Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I wish I did, but I don't. So please don't sue me. I'm flat broke, anyway. The only characters that are mine are Shikumon, Kyoko, and Mikado.

Note: As before, I will use the Japanese names, but am liable to make a mistake. If you get confused on who a character is, feel free to post a comment or e-mail me. (shinigami86@hotmail.com).

Right, then. Let's get started, shall we? I wasn't going to write this until I got some reviews. But then I thought, hey, who cares? I want to write this story, and if people don't want to read it, forget them! But, ah, that doesn't mean that reviews aren't always appreciated. Heh. Hopefully you'll find the plot more developed by the end of this chapter.

And Daisuke, the henchman of my website, would like to point out that I finally gave him someone to go out with.

"Is she going to be ok?"

"Of course she is. She's just a little shocked, and she got a bump on the head."

Kyoko awoke to the sounds of people talking. We're they real people, or just her imagination? Who cared? She groaned.

"Oh! She's awake!" Daisuke said. He helped her head up and propped it against the couch's armrest.

"Are you all right?" Hikari asked.

"'M ok."

"You sure?"

"Sure. How long was I out?"

"Almost an hour," said Takeru.

"My, time sure does fly when you've been knocked out. I should be getting home now." She stood up and walked slowly out the door. A few seconds later, she spoke from behind it. "'M ok."

"You walked into a closet," Daisuke said.

"Right, then." She opened the door and walked out of it, her feet swaying this way and that.

"I think I should walk you home, Kyoko."

She grinned blissfully at Daisuke and pinched his cheeks. "That is so sweet! You're such an adorable little monkey!"

Daisuke blushed. He linked her arm in his and led her towards the front door. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," he said to Takeru and Hikari before he left.

They walked for a moment, then Daisuke stopped. "Um...where do you live?"

"Just let me lead," she answered.

"Are you SURE you're ok?"

She shrugged. "As ok as I'm going to get after being attacked by a giant ice monster."

"Yeah, about that…I think I owe you an explanation…"

"No you don't."

"Yes, I don't really think there's much of an argument there."

"Ok, you do. But I've got enough riding over for me right now. Everyone told me Odaiba was weird. My parents said all the monster sightings were just huge hoaxes."

"Yeah, ok, well that's not true."

"Daisuke?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I've figured that out."

They reached Kyoko's house in silence. Daisuke noted there wasn't a car in driveway. Then he reminded himself it could just as easily be in the garage.

She pulled a key out from her pocketbook and unlocked the door. "Thanks for the bear." She was still clutching it. "I'll see you soon." Daisuke nodded and just before Kyoko went inside and closed the door, she kissed him on the cheek.

Nobody had to be told that the next day was a meeting. They all pretty much figured that something was up, and whatever it was, the one place they would find answers was definitely the Digital World.

"Everybody ready?" Miyako asked.

"Since when do you get to be the leader?" Daisuke asked, pushing her out of the way and putting himself in front of the computer.

"Jerk! Quit it!"

"Make me!"

"Quiet!"

Takeru had stepped between Miyako and Daisuke. "Look, could you guys quit arguing for like, two seconds?"

"I don't think Miss Fangirl here understands the situation!" Daisuke screamed. "Something's after Kyoko and I want to know why! In the meantime, there's also a killer roaming the streets at night, and it might very well be an enemy we've already killed THREE FREAKIN' TIMES!"

"Daisuke, calm down…"

"I AM CALM! I'M PERFECTLY CALM!"

Ken took out his D3 and walked up to the computer. He held it up, activating the gate, grabbed Wormmon, and was sucked inside.

Miyako ran to the spot where he had been standing. "He dropped his haaaaaaat!" she screeched. Nobody said anything as she swooped up Hawkmon and held up her D3. "I'm coming, Ken! Digital gate, open!"

The argument was obviously over, so the rest of the team took their Digimon and went through the gate. When they arrived, they saw Miyako cheerfully arranging a hat atop a rather annoyed Ken's head.

"So, where to first?"

Takeru spoke up. "I think we should try and find Leomon. He knows a lot about the DigiWorld; he might be able to tell us more about Vandemon and if it's him that's attacking everyone."

"Well, ingenious plan," Daisuke said sarcastically, "but there's one teensy-weensy little problem: how are we supposed to find him?"

"I remember he lived somewhere around this area…we could ask around."

"Ask around…this guy's pure genius…" Daisuke rolled his eyes.

"Well, if you don't like it, you can find him yourself!"

"Hey, no need to get all cranky!"

They walked on for what seemed to Daisuke to be hours. Actually, it was only five minutes, but according to Daisuke, who was counting? All he knew was that it was late, and he wanted to eat lunch.

"It's only ten o'clock," Ken said. Daisuke groaned.

They found two small Digimon picking berries. "Leomon?" one of them said when the Digidestined asked. "I think he's in the woods. I just saw him a few hours ago."

"Thanks," said Tailmon. She led the way through the woods, and they finally saw Leomon patrolling around.

"Leomon!" shouted Patamon. He smiled and walked over to them.

"What's wrong?" he asked when he saw the looks on their faces.

"We think Vandemon is back."

Leomon sat down. "Why do you say that?"

One by one, the Digidestined and their Digimon sat down. "Well," Iori said, "for starters, there's the fact that several women have been attacked, just like the last time."

"But that's impossible," Leomon said. "Vandemon's dead."

Takeru nodded. "Yeah, that's what we said the last time, and the time before that, and the time before that."

Leomon scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Then the women were attacked on the neck?"

They nodded.

"That's Vandemon's style. And while he may have been a coward, he certainly wouldn't attack in such an obvious way without making his presence known first. I don't think it's him. It could be, but there is another…" he trailed off.

"What? Another what?" Ken asked.

Leomon shook his head. "It's just a legend. Some Digimon believe that Vandemon had an…accomplice."

"Oh, he had lots," Tailmon said bitterly. "Like me, for example."

"No, not like that. They say that Vandemon created a Digimon who was…"

"CREATED a Digimon?" Ken asked.

Leomon raised his eyebrows. "Not out of other Digimon, but out of pure scratch, I think. I'm not sure. It was supposed to be made in his likeness. The original story has been bogged down by rumors, and so I don't know what's true or not. But one thing is always the same: the Digimon was always called Shikumon."

He paused for a moment, as if the name was meant to instill fear into the hearts of Digimon and Digidestined alike.

"What did it look like?"

"There are many stories. Those who claim they have seen it seem very foggy about what it looked like, more than likely they just made it up to sound important. Occasionally you'll meet a Digimon who runs and hides at the sound of the name. I personally don't know what to make of the story. If Vandemon did have a successor, he did a good job at keeping it a secret."

"Tailmon," Hikari asked, "do you know anything about this?"

Tailmon shook her head. "Then again, he kept a lot of secrets from his lowly henchmen."

"Thanks for your help, Leomon," Takeru said, standing up.

Leomon nodded. "My pleasure."

The Digidestined and the Digimon all thanked Leomon, unaware they were being watched by someone who went by a certain name…someone who was known as Shikumon.

"There's another festival coming up. If you'd uh, like to go with me…"

Kyoko's face brightened. "Sure! Kimono this time?"

Daisuke shook his head. "No, it's a school festival."

She took a sip of her juice. Kyoko always ate her breakfast before school started. "Do you really think it's a good idea for me to be out there after…the other night?"

Daisuke rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Well, ok, we run that risk. But I just really thought you might like to do something together." He paused. "Um…did you tell your parents what happened the other night?"

"Why would I? Do you think they'd believe me?"

"Are they the kind of people who need to see something before they believe it?"

"Not even that. If it can't be explained by science, it simply isn't real. That's what my dad used to say."

"Oh, this can."

Kyoko tilted her head to the side. "How?"

"Oh, uh, well…at least I think it can. Science isn't exactly my best subject. You'd want to go to Koushiro Izumi for that."

"I don't want an explanation. I just want a guarantee that I'm not going to be killed."

"I think that can be arranged."

She sighed. "Alright, then. But you have to swear."

"I swear."

"On your mother's grave."

"My mother's not dead."

"Alright, then. Your great-great-grandmother's grave. I'm fairly certain she's dead."

"So what'll happen if I brake this promise? Will she like, rise from the grave and spank me?"

"Um…I'm not sure."

He shrugged. "I swear on the graves of all my relatives that if you die at the festival, may they rise from the grave and send me to my room with no desert."

Mikado Kashimi was a respectable man. He walked with a stride in his step. They said that Odaiba wasn't safe at night, but he was fine. It was unsafe for women, not men, like him.

The way he walked was very consistent. His briefcase was in one hand and when he walked, he swung his arms back and forth, back and forth. He took care to make sure that they didn't extend too far, as that would make him look like and idiot. He was a handsome man, but still very respectable.

Then there was a scream. It wasn't Mikado's scream. How could it be? Whoever was terrorizing the town wouldn't come after him. No, it was definitely a woman. He paused for a moment, pondering on where it came from. The park. Near the playground. No, near the fountain. It didn't matter. He ran anyway.

When he finally found her, it was too late. The woman was alive, but unconscious, and her attacker was gone. No chance of playing the hero. Oh well.

"Damn," he muttered. He took out his cell phone and began dialing, but then he heard something. It was in the bush, and the bush was rustling. He closed his cell phone without bothering to finish dialing, and walked up to the bush. Nothing there. No, that wasn't right. He walked through it, trying to keep himself aware of his surroundings. He paused for a moment, listening for any unnatural sounds. And at this time of night, just about any sound was unnatural.

Then it happened. Something jumped from the tree above him, growling and screaming. Whatever it was, he didn't get a good look at it, as it jumped right on top of him. It had claws that dug into his back, and he cried out in pain as it sent him to the ground. By the time Mikado opened his eyes, all he could see was the park, which showed no sign of anything out of the ordinary. He looked up. Vaguely he could see a red blob in the sky. But he wasn't sure. He wasn't sure of anything. His respectable suit was ruined, his briefcase had been tossed to the side and had snapped open, papers flying everywhere and his cell phone had been crushed.

Mikado managed to bring himself to his feet. Breathing heavily, he leaned against a tree.

"If that's what I think it was…" he managed to say, "then we're in a lot of trouble."

Takeru ran down the hallway. Usually, he didn't run, but for some reason he was running today. Maybe he was in a hurry, maybe he was scared of something, or maybe if he hadn't been running, he wouldn't have run into Mikado Kashimi.

"Geez, sorry," he said. Some papers had fallen on the floor. He picked them up hastily, then handed them back to the man he had bumped into.

The man was smiling. "That's alright, but you know, you shouldn't be running in the halls."

"Yeah," he mumbled. "Um…have we met?"

"Hmm? No, I don't think so. I'm the acting principal, Mr. Kashimi. I'm sorry, that's PRINCIPAL Kashimi." He laughed. "I'll never get tired of saying that."

"Acting principal? Where's our old principal?"

"He's on a much needed vacation. He's not as limber as he used to be. If all goes well for him in his mountain resort, it may become permanent."

"Wow…" Takeru felt stupid, but what else was he supposed to say?

Acting Principal Kashimi nodded. "Don't let me keep you. Where were you going?"

"To meet my friends."

"Are you going to the school festival?"

"Yeah," he said.

"That's nice," said Acting Principal Kashimi. "I hope to see you there."

He walked off, there was still a stride in his step. There always would be.

Ken sat at the computer, typing away furiously. "Nothing, absolutely nothing."

"Are you sure?" Wormmon asked.

"Positive. I checked Vandemon's information, and it doesn't mention a Digimon named Shikumon anywhere. Then I tried to find out if there was a Shikumon anywhere at all in the Digital World."

"Is there?"

"Not according to the DigiWorld's database. So unless we can find this Shikumon ourselves, we'll have to start from square one."

"That doesn't sound like a lot of fun."

"It won't be." Ken groaned. "Our best bet is to try and track this monster down ourselves. But we've tried that before."

"Maybe if all of you went this time it could work."

"Maybe. Whatever we're dealing with, it probably has SOMETHING to do with Vandemon. I don't know what, but I have a bad feeling that he's not really gone."

Acting Principal Kashimi…he liked the sound of that. It had a sort of ring to it that he could get used to. Be he couldn't, because sooner or later, either the old principal would come back and Mikado would be out of another job, or the principal would decide not to come at all. In that case, Acting Principal Kashimi would become Principal Kashimi. That sounded better. Principal Kashimi, Principal Kashimi. A guy could get used to that.

Mikado walked around the park. Whatever he had seen the night before, he had a feeling he would see it again tonight.

And he did. Well, he didn't see it at first. What looked like silver streaks came from nowhere, pinning him against a tree. His head snapped down and when he looked up, there was a girl standing there. She had hair as red as her eyes, black wings, claws, and fangs just like Vandemon once had.

"You're the one that's been following me." She smiled. "You seem to be in love with pain." Shikumon walked over to him. She ran her finger down Mikado's neck. He could feel her breath on his neck, and her nail felt like it could pierce his skin.

"You walk around at night like a scavenger. It's inhuman."

Shikumon laughed. A shiver ran down Mikado's spine. "Do I look human to you?"

"No, you look like a Digimon, Shikumon."

She stared at him. "Say that name again…"

He looked away. Her nail, which had been stroking his neck gently, now dug itself into his flesh. He yelled out in pain. "Say it again," she whispered.

"Shikumon."

She looked at him suspiciously. Then she licked the drop of blood from his neck. "Who are you?" she asked him.

Mikado looked at Shikumon defiantly. "Mikado Kashimi."

"Mr. Kashimi, then. I was going to make it easy on you. But now I think that I should have a little bit of fun. Don't you think so?"

"I think you're a sick freak."

She shrugged. "How do you know my name?"

"I have my ways of finding out these things, Shiku-"

Shikumon slapped him across the face. "Don't call me by that name. EVER."

"Why not?"

She smiled. "If you know my name, then you know perfectly well why I don't like it." She waved her hand, and the silver spikes binding him to the tree trunk flew into her hands.

"I don't know how you found out, and frankly, I don't care. I just have one thing to say: stay away from me, don't meddle where you're not wanted, and we'll get along just fine."

And with that, she flew off into the night sky. Leaving Acting Principal Mikado Kashimi to walk home in the darkness.