Story One: A New Hero
Damien groaned in pain as the fist slammed into him, sending him crashing to the ground, blood mixing with leftover rain water, and dribbling across the cement.
"That'll teach you to talk $#%^ about me." The guy who had punched him said. "Remember, this is Xanatos' turf." He turned to two other guys with him. "C'mon, let's get out of here. This punk ain't worth my time."
Damien moaned, as he lifted himself weakly, rubbing the back of his head. "Stupid Xanatos." He muttered. "I'd like to go just one day without seeing his ugly mug." He looked around, and saw the battered remains of his backpack and homework. "Might as well go home…"
After gathering up his stuff, Damien walked through the packed streets of New York, which only had 3,000 people wandering on each block instead of the usual 5,000. Damien's route home also included passing a construction site, where yet another building was being prepared. Whenever Damien got out of school, the construction workers were 'Out to Lunch', so he cut through the site and to his home. Little did he know that today…he wouldn't be leaving that construction site.
As he was walking into the small plant of ground and started building, Damien glanced at the inactive machinery and crumbling cement. A large pit had been dug nearby, and driven by curiosity, Damien walked over to take a look.
The pit had to be 30 feet deep. And, unfortunately, Damien was teetering on very unstable dirt. It gave way in an instant, and he fell, screaming into the darkness…
…before landing with a grunt on dirt ground. He wasn't hurt, really, but his backpack had disappeared due to a lack of light. Unsure of what to do, Damien began scratching at the dirt walls, and sure enough, another one gave way, but this time, revealing more then just space. It revealed a small outcropping of rocks, with light penetrating between a few stones. Knowing it could be an escape; Damien began moving the stones, forming a path, which he slid through.
He then realized just how much space there was, as he had emerged into a large, golden hallway, which led forward, torches and symbols lining its walls. Still driven by curiosity, Damien entered the hall, and walked down the path, leading to a single, central chamber. This chamber had four torches, and more designs. In the center of the room, or more so, against a wall, was a large pedestal, and within it, was embedded a sword.
Damien looked around, particularly at the drawings on the walls. They were all of animals; at least it seemed that way. One was positioned underneath a strange symbol, and the creature itself resembled a prehistoric Wooly Mammoth. Another image displayed another symbol, with a serpentine creature wrapped around it. The third image was of yet another symbol, and a dragon-like creature. The fourth and final image had a symbol, and a scorpion beneath it.
"What is this place?" Damien asked. He then cursed himself for talking to no one. Still driven by curiosity, he walked over to the pedestal, and gripped the sword handle. He pulled upward, and the sword thrust from the pedestal. Damien examined it, seeing its amazing craftsmanship and deadly appearance.
Upon doing this, the entire area began to react violently, as the earth began shaking. Damien tripped backwards, falling on his butt. Despite this strange occurrence, the strangest thing of all, was all symbols beginning to glow. Damien watched, as beams of light shot from the drawings and onto his chest.
His first instinct was to cry in pain. But, he then realized he was
not hurt at all, but, instead, a tag had appeared around his neck, with
a new, unusual symbol very different from the other four. As he examined
the tag, he suddenly felt an increase of weight on his belt. Looking down,
he saw a hexagon shaped device on his waist. It greatly resembled a small,
hand-sized computer, and was covered in unusual writing. Noticing another
change, Damien saw that his originally black outfit had changed. He now
had gray jeans, with similar dark brown boots. He had a beige, long-sleeved
shirt on, and a gray shirt underneath it. The sword was no longer in his
hand, and now in a scabbard on his back.
Damien went with his first thought.
"What the heck happened?"
"You have been changed, reformatted in a way." Damien turned to see a man approaching him. "Welcome, Damien. Or perhaps I should call you Cerac?"
"Cerac?" Damien asked. "How about telling me who you are before you change my name?"
The man nodded. "Of course. I am Humanmon, and I have brought you here."
"Where is 'here' exactly?" Cerac/Damien asked.
"At the moment, Cerac…you are in the Digital world." Humanmon explained. "By raising the sword, you not only received your tools, but you opened the gate to a new beginning of life." Damien then noticed a pathway, leading to a lit area.
"I'd like to go home now." Damien/Cerac requested.
"You can't, Cerac." Humanmon said. "Until your tasks are fulfilled, you must remain, and battle the evils of this world."
"What evils?" Cerac demanded.
"You will know soon enough." Humanmon assured him. "First, let me tell you about this place. It is much like your world, only a great deal changed. There are animals here, known as Digimon, who come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And, as a matter of fact, one of those Digimon wants to talk to you."
As if on cue, a small, mushroom-shaped creature ran into the room. "Hiya, Cerac!" it greeted.
"GAH!" Cerac jumped backwards, brandishing his sword. "Stay back, you…um…mushroom!"
"Mushroomon, actually." The little creature greeted. "Hey, don't run away! I'm supposed to be your partner today!"
"What?" Cerac looked at Humanmon, confused.
"Like the rhymes?" Mushroomon asked. "It's all about times!"
"Um…could you not do that?" Cerac requested.
"Sure thing! But who knows what the future will bring?" Mushroomon began to laugh insanely.
"This guy is my partner?" Cerac asked.
"You'll get used to him." Humanmon promised. "I think today you two should just explore a bit. Tomorrow, you'll begin your search for the others like you."
"Others? You mean, more humans?" Cerac saw Humanmon nod. "Okie-day. C'mon, Mushroomon. Let us begin the inevitable trip towards insanity."
So, the two pranced forth merrily, or rather, started walking through the dense forests of this new land, while Humanmon watched them leave.
"I hope the kid survives." He muttered. "You can't just pick heroes from a garden, you know."
A little while later, Cerac and Mushroomon had reached a small clearing of forest. Unfortunately for them, they were not alone. Two silhouettes walked towards the other end of the clearing. One looked human. Another looked like a bowling ball with wings.
"Hey!" Cerac called. "Are you one of the…um…uh…people?"
The silhouette turned. "YOU?!" it said, surprise in its voice. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Huh?" Cerac soon recognized the figure. He wore black, and had long, dark brown hair. He had a similar device on his belt, but no tag around his neck. Unfortunately for Cerac, it was the same ugly mug he saw and hated every day. "Xanatos?!"
"Who let a loser like you in here?" Xanatos demanded. "Oh, well. I guess I'll just have to kick your @$$ again today. Get him, DemiDevimon!"
"Sure thing, boss." The little 'bowling ball with wings' replied. "You want some of me, you plant punk?"
"Bring it on, bat boy!" Mushroomon replied. He then pulled out a small radio, which instantly began to play 'Run Around'. "Laughing Smasher!" Mushroomon then began to punch DemiDevimon, pummeling the bat to a pulp.
"Oh, you want to battle!" DemiDevimon grinned as he pulled out a hypodermic needle. "Demi Dart!" He proceeded to fling it at the mushroom Digimon.
"Look out!" Cerac called. Mushroomon caught the needle with one hand, and dropped it uselessly to the ground.
DemiDevimon growled. "Now you got me mad! Evil Whisper!" DemiDevimon launched a ball of black energy from its mouth.
"Fungus Cruncher!" Mushroomon then spewed a toxous material from its hands, which struck DemiDevimon, causing him to cough and hack, as the attack went off course, slamming into a nearby tree.
"Gah!" Xanatos was clearly angered. "This weakling won't beat me! DemiDevimon, it is time we crush this fool!"
DemiDevimon smiled maliciously. "Sure thing! DemiDevimon, Digi-volve to…" the tiny bat creature changed into a much larger, humanoid form. He was black, with tints of gray and red for his face and some symbols on his body. He was wearing what appeared to be bandages, as well as small bracelet-objects. He had horrendously long arms, which ended in five-fingered, clawed hands, as well as two massive wings on his back. He also had two horns protruding from either side of his head, giving him a devil-like appearance. Hence his name: "Devimon!"
Cerac looked up at the massive creature. "Oh, smeg…"
"Now, you will feel true power!" Devimon promised. "Evil Wing!" He then slapped the unprepared Mushroomon away with a black wing.
"Fungus Cruncher!" Again, Mushroomon launched the gas from his palms, but Devimon covered his face with his arms, before attacking the Digimon again.
"No, stop it!" Cerac withdrew his sword, and charged at Devimon. "STOP IT!" He slashed forward, creating a wound in Devimon's knee.
"Agh! Insolent little…" Devimon then grabbed Cerac, holding his arms down.
"Finish him!" Xanatos ordered. "Destroy that fool."
Devimon grinned. "It would be my pleasure."
"No!" Mushroomon cried, as he charged at Devimon. "Cerac!"
"It's too late for him, now." Devimon began to squeeze, and Cerac cried out in pain. Unbeknownst to either of them, Cerac's Digivice had started to glow.
"Mushroomon, Digi-volve to…" everyone turned as the Digimon changed. His body shape remained basically the same, except he was more muscular, and had clothes on. He had light blue pants, as well as a red bandana, which covered most of his face, spiked shoulder pads, and red gauntlets on each hand. He also had a scabbard on his back, with a sword, very different from Cerac's. He looked very ninja-like, and thus, was called: "Ninjamon!"
Following with almost perfect timing, the radio changed to the song 'Going Digital', and Ninjamon began to do just that, as he appeared and disappeared, too quick to see.
Cerac used the opportunity to worm out of Devimon's grip. He dropped to the ground, and darted away. "Go get 'im!"
Ninjamon nodded, and charged at Devimon.
"Destroy him!" Xanatos commanded.
"Death Claw!" Devimon extended his arm towards Ninjamon.
"Ninja Blade!" Ninjamon withdrew the sword, and sliced at Devimon's hand, forming a large gash. Devimon roared in pain and withdrew.
"Destroy him!" Xanatos repeated, more anger in his voice.
Devimon quickly switched strategies. "Evil Wing!" He slapped Ninjamon with his wing, sending the Digimon flipping backwards into the air.
Ninjamon stabilized, however, and seemed to float as he got his final move. "Koga Star!" Ninjamon then flung a large, star-shaped, bladed object from his hand (also known as a ninja star), which slammed into Devimon's chest, went straight out his back, and came back into Ninjamon's hand as he landed gracefully on the ground, before de-Digivolving back into Mushroomon. The same process occurred with Devimon, as he fell to the ground, and reverted back to DemiDevimon.
"No…" Xanatos whispered. "How? How could this weakling beat me?"
"Wanna' find out?" Cerac asked, lifting his sword.
"No!" Xanatos cried out. He grabbed DemiDevimon, and fled away through the forest.
Cerac watched his foe run. "We did it." He said to himself. "We beat Xanatos! Woo-hoo, yeah!"
Mushroomon watched Cerac celebrate. "And they say I'm annoying."
Davis, Kari, T.K., and their Digimon listened to the sounds of celebration coming from within the clearing. They ran over, and saw a human and a Mushroomon dancing and cheering.
"Another Digi-destined?" Davis asked. "Jeez, how many are there?"
"Apparently there's room for one more." T.K. replied. He then called over. "Hey!"
The guy turned, and quickly withdrew his sword. "What do you want?" He demanded, as Mushroomon took a defensive stance.
"Alex?" Kari asked, but upon seeing the guy, she realized how idiotic that claim was. The only real similarities were the sword, and the fact that he also had long, dark hair.
"Actually, my name is Cerac." He replied. "But, stay back! My Digimon will Digi-volve and beat all of you!"
"I like him all ready." Davis said.
Meanwhile, Xanatos and DemiDevimon sulked in a small cave. Xanatos was very angry that he had lost to Damien, but was willing to keep DemiDevimon. He wasn't sure what he would do now, but his thoughts were interrupted as the cave began to shake. A large, purplish creature with a drill for a nose charged in, roaring.
"A Drimogemon!" DemiDevimon gasped. "Hey, boss, I'd better Digivolve!"
Xanatos nodded. "Defeat this one." DemiDevimon Digivolved to Devimon, and pummeled the Drimogemon with the Evil Wing attack, leaving it lying on the ground, unconscious.
"That was almost too easy." Devimon grinned.
A thought came to Xanatos. "Devimon, do you have any other attacks?"
Devimon nodded. "My third technique is called the Touch of Evil. By using it, I can take any Champion level Digimon under my control, and even some Ultimate levels."
Xanatos grinned. "Do so. This Drimogemon may prove useful."
"Touch of Evil!" Devimon waved his arm over the Drimogemon, sending evil energy flowing into its body. The drill-nosed creature rose, its eyes red, as it vibrated with evil power.
"Hello, Drimogemon. I have a little assignment for you…" Xanatos grinned. "It's called 'build me a base', while I go forth and recruit an army of Digimon, so that I can destroy that fool Damien, and rule this world!"
The Drimogemon nodded. It began to work on a large structure, while Devimon walked over to Xanatos. "Any creatures in particular?"
"The deadliest you can find." Xanatos ordered. Devimon nodded, and flapped out of the cave, towards the unsuspecting Digimon.
Soon, I'll crush him again. Xanatos thought. Very soon…