Chapter Text
New Bonds
Renamon gazed sadly at the moon, the only light she received in the darkness, a broken Digivice in her hands, a shattered bond. She remembered the events that led her to this ending. All because of a warning to Rika, her partner, her friend, she had been abandoned, their bond broken forever. She could feel life slowly slipping away.
After so many adventures together, she had spent the last few years watching Rika grow from a young girl into a young woman. She watched her chase her dreams in the fashion industry, learning from her mother. She even saw her start a romance with Henry Wong, Terriermon’s Tamer. She watched him slowly make his way into Rika’s heart and mind. Now that she thought clearly, the control Henry had over Rika was something to fear. Perhaps that was why everything ended so badly. Earlier that evening, when she approached Rika with all the secret evidence she had gathered of Henry being unfaithful and manipulative, Rika didn’t believe her. She shouted at her to leave, calling her a liar.
Renamon had left the phone Rika had given her for exploring the city, now filled with all the evidence of Henry’s betrayal, hoping Rika would see it. She left the hotel room to give her space and time to calm down. When she returned later that night, she found the room empty, none of Rika’s belongings remained. All that was left on the bed was Rika’s Digivice, broken, with a note that read: “I never want to see you again, traitor.”
Renamon’s heart shattered into a thousand pieces at the sight of their bond’s symbol, now broken beyond repair, and her doom to disappear. She held it to her chest but felt only cold. She left the hotel room with the device in hand, knowing it was only a matter of hours before death would claim her. She found a park near the train station with a small lake, the perfect place to admire the moon one last time.
She was enjoying the peace when a loud crash echoed through the area. The next thing she saw was a young man in a black hoodie and jeans, a backpack on his back, dodging attacks from what looked like monsters with hideous masks and holes in their chests.
She decided to help him, at least with her final strength, she could do something worthwhile.
Wandenreich, Silbern
A figure rested in the throne room, their face hidden in darkness. Their awakening had been slightly delayed due to unexpected circumstances, but thanks to their “vision,” they had discovered a curious and unforeseen development.
“How interesting… Wait for me, my son born in darkness…”
Jugram Haschwalth, Grandmaster of the Sternritters, entered the throne room, summoned by His Majesty Yhwach. Upon arrival, His Majesty entrusted him with his next mission: the recovery of War Potential No. 1, Ichigo Kurosaki, who had been betrayed by the Gotei 13 and now wandered alone in Tokyo. Yhwach also had in his possession information that would make Ichigo hate the Gotei 13 so much, he would likely be among the first to fight in the coming war, the war for the Soul King’s throne.
Upon learning all the information, Jugram could feel nothing but disgust toward the Gotei 13.
Park near Tokyo Station
Ichigo Kurosaki dodged Hollows swiftly, unable to fight, he could only run. He had left Karakura after confronting Xcution, after Tsukishima had stolen his family and friends and turned them against him. When he finally defeated them by sacrificing his Fullbringer powers, Tsukishima only laughed, saying it didn’t matter, he wouldn’t undo the lies planted through his Fullbring, and then vanished. The Shinigami did nothing to pursue him and left as soon as the battles ended and Kugo Ginjo, the rogue Substitute Shinigami leader of Xcution, was captured.
The following weeks were hell for Ichigo. He received only hatred and contempt from his sisters. His father was away for a medical conference. At school, all his friends hated him now, Tatsuki even punched him. He heard nothing from the Gotei Shinigami or Urahara.
Fed up with everything, he made a decision. He packed a change of clothes, his phone charger, some snacks in a backpack, grabbed the cash he kept in his desk, and put it in his wallet. Before leaving, he looked at his Substitute badge and left it on the desk. He opened a drawer and took out a charm his father had given him that once belonged to his mother, placing it in his pocket.
That night, Ichigo Kurosaki left Karakura.
After a train ride, he arrived in Tokyo at night and planned to sleep in a manga café. But upon stepping outside, he saw some Hollows. He realized that even though he had sacrificed his Fullbring powers, he still had enough reiatsu to see and interact with spirits. The Hollows found him, and he tried to hide in a nearby park.
By the pond, he saw her, a fox-like spirit. Upon seeing him, she came to his aid, using her blue flames to defeat two of them. However, one Hollow slipped behind her and raised its claws to strike. Unable to abandon his savior, Ichigo jumped in front of her, crossing his arms to shield her. To their great surprise, the Hollow’s claws only tore the sleeves of his hoodie, his arms were intact, covered in glowing blue spiritual energy lines.
Taking advantage of the Hollow’s confusion, Renamon delivered a kick that sent it flying. However, due to her exhaustion and weakened state, she collapsed, caught in Ichigo’s arms. She explained, in short, everything that had happened and that she was about to disappear, but she was happy to have helped someone. Ichigo refused to let his savior vanish for such a reason and tried something reckless, he transferred a bit of his spiritual energy to her.
Renamon slowly began to regain her strength, and at the same time, a bond was formed. Renamon’s broken Digivice was absorbed to repair Ichigo’s damaged phone, which now had a new app symbol resembling a Digivice. From Ichigo’s pocket, the broken charm from his mother fell, revealing a Quincy cross inside. Ichigo picked it up carefully, surprised.
The Hollow recovered from the kick and prepared to attack again. But as it drew near, it was sliced in half, revealing a hooded figure in a white military uniform and cloak, a Quincy cross embroidered on his chest. The figure approached, seeing Ichigo holding Renamon.
“Now I understand His Majesty’s words, that I would find two guest to recover,” said the blond man, noting the bond between Ichigo and Renamon as spiritual energy from the orange-haired teen flowed into the fox-like girl.
“I am Jugram Haschwalth, Grandmaster of the Sternritters, in service to His Majesty. I’ve come for you, Kurosaki Ichigo, to offer you the place where you belong, son of Masaki Kurosaki. His Majesty invites you to a meeting to reveal the truth of what happened almost nine years ago.”
The words seized the full attention of both Ichigo and Renamon. Despite her weakened state, she couldn’t help but feel curious. Renamon could sense the warm energy flowing from Ichigo to her, restoring her strength.
“If we go with you, will you guarantee our safety?” asked a wary Ichigo.
“By my title as Grandmaster,” Jugram replied solemnly. Ichigo accepted.
Carrying Renamon in his arms like a princess, Ichigo and Jugram disappeared under a cloak of shadows.
Hours later, a black cat wandered through the park, desperately searching for the trail of an orange-haired boy who had vanished.