Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, never have and I never will. Don’t sue me because I’m writing this; sue me because you can...

Digital World, District One

“So,” Marcus rubbed his head, “that didn’t work.” He and his partner had just collided with each other in a futile attempt to “become one.” As Pat had expected, the results were two bruised egos and a splitting headache.

“No kidding.” Pat grimaced. “What in hell gave you that idea in the first place?”

“I saw it in a movie once,” Marcus replied. “Besides, I didn’t hear you making any suggestions.”

“Well, I could turn you I for a reward.”

“Bite me.”

Pat smiled, revealing a row of rather sharp looking teeth. “I don’t eat live meat,” he said mockingly. “We could try…”

“I don’t think so,” Marcus interrupted. “The guy who wrote that legend, is a real asshole.”

Pat nodded. “You have no idea,” Pat said gazing at the setting moon outside, “how frustrating it is trying to keep the resistance’s Base a secret.” He fell back into a chair.

Knock knock, Pat glanced toward the door. “I don’t know who would be out at this hour.”

“Hey, Pat.” A voice sounded at the door. “Who ya got in there with you? I thought I heard voices.”

FLASH.

“Pat,” a fist began pounding on the door. “Open the door, before I break it down!”

“Whoa,” Marcus said in a dazed manner. “Pat?”

“What,” Patrick answered in the same voice. “Oh. So that’s what it meant.”

We’re in the same body!

“Pat!” The rapping continued. “What was that flash? What happened?”

Damn.

Who is it, Marcus asked from inside Pat’s mind. He sounds angry with you. The shouting kept coming, as the person out side became more agitated. Maybe you should answer the door? He can’t see me, can he?

No, not unless he can see a digicore. Why don’t you answer the door though?

It’s your body.

But you need to get used to it, Pat insisted. In case I’m unconscious, you can get us to safety. Marcus didn’t answer. Well, what are you waiting for?

Alright… Marcus took a clumsy step forward. That was different. He took another step. So far, so good. He opened the front door.

A Leomon stood outside getting ready to break the door down. “I was wondering when you would answer.”

“Mason,” Pat gasped in shock. “I thought you were out in the country working.”

“I would be,” the Leomon replied irritably, “but I can’t without you. You were supposed to meet me this morning!” He pushed his way inside. “Didn’t you say you would meet me at the gates?”

“I was there,” Pat tried to defend himself. “But something came up that I couldn’t ignore.”

“What was it?”

Hey, Marcus said with a worried tone, you’re not gonna tell ‘em are ya?

Don’t worry, Pat told him. He’s completely trustworthy. We talked about it and came to the decision that if one of us ever found a human the other would be the first to know.

Marcus sighed, If you say so.

“Well,” The irritated Leomon said again, “what was it?”

Pat closed the door; Marcus was no longer in control. “It was a human.” He sat down in his chair. “I found him at the gates when I went to meet you.”

“Where is he! Is he here?”

“Calm down, Mason.”

“Calm,” his voice was a whisper, but it had a panicky shake about it. “How can I keep calm! Did anyone see him? And just where is he!”

“He’s right here with me,” Pat said in a relaxed manner, pointing to his horned head. “He’s my human, so he’s safe for now.”

“Your human!”

“Yes, my human.” The ExVeemon paused, “We need to get out of the city though. They did see him. I expect they’ll be here at any moment.”

As if ‘moment’ was the magic word, someone began battering the door and spotlights flashed outside. “Now, you can worry.”

“Come out with the human!” Somebody spoke through a bullhorn. “We promise no one will get hurt.”

“Mason, you distract them, we’ll sneak around back and pull you out.”

“I said come out with the human. We know he’s in there.”

Mason peeked through the closed blinds. “You know, I could be killed.” He turned to Pat. “What’s his name?”

Marcus spoke through his new body. “My name is Marcus,” he said with Pat’s voice. “So how do we get out of this?”

“Pat, are you absolutely positive that this is not a practical joke?”

“You’ve ten seconds to open that door and come out or we’ll open fire.” The same gruff voice yelled again. “This is not a drill.”

“Does it look like a practical joke to you!” Marcus shouted. “I’m gonna get killed if you don’t get you’re ass out there!”

Cool it Marcus, Pat took back control of his vocal chords. “We’ll go through the back door, while you,” he pointed at Mason, “distract them. Then, I’ll attack from the air and you can get away.” He ended with a smile.

“Ok,” Mason stared at the closed blinds. “I’ll give it a shot. Meet me at the gates.”

“You got it. See you soon, Mason.”

The door creaked open. An Ogremon holding a bullhorn stated coldly, “I thought you might see it my way. Where’s the human?”

Mason stepped outside, shielding his eyes from the spotlights. “What human, I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.” He closed the door.

“You’re lying to me,” said the Ogremon. “Now, tell me where the human is and I’ll spare your life.”

“You don’t know?” Mason queried mockingly. “Pat, the guy who lives here, he works for the government. Right now he’s on vacation in District Ninety-seven.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Damn. I thought Ogremon were supposed to be stupid. “Well,” Mason said smartly, “logically speaking, a human couldn’t be here, because he’s a government loyalist. And he checks up on his home regularly when he’s gone. That’s what I’m doing here.”

The Ogremon in charge of the band circling Pat’s home was visibly annoyed. “You are lying, and you‘re in my way. Troops, ready… aim… fire!”

“V-Laser!”

A v shaped burst of white light blasted the Ogremon, obliterating him. “Hey,” Pat shouted from above. “You want a human, come and get ‘em! Oh and the rest of you might want to duck.”

“Fist of the Beast King!” Another of the raiding party was destroyed by Mason’s lions’ head attack. “Hey,” Mason called, “Pretty good timing,” he said with a nod.

“Thanks,” Marcus called back. “Didn’t know I could do that! V-Laser.” This time they scattered, launching their own attacks into the air. Pat quickly evaded them and crushed a Goblimon under his weight on landing. “Critical Punch!” Marcus sent a fist flying into an attacker causing him to topple over on his own men.

Good one Marcus, Pat panted on the inside, I didn’t see that one coming.

Thanks, but now is not the time.

“Which ever one of you is talking, go now!” Marcus turned to face Mason who had called them. “What are you waiting for,” Mason said. “Get going!”

Marcus nodded before Pat, again, took control and they were off.

Ten minutes later…

Pat, Marcus thought dismally, are you sure that Mason’s be all right. I don’t think that…

He’ll be fine, he’s a strong fighter, Pat stated. He’s won every tournament he’s ever been in. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s digivolved.

Digivolved? What’s that?

The ExVeemon let out a low chuckle. Digivolving is when you change levels. We’ll probably digivolve to ultimate here real soon.

The double-minded Digimon flew a little ways longer before either Pat or Marcus spoke again. They were drawing near the city’s outer walls. The dark mass looked ominous in the pale light, casting shadows over any buildings that were near.

Once we’re on the other side of that wall, Pat pointed out the menacing feature; we’ll be home free to get to the country.

You said that the country was nothing more than slaves, Marcus voiced slowly. Why are we heading out there?

That’s where the resistance is based. Last place the government would think to look for ‘em. They landed on top of the wall and Pat turned around to take one last look at the city. In the back, almost indistinguishable from the night sky, was a tower, the exact center of the Digital World, in location, and in government. I suspect that will be our final destination.

“Hey, what’re ya looking at up there?”

They looked down. Mason was standing below them, gesturing them to come down. “You look well,” Pat said as they took off from their perch on top the wall. “We’re glad to see you’re ok.”

Well, that was different, supposed Jerry in a still dazed manner. Then he caught a glimpse of what should have been his hand. AAHHHHH!

That’s what I thought as well, Mech said in his normal calm state of mind. I should think that you would like to move to a more secure location than an ally way. We’ll leave the city and head to where there is a more friendly opinion about humans.

“What happened though?” Jerry asked in a more shocked voice. “This is not my voice.”

Mech was silent.

“We’re in the same body!”

His head nodded effortlessly in a quiet confirmation. Mech took a step forward into the street. Jerry’s (or rather his and Mech’s) mind was racing. Then he calmed for some reason when he came out of the ally.

What a view!

The sun was just setting and the colors were dazzling to the eye. They had just come out of the shadows and into a clearing, offering perfect view from the mountain’s edge.

You could have told me that this place was on a mountain! Then came a sudden and frightening revelation. How high up are we?

The armored Digimon took a deep breath. We are thirteen thousand feet by your measurements. Why do you ask?

Jerry tried to hold his breath but his body didn’t allow it. We should be starving for oxygen right now. That’s why! He then found another unnerving discovery. From the feeling, they should have both been frozen solid by now. Why aren’t we frozen yet?

We don’t breath oxygen, Mech answered. We breathe nitrogen, and the atmosphere here is much thicker than in the Real World. He took a second deep breath from the cold air. Also, temperature does not affect mechanical Digimon.

“Wow,” the human uttered in an almost reverent fashion. “Where are we going?”

To find the resistance. Mech started moving his huge body forward. I was on my way to District Twelve to do some business.

What kind of business?

I buy slaves and set them free. Mech’s cannons folded in and his posture changed to a more upright stance. In place of the cannons, a pair of momentous metal wings cast their shadows. If I am not mistaken, the resistance is based in that district.

It sounds like you’ve had quite a night, Mike, Garth said to the human riding within him. I think you could use some rest.

Yeah, Michel yawned.

Him and Garth had been walking for a little ways and they were both feeling more than a little drowsy. Michel had just finished his recollection of what had happened in the passed twelve hours and that had left him slightly depressed.

Actually, Garth mentioned, I think that you’re taking this rather well. You know, losing your family and your old body like this. I’m impressed.

They stopped walking at a small shack near few piles of hay. Garth carefully opened the door and stepped inside. Quite to his dismay, no one was asleep.

“Garth, where have you been,” a Veemon asked. “We’ve been worried. The master came out to check on us and we had to make several extremely farfetched excuses to get him to leave.”

“I was out for a walk when I found something that might be of interest to us all.” He smiled a toothy grin and walked over to a makeshift bed and lay down. “Don’t worry Glen, I’m out of here tomorrow anyway.”

“I know,” Glen said shortly. “It’s just that Casey is missing too. She’s supposed to go to the auction to be sold as well and she’s not back yet.”

“She’ll be back,” Garth told the rookie. “That Machinedramon definitely had his eyes on her.”

What’s going on, questioned Michel. Who’s Casey?

Casey is another friend of mine, Garth replied. You remember that I told you that I’m a slave Digimon, don’t you?

Yeah.

The two of us are going to be sold at the auction tomorrow. Garth lay their head down. Right now, though, I think you need to sleep. I know I do.

Earlier that day…

Casey sneezed. I hate the fields, she thought miserably. Damn allergies. Thank god I’ll be out of here tomorrow. She sneezed again and a cloud of fuzzy seeds burst forth.

“Hey.” Something caught her eye. “What’s that?” A small figure was sitting in the fields were she was working. Curiously, she made her way behind the small creature, making sure not to be heard. Then she recognized what she was staring at was a human.

“So you’re a human?”

Present time…

You’re lucky I found you when I did, Casey told Alice. If my master had found you first, you would be dead. The two minds were slowly finding their way back to Casey’s shack. Alice was trying to get used to the idea of having scales and a tail.

“Why did I have to come here,” Alice wondered out loud. “This is not my idea of heroism.” She didn’t have control over their body’s movements, just vocal chords.

We have to get back before my master finds me missing...

“And I had to get a slave as my partner,” Alice complained again. “Why does all this happen to me!”

And it would be helpful if you didn’t complain about every little detail, Casey snapped. I’m going to be sold tomorrow and I don’t want you to ruin it. Maybe I’ll finally have a good master.

Sorry, the human apologized. I’ve just had a really bad day. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.

Achoo, Casey sneezed and crashed. Damn allergies, I hate ‘em. Alice took the liberty of picking themselves up and getting to their feet. I hate it when that happens. Did you have allergies like this?

Yeah, the human answered. But I’ve never sneezed that hard before. Never flown either for that matter. They took off again, leaving a small, flattened area in the field where they crashed.

I was just thinking, Casey started, that we should try to find the resistance or someone who can help.

Maybe.

There it is. The shack that the BlackExVeemon lived in was coming into view. The warm lighting from the structures sole window was a welcoming sight.

They landed for a second (but less violent) time next to the building. Whoever was in control of the body opened the door and stepped inside. An angry Veemon stood there with clinched fists and Garth was asleep in his hay pile.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she said to Glen. “I found a human while I was in the working.”

“A human?” Glen sounded skeptical. “You found a human? I don’t think so!”

“Her name is Alice.”

Garth, secretly listening, opened his eyes. “You found one too? Mike just lost his mother before he came here.”

“You both have humans,” Glen was clearly not convinced. “You’re both lucky that I hate master just as much as you, or else I would have told him the truth.”

Alice, still inside Casey’s body, spoke out. “Listen, whoever you are. Don’t be an ass. Me and probably that Mike kid, have had a really, really bad day. So shut your mouth before I shut it for you!” And with that, she and her host Digimon, were off to bed.

The next morning at the auction site…

This is where we’re getting them? Jerry looked around through his new eyes. How many?

“Just two,” Mech said discretely. “A Garurumon and a BlackExVeemon. I believe their names are Garth and Casey.”

How can you be so sure that someone else won’t buy them, Jerry asked. I mean, this is an auction isn’t it?

“Yes,” Mech responded, “But there are very few outside the government that can out bid me.”

You’re rich?

“It was a lucky find,” Mech explained. “I was out in desert traveling, when I found an abandoned diamond mine. It had been abandoned about the time the militant uprising began.”

I’ll say you were lucky.

By now, other bidders were starting to fill the area, waiting for the auction to start. An Agumon was going about talking to the people that were there. Finally he stopped at Mech and the human within him.

“Excuse me sir,” said the Agumon. “I was wondering if you would be interested in helping a good cause.”

“That depends on what the good cause is.” The Agumon was silent. “Well.” Mech bent over to put himself on eye level. “What’s your cause?”

“The resistance,” the Agumon said in a meek whisper.

Mech’s yellow eyes blinked, and he stood upright again. “I’ll gladly help your cause. Stay with me until the auction is over and then take me to your CO.” The Agumon nodded in delight, at the unexpected news.

“Attention all bidders!” Jerry turned their head. A Tyrannomon stood at the front stage. “We have several items up for sale today.”

That put a disgusted look in Mech’s eyes. They are people, not property.

“Up on the block today,” the Tyrannomon continued, “we have a nice, hardworking BlackExVeemon. The bidding will start at 1000 credits.”

“One thousand,” Mech called above the crowd. The “item” smiled when she saw him.

“One thousand,” the auctioneer acknowledged him, “Do we have two thousand credits anywhere? Two thousand?”

“Two thousand,” a BlackWarGreymon called.

“Three thousand,” Mech retorted strongly. The BlackWarGreymon looked over, and then walked over.

“My name is Eric,” he stated coolly. “If I may ask…”

Jerry cut him off, “You may not ask.”

“Four thousand five hundred credits,” Eric shouted to the Tyrannomon at the front. “What use do you have for a slave like that?”

Jerry inspected Eric before responding. “I could ask you the same question. Why do you need her.”

“My personal assistant,” Eric winked. Then, Jerry shoved their fist in his face and he was out.

“Personal assistant my ass,” Mech kicked the unconscious body. The crowd was now looking at him, wondering what had happened.“Eight thousand to end the bidding.”

Sorry, Jerry apologized. I wasn’t thinking.

Don’t be, I probably would have done the same thing.

“Eight thousand once,” the auctioneer was closing the bids. “Twice, and sold the Machinedramon who punched out Eric. Congratulations.”

Mech nodded. Our next buy will be out shortly. They watched as a largely deformed rookie was brought out. That makes me sick what people do. The two we’re buying are the only ones that we are able to save.

Why’s that, Jerry asked in disbelief.

They are the only ones who are not deformed; Mech answered shaking his head. They can still get jobs elsewhere. No one else can even be freed. The Digimon sighed and cleared his throat. He’s in pain and there is nothing to be done.

“Sold,” said the auctioneer. “Our next item is another fine laborer. A Garurumon. Great for pulling heavy loads and in perfect condition. The bid starts at two thousand credits.”

“Two thousand.” Eric, now back on his feet called in spite.

“Thirty-five hundred,” Mech called back. He walked over to the BlackWarGreymon and brought his clawed fist into his stomach. Mech picked up the useless being and head butted him, again knocking him out.

“Thirty-five hundred once, twice, and sold.” The auctioneer quickly dashed all other possible bids. “And please, don’t come here again,” he added. “You may pick up your slaves in the back.”

Mech nodded and headed toward the back hall. Casey and Garth were waiting, hand cuffed and silent. Mech eyed them carefully. “You’ll be released shortly,” he said, taking the keys to their cuffs from the wall. “It’ll take a few days for the forms to come in, but you’ll be free soon enough.”

Casey’s eyes widened. “You’re freeing us? That means we’ll be able to get to the…” She trailed off, catching herself before she caused a problem. “You work for the resistance?”

“Not directly,” he said. “I’m hoping that changes however in the near future.” Garth was still silent. “Why don’t you speak?”

“I… was thinking,” Garth mumbled.

“About what?”

“Nothing,” Garth said innocently. “Why?”

“You did hear what we said though,” Mech asked.

“We?”

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid… crap. Jerry was mentally clobbering Mech. “Did I say that? I meant me… I said.” It was too late for corrections, Casey was already suspicious. “Don’t eye me like that, I still have the keys.”

“Your hiding something though,” Casey smirked. “Don't worry, we’re all on the same side. We were wanting to see the resistance too.”

“How long have we been walking,” Marcus groaned. “I hate the desert.”

“I don’t know,” Pat responded in the same voice.

Mason rolled his eyes. “Why do you do this to me? Do you hate me?” Pat gave a simple shrug and continued walking. “You two are impossible to understand. I don’t know how you came across a human, but his attitude sucks.”

They smiled.

“I hate you.”

Don’t worry about it, we’re almost there.

Good, Marcus responded with noticeable relief. My feet could use a rest and I’m starving.

Well, you won’t have to wait much longer; Pat was focusing on something a few miles off. Food, shelter, and a good night’s rest are just a few air miles away.

“This is it?” Alice eyed their surroundings. “A warehouse.”

Their escort, the Agumon from earlier, stopped and blinked. “It’s under the warehouse.” At that moment, the floor opened, leaving a staircase down to lower levels. “If you’ll follow me, my CO is waiting.”

The six of them (not that anyone knew there were six) followed the Agumon down the stairwell and through a series of dimly lit halls. Finally the yellow rookie ushered them through the door to his commanding officer.

“It’s about bloody time you got back,” his superior said tersely. “You were supposed to be here an hour ago.” He turned to face the Agumon.

“Sir, this Machinedramon asked to see you.” He pointed out the door to the metal dragon. “Wise mon once said, ‘Never upset a mega, it hurts.’”

“Ah,” his CO, a MetalGreymon, said. “Especially megas of considerable strength.” He motioned for him to come. “Mech, you old dog. What brings you down to this level?” The two were obviously old friends.

“Two things, Mitch,” Mech entered the tight space. “First I have two slaves who need their identification tags removed.” The MetalGreymon nodded. “Second,” he said slowly, “I have a… a human.”

“I see.”

“Yes,” Mech replied, “a human.”

Mitch shook his head in disbelief. “First that Patrick character, and now you. I suppose that those two have humans?” Casey and Garth confirmed.

BANG, the solitary light above them went out. Shuffling Digimon and a few startled screams were heard before someone finally lit a match. The meager flame flickered for a short while and then went out. A few more disconcerted yelps and someone finally decided to check the circuit breakers.

The bulb flashed on filling the room with its feeble white light. Mitch was in a state of shock. The room’s complement had just grown dramatically, from five Digimon, to that plus three humans.

“Mech,” Jerry hailed his partner, “Don’t step on me.” Mech glanced downward to his human. Jerry waved with a forced smile on his face.

While Jerry stood behind his Digimon, Mike was sitting atop of his doggish partner and Alice stood under her own partner. A scream proceeded from another room in the complex, followed by several more angry cries. Then the room was plunged into an indefinite and uncomfortable silence.

Mitch ended up breaking the uneasy cessation of sound. “Well,” he stated nervously.

“A well is a hole in the ground.”

Mitch grinned sarcastically. “This way.” He shoved his way past Mech, making sure not to step on anyone. How such a large Digimon could move through such small confines was a mystery to most of them.

They were led down various dark corridors and into a fairly large dormitory. The room was plain. The steely gray paint job made the area look vaguely reminiscent of an old military barracks. The uniform beds didn’t help much either.

Standing at the far wall were three figures, a Leomon, an ExVeemon, and a human rubbing a sore foot. One of them spoke:

“You’d think that after coming here to save all you guys,” Marcus exclaimed bluntly, “you’d be able to watch where you’re stepping!”

Patrick groaned. “You’ll be fine. I’m just sick of waiting for that damn Greymon.”

Mason agreed. “I would have thought that having the salvation of the Digital World with us would make you (at least) a top priority.” He raised a brow. “And I believe its MetalGreymon.”

“That’s right. And there are three others you know,” that Damn Greymon said. Pat gawked at Mitch with an embarrassed expression. “I’m glad to know that you are enjoying your time here.”

“Mitch.”

“Yes,” he directed his attention to the Machinedramon behind him.

“Perhaps you would care to explain to the humans what exactly they are here for.”

Mitch looked around the room, eyeing the humans with a considerable attention to detail. “That can be arranged,” he remarked, “provided that they are willing to endure a another hour without sleep.”

Marcus spoke up. “I think we’re all pretty much wide awake. Getting sucked through a computer and flung into another dimension has that effect on humans.”

“Actually,” Jerry put in, “I think it may have more to do with us merging with the Digimon.” Everyone (with the exception of Mech) glared at him, with the same thought in mind…

Not surprisingly, Alice said it. “Great, another of those damn no-it-all types.”

“Whatever the case,” Mech interjected, “I believe he is right.”

“Yeah,” Marcus announced, “It’s about bloody time someone explains what we’re all doing here.” He sat down on one of the perfectly fashioned beds.

“Alright,” Mitch said patiently, “It started about a hundred and fifty years ago. We had a fairly good system of government, but there were those who wanted a permanent ruler, a dictator.

“Making a rather rash decision, they formed their own revolt and overthrew our government. I’m fairly familiar with a little human history, and I believe it bares some semblance of the Bolshevik Revolution.”

“Except,” Jerry pointed out, “that Czar Nicholas was an idiot and Russia’s government had already collapsed.”

“Anyway,” Mitch continued, “they were still executed, publicly I might add. But not before sending a message off to the Real World, which apparently takes a hundred and fifty years to get there. MasterWarGreymon’s last words before his death were that ‘The warriors from the Real World are going to get you’.”

Marcus sat quietly, for once not following his normal pattern of making smart-ass remarks. A few feet away, Michel was still as silent as ever (making full well to stick to his routine like glue). Next to him, Jerry was deep in conversation with Mech over the inaccuracies of Mitch’s comparison to the Bolshevik Revolution. Lastly, Alice was sketching out the scene on a scrap of paper.

This was a rather long chapter for me, this time. More than 4500 words, that’s a record for me. Read & review and I’ll be happy.