INTRO EVENT: Dawn Of A New Age

[tamerunion]

The story which has begun to revolve at full speed
Dyes the earth red
The globe is an empty paradise
Let's save it with our hands...

A new day dawns in the Digital World. Technically, it's been a scant few since Tamers first appeared in the Digital World, but today... today is especially momentous. The reason for that is that today is the day that Tamer Union's mission fully begins in earnest. However, the path ahead will not be easy, and will be fraught with danger for human and Digimon alike.

But maybe, just maybe, these disparate people can work together to save their worlds.

Mission Start
The message is sent through on Tamers' digivices early in the morning. It comes from the leaders of Tamer Union, Sunflowmon and Nanomon, who give the directions to gather in the main assembly area of the HQ. When Tamers arrive, they'll find a group of allied Digimon there; essentially, TU's support staff, as well as Panjyamon, Mummymon, and Bitmon. The reason they give... is that it's time for Tamer Union's mission to begin in earnest.

Once everyone is assembled, it's Sunflowmon who speaks first. "Thank you for gathering here today, everyone," she said. "I apologize for the fact that it's taken this long to bring you all together, but we're ready to discuss Tamer Union's mission. Nanomon?"

Nanomon nods, and walks out in front of her. "Hello," he began. "You are all here because you chose to answer our call. All of your worlds are being plagued by some sort of phenomena, and we know that something in this world is the cause of it. We'd like to talk to you about what where we'd like to start focusing our attention."

He took a deep breath, and began explaining the matter of the strange phenomenon known as "Alias". A horrifying, frightful condition that drives Digimon to savagery, where they loose all sense of themselves and become ravenous monsters. He explains that the phenomenon first appeared on the mainland, and that Sunflowmon's master, Rosemon, sent her to restore Tamer Union in an attempt to solve what was truly behind Alias's sudden appearance.

Once Nanomon was finished, Sunflowmon stepped forward, and began to speak solemnly.

"Unfortunately, by the time we managed to bring you all here, Access Island lost contact with the mainland," she explained. "So our ability to pursue this mission is at present quite limited. What we can do right now is do our best to try and make sure that Alias doesn't spread and take over this island... which is why we need you Tamers to be vigilant and patrol the areas of the island that are open to us to determine if Alias has reached Access Island yet or not."

She frowned, and continued. "Furthermore... Tamers are not yet allowed into all areas of the island. The Digimon of each region aren't all sure they can trust you yet. For that reason, you may only be able to use the Trailmon to visit Panorama Plains, Material Jungle, and Pixel Coast.

"I'm sorry. I know after all this, you must all want to get down to business as quickly as we can. But right now, informing you and asking you to stay vigilant is all we can do. I would advise you all to also try and see what you can do to be helpful in the city... and if you want to try building a life here, you'll have our full support."

There looked to be so much more Sunflowmon wished to say. Unfortunately, she had run out of words, so she simply concluded with: "That's all we have for you. If you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them."

With that, the meeting was over. That left Tamers with a couple options: one, to approach Sunflowmon, or discuss the matter among themselves.

A Wonderful Day In Our Neighborhood
The inaugural meeting may have been somber, but the Tamers would find Access City bustling and ready to welcome them when they ventured out into the city proper. It turned out that there was something of an event going on, which seemed to be perfect for those still trying to acclimate themselves to their new surroundings: A massive sale in the business district.

All the shops were coordinating with one another. Stores had their wares at reduced prices, which would be a good way for one to spend the stipend they received from Tamer Union. Everything from food to furniture to entertainment was available, and best of all affordable. Others had free samples ready to give out, which were thankfully more palatable than the food served by Ebidramon at the welcome party.

That wasn't all. For those not concerned with buying up anything, there were shows being put on out in the streets by street performers: "human" pyramids, musicians, magicians, jugglers, just about anything you could imagine. And the Digimon putting it on? They would be quick to drag any observers into their performances, whether they technically agreed to it or not.

Even if the rest of the island wasn't ready to trust offworlders yet, it seemed Access City was more than willing to.

Rail Riders
Some time after the big meeting, Tamers would get yet another message on their Digivices, this time from Panjyamon:

Have you all taken a ride on the Trailmon yet? It's an ice way to get around!
Puns aside, he was right. The Trailmon of Console Station were more than willing to carry passengers to any of the available locations. Perhaps you want to get started on patrolling the island for signs of ALIAS. Or maybe you want to get the lay of the land. Or maybe you just want to go to the beach. In any case, your tickets are free, and the Digivice's version of the Handbook has more than enough information for you to read up on the areas before you go.

That being said, there's some goings on that might catch one's eye. A bunch of shifty looking Digimon are riding the Trailmon more than usual. Not only do they make a ruckus on the train, they're going in and out of cargo cars both prior to and upon exiting the train. Do they have permission to do that? And why are they off in such a hurry, and in such large groups?

In any case, this looks like an ample time to find out.

This prompt can be used one of two ways: players visiting the various areas to search for signs of Alias or just because they fancy doing so, or to pursue the Goblimon mystery. If you'd like to pursue the former, you can either NPC them yourself (the Goblimon would turn out to just be everyday troublemakers), or you can request an NPC below and possibly get involved with larger matters!

Comments

[rosesoul]

Yoshino smiled. "I'm sure they both will be, yeah," she said. "In the meantime, though...how about I teach you how to protect yourself? Fight back?"

[rosesoul]

[Yoshino and Lalamon both ended up laughing at that.]

You're exactly right.

[monbyanyothername]

The Goblimon all laughed. "They're fake!" one cried, and they all began readying their attacks. Even the one stopped by Yuzu was soon on his feet, forming a fireball in his hands.

"You got any last words, girlie?" the lead Goblimon snickered.

[chainsthatbind]

Guilmon is in fact certain that's actually how it works. Friends of friends are automatically friends! And instead of just her and Erichthonios, now there's FOUR of them! It could only get better with a few more!

"I'd be more inclined to think there are creators on some level, now or in the past. Someone has to start the process somewhere." It makes sense to him! In turn, surely something instigated their own kind into being, nothing just ... pops out of the aether one day, fully formed! Actually they do, all the time, but not on their own. "That we haven't encountered them yet simply suggests that they're rather busy, as opposed to not being about somewhere."

After all, when you run a star you might not have time for visitors.

Guilmon, noticeably, doesn't have much of an opinion on this. Does she know her own world's histories?!? By her lack of volunteering information in favor of briefly chasing after a tumbling leaf, the answer is 'probably not'.

"Besides which, most of what we see around us has clear evidence of intelligent design, not the mishaps and mishmash of accidental survival-of-the-fittest arms races." He looks around almost casually, like a tourist probably would. Plenty of interesting things to see, after all! Normally Erichthonios doesn't get to meet new forms of life that aren't actively trying to murder him, he's rather enjoying himself even if it doesn't quite look that way on the surface. "Especially this 'tamer' business. You can't really get familiars looking actively to bond with a person, without someone making the familiar that way on purpose."

This draws a pause from the red saurian. "What's a familiar?"

[thechosenslight]

Hikari blinked at that suggestion. That wasn't something that she had been expecting to hear, and honestly the thought of her trying to fight anyone on her own just seemed to be a little bit hilarious.

At the same time though, there's really no reason to not say yes, right? It might mean she'd be able to help Tailmon if something came up (within reason, obviously).

"Yeah. I... I think that's probably a good idea, even if I won't have that Digisoul like you do."

[rosesoul]

Yoshino nodded. "Hey, it'll help out if you're the type to get kidnapped a lot," she joked, not really having any idea how often it actually happened.

[thechosenslight]

Hikari stiffened a bit. "That... actually happens to me a lot more often than you'd think," she admitted. "Though, I don't think knowing how to fight would've helped back those times when it happened. Especially when I can't use Digi-soul like you can."

[fallenstarmagnet]

The conversation's nice to have while their walk is paced by the strides and interest of the digimon partners.

Erichthonios's suggestion about the presence of ones who may create and tend this world is met with a nod. It really is the more sensible observation. Is Themis a little disappointed to be reminded of that? Well, yes but only because the possibilities of this new world are so fascinating.

"If Alias is as dire as suggested, then it would be reasonable to speculate the caretakers of this star are resolving a problem connected to it. Or are otherwise able to communicate, much less intervene," he answers. Certainly with the issue somehow touching whole other worlds despite whatever distance may exist (or not?) between them leaves a great deal of room for possibilities on just how bad the situation is. Alias itself may be the smallest pebble on a mountain.

But there's still much to learn before Themis can truly think to offer something with surety.

Further thought is taken on the matter of planned design over random happenstance. Between the two of them, Erichthonios is certainly, if not a master of it, possessed with more on-hand experience in observing the results of concept design.

"You bring a fair point. And I would be hard pressed myself to argue that bonding outside of one's species with this regularity was anything other than by specific design."

The Amaurotine's gaze follows Guilmon and Elecmon's antics; the latter seems to have developed the useful ability to let a large part of what Themis talks about- particularly with Ericthonios- flow around her. Probably a very handy thing, given it means a lot terms that might offend a thinking, feeling person are not taken to heart.

Well she could also be biased to Themis's well-meaning nature. While she doesn't give chase to the leaf, the gleam in her eyes suggests she might have found some harmless mischief to subject Guilmon to later that may or may not be 'leaf on a string' shaped.

"I know that one," Elecmon interjects helpfully. "It's what they call the people from their world that aren't as tall as them."

...She's not... completely wrong.

Themis holds back a laugh (barely) and gently offers some... we'll call it elaboration.

"While it's possible some of the Tamers here are familiars created by our people, size isn't what determines whether they are one." Focusing on Guilmon, the white-robed youth continues readily. "A familiar refers to personal concepts we bring to life with with our creation magicks. Generally for a specific function or purpose to aid us with our work versus a concept designed to be released upon our star."

[lightingway]

"By all means, then! Hang on," he had to fish about his person for a scrap of paper, or something- honestly, why didn't he bring any with him? He-

"Taiki."

"Sorry, I just can't find-"

"Taiki."

The viera looked up, questioning.

"Your friggin' Digivice can call or text him. Just use that. Seriously."

There was a pause. "Ah. So it does! Forgive me. One moment, of course, while I activate that..." He muttered under his breath, adding, "Need Cid for this, godsdammit, or Raha..."

Gazimon gave Takato and Guilmon a pleading look, as Taiki painstakingly typed out his address and, after some prompting, his... telephone? Telephone. Number. "Wonderful! So much neater than my handwriting, as well. Now how do I give him the paper...?"

... It'd take some time, but eventually, Takato would have a means of contacting him.

[songstressedout]

Kuh...!

Yuzu-nee...!

[ Yuzu holds Lalamon close to her chest, intending on protecting her partner as much as possible. Her Duel Disk's output right now isn't enough to do much to anybody right now...!

Lalamon, however, has different ideas. ]

L-Lalamon...!?

[ Lalamon suddenly bursts out of Yuzu's grip and flies at the lead Goblimon. ]

I WON'T LET YOU HURT YUZU-NEE!!!

[ The screen on Yuzu's Duel Disk suddenly shines bright, as well as Lalamon herself, until...! ]

Lalamon, evolve!! FAIRYMON!!

[dreamtamer]

Takato just looks confused through all of this. For all of his experience with data-based adventures (let alone having become data himself) he wasn't exactly tech savvy. At home, he didn't even own a cell phone.

"I could just write it down?" Takato offers at last. "I always carry my notebook with me."

Mostly so he could draw in it.

[lightingway]

"Eight," he said, quietly, eyes widening. "That's... I am sorry, Hikari. Truly. This sort of thing is difficult to handle for hardened soldiers, let alone children so young. That must have been terrifying."

"Yeah, startin' to notice a trend, here. Big question is, how come this time all the Chosen are grown-ass adults? Except, like. Takato."

"I couldn't begin to tell you. The youngest of my companions were sixteen, and I'd still have felt that was far too young had they not showed us all time and again their capability... I hope you didn't have to deal with such things with just the pair of you."

[lightingway]

"I do apologize; I really haven't the head for this sort of thing, but I'm trying... Mayhap that would be best. At least until I get the hang of this Digivice... I had a notebook too, admittedly, though I seem to have misplaced it. Which is a tremendous shame, I kept quite a lot in it that I'll miss. Ah, well."

Quite a lot, indeed, though perhaps not quite the sorts of things one might expect the Warrior of Light to keep notes on. Recipes and fabric patterns and fishing spots and lists of plants he'd found and personal reminders and all manner of inexpert doodles in the margins-

None of it had made it here, tragically. A shame.

[thechosenslight]

Hikari nodded. "It's alright. I mean, you're right and it was difficult. But even with all of that I wouldn't have changed anything."

Tailmon didn't say anything for a moment before answering Gazimon. "I don't know why all the Tamers are older this time around, but it's probably a good thing." And with that said, Tailmon went and moved over to sit on Hikari's lap after she went to finally sit down.

"We weren't alone," Hikari said once she sat down near Taiki. "All of us were kids back then, and the first time there were eight of us. Then there were six of us the next time a major thing with the Digital World happened."

[lightingway]

"Eight and... four more? Unless you aren't counting your partners. Either way, that's a substantial group. I'm glad you had that. Though..."

Gazimon groaned. "Here we go."

"Oh, shut it. I confess I've always loved a good story. Tales of high adventure and derring-do, the like- mayhap we could exchange tales some time?" Taiki beamed. "Even if such a journey would've had its moments of stress, I'm sure there's plenty joy and excitement to go around!"

[thechosenslight]

Hikari nodded. "Right, I was counting us as pairs with our partners," she said, blushing a little bit. "But yeah, from what I can tell, our group was pretty large compared to others that I've heard about."

"Well, there's more tamers who were brought here," Tailmon said, a small smirk on her lips which made Hikari giggle. Though then Taiki mentioned something about a story and her giggle got a little more pronounced.

"If only Takeru-kun were here with us. He's actually working on a book about what we went through back then. But, well, everything we've been through is a long story. Or I guess a lot of long stories."

[lightingway]

Taiki did a quick bit of mental arithmetic. "Twenty-two, then. Why, that's just one pair short of a full detachment! I haven't often worked with so large a group, but then nobody can be everywhere at once. Some tasks require many hands."

He smiled, at the mention of a book. "An aspiring author? How wonderful. Last I spoke with her, my friend Y'shtola was working on a chronicle of our journey, as well. Not that others haven't tried it before, but I'm sure you know how people love to exaggerate. To hear the bards tell it, I'm ten feet tall and ride into battle atop a great wyrm."

"A great... worm? Like a wormmon? Why?"

"Oh! No, it's an older word for dragonkind. But! This Takeru-kun. Good friend, is he, brave and true to the last?"

[thechosenslight]

Hikari smiled at Taiki's comment. "Well, there wasn't really a lot of times that all of us were dealing with something at the same time. But you're right about there being a lot of us back home. There's actually a lot more than that all over my world now, but Tailmon and I aren't really working with them on a regular basis."

She pauses for a moment, thinking about how to describe Takeru. "Yeah. He's as brave as the rest of us. Well, most of the rest of us. My brother and Daisuke-kun are a bit more brave than the rest of us." Of course, considering her brother's Crest of Courage and Daisuke having the Digimental of Courage, it would be pretty weird if they weren't the bravest of them. "And people exaggerating is part of why he's writing it himself, I think. At the very least no one really knows enough about what happened with us besides us to write anything accurate."

[lightingway]

He nodded. "Ah, that's often the way of it. The hard, dirty work is often done in the dark, where there's no-one to see. Not just the life-or-death bits, but some of the most important moments in the tale are the ones where there's nobody around at all to see... Words in private with comrades, struggles with yourself as often as with any enemy. The 'you' that people think of when they hear your adventures so rarely matches with who you are, and only those who were there with you know the full story." There was a soft, sad smile as he thought, for a moment. "But, I think, having people who know the story, know the 'real' you, is important. I can't imagine I'd be here today if I didn't have people around me every step of the way, whom I loved dearly."

[thechosenslight]

"Well, most of it was stuff that most people back home weren't even able to see," Tailmon pointed out. "Most of the adventures we had were in the digital world."

Hikari smiled and giggled at her partner's comment. "Yeah, Tailmon has a good point there too. There was stuff that happened in the 'real' world, but it was mostly a small part of it. So even if it wasn't him writing it whoever else was would still need to talk to all of us anyway."