Me: Four chapters! Dude, do I rock or what? (thinks a minute) Nah, forget what I said.
Tamers/trainers/Digidestined/Amanda: Sure thing!
Me: (sigh) Well besides the usual disclaimer stuff, I have to say I don't own "Never Too Far From Home" from the Totally Pokémon CD. That's about it. Get ready for a long line of descriptions. Let's roll the cameras!
Takato: But we don't have any cameras.
Me: Sheesh, don't you have any imagination? And they call you "The Biggest Dreamer."
Chapter 4-"It's Our Destiny"
"It's times when you're down that you need your friends around the most,"—Mai Valentine, Yu-Gi-Oh
"Wherever there's light, you'll always find darkness,"—T.K. Takaishi, Kyoto Dragon
"The one who makes all the difference...is you," –Lugia, Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One
"The human sacrificed himself to save the Pokémon. I pitted them against each other, but not until they set aside their differences did I see the true power they all share deep inside. I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are," –Mewtwo, Pokémon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back
Tai continued to stare at his hands before slowly pressing them to his hair. "Huh?" He realized it wasn't short anymore but rather wavy and full. His hands closed around a pair of goggles, round like the ones he used to own. Looking down at himself, he noticed he was wearing a blue shirt similar to that of the one he wore when he first came to the Digital World many years ago. Underneath it was a plain black T-shirt and gray pants. "I think...I've changed." This is so weird! I knew I should've seen something like this coming ever since I woke up in the middle of the night and saw monkeys hanging from the ceiling!
"You're not the only one," T.K. said in a shocked voice. Tai turned to look at him. T.K. resembled a thirteen-year-old and his blond hair stuck out from beneath the white bucket hat he always wore during that time. He brushed off his white T-shirt, black jeans, and readjusted his hat. "We've all changed." Frankly, I'm surprised. I didn't really expect all of this to happen.
Joe and Jacob pointed at each other and then stared down at their outfits. Joe was wearing a dark blue collared shirt with gray pants while Jacob was wearing an ocean blue shirt with tan shorts. Joe's hair was back to being somewhat longish.
Ash pushed up the brim of his red-and-white League cap after adjusting his fingerless gloves. He glanced down at his blue-and-white jacket, dark shirt, and jeans. "I got my hat back. Wow, check out our voices!"
"No kidding," said Davis. He was wearing a beige vest and shorts, along with a dark blue T-shirt and his trademark goggles. "You sound like a ten-year-old."
"I'm in my twelve-year-old body doofus. And you sound like a toddler."
"Shut up."
"Make me."
"That can be arranged." Misty smacked the two boys upside the head. She was wearing her traditional yellow tank top and suspenders, her hair in the form of a waterspout ponytail. "You both are acting like babies!"
Kari stared at her digital camera and her own outfit. It was more or less another sleeveless turtleneck except it was pure white and glittering. Underneath were dark red shorts held up with a silver belt. She stroked her now short brown hair. "My hair got shorter."
"Mine got longer. Much longer," Jacqueline added, swishing her hair, which now fell to her waist in a braid. A pink scarf was wrapped around her neck over a sleeveless powder blue T-shirt. A yellow pleated skirt flowed around her waist, framing her small figure.
Cody blinked and stared up at the others. "Hey, I shrunk!" His outfit consisted of a beige T-shirt with a maroon collar and matching pants.
"Fascinating," Izzy murmured softly. He was also younger and dressed in a different outfit: an unbuttoned green shirt over a striped orange shirt. Brown shorts reached to his knees but unlike the others, he wasn't at all bothered about the change. "We've all been transformed into children."
"Fascinating? Fascinating? We've been changed by some who-knows-what into our teen selves and you think that's fascinating?" Davis exclaimed incredulously.
"Davis, watch it. Your goggles are slipping," Catherine said as she helped readjust them on his spiky brown hair. As she did, she brushed her long blonde ringlets aside. "Zair, zat does it." She stopped talking and clutched her throat in shock. Her heavy accent was back—along with a new outfit. A pale lavender dress with a furry collar flowed down to her knees and a matching headband completed the ensemble. "Zis is new."
Takato and the other Tamers (and their Digimon) continued to stare at them. It was exactly like looking at the characters from the TV show, this time come to life. Matt had his longish punk hairstyle along with a brown jacket and dark pants. Mimi's hair was long and as pink as cotton candy. Although they'd never seen this, Brock wore a green vest, brown jeans, and an orange shirt. Yolei and Ken stood next to each other, Yolei wearing a yellow T-shirt, shorts, and a red bandanna; and Ken wearing a maroon sweater and black pants.
Chloe stood up and glared at the trees. "All right! Where are you? And better yet, who or what are you?"
The voice boomed throughout the clearing. "I...am...Missingno. I was created...by an accident in the Pokémon World. I am a glitch...a living virus...the only one of my kind. I am...created to destroy life through pain...and suffering. My powers far surpass any of your own." A long column of blue static appeared in front of the groups.
"Why are you doing this to us?" demanded Mimi.
"Simple. I am only preparing you for the threat...I will cast upon your worlds and dimensions. By changing you into children, you aren't as strong physically...and mentally...I've shifted you twenty-four years back. To ensure that this experiment worked, I disposed of your own children."
Sora gasped. "YOU were the one who made them disappear! You KILLED them?!"
Missingno answered, "Since you have become children, your own children do not exist anymore...your former lives...your careers...have ceased to exist. They are only memories for you now. Your world will go on as it normally did...except without you."
"NO!" cried Yolei.
Joe spoke softly. "Does that mean Lin, Jenny, and the others we've known...they won't remember us?"
"As I have been telling you," Missingno said impatiently. "You are now children. You have memories of your adult life...but your thoughts...and minds are more childlike. The ages that you see yourselves as at the present are the ages you actually are now. Oh yes, your relationships have vanished...so all of your marriages or engagements are gone. In other words, you're just teenage adolescents."
(A/N: If you didn't get that, it means they're now just teenage couples. No husbands and wives)
"You can't get away with this!" Davis declared. "Do you know who you're messin' with?"
"I know perfectly well Mr. Motomiya...none of you Digidestined scare me for I can instantly delete your Digimon without making a scratch...and as for you trainers...your pathetic Pokémon and so-called skills don't even stand a chance...don't underestimate me...I have powers you wouldn't imagine..." The virus began to ripple at an intense speed and his dimensional gate appeared. "Now I must leave. You are merely...delaying my progress...for total annihilation...be prepared to die...Farewell!" With a crack, the virus entered the vortex and vanished.
Suzie whimpered, "That big blue thing was scawy Henwy." She hugged Lopmon.
Ash groaned. "Why is whenever I'm around you Digidestined there's always trouble? First you guys don't trust us right off the bat, then evil Digimon nearly wipe out both of our worlds, and now this!"
"Ash!" cried Misty indignantly.
"You know it's true."
"Well we should help, whether we like it or not," Brock answered firmly. "The Digidestined and the Digimon are our friends, and we're always loyal to our friends."
"Yeah I know," Ash replied wryly. "At least we're not in diapers."
Chloe sank to the ground. "But what can we do? What are we even supposed to do?"
The Tamers came forward hesitantly. "I'm sorry," Rika whispered.
"Huh?" The other two teams looked at her. "For what?"
"For getting you into this. If you weren't transported here, none of
this would've happened. Your kids would still be alive and you wouldn't
be...the way you are. I really screwed up this time didn't I?"
T.K. smiled at her. "Don't blame yourself Rika. It's not your fault. Things like this just...happen."
"It's called 'destiny'," came a voice from Izzy's laptop (which had also changed to the yellow one he used in the old days).
Every person jumped about 2 feet. "The laptop's alive!" Kenta yelped, losing his head completely.
"Shut up! No it's not," Rika snapped. "I bet it's just someone using net meeting." Her friends stared at her. "What? Just because I think computers are boring doesn't mean I don't know anything about them!"
"Humph. Smart kid," said the voice again. Izzy opened the laptop and an elderly face appeared on the screen. "Greetings."
"GENNAI!" Immediately, everybody except the bewildered Tamers gathered around the computer.
Gennai gazed around at them before laughing. "What in the Digiworld happened to you all? The last time I saw you, you were adults."
"Something called Missingno paid us a visit," Cody grimaced. He hadn't gotten over the ordeal that he was now younger and shorter.
At the mention of the name, Gennai fell silent before saying, "Missingno huh? It's one of his powers then."
Brock thought about it. "Missingno ...hmmm. I remember hearing a little about it from Tracey. A glitch and a virus like that thing said. He's not supposed to be alive because he kept disrupting software programs."
Chloe looked incredibly serious. "If that's all you heard then you're not going to like this. Missingno is not just a virus. He's a Pokémon."
Her friends stared at her as if her head was on backwards.
"I'm serious. He's number 0 in the Pokédex...actually he doesn't even appear in the Pokédex. He's a missing Pokémon, hence the name: Missingno. He was actually created to help programmers as a test but was left behind in miscellaneous computer software. Like Brock said though, he was disrupting software programs and such, so they tried to delete him. But it didn't work." Now her fellow trainers looked at her strangely. "Yes, I learned it from Professor Oak, Tracey, and Gary."
Gennai nodded. "He appeared in our Digital World not very long ago and he's been wrecking havoc in the Primary Village. What I don't know is how he got there."
"I think I know," Ash muttered. "The Digital World is basically like a big computer or data storage area where life exists. Since viruses are known to be very small, I bet Missingno could've easily hacked into your program in the Digital World. Why he's there is simple enough. He's a virus and that spells disaster and death to the Digital World. Since everything there is pretty much data, he can delete and destroy it easily."
Gennai and the others lapsed into silence for a while, taking the horrific information in. Gennai then noted the unfamiliar surroundings. "Are you in the park?"
"Actually, we are in a park but not in our dimension," Joe said.
"What do you mean?"
"Gennai," Izzy said suddenly. "Do you know the Digimon Tamers?"
The old man frowned. "No, I have never heard of them. Why do you ask?"
"Er well," Izzy pulled away from the computer and gestured towards the kids in the background. "These children are Digimon Tamers, and Digimon here is nothing but a card game and a TV show...with the exception of these kids' Digimon."
The Tamers looked at Gennai who studied them carefully. In the meantime, Patamon woke up. "That was a nice nap." He casually glanced at his partner and then did a double take. "T.K., what happened to you?"
T.K. groaned. "Long story."
"Hmmm, I don't recall meeting these kids," Gennai said. "But perhaps I know those who have. I believe you'll need to take a trip to the Digital World."
"Us too?" asked Ash. He and the other trainers, except Chloe, rarely visited the Digital World.
"Well, I guess so. It's really your choice."
Brock frowned. "Maybe later. We can't go now; it's nearly evening."
"Right. We'll figure everything out tomorrow."
Unknown to the older teams, the Digimon Tamers had already slipped away, their plans already made.
A trainer's life is hard
You travel routes so far
Away from friends and family
You learn to sacrifice
Always willing to pay the price
But what you have to understand
Even heroes need a helping hand
The next day, the trainers and the Digidestined once again assembled in Shinjuku Park, only this time they carried along backpacks which contained sleeping bags, extra clothing, you-know-what, toiletries, and food. All of it had been purchased in Shinjuku.
"Needless to say, I'm not sure if yellow's my color," Mimi remarked as she plucked at the yellow-and-white tank top she wore underneath a white jean jacket.
"I think you look great," said Sora. She herself was wearing a yellow sweatshirt and a jean skirt.
Chloe snorted. "When you've finished examining your wardrobe, please tell us."
The girls stopped talking and listened closely. "I guess with Missingno's arrival and his quest to annihilate our worlds, you kids will have to fight again."
"We figured," Tai answered Gennai seriously.
"Hope you're not too rusty when it comes to saving the world," Gennai continued. "This time the fate of all worlds lies in your hands. You're going to need all of your wits about you."
"And that's where we come in...right?" Kazu's voice rang out.
Stunned, the two teams spun around to face the Digimon Tamers. They too had backpacks and of course their Digimon with them. However, this time they had three other Digimon plus a human accompanying them.
The Digimon consisted of a small pink pixie with a red heart on its stomach, a large robot that resembled a bronze dumpster, and a gigantic lizard with four red wings and sharp teeth.
"Who's the kid?" asked Misty, frowning slightly. Taking in the boy's light brown hair and sky blue eyes, she couldn't help adding, "He's kinda cute."
(A/N: Remember, they're not married anymore)
(Amanda: Oh quit interrupting Caroline!)
Ash, who heard her, frowned and hissed, "Cute huh?" Chloe raised her eyebrows.
The boy gazed at them before his eyes landed on Ken. They widened. "Ken? Is that really you?"
Ken gave a start. "Ryo?" he uttered in astonishment. "Ryo...Akiyama?"
"In the flesh," Ryo replied with a grin. "It's been a long time."
"You bet it has!" said his old friend excitedly. The two boys exchanged a high five.
Sora's eyes expanded. "No way!" she exclaimed. "Aren't you that kid who helped us fight Milleniumon all those years ago?"
(A/N: If you're confused about this, I don't have space nor time to put a flashback so find out about it)
Ryo's grin broadened. "So you remember Sora."
The Tamers stared at Ryo in disbelief. "Ryo, you know them? Personally, I mean," Kazu asked in amazement.
"We've met—briefly," Ryo answered casually. "And Ken and I were partners in the Digital World before I came to this place."
Ken continued to stare at him. "The last time I saw you was over twenty years ago! How come you haven't aged since then?"
"Ever since I entered this dimension, time's slowed for me. I'm only fourteen," the boy replied. "And I've heard," and this time a teasing smile lit his face. "You're a detective and married with three children." He whistled. "Seems you must've been bored."
Yolei blushed while Ken frowned at Ryo. "Well enough reminiscing," T.K. said hurriedly. "Can you guys explain what you are doing here?"
The Tamers grinned. "We're going with you."
Whatever you want, whatever you need
You know you can always count on me
There'll always be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home
Wherever you go, whatever you do
You know we'll be there to pull you through
There'll always be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home
"Excuse me?" Chloe said. "Come again?"
"We're going with you," Takato repeated. "And nothing you guys say is gonna stop us."
Matt groaned. "Look Tamers, we appreciate the assistance but we really don't need more people tagging along."
"But we can help you," Guilmon said.
"We are NOT tagging along!" Rika added, insulted. "We know about fighting and saving the world just as much as you do! Ask anyone around here, we fought Digital Fields, Devas, and the all-powerful D-Reaper. We even stopped a Parasimon invasion and took on one of the Digimon Sovereign. Give us a chance, that's all we ask!"
The trainers and the Digidestined stared in amazement at the fiery-tempered redhead. "Now that's the kind of attitude most people need," Ash said admiringly.
"You mean that's the attitude you need," Misty corrected.
Ash glared at her. "You're one to talk. I'm actually the most optimistic out of all of us trainers. How 'bout you just stay young and run off with some Mr. Handsome or something since you and I don't seem to agree."
"You've got some nerve—"
"SHUT YOUR PIEHOLES!" snapped Chloe fiercely. "We've got enough on our plate without you two snarling at each other. Got me?"
The two fell silent. They didn't want to encourage an outburst of psychic energy.
Kari addressed the Tamers. "It's not like we think you're weak or anything. I'm sure you're all very strong. It's just that we don't want to risk you kids getting hurt. And your parents will worry."
Henry looked serious. "You're right...but we already know about pain and suffering. We can take care of ourselves and you have to admit, you're kids too now."
"Yeah momentai," Terriermon added. The Digidestined and the trainers stared at him. "It means 'Take it easy'. Sheesh, even you don't know that word!"
"Terriermon!"
Jacob shifted his gaze straight ahead. "Yeah but like she said, what about your parents?"
Curious, the Tamers whirled around to see their parents, Yamaki, Riley, Tally, Ai, Mako, Impmon, Calumon, the Monster Makers, and an unknown blonde girl with dark clothing. Apparently, they had heard every word.
We never had a doubt
You'd always figure out
Which way you're going
Be proud of what you've done
And the person you've become
But if you ever feel afraid
We're gonna help you find your way
"Um...hi," Kazu said cheerfully.
"Is this true?" Yamaki questioned them. "Are you planning to leave for the Digital World—again?"
The Tamers exchanged nervous glances before nodding slowly. Mie Matsuki gave a small gasp. "But why?"
Takato, however, shot Guilmon a look of exasperation. "Did you blab to anyone about this?"
"Only Calumon," the dinosaur replied.
Everybody groaned. "Oh of all Digimon..."Henry moaned.
"Answer her question," Rumiko Makino whispered. "Why are you going?"
"It's because...um...well...uh..." Takato searched around in his mind for an explanation.
"This oughta be good," Ash muttered under his breath.
Jeri finished the sentence for him. "It's because it's our destiny," she said.
Everyone stared at her, including her own teammates. "Well it is," Jeri insisted. "Leomon once said some things happen because of destiny. And that's why we're going. We just have to."
"We can't let you go...not again. The last time you left, we nearly lost you," Mie murmured through tears. "What if we never see you again?"
"What if something goes wrong?" Riley added in a grave voice. "We know last time you left to save your friend Calumon but now you're going to save all of our worlds? After what happened with the D-Reaper, it's too much."
"We can do it. After all it is our destiny," Jeri told her.
The older teams sweatdropped. What is with this girl and destiny?
Chloe finally stepped forward. As much as she disliked having the Tamers come along, she knew how it felt to be kept back. "You must have faith in them."
"Who are you?" Janyu Wong asked.
Chloe's steady gaze drifted over the adults. "I am not of this world...yet I know what it feels like to be targeted by fate. You can't change their minds any more than you can chance time."
The blonde girl studied the Digidestined carefully. "I know who you are," she said in a soft voice. "I never expected any of you to be real." The three original Tamers were surprised to identify her as Alice McCoy, the girl who helped them biomerge in the Real World with her friend Dobermon.
"We're the Digidestined—chosen children intended to save and protect the Digital World," Tai told them. "And these four here are the Pokémon trainers—people from a world where humans and creatures work and live together in peace."
T.K. stood next to Chloe. "We don't want to put your kids into any danger, but if they insist then we don't have much of a choice."
Mayumi Wong looked at the Tamers seriously. "It's too risky for you kids. Hasn't your experience with the D-Reaper taught you anything?"
"Jeri, don't you remember being captured by that thing? You nearly died," Jeri's stepmother Shizue whimpered. The Tamers were exchanging uncomfortable looks.
Tadashi, her husband, shook his head. "I will not allow you to endanger yourself anymore Jeri. I nearly lost you last time."
"That won't happen Mr. Katou," said Takato. "I won't let that ha—"
"DON'T think you're off the hook young man!" snapped his mother before her voice broke.
"And what about that horrible Parasimon?" added Rumiko urgently. "You were being used as a puppet Rika. I don't want you to go through any more pain."
The Digidestined and the trainers gaped. Geez, they got a lot of problems. Even more than us practically!
Mie sighed. "This doesn't involve you anyhow."
"Huh?" Rika stared at her. "Hello?! Yes it does!"
"Then why can't you just have these kids go?" She waved a hand at the two other teams. "They said they don't need you."
Chloe cleared her throat. "Ahem. We never said we don't need them. If they want to go..." She sighed in acknowledgment. "If they want to go, then we won't stop them."
Takato cast her a grateful look. She spoke to him through her mind. "I still don't think it's a good idea if you come though."
Finally, Shibumi spoke. "I think we should let them go."
"What?" The parents stared at him in amazement.
"Really. If it's what they really want then we shouldn't try to stop them. This thing they need to fight; maybe they're the only ones who can stop it."
"Shibumi's right," Yamaki put in. "This thing might soon affect our world if we don't do something about it. Maybe this is for the best."
"They proved themselves against the D-Reaper," said Seiko confidently. "And I know they have their Digimon to protect them."
"Besides," said Janyu with a grave smile. "They were chosen as Tamers for a reason. Whether we like it or not, that's their fate. We can't shield them forever."
Takehiro Matsuki nodded. "And if worst comes to worst, we have a whole crowd of other kids to take care of them. They can stand a better chance of surviving with a group of experienced children like these Pokémon trainers and these Digi—whatever."
For a while, all was silent. Then the others nodded. "All right then...if it's the only way."
Whatever you want, whatever you need
All of our love will set you free
There'll always be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home
Wherever you go, whatever you do
All of your dreams will soon come true
There'll always be someone waiting
You're never too far from home
Ash, who had been exchanging some quick words with Misty and Brock, turned to Izzy. "We should return to the Pokémon World so we won't be a bother. I hope you don't mind Izzy."
"But we need you guys," Tai argued. "You're not a bother...not at all."
"Maybe so, but this way you can contact us if the going gets tough. Missingno might appear in the Pokémon World, you never know. Besides, Chloe will stay with you."
Izzy nodded and Ash and Chloe stepped up to his opened computer. They both closed their eyes in concentration, and the symbols of Faith and Life soon appeared on their chests. Gold and silver light shone from the crests, flooding into the computer. A beautiful white portal appeared, swirling and spinning like a whirlpool. The Tamers and the adults gaped at it. Ash grinned. "See you soon." He, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu entered the portal before it vanished in a wisp of smoke.
Once that was done, the Digidestined and Chloe backed away to give the Tamers and their parents some space.
Yamaki handed Takato another comlink. "Just in case you want to fill us in on anything."
Takato nodded solemnly before his mother and father engulfed him in a hug. "You take care now okay?" Mie wept. "I just can't stand my baby going out in the face of danger again."
"Mom! I'm not a baby anymore."
"You're still MY baby!" she sobbed uncontrollably.
Oh I REALLY wish she hadn't said that. Takato looked at the others. Henry and Jeri looked sympathetic but as for the others... "GUYS! It's not funny!"
Ryo coughed and managed to keep a straight face, but the other boys couldn't. Rika smirked. Behind them, Takato could see the older kids struggling not to laugh, especially Davis and Chloe.
"Promise you'll be careful," his mother whispered tearfully.
"We hope you and Guilmon come back safely," added Takehiro.
He nodded, his tears spilling over. "I promise...both of you."
(A/N: Boy is it getting mushy here or what?)
(Tamers/trainers/Digidestined/Amanda: Aw shut up!)
Henry and Suzie both received hugs from their parents. "Look after each other," Janyu choked hoarsely.
"Look after my babies Terriermon, Lopmon," Mayumi said.
"You can count on me. Momentai."
Lopmon nodded. "Don't worry. Suzie's safe with me," she assured her.
Rika could feel her tears welling up as her mother and grandmother hugged her. "Are you sure you're okay with this Mom?"
Rumiko shook her head. "I wish you wouldn't do this but like your friend said, it's destiny." Her tears rolled down her cheeks like a river. "I just got you back."
"Oh Mom, don't worry. We'll be back."
"Take care sweetheart," Seiko whispered.
Renamon bowed her noble head. "I'll protect her with my life," she vowed.
Ryo grasped his father's hand. "Don't disappear on me again son," Mr. Akiyama warned him.
"Don't worry Dad. I won't."
Kenta's mother held onto her son for so long, it took all of his strength to break away. Kazu, like Ryo, took hold of his father's hand and restrained himself from saying something stupid. However, he did make a comment like since Guardromon wasn't going to be around to step on his mother's flowers; she wouldn't have to worry about them too much. This brought a flood of tears to her eyes.
Jeri was hugged tearfully by every member of her family, including her little brother Masahiku. She closed her eyes and then held out the sock puppet to him. "Keep this in case you get lonely. It'll show I'll be back soon."
Her brother took the sock puppet and hugged it to him. Tadashi hugged Jeri once more. "Be careful out there you hear? And stay with your friends."
"I know."
Ai and Mako looked determined. "If things get tough, you can count on us to guard the Real World."
"Maybe I'll travel to the Digiworld too someday," Calumon added.
Alice smiled softly. "We're counting on you...all of you. Good luck." She gave a Takato a slight nod and tapped a small comlink in her hand. He nodded back.
Gazing at their families and friends one last time, the Tamers joined Chloe and the Digidestined. Together they trooped off to Guilmon's house where the entrance to their biggest and greatest adventure lay.
You're never too far
You're never too far
You're never too far from home
You're never too far
You're never too far
You're never too far from home
You're never too far from home!
"Okay, I'm going to ask this and I'm going to ask this only once," said Chloe as she floated around the blindingly lit area. "Where the heck are we?"
Davis placed his goggles tightly over his eyes. Tai did the same. "We didn't need to go through 'Blind Man's Dimension' when we traveled to the Digi-World," Davis muttered darkly.
"You said it," Ken agreed, shielding his eyes. "I can hardly see; the light's too bright."
Sora squinted. "Just where exactly is this Tamers?"
Takato had placed his own yellow goggles over his eyes while Rika and Henry put on their sunglasses. "This is the area between the Digital and Real Worlds. We were here before. Basically, it's your choice to decide which way's up and which way's down. We'll go in the direction you choose"
Renamon nodded. Don't say it Jeri.
"That way's down," said Jeri, pointing at the area below them.
"NO!" yelled Takato, Rika, Henry, Kazu, and Kenta at once but it was too late. All kids started falling through the light-filled abyss.
"Well, that was a smart move!" Chloe griped sarcastically as she fumbled around for one of her Poké Balls. "Darn it! We're falling too fast!"
Matt shook his head. "Uh...Takato? Exactly where does this fall end?"
"Oh, last time we crashed into the Digital World. Why do you ask?"
"Oh goody."
Jacqueline flattened her hands on both sides of her skirt to prevent it from creeping upward. She glared at Davis. "Quit staring!"
"I wasn't!"
As their fall picked up speed, the kids could make out small wires and pixels flying above their heads. Joe's face was slowly turning a sick shade of green. T.K. glanced at him worriedly. "Uh Joe, are you okay?"
Joe shook his head and pressed a hand over his mouth. "I...I think I'm gonna be sick."
"GAH!" T.K. moved away from him. "Then don't come near me!"
"Me neither!" yelled Cody and Patamon in unison.
"I think the best thing would be for everybody to keep calm right now," said Izzy, who seemed perfectly okay with the fact that he was hurtling at a fast rate down into the glowing depths.
Yolei rolled her eyes. "If you think that's good for everybody, just check out your girlfriend."
Mimi screwed up her face as her pink locks flew upward from the downward pull. "I hate this! I hate this! I HATE THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSS!!"
Digital World
Takato wearily got to his feet. Looking around him, he noticed that most of the others had already risen and were busy staring at what lay around them. "This is the Digital World?" Jacob uttered in shock, eyeing the rocky mountains and long purple data streams.
"It looks different," Cody agreed.
Henry flashed them a confused look. "It actually looks the same to us Tamers. Maybe you saw a different part."
Rika looked around. "Did anyone lose anything on the way down?"
"Nope," said Catherine while doing a count of the baggage. "Everyzing and everyone iz mostly 'ere."
"What are those?" asked Joe, pointing at the data streams.
"I wouldn't go near those if I were you," said Henry sensibly. "If you get sucked up in one of those things, you'll land in a different area of the Digital World. No two data streams are the same so there's no telling where you'll end up." He looked at the Digidestined meaningfully. "Believe me; it's happened to us a lot."
"I'll say it has," muttered Kazu.
Chloe pulled both Tai and T.K. out of the craters they were lying in. "Jeri, remind me never to request your advice about the direction an elevator goes in order to get to the ground floor."
"Sorry."
Lopmon gasped as she looked around at the scenery. "We're in the presence of the Sovereign realm!"
"Indeed," rumbled a voice from above.
Ryo looked up. "Hey everybody, look it's Azulongmon!"
They all rolled their eyes skyward. "Azulongmon? Who is he?" asked Chloe.
"I am one of the Digimon Sovereign," the large dragon answered. His enormous eyes shifted to the Digidestined. "It's been a very long time since you came here."
Matt blinked before turning to his brother. "D'you know this guy?"
"We've met," T.K. replied wryly. "And Kari's and my crests were the ones who broke his seal; in our dimension anyway. We haven't seen him since that time."
"And the Digital World's probably changed since then," Izzy noted. "I've got a map on my computer here that says the Digital World is made up of many different levels. What we are on is the highest level where the Digimon Sovereign rule." He looked up again and caught sight of Zhugiaomon, a large fiery bird; Ebonwumon, the two-headed turtle/tree; and Baihumon, an enormous blue-and-white tiger. "Prodigious! Everyone look at them!"
The four Sovereign stared down at the children. "May I ask what they are doing here?" Zhugiaomon thundered.
"They're here for a reason Zhugiaomon," Gennai replied as he flew in on the Mekanorimon.
"Been a long time since we saw you Gennai," Zhugiaomon said to him.
Gennai focused on the Sovereign. "A terrible virus known as Missingno has been set loose within our world. Before it causes ultimate turmoil and destruction, they are here to stop it."
"Are you asking us to believe that there is a non-Digimon in this vicinity?" questioned Zhugiaomon imperiously. "We have no proof that such an absurd thing exists."
"Yes we do," said Takato. The four Digimon looked at him and he flinched. "We saw it. It made the Digidestined and these four other kids shift back into children stages. That's the only reason why we're here."
"We're not here to cause trouble my Sovereign," said Lopmon with a bow.
Zhugiaomon still looked skeptical. "We shall see."
The Digidestined glanced at one another. "Dude, what's with the Lord Firedramon over there?" asked Davis quietly.
Ryo cupped a hand around his mouth and whispered, "Zhugiaomon despises human beings and doesn't get along with them. He doesn't really like our Digimon either because they agreed to be with us instead of 'free'."
"Ooooh."
Ebonwumon shook his two heads. "'Tis a pity to send the wee kiddies on another fighting course. That D-Reaper was bad enough it was."
"However, what Gennai says may be correct. Already, other Digimon have warned me in my realm," Baihumon growled.
Azulongmon nodded. "Then we must arm ourselves. A virus could spell instant death to the Digital World. Meanwhile, you children shall be taken to a place where you won't be harmed."
"Not through a data stream right?" asked Mimi fearfully. The other kids couldn't help but agree on that one.
"No. You'll be using one of my methods of transportation."
Takato grinned. "Cool. Thanks Azulongmon."
Whatever you want, whatever you need
You know you can always count on me
There'll always be someone waiting
You're never too far from home
Wherever you go, whatever you do
You know we'll be there to pull you through
There'll always be someone waiting
You're never too far from home
Forest Sanctuary
The Digidestined and the Tamers soon found themselves in a rich forest on the edge of a crystal river. The sun made bright patches of light through the tall trees. "It's so beautiful here," Mimi said excitedly.
"That was nice of them to drop us off here," Yolei remarked, running her hand along the bark of a tree. She and the others heard cries of joy from behind them and they turned around to find their Digimon running in their direction.
"All right! We're together again!" Tai declared as he and the other Digidestined were reunited with their partners, with the exception of T.K. and Patamon.
Agumon blinked his large green eyes at his partner. "Hey Tai, what happened to you all? You look...different."
"Is it the hair?" Tai asked him anxiously. "Or didn't Gennai tell you guys?"
"He did tell us," said Gabumon with a sigh. "Unfortunately, it's one thing to be told something and another to actually see it."
Jeri turned to Rika. "What do you think?"
Rika, however, was nowhere to be seen.
"Um...Rika? Where are you?"
Takato glanced in her direction. "What's wrong Jeri?"
"Erm...nothing Takato." She flashed him a smile. "Everything's fine."
Rika appeared out of the trees just then. "Hi, I was checking something out."
"What?" asked Takato intriguingly.
"A cliff. The view from there is awesome."
(A/N: That cliff is going to be mentioned a lot so keep an eye out for it)
"You know what I think?" Tai addressed his own team.
They shrugged. "I think it'd be a lot easier to explore this place and fight if we were all divided into groups. Missingno wouldn't be able to target us all."
Kari gazed at her brother. "You want us separated?"
"No. I just thought we should keep to certain groups for a little while when we explore the surrounding areas of the Digital World and search for Missingno. This may also give us a chance to get to know the Tamers."
Izzy thought about it. "It sounds appealing Tai but how does this work?"
Whatever you want, whatever you need
All of our love will set you free
There'll always be someone waiting
'Cause you're never too far from home
Wherever you go, whatever you do
All of your dreams will soon come true
There'll always be someone waiting
You're never too far from home
(song fades out)
Later...
"So who'd you get stuck with—I mean who are you with?" asked Kazu.
"You first," Kenta countered.
"Hey not fair, I asked you first."
Henry rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter who goes first since you're in the same group."
"Oh."
Takato grinned. "Looks like I'm going to be searching with the leaders...and Ryo of course."
Jeri smiled. "My group is all girls," she told them. "There's Sora, Mimi, and Jacqueline."
"Bo-ring," Kazu chanted but he shut up when Takato shot him a Look. Hastily, he said, "Kenta and I have Matt, Cody, and Catherine."
Kenta rolled his eyes. "How 'bout you Henry?"
"Suzie and I are with Izzy, Yolei, and Joe. If we find Missingno we might be able to analyze his weaknesses," the boy answered. "At least I hope we will."
Jeri looked over to where Rika was standing, a little apart from the rest of them with Renamon. "Rika, what about you? Who did the Digidestined pair you up with?"
The other girl glanced at Jeri swiftly before replying, "T.K., Kari, Chloe, and Jacob."
Kazu made a face. "You're lucky. You got the strong group...well 'cept Jacob."
"Kazu, that isn't nice!" scolded Jeri.
He cringed. "Sorry."
"Yeah," Rika muttered sarcastically. "I'm lucky. So lucky."
"Rika, why are you having such a negative attitude about all of this?" Takato asked her. "What's your problem?"
Rika's violet eyes flashed. "Nothing! I don't have a problem with any of it," she snapped, irritated. "And why are you worrying about me Gogglehead? You've got other things to think about!" With that, she stomped away in the direction of the cliff.
"Ooooh, touchy," Kazu said in a low voice.
Jeri sighed and took one of Takato's hands. "We better leave her alone."
Takato nodded in agreement but his heart didn't feel that way. Why are you acting like this Rika? Can't you see I'm worried about you...because I care?
As they set off back to the Digidestined, Rika chanced a look at them. Kazu and Kenta were arguing, Henry was talking to Ryo while keeping an eye on Suzie and Terriermon, and Jeri and Takato were also talking. Jeri continued to hold Takato's hand the whole time and for some odd reason a look of disgust came across Rika's face.
"Something is bothering you isn't it Rika?" asked Renamon.
Rika sighed and looked up at her Digimon. "I can't help thinking this is my entire fault. If only I didn't have that stupid premonition, if only I never brought T.K. and Chloe to our dimension, if only—"
"All of those 'if onlys' aren't going to do us any good," Renamon informed her seriously. "What's done is done so we might as well accept it. We can't alter the past."
Rika nodded. "I know Renamon...but what I wanna know is what is Missingno going to do and how will we defeat him?"
Gennai, who was watching nearby, nodded thoughtfully. The prophecy was in his mind. "All that will come in time child. Only in time."
Alexis: Rika's asked some good questions. How do you destroy a virus that can kill a Digimon without blinking? Only the future chapters will tell. (sees Rika smack me upside the head) Ouch.
Me: Ow! (rubs head) What was that for?
Rika: THAT was for making Takato and Jeri hold hands! And what was the deal with making me an ice queen again huh?
Me: You'll see. D'ya think I won't have some conflicts in here? Takato's gonna have conflicts with the heart as well as you with Ryo.
Rika: Are you kidding me?
Me: Uh...
Amanda: No. (shoots me a gleeful look)
Rika: (grabs my shirt) If you make me do anything I don't want to do, a slap is nothing compared to what you'll get!
Takato: Rika let her go. She can't write with you holding her.
Rika: (glares and lets go) You're lucky Takato's here.
Me: Yeah...sure. (grumbles) Stupid Tamer.
Rika: What was that?
Me: Uuuh, I was telling the readers I'd catch them later! Heh heh.
Alexis: Smooth Caro. Real smooth.