A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited or alerted.
Story is NOT abandoned and never will be.
Note: I had a query about Takuya's new digimon name from a reader and this is just a general notice to all.
I have no problem with requests (I even ask for them) and though I might not listen to them or use them all, I do try to take my reader's suggestions into consideration if they fit with what I am trying to do.
The ideas this reader gave are not logical, as Flaremon is the name of the digimon Takuya becomes in canon when he tries to run from the digimon world and Flareonmon is just ripping off Pokémon. I chose Surya because it has connections to Agnimon (the Japanese version of Agunimon) and if anyone wants further explanations into why I choose things, please feel free to ask. I did do my research thoroughly when creating this story and I do try my best to be somewhat original.
Besides this, I do appreciate that you all have ideas but unless I ask for advice on names, I won't be changing anything I name or create without reason.
Digimon Frontier: The Return
Chapter Nine: Legends and Roaring Flames (Pt II)
Previously
"Whatever happened to destroying me where I stand?" The flame-wreathed figure mocked with a feral grin, his golden eyes flickering with the glow of a flame. "Don't tell me you've gone and changed your minds? How boring…"
Dokugumon stiffened at the insult and Devimon barely suppressed a growl.
What insolence!
"You obviously have no idea who you are dealing with?" Devimon snarled.
Suryamon tilted his head thoughtfully.
"No, but you're most likely going to tell me, right?"
Devimon screamed in frustration and surged forward.
"Evil Wing!"
Suryamon batted the attack away with a lazy motion of his hand.
"What, that's the best you got?"
"Dark Blast!" Devimon cried.
Suryamon grinned and raised his arms.
"Corona Blaster."
The balls of fire collided with the pulsating energy and immediately cancelled it out, then Suryamon breathed in deeply, ready to end this and done with playing.
"Mega Inferno!" Great flames poured from his mouth and the devil creature had no time to avoid the onslaught of fire. He hit the ground screeching while Dokugumon tensed.
"It's time to retreat…for now." She muttered, huge eyes glittering speculatively. "We have underestimated you humans."
"No!" Devimon hissed and the spider whirled on him. A great void of darkness opened up behind them and she pushed the bat into it.
Suryamon watched the portal close and internally, Takuya shuddered with the instant weariness that washed over him.
Light flared and he fell to the ground in his human body once more.
The last thing he heard was his friends worried calls and Koji's irritated exclamation of "I told you to be careful," before he lost himself to blessed darkness.
Takuya's eyes opened slowly, his vision hazy and all of him aching. Last thing he remembered was Devimon and Dokugumon retreating so why…
"What hit me?" He murmured, raising a hand to his pounding head and feeling a small bump just under his hairline. That had to be a fantastic-looking bruise.
"Your own stupidity." A familiar voice retorted. Takuya looked around and found Koji sitting with his back to a tree, arms crossed in a way that said he was in a grumpy mood and only accentuated by his now short hair that hung close to his eyes. The light was dim and the brunet had to guess that it may be late afternoon considering what a deep orange the sky looked and the simple fact that he couldn't have been out for too long.
Takuya grinned impishly even though his pounding head protested.
"You're going to have to be more specific."
The raven haired teen sighed and elaborated like Takuya knew he would.
"Bokomon says the spirit transformation was a bit of a strain to your body."
Takuya frowned, feeling elated and at the same time strange.
That's right, he had a new spirit…One that was so different from Agnimon and yet so similar. And so powerful…The power he had wielded was so unbelievable…
Takuya pushed himself up carefully and looked around, noticing the many trees and surrounding shrubbery.
"Where are we?"
Koji shrugged while watching Takuya carefully. Gotsumon had assured them that the bruising wasn't severe but the raven could not help worry that his friend might have a concussion.
"A little way from Flame Village. It wasn't safe to go too far but staying there wasn't an option." He said then his blue eyes narrowed a bit, all manner of worry gone. "You're rather heavy, did you know that?"
Takuya grinned sheepishly.
"All that soccer training and massive carb intake." He joked then grimaced at his headache. "Where is everyone and are they all alright?"
Koji stood and offered him a hand.
"Collecting firewood and food. Koichi and J.P decided to keep everyone busy while we waited for you to wake up, as well as take some time to explain things to the girls in more detail. Do you think you will be alright?"
Takuya nodded.
"I think so, or I will be as soon as I get some water." He replied as he let his friend help him to his feet. "Do you think all the transformations will be so taxing?"
"Not at all." A new voice answered.
Takuya felt a huge grin break out at the sight of the white, book-loving digimon and couldn't resist pulling him up for a hug as soon as he was close enough.
"Bokomon!"
"It is very good to see you too Takuya, my boy." The white digimon said, chuckling at the teen's excitement while Koji shook his head in the background, a wry smirk pulling at his lips.
Takuya put Bokomon down, feeling a bit sheepish.
"Hi." He said somewhat lamely, an embarrassed blush dusting his cheeks.
Bokomon chuckled but his eyes were suspiciously shiny. After all, they were parted quickly years ago with no real goodbye.
"Hello."
"So this spirit, I will be fine after a while?" Takuya asked after a moment of fond silence.
"Your body will adjust to the change." Bokomon affirmed. "It just needs some time."
"Awesome!"
"Yeah, because carrying you after you faint every fight will get old fast." Koji added and Takuya stuck out his tongue.
"It's not my fault you're so scrawny compared to me." He protested, ignoring the comment about fainting.
"This coming from the one who loses all our sparring matches?" Koji questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Takuya was interrupted by Tommy, Koichi and Neemon approaching, the latter sitting on Tommy's shoulders and whistling happily.
"Are you two already at it?" The younger teen asked in disbelief before turning to Takuya with concern evident in his eyes. "How are you feeling?"
Takuya smiled.
"Just peachy."
"I like peaches." Neemon smiled and the group shared a smile.
"That's great, because we're having a group meeting now." Koichi announced softly. "There are some things we need to sort out and this place is as safe as we are going to get for the moment."
Takuya nodded and allowed them to lead the way as he followed them to a small clearing where everyone else was gathered.
"Are the girls alright?" He pulled Koji aside and asked when he saw the two of them helping Gotsumon stack firewood in small neat pile while J.P constructed a fire.
Koji shrugged slightly and Takuya noticed his grimace of discomfort.
"Good despite all the surprises." The raven answered. "Better than I expected."
Takuya then eyed his friends shoulder and Koji huffed at the silent query.
"It's fine, just a bit bruised. Much less concerning than your injury."
Takuya accepted the admission, knowing the raven would admit if it was serious and returned his attention to the rest of their group, who had seated themselves in a small circle and were waiting for them to join.
Koji went to sit by his brother and Takuya took a seat in between Bokomon and Tommy. Takuya then looked around the circle, his thoughts processing what jumbled information they had gained so far, plus what they knew of the Digital World's unpredictable nature and coming to the conclusion that they actually knew very little.
"Bokomon, as you can tell your message got through to our world but unfortunately we don't know much beside what we've seen and heard in such a short time." He said, addressing the small digimon. "Please tell us what's going on?"
Bokomon sighed sadly and reached into his pink harikami waistband (an action so familiar it had those who knew it smiling slightly) and pulled out a very worn but well-cared for book with a green cover.
"Firstly, you must know that it's been almost ten years since we last saw you." Bokomon then declared solemnly. "But it's only recently that the Digital World has undergone some very abrupt and severe changes, including the capture of the Celestial digimon."
"Wow." Tommy couldn't help breathe in awe despite the seriousness of the atmosphere while J.P chuckled.
"And none have you seem to have changed at all."
"Well, digimon do tend to age slowly." Gotsumon managed to reply with a cheeky grin from his seat near Koji, who would always be his first human friend. "Not to mention we are reborn after a while once our data has recycled."
"Recycled?" Yoshiko asked curiously while turning to the rock creature that was only a bit disconcerting to talk to.
This world was strange but interesting and after the initial shock of meeting the digimon, she was starting to get comfortable with their presence, especially after seeing how they interacted with the group of people she and Caede had recently met. They weren't the same as the other digimon who had beaten up Takuya and that helped her acceptance a little more.
This question, J.P chose to answer.
"Digimon don't die in a normal fashion since the entire world is made of reconfigured data." He said. "Once their lifespan reaches an end, they become a digi-egg and when that egg hatches, they are born again to start a new life."
"Like reincarnation?" Caede murmured, her eyes thoughtful and trying to process the information in a way she could understand.
"Yes dear." Bokomon said then opened his book. "It is that very fact that is being threatened and one of the reasons all of you were summoned."
"Is the data being stolen again?" Koichi asked, his whole body tensing.
"We saw the grey crystallized trees in Flame Village." Tommy added and Takuya shook his head.
"That's not what missing data looks like though." He said then decided to explain so the girls also understood. "Usually it would look like chunks of the area have vanished completely, not just turned into crystal."
Here, Neemon sniffled and Gotsumon's expression grew angry.
"Gotsumon Village and a few other places have suffered the same effects."
Koji touched his friends shoulder in sympathy.
"What you saw was not data-theft." Bokomon said, expression downcast. "The very essence was taken leaving those trees and everything affected, completely lifeless."
Yoshiko and Caede edged closer together at these sorrowful words while Koji frowned and interjected at this point.
"We've heard that term being used before. Worm mentioned it when we arrived and Bokomon, you mentioned it when Takuya transformed into Suryamon."
"That's right." J.P said slowly. "What is it?"
"What few know is that our world is more than just data." Bokomon began and read from his book. "Yes, it's true that data is a very large part of what makes up our world and all that inhabit it, but in between all the data there is also essence. Essence is the pure form of our world, its very foundation. It is the cycle that gives our data structure and without it, everything would cease to exist…simply put, the Essence is what keeps the data together and allows regeneration to occur."
Bokomon fell silent and the group mulled over his words.
"So then the reason those trees were dead was because their essence had been taken and not the data?" Takuya asked quietly, to which Bokomon nodded. "Does this mean they'll never go back to normal again?"
Bokomon and the rest of the digimon exchanged glances before Gotsumon said.
"We're not sure. No one's ever taken essence before."
"Bokomon, you spoke of Takuya's spirit being born from the essence of the first flame?" Koji murmured, not wishing to dwell too long on the more depressing facts just yet.
Here, the little white digimons' eyes lit up brightly with excitement and he looked at Takuya in a way that was so similar to the Bokomon they knew. The Bokomon they had first met so many years ago.
"I couldn't believe it when you transformed into Suryamon. He is an ancient, powerful being and one of the first Digimon to ever exist, born from the first flame of our world, just as his brothers and sisters were born from the first touch of their own elements and natures."
"Even more powerful than the legendary warriors?" Koichi asked curiously while Tommy looked puzzled.
"Why didn't we hear of them before?" The younger boy queried.
"They are what you may call the legendary warriors ancestors, the first to inhabit their elements and the definers of our world before that passed on." Gotsumon continued, rock features quirking into an odd expression. "To most they are myths, a truth long forgotten and mostly told as mere bedtime stories to young digimon just as the Legendary Warriors were once considered but on a much more revered scale."
"Like a fairy tale." Neemon squeaked.
Bokomon nodded with a small smile and flipped through a few more pages in his book.
"In truth, most of the knowledge known about them has been forgotten but I do have the bare essentials in here." He paused on a page and began to read out loud. "And in the beginning of our world, the essence and data gave rise to the first of the elements and with those elements the very first digimon were born to embody these powers and govern the rest of the digimon who would soon follow. These warriors would protect the digital world for many years before they eventually decided to merge with the surrounding essence, leaving only a jewel retaining a piece of their being- a jewel that could be wielded in times of danger if the digital world needed their power once more."
Bokomon closed his book and put it away in his harikami, which earned puzzled glances between Yoshiko and Caede who wondered how the book could fit under the pink band and not cause any lumps.
"How did I manifest Suryamon's power though?" Takuya asked, glancing at his DTector that was strapped to his wrist and looking like a watch again.
Bokomon and Gotsumon exchanged glances.
"That is a bit more complicated." Gotsumon said. "Before last week, I just thought the stories were simply that, stories."
JP rolled his eyes.
"This is starting to sound a lot like our last adventure and how the impossible became possible." He muttered softly.
"It was Ophanimon who told us more of the legends when we were starting to lose hope." Bokomon said. "But let me start at the beginning again before we get too side tracked. There is much more we need to cover so you all can understand recent events."
The sun had dipped lower since Takuya had woken and the forest around them was starting to darken considerably. He suggested they light the fire before it got too dark.
Once the orange flames were dancing merrily and everyone was warmer, Takuya motioned for Bokomon to continue while asking the girls to save all questions for the end in case there were some things they didn't understand.
"The reign since Lucemon's defeat has been wondrous and together, the three Celestial digimon have protected and nurtured the digital world in a way that was better than before. Once the reconstruction was complete, the legendary warriors passed on and everything was fine." Bokomon said. "It was a year ago that the Council started receiving strange reports of grey crystal replacing once lustrous forests or clear lakes and similar stories of digimon who were now no more than silver statues."
Bokomon took a breath before continuing.
"The investigations into these rumours bore little facts except that anything that was made of this strange grey crystal was no longer alive and unable to be harvested for recycling. Eventually, other reports began appearing of a digimon that resembled armour, attacking towns and stealing digimon or otherwise turning them into these lifeless statues. Naturally, Seraphimon and the rest wouldn't allow such matters to continue so they took drastic steps and one thing lead to another. Before we knew it, large forces of these armour-like digimon were attacking towns and soon digimon we recognized also joined the raids- such as you saw with Dokugumon and Devimon."
"Worm mentioned dark armour and shadow agents?" Koichi asked. "Is that what he meant?"
Bokomon nodded.
"We soon learned that this armour was not actually a digimon, just armour kept together and given life from fractal code, and this is what made it so dangerous since for every one we got rid of, five more seemed to replace it."
"The shadow agents are actual digimon like Dokugumon and Devimon." Gotsumon said quietly. "We are unsure who they are serving or whether their loyalty is true or just a result of corruption to their data."
"Like when Cherubimon was corrupted by Lucemon." J.P said. Koichi shivered slightly earning a concerned glance from Caede while his friend looked understanding and his twin just a bit concerned.
"So what we know so far is that these dark armour started springing up and attacking towns, stealing essence and after a while shadow agents appeared and also joined the apparent party." Takuya summarized. "How did the Celestial Council get captured?"
"A few weeks back, things had deteriorated so badly that the Council wasn't sure if we could overcome this darkness. The plan was made to summon the digi-destined again to help fight the evil but given that the legendary warriors had moved on, they were unsure of how they could justify bringing you here if you had nothing to help you fight." Bokomon muttered, his brown eyes teary. "It had got to the point of being so bad with not being able to know who to trust, that a few of us had hidden away in Seraphimon's castle to find a solution along with the Council. In the end, Ophanimon who had visited Baromon and the Tunnel of History, discovered more information of the warriors of old and how their jewels could be located all across the digital world and only the worthy may access the power within."
"We were attacked at the castle while Ophanimon was attempting to contact you." Gotsumon said. "By then, many of the surrounding villages were dead, holding on by a thread or abandoned due to the dark forces and we were desperate. But they overwhelmed the castle and the three of us were the only ones who escaped while the Celestial Council sacrificed themselves so that we may summon you to help whoever is still managing to fight this aberrant darkness."
"And here you are…" Bokomon ended with a slight shrug.
Silence followed as all the new information was digested. Takuya was the first to speak again.
"Did Ophanimon mention how we would be able to find these jewels? I mean, you couldn't have known that the Sunstone would be in the Flame Village?"
Bokomon frowned.
"Ophanimon seemed to think that the jewels are not located in one sole place and could be summoned once the digital essence deemed a person worthy to have the power and thus the jewel would appear." He answered before meeting Takuya's gaze gravely. "Did you notice anything when the Sunstone appeared?"
All eyes on him, Takuya began to feel awkward.
"I'm not sure. I remember feeling strange from the moment we entered the terminal, a sort of uncomfortable feeling…then later, when I saw you in Devimon's clutches, it was as though fire was burning under my skin and surrounding me completely. Then there was a voice and it just felt right to take what they were offering. I became Suryamon."
"Amazing." Bokomon whispered and Takuya pulled off his DTector, offering it to the little white digimon.
"You can inspect it. I know you want to." He grinned and laughed when Bokomon's expression turned to one of absolute joy despite their intense conversation, before taking the item.
Koji watched Bokomon gush over the device for a moment while his friends answered a few of the girl's questions. He eventually decided to broach a topic that needed answers as well. If only to quell his concerns.
"Bokomon, there were two Trailmon's in our world. Do you think Zoe might have got on the second?"
Bokomon stopped with his assessment and his eyes turned grave.
"I don't know for sure. Ophanimon was not clear on how the summons would work, only that those who were needed would be brought to the Digital World." He answered softly. "If Zoe did get on the second Trailmon and is here, then I really do not know where she has ended up or if she is with anyone."
"It was a miracle that your group even arrived in Flame Village." Gotsumon added. "We were relying on luck when we did the summoning."
"Worst case scenario, Z isn't here at all but considering the possible dangers, maybe that's a good thing…" JP muttered glumly, half concerned and half relieved but not sure what to think or feel.
The former digi-destineds were all notably disheartened by these words but tried to remain positive. Takuya's thoughts turned pensive and he tried to plan their next step. After all, they couldn't afford to stay here and with how much information they lacked on the Digital World's state, he knew they would need to seek more facts and soon.
He stood up to garner the entire group's attention.
"Alright, we're going to rest here tonight and take turns in pairs to keep watch." He announced. "We'll need a destination for the morning though."
"There's really not much else we can do anyway." Koji added and Koichi frowned thoughtfully.
"What's the closest village?" He asked, having not been privy to the first leg of the journey four years ago.
"Candlemon and Breeze Village." Bokomon answered. "The one is located in a deep ravine and probably not convenient to travel to while Breeze is very close to the Forest Terminal and its current state is unknown."
"Candlemon Village is definitely out." Takuya and Tommy both said together, quickly recalling their last visit there.
"Yeah." JP agreed. "I have no desire to be drugged again like the last time."
Caede and Yoshiko would have shared confused glances, but at this point, that was starting to become so common that they had started merely listening to conversations and asking questions if they felt it relevant to know more.
"My home is out." Gotsumon reminded them sadly. "There are other villages we can try but like we've said, everything at the moment is so unstable, we don't know what we'll find or who we should trust."
"We have to try." Koji said before anyone could answer and then met Takuya's gaze evenly. "We'll decide in the morning if we can't think of something now."
Takuya nodded and sat again, his headache not quite gone and body still a bit stiff.
"Maybe we should all try get some sleep?" Tommy asked, glancing at Takuya briefly.
"Yeah, that would be best." Koji agreed. "JP and I will take first watch."
"I'll take the next one." Yoshiko offered and Tommy announced that he would join her.
While the group divided into pairs, Caede hesitantly tugged on Koichi's sleeve, having grown used to his calm and kind presence since they had met but worried about the dark expression that had recently taken over his countenance and how he mostly ignored what was going on around him.
"K-koichi…Are you alright?"
The raven haired boy started at her touch but smiled warmly after a moment.
"I'm sorry Caede, I must have zoned out for a bit." He answered. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Caede smiled wryly despite the blush that dusted her cheeks. Smoothing her long braid of auburn hair, she took a seat beside him as she said. "I was going to ask you that."
Koichi frowned.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean?"
"You look distracted and worried." Caede clarified in a soft tone. "I just wondered if maybe I could help ease whatever burden you seem to be carrying."
The raven blinked in surprise before smiling thankfully at the kind request.
"Thank you but I'm fine." He said gently. "Some of our experiences here weren't always the best and I sometimes battle with how badly it affected me back then."
Caede bit her lip.
"We can't leave, can we?"
Koichi sighed and rubbed his eyes before smiling sadly.
"I don't think so, not until we fulfill whatever duty is required of us." He said. "However, my friends and I will try our best to make sure you and Yoshiko are safe. I promise you that Caede."
Caede blushed again but felt heartened by those words.
"Thank you." She whispered. "I do not know what lies in store for us, but I am glad we are not alone. Night and thank you again."
Koichi watched the girl walk back to her friend and sighed.
"You alright?"
He glanced at his twin and shrugged.
"I don't know." Koichi replied honestly. "I just feel strange and it's not the good kind of strange."
Koji patted his brother's shoulder and settled down beside him.
"We'll figure this out…together."
Koichi nodded.
"Always."
Zoe sighed at another of Ren's obnoxious comments which were slowly growing more annoying as she glanced around the Rain Terminal.
They had been here for a total of twenty minutes and so far, they had learnt very little from Angler about the digital world's current situation aside from not to trust anyone, before he left in a hurry. The only other fact they could glean, was from their surroundings which were completely deserted and this struck Zoe as odd because Rain Terminal was so different from any other terminal she had ever seen before in the past, as it was actually connected to a village and not separated from it. So naturally, one would expect it to be busy and full of life.
After Angler had left, everything had devolved quickly. Haru, being the young child that he was, was justifiably confused and scared of this new place he found himself in and his fears weren't helped in the least as Ren ranted and raved about useless, vague information. Meanwhile, Saya had been trying to comfort Haru while also barking at Ren who would simply retort and then the two would start fighting which caused Haru further distress. And Tyler had simply taken a seat on a bench, seemingly content to just sit on the side-lines and say or do nothing.
Zoe was quickly growing frustrated and desperate to gain some sort of control of this situation they found themselves in without it growing to the point where something terrible happened.
"Can you two please stop fighting?" She finally snapped after a moment of watching the sun slowly descend and the sky darken. "It's not solving anything and you're upsetting Haru."
"Yes, because you have all the answers for us." Ren bit back sarcastically knowing she knew just as much as they did about the current facts and only a little more regarding the world's history in general. "That train thing just told us this world is being overthrown by some kind of dark army and then he abandoned us here to fend for ourselves."
Zoe glared at him.
"Well at least I'm not complaining."
"Then enlighten us why don't you." Ren replied snidely. "What should we do?"
Zoe's anger dissipated quickly and she shrugged, not sure what else to tell him only that fighting was counter-productive.
"I'm thinking. Give me a minute."
Ren scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"Pathetic."
"Oh shut up." Saya shouted, her pink eyes darkening. "I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas."
And once again, they began to fight with Haru watching on with his large grey eyes and sniffling quietly.
Zoe glanced at Tyler, who was inspecting his DTector and she frowned curiously before turning to look at her own.
They had discovered that the device could be worn as a watch if placed near the owners left wrist or when removed, turned into the phone-like item they had seen when Zoe first removed hers. It was quite a handy feature she thought, but otherwise they knew nothing else about them.
She pulled hers off her wrist and watched it transform into the handheld device, then experimentally pushed one of the buttons.
Nothing happened and her disappointment was tangible.
Zoe sighed and looked at each of the knobs and buttons carefully feeling very much like the twelve year old from four years ago.
She had mentioned to the group that DTectors could be used to communicate and contain information such as maps but truthfully, she didn't know much about them considering these looked nothing like her former DTector or the fact that all her experience in the past was usually learnt by accident.
"Why can't just one thing be simple?" She muttered and closed her eyes.
They couldn't stay in the terminal indefinitely…but where would they go and how did they figure out their next step. Would her friends be nearby or had the other Trailmon taken them somewhere further away? Had they even got on the Trailmon or were they standing in an empty station like she was, only stuck in the Human world.
All these were questions she had to answer and as the only one with more knowledge of this place, Zoe felt responsible for these people.
"But I'm not a leader like Takuya, I can't force or encourage people to follow me willingly nor listen to what I have to say…" She murmured discouragingly and her hands clenched in frustration. "So what do I do?"
She listened to echoes of Ren and Saya's heated debate and her heart clenched at Haru's quiet sniffs, and not for the first time, she wished she could rely on Tyler and not just feel agitation towards the older boy who was supposed to be family.
"Damnit!" She huffed angrily and her hand clenched around her device. The screen suddenly lit up and Zoe stared at it in surprise.
"What did you do?" Ren asked and Zoe noticed that everyone had noticed her display and had now approached to look at her glowing DTector.
"I don't know." She replied honestly before looking back at her device with wonder and then thought about what she wanted to do. They needed to move forward and to do that, they needed information.
I need to find out if the rest of my friends made it and where they might be…
An image of Koji came to mind and his calculative, determined behaviour.
Zoe breathed in, encouraged by her thoughts and tried the dial on the right side of her device, twisting it as you would tune in a radio for a signal. The DTector immediately started giving off static feedback and Zoe grinned at what she took to be a good sign.
Now to find the right frequency…
The rest of her group watched in silence and after a few moments, Zoe thought she heard something.
"Hello?" She called into the DTector.
Sitting with the device close to her face, she wondered how stupid she looked but she was sure she had heard something.
"Hello, can someone hear me?"
A few beats of silence.
"Why don't we try another frequency?" Saya said, still looking hopeful despite the setback. Zoe nodded and went to turn the dial again when a voice filtered through the speaker.
"Hello? Is someone there?"
Koji!
Zoe smiled and contained her joy to answer.
"Koji? It's Zoe."
"Zoe! Where are you? A-Are you alright?" There was a distant spatter of answering exclamations in the background.
Zoe laughed, the sound probably a little strained due to the immense relief she was feeling. Their whole group was here, she now knew for certain.
"I'm fine, I ended up on Angler with another group and we just got to the Rain Terminal." She answered, speaking clearly so nothing was jumbled by interference. "What about all of you?"
"That's great." Koji answered. "We're near the Flame Village and also with a couple new-"
The DTector crackled and Zoe stared at it with worry. On the other end, Koji seemed to realize that their conversation wouldn't last long.
"Listen, there's a lot you need to know but it seems we don't have the luxury to explain. Bokomon thinks he can figure these devices out and we'll try send through the information for you. Still, we're heading to the Forest Kingdo…Possible safe place to meet up around the-"
The connection sizzled and Zoe panicked.
"…Take care, be wary of who you trust and don't engage with any armour-type creatures!"
The signal broke off completely and Zoe pushed another button hoping to regain it but after a while it became apparent that they wouldn't be reconnecting, at least not in the near future.
Sighing she allowed the device to reattach itself to her wrist and then focused on her group.
"Was that one of your friends?" Haru asked and Zoe nodded.
"That was Koji and it sounds like he's with the rest of the group plus some old friends from before."
"Who's this Bokomon?" Ren asked quietly, for once not being abrupt. "Is he a digimon?"
"Yeah, he was one of the few who helped us last time and it seems as though they have met up with him again." She said with a smile. "If anyone can figure out these DTectors, I know it will be him."
"So what now?" Tyler added softly. He was glad Zoe's friends were here, not only because it meant more people with knowledge of this world, but also because seeing her so worried had concerned him in a way that he was not comfortable with and yet not willing to admit.
Zoe took a deep breath before answering.
"Well, firstly we need to get something straight. We can't afford to argue and I'm not saying there won't be problems but we have to try work together."
Getting signs of agreement and feeling more confident, the blond continued.
"If the Digital Worlds current state is dangerous and trust is minimal, then we have to be careful and we can't afford petty squabble or we'll all get in trouble, maybe worse."
Haru took hold of Zoe's hand suddenly and stared up at her with his red-rimmed eyes.
"Mama always says that many hand make light work." He murmured shyly. "I know I'm just a little kid, but I'll help and be as brave as I can be for as long as I can."
Zoe knelt beside the boy and squeezed his hand gently.
"And I promise to protect you as best as I can Haru-chan." She whispered before ruffling his hair with a smile. "I'll make sure I get you to your mom soon."
The reality that Haru was in fact a little boy of only eight years, seemed to rally the rest of the group for Ren scratched his neck with seeming embarrassment before he agreed to try understand more and not let his emotions run away with him while Saya brushed aside tears and hugged Haru soundly before promising to be there if he needed someone to comfort him.
Tyler stood just within reach of the group and found himself meeting Zoe's eyes properly for the first time since the train had left Shibuya.
"So what's our next step?" He asked quietly.
Zoe stood and glanced around the station.
"Let's find a place to rest for tonight so I can give you all a brief history lesson." She eventually answered. "Tomorrow, we can determine the best course towards the Forest Kingdom and meet up with the others."
Tyler nodded and turned to leave.
"Come on then, I think I saw the perfect building earlier when we first entered the station."
The group followed the redhead without complaint, the excitement and anxiety of the day having taken quite a toll on them all.
Tomorrow would be a new day where all their concerns could be addressed clearly, but for now, some rest and reassurance sounded infinitely better.
Not too far from this small group, another was expressing its happiness at the confirmed safety of their friend and expected reunion.
Koji stared at his DTector with a small smile and a bubble of immense relief bursting inside of him while the group around him chatted excitedly as they settled back down to go to sleep.
Next to his twin, Koichi smiled knowingly and shook his head before turning over and allowing the shadows to ease his restless thoughts.
Darkus stared into the seeing mirror and grinned at the two separate scenes.
"Time to have some fun with the little humans…" He chuckled.
"What would you have us do Milord?" Dokugumon asked.
Darkus turned, his coat brushing against marble as he moved and eyes gleaming brightly as he assessed his gathered followers.
"Since you and Devimon failed so spectacularly against the first bunch of brats, you can attempt to regain favor by seeing what this second bunch is made of."
Dokugumon left swiftly with her partner.
Darkus smirked as they left before moving towards the mirror again.
"Cerberumon...I believe you know the Flame continent quite well." He said. "I trust you will be able to find the humans near the forest kingdom before they become even more of a problem."
"Of course Milord." The giant hound agreed and left in a flurry of shadows to see his task done.
Darkus touch the mirror, allowing the scenes to fade and the glass to return to its usual opaque appearance.
"Meramon, now that those matters are sorted, how goes the collection?"
The flame digimon began reciting numbers and facts while Darkus listened carefully.
If we continue at this pace and those nuisances are dealt with quickly, then the Great Rebirth may come sooner than I expected…
Darkus closed his eyes.
How excellent…
Preview
'Do you feel it? Can you feel us shining?' Someone whispered. 'Bring light to this land...'
Fingers closed gently around sharp cold crystal and Koji wondered if this is how Takuya felt when his senses were overwhelmed.
Did the flames consume Takuya's entire being as the light did now to the raven?
His D-Tector raised and eyes shimmering.
"Execute! Jewel Evolution."
Ribbons and bursts of blue and white danced around in chaotic showers and a cool warmth spread through him. A feral power welled up inside and Koji felt the animalistic rage of a hunter as well as the pureness of light, merge into the being that would become a protector.
When the light ebbed and the dust cleared, a howl echoed across the clearing, it's sound haunting.
"KoteGarurumon."
Takuya frowned and through his hands in the air with a frustrated sigh.
"Why does his transformations always look so cool?"
Tommy chuckled.
"You can't see what it looks like when you transform…Maybe yours is cool too?"
"Is it?"
The younger teen shrugged.
"I guess so."
The group laughed at Takuya's pout.
A/N: Please review, this is quite a rough draft and like all my work, goes through massive edits even if I have posted it. Comments are appreciated and any ideas are taken into consideration. Updates are not regular though I do try my best. I'm hoping to get a gap in my busy life to post drawings of all designs, but no promises.