But one of them seemed to be missing...
"Um... Goggle-san. Can I come out now?" Charle whispered rather loudly for the third time. The poor Digimon was left forgotten in the closet; still obediently hiding and patiently waiting. "He forgot about me..."
"Achoo!"
A guy standing next to Takuya spoke, "Dude, you caught a cold or something?"
"Nah, I just feel like I forgot something," He answered while scratching his nose.
~Timeskip: After school~
The students left school in a hustle. The school was empty within minutes. Takuya, Izumi and the twins waited for the other two to show up near the gates.
"What's taking them so long?" The goggle-head whined.
"Patience was never your best suit," Kouichi said.
"I'm well aware."
"Hey, did Charle go to meet up with Bokomon and Neemon at the treehouse?" Izumi questioned.
"What?"
"Did you not read Kouji's message?"
"I did! He said that we will be leaving for the Digi-World after school."
Kouji pinched his forehead, "I also wrote to send Charle to the hideout, you dope."
Takuya took out his phone and re-read the message and then laughed nervously. The other three slapped their brow. "I was in a hurry, okay?!"
Kouichi scowled, "Yeah, yeah. Poor thing, she must be waiting for hours."
"You run back home. I'll tell Shinya you had to go back early to change," Izumi spoke as she pushed Takuya towards the road.
"I'll meet you guys at the train station then." With that, the boy ran towards his house.
Takuya's POV:
So that was what I was forgetting... I hope she's okay.
I ran back home as fast as I could. As I reached home, I greeted my mom in a hurry and fled to my room. I threw my bag on the bed and opened the closet. There she was sleeping ever so peacefully. For a second, I had thought she might have been crying. I sighed in relief and sat down, leaning my back on the closet door to catch my breath.
"Takuya? Are you okay?" I heard mom call out. I exhaled heavily before answering, "Yeah. I was just in a hurry cuz the gang and I had planned to meet up and I was running late."
"Oh okay. You really gave me a scare just now."
"Sorry about that."
I felt the clothes shuffle a bit as the little Digimon stretched her snake-like arms. She was rubbing her eyes when I scooped her in my arms. She hummed softly and finally looked up at me. "Goggle-san..."
"Yeah. I'm so sorry for leaving you like that, Charle. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't forgotten about you."
"I kinda figured you would. You seem like the type." Now, that... stung.
"Aha, that so."
"That is because Na-chan used to be like this once."
"Used to be?"
She nodded, "She occasionally used to forget about me when we first met. But then, she used to take me everywhere she went. Still does-chu."
"You two are close?"
"Yup! We are practically like sisters. Everyone says so, too. She's the best older sister I could have asked for." She's glowing... This Na-chan must be really special to her. Na-chan...
The vibration of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. It was a message from Izumi saying that Bokomon and Neemon have a lead on the new member. I quickly packed my stuff in my duffle bag while explaining Charle the current situation. Once packing was done and clothes had been changed, I hid Charle in my bag and left the zipper open from the end. I rushed down the stairs to see mom preparing dinner. Shinya was sitting in the living room, playing a video game. I knew dad wasn't going to be home anytime soon and I was already late as it is.
"Oh, Takuya. Are you going to have dinner with your friends?"
"Ah, yeah. I might be home later than usual." That is sort of the truth, right?
"Not to worry, but don't stay too late out. And the bag?"
"I-It's some of the stuff I thought I might donate." Mom hummed and resumed cooking.
"Nii-chan," Shinya spoke without facing me. "Tomo told me to tell you to come to the train station a while ago. You better hurry."
"Yeah..."
Mustering up the courage, I gave mom a quick hug and playfully ruffled Shinya's hair. I quickly said goodbye and stepped out of the house. Taking a quick glance, I took off towards the train station.
I'll be back. Like last time, I will come back home for sure.
Normal POV:
"Sorry for the wait!"
Takuya stopped near his friends and huffed while his hands were on his knees. "I don't think I have run so much even in a soccer match before. Ha~"
"Well, you made it on time," Tomoki said as he handed the older boy a water bottle. "Thanks, buddy."
"Junpei and Kouichi went with Bokomon to the last place they saw the person," Kouji explained. Izumi slipped a packet of biscuits inside Takuya's bag for Charle.
"Thank you-chu."
The girl smiled, "Your welcome. Sorry for the trouble this guy caused you."
"It's okay-chu."
Neemon was sitting idly in Tomoki's arms acting as a stuffed toy. "He looks asleep," Takuya commented.
"He was complaining a lot about how Bokomon was bossing him around all day earlier," Tomoki spoke while adjusting the Digimon into a comfortable position.
The remaining two came back with Bokomon in Kouichi's arms. "She's headed inside. C'mon!"
All of them gathered their stuff and marched to the station. It was as crowded as usual so it was difficult to catch up. "There she is!" Junpei pointed to the direction of the elevators. The person got inside an empty one and the doors closed before the gang could reach. Kouji pressed the button as they waited. The elevator was thankfully empty. The group got in and the machine descended down without any buttons being pressed. Takuya broke the silence, "She seems to be in a hurry."
Bokomon spoke, "Well yes. Today is the only day the train to the Digital World would depart."
"Only today, huh?" Izumi sighed.
A pregnant pause surrounded the group; each was stuck in their own thoughts. The leader noticed the elevator as if it was the first time he had been here. It was only Kouji and him at the time.
The elevator finally came to a stop. The three Digimons had come out from their hiding as the group set foot on the empty platform.
"Brings back memories, am I right?" Junpei said, giddily.
"Sure does. This is where it all began after all." Kouichi said.
"Na-chan~!" All turned to where Charle had flown off to. The said Digimon crashed into someone's chest and began crying. The person stroked her head without saying anything. Bokomon and Neemon run to them as well.
"Um..." Takuya spoke while sweatdropping, "Isn't that a guy though?"
The mysterious person was dressed in a denim jacket; with the sleeves folded; a half sleeves shirt underneath that stopped just above her stomach. A hot pink broken heart was printed on the shirt, with one piece having an angelic look while the other had a devilish feel. She wore a faded, torn jeans and brown block-heel boots. Light pink headphones adorned their neck and their hair was pulled up in a black cap. The person's figure appeared as a boy's if looked from afar.
Bokomon coughed, "She may appear so. But-" He was cut off when the mysterious person spoke up. "Never judge a book by its cover." Their voice was so soft that it was hard to distinguish their gender.
Takuya snapped his head forward. Wait, I know that voice! She's the girl from yesterday but her hair was down... No wonder I couldn't recognise her.
The person stepped up. Charle had let them go and was standing with the other two rookies. Each warrior had different expressions. Tomoki and Izumi seemed curious. Junpei was getting a little terrified. Kouichi stared intently at the person approaching them. Kouji had a stern face. Takuya gulped thinking he had somehow offended them.
The mysterious new member took off the cap while shaking their head. Beautiful, wavy chestnut hair flowed down like a stream. They pushed back the hair covering their face and revealed dark chocolate irises staring at the warriors. A frown took over their lips while straightening up. A teenage girl, about the same age as the elders in the group, stood before them.
She scoffed while waving the cap, "Finally. Feels good to get this thing off. Phew~"
She felt the stares and glared in their direction, "What?"
Izumi was the one to break the silence, "It really is a girl!"
"Uh... yeah, I'm biologically a girl as you can see. Though I do get the 'it's a guy' a lot. Have gotten used to it."
"That's because you dress like one," Neemon spoke.
"Yes, yes, I do. Thanks for the info."
Izumi approached the girl, "So you're a tomboy?"
"Sorta."
"..."
"..."
"That is so cool!"
The boys fell down in an animated manner.
"A-as expected of Iz," Kouichi said while chuckling.
Kouji just sighed at his girlfriend's antics. Junpei got lost in his own fantasy on how they now had another female member. Tomoki was just smiling happily.
Takuya blurted out the obvious, "Who... who are you?"
"Ah. I presumed I might have been mentioned already," She said while glancing at the rookies. "Whelp, whatever."
She stepped back pulling something from her pocket, "Kirishima Nagisa. Spirit Bearer of Love. Pleased to meet you all, I think." She showed them a pink and black upgraded D-Tector. "Might seem unusual but I'm an official Legendary Warrior. Spirit of 'Love' may seem strange however it is the element that unites all." With that, the girl, Nagisa, turned around. "You guys are just in time. Trialmon is about to reach here."
All began walking towards the platform except Takuya. He stood their stunned and somewhat confused. Why am I getting these strange vibes from her? I know she's the one I saw at school and bumped into yesterday but... seeing her completely... Is she someone I used to know? I feel like it but at the same time, I don't.
Kouji noticed this and went up to the boy. He lightly shook him by the shoulder. Takuya snapped out of his trance, eyes still distant.
"You okay, man?" Kouji asked, concerned.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. Just getting nervous jitters, you know." A loud whistle covered the empty terminal as a reddish-orange worm-like train stopped at the departure zone, it's front, facing towards the exit.
"Look! Our ride's here." Takuya ran to where the others were, followed by Kouji.
"Worm! It's been a while."
The said Trailmon eyed each of the warriors and laughed heartily. "You all have grown-up mighty fine since the last time."
Tomoki said, "It has been five years since then."
Nagisa stepped up to the Champion Digimon, "Where are you dropping us off?"
"First the Flame Terminal, then to the castle. The Big Three wants you to check the place for any trouble."
"Alright, let's go." Nagisa climbed in the first compartment with Charle.
Takuya inhaled a breath, "You guys ready?"
All nodded and board the train. The other two rookies chased behind them. Once everyone was settled, Worm roared his engine to life.
"ALL ABOARD!"
Charle: Hello minna-chu! Sorry that Merry-chan is taking a nap since she didn't get any sleep last night. She was very, very busy finishing this chapter. *gets closer to the camera to whisper* Plus no one is making a single loud noise or fighting with each other, which is rather very rare-chu. *hears a glass break*
Nagisa: *whispers while scolding* Oi, what are you doing?!
Takuya: My bad... Hahaha.
Kouji: Jeez, you should at least be quiet for one day. If Merry wakes up, she won't spare any of us.
Kouichi: Let's go to the kitchen and make something. If we stay too concentrated on being quiet, we will only cause more trouble.
*In the kitchen*
Tomoki: Junpei-san, get off of that counter table.
Izumi: Junpei, I'll ask Charle to get that pan off.
Junpei: I just reached it... YES! Uh oh... *falls down on the floor with all the dishes*
*CLINK, CLACK, CRACK*
Me: *comes out of my room* What was that...? *yawn*
Nagisa: N-nothing, it was a cat.
Takuya: Y-Y-Yeah, a cat jumped into the trash can outside!
Me: Oh, goodnight. *goes back inside*
Everyone except Junpei: Goodnight!
Charle: Well, that didn't go too well. I think its time to go-chu. Rate and Review everyone! BYE-CHU!
The others: Shh!
