Chapter One: Time Never Stops

The spot lights beams burned into his body fueling him; feeding him with its heat. His voice radiated throughout the small underground café. His onyx hair fell into his face as he hugged the microphone stand to his tall body. The lyrics he sang seduced all who listened. His lean hips moved sensuously to the rhythm he created. His black leather pants hugged his shape. The sleeveless shirt showed of f his muscles as a silver pendant shone bright at the crowd. The crowd roared and screamed as he hypnotized them all. The drums beat in tune with his heartbeat. He moved on the stage like a dangerous predator. The music swept through the crowd like a storm. His icy stare lured them all in. They were trapped in his world; his moment; him.

He smirked soaking in the moment. This place that he loved. Right here on the stage. As the melody died down he heard them chanting his name. He bowed his head as his silky long hair hid his face. It was sweet candy to his ears.

"Dude, you were on fire tonight!" his friend and lead drummer Niko Fushita beamed as he flung his arm over the raven haired man's shoulder's.

"What can I say? They love me," he smiled his sapphire eyes glistening in the moonlight.

"What? Just you? They love us to, you know," chuckled his buddy, Tristin Mavrin, as he took a swig from his water bottle. He came from the States and transferred to Japan with his folks a few years back. His blonde hair and pierced lip drove the fans crazy. Not to mention his wicked guitar skills.

"C'mon, Kouji, you know you wouldn't look half as amazing without us!" pouted the small but surprisingly talented piano player, Mokino Takibi. We just call him Moki.

Kouji fake sighed and threw his hands in the air, "Fine, fine, you guys looked hot too, feel better?" He laughed as the arm around his shoulder's locked him into a head lock.

"Dude, never, and I mean never, call me hot. Coming from you I just want to hurt myself," Niko growled teasing his friend.

At the start of our freshman year of Senior High we formed the band Elemental Nightmare. How we formed our band is a whole different story. Through a lot of effort and more of just plain luck we have a regular spot to perform. Not to mention our fan base has growing lately.

A lot had changed since he came from the Digital World. He had gained a mother, a brother, irreplaceable friends and memories. Time, however, moved on. He had come to terms with his step-mother which he admitted was not easy. It was the right thing to do. Now he also had a little sister, Saiyu. The little devil worshipped his every breath. She insisted he walk her to preschool every day. I suppose she was Koichi's half-sister to; though he was busy with things at his home.

Koichi still lived with their mom. Kouji made it a weekly routine to have dinner with them on Sunday's to fill her in on his life. Koichi was still himself, trying hard to make their mom's life better. He strived to be a doctor and worked part time to save money for college.

Zoe only spent until the end of Summer with all of us before her family moved to America. We all kept in touch with her for a while but time…kept moving us apart. Junpei was a senior in the school we all attended. By we; I mean myself, Koichi, and Takuya. Junpei worked part-time at the manga store in the district. He hadn't changed much. Still aloof and noisy as he had always been.

Tommy had grown up a lot. He had become quite the computer whiz over the years. I think he's in the school's soccer club this year. He was in his last year of middle school. Sometimes we thought he still strived to find a way back to the digital world or at least learn its secrets.

As for Takuya…well…he was a story on his own. When we all started drifting apart it was as though he didn't know where he belonged anymore. I think he's dating some chick from our class. We don't talk much anymore.

The band laughed and joked still on an emotional high from their concert until they came to their usual after concert restaurant, Mashito Ramen. It was infamous for its variety of Ramen and was a popular place among the youth in the area. They entered as they usually did laughing like idiots living in the moment. They sat themselves in their favorite booth. It was only moments before the waiter came over.

"Oh, Kouji, you guys had a concert tonight?" came the familiar voice.

Looking up he smiled up at his brother. "Yeah, I won't lie it was pretty amazing," Kouji grinned to his twin. "Wish you could have escaped work to come watch."

Koichi shuffled on his feet. His hair being the same jet black as his brother was cut shorter. Koichi's bangs were pinned back by bobby pins. He wore black uniform pants and a white polo with a black apron with a pocket in the front. Blue eyes looked to the side to avoid eye contact. "Yeah…me too," Koichi smiled but it didn't meet his eyes.

Kouji frowned slightly being able to read his brother like a book after all these years. Something was obviously bothering him. "Hey, guys, dinner will have to wait a sec," Kouji said as he stood from the booth and grabbed Koichi's arm.

"What! But I'm seriously starving here!" whined Moki his dark eyes growing fake tears.

"Oh shut up, Moki. A few more minutes won't kill you," teased Tristin messing up the depressed kid's messy bright red hair.

Kouji lead his brother, despite his protesting, away from the noisy group. "So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"What are you talking about?" Koichi mummbled looking at the notepad in his hand.

Kouji wanted to grab the object and fling across the room. What had Koichi on edge like this? "You do realize we will end up standing here all night if you don't tell me." Kouji shrugged nonchalantly acting less interested then he really was.

The twin bit his lip a moment then looked him straight in the eyes, "Well, you see it's mom-."

This got Kouji's attention. His pale eyes widened, "Mom? Did something happen to her?" His heart sped up a few beats. His stomach churned slightly.

"…She isn't doing well lately, Kouji. She hardly eats…and she won't talk much. I see her sneak away to take naps more often. I keep telling her to see the doctor but she won't listen to me. She keeps insisting nothing's wrong," Koichi voiced cracked; his hand clenching the life from the notebook.

"Damn…she seemed fine last weekend," Kouji's dark eyebrows knit together in thought.

"I-I just don't know what to do," Koichi replied his voice on the edge.

"Tomorrow's Sunday," Kouji began crossing his bare arms, "Am I still invited for dinner?"

"You're really asking me this? You're my brother I wouldn't say no," Koichi shook his head like it was an obvious question. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"The point I'm trying to make is, maybe I can talk some sense into mom during dinner, all right?" Koji replied putting his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Oh-uh…Yeah…that might work. I…I'm really worried. She's never been this lethargic before," the younger brother sighed running his hand into his thick hair.

"Don't stress out too much, Koichi. I've got your back. You don't have to take on everything yourself," Kouji wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulder, trying to get him to calm down. "Mom's going to be fine you'll see.

"Okay…you're right…thanks, Kouji." His brother gave him a hollow smile; a smile that reflected his burdens and pain…The smile of someone desperately trying to be strong but only hurting in the process.

The machines buzzed and lights flashed. Rough hands pounded furiously on the metalic keyboard. The dark pod slowly opened as water spewed to the floor. The creature blinked and slowly stepped from its prison. Water fell in ribbons from its body. A strangled breath escaped its pale lips.

"What is your mission?" The man in the white lab coat asked to the creature staring at him with empty golden eyes.

"To kill…" It said numbly.

"To kill who, my darling?" the man grinned as he marveled at his creation.

"To kill the DigiDestined," it replied its eyes turning into a stone cold glare.

"Go then, you're ready! Go and do as I have commanded!" the man roared with his own sick delight.

"Yes…master," it bowed rigidly. Golden red wings ripped from the creatures back. Blood splattered to the wall and floor. Inky black claws grew from the creatures hands. It eyes turned a fiery red. With unnatural speed it went to hunt for its prey.