Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon or its characters. I write for fun.

THE NEW CHALLENGE

CHAPTER 1: REMAKING OUR LIVES

It was a warm summer afternoon. The school grounds were full of boys and girls who left the classrooms just as they heard the bell ring.

-Kouji! Kouji!- a boy shouted. Kouji turned his head and smiled when he saw who was calling him. It was his friend Takuya.

-Hi, Takuya- Kouji said- I'm glad to see you... it's been a long time since the last time we met...-

-Yeah, a couple of hours- Takuya said, with his hands on the back of his head- shame spring break is over now...-

-I know- Kouji said- but summer vacations are closer now. So, how was your first day back to school?-

-Horrible- Takuya answered- a day at school won't be good for me, ever... the only good thing about this semester is that Izumi is in the same class, and she lets me copy her homework...-

-Why am I not surprised?- Kouji said, rolling his eyes- do you plan to make your own homework someday?-

Before Takuya could answer, a female voice interrupted him.

-Takuya making his homework by himself?- said Izumi- yeah, right, the day cows fly-

Takuya frowned while Kouji laughed.

-Hi, Izumi- Kouji said, greeting her- I'm glad to see you again-

-Me too- she answered.

-Izumi is right about Takuya- Jumpei said, joining the group with his hand in his pockets- I can't imagine how he's reached high school like that...-

-How's everything, Jumpei?- Kouji said.

-Oh, great- Jumpei answered- hey, guys, ¿who wants to go to my house this afternoon?-

-Me!- Takuya and Izumi said at the same time

-I'm sorry, Jumpei, it'll have to be another day- Kouji said- I've got band practice...-

-As you wish- Jumpei said- seems to me it'll be a twin-free day... I saw your brother earlier, and he told me he isn't coming either...-

-Why not?- Izumi asked.

-Kouichi has got chorus practice- Kouji said- my mom wanted us to get an extracurricular activity, but Kouichi was the only one who got one... I didn't like the options-

-Well, I agree chorus can be very boring- Takuya said, thoughtfully- why not the soccer team?-

-Or the painting group?- suggested Izumi.

-Or the swimming team?- Jumpei added.

-No, thanks- Kouji said, shuddering- I spoke to my mom and told her I've got enogh with the band...-

-And where are you practicing?- Jumpei asked.

-My dad's garage- Kouji said, smiling rather ashamed- but I can assure you my step mom doesn't like much the noise we make...-

-I bet they'd rather have Kouichi than you- Takuya said- at least his hobbies are not that noisy...-

Everyone laughed.

-Hey, guys- Kouichi said, joining them- what were you talking about?-

-The noise your brother makes at your dad's house...- Takuya said.

-Why didn't you join your brother's band, Kouichi?- Izumi asked- I've heard you sing really great...-

-Me?- Kouichi said, blushing a little- I don't like noise much. Anyway, I can't play any instrument and the band is already complete...-

-Well, see you later at my house- Jumpei said- I'll go to junior high to tell Tomoki-

-See you tomorrow, guys- Kouji said.

-Hope you have fun- Kouichi added.

Once they were alone, the twins looked and smiled at each other.

-See you later, Kouji- Kouichi said, taking his backpack- the chorus teacher is waiting...-

-See you later, Kouichi- Kouji said- hope you have a good practice-

-You too- Kouichi said halfway to the chorus classroom.

Kouji sighed. The adventure in Digiworld was over. It had been four years since that day they were kids and received a message from Ophanimon and went to Digiworld. The six kids had now grown up, and they were all in High school, except for Tomoki. All of them had remade their lives, but never really forgotten the experience in the digital world together and remained friends.

Kouji smiled and took his things. He didn't walk two steps when he was reached by four boys about his age. One of them was rather messy and arrogant. The remaining three just smiled.

-Kouji, my friend- the mecí one said, hitting Kouji's back- how was your day? I just saw that bunch of losers wasting your time...-

-My day was fine, Hiroto- Kouji said- and "that bunch of losers" are my friends, so I'll appreciate if you stop calling them like that-

-Yeah, yeah- Hiroto said- so, what did you stepmother said? Can we come along?-

-My stepmom said it's okay for her, but just until six- Kouji said- she and dad are going to travel this week, and they want to leave me with my mom and my brother-

-You heard him, guys- Hiroto said- we've just got a couple of hours to practice... so let's hurry-

The five guys took their stuff and walked to the Minamoto family house.

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Meanwhile, Kouichi had just arrived to the chorus classroom.

-Miss Nonaka, I'm terribly sorry I'm...-

-... late- the teacher said- very late, Kouichi Kimura...-

-I'm terribly sorry- Kouichi said, ashamed of himself- I was with my friends and my brother, and I lost track of...-

-Well, well, it's useless to give more excuses- the teacher interrupted him- take your place so we can all begin the practice...-

Kouichi did as he was told, and the practice began.

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-Good afternoon, Mrs. Shibayama- Izumi, Tomoki and Takuya said when Jumpei's mother oponed the door.

-Good afternoon- smiled the woman. Jumpei's mom was a fat, smiley woman who made them eat tons of candy, cakes and chocolate every time they came along- please, come in... you must be hungry...-

-Well, we're not, thank you- Izumi said.

-Oh, don't be ridiculous, sweetie- Jumpei's mom said- you all look so thin and skinny... you should eat better...-

-Sure- Izumi said.

-Come on upstairs, guys- Jumpei said.

A couple of minutes latter, the four guys were in Jumpei's bedroom. Tomoki and Takuya were playing a video game while Izumi read a magazine and Jumpei brought some refreshments.

-I miss Digiworld- Tomoki suddenly said, rising his sight once Takuya won in the videogame.

-Me too- Takuya said- I miss Bokomon, Neemon, Patamon and the others...-

-I miss everything in Digiworld- Izumi said, lowering her magazine and smiling- it's a beautiful place-

-Just don't tell me you miss fighting- Jumpei said, crossing his arms.

-Even that- Takuya said- I miss the sensation of becoming a digimon...-

-And I think you're all crazy- Jumpei said, giving a big bite to a chocolate covered doughnut- I don't want to come back to that world ever...-

The other three sighed.

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Hours passed very slowly for Kouichi. In part, that was because chorus practice lasted longer than usual, and also because he wanted to go home as soon as possible, because he knew that week his brother was staying with him. As soon as Miss Nonaka said "Thanks for coming", Kouichi was already outside.

Kouichi ran out the school, took the bus and half an hour later he was home.

-Hi, mom, how was your day?- Kouichi said.

-Very well, son- Mrs. Kimura said- how about you?-

-Excellent- Kouichi said- except for I was late for chorus practice-

-Well, make sure you don't do that again- Mrs. Kimura said- did you see Kouji?-

-Yeah, he said he'll practice with his band before coming- Kouichi said.

-Very well, go up to your bedroom and make sure it's clean- his mom said- I don't want your brother to see it messy when he arrives... it seems a hurricane passed through your bedroom...-

-Yes, mom, right away- Kouichi said, running upstairs. Mrs. Kimura smiled.

-This boys...- she muttered, and went into the kitchen to make dinner for her two sons.

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Kouji stopped the sound of his guitar, as the rest of the band turned off everything. Hiroto, however, was still shouting.

-One more song- Hiroto said.

-Enough, Hiroto- the guy with the bass said- practice's over-

-Shut up, Karou- Hiroto said.

-Stop it, guys- Kouji said- Karou's right, it's six o'clock, and my mom and Kouichi are waiting for me...-

-That loser you said to be your twin brother?- Hiroto said- don't tell me you even like him-

Kouji frowned.

-Watch your mouth, Hiroto- Kouji said, giving him a not very friendly look.

-Oh, I'm scared...- Hiroto said- so, what are you planning to do? You'll go and tell your stepmother this mean boy is saying horrible things about your stupid twin brother?-

-What's up with you, Hiroto, that's enough- the guy with the battery said.

-You stay out of this, Satoshi- Hiroto said.

-Stop it, Hiroto- said the other boy with a guitar.

-You shut up, Tooya- Hiroto said.

It was official now. Kouji and the rest of the band stared at him with real hatred.

-Why are you looking at me like that, Kouji?- Hiroto said- isn't true what I've told you? Your good for nothing brother is a crying baby...-

-That's not true- Kouji said.

-I don't care how much you defend him, I know better- Hiroto said- poor useless Kouichi won't be anything, just as your mother is nothing...-

Kouji couldn't stand it anymore and hit Hiroto on the stomach, making him fell to the floor without a breath.

-How dare you insult my brother and my mother- Kouji said- get out of my house, I don't want to see you again around here...-

-As you wish, Minamoto- Hiroto said, regaining breath and touching the painful area on his stomach- but you should know that without me, your useless band will loose the contest...-

-Better four of us than five with you, Hiroto- Tooya said, as Kouji was too angry to answer. After giving them a last angry look, Hiroto got out.

A couple of minutes later, they realized what had just happened.

-I... I'm sorry, guys- Kouji said- it was my fault we lost our singer...-

-It was not your fault, Kouji- Satoshi said- we're better without Hiroto-

-The problem is getting a new one- Karou said- all singers are now in a band at this time... and the contest is this Saturday night...-

-Maybe... I know who might help us...- Kouji said.

-Who?- Satoshi asked.

-My brother Kouichi- Kouji said.

-What do you say?- Karou said.

-Your brother?- Tooya asked- you sure?-

-Yeah, but maybe he won't want to sing- Kouji said- but I can try and convince him. I've listen to Kouichi's chorus practice and he's quite good-

-But this is not the school chorus, but a band- Satoshi said.

-Wait, Satoshi, maybe Kouji is right- Tooya said- it's worth trying, isn't it?-

-Okay- Satoshi said- tomorrow practice at my house. Kouji, bring Kouichi and we'll see, okay?-

Kouji smiled.

-Finished already, guys?- Mrs. Minamoto said from the garage entrance.

-Yes, mom- Kouji said.

-See you tomorrow, Kouji- Satoshi said- good evening, Mrs. Minamoto-

-See you- Tooya said.

The three boys were gone, leaving Kouji with his stepmother.

-Are you ready, Kouji?- she asked.

-Everything it's fixed upstairs, mom- Kouji said.

-Bring them to the car- Mrs. Minamoto said- your father and I will take you with your mom and Kouichi-

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-Hi, mom!- Kouji smiled when he arrived to his brother's house, and he hugged his mother.

-Hi, Kouji, sweetheart- Mrs. Kimura said, hugging his son back- I'm so glad to see you... Kouichi is waiting for you-

-I'm going...- Kouji said.

-First say goodbye to your parents, Kouji- Mrs. Kimura said.

-Okay- Kouji said, a bit ashamed- see you, mom, dad-

-See you next week, Kouji- his father said- I hope you don't give your mother any trouble...-

-Kouji!- Kouichi said, running downstairs- you're here!-

-Come and say goodnight, sweetheart- Mrs. Kimura said. Kouichi said as he was told.

-Good night, Mrs. Juri- Kouichi said- good night, dad-

-Good night, sweetie- Mrs. Minamoto said- we'll bring you something from Kyoto...-

-Let's go upstairs- Kouichi said, taking one of Kouji's bags- see you later-

-See you- Kouji said, taking his other bag and running along to his twin's bedroom.

-This boy...- Mr. Minamoto said, a bit ashamed- he's fifteen years old and he's still like that...-

-Thanks for taking him, Maki- Juri Minamoto said.

-Are you kidding?- Mrs. Kimura said- I never see my Kouichi as happy as when Kouji comes along... y I must confess I'm happy too-

-Well, see you next week, Maki- Mr. Minamoto said. The couple walked to their car and Mrs. Kimura closed the door.

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After nightfall, Takuya and the others came back home. Once he was at last alone, Jumpei turned on his computer. He couldn't believe what he saw.

-What's this?- he said- again?

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In Kouichi's room, the twins got out Kouji's things. Mrs. Kimura had put old grandmother's bed in Kouichi's room so Kouji could sleep there.

-Kouji, is something troubling you?- Kouichi said- you seem sad-

-Nothing- Kouji said- it's nothing...-

Kouichi looked into his brother's eyes.

-There's something- Kouichi said- come on, Kouji, I know you...-

-You win- Kouji said, giving up- I have a problem, Kouichi. The singer of my band has quitted, and the contest is this Saturday night...-

-That's too bad- Kouichi said- was Hiroto any good?-

-More less- Kouji said.

-I wish I could do something to help you out- Kouichi said.

-There is something you can do- Kouji said- you can sing with our band in the contest...-

-What are you saying?- Kouichi said- me?-

-No, the queen of England- Kouji said, rolling his eyes- of course you!-

-I... I don't know what to say- Kouichi said, biting his lower lip.

-Look, we can do this- Kouji said- come with me tomorrow to the practice, and you'll decide if you want to or not, okay?-

-Okay- Kouichi said.

At that moment, their mother opened the door carrying a platter with some cupcakes and two glasses of milk.

-I brought you something, boys- she said, putting the platter on Kouichi's desk.

-Thanks, mom- they both said.

-Don't go to bed too late- she told them- remember you have school tomorrow...-

-Yes, mom- Kouji said.

-We won't forget- Kouichi added.

Their mother left them, and the boys were drinking the milk and eating the cupcakes, when they heard a strange sound.

-What was that?- Kouichi said.

-It came from your computer...- Kouji said.

Kouji opened Kouichi's laptop. It was identical to his: their father had given them one laptop each when it was their 15th birthday. A new sound was heard. This time, it came from Kouji's laptop. He oponed it. In both screens was griten the same message.

"We need your help once again, digidestined.

Do you want to proceed? Yes or no"

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TO BE CONTINUED...