"Well in my opinion we should find our first objective and get moving towards it. If we wanna get anything done we can't dawdle around unless it's for something important. My man over there has a point: We need food. Can we survive off digimon food? Do we even need to eat while we're here or is it just a programmed feeling? We're in a digital world after all so that means we've probably been turned INTO data. Not that I want to pursue that theory at my own risk but it is a strong possibility that we may not need food." Derrick stated in a hurry as he considered all the possibilities that could be..."We should also start making up codes or what have you. Data can be anything. So what's stopping our enemies from taking our forms and trying to masquerade as one of us. I know this is all a lot of big words coming from a guy like me but my old man told me all sorts of war stories and spies were something he mentioned a couple times. I don't want to have a possible friend get lost and replaced by a mole...we are friends right?" Derrick questioned as he looked around his digimon remaining silent at his side not really sure what he could add nor was he sure he could answer Derrick's question himself.

Agumon and Gabumon looked at Derrick questioningly, obviously he had been very wrong on his assumptions about the Digital World.

"I don't know about your world and what happens there, but you're starting to talk nonsense about our world here."

"Nothing here is programmed, everything is alive, even if it is data. That means you can be hungry, sad, happy, hurt, even... killed. And as for them taking your forms, i've never heard of any Digimon doing something like that..."

"I've heard stories about a few with the power, but those stories were from centuries before our time..."

They did have a point. Brent looked around the room, not seeing much that was that different from the real world, except instead of humans there were Digimon. He began to wonder more about it as he fiddled more with his Digivice, eventually hitting something that brought up a weird menu. It had slots, two different blocks with slots actually, that showed what looked like faces.

"What could this be... wait, I remember those two, you two turned into them back there against Kabuterimon!"

It was true, filling two of the slots were the faces of Greymon and Garurumon. There were five more empty slots as well, maybe they had to be filled in or something... He remembered this combination and had concluded that the devices had few secrets left. It was by that time that Angemon had returned to the chamber.

"Sorry for the wait, we have set up a chamber here for you, with food awaiting you. If you would follow me, I'll show you there."

Immediately Brent was following Angemon with Agumon and Gabumon as he began a march down the hallway.

@vancexentan @Duthguy @Shikaru @Pyromania99 @Decker126 @Xan the G

---

Diaboromon would remember those words as they headed back to the Fortress of the Council. Her own ambitions, what could those be... Perhaps she would join them then betray them when she became strong enough. Or maybe she truly would join them and rule the Digital World as one of them. Then they would have to change their name to the Council of Six... whatever her plans were, she was his pawn now, as well as the actual pawn with them.

"I must say, other than being a Digidestined, it is a rare honor to meet a human in the Digital World. Perhaps later you may tell me what the Human World is like, how different it is than the Digital World."

He was trying to start up some intelligent conversations, hoping to encourage some trust between them. Partially he was trying to form a good bond of trust with the human, mostly he was just trying to make sure she didn't change her mind and run off.

"I do have one worry, however. If you are any first impression, I fear that the threat of the other Digidestined is graver than I first believed..."

That was the complete truth there, he was worried about the rest of the Digidestined who seem to have rallied together with Angemon and his resistance. If she WAS any impression, this would be a tough slog.

@Forsythe

---

"HEY! You get back here you little runt, accept your fate like a mon!"

Ogremon and his henchmen were still chasing down the small blue Digimon as he fled through the forest. The Gazimon made sure that he never got out of sight, while the Ogremon and Goblimon kept up the heat in pursuit.

"I can't... keep this up... much longer... huh? Who's that?"

The small blue Digimon had come full circle back to the village, where he saw a weird creature... wait, another Human? Maybe he could help, he even had a Digimon with him! He ran over to him and grabbed at his leg, trying to get his attention.

"Please... you have to help me, they're after me, they'll kill me!"

@NekoJordan

Nonna raised an eyebrow - she didn't quite expect casual talk from a world conqueror, but there it was. "From what I understand and been told, the honor is mutual. That said, Angemon wasn't too forthcoming when I inquired about you and the other councilors. So I will trade you my stories of the human world for material on the history of this one." she offered. Normally history books didn't interest her too much, but that was because she knew the history of her own wolrd quite well and it rarely brought something new and interesting. Now she had a whole new plane to explore.

When it came to the other digidestined, Pawnchessmon couldn't help but snicker. "Nonna appears to be the oldest of them, and the only one who seems to know what they want to do. I wouldn't be too worried about them, at least not yet. We have seen two of them capable of digivolving to champion level to protect their partners, but I am reasonably certain the two of us could defeat them easily. We seem to be one of the few with either tactical mind or combat experience." She left out the bit where Diaboromon could probably vouch for hers personally.

After a moment of silence, Nonna convinced herself to ask the question she felt uneasy to know the answer to. "There were, however, less of us than the resistance expected. May I inquire what happened to the others, assuming you have them? And on that note, what will be our role for now?"

"Nothing here is programmed, everything is alive, even if it is data. That means you can be hungry, sad, happy, hurt, even... killed. And as for them taking your forms, I've never heard of any Digimon doing something like that..." While Danny already saw the Digimon as living creatures as he realized when he heard the explosion earlier, he was still happy when Agumon confirmed that he was right though that also had it's downsides.

"Sorry for the wait, we have set up a chamber here for you, with food awaiting you. If you would follow me, I'll show you there." As Danny followed Angemon he felt he had ask about what might be the biggest downside of all of Agumon's revelation. "If we are real here that means we can be hurt or killed right? In that case we'll need medical supplies.

"Hey don't shoot the messenger I'm just comparing this world of yours too what I know about actual, well actual isn't the right word now is it? Um I mean human world data. Data can be altered, viruses can infect it, and things can be duplicated so it's not too hard to assume from my point of view the same would be possible here. But I'll take your words on it. You live here after all and I got no right flappin' my gums on ideas that don't matter do I? The world is going to take awhile to adjust too...I just hope we actually do make it home after this...No offense to you guys but being stuck here in this world away from family and friends isn't something I relish. Not that I don't appreciate being given a partner like Kapurimon over here we'll figure something out I know it but until then I'm just going to have to base things off con...con-ject-ure? I think that's the word for this situation? Whatever I'm hungry and even if I wasn't best way to survive is to eat as much as possible no telling how long food will be found out in the middle of the world we're about to go into. As for those medical supplies...well I know first aid but I ain't qualified to fix up concussions and stuff." Derrick said as Kapurimon both felt the need to feel proud of his partner and slap him...too bad he had no hands. "I apologize on my partner's behalf for his bluntness though I do feel he is trying to make the best of the situation at hand." Kapurimon stated as he bounced aside his partner.

As Tsunomon and Kazero were walking back towards the main group, Tsunomon slowed his hops to a stand and began to sniffing. Kazero noticed Tsunomon's behaviour and wondered rather he should be on guard.

"Something's wrong?" whispered Kazero.

"Food." replied Tsunomon normally before hopping on. Kazero jogged a few paces to catch up.

"Hey, how fast can you eat?" Kazero asked, perking Tsunomon's interest. Tsunomon turned to face Kazero wondering where he was heading with this. "If we're gonna sneak out it would need to be at a time when no one was looking and we know where everyone was as we bounce. We jet from the dinner table quick enough we get food and our opening." explained Kazero.

"...Agreed." replied Tsunomon before turning and hopping on towards the smell of food. Kazero took in a breath expecting to have to justify his position over Tsunomon's negativity and lack of confidence. He found himself dumbstruck as Tsunomon calmly agreed to his thoughts with little to know rebuttal. So much so Kazero could only stand there with his mouth agape wondering what just happened.

Danny was surprised to hear Derick also knew first aid."Well Derick, that makes two of us. I have also camped before, so if Digiworld has the same plants as our world I should at least be able to scrounge up berries if necessary as well catch fish." The fact there two people who knew at least basic first aid improved the group's odds of survival in his mind. At the moment though he tried not to worry about injuries and stuff like that."Well I hope no one will need first aid but fishing might be useful."

It was only when Hawkmon spoke that Danny realized that the rookie bird had been walking next him to the whole time. As there was no sign of Salomon he looked around for her and eventually saw her trying to catch up to Angemon. He also noticed that Kazero and Tsunomon seemed to be getting along than earlier though he had no idea what they were saying.

It was a small chamber, enough room for everyone to sleep, with a small table in the center with what looked like normal bread and fruit. Brent didn't really expect meat to be there, and he didn't want to poke the question, so he went and sat on one of the chairs in the room. Angemon had then turned to Derrick who had pegged a question about medical supplies.

"We have a good supply, but most of the time it's too late to do anything with. In this day and age, against those tyrants, there are rarely any that make it back to receive any treatment... that is something we haven't discussed much with you all, how our deaths work. You see, we never truly die, our data is just compiled into items called Digieggs. However, the process of returning to what we once would have been is a long one, which is why our numbers are diminished so low..."

So Digimon don't really die, they come back eventually? There's finally something that humans could never possibly do, unless you believed in Buddhism or something... The amount of fruit on the table was enough to let everyone have a piece, even the Digimon. Brent grabbed three pieces and a few pieces of bread, not a whole lot, and handed some to Agumon and Gabumon, but kept one piece of bread and one piece of fruit for himself.

"Brent, you sure you're fine with that little food?"

"Yeah, I'm sure, I've trained myself off of needing to eat so much because of my working with computers. Sometimes I'd just have that one computer that I'd have to completely take apart, put back together, and sometimes do it again. That takes a while, and I'd usually forget to eat."

As the rest of the group came in, Gabumon looked and saw Kazero and Tsunomon near the back. Tsunomon had one of the best Poker faces around, but even Gabumon could see through it. He was up to something. He finished his food quickly and walked over to him.

"Tsunomon, I know something's up, you can't fool me. Whatever it is, just don't get in trouble, okay? I don't want to lose my only brother here. You'd better not be planning anything crazy. And... definitely try to get along with Kazero for now, okay?"

@vancexentan @Duthguy @Shikaru @Pyromania99 @Xan the G

---

That was a question Diaboromon wasn't even sure of the answer, and once again he decided to answer with the truth.

"Unfortunately I'm unsure about any other Digidestined. You see... earlier I allowed myself to be overcome with rage, that rage is what caused me to hunt down the rebels here. I haven't been back to the fortress in hours myself, so I've got no clue what they're up to."

It was true, but he had a feeling that something had gone on over there. He wasn't sure what, but something... but what did the PawnChessmon say? Only one of the Digidestined has achieved Digivolution? This was great news, if he could discover the location of this base, he could end this threat before it began. That is, IF he could, even the human said it would be nearly impossible to find it again. He slowed his pace suddenly.

"We are here. The Fortress of the Council."

Nestled between two massive mountains was an equally massive stone brick fortress, heavily guarded by powerful Digimon such as Devimon and SkullSatamon. Several stood at attention and saluted as Diaboromon entered the compound, with his forces and the human in tow. Within this fortress, the Council was even more untouchable than ever. Then he remembered what Tactimon had said before...

"You let your overconfidence cloud your judgement, Do Not Get Ahead of Yourself, Diaboromon..."

"I have to admit he was partially right about that, but what good does all the power do If you don't feel like you can use it? I'm not any Sovereign who could "Only use their power when it was something only they could do". I have the right to a little overconfidence, seriously..."

The thoughts rambled on through his head as he entered the main part of the fortress, and began heading for the Council's main chambers.

@Forsythe

@Shiny Keldeo@Duthguy@Xan the G@vancexentan@Pyromania99

Anya followed Angemon soon after Brent, she wasn't about to miss out on food after all. She frowned slightly upon seeing there wasn't any kind of meat, or any food other than foot and bread for that matter, but food was food and as long as it was edible she wouldn't complain. Grabbing a piece of bread and an orange for herself and handing Cono an apple and bread she sat down at the table with Cono on the table in front of her. "Thanks for the food Angemon!" She told him happily before quickly starting her meal. Cono nodded but didn't speak, her mouth currently full of a whole apple. "So. It might be slightly obvious, but uh...what happens if we die?" She asked Angemon. Obvious question gets obvious response, but it couldn't hurt to ask right?

Derrick sat down at the table and nodded in response to the digimon Angemon who responded to his comment. He sat back and leaned over the table. He grabbed a good chunk of food stating he wasn't a glutton but he wanted to eat as much as he could because he didn't know how much he would need in days to come. If it was the case that they were expected to come back he would return the food however as it stood he ate it slowly and methodically. He didn't want to overeat but he didn't want to not eat enough. He'd eat enough food that it would last him awhile in terms of energy but not enough to make him physically sick. He offered some of his food to his digimon companion Kapurimon who thanked him sincerely and the two of them ate slowly while listening to the others speak around them without adding much in the way of input. He figured if he heard something he could help with he'd chime in. If not well there wasn't much reason to talk. It wasn't like he knew these kids all too well and this whole concept of death being passed around the table like some sort of every day occurrence made him feel even more uneasy. He still had too much to live for and too much too do in life. It wasn't like he didn't appreciate what these people were doing for him at the same time it was their fault he was here in the first place so it all evened out he guessed. He didn't mind helping but the concept of dying here? In this weird unknown place...it didn't settle right with him.

As they approached the massive looking fortress, Nonna was taking mental notes. For beings spawned from the most modern human technology, their military thinking was strictly medieval. FIrst that so very honorable but futile fight Alphamon chose to fight, and now a castle with walls and static defenses. No doubt there existed digimon with the mobility, durability and firepower equivalent of a tank here - when time came to lay waste to this place, Nonna will have a couple of nasty surprises for the world conquerors.

Before then though, she and Pawnchessmon needed to gather intelligence, and it would seem that they would get to know the internal layout of at least part of the fortress easily. No bags over their heads, no nothing. It appeared the council grown comfortable already, something Nonna planned to abuse heavily. For now though, it seemed like they would be introduced to the rest of the big five. That would shape their further strategy. If they identified one weak enough, they could in time attempt to take his or her place.

"Well, time to find out, I suppose."

When Danny saw the food that had been prepared for them his stomach actually started growling and he hoped the others didn't hear it. As he grabbed a bunch of grapes Angemon explained how death worked for Digimon. "Good to know you have plenty of medical supplies. But what fishing rods, sleeping bags and tents, you know camping stuff?"" Of course he wasn't certain if the group would ever need to spend even a single night outside, but it never hurt to be prepared.

Tsunomon glanced across the table to Gabumon and narrowed his eyes at Gabumon's worry. He took most of the events that conspired for him to be lumbered with Kazero to be an embarrassment and a stain on his reputation. Tsunomon was the result of a strange phenomenon within the digital world. He was in essence a copy of Gabumon. When data is formed into a digimon, especially one with directive data such as linking to a digidestined, there is a possibility of data accidentally being pasted twice, as a means of protection and safety, but usually not within the literal digital world itself, but as a background code. Tsunomon naturally had a complex regarding this and the thought of whether he was intended like his brother and the other digimon before him, or simply a happy accident or pleasant mistake haunted him. He couldn't give in to Kazero and find common ground because he felt he would be condemning himself to the same level. He said nothing, and ultimately, ate nothing either, hopping away from the table. Kazero didn't hear the conversation properly, as he was too busy picking up a peach and a piece of bread while listening to Angemon explain life and death, but he did see Tsunomon and Gabumon exchange words and then Tsunomon hop away. Kazero glanced around at the rest of the group, making sure no one was paying too close attention before he slunk away behind his defacto partner.

"Hey man, where you going? You didn't eat anything," Kazero whispered catching up to Tsunomon in the hallway. Tsunomon just hopped on, not paying attention to Kazero's concern. "More silent treatment. *Pfft* You'll end up talking soon enough. You'll end up liking me too. There's pretty much nothing you can do about it," gested Kazero cockily. "Plus, I haven't done anything recently... I think. The only thing that happened was when your brother spoke to you. Did he say anything?"

"He patronised me. He seems to think I'm not capable of fulfilling my duty as a digidestined," replied Tsunomon, leading Kazero out by sniffing for the exit.

"He said what? What kind of brother is that?" snapped Kazero, accidentally shouting. Tsunomon glared at him menacingly, causing Kazero to grasp his mouth and hush immediately. "He said what...?" whispered Kazero.

"It does not matter; not now."

"Yeah... you'll show him. Once we get some data, we'll show them all." agreed Kazero, happy at the least that Tsunomon was now completely on board.

As they entered the Council Chamber, only Myotismon was there to greet them. The rest of the council seemed to be absent from the scene. "Myotismon, where are the others?" Asked Diaboromon.

"They're down in the dungeon, "working" with our new guest." Myotismon saw the new human and seemed actually surprised. At first he'd thought that Diaboromon was lying when he said a Digidestined wanted to join them. Now, there stood one, willingly, before his very eyes. At first he was amazed, but suddenly that amazement turned into anger towards Diaboromon. He motioned him into the other room, making sure a few Devimon were watching the girl.

"You Numbskull! What were you even thinking?! Bringing her in here like just another one of our minions! For all we know she could be playing us!" Myotismon was now furious at the thought. The Digidestined possibly could have sent her here to gather intel and break their foundations from the inside.

Diaboromon looked at Myotismon and gave his reply. "This one... she's different, she's ruthless, she wasn't even scared when I looked her in the eyes." Diaboromon leaned in closer to Myotismon. "And the fact that she even gave up a relative location of Angemon's base to me. If this was the work of Angemon and the Digidestined, they wouldn't have even given that."

Myotismon had to admit, he had a point. What good would an infiltrator do if there was no backup, and thus why would they give the location of their friends? "Point taken... I still don't trust her. Keep her in a guarded room, and have a Devimon with her at all times."

The rest of the council returned from the Dungeon, which roused the twosome from their talk and brought them back into the main chamber.

"I must say, job well done Diaboromon. I never would have expected any of us to actually recruit one of the Digidestined for our side." Cherubimon stated as he looked at the twosome.

Tactimon approached Diaboromon. "You have a relative location of the base? Let me see... Of course, those mountains would be a perfect place to try and hide out in." Tactimon turned and headed for the door in a slow but steady stride. "If you'll excuse me gentlemen, Diaboromon had his fun, now it's my turn." Tactimon left the room, and could be seen minutes later leaving the castle with an army of Tankmon and Troopmon marching in column formation behind him over the horizon.

"Tactimon, always so professional in his line of work." Said Piedmon, turning away from the window back to the matter at hand. "Now, my young human friend, I believe we have a room ready for you." He gave a menacing glance to one of the Devimon in the room, and he winced and headed for another staircase.

@Forsythe

---

"You know, I just remembered something Brent!" Said Agumon, who had just finished his food in one single bite. "Young Digimon like Conomon and Kapurimon sometimes just need some food in order to Digivolve. Getting to the Rookie Level is pretty easy, but above that takes a super long time."

"That's why you're so important." Said Gabumon, who had just finished talking to the Tsunomon partner of Kazero. "Those Digivices have the power to help us Digivolve. That's why you can help us defeat the Council."

"Gabumon is correct, every Digidestined according to legend has had that power, and brought great change to the Digital World." Angemon was now walking out of the room. "I'm going to check on the others, I'll be back soon."

Angemon continued down the hall to the chamber where Dorumon was recovering. He had still not awoken, and Kabuterimon and Beelzemon were standing guard over him. "Still nothing? Blast it Alphamon, why did you have to fight them alone?" All three stood silent as they watched for any sign of him waking.

@Xan the G @vancexentan @Duthguy @Shikaru @Pyromania99

"So much for trust. And introductions. How very rude." Nonna said, loud enough for the leaving Piedmon to overhear. It wasn't all true though - even these brief exchanges told Nonna enough to start making a priority list. Piedmon seemed to take an instant dislike to her - she would probably have to guard her back closely against him - the little verbal jab was as far as she dared go for now, but she couldn't let the first impression of her be as someone who would be content with being overlooked.

Myotismon was the oddity - as Pawnchessmon told her when they met, the only ultimate among the councilors. That suggested two possibilities to her - either he was a weak link, or so powerful that even though he was not a mega, he could hold his own among the councilors. Nonna decided to err on the side of caution and for now put him right on top of her list with Piedmon. She thought him the second most threatening, as his problem with her seemed to be a trust issue rather than thinking her inferior.

She did not get to see much of Tactimon, but she instantly recognized him as the same breed of a being as herself - he would without a doubt be difficult to compete against in any capacity, but the Russian was betting on her education to get her through that when the time came. Until then, being on the same wavelength, perhaps she could turn the armored digimon into an ally, however temporary.

The three above fitted her expectations quite nicely - which left her with Diaboromon, who seemed to be willing to accept her perhaps too smoothly - perhaps even had a bit of respect for her. He was the only one who got to see her act or heard her speak. Aside form that, when they spoke she between the lines attempted to put the idea of her being only his asset into his head. Currently she could be reasonably certain she wasn't in any danger coming from him.

Countin in her head, her gaze turned to the last councilor - Cherubimon, if memory served. He did not talk to her, but Nonna he was observing them closely. The girl thought that perhaps this was the grey eminence of the council - the one pulling strings and working form the shadows. That left him an unknown, and thus very dangerous to her. On top of that, if her guess was correct and he was used to playing dirty, he would be the most likely to see through her. However it might also prove to be the same weakness - if he was playing the councilors as well, he would have a dirty secret waiting to be exposed to the others and summon their wrath.

All in all, she and Pawnchessmon had a lot of work in front of them. Before they could think of interfering with any of the councilors in any way other than her words, they needed to bet stronger. Nonna wasn't certain of what her own limit was - clearly rookies couldn't stand against her even outnumbering her, but she would admit she would have had a hard time with Ogremon, and he wasn't even as big as Kabuterimon or Greymon. As for Pawnchessmon, they needed to figure out how the digivolution worked. It was the key to their success - without it, they could not progress, and no doubt would soon fall out of the council's favor.

As one of the Devimon approached them to take them away, Nonna thought for a second before addressing the three councilors left in the room. "Councilors! If I may... I have little knowledge still of this world - its geography, its history - and am of little use without. If I may ask for some materials on the matter to pass the time until I am called upon?"

"So that's all we are? We're just puppets for these digivice things? Come on that sucks...well not like I can refuse to help you guys. I already promised my help and I can't leave my little dude here by himself." Derrick said somewhat dejected by the sudden revelation thrown into his face. So he himself wasn't special...the digivice thing he happened to receive was. Would any human work for this situation? Was he so expendable that he was just a walking transporter for this little thing. "For what it's worth too me you're an irreplaceable friend. You're honest and you are willing to help with such little notice. I hope you don't think of yourself as a tool. You're more than that I can assure you." Kapurimon commented to his partner who grunted not really feeling it anymore. He at first thought of himself as a somebody that they chose him! Now it was just a happening of chance. It really took the energy out of his wheel. "Look just...just tell me where we're going at the very least. I'd like to run some strategies by you guys too see if maybe we can work out a plan for the road." Derrick mumbled as he chewed on his food a bit less energetically.