Fan:Digital Partners/Chapter 1

Chapter One

Four Years Ago

Paul was lying on his bed, book in hand, reading about the wonders of magic and fighting evil forces, when a bright light filled the room. The light itself was familiar, it was coming from his iMac, which sat across the room on his desk. However, for the past few hours it had been in screensaver mode, something woke it up.

Preferring the light from his reading lamp, Paul got up to start the screensaver manually. Something caught his attention. There was a file download in progress. It was coming in fast as well, much faster than he normally downloaded at. After another 2 seconds, it was sitting on his desktop.

“Help dot D.M.G,” he read the file name aloud. Interested, he clicked on it. After a split second of loading, the file opened into full screen. There, he was presented with a 3D world. Large amounts of smoke filled the screen. Nothing happened after a few minutes, smoke continued to fill the screen and dissipate and repeat. He left it open and returned to his book, no longer interested.

He looked over at the clock next to his bed, it was close to midnight. He decided to finish the chapter and go to bed, no matter what his computer was doing. He picked the book back up and continued reading. After another minute, the light coming from the computer got brighter, to the point where it caught Paul’s attention. He turned to look at the screen. A yellow, humanoid animal was on the screen, running towards him. It was being chased by a large group of other animals, many different types, causing dust and dirt to be flung everywhere. It was a very cliché chase scene.

The yellow animal made eye contact with Paul, “Help!” It jumped, and in midair seemed to launch itself through the computer screen, landing with a thud on the floor of Paul’s room. The screen suddenly became black, and the computer powered itself into sleep mode.

He looked at the animal on his floor. A sudden spark of recognition brought a name to the animal in front of him. “Not an animal,” he corrected himself aloud. “A Digimon. Renamon.” He set the book down on his nightstand and got down on the floor. Renamon was breathing, but slowly. She was covered in burns, and parts of her fur looked ripped up and charred. He gently picked her up, for she was light despite her size, and laid her on his bed. Moving her all the way to one side, Paul found just enough room to lay down next to her.

He picked up his book, and finished the chapter. It was just past midnight, and he was tired. After changing into pajamas, he carefully pulled the covers up over Renamon and himself, and turned the lights off. He felt Renamon shift, and her arm came up over his back. She curled up next to him. A smile tugged at his mouth as he closed his eyes and promptly fell asleep.

9 o’clock in the morning came around. Saturday. Paul’s mother came into his room to wake him up. It was a cold morning, and Paul had pulled the covers up almost covering his head completely. He got up, and threw the covers down as he sat up. His mom froze, staring at the bed next to Paul.

He yawned, “Morning.” When she didn’t answer, he focused and woke up. He followed her gaze to Renamon, who was still asleep, curled up where Paul had just been. One of her arms was still wrapped around his waist. “Oh, that was real,” he said idly to himself.

“What is that?” His mom finally asked.

Renamon yawned and rolled over, letting go of Paul. He got up, “Renamon. She’s a digimon, remember the TV show and stuff?”

“What- What-,” was all she could reply. He walked over, and pushed her out of the room, closing the door behind him. He headed downstairs, his mom right behind him, and ate his breakfast in silence. “What is that?” His mom asked again, looking at Paul from across the kitchen.

“I said, she’s Renamon.”

“Renamon?”

“Yeah, a Digimon.”

“Digimon. The TV show?”

“Apparently it’s more than a TV show mom, how else do you explain her.”

“Where did she come from, how did she get in your bed?”

He got up, and cleaned up the mess he always made when he ate while still being half asleep. “She flopped out of my computer last night when I was reading. I couldn’t just leave her on the floor, could I?”

“She?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know. I remember the Renamon from the TV show being voiced by a woman.”

There were quiet, slow footsteps coming down the stairs. Paul, who had a good view of the bottom of the staircase, turned. Renamon was looking around nervously. Paul’s dogs were sniffing her feet, but she didn’t seem to mind. When she saw him, she froze. He smiled, “Morning. Hungry?”

She continued to look at him, before slowly nodding. She walked into the kitchen, glancing warily at Paul’s mom. His mom was glaring just as warily back. Paul couldn’t help but laugh. He got Renamon some food, and watched her slowly eat. “You speak?” He asked, sitting down back at the breakfast bar.

“Yes,” Renamon replied quietly. Just as Paul remember, the voice was female. However, he remember a strong voice, and this voice was quiet and weak. It was obvious she wasn’t well.

He continued watching her eat, she didn’t speak the entire time. Eventually his mom couldn’t stand it anymore, and left. When Renamon finished, Paul cleaned up, and lead her back up to his room. “So, uh... Hi,” he said, sitting in his computer chair.

Renamon stood by the door, “Hi.”

They sat in an awkward silence for a few seconds. “So, what are you doing here?” Paul asked.

“You... You saved me. My village was under attack from a pack of Vilemon, and many of us died. I tried to escape, and a big group of them chased after me. I was badly wounded, and then I saw your Digital Field ahead of me, and I used the last of my strength to get through it,” she explained.

“What about your village, did anyone else escape?” She shook her head slowly. “I see. Are you sure you’re feeling better? You looked terrible last night, maybe you should spend today in bed.” He got up, and helped Renamon to the bed.

She resisted a bit at first, but sat down anyway. “I know this is a bit sudden, but you saved my life. I will work to repay that debt to you.”

Paul was a little stunned, “You don’t have to do that. Really, I didn’t do anything other than run a program.”

“Without you I would surely be dead right now. Allow me to stay here so I can work to pay you back,” she said, lowering her head.

“I said it’s all right-”

“Do you not want me to be here?” She asked suddenly. “I know I arrived a bit suddenly, and wasn’t awake for it. I must be bothering you, I shall leave.”

“Wait!” Paul said, as she started to stand. He got up and moved to sit next to her. “Don’t, it’s fine. You can stay.”

She looked at him, “Really?”

“Of course. Don’t worry about my mom, she’ll come around eventually,” he replied with a smile. “I’m sure everyone will accept you.”

Paul stepped out of the bathroom. He had just taken a shower, and was feeling wide awake and refreshed. He walked into his room. Renamon wasn’t there. She had been sleeping when he had left to take a shower. He heard voices from downstairs, and after putting on his glasses, he headed toward them.

His mom and sister were sitting watching TV in the living room, with Renamon sitting in the big, comfy chair on the opposite side of the room from them. She jumped up, gracefully, as he walked in the room.

Before he or Renamon could say anything, his sister said, “I’m glad you found a girl. Too bad she’s not human, cause that would be perfect.”

“Hey!” Paul said. He turned and looked at Renamon. She just looked back at him, not making a move. He noticed her eyes glanced at the chair she had been sitting in a few times, but she didn’t say anything.

He slowly moved over to it, and sat down. His mom and sister were too distracted by the TV to notice, but Renamon followed him over, and looked down. He could tell there was something she wanted to say, and he knew exactly what it was. “Go ahead,” he said, and moved over in the chair. There was enough room that, if they sat very close, almost in each others lap, they could both sit in the chair.

Renamon smiled and blushed at the same time. She quickly sat down, cuddling up next to him and resting her head on his shoulder. In a matter of seconds, her breathing slowed as she fell asleep. Paul laughed quietly, she really wasn’t healed, despite what she said and how she acted. He cuddled up with her too, enjoying the warmth she gave off.

The entire day was spent getting Renamon settled in the house. His parents, after getting over the shock, both loved Renamon, and were glad that Paul had found someone to care for that cared for him back (even if she wasn’t human). They had decided that it was acceptable for Renamon to stay in Paul’s room, as his bed was large enough for both of them, and they didn’t have a guest room to put her in anyway.

Renamon herself spent most of the day either talking with Paul, and various family members, or sleeping. She didn’t have much energy, and kept spending what little she regained from her naps. Paul tired to get her to rest more, bust she wanted to be active and help him in whatever he was doing. Somehow the sun set, dinner was had, and Renamon had again fallen asleep. This time, however, Paul wasn’t pinned under her.

He logged into his computer for the first time. No emails, no messages, nothing. None of his friends were online either. “Must be a busy day for everyone,” Paul thought, and signed out. He turned and watched Renamon sleep. Even though his sister had been teasing him about it all day, and he played it off as a joke, when he looked at Renamon sleeping peacefully, he somehow felt good on the inside.

He turned away, coming to a realization. “I’m developing a crush with a Digimon,” he said aloud, shocked by the thought. A smile slowly formed on his face, “At least she’s a girl, and humanoid.” He began to give reasons why it was okay, and his thoughts continued for several minutes before Renamon rolled over, waking up.

“Did I fall asleep again?” She asked, sitting up bit.

“I told you, you need to rest. You aren’t fully healed yet. Stop worrying about me. You’ll never pay the debt off if you don’t heal yourself first,” Paul said, getting up and sitting on the bed with her. “I’m not in a life or death situation, and I won’t be for a while. So rest, I’ll be fine if you sleep for a day.”

She grabbed him, and pulled him down, so he was laying with her, “But then I can’t see you.”

He blushed, “You’re... Uh... A lot more forward when you’re half a sleep.”

She snuggled up against him, closing her eyes again. “Hey Paul,” she said suddenly.

“Yeah?”

“I know Renamon are strong, and respected Digimon. I always felt lucky knowing that I would eventually get to be one. However, when I was a Viximon I got terribly sick, and I almost died. I never completely recovered, I was always weak. Then I became Renamon, somehow I found the energy to Digivolve. I hoped that Digivolving would be enough to cure me, however, I was still weak. I can’t even produce a ‘Diamond Storm’ attack.

“Everyone in the village treated me as a little kid, a sick person who always needed help with everything. I hated it, but I couldn’t do anything about it. When the Vilemon attacked, everyone rushed to defend the village, and I was left to protect the Viximon and Relemon. I was so scared, I fled. I left behind the younger Digimon and fled the village.”

Paul looked down when she stopped talking. She was crying quietly, a wet spot forming on Paul’s shirt where her head was resting. He started to slowly rubbed her head. She stopped crying, and continued, “I’m a weak and worthless Digimon, and I’ll never be better. I was only hit a few times by Vilemon and I was almost killed.”

“Don’t say that,” Paul said, continuing to rub her head. With his other hand, he wiped away some new tears that were forming in her eyes. “You aren’t worthless to me. Just because you aren’t the strongest fighter doesn’t mean you’re worthless. I’m sure you could last twice as long in a fight as I could either way. It doesn’t matter though, because fighting means nothing.”

She looked up at him. “As long as you are by my side, you are not a weak and worthless Digimon. You are my friend,” he said, a smile on his face. Renamon smiled, but the tears came back. She started to cry again.

The next day was warmer, the sun was shining, and Renamon was feeling much better after a full 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep. She sat in Paul’s lap, as he read a book in the living room. The family was out visiting one of his sister’s friends, so the house was quiet and empty.

“Can we go for a walk?” Renamon asked suddenly.

Paul looked up from his book, “What?”

“A walk. I want to see more of Earth. It’s very different from the Digital World, I’m interested,” she replied, looking out the large window behind the chair they were sitting in.

“You think that’s a good idea?”

“I’m fine, it’s just walking. What’s the worst that could happen?” She asked, a smile on her face.

He put the book down, and looked at her seriously, “The police and animal control could come and take you in for study, you could be killed, cut open, and studied for the next 20 years, while I get arrested under some strange, unheard of law that forbids keeping sentient non-human life.” She stared at him until he couldn’t help but sigh, “Fine. Let’s go.”

Renamon jumped up, and patiently waited as Paul found his shoes, cellphone, and house key. He locked up the house, after checking that the dogs were inside and not left out in the sun, and they started walking down the driveway.

Renamon looked at everything, cars, street lights, trees, everything. She didn’t stop however, except for when a car first drove by and she jumped. Paul explained what things were when she didn’t know. She also didn’t seem to notice the looks everyone who drove by, or walked by, gave her.

They made their way to the park closest to Paul’s house, and he lead her down the nature trail, hoping that being away from the street and crowds would be best. The less people they past meant the less chance something would happen. He noticed she seemed to be slowing down, “You need a break?”

She looked embarrassed, “Yes.”

They stopped, and sat under a patch of trees, just off the path. Paul leaned up against the tree, with Renamon lying so her head was in his lap. They sat in silence, Renamon’s eyes closed and she drifted off into a nap.

A group of little kids, maybe late elementary school, walked by. At first they ignored Paul and Renamon, but eventually they noticed the sleeping, yellow animal. They all stopped, dead in their tracks, to stare at her. Paul smiled, and gave a small “Shh” to them.

One of them approached him, “What is that?”

“She. She is Renamon.”

The other kids approached, “Renamon? That sounds familiar...”

One of the girls jumped up, “Digimon! My brother watched it all the time when I was little. She’s a Digimon!”

“That was just a TV show!”

“What’s a Digimon?”

“Is she real?”

“Can I touch her ear?”

“Dude, you don’t know if that even is an ear!”

Paul glared at them, “Shh! She’s sleeping. Let her rest.”

The girl who correctly identified Renamon as a Digimon sat down next to him, “Hey, can I wait around for her to wake up?”

“Sure, what about your friends?” He looked up at the group.

One of the guys turned away, “Stay if you want, we’re gonna get going.” The group all continued down the path, not one of them looking back.

Paul stretched, carefully as to not wake Renamon, and leaned back against the tree. “I’m Paul.”

“Lynn,” she said.

Paul was about to speak, when Renamon sat up, looking around slowly. He smiled, “How was your nap?”

She turned to look at him, “I fell asleep? I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to!”

He laughed, “It’s fine. I want you to get better, which means you need rest.”

Renamon finally noticed Lynn. She looked back at Paul, confused.

“Renamon, Lynn. Lynn, Renamon.”

Lynn had a huge smile on her face, “Hi, pleased to meet you!”

Renamon nodded to her, before turning back to Paul. “Who is she?”

Paul shrugged, “Some girl.”

They all got up, and continued walking. When the trail got close to the street again, Renamon paused to watch the traffic. For the weekend, the road was busy. Paul and Lynn hung back, letting her enjoy herself.

“Where’d she come from?” Lynn asked.

Paul leaned against a tree and watched Renamon, “The Digital World. A program on my computer allowed her to come through.”

“Oh wow, that’s cool. So then, the TV show was right? Things like that happen?”

“Maybe, maybe not. I don’t have a Digivice or anything like that.”

Lynn got quiet, before laughing. “We sound cool. Talking about Digital Worlds and Digivices.”

“Don’t be making fun of Digimon.” He couldn’t help but laugh with her. Even though she was like 4 years younger than him, Paul found himself enjoying Lynn’s company. She wasn’t scared of Renamon, and had things in common with him.

She accompanied them on their walk. When Renamon was tired, and was ready to head home, Lynn reluctantly headed off in the opposite direction. Renamon grabbed Paul’s arm, “You spent more time with her than with me?”

He looked at her, smiling, “Jealous?”

“No, just-”

“I’m kidding. She’s a little kid. I was just answering her questions and letting her tag along. I’m sure we won’t see her again, and you can have me all to yourself for the rest of the evening,” he said. Renamon smiled, and they walked home hand in hand the entire way.

Paul’s family was home when they walked in the door. “Back from your date?” His sister asked as they walked through the front door.

“Yup,” he replied with a smile. His agreement threw her off, and she just stared as they walked by and headed up stairs.

Renamon laid down on the bed, her eyes closing. “We did a lot of walking today,” she commented. “My feet are sore.”

“It was your idea. I would have preferred we stayed home and rested.”

“Yeah, but it was also a lot of fun!” She grabbed his leg as he walked by, and pulled him down onto the bed. She was still weak, but even then she was still stronger than most humans.

Paul allowed himself to fall into her hug, “Hey, can you at least let me check my email?”

“You said I could have you all evening, so I’m going to take you,” she said, cuddling up to him. He was trapped, and he knew it. Soon enough though, she fell asleep.

Monday. Ever since Paul explained that he had to spend 6 hours of his day at school, Renamon was fighting to keep every minute of time before Monday with him. Unfortunately, she fell asleep often, and lost large chunks of time. After eating breakfast with Paul, and watching him leave for school, and watching his sister follow an hour later with his Mom. Renamon decided to see what there was to do around the house.

Paul’s dad had left before she was even awake, and the house was silent. She had watched TV before, but didn’t know how to control it with the remote Paul’s mom used. Likewise, she found the books Paul spent so much time reading incomprehensible. She couldn’t read, she had never been taught. She spent too much time being sick.

After finding nothing to do in the house, she decided to push random buttons on the TV’s remote in hopes something would happen. Eventually, after a minute of nothing, it turned on. Pleased with her success, she carefully studied the button she pushed, so she could remember it for future days home alone.

She wasn’t sure what she was watching, but eventually she fell asleep.

Lunch time came around, and Paul headed for the normal spot he and his friends all ate lunch. The nerdy crowd always gathered around these two picnic tables, just a little way outside the main cafeteria. He was the first one there, so he sat down, and started eating his lunch of chicken nuggets and french fries.

Patrick came running up. “You won’t believe this!”

“A Digimon came out of your computer?” Paul said idly, stuffing a handful of fries into his mouth.

“How’d you guess?” Patrick said, almost dropping his lunch in surprise.

Paul choked, “Wait, seriously?”

Grabbing his backpack, he pulled out a short, brown and pink rabbit. “Hi!” It said, in a happy tone. “I’m Lopmon, please to meet you.”

Paul grabbed the ear it had extended out towards him and shook it gently. “Hi Lopmon.”

Patrick sat down, leaving Lopmon in his backpack next to him. “How’d you know I got a Digimon?”

He pulled out his phone, and opened the picture he took of Renamon, “I got one too. Renamon.” He showed it to Patrick. “She showed up Friday night.”

Lopmon had crawled into Patrick’s lap to see the picture, “That’s when I came through too! Oh, it really is a Renamon!”

Patrick looked down at Lopmon, “You know anything about them?”

“Of course I do,” he answered. “Renamon are well known for being tough fighters, and having cold personalities. Most Digimon stay away from their village, it’s not the friendliest place.”

Paul didn’t comment, and took his phone back from Patrick. They continued eating in silence, as more and more of their friends arrived for lunch. The bell rang and everyone got up and headed for class. As Patrick walked away, Lopmon waved to Paul. He smiled, and waved back, before heading off for his own class.

“Renamon, I’m home,” Paul said, as he opened the front door.

“Paul!” Renamon jumped on him, landing in his arms, almost knocking him over. She hugged him, pressing herself against his shoulder.

He carried her into the house, “You have a lot of energy today.” He set her down in the living room so he could take off his shoes and backpack.

“I rested all day, just like you wanted me to. I’m all ready to spend time with you!” She hugged him again.

He sighed, “All right already.” After looking at Renamon’s face, he couldn’t help but smile.