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

[dreamtamer]

Takato listens to this, but he was uncertain how much to believe in it. Megidramon was his fault. He was sure of it.

But just as he was about to say as much, he panics and hovers uselessly.

"Gazimon? Is he okay? Do you know what happened?"

Should they help him lie down? Get him water?

[lightingway]

Gazimon jumped up into his partner's lap, shaking him in an effort to rouse him. "No! He just- I ain't never seen him do this before, okay? He's still breathing, but it's like he's switched off or something- should we shout for help or- or lay him down?! He was just saying not to panic but this sure seems like something to panic over!"

Leomon, dead. Not back to an egg like the shows, dead. Gone forever. Juri screaming, Megalogrowmon's failure and injury. Beelzebumon was going to kill them, these children- the youngest had to be four at the oldest, who- what sort of monster would drag children into a place like this-

And then the transformation. Sweet, adorable Guilmon, sucking in data like a black hole, growing, feeding.

His lips formed the words, though not with his voice. "I'll make you hurt. I'll make you pay."

He watched in silence as Megidramon emerged, roared with a voice that shook heaven and earth and threatened to bring it all crashing down, reminded horrifyingly of the Final Days, of how those who'd succumbed to despair and hate had been consumed by Dynamis, transformed into abominations with no hope of recovery, and for a terribly moment he'd thought that Meteion's song had reached this world...

But that couldn't have been possible. Their black Dynamis was nowhere to be found, and the skies had not burned- no, not armageddon, just another tragedy before his eyes.

In the end, it hadn't even been enough. Beelzebumon had ripped yet more data away from his comrades, left Megidramon broken and bleeding on the ground. How could they even hope to

Taiki emerged from the fog of the Echo with a start, straightening suddenly and sending Gazimon leaping backwards in surprise, the gray-furred digimon recovering admirably and standing up with a worried expression. "The fuck was that?! You just prone to fainting at random or something- do I gotta worry about hauling yer ass out of danger in the middle of a fight now- Taiki. Seriously, what the fuck-"

"Peace. Please." He winced, rubbing his forehead. "I'm sorry. Truly. It's not... it's not an issue, usually, it's something that... happens, from time to time." He was crying, and of course he was, the emotions in these blasted things always overwhelmed him every godsdamned time... "It's complicated. Sometimes, when people are feeling- particularly strong emotions around me, or reflecting on strongly... emotionally- charged memories. I- see things. Fragments of the events they're remembering as though I was there I've no control over it whatsoever and Takato I'm so sorry..."

Gazimon just... stared. That was. A lot.

[dreamtamer]

"Are you okay, though? You just collapsed all suddenly." Takato was worrying. "Do you need water or a doctor or anything?"

And he was crying. Why was he crying.

And why was he apologizing?

And then it hits. An emotionally charged memory.

Takato takes a step back and reaches for Guilmon.

"I'm sorry," he says. "If you're saying you saw that memory. I... Usually the Digital World isn't like that."

[lightingway]

Gazimon, it seemed, was in agreement, taking a step backward. Prophetic visions had successfully depleted his daily tolerance for spooky bullshit, and he'd have liked to get off the ride, please and thank you.

It took a moment to compose himself. "No, I'm... I'm sure not. I wasn't seeing it at its best. Forgive me, Takato, I really don't mean to pry, but I promise I'm alright. This... just happens, sometimes. That..." He drew a shuddering breath. "That was not your fault, Takato. Precious few could endure that and not... feel that level of rage, in the moment." He didn't have any other context, any of the little bits and pieces that made it all make sense, not even the resolution of the problem that had been Megidramon... but he had enough to understand.

"I- I can't stress this enough, Takato. I didn't... see how Guilmon survived. But he looked so happy to see you again, the first time I saw you. I can't imagine he blames you for it. If it helps you, at all, I was two-score years and then some your senior before I learned how to not let emotions like that... completely consume me. I recognize that it's very difficult not to fall into the pattern of blaming yourself for these things, but... nobody has perfect foreknowledge of the future. You couldn't have known what would happen."

The prospect, however, of Digimon being affected by their partner's emotions was... potentially promising. Was this realm, mayhap, one composed not of Aether, but Dynamis? An entire race of Entelechies- though mayhap not as Hermes would have understood them...

[dreamtamer]

"No, its fine," Takato says hastily, in an attempt to reassure him. "That day... it isn't exactly a secret. I guess there was just never a good time to talk about it, after."

His expression is doubtful. He knew that what had happened... It was probably the only reason that they'd all made it out. But all the same, it had been his anger that had done that. It had left him with a fear of ever losing control like that again.

"Takato!" Guilmon tugs at his shirt, his expression a mix of worry and reproach. "Takato! You never said you still felt like that. Guilmon was angry too! It was both of us! And we fixed it! Takato found Guilmon again, and we fought together. So Takato shouldn't be sad about it!"

[lightingway]

"You know... if you would like help in that regard, don't hesitate to ask. I'm no healer of the mind, but if you would like, I could show you some means of... shelving the things you feel, until you're in a space to handle them in a manner which is healthy. Or even just provide a friendly ear, if that's what you need." He winked, giving one ear an exaggerated wiggle for the sake of the joke. "I'm told I'm a very good listener."

Gazimon groaned in pain behind him.

Taiki smirked. "Oh, stuff it. But truly, Takato, on... happier topics. Those friends of yours, the ones with you. Good friends, I hope? Brave and true to the last?"

[dreamtamer]

Takato was uncertain at first. He'd been fine up to now, right? And wouldn't that just be being a bother? But one glance at Guilmon's worried expression was enough to decide it for him.

"Well, if you really don't mind, I guess I could try it."

It takes him a moment to catch onto the joke, but once he gets it he can't stop a short laugh.

He nods. "The best friends. We went through a lot together."

[lightingway]

He smiled warmly. "Then mayhap we could exchange stories sometime. Any journey with such close friends is bound to have a wealth of happy tales to share."

[dreamtamer]

And that at least brings a smile to Takato's face.

"We could do that! I have lots of stories about our adventures."

"Guilmon has some too! Oooh, Takato! We could talk about going fishing at your cousin's! And playing games with Culumon and Terriermon!"

[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.

[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]

"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.