Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Lief. Lief! Hey, Lief, wake up!”

“Ugh. Fine. I’m up, I’m up”.

Lief groggily opened his eyes at the strange voice, bolting upright as his eyes focused on the bouncing... thing that sat on the ground in front of him. It took him a second to register what he was seeing before he jumped up in horror, hands already fumbling for the sword at his side. "Holy fuck!”

The brown creature’s single horn gleamed in the sun as it bounced happily up and down, grinning a toothy grin at the young king. “I’m your friend, I’m your friend!”

“Somehow that doesn’t exactly reassure me…” Lief muttered, keeping a wary eye on the creature.

“And what in Adin’s name are you, exactly?” he added quickly.

“I’m Tsunomon! I’m your partner!”

“What’s a Tsunomon? And what do you mean, you’re my partner?”

Before the creature had a chance to answer, Lief realized that he could hear the faint shouts of both his companions from somewhere in the forest nearby and from the sounds of their voices (especially the stream of faint curses that he could hear from the gruffer voice that was most definitely Barda’s), he could tell that they'd just woken up to the same thing as him. "Barda! Jasmine!"

The sound of running footsteps disturbed the still air, and it was only a few minutes before both his soon-to-be-wife and their best friend burst into the clearing, other creatures (which, Lief noted, were a greenish-white color and a grey color with a strange red flame shape on its head respectively) following at their heels. “Lief!”

Seeming not to notice the creature by Lief’s feet, Jasmine sprinted to him, throwing her arms around him and burrowing her face into the crook of his neck. Lief could feel hot tears running down her cheeks and soaking into the fabric of his shirt, could feel tiny tremors racking her body as she sobbed in open relief, and he sighed softly, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Hey. We’re safe, Jasmine. We’re okay”.

Lief glanced up briefly after reassuring his fiancée, meeting the eyes of their best friend over Jasmine’s head. Barda nodded slightly, giving the young king a slight (though warm) smile and gruffly saying “I’m glad we found you when we did. Who knows how much more of Jasmine’s complaining about you being missing it would have taken to drive me crazy?”

Lief allowed himself a slight chuckle at that, having spent so much time with his friend that he knew exactly what the palace guard wasn’t telling him. I was worried about you as well. I’m glad you’re okay. “Looks like we’re going to be having one last adventure together after all” he observed wryly.

Barda nodded, looking around them. “Yes. In whatever kind of strange place this actually is that we have found ourselves in this time, anyway.”

“It’s the Digiworld!"

The strange voice made Jasmine startle and lift her face from her fiancé’s neck. Her eyes flicked to the creature at Lief’s feet, and she stiffened in sudden shock, but a cry from the green… thing… following her made her pause as she reached for one of her daggers. “Wait! We’re your friends! We’re not going to attack you!”

Jasmine paused, looking down at the creatures. “Who are you?”

“We’re your partners, Jasmine! I’m Tanemon, the little grey guy is Bukamon, and the brown one with the horn is Tsunomon. We’re Digimon!”

Lief found himself accepting what they were being told surprisingly quickly. It was almost as if he’d always known those same things, even though he knew that made no sense because the three of them had never met these creatures before. “Digimon?”

“Digital Monsters!”

Lief had no idea what the creatures meant by the term Digital, and he could tell from the confused looks on their faces that Jasmine and Barda had no idea either, but he also knew that none of them were going to make themselves look stupid by asking for further clarification. “And how do you know our names?”

Watching the grey creature by Barda’s feet, Lief swore he saw it roll its eyes. “Because we’re your partners, silly! We’ve been waiting for you!”

Lief found himself accepting that as well. He still wasn’t sure exactly where this was coming from or why it felt so true to him, but as far as he could tell, it was (and he had a pretty good idea of what was true or not, considering everything that he and the other two had been through up to that point). After considering what he was going to say next, he nodded. “Where do we start?”

“We have to find Leomon and the others, as soon as we can!”

Lief’s hand flicked idly to the small white and grey device that had brought his companions and himself to the strange world they currently found themselves in, which now sat at his belt next to his sword (although he swore he hadn’t put it there consciously, so there was certainly something going on there). After a couple of minutes of careful consideration of what the brown-furred creature he was starting to accept as his partner had told him, he nodded. “Alright then, Tsunomon. Let’s go find the others then”.

-Elsewhere-

“Ugh… Where am I?”

“You’re here. Good. Come on, get up. We need to find the others before our enemies can get to them”.

Doom struggled to his feet, noting the humanoid lion-man… thing… standing in front of him, as well as registering the strange white object that was suddenly at his belt. A name came to his mind immediately, and before he even had time to process where it had come from, he felt his lips move, speaking the name. Though he wasn’t sure where he recognized it from, as he spoke it, part of him knew it was real. “Leomon”.

The lion-man nodded, tightening his grip on the sword sheathed on his back. “Good. You know who I am. Give me your hand, partner. We have to move”.

Leomon stretched out his hand, pulling the man to his feet. The two stood on top of the cliff for a moment, studying the rising sun carefully, before Doom finally nodded. “Then let’s go”.

Chapter Text

Lief, Barda, and Jasmine followed their new companions through the forest. Their footsteps were muffled by the soft earth, while unseen creatures chattered high in the canopy above. The air was thick with the hum of insects.

Jasmine shivered. “I do not like this, Lief. The trees do not talk to me,” she murmured, leaning lightly against his side.

She had grown more comfortable showing affection since their engagement, yet traces of her wild upbringing clung to her still. Lief pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head. “Do you mean like the Dreaming Spring trees wouldn’t?” he asked gently, recalling their first quest together.

Jasmine shook her head. “No. This whole place… it feels wrong somehow. Unreal.”

A few minutes later, the three Digimon leading the way stopped abruptly and turned to face them. “The others are just ahead—in the clearing,” one said.

Lief nodded. Squeezing Jasmine’s hand, he stepped forward through the curtain of vines and into a wide glade. The first thing he saw were five strange creatures scattered across the clearing, each beside an unconscious figure.

He didn’t have time to take in more before Jasmine, Barda, and their partners emerged behind him. Bukamon glided ahead, raising one flipper excitedly as it gestured to each of the newcomers in turn. “These are the others!” it chirped. “Please, let me introduce you!”

“Let’s wake them first,” Barda interrupted. “Once they’re on their feet, you’ll only have to make introductions once.”

The clearing was still, save for the soft rustle of leaves overhead. Lief’s eyes darted from one unmoving form to another. There were five of them—three he recognized at once.

“Mother,” he breathed, rushing to Sharn’s side. Her chest rose and fell gently. Relief flooded through him, quickly followed by confusion. How…?

Beside her lay a tall man with familiar features, his hair silvered and face peaceful. Lief froze. “No… it cannot be…”

Barda stepped closer, his face pale. “Endon,” he whispered. “By the heavens, Lief, that is your father.”

Jasmine knelt near another figure—a man with wild, fierce hair and an unkempt beard. His clothes were travel-stained, rough and worn, but he was unmistakable. “Doran…”

No one spoke for a long moment. The forest seemed to lean in, holding its breath. Only the small Digimon shifted restlessly, glancing between one another.

“How can this be?” Lief murmured at last, brushing a lock of hair from his mother’s brow. “Both Endon and Doran… they died months ago.”

Botamon’s round body bobbed slightly. “Maybe they were… called here? Like you were?”

Jasmine frowned. “Called by who?”

No one answered.

Then Bukamon stirred beside one of the remaining figures and gave a happy cry. “This one’s waking!”

The young red-haired man—Manus—blinked, groaning softly as he sat up. His eyes darted around, confusion flickering across his face. “Lief! Where in Deltora are we? And what are those?” He gestured to the wide-eyed creatures surrounding them.

“That,” Lief said grimly, “is what we are trying to learn.”

As Manus tried to gather his bearings, a faint sound drew Jasmine’s attention to the far edge of the clearing — a soft, rhythmic breathing.

“Over here,” she said quietly, moving through the grass toward the final still form. Lief and Barda followed, the Digimon close behind, their small bodies bobbing in the dappled light.

The woman lying before them was tall and strong, her dark hair spread like ink over the grass. A hunter’s knife hung at her belt, and her bow lay close to her hand.

“Lindal,” Lief breathed. “From Broome. But how—?”

Before he could finish, a tiny movement stirred at Lindal’s side. Something small and round, pale yellow with a long catlike tail, blinked up at them with wide blue eyes.

“Stay back,” it said in a soft but steady voice.

Lief and Barda froze. It wasn’t just that the creature had spoken — there was a keen awareness in its tone, a kind of calm, feline protectiveness.

“Who are you?” Jasmine asked gently.

The creature’s tail flicked as it positioned itself between Lindal and the group. “My name is Nyaromon. This human is my partner. She was chosen.”

“Chosen?” Lief echoed.

“Yes,” Nyaromon said simply. “As you were.”

At that, Lindal stirred. Her brow furrowed, and a low sound escaped her throat. “Nyaromon…?” she murmured.

“I’m here,” the small Digimon replied softly. “You’re safe.”

Lindal’s eyes fluttered open. For a heartbeat she looked disoriented — then she saw Lief, Jasmine, and Barda and sat up sharply, her hand instinctively flying to her knife.

“Peace, Lindal,” Lief said quickly, raising a hand. “It’s us — Lief, Jasmine, and Barda.”

Her gaze darted between them, confusion giving way to cautious relief, and affection as she saw Barda. “Lief? Then… where in the name of the heavens are we?”

“That,” Barda muttered in response to his girlfriend’s question, “seems to be the question of the day.”

Nyaromon’s tail curled thoughtfully as she glanced toward the still forms of Sharn, Endon, and Doran. “This is the Digital World,” she said quietly, “and it has chosen more than just you.”

The clearing fell silent again. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in broken shards, scattering across the still forms. Somewhere deep in the forest, a faint static hum whispered through the air — a strange, digital pulse that made the hairs on Lief’s neck rise.

The silence of the clearing pressed against them. Nyaromon’s tiny body twitched nervously, her tail flicking, while the others waited.

Suddenly, a faint shimmer ran along Endon’s chest, like sunlight dancing on water. Lief knelt beside him, heart hammering. “Father?” he whispered.

The shimmer grew warmer, spreading over Endon’s face and hands. Slowly, impossibly, his eyes opened. They were clear, steady — alive.

“Lief…?” Endon’s voice was hoarse but unmistakable. Relief and confusion mingled in his gaze. “How… how am I here?”

Barda took a cautious step forward, scanning the clearing as though expecting an ambush. “I don’t know,” he said softly. “But something… brought you back. Some force in this world, maybe… to restore balance after the Shadow Lord’s meddling.”

Jasmine knelt beside Doran, whose body now pulsed with the same shimmering light. His eyes blinked open, taking in the forest and the small Digimon around him. “Where… where are we?” he murmured, sitting up slowly.

Lief gripped his father’s hand, feeling the warmth of life he hadn’t dared hope to feel again. “We don’t know exactly,” he admitted. “But you’re safe. For now.”

Nyaromon padded closer to Lindal’s side, tail curling around her feet. “Whatever brought you here,” she said softly, “it chose wisely. But your enemy is near. He will not leave this balance unchallenged.”

The wind stirred through the clearing, carrying a strange, almost metallic hum. The sunlight flickered, scattering like broken mirrors across the ground. Somewhere in the distance, a faint ripple of energy pulsed through the air — a quiet, omnipresent reminder that this was a world both familiar and alien, shaped by forces beyond any of them.

The clearing was quiet, save for the soft rustle of leaves and the faint hum that seemed to ripple through the air. Endon slowly rose to his feet, still trembling with disbelief.

“Sharn…” His voice cracked with emotion, and his eyes, wide and bright, sought hers.

Sharn’s breath caught. Relief, joy, and disbelief swirled together as she ran to him. “Endon!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. “I thought—”

“You were gone,” Endon whispered, holding her tightly. “I don’t understand… but I am here now.”

Jasmine and Lief stepped back respectfully, giving the couple space. Even Barda, usually stoic, allowed a soft smile to break through his calm exterior.

Nearby, Doran and Manus were examining their surroundings, cautious but curious. Lindal, Nyaromon at her side, glanced at the others, reading their expressions.

“Come,” Nyaromon chirped, tail flicking toward a narrow path that wound along the forest floor. “There is someone you should meet — friends who can guide you and protect you.”

Bukamon and Botamon bobbed alongside, chattering softly, their small bodies leading the group with surprising authority. The path climbed steeply, and soon the group reached a cliff edge overlooking a jagged canyon. Hidden within a natural hollow in the rock was the mouth of a cave, partially concealed by vines.

“This way,” Bukamon called, gliding toward the opening.

Inside, the air was cooler and carried the faint scent of earth and stone. Two figures stood waiting: Doom, tall and dignified, his gaze softening the moment it met Jasmine’s. Without a word, she ran forward and threw her arms around him. “Father,” she murmured, resting her head against his chest.

Doom’s hand rested gently on her back. “Jasmine,” he said quietly, “you’re safe.”

Endon, still taking in the cavern, noticed a large, leonine figure standing near the shadows. The sight startled him, but the creature’s calm posture and warm gaze kept him from stepping back.

“I… who are you?” he asked cautiously, uncertainty threading his voice.

The lion-like warrior inclined his head. “I am a friend. My name is Leomon,” he rumbled, voice deep and steady. “You are safe here, but the enemy moves swiftly.”

Nyaromon’s tail flicked as she glanced around the group. “The enemy is near,” she repeated softly, her voice carrying a quiet warning. “We must be ready.”

Sharn held Endon’s hand tightly, relief still coursing through her. “We have been given a chance,” she said softly, looking around at the assembled companions and Digimon. “A chance to stand together again.”

The group exchanged quiet nods, each absorbing the weight of their reunion and the danger that still lurked. Above, the cliff face towered like a sentinel over the forest, and from somewhere far off, a faint digital hum pulsed — a reminder that the world they were in was no longer purely their own.

The group settled into the cave, the dim light revealing the rough walls and the shadows of stalactites overhead. Nyaromon padded forward, tail flicking as if to set the rhythm.

“But… who are all these creatures?” Endon asked softly, still holding Sharn’s hand. He glanced around at the small, oddly-shaped creatures clustered at various points in the cave.

“They are your partners,” Bukamon chirped, bouncing lightly. “They came with us from the forest!”

From the far side of the cave, a small, round, pink creature with long floppy ears, sharp little teeth, and red eyes bounced forward. “Hello!” it squeaked, spinning in place. “I’m Koromon! I’ll be with him!”

Endon knelt slowly, unsure but smiling faintly. “You… will be my partner?”

“Yes!” Koromon replied eagerly. “We’ll face the enemy together!”

A few steps away, a bulb-shaped, pale pink creature with a large blue flower sprouting from the top of its head hopped gently toward Sharn. Its tiny limbs trembled with excitement. “Yokomon,” it said softly, bowing its little head toward her.

Sharn blinked, crouching to meet its gaze. “And you… are mine?”

The creature chirped brightly. “Yes! I will stay by your side!”

Next, a small, pink, cylinder-shaped blob with elastic skin and a curvy, W-shaped smile wobbled forward, bouncing slightly with each movement. “Motimon!” it announced, stretching its cylindrical body as it moved toward Doran.

Doran raised an eyebrow, amused and slightly bewildered. “Motimon… alright then,” he said, holding out a hand. The small Digimon squirmed happily onto his palm, squeaking in delight.

Finally, a small, white rabbit-like creature with long ears bounded into view. Its big eyes sparkled, and it gave a cheerful, high-pitched cry. “Tokomon!” it said, hopping near Manus.

Manus laughed softly, crouching to meet it. “And you are mine,” he said. Tokomon chirped in agreement, bouncing happily on its long ears.

Nyaromon and the others circled the group once more, as if approving the pairings. “Now,” Nyaromon said, tail curling, “all are together. Each of you has a partner to face what is coming. But be cautious — the enemy watches.”

Leomon stepped forward, his golden mane catching the faint cave light. “We will guide you,” he rumbled. “But the road ahead is not without danger. Prepare yourselves — soon you will need to move.”

The humans and their newly awakened partners exchanged glances, the weight of the situation sinking in. Though fear lingered, there was also a flicker of hope — for the first time since their arrival, they felt that they were truly ready to face the unknown together.

The group gathered deeper in the cave, the faint light from the entrance casting long shadows on the rough walls. Leomon stood near the center, his golden mane glowing softly in the dim light, while Doom leaned against a stone pillar, his eyes scanning each member of the party with measured concern.

“You have all been brought here for a reason,” Leomon rumbled. “The enemy has returned — stronger than before, and with new allies you have yet to see.”

Endon tightened his grip on Sharn’s hand. “The enemy?” he asked, still trying to understand the world he had awakened to.

“Yes,” Nyaromon added, tail curling nervously. “Lindal tells me you know him as the Shadow Lord. He moves across this world, seeking power and control. We must stop him.”

Doom stepped forward, glancing at Jasmine. “It is not just us humans who are at risk,” he said softly, “but the balance of this world itself. We all must stay together, trust our partners, and be ready for anything.”

Sharn looked at Yokomon, her bulb-shaped companion trembling slightly beside her. “We understand,” she said firmly.

Leomon’s gaze swept across the assembled humans and Digimon. “Each of you has a partner for a reason. These small creatures are not merely companions — they are your guides, your strength, and your allies. If you work together, you may yet turn the tide.”

A faint ripple of digital energy pulsed through the cave walls, a reminder of the strange intersection between their world and the unknown. Tokomon twitched its ears, Motimon wobbled, and Koromon bounced lightly, as if sensing the invisible tension.
Doom’s voice softened as he looked at Jasmine, then at Lief and Barda. “We do not know the full extent of our enemy’s plans, but I promise you this: you will not face them alone. Trust your partners, trust each other, and stay vigilant.”

Leomon’s rumbling voice carried through the cave. “The road ahead will be dangerous. The enemy has allied himself with creatures as strong as any of us. You must prepare — not just to survive, but to protect this world.”

A hush fell over the group. The weight of their task pressed down on them, but in the quiet, there was also a spark — a flicker of hope that they were no longer lost, that they had allies both human and Digimon to face what was coming.

Koromon bounced on Endon’s shoulder. Nyaromon curled around Lindal’s feet. Tokomon twitched with excitement, and Motimon wobbled happily beside Doran. The group shared a silent glance — their new bonds felt real, and for the first time since their arrival in this strange world, they felt ready.

Above, the cave mouth framed the forest outside. Somewhere in the distance, a faint digital hum pulsed, a whisper of the unknown challenges that awaited. Together, humans and Digimon would step forward — into a world that was no longer just Deltora, no longer just theirs, and yet somehow, still theirs to protect.