TDW First Meeting: A boy and his digital dog

"C'mon, Ryan!" Kitomon called back from atop her Tamer's head.
Ryan sighed and readjusted his backpack as he pushed past the people who were trying to get on the train. "I'm coming...!"

It's been a few days since Ryan landed in Japan to visit his older sister, Rika. His parents thought it would be a good idea for him to have a little reunion whilst getting out to see the world.
Yeah...right.
This was the last thing he wanted. To be away from the comforts of home and have to be around his annoying older sister whilst suffering from the worst jet-lag he's ever had. Yeah...mom and dad knew exactly what made him happy alright.
However, deep down Ryan knew why his parents were doing this in the first place. It was because of his....condition.
When Ryan was 11, he was diagnosed with a form of clinical depression that made him lose a lot of sleep, as well as effect his mood. He was on medication, but that didn't stop him changing from the inside out. Soon, his mischievous and excited demeanor became somber and quiet. All the friends he used to have moved on when they realized that Ryan wasn't himself anymore. He even dyed his hair black, since he found the bright, blonde colour to be too...happy.
It just got worse when his sister and her Digimon left to join the Astra in Japan 2 years later. With such a big chunk of his family gone, Ryan became a shell of his former self.
This must have scared their parents and this trip was an attempt to lighten his mood and hopefully build up some confidence to go out more.

However, right now Ryan felt more annoyed than anything else.
Today Rika was taking her brother on a tour through Shibuya and at that moment, they were getting off of the train at the station.
To make sure her brother was still following them, Rika turned to keep an eye on the boy, a move that almost sent Kitomon tumbling to the ground.
"You alright there?" she kindly asked as Ryan finally caught up to them.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm not a kid." he scoffed at his sister. Her protectiveness was getting on his nerves.
Looking like she ignored the snide tone Ryan had given her, Rika just smiled at him. "Stick close. It's easy to get lost if you don't know the area that well."
"You're going to love it, Ryan!" Kitomon beamed, still holding onto Rika's head. "All the smells and lights and people and food!"
Ryan looked up at the Digimon and gave a tiny grin. Most people would call the little monster obnoxious or annoying (which she definitely was) but Ryan had a soft spot for Kitomon.
Back when Rika first got Kitomon, Ryan was only ten years old. The boy had always wanted a dog, but because of his sister's phobia the family could never get a canine pet. When Kitomon arrived, she instantly filled that gap in Ryan's life. Not only was she as energetic and excitable as a puppy, she could talk as well and thus they could plan out pranks together. He'd cared a great deal about her ever since, especially after his depression came to light.

"First stop: a Ramen lunch. We know this really nice place just a block from here." Rika announced. The Digimon gave an excited 'woot' as the group started moving again.
Ryan tried his best to keep up with his sister as he looked around and took in the sights. He had to admit that Japan was really remarkable with it's high structures, lights and enormous amount of people.
Then something caught Ryan's eye and he came to a full stop. He looked up at the statue of a dog, eyeing it curiously. Of all the statues to have outside a train station....why a dog?
Rika must have noticed Ryan had stopped to look at the statue because she came to stand next to him and looked up at the statue as well, smiling.
"That's Hachiko." she answered Ryan's question without him asking.
The boy looked at his sister, a little surprised to see her so calm around something 'canine'. But it was just a statue, so he assumed it didn't bother her as much.
"Long ago, a professor took a dog as a pet and called him Hachiko. Everyday when the professor would take the train to work, Hachiko would see him off and greet him at the station when he came back. This went on for years until, one day, the professor died at work and didn't come back, leaving Hachiko waiting for him at the station." the older sibling told the story to her brother.
Ryan continued to look up at the satue, feeling a little sad. He didn't expect it to have such a sad story. However, Rika continued on.
"But for almost a decade after his owner died, Hachiko came to the station every day to wait for his master. People took notice and would feed him and make sure he was healthy. The dog's loyalty and determination was so remarkable to the people, they made this statue to commemorate him."
"Really...?" Ryan asked. He couldn't help but wonder if this tale was real.
Rika nodded, smiling.
"It's true, Ryan! That's a dog made of the right stuff like us partner Digimon are!" Kitomon added.
Rika chuckled and patted Kitomon who was still comfortably sitting on her head. "I agree. Even with my phobia, I have to admit that Hachi's story is very touching and inspiring."
Ryan just looked up at her. He hadn't truly expected her to say something like that but was kind of pleased to see his sister look past her fear to recognize the loyalty the creature exhibited.

"I'm hungryyyyyy." Kitomon commented a few seconds later, ruining the mood. 
Her Tamer simply giggled. "You should have had breakfast."
"Nope! That way there's more room fore more Ramen!" the Digimon pointed out.
"Oh dear...there goes my allowance." Rika rolled her eyes but laughed lightly. She turned once more and started walking. "Kom, Riaan." she called her brother in their home language.
The boy pulled a face at the Afrikaans translation of his name and decided he wasn't going to obey her wishes right away because of it.

For a few more moments, Ryan looked up at Hachiko and replayed the dog's story in his mind. Suddenly, he felt very lonely. He'd always longed for a relationship like the one between man and his dog, or even like the one between a Tamers and their Digimon. He'd seen how close Rika and Kitomon were and if he had to admit it, he'd say that he envied her. Sure, Kitomon was like a best friend to him, but what she had with his sister was...different. It was like they were emotionally tied together in a way. All Ryan wanted was something similar. 
Ryan placed a hand on the statue's paw, drawn to the inanimate object for some reason. Perhaps he wished it was real, or perhaps he hoped that making contact with it would bring him luck.
The boy felt very jealous of the professor to which the dog belonged to. Not envious of the fact that he died, but that he had the opportunity to know and own such a loyal and caring creature.
"You came a few decades to early, Hachi." the boy murmured, so that only the inanimate object could hear. Then he scoffed at himself. What had possibly possessed him to talk to a statue?

Suddenly, blood-curdling screams came from down the street, making everyone stop in their tracks and turn to look.
A second later, a large creature engulfed in flame rounded the street corner and stampeded towards the station. People screamed and scattered, running in opposite directions of the monster. Ryan instantly snapped back to reality and stood frozen in place as this monster came closer. It looked like a giant warthog but it's skin was orange....and of fire.
Ryan watched as the creature headed straight for group of people who, in the commotion, bundled together to escape through an alleyway. Just as it was about to ram it's head into the crowd, something orange and fluffy hit it in the side of it's face. The force was great enough to make the monster lose it's footing and tumble over, giving the humans a chance to run the other way.
"Ryan!"
The boy turned towards the sound of his name and saw his sister running towards him.
"Are you okay!?" Rika quickly asked.
"What is that thing!?" he asked her in a confused and hurried tone.
The girl turned to look back at the fiery beast. "A Digimon. Boarmon, to be more exact."
"What!? What's wrong with it? Why is it here!?" the boy tried to get some answers. He'd seen very few Digimon in real life, and never any that were so big...or so angry.
Rika took out her Digivice, not turning to look at her brother as she spoke. "I don't know..."
Something then came bounding up to the two. It was the orange object that hit Boarmon in the face. Kitomon's rookie form: Delgamon.
Ryan looked a little surprised seeing the Rookie. Sure, he'd seen pictures of her whenever Rika sent letters and emails to their parents, but this was the first time he saw Delgamon up close.
"It's getting up, Rika!" the little Digimon announced and the group watched as Boarmon slowly stood and shook his head.
Rika bit her lip and clutched at her Digivice. Boarmon was an armour level Digimon. It would take an Ultimate to take him out, or at least a Champion to level up to him. That's what worried Rika...
Her Digimon was very low on energy, seeing as she hadn't eaten at all that day. Going Ultimate would be nearly impossible, and going Champion might only last for a short while.
"It's okay!" the Rookie said to her Tamer, as if being able to read her mind. "I can hold him off until back-up comes!"
Rika looked down at Delgamon and took comfort in the determination in her partner's eyes. Rika knew she could handle it. They've gotten through worse.
"Then go for it, Drakemon!" she called out and held up her Digivice, which started to glow red. Within a few seconds, Delgamon was engulfed in a red light which grew and began to change shape. When the glow dissipated, instead of Delgamon standing there, it was her Champion form, Drakemon.

Rika reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. She tossed it to her brother, who juggled the object in his hands to keep it from falling to the ground.
"Speed dial 1. It's a beacon to call any other Tamers who are close to this location." she barked out orders to him urgently.
Rika was about to run off with her Digimon, but noticed little reaction coming from her brother. He stood there, staring at the phone, face bewildered and confused. Drakemon eyed the boy curiously, sensing something wasn't right.
"Ryan? Ryan!" Rika tried to bring him back to reality, by grabbing his arm and shaking him. 
Ryan suddenly pulled his arm back forcefully and his expression changed to one of anger.
"You're seriously just going to leave me here!?" he screamed. Rika took a step back, not that she was surprised by his outburst but that he had to have it right here, right now.
"Ryan, calm do-"
"Byt my! And don't tell me what to do!" the boy exclaimed and swung a punch towards his sister's shoulder.
Rika had little time to react, but she didn't have to. Drakemon put her hand in the way of Ryan's fist, stopping it dead.
Ryan's eyes stretched as he looked up at the Digimon, who was glaring back at him. Her eyes were cold and her usual grin was gone.
"Ki-..Kitomo-" he stammered before Drakemon interrupted.
"This isn't the time for a fit, Ryan. Calm yourself and listen to your sister for once!" she scolded him and pushed his hand away from Rika.
Ryan was in shock. He'd heard that Drakemon was a lot more mature than her previous forms...but to take him on like that? No...it might have been Drakemon on the outside, but it was still the Digimon he grew up with on the inside. This was Kitomon scolding him.
"Hurry, Rika!" Drakemon urged her Tamer to follow as Boarmon gave a ferocious roar far behind them.
Rika looked back at her brother for a moment, feeling very sorry for him. She wanted to comfort and explain to him what was going on and why they were doing what they were doing. But there was no more time.
"Just call the other Tamers, Rye....and stay safe." was the only advice she could give before she ran off behind her Digimon to take on Boarmon. 

Ryan watched as his sister and her Digimon took off for battle. He stood frozen in place and watched them fight.
Rika stood by the sidelines and yelled out warnings and attacks for Drakemon. As if completely in tune with her Tamer, Drakemon swiftly moved all around Boarmon and issued the attacks her Tamer called. The Boarmon became frustrated and tried to buck around to hit the dragon, but thanks to Rika, Drakemon had the resolve to protect her Tamer and keep at it.
Seeing them work together so well, made Ryan's chest ache. 
"...no..."
Anxiety started to take hold and his hands started to shake uncontrollably. Falling to his knees, he bit back the tears as his chest tightenend.
Thanks to Ryan's condition, this was the outcome whenever the boy experienced something he didn't want to hear or see. The worst part was the conclusions his mind jumped to.

Why? Why Rika? Why not him? If anyone needed a life-long companion and friend, it was Ryan. The boy always thought a Digimon would go to a human that needed them....but not his sister, no. She just took a walk on the beach one day and suddenly she got a Digimon who swore her life to protect her Tamer. 
And as soon as Ryan got to liking this Digimon as if were his own, what does she do? She leaves. Goes off to Japan and takes Kitomon with her, leaving Ryan with no-one. 
Ryan stared on as the fight continued. His sister was a seasoned Tamer and Kitomon had grown to become a skilled fighter.
Rika and Kitomon were linked to one another. They were each other's best friends. They were a team. They didn't need him. They never did.
Jealousy, loneliness and rage filled Ryan's being and he clenched his eyes shut.
He hated this.
He didn't want to be alone.
He hated Rika.
This was all her fault.


'  F  r  i  e  n  d  s  '


Ryan's eyes snapped open when that word entered his mind from nowhere. It was a voice he didn't recognize but he heard it, clear as day. It was then that the memories from Ryan's past suddenly appeared before him.
He remembered how he, Rika and Kitomon would hang out together. They took walks together, went to the park and beach, watched movies and even built blanket forts together. One moment they could all laugh and joke together, and the next they could comfortably sit in silence. The little Digimon was always the one to give the siblings something to do. Before Kitomon came into their lives, Ryan and Rika spent little time together, other than the compulsory 'family time' along with their parents. She brought the two closer. Even after Ryan's depression was diagnosed, Rika and Kitomon were always there. One by one, his friends from school left him behind because he changed so much, but not his family...
He'd always remained friendly towards Kitomon but for some reason, he started to act sarcastically towards his sister.
However, she always took his 'abuse' with a smile on her face. As if she knew that he didn't truly mean what he was saying.
Even after they left home and Ryan became more cold towards his sister, Rika never changed the way she treated her little brother.
Just now, when he was yelling at her and wanted to hit her, she didn't yell back. She looked at him and told him to stay safe.
All Rika had ever shown towards him....was love.

The boy felt sick to his stomach as he recalled actually thinking he hated Rika. This darkness inside him was poison, making him believe things that weren't at all true. But Ryan knew one thing was certain: he was being an emotional asshole.
He finally looked up to see Drakemon and Rika still trying to keep the Boarmon contained. But...Drakemon was slower now...

In the next second, Boarmon roared and bucked, catching Drakemon off-guard, despite Rika yelling at her to look out. A hoof hit the Digimon square in the chest and sent her flying into a nearby building. Drakemon yelled out in pain and crumpled to the ground.
"Drakemon!!!" Rika called out to her Digimon in horror and started to run to her aid. She was unable to reach her partner though, as Boarmon stepped in between the two of them. Rika froze in place as the rogue glared at her, steam billowing from it's nostrils.
"Rika! Ru-AH!" Drakemon tried to get up but fell over again, her arms suddenly too weak to keep her upright.
It looked like the Digimon was getting ready to trample the Tamer, when something hit it right in the eye. It roared in pain as Rika and Drakemon turned to see where the projectile had came from.
Ryan stood by the entrance of the train station, holding a few pebbles he'd picked up from a nearby garden feature.
"Stay away from my sister, Pumbaa!" he yelled and launched another stone at the monster.
Rika gasped. "Ryan! Stop that! It'll-!"
The girl couldn't finish her sentence as Boarmon stampeded past her, making her fall over and hit the floor.

Ryan gulped but stood his ground. 
Rika and Drakemon were doing everything in their power to protect everyone there, including him. 
The little voice in the back of his mind was screaming at him, telling him he was an idiot and that a Digimon even at Rookie level could easily kill him. But he had to do something. He didn't suffer through a 25-hour flight just to watch them die.
Boarmon skidded to a halt a few meters from Ryan and the boy took a few steps backward. He stopped when his back was up against Hachiko's statue. Adrenaline coursed through Ryan's body, foolishly forcing him to fight rather than flee.
"I'm-..." Ryan stuttered, then swallowed down his cowardice. "I'm not going to be left behind!"
Whether he said that to Boarmon, Rika and Drakemon or himself was unclear. But it didn't matter as Boarmon reared his head back to unleash his flaming 'nose blaster' attack.

"No! Run, Ryan! RUN!" Rika yelled, her face quickly going white.
"RYAN!" Drakemon called out in an equally distressed tone and tried to force herself up once more, but finding no strength to do so.
Instead of listening to their screams, Ryan just instinctively raised his arms to protect his face and braced for impact.

"NOSE BLASTER!"

At that moment, the statue behind Ryan started to glow a bright blue. It was only a glimmer at first but within a matter of milliseconds it became a blinding light that engulfed the surrounding area. Both Rika and Drakemon had to cover their eyes from the bright sheen.
As it started to fade, the both of them stared into the light. They didn't know what just happened and they both feared the worst. 
But what they saw was the last thing they ever expected.

Boarmon was completely engulfed in ice, frozen in place. The only indication that it wasn't inanimate was it's eyes flicking around in panic.
Expecting to feel pain but realizing nothing happened, Ryan peered at Boarmon and was suddenly surprised to the see the ice sculpture.
Just as he started to wonder what caused this, he became aware of a presence by his feet.
There stood a dog, it's back facing Ryan and standing in a defensive position. It's fur was tan-coloured...but it's tail was blue, along with a few blue markings on his face and paws.
Did...did this dog stop Boarmon?

The ice around Boarmon started to crack and Ryan flinched. But before the creature could break free, the dog knelt down in a pouncing stance.
"Frosted wind!"
The hound spun around once and his tail followed, spinning on it's on axis. When it swung it's tail forward, a tornado of snow and ice escaped from it and engulfed Boarmon. The freezing wind created a second layer of ice around the monster, this time stopping him in his tracks completely. A few seconds of silence passed, everyone waiting to see if the rogue would try to escape again. When the dog relaxed and stood up, Ryan felt like he could finally relax as well. Boarmon wasn't going anywhere.

The boy's attention shifted back to the dog as it turned to look at the human. He didn't know what to expect from this creature. It was clear it wasn't a normal dog, that was for sure.
The dog sat by Ryan's feet and looked up at the boy. A second later, he wagged his tail and smiled.
"I have been waiting for you." the hound said in a kind, gentle voice.
Ryan's eyes stretched and he knelt down to the dog's level.
"Me...?" he asked, sounding like he was in disbelief. He was still processing everything that had just happened.
The dog simply nodded, still happily wagging his tail.
"My name is Hachimon." he announced a few seconds later.
Ryan lifted an eyebrow. "Hachi-..?" he started to ask and turned to look at the statue standing behind him. Was this dog the statue? Hachiko's statue was still in tact, not a scratch on it. Then....did this creature come from the sculpture? From Hachiko? The Digital world...?
"You're....a Digimon?" the boy inquired as he looked back at Hachimon, then realized that question was a little redundant at this point.
"That is correct...to some extent." the dog answered.
Before Ryan could ask what he meant by that, an unfamiliar ringtone rung on the boy's phone. He reached into his pocket to take it out but realized there was something else in there besides his phone. He pulled out the cell, and with it was a tiny blue crystal.
Ryan took the jewel in his other hand and stared at it with eyes wide. He was pretty sure he knew what it was, seeing as Rika had one that looked exactly the same, except for the colour. His mind all pointed to one thing, but he still couldn't bring himself to believe it.
"I'm your Digimon." Hachimon confirmed what Ryan was thinking.
It was true. Ryan got a crystal shard, and his phone displayed a crest on it's screen, making it his new Digivice.
He was Digidestined. And this was his partner.
The realization was almost too much for Ryan to process. He laughed as he clutched his shard and digivice, but at the same tame his eyes started to tear up from the emotion. He looked at Hachimon, their eyes meeting. Without anymore delay, the boy leapt forward and wrapped his arms around his Digimon.
"Sorry to keep you waiting..." he finally replied, smiling from ear to ear.
Hachimon put a paw around his Tamer and embraced him as well, tail wagging wildly.
Ryan's heart bounced around in his chest. He'd always dreamed of becoming a Tamer but he sure as hell didn't expect it to happen today. Somehow, Hachimon had come from Hachiko, meaning that he was waiting for who knows how long for his master to come meet him. Not only did Ryan finally meet his life-long partner and friend, but he had his very own dog.
This was the happiest moment of his life.

"Congratulations, Rye."
A cheerful voice broke through Ryan's thoughts and he looked up to see his sister standing there. She was holding Kitomon in her arms and they were both smiling.
"You're a Tamer too! That's so awesoooome!" Kitomon exclaimed. She must have reverted back to her In-training level at some point in Hachimon's arrival. She was a little scuffed up and looked tired, but her usual happy demeanor was still there.
Ryan quickly sat back and wiped his eyes and cleared his throat. He then realized that Hachimon wasn't sitting in front of him anymore. Before he could even ask the obvious, a little voice made itself known from atop Ryan's shoulder.
"I am right here, Ryan. No need to fret, I'll always be with you." Hachimon's ghostly-looking In-training form, Chiwamon, reassured the boy. He gave a tiny grin in reply. 
Rika giggled, finding the scene very cute. "It's a good thing you reverted back, new one. I'm not too comfortable around canines." she bowed forward a bit to speak to Chiwamon.
The Digimon looked up at the female Tamer and floated over to her. "Ah, I see! Are you friends with Ryan?"
Before she could answer, Ryan interrupted.
"Yeah. This is my sister, Rika. You can trust her. She's been a Tamer for a while." he plainly introduced her as he stood.
Rika stared at her brother for a moment before smiling. Looks like he had gotten over his earlier anxiety all by himself. Even though his tone suggested it was no big deal, his words spoke volumes.
"And I'm Rika's partner! Whassup!?" Kitomon gave an excited jump towards Chiwamon.
That startled the new Digimon and he quickly flew behind Ryan as Rika grabbed at her Digimon to keep her from falling to the ground.
The exchange between the digital monsters made the Tamers laugh as Chiwamon looked unimpressed and Kitomon looked confused.

"We can finish the introductions later. First: I have to call this in before a crowd shows up..." Rika said as she looked up at the glacial statue that was Boarmon.
Ryan suddenly remembered he had his sister's phone and handed it back to her. He'd completely forgotten to call the other Tamers during all the comotion, so he gave the cell back while guiltily looking away. Rika smiply gave a thankful smile and started dialing with one hand while holding Kitomon in the other. With the phone pressed to her ear, she continued to speak while waiting for the other party to pick up.
"Afterwards, we can go back to the dorms and feed the little fighters."
Kitomon gave an excited 'woot' and even Chiwamon's face seemed to brighten up.
Ryan nodded. "Alright."
"Then we can talk about your enrollment into one of the campuses." she gave her brother a wink.
"Yeah we-...wait, what?" Ryan registered the statement but looked very confused.
Just then, the line picked up and Rika turned away from her brother to speak into her phone.
Ryan glared at his sister, eye twitching. He hated when she did that...
Was she implying he would join one of the factions for Digimon Tamers? Here? In Japan??? He hadn't even had a Digimon for 10 minutes and she was already planning his future.
But instead of blowing up, Ryan just sighed and dropped it...for now.
He turned his head to look at his partner, who was sitting on his shoulder. He scratched the tiny Digimon under his chin and Chiwamon giggled, leaning into his hand.

It was still hard to believe that this little guy was his Digimon. His partner. His life-long friend.
Ryan didn't know it then, but Hachimon was just as happy to have found his Tamer. They both had waited for each other for so long, never realizing that the other was waiting for them.
Today was the day their life as partners had begun. What would happen tomorrow...only fate knew.



Total words: 4715