Digital Dawn

Chapter 12: Lost in Outerland (Part I).

- Luna's POV -

I constantly gasped for air, as I quickly ran in the garden; full of black roses. I weakly fell to the floor; then I observed my hands, that were dirty, full of dust and burned like fire. As I heard a whisper behind my back, I tried to run away, but my feet were stuck to the floor. I could see a pair of huge, shimmering eyes that were coming closer at every second. With no escape, I closed strongly my eyes and screamed as loud as I could.

NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME! –

I quickly got up from my bed, as I opened my eyes. I saw my room; it was just a nightmare, another one…

Sis! – Yumi exclaimed, as she opened the door. - What's going on? What was that?

I couldn't answer my sister's question; I just look down in shame. It wasn't the first time that I had that kind of dreams; it was always the same place.

It's another nightmare, isn't it? - Takato asked, as he sat on my bed, next to me. – Something isn't right, Luna. If you need to tell me something, just do it, ok?-

Ok…- I answered. – I'm sorry. I didn't know you cared so much about me.

Of course I do! You're my cousin. I'm not leaving you behind.-

Then, someone knocked the door, as Yumi, Dorumon and Guilmon entered the door.

Sis, Henry's here. He wants to see you. - Yumi said, softly.

Let him in, Yumi. – I told her giving her a smile.

After that; Yumi, Guilmon and Dorumon left the room, as Henry and Terriermon entered.

I could see him, as he run his fingers through his messy, but really untidy dark blue hair. His almond-shaped grey eyes looked like a pair of tiny stones from far away. He was wearing pale green pajamas, a pair of socks and sky blue slippers.

You're better, now? – He asked.

I think it's better to leave you guys alone for a while, right? – Takato interrupted, as he stared at Terriermon and Tigramon. – The three of us have things to do…-

Both of Terriermon and Tigramon directly followed Takato and slammed the door.

I stared at Henry for some seconds, until I saw the alarm clock: it was 2:00 AM.

Sorry. – I said embarrassed. - You must be really tired right now…-

Don't worry, it's not a great deal.- He said, as he sat next to me.- What's happening to you right now, is much worst.-

Without an answer, I leaned closer to Henry, as he surrounded me with his arms.

Dad brought a doctor so he could analyze you. He mostly deals with paranormal and sleepwalking cases.-

What now? – I exclaimed, confused. - I'm a psychic; and now these visions with no sense! Why I'm seeing this things?-

For a moment, mixed thoughts were going through my mind, as I softly blushed.

I love Henry, but I wish I had the courage to tell him how I feel. – I thought.-

He gently pried me off of him and held me out, trying to see my face.

I'm here for you. Don't forget that – He said, as our eyes met. I saw his hands, on my shoulders and my hands were gently scraping his chest.

I inclined closer to Henry, until my forehead leaned on his. I strongly closed my eyes, feeling a burning sensation on my cheeks, I was turning red. I couldn't control myself; my heart racing or any of my emotions.

Then, I surprised myself by gently kissing Henry on the lips. It felt so soft, that I thought I was dreaming. Then, I pulled away slowly, but my eyes were still closed. Maybe moments could have passed, but it was an eternity for me.

Sorry. – I said, with my head down. - I don't know what come ov…-

He didn't let me finish. His lips crushed mine, as he stretched his arms to reach my hands, grabbing them tightly, just as my lips were moving with his. Before he could pull me away, we were both scared by Takato's voice, which was calling us from the living room and coming closer and closer.

HENRY! LUNA! ARE YOU GUYS THERE OR NOT? MR. WONG IS WAITING FOR BOTH OF YOU DOWNSTAIRS! HURRY UP! - He shouted sticking to the door, luckily without opening the door.

When we both got scared, we fell out of my bed, rolling and we fell hardly to the floor, causing the whole room to vibrate.

Guys, what's going on? - Takato asked confused.

Nothing! I just tripped! - I said. - We're coming in two minutes.-

OK! –He said- I'll wait for you guys downstairs.-

After I heard him leave, I took a deep breath; I was relieved. But I didn't realize that Henry was in top of me. When, I stared at him, his cheeks turned red and he got up, so I did and we both went downstairs.

- Joanne's POV -

So, what did Mr. Wong tell you? - I asked Luna.

Not a big deal – She said annoyed- He thinks my visions might be a consequence of my parents' death.-

Pathetic. – Rika exclaimed. – No offense, but last time, you looked like shit when you woke up. - I nodded.

Yeah, I know – I said as I shook some loose strands of my hair out of my face.-

But what did you see? - Takato asked. Luna opened her backpack and took a notebook of it.

Takato opened the notebook and observed carefully Luna's pictures, as Jeri and I walked near Takato to take a look at her notebook. I was freaked out; Luna's drawings scared the hell out of me. Some of them were winter forests, drowned bodies in seas, eyes crying tears of blood, moons, broken mirrors and chairs with rotating moments, were most of the drawings I saw.

Oh my god! - Takato exclaimed.

Why are you seeing these things? – I asked Luna.

I don't know…- She answered, turning around slowly. Then, she ran away.

We followed her until she stopped running. We saw she was sitting on her knees, observing a small rabbit with red fur and black eyes.

That's kinda weird. - I thought, curiously. - Rabbits don't have red fur…-

Then, we started to bend until we were sitting on our knees, observing the strange red rabbit.

Hey there, little guy – Jeri said, smiling at the rabbit. - Did you lose your mommy?-

Wait a sec, Jeri – Luna said. - There's something weird about this rabbit. Usually, rabbits don't have red fur. - She touched its fur- But its fur seems natural…- Then, Luna fell to the floor and her eyes were white. I was freaked out.

As, she slowly tried to get up, her eyes were turning to its natural color and when she was already standing still, Luna was glaring at the rabbit.

Luna, what's going on? - Henry asked, as Luna tiptoed slowly to where Henry and the rabbit were. We heard a crack.

Shit…- Luna said, as she looked to the ground. - Everyone start getting up slowly, without making any noise.

What are you talking about? - I asked.

It's a tr…- Luna said, being cut off when a huge hole opened in the grass and we quickly fell in it; quicker than a thunder.

Everything slowly turned black.

- Luna's POV-

As I slowly opened my eyes, I realized I wasn't in the forest, because of the soft floor I was laying on; soft as velvet. I looked at the cloudy sky, as snowflakes gently touched my face. I got up and saw the landscape for a couple of seconds; I was at a forest, which trees didn't have any leaves at all and the floor was actually covered by layers of snow. When I shook my legs, I looked down to clean my studded sneaker- like ballerinas.

LUNA! – A voice called. When I look backwards I saw Rika waving at me.

I quickly ran to where Rika was and hugged her. After that, I looked at the cloudy purple sky. I knew there was something strange about the place where we were. It looked so familiar to me. Then, I looked at Rika, who had Jeri behind her, who had an expression full of sadness.

What happened? - I asked confused- What's going on?

Joanne disappeared. - Rika answered sadly- The guys left to look for her.-

But Rika…- Jeri interrupted – It was been a while since they left. Why didn't they come back?

Suddenly, we heard some screams and something falling to the snow and a big amount of snow fell from a tree.

Girls! Stop running! – A male voice demanded. – We have to go back home!

We turned around and we saw Ryo running after Suzie, Yumi, Ai and Mako with their partners. The four of them laughed when Ryo tripped to the snow. Then, Rika and I tried to help him to get up.

What are you guys doing here, Ryo? - I asked confused.

There's one thing I'm sure: I hate babysitting! - He answered exhausted.

Yeah, we already noticed that. - Suzie said.

Yumi, what're doing here? - I demanded.

You should have picked me up like an hour ago. You didn't answer my messages and your cell phone is turned off. - Yumi said sarcastically. - The same happened with Suzie and Ryo; you guys didn't answer their calls.

But my cell phone is turned on! That's impossible!-

We all took our cell phones out of our pockets and raised them up to see if we had signal. It didn't have signal, but when I pressed some of the buttons, nothing happened, like when a cell phone is turned off.

Oh! Give me a break! – Rika exclaimed angrier than ever. - Now my cell phone is broken or what?

Not really. – Takato said coming from far away.

What do you mean? – I asked.

We're not in the Real World. - Henry answered.

In the Digital World? - Yumi asked.

Either. There's no electric connection.-

Are we going to get out of here? - Suzie asked with a soft voice, with tears in her eyes.

I felt sorry for Suzie. I could perfectly understand how she felt; afraid; confused without knowing what to do in the kind of situation we were all into. She was too young to experience that kind of problems. But I knew, even thought Suzie was only ten years old, she was strong just like all of us together and she would understand as she was very open minded for her age.

So then, I bended on my knees and put my hands on her shoulders so she could calm down a little bit.

Look, Suzie – I said softly. - If there is no electric connection between this world and The Real World, it's gonna be really hard for your dad to track us down, but that doesn't mean we'll be stuck in here forever. We'll find Joanne – I looked at a depressed Bo who was sitting in the snow without saying a word- and we'll find a way to go back home, I promise.

I'm afraid. - Suzie said as a single tear fell from her eye. –

I know, Suzie. – I said as I embraced her tightly as Suzie's tears ran down my neck. – I know how you feel.

I felt something strange that wasn't too far from me when I was hugging Suzie. When I looked up I saw Bo who was standing up, as he glared at me. What scared me the most about him was the black aura that was surrounding him. There was one thing that I was sure was that he may have been extremely angry by something; maybe because of Joanne's disappearance.

How do you know? - Bo only asked. - How do you know we'll all come back to the Real World? How can you be so sure that will find Joanne?-

Hope – I told him as I got up as I pulled Suzie apart. – I've got hope, Bo.

Look who talks! – Bo exclaimed sarcastically. - Only a few weeks passed since you found out your folks died and it seems that you have forgotten all about it. And now you talk about hope! Pathetic. -

This hurt me a lot. I just wanted to run away from everything around me. But instead I looked down, trying to ignore his comment.

I didn't forget it.- I said in shame.- But that doesn't mean that I'm gonna depend on that for the rest of my life.-

Then what do you do? - Bo asked me with anger. - Forget that your parents existed?-

No. I just think that I still have a family – I looked back at Takato and Yumi who smiled at me- and that they wouldn't have wanted that for me. – I looked at Bo with confusion- Bo, what's wrong? –

What's wrong? Where do I start? I don't know if you realized it or what, but Joanne disappeared and no one seems to care about it.-

We do care about her as much as you do. Besides, Rika was telling us about a couple of seconds before you guys arrived. But didn't you guys find footprints or something?-

No we didn't. So what are we waiting for? Let's go and find her?-

Wait. – I grabbed Bo's arm. – We need to think a plan first.

Why? Because you say so?-

No, because is safer.-

Before I could do something, he shook his arm and punched me in the face, throwing me to the ground. I looked at the ground and I saw blood dripping to the ground. The blood came from my mouth. I realized it when I touched it and then, looked at it carefully. In that moment, I got furious. The feeling of anger was taking over me; I couldn't think of anything else but to kick him in the stomach. Instead, I stayed in the ground without saying a word. Then, when he tried to punch me again I stopped him by grabbing his fist as I started to get up.

What are you waiting for? - Bo tossed. - Hit me!-

No, I won't! - I snapped. - I know that you're angry cause you guys didn't find Joanne, but that doesn't mean it has to be all my fault, go it?-

Guys…- A female voice said.

Oh really? Right now, I'm talking to someone who is way too deaf.- He went too far that time. I wasn't going to let him to end up the discussion.

Guys, please stop fighting…- The female voice begged.

Hey! I am not deaf! So snap out of it!-

GUYS!- The female voice screamed. We both looked sideways to see that the female voice was Jeri, trying to stop our argument.- Stop fighting you two! We gotta think of a plan if we want to save Joanne, ok?-

Yeah, whatever.- Bo snapped to Jeri and walked away.

- Jeri's POV -

I tried to stop Bo from walking away but before I could follow him, Takato put his hand on my shoulder.

Don't, Jeri. – He told me. – He needs to chill out a bit.

So…- I started- What's the plan?-

First, we'll find Joanne, then we'll find a way to get out of here.- Rika said.

But how we will find her?- I asked worried.

I would be better if we divide in small groups and we'll look for her in different places. This place is kinda huge, so she could be anywhere.- Ryo answered.

Right – Takato said.- then, Henry and Luna, you guys go to the north, Ryo, Rika and Suzie, you go to the south; Ai and Mako, you go to the west and Jeri, you come with me. We'll go to the west. Everyone with their partners. Let's go!-

Whoa! Slow your horses, Takato – Terriermon exclaimed by grabbing his pants.

What's wrong, Terriermon- Henry asked.

Takato forgot about Bo and Coronamon. – Terriermon exclaimed jumping to Henry's head.

Before Takato could say something, I ran to reach Takato and Henry and stuck my foot in the snow.

He's coming with us, Takato. – I told.

Ok, but kinda mad right know and we can't too long.- Takato answered.

No worries I'll talk with him.-

Sounds like a plan. – Henry said. – But who will go with Ai and Mako? It's kinda dangerous for them to walk over there on their own.-

I'll go with them!- A high- pitched voice said with enthusiasm, as Henry's eyes widened in horror.

When we all turned around and we saw young girl about our ages, maybe younger who was tiny with smooth, straight pale blonde hair tied up in two pigtails that reached her nape combined with long bangs that reached her wide icy blue eyes, which were below her dark circles which were extremely marked. Her skin was extremely pale; it was porcelain white and it combined perfectly with the dress she was wearing; it was black with white ruffles, a grey corset and a bell-like end; and she was combing it with black leggings and black Mary Jane- like shoes. The girl's dark and gothic appearance scared the hell out me. She didn't even look human.

W-who are you?- I asked terrified.

I'm Alice!- The Goth girl exclaimed, with her feminine and child-like voice.- I'm here to help you. – She turned to Henry.- You said you needed someone who could keep the kids safe, right?-

Yeah, I did.- Henry said, sarcastically before taking a breath.

When they were taking, I saw Luna's eyes completely white again. When her eyes, were in its natural color again she walked a few steps in front of me and looked at Alice for a few seconds.

Did I say something?- Alice asked Luna.

No, it's just that…- Luna started.- You're not human, are you?

No, actually I'm a ghost. How did you know?-

You don't have an aura. I can see people's auras. I have other powers like you.-

What can you do?- Takato asked interested.

Let's see…- Alice said thinking.- I can transport people, manipulate objects and animals, fly in the air, move from one place to another without walking and I can create illusions.-

Nice!- Ryo exclaimed.- Then, go with Ai and Mako. They'll need you.

Ok. Takato, Jeri, you guys should get going to find Bo.- Henry said.

Good idea!- I exclaimed blinking an eye, Takato and I ran away.- See ya!

It passed a while after we found Bo. Since we walked away from us, he was sitting in the snow, surrounded by a bunch of trees!

I looked at a depressed Bo, whose eyes were red like he had been crying. When I walked near him, I could see some tears coming out from his eyes, wetting slowly his eyes. Then, I started bending to the snow, until I was sitting next to him, as Takato watched us behind a huge bush.

Bo, Luna was just trying to help you…- I told him softly.

I know. – Bo said tearfully.- I didn't mean to hurt her like that!-

Don't worry about her. She has a strong heart.-

I know. But we won't find her at time. It's too late.-

I don't get it…-

Like a week ago, she told me about something she saw… a little girl whose parents were murdered buy somewhat of a monster in form of a human girl…-

I still don't get it, Bo…-

That little girl was Joanne, Jeri. And the monster that I'm telling you is that Hotaru girl; she killed them. She showed the vision to me, she sucked their blood and snapped their necks…-

I couldn't believe how Joanne's parents were killed, I was in horror. So that was the reason why she attacked Hotaru.

Why would she do such a thing?- I asked Bo in horror.

Joanne is the heir to the throne of the Digital World.- Bo told me.- Her family was chosen to be the secondary rulers of the Digital World under the Digimon Sovereigns' orders. –

Does Joanne know about this?-

She knows how her folks were killed, but she doesn't know she's the heir to the throne.- Bo started sobbing without control.-

But don't worry. We'll find her. I'm sure of that!-

What if it's too late? What if that vampire girl killed her?-

I could perfectly understand how he felt. Three years ago, I had a partner called Leomon, who was killed. I completely shut down myself, thinking that my destiny was to be alone. But then, thanks to Calumon, I realized that I can choose my own destiny, because it can always change and that I must have faith even if the whole world collapses.

That's not true.- I told him, looking seriously into his eyes.- Joanne is out there, I know it.-

How do you know?- Bo asked.

Faith. When you've got faith you can change destiny, even if your whole world crashes down.-

Just believe that you can and you will.- Takato and Guilmon said in chorus.

Never give up! – Patamon and Coronamon said in chorus.

When I realized it was time to keep going, I stood up, as Takato came with Guilmon behind him and then, we reached both of our hands to Bo.

- So are we gonna go for Jo or what?- I asked confidently.

Bo didn't answer. He just smiled at us, reached both of his hands and grabbed ours tightly.