gogglesyndrome | Sixth Flame [Accidental Voice/Action]

[This is true, this is true]

It went from Botamon to Koromon to Agumon to Greymon to MetalGreymon and finally to WarGreymon. He gets more powerful and bigger as he evolves.

...but yeah. We did. It was a long journey that none of us were expecting. We were just kids at a camp, we didn't expect to have to save the world, or worlds.

It certainly sounds like that, especially from the naming pattern.

Mmm... sometimes people need to step up in unexpected situations to help make a change. Though from what you've said, you didn't even seem to have been given a choice in the matter.

Before the Digital World, my biggest worry was whether I'd be stuck eating my mom's cooking for dinner and if I could stay up a little later to watch TV. But then suddenly I was dropped into a world I was expected to save because of a prophecy more or less.

Really...put eveything in focus.

It sounds as if it was a large adjustment to make. A change like that would put things into focus, or make you look at things in a way you might not have thought to before.

How many other children were with you?

I think we all grew up after that and we came out stronger in the end. But it was hard to think about going back and leaving our Digimon friends behind.

Well...there were six others the first time but then we found out we needed to find the eighth chosen to help in the final fight. Turned out it was my little sister, so we brought her back to the Digital World to fight again.

That does sound like it would be hard, especially after you had gotten along so well to get so far. Though being able to say that you lived through a troubled time and coming out stronger for it is always a good thing.

I see...

Yeah, it's not a big deal but I bet a lot of people back home wouldn't believe me.

Unfortunately, even with sufficient evidence, it takes a lot to convince people of things. A fear of things not being the way they've been accustomed to accepting all their lives, unless they were forced to accept it by other means. And even then, they're quick to associate things that they can't explain away to something that feels better for them to accept than the truth.

I can imagine that the monsters finally being revealed to your planet had an impact, but once the threat was removed, people were quick to find another means to explain it away into something they felt more comfortable with accepting.

Maybe. I know it took a while for all of us to actually accept what was going on and that it wasn't some crazy dream. It was like something out of an anime or something; we never would have guessed.

I don't know about the people back home. I know our parents had a really hard time accepting the fact that we had monsters of all things helping us save the world and that we had to go back to another dimension, but they were really supportive. They had faith.

Hard to say how everybody else felt.

Sometimes support can be found in unexpected places. After all, new things and change can be very hard for anyone to accept; just look at our situation here for a good enough example of that.

People can be very stubborn. I hope that someday you'll find a way to get through to them, once this is all over.

Yeah...you're right, this place is a good enough example.

I might not have to try very hard though. According to Hikari in a few years everybody knows about the Digimon and the Digital World.

Being here puts most if not all of our plans for what we need to do in our own worlds aside. It's a very different atmosphere.

Oh? That sounds like promising news. It's always a little strange when people close to you are slightly older than what you're normally used to.

I don't mind being here but I'm still trying to get back home. Now it's just me and my sister and some kid she knows. It's up to me to get us back.

It's really weird because I'm supposed to be three years older, not a year younger. Plus she knows more than me now and...[decides against finishing his sentence the way he wanted] it's just stupid.

[She nods, looking thoughtful] We're all looking for a way back to our homes, and someday we'll find one. For now we can only do what we can... and unfortunately, it seems very little right now. We have to do what we can with our abilities.

Mmm. It seems like you're used to being the one looking out for her. Her being older than you changes your dynamic, somewhat, because she's grown up a bit without you really knowing her.

Maybe that's just not enough. I'm going to find a way back if it kills me. Hikari shouldn't be here, none of us should.

...[stops then, absorbing what Raine's actually saying to him] I guess you could say that. I'm supposed to look after her, that's what my job is as her brother and as a leader. Besides, what if something bad happened to her? It'd be my fault. I know she's older now but...I don't know.

You're very determined. You should try talking to Yuri of Brave Vesperia, or Karol... they might have a place for your abilities.

Even though she's older now, she's still your little sister. If something happened to her, you'd feel even worse than you do now, with your friends being missing. You'd just throw yourself into whatever you could to try rectify the situation. And... she wouldn't want you to do that. She'd want you to remain healthy and strong, and doing what you can, even if it feels that the best you can do isn't cutting it.

[And then she just keeps talking, because this resonates with her, her voice going softer towards the end--]

And even then... you'd have to wonder if it is really your fault, that you weren't there. Because you tried so hard to look after them, all that time. And others would tell you otherwise, but that feeling is just one that's hard to shake. If something could have been prevented... anything changed. It's very hard.

I might. I could, if I knew who they were.

...yeah. Yeah exactly, you totally get it. How...?

Calling out for them over these usually works the best. Karol is around your age, but he keeps to himself usually. Yuri Lowell is a bit older and more available; he's tall, with long black hair.

[She gives him a small smile at that] I'm an older sister, myself. My brother has been brought here as well.

Huh. Maybe I will then, sounds pretty useful to me.

[he looks surprised to hear that] Really? I didn't know you had a brother.

If I speak to them, I can mention it as well, if you'd like.

Yes, his name is Genis. He's a bit on the short side, with long silver hair. Roughly around your age, maybe a year or two older.

That'd be good if you could. Thanks, Raine.

Genis...nope, haven't met him! That's good that he has you here at least.

You're welcome. It's no trouble.

Mmm. We're all we have, so I suppose it's good in... some way. Though most of our companions are here as well.

How many of you are there anyway?

Oh, from my world? Let me see... when we traveled, there were about eight of us together, though others have been brought in as well, and our group isn't entirely together, considering some were taken.

Currently, it's my brother and I, then about... [She takes a moment to count and consider] nine others, I suppose. Most of us have been here for a long while. Lloyd and Sheena were here the longest, I believe.

That...is still a lot of people here.

Sixth Flame [Accidental Voice/Action]

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