Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Shuffle ❯ The Final Deal ( Chapter 29 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Lord Archive 
Decissions have been made, the children have gone home, yet the promise of more adventures await them.
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Hentai / Sci-fi / Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 10.19.2012 | Updated On: 10.19.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 669 | Status: Completed
Decissions have been made, the children have gone home, yet the promise of more adventures await them.
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Hentai / Sci-fi / Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 10.19.2012 | Updated On: 10.19.2012 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 669 | Status: Completed
The Shuffle
Chapter Twenty-nine – The Final Deal
By: Lord Archive
Digimon belongs to Toei Animation and Akiyoshi Hongo. They are used without permission or the intent of profit. All rights reserved.
--
The final event of the games was nearing the end. A race across the distance of the entire world. It was one of the first events to start, but with the result of the race, the first Games of Peace would be over.
Mimi frowned at the mass of Devimon that flew into view. Yet as they approached the finish line, they scattered allowing a lone Togemon to cross the line before the plant digimon collapsed panting hard.
"I finished the race!" Togemon cheered. "I'm in last, aren't I?"
Mimi walked up with a forced smile. "You're both last and first."
Togemon tired sat up. "What do you mean?"
"Of the nine entrants in the race... you're the only to cross the finish line," Mimi informed. "Of the other eight, four are dead, three are severely injured, and Cherubimon disqualified the Angemon responsible for most of that." Mimi let out a forced laugh. "Congratulations, you've won the right for plant digimon to hold council with the light and the dark."
Togemon laughed. "I hope they don't put me in the council seat."
Cherubimon stepped forward. "For winning this contest in fair sportsmanship, I acknowledge Togemon as the winner of the race."
"As do I," Barbamon agreed.
A cheer erupted from the few plant digimon in the audience. They immediately rushed out and swarmed Togemon.
Mimi smiled at the scene, suspecting that the Togemon may have cursed himself, as she could not see another plant digimon that would be more popular. At least one that was staying in this world. She turned and walked toward her teammates.
Micheal bowed to her. "Come on, Princess. You're over due to go home."
Mimi glanced back at the impromptu celebration. "I'll be back."
Meeting up with the Paris team, the last of the Chosen left Xuanwumon's dimension.
Asuramon watched as the pillar of light faded. "Thank you and see you soon."
--
Iori strode into school, for perhaps the first time feeling like this was where he belonged. It even felt right to have V-mon following right behind him. Considering now that half the classroom had digimon, it would be strange for him not to have his partner with him.
"Good morning," Sayuri greeted.
Iori gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good morning."
Sayuri slapped his arm. "Not in public."
"You were the one that let everyone know we were dating," Iori pointed out.
"That was a moment of temporary emotional insanity," Sayuri countered.
"Why don't you two just get a room?" Psychemon groused.
"I think we spent enough time in a room over break," Sayuri shot back with a blush.
"They've got school," V-mon pointed out. "We could sneak off somewhere private."
Psychemon slapped her paw over his mouth. "Hush you."
Iori smirked. "The more desperate you are, the less likely you'll get anything."
Yume skidded into her classroom and then did a little jump for joy. "Beat you!"
Bakumon panted as she floated in behind her partner. "Not fair when you've got longer legs."
"Not my fault!" Yume shot back.
"You're walking?!" chorused the classroom.
"For now anyway," Bakumon commented.
Yume smack her partner's snout. "Not another word."
Sayuri folded her arms. "Are you really going to try to hide everything?"
"Not hide, but not announce things people don't need to know yet," Yume countered.
Iori nodded. "It is best to keep quiet on certain issues and let her enjoy being normal for the time being."
"'Normal?'" Sayuri shot at him incredulously.
"What's going on?" a classmate demanded.
"That is a secret!" V-mon chirped.
The school bell chimed and the homeroom teacher entered class to start the day.
--
Taichi frowned as he walked to school alone. Sora should be with him, yet because she 'had a child' she had been expelled. As he rounded the corner he saw a large number of students sitting defiantly in front of the school gates, most of them were girls and many were not in school uniform. News crews were present and broadcasting.
"What's the deal?" Taichi wondered.
Yamato had been standing nearby. "You know I've been ranting about how unfair it is a pregnant fifteen-year-old girl can't go to school, yet a murderer of the same age can?"
Taichi nodded.
"Well it seems I might've started a bit of a revolt over that." Yamato shrugged weakly. "With a few other girls across Japan facing similar issues as Sora, well... this isn't the only school having protests."
The principal marched up to them. "You're the ones that have caused this mess. You need to get your fellow students back into class."
"Can't do that when they're here to support me, my wife, and now my little sister," Taichi retorted.
"The position you put girls who choose to keep their children to always have to rely on men by not giving them equal access to education is wrong," Yamato added. "I for one won't step foot back into school until Yagami Sora is allowed to attend as well."
"I don't have the ability to override rules set forth by the government," the Principal protested.
"Then the government needs to change that rule," Taichi shot back. He then strode straight to the news cameras and gave Japan a piece of his mind, "I was just asked to put an end to this demonstration. I'm not going to do that! My wife, yes wife, is among the few girls not allowed to attend school because she decided life was more important than ending an 'inconvenient pregnancy.' And ending it would not have just prevented the birth of my daughter, but kept my daughter's digimon partner from hatching as well! And why isn't Sora allowed to go to school? Because a young mother brings a 'bad name' to the school she attends? Sora is a fucking hero who saved two worlds. How is having someone who risked her life to save every single life on this planet a 'bad name?' Her powers as a Chosen Child came from love, and now she's being punished for expressing that which gave her the ability to save the Earth. Every last person that is denying her education should be kissing her ass in gratitude for saving theirs!"
--
"It's been a while," Mimi greeted as Ken entered the coffee shop.
Ken fidgeted. "It has." He sat down next to her. "I hear it was a much longer time for you."
Mimi nodded. "I'm starting to look remarkably young for my real age."
Ken nodded. "How have you been?"
"Exhausted," Mimi whined. "Getting a peace treaty hammered out was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Yet, in the end, I may have saved the lives of thousands... even if I had to help kill someone again." She pouted. "There was no choice with him. To save those thousands, he had to die."
"You've accepted that?" Ken wondered with a touch of surprise.
"Imagine if Piemon had not been defeated by Holy Angemon and had almost a century more to gather power, that was the Dark Master who lead two armies into genocidal war," Mimi intoned. "Maybe if he's reborn, he'll become our ally like Mugen Dramon... but I seriously doubt that. He was truly evil."
"Yet there is always hope," Ken replied with a forced smile, but then fidgeted a little.
Mimi gazed at him. "How's Miyako doing?"
"Ah, er... um... she..." Ken stammered.
Mimi shook her head. "Is she at risk of increasing the number of pregnant Chosen?"
Ken sheepishly nodded.
Mimi pouted. "Would you be the father... if she is?"
Ken failed to look at her as he nodded again.
Mimi let out a sigh of relief. "I have something to admit as well. In working on the peace treaty... it was tiring, frustrating and stressful. I... needed someone to help me. To be there for me. To support me."
Ken blinked and stared at her. "Are you saying...?"
"I'm also at risk of increasing the number. I became very close to Micheal in the final days I was in Xuanwumon's dimension," Mimi admitted.
Ken frowned. "I see... I'm not exactly happy with that, but I'm hardly in a position to complain."
Mimi grabbed his hands tenderly. "I know this isn't how we wanted things to end between us, but I'm not sure we were ever meant to be. You were a crutch at a time I needed help."
Ken looked away. "I can't say you weren't my crutch as well. Helping me deal with my past and being someone to help me not feel lonely any more."
"The fact we both found someone else does help us. We can move forward as friends," Mimi offered.
"Yes, I would like that," Ken agreed. "If you need any help, just let me know."
"You as well. I will help you if you ever need it," Mimi pledged.
--
Takeru's After Story Notes:
While it seemed that every few weeks another Chosen girl ended up pregnant, Miyako wasn't counted among that number until six months later. I wish I could say Yume wasn't one of those 'first years,' but she was, while Sayuri managed to hold off and became the first of the 'second year' batch. And while the schools made some concessions to allow a girl who was 'not pregnant' attend school, Taichi got his revenge on Sora rather quickly and she was promptly not allowed to return for being pregnant, again.
We began to wonder if the threat Chaos Dramon spouted about truly existed as there was no singular explosion of girls all getting pregnant within days of each other, rather than weeks or months, nor any attempts made to grab the children. Eventually we did learn there was a reason, but that adventure would be for another book.
When I wrote the ending to Adventures 02, there was no intention of writing about this part of our lives. It was too personal. Even going into details of how some of our children were conceived. Yet, with Digital World history becoming an important part of school, there had to be an answers as to why some of the strongest and most experienced Chosen Children left in the middle of the War of Machines to broker the peace that finally freed Xuanwumon from his dimensional seal. We could've lied, come up with some story about the dimension breaking down and being stuck with a limited amount of time to solve the issue. But lies did not save the two worlds, nor would it sit right with those of us whose powers relate to purity or honesty. If we were to finally answer why, it would be with the truth.
Now some people had some issues with what was said when I had revealed information about our lives in 2021. Whether it was too vague, only mentioned one marriage, or questioning some of our job choices. There was a couple reasons I didn't say more. I had wanted to end the book on a positive note, and, well, divorce and death aren't exactly positive. Nor did I want to bring up questionable aspects of our lives, that a few of the Chosen girls never got to finish school by starting a family. So, I'll go into things a bit more of where we're at in 2023.
As for the pictures, those were put in by the previous editor at the last minute. Neither I, nor some of the other Odaiba Chosen, were pleased that some of those images misrepresented what was really going on. Using pictures of our kids when they were younger or suggesting our grandchildren were our children.
Taichi really is an ambassador to the Digital World, officially anyway. In truth he's more leader of the Chosen Army. Any threat to the Digital World, and he will stand at the front line with a full army ready to protect it, even when the enemy is human in origin.
Sora could've lived just as the ambassador's wife, but much like her mother found being just a simple housewife boring, though she never did enjoy arranging flowers. As Sora did not finish school, her options were limited and tried a few different jobs before finding running a store that specialized in creating customized traditional Japanese clothes to be most enjoyable.
The Wolves of the Hunt continued to do well internationally, even if often mocked that it was popular only because Yamato was one of the first true Chosen, still their last album 'Life on Mars' topped the charts in six countries when it was released two years ago, particularly Japan and the United States. And the photo wasn't faked. Yamato and Gabumon really are officially recognized astronauts. They had used computers that had been sent to Mars to be able to open a portal there. It may be cheating, but they are indeed the first to step foot on the red planet. The picture was taken by a member of the international group of scientists he brought with him to help with the research of our planetary neighbor.
Why didn't I mention who Sora married in the 02 ending? Well, it's because what was once a tabloid joke had become a reality. Sora still loved both Taichi and Yamato, Yamato loved Taichi and Sora, and after being Sora, Taichi wasn't as straight as he was before the switch. Yamato became a family friend with benefits that didn't always involve Sora. The 'scandal' that Sora's third child was Yamato's wasn't an issue to the ones involved. It may be an unusual relationship, but it was one they were comfortable with, especially as Taichi is almost constantly away due to his work, Sora practically needed a lover. At least that's how she rationalized it.
As mentioned, Taichi gave birth to Sora's daughter, Sora gave birth to Taichi's son, and then Sora had Yamato's son. Can't believe as I'm writing this little Ai is getting ready for college. She did not want to repeat her parent's mistakes and did not let love distract her from her ambitions, though she was tempted. Her younger full brother had no such reservation and has already made Taichi and Sora grandparents.
Jyou eventually did marry Kasumi, against his mother's wishes. While they have mended their differences, I understand family gatherings still make Kasumi uncomfortable. They have a son and a daughter together. Sadly their little girl died in an accident at the age of five. Despite Jyou's insistence that his son can pick his own future, the boy is even more of a bookworm wanting to follow his father's footsteps as a doctor to digimon and is aiming to attend Tokyo University in a few years.
Koushiro, professor at Tokyo University and head of the Digital World Sciences Research Department. No real surprise there, nor was Ayashi having Koushiro's daughter as soon as they finished high school. His penchant for burying himself into his work never went away, and they are currently separated. Ayashi works as a linguist, translating documents for international businesses. While she has primary custody of their daughter, their little girl has made sure to include herself in her father's life, by constantly calling him on webcam, reminding him when to go to sleep or go to a lecture.
Ken deciding to become a police officer and then a detective was a bit of a surprise, but considering that Miyako was pregnant for the third time when he graduated high school, he needed a serious job sooner than later. He apparently secretly liked detective stories, but thought such a job was below his parent's hopes and had said nothing of his desires.
Miyako ended up with a basketball team, having five boys. She never did finish school thanks to being barefoot and pregnant repeatedly. She isn't just a housewife though, considering she runs a minor online web design business to help make ends meet as a detective's salary certainly isn't going to cover all the expenses for their large family. It certainly wasn't how she thought things would turn out, thinking children would come after college, not during junior high. Still, she has no regrets.
Miyako was particularly not pleased with the image used of her. The infant was her grandson from her eldest son, and the freaked out girl, while looking rather like Miyako, was in fact not her daughter yet. The girl had just learned she was pregnant by their second son and was getting a crash course on what to expect.
Mimi became an online sensation with her special brand of web programing. Some have dubbed her the new queen of talk shows, having taken pages from talk show hosts of her childhood: Oprah, Martha Stewart and Ellen. Her show is one part entertainment, one part cooking and home making, and one part informational. She did have a son with Micheal almost two years after the events of this book. They never did marry, but remain good friends.
Iori joined Ken on the police force right after high school as he wanted to help people and support Sayuri and their daughter, and being an officer offered a way to take care of both desires. However, his time as an officer opened his eyes to issues in the judicial system and eventually went back to school to become a defense attorney. Yes, the boy who was originally Daisuke, who had detested school, went back to school for a law degree.
I suspect that if I had stayed as I was born, I would've done the same.
Sayuri went into politics with a platform focused on responsible government. She has been a lot more popular with the people than her fellow politicians and corporate donors. Only having a daughter was mostly Sayuri's idea, but between their jobs, they don't exactly have the time to add to their family. Their daughter holds a similar determination as Ai to wait until university before having serious relationships, and when Ai and her agree on something a raging horde of Ultimate digimon won't stop them.
Hikari struggled through school to become a kindergarten teacher as she always wanted, even if she had to stop attending twice to give birth to her sons. She never gave up on her dreams, even when it would've been easier to rely on her husband. The reason why I didn't mention who she married before is that while Daisuke fathered both her children, he was Takeru when she conceived her first child.
Daisuke spent a bit of time trying to find something he could focus on. He went through different majors in university, but nothing seemed right. Then came an offer that seemed perfect.
Our digimon were getting jealous of us starting careers and doing more with our lives. They wanted jobs of their own, but beyond working in military or public safety, digimon couldn't find jobs on Earth. If no one would hire them, they decided to make their own business. Working with Daisuke they created the now international Ramen Cart business. While Daisuke is legally the owner and proprietor, the reason it was able to spread so far and wide is because digimon partners from around the world were the ones running them.
As for me, being a writer and editor of our adventures allows me to work the side job as one of Taichi's Lieutenants, patrolling the Digital World for trouble. It is sadly still an unpaid job, but one I gladly do to help ensure children, especially my son, does not have to experience the dangers I did. To risk their lives. To spare them from the chance that they'll never come home... as my wife failed to do during one of our adventures.
Yume, I still miss you.
Dedicated to the memory of Takaishi Yume.
--
Lord Archive's notes:
Yes, this is the end of The Shuffle. Took me long enough to get the final 'third' done.
Why the changes in the children from the original animated series' epilogue? Because the epilogue used was not the first draft. Miyako was going to have five sons in the first version, and not all the other children of the Digimon cast stayed the same either. Whether they didn't use that epilogue because it was leaked or because someone in charge didn't like the idea of Hikari pairing off with someone in the cast *cough*Takeru*cough*, I don't know. While the relationships were changed, the jobs on the spoiled epilogue were not. I wish I had saved the original spoiled ending Claymore had posted before the end of Adventures 02 aired in Japan. If I had, I would've lined the children up closer to that.
Chapter Twenty-nine – The Final Deal
By: Lord Archive
Digimon belongs to Toei Animation and Akiyoshi Hongo. They are used without permission or the intent of profit. All rights reserved.
--
The final event of the games was nearing the end. A race across the distance of the entire world. It was one of the first events to start, but with the result of the race, the first Games of Peace would be over.
Mimi frowned at the mass of Devimon that flew into view. Yet as they approached the finish line, they scattered allowing a lone Togemon to cross the line before the plant digimon collapsed panting hard.
"I finished the race!" Togemon cheered. "I'm in last, aren't I?"
Mimi walked up with a forced smile. "You're both last and first."
Togemon tired sat up. "What do you mean?"
"Of the nine entrants in the race... you're the only to cross the finish line," Mimi informed. "Of the other eight, four are dead, three are severely injured, and Cherubimon disqualified the Angemon responsible for most of that." Mimi let out a forced laugh. "Congratulations, you've won the right for plant digimon to hold council with the light and the dark."
Togemon laughed. "I hope they don't put me in the council seat."
Cherubimon stepped forward. "For winning this contest in fair sportsmanship, I acknowledge Togemon as the winner of the race."
"As do I," Barbamon agreed.
A cheer erupted from the few plant digimon in the audience. They immediately rushed out and swarmed Togemon.
Mimi smiled at the scene, suspecting that the Togemon may have cursed himself, as she could not see another plant digimon that would be more popular. At least one that was staying in this world. She turned and walked toward her teammates.
Micheal bowed to her. "Come on, Princess. You're over due to go home."
Mimi glanced back at the impromptu celebration. "I'll be back."
Meeting up with the Paris team, the last of the Chosen left Xuanwumon's dimension.
Asuramon watched as the pillar of light faded. "Thank you and see you soon."
--
Iori strode into school, for perhaps the first time feeling like this was where he belonged. It even felt right to have V-mon following right behind him. Considering now that half the classroom had digimon, it would be strange for him not to have his partner with him.
"Good morning," Sayuri greeted.
Iori gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good morning."
Sayuri slapped his arm. "Not in public."
"You were the one that let everyone know we were dating," Iori pointed out.
"That was a moment of temporary emotional insanity," Sayuri countered.
"Why don't you two just get a room?" Psychemon groused.
"I think we spent enough time in a room over break," Sayuri shot back with a blush.
"They've got school," V-mon pointed out. "We could sneak off somewhere private."
Psychemon slapped her paw over his mouth. "Hush you."
Iori smirked. "The more desperate you are, the less likely you'll get anything."
Yume skidded into her classroom and then did a little jump for joy. "Beat you!"
Bakumon panted as she floated in behind her partner. "Not fair when you've got longer legs."
"Not my fault!" Yume shot back.
"You're walking?!" chorused the classroom.
"For now anyway," Bakumon commented.
Yume smack her partner's snout. "Not another word."
Sayuri folded her arms. "Are you really going to try to hide everything?"
"Not hide, but not announce things people don't need to know yet," Yume countered.
Iori nodded. "It is best to keep quiet on certain issues and let her enjoy being normal for the time being."
"'Normal?'" Sayuri shot at him incredulously.
"What's going on?" a classmate demanded.
"That is a secret!" V-mon chirped.
The school bell chimed and the homeroom teacher entered class to start the day.
--
Taichi frowned as he walked to school alone. Sora should be with him, yet because she 'had a child' she had been expelled. As he rounded the corner he saw a large number of students sitting defiantly in front of the school gates, most of them were girls and many were not in school uniform. News crews were present and broadcasting.
"What's the deal?" Taichi wondered.
Yamato had been standing nearby. "You know I've been ranting about how unfair it is a pregnant fifteen-year-old girl can't go to school, yet a murderer of the same age can?"
Taichi nodded.
"Well it seems I might've started a bit of a revolt over that." Yamato shrugged weakly. "With a few other girls across Japan facing similar issues as Sora, well... this isn't the only school having protests."
The principal marched up to them. "You're the ones that have caused this mess. You need to get your fellow students back into class."
"Can't do that when they're here to support me, my wife, and now my little sister," Taichi retorted.
"The position you put girls who choose to keep their children to always have to rely on men by not giving them equal access to education is wrong," Yamato added. "I for one won't step foot back into school until Yagami Sora is allowed to attend as well."
"I don't have the ability to override rules set forth by the government," the Principal protested.
"Then the government needs to change that rule," Taichi shot back. He then strode straight to the news cameras and gave Japan a piece of his mind, "I was just asked to put an end to this demonstration. I'm not going to do that! My wife, yes wife, is among the few girls not allowed to attend school because she decided life was more important than ending an 'inconvenient pregnancy.' And ending it would not have just prevented the birth of my daughter, but kept my daughter's digimon partner from hatching as well! And why isn't Sora allowed to go to school? Because a young mother brings a 'bad name' to the school she attends? Sora is a fucking hero who saved two worlds. How is having someone who risked her life to save every single life on this planet a 'bad name?' Her powers as a Chosen Child came from love, and now she's being punished for expressing that which gave her the ability to save the Earth. Every last person that is denying her education should be kissing her ass in gratitude for saving theirs!"
--
"It's been a while," Mimi greeted as Ken entered the coffee shop.
Ken fidgeted. "It has." He sat down next to her. "I hear it was a much longer time for you."
Mimi nodded. "I'm starting to look remarkably young for my real age."
Ken nodded. "How have you been?"
"Exhausted," Mimi whined. "Getting a peace treaty hammered out was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Yet, in the end, I may have saved the lives of thousands... even if I had to help kill someone again." She pouted. "There was no choice with him. To save those thousands, he had to die."
"You've accepted that?" Ken wondered with a touch of surprise.
"Imagine if Piemon had not been defeated by Holy Angemon and had almost a century more to gather power, that was the Dark Master who lead two armies into genocidal war," Mimi intoned. "Maybe if he's reborn, he'll become our ally like Mugen Dramon... but I seriously doubt that. He was truly evil."
"Yet there is always hope," Ken replied with a forced smile, but then fidgeted a little.
Mimi gazed at him. "How's Miyako doing?"
"Ah, er... um... she..." Ken stammered.
Mimi shook her head. "Is she at risk of increasing the number of pregnant Chosen?"
Ken sheepishly nodded.
Mimi pouted. "Would you be the father... if she is?"
Ken failed to look at her as he nodded again.
Mimi let out a sigh of relief. "I have something to admit as well. In working on the peace treaty... it was tiring, frustrating and stressful. I... needed someone to help me. To be there for me. To support me."
Ken blinked and stared at her. "Are you saying...?"
"I'm also at risk of increasing the number. I became very close to Micheal in the final days I was in Xuanwumon's dimension," Mimi admitted.
Ken frowned. "I see... I'm not exactly happy with that, but I'm hardly in a position to complain."
Mimi grabbed his hands tenderly. "I know this isn't how we wanted things to end between us, but I'm not sure we were ever meant to be. You were a crutch at a time I needed help."
Ken looked away. "I can't say you weren't my crutch as well. Helping me deal with my past and being someone to help me not feel lonely any more."
"The fact we both found someone else does help us. We can move forward as friends," Mimi offered.
"Yes, I would like that," Ken agreed. "If you need any help, just let me know."
"You as well. I will help you if you ever need it," Mimi pledged.
--
Takeru's After Story Notes:
While it seemed that every few weeks another Chosen girl ended up pregnant, Miyako wasn't counted among that number until six months later. I wish I could say Yume wasn't one of those 'first years,' but she was, while Sayuri managed to hold off and became the first of the 'second year' batch. And while the schools made some concessions to allow a girl who was 'not pregnant' attend school, Taichi got his revenge on Sora rather quickly and she was promptly not allowed to return for being pregnant, again.
We began to wonder if the threat Chaos Dramon spouted about truly existed as there was no singular explosion of girls all getting pregnant within days of each other, rather than weeks or months, nor any attempts made to grab the children. Eventually we did learn there was a reason, but that adventure would be for another book.
When I wrote the ending to Adventures 02, there was no intention of writing about this part of our lives. It was too personal. Even going into details of how some of our children were conceived. Yet, with Digital World history becoming an important part of school, there had to be an answers as to why some of the strongest and most experienced Chosen Children left in the middle of the War of Machines to broker the peace that finally freed Xuanwumon from his dimensional seal. We could've lied, come up with some story about the dimension breaking down and being stuck with a limited amount of time to solve the issue. But lies did not save the two worlds, nor would it sit right with those of us whose powers relate to purity or honesty. If we were to finally answer why, it would be with the truth.
Now some people had some issues with what was said when I had revealed information about our lives in 2021. Whether it was too vague, only mentioned one marriage, or questioning some of our job choices. There was a couple reasons I didn't say more. I had wanted to end the book on a positive note, and, well, divorce and death aren't exactly positive. Nor did I want to bring up questionable aspects of our lives, that a few of the Chosen girls never got to finish school by starting a family. So, I'll go into things a bit more of where we're at in 2023.
As for the pictures, those were put in by the previous editor at the last minute. Neither I, nor some of the other Odaiba Chosen, were pleased that some of those images misrepresented what was really going on. Using pictures of our kids when they were younger or suggesting our grandchildren were our children.
Taichi really is an ambassador to the Digital World, officially anyway. In truth he's more leader of the Chosen Army. Any threat to the Digital World, and he will stand at the front line with a full army ready to protect it, even when the enemy is human in origin.
Sora could've lived just as the ambassador's wife, but much like her mother found being just a simple housewife boring, though she never did enjoy arranging flowers. As Sora did not finish school, her options were limited and tried a few different jobs before finding running a store that specialized in creating customized traditional Japanese clothes to be most enjoyable.
The Wolves of the Hunt continued to do well internationally, even if often mocked that it was popular only because Yamato was one of the first true Chosen, still their last album 'Life on Mars' topped the charts in six countries when it was released two years ago, particularly Japan and the United States. And the photo wasn't faked. Yamato and Gabumon really are officially recognized astronauts. They had used computers that had been sent to Mars to be able to open a portal there. It may be cheating, but they are indeed the first to step foot on the red planet. The picture was taken by a member of the international group of scientists he brought with him to help with the research of our planetary neighbor.
Why didn't I mention who Sora married in the 02 ending? Well, it's because what was once a tabloid joke had become a reality. Sora still loved both Taichi and Yamato, Yamato loved Taichi and Sora, and after being Sora, Taichi wasn't as straight as he was before the switch. Yamato became a family friend with benefits that didn't always involve Sora. The 'scandal' that Sora's third child was Yamato's wasn't an issue to the ones involved. It may be an unusual relationship, but it was one they were comfortable with, especially as Taichi is almost constantly away due to his work, Sora practically needed a lover. At least that's how she rationalized it.
As mentioned, Taichi gave birth to Sora's daughter, Sora gave birth to Taichi's son, and then Sora had Yamato's son. Can't believe as I'm writing this little Ai is getting ready for college. She did not want to repeat her parent's mistakes and did not let love distract her from her ambitions, though she was tempted. Her younger full brother had no such reservation and has already made Taichi and Sora grandparents.
Jyou eventually did marry Kasumi, against his mother's wishes. While they have mended their differences, I understand family gatherings still make Kasumi uncomfortable. They have a son and a daughter together. Sadly their little girl died in an accident at the age of five. Despite Jyou's insistence that his son can pick his own future, the boy is even more of a bookworm wanting to follow his father's footsteps as a doctor to digimon and is aiming to attend Tokyo University in a few years.
Koushiro, professor at Tokyo University and head of the Digital World Sciences Research Department. No real surprise there, nor was Ayashi having Koushiro's daughter as soon as they finished high school. His penchant for burying himself into his work never went away, and they are currently separated. Ayashi works as a linguist, translating documents for international businesses. While she has primary custody of their daughter, their little girl has made sure to include herself in her father's life, by constantly calling him on webcam, reminding him when to go to sleep or go to a lecture.
Ken deciding to become a police officer and then a detective was a bit of a surprise, but considering that Miyako was pregnant for the third time when he graduated high school, he needed a serious job sooner than later. He apparently secretly liked detective stories, but thought such a job was below his parent's hopes and had said nothing of his desires.
Miyako ended up with a basketball team, having five boys. She never did finish school thanks to being barefoot and pregnant repeatedly. She isn't just a housewife though, considering she runs a minor online web design business to help make ends meet as a detective's salary certainly isn't going to cover all the expenses for their large family. It certainly wasn't how she thought things would turn out, thinking children would come after college, not during junior high. Still, she has no regrets.
Miyako was particularly not pleased with the image used of her. The infant was her grandson from her eldest son, and the freaked out girl, while looking rather like Miyako, was in fact not her daughter yet. The girl had just learned she was pregnant by their second son and was getting a crash course on what to expect.
Mimi became an online sensation with her special brand of web programing. Some have dubbed her the new queen of talk shows, having taken pages from talk show hosts of her childhood: Oprah, Martha Stewart and Ellen. Her show is one part entertainment, one part cooking and home making, and one part informational. She did have a son with Micheal almost two years after the events of this book. They never did marry, but remain good friends.
Iori joined Ken on the police force right after high school as he wanted to help people and support Sayuri and their daughter, and being an officer offered a way to take care of both desires. However, his time as an officer opened his eyes to issues in the judicial system and eventually went back to school to become a defense attorney. Yes, the boy who was originally Daisuke, who had detested school, went back to school for a law degree.
I suspect that if I had stayed as I was born, I would've done the same.
Sayuri went into politics with a platform focused on responsible government. She has been a lot more popular with the people than her fellow politicians and corporate donors. Only having a daughter was mostly Sayuri's idea, but between their jobs, they don't exactly have the time to add to their family. Their daughter holds a similar determination as Ai to wait until university before having serious relationships, and when Ai and her agree on something a raging horde of Ultimate digimon won't stop them.
Hikari struggled through school to become a kindergarten teacher as she always wanted, even if she had to stop attending twice to give birth to her sons. She never gave up on her dreams, even when it would've been easier to rely on her husband. The reason why I didn't mention who she married before is that while Daisuke fathered both her children, he was Takeru when she conceived her first child.
Daisuke spent a bit of time trying to find something he could focus on. He went through different majors in university, but nothing seemed right. Then came an offer that seemed perfect.
Our digimon were getting jealous of us starting careers and doing more with our lives. They wanted jobs of their own, but beyond working in military or public safety, digimon couldn't find jobs on Earth. If no one would hire them, they decided to make their own business. Working with Daisuke they created the now international Ramen Cart business. While Daisuke is legally the owner and proprietor, the reason it was able to spread so far and wide is because digimon partners from around the world were the ones running them.
As for me, being a writer and editor of our adventures allows me to work the side job as one of Taichi's Lieutenants, patrolling the Digital World for trouble. It is sadly still an unpaid job, but one I gladly do to help ensure children, especially my son, does not have to experience the dangers I did. To risk their lives. To spare them from the chance that they'll never come home... as my wife failed to do during one of our adventures.
Yume, I still miss you.
Dedicated to the memory of Takaishi Yume.
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Lord Archive's notes:
Yes, this is the end of The Shuffle. Took me long enough to get the final 'third' done.
Why the changes in the children from the original animated series' epilogue? Because the epilogue used was not the first draft. Miyako was going to have five sons in the first version, and not all the other children of the Digimon cast stayed the same either. Whether they didn't use that epilogue because it was leaked or because someone in charge didn't like the idea of Hikari pairing off with someone in the cast *cough*Takeru*cough*, I don't know. While the relationships were changed, the jobs on the spoiled epilogue were not. I wish I had saved the original spoiled ending Claymore had posted before the end of Adventures 02 aired in Japan. If I had, I would've lined the children up closer to that.