CHAPTER 3:
An Upgraded Mall
Digimon © Toei Animation
Megaman Series © Capcom
Someone was watching a news report about the latest Mega Girl activities.
[It seemed that a young man went berserk, and attempted to attack 5 young kids last night. He was wielding dual swords, and was aiming to hurt. However, the young girl in pink from the museum incident jumped into action, and saved the kids, and the young man. Apparently, the young man doesn't recall what had happened. He is now resting in the local hospital, where police await recovery so they will interrogate.]
"Hmm…This girl is turning out to be a more formidable foe than I had thought." They said. "She may even have connections to the Digidestined. That young blonde kid with the green hat, and his older brother. As well as that girl…Hmm…no matter. I will need to watch those two young kids very closely for now. In the meantime, I think I'll aim for one of the most vulnerable Digidestined. Now, which one will it be…Ah, this one…"
A girl in a blue beanie was walking home from school. She was fiddling around with the red D-Trans on her left arm. As she was walking, she kept kicking a soccer ball on the ground, keeping it near her. As she was doing that, when she kicked it again, somebody puts his foot on the ball, stopping it.
"Hey, Sora." He said. He got the attention of the girl, who seems happy to see the two.
"Oh, Tai. Kari." Sora said.
"How's it going?" Kari said.
"Good. Just walking back home."
"Hm? Hey, what's up with your D-Trans?" Tai said.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing."
"Is something wrong with it?" Kari said. "Izzy could fix it."
"No, no, it's not that. Forget it." She looked like she closed something on the screen.
"Really?" Tai said.
"Yeah, it's nothing to worry about. Anyway, have you guys done Brotherbands yet?"
"Yep. T.K. was my first brother." Kari said.
"T.K.? He lives all the way in the Setagawa ward. You traveled all that way just to see him?"
"Uhh…"
"No, that's very sweet of you. That's why we all like you Kari. You sure brighten up the team."
"Ha ha, thanks."
"Setagawa Ward?" Tai said. "Wait, but that's where that crazy guy started attacking people over there."
"Well…I guess, we did see him."
"What!? He was attacking you and T.K.!? Why didn't you tell me!?"
"Huh!? B-But Tai, I'm fine. Really. Mega Girl swooped in, and saved us."
"Mega Girl?" Sora said. "Are you talking about that super girl? I've heard of her. She seems so young, yet she's pretty strong."
"Well, yeah, but what if there wasn't anyone there to protect you?" Tai said. "You could've gotten yourself hurt!"
"But, I'm alright Tai." Kari said.
"*Sigh* I really wish you wouldn't get yourself into these crazy situations…"
"Sorry…"
"No, it's okay. Just, be more careful next time, okay?"
"Okay…"
"Sorry for that, Sora." Tai said, turning towards Sora.
"No, it's okay." Sora said. "I do agree that you shouldn't get involved in things out of your power." She of course was talking about back in the Digital World. They were in the sewers, where Numemon were being held captive, and when they were confronting the giant Digimon in charge, Kari was the one who freed the Numemon, and even outright stood her ground, not afraid of the giant Digimon. She even stood her ground against one of the Dark Masters. She was brave even before getting her Wave Change powers. Though being reminded of all this made Kari go space out, while Sora and Tai was talking. Something has been on her mind lately, and it looks like she's a little bit stressed, though Tai and Sora snapped her out of it.
"Hey, Kari?" Sora said, snapping Kari out of her train of thought. "You okay? You seem sad about something."
"Huh? O-Oh, it's nothing."
"Are you thinking about the Numemon again?" Tai said.
"N-No, I'm over that. Really, I'm fine."
"Okay."
"So, should we form BrotherBands?" Sora spoke up.
"Oh, right." Tai said. "We should."
After fiddling around with their D-Trans, they formed BrotherBands with each other.
"You two are my first brothers." Sora said.
"Well, T.K. was my first." Kari said.
"Yeah, and I just formed a BrotherBand with Matt yesterday." Tai said. "Anyways, it was nice talking to you, Sora."
"See you guys later." Sora said, as she walked out of there, holding her soccer ball.
(Hey, Kari.) Gatomon whispered from the D-Trans. (Seems that Tai is still over protective of you.)
(Yeah.) Kari whispered. (No way I should tell him that I'm Mega Girl. He'll freak out, and he'll probably tell mom and dad, and I'll be in big trouble. I have to keep my identity an absolute secret from him.)
"Hmm? Who are you talking to Kari?" Tai said, noticing Kari talking to her D-Trans.
"U-Uh, nothing!" Kari said. "I was talking to myself."
"Really? You don't usually do that."
"S-Shouldn't we be getting back home?"
"No. We're going to the store. I want to get some cool battle cards. The starter set isn't doing much for me."
(We've been getting some.) Gatomon whispered. (Those Viruses drop them most of the time.)
"Oh, right!" Kari said. "I forgot. Sorry. Let's get going."
(And who knows? Maybe we'll find some powerful weapons over there for your Mega Arm.)
Kari nods, and they both walks on over to the mall in Tokyo.
"So, her…" A mysterious figure said. "Her Digimon is powerful…enough to cause destruction…Heh, heh, that pink super girl won't even stand a chance against this Digimon under our control…"
Tai and Kari walked into a pretty big mall, placed in Tokyo. It was pretty easy to get lost in here, however thanks to the Shiguma corporation, they put in their new EM Wave technology around the mall, and even opening up a store where it's all about D-Trans, and all the stuff associating to the device, including battle cards. They also opened up a "Plaza Capcom" video arcade in the mall.
Tai and Kari walked into the D-Trans store, and were amazed by how big it was. It was taking up 8 store spaces, making it the biggest store in the mall, aside from the home furniture store in the place. In the D-Trans store, like the museum, it was showcasing more EM Wave technology, though it was the same old same old tech they saw back at the National Museum.
Tai and Kari walked on over to the Battle Card area of the store, and there were packs, everywhere. There were special packs for fire type cards, aqua type cards, wood type cards, electric type cards, and neutral cards. There was even the new white cards, where it can enhance the power of a normal battle card. Tai and Kari got a couple of packs from the shelf, and bought them. Tai got fire packs, and Kari got electric packs.
"Got anything good?" Kari said.
"Hmm…Ooh, this looks good." Tai said. He pulled out a card with a picture of an axe covered with flames on it.
"Wow, that looks powerful."
"Yeah, and I got some of these cards." Tai showed cards with a picture of a salamander like creature, with a tail in flames. It was named Tail Burner. And from the looks of it, it seems he's got a set of three. Pretty lucky, considering it's not often to get three of the same cards in a pack. Though that can also be unlucky, if you think about it, but Tai's not complaining.
"Nice. I got these cards." Kari then showed off what cards she got. She has a picture of one of the Mettennas she has fought off before, known as Ground Wave, a picture of what looks like to be a creature on a yellow cloud, with lightning coming off of it, known as Cloud Shot, a white card, with someone getting shocked on it, known as ParalyzePlus, and the rest are cards she already has; Plasma Gun and Stun Knuckle. It's more ammo for her, so it'll really come in handy. Though while in Wave form she still has to abide to the rules, and have a 30-card deck.
"Pretty nice. You know, a lot has changed in this mall."
"Yeah. Aren't they doing that EM Wave make over?"
"Pretty much. Geez, I didn't even know about the Shiguma Corporation until they came out with these cool D-Trans. Now they're becoming popular all around here."
"Yeah."
"Anyways, let's get going. I want to go see the rest of the mall."
"Okay."
While they were leaving, someone was watching them from the Wave Road.
"Those are the kids who were with that girl earlier today…" They said. "Now's the time to do some damage…" They left, going out of the mall.
Meanwhile, Sora was doing some of her homework when her mother walked into the room.
"Sora?" She said, bringing a plate of cookies. "Here you go." She puts them next to the desk.
"Huh? Oh, thanks mom." Sora said, a little confused. "But, what's the occasion?"
"I just thought you were hungry, and wanted to give you something to eat."
"Huh? Oh, uh, thanks mom. I really appreciate it." Her mother smiled, and left the room. "Er, love you." Sora said, as her mom closed the door. "*Sigh* I'm still trying to show her I love her. I know she does, but I think this is a little bit much."
Suddenly, her D-Trans started beeping.
"Huh? What's this?" It was saying help on the screen. "'Help?' Oh, I remember. They put this help alarm for people in need of help. I'm finishing up these questions. I can't exactly go out and help right now." Her stomach starts growling. "Ugh, and I think I am pretty hungry." She then starts snacking on the plate of cookies she got. "Mmm. Mom's cooking is always the best. I mean, Tai's and Matt's is kinda good too, but nothing can beat home cooking."
Tai and Kari were walking around the mall, still. There were still the same old usual shops, only they got an EM Wave upgrade. Tai then notices the Visualizers on Kari's head.
"Hey, I just noticed. Where did you get those glasses?" Tai said.
"Huh?" Kari then just noticed he was talking about the Visualizers on her head. "O-Oh! I bought them at the Museum. I really wanted to have something like your goggles, so I bought these things to wear all the time."
"Heh. If you wanted goggles like mine, you could have asked me. I would have bought you some."
"Nah, I kinda like these things. I think they suit me."
"No argument there." Tai then notices something else. "Hmm, hey, is it me, or is your hair getting long?"
"Huh?" Kari hasn't noticed, but when she looked in a reflection of herself, she saw that the hair on the back of her head has flowed down to above her waist, just like when she is when she wave changes. "Gyaaah!"
"Geez, your hair grew like a weed right there."
"How did that happen?"
(Psst. Kari.) Gatomon whispered to her. (I think it's because we've been Wave Changing too much. It must have sped up your hair growth. Remember how your hair is when you Wave Change?)
"Really?"
"Huh?" Tai said.
"Oh, nothing. I-I need to tie this back. Do you have a ribbon, or something?"
"No, not really."
The two then went all over the mall to find a store that sells hair accessories. Eventually, they did find one, and Kari was having a tough time tying her hair back, considering she never really considers having her hair as long as this.
"Um…How do I look?" Kari said, showing Tai how she tied it. It was nowhere like her mother's, with it being tied higher up her head and the tied ponytail was a lot bushier than her EM Wave form, and the pink ribbon was tied into a bow (A/N: Her hair is now based on Classic Roll's hair. More so towards MM11). Though Tai didn't seem to mind.
"Wow. That actually looks good on you."
"Really? You think so?"
"Yeah. It looks good on you. A hairstyle like this really looks good on little sisters in my opinion."
"It is?" Kari then smiles. "Thanks Tai."
"Anyway, I heard of a big indoor park they just opened up here with the help of EM Waves. Wanna go take a look?"
"Sure."
They then walked out of the store they were in, and headed for the indoor jungle gym. They saw how big it was, and how it was utilizing the EM Wave technology. There were machine parts on the monkey bars that can slowly move back and forward, providing a bit of challenge to climbing across the bars. Of course, there was safety pillows under the monkey bars to safely catch anyone who falls off. The slides also have a long end to it, similar to the large slides you would see at waterparks. The cushioned wall at the end safely stops anyone sliding fast. These were a few of the many things to this jungle gym. It even has a climbing wall, with a harness of course, on the highest level of the jungle gym.
"Wow, this looks so cool." Kari said.
"Yeah." Tai said. He then looked towards the bottom part of the park, and sees kids using battle cards. It looks like they were playing against each other in the Card Trans game. "Wow, there's even spots for kids to go against each other in the Card Trans game."
"This place feels like an amusement park, really." Kari said, ignoring him. Though, Kari was fanning herself. "Whew…It's also kinda hot in here."
"Yeah. Wonder why. I don't think the temperature's supposed to be high today. Especially when it's spring."
"Hey wait, look at that." Kari said, pointing upwards towards the high ceiling. She sees a big bright light on the ceiling that's shining down. It wasn't a skylight, but it sure looks like a sun.
"Is that where the heat's coming from?" Tai said. "Man, they're trying to keep it more realistic to being outside."
"Oh well." Kari said, walking towards the jungle gym. "I don't mind. C'mon, let's get going."
"Okay, okay." Tai said, as they were walking towards the playground.
As they were both having fun going down slides, and climbing around the playground, along with other kids, a worker was watching his computer screen carefully, in the staff room. Another worker then entered the room, with a cup of coffee.
"Hey George. What are you worked up for?" He said.
"Oh, I'm watching the temperature." George said. "I thought I saw it rise up a bit."
"A rise in temperature? That's nonsense. The temperature is supposed to stay at a constant 75 F."
"Yeah, I guess."
Suddenly, the electricity went off in the office. Everything just shut down, except for the computers, which just rebooted into power saving mode due to the emergency power.
"What the…?"
"A power outage?"
At the same time, the moving parts in the park stopped moving, and the safety machines to the climbing wall turned off as well! There were actually a few kids on the top of the wall. There was a platform on top of the wall, but the kids couldn't go down because the harnesses were turned off. Tai and Kari sees this, and realizes how serious the situation was.
"What the…" Tai said.
"They're trapped up there!" Kari exclaimed.
"What's going on?" The workers exclaimed, as they were trying to get the system back on. "We got kids trapped up on the climbing wall! We need the power back on now!"
"What about the Emergency Generator?"
"No good! It's not responding!"
"But, why are the lights still on in the playground room? If they're working, why isn't the machines?"
"It's because they're on their own separate power."
"Come on! The children are getting scared!"
Suddenly, the office's power turns back on.
"H-Hey, the power's back on."
"Oh, finally. Let's reboot the system."
The computer then starts sparking, and it shocked the workers.
"What the!?"
"What's going on!?"
They then see what was on the screen. The cursor seems to be going haywire, and multiple screens were popping up. Suddenly, the slow-moving machine parts on the playground starts moving at fast speeds. The kids who were stuck on the monkey bars started clinging onto them for dear life as they were moving back and forward. The kids on the automatic swings were swinging high and over, with the parents not being able to get them off at all, considering they're moving so fast, high and dangerously. The ladders that move after hours to make sure no kids get stuck on the top level retracted, and what do you know? It leaves kids stranded on top of the playset. Parents and their kids were scared out of their lives as the kids were in danger. Tai and Kari watches this, and were horrified to what's happening.
"What's going on?" Tai said.
"It's like the whole thing's going nuts!" Kari exclaimed.
"Ugh, and is it getting even hotter in here?"
"Oh no!" The worker named George yelled. "The temperature is rising rapidly!" The temperature on the computer was rising from 75 F, 0.1 degrees at a time. It was rising 1 degree every minute. "Those people are going to cook in there!"
"Turn on the A/C controls!" The other worker exclaimed.
"I can't! They've changed the controls to be controlled on the computer!"
"What!? Okay we need to evacuate everyone immediately!" He then turned on the indoor speaker. "Can everyone hear me!? Stay calm, everyone, and those who can, evacuate the playground immediately! Those who are trapped on the playground, stay calm! Help is on the way!"
Everyone starts for the doors, before the doors shut on them. The automatic locks turned on, trapping everyone in. Everyone starts screaming, realizing that fact, with the workers looking concerned.
"The automatic locks turned on!? What the heck is happening!?"
"Oh, I'm looking in the computer!" George said, looking in his D-Trans. "There's monsters in that thing!"
"What? Are those the so-called viruses we heard about?"
"What are we going to do?"
"Couldn't these battle cards work on them."
"No, regular battle cards aren't programmed to be used outside of Card Trans!"
"Oh no!" He then pressed a few buttons on his D-Trans. He was calling security. "Can you hear me!? This is an emergency! The people are trapped in the indoor playground! The temperature is rising, and the system is currently down! We need authorities in here, immediately!"
"Whoa, what's this?" The worker sees more on his D-Trans. In the "PlayGroundComp" he could see a figure of what looks to be a giant humanoid bird in the program. That's all he could see before his access to the Comp was shut off. "What was that? It looked like some bird man…"
Meanwhile back to Tai and Kari.
"Gah, it's getting boiling hot in here." Tai said.
"Uh, maybe the bathroom is cooler." Kari said.
"Good idea. You go where it's cooler. I'll find a way out of here. And then I'm gonna go try to help those kids up there."
Kari nods, and then runs into the girl's bathroom. She runs into a stall, and locks it. She then started talking to Gatomon.
"Hey Gatomon. Do you think it's viruses again?" Kari said.
"Must be." Gatomon said. "We gotta get in there, and fix this before everyone ends up fried."
"Right. Time to fuse!" She turns on the EM Wave Change app. "EM Wave Change! On Air!"
She and Gatomon fused, and becomes Mega Girl, once again. Only difference is her hair now carried over from her human form. It wasn't really like her mother's anymore.
"Ooh, Kari. Your hair looks even better now." Gatomon said.
"Really? That's what Tai said. I guess it does look cute. Bah! What am I saying? We got no time."
"Right. Let's Rock, Mega Girl!"
She nods, and changed her wave frequency. She then lands on the wave road, and was running towards the office. They then see no viruses attacking the computers in the place.
"Where are the viruses?" Mega Girl said.
"It looks like they're attacking directly in the computer." Gatomon said.
"Directly in the computer? Great…Now what are we supposed to do."
"We gotta Trans into the comp."
"Trans In?"
"Yep. We need to hurry! We got lives on the line!"
Mega Girl nods, and she jumps towards the computer. She was afraid she was going to crash directly into the computer, but she phases right into it.
Before she knows it, she's inside the PlayGroundComp.
"Whoa…so this is what it's like to be inside a computer."
"Kari, we don't have much time. We need to get the viruses that are attacking the comp!"
"Got it."
Mega Girl then proceeds to run around the PlayGroundComp, searching for the viruses. The whole Comp looks like it was a factory, working under the blazing sun, surrounded by a desert. And from the looks of it, the machine parts in the place stopped moving. Most likely due to the viruses.
Going through the maze of machines on the first floor, Mega Girl sees a bunch of Mettennas attacking a machine part. A few of them were different colored. They were colored Red.
"There they are!" Mega Girl exclaimed, getting their attention. "Battle Card! Cannon!" She turned her Mega Arm into a cannon, and proceeds to shoot the Mettennas. She deleted a few, but the red ones were stronger. "These ones are different than last time." The red ones pounded the ground, and tries to attack Mega Girl with a wave attack, but she jumped. "Battle Card! GroundWave!" She changed her Mega Arm into the pickaxe the Mettannas attack with, and slammed into the ground, sending the same wave back towards the viruses, deleting them this time.
"Alright." Mega Girl then ran towards the controls, and fiddled with them. "How do you turn this thing on?"
"Try pressing that button." Gatomon said.
"This button?"
"No, the button next to the blue and white one!"
Obviously, there was quite a few buttons on the controls. Eventually, with some button pressing, she finally gets the console turned on again. The machine parts all around her starts moving again.
"Okay. There. And it only took 50 button presses." Mega Girl said.
"That may have fixed it." Gatomon said. "Let's get going." They went into the maze again, and were trying to find their way out of there. When they went in the wrong direction, they realize they weren't done. A bunch more areas were being attacked by viruses.
"Oh boy…"
TO BE CONTINUED
