Boyzilla Author's Note: Thank you to everyone enjoying the story so far! I have to say, it sure was a challenging writing the chapters, and likely will be for the upcoming final part. But it was fun! Unlike my other stories, I won't be answering questions. However, feel free to PM if you are confused!
Announcement: Digital/VRAINS is canon to Digital/Extra! All will be explained on just how it is canon in the last part since this story occurs before certain chapters in both stories. I guess that makes it part of the Digital Human series!
TheStrangerThatCameFromNowhere: And while on the subject of canon, Digital/VRAINS will also be considered canon for my story, Fate/VRAINS. All will be explained in good time, dearest readers. In the meantime, sit back, grab a drink and watch as two adorable little girls meet...and dread the incoming Tamamo storm.
Enjoy the collab everyone! Know not all stories are spoken in a single path, as a tree that branches mighty and far can at one point touch the branch of another equally great tree
Digital/VRAINS
Part 2 of 5
"You're never quite the same after you meet your first digimon."
Hakuno Zaizen had pieced it together, at least as much as she could with the information explained by Ken Ichijouji. While they had traveled through a cave system, a number of questions had been asked between them. It became quite apparent, if the presence of Daemon and the strange environments wasn't a clue enough, that she had been transported into another dimension dissimilar to both her home and that of the Moon Cell. It was cyberspace but of a sort radically different from LINK VRAINS in that the Digital World was a living, breathing place where creatures born from data resided called Digimon, short for Digital Monsters.
A realm parallel and intimately connected with its own version of Earth.
Quite a surprise, both fascinating but also eerily dangerous. The Digital World was not restricted to the laws and rules of a cyberspace like LINK VRAINS but had its own that were more akin to reality.
Though, while she might understand this, Ken Ichijouji appeared quite passive in his reaction. Not that Hakuno had informed him of the possibility she came from another world, but the girl had the feeling he was making a theory in his head.
Ken had been surprised above all by Archer. Apparently, there was another Hakuno Kishinami in this world, one with an Archer of her own, which meant she might have been involved in a Holy Grail War of her own.
Whether that Holy Grail War involved the Moon Cell or not, Hakuno Zaizen hoped it didn't. It was unlikely, though, considering the original Hakuno Zaizen wasn't involved in anything concerning the Moon Cell, so likely it was a similar case here.
She rather not put anyone through an experience like that, perhaps Hakuno Kishinami had summoned her Servant by other means than a Holy Grail War.
A positive thought, one Hakuno Zaizen kept as they left the caverns and journeyed across a lively forest that had a strange environment to it like the plants were of a lower definition.
They also past by an empty bathtub in the middle of nowhere, that had been an odd sight.
Little words had been exchanged between Ken Ichijouji and Hakuno Zaizen, as the latter learned through a bit of prodding that the former had bad experiences in the Digital World concerning her counterpart. Thankfully, Wormmon, his digimon partner, which the Zaizen girl learned that each member of a Digidestined group was chosen by some unknown means to have a partner and Digivice; yet another item she needed an explanation of.
In anycase, Wormmon explained briefly that Hakuno Kishinami had been vastly responsibility for defeating Ken when he was the Digimon Emperor under the influence of a hostile faction.
Well, Hakuno Zaizen now knew that her counterpart had her own share of dangerous problems.
They were coming across into the midst of a large bamboo forest when Archer stopped her.
"Master," Archer spoke, Hakuno diverted her attention towards him. "I sense a Servant nearby."
In an instant, Hakuno Zaizen felt like her heart sped up a notch at the notion of a potential enemy Servant. Logically, she reasoned that perhaps it was her counterpart's Servant, but would the other girl be friendly in the first place? Traveling alongside what was her counterpart's former enemy did not send entirely peaceful notions, especially since there was another Servant.
Perhaps they had frightened her? Hakuno couldn't blame her other if that was the case.
She hoped Aoi was alright in all this mess…
Ken looked at her, "It might be Saber or Caster, considering the overprotectiveness of those two towards Hakuno Kishinami."
"Wait, Saber and Caster…?" Hakuno Zaizen questioned.
"Yeah, Kishinami has multiple partners," Ken explained.
She has multiple Servants?!
"Umu! You have made it this far into my Praetor's territory! But you shall make it no further! I shall display arts that will make you so dumbfounded that you all shall kneel in worship of my glorious showcase!" It was a feminine voice, bright, optimistic, and proud, holding a charm to it that was alluring and boastful in tone.
Hakuno Zaizen turned to face its origin point.
A short-statured woman adorned in wonderous roman clothing hued in a mix of gold and crimson colors, a gown befitting of her petite figure that shined brightly like the sun. Her fair skin gleamed in the light, blonde hair tied together in a bun with a ribbon and green irises that started determinedly towards them. At her side, an elegant crimson blade that matched her intensity, shaped like a living flame, it was disproportionate as a weapon yet at the same time so much like her.
She was beautiful, glorious and radiate, unlike anyone else Hakuno ever met.
And she charged directly at them with blade swinging in tow.
Archer reacted quickly as dual short blades, black and white, were already formed in his hands the moment the Servant had appeared. He charged and brought them up in the nick of time as that crimson blade collided with sparks flying, the earth beneath Archer's feet cracked from the enemy Heroic Spirit's strength.
"False Archer! How dare you make a mockery of the bowman's sacrifice! Such insolence to blacken the heroic sacrifice that my Praetor shed tears too!" The red-garbed woman shouted with clear displeasure.
"A Saber?" Archer grunted as he disengaged, but Saber had reversed her position, dancing around him and swinging her weapon. He barely managed to parry the blow and leaped backward to gain distance between them.
Hakuno Zaizen didn't know what was agitating the Saber Servant. The, albeit beautiful, Heroic Spirit seemed to have her attention fixed entirely on Archer with a passion that expressed frustration and anger. She tried to piece together the information that Saber lent out, namely, the speech concerning a sacrifice.
It implied something loss, or rather potentially, the loss of someone. Saber referred to Archer as a false one, a fake, and considering she mentioned 'bowman' it appeared likely that Hakuno Kishinami's own Archer Servant had…
Her eyes widened in realization.
Saber's motions were far too knowing as if she was experienced in dealing with Archer's movements, which implied that Hakuno Kishinami's own Servant of the Bow was the exact same Heroic Spirit.
Also, taking into consideration that earlier battle with Daemon mentioning Archer specifically as like the digimon knew him…
Her, and by that logic, her counterpart's Archer Servant, Nameless, had been killed in this world.
It was not a pleasant thought to take in.
However, perhaps because of those similarities…!
"Saber, stop!" Hakuno Zaizen shouted towards the Servant.
Saber stopped just abruptly from charging forth at Archer yet again, her head snapping to face Hakuno Zaizen in surprise. "Praetor?" She questioned in confusion, unsure and in doubt but quickly changed to a brilliant smile. "Worry not! I shall deal with this mockery soon enough! Archer's glorious scene will not be downcasted by this fake! Support me as you always do and we'll end it quickly!"
Archer smirked, "Not the first time I've been called a fake."
Hakuno Zaizen opened her mouth to speak but Saber interrupted, "Do not fret about your reserves of magical energy, as I am the Emperor, of course, I can do Independent Action just as well if not better than the Bowman could!" She boasted so highly that it nearly appeared to be more actual fact than a bluff.
"I think you're confused, Saber!" The duelist girl replied. "Take a closer look!"
"Praetor? What do you mean…?" Saber trailed off her words as she refocused her attention towards Hakuno Zaizen. There was perhaps half a minute of silence, the air was tense and Archer awaited anxiously for another attack while his Master held a firm gaze as hard as she could to Saber's examination.
Ken Ichijouji coughed, "Let's calm down and get things cleared up."
"You…" Saber began before pointing a finger accusingly at Hakuno Zaizen. "You're not Praetor yet are Praetor!"
"Double Praetor?" Wormmon commented.
"An excellent thought, insectoid monster!" Saber relaxed her stance and began nodding to herself. "Umu! A second Praetor! I can see many scenes playing out! Your gaze is quite different from my own Praetor, but you hold that same spirit within! Very well, I shall permit you entering my Praetor's Private Room, but that Bowman lookalike stays outside!"
The Heroic Spirit's tone had shifted so dramatically that Hakuno Zaizen was a bit dumbstruck on how to react to it. How did her counterpart manage to deal with this Servant? She was just so… Ecstatic.
Not in a bad way, Saber's personality had a refreshing charm to it that the Zaizen girl found calming.
"Also, the false emperor," Saber narrowed her eyes a bit. "May leave, I will not strike you down out of Praetor's wishes, but the fox may not be so keen to allow you to leave unscathed once she returns with her," She explained.
Ken turned to Hakuno, "This is where I leave you, as you know, Hakuno and I have a tense relationship, so I best leave. I don't think she forgives me yet for what I've done to her." He shifted uncomfortably as Hakuno Zaizen looked at him. "Besides, I'm not ready yet to speak with her, I barely can handle you."
"Thanks for helping me," She said. "I'm sure she'd forgive you." If her counterpart was anything like her in personality than of course, she would forgive Ken in a heartbeat.
"Perhaps," Ken replied. "But I myself can't accept it yet, besides, her Servants are another matter altogether."
Hakuno took a glance at Saber, who was staring daggers at Ken, "Fair enough, I wish you well."
He waved a hand then turned to leave, "Let's go, Wormmon."
"It was nice to meet you," Wormmon said to her then followed after Ken Ichijouji who walked the pathway outward of the bamboo forest.
Hakuno Zaizen realized she was left alone with two Servants, one which was Archer, and another which was adamant in getting her inside Hakuno Kishinami's Private Room…?
Wait, the Private Room?
That was nostalgic, and something that while it reminded her of the Holy Grail War, did not impart any negative memories tied to it.
Saber rushed to her, Archer nearly went to intercept, but all the Servant did was grab hold of Hakuno Zaizen's hand and guide, well, pull her towards the building. There was a gentle yet firm grip to the petite woman's hand, restrained strength in the grasp for Hakuno's wellbeing. It felt a bit comforting, to know that Saber was holding back so carefully to avoid harming her. She glanced back to Archer, who seemed unsure that his Master should be alone inside with another's Servant without him.
She shook her head to him so to indicate not to stop Saber. If they wanted to gain the trust of this world's Hakuno Kishinami, they should go along with what the other girl's Servant wanted.
With that, Hakuno Zaizen entered the traditional Japanese Temple, and while she eyed the front sliding door with suspicious due to the purple security marks that were identical to those in the Moon Cell, the inside interior appeared more akin to a household than a temple.
"Welcome, Praetor!" Saber pridefully announced. "This is our citadel! While it may not be as impressive as Rome's, I admit that the Japanese hold a distinct artistry that is quite fascinating."
The sixteen-year-old girl nodded in agreement, ideally wondering what Saber meant when referring to her by that name 'Praetor'. It likely was a meaning of respect, seeing how the Servant used the word to describe Hakuno Kishinami just moments before.
She decided to examine the home of this world's Hakuno, lacking the modernized look of her own home in Den City, the sharp contrast was very apparent in that this building held a clear resemblance to a more traditional Japanese outlook. In entering from the front doorway, one would come across the living room area that held a small tea table surrounded by knee pillows, a leather-bound recliner, and a small closet door likely holding cleaning supplies, finally a clearly outdated television.
Though considering this was a different world, technological comparisons shouldn't be made.
Moving on, the girl spotted the kitchen area, which was cleanly kept. Curiously, Hakuno Zaizen opened the cabinets and fridge, but was disappointed and admittedly a bit concerned by the lack of food supplies outside of a few, very few, basic necessities.
Intellectually, the young Zaizen knew that these would never be able to be a fulfilling meal unless her counterpart's Servants… Oh, considering the departed Archer, it might have been a newfound problem recently.
Decided it best to carry on, Hakuno left the kitchen and followed a short hallway out of the living room, there were three separate doors, each leading into individual rooms.
"Umu! That is our chambers!" Saber explained. "Are you interested in my Praetor's personal chambers?" She questioned but didn't give Hakuno Zaizen any time to reply before abruptly shoving the girl into her counterpart's room. "It is of no concern, Praetor had the Digidestined slumber inside it as well!"
The Digidestined, if she recalled Ken's explanation, were the group of people that her counterpart made friends with.
"It's very nice," She said.
In reality, it was very barebones and simple compared to her own room back home, the room was nearly completely empty, and although it looked pleasant to the eye with the wide window shining sunlight into it, there was a feeling of loneliness to it that made Hakuno Zaizen uncomfortable. There was a lone white futon in the middle, then a pair of royal blue clothing like that of a sailor uniform folded neatly nearby. But outside of that, nothing, no furniture whatsoever and not even colored wallpaper.
"I insisted we add more lavish decoration," Saber said, which Hakuno agreed with wholeheartedly, "But Praetor seemed content with this. Although there is an art to simplicity, I must argue that there should be more. But perhaps it reminds her of our Private Room back in the Moon Cell."
She froze on the spot then and there.
"W-what did you say?" Hakuno Zaizen questioned the words she had just heard.
"Did you not hear?" Saber questioned in return. "I spoke on how we needed more decoration-"
"No, not that," She interrupted. "You mentioned the Moon Cell."
"You wish to inquire on Praetor and I's journey in the Moon Cell Holy Grail War? Umu! Quite a tale! Well, before her arrival in the Digital World, I had been summoned by her determined…" Saber continued to trail off into an elaborate story about the Holy Grail War with Hakuno Kishinami.
Every single word, with the exception of Saber's presence, was a nearly identical account of exactly what her own Holy Grail War was like. There were differences to be sure, plenty of different actions that her counterpart made that she herself didn't, but the similarities were so staggering there was no definite way to avoid the truth of the matter.
Her counterpart was and is Hakuno Kishinami.
An alternate version of her that, unlike the original Hakuno Zaizen, experienced the Moon Cell Holy Grail War's cruelty just as much.
So, just how had her counterpart manage to leave the confines of the Moon Cell? Did it relate to Twice Pieceman like herself? Also, why did she have three Servants now, yet Saber's story doesn't mention the other two whatsoever?
There were a dozen other questions she would love to ask her counterpart.
But, while that was something she wanted, she needed to find her sister, Aoi.
So, there wasn't time to just idle by with Saber while Aoi was out there somewhere without a Servant of her own!
As such, while she understood what her counterpart has gone through, her immediate family took priority. After all, the other Hakuno seemed to have gained a new life herself, just like her, and that's something they had in common, it wouldn't feel right to interfere with Hakuno Kishinami.
She already took the original Hakuno Zaizen's life, she shouldn't force herself on another Hakuno's own.
So, Hakuno Zaizen left the room and started stepping towards the exit.
"Praetor! Where are you going?" Saber stopped speaking her story and followed her quite closely.
She turned to the Heroic Spirit, "I'm not your Master, why do you call me that?"
"Nonsense!" Saber replied instantly with an optimistic charm. "You may not be my Praetor exactly, but I can see with but a glance that you are still Praetor! Nothing can change that!" She said.
"I'm not," She firmly retorted. "I shouldn't be here, I can't be here."
Saber narrowed her eyes a bit but returned quickly to her normal, bombastic expression. "You belong here just as much as she does, there is nothing telling you otherwise but yourself." She nodded to her own words. "You are still her, even if the differences separate you from her, you are both still Praetor."
She paused, never expecting the Servant to speak in such a way to her. They were comforting words, and it helped alleviate her feelings toward the matter, perhaps she had a point.
"Thanks," The girl replied. "I appreciate it, but I do need to go, you see I have a sister who might have been brought along with me."
"A sibling?!" Saber's grin could've been seen from miles away. "Umu! Why did you not tell me before!? A third Praetor makes this even better!"
"A third…?" Hakuno Zaizen wasn't sure if Aoi could handle this overly optimistic Servant.
Hopefully, where her sister is, was sure not to be as hounded by a Servant as she was.
She slid the door open.
And saw the crying figure of Hakuno Kishinami and her sister, Aoi, trying to comfort her, as the former enveloped Archer in a tight embrace while a woman with fox traits and a bipedal bunny-like creature watched.
"I'm sorry," Is the first thing Hakuno Zaizen said.
They were just outside the town, Caster had returned inside to purchase supplies while Aoi, Hakuno, and Lunamon sat nearby.
Aoi Zaizen had insisted on checking the younger version of her sister, Hakuno Kishinami, so to see how injured the girl truly was. She thought that perhaps she could help in some way, as a big sister should take care of their little siblings, but as Hakuno undid the brown school overlay that was her uniform then pulled up the black wool shirt underneath, Aoi found herself unprepared to take in the truth of just how hurt Hakuno actually was.
It was sickening and downheartening, Hakuno Kishinami's entire abdomen had white bandages wrapped around her, with additional padding centered on right-hand side like something had either slashed open or tore a piece out of the girl. Fortunately, it was well-kept, but the bandages did need some changing soon as there was a color beginning to hue it a mix of dark red and yellow.
The Blue Angel blinked as she narrowed her eyes, there were tiny, nearly indistinguishable blue data particles radiating from through the padding on top the injury that faded shortly thereafter.
Aoi decided not to question that aspect, but the older girl gently trailed a hand over the bandages to inspect how hurt Haku-chan actually was.
"Ow," Hakuno said by reflex, causing Aoi to immediately retract her hand.
"Sorry, Haku-chan," Aoi apologized. "I didn't expect you to be this hurt, don't worry though!" She stood upright, pointing a thumb at herself. "Your onee-san shall help you out! First, we return to your home, then we redress those bandages of yours!"
In actuality, she had little experience in medical treatment, all the knowledge she had were some basics that her brother had taught her when Haku-nee was still comatose in the hospital
It wasn't much but probably better than anything that vulpine perverted partner of Haku-chan could ever do! That shrine outfit wearing woman would probably think kissing the injury would heal it, then make some excuse about massages that would lead to-
"Ahem," Aoi brought herself out of that train of thought. "So, which way is your home anyway?"
Hakuno Kishinami pulled down her shirt and rebuttoned the brown uniform overlay, "It's an hour walk from here."
"You walk through all this wilderness while hurt like this?" Aoi expressed her concern, but it was also laced with a tone that implied heavy disagreement.
"It's not as bad anymore, I can walk fine," She replied without displaying a single lick of emotion, her facial expression was just a monotone showcase of emptiness.
It was disconcerting to Aoi.
"You should have stayed home!" Aoi exclaimed. "You can't run without pain, heck, with that fox spirited woman hanging around you I'm surprised she didn't take advantage of your state!"
"Caster would never do that," Hakuno's retorted with an emotion that Aoi reeled back in surprise from. She clearly disagreed with Aoi firmly on Caster, and the Zaizen girl reminded herself to tone down and remember that she only just met Hakuno's partner, there was more than meets the eye.
"I…" She gathered herself together, just what was with Haku-chan's emotions? They were so intense compared to anyone else. "I wasn't thinking, I didn't mean to insult Caster, forgive me?"
"Okay," Hakuno forgave her very quickly. "Caster means well, she cares for me a lot and would never think of harming me in any way."
"But, she's your partner?" Aoi didn't understand the implications of what Haku-chan meant. Caster was Haku-chan's AI partner, so why did she treat her so personally? "An AI, she was made to be that way."
"She wasn't, she's not like that, Caster's a real person too. A partner isn't a program, they're bound to you." Hakuno Kishinami replied.
"I see…" Aoi said, but truthfully she didn't understand what her little sister meant by her words. She glanced to the side, spotting Lunamon who was smelling the beautiful flowers. Her AI companion acted radically differently from its previous programming from within her Duel Disk, did the shift into a Digital Monster affect Lunamon that much?
What exactly were Digimon anyway? Did Haku-chan's partner, Caster, also classify as one?
Hakuno looked at her, then a slight frown adorned her face and she stepped forward towards Aoi. The Zaizen girl blinked at her sudden movement before Hakuno grabbed Aoi's hand and gently moved it towards Aoi's own chest.
"Haku-chan…?" Aoi questioned puzzled.
"Please," Hakuno pleaded, her eyes looking into Aoi's own with sincerity. "Do not look at the outer exterior. She means… She means so much to me, her, Saber… They all do."
Aoi opened her mouth to reply then closed her, lips quivering under the younger girl's gaze, there was a heavy emotion in those eyes. Something Aoi identified with on a personal level, it shook her, making her heart feel as if a weight had been placed upon it.
"Alright, I think I understand now," Aoi finally replied. "They're real, as real as you and me," Aoi continued. "Caster is very dear to you, isn't she?"
Hakuno Kishinami nodded, "Yes, she is."
Aoi Zaizen understood.
Caster wasn't an AI, companion, friend, or even partner for Hakuno Kishinami.
The shrine adorned priestess was Hakuno's everything, her friend, family, emotional and mental support, caretaker, guide, teacher, protector.
A similar, if vastly more intense, version of Aoi's relationship to her brother, Akira, before Haku-nee awoke from her coma.
If Hakuno lost Caster, it would be like tearing a piece out.
It would destroy her.
Aoi had noticed a few signs of it too, Haku-chan had recently gone through something, Aoi didn't know what, but whatever had occurred shook the young teenager to the core. Now she was barely holding herself together, occasionally showing those sudden, intense emotional swings that Aoi caught before the girl hid them behind a monotone mask.
To see a younger version of her own sister so hurt like this?
Aoi Zaizen felt like she should do something, anything, to help Hakuno Kishinami.
"I'm back, my dear husband!" Caster returned at that moment carrying perhaps twenty bags, Hakuno retracted her hands and turned her attention fully towards the fox woman, pulling out what appeared to be a cellular smart device.
In a flash of light, all the bags disappeared when Hakuno tapped the object she held.
The older Zaizen girl decided not to question that.
"We can return to my Private Room," Hakuno said, looking at Aoi. "If the Digidestined spot your sister, they'll bring her there."
"That's… Your home, right?" Aoi asked.
"It's a base…" Hakuno trailed off her answer with uncertainty on her own reply. She started to walk a particular direction, Caster skipping along happily beside the girl.
Aoi reached a hand forward towards Hakuno, she had to do something for Haku-chan, but nothing came to mind on even what or how she could do to help her newly gained little sister. So, all that done with uselessly raising her arm for no purpose, not even getting the girl's attention.
Lunamon walked by Aoi's leg, looking up, "You alright, Aoi?"
"Lunamon…" She remembered its name, his name, her name? Aoi sighed audibly and dropped her arm, "I don't know, I just don't know."
"Well maybe you'll figure it out as we go," Lunamon optimistically said.
"Maybe," Aoi said. "I should be good at this, I helped Haku-nee, so I can help Haku-chan too! Even if its a bit different…"
Lunamon arched a brow.
"Perhaps more so than a bit," Aoi corrected. "Not like I can show her how to play Duel Monsters at a time like this…" She trailed off as she watched Haku-chan walked off. "I doubt she'd even want to play anything fun right now."
"Nonsense!" Lunamon exclaimed. "She'll want to have fun with you! I might not be a human professional but I believe that you and your sister are the best; that you both can help Haku-chan."
"Huh," Aoi said in slight awe of Lunamon. "You might have a solid point there, well, we will just have to follow her and think of something!"
So, Aoi Zaizen and Lunamon followed after Hakuno Kishinami and Caster.
The journey was quite peaceful, Aoi Zaizen had the chance to see environments that had unique properties to them. As she had never been outside of Japan, let alone Den City for long, it was actually quite interesting to see all this. After they passed through the forest landscape, there was an odd arid plain with metallic objects in the dirt, which didn't hinder their movements at all.
Still, as fascinating as the Digital World was, Aoi's mind couldn't focus long enough to avoid thinking about both Hakuno Kishinami and Hakuno Zaizen.
Is her sister safe? Did Haku-chan's friends find and guide Haku-nee to a safe area? Will Haku-chan be alright after all this? Why was she in the Digital World in the first place?
That last thought caught her attention.
"The bamboo forest region is up ahead," Hakuno Kishinami said, glancing back at Aoi, "Not too far now, maybe a few more minutes of walking."
"I see that," Aoi replied, clearly seeing the large mass of bamboo. "Haku-chan, how did you enter the Digital World? Was it an accident like Haku-nee and I?"
"No," Hakuno replied. "It was on purpose, but I didn't know about the Digital World."
"Why did you leave the Real World then?" She questioned curiously.
"I didn't, I'm trying to go to the Real World," The brown-headed girl responded as they all continued to walk forward towards the region.
Aoi sped up a bit to be walking beside her, "To get back to your family?" She asked, while Aoi knew there wasn't an equivalent to her in this world, that didn't mean there wasn't her version of mother and father.
"I don't have a family," Hakuno answered. "Nobody related."
"What…? You're all alone?" Aoi said, slightly stunned that her younger sister was by her lonesome. "Are you an orphan, Haku-chan?"
The younger Hakuno tilted her head in thought a bit, before nodding. "I guess so."
She didn't seem to care much about that.
Aoi sped a bit and placed herself in Hakuno Kishinami's path, "How about you join Haku-nee and I then?"
"Join?"
The older Zaizen nodded, "Yeah! You can live with us and Nii-sama, our older brother," She explained briefly. "You might have to share a room with one of us though," She laughed a bit at that.
"It's not that simple," Hakuno Kishinami replied sadly.
"Why not?" Aoi asked. "Doesn't your friends leave the Digital World all the time?" She questioned, referring back to Hakuno's explanations from in the restaurant.
"I can't exactly leave the Digital World without special circumstances," Hakuno replied and continued walking right past Aoi, who turned around to keep up with the girl.
"Special circumstances? You make it sound like you're banned or restricted."
"I don't want to talk about it," She firmly said as started walking a bit faster, leaving Aoi behind slightly.
Caster voiced her concern, "Careful, Master, don't trip on anything! Else I'll have to kiss the injury bye bye! Oh wait, I want to do that! But I don't want you hurt! Ah, conflictions!"
Aoi pouted at Hakuno's strange evasion of the subject, she didn't want to press further, but this was perhaps a way to help her little sister out!
Sometimes one has to be stubborn to get through stubbornness!
They had already entered the bamboo forest at this point.
She rushed forward and grabbed Hakuno by her left wrist. "Haku-chan, I'm trying to help you!" Aoi exclaimed.
"I know," Hakuno's expression was a monotone blank, either a clear sign she was hiding her emotions, or frankly, didn't know how to react to Aoi's prodding. "But it's not something-"
"I don't care!" Aoi exclaimed. "You're my imouto, now get with the program and spill out what's wrong!"
Caster leaped to Aoi's side, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, don't force her to speak something she doesn't want to say!"
"You're… You're just like the Digidestined," Haku-chan commented.
"I'll take that as a compliment if it means getting you to explain," Aoi replied.
Hakuno Kishinami stopped walking, causing them all to halt in the middle of a road in the bamboo forest. She shifted uncomfortably, then opened her mouth to speak.
"I'm a Digital Human," Hakuno Kishinami said.
"... Eh?" Aoi was absolutely confused. "Digital Human? What does that mean?"
"A self-aware Artificial Intelligence created in the identical likeness of a human being," She explained. "At least, that's the closest way I can explain it… I made up the term to describe what I was."
Aoi Zaizen stepped back, examining Hakuno Kishinami top to bottom in a brief glance, then looking directly at the girl's eyes, there was worry and fear there, but in those twin orbs shined the distant light of the nightly stars. This Digital Human, an AI, so similar, if not outright identical in many ways to her sister, Hakuno Zaizen.
"You don't act like any AI I've ever known, and I don't think an AI can bleed like that," She pointed at the place of Hakuno's injury. "I don't really care if you're an AI though, Digital Human? Well, it still has the word 'human' in it, so nothing changes."
"The Digidestined reacted the same way," Hakuno said. "But since I'm a Digital Human, the Real World doesn't like it when I go there… I can only stay for a day or two."
"Awesome!" Aoi said.
"Huh?"
Aoi grabbed Hakuno's hand excitedly, "You can transfer yourself into reality and still retain your body like this?! That's amazing! It isn't some sort of hologram, but your actual form?"
"Yes…?" Hakuno replied confused.
"So the issue likely is that you destabilize, right?" Aoi asked.
"Yes, I start destabilizing after a period of time, slowly and increasingly over it," Hakuno Kishinami started to get a bit excited, a smile adorning her lips. "Do… Do you have something that can help that?"
"Well, no," Aoi replied. "But nii-sama works for LINK VRAINS, the most advanced cyberspace in the world, well, I don't know about the Digital World," She waved it off. "But if anyone can help you out, I know he can!"
"Alright," She replied. "I guess we should find your sister then first."
"Our sister!" The Zaizen corrected. "Haku-nee will be your older sister too, Haku-chan!" She exclaimed. "I'll try to keep from dressing you up to often."
"Dress up…?" Hakuno shivered at the mention of it.
"Hey!" Caster shouted. "No garbing my Master in various clothing without my presence!" The fox priestess wrapped her arm around Hakuno Kishinami. "I have to be the one to see how she looks in different outfits and a Kimono! I will get her in one someday!"
"Haku-chan in a Kimono?" Aoi questioned it, picturing the image in her mind. "Yeah, she'll look very cute in that."
"Please don't lock me inside a changing room for hours with your antics," Hakuno Kishinami pleaded and continued walking.
"Oh, it won't be that bad!" The Zaizen girl reassured.
"Oh, it will be that bad!" Caster grinned.
"Now you're not helping!" Aoi retorted with an accusing finger point.
"I'm only- I sense a Servant?" Caster frowned.
They turned on the road and came across a well-kept Japanese Temple, Aoi Zaizen assumed that this was currently Hakuno Kishinami's home, or as she referred to it, her Private Room. It was a beautiful display, the surrounded bamboo and decorated ponds fitted neatly with the building, adding to the serenity and peaceful atmosphere. The sliding door frame, however, held an odd amalgamation of purple cracks glowing throughout its exterior display. But, more notably, there was a tall man garbed in red and black leaning against a wall.
Aoi Zaizen blinked. Unless she was mistaken, that looked like her sister's ace monster, Archer.
A magus girl named Hakuno Kishinami knew that he would face his death on a hill of blades. It was a fact that contracted the Servant's actual death in life. Archer's existence was a twisted effigy of two differing counterparts, as a human, he was similar but vastly different from the self that appeared as a Heroic Spirit under her summoning.
The world of blades made him, defined him, yet also was not from the self he abandoned.
As contracted by the Moon Cell, Archer obtained abilities that he did not use in life. In the summoning under Hakuno Kishinami, his garb and weapons did not match the clothing and tools he used as a human.
But this was how Hakuno Kishinami knew her Servant.
He was a bit cynical, but in a manner that genuinely cared for her well being and progress as a Master.
Archer displayed something differently towards the end of the Holy Grail War, something she did not understand, and still lacked that understanding. He was closer, a bit more overprotective, more outspoken concerning her feelings and concerns, even if he tried to hide it, Hakuno noticed these.
The Heroic Spirit tutored her like a teacher, scolded her when she messed up, praised her when she improved, and this continued even when they left the Moon Cell and entered the Digital World.
When he joined her with Saber and Caster, Hakuno Kishinami felt so safe, but there was a backdraw to having three Servants. Nero and Tamamo were very outspoken characters, their personalities clashed, but at times, worked with each it other in a way that improved one another. However, Archer's own directly contrasted the female Servants, and outside of a few moments, never had the opportunity to say his words to Hakuno with them around. His Master's attention was taken by the bombastic Heroic Spirits that left little room for both him and Hakuno to converse and interact outside of their moments of exploration together.
All this was something Hakuno Kishinami realized after he vanished.
Only a single day afterward and the aftereffects of his disappearance was made clear, such a drastic shift in the Private Room's atmosphere that even Saber and Caster felt it. But they were Heroic Spirits, and at times, that lone fact left a mark on their reactions in comparison to their human Master, Hakuno Kishinami.
The magus girl had been devastated, without information on how and why Archer had sacrificed himself, it was impossible for her to logically reason out any explanation, leaving her mind to wander dangerously to the possibility that perhaps, it might have been her fault.
Saber and Caster tried their best to comfort her, but it only worked temporarily, it was hard to heal her heart. Their personalities were not something that Hakuno needed, even if she appreciated their attempts, the hole cast into her chest felt more expensive than her injury ever was.
What Hakuno wanted was Archer to come back, even when she knew logically it was impossible. As the only way that could be possible is through the Holy Grail that is the Moon Cell, and she knew that it was something she never wanted to interact with again, not after all she had accomplished to stop the Holy Grail Wars from ever occurring again.
To do so was to insult everything both her and her Servants had gone through.
So to see that very Servant standing next to the entrance to the Private Room.
Her heart felt a multitude of emotions scattered apart with the force of a Noble Phantasm.
"Ar… Archer?" Hakuno Kishinami's voice stuttered, her left hand reached towards the Servant, crimson Command Seals glimmered in the sunlight.
He heard her voice and looked towards her, there was a look of surprise on his face, as well as a bit of confusion.
Caster tried to say something, but her voice was muted out by Hakuno's emotions, her vision became blurry from a trail of liquid that dripped down her cheeks.
The magus girl took a single step forward, but then burst into a full sprint and collided with Archer's body shortly thereafter, the Servant didn't even move as Hakuno Kishinami enveloped him in a tight embrace, her arms shook and her face was buried in his black and red clothing. Hakuno couldn't see his reaction or even hear anything outside her own voice, her mind clouded by intense sorrow that took her breath multiple times, causing her to gasp in short intervals between tears that leaked from her eyes and were absorbed into the Servant's wear.
She felt his hand stroke along her long brown hair, it was reassuringly comforting to her.
"Hakuno," His voice spoke her name.
But she shook her head, "Stay… Stay here," Hakuno ordered, she felt her legs about to give in, her stamina felt itself draining away as emotion took it all.
He kneeled down just in time to catch her body giving away, Hakuno Kishinami kept her face buried in his chest, her fingers desperately trying to cling onto him, as if he would disappear at a moment's notice.
Aoi said something, but she didn't listen.
Then...
"I'm sorry," Hakuno's voice said, but Hakuno Kishinami realized it wasn't her that said it.
She retracted herself from Archer just a bit to spot the nearly identical appearance of another Hakuno. A brief moment of clarity reminded her that this was likely Aoi's sibling, Hakuno Zaizen. In realization to the actual truth, Hakuno Kishinami looked up to Archer's face to spot an expression that indicated what she dreaded.
"Archer…" The Digital Human's voice quivered, "You're not my Servant, are you?"
His eyes closed as he shook his head, looking away from her with his non-verbal reply.
Her hands only grasped his clothes all the harder as her chest felt empty.
"Oh no, Master! Please don't collapse into depression!" Caster exclaimed.
"I… I won't…" Hakuno Kishinami steeled herself and forced her hands to ungrip. She stood up, stepped back, and apologized. "I… I'm… Sorry, for my actions…" It wasn't an easy thing to say.
"Haku-chan… Are you okay…?" Aoi questioned with concern.
The Digital Human's emotions went blank, a monotone expression decorating the magus girl's face, "I'm fine." She said and stepped right past Archer, took only a glance at Hakuno Zaizen, and quietly entered her Private Room with a slight bump against the girl's shoulder. Saber, who was standing behind the Zaizen, reached out towards her Master, only to be completely ignored as Hakuno Kishinami passed by the Servant without so much as a word and entered her personal room, closing the door to be left alone.
A quiet night erupted by the sound of shattering glass, Hakuno Kishinami's left hand shook in pain as she grasped the appendage to ease the stinging sensation coursing through the Command Seal. But, the pain was nothing compared to the sense of overwhelming loss that overtook her as two Command Spells dull away into a gray color.
She had lost her Servant, Archer.
Nero and Tamamo attempted to comfort her, enveloping her in a warm embrace, it did little to help ease the pain, but she appreciated the gesture and understanding that they knew the fact of what happened. A fellow Servant of Hakuno Kishinami had disappeared from this world.
Her heart never felt so shallow.
Hakuno Zaizen collapsed against the wall, right hand holding her chest as it felt like her own heart was about to collapse from the weight of an emotion that wasn't hers. An intensity that she hadn't felt for a long time, the sheer metaphysical pain that came with that sudden memory right when Hakuno Kishinami had bumped into her.
It felt like her magic circuits had ignited themselves prematurely at that very moment of collision, fortunately, she had shut them off again, it had been quite a period of time since she'd ever had to do anything concerning them.
After recollecting the breath that she'd lost, Hakuno Zaizen knew without a fact that her earlier remark concerning Hakuno Kishinami had been completely true. This girl had experienced the Moon Cell just as much as she did. But unlike her, who had gotten Aoi and Akira as siblings after escaping the Moon Cell, Hakuno Kishinami had only her Servants.
They were everything to her.
She could barely imagine what it would feel like if she lost someone close to her in that regard, not that she hadn't experienced such loss before, the Holy Grail War made sure of that, but this had a different personal feeling to it, akin to Rin Tohsaka's demise.
Hakuno Zaizen breathed deeply and stood herself back upright, deciding it best to leave Hakuno Kishinami alone for a while, her counterpart needed some time by herself.
"Aoi-nee," She addressed her sister fondly, walking up to her with some relief, "I'm glad you're alright."
"Course I'm alright, Haku-nee!" Aoi exclaimed. "I was more worried about you, but now, I'm a bit concerned about Haku-chan."
Haku-chan!?
"Did… Did you just refer to her as Haku-chan?" Hakuno Zaizen replied with a slight pink tinting her cheeks in embarrassment, even if it wasn't actually her, the girl still looked like her!
Well, except younger, that had been an obvious difference.
"Yeah," Aoi nodded. "She's our little sister now, so get used to it!"
"Eh…?" Her counterpart as an imouto, there was a thought only Aoi-nee would come up with.
"Mhm…" A humming voice caught Hakuno Zaizen's attention, and she briefly glanced to the side to see Tamamo-no-mae… Wait, how'd she known the Servant's True Name?
Anycase, the Caster Heroic Spirit was examining her up and down and all around with a keen eye.
"Caster?" Hakuno Zaizen asked.
"Even your voice is the same! Except a little different, cause you're an older version of my husband!" Caster shot forward faster than the Zaizen girl could see and was behind her in an instant. Suddenly, Hakuno Zaizen felt the Servant's hands groping her breasts!
"H-Hey!" She retorted.
"Just a moment! I need to memorize your size so I can engrave it in my mind at my husband's future breast sizes!" Caster said it with a grin plastered on her face and a drooling mouth.
"I think otherwise, Caster!" Hakuno Zaizen grabbed the vulpine woman's arms and moved them away, then escaping to the safety that was behind Aoi-nee.
"Aw," The shrine priestess pouted. "Come on, just a bit! I know! How about I draw you a bath, that way you can relax while I take measurements of everything!"
Aoi raised her fists in protest, her arms blocking her sister protectively, "Don't worry Haku-nee! I'll protect you from this crazed fox!"
"Hey!" Saber shouted from the entrance of the doorway, "You shouldn't do such things, Caster!"
Hakuno Zaizen nodded in agreement.
"Without me that is!" Saber added on.
Oh great, there's two of them!
"I think I'll have to step in," Archer began. "But I'm afraid this might be a bit out of my league."
Traitor.
Caster clapped her hands together, "Teasing aside, how about we all enter the Private Room and I'll make us some tea?" She said with a bright smile.
Archer raised a brow, "Quite a quick change of subject there."
"Oh, I know my limits," Caster remarked. "She may look like my husband, but I'm aware she's not, even with that same soul, there is a difference in her eyes."
Aoi blinked, "You can tell too…? How do you withstand Haku-chan like that?"
Saber laughed, "That is Praetor's best feature!" She boasted loudly. "Umu! I can say for certain, it's quite the expression that rivals my greatest works! Of course, the second Praetor is quite lovely as well, perhaps we have just yet to see that same face."
"Is…" Aoi-nee stopped herself for a brief moment before continuing, "Is Haku-chan going to be alright?"
"Worry not!" Saber replied. "Praetor will manage to get through this, I'm confident in her ability!"
Quite a set of bombastic personalities Hakuno Kishinami had to deal with on a daily basis.
"She has my sympathies," Hakuno Zaizen commented under her breath.
"Just as kind!" Caster took her words in a different way.
"Tea sounds good," She replied.
A few moments later…
Hakuno Zaizen had underestimated the potential atmosphere that her counterpart's home could emit at a moment's notice. At first, she thought this place to be bit rural and plain, but it turns out it was part of the aesthetic. Hakuno Kishinami had chosen quite a lovely place, and it went really well with company to fill in the emptiness that dominated it otherwise. Thinking back, Hakuno Zaizen realized that perhaps her counterpart invited her friends, the Digidestined, here multiple times.
It was a thought that comforted her, knowing the younger version of her had a better life than she'd originally thought.
A glass settled down on the table, a relieving sigh escaping Aoi Zaizen, "That was so good… Caster, you're great at making tea!"
"Thank you!" The foxy Servant replied with appreciation. "I've had lots of time to practice my tea making in the Digital World, and plenty of moments to give some to my lovable Master."
Hakuno Zaizen took a sip, her eyes blinking multiple times in surprise, this was really good tea. In fact, though she'd never admitted it to Archer, the Caster Servant's tea matched his own tea-making skill. Speaking of Archer, the Servant decided to remain outside, he seemed a bit shaken by his meeting with her younger counterpart.
"Umu! I've had the pleasure of test tasting the brews while Praetor explored with the red bowman," Saber said, likely referring to her counterpart's Archer. "Admittedly, it is one of Caster's only positives."
"Only one of my positives!?" Caster exclaimed, her ears twitching in agitation. "Well, Miss Roman Barbarian, you can't cook, clean, or do anything to help around here! So I say you're lacking more so in the positives department!"
"On the contrary, of course, I can do all those! I can do anything!" Saber retorted.
"By cheating with that hax skill!" Caster accused.
The Zaizen sisters watched as the argument between Saber and Caster continued back and forth for a full minute, occasionally taking additional sips of tea to relieve a headache they started to generate.
"Quite the dynamic," It was a voice not from them or Hakuno Zaizen, but from the small rabbit-like creature that sat comfortably on her sister's lap.
"Aoi-nee?" Hakuno Zaizen said, pointing towards her sibling's lap.
"Oh, this is Lunamon," Aoi-nee replied. "My… Digimon partner?" She asked more towards the little Digital Monster.
"Yep," Lunamon confirmed the correct terminology.
"Yeah," Aoi Zaizen looked back to Haku-nee, "My partner! My AI turned into a Digimon when I arrived here!"
"Great to meet ya, Hakuno-san!" Lunamon said with a bright grin.
Hakuno Zaizen examined the Digimon, taking note that while it looked similar to a bunny standing upright, its coat had a few colored blue stripes, the ears were oversized and faced downward, also there was the symbol of a crescent moon on Lunamon.
As well as the name itself implies a connection with the Moon.
She hoped that it was just a coincidence.
"I've been thinking of a nickname," Aoi spoke. "Lunamon is too much of a mouthful."
"You think many names as too much a mouthful," The Zaizen sibling commented.
"Hey, I have an excuse this time! Apparently every Digimon as the word 'mon' after its name!" Aoi stated. "So I was thinking of maybe shortening it to Luna, or Lulu, something like that."
"Honorific included?" She questioned.
"Will do, but just don't know what gender Lunamon is?" She addressed it towards her partner.
"From what I'm aware," Lunamon began. "Digimon do not have genders, though the tone of my voice is a bit more feminine than masculine," Lunamon explained.
"Luna-chan it is!" Aoi asserted. "Simple and rolls off the tongue better than Lulu, also makes more sense as you got that crescent moon on your fur."
Luna-chan nodded, "I'll accept any name you give me, Aoi!"
"Luna-chan, I feel this is the start of a beautiful friendship," Aoi quoted.
Caster turned her attention away from Saber and towards the Zaizen siblings, "On the subject of friendship and other relationships!" She said enthusiastically, "Since you're trying to be my husband's big sister, that makes you my sister-in-law by relation of marriage!"
Aoi Zaizen blinked, "Wait, you two are married?"
"Discard that word," Saber retorted. "It is what the vixen says to herself."
Hakuno Zaizen looked at Aoi, "Why did you refer to her as our younger sibling?"
"How could I not?" Aoi replied. "She looks so much like you, Haku-nee, but younger! She's this world's Hakuno Kishinami but doesn't have a family like we do!" Aoi explained.
The duelist Emiya, that being Hakuno Kishinami's Avatar name, responded, "You feel bad for her?
"Well, I…" Aoi paused for a second. "Not that, I just feel like it's the right thing to do. Feel a bit responsible, maybe it's because she's basically you, Haku-nee, so I felt a bit protective," Aoi chuckled a bit in embarrassment.
Hakuno Zaizen knew that while Aoi's feeling towards her younger counterpart were valid, they were perhaps misplaced. If Hakuno Kishinami was still as she was from the Moon Cell, then the girl was still restrained to her data body. Unlike herself, who gained the living, organic body of a departing Hakuno Zaizen; Hakuno Kishinami was likely stuck in the Digital World and would never be able to enter reality.
"Even if in this world she's a Digital Human or whatever, doesn't change the fact she's basically our younger sister," Aoi said.
What!?
"W-where did you hear that from?" Hakuno Zaizen questioned Aoi's words immediately. When did Aoi-nee discover Hakuno Kishinami was an Artificial Intelligence?
Wait, hold on, Aoi-nee mentioned an unfamiliar term, a Digital Human?
"Haku-chan explained it to me," Aoi replied. "She said it was the reason why she couldn't enter the Real World normally. Ah, you probably wondering what Digital Human means! Well, basically, Haku-chan is an Artificial Intelligence created exactly like a human, pretty neat huh? She has even gone into the Real World a few times and still retained her body, even if it's all data! Though she did mention she destabilizes, but I'm sure Akira-nii-san can figure something out."
That had been new information for Hakuno Zaizen, it confirmed her earlier assumption, her counterpart was the very same individual she'd been in the Moon Cell. What had been more so surprising was the fact that Hakuno Kishinami actually could enter the Real World, though from what Aoi explained, it didn't come without cost. Still, the very fact that the younger Hakuno could even manage such a feat was astounding, something that she'd only thought possible through the use of the Moon Cell.
What wish did Hakuno Kishinami make at the end of her Holy Grail War?
She had to know, she wanted to figure out this mystery, but at the same time, forwent pressuring her counterpart in fear of retribution.
How would the girl react to discovering that she had stolen the body of Hakuno Zaizen, an alternate Hakuno Kishinami, to obtain her own wish? Would there be disgust, understanding, Fear? Or perhaps outright hostility?
It was an anxious thought.
Aoi Zaizen stood up suddenly, "In any case, I said I would help replace her bandages! So that's what I'm going to do!"
"Bandages…?" She questioned, was her counterpart injured in some way?
Caster snapped her fingers, "Right! My husband does need it tended again! The first-aid kit is over here, sister!"
"S-sister…?" Aoi stuttered in surprise. "I didn't expect to have a fox girl as a sister…"
Hakuno Zaizen looked at her, "Something tells me she would have called you that eventually, even if you said otherwise."
The Shrine Priestess rummaged through a closet before bringing out a red box with a cross symbol painted on the front. She handed it over to Aoi, and then the fox Servant's usual smile vanished and gave way to an expression of concern. It shocked Hakuno Zaizen how quickly it had shifted like the Heroic Spirit had taken off a mask to reveal her worries.
Caster's voice was soft and gentle, not all bubbly and positive as it was before, she looked to Aoi Zaizen and spoke, "Please help her," She began. "Master… Hakuno isn't usually like this, she's happy and relaxed, loves the time to spend with us and her friends, but Archer's departure hurt her heart. I think your arrival is sorta like destiny intervening! A chance for her to recover and become as strong as ever!" Caster finished.
Aoi smiled, "Don't worry, I'll help her, that's a onee-san's job after all!" She said reassuringly.
"Umu well said!" Saber approved.
"I want to talk with her too," Hakuno Zaizen said, it was important, there were so many questions she wanted to ask, opinions she wanted to hear, but at the same time, she felt a connection and need to comfort the younger Hakuno Kishinami.
She stood up, following Aoi-nee as her sister walked toward Hakuno Kishinami's room and slide open the door, both stepping inside.
Hakuno Kishinami collapsed against the wall of her room, left hand clutching her forehead as a strange, uncomfortable sensation breached her mind and poured into her thoughts a vivid imagery of something similar, familiar, yet different than how it played out in her own memories. Her breath was heavy, and she lay on the floor with her knees clutched close, eyes shut in concentration to filter the information that occurred shortly after her emotional outburst and colliding against the shoulder of Hakuno Zaizen.
The sensation of pain on this level.
A feeling she hadn't experienced in a long while.
It hurt so much, an agonizing feeling that coursed through her entire body.
The voice of her opponent, a strange effigy borne through means she couldn't understand, mocked her with clear malice and hatred. "This could have been avoided if you had simply just surrendered like I asked." The tone dimmed, his face revealing itself once again from the shroud of corrupted data, the jagged cracked lines, Julius Harwey. He mocked her, but the words he spoke were the truth, even if she didn't want to admit it.
She fought for a fake family, she had stolen the life belonging to the original Hakuno Zaizen, this body now merely a vessel for Hakuno Kishinami to act like she was Hakuno Zaizen. An unfair cruelty placed on the Zaizen family, unaware of the truth that their sibling was dead and all they talked and interacted with was the person that wore her skin.
Attempt to even move her fingers hurt with a indescribable pain, this duel could very well be over, unable to act, not even begin her turn to defend herself and Aoi.
What a falsehood she had placed on herself. They weren't actually family, with all she had done, when did she deserve to call Aoi her sister?
Hakuno Kishinami took a deep breath and released, calming herself down, her heart continued to beat at a quickened pace, causing her to repeat the exercise a few more times until it settled. Her head raised, eyes looking towards the windows at the sunlight that gleamed through.
That was not part of the Dream Cycle from her Servants, that had to be related to Hakuno Zaizen, or as she'd known, a counterpart Hakuno Kishinami. The memories were a jumbled mess to go through, especially considering they were not her own, to begin with. It reminded the Digital Human about the different timelines of other Hakuno, but far more intense and clear than the ones gathered accidentally in her time within the Moon Cell Core.
However, it did serve to distract her mind and bring her out of her trance from the ordeal related to her counterpart's Servant.
So, Hakuno Zaizen had taken the body of another Hakuno to fulfill her wish to be in the Real World? Or rather some different unknown wish? She didn't know what to make of that fact, and was that Julius she faced? The Harwey Assassin had been killed in the Holy Grail War, and whatever form he took facing against her counterpart was dreadfully more terrifying than when he took the form of a cyberghost during the final week.
Somehow, Hakuno Kishinami didn't feel all too wary of Hakuno Zaizen, even with the fact of how she survived. No, there was something else that happened after that memory that changed something, as the Zaizen sisters were still close even after that fiasco.
The magus girl wanted to talk with Archer, even with him not being her Servant, they were still the same Heroic Spirit. It would like if she summoned Archer again, he wouldn't have the same memories, but it's still Archer.
As she was thinking, the doorway slid open into her room, revealing a positive brimming Aoi Zaizen who carried with her the First-Aid kit. "Hey, Haku-chan," She said with a slight smile. "No time to spend brooding around, your onee-san is here to make it all better!"
Hakuno Kishinami hadn't been brooding since entering, she just needed time to think and recollect herself. She knew, logically, that they didn't have the benefit to relax too long with Wendigomon out there somewhere, not to mention the other factions in the Digital World.
"I'm fine, Aoi," Hakuno replied, taking note that behind the girl was her older counterpart, Hakuno Zaizen.
"Well, that's good to hear!" Aoi exclaimed as she entered the room and sat right in front of the magus, "But first, those bandages! I don't want you going around without any proper care!" She examined Kishinami's brown uniform for a moment, "Also a change of clothes, you should be wearing something more casual and loose."
"I like my uniform," The Digital Human replied, it was filled with memories and she has grown quite attached to it.
In the background, Hakuno Zaizen blinked in surprise.
"Is brown your favorite color or something?" Aoi questioned with an arched eyebrow.
"Yes," She replied immediately, "What's wrong with brown?
"Huh," Aoi set the kit down. "Well, there's another difference! Didn't expect my imouto to like such a dull color."
"It's not dull," Hakuno said. "It's practical."
"Which is dull," Aoi stated with a slight grin while she opened the First-Aid kit.
Oh, Aoi is teasing her.
"Very funny," Hakuno Kishinami replied sarcastically.
"Oh don't be like that," The acting older sister replied. "Brown is fine, it's the color of our hair, but I have to say? You're completely oversaturated with it, yet somehow you're making it work so well that it just makes you so adorable."
Hakuno Zaizen tilted her head, "Huh… I never noticed it before… It does look cute like that…"
The Digital Human felt her face warm up, pink adorning her cheeks. Did her otherworldly sister and counterpart just compliment her as cute and adorable?
Thank goodness both Caster and Saber were in the other room still. She would never hear the end of it.
"Can you?" Aoi pointed towards Hakuno Kishinami's injury.
"Sure," Hakuno repositioned herself onto sitting upon her folded knees, allowing her to easily discard her overlay then take off the black wool shirt underneath, revealing the discolored bandaged wrapped around her abdomen, allowing Aoi to access it.
Her hands seemed to instinctively cover her chest, even with a garment still in place, it felt like something she should still do.
Hakuno Zaizen winced in sympathy and decided to sit down next to her. "Are…" Her voice was extraordinarily similar to Hakuno Kishinami's own but lacked a certain pitch that came with the magus' younger age. She appeared a little hesitant but mustered up the courage to speak. "Does it hurt? The injury, I mean."
"A bit," She replied. "But it has mostly healed by now. How about you? Did you face trouble in the Digital World?"
The older counterpart shifted, "Yeah, met a… Digimon? A monster by the name of Daemon, but managed to escape from him with the help of a boy named Ken Ichijouji," She responded. "He guided us to here."
Ken Ichijouji helped her? That was a surprise, he hadn't interacted or communicated since his time as the Digimon Emperor?
"Did Saber do anything?" Hakuno questioned, the Servant might have misunderstood the situation if Hakuno Zaizen had been walking alongside Ken. "She's a bit- Ow!" The cried out in pain.
"Sorry," Aoi apologized as she finished discarding the used bandages, revealing the bristling color of the healing wound and the small data particles that floated absently from it, fading away nearly as quickly as they formed.
Hakuno Zaizen bit her lip as she looked right at the injury, not at the skin, but at the fragments of data that were identical to those used in the Moon Cell. "You're really like that, aren't you?" The words were carefully chosen, and Hakuno Kishinami realized that perhaps Aoi was ignorant of her sister's history.
The magus girl nodded, "Yes, I'm a Digital Human," The hidden meaning, the disguised sentences, weren't lost on either of them.
"You're really still the same as before, aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm still a human made of data. I know you aren't anymore."
"How?" Hakuno Zaizen continued.
"I wanted to experience the Real World," She replied. "But turns out it isn't so simple, but I'm working on it."
"How did you manage to escape the Moon Cell?"
"I made a wish to experience the Real World, the Moon Cell transported me to the Digital World. Only managed to get to the Real World a few times."
"That's why I say onii-nee-san I help," Aoi spoke, not understanding the invisible messages. "I'm sure he can figure out something. Haku-chan already went outside cyberspace a few times," She explained again, having done so earlier before.
"I see," Hakuno Zaizen said. "Yeah, I understand wanting to get out there."
"I made a wish to leave the Moon Cell as well."
The Digital Human nodded, then pulled out her Portable Terminal, causing her counterpart to arch an eyebrow at it, her facial expression one of recognition towards the device. Hakuno Kishinami changed subjects from the earlier conversation, "I'm sure the Digidestined can help you return to your Real World, they know the Digital World better than me."
"Your friends, Haku-chan?" Aoi smiled as she finished wrapping the bandages, grabbing the wool shirt on the floor and handing it over to the girl.
"Y-yes…" It was an unfamiliar term to use still, but she recognized the friendship between herself and the Digidestined. "Thanks," She said as she grabbed hold of the shirt and slipped it back on, before taking and buttoning up her uniform overlay once again.
"No problem, I'm sure you'll recover quickly," Aoi responded.
She nodded, but then checked below her neck collar, and realized something was missing. Hakuno Kishinami hastily glanced around for it, but couldn't spot the object.
"What's the matter?" Aoi questioned.
"Where's my Crest?" Hakuno asked.
The Zaizen sisters looked around for anything, and it was Hakuno Zaizen that picked up a locket with a golden rectangle item within, tied into a necklace with a string, she examined it for a moment in her hand, the edge of the locket brushed against the ring placed on her finger. She then handed it over to the younger Hakuno, curiosity satisfied.
"This it…?" She questioned.
"That's my Crest, yes," Hakuno Kishinami replied in a thankful tone and gently took hold of it, untying the string then fastening it loosely around her neck to wear it. Once finished, the magus girl up, which Aoi did as well soon after. Hakuno said, "I apologize for my earlier outburst."
"No, it's fine," Aoi said. "From what I could understand, you had someone just like Haku-nee's partner right?"
She nodded, "Yes, he's…" The girl looked down. "Disappeared."
"Sorry," Aoi replied.
The Digital Human shook her head, "Nothing to apologize for, let's move on." She stated, glancing at her counterpart, Hakuno Zaizen. "You and Aoi need help getting back to your Real World, right?"
"Yes," Hakuno Zaizen answered. "But I'm clueless where to begin, and it appears you have problems of your own… I don't mean to make more trouble for you." It would be unfair to lay her own issues on the younger Hakuno Kishinami.
"It's fine, all I was planning to do later today was watch the second Jurassic Park that Mimi gave me," Hakuno Kishinami replied.
"Huh… Jurassic Park…?" Hakuno Zaizen questioned in confusion.
"You haven't seen that?!" Aoi said in shock. "It's one of the classics!" She exclaimed before pulling out a bottle, uncapping and dropping a single tiny pill in her other open palm, before sealing it again. She revealed a glass of lukewarm tea and handed it both to the young Kishinami. "Take it, It'll numb the pain."
"I know, thanks," Hakuno Kishinami replied and popped the pill in her mouth before swallowing it down with the delicious tea, likely Caster's work.
In which the Servant opened the door to her room just now. "Master!" The foxy Shrine Priestess exclaimed happily. "The Digidestined are here! Though they're an itzy bit confused about secondary bowman!"
The Zaizen counterpart blinked, "Secondary…?" She questioned.
"Don't insult," Hakuno Kishinami spoke towards her Servant.
"Ah, sorry!" Caster apologized. "I didn't mean any offense to my husband's older siblings!"
Aoi grinned, "That's alright! We accept your apology!" She exclaimed. "Now, the Digidestined?" She said while glancing back at the younger Hakuno. "Your friends, right?"
"Yes," She replied. "They can get around quickly," The magus girl walked off to leave the room, taking only a moment to pause and look back, "Come, they're very kind if a bit childish at times."
"Oh, they're probably all around your age," Aoi assumed. "That makes sense."
Hakuno Zaizen nodded as she, Aoi, Caster, and the Servant's Master all left to enter the living room.
When Aoi Zaizen learned that her cute little sister, Haku-chan, had friends, she'd been ecstatic. It was nice to know that the counterpart version of her sibling had people to fall back on even with the absence of family. She assumed that perhaps Hakuno Kishinami had about one or two friends, excluding her own partners, but what Aoi hasn't expected was that Haku-chan had more friends than even she had!
There was a whole group of them, around six individuals had appeared at Haku-chan's home, each having unique and diverse appearances and personalities, and all of them having a Digimon partner. Of course, all but one of them were younger than Haku-chan, the exception to the rule being Koushiro Izumi, who was Haku-nee and Aoi's age.
They had gotten through introductions, and like Haku-chan had stated prior, the Digidestined had good characters and wanted to aid them in returning to their version of the Real World. A fact that Aoi Zaizen still had a little difficulty in grasping that she'd been dragged into a parallel universe.
But, considering the madness that had been occurring in LINK VRAINS, perhaps this was but the tip of the iceberg? Should she start looking at the differences that might become similarities in the future? Like, would Haku-chan get her own version of Saber and Caster in the future?
Well, that might be a bit far-fetched, it likely wouldn't occur. Haku-chan was apparently the odd one in this universe, if her being a Digital Human wasn't a clue enough, having more than one partner that weren't even digimon showed a clear indication.
To begin with, the people her imouto made friends with, there was…
Hikari 'Kari' Yagami and her partner, Gatomon.
Yolei Inoue with Hawkmon.
Daisuke 'Davis' Motiyama kicking alongside Veemon.
Takeru 'T.K' Takaishi and Patamon.
Iori 'Cody' Hida guarded by Armadillomon.
And finally, Koushiro 'Izzy' Izumi and his partner, Tentomon.
Quite a few names to remember, but for Haku-chan, she would know then all, or at the very least, the nicknames.
Everyone, except Caster, was seated at the neatly placed tea table, they ran out of pillows, and had to substitute with getting the Servants' own out of their rooms so everyone would be comfortable.
Koushiro had just finished explaining the situation concerning Wendigomon, "That's what we have on our end," He turned to look at Haku-nee, "I'll have to ask Gennai about how to return you and Aoi, he has experience in some objects related to worldly travel."
The Fox Servant decided to show herself, skipping into the room merrily with a sizable plate that she placed down on the table, onto the dishware were a number of snacks, Haku-chan munched on the selection of honey roasted nuts.
"You look like an adorable squirrel when eating those," Aoi commented.
Yolei looked up at Aoi, "So I'm not the only one who thinks that!" She exclaimed.
"You too!?" Hikari said in shock.
Saber stood up from the nearby recliner, her red dress swayed from the sudden motion, "No, do not make such crude comparisons!" She retorted. "Praetor is so much appealing more than a menial creature like that!"
"You're saying that because…" Haku-chan trailed off, not finishing the sentence, but she was implying something.
"Umu! I'm sure my rival may do such," Saber nodded, speaking about somebody unknown to Aoi, "But she could never match you and I! Our act goes beyond such simplistic shows, my beauty and art alone are leaps ahead!"
Aoi examined Saber's dress wear, finally taking note of its design and how it matched on Saber, "You are quite beautiful."
"My thanks, sibling of the second Praetor!" Saber replied. "I see you are admiring me! Yes! Do it more often and perhaps I shall reward your heart!"
"Reward my heart?" Aoi questioned, but she assumed it was perhaps something akin to Saber's personality, which unlike her own acting self in her Blue Angel Avatar, seemed more genuine.
Huh, she was a little interested now.
"Interested?" Saber smiled, taking note of the others now paying attention to the conversation thanks to her bombastic persona quirks.
Aoi Zaizen looked downward at the bottom of Saber's dress, then was made aware of its see-through area that revealed snow white undergarments underneath, she motioned to inform the woman, but the roman already sat directly in front of her
"Did you know that- Mmpfh!" Aoi's words were cut off.
Saber had pressed her lips against Aoi's own in a kiss that lasted only two seconds before cutting it short.
The short-statured woman nodded, her fingers pressing against her bottom lips as if she savored the experience. "Umu, feel rewarded, you are someone that is interesting to me like Praetor."
Even if Aoi could hear Saber, the teenager's brain currently was undergoing a complete reboot. Her face a shade of crimson and her eyes wide open in utter shock and surprise.
"... Huh…?" Aoi could only say in response.
"Please do not kiss Aoi-nee," Haku-nee spoke.
"I have merely filled her curiosity in me!" Saber explained it as if it were perfectly of the norm.
Haku-chan sighed, "I'm sorry for her actions."
"It is nothing for you to apologize for, Praetor!" Saber exclaimed. "Such a sign of intimacy expresses the feeling one has for a member of one's family! At least, that's what I heard the common folk speak of."
Yolei stuttered, "I- I don't think it meant lip to lip contact."
"Truly?" Saber questioned. "Well, no matter, I do not regret my action. Umu, she has been rewarded with the highest of praises!"
"I can't get married anymore," Aoi said.
"Caster…" Hakuno Kishinami said while looking at the Servant.
"I wouldn't do such a thing!" Caster immediately replied. "My whole body and soul belongs to only you, my dear husband! Even a sibling or identical twin would never sway me from only doing such actions with you!"
"You say it like its something wrong," Saber commented.
"Of course it is!" Caster retorted with an accusing finger pointed at the Servant of the Sword. "Such intimacy is to be saved only for the one I love!"
"I love everyone as everyone loves me!" Saber replied. "Umu, as I said to Praetor before, if I am not enough for her then I wholeheartedly approve of developing a harem, which may as well include you, fox."
"H-h-harem route!?" Caster sputtered out in shock.
Hakuno Zaizen looked sympathetically towards Hakuno Kishinami.
The latter sighed, then spoke, "We're getting off topic, Izzy," The Digital Human caught Koushiro's attention. "I'm surprised you arrived early, did you need something as well?"
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot!" Koushiro exclaimed. "I need you to do a Code Cast, Mimi is alone in America and she might be targeted by Wendigomon."
Hakuno Kishinami tilted her head, her facial expression that of confusion, but its intensity brought Aoi out of her stupor, momentarily forgetting about the earlier incident.
"Haku-chan, s-stop with that expression!" Aoi pleaded, her heart could barely take it. She looked towards the Digidestined, "How do you deal with that without reacting?"
Daisuke shrugged, "We got used to it, but trust me when I say, that's hardly the most intense emotion she's displayed, rather mellow actually," He replied.
Cody nodded in agreement, "But she's gotten much better lately."
Haku-nee smiled, "That's good," She said.
Aoi Zaizen knew that Haku-nee appreciated the compliment towards her younger counterpart, their newly bonded little sister, Haku-chan. It became more apparent that her being a Digital Human implied much than being made of data, but rather, also inexperienced in human emotions.
Which explained why Haku-chan was so intense, she just didn't know how to express herself, that's all!
"You want to try my Code Cast with the Digi-Port in order to access quick travel around Earth," Hakuno Kishinami answered.
Koushiro blinked, he clearly didn't expect her to understand his reasoning so quickly. "That's entirely correct? Well, as I said, Mimi might need our help."
"Lack of information," She continued. "Wendigomon might assault her on her lonesome, and without a Digimon partner, she'd be kidnapped easily." The brown-headed girl spoke.
"Right," Koushiro nodded to that, his surprise having disappeared. "Do you think it can work?" He asked.
"I don't know," Haku-chan replied, glancing at her now raised hand. "It would be either Hack or Connect Jump."
Haku-nee blinked, "Connect… Jump…?" She said in confusion.
Caster patted Haku-nee's back gently, "Don't worry about it, little sister, it's still mysterious ability that hasn't much time to reveal its true potential just yet!"
"... Huh?"
"Caster," Haku-chan said again.
"It's a light joke, Master!" The Shrine Priestess responded.
Takeru spoke, "Still worth a shot."
"Alright," Haku-chan nodded.
Koushiro revealed a laptop, which was rather old technology, but Aoi didn't comment on that, knowing it was a different world and all. He opened it up, revealing a blue screensaver, and out from it popped up a user interface detailing what Aoi believed what this Digi-Port that had been mentioned by Hakuno Kishinami.
The girl raised her arm towards it, "Hack, or Connect Jump first?"
"Try the first, it ended well last time when you needed to return to the Digital World," Koushiro said.
"No harm done," Yolei commented.
Daisuke stood up brimming with optimism, "You can't figure things out without a risk now and then!"
Haku-nee had brought in Archer into the living room, the partner of her sister studied Haku-chan, Saber, and Caster with a critical eye, before setting it just on the younger Kishinami. He nodded for some unknown reason as if either accepting or acknowledging her.
"Code Cast: Hack."
A bright flash emitted from the laptop, yellow electrical sparks dotting its metallic exterior, and Aoi heard a sharp breath from Koushiro, probably hesitant in his decision now. The rather fantastical display didn't last long, however, and it disappeared away without any noticeable effect.
"D-did that do anything?" Aoi's partner, Lunamon, questioned.
Koushiro glanced at the screen, then sighed, "Nothing, alright, time for the larger risk."
"But I don't know how Connect Jump would react," Hakuno Kishinami said. "It might just be me that is taken."
"Taken!?" Aoi shouted in alarm. "Does it drag you somewhere, Haku-chan?" She asked with concern.
"A bit? I can still return well enough," She answered.
"Here I go," Hakuno Kishinami raised her arm again.
"Wait," Haku-nee said as she raised a hand and touched her counterpart's arm. "I don't-"
But she was too late.
"Code Cast: Connect Jump."
["Unregistered Regalia Access Detected."]
"Huh?" Aoi said everyone's thoughts.
["Temporary User Access Granted."]
"Eh!?"
["Providing Spiritron Stabilization."]
"What's happening-?"
["Connect Jumping…"]
In that instant, all Aoi saw was a blinding light and the sensation of her body being rush through a tunnel.
As she and everyone else, human, Digimon, and Servant, vanished from the Digital World.