Book 7: Going Digital
Chapter 1: Forest Beginnings
Zeo's Narration: My name is Zeo Naotora, one of the leaders of Xross Drive Rebellion. If you're wondering where I'm currently at right now, I'm in the Digi-World, homeworld of the mysterious creatures known as Digital Monsters, or Digimon for short. Our mission is to investigate the Digi-World and find a way to co-exist with them without any hostilities.
However, things went completely wrong as we were struck by an unknown quake during our trek through the data tunnels in cyberspace which separated us to God knows where. That has to be a Dimensional Quake considering there could be a Gjallarhorn fragment hidden in the Digi-World. Hopefully my teammates reached the Digi-World safely. And I also hope Hibiki and the others are okay.
Anyway, I'm traversing through a forest area with Zubamon, my partner Digimon I raised when he hatched from a Digi-Egg weeks ago from my vitality bracelet which is now called the Digivice-V. Before I could continue my mission, I need to find the others first, mostly Miku and Kanade since they were with me back at the data tunnel before we were hit by that wave. I've tried contacting them with my Zikan Phone, but the signal got jammed, probably because of that quake earlier, so I'm gonna have to search for them the hard way. Though looking at the forest, I could've sworn I've seen this place before… Oh well, I'll find out eventually.
Forest Area, Digimon World
Daytime
"Hey, Zubamon." Zeo spoke to his partner while walking through the forest.
"Yes, partner?"
"You happen to know this place since you're from the Digi-World?"
"Hmm…" Zubamon hummed while looking at his surroundings. "Even though I'm from the Digi-World, I didn't know about this place before."
"I see. Well I guess it makes sense since you were born on Earth instead of here."
"Mhm." Zubamon nodded.
"Although…" Zeo placed his hand on his chin. "I could've sworn I've seen this forest from a video game… but I can't put my finger on what it is."
"Hmm…" Zubamon hummed in thought. "How about we go to the open area of this forest? Maybe that'll jog your memory."
"...Not a bad idea. And if we're lucky, we might find some of my friends."
"Then let's get going!" Zubamon declared as the two began to run past the forest.
Eventually, they reached the open area of the forest with a few small cliffs, along with some hard drives and comm lines planted on the ground. The view was more than enough for Zeo's eyes to widen in realization.
"Oh snap, now I remember!" Zeo thought in surprise. "The cliffs, the hard drives and comm lines on the ground, there's no mistaking it… this is Data Forest from Digimon World DS!"
"Hm?" Zubamon noticed his partner's surprised reaction. "Zeo, you feeling okay? That look says that you remember something, don't you?"
"Oh it did, alright." Zeo confirmed. "Zubamon, this place is-"
"Eeep!"
Their conversation was immediately halted by a sudden scream which garnered their attention.
"Sounds like my answer is gonna have to wait, because that's definitely a cry for help." Zubamon said.
"Yeah." Zeo nodded. "Time to see what's up." Afterwards, the two quickly ran towards the source of the scream.
And upon arriving at the source, they saw a large group of Goburimons surrounding two other Digimon in a circle.
"Gaomon and Calumon…" Zeo thought, recognizing the two Digimon, with one of them feeling exhausted. "This is just like the beginning of Digimon World DS. Only difference is a group of Goburimons are chasing the two instead of just one. Looks like some scenarios are changing. Still, this looks bad. I know Gaomon is strong, but even he has limits."
Gaomon
Type: Data
Level: Child
Gaomon is a bipedal blue dog with black nose and claws, yellow eyes, a white belly and mane, and white tail tip, feet tips, snout, inner ears, and a yellow cross-shaped mark in the forehead. It wears a red bandana, white bandages on its arms, and red and black boxing gloves on its hands.
Calumon
Type: Unknown
Level: Unknown
Calumon is a small, cute white creature with large eyes and comparatively small limbs. It also has short ears with the ability to extend which is capable of flight. It also has a red triangle on the forehead along with three smaller triangles on the flat sides.
"What do we do, Zeo?" Zubamon asked. "We can't just stand here and watch."
"Hold on, I need to observe the situation first." Zeo replied as he observed the Goburimons. "Hmm… charging in is one viable option, but going for an ambush works, too. Zubamon."
"Yes, partner?"
"I'm going to distract the Goburimons while you prepare an ambush from behind."
"And how are you going to do that?"
Zeo answered with a smirk, taking out his Ziku Driver and Zi-O Ridewatch.
"Oh… that method." Zubamon noted before nodding. "Alright, I'll go and get ready."
"Good." Zeo nodded back. "If you see an opening, take it without hesitation."
"Gotcha." Zubamon noted before heading off to prepare.
Meanwhile, Gaomon is barely keeping his combat stance up despite having bruises on his face and legs while Calumon is shaking with fear.
"Gaomon, are you okay?" Calumon asked. "We have to run! You can't fight anymore!"
"Heh… this is nothing…" Gaomon replied while catching his breath. "I wouldn't… call myself… a combat instructor for Digi-Central… if I stop now… I have to protect you… no matter what…"
"Gaomon…" Calumon whispered.
The Goburimons began to slowly approach the two Digimon… until three Goburimons were knocked out on the heads from a spinning wooden club, garnering their attention. They then saw the club flying back onto Kamen Rider Zi-O's hand, resting the club over his shoulder.
"Kinda rude to pick on weaker Digimon, don'tcha think?" Zi-O taunted the Goburimons, making them growl in anger.
"Huh? Who… is that…?" Gaomon whispered in confusion.
"I don't know, but I think he's here to save us." Calumon replied.
In retaliation, the Goburimons launched fireballs with one swing of their clubs… only for Zi-O to counter by swatting the fireballs back with the club like he's playing baseball as the fireballs slammed their heads one by one, knocking them out in one blow.
"Wow…" Calumon said in awe.
"Sending the Goburi Strikes back to them with ease… Impressive…" Gaomon remarked.
"Is that all you got?" Zi-O taunted the Goburimons while twirling the club. "I know you guys can do better than this."
His taunt angered the Goburimons as they began to rush at him. While Zi-O prepared himself with a combat stance, something flashed in his mind.
"20 Dive"
"What the…" Zi-O thought in surprise. "Why did my mind show Zubamon's attack? Could that be the signal to spring the ambush?" He then turned his attention to the approaching Goburimons and took a deep breath. "20 Dive!"
And from high above the Goburimons is Zubamon, performing a powerful dive bomb, crashing head-first onto the group that reduced them into pixels.
"Whoa…! I didn't know he planned a surprise attack!" Calumon whispered in awe.
"That Digimon…" Gaomon remarked, staring at the gold Digimon dusting off his body and approached the Rider. "Does it belong to him? Could this man be a Digimon Tamer?"
"Perfect timing, Zubamon. The ambush worked without a hitch." Zi-O complimented as he threw away the club.
"Heh, I aim to please." Zubamon smirked, sharing a high-five with the Rider.
"Were you the one who sent that message to my mind? I don't remember having that before coming to the Digi-World."
"Yup." Zubamon nodded. "That's one of the Digivice-V's special features: the Synchro Command."
"Synchro Command?" Zi-O repeated.
"The Digimon's special attack will flash on your mind, and it's up to you on when to give out the command. It's a way to synchronize between Tamer and Digimon. The stronger the link, the more powerful we become. And if possible, the ability to Digivolve."
"Interesting." Zi-O mused. "That's different from the previous Digivices. Still, we've got some training to do if I'm gonna help you reach Adult level."
"That depends on your Tamer Rank in order to command higher level Digimon." Gaomon answered as he and Calumon approached them.
"Ah, it's you two." Zi-O responded.
"Glad we were nearby to help you out." Zubamon added.
"And I appreciate your assistance, so thank you for that." Gaomon bowed. "My name is Gaomon, a combat instructor from the Union Office in Digi-Central."
"And my name is Calumon! I was quietly strolling along Data Forest until I was chased by those nasty Goburimons. I never realized I strolled into their territory."
"As for me, I'm looking for Gabumon, the Union Equipment Staff who's in charge of weapons, armor and accessories. He was supposed to return to the equipment shop after his supply run, but he's taking a lot longer than expected, so Clavis Angemon, leader of Tamer Union, sent me to find him. During the search however, I saw Calumon being chased by the Goburimons, so I sprung into action and rescued him. But these Goburimons are relentless, so we had to retreat to an open area so I could fight properly."
"And considering the bruises you got, you're at your limit." Zubamon deduced, glancing at said bruises.
"Yeah, I might've bit off more than I can chew." Gaomon admitted.
"Hmm…" Zi-O hummed with his hand on his chin. "How about you and Calumon return to Digi-Central while Zubamon and I search for Gabumon?"
"Really? You'd do that for me?" Gaomon responded in surprise.
"You bet!" Zubamon nodded. "Besides, you look pretty roughed up and can't last another fight."
"He has a good point there." Calumon agreed before facing Gaomon and bowed. "Also, I'm really sorry you got hurt because of me."
"It's alright, Calumon. I was only trying to help someone in need." Gaomon replied.
During the conversation however, they never noticed the knocked out Goburimons behind them waking up and back on their feet. They were about to unleash their Goburi Strikes on them.
"Magical Fire!"
"Metal Cannon!"
That is until the Goburimons were quickly deleted from the sides by green spiral ethereal flames and a metal sphere, gaining the attention of the others.
"What the?" Zi-O responded in surprise. "We missed a few?"
"You knocked them out instead of deleting them, remember?" Zubamon pointed out.
"...Oh, yeah. I kinda did." Zi-O replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You really need to make sure to get the job done thoroughly, Zi-O." Said the arriving Kanade with Miku right beside her. Also, two different creatures were with them.
"Thank goodness you're okay." Miku added.
"Likewise for the both of you." Zi-O noted before looking at the two creatures. "When did you two become friends with those wild Digimon?"
"Oh, you mean Biyomon and Dorumon?" Kanade replied. "Well, the former had a splinter on her wing, so I carefully pulled it out."
"As for the latter, his leg got caught up by a tree root, so I freed him." Miku added.
Biyomon
Type: Vaccine
Level: Child
Biyomon is a pink bird with arm-like wings, a feather mane, a red beak, blue eyes, blue stripes on its crest, blue borders on two of its head feathers and its tail feathers, yellow legs, and red claws on its wings and feet. It also wears a metallic ring on its left leg. "I'm really grateful for Kanade's help, so I decided to follow her since she's planning to look for a doctor to heal my bruised wing." Biyomon said.
Dorumon
Type: Data
Level: Child
Dorumon is a beast-like Digimon with purple fur on most of its body. It has two large legs and two arms, each of which has three black claws, as well as a large, vulpine tail. The fur on its chest, paws, snout, and the end of its tail is white. It has two pointed ears with black stripes and two very small black wings. And on its brow is a triangular red gem with a grey metal strip around it. "I was relieved that Miku wanted to help get my leg free." Dorumon said. "And I thought she'd be scared due to my looks."
"Don't worry, Dorumon. You're not that scary." Miku assured before noticing the other Digimon. "And who are these three?"
"This is Gaomon, a combat instructor from the Union Office at Digi-Central. And the other one is Calumon, a wild Digimon. And this here is Zubamon, my partner Digimon." Zi-O gestured to the three Digimon.
"Wait, that Zubamon? The one from your vitality bracelet?" Kanade asked.
"That's right." Zubamon nodded. "Also, it's called a Digivice-V."
"Digivice-V…" Miku repeated. "So that's what it's called."
"Hold on." Gaomon interrupted as he glanced at the Attuned. "How did you two manage to arrive here without a Digivice?"
"Well… it's a long story." Kanade rubbed the back of her neck before looking at Gaomon. "By the way, you look kinda beat up. Did you get into a fight earlier?"
"Yes, but don't worry, I'll live." Gaomon replied. "I was only trying to protect Calumon."
"Are you alright, Calumon?" Miku asked.
"It's okay, I'm alright thanks to Gaomon and the other two." Calumon replied.
"Ah, the name's Zeo Naotora, but call me Zi-O when I'm wearing this suit." Zi-O raised his finger. "By the way, Kanade and Miku, could you help escort Gaomon and Calumon back to Digi-Central? Just in case those Goburimons show up again."
"Biyomon, Dorumon, go with them too." Zubamon added.
"But what about you two? You're not coming with us?" Biyomon asked Zi-O and Zubamon.
"We're gonna stay here and take a deeper look into the forest to find Gabumon, a Union staff member." Zi-O replied.
"Ah, got it." Dorumon noted. "Hope he's okay."
"Me too, Dorumon." Zubamon replied.
"Oh yeah, almost forgot something." Gaomon approached Zi-O. "Show me your Digivice. I need to set up an address for Digi-Central and Data Forest just in case."
"Sure thing." Zi-O complied, activating the Digivice's holo-screen, allowing Gaomon to set up the addresses.
Seconds later, the process is complete. "There, that should do it." Gaomon said as the holo-screen vanished. "You'll be able to visit Digi-Central and Data Forest as long as you have the address installed onto the Digivice."
"Thanks, Gaomon." Zi-O replied.
"You're welcome." Gaomon replied back before facing Calumon and the others. "Okay, the five of you come with me. I'll guide you to a teleport beacon that'll take us to Digi-Central."
"You got it." Kanade nodded before waving at Zi-O and Zubamon. "See you at Digi-Central when you're done!"
"Take care, you two!" Miku added as they head for the teleport beacon, leaving behind Zi-O and Zubamon.
"Hey Zi-O, I think Kanade and Miku might be able to become Tamers with those two Digimon." Zubamon said.
"Most likely. Especially Dorumon and his evolutions." Zi-O replied. "Anyway, let's go look for Gabumon. He should be nearby."
"Right behind you, partner." Zubamon nodded as they head deeper into the forest.
Several minutes later, they arrived at a small river with rock platforms. And on the other side of the river was a young girl and two creatures, with the former Zi-O instantly recognized.
"Hey, it's Serena!" Zi-O gasped. "And she's with Gabumon… and Patamon?"
"Must've befriended a wild one during her trek." Zubamon assumed. "Let's go and greet them."
"Mm." Zi-O nodded as the two headed for the other side of the river by hopping onto the platforms.
Gabumon
Type: Vaccine
Level: Child
Gabumon is a maroon-eyed yellow-skinned lizard in a bluish-white pelt with navy blue markings and purple claws. A yellow horn protrudes at the top of its head and its belly is blue with unusual pink markings. "I just hope your friend and her Digimon partner knows what they're doing." Gabumon said to Serena.
"Don't worry about Akira and Lalamon, Gabumon. They'll be fine." Serena replied. "Patamon and I will watch over you until they come back."
Patamon
Type: Data
Level: Child
Patamon is a small flying creature resembling a guinea pig with light blue eyes, bat-like wings as its ears, and a short, stubby tail. Its underside is a light cream color, while its back and head are orange. "I'm still worried about them though, Serena." Patamon said.
"No need to worry too much, they can handle it, especially Akira due to her experience with Digimon before arriving in the Digi-World." Serena assured.
"Hey, Serena!" Zi-O called as he and Zubamon approached them.
"Ah, Zeo!" Serena noticed and waved before noticing the gold Digimon beside him. "Wait, is that your Digimon partner Zubamon?"
"The one and only." Zubamon smiled before noticing the Digimon beside her. "I see that you befriended a wild Patamon."
"He was a bit scared at first, but I calmed him down with a spare apple." Serena replied.
"She was so kind to me that I decided to follow her." Patamon said. "It's hard to make friends in this forest with those Goburimons lurking around."
"Probably because you're in their territory from the start." Zi-O replied before turning to Gabumon. "By the way, are you the Gabumon of the Union staff?"
"Yes, that's me." Gabumon nodded. "How did you know?"
"Your friend Gaomon was looking for you to see why you took so long with the supply run."
"Oh, that. Well you see, one of the supplies dropped during the transport, a Bronze Plate. I think it fell into the deeper part of this forest." Gabumon explained.
"Akira, Lalamon, Patamon and I found Gabumon panicking for a bit, so we decided to help him out." Serena added. "Akira and Lalamon went to the deeper area of the forest while Patamon and I watch over Gabumon until they come back."
"So my sister and her partner Digimon were with you when you landed in the Digi-World. That's good to know, and I'm glad you're safe." Zi-O said.
"Same to you, too." Serena replied. "But, Maria-neesan…"
"Don't worry, we'll bring her and the others back. We'll head for Digi-Central and ask Clavis Angemon, the leader of Tamer Union, for his assistance."
"But first, we need to look for that Bronze Plate." Zubamon stated. "Gabumon, can you tell us where Akira and Lalamon are?"
"The deeper part of the forest is over there." Gabumon replied, pointing at the east. "You should be able to catch up if you hurry."
"Thanks." Zi-O nodded. "Serena, Patamon, keep watching over Gabumon. Zubamon and I will be right back."
"Okay." Serena nodded back.
"Remember to be careful in there! I heard there's an Ogremon hiding in the deep forest!" Patamon warned.
"Thanks for the warning!" Zubamon noted as he and Zi-O ran towards the deep forest.
During the trek through the forest, they ran into a few Digimon along the way such as Tsunomon, Tanemon, Koromon, Poyomon and Betamon. Luckily they were not so hostile so the two left them alone, but not without getting their scan data first using the Digivice-V. As they continued onwards, they stopped after suddenly hearing battle noises close by, along with a familiar grunts that Zi-O immediately recognized.
"That's Akira!" Zi-O gasped.
"Looks like we're on the right track!" Zubamon deduced. "And it sounds like she and Lalamon need help."
"Then we'd better hustle!" Zi-O declared as the two quickly head for the sounds of battle.
Meanwhile in another open area of the forest, Lalamon was busy dodging the Goburi Strikes from a group of Goburimons by flying with the spinning leaf on her head before countering with her own solid seeds fired from her mouth.
Lalamon
Type: Data
Level: Child
Lalamon has the appearance of a flowering bud with a green body with stretchy arms and legs, a pink head with a yellow leaf on the top of it, a pair of black eyes and a mouth which resemble three black dots.
As for Akira, who's already changed into Cure Starlight, she clashed her energy sword with a large Digimon and his bone club, blow for blow.
Ogremon
Type: Virus
Level: Adult
Ogremon resembles a green ogre with white hair on his head with two long horns protruding out the side of his skull, his mouth was large and wide open, filled with quite a few large fangs. He wears a black loincloth with a belt, a bracer on its right arm, red bandages on both its left arm and right leg and black belts on its left leg. He also has skull and crossbones on his left arm below the shoulder spikes, metal studs on the knuckles of his left hand, and a scar on the back of his right hand. "Heh, you're not half bad for a human!" Ogremon grinned during the weapon clash with Starlight. "But you're not getting the Bronze Plate! Anything that drops into my territory is mine!"
"Except that equipment belongs to the Union! Go find another one somewhere else!" Starlight argued with the Bronze Plate latched on her back.
"Over my deleted body!" Ogremon argued back, pushing her away with one swing of his club while she's blocking. Starlight quickly recovered and rushed towards the Digimon before performing an aerial sword strike. Ogremon blocked the attack with his club while his other hand curled into a fist and reeled it back as it glowed with dark energy. "Haouken!(Tyrant Fist)" He launched a dark blast from his fist which resembled his face which surprised Starlight as the blast sent her flying till she fell on her back. "Heh, is that all you got?!"
Starlight slowly stood up and wiped the bruise on her cheek with a grin. "...Just getting started!"
Back with Lalamon, she held her own against the Goburimons, until one of them attacked from behind with his club, sending Lalamon slamming to a tree. "Gh… Maybe we… should've asked… for help first…" She muttered weakly, trying to fly again as the Goburimons slowly approached the small plant Digimon.
"20 Scratch!" And suddenly, some of the Goburimons were deleted by the arriving Zubamon using his claws. "You okay there, Lalamon?" Zubamon asked as he approached the plant Digimon.
"Zubamon…?"
"That's me. We trained together with our Tamers back on Earth when we were both at Fresh Levels, remember?" Zubamon smiled. "Zeo is already on his way to assist Akira."
"Ah… that's good to know." Lalamon sighed with relief. "She might be worried for my safety ever since we got separated by an ambush led by Ogremon."
"So that explains why you're fighting the Goburimons alone." Zubamon noted before offering a hand. "You cover me from above while I go do some damage on the ground?"
"You got it." Lalamon replied, taking his hand to pull herself up before flying again. "My close combat skills need work anyway."
"Do that when we reach Digi-Central after this." Zubamon replied back as Lalamon flew upwards before he faced the growling Goburimons in his combat stance. "Alright boys… come and get me!"
Meanwhile with Cure Starlight, she and Ogremon are about to launch their respective energy blasts from their fists reeled back.
"Starlight Shoot!/Haouken!" Starlight and Ogremon launched their energy blasts as the two collided in a power struggle. However, Ogremon's attack is gaining the upper hand as it pushed back Starlight's attack.
But before the blast reached Starlight, someone landed in front of her from above and slammed the projectile back at Ogremon with a pair of sticks, sending the surprised Digimon slamming through a few trees.
Starlight gasped with wide eyes as she recognized her savior. "That armor… Zi-O?!"
"Yo." Zi-O in his HibikiArmor greeted with a two-finger salute. "Serena, Patamon and Gabumon filled me and Zubamon in with the details. Oh, and don't worry about Lalamon, Zubamon should be assisting her by now."
"Thank goodness." Starlight sighed with relief. "I was going to defeat Ogremon after grabbing the Bronze Plate, until he called in his Goburimon horde to make things harder. Lalamon led the Goburimons to another area while I stayed behind to fight Ogremon. Seriously not expecting this kind of twist."
"Yeah, neither did I when I rescued Gaomon and Calumon from not one, but a group of Goburimons. Also, Kanade and Miku made it here safely and are already heading for Digi-Central while befriending a wild Biyomon and Dorumon."
"Biyomon and Dorumon?" Starlight repeated. "Are they going to be Kanade and Miku's Digimon partners?"
"Most likely." Zi-O replied, until they heard a pissed off Ogremon approaching after recovering from the attack, garnering their attention.
"You're gonna pay for that, humans!" Ogremon growled.
"Ready to send that annoying ogre packing?" Starlight asked.
"I think you know my answer by now." Zi-O smirked back, taking the lead.
"So you're the one who did that! Who are you anyway?!" Ogremon demanded.
"Me?" Zi-O replied while twirling his oni sticks. "Just a passing through Kamen Rider. Remember it well!" Afterwards, he rushed towards the Digimon.
"Haouken!" Ogremon launched another dark blast at the Rider, only for it to be reflected back to his face after the Rider swung the oni sticks, causing the Digimon to be pushed back. Once the Rider got close, he attacked, causing the Digimon to block the attacks with his club. While he's blocking however, he failed to notice Starlight leaping above the Rider and launched an energy blast to the face which made the Digimon stumble. This gave Zi-O an opening as he used his weapons to deliver an upward strike onto Ogremon's bone club, disarming him as the club flew skyward. Starlight leaped towards the club and grabbed it for herself before she and Zi-O delivered a blow to Ogremon's head and chest respectively which pushed him back.
"Enough of this." Zi-O said, pushing the buttons on the Ridewatches, slammed the belt's tilt button and gave it a 360 spin.
=FINISH TIME! HIBIKI!=
The drums on Zi-O's shoulder pads purged out and flew towards Ogremon's chest as the drums began to spin while fusing into one large energy drum on impact.
=ONGEKI TIME BREAK!=
Afterwards, Zi-O began beating the energy drum repeatedly with his oni sticks, never giving Ogremon a chance to retaliate. And then he and Starlight finished off together with one final drum beat, sending the Digimon flying till the energy drum exploded as he vanished into pixels afterwards.
"Well, that's one less ogre to worry about." Zi-O concluded as he and Starlight reverted back to their civilian attire.
"Huh, I just realized I'm still holding his bone club." Akira said, gazing at the club on her hand. "This is a bone from a SkullGreymon, right?"
"Hmm…" Zeo took a closer look at the club before nodding. "Yep, it's his femur. So what are you gonna do with it?"
"I think I'm gonna keep it as a souvenir. It'll be a waste to sell or throw this away." Akira answered, storing the bone using her Zikan Phone. "Anyway, let's go find our Digimon partners. Hope we're not too late to help them."
"That won't be necessary, you two."
Their eyes widened in surprise after hearing a familiar voice and turned to its source behind them. "...Gaius?!" The Naotoras exclaimed as they saw their close friend along with a blue Digimon beside him. Also, Zubamon, Lalamon, Serena, Patamon and Gabumon were with him.
"Huh, looks like you two already took out Ogremon." Gaius said before turning to the blue Digimon. "Sorry Veemon, we're too late to join the fight."
Veemon
Type: Neutral
Level: Child
Veemon is a bipedal dragon Digimon with blue skin and red eyes, white coloration in its belly and snout, a small horn on its nose, two ear-like appendages on its head, a yellow V-shaped mark on its forehead, and two yellow upside-down triangle marks under its eyes. It also has five fingers on its hands, three toes on each foot, and a claw on each finger and toe. "Aww man…! I was hoping to get a few blows with that Digimon." Veemon muttered.
"Maybe next time, partner." Gaius replied, patting the dragon's head before facing the twins. "Oh, and as for the others, I told them to follow me in case you guys need assistance. But by the time we arrived to Zubamon and Lalamon's aid, the Goburimons started panicking and ran away. Looks like defeating Ogremon is the reason why they ran since he's the leader of the pack."
"You two doing okay?" Zeo asked Zubamon and Lalamon.
"We're fine, thanks." Zubamon replied with Lalamon nodding. "It was a good workout, too."
"Heh, figured as much." Zeo smirked.
"Hey, Gabumon!" Akira shouted, taking the holstered Bronze Plate on her back and showed it to the Digimon. "I got the Bronze Plate back!"
"Oh, thank goodness. Thank you for retrieving it. Now I can finally return to Digi-Central." Gabumon sighed with relief, approaching Akira and took the Bronze Plate back.
"By the way, Serena, Kanade and Miku told me earlier the bad news about Maria, Hibiki and the others." Gaius informed. "You guys did the best you could."
"Yeah…" Zeo nodded. "But we'll bring them back, that's a promise."
"Of course." Gaius nodded back. "But for now, let's head back to Digi-Central. The rest of our teammates are waiting."
"You got it." Akira replied before facing Gabumon. "Care to show us the way back to Digi-Central?"
"No problem. Follow me, everyone." Gabumon complied as he led the team and the Digimons back to Digi-Central.
"Not a bad start with this Digimon adventure." Zeo thought he and the others followed Gabumon. "So we're going to be following the story of Digimon Story DS. But considering the changes we saw earlier, I wonder if the scenario changes affected the other areas of this Digi-World? Hmm… we'll just have to keep moving forward and find out for ourselves. And hopefully Clavis Angemon will give us an answer on how to find our missing friends."
Chapter 1: Forest Beginnings
END
Author's Note: And so begins Arc 3 with a Digimon Adventure in which the Digi-World will be based on Digimon World DS, a very good Digimon game for the Nintendo DS. This is the first of the changes to the storyline from the game, and more will come in the future chapters. And as for the Digivice-V, it will be based on Digimon Ghost Game, hence the appearance of the Synchro Command.
Anyway, in the next chapter, we go into Digi-Central where Team XDR will meet Clavis Angemon, and also find out which Digimons the team will be partnered with. You've already saw some hints on what Kanade, Miku and Serena will have in this chapter.
Until then, stay safe and see you next time!