Previously in Tanomoshii no Sugoroku Special: Dice's Story
Dice's separation from Leomon has started a new way of life for him. As reality settles down and he has to learn to fend for himself with his friends, Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon, Dice accidentally kills the Monochromon leader of the Veggies band, and suddenly everyone treats him differently. Shortly after, another Digimon, Myotismon, came looking for a Gatomon that worked for him, and made a deal with Dice to help him find her in exchange for the whereabouts of Leomon.
As a side note, yes I do pick a lot on Veggiemons. I guess it has to do with the fact that the first character I dubbed for Digimon was a Veggiemon. Didn't like it one bit. ^_^'
----- Tanomoshii no Sugoroku Special Dice's Story Part 2 by Wanderer D (wandererd@hotmail.com) -----
Okay, so I now had a new job. I considered looking for Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon, but. well, I don't know what they thought of me now. So, I decided to go on my own.
I asked a few people about Gatomon sightings, and ironically, my new notoriety helped me out, since no one wanted me to hurt them. This hurt me instead, but I thanked them and left without another word.
Apparently, the friend of a friend of Red Veggiemon had seen a white Gatomon on the road heading north just a few days ago. Since it's the only lead I have, I'll follow it.
* * *
Dice walked alongside the empty road. He had left the last city he had visited a few hours ago, and by now, all traces of civilization were gone, aside from the road that is.
It wasn't much of a road anyway, so it didn't count.
He had been walking for a few days already, and according to the map he had purchased, he would be arriving to yet another town in a few hours.
He decided to rest for a while. Walking out of the road he finally found a nice place by a river. Smiling at the memories it brought, he made a small fishing rod from nearby sticks and a small string he had on hand, and started fishing.
* * *
The next day I found the trail soon after I had left the river.
When I arrived at a nearby town, I heard talk of a white Gatomon having helped a Wizardmon. That rumor was met with signs of incredulity.
These days you couldn't trust anyone, it amazed most of them that someone would lend a helping hand to a stranger in need.
I remembered the sentiment of camaraderie present in all the Digimon that helped Elecmon, Domino and I to get Primary Village working again, and was again reminded of the very different life I was leading.
What would Domino say? She would probably be disappointed by many of my actions. Yet... what would've she had done, if her friends were in danger?
Well, she was different, she'd probably had found a way to stop Monochromon other than killing him.
Still, I think that's enough of mind wandering. I asked them where the two had gone, and they indicated north, so I left the small place and went after them.
* * *
Dice walked out of the small bar he had been investigating for rumors, and started towards the northern exit of the town, never noticing a few Veggiemon looking at each other.
When he was about one hour from the town, he stopped and looked around.
Suddenly, various Veggiemon dropped around him, surrounding him. He stepped away from them, and eyed them warily. "What do you want?"
The leader of the Veggiemon, who was particularly bigger than the rest, stepped forward.
"I noticed that you carry a rather big bag with you," he said. "And I wanted to take a look at it, if you don't mind."
* * *
I looked around and weighed my chances. Six against one wasn't one of the best options I could have. Still, they were Veggiemon. If all Veggiemon were the same, these wouldn't be as fast as I was.
"I do mind." I said tensing slightly.
The Veggiemon frowned and stepped forward. I jumped, stepping on his head and tried to make a run for it. However, the Veggiemon was faster than I anticipated, and grabbed my left foot with vines.
* * *
Dice only had a few moments to realize what had happened, before he was slammed against a tree.
The other Veggiemon laughed at his attempt to escape. The leader, however, didn't lose his frown.
"You look familiar... I think I've heard of a Black Gatomon with a white patch of fur around his eye..."
The black Gatomon, stood up slowly, his back aching and regarded the Veggiemon.
"I have a name. It's Dice." he said coldly.
The Veggiemon stopped laughing and looked at him with hatred.
"Dice?" The leader asked. "I know of you, you were the one that killed Monochromon in Byte City."
* * *
I flinched slightly. News travelled fast, apparently. And I was starting to imagine I was getting quite known around for that.
"I had a few deals with him, myself," the Leader commented. "but he was an ally, and you're going to regret putting your paws on him."
The familiar coldness was starting to get a hold on me. I managed to hold it back, however. Well aware of what could happen if I lost it.
The Leader moved again with impressive speed, and I couldn't avoid his vines as he picked me up and threw me to the ground. Again, the coldness tugged at me, and this time it was harder to control myself.
The Veggiemon laughed again and hurried towards me. I jumped at them and attacked.
The others were not as fast or good as their leader, and I made short work of the two first before the others got the idea and jumped back.
Adrenaline running, I didn't reconsider making a run for it, this time I would show them what a real fight was.
I barely registered the whip-like sound the vine made when it slammed against my face, and sent me sprawling and hurting to the ground. I lost it, the coldness, pumped by adrenaline, got hold of me and I stood up.
* * *
The Veggiemon had regrouped around Dice, minus the two that he had thumped with his previous attack. Their snide smiles disappeared when Dice smiled back, showing his fangs.
Faster even than the vines of the Veggiemon Leader, Dice shot forward, stretching his paws and slicing a Veggiemon's 'throat'. The Veggiemon gurgled and fell, becoming Digidust. The others took a step back as he savagely tried to slice them.
The leader used his vines to grab him and pulled him up. He held Dice away from him as the later struggled to get free.
The two remaining Veggiemon looked frightened as their leader struggled with the Gatomon.
Confident that Dice couldn't get free, the Veggiemon pulled him just in front of him.
"That was impressive, but now I'll kill you for trying to get rid of me."
Dice struggled, seemingly ignoring him, until he managed to release one arm. The Leader Veggiemon's eyes opened wider in surprise. He tried to scream but Dice's shout drowned his with his own.
"FIST OF THE BEAST KING!!" Dice shouted shoving his fist forward, and shooting the energy into the open mouth of the Veggiemon.
The other two didn't have enough time to run, and became Digidust mere seconds later.
* * *
Then the calm returned to me. What I had just done ran through my mind with a sickening combination of speed and repetitiveness.
The two Veggiemon that had fallen unconscious at the beginning of the fight were looking at me with so much fright in their eyes, I almost thought they'd die of it right there.
They backed away and ran as fast as they could towards the town.
I ignored them.
The same had happened before, I didn't feel bad about killing them, yet... I felt good about defeating them.
I shook may head and walked away. I had to find those two.
* * *
My search finally gave fruit the next night, as I walked still by the serpentine road. When night settled itself, I spied a small campfire near the road, and decided that maybe I should get there, talk a little, gather info and even spend the night with Mon company for a change.
* * *
As Dice approached, he could hear two voices next to the fire, and he couldn't believe his luck when he walked out into the open, and met face to face the white Gatomon Myotismon had sent him looking for.
She was talking to the Wizardmon he had heard she'd saved. They stopped talking when they noticed him.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Somehow the vision of that Gatomon seemed to stop his heart for a brief moment.
She broke the silence for him, though.
"What do you want?" She asked rather harshly.
Dice seemed to gain his voice back. "I... I was hired to find you, so you could go back."
Gatomon's eyes turned to slits. "By whom?"
"Myotismon."
"I don't want to go back yet." Gatomon answered defiantly.
Dice sighed. "It's okay, I won't force you to go back."
Gatomon blinked at that and seemed to relax a little. "Hmm... you're not like the others." she said.
"Others?" Wizardmon asked.
"Yes. The rest of Myotismon's goons would have tried to make me go back." Gatomon answered.
"If you don't mind my asking..." Dice said. "Why don't you want to go back yet?"
Gatomon looked at him defensively. "I'm... looking for something."
Dice nodded. "Then, if you don't mind, I'll stay with you until you find whatever you're looking for. Then we'll go back to Myotismon so he can tell me something." Gatomon looked at him askance, then seemed to consider. "Okay," she said. "Just don't get in the way."
* * *
The next few days I got to know Gatomon and Wizardmon better.
At first they were a little unwilling to talk. But after a few tries, they did tell me some of their stories. I, in turn, told them up to where I had lost Leomon in the storm, and didn't say much about my life afterwards.
Gatomon told me that she was looking for a meaning to her wanderings, and that she had heard about a temple that revealed secrets somewhere in the area.
We decided to go into a nearby town and get as much info as we could.
* * *
As soon as Dice entered the small town, he knew he was in his element. As the other cities, this one worked the same way, and to further make things easier, he was received with knowing glances.
After they had decided to go to the local bar to get news, a seat and something to drink, Dice was visited by his annoying renown.
"You're Dice, right?" a Goburimon asked a little nervously, approaching their table.
Dice nodded as the other two looked at him a little amused.
"My boss has a job for you." the Goburimon said, putting a rather large bag on the table.
Wizardmon took a look inside, as did Gatomon, and they gasped in surprise, then looked at Dice.
"I'm not working right now." Dice answered, rather testily and pushed the bag back.
"That is only half of it." Goburimon answered. "The rest will be paid when you finish your job."
"And what kind of job would that be?" Asked Wizardmon, a little curious. Goburimon looked around, then leaned closer. "The Boss heard how you took care of Monochromon and Veggiemon's bands," he said. "He wants you to kill a Greymon that has been causing him trouble, just like you did them."
There was a sharp intake of breath and both, Gatomon and Wizardmon looked at Dice with a little anger.
"Listen, I really don't have time for this." Dice answered and pushed the money back to him. Goburimon grunted and nodded, leaving them alone.
Gatomon and Wizardmon looked at him sharply, and Dice explained. "We fought and I accidentally killed them." He then explained about the situations that had caused him to fight both Digimon in the first place.
They seemed to believe him. From the time they had spent together, they knew he wasn't cruel or violent.
* * *
At last, after a few hours of looking around, they managed to get more info on the Temple's supposed location, and decided to leave for the next morning.
* * *
When we left, I had the feeling we were being watched, but I didn't say as much. I was growing accustomed to that.
We traveled northeast through the forest and came out into the desert. It wasn't an easy walk. We traveled between dunes, the best place to get attacked, but also the only place to get some shadows to cover us.
By midday there wasn't much of a shadow, but Wizardmon used a spell that slowly cooled us down. It was strange to be walking in the sun but having our fur covered in small water drops.
"The place should be around here..." Wizardmon muttered.
I looked around but couldn't make out anything. "Let me see that map we bought..." I asked Gatomon. She nodded and opened it, allowing me a view of the area. The place where the temple should be was marked with an 'X'.
And where the temple should've been was here. Or at least in the immediate area. As I ran up one of the dunes, and Wizardmon flew to another opposite mine I ran through several possibilities in my mind. Maybe they had lied to us, maybe the place had been covered by sand... speaking of which...
I ran back down shouting for Wizardmon. He heard me and turned around, noticing what I was so worried about.
"What?! What is it?" Gatomon asked as I skidded to a stop next to her.
"Sandstorm!" I shouted. "And it's coming this way! We have got to find a place to take cover!"
As I said this, the first bursts of flying sand were starting to shoot past over the dunes. Wizardmon managed to get to us and placed a small sphere around us just as the storm hit. When I looked ahead, something got my attention, before we were surrounded by wind and sand. We could only see each other because we were inside Wizardmon's sphere.
"We still have to fins a place to stay!" Wizardmon shouted. Even if we were protected from it, the roaring wind still made everything under a shout hard to hear.
"I think I saw something up ahead!" I shouted back.
"But there was nothing but sand an air in front of us!" Gatomon shouted back. I nodded and motioned for them to follow me. They shared a look and shrugged. It was better than standing here until the spell broke.
We walked towards what I had thought I had seen and after a few minutes we bumped into air. There was nothing in front of us, and yet we couldn't move. Wizardmon's eyes lit in comprehension. "So this was why we couldn't find it!" He said. Gatomon nodded. "Let's follow the wall to where it ends and use the back for cover."
We did as she had suggested, and I was glad they had understood what I had meant, when we reached the corner and doubled it we found out just how large the temple seemed to be.
If the area free of sand was any indication of it, the temple was about 500 meters long in the area we were, and the wall was about one fifth of it up. Still, the area free of sand was big enough for us to rest comfortably and wait for it to die. I had heard this things could last quite some time.
* * *
The storm lasted for various hours, and during that time, the three Digimon explored what they could, but found no entrance. The storm ended just as the sun was beginning to set.
Once the sand was gone, they couldn't see anything of the temple. They thought they would have to find their way in by touch alone, when the first ray of the moon shone over the dunes.
It was an impressive sight, as soon as the moon ray passed through the transparent castle, it became visible.
The three Digimon exchanged looks, then started running around the huge complex, trying to find the entrance.
It was on the side that had received the brunt of the storm, but the entrance was strangely clear of sand.
Wizardmon was the first to approach the closed wooden doors. Giving the other two a look, and receiving no response, he knocked on the door with his staff.
They waited for a moment before the two doors slowly opened. In the entrance, a small bearded Digimon awaited.
Dice blink-blinked. "And who are you?"
"My name is Jijimon." The Digimon said, bowing a little. "And you are Dice, Gatomon and Wizardmon, am I right?"
The three adventurers looked startled, and Jijimon laughed good naturedly. "It's okay, you can come in. You have found the place you were looking for. Now let's see if you'll find what you want."
They followed Jijimon into the castle.
* * *
Jijimon took us to a rather large room. It was decorated with a white marble floor, and columns reached up to a high domed ceiling.
"The sacred stone is beyond that door." Jijimon announced, pointing to the other side of the room with his staff. "but I must warn you, only one can enter at a time. And you'll have to exit through the other door. I will await you on the other side."
He paced a little before continuing.
"When you enter that room, think of the question you want answered. The sacred stone will answer your heart's question, so be sure this is what you want. If you're ready for it, you'll receive a full answer, if not, maybe nothing. Only the stone knows."
With that, he disappeared.
"Well, this is it, Gatomon," I said. "Go for it."
Gatomon nodded and walked to the door, opened it and went through. The door shimmered and disappeared from view.
"What do you think she wants?" I asked Wizardmon.
He looked from the door to me. "You remember that she wandered around when she was younger, looking for someone. I think, she wants to know why she was abandoned."
I sighed. "But that wont happen again, will it, Wizardmon?"
"What?"
"I mean... I won't abandon her, or you. You're my friends, you became my friends during our journey, and I won't leave you guys."
Wizardmon nodded. "Gatomon saved me, and I owe her that, but... what is important is that she became more than my savior. She became my friend." He looked back at me and stretched his hand. "I believe you're my friend too, Dice, and I'll always help you two if you need me."
I shook his hand. Noticing that the door had reappeared. I motioned at it with my head.
"After you, my friend." I said.
Wizardmon nodded and went through the door.
I waited for a few moments before it appeared again, then I walked into the small room where the sacred stone was.
As I crossed the doorway, I couldn't help but ask myself what was my heart's question...
* * *
Dice looked at the strange stone protected by a Golden Ring. He couldn't make out what the writings on it said, but he didn't need to. He was curious as to what this thing would say to him.
He took a step closer, and the Ring started spinning. The rock started glowing, until it was so bright Dice had to raise his paw to protect his eyes.
And then everything was white.
For a moment he didn't know what to do, but a pair of voices made him turn. He wasn't sure how he turned around, since it seemed he was floating on the whiteness, he only felt like he did.
He saw two strange beings, being confronted by another unknown creature.
"Who are you?!" The bigger of the three asked. He was obviously a Digimon, with a strange outfit. He had a mask covering half his face, it was half black and half white.
Everything in his costume was made of contrasts, he was dressed like a clown. He had green hair, and four swords crossed his back, still sheathed.
"Stay behind me, Debbs." One of the other two said. They didn't look like Digimon, however. Maybe these were Digidestined?
The clown, who had two eggs in his hands, growled. "How dare you interfere with me, humans!" He hurled a ray at them, which the two were almost unable to avoid.
One of the humans, the taller, stood up and threw something at the clown, hitting his hand.
Startled he let the Digi-egg fall to the ground. The kid was fast enough to grab it and put it in front of them, as if trying to protect them.
"Stay away from us!" He shouted. "Or this egg, whatever it is, will break!" he threatened.
"David..." the girl whispered, scared.
The clown's eyes turned to slits. "I don't care." He charged another blast, and shot it, hitting the egg and the human. The boy cried in pain as he and the egg slowly turned to Digidust, which fell on the girl.
"DAVID!" The girl shouted, and her shout seemed to bend into light.
The whole world went white again, and Dice looked around.
Nothing had happened. It seemed that the supposed sacred stone was nothing but a light show. Still... why did he feel a sense of loss? Probably because he had hoped too much. Oh, well, it was time to go back to the others.
As he walked out of the room, he felt a small tear fall from his eye. He cleaned his face with the back of his gloves. Why had he cried?
He looked over his shoulder, to the stone, which was gray and cold, with it's rusted ring around it, and shrugged.
* * * They stayed the whole day in Jijimon's castle, and by morning, they were ready to part.
"I hope you found what you were looking for." Jijimon said.
Wizardmon nodded absently, while Dice grunted in answer. Gatomon, however, was a little depressed.
"I didn't see much, I just saw my past as I looked for something." She complained. Jijimon nodded. "Maybe the answer to your quest is there."
Gatomon looked at him with a deadpan, then shrugged.
As they left the temple, she looked at Dice. "I think it's time for us to go back with Myotismon, right?"
Dice nodded. "I have to keep my part of the deal."
Gatomon looked at Dice for a moment, before continuing. "We won't see much of each other after that, will we?"
Dice looked at Wizardmon then back to her. "You will." he smilled. "I just have to talk to my friends before I go with you."
Gatomon smiled slightly and turned, leading them back to the city.
* * *
It took us almost a week to get back to Byte City. Once I arrived, I found Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon at the entrance, goofy smiles on their faces and all.
They jumped at me and started patting my back and hitting my shoulder playfully.
"Hey! I thought I'd never see you again!" Gotsumon shouted happily.
"..." I opened my mouth to speak, but Pumpkinmon interrupted me.
"Why did you ever leave without us?"
That was the question. I looked at them both. "Well... you stopped talking to me... and I thought..."
At that, they both looked a little guiltily at me.
"Yes well..." Gotsumon started.
"We tried... several times, when you were training... but you looked like you didn't want to talk to anybody. You even destroyed things faster than before!" Pumkinmon finished, with a nod from Gotsumon.
I took a step aside and let Gatomon and Wizardmon step forth. "Let me introduce you to some new friends," I said. "Gotsumon, Pumpkinmon, meet Gatomon and Wizardmon."
The others talked a little as we walked into the city. As I walked, Digimon stopped and stared, then hastily went back to work when they noticed I had noticed them.
The others seemed to notice it, too, and I looked questioningly at Gotsumon.
"Well... we got news that you were attacked by the Vegiemons... and that only two came back." Gotsumon answered levelly.
I shrugged. Let them think what they wanted to think. I had better things to do than worry about my image right then.
* * *
He looked for the place Myotismon had said would be their meeting place once he arrived with Gatomon. They made their way to a small alley, where another Digimon was already waiting for them at the entrance.
Dice and most of the others didn't recognize him, but Gatomon was another story.
"Demidevimon!" she growled.
Demidevimon, who had seemed to be asleep opened one eye to look at us. "About time you got here. Master Myotismon is wating for you two."
Dice and Gatomon shared a look. "Listen guys," Dice said, "I'll be right back, don't worry. Ok?"
Gotsumon and Pumkinmon looked at each other before nodding uncertainly. Wizardmon shared a look with Gatomon and Dice, before he too, nodded.
* * *
They followed Demidevimon into the alley, and when they had reached the farthest end they found the alley was empty.
As Dice turned around to demand an explanation to Demidevimon, the ground under him and Gatomon glowed with the sudden appearance of red flames, and before he could shout in surprise he, along with the other two Digimon dissappeared.
* * *
We reappeared in a large room with a throne, where Myotismon waited.
"Ah, Dice," Myotismon smiled. "I see you found my stray Gatomon." He looked for a moment at her.
"Could you excuse us for a moment? I need to talk to her." Myotismon said. I looked at Gatomon, and she nodded slightly. Nodding back, I followed Demidevimon out of the room. The doors behind me closed and I was left with the little Digimon waiting in the hall.
"I don't think Master Myotismon was very happy with Gatomon running out of here without warning." Demidevimon comented. I already didn't like him.
"But I hear she's always been like that, I don't know what Master Myotismon sees in her. There are better and stronger Digimon around here, right?"
I grunted in response. Was that a distant explosion I heard? I ignored Demidevimon's continous whining about serving 'Master Myotismon' and tried to hear anything else.
But I couldn't. It was probably my imagination.
Shortly after, the doors opened and I followed Demidevimon back to Myotismon's throne room.
Gatomon was there. And there was something different about her, but I couldn't put my finger on it, however I tried. I did notice she looked much more serious than before.
They had probably got into a discussion. I looked at her questioningly, but I was only met with a shrug.
"Well then," Myotismon said as he stood up and walked down the stairs. "I think that it's time I repaid you, Dice."
I nodded. I was eager to know what had happened to Leomon! If he was still alive, I'd have to go for him and introduce him to my friends.
"Let's see," Myotismon muttered, as he stopped in front of me. Extending his hands he created a ball of fire. "Look at the fire and concentrate on Leomon. You will see what happened after you got separated."
"I thought you'd look yourself..." I asked, more than stated.
Myotismon shook his head. "No, I didn't know Leomon quite as well as you did."
Well, it did sound logical. I stared at the flame and saw it turn into an image...
* * *
While Dice concentrated on the fire, Myotismon's eyes seemed to glow white and Dice fell to the ground, unconscious.
"What did you do that for?!" Gatomon asked, before she too fell to the same attack. Demidevimon watched transfixed as Myotismon cast a spell over both Gatomon.
When he had finished, a voice said, and Phantomon materialized, floating next to Myotismon.
"We will benefit from these two being in our army." The later explained.
"Are you sure?" Phantomon asked. "Gatomon I know to be powerfull, but this... Dice, as he calls himself..."
Myotismon used his hands to create a sphere of energy, and inside it, Phantmon was able to see Dice striking down Monochromon, and later all the Veggiemon.
"Anyone that can kill their enemies so coldly is worthy of merit." The vampire Digimon said, smiling.
"What will you do to him, then?" Phantomon asked.
"I will place in his memory an image of the Digidestined killing Leomon." He answered. "As for her," he said, pointing towards Gatomon. "She won't remember any of this."
Phantomon nodded, slowly dissapearing. Dice and Gatomon both stood up and blinked, as if waking up from a long dream.
"Damn them!" Dice shouted, hitting the ground. "Damn them all!"
"Dice!" Gatomon shouted kneeling next to him. "What happened?"
"They. they killed him!" Dice answered, sobbing. "They killed Leomon!"
"Who?" She asked.
"The Digidestined."
* * *
I hated them. I replayed the scene again and again in my mind. Leomon lying on the beach, weak from surviving through the storm, until the Digidestined arrived.
"Humans are like that." Myotismon said, and I looked up from the ground to him.
"They only care if you're useful to them."
"They must die!" I shouted and took a step forth, but Gatomon held my arm.
"They will pay." Myotismon answered. "But we must be ready for them."
I nodded. My mission was clear now: Avenge Leomon and stop the Digidestined and other humans from harming my friends.
"You and Gatomon will search for strong, loyal Digimon to come with us. I will investigate the whereabouts of the Digidestined, and prepare for the final battle."
I nodded again. My mind was set. They would pay.
[End Dice's Story]
Dice's separation from Leomon has started a new way of life for him. As reality settles down and he has to learn to fend for himself with his friends, Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon, Dice accidentally kills the Monochromon leader of the Veggies band, and suddenly everyone treats him differently. Shortly after, another Digimon, Myotismon, came looking for a Gatomon that worked for him, and made a deal with Dice to help him find her in exchange for the whereabouts of Leomon.
As a side note, yes I do pick a lot on Veggiemons. I guess it has to do with the fact that the first character I dubbed for Digimon was a Veggiemon. Didn't like it one bit. ^_^'
----- Tanomoshii no Sugoroku Special Dice's Story Part 2 by Wanderer D (wandererd@hotmail.com) -----
Okay, so I now had a new job. I considered looking for Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon, but. well, I don't know what they thought of me now. So, I decided to go on my own.
I asked a few people about Gatomon sightings, and ironically, my new notoriety helped me out, since no one wanted me to hurt them. This hurt me instead, but I thanked them and left without another word.
Apparently, the friend of a friend of Red Veggiemon had seen a white Gatomon on the road heading north just a few days ago. Since it's the only lead I have, I'll follow it.
* * *
Dice walked alongside the empty road. He had left the last city he had visited a few hours ago, and by now, all traces of civilization were gone, aside from the road that is.
It wasn't much of a road anyway, so it didn't count.
He had been walking for a few days already, and according to the map he had purchased, he would be arriving to yet another town in a few hours.
He decided to rest for a while. Walking out of the road he finally found a nice place by a river. Smiling at the memories it brought, he made a small fishing rod from nearby sticks and a small string he had on hand, and started fishing.
* * *
The next day I found the trail soon after I had left the river.
When I arrived at a nearby town, I heard talk of a white Gatomon having helped a Wizardmon. That rumor was met with signs of incredulity.
These days you couldn't trust anyone, it amazed most of them that someone would lend a helping hand to a stranger in need.
I remembered the sentiment of camaraderie present in all the Digimon that helped Elecmon, Domino and I to get Primary Village working again, and was again reminded of the very different life I was leading.
What would Domino say? She would probably be disappointed by many of my actions. Yet... what would've she had done, if her friends were in danger?
Well, she was different, she'd probably had found a way to stop Monochromon other than killing him.
Still, I think that's enough of mind wandering. I asked them where the two had gone, and they indicated north, so I left the small place and went after them.
* * *
Dice walked out of the small bar he had been investigating for rumors, and started towards the northern exit of the town, never noticing a few Veggiemon looking at each other.
When he was about one hour from the town, he stopped and looked around.
Suddenly, various Veggiemon dropped around him, surrounding him. He stepped away from them, and eyed them warily. "What do you want?"
The leader of the Veggiemon, who was particularly bigger than the rest, stepped forward.
"I noticed that you carry a rather big bag with you," he said. "And I wanted to take a look at it, if you don't mind."
* * *
I looked around and weighed my chances. Six against one wasn't one of the best options I could have. Still, they were Veggiemon. If all Veggiemon were the same, these wouldn't be as fast as I was.
"I do mind." I said tensing slightly.
The Veggiemon frowned and stepped forward. I jumped, stepping on his head and tried to make a run for it. However, the Veggiemon was faster than I anticipated, and grabbed my left foot with vines.
* * *
Dice only had a few moments to realize what had happened, before he was slammed against a tree.
The other Veggiemon laughed at his attempt to escape. The leader, however, didn't lose his frown.
"You look familiar... I think I've heard of a Black Gatomon with a white patch of fur around his eye..."
The black Gatomon, stood up slowly, his back aching and regarded the Veggiemon.
"I have a name. It's Dice." he said coldly.
The Veggiemon stopped laughing and looked at him with hatred.
"Dice?" The leader asked. "I know of you, you were the one that killed Monochromon in Byte City."
* * *
I flinched slightly. News travelled fast, apparently. And I was starting to imagine I was getting quite known around for that.
"I had a few deals with him, myself," the Leader commented. "but he was an ally, and you're going to regret putting your paws on him."
The familiar coldness was starting to get a hold on me. I managed to hold it back, however. Well aware of what could happen if I lost it.
The Leader moved again with impressive speed, and I couldn't avoid his vines as he picked me up and threw me to the ground. Again, the coldness tugged at me, and this time it was harder to control myself.
The Veggiemon laughed again and hurried towards me. I jumped at them and attacked.
The others were not as fast or good as their leader, and I made short work of the two first before the others got the idea and jumped back.
Adrenaline running, I didn't reconsider making a run for it, this time I would show them what a real fight was.
I barely registered the whip-like sound the vine made when it slammed against my face, and sent me sprawling and hurting to the ground. I lost it, the coldness, pumped by adrenaline, got hold of me and I stood up.
* * *
The Veggiemon had regrouped around Dice, minus the two that he had thumped with his previous attack. Their snide smiles disappeared when Dice smiled back, showing his fangs.
Faster even than the vines of the Veggiemon Leader, Dice shot forward, stretching his paws and slicing a Veggiemon's 'throat'. The Veggiemon gurgled and fell, becoming Digidust. The others took a step back as he savagely tried to slice them.
The leader used his vines to grab him and pulled him up. He held Dice away from him as the later struggled to get free.
The two remaining Veggiemon looked frightened as their leader struggled with the Gatomon.
Confident that Dice couldn't get free, the Veggiemon pulled him just in front of him.
"That was impressive, but now I'll kill you for trying to get rid of me."
Dice struggled, seemingly ignoring him, until he managed to release one arm. The Leader Veggiemon's eyes opened wider in surprise. He tried to scream but Dice's shout drowned his with his own.
"FIST OF THE BEAST KING!!" Dice shouted shoving his fist forward, and shooting the energy into the open mouth of the Veggiemon.
The other two didn't have enough time to run, and became Digidust mere seconds later.
* * *
Then the calm returned to me. What I had just done ran through my mind with a sickening combination of speed and repetitiveness.
The two Veggiemon that had fallen unconscious at the beginning of the fight were looking at me with so much fright in their eyes, I almost thought they'd die of it right there.
They backed away and ran as fast as they could towards the town.
I ignored them.
The same had happened before, I didn't feel bad about killing them, yet... I felt good about defeating them.
I shook may head and walked away. I had to find those two.
* * *
My search finally gave fruit the next night, as I walked still by the serpentine road. When night settled itself, I spied a small campfire near the road, and decided that maybe I should get there, talk a little, gather info and even spend the night with Mon company for a change.
* * *
As Dice approached, he could hear two voices next to the fire, and he couldn't believe his luck when he walked out into the open, and met face to face the white Gatomon Myotismon had sent him looking for.
She was talking to the Wizardmon he had heard she'd saved. They stopped talking when they noticed him.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Somehow the vision of that Gatomon seemed to stop his heart for a brief moment.
She broke the silence for him, though.
"What do you want?" She asked rather harshly.
Dice seemed to gain his voice back. "I... I was hired to find you, so you could go back."
Gatomon's eyes turned to slits. "By whom?"
"Myotismon."
"I don't want to go back yet." Gatomon answered defiantly.
Dice sighed. "It's okay, I won't force you to go back."
Gatomon blinked at that and seemed to relax a little. "Hmm... you're not like the others." she said.
"Others?" Wizardmon asked.
"Yes. The rest of Myotismon's goons would have tried to make me go back." Gatomon answered.
"If you don't mind my asking..." Dice said. "Why don't you want to go back yet?"
Gatomon looked at him defensively. "I'm... looking for something."
Dice nodded. "Then, if you don't mind, I'll stay with you until you find whatever you're looking for. Then we'll go back to Myotismon so he can tell me something." Gatomon looked at him askance, then seemed to consider. "Okay," she said. "Just don't get in the way."
* * *
The next few days I got to know Gatomon and Wizardmon better.
At first they were a little unwilling to talk. But after a few tries, they did tell me some of their stories. I, in turn, told them up to where I had lost Leomon in the storm, and didn't say much about my life afterwards.
Gatomon told me that she was looking for a meaning to her wanderings, and that she had heard about a temple that revealed secrets somewhere in the area.
We decided to go into a nearby town and get as much info as we could.
* * *
As soon as Dice entered the small town, he knew he was in his element. As the other cities, this one worked the same way, and to further make things easier, he was received with knowing glances.
After they had decided to go to the local bar to get news, a seat and something to drink, Dice was visited by his annoying renown.
"You're Dice, right?" a Goburimon asked a little nervously, approaching their table.
Dice nodded as the other two looked at him a little amused.
"My boss has a job for you." the Goburimon said, putting a rather large bag on the table.
Wizardmon took a look inside, as did Gatomon, and they gasped in surprise, then looked at Dice.
"I'm not working right now." Dice answered, rather testily and pushed the bag back.
"That is only half of it." Goburimon answered. "The rest will be paid when you finish your job."
"And what kind of job would that be?" Asked Wizardmon, a little curious. Goburimon looked around, then leaned closer. "The Boss heard how you took care of Monochromon and Veggiemon's bands," he said. "He wants you to kill a Greymon that has been causing him trouble, just like you did them."
There was a sharp intake of breath and both, Gatomon and Wizardmon looked at Dice with a little anger.
"Listen, I really don't have time for this." Dice answered and pushed the money back to him. Goburimon grunted and nodded, leaving them alone.
Gatomon and Wizardmon looked at him sharply, and Dice explained. "We fought and I accidentally killed them." He then explained about the situations that had caused him to fight both Digimon in the first place.
They seemed to believe him. From the time they had spent together, they knew he wasn't cruel or violent.
* * *
At last, after a few hours of looking around, they managed to get more info on the Temple's supposed location, and decided to leave for the next morning.
* * *
When we left, I had the feeling we were being watched, but I didn't say as much. I was growing accustomed to that.
We traveled northeast through the forest and came out into the desert. It wasn't an easy walk. We traveled between dunes, the best place to get attacked, but also the only place to get some shadows to cover us.
By midday there wasn't much of a shadow, but Wizardmon used a spell that slowly cooled us down. It was strange to be walking in the sun but having our fur covered in small water drops.
"The place should be around here..." Wizardmon muttered.
I looked around but couldn't make out anything. "Let me see that map we bought..." I asked Gatomon. She nodded and opened it, allowing me a view of the area. The place where the temple should be was marked with an 'X'.
And where the temple should've been was here. Or at least in the immediate area. As I ran up one of the dunes, and Wizardmon flew to another opposite mine I ran through several possibilities in my mind. Maybe they had lied to us, maybe the place had been covered by sand... speaking of which...
I ran back down shouting for Wizardmon. He heard me and turned around, noticing what I was so worried about.
"What?! What is it?" Gatomon asked as I skidded to a stop next to her.
"Sandstorm!" I shouted. "And it's coming this way! We have got to find a place to take cover!"
As I said this, the first bursts of flying sand were starting to shoot past over the dunes. Wizardmon managed to get to us and placed a small sphere around us just as the storm hit. When I looked ahead, something got my attention, before we were surrounded by wind and sand. We could only see each other because we were inside Wizardmon's sphere.
"We still have to fins a place to stay!" Wizardmon shouted. Even if we were protected from it, the roaring wind still made everything under a shout hard to hear.
"I think I saw something up ahead!" I shouted back.
"But there was nothing but sand an air in front of us!" Gatomon shouted back. I nodded and motioned for them to follow me. They shared a look and shrugged. It was better than standing here until the spell broke.
We walked towards what I had thought I had seen and after a few minutes we bumped into air. There was nothing in front of us, and yet we couldn't move. Wizardmon's eyes lit in comprehension. "So this was why we couldn't find it!" He said. Gatomon nodded. "Let's follow the wall to where it ends and use the back for cover."
We did as she had suggested, and I was glad they had understood what I had meant, when we reached the corner and doubled it we found out just how large the temple seemed to be.
If the area free of sand was any indication of it, the temple was about 500 meters long in the area we were, and the wall was about one fifth of it up. Still, the area free of sand was big enough for us to rest comfortably and wait for it to die. I had heard this things could last quite some time.
* * *
The storm lasted for various hours, and during that time, the three Digimon explored what they could, but found no entrance. The storm ended just as the sun was beginning to set.
Once the sand was gone, they couldn't see anything of the temple. They thought they would have to find their way in by touch alone, when the first ray of the moon shone over the dunes.
It was an impressive sight, as soon as the moon ray passed through the transparent castle, it became visible.
The three Digimon exchanged looks, then started running around the huge complex, trying to find the entrance.
It was on the side that had received the brunt of the storm, but the entrance was strangely clear of sand.
Wizardmon was the first to approach the closed wooden doors. Giving the other two a look, and receiving no response, he knocked on the door with his staff.
They waited for a moment before the two doors slowly opened. In the entrance, a small bearded Digimon awaited.
Dice blink-blinked. "And who are you?"
"My name is Jijimon." The Digimon said, bowing a little. "And you are Dice, Gatomon and Wizardmon, am I right?"
The three adventurers looked startled, and Jijimon laughed good naturedly. "It's okay, you can come in. You have found the place you were looking for. Now let's see if you'll find what you want."
They followed Jijimon into the castle.
* * *
Jijimon took us to a rather large room. It was decorated with a white marble floor, and columns reached up to a high domed ceiling.
"The sacred stone is beyond that door." Jijimon announced, pointing to the other side of the room with his staff. "but I must warn you, only one can enter at a time. And you'll have to exit through the other door. I will await you on the other side."
He paced a little before continuing.
"When you enter that room, think of the question you want answered. The sacred stone will answer your heart's question, so be sure this is what you want. If you're ready for it, you'll receive a full answer, if not, maybe nothing. Only the stone knows."
With that, he disappeared.
"Well, this is it, Gatomon," I said. "Go for it."
Gatomon nodded and walked to the door, opened it and went through. The door shimmered and disappeared from view.
"What do you think she wants?" I asked Wizardmon.
He looked from the door to me. "You remember that she wandered around when she was younger, looking for someone. I think, she wants to know why she was abandoned."
I sighed. "But that wont happen again, will it, Wizardmon?"
"What?"
"I mean... I won't abandon her, or you. You're my friends, you became my friends during our journey, and I won't leave you guys."
Wizardmon nodded. "Gatomon saved me, and I owe her that, but... what is important is that she became more than my savior. She became my friend." He looked back at me and stretched his hand. "I believe you're my friend too, Dice, and I'll always help you two if you need me."
I shook his hand. Noticing that the door had reappeared. I motioned at it with my head.
"After you, my friend." I said.
Wizardmon nodded and went through the door.
I waited for a few moments before it appeared again, then I walked into the small room where the sacred stone was.
As I crossed the doorway, I couldn't help but ask myself what was my heart's question...
* * *
Dice looked at the strange stone protected by a Golden Ring. He couldn't make out what the writings on it said, but he didn't need to. He was curious as to what this thing would say to him.
He took a step closer, and the Ring started spinning. The rock started glowing, until it was so bright Dice had to raise his paw to protect his eyes.
And then everything was white.
For a moment he didn't know what to do, but a pair of voices made him turn. He wasn't sure how he turned around, since it seemed he was floating on the whiteness, he only felt like he did.
He saw two strange beings, being confronted by another unknown creature.
"Who are you?!" The bigger of the three asked. He was obviously a Digimon, with a strange outfit. He had a mask covering half his face, it was half black and half white.
Everything in his costume was made of contrasts, he was dressed like a clown. He had green hair, and four swords crossed his back, still sheathed.
"Stay behind me, Debbs." One of the other two said. They didn't look like Digimon, however. Maybe these were Digidestined?
The clown, who had two eggs in his hands, growled. "How dare you interfere with me, humans!" He hurled a ray at them, which the two were almost unable to avoid.
One of the humans, the taller, stood up and threw something at the clown, hitting his hand.
Startled he let the Digi-egg fall to the ground. The kid was fast enough to grab it and put it in front of them, as if trying to protect them.
"Stay away from us!" He shouted. "Or this egg, whatever it is, will break!" he threatened.
"David..." the girl whispered, scared.
The clown's eyes turned to slits. "I don't care." He charged another blast, and shot it, hitting the egg and the human. The boy cried in pain as he and the egg slowly turned to Digidust, which fell on the girl.
"DAVID!" The girl shouted, and her shout seemed to bend into light.
The whole world went white again, and Dice looked around.
Nothing had happened. It seemed that the supposed sacred stone was nothing but a light show. Still... why did he feel a sense of loss? Probably because he had hoped too much. Oh, well, it was time to go back to the others.
As he walked out of the room, he felt a small tear fall from his eye. He cleaned his face with the back of his gloves. Why had he cried?
He looked over his shoulder, to the stone, which was gray and cold, with it's rusted ring around it, and shrugged.
* * * They stayed the whole day in Jijimon's castle, and by morning, they were ready to part.
"I hope you found what you were looking for." Jijimon said.
Wizardmon nodded absently, while Dice grunted in answer. Gatomon, however, was a little depressed.
"I didn't see much, I just saw my past as I looked for something." She complained. Jijimon nodded. "Maybe the answer to your quest is there."
Gatomon looked at him with a deadpan, then shrugged.
As they left the temple, she looked at Dice. "I think it's time for us to go back with Myotismon, right?"
Dice nodded. "I have to keep my part of the deal."
Gatomon looked at Dice for a moment, before continuing. "We won't see much of each other after that, will we?"
Dice looked at Wizardmon then back to her. "You will." he smilled. "I just have to talk to my friends before I go with you."
Gatomon smiled slightly and turned, leading them back to the city.
* * *
It took us almost a week to get back to Byte City. Once I arrived, I found Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon at the entrance, goofy smiles on their faces and all.
They jumped at me and started patting my back and hitting my shoulder playfully.
"Hey! I thought I'd never see you again!" Gotsumon shouted happily.
"..." I opened my mouth to speak, but Pumpkinmon interrupted me.
"Why did you ever leave without us?"
That was the question. I looked at them both. "Well... you stopped talking to me... and I thought..."
At that, they both looked a little guiltily at me.
"Yes well..." Gotsumon started.
"We tried... several times, when you were training... but you looked like you didn't want to talk to anybody. You even destroyed things faster than before!" Pumkinmon finished, with a nod from Gotsumon.
I took a step aside and let Gatomon and Wizardmon step forth. "Let me introduce you to some new friends," I said. "Gotsumon, Pumpkinmon, meet Gatomon and Wizardmon."
The others talked a little as we walked into the city. As I walked, Digimon stopped and stared, then hastily went back to work when they noticed I had noticed them.
The others seemed to notice it, too, and I looked questioningly at Gotsumon.
"Well... we got news that you were attacked by the Vegiemons... and that only two came back." Gotsumon answered levelly.
I shrugged. Let them think what they wanted to think. I had better things to do than worry about my image right then.
* * *
He looked for the place Myotismon had said would be their meeting place once he arrived with Gatomon. They made their way to a small alley, where another Digimon was already waiting for them at the entrance.
Dice and most of the others didn't recognize him, but Gatomon was another story.
"Demidevimon!" she growled.
Demidevimon, who had seemed to be asleep opened one eye to look at us. "About time you got here. Master Myotismon is wating for you two."
Dice and Gatomon shared a look. "Listen guys," Dice said, "I'll be right back, don't worry. Ok?"
Gotsumon and Pumkinmon looked at each other before nodding uncertainly. Wizardmon shared a look with Gatomon and Dice, before he too, nodded.
* * *
They followed Demidevimon into the alley, and when they had reached the farthest end they found the alley was empty.
As Dice turned around to demand an explanation to Demidevimon, the ground under him and Gatomon glowed with the sudden appearance of red flames, and before he could shout in surprise he, along with the other two Digimon dissappeared.
* * *
We reappeared in a large room with a throne, where Myotismon waited.
"Ah, Dice," Myotismon smiled. "I see you found my stray Gatomon." He looked for a moment at her.
"Could you excuse us for a moment? I need to talk to her." Myotismon said. I looked at Gatomon, and she nodded slightly. Nodding back, I followed Demidevimon out of the room. The doors behind me closed and I was left with the little Digimon waiting in the hall.
"I don't think Master Myotismon was very happy with Gatomon running out of here without warning." Demidevimon comented. I already didn't like him.
"But I hear she's always been like that, I don't know what Master Myotismon sees in her. There are better and stronger Digimon around here, right?"
I grunted in response. Was that a distant explosion I heard? I ignored Demidevimon's continous whining about serving 'Master Myotismon' and tried to hear anything else.
But I couldn't. It was probably my imagination.
Shortly after, the doors opened and I followed Demidevimon back to Myotismon's throne room.
Gatomon was there. And there was something different about her, but I couldn't put my finger on it, however I tried. I did notice she looked much more serious than before.
They had probably got into a discussion. I looked at her questioningly, but I was only met with a shrug.
"Well then," Myotismon said as he stood up and walked down the stairs. "I think that it's time I repaid you, Dice."
I nodded. I was eager to know what had happened to Leomon! If he was still alive, I'd have to go for him and introduce him to my friends.
"Let's see," Myotismon muttered, as he stopped in front of me. Extending his hands he created a ball of fire. "Look at the fire and concentrate on Leomon. You will see what happened after you got separated."
"I thought you'd look yourself..." I asked, more than stated.
Myotismon shook his head. "No, I didn't know Leomon quite as well as you did."
Well, it did sound logical. I stared at the flame and saw it turn into an image...
* * *
While Dice concentrated on the fire, Myotismon's eyes seemed to glow white and Dice fell to the ground, unconscious.
"What did you do that for?!" Gatomon asked, before she too fell to the same attack. Demidevimon watched transfixed as Myotismon cast a spell over both Gatomon.
When he had finished, a voice said, and Phantomon materialized, floating next to Myotismon.
"We will benefit from these two being in our army." The later explained.
"Are you sure?" Phantomon asked. "Gatomon I know to be powerfull, but this... Dice, as he calls himself..."
Myotismon used his hands to create a sphere of energy, and inside it, Phantmon was able to see Dice striking down Monochromon, and later all the Veggiemon.
"Anyone that can kill their enemies so coldly is worthy of merit." The vampire Digimon said, smiling.
"What will you do to him, then?" Phantomon asked.
"I will place in his memory an image of the Digidestined killing Leomon." He answered. "As for her," he said, pointing towards Gatomon. "She won't remember any of this."
Phantomon nodded, slowly dissapearing. Dice and Gatomon both stood up and blinked, as if waking up from a long dream.
"Damn them!" Dice shouted, hitting the ground. "Damn them all!"
"Dice!" Gatomon shouted kneeling next to him. "What happened?"
"They. they killed him!" Dice answered, sobbing. "They killed Leomon!"
"Who?" She asked.
"The Digidestined."
* * *
I hated them. I replayed the scene again and again in my mind. Leomon lying on the beach, weak from surviving through the storm, until the Digidestined arrived.
"Humans are like that." Myotismon said, and I looked up from the ground to him.
"They only care if you're useful to them."
"They must die!" I shouted and took a step forth, but Gatomon held my arm.
"They will pay." Myotismon answered. "But we must be ready for them."
I nodded. My mission was clear now: Avenge Leomon and stop the Digidestined and other humans from harming my friends.
"You and Gatomon will search for strong, loyal Digimon to come with us. I will investigate the whereabouts of the Digidestined, and prepare for the final battle."
I nodded again. My mind was set. They would pay.
[End Dice's Story]