While things have been going well for Davis at the I.S. academy, everything was going well for everyone back in Odaiba. Yolei was in the computer lab of her school and was looking over Davis' latest message.

"Hi, Yolei." Kari said as she came in with Gatomon in her arms.

"Hey, Kari." Yolei said.

"What are you doing?" Gatomon asked.

"I'm just reading Davis' latest email." Yolei said. "Looks like he's having the time of his life there. Other than this Ichika guy, who happens to be the only other guy at that school, he's made some friends. His most recent is this girl named Sierra."

"Sounds like he's having a lot of fun." Gatomon said.

"Maybe this will get him to finally get over you, Kari." Yolei said.

"Maybe. Only time will tell." Kari said.

…

I.S. Academy

The upcoming tournament draws closer and closer. Davis has made his choice as his partner with it being Sierra. He felt awful when he learned how her own father treats her and decided to become friends so he can help her. She and Davis were getting ready as they had an arena to train in.

"Here I am." Sierra said. She came in and was wearing a green and white training uniform.

"You ready to go?" Davis said and Sierra nodded her head.

"First, I have to ask. Why did you ask me to be your partner?" Sierra asked.

"I told you. I feel awful with how your father treats you. I want to help you." Davis said. "I want to be your friend. I thought entering the tournament as partners would be a good way for us to become friends. We've got some time before it begins." Sierra was touched with how Davis was. "So let's get started. Dragonic Heaven." Davis released his I.S. and was ready to begin. "Ready? I'm itching to see what your I.S. can do."

"Of course." Sierra said and her hairband lit up. Sierra released her I.S. as it had green arms with red stars on the shoulders. The legs were white and had green wings shaped like an arrow on her back. Her hairband also had wing-like extensions. "This is my own personal I.S. It's called the Leonardo Flyer, Italy's developed I.S., named after one of the famous Renaissance."

"Nice. Let's see what it can do." Davis said. As those two were training, Lita, Kimi, and Serene were watching the progress they were making, but they were all mad that Davis didn't choose them.

"I don't get it. Why did Davis choose her?" Serene said.

"He must have some reason. That doesn't mean we can't be mad at him about it." Lita said.

"Okay. Show me what this bad boy of yours can do." Davis said. Sierra agreed to it as she flew into the air and she was going pretty fast.

"Brace yourself." Sierra said as some guns became attached to the wings and started shooting at Davis. Davis was doing his best to dodge the attacks.

"Not bad." Davis said.

"I'm only getting started." Sierra said as a pair of missile launchers appeared in her hands and she shot some missiles right at him. Davis got off from the ground and flew right into the air to avoid the missiles.

"Wow! That thing has got some power. I like it." Davis said.

"Yes and I believe it would be beneficial for you to get some practice in your sniper skills." Sierra said. "I've been watching your battles. Your close-range fighting skills are good, but you should learn how to handle a gun as well."

"You think? My parents would kill me if they saw me with a gun." Davis said. Both of them landed down and a targeting system appeared. Sierra pulled out a rifle and gave it to Davis.

"Here. Give it a try." Sierra said.

"Wait. You mean you can use the equipment of another I.S.?" Davis asked.

"No, but you can if the user chooses to unlock a weapon and allows another to use it." Sierra said.

"Sweet." Davis said as he took the rifle, but it felt different in his hands. "This thing is heavier than I thought." Davis tried aiming with it, but when he sot, he missed the target and he was nearly knocked off his feet. "Whoa! This thing punches back harder than I thought."

"You never really wielded anything like that before, have you?" Sierra said. "The recoil can be hard and you need to endure it."

"How?" Davis questioned. Sierra had an idea, but it made her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Let me show you." Sierra said as she wrapped her arms around him and helped him hold the gun right. The girls saw what she was doing and couldn't believe she even had the nerve to embrace him like that. Sierra helped Davis with the aiming and the recoil at a few targets and they were all nearly perfect shots.

"I feel so alive. I never knew what it was like to have a gun. This thing is awesome!" Davis said. Davis took noticed of Sierra's face and saw she was blushing and she looked like she was nervous about something. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. It's just that….I've never done something like this before." Sierra said.

"Never did what? Train with someone before?" Davis questioned.

"No." Sierra said. She was referring to the fact that she had her arms around Davis. Davis didn't quite get that, but he could see that Sierra was having trouble getting comfortable around people.

"Sierra, how about after this, I go and introduce you to some friends of mine." Davis suggested. "I bet having a few more will be a big help to you."

"You really think so?" Sierra questioned.

"Yeah and I know just how to do it." Davis said.

…

Ichika

Ichika and Houki were in a different arena. They were doing some practice themselves for the tournament. The two of them clashed blades against each other and both of them were doing well.

"Not bad, Ichika. You've improved your game." Houki said.

"Thanks. You've gotten better yourself." Ichika said and Houki got a little giddy inside.

"Ichika! Houki!" Both of them looked down and saw Davis with Sierra. Both of them flew down and deactivated their units.

"Hey, Davis. Something up?" Ichika asked.

"Yeah. We're a little busy." Houki said.

"I just need your help with just a little something." Davis said. "Sierra…" He gestured to them, but Sierra hid behind his back like a shy little girl. "You okay?"

"Uh….yeah." Sierra said.

"Oh boy. This might be tougher than I thought." Davis said. "Sierra is having some hard times. I thought having her make some new friends would be a help to her."

"Oh! Sure. I don't see why we all can't be friends." Ichika said.

"Yeah. How about we all meet up later for dinner and Sierra can make a ton of new friends?" Houki suggested.

"Sounds good to me." Davis said. Sierra was pretty nervous about this whole thing, but she was also amazed at what Davis is doing to help her. No one has ever been so nice to her.

…

Dinner

Dinner rolled around and everyone met up together just like Houki suggested. It took about two tables to fill in the spots. Davis and Sierra were the last to arrive with everyone waiting for them.

"Here we are. Sierra, meet some of my friends." Davis said.

"Hello, Sierra." Charlotte said.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person." Cecilia said.

"Yes, despite that I've been told you've been following around Davis." Laura said, but Rin drove her elbow against her to be quiet.

"Where are Tatenashi and Kanzashi? I thought everyone was coming." Davis said.

"Chifuyu needed them for something." Ichika said. "I don't know what she's been doing lately, but it seems like she needs their help a lot lately."

"See, Sierra? You can make lots of friends." Davis said, but he noticed that Sierra was hiding behind him again. Lita, Kimi, and Serene weren't liking how Sierra was clutching his back like that. "Sierra, what's wrong? Are you actually shy?"

"Sort of." Sierra said. "Truth be told, before I came to the I.S. Academy, I use to be homeschooled. I never really had the chance to make any friends."

"All the more reason." Davis said as he moved out of the way. "You got a chance to make lots of friends right now." He patted Sierra on the back, but she flinched in pain. Davis just remembered the bad condition her back was in.

"Oh! Sorry! I forgot how much your back must be hurting." Davis said.

"It's okay." Sierra said with a kind smile. "How about we just go ahead and join everyone?" Davis liked that idea and helped her sat down. They all ate together and Sierra seemed to be getting along well with everyone.

"So be honest, Sierra. You are from Italy. Do you really know all the good pasta?" Ichika said as a joke, but Houki just hit him on the head for that.

"Ichika, that isn't really funny." Houki said.

"No. It's okay." Sierra said as she was getting a little fidgety. "I've actually been asked that a lot. You would be surprised how many times I've been asked that."

"Sierra, you can relax now. No one is going to hurt you here or anything." Charlotte said.

"Then could someone please explain why they are staring at me like that?" Sierra said. All of them looked and saw Lita, Serene, and Kimi all glaring at her.

"Yeah. Why are you girls staring at Sierra like that? It's making her uncomfortable and she's trying to make some new friends." Davis said.

"I don't know what you mean." Lita said as she looked away.

"Neither do I." Serene said as she tried to act innocent.

"Yeah. We're just sitting here is all." Kimi said.

"You guys are acting weird. I'm going to get a refill on my drink." Davis said.

"I'll come with you to try and get some seconds." Ichika said as he went with him. The girls waited until the boys were out of the way. Kimi was the first to act as she slammed her hands against the table.

"Okay, pasta girl. Start talking." Kimi said.

"Yes. What is the relation between you and Davis?" Serene questioned.

"Pardon?" Sierra asked.

"We want to know why Davis asked you to be his partner for the tournament." Lita said. "Are you two dating or something?"

"Dating?" Sierra questioned with her face turning red. "We're not dating. We barely even know each other. He's just trying to be a nice guy to me is all." They weren't really buying it.

"That's enough." Charlotte said as she placed her hands on her shoulders. "You're making poor Sierra here uncomfortable and this should be about her making friends."

"Besides, she's in the same grade as you." Cecilia said. "There's no reason for all of you to be friends."

"Even if she does like Davis the same way as you guys, you all can still be friends." Rin said. "Just look at us."

"We all have feelings for Ichika, but we're still all good friends." Houki said. All of them thought about it and saw they were right.

"Yeah." Lita said.

"I suppose if Davis wants to be friends with you, I shall as well." Serene said.

"Same here." Kimi said. Sierra looked around and saw she was making plenty of new friends and it was all thanks to Davis.

…

Kanzashi

Kanzashi was in a computer lab and was doing her research that Miss Orimura asked for.

"How's it going?" Tatenashi asked as she came from behind.

"It's certainly strange. Davis Motomiya's I.S. is very strange." Kanzashi said. "If Tabune didn't make it, I can't find a signature or anything of anyone who did make it. I also hacked my way through to find Dragonic Heaven's records. I can't seem to find anything. It's as if it never existed until Davis brought it out."

"Really?" Tatenashi questioned.

"I still don't know how a normal training I.S. transformed into Dragonic Heaven in the first place and it also doesn't seem like Davis knows anything." Kanzashi said. "I'm sorry, sister. I don't think I can be much help."

"It's okay. We'll just have to hope answers come to us." Tatenashi said. "Still, I have this feeling." She said as she unfolded her fan and showed it said "caution". "I have a feeling that this is only the calm before the storm."

…

Davis and Sierra

After the little dinner party, Sierra got along well with everyone. The sun was going down, but Davis and Sierra managed to find a place for them to rest. Both of them sat against a tree and was just enjoying the peace and quiet.

"So what do you think of everyone?" Davis asked.

"They all seem really nice. I really appreciate what you're trying to do for me." Sierra said.

"Don't worry too much about it. The more friends you have, the less you have to worry about." Davis said. "I don't know what makes your old man think it's okay for him to treat you the way he does, but he's a real jerk. You seem like a nice girl." Davis gave off his big smile and Sierra was enticed by it.

"I know I don't know you that well, but I just have a feeling you can bring out the best of anyone." Sierra said and stared at the sky. It was almost like all her troubles just disappeared and it was thanks to Davis. "You know…no one has ever really been this nice to me before. Davis, I…." She turned to him, but she saw he already fell asleep with him snoring. "So fast!" She couldn't believe Davis went out like a light so quickly. Still, Sierra greatly appreciated everything he's done today even after learning the truth about her and did it with such a kind and caring heart. Sierra decided to take a little chance and kissed him on the cheek while he was sleeping. "Grazie, Motomiya."

….

Davis' Room

With a little help, Davis made it back to his room and was ready to crash and call it a night.

"You know, that was a really nice of what you just did for Sierra." Ichika said.

"Yeah. She was having a hard time and she needed some friends to help her." Davis said. "Listen, I'm a little beat so I'm going to go straight to bed."

"Go right ahead. I'm about ready to crash myself. Night." Ichika said and both of them went to sleep. As the two of them slept, Davis was having a strange dream and was having images and sounds flash through his head. He saw a bunch of machines, he heard the sound of something crashing with rain pouring down on fire. He heard the cries of a baby and saw his father over him.

"Aw!" Davis shot right up as he woke up. It was all too much for Davis to handle. He took deep breaths and was bathed in sweat.

"What's going on?" DemiVeemon questioned as he woke up from Davis' reaction.

"Sorry. Just a strange dream that's all." Davis said as he tried to calm down. 'What was all that?' He wondered.

…

The Next Day

"I have a little announcement." Maya said to her class. Another day, another class and this one has a new one joining in. "I like to introduce you to a new transfer student all the way from Russia. Please welcome Fria Ivakin." This girl was a brunette with her hair tied into a tail that was square-shaped and actually went around the backside of her waist. She wore a standard I.S. uniform with boots.

"Is there anything you like to say Miss Ivakin?" Chifuyu asked.

"No. My name is all they need to know." Fria said. She stepped away from her place and went to take a seat, but she stopped right next to Davis. Davis noticed it wondered if there was something she needed. "You're one of the very few male I.S. pilots, aren't you?"

"Yeah. Is there something I can help you with?" Davis asked. She didn't ask for anything. What she did was smack Davis across the face and that was a shock to everyone. Davis was knocked right out of his seat and Fria looked down upon him. "What was that for? Are you trying to start something?"

"So weak." Fria said and continued walking. There might be some kind hearted people, but not all girls are so kind. A storm is starting to brew.

…

Davis: So much for this place being paradise. That Fria girl has got some issues. I'm starting to think that being in an entire girl school isn't as great as I thought. She's actually making things more difficult here than they should. Ichika's learning both of those that himself as Fria steps up to him and it is not a pretty sight to behold.

Next time: Fria, the Black Devil

No more sugar, spice, and everything nice. Fria is sugar, spice, and everything nasty.