Jayr POV - Digital World, Lowest Layer - 2001

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

  I see that V-mon, Wormmon, and Patamon who are standio me are fine, and the same 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 standio Jianliang.

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

  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 ents, "It's way too high..."

  Ruki oher hand, pats the dust away from her clothes and hair while saying, "I'm surprised we're not hurt." before Renamon and Leomon arrive ahem 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 ents, "It seems that Pucci-sensei was right..." after saying that, he looks around and adds, "I imagi differently..."

  Hearing that, Terriermon asks, "How did you imagihis 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 respoo those words, Takato, after he helps Guilmon out of his crater, also looks at his surroundings and ents, "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 stantly emanates vast ns of energy that reato the Digital World, while asking, "But... what's that?"

  Ruki is also looking at the pulsing globe of codes with a pair of binocurs 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 expins, "The Real World Sphere. It's how the Real World looks from this side."

  Meanwhile, Patamon nds on my head and ents, "This pce is just as desote as I remember..." followed by Wormmon who is standing on my shoulder, "We 't expeuch, this bare desert is still the lowest yer 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 respoakato looks at his Digimon Partner and asks back, "Well, don't you feel like shouting when you're in a vast pce like this? but a clueless Guilmon simply asks, "Why?" stumping Takato who is uo e up with an answer.

  Seeing this se, V-mon looks at the kids and their Digimon, shakes his head, and after doing that he ents, "They are way too x... this is the Digital World, which means that we 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 aa pnt the Digimon Tamers fg into the ground, and start to call out.

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

  "As a oration of the first time roup stepped into the Digital World!"

  "Hurry up!"

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

  At this point, Jianliang ents, "I wonder why... We reached this world in the same form we had in the Real World. So why aren't they w? Cameras and unications... it's oronics meisms failing."

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

  Hearing his question, I fall bato my teacher mode as I calmly try to steer him in the correct dire, "Did you already fet what I told you guys in the "Lobby"?"

  In respoo 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 verted... Ah!"

  After thinking for a few seds, Jianliang arrives at the right clusion as he says, "Our bodies and everything else on our was verted 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 muterference... And for the same reason the unication device doesn't work, there is just too much data around us which blocks and interferes with the unication device signal!"

  As Jianliang es to that clusion, Juri is unsure if they'll ever be able to return to the real world, but Takates them to have faith, remindihat 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 e with them was to ehat they return bae 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 seind and scioushat I gaihanks to my Digimon Ination to foy ic Awareo check Culumon's situation and sehat Makuramon tiraversing through the various yers of the Digital World with Culumon, but a mysterious force suddenly holds Culumon back.

  Sensing that, I immediately focus on that mysterious ford it bees clear that the one behind it is an Ultimate Level Digimon, and a quite powerful ooo 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 pin 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 t all the wards iweewo points that Kenta just nominated, "Shinjuku, Shin-Okubo, Takadanobaba, Mejiro, Ikebukuro..." makia shout, "Don't t them!"

  After that, the two fall on the ground exhausted while yelling, "I '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 oakato also is very tired as he quickly sits up o Kenta, and Juri also seems to be very tired barely holding on, meanwhile, Ruki and Jianliang are still fine and tihout any issue.

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

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

  At this point, it is clear that the group reached the intended destination, but uhe 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 expins to them that those are nothing more than random, harmless packets of data, but she also adds that their appearance means that something is ing.

  As soon as Renamon informs us of that, night suddenly arrives without much of a transition, which makes me think, 'Even if I experiehis before, it is still very uling 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 h around and asks what is it making Renamon and Leomon expin what they are and that getting caught in it could meaing transported somewhere without warning, I 't help but grow a little frustrated with their ck of awareness, 'Whehey going to realize that we aren't alo is already close enough to attack us with a le attay Goddess wife's sake!'

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

  Before answering her partner's question, Ruki points at a nearby rod 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 posed e and yellow fmes, 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)

  Spoiler

  [colpse]While Meramon is staring down at us from the top of the antenna-shaped rock, Jianliang doesn't hesitate t out his D-Ark and use the Digimon Analyzer to identify the new Digimon and read out its information, "Meramon. Adult Level. A Fme Digimon whose entire body is shrouded in crimson fmes. As a Digimon geed from the defensive "Firewall" which prevents illegal entries from the I and the like, it possesses a violent temperament like the fmes that envelop its body, and tries to ie everything it touches. Its fire power is strohan those of the same species on File Isnd, 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 fring up both of its arms, and knog away the oppo (Burning Fist)."

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

  At the same time, Meramon starts its attad emits magma rocks that rain upon us f 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 Ination from the ste space of the D-Ark.

  My Digimon Ination quickly jumps away and hides from everyone else's sight while I'm thinking, 'This way I 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 attag Meramon with a Fireball which causes the fme Digimon to jump down from the antennae-like rod right in front of Guilmon and Takato, f the young Tamer to leap out of the way aaliate against Guilmon with a Burning Fist as he fres up its arms and punches Guilmon in the face.

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

  The moment, Leomon yells, "Juouken!" and with a pung motion he unches 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 dition, at the same time, Leomon nds on the ground just in time for the cloud of dust to clear showing Meramon lying on the ground ihe crater as he questions, "Wh-What are guys as strong as you doing in a pce like this!?"

  But Meramo wait for an answer and in a resigone he yells, "e 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 fused, "Deva?" but then it notices something and excims, "You're... not a Digimon." making Takato decre, "Well, I'm human."

  In respoo that, Meramon excims 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 expins the situation with Culumon and Makuramon, while Hirokazu aa decide they wouldn't want Meramon as a partner.

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

  After that, Meramon takes another look at us as it stands up and ents, "Still, I'm surprised. I hought 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 grasp it, but I 't. But if I load oppos and bee stronger, I may be able to."

  Later, after Meramo, the group decides to find a pce to rest and after finding a random ohey all start to close their eyes and sleep while I stay awake to watch over them as at this point, I don't actually o sleep anymore and easily do without it.

  Well, not all are asleep, as Takato is uo 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 uo sleep, sits up and replies, "They '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, "'t help it"?"

  At this point, before Jianliang reply, I sit betweewo 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 agaier teacher mode as I expin, "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 simir pattern of fightiing, 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 't learn new ones. After all, imon Partners already found a new one, isn't it?"

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

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

  In response, Ruki uses her D-Ark's Digimon Analyzer to identify the threat, and soon the proje 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 mimig Digimon which is able to hide itself from oppos with its potato-like appearance. Although it has a timid personality and doesn't much like to fight, its hidden bat abilities are extremely great. In fact, with its peaceful personality, it loves to eat and sleep. Sis rind is several orders harder than it looks, it curl up its limbs ao allow it to ehe oppo's attacks. The visible part of its sprout serves as radar which perceive the motion of enemies above and behind it, so even if its head is hidden it take in the ditions of its surroundings, and uand them. Its Special Move is firing off pieces of its rind (Smash Potato). They move in herds."

  (Image Here - Jyagamon)

  Spoiler

  [colpse]Hearing that st detail, Takato asks, "Herds? but before anyone could answer him, Renamon yells, "They are ing this way! Everyone, run!"

  At this point, as the rampaging stampede of Jyagamon is quickly approag, Leomon grabs both Ruki and Juri and brings them up a nearby rock, Renamon grabs the still sleeping Hirokazu aa, 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 attag the stampede with his Magma Bombs, causing a part of the Jyagamon's herd to head in its dire, but just as they are about to run Meramon over and turn its body into motes of Data, my Digimon Ination appears and saves Meramon aakato as he excims, "Did you see it!? Animon just saved Meramon!"

  In response, Renamon looks at my Digimon Ination and ents, "That is unusual... Usually a Digimon won't hesitate to attad load animon. This is the w of the Digital World..." but Takato let out a sigh of relief as he ents, "Well, I'm gd 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 ign the heat geed by its body, I grab its head and start to manipute my Data to gee 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 sed time that you have attacked a much stronger oppo! Are you that mu a hurry to be loaded by animon? I uand that you are naturally a very violent and aggressive Digimon but there are much better ways to live."

  After shog and scolding Meramon for a few seds, I start to teach it a few more structive ways to achieve its dream of reag the Real World and further evolving, like hunting down other very aggressive Digimon who have likely attacked and loaded many Digimon before, expl the Digital World to search fate or portals to the Real World and ohere find and bond with a Tamer who will help it further evolve.

  Once I'm sure that Meramon lears lesson, something that needed a couple more "shock therapies" and another few beatings as the only nguage it truly uand is violence, I let him go and wait for the night to pass and the m to arrive as I resume fog 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 Jay Church, after so many years, the Apostles fully ied with the other races of Tortus and while fighting in my o protect the is and punish the guilty uhe 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 fog on the prayers, my Main Body focuses on watg 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 m is about to e, I decide to che 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 pce to the day as the sery creepily ges all over the Digital World in an instant makiter, "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 aa also wake up and are surprised to find themselves in a different pce 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 pce to pee, Hirokazu aa find a buried Jyagamon and start to harass it by pulling it out of its hiding pce using its seedling-like tail, but soon I berate them for their as 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 warhat there are many imon of the same species buried around them.

  After the pair realized their mistakes and apologized to the Jyagamon they uhed, Takato asks it about Culumon and Makuramon, and the group of Jyagamon around them reize the tter and then they point us in the dire of where they'd seen Makuramon.

  As my Main Body's group walks in the dire the Jyagamon pointed us to I follow after them from a safe distan this body aakato as he wonders why the Jyagamon are all Perfect Level and our own Digimoress 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 teically remain at their Adult or Perfect Level permaly if they wanted, but that they choose tress back to their Child Level as they find the form much more fortable, even more so si is a lot easier to sustain in the Real World pared to the more intensive Adult and Perfes.

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

  Suddenly, one of the Data Streams approaches my Main Body's group, and Hirokazu aa 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 pilr of light that is the Data Stream and are transported to another area.

  Odyin