TK saw the energetic girl from earlier and thought it would be a good idea to talk to her.

"Heya! I'm Aoi Asahina, but my friends just call me Hina! 'Sup?"

'Aoi Asahina, on her forum said that she's been breaking records ever since she was in elementary school. Davis told me she was chosen as an upcoming Olympic cadet. There is no doubt, she is the Ultimate Swimming Pro. Her ability, appearance, and, uh... proportions, which made Davis happy, are highly discussed online.'

Yolie smacked Davis upside the head for the second time today.

"Why!?" Davis whined.

"Same as the first time!"

"But that wasn't even me this time!"

"Well I can't hit future Davis now can I?" Yolie retorted and Davis mumbled something about getting his revenge later.

"So, uh, what's your name again? Sorry, totally forgot!" Hina chuckled and had a small smile on her face. TK assumed, due to recent events, that she didn't purposely forget his name.

"Takeru Takaishi," he told her, causing her smile to grow bigger.

"Oh yeah, I knew it was something like that!" TK scratched his cheek and laughed awkwardly.

"Well, because it is that... " TK told her, but she just brushed it off.

"She doesn't seem to be the brightest person there," Matt pointed out.

"Kinda reminds me of someone years ago," Tai joked, causing both him and Matt to chuckle. Their laughter stopped when they felt a menacing aura behind them.

"What was that, Tai?" Mimi said in a friendly tone that masked her murderous intent.

"Nothing, Mimi."

"Good, let's keep it that way," Mimi giggled.

"Sure, sure, got it! Here, I'll hammer it into my brain right now! Takeru… Takaishi… Takeru… Takaishi…"

Hina kept repeating his name while tracing her finger over her palm like she was writing something.

"What are you doing?" TK asked out of pure curiosity.

"You don't know? If you wanna remember someone's name, you gotta write it on your hand three times!" she answered with all seriousness to disperse any belief that she was joking.

"This is the first time I'm hearing about it."

"I remember seeing a few kids at my school doing that," Ken spoke up.

"Does it work?" Yolie asked.

"I can't say from experience, but from the kids I've seen do it never had any trouble remembering my name. Though my name is pretty easy to remember and I was something of a celebrity during the first semester."

"I guess we'll see if it works then," Izzy said with a little intrigue.

"Hey, by the way…" Hina paused like she was embarrassed about something. "How do you spell your last name?"

"It spelled how it sounds."

"That's not fair, TK. You have one of the more complicated names in our group," Kari told the younger blond.

"What do you mean?"

"She's trying to spell out your name, not your nickname. Who's to say she doesn't spell it out as T-A-K-A-R-O-O T-A-C-K-A-S-H-Y," Matt explained.

"I can see your point."

"Umm?" Hina blushed from embarrassment and scratched the back of her head. Seeing that she's having trouble figuring out his last name, TK chose to help her.

"You can call me TK if you'd like."

Hina's face brightened.

"I can do that!" She started to bounce on her heels like an excited child. "I can totally remember two letters!"

Everyone slowly turned to Davis who had an offended look etched on his face.

"Come on, I can remember TF's name if I wanted to."

"Then do it," Kari challenged.

"No!"

After she calmed down and finished writing his name on her palm, Hina smiled and reached out her hand. "Anyway, glad to meet ya!"

TK grasped her hand. "Same here."

After they shook hands, they went their separate ways to converse with other people.

'Well, she's full of energy.' TK thought to himself.

"I gotta say she seems really nice," Joe stated.

"And as energetic as a kid high on sugar," Tai added.

"She's kinda like a spaz," Davis pointed out.

TK then went to introduce himself to the small girl in a green dress.

"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Chihiro Fujisaki…" she paused and her cheeks turned bright red. "Sorry, I get kinda embarrassed whenever I introduce myself like this. Anyway, I hope we can get along."

"Oh my gosh, it's Chihiro Fujisaki," Yolie squealed.

"Who?" Davis asked and a few others had puzzled looks.

"She's one of the most famous computer programmers in Japan right now and seeing that she made it into UA means that she got even better over time," Izzy explained.

"I take it you're a fan then," Mimi teased.

"Well, yeah, a majority of the programs on my computer are mine but I have some of hers as well."

"I hope so too. Nice to meet you." TK gave her a friendly smile and she gave him one back. Then Chihiro had a surprised look on her face.

"...Huh? Maybe it's just my imagination, but… have we met before?"

"You met Chihiro Fujisaki and you didn't tell us!" Yolie yelled at TK.

"No, but maybe I did in the near future or we walked by each other at some point. Besides, don't you think I would've told you if I did?" TK quickly defended himself.

"Fine, but if I find out you're lying to me, oh you don't want to know what will happen," Yolie threatened.

"Noted."

"I don't think so. This is the first time we're meeting," TK told her. Chihiro was saddened by this and looked away from TK.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry…" she apologized, causing TK to feel bad. He knows he didn't do anything wrong, but he feels like it's his fault that she's upset.

"You don't have to apologize for that," TK told her and she seemed to brighten up a little.

"Oh, yeah…"

'Chihiro Fujisaki is known for all the cutting-edge programs. She's the Ultimate Programmer. She also has that timid little bunny-type thing going, which has endeared her to her legion of fans. My friends Izzy, Ken, and Yolie are huge fans of hers and before I came here asked me to introduce them to her.'

"You better keep your promise TK!" Yolie yelled and Ken tried his best to calm her down.

"I will, promise."

"Hey, so listen… I-I'm really sorry," Chihiro apologized again. TK was scared that he might've done or said something to upset her again.

"What are you apologizing for now?"

"Well, just cuz… you seem upset. You must be mad at me, right?" Chihiro looked like she was on the verge of tears. TK quickly waved his hands while shaking his head to calm her down.

"TK!" Yolie growled and the blond sunk into his seat.

"Hey, Kari, could you do me a favor? If Yolie tries anything, could you get in her way and calm her down or at least slow her down so I have time to get away?" TK pleaded with his best friend.

"Sure, but you better return the favor in the future if something happens."

"Deal."

"Don't worry, I was just lost in thought!" TK quickly answered. Chihiro wiped away the tears from her eyes before they fell down her face.

"Huh? Lost in thought…?"

"Yeah! I wasn't ever upset with you."

Chihiro gave the brightest smile that lit up the whole room.

"Oh, that's good. I was afraid maybe you didn't like me. Hehe… I'm glad!"

'I can see why she's so endearing to her fans.'

"Yeah, because she's adorable!" Yolie screamed.

"Yolie, I think you should calm down," Ken told her.

"Why? Are you scared that–!"

All of a sudden, Yolie vanished from the room. Before anyone could panic, the disembodied voice spoke up.

"Don't worry, she's safe. She's in a room in the back. She has a recliner and books to keep her entertained and I'll bring her back in a few minutes."

Everyone was still worried about their friend except for Davis. He relaxed in his seat with a vindicated look on his face.

"Knew I wasn't going to be the first one removed."

TK noticed a pale girl standing away from everyone, looking like she's studying them. TK thought that was a little creepy, but made his way to her anyway, thinking she was just uncomfortable being in a crowded room.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I gotta say, this is a very riveting conversation," Matt joked.

"Oh come on Matt, maybe she's shy," Sora suggested,

They stood in complete silence, waiting for the other to make the first move. In their awkward silence, TK was able to get a good look at her. The first thing TK noticed is that she seems to be a fan of purple, wearing a purple jacket, purple hair, and even her eyes were purple. She also had on a black skirt, a white blouse, a brown tie, and a pair of black gloves on her hands.

After a long amount of awkward silence, TK decided he'll be the one to break the ice.

"Hello, I'm Takeru Takaishi, but my friends call me TK."

She didn't seem to care.

"She's kinda rude if you ask me," Davis said.

"Just give her a minute, Davis. You saw how she was trying to avoid everyone," Ken reminded him.

"Uh, can I ask you your name?" TK asked. 'This has got to be one of the most uncomfortable situations I've ever been in, in my life.'

"... My name is… Kyoko Kirigiri…"

'I can tell we'll have some serious conversations in the future,' TK thought sarcastically. 'But I don't remember seeing her name anywhere in any of the forums. Actually, there were a few students that didn't show up on the forums.'

"That's odd. That's the sort of thing to be public knowledge, especially for a school like Hope's Peak," Joe pointed out.

"Really?" Mimi asked.

"Hope's Peak is the top school in the world, so everyone tries to learn what they can about the incoming class," Izzy answered. "It's kind of a miracle that no one knows what her Ultimate is."

"So, what are you doing at this school?" TK asked with the least amount of offense.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked bluntly.

"Nothing! I meant, what's your Ultimate? Everyone who is invited to attend Hope's Peak is an 'Ultimate' at something."

"... Why should I tell you?"

"You don't have to tell-"

"Yeah, I don't have to tell you. So I'm not going to," Kyoko interrupted him rudely.

TK backed away from her.

"Do you think it's something embarrassing?" Tai threw out.

"Maybe, but do you think that Hope's Peak would enroll someone with an embarrassing talent?" Sora said.

"Sora, did you forget about Hifumi?" Mimi reminded the redhead.

'Maybe she just got in here by chance, just like me. Though, she does seem pretty defensive about it.'

"..." Kyoko just stared at him and TK was able to take the hint.

'I guess our conversation is over.'

TK moved away from her quickly and walked towards the closest classmate he hadn't introduced himself to yet.

"Hiii! I'm Junko Enoshima. Charmed, I'm sure!"

"Now, Mimi, before you explode you should remember what happened to Yolie," Tai reminded her.

"Don't worry, Tai, I'll control myself," Mimi promised.

'Other than Sayaka, Junko Enoshima is one of the most recognizable of my classmates. She's the Ultimate Fashionista. Mimi went on and on about how pretty she is while showing me her magazine covers but seeing her in person…'

"I can't really see it," TK said out loud.

"TK!" Kari and Sora yelled at the younger blond while the boys were laughing.

"I'm sorry!"

"I can't believe you would say that and to her face no less," Kari reprimanded her best friend.

"Yeah, and I'm kinda surprised Mimi isn't pounding your head in," Sora said and everyone quickly looked at Mimi. Instead of being angry at TK, she was intently studying the screen.

"Mimi, you doing alright?" Tai asked.

"He's not wrong," Mimi spoke up.

"Huh!?"

"What do you mean, Mimi?" Sora.

"I don't know it yet, but there's something off about her."

"Huh…?" Junko was shocked. She looked horrified like it was the first time someone had said something in that manner to her. "Oh, are you talking about my cover photos and junk? Ahaha, well of course! Those are totally photoshopped."

"Photoshopped?"

"Yeah, you know- edited to hell and back. With like, computers and junk?" Junko explained.

TK knew the premise of photoshop, he even knew that a majority of magazine covers were photoshopped. He just didn't understand why the Ultimate Fashionista would need her cover photos' edited.

"I guess even pretty people can't escape computer edits," Tai said glumly.

"He does raise a good point though. Why would the Ultimate Fashionista need her photos to be photoshopped?" Cody pointed out.

"I'm guessing businesses need all of their models to look perfect to entice new customers," Sora explained.

"They're not real then," TK said bluntly.

"Come on, don't say it like that! You're gonna make me all depressed," Junko pretended to be sad. It wasn't the first time she had this conversation with someone, so she's used to their disappointment.

"It's totally normal these days to photoshop the crap out of cover photos. If you're surprised by that, you'd be totally blown away by a certain dangerous little diva of ours…" Junko gave him a toothy grin while holding up the peace sign. "They make the eyes and junk super big, and tweak the skin so it looks all ceramic and porcelain."

'It'll be best if Mimi never finds out about this."

"Don't worry about it, TK I already know that a majority of the models in my fashion magazines are photoshopped," Mimi said.

TK moved on to, possibly the most intimidating man in the room.

"Name's Mondo Owada. Nice to fuckin' meetcha."

'I better be careful when I'm around him. Not only is he the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader, but he's also the current leader of the largest biker gang in all of Japan, the Crazy Diamonds. He's earned the respect of every gang in the country.'

"Ok, how are they deciding on who gets to go to Hope's Peak and who doesn't?" Davis asked the question everyone was thinking. "I could somewhat understand them enrolling Hifumi because of his writing capabilities, but this guy is a gang leader!"

"It appears to be a very successful gang so I think Hope's Peak's headmaster believes they could teach him to be a successful CEO," Ken explained.

"Then why not go after a business major then?"

"Because you can't teach leadership, Davis. Anyone can learn to run a company, but it takes a certain type of person to lead it toward a bright future," Tai told the young leader.

"So you're saying that we have a great chance at being successful CEOs in the future?"

"Yes we could, Davis," Tai said proudly as the two leaders embraced.

"Don't get ahead of yourselves guys. You still need to learn how to run a company," Izzy reminded the two.

"And I usually see you sleeping in class, Tai," Sora added.

"Plus, you're barely passing your classes, Davis," Kari said, bringing the two boys' mood down.

"Well, we weren't planning on running a company anyway, so it doesn't matter," Tai said and Davis agreed with him.

"Uh… Nice to meet you, too," TK said in the nicest way possible.

"Hell yeah."

'I think I should just move on. That Kyoko girl was more talkative than Mondo is right now.'

"Maybe he just doesn't want to talk at the moment. You saw how upset he was earlier," Joe said.

"You're just saying that because he scares you," Mimi teased the older boy, causing him to sink into his chair.

TK walked away from the second-most intimidating to the most intimidating, and tallest person in the room. They had long white hair, dark skin, and a scar diagonally across their face. They also had huge muscles with multiple scars littered across their body, and bandages wrapped around their forearms and calves. If it wasn't for the fact that they were wearing a schoolgirl's uniform, a white shirt with the sleeves ripped off, and a blue skirt, TK would've assumed she was a guy.

"That's a girl!?" Davis blurted out.

"Holy shit! Does she deadlift the entire gym during her workout?" Matt added to Davis' outburst.

"Women can be strong too," Mimi said proudly, as the other girls agreed with her.

"I'm not saying they aren't, but I've seen women around the gym and none of them look like that," TK told them.

"I am Sakura Ogami."

'She even sounds like a guy. Anyway, I remember Ken and Cody telling me she competed in a martial arts tournament and won. She fought in over 400 matches, and never lost once. She definitely earned her title of Ultimate Martial Artist.'

TK looked at her over again and felt even more intimidated.

'Her internet thread said a bit more about her. Some called her ogre and some even believe she's the missing link between humans and the primates. Someone even warned the incoming class, saying that if we value our lives we should avoid her at all costs! And after standing in front of her for a few seconds, I'm starting to believe that they weren't exaggerating.'

"Oh come on, she just has the form of a bodybuilder. You don't need to act like she's some kind of gorilla," Sora yelled at the screen.

"Maybe they're talking about how she fights," Cody suggested.

"They better, or they'll get an earful from me," Mimi said proudly.

"Hey, you."

TK quickly snapped to attention without a second thought. "Yes?"

Sakura then started to poke and prod his body, like she was studying him.

"Oh crap, what is she doing?" Davis worriedly asked.

"Is she planning on using TK as a punching bag?" Joe also said worriedly.

"You two, are overreacting," Sora told the two boys. "She doesn't seem to be that type of person."

"What are you doing?" TK asked, trying his best to not sound nervous.

"Muscular quality and quantity is above average than that of an average high school student…" she looked at him over again and appeared to be disappointed. "But you are not fit enough to act as my training partner. What a shame."

She walked away, leaving behind a confused, yet relieved TK.

'I don't know whether or not to be offended or grateful?"

"I'd say both," Tai answered.

"Yeah, no offense TK, but she looks like she could use you as a jump rope," Matt told his younger brother.

TK moved on to the most mellowed-out guy in the room.

"I'm Yasuhiro Hagakure-Hiro for short! Take it easy, yeah? I know I will!"

"I already like this guy," Davis admitted.

"Really? He looks like he'd be running around screaming for help," Kari said.

"Maybe the situation hasn't set in for him yet," TK told her.

'Yasuhiro Hagakure, known as "Supernova" in the psychic community, and hair that would put Tai's to shame, is the trend-setting Ultimate Clairvoyant. Though I don't really believe in fortune-telling, I can see the appeal of it.'

"Ah… Okay, I give up," TK finished his inner monologue to see Hiro thinking about something.

"What?"

"I saw it. I looked right at it… Seriously, I totally saw it!" TK looked around trying to find what Hiro was talking about, but all he could see were the other students.

"Whatever it was, it had to have been interesting, right?" Ken said, a little intrigued.

"If I had to guess, probably not," Cody answered.

"...Saw what?" TK is curious. Whatever Hiro saw must've been interesting, right?

"A guardian angel with long golden hair fighting a black devil. And that guardian angel… is YOUR guardian angel!"

TK was wrong. Though what Hiro said did sound familiar, it was still crazy to hear.

"Do you guys think he's," Tai then mimicked someone smoking and everyone nodded.

"But you have to admit, what he said was oddly specific to when Angemon fought Devimon," TK said.

"Nah, I'm just kiddin'," Hiro gave TK a friendly laugh and a pat on the back. "But hey, we should grab some brewskis sometime and get real deep into Lemuria and its civilization."

"I don't think they'll allow high schoolers to drink," TK said. He did have alcohol before, on his sixteenth birthday his mother brought him to Paris to drink with his grandparents. It was his grandfather's idea, saying that he wanted to at least share a drink with his grandkids before he died. But that was in France and the drinking age there is completely different from the drinking age in Japan.

"Yeah, he would do that sort of thing," Matt admitted.

"Really!?" Sora asked, a little intrigued.

"Yup! Our grandparents on our mother's side are interesting, to say the least," TK answered. "Tai would even agree to that."

Everyone turned to the big-haired boy and he nodded to what the younger blond said.

"Yeah, I still remember him challenging the Mamemon brothers."

"Oh, I'm actually 21. I've been held back a few times, see, and… well, it's a long story."

'Yeah, I believe that.'

TK walked over to the last girl he hasn't talked to yet.

"I do not think we've been introduced. I am Celestia Ludenberg."

"Ah, the fake french accent girl has a fake name," Matt said.

"Why do you think her name's fake?" Mimi asked and Matt shrugged his shoulders.

"Who knows, maybe she's going through a phase."

"Celestia Lundenberg?" TK repeated.

"That is my name. But if you don't mind, I would prefer for you to call me Celeste."

"You are Japanese, right?" TK asked. He was able to figure out that she's faking her French accent, but after hearing her name, he assumes it's because her family moved to Japan before she was born and she's just paying homage to her heritage.

"Of course. Why do you ask?"

'Well, that throws that theory out the window.'

"Then could you tell me your real name?" TK's next theory is that maybe she hates her actual name and is asking people to call her by her fake name so she could get used to it before changing her actual name to it. That makes sense.

"Heh-heh. I don't know what you are talking about. Celestia Ludenberg is my real name," Though her appearance stayed the same, TK felt that she was getting annoyed by him asking questions about her name. "But as I mentioned, I would much rather you call me Celeste."

"Do you think she's ashamed of her family's heritage?" Sora asked out loud.

"That's kinda sad if that's the reason," Kari said.

"Maybe her family did something bad and she's trying to hide it," Ken suggested.

'No matter how long I talk to her, I can never get a read on who she is. Makes sense, since she's the Ultimate Gambler. She's never lost a bet and keeps her true self hidden under a veil of lies. Legend has it, she entered an underground tournament and won the whole thing, earning the title "Queen of Liars." She cleaned house, taking the other's life savings, and laughed as she did it.'

"She seems to be something of a sadist," Tai nervously pointed out.

"I look forward to getting to know you better," she ended their conversation with what appeared to be an innocent smile and laugh, making TK sweat a little.

'I should be cautious around her.'

"I'd be extremely cautious if I was in the same room as her," Tai admitted and some of the Digidestined agreed with him.

"Don't you think you're overreacting?" TK asked.

"Did you not hear your future self!? I wouldn't be surprised if she manipulated you at some point," Davis told the younger blond.

TK walked away from her and looked around trying to find the last student. He found him standing in the back looking at everyone with disdain at whoever made eye contact with him or was near him. He is the only other blond in the room and is well-dressed, wearing a black suit jacket over a white dress shirt, black dress pants, and a pair of white glasses on his face.

TK made his way toward him.

"Hello," TK said.

The boy just looked at him with disgust.

"So, what's your name?" All TK received was a sigh as the boy rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Name's Byakuya Togami," he said bluntly.

"Togami? As in the Togami Family, one of the richest families in all of Japan!?" Izzy exclaimed and everyone apart from Mimi was shocked to see a member of the Togami family on the screen.

"Am I missing something?"

"Mimi, a lot of the stuff you own, the Togami family had a hand in making it," Sora told her.

"I thought Hope's Peak scouts students who are considered Ultimates. How did they scout him when he didn't do anything to earn his wealth?" Davis asked out loud.

They stood in awkward silence for a few seconds.

'I take back what I said earlier. Both Kyoko and Mondo were more talkative than Byakuya is. He's the Ultimate Affluent Progeny. Reading his title made me and my friends question how Hope's Peak measures the success of its incoming students because you can measure the level of success of a baseball player or a swimmer. But how do you measure a person's wealth? Well, after a quick read over his thread answers all of our questions. He's already started managing business operations, and his own personal assets are vast. If you ask me, he's overqualified to be here.'

"How could graduating from Hope's Peak set him up for life when his whole family is financially secured for generations!?" Davis exclaimed.

"Hope's Peak is still the top school in Japan, Davis. Even if he benefits less from graduating from there, he's still getting the best education in the whole country," Joe told him.

"We're done with introductions, right? How much longer are you going to stand there? Go away. I'm sick of looking at you."

'Though he appears to be the stereotypical rich asshole.'

Yolie appeared right back in her seat, causing those around her to jump.

"Ah, jeez, what did I miss?"

"TK telling the Ultimate Fashionista that she isn't pretty, a rude mysterious girl, a biker gang leader, a 21-year-old fortune teller, an extremely muscular girl, a sadist gambler, and TK calling the son of one of the richest families in the country an asshole in his mind," Ken quickly summarized.

"Aw man, really?" Yolie whined.

"Maybe you shouldn't act so wild next time," Davis teased her.

"You're the one who was making pervy comments, why weren't you teleported away?" Yolie argued.

"Why would I send him to the time-out room when you're here to hit him when he does those things?"

"Huh, good point."

TK moved away from Byakuya to an area away from everyone to think about what he learned.

'Even though they're all Ultimates, they each appear to have their own personality.'

"They're all human, TK. They all came from different backgrounds so it makes sense they all have separate personalities," Kari said.

"Okay, time to get down to business. This is no time to stand around making friends like a bunch of dull-eyed baboons," Byakuya took charge, though he could've been more friendly about it.

"That doesn't mean they're all good," TK responded.

"Yeah, someone said something about a bigger problem? What's that about?" TK asked.

"Well you see, Takeru, you said that you blacked out shortly after arriving? Well… the same is true for all of us," Sayaka told him.

"Seriously!?" TK already knew something weird was going on, but the fact that everyone blacked out, freaked him out.

"Just after each of us got to the main hall, we lost consciousness. And when we came to, we were somewhere here in school! That's what happened to you right?" Leon said.

"That's exactly what happened!" Yolie exclaimed.

"I think we could finally agree that a Digimon didn't do this," Cody said and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Ok, but who did?" Davis asked.

"Maybe we'll find out if we keep watching," Tai answered.

"But this doesn't make sense! That all of us would get knocked like that…"

"Exactly! That's why we're all freakin' out!" Mondo shouted. He wasn't wrong, everyone felt uneasy about their situation, though they weren't as direct as Mondo was.

"And that's not the only thing. You saw where all the windows in the classes and hallways were, right?" Taka said. TK thought back to when he was in the classroom and hallways. "But instead of normal glass windows, it was a bunch of big metal plates! What's that about!?"

"Plus, all my stuff is missing! Even my cellphone…" Junko complained.

"Yeah, you're right. I haven't even seen my PDA anywhere, either…" Chihiro added.

TK's eyes widened as he searched himself. He dug through all of his pockets and couldn't find his phone, his Digivice, or his D-Terminal, causing him to panic a little. Without his Digivice and D-Terminal, he has no connection to the Digital World or a way to quickly message his friends.

"Oh no, he has no way of contacting us!" Mimi exclaimed.

"At least we know where he is," Sora said.

"But we don't know that he's trapped," Matt retorted.

"But I did leave Patamon with Kari before I went to Hope's Peak," TK reminded everyone. "You all know I wouldn't abandon him. You would all come looking for me and Hope's Peak would be the first place you'd look."

"And then there's the main hall here. The front exit is completely blocked by some giant metal hatch. But there wasn't anything like that when I first got here…!"

TK took in Taka's words. It was the second thing he noticed when he entered the room, and now getting a better look at the main hall, TK saw that it's completely different when he first arrived.

"What the heck!? What's it doing there!?" Taka shouted to the heavens.

"Maybe we got caught up in some kinda, like, you know… crime or something?" Junko suggested.

"What, like… a kidnapping? You think maybe someone grabbed us and hauled us off and we're not actually at school?" Leon added.

"Someone must've kidnapped them! It's the only thing that makes sense," Izzy stated.

"But why would they kidnap them?" Mimi asked.

"They are the incoming class of the most prestigious school in the country. Whoever did it is probably looking for a huge sum of money," Izzy answered.

After hearing it out loud, it made sense; everyone passing out when they show up at the same place, waking up in a different location from where they passed out, bolted shut windows, and a metal hatch locking them in, someone wanted them here. But why?

"Come on, don't be like that. Cheer up! I bet this is all just part of the school's orientation process. Yeah, I'm sure that's it! So I'm just gonna take it easy for a little bit," Hiro said, who has yet to grasp the situation they're in.

'If this is part of orientation, they have a sick way of doing it.' TK said in his head.

"I'd be shocked if this was orientation," Matt blurted out.

"It's not like they have anything else to go on," TK told his brother. "Plus, if it calms all their nerves then isn't it a good thing for them to have something to believe in for a little bit?"

"I guess, but they need to come to terms with their situation if they want to get out."

"Oh… So you think they wanted to do something to surprise us?" Chihiro said with a huge sigh of relief.

"Huh. Well if that's all that it is, it's nap time for me. I was up way too late last night, so I could use a little shuteye," Leon stretched and looked around the room for a comfortable place to sleep.

'Though I have some doubt about Hiro's claim, I won't deny that everyone seems to be calming down.'

"That's good, it wouldn't do any of them good if they were panicking," Tai said.

"But they're still trapped," Davis reminded him.

"Davis, remember when we were trapped in that deep sea rig?" TK asked and Daivs nodded. "When I started digging for the Digi-Egg of Reliability, it wasn't just because I wanted to find it, I was actually starting to panic."

"Really!" The second team exclaimed.

"Yeah, and I knew that if I was beginning to panic then you all must've felt the same way. So, I started to dig to get my mind off of it and to also help you all calm down," TK said. "It's ok, to take your mind off of something serious for a little bit, just as long as you get back on track later.

*Ding dong, bing bong*

Everyone jumped from the ringing of the bell. Then the monitor in the room turned on to nothing but static. Then a silhouette of a bear appeared in front of the static.

"Maybe the Digimon theory isn't off the table just yet, but what Digimon would kidnap a bunch of high schoolers?" Izzy asked.

"Myotismon did kidnap a bunch of kids to find Kari, but this feels different," Tai said.

"Plus, they took TK's Digivice and D-Terminal so they should know he's a Digidestined," Matt added.

"Ahem! Ahem! Testing, testing! Mike check, one two! This is a test of the school broadcast system!" They heard a high-pitched playful voice come from speakers. It didn't sound threatening, but all they could feel was dread listening to it.

"Am I on? Can everyone hear me? Okay, well then…! To all incoming students! I would like to begin the entrance ceremony at… right now! Please make your way to the gymnasium at your earliest convenience. That's all I'll be waiting!"

"That was unsettling," Kari spoke up.

"I know! They didn't say anything threatening but I feel uneasy just hearing that voice," Yolie said.

The monitor turned off after the announcement, the students were quiet, taking in what they heard.

"What. The. Hell was that just now?" Junko spoke up, breaking the silence. Almost all of them looked at each other, contemplating whether or not to listen to the announcement.

"Well then, as you'll excuse me…" Byakuya walked to the gymnasium, shocking everyone around him.

"No don't blindly listen to the announcement!" Davis yelled at the screen.

"Yeah, you have no reason to listen to them," Yolie yelled in agreement.

"He must believe that was the Headmaster and this was the beginning of orientation," Ken suggested.

"Even then, I'm not trusting a random voice over a loud speaker if I wake up in a weird place," Yolie told him.

"H-Hey! What, you're gonna take off like that!?" Junko stammered.

"Ohh yeah, now I get it! This whole thing was just to get us all pumped for the entrance ceremony!" Hiro laughed. "Man, thank god it was all a joke. I'd be totally freaked if this was real! Alright, guess I'll head out too. Wonder what they got planned for us…"

Hiro left the main hall and followed Byakuya to the gym.

"No, stay where you are! Don't blindly follow him!" Yolie yelled.

"Damn, I was totally looking forward to that nap, too. Why'd they have to go and kill the mood?" Leon followed the example of the first two and left for the gym.

Chihiro chased after him. "W-Wait for me! I wanna go with you!"

"That is that, then. I will see you all there." Celeste left.

"N-Not that anyone cares, but I-I'm gonna go, too…" Toko followed after Celeste.

One by one, everyone took off for the gym, but TK just stood frozen in place. He had an uneasy feeling about the whole thing, and it appeared he wasn't the only one.

"Ah, these people are so dumb!" Yolie exclaimed.

"It's not like they have anywhere else to go," Cody told her.

"Yes, they do! Anywhere that isn't the gym!" Yolie retorted.

"This… this doesn't seem right," Sayaka said and Junko agreed with her.

"Yeah, that announcement was totally weird."

"Maybe, but just staying put doesn't mean we'll be safe," Kyoko said after minutes of silence. "Besides, aren't you guys just a little bit curious to find out what's going on here?"

"A little, but I wouldn't blindly listen to an announcement after learning I was trapped in some kind of prison!" Davis exclaimed.

"It's not like they have much of a choice, Davis," Kari told him.

"If we do not move forward, we learn nothing. The only choice is to push ahead," Sakura spewed her wisdom.

'She's right. But I'm still nervous. But what other choice do we have?'

"They said we'll be meeting in the gym, right?"

"Not you too, TK!" Yolie whined.

"Sorry, Yolie, but it's not like my future self has many options," TK apologized.

"Maybe it'll be something good," Tai said with a little optimism.

"Or the complete opposite," Matt said with a little pessimism.