Darkest Days <MPC 103X / WILD CARD (101C)>

The sight was horrific: the destruction of Japan had come without warning. The day had started off like any other, with the peaceful sounds of cicadas chirping and a gentle breeze rustling through the trees. But then the rain began, and it didn't stop. A deluge of biblical proportions turned the sky black with the darkest clouds, and even the weather channel was caught off guard by this sudden, unexpected summer storm.

When the fierce rain finally cleared, it revealed a dark and ominous secret: large, flashing green and black slashes had appeared in the sky. At first, many assumed it was an alien invasion, but some knew better. They knew that the Digimon had arrived, and with them came war.

Japan was quickly overrun, and the destruction was utterly devastating. The army tried their best, but they were no match for the might of the Digimon. Survivors huddled together for safety, while the desperate and depraved looted in the shadows. People were slowly being picked off by the Digital Invaders.

Roads had been torn apart, leaving deep cracks through the concrete, and smoke billowed from the ruins of formerly beautiful high-rise buildings. It seemed like all hope was lost.

Several weeks had passed since the invasion began, and the monsters now roamed the borders of Japan, no longer needing to destroy as they had practically won.

It seemed like they were waiting for something or someone. Survivors huddled in a deserted mall's remains, using a parking lot as their shelter. Rows of cots lined one wall, with the injured occupying the opposite side. Supplies were running low, and venturing out into a monster-filled minefield was a risky venture.

"What can we do? We're doomed,"  one man cried, holding his head in his arms. Tears streamed down his face. "No one is coming to save us this time."

Far from the rest of the survivors sat a crumpled small girl sat against the wall, but not looking at anyone else. Dust, tears, and cuts covered her body. A small lifeless white device in her lap. Most simply ignored the girl, assuming her to have been driven mad. 

"It should work... why isn't it working? It worked before," she muttered to herself, repeating the words endlessly. The girl's eyes looked pale and blank, devoid of any positivity or happiness. Her expression was as lifeless as the Digivice lying in her lap.

A faint voice cut through the babbling and panic, emanating from a small radio resting on a wooden table. "They are mobilizing in the direction of the safe house," it said, followed by a horrible scream. 

The panicked chatter turned into screams and running as everyone realized they were not safe. But Ayana, crouched on the ground, didn't move a muscle.

Explosions rippled above them, getting closer by the second. A strange noise filled the room, like the buzzing of a thousand bees, forming into words only Ayana could hear.

Just broken.

Find us...find us before it's too late.

Find us.

Ayana's eyes flashed for a moment as smoke and crumbling asphalt filled the abandoned parking lot from above.

"They're above us. We should run," one voice said.
"No, we should fight," another countered.
"You saw the news, heard it over the radio. Bullets do nothing. Nothing to those monsters," someone else added.

Amidst the panicked voices calling out for help, Ayana felt helpless. Ever since the first attack, her Digivice had failed her, and she couldn't sense the connection anymore. Once, she could feel it inside her, but now, it felt like it had splintered, maybe even disintegrated completely. But, ever since that day, Ayana had lost her happy-go-lucky personality, her endless positivity, and her bright smile.

Ayana struggled to her feet and moved towards the door, determined to leave the chaos behind. But the heavy-set man with the gun had other ideas. "I'd rather die than sit here cowering," he yelled, loading his weapon and leading a small group of hardened survivors towards the door. Ayana was knocked aside in the rush, stumbling towards the doorway and out into the open air.

As she emerged, she saw the road had crumbled away and the only remaining path was blocked by a column. Above them, black-winged birds of fire circled, ready to swoop down on the group. Suddenly, a monstrous figure in black and crimson armor appeared, holding a long, thin sword to the throats of the huddled survivors.

"These are not the ones we wanted," the creature sneered, raising the sword to strike. But before it could attack, it caught sight of Ayana climbing over the rubble. "Another pest? What say you?"

Once again, Ayana's Digivice had failed to activate. Grademon swung its sword down at her, but then something strange happened. Everything froze around Ayana, even the Saberdramon and the crumpled men. She took a step forward and was enveloped by a warm, friendly light. Suddenly, everything vanished, replaced by a blank, white canvas.

Whispers on the wind called out to Ayana.


Ayana felt herself being pulled forward, as if the wind itself was guiding her down a long path of nothingness. It was then that she realized she was experiencing death itself.

But suddenly, she caught sight of a shadow on the path ahead. A small creature appeared and bowed to her, smiling from its toothy snout. The little dinosaur was wrapped in an oversized cloak of crimson and had tears forming in the corners of its large yellow eyes.

“We have missed you. Come and find the others! We can have tea, just like we used to. Remember?” Gammamon said.

Without a word, Ayana followed Gammamon down the blank path until they arrived at a rounded clearing. White stone thrones were arranged in a wide circle, and each one was occupied by a familiar friend, each spirit who had guided her on her journey before their connection had been broken.

Two of the thrones were still empty, but Gammamon fluttered up into one of them and sat beside its fellows. Ayana approached the final and most central seat and sat down gingerly. For the first time in a long while, she couldn't help but smile.



<Bits Please>