GREETINGS DIGI FANS! Chapter three. The concert drawing closer and closer. I believe I made my decision I will have my cake and eat it too. You will all know what that means later. Anyway On to the Story! The chapter after this one is going to be about the whole group. So no more POV of Jason unless you the readers want it to be I have prepare to ways to write it so let me know which yall prefer.
Shadows of the Past
Chapter three
Calm before the storm.
Tomorrow was our big day, and we were ready for it. After all the hard work we put into this we was decided by all of us to have the day off to relax. Davis had the idea to have a cook out by the stage. It was a pretty good idea.
He insisted on cooking. I hated the idea that he was cooking, but the others insisted he was a good cook. After trying the food he cooked I don't think I have ever been more shocked in my entire life. Out of all the people in this world Davis was the last person I would have expected to know how to cook well. We were all gathered around the grill making small talk and eating Davis's delicious food when I finally had to give him credit.
"I have to admit Davis. Your cooking isn't half bad."
He laughed.
"Thanks, the secret to good burgers and steaks is time, heat, and Davis's super-secret sauce." He bragged.
I don't think I want to know what was in the sauce. I want to stay in blissful ignorance for a little while longer.
I stared off into the plains quietly pondering to myself. I couldn't shake the bad feeling I had for the last week. Normally bad guy wouldn't play fair. They would try to sabotage the good guys every chance they get, and yet for some reason the only time we ever saw Metal Etamon or the Gazimon was when they were working on their stage. I had Yolei and Cody check everything every day to make sure nothing was missing or damage and every time they would turn up with nothing. I felt myself becoming more and more paranoid with each day they did nothing but work on their own performance.
I must have been drifting off for a while because I didn't notice Ken when he came over and patted me on the back. As soon as his hand hit my back I jumped. It startled me a little. He laughed at me and said.
"Little jumpy are we?"
I couldn't help but laugh too.
"Yea a little bit. I just have a bad feeling that's all." I replied.
"Why? Nervous about the concert?" He asked.
"No," I sighed and continued "It's not that. I'm just surprised Metal Etamon hasn't tried to sabotage us at all."
He took a sip of his soda before continuing.
"That is a good point. In my experience bad guys don't play fair."
"I'm going to stay here over night and guard the stage." I declared.
He shifted and cracked his neck.
"Well I would join you, but Yolei and I are going on a date tonight."
My eyebrows shot up and I peered at him.
"You and Yolei?" I inquired.
He peered at me and asked.
"Yeah... why?"
I quickly rearranged my face and smiled.
"Nothing… good on you."
I did not know that they were dating… come to think of it I never really got to know anyone in the group these passed two weeks except for T.K. and Kari. We have always been working on the stage and getting ready for the concert. It made me feel a little bit like an outcast.
"Well I don't know anyone who would want to be on guard duty. Looks like I'll be on my own tonight."
Ken sighed. I'm pretty sure I was about to get lectured.
"Ask around. I'm sure if you ask, someone will be able to stay with you tonight."
I couldn't help, but laugh.
"Guess I'm still getting used to the idea of being in a group. For the longest time it's just been me and Leomon adventuring in the digital world." I explained.
"Hey no worries. Just ask if you need help."
"Thanks Ken."
Our conversation was interrupted by Yolei's banshee screams. It looks like Davis said something to really piss her off… again.
"Anytime. Now if you'll excuse me I need to stop Yolei before she kills someone."
I laughed and nodded. If it weren't for Ken I'm pretty sure Davis would be dead right now. Those two always lock horns over the dumbest things. At least that's what I have observed sense I have met them.
I decided to take a stroll away from the group over to the stage. The giant lions head. It looked wicked. Suddenly butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I could not wait for tomorrow. I was so excited. Tomorrow could not come fast enough.
"What are you doing over here all by your lonesome?"
I turned around and saw Kari walking towards me.
I smiled and replied
"I'm just excited. I can't wait for tomorrow."
She giggled and stood next to me looking up at the stage.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous." She admitted.
I turned back to the stage and looked up at the massive stone stage. I knew how she felt. Before I went on stage the first time I puked in a trash can.
"Yeah… I am a little nervous too."
"Ken said you were going to stay overnight to protect the stage incase Metal Etamon tried to sabotage it."
"Yeah… Don't suppose you want to keep me company?" I asked.
"I might. "She wittedly replied.
She enjoyed toying with me. She's like a cat with a new toy. I started wondering if there was more to this girl then her innocent demeanor.
"Well while you decided, I'm going to go home to pack for the night." I stated
"You're not going to ask the other?" She inquired.
"I'm sure you and I can handle it." I said.
"Right... You just want me all to yourself." She teased.
I felt a rush of heat fill my checks. I couldn't think of a response to that. I ungracefully walked off towards the computer trying to get away before anyone could see me. When I was walking away I could hear her giggling at my expense. I was starting to get the impression that she liked teasing me.
TTT
Nights in the Digital world always gave me an uneasy feeling. It's similar to that fear of the monster under your bed you had when you were a kid. Here monsters exist and you never know what was going to come and get you. Leomon and I set up our camp next to the stage. I brought everything two lawn chairs, a flash light, snacks, my sleeping bad, a few flash grenades, and most importantly my dad's super juice. I managed to set up, get a fire going, and get comfortable while Leomon did a quick patrol around the area. I shouldn't be getting too cozy. I mean we are supposed to be on guard duty after all. It wasn't long before Leomon came back from the patrol. He sat down next to the fire after going through my pack and grabbing a bag of gummy worms.
"You know too much sweets is bad for you Leomon." I stated
"You're starting to sound like your mother Jason." He retorted
I grabbed a thermos full of the super juice out of my bad and began to sip on its contents.
"How do you think Metal Etamon is going to preform tomorrow?" Leomon inquired.
"Well judging by the way he talks and acts. He is probably going to do a horrible bastardized version of Elvis Presley." I replied.
We laughed hysterically. That monkey really had a strange demeanor.
"Hey wasn't Kari going to join us?" Leomon asked.
I shrugged and said.
"She must have had other plans."
"Who had other plans?"
I leaped out of my chair and saw Kari and Gatomon standing behind me.
"So you decided to come?" I asked.
Kari stood there smiling and said.
"Yeah… we thought you could use the company."
I sat back down in my lawn chair and drank some more of the juice.
"Have a seat." I said.
Kari dropped her pack next to the spare lawn chair. Gatomon leaped up and sat in her lap.
"What are you drinking?" Gatomon inquired.
"It's Super juice." I replied.
Gatomon and Kari looked at me funny for a moment until Kari said.
"May I try some?"
I saw Leomon chucking as he was eating his gummy worms. Poor Kari didn't know what she was about to do.
"Sure." I said.
I handed her the thermos. She smelled it before taking a drink. It took a second for her brain to process just how horribly spicy the drink was. Her face turned bright red and then she began to cough violently.
I patted her on the back and said.
"Good shit huh? My father makes it."
She began to hyperventilate I quickly grabbed a bottle of water from my pack and handed it to her. In seconds she took the cap off and chugged the entire bottle.
"What is in that stuff?" She asked still breathing heavily.
"Its ghost peppers, peppered beef jerky and rum all blended together." I chuckled.
"It tastes awful and it's unbelievably spicy." She complained.
I saw Leomon rolling on the ground laughing and I couldn't help but laugh. Gatomon on the other hand was giving me the death glare.
"My father raised me on this stuff… It's good for you," I insisted. I took the thermos back took a drink before continuing "It puts hair on your chest."
"I'm a girl the last thing I want is a hairy chest. How could you drink something like that?" She retorted.
I chuckled and smiled.
"It's an acquired taste. My father and I would drink this stuff every time we went camping. He was a bit of an outdoorsmen so it was quite often. When I learned the recipe I started making it for myself. One day, I brought it with me to the digital world and me and Leomon would drink this stuff whenever we stayed overnight or if we got bored. Eventually I built up a resistance to it. Good times right Leomon?"
"Right." He said with a mouthful of gummies. Kari giggled happily she turned to me and asked.
"Hey Jason. You know that warm up you play before we actually play the songs?"
What is she up to I wondered.
"Yeah? What of it?" I inquired.
She shrugged her shoulders and looked down at her feet. It was too dark to see, but I was almost certain she was blushing.
"I may have wrote a song for it. If it was ok I was wondering if we could play it as an encore"
My eyebrows shot up to my hairline. She wrote a song? I asked myself. This could be interesting.
"I don't see why not. What was your inspiration?" I inquired.
I was pretty sure she was blushing before she answered. Why was she blushing I wondered.
"Someone inspired me to write it. I wanted to show them another side of me something I really don't show often." She replied.
I smirked and leaned over to her.
"So who is this someone?" I inquired.
She looked up and smiled at me.
"The person will know when I sing it." She answered
"Aww… come on Kari your secret is safe with me." I pleaded.
She shook her head and said
"Nope everyone will hear it tomorrow."
Great one more thing to look forward to tomorrow. Damn time doesn't move fast enough.
"Do I get a hint at least?" I inquired.
"Nope."
"No fair." I said.
I hung my head in defeat. I'm pretty sure she was just messing with me now.
We continued talking throughout the night. Kari and I had more in common then I thought we would. Still I won't let her succubus powers seduce me… Ok so maybe I will submit a little bit. She honestly was fun to be around.
Eventually Kari fell asleep next to the fire. I let her sleep inside of my sleeping bag for the night. She didn't come prepared and being the gentleman I sacrificed my own comfort for hers.
"She's cute yeah?" Leomon hinted.
I softly chuckled.
"What are you getting at Leomon?" I inquired.
"Nothing just making an observation." He replied.
"You have any other observations?" I asked.
"You should ask her out Jason." He stated.
"I already have kind of… I think."
Leomon chuckled.
"You think?" He asked.
"Well I made a deal with her. If she was able to get the crowd pumped up before I got on stage I would take her the OZ fest." I replied.
"Making yourself look like the prize. Subtle… and clever." Leomon chuckled.
I stood up to stretch my legs when Leomon asked.
"You really think Metal Etamon is going to play dirty." He inquired.
"Of course I do. He is a bad guy. Sense when do bad guys play fair?" I pointed out.
"He could always try to sabotage the stage during the concert." Leomon said.
"That doesn't make as much sense as sabotaging the stage the day before the concert. Everyone who is not going to be preforming is going to be on bouncer duty. We will have more than enough protection during the concert. The only time he would have an opportunity to sabotage us is when the stage is unguarded, AND if he breaks everything before the concert he knows we wouldn't have enough time to fix everything." I explained.
"You really have given this a lot of thought haven't you?" Leomon inquired.
I chuckled and finished the last of my super juice and said.
"Well when it was just me and you adventuring; strategy has often been the difference between success and failure."
"It was usually Winry coming up with the plans when she was around." Leomon said.
I winced and clenched my fist. I felt anguish take over me.
"Yeah… she was always the smart one…" I sighed.
"Jason… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to." Leomon pleaded
"I know," I paused then continued. "I know."
I started to think back about that day. She was so selfless… I promised that we would get out alive, but I couldn't save her. It was because of her sacrifice our enemy was engulfed in flame, but I didn't see her die. I was forced to retreat or be burned alive with that evil digimon. If she was human I would have rested easier, but digimon don't die… and I didn't know if she was gone for good. It kept me up at night, not knowing if she was still out there or not.
I looked over at Kari and Gatomon. They looked so peaceful when they are asleep.
"Leomon… Do you think she is still out there? Do you think she managed to survive?" I asked.
Leomon looked down at the fire and he said.
"Nothing could have survived that."
"The funny thing is Leomon, Evil always finds a way."
Leomon's ears shifted towards the stage. He stood up quickly and drew his sword.
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear." I said.
I loud screech ripped through the night. Kari and Gatomon leaped to their feet.
"What was that?" Gatomon asked.
"Parrotmon…" Leomon replied.
We ran towards the stage and giant green parrot was approaching the stage. Parrotmon was about to use his sonic destroyer to blast our stage.
Leomon leaped up and drove his sword into Parrotmon's back and twist it causing Parrotmon to turn.
His attacked barley missed the stage.
"Sonic destroyer!" Parrotmon launched lightning bolts at Kari and me. I tackled her to the ground allowing the attack to pass over our heads.
"Fist of the beast king." A lions head shot from Leomons fist and struck Parrotmon in the face.
I helped Kari to her feet and rushed her over to some cover. I forced her to her to take cover behind a rock hoping it would keep us safe,
"You ok?" I asked.
Kari nodded "Yes I'm ok."
I peered over the rock and saw Leomon and Gatomon fighting Parrotmon. Parrotmon was an ultimate digimon. This could turn badly if we don't come up with a plan and quick.
Parrotmon landed a direct hit on Leomon sending him crashing into the dirt.
"Lightning claw." Gatomon stuck Parrotmon across his eyes blinding him momentarily.
Leomon struggled to get to his feet. He finally stood in his own fighting position before running towards Parrotmon.
Parrotmon finally shook off Gatomon's attack and turned to Leomon.
"Sonic destroyer." He shouted. He fired his attack and hit Leomon in the chest launching him backwards.
Parrotmon launched another attack and struck Gatomon causing her collapse on the ground.
"Gatomon!" Kari shouted.
Kari tried to rush out to help her partner, but I held her down keeping her behind the rock with me.
This was bad. Leomon and Gatomon were already out of commission and there was no one left to stop Parrotmon except for me. I can be a real idiot sometimes, but I wasn't about to let Metal Etamon win.
I rushed to the stage right behind Parrotmon. I pulled out one of my father's flash grenades and pulled the pin out.
"Parrotmon!" I shouted.
He turned to face me as I threw the grenade at Parrotmon's eyes. When it detonated Parrotmon shut his eyes and began howling in agony.
I was too close. The flash grenade completely blinded me, and I could not hear anything except for a loud ringing noise. I didn't know what happened next. I was completely oblivious to what was going on around me. My senses slowly started to come back. I started hearing my name. I couldn't understand it at first. I saw Kari looking down at me saying my name. She smacked me a crossed the face to get me to come around.
"Jason wake up." She screamed.
I sat up and saw Leomon in front of us. He looked badly damage. His body was covered in burns. Most likely from Parrotmons attacks.
Leomon collapsed to the floor and Parrotmon was looking at us with malicious intent.
"Sonic destroyer." It shouted.
Without thinking I threw myself onto Kari in an attempt to protect her. She buried her face into my chest holding on to me for dear life. Not that it would have made a difference Parrotmon's sonic destroyer attack had enough AMPS to fry us both.
Everything seemed to slow down as the adrenaline burst through my system. There was nothing I could do at that point. Except hold Kari and wait for the end. At that point something came over me. It felt like a surge of power jolting through my veins. I thought it was the adrenaline until I noticed my chest was glowing. No it wasn't my chest; it was my crest. The crest I wore almost every day for ten years now. Kari opened her eyes and stared at the silver glow my crest was emitting.
Its silver glow engulfed me and Kari when suddenly I heard Leomon's beastly roar.
"Leomon digivolve to…. GrapLeomon."
This new digimon didn't look that much different from Leomon. He was much taller and his k-nine teeth extended down past his chin. His entire body was covered in black and white armor. His thick mane was an inch or so longer than it used to be, and there were Turbine looking devices around his wrists and ankles.
GrapLeomon raised his turbine bracers and deflected the attack.
GrapLeomon charged at Parrotmon.
"Polly was a fist?" GrapLeomon growled.
Really? Polly want a fist? He digivolved into a new badass ultimate level and he had to ruin it with a stupid line like that?
"Sonic-"
Before Parrotmon could finish GrapLeomon grabbed him by the throat and choked slammed him into the ground. While standing over him the turbine in his right arm began to spin and glow blue.
"It's over. The King of FIST!" He roar.
GrapLeomons fist glowed brightly after the energy was charged he unleashed his attack directly into Parrotmon's face. The space around the impact was distorted as the blow landed. The attack completely tore Parrotmon's head clean off his shoulders.
Parrotmon's body began to defragment and disappear. I was still clenching to Kari. Gatomon limped over to Kari.
"You ok Kari?" Gatomon asked.
Kari nodded her head. I let her go and rushed over to Gatomon and picked her up and cradled her in her arms.
"Gatomon are you ok?" Kari asked.
Gatomon nodded.
"Yeah… I'm ok. I could use a cat nap now though."
GrapLeomon walked over to us and said.
"Is everyone ok?"
I nodded and smiled at the giant metal man Lion.
"How did you manage to pull that off?" I inquired.
He shrugged and knelt down next to us.
Kari looked back up at me and smiled. What was she smiling about I wondered.
"Thank you for saving me Jason." She said.
I could feel myself blushing again.
"Um… It was mostly GrapLeomon." I shuddered.
"But you helped him with your crest." She said.
"My crest? You mean this thing." I asked as I held up my silver lucky charm.
"Yeah… All of the original digidestines have one. It helps us unlock the potential power in us and our digimon." She continued.
Wow… she just answered a ten year old question. Turns out there was more to being digidestine then I thought.
I just smiled at her and said.
"Want some Super juice to celebrate?" I inquired.
I saw her face turn green. She quickly pleaded.
"No please anything but that."
I laughed at her, but I could feel her scowling at me. She gave me a swift whack on the back of the head.
"Not funny Jason." She growled.
GrapLeomon reverted back to Zurumon and bounced into my hands.
"We did it." I said.
"What shall we do now?" Kari inquired.
I looked up at the horizon and saw the sun was coming up.
"Shall we watch the sunrise?" I inquired.
Kari gently smiled and said.
"Sounds romantic."
Again she made me blush. Evil succubus powers.
We climbed to the top of the lion's head while carrying our digimon partners. I rested my back against the stone ear. Kari sat next right next to me. The gentle morning breeze rushed over us as we watched the sunrise.
"Hell of a night huh?" I asked.
"It was nice. Except for the part when we were attacked." She replied.
I looked down at Zurumon, Poor little guy passed out. Gatomon was the same she was curled up in Kari's lap in snoring softly.
"How are you holding up?" I asked.
"I'm a little tired." She said.
"You want to crash? I'll stay awake incase Metal monkey decides to attack again." I said.
She smiled and leaned up against me and rested her head against me shoulder I lifted my arm and put it around her so her head was rested against my chest, and I placed my hand on her upper arm. She sighed and got comfortable.
"Wake me when the others get here." She said.
At that point I was pretty sure who she wrote that song for. Will see today at the concert.
Alright Digi readers another chapter down. Next time on Shadows of the past: Clash of metal. REVIEW
FYI I am eating yogurt right now strawberry...
