February 2011

Yokohama, Japan

Noise. Chatter. The ding-dong of a train siren, followed by the rush of metal wheels on rails. Footsteps. More chatter. So many people, as far as the eye could see. Lights and sounds, like every day in this endless bustling city.

They went about their business, most of them oblivious to their surroundings. It was hard to be any other way, lest one lost track of their own needs. But if one looked closer, one could pick out little pieces of a person’s life.

All you needed to do was look.

Or listen.

Amongst the chatter and the chimes and the motors, if you really listened, you might have just been able to pick out the solitary, piercing sound of a lone violin.

The sound stopped abruptly, and the fourteen year-old girl sat on the side of the street, wrapped up against the cold air in a thick hoodie, albeit one that was worn at the elbows and in other places. She pulled her legs in closer beneath the material, her thin leggings and tattered shoes doing little to shield her from the weather. She shivered, and pulled her hat further over her matted black hair as far as it would go. To one side of her lay a rucksack, also frayed and damaged around the edges. To the other, a violin case covered in worn brown leather, open to the street.

The girl rolled her fingers, trying to get the blood moving through them again. Then she picked up her instrument, resting it gently beneath her chin and placing her bow against the strings. She played, and the sound pierced through the hustle and bustle of the city and danced across the rooftops and through the subways. She played quickly and mechanically, the movements helping a little, although she still had barely any feeling in her fingers.

Most of the time people just walked on. Occasionally they would stop, and they were the best case. The people who she had managed to reach. Sometimes they would leave a few hundred yen in the opened case, or sometimes they would just stay a while, before moving on with their lives. It didn’t matter either way to her, really. So long as she was reaching somebody.

She stopped mid-piece, aware of commotion to her right. A couple of policemen were talking, glancing in her direction. That was the end of that.

She’d packed up before they’d even taken a step towards her, and had vanished back into the crowds. The girl kept her head down, keeping her bag tight against her back, and her violin even tighter over her arm. Glancing behind her, she thought she could see the policemen still walking in her direction. Swiftly and adeptly, she moved into another stream of people. And again. Then, in a quick movement, she darted in between two shops, unseen and unnoticed once again.

She walked through them on her own, deeper and farther away from the main high street. It wasn’t the most pleasant of places, but there was a windbreak at least. She stopped a couple of hundred metres in, and crouched down against a wall, holding her instrument in front of her.

Her stomach growled, and she clamped her hand over it, grimacing against the pain. After a few seconds she pulled her rucksack in front of her and rummaged in the bottom, pulling out several empty wrappers. After a few minutes of angry searching, she threw them aside, and thrust her head against her forearms, letting out a small whine.

Something landed next to her with a thud, and she looked down at it. A chocolate bar. Gingerly she looked left and right, then reached out and quickly wolfed it down, not even caring about the taste. There she sat for a moment, hoping the pain would go away, when she heard a deep voice from just ahead of her.

“<I liked your song.>”

The girl clutched the empty wrapper in her hand, staring ahead into the gloom. She didn’t answer. She didn’t want to. She waited patiently, until the voice spoke again.

“<You play really well.>”

The girl heard a very light fluttering in front of her, like a cluster of papers caught in the wind. Followed by a gentle click, like pins dropping on concrete. Something began to walk towards her, with the lightest of footsteps. Panicking, the girl looked left and right, wondering which would be the best way to run when the man came out. But her head was still spinning, the cold affecting her judgement.

She was just about to shift, when the figure slowly stepped into the alleyway, and she stopped, gasping at the sight.

It wasn’t a man. It wasn’t even a person.

The crane rested backwards and bowed its head down, its beady eyes staring into hers.

He took a step forwards, and the girl flinched, pressing herself backwards against the wall. “<Go away! Don’t come near me!>”

Her voice was rasped, and hoarse, barely a whisper. The crane respectfully took a few steps back

“<I do apologise. I didn’t mean to scare you.>”

He waited, keeping his wings folded in. Ever so slowly, the girl unfurled herself, and reached forwards.

“<Is this a dream? Am I dreaming?>”

Her hand caressed the side of his cheek, and she fell back, blinking in the gloom.

“<Are you a...a yokai?>”

The crane chuckled quietly. “<You could say that.>”

His expression deepened, and he looked down at the girl’s hand, the fingers practically colourless. “<You’re frozen.>”

The girl pulled her hand back, but as she tried to hide it her stomach growled again and she clutched it, wincing. The crane stared down at her; at the black circles beneath her eyes, and at her pale, loose skin.

“<When’s the last time you properly slept?>”

No response. The girl just looked away, clutching her violin tightly. The crane let out a breath, before holding out a wing.

“<Would you like to come with me? I’ve found somewhere warmer than this. I can get you what you need.>”

The girl looked unconvinced, holding her hands out of his reach. The crane gently stepped forwards, his eyes open and honest.

“<It’s alright. I promise. I know very well how hard it is to be running.>”

He held out his wing, smooth and pristine. The girl stared at it for some time. Then, slowly, she grabbed it, and pulled herself up to her feet, standing just a few inches shorter than him. She shivered, and blew into her hands, but he took them from her and held them against his chest, just for a moment. The texture wasn’t quite feathers and wasn’t quite paper, and she could feel a heart beating within, as well as a warm tingling that surrounded his body. When she pulled her hands away, she could move the fingers freely again. The crane smiled, and held out a wing.

“<What’s your name, child?>”

The girl shuffled, and murmered something under her breath. The crane cocked his head, his eyes watching expectantly. Slowly, the child reached down, and grabbed the hem of her coat, her face flushing.

“<L...Lyra...>”

She took in a breath, and spoke again, more assertive as she looked into his eyes.

“<...Please call me Lyra...>”

Orizumon’s head snapped sideways, as he felt the air movements change even from this far away. He dived down, and Lyra grabbed onto his back, shaking her head and holding a palm against her eye.

“What...what happened?”

Orizumon narrowed his eyes, watching as the great eagle shot forwards, closing the distance between them by the millisecond.

“Trouble.”

“Spiral Force!”

Mistramon swung upwards at an incredible speed, the pink energy coursing out behind him and causing Orizumon to swing dangerously to one side in an effort to avoid it. It still grazed the edge of his chest, and he raised the broadsides of his wings, stopping expertly as Mistramon arced around behind him. The crane waited, watching as the eagle descended to his level, his eyes narrow and dangerous.

“I missed on purpose.”

“I gathered.”

Jack sat up, looking at Lyra’s hunched form on Orizumon’s back, clutching tightly onto another small crate.

“You haven’t stopped.”

Lyra sniffed. “What’s it to you? I told you to stay out of it.”

“I thought you weren’t as bad as you seemed. You helped us with Dramatismon. For a bit. But you’re just going back to stealing and causing all this damage. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Lyra clutched Orizumon’s neck slightly harder, breaking his wing beats ever so slightly.

“It’s nothing to do with you...”

“People are getting hurt, Lyra! Because of you and your friends! I don’t care why; I’m not gonna stand for it! Stop this right now!”

Lyra blinked, unable to see Jack’s face behind his mask. She let out a hoarse breath, and leant forwards into Orizumon’s ears. “Remember what Rhyncomon said.”

The crane closed his eyes. “I don’t want to think about it.”

“And I can’t afford to keep failing him.”

“Lyra...”

The woman coughed, and held on tightly. “Get rid of them.”

Orizumon let out a breath, and slowly moved forwards, not breaking eye contact with Mistramon. The two humans kept their bodies low, clutching tightly onto anything they could, as the twin birds circled each other. Orizumon’s eyes glinted. “You know I’m faster than you.”

Mistramon didn’t answer. He just nodded.

“More agile as well.”

Another nod.

“Go. I won’t be so kind on you or your partner this time. You can’t win.”

Mistramon scoffed, and held his wings out wide.

“Just you fucking watch me.”

“Regal Spinner!”

Orizumon lunged forwards, thrusting his wings out as golden wires danced out. Mistramon shot to the side, easily dodging the attack, but Orizumon was already one step ahead. With a rush of wind he twisted around, firing the attack again, more intensely this time. The lights swung down in a diagonal lattice, slicing against the eagle’s wings as he banked left and right. For a moment he seemed to be overwhelmed, driven back by the golden onslaught.

But as Orizumon flew closer, so Mistramon called upon his own speed, blasting himself forwards in a twisting motion and ramming his opponent hard in the chest. Orizumon’s beak opened in shock, and he retreated, winded. Mistramon swung round again, his hooked beak closed tightly. His eyes never left the crane, glimmering green in the gloom. He edged closer again, but Orizumon swung underneath, stabbing into Mistramon’s leg with his great beak.

He felt something waver on his back, and quickly twisted back upright again, shooting out of the way. But even as he looked behind him to check on Lyra, Mistramon was already in hot pursuit, flapping his wings up and down with great, powered-up wing beats. He shot forwards, barely missing the crane, but the eagle turned himself practically vertically and looped around in an impossibly tight circle, swooping past Orizumon and scraping his talons across the crane’s front.

“Regal Spinner!”

“Pressure Wave!”

Flashes of light intercepted arcs of wind, and Orizumon shot out of the cloud, holding his wings against his sides as Mistramon pursued him again. The crane took in his breath, and dropped, falling beneath the eagle and lashing out with both sharpened legs. But Mistramon twisted around himself, reaching out and grappling the crane’s talons with his own. Orizumon pulled away, but not before his claws had been buckled by the much stronger eagle. All the while Mistramon’s gaze never left him, the gaze burning into his eyes.

“I’m being kind myself. Don’t underestimate me.”

“Leave us ALONE! Lethal Edge!”

Orizumon held his breath, and shot upwards, flattening his body out as much as he dared. Mistramon wasn’t quite quick enough, and the paper blade struck the underside of his wing, slicing into the flesh. Mistramon hissed, and gave an eagle cry into Orizumon’s face, before whirling around and hitting him with a vast shockwave. Orizumon retreated again, looking for an opening, while Mistramon murmured back to Jack.

“You still holding tightly?”

Jack nodded. “Do what you need to.”

“Spiral FORCE!”

Mistramon arced backwards in a loop, tighter and tighter as his tail trailed out behind him, releasing pink energy into the sky. It spun outwards in an ever increasing spiral, and Mistramon began to turn simultaneously, until the entire battleground was amass with crescents of pressurised air, slicing past and disrupting the wind currents. Orizumon found himself trapped by three at once, leaving with a gash in his side and a notch in his beak as he tried to make his way to the source. But as they dissipated, he noticed too late that Mistramon had gone.

The eagle’s claws dug into his wings from the back, piercing the thin papery flesh and leaving great holes. Orizumon struggled, keening as he struggled wildly, but Mistramon raised his wings and cried out into the night.

“Pressure WAVE!”

The blast of wind spread out in a wide arc, disorientating the crane as he fluttered away with torn wings. He backed off far away as the eagle did the same, not entirely unscathed himself. Orizumon cursed, and looked back at his charge, who was still clutching on, as still as ever.

“We should retreat. We’ll get back to the safehouse-“

“No...”

A hand tightened behind him, and the girl looked up into his eyes, still clutching the package with the diligence she always did.

“Lyra...please...I don’t want you to get hurt...”

“We need...to finish the job...” Lyra looked up, her hair blowing against her face as she stared at him with desperate eyes.

“We need to beat him...”

Orizumon shut his eyes tightly. Already he could hear the approaching wind as Mistramon dived again, talons outstretched.

“It’s over, Orizumon! Give up!”

“I will not YIELD TO YOU! Lethal Edge!”

Orizumon shot forwards unexpectedly, his wings clashing against Mistramon’s and slicing into the metal edging. Mistramon was thrown off balance, but Orizumon dived down, slicing the eagle’s flesh once again. He flipped around beneath, slamming one leg into the eagle’s belly, before piling upwards with his entire body weight and latching onto the eagle’s face with his bent claws. Mistramon struggled, but Orizumon flipped him over and screamed into his face, golden ribbons flying far and wide.

“You do not command me! You do not deflect me! I will fight for the one I love and you shall never defeat me!”

Mistramon gritted his beak, wrestling with the crane as they fell spinning through the air, locked together. “You have...to...stop!”

Orizumon held out his tattered wings, the air whistling through them as the two birds tumbled. He reared back, and slammed his legs into Mistramon’s face, sending him spiralling away. He recovered, with Jack clutching onto his back and pushing himself up further, his voice filled with rage.

“Don’t stop! Don’t let them get away with this!”

Orizumon held out his wings, feeling Lyra clutching onto his back.

“You’re winning. You’re...about to...win...”

The crane narrowed his eyes, gripping tighter than ever, feeling his heartbeat ringing in his ears as the words gave him strength.

Then something moved. His eyes widened, feeling Lyra’s grip loosen in an instant. He turned around just in time to see her slide from his back, the package still in her arms.

“...h....help...”

Time stood still, as she tumbled away, instantly out of his reach. Jack caught his breath. Mistramon’s eyes widened. All three of them looked on in horror as the woman fell, her body limp.

“LYRA!”

In an instant, Jack’s blind fury dissipated. He jolted back to reality, and kicked the eagle beneath the wing. “Mistramon!”

“On it.”

The crane turned downwards, flapping his tattered wings, but all his wounds had wrecked his agility and he veered wildly to one side, spiralling downwards and unable to do a thing to help. He could see her falling below him, the package tumbling down beside her, although the strap of her violin remained tightly around her body. Orizumon beat his wings fruitlessly, seeing the tops of the buildings approaching.

“No...no, no, no, not like this, not like-“

“Out of the way!”

A red blur shot past him, sending him spiralling again. Mistramon dove quickly, opening his wings as he reached out with his talons, aiming for Lyra’s still body. Jack held onto his mane, trying to see beneath them.

“Careful!”

“I know, I know!”

“We’re going too fast!”

“I’ve done this before; I’ll think of something!”

Mistramon gritted his beak, and gently slotted his claws over Lyra, pulling her in as he shot down past the topmost roofs. Instantly he threw his wings out, making them as broad as he possibly could, and generating swirling cushions of air beneath them. Jack felt the whump of g-force as he was pressed further into his partner’s back, and within a second their fall had slowed to a gentle hover.

There was a crash from down below as the package broke apart on the concrete, spilling old arcade components all over the ground. The eagle spiralled round, trying to find a relatively smooth place to touch down, but with Lyra clutched in his claws he was forced to try and make a landing on his knees. It didn’t go entirely smoothly, as the pain in his legs flared up as soon as they touched the ground, and he fell forwards with a thud. Lyra gently rolled out, lying motionless on the ground.

Jack jumped from his partner’s back in an instant, rushing forwards towards her. He held back a bit at first, not sure what to do, but he braced himself and gently rolled her over onto her back. He relaxed, seeing the woman’s chest moving up and down steadily.

“I think she’s alright.” The boy laughed, and looked behind him to where Mistramon was pushing himself up. “You’re awesome, you know that?”

Mistramon beamed, clearly out of breath. “Yeah, I do. But thanks anyway.”

“GET AWAY FROM HER!”

“Look out!”

Jack threw himself back as Orizumon crashed down behind Lyra, his form dissipating and revealing Tsurumon. The golden lights dissipated as the crane shot forwards, holding his wings out as Jack fell down onto his behind. He looked up, staring into Tsurumon’s eyes from behind his goggles.

“You’re welcome.”

“This is your fault in the first place!”

Mistramon raised a foot, kicking away some old circuitry. “We’re not the ones acting like vultures here. Also, she’s fine.”

“She is not fine. Don’t tell me how she is. I...I was afraid this would happen...”

The crane’s wing shook, and he darted back, kneeling down next to Lyra. The woman stirred, letting out a small groan of pain, but she didn’t fully wake. For a moment Tsurumon looked relieved. Then ashamed. He gently stood up further, looking at his own wings, still scuffed from the fight. Mistramon smirked. “I guess I can claim victory on that one, right?”

“Mistramon, shush. Stop.”

Jack gently patted his partner on the chest, before slowly walking over to Tsurumon and Lyra. The crane stiffened at his approach, but Jack raised his hands, peeling away his goggles and mask. He tapped one palm on the ends of his fingers in a T-shape.

“Timeout. We’re not gonna fight you anymore. We want to help.”

There was a ‘huh’ from behind him, and Jack shot a look back at the eagle. Mistramon’s shoulders slumped. “Do we really?”

“Yes. It’s gone out of hand now.”

“You were just trying to kill us” said Tsurumon accusingly, standing over his unconscious partner. “Why should I trust you?”

“I could say the same for the things you’ve put us through.” Jack sighed, and placed his hands in his pockets. “But we’re not heartless killers, not really. I just got really mad for a bit. It’s a bad family trait.”

Tsurumon looked conflicted. He peered around, then held his shoulder, staring at the ground. “You’ll really stay and help?”

Jack narrowed his eyes. “If you’ll promise to stop causing damage and stealing stuff.”

“I can’t promise that. I’m sorry.”

“Why not?”

“It’s complicated.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “It’s always complicated. Everyone always says it’s complicated. I don’t understand how ‘don’t be a dick’ is always so complicated.”

Tsurumon looked away, hiding his expression. Jack sighed, rubbing his fingers through his hair.

“I know there’s clearly something going on here; you can’t hide that from me. Would you...at least talk to me?”

No answer again. Tsurumon’s eyes looked down at Lyra, as she stirred again, her fingers moving. Jack shook his head.

“What do you need?”

There was an indignant squawk from Mistramon. “Jack! Don’t back down for these jokers!”

“I’m not. We’re staying with them. Then at least we can keep an eye on them.” The boy looked down. “She’s not in a good way. I can see that much.”

Tsurumon straightened up. “Can you take us to our safehouse?”

“Safehouse?”

“It’s not far from here. We’re both in danger here after this...incident. There are Digimon out there who are less kind than you.” The crane opened his wings. “I’d take her myself but I can’t carry her in this condition.”

Jack looked up at Mistramon, who rolled his eyes, before lowering himself on. “Load her up.”

“You won’t drop her?”

“I’ll fly slowly.”

Gently, the boy and the two birds helped the semi-conscious Lyra onto Mistramon’s back, with Tsurumon sitting behind her, holding her upright with a deft hand. Jack sat up front, directing Mistramon as he slowly took to the skies.

From the shadows, a pair of beady eyes watched as the eagle cleared the rooftops and flew, slowly and smoothly, off into the skyline. The Kankomon clasped its hands together, swaying its head as it grinned inanely.

A few blocks away, Reynarimon let out a little whistle as he received his minion’s message. “Ooh dearie dearie dear, somebody didn’t manage to get the package in on time. And flying off with another handsome bird in the middle of a job. How daring.”

The fox man removed an earpod, and grinned down at the courtyard. Yethmon glared up at him, before snorting and looking away, with the rest of his gang eager and anticipating behind him. Reynarimon shrugged, and looked back to where Rhyncomon was seated on the rooftop, hands leant on the handle of his sword.

“What’s the call, boss?”

Rhyncomon let out a breath, looking up at the night sky.

“All of you, move out. This has gone far enough.”

The fog was beginning to close in as Mistramon flew through the sky, maintaining his height but keeping the speed to a minimum. Tsurumon poked his head up, and pointed with one wing towards an old block of flats, with brick-red walls and a pattern of windows on opposite sides.

“That’s where we need to go.”

Mistramon obliged, but Jack looked back at the crane, who was staying huddled over Lyra.

“You sure about that? No-one’s been living in that block since the gate opened. Too dangerous, they said.”

“I’m sure.” Tsurumon’s eyes glinted, and he pointed again. “Further up, Mistramon. Go to the roof.”

“Honestly, a bird telling another bird how to fly. I’m older than you!”

“Are you?”

“Probably not.” Mistramon whistled in an irritated fashion. “Don’t know nuffin’, me.”

Jack leant forwards, ruffling the eagle’s mane. “You’ll always be the best birb to me.”

“True, but you’re obligated to say that so it doesn’t count.” Mistramon cooed. “But thanks anyway.”

There was a shuffling from behind as Lyra stirred again, moving her head sideways as Tsurumon clutched tightly to her.

“Where...where are we...are we flying? Did we win?”

She reached out and grabbed hold of Mistramon’s mane, before stopping, her hair covering her face. “...since when did you have feathers?”

She looked up before Tsurumon could explain, and looked into Jack’s face. She started, and jolted to one side, but Tsurumon grabbed her and held on tightly with all his might. Lyra seemed not to be entirely aware of her surroundings as she thrust an arm out at the two in front.

“You! What are...what are you doing...why are you abducting me? What? Hello? I can sue you!”

Jack gave a cautious friendly wave, while Mistramon humphed up ahead. “If you fall off again, I’m not catching you.”

“Again?”

Tsurumon tapped her on the shoulder, and she looked down at him, deeply confused and not entirely with it. The crane whispered in her ear. “They’re bringing us home. Please let them do that much.”

“Here we are.”

Mistramon fluttered over the lip of the building rooftop, and landed neatly, before tipping himself abruptly sideways. Jack, who was used to games like this, grabbed onto his mane and neatly slid himself down the bird’s wing. Tsurumon and Lyra, who were not, simply tumbled off his back and landed in a messy pile on the roof. Mistramon smirked.

“Oops.”

Jack sighed, and brushed himself off, before turning to the girl as she stood up, her shoulders hunched. The boy held out a hand.

“No hard feelings?”

The woman smacked his hand away, and reached in her pocket, pulling out her triangular digivice. She swung it wildly, but only a few sparks of light fell from the end, barely enough to light the gloom.

“I’m not done with you yet! I have to...I have to get rid of you! Leave me alone! Now! Get away from...from me...ow...”

Tsurumon raised a wing, but she smacked it away as well, trying to evolve her partner. But her device fell from her hand, and she clutched her stomach, then her head, then fell to her knees as she let out a cry of pain.

“Lyra, please!”

Tsurumon knelt down himself, holding out his wings as the girl coughed into her hand. She knelt back, her eyes squinting against nothing.

“When was the last time you ate?”

“I’m fine!”

“You’re hiding it again, aren’t you?”

“I...don’t know what’s...going on...right now...”

“You fell. You could have died, and I couldn’t save you in time. I had to do something. You were in a bad way. You still are. Please, just...try to calm down, alright?”

“I...just...”

Jack stepped forwards, and reached inside his coat.

“Here.”

The young woman looked up, and found the boy holding out a plastic water bottle, and a couple of cereal bars, slightly squashed but still intact. She blinked, causing him to blush and look away, scratching his cheek.

“My mum makes me carry them when we’re out on missions, in case I need an energy boost. It’s what she says. I haven’t done anything to them, or anything...”

Lyra was about to speak, when there came a loud groan, and she clutched her stomach. Jack gave her an odd look, and she returned the favour. But before he could respond, she reached out with both hands and grabbed the bottle and snacks, tearing a wrapper open and practically inhaling one whole. She coughed, choked, and went for the water bottle, gulping that as such a speed that she swallowed it the wrong way and spluttered.

Jack watched as she placed it down, eyes closed and dripping water from her nose.

“Wow. You’re a real mess, you know that?”

“Shut up,” retorted the woman, wiping her face on her sleeve. “Anyway, you’re like...eleven, aren’t you? You’re not allowed to be babying me.”

“Oh, can I have them back then? Also I’m thirteen.”

“Piss off.”

Tsurumon gently backed off, holding his head low. “Please try and be a little kinder to him, Lyra? It’s because of him and Mistramon that you’re here right now. They saved your life.”

“So what?” said the girl, crossing her legs. “It’s because of them that I apparently nearly died anyway.”

Jack pouted. “I did say I was sorry.”

“And I didn’t ask for your help.”

“No. You didn’t. And if this is how you’re gonna be then maybe I shouldn’t have bothered.” Jack crouched down, staring ahead as he rested his arms over his knees. “I don’t like you. I don’t like what you’re doing and I don’t like your attitude and I don’t like what I’m seeing right now. And cause of that I’m gonna have to do what I don’t want to do and stay and figure out what to do with you. ‘Cause the more I see, the more I think you might actually need some help.” He smirked. “Honestly, like, I didn’t think I was qualified to be looking after someone like you, but I guess that’s my job now. Hope you don’t mind being babysat by some dumb kid.”

Lyra blinked. She opened her mouth, ready to refuse. But there was a look in his eyes which gave her pause for thought. No longer fury or hurt, but something deeper. A resilience far beyond his years. She folded her arms, and looked the other way, pouting.

“Who are you people?”

Jack stood up, smiling widely.

“Idiots, mostly. But we’re kind idiots. Hopefully that’s what you need.”

He walked back before she could retort, putting his hands in his pockets and looking around with a puzzled expression on his face. “For a start, this is your safehouse? Doesn’t seem very safe.”

Mistramon looked discerningly up at the sky. “I’d have said it barely qualifies as a house, myself.”

“Hey, I have a house,” Lyra said, and she pointed to one end of the roof, where there was a small storage shed in one corner of the block. Jack’s eyes widened, and he looked down at Lyra. She snorted.

“It has a roof. It counts. Don’t judge me.”

The boy raised a tentative finger. “I mean...it’s so small...”

“Yeah, well, all the other doors are still alarmed so I’m rather stuck.” Lyra rolled her eyes. “I’ll give you the tour if you’re really not going to leave.”

Jack didn’t really know what to say, so he just wandered along as the girl got up unsteadily, and walked over. She pushed the door open, reached inside and flicked on a switch on a little torch, dangling just above the entrance. She darted inside, beckoning Jack. He gingerly poked his head inside, trying to avoid turning his nose at the strong smell. The torch swung lazily, revealing the cramped conditions inside. A couple of boxes with packets, plastic water bottles and takeaway pots lying on top. A gas heater in one corner, with a few propane bottles shoved further into the corner. At the far corner was a plastic bowl, with a bag to one side filled with used toiletries and a significant amount of razor heads. Most of one wall was taken up with a couple of scrunched up duvets and blankets, crudely arranged into the shape of a bed.

Jack realised he was staring, and looked at Lyra. She shrugged. “It’s dry. And keeps the wind out. Mostly.”

“I don’t...I just...how can you live like this?”

Another shrug. “I don’t have many other options. But I’ve been doing this for years. You get used to it.”

“Years?” Jack shook his head. “I don’t get it; you’ve been releasing violin songs online and everything for ages...like this? In here?”

“Yup. Isn’t technology wonderful?”

“But you can’t have everything you need in here.” Something caught Jack’s eye, and he pointed at a small laptop lying just behind the woman’s leg. “Don’t you need power for things like that? And water and...other things?”

Lyra raised an eyebrow. “I can, like...use public facilities, you know. Cafes, libraries, gyms; I do have money. Just not enough to actually live anywhere with a carpet and windows and central heating and stuff.”

Jack shifted uncomfortably. “By money...you mean your...well, your ‘job’?”

“I get a few coins from busking. And if I’m really struggling with...certain things...Tsurumon finds bits and pieces for me.” She placed her hands into her hoodie pockets, swinging them back and forth. “But yeah, mainly my ‘job’.” She said the word while gesturing with her fingers, her face completely straight.

“So...you get enough to live at least.”

“Yeah.”

“By...stealing stuff.”

“I believe your technical term for it is ‘freelance contractor’.”

Jack let out a breath, and stepped outside, leaning against the rough walls and running his palm over his mouth. “Geezus...”

Lyra swung out, swaying a little as Tsurumon walked up to her, his body leaving little trails in the gathering mist. She held his shoulder, and looked down at Jack, narrowing her eyes.

“You look shocked. Bit hard to handle, isn’t it? Seeing what someone’s going through away from your comfortable little life?”

Jack looked down to one side. “I’ve already seen horrible things that you wouldn’t dream of. But yeah. This is one of them.”

“How’s that little speech sounding now? You still gonna stay and help, little boy?”

“Jack.” The teenager looked up, rubbing his thumb over his nose. “And sure I am. Even more now.”

Lyra blinked, before rolling her eyes. “Ah god...why?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do!”

Lyra stamped her foot, her anger flaring again. “What the hell does that have to do with anything? Do I look like I’ve ever cared about ‘the right thing to do’? I’m a horrible person! I do horrible things and this is all I deserve!”

Jack stood up, clenching his fists. “Don’t say that. No-one ever deserves to live like this.”

“Why are you so desperate to help me-“

Lyra’s eyes glazed, and she began coughing again, doubling over as Tsurumon held her stomach. She stuck her tongue out, making a face. “God...damn it...my head...”

Her shoulder slumped sideways, and her violin swung down into the crook of her elbow, catching Jack’s attention. He gripped the tops of his trousers, and nodded. “Is that...important to you?”

The woman flinched, looking sideways at the old case. She let out a breath, and gently sat down, with Tsurumon standing to one side. Jack crouched down, biting his lower lip.

“Would you be alright talking to me? I really...really genuinely wanna help, in any way I can. But I wanna know how you ended up here.” He rolled his fingers. “If...if that’s alright with you.”

Lyra looked up at him through a mess of black hair. There was a clicking of talons beside her, and she glanced up at Tsurumon, who was repositioning himself. He shook his head.

“It’s your choice, Lyra.”

Jack nodded in agreement, as Mistramon gently sat down behind him, ruffling his feathers and blowing visibly against the cold fog.

Lyra held the side of her face, and began to laugh. Jack looked puzzled, but she waved it away.

“It’s weird. When the only people you ever talk to are out to use you, you forget when people genuinely want to listen.” She looked up at Tsurumon. “Aside from you, of course.”

“You’re family to me. I only wish the best for you.” Tsurumon sighed. “But I’ve been failing more and more in that regard. Perhaps...it might be time for you to turn to someone who can give you better.”

Lyra pouted. “You do always say the most annoyingly correct things.”

“I am a yokai. It must be in my nature.”

Lyra closed her eyes. Then she crossed her legs further, looking at Jack, who was sat patiently.

“Alright, kid. You saved my life. I at least owe you a bit of an explanation.”

In many ways the chance meeting didn’t seem to change a whole lot. Days of running. Days of hiding. Nights of sleeping rough, and nights of playing to passers-by who barely even knew she existed. It wasn’t realistic to believe that things would change overnight. Why would they?

And yet...

It did change. For every time she had to hide, or slip away unseen, or every night she spent shivering in the cold, there was always somebody there to whisk her away, or to cover her when things got too harsh. When she went hungry, food would appear. When she was tired, she had a few days to recover. And when she spent her day with her head in her hands, despising everything from her own body, to the people walking past, to the world around her; there was always somebody there. He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t say she was ill, or delusional, or spoilt. He listened. And wherever he could, he helped. Even when it was out of her control, or out of his. He still did everything he could.

Days and nights morphed into weeks and months. The weather got warmer, then colder again. Things seemed to just return to normal. The occasional danger. The occasional encounter. But above all, just normal life, out of the way of the city’s prying eyes.

And then, on the other side of the world, the door between worlds opened up.

And it was only a matter of time...

“Tekkoujin!”

Lyra sped through the streets as people rushed left and right, screaming as the metallic beast bounded after her. It was easily the size of a horse, and despite the gunmetal armour it wore over its body it seemed to move with the lightness of a feather, its claws barely leaving an imprint on the pavement below. Although the same could not be said for its great swinging tail, which bent lampposts and litter bins and knocked people aside like bowling pins.

Lyra scrambled sideways, trying to get away from the high street, but a crashing behind her made her all too aware that the Ginryumon was still eagerly chasing her. She stumbled, falling to the ground and scrabbling with her hands as she tried to get back up. With a hiss, Ginryumon’s serpentine neck curled around the corner, and opened its frog-like mouth again.

“Tekkoujin!”

Lyra lunged herself to one side, crashing against the wall as huge metal spears embedded themselves in the ground where she’d been standing milliseconds before. She got up, but a pain shot through her leg where she’d landed awkwardly. Ginryumon saw her, and bounded forwards, opening its mouth with a hungry glee.

“Kami Naginata!”

Tsurumon dived down, firing miniature blades of his own into the armoured dragon’s face. Ginryumon shook them away, hissing and snapping as the crane shot beneath his neck, aiming for the dragon’s eyes. He got a clean hit on one, as he stabbed his beak forwards with enough force to cave the dragon’s eyeball in. Ginryumon roared, and snapped, taking a chunk out of the crane’s wing before he could get out of the way. He landed on his feet, pressing against the ground as he planted himself between the dragon and the girl.

“<You should be running.>”

“<I won’t leave you!>”

“<I can’t hold him off for long. He’s wild. He’s not like me.>”

Ginryumon lunged forwards, slamming his claws into the wall and sending chunks of grey brick in all directions. Lyra raised her arms as several pieces hit her in the head and arms, a few drawing blood. Tsurumon was struck again, coughing from the brick dust as he lunged sideways to avoid the dragon’s fearsome jaws.

“Oritatama Tsubasa!”

The crane’s body folded in on itself and shot beneath Ginryumon’s strike, unravelling on the other side. He lashed out with a sharp leg, tearing straw and flesh from between the chinks in the dragon’s armour. Ginryumon coiled around like a serpent, snapping backwards, but Tsurumon shrunk down and shot forwards again, going for the dragon’s other eye.

“Kami Naginata!”

“Boujinha!”

The dragon rushed forwards unexpectedly, bringing its head down and knocking away the blades with ease. Taken aback, Tsurumon flapped backwards, but he wasn’t fast enough as Ginryumon’s claws flew sideways and raked across his chest. He spun, holding out his wings to steady himself, before he could get himself out of the way.

“Tekkoujin!”

A spear shot forwards, tearing through the papery skin of his wing and causing him to call out a melancholic cry. He tore himself away, but the damage had sent him off balance and he flew straight into Ginryumon’s claw, which slammed him against the wall. Tsurumon struggled and kicked, but the claw locked tightly, tearing into his fragile body.

Lyra stumbled forwards, holding out a palm as Ginryumon opened its mouth.

“Tekkoujin!”

“<TSURUMON!>”

The wall exploded with the spear’s impact, sending dust billowing out. Lyra still staggered forwards, coughing and spluttering against the billowing particles and reaching out into thin air. Her leg was spasming in pain, and her eyes watered, blinded by the dust. But she flailed, reaching out towards where her partner was being held. She couldn’t see him. She couldn’t see Ginryumon. She couldn’t see a single thing.

“<Don’t leave me...>”

Something tingled around her hand. For a moment she thought it was Tsurumon’s soft papery wings. No...nothing. Just dust. Just...nothing at all.

“<PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME! I NEED YOU!>”

The tingle reappeared, and grew into a warmth, spiralling through her fingers and her palm. She blinked, and for a moment she was convinced she could see a golden light, blinking against the grey and the brown. A strange sensation coursed up her arm, something like pins and needles, but more intense. Or perhaps more comforting. She closed her eyes, and for the briefest moment she thought she could hear something in the distance. Something she hadn’t heard for so long, like the whistle of a kettle on the stove.

She screamed, and her fingers closed down on a small triangular object, seemingly from out of nowhere. The moment she grabbed it, a warm surge of energy shot up her arm and burned through every vein in her body, causing her to gasp for breath and nearly stumble again. The whirl of energy blew the dust aside, and through blurred eyes she could see the limp body of the crane pinned against the wall, with Ginryumon pressing harder and harder, squeezing the life from him.

Lyra lost track of the moment. She didn’t know what she was holding, and didn’t care. Without hesitation, she threw her hand out, the device shining brightly in her hand.

“Tsurumon... Tamashi no Oto!”

Her voice echoed out, into the courtyard, catching Ginryumon’s attention as it turned its menacing gaze towards her. She didn’t move. She daren’t. But even as the dragon turned its mighty jaws in her direction and opened them wide, the crane shifted in its claws, eyes opening and glowing with an intense white light.

“...Shinka...”

The crane spread his wings, energy exploding outwards from his body and engulfing Ginryumon. Lyra held her arm over her face, temporarily blinded by the light. She blinked, trying to peer through her fingers. Something seemed to be moving, shimmering, in the space above. As she stared blearily, it raised its head and called up to the sky.

“Orizumon!”

Lyra fell backwards, feeling a rush of adrenaline through her as she watched the crane lunge forwards, intercepting Ginryumon’s savage attack. The bird spun, slashing across the dragon’s throat with sharp armoured feet, and blasting out ornate webs of golden light that scorched his opponent’s black armour. Lyra stared, completely transfixed at the fluid movements.

The battle didn’t last long. Ginryumon twisted around, blocking Orizumon’s feet and making a savage lunge for the crane’s neck. But Orizumon rolled with the motion, wrapping his wings around Ginryumon’s neck and stabbing downwards into the dragon’s other eye. Ginryumon roared, now completely blind as it swung back and forth, not noticing the golden threads which were floating around it, entangling and binding its serpentine body. Only when they closed in fully did it stop, panic settling into its feral roars. Orizumon spread his wings wide, and flapped upwards, the golden threads rippling with his movements.

“Dōdō no Senpū!”

In a flash, Orizumon’s body spun like a top, the threads following his movements. They tightened around Ginryumon, slicing into the armour and the straw-like flesh beneath, as the dragon let out strangled croaks. It twitched, the end of its tail swishing wildly as its tongue bulged. Then, Orizumon shot upwards, pulling the threads again.

There was an almighty crack, and Ginryumon’s tail stiffened, swayed, and went still. The dragon slumped in its final prison, slowly falling to the ground as silvery dust fell from beneath its armour plating. Soon all that was left was a hollow shell, the data already being whipped away by the wind.

After a few minutes, Lyra tentatively stepped forwards, limping on her bad foot. With a flutter as light as the wings of a butterfly, Orizumon landed in front of her, barely making a sound as his feet touched the ground.

“<I’m sorry for that sight. I hope it didn’t scare you too much.>”

Lyra just shook her head, holding out her palm and running it down the bird’s chest. His skin felt like silk, covered with thousands of tiny leaf-like feathers that blended together and rippled like water. She stared up at his eyes in wonder.

“<How long have you been able to do this?>”

Orizumon smiled gently, and bent down, touching the golden device that she still held in her hands.

“<Since you truly accepted me as your family.>”

Lyra looked down, running her finger over the tiny screen. “<...I did this...?>”

Orizumon nodded. Lyra grinned up at him, before stumbling on her bad foot again. With a little flash, Orizumon shrunk down again, becoming Tsurumon as he rushed forwards just in time to catch her. She laughed, and steadied herself on his shoulder.

“<I’m so glad. You’re the only family I’ve ever had.>”

Tsurumon beamed. “<Thank you...so much.>”

The night’s mists were beginning to shroud out the lights of the town below, as Jack listened intently to the young woman’s story, mesmerised as Lyra told him about her life in Japan with Tsurumon, and her current situation. Tsurumon stood to one side, a slightly guilty expression on his face. But aside from the odd correction, he didn’t interfere. Just stayed alongside his partner, nursing his torn wings.

Jack leant back as Lyra paused, taking a swig of water as her voice threatened to dry up. The teenager frowned. “How did you end up over here then? That...must have been a long swim.”

Lyra scratched behind her head. “I got involved with a few other characters. It was soon after the gate opened over here; somebody offered me a job and secure payment.” The girl shrugged. “The bigger you get, the harder it is to get away with general shoplifting. He helped me. Sort of. Tsurumon doesn’t like himm though.”

The crane let out a long, exhausted breath. “You know my feelings on the matter. You know it won’t last.”

Lyra’s fingers tensed, digging into her thighs. She looked away, her hair whipping back and forth.

“Not after tonight, it won’t...”

She looked up, aware that Jack was still staring at her. The girl smirked, her hair covering her face. “Feel like you know me a bit better now?”

The teenager bit his lip, knocking his shoes together. “You’ve had a hard life...”

“”Still wanna help me like a good little boy scout?”

“Of course.” Jack leant forwards, his cheeks flushing a little. “Um...I’m sorry, but I have to ask...you told me everything else...”

“Go on.”

The boy looked up, his eyes already pained. “Why did you run away from home to begin with?”

Lyra stared at him. Then looked away. Her breathing seemed to speed up again. The boy waved his palms.

“I mean...you don’t need to tell me anything else...if you don’t want to...seriously...”

Lyra looked up at Tsurumon, who didn’t give her a response. The girl’s eyes fell downwards.

“Nothing really. It’s just...well...” She gripped the rooftop, her nails scraping against the concrete.”

“I just...wasn’t the son my parents wanted. And I never would be.”

Jack winced, hearing the pressure in her voice.

“I’m sorry. Really.”

“It’s alright.” Lyra leant back, smiling up at Tsurumon. “It’s one good thing about living like this. I can be who I really am.”

The crane returned the friendly gesture, although he shook his head in a knowing fashion. He was about to reply, when all of a sudden his feathers bristled, and he looked forwards, his eyes going beady. Lyra’s smile faded, and she pushed herself up onto her knees.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

Jack frowned, hearing a little whistling noise from his partner behind him, as Mistramon pulled a face. “Cool, yeah, I mean...I didn’t wanna break up the sweet bonding moment or anything but...is anyone else slightly concerned about just how thick this fog’s been getting?”

The two tamers and their partners looked around, barely able to see a thing. There was a thick layer of mist covering the roof, swirling back and forth with their movements. But over the edge, where they should have been able to see the lights of the town, there was only a huge, black swirling mass, bulging and shifting in thick ugly patterns. Jack felt the back of his neck, feeling sweat dripping down his back.

“It’s getting real warm...”

“I’m gonna see what’s up.”

With a great beat of his wings, Mistramon rose into the air, looking all around him for any gap in the cloud cover. He pinpointed a space, and dove in, his body instantly being engulfed by the smog. Jack stared up, his hand instinctively going for his D-SEND.

“AAAARGH!”

There was a flash, and a boom like thunder, as Mistramon tore back into the rooftop, trailing feathers from scorched wings. He crashed hard on the roof, cracking the surface of the concrete as he struggled to catch his breath, his eyes wild.

“Do not go in there!”

Jack ran forwards, holding his partner’s cheek, before looking back at Lyra. “You...what’s going on?”

“I...I...”

“Do you know anything about this?”

The girl shook her head, and from the horrified look on her face Jack could tell she was being genuine. Tsurumon looked stumped as well, and even more worse for wear as the biting smoke grew ever so slowly thicker.

“I hope you’ve enjoyed your chat.”

The four whirled around, watching as a little wisp of smoke materialised at the edge of the roof. It morphed, the smoke solidifying into smooth fur, flowing fabric and a cheeky fox-like mask, although it remained semi-ethereal. Lyra let out a gasp, and Tsurumon stepped forwards, straightening his wings.

“Reynarimon! What are you doing?”

“I’m merely working, good colleague of mine. Just doing my job.”

Reynarimon’s voice echoed through the Kankomon’s mask, slightly hard to hear thanks to the swirling mists all around.

“Unlike you, it seems.”

Lyra stood up, her face battered but hardened. “It was out of our control...”

“I’m not looking for a confession. I’m just bringing a message. You were given a task, and you’ve failed. You were told to remove any of the other tamers who got in your way, and you failed to do that as well.”

Jack’s eyes widened, and he looked back at Lyra, who held her arm, unable to make his gaze. She didn’t have a reply, which suited Reynarimon just fine.

“See, the thing you didn’t grasp here is that Rhyncomon doesn’t make threats. He makes promises. And you need to learn where exactly you stand.”

The fox-man’s giggling was intercut with the sound of something banging; a bang which the two could feel, ever so slightly, through the building. Reynarimon piped up again.

“We’re coming to collect you. And to dispose of the nosey little shit you’ve ended up with.”

“Hey!”

Jack balled his fists, but the Kankomon raised a finger, its head tilting sideways.

“Oh, and as you may have gathered, trying to fly away might end up rather badly for you...”

The little sprite couldn’t take any more; it burst out laughing, floating upwards and reversing back into the fog. Its laughs resonated around the rooftop, then there was another flash and the giggles turned into a cry of pain and the sound of a Digimon dissipating into nothing. Another boom, followed by a long, melancholic cry like that of a whale. For a moment the cloud cover rolled sideways, revealing a huge green tail that slid sideways, before disappearing back into the fog. Jack stepped backwards, letting out a breath as he glanced sideways at Lyra.

“Your buddies seem nice.”

“...they’re coming...for me...they’re coming...to kill you...”

“Yeah. Thanks for that.”

Jack did his best attempt at a disappointed glare, but he stopped as he saw Lyra raise her hand to her mouth, biting the edge of her finger.

“Lyra?”

“You’ve been in horrible situations before...right? That’s what you said...?”

Jack turned around, seeing her eyes shaking as they stared ahead into the fog, with the huge hidden creature swirling around lazily inside. There was the sound of another bang, and the woman flinched, scraping her finger and drawing blood. She looked down at the boy, her confident facade cracking completely.

“You have to tell me...please...what are we going to do?”

Reynarimon gave a disgusted cough, and cracked the pipe in his hands, tossing it over his shoulder before looking up at Rhyncomon.

“Must I really waste my children like that?”

The magpie’s eyes darted downwards, and Reynarimon nodded in response, backing away back into the shadows. Just ahead, MudFrigimon and Kokabuterimon were slamming their bodies against the locked door, cracking the old wood. Rhyncomon stood at the rear, holding the handle of his sword as Yethmon turned around, keeping his own head down.

“Why don’t you just get it to flood the entire building with fog? That would purge anything alive.”

Rhyncomon glanced down again, but Yethmon didn’t back off, still looking with curiosity. Rhyncomon rolled his talons.

“Because I want to keep that girl alive. She’s useful. She just needs breaking a bit. And where she goes, Tsurumon will go.” He glared down. “Is that satisfactory for you?”

Yethmon felt a chill, and looked down. With an almighty crash, the door caved in, followed by a whoop from the hound’s gang. Rhyncomon swung his sword up, and knocked the end against the ground. The edge of his beak curled, as Yethmon marched forwards, taking the lead as the gang rushed inside, their bloodlust rising. Rhyncomon called out after them, his face focused and his talons curling around the handle of his sword.

“Go. Bring my tamer to me.”

Yethmon turned his head, looking up with rare nerve in his voice. “And what about the other two?”

Rhyncomon didn’t say a word. He merely raised a hand, before slowly pointing his thumb straight down.

TO BE CONTINUED...