A/N: Putting a blanket graphic depiction of violence on this story (particularly in ch 6) and heavy language.

Hikarigaoka wasn't exactly the go to place to escape the crowds. Both preteens and teens alike were all over the district, going to the malls, the shopping centre and even the movies for the month long summer event and specials. Miyuki Hayashi really did hate the summertime. If she had her way, she would have stayed locked up in her room for an indefinite amount of time. She could have, but she had a debt to pay. An act of true kindness should not go unpaid.

And so here they were, in the busy part of town, in the middle of a crowded, outdoor theatre. Hikaru Kaneko had a particular liking for improvised plays. Although, Miyuki couldn't quite get into it; it was not her cup of tea.

As the actors went on with their show, Miyuki placed a hand on her bruised arm. Her uncle had drunk a bit too much last night. The beating she got was nothing in comparison to the constant harassment she got from those boys that just seemed to hate her. Her uncle's words and their words lingered in her mind.

"Bitch!"

"Slut!"

"Good for nothing Gothic trash!"

Her uncle had never liked her, not since he remarried. And those boys… she wasn't sure what she did to have them hate her, but they seemed to take great joy in attacking her. What started out as a simple comment about her fashion choice last year, went from pushing to punching to harassing.

Miyuki could not stand them, but what could she do? They were four years her senior; she was no match against them. She didn't have to be, though.

No one had stood up for her before. She had always been alone, always dealt with the knowledge that her uncle thought very little of her and so did everyone else. All except Hikaru, that is. Hikaru barely knew her. They didn't share the same classes, nor did they attend the same extracurricular activities. Yet, he was the only one to take the time to stop the bullying, the harassment and take her into his small group of friends. He didn't have to, but he did it anyway.

"Hayashi-san, look."

Miyuki blinked, pushing the dark thoughts that were starting to form away and turned to the sky. The once clear sky was dark with clouds. The once warm air was now chilly and cold, allowing small snowflakes to fall from the sky.

"Eh? The weatherman said nothing about snow!"

She watched the snowfall with wonder in her narrowed eyes, but alarm bells rang in her mind all the same. Miyuki didn't know what was going on regarding the weather, but she didn't like it. It was unnatural, in her mind, right now.

The next thing she knew a portal opened off to her left and, as she turned to look at it, a being stepped out. They had a wizard's hat on and their mouth was covered by cloth, Miyuki realized as she peered closer. "Huh..."

Hikaru followed Miyuki's line of vision and had to do a double-take. What in the world…? "A mage?" This was the first question that left his mouth, as that was what the being looked like.

"I dunno, looks kinda like an elf." Miyuki sniped shortly.

Hikaru shrugged. "Either way… What are they doing here, whoever it is?"

No sooner had the individual entered the real world than the electronics started going on the fritz. Hikaru noticed it first, hearing nearby people gasping in shock. He turned to see what was going on and saw electricity arcing around the traffic lights, making them flicker badly.

Miyuki saw this as well and whipped her head back to actually stare at the being. It couldn't be, could it? Was this one of those monsters from four years ago that people thought was a terrorist attack?

"Oi, who are you?" She was curt.

The mage or elf or whatever the creature was looked in their direction, before he reached up with one gloved hand and took off his hat, giving a small bow. "I am a Digimon, my name is Wizarmon. I come warning of an invasion. Do with that what you will."

No one seemed to notice the strange mage, creature, whatever it was, exiting through the portal, nor the strange portal showing what looked like a village made entirely of snow and ice. A tall mountain could be seen behind the small village and on the side of the snow-covered mountain was a palace made of ice. None of this should be possible. The position of the place was unnatural and should be impossible. And the ice homes should not even be liveable. Yet he could clearly see creatures coming in and out of their homes and what looked like a town market.

Hikaru sucked in a breath as he saw a snowman creature and three white dinosaur-like creatures looking through one of the many booths at the market. This had to be a dream. There was no way any of this was real.

And then the creature spoke. An invasion?

A cold chill travelled down his spine as he briefly looked around. No one noticed the strange-looking mage. Everyone was either too busy gazing at the performance that continued on despite the strange weather and the uninvited guest or taking notice of the snow slowly fluttering down from the open sky. No one seemed to notice the strange creature in front of them. It was almost as if he wasn't there at all, but that shouldn't be possible. He was as clear as day and the snow, he realized, was starting to stick on his hat and cloak. He was there, so why was no one noticing him?

"Invasion?" Miyuki bit out, unkindly. "Why the hell would you want to invade us? There's nothing special about us? It would just be a waste of your time." Despite the rise in her voice, no one noticed. Could they not hear them?

The creature simply raised a brow at her. "There are many Digimon that hate your kind and would simply wish to see you perish."

Hikaru studied the Digimon for a moment, unnerved. The Digimon seemed relaxed, calm even at first glance. However, there were very subtle hints that something was wrong. There was the way the Digimon would clench and unclench his fingers around the ancient wood of his worn, old looking staff. The mage would every so often tap the butt of his staff on the snowless ground. It was only then that he realized a barely visible light was surrounding them.

A nervous gesture he realized. And then there were the sudden glances to his right.

Something wasn't right.

Hikaru silently glanced in the direction of where the Digimon kept looking at, but all he saw was the endless darkness of an alleyway. He squinted his eyes, trying to see if he could see anything. But nothing really jumped out at him. There were just a few garbage cans and what he assumed was a black cat.

Hikaru returned his gaze to the Digimon, noticing the way he was looking at him. There was something concerning within the depths in his eyes, but he couldn't make out what was troubling the Digimon. Was something far worse than this supposed invasion coming?

"Why would the Digimon want to destroy us? We haven't done anything to them." The Digimon shook his head sadly.

"Your government has been trying to enter our world for countless years now, trying to find a way to eliminate us when one of our own ended up in your world by accident. The gods and rulers of my world are fed up with your kind and wish to destroy your world before you can destroy us." Wizarmon paused for a moment. "I do not hate you. I am very close to a human. I do not wish ill will to any of you. But you must be prepared. If the Chosen can not stop the invasion, then you must be ready to stop it when they arrive."

Wizarmon's staff soon created a blinding light that mixed with the snow swirling around them, blinding the two humans. When the light disappeared, Wizarmon was gone.

"What the hell was that?" Miyuki asked, bewildered.

"A warning."

"You didn't warn them about the generals." Sorcerimon was leaning against the cold wall of the dark alleyway. He gazed at the other, curious, when he appeared in front of him and Stingmon.

Wizarmon shook his head. "They will learn about them in time. Sooner than they realize, I'd imagine. It only takes one stray Digimon to blab, after all." He brushed any remaining snow off of his cloak and set his staff down to lean against the alley wall.

Looking directly at Sorcerimon's face, Wizarmon continued the conversation privately. What of PicoDevimon or Phantomon? Have they discovered we're out of bounds?

Not yet, but we should hurry back before they do. The ice mage answered in his mind, sparing a glance to Stingmon out of the corner of his eye. Sorcerimon felt the wasp's frustration at not being included in the mental conversation, but the spellcaster knew either of them would fill in the other Adult level afterwards.

Agreed. Wizarmon nodded at his companion's words. We've been gone long enough. No doubt I'll get punished, but I'll do anything to help her. The electricity and fire-based mage finished the discussion and waited for the inevitable chuckle from Sorcerimon. He was surprised when it did not come and he glanced at the other.

What? Sorcerimon merely smiled and prepared to open a portal back to the Digital World. I'm not going to say anything, though it should be obvious to anyone. More than that, he said no further. Once the portal was open, the two mages and bipedal wasp slipped through. And it vanished without a trace.

Meanwhile, back at Vamdemon's castle, PicoDevimon was searching the entire building for the Digimon who had abandoned their posts. The little bat didn't know where they had gone off to, but he did know his boss would be mad when they returned.

"Wizarmon! Sorcerimon! Stingmon! Damn it, where are you?!" The little hench Digimon yelled at the top of his voice. This caused other Digimon who were also working for Vamdemon to stare at him, prompting him to glare back. "What're ya looking at! Get back to work!" He ordered.

Flying away after observing them flinch and do what they were told, PicoDevimon saw Phantomon searching as well. "Any sign of them?" The bat asked the scythe-wielding spirit.

Phantomon turned to look at PicoDevimon. "No. But I did detect an unauthorized use of the boss' Gate. I'd hazard if they were trying to return, they would wait for a portal to bring them right back to the castle. In which case, the ring leader will be appropriately punished."

PicoDevimon snickered behind a wing he had placed over his mouth. "So they should. They shouldn't have left at such an important stage of the operation. I bet it was Wizarmon again… He's always up to something that distracts him from the plan."

"If you think so, then it must be noted."

Miyuki glanced around, a wild panicked look in her eyes as Hikaru mulled over the situation. It could be a trap. He thought, eyes narrowing.

While Hikaru was thinking things over, Miyuki was working herself up over the issue. She was starting to tremble and questions were going a mile a minute in her head. Why were they going to be attacked? What did this mage Digimon hope to gain by telling them in advance?

Among other things.

Hikaru was quick to hear Miyuki's looming panic attack. So he turned and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Miyuki. You don't need to panic. Breathe. Hold your nose and take one breath at a time." It will be all good.

It took a moment for Miyuki to realize that breathing through her mouth wasn't working, so she followed Hikaru's instructions and held her nose. Soon, the ragged breathing had slowed to a point where it wasn't sounding panicky anymore. It was back to normal. She couldn't be more relieved.

Eventually… "Why are you helping me so much?" Miyuki asked Hikaru, still looking a little shaky. Hikaru wordlessly motioned with a hand if she wanted to sit down, but she shook her head.

"As for why I'm helping you, well, you need a friend. You shouldn't be lonely." He replied.

A/N: Hikaru and Miyuki are 11 and 9, respectively.