Author's Note: Thanks for all the encouragement. I'm going to do my best with this story. I'm sorry I took so long but between school, writers block and ten days of South Africa, I really needed to take my time.
Well with this chapter we enter PART 01, which will have about twenty chapters and is about the forming connections between the Adventure Destined, Frontier Chosen's and the Hypnoscew and will be set for the most time in Real World. PART 02 will mostly feature the Digiworld. And now without further talk lets move on to chapter 01.
Warnings: a bit AU and OOC, crossover with Zero Two, Frontier and a bit Tamers
Pairings: Taiora, Takari, Kenyako, maybe some Takumi and Mimato
Ages:
Yamaki: 32
Joey: 24
Tai, Matt, Sora: 23
Izzy, Mimi: 22
Yolei: 21
Davis, T.K., Kari, Ken: 20
J.P.: 18
Cody, Takuya, Kouji, Kouichi, Zoe, 17
Tommy: 14
Summary: It has been nine years since the defeat of MaloMyotismon, and seven since the doors to Digital World have been closed for the Zero Two Chosen. But when Darkness and Despair spread, the Digiworld calls out for it's original Chosen Children. Endowed with new Powers they must now ally with those who walked the path of the DigiDestined after them, while dealing with college, high school and government agents…
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
"…" – Speaking
'…' – Thinking
--- … --- – Scene-change
--- Guardian of the Spirit ---
Chapter 01: Before the Storm
--- 10. 10. 2011 ---
--- Trailmon Worm, Digital World ---
The Digital World, Agumon reflected, had changed much since he had seen his partner the last time. It had changed several times, from desolate deserts to endless meadows and now it was again about to change as it was signed through the thick fog that had settled over the land.
Agumon moaned as he sat up, noticing all the Koromon around him. For the last few years, ever since the first great fight between the legendary warriors and Lucemon, he had lived at their village. He looked around to discover that he was aboard a Trailmon. He barley remembered the attack of the Gazimon at the village, how he had fought to protect, how he had failed, how he had escaped. He shook his head and noticed immediately that it was a bad thing to do as pain burned through his body, showing that his data was damaged. His glance fell on his right hand where a big black spot marked an injury. Apparently he had been closer than comfort to a trip to primary village.
"Agumon, we are so glad that you are alright." one of the Koromon cried relieved.
"How long have I been out?" Agumon whispered hoarsely.
"It has been just a few hours." the elder Koromon said.
"You had quite a fever. It really had us worried, but it's better now. But you probably shouldn't move to much." Agumon smiled weakly and lay back again. One of the Botamon hopped to him.
"You were talking some weird stuff in your sleep. Something about Taichi…" it said and then it added with confused expression: "What's a Taichi?"
While the other Bota- and Koromon stopped it's questions and berated it for being nosy, Agumon closed his eyes thinking of his partner. It was not surprising for him that he had indeed called out for his partner, but it still hurt that Tai hadn't heard him. Back when the Digimon Kaiser had appeared, Tai had heard him and had come to help.
"Where are we heading?" he asked after a while. The elder Koromon answered again.
"We are going to the Flame Terminal." Agumon nodded in agreement. The Flame Terminal was a big city with a good security system. They would be safe there.
--- 12. 10. 2011 ---
--- Kendo dojo, Shibuya ---
The sun was setting in a similar pace of the crowd of workers, that walked through Shibuya back home, so Kouji thought. He was hurrying over the streets of the district, barley looking left and right for cars. For a moment he fought against the crowd, that was walking in the opposite direction, towards the Shibuya station, but then he gave up and disappeared into one of the many side alleys taking a short cut.
Today, a Wednesday of all days, his teacher had decided that his tendency to provoke a fight had to do with him being far to less involved into class activity, and those made him stay longer with a mob and the order to clean the all classes on the first floor.
Normally he would have sighed and taken the 'punishment' but on that day it was more than annoying. Kouji liked Wednesdays. Wednesday was the middle ground of the week and meant that Weekend was just around the corner. It also meant that the most annoying class English was dealt with and that he had half a week to figure out how that blasted homework worked out.
And it meant that he could shack of all the frustration that was caused by the foreign language through his most favourite sport: Kendo. He loved Kendo at least to the same extent Takuya did soccer, if not more. Unlike other sports, the 'way of the sword' had a certain sense of order, totally unlike the chaos that was soccer, he thought and that was one the points he always got him fighting with his best friend.
'Then again…', he thought while he made a sharp curve around the last corner, 'this punishment gave me some time to reflect the last weeks.'
And indeed he did have much to think about. For example the new student, who had been with them for now about a week and a half: Iori 'Cody' Hida. It wasn't that Kouji disliked Hida. In fact he really liked the other boy, his calm and controlled attitude and how much it helped their clique's balance.
But it was also that calmness that startled him. Something made Hida different from their other peers and it was that difference that had led him together…
'Maybe he is one the other kids, who went to Digiworld six years ago but wasn't chosen and went home on a Trailmon while we fought against Cherubimon. After all the experience we made in Digiworld changed us too from other kids.' Kouji thought.
Then again he couldn't go up and ask: Hey Hida, have you ever heard about a place called Digiworld?
Firstly: that wasn't his style at all and secondly had they all agreed never to talk with others about their 'trip'. Who knew what the grown ups would do to the Digital World out of fear and lack of understanding. Humankind had proofed more than once rather to attack than to ask.
Finally he was in front of the dojo and while hastily entering, he almost collided with his sensei. He was able to stop, but now he stood gasping in front of the Kendo teacher, dreading to meet the older mans eyes.
"You are late, Minamoto-kun." Takeshi Otori, the teacher, remarked with slightly disapproving voice. "This is the third time this term."
"I'm sorry, Otori-sensei. I'll try to be more punctual." Kouji whispered, while bowing down.
He threw a quick glance up to the teacher, who sighed, "Well, go change quick, Minamoto-kun."
Kouji nodded and straightened, quickly went to change his cloths.
Ten minutes later he came into the hall, where the other students were already practicing. He went to the sideline, waiting for Otori-sensei to pair him up for a trainings match. But then he noticed that he was the only student, who waited.
'Strange…' Kouji thought. Normally they were an even number. Maybe one of the others was sick. He already wanted to go and ask Otori-sensei about it, when he heard a shout from his left and the noise of a dropped shinai.
He looked over and watched, how Okita, who was just as good as Kouji, pulled his mask off his face, trying to catch his breath, while complimenting his opponent. He watched how the opponent replied softly, to quiet for Kouji to understand and then he noticed the slight difference of the amours. The opponent had to be either from another dojo or new at this one.
"Do you want to fight Hida-kun next, Minamoto-kun?" Otori-sensei, he had come from behind him, asked, surprising Kouji. Kouji, who was a bit angry at himself about getting startled so easily, nodded once, accepting the proposal. Then he blinked.
'Hida?' he thought. 'As in Iori Hida…' But then he banished that thought. Even if Hida happened to be into Kendo, he couldn't imagine him defeating Otaki. Beside, it wasn't like Hida was an all that rare name.
Kouji quickly fitted the mask and was about to go on the field, when Otaki stopped him.
"Be careful Minamoto." he said. "That guy is really good."
"Sure, that it isn't just you getting weaker?" Kouji smirked with a slightly raised eyebrow, at which Otaki just shook his head amused, knowing that the other was always reluctant to take advice just like that.
But Kouji now grew serious. Despite his words to Otaki, he didn't doubt his rival. If Otaki said that Hida was good, then it was like that. He walked up, went in position and waited for Otori-sensei, who had decided to watch over the match, to announce the start. He heard the teachers voice and dashed forwards, immediately attacking. But the other was already prepared and blocked his assault, easily as it seemed
Knowing that going in further would be useless, he pulled back, only to have the other pursuing him in his own attack, forcing him to defend himself. Quickly he dodged and blocked, now forced into the others rhythm and desperate to break out again. Seeing an opening, he went for the others wrist, finally managing to come back.
That match, so Kouji would reflect later on, was one of the best he had ever fought till then. Step by step both of them had attacked or deflected, trying to outdo the other and to his own shock, it had reminded him at the time in the Digiworld, when he had fought as Lobomon.
But like everything it had to end and it came sudden. Kouji was still in the rush of the fight when he registered the blow on his wrist and the connection of his own shinai with his opponent's body, forcing the other to drop the sword as well. He barely acknowledged Otori-sensei's call of a draw and only when the teacher spoke to him, he snapped back to reality.
"Come again?" he whispered hoarsely, while taking off the mask.
"I said…" Otori-sensei answered, "that you did really good, Minamoto-kun." Kouji gave him a confused stare and watched how Otori-sensei walked up to Hida and patted his shoulder.
"Well, Hida-kun here is after all the grandson of THE Chikara Hida." That made Kouji freeze. Chikara Hida was a prominent name in Tokyo's Kendo community and his death and the closure of his dojo two months ago had been a major topic for weeks. He wouldn't have thought that his grandson would come to Shibuya.
"Thank you for this compliment sensei, but being my grandfathers grandson alone, doesn't make me any better than the others." a soft spoken voice cut trough the silence, hushed by the mask.
Kouji starred at the other as he removed it and was froze again when he recognized the other as Iori Hida, the new kid of their clique. Hida just smiled softly at his surprise and then bowed. "Thank you for the match… Kouji-san."
------
"You sure know how to surprise somebody, Hida." Kouji told Hida, about two hours later. They were already outside the dojo on their way back home.
"By the way, why didn't you tell me?" Hida shrugged sheepishly at that. "You know… it never came up. Besides… it isn't like grandpa was a famous person outside the kendo community. "
Kouji nodded, though more to himself than to Hida. Silent they walked through the streets until they came to the crossway, where their ways parted.
"Well I'm off." Kouji said. "I've still got to do that homework for Koushiro-san tomorrow. See you?"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Hida nodded and then went his own way.
'He is a nice guy…' Kouji thought, too going down to his house. But as much as he just wanted to enjoy his companionship, Kouji couldn't ignore that something was off about Iori Hida.
He remembered how Zoe had told them about her suspecting off the new substitute teacher Koushiro Izumi. And he himself had noticed the short, but strange flash in Hida's eyes, when he had mentioned said teacher.
"So much trouble…" Kouji sighed.
Sometimes he hated being curious.
------
Ten minutes after his parting with Kouji, Cody had reached the apartment complex he now called home. But instead of feeling the relief of being home after a long day, in his mind was still at the unexpected meeting with Kouji at the dojo and ultimately at the last half week.
Izzy's arrival as substitute teacher was a blessing for the students and Cody too was glad about the fact to know one of the DigiDestined near, but keeping their relationship hidden to his friends and much more important his mother put him into a difficult situation, especially with his inability to lie.
Zoe had already given him a weird look, after he had barley managed to be on time after his conversation with Izzy. And he didn't even want to think how his mother would react.
But in her case, the knowledge that the last time she had met Izzy had been over five years ago, not to mention that the older one had never been introduced to her by his full name worked to his advantage. He had just to watch out for slips of tongue. Sighing he turned to key in the hole, opening the door anxiously and realising that nobody but him was there, when only silence greeted him.
"So far, so good…" he whispered, while he took off his cloak and put away his Kendo equipment. He went to his room and pulled out the copies of his D3 and D-Terminal as well as Izzy's Digivice, which was already glowing softly since it felt the closeness of another.
As much as he despised lying and being insincere in general and especially towards his mother, sometimes they were the only means to fulfil a responsibility. That was one lesson he had learned in Digiworld, and it was the most important reason for him to get back his Digivice.
So he followed the stronger growing glow into his mother's bedroom, quickly suppressing the guilt he felt while entering, towards the closet. He opened it and climbed a bit inside, feeling for something, and found a box in the back. Quietly he pulled the box out, opened it and found what he had been searching for.
Smiling he let his hand run over the surface of both devices, which lay on the top of his mothers jewellery box, feeling overjoyed about the jolt of warmth that he experienced through the mere touch. Before he had never really noticed but the separation had made him realise what close connection he held to the Digivice. He picked it out and then turned to his D-terminal, the DigiDestined's main communication device and former host of his Digimentals.
He pulled it out too, and for a moment he was caught in memories: his first visit in Digiworld, receiving the Digimental of Knowledge and meeting Armadilomon, gaining the Digimental of Responsibility, Ken's defeat and rebirth, Blackwargreymon and the Holy Stones, the DNA-Digivolution, the Invasion on Christmas, Yukio Oikawa and of course Genai, who had come to them two years after the final battle against MaloMyotismon and had asked them for the Digimentals, so they could give the Digiworld a final reconfiguration so that afterwards human and Digimon could live in symbiosis and how everything had gone wrong.
He shook his head, not wanting to remember the helplessness they all had felt when most of the world had been covered by the red slime known as D-Reaper and the short appearance of a mysterious Digimon in Shibuya. Absently he put the copies in place of the originals and shoved the box back into the closet.
He still thought about the past when he was back in his room, and stared at his Digivice after putting Izzy's into his bag, ready to be given back to its owner the next day. He thought about the guilt he had felt when he had started to search for it. And he felt resolution as he resumed all of it.
'I'm sorry, mother…' he thought. 'But the Digiworld is my responsibility. And even though, we have no clue what's going on there, I'm still holding onto this responsibility. That is what makes out a DigiDestined.'
--- Tendo Ramenbar, Odaiba ---
Tendo Ramenbar was a busy place, especially in the evening. People came and went, enjoying ramen made by the restaurant's chef Genma or his apprentice Daisuke, who, while still not as good as Genma himself, still managed to cook excellent ramen (not to mention that he was a extremely nice young man, who never failed to make a customer smile). At least that was what the Tendo customers told others, when they talked about the ramenbar.
That night Davis was the last one to leave the store. It was nearly midnight, so the streets slowly started to get emptier. Davis sighed as he stepped to the backdoor, pulling out the keys.
He cursed, when he dropped them, he could hardly see anything in the dark, and crouched down, feeling for them. While he searched and continued to mutter under his breath, he didn't notice the soft steps behind him and the pale hand that reached out for him.
The hand went down and made him freeze and spin around, only to look into the softly smiling face of his best friend Ken Ichijouji.
"Don't sneak up at me, like that!" he said taking a deep breath. "I could have gotten a heart attack!"
Ken looked sheepishly. "Sorry, it was not my intention to startle you."
Davis straightened and smiled now to.
It was astounding, he thought, how much both of them had changed and yet stayed the same. For example was he now slightly taller then Ken, even though for a long time it had looked like he would always stay a runt. Now it seemed so strange sometimes to look down to his friends instead of having to look up, especially with the older ones, like Tai and Matt.
He had also changed mentally. No longer he was harbouring the love for Kari, but treasuring their friendship. He had understood that while he would be dear to her, she would never have deeper feelings on for him, like he had felt for her.
So when she and T.K. had realized their feelings, he had wished them good luck, instead of throwing a jealous tantrum like he had done in the past, and although his heart pained sometimes at their sight, he ignored it and moved on and was happy for them.
"What are you doing here?" he asked and Ken grinned a bit sheepish. His face was more masculine than it had been in their high school time. He was not as tall as Davis, but still tall enough to be counted as such. He was dressed in his police uniform, just coming form his nightshift, and held himself with grace and pride, very unlike his unsure teenage self.
"Well, actually I was hoping that I might be still on time to have some ramen, but since you seem to be closing now…"
"Don't you have a flashlight on your keys?" Davis cut him off, rolling his eyes at his friend. Confused Ken nodded and gave the keys with the flashlight-key ring to Davis. Davis turned it on and picked up his own keys, which had lain beside his foot the whole time.
'Somehow I'm not surprised.' he though dryly as he pouched them into his pocket.
He opened the back door and turned on the lights, though he kept the shutters closed, keeping the light from escaping to the outside.
"Weren't you just closing the shop?" asked Ken bewildered, while following him in.
"Sure, but you just saved me from an hour of searching my keys and while I make us some ramen for a midnight snack, you can tell me why exactly you are here eating with me and not at home with your fiancé." Davis answered a bit smugly. Ken blushed guiltily, then he sighed and set down on the bar chair right in front of Davis.
"Things are difficult between Yolei and me, right now." he confessed, while he watched how Davis prepared the food with swiftness and ease. Davis raised an eyebrow. It wasn't unusual for Ken and Yolei to argue a bit, but it had never been bad enough for either of them to seek out somebody else. That Ken came to him of all people was somewhat alarming.
"How so?" he inquired carefully. Ken looked a bit forced.
"Well… it's about my new partner… You remember Kuroda-san?" Davis nodded.
He did indeed remember her, how couldn't he. Yuri Kuroda was, although two years younger than Ken and himself, a really attractive woman with her pale blond hair, blue eyes and Asian facial features. Ken had taken her quite a few times to Tendo's, since they had been assigned to each other. Suddenly he understood his friend's dilemma.
"Yolei is jealous?" he asked to be sure and Ken nodded gloomily.
"Yeah, although she didn't say anything yet, she seems to be set to see a complot against her. And Yuri-san doesn't really help it."
At Davis questioning look he elaborated: "Last week, Yolei came by at the station. Her calculus class had ended earlier, so she wanted to pick me up to go for lunch, since she knew that we would have break around the same time. And coincidentally she walked in just the minute Yuri-san asked me out for a coffee."
"How did you answer?" Davis asked, peering over the edge of the cooking pot. Then, while looking at his friend, a thought hit him. "You didn't…"
Ken cringed in misery. "Well, you know how bad I'm with the advances of women. I didn't really say anything, I just spluttered around and the moment I saw Yolei it was already to late. She stormed out and I was just standing there like an idiot."
He leaned his head against his hands and sighed. "I AM an idiot."
Davis patted his friend's arm and placed a cup of ramen to his front. Then he poured himself a cup and set down as well.
"You know…" he started. "I'm probably not the best person for advise in love matters… but I'm sure it will work out. You and Yolei belong together and we all have been through enough to forge a pretty tough bond. It will be alright."
Ken looked up hopefully and Davis flashed him his most reassuring grin. But he had to sigh inwardly while he watched how his friend turned his attention to the ramen cup. Why did women have to be complicated like that?
--- 13. 10. 2011 ---
--- Flame Terminal, Digital World ---
The evenings were always warm in the Flame Terminal; at least they had been in the few days Agumon had been there. In the past days he had focused on gaining his strength back, an easy feat under the care of the Koromon. Now he was almost back to his old power level, only the strange injury on his right hand had stayed and hurt occasionally. He clenched his fist tentative, flinching at the pain, but decided that in case of attack he would be strong enough to at least defend himself.
He exited the hut he had been treated at; he felt to restless to stay in a room any longer. Curious he wandered through the streets, watching the many Palmon and Biyomon, wondering if the one he knew were among them. The change of the Digiworld had separated their group and although Agumon had searched for a long time, he had never met any of his old comrades.
Even after settling down in the Koromon village, he still hoped that one day one of them might walk through it, berating Agumon for giving up so easily, but that hope was unfulfilled. Maybe here at the Terminal he could find a clue about what had happened to the other Digimon.
He already wanted to ask one of the by coming Digimon but hesitated when he heard a voice talking: "And now I shall tell you the story of the Chosen, who received the spirits of the legendary warriors."
Agumon rounded the corner and was surprised by the scene: a Bokomon was sitting in front of a group of Pagumon and Poyomon, who absorbed each word the Rookie Level Digimon spoke. In the background sat a Neemon, who listened as eager.
"It was a day, not unlike today, when five humans entered the Digiworld and came to the Flame Terminal. At first they all where rather confused, for them the Digiworld was a strange, foreign place. But soon they shook of their doubts and started to explore the Terminal. The first one, who had brown hair and a cap with goggles and later became their leader, was named…"
But Agumon had already turned away and was gone; the description of the kid painfully reminded him of his partner. He didn't really know why he carved for the presence of a friend so all of sudden. Maybe it was because of his defeat through the Gazimon. Maybe he had just been alone to long.
But right now he only wished to see his partner again, for an open gate that could lead them together again. He was almost at the outskirts of the Terminal, when he heard a familiar voice call: "Hello? Is there anybody?"
Agumon drew in breath, not daring to hope, and dashed towards the source. He turned the last corner, stopping panting he now stared at a human being.
The man was tall and wore a black tracksuit with orange stripes and a blue headband. But despite all the years that had passed, the much shorter hair and change from boy to man, when looking into the hazel eyes Agumon still recognised the same twelve year old that he had once known.
He ran towards him, tears in his eyes and nothing on his mind, nothing but the fact that his human partner was HERE, that the gate had opened once again.
"Tai!" he shouted and jumped into the unprepared mans arms, almost knocking him over. He looked up into his face and saw how surprise fleeted and turned into recognition and then into joy.
Silent tears run down Taichi's face, while crouching down to return the embrace, and he whispered: "Long time, no see… Agumon."
--- Flashback ---
--- Odaiba, Real World ---
Tai was jogging through the empty streets of Odaiba. Running often helped him to get his mind clear, but tonight it didn't. His thoughts kept coming back to the Digiworld, as they had ever since his Déjà vu three days before.
He had been running for barely half an hour when he realised that instead of running his usual rout, his feet were carrying back to his start point. Annoyed he shook his head; he couldn't spend the whole time chasing some weird daydreams…
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes while whipping the sweat of his forehead, and again he missed the short, orange glow of his crest beneath the jacket of his tracksuit. He noticed a short movement in the fog and tensed immediately but then he frowned. Where did this sudden alarm come from?
He should ignore it, he thought, after all he didn't want to worry Sora, who would be meeting him later that evening. But he didn't calm down. Something just seemed so out of order…
Confused and unsettled he returned to the flat. 'Is the gate opening again?' he wondered. That would explain his feelings, but why would HE of all people feel it. Kari was the one, who was sensible to things like that and not he.
Yet he could not rule it out, and so immediately after closing the door he rushed to his socks drawer, looking for the small, white, square shaped Digivice, he called his own.
He pulled it out, it had been over a year since he had held it the last time and now that he held it again, he was surprised and pleased about the spark of warmth that flew through him and also surprised by the red S.O.S., that it showed. He remembered the last time he had seen the same reading, nine years ago and how he had realised that Agumon was in trouble. How his wish to help had transported him right into the Digital World.
'But will it repeat that miracle once again?' he asked himself. He bit his lip, while trying to come to a decision. He knew that risking the travel to Digiworld alone without reassurance that Agumon was near, wherever he would land, was borderline-insane, yet he couldn't bring himself to write a message through his D-Terminal and Matt wouldn't be home until the following morning. Sora, he hoped, would understand, if he came a little late to their date because of this.
He would just take a look…
But was it worth the…
He never knew if he came to a real decision. He just closed his eyes and brought his hand with the Digivice towards his chest, as if it was a natural movement. He pictured Agumon, the slightly naïve, orange saurian he had known for so long.
And when he opened his eyes and saw white light enveloping him, he smiled softly and whispered: "Digiport… open!"
--- Flashback End ---
Tai still couldn't believe that he was back in the Digiworld. When Agumon had asked, how he had gotten here, he hadn't been able to answer. Instead he had looked amazed on the small, white Digivice in his right, the key to all the mystery.
Now for the first time he took his time to look around a bit and was immediately surprised. Where once had been grassland and forest, was now a big city. The first thing to catch his eye was the rail and the big train-like Digimon that seemed to travel along it. Agumon followed his glance and grinned.
"That is a Trailmon." he explained "They make it a lot easier to travel around in the Digiworld. At least, if you have a ticket."
Now Tai had to smile too. "One of those would have our first quest much easier. And Mimi would have complained much less, you remember?"
They both had to laugh.
"Come on, I'll show you around." Agumon proposed excited and already reached for his hand when Tai noticed the dark spot on his partners right hand. So instead of letting Agumon drag him away, Tai grabbed his hand and examined the almost black spot closer.
"You are hurt." he realised, talking more to himself than to Agumon. He looked up into the saurian's green eyes. "What happened?"
Agumon squirmed uncomfortable. "Nothing big… Just got hit by an attack."
Tai didn't comment it but he couldn't help but notice that Agumon hadn't looked into his eyes while talking. He decided to leave the injury be for now. But he couldn't help but worry…
------
But all worry was quick forgotten because Agumon started to show him around in the city he had called 'Flame Terminal'. Amazed Tai watched the busy traffic of incoming and leaving Trailmon as well as the Digimon, who were trading on the streets or on their way home. He also noticed the curious looks and the whispers: "Do you see him? A human!"
"Yes, a human!"
"I have never seen a human before."
"I wonder what he is doing here."
'Strange…' Tai thought. At their first journey in Digiworld the Digimon had been intrigued with their visit from the Real world, but it hadn't been unexpected because of the prophecy and three years later they had been very used to visit from there. But for these Digimon humans seemed to be a phenomenon they where not familiar with and could not place. He looked at Agumon, hoping for answers, but the smaller Dino Digimon just shrugged.
"It has been six of your years since our last human contact, and much more in Digital World." Agumon said while leading Tai further through the city. He didn't question where Agumon had gotten that information.
"Six years… That would fit with the Shibuya incident." he whispered thoughtful. That couldn't be a consistence. Tai started to grow excited. In the last few years they had speculated about other groups of DigiDestined in Japan and while they had known about the group around West Shinjuku (whom they also had tried but failed to contact), there had never been actual evidence about any DigiDestined around Shibuya. But Agumon's revelation was a great clue to the truth of the mysterious sighting. Izzy would be pleased, as he had currently assigned himself to the task of finding out more about what had happened back then.
"It seems that a lot of things have changed." Tai said with a smile. Agumon nodded in agreement and was about to drag him off to continue their tour, but a loud noise made him stop. Tai looked around in search for the source and when he heard it again he looked down to his Digipartner, who held his stomach with a sheepish expression.
Grinning Tai shook his head. "Why don't we go and search for some dinner."
Agumon agreed heavily nodding and so they were off. And while he was following Agumon, Tai had to grin inwardly. 'Well a lot of things changed over the past seven years but… the more things change, the more they stay the same.'
--- Izzy & Joe's apartment, Shibuya, Real World ---
Izzy sighed, as he closed the door of his new home. It had been an exhausting day.
'Whoever said that teaching was an easy job, has obviously never taken onto it himself.' he chuckled darkly while turning on the lights and taking of his cloak. In the last week he had used most of his time to study the level of skill his students had in both, physics and computer science and to work out some kind of plan from there. That was also complicated through the fact that he was just a substitute and that the teacher, who might come in anytime, could turn his lesson plans upside down again.
"Well, that will be a risk I have to take." he mused while slipping out of his shoes.
He looked around in the apartment, which looked still slightly messy with all their packing cases standing around and now noticed the missing second cloak. Joe probably had a nightshift at the hospital. It was sad, Izzy reflected while sitting down in front of his PC and turning it on, that even though they were living together, Joe and him rarely actually saw each other.
But since there wasn't really anything he could do to change that fact Izzy just shook his head and moved on to the task at hand. Since moving he had wanted to start his research of the Shibuya incident but until now he hadn't found the time. But tonight he finally could start. After the PC had booted up, Izzy started several programmes and then leaned down and fished up a cable to connect his Digivice (he had just gotten it back from Cody that day) with the computer.
Satisfied after the connection was made, he looked back up to the monitor. The first window showed several maps of the Real World. Out of routine he ordered a scan through the Digivice and switched to another window, knowing that the scan could take a while (and would probably be without result).
The other window showed his newest project. In the last few years he had planned quite a few new features and devices to upgrade the D-Terminal, but this one was by far the best. Smiling he looked at the digital blue print of the almost finished project, but suddenly he was pulled out of his thoughts by a shrill noise and after a few seconds of shock and confusion he realised that it came from his PCs loudspeakers.
Quickly he switched back to the map window and was surprised and alarmed to find a red spot blinking on his Japan map. Quickly he zoomed in and found himself in the familiar area of Odaiba. The red spot was still blinking and when he read the street names he came to a result that made his mouth grow dry immediately. While he reached for his cell phone, a slightly familiar net of lines, which had appeared blinking over the map, further alarmed him. Quickly he used the quick dialling. 'Please Tai, Matt, anyone… pick up the phone!'
--- Flame Terminal, Digital World ---
"Uff", Agumon exclaimed while sitting down heavily after the fifth plat of stew that the Koromon of his former village had cooked for him and Tai. It had been truly deliquesce, especially after the excitement of the day and the Koromon had been glad to provide for the protector, who had always defended them in the last years, and his so unusual friend.
"Thank you for the meal." Tai, who now had finished as well, said with a short bow and a bright smile. Now, while watching his human counterpart, Agumon realised just how much of his entire being had been lost through this long separation and how complete this reunion made him feel. And how he dreaded the moment of Tai's return to the Real Wold, knowing that he wouldn't be able to follow…
Tai, who apparently didn't notice Agumon's troubled feelings, stood up stretching himself and opened his mouth to ask a question, a sudden and loud noise – an explosion? – drowned what he had wanted to say. Before he realised that he was moving, Agumon was already out of the hut, with Tai right beside him, his danger sense screaming out in alarm. He rounded one corner, then a second, and then he stood right in the main street, watching in horror how thick pillars of smoke rose, how so many Digimon – Poyomon, Pagumon, Palmon and Biyomon alike – flew in despair. And in midst of the chaos stood the culprit, masked by the smoke, laughing like mad.
The laughing turned into dark chuckling. "My, my… why are you running? You didn't even get to hear my wonder full voice. DARK NETWORK!" Black cables formed from the attacker, crackling with red energy that paralysed all Digimon that came in contact with it. Etemon stepped out of the smoke. "So now tell me: Where did you hide the spirits!"
--- Tokyo, Real World ---
What neither Izzy, who was still trying to reach anyone with his cell phone, nor Tai, who was, as unknown to everyone else, right in the middle of things, could know, was that in that night a third party was aware of the changes that soon would effect them all.
Mitsuo Yamaki set in front of his computer as he watched the data that showed him the new contact of worlds, run over the monitor. Quietly he lighted a cigarette, and then the light disappeared, leaving him in darkness. Why was the portal opening again after so much time, he asked himself. But he knew there was no answer, so many factors were still unknown to him. There was only one thing he was certain of: This was just the beginning.
TBC…
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Review replies:
Nieve-onza: Well thanks for support. But sorry, while Zero Two chosen will soon know about the Frontier gangs existence, there is still a long way to go till both groups meet as Chosen Ones. But that does not mean that they won't meet at all and there are still two other parties, who have yet to be properly introduced… But I don't want to tell too much… Just read and see ;)
Vaporeone: Thanks for pointing out the Joey/Joe mistake; I've fixed that up now.
Things, I feel like explaining:
1. The crests: As some might have noticed I made a few comments about the crests in the prologue. In this fic the crests didn't cease to exist after the awakening of the Sovereigns but still lost all their power. They went black, grey and cold and reawakened for a short time through the power of Azulongmon's Cores, a power we all now to disappear later on. They will play a large role in the story and are part of the connection between the seasons.
2. Takeshi Otori: Well that should be a name, everybody, who read Lian Hearns Tales of the Otori should be familiar with. Those who don't know the books, I really can recommend them. Takeshi happens to be one of my favourite characters since reading Heavens Net is Wide. Now I've started wondering what would have happened if he hadn't been killed. That would make an excellent Fanfiction plot… But no, I… must… fight… the temptation… XD
3. Kendo: I confess, I have no knowledge about Kendo (or rather only what I've read in Wikipedia.). So it's really possible for me to have many mistakes in the Kendo scene's description. If anybody sees those mistakes, please tell me in a review or a PM so I can correct it.
4. Yuri Kuroda: Do you know the feeling when something seems to write itself on it's own? I had that feeling while I wrote the dialog between Davis and Ken. Yuri, in away, wrote herself and I just watched (then again, maybe its me, just watching to much TV, XD). I originally wanted to keep this story pretty much OC less (since my OCs have the habit of stealing far to much of my plot). When I thought of the basic plot, I planned trouble between Ken and Yolei, but it didn't have an identity till I started writing that dialog. Yuri will make her appearance later on and while she definitely won't turn into a Mary Sue, I've got the feeling she will get more attention than I originally thought.
Preview: Hmm, well next chapter we going to see the fight between Tai/Agumon and Etemon, which isn't in our heroes favour to begin with, but Etemon has still another Ace up his sleeves… But Tai isn't the only one facing problems, since the Frontier gang still is curious about the connection between their new student and their new teacher, and starts a spying campaign, while in the shadows Yamaki decides to make his move… So be ready for next time: Chapter 02: Burning Courage
Please review!
REVISED: 31st August 2009
