Author's Notes: Nothing much to say as there weren't too many people who left a review for me in chapter 16 to base any notes upon. Well, for those of you who's still interested…enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon in any form whatsoever. Bandai, Toei and ABC own the rights and all that stuff.
Ascension – V 2.7
"…huh?" Takato had started to awaken from his slumber when he heard a soft humming noise. What made him more alert was the fact that he was in an environment that he had never seen before. Guilmon was on the floor, still asleep. "Hey. You alright?" The boy noticed that Terriermon was sitting in a comfortable chair across from him with a stack of books around.
He also noticed that his left shoulder had a bit of weight on it. That weight turned out to be from Rika's head, who just happened to nod off and use his shoulder as a pillow. "Yeah. What happened?" The vaccine Digimon put down his book. "Basically we met back here at Gennai's house after we rescued you, Guilmon and Grani. You and Guilmon were pretty much knocked out for the night while Grani ran diagnostics with Gennai. While Taichi and his Digimon had dinner, we all swapped stories and learned about Ryo and Taichi."
"Okay…" From the way Takato said it, Terriermon concluded that the boy wanted him to fill him in. "Ryo's been wandering the digital world with his partner Monodramon after he accidentally arrived there. That accounts for him vanishing in the first place. Now…along the way, he was sent to the Eastern realm or the world of the Digidestined children to stop Millenniumon. And he did…by using both a program to split Millenniumon into Kimeramon and Machinedramon as well as having Monodramon DNA digivolving with Millenniumon to try and contain his consciousness. That's why he knew so much about the towers. He also said something about that is why Monodramon acts the way he does when he digivolves to Cyberdramon. He explained how he got out of the Dark Ocean and Ken was feeling happy."
He paused for a moment. "Now as for Taichi…this guy came from the Northern realm and he got sucked into the digital world when he found an abnormal Digimon that got him kicked out of a Digimon Virtual Tamer Tournament. He was summoned by a MagnaAngemon, who was the ruler of the continent of Folder, to defeat Daemon. It also turned out that there was another tamer as well named Neo and that was the guy who uploaded the data of innocent Digimon back in our digital world. Neo originally teamed up with Daemon so that he could raise a powerful Digimon named ArcaDemon but Daemon went back on the deal. Taichi killed ArcaDemon with the help of Zero, his partner, and Neo has been wanting vengeance ever since. After the big story swap, the Digidestined went home to get some sleep while we crashed here. They said that they'll come back after breakfast and that we'll go from there."
After gently pushing Rika off him, Takato got up from the couch and walked around to find the source of the humming. He noticed that Taichi, Zero, Henry, Suzie, Lopmon, Ryo and Monodramon were occupying the guest rooms along the way. He finally noticed a computer console which appeared to be analyzing his D-Ark. The boy quickly searched himself and noticed that the console was indeed scanning his Digivice.
What was odd about his D-Ark was that the Chinese character for 'man' was repeatedly engraved on the larger red circle surrounding the screen. Takato remembered that he had represented that aspect when combining his power along with Henry and Rika to form the Triad Cyclone. He walked back to where Terriermon was sitting. "Do you know why my Digivice has those carvings?" The vaccine Digimon shrugged. "All we saw was a strange light coming from your pocket. When we fished out the Digivice, this was what we found. Gennai has been analyzing it, trying to find out what's going on."
A door slid open to the side to reveal Renamon, who had completed her morning exercises. She was slightly startled by the human and the other Digimon being awake at this hour but nonetheless, she gave a small 'good morning' to each of them before walking to another area of the house. At the same time, a yawning Henry Wong exited his room just as the fox went by. He noticed the other boy just standing there. "You feeling better?" Takato gave a nod and was about to speak when he heard more humming…this time, from a different area. Henry walked over to a door and opened it to reveal a staircase leading to a lower level. "I guess Gennai is still working with Grani on those diagnostics."
"I'm going to check up on them." Henry stepped aside as his fellow tamer walked through the door and down the stairs. Then he noticed a stack of books surrounding a comfortable chair which his partner was currently inhabiting. Terriermon gave a pleasant smile. "Good morning! I was a bit restless so I took out some books from Gennai's library to keep myself occupied." The tamer raised an eyebrow.
"Relax!! It's just ancient mythology and history about China and Japan. It's kind of interesting how much sex was involved in the life of a Chinese Emperor. He has the Empress and a large number of concubines which form his Harem. But he actually does deserve all that sex, considering how hard he has to work otherwise." Henry just started to grumble under his breath. "Is sex the only reason why you got so interested in all this history and legend?"
Terriermon put on a shocked look. "What type of a Digimon do you think I am? You humans have such a diverse and fascinating history and I just wanted to see it! Anyways, Japan was pretty cool as well with Bushido and the code of the samurai. And their bonds of loyalty to each other and their commanding officers were damn strong so it's no surprise that gay relationships between samurai started popping up. Maybe that's why there are so many gay Digimon fanfics on the net. The fans saw the children as samurai and envisioned the bonds of loyalty." Henry crossed his arms. "Terriermon…I don't think that authors who decide to write gay love stories think about the children as samurai. You're putting way too much thought into this."
"Hello? Anyone down there?" Takato walked down to the workshop and saw Grani on a large platform with some equipment surrounding him. "Yup…just me and your friend here." Gennai popped out of a room with some parts in his hand. After placing the parts down, he shook hands with the young tamer. "I've heard a lot of stories about you. It's nice to finally meet." The only thought in Takato's mind was 'Wow!! I'm meeting the real Gennai!! This is mega cool!!' He focused himself so that he could give a reply. "It's an honour to meet you, sir. How's Grani?"
The machine started to make some beeping noises. Gennai gave a light smile. "He says that other than feeling like a laboratory specimen, he's fine and dandy." The boy blinked in surprise. "You can understand what he's saying? Wow…" The other man got back to work until he heard some commotion upstairs. "The others must be up. Let's go upstairs and I'll make some breakfast."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Just who is this dude anyway?!? I can't pull up any stats!!" yelled Kazu as he prepared to slash another card. For several weeks, the new group of tamers had to defend the world against enemy Digimon as well as unknown forces who may invade their world. The latest force that they have to contend with is someone who desperately needed to learn how to speak properly. "Quagmire Twister!!"
Alice gave a gasp. "Everyone scatter!!" The Digimon all moved out of the way of the small, brown tornado. Slowly, the tornado settled down to reveal some sort of brown Digimon that the tamers could not identify. Grapleomon and Ceberusmon pulled themselves together and attacked at the same time. But the enemy Digimon just sent them both flying with a few punches. "Oh no!!" cried Jeri.
"Digi Modify!! Power Activate!!" Andromon quickly fired his missiles but when they exploded, the brown Digimon was still there. "Me no like that…Execute Slide Evolution!! Grumblemon!!" Andromon had no time to figure out what had happened when the other Digimon pulled out a huge hammer and swung it at him. Moments later, the ultimate Digimon was sent flying back.
"Pu!!!" Grumblemon barely ducked underneath MarineAngemon's bubble. Kenta tried to take out his D-Ark but he felt the ground shake beneath him as the other Digimon slammed his hammer onto the ground. MarineAngemon focused and shot out another bubble, this time ensnaring the mysterious Digimon. He tried to pop the bubble but was having no luck. "Execute…" He never got the chance to switch to his other form as the bubble went through a random tear in reality. Kazu collapsed on the ground. "All these tears in reality…can't someone just sew all of them up together?!?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"You did…WHAT?!?!" Terriermon silently mumbled about how having large ears has its disadvantages. Ryo cringed as Rika flew across the table and started shaking Takato. "Well, at least that explains how the rebirth was aborted." "Have you lost your mind?!? What the hell were you thinking when you pulled that stunt of yours?!?!" yelled the Digimon Queen. "Rika…language," warned Henry.
"I d-didn't mean t-to p-p-pull off a-any stunt, R-Rika." He silently pleaded to Guilmon for help but the viral dino was munching on his toasted peanut butter sandwich. Suzie had a small grin on her face. "She's angwy…he's angwy…they are made for each other!" Lopmon gave a small sigh. "The perfect couple, huh?"
Ryo gave a puzzled look. "I've never seen Takato get angry before. He seems like a calm guy who cares about everything." Suzie just kept grinning. "Oh, don't worwy. He does get angwy. Twust me." During the whole commotion, the group didn't notice that Gennai had invited the Digidestined inside. They all just blinked at the scene before them. "A typical Digimon tamers breakfast, no doubt," murmured Hawkmon.
Taichi and Zero greeted them as they exited their rooms, yawning. Zero was still in his rookie form since he didn't want to take up too much space. Since he was feeling much better, he planned to digivolve once they got out of the house. Gennai went back downstairs to run a few more tests with Grani while Takato repeated the first part of his story to Taichi and the Digidestined children. "So that's why your Digivice became like that? Because all four beams hit you at once?" asked Taichi.
"I'm not sure. I want to make sure that Guilmon, Grani and myself are one hundred percent healthy but I can rule myself out of that category. After getting hit, I went through some weird psychological episode about determining where my own happiness along with the happiness of others lies. Then I woke up and was told that there was something wrong with my essence. I never got to find out what exactly was wrong because Amaterasu just shot me back to the digital world." Rika just blinked in shock. "Hold it, goggle head…did you just say Amaterasu? As in the sun goddess Amaterasu? How is that possible?"
"I thought you would have known by now, Rika. When you are a Digimon tamer, the most unimaginable things can become reality. I'm certain that stranger things have happened other than meeting the most powerful deity in Shinto religion," stated Ryo. He stood up. "In any case, I'm ready to get going." "To where?" asked Ken.
"First, we have to keep an eye out for Armageddemon because he got away last time. I also think we should take out Millenniumon's tower…for insurance purposes. Monodramon can tell you where to hit, how hard to hit it and when to hit it." Taichi got up as well. "I have to find Neo to make sure he doesn't hurt anymore Digimon."
Gennai came back upstairs with a grave look on his face. "Then you should start searching here. I just got some reports of a human with a Digimon who was uploading the data of powerful Digimon." Taichi clenched his fist. "Was there a Daemon with him?" The man shook his head. "Nobody could identify the other Digimon with him. All we know is that its strength range could be from ultimate to mega."
Zero snorted. "Neo may have acquired a new and stronger Digimon but there's no way he can beat…" He nodded at Taichi. Then the Veemon and his tamer struck a pose. "THE 100% COMBINATION!!!!" Everyone gave a simultaneous sigh except for Davis and his Veemon, who were applauding at Taichi's pose.
Takato felt a sense of familiarity tingling in the back of his head. "Wait…now I think I remember where you two came from!! You two were the main characters of a comic book that was supposed to come out a month ago! The promotional material had been circulating around just before I became a tamer…I was planning on buying the first issue but with real Digimon attacking the city, I guess the project was yanked." Taichi and Zero had shocked looks on their faces. "We were going to be comic book characters? Cool!!"
"That's an interesting way of reacting to the fact that they were fictional characters in another world," mumbled Gatomon. Takato began to speak. "Alright…Taichi can go after Neo while the rest of us can knock down the remaining tower. We won't know how to track Armageddemon down so we'll let him come to us."
"Time out, goggle head. You're staying here." The boy started to protest when Rika spoke again. "We don't know what exactly is wrong with your essence so it's not safe for you to bio-merge. And we don't know exactly what's up with your new Digivice and what effects it could have on dino boy over there. So until Gennai gives you a clean bill of health and finishes his scans of your Digivice, you're relieved of your tamer duties."
Takato sighed as he sat back on his chair. Gennai took this opportunity to deliver his other news. "Another thing…Azulongmon wants to meet with Suzie and Lopmon. He said that he would explain everything once you two met him. So I'll be escorting the two of you to his domain. I've finished scanning Grani and he seems to be fine so he can accompany your group." He made a gesture to Ryo as he finished the last sentence. "A quick warning…Azulongmon informed me that the temporal difference between this world and yours has shifted again. This time, about a month passes in the tamers' realm while a day passes here." Henry silently cursed Lunarmillenniumon for unleashing the final temporal incursion when he was killed.
"If Takato is going to be staying here alone, then I should stay here too! Even though Neo is out there, it would be best for me to make sure that nothing happens to Takato," said Taichi with a firm look. This angered the other boy slightly. "I can take care of myself. Just go and find Neo before he damages the digital world. I'll be fine here." His attempt to hide his bitterness was apparent.
Monodramon looked at Takato with a sympathetic look. "I really wish I could spare someone to stick around with you but I'm not sure how many Digimon we'll need to take down the tower as soon as possible." While the Digidestined filed out of the house along with Ryo, Henry, Gennai and Suzie and their partners, Rika looked at Takato one last time. "You always said that we have to keep some faith and optimism in our lives. It would be a good idea to take your own advice." Then, while nobody else was around except for the two humans and Guilmon, she gave him a quick kiss. "We'll be back as soon as we can and figure out this problem, alright?"
The boy gave a small smile. "Alright…" Rika smiled herself before pressing the control to activate the staircase to the surface and leaving the house. Guilmon was just sitting there, bored out of his mind. "I'm bored, Takatomon. Let's play!!" "In a minute, Guilmon." Takato made his way to where his Digivice was being scanned. He read some of the data that was being displayed on the computer screen.
DIGIMON ANALYZER: NORMAL
DIGIMON CARD DATA CONVERSION PROGRAM: NORMAL
DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM: NORMAL
MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM: NORMAL
SCANNING BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAMS…
Takato sighed as the computer kept working. His Digivice seemed to be normal. Guilmon seemed to be as hyper as ever. So the problem was him. 'What's wrong with me? Looks like I'm going to have to look for answers…' Then something dawned upon him. 'It said programs…there's more than one way to bio-merge?' His thoughts were interrupted when the computer revealed that the scan was complete.
ALPHA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM: DISABLED
GAMMA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM: DISABLED
QUANTUM BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM: NORMAL
OMEGA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM: DISABLED
ZETA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM: DISABLED
ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR ALPHA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM…
ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR GAMMA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM…
ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR OMEGA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM…
ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR ZETA BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION PROGRAM…
'What is this?!?' He then heard Guilmon growling from the other room. "What is it, boy?" The virus Digimon didn't stop growling. "Something bad…really bad…" Takato hesitated on whether to check it out or not. 'Alright…I'll just go outside and look for something that may be threatening. If not, then I'll get back in…' He took his Digivice and pressed the control that Rika had used earlier to get outside.
Even though it was a sunny day, Takato felt a sense of dread approaching him. That sense was justified as a large shadow blocked out the sunlight. He looked behind him to see Armageddemon. A chuckle came from the other Digimon. "Talk about a lousy way to start your day." (AN: Hey, that rhymes!! ^_^) The boy started to sweat nervously. 'Looks like I'm going to find out about one of these bio-merge programs after all…' "Quantum Bio-Merge Activate!!"
QUANTUM BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION…
Sorry but it has to stop here for now. If I gave you even a teaser then the surprise would be ruined!! Anyways…a few things to say. First, a quick thanks to God for protecting some good friends of mine from dangerous situations. DC for the car crash and Dexter for the crazy ass stunt he pulled while skiing. Second, I've been using more stuff from Humanities: Ancient Asian Civilizations because it's a pretty cool course. Third, please drop off a review so I can strive towards being a better writer! Thank you and have a happy new year!!