The fourth chapter has been posted! :D Been busy lately with extracurricular activities and studying for AP exams. I've been so tired lately with my busy schedule with extremely small breaks. Gah! Nonetheless, I'm writing this every chance I get since I have a story to tell and so little time. :)
As stated last chapter, Sasha's the mainest POV for this one too. Also, Magomon and more POVs is present in this chapter too. Enjoy! And leave reviews and comments about anything! Or they can be helpful criticisms to help better the story.
And just realized that "Ninja Blade," one of Musyamon's moves is actually the American name for "White Bird?" or something like that. Starting from this chapter from now on, I'll be using the American names for the moves. Yeah... translating the moves isn't working out for me after all. :[
Chapter 4: Questions Pile On
Sapporo, Japan, School (Individual Studies): Minoru Yamamoto
"I've been reading a book on anti-gravity."
"Yeah?" He knew where this was going.
"I couldn't put it down. Know why?" She was smiling.
"Since the book is on anti-gravity, that means it would go against the force of gravity. It would be weightless and float. End of story."
"Ah! You ruined the fun! I need to finish, that's what makes the pun a pun Minoru!" Hitomi pretended to grab her hair and tear it out in agony. Her black layers swayed from side to side but remained untangled and perfect when she stopped. She chuckled his way and busied herself, respecting his need for a quiet atmosphere. She hummed a tune that calmed him down and brought a relaxing atmosphere. Minoru resumed to his art piece occasionally peeking out to check on his only friend and classmate. She was walking around the room, doing classwork that he should start working on, writing stories of some far off land, and reading that book on anti-gravity. Eventually, he returned to his piece.
"Hitomi, I'm finished. Let's go home and-"
She wasn't there. Minoru's eyes widened and he frantically opened any cabinets and lockers in vain. He rushed out of the room to find the whole building empty. No sounds, just his loud footsteps and panting breath as he ran down the halls in vain. The hall became monochromatic as he ran and ran and ran and ran... how long did he run?
"Hitomi! Where are you?"
"..."
"Hitomi?... Oh yeah...haha... you're not here anymore."
He sunk to the floor.
Then a voice. A crowd of gray silhouettes formed around him. Faceless. With holes for eyes and crooked smiles, they had cut out features. All permanent grins.
"Hitomi's right here with us. She always has. What are you talking about?"
"No, three years ago..."
They ignored him.
"Hitomi's probably going to win the academic rankings in her grade again, huh?"
"I know right? And she's obviously going to succeed at the sprint! Maybe set a new record."
"And she might help the soccer team train again. Gosh, those training menus are so informative."
"Stop..."
"Minoru, what is exactly wrong with you? You're saying she doesn't exist or something. Wasn't she always your friend? That's harsh."
He uttered inaudible words.
"I mean, Hitomi's friends with someone like you, always looking down on us."
"Yeah, what's even good about you? All you can do is draw. Who cares how famous you are?"
"It's not...like that..."
"Hitomi! You're here!"
He didn't turn around. He couldn't.
Day 3 - Digital World, Musyamon Factory Public Square: Lopmon
"WE ARE HERE TODAY TO EXECUTE THIS DIGIDESTINED BOY AND HIS COHORT, A SEEMINGLY INNOCENT LOPMON. THEY ARE GUILTY FOR ASSAULTING THE GREAT ME, INSULTING THE GREAT ME, AND STARING AT THE GREAT ME THE WRONG WAY. WITH MY SWORD POLISHED AND SHARPENED WITH THE FINEST MATERIALS, THEIR HEADS WILL SLICE OFF CLEANLY, SUCH A GENEROUS WAY TO GO, ISN'T IT? QUICK AND PAINLESS."
What an annoying Digimon. If only I was strong enough to protect Minoru and everyone else. He was hurt because of me! Hopefully, Magomon is with Sasha and Yoshi at the moment. Oh, why was I ever chosen for this mission? Such a failure from the start! Three years and I still can't protect anyone. If only I was as strong as Magomon!
Minoru and her were tied up to a pole with their hands bound behind their backs. Minoru was still out cold from the previous hit during their failed raid at nightfall. His blinding bangs covered most of his face except for where there were red hair pins on the left side. His white hair stood out against the dull colors of the factory.
Musyamon picked up Minoru by the collar of his shirt, and his body dangled lifelessly. Lopmon noticed that Minoru's digivice was attached to Musyamon's sash around his waist. The Hagurumon and Solarmon shifted left and right uncomfortably.
"Minoru!"
"SHUT UP LITTLE ONE! NOW THE FIRST DIGIDESTINED TO GO! TWO LEFT!"
Musyamon swung his sword towards Minoru's throat. Lopmon could only shut her eyes. She didn't want to see.
*Klang*
"Justice will prevail! I, the hero, will assure to that!"
"And I, Vetermon, her partner, will carry out that justice!"
Day 3 - Digital World, Musyamon Factory Public Square: Sasha Alkaev
"Ninja Blade!"
Vetermon dodged to the side and parried Musyamon's blows. Musyamon let go of Minoru, and Magomon appeared from the shadows of the audience and jumped out to grab Lopmon and him before retreating in the shadows of the buildings guiding them to safety. Yoshi and Sasha were evacuating the Hagurumon and Solarmon out of the public square.
"Shogun Sword!"
"Wind Cocoon!"
Vetermon's sword was engulfed in whirling winds and she used it to counter Musyamon's own blade. She staggered back a bit due to the difference in power but still held her ground. Musyamon was faster than her, but it seemed that the weight of her armor was slowing down her true speed. Sasha wanted to just rip off those heavy metal gauntlets and boots, but of course, she was fighting. No way can she just rush into the middle of battle.
"Sasha, everyone's evacuated!"
"Thanks for letting me know Yoshi!"
Lopmon was running back to them. "Minoru's safe! Let me help now!" She entered into battle.
"Blazing Ice!"
Musyamon backed away from the losing Vetermon. "Thank you Miss Lopmon!
"No problem! Glad to help."
The fierce battle resumed with the two rookies fighting a champion. The deal was for Magomon to help them rescue Minoru and Lopmon, but they were on their own after that.
Thanks dude. Really wish you were helpin' us right now. Ya know, I do have a D-Links, but I don't even know how to use it. Wish I had some help. Oh well, looks like I'll have to rely on my brain to use it...not like I was the best at school anyway...
"ARGH! YOU AGAIN. NOT LIKE YOU CAN DO ANYTHING LIKE LAST TIME, FAILING TO PROTECT THAT BOY WHO IN TURN HURT HIMSELF TO PROTECT YOU. FOR SURE I'LL SEND YOU BACK TO PRIMARY VILLAGE!"
"Silence knave! Do not threaten any of my dear friends! Air Burst!" A hurtling crescent shaped wind flew towards Musyamon and exploded on contact, causing Minoru's D-Links to fall. Musyamon's armor was nicked in a few places.
"I WAS CUT? HOW DARE YOU! I WILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE DIGITAL DATA CAN'T EVEN RECONFIGURE!"
"Ah, Minoru's D-Links!"
"Miss Lopmon, no!"
Lopmon had dove for Minoru's D-Links like her life didn't even matter.
"Air Burst!" Vetermon went and blocked Musyamon's sword from stabbing Lopmon and used the wind currents to drift them to the side.
"Sasha, Yoshi, catch!"
Yoshi and her both bumped heads trying to catch it before Minoru's D-Links fell into her hands. Once again, she had another vision at the speed of light.
This time, it was a boy and his Digimon covered in too much darkness to get a clear view. He brought out a D-Links dark as night with gray buttons and a picture of a purple Digiegg that seemed to have electricity sparking around it appeared on the screen. Purple aura surrounded the D-Links and then it was aimed towards his Digimon.
"Sasha!"
"Eh...eh?"
"Sasha, snap out of it! Lopmon's in trouble!" Yoshi frantically pointed to Vetermon fruitlessly trying to reach Lopmon cornered by Musyamon.
Lopmon! Come on Sasha, everythin' about this mission relied on me from the start! If I can't even make Vetermon digivolve, we're all doomed! Everyone's relyin' on you. Calm yourself down and assess the situation. If everyone's goin' to rely on you, you can't falter. Don't be hesitant. If I'm indecisive, how can I help anyone?
Sasha threw Minoru's D-Links at Yoshi. He fumbled a bit but was able to catch it. Right as Musyamon was bringing his sword down, Sasha's D-Links was engulfed in a pale gray light. Yoshi gasped and Sasha quickly went through the motions of the boy in her...flashback? Vetermon disappeared in the light but emerged as a new Digimon. Was this digivolution?
"Vetermon digivolve to Buryamon!"
Buryamon was just a little bigger than Minoru's tall height. She had lost those gauntlets she wore but seemed to have even heavier weighted boots than before. The sword Vetermon once had became a huge claymore covered in chains. Buryamon also wore a metal chained blue dress and had silver lining at the edges. The designs around the edges reminded of Sasha of that one glass piece in her parent's studio that had seemed like the wind was flowing repeatedly around the vase. It had a serene look to it but the rest of her body was decked out in full armor. Buryamon's eyes had storms whirling inside. Her silver hair was tied by a duke blue ribbon in a swirl of a bun with a few flyaways poking out. A blue mark of an ornate goat was imprinted on her right hand. Buryamon's whole outfit screamed of sacrificing speed for power.
"Explosive Currents!"
Lopmon sidestepped out of the way as Musyamon was pelted by waves of sharp wind currents. Each one exploded as soon as it reached contact. Musyamon yelled in pain and his armor was damaged.
"One on one Musyamon!" Buryamon pointed her sword towards him,"The last one standing wins!"
"YOU HAVE YOUR WISH!" Musyamon also pointed his katana at Buryamon.
"Kick his ass Buryamon! The hero's partner must always win!" Sasha shouted.
"Miss Sasha, you can count on me!"
"Language!" Yoshi blubbered in shock.
She just tilted her head and laughed at his furiously blushing face. Sasha was a bit amused that someone like Yoshi could be so innocent at times. Why was he so shocked? She was thirteen after all, the same age as Yoshi and a year younger than Minoru. Couldn't she just be a bit rebellious?
Buryamon readied her claymore as did Musyamon. Then they charged. Swords slashed right and left. The sound of the blades clanging created a tense atmosphere since they seemed pretty evenly matched. Buryamon was faster than in her rookie state, but still pretty slow. Musyamon's speed was lowered by the earlier attack to protect Lopmon. Yoshi readied his D-Links towards Musyamon and Vetermon and two holographic screens popped up showing profiles of both Digimon.
"Prodigious!"
"Wowza, that's pretty awesome."
Lopmon was curious too. "How did you know to do that?"
"Well, after I held Minoru's digivice, I went through this really weird mind trip and saw this girl with fish hairbands and light blue hair bring our her D-Links and pointing it at a Terriermon. Well, that's what the name of the Digimon that appeared on the image said."
Lopmon paled at the Terriermon part, and Sasha decided to question her later.
"Well, it says here that Buryamon wears the bulky armor to restrict her speed. For every level in her evolution, she discards certain pieces and replaces them with light ones. Buryamon becomes quick and heavy hitting in her final state. She has Explosive Currents and Storm Claymore as her two special moves. Buryamon's a wind guardian type and has a vaccine attribute." Yoshi talked like a professor.
"And it says here that Musyamon's an awesome samurai guy. The kanji 'Musha' in his name means people who perform martial arts and stuff like that. He's a champion level and a Demon man type to boot. His attributes also Virus by the way. Yeah, but there's no way that Buryamon's goin' to lose."
"How do you know that? Anything can happen."
"I have to have faith in my partner. Then how could I just let her fight like that?"
The two sword experts were panting as they were both tiring out. After a few more slashes at each other, Musyamon's sword flew out of his hands.
"That was a great fight Musyamon."
"END IT ALREADY! NEXT TIME, I'LL BE THE VICTOR."
"We shall see. Let us have a fair match without any motivations besides testing our own skills."
"Yes, we shall." Musyamon finally spoke in a normal voice.
Buryamon sliced downwards at Musyamon. Yoshi used Sasha's shoulder to block his sight, blushing. He didn't want to see. Who cares if he didn't want to, it didn't matter to her. That was his own opinion and she decided to respect his decision. She had also covered her sight and opened her eyes in time to see Musyamon's egg floating back to the direction of Primary Village, like how Minoru had told them it would. Sasha guessed that she wasn't ready to see that kind of stuff yet. Buryamon reverted back into Vetermon again and Sasha embraced her in a hug.
"Yeah you did it! I knew I could count on you!"
"That was also partly you're own strength Miss Sasha. If you don't believe in me and yourself, then I would have weakened and been defeated. If we ever meet Musyamon again, we will have a true fight. "
"Of course you will Vetermon, and I'll bet that you'll win the next time too."
"Oh Vetermon, that was amazing! I wish that I could digivolve like you too! I couldn't really help and slowed everyone down again. I just... really suck at everything I do. Everyone had to bail me out again."
Yoshi picked Lopmon up. "Lopmon, you were plenty help. Vetermon wouldn't even have had the chance to digivolve without you, okay? So stop putting yourself down, it's making me sad just listening to you." He flashed a 'princely' smile and she relaxed by the fact that everyone was okay...or were they? What about Minoru?
"Excellent work Vetermon."
"Oh, Teacher! I am glad that you have remained unscathed. How is the boy in your arms?"
"Hey! Is Minoru gonna be alright Magomon! He's still out cold!"
Lopmon's happy face turned upside down in the speed of light. Yoshi's too. Minoru was still unconscious even though it had been a few hours. He had a few cuts and scrapes here and there and his bandaged arm was mostly healed.
Yoshi noticed something. He became flustered. "Magomon, why is Minoru laying down on his side?"
"Minoru has received quite some bad bruises on his back. From what you had told me, his earlier hit against the wall must have caused it. Once I transport everyone to KedakaiLeomon's hideout, he can receive some treatment there. Don't worry, he will be okay." Magmon gingerly lifted Minoru into one of his gargantuan hands. By the time Sasha was about to jump onto his other hand, she was stopped by a tug on her flannel shirt. She turned around to see Clockmon from the other day.
"Sasha Alkaev, follow your heart but listen to the others around you. It's fine to be headstrong, but it can bring dire consequences when left unchecked. Don't repeat the past. It will bring dire consequences for all of you. I'm only telling you this because you helped my people from Musyamon and because you're group is currently at a big disadvantage in the future, some more than others. And remember soon, or it'll be too late for you and everyone else if you don't. Well, same goes for the others too. Don't look at me like that girlie, lets get a move on now. Ride's waitin'." He shoved her onto Magomon's hand before she had a chance to speak.
In the skies, the wind felt good. It didn't let up the atmosphere though. Magomon had gone deadly silent, concentrating on delivering them safely. Lopmon fell asleep next to Minoru, letting him use one of her ears as a pillow. Vetermon was cleaning her sword with an intense focus. Yoshi was still trying to find out about the D-Links by fingering the buttons but nothing happened. He almost dissected his own with one of Minoru's palette knives but Sasha grasped it from him. Minoru's bag was in her safekeeping. Again. She was so so curious to peek at his drawings, but privacy was privacy. She couldn't lie to save her life anyway if he ever asked anything. Besides that, what was up with Clockmon from Musyamon Factory?
"What is he, a prophet or somethin'? And what did he mean by the past? Was I here before? That boy with the black and gray D-Links has. Who is he? I couldn't make out anythin'! Argh! This is just makin' me more confused! She ruffled her hair in agony, which became a bit unruly and tangled, not like she cared anyway. I need to get to the bottom of this! Every puzzle has an answer. Sasha gave a silent laught at the reference.
"I give up."
"Not findin' any clues?" She scooted closer to Yoshi, a hair's breadth away from him. He blushed and backed away a bit, but close enough so they could still discuss without waking the two who were sleeping.
"Yeah, I mean, how do these things even work? There isn't like a battery. Also, these are pretty advanced in some ways too, with all their holograms and trackers. Maybe if we had the equipment, we could figure more about it."
"Don't take it apart, you might not be able to put it back together."
"Well..."
"Is there anything you want to know?" Magomon suddenly whispered.
"Don't go scarin' us like that!"
"My apologies. Before we arrive shortly, I'll answer one question each from the both of you, for not helping you in the fight against Musyamon."
"Okay, me first. Magomon, were we here before? I got this vision of this boy with a black and gray D-Links and his Digimon. Yoshi saw a girl with blue hair and fish bands in her hair. And I saw a boy with goggles."
"Yes, that is true. You have been here once before and I will not say anything else on the matter. Figure out the rest by yourself please."
Yoshi asked next. "Magomon, can you tell us the real reason you didn't help us fight? 'There was other business to attend to' doesn't cut it."
"I was ordered not to engage in any fights whatsoever. My partner said to let action take its course and for everything to unfold by itself."
So Magomon would've helped us if his partner said to? Okay, then his partner must be a pretty strong digimon if Magomon defers to him or her.
"Wait, who-"
"We've arrived Miss Sasha." Vetermon looked up and sheathed her sword.
Magomon landed in the middle of a forest. There was a hideout in a huge hollow trunk of several trees put together. Digimon were going every which way. It was like a little town had formed in these fallen trees and everyone took residence in there. So much Digimon everywhere and seeing the different kinds had her eyes grow a bit tired. Yoshi had his mouth agape.
"Everyone! Lopmon's here and she brought company!"
Vetermon extended a hand and helped Sasha and Yoshi step down onto the soft dirt. Lopmon rushed to call in several Digimon that whisked Minoru away for treatment. Magomon tipped his hat and left, flying away into the night sky. Yoshi and her waved and yelled thanks. He seemed to notice and brought a hand up in response. Sasha grinned and had a feeling that she would see him again.
"You must be Sasha, Yoshi, and Vetermon. Terribly nice meeting you three at last."
Staring down at them was a tall, tall figure of a humanoid lion standing on two legs. He had several capes of furs draped around his broad shoulders. A little crown rested on his huge mane of fur. He had black fur and his mane was a sleek red. His clothes were of royal purple and reminded Sasha of a king back in Rome. He had a huge lance by his side that was decorated with engraving of various battles he must have gone through. Several scars were around his legs, body, and face, but he still had a good natured smile despite his tough looking face. The lion looked like a king off to battle, majestic and gallant. Sasha stared in awe at the charisma radiating from him. Yoshi did too.
"Hello and welcome to the resistance. I am KedakaiLeomon and we are all glad that you have arrived safely. Let us restore peace in the name of King Drasil and his Royal Knights."
Day 5 - Digital World, Flower Field: Magomon
"Another egg, another digimon. Two down, three left to go." Hitomi plucked two petals off a seven petaled flower in the fields. "Oops, I mean three if you include me." And with that, the flower lost one more. "It seems that Isamu, Seiko, and Kiyoshi are going to set off. Minoru's group is going to be out of commission as long as he's injured. We can follow them with no worries. They're with KedakaiLeomon after all. Job well done Magomon, our plan hasn't missed a beat." She threw the flower aside.
"Yes, Sasha has obtained her Digimon partner. Hitomi, should we not look for the missing Digiegg? As it stands, one person will be in perpetual danger without one. I doubt anyone else could protect the others."
She pursed her lips.
"I know, but honestly, I haven't gotten a clue where it is. For as long as we searched, there has been nothing but dead ends. We don't even know if it's a Digiegg or a Digimon roaming around this continent or a different one." Silence. To lighten the grim atmosphere, Hitomi pulled another insufferable joke. "Did you hear about Musyamon? His whole left side was cut off, but he's all right now." Hitomi let a dry laugh escape her lips.
"Hitomi, do not crack jokes at other's expense."
"I don't think he'll mind."
"And who decided that?"
"I did."
He sighed. With her hair falling in front of her face, she bent down to retrieve the D-Links on the ground as well as a sketch Minoru seemingly left behind. He couldn't view her expression, but he knew the face she was wearing. He didn't like it. It felt like what they were doing was all for naught. Humming a simple tune, she gently placed the two in her dress pocket.
"Onwards Magomon! We must reach the area the three, no four if you count Kasaimon, will be going to. Hurry, hurry! Every journey starts with a single step." She bounded off the ground and let the warm sun hit her face.
It feels like we backtracked a step Hitomi.
He scooped up Hitomi and they were gliding in the brilliant blue.
Minoru, hurry up. I know both you and her won't last much longer at this rate.
So Sasha has her new Digimon! Yay! By the way, 'veter' means wind and 'burya' means storm, or tempest, in Russian. Since Sasha is Russian (by the way), I decided to have her digimon's names in the Russian language. \(^.^)/ Even though this was supposed to be more of a Sasha chapter, I felt like Sasha barely wedged out as main POV due to her Digimon digivolving. Oh yes, and what was up with that Clockmon? He will also be answered too.
Also, anyone wondering about Yoshi, who didn't get a POV this chapter. He's this rich, naive kid who hasn't been outside much. So he's quite shocked by a lot of little things. He's smart, but not quite in the social area. Which is why he's surprised when Sasha acts all brash and the complete opposite of his view of his ideal girl, especially one that has caught his affections, Hohoho.
The missing Digimon will be addressed when the groups of three will meet up in the five-sixish chapters left for their reunion. Hitomi's still gonna be left out. :( Kinda. You'll just have to see who gets left out a partner for now. And who is that boy with the black and gray D-Links in Sasha's flashback? The kind that Hitomi has now? Well, guess. You won't know until much later at the rate the story's going. Most likely during the second arc. Well, Yoshi obviously saw Seiko, with her fish bands and all, just a tinier her though. And the POV will be going back to Isamu's group! Who will get their Digimon next, read the next chapter to find out (well, when it does get posted).
And yes, Minoru and Hitomi know each other. They're quite close. Does this mean romance between them? Well, not yet in a while at the rate the fic is going. Minoru feels guilty of something with Hitomi but it will be answered in due time. They are both quite broken over something. Each chapter is supposed to reveal little by little everyone's problems and everyone's connected from the past. So far, only Minoru's fears have resurfaced. The others haven't really faced a 'situation' specifically tailored for them. That's why Sasha isn't in utter despair or anything like that. Just doubtful of herself. I've hinted at Isamu's in his POV actually. I've already planned out the whole fic, just need to write it and organize a few ideas here and there.