Author's Notes - Heh...heh heh...Well...I see it's been...two and a half years since I last updated this story...heh heh...Oops. Well, I can kind of explain! I just really suck at meeting deadlines and stuff, and when I miss deadlines, I kind of just keep putting them off for eternity, and two and a half years later, we have this little situation. Anyways, I bring to you the long-awaited chapter 4! Before you delve into this chapter, I would advise you to look at the first "chapter" of this story, though, as it goes over some updates and such I've made to the story and basically tells you that I've rewritten chapters 1-3. No major changes in the story or anything really - it's mostly just touch-ups and fixes that I've come to notice as I've matured as a writer. That being said, I have decided to swap out one of the Digimon I was using as an antagonist for a more fitting Digimon, so you may want to check on that just so there's no confusion!
That's enough rambling and face-saving for me now. I've put this off long enough. Here's chapter 4. I hope you enjoy, and please, for the love of all things holy and unholy, REVIEW! CRITIQUE! I can certainly handle constructive criticism! I want to know what my audience thinks of my work! I want to become a better writer! This story means nothing if I'm not getting feedback! Also, as a bit of an incentive, I'm probably much more likely to hold myself to continuation of writing if I see people are taking the time to review and critique the story. No promises, but the chances of me not going on a 2-and-a-half-year hiatus are improved if you review!
Oh, and I still don't own Digimon, some two and a half years later.
Well this is certainly a new way to spend a perfectly good summer night. thought the crimson-haired girl as she walked in a group of twelve toward Shibuya station. The moon shone overhead now as Takuya marched forward, energy flowing freely from him. Kouji was not far behind, walking silently with his hands in his pockets. Kouichi walked with Tomoki and chatted while Junpei seemed to be striking a conversation up with Kazu. Izumi was giggling and chatting with Nanami and Yuki. On either side of Sayuri strolled Hana and Shirou.
Sayuri was oddly quiet as she just observed the people she was supposedly going on some sort of life-changing adventure with.
I still don't understand any of this. None of this can be real. There is no underground rail at Shibuya. There's no Digital World. How could that even exist? Then again, it does sound pretty exciting. I'd love to see a place like that. They said they could actually turn into monsters. That would be pretty awesome. Come to think of it, when did they say they supposedly went to this place last? 4 years ago? It's weird, I remember getting some freaky message on my phone about 4 years ago, but I just ignored it. I was at the beach. I sure as hell wasn't leaving for some stupid chain mail. She thought as she was completely unaware of the others around her. Man, I so should have listened to that message. Note to self: never ignore another freaky message ever again.
"Earth to airhead!" yelled an all-too-familiar voice. Sayuri snapped back to reality.
"Huh?" she said in a confused tone. Shirou, who had called her, sighed and facepalmed.
"We're here." announced Kouichi. The often-busy and typically overcrowded station was completely deserted, a rare sight even as late as it was.
"This is sort of creepy." said Sayuri, peering at the pitch-black interior of the station.
"You're not gonna chicken out on us, are you?" whined Takuya.
"Shut up, jerk!" cried Sayuri.
"I thought having one Takuya was bad." Junpei sighed "How am I going to live with two?"
"Shut up!" Takuya and Sayuri said before glancing at one another and turning away with pouting expressions.
"No more of that, please! Let's all get along." Hana pleaded.
"Yeah, get all of your problems resolved now," said Kouji "so we can get going." He began to walk toward the turnstile.
"Well, Wolfy over there isn't going to wait for us, so let's get going." Said Takuya, still avoiding Sayuri's gaze. Takuya walked over to the ticket machines. He gazed at one for a moment before slamming the machine with his fist, as he did last time (out of frustration) but nothing happened. He slammed it again. Nothing. One more time. Nothing.
"What the hell?!" He groaned. "It worked last time!"
"The machines are off, genius." Kouji mocked as he hopped one of the turnstiles and entered the station.
" I knew that!" yelled Takuya, hopping the turnstile as well. The others followed in suit and the group continued toward the elevators. As they reached the elevators, each of their phones vibrated. This time, the message was a text. Takuya began reading.
"Each of you possesses an element, two of which you know not". It read in a strangely poetic form. "Four elements to each and we can continue the plot." Three of the elevators in front of them lit up. Shirou picked up where Takuya left off on the text.
"There are twelve of you now, united as one. This may seem jolly, but let's add to the fun. Three groups you must split into." The teens began to group up with their usual groups as Nanami began where Shirou left off.
"Familiarities, let's keep them a few. Let's leave it to chance. New groups and you may advance!" Each member of the group just stood in front of the open elevators, trying to process the message.
"So, I guess we need to come up with groups." Said Kouichi.
"That's fine, as long as I don't get stuck with this bozo!" said Sayuri, indicating Takuya.
"Is complaining all you do?" he responded.
"Well, I'm sorry that I dislike disruptive and annoying jerks like you." She shot back.
"Both of you knock it off, we'll just take a drawing." Said Kazu. "Anybody have paper and a pen?"
"I do." Said Hana, pulling out a notebook and a pen from a leather bag that nobody even noticed she brought with.
"Cool, rip out a sheet and tear it into twelve pieces." Kazu instructed. Hana did as she was told.
"Alright now number four of them with a number one, four with a number two, and four with a number three and fold them up. We're going to need a hat or something." He said, scanning the group. He reached out a snatched Tomoki's hat off his head. "I need to borrow this for a second." He said as he placed the twelve folded pieces of paper into the hat, closing it and shaking it. "Now everybody draw a piece of paper. Since there are six of you guys," Kazu said, indicating the veteran warriors, "there will be two of you guys in each group along with one from each of the other two groups." Everyone drew from the hat.
"Who's got 3?" yelled Takuya.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me." whined Sayuri.
"You swear like a sailor, you know that?" Kazu laughed. "Very lady-like."
"I guess it's Everyone vs. Sayuri today." Sayuri moped.
"I have 3 also." said Kouichi.
"Looks like I'm with you guys." said Nanami as the newly formed group stood near the elevator furthest to the right.
"Who's a 1?" Junpei yelled.
"That's me." Said Shirou as he strolled over to Junpei
"Me too." Said Tomoki. Nobody else seemed to come forward.
"Who else got 1?" asked Junpei, examining the remaining people.
"Sorry Junpei, it's not me." Said Izumi.
"Nope." Said Kouji.
"Sorry, bro. I'm a 2." Said Kazu.
"Don't look at me. I'm a 2 also." Said Hana.
"What about you?" Junpei asked Yuki. She blinked for a minute, coming back down to earth.
"Hm?" she responded quizzically.
"What number is on your slip?" he asked again, sighing.
"Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed. "Hm. It looks like a 7. Or maybe it's an L."
"Let me see that, Yuki." Said Kazu. "That's a 1, Yuki." He said, sighing at his friend's imbecilic mistake.
"Well, looks like we have our groups settled." Said Junpei "Man, that's the fastest we've ever got anything done. Takky, you better watch out or Kazu here is going to steal your job as group leader."
"No way! You need to be smart, cunning, and well-organized to be a leader." Takuya responded. "I'm the only one here that has all of those qualities." He gloated proudly as everyone else suppressed giggles.
"Yeah, keep dreaming." Kouji smirked. "Let's just get going." He walked up to his group's elevator and pushed the down button, which hadn't been there just a few moments ago. Nanami and Shirou did the same. All three opened simultaneously as each group entered their designated elevator, taking the first step on their journey to the Digital World.
The world around him was still dead as Patamon came to. He was sprawled on the war-torn beach next to Salamon and Lopmon. The sky overhead was flushed black and dotted with trillions of stars. Patamon struggled to his feet as he observed his surroundings. Where a tropical forest used to be, there was now a barren field of charred grass with a few mangled trees here and there. The beach was spotted with dozens of gaping craters, which were now filled with water from the high tide passing. The resort was completely destroyed. Only a table and a few small portions of the walls remained. Bokomon, Neemon, and the Toucanmon were out cold behind what used to be the resort. Magnamon's Digi-egg rested next to Examon's in the middle of the largest crater, near which Patamon noted the silhouette of a huge digimon standing there, taking in the scene. Its cape fluttered in the ocean breeze and its armor reflected the light of the moon overhead. Patamon's eyes widened in realization.
He flew to the figure as fast as his tiny wings would allow him. As he drew nearer, he exclaimed.
"Alphamon!" Patamon squeaked. The figure jumped in surprise, caught off guard by the suddenly conscious Patamon.
"Oh, hello there Patamon." said Alphamon. "I didn't expect you to wake."
"I'm so relieved to see you! How did you make it out of that battle at the castle? I was so sure we'd lost." Patamon said.
"Oh, well, I just happened to be under cover of some castle rubble when Examon unleashed that assault on the others. Just a matter of luck, I suppose." Alphamon laughed. "Anyways, would you mind telling me what happened here?" Patamon explained what had just occurred at Toucan Paradise.
"And, so we won - sort of." Patamon said after making his best attempt to imitate Magnamon's Extreme Jihad.
"All that matters is that you're alright. Toucan Paradise couldn't stay completely untouched while the rest of the digital world fell apart anyways. Eventually it would have faced this devastation anyways." Alphamon said.
"Yeah, but where are we gonna live now?" a saddened voice broke in. The Toucanmon, as well as Bokomon, Neemon, Lopmon and Salamon had awoken while Patamon was explaining everything to Alphamon.
"Well, unfortunately I don't have an answer to that." Alphamon said.
"At least you guys aren't the only ones without a home!" Neemon said, followed by a waistband snap by Bokomon.
"Owowowow!" Neemon whined. "Why'd ya do that?" He wailed.
"Because, your obliviousness to the situation is unfathomably annoying." Bokomon retorted. Neemon just sat there, completely incapable of understanding what Bokomon had said. Bokomon snapped his waistband again and Neemon was quickly brought back to reality.
"Anyways, what should we do about them?" Salamon asked, pointing to the eggs of Magnamon and Examon.
"Maybe it'd be best if I took them." Alphamon offered. "That way, they're under my protection and you guys won't have to worry about them when I depart." He picked up the eggs - a blood-red scaled one that once was Examon and a white egg with blue tiger stripes that was once Magnamon.
"You mean you aren't staying with us?" Lopmon asked.
"I can't. I'm merely a risk to your safety. By now they know I wasn't taken out in the battle and they'll be looking for me. I can't allow myself to put you in danger." Alphamon explained.
"Well, if that's the case, perhaps we should keep the eggs." Bokomon spoke up. "After all, we wouldn't want them falling into the wrong hands if you're defeated, plus I'm a bit of an expert in incubation."
"Nonsense." Alphamon insisted with a strange, almost-annoyed undertone. "I insist that I take the eggs. We don't know what kind of Digimon will hatch from these or whether Examon's head has been cleared. I can't allow you to take that risk."
"Really, it is quite alright, Alphamon." Bokomon insisted. "You can't be bothered to take care of babies right now. You need to focus on protecting yourself."
"Enough!" Alphamon roared, catching everyone off guard. There was a long pause while everyone stared at Alphamon in shock. "I'm terribly sorry about that," Alphamon spoke up after a few moments. "I lost my cool. That seems to happen more and more often ever since this mess began. Maybe it is best that you take the eggs." Alphamon conceded the eggs to Bokomon and said his goodbyes before dissipating with a whirl of his long cloak.
"Well, what now?" Asked one of the Toucanmon after another long pause.
"I suppose all we can do is hide and wait until the warriors arrive." Said Bokomon. "There isn't much else we can do."
"No! No, no, no!" roared Bagramon. "Everything was going so smoothly! What the hell just happened?" he was overflowing with rage as he thrashed about in front of the monitor that had just displayed the showdown at Toucan Paradise.
"How could Examon possibly lose? The Aphotic Digizoid injection was supposed to make him virtually invincible." Neo Devimon was completely stunned. "Phelesmon said everything went as planned! Where is that incompetent freakshow?" he demanded.
"I said nothing about invincibility." came a voice in Neo Devimon's right ear, causing him to jump. Phelesmon stood mere inches from Neo Devimon, wearing the same distant and emotionless expression as always. "I merely said that testing went according to plan. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must document this and go back to work on the formula." he said. With that, he left as silently as he entered.
"That idiot is infuriating!" Neo Devimon cursed. "Is he really worth the trouble?"
"Again, of course he's worth the trouble." Bagramon retorted in an annoyed tone. "Stop complaining and worry about your battle strategy, you nitwit. Those warriors are bound to be here within the next few days, and for your sake, you'd better have our armies prepared."
"Please, Bagramon," Neo Devimon scoffed. "It seems that I'm the only reliable one in this alliance. While that freak Phelesmon has his unproven and unpredictable acid, I have my tried and true war machines. You and I have both seen them and both know that those warrior brats don't stand a chance."
"Well, nobody expected those brats to defeat Lucemon either, but that didn't stop them." Bagraman reminded Neo Devimon as he turned back to the monitors and surveyed them. "Just make sure our armies are ready."
"Of course, Bagramon." Neo Devimon smirked as he disappeared around the corner of Bagramon's control room. Bagramon couldn't care less, however, as he was absorbed by the endless array of screens in front of him.
"Hm," Bagramon pondered. "Where did you run off to, Alphamon..?"
As each of the three groups shuffled into their respective elevators, Kouji couldn't help but garner a bad feeling from the mysterious way in which their group was just divided. That definitely didn't happen last time. Then again, so far none of this happened last time. Seriously, why would they decide to call in six new warriors this time around? Are the original six not good enough? Do they think we'd be in over our heads without these newbies? How the hell can there be twelve warriors? Most importantly, do they really think we're better off with these newbies? They'll just hold us back.
"Kouji?" Kouji was brought back to reality by a familiar voice calling his name. "The door won't close with you standing in its way, you know." Izumi said. Kouji realized he hadn't stepped completely into the elevator yet and shuffled in. It was admittedly a tight fit. It didn't seem nearly as squished four years ago when it was just goggle head and me. he thought. Izumi, Kouji, Kazu, and Hana squirmed around, readjusting themselves to find a somewhat comfortable position as the doors closed. Kouji and Kazu stood in the middle with Izumi to Kouji's left and Hana to Kazu's right, everybody way too close for comfort. The elevator slowly began to descend as the four occupants stood awkwardly, waiting for the ride to come to an end. Suddenly, however, there was a rumble. The light in the elevator flickered and went out.
"I'm glad you all could make it." said the familiar voice of Salamon, startling all four warriors. They shifted awkwardly to face the sound of the voice. Behind them, the back wall of the elevator had projected the image of the small dog Digimon as she addressed the occupants. "Oh, I probably should have given you guys a heads up before surprising you like that. Sorry!"
"Is that-" Kazu started.
"Yes." Kouji and Izumi said simultaneously. "That's a Digimon."
"She's adorable!" Hana exclaimed.
"I expected to see something a little more exotic and dangerous." said Kazu.
"Hey now," Salamon pouted. "Don't underestimate me. I may look like a creampuff in my current form, but I'm one of the Celestial Angels of the Digital World!"
"She's one of those Celestial Angels you guys mentioned?" Hana asked. "I expected, well, an angel!"
"Well, technically, she is an angel." Izumi said. "She's just in her rookie form right now."
"Rookie form?" Hana and Kazu asked.
"Digimon have different stages or forms, each indicating a general power level of the Digimon. For example, Salamon is currently in the rookie form, which is the base form that most Digimon will be found in. That being said, Digimon can change form, also known as digivolving, where they will change appearance, usually get bigger, and gain power. For example, if Salamon were to digivolve, she would turn into Gatomon, a champion level cat Digimon. After that, she'd digivolve to Angewomon, an ultimate. As the name suggests, she becomes an angel. Finally, she'd reach her Celestial Angel form, Ophanimon. Ophanimon is a mega-level, or highest level, Digimon."
"Wait, so she turns into a badass angel?" Kazu asked, still baffled.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" Salamon pouted.
"Wait" Hana spoke up "you mentioned evolving. How does that happen? I don't get how she goes from dog to cat, to angel, to bigger angel."
"That can vary." Izumi said. "For instance, most Digimon start off as baby level and just evolve to Rookie over time, yet for a Rookie to evolve to Champion, it usually requires something more. The Digimon has to tap into something inside him or herself. No two Digimon will digivolve in identical scenarios. The process is further complicated as a Digimon gets further into it's evolutionary line."
"Wait, if she is supposedly some badass angel, why isn't she a badass angel right now?" Kazu asked.
"Listen here, bub" Salamon said. "Digivolving takes a lot out of you. When we Digimon tire out, we revert back to earlier stages, depending on how tired we are and what stage we're in before devolving. That's why it's so hard to reach the higher evolutionary stages, yet alone stay there."
"That's insane." said Hana. "It's surreal."
"You got th- ri-h-" Salamon said, breaking up. "It wi- ta-e -ome t-me to ge- -ed to." she said before the projection on the wall disappeared.
"Salamon?" Izumi said.
"That was weird." said Kazu. "All of a sudden, technical diffi-" he was cut off by a loud screeching sound followed by a snap. The elevator seemed to suddenly go into freefall. The four warriors screamed as they plummeted downward. After a few seconds, the car suddenly jerked and seemed to swerve to the left.
"What the hell was that about?" Kouji said as the car seemed to settle down.
"What, you mean a heart attack wasn't a part of your last trip?" Kazu said sarcastically.
"At least it seems like we're coming to a stop." Hana said. Just as the group settled down, the car bucked and began plummeting again. More screaming commenced as the car shook back and forth. It seemingly sped faster and faster as each second passed, shooting up and down, cutting left and right. The car leveled out and made one sharp left turn, throwing everybody to one corner, and came to a screeching halt, throwing the four occupants into the opposite corner of the elevator. The doors opened as Kazu stumbled out, followed by Hana, looking slightly queazy.
"Here," Kouji said to Izumi, extending his arm to help her up.
"Thanks." Izumi replied, grabbing his arm as he pulled her up. Just as she got to her feet, the floor of the elevator bucked, tossing Kouji and Izumi out of the elevator as it took off. Izumi landed on top of Kouji with a thud, her cheek against his chest, Kouji's arms wrapped around her waist. Kouji was flushed red as Izumi pushed off of his chest to help herself up. She sat up on his lap and began to sit up as she caught his eye and realized the position they were in. She jumped up, now also flushed red, and shrieked.
"Sorry, Kouji!" Izumi apologized. "I know how much you hate being touched!" she said with her face in her hands, hiding the embarrassing blush in her cheeks.
"It's okay," Kouji said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head as he started to stand up.
"That's adorable and all," Kazu began, smirking at the glare he received from Kouji. "but could either of you guys tell us where we are?" Kouji looked around to see a circular train depot that brought a small smile to his face. Well, the entrance was significantly different, but we're here. Kouji thought.
"We're at the Trailmon station!" Izumi exclaimed, walking out toward the lone train waiting to depart.
"What the hell is a Trailmon?" asked Kazu.
"Not vhat, but radder who." said a familiar German voice from the front of the train.
"Angler!" said Izumi.
"So you're our ride back to the Digital World, huh?" Kouji asked.
"Yah yah. Now please board so vee can a get going." Angler hurried them along.
"You mean we're riding that thing?" Hana asked."
"Unless you plan on walking." Kouji said, headed toward the now-open door to one of Angler's cars.
"What about the others?" asked Hana.
"Yeah, shouldn't we wait for them?" Kazu asked.
"I'm guessing they already left." Izumi said.
"We'll find them once we get there." Kouji said. "I went into the Digital World solo last time and gogglehead and friends tracked me down in a matter of hours."
"Jah, jah." Angler broke in. "Now let us leave please!" he insisted.
"Whatever," Kazu said, stepping into the car, followed by the others. As they all sat down, Angler's doors slammed shut and he began to move out of the station.
"Jah, jah." He hollered. "Digital vorld, here vee come!" Angler began picking up speed as he entered the tunnel out of the depot. As they sped through the darkness, the warriors each received another message.
"Greetings, rookie warrior," read Kazu.
"I think we have different messages this time." Izumi interrupted. "Mine says 'Hello there, Izumi.' What about your message, Kouji?"
"Yeah, mine says 'Hello there, Kouji.'" Kouji answered. "Hana?"
"I got the same thing as Kazu." she said.
"Why would the change it now?" Kazu pondered, as he began reading again. "I'm glad that you've chosen to answer our call this time around. It is greatly appreciated. That being said, I must know that I have your unwavering devotion to the task ahead of you. As you may (or may not) have been informed by the veteran warriors, you will be entering a world vastly different from your own. You're being called to this world on behalf of the Celestial Angels, the authorities of the Digital world, because you possess a very special connection to an element of a legendary warrior. This connection will allow you to become one with the spirit of that warrior and give you powers beyond your wildest dreams. With these powers, the Celestial Angels are asking that you join forces with the rest of the legendary warriors and come to the aid of the Digital World in its fight against an evil force that threatens the safety of both of our worlds. You must be warned, though, that the conflict ahead will be dangerous. You will witness death. You will witness destruction. Your very life will be at risk. With this knowledge, do you accept this quest with which you are being tasked?"
"Well, we've already explained that to you guys, but I suppose they can't leave anything to chance." Izumi said. "Anyway, it isn't too late to back out if you choose."
"Heh, and let you guys hero it up without me? Yeah right!" Kazu exclaimed, as he replied to the text.
"Besides, my friends are out there somewhere!" Hana said. "I can't back down now!" she also replied. As the two replied "yes" they were overcome by a sudden rush of energy and a figure flashed in each of their minds.
"What the hell was that?" Kazu asked.
"What was what?" Kouji asked, confused.
"You didn't feel that?" Hana asked.
"Feel what?" Izumi asked.
"That sudden rush of energy?" Kazu asked.
"Wait," Kouji said. "Did it feel like something was sort of just born inside of you?"
"A complete feeling?" Izumi followed up.
"Yes!" Hana said. "I saw a figure for a brief second and I just felt calmness overcome me."
"It's the spirits!" Izumi exclaimed. "They've been awakened!"
"So I can turn into a badass monster now?" Kazu jumped up.
"Not quite." Kouji said. "You see, we still kind of have to find the spirits when we get to the Digital World." Kazu slumped back into his seat, deflated.
"What a pain," Hana said dejectedly.
"You'll have a guide, don't worry!" said Izumi. "Our D-tectors led us to ours last time."
"Which reminds me, since ours spontaneously combusted earlier, do we have to find ours again too? And more importantly, why haven't our phones turned into D-tectors yet?" Kouji said, slightly worried.
"Wait, didn't you guys have messages you never finished reading?" Hana asked.
"Oh yeah," Izumi said. "I totally forgot." She pulled the message back up and continued to the body of the message.
"Firstly, welcome back to the Digital World. I'm sure you're excited to be back and I hope you're prepared for this new challenge. I'm sure you have plenty of questions, but I trust that you know that questions tend to answer themselves along the way in the Digital World. What you should know is that the situation this time around is nothing like what you faced four years ago. This threat goes beyond a rogue mega and his minions.
The Celestial Angels have been outcasted and overtaken by a trio of high-leveled Digimon called the Dark Triad. They've taken the Digital World by storm, destroying everything in their path, and I fear that they may target the Real World next. They seemed like only a small problem at first. The Celestial Angels called upon the Royal Knights to take them out, sending out six of the thirteen to address the nuisance, but the knights never returned. This worried the remaining knights and the angels. It was then that things started going amiss on a global scale. Digimon began acting out, displaying violent behavior, and warring amongst themselves. Rifts formed within communities and support for the Dark Triad began spreading like wildfire. It was like the Digimon were under a trance. This rapid growth in support has enabled the Dark Triad to assemble armies that have recently been used to drive the Celestial Angels out of power.
Things only got worse from there, as it was revealed that the missing Royal Knights had turned up at Seraphimon's castle to capture the Celestial Angels. The Angels escaped, but five of the remaining seven Royal Knights were defeated in the conflict and taken prisoner to the Dark Triad. However, now that you've received the message and are returning to the Digital World, things are looking up. We've identified a possible explanation for the mass-hysteria and hypnosis throughout our world. Pools of strange corrosive acid have begun appearing in areas where the violence and turmoil are at their highest. This acid is not only causing severe damage to the world itself, but also emitting a strange gas that seems to be driving Digimon berserk. We've yet to determine where this substance is coming from, how it affects Digimon, or what to do about it yet, but it's only a matter of time. Any other questions can be answered once you arrive.
Oh, and one last thing - reply 'yes' to this message if you plan on accepting this challenge."
Izumi and Kouji both replied yes, and all four warriors' phones rose up and started beeping like earlier, only this time there was no combusting. The phones glowed and shone brightly, causing the warriors to shield their eyes. Underneath the cover of the bright light, the phones morphed. Almost like they were digivolving, the devices shifted and reshaped themselves. After about thirty seconds, the light died out, revealing four metallic bands that descended to their respective owners and latched around their owners' wrists.
"Well, that's new." Izumi thought aloud. "It looks like the D-tectors have gone through a makeover."
"Yeah, looks like it." Kouji said. "But really, a watch?"
"Mind explaining why my brand new phone just disappeared before my eyes?" Kazu said in a tone somewhere between disgust and amazement. "What the hell is this thing?"
"Well, I'll bet you guys remember those things that blew up behind the restaurant before we left." Izumi started as Hana and Kazu nodded.
"Those were our D-tectors from last time." Kouji said. "They basically served as our swiss army knives in the Digital World. They worked as compasses, established communication with Ophanimon, and held our spirits."
"What do you mean 'held your spirits?'" Hana asked. "I thought you said the spirits were inside us."
"Well, they are, kinda." Izumi spoke flusteredly, trying to explain how the spirits actually worked. "You see, you'll have this eternal link to your spirit once you spirit evolve, but these devices act as catalysts for you to actually evolve." seeing that she wasn't making any sense, she just sighed.
"Forget it." Kouji said shortly. "You'll see when it happens. As you can see, it's difficult to explain things about the Digital World." He said as light flooded into the train car. Angler had just exited the tunnel and the sight that greeted the warriors was not a pretty one. The Digital World that appeared ahead of them looked like a mere shell of what Kouji and Izumi remember from four years earlier. The vibrant colors of memory were replaced with tints of grey and black. The exotic and lively plants and blue skies were replaced with dead and wilting shrubbery and smog.
"What the hell?" Kazu said "This is definitely not what I pictured when you talked about this place." As they got closer, the scene unfolded further and smaller details were brought to attention. Not only did the color seem to drain from the land or the plants seem to die, but the actual world itself was falling apart. It was as if the fractal code was being drained from the world again, but this time something was different. In a way, it was like this was less organized. It was less predictable. Large, symmetrical portions of land weren't vanishing in streams of data. The world actually looked like it was melting away. Land was just disappearing into nothingness. The world was scattered with holes of varying diameter, each appearing to go on endlessly.
"What's happened here, Izumi?" Kouji asked, his voice trailing off.
"I don't know. We never saw anything like this last time. The land looks like it's just disappearing. There's no data streams. There's no fractal code. It doesn't even look like anybody is doing this. It's just...happening." She said, her voice also trailing off.
"Salamon was right. This is definitely nothing we've seen before." Kouji said "We need to regroup when we get to the station. I don't like the concept of staying split up."
"How are we going to do that?" Izumi said. "You can't be certain which terminal the others will end up in."
"What?!" Kazu yelled. "You mean they could end up on the other end of this world? What if we never see them again? Why are you just telling us this now?"
"Honestly, I didn't think it would have been that big of a deal." Kouji said. "Like I said, four years ago it was pretty easy to find each other. I didn't expect to see such a drastically different world this time around."
"How are we going to find them if we do end up in completely different areas?" Asked Hana.
"That's why we have these." Kouji said, holding up his D-tector.
"How are you so sure these things work the same as your old ones?" Kazu asked, slightly annoyed.
"Honestly, we don't, but why else would we have them if they weren't going to serve a purpose?" Izumi said.
"How can you guys be so calm about this?" Hana asked.
"Well, to put it simply, we've been through it already." Kouji said. "The Digital World taught Izumi and I a lot about how to handle situations like this. It taught us to trust each other's instincts and to abilities even when things got hard."
"Yeah, we all had our moments of weakness and temporary lapses last time." Izumi broke in. "And every time we had each other to lean on. We didn't just go on some huge adventure and fight bad guys. We learned a lot about ourselves and it really helped us bond and change for the better." She smiled "We went from total strangers to a family over the course of our journey and that was honestly what kept us going. We trusted each other with out lives. That's going to be the key to surviving here, and you'll find that out pretty quickly." Kazu and Hana just nodded as Angler pulled into what remained of the terminal.
"Well, Izumi," Kouji said. "we're back."
She nodded and added "We're home."
Author's Notes - Yes, I know! The story is actually going places! Maybe not the places it should be going, but places, nonetheless! I hope you enjoyed, and if you did, please take the time to favorite, subscribe, and review! Even if you just want to leave a "good job" or a "this sucks" in the reviews, I want to know your thoughts! Not only will it help me out, but it will improve the overall feel of the story! Maybe you want to rip me limb from limb for being terribly unprofessional and lazy! That's fine too! I just really want to hear from my readers!
As for the next update, I certainly hope it's sooner than this one. I can't make any promises as I'm a full-time college student who's also going to be working in my free time, but I HOPE to be able to make monthly updates to this story. If not, I'll try to hold myself to 6 weeks and 2 months at the longest! Then again, I could go off the grid for 2 and a half years again. Gotta keep it interesting!