Malkavian Madness Network
Other Systems => Digimon: Digital Adventures => Topic started by: MrParaduo on March 02, 2024, 06:52:42 PM
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The night was late. Rain pattered against the office windows as people darkened the halls and left for home. With ne'er a soul to be had for several floors, not a shadow moved or betrayed danger... when a figure crept inside the server farms. The low hum of the machines covered her steps as she closed the door behind her. The cameras had already been dealt with, their feeds replaced with looped footage. Smiling, the infiltrator stretched out a crimson-gloved paw to one side, tracing a claw against the servers as she walked down the central aisle. In her wake, rings of red binary code blinked into existence, the machinery wreathed in an aura of black and red flame. Neither smoke nor heat came of it, no melting of parts or damage of any kind. Sparks flickered between the rings, the hum of the server farms warping in tone. The infection soon spread to the other aisles like a wave, the dark aura fading from their starting point.
"Mhmhmhm, that should do it for now," said BlackRenamon. "Let's see how long it takes them to put two and two together."
...
"++In recent news, according to the Hawaii Center of Volcanology, scientists have concluded an influx of seismic activity on the Big Island is on the rise, with growing concerns of an eruption before New Years++"
"Mom, I'm heading out!" said Keilani, her footsteps pulling Al from breakfast as they drew closer.
October 7th. Monday. Alemana and Renamon sat at the table as the news played on the television in the living room. Through their link, Al knew the vulpine was listening to it even as she looked at today's paper.
"Al," said Keilani, stepping into view. "Have you seen mom? Me and Gammy are going to check out the sky diving service."
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“Huh?” Al looked up, Busy brushing Renamon’s tail as they ate “haven’t seen her all morning!”
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"Deeper but gentle, Al," said Renamon, the vulpine turning the page. "Deeper but gentle."
Keilani sighed. "Ugh, I think she went to get groceries with dad. That's fine, I'll just leave them a note." Glancing at Al, the elder sibling walked over, watching as he worked. "Is that my hairbrush?"
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“Right right, sorry babe.” Al said as he adjusted his brush strokes.. glancing at his sister, then the brush. “Uh.. maybe? Renamon brought it down..” he said as he then scratched her behind her ear.
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"I'll be checking my bags for fox hair when I get back," said Keilani out the side of her mouth. "Listen, Vivi's been talking about making headway on the Ghostmon stuff, so keep an ear out for her or RustGauntmon, okay?"
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“I was planning on it. You sure you don’t want us to come along with you? BlackRenamon is still out there.. who knows what the hell she could be up to.” Al said as he finished brushing Rena’s tail. “She might try to get revenge for what happened at the Node.”
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"I'll be fine, Al. Remember, me and Gammy were on our own back in the Digital World, we know how to take care of ourselves--" As if on cue, the blaring of a car horn cut through Kei's words. "GAMMY!!" she said, turning towards the noise. "I knew this was gonna happen--I'll see you guys later!"
As the elder Sonson stormed out of the house, Renamon took a sip of her orange juice. "Sounds like they've got it covered," she said, letting her tail swish to and fro. "My psychotic doppelganger won't know what hit her."
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“Bye, love you sis!” Al called as he then sighed, leaning on Renamon. “Oh I know. I just.. I have a bad feeling that we haven’t seen the last of your ‘sister’.” He said as he glanced at the news. “But besides that… you have any plans, baby?”
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"Mmmmh, only the ones you give me," she said, resting her cheek atop Al. "Unless you count tutoring you on whatever classes Eyesmon's covering for you today."
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“Ugh.. don’t remind me.” He then gave her nose a kiss.
“We could see if Malie wants to study with us, maybe even finish ‘studying’ with you too.” He said with a faint chuckle. It was still a lot to take in.. seeing Malie as a girlfriend- albeit one shared with the three of them..
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Smiling, the vulpine kissed her partner's nose in return. "Careful," she said. "Last time I checked, a certain pua'a's also in the mix. I don't think either of our butts are ready for that kind of attention."
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“Shush.” And he then playfully gave her cheek a nip “Well what do you want to do today?”
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In silence, Renamon locked eyes with her tamer, a gentle smirk beneath her half-lidden gaze. In one fluid motion, she folded the paper back up as she got to her feet, foxfire burning away her vulpine shape as she donned her human guise.
"Come on," said Renee, tapping the side of Al's shoulder. "Let's check on the club house."
The momentum was broken, however, as Alemana felt a sudden weight on his lap. Looking down, the teen found a Cashew-shaped puppy resting his chin on him, tail wagging as they made eye contact.
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He chuckled as he looked down at Cashew and gave him a piece of sausage, before then getting up. With a few head pats he gave one last look at the tv and the news report playing on it before he clicked it off, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend.
“Two orders of mango tofu says that Vivi is there.”he joked.
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The shapeshifter chuckled. "It's not a bet if it's a guarantee."
...
Bypassing traffic via the Network, Al and Renee exited out the clubhouse's TV screen to find Ike and Gazimon snoozing on the living room furniture. That they didn't stir an inch as they snored together was telling enough about their condition, and so the newcomers ventured to the bedrooms as they heard the tell-tale signs of keyboard typing. Vivian spun a one-eighty in her desk chair as Al and Renee entered the room.
"Hey guys," she said, grabbing her boba tea from off the desk. "Heard about your adventure with Malie and Kama yesterday."
"Did you now?" asked Renee.
"Yep, though not much else. Been making progress with the Ghostmon stuff, coordinating with Menehunemon and Rusty--and boy has it been a major godsend."
-
“You’re no fun this morning.” He teased.
___
Exiting the tv, Al smiled as he saw Ike laying on the sofa.. quietly walking over and giving the blond a kiss before softly tussling his hair. Once that was done he would bop into Vivian’s de facto “command center.”
“Aloha,” Al said as he then gave a smirk “I guess CatchMamemon told you guys about the laser tag nuke?” He asked as he then perked up at her mention of the ghostmon. “Well that’s good news! What have you been able to find out? Anything that might tell us how to wake up all the comatose people?”
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The spectacled tamer took a sip, nodding. "From what we can tell," she said. "We were on the money about each Ghostmon having information about a specific coma patient." Turning back to her computer, Vivi opened up a number of files, alongside images of people and their Ghostmon counterparts. "Long story short, the Ghostmon are like literal ghosts; echoes of digitized memories belonging to the humans they're masquerading as."
"Fascinating," said Renee, the faux-human stroking her chin as she marveled at the computer's multiple screens. "Does that mean they've been siphoning off memories from the coma patients? Or merely holding onto them for safe keeping?"
"Hard to say. We'd have to extract the data from the Ghostmon to know which exact memories they're storing, which is a whole 'nother can of worms for obvious reasons."
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“That’s not just good news, it’s great,” Al said, a small smile coming to his lips. If what she was saying was true, then they could possibly cure everyone in one fell swoop once they figured out what data belonged to who and how to return it to the victims. But that comment about data extraction..
“Will that hurt the Ghostmon?”
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Vivian took her glasses off, staring down at them. "That's the problem," she said. "Kuku's looking into it, but, right now? We don't have a surefire way of extracting the data safely."
"And even if we could," said Renee. "How would we get the memories back into the patients? Humans can't absorb data like digimon do. Theoretically, BlackRenamon was able instill a program into Al, but I doubt she'd help us without strings attached."
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“Not to mention what nefarious things she might do to the data when we aren’t looking..” he then sighed. “But Rena does have a point.. Brena could somehow put code inside me. I don’t like it.. but we might - need her help. If anything so we can get her to show us how to do it.” As he talked.. he began realizing something. “Wait.. yeah, yeah that could be it!” He then looked at Renamon. “So you remember what she said? She awakened some sort of ability to manipulate code like it was magic, and she said that you had the same power. We might not need her to put the code back into the victims.. we just gotta convince her to show you how to do it!”
He then frowned “Though I don’t think she would do it for free, like you said Renamon..”
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The shapeshifter lowered her head, her eyes closed as she folded her arms. "...This isn't going to be straightforward like Hotel-Alfa," she said. "Combat's one thing, but persuading a literal bad actor, fooling her, and getting away with it? We'd need an ace up our sleeves that she wouldn't know about, or even consider as a possibility."
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“True.. Kei’s going skydiving though..” Al thought about something else- then groaned
“There’s always.. her.” Al said as he flashed Renamon a snippet of Arukenimon. “Like it or not, Theridia and her info helped us get Kama back. I think it’s time we got back in touch with her.” He then muttered under his breath “We’ve been putting it off long enough as it is.”
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"Wouldn't be half surprised if she already knew."
"Me and Eyesmon'll try to find out what we can," said Vivi, putting her glasses back on. "But between the Ghostmon and keeping CODE off our backs, there's not much we can do."
"We'll figure it out, Vivi," said Renee. "We always do."
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“It’s still good form to at least let her know more from the source.” And he would then Look at Vivi “It sounds like you guys will need a break too… keep us posted alright?” He said as he then gave Vivi a small hug. “We’ll be in the other room.” He said as he motioned for Renamon to follow
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"You got it," said Vivi, and as she turned back to her computer, Renee followed Al out of the room.
("Al,") she thought, resting a hand on the athlete's shoulder. ("We'll need to decide when to meet up with Theridia, and whether or not to go by ourselves.")
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(“Agreed.. and I think we should do it alone. Let everybody have another day where they relax. Just look at Ike. Poor guy’s exhausted.. he didn’t even react earlier.”)
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And as the two re-entered the living room, who else but Ike would snore loud enough to shake the apartment.
("Good point,") thought Renee. ("How Gazimon sleeps at night with ears like his, I'll never know.")
For his part, the chimera slept upside down on the bag chair, foot twitching in the air as he dreamed.
("The junkyard was over a day ago. How're they sleeping this hard?")
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(“Maybe Ike’s saving energy.”) Al said as he then chuckled (“or he’s building up for a sexual outburst.”)
-
Renee let out a silent chuckle. ("Sexual outburst, huh?") she thought, her hand wrapping around Al's waist. ("Now why does that sound familiar~") Yet as she looked deep into her lover's eyes, she couldn't avoid wincing as Ike let out another loud snore, though in now way did Renee's smile subside. ("Wonder if either of them suffer from sleep apnea.")
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(“Well you know.. sometimes a cute boy just needs dick.”) he joked as he then softly caressed his face.. also wincing (“He’s not like this when he’s sleeping over..”) he said as he took her by the hand and led her outside.
“Okay let’s call..” and he would call Spinny
“Hey.. Renamon and I wanna see your mom, Spinny.”
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Booop... booop... booop...
"++Oh hi!++" said the tiny spider. "++Whu--wait, right now? I mean, sure! N-nooo problem!++"
Renee exchanged looks with Al, the pair listening to the rustling of something on Spinny's side of the transmission.
"++Uhh, we've uh, got a slight hiccup over here. See, she can't meet in person at the moment, but can do you one better! You know that internet café you went to a couple days ago? We're gonna leave a laptop for you to pick up there++"
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He glanced at her to “A hiccup? What sort of hiccup?”
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"++NOTHING!! Nothing to worry about! Nothing I'm at liberty to share, even if there was!++"
("Think it's anything to do with us?") thought Renee.
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(“It sounds pretty suspicious.”)
He then gave her a little shoulder nudge as he continued “This wouldn’t have anything to do with any non-descript and fictional shadow agencies would it?” He asked with an almost playful lilt before relenting a bit
“When should we go pick up this package, Spinny?”
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"++I have no idea what you're talking about--ANYWAY!! Uh, fifteen minutes at most! BYE!++"
A muffled clipping of sound later, and the call was over, leaving Alemana and Renee alone together.
"Not sure how far a walk the café is from here," said the shapeshifter. "Should we jump back home via the Network to get the car?"
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He stared at his Digivice for a few moments before giving Renee the side eye “Yeah.. yeah we probably should.” And he would lead her back inside. But before they left he would kneel beside Ike
“Hey babe, just wanted to say bye, gotta take care of some stuff. We should be back in a couple hours though.” He said quietly before giving the blonde another couple kisses.
-
"Ssshut up, Gazimon," slurred the sleeping tamer. "Boobied angels don't walk on water..."
For his part, Gazimon remained all a snooze, his mouth watering as he scratched at his belly. As Renee loomed over her fellow digimon, she gave Al a side-long glance, sending her tamer the mental image of her fox tail teasing at Gaz's nose.
("I would never,") she lied. ("But...")
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Al looked at his lover and back to his vulpine lover “Boobied Angel?” He quietly whispered. But when she flashed him the image of tickling Gazimon’s nose, Al grinned
(“Funny as that would be.. let’s leave em be. We got a Discord date with a spider .”)
-
Rolling her eyes, the shapeshifter followed Al towards the television screen, the two disappearing back into the Network as streams of pixelated data upon the teen's opening the gate. In that moment in which the noise came to a halt, Ike lifted his head. Squinting, he glanced about the room, glancing down at his snoring partner, before collapsing back onto the couch.
...
As expected for a Monday morning, the cybercafé was quiet when Al and Renee got there, with most of the patrons being either college students or absent. Following Spinny's instructions, the two found the promised laptop in the far back of the main room. On typing out the password, the screen opened up to a standard layout one could find on most computers. The only deviation was a lone hyperlink at the center of said-screen, which, upon opening, brought up a trio of windows. One showcased an ever extending wall of encryption, another showed a zigzagging line Al recognized as an audio visualizer. The last, but not least, was a chat box for typing in.
"++Hello, dear heart++" said a masked voice. "++How can I help you today?++"
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Al would take a good look at the laptop and experimentally tap a few commands in the computer’s directory, curious to see if there was anything out of the ordinary as things spun up. When the voice came over the speakers he gave a wry smile
“Oh nothing much, we figured that it’s been high time to convene again. Stuff’s happened that would probably be best discussed. Have you heard anything out of the ordinary from our ‘friends’ the past few days?”
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"++Out of the ordinary? Not at all++"
"How about this," said Renee. "Have they been doing anything that we should be concerned about?"
"++Perhaps++" said the voice. "++Ever since one of the major sites on the Network got destroyed, there's been significant activity around their neighboring strongholds. Fortifications, additional patrol units. All of which are completely ordinary for the situation++"
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(“That sounds like they are afraid we will attack the other sites.. which if they are holding pieces of Lonomon’s code- and going by what’s happened to Kama that’s a yes- they should be worried. Then again… they were also already under attack when we got there…”)
Al would frown a bit, but would give a soft sigh. “I see. Another question then: has CODE been having problems with Network intrusions lately? Not Tamer related problems I mean.”
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"++As far as the Hawaiian branch is concerned, the only other intrusions stem from the usual suspects; Network-native digimon, training exercises, and the occasional hacker++"
"Ahem."
Al and Renee glanced over their shoulders. There, standing behind them, a man with too much acne on his face stared down at the duo with narrowed eyes.
"Sir, ma'am," he said. "If you're not gonna use our computers, can you please order something at the front desk?"
"Oh of course!" said Renee, the shapeshifter smiling as she clapped her hands together. "We're sorry, I was just going to order some drinks. Al, anything I can get you?"
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“So nothing on the grapevine about data corruption or any—“ he paused, looking from the laptop and giving an apologetic smile “Yeah sorry. Do you wanna get a danish or something babe?”
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"I'd love one!" she said, turning back to the clerk. "I didn't even know they sold those here! Here, why don't you show me and I'll nab one!"
The clerk began to say something, but Renee's smile and firm hand on his shoulder made it impossible for him to do so. Indeed, the shapeshifter was already starting up a conversation on the cafe's discount specials as she 'guided' him away from Alemana.
"++...I take it the distraction has been removed?++" asked the masked voice.
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Al smiled as they walked off before turning his attention back to the computer “Yes, for now. As I was saying, has there been anything about abnormal Data corruption? Something happened and I.. am worried about someone else close to me. This might sound like a broken record but.. I don’t know where they went and need to find them before CODE does. I don’t want to think about what would happen if those guys try to capture her- I mean them.”
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"++Really? Well, I must say I'm intrigued. Does this pertain to anything regarding distortions or the Night Marchers?++"
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So she was aware of that, hm?
“Perhaps.. have you heard anything?”
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"++As I've told you, our contract relates to specifically those elements, including intel on the 'Akua. Any morsels that fall outside said-categories require separate, individual payments++"
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That made him pause for a moment as he glanced back up at Renee as she continued to chat up the staffer, and he then gave a sigh.
“Alright, what’s your price Theri?”
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The voice gave a quiet chuckle. "++You're friend, Kamapua'amon. Tell me about him++"
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“Is the dating pool that shallow?” Came a small attempt at levity before he then added “You’ll have to be specific. What exactly are you wanting to know?”
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"++Dating pool? Oh, bless your heart. Though true, he is quite the specimen. But no, what interests me is his ability to maintain such a high level digivolution, while showing little to no strain in the process. Do you know how... unique it is for a tamer digimon to reach a permanent ultimate state in so short a time? Either Malie Kalama acquired an esoteric ace in the hole, or some outside element is involved++"
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“Seing as I’ve only met a handful of others like me.. no, can’t really say for certain what’s typical and what’s not. As for why he’s the way he is..”
(“I think Arukenimon is onto what’s going on with Kama.. not sure if that’s a good thing.”)
He would rub his hand through his hair.
“Well that really depends on what you consider an ace in the hole or outside element to be, miss Theridia. Though to be honest, it’s neither.. and both at the same time.”
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("Agreed,") thought Renee, the blonde swiping Al's credit card through the reader on the counter. ("Remember: she's an information broker. Even if she can't rat us out, there's no telling how she'll use any data we give her.")
"++Alemana++" chuckled the voice. "++Are you being coy with me~? I'll need details if this deal's to break through++"
-
(“I know. I still want to know if she’s seen or heard something about your.. sister.”)
He chuckled as well. “Oh no no, I’m not being coy at all. I think I gave you the answer you’re looking for.. we just can’t say it out loud in case someone else is listening. You are a very intelligent woman, surely you had an idea what was being held at that facility besides our friend.. it’s why you fed us those breadcrumbs right?”
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[Hmm... roll Manipulate with a -3 penalty]
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[Rolling: 6,5,3 + 7 - 3 = 18]
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Quiet fell over the monitor. Even as Renee returned with food in hand, little dared rise above a whisper.
"++Very well, Alemana++" said the masked voice. "++Regarding your missing... colleague, was it? I'm afraid I can't say much. Given current events with CODE, there's less chance of detection provided they avoid being painfully obvious or, heaven forbid, invade one of their heavily-armed facilities. But, who knows? Things can change a week from now, maybe more++"
("That tells us nothing,") thought Renee, resisting the urge to sigh.
-
(“True.. wait.”) Alemana was then aware of something.
“You do have a point. You got me, that’s for sure. I thought I could game your system. I think I could let you know a specific to what’s going on with Kama. Just one question first.” He then got a bit more quiet
“Who exactly told you that Kamapua’amon was permanently digivolved? It wasn’t Spinny.”
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"++It wasn't? I had no idea Three-of-Eight was keeping you informed about what she has and hasn't told me++"
Renee's eyes widened. ("No... you don't think--")
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“Spinny is good, but Rena has also gotten pretty good at finding her when we have to talk about sensitive things. You haven’t been sending your other kids to spy on us without informing us have you? That would be breaking out agreement I think.”
Even though the spirit thread didn’t seem to be hurting Keilani.
When Renamon’s thoughts mingled with his, the boy’s eyes widened (“..I don’t know.. it would be a good way to disadvantage us..”)
And he then would add “.. Spinny hasn’t been talking about morning activities has she?”
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A brief pause. "++Morning activities?++" echoed the voice.
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“Uh.. not important!”
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The voice, despite being masked, betrayed a flatness as it asked: "++What do you mean 'not important'? You're the one that brought it up++"
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“Well.. what all does she report on usually?” He asked
(“Do you think this will help take her off guard?”)
-
Renee responded to the question with a mental image of Al and her disguised as Theridia in the shower. The tamer could feel the smirk on his partner's lips, no matter how subtle it was.
"++Alemana++" said the voice. A tapping sound came through as well. Was she... tapping her finger?
-
His cheeks flushed but he did his best to ignore her
“Yes?” He asked as affably as he could manage
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"++Do I need to get Three-of-Eight on the line?++" asked the voice. "++Because I will if I have to++"
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“Well I mean it’s nothing really that interesting to be honest, it’s rather anal- I mean banal in nature!”
(“.. well that was a Freudian slip!”)
-
("Gee, you think?")
"++THAT'S IT!!++" said the voice, near breaking the mic. "++This concludes our business for today! Leave the laptop where you FOUND it, Sonson!++"
A sudden spike in static threatened to pop Al and Renee's eardrums before being cut off, the computer silenced as the call disconnected.
Renee took a bite from her danish. ("Think Spinny might be in trouble tonight,") she thought.
-
“Hold on, Kama Pua’amon has within him the-“
And when the line went dead, Alemana would sigh and close the laptop.
(“Let her agonize over that for a few days.”) Al thought-spoke to Renee, a smirk on his face.
“So.. what do you want to do now babe?” He casually asked as he took a bite of her pastry
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"Honestly? The idea that Brena might have contacted Theridia has me worried. Even if she hasn't, it still leaves us vulnerable. I'm sure if she wanted to, Theridia could point to Brena technically being me concerning the terms of our deal."
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“So you think she has?” He asked, his frown returning. “I’d hope she wouldn’t.. but who knows what she’s up to. I was hoping Theri would tell us if she’s seen Brena.. but I think we only have one choice.”
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"You're not seriously thinking we try talking to her," said Renee, the shapeshifter glancing at the surrounding room with rising intensity.
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“We have to get her to teach you how to use those powers Renee.. but we don’t know where she is. She won’t talk with you.. be I doubt she will refuse to talk to me.”
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"Al, I am telling you, if she talks to you, it will be-a-trap. And if we try trapping her, she'll see it coming from a mile a way!"
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Al nodded, and gave an uneasy smile “I know.. but that’s what love is right? Doing something that scares the shit out of us for the people we care about right?” He said as he turned to look at her, His smile wavering a bit more.
“Right?”
-
Staring back at her tamer, Renee's expression softened. "Al," she said, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to come down on you... and, you're right, but--" She lowed her face into her spare hand. "Let's just try to avoid jumping headlong into this."
Just then, Al's digivice began thrumming in the teen's pocket. Pulling it out, Al saw Keilani's name on the screen.
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“Yeah, I agree. Renee I just,” he was about to say more when his Digivice rang. Caught off guard he would pull it from his pocket, glancing at the caller ID.
“I could’ve sworn she was on her way to do sky-diving… she didn’t chicken out did she?” He mused as he answered
“What’s up sis? Didja wuss out?”
-
"++Al you need to get over here RIGHT NOW++" said Keilani. "++This is SERIOUS--there's a fucking INAS on the road!++"
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“Wait- what the fuck—?”
Al gave Renee an incredulous glance “Like out in broad daylight?!”
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"++In the middle of the fucking road!! Luckily, we're not getting any traffic over here, but nothing's stopping someone from driving over!++"
("Would the INAS even react if a car passed through it?") thought Renee. ("As long as it's still inactive, non-tamers shouldn't be affected!")
-
(“Hold on!”)
“Is the thing active? We’re on our way, but if it’s not active Renee says normies shouldn’t be able to pass through it.” He said as they briskly sped-walked to his car.
“Which road is it?”
-
"++Of course it's active!++" barked Keilani. "++I wouldn't be shouting if it wasn't fucking active!! Just look on your digivice's map, you find me!++"
As Al and Renee hurried towards the exit, they would have crashed into the clerk from earlier had Renee not grabbed the man by the arms and spun him around.
"Excuse us~!" she said, smiling as she planted him down behind. "In a bit of a hurry. Thanks for the danish~!"
"Hey!" he said. "What the hell?!" But it was too late, both teens had vanished beyond the door, Renee having lost no momentum from her stunt. So baffled was the acned worker that he failed to notice the KoDokugumon hanging by spider thread as it climbed back into the drop ceiling with Theridia's laptop. "Damn kids," he muttered, yet from the corner of his eye, he noticed something move. Turning, however, he saw only an empty booth, the spiderling putting the panel back in place. Mission accomplished.
...
Saddle Road was a long highway through vibrant, open fields, its name derived from the 'saddle' between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa one drove through. Both volcanoes loomed over the plains, no matter where one stood therein.
"There haven't been many cars on the road," said Renee. "Hopefully that just means people are using an alternate route today."
-
That made his face pale slightly. He had been planning on getting the others.. but hearing that the INAS was active? “We’re fucking on it!” He said as he didn’t even apologize to the guy as they left- laptop all but forgotten. But as he got into the car, checked the map and buckled up, he shot Vivi a text:
Get Ike up, and go to Saddle Road. We’ve got a damn active INAS in the middle of the street! I don’t know if we can bring Kama across town though, I will leave that to you okay?
______
Al had to be thankful, once he pulled up besides kei’s car.. and he would look at Renee with a forced smile “Well.. we knew this was gonna happen sooner or later..” he said with a sigh before he got out of the car.
“I’m guessing nothing has tried to come out?”
-
The site of the INAS was just as Keilani had described: dab center of the single lane road. Keilani herself stood several yards away from the INAS, her car parked halfway onto the side of the road as she waved Al and Renee over.
"As far as I can tell," she said, answering her brother. "No idea how long it's been active for, so it's entirely possible someone drove through it--but honestly, what kind of idiot would drive through something like that?" She pointed at the INAS up ahead. Space flickered around the glowing distortion, glitching out of place. Colors shifted between black and neon magenta to the faintest sound of static white noise.
"Where's Gammamon?" asked Renee.
"In the car. Wanted to avoid freaking people out if they drove by."
-
“Any more than a hole in reality would you mean,” he said as he then glanced back at the distortion, sighing. “Vivi and Ike should be on their way. I don’t know if Malie and Kama will be with them though.. we can’t really get them here without being seen unless we go in and get control over the damn Node.. it would be a moot point then anyway.”
-
"There's no time to wait for backup," said Keilani. "We've gotta shut this thing down before it gets worse." Turning to face her car, she called for Gammamon, causing the ceratops to catapult out of the backseat.
"Al! Renamon!" he said, dashing towards the group. "Did you see?! We're going on a road trip!"
"We sure are, Gammy," said Renee as foxfire enveloped her, revealing Renamon in all her glory. "Should one group stay out here and watch the road?"
-
“No, we don’t.” He agreed as he then looked at Gammy, then at Keilani “Should we flip a coin to see who goes in, and who stays out?”
-
Raising an eyebrow, Keilani dipped into a pocket to pull out her wallet.
"Alright," she said, quarter in hand. "Heads, we go, tails you go."
*Rollz*
Flipping the coin, Keilani put her leg in front of Gammy as she let the quarter fall to the ground. As one, the group leaned forward, their shadows killing the gleam of sunlight off the spare change to reveal...
"Tails it is," said Renamon.
"Typical," said Keilani. "Alright bro, you and Rena get first crack at this."
-
Al couldn’t help but smirk slightly when the coin landed tails, and he would softly pet Renamon’s “Tails always win! Alright, we’re going in. When the others show up let ‘em know what’s going on okay?”
And he would take a breath. “Let’s do this, Renamon!”
-
"Yeah, will do."
"Ooh ooh!" said Gammamon, arms in the air. "Keilani, can I keep the quarter?"
"Sure thing, Gammy. We can put it in your piggybank." Gesturing towards her car, the scientist led her partner away from the INAS, watching from afar as Al and Renamon stepped through.
...
Not even a minute inside the node, and the similarities to the one at the zoo were apparent. Cyberspace was still visible above, the node's skybox represented by pixelated patches of blue that hung in fixed positions. Meanwhile, on the ground, endless fields of flowers and grass were bisected by a long strip of road, one that defied gravity as it rose up to form spirals, loops, and even turn upside down circuit high in the air. Holographic road signs blinked in and out of view, showcasing numbers and digicode for routes that didn't exist or cautioned speed limits impossible for any conventional vehicle to reach.
("I don't see any digimon,") thought Renamon. ("This node must be relatively new in the Network, not just its INAS.")
-
Looking about at it, Al would give a faint smile. If it was still nascent.. they could take control of the INAS and seal it before any major problems happened.
“Well in that case, we better hurry and put it under lock and key before some asshole digimon tries to use it for their own gain.”
-
"Understood," said the vulpine. She gave the area another sweeping glance before looking back at Al. "Don't suppose you remember how to access the node's admin controls, do you?"
-
“I should be able to figure it out, easily enough. If Vivi can puzzle it out I believe I can too. I do work on coding every now and then if you remember.” He teased
-
Smirking, Renamon elbowed the teen's side. "Alright then, how do we access the node's system from here?"
-
“Hmm.. let’s see.” He would bring up his Digivice “Well this is integral for closing the INAS.. so maybe..”
-
[Hmm... roll me Computers]
-
[Rolling: 5,5,5 + 9= 24]
-
[Pffft, Christ]
Inspecting his digivice, Al opened up the map function, combing through the data presented till he found a way to access the program's coding. The text was in digicode, yet bit by bit each glyph flickered into alphabetic letters and numbers he could understand. A dash here, a tilde there, Alemana was halfway through writing out a new command when the code in his head began typing itself out on its own... and kept going... walls upon walls of text. Without warning, the editing window closed, revealing an angular trail of dots leading further into the node.
"Al," said Renamon. "What did you do...?"
-
It was like a puzzle, in a way. That's what Alemana always found so interesting about coding work, examining what characters went where and what could be out of place.. it was calming in ways that his other hobbies didn't really offer- an escape from everything else where only the purity of the equation mattered. And as Al worked to decipher the digicode, he got into his flow state. That line.. and that one there.. yes, he was starting to see how things worked.. at least in bits and pieces. For a few minutes it was like he was the only person in the room with how focused he was as he typed away, he didn't even seem to perceive anything beyond his screen and the slowly decoding characters displayed upon it.
He didn't even seem to realized how things clicked into place as he worked.. things just made sense. In this flow state, everything was so obvious to him-
Then he was jerked back to the present as the window closed, looking at the trail of dots in a daze.. as if mesmerized for a moment. He didn't answer her question right away, merely looking over his shoulder at her with a perplexed expression. "What?"
He then shook his head, glancing at the trail. "Oh, uh. I set up a route to take us to the core of the Node.. I think. We should be able to fully take care of things there."
-
[Gain +1 Inspiration]
Alemana felt his partner's eyes on the back of his neck even before he saw through them via their link. Staying close, Renamon followed the teen, shifting her attention to the ever growing road streaking through the patchwork heavens.
Into the flowering fields the lovers trekked, further and further away from the painted strip of tarmac. On the map, the dotted line broke off as they approached the lone rock jutting out from the blooming earth. Renamon tensed, grabbing firm onto Al's shoulder as she went still as a statue, for in that instance, a cone of light flashed into being upon the stone -- as if it were center stage at a school's theater production. A moment later, and a holoscreen blinked into view, hovering above the rock as walls of encryption flowed across the surface.
("Looks like we found it,") thought Renamon, the vulpine easing her hold. ("Think it's safe to access?")
-
Al glanced about as they approached the holoscreen, reaching his hand behind him for Renamon to grasp
“It should be safe.. probably. I mean no one is challenging us for control as far as I can tell… so it should be easy for us to just log in and get Administrator privileges.”
-
On touching the screen, static shock sparked between it and Al's hand. Suddenly, the encryption swiped left as several windows opened, each flashing a red, segmented triangle with an exclamation point inside. In the foreground, a bar then bisected the screen from side-to-side, reading: WARNING in capital letters.
"++Alert++" said a voice. "++Faultline detected. Network connection unstable++"
"Unstable?!" echoed Renamon.
The voice continued. "++Immediate action required. Please advise++"
-
“Locate fault!” Al said, typing on the screen “Let’s see if I can’t debug this bitch of a glitch..!”
-
Entering the command, Al watched as a load bar filled from left to right, multiple times. "++Faultline located++" answered the voice. "++Parallel system overlap. Seismic activity interference projected to destabilize node with total collapse++"
"Parallel system--is it talking about Earth or the Digital World?"
-
Al set his jaw as he frowned “I don’t know .. either? Both? It doesn’t matter.. we gotta fix it.”
-
More holoscreens appeared, displaying evershifting graphs and telemetry data as they formed a crescent around Al and Rena.
"++Caution: Stabilization requires mooring action. Please enter four node hyperlinks now++"
-
“Mooring Action?” Al quietly asked.. but he would quickly take out his Digivice. There were at least four Nodes he could use right? The cave, the classroom, Catchy’s arcade.. and RustGauntmon’s junkyard!
Imputing all four links, he bit his lip “I hope this works!”
-
Each link appeared upon the main screen, alongside a loading bar, their lettering flashing green as they finished.
"++Hyperlinks approved++" said the voice. Suddenly, the earth beneath Al and Rena's feet shook, as the rumbling of stone crashing against stone thundered all around them.
"Al, look!" said Renamon as she grabbed hold of him, the vulpine staring up at the sky. Past the pixelated islands of blue, the pair made out holographic rings widening out from the void beyond. A sound like that of pressurized steam followed the clanking of heavy metal. Streams of light fired from the rings, and only then did Al realize that the node was moving, shifting on its axis.
"++Caution++" said the voice. "++Do not leave the node until axis realignment is complete. Reminder: interference from parallel system overlap threatens total system collapse++"
-
"Yes!" Al exclaimed "Renamon, I think it's work-"
His excitement seemed to be short-lived as everything began shaking.. but when Renamon pointed out what was happening.. along with the warning message he gave a small sigh "Well.. it looks like things are becoming stabilized at least. Step one, check." He then gave her a nervous smile as he gently leaned on her, looking up at the sky with her.
"Yknow.. this reminds me of that time the four of us had to tie that energy rope back when we were kids.. remember?"
-
"Mhmhm, couldn't forget if I wanted to," she said. "The days before we left Waihona were the most intense we'd ever been through at the time."
-
“Yeah.. god.. things seemed so simple back then baby..” he said as he nuzzled into her shoulder. “We felt so invincible back then. I mean we’re way more badass now, but those days.. it really felt like we were unstoppable, yknow?”
-
Renamon rested her cheek on the teen, smiling as she hummed her agreement.
"++Alert!++ said the voice. "++Unidentified hyperlink detected. Source: unknown. Properties: unknown++"
"Another hyperlink?" said Rena. "Is someone else trying to access the node?"
-
The teen had just closed his eyes when they wre yanked back open by the message, and he would sit up "The hell?"
He let go of his partner and returned to the holoscreen, trying to take a look at the Link "I don't know.. but I suddenly have a bad feeling about this," he said grimly as he brought up the command prompts again.
"Maybe I can figure out where it originated.."
-
[Roll Computers with a -5 penalty]
-
[Rolling: 5,5,6 +9- 5 =20]
-
Fingers all a blur as they typed out commands, Alemana brought up a 3D model of the node as the beams of light created branching tunnels towards the ones he'd connected to it. Overlapping a map of the Big Island, he saw where the new one was originating from, it being the northern most of them all.
"Somewhere on Mauna Kea," said Renamon. "Wait, didn't Keilani say she was going to work at the observatory up there?"
-
“Yeah, you’re right. Why would a Hyperlink be coming from there, to a Node that is manifesting on a random road?” He asked.. then his eyes widened
“Unless there is someone, or multiple someone’s, who work there that know about the digital world…”
-
Rena scrutinized the monitors, her eyes narrowing. "That still doesn't explain why a hyperlink is forming between here and there," she said. "Is it something natural to the Network? Why would the node need us to type in hyperlinks if that's the case?"
-
“I dunno.. but I seriously doubt this is ‘natural’..”
-
A klaxon sounded, there and then, pulling the pair's attention back to the screens. "++Alert++" said the voice. "++Unidentified user inbound from hyperlink number five. Security measures remain offline. Risk of malware insertion at seventy-five percent-cent-cent-ceeeeeennentnetnet++"
The holoscreens shuddered and glitched, sparks of electricity dancing between the displays as all activity on them froze like a bad connection. Renamon's ears shot up, the vulpine looking skyward as a whistling noise came in earshot. Both she and Al looked up just in time to see orange comets smash through a patch of sky or otherwise streak through the gaps as they came crashing down to earth. All of them in the direction of the new hyperlink!
"Get down!" said Rena, grabbing Al as the ground shook on impact.
-
“Excuse me—?”
He didn’t say more, getting pulled away by Renamon just as the comets came crashing down
“Well we can throw the idea of peaceful cohabitation out the window in this neighborhood!”
-
"Al, we need to move! If I digivolve I can try and deflect the comets, maybe give you enough time to fix the node's security system!"
-
“Right! Do it babe!” Al said as he looked around, trying to find at least some cover
-
Al's digivice shined bright as Renamon became enveloped in rings of digicode, her cocoon's glow challenging of that of the fireballs descending upon the node.
"Renamon, digivolve to—KYUBIMON!!"
Wreathed in billowing flames, the ninetails galloped at full speed, never slowing even as comets crashed all around her. Smoke belched from the craters, blanketing the fields in ash and gloaming embers. Only by his link with her did Al know his partner still lived, feeling the rush of wind in her fur as though he were running by her side. Yet from the smoke, four trails were torn as the foxwives took flight, the elemental vulpines deflecting what fireballs careened towards Alemana.
For Al, there was little cover beyond the burning craters. Shielded from the heat by Kumon's blessing, there was too much distance between the nearest hole and the glitching admin controls for him to use both.
-
Alemana had too much faith in Kyubimon to ever believe that a few burning rocks could destroy her.. so as the smoke cleared and he caught a glimpse of Jennifer and Charlotte flitting through the air.. he only smiled as he took a sprinting charge towards the holo console.
(“Never a dull moment, Ever!”)
-
[Hmm... first, roll me Athletics. Then roll me Computers at a -7 penalty]
-
[Athletics: 1,6,4 + 9 = 20
Computers: 6,1,6 + 9- 7= 15]
-
Ears ringing from the constant bombardment, Al kept his balance as he dashed for the holoscreens, his eyes focused away from the literal firestorm above.
The console was a mess. Most of the screens were glitched out, and the ones that weren't had little relevance to the node's security functions. Not to be denied, Al got to work on typing commands, relying on memory as he changed the main monitor to one of the smaller, still-functioning screens. Success! Though now squinting at a monitor to his right, the tamer found camera footage that brought up a new holoscreen. The feed was pixelated, but as the image was magnified, the graininess cleared to give depth and shape to something between the node and hyperlink number five. It had wings whose tips were flecked in reds, oranges and gold. A bird? No, it had a long, slender tail, yet it also had talons that burned like molten rock. There was so much smoke in the way...
-
As he worked, Al’s eyes squinted at the glitching displays, a small exclamation of success as he got a clearer picture at what was happening. As he saw what was coming, his eyes snapped up to look at Kyubimon (“We’ve got company coming! Some weird bird.. lizard.. lava thing!”) he said as he then looked back at the screens
Let’s se if he could try to block its progress!
-
Kyubimon huffed as she heard Al's thoughts. Flanked by the ponytailed Kirsten and Jennifer, the great fox sprinted up the node's only road. And up... and up. A smirk crossed her face; despite the angles at which she ran, she felt no pull towards the ground, the node's gravity centering her on the tarmac. At one point, she ran upside-down, her twin foxwives diverting what comets neared the impossible road. All save one. Eyes wide, Kyubimon readied to jump as the fireball came straight at her. Her ears twitched, hearing a sudden warbling noise, then a shift in the 'ground'. As if alive, the road stretched, arched, and unspooled, letting the comet fly through its loops without ever touching it, though Kyubimon was forced to claw deep grooves in the strip's surface to avoid running off the path.
On Al's end, the moment the road became animated was when another holoscreen opened up.
"++Road map activated++" said the console's synthetic voice. "++You may now alter at your convenience++"
The screen showed a grid layout of the node's only road, both from a horizontal and birds' eye perspective. Putting a finger to it, Al saw the portion of road he touch shift as if being stretched. Combined with the sudden lurch he felt from Kyubimon, he turned and saw the very same shift happen as she continued to run.
("Al!)" she thought. ("The road's moving! Are you doing this?!")
-
Al gave a hitch of worried breath.. but then he released a sigh of relief as Kyubi was unharmed. In truth he hadn’t necessarily intended to manipulate the road.. but with the first alteration.. then the second one he just did a grin slowly spread across his face. “Okay, that’s fucking rad..” he muttered as he skimmed over the map, and then glanced at the road: a plan was taking shape.
(“Yep, that was me! I have control of the Road! And I think I know what we should do with it!”)
-
("If it helps us reach the target, I'm all ears!")
-
(“Just hold on tight!”)
Returning his attention to the Road Map, he would move the road in a spiraling ribbon shape as he attempted to loop it around the intruding creature like a sort of cage.. giving Kyubimon and the Wives ample angles to maneuver and attack from.
(“Let’s see how this works!”)
-
More comets fell upon the node, and with every strike towards the road, the strange apparatus moved of its own accord to avoid being struck. Unable to look away for even a second, Al wrangled with the road's layout, as if pinning a worm down with his fingers and thumbs as it flailed. He could see Kyubimon as an orange dot on the screen, the ninetail's speed stymied by the continual shifts. That is, until she leaped across one section towards another within reach.
("I have eyes on the digimon!") she thought. ("It's some sort of dragon!")
[Roll Computers with a -6 penalty]
-
[Rolling= 5,6,4 + 9 - 6 = 18]
Al would grunt in annoyance as he glanced back and forth between the display and the action above him as he wrangled the road. (“Well we’re gonna have to convince it to Skadoodle back the way it came, cuz it’s now trespassing on sovereign virtual soil.. and as Commander-In- Chief of Almanastan, I leave it up to you, Vice-President Kyubimon, to deal with this foreign threat!”)
-
("Mhmh, yes sir, Mr. President.")
While Al stretched and bent his fingers into pretzels over the map, Kyubi and her entourage took to their new leapfrog strategy. Through her eyes, Al saw the enemy far clearer than what he'd found on the camera feeds. It was armored in jet-black scales, a glow like the heat of a furnace burning and at the edges. Its arms were wings tipped in fire, whilst ash and soot seeped out to form an illusory fullness. The horned countenance of the digimon was made out by the brightness of its maw, its tongue like molten rock behind tusks of gloaming metal. It was from this maw a brilliant light condensed, and in an instant, a ray of shimmering heat fired towards Kyubimon!
[Rolling: 5 6 2 2 2 3, 3 3 6 6 6 6, 5 4 4 2 3 = 7 suxx, 6 4 1 5 = 9 suxx]
-
[rolling: 5,4,1,5,1,5,3,4,6,5,3,1
Rerolls: 5,5,6 = 8 suxx]
-
[Hits = [(DMG +1) - (11 - 4 from Armor Piercing 2)] = 10 damage total. Kyubimon suffers Burn 3.]
[Do you wish to intercede with one of the foxwives?]
-
[Yes]
-
Her thoughts racing faster than the attack, Kyubimon willed Jennifer to grab her hindleg, enabling the ninetails to springboard into a backflip. It gave her enough time to watch as the elemental was turned into raw plasma before detonating, sending the airborne Kyubi even further from the heat ray. The blast was far easier to endure than what the ninetails just witnessed. Indeed, where the attack had landed, the tarmac of the road bubbled and sloughed. A moment later, the ruined section of road pixelated, splitting apart to form two separate segments, neither of which fell towards the ground, instead staying in place as Al kept a grip on the map.
("Definitely an ultimate,") thought Kyubimon, resuming her sprint alongside Kirsten. ("Al, we might have to digivolve again, but your idea to use the road still sounds like a good call!")
-
(“Damn it.. you might be right. Okay Kyubimon, Super Digivolve! I’ll keep fiddling with the road, see if I can’t help you out. If this thing is so lava based.. maybe we do need to try hitting it with some water.”)
Al would hold up his Digivice with one hand as the other remained on the Holoscreen in front of him; the neon-red sprite of Kumon’s Ki’i appearing on his Digivice!
-
"Kyubimon digivolve to--!" In that moment, a fireball flew straight at the bridge, and though the living road moved to evade, it did so straight into a collision point with another comet. Kirsten charged forward, exploding on impact, and from the smoke of her conflagration -- as it enveloped Kyubimon and the path ahead -- emerged the divine dancer. "KAHUNIMON!!"
A roar like the eruption of a volcano blasted through the air above both tamer and partner. The dragon digimon, wings stretched wide, followed Kahunimon's progress as the road continued to stretch and grow mere inches ahead of her. From behind her mask, the dancer's eyes narrowed. Not on the dragon, but the flecks of light that shimmered around it. She could feel them, and through her, so did Alemana. Like pin-pricks of heat popping across the skin.
("Those embers,") thought Kahunimon. ("They're bits of combustive mineral dust. Getting too close would be like running through another minefield like back in Hotel-Alfa, minus the relative gravity effect.")
-
Al grimaced as he heard that, watching as both Ultimates stared each other down. (“Well then.. if those embers explode on contacted.. let’s wash everything away! Let’s see how the Kentucky fried bitch likes that!”)
And she would swirl, her oceanic skirt flowing around her like a whirlpool. ”Wave Crash Dance!”
[Rolling= 2,2,5,6,2,6,6,5,3,6,6,6,4,5 = 9 suxx!]
-
[Dodge: 3 4 2 5 4 2, 3 2 4 6 4 6, 2 5
1 3 6 = 4 suxx, ...5 = 5 suxx = Hits = [(DMG +4) - 14] = 4 DMG Total]
Sweeping her arm to one side, mid-spin, the dancer channeled her senses through the current, the water lashing out like a whip towards the dragon. Yet as the attack spanned the distance between the two digimon, it detached from Kahunimon, and in doing so lost form, the whip spreading out as it turned into a liquid veil. Both tamer and partner felt it bubbling from the heat, as if something were dappling at the forefront of their minds. They watched the pure water darken as it soot and ash contaminated it. Seconds later, muffled crackling popped around the dragon, the water veil turning into volcanic grey steam.
The dragon roared, the scalding vapor now enveloping it. Sparks of lightning flickered through the cloud, and though Kahunimon hit the road running, she near lost balance as the stench of sulphur assaulted her nose. Her eyes narrowed. The cloud, it was swelling. Through fire and water, she sensed its true nature. Bracing herself, she watched as the cloud burst to the thunderous sound and motion of the dragon's beating wings.
[Rolling: 4 4 1 6 1 4 1, 6 4 4 5 2 1 5, 2 1 6 = 5 suxx, ...1 4 4 5 2 6 5 = 8 suxx total]
-
[rolling=4,5,6,2,6,1,5,3,1,5,5,6,2,6,2,4,2,2= 8 suxx= miss]
The burning ash-steam would wash over Kahunimon, but she spun on her heels as her skirt of water cut through the gloam like a knife through butter. Grinding her feet into the road she then launched herself into the air- Al giving it enough of an elastic characteristic to essentially catapult her towards the dragon: fist cocked back. "Pele Punch!"
[Rolling:6,6,2,5,2,4,6,2,6,2,3,3,5,2,2,1= 6 suxx]
-
[Dodge: 4 3 5 3 6 6, 6 2 5 6
1 1, 5 = 7 suxx, ...4 4 = no additional = Hits = [(DMG +1) - (14 -2)] = 2 DMG. Burn has no effect on fire derg]
The dancer's molten fist hammered into the black steel armor of her quarry's hide, its scales cracking into a web around the impact zone. A deafening howl sent Kahunimon reeling, but not before she dug her claws into the space between her foe's burning plates.
-
“Damn it!” And Al would frown, scanning the holoscreen (“Hold on, I’m trying something!”) and he would try to take a section of the road and whack the dragon creature with it— and a moment later he tried to scan it with his digidex app.
-
[Hmm... I wanna saaaaay roll Computers with a threshold of 17, but a -5 penalty.]
-
[Rolling= 6,5,4 + 9- 5 = 19]
-
Sweating bullets, Alemana wrangled to strike at a moving target on a program he had only now started to get the hang of. Speed kept him ahead of the dragon, the road racing around it from behind to sucker punch its armored jawline! Through the monitor, Al's digivice pulled up an image of the foe in all its fell glory.
//Lavogaritamon
++//Level: Ultimate
++//Type: Rock Dragon
++//Attribute: Virus
++//Family: Dragon's Roar
++//Attacks: Caldera Corona, Melding Blaze, Pyroclasm, Wild Blast
-
“Well that’s a damn mouthful!” He grumbled as he then looked at Kahunimon (“ Okay Let’s smack this thing back where it came from!”)
And she would growl with him .. her posture growing more aggressive. ”Kapua Aspect!”
She then launched forward ”Pele Punch!”
[Rolling= 3,2,6,6,6,4,6,6,5,6,5,1,1,1,1,3,3,6,3,6 = 10 suxx]
-
[Dodge with -2: ...
1 3 6 6 6, ...4 2 2 1 1, ...5 2 1 3 6 = 5 suxx, ...6 6 2 = 7 suxx total = Hits = [(DMG +3 +4) - (14-2)] = 12 DMG. Burn has no effect.]
As the power of her Aspect burned away the fog in her mind, Kahunimon's wrath ignited behind her fist as blue flame. She made no effort to hide her target, aiming straight for where the road had slammed into Lavagaritamon's face. The sheer strength behind her attack as it hammered into the wounded jawline - *CRACK!* went the air as a jagged fissure split open across the dragon's maw, a wailing roar bellowing forth soon after. Kahunimon felt her enemy's resistance give way to her fist; her ears rang with its deafening cry. A moment, and she felt the rush of wind as the dragon ceased flying, the fire beneath its scales dimming as both of them plummeted towards the node below.
-
(“Don’t destroy it, babe!”)
She would then turn, her tail flicking forward ”Sunfire Lei!” she snarled out, a stream of gold light surging towards the dragon.
[Rolling: 3,6,6,5,4,2,6,2,3,5,5,4,2,6,2,5,6,2,3,2,2= 9 suxx_]
-
[Lavagaritamon's fuckin' knocked out, he ain't dodging. For a point of Inspiration, describe what Kahunimon does with her tail -- bear in mind, neither she nor derg are slowing down as terminal velocity begins taking effect.]
-
The Kahuna dancer smiled almost demurely at the lava dragon as she spun.. spun.. and spun as she then released it, sending the Digimon rocketing into the street as she then enveloped herself into a dense sphere of water to cushion her impact as she was sent flying towards another section of the road.
-
[Aight, gain an Inspiration.]
The sheer size of the dragon did nothing to the momentum of Kahunimon's swing - though upon crashing into the living road, a second glance was needed. The fall of the two digimon were complete opposites. One enveloped in water that bounced on impact with the road. The other, destroying the entire section it had been slammed into. Lavogaritamon once more began to fall, only to land a short distance atop another segment of road, hanging there like a rag on a clothesline.
("They'll be fine,") thought Kahunimon, the dancer popping her bubble as she landed a second time. ("The node seems to be keeping parts of the road afloat even if they're broken.")
The dragon released a dull moan.
("Yeah, they're fine.")
-
Al winced as the dragon smashed through the road, and would sigh. (“Okay good.. let’s finish locking the Node down and then ask this dragon boy what the hell is going on, and who sent it.”) he said as he returned his attention to the holoscreen.
-
Able to concentrate without fear of bombardment, Alemana finalized the node's security measures. Heat pulsed from the teen's digivice, spreading out and over the holoscreens, which flickered with static before - One by one - they were overlaid with the sigil for Kumon's Ki'i.
"++Access node stabilized++" said a synthesized voice. "++Security level one engaged. All runtimes will be redirected to defragmentation and reassembly++"
"Wonder what form security around here will take," thought Kahunimon aloud, the dancer crouching beside Al as she read off the screen. "It's the first time we've ever taken a node pre-admin."
-
Al would sigh in relief, and then slump into Kahunimon’s knee before looking up at her “I dunno.. but I’m sure we’ll figure it out sooner or later. But what I wanna know right now..” his eyes glanced in the direction of the downed dragon.
“Is who Lavogaritamon is working for, if it’s working for anyone.”
-
The dragon continued to emit a low groan, having been lowered to the ground by the living road. Ribbons of smoke fumed from the digimon's nostrils, yet little more than an inch did its body move at any given time.
Suddenly, Al's digivice vibrated. Kelani's name was all over the screen.
"++Al?++" she said, on taking her call. "++Al, the INAS just fizzled out. You still in the node?++"
-
The sudden call almost made Al jump, but he would answer without delay.
“Hey, we’re okay! Yes we are.. we just locked everything down. Would you be willing to come in here? We have a… guest.”
-
"++Guest?++" she echoed. "++Is it another friend from Waihona?++"
"Not exactly," said Kahunimon. "We're still figuring out the details."
"++Well okay then, I'll be right over with Gammy++"
...
"Geez, look at the size of that thing." said Keilani, the astronomer staring out at the distant dragon as Gammamon frolicked through the surrounding devastation. "And you actually beat it up with an elastic road?"
Kahunimon shrugged. "More or less."
-
“It was a joint effort.”
Al would smile softly as he leaned against Kahunimon’s thigh, arms crossed as the water of her skirt froze to avoid getting him wet. “But yeah, this guy showed up like a giant bat outta hell when I was trying to get the Node under control so we could fix the INAS. What’s weirder still though is where he came from.” He then gave a momentary grimace as he almost slid down Kahunimon’s leg before fixing his posture.
“Sorry. But yeah.. turns out this guy came from another Node. And the node in question? It’s the observatory that you’re gonna be working at Sis.”
-
Up till then, Keilani had been nodding her head as she listened to the teen, keeping on eye on the dragon and the other on her partner. On hearing that final note from Al, however, she did a double take. "Wait, what?!"
"Part of stabilizing the node required uploading hyperlinks on our part," said Kahunimon, the dancer holding Al by the shoulder. "During the process, one came on its own from somewhere on Mauna Kea."
Keilani put hand to forehead, shielding her eyes. "I don't know what to say. I mean, it makes sense, but also, it means there's an active node on site. Either CODE's already aware of it, or it's waiting to pop."
"KABOOM!!"
"Gammy, calm down."
-
Al would softly rub at her forearm as he looked away for a moment so he could gather himself after Kei’s shocked outburst.
“I dunno if it’s exactly in the observatory, but it’s at least somewhere on the campus.” Al said as he gave an unsure smile. “But why bother doing guess work when we have someone who could tell us for certain right here?” He asked, pointing at the dragon.
-
"Assuming he can talk," said the sister. "Some digimon aren't fully sapient."
"Like that weasel from the zoo node," said Kahunimon.
"No idea if it has anything to do with the data they've absorbed, or just from a lack of contact with other digimon for extensive periods of time. They can still be cunning, but more like a wild animal from Earth."
-
“Well there’s only one way to find out.” Al said helpfully, glancing down at Gammamon “isn’t that right, Gammy?”
-
"Yeah!" said the ceratops, arms in the air. "Ride the dragon!"
"Speaking of dragons," said Kahuni. "Any word from Eyesmon and the others?"
"Eyes' busy messing with media coverage of the road," said Keilani. "Everything from a overturned tree blocking traffic to warnings of possible earthquake damage. Didn't see any cars come by, so it must be working."
"What about satellite coverage?"
"No idea. Security for that's probably tighter than anything on Hilo. Messing with it might draw more attention than not, especially with CODE on the island."
The group's attention was then pulled away as they heard Lavogaritamon stirring. A dull roar emanated from the dragon, its wings flapping, yet failing to lift it to its knees as it crashed back down.
"Guess who's awake," said Kei, holding her balance at the subsequent tremor.
-
“Well that’s good enough. We might need to celebrate at the cafe.” Al said as he then began climbing up his partner’s back, arms draped over her shoulders.
“Well since he’s getting up.. let’s see what’s happening with him.”
And a moment later Al and Kahunimon touched down before the dragon.
“Are you gonna try to throw another tantrum, or are you actually reasonable?”
-
Lavogaritamon raised their head to the sky, moaning a long, sonorous note.
"Is that a yes or no?" asked Kahunimon.
The dragon grumbled, dropping their head back onto the ground.
Eyes narrowed, the dancer folded her arms. "Can you understand what we're saying?"
Lavo huffed, looking away from the pair.
-
“It seems like it does. Hmm..” he then would try another tact, opening his storage and pulling out a sandwich that he had packed for a rainy day.. but then held it towards the dragon
-
[Hmm... roll either Manipulate or Persuade, with a -4 penalty]
-
[Rolling= 6,6,5 +7 -4 = 20]
-
Much like a sulking Cashew after having been denied walkies, the dragon could not abide the siren call of Hawaiian PB and J. Up close, Al saw the digimon's magma red eye centered on a yellow blush of color that acted as its pupil - ogling at the offered sandwich from out the corner of its socket.
("Better throw it,") thought Kahunimon. ("Don't think Kamapua'amon can regrow entire hands~")
-
(“Shush, you.”) Al thought as he then looked at the dragon “Gentle, okay?”
-
Lavo's nose holes flexed as it sniffed the air between it and Al's offering. Lips twitching, the dragon stuck out a tongue of cooled lava, inching it towards the sandwich.
-
And he would then plop the sandwich onto that tongue “There we go.” He said with a smile as he had an idea. “I wonder if I have a translate app.” He said as he checked his Digivice apps.
-
While the teen checked, neither he nor Kahunimon could ignore the sizzling noise of the sandwich making contact with Lavo's tongue. The dragon didn't even chew, so small was the offering.
("Perhaps they can understand, but can't reply,") thought Kahuni. ("They seem to at least understand enough to use their tongue instead of biting.")
No good. No matter where Alemana looked, his digivice showed no translation feature beyond digicode.
-
“Figures..” Al mumbled as he looked up at Lavogaritamon “Okay let’s try something real basic: nod your head up and down if you understand me.”
-
Another huff came from the dragon... before it bobbed its head forward.
"Perfect," said Kahunimon, smiling. "That means we should be able to talk in yes-or-no questions."
Lavo grumbled something low from the back of their throat. Whether that was in confirmation or disgruntlement remained up for debate.
-
“It’s a start at least. Okay next question. Do you have a Tamer?”
-
The dragon shook its head.
"Did someone send you here?" asked Kahunimon.
Again, Lavo shook its head.
"What about humans? Have you seen them before?"
At this, the dragon cocked its head to one side, staring at the dancer.
-
“Humans, like me and her.” Al said as he pointed to his sister. This seemed rather counterproductive.. it really didn’t seem like the creature really understood what it was doing here.
“Do you want to go home?”
-
A hot gust of sulfuric breath battered the pair as Lavo... sighed? It was difficult to tell.
"The hyperlink you came through," said Kahuni. "Is that where you live?"
The dragon rested its head on the ground, grumbling.
"Sounds like he's depressed," said Keilani, the senior Sonson at last reaching the group. Gammy was still hoping from crater to crater in the background.
"You can understand him?" asked the dancer.
"I've been around a couple like him. If I had to guess, something forced him to leave wherever he used to live. That, or you guys really did a number on his self-esteem."
-
Al would look down at Lavo, then at his sister, then back to Lavo. “Is that true? Did you get kicked out of your home?”
-
Something about the dragon's expression reminded Al of a certain Cashew sulking after being denied a walk during storm season.
"To drive away an ultimate-level digimon from its own territory," said Kahunimon. "Whatever it was would have had to be just as strong at the very least."
"Assuming he didn't get lost through a portal in the Digital World," said Kei. "Get lost in unfamiliar places would stress anybody out."
-
“True , both ways. Well let’s ask him- er- or her, if you’re a her. I don’t judge either way!” Al said with a bashful smile as he then grew a bit more serious.
“Did you get lost? Or did you come from this place?” He asked, motioning to a holoscreen that showed the Hyperlink it seemingly came from.. and the Node attached to it.
-
("Yes-or-no questions, hon,") thought Kahuni, winking at her partner. Her attention returned to Lavo, however, as the dragon lifted his head up, pointing his snout at the hole in the sky, and the hyperlink beyond.
"That's hyperlink number five, right?" asked Kei. "The one connected to Mauna Kea?"
At this, Lavo nodded.
-
(“Psh,. I knew that.”) Al said as as his cheeks became a faint cinnamon color as he stared up at the hole. “The observatory huh. Were you chased out of there, Lavogaritamon?” He asked, pointing at the portal.
-
The dragon nodded.
"Was it another digimon?" asked the dancer.
Again, the dragon nodded, causing the the trio to exchange looks.
"If another digimon's involved," said Keilani. "Then whatever node's active might be at risk of popping an INAS if it hasn't already."
"My thoughts exactly," said Kahuni. "Even if far away from the public, the raw data coming from it, not to mention how important a site like Mauna Kea is to Hawaiian culture, CODE will likely get involved."
"True. While the University of Hawaii manages all the observatories on Mauna Kea, those same buildings are leased to the DLNR - Hawaii's Department of Natural Resources."
"Which makes them government assets."
-
“Well that makes it more of a reason for us to make sure to take care the possible INAS. CODE doesn’t seem to have the means to fix them from what we’ve seen. But.. “ he then looked at Keilani “Do you want to come with? You’re supposed to work up there… I don’t wanna endanger your career if we can avoid it Sis..”
-
The scientist smirked, ruffling Al's hair. "Pretty sure my career'd be over if my little bro got caught, too."
"What about your car?" asked Kahunimon. "If you leave it abandoned on the highway, won't it get towed?"
"Maybe. I'm sure I can get Vivi and Eyesmon to help out with that, not that the INAS' locked down. The bigger question is: are you guys okay going? I don't know what you record is, Kahunimon, but you can't hold your ultimate form forever."
The dancer shrugged. "I can always de-digivolve back to Kyubimon to conserve energy. Might even be more convenient if we need to mobilize; carrying everyone on my back."
-
That made him smirk as well “Then I guess you should come along to keep us outta trouble.” Al quipped as he then nodded at Kahunimon “Devolve for now hon.” He said as he sighed “I’m sure Vivi can handle everything. But Lavo.. do you want to go back with us? Get your territory back?”
-
The dragon grumbled, laying his head back down.
"Think he needs more time to heal up?" asked Kei.
"Possibly," said Kahunimon. Her body then became incandescent, her shape returning to that of Kyubimon as the light faded. "Though I'll admit, it would be a lot faster if we could ride him and fly out of the node."
-
“Hm…” Al would sigh “If Kukuimon was here he could help.. but it is what it is.” He said as he climbed up on Kyubi’s back, holding out a hand for Keilani to join him.
“Ready to be a badass, Kei?”
-
"Me?" said Kei, grabbing his hand. "I've been waiting on you!" As she climbed aboard, the scientist glanced over her shoulder. "Gammy! Time to go!"
The white ceratops had been gathering a bouquet of what remained of the nearby flowers. On hearing his tamer's voice, he waved back at her before sprouting leathery wings from his back, flying on over.
"Keilani!" he said, landing in her lap as he swatted everything in range with the bouquet. "Look what I made! Look what I made!"
"That's nice, Gammy, but they're gonna lose all their petals if you keep doing that."
("Sometimes I forget he has wings,") thought Kyubimon. ("For some reason he prefers walking most of the time.")
-
“Yeah yeah, miss ‘We-blew-up-a-meteor’.” He teased as he chuckled in his mind as he provided one last command to the road.. having it raise up to the portal. (“Jealous?”) he asked, giving her neck a few soft pats.
Looking back at Lavo, he called back “We will be back, you just rest okay!”
-
("Mhmhm, why bother with wings when you've got jet engines?") thought the ninetails, projecting the image of Karamon in Al's mind.
Lavo huffed, turning to face away from the group. So sulking, he watched from the corner of his eye as Kyubimon raced towards the living road with friends in tow.
Keilani and Gammamon were not the only ones to gasp as the group made their ascent. Despite feeling Kyubimon's initial run on the road, Al was still human, the strangeness of not feeling the pull of gravity - no matter how steep Kyubimon's dash along the trek became - proved a trial in its own right.
("It's easier if you keep your eyes forward~") thought Kyubimon, smile growing across her face.
-
(“Jet thrusters are cool, but what if you could use your butt like a helicopter?”) Al teased back, showing her a mental image of a smol, 16-bit Renamon buzzing around with her tail.. much like a certain popular video game character from his father’s childhood.
But as they raced up the living road and Al felt his damn organs floating around in his own body, he would instead close his eyes and just plant a kiss atop Kyubimon’s head as he (“Or this.”)
-
The vulpine chuckled, accelerating to full speed as they passed the halfway point. With Gammamon cheering right into Al's ear, the teen glanced back at the ground to see the shrinking Lavogaritamon staring up at them. Just in time for Kyubimon to spring board off the edge of the road and through the pixelated hole in the sky. Once more, the familiar sense of weightlessness fell upon the group, the realm of cyberspace expanding before them.
"Kyubimon says 'link five's the way!" And in turn, gravity pulled the group towards the tubular passageway, the great fox gaining ever more speed.
"So I'm figuring the node'll be either astronomy-based or mountainous," said Kei. "How good are you guys with heights?"
-
Al would give a laugh as gravity again shifted.. and he would then start looking ahead as Kei offered her thoughts on what the Node could be.
“Well if it’s either of those I guess we’re lucky you’re here Sis! As for heights.. meh, nothing we haven’t dealt with before; right Kyubi?”
-
"We've dabbled," said the great fox, a montage of great leaps and aerial combat maneuvers playing out between her and Al.
Minutes later, the literal information highway opened up in a harmless flash of light. As it cleared, Kyubimon came to a complete stop, the groups' eyes made wide.
"Are those--"
"--All nodes?" finished Kei.
Suspended at the center of an immense, spherical chamber, whose wallpaper depicted an evermoving array of stars, everyone gazed at the largest node they had ever seen. Even from a distance, they could make out a landscape of towering volcanoes that pierced through what little cloud cover there was. That alone, however, was not what drew the group's attention. No, it was the plethora of much smaller spheres that orbited the giant like miniature moons, their designs a blend of asteroid and space station.
-
Al’s reverie was interrupted by the sheer scale of the Node
“Holy hell.. it’s like a whole world. You could fit Hilo in here! I think..”
-
Halfway through the sentence, Al was faceplanted into the back of Kyubimon's skull as Keilani shoved him down for a better view. "OH MY GOD!!" she said, beaming. "This--these must be connected to the MKO! Not just my observatory, but every one single one of them! Caltech Submillimeter! Gemini North! Even NASA's Infrared!"
"MOOOOONS!!" cheered Gammamon, whacking his bouquet against Al's head.
("You alright, Al?") thought Kyubimon, her expression deadpan.
-
“I wonder why Lavo was kicked out of here, there seems to be enough space for a zillion digimon in here- so whACK!” Al felt stars burst in his vision as Kei and Gammamon started spazzing out like hyperactive school kids.
(“I’m fine baby girl, just dizzy”) he said as he shoved his sister back with and elbow, spitting out yellow fur. “Jeez Kei! Warn a guy before you try to give him a concussion!” He said as he again looked out at the vista surrounding them. For a long moment that childlike sense of wonder came back to him that reminded him of a few of the places they saw in the Digital World, and unexpectedly he felt a pant of regret.
(“We’re some of the few who have ever seen things like this Kyubi.. there’s millions.. billions of people who’ll live their whole lives and never see anything half as amazing as the stuff we have in barely a fraction of ours. I wish more people could see what we’re seeing.. maybe it would help give them as much wonder..”)
He then felt another stab of guilt, and his expression grew more focused. “We can’t let all this smash together and disappear, Keilani… we gotta do what we can to save what we can sis..”
-
[Hmm... roll Perception for me]
-
[Rolling=2,6,3 + 9 = 20]
-
As he sat up again, Al caught the glint of something in the far distance. Between his and Kyubimon's keen eyes, the tamer could make out the shape of... a plane? It had a metallic, dragon-like mask where the cockpit should be, flanked by twin propellers as the aircraft flew between the satellite nodes.
("A digimon?") thought Kyubi. ("Looks like some sort of cargo plane...")
-
Al narrowed his eyes and he brought up his digidex to scan the figure “Huh. Who wants to bet that this is some sort of CODE digimon and we just stumbled into the main nest.?”
-
Gammy and Kei paused in their merriment, oblivious to the telepathic discussion up till now. As they processed Al's words, a holographic image appeared on the athlete's digivice. Sure enough, it was an airplane, but the dragon mask betrayed its digimon nature, as behind the six-eyeholes were streetlamp-yellow eyes. A combat knife thrusted out from behind its chin, while the cylindrical barrel of a machine gun poked from the base of the ship's fuselage. White, metal protrusions on either side of the main body gave off the impression of a ribcage, whilst metal spikes formed a spinal crest like that of a reptile.
//Cargodramon
++//Level: Ultimate
++//Type: Machine
++//Attribute: Virus
++//Family: Metal Empire
++//Attacks: Evasive Action, Slaughter Blade, Suppression Strike
"Cargodramon?" said Kyubimon. "Wonder if it's carrying any passengers."
-
“Hmm.. that’s a good question. Do you think we should try to find out?” He asked, softly stroking her ear in a calming manner. While it could be a coincidence, military-ish digimon made him suspicious. Lavogaritamon made sense due to the volcanos.. but a cargo plane not so much.
-
"We can use the smaller nodes as cover," reasoned Kyubi. "Though if these really are observatory-based, we might get spotted."
"And there's no telling which nodes are CODE-operated," said Kei. "We did just come from a newly made hyperlink. Chances are one of the node's is keeping tabs on it."
A distant sound like rolling thunder drew everyone's attention back to the pseudo-orrery. From the central node, a visible shockwave rippled outward, and in its wake, lightning bolts of red and black formed angular lines like that of a circuit board. It was only when one such bolt shot past a nearby node that the group saw not lightning... but flowing rivers of lava.
"WOAH!!" cried Gammamon.
"What the hell?!" said Keilani. "That thing nearly crashed into the node over there!"
"Couldn't be a security feature then," said Kyubi, though she couldn't hide the anxiety in her chest from Al. "Wait, what happened to the Cargodramon?"
Glancing away from the cooling lavaflow, neither Kyubi nor Al could spot any sign of the digimon... that is, until they saw the trail of molten slag. Glittering from the volcanic glow, what remained of the ship was flying towards the nearby satellite node, the same one that had almost been obliterated by the firebolt.
-
Al would watch as this happened and would squeeze the sacred ropes as they watched the bolt of.. lava?! Quickly looking for the Cargodramon.. and feeling a genuine pang of remorse that Kyubimon could feel. While that digimon Might’ve turned out to be an enemy.. it didn’t deserve to get obliterated. “Let’s just figure out where we need to go, and find out who’s in charge of this place.”
-
Kyubimon nodded, the great fox racing towards the nearest node. She couldn't hide the heavy sigh she released when she put the node between the group and the central node, though as they drew close, her eyes narrowed. The satellite was indeed an observatory, set with a chrome sheen and built into a barren rock. The observatory, however, was surrounded by interconnecting substations and bunkers, almost seeming a fortress despite its lack of visible war machines.
"Let's land as close to the main building as possible," said Keilani. "I don't see any digimon around. If they don't know we're coming, we'll have plenty of time to escape if things get too hot."
-
Looking over the collection of bunkers and substations around the observatory he would nod at Keilani’s suggestion “Okay, take us in Kyubi.”
-
A stillness hung over the scene as the group landed. It was almost a surprise that there was normal gravity in the node, given the alien sky overhead. Walkways between buildings were illuminated by the smallest of lights, and not a single window or door was to be found.
"I get the feeling this whole place is interconnected underground," said Kei as she climbed off Kyubimon. "Even so, it feels weird that there aren't any manholes or exit hatches."
"Why's that?" asked Kyubi.
"If you needed to repair or fine tune anything outside, you wouldn't be able to get out here. Not in a hurry, at least."
"It's possible the entrance and exits are all camouflaged. I doubt any digimon would like being sealed away in a node forever."
"Let's knock on the walls!" said Gammy.
-
“Well whatever the case is.. let’s see if we can find a way in that hopefully doesn’t mark us as ‘kill on sight’.” He said as he then softly scratch along Kyubimon’s jaw. When Gammy suggested knocking on the walls he would rub his chin in thought “Let’s keep that option open.. but later, okay Gammy?”
-
The great fox leaned into the scratching hand, smiling with her eyes closed.
"Aww," said Gammy, though the ceratops was now busy watching his feet as he wandered off to the side. He paused, however, he a flickering red line reflected off his foot-claws. Looking up, he saw light emanating from a tiny gap in the observatory's wall... he then screamed as a hologram blinked into existence. A hologram Al recognized as Hagurumon.
"++Alert!++" said the three-fold gear. "++Environmental hazard detected! All personnel: please mobilize to your designated shelters! Repeat: please mobilize to your designated shelters!++"
-
Al was about to say something when Gammamon screamed, almost jumping as he then listened to what the hologram was saying “Hazardous environment? What- oh fuck oh fuck—“ he then began sweating as her realized what it could be meaning
“Okay, Kay lets get the hell in there!”
-
"Gammy! Knock!"
"Breaclaw!" cried the ceratops, his claws glowing a brilliant gold as he swiped them across the wall. The attack carved jagged grooves in the metal, yet the barrier remained standing.
Suddenly, a thunderous noise roared and the ground quaked, forcing Gammy to take flight while everyone else struggled on their feet.
"Back up!" said Kyubimon, and an instant later, she about-faced and kicked with her hind legs against the scarred wall. The sheer force behind her strike was all it took to finish what Gammamon had started, the section of wall caving in to reveal an interior hallway... and a pair of Hagurumon.
"ACK!!" one of them cried, covering their mouth with their gears. "What've you DONE?!!"
The sky turned a baleful orange.
"Everyone inside!" barked Keilani, the group stampeding over the cog-digimon.
"The breach, you fools!" cried the other Hagurumon. "Seal the breach!"
-
Wincing at the sudden implosion, and then the panicked little gears he would then look at the Hagurumon “Metal, get us some metal!” He then looked down at Kyubimon
“Do you think you can weld with your fire, Kyubi?”
-
The literal gearheads scrambled to comply as Kyubimon conjured the elemental twins Kirsten and Jennifer. "Where there's a will, there's a flame," she said. Alongside Gammamon, the vulpines assisted in lifting the turn segment of wall back into position. Al and Keilani traded positions with the foxwives just in time to see the Hagurumon at work. The levitating machines' eyes were firing red lasers into the interior wall, carving out perfect rectangles of scrap metal that then floated inches in front of them. Al could hear, then feel a shift in the air as the digimon approached; whatever the Hagurumon were doing affecting the pressure of space. Once the metal was set, the twins snapped their fingers, turning their index fingers into blowtorches. Between them and the gearheads' own laser eyes, the welding process became quick work.
"Hohhoh--that was close," said one of the machines, both of them floating to the floor, exhausted. "Too, too close...!"
Another quake shook the ground, causing the Hagurumon to grab onto each other.
"Just what is going on?!" asked Keilani. "Is this normal for you guys?!"
"You mean you don't know?!" asked a cog.
"I knew they weren't authorized to be here!" said the other.
-
Al would try to help direct things as he was able, though he had to admit, today was already getting too exciting even for him.
“God… when I woke up this morning I didn’t think we’d have to be doing IT, road, and welding work today. When we graduate I’m starting to think we should just become private handy people..” he said as he then turned his attention to the now mortified gear creature’s.
Figures.. these little guys just HAD to be with CODE… at least it sounded like it.
Holding his hands up, he tried his best to be diplomatic.
“Hey hey, I know this looks bad.. but we aren’t here to hurt you guys. We’re here because we are trying to fix a problem..”
-
[Hmm... roll Persuade with a -4 penalty]
-
[roll: 1,6,6 + 7 - 4 = 16]
-
"Look, we're just scientists," said a Hagurumon.
"You're just a scientist," said the other. "I'm an engineer."
"Cool," said Keilani. "I'm an astronomer. Let's talk shop."
"Talk shop?" echoed both Hagurumon. The scientist of the pair continued on, saying: "Look human, we've got problems of our own. You might've notice on your way in here? What could you possibly need from us at a time like this?"
-
“And I’m a high school student,” Al chimed in, almost deadpan.. not able to help but feel just a mite out of place as he absently have Jennifer’s warm ear a rub out if nervous habit- and she was closest.
“We’re all dealing with problems today, maybe we can actually help each other fix em. So.. what’s the exact problem here?”
-
"The problem?!" said the engineer. "The problem is the Volcanode is trying to shoot us out of orbit!"
"Volcanode?" echoed Kei, though her expression soured as she realized the wordplay.
"Something flooded the system with seismology data," said the scientist Hagurumon. "The earth-side servers can't take it, and so the volcanode's compensating by translating into violent eruptions!"
"That makes no sense," said Kei. "Sure, maybe if it was Kilauea, but Mauna Kea's an inactive shield volcano! Why would its equivalent node have this kind of reaction?"
"++Because the Volcanode doesn't just represent Mauna Kea++" said a thin, metallic voice.
Everyone turned to look down the corridor as a hologram blinked into existence. At first, it appeared to be a capsule suspended on four legs reminiscent of flexible metal extension tubes, but its feet ended in singular red claws, and the capsule had a face on the bottom half. One of its featureless yellow eyes was missing, as if part of a mask that'd been torn off, revealing pink flesh around a large red eye. Arms made from the same material as the legs extended from either side of the face, but what drew the most attention was the upper half of the capsule head: a cracked, glass dome revealing a mesh of wires, blinking lights and a tesla coil.
"Professor Nanomon!" exclaimed the Hagurumon.
"++The Volcanode is comprised of data acquired from every volcano located on Hawaii's Big Isle++" said the new digimon, arms behind back. "++Like debris caught in a planetoid's gravity well, said-data becomes incapable of being pulled into it once it finds its way into the Network, including digimon++"
-
“When did this start happening? From how you’re talking this doesn’t seem to be normal..” Al said as he frowned deeply. There was something on the news about a potential eruption on the big island.. could the two events be linked?
“And is there anything that can be done to calm the.. Volcanode down?” He asked.. also internally scoffing at the name.
-
"++Not so fast++" said Nanomon, the cyborg waving a finger at Al. "++I believe introductions are in order, hmm? It's the least you can do after breaking in here++"
-
Al glanced at Keilani, and then at the Hologram. “You can call me Al, this is Kyubimon.” He said as he softly pat her neck.
-
Keilani grimaced. "You can call me Kei," she said. "This is Gammamon."
"Aloha~" said the ceratops.
("Al,") thought Kyubimon. ("We need to be careful about what we tell these digimon. We don't know yet if they answer to CODE.")
"++Delightful++" said Nanomon. "++Now in regards to your earlier question, the events occurred roughly fifteen hours ago, between eleven thirty-one and midnight. As to a solution, we've been too busy coordinating with the other observation nodes to avoid head-on collision. Both with each other, and the Volcanode++"
-
(“I know baby.. but let’s see what we can do one step at a time.”)
“I see. Do you think that the Volcanode could be affected by a digimon that had powers over lava perhaps?”
-
"++A frightful theory. For a given digimon to cause such devastation across multiple nodes would require Mega-level power, or multiple Ultimate-level digimon working in concert++"
"There's that word again," said Kyubimon. "What exactly are Mega-level digimon?"
There came a glint in Nanomon's red eye. "++What indeed++" he said, stroking his chin as he smirked. "++In a sense, they are the apex of digivolution. As close to 'godhood' as they come, much as I am loathe to use such an unscientific term. Truly, few digimon ever reach such heights, perhaps one in a million if they're lucky or tenacious enough, though I've heard it's even more difficult in places like the Kumulipo Server++"
"Woah!" said Gammamon. "You guys are from the Kumulipo Server?!"
"Actually I'm a native Networker," said the engineer Hagurumon.
"Oh really?" said the scientist one. "Me too!"
They both shut up on hearing Nanomon clear his throat.
"++Every mon in the local Network knows about Kumulipo++" he said. "++Just as every digimon in the Japanese sector of the Network knows about the Yamato Server. But I digress. If you wish to stop the chaos on your own, you'll be deleted within seconds of making node-fall, no matter how fireproof you may be++"
-
Al found himself being enthralled by that idea.. and almost incredulous of it at the same time. (“Mega level..? That sounds crazy to even think about. You’re already super strong babe.. I don’t know if I could even imagine something even stronger than Kahunimon—!”) he then grew a bit crestfallen at the news that digimon from Kumulimpo Server had and even smaller chance of attaining this mythical level of power.
“Why is that? Digimon from this server having a harder time becoming Mega?” He asked.
-
"++How about a proposition?++" offered Nanomon. "++I'll tell you on the condition you help me protect my node. You see, since the firebolts began, we've been collecting data on where and when they'll strike. We're an observatory node, after all. Compiling said-data, I intend to initiate a navigation program to assist in evading direct hits. The problem? We've been hit too many times. Damage to the node's thrusters have left us banking on luck while repair crews get underway. My Hagurumon compatriots require protection and fast mobility if they're to get the engines operational in time++"
-
Al would look at his sister, his expression unsure for a moment. Kei and Kyubimon both were advising caution.. but he couldn’t let these mons get deleted just because they were worried about CODE getting more data on them... At the same time, learning more about this Mega level thing might help them in the future.. maybe even reach it.
“Deal. What do we have to do?”
Without meaning to, part of him then felt a creeping dread:
What if Brena wanted to know how to digivolve to Mega.. what if she could hear what they were saying?
-
[Hmm... roll Brena Torment]
-
[rolling: 2,5,6 + 7 - 7 = 13]
-
[Success! Mark a box]
Though the anxiety still lingered, the threat of immanent destruction rang loudest in Alemana's mind, held back by the athlete's force of willpower... and the presence of Kyubimon as she nudged her head under his arm.
("She won't beat us to the punch,") thought the great fox.
"++Follow the holograms++" said Nanomon. A moment later, neon blue arrowheads blinked one by one into existence, forming a trail for the group to follow. "++Hagurumon, to your stations++"
"Y-yes, professor!" said the gearheads.
As the holographic digimon vanished, Keilani frowned. "I don't like this," she said. "But we don't have much of a choice."
-
Al was brought back to the moment thanks to Kyubi, and he gave a faint smile as he pet the top of her head. (“Yeah.. you’re right. Let’s be heroes!”)
“Follow the holograms.. got it.”
He then gave his sister a reassuring nudge “We’ve got this. We’re the dream team remember?”
-
"Yeah!" said Gammamon, still holding his bouquet. "Else we all go boom!"
...
Sirens rang out through the halls as the group made their way downwards. Rare was the sight of another digimon, all of them Hagurumon that were either too busy working on repairs, or startled by the sight of newcomers. All of this changed the moment the group entered the engine room. And what a room it was. Bathed in red light, a command deck overlooked a sprawling engine that stretched down a miles-long shaft, surrounded by catwalks that flickered with the sparks of repair teams and damaged electronics.
The command deck was no less chaotic. Everywhere one looked, there were multiple Hagurumon, their cog-appendages twisting and turning inside depressions in computer terminals; or fixing broken pipes with their laser eyes.
One, however, stood in front of a hologram of the engine at the center of the deck. Unlike the others, they glowed orange-yellow, as if from an inner light.
"Engine Room to command!" said the strange Hagurumon. "Repairs are down to forty percent! That last hit tore through substation twelve! Where's that extra mon-power I ordered?!"
-
Al would try to get its attention “We’re here to help, what needs fixing and how fast do we have to get there?”
-
Turning, the glowing digimon glanced up and down at the group. "A Kyubimon," she said. "Okay, I can work with this. Any of you familiar with digimon engineering?"
"Not exactly," said the great fox.
Keilani stepped forward. "If it's based off human data," she said. "It should be easy enough to work out with some pointers."
"Appreciate the thought," said Solarmon. "But we ain't got time to talk you through it all. I need mons down near the reactor to help fix what the node can't heal on its own -- and another half-dozen to replace blown shielding mods near the afterburners." She then gestured towards the holographic map, which lay pockmarked with rippling dots to either end of the engine.
"This place is huge," said Kyubimon. "Even as Kahunimon, I don't think I could reach both sides in time."
"You won't have to," said Keilani. "Me and Gammy can take care of one side if you guys handle the other."
"Can BetelGammamon sprint that far?"
"Yeah!" said Gammamon. "Big bro is fast!"
-
Looking at the map as Solarmon explained the situation, Al would glance up at everyone as he thought their options over. “We could help with the shields if you wanna try to help with the reactor, Sis. You’ve got the bigger brain.”
-
"My brain's telling me that Kahunimon would be a better choice for the reactor," she said. "Using fire and water to keep the temperature stable would help keep the engine room from melting--"
Suddenly, a burst of light and smoke thundered across the cavernous chamber. Through Kyubimon's eyes, Al saw shrapnel sent flying in every direction, the great fox putting herself between the group and the oncoming slag! Just as fast, however, she and the others saw something drop from the plume of smoke -- a Hagurumon in freefall!
"NO!!" cried Solarmon. That's when Gammamon went charging ahead.
"I got them!" he said, his body starting to glow. "I GOT THEM!!" In that moment, Keilani's digivice radiated outwards. Even in the red hue of the room, the rings the enveloped Gammamon shined a stark... blue? "Gammamon, digivolve to--!" The ceratops leapt over the guard rail, his body corkscrewing just as the 'egg' engulfed him. In a flash, a powerful gust of wind battered everyone present. "--KausGammamon!!"
Kyubimon, using her nine-tails, swatted aside what debris wasn't thrown off course by the wind, the ruined metal clattering to the floor or else burning up in her flames. Through her eyes, Al saw a figure standing atop the rails. A clawed hand held Gammamon's bouquet behind the figure's back, twin tails from a blue bandana fluttering through the air. Maybe the stress was getting to them, but somehow, everyone could hear a Spanish guitar playing in the distance as the figure spun on the ball of their foot, revealing a Hagurumon pressed against the white-striped chest of a new digimon. Indeed, they had a ceratopsian head like Gammamon, as well as a long blue tail tipped in black. Their arms, however, were attached to an amber-yellow membrane, which guided one's eyes to the jetports on either side of its knees.
"Fear not, hoaloha," said the blue ceratops. "For as the wind beckons the wayward youth, so too shall I answer the call to aid."
"Oh goddammit," said Keilani, hands on her head.
-
“Well okay that makes more sense.” Al said, but before he could say anything else he gave a shocked shout of alarm as the wall exploded. For one terrible moment it looked like they would lose one of the Hagurumon when—
“..RGB Digivolutions?” Al asked.. almost deadpanned. Well it made sense. She had a red one and a green one.. why not blue? “Kyubimon’s still the best, though.”
He totally wasn’t jealous that she had three champion forms.
-
"Kaus!" said Kei. "Now's NOT a good time! Switch out with Betel!"
Eyes wide, the blue ceratops gawped at his tamer--catching himself from falling backward with a now panicking Hagurumon still in hand.
"Keilani, how can you say such a thing?!" he said, pointing his bouquet at her. "I am far more sophisticated than that hot-headed kamipulu!"
"And flammable!" countered Kei. "You can barely carry me on your back, much less fly!"
The word shiv struck home, sending Kaus forward as Hagurumon flew away just in time to watch the ceratops faceplant the floor.
"Keilani Sonson, my love, how can you be so cruel...!"
"ENOUGH STALLING!!" barked Solarmon. "You guys better get moving or we're all going down with the ship!"
-
Al was about to laugh at the ridiculousness of what was going on— but when he said that last part he gave Kyubi a look (“You don’t think-“) he was then interpreted by Solarmon
“Right, let’s get to it! C’mon Kyubi, let’s save this bucket of bolts—“
-
Kyubimon didn't wait for the teen to finish. Biting the back of Al's collar, she threw him onto her back as she summoned the foxwives.
"Hagurus 27 through 34!" said Solarmon. "You're with the fire foxes! 35 and 36, you're with flyboy! Make sure he knows where to go!"
Rising to his feet, KausGammamon composed himself as the gear digimon mobilized. "Watch close, Keilani!" he said, tossing her his bouquet. "I shall both redeem and prove myself worthy of this task!"
Without batting an eye, the astronomer grabbed the flowers and handed them to Solarmon. "Sure thing," she said, walking over to Kaus. "I'll watch and pilot so we don't crash."
Meanwhile, each of the foxwives took to carrying a Hagurumon while three more climbed aboard Kyubimon and Alemana. It was only when he glanced back at his sister that Al saw the handholds jutting out of Kaus' shoulder-blades, the ceratops turning into a crouch as Kei grabbed on.
("Oh yeah,") thought Kyubimon. ("There's definitely something going on there.")
[Roll Athletics with a -5 from difficulty as you take to the skyscraper of an engine]
-
Al would give a surprised gasp. “Hey what are you doin-oof!” He said as he was flipped over her shoulder onto Kyubi’s back. Grimacing he would then take hold of her ropes. “Okay gearheads, keep all teeth inside the ride at all times!” He told the passengers as he glanced at Kei again “Don’t you dare fucking die Kei-Kei!” he called as he then turned his attention back to the task at hand
(“Am I a hypocrite for being creeped out by her maybe having a thing with Gammy?”)
[rolling: 4,6,5 + 9 - 5 = 19]
-
"Same to you!"
("Are we sure that's even Gammy?") thought the great fox, ignoring the cries of the Hagurumon as she leaped across the expanse. ("The way he talks about his other Champion form, it's like they're two separate digimon.")
For Kei's team, Kaus had tucked one of the Haguru's between his legs as another hugged Keilani from behind. Even from afar, Team Fox could make out the blue ceratops as he glided, his amber-yellow patagia flashing like message flags in the distance. But there wasn't enough time to watch his sister's piloting. The moment Kyubimon landed atop the engine, the teen buckled, struggling to avoid losing not just his balance, but those of the Hagurumon clinging to him as well.
"Careful!" said one of them. "I don't wanna die!"
"Ignore him!" said the other. "Keep heading straight till you see a dome marked with black and yellow stripes!"
("Al, I'm sending the foxwives ahead,") thought Kyubi. ("Their Hagurumon are giving directions, too, but I'll end up dropping them if I dismiss them by digivolving.") The nine-tails' ears perked. She jumped towards a pylon jutting out of the mega structure--seconds before an explosion erupted from where they would have been.
"Oh no!" said a Hagurumon. "Another pipeline burst!"
"How'd you even know?!" asked the other.
"Good ears and sense of smell," said Kyubimon, leaping between pylons.
"Wait!" said the first. "This section of the engine's covered in pipes! It might be faster, but if there's a cascade effect, it'll end up a minefield!"
"Going around will take too long!" countered the second. "We can't risk the pressure building up and blowing the whole section out!"
-
(“Who the hell knows baby.”)
As they raced off, Al would pointedly ignore the pleas for safety from the little gear digimon as he instead kept his grip on her sacred ropes. When she landed on the engine and no one fell off.. he pat her neck. “Atta girl.. no explosions can knock you off those toes!” Al cheered as they zoomed off under those directions
(“Do what you’ve gotta Kyubi.. let’s just get those guys where they need to go safely.”)
At the mention of the pipes, he frowned “Is there anyway to release the pressure safely?”
-
"The emergency exhaust ports! One of them broke down halfway through the third collision, but the other three should still work!"
"I can reroute the foxwives," said Kyubi, now back to running across the engine.
"B-but the fewer engineers we've got, the harder it's gonna be to fix the core in time!" said the other Hagurumon.
-
“Well. What would you rather happen? Us blowing up now? Or later?”
-
The engineer bit what constituted their lip.
"Rerouting now," said Kyubi, smirking. "We'll just have to make do with four."
Like fireflies in the dark, the foxwives scattered save for Amy, who lit the way for Kyubimon as Team Fox reached the base of the engine. Sure enough, a dome was built into the rock, connecting the massive machine to the rest of the node. Stripes demarked areas of import, including a reinforced metal door leading inside the engine. That's what Kyubimon saw through her elemental, and from her, Al did too. So close. Almost there... then suddenly, a rush of heat threatened to burn the hair off Alemana's face.
("No good,") thought Kyubimon. ("Have to digivolve now before it gets too hot!")
-
“I thought so. Don’t worry, we’ll make it work. After all, sometimes quality trumps quantity!” Al said helpfully. As they continued on and hit the sudden walk of heat he recoiled “Wow that’s hot!” He said, squinting in the face of it. (“Have the others gotten to their positions?”)
-
("Afraid not. Got a couple hundred yards to go, but if we wait, you're in serious risk of catching fire!")
-
Biting his lip, he would softly squeeze her neck. (“I know.. but we have to give the others as much time as we possibly can to get where they’re needed! We gotta push forward as far as we can.”)
-
Kyubimon clenched her jaw. ("Was afraid you'd think that,") she thought. ("Cover your face in my mane, we're going in hot!")
[Roll me Body with a -5 from difficulty]
-
(“I love you..”) and he would bury his face into her mane.. and she could feel him give her neck a kiss
[Rolling: 6,6,5 +9 - 5 = 21]
-
An image of Renamon kissing the back of Al's head appeared in the teen's mind soon after.
The heat intensified, yet even these many years after touching Kumon's Ki'i, Al still found the 'Akua's flame more terrible than what he felt now. Indeed, he felt the old scar on his hand itch, as if a beast snarling at something lesser encroaching on its territory. Somehow, both his marked hand and covered face were spared the blistering pain of the engine room. The teen remembered a lesson Renamon had once taught him when hiking in the woods.
"When dealing with pain," she'd said. "There are a number of ways to manage it -- within reason. One is through grounding exercises. Focus on specific parts of your body, or on an action that distracts you. It won't stop the pain, but it will 'prioritize' it in your mind as less important as the thing you're focusing on."
Taking this to heart - as well as having a body honed towards endurance - Alemana could bite back what amounted to a full-body sunburn he was suffering under.
("Hold on, Al!") thought Kyubimon. ("Just a little longer!")
[Roll me Willpower with a -5 difficulty, but +2 from previous success.]
-
Al would grasp Kyubimon’s fur in a death grip as the heat washed over him in earnest now, thinking on something to prioritize his thoughts away from the pain. What he thought of ? Viximon during her first few days of exploring the house, learning the house pets social hierarchy and establishing herself as Her Own Boss Kit of the place- namely through being the only one who could turn into paper and get into the snack cupboard. The memories made things bearable- even as the heat beat on him with merciless intensity.
(“I’m.. fine!”)
[Rolling: 2,5,6 + 9 - 5 + 2 = 19]
-
[Take 1 Wound, you remain conscious]
Al could feel his flesh bubbling under the skin. Even the Hagurumon were beginning to grow scalding hot. Yet still he held on, concentrating on what made the pain worthwhile. If not for their link, Al wouldn't have realized Kyubimon was digivolving. It was the first time he'd witness her transform so up-close. He could make out gridline beneath her fur; the rings of digicode that engulfed her unable to obscure how her surface texture split apart and reformed before light melted all depths from the teen's sight.
"Kyubimon, digivolve to--KAHUNIMON!!"
Like getting splashed with cold water, Al felt an immediate shift in temperature. The aura of Kumon's Ki'i had enveloped him, while his arms were now wrapped around Kahunimon's neck as water surged to shield him and the Hagurumon.
"I've got ice!" said the dancer, flash-freezing platforms beneath the others. No sooner had she than the metal walls of the engine burst in a staccato.
*Rollz*
"We're gonna crash!" cried a gearhead, covering their eyes. The engineer peaked out from behind their cogs, however, when the flames bent away from Kahunimon, shrank, or outright snuffed out as she approached. The air popped as she condensed the heat into pockets far from the machinery, cooling the air faster than her ice alone.
"We're here!" she said, vaulting the last dozen yards. Wasting no time, she tossed the Hagurumon towards the visible junction boxes to either-side of the blast door -- each gear crying "mahalo!" as they took flight. ("Alright, what happens now?") thought the dancer.
-
In his addled frame of mind from the searing heat washing over him, he idly mused about how in the past five years how many excruciating situations he had been in.. and he wondered how many more lay in store for him in the future. In the back of his mind BlackRenamon’s words of warning echoed in his ears.. was this truly his fate? To throw himself into agonizing positions over and over again until either he either died, became a mangled wreck with no future, or snapped…turning into some sort of jaded monster willing to do anything; damn the costs? Was this the life he was doomed to live? But even as he thought about that he was reminded of other things: His friends coming to his first basketball game after they returned from the digital world and the trip to the ice cream shop.. the look of wonder in Rena’s eyes when they passed a clothing store for the first time and the stunned, unrestrained joy in her smile when he bought those same clothes for her on their first date. They’re first time together.. the very first birthday the team celebrated together and all the ones after, his first time with Ike when they both realized how they felt about each other.. saving Kama and finally confessing his feelings to Malie..
There was a lot of anguish and uncertainty in his life.. but there was so much joy too. Perhaps this was why Kumon chose him. His life would always be one filled with adversity, everyone had to battle life’s challenges and rise above them. Kumon saw that he had the ability to not only survive , but thrive- no matter what life threw his way. It was this realization, more than the cold shock of water that brought him back to the situation. He would gently squeeze Kahunimon’s neck. (“Aloha wau iā ʻoe, alopeke.”)
____
Once they arrived at the reactor, the Hagurumon in their places he would give a hum of thought. (“maybe we should cool down the reactor so that the gearheads have time to fix it?”)
-
[Take an Inspiration]
The dancer nuzzled her cheek against Al's arm. ("Aloha wau iā ʻoe kekahi,") she thought. ("...kitmon.") On hearing the plan, Kahuni nodded. ("We'll need to push in slow to counteract the heat, otherwise my shield's going to vaporize too fast.") Water flowing alongside her motioning arms and legs, the dancer put her entire focus into gathering and maintaining as she approached the chamber. As predicted, the heat intensified - though to Al and Kahunimon the only indicator was how the liquid barrier bubbled and broiled. Al had to rely on Kahuni's vision to make anything out, even as the dancer wove layer upon layer of ice. Through her, the tamer saw the core forming the middle-section of a bisected pillar. Dynamos roared as they spun from the walls, arcing electricity as they each burned an ever-brightening red.
[Hokay, roll me Kahunimon's... I wanna say Wave Crash Dance. She is currently in Defensive Stance.]
-
(“.. Ye’re a kitmon!”)
[Rolling: 5,3,5,5,3,2,5 = 4 suxx]
-
"Wave Crash Dance!" cried Kahunimon, her torrential skirt launching in every direction. Condensed particles of ice kept the water from vaporizing out the gate, but a thin mist was soon all that remained of the attack. "Again!" said the dancer, winding her self up for another attempt.
"++Core meltdown in five minutes!++" came a Hagurumon over the intercom. "++Cooling at twenty-seven percent!++"
-
It looked like they had gotten there just in time after all! Gritting his teeth, Alemana would glare at the reactor “You got this Kahunimon! It should be easier the more we hit it!”
[Rolling: 5,4,4,6,2,2,5= 3 suxx]
-
Once more, the dancer cried "Wave Crash Dance!!" filling the reactor chamber with thickening, chilling mist. The ultimate's eyes narrowed as she then dodged a stray bolt of electricity aimed at her ankle. ("It's like a storm front,") she thought. ("The sudden clash of hot and cold is causing an electrical discharge!")
[Roll Dodge for both Al and Kahunimon. Then roll again for WCD -- radio FM~]
-
[Rolling Dodge:
Kahunimon: 5,5,5,5,4,2,3,6,1,6,4,1,5,3,3,4,6,1,5,5,1,4,2,5,5,2,2,6,6,2,1,4,5,3,6,5 = 17 suxx
Al: 3,4,5,1,5,5,2,5 = 4 suxx]
[ Wave crash Dance: 5,5,1,1,1,5,6 = 4 suxx]
-
Already wary of her surroundings, Kahunimon could sense the electrical current in the air before it fired off. It started as static across parts of her body, especially along her water-skirt; followed by crackling just on the edge of hearing. Extending her senses through the mist, she could pinpoint the exact channel in which the lightning would move. Instinct mingled with rational thought, and moments before the bolt struck, she launched frozen shards of her skirt towards the source -- leaping away as the arc carved a crooked smile between the frozen missiles. Through their link, Al could move to adjust himself without being hit or obstructing his partner's movements.
"++Cooling is at thirty percent!++" sounded Hagurumon. "++Keep going!++"
...
Meanwhile...
"I said pull up!"
"I'm trying, my love!"
Like a leaf on the wind, KausGammamon soared between towers of metal, his yellow petagium shining orange in the red light all around. Without slowing, he swung his legs forward as he hurled the Hagurumon stuck between them--just for the gearhead to crash into an engineer working on a piece of wall.
Keilani kneed the ceratops in the side. "Easy on the drops!" she said. "You could've knocked them both out!"
"E kala mai iaʻu! I shall be as soft as the morning breeze!"
"God, I hope Al's not slacking off."
...
"++The countdown ain't slacking down!++" warned Solarmon over the 'comms. "++Firefox! What's your status?!++"
++Systems are at sixty percent cooling!++ said a Hagurumon. "++But pressure build-up in several junctions is threatening to overload faster than we can release it!++"
("Sounds like the engineers are reaching their limit,") thought Kahunimon. ("I can try going all out, but if something goes wrong, we'll be sitting ducks.")
-
“We’re working as fast as we can’t Al yelled as he grit his teeth. This was taking way too long.. if they didn’t do something fast, they were all fucked. When Kahunimon suggested that they go all out.. his expression hardened. (“We don’t really have a choice, if we can’t get this under control we’re all dead. Let’s do this, no holding back Kahunimon!”)
Then out loud:
“I swear if Kei and Kaus are dicking around and slacking off I’m kicking their asses!”
-
[Kahunimon switches to Offensive Stance. Roll all out attack!]
-
Not only did she prepare her attack, but she activated her Kapua Aspect as well.
”Wave Crash Dance!” she bellowed as a veritable flood of water and ice at the reactor!
[Rolling: 2,5,2,6,5,6,6,6,1,3,2,6,3,2,6,3,4,4,2,4,5,2,6,5,3,6,2,6,3,2,1 = 13 suxx]
-
In the blink of an eye, the chamber was obfuscated in its entirety -- water vapor turning to blistering steam and fog deeper than any Alemana had witnessed before. Though shielded from the heat by Kumon's blessing, the sudden cold snap threatened to freeze Al to the bone. And in its wake a storm front's worth of electricity went off. Kahunimon's eyes widened, her heart racing as she sensed Al's agony.
[Roll Endurance for Al. Then roll Dodge for both Kahunimon and Alemana.]
-
[Endurance: 2,1,5 + 9 = 17]
[Rolling dodge:
Al: 5,6,2,5,2,5,4,6 = 5 suxx
Kahunimon: 6,4,2,5,3,5,2,5 = 4 suxx]
Al felt like he was on fire regardless of the temperature, his body was scored and scoured by intense shifts of burning and freezing.. but still he held onto Kahunimon, biting his lip so hard she could feel his blood staining her shoulder.
-
Intense muscle cramps sprung up across Alemana's body as thermal shock set in. Eyes watering; headache mounting; his arm felt numb. He'd seen those symptoms in others, both on TV and on the basketball court. Al was on the verge of a heart attack.
Aglow in her aspect, Kahunimon pirouetted and cartwheeled as fast as she could, her motions influencing the ambient water in hopes of redirecting electricity away from them.
"++GET OUT!!++" said Solarmon. "++GET OUT OF THERE!!++"
Not thinking twice, Kahuni surged towards the exit, rolling into a somersault as she dance around clawed lightning. Midair, she grabbed Alemana from behind her back, swinging and tucking him into her chest before landing on her feet. A loud, metallic *SLAM* sounded behind the pair, the doors to the reactor sealed shut.
"Al, hold on!" she said, her gauntleted hands radiating warmth. "I'll thaw you out!"
-
Al tried his best to avoid panicking further, he simply held onto Kahunimon as his breaths cane out in labored puffs “It’s gonna be okay, you’re doing your best, it’s gonna be okay.” He repeated over and over- he might have been going into shock from the intense stress on his body as well.. but he kept repeating those words like a mantra.
“It’s gonna be okay, you’re doing your best, it’s gonna be okay.”
-
("Shhhh,") thought Kahunimon, her voice gentle in his mind. Through her, Al felt heat concentrate at pressure points along his body; invisible spheres of heat both above and beneath the skin. He felt her heartbeat, pulse inside his chest, as if taking possession of his own, calming it, soothing it. It would have been enough to drive him to sleep had the sirens not ceased and the lights went back to normal.
"++Core meltdown averted!++" said a Hugurumon over the comms. "++All engineer teams standby for replacement shifts. Well done everyone!++"
-
Part of him very much liked the idea of going to sleep, to close his eyes for a little while after that exhausting mess. But the health class part of his brain was pretty sure if he did that he might never wake up again… so he focused on breathing and looking up at Kahunimon as things happened around them.
“Hey babe.. I think we did it?”
-
"We did," she said, the dancer kissing his forehead. "Don't worry. I know CPR if you try pulling a fast one on me."
Helping him into sitting up, Kahunimon noticed one of the Hagurumon approaching.
"Message from the Professor for you," said the three-fold gear, their eyes blinking before turning white as not just Nanomon's hologram appeared, but ones of Keilani and KausGammamon, too.
"++Is this thing on?++" asked the professor, his face turned towards empty space. His organic eye then shot a glance at Alemana. "++Ah good!++" he said, facing the group. "++Excellent work down there! I knew you could do it, and you proved me right!++"
"++Hey guys++" said Keilani, waving. "++We just finished on our end. How's the node doing now?++"
Nanomon puffed out what constituted his chest. "++With the engine back under control, we should have no trouble evading the volcanode's attacks now++"
-
That made him smile faintly,and he would recline for a moment as Kei appeared “Oh hey Kei, did you almost have a stroke/ heart attack combo too?” He asked, glancing at the Nanomon hololgram
“We kinda make success from long odds a habit.”
-
"++That depends++" said Kei. Arms folded she turned to look at her partner. "++Kaus++" she said, looking the ceratops in the eye. "++How many times did we risk crashing face first into heavy machinery?++"
"++I'm a jet-propelled paraglider++" he said, sulking. "++I can't help it if I need to build up momentum, there aren't enough updrafts down here--++"
Keilani cut him off. "++We'll get back to you on the percentiles++" she said, glancing back at Al.
"++Minamina...++" mumbled the ceratops.
Nanomon cleared his throat. "++At any rate," he said. "You held up your end of the bargain, and thus, I shall give thee due diligence. You still wanted to know about why mega digivolution is harder for those on the Kumulipo Server, yes? It's really quite simple: The Guardian 'Akua, Mega digimon in their own right, are the final arbiters on who can ascend++"
A moment of silence fell over the group.
"...That's it?" asked Kahunimon.
Nanomon blinked. "++Wha--'that's it?' What do you MEAN that's it?! Do you honestly think it's so easy--that's it?!++"
-
“So metaphorical heart attack, gotcha. Well I’m pretty sure I barely avoided having a literal one,” he said as he then looked between the Hologram and Kahunimon as she seemed to hit a nerve. Quickly he held up a hand
“That’s not what she meant, Professor, I think she was just trying to say that it’s uh.. not as convoluted as she was thinking it might be!”
-
"Indeed," she said, nodding. "You said so yourself, it's really quite simple."
"++I was being deliberately glib!++" countered the domed digimon. "++Of COURSE it's not simple!++"
"++Al++" said Kei. "++If I find out you're joking, I'll kick your ass. Now professor Nanomon, there's clearly more to your answer than what we initially thought. Could you explain?++"
Scowling as he was, Nanomon folded his arms behind his back. "++Would be Mega-levels must adhere to not just one of the major four 'Akua, but also one of the lesser known 'Akua++"
"++There are more than four 'Akua?++" asked Kaus.
"++Correct. When it comes to managing the Server, the Guardian 'Akua follow a form of checks and balances. The Guardians are the key administrators, but beneath them are a number of, shall we say, moderators? Each of these lesser 'Akua - to use Hawaiian vernacular - are tasked with managing elements of Kumulipo too specific to make them Guardian worthy, but nevertheless are far above the weight class of ultimates. To ensure no Guardian becomes more powerful than the others can handle -- as well as ensuring a revolt among the divine doesn't occur, mega-aspirants must gain not only gain the blessing of a Guardian, but also the blessing of a non-guardian 'Akua. In so doing, the aspirant owes fealty to two lords, preventing them from going to war against either on penalty of deletion++"
-
Al would shake his head. “I don’t think I could joke about it if I wanted to Kei.. I’m pretty sure I was either having a pre- stroke or I was like five seconds away from cardiac arrest back there.” He said in a disturbingly casual manner as he mused on what Nanomon was saying.
“If that’s the case.. does that mean Kahunimon and I could..” Al muttered out loud. He had the Ki’i of Kumon.. and that battle against Oboromon all those years ago..could it be that the Akua of that Heiau blessed them too..?
-
"++If your partner originated from the Kumulipo Server," said Nanomon. "The Guardians ensure every digicore in their domain is coded with a failsafe that prevents them from attaining mega-level via another Server. Removing said-failsafe would require dangerous amounts of editing, something that is beyond my expertise++"
"I'd rather not have anyone tampering with my code," said Kahunimon, betraying the subtlest hint of anger. Images of BlackRenamon and Pe'amon ran through her mind, bleeding into Alemana's.
Nanomon continued. "++Then there's your answer. Bear in mind, even if one is blessed by two Akua, they must still be capable of making the transformation, therefore, only ultimate-level digimon of sufficient strength will make the proverbial cut. I'd assume you'd have to be before the Akua even gave you the time of day++"
-
Al would softly rub her arm as he then sat up a little straighter “We’re something like that, we’ve had some contact with an Akua or two.” He said as he then glanced around the room before then asking
“I have another question for you though, professor. The Hagurumon said something about authorized personnel, but didn’t seem surprised that we were human... Are there humans who work in this Node?”
-
The domed digimon smirked. "++You mean you don't know?++"
Kahunimon's eyes narrowed, but the professor turned to one side, red eye closed.
"++Every observatory on the Big Isle is funded by a government or institution," he said, stroking his chin. "Their infrastructure gives us access to data no public facility could even dream of, even in a place like the Network. Even without it, though, tamers are common knowledge to Networkers, and from time to time, they pass through our cluster++"
-
“And do any of them pass through here on a regular basis?” He asked, seemingly not bothered by that tone
-
"++You seem awfully curious about what goes on here. Are you looking for a particular human?++"
-
“You could say that. More like a particular group of humans. Tamers should stick together after all, they’re the only ones who get what it means to be one of us. You understand, yeah?”
-
"++Hm++" said Nanomon, shrugging. "++Honestly, I've no interest in such matters. I'm here for the science, anything else is a distraction. So much so I tend to forget them the moment they're gone++" He glanced at Alemana. "++You understand, yes?++"
-
Ah, so he wanted to try to be coy did he? Well Al could play that game. “I don’t blame you, it would be unfair to assume that noggin could hold such complicated information.” Al said .. the faintest inklings of a grin on his face. “It would take a true genius to remember such things.”
-
[Before you say that, roll Decipher Intent]
-
[rolling: 1,6,3 + 8 = 18]
-
Just as Alemana was about to heckle the hologram into oblivion, the teen noticed something about Nanomon's choice of words. There was another way of interpreting them.
("Is he trying to say he won't tell anyone about us?") thought Kahunimon. ("That must mean he knows someone who'd ask about Tamers.")
-
Al felt the words trail off as he then thought about it a bit harder.. and he frowned. (“If that’s true.. “)
He then tried a different tact “Surely there’s been at least one who was memorable. After all.. word is there are some who try to keep tabs ob such things. Are you sure there isn’t anyone like that who comes to mind? I can keep a secret if you can.”
-
"++Apologies, human++" said the hologram. "++But even if I did know anything, as this node's administrator, I'm obligated to follow the NDA when it comes to such things. Wouldn't be up to code, etcetera++"
("There it is,") thought Kahunimon. ("CODE.")
Out of the corner of his eye, Al saw KausGammamon motion to speak, but Keilani put a hand in front of the ceratop's arm, her attention fixed on Nanomon.
-
Al’s expression would shift again, and he nodded “I understand. Well if there isn’t anything else you guys need help with, maybe we should get out of your hair. Well.. figuratively speaking.” Al said as he then paused
“But before we go.. have you guys seen anything weird happen to any other nodes lately? Like.. suddenly changing administrators or undergoing some dramatic shift in architecture for no explicable reason?”
(“Maybe they’ve seen Brena try to make a new hideout.”)
-
"++Besides the firebolts and subsequent chaos? Not particularly. It'll take hours just to make basic repairs, so we won't be able to focus on anything beyond our node, either++" The domed digimon raised his hands up, tapping at the air. Suddenly, a quiet hum sounded as a pixelated oval of light coalesced into existence, hovering above the floor. "++I've opened up a shortcut for you and yours to vacate the premises through. Should expedite your passage through the node while bypassing the Volcanode's firing range in one fell swoop++"
And without another word, the professor's hologram blinked out of existence, the glow of Hagurumon's eye fading back to normal.
"Don't go chasing lavaflow," said the gearhead.
-
“Well.. it was worth asking. See you around, professor. Let’s go home, Kei.”
-
"++Yeah++" said the astronomer. "++Catch you in a bit++"
As both she and Kaus' holograms blinked out, Hagurumon's other eye returned to its usual red. The three-fold cog waved to Al and Kahuni as the pair stepped through the portal, the world fading to white and the chirping of distant computers made digital.
Unbeknownst to them, Solarmon watched their departure from camera feeds on the command deck.
"You sure it's okay to keep this all hush-hush?" she asked, looking at the hologram of Nanomon on her workstation.
"++Of course I am++" he chuckled. "++Our mission has always been the first and foremost study of the physical plane's universe, be it volcanic or astronomic++"
"Sure, aaaaand if we get caught, you're not the only one that'll get interrogated."
"++Indeed, which is why I trust you -- and everyone else for that matter -- will keep things strictly confidential++"
...
Just as Nanomon had promised, the group found themselves floating in cyberspace together, at the very edge of the node cluster. When nothing attacked them, Kei climbed back onto KausGammamon, directing everyone head back through the hyperlink they'd entered from. In agreement, Kahunimon reverted to her Champion-level form, carrying Al to the newly sealed highway node.
"How're you holding up?" Kei asked her brother. The lack of wind resistance made it easy to hear her voice as they travelled.
-
Al was using Kyubimon like a mattress with how forward he was leaning, face in her mane
“I feel like I’ve been charbroiled twice and then microwaved for good measure Kei Kei..”
-
"Don't worry," said Kyubimon. "We'll make sure Al gets to Kamapua'amon if there's trouble."
"Do not overexert yourself further today," said Kaus.
"Yeah," said Kei. "Me and Kaus can take it from here if you guys wanna head back to the house. I gotta grab my car anyway."
-
“I think I’ll be fine. Nothing some aloe won’t fix honestly. And yeah.. I think we’re gonna go home. My car is still on the side of the road too.”
-
"Yeah, but my car's worth the trouble," she chuckled.
Reaching the end of the tunnel, the group arrived at the node to find little had changed... but for the crater-sized nest in which Lavogaritamon now nestled.
"Ohhh," said Kyubi. "Almost forgot about him..."
"Ah, he's fine," said Keilani. "Not like there's anyone else in the node to share it with."
-
Alemana just rolled his eyes as he then glanced at the dragon “Oh yeah. Hey there . So..we’re gonna just let you crash here for now. Here you go by the way.” He would then open his storage and bring out his emergency sandwich, and tossed it to Lavogaritamon
-
Despite having appeared fast asleep, the dragon caught the offering in its molten maw before tucking his snout back under his wings like a bird.
It was then that Kyubimon's body became incandescent again, the great fox reverting to Renamon as she braced Al with her body. "Speaking of crashing," she said, wrapping her arms around him. "Let's get you home before you pass out at the wheel."
Without further distraction, the group left the node (and their new tenant). The drive back home was quiet, with Kei and Kaus following behind Al and Renamon, the fox having donned her human disguise just before leaving the node. The group split up the moment they reached the house, however, leaving team fox to greet Cashew at the door as Keilani argued with Kaus about something from inside her car.
("Surprised he hasn't dedigivoled back to Gammamon,") thought Renee, glancing over her shoulder to see Keilani struggling to throw a blue tarp over her partner.
-
Waving goodbye to the dragon Al would brace himself against Renamon “I’ll be fine.”
And true enough, he was able to drive them home safely, though slower than he normally did. But once they got home and Keilani decided to split.. Al squinted slightly (“Huh.. maybe they are gonna try to hang glide after all. Or maybe they’re gonna— oh god,”) Al then felt his face flush as horror- and morbid curiosity flooded their link
(“What do you think it even looks like- if he’s got one—?!”)
Granted he had no proof that his sister and Kaus had such a relationship( and if they did who was he to judge- he had done things with Renamon).. but how they acted was suspicious.
-
The idea alone was enough to make Renee laugh out loud.
("Speaking of manhoods,") she thought, wrapping her hand around Al's waist. ("I took the liberty of texting someone over~")
"Hello?" came a voice from upstairs, the sound of footsteps drawing the pair's attention from each other. It was Ike. "Hey," said the Samoan. "I got your message! What's the emergency?"
-
Despite his initial horror, he began to laugh as well. (“Huh, you did?”)
Hearing Ike’s voice, he would then softly give her a pat to the rear as he looked up the stairs
“Oh hey man! I’m just.. really sore and beat up and wanted to see if you were willing to help me relax.”
-
The indigo blue of Ike's bandana proved a stark contrast to his face as it turned a neon pink.
"W-wh-what?!" he asked, gripping the stairway banister.
Chuckling, Renee pressed herself against Al's body. "That's right," she said. "We've decided that, after giving it some thought, we'd be open to a nice, relaxing three-way."
Ike must have been training with Gargoylemon, because the tamer had become a living statue, his jaw threatening to hit the floor. In his silence, the image of a text conversation filled Alemana's mind:
++Ike! Babe! Get your sweet ass to my place ASAP! It's an emergency!++
("I considered using hearts and peach emojis,") thought Renee. ("But thought it'd be too on the nose.")
"Y-you fuckin' ass!" said Ike, his brain having rebooted. "What the hell! I thought you guys were in trouble or some shit! You telling me this was just a booty call?!"
Any seriousness in his voice was hamstrung by the fact the platinum blond was busy tugging his shirt down over his crotch.
-
Al’s blush became a full on full neck swathe of cinnamon as he realized what she had been plotting.. and he gave her thigh a quick swat (“So that’s what you were doing on my phone! You cheeky lioness..”) he mentally grumbled.. though Renee could see that he didn’t hate that idea at all.
“Sorry! I just.. she just sprung the question on me and I .. well you gotta admit it’s a hot idea ..!”
-
"Hey boss," called Gazimon from the top of the stairs. "If yous gonna bump uglies, mind not doin' it in the den? Was hopin' to watch TV."
"Sh-shut up!"
Meanwhile, Renee slipped her hand beneath Al's pants, teasing at his bulge. ("Technically it's our phone, since I can't use your digivice,") she thought, smiling as she gave him the side-eye.
-
“Weren’t planning on it Gazi.” Al said with a nervous laugh as he glanced up at Ike
“Well.. what do you say, babe?” He asked him as he had one arm draped around Renee
(Pfft.. whatever hon.”) came his playful reply
-
Ike clenched his jaw, his hand balling into a fist. "...Goddammit, fine!" he said.
...
The bedroom door was closed. If one listened hard enough, they could hear the sports channel playing downstairs. But that's not what Ike was focused on. Alone with Renee and Alemana, the blond tamer folded his arms, his expression... pensive?
"It's alright, Ike," said Renee. "We know we're both a little tall for you."
"That's not it!" he snapped. Sighing, he let his arms drop to his sides. "It's just, I've never done it with two people before, much less with a girl."
-
Al would softly nudge his shoulder “Renee can be other things too, if that’ll make you more comfortable Ike.”
-
On cue, Renee's disguise was wreathed in foxfire, burning away her clothes to reveal a very familiar package between her legs.
Downstairs, Gazimon's ears perked as Ike screamed at a level that only dogs could hear, the Samoan's nose bleeding something fierce.
"Too much~?" asked Renee, the now pseudo-trans 'shifter chuckling as she stroked her replica of Al's meat.
-
Al was also taken completely off guard at that edition, and he gave a whistle “Okay.. this is definitely out there! But I don’t hate it.” And he looked at Ike “…And I really don’t think Ike hates this idea either~” he joked.
-
"Fuck you guys," the Samoan mumbled.
Renee winked. "I believe that's your job now, handsome." Pulling lube from the nightstand drawer, she proceeded to make a show of rubbing it into her shaft. She cooed as the cool liquid touched her, stroking it with the ball of her thumb, the shaft swelling in her grasp.
An audible gulp came from Ike.
"Mmmh, careful," said Renee. "Keep staring at it, and it'll wanna say hello..."
"Just... just gimme the damn bottle," he said, pulling down his shorts.
Handing the lube over, Renee then turned her head to Al. "Don't think I've forgotten about you," she said, wrapping her free hand around his waist.
-
It was definitely different, seeing Renee lube up what was essentially a paler replica of his own dick.. but much like Ike he found himself a mite bit breathless. When she said that she hadn’t forgotten him, a nervous smile crossed his face. “Like I would let you forget me anyway, alopeke.” He said in a teasing manner as his hand would softly grasp her thigh almost possessively as his eyes trailed back to Ike.
-
The Samoan had stripped from the waist down, tossing his pants to the side before rubbing lubricant between his now exposed cheeks. Meanwhile, Renee, seizing her chance, rose her hand up to grab the back of Al's head. Closing in, she crushing her lips against the athlete's, taking a deep breath as she hummed low and soft within him. ("How's my hero doing?") she thought, pressing her bosom against him. ("Ready to blow off steam?")
-
Al had been about to take off his own pants when she pulled him in for several kisses, breaking off his train of thought as he just went with the flow. (“Well I’m — you can feel me.”) he joked, his pulse quickening as he felt her member press against the crotch of his pants and the bulge beneath them . (“we’ve only been talking about this for months.. so yeah~”)
-
Before Al could even finish his thought, the athlete felt hands as they pulled away at the fabric over his loins. Glancing down, he saw Ike on his hands and knees, nuzzling his face against the bulge in Al's underwear. The Samoan pressed his nose in, breathing deep of his fellow tamer's scent, a faint mewl escaping him as he blushed.
Renee took that moment to break from the kiss, a smirk on her face as she licked her lips. Already, her meat was at full mast, bouncing in the air as she sauntered behind Ike. The shorter human quivered the moment the glistening cock tapped against his side of his exposed rear, but if he had second thoughts, it didn't show. He was too busy nipping at the tip of the genuine article.
"Ready~?" asked Renee, guiding, teasing her shaft around Ike's rim. The blond tamer's breath hitched, eyes half-lidden as he pushed his face deeper into Al's bulge. Suddenly, his eyes screwed shut, his back arching inward as Renee plunged herself deep between his cheeks. Through their link, Al felt his partner's own shock as though he were penetrating Ike. The familiar tight warmth, the long, welcoming depth. Biting her lip, Renee threw her head back as she put her hands to Ike's hips, and pumped.
("F-f-fuck,") she thought, her inner voice shuddering. ("So that's how it f-feels...!")
-
When did Ike get there? He had been so distracted by Renee he hadn’t even realized that the blond had gotten right up on him, and he bit his lip as Ikr began rubbing his face all over his groin.. manhood straining against the confines of his underwear. Watching as his partner moved behind the dick focused boy he would slowly tug that final barrier down his legs slowly.. gasping as he nipped at the crown of his cock “hey-“
He then felt his knees weaken as Renee made her plunge, and he couldn’t help but shudder at thr feedback
(“See why I like fucking him so much~?”)
-
("W-what is this feeling?") she thought, huffing as she got into a rhythm. ("Is he clenching? I didn't know males could do that.")
Both she and Al felt Ike's warm breath as it hazed the athlete's manscape. Like a wanderer dying of thirst, Ike swallowed his lover's shaft, sucking in tandem with Renee's thrusts. Renee's breath hitched the moment he did so, her body becoming flushed with heat.
("It's like my cock is in two different holes--") she thought, digging her toes into the carpet.
-
“Fuck! Holy hell baby.. you’re way more into this than I thought you’d be..!” Al said as he ran his fingers through Ike’s hair.. hissing at the dual stimulation (“I don’t know how he learned to do that either.. but it’s fucking awesome..!”)
-
Ike said nothing, he was too busy stuffing the rest of Al's package into his mouth, his tongue lapping at the salt of the bigger teen's sweat. Grunts and moans muffled by so much meat, he could do nothing but bury his nose in Al's jungle, and grab onto the standing tamer's legs for support.
Renee lurched forward, her own mouth agape as her breasts hung over Ike's back. "Al," she breathed. "K-kiss me...!"
-
Al would lean in to kiss her without a second thought, one hand caressing her face while his other still remained tangled in Ike’s hair.. pumping his hips as he made out with Renee. This was far more intense than he had expected.. but now that they were into it- he had zero intention of stopping now..!
-
Shuddering down Al's throat, Renee began groping one of her breasts, sending a jolt through her and the tamer's body. So sensitive and supple, it felt like someone squeezing a weighted bundle of white-hot nerves filled with water. Even still, it was distinct from the pressure surrounding Al's cock, the way Ike slid and rolled his tongue despite how confining the space was becoming. The way his moans vibrated back into Al's body; how wet and steaming it felt one minute, only for the tightness of his derrière to replace it the next. It made the rest of the athlete's body feel cold by comparison, even as his lungs were filled with Renee's bated breath.
-
(“Fuck! I love you.. I love you!”)
Ike could feel those balls clench slightly as pre coated his tongue.. Al wasn’t going to last with all this stimulus. Being with Renee was intense enough already with this feed back they shared .. but adding Ike to the mix? Al felt like he was going to fucking explode at any second. It was too much..!
-
"Boys," cried Renee as she broke off from the kiss. "I'm gonna... I-I'm gonna--!"
Al felt it long before his partner gave out her silent scream, Ike's sudden deepthroating only confirmed it, Renee was firing off. The pair felt the surge of seed popping out the crown, lacing Ike's insides as Renee's knees buckled and she shoved her entire doppel-cock down to the root! The sheer force of her legs as they squeezed the Samoan's checks together, making tight what was already clenched and needy!
-
“I— me too baby..!”
Ike wasn’t spared yet, as within seconds Al also fired into his gullet.. feeding the Samoan his load as Renee unloaded inside his amazing ass..!
Kissing her again, Al would steady himself.. moaning by how frantic Ike was as he swallowed over and over again
(“This is.. amazing~”)
-
Renee chuckled, out of breath. Glancing downwards, both she and Al stared at Ike, the spit-roasted blond trembling in place as the last of either lover's cum entered into him. When at last his arms gave out, a soft popping noise escaped him, Al's cock now exposed to the cruel chill of open air as Ike went to hug the floor.
("I think Ike agrees,") thought Renee, the shifter smacking the blond's ass just to watch the impact ripple. ("Mmmhh--I really don't wanna leave...!")
-
Gasping as he was so cruelly evicted from the warmth of Ike’s mouth.. he would chuckle as he then gave Renee a kiss on the nose “Well.. maybe he wants to go again~?” He teased.. softly kneeling down “What do you say? Do you want to go another round with her baby?”
-
Panting, the dull-eyed tamer struggled to nod. "Th-the bed," he said, slurring his words as he drooled out the side of his mouth.
-
“You’ve got it babe.” He said as he helped drag the limp Ike up into his bed, letting the slimmer boy sprawl out as he motioned for Renee to join them up there.
“Where do you want her now, Ike?”
-
"I don-I don't care," he huffed. "Ram me into next week."
Cocking a brow at Al, Renee threw back her hair as she slipped back inside the Samoan. This time, however, she took her time; tracing a finger down Ike's spine as she leaned forward.
"How's our little bottom?" she asked. "You like this? Feeling a woman in your ass~?"
Ike grumbled something as he grabbing a pillow.
"No?" asked Renee, smirking. "What if I sounded more like this?"
Ike froze, his eyes wide open as he heard Renee's voice drop. Al recognized that voice. It was Kale Branson's.
"Yeah," said Renee. "Bet you wanted to motorboat my pecs the moment you saw 'em, little dude. Gonna show you what a real champ feels like."
Funny, for a minute there, Al could have sworn he saw Ike's soul escaping through his mouth.
-
Al was also spooked for a moment, his face growing pale before he realized what Renee was doing - and he began laughing “Babe, babe, you’re gonna give him a heart attack if you do that. He deserves to enjoy himself too you know!”
-
"I thought he was~" she teased. Already, though, Al could feel through their link his partner's cock swelling again. Had it already been two minutes? "The question is," said Renee. "What're you gonna do, Al?"
-
That was weird.. he didn’t realize time got away from him. But at her question he would think on it.. and crawl around the bed until he was right behind Renee, his own cock rubbing against her lower back
“Why not try to make a chain~? You need some discipline for that little stunt anyway ~”
-
"Ooooh, sounds exciting," she said, letting her head recline as she slipped her hand behind herself and pushed her cheeks apart. "Was starting to feel lonely back there, anyway~"
-
He would softly take the lube and slather it along his cock.. before working a layer of it inside her ass.. his fingers pushing inside her slowly, teasingly.
“You’ve gotta beg for it.. let Ike hear that side of you~”
-
"Mmmh, how dare you," said the shifter. How strange it was, to tease at penetration when his superimposed senses told him he was already penetrating Ike's ass. The same could be said of his own rear, the athlete feeling invisible fingers toying at the lip of his hole. "Nnf!" said Renee. "I... alright, alright--Al, please, while we're still young?"
-
“Mmm.. not quite what I was looking for~” he said as he pushed his fingers deeper.. the odd sensation making him pause
“Show Ike that you’re just as much of a bottom~”
Oh he was really enjoying this, if that grin was any indication ~
-
Renee bit her lip, her upper cheeks burning.
"Ffffuck me," she said, sliding deeper into Ike. "A-Al, please, breed me...!"
-
There it was .
Kissing her neck she would feel his dick finally kiss her ass.. and he pushed forward, groaning into her ear
(“I’d breed a fucking litter into you if I could.”) he huskily whispered into her mind (“but I’ll settle for this ass for now..!”)
-
The shifter gasped, the feedback between the two dizzying her thoughts. To both their senses, elements of Ike's rear merged with Renee's, an ass that was both round and soft but also toned and 'generous'. Renee's thrusts were slick, the cum from her first round lubricating an already welcoming hole. The plopping sounds as her junk slapped against Ike's became a tempo, guiding the lovers' thrusts while giving Ike a meter for when to clenching his rear.
"Okay," said the Samoan, grunting. "This is hot. Mmph!"
"Squeeze me, baby," whispered Renee, the shifter crooning as Al expanded inside her.
-
“It’s hot as fuck.”
Al was now pumping into his partner as she continued to drive herself into Ike.. arms squeezing her like his life depended on it. “Ike.. Rena.. holy fuck .. you both feel so damn warm..”
-
After what had happened in the Network, no amount of heat between the three could make either Al or Renee faint, but boy did they try. The air grew humid from their perspirations, making slippery their exposed skin. For Al, it was like two cocks were sleeved into one another, both of which were pounding Ike's greedy ass. Every thrust forced the Samoan to whine, his face buried in Alemana's pillow as Renee's breasts bounced atop his back. Indeed, the faux-human's unkempt hair clung to her neck and face, her fox ears manifesting as she tried to emulate Ike's clenching technique.
"Oh, oh, oh--!" she cried, her true eyes blinking back into existence as she grew feverish.