DISCLAIMER - I don't own Digimon. If I did, the whole world would come to its senses and realise that there isn't actually ANY DECENT EVIDENCE for Mimato, and that Mimou is a helluva lot more likely.
- - -
Author's notes: Strap on your thinking caps, kids! Because in this part, a) Answers revealed and more questions raised! and b) Izzy talks an awful lot, and I don't want ya to get lost! Oh, and, just so you know, if you didn't already- I'm from Ireland, okay, so I haven't seen 02. As such, it doesn't 'exist' in this fanfic universe, because I don't want to go about getting my wires crossed. Although Davis, Yolei and Cody do exist in this universe, 'cause they appeared in "Choices: The Epilogue - Life." But that's not important to this story. I'm babbling. Let's go!
- - -
Ascension
Chapter Four - "Visions"
By Chris McFeely
- - -
The head technician struck a few keys, and hummed contentedly. I think that should about do it, general, sir, he reported. Assuming the power spikes are originating from the same point, the shield program I've just activated should divert the next influx back to the point of origin, forcing an overload.
Reitman took a slow drag from his cigar, as he took in the snippet of information. Good work, soldier.
- - -
Tai could scarcely believe it. Are... are you really here?
Yes and no, Agumon replied.
Tai scrunched up his face in confusion.
What he's trying to say, Tentomon cut in, as his image floated away from Izzy and toward the centre of the circle the kids had formed, is that we're projecting our images from the DigiWorld, through your DigiVices. You can see and hear us, but we can't physically interact.
It's like the time you and I came back here, Tai, Agumon offered.
Tai's mind shot back six years, to the final battle with the evil Digimon known as Etemon. He and Agumon - or Koromon, as he had been then - had been sucked back to Earth by a temporal rift. While they had been there, Tai had discovered that Digimon were drifting between the dimensions, causing the abnormal weather patterns that had been threatening the globe - but they weren't physically present in the world. They had actually been out of phase with the dimension, and were fading in and out at a moment's notice.
We don't have much time, Gomamon piped up.
So, tell us what's going on! Izzy begged.
We can only tell you what we know, Tentomon replied, scratching the side of his face with a claw.
But you won't like it, Gatomon warned.
There's no time to worry about that! Tai exclaimed. We need to know what's going on, so we can help!
Briefly, then, Tentomon began. Something is trying to penetrate the dimensional barrier between Earth and the DigiWorld.
We don't know who, Gabumon said.
...or how... Biyomon went on.
...or why! Patamon finished.
But what we do know is that's its originating... Tentomon paused, nervously.
almost everyone yelled.
...somewhere on Earth.
There was a stunned silence. Even Izzy, great mind that he was, had not expected that.
On... Earth? Sora echoed.
But... but who could...? Joe garbled.
Everyone's forgotten about Digimon and the DigiWorld by now... Tai tried to ration.
Is that really true, Tai? Izzy queried. Have they forgotten... or have they been made to forget?
What are you getting at? Matt asked.
I'm not really sure, just yet, Izzy said, stroking his chin. Is there anything else you can tell us, Tentomon?
Only that the barriers are steadily being eroded, the bug-like Digimon replied.
It's because of their weakened state that we've been able to contact you, Agumon explained. In your dreams, and in your thoughts. We can't fully cross over to the real world because the barriers are still intact, but we're able to project ourselves upon you, because we're all linked.
We can't explain it, really, Palmon went on. But we know you felt it, that first day you came to the DigiWorld, because we all did too.
The kids nodded... there was no denying it. From the moment they set foot in the DigiWorld, a bond of some kind... maybe mental, maybe spiritual, maybe even something more... had formed between each child and their Digimon partner. It was through that bond, and the power of their DigiVices, that they were able to communicate now.
Oh, bother, Tentomon muttered. Time's almost up.
No, wait! Izzy cried, as Tentomon's image began to fade. We need you to stay! We need to figure out how to help!
Palmon, don't leave me again! Mimi wailed, as her Digimon began to disappear from view.
Gomamon, no!
Biyomon, you can't leave!
Not again! Tai cried, as Agumon shimmered like he had done in Tai's dream the night before. I wont lose you again!
Tai's arm thrust forward, trying in vain to grab on to the non-corporeal form of Agumon. Sorry, Tai, Agumon said, a tear forming in his eye. Maybe next time...
Tai screamed, so wound up in his rage that he failed to notice his DigiVice glowing again. As his emotion was shared by the other kids, their DigiVices did the same, pulsing with inhumanly bright light. The kids were thrown from their feet as, again, the eight beams of light lanced forward with even more force than before, striking the translucent avatars of their respective Digimon. The ghostly forms of the digital monsters began to glow with that selfsame light, as the kids funnelled their emotions into them, strengthening the bond they already shared.
- - -
We have achieved the lock, general! the technician reported. Can't... seem to get a reading on the location... seems to be spilt across two points... one's... on the other side of the world... and the other's... on the other side of... that! The man stabbed a finger at the circular construct, as the scarlet lasers burned ferociously into it's heart, nearing overload themselves.
Well, initiate the feedback! Reitman barked.
Yes sir, sir! the technician snapped to attention, and slammed his gloved fist down on the final button of the sequence. The console sparked and shuddered as the needles on the gauges flickered wildly back and forth. I... don't know if it can... take it!
- - -
The last thing that Tai could remember was the world going white. It was the first thing that the thought of when he opened his eyes. The second thing then took precedence.
Tai called out, as he hefted his body up from where he had fallen. Are you okay? Where are you?
The better question might be, Tai, Izzy said, rubbing his head as he looked around himself, ...where are we?
Tai groaned and rubbed his eyes, then studied the landscape. He wasn't in the park anymore. Tai was sitting in the middle of a dirt track road, surrounded on all sides by rolling dunes of greyish coloured sand. A few measly, scrubby bushes were visible here and there, as were the forms of the other kids, as, one by one, they all shook their heads and sat up.
Where are we?! Mimi squealed in horror.
Where... are we? another voice said. But it wasn't one of the kids. Slowly turning their heads to look behind them, the kids followed the sound of the voice.
Lying in a heap of scales, fur and feathers were their eight Digimon companions, completely solid, and obviously very, very real. Gabumon was the one who had spoken.
We... we're here? Gatomon asked, untangling herself from the pile. Really, physically here?
In the flesh, so to speak, Tentomon said, flitting into the air on his wings. But... where is here?
Who cares? Tai exclaimed, rushing forward and wrapping his arms around Agumon. We're all back together again!
The kids all cheered and hollered, rushing forward to embrace their respective Digimon. I can't believe it's really you! Sora told Biyomon.
I missed you so much! Biyomon replied, hugging Sora's knees.
You've sure changed, Mimi! Palmon exclaimed, examining Mimi's pink hair. How do you think I'd suit this look?
How's it goin', Joe? Gomamon asked of his friend.
Oh, y'know, reliable as ever, Joe said. The ladies like it. He indicated Mimi with a jerk of his neck.
You DOG, you! Gomamon laughed.
Back together again, huh, Matt? Gabumon said.
Matt said, kneeling and hugging his Digimon. Friends forever, just like we promised.
Takeru and Kari picked up Patamon and Gatomon and swung them around in circles.
Gatomon wailed. Put me down, before I throw up a hairball!
Patamon yelped. I'm gettin' dizzy!
The humans giggled and set down the small animals, as Takeru told Patamon not to call him TK any more.
Meanwhile, Izzy and Tentomon were hunched over Izzy's laptop, analysing the situation. As the reunions between kids and Digimon were completed, they began to huddle around.
That's most odd, Izzy commented. My laptop calendar says its... Thursday. But it read Tuesday when we were in the bistro, and the park.
Tai, Matt and Joe all looked at their watches immediately. The month/date read-out displayed Thursday's date, and they all showed Izzy.
he said.
Look, let's worry about what day it is later, Matt grumbled. Why don't we try and figure out where the heck we are?
Could we be in the DigiWorld? Joe suggested.
It's theoretically possible... Izzy mused.
But this wasn't where we were when we made contact with you, Tentomon informed him.
Spontaneous teleportation is hardly going to conform to any set rules, Izzy replied.
You brainiacs need to open your eyes, Sora said, not condescendingly, as she rose, and walked a few feet across the ground, to the edge of the dirt road. The kids had been so wrapped up in meeting their Digimon again that they had failed to notice a signpost planted firmly there.
Tai squinted at it. I... can't read it... Hey! It's... in English!
(Author's Note - Remember, kiddies, the DigiDestined are Japanese, and as such, are always speaking
Japanese. We, as authors, all just write it in English, because... well... not as many people could read the stories then, could they? ^_^)
Sora leant by the sign, which was bright red, with large, white letters. Izzy quickly unholstered his DigiVice from his belt and clipped it into his laptop again.
What are you doing with that? Matt asked.
It's a theory I've been working on, Izzy replied. Don't you think it was a little coincidental that ALL the Digimon in the DigiWorld spoke perfect Japanese?
Well, I... Matt stuttered. I... I guess I never thought about it.
My theory is that the DigiVices acted like a kind of universal translator, converting the language of the digital world - possibly something as simple as binary code, I don't really know - into a language we could understand.
Like on Star Trek? Joe asked.
Uh, yes, Izzy said, sweatdropping. But, now, if I can get an infra-red Internet connection... ah, there! I can find an on-line English Dictionary, and transfer the information into our DigiVices... He tapped a few keys, and the computer beeped. Just a few seconds... there. The DigiVice connected with the laptop properly this time, cause I was transferring information into it, rather than trying to take information from it, as I was before. Give me your DigiVices.
The kids all handed him the gadgets, and he transferred the information into each of them. So, now we can talk to anyone we might meet around here, and they can understand us, and we'll understand them? Tai asked.
Izzy replied.
That's if there IS anyone around here, Mimi said.
Forget that for now, Matt said. What's the sign say?
The eight kids snapped their DigiVices to their belts, and turned to look at the sign. As they stared at it, the words whirled before their eyes, and conformed to a structure they could understand. Tai read it aloud.
Warning.
Military Installation.
Now entering restricted Area 51.
- - -
BwaHA! Bet you weren't expecting THAT! I want a whole mess'a reviews, otherwise, I'll conclude that no-one cares, and I wont write the next part! And believe me, the next part will answer a WHOLE bunch more questions! So, get typing! ^_^
- - -