Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.

I always wondered what the first digimon 'companion' would be. I wanted it to start of cement things with the dinosaur companion going to the main protagonist. I thought about maybe doing a digimon with a personality similar to Rei's, but the story took on a life of it's own and had other plans. My design for him turned into a fusion of Guilmon and a Shoutmon. It turned into a basilisk like lizard with raptor claws and sharp teeth. And keep in mind this digimon 'Skamon' is the rookie level. Interesting right? I kind of put him with a mix of Shoutmon's and Veemon'svoice in the English dub with also a combination of their personalities as well as guilmon's innocence. Whenever he says 'Rei' it is beyond entertaining because of how annoyed Rei Kurenada gets.


Chapter Seven: The World is Full of the Childish

Rei's hands took on a life of their own as he maneuvered through his own computer program. His machine scanned over the entire digital egg he had been given, the composition appearing to be mass of digital data wrapping around and ensnaring an even smaller one.

"Fascinating," he said inspecting it through a magnification lens. "With the way it pulses it really is as if something exists within this egg," he said studying it.

"I would not have thought this was possible, but it seems what that deity-like figure told me was true after all," he mused lifting up a lens, watching the egg shake. He wondered if perhaps it would hatch soon, but ignored that feeling realizing he had stayed after work way too long and he had to come in early in the morning.

He kept staring at it as if the egg had called to him, but put his fingers over his eyes.

"I must be exhausted," he said. "I felt like that thing was calling me."

He turned off the light and shut the door, but did not let go of the handle.

A voice seemed to be pestering him, Rei irritated that it felt like something was pressuring his temple, his left eye twitching incessantly.

"This is ridiculous," he said irritated, a voice seeming like it was calling him over and over again. He clenched his teeth, closed his eyes and could not take it anymore.

He swung the door open, snatched the egg away from his research area and slammed the door shut.


That evening Rei had the most unpleasant dream. He dreamed the egg repeatedly called him Rei no matter what he did or where he went. He tried to run away from it, plug his ears, the voice repeating louder and louder getting faster and faster Rei getting exasperated doing all in his power to escape. He felt like he would blow a blood vessel, until he woke up and opened his eyes, even hearing the voice echoing out into reality.

"Rei…" the voice repeatedly said. "Rei!" the voice seemed to shout.

Rei grumbled, his vision fuzzy, the vision slowly clearing until he saw a red creature staring down at him, lizard-like but also resembling some kind of mythological creature, a bizarre creature much like a basilisk he had read about yet in a bipedal form. It smiled wondrously, razor sharp teeth exposed.

"Hi Rei," a male voice smiled positively.

Instantaneously Rei backed up against the wall, went straight for his makeshift tiny kitchen and grabbed a kitchen knife, his grasp shaking as he faced off against the monster.

"I don't know what kind of savage beast you are, but if you even think of having me for lunch you'll regret it!" He shouted, doing his best to control his hand.

The monster stared at him inquisitively, approaching him, it's eyes scanning over him.

Rei backed up slightly making sure he never turned his back towards the creature exposing a weak point. After all that's what the monster had to be doing. It had to be-

"-Rei!" the beast shouted for joy throwing Rei off and then he jumped into his arms licking his cheek over and over again, Rei not knowing whether the monster started to eat him or be affectionate with him.

It took him a moment to realize just what had happened.

He sat up, drool falling off of his hair, his eyes twitching.

"Wait a second," he said staring at the creature. "Are you that demon-like creature that was in the egg?"

"Not a demon-like creature," the creature grinned. "I'm a digimon! I'm your digimon Rei!"

"My digimon?" Rei said realizing the creature meant him no harm.

"That's right. I'm your partner," he added. "And as your partner we got to take care of each other!"

"You expect me to take care of you?" he said getting up shaking the drool off of him. "After you just soaked me in drool? You're worse than a dog!"

The digimon looked at the ground slightly dejected, but perked up and smiled. "It's just one of the ways to show you how I love you buddy," he replied honestly.

Rei put up one hand over his mouth just realizing how unholy this wholesomeness vibe the digimon gave off made him feel. "It is absolutely putrefying," he said covering his mouth wanting to vomit.

"Rei? You don't look so good. Are you ok?"

Rei kept it down still trying to comprehend the 'digimon' in front of him.

He noticed the digimon hold his stomach as it grumbled. The digimon laughed nervously flicking it's tongue slightly.

"I guess you must be hungry," he said. "Good, because I have not had breakfast either. There's all kinds of questions I've been meaning to ask you."

"Wow? Really? Me to Rei!" the digimon exclaimed.

Surprisingly the good-natured charm of the digimon seemed to be rubbing off on him, Rei noticing he had actually smiled willfully and not acting a role.

He took out a carton of eggs from the fridge and cracked two placing them in a pan, his digimon practically entranced watching him.

"So, what do they call you?" Rei asked.

The digimon laughed and lit up brightly. "My name is Skamon!"


Rei Kurenada sat down with his strange digimon 'Skamon' at the breakfast table, two plates filled with french toast, eggs, and bacon; certainly a western approach for a Japanese breakfast.

He watched as the digimon looked ecstatically at the food and started woofing everything down, never failing to smile or express emotion for how good the food tasted.

"Wow Rei!" Skamon replied. "That was so delicious! I want some more!" he said reaching over and grabbing his plate, but Rei held it steadfastly. "You can eat again during lunch," he said smacking his hands, Skamon looking at them sniffling a bit.

Rei sighed starting to eat. "After all, I'm hungry to you know."

"K," Rei said slightly dejected.

"I'll tell you what," Rei said knowing he now knew how to barter with the digimon. "If you answer all of my questions I will make you an egg omelet. How does that sound?"

"Is it food?"

"Of course it's food!" Rei shouted slamming the table.

"Then Ok!" Skamon replied giddily vibrating the chair as he moved back and forth in it. "Ask away my friend!"

"Gladly," Rei said pausing as he studied him, looking at him, still pondering if this creature meant ill for him or for good. Judging by the mannerisms and the child-like nature of 'Skamon' he wanted to conclude he was just an innocent creature that wanted to be his friend, but, he realized despite all of that this was basically some kind of carnivorous dinosaur with sharp jagged teeth and claws like a raptor from a movie he had watched.

He could not decide one way or the other and just decided to ask the questions.

"So tell me Skamon, where do you come from?" he asked.

"The Digital World!"

"Ah, right," he replied. "The Digital Creator told me about that. Your world and mine are going to blend together because of technology and your kind will be arriving into my world."

"That's right!" he grinned, again with the unnerving sharp jagged teeth.

Rei furrowed his eyes with his hand still wondering about the situation. "Second question. Why are you here? What is your purpose?"

"To be your friend!"

"That's a little too simple," he said annoyed.

"Well then that just means you like things complicated!" he said, Rei thrown off this digimon could actually engage in meaningful conversation. It wasn't like a dog at all like he had first suspected.

"Last question then," he said. "What is it you want to do?"

"Do?"

"What do you want out of this new life of yours? Think deep and hard. Do you want to eat human flesh? Do you want to attack people?"

"Someone's putting some weird thoughts in your head Rei," he said as if slightly insulted. "All I want to do is eat yummy food with you and spend time with you!"

"And that's it?"

"Yep! That's it buddy!"

Rei slammed his head on the table, a migraine developing from having this conversation. It almost seemed like a con. Maybe the digimon was only trying to get into his good graces and then when he let his guard down he would fulfill some other kind of agenda. Perhaps into his programming or his work. Perhaps he would even have to test him.

"So, that's all the questions I have for you for now," he said. "Now," he said, prepared to rack his brain with all logic and reasoning ready to comprehend this digimon's inquiries into the human realm, "What questions did you have for the human race?"

"Hmmm," Skamon said, one claw on his chin. "I guess I just want to know what do you like to eat? What's your favorite food?"

Rei slipped his forearm resting on the table and hit his face on the table again.

He controlled himself even more annoyed at the questions. "I like pork katsu," he said. "Next question."

"Ummm," Skamon said scratching the side of his face, "What do you like to do for fun?"

"What do you mean what do I like to do for fun?" he asked. "Aren't you even remotely interested in our civilization? Maybe how the power grid works? How our government functions? Or the level of our technology?"

"Mmmmm, nah," he said. "That sounds so boring. I only want to have fun with you Rei. All that other stuff sounds like it would put me to sleep."

Rei scratched his head still trying to wrap his head around the creature. It really couldn't be such a simple digimon could it? It wasn't some kind of spy for the digital world plotting the downfall of the human race?

"Fine," Rei sighed. "I suppose I can accept you as you are. But just know this," he said standing up looking at him seriously. "I am not your friend. And you are just a guest in my house until I decide to throw you away. I don't trust you and you won't get anything from me," he said starting to walk away leaving the digimon to himself. "Unless you want to be 100% truthful right now," he said. "Otherwise I will have no other use for you."

He started walking away, the digimon slightly in shock.

"Wait!" Skamon cried. "Rei!" he said, Rei grinning realizing he would finally dig up the truth.

"So that's it then is it?" he accused Skamon crossing his arms judging him. "I'm glad your finally being honest," he said. "Now no more lies. Tell me just why are you here and what is your purpose!"

Skamon sniffed lightly lowering his head starting to cry.

Rei would not let his tears get to him. If he had to get the truth out of the sobbing, slobbering monster child so be it. No one would ever pull the wool over his eyes anymore. He would not be anyone's fool.

"Is it really so terrible?" Rei asked. "Are you being forced to spy on me?"

"N-no," Skamon cried rubbing his eyes.

"Then tell me!" he shouted. "Why are you crying?!"

"Because you promised me you would make me an egg omelet after I answered all of your questions!" he bawled. "You lied to me Rei!" he sobbed, Rei realizing he had completely misread the digimon.

"No," he sighed, exasperating from this conversation he had with Skamon. "As I promised I will make the dish. I just never expected you to be so forthcoming and honest about yourself. Though, I still don't trust you," he said. "Trust is something that has to be earned. It's not a given."

Skamon nodded his head sniffling and went over into the kitchen watching him while sitting on a stool.

"You know," he said, "Despite how you appear to me Rei, you are very considerate. I want to be the friend of someone worthy of having that quality."

"Ridiculous," Rei scoffed. "Me? Considerate? Just how did you come up with that conclusion?" he inquired flipping an omelet in a searing hot pan.

"Because it's your actions," he replied. "Anyone can lie about their motives, but their actions don't lie. Just because you say all of those seemingly harsh things to me accusing me of being a spy and stuff, it still did not stop you from letting me stay at your place and you making me food. I'm really very happy!" he grinned. "I look forward to getting to know you Rei!"

Rei flipped the omelet on a plate, spread some ketchup around it, and brought it to the table. He watched Skamon munch down the omelet, enamored by it, even going so far as licking the plate with his forked tongue.

"I suppose Skamon if you can be as forthright like this I should give you a chance," he said. "However, don't think for an instant I'm your friend. If anything you are my servant."

"Good enough for me!" he grinned, exposing the fangs, Rei Kurenada on edge seeing them.

He turned around a bit shaken still. Those teeth like daggers were starting to give him nightmares!

"So what do you want to do today Rei?"

"Do?" he said inquisitively. "Well, I don't have work or anything. I'll probably stay at home working on a program or-

"-No! No! No!" Skamon said waving his arms up and down frantically. "I want to see the world!" he exclaimed. "What's outside Rei? What's the outside world like?"

"Well," he said becoming unusually serious himself, "It is a wretched place," he said. "The world is beautiful, but the humans that live in it for the most part are truly horrifying beings."

He looked down at his shadow reflecting on the past especially at all that had happened. "Everyone always dies leaving me behind," he swallowed. "They lie and only look out for themselves," he said. "Even going so far as taking their-"

Rei suddenly lifted up his head to look at Skamon, but Skamon was gone.


The cars honked as Rei went up and down the neighborhood searching for his digimon.

He pretended that he was on a walk, but kept his eyes peeled. Kids ran around, one of them with a dog. A couple laughed as he walked alongside of them indifferent to any external stimuli. Sometimes he felt like a program himself walking and avoiding others, but this time, he did not have time to relegate himself to such a position.

He stopped and scratched the side of his head. "That digimon has no idea what he's getting into," he said. "If he's happy about the tiniest of things then-"

"-Rei!" a familiar voice said hobbling over to him shedding bolts, nuts, and hoisting a giant flat screen TV on his back, a cord dangling as it swung from side to side. "Look what I found Rei!" he exclaimed happily.

"It's a television," Rei noticed. "Tell me where did you get this device?"

"Umm," he said looking away. "I found it!"

"Where, just laying in the garbage?"

"N-no," he said suspiciously, but Rei could see right through him easily.

"But why did you grab a televisio-"

"-Hey! That's the kid in the lizard costume that robbed us!" a man said running over to him along with a middle aged woman.

"Uh oh we better book it Rei!" he said running with it.

"Confound it Skamon!" he scolded noticing he was slowing down. "Just put it down and let's get out of here!"

"Ok!" Skamon said gently putting it down and running as fast as he could with Rei.


The two of them caught their breath, Rei irritated at the course of events.

"Sorry Rei," Skamon panted. "I thought I could just take it."

"You can never just take something," Rei said having composed himself again. "You either give it, sell it, use it, or just have it. Taking is stealing. And that can land you in a world of hurt."

Skamon stuck out his tongue panting. "I did not know Rei. I'm sorry for causing trouble."

Rei tilted his head back and leaned back against a tree studying him.

"Well now you know. But why did you steal a TV of all things?"

"TV? I thought it was a computer," he said confused.

"They have similar screens, but different functions."

"Ohhh, I get it now," Skamon started to laugh. "Well, to be honest Rei you started to look so gloomy over there I wanted to cheer you up. I didn't want you brooding in your house like you lived in a dungeon or something, so I tried to think of something you would really like."

"Well, I do like electronics," he said. "You weren't wrong there."

Skamon started to smile.

"But still, you can't just take stuff from other people like that. You have to wait until they die or they get desperate for money or sell it to you or-"

"-Rei," Skamon said a bit baffled. "What do you mean by die?"

Rei stared at him, confounded, but amazed at the same time.

"Death," he replied studying his response.

"But what is that?" he asked, Rei trying to keep himself together.

"To die means to end. To cease to be. In some belief systems it's going to hell or heaven or another place or being reborn or-"

"-Oh!" he grinned interrupting him. "Like the omelet this morning! I ate it and it died!"

He slapped his hand over his face wondering how his simple explanation could have been taken out of context.

"I was like, hey, where did my omelet go?" Skamon said explaining himself like he was acting, "But then, it died," he said coolly.

"You're not impressing anyone," Rei sighed. "What am I going to do with you? How could you not understand? Isn't death obvious?"

"Umm, I haven't been around very long Rei," Skamon said almost apologetically. "I'm sure I'll see what 'to die' is eventually," he said confidently.

"That's not something you should be exactly looking forward to," Rei said starting to chuckle.

"Ah! You smiled! You totally did!" he exclaimed pointing at him.

Rei turned around trying to hide it. "I did nothing of the sort," he smirked. "Come, Skamon, I think there is much we can teach other."

"Oh, are we going somewhere?" he asked.

"Indeed," he replied. "I'm going to show you what it means to live so you can see what it's like...one day to die," he said regrettably.