Chapter 2

(masterofgames) Loop 2.1

Takato sighed as he sorted through his admittedly pathetic collection of cards. "How did I ever believe that I could hold my own with these? On that note, how did I MANAGE to hold my own with these?" he muttered to himself as he placed yet another card on the largest of the piles, Rookie level. "There's something to be said for low cost and easy to use, but in the game, both Tamers start out at the same level. When you're facing Ultimate levels right out the gate like we're going to be, these just won't cut it."

He knew there were only two solutions, but one required more money than his allowance would cover, and the other was a hard one to accept. Still, he ultimately had no choice, and a good half hour later, he had worked up the nerve to pick up the phone.

...

Perhaps posing as a fan from her tournaments hadn't been the brightest idea when asking for training.

"DRAW!"

"Y-yes ma'am!" Takato stammered as he filled his hand.

Rika glared down at him. "Your opponent is a champion Vaccine type. Fire element. Power oriented. Able to attack up close or at range. You have five seconds to put your little Virus Rookie in a position of strength. GO!"

Takato glanced over his hand. "Um... I use Digmon's Drill and... play defense until he's tired out?"

"Tunnel's flooded with fire. Your Rookie is toast. Game over. Are you TRYING to waste my time here!? Idiot!"

"Wait, wait! I'm- Oh god not again! Not the ear! NOT THE EAR!"

(AbZHz101) Loop 2.2

The Desert Layer of the Digital World was never known for its large groups. There was only one village on the entire level, made of Digimon created from data that quite simply no one wanted. However, the world became even more desolate when a new Digimon would stake out it's turf. This was either because the Digimon would kill previous owners in making its claim, die, or some combination of the above. All Digimon had an internal ladder cataloging how powerful they were in regards to the other locals, and even the most data-thirsty had enough sense of preservation to know not to mess with a newcomer that was so far above them that they couldn't compare themselves. Given that those Digimon had likely uploaded mountains of opponents, everymon made themselves scarce only peeking out glimpses to tell where the new Digimon's territory would extend, if only to know how far they had to go before they were safe. Thus when an Exalted Knight Digimon passed through the layers, the locals watched from the shadows, hoping that the Digimon would move on... but regardless, their internal maps of territory would have to be reevaluated.

Though the conquering of territory was the last thing on the Knight's mind at the moment. Takato and Guilmon, as Gallantmon, were searching for something... someone. They didn't know if they would find what they were looking for but they had to try. They were moving in Mega because they had realized that a lone Mega was much less likely to be attacked than a Digimon of any level and a Human Partner. Damn rumors. They had been through quite a few resets by now and Takato was starting to get worried. Not wanting to seem ungrateful, he had figured that who or whatever had caused time to keep resetting had something they wanted him to do. The thing was, Takato had no idea. he had done his best to make everything right and last time they didn't do that badly in his own opinion, but time had still reset. So he would go out to see if he couldn't talk to someone and see what he should actually be doing. He had already asked, Hypnos... after he convinced Yamaki that their current plans were a bad idea, but no one had had any clue as to what was going on with time. It was the same with the Monster Makers. So he had tried for options more digital. Unfortunately even after convincing the Sovereign of his sincerity he had gotten no closer to an actual answer.

Now here he was in his ninth "night" in the digital world after his audience with the Sovereign somewhere between frustrated and concerned. He had logically known that this could very well happen, but he had been so sure that he'd be able to get something. Then he saw something that definitely drew his attention. On the top of a nearby plateau was an ash tree, in it's branches were two sleeping Yatagaramon and below them two Garurumon, and while ash trees were not exactly desert species the Digital World had done far stranger. However, that wasn't his main concern, that was reserved for the fact that there was a Jijimon hanging from one of the branches, his staff impaling his side. He stopped for a moment, he knew from experience that in the Digital World things like gravity and breathing were technically "optional" but the sight was still somewhat terrifying and disturbing. Not sure what to do, Gallantmon leapt toward the strange sight. As his feet touched the ground, the two Perfects and Champions stirred. As the Garurumon's eye opened, something flashed in the darkness that put Takato on edge. Somehow he knew that if he had to fight even one of these Digimon he wouldn't stand a chance. Drowsily, one of the Perfects asked, "What are you doing here, Siguror? Aren't you supposed to be in the Human's World? You usually don't pass this way until much later."

'Who's Siguror?' Gallantmon mentally wondered. 'Wait, what did he just say?!' "Do you know why time keeps turning back?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course not," the other Yatagaramon replied. "If we knew it would have been fixed before you even noticed the problem."

'Are they alright?' Guilmon mentally asked Takato.

'I really don't know,' Takato replied. 'But it seems like they're our best shot right now.'

Turning away from the two insane Perfects for the moment Gallantmon directed his next question to the two Champions. "Um... what's going on here?"

The Garurumon on the right looked at him dully and replied, "We're waiting, you're confused, and those two are..." the Garurumon shot a dry look at the tree and the Yatagaramon within- "Being themselves. That seems to be a rather accurate summation of the current situation."

'Yeah, and tells me nothing about what's going on here.'

Then the dawn, anticlimactic as always in the Digital World, came, significantly brightening up the area. Once the dawn touched the Jijimon, he began to stir. Gallantmon watched in shock as the Jijimon easily removed his staff without seeming to harm himself, certainly data didn't start to leak out, and cut the rope keeping him off the ground. "Always nice to get a refresher course," the Mega said to himself. Then the Jijimon addressed Gallantmon as if nothing major had just happened, "Alright in there boy? It looks like you're running on an eight-bit processor."

"I think the world has decided to go temporarily insane around you, sir," Gallantmon noted in disbelief.

"Might have," the other Mega agreed. "But in my experience some of the best advice has come out of the mouths of mad men and women. So, what knightly quest brings you here good sir?" he asked jovially.

"Well, I was looking for someone who knew why time keeps turning back, and what I should do. Then I saw you, and I've just been trying to figure out what's been going on since," Gallantmon replied.

"Ah, well why do you think time is resetting?" the Jijimon asked, leaning forward on his staff in interest.

"I... I don't know. I think someone is giving me a second chance at things, since I made mistakes the first time."

"Ah, a chance to get it right, as it were? Like saving your game just before a boss fight, and restarting if you don't do it right or if you don't get the prize you want?"

"Yeah," Takato agreed. "Only, last time I thought I did rather well. If I didn't do well enough or something else didn't happen... I'd just like to know I'm on the right path, you know? I'm trying not to waste this, but how can I know if I'm going about things the right way when every time it ends the same way?"

"Hmm… Yes, that would be a problem," the old man Digimon agreed, pondering. "Though maybe, to take our previous analogy further, the game disk is scratched up and for whatever reason just can't load what happens next. After all, when that kind of glitch would occur, you'd probably just shut off the game, try to fix whatever seems to be wrong and try and get to the next part of the game... but you're not going to make the same mistakes you did before... unless the game railroads you or you for whatever reason want to do things the same way as the first time. But if the scratch or whatever problem the disk has is rather big, you're more likely to figure out the best way to proceed to the next point in the game before you can figure out how to fix the game to advance." He paused. "Well, that or toss the game into the trash, but as the game is your life, you probably don't want that, so that's where our analogy rather falls apart I'm afraid."

"Well if that's true, then what should I do?"

"I'd say," the smaller Mega replied, "try and get as far in "the game" as you can. Though if it were me, if it seems like you can keep your "skills" from the last attempts, I'd try getting as far as you can in multiple ways. Might help with the monotony."

"That idea sounds rather insane," Gallantmon noted.

"Oh does it?" Jijimon asked happily. "Then it must be good!"

Gallantmon noticed that a data stream was starting to erratically move in the manner that told him to get ready to dodge. The data stream launched in his general direction, but it looked like it would pass just in front of him. "Look out!" he called. He knew that being picked up by a data stream was technically harmless, but it was rather annoying trying to get your bearings after they had swept you away.

None of the other Digimon reacted, as if they either didn't hear him or just didn't care. "Oh, and before I forget, Kent asks that you take good care of Grani!" Jijimon told him happily before the data stream swept him, the Yatagaramon, the Garurumon, and the tree away leaving him alone on the plateau.

(masterofgames) Loop 2.3

Takato most certainly did not whimper as he selected his cards from his collection. Boys did not whimper, thus that could not be the sound he was making.

The terror of Rika's training the past few loops just meant he was... humming. Yeah, that had to be it. Humming in one steady note that was filled with the memories of pain and humiliation that he was most certainly not thinking about.

He was still bringing a set of headphones for protection this time.

...

"Data type! Flyer! Electric element! Speed oriented! Champion!"

"GeoGreymon's Mega Flame! Aim at the ground! Kick up dirt and dust! Minerals in the cloud will act as a conductive net dispersing ranged attacks! Force them to get in close!"

"Vaccine type! Landbound! Earth element! Ambush oriented! Rookie!"

"Data Training Manual! Change partner to Data type! Odds of side effects from attack minimal! Let them strike first, then counterattack! Once in sight, do not let them out of it!"

"Virus type! Floater! Dark element! Power oriented! Rookie! Evolution likely! Can power up from consuming data!"

"Only digimon that fits that description is Keramon! Play Alias card! Run like hell! If anyone asks, I totally had it under control!"

"Data Type! Landbound! Beast type! Light element! Speed oriented! Rookie!"

"Recognize when I'm outclassed! Offer comment to tamer that could be misinterpreted as flirting! Also run like hell! Save cards for when she shakes off the shock and- ACK! No! Let me gAH! My arm does not bend that way oh god why!?"

"How the HELL do you know about me and Renamon!?"

(Masterofgames) Loop 2.4

Takato's To-Do List

Do not read if not Takato, okay? Thanks.

There. That should keep this private.

Terriermon going nuts. Should probably try and keep him from getting between Renamon and Guilmon. If unable, get all tamers to safety. Things only really got bad when Renamon flipped out over Gargomon's gun being aimed at Rika. Might be able to keep everyone from starting off on the wrong foot.

Gorillamon. Terriermon didn't upload him. Came all the way to the real world for revenge, so can't be called a good digimon. Maybe let Impmon upload him, as sign of good faith? May need to trick him though, probably too proud for charity. Probably ask he only take half while I get Guilmon for the rest. That should ensure he takes it all.

Vilemon. Keep school shed unlocked to minimize damage. Maybe let Impmon test his new strength before getting involved. Appeal to ego and/or urge to prove self.

Dokugumon. Renamon didn't upload. Tried to eat Rika, so not a good digimon. No reason to let go to waste. Have Guilmon upload instead after they leave.

Devidramon. Could be a good teamwork introduction for Impmon. Try and stay in rookie form, not going through the park/paint problem again if I can help it. Give half of data to Impmon, for a reward if a win, for healing if a loss.

IceDevimon. Get Impmon to take him before he takes Rika. Good test to see if he's changing his mind about us. Come to think of it, how would Rika react to Impmon? Digimon only care about strength, vs Freedom preference outlooks?

DarkLizardmon. Beat fast, before HYPNOS can capture. No capture, no Juggernaut, no damaging the hole between worlds. No Deva?

Vajramon, (If it still happens). Hear him out? Was willing to be civil. Debate our point of view? Talk him down? Also, ask how he came back to life. May be useful for Leomon if unable to fix.

Indramon, (If it still happens). Last chance to check Impmon's attitude progress. Will he let us help, or solo again?

Leomon. Get Rika to teach Jeri sooner, have her help build a deck. Make sure deck includes Alias card, just in case.

Beelzemon. Impmon really didn't have a choice here, even if it may have looked otherwise. Hopefully he'll like us enough by then that we can talk him down, or even get him to team up with us. Why should he, a mega, obey the orders of an ultimate level?

Behemoth. ... WTF? I don't even.

(masterofgames) Loop 2.5

'It really is a pain,' Takato reflected as he tore through his collection in a frenzy. 'That I need to rebuild my deck from scratch every time I start over. It's an even bigger pain that I was so messy before this all started. Now where was the High Speed Plug In card again? Ah, right, sock drawer.' Grabbing it and placing it in his deck, he quickly flipped through them to see if it stood a better chance than last time of getting him through Rika's boot camp. "I should probably come up with a name for the whole resetting time thing." he muttered softly as he shuffled. "Maybe... Loading? Yeah, like loading video game data from an earlier save. 'Time Loading'. I like that." he grinned. "Now if I could just find a way to keep my deck the way I left it..."

...

Takato was being more cautious this time. Answering on autopilot had done wonders for his tactical thinking speed, but letting slip anything he wasn't supposed to know wound up with him in a headlock more often than not.

"Vaccine! Beast type! Fire and steel element! Power oriented! Champion! Armed!"

"Uh... Training Grips and Ogremon's Club if up close! Deputymon's Revolver if ranged! Toughness Plug In either way!"

"Data! Fire type and element! Range oriented! Ultimate! Armored!"

"Frigimon's Sub-Zero Ice Punch! Use fire's strength over ice to get him cocky! Keep dodging until he melts the ice! Flooded area will weaken him to upper champion levels! Dolphmon's Sonar Pulse ignores physical armor! Use it to finish him off!"

"Vaccine! Rock type! Earth element! Defense oriented! Champion!"

"Hand to hand until a punch connects to a vital area! Digmon's Drill at exact moment of impact!"

"Vaccine! Beast type! Light element! Speed oriented! Rookie! Landbound!"

"U-um..."

"I'm waiting!"

"C-Cerberumon's Emerald Blaze! Pin them in to restrict mobility and intimidate! Before engaging at all, make sure I am not about to attack an actual cat!"

"Gatomon's a CHAMPION you scrub! Going off looks will get you killed!"

"Oh god! No! Plea- Not the KIDNEY!"

...

(masterofgames) Loop 2.5b

"Virus! Bird type! Holy element! Power oriented! Mega!"

"Digivolve to mega myself and stab the four eyed, feathered, stuck up jerk in the face!"

"... Wait what?"

"Huh? Oh! Uh... calmly! No need risking dark digivolution!"

"Kid... you have issues."

2.1
...Masochist.

2.2
Did you count the (Norse) Mythology Gags?

2.3...No, seriously, he is

2.4
Leonite: Is it bad that I misread that at first as being Terriermon's list? Written in the style of Mordin Solus?

Explaination: When it was first written the title was missing "Takato's." He also didn't bother asking other people not to read.

2.5
...Exhibit 3

2.5b
...And 4