[img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjU0LmZmZmZmZi5VM2x1WTJoeWIyNXBZMmwwZVNCUFppQlVhR1VnVTJodmIzUnBibWNnVTNSaGNuTSwuMAAA/stars.regular.png[/img]
[hr][center][h2][u]Prologue[/u][/h2][/center]‘Digimon Tamers 2.0” was well on its way to becoming one of the most popular free-to-play MMORPGs from all around the globe. From what started many years ago as an older title with a small dedicated following. Now invited casual and competitive gamers alike to lose themselves in an enormous and ever-evolving fantasy world. Each choosing an egg that hatches into one of the countless customizable creatures that then becomes your player avatar. Where you progress through the digital monster’s childhood by training to become stronger and dominating everything that crosses your path. Or alternatively, there’s a deep communication system that allows you to speak and forge alliances with any of the NPC’s. Continuously growing your numbers and reputation until you chose to take on 'The Abyss'. 

By far the hardest dungeon in the game, with a seemingly endless number of floors that had yet to be beaten. Likely requiring the highest attainable forms that had yet to be achieved by its top players, nor discovered by the borderline-obsessive fanbase. Because the greater truth of what lies beyond it remained shrouded in mystery, like anything concerning the developers true identities. Questions of which were ceaselessly brought up in certain public or private chat rooms — albeit with vocal disagreement about the virtue of gossiping. Although, such a thing was encouraged in the ‘Astral Observers’. A high-ranking guild led by a bunch of eccentric individuals, that was open to whoever wanted to join them, so long as you yearned for exploration, and lived fearlessly in the pursuit for adventure. Making it a strangely tight-knit community for the select few that would change their lives drastically by pure happenstance. For this game would soon create multiple bridges into a new reality for those who decided to face the danger, and seek out what fell from tonight’s starry sky...

Notwithstanding a lone sixteen year old member, who received an even earlier opportunity in the midst of his ordinary afternoon gaming session...
[hr][center][h2][u][color=4acdff]Asher Shaw[/color][/u][/h2][/center]The sun began to set over the ramshackle buildings of a city considered by its residents to be a lukewarm version of hell, rather than a place anyone actually called home. Yet there Asher was — inside this little blue house in the corner of a dead-end road. Knowing it was the best his father could afford with whatever job he had that week. Especially with the lifetime supply of medical bills that were currently stuffed in their mailbox. But this fact wouldn’t stop the lively energy persisting from within, as the pair partook in some mutual escapism while sitting on opposite sides of the living room.

[color=4acdff]“Dad, quick. Aggro the dude behind me.”[/color] Asher instructed in a calm voice, as his dark baggy eyes glanced at the remaining mission time. Quickly wiping the sweat off his forehead with his jacket sleeve, and pulling back the azure cat-eared hood to unleash his uncombed mop of blonde hair.  [color=4acdff]“We’re so close.”[/color] He muttered to himself, leaning further forward in his cheap foldable metal chair with a noisy creak. Notably contrasted by their matching computer setups, which if combined, would be more expensive than the pick-up truck that was parked in their driveway. But these purchases were merely explained by the father touting his lucky evening at the casino's last poker tourney. Though truly believing in his story or not was beside the point…if it meant [b][i]he[/i][/b] could have fun for once.

[color=8196a9]"No! It sent me back to the start!”[/color] The father half-shouted in-between reaching into a crinkling bag on top of his tower and stuffing his mouth full of cheddar chips.

[color=4acdff]"Try to chill a bit Dad. We’ve still got thirty seconds to beat the other server’s time.”[/color] Asher replied. As his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of something black and fiery, like a giant piece of flaming coal, plummeting toward his nearby window. Taking the focus away from his game until it dived below his line of sight and presumably crash landed into a mulch bed filled with dandelions. Only to glance back at the screen to hear the melody of victory, as the result screen proudly displayed ‘New Best Server Time!’ with a difference of six seconds. Proceeding to show his avatar ranked 8th against the top list of several hundreds of players who had joined in. However, Asher didn’t notice this, as he was busy doing a double take at the darkness outside. Subsequently going into the game’s menu and then leaning back with a sigh. Noticing the father was getting up to head into the kitchen. [color=4acdff]"Hey, Dad — can we order a pizza? I haven’t eaten yet...”[/color]
 
[color=8196a9]"Ho ho! There’s no need! Your number one dad has already ordered our favorite!”[/color] The father boasted, as he held his treasured ‘#1 Dad’ coffee mug. Opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle of 100 proof whiskey from the variety of liquor filling the middle shelf. Carefully setting his mug on the adjacent countertop, and twisting the lid off to chug it down like water. Before he wiped off his lips with the back of his thumb, and proceeded to refill his mug. [color=8196a9]"Because I’m proud of my A- son! Who will always be an A triple plus in my eye!"[/color] He exclaimed. Looking at his son’s report card which was kept on the freezer door with an upside down smiley-face magnet. Overhearing the front door opening and closing, as the father hastily returned to the living room to see that his son was gone...
[center]***[/center]As Asher was now ambling through his fenced off backyard. Using his cellphone for a flashlight, as he walked up and blankly stared at the still smoldering rock fragments lying where he expected to find a much larger object. As he slowly turned around to illuminate all the overgrown grass in their otherwise empty yard. [color=4acdff][i]"Was it...just a meteorite?"[/i][/color] Asher pondered. [color=4acdff][i]"But I thought I saw...its eyes..."[/i][/color] 

Both unaware of what he was searching for, and that he was also being watched from their rooftop...
[hr][center][h2][u][color=f26522]Kate Beckham[/color][/u][/h2][/center]Her pink bedroom walls were concealed in more punk band posters than the crumpled pages of hackneyed song lyrics that she discarded in her wicker wastebasket. As even her black onesie pajamas, with the colorful electric guitars designs on it, weren’t helping her get comfortable in bed. While she half-listened to some classic rock playing from her nightstand and her three-way call. Lying on her stomach, as a tennis ball is lazily tossed forward in the air, into the patiently awaiting maw of her male German shepherd.

[color=ffb6c1]“Come on! Play a game with your besties…[i][b]you may meet a good guy.[/b][/i]”[/color] The bubbly voice chirped.

[color=f26522]“Roger’s the only good boy that I know of.”[/color] Kate retorted. Pointing her finger at the foot of her bed, where the dog promptly dropped the ball and sat down with a wagging tail. [color=f26522]“Cuz at least [b][i]he[/i][/b] can listen to basic directions.”[/color]

[color=9a4d81]“Did you really dump Troy because he bought you the wrong colored guitar pick?”[/color] Her mellow friend questioned dubiously.

Kate grabbed the ball and flipped over to face the ceiling, having her dyed-red hair hang off the bed. Carefully throwing it backward out of her opened door and into the hallway, as Roger scampered off to chase it down. [color=f26522]"You make it sound like I’m the type of person that says no to a marriage cuz the diamond ring wasn’t big enough.”[/color] She scoffed. [color=f26522]“It was my own money. I was too busy writing songs today, and [i][b]he’s[/b][/i] the one who said ‘he was driving to the store anyway’. So I don’t understand how dense of the skull you'd need to think ‘Please grab me a Violet pick.’ means ‘I secretly want a green one, and in the ugliest shade you could find. Thanks.' "[/color]

[color=9a4d81]"So yes."[/color] She sighed. [color=9a4d81]"Don’t you think that’s a little too harsh?”[/color]

[color=f26522]“Alright-”[/color] Kate huffed, as she sprung herself up from her bed. [color=f26522]“I’ll download the game — if we change the topic.”[/color] Kate bargained. As she scooped up her cellphone and walked to her computer desk, which was covered in audio mixing equipment.

[color=ffb6c1]“Yay! I already sent you the link.”[/color] 

She rolled her eyes and fiddled through fifty browser tabs to find the messenger, while unconsciously swaying and humming the song’s melody. As she eventually found and double clicked on the link. [color=f26522]“So...how long is supposed to take exactly?”[/color] She uttered, staring at the loading bar as it crawled to completion. Noticing Roger had laid on the floor beside her bed, with an orange leash in his mouth.

[color=9a4d81]“Should be about thirty minutes.”[/color]  

Kate lightly slapped her desk as she stood, causing Roger to spring upright and wag his tail. [color=f26522]“Great. Time to go for a walk.”[/color] She stated with a smile, quickly putting his leash on.

[color=ffb6c1]”Outside? What if someone tries to rob you?”[/color] She spoke with her tone filled with concern.

[color=f26522]“Of what — my pajamas?”[/color] Kate teased, picking up the phone. [color=f26522]“I’m walking with Roger. I’ll have him bite the mugger’s balls off.”[/color]  

[color=ffb6c1]“Well...call us when you get back. Okay?”[/color]

[color=f26522]“Will do.”[/color] Kate replied. Hanging up the phone and then seeing her unread messages from her new ex. As she shook her head and set it back on her desk. [color=f26522]Meet someone online. Pft. Yeah...and maybe Mr.Right will fall out of the sky.”[/color] Kate muttered dismissively. As she crept downstairs with Roger mimicking her cautious approach toward their sliding patio door, where his sister loudly snored in her dog bed. Successfully leaving her house, as she began to stroll along the lit sidewalk with leash in hand. Feeling the freedom of a gentle breeze, without anyone telling her that she can’t. Able to gaze up at the quiet night and observe a shooting star...as a wish suddenly came across her mind. Making it seem like a twisted course of fate in the immediate aftermath of a meteor directly striking down upon the sidewalk only a few yards in front of her. Freezing at the sight of the egg shaped stone, as she watched it swiftly shatter to pieces and reveal a green scaly creature. Gripping the leash tightly, as she prevented the dog from lunging too far forward as he began frantically barking at the monster in front of them. [color=f26522][i]“What the hell is...”[/i][/color]
[hr][center][h2][u][color=Gold]Izabel Ivanowski[/color][/u][/h2][/center]The twelve year old imagined the clouds shedding their tears and releasing their frustrations down at the world below. Although all the noise didn’t bother Izabel any, it would mean that she likely wouldn’t stay alone for long. As she sat in the driver’s seat of the fixer-upper car in her family’s built-in garage. Rocking back and forth while intently watching one of her guildmate's streaming on her notebook laptop. Chatting with the many anonymous individuals who usernames were also in the guild. Her profile picture was a chibi drawing of her with her black hat and golden goggles, which were resting on top of the dashboard, along with the car’s key. Not even turning her head as she heard a rush of footsteps, proceeded by the passenger side door opening up and remaining ajar.

[color=Gold]"Koushiro, it’s way too late for you to be up."[/color] She spoke matter-of-factly, glancing at her younger brother, who was still too old to be nervously sucking on his thumb. [color=Gold]"If mom or dad weren’t out working they’d be-”[/color]

[color=ffcb81]"I saw a monster outside, Izzy."[/color] The boy interrupted. [color=ffcb81]"It opened my bedroom window and hid in my closet. Honest.”[/color] He explained. As Izabel closed her laptop and set it aside.

[color=Gold]"It’s okay, I believe you.”[/color] Izabel assured Koushiro. As she got out of the car and went around to grasp her brother’s saliva-less hand. [color=Gold]"Come with me, I’ll let you sleep in my bed tonight. Your big sis can take care of the monster."[/color] She instructed, as he reluctantly nodded and followed her back into the house and up the stairwell. As she flipped on the lights to safety led her brother to her bedroom. Entering her tinkerer’s paradise, having a desk and shelves filled with model cars, planes and all their little toy parts. As she went through the usual motions of tucking her little brother in bed and getting him comfortable. [color=Gold]"There. My golden phoenix will keep an eye on you too."[/color] She said, placing the medium-sized plush by the pillow and kissing his forehead. Making her brother smile a bit, as he closed his eyes.

[color=ffcb81]"Thank you, Izzy."[/color] He uttered softly, falling asleep in moments.

[color=Gold]"Sweet dreams."[/color] Izabel replied. [color=Gold][i]"Now to go look in the closet for beasties...”[/i][/color] She thought with a shrug, making her way downstairs without hesitation. Turning off the unneeded lights as she passed the first floor bathroom. Feeling a sudden chill as she entered the room across from her parents bedroom. Standing by the opened door of Koushiro’s room, which was surprisingly tidy for his age. Quickly realizing this was more than just Koushiro’s typical nightmare when she saw the wide-open window. Its white curtains flapping in the cold air that was blowing from outside. [color=Gold][i]"He wouldn’t do that himself…even if he does really like that plush."[/i][/color] She reasoned, casually approaching to pull it shut. Only to abruptly turn her attention to the sounds of muffled weeping coming from within the closet. 

She blinked and considered finding the nearest phone to dial the police. But instead, she opened it up, and was introduced by a conspicuously child-sized lump underneath a large quilt blanket. [color=Gold][i]"Why be afraid of something that’s hiding from my younger brother?"[/i][/color] She thought, reaching out with fearless curiosity to uncover what hid within. Getting the strangest feeling that she already knew what it was, as she spoke up a firm and critical tone. [color=Gold]“You’re not allowed to break into other people's homes, ya know. You’ll get yourself in trouble-”[/color]

Suddenly — the blanket was flung off. As Izabel would soon find herself at the mercy of a captivating spell...
[hr]