Atop the apartment roof, Nathan dodged rapid punches. With a stern expression, Annie continued to send the blows. He did his best to avoid every blow. Suddenly something told him to stop. Looking back he was with the end of the roof.
"Well you've got dodging done but the point was to fight back." She remarked
"I'm sorry I raised to never strike a lady." He mumbled
She smiled slightly sitting on the edge of the roof. The sun was setting in the distance casting a golden glow. Turning Nathan paused looking and his new ally she seem almost angelic. The sunlight giving her a golden halo.
"I'm sorry to pry but would you want to talk about it?" She asked quietly
"About what?" He inquired
"How you were raised " She requested
His eyes became distant as he sat beside her. His mind traveled back to his childhood. His time was spent with his grandmother while his parents were away. As a myriad of memories played in his mind he couldn't fight his tears.
"I was raised by my grandmother for the most part. My parents worked a lot so I rarely saw them. She always encouraged me by saying " even if you fail at least you tried". About a year ago she got sick and I lost her." he whispered grasping his knees
"I'm so sorry, do you know what it was?" She asked
"They never told me." He muttered
Shaking his head he forced back his sadness. Even as he forced a smile she could see he was hurting. Guilt hit her hard at the sadness in his eyes. His attention had moved to the street below.
"Her last request was that I attempted university and that didn't really work out too well." He muttered
"Why's that did you flunk out?" She asked with a playful smile
"Close I came in on my first day saw a large number of people and had a panic attack and haven't back since." He replied sadly
She laid back looking up watching the clouds. She was surprised to be learning so much about her new teammate. Slowly he came to lay beside her closing his eyes. She turned to him as a question popped into her mind.
"So how were you making money before the organization if you're frightened of large crowds?" She questioned raising a brow
"I got a good size inheritance from my grandmother, but I'm getting it slowly so I don't blow it." He mumbled
"Well, aren't you too adorable?"
Looking up they were met with the sight of their partners. The angel stood with a knowing smile as she tilted her head. Crouching Beelzemon flicked his partner of the forehead. Rubbing his forehead Nathan glared at his partner.
"The hell Beelzemon?" He snapped
"Hey, focus, Two strong Digimon just timed out." The demon replied
"It seems Justimon is no longer with us.' Angewomon whispered
Sitting up Annie frowned hugging herself. She knew Mr. Knight was going to be an emotional wreck. He'd mentioned being lifelong friends with his Digimon partner. She could never remember a time she'd seen the two apart.
The thud of footsteps alerted them as someone approached. Rolling to her feet Annie came face to face with a boy. He looked to be a few years younger than Nathan. His hazel eyes focused on the demon tamer.
His pale hand dug through the pocket of his leather jacket. The emblem of a wolf was on the back its fangs bared. With a jerk, he pulled out his smartphone. Holding it out the wolf pup Digimon, Strabimon appeared.
"You might want to see this boss," Beezlemon mutter spinning his gun
"What can be so?" Nathan started to say
Jumping to his feet Nathan froze at the sight. He never expected to see him not this soon. His mind raced of what he wanted to say to him after all this time. His thoughts were cut short as the newcomer smiled at him.
"It's been a long two years big brother." He whispered
"Yeah, maybe too long little brother," Nathan muttered
"Oi heads up everyone!"
At the yell from Beelzemon, they spun watching someone new arrive. Their greaser foe and his metal foe were facing them. He wore a smug expression as he rested his arm behind his head.
"Looks like one for the truly chosen have shown up." He said in an inhuman voice
"Truly chosen?" Annie asked eyes trained on him
"Get back Issac," Nathan whispered
The demon's partner moved between the greaser and his brother. They watched as he shrugged fixing his hair. As his partner closed his eyes Etemon began to speak doing an Elvis-like hip swivel.
"You don't get it do ya kid, that clown Knight was behind all this," Etemon announced
"What the hell are you talking about?" Issac asked turning to him
"One year ago today they tampered with the boundary between worlds. As they cracked the wall between realms the game was released to the world along with something else," The greaser announced
"Something isn't right." Angewoman thought
Stepping forward the angelic Digimon formed a mystic shield. Just as predicted the MetalEtemon pounced. Cloaked in black lightning its fist crashed into her barrier. With a firm smack, she knocked the metallic monkey to the ground. Flipping to its feet it smiled whipping the blood from its mouth.
"As expected from an angel Digimon." The monkey muttered
"Stop wasting our time, What did they free?!" Beelzemon snapped
With a click, the demon spun his guns aiming them at his foes. Fingers resting on the triggers he was ready to fire if they even blinked wrong. These two had done nothing but make their lives more stressful for the past month and a half.
"The great virus has returned." The greaser announced
His eyes flashed with red cat-like irises. It was then they noticed they've never seen him blink. Grinning he tilted his head to the side inhumanly. Without warning, Etemon shifted taking the form of Arcadiamon (Ultimate).
"Now it all makes sense, You were just keeping us busy," Annie said pointing at the enemy tamer
"You a smart human but you are also stupid." Arcadiamon cackled
The puzzle pieces slowly fell into place in Nathan's mind. The rampant power outages and the strange "Virus" going around the web. It should have been obvious that a Digimon was to blame. Flicking his eyes to the Insectoid enemy he ordered the attack. With a twitch of his fingers, he fired. The bullets had little effect on the monstrous enemy.
"Fist of the Beast King!"
A glowing lion's head suddenly ripped through the air. The blow crashed into the opposing Digimon knocking it off guard. From a nearby rooftop came BanchoLeomon (Burst Mode) dashing across the rooftop. The fierce lion charged the strange Digimon pinning it to the ground.
Spinning to the rooftop behind them they found Mr. Reaves. The officer was dressed in more relaxed clothing his glasses absent. He held his Digivice in his hand with one bright tick mark glowing. His face set in a sad smile as he turned to the trio.
"Go now we'll hold them off!" He yelled
Nodding the Digimon scooped up their human companions. Just as they arrived a safe distance the light on Mr. Reaves' Digvice went out. Seconds later his feline partner faded into nothingness. As the lion faded away he flashed through his forms from BanchoLeomon to Gazimon. Tears dropped down to the digivice in Mr. Reaves' clutched hand as it shook.
"Excellent work as always old friend." He whispered
"A good effort if only you had more time." The greaser announced with a mocking smile
His voice was robotic emotionless lacking any empathy. Something about this guy wasn't right he didn't seem normal. Stiffly he turned calling his partner back. The monstrous Digimon made a clicking noise before vanishing. Slowly the odd tamer stepped to the edge of the building.
"What an eventful encounter." He mumbles preparing to jump
Before he could be stopped the odd tamer lept from the roof. Landing with an almost nonexistent sound he hit the ground. adjusting his jacket the greaser blinked for the first time. His eyes became normal brown as his eyes opened.
"One of them has been found, my master." He whispers to the air
"Good." came a voice in his mind
Smiling to himself he slipped from the alley into a passing crowd. They would be more alert now he had to be careful. This is the part where the game truly begins for everyone.
"Who was that guy?!" Issac questioned
His gaze was locked on where they once stood. He had no understanding of what of they were talking about. All of this was new and different to him. Nothing they were saying made any sense.
"Reese Jones, at least he was."
They watched as Julia and Edward Knight stepped from a dark corner. Edward had changed from his suit to a short-sleeve button-down shirt and dress and comfortable shoes. His shades were replaced by a pair of reading glasses.
"The cat's out of the bag now, this is my fault."Mr. Knight whispered
The group Julia included spun to him in shock. Heartbreak crossed his face as he turned to his companion. He looked like a kicked dog as he looked into her eyes. Squeezing her hands as if she'd float away he spoke.
"I just wanted to see you again, I didn't think I'd let IT back out." He whispered