Malkavian Madness Network
Other Systems => Digimon: Digital Adventures => Topic started by: MrParaduo on June 11, 2022, 04:30:37 PM
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Cipher Bay. Even from the modest, river-side harbor, there was an energy to the place. Digimon Al had never seen before walked to and from the wooden piers, gossiping, loitering, even fishing. Of all the boats the boy saw, however, none were was big as the Smiling Simon, nor had as wide a berth, for when it finally docked, it did so beside a large warehouse, with signs written in a text Alemana recognized only from the etchings on his digivice.
"We finally made it!" said Malie, watching the Kamemon fastening lines of rope to the pier. "Cipher Bay, and we're all still in one piece."
Sitting beside her, Kukuimon turned as he heard Al and Renamon approaching from behind. "Oh, Ren-er, Lady Renamon!" he said. "Come and see! We're almost ready to disembark!"
"That'll do, pig," chuckled the fox. "Where's Gazimon and Troopmon number two?"
"They'll be here. Just give them a few more minutes and you'll see."
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Al seemed lost in his thoughts, idly staring at the boats. While Renamon helped him feel better, his mood was still not quite where it normally was.
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"Cousin?" asked Kukuimon, the piglet tilting his head. "You okay?"
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“Hm? Just thinking,” Alemana said as he then tapped his foot
“What is taking them?”
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On cue, Ike and Gazimon appeared as they dodged out of the way of the busy Kamemon workforce. Ike motioned to put his hands in his pockets, only to remember he was still wearing his Troopmon Deluxe. Already in too deep, the tamer maintained the pose as he approached the gang.
"Hey," he said. "Sorry we're late, we were getting chewed out by the toucans."
"Did something happen?" asked Kukuimon.
"How should I know? Couldn't make a word out between them, they just kept yelling and yelling."
"Think it had somethin' to do with us workin' on the ship, boss," said Gazimon.
"Guess so."
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"Oh, hey." Alemana said as he turned to see them. "Are you feeling better?"
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Ike and Gazimon exchanged looks.
"Yeah," said the tamer. "Think we just needed a minute alone."
"Yeah," said Gazimon, though his voice came off flat. Clutching his arm, the chimera then turned to face Renamon. "Hey, Renamon. Look, I uh... about what I said."
The vulpine shook her head. "It's alright, Gazimon," she said. "I know you meant nothing by it."
The chimera's eyes remained downcast.
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Al would then walk up to Gazimon, and his hand reached forward... and gently scritched behind the rabbit-dog-cat's ears
"I'm sorry for snapping at you too." and he would then look up at Ike "You too."
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Gazimon tried to hold back a smile, but even he could not resist the power of Alemana's scritches. As for Ike, the tamer averted his gaze, huffing into his chest.
"Y-yeah, well, maybe I'm sorry too, huh? Maybe you should think about that." When people started to chuckle, Ike's stance grew rigid - till at last the tamer put his foot down and grabbed Gazimon by the paw. "C'mon, Gaz! This place is for the birds!"
Taken by surprise, the chimera let himself be pulled away as he followed Ike off the ferry, the rest of the group already laughing off his bizarre temper tantrum.
"Hey, wait a second!" called a voice. Turning around, Al saw first mate Palmon hurrying over. "You guys aren't leaving without at least saying goodbye, right?"
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“Wha-“ Alemana was taken by surprise as Ike stomped away, dragging Gazi by the paw.
“Oh, okay then-“ and that’s when he turned to see Palmon
“Oh of course not!”
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"Good! Then on behalf of the crew, and the captain, I wanna thank you all for choosing the Smiling Simon! We hope you guys'll come and visit if you're ever looking to ride back up river!"
"Only if I get to ride Seadramon the whole way."
"Maybe not that part," said Kukuimon, sweating.
"Lord Bucketmon WILL ride the mighty beast!"
"Thank you for everything, first mate Palmon." said Renamon. "It's been wild ride from the start."
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Smiling behind his mask, he would give her a high five . “I’m pretty sure we will take another cruise soon. But before we go.. one last selfie?”
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"Yeah!" cheered the first mate. Gathering up with the others (minus Ike and Gazimon), she made a peace sign and winked for the camera. Malie had Kukuimon in her arms, while Renamon stood behind the trio, paws on Pal and Malie's outermost shoulders.
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And Al would get into frame.. and with an enthusiastic “cheese!” The picture would be taken!
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*Rollz*
And just like that, Al managed one of the better selfies of his career, even managing to angle just right for maximum effect.
Once everyone had gotten a look - all of which approving (despite Malie being unable to see through her bucket) - Palmon clapped her hands together. "Whelp," she chimed. "I better get back to my duties. If you guys need anything, or helpful tips about town, we'll be here for a few days before we need to venture back out."
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“If we do, I’ll definitely give you all a jingle.” He would then give her a gentle hug
“Thanks for everything, First Mate.”
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"You guys be careful," she said, smiling. "Varamon's goons can still follow you here, so keep your eyes peeled for trouble."
"We will!" said Kukuimon. "Aloha, Palmon!"
"Aloha to you too, Kukui!" giggled Palmon, her cheeks blushing.
The group would wave back and say their goodbyes to the first mate, but eventually, she would disappear back inside the Smiling Simon. As the group walked down the pier, they found Ike and Gazimon waiting, halfway.
"Took you guys long enough," said Ike, arms behind his head. "While you guys were moseying around, me and Gaz found the guy we're looking for."
Gazimon the pointed to the far end of the pier, where a strange figure sat on a bench overlooking the river. It looked vaguely like a man that had been made with grey rocks, its head almost twice the size of its torso and with pointy "ears" just above where a human's would be.
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“Don’t worry, if we run into any more we’ll just give ‘em the razzle dazzle and make a break for it.”
Waving goodbye, they would leave the ferry.. and he was surprised they found Gotsumon so quickly. “We were saying goodbye, is all.” He then waved at Gatsumon
“Hello there! We were told to come see you, Gauntmon sent us.”
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Approaching the strange rock man, it became more and more clear how bizarre the digimon's form was. No nose, with three-digit feet and hands wider than its limbs. It had no eyelids, yet the rectangular pupils of jewel-like eyes shifted into black dots as it appeared to wake up from a nap.
"Oh boy," it yawned, its voice like someone who'd had one too many sandpaper martinis. "Huh? Oh, sorry. You say something about Gauntmon?"
[Hmm... roll Knowledge for me]
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“Hm? Well yeah. We met a Gauntmon and a Pumpkinmon who run a laundromat/ costume shop.”
[Rolling: 3 2 5 6 1 3= 20]
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In addition to remembering the envelop Gauntmon told him to give Gotsumon, Al realized that the digimon was made of basalt rock, or at least, according to what his science teacher had taught him.
"Yeah? And how're they doing? Keeping out of trouble?"
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“Oh? Well yeah… I suppose they are! They actually gave me this,” he would then hold out the Envelope
“Said you’d know what this was. I haven’t taken a look at it- it’s rude to look at someone else’s mail after all!”
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At the sight of the black and orange envelope, Gotsumon's eyes lit up.
"Woah!" he said, pushing off the bench to stand. "Lemme see that!" Letter now in hand, the rock digimon dabbed a corner on his tongue before nodding. "It's legit. You guys're in."
"In?" echoed Ike. "In what?"
"The club. As of today, you guys're welcome to stay at my place. Might be crowded, but, no chip off my back. Who'd you say you guys were?"
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“Well, that’s pretty much what we were hoping was going to happen! And as for us, well..” he looked back at the group. “Who wants to do introductions first?”
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"I'm Kukuimon!"
"Gazimon," shrugged the chimera.
"Renamon," mused the fox.
The other tamers looked at each other (or in Malie's case, in their supposed direction).
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“Well, you can call me Troopmon. And this is my colleague- you can ca him Troopmon. And this..” he then pointed to Malie “We call her Lord Bucketmon!”
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"YESSS!!" said Malie, raising her arms up from beneath her blanket-cloak. "Lord Bucketmon requires accommodations!"
"Eh, sure thing," said Gotsumon before thumbing over his shoulder. "My place is on Blue Cross Avenue. You guys mind walking? It's not too far away."
"How far is not too far?" asked Ike.
Gotsumon shrugged. "About a half-hour." The rock digimon then looked at Malie, the tamer snoring as she nodded off on her feet. "Uh... something wrong?"
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“Well that won’t be a problem.. we need to get out land legs back anyway. And-“ he then saw that Malie dozed off
“She just does that some times.. it’s nothing major!”
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"No judgement here. I need a good dirt-nap now and again. Know that saying about how rolling stones don't gather moss?"
"Yeah?" said Gazimon.
"Total garbage. Anyone that tells you different's never been in the jungle."
Gesturing for the group to follow, Gotsumon led the way forward, the rock digimon going silent as his feet clacked and clonked against the sidewalk.
Seeing Malie's predicament, and Kukuimon's near-puppy dog eyes, Renamon took it upon herself to carry the girl on her back.
"So what's there to see?" asked Ike.
"I dunno," said Gotsumon. "Stuff? It's Cipher Bay."
Gazimon smirked. "Ain't much of a tour guide, ain't he, boss? Don't worry about it, I've got you covered. Know this place like the back of my paw."
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Alemana wanted nothing more than to take a picture of Malie on Renamon’s back, but he refrained from doing so- they had to maintain cover after all. “Well either way, I’m sure we’ll get to see all the appropriate sights of the place soon, no need to rush things. Besides, we have someone to meet up with after all.”
(“I just hope Kuku gets here okay. If his journey has been anything like ours, it’s probably been pretty rough.”) Al silently confessed to Renamon.
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The fox's voice soon followed in his head. "(He'll make it, Alemana. Kuku may be old and cranky, but once he's given his word, he's too stubborn to go back on it.)"
Passing shops and houses not unlike those found in Hilo, the group came to a small, cobblestone plaza just before an overlook that showed a series of landings connected by stone steps. Standing beside it was a digimon covered in brown armor, its chest complete with a valve flanked by vent units. It was almost like a cross between a steam-punk robot, and a deep-sea diver. Everyone stopped in their tracks when both Gazimon and Gotsumon turned left instead of going further.
"Gaz?" asked Ike.
"Right this way, boss," said the chimera, aloof. "Don't make eye contact."
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(“I know, I just worry is all.”)
And when they approached that plaza, and saw the robot.. well Alemana was inclined to follow their lead.
“Interesting people you’ve got here-“ he casually remarked with they were out of ear shot of the machine creature.
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"That's a Guardromon," said Gazimon. "They're in charge've security around town. Wanna get anywhere fast, you avoid meet'n 'em. You'll just end up bustin' your jaw yakkin' off about stuff nobody's got time for."
"If not that way, then where?" asked Kukuimon.
The piglet's answer came when Gotsumon led them through several bushes and behind an abandoned dumpster, where he brushed aside a stained, ragged curtain of cloth to reveal a small, dark tunnel.
"Go in with your legs first," warned the rock digimon.
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“Oh. And here I was worried that they would just blow you up like those robots from Robocop- it’s a really old sci fi movie from o- the human world-“ Alemana said, catching himself. As they approached the hole, he paused.. would it be safe for Malie? He would turn nudge her ever so gently to wake her up.
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Raising a brow at the group, Gazimon shrugged and walked over to the hole, grabbing it by the sides before trusting himself feet first into the inky darkness. The sound of his claws and the buckles on his tail-straps clicked on metal before quickly fading away.
"A slide?" asked Renamon, to which Gotsumon nodded.
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Al would watch in surprise.. and he would then offer to go next. “So I can help catch Lord Bucketmon in case she has a mishap on the slide.”
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"Suit yourself," said Gotsumon. "Either way, I'm going last. Gotta put the dumpster back or else I get yelled at."
Renamon nodded. "Go ahead, Troopmon," she said. "We'll be right behind you."
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Nodding, he would approach the hole and push himself through feet first, unsure what to expect with the slide.
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The tamer found the fabric of his suit did wonders to speed him up as he slid into the darkness... then he felt himself accelerating, then falling, no, wait, it was just a steep angle. He saw light at the end of the short tunnel behind two flaps of opaque material. But when he past through them, he soon realized that it was far from over. Before him lay a breathtaking view of Cipher Bay, a city divided by the river crossing through it, its waters exiting into a sea of tropical cyan-blue beneath an even deeper blue sky. Then Alemana looked down, and saw the long, long tubular slide he was about to take down the steep cliffside.
At speeds no slide had ever prepared him for, the tamer became a comet as he slid left and right with the curve of the tube. At times, he would become airborne just long enough to see above the walls of the slide, seeing digimon walking, talking, putting up laundry - even one group playing basketball, all of which oblivious to the speeding Troopmon overhead!
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First there was trepidation as he then rocketed down the slide, his breathing in his mask loud and frenetic fit a few moments.. what if he was dropped into some junk heap or into the sewers? Just as he began to feel regret- when he entered the sunlight he could only gasp in sheer awe in the sight he beheld. He had seen some incredible things so far, but they had mostly been interspersed between moments of high stakes tension, dulling the wonder of those moments somewhat. Now, though? There was nothing to dilute the sheer exhilaration and sense of splendor. His breathing retained its staccato rhythm, but rather than anxiety, it was now from excitement.. and he couldn’t help but laugh and holler as he continued his journey down the slide- occasionally waving enthusiastically to a digimon who happened to turn their attention to him before he was gone in a blur. He didn’t know it at the time, but this moment would be forever etched into his memory- a snapshot of spectacle he would fondly carry with him for the rest of his life.
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Again and again, just when Al thought the ride was over, another dip and cork-screw would be there to greet him as he sped beneath tenement buildings and alleyways. Only when he saw the oncoming mattress wall and landing did he know he'd reached his destination, the slid firing him out like a Typhoon Cannon, giving him the chance for a stylish exit before literally hitting the bed.
[Alright, for funsies, roll either Athletics or Perform with a +1]
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And he would enjoy every second of it, and when he saw the mattresses lay out before the endpoint of the slide- a moment of impulse overtook him. He got ready, and as he shot out from the slide, he would tuck and roll- hoping to use the momentum to roll into a sort of front flip, intending to land on his feet!
[Rolling: 1 6 3 5 2 1= 15]
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And so he did, much to the awe of high-pitched voices. Turning to the left, Al saw Gazimon propped against the corner of a high-walled, white-concrete parking lot they were now in, alongside three other digimon. The critters were small, almost as tall as a Yokomon minus the flower. They reminded Al of Gotsumon in that they were made of rocks, and a yellow eye inside an almost toothy-maw. Though they had no hands, and just pebbles for legs, they each lifted a card over their heads with a number on it: 5 5 5.
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Panting.. he would see the three little guys and their score cards., and he would then give a theatrical bow. The urge to pat them all on the.. noggin..was strong, but he resisted.
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The metallic sound of something bumping and skidding against steel warned Al and the others of another incoming arrival. Getting out of the way, the tamer watched from the sidelines as Malie launched from the mouth of the slide, bucket first! Though fortunately, she bent forward enough to hit the mattress with her back, upside-down, before her legs fell forward and plopped her onto the mattress below.
*Rollz*
As before, the tiny rock digimon pulled out their cards, this time reading 1, 2 and 6. When the other two looked at their higher scoring colleague, they saw the unabashed smile in its eye and knew it was no accident.
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Alemana would come up to Malie and help her up, glancing at her scores. “A six? Oh I see how it is, number 3!” He jokingly threatened.
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Malie wobbled as she turned towards the direction of Al's pull, chuckling to herself. "I wanna go again...!"
"Clear the landing," hollered Gazimon.
A second later, both tamers could hear the next one coming down the slide. Much faster than Malie. And louder too. They pulled away just as Kukuimon launched at them, tears gushing from his eyes as he screamed "MALIEEEE-!!" before his tamer rushed and caught him like a bag of potatoes.
To the judges, his performance was worth a 3, 4 and 3. No doubt points were deducted due to second party interference.
"Wow, Kukui," she said. "You're much lighter than I thought. I barely felt anything."
"I need a hug," cried the piglet, burrowing his face into Malie's chest.
Just then, a shadow flew over the trio, yellow and silver fur radiant in the sun. Without even a sound, Renamon hit the landing as graceful as ever, despite the speed of her arrival.
Judges? A perfect 10 10 10!
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Alemana gasped as he saw the small piglet fly from the tube like a little rocket- and he couldn’t help but gently pat his little noggin as he sat in Malie’s arms- traumatized. “Hey it’s okay, every first slide is scary!”
He then just caught Renamon stick the landing- get a perfect score, and rolled his shoulders in as close to a sarcastic manner as he could.
“Show off!” He said with a chuckle
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"Not showing off when it's the standard," mused the fox, ignoring the eyeroll Gazimon was giving her. Both digimon's ears perked, however, warning of the next arrival long before the tamers heard anything. When they did, it was the wild howling of reserved for mad dash rollercoasters. Everyone stepped aside as Ike appeared, the suited blond tucking his legs back has he was launched into the air -- pulling on them by the ankles with a hand as the other threw a fist skyward!
The verdict was in. A 6, a 4, and a 20 as Gazimon stole Judge no. 3's score card, the chimera thrusting it up as he cheered his tamer on (much to the murderous consternation of said-judge).
"WOOOH!! That was awesome!" cheered Ike, adrenaline lacing his every move. "Augh yeah, did you SEE that?! MPH!!"
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“Careful Renamon, it looks like Gazimon will chew on your tail if you’re not modest enough,” he teasingly said as Ike came flying down.
“Oh hey you’re here! Nice landing!” He enthusiastically replied, ignoring that little cheat score.
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Ike puffed out his chest as he set hands on his hips. "Man, I love parkour," he said. "Been dying to get back into it."
"Wait, does sliding count as parkour?" asked Malie.
"I don't even know what that is," said Kukuimon.
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“Huh… we’ll your outfit makes more sense..”
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Ike gave turned to face Al. "...What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means we should step away from the landing space. Gotsumon's en route."
Even with a mask on, Ike continued to eye Alemana as the group stepped back and watched for their new friend. When he did, the rock digimon appeared to be on a flying carpet before crash landing on the mattress-spread. Made sense, rocks his size against metal would ruin the slide, and probably drag on all the important turns coming down. As for the judges, they had moved onto playing cards, completely ignoring Gotsumon's entrance.
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“I just thought it was weird that you were wearing all those layers if you’re from the same place we are.” He said innocently as he stepped back, close to Renamon as Gotsumon’s entrance
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"Layers?" echoed Ike. "All I'm wearing's--"
"Craaaap," interrupted Gotsumon. "I think I tore the sheet this time." Standing up, the bipedal rock lifted the blanket he'd been using to slide on, a new gash visible in the patchwork of stitching crisscrossing it. "Guess I'll need to get the sowing kit out."
"So where to from here?" asked Kukuimon.
"About a few blocks down the road. We can use the back-alleys, though. The neighborhood here's pretty safe."
Throwing the ruined blanket over his shoulder, Gotsumon led the way out of the secluded space. Noise from the city was quieter than it had been on the way down, but there was a distinct lack of car horns, sirens, or similar vehicular fanfare. Did digimon even use cars? Or were they just in a low traffic part of town? The back-alleys, meanwhile, were mostly empty, with one or two digimon sleeping in the shade of the buildings or on benches as the group passed them by.
"So weird to be back here," said Gazimon, almost to himself.
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Alemana would give him a tilted head look
“Wait, are you nak-“
He was also interrupted by the golem , and he would give Renamon a look before shrugging and following him. Gazimon’s words caught his attention.
“That reminds me.. you’re from here right? How come you left?”
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[Hmm... roll Persuasion]
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[Rolling: 4 2 5 6 5= 22]
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The chimera hesitated. Sighing, he then explained. "I'm not exactly from here. Used to live here, of course, but this ain't my hometown."
"Where are you from, then?" asked Renamon.
"Different server. Came here on a cruise ship years ago. No money, no roots, nothin' but the straps on my tail."
"Weren't you scared?" asked Malie.
"Eh, I ain't afraid of no water. Got money doin' odd jobs for my-" Gazimon shut his mouth, ears drooping. When Ike put a hand on his partner's shoulder, the chimera avoided eye contact. "Employers," he said. "Lots and lots of employers. Plenty of cheapskates between the good ones, too."
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“That doesn’t answer my question, though,”
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"Left cuz I got bored."
"You got bored?" echoed Renamon.
"Yeah, I got bored. Life gets sterile when nothin' changes."
"That can't be everything."
"Why not? News flash, toots, not everythin' about me's excitin'."
"What about fam-" started Kukuimon, but Gazimon threw up a claw.
"Enough twenty questions," said the chimera. "Let's just keep walkin'."
"(He's always hiding something,)" Renamon said inside Al's head. "(I wonder if I pressed him too hard this time...)"
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“We’ll continue this later then.” Al said with a sigh.
“So, Gotsumon.. how do you like living here?”
(“Something is wrong with him.. he’s been acting strange since that tag team fight, like I said..”)
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"It's a living," said the rock digimon. "Been kinda boring since Pumpkinmon and Gauntmon moved up river, though."
"(Should I look into it?)" asked Renamon, continued with her strange telepathy. "(Since he's lived here before, I can be as discreet as possible if he goes anywhere on his own.)"
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“They seem to be doing well, though they appear to be bored a lot of the time too. Hopefully it’ll change soon.”
(“Well.. I don’t know.. that feels a little underhanded.. can I get back to you on that?”)
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Gotsumon shrugged. "I told them setting up shop so far from town'd be a bad idea. But the minute Pumpkinmon saw the price tag, he just had to buy."
"Oh," said Malie. "Is it expensive living here?"
"Depends on where in town you wanna live. Getting beachfront property's only good if you can handle typhoons. The bigger a digimon you are, though, the more limited your options get. Most have to live near the water or major fares because it's the easiest way to access services catering to them. Me and my brothers? We're working on the sub-levels of Cipher Bay, which'll hopefully make things easier than it'd be above ground."
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“That sounds like it could help a lot of mons, when it’s completed!
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"Trouble is, it gets easily flooded down there. Sometimes work crews need digimon that can breathe underwater just to stay on schedule."
"What if you're down there when there's a flash flood?" asked Ike.
"Then you drown. Plain and simple."
"You don't have to be so casual about it!!"
"It's dangerous work. But you know that long before you sign up. Plus the pay's too good to pass up. Gotta pay rent somehow."
At this, Kukuimon looked up at Malie, the tamer having grown very quiet.
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The boy was also quiet.. still thinking on what Renamon offered to do.
(“Okay.. I thought about it, and I’m okay with it. Well not okay, but it has to be done.”)
It still left a sour taste in his mouth.
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"(Understood,)" said Renamon. "(We can always stop if you change your mind.)"
The group arrived at a two-story house with a garage door just as tall. The way it was set up, the driveway curved from the street to the back of the building, with a cinderblock staircase led up to the top floor and balcony porch. Even up there, the whole place was overshadowed by the neighboring lots.
"This is it," said Gotsumon, pulling a key out of his mouth. "Make yourselves at home."
Stepping inside, the group found the house opened up to a carpeted floor and balcony looking down at a living room. The lack of windows made it feel almost like a bunker, the dim light from the wall-mounted lamps bathing the large room in a warm glow. A television armoire faced them and the staircase leading down, allowing anyone that stood on the inner balcony to see what was being played with relative ease. Big, cushiony seats surrounding a coffee table at the center of the room, alongside improvised furniture made from more cinderblocks.
"Huh," said Gazimon. "This here's a pretty cozy setup you got, Gotsumon."
"Thanks. There should be some foam-bag chairs in the closet if you need a place to nap."
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(“Thanks si- Renamon..”) he mentally kicked himself.. he was doing it again. When they arrived and started exploring the house, he was rather surprised by how.. mundane it was. It seemed like any other house in Hilo- minus the cinder block furniture. “This place is pretty nice..”
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"Yeah, used to host movie nights here with Gaunt and Pumpkinmon. Now though? Just me and my brothers."
"Your brothers?" echoed Ike.
"Yep, those three Tumblemon back at the slide, and then the two Golemon living in the garage."
"Why the garage...?"
"Never seen a Golemon before have you."
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“Oh, well that explains why they didn’t give you a score.” Al said with a small laugh.
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"Pretty much," said Gotsumon. "But, that's family. Anway, some ground rules while you guys are living here: me and the Golemons work most week days from six to four, so you'll have the place to yourselves unless it's raining. Then the Tumblemon'll likely be underfoot. Rent here's free, but unless you got a taste for literal rock candy, you're gonna need to buy your own stuff to eat. There're a couple fast-food joints around here, but you can do better going to the grocer. Cooking's cheaper in the long run. Trust me."
"It really is," said Gazimon. "Just as long as you know what you're doin'."
Nodding, Gotsumon continued. "We don't have locks except for my room, the bathrooms, and the basement, on account that nobody's dumb enough to go looting a house with two Champion-level digimon under its roof. If you gotta go out at night, use the front door, or the Tumblemon'll get you."
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“That reminds me … do you know where we could find places to work? We are.. a little tight on funds.”
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"Heh, no worries. You can either check online or visit the job center in downtown, though neither's a surefire thing. I can pay you to do chores around the place -- not like anyone else'll do it otherwise -- but unless you're interested in excavating and heavy lifting, that's all I got."
"I might know a few types willin' to set us up," said Gazimon. "But it's gonna take a while. Maybe a day or two."
"Can we come along?" asked Kukuimon. "I'd love to see the sites while we're here."
The chimera looked away, bitting his lip. "Nah, I'm not sure that'd be such a good idea," he said. "Might give the wrong impression if I came by with a bunch of strangers."
"But we're not strangers," mused Malie. "We're your friends!"
"It's cool," said Ike. "If me and Gaz go together, it shouldn't be a problem. Be a lot faster, and we can watch each other's backs."
Gazimon's head sunk between his shoulders as he tapped the tips of his index claws togther. "Um... actually, boss, I--er..."
"Somethin' up?"
"L-look! You guys just got here!" chuckled the chimera, scratching the back of his head. "It's my turn to pull my own weight! You guys just veg out and take a breather! You've earned it! Especially you, boss!"
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“Let him go.”
Alemana would step up as he said that.. his eyes locked on Gazimon
“He knows his way around here.. so why shouldn’t we let him show us what he’s got?” He asked, chuckling.
(“Get ready to follow him, Rena.”)
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"I don't like it," said Renamon aloud. "But perhaps Gazimon knows what he's doing."
"Gee, thanks," said the chimera with a deadpan look.
"(I'll keep in contact via digivice,)" said the fox in Al's head. "(If something happens, call me immediately. I'll make my way back as fast as possible.)"
Ike gawked at the two digimon. Eblows high while he squatted low to the ground, his fists shook in place before he turned about face like nothing had happened. "You know what?" he said. "It's fine. Didn't feel like going out anyway."
"Boss?"
"I'm gonna hit the bathroom," said the tamer, walking away. "Later."
Gazimon's ears shot up at the slam of the nearby door, then drooped with his shoulders.
"...He just went into the closet," said Gotsumon.
"It's okay," said Malie. "We'll check on him later."
Gazimon sighed. "Thanks, Ma--er, Lord Bucketmon..." The chimera then motioned to the front door, giving a wordless wave of his paw as he disappeared from view.
"I should hit the streets as well," said Renamon. "Just to get a better idea of the neighborhood."
-
(“Alright, but be careful.. you’ve never been here before.”)
“Ike?” He turned his attention to the boy as he left- and winced as he slammed the door.
“What’s eating him?” He asked.. and when Renamon spoke up about leaving- well he had to put on an act a little bit.
“I dunno.. are you sure that’s safe? Gazimon knows this place.. but this is your first time here.”
(“Gotta put on a show for the others… sorry Renamon!”)
-
"(I'd be disappointed if you didn't,)" she mused. She then responded openly. "I think I can handle it. Don't worry, I'm the essence of discretion."
Winking to Alemana, Renamon then melted into the background, the familiar sound of a distant flute all to mark her passing.
"You guys are weird," said Gotsumon. "You'll fit right in around here. I'll be in the basement if you need anything."
-
“Hey, Renamon!!” And she was gone.
(“Stay safe, love you Rena!”)
-
"(Hmhmhm. Love you too, Alemana.)"
With half the group no longer there, and Gotsumon making his way downstairs, Malie and Kukuimon closed the distance between them and Al.
"We should sneak out, too," said the girl. "See how they feel."
"You're not tired, Malie?" asked the piglet.
His tamer chuckled. "That's my secret, Kukui, I'm always tired."
-
Al would chuckle “let’s just sit tight for now..”
He then walked over the closet.. and gently opened it “Ike..?”
-
There came no response...
-
“Ike?” And he would go into the closet, looking for him
-
*Rollz*
When Al stepped inside, he found Ike with his suit hanging from his waist, wearing his vest like a belt while his striped shirt clung to his sweaty frame.
"What'd you want?" asked the tamer, averting his eyes.
-
Closing the door behind him, he would take off his mask, concern etched onto his face. “I just wanted to check on you. Are you okay? I noticed that Gazimon’s been acting weird the past couple days..”
-
[Roll Decipher Intent]
-
Rolling: 2 6 4 4 5 1= 22]
-
"He's fine," he lied. "He said he didn't like the idea of coming here, so of course he's gonna have a stick up his ass."
-
He could see it on the boys face, the insincerity of thr statement.. and Alemana would step closer. “That’s not true, is it?” And another step
“There’s more to it than that, something you don’t want to tell us.” Another step
“Ike,”
And then his arms would wrap around the boy, pulling him in for a hug. “You don’t have to keep things from us if something’s wrong. We’re your friends.. we have your back.” He then grinned
“We’ve been through too much to NOT be, after all..”
-
[Heh, roll Persuasion]
-
[Rolling: 5 3 4 6 2 1= 21]
-
*Rollz*
"E-ease off already," he said, trying to edge back out of the hug. Given how dark the closet space was, Al wouldn't notice how red Ike's face was getting. "Look, I get what you're trying to do. Really. But Gazimon's my partner. If he's dealing with something, I'm gonna be the one that helps him out."
-
Feeling him pull away, he would slowly ease off with the hug- though his hands would rest on the other boy’s shoulders.
“If that’s what you feel like you need to do.. I’ll respect it. But just remember, we’re also a team.. you don’t have to do absolutely all of it by yourself. If things get too hard.. you’ll come to us for help, right?”
-
Ike locked eyes with Al, words caught in his throat.
"...Yeah," he said. "Sure thing."
-
And he would smile, and reach up to gently pat both of his cheeks in a friendly- sporty way to psyche someone up. “You got this!”
But then he paused.. feeling his cheeks, then his neck slightly. “Uh.. are you running a fever..?”
-
"Sh-shut up. It gets hot in this thing, alright?"
"Even with the built-in AC?"
Ike nearly jumped out of his skin as he and Al saw Malie standing in the middle of the doorway behind them.
"Can a guy get some privacy around here?!" he snapped.
Peeking under her bucket, Malie stuck her tongue from behind a smile. "I just thought you guys'd like to know we got cable tv," she mused.
Suddenly Ike was rushing to put back on his suit, storming out of the closet space in a huff.
-
“Dang it Malie, I was just about to show him my thing too!” Alemana complained, though he had a childish grin on his face before putting his mask back on, following the two out of the closet.
-
"Thing?!" echoed Ike.
That's when Kukuimon interjected. "Cousins!" he said, the piglet now sitting on a foam-bag chair in the living room. "E nana! We're on TV!"
Gathering around, the tamers saw what looked like a news channel, with footage of the Smiling Simon in the background (the group already disappearing from view as they disembarked. In the foreground, a pink bird with blue tipped feathers wore a matching blue dress as she spoke into a mic.
"++Earlier today, the Smiling Simon arrived after narrowly escaping an attack by Mo'omon forces along its usual route over the Codec River. The captain and crew declined for an interview, but passengers have been talking non-stop about the chaos that unfolded++"
-
“I’ve already showed it to Malie, I’ll show it to you in a second!” Alemana said as he paid attention to the news program
“What are they saying?”
-
The scene soon changed to the reporter with her mic to one of the Toucan trio -- though the other two were flanking him.
"++Worst vacation ever!++" he said.
"++Brother, calm down++"
"++I WON'T!! We paid good money to get here - and then this happens?! And the other passengers weren't any better! One of them turned out to be a spy the whole time, from what I heard!++"
"++You heard there was a spy on the ferry?++" asked the reporter.
"++Yeah! Took someone hostage! Sabotaged the engines! You name it!++"
"++Actually, that was about it++" said one of the brothers. "++We didn't see much, we kept to our cabin most of the trip++"
"++AND ANOTHER THING!! There was a pair of delinquents that kept pushing us around near the end of the trip! A Troopmon and--! ++" The toucan's words were cut off, returning to footage of the reporter back on the docks, alone.
"++That's all we have for now. More news is pending for later today. Back to you, Jellymon++"
A watery special effect came from one side to literally wash away the scene as countless bubbles rose up like theatrical curtains on a newsroom. Behind the desk and in the background, live footage of a tropical beach in what Al assumed was the city's coast judging by the buildings. But on the desk, well, was something completely different. It had the body of a child, wearing a black, sleeveless shirt with a triangular collar lined with magenta, but its almond-shaped eyes were like polished black stones as they reflected the light. It wore a hat seemingly made of water, with a red bullseye at its center, and green horns. But from it stretched tentacles like that of a jellyfish, forming the illusion of blue hair with neon green highlights.
"++Thank yooooou, Biyomon~!++" it said in a girl's voice. Almost musical giggling escaped her mouth, partially covered by the back of a hand whose digits were inky black. "++And from all of us here at Jelstation -- but mostly me -- thank you lovelies for tuning in! I'm Jellymon, and you're watching Jelstation News! Coming up after the break: are Antmon responsible for delays on the new underground district? Who is the mysterious Green Lady? And why--can't you people keep the interns OFF MY STAGE!! YOU DUMBASSES!! GO TO F***ING COMMERCIAL!! AMATEURS!!++"
-
Alemana watched, and he would then look at the other once the segment was finished.
“Well at least the news isn’t that different from back home.. think they accept interviews?” He casually asked.
-
"An interview?" awed Kukuimon. "Auwe! That would be amazing!"
"I thought the whole point of wearing disguises was to keep a low profile," grumbled Ike.
"Every party needs a pooper, that's why they invited you~" mused Malie.
"I'm serious. Do we really wanna draw attention before Menehunemon, or whatever, gets here?"
-
Raising his hands he would try to diffuse the situation
“I was just joking anyway, calm down everyone. But anyway.. ready to see my thing now, Ike?”
-
"...When you say, thing-"
Malie stifled a chuckle.
Ike sighed. "Alright, sure."
-
Alemana would chuckle as he then unzipped one of his zipper, fishing out that digivice. “Okay get ready.. it might leave you breathless!”
Selecting storage, Alemana would select the Ki’i, and summon the totem into his hand!
-
As the object materialized, none present could hide the awe in their voices. Even now, long after storing it away, the Ki'i thrummed to the touch.
"Is this what you guys found in the ruins?" asked Ike.
-
“Yeah. It’s really pretty isn’t it?” He asked, gently turning over in his hands. “Hmm.. I wonder..” he then set it down for a moment and worked to few one of his hands.. and then reached for it with his bare hand. “I haven’t actually touched it outside the suit. I wonder if it will do anything..” he tentatively stopped for a moment before taking a breath- and then took hold of the totem.
-
Everyone tensed up, frozen in place as they watched Alemana touch the Ki'i. The thrum of the crystalline stone was stronger without the suit in the way. It was warm, like the touch of sunlight, yet devoid of agitation or threat of burning. It almost seemed to glow...
-
Alemana would give a small gasp of surprise, but he would hold it up to get a better look at it.
“Hey, nothing bad happened! So at least we know one thing.. it doesn’t seem to be harmful if you touch it. Hopefully Kuku will know what this thing does..”
-
"Palmon mentioned it was a Ki'i of Kānemon," said Kukuimon. "I asked for details, and she told me the digimon is the leader of the Great Akua, and that he's related to the sun, sky, and creation."
"Just like the Hawaiian god Kāne," said Malie.
Ike stepped closer, reaching out to touch the Ki'i. "Think this means he's on our side?" he asked. Suddenly, there was a *zap* of electricity as it arched from the statuette to the tamer's index finger. "Gck-! It bit me!"
-
“Well if I was lead to find it, I’m pretty sure that Kanemon wanted me to have it.. so for the time being I’m sure they aren’t our ene-“ he then gasped as that happened, eyes wide.
“Oh my gosh, are you okay?!”
-
"Yeah yeah, just static or something," he said, looking down at his hand.
Alemana then felt a pulse emanate from the Ki'i.
Amana ua noa... spoke a man's voice, strong and clear as day.
-
“Yeah may-“ he then stopped mid word, looking around in confusion.
“Hello? Who was that?”
-
"Hm? Who was what, cousin?" asked Kukuimon, ears perked.
-
“What? You guys didn’t hear that? Someone who wasn’t us just talked!”
-
The others scanned the room from where they were.
"I didn't hear anything," said Ike.
"Me neither," said Malie.
"What did it sound like?" asked Kukuimon.
-
“It wasn’t a voice I recognized .. you sure you didn’t hear it? It was pretty loud.”
Then his eyes drifted to the totem in his hand.
“Unless.. it came from this. Maybe that’s why I’m the only one who heard it.”
-
"That or the stress is finally getting to you," mused Malie.
"Heheh, let's not joke about that," said Kukuimon.
"So what do you wanna do with it?" asked Ike. "Aside from waiting for your friend, not sure how useful it'll be without asking someone more in the know."
-
“I’m serious, I heard someone say ‘Amana ua now’…” he then sighed, looking at it.
“Well I’m not showing it to anyone besides us or Kuku. The green lady has people everywhere in town apparently. So for now.. keep it away from eyes that we can’t trust.” And he would put it back in storage.
-
Ike shrugged. "Fine by me, I guess. One less thing to worry about."
"Speaking of worry," said Kukuimon, before the sound of his stomach growling filled the room. "What are we going to do for food?"
-
"Hm... Well if I know Ike..." he looked at the boy
"He swiped a bunch of extra food from the Simon before we left!"
-
Sighing, Ike pulled out his own digivice and gave up the goods. In a flash, the coffee table would be covered in snacks the tamer had stashed away, ranging from leftovers to full-course meals.
"I may've gone overboard," he admitted.
"Only if the captain saw you," snickered Malie.
"I don't think so," said Kukuimon, a spring in his step as he hopped over. "And if he is, we can always pay him back next time!"
-
"Well the point is.. we will be okay for at least a few days until we can find a way to make some cash ourselves- and if worst comes to worst.. we can do chores for Gotsumon!"
-
Discussions and battle plans continued between the group as they dug into lunch, though with Ike, for once, cautioning against eating too much in case they needed to ration for the long haul. When called out on his binging aboard the Smiling Simon, the boy countered by saying it was different, since now they didn't have easy access to food. Another lesson learned from his days in the jungle with Gazimon.
Time passed. Though the clock in the room reckoned two hours had passed, a sense of restlessness hung over the group. Ike's pacing stopped only between bathroom breaks and during the odd conversation piece. Kukuimon continued to channel surf on the TV, while keeping an eye on Malie as she slept atop the other foam-bag chair. Not once, however, had either Gazimon or Renamon called back to check in with their tamers...
-
After they ate, and just lounged about in Gotsumon’s house.. Alemana couldn’t help but start growing restless as well. Once two hours rolled by and they got not response from either Gazimon or Renamon.. he stood up.
“Okay, something is wrong. They both should’ve been back by now.”
-
"Gazimon did say it could take a while," admitted Kukuimon.
"I don't like it," said Ike, heading towards the door. "I'm going after him."
-
“Hey hold on, “
Alemana would step in front of him.
“I can’t let you do that.”
-
Ike balled his fists. "Dude, you're not the boss of me. Let me through!"
-
“You’re not letting me finish. I can’t let you do that.. by yourself. I’m going with ya!”
-
He lowered his guard. "Oh... well why didn't you say so. Let's move."
"K-kali!" said Kukuimon. "What about me and Malie?"
-
“Mm? Well somebody has to stay here in case they come back..”
-
The piglet began fumbling to speak as he saw the two tamers walk out the front door.
"WAI--!!"
*Ka-Clunk*
"Okay," said Ike. "So I figure using the digivice'll help track Gazimon down as long as we check it when no one's around. Unless you wanna go look for Renamon first." Those last words struggled to escape his mouth.
-
“I think,” he then paused as if in thought.. and then nodded to himself.
“I think we should go find Gazi first. Whatever Renamon is doing, I doubt she’s in TOO much trouble. Besides, I get this feeling that she’ll pop up in time- well I hope.”
What he didn’t say, was that finding Gazimon was just as good as finding Renamon. Wherever he was- she wouldn’t be to far away.
-
Again, Ike was taken aback. "I... well okay then! Gimme a sec."
Using Alemana as cover, the tamer pulled out his digivice. He pulled from storage something other than food, this time. The arm-mount. Unzipping the part of the suit where his shoulder met his arm, the strapped the mount and digivice so that the screen was visible.
"There," he said, arm back inside the sleeve. "Now we can navigate faster. If I tap the screen, you can read the map and tell us which way to go."
-
“That’s a good idea. Let’s do it!”
-
[Roll Navigation for me with a +1]
-
[Rolling: 3 2 1 1 6 4= 17]
-
The hunt for Gazimon began on the cobblestone streets. Sun shining down on them, the tamers walked past sights like those Al had seen on the way down the slide: digimon socializing, shopping, even riding buses that may very well have been digimon themselves. What became most noticeable of all, however, was the deeper they went into the city, the larger the buildings got. Some were built with massive archways and doors to match equally large digimon, though for every one of them there seemed to be twenty of the smaller digimon.
Just as Ike and Alemana reached a cross-walk, Al saw Gazimon's location on the map vanish, if only for a split second, before flickering back onto the screen a few blocks further away.
-
Alemana would take in the sights a little bit.. but he was too focused on finding Gazimon and Renamon to truly appreciate them.
“Great, that cat-rabbit-dog is teleporting apparently. He’s further away now.”
-
"You sure you're reading it right?" asked Ike. "Don't think Gazimon learned to teleport in the short amount've time he's been gone, but that's just me."
Again, Gazimon's icon flickered in and out of view. This time it was smack dab on a location not two blocks away, remaining stationary. Glancing in the outlined direction, Al saw where they were going. Out of place with the rest of the surrounding buildings was a large, gothic structure that married with the bright pastels of contemporary Hawaiian style architecture. Bisecting the entrance was a towering tiki of a warrior figure, set within a massive alcove. Above it read the words: Kaua Arena.
-
“It’s your phone, I’m just reading the ma-“ he then stopped mid sentence as he saw where Gazimon was on the map.. and then he would look up to see the statue.
“..Oh no.” And then he took hold of Ike’s hand, starting to jog. “Come on- I think Gazi’s having a cage match right now!!” And then he started to actually run, pulling the other tamer behind him.
-
The blond tamer didn't take long to convince, though even at full speed he was no match for Al as the two bolted for the arena. They narrowly dodged getting run over by a passing car, as well as almost knocking a number of pedestrians and pamphlet holders before entering the building. Inside, they found a long, rectangular room that split into three directions at its far end. Where they intersected, a help desk manned by several digimon was set up, with four tv screens hanging above them showcasing a number of matches.
"Which way?!" asked Ike.
Al checked the digivice. It didn't reveal anymore details other than Gazimon was here.
-
“I’m looking , I’m looking!” He would then give an exasperated growl as he hit the call button.
“Gazimon, where are you?!”
-
"Wait, up there!" said Ike. Following the direction he was pointing, Al looked up on one of the overhanging screens to see Gazimon fighting a yellow digimon with black, clawed shoes and a plume in the shape of a lightning bolt sticking out of its forehead.
-
He gasped, ending the call as he stared up- his mask covering up his shock.
“What the heck is he doing up there?!”
(“Renamon! Are you here?!”)
-
Strain as he might, neither his ears nor his mind found any trace of Renamon's voice. Staring at the screen, both tamers saw Gazimon fire off his signature Electric Stun Blast, only for his opponent to charge right through it and barely miss uppercutting him. Seeing this, Ike ran for the help desk.
"Hey you!" he said, pointing at one of the receptionists before pointing up. "Where's that match happening?!"
The receptionists, a trio of Snailmon wearing matching red hats. "That?" they echoed. "That's just the rookie tryouts. Basement level one."
"Thanks!" said Ike, the tamer grabbing Al by the wrist as he dashed towards the double doors behind the desk--
"Wait! That's the main arena! GO LEFT!!"
--Dashing towards the left-side corridor. Quickly, they found a stairwell, scrambling to the first landing where they found a set of push-doors. Beyond it, they entered a wide room filled with digimon. Benches lined the walls, surrounding a long row of elevated fighting platforms. The air crackled with energy, though the surveying audience was a mix of laid-back onlookers and bloodthirsty revelers that cheered on the combatants to go for the throat.
-
Alemana followed Ike with no delay, his hand tempted to reach into his pocket to call Renamon.. but he held off on doing so just yet. He felt something tell him that whatever Gazimon was trying to do here.. it was important that they- especially Ike- were here to see what would happen.
-
*Rollz*
It didn't take long for either of the tamers to find Gazimon's fight. All they had to do was follow the sparks. In the ring, Gazimon was caught in a fistfight with the electric digimon they had seen earlier, while a portly figure with a CRT monitor for a head and a white-and-black striped shirt observed the fight alongside them.
"Gaz!" shouted Ike. If the chimera heard him, it didn't register on his face.
"ELECTRIC RUSH!!" cried his opponent, moving so fast as to leave a blur behind as it reappeared beside Gazimon. The chimera bit back a yelp, clutching his ankle as he tumbled to the side, but not before the yellow digimon slammed its heel into his chest, throwing him on his back.
-
Alemana flinched as he watched Gazimon take the hits.. and he would look over at Ike
“Why would he come here?! I though he said he was just scoping things out!”
-
"RING OUT!!" said the referee, crossing its arms before pushing them out and away. Gazimon was out of the ring, struggling to push himself into a sitting position. He growled as he stared up at his opponent, who was too busy throwing their fists up for the crowd as they cheered.
Ike raced over to the downed chimera, but just before Al could follow suit, he felt a familiar presence in the back of his mind.
"(Alemana,)" said Renamon. "(What are you doing here? What happened to the plan?)"
-
He tried to go with Ike, but he then stopped as he felt her presence.
(“I thought you were gonna check in! It’s been over two hours and you didn’t say anything, so we went looking for Gazimon! Why is he even here in the first place?”)
-
"(I tried contacting you, but there was interference. Gazimon also went through multiple back-alleys and manholes, trying to shake anyone tailing him. As for why he's here? Initially I thought it was for prize money, but the way he's been fighting down here... I'm not sure. I need more time.)"
-
(“How long has he been fighting? And more time? More time for what?”)
-
"(To figure out why he's throwing his matches. For a good half-hour, the Gazimon I know has been holding back. He's not fighting like he did against Aikilomon, or even against the Mo'omon in the forest. It doesn't add up.)"
-
(“That doesn’t make any sense at all. Keep an eye on things.. I’m gonna see if Ike can get through to him.”)
He then came up next to Gazimon and Ike
“Hey.. are you okay Gazi..?”
-
The chimera's ears were folded back as Al approached. "Just a scratch," he said, not looking up.
"Friends of yours, Gazimon?"
Al looked past Ike and the chimera. Stepping towards them was a trio of Digimon, and, for once, they weren't birds. Standing roughly around Ike's height, they looked like humans with cartoonish proportions; swollen forearms which connected to hands without wrists, but pipe cleaner-sized upper arms. They wore white and blue striped shirts with their sleeves torn off, and equally roughed up pants held up by a black cloth belt and knotted rope. Their faces were perfectly spherical, with lupine smirks beneath eyes overshadowed by the blue bandanas covering their heads. On the front of these bandanas was emblazoned a silver anchor, with a number in the foreground.
"Since when's a scurvy dog like you got time to buddy up with a couple of Troopmon?" asked the middle one, his bandana labeling him as #26.
Ike turned to face the trio. "What's it to you, pal?"
"Depends on who we're talking to," chuckled #37.
"They're nobody!" barked Gazimon. "They're just bein' nice is all!"
"Liar!" laughed #30. "They clearly mean something to ya!"
"Not that it matters," said #26. "You gonna win a match? No one's gonna bet on a loser, you know."
"Loser?!" echoed Ike. Gazimon raised a paw to stop him, but Ike brushed it off. "Alright, you wanna know so bad?! I'm his new goddamn coach! THAT's who I am!"
The trio stopped smiling.
"New coach, huh?" said #26. "Interesting. Well coach, might wanna watch yourself with that mon. He owes us Sailormon plenty good, and what he don't pay up, we'll take outta you."
"(Debt collectors?)" asked Renamon. "(Do you think it has something to do with Gazimon's old boss?)"
-
Alemana watched this exchange- for once at a loss what to do until Renamon spoke up.
(“I don’t know.. but should we do something? I don’t want Ike or Gazimon to get hurt!”)
-
"(Leave it to me,)" said the fox.
Moments later, Sailormon #37 cried out as his head lurched forward. "What was that for?!"
"What was what for?" asked #26.
"You smacking up the back of my head!"
"I didn't do jack to your head. There ain't even anything up there anyway."
"You did! You did do it! Who else's behind us? NOBODY!!"
"Calm down, matey," said #30.
"I AM CALM!!"
-
(“Nice..! Good job Renamon! Hmm.. I have an idea..”)
“You must be desperate for money if you’re beating yourselves up. I wouldn’t take that Troopmon lightly, because of his help, this Gazimon is a beast! That’s why he’s been holding back in fights, he feels sorry for all the other Rookies.. he’s losing on purpose so they feel better!”
-
[Hmm... roll either Perform or Manipulate with a +1]
-
[Rolling Manipulate: 6 4 6+ 4= 20!]
-
The Sailormon #26 and #37 were in the middle of strangling each other right up until Al approached. Gazimon's jaw dropped as he went white as a sheet.
"What'ch you talkin' about, rubber boy?" asked #26.
-
“You heard me. I’m saying that these two are amazing, I’ve seen them win fights that you’d never believe. But if you’re skeptical.. why don’t we bet on it? Next fight, Gazimon will win.”
-
Gazimon started sweating bullets, jaw opening and shutting like an industrial-grade nutcracker.
"Yeah?" said #26. "Alright, land-rubber. How much we talkin'?"
"(Rubber?)" echoed Renamon.
"How much you got?" asked Ike, pumping his fists.
The Sailormon looked at each other.
"1500 Bits," said #26.
-
(“He doesn’t have very good pun legs, does he?”)
“1500 huh? Well make it 2000! And when he wins you have to promise to stop harassing him!” Alemana said as he also pumped his fists.
“Troopmon and Gazimon are the best coach and trainee ever, you’ll see!”
-
"Tch, fine by us! Think yourselves clever? Then you won't mind if we choose his opponent, then!"
"No sweat off our backs!" scoffed Ike, even as Gazimon hung from him by his clenched paws. "Nothing we can't handle!"
"Cocky AND stupid! Alrighty then, let's up the ante and go for 3000! The only stipulation bein' his fight's with a Champion-level digimon!"
The other two Sailormon looked at their leader, almost as dumbstruck as Gazimon was mortified.
-
“If it’s gonna be a champion. It has to be his size! Same weight class!”
(“So I think .. we may have got a little too riled up-“)
-
"(With Ike? It was inevitable,)" said Renamon.
"Deal!" said #26. "We'll meet downstairs in an hour! If you don't show up, we'll ring your stupid necks till money falls out!"
"GOOD!!" said Ike. "The same goes for you posers!"
"Who're you callin' a poser?!"
-
“(“Even so.. I have this bad feeling they’ll try to cheat.. why don’t we keep them honest? Follow em, and let me know if they try anything funny.”)
“And you better not try to cheap us out of that three grand when we win!”
-
"(Consider it done.)"
"Likewise!" sneered #26. Giving a sharp whistle, he cocked his head and led his crewmates away from the scene.
"I'm dead," breathed Gazimon, the chimera dropping his paws to the floor. "I'm so, so dead...!"
"Dude, don't worry about it," said Ike as he finally looked down at his partner. "We got this, remember?"
"Boss, I love you like you're my own fuckin' brother, but one of these days you're gonna be the death've me."
"There, see? That's the spirit! Today's our time to shine, Gaz!"
-
“I’ve got my eyes on you, I’ll know if you try anything funny!” Al called after them, pointing and blowing a raspberry. He then calmed down as he turned his attention back to the other two.
“Yeah, Ike’s right! If you believe in each other you’ll definitely win! That’s how it’s always worked with me and Renamon.”
He then knelt down, gently scratching at Gazimon’s ear.
“You’ve both proven that you can kick butt a bunch of times now.. you’ll mop the floor with whoever they send!” A few more scratches came.
“But.. what are you doing here anyway, Gazimon?”
-
Gazimon cringed at the question, but had no choice but to lean into Al's scratching. "It's... it's complicated, alright? Between you guys showin' up and now this? My head's spinnin' like nuts!"
"Hey, you three," said the referee from before. "You mind? We're doing tryouts over here. Hit the stands or sign up for a match, just clear the fight space unless you wanna get hit by the fighters."
Nodding, the trio made their way out of the splash-zone, finding a secluded corner for Gazimon to sit down and prop up against.
"...Thanks for stickin' up for me back there," he said. "Was hopin' you guys wouldn't have to get mixed up in all this."
"Now who's talking stupid," said Ike. "Right Al---er, Troopmon?"
-
“Right. We’re a team- we look out for each other and have each other’s backs.”
-
The chimera balled a fist, swallowing hard as he stared down at the floor.
"You guys..."
Ike scanned the room from over his shoulder. Seeing the coast was clear, he pulled out his digivice and crouched down over Gazimon, pulling from storage some leftover food.
"Here," he said. "Eat this. We got just under an hour to get you ready for whatever champion those morons' got."
As the pair strategized, Al felt his digivice vibrating inside his suit.
-
“I’ll leave you to it!” And he stepped back, taking the call
“Hello?”
-
"++It's me++" said Renamon. "++I'm downstairs on Basement level two. The Sailormon are in a communal gym talking with several Champion-level digimon. They all appear to be electrical-based in nature++"
-
“Is that so? That is kinda dirty. Is anything else happening?”
-
"++Arguments about payment all stopped the moment #26 showed them a medallion. The front of it's emblazoned with a reptilian skull and crossbones++"
-
“Great.. lizard fan boys. Keep me posted.. and be safe okay?”
-
"++Hmhmhm, I'll do what I can++" mused the fox. "++Renamon out++"
"Who was that?" asked Ike, seeing Al hang up.
-
“It was Renamon, she’s doing stuff for me.”
-
*Rollz*
As he turned to face the pair again, Al noticed something on the wall Gazimon was laying up against. It was a poster of a blue and white furred canine with sunglasses propped over his forehead, flexing with a mechanized fist and red band strap over his bicep, beneath a championship belt he wore like a sash as he smiled at the viewer. Beneath him was a phrase written in English, Hawaiian, and in the strange pictographs he'd seen time and again. Be the Heat, Reach for the Sky!
-
He would look at the poster, and then pause. Something about that digimon looked oddly familiar.. but he couldn’t quite put his finger on why; not exactly. So he would shrug and then sit by Ike and Gazi. “So.. why are you here? You keep dodging the question.”
-
Gazimon bit his lip, then sighed.
"This used to be my ole stompin' ground," he said. "Places like this? It's how a mon can make a name for himself, get tough and vent off his problems while gettin' paid for it."
-
“And what problems are you trying to vent? I heard that you keep throwing the fights.. clearly you’re not trying to win. What’s wrong, Gazimon?”
-
"I was here for the money this time," he said. "Like I said, you can get paid for doing matches here in the arena. Was hopin' to get money for us by fightin'... but then I saw the other fighters carryin' anchor emblems on their gear."
"Is that a bad?" asked Ike.
Gazimon clenched his fist. "It means they're bein' sponsored. By Hookmon."
"Hookmon? You mean your old boss?"
"Yeah, that's the one. As long as they've got him in their corner, I can't touch 'em. In or out of the ring."
-
Alemana sighed before he then rubbed his hand along the top of his head.
“I see. Well if that’s the case, you focus on this one fight. For the others.. you might not be able to touch em.. but Renamon can. You take the guys not sponsored by Hookmon, and we’ll kick those other guys’ as- I mean butts for you so you don’t get made.”
-
"Troopmon's right!" said Ike. "Nobody backs my pal into a corner and gets away with it!"
Though he struggled, Gazimon dared a smile to cross his face. He stood up, brushing dirt from his shoulder as he gave the tamers a nod. "So what's the game plan?"
-
“So, the plan is you win that fight. Once that fights won.. me and Renamon will challenge them again, to really sell how out of their league they are. We can pose that we are a different team who happen to have the same employer.”
-
"Sounds good to me!" chuckled Ike. "Dunno about you but I'm feeling amped for this fight now!"
"Yeah!" said Gazimon.
"In fact let's go downstairs and challenge them right now!"
A nervous twitch pulled at the side of Gazimon's smile as he stared into the middle distance. But as Ike led the way, Al got yet another call on his digivice.
"++They've finished choosing the fighter++" said Renamon.
-
“Let’s show em what happens when you mess with the Troopmon team!”
-
“Oh? Who is it? Also.. come back in a bit. We’re gonna sign you up for try outs. We have a plan.”
-
"++Understood. As for Gazimon's opponent, they're someone called Thundermon. They appear extremely fast and capable of levitating++"
-
“Hmm.. thank you. I’ll let him know. See if you can learn anything more from Hookmon’s dudes and then come back.”
He would then turn to look at Gazimon and Ike.
“Heads up.. your opponent is gonna be something called Thundermon.. he’s fast and can float.”
-
"Huh? How'd you come up with that?" asked Ike.
Gazimon sighed. "Renamon, boss."
"Wait, she's here already?!"
"Who'd ya think got the Sailormon all riled up? It wasn't no ghost, I'll tell ya that much. As for Thundermon... I think I know 'em. Nothin' personal-like, but he's one of the regulars in the Champion leagues. Figures, though. The Sailormon must've seen my fight with Pulsemon, and how lil my attack did against 'em. Electricity's no good against digimon like that."
"And your pitfalls?"
"Nuthin'. Thundermon's a floatin' magnet with a stupid grin on his face. And fast. Real fast."
-
“You’ll make it work. If he’s really that fast.. you gotta use it against him.. make his strength a weakness. Trick him, Make him work harder instead of smarter.. that’s the best way to even the odds.”
-
[Hmm... roll Perform with a +1]
-
[Rolling: 4 5 5 + 3= 17]
-
"Couldn't said it better myself," said Ike. "This guy might be fast, but you've got him beat when it comes to setting up traps."
"Alright," said Gazimon, a little more pep in his step. "Yeah! You guys're right! This'll be a cinch!"
[Alright, ready to skip to the fight, or do you wanna try anything behind the scenes?]
-
“Kick his butt, we’ll be cheering you on!”
(The fight is fine)
-
The trio wrapped their right arms together, fists up as they psyched themselves up for the fight to come.
...
Down in the sub-basement, Renamon watched from the rafters as Sailormon 26, 30, and 37 stood in a circle below. Her silver-blue eyes missed nothing, from the way they kept quiet when digimon walked by, to how of #26's foot tapped as he made a phone call, or how his colleagues scanned the rest of the gymnasium.
"No good," grumbled #26. "More of that stinkin' white noise. Can't get in contact with the Captain."
"Why do you even wanna call 'em for?" asked #37.
"Thundermon ain't cheap. We're gonna need to call in a loan, even after we win."
"I say why risk it big when we can guarantee the win?" reasoned #30.
The other Sailormon shared a look. "You think these Troopmon're legit?" asked #26.
"All I'm sayin' is we'd be suckers not to make our own luck. Let's give them fools a new stipulation, really sink it in that nobody makes fools of Hookmon's Crew."
#26 flashed a grin. "For once in your life, you're making sense #30."
Nothing escaped Renamon's eyes. Not even the words she read off other digimon's lips.
...
"++They're going to stipulate on an outdoors fight++" said the fox. Al and the others were just outside the door to the gymnasium when she had called, explaining everything she had gathered. "++I already know the location. If it's alright, I can try setting the stage a little, put things around the locale that Gazimon could try and use to his advantage. From what I hear, it's a construction site that's been put on hold for months now, so it should be easy to find something he can use++"
-
Taking the call, Alemana would listen and then nod. “Do it, we should do everything we can to tilt the odds in our favor after all. Did they say anything else?”
-
"++Nothing relevant. Just more efforts at a bad pirate-accent. If they've set up boobytraps onsite, I'll find them++"
-
He smiled behind his mask “Alright, thank you. Just Promise me you’ll stay out of sight, okay?”
-
"++Always do++" mused the fox. "++Keep your eyes open, Alemana. Renamon out++"
As the call ended, the doors opened.
"Well how about that," said Sailormon #26, flanked by his crewmates as they passed through the threshold. "And just when we were about to go lookin' for you, too."
"We're here to fight, numb-nuts," said Ike. "Where's your champ?"
"On his way, matey. In fact, we wanted to tell ya about there bein' a change of plans."
"Now ain't that a surprise," said Gazimon, leering.
"Heh. You know how expensive it is to replace broken walls n' equipment down here? Unless you wanna foot the bill to the arena, we've decided the next best thing is to set the fight someplace out of the way, where your kluts of a fighter ain't a hazard risk."
"I'll show you hazard risk!"
-
“Hey, let’s leave the insults and tough words for the fight. Where’s the spot ?” Al firmly interjected.
-
"At an abandoned worksite," said #26. "You'll love it. Plenty of space and no one around to get in the way. Just follow us."
...
*Rollz*
The group left the arena through a side-exit, hitting the streets without taking any short cuts, but plenty of detours. Whenever Ike complained -- and he complained a lot -- the Sailormon would make idle assurances without looking back. Indeed, more often than not, one of them would shield their eyes from the sun as they looked towards the sky. When Al did the same, all he saw were clouds here and there, definitely strong winds, judging by the speed they were moving at.
And then arrived. As promised, the site appeared to have been under massive construction at one point. The metal skeleton of a building rose high up in one corner, but the rest of the area was cluttered with cement pipes, steel bars, and exposed rebar where walls were set up. A large open space was at its center, alongside a crane and steamroller. Plenty of blind-spots.
"He it is~" said #26. "Our own personal fight ring."
"Yeah, it's a real eyesore," said Ike. "Where's your fi--"
Ike stopped. Al could feel it too, a tingling in the air, even with the suit on. The smell of ozone, like burnt copper in his nose. Looking up, he saw the source. It was definitely Gazimon's size, but it had a metallic blue, spherical body with two wiry arms and legs. It had reddish-brown eyes, white gloves with studded knuckles, red steel-toed shoes, and a lightning bolt crest rising from its forehead.
"Ladies and gents," began #26. "Introducin' the Digimon Dynamo! Capable of firin' off 10 million volts of electricity in the blink of an eye! Give it up for THUNDERMON!!"
Electricity crackled from the digimon's knuckles as he clenched his gloved fists and laughed down at the trio. A shift in pressure grew the closer he floated towards them. Heavier.
"Thundermon?" echoed Gazimon. "The hell they've been feedin' ya?"
-
When they got there, Alemana would then try to speak to Renamon
(“Are you here, Renamon? Did you get everything ready?”) he mentally asked… and then grit his teeth.
“Hedging your bets, boys? That’s kinda sad.”
-
A presence drew close from behind. "(Yes,)" said the fox. "(I've supplied lightning rods around the worksite, as well broke into the crane's controls. Not sure if I can pilot it, but it's an option.)"
"You said you wanted a fighter in Gazimon's weight-class," jeered #30. "Size or weight, Thundermon here's got it covered!"
-
(“That’s my Mon. If you can use it, do so.. but don’t make it obvious.”)
“Well no matter. I think you’ll find that Gaz will be able to handle it.”
He then took Ike and Gazimon to the side, and leaned in to whisper.
“There are lightning rods to help you, Gazimon.”
-
"(Understood.)"
"Really?" asked the chimera. "Perfect, that'll make sparky here less likely to hit from range."
"You mentioned him being big," said Ike. "Is that not normal for Thundermon?"
"You bet your digivice it is. Thundermon are triple times smaller than this guy. Makes him easier to hit, though. Just hope the extra pounds means he's slower, too."
"What's the hold up!" cried one of the Sailormon. "We ain't got all day!"
-
“Yeah, if they were gonna stack the deck in their favor.. we can do the same.” And he then sighed
“We’re coming, jeeeze!”
-
"Right then," said #26. "Rules're as follows. The fight ends when someone calls it quits, gets knocked out, or -- worst case scenario -- gets deleted! No leaving the site for anythin'! No usin' anything that ain't already onsite! No helpin' the fighters until the match ends! And no cheatin'. Have you all got that?"
-
“If there’s threats of deletion, then we here should be damage compensation .. of ten thousand if the loser gets deleted. If you can’t agree to that, no deal and no fight. I smell something fishy from you guys. Also I’m gonna say that since you already are cheating, with this violation of the agreed opponent.. if something goes wrong one of our associates IS stepping in.”
-
[Hmm... roll Persuasion or Manipulate]
-
[Rolling manipulate: 6 5 5 + 4= 20!]
-
"Just how's it a violation?" scoffed #26. "All you said was find a Champion in the same weight-class as Gazimon over there. But fine, you wanna be a bunch've sniveling crybabies about it, 10, 000 Bits for whomever's digimon gets deleted. As for "associate", just who've you got that'll tag team on such short notice?"
-
“Okay clearly Thundermon outweighs Gazimon by like sixty pounds!” And he then would send a mental message to show herself.
-
"That's a laugh! You check the measurin' scale and see--"
#26 turned as he felt #30 tap on his shoulder, the trio looked up towards the scaffolding alongside the others, once again shielding their eyes as something bright reflected the late noonday sun. From the light, a shadow sprung, racing down the length of the unfinished building before pushing off at the last minute. Spinning, twisting, landing side-by-side with Al with barely so much as a crack of the gravel beneath pawed feet.
[Alright, gimme an intro like you're narrating for WrestleMania >B3 ]
-
Alemana would watch her make her entrance- and without really thinking he blurted out the first thing that came into his head.
“Introducing the Yellow Blur, the Vulpine Eviscerator, the Blazing Beauty..weighing in at a hundred and thirty pounds and currently an impressive nine-win victory streak. The crowd pleasing show stopper herself, RENAMON!”
It was silly, it was cheesy.. but He was wrapped up in the moment!
-
[Gain +1 Inspiration]
"Nine-win victory streak?" echoed Gazimon.
"He's been keeping score?" asked Ike under his breath.
Not that anyone else seemed to notice, too busy watching and being watched as Renamon flexed and posed for them all. A mixture of dignified grace and sensuous motion that floored the Sailormon's collective jaw as they ogled the vulpine.
"Sh-shiver me timbers...!" stammered #37.
"How's a digimon like that end up workin' for a lost cause like Gazimon!" asked #30.
"I assume there're no objections then?" mused Renamon. "Me and Gazimon against Thundermon. Winner takes all."
"F-fine," huffed #26. "But don't say we didn't warn ya, miss."
-
Alemana admittedly was a little guilty of peeking at Renamon slightly- she was so cool, he couldn’t help it. But he would then clear his throat a bit, getting back into character. “Alright, it sounds like we have a deal then.”
Though to Renamon he then spoke silently added (“Unless things get really bad, be support. For whatever reason, these fights are more important to Gazimon than just making money… leave the fighting mostly to him okay? Take a couple pot shots to help take the edge off.. but focus on those lightning rods. If Gazimon is trying to lay traps, keep him distracted so Gaz can work his magic.”)
-
"(Understood,)" said Renamon. "(And Alemana? If things get dicey, find some cover for you and Ike.)"
"Fighters!" called #26. "Take your positions!"
-
(“Got it. Oh, and Renamon.. let’s put on a show. Those bozo’s had their eyes all over you.. so show them how far out of their league you are!”)
-
The vulpine smiled as she glanced back at her tamer. "(Gladly.)"
And so it was, after Ike finished his own talk with Gazimon, and the other two Sailormon moved as far from the center as they could, everything was set into motion. The fighters were gathered. The stage was set. All that remained was the go ahead to cry havoc and fight. Al watched alongside Ike as Renamon and Gazimon stood before the giant Thundermon. Two Rookies against one Champion.
Clouds began to blanket the sky. Everyone waited for #26 as he held his hand up high. Then, like an executioner's axe, he thrust it downwards.
"FIIIIGHT!!"
[Roll initiative!]
-
(Rolling Initiative: 3 5 4+ 4 = 16)
-
*Rollz*
[Gazimon = 16
Thundermon = 14
Team Tamer goes first.]
-
Al would watch as he turn looked at Ike “Renamon will be more support this time. I figure it wouldn’t hurt Gazimon’s pride if he was allowed to do most of the fighting.”
(“That said.. weaken Thundermon first, then go for the lightning rods!”)
Renamon wouldn’t respond, but she would dart to the side to avoid catching Gazimon in her attack, leaping up into the air and crossing her arms over her chest before flinging them open. ”Withering Storm!!”
And a storm of golden arrowheads swarmed towards thundermon!
[Rolling: 2 5 2 6 3 5= 3 to hit!]
-
[Dodge: 5 3 1 5, 6 2 3 2 = 3 = Miss]
Smirking, the living dynamo remained motionless at the incoming arrowheads, only to vanish at the last second, reappearing several feet behind Renamon!
"THUNDER BALL!!" he yelled, the knuckles of his gloves flashing with light as wild sparks of energy arced and gathered into orbs of neon blue plasma. Like bullets, he then fired off at the vixen only to pause as he watched half of them bend away from her and towards either the ground or the nearby scaffolding.
[Counter Attack Rolling: 6 5 5 6 2 6 = 5/2 (rounding up) 3 suxx]
[Roll half your Dodge pool]
-
[Rolling: 2 4 2 1= zero success. Damage - 4]
-
[6 - 4 = 2 Damage]
While the impact of Thundermon's strike dulled, there was little Renamon could do in midair to dodge electricity as it arced and bit into her. Were Al not wearing a mask, he would have caught the scent of charred fur as it wafted over. Fortunately, the attack wasn't enough to break the vulpine. Pushed by the impact of the blow, she flew towards a metal beam sticking up from the ground, before she past it by, she grabbed it with a gloved arm and used the momentum to spin around and then upward, landing her feet at the top as she stared back at her foe.
Meanwhile, back at ground level, Gazimon was zigzagging across the field, digging here and there before dashing towards the future building's interior.
-
Wincing, and feeling his blood boil slightly at the sight of his partner getting hit.. but he would keep his composure as best he could. Glancing at what Gazimon was doing, he would then silently added
(“Try to knock him down onto the ground, that should open him up for Gazimon!”)
Springing into Action, Renamon would again attempt to hit him with her storm ”Withering Storm!!” and once that cloud of burning leaves swarmed towards Thundermon, she followed up with a punch, hoping to knock him down to the ground.
”Red Paw!!”
[Rolling: 1 6 4 5 2 5 6= 4 to hit]
[Rolling: 5 2 1 6 5 5 3= 4 to hit]
-
[Dodge: 6 6 2 3, 1 3 4 3 = 2 suxx = Hits = Damage - 4]
5 4 1 6, 6 2 2 = 3 suxx = Hits = Damage - 4. Renamon regains +1 Wound]
Still dumbfounded by his attack's lack of damage, Thundermon threw up his arms as the golden storm was upon him, stabbing into his metallic body. When the attack was finished, he opened his eyes to see Renamon's burning fist smash square into his forehead! The vixen then pushed off towards the building, grabbing a piece of rebar and using it to vault onto the one a section of concrete flooring that was level with Thundermon.
The living dynamon glared back at her, smirking as plasma balls began forming in the palms of his gloved hands.
"THUNDER BOMBER!!" he cried, throwing the spheres like an ace pitcher towards the fox.
[Rolling with -1 from Weaken: 4 3 3, 2 2 4, 2 5 = 1 suxx]
-
[ Thundermon: 4 damage]
Renamon would then teasingly blow a raspberry as she attempted to leap away from his attack
[Rolling: 2 5 3 6= 2 suxx- miss]
-
The vulpine dodged and sped away from the impact zone, much to her credit, as upon hitting the the wall behind her, Thundermon's attack burst in an explosion of electrical discharge! Leaving scorch marks all across the surface!
Landing at the ground floor, Renamon found Gazimon with his back to her as he fiddled with wires and a jumper cable.
"Hey! Watch it!" he barked. "I'm workin' here!"
"THUNDERMON!!" shouted one of the Sailormon. "What're you doin'?! They're right over there!"
Wincing, Gazimon buried the cable before flashing his claws. "Oh good, here he comes."
Both digimon felt it when Thundermon appeared to one side of them, the sudden rush of wind betraying the dynamo's movement.
-
Rolling her eyes, Renamon motioned for him to get moving .
”Hurry up, I can only distract the big bowling ball so long,”
She then darted up a beam, kicking off to attack Thundermon again.
”Red Paw!”
[Rolling: 4 2 6 1 6 5= 3 to hit]
-
[Dodge: 6 3 1 1, 1 2 5 6 = 3 suxx = miss]
Thundermon was ready this time, disappearing in the blink of an eye as Renamon struck. Thunder rolled overhead, but Thundermon reappeared directly behind the fox, readying to return the favor as his fists began sparking.
"Hey! Bigshot!" called out Gazimon's voice.
*Rollz*
Both Renamon and the floating magnet turned just as a curtain of sand flew into the latter's face, causing Thundermon to cough and scratch as his eyes.
"And that ain't just your ordinary dirt, Smiles," said Gazimon, smirking. "That right there's some magnetic sand! Courtesy of yours truly! Now eat my ELECTRIC STUN BLAST!!"
*Rollz*
Thus warned, Renamon leaped out of the way as Gazimon's breath attack fired, blinding Thundermon further as sparks shot between every grain of black metal now coating the dynamo's eyes, tongue and lips. The victory was short lived, however, when a flash of light fell from on high. Soon after, a thunderclap so loud it near deafened the two Rookies as they were blown off their feet.
*Rooooolllzz*
[5 2 4 6, 3 2 = 2 suxx = 2 damage /2 = 1 but bypasses armor due to environmental factor.]
-
Alemana would take hold of Ike, trying to keep him from getting hit with debris
“Oh god-!!”
Renamon would flip and twist in the air before landing, looking to Gazimon
-
The chimera was far from being as graceful at landing as the vulpine. Blinded by the lightning and deafened by the thunder, Renamon still managed to feel Gazimon as his claws touched her foot. She could also make out his scent, albeit overlapped by copper, dust, petrichor and...gasoline? Her fur stood on end. There was a sudden change of pressure in the air. As her vision began to clear, she saw Gazimon getting to his feet beside her, panting.
*Rollz*
Meanwhile, Al looked over at Ike to see his fellow tamer no longer behind cover, the fool instead charging towards the blast zone.
"Gazimon!" he cried. "GAZIMON!!"
Only Al was the one to notice that the Sailormon were no longer where they'd once been. Only Al noticed the Sailormon charging to intercept Ike, tackling him to the ground halfway across the battlefield. And in that moment, only Al saw the electrified silhouette of Thundermon, limping across the ground, metal pipe in one hand, a plasma ball in the other - towards where he'd seen Renamon and Gazimon fly mere moments before.
-
Alemana would gasp as he then brought his fists up.. Letting out a short battle cry he began running towards Sailormon
“You get away from him!” He shouted as he swung at the Digimon
[Rolling: 2 1 5 4 6= 2 suxx]
___
Renamon would growl at Thundermon, hackles raised as she also attempted to attack him.
”Red Paw!!”
[Rolling= 4 6 1 3 5 1= 2 suxx]
-
[Dodge: 6 1 4 3 = 1 suxx = hits = (DMG +1) - Armor]
The boy dealt a sucker punch to Sailormon #37 as he turned around upon hearing Al's command. Even with the suit cover his fist, it stung for the tamer when he connected with the digimon's face. Though between the two, #37 was the one gasping from shock. He would retaliate by grabbing at Alemana's arms, holding him while his crewmates began kicking and punching Ike as they pinned him down.
[Clashing: Contested skill check: roll 3d6 + Body with the target number being the opponent's Agility score (Sailormon's Agility is 4). If both participants exceed the target number, than the one that has the higher number is the one that controls the clash.
Sailormon #37: 6 6 1, 1 1 5 5 = 25
Or is it 6 6 1 +4? If so, 17.]
[Dodge: 5 1 5 4 = 2 suxx = Hits = (DMG +1) - Armor. Renamon gains +1 Wound]
Unable to dodge, Thundermon took yet another hit from the vulpine as she sped forward, keeping low to the ground in an effort to avoid being caught prone again while in midair. This led her to feint a strike to forehead, only to change direction at the last minute and jab just below the arm Thundermon was using to charge his plasma ball. In that moment, she narrowly dodged being struck by the dynamo's newly acquired pipe. Even in a weakened state, unable to fly or see, Thundermon was still fast. Only by the grace of her agility and his lack of experience with melee weaponry did she continue to dodge each of his attacks. How he was able to see without opening his eyes beyond a fingernail's width was a mystery. Not that it mattered. She knew he was getting weaker. It was just a matter of timing her strikes now, waiting for him to leave an opening.
Gazimon looked on as Renamon battled the enemy. As she raced to finish the fight, the chimera's mind raced through his initial plan. Had he made a mistake? Combined with the lightning rods, and the magnetic sand he'd made from electrifying what he'd found across the worksite, Thundermon should have been down for the count. Though the Champion was bigger, he was still Thundermon. Taunting him after getting shown up by the vulpine, and then getting the sand stuck in his eyes that used his magnetic nature against him, Not to mention Gazimon's Electric Stun Blast to obfuscate his surroundings, all of it should have been enough to drive him mad enough to go all-out, the electrical discharge setting off the gasoline tank that Gazimon had spotted just laying around. But he was still up. The stupid freak was still up and fighting toe to toe with Renamon. Perfect, ever-faithful Renamon.
He grit his teeth. This had been his chance, his one chance, to show he wasn't a screwup. And then, as he turned to look away at the fight, his mind went blank. Crimson eyes wide and trembling, he saw the Sailormon fighting Al... worse, he saw them pummeling Ike. Gazimon was still deafened by the explosion, yet he could hear it in his mind. Ike crying out for help, crying out for someone, anyone, to save him. Just like in the jungle.
Liar.
Gazimon had wanted to get stronger. He'd wanted to be free from his past.
Cheater.
He'd heard of tamers being able to tap into digivolution, but never had he dared to dream he'd find one all alone, as helpless then as he was now.
Faker.
"YOU BASTARDS!!"
Something broke inside the chimera. No longer was he frozen in place, but standing several feet away from the Sailormon, facing them. His eyes, his crimson eyes, laid a deathglare upon them, unblinking, as he trembled all over.
"You're all scum...!" he snarled. "Every last one of ya...!"
Sailormon #26 said something, a sneer on his face as he killed Ike in the ribs. Gazimon didn't hear it. All he could hear was Ike crying for help. And the roaring, the roaring of something deep inside him. Something that hungered for wrath, something... cruel.
"It's not enough," said the chimera. "No matter how hard I try, you pathetic shits'll hound me, take everythin' from me, just so that it hurts when I look in the damn mirror."
Thunder rolled, and rain began to fall. Yet as Gazimon stood there, no one, not the Sailormon or Al, could look away from those burning crimson eyes.
"I'll kill you," he said, hackles rising as he gnashed his teeth, eyes a solid blood red as arcs of black lightning streaked across his fur and claws. "I'll kill you all. And when there's nothin' left to bury, when not a scrap of data's left from your fuckin' cores, I'm gonna go to Hookmon's ship and burn it to the ground! D'you hear me?!! I'M GONNA KILL YOU ALL!!"
A horrible chill fell over the battlefield, and suddenly, a black aura engulfed Gazimon as he roared with a voice that shook all who heard it to the very core. It shook the earth. It split the sky. And from it all emerged a nightmare. Rising higher than four stories stood a bipedal beast of warped proportions. An eight-winged dragon bound in blackest leather, with four bat wings for ears and another four riddled with holes that stretched out from its back. Crimson foreclaws dug deep the ground beneath its feet, as four crimson eyes stared squarely on the Sailormon.
[Roll Bravery with a -1 penalty]
-
(Six damage - armor)
Alemana would give another shout and attempted to punch Sailormon again, but would then kick and squirm to try to get away from the digimon. "Let go of me, you freak!"
Seeing the others gang up on Ike though set him into a frenzy, and he started screaming "Let go of him!! Stop it!"
[Rolling: 3 4 6 + 4= 17)
---
(Also six damage- armor)
Renamon eyed Thundermon warily, plotting her next attack when both Al and Ike's screams yanked her attention to the two boys, her eyes wide and her fur fluffed up in even greater agitation and distress. Just before she broke away to try to jump to their defense.. she stopped dead in her tracks as she felt a sensation unfamiliar to her emanating from Gazimon- not just rage but pure malice... and it caused the fur from the base of her skull to the end of her tail stand on end as she, and everyone turned to look at him.
---
Alemana and Renamon watched as Gazimon gave his declaration, and they both gawped as Gazimon, their Gazimon, Ike's Gazimon began to change. At first Alemana was ecstatic.. finally, Gazimon was digivolving! But when he turned to look at Renamon in order to gush about his excitement at seeing the third digimon of their party finally reach Champion- all the enthusiasm drained from his face behind the mask as he saw how rigid she was, the look of anxiety in her eyes.. and something else.. fear? Renamon was afraid? And that was when he turned his attention back to Gazimon... and he felt his own body lock up as he beheld the monstrosity Gaz had become.
"That's.. Gazimon...?"
[Rolling Bravery: 2 3 2 + 5-1= 11]
-
[Gain +1 Inspiration]
Al couldn't move. He couldn't even look away. The many-eyed demon stared back at him, straight through him. Were that he could think, would he know what to do? All seemed lost in the crimson abyss he peered into. His heart beating louder than the rain.
"Alemana!"
The sound of Renamon's voice woke the tamer. He felt his legs following him as the vulpine went airborne with him in her arms. A split second later, and the both heard a *THOOM* as dirt, sand, and broken stone formed clouds behind them. Looking over Renamon's shoulder, Al saw that -- whatever Gazimon had become -- slam a clawed hand down over where the Sailormon and Ike had been. Then he heard the mariners screaming as they ran through the gaps in its talons.
"D-D-D-DEVIDRAMON!!" cried out one of them, Al couldn't tell through the rain which it had been. It was enough to draw the beast's attention, with another terrible roar, it balled its fist and hammered the ground. Again, a cloud of dust filled the air, and when it cleared, it had one of the Sailormon in its clutches.
-
Alemana had never been so petrified before. Not with Stingmon, not with Woodmon, not even with with Kapualemon. Seeing this.. thing that had once been cute little Gazimon paralyzed Al. And then he was in the air, safe in Renamon's arms. Shaking his head to clear it, he would then look where Ike had just been laying- hoping to God, the Akuas, anyone, that he hadn't just been crushed by his own partner. "Ike!! Are you okay..!?" he called.. though his eyes then saw the Sailormon being held in .. Devidramons..? claws.
"R-Renamon! You gotta stop him from killing that Sailormon..! Please!!"
Even in the face of such a terrifying creature, Al still was trying to save digimon from certain death. Perhaps it was his innate good nature pushing through the fear, maybe it was his mind simply going on auto pilot from the shock of what was happening.. but either way-Renamon wouldn't ignore such a plea from her partner.. not when it was so desperate.
Turning her attention to the demonic beast, she would launch a flurry of burning gold leaves at Devidramon's hand, hoping to turn his attention away from killing Sailormon.
"Withering Storm!"
[Rolling: 3 4 2 1 3 1 1= 0 successes]
-
*Rollz*
While the attack failed to connect, it did indeed draw the creature's attention. It hissed as it swatted away the leaves, only to use the motion as a distraction to throw the helpless Sailormon in hand right at the vixen.
[Hmm... roll 3d6 + Agility to catch the digimon.]
-
“Renamon!”
[4 4 6+ 4= 18]
-
The vulpine darted to catch the screaming Sailormon, almost getting winded as she grabbed him out of the air. It was during that leap she saw Ike, the boy getting up from where he'd fallen, only to lower back onto his knee as he gripped his sides.
"Gazi...mon...!"
But Devidramon wasn't finished. Spinning around, it brought its tail forward, smashing the pile of cement pipes the other Sailormon had been using as cover. As they began to flee yet again, that same tail's pointed tip split open into three prongs, crashing down on top of one of the Sailormon and pinning him to the ground. The other, running for the street, was caught under the impact of the beast's claws, screaming for help. That's when the creature sniffed the air. Turning its head, its crimson eyes fell on yet another target, now standing just outside the future building. A semi-blind yet terrified Thundermon.
-
Alemana looked at Devidramon and the other digimon with a look of terror in his eyes before he looked at Renamon again. “Put him down!” He then looked at Ike
“Ike, get out of there..!”
Renamon set the Sailormon down as she then glanced at Devidramon.. and back to Alemana as if asking for guidance.
“I-I know Renamon…! Try and get his attention again! Don’t hurt him.. he’s still our friend !”
She nodded.. now setting Alemana down as well- to his distress. “Wait, no! Don’t go in alone-“
She was already reaching forward, leaping into the air, her eyes locked with Devidramon’s form.
”Withering Storm!!!”
[Rolling: 3 1 5 2 4 1 4= 1 suxx]
-
[Dodge with -2 from circumstance: 6 4 2 4 = 1 suxx = Hits = 6 Non-lethal DMG - Armor]
Unable to move without risking its prey, Devidramon took the brunt of the vulpine's attack, golden arrowheads embedding its leathery hide. Drawing its attention away from everyone else, however, meant drawing its attention onto her. As it curled the claws in one hand around the still screaming Sailormon, the claws of its spare hand began glowing a baleful red, leaving trails of light behind as it swiped at Renamon.
[Rolling with -1 from Weakening: 6 5 2 6, 2 6 4 4 = 4 suxx]
-
[Rolling: 3 2 1 3= 0 suxx.. damage - 2]
-
[DMG = 9+4 +2 (Dark Evolution) = 13 -2 -4 (Armor) = 9]
As if she were nothing, Renamon was tossed aside. She fell backwards, tumbling in a mess before sliding to a halt on her side. Alemana flashed back to when Aikilomon had wounded Renamon, how her wounds looped between obvious injuries and pixelated blurs, how blue mist made from binary trickled out over time. Now? Where the crimson claws had carved into her, the effects were the same, yet Al could have sworn he saw grid lines before the blurring effect took hold. The binary mist flowed all across her body, and as she struggled to so much as move an inch, her entire form seemed to glitch.
[Roll Torment]
It was small comfort for either tamer or digimon that Devidramon did not pursue the downed vixen. Instead, it stared down the Sailormon in its fist. No more was the cocky, snide look on the mariner's face. No longer was he screaming, begging for his life. Just silent horror, watching as the beast's maw drew near.
"Gazimon...!" cried Ike, the boy stretching his hand out to the demon, even as the other gripped his side.
Devidramon paused, turning its gaze upon the tamer. Seeing his chance, Ike pulled down the mask from his face, staring back at his partner with his own two eyes.
"Don't do this...!" he said. "Gaz... please, don't kill him!"
-
[Rolling: 6 5 5 + 3= 19]
Alemana watched in utter horror as Renamon was hit by that attack.. and he was already running to her as she hit the ground. Even as he ran, visions of Woodmon - the nightmare version that had tormented him- flashed through his head.. and a voice in the back of his mind whispered: Was this what Woodmon felt, before we killed him?
But he angrily pushed those thoughts away, he refused to let them overtake him- he couldn’t freeze up.. not now! He was at her side a moment later, yanking his own mask off his face. “Renamon, Renamon can you hear me..?!” It was stupid to just expose the fact that he was a human, to just blow cover at the drop of a hat.. but Renamon was hurt bad- possibly even dying-
No.
No, he couldn’t think like that! He gingerly lifted her up, resting her head on his shoulder. “Please don’t die.. don’t die Renamon! I love you..!”
And much like what happened with Aikilomon, his Digivice began glowing in his pocket- the reseda green light enveloping the pair of them.. and Renamon’s pixelated form stabilized, and her wounds would disappear within seconds.
[Energy Boost activated]
“R-Renamon..!” And the boy would suddenly hug hef tightly.. but then his attention was turned to Ike… and the monster that had been Gazimon.
-
Grunting, Renamon's silver-blue eyes fluttered open, squinting as the looked up at Alemana.
"What happened?" she asked, coughing as she tried to sit up.
Meanwhile, a low rumble escaped from the many-eyed demon's throat, rain pouring down its face as it regarded Ike, still as a statue.
"You're not a murderer," said the boy. "You don't have to kill anybody...!" Ike limped forward, hand still reaching up. "I hate them, too. I wanted to smash their faces in after hearing what they did to you. Back home, I get the same shitty-ass treatment. But you're not alone anymore...! You've got me, now! I... I..."
From where Al knelt, he swore the rain looked like tears, both on Ike's face, and Devidramon's.
Suddenly, the blare of sirens in the distance pulled everyone's attention away.
"THIS IS THE POLICE!!" blared a voice. "COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!! YOU MUST COMPLY!!"
Devidramon snarled behind jagged teeth, crushing harder on the Sailormon still in hand. While its tail lifted the other up and tossed him towards the distant street, the demon turned around and began climbing the skeletal building.
"GAZIMON, WAIT!!" cried Ike. The boy then winced as he grabbed at his sides, unable to take another step forward.
-
Hearing what Ike was saying caused Al to hold Renamon a little closer.. a wave of sympathy coming over him. And when his partner came to, Alemana looked down at her, and there were actual tears in his eyes when he pressed his forehead against hers.
“Shh it’s okay. You just.. kinda got wrecked by Gazimon. But it’s okay- I think Ike is getting throu-“
Then the blaring of sirens made him jump, and his eyes grew wide as saucers. “Oh no.. no!” He then watched helplessly as Devidramon began to climb up the building.
“Renamon.. we can’t let him hurt anyone or get killed.. but I .. I’m scared that he'll kill you if we try..!” He then hid his face in her neck.
“I don’t know what to do..!”
-
The vulpine wrapped her gloved arm around her tamer.
"Alemana," she said in a whisper. As he lifted his head to look up at her, she laid her paw on his cheek and closed her eyes. In that moment, her lips met his.
[Clear a box of Torment]
-
He looked up at her, his expression one of worry “W-what is it, Rena-“ and he froze when she kissed him… before his arms gently hugged her. And they remained that way for a moment before the boy pulled away- his face flushed a deep red though there was the beginnings of a bashful smile forming. “W-woah..”
He then felt a warm fuzziness in his chest as he then helped her up, staring up into her eyes- she just gave him his first kiss- true kiss.
“I.. if we Digivolve we might be able to at least go toe to toe with him. Maybe if we wear him out he’ll go back to normal. He’s never gone to champion, I doubt he could hold it for long.”
He then looked at Ike “I… I have an idea!”
-
"I'm all ears," said Renamon. "Though we'll need to act fast."
"THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING!!" called out the police from afar. "COME QUIETLY OR WE ARE COMING IN!!"
-
Alemana would gently hug Renamon as he pulled his mask back on.
“Let’s do it , then!” And he pulled out his digivice, which began glowing
Those familiar rings of digicode and green fire surrounded Renamon, who once more turned into a vulpine shaped pillar. ”Renamon digivolve to,” and she then changed form with an explosion of flame.
”Kyubimon!”
Alemana would then climb on her back, and gently hug her neck. “Ike, climb up!” He then called, offering his hand.
-
As the great fox raced forward, Ike turned to see the two approach. Without a second glance, he grabbed Al's hand, biting back the pain as he climbed up behind him, arms wrapped around Alemana's waist.
"Quick!" he said, pointing up towards Devidramon. "We gotta go after Gaz!"
-
“You heard him Kyubimon! After Gazimon!” And as the vixen raced up after Devidramon, Alemana would actually scan him
-
A fire in her eyes, Kyubimon leaped several stories up, pushing off steel beams as fast as she made contact with them. Through the heat of her flames, she kept the tamers warm as the rain continued to hammer down. And as Alemana scanned the many-eyed demon ahead of them, he read as follows:
//Devidramon
++//Level: Champion
++//Type: Dark Dragon
++//Attribute: Virus
++//Family: Nightmare Soldiers
++//Attacks: Demonic Gale, Crimson Claw, Red Eyes
"He's gonna jump," said Kyubimon. "There's not much building left for him to climb!"
Again, Ike began calling out to Devidramon, and already the dark dragon was beginning to spread wide its massive wings.
-
“We have to make sure he doesn’t Jump! Kyubimon, get his attention,” he then looked over his shoulder at Ike “I’m really sorry about this..!”
Kyubimon’s eyes narrowed as her tails sprawled out, the fires growing more intense.
“Try not to hurt him too bad, okay? We just wanna wear him out!”
Nodding, she made her attack. ”Wailing Inferno!” and nine balls of flame launched themselves at Devidramon
[Rolling: 6 2 5 2 6 1 4 1 5= 4 suxx]
-
[Dodge -2: 5 2 6 3 = 2 suxx = Hits = Non-lethal DMG + 2 - 2 - Armor]
As green-pink flames made impact with the many-eyed demon, Devidramon roared to the heavens, its tail lashing out at the great fox though far out of reach. This didn't stop it from crashing against the scaffolding, causing steel bars to bend or outright break.
"Watch out for his hand!" said Ike. "He's still got that Sailormon. If he drops him, he's dead!"
-
[ 11 damage - Armor]
“Right. Kyubimon, we need to do something to get Sailormon away from Gazimon.. maybe the fox wives can help! They can try to catch him if Gaz does anything funny!”
The Champion would nod, and four flames turned into her familiars, which began climbing up the beams as they got into what were hopefully the best positions to intercept the Digimon. Meanwhile..
”Wailing Inferno!” she would launch another volley to keep his attention.
[ Rolling: 1 2 2 5 6 4 1 5 3= 3 successs!]
-
Ike's expression went blank. "Fox... wives...?"
[Dodge -2: 1 2 5 6 = 2 suxx = Hits = Non-lethal DMG + 2 - 2 - Armor]
Devidramon's eyes began glowing brighter, the dark dragon hissing as it saw the vulpine familiars approach. Reaching the summit of the building, it began swiping at them with crimson claws.
[Attacking the first two. Rolling +2 from Dark Digivolution: 5 5 4, 1 1 3, 5 2 1, 3 5 = 4 suxx]
-
[11 damage - armor]
Alemana looked back over his shoulder “Well you know.. it’s just a name!”
[Rolling dodge:
F1: 1 5 5 5= 3 suxx
F2: 3 6 2 4= 1 Sux]
-
"I have so many questions and not enough time to ask!" said Ike. "GAZIMON!!"
[Base 10 damage - Armor. +1 against F1, and +3 against F2.]
A roar of triumph boomed from Devidramon as he made contact with the two nearest fox wives, arching its claws as he swatted them like gnats in the air.
-
As he swiped through both foxes.. their forms flickered and pixelated.. and then exploded into a burst of green-pink fire!
[F1: 5 6 2 6 5= 4 suxx for the explosion to hit
F2: 1 6 4 5 5 = 4 suxx for the explosion to hit]
-
[AOE means Dodge is impossible. Base DMG is 5. 2(5 +4 - Armor) = FWOOSH]
The literal foxfire lit Devidramon's arm aflame and wreathed it in smoke as the many-eyed demon recoiled in shock and pain. Enraged, it tossed its captive directly at Kyubimon, even as the other fox wives danced back and forth across its vision.
[Alright, roll Kyubimon's Agility +3d6 for a skill check to catch Sailormon. I'll give you +2 from Ike and Al being there to lend a hand (pun intended).]
-
Al would wince as he then looked back at Ike “Sorry..!” And then his eyes snapped back to see what Devidramon was doing.
“Oh shit- Kyubimon!”
So tense was the entire situation , he didn’t even try to correct himself as Sailormon flew at them!
[Rolling: 4 3 3+ 8= 18]
-
It was a narrow thing, but between Kyubimon's keen eyes, speed, and natural dexterity, she managed to bend at just the right moment to catch Sailormon by the scruff of his shirt before throwing him up and in reach of Alemana's outstretched hand. Unconscious digimon in tow, the trio landed on a platform just out of Devidramon's reach, the demon still clawing at the remaining fox wives with mounting tenacity. Lightning flashed overhead, yet the beast's roar proved louder than the thunder!
"I think he's slowing down," said Ike.
"How can you tell?" asked Kyubimon.
"I just know, okay?" The blond tamer pulled out his digivice, Both he and Al seeing that the screen was completely black. "He's alone, and he's scared. He could've stayed back on the ground and pummeled us all, but he didn't. Deep down he's still in there. If I could just reach him, I'd--"
Suddenly, a glow of golden light radiated outward from Alemana's digivice. He could feel it thrumming, almost as if it, too, were going berserk.
-
Relief filled Al as they caught the last Sailormon, and as Kyubimon landed he would slowly let the digimon drop to the floor. When Kyubimon asked why Ike thought Devidramon was slowing, he then spoke up.
“If Ike thinks he’s slowing down, I believe him,” he said, though before he could speak more his digivice began reacting.- gold light shining from it as it thrummed in his hand. “W-what the heck is happening now..?!” He muttered as he then looked at his device, squinting even with the dark lenses of his mask shielding his eyes.
-
Looking into the glaring light of his digivice's screen, Al heard a sound echo in the back of his mind. At first, it was like the trickling of water against hard stone, tapping out something as though in code. Then there was a pulse, and a wordless whisper shifted between the notes. Then it became a voice, a man's voice, whispering words so familiar yet still too soft to make out. Another pulse, and it became clearer, it was Hawaiian, yet still the words shifted in and out of focus. Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the sky, but Alemana heard neither thunder, nor felt the urge to tremble at its roar. For he heard a voice, strong and clear as day.
Amana ua noa... it spoke. And so it chanted over and over into the distance. The same voice spoke again in tandem with the chant, in the foreground of Alemana's mind. Hold forth the light of creation, let bask in it the dark, so shall you know the face of two brothers, and from ruin save them both...
-
Alemana felt oddly at peace- or if not peace than disconnected with the chaos that was happening.. and he would feel a sense of confusion at what he was hearing. “Light of creation? I don’t understand..” he started, but then he had an idea. Come to him. “Light of creation.. brothers..” he then took a breath, and then pulled the Ki’i from the Storage function, holding the small totem up to the heavens.
“Here goes nothing.. show me what I’m supposed to see! Please give me what I need to save My friends!!”
He must’ve looked crazy, sitting atop Kyubimon’s back, holding a relic up in the air like it was a glow stick.. but he had to have faith that this would work.. whatever it was supposed to be!
-
As if on command, the Ki'i burnt brilliantly of white-gold like a second sun within the palm of Alemana's hand. His digivice continued to shake, then Ike's did as well, the screen of the blond's digivice flashing white. Al couldn't hear what either Kyubimon or Ike were saying, his eyes were too engrossed in watching as the beams of light radiating from the Ki'i shifted and realigned, as though through the lens of a magnifying glass, concentrating on the screens of both tamer's digivices, and on Devidramon in the distance.
"Closer," said Ike, breaking the spell.
"Closer?" echoed Kyubimon.
"We gotta get closer to Gazimon! I think I know what to do - if I call him on my digivice, I might get through to him!"
"If we get any closer, we'll be in range of his claws."
"Al," said Ike. "You believe me, right? I know it sounds crazy, maybe even dumb as hell, but I know it's what I'm supposed to do!"
-
Still holding the blindingly bright Ki’i in his hand, and noticing how both Digivices were reacting.. he would glance at Kyubimon and Ike. On one hand, he agreed with Kyubimon’s concerns.. they would be putting themselves in a great deal of danger. But at the same time.. Ike was making sense too. If anyone could get through to Devidramon and Reach Gazimon- it would be Ike.. his partner.
And then that line came to the forefront of his thoughts: From Ruin save them both..
“Ike’s right, we need to get closer!” He then lifted his mask, so he could smile at both of them. “I do believe in you, Ike. It has to be you you talks to him.” And he then pet Kyubimon’s cheek “And we’ll be the ones to get him there safe, won’t we Kyubimon? I know you can get us up to him.”
-
The ninetails sighed with a smile on her face. "Never a dull moment, is there?" she mused. "Alright, let's do this."
And so Kyubimon leaped into action, racing for the top as her fox wives continued distracting Devidramon. Meanwhile, with access to his digivice restored, Ike began calling his maddened partner, doing his best to ignore how glitchy the software was becoming as they drew closer.
"Gazimon!" he said into the speaker. "Listen to me! Everything's going to be okay!"
Even in the downpour of rain, Alemana could see how Devidramon shook its head, roaring as it missed hitting one of the familiars. But as the trio closed in on it, the many-eyed demon caught sight of them, winding its tail around to slam into them.
[Rolling -2 -2 from circumstance: 2 4 5 5 3 = 2 suxx]
-
[Rolling: 4 1 6 4 2 3 1= 1 suxx]
“Hold on tight, don’t stop talking..!” Alemana said, bracing himself as both Fox wives darted around, preparing to try to distract Devidramon with an attack.
-
[Hmm... DMG = 10 +2 (Dark Ev.) -2 from circumstance - Armor = 2 Wounds]
Though the tail made contact, Kyubimon was far stronger than her Rookie form had been, taking the brunt of the attack only to climb onto the demon's tail and continue running. Even after the tail sent a steel beam flying into the city below, Kyubimon maintained course.
"I swear it, Gaz!" cried Ike. "I don't care about the past! I don't care about what you're not!"
The demon roared, it was almost too much for anyone's ears, yet still they pressed on. One more of the fox wives exploded as Devidramon struck at them, bursting like the others in green-pink fire.
"You're not alone anymore, Gazimon!"
[Roll me Kyubimon Agility skill check!]
-
[Rolling: 5 5 3 + 6= 19
Devidramon takes 5 damage - armor]
Alemana grit his teeth, and held on tight as Kyubimon avoided the explosion.. and as they were now closer to the beast he would then thrust the Ki’i towards Devidramon , letting it’s light hit the demonic dragon.
“You got this Ike! Tell him from the heart! You’re brothers! You’re partners!”
-
"YOU'RE MY BROTHER, GAZIMON!!" yelled Ike. And as Kyubimon jumped upwards, as Devidramon looked up and saw the great fox sailing above it, just within reach, Ike stared back at it. "PARTNERS TO THE BITTER END!!"
Lightning surged towards the many-eyed beast from on high. Without warning to either Alemana or Kyubimon, Ike leaped forward falling towards the dark dragon. In the moments between nano-seconds, light from the Ki'i enveloped the scene in holographic rings. Time stood still for all but the tamers, the bolt of lightning frozen still, Ike falling with digivice awash with indigo light, and Al watching it all as Devidramon's eyes faded from red to black... before its entire being was enveloped in indigo.
It may have been his imagination, but Al could have sworn the demon's silhouette had changed, just as everything faded to white. Moments later, he would find himself standing beside Kyubimon atop the steel beams where Devidramon had only moments ago been attacking them. At their feet, Ike was on his knees, holding onto a round, light-blue creature. Though it didn't look like him, the creature's ear-like appendages reminded Al of Gazimon, all to easily. All the world around the group was standing still. The lightning above their heads still firmly in place, as golden rings surrounded the scene in a warm, golden glow...
-
“Yeah that’s right, you got-“ he then gasped as Ike then jumped off Kyubimon’s back “Ike !!”
And that was when everything stood still.. and the light from both the Ki’i and Ike’s digivice blinded him for a moment. Did it work? He really hoped so. When things cleared a bit, and he could see again, he would gasp to see that time was still frozen around them.. and he would look at Kyubimon for a moment in stunned silence. If this was even a fragment of what the relic could do.. what else was it capable of? But that could wait, Ike seemed to be holding.. something?
“Ike? Are you okay? Is that.. Gazimon?” He asked, looking at the small spherical creature
-
Ike turned to look up at Al. Tears flowed down his face, on either side of a broad smile.
"Yeah, man," he said, sniffling as he rubbed his nose. "It's him..."
The creature in the boy's arms began to stir. Red crescent moon-shaped eyes slowly opened, golden irids looking between the trio.
"Hey guys," it said, its voice a thinner pitch of Gazimon's. "Name's Pagumon, heheh..."
Kyubimon chuckled, the great fox glancing at Al as she smiled.
-
Al would stare at the small creature , at a loss for words for a moment before he would gently hold up his digivice to scan Pagumon.
“He’s… adorable..!”
-
"Sh-shut up," said the blue ball, his squeaky voice a delight of the others' ears.
//Pagumon
++//Level: In-Training
++//Type: Lesser
++//Attribute: Virus
++//Family: Nightmare Soldiers
++//Attacks: Poison Bubbles
"Interesting," said Kyubimon. "It seems he digivolved down one level more than what's normal. Perhaps a side-effect of using the Ki'i?"
-
“I don’t know.. it’s mysterious.” Al said as he pulled an orange slice from his digivice, offering it to Pagumon.
“But I think we should get out of here.. the police are down there. I just hope Malie hasn’t had as eventful of a day as we have..”
-
Pagumon made no effort to hide wanting Al's orange slice, but as he scarfed it down, Ike looked up at the lightning overhead.
"Uh, guys?" he said. "Is it just me, or is that lightning bolt going backwards?"
Everyone looked up, and to their surprise Ike was right. Inch by inch, the bolt was undoing itself. Alemana then heard a familiar sound, his mind flashing back to the heiau ruins as he realized what was going on. Time was moving backwards. Before he could get in a word, he felt his body moving in reverse, all save for his head and neck as he "climbed" back on Kyubimon. Both he and the fox then watched as a similar force pulled Ike and Pagumon into sitting behind Al as the great fox began motioning to run forwards - only to speed in the opposite direction. With every heartbeat, the tempo at which time undid itself quickened, everything becoming a blur of motion, color and shifting shapes. It all ended in a crack of thunder as sheets of rain blasted Alemana's face. They were no longer atop the damaged building-to-be, but leaping towards another one. Looking over his shoulder alongside Ike, he saw the scaffolded worksite, as well as police lights blinking far below them.
"WHAT THE FU--!!"
Ike nearly fell off Kyubimon with Pagumon in his arms as the great fox landed on a nearby rooftop.
-
“What? Backwards?” And just as he looked up to see what Ike was talking about.. his body was caught in the strange .. rewind? He gave a small shout of alarm as they rocketed off backwards.. and when they leaped and landed on the other building, he almost fell off Kyubimon’s back as well. “Holy crap! What the heck is happening ? You know what, not gonna question it.. if you have any control, please get us outta here Kyubimon!”
-
"Hold on tight," warned the great fox.
And so the group raced off into the storm, leaping from roof to roof towards Gotsumon's place, soaked to the bone after bearing witness to a miracle. What they left behind was a scene of destruction and chaos, as lightning struck the pinnacle of the future building. Yet even through the rain, three souls watched as the group sped away. One was a noble warrior, whose belt-like tail flapped in the wind high above the streets. Another was a mercenary, a living camera unseen by most. The last, however, was a gentleman, who saw a debt to be paid, and profit to be won.
CHAPTER COMPLETED
Welcome to Cypher Bay! +2 EXP + 1 DP
Dark Awakening! +3 EXP +2 DP
Lost in the City! +1 Inspiration
Know the Competition! +1 Inspiration
Tag Team! +1 EXP +1 DP
Love's First Kiss! +1 EXP +1 Inspiration
Thicker than Dragon's Blood! +1 EXP +1 DP +1 Inspiration
Total: 8 EXP, +5 DP, + 4 Inspiration!