We're Not In Shibuya Anymore... [Private/Hanako]

Now that Data and Rush were capable of DNA digivolving to the Mega-level ShadowDurandamon, Hana and the twins had come to their usual stomping grounds in the Server Woods in order for them to get some practice in with their new form.

The new RAM Upgrade that Hana bought for the twins would actually prove very useful for this purpose, as the Attack Programs it summoned made for decent sparring partners. Strong enough to at least put up a bit of a fight, but not strong or smart enough to inflict any real damage to the dark knight.

Right now, ShadowDurandamon was currently sparring with the Attack Programs while Hana hung back a ways to avoid any chance of accidentally being hit. The dark Legend Arms was holding back a bit by not using any named attacks so that he could get used to the weight and multitude of blades his current form possessed.

Unfortunately, the humanoid shape that Vera had approached was, in fact, one of these very Attack Programs. Still set in sparring mode (and only given instruction to specifically avoid attacking Hana as opposed to any nearby humans in general), the Attack Program would end up mistakenly registering Vera as a target and start advancing forward with its sword raised to attack.

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Security Call (RAM Upgrade Twin+): Once per thread, the user summons a squad of 5 Attack Programs to aid them in battle that last until they are either dismissed or destroyed. Each individual Attack Program's strength and durability is equivalent to that of a digimon 2 levels below that of the summoner (i.e. they are as powerful as a Rookie Digimon if summoned by an Ultimate Digimon), and are only capable of using basic attacks due to having very simple AIs. Cannot be used in the Human World.  (5 Attack Programs remaining. Current power level: Champion)

The sound of Vera's exclamation drew ShadowDurandamon's attention, causing him to see the rogue Attack Program about to attack an unknown teen who appeared to be roughly Hana's age. The sight did cause the dark knight's eyes to widen as he smacked another Attack Program to the side and rushed towards the rogue Attack Program in order to stop it from hurting the girl.

ShadowDurandamon managed to reach the attack Program just as it was raising its sword to attack Vera, and quickly moved to stop the attack. "Spiral Cutter!"

The Legend Arm did a backflip and used the blades on his legs to vertically bisect the rogue Attack Program right down the middle, the program freezing for a moment before both halves clattered to the ground harmlessly and disintegrated into pixels.

"Are you alright?" ShadowDurandamon asked Vera. "I apologize for that program's behavior. It's not supposed to just attack someone on its own like that during a simple sparring match."

The other four Attack Programs, unaware of Vera's presence, continued advancing towards ShadowDurandamon, But Hana quickly ran between them and her fused partners and crossed her arms. "Time out! We're taking a break!"'

With that command, the four remaining Attack Programs immediately straightened up and stood at attention, standing stock-still with their swords firmly planted in the ground.

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Security Call: (4 Attack Programs remaining. Current power level: Champion)

"Well, that's technically not a 100% accurate way to describe them, but I suppose it's a close enough description if it helps you understand." ShadowDurandamon pondered. "And training is one of the things they can be used for, although this is our first time using them. They aren't fully self-aware, so it's okay to break them if it comes to it."

Vera's question about where they were caused Shadow and Hana to glance at each other while Hana wandered over to where Vera was. "Ah, this must be your first time coming here. I'll try to explain as best as I can. *Ahem* This place is known as the Digital World, An alternate dimension that runs parallel to our own while also somehow existing inside the internet (it's complicated). The main inhabitants of this place are digital beings know as Digimon, like ShadowDurandamon here. They are digital lifeforms that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with no two ever being exactly alike. By all means, feel free to interrupt me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them."

"Well, she's certainly taking this a lot better than I thought she would, all things considered." ShadowDurandamon said matter-of-factly. "But yeah, the Digital World's closer to the Matrix than Tron, although you're physically here rather than just having your brain hooked into a simulation."

"As for getting back home? There are usually three ways to do that. One way is to find a random naturally-occurring portal, although those can be tricky to find and there's a good chance you may end up in a completely different place than you want to go." Hana explained, while ShadowDurandamon used a leg blade to draw rough sketches in the dirt. "Option Two is to hop aboard a Trailmon (a digimon that is basically a living train) and hitch a ride to the Terminus City Trailmon station. There are Trailmon there that can cross the world borders and drop you off in the Shibuya train station. That option can take a while, though, even with the fact that one week in this world is equal to only a day back on Earth."

At this point, Hana would pause dramatically before pulling out her digivice. "And here we have option three! Here in the digital world, you can buy an add-on for a digivice that lets you open a portal directly between the Digital World and the Human World! And since you're here in the Digital world, it means you're likely to get a digivice and a Digimon partner of your own."

"Or a Spirit Totem, which is a whole 'nother can of worms that we won't explain unless its actually needed." ShadowDurandamon added. The dark knight suddenly looked around, remembering the frozen Attack Programs, and promptly dispelled them back into the raw data they were made from. "Right, probably not gonna go back to training today."

"Most Digimon usually stick to the Digital World, although there are indeed ways for Digimon to disguise themselves. most either use holographic disguises or straight-up magic to look human." ShadowDurandamon explained. The dark knight decided to save energy and revert to his Champion form of ShadowGrademon before leaning his back against a nearby tree.. "And trust me, some Digimon can be waaaaay bigger than a train. ElDoradimon, for example, is a gigantic tortoise with an actual city on his back. Might be best to keep your distance from there, though. The locals tend to not be very friendly."

"As for meeting your partner? No way to predict how that'll go down, my friend. You might find and hatch them from an egg, meet them on an adventure, or any other possible scenarios. I met my partners when their egg ended up popping up in my bedroom and hatching in the middle of the night. That was certainly a crazy night." Hana added as she went over to ShadowGrademon and playfully poked him in the side. "Back on topic, your partner could end up being something cool like a knight or robot, something cute like a bird or a puppy, something creepy like a ghost or a vampire, oooor something gross like a slug or living sludge if you're really unlucky. No way of knowing until you meet them."

Both Hana and ShadowGrademon had visibly shuddered while thinking of Digimon like Numemon and Raremon.

"Word of caution, though. This place can be dangerous if you're out here alone. Like most people, not all Digimon are friendly, so it might be a good idea to stick with us until you either find your partner or go home." ShadowGrademon warned as he glanced around the surrounding area.

"Oh, that's a good point." Hana agreed, nodding at the dark knight's advice. The teen walked up to Vera and extended a hand for a handshake. "I'm Hana, by the way."

"Most Digimon can shift between various forms of various strength. Fresh, In-Training, Rookie, Champion, Ultimate, Mega, Super Mega. Each level is stronger than the previous, but requires a lot more energy to maintain." ShadowGrademon explained, counting off the various forms on his fingers as he spoke. "I just reverted from my Mega form, ShadowDurandamon, to my Champion form, ShadowGrademon. You can simply call me Shadow if you like since pretty much all of my forms have 'shadow' in the name."

"And to answer your question about the Trailmon stations, we're probably about an hour's hike from the nearest one. I can use a digiport to send you to the Shibuya train station if you want. My Digiport is a low-level one, so that's the only place in the Human World it can actually go." Hana added as she pulled her digivice back out. "Time moves differently between the two worlds, so it's entirely up to you as to whether you want to stay for a while or-"

Hana would find herself interrupted by a nut hitting her head from the tree that shadow was leaning against. The girl and her partner looked up into the tree branches to see a bat-like Soundbirdmon glaring down at them as it hung upside down from a branch. "Some of us nocturnal digimon are trying to get some sleep here, so either keep it down or get lost, you brats. Stupid kids ... can't get a moment's peace..."