This...is nothing like Lima.

[Despite the fact that she's not at home, Marley's actually looking rather upbeat about it. There's a friendly smile on her lips as she looks down at her D-Terminal.]

It's not a bad thing! It's just--It's different than home. But the little creatures are so adorable, and they're all being so nice!

You're nice, too, Marley! [Everyone, please direct your attention to the little Native American bird hovering just over Marley's shoulder. Marley laughs nervously as she leans her head just enough to bump against Hawkmon's.]

Aww, thanks Hawkmon. See what I mean? So nice!

[Hawkmon all but perches on her shoulder, though it doesn't seem to bother her. She's still all smiles.]

Oh, we saw the Statue of Liberty here! Can you believe it?! I know this isn't New York or anything close to it, but just seeing it reminds me of home. Or rather something that happened at home.

Oh? I didn't think a statue would be so important to you.

Yeah, it reminds me of my audition for the glee club at my high school. The show choir. I sang "New York State of Mind".

You can sing? Will you sing now?

[Marley's eyes glance to the D-Terminal as her smile falters before they focus on Hawkmon.]

I...I don't think anyone is going to want to hear me sing. Maybe another time? I'll sing just for you when we find our room.

Fourth room on the second floor, right?

That's what it says. It shouldn't be too much farther.

[Marley waves to the screen, once more smiling brightly before she cuts off the feed.]

*The screen turns on to show quite possibly the strangest looking Chosen to date. At least, assuming that red is really her skin, those crown-like horns are really attached and that cracked, smiling mask with glowing green eyes is really her face...*

Oh, how adorable. It's like a tiny little vidwindow! Isn't it sweet, Cady?

*She turns to look at a Gabumon, who just shrugs.*

It doesn't seem all that special to me.

*The woman waves a hand over her face and the mask somehow changes, looking disappointed.*

Well you don't have to be such a killjoy.

It's just a screen. But didn't you turn it on for something?

*Another pass of her hand and the mask changes to a shocked looking gasp.*

Oh, that's right! Thank you dearie, I'd almost forgotten.

*She turns back to the camera and at some point during the motion her mask changes to an angry yell, eyes turning red to match.*

Someone had better tell me what happened to my powers or else!

Okay, okay I know some people might not care for this kind of stuff, I'm sorry, but please bear with me. I'm still trying to work with that gadget we have for this network, like if it has video recording without having to make it public.

Light, can you hold this for me?

[As the camera shifts perspective, we can see that Hope is standing beside a jeep. With a confused look on his face.]

This is not a car. Is this supposed to be a car?

How should I know? You're the human.

But cars in Cocoon aren't like this. Or even in Gran Pulse. It's big and bulky-- is it even efficient? This is just... it really looks like old technology. [No Hope, it's a modern jeep. You're just from futureland.

With a bit of grunting he pops the hood and peers into the engine. ... And makes a huge face because how the heck can this thing even run when all these components. Well, only one way to find out. He takes off his gloves (but not his wrist bandanna, oh no) and starts getting his hands dirty with the engine. His Renamon makes an affronted noise because what the hell.]

[audio. The voice that speaks seems exasperated, but resigned.]

The little Pokemon thing and the note on this device said that this isn't Kansas, it's a place called Terminal Tokyo. Which isn't Juillard, where I'm supposed to be, or Albuquerque, where I was. And like, the welcome was really nice but it leaves a little something to be desired.

Because, see, if I've been recast as some sort of hero, then who am I fighting against? Who are we fighting against?

I may not understand this new role just yet, but I do know that there's always something to be defeated—whether that something is a monster or inner demons or the resident drama club. Since I somehow doubt that we—I'm assuming there are many of us—were all brought here to fix our inner turmoil and the note specificed that it's probably not a monster, I'm betting on the resident drama club. If there is one, that is.

If not, I suppose we could substitute a sports team or some kind of organized crime. Or maybe this is more like a reality TV show and we're just competing against each other! What do you think, other "Chosen Children"? [there's a bit of amusement at the term]

Oh, and to the other people rooming in F2-006: hello. I'm your new roommate.

[The video shoots on suddenly, showing what appears to be a very upset woman. Judging by how the feed bobs up and down and the even more obvious moving scenery, it looks like she's walking around the city while she glares into that feed.

This can only go well.]

Okay, I wanna know who the fraggin' genius was who--

Hey! That is not what we said we were using the D-Terminal for!

[She's cut off by a child-like voice, its friendly tone a huge contrast in comparison to her much more stern one.]

You have to be nice. Here, I'll teach you how! Lemme see that.

You better not--

[But it's too late, the device is snatched from her hands and put in front of a much more happier face. The big, blue eyes of Tapirmon seem to sparkle with delight as he addresses everyone in the city.]

Hi everybody! I'm Tapirmon!

[Seriously, he sounds like he's five.]

My, um, partner needs help. Help with being...um, I know the word... "organic".

[He beams at his ability to remember Arcee's plight. That is, her struggles with suddenly being human. There's no easy way to say it, she's not really sure what to do. ...And it's not like small tapir monsters can help her out.]

Just so we're clear, this thing is not my partner.

[Might as well throw that in. Anyone want it? She can't seem to shake it it.]

A-are you sure this is a good idea?

Of course I'm sure! It's the best way to meet new people!

I guess, but what if they're already busy and-

Too late it's already on!

Eeeh? Oh no.

[And the view that was a bit shaky before finally settles to show a candlemon and a young girl who looks like she may want to go hide now.]

Hello, it is nice to meet all of you. I'm Yumemi Hidaka and I don't really understand being Chosen or what that means. I don't think I'm really what is needed here, but I'll at least try if I can really help someone.

We're in roome F2 010 so come and visit us okay!

No don't say that they may not want to do so.

[accidentally hitting record while he was inspecting the terminal was one of the last things on conner's mind at the moment. this place seems to be too farfetched to be considered real at the moment. besides, he probably has a concussion right now seeing as how blue kind of knocked him out three seconds ago before he got here. how...ever.... that happened.

anyway! he seems to be in a very serious conversation right now given the slight scowl he has on his face.]

—And you're sure that this isn't one big dream?

Yes, I am quite sure. You were brought here to-

Yeah, yeah. I know, I read the note. [conner sighs as he looks up and to the side. reading all of that with a throbbing headache was no easy feat either. conner purses his lips a little as he looks over the screen at whoever he's talking to. first things first, he needs to find something to dull the pain in his head.] Do you know if this place has aspirin or something that can alleviate headaches?

Aspirin? No, I don't. [a pause.] But maybe you can ask on there!

[conner deadpans a little as he looks down at the terminal in his hand.] I guess.... [his eyes widen a little when he realizes that the terminal had been on all along. welp that was embarrassing!] Well is there?