AN: Bit late with this one, but something… Bad happened on June 3rd. We're not sure why, but one of our dogs, Bocelli, stayed under our truck for some reason and… was run over by my mom's boyfriend. Good news is that nothing broke, Bo just got his hip dislocated. But in his panic, Bo bit Tom's arm (he's my mom's boyfriend) and they both had to be confined to a hospital and vet for a few days. They're doing okay now, but we weren't sure at first. I'm starting to think June is a bad time for me in general.
Anyway, let's enjoy the chapter, shall we?
Chapter 03: Mirror Madness
May 2, 2012
Saji Residence, Japan
At an apartment complex supported by the Gremory and Sitri devil families, Genshirou Saji sat at the dining table doing some homework and some student council work he needed to finish. He wasn't alone, as his younger sister, Kaho, was doing the dishes from their dinner. Their younger brother, Gengo, had already gone to bed.
Ever since their parents died and their grandfather passed away, it had just been Genshirou and his younger siblings, his sister Kaho and younger brother Gengo. Life had not been easy for them, that is until Genshirou had, by chance, met with Sona Sitri. Genshirou had received a leaflet near the local train station, and when he used it, it summoned Sona.
When Sona learned that Genshirou had the Sacred Gear Absorption Line, she offered Genshirou to become her servant. Genshirou accepted, becoming Sona Sitri's Pawn to help support his siblings. With support from the House of Sitri, Genshirou was able to afford the apartment they currently lived in. In fact, some of the others in the Sitri Peerage live in the apartment complex.
Currently, only Kaho knows about Genshirou's status as a devil, while their younger brother Gengo is too young and isn't aware.
Kaho let out a satisfied sigh as she finished washing the remaining dishes. "I'm heading to bed."
"Okay. Good night, Kaho," Genshirou said.
"Night, Gen-nii," Kaho replied. "And don't stay up too late."
"Don't worry about me," Genshirou reassured his little sister.
As Kaho made her way to her bedroom, she stopped by the bathroom, as its light was still on. "Oh, Gengo, you left the light on again," she shook her head, amused. As her hand reached for the light switch, something in the mirror caught her eye. "Huh?" Blinking, Kaho walked up to the bathroom mirror and stared at her reflection.
Kaho wasn't sure, but for a moment, she would've sworn that her reflection hadn't moved at all. Looking at the mirror closely, it and her reflection seemed normal. "I must be more tired than I thought," she rubbed her head, turning off the bathroom's light as she left. What she failed to notice, however, was that her reflection hadn't moved from its spot, and was sporting a wicked grin.
May 3, 2012, Constitution Memorial Day
Hinode Residence, Japan
"Hmmm," Himari groaned as she stared away. This bed was so soft and warm that she didn't want to get up, no matter what her mother would say. Even as the warm feeling began moving, Himari didn't want to get up. This was the first time in a long time she was able to get some decent sleep, and she wasn't going to-
"Arf!"
"Huh- Ah!" Himari squeaked in surprise as Mako began happily licking her face. "Agh, no! Stop! That tickles!" It took a bit of time, but she was able to get the overly affectionate dog off. Once she did and was now fully awake, Himari realized that she wasn't in her room. Or even at her mother's apartment. She was in a traditional Japanese-style room with tatami mats and a shoji door. "Where…?"
"Oh, good. You're awake."
Himari looked and saw Koh enter the room. He was wearing a red T-shirt, an open black jacket, blue shorts, and blue socks. "Koh-kun?"
"Sorry about Mako. He loves meeting new people," Koh said as Mako ran up to him, receiving a pat from Koh. "How are you feeling?"
Himari wasn't sure what he meant, but then memories of last night came flooding back. From Koh and the others fighting Mummymon, to her awakening a 'Sacred Gear', and finally to learning about how her parents truly felt about her and breaking down before passing out. "I'm… not sure…" she admitted. "Confused… frightened…"
"I don't blame you," Koh leaned down next to her. "I've been dealing with Digimon for a couple of years now, which helped me when I got dragged into a bunch of magical craziness. You didn't have that. But I'm glad that you're doing okay."
"…Thank you," Himari smiled. Then she noticed that she was no longer wearing her school uniform, instead, she was wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. "What happened to my clothes?"
"Oh. After we brought you here last night, my uncle insisted on changing you out of your uniform and into some clean clothes. Don't worry, Anne was the one who changed you! I didn't see anything!" Koh quickly said, shaking his head in denial. "They're currently being washed and should be done soon. You're also free to use our bath. And if you're hungry, there's some tamagoyaki I made in the fridge… assuming Coronamon hasn't gotten to it yet."
"…A bath and some food do sound nice," Himari nodded. "But is it… really okay for me to stay here?"
"I'm sure," Koh said. "My uncle will make sure your mom will never hurt you again. And thanks to Golden Week, we now have three days off for you to rest."
"Right…" Himari sighed.
"Well, I better get going," Koh stood up. "I need to go help my uncle at the tea shop. I'll see you when I get back. Anne should be here soon, plus Mako here will keep you company."
"Arf!"
"What about your friend? Coronamon?" Himari asked.
"He'll be here, too," Koh answered. "If you need anything just talk to him."
Issei, wearing a plain red shirt and black pants, made his way to the Jasmine Dragon. He still needed to get his payment for the job he did for Koh last night. Thankfully, Rias was pretty understanding for why Issei didn't bring anything back after being gone for so long for a job. Though she did ask that he get the payment Koh promised. As such, here he was heading for the most popular tea shop in Kuoh.
"I sure hope he's here," Issei muttered as he walked through the entrance.
And standing there, wearing a light green men's kimono with a flame pattern hakama, a white shirt, and wearing black-rimmed goggles with a cracked left lens, waiting by the entrance was Koh. "Welcome to the… Oh, hey Hyoudou," Koh greeted.
"Hey, Hinode," Issei greeted back. "I'm…"
"Here for this, right?" Koh presented a tea bag to Issei. "It's my uncle's signature Jasmine Dragon Pearl Tea. It's not much, but this should work for your payment."
Issei nodded and took the tea bag. "Thanks. So how's Kido doing?"
"Okay. She's still resting from what happened. Coronamon, Anne, and Mako are looking after her."
"Who's Mako?"
"Oh, you probably didn't see him when you came by last night. He's our therapy dog."
"You have a dog? Huh, my parents never let me have a pet," Issei muttered. The Red Dragon Emperor then looked around the tea shop, noting how quiet it was despite the number of customers. "It sure is quiet here."
"That's kinda the point, Hyoudou," Koh deadpanned.
"Yes," Iroh walked up to the two. "Being able to come, relax, and drink refreshing tea is what many need. For it is always calm and relaxing here in the Jasmine Dragon."
"DAMN IT! NOT AGAIN!"
Issei yelped at the sudden scream.
"…Usually," Iroh amended.
"Oh, dear. Mark-san and Sophie-san are at it again," one of the customers said.
"What do you suppose it is this time? Poker?" Another asked.
"I bet it's Scramble."
Iroh turned to his nephew. "Koh, Mark and Sophie's order is ready."
"On it, uncle," Koh quickly went to the back of the tea shop.
Curiosity getting to him, Issei went to a table at the corner of the shop, where a small crowd had gathered. Sitting at the table playing a game of Go were a man and a woman.
Issei's eyes immediately drew to the woman. 'W-W-Wh-What a gorgeous lady!'
The woman in question had bangless, shoulder-length white hair and a milky-white complexion, wearing a pink t-shirt with white trim and a jean skirt. But what really caught Issei's attention was that she had a perfect hourglass figure, with boobs nearly the same size as Rias'.
"Playing Go with her eyes closed. That's Sophie for you," one of the customers commented.
"Huh?" Hearing that snapped Issei out of his thoughts. Sure enough, the woman, Sophie, was playing Go with her eyes closed. And, given the layout of the board, she was winning.
"Grrr…" Sophie's opponent, likely Mark, growled in frustration. He was a man with light skin, red, spiky hair, and golden eyes, wearing a black tank top with three red claw marks, and torn jeans. "Here!" He placed a black stone on the board.
In response, Sophie, her eyes still closed, placed a white stone on the board.
"What? No!" Mark screamed. Grunting, he analyzed the board before lowering his head. "I give…"
The crowd began to cheer for Sophie. "Once again, the ice queen maintains her winning streak!" One of the customers said as Sophie opened her cold, blue eyes.
"This happen often?" Issei asked.
"Yeah," Issei turned around, seeing Koh walking up, carrying a tray that had some tea and food. "Sophie-san and Mark-san are regular customers, and they often play games like this with each other. More often than not, Sophie-san wins."
Once the crowd began to disperse, the two occupants of the table took notice of Koh's presence.
"Oh, hello Koh," Sophie greeted in a stoic manner.
"Hey, kid…" Mark grumbled.
"Hello," Koh greeted as he began handing out the items on the tray. "Our signature Jasmine Dragon Pearl Tea and a strawberry shortcake for Sophie-san, and an Iced Oolong Tea with Green Tea Chicken Soba for Mark-san."
"Thank you, Koh," Sophie took a sip of her tea.
"Good as always, kid," Mark said as he ate his chicken soba.
"Well, I better get going," Issei said. "See you later, Hinode," the brunet waved as he headed out.
"Later, Hyoudou," Koh replied as he returned the tray to the kitchen. He was about to check on an occupied table when someone else walked into the tea shop. "Welcome to the… Kusaka?" Koh blinked upon seeing Sona's Bishop walk into his uncle's shop, wearing a sky-blue sundress with a crescent moon-shaped locket on her neck, and white shoes. 'She looks cute like that. Wait, where'd that come from?!' Koh took a moment to shake the thought out of his head before asking, "Why are you here?"
"Two reasons," Reya walked up to him. "First, I want to ask how Kido is doing."
"She's resting, but she's okay," Koh answered. "What's the other reason you came?"
"Well, Kaichou asked me to get you, since you have yet to introduce her to the Digimon that reside at school."
"Oh, right," Koh flinched. He had been so concerned about Himari that he forgot about that. "Once I'm done helping my uncle, I'll head over to the school. Should only take an hour or so."
"Wonderful," Reya smiled. "And in the meantime, I'll have a strawberry iced tea."
"Coming right up."
Kaho put on her shoes. "Gen-nii, I'm heading out!"
"Hanging out with some of your friends?" Genshirou guessed.
"Yep. There's this new donut shop downtown and Hina wants to try it out. I'll be sure to bring some back," at that, Kaho hurried out of the apartment door. She ran by several neighboring apartments before she stopped. "Oh, shoot! I forgot my phone!" She realized.
She turned around to head back but stopped. On the ground before her was an iPhone 4 in a flower-themed case. Her phone.
"Again?" Kaho questioned as she picked it up. For the past few weeks, whenever Kaho was in a hurry and forgot something, whether her keys or her phone, or a watering pail for the gardening club, it would always turn up near her. At one point she asked her brother if their apartment was haunted, but his master had assured her that there weren't any spirits present. She was beginning to wonder if Sona needed to check again. Or check her to see if a ghost was following her.
"I'll ask later," Kaho put her phone away and ran off.
It took her about twenty minutes to reach her destination: Crescent Moon Doughnuts. A few of her friends were already waiting at the donut shop for her, reading a manga magazine.
"Hey! You guys!" Kaho called out, waving as she ran up to them.
"Kaho!" Her friends greeted her. Now together they got into the shop, waited in line, and placed an order.
While they waited for their donuts, the middle school girls began talking.
"The latest chapter of Silver Bullet was amazing!"
"Don't spoil it!" Kaho pleaded. "I haven't gotten the latest issue yet!"
"I thought your brother was the one who gets the magazines?"
"He does," Kaho nodded. "I just read them when he's not looking."
When the girls got their donuts, they opted to sit at one of the tables, as they sat down, one of Kaho's friends snapped her fingers as something came to her mind. "Hey, did you hear about the Mirror Fiend?"
"Mirror Fiend? What's that?" Kaho asked.
"It's an urban legend going around," Kaho's friend continued. "They say that, if your reflection is frozen or moves differently from you, it's a sign that it's been possessed by the Mirror Fiend. Once that happens, parts of your reflection will begin to disappear, with the corresponding part on your real body beginning to crack like glass. And then, after 48 hours…" her voice took on a more grave tone. "You will shatter into pieces!"
"Whoa. Creepy."
"There's no way that's real."
Kaho would have agreed if her older brother wasn't a devil. "Enough with the scary stories. Let's eat!" At that, she and her school friends happily dined on the donuts. Unaware to them, though, was that in Kaho's reflection on the store's glass, parts of her hand were missing.
Himari let out a satisfied sigh as she exited the bathroom of the Hinode residence. She hadn't had a decent bath like that in so long that she spent a little too long in there and nearly passed out from the heat.
Wearing a bathrobe, she was about to dry her hair when she noticed a folded pile of clothes near the door with a note.
'Hi! I brought you some of my clothes since your school uniform is still drying! I don't know what your sizes are, but I think they're close enough to mine that it shouldn't be a problem. I'll be waiting in the living room. ~Anne!' The note read.
"Bellerose-san?" Himari picked up a blood-red bra with black lace. 'Not… my normal style and it looks a little small, but it'll do.'
After drying herself and getting dressed, Himari, now wearing a blue skirt and a teal blouse, made her way to the living room. There, she found Coronamon and Anne. "Oh, morning, Himari!" Anne greeted, sitting at the dining table, doing something with her laptop.
"Morning!" Coronamon greeted, sitting out on the couch, holding a device in his hands.
"Good morning," Himari greeted. "Uh, Bellerose, what is Coronamon holding? And what is he doing?" She asked.
"Oh, that's a PSP, and he's playing a game called Danganronpa. Came out a couple of years ago, but Koh just got it to keep Coronamon busy while he's either at school or helping at his uncle's tea shop." Anne answered.
"Wha… Sayaka switched rooms with Makoto to do that!?" Coronamon exclaimed.
Himari blinked and decided it would be best to leave the lion Digimon alone for now. "And… what are you doing?" She asked Anne.
"Just watching some cartoons from back home," Anne revealed.
Himari glanced at Anne's laptop and cringed. "Why are the characters so ugly?"
"Don't know. But it's funny. Oh! This is my favorite part of this episode!"
"Rolf respects your vow to uphold the Sticky Note of Elders, yet–" the character, Rolf, reaches off-screen and puts on a giant hammer hat. "You must be punished."
"What is that, Rolf?" Another character wearing an odd hat stared wide-eyed at the hat.
"The hat of discipline. Do you live in a cave?!" Rolf demanded before whacking the hat-wearing character with it, leaving him flat like a pancake on the ground. "All is forgiven."
Anne let out a good chuckle while Himari just looked confused before her stomach grumbled, causing Himari to yelp with a blush. "Sorry…"
Anne giggled. "Don't worry. The tamagoyaki Koh made is on the top shelf of the fridge."
"Right," Himari nodded and headed for the kitchen. Like Anne said the tamagoyaki was on the top shelf, with a fork on them provided by Koh. Taking the plate, Himari sat at the table with Anne and ate.
"You doing okay?" Anne noted.
"For the most part," Himari answered. "Last night, Koh-kun mentioned that you're…"
"Half-vampire? Yep!" Anne smiled, showing off her fangs. "And don't worry. I won't bite… unless you let me."
"N-No thanks… But I do have a few questions."
Once his shift at the Jasmine Dragon ended, Koh changed out of his work attire, now wearing a red buttoned shirt with an open short-sleeved black jacket, blue shorts, blue socks, and red and black sneakers.
He headed to Kuoh Academy, Reya following close behind him. There, waiting by the gates, stood Sona along with Tsubaki. Sona wore a light green shirt with a white vest and black pants. Tsubaki, meanwhile, wore a pair of jeans with a white tee.
"Kaichou, what's up?" Koh greeted.
"Hello, Hinode-Kun," Sona replied back. "Me, Tsubaki, and Reya have something we want to ask you about."
Koh's interest was now piqued. "About the Digimon that live in Kuoh, right?"
"Yes. We want to meet some of these Digimon that live in our town, starting with those two troublemakers you mentioned," Tsubaki said.
"You mean Psychemon and SnowAgumon?" Koh raised a brow.
"Yes, them." Reya nodded.
"Alright," Koh nodded. "Psychemon and SnowAgumon don't live too far from the school so it shouldn't be too much trouble."
"Lead the way, then," Sona said.
"OK, here's where they are," Koh said as he took the three Student Council members to the forest near the academy, to a clearing in the middle of it. "Yo, you two! Got some visitors!"
Coming out from behind the trees, came two figures. One resembled a mini-Tyrannosaurus rex, with a white body and light blue eyes, three-clawed hands, and a stubby tail, but its most noticeable feature was its head, which was nearly as big as its body. The other creature was colored a rather flashy pink, with a bright green circle on its stomach with a skull-like pattern over it. More noticeable was the violet-colored wolf's pelt it wore, and the single horn that sprouted out of its forehead.
"Geez man, you don't have to yell you know!" Complained the white dinosaur.
"Yeah, we were busy taking a nice and relaxing nap!" The brightly colored Digimon grumbled back.
"Um…Hinode-kun? Who are you talking to?" Tsubaki asked Koh.
"I'm talking to the two troublemakers you were talking about."
"Then why can't we see them?" Reya asked. "Me, Hyoudou, and Bellerose were able to see Mummymon, weren't we?"
"Oh, I guess we never talked about that," Koh sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "See, since they're made of data, when Digimon come to the real world they initially lack a physical form and can't be seen by the naked eye. They also can freely go through solid objects and enter digital devices, data, and the internet. If they want to touch something then they have to concentrate."
"So they're essentially like ghosts and spirits," Tsubaki realized.
"That's one way to put it," Koh replied before continuing. "Some Digimon, like Mummymon, can enter an in-between state where they can actively and passively physically interact with and be seen and touched by humans. They can still go through solid objects and enter digital devices, but only if they're calm and do it carefully. Generally, higher-level Digimon can more easily enter that state than Rookie levels like these two."
"Then what about Coronamon?" Sona asked.
"He cheated to get materialized," Psychemon grumbled.
"No, he didn't," Koh retorted. "Basically, some Digimon can fully materialize when their emotions are strongest. Coronamon got around that because of my Digivice originally, but he's since learned to go between the two states at will. Unfortunately, sometimes a Digimon will try to speed up their materialization by using their glee from hurting and annoying people, like these two idiots."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING IDIOTS?!" SnowAgumon and Psychemon yelled.
"So that is why we cannot see them," Sona mused. She smiled as she snapped her fingers, "Let's fix that." She traced a circle in midair which caused a small magic circle to appear before her. With a twist of her wrist, thousands of blue sparkles twinkled out of the circle and into the air around SnowAgumon and Psychemon, causing the two to cough and hack.
"(cough) (cough) Geez, lady! What the hell?!" SnowAugumon wheezed.
"Bla! (cough) What was that?!" Psychemon groaned.
"What did you just do?" Koh asked.
"Oh, I suppose you wouldn't be able to tell. But I used a simple spell that can make ghosts become visible. It will last for an hour," Sona explained while Tsubaki and Reya stared at SnowAgumon and Psychemon.
"Huh?" Koh blinked. He decided to take off his Digivice and, much to his shock, he could still see SnowAgumon and Psychemon. "No way… I can see them without my Digivice. Though… I think that spell needs some work. They're a bit blurry."
"Hmm, yes. I'll have to refine it later," Sona mused.
"Wait, those humans can see us now?" SnowAgumon asked.
"Yes. And she," Koh pointed at Sona, "is the school's student council president."
"…What's that mean?" SnowAgumon and Psychemon both asked.
"Oh brother…" Koh groaned.
"It means…" Sona readjusted her glasses, the frames reflecting light in an intimidating way. "I want a word about the pranks you have been pulling on the students like Issei Hyoudou."
"…It was his fault!" SnowAgumon and Psychemon both pointed at each other. "My fault? It was your idea! Stop it! You stop it!" SnowAgumon and Psychemon began to slap-fight each other.
Sona, Tsubaki, and Reya turned to Koh in confusion. "Like I said: they're idiots," he shrugged.
"They're certainly more childish than Mummymon was," Reya noted, watching the two continue their slap-fight.
"Yeah, Rookie level Digimon like them are basically like kids," Koh added. "Is there anything else you needed, Kaichou?"
"No. This is all for now," Sona shook her head.
"Okay. Guess I'll see you later," Koh turned to leave before pausing. "By the way, has anything… odd happen around Saji lately?" He asked.
"Saji-kun?" Reya tilted her head.
"Not that I know of," Tsubaki answered.
"Why do you ask?" Sona asked.
"…It's probably nothing. But let me know if something does happen," Koh walked away.
After eating and talking with Anne, Himari decided to explore the Hinode home, with Mako following her. It was far larger than the little apartment she lived in all her life with her 'parents'. The back of the home was spacious and had a nice garden. The only sound she could hear was the occasional thunk of a shishi-odoshi and some wind chimes.
"It's really nice here," Himari smiled, with Mako barking in agreement. As she walked outside the back, she noticed one of the shoji doors was opened slightly.
"What's this?" Curiosity getting the best of her, Himari looked inside. The room wasn't very large and only had two features, but Himari recognized what they were right away. "A shrine?" Himari walked up to the large shrine, which showed a picture of a man and woman. The man had short, dark gray hair and red eyes while the woman had long, orange hair and blue eyes. "Are they… Koh-kun's parents?"
"They are."
Himari nearly jumped out of her skin, turning around to see Anne standing at the door.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," Anne quickly said.
"I… I'm fine," Himari said as Mako began rubbing against her legs in an attempt to comfort her.
Himari then looked at the other shrine. This one looked younger and had a picture of a girl with light purple hair, wearing a beanie hat with two points resembling cat ears and a familiar pair of black goggles. In the picture, sitting on her shoulder, was a bipedal rabbit-like creature with four large ears with lavender tips, with bright yellow crescent moons on the forehead, chest, and shoulders. Below the picture was a watch that looked like Koh's Digivice, only the strap was partly broken and the screen was cracked.
"Who's this?" Himari asked.
"That's Sayo," Anne looked at the shrine in sadness. "Sayo Mochizuki. She… was a good friend."
Himari's eyes widened. "Is she… the friend Koh-kun told me about?"
"Yep," Anne nodded.
"What… happened to her?" Himari asked.
Anne sighed. "I don't know," the Dhampir admitted. "All I know is that she, Koh, Coronamon, and Lunamon (Sayo's partner) were investigating why some people were acting differently and that a really bad Digimon was involved. Koh and Coronamon would barely talk to any of us for months after."
Anne knelt down in front of Sayo and Lunamon's shrine. Himari knelt down with her. "I wish Koh and Coronamon will tell me or Iroh-san what happened."
"I'm… sure they have their reasons," Himari muttered, petting Mako.
"Maybe, but still…" Anne looked at the photo of Sayo and Lunamon before sighing. "Koh-kun should be back soon. Then we can do something fun. And it'll be your choice, Himari."
"Mine?" Himari questioned.
"Yep," Anne emphasized the 'p' as she got up. "So, what do you want to do?"
"…Well, Koh once mentioned 'games, anime, and manga'. Can we do one of those?"
Anne smiled. "Perfect. I know one anime I'm sure you'll like."
"Taidaima!" Kaho greeted as she entered the Saji apartment.
"Hey, Kaho."
"Hello, Kaho-chan!"
Kaho blinked in surprise, seeing that they had a guest; Momo Hanakai. "Momo-san, why are you here?" Kaho asked as she took off her shoes.
"Well, I have some leftover work for the student council and Gen-chan offered to help," the white-haired Bishop explained.
Kaho looked at the table, seeing the rather small stack of paperwork, already half-done by the looks of it. "Right…" she smirked.
"What's with that smirk?" Genshirou asked.
"Oh, nothing," Kaho waved her hand.
"Huh?" Genshirou blinked. "Well, whatever. How was that donut shop?"
"It was great!" Kaho beamed before placing a bag on the table. "I brought some home, too."
"Oh, cool!"
"Thanks, Kaho-cha-" Momo paused, her eyes widening.
"Momo-san? Is something wrong?" Kaho asked.
"K-Kaho-chan! Your hand!" Momo exclaimed.
Confused, Kaho looked at her hands. Her left hand was fine, but her right… was beginning to crack apart. And the cracks were slowly growing. "Wha-wha-what!?"
"What the hell!?" Genshirou exclaimed. "Kaho, what's going on?"
"I don't know…"
Unknown to them, they were being watched. A faint laugh can be heard within Momo's phone, which she had left on the table, but it wasn't loud enough for any of them to hear. "Yes. Suffer more and entertain me, child! It'll make the finale all the sweeter! And once you shatter, I may take the reflections of one of your siblings! Hahaha!"
"Donuts!" Gengo happily ran to the table, trying to reach for the bag of donuts Kaho had brought.
Quickly hiding her cracking hand behind her back, Kaho gently slapped Gengo's hands away from the bag with her right hand. "Gengo, isn't this your nap time?"
"…No," Gengo lied.
"…Go take your nap, then you can have some donuts," Genshirou offered. "Okay?"
"Okay," Gengo sighed before heading for his bedroom.
"…Momo, call Kaichou. Now!" Genshirou whispered to her.
Kaho glanced at the bathroom and noticed that the light was on. "Gengo left the light on again," she shook her head as she walked in.
"Come on, Kaichou, pick up!" Momo pleaded. "How can you be this busy on a day off?"
"Kya!"
"KAHO!" Momo and Genshirou both hurried to the bathroom. There they found the girl, but she looked to be in shock. "Kaho, what's wrong?!" Genshirou asked.
Kaho simply pointed at the mirror. Genshirou and Momo looked a the mirror and gasped in shock.
"…My reflection."
In the mirror's reflection, while Genshirou and Momo looked fine, Kaho was missing her left hand.
"Your hand's missing in your reflection, but the real one is falling apart?" Momo muttered.
Kaho's eyes then widened, recalling what her friend had said earlier. "The Mirror Fiend!"
"The what?" Genshirou said.
Kaho quickly explained to the two devils what she had heard from her friend earlier about the Mirror Fiend. About how, when one's reflection began acting oddly it was a sign that the Mirror Fiend had possessed it. As well as what supposedly happens to someone after 48 hours.
"Shatter to pieces?" Genshirou uttered in horror.
Kaho nodded.
"…We need to call Kaichou," Genshirou spoke very seriously.
"Already on it."
"What in the world…?" Sona gasped in horror upon seeing Kaho's state. After calling Sona to request a meeting, Momo and Genshirou brought his sister to the Sitri Peerage's meeting as quickly as they could. During that time, cracks began to appear across Kaho's entire right arm.
The other members of the Peerage were equally shocked. "What is happening to her?" Reya asked.
"I was hoping for Kaichou to tell me," Genshirou said.
"Kaichou?" Momo and Kaho looked to the King, almost pleading.
"I've… never seen anything like this before," Sona admitted as she closely examined Kaho's arm.
"It's the Mirror Fiend," Kaho said.
"Mirror what?" Tomoe wondered.
"I think I heard about that," Ruruko spoke up. "It's an urban legend where a fiend possesses someone's reflection, causing it to disappear in 48 hours, making the person… shatter once it's gone…" The Pawn's eyes widened, as did most of the others.
"Kaichou, please, tell us what we're dealing with," Genshirou pleaded with his King.
"I…" Sona hesitated, unable to look at the desperate faces of the Saji siblings. "I hate to tell you this… but I don't know. I can't sense any demonic power or magic, so I can't tell what's causing it."
"THAT'S BULLSHIT!" Genshirou nearly jumped at Sona had Tsubaki and Tsubasa not grabbed hold of him.
"Saji, calm down!" Tsubasa pleaded.
"How the fuck can I calm down!? My sister's life is at stake!" Genshirou demanded.
"Not demonic power or magic…" Reya muttered before she recalled something. "Wait… maybe Hinode may know!"
"Huh?" Genshirou looked at Reya.
"Who's Hinode?" Kaho asked.
"Hinode deals with Digimon all the time, and we already know that Digimon have powers that are different from devils," Reya added. "And remember what he said earlier? About how if anything odd was happening around Saji-kun?"
Sona nodded, her eyes wide in realization. "So… you believe that a Digimon is responsible."
"What's a Digimon?" Kaho asked.
"Why didn't you say something earlier!?" Genshirou demanded.
"Hinode himself didn't seem that concerned," Tsubaki said.
"I'll call him," Reya offered. "He may know something."
"Can someone please tell me who Hinode is and what a Digimon is already?" Kaho asked.
Tsubaki, after making sure Genshirou won't try to attack Sona again, turned to Kaho. "You see, a few days ago…"
When Koh got home, he found Coronamon, Anne, and Himari watching "Pokémon Best Wishes!" that Anne had picked. Himari was immediately captivated, considering it was the first piece of entertainment she ever experienced. Smiling at seeing the joy on Himari's face, Koh decided to join them.
"Oh! The piggy got bigger!" Himari exclaimed.
"Yeah, that's how evolution works in Pokémon," Anne said.
"I'm still cooler," Coronamon boasted.
"No need to be jealous of a pig, Coronamon," Koh lightly reprimanded his partner. "So you guys have been watching Pokémon all day?"
"No, just the last few episodes of the Black and White series," Anne took a sip of some water. "So how was your day?"
"Aside from giving the terrible duo to Kaichou, it was the same as usual," Koh answered.
Himari was about to ask what Koh meant when his phone went off.
*Riing!* *Riing!*
"Oh, hold on," Koh pulled out his phone. The caller ID said that it was Reya. "Kusaka?"
"She's… the brown-haired girl with braids from last night, right?" Himari asked.
"Yeah. She's one of Kaichou's Bishops," Anne said.
"So she's a devil?" Himari nervously said as Koh answered his phone.
"Hello?"
"Hinode, I know this is sudden, but something is happening to Saji-kun's sister."
"Saji has a sister?" Koh questioned, wondering if that was the girl he saw with him the other night. "Not important. What's happening?"
"Her reflection is disappearing, and the corresponding body part is falling apart. She says it's being caused by something called the 'Mirror Fiend'," Reya explained. "Kaichou already looked and couldn't find any traces of magic being used, then we recalled about you asking if Saji was experiencing anything odd and…"
"You think a Digimon's responsible," Koh concluded. "Is there anything else I should know?"
"We don't know much ourselves, but Kaho-chan, Saji-kun's sister, said that victims of the Mirror Fiend shatter to pieces after 48 hours."
Koh's eyes widened in shock. "When did she first notice something was off?"
"Last night, around 10 pm."
Koh checked the time on his Digivice, it read 6:30 pm. "So we have about a day at most to figure this out. Me and Coronamon will ask the local Digimon if they know anything. I'll meet you guys in the student council room at 12 pm tomorrow. Sound good?"
"I'll be sure to tell them."
At that, Koh hung up. "Coronamon, we need to head out."
"I figured," Coronamon groaned.
"What's going on?" Anne asked.
"Saji's sister is missing part of her reflection. They think a Digimon called 'the Mirror Fiend' is responsible," Koh explained.
"Is… there any way I can help?" Himari asked.
"You want to help?" Koh asked, surprised. "After what happened with Mummymon?"
"I can't just sit back, knowing someone is in trouble because of a Digimon, like I was," Himari then willed her Sacred Gear to appear. "And I'm not defenseless."
"I want to help, too!" Anne added. "I was hiding what I am, so I wasn't able to help much before, especially with Sayo. But not anymore!" Anne raised her hand in solidarity. "I'm helping, whether you like it or not, Koh-kun!"
Koh and Coronamon looked at the two in surprise before they smiled. "Okay. Let's do this!"
"What's first, boss?" Coronamon asked.
"We go around town to ask the local Digimon if they know anything."
May 4, 2012, Greenery Day
Kuoh Academy Student Council Room, Japan
"Where is he?" Genshirou paced back and forth in the student council room. It was almost noon, and like Koh asked the student council, along with Kahn, were waiting for Koh, who had yet to arrive.
"Gen-chan, calm down before you were a groove into the floor," Momo said.
"How can I calm down when half of Kaho's body has giant cracks!?" Genshirou countered.
Kaho whimpered at the reminder. By now, half of her body, including half of her face, was covered in cracks, with one going right through her eye. The only reason they managed to get her to the school without drawing attention was because of a spell Sona had cast, preventing normal humans from noticing Kaho's condition.
"Hinode should be here soon, Saji," Sona reassured.
Like clockwork, a knock came from the student council room's door. "Sorry if we're a bit late," Koh apologized as he entered, followed by Anne and Himari.
"Kido!" Reya said in surprise. "I wasn't expecting you to be here."
"I… insisted on coming," Himari replied. She then glanced over to Kaho and gasped in shock. "Oh my…"
"I know. It's bad," Kaho sighed.
"No argument there," Coronamon muttered as he made himself visible, to Kaho's shock.
"Wha… What is that!?"
"This is Coronamon, a Digimon and my friend," Koh answered.
"That's a Digimon…?" Kaho stared at Coronamon in wonder.
"Yep! Nice to meet ya!" The lion-cub Digimon greeted. Coronamon then stepped forward and sniffed Kaho a bit. "Hmmm… Yep. Smells like a Digimon."
"It's like what they said," Koh muttered.
"Hinode, are you and Coronamon sure a Digimon is responsible for Kaho's condition?" Sona asked.
"At the very least a Digimon is involved," Koh and Coronamon glanced at the Digimon hovering above Kaho. It had an oval-shaped body, the bottom half green, and the top half resembling a pink flower with a yellow leaf on top of its head. Its eyes and mouth looked like three black dots. "There's a Digimon right here above Kaho-chan."
The pink flower Digimon looked at Koh in surprise.
"Wait, what?!" Genshirou exclaimed.
"Yeah," Coronamon nodded. "We saw them following you guys the other night after dealing with Mymmymon."
"So that's why you asked about anything odd happening around Saji-kun," Reya realized.
Kaho, not really following what was being said, checked the time on her phone. "Digimon or not, I only have until tonight. We can't waste any time."
Scowling, the flower Digimon suddenly disappeared into Kaho's phone. "Whoa!" Koh and Coronamon both exclaimed.
"What? What happened?" Tsubasa asked.
"The Digimon went into her phone," Koh revealed.
After a few seconds, the Digimon returned, panting.
"She's back!" Coronamon pointed at where the flower Digimon was.
Growling, Genshirou turned to where Coronamon was pointing. "Alright, listen you! If you don't turn my sister back to normal…!"
"Saji, calm down!" Koh placed a hand on the Pawn's shoulder. "I don't think that Digimon is responsible."
"What makes you so sure?" Tsubaki asked.
"When Kusaka mentioned the Mirror Fiend, me and Coronamon asked some of the Digimon around the city. They all said the same thing about a Digimon who recently arrived in the city," Koh glanced at the flower Digimon. "It's not you, right?"
"…No," the Digimon spoke in a feminine voice. "My name is Lalamon, and to clear things up, I'm not the one harming Kaho."
"Then who is it so I can kick their ass?!" Genshirou demanded.
"…It's Mercuremon," Lalamon revealed.
"That's what all those other Digimon said," Coronamon muttered.
"What's a Mercuremon?" Momo asked.
"An aristocratic Digimon who obsesses over everything being done his way," Lalamon explained. "He has powers over metal and mirrors, moving through both the mirror world and the internet to look for humans to target."
"That's what some of the Digimon told me and Coronamon," Koh added. "Apparently, Mercuremon is trying to materialize, and he's stealing the reflections of humans to accomplish that."
"Materialize? Like Coronamon?" Himari asked.
"Like I said yesterday, when a Digimon's emotions are at their strongest they can materialize," Koh said. "Sometimes they try to do so by attacking humans."
"That's why Mercuremon gradually takes a human's reflection, so he can watch them suffer for as long as possible," Lalamon growled. "I've been trying to stop Mercuremon. But he's too fast and too strong for me," Lalamon growled. "He either escapes somewhere within the internet or goes to the mirror world where I can't follow. Even if I catch him, he's too strong for me. Mercuremon's just toying with me, enjoying all this pain!"
"Hmm… We need to lure Mercuremon out into the open and make sure he can't escape again," Sona hummed in thought.
Koh held up his Digivice, tapping its screen before pressing the button on its side. This caused a holographic map of the area to appear.
"Whoa! That's new!" Genshirou muttered, he, his sister, and the other student council members were surprised by the Digivice's feature.
Koh took a moment to study the map. "If we want to lure Mercuremon out and make sure he can't escape, then it looks like the old school building is the best place."
Sona hummed in thought before nodding. "Yes, that would be the best place. The old school building lacks any security cameras, and there aren't many who go there aside from Rias and her peerage.."
"Okay, but how are we supposed to lure Mercuremon there, to begin with?" Tomoe asked.
"The jerk wants to become solid or whatever, right?" Ruruko pointed out. "Maybe we can use that?"
"Using Mercuremon's desire to materialize," Koh muttered. Then an idea struck. "I got it! Meet me at the old school building!" Koh ran out.
"Hey, Hinode! Where-"
"I'll be right back!" Koh interrupted Genshirou. "Coronamon, stay with them!"
"Do not run in the halls!" Sona chatted, but Koh either didn't hear or ignored her as he continued to run.
"…Did he just leave?!" Kaho exclaimed.
"No, that's not like Koh-kun," Anne replied. "I'm sure he has a plan."
"In the meantime, we better make our way to the old school building," Sona readjusted her glasses. "I better inform Rias of the situation."
Koh peddled as fast as he could home, practically jumping off his bike as he arrived before he ran in. Not bothering to remove his shoes, Koh ran towards the back.
"What are you planning?" Regulus asked.
"I have something that could work to bait Mercuremon out," Koh answered as he slowed down, entering the room where the shrines are. Walking towards the shrine to Sayo and Lunamon, Koh picked up the watch that was on it. Sayo's old Digivice.
He was about to leave when he saw the picture of Sayo and Lunamon. Taking a deep breath, Koh began to pray. "Sayo, Lunamon, God, if any of you are watching, please… Let this work."
"I see. So that is what's happening," Rias muttered. When Sona had informed her of the situation with Kaho, Rias had her peerage come to the old school building as backup.
"A Digimon that can steal one's reflection. It almost sounds like a horror movie," Akeno noted.
"And Hinode deals with this all the time, and just days after the last one," Issei muttered. "Does he ever take a break?"
"He does," Anne answered. "When he isn't at school, helping at Uncle Iroh's tea shop, or walking around town checking in on the Digimon, he and Coronamon are home watching anime, playing games, or he's drawing in his sketchbook. Though sometimes I have to drag him to do something fun."
"What do you suppose Hinode's plan is?" Kiba asked.
"He didn't say," Tsubasa replied.
Asia looked at Kaho in shock. "Oh, how horrible. Perhaps my Twilight Healing could help."
"I'm afraid it won't work, Asia-san," Himari said. "I already tried with my Sacred Gear."
"Hey, is Lalamon still here?" Kaho asked, sitting on the ground while hugging Coronamon.
"She is," Coronamon answered.
"If she's been protecting me, the least she could do is show herself," Kaho muttered.
"I have a spell that can allow us to see Digimon if they're invisible," Sona spoke up.
"You do?" Issei asked, surprised.
"It still needs work," Sona admitted. "But it can at least-"
"Hey!" The devils, Digimon, and Kaho turned to see Koh peddling toward them before he jumped off his bike. "How's Kaho-chan?"
"It's still spreading!" Genshirou yelled. "Your plan better work, Hinode!"
"It should," Koh stopped running. "Except for Kaho-chan, everyone needs to turn off their phones."
"Huh?" Asia blinked. "Why?"
"I think I get it. Mercuremon is watching Kaho-chan from either the internet or the mirror world. There aren't any reflective surfaces he could use out here, so he's forced to watch from one of our phones," Reya said.
"That's right," Koh nodded. "So turn them off. Kaho, give your phone to Coronamon."
Everyone did as instructed, shutting down their phones while Kaho gave her phone to Coronamon. "Now what?" Genshirou asked.
"Point the screen at me," Koh reached into his pocket and pulled out Sayo's old Digivice, to the surprise of Coronamon and Anne. "That's…"
"Mercuremon, you're watching right!?" Koh yelled, being sure it was in the direction of Kaho's phone. "This is a Digivice! It's a device that materialized Coronamon! Now, Kaho-chan!"
"Wh-What?"
"We're gonna materialize Lalamon who's protecting you right now!" Koh glanced at Lalamon as the flower Digimon and everyone else gasped.
Sona quickly realized that Koh was planning. 'I see. He's using Mercuremon's desire to materialize against him by making it seem like Kaho will materialize Lalamon. This could work.'
"It's easy, so you can do it Kaho-chan," Koh continued. "Just put this on your wrist."
Kaho could only look at Koh in a mix of confusion and shock. Then she looked at her phone, seeing that she only had several hours left at most. Steeling herself, she turned to Koh and offered her right hand. "Put it on!"
"Okay," Koh approached Kaho, he, Lalamon, and Coronamon glancing at her phone as he did. Then, the phone's screen began to glitch, catching everyone's attention, when-
"Give that device to me!" A large figure suddenly jumped out of Kaho's phone and charged at Koh, to the boy's shock. Fortunately, the figure passed through Koh harmlessly and landed a couple of feet behind him. "Drat! In my haste, I had forgotten that I cannot touch anything but the ground unless I concentrate."
"Hinode, what happened!?" Sona asked.
"It worked," Koh answered as he glared at the Digimon.
"That bastard is here?!" Genshirou growled.
"Kaho-chan, turn off your phone and find someplace safe to hide!" Reya instructed.
"Himari, go with her," Koh said.
"R-Right!" Kaho and Himari quickly did so and ran as Sona casted a spell in the direction Koh and Coronamon were looking.
Mercuremon began to cough as the particles covered his body, revealing himself to the devils present. He was mostly green and was shaped a bit like a star with skinny limbs. In his belly was a tall skinny mirror, while two large circular mirrors were on his arms. Near the top of his pointy head where his face should be was a mirror that only showed his lips. "What is this?!"
Koh took this moment to activate his Digivice's Digimon Analyzer.
Name: Mercuremon
Level: Hybrid
Attribute: Variable
Attacks: Generous Mirror, Offset Reflector
"That's Mercuremon?" Koneko muttered.
"He's quite different from that giant stag beetle," Kiba noted.
"You can see me?" Mercuremon asked. "What have you done?"
"I simply casted a spell that allows us to see you," Sona explained. "Now, return Kaho's reflection."
"If you do, then Coronamon and I can show you how to materialize without a Digivice," Koh added.
"Hmmm, an interesting proposition. Here is my counterargument," Mercuremon raised one of his arms, aiming the mirror shield at them. "Generous Mirror!" Beams of light fired from the mirror at them. While the devils and Coronamon jumped out of the way, Koh summoned Regulus Nemea to block the light beams.
"Hey, what the hell?!" Issei exclaimed.
"I simply defeat all of you and take your reflections for my collection!" Mercuremon smiled. "Far more fun for me that way!"
"Why do they also go for the hard way?" Koh grumbled.
"Fine by me. I've been wanting to kick his ass!" Genshirou summoned his Sacred Gear and ran toward Mercuremon, Lalamon following.
"Saji, wait!" Sona tried to call out, but Genshirou didn't listen.
"Take this!" He shouted, pointing the gauntlet at Mercuremon and launching a blue line from its mouth. But instead of wrapping around Mercuremon's leg as intended, the line just went through it. "What?!"
Mercuremon laughed. "Foolish boy! Though the lady's spell made me visible to you, you still cannot touch me! I, on the other hand, can do this to you!" Mercuremon fired several beams of light at Genshirou, one of which managed to hit his shoulder.
"Gha!"
"Saji!/Gen-chan!" Momo and Ruruko quickly ran to Genshirou's side.
"Gen-nii!" Kaho gasped from her hiding place.
"I'm okay," Genshirou said through gritted teeth. "I'm gonna…"
"Fail again?" Mercuremon laughed.
"Nuts Shoot!" Lalamon fired solid nuts from her mouth at Mercuremon, hitting him square in the face.
"Gah!" Mercuremon sputtered. "You again?" The Mutant Digimon quickly grabbed Lalamon.
"Let me go!" The flower Digimon demanded.
"If you insist," Mercuremon slammed Lalamon into the ground, creating a small crater. Mercuremon began laughing as he prepared to stomp on the helpless Lalamon.
"Corona-knuckle!" Coronamon's slamming fists collided with Mercuremon's head, causing the larger Digimon to stagger back. "You okay?" The lion Digimon asked as he helped Lalamon up.
"Yeah," Lalamon nodded.
"Gotta take this guy seriously," Koh's Digivice began to give an orange glow. "Coronamon!"
"Aye, Boss!" Coronamon cheered as he ran forward, his body beginning to glow orange.
"What in…?" Mercuremon gapped as flames surrounded Coronamon.
"Coronamon, Digivolve too… FIRAMON!"
When the light dispersed, in Coronamon's place stood a large red-orange lion with a yellow mane and wings, flames spewing from its forehead and the tip of its tail.
"Whoa…" Issei and the others stared at Firamon in awe.
"A Digivolution!?" Mercuremon gasped. "No matter! It cannot help you!"
"We'll see about that," Firamon, his voice now deeper, charged at Mercuremon, his front legs set ablaze. "Fira Claw!"
Mercuremon managed to block Firamon's attack with his mirrors, but he was pushed back by the force of it.
"Fira Bomb!" Flames gathered at Firamon's forehead before shooting out toward Mercuremon. But the Mutant Digimon raised his arms, the flames being sucked into the mirror shields and seemingly negated.
But then, one of the mirrors glowed- "Offset Reflector!" And a blast of flames was launched straight back toward the lion, blasting Firamon back and to the ground.
"He stole Tsubaki-senpai's move!" Tomoe exclaimed.
Mercuremon grinned, before raising his other arm. "And here's the one from earlier back! Offset Reflector!" The mirror glowed red, launching another blast that struck hard against Firamon again.
"Firamon!" Koh cried out in concern as he ran to his partner's side. "You okay, buddy?"
Firamon pushed himself back up. "Yeah."
Mercuremon prepared to attack again, only for a bolt of Akeno's lightning to hit him, causing the Mutant Digimon to let out an ear-piercing shriek.
"Ara ara, it looks like our magic can hurt him," Akeno smiled, having already changed into her Miko attire. "And you're still standing. I guess that means you can withstand a bit more punishment!" She unleashed another lighting strike at Mercuremon.
But Mercuremon managed to raise one of his mirrors "Let's see how you like it. Offset Reflector!" The Mutant Digimon then fired back Akeno's lightning at her.
Akeno's eyes widened in surprise before she dodged her redirected lightning, but, she failed to notice that Mercuremon aimed one of his mirrors at her. "Generous Mirror!"
Akeno didn't have time as a blast of light neared her, but Koh quickly got between her and the attack, the beam of light bouncing off him and Regulus Nemea.
"You okay?" He asked.
"I would've been fine," Akeno replied. "But we must stop meeting like this."
Koh shook his head as Firamon came to his side.
"Stubborn wretches, aren't you?" Mercuremon laughed as he faded from the devil's view.
"Where'd he go?" Koneko asked.
"The spell must have worn off," Sona realized.
"Can't you recast it?" Issei asked.
"I need to know where Mercuremon is first." Sona gritted her teeth. 'Damn it! Even if we could see where Mercuremon was, most of us can't hit him. And the few of us who can hurt Mercuremon will get their attacks sent back… at them… Wait!' Sona glanced at her Queen. 'Tsubaki's Sacred Gear! If Mercuremon's abilities are similar, then he either has a cooldown between uses or he can't absorb an attack a second time. We just need to know where he is.' Sona quickly turned to Koh. "Hinode! Where is he?"
"He's-" Before he could answer, Firamon charged only to be blocked by something.
"Generous Mirror!" Mercuremon's voice echoed as Firamon was thrown back by something, hitting Koh and knocking him and Akeno back.
"Koh-kun!" Anne ran to his side.
"Akeno-senpai!/Akeno!" Asia and Rias quickly ran to the Queen's side.
"Koh-kun!" Himari screamed from her and Kaho's hiding place.
Kaho bit her lip, unable to do anything to help. All the while her brother and his friends were fighting and getting hurt to help her. 'There has to be something I can do. Anything…' A glint of light on the ground caught Kaho's attention. It was the Digivice Koh and brought. He must have dropped it when Firamon was sent flying into him and Akeno.
Kaho looked at her hands, the cracks now widening and far more numerous than before. Eyes narrowed, Kaho ran to where the Digivice landed.
"Kaho-chan! What are you doing?!" Himari ran after the younger girl.
"Boss, you okay!?" Firamon asked as he got off Acne and Koh.
"Ugh, it hurts to breathe a little, but I'm fine," Koh grumbled as Anne helped him up.
"Now then, boy," Mercuremon began to approach. "Hand over the Digivice."
Koh simply glared at Mercuremon as he checked his pockets… and blinked when he noticed that the Digivice was gone. "Huh?"
"What's wrong?" Rias asked.
"Where-?"
"Hey!"
Everyone turned to Kaho, who was holding up the broken Digivice.
"Kaho, what are you doing?!" Genshirou yelled out.
"Hinode, what am I supposed to do with this?!" Kaho asked.
"Blasted girl," Mercuremon aired one of his mirrors at Kaho…
"Nuts Explosion!" But Lalamon quickly moved in front of Kaho and fired some seeds at Mercuremon, which exploded, stunning the Mutant Digimon for a moment, leaving him open to Firamon's attack.
Koh wanted to tell Kaho that it would be useless, that the Digivice didn't work, and yet… part of him somehow knew that Kaho should give it a chance. Eyes narrowing, Koh yelled out, "Just put the Digivice on! Once it locks onto Lalamon, push the button on the side!"
"Huh? Hinode, what the hell?!" Genshirou demanded.
Kaho quickly put the Digivice on her left wrist, having a little difficulty due to the broken strap, but she managed. The moment it was on, the screen suddenly came to life, monitor waves appearing on the screen. Looking up, Kaho gasped as both Lalamon and Mercuremon suddenly appeared before her. "I… I can see them," Kaho then took note of how hurt Lalamon was. "You're hurt."
"Yeah, but don't worry about me. I'll keep protecting you," Lalamon assured her.
"Why me, though?" Kaho couldn't help but ask.
"I… just enjoy being around you," Lalamon answered. "You're young, yet so reliable compared to other humans I've seen. You take great care of the flowers at your school. Even if you can be a bit forgetful."
Kaho tilted her head before she realized what Lalamon meant. "Wait, are you the one who brings me my phone or keys?"
Lalamon nodded.
Kaho smiled. "You could've shown yourself at any time."
"I couldn't. I can't materialize," Lalamon replied.
"Let's fix that," Kaho looked at the Digivice, its screen displaying an image resembling Lalamon.
Up above, a strange creature resembling a cross between a penguin and a fish, only glowing white with large wings, watched Kaho and Lalamon. It felt the feelings they had and decided to grant their wish.
(Play "First Riders" - Digimon Ghost Game)
The moment Kaho pressed the button, the Digivice glowed a bright white light, causing everyone to pause. The Digivice fired two beams of light. One hit Lalamon, making her solid. The other hit Mercuremon.
"What in…" Mercuremon began before his body suddenly began convulsing. "What is- GAH!" Sparks of data in the form of 1s and 0s broke out of one of Mercuremon's mirrors and rushed toward Kaho.
The moment the numbers fell upon Kaho, her body began to be restored. Once the 1s and 0s finished, Kaho looked over herself. "I'm… normal again!" Kaho nearly cried, looking at her crack-free hands.
"Kaho!" Genshirou had tears in his eyes.
"It actually worked," Koh muttered in disbelief.
"Damnable girl!" Mercerumon growled. "What did you do!?" Mercerumon fired several beams at Kaho and Lalamon.
"Nuts Shoot!" Lalamon quickly retaliated, the nuts from her mouth meeting Mercerumon's beams of light, the two attacks canceling each other out, to Lalamon's shock. "I… Did I become stronger?"
"Everyone, this is our chance!" Sona, using the point where Mercerumon's attack came from, quickly casted the spell that allowed them to see Mercerumon. "Tsubaki, focus on defense! Kusaka, Hanakai, with me!" Sona ordered as she, Reya, and Momo all began bombarding Mercuremon with magic. Sona was unleashing torrents of raging water on him, waves so violent that it made a stormy sea look like a bathtub. The two Bishops on the other hand were blasting him large fireballs that put any modern flamethrower to shame.
"Can't let you have all the fun, Sona," Rias fired a blast of dark energy at Mercuremon while Akeno fired another bolt.
"Nuts Bazooka!" Lalamon fired dozens of large tree nuts at Mercuremon.
"Ha! Fools!" Mercerumon smirked as he absorbed the attacks into one of his mirrors- "Offset Reflector!" Before firing the attacks back at them.
But this time, Tsubaki quickly got into the path of the attacks and summoned a large full-body mirror. "Mirror Alice!" She exclaimed as the attacks hit before being redirected back at Mercerumon.
"Hey! That's my move!" Mercerumon complained before being hit by the two attacks, only now at double the strength, crying out in pain.
Sona quickly turned to Koh. "Hinode!"
"I see where you're heading!" Koh turned to Firamon. "Finish it, pal!"
"Right!" Firamon roared as he took flight into the air. He circled once and then dived down from the sky. "Flame Dive!" Firamon's body became encased with flames as he dived into Mercuremon. There was a loud explosion and Firamon jumped out of the cloud of smoke unharmed. Mercuremon wasn't as lucky, as the blast from the three attacks not only sent him flying back but also damaged most of his body, especially his mirrors.
Mercerumon began convulsing, his mirrors glowing. "NO! No, not again! GRAAAH!" Mercerumon's mirrors shattered, and like before, sparks of data in the form of 1s and 0s broke out of one of Mercuremon's mirrors and rushed into the air before spreading out.
"What's happening?" Kiba asked.
"I think," Koh smiled. "All the reflections Mercerumon stole are returning to their owners."
(End Music)
It wasn't long before the light show ended. Mercerumon struggled to pull himself up, using the side of the old school building for support. But as he did, he noticed his reflection in a window. His body was so horrifically scared and scratched, he was barely recognizable. Not to mention that his beautiful mirrors had shattered into numerous pieces, some even missing. The worst-case scenario for the narcissistic Digimon.
"No… NNNOOOOOOO!"
The devils, two humans, and two Digimon turned to see Mercerumon looking at all of them in rage.
"You break my face, I break yours!" He declared vengefully, but Firamon growled at him as Rias and Sona prepared spells to attack.
Realizing he may be outmatched, Mercerumon gave a frustrated growl before disappearing into the reflection of the window.
"Where'd he go!?" Genshirou asked.
"He's probably long gone by now," Koh said as Firamon turned back into Coronamon. "But I get the feeling we might see him again."
"Lalamon!" Kaho suddenly hugged the flower Digimon. "Thank you!"
Lalamon blushed. "I… didn't do much."
"So that's Lalamon?" Tsubasa asked.
"She's cute!" Tomoe gushed.
"I'm more interested in Coronamon's transformation," Sona readjusted her glasses. "So that was a Digivolution, as Mercuremon called it?"
"Yeah," Koh nodded. "That was Firamon, Coronamon's Champion form."
"You certainly didn't seem to exaggerate Coronamon's power," Rias said.
"Hold on, Hinode, why didn't Coronamon Digivolve when fighting Mummymon?" Issei asked.
Koh deadpanned. "A large, fire-spewing lion in an abandoned, underground parking lot with a bunch of people wrapped in flammable bandages. How do you think that could've gone?"
Issei winced. "…Point taken."
"Hey, this thing's fixed," Kaho suddenly said.
Koh and Coronamon looked at Kaho's outstretched arm. Sure enough, the Digivice was fully repaired, as if it never received any damage before. "How'd that happen?" Coronamon asked.
Kaho looked up at Koh. "I… suppose you want this back, right?"
Koh smiled. "You can keep it."
"Koh, are you sure?" Anne asked. "I mean, that used to be…"
"I'm sure she would be okay with it," Koh replied. "Besides, I get the feeling it's Kaho-chan's now. I'll show her how it works later. With you there, Saji," Koh quickly said before Genshirou could say anything. "Still, how did that old Digivice get repaired, anyway?" Koh wondered.
A burst of child-like laughter caught their attention. Looking up, the group saw the creature that had been watching flying above them. "What is that?" Tomoe asked.
'That's… like the creatures Sayo and I saw that day when we first met Coronamon and Lunamon!' Koh realized.
"That's a DigiGnome!" Lalamon exclaimed.
"What?! No way!" Coronamon gapped.
"What is a DigiGnome?" Sona asked.
"They're creatures that are said to have the power to grant wishes," Lalamon explained. "But I thought they were a myth."
"Grant wishes?" Himari repeated.
The DigiGnome giggled some more before it flew off and disappeared.
"It's gone," Koneko said.
"D'oh! I was going to ask it to grant my wish to be Harem King!" Issei grumbled, grasping his head.
That earns eye roles from some of the girls, glares from Koneko, a confused look from Himari and Kaho, and giggles from Kiba and Anne. Koh shook his head as he sighed, but he had a smile. "Odd how Hyoudou can be a perverted idiot one moment and a cool guy the next."
"You were pretty cool yourself, Hinode-kun," Akeno walked up to Koh.
"You think so?" Koh asked.
Akeno nodded. "Especially when you got in between me and Mercuremon's attack. If I hadn't known better, I would think you were trying to show off to me."
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Koh deadpanned.
"Koh-kun, are you okay?" Himari asked as she and Anne ran to his side.
"Aside from maybe cracking a couple of ribs, I'm fine," Koh answered.
"Oh no!" Himari gasped, summing healing water with her Sacred Gear. "I'll start healing you now. If you still have any pain when we head home, be sure to tell me."
"Oh~?" Akeno narrowed her eyes teasingly.
"Yeah, Koh offered Himari to live whit him and his uncle," Anne explained.
"Living together already? How scandalous you two," Akeno said, her hand covering her mouth as she pretended to be shocked. "You're an impressive man for moving so quickly, Hinode," she could barely hold back her snickers as the boy began turning red. "I wonder if we'll be celebrating a wedding soon?"
"Wed-wedding!?" Himari stuttered out, smoke escaping her ears as her mind began to overload, though she smiled at the thought.
"You're the type to tease, aren't you?" Koh asked, trying to fight down his blush.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Akeno giggled.
Anne let out a small laugh.
"Uh, Koh-kun, I'll need you to take off your shirt for me to properly heal you," Himari said.
Complying, Koh removed his jacket and shirt. This resulted in Anne and Himari blushing at seeing Koh's surprisingly toned body.
"Ara ara, you're more muscular than I imagined," Akeno said, having a light blush.
"A result of dealing with Digimon and my uncle's training," Koh replied.
"I wouldn't mind seeing you like this more often~," Akeno giggled.
"I-I…" Koh gulped nervously, familiar with this kind of tease. 'I already have to deal with three other aggressive women, I don't need a fourth.'
"Fourth?" Regulus questioned. "As far as I'm aware, neither Himari nor Anne have attempted to court you like this. Who are the other three?"
'None of your business, Simba,' Koh retorted mentally.
Elsewhere, Mercuremon emerged from the mirror world in an abandoned warehouse. Grunting in pain, he walked over to the discarded mirrors he had collected. "Those insolent, little…" the Mutant Digimon growled, looking at his reflection. At his once beautiful mirrors. "They will pay dearly for this."
"Yes. They will."
Gasping, Mercuremon turned to see that someone else was in the warehouse. "Who's there?!"
A tall, lanky figure emerged from the shadows. "My apologies for disturbing you. I am a friend… one with an offer that can help you achieve your revenge."
"…What kind of offer?" Mercuremon questioned.
Now then, the preview… Weddings are normally times of celebration, but what if-
Koh: Coronamon… What are you doing?
Coronamon: Boss!? Where did you come from?
Koh: Wait, you were the one doing the previews?
Coronamon: …Maybe.
Koh: Buddy, there's no reason to make it sound like the opening of a horror story every time. This isn't Ghost Game. Besides, we need to help Rias with her… problem soon.
Coronamon: Pfft. Buzzkill.
Koh & Coronamon: Next time on High School Digimon: Dawn x Dusk, "Engagement Challenge"!
Koh: Hold on! Rias tried to do what to Issei?
AN: This one… took A LOT longer than it should have. But at least it's done. But now Saji's sister is involved with all this. And yes, Saji does have a younger sister and brother. They debuted in DX.4 of the light novels, which takes place during the Azazel Cup.
Also, I figured I give everyone a little bio for the characters in the fic, starting with Koh and Coronamon:
Name: Koh Hinode — Voiced by: Yuri Lowenthal (English), Kazuyuki Okitsu (Japanese)
Sex: Male
Species: Human
Birthday: September 17, 1995
Age: 16
Appearance: He has lightly tanned skin, orange hair, and red eyes. He wears black eye goggles, with the left lens cracked, over his forehead (which used to belong to Sayo). Outside of his school uniform, he wears a red buttoned shirt with an open short-sleeved black jacket, blue shorts, blue socks, and red and black sneakers.
History: A longtime resident of Kuoh Town, Koh lost his parents when he was 5 years old and was taken in by his uncle, Iroh. He grew up with Sayo as his best friend. One day, during their second year at middle school, they stumbled upon two Digimon, Coronamon and Lunamon, who quickly bonded with them (thanks in part to DigiGnomes). Over the next year, they learned all they could about the Digimon inhabiting Kuoh, until an encounter with a certain Digimon…
Personality: Kind-hearted but quiet and distant, Koh was deeply affected by Sayo's death, feeling he was responsible for it. As such he's very protective of his remaining friends, doing whatever he can to keep them safe. He does not tolerate anyone (Digimon or not) who kills and disregards the lives they take and will not hesitate to take them down
Abilities: Koh's uncle has taught him both kendo and aikido since he was young, but he had never taken the lessons seriously until after Sayo's death. He also possesses the Longinus, Regulus Nemea.
Coronamon (Vaccine) — Voiced by: Bryce Papenbrook (English), Fumiko Inoue (Japanese)
Koh's partner, the two (along with Sayo and Lunamon) having met by chance. He's very loyal to Koh and calls him Boss. Laidback and cheerful, he enjoys anime and video games and is supportive of Koh.
His Digivolutions are as follows:
* Fresh (Baby): Mokumon
* In-Training (Baby 2): Sunmon
* Rookie (Child): Coronamon (default)
* Champion (Adult): Firamon
Although, it looks like Mercuremon will be back for revenge later. Yeah, unlike Ghost Game where most of the bad Digimon who don't change their ways run away and are never seen again… that won't happen here. But who is Mercuremon's new acquaintance? You'll eventually find out.
And with all that out of the way, stay safe, stay healthy, and don't be racist!