Daimon Masaru's Side: Welcome to "The World"

The unique sound of cicadas in the morning filled his ears, it calming buzz broken when the cranes wailing echoed throughout the valley. He could see the sunlight through his closed eyelids and feel it's warmth on his bare skin. He truly did not want to wake up, it was so serene and he could feel the heavy blankets of the futon warped around his body. It was a new sensation, he had not slept in a real bed in years - the best he had was the sleeping bag he carried around and frankly speaking it was beginning to smell after being used on a nightly bases. Then it hit him, a futon was not something that was easily found in the Digital World; weirder things had happened but a futon of good quality was beyond the realm of what was weird - meatballs rain down from the skies when he had spent his day in Numemon's territory was not.

He opened his eyes to find himself in an unfamiliar room. The walls were light beige in colour, the floors covered in the familiar woven tatami mats and as he turned his head to the source of the sun light, he found the screened windows - the middle of which was left wide open for the fresh mountain air to flow in. He could see the high mountains in the distance, covered in green by the forest wrapping itself into the mountains and the odd bird or two flying through the cloudiness skies. He tried to remove himself from the futon, to stand and find out where he was but he got up too quick and found out quickly that his body was very much stiff from inaction.

He gave an innocent yelp as he felt the sharp pain in his back; realizing that he must have worried his care takers, he cautioned to not make any more sudden movements or any more loud noises. His fears soon came true as he heard shuffling from behind the doors leading to his room and with a click, the screen door slide opened. His eyes immediately came upon the eyes of who had opened his door, they were golden brown and looked back with innocence. He drew his eye back to see the rest of her as she entered the room with a bow before settling herself before him - it reminded him of a maid he had once saw on a tv program about famous natural hot springs throughout Japan. The girl who stood over him had dark brown hair, a bit fairer when it was lit up under the sun; her face was round and very suiting of her - she was wearing a pink kimono with blue flowers, she was very elegant looking.

It took him a moment to process everything and why he had an odd feeling she looked familiar to him. His eyes grew wide as his mind was filled with memories of the girl who stood before him. He mentally cursed himself for not remembering sooner.

"Yushino!" He realized. The girl looked to be taken back but he could see she was trying very hard to keep her calm but he knew she was nervous.

"Daimon-dono, please you must not get up so fast, you are still recovering from your injuries." He paid the girl no mind, except he did not understand why she was being so formal with him.

"Yushino how are you here? In fact, how am I here and where am I?" Then he realized that he had not seen any sight of the most important person in his life. Agumon was missing and for the last five years, Agumon went where ever he went and vice-versa. "Agumon! Where's Agumon?"

"Daimon-dono please calm down, Agumon-sama is safe. As for where you are - this is the manor of my Lord Satsuma-dono on the outskirts of Dongjing." The girl left him in confusion; why had she referred to Commander Satsuma as a lord and where in fact was this Dongjing she was referring to.

"Why are you talking so strange Yushino?" The girl seemed to cower from his words.

"I am sorry Daimon-dono. Please excuse my shyness around strangers. Agumon-sama had warned me you would act strange if you were to see me though I do not know why." The girl explained - Masaru was still confused but had solved that this was not the Yushino he had once known but someone completely different - her face was very much Yushino's but as he looked deeper into her features, he notices that her hair was much longer and she was older than Yushino of his memories. "Agumon-sama is currently speaking with Lord Satsuma-sama. I shall fetch him once they have concluded their meeting. Please, enjoy yourself for now and I shall bring you some tea and snacks.

True to her words, Yushino left his room only to return minutes later with a tray of warm tea and bowl of tiny hand made rice balls. Finding nothing better to do as he await the return of Agumon, he merely sat himself at the edge of the room, enjoying the view and trying to locate his memories of what he last remembered. It was soon mid-morning, the echo of cranes throughout the mountain valley still protruded his ears from time to time. His mind was still full of fog but he was gathering his thoughts slowly.

"Digisoul Charge. OVERDRIVE!" His hands glowed the familiar orange as he with drew it after connecting his fist with the opponent Digimon's body. He could feel his heartbeat synchronizing with his Digimon's as Agumon was covered by a bright light and replaced by his more dominant Mega form.

They had just come upon a group of SaberLeomons herding a group of Mammothmons, their intention was clear to him. Of course his personal motto was always act first ask questions later and seeing as the SaberLeomons were dominating the Mammothmons, he only had to guess who the bullies were.

He was slowly gaining a reputation in the Digital World. Digimon everywhere were becoming to fear him, some called him the new Analogman - a legendary human that once tried to take over the Digital World or so the stories go. Others, mainly the ones he had saved saw him as the second coming of the Royal Knights. After all, the events between the Human World and Yggdrasil had left a void, the Royal Knights had left to do who knows what and Yggdrasil had personally gave him the task of protecting the Digital World.

After facing the likes of the Royal Knights, a pride of SaberLeomons was nothing that he could not take care of. He had even somewhat wished the Royal Knights would return; he needed a challenge and the Digital World had nothing to offer such a challenge except for the Royal Knights. It was becoming boring to him, the task of playing guardian - five years of it had left him needing something new and exciting. In fact, he had wished Yggdrasil would return, maybe then he could kick some butt once again.

Almost on cue, as his Digimon returned from the skies and regaining his Agumon form, the ground began to shake violently and a heavy pressure pushing on him, invisible but the weight of it alone could have crushed him. The ground began to give way before he found himself falling down a sink hole, bottomless and dark.

He heard voice all around him but nothing he could understand clearly. It was then his eyes was filled with light, he could still feel himself falling through thin air but now he was able to see what little details the light offered. He was surprised when before him, the light took shape of a little girl - she looked so pure, her hair white as snow and her dress just as much. She brought about a familiar aura and he tried to remember but failed - it was at the tip of his tongue but he simply could not put a name to it.

"Welcome to the World Daimon Masaru." The girl mouthed wordlessly.

The last thing he remembered as seeing her smile, his heart skipped a beat at its pureness but he found that he was all of a sudden lifeless and lacking energy. He found that his eyes had closed by themselves and no matter how hard he tried he could not open them. Blackness was what he remembered next.

His thoughts were interrupted when he screened door once again slide open, this time not by the girl who resembled his DATS teammate but Agumon himself. He skipped happily towards Masaru - he had only seen Agumon this happy when his stomach was full.

"Aniki! You're awake, finally." Agumon started, Masaru was prepared to give Agumon a little headlock for going off on his own but stopped once he realized someone else had came in with Agumon. The man Masaru had once called Commander stood outside of his room, his imposing figure dressed in a fine hakama instead of his long overcoat of a uniform Masaru had become so accustomed to seeing - it was made of fine silk from what Masaru could see, an unfamiliar family crest on pressed onto it.

"It seems you have awaken Daimon-san." The commander voice was just as he remembered, commanding and intimidating.

"Do not frighten the boy, he has only just awaken." A mysterious voice replied before Masaru tracked the source back to the commander. A little white shadow spun around the commander before finally finding his spot on the commander's shoulders. Again it was deja-vu for Masaru - first seeing the Yushino-like girl and now the commander and Kudamon. He managed to stifle a laugh, never in a million years could he imaging Commander Setsuma being one of those cosplay weirdo but here standing before him was just that.

"Masaru-san you must have a lot of questions. Do not worry your Agumon has already informed me of your situation and I shall do my best to answer any question you may have." Masaru invite his superior officer to have a seat across him, the open door frame leading to the mountain view between them.

"Where am I?" Masaru asked bluntly.

"Simply put Daimon-san, you are in Dongjing, the capital of the eastern province of the Ming Kingdom. This is my humble estate for I am Lord Satsuma " Masaru's mind was trying to figure out what the commander was telling him but he did not understand half of what was being said. He had never heard of Dongjing or the Kingdom of Ming, it was all foreign to him.

"Aniki, this isn't the same world as the Real World, it's all so different." Agumon managed to whisper into his ears. The commander looked intrigued by what Agumon was saying but it was quite enough that only Masaru had heard.

"From what Agumon tells me, it seems though you two are travellers who have stumbled into the Kingdom. Please prey tell, where are you originally from?" It took Masaru a second before he was able to answer. He could not simply say the Digital World as it was still a sensitive secret and especially if Agumon was right and this indeed was a new world - although he still had the suspicion that this was all an elaborate prank on the part of DATS.

"From Nippon." He reluctantly replied.

"I have not heard of this Nippon. Perhaps it is a small nation; my teachers did not see the need for myself to learn of nations that did not peak the interest of the Kingdom." It was again Agumon who had to whisper into his ear that this indeed was not their own world nor an hoax played by the DATS members.

There was an awkward pause between the two men, neither knowing what to say next. For Masaru this was still a confusing endeavour - after all, Digimon was something he could not imagine existed before he met Agumon and came to terms with their partnership; this was whole other experience, a third world beside his own and the Digital World and even more odd that it had dopplegangers from his own - something he did not have to contend with during his journey into the Digital World.

"It seems that you have many secrets that you do not wish to reveal. I shall respect your privacy but know this Masaru-san; you have a Digimon, I do not know if it's different from your lands but here in the Kingdom and indeed with other great nations, a Digimon signifies that you are of noble blood. As such, you are a welcome guest to the house of Satsuma and am free to wonder the city of Dongjing. You may come and go as you like but please inform me of when you shall depart to continue your journey, I welcome the chance to throw a grand feast in your honour." With that, the person he had once thought of as Satsuma Rentaro, commander of DATS left as quick as he entered leaving himself and Agumon to ponder what was going on.

"So, where are we?" Masaru turned to Agumon expecting answers.

"I think we're in a whole new world aniki!"

"I can see that! What I want to know is how and why - and more importantly, how do we get back?" He replied with frustration.

"Donno aniki but we might as well enjoy ourselves until we do!" Agumon replied hopeful, being wondering the Digital World for five years left them little time for luxuries - it made sense in Masaru's mind that they deserved a little break but becoming the sole guardian of the Digital World left them little time for such pleasantries.

Finally deciding it was best to just go with the moment, he found his cloths - ones he had since arriving in the DIgital World neatly folded by his futon and only since realizing he was wearing nothing but an airy yukata for the time being. He quickly changed, his heart skipping a beat once he came upon his Digivice Burst lying alone with his clothes - it was not right for him to leave the massive complex with only a yukata and his traveling clothes were much more fitting and allowed him for flexibility.

He found Yushino out about in the hall, going through her daily tasks but stopped to formally greet him. It was something he could not become accustomed too; Yushino was such a commanding albeit caring person in his world, this doppleganger was very much the opposite, she was shy and very polite to him. Masaru gave her a quick word that he was heading out and Yushino replied with a formal bow and informed him that she would tell her Lord Satsuma that he had left for the city. Yushino had even offered him a horse for him to ride into town as the manor was on the outskirts of the city but he politely declined saying that stretching his legs would do him some good.

However twenty minutes later, he could only curse himself for not taking the horse - he had become overly tired from the short walk after days of being in bed and passer-by's had told him he was not yet half way to the inner city. And once he had, another hour later, he was too exhausted to even marvel at the sights and sounds of the city. Of course Agumon having had his share of a full meal had an abundance of energy and like a little child was point every which way; Masaru had forgotten to return Agumon to his Digivice but he remember to recall Commander Satsuma or Lord Satsuma rather, telling him it was perfectly normal to see a Digimon walking the streets. He would have been mortified in any other circumstance but the people seemed to pay him and Agumon no mind and indeed there were others walking the streets with Digimon - most of these people were finally dressed, it almost seemed to him they had come out of a historical drama that would be playing on NHK but instead they were there, in front of him.

It was when he was not paying attention and Agumon being sidetracked by a stall shop selling what Masaru could only describe was the most disgusting smelling tofu he had ever encountered in his nineteen years. A commotion was happening quite a ways from them, Masaru paid no mind only focusing on trying to convince Agumon he already had his share of meals and he did not have money on him anyways - he had everything he needed in the Digital World through foraging. The city very much reminded him of home, at least these stall shops were very similar to the ones he would encounter during festival days such as Golden Week; he may had been a delinquent in his youth but that did not stop him from enjoying festivals, especially when it was only himself, his sister and his mother.

"Please someone help!" A voice called towards him. As a feeling of deja-vu once again, the voice seemed familiar to Masaru - as with Yushino he could not remember her because she was older and her hair longer than what he had remembered. It wasn't until the source of the voice came hurrying from the crowd did his bring finally click. If DATS were indeed playing a cruel trick on him, he knew who was in trouble and as his hero complex kicked in, he intercepted the one who was crying for help along with another who too came charging with a cry for help.

"Falcomon! Biyomon!" He rushed to the middle of the street, arms stretched wide to stop the two frantic Digimon.

"Please help! Our masters are in danger! Please someone help!" The pair weren't even watching where they were going and in doing so, flew straight into Masaru's arms; Agumon could only watch by the sidelines, food it seems was more important to him.

"Oi! Shut up for a moment will ya!" Masaru could only resort to hitting both Digimon in the head to quite them down. By now others were gathering, watching this men in strange clothing wrestling two Digimon. However his technique had it's intended effect and the two Digimon calmed down before Masaru allowed them to explain what was going on.

"Please Help! Master Ikuto had been courting Lady Chika of the Daimon House when loan sharks from Lord Akihiro of the Kurata House bonded them! It's because Lady Chika's father refuses to merry his daughter to Lord Akihiro." Falcomon quickly explained, followed by Biyomon who filled in the details, "Please help young master! No body will do anything about it for fear of the Kurata House. Please you must help!"

"Then you've come to the right person. The number one street fighter of the Digital World, Daimon Masaru-sama will help to keep the peace!" He declared with a smirk, the two Digimon looked on with a mixture of awe and confusion - it was probably that they did not know of the Digital World.

"Eh aniki, you should really try this tofu! Oh, Falcomon and Biyomon! This is just like old times aniki!" Masaru felt his blood pressure go up as Agumon was oblivious of what was happening. A quick whack to Agumon's head had solved that problem before allowing the two bird Digimon to lead them to where their masters were.

The crowd immediately separated just like how Masaru had imagined the parting of the seas - just as Christian preachers would often never shut-up about whenever he would happen to pass by one in the many squares around Tokyo. The two Digimon soon lead them to where their masters were being held. Again a large crowd had surrounded what Masaru presumed was where the dopplegangers of his sister and Ikuto was, none jumping in to help only enjoying the show themselves.

"Please let Lady Chika go! If your Lord has any ounce of honour, then he shall duel me for the hand of Lady Chika!" The familiar voice of Ikuto yelled out.

"Too bad little boy. Lord Akihiro has declared that if he can not deflower your sweet lady then no one can. In fact, she will become our play thing."

Masaru had been able to clear the crowd before he saw what was going on. Before him was his sister, older then what he remembered, pinned down and unconscious by a giant of a Digimon - he could not quite but his hand on it but he knew the Digimon looked familiar, a large green quadruped dinosaur. His eyes shifted towards Ikuto, he too on the ground and pinned; this time it was a large blue and gold bird Digimon. Two human's, one in a dark blue yukata and the other in black - they were dressed like samurai's he had so often seen in his mother's favourite television dramas, their iconic katana's by their side.

"Oi, didn't you're your mother ever tell you it's rude to bully a lady?" He stepped forward, away from the crowd.

"And didn't your mother tell you it was rude to mind other people's business?" The one in blue turned around, his golden blond hair triggered Masaru's memories. Even though this man now sported an eye patch as a war scar, it was a face that Masaru could never forget.

"Kouki!" Masaru's face darkened. He turned to the other male and immediately knew who he was, "Ivan."

"Oh it seems you know our names. Your mother must have also not told you it is rude to fight someone before first introducing yourself. I am Kouki, a loyal vassal to the Kurata House. And he is Ivan, another loyal servant to our Lord Akihiro of the Kurata House!"

"Hmph!" Masaru laughed. "I am the number one sheet fighter of the Digital World, Daimon Masaru-sama!" He declared, one thumb pointing to himself in triumph.

"So you are masterless? A ronin, how quint."

"Masterless? Hmph, Daimon Masaru-sama answers to no one!" He flexed his arms, he hands cracked ready to fight like he always would.

"Thunderbirdmon, Stegomon, show this ronin how honour-less he is by not serving an honourable Lord." The two Digimon ignored their first prey and stood by the side of their masters. With a wave of his hand, Kouki was the first to send his Thunderbirdmon at Masaru. Masaru could only smirk as the bird Digimon flew towards him - not before leaping at the unsuspecting Digimon, followed by a swift punch to it's face.

Masaru felt the familiar tingle of his Digisoul as it burned into life, his hand covered in the familiar orange flame. He decided that quick work would be needed to be acted upon - reminding himself how much trouble he had before with Kouki alone and now having to deal with both. There was only one way to finish this in a short amount of time.

"Digisoul Charge, OVERDRIVE!" He brought forth his Digivice before slamming his flaming hand into it. Agumon began to glow as he could feel their heartbeat synchronizing.

"Agumon shinka!" the light was blinding but Masaru was use to it now after so many battles. Gone was the small orange dinosaur Agumon, replaced with a large armoured Digimon, his wings spread. "ShineGreymon!"

"What demon is this! I have never seen such devil's magic as this. It will be a pleasure for me to present your heads to Lord Akihiro." Kouki looked at ShineGreymon with fear. The two enemy Digimon looked frightened but they were merely following their master's orders. Again with a wave of Kouki's arm, Thunderbirdmon charged, this time with the aided help of Stegomon.

"Spark Wing!" "Shell Needle Rain!" Both Digimon shot sharp projectiles at ShineGreymon. ShineGreymon could only raise his armoured arm to block the attack - it showed no ill effects as ShineGreymon quickly recovered with no visible damage. He then leapt from his position and with the aid of his wings, flew at ground level towards to the two Digimon at high speed.

ShineGreymon flew between the two enemy Digimon, his eyes connected with the two before flying by, "Shine Hammer!" At first the two Digimon had not noticed and turned to face the back of ShineGreymon. Sensing it was a perfect time to catch the Mega Digimon off guard, they prepared themselves for another attack before feeling a great pain. The two Digimon slumped to the ground, apparent that they could no longer fight, fainting where they once stood.

Kouki and Ivan both looked on in disbelief and fearing that they were next, quickly fled leaving their own Digimon behind to the fate of the one who just defeated them. Sensing no more danger, Masaru had ShineGreymon quickly returned to his rookie form before others decided he was a danger. Most of the crowd had ran away in fear as he summoned his Mega Digimon and only a couple stayed out of sheer awe and the lack of worry for their own life.

He hurried to Chika's side, fearing the safety of his sister - even though this may not have been the same Chika he knew to be his sister, he still cared for her because of the similarities.

"Stay away you demon!" It was Biyomon who flew in-between himself and the still unconscious Chika. He felt a sharp pain before noticing that he was hit by a small rock thrown at him. He turned to see the recovered Ikuto looking at him with eyes that could kill; his hand gripping a large rock, bigger than the one that had just hit him.

"I do not know what you want demon but stay away from my beloved Lady Chika!" Masaru could only look on speechless.