Author's Note: What can I say? Here's the eighth chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: All characters, Thor, and StarCraft are not my creation.
Chapter 8: What's Worth Blitzing For
"The BanHammer!" Kenta said happily for the umpteenth time.
After their day of trying on stage-outfits, and thinking of the band name, the group was back at the Wolves' Lair for a dinner of Pizza Samurai. Jeri and Mimi were on their way, picking up some extra food from the Katou's restaurant.
"Yeah, yeah Kenta, congratulations." Kazu replied enviously. Everyone giggled. Kazu was still jealous of the fact that Kenta's name got picked over his name, Mega Ion Cannon Blaster.
Then they heard a knock on the door. "I'll get that." Gabumon volunteered, going for the door.
At the door were Jeri, Mimi, and another familiar face...
"Palmon!" Gabumon greeted, surprised.
"Hiya Gabumon!" Palmon replied, and the two Digimon shared a hug. The Tamers were surprised. Yet another Digimon was outside the Digital World.
Gabumon led Palmon in, and Jeri and Mimi followed with bags of food from the Katou's restaurant.
Mimi greeted, "Hey guys! I'm sorry we're late. I wanted to pick up Palmon first so she wouldn't get lonely!"
Jeri and Mimi left the food on the coffee table next to the pizza. Takato opened the Styrofoam containers inside, revealing tempura, sashimi, and some udon Jeri prepared herself that morning. Kazu and Takato were about to dig in, when Rika swatted their hands away from the food.
"Ladies first, gentlemen." Rika said triumphantly, and she, Jeri, and Mimi got their food first. The rest of the boys groaned. Matt chuckled.
Then Gabumon took a bowl of Jeri's udon. Jeri was delighted that Gabumon liked her food so much. Palmon reached in for some tempura.
"Wow Palmon! What are you doing in Shinjuku?" Takato asked.
"You know, I'm just keeping my partner company." Palmon said happily. Mimi patted Palmon on the head. "What a silly question for a DigiDestined to ask!" Palmon commented.
The Tamers were shocked. Yet another Digimon sensed they were Tamers. "How did you that we're DigiDestined?" Rika asked Palmon curiously.
"I don't know, the air started to smell like strawberries, and then I realised that Jeri didn't bring any strawberries from the restaurant." Palmon explained.
Gabumon chuckled, and said "When I first met them, I thought I smelled mochi!"
The Tamers laughed. Mimi was astonished. What a coincidence that she picked out outfits for a band of DigiDestined.
"Well, where are your Digimon then?" Mimi asked, happy to meet a younger generation of DigiDestined.
Takato then told Mimi and Palmon about the D-Reaper, how the Firewall was set up to prevent any more Digimon from bio-emerging, and how their Digimon were pulled back into the Digital World because of it.
"So you're the kids that saved Shinjuku!" Mimi replied, "I wonder why our Digimon weren't affected by the Firewall."
The Tamers agreed. It seemed almost unfair that Matt and Mimi's Digimon could exist in the real world, but not the Tamer's Digimon.
Matt then intervened, hoping to keep the evening on a happy note. "So Kenta, you didn't tell us about how you got the name." Matt asked cheerfully.
Kenta smiled, and explained, "Well Kazu, Jeri and I were going to the park to brainstorm, when Kazu saw our favourite comic book shop along the way. The three of us went in, and Jeri found a new issue of Thor on one of the shelves. When we left, I kept thinking about Thor, and the name BanHammer popped into my head. So technically, I wouldn't have thought of the name if Kazu didn't want to check out the comic book shop first, and if Jeri didn't notice the latest issue of Thor."
"Aww... you're so modest!" Kazu said happily, trapping Kenta in a playful chokehold-hug-combination. Everyone laughed at the display of affection. Kazu could leave Kenta alone now, knowing he contributed to Kenta's inspiration.
"How about you Matt, how'd you come up with the name for your band?" Jeri asked.
Matt revealed, "Well, when the band was starting out, we needed a name, and I went to a friend for ideas, and she came up with Teenage Wolves."
"Who was the she?" Rika asked.
"Sora? Sora Takenouchi?" Matt replied.
Kenta commented, "Another of the original DigiDestined? Is she here in Tokyo as well?" Kenta used to crush on Sora from the TV shows as a kid.
Matt responded, "She is, but she... she's really busy most of the times."
Matt then scratched his head. Although Matt never lied to the Tamers before, Rika could sense some something was wrong. Mimi stepped in, saving Matt from an awkward situation.
"Well guys, you haven't told me what you were going to do with that cash prize if you win!" Mimi said.
"That's right," Matt said, "If I'm not getting any money from this, what are you guys going to do with it? Five million yen in seven ways..."
"...Seven hundred thousand yen each." Gabumon finished.
"Well I don't know about everyone else," Kazu answered, "but I'm getting a new entertainment system!"
"I don't know what I'd do with that much money," Jeri replied, "I'd probably just put it in the bank."
"I don't know what I'd do with it either." Rika agreed, "It's not enough money to move away from my mother." she joked insincerely. Everyone laughed.
"I'd probably buy some missing comics in my comic book collection." Kenta added.
Ryo commented. "Maybe put it towards a car in a few years."
Rika glared teasingly, and replied. "You would obviously buy a car." Ryo chuckled in response.
After that, there was a pause, and then Matt asked "What do you plan to do with your share Takato?"
"Me?" Takato replied nervously, "There isn't much that I really want to buy. If I had one wish, I'd want to see Guilmon again."
"Guilmon? Was that your Digimon?" Mimi asked.
Takato nodded sadly. Silence followed. Everyone: Matt, Mimi, Gabumon, Palmon, Rika, Henry, Ryo, Jeri, Kenta, and Kazu, sympathized with Takato.
"Well, then there's some news I probably should share." Henry responded, breaking the silence to get up from the sofa, and stand in the rehearsal area in front of everyone as if he were to deliver an important announcement.
Henry took a deep breath and said, "So my Dad's been working hard to get our Digimon back."
"Your father?" Matt interrupted.
Henry explained. "His name is Janyu Wong. He was one of the original scientists that created Digimon."
Henry continued, "A few weeks ago, I overheard my dad talking with Yamaki, and he said they were on the verge of finishing a second Ark." The Tamers started to listen more intently with enthusiasm.
"The problem is they're funding has been cut." Henry revealed. Silence followed.
Then Kazu blurted out, "Well how much do they need to finish it?"
Henry smiled, and said "Around four and a half million yen."
"So what you're suggesting," Rika commented, "Is that if we win BandBlitz, we put it towards finishing the Ark?"
Henry nodded happily.
"Well why didn't you say so!" Takato replied. "I'm so putting my share towards finishing the Ark if it means seeing Guilmon again!"
Then one by one, the rest of the Tamers happily vowed to contribute their piece of the prize towards the Ark project.
Matt was relieved that the Tamers were smiling again. But more importantly, he was also touched by the fact that now, he wasn't just giving them a chance to win BandBlitz, but he was also giving them the opportunity to be with their Digimon again; to grow up and grow old with them, like him and Gabumon.
"It's funny," Matt thought to himself, "that I should've stumbled upon these kids." Matt chuckled, and then gave a look towards Mimi. Mimi nodded her head, signalling that she felt the same way.
"Well then," Matt said smiling, getting up from his seat to take advantage of the moment. "I guess it's time to talk about BandBlitz then." Matt and Henry traded spots, Matt taking the rehearsal area, and Henry sitting on the sofa.
Matt then talked for half an hour about BandBlitz, informing them about the days to come. When Matt was finished, the food was done, and so they decided they should call it a night. Everyone went their separate ways in front of the music shop, all hyped up about BandBlitz. Henry and Takato walked together, talking about winning BandBlitz and seeing Terriermon and Guilmon again, until Henry got to his apartment and Takato continued home by himself.
And after all that's been said tonight, Takato knew he couldn't sleep tonight.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note: Well that's that. I know I've promised to update every two to three days, but I had the time and I felt the need to finish sum up the eight-chapters-worth of intro into BandBlitz. Feel free to comment by sending in a review or two. :D
And finally after eight chapters, I'll finally be able to say...
Next Chapter: BandBlitz begins. :]
