FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

First off I don't own any Chars of the Digimon series and other names. However I do own Sarah, Vinnie and Al in this story. I apologize first hand if there is a spelling and grammar errors because it is my second Languages. Anything else, please enjoy the story.

Chapter 21: Reality Check.

After logging off and shutting down the computer, Al began stretching feeling stiff from sitting on a chair for too long. He looked at his normal boring room and saw a flash coming from his Terminal. He opened the Terminal and there is a message from Rika. She said it was nothing because she hasn't seen Rena's smile in quite a while after Al joined the team. Consider it as a gift, but next time she expects double effort in the mission.

By the time he closed the Terminal, he heard a door being closed from outside. He looked at the clock and it was five in the afternoon. ‘She is home already, time flies when you were having fun.' When he is about to greet her mother Sarah, he remembered that he went home much early. ‘Oops... I almost forgot that I got sent home by the teachers. Better get that paper now.' He went back to the table and searched the paper form in his bag. He found it after three minutes and headed out to greet Sarah. He saw her mother still at the door removing her high heel shoes while holding some groceries. "Welcome back, mom."

Sarah was quite surprise to see his son home earlier than he used to be. "Oh my... I'm back. You're home early. Is something happened?"

"Nothing much, I just been sent home for recuperating." Al replied honestly.

Sarah was confused. "What do you mean recuperating? Are you sick or something?"

"No. I just had a muscle cramped in the morning and Ms. Kamiya noticed it and sent me to the clinic. Here is the paper about my health report." Al handed the paper to his mother and she looked thoroughly.

"Well it seems you did have a muscle cramped in certain parts. How are your feelings now?"

"After I got home, I took some painkillers and go straight to the bed."

"Good." She stated and began to walk into the kitchen. "We are having some fish and potato salad. How would you like your fish?"

"Fried steak with sweet and sour cream, please."

Sarah prepare the dinner while Al watch TV seeing anything that interest. He keeps on switching until he stumbled upon gossip channel. Sarah was still cooking when she heard news about a group band from Japan will having a tour around Japan in the near future. She was curious who was it and take a peek a little and saw the same person she met at the bar. "Ishida?" she said his name out loud.

Al heard her and asked. "Do you know him, mom?"

"I happened to meet and talk to him in person with his other two friends." Sarah answered while continuing her task.

"Fancy meeting him here in this city, this person called Yamato Ishida." Al commented while looking the name of the celebrity.

"Yamato, I thought his name is Matt."

"Who knows and who cares... I'm going to take a shower first. Call me if the dinner is ready." Al stood and turned off the TV and headed to his room to grab a towel and fresh cloth. By the time he entered his room, he saw the Terminal flashes. Al grabbed it and took a look that sent a message to him.

It was Kari. Her message said, "I heard from Biyomon that you finally had a partner. Congratulation. Right now, your Digivice has been tampered by Gennai. You will get your Digivice tomorrow."

Al smiled because she is the first person who congratulates him. Al replied the message. "Thanks a lot Ms. Kari. I don't know anything about being a tamer so I need some help from all of you. Also, I was wondering if Gennai have an extra slot so Minomon can join the game with me." Al sent the reply to Kari and left for shower.

After feeling rejuvenate, Al browse some cards he got as a welcoming gift. Every skill cards look great or cool but unfortunately, he didn't know anything about those cards since it is his first time. ‘Maybe I should asked Rika, Henry or Takato about these cards.' Al heard his mother called telling him that dinner is served. After having dinner, he prepared all the school material for tomorrow also making some space for his Terminal, Digivice, and his new Digivice with Minomon in it. When Al put the Terminal in to his bag, he saw a flash. Al opened the Terminal and looked at the message. "I didn't see it, but Gennai is working up the new slot so you can send your partner in. Keep your hope up and good night." Al smiled and put the Terminal in to his bag, then go to bed.

On the next morning Al was greeted by Vinnie in school. She was worried about Al's absent for a whole day yesterday. "Al, where are you yesterday. It's very unusually that you absent a whole day."

"I was called to the clinic yesterday and the teacher told me that I should go home and recuperate. You do remember that I had a muscle pain almost everywhere yesterday."

"True, lucky for you. We had two quizzes and essay homework for history."

"Half of it was lucky for me. Ms. Kamiya has given me double homework because of my absent and probably triple if other teachers gave one." Al scratch his head with annoyed.

"You got that one on the spot. I'm sure I'll be seeing you after school for your homework assignment." Kari passes the two and headed to the teacher lounge.

‘Wow, what a cold tone she gave me. I guess that is what you do when you are undercover.' "I think we should get ready for our classes." Al and Vinnie began to leave to their designated class.

At the beginning of lunch period, Al headed to the teacher lounge and asked Kari where are his homework. She gave me a piece of paper contained of homework essay, and what to do in textbooks list. Of course she gave it to him with a weak smile. "Ms. Kamiya, what's with a sudden mood change?"

Kari let out a long sigh. "I got scold by vice principle yesterday. It's about sending you home early. In Japan they usually let the student recuperate at the clinic. I guess the same goes for all school in the world. But the staff clinic gave support of my action by telling him that she wrote the consent and allow the student to be sent home."

Al felt quite guilty for that. "I'm sorry that you got scolded, Ms. Kamiya. If only that glitch didn't show up I would remain in the school preventing that vice Quack scolding at you."

Kari was confused. "What did you just called him?"

"Oh most of the student called him vice Quack since he's been elected as vice principle. He used to be very strict teacher that they called him as the Sergeant. Now he become worse, all the things that vice principle should do has been distribute to several teachers, became a hall monitor, find excuses to blame the students, and always talked nice to the principle and got raised. All talk without doing anything that is why we called him Quack." Al explained in whisper.

Kari nodded. "I see what you mean. Anyway you need to submit those to the corresponded teachers. And also a small gift from all of us." Kari took out his Digivice and gave it to him.

Al is happily accepted his Digivice. He saw Minomon inside confuse and curious when he saw Al. "Hey there little Minomon. Did you well behave at Gennai's place?" Al asked in whispers so that only Kari heard his talk.

Minomon was confused by the nickname he has been given because the only person or Digimon that knew his nickname was white eye Agumon. "Agumon...?" He asked and Al nodded. Al put his point finger at his mouth to shush him so he won't attract any attention.

"We can talk freely when the situation is clear. For now keep it quiet, understand?" Al told him in whisper. Minomon understand this and nod. He put the Digivice in to his bag and resumes the routine. "I guess there is nothing more I could get, so I'll be on my way to the library to start my homework." Al bade farewell to Kari and headed straight to the library.

Al checked the list again and the homework is Math, Economics, and short Advance English essay from short stories or novels. Al took the Math book, Economics book, several pieces of paper, and a pen from his locker and put his bag inside for safe keeping. Al told Minomon to remain quiet until noon so there will be no suspicion from his locker. He closed the locker and walk straight to the library.

On his way there, Al stumbled upon the three senior bullies, Toby; Lenny; and somebody else. Toby, the fat bully, held Al on his shoulder. "Well, well, well. It isn't our old punching bag. Where have you been these day, Geek?"

"No where except in class." Al replied shortly with fear.

"And where are you going?" The third bully asked with a grin.

"To the library."

"Why do you want to go there?" Lenny asked with the same grin.

"Doing homework."

"Well what do you know a teacher's pet." Toby stated and the other two laugh. "Tell you what, you've just been delayed." Toby dragged Al to a secluded area began to beat him like there is no tomorrow and the other two followed. Al began to lose conscious because of the pain. "That's it for today. Come on Lenny, Jake."

Al was surprised that one of the bullies had a same name as his friend in the game. When the bullies were out of sight, Al began to crawl out but his pain was unbearable so his conscious slowly faded.

By the time he woke up, he was at the clinic room again. Once again the person who was waiting for his recovery was none other than Kari and Gatomon. Even though he knew where he is but he still asked. "Where am I?"

"You are in the clinic room and it is the last session of the school." Gatomon replied.

"That stupid Toby, he always gone too far," Al protested and attempt to wake up.

"You shouldn't get out of the bed yet." Kari warned.

"It's okay. I can manage." He groaned at the pain he got. "I still need to go to the library to find some books."

"You don't need to worry about that. I've taken some from the library." Kari said easing him up.

"What about my textbook?"

"It's on the desk." Al looked at the desk job and saw four books were stacked neatly along with his papers and pen. The books are Math, Economics, a novel, and lastly a German-English Dictionary? Kari saw his reaction and answered. "That will be your homework at German session today."

"Aw... man. Not another homework, especially German." Al groaned and grunted because of his homework pile. "At least you allowed me to go to the locker to grab my bag."

"You do that after the school's end. If I remember correctly, you want to do your homework at the library. Now you have some free time until the schools out."

Al nodded and began to work his homework. He start with Mathematics, he read equations step by step and re-write at the textbook. After he understands most of it, he solved all the questions he was told to.

By the time he finished the Math homework, the bell rang and the hall is starting to get crowded. Al collected all of his belongings and say fare well to Kari and Gatomon, and as usual Gatomon is already gone hiding.

Al collected all of his belonging in his locker and left avoiding the three bullies. ‘Speaking of bullies, I remember that one of them is called Jake.' Al began his train of thought while he walked out of the school. ‘I don't want to jump to conclusion but I hope I was wrong.' Al took the usual bus and it was packed so it is impossible for him to talk freely with Minomon because the other passengers think that he is crazy talking to a toy. So he took out the Terminal and noticed there's a flash. He opened it and looked at the message. The message is from somebody new to him, and the name of the sender is Ken Ichijou. Al opened the message and it says: "Hello there, I heard that you had Minomon as your partner. I used to have one myself so if you want some pointers, don't hesitate to ask and congratulation." ‘Who is this Ken? I won't know until I met him or her.' Al starts browsing the Terminal again for a while and remained quiet until he reaches his stop and his home.

Al announced his arrival but nobody answered. Feeling unsure he looked around the house hoping that the house is really empty. After everything is cleared and undisturbed he took out his new Digivice and called "Alright, the coast is clear."

"Finally I can talk freely again." Minomon yelled from the Digivice.

Al laughed a little by his answer. "I'm sorry it took so long, little Minomon. I had a lot of problem in the school, and since this is a human world seeing or hearing you might cause panic."

"Panic...? What is ‘panic'?" Minomon asked.

Al was stammered by that question as if he didn't know anything just like a kid. "Panic is something that human or Digimon do when they are running away scared or afraid."

"Oh... I think I understand." Minomon replied with a smile on his face at least that's what Al thinks.

‘I don't believe this. He is still a child. God I feel like I'm his older brother or father or something.' Al scratches his head in annoyed knowing this. ‘But wait... what if... I guess it's alright, after all I'm a tamer now and I should acted as his guardian or relatives or maybe yet a family.' Al began to ease up after seeing Minomon's behavior and think it through. "How about we have a tour of the house?" Al asked trying to lighten up the mood.

"Okay... but how can I get out?" Minomon asked.

"You got me there; I don't have a single clue." Al replied and suddenly he remembered Gennai. "Wait, I think I know someone that might help." Al clipped the Digivice and looked for his Terminal. He typed all the information he need to know and send it to Gennai.

While waiting for answers, Minomon starts grumbling telling Al that he is hungry. "Have you taken something to eat at the food vendor?" Al asked and Minomon nodded with disappointment. "I guess you don't like the food in there?" and Minomon shook. "What kind of food you usually like?"

"I usually eat sweets." Minomon replied. "Like honey or nectar."

"Just like a bug that prefers sweets. Alright I'll get you one once you are out of this Digivice." Al promised and then put the Digivice and the Terminal on the dinner table. He browsed the kitchen looking for some honey. Luckily he found one on the fridge. By the time he took the jar, the Terminal is flashing. Al put the honey on the table and retrieves the Terminal. Gennai explain how to let his Digimon out. After reading out the instructions, he took his Digivice and saw the details. He pointed the rear scanner lens to the ground and called "Come on out, Minomon." Then the Digivice starts flashing like the Destinies and beamed Minomon out of the Digivice.

After Minomon is materialized, Al looked quite surprise and excite about everything in Digimon. How they eat, sleep, behavior, and many more. But right now, all he sees is a confused Minomon because this is the first time he saw the real Al in human form. "I guess you still confuse about my appearance." Minomon nodded and Al looked for his other Digivice in his bag and showed it to Minomon. "As you can see, inside this Digivice is the Agumon that you met for the first time. He can't see or hear you because he is not alive. He is just a body without a soul or spirit."

Minomon confused about this. "If he is just a soulless body, how come he looked so lively the first time I met him?"

"That because I'm his soul. I'm the one that controlled him just like a doll. That is why he was so lively when we met the first time." Al explained.

"So that is why you knew my initial, because you are the same Agumon I met." He concluded and leap toward Al laughing.

"I'm so happy that you understand, little Minomon. Welcome to my home."

Al put Minomon on the table and told him to wait. Al looked for a straw for the honey and let Minomon enjoy it while Al drank some water for himself. After Minomon felt quite content, Al make a small tour around his house and just to make sure there are no trouble there are certain rules made for Minomon. By the time they reaches Al's bedroom Minomon felt sleepy because of the excitement. Al let him sleep on his bed and he turned on the computer to play the game again.

Inside the game, Al sold most of unused item he got in the last journey and bough some decent weapon and armor for him to equip and several support item. He saw ShadowWolf approaching him with joy seeing his friend. Al is also happy to see him looking quite well after yesterday incident, but also quite worried about his real name.

"I see that you are quite well, ShadowWolf." Al greets the BlackGabumon.

"Never been better, how is your little friend?" He asked knowing that Al is a tamer now.

"He is asleep right now in my home. Anyway, do you want to hunt down for some experience?"

"Sure, why not." ShadowWolf replied and headed to one of the portal. "I've discovered a new place for us to level up and the place is called Sunken Tunnel."

"Sunken Tunnel...? Why it was called that?" Al asked out of interest.

"You better see it for yourself." ShadowWolf replied and entered the portal.

Al entered the portal and typed the name of the place and teleported to that place. When he arrived at the place, he instantly felt sick and held onto his nose in reflex. The Sunken Tunnel is like a sewer lineage with lots of junk piled up forming a road. "It stinks, don't you think?" ShadowWolf talked seeing Al's reaction. "It's just a game."

Al forgot that it is just a game and the field is just a display. "Sorry, it's just my reflex." Al walked further to the depths of the tunnel and hunt down some strong monster called Hookmon and Trashmon.

His curiosity hit him when he remembered today's event. "ShadowWolf, out of curiosity but do you go to school?"

ShadowWolf confused by his question. "I am, why?"

"Where do you go to school?" ShadowWolf told his school's name. "Really...? I go there as well. I even heard that you are one of the toughest gang ever."

ShadowWolf giggled by his popularity. "Well, fame exceeds everything."

"I heard one of my friends saw you and your friend dragged a kid somewhere. The kid was a second year at our high school." Al lied to him.

"Oh yeah... the geek, that is what we called him. He is one of Toby's favorite. He always looked for him when he got the chance and asked some fee. But today we went way overboard. He, Lenny and I beat him hard like there is no tomorrow, then we left him there let him awake by himself on a deserted place."

"I see." Al replied with a monotone and angry voice.

ShadowWolf heard his replied and it doesn't sound good. "What's wrong, Al?"

"One of my friends knew that kid and happened to befriend with him." Al walked away slowly from ShadowWolf keeping his distance from him. "He is so upset seeing that his friend is injured by your action." ShadowWolf felt discomfort by his words. "And that is not all. This geek that you mentioned is completely angry for being beaten and ends up at the clinic. And to top it off, the geek knew you by accident and still pissed off."

ShadowWolf is confused that Al knew every action that the geek will do as if that geek is him. "How did you know all of that, are you a psychic or something?"

Al glared at him in furious, wanted to hit him hard and yelled at him but he remembered that he had Minomon on his bed in his bedroom. Al typed five simple words so that ShadowWolf knew and understood. After sending it to ShadowWolf then he used a Gate Disk to return to the city without using the portal.

ShadowWolf was confused by Al's actions then he received a short message after Al disappeared. ShadowWolf read the message and shocked beyond disbelief. "Oh no... What have I've done?" He quickly looked for a portal and teleported back to the city. By the time he arrived, Al was already long gone. He felt so miserable and regret by his actions, because Al is the first friend he ever made in the game. He looked again at the message and felt sorry for what he had done to him because the message state: "BECAUSE I AM THAT GEEK!"

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That's it for this chapter. Once again I apologize for the errors. I do accept any critics and comments and I will try to be better next time. Thank you for everything.