[Well it's the birdbrain again, this time, holding up something pink and glowing.]

[He looks completely bewildered. But that's nothing new.]

What is this? It just -- I was talking to someone, and it just appeared.

Did I do something wrong?

[And yes, that's a serious question.]

[If you were expecting Bruce to be in this video, then you are sadly mistaken. Bruce isn't really that much of a social butterfly, despite what people may seem to think. He's actually been pretty busy with things.

Instead, what you have is Floramon, who is making a worried face at the screen and seems to be debating for a moment on what to say before he actually speaks.]

How do you tell your partner that he's being too nice? [A pause.] I mean, it's not a bad thing at all, but he gave me the bed and has been sleeping outside of the room ever since the first day and I've told him that we can share but he keeps on insisting on letting me have the bed for myself.

[Still worried here, yep. Floramon hums for a moment more before crossing his arms.]

He also told me that I can do anything too as long as I don't go out and fight... which is also nice but I'm not sure what to do as well. I mean, he's the partner I've been waiting for and now that he's here... I don't really know how to help him at all...

[He glances at the screen now, giving a questioning look to anybody who would listen to this.]

Can anybody help me?

[Gee, this looks familiar. Once again, we see a shot of this grouch of a replica seated at the end of his bed. Once again, the camera shakes... at least until Kotemon hops up, sets the D-Terminal down, and then toddles in front of the feed.]

Um... Sorry about the shakiness a second ago. I wish my legs were longer so that wouldn't be a problem, and--

Kotemon, c'mon. This isn't about video quality.

Oh! Right. [She bows her head before stepping aside.]

So, anyway, my partner still hasn't been able to choose a name, even though a lot of people have been kind enough to give him suggestions. Especially Mr. Sora. I don't know how he came up with so many names.

Most of which sounded ridiculous. [The Replica grins, reaching down to snag the Terminal.]

Trouble is, I've got too many options now, so I figured that rather than argue with Sora over it for hours on end, I'd save some trouble and just ask you guys. Not like I've got much else to do besides train.

[With the press of a button, he switches to text.]

Options:

Nox, Fenris, Kaiden, Aiden, Zane

If anyone else has good dark names, I'll give them some thought, but I'm really trying to narrow things down.

[Hello Chosen of Terminal Tokyo. Your D-Terminals, TVs, computers, and anything else with a screen have now been hijacked by the Digital World's resident computer geek. He looks good, better than he did the last time he showed himself. There's a bit of dirt covering his face, but he either doesn't notice or he doesn't care.]

Hello everyone. I know I haven't been the easiest to get in touch with. I've been...well, out of town is a good way of putting it.

[It's certainly one way of putting it, Koushirou.]

I have received a report from Jyou about the state of the city, and it seems the damage is more extensive than anticipated. Looking at the pictures and videos, I don't think the Digimon alone can clear it out. They're going to need some help, so if anyone of you are willing to go out and give them a hand, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated. I have no doubt you will be compensated for any aid you provide.

[He lifts a hand, as though ready to shut off his device before he pauses.]

Ah, one more thing. Tohsaka-san, if you would please contact me, there is something I wish to discuss with you. Something about the Trailmon...?

[And with that, he turns off the feed. You will be returned to your previously scheduled programming in 3...2...1...]

So, who knows anything about AI and/or fixing some seriously delicate hardware? Both, even. Got a buddy of mine who fries like an egg in sunlight here and I'm hoping to get him up and running like the good ol' days. My nest egg seems to have disappeared from the last time I was here, but... I'll do whatever I can to pay you back for your time. Errands and stuff.

Seriously, I would really just appreciate getting ALFRED back. It's weird not having him around. You know?

Who the heck's Alfred?

You've seen her cool glasses? That's him!

[As the camera cuts on it's in the middle of a rocky, mountainous region. There is a Kyubimon, as opposed to the usual red of Guilmon, but the green scarf is a dead giveaway.]

Good day to you, contract holders, contracted, and dark partners alike. I, Kyubimon, wielder of the Dark Flame have returned once more to speak to you all.

We have sensed a disturbance in the ether, and as a result have decided to travel beyond the horizon in order to find the ethereal palace. This journey is perilous, filled with dark forces and mystical powers unlike any mortal minds can comprehend.

But fear not, for I shall protect you, even if I must unleash the cursed power contained beneath my scarf. I swore long ago...

K-Kyubimon... [Ed pats the digimon on the head, giving her A Look.] Really now, do you have to make everything so... dramatic?

Things are more interesting this way. Has Ryudamon returned as well?

Nah, she's still foraging. [Ed turns to look at the camera.]

A-anyways, whatever weird thing Kyubimon was saying it's probably not accurate. Me and Rin just decided to have a look around the island, and we'll probably be back before too incredibly long. I have a lot of experience with this stuff so you don't need to worry about coming with.

...And even if you were going to, I kind of already left because I don't think I could lead an expedition and you guys are kind of so friendly that I know you'd try and make an expedition out of it. [He bows.]

S-sorry for not really giving any advanced notice. Stay safe you guys! I'll let you know if I find anything interesting!

[With that, the feed cuts out.]

[The camera shakes for a moment as the video comes on, and at first it's showing the muzzle of a lion cub so close his breath is fogging up the lens.]

Okay, it's on, Rider!

Is it? Is there a light or something that shows it?

...It's right here, but it's already recording, so now we both look kinda stupid...

[Leormon points out the light with his paw, and Rider just laughs.]

That just means they'll have something to remember us by, cub!

I told you not to call me that! Now introduce yourself already so we can turn this thing off and I can keep at least a shred of my dignity!

...You remind me of Waver.

[Rider shrugs as Leormon ducks out of frame, and turns to look into the camera lens. He's kinda hunched over, because otherwise he won't nearly fit in the shot.]

Leormon said I should introduce myself to all of you other Chosen. My name is Iskander, but if it's easier to remember you can all just call me Rider. ...Actually how about all of you call me Rider, I got used to that after a while, and I'm not exactly a King here.

[ooc: Characters who'd be likely to recognize the name "Iskander" and equate it to Alexander the Great are welcome to reference any historical records~]

[There's static on the screen for a moment before it clears, and Fluttershy waves a bit shyly into the camera.]

H...H-Hello everyone, um...I...hope you're all doing well.

S-So I...I've learned a little about...Christmas, which is...coming up, right? A-And it's actually very similar to a holiday we celebrate in Equestria...wh-where I'm from. S-So I...I-I was thinking that I'd...like to give gifts to people. I-I mean if...if that's all right...

I have...some ideas for what to give people, b-but, um...i-if you wouldn't mind, could you...maybe let me know what you'd like as a gift? I...can't really promise much, but I'm...pretty good at knitting...I think...

S-So if...everyone could let me know what you'd like...I'll do my best to make it. E-Even...if you don't celebrate Christmas...or Hearth's Warming Eve like I do...I'd still like to give you something...if that's okay...

[She hesitates for a moment before turning the D-Terminal off.]

...There's something that's still bothering me about all of this. [The exhausted British-accented teenager sat at a small desk in his room, drinking a cup of tea as Palmon and Biyomon seemed to be doing the same behind him.]

Why? I don't understand what all this was supposed to accomplish on their part. If we were given 'false' partners- [with a heavy emphasis on 'false' suggesting he thought that was a load of nonsense] -what was the reasoning for it? It can't be just to try to spread that virus among all of us...the planning and effort seem too elaborate for just that outcome.

More than that, if they're replicas, so to speak, why do they have free will? [He waved a hand behind him, and Palmon shrugged at the camera as though to say 'hell if I know'.] If I didn't already know which of these two I'd met first, it'd be bloody hard to tell. I would assume most of you can say the same.

[Waver shook his head with a short but heavy sigh, setting aside his cup of tea and fiddling with the Crest of Tenacity around his neck.]

On top of all that, I realized I...m-maybe I should learn how to fight. I don't think I'll be any good at it and I'm definitely sure I'd rather not have to, but if anyone can help me I'd be grateful. If we get stuck in some kind of mess like that again, I don't want to slow anyone down.