Butter-Fly Effect

"I'll go find something for you to do," You promise. After all, if there's one thing you know, it's that a bored Digimon is a dangerous thing. "Biyomon, distract them for a bit. No fire-I'm not sure how much of this place can burn." Probably all of it, but again, Haruka just replaced the curtains.

"Got it!" She chirps, before pecking at a Numemon that was about to try and jump on the stove. "No, don't do that, it's dangerous!"

You think she'll be fine.

Tapping on the door to the former guest room- it is not a lab, you refuse to call it a lab, calling it a lab does nothing but give you a feeling of overwhelming terror- and announce your presence. "Um, Haruka?"

"Sora? When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago. The Digimon are bored, where do you keep the games?"

"Oh, uh, Kaz took most of them for his family reunion next week, but there should still be some in the pantry." Right. Because of course she doesn't keep food there.

It comes to mind that, had they somehow not set everything on fire, the Digimon would probably have found a way to entertain themselves if left to their own devices. Whether it would be before or after the destruction of the place Haruka lives remains unknown, and you think you prefer it that way. Mostly because you don't think the building would still be standing, otherwise.

True to her word, there's not many games left. There's one you that seems designed for use by little kids, a puzzle where half the pieces are probably scattered somewhere around the apartment... One where the instruction manual seems to be written in every language but Japanese...

You're starting to get a bad feeling about this.

---

So, it turns out you were right about this being bound to be a disaster. Not because of the games themselves- though there is currently an intense search for puzzle pieces going on, with one of them being found behind a very rusty toaster that probably hasn't been used since Haruka's parents lived here. Maybe not even then.

The main issue is that none of the Digimon know the rules to these games, and you don't fully understand them yourself, and you should probably stick around to make sure they don't murder each other over fake money.

"All right, Nanimon, pay up!" Biyomon's not exactly helping, either.

Just as the other Digimon is handing the play money over, however, DemiDevimon manages to dislodge a puzzle piece from the ceiling- covered in a white substance that is either glue or whipped cream- and it falls right into the collection of colored pieces of paper.

The bat at least has the decency to look somewhat apologetic, though he quickly ruins it by opening his mouth. "Sorry, but it's just a game, right? It's not like either of you were winning, anyway."

Wizardmon looks torn between chastising his friend and reveling in his near-certain victory, but eventually he decides on the former. "DemiDevimon!"

"What? I'm just telling it as I see it."

"Well, I'd be careful about that. Your Virus is showing."

"...Huh. Didn't notice that."

"You know that's not a good sign, right?" Nanimon checks. "If you're tapping into your Virus without meaning to, that could become a big problem!"

"See, you say that, but then there's Lord Myotismon. He-" DemiDevimon abruptly stops talking for a moment, landing on the carpet. "...Well, I'd say he was the best at using his, but the Dark Masters exist, so...."

Okay, you think you're missing a bit of context here.



[ ] Ask for an explanation.
-[ ] From the gathered Digimon. They're right here, but they might not be good at explaining it.
-[ ] Go to Haruka. Well, once she's done with... whatever she's doing.
-[ ] Ask Izzy. He might have actual room in his schedule.

[ ] ...It's probably not important. Instead you should...
-[ ] ...Join the hunt for puzzle pieces.
-[ ] ...Maybe do something about the worst of the mess. Just to be safe.
-[ ] ...Try and convince Biyomon to leave the game so you can go home.

"Sorry," You say, not really sure how to put any of this when it's probably stuff plenty of Digimon know, but don't think about. "But you sort of lost me. What do you mean by his 'Virus'?"

Wizardmon is the one that answers you. "Well, I'm sure you've heard that Digimon have three Attributes: Data, Virus, and Vaccine." That information sounds vaguely familiar, it might have come up once or twice, but it's not something you'd be able to list on your own. "Vaccine Digimon are capable of purging unwanted foreign data from their systems. Data Digimon are adaptable, and their Digivolution paths tend to be flexible depending on their influences."

"But Viruses are different," Nanimon adds. "Virus Digimon are full of stuff that would corrupt another Digimon just by poking at it too hard. They're also the most insidious types, 'cause you can never know what's going on in their heads- and they can spread. A Digimon of another Attribute spends too much time surrounded by Viruses, and they too may become a VIrus."

"That's only a bad thing because most of them don't know how to handle it!" One of the Numemon protests, slipping out with a puzzle piece from behind the refrigerator. You have no idea how it got there, but you tend to avoid this apartment, so it sort of makes sense you wouldn't know.

"And how would you know? You're a Data!"

"Yeah, but there's lots of Virus Numemon around. You can tell which ones always were that way and which ones are converts based on whether or not they're insane. ...Most of the time."

There's probably a story there, but you don't particularly want to hear it.

"Still, Virus Digimon are not fundamentally different than any others, otherwise Digimon wouldn't be able to change Attributes as they Digivolve. Of course, with how varied the Digital World is, that doesn't mean much..." Wizardmon trails off, before saying, "Some Digimon are capable of tapping into their Attribute more fully than most. For Viruses, that carries more power... but also a high chance of giving themselves over to a more destructive nature. There are a few who managed to retain themselves while doing so, but it is rather rare."

"We think that's how the Dark Masters got started," DemiDevimon stated. "Though, it's sort of strange. Two of them aren't Viruses, but it seems like they still have Viruses, which shouldn't even be possible!"

The Digital Hazard. Because what could be more dangerous than the ability to tap into something destructive that isn't even a part of your body? That is, if you're getting this right.

You aren't entirely sure you are, since you don't fully understand the 'Attribute' thing to begin with, but you're not about to say that. You still have your pride.
(Sora's Knowledge: Digital World skill has increased!)
And, besides, you still need to convince Biyomon to leave before she murders someone over fake money.

---

While you're on your way home, you receive a message on your Digivice.


Meeting tomorrow.- Haruka


You aren't sure if she meant for everyone to get that, or just her group. Thankfully, the next message clears that up pretty quickly.


Everyone's invited.- Izzy


And of course he's the one that would actually think to clarify that. Still, given what the meeting is most likely about... you're not sure on if you should go or not.


[ ] Attend the meeting.

[ ] Do not attend the meeting, you have something else you could do.
-[ ] Stock up on supplies.
-[ ] Ask your parents for help with the Mimi situation.