First Day in the Digital World

Jayr POV - Digital World, Lowest Layer - 2001

I calmly walk out from the crater generated by my "landing" and start to look around to check everyone's situation.

I see that V-mon, Wormmon, and Patamon who are standing next to me are fine, and the same can be said about Leomon and Renamon who are already walking toward their Tamers, Ruki and Juri, to help them out of their craters, Guilmon is looking around with a curious expression on his face, and Terriermon is standing next to Jianliang.

The kids on the other hand are a little dazed by the experience, with Takato slowly standing up while asking, "Where... are we? This place..."

He then looks up and asks out loud, "Did we... actually fall from up there?" making Guilmon nod as he says, "Looks like..."

At the same time, Hirokazu also looks up and says, "Isn't it too high?" followed by Kenta who agrees, and Juri who comments, "It's way too high..."

Ruki on the other hand, pats the dust away from her clothes and hair while saying, "I'm surprised we're not hurt." before Renamon and Leomon arrive and help them out of their craters.

A few meters away from them, I see Jianliang climb out of his crater with Terriermon on his shoulder as he comments, "It seems that Pucci-sensei was right..." after saying that, he looks around and adds, "I imagined it differently..."

Hearing that, Terriermon asks, "How did you imagine this world, Jian?" making his Tamer answer as he climbs out and starts to look around, "How... More digital-like... sort of like virtual reality."

In response to those words, Takato, after he helps Guilmon out of his crater, also looks at his surroundings and comments, "It looks really vast, doesn't it?"

After saying that, Takato again looks up at the sky and focuses on the pulsing globe of code and light, which represents the Real World, that constantly emanates vast columns of energy that reach into the Digital World, while asking, "But... what's that?" 

Ruki is also looking at the pulsing globe of codes with a pair of binoculars as she asks Renamon, "What does it mean? What is that thing?"

The fox Digimon also looks up at the pulsing globe of codes and calmly explains, "The Real World Sphere. It's how the Real World looks from this side."

Meanwhile, Patamon lands on my head and comments, "This place is just as desolate as I remember..." followed by Wormmon who is standing on my shoulder, "We can't expect too much, this bare desert is still the lowest layer of the Digital World, the first one of the be created, it is natural that it is the most primitive and bare."

At the same time, Takato suddenly shouts, "Yahoo!" making Guilmon ask, "Takato, what are you doing?"

In response, Takato looks at his Digimon Partner and asks back, "Well, don't you feel like shouting when you're in a vast place like this? but a clueless Guilmon simply asks, "Why?" stumping Takato who is unable to come up with an answer.

Seeing this scene, V-mon looks at the kids and their Digimon, shakes his head, and after doing that he comments, "They are way too lax... this is the Digital World, which means that we can be attacked by an aggressive wild Digimon at any moment! And what do they do? They start to shout to catch the attention of anything that would like to attack us!"

Hearing that, I smirk and say, "Let it be, V-mon. They aren't that defenseless... Furthermore, we are also here to protect them if needed."

While I'm saying that, Hirokazu and Kenta plant the Digimon Tamers flag into the ground, and start to call out. 

"Hey, let's take a picture of everyone!"

"As a commemoration of the first time our group stepped into the Digital World!"

"Hurry up!"

Hearing that, the group takes some pictures together to commemorate their arrival in the Digital World, however, the pictures turn out to be strangely fuzzy, and Takato finds that the communicator Yamaki gave him isn't working. 

At this point, Jianliang comments, "I wonder why... We reached this world in the same form we had in the Real World. So why aren't they working? Cameras and communications... it's only electronics mechanisms failing."

Jinalinag then looks at me and asks, "Do you know the reason behind this, Pucci-sensei?"

Hearing his question, I fall back into my teacher mode as I calmly try to steer him in the correct direction, "Did you already forget what I told you guys in the "Lobby"?"

In response to my question, Jianliang looks at the ground with a pensive look on his face as he mutters, "In the "Lobby"...? You mean when you told us that our bodies were being converted... Ah!"

After thinking for a few seconds, Jianliang arrives at the right conclusion as he says, "Our bodies and everything else on our was converted into Data just like how everything is in the Digital World! The reason why the digital camera doesn't work as intended is that it isn't able to fully capture everything as there is way too much interference... And for the same reason the communication device doesn't work, there is just too much data around us which blocks and interferes with the communication device signal!"

As Jianliang comes to that conclusion, Juri is unsure if they'll ever be able to return to the real world, but Takato urges them to have faith, reminding her that I have already been here before, which means that there is a way to return back to the Real World.

I also further reassured them that there is more than one way to return back to the Real World and that they don't have to worry about that, as the main reason I decided to come with them was to ensure that they return back home safely. 

After that small episode, Ruki scales a cliff to get a look around and finds a bunch of antennas in the distance, and, hoping to find someone living there, the group heads towards them.

While we are walking toward our destination, I take advantage of the second mind and consciousness that I gained thanks to my Digimon Incarnation to focus on my Cosmic Awareness to check Culumon's situation and sense that Makuramon continues traversing through the various layers of the Digital World with Culumon, but a mysterious force suddenly holds Culumon back.

Sensing that, I immediately focus on that mysterious force and it becomes clear that the one behind it is an Ultimate Level Digimon, and a quite powerful one too which makes me instantly realize, 'That is very likely the work of Qinglongmon, the Azure Dragon of the Four Holy Beasts... the Digimon who wished for Culumon's creation in the hope of stopping the awakening of the D-Reaper. It seems that Qinglongmon still intends to keep Culumon away from Zhuqiaomon...'

While I'm thinking that, Qinglongmon's power causes Makuramon to lose its hold on Culumon's cage and fall, leaving Culumon within the cage.

At the same time, I hear Hirokazu complain loudly, "It's so far... how long have we walked?" making an equally tired Kenta reply, "Like from Shinjuku to Ikebukuro..."

Hearing that, Hirokazu starts to count all the wards in between the two points that Kenta just nominated, "Shinjuku, Shin-Okubo, Takadanobaba, Mejiro, Ikebukuro..." making Kenta shout, "Don't count them!"

After that, the two fall on the ground exhausted while yelling, "I can't go on!" which makes me shake my head while thinking, 'We only walked for a few kilometers and they are already done... They are way too out of shape!"

And those two aren't the only ones, Takato also is very tired as he quickly sits up next to Kenta, and Juri also seems to be very tired barely holding on, meanwhile, Ruki and Jianliang are still fine and can continue without any issue.

While I'm checking the kids' condition, Juri shouts catching everyone's attention, "Hey, aren't those..." which makes Kenta quickly raise his head and follow her gaze, and then he exclaims, "Rocks!?"

Hearing that, Juri also sits on the ground while muttering, "They weren't antennas..." followed by Ruki who comments, "Seen from a distance, they looked just like antennas." 

At this point, it is clear that the group reached the intended destination, but unlikely the kids find out that what they thought were antennas were actually just strangely shaped rocks, which likely took this shape because of some data from the Real World. 

Seeing that they are all somewhat tired, I suggest that the group take a break and so, we all sit down and start to eat some of the food the group has brought, among which there is the Guilmon bread much to the joy of Guilmon.

While they are eating, we are approached by a bunch of floating, glowing balls, the good old Data packets. 

Their appearance scares Kenta and Hirokazu who get up and start to run away, but Renamon stops them and explains to them that those are nothing more than random, harmless packets of data, but she also adds that their appearance means that something is coming. 

As soon as Renamon informs us of that, night suddenly arrives without much of a transition, which makes me think, 'Even if I experienced this before, it is still very unsettling to watch... the Day-Night cycle of this version of the Digital World is creepy as fuck!' 

At the same time, as Juri notices a data stream hovering around and asks what is it making Renamon and Leomon explain what they are and that getting caught in it could mean getting transported somewhere without warning, I can't help but grow a little frustrated with their lack of awareness, 'When are they going to realize that we aren't alone? It is already close enough to attack us with a long-range attack for my Goddess wife's sake!'

Finally, Ruki catches a glimpse of a nearby figure and exclaims "Eh?" making Renamon ask, "What is it?"

Before answering her partner's question, Ruki points at a nearby rock and says a little unsure, "Right now, on top of that rock... A Digimon?"

Hearing that, everyone focuses on the rock she is pointing at and sees a humanoid Digimon whose body is composed of orange and yellow flames, it has blue eyes and its mouth seems to be sewn shut although this does not prevent it from opening it in any way, it is a Meramon.

(Image Here - Meramon)

While Meramon is staring down at us from the top of the antenna-shaped rock, Jianliang doesn't hesitate to bring out his D-Ark and use the Digimon Analyzer to identify the new Digimon and read out its information, "Meramon. Adult Level. A Flame Digimon whose entire body is shrouded in crimson flames. As a Digimon generated from the defensive "Firewall" which prevents illegal entries from the Internet and the like, it possesses a violent temperament like the flames that envelop its body, and tries to incinerate everything it touches. Its fire power is stronger than those of the same species on File Island, and because taming this Digimon is extremely difficult, even if it's tamed, there's no telling when it will bare its fangs. Its Special Move is flaring up both of its arms, and knocking away the opponent (Burning Fist)." 

As soon as Jianliang finishes reading that, I warn the kids, "Watch out!" 

At the same time, Meramon starts its attack and emits magma rocks that rain upon us forcing us to run away from the impact area.

Meanwhile, as everyone focuses on the magma rocks raining down on us, I take advantage of the chaos to quickly release my Digimon Incarnation from the storage space of the D-Ark. 

My Digimon Incarnation quickly jumps away and hides from everyone else's sight while I'm thinking, 'This way I can introduce myself as the good-willed "wild Digimon" Aegiomon, who won't hesitate to lend a hand to those in need.'

While I'm thinking that, I also focus on what is currently happening and see Guilmon attacking Meramon with a Fireball which causes the flame Digimon to jump down from the antennae-like rock, land right in front of Guilmon and Takato, forcing the young Tamer to leap out of the way and retaliate against Guilmon with a Burning Fist as he flares up its arms and punches Guilmon in the face.

At this point, Renamon and Ruki are about to make a move, but Leomon reacts faster than them as he jumps up positioning himself above Meramon as he pulls back his right arm.

The next moment, Leomon yells, "Juouken!" and with a punching motion he launches an aura in the shape of a lion's head from its fist which hits Meramon and on impact explodes like a bomb raising a thick cloud of dust.

Seeing that the aggressive Digimon was defeated, Takato gets up and hurries to Guilmon's side to check his condition, at the same time, Leomon lands on the ground just in time for the cloud of dust to clear showing Meramon lying on the ground inside the crater as he questions, "Wh-What are guys as strong as you doing in a place like this!?"

But Meramon doesn't wait for an answer and in a resigned tone he yells, "Come on, load me or do whatever you want!"

Takato and the other move closer to the crater and Takato quickly asks Meramon, "Are you a Deva? Have they ordered you to attack us?"

Hearing that question, Meramon, who is still lying on the ground, looks back at Takato confused, "Deva?" but then it notices something and exclaims, "You're... not a Digimon." making Takato declare, "Well, I'm human."

In response to that, Meramon exclaims in shock as it sits up, "H... Human!? No way! You're saying you're from the Real World?"

This time it is Hirokazu who replies, "Yeah. We came to find Culumon!"

The situation quickly calms down as we move away from the crater and sit down in a circle as Takato explains the situation with Culumon and Makuramon, while Hirokazu and Kenta decide they wouldn't want Meramon as a partner. 

Meramon looks at the pictures that Takato has drawn for a few seconds before he says, "No, I haven't seen them." which makes Takato ask once more to be sure, "Really?" but Meramon confirms that it hasn't seen them before.

After that, Meramon takes another look at us as it stands up and comments, "Still, I'm surprised. I never thought I'd meet someone who's been to the Real World."

After saying that, Meramon looks up at the pulsing globe of codes that represents the Real World, extends its hands toward it as if to reach it, and says in a longing tone, "It looks like I can grasp it, but I can't. But if I load opponents and become stronger, I may be able to."

Later, after Meramon left, the group decides to find a place to rest and after finding a random one, they all start to close their eyes and sleep while I stay awake to watch over them as at this point, I don't actually need to sleep anymore and can easily do without it.

Well, not all are asleep, as Takato is unable to sleep and is now looking at the sky immersed in his thoughts as he mutters, "I wonder why... Why do the Digimon want to reach the Real World? Fighting, loading, evolving..."

Hearing that, Jianliang, who is also unable to sleep, sits up and replies, "They can't help it." which makes Takato look at his friend and ask, "You were awake, Jian?"

Jianliang also looks up at the sky and simply says, "I couldn't sleep." then he asks, "You too?"

Takato nods and says, "Y-Yeah." then curious he asks, "So, what do you mean with, "can't help it"?"

At this point, before Jianliang can reply, I sit between the two of them and say, "The reason is that for the Digimon such a way of life is natural..."

Jianliang and Takato look at me and say, ""Pucci-sensei..."" 

I smile at my two students and with a smile on my face, I again enter teacher mode as I explain, "While harsh, sad, and cruel, it isn't all that wrong. Fighting, loading, and evolving... it isn't all that much different in nature either, the animals follow a similar pattern of fighting, eating, and growing. We humans are also the same. This is all a part of life. Of course, that doesn't mean that there aren't other ways, after all, I said before that those are only a part of the beautiful gift that is life. Most of the Digimon of the Digital World only know such a way of life at the moment, but that doesn't mean that they can't learn new ones. After all, our Digimon Partners already found a new one, isn't it?" 

Hearing that, they both nod showing me that they have understood but suddenly, the Digimon suddenly sense something coming, and warn the group that something is coming, which wakes up Ruki who also had a light sleep. 

Renamon quickly moves to scout ahead and notices the incoming stampede heading our way.

In response, Ruki uses her D-Ark's Digimon Analyzer to identify the threat, and soon the projection of a dog-sized quadruple Digimon whose whole body is covered with a thick bark leaving only the face bare showing the skin that is grayish-violet, has red eyes, small protruding fangs, and has a seedling like tail.

At the same time as the image of the Digimon is projected by the D-Ark, Juri wakes up asking what is happening as Ruki quickly reads its information, "Jyagamon. Perfect Level. A mimicking Digimon which is able to hide itself from opponents with its potato-like appearance. Although it has a timid personality and doesn't much like to fight, its hidden combat abilities are extremely great. In fact, with its peaceful personality, it loves to eat and sleep. Since its rind is several orders harder than it looks, it can curl up its limbs and head to allow it to endure the opponent's attacks. The visible part of its sprout serves as radar which can perceive the motion of enemies above and behind it, so even if its head is hidden it can take in the conditions of its surroundings, and understand them. Its Special Move is firing off pieces of its rind (Smash Potato). They move in herds." 

(Image Here - Jyagamon)

Hearing that last detail, Takato asks, "Herds? but before anyone could answer him, Renamon yells, "They are coming this way! Everyone, run!"

At this point, as the rampaging stampede of Jyagamon is quickly approaching, Leomon grabs both Ruki and Juri and brings them up a nearby rock, Renamon grabs the still sleeping Hirokazu and Kenta, Jianliang is climbing on his own with Terriermon on his shoulder, and I and my Digimon are helping Takato and Guilmon climbing up. 

After everyone is safe, Juri notices that Meramon is impulsively attacking the stampede with his Magma Bombs, causing a part of the Jyagamon's herd to head in its direction, but just as they are about to run Meramon over and turn its body into motes of Data, my Digimon Incarnation appears and saves Meramon and hear Takato as he exclaims, "Did you see it!? Another Digimon just saved Meramon!"

In response, Renamon looks at my Digimon Incarnation and comments, "That is unusual... Usually a Digimon won't hesitate to attack and load another Digimon. This is the law of the Digital World..." but Takato let out a sigh of relief as he comments, "Well, I'm glad that not all Digimon follow that rule..." 

Jayr(Aegiomon) POV - Digital World, Lowest Layer - 2001

As the kids that are together with my Main Body are talking about my appearance, I focus on the Meramon that I just saved, and ignoring the heat generated by its body, I grab its head and start to manipulate my Data to generate electricity from my hand, enough to painfully shock it but not enough to actually killing it, while scolding him, "Just what is wrong with you? This is the second time that you have attacked a much stronger opponent! Are you that much in a hurry to be loaded by another Digimon? I can understand that you are naturally a very violent and aggressive Digimon but there are much better ways to live."

After shocking and scolding Meramon for a few seconds, I start to teach it a few more constructive ways to achieve its dream of reaching the Real World and further evolving, like hunting down other very aggressive Digimon who have likely attacked and loaded many Digimon before, exploring the Digital World to search for gate or portals to the Real World and once there find and bond with a Tamer who will help it further evolve.

Once I'm sure that Meramon learned its lesson, something that needed a couple more "shock therapies" and another few beatings as the only language it can truly understand is violence, I let him go and wait for the night to pass and the morning to arrive as I resume focusing on the prayers that are sent my way, answering some of them while simply listening to many others.

Among those praying to me, some of the most surprisingly devoted are the Apostles of the Arifureta Universe, who took the mantle of Judges of the Jayceon Church, after so many years, the Apostles fully integrated with the other races of Tortus and while fighting in my name to protect the innocents and punish the guilty under the lead of Hearst and Zweit. 

The Apostles also became one of the most respected and revered races of that world, basically they became like the Dragonmen of the past.

While I'm focusing on the prayers, my Main Body focuses on watching over the kids who went back to sleep after the harsh wake-up caused by the rampaging stampede of Jyagamon.

After some time, just as the morning is about to come, I decide to check on Culumon and perceive that a bunch of DigiGnomes are now swarming around him, and soon they freed him from his cage just as the night gives its place to the day as the scenery creepily changes all over the Digital World in an instant making me mutter, "God, I'll never get used to this... is it too much to ask for a normal day-night cycle?"

Meanwhile, on my Main Body's side, Juri, Takato Ruki, Jianliang, and the Digimon start to wake up and discuss the events of the previous night, and after some time, Hirokazu and Kenta also wake up and are surprised to find themselves in a different place from where they'd slept as the two heavy sleepers slept through the whole ordeal with the Jyagamon. 

As they wander around to find a place to pee, Hirokazu and Kenta find a buried Jyagamon and start to harass it by pulling it out of its hiding place using its seedling-like tail, but soon I berate them for their actions telling them that they have to be grateful that the Digimon they are annoying is a peaceful one as it is more than strong enough to eradicate them as it is a Perfect Level Digimon, moreover, I also warn them that there are many other Digimon of the same species buried around them.

After the pair realized their mistakes and apologized to the Jyagamon they unearthed, Takato asks it about Culumon and Makuramon, and the group of Jyagamon around them recognize the latter and then they point us in the direction of where they'd seen Makuramon.

As my Main Body's group walks in the direction the Jyagamon pointed us to I follow after them from a safe distance in this body and hear Takato as he wonders why the Jyagamon are all Perfect Level and our own Digimon tend to regress to Child form. 

Jianliang theorizes that while it'd be theoretically possible for their own Digimon to stay at Perfect Level, they probably feel more stable in their Child forms, and Patamon adds that he and my other partners could technically remain at their Adult or Perfect Level permanently if they wanted, but that they choose to regress back to their Child Level as they find the form much more comfortable, even more so since it is a lot easier to sustain in the Real World compared to the more intensive Adult and Perfect Forms.

Hearing that, Takato muses that he prefers Guilmon as Guilmon as he's worried about Digimon becoming so dangerous when they evolve.

Suddenly, one of the Data Streams approaches my Main Body's group, and Hirokazu and Kenta get separated from the others when trying to run from it. 

My Main Body, my Digimon Partners, Ruki, and Renamon decide to go after them, and the group ends up splitting as they fall into the pillar of light that is the Data Stream and are transported to another area.