Pacific Coast Sunder
By: Theodore 'Blitz' Leung
Disclaimer: All Digimon and their characters (except for those introduced in this fic/series) do NOT belong to me. I do not have permission to use their characters, but it's a FanFic, so, who cares? =) This story line belongs to me and me alone. Please ask for permission if you wish to use it. Thanks. Now let's get onto reading!
She sat on the wet grass, knees pulled up to her chest. Her reddish-brown hair blew in what little wind the day provided. The teenage girl sat alone, admiring the view, watching others mingle and chat, but not her. All she could do was watch. She was unwanted, and alone.
"Well…at least it is Friday…" she murmured. School would be over soon for the weekend, and for Shastina, it was a welcomed relief in more ways then one. School was a living hell for her. Nothing ever happened right. Well, almost nothing ever happened right. There were still perks to life.
"Miss Lawson, you have two minutes to report to Choir class," the voice spoke behind her, giggling. Shastina grinned, turning around.
"Then we better get going Angel," she responded, standing up. Brushing the grass that stuck to her pants off, and retrieving her bag, the two headed towards class.
* * * * * *
The walk home was lonely. Shastina began a slow paced trek back towards her house, hoping not to get home anytime soon. The only thing she truly looked forward to when getting home was getting on-line. Where she can drop this shell of protection the encased her. Something that came naturally to her, as much as she feared it.
"What happened to you, Shas?" she whispered, clutching her hand. "What is it that he always says…'Life sucks and then you die'?" she whispered, stopping at a crosswalk. Cars whizzed past while she waited patiently for the crosswalk signal to change. "Maybe I should just step out now…" she thought, placing her foot onto road, though her heel still touched the curb. "No…I can't…I'd be betraying him…" she whispered. As if holy judgement called, the light changed. Shastina sighed, walking across the street.
* * * * * *
Shas quickly locked the door behind her when she entered her dwelling. Again, she was home alone, being her father wasn't home for the week.
"At least it's quite…" she whispered, heading upstairs. The high school student tossed her school bag onto her bed, removing a small floppy disk from it first. "English homework is a pain," she complained, inserting the floppy disk into her computer. With a few lazy clicks, she opened the file containing her English homework. She copied the file over to her hard drive, but during the transfer, there was a small file on that disk that she didn't notice before.
"What's this?" she thought. Four seconds after gazing at the file, it opened by itself. Shastina nearly fell off her chair, startled when the program also instantly opened. Two new windows opened on the screen, both with thick white borders. On the left window was a map of unknown origin, while on the right was a scene. There was a lake, surrounded by a ring of trees. The sun was up high, water vapours glistening off the sunlight.
"It's…beautiful…" Shastina whispered, never before seeing a sigh so spectacular. "If only I was there…" she continued, her voice falling flat at the fact it was all just a myth.
If anyone was outside, they could've sworn they saw a bright flash emit from the window of this house. Of course, no one noticed, as Shastina disappeared in a blink of an eye.
* * * * * *
"Oooow…what happened?" Shastina whimpered, cussing at whatever. All she could recall was traveling at light speeds through some corridor of… "Data?" she spoke out loud, unsure if that was really true or not.
The next sight she saw left her speechless, even if there was no one to talk to right now.
"Is…is this for real?" she stammered, unable to believe she was sitting at the edge of the lake: the lake she was admiring before she 'traveled'. "Or am I dreaming this?" she thought, standing up. Slowly, she approached the lake, staring down at her own reflection.
"What's this?" she wondered, noticing her clothing was completely different. Her emerald eyes told her she was wearing a crimson shirt with blue overalls. "Well, at least it is more comfortable then before," she told herself, standing back up. Again, she admired the view of the lake, sighing happily.
"You know…this place looks very familiar…" she continued to ponder, trying to remember why. Then it struck her. "This is like the place where I saw that serpent in the water…" she reminded herself. "That unnaturally big sea serpent for that matter…" she muttered, shuddering at the thought. She remember that day, being scared out of her wits at first sight. Never has anyone seen such a sight, and never has such destruction been caused. Somehow…the serpent disappeared, without a trace, after the destruction it caused amongst the city.
"Of course everyone blamed it on a natural occurrence," Shastina told herself, not completely recalling which occurrence was it. "Was it an earthquake?" she thought, shaking it away. "No use thinking about it now," the California teen told herself. "It was eight years ago. It will definitely be hard to remember after that period of time." Shastina sighed, examining the rest of her surroundings.
"I wonder how I'm going to get back home now…" she wondered, biting her lip. "What if I'm stuck here?" Her mind began to panic and despair. "Wait…it would be nice to stay…away from everyone…" she mused, smiling a bit. "But then I'd have to forget about him…and I'm not sure if I can let that happen…" Shastina sighed, debating in her mind everything that has happened and may happen if she stayed here.
The water rippled, slightly at first, but just enough for Shastina to notice something was very wrong at the moment. It wasn't clear what the danger was, but she had a hunch she wouldn't like it.
Again, the surface of the water rippled, the silhouette of the lake's occupant becoming a bit clearer. The body was long, slithering around underwater like a snake. "Or…even a serpent…" Shastina murmured. "This better not be a recurring nightmare," she pleaded, withdrawing from the side of the lake.
Within seconds, the serenity of the scene was shattered. A massive sea serpent blasted out of the lake, spewing water everywhere. Shastina fell backwards, raising her arms to protect herself against the raining pelts of liquid. The long, slithering form of the crimson serpent loomed over the lone girl. The monster grinned as much of a grin as he could get, finding his next meal. The serpent dived down towards the teenager.
"LIGHTNING CLAW!!" was all Shastina heard next, previously closing her eyes in fear. Forcing a peak, she saw a white cat with floppy ears smashing a paw into the serpent. Both paws were covered over with yellow-striped gloves, and a golden ring was on the cat's tail. Shastina gazed in awe when that small cat back flipped onto the ground, landing beside her. What was scarier was the fact that the serpent fell to the blow, sinking back down into the lake.
"Quickly, he won't be stunned for long!" the cat advised, pulling on Shastina's arm. Silently agreeing, Shastina got to her feet, running with the white cat into the ring of forest that surrounded the lake.
* * * * * *
It was about five minutes of pure running until the cat that led Shastina away decided to stop. The teenage girl stopped beside the cat, nearly collapsing from the entire run. Her breathing was harsh as she tried regaining her breath.
"Are you okay?" the cat asked, standing on her two legs. Shastina finally noticed the cat was talking to her, and then freaked out. "I'll take that as a yes then," she replied sarcastically.
"You-you talked!" Shastina exclaimed. The small cat shrugged.
"First time to the Digi-World I see," the white cat commented. "My name is Gatomon, and I'm a Digimon."
"My name is Shastina…" the high school student answered, still a bit dubious of these events. "Digi-World…Digimon…what is going on?" she whispered, though Gatomon heard her.
"The Digital World is as it says, a Digital World," Gatomon explained. "This world is very similar to your world in many aspects, but also very different in others."
"I'm guessing the most obvious distinction is Digimon," Shastina spoke. "Um…Digital Monsters?" she questioned, unsure if that was right. Gatomon nodded.
"This world is inhabited by monster known as Digimon. That serpent you ran into back there was Seremon," Gatomon continued. "Of course how you entered our world is still a mystery."
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Shastina inquired, walking beside Gatomon as the small feline continued the trek down the forest.
"Digi-Portals just don't open without reason," she explained. "The portals have been closed for the last four years, and with that seal is the peace of the world. If portals are beginning to open again, then something must be wrong in the Digital World." Gatomon halted her walking, gazing into Shastina's eyes. "You have her look and caring," the Digimon spoke, continuing on.
"Pardon?" Shastina asked, confused about what Gatomon meant by those words. The feline Digimon ignored her, trekking deeper into the forest.
"Do you have a Digivice yet?" Gatomon inquired, though not turning her head to face Shastina.
"A Digi-what?" Shastina spoke out. The tone Gatomon spoke it gave the impression that, sooner or later, Shastina was going to get this 'Digivice'. "I wonder if that's good or bad…" Shastina thought.
"Where are you from?" Gatomon asked next. "You don't look like someone who lives in Japan."
"No, I live in California," Shastina responded, sullenly. "Of course I wish I could live somewhere else…"
"Why is that?" the feline asked, noticing the tone change. She stopped, curious now about what this schoolgirl meant. Shastina remained silent for a very long time. "If I offended you, I'm sorry," Gatomon spoke.
"No, no, it's okay," Shastina quickly told Gatomon. "I'm…I'm searching for someone…and I hope I can find him soon."
"Well, then you will find him," Gatomon commented plainly. Shastina gazed down at the feline, wondering how this Digimon can be so sure about that. "As long as you keep searching, eventually, you will find what you are looking for."
"H-how can you be so sure though?!" Shastina exclaimed. "I've searched and searched for the last three years, and nothing!"
"Shastina…" Gatomon started, uncertain on how to word her next sentences. "I-I searched for someone. My journey took me places far and wide, hoping to find her. But soon, I began to despair, believing I'd never find her, and eventually, I lost that purpose in life."
"But…even after I forgot, I still continued to search, unconsciously," Gatomon said, pausing for a second. It seemed like she was checking something under her gloves. "And soon, I found her."
"All I'm saying, is, as long as you have the will to keep searching, you will find who you are looking for." Gatomon sighed reminiscently, recalling those days and nights alone. "And I know someone right now who is looking for you."
"Huh? Who's that?" Shastina asked, mood changing from serious to curious. "Who would be searching for me?" she thought, doubtful anyone would.
"Hey, SHASTINA!!" the voice shouted, as a force toppled Shastina. "Wassup? Wassup? Wassup?" was all she could hear from the hyperactive voice that most likely came from what ever knocked her over.
"Um…hi…" Shastina finally said, opening her eyes to see another feline sitting on her chest. This cat had silver fur, with black stripes lining down her back. On her forehead, the strip pattern formed some kind of star.
"I'm Tigramon, and I've been waiting a long time for you, Shastina!" she exclaimed, bouncing around happily. Shastina side-eyed Gatomon.
"Yeah, she was looking for you," Gatomon responded. Shastina sat up straight, as Tigramon continued to jump around.
"Um…why would you be waiting for me?" Shastina asked the energetic feline. Tigramon stopped leaping up and down, and faced the teenage girl.
"Because we're partners!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down again.
"Tigramon, she doesn't have a Digivice yet," Gatomon told the other feline. Again, Tigramon stopped, and gazed into Gatomon's eyes.
"Well then, let's go find it!" Tigramon shouted, rushing back towards the lake at top speed.
"Hey, wait!!" Gatomon and Shastina both shouted at the same time. There was a quick exchange of glances between the two, before both realized they should go after her.
"Why do they have to be so immature…" Gatomon commented, sighing.
* * * * * *
"Hey, where's the serpent?!" Shastina asked, pretty much expecting another attack from it. Everything seemed peaceful.
"Maybe I punched a little harder then I thought," Gatomon commented, examining her left paw. "But hey, you aren't complaining, right?" Shastina nodded, finally noticing Tigramon digging a hole by the lakeside.
"Here, here!" Tigramon shouted out, momentarily pausing her digging frenzy to inform the other two. Shastina and Gatomon both ran forward, catching a glimpse of sunlight reflecting off something.
"Here it is!" Tigramon shouted victoriously as Shastina pulled out the small device from beneath the ground. Similar to Tao's Digivice in every aspect, except for one: the grip for the Digivice was white.
"Well, that's your Digivice then," Gatomon told Shastina.
"How can you be so sure? It could belong to someone else…" Shastina retorted, trying not believe this. It was all so unnatural to her.
"You're here, right?" Gatomon spoke. "Only the Digi-Destined can travel back and forth between the worlds."
"But I don't even know how to get home!!" Shastina cried out. She glanced at the Digivice, and pushed a small button at the bottom of it. The student yelped as suddenly, the bottom half of the Digivice opened up. The bottom half unfolded downwards as did the left and right unfold in their respective directions.
"What happened?!" Gatomon and Tigramon exclaimed, taken completely by surprise by Shastina's sudden cry. Shastina held the Digivice in her hands, noticing the keyboard that was made when the three pieces unfolded.
"Hey, maybe this is your Digital Terminal too…" Gatomon commented.
"Terminal?" Shastina asked, closing the Digivice.
"Yeah, it holds all your Crests, Digi-Eggs, and allows to send and receive E-mail," Gatomon informed Shastina.
"I see…" the student muttered, though not understanding the Crest of Digi-Egg aspect. Tigramon was somehow on her shoulder, cuddling up to get warm. "Such a strange contraption…hey, maybe Blitz would know something about it…" Shastina thought. "He's pretty good with mechanical things…" Shastina bit her lip lightly. "He is in Toronto though…" Shastina sighed, realizing this fact yet again. "This distance is killer…" she muttered sadly.
"You know…it's not safe to be here…" Gatomon whispered, nervously keeping an eye on the lake in front of them. Shastina, clipping the Digivice to the side of her pocket, and taking Tigramon in her arms, nodded in agreement. The small feline in Shastina's arms only slept peacefully, possibly tiring herself out with all the energy expended.
"Come on, let's go…" Shastina whispered, for two reasons: 1) not to wake Tigramon, 2) not to disturb Seremon is he's still down there. Shastina turned her back to the water.
The water exploded in the familiar sight as Seremon smashed through the surface. He let out a loud howl in triumph, being able to surprise his original prey.
"Look out!!" Gatomon shouted, jumping at the serpent Digimon. "LIGHTNING CLAW!!" she attacked, though the serpent blocked the attack with the end of his tail. Gatomon, surprised with the block, found herself smashed into ground as the serpent's tail with the feline still on it hit the dirt. Gatomon groaned in pain, pinned to the ground at the mercy of Seremon.
"HYDRO SPRAY!" Seremon shouted, readying for his finishing blow.
"SILVER FANG!" was the retaliation, Tigramon jumping from her position in Shastina's arms. The girl was so shocked by the battle that she didn't realize Tigramon was awake.
The small feline leaped into the air, diving down at the serpent's tail, bearing her fangs. In one swift movement, her teeth sank into Seremon's tail. The serpent hollered in pain, his attack shooting into the sky. Gatomon, quickly releasing herself from the clamp, jumped at serpent, unleashing another Lightning Claw attack.
Seremon, after the barrage of attacks that the two felines continued afterwards, surrendered, sinking back down into lake, never revealing himself again.
"See, see, see!" Tigramon exclaimed, jumping madly yet again. "I'm good, together, we can beat anything Shas!"
"Yeah…I guess so," Shastina replied, smiling a bit. She ticked the feline behind the ear, causing Tigramon to giggle wildly.
The moment was short lived however, as Shastina's Digivice began to beep madly. In a matter of seconds, Shastina wasn't standing there anymore.
* * * * * *
Before she knew it, the teenager known as Shastina was back in her room. She blinked once, then twice, trying to believe what just happened.
"Digital World?" she asked, glancing back at her computer. The program was still there, but it refused to open. "Come on, work…" Shastina pleaded, double clicking on the icon again to no avail.
"Well, at least I wasn't in the 'Digi-World' for long…" she whispered, checking the time on her watch. Of course it was surprising when she saw that this watch wasn't the one she had before. "What's this…?" she asked, noticing it was only 5:00 P.M. PCT. Fidgeting with the watch a bit, she also got the EST time period. "8:00 P.M.? Oh, that's EST…of course…" she spoke, pushing another button. "Huh? 1:00 P.M. DWT? What's that?"
"Man…I'm losing my mind here," Shastina thought, flopping onto her bed. She took the Digivice from her pocket, though her clothing reverted back to what she was wearing today. "Let's see…I wonder how this works…" Shastina thought, opening the Digivice again. Punching a few keys, which took a while to get used to since the keyboard was pretty small, she entered Blitz's E-mail address.
"Hey Blitz…" she started, yawning a bit. "Would he believe my story? About the Digi-World? Or will he think I'm just going crazy…" Shastina thought. She was still unsure herself about this entire journey, but if anyone could understand, she could trust Blitz in it.
Fin
Completed: 11/05/00
