The children walked a good distance from the arguing bunny brothers. Once the sounds of explosions stopped, they knew they were clear.
"Are you sure it's right for us to just leave without paying?" Sakura asked.
"Positive. You heard that crazy rabbit wanting to charge us for all that." Said Jun.
Sakura looked down feeling guilty. "But still, he was trying to run a business. We could have at least paid them for the raft ride."
"Well what's done is done. Besides, what are the chances of us seeing them again?" said Kazuya.
Despite what Kazuya said, Sakura couldn't help but feel a little guilty. But that worry was quickly pushed out of her mind. The only thing everyone wanted to do was know where they were supposed to go.
"This walking and waiting to see what happens is getting a bit old." Gazimon said.
"I know. I want some action!" DemiDevimon said.
"Just be patient." Chiisi said to his partner.
As they continued walking, they noticed something up ahead. "What's that?" Chisi asked. Walking closer, they then realized it was a sign.
"Driver City." Kazuya read. "A digimon city?" Kazuya questioned.
"Well it says city, goggleboy." Jun said. "But why the heck is it called Driver City? Does it have something to do with cars?" she questioned.
"I think it's supposed to refer to a computer driver." Said Sho. Everyone nodded in agreement at that remark.
"Well I guess we should head out then. Driver City here we come!" Kazuya said.
"You think we'll run into any evil digimon?" Penguinmon asked.
"Hopefully." DemiDevimon said.
"Besides Penguinmon, we beat anything that came at us, especially me." Gazimon said confidently.
"Overconfident aren't you." Said Fairydramon.
XXX
SkullMeramon tapped the chair angrily. "Can't this thing go any faster?!" he shouted. The Goblimon cringed in fear at their master's outburst.
"But boss, if we push the boosters any harder we could overheat." a Goblimon said.
SkullMeramon then threw his chain around the neck of that Goblimon pulling him up to his face. The chains began to heat up causing the Goblimon to squirm in pain.
"Listen, I was ordered to deal with the human children and I intend to do that job." SkulMeramon seethed. "Now either turn up those boosters or I'll send you back to Primary Village the painful way!" He finished dropping the Goblimon.
The Goblimon clutched his burnt throat gasping for air. "Back to work!" SkullMeramon yelled whipping his chain. The Goblimon scrambled back to his station fearing deletion. The other Goblimon then began pushing buttons on the consoles. There was a sudden shake as the Blimpmon's boosters sped up. Inside, the Goblimon were nervous that the Blimpmon might explode. SkullMeramon didn't care though, the only thing on his mind was killing the digidestined.
XXX
"Whoa." Kazuya gaped. The group had followed the sign to Driver City and soon they arrived in no time. Before them stood the city, a large wall made of metal. Above the wall, they could see several buildings dotting the area.
"Well I guess we should go in." Kazuya said.
"Last one in is a rotten digitama!" Gazimon shouted, running towards the gate. Kazuya joined his partner but before they could go any further, several bullets rained down. Kazuya leaped back while Gazimon latched onto his leg.
"Hold it right there!" A commanding voice said. Everyone looked to see several digimon appear. They looked like small blue T-Rexs but they were dressed in army gear, complete with helmets and rifles.
"Hey, who do you think you are shooting at?!" said Gazimon.
"We Commandramon have been appointed to protect this city from any infected digimon." The lead Commandramon said.
"Well our digimon aren't infected and we're humans, so there's no way we could have viruses." said Kazuya.
The lead Commandramon gave a hand motion and soon the other Commandramon spread out amongst the group. They looked at the digimon mostly in their eyes.
"They all check out sir." One of the Commandramon said.
"Very well, then. You are free to go." The lead Commandramon said. "But you will be apprehended if you try anything funny, welcome to Driver City."
"Gee thanks." Jun said, sarcastically.
The Commandramon ignored that comment and ushered the kids and their digimon inside. As they entered, the Commandramon dispersed back to their positions. The group looked at the city. Digimon of all shapes and sizes walked around the city.
"Look at all the digimon." said Sakura.
"Well where do we go now?" asked Sho.
"Anywhere we want." said Kazuya. "I think we should take this chance to see the city and buy some supplies."
"That sounds like a plan Kazuya." said Gazimon.
"We should all meet back here when we're done." said Sakura. The others nodded in agreement. Sho, Labramon, Jun and Penguinmon each went off in different direction with their respective partners. Before Kazuya and Gazimon could leave, Kazuya felt a tug on his jacket. He turned to see Sakura.
"I'd rather stick with you." She said.
"Well alright." said Kazuya
"Yes, we can talk about love." Gazimon said flirtatiously towards Fairydramon.
Fairydramon prepared herself to breathe a Fairy Flame at Gazimon, but stopped noticing the various Commandramon surrounding the area.
"Just be glad the law is here, rabbit." Fairydramon said, anger and annoyance evident in her voice.
"If it's alright with you guys DemiDevimon and I are going to explore by ourselves." said Chiisi.
Chiisi and DemiDevimon started to leave, but then Sakura stopped them. "Are you sure?" Sakura asked.
"Relax. The kid will be fine with me." DemiDevimon said. Sakura then reluctantly allowed them to go.
"Hey, don't worry I'm sure they'll be fine." Kazuya said. Sakura smiled, nodded, and left along with her best friend and their digimon.
XXX
"Hard to believe a city like this is standing with all those infected digimon around." Sho said in amazement. "Everything seems to be peaceful." He said, as looked at the digimon walking around.
Labramon then began to sniff. "That smell is so yummy!" she said, her mouth watering until saliva practically flowed out of her mouth. Labramon ran off towards the direction of the smell. Sho followed her trying to keep up. They soon came to a large banner. "Enter the eating challenge, eat 30 curry rice bowls and win a prize!" Sho read aloud.
"Oh Sho-chan let me enter!" Labramon said, excitedly.
"What?" Sho asked.
"Please! "I'm so-" Labramon began.
"Don't tell me, you're hungry." Sho said.
"Uh-uh, so please please, please!" Labramon begged. Sho looked down at Labramon, her eyes were wide and she was making whimpering noises.
"Well alright. Who knows, the prize could be one of those digicores we were looking for." said Sho, finally giving in.
"Yippee!" Labramon said. Labramon practically leaped towards the sign up area and soon she was a contestant.
"Welcome contestants!" An Agumon announcer spoke out of a loudspeaker. "The rules are simple. Whoever eats 30 bowls without giving up wins the special prize. Begin!" the announcer said. That was all Labramon needed to hear. Sho watched as his digimon ate her food with gusto. She was completely out eating the other contestants. A small piece of rice then spattered onto his cheek. "Oh boy." He muttered under his breath.
XXX
Jun and Penguinmon walked the streets of the city. Jun looked around hoping something would catch her interest.
"What's wrong Jun?" Penguinmon asked.
"For a city, this place is boring." Jun said. "There's got to be something to do." She continued. "Hey there!" Jun exclaimed. Something had finally caught her eye. A few feet away from them was a large sign that said, arcade. Jun and Penguinmon stepped inside. Inside was a row of arcade machines. Various digimon were playing them, giving shouts of joy or anger at their success at the games. "My kind of place." Jun said. Jun spotted a machine that she decided to play. Penguinmon watched his partner play the game. Well, he was too short to see the screen, but from the way his partner moved she seemed to be having difficulty.
A loud beep then came from the machine. "Game over! You gotta be kidding me!" Jun said angrily. She put more money into the machine. Just as she had started though, another beep sounded from the machine. "I just started! Stupid crappy machine!" She shouted.
"Jun, please calm down." Penguinmon pleaded. But his cries were not heard as Jun had just wasted more of her money. "Piece of junk!" Jun shouted, kicking the machine.
"Jun please stop. Everyone is staring!" Penguinmon pleaded.
"Stop that, miss!" a voice said.
"Back off! This stupid machine is fixed." She spat.
"Maam, I'd advise you to stop kicking that machine." The voice said again. Jun felt something grab her. Jun punched in reaction. She faulted when she realized whom she had punched. It was a Commandramon and he did not look too happy.
"Oh crap." said Jun.
"I told you, you should've calmed down!" said Penguinmon.
Jun then grabbed Penguinmon and ran out of the store as quickly as she could. Before she left, she heard the Commandramon shout something. However, she was more concerned with getting away.
XXX
Chiisi looked around deciding where to go. He was hoping for somewhere secluded. He turned towards an alley. Various digimon were operating stands obviously conducting business of questionable values.
"Yoo hoo! Oh boy!" an effeminate male voice said.
"Just keep walking kid and don't make eye contact." DemiDevimon said. He was too late however as Chiisi had turned towards the source of the voice.
At a small stand stood a thin digimon that sort of reminded Chiisi of an alien. Its distinguishing feature was its large brain.
"Greetings, I'm Vademon. Care to have your palm read?" he asked.
"A palm reading?" Chiisi questioned.
"Yes. Normally, I charge for this, but for you it's free of charge!" Vademon said, waving his hand.
Reluctantly Chiisi held out his hand, which Vademon took. Chiisi looked a little weirded out as Vademon had his palm read.
"Well you're an interesting little boy." Vademon began. "I see some very difficult battles ahead. You seem to have an affinity for darkness."
That immediately caught Chiisi's attention. "Darkness?" Chiisi asked.
"Yes. It seems to have taken a special liking to you." said Vademon. "You have worries about that, but in the end you and darkness will confront each other."
Vademon let go of Chiisi's hand. "Well that's it. Have a nice day. Buh bye." Vademon said, with a wave. Chiisi raised an eyebrow as he left.
"That guy was a weirdo." said DemiDevimon.
XXX
"That looks like a good place." said Sakura, pointing towards a store. Kazuya, Gazimon, and Fairydramon followed her inside.
"Wow, check out all this stuff!" said Kazuya. The shelves and tables were packed with all sorts of odds and ends. Upon seeing all the things to buy, Kazuya and Gazimon rushed off.
"Wow, look at this!" Kazuya said, excitedly
"Hey Kazuya, check this thing out!" Gazimon, said excitedly.
"Well Kazuya always did like to shop. It seems Gazimon likes it too." said Sakura, noting their similarities.
"If only Gazimon had a clean mind. Then things would be perfect." Fairydramon said, shaking in disgust as thoughts of Gazimon entered her head.
The pair then continued to look around for something to buy. After browsing for a few minutes, the two of them found something they caught their interest.
"This is perfect." Sakura said, picking up a large handbag. "We could store things in here."
"I think this could help us as well." Fairydramon said. She was holding a map of the entire continent of Folder. Just then they heard a loud crash.
"What do you think you two are doing!" A loud male voice shouted.
"Kazuya and Gazimon." Sakura and Fairydramon said in unison. The two of them found Kazuya and Gazimon standing over a broken pile of porcelain. They looked down wringing their hands.
"That was an expensive portable toilet. You two will have to pay for that!" The store owner, a Nanimon shouted angrily. Kazuya looked up and seemed happy to see Sakura.
"Sakura, we're best friends, right?" he asked, sweetly.
"Um yes." Sakura replied.
"This guy has a "you break you buy it" policy apparently, so could you mind paying for this?" Kazuya asked.
"Why can't you pay for it?" Sakura asked.
"Well I'm a little strapped for cash at the moment, so please could you do this just this once."
Sakura looked at her friend. Finally she pulled out her wallet. "You take yen?" she asked the Nanimon.
XXX
Chiisi and DemiDevimon were nearing the end of the alley.
"Chiisi Hey!" a female voice shouted. Chiisi and DemiDevimon turned to see Jun with Penguinmon in the crook of her arm.
"Jun what are you-" Chiisi questioned. He was cut off as Jun grabbed him and went into the alley. Several Commandramon ran past the alley. Jun poked her head out to see if the coast was clear.
"Well it looks like they're gone." She said, putting Penguinmon down.
"What was that about?" asked Chiisi.
"Oh nothing. Just a little misunderstanding." Jun lied.
"But you punched him." said Penguinmon.
"Nobody asked you!" spat Jun.
"Hmm, trouble with the law. Should be interesting if they find you." DemiDevimon said, with a smirk.
Jun looked around until she spotted a commotion. "Look there's a crowd we can hide in." She said grabbing Chiisi.
"But they're not looking for me!" Chiisi shouted. The group made their way through the crowd. They then spotted a familiar face. "Sanbara?" said Jun.
Sho turned around and said, "Oh, hey guys." He said.
"What's going on?" asked Chiisi.
Sho pointed towards something. It was Labramon. She was busy stuffing her face with a bowl of curry rice. Two large piles of bowls towered beside her.
"If you're wondering what's going on, it's simple." Sho began "Labramon entered this contest. Whoever eats thirty bowls wins a special prize."
"So did she win?" asked Penguinmon.
"Yes, she won, but she kept asking for more."
"How many is she on?" asked Jun.
Sho sighed with embarrassment. "I lost count at fifty eight."
Labramon continued to wolf down her food until finally she stopped. She then fell back with a crash.
"Labramon!" Sho cried. He and the others ran to Labramon and gaped at what they saw. Labramon lay on the ground with a dreamy look on her face. She licked her muzzle making sure to get any bits of rice. She patted her belly (which was now rather fat after her little pig out) sighing as she did. "That was yummy!" she exclaimed "Oh hello Sho-chan." She said. Labramon then gave a loud belch. "Excuse me." Labramon said, placing a paw to her mouth.
Sho looked down in embarrassment, especially after he heard some murmurs in the crowd that sounded like pig or glutton.
"The winner of our contest is Labramon who ate a record breaking one hundred bowls!" The Agumon announcer said. "Here is your prize, free tickets on the Locomon express!" The announcer said handing Labramon some tickets. "See? I knew this was a good idea, Sho-chan."
"If you say so." Sho said, embarrassed.
"Can we get some desert now? I only stopped eating because they ran out." Labramon said. Just then, Sho fell back hard on the ground.
"Sho-chan?" Labramon asked.
"Sho must be really embarrassed by now." said Chiisi.
"Well maybe if she eats anymore, we'll get to see her explode!" DemiDevimon said, excitedly after hearing Labramon.
XXX
In his Blimpmon, SkullMeramon watched gleefully as the red and white blips on the screen were getting closer. Pushing the boosters had indeed brought them to Folder much faster. Now all SkullMeramon had to do was wait till he reached their destination.
XXX
Kazuya, Sakura and their digimon were walking back to the meeting place. Since they had left the store, Sakura had been rather angry.
"Come on Sakura. I said I was sorry." said Kazuya.
"Well I don't know why you had to go touching everything!" Sakura said angrily. "I'm just glad I had enough to buy the map and handbag but now I'm broke!"
"It wasn't my fault. I spent all my money at the camp vending machines!" Kazuya said. "The camp food was lousy."
Gazimon sighed and shook his head. "It's sad when friends fight, isn't it?" he asked Fairydramon, placing his arm around her. A small vein then appeared on Fairydramon's head.
"Hey guys!" the group turned to see Chiisi, Sho, Jun and their digimon walking towards them (or in Labramon's case waddling).
Kazuya and Sakura waved back.
"So did you guys buy anything?" Sakura asked.
"None of us did." Chiisi said. "But we did get some train tickets."
"Hey, what happened to Labramon?" Gazimon said, as he noticed the size of Labramon's belly.
"Well, for once we have to thank this mutt for being such a glutton, because she won us these tickets in an eating contest." Jun said, flashing the train tickets.
"Hey, I'm not a glutton!" yelped Labramon. "Um Sho-chan, what's a glutton?" Labramon asked Sho.
"It's a person who eats too much." Sho replied.
"Well how is that a bad thing?" Labramon asked innocently. Sho simply gave an exasperated sigh.
"Well we should all get going. I mean we have to save the world and all." Jun said.
"Are you feeling okay?" Sakura asked.
"Of course. Never better. Now we should get going." said Jun.
"Freeze!" Everyone turned to see a large group of Commandramon aiming their guns at Jun.
"All right. You and the Penguinmon are coming with us.
"What did you do now?!" asked Kazuya.
"Can it goggleboy!" Jun spat
"She got mad and broke a machine." answered Penguinmon.
"I said can it!" Jun shouted.
Just then a loud explosion rocked the area. Everyone turned to see several buildings explode. Several digimon were caught in the explosion, deleting them. Everyone looked up to see a blimp like shape in the sky. A figure appeared to be descending from it. Finally, the figure landed. Flames scattered from the impact of the landing, deleting the Commandramon instantly. SkullMeramon had arrived and he was ready to fight. SkullMeramon gazed at his surroundings until the digidestined were in his line of sight.
"Well, now that they're out of the way, we can get down to business."
"Who are you?!" Kazuya said, defensively.
SkullMeramon laughed and said, "Well where are my manners? I'm SkullMeramon and I'm your executioner for today. Don't worry. I'm very good at my job." He said, gleefully.
The kid's digimon became defensive, even Penguinmon who only trembled a little bit.
"Oh, that's right. So you'd all like to be heroes." said SkullMeramon. "Well fine by me then!" he shouted swinging his chain around.
The kids looked worried. They were not sure whether their digimon were able to handle him. "Hey don't worry. We can handle this guy." Gazimon said, as he noticed Kazuya's worried face. The kids held up their digivices, which were now shining with light.
"Gazimon evolve! Genkimon!"
"Labramon evolve! Shiisamon!"
"Penguinmon evolve! Saberdramon!"
"DemiDevimon evolve! Devimon!"
"Fairydramon evolve! Tiamon!"
The five champions stood there, ready to fight. Shiismon then looked down at her stomach. "Hey my tummy shrank, now I can eat more!" she said happily.
"For once focus on something other than food." Tiamon scolded.
SkullMeramon gave a hand motion that simply told them to bring it on. "Genki Rush!" Genkimon cried. Genkimon rushed at SkullMeramon with a punch. To Genkimon's surprise, SkullMeramon simply stopped it with his hand. SkullMeramon then knocked Genkimon aside with a punch.
"Is that it?" SkullMeramon mocked.
Tiamon and Saberdramon flew up in the air while Devimon and Shiisamon rushed at SkullMeramon.
"Sekkantou, Touch of Evil!" Shiisamon and Devimon both cried. Both Devimon and Shiisamon pressed their attacks against SkullMeramon. SkullMeramon was clearly struggling against both their attacks.
"Genki Laser!" a bright stream of energy struck SkullMeramon. "Aaggh!" SkullMeramon cried out in pain.
"Now guys!" Genkimon shouted, to Tiamon and Saberdramon.
"Black Saber, Tiamat Fire!" Saberdramon and Tiamon cried. Twin streams of fire enveloped SkullMeramon. Devimon and Shiisamon jumped out of the way, so as not to be burnt by the flames.
"We got him!" Genkimon cried.
"Alright!" Kazuya shouted. The others joined in Kazuya's excitement. All of a sudden, the flames departed revealing SkullMeramon, very much alive.
SkullMeramon cackled wildly. "What were you thinking using fire against a fire digimon?!" Besides, what could five Champions do against an Ultimate level digimon like me?" SkullMeramon questioned, mockingly.
"An Ultimate level?" Sakura questioned.
"He must have evolved higher." said Chiisi.
"Flame Chain!" SkullMeramon cried. Two chains extended from his body reaching up towards Saberdramon and Tiamon. The chains wrapped around their necks choking them. With a mighty pull, SkullMeramon pulled them down. He then jumped in the air, the chains leaving the two digimon as they hit the ground. "Heavy Metal Fire!" SkullMeramon cried, breathing out a stream of blue fire. Tiamon and Saberdramon cried out in pain as the flames licked them. SkullMeramon landed, cackling all the while.
"Tiamon!" Sakura cried.
"Saberdramon!" Jun cried.
Both Saberdramon and Tiamon managed to survive the attack, however. "Oh you're still alive. Well that's okay. I'm having fun." SkullMeramon said, cackling.
"I'm getting real sick of that laugh." Jun said annoyed.
"Kazuya! You and the others need to get out of here!" Said Genkimon.
"But what about you guys?" Kazuya asked.
"Hey, don't worry about us. Besides, I won't stop till I kill this bastard." Devimon said, clenching his claws.
"It's our duty to protect you guys!" Shiisamon cried, with enthusiasm.
For a moment, the kids looked reluctant to leave their partners behind. But, they soon took off running. The five Champion digimon stood ready to fight. SkullMeramon simply smiled and rushed at them.
XXX
Behind them, the kids could hear explosions and their partners crying out their attacks. Sho looked back for a moment thinking about going back. He was worried about Shiisamon.
"Don't look back, Sanbara!" Jun shouted. "Besides, we need to think about getting out of here."
"Any ideas?" Kazuya asked.
Jun simply flashed the free tickets. They rushed through the streets looking for the train station. After a bit of searching, they found a huge sign that said "Locomon Express." They rushed inside, but just as they were about to board, Sho stopped.
"I'm not going." He said. The others turned toward him.
"Are you nuts, Sanbara? That psycho is after us!" said Jun.
"I can't leave Shiisamon!" Sho shouted.
"Sho's right! Our digimon are out there fighting for us and we just can't leave them behind!" said Kazuya.
Sakura and Chiisi nodded in agreement. "Well, alright." Jun agreed.
A loud explosion shifted their attention. Their digimon came flying through the main gate, devolving as they hit the ground. As the kids rushed to their digimon, SkullMeramon stepped through, his whole body flaming.
"Well, now that they're out of the way, I have always wondered how humans would burn!" said SkullMeramon.
The children's digimon rose to the ground, still having some fight left in them.
"Oh don't worry. I'll finish you first!" SkullMeramon said, preparing to finish the Rookies.
Just then, several rounds of gunfire sounded, as several Commandramon fired upon SkullMeramon. Taking that moment, the children grabbed their digimon and went inside the Locomon. As if on cue, the Locomon took off.
As SkullMeramon fought off the many Commandramon, he noticed the Locomon leaving the station.
"Damn it!" He shouted angrily, lighting up his entire body.
Inside, the digidestined were relieved to have gotten away. But little did they know, their troubles were just beginning.
To be continued…