Warm Welcome...Not

The five lights soared through the night sky over the Everfree Forest. The lights started to make their descents down towards different parts of the forest, where odd creatures awaited the lights' occupants to arrive.

Once the light reached its destination, it stopped above the forest floor and descended downward. As it rested upon the forest floor, the light vanished without a trace leaving the humans lying on the ground, unconscious from the momentum as it traveled across the stars. The odd creatures each made their way towards their respective unconscious humans as they knew that this was who they were waiting to appear to them.

***

"Hey, you! Are you ok?"

Matt’s body began to stir as he heard a high pitched voice speaking out to him.

"You think he's alive?"

His brain began to send signals across his body as he heard yet another voice, even though the statement happened to be directed towards the first voice.

"I'm not sure, but I hope so."

Matt groaned as he felt his body coming back to him. Matt slowly opened his eyes to see nothing more than blobs, and mutated colors fill his vision. He groaned as he closed his eyes and opened them again. His vision was coming slowly, coming back to him.

"Oh, he's awake."

Matt rubbed his head as he sat up. He looked around to see he was sitting in the middle of a forest. Matt looked up to see a dark sky full of stars, which meant night had fallen. He looked around, and soon his eyes came down to two strange creatures. One looked like a grey seal with no back flippers and orange hair. The other looked like a red blob with legs, a tail, and batwings. He blinked his eyes, but the two strange creatures were still there. He rubbed his eyes, but there they still stood.

"Ok, this has to be a dream." He reached over to his right arm and pinched himself. He flinched out from the pain, "Ok, I felt that, which means this isn't a dream, and I'm looking at two strange creatures out of a children's coloring book."

"Creatures, no, we are Digimon," said the red blob in a high pitched voice.

"Digimon?" Asked Matt

"Yeah, Digimon, Digital Monsters." Said the grey seal

"Digital Monsters?" Asked Matt

"Man, you sure love repeating things. But anyway, I'm Gigimon."

"And I'm Bukamon."

"Um, well, I'm Matthew Summers, but you can call me Matt."

"Nice to meet you." Said Bukamon

Matt looked around at the towering trees around him, "So you two have any idea where we are?"

"Nope, we arrived only a few minutes before you appeared here from a strange light." Said Gigimon

Matt scratched his head and closed his eyes. A light, could he be talking about the light that enveloped me when I touched that strange object. But why did it take me to a forest? And where does this forest happen to be? Matt rubbed his head as he had way too many questions and barely any answers. Matt looked back at Gigimon and Bukamon.

"So, I'm guessing you haven't seen any other humans around?" Asked Matt

"If you're referring to what you are, nope." Said Bukamon

Matt sighed as he got up and that when he felt something in his right hand. He looked to see the strange device from earlier. He spun it around in his hand as he looked at it. I wonder what's up with this thing. Matt decided that worrying about the object in his hand wasn’t necessary at this moment. He attached it to his pants before looking around him. He was happy that the bright moon gave him some form of light to see in the dense forest surrounding him. At least I can see. I guess that’s one good thing. Now I need to find Alice and Abby.

Matt wasn’t even sure if Alice and Abby were also in the forest. He sighed but looked down at Gigimon and Bukamon. Maybe they saw another light coming into the forest. Matt looked at both of the Digimon, “Did either of you see any other lights come down to this forest?”

“Yeah, we saw four other lights along with yours. I think the nearest one is that way.” Matt turned to see Bukamon was pointing to the way in front of him.

“Thanks, Bukamon.” Said Matt

Hold on, Abby and Alice, I’m coming to find you guys. But now I’m wondering who the other two lights belong to if Abby, Alice, and I were three of them. I guess I’ll find out sooner or later. Matt began to make his way towards the way Bukamon pointed out to him.

"Where are you going, Matt?" Asked Gigimon

"I'm going to look for my sister and my best friend. I have to make sure they're both ok." Said Matt

"Then, wait for us." Said Bukamon

"You want to follow me?" Asked Matt

"That's right." Said Bukamon

"Ok, I guess I could use the company. Let's get moving." Said Matt

Bukamon and Gigimon smiled at each other before Bukamon flew over to Matt, and Gigimon hopped over to him. Matt picked up Gigimon and looked at him.

"Thanks." Said Gigimon

"No problem." Said Matt

Bukamon followed close behind Matt as he carried Gigimon. Abby and Alice stay safe. I'm going to find both of you.

***

Matt, Gigimon - now riding his shoulder - and Bukamon - floating close behind - continued to walk in the forest. Matt yelled out to his sister and Alice, but he wasn't sure if they would even hear him. Matt sighed as he tucked his right hand into his pocket. He pulled his phone out again to see if he had acquired a signal, but still nothing. Damn! He put it away and continued to walk.

Then he heard the sound of something coming towards him and his Digimon. He turned to his right and prepared to meet whatever animal he awoke from its slumber. I knew I would attract an animal sooner or later with my screaming. Matt steadied himself for the creature to appear. His mind ran rampant with what could be coming towards him, but he never expected another human to come barreling out of the forest. Matt didn’t even have time to react as James struck him. James and Matt hit the dirt hard. Gigimon luckily jumped away before Matt hit the dirt. The two Digimon looked at the two eighteen-year-old males tangled together. Both groaned as they got themselves untangled and sat on the forest floor.

“Man has anyone ever told you that you hit like a freight train.” Said Matt

"Yeah, my friends have plenty of times pointed that out to me.” Said James

“Yeah, no kidding.” Said Matt

Matt was the first to get up and stretch out a hand towards the boy, "So, what's your name?"

"James Smith and you?" James took Matt’s hand as Matt helped him back to his feet.

"Matthew Summers, but Matt for short."

"And I'm Bukamon."

"And I'm Gigimon."

James turned to look at the two Digimon before feeling his eyes twitch.

"I finally found you!"

The small group moved their heads towards the sound. They were now looking at a blue fuzzy ball that looked like a cat.

"I thought I would never catch up to you." Said the cat creature

"You see those strange creatures as well?" Asked James as he leaned in close to Matt, pointing to the Digimon.

"Yes, I see them as well." Said Matt

"What are they?" Asked James

"Well, you let never let me introduce myself. I'm Wanyamon, and I am a Digimon, Digital Monster."

"This can't be happening," said James as he rubbed his eyes.

"Trust me. It's happening." Said Matt

"And who are all of you?" Asked Wanyamon

"I'm Matthew Summers, Matt, for short."

"I'm Bukamon."

"I'm Gigimon."

"Well, you going to introduce yourself. I think it’s rude not to introduce yourself and to run off as you did.” Said Wanyamon

James sighed as he looked at Wanyamon, “James Smith.”

"So, I'm guessing your first encounter didn't go over so well." Said Matt

"Yeah, when James woke up, he took one look at me, and once I said the word, 'hello.' He was off screaming like a little girl, calling me a freak of nature." Said Wanyamon

"Well, he is." Said James

“That’s hurtful, James. You can’t say that to a friend.” Said Wanyamon

James had a look of shock on his face, “Friends, when did we become friends? I’ve only just met you.”

“I know, but I have this feeling in my gut that tells me otherwise.” Said Wanyamon

James wasn’t even sure how to comprehend any of this. He rubbed his head as he sighed as he looked at the blue puffball, smiling at him. He then turned to see Matt picking up Gigimon and walking off with Bukamon floating right behind him.

“Hey, where are you going?” Asked James

“My sister and friend are somewhere in this forest, and I plan on finding them.” Said Matt

James watched as Matt continued to walk away from him. He looked at Matt and then around him. James then looked down at Wanyamon, who had a smile on his face. He sighed as he picked up Wanyamon and ran to catch up with Matt. Better to be with someone else than alone in this creepy forest.

"Matt, wait up." Matt stopped and looked back at James, running towards him. “You can't leave a brother all alone in a strange forest. Don’t you know that's how the black guy always dies in the horror movies?" Said James

"But you’re not alone. You got me." Said Wanyamon

"I'm sure all the creatures in this forest would be afraid of a blue puffball." Said James

"Besides the point of you thinking that the tropes in horror movies are real. But seeing how we are both in the same boat, it wouldn't hurt to stay together. Now let's get going." Said Matt

James nodded his head as the two went off to find Abby and Alice.

***

Abby shook as she continued to walk through the dark forest. She looked around her as she tried to figure a way out. Every movement in the forest made her jump and shack. Luckily, she wasn’t alone as she held two Digimon in her hands, Gummymon and Kokomon. Both looked like store-bought Halloween ghosts. Gummymon was a greenish color, while Kokomon was a brown color. Gummymon had a single horn on his head, and Kokomon had three horns on her head.

Upon waking up on the forest floor, she found both Gummymon and Kokomon looking at smiling at her. She felt afraid at first, but she felt comfortable around the two Digimon after a minute of talking with them. Abby could not see her brother or Alice around her. She began to get scared. But Gummymon and Kokomon quickly calmed her down. She decided to wait where she was in hopes of either of them finding her. But after a while, she decided she couldn't sit around. She had to find her brother and Alice even though she knew that she had a better chance of being found if she stayed put. But she was stubborn, so off she went with Gummymon and Kokomon in her hands to find her brother and Alice.

"Now, I'm not so sure my idea of wandering around this forest was a good idea after all." Said Abby

"No worries, Abby, Kokomon, and I will protect you." Said Gummymon

"Yeah, we won't let anything happen to you." Said Kokomon

"Thanks, you two." Said Abby

Abby hugged both Digimon close to her as she continued to walk. But the sound of a twig snapping not far from her made her stop dead in her tracks. She looked around but couldn’t see much in the dense darkness that surrounded her. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she held Gummymon and Kokomon tighter. Please, don’t be a wild animal! She looked around and finally turned to see April walking out of the darkness carrying a Digimon that resembled a plant. The two girls looked at each other.

Abby backed away, hugging both Gummymon and Kokomon. She wasn't sure if this new girl, April, was a good person. April could see Abby was scared and decided to play it easily with her. She bent down so that she was on Abby's level.

"Who are you?" Asked Abby

"I'm April North, and this is Yokomon."

"Please to meet you." Said Yokomon

"So, what's your name?" Asked April

"I'm Abby Summers, and in my right hand is Gummymon, and in my left is Kokomon." Said Abby

"It's a pleasure." Said Gummymon

"What my brother said." Said Kokomon

"I'm guessing you're trying to find your way out of this forest too." Said April

"No, I'm trying to find my friend, Alice, and my brother, Matt. Have you seen them?" Said Abby

"Well, I know I haven't passed any other people since I woke up and started exploring. I swore I was the only one in this forest until I ran into you." Said April

Abby gave a heavy sigh with tears forming in the corners of her eyes. That made April feel bad for her. She walked up to her and placed her right hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, don't cry, I'm sure you'll find them. How about I help you search for them?" Said April

Abby smiled at April, "Yeah, that would be nice."

"Great, plus staying together in this creepy place is much better than continuing alone." Said April

April showed her right hand for Abby to take. She moved Gummymon to her right side with Kokomon and took April's hand. The two girls went off trying to find Matt, Alice, and a way out.

***

"So, I have to ask?" Matt looked at James, "You remember anything before waking up in this forest?"

Matt tapped his chin as the two continued to walk the forest, trying to find his sister and Alice.

"Well, I remember going towards my car with Alice and Abby when a bright light appeared." Matt pulled his Digivice from his pants and looked at it, "Then this thing appeared from it. I took ahold of it, and the next thing I know, I'm rocketing into space surrounded by a bright light. Then I woke up here with Gigimon and Bukamon."

"Same here." James removed his Digivice, "I still wonder what's up with these things. I mean, why we of all people got this thing."

"I'm not sure; I'm not even sure where in the hell we are." Said Matt

"Yeah, something about this place doesn't seem right." Said James

“Yeah, like it’s out of place or something.” Commented Matt

"Hey, I think I see an opening." Said Bukamon

Bukamon pointed in front of them, which looked like the way to a large opening of space based on the amount of light coming from it.

"Finally, an exit!" Exclaimed James

The two boys ran until they came out to a vast chasm with a rope bridge hovering over it. In the distance was an old stone castle that had seen better days. The two could see that the forest still surrounded them.

“Looks like we only found an opening in the forest and not an exit to it.” Stated Matt

James walked forward and kicked a small stone and watched as it fell into the gorge. After a minute, he heard it hit the ground. By the way, it took the rock to hit the ground and echo back a sound. It seemed that the gorge was quite deep.

"Well, that sure is a long way down." Said James

"Matt!"

Matt and James turned to see Alice running up to them.

"Alice!"

Alice stopped and hugged Matt being careful of Gigimon.

"Am I glad to see you?" Said Alice

"Same here." Soon Matt spotted a yellow fox creature in Alice's hands, "I'm guessing you got a Digimon as well."

Alice looked down at her, Digimon, "That's right, Viximon is her name."

"Nice to meet you." Said Viximon

"I'm guessing she's your friend." Said James

Matt turned to see James coming up to him, "Right, this is Alice. Alice, I want you to meet James."

"Nice to meet you." Said James

"Same for me. I'm Wanyamon, by the way."

"I see you have a Digimon as well, James." Said Alice

"Don’t remind me." Stated James

"Hey, you didn't introduce us, Matt." Said Bukamon

"Right, Alice, meet Bukamon and Gigimon." Said Matt

"Nice to meet you both." Both Digimon smiled and nodded their heads, "So have you seen Abby?"

"Nope, I was hoping she was with you." Said Matt

"Sorry, I didn't see her when I was trying to find my way out." Said Alice

"I hope she's safe." Said Matt

"Big brother!"

Matt turned to see his little sister and another girl coming out of the forest. His eyes went to the size of dinner plates as he dropped Gigimon and ran over to his sister. She put down Gummymon and Kokomon and ran to her brother. The siblings joined in a hug as they were once again united. Matt held his sister tight. He felt a wave of relief pass over him as he held her in his arms. After breaking the embrace, Abby introduced April and Yokomon and her Digimon, Gummymon, and Kokomon. Matt introduced April and Abby to everyone else.

"So, now what?" Asked James

"I would say finding out where we are, and that means finding a way out of this forest." Said Matt

“Well, clearly, we have to be in England.” Said James

“Where did you get that idea from?” Asked Alice

“Old run-down castle in the middle of a forest seems like something you would see in England.” Said James

Alice sighed, "Besides James thinking we somehow are in England, any ideas on figuring out how to get out of this forest.”

Everyone scratched their heads, trying to think of something to do. They weren't sure what the next step was or where to even go. The Digimon were also silent, trying to think about what to do next. Bukamon happened to catch a small flash of multicolored light from the corner of his eye and turned to the dilapidated castle.

"Hey, look," everyone turned to see the bright multicolored light in one of the castle's towers. "Do you think that means there are other humans around?"

"Could be, Bukamon." Said Matt

“Yeah, maybe it’s a night tour.” Said James

“Still on the England thing.” Stated Alice

“I don’t hear anyone else giving ideas on how to explain any of this.” Said James

“I think it’s our best bet to head towards the castle. Maybe we will find someone who can help us.” Said Matt

The group looked at each other and nodded. They all knew that if somebody was in the castle, they could help them get out of the forest and figure out where they were. The group proceeded over the rope bridge cautiously. It creaked and squealed with every step someone took. Abby held tight to her brother’s hand as he led her across. Once across, the group went towards the castle. They reached the entrance and ran inside to find a way to the tower where the light came from and hopefully find somebody to help them.

Soon they found the entrance to the tower and knew this was it. Matt took the lead with the others behind him. He sighed as he got his nerves together. He poked his head through the doorway and gasped. Everyone else piled around him to look inside. None of them could believe their eyes. They were expecting to see a group of humans, but instead, they were looking at eight anthropomorphic neon-colored ponies. Two had horns on their heads, another two had wings on their backs, another two had neither, and the final two had both wings and a horn. They had a wide variety of fur colors and mane colors. They could also tell by their body type that they were all female.

"What the?!" Exclaimed James

“Watch your voice!” Exclaimed Alice in a whisper.

James pushed in a little further to get a better view of the strange creatures.

“Will you please stop pushing your weight onto me?” Said April

“Tell that to Alice.” Said James

“I am doing nothing to you.” Said Alice

Matt turned back to everyone, “Will you all be quiet. We need to leave this place before those horse creatures see us. I don’t want to think about what they’ll do to us if they do see us.”

Everyone nodded, but as they began to get off each other, James lost his footing on a loose flooring piece and went down on top of April. James instinctually took hold of Alice and pulled her down as well. April felt atop Matt, who fell onto his sister. There was a tremendous crash and screams as the group of humans and Digimon fell into the entrance.

The sound pulled the attention of all the ponies in the room to the pile of humans and Digimon. The humans groaned as they saw that they had caught the attention of the horse creatures. There was silence between all of them. They all exchanged looks before the white pony's horn began to glow a gold color. The glow surrounded the group, and before they could say anything or retreat, they felt something come over them.

They each began to get sleepy as their bodies started to feel heavy. They all felt a sense of calm take over and their bodies starting to shut down. They all struggled to stay awake, but the efforts were fruitless. They each fell into an unconscious state, but Matt was the last one to fall unconscious. He struggled to stay awake, and it took his entire willpower to resist falling asleep. Matt could hear the sounds of hooves coming near him and saw a pair of white hooves stop in front of him. He didn’t have the strength to look up at the face of the horse now looming over him.

He finally felt his body give in as he looked at his sleeping sister. He tried to reach out to her to grasp her one last time since he wasn’t sure what would happen to any of them. Abby! But his body wouldn’t listen to him as he laid his head down and his eyes closed to the world around him. He heard the sounds of more hooves and saw more hooves surround him and the others. That was the last thing he saw before darkness took over.

Author's Note

So here we are, the first two chapters of my newest story, Digital Equestria. It seemed plenty of people were interested in seeing me do a Digimon story, so I decided to please all of you. So I do hope you enjoyed the introduction and this chapter. Feel free to give all the feedback you wish. I will try to keep this story updated as much as I can, but it'll have to take a backseat because my college courses do come first. So as always: like, comment, follow, share and tell. See you all around.